The objective of this study was to evaluate supplemental organic chromium(Cr) to finishing lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Eighteen Suffolk lambs(age(4.5±0.2) mon;(25...The objective of this study was to evaluate supplemental organic chromium(Cr) to finishing lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Eighteen Suffolk lambs(age(4.5±0.2) mon;(25.8±3.6) kg body weight(BW)) were randomly assigned to three levels of supplemental organic Cr(0.0, 0.2 and 0.4 mg kg^–1 dry matter(DM)) in a complete random design. Growth performance was evaluated for 70 d, and then lambs were slaughtered to study carcass characteristics and chemical composition of meat. Orthogonal contrasts were performed(contrast one-average level 0.2 ppm Cr vs. average level 0.4 ppm Cr; contrast two-level 0 vs. average levels(0.2+0.4) ppm Cr). Orthogonal polynomials were used to estimate the linear and quadratic effects of Cr concentrations. Growth and carcass performance were not affected by supplemental organic Cr. Muscle conformation and leg perimeter linearly increased(P〈0.05) as organic Cr level increased in the diet. Kidney fat decreased linearly(P〈0.05) as supplemental Cr increased. In Longissimus dorsi(LD), the ash content decreased linearly, and shear force(kg cm^–2) increased(P〈0.05) as organic Cr level increased in the diet. It is concluded that organic Cr did not affect growth performance, but it improved positively the muscle conformation, reduced kidney fat, whereas in LD there was an increment in shear force in finishing carcass lambs.展开更多
Yeasts and organic minerals are used in diets to improve health, productive performance and some carcass characteristics of ruminants and non-ruminants. Thirty-two lambs(Pelibuey×Katahdin; BW=(30.55±1.67)...Yeasts and organic minerals are used in diets to improve health, productive performance and some carcass characteristics of ruminants and non-ruminants. Thirty-two lambs(Pelibuey×Katahdin; BW=(30.55±1.67) kg; n=8) were used in a 56-d feeding experiment to study the effects of different levels of live yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae; yeast), selenium(Se) and chromium(Cr) mixed(Se-Cr), and a mixture of yeast-Se-Cr on growth performance and carcass traits. Animals were stratified by body weight(BW) and randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) control group(0.0 g kg–1 yeast); 2) yeast(1.50 g kg–1 dry matter intake(DMI) d–1); 3) Se-Cr premix(1.5 mg kg–1 DMI d–1 for each mineral); and 4) yeast-Se-Cr mixture. There were no treatment effects on final BW; whereas lambs fed Se-Cr or yeast-Se-Cr had higher(P〈0.05) DMI than animals supplemented with only yeast. Average daily gain(ADG), gain:feed ratio, chop area, dorsal fat and carcass yield were similar(P〉0.05) among treatment groups. In conclusion, supplementation with yeast, Se-Cr mixed or yeast-Se-Cr did not improve ADG, final BW, back fat content and carcass yield of growing of Pelibuey×Katahdin lambs. Supplementation with Se-Cr and yeast-Se-Cr increased DMI, and approximately 250 g ADG animal–1 d–1 was produced with no negative effects on growth and health of the animals.展开更多
A category of chromium (Cr)-containing fertilizers is represented by the fertilizers deriving from byproducts of tanning process. Their use is widespread because of their good agronomic response due to the high conten...A category of chromium (Cr)-containing fertilizers is represented by the fertilizers deriving from byproducts of tanning process. Their use is widespread because of their good agronomic response due to the high content of slow release or- ganic nitrogen (N) and carbon (C). They do not represent an environmental hazard because only the non-toxic form of Cr(III) is present. Productive processes may involve chemical, enzymatic or thermal hydrolysis. The final product is characterized by different contents of peptides and free amino acids depending on the type of hydrolysis. Legislation concerning Cr-containing fertilizers is controversial because often do not consider any scientific evidences;nevertheless, the European Union, the United States and countries