Uptake Process Research Articles

Bismuthene@ZnAlBi LDHs structure as a novel nanosorbent for efficient uptake of arsenic (V)

Two-dimensional bismuthene material is characterized with promising and superior optical, electrical and other characteristics. The application of 2D-bismuthene or its composites in water remediation of As(V) was not previously investigated. Consequently, embedded bismuthene into zinc aluminum bismuth-layered double hydroxide (ZnAlBi LDHs-embedded-Biene) was simply fabricated as a novel nanosorbent. Bismuthene (Biene) was prepared by bottom up hydrothermal reaction, while ZnAlBi LDHs was synthesized by a coprecipitation method followed by hydrothermal treatment process. Characterization of ZnAlBi LDHs-embedded-Biene referred to a crystalline mesoporous structure of globular particles with 5–8 nm. It was confirmed that the nanosorbent exterior surface is functionalized with metal oxides and metal oxyhydroxide, while exchangeable carbonate anion existed in the nanosorbent inner layer. Therefore, arsenate uptake was favored by both exterior electrostatic attraction and anion exchange processes. The highest uptake capacity of As(V) by ZnAlBi LDHs-embedded-Biene was detected at pH 3 and contact time 30 min providing 94.67% removal by using 5 mg L−1 As(V) concentration. The ionic strength factor proved a good selectivity of the nanosorbent toward As(V) ions. Thermodynamic behavior of interaction between As(V) and nanosorbent was emphasized as exothermic and spontaneous process, while the kinetic evaluation indicated that the pseudo-second order was the best-fitting expression. The application of ZnAlBi LDHs-embedded-Biene in the adsorptive uptake process of As(V) ions from various water samples referred to elevated uptake percentages as 93.29% and 90.52% by 5 mg L−1 and 10 mg L−1 As(V), respectively. The adsorbed As(V) onto ZnAlBi LDHs-embedded-Biene exhibited excellent recyclability and re-usage up to five cycles to affirm that the designed ZnAlBi LDHs-embedded-Biene has a great prospect for utilization in water purification from As(V).

Enhanced Cellular Uptake through Nanotopography‐Induced Macropinocytosis

AbstractEfficient cellular uptake of biomolecules, including genetic material, mRNA, proteins, and nanoparticles, requires novel approaches to overcome inherent cellular barriers. Here, the study investigates how nanotopographical cues from nanoporous surfaces impact the uptake efficiency by cells. The results demonstrate notable enhancements in cellular uptake efficiency across a range of vectors when cells are exposed to nanoporous surfaces. The uptake process is found to be dependent on the size and morphology of the nanopores, reaching a peak efficacy with blind pores of 400 nm in size. Enhanced genetic transduction on nanoporous surfaces are observed for multiple vectors, including lentiviruses, baculoviruses, and mRNA molecules. The versatile nature of this approach allows co‐transfection of cells with multiple mRNA vectors. Moreover, the nanoporous platform is used for efficient and fast manufacturing of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)‐T cells through lentiviral transduction. Furthermore, the study pinpoints macropinocytosis as the predominant mechanism driving increased cellular uptake induced by the nanoporous surfaces. The introduced method for enhancing genetic transduction of cells has applications in immunotherapy research, drug delivery, and cell engineering.

N2O consumption, uptake, and microbial reduction processes in flooded sandy loamy paddy soils

