Clay-Microbe Interactions and Implication for Remediation of Inorganic Contaminants

Mineral–microbe interactions indirectly affect the geochemical fluxes and biogeochemical cycling of a large number of elements. Among them are toxic heavy metals (e.g. chromium), radionuclides (uranium and technetium), and nitrogen. Heavy metals and radionuclides enter the environment from various sources such as mining activity, nuclear weapons production, metallurgical and chemical industries. Other metals, such as lead, arsenic, antimony, and cadmium, are enriched in certain environments by either natural or anthropogenic processes. Because many of these metals and radionuclides are carcinogens, their release into the environment and their fate cause intense scientific and public concern and are the subject of substantial research. Nitrate enters the environment largely through agricultural activity. Human health risks from nitrate uptake from drinking water supplies run the gamut from increased cancer risk to birth defects.

A Solvent-Free Covalent Organic Framework Single-Ion Conductor Based on Ion-Dipole Interaction for All-Solid-State Lithium Organic Batteries

Single-ion conductors based on covalent organic frameworks(COFs)have garnered attention as a potential alternative to currently prevalent inorganic ion conductors owing to their structural uniqueness and chemical versatility.However,the sluggish Li+conduction has hindered their practical applications.Here,we present a class of solvent-free COF single-ion conductors(Li-COF@P)based on weak ion-dipole interaction as opposed to traditional strong ion-ion interaction.The ion(Li+from the COF)-dipole(oxygen from poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate embedded in the COF pores)interaction in the Li-COF@P promotes ion dissociation and Li+migration via directional ionic channels.Driven by this single-ion transport behavior,the Li-COF@P enables reversible Li plating/stripping on Li-metal electrodes and stable cycling performance(88.3%after 2000 cycles)in organic batteries(Li metal anode||5,5’-dimethyl-2,2’-bis-p-benzoquinone(Me2BBQ)cathode)under ambient operating conditions,highlighting the electrochemical viability of the Li-COF@P for all-solid-state organic batteries.

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics enabled by transparent p-type inorganic semiconductor and near-infrared acceptor

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics(STOPVs)have gained wide attention owing to their promising applications in building-integrated photovoltaics,agrivoltaics,and floating photovoltaics.Organic semiconductors with high charge carrier mobility usually have planar and conjugated structures,thereby showing strong absorption in visible region.In this work,a new concept of incorporating transparent inorganic semiconductors is proposed for high-performance STOPVs.Copper(I)thiocyanate(CuSCN)is a visible-transparent inorganic semiconductor with an ionization potential of 5.45 eV and high hole mobility.The transparency of CuSCN benefits high average visible transmittance(AVT)of STOPVs.The energy levels of CuSCN as donor match those of near-infrared small molecule acceptor BTP-eC9,and the formed heterojunction exhibits an ability of exciton dissociation.High mobility of CuSCN contributes to a more favorable charge transport channel and suppresses charge recombination.The control STOPVs based on PM6/BTP-eC9 exhibit an AVT of 19.0%with a power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 12.7%.Partial replacement of PM6 with CuSCN leads to a 63%increase in transmittance,resulting in a higher AVT of 30.9%and a comparable PCE of 10.8%.

Effects of Integrated Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Yield and Growth Parameters of Rice Varieties

We investigated the effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of indica rice variety Manawthukha and japonica rice variety Genkitsukushi.In a split-plot design,the two rice varieties were assigned as main plot factors,and the integrated treatments were the subplot factors,including no-N fertilizer(N0),50%chemical fertilizer(CF)(CF50),100%CF(CF100),50%CF+50%poultry manure(PM)(CF50PM50),50%CF+50%cow manure(CM)(CF50CM50),and 50%CF+50%compost(CP)(CF50CP50).CF100 was equivalent to N at 85 kg/hm2.Manure was applied based on the estimated mineralizable nitrogen(EMN)level,which is dependent on total N(%)of each manure type.Manawthukha rice plants were taller with higher tiller number and dry matter content.However,higher soil-plant analysis development(SPAD)values were measured in Genkitsukushi throughout the crop growth period,resulting in higher seed-setting rate(%)and greater yield.At the same N level,CF50PM50 application in both rice varieties resulted in higher SPAD values,plant height and tiller number than CF100.CF50PM50 containing total N more than 4%supplied synchronized N for the demands of the rice plants,resulting in maximum dry matter,yield and yield components.CF50CM50 and CF50CP50 treatments containing total N less than 4%resulted in lower yields which were similar to CF100.These results indicated that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers enhanced growth parameters and yields of Manawthukha and Genkitsukushi,while reducing the dose of chemical fertilizer.

