Substrate Conditions Research Articles

Long-Term Impact of Ground Deformation on Vegetation in an Underground Mining Area: Its Mechanism and Suggestions for Revegetation

Ground deformation is one of the most common geological disasters arising in underground mining areas, and mining-induced environmental impacts have resulted in numerous concerns, especially the impacts on the surface vegetation. The evaluation of mining-induced impacts on vegetation is beneficial to revegetation in mining areas; however, the impacts of ground deformation have seldom been systematically evaluated and explained on long time scales despite the long-term existence of ground deformation in underground mining areas. To address this, in this study a vegetation-soil-climate (VSC) model was developed to evaluate the long-term impacts of ground deformation on vegetation, and to reveal its mechanism. The results revealed that the long-term impacts of ground deformation on vegetation result from the degradation of the vegetation and soil when ground deformation occurs, which thereby limits the growth and succession of plants after the ground deformation has occurred. The intensity of the long-term impacts is determined by the severity of the ground deformation, but the duration, climate factors, the substrate conditions of the vegetation and soil before the deformation, and the natural change coefficient of the vegetation and soil are also relevant. Furthermore, the characteristics of the long-term impacts on vegetation were analyzed, and a framework for implementing revegetation and suggestions for the supervision of revegetation in underground mining areas are presented based on the characteristics. The results of this study provide insights into the impacts of mining-induced ground deformation on vegetation on long time scales, considering the comprehensive interactions between the vegetation and other environmental factors, and provide theoretical support for revegetation in underground mining areas.

Persistence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Varies with Particle Size and Substrate Conditions in Recirculating Streams.

Antibiotic resistance (AR) determinants are enriched in animal manures, a significant portion of which is land-applied as a soil amendment or as fertilizer, leading to potential AR runoff and microbial pollution in adjacent surface waters. To effectively inform AR monitoring and mitigation efforts, a thorough understanding and description of the persistence and transport of manure-derived AR in flowing waters are needed. We used experimental recirculating mesocosms to assess water-column removal rates of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) originating from a cow manure slurry collected from a dairy farm. We quantified the effect of three benthic (i.e., bottom) substrate variations and particle sizes of manure slurry on water column removal rates. Overall, we observed variation in ARG behavior across substrate treatments and particle sizes. For ARGs associated with small particles, removal rates were higher in mesocosms with a substrate. tetW was typically removed at the highest rates across particle size and treatment, followed by ermB and blaTEM. Our data suggests that both substrate character and particle size exert control on the fate and transport of ARGs in surface waters, laying the foundation for future research in this area to establish a predictive framework for AR persistence and fate in flowing waters.

Electric field enhancement in Au and Ag nanodisks-based photonic crystals: Relevant design insights for efficient SERS substrates

In recent years, noble metal nanoparticle-based periodic nanoarrays (photonic crystals) have received special attention due to their gross potential to achieve exceptionally high Electric-Near Field Enhancement (ENFE) factors for visible light and their prospects as candidates for the fabrication of ultra-sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrates. In this work, we report a simple but exhaustive theoretical analysis of the ENFE in Au and Ag nanodisks-based photonic crystals by Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. Nanostructures with arrays periodicities from 200 to 1000 [nm], nanodisks diameters from 100 to 500 [nm] and thicknesses from 20 to 200 [nm] were studied. Results show that the ENFE is strongly dependent on each one of these geometrical parameters, observing |E/E0|2 factors that can reach up to 1200 for the visible light spectrum. The effects of nanodisks surface curvature-based defects on the ENFE were also analyzed. This kind of defects seem to be also relevant to maximize the ENFE effects, observing that higher surface curvatures tend to considerably attenuate the electric field amplification. Our research provides relevant insights on the design optimization of this kind of photonic crystals to maximize the ENFE effects, which is a critical issue to assess the future fabrication conditions of efficient SERS substrates.

Limb bone strains during climbing in green iguanas (Iguana iguana): testing biomechanical release as a mechanism promoting morphological transitions in arboreal vertebrates.