as Italy, do not set the restriction to Cr(III) and generally only the presence of the toxic form, Cr(VI), is limited. Depending on its two main oxidation forms, Cr issue has been studied for many years. Several authors confirmed that Cr(VI) is carcinogenic, while Cr(III) is an essential trace element in human and animal diet. In soil Cr(III) has low mobility, whereas Cr(VI) is highly water soluble. However Cr(VI) in soil is quickly reduced to Cr(III);on the contrary oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) is rarely possible because particular conditions must occur. Only a very small fraction of Cr in soil is available to plant uptake and its translocation in edible parts is limited because it is immobilized in roots as Cr(III). Therefore risks of environmental pollution using these fertilizers are negligible;on the contrary they have positive environmental and agronomical effects. The aim of this review is to deal with the category of the organic fertilizers containing Cr derived from tannery processes focusing on its chemical, productive, legislative, environmental and agronomical aspects. Special attention is given to the ambiguous issue of Cr briefly summarizing the most important studies of the last forty years.展开更多
A d-f heteronuclear metal-organic framework(MOF),{[Tm3Zn6(bipy2)2(mimda)7(H2O)3]·(H2O)5}n(1,H3 mimda = 2-methyl-1-H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid,and bipy = 4,4?-bipyridine),has been synthesized un...A d-f heteronuclear metal-organic framework(MOF),{[Tm3Zn6(bipy2)2(mimda)7(H2O)3]·(H2O)5}n(1,H3 mimda = 2-methyl-1-H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid,and bipy = 4,4?-bipyridine),has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions,and structurally characterized by elemental analysis,IR spectra and X-ray single-crystal diffraction.It crystallizes in orthorhombic system,space group Pnma with a = 16.1102(9),b = 33.5805(19),c = 16.8593(10) ?,β = 97.344(11)°,V = 9120.7(9) ?-3,Z = 4,F(000) = 5184,the final R = 0.0530 and w R = 0.1306.In complex 1,the Tm(Ⅲ) ions adopt two types of coordination fashions.Complex 1 shows onedimensional(1-D) Tm-Zn heteronuclear zigzag chains,and these chains are further linked by H3 mimda ligands into Tm-Zn heteronuclear 2-D lattice-like arrays.The 2-D heteronuclear units were connected through [Zn6(mimda)6] rings to give rise to the Tm-Zn heteronuclear cages.Finally,H3 mimda ligands connected the cages into a 3-D heterometallic framework by the combination of [TmO7]n and Tm-Zn heteronuclear cages.In addition,the thermal stability and luminescent property have been investigated.展开更多
Due to the elevated ecological awareness nowadays the consumption of products of organic agriculture is increasing. Organic farming means excluding the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pestic...Due to the elevated ecological awareness nowadays the consumption of products of organic agriculture is increasing. Organic farming means excluding the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides or genetically modified organisms, but there are only a few regulations regarding heavy metal concentrations in soils. Thus a not negligible uptake of metals from the soil where the apple trees are grown may occur. Furthermore inorganic copper compounds being traditional fertilizers for apple trees are not considered as synthetic fertilizers, thus they are still used in organic apple farming for soil or foliar application. Thus also apples produced by organic agriculture may contain toxic elements, such as cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead. The concentrations of these elements were determined in whole apples, as well as in the flesh and peel in order to estimate the possible risk for human health. Prior to analysis using ICP-AES samples underwent a microwave assisted digestion. The LODs obtained are below the recommended maximum levels in vegetables/fruits by WHO. In all samples no Cu, Cr, and Pb could be detected. Only Ca was found in the peel of about a third of samples investigated in concentrations between LOD and LOQ (1-3 μg/g).展开更多