Effects of temperature and organic and inorganic nutrients on the growth of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae)from the Daya Bay,South China Sea

The effects of temperature and different forms of nutrients on Chattonella marina growth have been investigated in strains isolated from the Daya Bay, the South China Sea. The strain of C. marina preferred high temperatures, with an optimal temperature of 25℃, and 18℃ was the minimum for its survival. Higher cell number and growth rate were obtained in high nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations （500 μg/L, 74μg/L） than under nutrient limitation. Nitrogen influenced the growth most, as the specific growth rate and maximum cell density were lower in nitrogen- limited cultures than noted under phosphorus limitation or under limitation from both. C. marina was capable of using many kinds of organic nitrogen sources including L-serine （L-Ser）, glycine （Gly）, alanine （Ala）, L-threonine （L-Thr）, glutamic acid （Glu） and urea, but could not utilize uric acid. Various forms of organic phosphorus compound such as glucose-6-phosphate （G6P）, sodium glycerophosphate （GYP）, adenosine triphosphate （ATP）, adenosine monophosphate （AMP）, cyti- dine monophosphate （CMP）, guanosine monophosphate （GMP）, uridine monophosphate （UMP）, 4-nitrophenylphosphate （NPP） and triethyl phosphate （TEP） supported the growth as well. Algal cells had the ability to sustain growth under nitrogenand/or phosphorus-free conditions particularly under phosphorus depleted condition. These results led to the hypothesis that high loading of nitrogen has played an important role in frequent C. marina blooms in the past decade, and its capability for utilization of diverse forms of organic nutrients and growth in low nutrient conditions make this species a likely recurrent dominant in the Daya Bay phytoplankton assemblages, visible as more frequent blooms.

Effect of Organic Ligands on Biological Availability of Inorganic Phosphorus in Soils

Citrate, oxalate, tartrate and malate were added into soils during the growthperiod of ryegrass to study the effect of different organic ligands on the release of variousinorganic P (Pi) fractions in a yellow-brown soil and a paddy soil. The results showed that oxalatewas most effective in promoting the release of total Pi in the yellow-brown soil and tartrate in thepaddy soil. The dominant Pi fractions released from the yellow-brown soil were calcium phosphate(Ca-P) and aluminum phosphate (Al-P) and those from the paddy soil were iron phosphate (Fe-P) andreductant soluble phosphate (O-P) mobilized by tartrate. Phosphorous-mobilizing capability oforganic acids in the yellow-brown soil revealed the following order: oxalate > citrate > malate >tartrate. In the paddy soil, the order was tartrate > citrate ≈ oxalate > malate. It wasdemonstrated that organic ligands were different in their capabilities of mobilizing Pi and the sameorganic ligand showed also a discrepancy in mobilizing P in different soils. Although the additionof organic ligands into soils could increase the amount of P taken up by ryegrass, the more uptakeof P, however, was not only due to the more release of Pi, but also partly from organic P. In manycases, organic ligands promoted the release of the total Pi, while different fractions showeddifferent trends: some increased and others decreased.

An Explosive Organic/Inorganic Hybrid: Synthesis and Thermal Property of Octa(2,4-dinitrophenyl)silsesquioxane

Octaphenylsilsesquioxane(OPhS) was prepared by a modifying method and a new core-shell nanocomposite, octa(2,4-dinitrophenyl)silsesquioxane, [(R_2PhSiO_ 1.5)_8, R=—NO_2, ODNPhS], was synthesized by nitration of OPhS in a mixed acid solution of nitric and sulfuric acids at about 60 ℃. Their molecular structures were determined by DRIFTS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectra analysis. The thermal analysis shows that ODNPhS is an explosive that detonates at about 420 ℃.

Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Black Soil Fertility and Maize Yield

By two years （2007-2008） located fertilizer experiment, the effect of long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on black soil fertility and crop yield was investigated in Shuangcheng City, Heilongjiang Province. The results showed that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers could increase the organinc matter, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium. At the same time, the increasing application of organic fertilizer could reduce the soil bulk density and improve the field moisture capacity. Field moisture capacity and organic matter of the combined application of high quantities of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers AtB5 treatment increased the fhstest, organic matter increased by 3.33 g. kg and field moisture capacity increased by 11.25% than the beginning of the experiment. Under the same fertilization, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers＇ increasing production range was higher than the single chemical fertilizers＇ which was from 0.8% to 9.4%. The results showed that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers could increase the nutrient contents of soil and also was the highest productivity contribution to black soil fertility. It was the best fertilization structure of increasing productivity level and improving the soil fertility.

