CF Treatment Research Articles

Mitigation of soil acidification in orchards: A case study to alleviate early defoliation in pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) trees

Long-term application of chemical fertilizers has aggravated red soil acidification and caused severe early defoliation in pear-growing region of southern China. To investigate the effects of BIO and HA on the growth and activity of fine roots, and in turn the effect on leaf nutrient status and early defoliation of pear trees, we conducted a 2-year pot experiment (2018–2019) using 1-year-old pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) seedlings in a pear orchard in southern China. Four fertilization treatments were included: chemical fertilizer as control (CF), CF with humic acid (CF-HA), BIO, and BIO mixed with HA (BIO-HA). Results showed that BIO and BIO-HA treatments significantly decreased the early defoliation rate of pear trees about 18%–27% compared with CF and CF-HA treatments. For the growth status of the aboveground, the relative growth rate of pear trees treated by BIO and BIO-HA was 1.2 times higher than the CF treatment at 180 days after budding, and it was accompanied by an increase of leaf thickness, microelements content (e.g. calcium, manganese, iron and zinc), and a decrease of leaf temperature. Compared with CF treatment, BIO or BIO-HA significantly improved soil pH value by 0.9–1.1 units, and increased soil exchangeable calcium content by 50%–83%. BIO and BIO-HA treatments also significantly increased total lateral root number, length and root activity, which were negatively correlated with the early defoliation rate by the network analysis. Furthermore, structural equation model showed that root traits were the core factor to alleviate the early defoliation rate, which was directly or indirectly driven by the application of bioorganic fertilizer. In conclusion, BIO or BIO combined with HA can alleviate the early defoliation rate of pear trees by mitigating soil acidification to stimulate the lateral root growth and activity, and in turn increase leaf micronutrients content and aboveground growth. Our study shows that measuring root traits are at the core of plant responses to soil nutrient status and pH.

590: A lipid nanoparticle–based delivery system for the treatment of CF

590: A lipid nanoparticle–based delivery system for the treatment of CF

582: In vivo nanoparticle-mediated therapeutic nucleic acid delivery for CF treatment

582: In vivo nanoparticle-mediated therapeutic nucleic acid delivery for CF treatment

Soil Amendments Alter Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea and Bacteria Communities in Rain-Fed Maize Field in Semi-Arid Loess Plateau

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are key drivers of nitrification in rainfed soil ecosystems. However, within a semi-arid region, the influence of different soil amendments on the composition of soil AOA and AOB communities and soil properties of rainfed maize is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, the abundance, diversity, and composition of AOA and AOB communities and the potential nitrification activity (PNA) was investigated across five soil treatments: no fertilization (NA), urea fertilizer (CF), cow manure (SM), corn stalk (MS), and cow manure + urea fertilizer (SC). The AOB amoA gene copy number was influenced significantly by fertilization treatments. The AOB community was dominated by Nitrosospira cluster 3b under the CF and SC treatments, and the AOA community was dominated by Nitrososphaera Group I.1b under the CF and NA amendments; however, manure treatments (SM, MS, and SC) did not exhibit such influence. Network analysis revealed the positive impact of some hub taxonomy on the abundance of ammonia oxidizers. Soil pH, NO3−-N, Module 3, biomass, and AOB abundance were the major variables that influenced the potential nitrification activity (PNA) within structural equation modeling. PNA increased by 142.98–226.5% under the treatments CF, SC, SM, and MS compared to NA. In contrast to AOA, AOB contributed dominantly to PNA. Our study highlights the crucial role of bacterial communities in promoting sustainable agricultural production in calcareous soils in semi-arid loess plateau environments.

