Rise In pH Research Articles

Vaginal microbiome-host interactions modeled in a human vagina-on-a-chip

BackgroundA dominance of non-iners Lactobacillus species in the vaginal microbiome is optimal and strongly associated with gynecological and obstetric health, while the presence of diverse obligate or facultative anaerobic bacteria and a paucity in Lactobacillus species, similar to communities found in bacterial vaginosis (BV), is considered non-optimal and associated with adverse health outcomes. Various therapeutic strategies are being explored to modulate the composition of the vaginal microbiome; however, there is no human model that faithfully reproduces the vaginal epithelial microenvironment for preclinical validation of potential therapeutics or testing hypotheses about vaginal epithelium-microbiome interactions.ResultsHere, we describe an organ-on-a-chip (organ chip) microfluidic culture model of the human vaginal mucosa (vagina chip) that is lined by hormone-sensitive, primary vaginal epithelium interfaced with underlying stromal fibroblasts, which sustains a low physiological oxygen concentration in the epithelial lumen. We show that the Vagina Chip can be used to assess colonization by optimal L. crispatus consortia as well as non-optimal Gardnerella vaginalis-containing consortia, and to measure associated host innate immune responses. Co-culture and growth of the L. crispatus consortia on-chip was accompanied by maintenance of epithelial cell viability, accumulation of D- and L-lactic acid, maintenance of a physiologically relevant low pH, and down regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, co-culture of G. vaginalis-containing consortia in the vagina chip resulted in epithelial cell injury, a rise in pH, and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the potential of applying human organ chip technology to create a preclinical model of the human vaginal mucosa that can be used to better understand interactions between the vaginal microbiome and host tissues, as well as to evaluate the safety and efficacy of live biotherapeutics products.AsSRkJhp7GmswS9e3XcXgrVideo

Assessment of the Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) on the Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) Quality under Cold Storage Conditions.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) is a novel non-thermal preservation method that extends the shelf-life of food. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of CAP on the quality parameters of hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) during cold storage conditions (at 4 °C and RH range 45-55%). For that reason, different quality parameters including the total bacteria count (TBC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), pH, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances value (TBARS), color, texture, and sensory evaluation have been measured. The hairtail was exposed to CAP at 50 kV voltage for 2, 3, 4, and 5 min. The results showed that the samples treated with CAP at 50 kV for 5 min had significantly lower (p < 0.05) TBC (7.04 ± 0.26 log CFU/g) compared with the control sample (8.69 ± 0.06 log CFU/g). Similar results were found concerning TVB-N, which strongly decreased in the treated samples (16.63 ± 0.03 mg N/100 g) in comparison with the control sample (22.79 ± 0.03 mg N/100 g). In addition, the CAP-treated samples had lower (p < 0.05) changes in color than those of the control group. With reference to the sensory evaluation, the shelf-life of CAP-treated samples (at 50 kV for 5 min) was longer than the untreated samples by about 6 days. These results led us to the conclusion that CAP can effectively delay spoilage and deterioration, slow the rise in pH, and maintain the sensory attributes of hairtail during cold storage conditions.

Insights into the corrosion of sulfidated microscale zero valent iron in the presence of benzoic acid: Inhibited oxidation capacity and promoted zinc immobilization

Under oxic environment, the corrosion of zero valent iron (ZVI) connects with its oxidation and adsorption capacity, but little is known about the effects of sulfidation on those processes of ZVI. To assess the oxidant production from ball-milling unsulfidated and sulfidated microscale ZVI (mZVIbm and S-mZVIbm), the transformation of benzoic acid (BA) to p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBA) was used as the oxidation probe reaction. During the oxidation reaction, the concentration of p-HBA in S-mZVIbm/O2 systems rapidly reached equilibrium (< 12 μM) within 40 min regardless of sulfur loading content, whereas it could gradually reach 26 μM in mZVIbm/O2 system within 240 min despite the slower generation of p-HBA at initial stage. Combining with the characteristic analysis, the lower oxidation capacity of S-mZVIbm/O2 system might be ascribed to the enhanced Fe(II) dissolution that caused a larger solution pH rise along with the loss of Fe(0) and FeSx sites and the formation of lepidocrocite, which was not beneficial for oxygen activation. Under the identical conditions such as material dosage and co-existing anions, the oxidation capacity of mZVIbm/O2 system also exceeded S-mZVIbm/O2 system. In addition, the comparative experiment of Zn2+ immobilization by S-mZVIbm and S-mZVIbm with or without BA was investigated. mZVIbm showed insignificant Zn2+ immobilization, whereas BA could enhance Zn2+ immobilization by S-mZVIbm due to the enhanced corrosion that could provide more adsorption sites. Overall, this work is valuable for assessing the oxidation capacity of S-mZVIbm/O2 system and BA effect on heavy metal immobilization of S-mZVI in wastewater treatment.