The Effects of Estuarine Processes on the Fluxes of Inorganic and Organic Carbon in the Yellow River Estuary

Riverine carbon flux is an important component of the global carbon cycle. The spatial and temporal variations of organic and inorganic carbon were examined during both dry and wet seasons in the Yellow River estuary. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon （DOC） and dissolved inorganic carbon （DIC） in the Yellow River during dry seasons were higher than those during wet seasons. The effective concentrations of DOC （CDOC＊） were higher than the observed DOC at zero salinity. This input of DOC in the Yellow River estuary was due to sediment desorption processes in low salinity regions. In contrast to DOC, the effective concen- trations of DIC were 10% lower than the DIC measured at freshwater end, and the loss of DIC was caused by CaCO3 precipitation in low salinity region, Particulate organic carbon （POC） and particulate inorganic carbon （PIC） contents of the particles stabilized to constant values （0.5%：t：0.05% and 1.8%--0.2%, respectively） within the turbidity maximum zone （TMZ） and showed no noticeable seasonal variations. A rapid drop of PIC and rise of POC occurred simultaneously outside the TMZ due to an intense dilution of riv- erine inorganic-rich particles being transported into a pool of aquatic organic-poor particles outside the TMZ. Annually, the Yellow River transported 6.95× 10^5 t of DIC, 0.64× 10^5 t of DOC, 78.58× 10^5 t of PIC and 2.29× 10^5 t of POC to the sea.

Development of multiple soft computing models for estimating organic and inorganic constituents in coal

The distribution of the various organic and inorganic constituents and their influences on the combustion of coal has been comprehensively studied.However,the combustion characteristics of pulverized coal depend not only on rank but also on the composition,distribution,and combination of the macerals.Unlike the proximate and ultimate analyses,determining the macerals in coal involves the use of sophisticated microscopic instrumentation and expertise.In this study,an attempt was made to predict the amount of macerals(vitrinite,inertinite,and liptinite)and total mineral matter from the Witbank Coalfields samples using the multiple input single output white-box artificial neural network(MISOWB-ANN),gene expression programming(GEP),multiple linear regression(MLR),and multiple nonlinear regression(MNLR).The predictive models obtained from the multiple soft computing models adopted are contrasted with one another using difference,efficiency,and composite statistical indicators to examine the appropriateness of the models.The MISOWB-ANN provides a more reliable predictive model than the other three models with the lowest difference and highest efficiency and composite statistical indicators.

Preparation and Conducting Behavior of Amphibious Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Proton Exchange Membranes Based on Benzyltetrazole

A series of novel amphibious organic/inorganic hybrid proton exchange membranes with H3PO4 doped which could be used under both wet and dry conditions was prepared through a sol-gel process based on acrylated triethoxysilane（A-TES） and benzyltetrazole-modified triethoxysilane（BT-TES）.The dual-curing approach including UV-curing and thermal curing was used to obtain the crosslinked membranes.Polyethylene glycol（400） diacrylate（PEGDA） was used as an oligomer to form the polymeric matrix.The molecular structures of precursors were characterized by 1 H,13 C and 29 Si NMR spectra.The thermogravimetric analysis（TGA） results show that the membranes exhibit acceptable thermal stability for their application at above 200 oC.The differential scanning calorimeter（DSC） determination indicates that the crosslinked membranes with the mass ratios of below 1.6 of BT-TES to A-TES and the same mass of H3PO4 doped as that of A-TES possess the-T g s,and the lowest T g（-28.9 ℃） exists for the membrane with double mass of H3PO4 doped as well.The high proton conductivity in a range of 9.4―17.3 mS/cm with the corresponding water uptake of 19.1%―32.8% of the membranes was detected at 90 oC under wet conditions.Meanwhile,the proton conductivity in a dry environment for the membrane with a mass ratio of 2.4 of BT-TES to A-TES and double H3PO4 loading increases from 4.89×10-2 mS/cm at 30 ℃ to 25.7 mS/cm at 140 ℃.The excellent proton transport ability under both hydrous and anhydrous conditions demonstrates a potential application in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Difference in Number of Electrons in Inner Shells of Charged or Uncharged Elements in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry: Compatibility with the Even-Odd Rule