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria enhanced growth, oil yield, antioxidant properties and biodiesel quality of Kasumbha

Biodiesel is considered as a potential alternative energy source, but problem exists with the quantity and quality of feedstock used for it. To improve the feedstock quality of biodiesel, a field experiment was conducted under natural conditions. Cultivar Thori of kasumbha was used in the experiment. Commercialized biofertilizers were applied at the rate of 20 kg per acre and chemical fertilizer (diammonium phosphate) was applied as half dose (15 kg/ha). Results indicated that number of leaf plant−1, leaf area, number of seeds capitulum−1 was significantly increased by biofertilizer treatment alone (BF) and combine treatment of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer (BFCF). Agronomic traits such as plant height, no. of branches of a plant, no. of capitulum/plant was improved significantly by BF treatment over the control. Maximum 1000 seed weight (41%) and seed yield (23%) were recorded in half dose of chemical fertilizers treatment (CFH). Seed oil content and seed phenolics were significantly improved by BF and CF treatments while maximum biodiesel yield was recorded by BF treatment. Maximum oleic acid was recorded by BF treatment while other fatty acids being maximum in control except linoleic acid in BFCF treatment. Results for specific gravity were non-significant while acid value and free fatty acid contents were substantially reduced by BF treatment as compared to other treatments. Maximum value of iodine number was recorded in BFCF treatment while tocopherol contents were improved by BF treatment. It is inferred that biofertilizer treatment alone perform better as compared to other treatments and 50% chemical fertilizer can be replaced using biofertilizer which is a good approach for sustainable environmental-friendly agriculture.

Method of diet delivery to dairy cows: Effects on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, methane emissions from enteric fermentation and stored manure, nitrogen excretion, and milk production

This study was conducted to examine the effect of method of diet delivery to dairy cows on enteric CH4 emission, milk production, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, N excretion, and manure CH4 production potential. Sixteen lactating cows were used in a crossover design (35-d period) and fed ad libitum twice daily a diet [52:48, forage:concentrate ratio; dry matter (DM) basis] provided as forages and concentrates separately (CF) or as a total mixed ration (TMR). For the CF treatment, concentrates were offered first followed by mixed forages 45 min afterward. Method of diet delivery had no effect on DM intake, but neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was greater when the diet was delivered as TMR as compared with CF. Apparent total-tract digestibility of DM, crude protein, and gross energy was slightly (1 percentage unit) lower when the diet was offered as TMR than when offered as CF. In contrast, NDF digestibility was greater when the cows were fed TMR versus CF. Although average daily ruminal pH was not affected by method of diet delivery, daily duration of ruminal pH <5.6 was less when the diet was delivered as TMR as compared with CF (0.9 h/d versus 3.7 h/d). Delivering the diet as TMR increased ruminal total volatile fatty acid and NH3 concentrations, but had no effect on acetate, propionate, or branched-chain volatile fatty acid molar proportions. Yields of milk, milk fat, or milk protein, and milk production efficiency (kg of milk/kg of DM intake or g of N milk/g of N intake) were not affected by the method of diet delivery. Daily production (g/d), yield (% gross energy intake), and emission intensity (g/kg of energy-corrected milk) of enteric CH4 averaged 420 g/d, 4.9%, and 9.6 g/kg and were not affected by diet delivery method. Fecal N output was greater when the diet was delivered as TMR versus CF, whereas urinary N excretion (g/d, % N intake) was not affected. Manure volatile solids excretion and maximal CH4 production potential were not affected by method of diet delivery. Under the conditions of this study, delivering the diet as concentrates and forages separately versus a total mixed ration had no effect on milk production, enteric CH4 energy losses, urinary N, or maximal manure CH4 emission potential. However, feeding the diet as total mixed ration compared with feeding concentrates and forages separately attenuated the extent of postprandial decrease in ruminal pH, which has contributed to improving NDF digestibility.