Across vertebrate diversity, limb bone morphology is typically expected to reflect differences in the habitats and functional tasks that species utilize. Arboreal vertebrates are often recognized to have longer limbs than terrestrial relatives, a feature thought to help extend the reach of limbs across gaps between branches. Among terrestrial vertebrates, longer limbs can experience greater bending moments that might expose bones to a greater risk of failure. However, changes in habitat or behavior can impose changes in the forces that bones experience. If locomotion imposed lower loads in trees than on the ground, such a release from loading demands might have produced conditions under which potential constraints on the evolution of long limbs were removed, making it easier for them to evolve in arboreal species. We tested for such environmental differences in limb bone loading using the green iguana (Iguana iguana), a species that readily walks over ground and climbs trees. We implanted strain gauges on the humerus and femur, and then compared loads between treatments modeling substrate conditions of arboreal habitats. For hindlimbs, inclined substrate angles were most correlated with strain increases, whereas the forelimbs had a similar pattern but of lesser magnitude. Unlike some other habitat transitions, these results do not support biomechanical release as a mechanism likely to have facilitated limb elongation. Instead, limb bone adaptations in arboreal habitats were likely driven by selective pressures other than responses to skeletal loading.

Diatom responses and geochemical feedbacks to environmental changes at Lake Rauchuagytgyn (Far East Russian Arctic)

Abstract. This study is based on multiproxy data gained from a 14C-dated 6.5 m long sediment core and a 210Pb-dated 23 cm short core retrieved from Lake Rauchuagytgyn in Chukotka, Arctic Russia. Our main objectives are to reconstruct the environmental history and ecological development of the lake during the last 29 kyr and to investigate the main drivers behind bioproduction shifts. The methods comprise age-modeling, accumulation rate estimation, and light microscope diatom species analysis of 74 samples, as well as organic carbon, nitrogen, and mercury analysis. Diatoms have appeared in the lake since 21.8 ka cal BP and are dominated by planktonic Lindavia ocellata and L. cyclopuncta. Around the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary, other taxa including planktonic Aulacoseira, benthic fragilarioid (Staurosira), and achnanthoid species increase in their abundance. There is strong correlation between variations of diatom valve accumulation rates (DARs; mean 176.1×109 valves m2 a1), organic carbon accumulation rates (OCARs; mean 4.6 g m−2 a−1), and mercury accumulation rates (HgARs; mean 63.4 µg m−2 a−1). We discuss the environmental forcings behind shifts in diatom species and find moderate responses of key taxa to the cold glacial period, postglacial warming, the Younger Dryas, and the Holocene Thermal Maximum. The short-core data likely suggest recent change of the diatom community at the beginning of the 20th century related to human-induced warming but only little evidence of atmospheric deposition of contaminants. Significant correlation between DAR and OCAR in the Holocene interglacial indicates within-lake bioproduction represents bulk organic carbon deposited in the lake sediment. During both glacial and interglacial episodes HgAR is mainly bound to organic matter in the lake associated with biochemical substrate conditions. There were only ambiguous signs of increased HgAR during the industrialization period. We conclude that if increased short-term emissions are neglected, pristine Arctic lake systems can potentially serve as long-term CO2 and Hg sinks during warm climate episodes driven by insolation-enhanced within-lake primary productivity. Maintaining intact natural lake ecosystems should therefore be of interest to future environmental policy.

Simple metal-free oxidative cleavage of 1,2-diols

Cleavage of 1,2-diols is easily carried out under mild conditions with the Oxone/KBr (or Oxone/NaCl) method in either acetonitrile/water or tert-butanol/water medium at room temperature. This procedure is highly efficient for the cleavage of dihydroxyfatty esters and acids. The reaction takes place through a double oxidation of the 1,2-diol, leading to the 1,2-diketone that undergoes a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, with a final hydrolysis of the generated anhydride. The application to other diols, including simple internal and terminal diols, is also possible, but the nature of the diol substrate conditions the optimal halide/solvent system, given that important differences in reactivity are observed. These differences are ascribed to the change in the rate limiting step depending on the substrate/halide/solvent combination.