The products of monoammonium phosphate containing Cr^3+resulted in disqualification,and further posed a serious threat to ecological environment and human beings.Herein,the porous adsorbent of fluor(calcium silicate)c...The products of monoammonium phosphate containing Cr^3+resulted in disqualification,and further posed a serious threat to ecological environment and human beings.Herein,the porous adsorbent of fluor(calcium silicate)composites(FCSc)was prepared by hydrothermal method using diatomaceous earth,hydrated lime and additive(NaF)as raw materials,which was characterized and used for the removal of Cr^3+from monoammonium phosphate solutions.The effects of different parameters,such as solution pH,initial Cr^3+concentration,temperature and contact time on the adsorption of Cr^3+onto FCSc were investigated in details.The results indicated that the adsorption process was in agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm.The spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process was obtained by analyzing various thermodynamic parameters(△G0,△H0,and△S0).In addition,computational monte carlo simulations between Cr3+ions and FCSc were conducted to elucidate the adsorption mechanism.Such kind of porous adsorbent provided a potential application in the removal of impurities from monoammonium phosphate industry.展开更多
The novel chromium(Ⅲ) complex with salicylaldehyde semicarbazone was synthesized and characterized by IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic system, space ...The novel chromium(Ⅲ) complex with salicylaldehyde semicarbazone was synthesized and characterized by IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca with a = 8.9849(13), b = 12.0475(16), c = 34.522(5)A, V = 3736.9(9)A3, Z = 8, C16H18C1CrN6O5, Mr= 461.81, De= 1.642 g/cm^3, F(000) = 1896,A(MoKα) = 0.799 mm^-1, the final R = 0.0370 and wR = 0.0827 for 2908 observed reflections with I 〉 2σ(I). The interaction between the chromium(Ⅲ) complex with calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) has been investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results indicated that the complex was bonded to Ct-DNA through a non-classical intercalative mode.展开更多
In this work,a solely gravity and capillary force-driven flow chemiluminescence(GCF-CL)paper-based microfuidic device has been proved for the first time as a new platforn for inex-pensive,usable,mini mally instrumente...In this work,a solely gravity and capillary force-driven flow chemiluminescence(GCF-CL)paper-based microfuidic device has been proved for the first time as a new platforn for inex-pensive,usable,mini mally instrumented dynamic chemiluninescence(CL)detection of chromium(Ⅲ)[Cr(Ⅲ)],where an appropriate angle of inclination between the loading and detection zones on the paper produces a rapid flow of CL prompt solution through the paper charnel.For this study,we use a cost-effective paper device that is manufactured by a simple wax screen-printing method,while the signal generated from the Cr(Ⅲ)-catalyzed oxidation of luminol by H_(2)O_(2) is recorded by a low-cost and luggable CCD camera.A series of GCF-CL affecting factors have been evaluated carefully.At optimal conditions,two linear relationships between GCF-CL intensities and the logarithms of Cr(Ⅲ)concentrations are obtained in the concentration mnges of 0.025-35 mg/L and 50-500 mg/L separately,with the detection limit of 0.0245mg/L for a les than 30s assay,and relative standard deviations(RSDs)of 38%,4.5%and 2.3%for 0.75,5 and 50 mg/L of Cr(Ⅲ)(n=8).The above results indicate that the GCF-CL paper-based microfluidic device possesses a receivable sensitivity,dynamic range,storage stability and reproducibility.Finally,the developed GCF-CL is utilized for Cr(Ⅲ)detection in real water samples.展开更多