AbstractSandy loamy soils are widely distributed in fluvial floodplains and experience flooding events frequently, resulting in a large amount of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This case is more serious when the soil use is changed to paddies. It is of great significance to figure out the N2O consumption and its influencing factors in sandy loamy paddy soils to mitigate N2O emissions. In this study, three sandy loamy paddy soils (0–5 cm) originated from lake deposits were selected (S1, S2, and S3) as objectives. A certain concentration of exogenous N2O was added at the bottom of the flooded soil column to monitor the dynamics of N2O and nitrogen (N2) on the soil surface. Total N2O consumption, N2O uptake, and N2 production were quantified, and the abundance of nitrous oxide reductase genes (nosZI, and nosZII) and other soil properties (ammonium‐nitrogen, nitrate‐nitrogen, and dissolved organic carbon [DOC] content) were analyzed. The results showed that the sandy loamy paddy soil column with a depth of 0–5 cm could intercept more than 95% of the exogenous N2O under the flooded anaerobic condition, indicating that the three sandy loamy paddy soils all had extremely strong N2O consumption capacities. And the increment of N2 accounted for 68.73%–76.09% of the total N2O consumption, which had a stronger relationship with the increase of nosZI gene abundance than nosZII gene. In addition, the total N2O consumption and N2 increment of S1 and S3 soils were significantly higher than those of S2 soil. This difference was mainly related to soil organic matter content, total nitrogen content, DOC consumption, and the increase of nosZI gene abundance (p < 0.05). The strong N2O consumption potential of sandy loamy soils can provide feasible solutions for regulating N2O emissions in a wide range of similar environments in fluvial floodplains.

Molecular determinant deciphering of MIC-guided RND efflux substrates in E. coli

Antimicrobial resistance poses an urgent and formidable global public health threat. The escalation of bacterial multidrug resistance to antibiotics has the potential to become a leading cause of global mortality if there is no substantial improvement in antimicrobial development and therapy protocols. In light of this, it is imperative to identify the molecular determinants responsible for the reduced antibiotic activity associated with RND efflux pumps. This comprehensive study meticulously examines Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) data obtained from in vitro tests for various antibiotic families and non-active dye compounds, sourced from diverse literature references. The primary focus of this study is to assess the susceptibility of these agents to efflux-resistant Escherichia coli strains, integrating both MIC data and relevant physicochemical properties. The central objective is to unveil the specific substituents that significantly influence the uptake process mediated by the AcrAB-TolC efflux system. This exploration seeks to reveal the consequences of these substituents on pharmacodynamic responses, providing valuable insights into Structure-Activity Relationships. It is noteworthy that this analysis represents a pioneering effort, with prospective implications for RND efflux pump-producing strains. Ultimately, deciphering efflux markers is crucial to effectively mitigate the emergence of specific resistance and to better monitor the role of this primary resistance mechanism in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly as observed in clinical antibiotic therapy practice.

Hybrid of bulk NbC and layered Nb4C3 MXene for tailoring the hydrogen storage kinetics and reversibility of Li–Mg–B–H composite: An experimental and theoretical study

The Li-Mg-B-H composite (2LiBH4 + MgH2) is acknowledged as a promising material for hydrogen storage due to its large hydrogen capacity (11.4 wt.%). However, the sluggish kinetics and poor reversibility make it difficult to be practically used. In this work, the hydrogen storage performances of 2LiBH4 + MgH2 have been significantly improved by a hybrid of bulk NbC and layered Nb4C3 MXene (denoted as “Nb–C”). The 2LiBH4 + MgH2 + 6 wt.% Nb–C can release 8.5 wt.% H2 within 30 min at 400 °C and the dehydrogenated composite can absorb 9.3 wt.% H2 within 30 min at 350 °C and 7.5 MPa H2. The reversible dehydrogenation capacity maintains at 8.4 wt.% after 24 cycles, with a capacity retention ratio of 95.4 %. By contrast, the undoped 2LiBH4 + MgH2 suffers from serious capacity degradation, with the capacity decreased dramatically to 3.5 wt.% after 3 cycles. Microstructural studies revealed that the doped composite has uniform particle and elemental distributions and possesses various multiphase interfaces of LiH/MgB2/NbC/Nb4C3, which is beneficial to hydrogen diffusion during the hydrogen uptake and release process. Theoretical studies by first principle calculation presented an extended bond length of the Mg–H and B–H bonds in the 2LiBH4 + MgH2 + NbC system, which may also explain the improved hydrogen storage properties of 2LiBH4 + MgH2 by addition of Nb-C. This work provides new insights into the role of transition metal carbides in regulating the Li–Mg–B–H hydrogen storage materials both experimentally and theoretically.

Utilizing murine dendritic cell line DC2.4 to evaluate the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines in vitro.