Chemical and Biological Properties of Potted-Soil for Strawberry Cultivation

Strawberries in tropical West Java are cultivated intensively in potted soil but the substrate condition received less attention. The objective of this descriptive research was to evaluate the chemical and macronutrient profile in potted-soils for strawberry cultivation, and to determine beneficial microbes’ population in root-free bulk soil and rhizosphere of potted-strawberry. The soil samples collected from 12-months and one-month-old potted strawberry; both contained Inceptisols soil order with 10 t/ha and 25 t/ha manure respectively. The proximate analysis was performed using Association of Official Analytical Chemists Method. The microbial enumeration was performed by Serial Dilution Plate Method in specific medium. The results showed that potted soils were not saline, but slightly acid, low in organic carbon and high in cation exchange capacity. The soil reactions were suitable for strawberry but the electrical conductivity was too low for strawberry growth. The potted soils have low to very low carbon to nitrogen ratio, but high in total nitrogen and very high in potential P2O5 and K2O. The population of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, nitrogen-fixing Azotobacter, total bacteria and total fungi in old potted soil were low; but its counts were increased in manure-treated potted soil. The ratios of bulk soil to rhizosphere microbial count were only 1.0-1.25. The study verified that the doses of organic matter should be increased, while decreasing the chemical fertilizer level.

A REVIEW OF FACTORS AFFECTING ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS OF FOOD WASTE

Bioconversion of Food waste into bioenergy can be accomplished by enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Food waste containing carbohydrate must be subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis to enhance the digestibility of its polymerisation structure. The three stages involved to produce fermentable sugars are gelatinization, liquefaction, and saccharification. Enzymatic hydrolysis used enzyme alpha-amylase to break down carbohydrate that contained in the food waste into simple sugars. The simple sugars are converted to various bio-chemicals by a process of fermentation. In this review, the effects of various factors on enzymatic hydrolysis have been thoroughly studied. It has been discussed how various substrate and hydrolysis conditions affect the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of food waste. There is also some strategies applied to overcome the presence of inhibitors that effect the hydrolysis to yield maximum amount of fermentable sugars.

The Impact of Process Variables on the Quantity and Quality of Biogas Generated from Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste and Rumen Contents

This research aimed to investigate how combining process variables affects biogas production from anaerobic digestion of food waste and rumen contents. A mixture design was used to evaluate the effects of temperature, pH, agitation frequency, and retention time on biogas quantity and quality. Anaerobic mono-digestion and co-digestion were performed using 2 liter single-stage plastic anaerobic digesters. Cumulative biogas volume and its composition, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, moisture, and methane content, were estimated volumetrically. The highest biogas volume and quality were obtained under the following conditions: food waste (0.30 kg), rumen content (0.30 kg), water content (0.40 kg), temperature (34.0° C), pH (9.0), agitation frequency (4 times/day), and retention time (32 days). Combining process variables can significantly impact biogas quantity and quality, and optimal process parameters vary depending on the substrate and operational conditions. Anaerobic digestion can effectively manage organic waste, produce renewable energy, and mitigate greenhouse gases.

Ecotonic Communities of Diatoms in the Southeastern Part of the Kamchatka Peninsula

Data about the ecotonic diatom communities of the Kamchatka Peninsula, a unique territory with strong volcanic activity, are very limited. We aimed to investigate diatom algae of the ecotones in the southeastern part of Kamchatka, including the Paratunka river valley, at the foot of the Vachkazhets volcano, and the bank of the Bystraya river. In total, 55 taxa were identified. The most diverse were the flora of the Paratunka river, with 31 taxa. Near the Bystraya river, 26 taxa were identified. Near the Vachkazhets volcano, 18 taxa were identified. Fragilariforma virescens, Planothidium lanceolatum, Pinnularia cf. subcapitata, Halamphora normanii, Nitzschia palea, and Eunotia exigua were the dominant species in the studied ecosystems, with the maximum abundance score. Pinnularia cf. subcapitata and Planothidium lanceolatum were found in all ecotones. In the studied habitats, small indifferent alkaliphilic cosmopolitan species prevailed. Our study revealed that the diatom species composition of the Kamchatka ecotones reflects their adaptability to survive in the extreme conditions of volcanic substrates. The results contribute to our knowledge of the ecology and biogeography of a number of diatom taxa.