Effects of biochar and biochar compound fertilizer on the communities of nitrifier and denitrifier in a reclaimed soil from coal-mining area

As a new soil amendment strategy, the effects of biochar application on soil microbial community have been reported in literature, but little information is available on the response of nitrogen-related microbial communities to biochar application in the reclaimed soil from coal-mining area. Through an outdoor pot experiment with reclaimed soil from coal-mining area of Huaibei, the effects of biochar and biochar compound fertilizer on nitrifier and denitrifier communities were investigated by real time PCR (qPCR) and terminal-restricted fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). There were five treatments: control (CK), NPK fertilizer (CF), biochar compound fertili-zer (BF), 2% biochar and NPK fertilizer (LB), 4% biochar and NPK fertilizer (HB). Results showed that compared with the CK, the treatments CF, BF, LB and HB significantly increased the abundance of ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nirK and nirS genes of denitrifier. Compared with the CF treatment, BF, LB and HB significantly increased the abundance of AOB and nirK genes by 42.9%-82.1% and 33.5%-62.7%, respectively. Results of redundancy analysis showed that soil organic carbon, pH, NH4+-N and available potassium significantly affected AOB community structure, while soil organic carbon concentration, pH and NO3--N concentration significantly altered nirK-denitrifier community structure. Therefore, the application of biochar and biochar compound fertilizer could improve soil quality of the reclaimed soil from coal-mining area, and increase the abundances of nitrifier and denitrifier and alter community structure of AOB and nirK-denitrifier.

Correction to: Cystic Fibrosis Revisited - A Review Study.

In the following article, the author reported an error in the abstract's result section [1]. The results section of the abstract has been changed as follows: Results: The main benefits (e.g., specialized centres for the treatment of CF exist or a new breakthrough in the gene therapy of CF has been made) and limitations (e.g., comorbidity of CF, lifelong and costly treatment, or adverse impact on patient's and caregiver's quality of life) in the treatment of CF are highlighted. The original results section of the abstract was published as: Results: The main benefits (e.g., specialized centres for the treatment of CF exist or a new breakthrough in the gene therapy of CF has been made) and limitations (e.g., comorbidity of CF, lifelong and costly treatment, or adverse impact on patient's and caregiver's quality of life) in the treatment of narcolepsy are highlighted. The original article can be found online at 10.2174/1573406412666160608113235.

Characterizing medication management and the role of pharmacists in caring for people living with cystic fibrosis: A work system approach

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease requiring complex, lifelong medication regimens. Given the importance of medication in CF treatment, pharmacists are vital CF care team members in the care of people living with CF (PwCF). ObjectivesThis study aimed to (1) define patients’ CF medication experiences and educational needs and (2) investigate the CF outpatient clinic and community pharmacist’s role in addressing patient challenges. MethodsA work system approach informed by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model was used to characterize knowledge and perception of CF medication regimens, educational modalities, and pharmacist interactions for PwCF. Semistructured interviews were conducted with adults living with CF at a CF center clinic. Data analyses identified relationships between the themes in the data and 4 SEIPS work system domains: tasks, tools and technology, person, and environment. ResultsThirty PwCF interviews highlighted 4 themes regarding health care experiences: (1) medication use experience, (2) medication education needs, (3) disease experience, and (4) pharmacist and pharmacy interactions. Patients reported complex medication regimens leading to challenges with medication adherence, although the benefit of treatment was recognized. Although a high level of disease-state knowledge was identified among the participants, PwCF desired to learn about CF medication benefits and adverse effects through credible sources using multiple modalities. Many reported a benefit of pharmacist involvement in their care. ConclusionPharmacists are well-positioned to support PwCF in adherence, medication regimen management, and medication education. Opportunities exist for growth in these supportive roles of a pharmacist in both community and outpatient clinic settings.