Subunit vaccines hold substantial promise in controlling infectious diseases, due to their superior safety profile, specific immunogenicity, simplified manufacturing processes, and well-defined chemical compositions. One of the most important end-targets of vaccines is a subset of lymphocytes originating from the thymus, known as T cells, which possess the ability to mount an antigen-specific immune response. Furthermore, vaccines confer long-term immunity through the generation of memory T cell pools. Dendritic cells are essential for the activation of T cells and the induction of adaptive immunity, making them key for the in vitro evaluation of vaccine efficacy. Upon internalization by dendritic cells, vaccine-bearing antigens are processed, and suitable fragments are presented to T cells by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In addition, DCs can secrete various cytokines to crosstalk with T cells to coordinate subsequent immune responses. Here, we generated an in vitro model using the immortalized murine dendritic cell line, DC2.4, to recapitulate the process of antigen uptake and DC maturation, measured as the elevation of CD40, MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the cell surface. The levels of key DC cytokines, tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured to better define DC activation. This information served as a cost-effective and rapid proxy for assessing the antigen presentation efficacy of various vaccine formulations, demonstrating a strong correlation with previously published in vivo study outcomes. Hence, our assay enables the selection of the lead vaccine candidates based on DC activation capacity prior to in vivo animal studies.

Predicting phosphorus accumulation and proposing conditions needed for an algal-based phosphorus uptake process

ABSTRACT Algal-based waste stabilisation ponds (WSP) are a common wastewater treatment system for small communities but have poor phosphorus removal. Under certain conditions algae in WSPs will perform ‘luxury uptake’ increasing their phosphorus content to over 3% (gP/gSS) by storing polyphosphate. For the first time in the literature this paper presents a systematic study which determines the conditions needed to maximise phosphorus accumulation within WSP biomass taking into account the interactions between key variables. The key variables of temperature, phosphorus concentration, light intensity, mixing intensity, organic load, and pH were evaluated in 40 batch factorial experiments using a WSP algal culture. All six variables examined had significant main effects or interactions on the phosphorus content of the biomass. These were incorporated into a regression equation which was successfully validated against independent data sets from the literature. The conditions required to maximise the phosphorus content of the biomass were predicted for both summer (high light and high temperature) and winter (low light and low temperature) scenarios. The required conditions were revealed to be high phosphorus concentration, high mixing intensity, no supplementary CO2 addition, and low organic load. Interestingly, these conditions were consistent for both summer and winter suggesting that year-round treatment is possible. Practical methods of achieving these conditions were proposed. While further work will be needed to evaluate the effect of growth and potential influence of algal species, the findings presented provide a vital step towards developing a new phosphorus removal treatment process based on an enhanced understanding of environmental biotechnology.

The C-terminus is essential for the stability of the mycobacterial channel protein MspA.

Outer membrane proteins perform essential functions in uptake and secretion processes in bacteria. MspA is an octameric channel protein in the outer membrane of Mycobacterium smegmatis and is structurally distinct from any other known outer membrane protein. MspA is the founding member of a family with more than 3000 homologs and is one of the most widely used proteins in nanotechnological applications due to its advantageous pore structure and extraordinary stability. While a conserved C-terminal signal sequence is essential for folding and protein assembly in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, the molecular determinants of these processes are unknown for MspA. In this study, we show that mutation and deletion of methionine 183 in the highly conserved C-terminus of MspA and mutation of the conserved tryptophan 40 lead to a complete loss of protein in heat extracts of M. smegmatis. Swapping these residues partially restores the heat stability of MspA indicating that methionine 183 and tryptophan 40 form a conserved sulfur-π electron interaction, which stabilizes the MspA monomer. Flow cytometry showed that all MspA mutants are surface-accessible demonstrating that oligomerization and membrane integration in M. smegmatis are not affected. Thus, the conserved C-terminus of MspA is essential for its thermal stability, but it is not required for protein assembly in its native membrane, indicating that this process is mediated by a mechanism distinct from that in Gram-negative bacteria. These findings will benefit the rational design of MspA-like pores to tailor their properties in current and future applications.