In abandoned aquaculture ponds, the anammox process contributes relatively more to nitrogen removal

Impact of the development of coastal aquaculture on nitrogen (N) cycle has been a central issue in wetland ecological and environmental protection project. However, the process of N removal in offshore aquaculture remains unclear. Here this study reported the rates, abundance and community structure of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and denitrification using 15N isotope tracing technology, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and high-throughput sequencing methods in different types of aquaculture ponds including the Sinonovacula constricta ponds, the Shrimp-crab polyculture ponds and the abandoned aquaculture ponds along the coast of Fujian Province. Results showed that anammox rates in the abandoned aquaculture ponds were 1.44 ± 0.11 nmol·g−1·h−1, contributing to 15.15% ± 1.18% of the N removal, which were significantly higher than those in the S.constricta ponds and the Shrimp-crab polyculture ponds (P < 0.01). Denitrification remained the main pathway for the N removal. The abundance of AMX, nirS, and nirK genes in the Shrimp-crab polyculture ponds was higher than the other two types of aquaculture ponds, but the anammox and denitrifying microbial community structure was the simplest. In contrast, the abandoned aquaculture ponds showed the most abundant and complex microbial community structure. Aquaculture ponds abandoned significantly increased the anammox rates and community structure. The microbial diversity, species composition, and stable substrate condition such as DO, pH, NH4+, NO3−, TN, and C:N ratio were the main factors affecting the anammox process in the abandoned aquaculture ponds. The abundance of nirS and nirK gene, the human management, and aquaculture substrate environment including DO, pH, NH4+, and NO2− enhanced the denitrification process in the S.constricta ponds and the Shrimp-crab polyculture ponds. These findings indicated that aquaculture ponds abandoned improved environmentally friendly the anammox N removal process and restored biodiversity.

Atrial Fibrillation Occurring During Acute Hospitalization: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Acute atrial fibrillation is defined as atrial fibrillation detected in the setting of acute care or acute illness; atrial fibrillation may be detected or managed for the first time during acute hospitalization for another condition. Atrial fibrillation after cardiothoracic surgery is a distinct type of acute atrial fibrillation. Acute atrial fibrillation is associated with high risk of long-term atrial fibrillation recurrence, warranting clinical attention during acute hospitalization and over long-term follow-up. A framework of substrates and triggers can be useful for evaluating and managing acute atrial fibrillation. Acute management requires a multipronged approach with interdisciplinary care collaboration, tailoring treatments to the patient's underlying substrate and acute condition. Key components of acute management include identification and treatment of triggers, selection and implementation of rate/rhythm control, and management of anticoagulation. Acute rate or rhythm control strategy should be individualized with consideration of the patient's capacity to tolerate rapid rates or atrioventricular dyssynchrony, and the patient's ability to tolerate the risk of the therapeutic strategy. Given the high risks of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with acute atrial fibrillation, clinical follow-up and heart rhythm monitoring are warranted. Long-term management is guided by patient substrate, with implications for intensity of heart rhythm monitoring, anticoagulation, and considerations for rhythm management strategies. Overall management of acute atrial fibrillation addresses substrates and triggers. The 3As of acute management are acute triggers, atrial fibrillation rate/rhythm management, and anticoagulation. The 2As and 2Ms of long-term management include monitoring of heart rhythm and modification of lifestyle and risk factors, in addition to considerations for atrial fibrillation rate/rhythm management and anticoagulation. Several gaps in knowledge related to acute atrial fibrillation exist and warrant future research.

Constructed Technosols as a Soil Rebuilding Technique to Reclaim Abandoned Limestone Quarries in the Mediterranean Region: A Field Study

Soil rebuilding represents a major challenge in the recovery of abandoned quarries. In this study, we explored the possibility of using reconstructed Technosols, to achieve soil rebuilding goals at an abandoned quarry site. We first investigated the use of a mixture containing commercial manure and limestone debris (LD) as pedotechnomaterials for an “ad hoc” (re)constructed Technosol (CT), for the recovery of an opencast limestone quarry in one of most concentrated quarry areas in the world. In a field experiment, we tested and monitored different pedotechnosystems (PTSs) made up of constructed Technosol + pasture species + different Mediterranean plant species. Specifically, a control (CT, without any additional treatments) was compared to treatments with organic amendment (CTOA) and conventional fertilizers (CTCF). Data were collected over a 12-month period and included crop performance, plant nutritional state, soil physical-chemical parameters, and metabolites. Analysis of variance compared differences among treatments, while factor analysis (FA) interpreted multiple relationships while explaining observed variability. Results showed that CTOA had better soil physical-chemical properties, greater plant growth, and overall superior agronomic performances compared to all other treatments due to the improved substrate conditions. According to FA, these results appear related to the creation of fertile soil conditions, with most of the investigated metabolites (i) playing a pivotal role in observed outcomes, together with (ii) a clear potential in being considered as a reliable fingerprint for investigating plant responses in constructed PTSs. The proposed pedotechniques in CTOA development show a great potential for the full recovery of abandoned limestone quarries in degraded Mediterranean areas by providing an excellent medium for plant growth, facilitating environmental reclamation.

