Potential Selection Effects Research Articles

Is urbanization a driver of aboveground biomass allocation in a widespread tropical shrub, Turnera subulata (Turneroideae - Passifloraceae)?

Plant biomass allocation is mainly affected by the environment where each individual grows. In this sense, through the rapid global expansion of impermeable areas, urbanization has strong, albeit poorly understood, consequences on the biomass allocation of plants found in this environment. Nevertheless, the comprehension of biomass allocation processes in urban shrubs remains unclear, because most studies of urban ecology focus on tree species. This is an important gap of knowledge because a great part of urban vegetation is composed of shrubs and their association with trees have positive impacts in urban ecosystem services. In this study, we explored the ecological and potential selective pressure effects of an urbanization gradient on the biomass allocation patterns of aboveground organs of Turnera subulata, a widely distributed tropical shrub. We have demonstrated that, for certain reproductive organs, biomass allocation decreases in locations with higher urbanization. Unlike expected, the biomass of vegetative organs was not affected by urbanization, and we did not observe any effect of urbanization intensity on the variance in biomass allocation to vegetative and reproductive organs. We did not record urbanization-mediated trade-offs in biomass allocation for reproductive and vegetative organs. Instead, the biomass of these structures showed a positive relationship. Our data suggest that urbanization does not result in radical changes in biomass allocation of T. subulata, and neither in the variation of these traits. They indicate that the ability of T. subulata to thrive in urban environments may be associated with life history and morphological mechanisms. Our findings contribute to the understanding of shrub plant responses to urbanization and highlight urbanization as a potential factor in resource allocation differences for different structures and functions in plants living in these environments.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of artemisinin on Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Artemisinin, a novel plant allelochemical, has attracted attention for its potential selective inhibitory effects on algae, yet to be fully explored. This study compares the sensitivity and action targets of Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) and Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) to artemisinin algaecide (AMA), highlighting their differences. Results indicate that at high concentrations, AMA displaces the natural PQ at the QB binding site within M. aeruginosa photosynthetic system, impairing the D1 protein repair function. Furthermore, AMA disrupts electron transfer from reduced ferredoxin (Fd) to NADP+ by interfering with the iron-sulfur clusters in the ferredoxin-NADP+ reductases (FNR) domain of Fd. Moreover, significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation triggers oxidative stress and interrupts the tricarboxylic acid cycle, hindering energy acquisition. Notably, AMA suppresses arginine synthesis in M. aeruginosa, leading to reduced microcystins (MCs) release. Conversely, C. pyrenoidosa counters ROS accumulation via photosynthesis protection, antioxidant defenses, and by regulating intracellular osmotic pressure, accelerating damaged protein degradation, and effectively repairing DNA for cellular detoxification. Additionally, AMA stimulates the expression of DNA replication-related genes, facilitating cell proliferation. Our finding offer a unique approach for selectively eradicating cyanobacteria while preserving beneficial algae, and shed new light on employing eco-friendly algicides with high specificity.

Selective Influence of Chromolaena odorata Extracts on the Germination and Growth of Vegetable Crops: A Comparative Study of Aqueous and Methanolic Solutions

This study conducted a thorough assessment of how germination and growth of shoots and roots in eight vegetable crops are influenced by aqueous and methanolic extracts from Chromolaena odorata. Findings reveal a broad spectrum of germination responses to leaf extracts (13.3% to 86.7%), signaling the intricate dynamics at play between the plant's chemical compounds and the germination mechanism. Notably, Cucumis sativus (70% at AQE 5%) and Phaseolus vulgaris (56.70% at AQE 10%), displayed remarkable resilience and even stimulation of germination under specific extract concentrations, suggesting a potential selective stimulatory effect. For root extracts, the introduction of AQE and MTE decreased germination percentages across crops. A. esculentus had the highest germination rate at AQE 20%, significantly lower than the control (60%). Solanum. melongena tolerated AQE 5% best, while MTE 20% was most inhibitory. Conversely, Solanum lycopersicum experienced complete germination inhibition in both AQE and MTE of leaf and root extracts, indicating species-specific vulnerability to the allelopathic compounds within the extracts. Shoot growth mostly declined with higher extract concentrations, except in Solanum melongena, Capsicum annuum, and Zea mays, which saw increased shoot lengths under certain conditions. Root growth responses were mixed; Abelmoschus esculentus and Zea mays showed growth increases at some concentrations, in contrast to Cucumis sativus and Solanum melongena, which had limited growth. Methanolic extracts had a stronger inhibitory effect, likely due to their potent bioactive compounds. These findings highlight the importance of extract type, concentration, and crop species in weed management, providing insights for sustainable agricultural practices.