Equilibrium characteristics of sorption of some phenolic compounds by FIBAN A-1 fiber from aqueous solutions

Many phenolic compounds are related to the group of toxic substances, the occurrence of which in wastewater has a negative impact on the environment. In addition to extraction, biochemical, and membrane methods for the isolation of hydroxybenzenes from aqueous media, sorption methods using active carbon, nonionic polymers, and ion-exchange materials are also actively used. The purpose of this work was to establish the features of the sorption of phenol, resorcinol and phloroglucinol from aqueous solutions with FIBAN fibers. Sorption was studied under static conditions at a temperature of 298 K. An assessment of the amount of absorbed sorbates by fibers of various nature indicates that FIBAN A-1 fiber exhibits better capacity characteristics relative to phenolic compounds. This fact is due to the nature of the matrix (styrene-divinylbenzene) and the high basicity of the functional groups of this sorbent, which increase the number of sorption centers for the uptake of hydroxybenzenes. The isotherms of the sorption of phenol, resorcinol and phloroglucin in the concentration range 0.5-10 mmol/dm3 indicate the affinity of FIBAN A-1 to these sorbates. In the entire range of concentrations studied, the highest recovery rates are characteristic of trihydroxybenzene. The paper provides a formal analysis of the obtained equilibrium curves based on the choice of the sorption equation that most closely describes the experimental dependences. The apparent constants of sorption equilibrium are calculated, the energy characteristics of uptake process are estimated.

Regulation of metal homoeostasis by two F-group bZIP transcription factors bZIP48 and bZIP50 in rice.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency not only impairs plant growth and development but also has negative effects on human health. Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) is a staple food for over half of the global population, yet the regulation of Zn deficiency response in rice remains largely unknown. In this study, we provide evidence that two F-group bZIP transcription factors, OsbZIP48/50, play a crucial role in Zn deficiency response. Mutations in OsbZIP48/50 result in impaired growth and reduced Zn/Fe/Cu content under Zn deficiency conditions. The N-terminus of OsbZIP48/OsbZIP50 contains two Zn sensor motifs (ZSMs), deletion or mutation of these ZSMs leads to increased nuclear localization. Both OsbZIP48 and OsbZIP50 exhibit transcriptional activation activity, and the upregulation of 1117 genes involved in metal uptake and other processes by Zn deficiency is diminished in the OsbZIP48/50 double mutant. Both OsbZIP48 and OsbZIP50 bind to the promoter of OsZIP10 and activate the ZDRE cis-element. Amino acid substitution mutation of the ZSM domain of OsbZIP48 in OsbZIP50 mutant background increases the content of Zn/Fe/Cu in brown rice seeds and leaves. Therefore, this study demonstrates that OsbZIP48/50 play a crucial role in regulating metal homoeostasis and identifies their downstream genes involved in the Zn deficiency response in rice.

Demonstration of a robust high cell density transient CHO platform yielding mAb titers of up to 2 g/L without medium exchange.

Biopharmaceuticals like therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other derived proteins are popular for treating various diseases. Transient gene expression (TGE) is typically used as a fast yet efficient method to generate moderate amounts of material. It has been used to support early stage research and discovery processes. Introduction of a robust high yielding and predictive TGE platform in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) is crucial. It maintains the consistency in cell lines and processes throughout the early drug discovery and downstream manufacturing processes. This helps researchers to identify the issues at an early stage for timely resolution. In this study, we have demonstrated a simple high-titer platform for TGE in CHO based on a dilution process of seeding cells. We achieved titers ranging from 0.8 to 1.9 g/L for eight model mAbs at three scales (1, 30, 100 mL) in 10 days using our new platform. The ability to seed by dilution significantly streamlined the process and dramatically enhanced platform throughput. We observed a modest reduction in titer ranging from 11% to 28% when cells were seeded using dilution compared to when cells were seeded using medium exchange. Further studies revealed that carry over of spent medium into transfection negatively affected the DNA uptake and transcription processes, while the translation and secretion was minimally impacted. In summary, our transient CHO platform using cells prepared by dilution at high densities can achieve high titers of up to 1.9 g/L, which can be further improved by targeting the bottlenecks of transfection and transcription.