The recently introduced even-odd rule has been shown to successfully represent chemical structures of ions and molecules. While comparing available drawings in the scientific literature with the list of compounds predicted by the even-odd rule, it became however obvious that existing compounds are fewer than expected. Several predicted compounds involving many covalent bonds have apparently never been experimentally observed. Neutral oxygen for instance is expected to have 6 valence electrons, whereas oxygen can only build a maximum of two bonds, as in water. This specificity is observed for elements in the top-right corner of the periodic table. For compounds to contain only single covalent bonds, and thus follow the even-odd rule, further explanations are necessary. The present paper proposes that those specific elements experience a transfer of electrons from the valence shell into the inner shell, making them unavailable for further bonding. These elements will be described as organic, hereby providing a clear and hopefully unifying definition of the term. In opposition, inorganic elements have a constant inner shell no matter their electrical state or the number of bonds they maintain. More than 70 compounds involving 11 elements of the main group are studied, revealing a progression from fully inorganic elements at the left of the periodic table to fully organic elements. The transition between inorganic or organic elements is made of few elements that take an organic form when negatively charged;they are labelled semi-organic. The article concludes that the fully organic elements of the main group are Oxygen and Fluorine, whereas semi-organic elements are more numerous: C, N, S, Cl, Se, Br and I. Thus, the even-odd rule becomes fully compatible with scientific knowledge of compounds in liquid or gaseous phase.

Two Zinc Architectures:A Mononuclear Complex and a 2D Wave-like Organic-inorganic Hybrid Layer

Self-assembly of Zn（NO3）2·6H2O and 2,3,5,6-tetrabromoterephthalic acid（H2TBTA） gave rise to two new zinc metal-organic frameworks,Zn（HTBTA）2（phen）2·H2O（1） and Zn（TBTA）1/2（μ2-OH）（H2O）·0.25EtOH（2）.Complex 1 is a mononuclear molecule.The hydrogen bonding interactions further connect the mononuclear molecules to generate a 2D supramolecular architecture.Complex 2 is a 2D organic-inorganic hybrid layer framework constructed from 1D rod-shaped secondary building units.

Photochemical production of dissolved inorganic carbon from suwannee river humic acid

The photochemical mineralization of dissolved organic carbon(DOC) to dissolved inorganic carbon(DIC) is a key process in carbon cycling.Using a Suntest CPS solar simulator,Suwannee River humic acid(SRHA) was photooxidated to examine the effects of O2 levels,the wavelength of incident light,and the concentration of Fe on the photoproduction of DIC.Increasing the O2 abundance enhanced photodegradation of SRHA.The rate of DIC photoproduction under air saturation in the first 24 h(4.40 μmol/(L h)) was increased by a factor of 1.56 under O2 saturation,but fell by only 36% under N2 saturation.To evaluate the relative importance of UV-B,UV-A,and visible radiation in the photodegradation,we examined the above process using Mylar-d films and UF-3 and UF-4 plexiglass filters.The results indicated that the UV-B,UV-A and visible wavelengths accounted for 31.8%,32.6% and 25.6%,respectively,of DIC production with simulated sunlight irradiation.The above results also indicated that photoproduction of DIC could take place in natural water at depths greater than those that UV light can reach.When 20 μmol/L desferrioxamine mesylate(DFOM,a strong Fe complexing ligand) was added,the rate of DIC photoproduction fell to 55.6% that of the original SRHA samples with 5.46 μmol/L Fe.

A Specific Periodic Table for Chemistry of Organic, Semi-Organic and Inorganic Elements: Compatibility with the Even-Odd Rule,the Number of Electrons and the Isoelectronicity Rule

Following the introduction of the new even-odd and isoelectronic rules and definitions affecting the understanding of electronic structure and bonds, the author has thought necessary to summarize understandings in the form of a table. The classical periodic table, a simple tool used by generations of physicists, is here extended to become a useful tool aimed specifically at chemists. In chemistry, position and number of covalent bonds of each atom are needed, as well as the exact location of charges. The table gives the number of possible bonds for each element and reveals how it is affected by charges. Additionally, the specific table indicates for each atom its isoelectronic elements and highlights the distinction between organic and inorganic elements. Discussion is led on the first two rows of the table by successfully comparing its statement with more than 50 well-known liquid and gaseous compounds.