White dwarf spectral type-temperature distribution from Gaia DR3 and the Virtual Observatory

Context. The characterization of white dwarf atmospheres is crucial for accurately deriving stellar parameters such as effective temperature, mass, and age. However, the inclusion of physical processes such as convective mixing and convective dilution in current white dwarf atmospheric models offers a prediction of the spectral evolution of these objects. To constrain these models, accurate observational data and analyses are necessary. Aims. We aim to classify the population of white dwarfs up to 500 pc into hydrogen-rich or hydrogen-deficient atmospheres based on Gaia spectra and to derive an accurate spectral type-temperature distribution, namely, the ratio between the number of non-DAs to the total number of white dwarfs as a function of the effective temperature for the largest observed unbiased sample of these objects. Methods. We took advantage of the recent Gaia low-resolution spectra available for 76 657 white dwarfs up to 500 pc. We calculated the synthetic J-PAS narrow-band photometry and fit the spectral energy distribution of each object with up-to-date models for hydrogen-rich and helium-rich white dwarf atmospheres. We estimated the probability for a white dwarf to have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and validated the results using the Montreal White Dwarf Database. Finally, precise effective temperature values were derived for each object using La Plata evolutionary models. Results. We successfully classified a total of 65 310 white dwarfs (57 155 newly classified objects) into DAs and non-DAs with an accuracy of 94%. An unbiased subsample of nearly 34 000 objects was built, from which we computed a precise spectral distribution spanning an effective temperature range from 5500 to 40 000 K, while accounting for potential selection effects. Conclusions. Some characteristic features of the spectral evolution, such as the deficit of helium-rich stars at Teff ≈ 35 000 − 40 000 K and in the range of 22 000 ≲ Teff ≲ 25 000 K, as well as a gradual increase from 18 000 K to Teff ≈ 7000 K, where the non-DA stars percentage reaches its maximum of 41%, followed by a decrease for cooler temperatures, are statistically significant. These findings will provide precise constraints for the proposed models of spectral evolution.

Detection of the Low-stellar-mass Host Galaxy of a z ∼ 6.25 Quasar with JWST

We characterize the stellar mass of J2239+0207, a z ∼ 6.25 sub-Eddington quasar (M 1450 = −24.6), using dedicated JWST/NIRCam medium-band observations of a nearby point-spread function star to remove the central point source and reveal the underlying galaxy emission. We detect the host galaxy in two bands longward of the Balmer break, obtaining a stellar mass of ∼1010 M ⊙, more than an order of magnitude less than this quasar’s existing measured [C ii] dynamical mass. We additionally calculate the mass of J2239+0207's central supermassive black hole using JWST/NIRSpec integral field unit observations, and determine that the black hole is ∼15 times more massive than predicted by the local M BH–M * relation, similar to many high-redshift quasars with dynamical masses determined via millimeter-wave line widths. We carefully consider potential selection effects at play, and find that even when z ∼ 6 quasars are compared to a local sample with similarly determined dynamical masses, many of the high-redshift quasars appear to possess overmassive black holes. We conclude z ∼ 6 quasars are likely to have a larger spread about the M BH–M * relation than observed in the local Universe.