Efficient CO2 adsorption using chitosan, graphene oxide, and zinc oxide composite

This study was deeply focused on developing a novel CTS/GO/ZnO composite as an efficient adsorbent for CO2 adsorption process. To do so, design of experiment (DOE) was done based on RSM-BBD technique and according to the DOE runs, various CTS/GO/ZnO samples were synthesized with different GO loading (in the range of 0 wt% to 20 wt%) and different ZnO nanoparticle’s loading (in the range of 0 wt% to 20 wt%). A volumetric adsorption setup was used to investigate the effect of temperature (in the range of 25–65 °C) and pressure (in the range of 1–9 bar) on the obtained samples CO2 uptake capability. A quadratic model was developed based on the RSM-BBD method to predict the CO2 adsorption capacity of the composite sample within design space. In addition, CO2 adsorption process optimization was conducted and the optimum values of the GO, ZnO, temperature, and pressure were obtained around 23.8 wt%, 18.2 wt%, 30.1 °C, and 8.6 bar, respectively, with the highest CO2 uptake capacity of 470.43 mg/g. Moreover, isotherm and kinetic modeling of the CO2 uptake process were conducted and the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.99) and fractional order model (R2 = 0.99) were obtained as the most appropriate isotherm and kinetic models, respectively. Also, thermodynamic analysis of the adsorption was done and the ∆H°, ∆S°, and ∆G° values were obtained around − 19.121 kJ/mol, − 0.032 kJ/mol K, and − 9.608 kJ/mol, respectively, indicating exothermic, spontaneously, and physically adsorption of the CO2 molecules on the CTS/GO/ZnO composite’s surface. Finally, a renewability study was conducted and a minor loss in the CO2 adsorption efficiency of about 4.35% was obtained after ten cycles, demonstrating the resulting adsorbent has good performance and robustness for industrial CO2 capture purposes.

Absorption and Biotransformation of Selenomethionine and Selenomethionine-Oxide by Wheat Seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

An in-depth understanding of Se uptake and metabolism in plants is necessary for developing Se biofortification strategies. Thus, hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the associated processes and mechanisms of organic Se (selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenomethionine-oxide (SeOMet)) uptake, translocation, transformation and their interaction in wheat, in comparison to inorganic Se. The results showed that Se uptake by the roots and the root-to-shoot translocation factor under the SeMet treatment were higher than those under the selenite, selenate and SeOMet treatments. The uptake and translocation of SeMet were higher than those of SeOMet within 72 h, although the differences gradually narrowed with time. The uptake of SeMet and SeOMet was also sensitive to the aquaporin inhibitor: AgNO3 addition resulted in 99.5% and 99.9% inhibitions of Se in the root in the SeMet and SeOMet treatments, respectively. Once absorbed by the root, they rapidly assimilated to other Se forms, and SeMet and Se-methyl-selenocysteine (MeSeCys) were the dominant species in SeMet- and SeOMet-treated plants, while notably, an unidentified Se form was also found in the root and xylem sap under the SeMet treatment. In addition, within 16 h, SeOMet inhibited the uptake and translocation of SeMet, while the inhibition was weakened with longer treatment time. Taken together, the present study provides new insights for the uptake and transformation processes of organic Se within plants.

Modelling selenium behavior in aquatic systems: a review of status, challenges, and opportunities.

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for aquatic organisms as well as humans. It can be toxic to organisms depending on its concentration and chemical speciation; thus, considerable efforts have been made to unravel the biogeochemical cycling of Se in aquatic systems. Mathematical models provide an important tool to better understand the fate of Se in different environment compartments. However, a comprehensive review of modeling Se in aquatic systems with current challenges and opportunities is missing. To fill this gap, we firstly summarize the processes governing Se cycling in aquatic systems, including particle adsorption and desorption, diffusion, biological uptake, redox reactions, and volatilization. Then, we critically review the available models, identifying the compartments modelled, environmental factors considered, and the Se species and geochemical processes used in each model, providing an assessment of their advantages and limitations. Data availability for modeling studies is investigated, highlighting how to better quantify the redox reactions, estimate of Se loadings, and mass balance. For the modeling of Se cycling in aquatic systems, the ability of the models to link sources to biota concentrations under a range of hydrodynamic conditions and with mechanistic representations of transport, transformation, and uptake processes is required. The majority of the current models can conduct this task; however, to better present the uptake processes of Se in the food web, two-way coupling of the Se cycling model with a food web model is recommended.