DISTRIBUTIONS OF TOTAL, INORGANIC AND ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS IN THE SEDIMENTS NEAR THE HUANGHE RIVER ESTUARY

For some hundred surface sediment samples from five cores taken in two cruises near the Huanghe River Estuary, total phosphorus (TP (.inorganic phosphorus (IP (and organic phosphorus (OP)were determined.On the average, 527×10-6, 455×10~6 and 72×10-6 were found for TP,IP and OP for the surface sediments taken in the two cruises. The distribution of OP and IP was controlled by the sample particle size: OP content increased with the decreasing of the sample particle size, while the maximal value of IP was found in the silt fraction due to the existence of apatite in our samples. Vertical distributions reflected well the channel change of the Huanghe River. Results from the multiple regressions between the three forms of phosphorus and the percentages of different particle size agreed well with the analytical data.

Mechanism study of organic antioxidant and inorganic salt on suppressing coal oxidation

The advantages and disadvantages of organic antioxidant and inorganic salt on suppressing coal oxidation were analyzed on the basis of the theory that coal oxidation mechanisms can be attributed to the free radical chain-type reaction mechanism. The inhibition curves on suppressing coal oxidation of the different type and different concentration of organic antioxidant and inorganic salt were given through experimental study and data processing. Then some conclusions can be gained from the experimental study combining with theoretical analysis. First the inhibition mechanism of the organic antioxidant and inorganic salt is different. The former is that the chemical action is the dominant position. It can be called as the chain termination theory because the free radical is captured during coal oxidation. And the later is that the physical effect is the dominant position. It can be called as the decreasing-temperature theory because the liquid membrane which was formed by the inorganic salt can make coal body be the state of wetness and prevent oxygen from coal surface. Second the inhibition effect of the organic antioxidant is higher than the inorganic salt in the later period. But it is lower in the early period.

Organic acids and inorganic anions in Bayer liquors by ion chromatography after solid-phase extraction

A method for the simultaneous separation and determination of organic acids and inorganic anions in Bayer liquors was developed by gradient ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection. Formate, acetate, propionate, oxalate, succinate, glutarate, fluoride, chloride and sulfate were separated and determined in 33 min. The samples were pretreated with solid-phase extraction, which has high selectivity for removing a large number of metallic ions in the Bayer liquors, and filtered with a 0.45 μm filter membrane before being injected into the ion chromatographic system. The separation of six organic acids and three inorganic anions was achieved on an IonPac AS11-HC column with KOH as the eluent, and the detection was performed by a conductivity detection mode. No interference is found in the presence of fluorate, chlorate and sulphate when organic acids are determined. The calibration graphs of peak area for all the analytes are linear over a wide range. The relative standard derivation of the peak area of analytes is less than 2.14%. Under optimum conditions the detection ranges from 0.2 to 100.0 mg/L. The average recoveries of the added standards are between 94.3% and 102.8%.

Organic anion transporters also mediate the drug–drug interaction between imipenem and cilastatin

This study aimed to clarify that organic anion transporters(OATs)mediate the drug–drug interaction(DDI)between imipenem and cilastatin.After co-administration with imipenem,the plasma concentrations and the plasma concentration-time curve(AUC)of cilastatin were significantly increased,while renal clearance and cumulative urinary excretion of cilastatin were decreased.At the same time,imipenem significantly inhibited the uptake of cilastatin in rat kidney slices and in human OAT1(hOAT1)-HEK293 and human OAT3(hOAT3)-HEK293 cells.Probenecid,p-aminohippurate,and benzylpenicillin inhibited the uptake of imipenem and cilastatin in rat kidney slices and in hOAT1-and hOAT3-HEK 293 cells,respectively.The uptakes of imipenem and cilastatin in hOAT1-and hOAT3-HEK 293 cells were significantly higher than that in mock-HEK-293 cells.Moreover,the K m values of cilastatin were increased in the presence of imipenem with unchanged V max,indicating that imipenem inhibited the uptake of cilastatin in a competitive manner.When imipenem and cilastatin were co-administered,the level of imipenem was higher compared with imipenem alone both in vivo and in vitro.But,cilastatin significantly inhibited the uptake of imipenem when dehydropeptidase-1(DPEP1)was silenced by RNAi technology in hOAT1-and hOAT3-HEK 293 cells.In conclusion,imipenem and cilastatin are the substrates of OAT1 and OAT3.OAT1 and OAT3 mediate the DDI between imipenem and cilastatin.Meanwhile,cilastatin also reduces the hydrolysis of imipenem by inhibiting the uptake of imipenem mediated by OAT1 and OAT3 in the kidney as a complement.