The occurrence rate of quiescent radio emission for ultracool dwarfs using a generalized semi-analytical Bayesian framework

ABSTRACT We present a generalized analytical Bayesian framework for calculating the occurrence rate of steady emission (or absorption) in astrophysical objects. As a proof-of-concept, we apply this framework to non-flaring quiescent radio emission in ultracool (≤M7) dwarfs. Using simulations, we show that our framework recovers the simulated radio occurrence rate to within 1–5 per cent for sample sizes of 10–100 objects when averaged over an ensemble of trials and simulated occurrence rates for our assumed luminosity distribution models. In contrast, existing detection rate studies may underpredict the simulated rate by 51–66 per cent because of sensitivity limits. Using all available literature results for samples of 82 ultracool M dwarfs, 74 L dwarfs, and 23 T/Y dwarfs, we find that the maximum-likelihood quiescent radio occurrence rate is between $15^{+4}_{-4}$ and $20^{+6}_{-5}$ per cent, depending on the luminosity prior that we assume. Comparing each spectral type, we find occurrence rates of $17^{+9}_{-7}$–$25^{+13}_{-10}$ per cent for M dwarfs, $10^{+5}_{-4}$–$13^{+7}_{-5}$ per cent for L dwarfs, and $23^{+11}_{-9}$–$29^{+13}_{-11}$ per cent for T/Y dwarfs. We rule out potential selection effects and speculate that age and/or rotation may account for tentative evidence that the quiescent radio occurrence rate of L dwarfs may be suppressed compared to M and T/Y dwarfs. Finally, we discuss how we can harness our occurrence rate framework to carefully assess the possible physics that may be contributing to observed occurrence rate trends.

Volunteering and Changes in Cardiovascular Biomarkers: Longitudinal Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.

Growing body of research shows that volunteering is beneficial for those served, the volunteers, and the larger communities. However, major challenges remain that hinder the practical implications for volunteer activity as a public health intervention, including potential selection effects, lack of longitudinal studies that adjust for baseline characteristics, and a paucity of studies that consider multiple physical health outcomes in a single model. Data from 2006 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2016) were used (N = 18,847). Outcome-wide analyses were utilized to evaluate if changes in volunteering between 2006/2008 (t0) and 2010/2012 (t1) were associated with 7 cardiovascular disease biomarkers 4 years later (2014/2016, t2). These models were adjusted for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, chronic conditions, baseline biomarkers, and volunteering. Additionally, selection into volunteering and attrition were taken into account. Compared with nonvolunteers, volunteering more than 200 hr a year was associated with a lower risk for clinically high diastolic blood pressure. In addition, increased volunteering effort (change from 1 to 99 hr at t0 to >100 hr at t1) was associated with a lower likelihood of clinically high systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Sustained high volunteering (>100 hr at both t0 and t1) was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure. The current study adds to the evidence on the health benefits of volunteering for adults 50 and older by inferring a potential causal link between high-intensity volunteering and reduced blood pressure.

Playing the Business Angel: The Impact of Well-Known Business Angels on Venture Performance

People well known to the general public are increasingly acting as business angels (BAs) for young and innovative ventures worldwide. These BAs are less known for their venture evaluation skills and often do not have a professional reputation as investors. The signaling function of these well-known investors could therefore be less relevant for founders because of a limited quality assurance function. Nonetheless, a venture’s affiliation with a well-known BA may still positively alter the quality perceptions of various stakeholders because the BAs can put their reputation in other areas of life at risk, provide an easy-to-interpret and fluent cue to the general public, and improve the observability of the signal. Using a sample of more than 2,900 early-stage ventures that made a venture pitch during the Canadian, German, U.K., and U.S. versions of the reality TV show Dragons’ Den, we find that BAs’ degree of being known has a positive impact on target firm survival, web traffic, and sales. The impact of BAs’ general degree of being known is particularly strong if the congruency between the investors and the target ventures is high. These effects exist over and above potential selection effects, the professional reputation of the BA, and the greater financial resources of a funded venture. The empirical findings indicate that well-known BAs can have a positive effect on venture performance and that founders should consider not only the professional reputation of BAs but also the degree to which they are known to a general audience.

Global Pain and Aging: A Cross-Sectional Study on Age Differences in the Intensity of Chronic Pain Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in 20 Countries.