Facile synthesis and characterization of a magnetic biosorbent derived from sodium alginate and activated graphite schist: Experimental and statistical physics analysis for Mn(VII) remediation

H2O2-modified graphite schist (GS) and sodium alginate (SA) interface was loaded by Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNPs) to prepare a magnetic biosorbent that was employed in removing Mn(VII) from solutions. The prepared GS/SA/MNPs adsorbent was investigated using a variety of techniques, including elemental mapping, TEM, XPS, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, and zeta potential. An experimental study supported by statistical physics calculations was carried out to obtain a new outline of the Mn(VII) uptake mechanism. The classical Freundlich and the statistical physical double-layer models adequately described the Mn(VII) uptake process at pH 3.0 and a temperature of 25–55 °C. The removed number of Mn ions (such as Mn+7 and Mn+2) per GS/SA/MNPs active site ranged from 0.70 to 0.84, indicating a mixed adsorption orientation driven by surface complexation and attraction forces mechanisms. The adsorption energies (∆E) calculated by the double-layer model ranged from 18.79 to 24.94 kJ/mol, suggesting that the interaction between Mn(VII) and GS/SA/MNPs was controlled by physical forces. Increasing the adsorption capacity at saturation (Qsat) from 333.14 to 369.52 mg/g with temperature proposed an endothermic capture process. Thermodynamic functions clarified the viability and spontaneity of Mn(VII) uptake on the GS/SA/MNPs adsorbent.

Fe(III) transporter OsYSL15 may play a key role in the uptake of Cr(III) in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Due to the widely discharge of chromium (Cr) by mining and smelting industries, etc., contamination of paddy soils and rice has become serious problems. Therefore it is crucial to explore how rice takes up Cr. Cr(III) is the most common Cr form in the long-term water flooding paddy soils. Here, we demonstrate that OsYSL15, a key gene for Fe(III) uptake, is equally applicable for Cr(III) uptake in rice. Firstly, the antagonistic effect of Cr(III) and Fe(III) in the uptake process was found. Rice could accumulate more Cr(III) under Fe-deficient conditions. And the Fe(III) content in the protoplasts of rice root cells gradually decreased with the increase exposure of Cr(III). Knockdown of OsYSL15 in rice significantly reduced the Cr(III) uptake rate. Compared with wild type rice, the accumulation of Cr(III) in OsYSL15 mutant was decreased by 40.7%− 70.6% after gene editing. These results indicate that OsYSL15 is a key gene responsible for Cr(III) uptake in rice, which can guide the screening or genetic modification for low-Cr-accumulation rice varieties.

Evaluation of the adsorption capacity of surfactant-modified biomass in an aqueous acid blue 193 system

The study explored the capacity of modified pinewood dust (S-dust) for adsorbing acid blue 193 dye. The novel adsorbent was prepared via the insitu intercalation of quaternized ammonium copolymer (cationic surfactant) onto pinewood dust. The synthesized biosorbent was characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion X-ray (EDX) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area equipment. To establish the variable effects on the dye uptake, the ranges of solution pH, initial adsorbate concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage were varied. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 117.58 mg/g was recorded at pH 4.0, 0.1 g/L adsorbent dose and 2 h sorption duration. The process kinetics and isotherm modelling fitted best to the pseudo-first-order and Freundlich models, respectively. From the mechanistic/diffusion studies, intraparticle and pore diffusion mechanisms were respectively postulated at low and high initial adsorbate concentrations. Also, the occurrence of a nonspontaneous endothermic uptake process was inferred from the thermodynamics evaluations. Therefore, the effective acid blue 193 dye uptake onto novel S-dust was confirmed in this study.