Objectives:This study used Deinococcus radiodurans,which is extremely resistant to oxidative damage,genotoxic chemicals,high levels of ionising and ultraviolet radiation and drying,and its Vitreoscilla haemoglobin(vgb...Objectives:This study used Deinococcus radiodurans,which is extremely resistant to oxidative damage,genotoxic chemicals,high levels of ionising and ultraviolet radiation and drying,and its Vitreoscilla haemoglobin(vgb)gene-cloned recombinant with the vgb−recombinant strain as a control.In addition to the conditions wherein bacteria have an optimum Cr(Ⅲ)biosorption capacity,the contribution of the vgb gene to the biosorption ability of the bacteria has been investigated by providing the organism with a more oxygenic environment.Methods:Bacteria were produced and metal stock solution was prepared.To determine the Cr(Ⅲ)removal capacities of wild and recombinant D.radiodurans strains,the residual metal concentration in aqueous media at the beginning and after biosorption was determined in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Some optimal conditions were created for the biosorption conditions to occur.Conclusions:The optimisation tests showed that Cr(Ⅲ)reached the highest biosorption capacity within 15 minutes at a metal concentration of 2,000 ppm,30°C,pH 5.0 and 150 rpm stirring speed in all the three bacteria.The vgb gene had no significant contribution to the biosorption capacity.展开更多
基金University Autonomous of Mexico State, UAEM and the National Council of Science and Technology, Mexico (CONACy T) for the financial support
文摘The objective of this study was to evaluate supplemental organic chromium(Cr) to finishing lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Eighteen Suffolk lambs(age(4.5±0.2) mon;(25.8±3.6) kg body weight(BW)) were randomly assigned to three levels of supplemental organic Cr(0.0, 0.2 and 0.4 mg kg^–1 dry matter(DM)) in a complete random design. Growth performance was evaluated for 70 d, and then lambs were slaughtered to study carcass characteristics and chemical composition of meat. Orthogonal contrasts were performed(contrast one-average level 0.2 ppm Cr vs. average level 0.4 ppm Cr; contrast two-level 0 vs. average levels(0.2+0.4) ppm Cr). Orthogonal polynomials were used to estimate the linear and quadratic effects of Cr concentrations. Growth and carcass performance were not affected by supplemental organic Cr. Muscle conformation and leg perimeter linearly increased(P〈0.05) as organic Cr level increased in the diet. Kidney fat decreased linearly(P〈0.05) as supplemental Cr increased. In Longissimus dorsi(LD), the ash content decreased linearly, and shear force(kg cm^–2) increased(P〈0.05) as organic Cr level increased in the diet. It is concluded that organic Cr did not affect growth performance, but it improved positively the muscle conformation, reduced kidney fat, whereas in LD there was an increment in shear force in finishing carcass lambs.
基金Dr. Adelfo Vite Aranda (Biotecap S A de C V, Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico) for supplying ingredients and financial support used to this research
文摘Yeasts and organic minerals are used in diets to improve health, productive performance and some carcass characteristics of ruminants and non-ruminants. Thirty-two lambs(Pelibuey×Katahdin; BW=(30.55±1.67) kg; n=8) were used in a 56-d feeding experiment to study the effects of different levels of live yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae; yeast), selenium(Se) and chromium(Cr) mixed(Se-Cr), and a mixture of yeast-Se-Cr on growth performance and carcass traits. Animals were stratified by body weight(BW) and randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) control group(0.0 g kg–1 yeast); 2) yeast(1.50 g kg–1 dry matter intake(DMI) d–1); 3) Se-Cr premix(1.5 mg kg–1 DMI d–1 for each mineral); and 4) yeast-Se-Cr mixture. There were no treatment effects on final BW; whereas lambs fed Se-Cr or yeast-Se-Cr had higher(P〈0.05) DMI than animals supplemented with only yeast. Average daily gain(ADG), gain:feed ratio, chop area, dorsal fat and carcass yield were similar(P〉0.05) among treatment groups. In conclusion, supplementation with yeast, Se-Cr mixed or yeast-Se-Cr did not improve ADG, final BW, back fat content and carcass yield of growing of Pelibuey×Katahdin lambs. Supplementation with Se-Cr and yeast-Se-Cr increased DMI, and approximately 250 g ADG animal–1 d–1 was produced with no negative effects on growth and health of the animals.