Degradation and Protection of Materials from Cavitation Erosion: A Review.

The phenomena of cavitation and cavitation erosion affect hydraulic machines, increasing their maintenance costs. Both these phenomena and also the methods of preventing the destruction of materials are presented. The compressive stress in the surface layer created from the implosion of cavitation bubbles depends on the aggressiveness of the cavitation, which in turn depends on the test device and test conditions, and also affects the erosion rate. Comparing the erosion rates of different materials tested using different tests devices, the correlation with material hardness was confirmed. However, no one simple correlation was obtained but rather several were achieved. This indicates that in addition to hardness, cavitation erosion resistance is also affected by other properties, such as ductility, fatigue strength and fracture toughness. Various methods such as plasma nitriding, shot peening, deep rolling and coating deposition used to increase resistance to cavitation erosion by increasing the hardness of the material surface are presented. It is shown that the improvement depends on the substrate, coating material and test conditions, but even using the same materials and test conditions large differences in the improvement can be sometimes gained. Moreover, sometimes a slight change in the manufacturing conditions of the protective layer or coating component can even contribute to a deterioration in resistance compared with the untreated material. Plasma nitriding can improve resistance by even 20 times, but in most cases, the improvement was about two-fold. Shot peening or friction stir processing can improve erosion resistance up to five times. However, such treatment introduces compressive stresses into the surface layer, which reduces corrosion resistance. Testing in a 3.5% NaCl solution showed a deterioration of resistance. Other effective treatments were laser treatment (an improvement from 1.15 times to about 7 times), the deposition of PVD coatings (an improvement of up to 40 times) and HVOF coatings or HVAF coatings (an improvement of up to 6.5 times). It is shown that the ratio of the coating hardness to the hardness of the substrate is also very important, and for a value greater than the threshold value, the improvement in resistance decreases. A thick, hard and brittle coating or alloyed layer may impair the resistance compared to the untreated substrate material.

The influence of moisture and epoxy bonding agents on interfacial behavior between normal concrete substrate and ultrahigh performance concrete as a repair material: Experimental and molecular dynamics study

In this paper, moisture conditions and epoxy bonding agents on interfacial behavior between normal concrete (NC) and ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) were investigated by both experiment and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The NC was exposed to different moisture conditions and bonding agents prior to UHPC reparation. The bonding strength was studied by slant shear and splitting tensile tests. A quantitative analysis of backscattered electron images as well as X-ray diffraction were applied to study the microstructure of the overlay transition zone (OTZ) between NC-UHPC. In addition, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was combined with the macro experiments to explore the bonding mechanism between calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and epoxy adhesive agents. The results show that UHPC is a promising repair material for concrete structure reinforcement/reparation with excellent bonding strength. The splitting tensile strength increases with a higher area ratio of NC to UHPC under the same substrate conditions, but varies when different adhesive agents are applied. Waterborne epoxy resin (WEP) can improve the bonding property of an imperfect NC substrate, while this improvement effect decrease with a smooth NC substrate. On the other hand, bisphenol-A-type epoxy resin (E51) has a negative effect on the bonding property. Finally, NC substrate moisture has no significant influence on the microstructure of OTZ and bonding strength. The MD results show, the growth of bonding strength between C-S-H and epoxy by adhesive agent is negligible while toughness can be improved to a certain extent. This work provides multi-scale new insight for understanding the bonding mechanism on NC-UHPC.

CVD processed ZnO thin film as solid thermal interface material in electronic devices: thermal and optical performance of LED