The optimal ammonium-nitrate ratio for various crops : A Meta-analysis

Contexts or ProblemNitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for crop growth, and its different forms have a significant impact on crop uptake and various physiological processes that underpin yield and quality. Although many studies suggesting that a combination of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) can enhance crop outcomes, the optimal ammonium-nitrate ratio (ANR) for different crops remains uncertain due to a lack of extensive validation with large datasets. Objective and MethodThis paper collected 151 peer-reviewed studies (with 2417 observations) on the effects of ANR on crop growth published from 1972 to 2022. The comprehensive effects of different ANRs on crop yield and quality (protein, vitamin C, starch etc.) of various crops were evaluated via meta-analysis to provide an optimal N management strategy. ResultsOur analysis identified rice as an ammonium-preferred crop, and the ANR of 75:25 shows the most effective improvement in total biomass and photosynthetic characteristics at seedling age, with a 26.0% increase in the biomass and a 21.9% boost in chlorophyll content compared to pure ammonium treatment. Wheat and tobacco can be considered ammonium-nitrate-balanced crops, and a balanced ANR of 50:50 resulted in significant synergistic improvement in both yield and quality, i.e., wheat biomass and protein increased by 13.3% and 7.1%, respectively, and tobacco yield significantly increased by 21.9%, compared to pure nitrate supply. In contrast, maize, soybeans, and vegetables were identified as nitrate-preferred crops, applying pure ammonium or an excess of ammonium-N over nitrate led to a significant reduction in yield and quality, with the most pronounced inhibitory effect observed in soybeans. However, a slight supplement of ammonium can also promote the growth of these crops. Furthermore, soil pH significantly influences the preference for ammonium and nitrate. In soils with an acidic environment, crops tend to efficiently utilize nitrate, whereas in alkaline conditions, there is a preference for an increased presence of ammonium. ConclusionThe combination of ammonium and nitrate in appropriate ratio can improve multiple agronomic characteristics both for ammonium-preferred and nitrate-preferred crops, which may due to complementary physiological functions of two forms of N. Among various soil factors, soil pH showed significant influence on determining the optimal ANR and should be taken into consideration. Implications or significanceThese findings reveal that the appropriate ANR is crucial for both crop yield and quality improvement and should be fully valued in future nutrient management.

Design of amidoximized hydroxyapatite for extracting uranium from seawater

Extracting uranium from natural seawater is a huge challenge because of the complex environment of seawater and extremely low uranium concentration. In this work, amidoximized hydroxyapatite (AO-HAP) was prepared to capture uranium from seawater. The introduction of amidoxime group greatly improved the recognition ability of AO-HAP for uranium in neutral and weakly alkaline environment (pH = 7–8). The uptake process of AO-HAP for uranium was fitted by Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models, suggesting that the capture behavior of AO-HAP for uranium was a homogeneous chemisorption. The saturated uranium uptake capacity of AO-HAP was 865.3 mg g−1 from aqueous solution, which was better than most of other reported uranium extractants. More importantly, AO-HAP had good regeneration ability and excellent adsorption performance in natural seawater (6.25 mg g−1 in 30 days). In sum, AO-HAP is a highly potential candidate as adsorbent material for the efficient extraction of uranium from seawater.

Solar-driven membrane separation for direct lithium extraction from artificial salt-lake brine

The demand for lithium extraction from salt-lake brines is increasing to address the lithium supply shortage. Nanofiltration separation technology with high Mg2+/Li+ separation efficiency has shown great potential for lithium extraction. However, it usually requires diluting the brine with a large quantity of freshwater and only yields Li+-enriched solution. Inspired by the process of selective ion uptake and salt secretion in mangroves, we report here the direct extraction of lithium from salt-lake brines by utilizing the synergistic effect of ion separation membrane and solar-driven evaporator. The ion separation membrane-based solar evaporator is a multilayer structure consisting of an upper photothermal layer to evaporate water, a hydrophilic porous membrane in the middle to generate capillary pressure as the driving force for water transport, and an ultrathin ion separation membrane at the bottom to allow Li+ to pass through and block other multivalent ions. This process exhibits excellent lithium extraction capability. When treating artificial salt-lake brine with salt concentration as high as 348.4 g L−1, the Mg2+/Li+ ratio is reduced by 66 times (from 19.8 to 0.3). This research combines ion separation with solar-driven evaporation to directly obtain LiCl powder, providing an efficient and sustainable approach for lithium extraction.