This study aims to examine age differences in the intensity of chronic pain among middle-aged and older adults, where intensity is measured on a scale differentiating between chronic pain that is often troubling and likely requires intervention versus more endurable sensations. We aim to explore whether individual health and national gross domestic product (GDP) explain these differences as well. Cross-nationally harmonized data from 20 countries on self-reported intensity of chronic pain (0 = no, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) in 104,826 individuals aged 50+ observed in 2012-2013. Two-level hierarchical ordinal linear models with individuals nested within countries were used to isolate estimations from heterogeneity explained by methodological differences across single-country studies. Overall, mean participant age was 66.9 (SD = 9.9), 56.1% were women, and 41.9% of respondents reported any chronic pain. Chronic pain intensity rose sharply with age in some countries (e.g., Korea and Slovenia), but this association waned or reversed in other countries (e.g., the United States and Denmark). Cross-country variation and age differences in chronic pain were partly explained (85.5% and 35.8%, respectively) by individual-level health (especially arthritis), country-level wealth (as indicated by GDP per capita), and demographics. Chronic pain intensity is not an inevitable consequence of chronological age, but the consequence of potential selection effects and lower activity levels combined with individual-level health and country-level wealth. Our findings suggest further investigation of health conditions and country affluence settings as potential targets of medical and policy interventions aiming to prevent, reduce, or manage chronic pain among older patients and aging populations.

The Potential Selective Oncolytic Effects of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) on Cervical and Colon Cancer Cell Lines

The mesogenic and velogenic strains of the avian Newcastle Disease Viruses (NDV) have been investigated for use in cancer virotherapy. However, despite its promising results, these strains have the potential to cause outbreaks leading to morbidity and mortality in large numbers of avians that can devastate the poultry industry. Therefore, there is a growing interest towards the use of lentogenic strains such as NDV LaSota vaccine strain for virotherapy. This study investigated the oncolytic potential of the NDV LaSota strain on colorectal cancer (HT29) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines. The NDV LaSota stain was propagated in pathogen free embryonated chicken eggs and quantified using a hemagglutination assay. The oncolytic activity was evaluated by comparison of HT29 and HeLa cell lines to the non-cancerous human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay. The highest NDV concentration of 16 HAU was found to reduce the viability of HT29, HeLa, and HEK293 cell lines to 42±3% (p = 0.0001), 49±12% (p = 0.0009), and 77±5% (p = 0.007), respectively, indicating its potential selective cytotoxicity, as supported by the disturbed cell morphology. The NDV LaSota strain exhibits a potential selective oncolytic activity towards cancer cell lines, thus may serve as an interesting candidate for virotherapy against colorectal and cervical cancer.

Playing the Business Angel – The Impact of Business Angel Publicity on New Venture Performance

More and more celebrities appear as business angels (BAs) for young and innovative ventures worldwide. Celebrities, while well-known in the public eye, are typically less known for their venture valuation skills. The signaling function of celebrity affiliations through certification and quality assurance could therefore be less relevant. Nonetheless, a venture’s affiliation with a publicly known BA may still positively alter the quality perceptions of various stakeholders as publicity increases awareness, social recognition, and the ease of information processing, thereby improving the venture’s performance. Using a sample of more than 2,900 early-stage ventures that made a venture pitch during the Canadian, German, UK, or USA versions of the reality television show Dragons’ Den, we find that BA publicity has a positive impact on target firm survival, web traffic, and sales. The impact of BA publicity is particularly strong if the congruency between the investor and the target venture is high. These effects exist above and beyond potential selection effects, value-adding activities such as active involvement through board seats, and the mere fact that a funded venture has more financial resources. Our empirical findings have broader implications for BA financing and other nascent players in the entrepreneurial finance ecosystem. We also advance theories about signaling and reputation by providing a novel framework and empirical evidence regarding the role of investor publicity when studying new venture performance.

Buddy or burden? Patterns, perceptions, and experiences of pet ownership among older adults in Switzerland

While interactions with pets may yield significant emotional, social, and physical benefits, taking care of them can also be demanding and experienced as a burden, especially among persons with physical restrictions or economically disadvantaged individuals. This study investigates pet ownership and corresponding perceptions and experiences in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 55 years and older in Switzerland. We use data from a questionnaire on human-animal interactions from 1832 respondents administered during wave 7 (2017) in the Swiss country study of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Multivariable associations between pet ownership and pet owners’ corresponding perceptions and experiences with respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics were estimated using probit and ordered probit models. Slightly more than one-third of adults aged 55 years and older reported owning a pet. Pet owners reported mostly positive experiences with pet ownership, with women showing higher pet bonding levels than men. Moreover, pet ownership was less common among adults aged 75 and older and individuals living in apartments. At the same time, older pet owners aged 75 and above, pet owners living in apartments, and pet owners without a partner reported more positive perceptions and experiences of owning a pet. These findings suggest that promoting pet ownership may help individual well-being and feelings of companionship, especially among women, older adults, and individuals without a partner but also points toward potential selection effects into pet ownership. Financial costs of pet ownership appear to be an important challenge for some older pet owners, notably those with relatively low levels of education and more limited financial resources.