文摘A category of chromium (Cr)-containing fertilizers is represented by the fertilizers deriving from byproducts of tanning process. Their use is widespread because of their good agronomic response due to the high content of slow release or- ganic nitrogen (N) and carbon (C). They do not represent an environmental hazard because only the non-toxic form of Cr(III) is present. Productive processes may involve chemical, enzymatic or thermal hydrolysis. The final product is characterized by different contents of peptides and free amino acids depending on the type of hydrolysis. Legislation concerning Cr-containing fertilizers is controversial because often do not consider any scientific evidences;nevertheless, the European Union, the United States and countries as Italy, do not set the restriction to Cr(III) and generally only the presence of the toxic form, Cr(VI), is limited. Depending on its two main oxidation forms, Cr issue has been studied for many years. Several authors confirmed that Cr(VI) is carcinogenic, while Cr(III) is an essential trace element in human and animal diet. In soil Cr(III) has low mobility, whereas Cr(VI) is highly water soluble. However Cr(VI) in soil is quickly reduced to Cr(III);on the contrary oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) is rarely possible because particular conditions must occur. Only a very small fraction of Cr in soil is available to plant uptake and its translocation in edible parts is limited because it is immobilized in roots as Cr(III). Therefore risks of environmental pollution using these fertilizers are negligible;on the contrary they have positive environmental and agronomical effects. The aim of this review is to deal with the category of the organic fertilizers containing Cr derived from tannery processes focusing on its chemical, productive, legislative, environmental and agronomical aspects. Special attention is given to the ambiguous issue of Cr briefly summarizing the most important studies of the last forty years.
基金Supported by the Foundation for Science&Technology Innovation Talents in Henan Province(Nos.14HASTIT014,and 16410010012)Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21671114)the Foundation of Education Committee of Henan province,China(No.14B150033)
文摘A d-f heteronuclear metal-organic framework(MOF),{[Tm3Zn6(bipy2)2(mimda)7(H2O)3]·(H2O)5}n(1,H3 mimda = 2-methyl-1-H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid,and bipy = 4,4?-bipyridine),has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions,and structurally characterized by elemental analysis,IR spectra and X-ray single-crystal diffraction.It crystallizes in orthorhombic system,space group Pnma with a = 16.1102(9),b = 33.5805(19),c = 16.8593(10) ?,β = 97.344(11)°,V = 9120.7(9) ?-3,Z = 4,F(000) = 5184,the final R = 0.0530 and w R = 0.1306.In complex 1,the Tm(Ⅲ) ions adopt two types of coordination fashions.Complex 1 shows onedimensional(1-D) Tm-Zn heteronuclear zigzag chains,and these chains are further linked by H3 mimda ligands into Tm-Zn heteronuclear 2-D lattice-like arrays.The 2-D heteronuclear units were connected through [Zn6(mimda)6] rings to give rise to the Tm-Zn heteronuclear cages.Finally,H3 mimda ligands connected the cages into a 3-D heterometallic framework by the combination of [TmO7]n and Tm-Zn heteronuclear cages.In addition,the thermal stability and luminescent property have been investigated.
文摘Due to the elevated ecological awareness nowadays the consumption of products of organic agriculture is increasing. Organic farming means excluding the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides or genetically modified organisms, but there are only a few regulations regarding heavy metal concentrations in soils. Thus a not negligible uptake of metals from the soil where the apple trees are grown may occur. Furthermore inorganic copper compounds being traditional fertilizers for apple trees are not considered as synthetic fertilizers, thus they are still used in organic apple farming for soil or foliar application. Thus also apples produced by organic agriculture may contain toxic elements, such as cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead. The concentrations of these elements were determined in whole apples, as well as in the flesh and peel in order to estimate the possible risk for human health. Prior to analysis using ICP-AES samples underwent a microwave assisted digestion. The LODs obtained are below the recommended maximum levels in vegetables/fruits by WHO. In all samples no Cu, Cr, and Pb could be detected. Only Ca was found in the peel of about a third of samples investigated in concentrations between LOD and LOQ (1-3 μg/g).