Hospital costs of Canadian cystic fibrosis patients

INTRODUCTION: CF is a genetic disease that can lead to significant morbidity. As the CF population increases and treatment regimens escalate in complexity, CF care costs are expected to rise and could put tremendous strain on health care systems. Our aim was to examine the hospitalization costs of Canadian CF patients. METHODS: We analyzed annual hospital costs for Canadian CF patients in 2014. Secondary objectives were to examine cost differences 1 by patient characteristics and admitting diagnosis in 2014 and 2 over time (from 2010 to 2014). Data were obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information for all patients with at least 1 hospital admission with a diagnostic code for CF. Costs were estimated in 2014 Canadian dollars using a case-mix aggregate costing strategy. RESULTS: In 2014, 953 of 2,702 (35%) Canadians with CF had 1,705 hospitalizations resulting in a total cost of approximately $32.1 million. Mean hospital cost per patient and mean cost per hospitalization were $34,982 and $19,677, respectively. Mean cost per hospitalization was highest among those admitted for pneumothorax ($22,685), CF pulmonary exacerbation ($21,130) and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome ($18,788). Between 2010 and 2014, the total cost of all hospitalizations for CF patients increased by 17% ($27.4 to $32.1 million). CONCLUSION: Canadian CF hospitalizations are costly; these costs vary by type of admitting diagnosis and are increasing over time. These national estimates will inform health care planning as well as future cost effectiveness analyses for CF interventions.

The future of pediatric pulmonology: A survey of division directors, assessment of current research funding, and discussion of workforce trends.

In 2018-2020, The American Thoracic Society's Pediatric Pulmonology Division Directors Association (PPDDA) and Pediatric Pulmonology Training Directors Association (PEPTDA) convened a series of workshops to analyze workforce issues from the perspectives of current leaders within the discipline. In this, the report from the 3rd workgroup, we examine future workforce issues from several perspectives. We describe a PPDDA survey regarding current state and future needs of the discipline; an assessment of the current NIH research funding portfolio for major children's respiratory disorders; and an estimate of workforce trends in training, based mainly on ABP data. We conclude that current fellowship graduation rates appear to be sufficient to maintain and even grow the total number of pulmonologists, but demand for pediatric pulmonologists may still be greater than supply, and there are geographical disparities in access to care. New treatments for CF, growth of hospitalist services, care of technology dependent children, and multidisciplinary care for complex chronic disease, will likely change our practice over the next 10 years. Research funding appears to be robust for asthma, CF, BPD, microbiome, and pulmonary hypertension, compared to other chronic respiratory disorders. Few of these grants are led by pediatric pulmonologists. Thus, our discipline needs to adjust our training of fellows and junior faculty to take advantage of existing funding opportunities as well as advocate for greater funding for the other disorders we manage. Finally, we highlight opportunities for the discipline to enhance its roles in addressing emerging respiratory pathogens and expanding the diversity of its workforce. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effects of different fertilization treatments on soil compaction and crop growth

In order to explore the effects of different fertilization treatments on soil properties and crop growth during the maturation of raw soil, a pot planting experiment with different fertilization treatments was carried out. Three fertilization treatments were set up in the experiment: single organic fertilizer treatment (OF), pollution-free fertilization treatment (NP), and conventional fertilization treatment (CF). The compactness of different soil layers,maize plant height, Chlorophyll value and above-ground biomass under the three fertilization treatments were measured. The experiment results showed that: compared with CF treatment, OF and NP fertilization treatment can better improve soil compaction and increase the plant height and leaf green value of maize, the chlorophyll value of maize under OF and NP treatments increased by 22.6% and 10.6%, and the plant height of maize increased by 58.0% and 31.8% respectively. The order of the magnitude of change of soil compaction in different soil layers was CF> NP> OF. Under conventional CF treatment, the maximum compactness value of 20 cm soil layer was 1426 kPa. For the aboveground biomass of maize, the aboveground biomass of maize under OF and NP fertilization treatments were significantly higher than that of CF fertilization treatment (P<0.05). In summary, OF and NP fertilization treatments can help improve the compaction of raw soil and the growth characteristics of crops, and increase the productivity of raw soil.