Solar Supergranular Fractal Dimension Dependence on the Solar Cycle Phase

We study the complexity of the supergranular network through fractal dimension by using the Ca ii K digitized data archive obtained from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory. The data consist of 326 visually selected supergranular cells spread across the 23rd solar cycle. Only cells that were well-defined were chosen for the analysis and we discuss the potential selection effect thereof, mainly that it favors cells of a smaller size (<20 Mm). Within this sample, we analyzed the fractal dimension of supergranules across the solar cycle and find that it is anticorrelated with the activity level.

Judicial Accountability and Racial Disparity in Criminal Appeals

Existing research indicates that retention through election induces larger effects on judicial votes in criminal cases than retention through appointment. Yet such research has addressed neither case selection effects across retention institutions nor heterogeneous treatment effects by defendants’ and judges’ race. Leveraging the unique retention institutions governing New York State’s intermediate appellate judges, we report the first within-justice estimates of the effects of reelection and reappointment incentives on judicial votes in criminal appeals. We find that impending judicial reappointment induces a 49–52 percent within-justice decrease in prodefendant votes in appeals involving Black defendants heard by all-white panels but does not affect votes in other cases. We find no additional effects of impending reelection on appellate justices’ votes in criminal appeals. Our findings suggest the need for greater attention devoted both to potential selection effects and to heterogeneous effects by defendants’ and judges’ race in studies of judicial retention institutions.

Impedimetric characterization of normal and cancer cell responses after nano-pulse stimulation

This work aimed to investigate the potential selective effects of nano-pulse stimulation (NPS) on adherent cancer and normal cells using impedance spectroscopy. A constant phase element was used to separate the impedance of electrode polarization from the overall measured impedance. Its amplitude was further related to cell-to-substrate distance, D cs, which describes the gap between cells and substrate. Dielectric properties of subcellular components were extracted based on a single-shell dielectric model for individual cells and were consequently used to calculate the induced transmembrane potentials (TMPs). Afterward, a Cole–Cole model was utilized to represent the impedance of cell monolayers. The model parameter, R 0, representing resistance at low frequency, was related to the paracellular distance, D cc. Results showed that cancer cells could suffer a higher degree of electroporation than normal cells when exposed to the same NPS. This selective NPS effect was reflected by a greater decrease of the Cole model parameter, α, and larger induced TMPs for cancer cells. D cc was pulse number-dependent for both types of cells after exposure (four and eight pulses, 100 ns, 660 V). D cs showed lingering effects even 24 h after exposure to 8 ns pulses for both cancer and normal cells, suggesting that intense NPS can induce long-term changes of the cell-to-substrate interface.

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins inhibit endogenous enzymatic activity of deciduous carious dentin

Dentin endogenous proteases are involved in the progression of dental caries. This study investigated the proteolytic activity of endogenous enzymes of carious and sound dentin of primary teeth and the potential selective inhibitory effect of plant-derived proanthocyanidins (PACs). Carious and sound dentin from forty extracted primary teeth were collected and cryo-pulverized into a fine powder. Two PAC mixtures were prepared from grape seeds ( Vitis vinifera , Vv ), an oligomer enriched and polymer depleted extract ( Vv e ) as well as a further refined mixture containing primarily trimeric and tetrameric PACs ( Vv 3+4 ). Fluorescein conjugate-gelatin was used as cleavage substrate. The inhibition of endogenous protease activity was determined by the fluorescence emission intensity of cleaved gelatin at 535 nm over a 24-hour period. Deciduous carious dentin exhibited higher gelatinolytic activity (~7 fold higher) than sound dentin (p < 0.001). Treatment with 0.65% Vv e or Vv 3+4 inhibited proteolytic activity of the primary teeth effectively (p < 0.001). Endogenous enzymes are highly active in carious dentin, contributing for host-driven degradation along with the breakdown by cariogenic bacteria. The protease inhibitory effect of both the refined Vv 3+4 preparation and its Vv e precursor appears to be promising as an effective strategy to impair caries progression in primary teeth.