An experimental study on post-mortem dissolution and overgrowth processes affecting coccolith assemblages: A rapid and complex process.

Coccolith dissolution together with post-mortem morphological features are immensely important phenomena that can affect assemblage compositions, complicate taxonomic identification as well as provide valuable palaeoenvironmental insights. This study summarizes the effects of pH oscillations on post-mortem coccolith morphologies and the abundances and compositions of calcareous nannoplankton assemblages in three distinct types of material-(i) Cretaceous chalk, (ii) Miocene marls, and (iii) late Holocene calcareous ooze. Two independent experimental runs within a semi-enclosed system setting were realized to observe assemblage alterations. One experiment was realized with the presence of bacteria and, in contrast, the second one inhibited their potential effect on the studied system. The pH was gradually decreased within the range of 8.3-6.4 using a reaction of CO2 with H2 O forming weak carbonic acid (H2 CO3 ), thereby affecting [ ]. Further, a subsequent overgrowth study was carried out during spontaneous degassing accompanied by a gradual pH rise. The experiment revealed that the process and intensity of coccolith corrosion and subsequent overgrowth build-ups are influenced by a plethora of different factors such as (i) pH and associated seawater chemistry, (ii) mineral composition of the sediment, (iii) the presence of coccoliths within a protective substrate (faecal pellets, pores, pits), and (iv) the presence/absence of bacteria. Nannoplankton assemblages with corroded coccoliths or with coccoliths with overgrowth build-ups showed that the observed relative abundances of taxa experienced alteration from the original compositions. Additionally, extreme pH oscillations may result in enhanced morphological changes that make coccoliths unidentifiable structures, and might even evoke the absence of coccoliths in the fossil record.

Fire and land use impact soil properties in a Mediterranean dry sclerophyll woodland

Fire directly impacts soil properties responsible for soil function and can result in soil degradation. Across the globe, climate change-induced droughts and elevated temperatures are exacerbating fire regime severity, breadth, and frequency, thus posing a threat to soil function and dependent ecosystem services. In Australia, the 2019–2020 fire season consumed nearly 50% of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, burning both dry sclerophyll woodland and adjacent historically cleared and grazed pastureland. Due to exacerbated fire regime elements, e.g., intensity and area affected, and interactions with historical land use, post-fire recovery of soil function was uncertain. This study assessed the impacts of a) the 2019–2020 fire event in Western River, Kangaroo Island on dry sclerophyll woodland and b) the interaction between this fire event and historical clearing and grazing on post-fire function of the soil. To do so, the following physicochemical and biological soil properties were analysed: labile active carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), pH, electrical conductivity, soil water repellency, aggregate stability, microbial community composition, and microbial diversity. Our results showed that the fire was of high severity, causing a reduction in nutrient content, an extreme rise in pH, and significant modifications to fungal communities in burnt compared to unburnt dry sclerophyll woodland. Furthermore, clearing and grazing raised post-fire soil nutrient levels and soil microbial diversity but reduced soil C/N and the abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi in burnt pastureland compared to burnt woodland soils. This study highlights the role of management and fire severity in post-fire outcomes and emphasizes the need for comprehensive soil function assessments to evaluate the impacts of disturbance on soil. Taking direct measure of soil properties, as done here, will improve future assessments of fire season impacts and post-fire recovery in fire-prone landscapes.