Effects of different fertilization methods on ammonia volatilization from rice paddies

Rice paddies are one of the most important anthropogenic sources of ammonia (NH3) emissions. The seasonal cumulative NH3–N loss accounts for 9%–60% of the total amount of applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Deep placement fertilization (DPF) can effectively improve N fertilizer use efficiency. However, unlike the conventional surface broadcasting fertilization method (CF), DPF technology can only be used to apply basal fertilizer (BF) in the rice paddies. It is currently unclear how CF and DPF fertilization methods influence NH3 volatilization at different BF application ratios. Therefore, an in situ field experiment was conducted in east China to investigate the effects of CF and DPF fertilization methods on NH3 volatilization from rice paddies under BF application ratios of 40%, 55%, 70%, 85%, and 100% (seasonal applied N fertilizer = 260 kg N·hm−2). Two background treatments: a control (no fertilizer) and N blank (applied with P and K fertilizers), were employed so that the NH3 volatilization-induced N losses could be calculated. The results indicated that the DPF treatments significantly reduced NH3 volatilization by 23.13%–60.57% under the different BF application ratios compared to the CF treatments. The mitigation effect of DPF on NH3 volatilization was only observed during the BF application period. Compared to the CF treatments, the DPF treatments markedly reduced the maximum BF application-induced NH3 volatilization fluxes by 39.78%–76.03% under the different BF application ratios. In contrast, no clear differences in top-dressing fertilizer-induced NH3 volatilization were observed between the CF and DPF treatments at the different BF application ratios. These results showed that DPF technology combined with a higher BF application ratio can effectively mitigate NH3–N losses from rice paddies.

Çocuklarda Pilonidal Sinüs Hastalığı Tedavisinde Kristalize Fenol Uygulaması Sonuçları Tek Merkez Deneyimlerimiz

Objective: The debate about the etiology of Pilonidal Sinus Disease (PSD) continues over whether the disease is congenital or acquired. After determining the etiologic factora, new pilonidal sinus treatment methods have been developed. Method: The 6-month follow-up results of patients who were treated with crystallized phenol (CF) application with the diagnosis of PSD between March 2020 and August 2020 in the Pediatric Surgery Clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were evaluated by age, height, weight, gender, body mass index, number of sinus mouths, sinus mouth width, sacral cupping distance and cyst diameter by imaging method and pilonidal sinus area measurement. After three consecutive weeks of CF administration, a two-week break was given. Every three weeks of treatment was considered as one treatment cycle. CF treatment was considered unsuccessful for patients whose pilonidal sinus cavity was not closed at the end of three cycles and the complaint of discharge persisted. Results: During the study period, 21 patients with PSH and a maximum of three sinus orifices were treated with CF in our clinic. Including 15 (71.4%) male and 6 (18.6%) female cases. The median age of the patients was 16 (14-17.5) years. In two patients (9.5%) who received three cycles of treatment, the treatment was considered as CF treatment failure because of the persistence of discharge complaints, and surgical treatment was planned for the patient. In the findings obtained as a result of the follow-up of the patients, it was observed that three patients (14.2%) had temporary painless transient dermatitis during follow-up due to phenol applied. Conclusion: The application of CF in the PSD treatment in pediatric age group should be considered as an acceptable method that can be easily applied by any surgeon with its short hospital stay, its applicability under local anesthesia in outpatient clinic conditions, low postoperative complications, high success rates, and low cost.

Evaluation of Nutritional Composition of Defatted Coconut Flour Incorporated Biscuits