Purpose Polymer-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) are having pump out problem and could be resolved for reliable application. Solid-based interface materials have been suggested and reported. The purpose of this paper is suggesting thin film-based TIM to sustain the light-emiting diode (LED) performance and electronic device miniaturization. Design/methodology/approach Consequently, ZnO thin film at various thicknesses was prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method and tested their thermal behaviour using thermal transient analysis as solid TIM for high-power LED. Findings Low value in total thermal resistance (Rth-tot) was observed for ZnO thin film boundary condition than bare Al boundary condition. The measured interface (ZnO thin film) resistance {(Rth-bhs) thermal resistance of the interface layer (thin film) placed between metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) board and Al substrates} was nearly equal to Ag paste boundary condition and showed low values for ZnO film prepared at 30 min process time measured at 700 mA. The TJ value of LED mounted on ZnO thin film (prepared at 30 min.) coated Al substrates was measured to be 74.8°C. High value in junction temperature difference (ΔTJ) of about 4.7°C was noticed with 30 min processed ZnO thin film when compared with Al boundary condition. Low correlated colour temperature and high luminous flux values of tested LED were also observed with ZnO thin film boundary condition (processed at 30 min) compared with both Al substrate and Ag paste boundary condition. Originality/value Overall, 30 min CVD processed ZnO thin film would be an alternative for commercial TIM to achieve efficient thermal management. This will increase the life span of the LED as the proposed material decreases the TJ values.

Optimizing single-molecule experimental approaches for the study of complex protein assemblies on DNA.

Over the past few decades, together with biochemical approaches single-molecule biophysics has made substantial contributions to our understanding of molecular machines. This has led to our understanding of their mechanochemical cycles, their different types of behavior (e.g. depending on substrate or cellular conditions), their interplay with other proteins, etc. etc. An ongoing challenge is to probe more complex molecular machines from a biophysical perspective and how to do so while maintaining an acceptable degree of experimental efficiency.

Potensi Sumber dan Sebaran Sampah Laut di Ekosistem Terumbu Karang Perairan Pulau Kelapa, Pulau Kelapa Dua, dan Pulau Harapan, DKI Jakarta

Pollution is a threat to coral reefs in Indonesian waters. The number of coral reefs that are in very good condition denies very little compared to the total area of ??coral reefs in Indonesia. One form of pollution that can threaten coral reefs is marine debris. This study aims to identify potential sources of marine debris that can disrupt the health of coral reefs. the research was carried out in the waters of Kelapa Island, Kelapa Dua Island and Harapan Island, DKI Jakarta. The data used includes current data obtained using secondary data, data on the amount of marine debris,and the water base data substrate obtained using the LIT method. The results showed that the waste was thought to come from community activities, tourism and fisheries. The location that can be a source of marine debris in the research location comes from the mainland of Jakarta Bay. The bottom substrate conditions are in the "bad" to "medium" category. The range of the lowest proportion of live coral cover is 10,8% and the highest live coral cover at 31.1%. The coral reefs in the research location are in a state of worry and their existence is threatened by pollution of marine debris.

Impact of Norway spruce pre-degradation stages induced by Gloeophyllum trabeum on fungal and bacterial communities

In forest ecosystems, fungi are the key actors in wood decay. They have the capability to degrade lignified substrates and the woody biomass of coniferous forests, with brown rot fungi being common colonizers. Brown rots are typically involved in the earliest phase of lignocellulose breakdown, which therefore influences colonization by other microorganisms. However, few studies have focused on the impact of introducing decayed wood into forest environments to gauge successional colonization by natural bacterial and fungal communities following partial decay. This study aimed to address this issue by investigating the bacterial and fungal colonization of Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) wood, after intermediate and advanced laboratory-based, pre-decay, by the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum . Using Illumina metabarcoding, the in situ colonization of the wood blocks was monitored 70 days after the blocks were placed on the forest floor and covered with litter. We observed significant changes in the bacterial and fungal communities associated with the pre-decayed stage. Further, the wood substrate condition acted as a gatekeeper by reducing richness for both microbial communities and diversity of fungal communities. Our data also suggest that the growth of some fungal and bacterial species was driven by similar environmental conditions.

Investigating the Activity of Carbon Fiber Electrode for Electricity Generation from Waste Potatoes in a Single-Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), a technology that converts chemical energy into electrical energy, have been regarded as the most suitable method for sustainable energy production. However, most MFCs generate a low power output, limiting their large-scale industrial applications. Here, we introduce a high-performancesingle-chambered microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) based on carbon fiber anode and zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP)-fabricated copper cathode. Furthermore, best optimized conditions of temperature, pH, substrate, external resistance, and cathode fabrication were also considered to evaluate the performance of this SCMFC in treating potato wastewater along with bioenergy production. Results indicated that chemical oxygen demand (COD) could be effectively removed (80%) and maximum voltage, current density, and power density were 1.58 V, 0.235 mA/cm2, and 0.3714 mW/cm2, respectively. Hence, the SCMFC used in this study has a higher potential to treat potato wastewater along with high power production.