(Digital Presentation) Tracking Local pH Changes of Electrodeposited Co-Mo-Based Titania Composites for HER

Cobalt-molybdenum and cobalt-molybdenum-based phosphides are known hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts in alkaline electrolytes.1 Recently it has been shown that the addition of titania particles to create composite Co-Mo-TiO2 and Co-Mo-P-TiO2 enhances the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).2 In order to better understand the role of TiO2 in the these composites, the local pH change was characterized during both electrodeposition and HER. The composites were electrodeposited onto a copper mesh working electrode in close vicinity to a flat-bottom pH probe. During electrodeposition from a citrate-boric acid electrolyte, there in an initial drop of pH followed by a pH rise with time that was not influenced by the presence of TiO2. However, there was a significant change in the local pH when TiO2 was present in Co-Mo-based electrocatalyst during the HER process. Without TiO2 particles present in the solid state, the local pH change during electrolysis follows an expected increase with time, while with embedded TiO2 particles in the metal matrix, the local pH initially decreases slightly and remains constant with time. The results suggest that the enhanced HER performance with TiO2 in the alloy composite electrocatalyst is a consequence of the buffering of the local pH. References Fan, D. Piron, A. Sleb, P. Paradis, J. Electrochem. Soc. 141, 382-387 (1994); P.R. Zabinski, H. Nemoto, S. Meguro, K. Asami K., Hashimoto K., J. Electrochem. Soc., 150, C717 (2003); Y.-Y. Ma, C.-X. Wu, X.-J. Feng, H.-Q. Tan, L.-K. Yan, Y. Liu, Z.-H. Kang, E.-B. Wang, Y.-G. Li, Energy Environ. Sci. 10, 788-798 (2017); A. C. Thenuwara, L. Dheer, N. H. Attanayake, Q. Yan, U. V. Waghmare, D. R. Strongin, ChemCatChem. 10, 4832-4837 (2018); X. Chen, Q. Li, Q. Che, Y. Chen, X. Xu, ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 7, 2437-2445 (2018).Wang, H.K. Bilan, E.J. Podlaha, J. Electrochem. Soc. 166, F661-F669 (2109); C. Wang, E. J. Podlaha, J. Electrochem. Soc, 167, 132502 (1~4) (2020).

A Practical Field Test and Simulation Procedure for Prediction of Scaling in Geothermal Wells Containing Noncondensable Gases

Scaling in a hydrothermal type of geothermal well reduces or interrupts the production of geothermal energy. Calcite is one of the most common scales in geothermal wells. The reason for its formation in geothermal production wells is clear. The flowing up of geothermal water causes a change in the pressure and temperature, which results in the escape of CO2 gas from the geothermal water, causing a rise in pH and the supersaturation of CaCO3 in the solution. To predict scaling in a new geothermal well, conditional data for geothermal well simulations are required. It is important to determine what field data are needed and how to obtain them. It is necessary to deal with some parameters that are hard to measure and that have not been described in detail in the existing literature. In this study, a two-phase flow model and a chemical reaction equilibrium model are integrated to simulate the scaling process in production wells. Based on the simulation, a comprehensive and practical approach, including a novel noncondensable gas content measurement method, is applied to predict the depth of the first gas bubble using simple field test data and does not require reservoir permeability and earth conductivity. The result shows good agreement with the location of scaling detected in the field.

Deforestation for agriculture increases microbial carbon use efficiency in subarctic soils

Agriculture is likely to expand poleward with climate change, encouraging deforestation for agriculture in subarctic regions, which alters soil physical, chemical and biological properties and potentially affects microbial metabolic efficiency. Deciphering how and by which mechanisms land-use change affects microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) will enable the development of mitigation strategies to alleviate C losses. We assessed CUE using 18O-labelled water in a paired-plot approach on soils collected from 19 farms across the subarctic region of Yukon, Canada, comprising 14 pairs of forest-to-grassland conversion and 15 pairs of forest-to-cropland conversion. Microbial CUE significantly increased following conversion to grassland and cropland. Land-use conversion resulted in a lower estimated abundance of fungi, while the archaeal abundance increased. Interestingly, structural equation modelling revealed that increases in CUE were mediated by a rise in soil pH and a decrease in soil C:N ratio rather than by shifts in microbial community composition, i.e. the ratio of fungi, bacteria and archaea. Our findings indicate a direct control of abiotic factors on microbial CUE via improved nutrient availability and facilitated conditions for microbial growth. Overall, this implies that to a certain extent CUE can be managed to achieve a more efficient build-up of stabilised soil organic C (SOC), as reflected in increased mineral-associated organic C under agricultural land use. These insights may also help constrain SOC models that generally struggle to predict the effects of deforestation, something that is likely to take place more frequently in the subarctic.

The ‘Knee-jerk’ or ‘Blood-jerk Reaction’ - A Rise in the Alkaline Ph of the Blood!

The ‘Knee-jerk’ or ‘Blood-jerk Reaction’ - A Rise in the Alkaline Ph of the Blood!