Disclosure Deregulation of Quarterly Reporting

In this article, we investigate the deregulation efforts resulting from the 2015 transposition of the EU’s Transparency Directive into German law and analyze whether a reduction in the minimum content requirements for quarterly reporting increases information asymmetries and decreases firm value. Using a novel dataset of firms that are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, our results reveal that over the period from 2012 to 2019, lower quarterly reporting levels on average have increased information asymmetry and reduced firm value. We find that this effect is stronger for second-tier stocks and firms with low media coverage. Our results are robust to potential selection effects regarding firms’ choice of quarterly reporting content levels.

Religious bonds, low self-control, and deviant behavior: a fixed-effects approach

ABSTRACT Prior scholarship has raised concerns over potential selection effects with religion-deviant behavior relationships. Yet, few studies have attempted to account for selection beyond incorporating control measures in statistical models, and fewer still have done so using adult samples. Using data from the National Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 9,799), this study employs fixed-effects techniques to examine if religious bonds are related to deviant behaviors, and if these relationships are mediated by low self-control. Results from the fixed-effects logistic regressions show that increases in religious bonds are related to decreased odds of both substance use outcomes (binge drinking and marijuana use), but do not relate to non-violent deviance and are related to increased odds of violent deviance. Results further show that low self-control, while a significant predictor of each type of deviant behavior, fails to substantially mediate any of the relationships.

Heavy-Contact Sport Participation and Early Adolescent Delinquency

Sports is one of the most popular youth activities, yet a consensus has not been reached as to whether playing sports facilitates or deters youths’ delinquency. This study uses longitudinal data on youths ages 12–15 to test the association between participation in noncontact (tennis, golf, track and field, swimming, volleyball), semi-contact (soccer, basketball, baseball/softball) and heavy contact (football, hockey, wrestling, lacrosse) sports, and juvenile delinquency. In models accounting for potential selection effects and a full array of confounding influences, playing semi- and noncontact sports is largely unrelated delinquency, whereas greater participation in heavy-contact sports is uniquely associated with increased commission of violent and property crimes in early adolescence. The theoretical and policy implications of these finding are briefly discussed.

Achieving nitritation in an aerobic fluidized reactor for coking wastewater treatment: Operation stability, mechanisms and model analysis

The presence of toxic compounds in coking wastewater is challenging for water treatment, but it also offers opportunities for the selection of specific bacterial populations based on different sensitivities. The potential selective inhibitory effect of toxic compounds in coking wastewater was employed here to inhibit nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB), allowing stable nitritation in a long-term experiment using a biological fluidized bed reactor. The main challenge was to identify the appropriate toxic compound loading range that would effectively inhibit NOB but allow ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) to work, by variation of organic loading rate (OLR) and dissolved oxygen (DO). An OLR of 0.80–1.35 kg·m−3d−1 permitted nitritation with a nitrite accumulation rate (NAR) above 80.5%. DO regulation was used to control the extent of nitritation which resulted in different NH4+-N/NO2−-N ratios. The bacterial populations present under the various operation conditions were characterized by high-throughput sequencing, demonstrating presence of Nitrosomonas species as the main AOB, while Nitrospira species (typical NOB) were successfully suppressed. Batch activity experiments with the sludge demonstrated stronger inhibition from SCN− on NOB (IC50 = 40.01 mg·L−1) than on AOB (IC50 = 308.12 mg·L−1). A mathematical model was developed based on the differential inhibition by SCN− and phenol on NOB and AOB, which predicted the optimal conditions for stable nitritation, in line with the experimental data. These findings may help to promote the design and optimization of operation condition for nitritation of coking wastewater, and has potential for nitrogen removal via nitrite (e.g. Anammox) in the treatment of industrial wastewater containing toxic compounds.