Defatted coconut kernel is the major by-product of the dry method of virgin coconut oil (VCO) processing which includes high fiber content. It is ground into a fine powder, has a high potential to use as a composite matrix for baked food items with wheat flour. The aim of this research is to compare nutritional characteristics of defatted coconut flour incorporated biscuits (CF), desiccated coconut incorporated commercial biscuits (DC) and wheat flour-based commercial biscuits (WF) using white bread (WB) as a reference. Proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber and carbohydrate), Hydrolysis Index (HI) and Predicted Glycemic Index (PGI) of samples were performed through standard in-vitro analysis methods. Results of the proximate analysis revealed that moisture (36.67±0.16 %) and protein (13.35±1.17 %) content of bread were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher while fat, fiber and ash content of CF incorporated biscuits were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher with the values of 26.67±1.87 %, 3.53±0.10 % and 4.70±2.61 % respectively. Free sugar glucose content (FSG) of WF was observed the highest significant (p&lt;0.05) value of 5.88±1.03 % while the highest amount of rapidly available glucose (RAG) (81.45±5.27 %), slowly available glucose (SAG) (59.81±7.58 %), total glucose (TG) (99.16±5.56 %) were observed in reference food of bread. The PGI of three biscuit types belonging to the medium glycemic food with the values of 60.84, 64.53 and 62.90 respectively for CF, DC and WF treatments.

Is CFTR an exchanger?: Regulation of HCO3−Transport and extracellular pH by CFTR

The disease, cystic fibrosis, is caused by the malfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Expression of functional CFTR may normally regulate extracellular pH via control of bicarbonate efflux. Reports also suggest that the CFTR may be a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. If true, this could be very important for treatment of CF given the airway host defense system is quite sensitive to pH, and acidic pH been found to increase mucus viscosity. We compared evidentiary support of four possible models of CFTR's role in the transport of bicarbonate: 1) CFTR as a Cl-channel that permits bicarbonate conductance, 2) CFTR as an anion Cl-/HCO3- exchanger (AE), 3.) CFTR as both a Cl-channel and an AE, and 4.) CFTR as a Cl-channel that allows for transport of bicarbonate and regulates an independent AE. The effect of stimulators and inhibitors of CFTR and AEs were evaluated via iodide efflux and studies of extracellular pH. This data, as well as that published by others, suggest that while CFTR may support and regulate bicarbonate flux it is unlikely it directly performs Cl-/HCO3- anion exchange.

N, P and K use efficiency and maize yield responses to fertilization modes and densities

Optimal planting density and proper fertilization method are important factors to improve maize yield and nutrient utilization. A two-year (2016 and 2017) field experiment was conducted with three plant densities (6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 plants m–2) and three fertilization modes (no fertilizer, 0F; one-off application of slow-released fertilizer, SF; twice application of conventional fertilizer, CF). Results indicated that the grain yields and N, P and K use efficiencies under SF with the optimal planting density (7.5 plants m–2) were the highest among all the treatments in 2016 and 2017. Compared with CF, SF could increase post-silking dry matter accumulation and promote N, P and K uptake at pre- and post-silking stages; this treatment increased grain N, P and K concentrations and resulted in high N, P and K use efficiencies. Nutrient (N, P and K) absorption efficiencies and partial productivity, and nutrient (N and P) recovery efficiency in SF treatment were significantly higher than those in CF treatments under the planting density of 7.5 plants m–2. Under both SF and CF conditions, the grain yield, total N accumulation and nutrient use efficiencies initially increased, peaked at planting density of 7.5 plants m–2, and then decreased with increasing plant density. Based on the yield and nutrient use efficiency in two years, plant density of 7.5 plants m–2 with SF can improve both the grain yield and N, P and K use efficiency of spring maize in Jiangsu Province, China.

Oxygen availability determines key regulators in soil organic carbon mineralisation in paddy soils