A rise in saliva and urine pH in children with SCN1A-related epilepsy: An exploratory prospective controlled study.

ObjectiveSCN1A, encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the sodium channel, is associated with a range of related epilepsy. This study aims to assess saliva and urine pH in children with SCN1A-related epilepsy.MethodsA prospective controlled observational study with a 1:1 ratio was conducted on seven patients with SCN1A-related epilepsy and seven healthy children of the same family, gender, and age but without a history of seizures. The pH of saliva and urine was measured by pH test paper. Parents of patients with epilepsy recorded seizures to compare the relationship between pH and seizures.ResultsThe fourteen participants were all males, aged 1 to 14 years. Seven patients had different pathogenic SCN1A variants. The pH of saliva and urine was monitored for 21–95 days. The pH of saliva and urine was higher in patients with SCN1A-related epilepsy than in the healthy group. The urine pH in Dravet syndrome patients was high compared with other epilepsy patients. The urine pH in patients with seizures was higher than that in patients without seizures, which occurred during the study.ConclusionsThe pH of saliva and urine was chronically high in patients with SCN1A-related epilepsy, and urine pH was higher in patients with seizures and with Dravet syndrome.

Alkalizing Properties of Six Calcium-Silicate Endodontic Biomaterials.

Introduction: Calcium silicate-based cements (CSC), are self-setting hydraulic biomaterials widely used for reparative procedures in dentistry and endodontics. These materials possess physical properties, such as ion release, porosity, solubility, and radiopacity. Their biological properties are connected to their alkalizing activity and calcium release capacity. Materials and Methods: Six calcium silicate-based materials were selected for this study: TheraCal LC (Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA), MTA Plus (PrevestDenpro, Jammu, India Avalon Biomed Inc., Bradenton, FL, USA), Biodentine (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France), RetroMTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Korea), MTA Flow (Ultradent Products, Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA), and OrthoMTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Korea). The pH was analyzed immediately after immersion (baseline) and after 1 h, 3 h, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 1 year with a pH meter, previously calibrated with solutions of known pH. All testing materials had alkaline pH. Results: Analysis of the tested materials showed statistically significant differences in terms of pH changes as a function of the time showed a gradual rise in the pH of all materials. Conclusions: All tested materials exhibited continuous hydroxyl ion release resulting in a rise in pH until the end of time of experience.

Development and storage stability of value‐added watermelon fruit butter by incorporating watermelon rind byproduct

The main objective of this study was to investigate the incorporation of watermelon rind (WMR) in the form of pulp (15%), powder (10%), and extract (6%) as a value-added ingredient in the development of WMR-enriched value-added watermelon fruit butter. Physicochemical properties (acidity, TSS, and pH), bioactive compounds (total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, lycopene, and citrulline), antioxidant potential (DPPH and FRAP) and microbiological analysis of watermelon fruit butter were evaluated for 60 days of storage at 4 ± 1°C. No significant (p > .05) changes in TSS whereas there was a drop in acidity and a rise in pH were observed in all treatments. As compared to other treatments, WMR extract preserved more (p < .05) color attributes, total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, lycopene, citrulline, and antioxidant activity of fruit butter during storage. The results regarding microbiological analysis indicated that the more (p < .05) microbial safety and longer shelf life were achieved by the 6% WMR extract incorporating fruit butter. The WMR addition in the form of extracts in the development of fruit butter was more effective in minimizing quality changes, retaining color, bioactive compounds, and reducing microbial growth during storage. Novelty impact statement Our study focused on utilizing the nutritious watermelon rind (WMR) in different forms such as pulp, powder, and extract for the development of shelf-life-stable watermelon fruit butter. 6% WMR extract incorporating fruit butter ensures safety and quality, significantly high acceptability, and protects more nutrients by reducing microbial load as compared to other treatments. The conversion of such high-value agro-waste to design and develop innovative functional foods, bioactive, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals could minimize food losses and waste, reduce environmental impact, maximize agricultural profit, and improve food sustainability on commercial scale. More importantly, such research studies attempt to alleviate growing concerns about food waste by repurposing rejected food byproducts.