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1633203)the Major Project of the Civil Aviation Administration of China(J2020-108)。
文摘The products of monoammonium phosphate containing Cr^3+resulted in disqualification,and further posed a serious threat to ecological environment and human beings.Herein,the porous adsorbent of fluor(calcium silicate)composites(FCSc)was prepared by hydrothermal method using diatomaceous earth,hydrated lime and additive(NaF)as raw materials,which was characterized and used for the removal of Cr^3+from monoammonium phosphate solutions.The effects of different parameters,such as solution pH,initial Cr^3+concentration,temperature and contact time on the adsorption of Cr^3+onto FCSc were investigated in details.The results indicated that the adsorption process was in agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm.The spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process was obtained by analyzing various thermodynamic parameters(△G0,△H0,and△S0).In addition,computational monte carlo simulations between Cr3+ions and FCSc were conducted to elucidate the adsorption mechanism.Such kind of porous adsorbent provided a potential application in the removal of impurities from monoammonium phosphate industry.
基金Supported by the Scientific Research Common Program of Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, PRC (KM200510028005)
文摘The novel chromium(Ⅲ) complex with salicylaldehyde semicarbazone was synthesized and characterized by IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca with a = 8.9849(13), b = 12.0475(16), c = 34.522(5)A, V = 3736.9(9)A3, Z = 8, C16H18C1CrN6O5, Mr= 461.81, De= 1.642 g/cm^3, F(000) = 1896,A(MoKα) = 0.799 mm^-1, the final R = 0.0370 and wR = 0.0827 for 2908 observed reflections with I 〉 2σ(I). The interaction between the chromium(Ⅲ) complex with calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) has been investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results indicated that the complex was bonded to Ct-DNA through a non-classical intercalative mode.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81571765)Guangzhou Science and Technology Program(No.2014J4100030)Guangdong Science and Technology Program(Nos.2014A020212503 and 2016A020215143).
文摘In this work,a solely gravity and capillary force-driven flow chemiluminescence(GCF-CL)paper-based microfuidic device has been proved for the first time as a new platforn for inex-pensive,usable,mini mally instrumented dynamic chemiluninescence(CL)detection of chromium(Ⅲ)[Cr(Ⅲ)],where an appropriate angle of inclination between the loading and detection zones on the paper produces a rapid flow of CL prompt solution through the paper charnel.For this study,we use a cost-effective paper device that is manufactured by a simple wax screen-printing method,while the signal generated from the Cr(Ⅲ)-catalyzed oxidation of luminol by H_(2)O_(2) is recorded by a low-cost and luggable CCD camera.A series of GCF-CL affecting factors have been evaluated carefully.At optimal conditions,two linear relationships between GCF-CL intensities and the logarithms of Cr(Ⅲ)concentrations are obtained in the concentration mnges of 0.025-35 mg/L and 50-500 mg/L separately,with the detection limit of 0.0245mg/L for a les than 30s assay,and relative standard deviations(RSDs)of 38%,4.5%and 2.3%for 0.75,5 and 50 mg/L of Cr(Ⅲ)(n=8).The above results indicate that the GCF-CL paper-based microfluidic device possesses a receivable sensitivity,dynamic range,storage stability and reproducibility.Finally,the developed GCF-CL is utilized for Cr(Ⅲ)detection in real water samples.
基金This study was supported by Inonu University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit(project number:2012-192).
文摘Objectives:This study used Deinococcus radiodurans,which is extremely resistant to oxidative damage,genotoxic chemicals,high levels of ionising and ultraviolet radiation and drying,and its Vitreoscilla haemoglobin(vgb)gene-cloned recombinant with the vgb−recombinant strain as a control.In addition to the conditions wherein bacteria have an optimum Cr(Ⅲ)biosorption capacity,the contribution of the vgb gene to the biosorption ability of the bacteria has been investigated by providing the organism with a more oxygenic environment.Methods:Bacteria were produced and metal stock solution was prepared.To determine the Cr(Ⅲ)removal capacities of wild and recombinant D.radiodurans strains,the residual metal concentration in aqueous media at the beginning and after biosorption was determined in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Some optimal conditions were created for the biosorption conditions to occur.Conclusions:The optimisation tests showed that Cr(Ⅲ)reached the highest biosorption capacity within 15 minutes at a metal concentration of 2,000 ppm,30°C,pH 5.0 and 150 rpm stirring speed in all the three bacteria.The vgb gene had no significant contribution to the biosorption capacity.