Rice paddy agro-ecosystems play an important role in global carbon (C) sequestration. Because of flooding management, paddy soil experience periodical changes in oxygen availability, which may make soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralisation unique as compared to upland or other wetland ecosystems. However, at present, information about the relevant mechanisms involved in paddy SOC mineralisation is limited and unclear. We selected three paddy soils with variable iron (Fe) contents, which were either fumigated with chloroform (to reduce microbial biomass) or remained un-fumigated. Soils were incubated for 78 days in one of three treatments: alternating nonflooded–flooded (NF: moist for 0–30 days (oxygen-abundant) and flooded for 31–78 days (oxygen-limited)), continuously flooded (CF: oxygen-limited), and continuously anaerobically flooded (AF: oxygen-depleted). Fumigation reduced the microbial biomass C by more than 70%. Except for the nonflooded period in the NF treatment, the SOC mineralisation rate, at the late stage of each treatment, was significantly lower in the fumigated than in the un-fumigated soil. A multiple regressions showed that a reduction in dissolved organic C contents over time contributed to the cumulative SOC mineralisation only during the nonflooded period in the NF treatment. Furthermore, the labile C pool size was smaller in the AF treatment relative to the other treatments. These imply that dissolved substrates in oxygen-depleted paddy soil were of greater recalcitrance, most likely due to thermodynamic reasons. SOC mineralisation correlated with changes in the redox potential and the Fe2+ contents in the CF and AF treatments only. This indicates that under oxygen-limited and -depleted conditions, Fe played a significant role as an electron acceptor during SOC mineralisation. Correlation and linear regression analyses also suggest that Fe influenced dissolved organic C contents, and hydrolase and oxidative activities. Our findings show that SOC bioavailability is a rate-limiting factor for SOC mineralisation, but only under oxygen-abundant conditions. However, under oxygen-limited or -depleted conditions, microbial biomass, the recalcitrance of organic C compounds, and the availability of electron acceptors are key regulators in determining the intensity and rate of SOC mineralisation.

Changes in soil organic carbon status and microbial community structure following biogas slurry application in a wheat-rice rotation

Biogas slurry is widely used as a crop fertilizer due to its available nitrogen content. However, it remains unclear how biogas slurry application affects soil organic carbon (SOC) status and soil microbial community under typical agricultural systems. Here, under a wheat-rice field experiment, we examined the responses of SOC and soil bacterial and fungal communities to biogas slurry application, both with (BSS) and without (BS) straw return, relative to chemical nitrogen fertilizer with (CFS) and without (CF) straw return. The BS treatment significantly increased total organic carbon (TOC) at all soil depths (0–60 cm), compared to CF. Greater TOC occurred at 20–40 cm depth under BSS relative to all other treatments. However, straw return had no impact on soil TOC content under the CF and CFS treatments. Labile organic carbon (LOC) in the topsoil and recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) at 20–60 cm depth was significantly greater under BS relative to CF. The bacterial class Gammaproteobacteria and family Hyphomicrobiaceae were found to be specifically abundant under biogas slurry application after one year of wheat-rice double cropping. Network analyses showed that the soil bacterial community under biogas slurry application was more complex than under chemical fertilizer application, while the opposite was true for the fungal community. Correlations between network modules and the SOC fractions indicated that biogas slurry application stimulated soil bacteria and fungi to participate in SOC cycling. The module functionality supports our speculation that soil microorganisms degraded the biogas slurry derived-ROC in the topsoil. Overall, we conclude that substitution of chemical fertilizer with biogas slurry can be beneficial for increasing SOC stocks and, in systems with straw return, enhancing straw decomposition.

A novel π bridging method to graft graphene oxide onto carbon fiber for interfacial enhancement of epoxy composites

Based on the inherent crystallite structure of carbon fiber, a novel and facile method was presented to balance the tedious steps and effectiveness of graphene oxide/carbon fiber (GO/CF) hierarchical reinforcement, by establishing π bridging of GO and CF under the assistance of pyrene-containing compounds, which was performed without chemical treatment of CF and GO. The surface chemical elements, functional groups, wettability, morphologies and surface structures of obtained reinforcements were characterized through XPS, FT-IR, dynamic contact angle, SEM and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. This method could implement at room temperature without causing damage to CF as indicated by filament tensile strength test. The resulted composites with a bridging agent of 72 mmol/L have the highest interlaminar shear strength, transverse fiber bundle strength and interfacial shear strength which increased by 49.3%, 117.1% and 59.1%, respectively, compared to pristine CF composites.