Removal of sulphate and arsenic from wastewater using calcium sulfoaluminate (ye’elimite)

Chemical precipitation is one of the most widely known methods for treatment of industrial wastewaters with high sulphate content, where sulphate can be precipitated as practically insoluble ettringite (Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12·26H2O). This treatment method is also widely recognised for solidifying hazardous components and toxic elements e.g. arsenic in wastewater. In the ettringite precipitation process, lime and aluminium salts are typically used as starting materials, in stoichiometric amounts to form ettringite from the sulphate-containing water, leading to a pH rise to ∼11.5 and ettringite precipitation. In the current study, for the first time, ye’elimite mineral (Ca4Al6O12SO4), also known as calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) in cements, is used in order to investigate its suitability to form ettringite precipitate from sulphate and arsenic containing synthetic wastewater and industrial wastewater solutions. The dissolution of ye’elimite prior to dosing, optimal precipitation pH, and arsenic co-precipitation were studied. The effluent and precipitates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM-EDS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The results showed that high percentage of sulphate removal (98% in the synthetic wastewater and 87% in the industrial wastewater) can be achieved using ye’elimite as the aluminium source in ettringite precipitation. Additionally, up to 95% arsenic removal was achieved in arsenic co-precipitation experiments from the synthetic wastewater. The current developed technology can be used as a novel ecological and cost-effective approach for removal of sulphate and toxic elements from wastewater.

Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria Additives on the Quality, Volatile Chemicals and Microbial Community of Leymus chinensis Silage During Aerobic Exposure.

Silage exposed to air is prone to deterioration and production of unpleasant volatile chemicals that can seriously affect livestock intake and health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), and a combination of LP and LB (PB) on the quality, microbial community and volatile chemicals of Leymus chinensis silage at 0, 4, and 8 days after aerobic exposure. During aerobic exposure, LP had higher WSC and LA contents but had the least aerobic stability, with more harmful microorganisms such as Penicillium and Monascus and produced more volatile chemicals such as Isospathulenol and 2-Furancarbinol. LB slowed down the rise in pH, produced more acetic acid and effectively improved aerobic stability, while the effect of these two additives combined was intermediate between that of each additive alone. Correlation analysis showed that Actinomyces, Sphingomonas, Penicillium, and Monascus were associated with aerobic deterioration, and Weissella, Pediococcus, Botryosphaeria, and Monascus were associated with volatile chemicals. In conclusion, LB preserved the quality of L. chinensis silage during aerobic exposure, while LP accelerated aerobic deterioration.

Prolonged lipopolysaccharide-induced illness elevates glucagon-like peptide-1 and suppresses peptide YY: A human-randomized cross-over trial.

Severe systemic inflammation is associated with nausea, loss of appetite, and delayed gastric emptying, which increases hospitalization admission length and mortality rate. There is a lack of human controlled studies exploring gastric emptying rates and underlying mechanisms during inflammatory conditions. We aimed to investigate if systemic inflammation in young men delays gastro‐intestinal transit times, lowers motility, and affects gastrointestinal hormone secretion. This substudy of a randomized crossover trial investigated eight healthy young men on two separate occasions; (I) following an overnight fast (healthy conditions/HC) and (II) fasting and bedrest combined with two lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections of 1 ng kg−1 following an overnight fast and 0.5 ng kg−1 following another 24 h (systemic inflammation/SI). A standardized protein beverage and a SmartPill capsule (a wireless gastrointestinal monitoring system) were swallowed during each occasion. Whole gut transit time was comparable between HC and SI. SI decreased gastric mean pressure peak amplitude (p = 0.04) and increased pH rise across the pylorus and small bowel pH (p = 0.02) compared with HC. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 was elevated during SI compared with HC (p = 0.04). Peptide YY was lower during SI compared with HC (p = 0.007). Prolonged LPS exposure combined with fasting and bedrest elevated glucagon‐like peptide 1 concentrations, which may play a role for the nausea and loss of appetite typically associated with SI.

Effect of salt concentration on the properties of electrolyzed reducing water (ERW) and electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW): an empirical correlation study

This research aimed to examine the effect of NaCl concentration on the pH and Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) values of both EOW and ERW products. The experiment was conducted using distilled water. The electrolysis apparatus consisted of anode and cathode chambers. The chambers were connected by a tube filled with a cotton (or a fabric). Both electrodes (anode and cathode) were made of titanium and formed as a spiral. Electrolysis was performed for 780 minutes, and the pH and ORP values of both EOW and ERW were measured every time. Sodium chloride concentration was varied for 0, 100, and 200 ppm. Experimental results revealed that the higher the NaCl concentration, the higher ERW’s pH rise and the lower the EOW’s pH. Similar results were found for ORP. ERW’s ORP was lowered while EOW’s ORP rose with the increase in NaCl concentration. This study could also generate a mathematical model that correlates pH and time during the electrolysis process. The model was developed by connecting with a simple polynomial. A similar approach was used to develop the model that correlates pH and ORP value.

Performance and mechanism of lanthanum-modified zeolite as a highly efficient adsorbent for fluoride removal from water

Defluoridation of water is still challenging due to the fluoride pollution of both groundwater and surface water worldwide. In this study, lanthanum-modified zeolite (LMZ) was synthesized from coal fly ash and was investigated for fluoride removal from water by conducting batch and column experiments. Our results indicated that the process of fluoride adsorption was endothermic and the adsorption kinetics on LMZ followed the pseudo-second-order model. A higher temperature increased both the capacity and the rate of adsorption. The maximum fluoride adsorption capacity of LMZ reached 141.5 mg/g with a F/La molar ratio of 4.21, as estimated from the Langmuir model which best fitted the isotherm data. Fluoride adsorption greatly depended on pH, with optimal performance being achieved within ∼5.0–∼7.0. The point of zero charge of LMZ was pH 8.8, at which only bicarbonate ions greatly affected fluoride removal. However, no competing effect was observed at pH 6.3 for all tested anions including chloride, sulphate, nitrate, bicarbonate and acetate. The dominant adsorption mechanism was the ligand exchange of fluoride with hydroxyls on LMZ, as illustrated by the rise in pH due to fluoride adsorption and by the molecular scale spectroscopic FTIR, Raman and XPS studies. Fluoride adsorbed on LMZ was successfully desorbed using NaOH solution, and regenerated LMZ could be reused. The results of column studies showed that LMZ granulated with alginate performed well in treating F−-containing water. In conclusion, LMZ is a promising material for efficient defluoridation from water.

Ocean acidification will impede swimming in sea urchin sperm

The grim impact of ocean acidification on many marine creatures is becoming brutally evident. Pretty much any animal that depends on a calcium carbonate shell or skeleton – including molluscs and coral reefs – is at risk as the oceans soak up human CO2 emissions. But other aspects of their lifestyle may also be affected by the oceans’ plummeting pH. Sea urchin sperm are triggered into action when released into seawater with a pH higher than 8, raising their internal pH and activating the motor proteins that drive their powerful beating tails as they search for an egg. However, some researchers are concerned that the lower pH of seawater as acidification takes hold may mean it will no longer activate sea urchin sperm when released. Without the essential internal pH rise, the sperm may be too sluggish to locate and fertilise eggs. But no one had directly checked how the ocean pH reductions that are predicted to occur by 2100 and 2150 could impact the New Zealand sea urchin (Evechinus chloroticus – known in Māori as the kina). Michael Hudson and Mary Sewell from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, decided to check out what the future may hold for the self-propelled gametes. ‘We prepared the experimental seawaters by bubbling precise mixes of gases through special injectors at a set temperature’, says Hudson, who then diluted fresh kina sperm into two versions of future seawater – simulating the sea in the year 2100 (pH 7.77) and in 2150 (pH 7.51) – to monitor how the gametes would propel themselves. Unfortunately, only 74% of the sperm were able to swim in the turn-of-the-century predicted water conditions, falling to 64% by 2150, compared with 83% in present day seawater. And when Hudson checked their swimming style, he found the 2150 sperm were no more sluggish than the 2100 sperm; however, the gametes took more indirect curving paths, slowing their forward movement, with implications for future fertility. ‘Fertilisation requires sperm to collide with eggs and it is known that the end result of fewer sperm swimming and lower swimming speeds is reduced levels of sperm–egg collisions and lower fertilisation rates’, says Hudson.But how will the dramatic environmental pH decline impact the internal pH of the sperm and their ability to manoeuvre? This time, Hudson bathed the sperm in a fluorescent dye which changed colour depending on their internal pH. Alarmingly, this showed that the pH of the sperm that were transferred to the 2100 ocean conditions plummeted from today's value of pH 7.52 to pH 7.35 and fell even lower to pH 7.31 in 2150. Kina sperm seems to be unable to compensate for the reduction in environmental pH to maintain their internal pH. Yet, when the team compared the impact of future pH on sperm from different males, some swam fine while those from other males were not so mobile. ‘There was a lot of individual variability’, says Sewell, suggesting that some other mechanism related to sperm health may also contribute to their ability to initiate swimming.Even though some sperm were relatively unaffected by the more acidic conditions they will encounter in the future, Hudson and Sewell suspect that ocean acidification will impact kina fertility. Acidic conditions are also known to reduce the jelly coating surrounding each egg, making the eggs smaller and reducing the attractive scents they release to guide sperm their way. The future isn't looking rosy for New Zealand's sea urchins.

Nitrogen-enriched biochar co-compost for the amelioration of degraded tropical soil

ABSTRACT Tropical soils are often deeply weathered and vulnerable to degradation having low pH and unfavorable Al/Fe levels, which can constrain crop production. This study aims to examine nitrogen-enriched novel biochar co-composts prepared from rice straw, maize stover, and gram residue in various mixing ratios of the biochar and their feedstock materials for the amelioration of acidic tropical soil. Three pristine biochar and six co-composts were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for improving the chemical and biological quality of the soil against a conventional lime treatment. The pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) and nitrogen content of co-composts varied between 7.78–8.86, 25.3–30.5 cmol (p+) kg−1, 25.5–30.5%, and 0.81–1.05%, respectively. The co-compost prepared from gram residue biochar mixed with maize stover at a 1:7 dry-weight ratio showed the highest rise in soil pH and CEC, giving an identical performance with the lime treatment and significantly better effect (p < .05) than the unamended control. Agglomerates of calcite and dolomite in biochar co-composts, and surface functional groups contributed to pH neutralization and increased CEC of the amended soil. The co-composts also significantly (p < .05) increased the dehydrogenase (1.87 µg TPF g−1 soil h−1), β-glucosidase (90 µg PNP g−1 soil h−1), and leucine amino peptidase (3.22 µmol MUC g−1 soil h−1) enzyme activities in the soil, thereby improving the soil’s biological quality. The results of this study are encouraging for small-scale farmers in tropical developing countries to sustainably reutilize crop residues via biochar-based co-composting technology.

Adsorptive Removal of Naproxen from Water Using Polyhedral Oligomeric Silesquioxane (POSS) Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs).

Covalent organic frameworks are porous crystalline compounds made up of organic material bonded together by strong reversible covalent bonds (these are novel types of materials which have the processability of extended or repeated structures with high performance, like those of thermosets and thermoplastics that produce high surface coverage). These have a long-term effect on an arrangement’s geometry and permeability. These compounds are entirely made up of light elements like H, B, C, N, O and Si. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have emerged as a new threatened species. A hazardous substance known as an “emerging toxin,” such as naproxen, is one that has been established or is generated in sufficient amounts in an environment, creating permanent damage to organisms. COF-S7, OAPS and 2-methylanthraquionone(2-MeAQ), and COF-S12, OAPS and terephthalaldehyde (TPA) were effectively synthesized by condensation (solvothermal) via a Schiff base reaction (R1R2C=NR′), with a molar ratio of 1:8 for OAPS to linker (L1 and L2), at a temperature of 125 °C and 100 °C for COF-S7 and COF-S12, respectively. The compounds obtained were assessed using several spectroscopy techniques, which revealed azomethine C=N bonds, aromatic carbon environments via solid 13C and 29Si NMR, the morphological structure and porosity, and the thermostability of these materials. The remedied effluent was investigated, and a substantial execution was noted in the removal ability of the naproxen over synthesized materials, such as 70% and 86% at a contact time of 210 min and 270 min, respectively, at a constant dose of 0.05 g and pH 7. The maximum adsorption abilities of the substances were found to be 35 mg/g and 42 mg/g. The pH result implies that there is stable exclusion with a rise in pH to 9. At pH 9, the drop significance was attained for COF-S7 with the exception of COF-S12, which was detected at pH 11, due to the negative Foster charge, consequent to the repulsion among the synthesized COFs and naproxen solution. From the isotherms acquired (Langmuir and Freundlich), the substances displayed a higher value (close to 1) of correlation coefficient (R2), which showed that the substances fit into the Freundlich isotherm (heterogenous process), and the value of heterogeneity process (n) achieved (less than 1) specifies that the adsorption is a chemical process. Analysis of the as-prepared composites revealed remarkable reusability in the elimination of naproxen by adsorption. Due to its convenience of synthesis, significant adsorption effectiveness, and remarkable reusability, the as-synthesized COFs are expected to be able to be used as potential adsorbents for eliminating AIDs from water.