Interfacial Solid-Phase Chemical Modification with Mannich Reaction and Fe(III) Chelation for Designing Lignin-Based Spherical Nanoparticle Adsorbents for Highly Efficient Removal of Low Concentration Phosphate from Water

Advanced adsorption of low concentration phosphate by low cost lignin-based adsorbents from water or wastewater is an economic and effective way to prevent the occurrence of eutrophication. In this work, lignin, a waste material recovered from black liquor, was treated with a simple interfacial solid-phase chemical modification method to design a high efficiency phosphate adsorbent. First, the lignin was modified by triethylenetetramine (TETA) with the Mannich reaction, and then Fe­(III) was chelated onto the aminated lignin. An efficient low concentration phosphate adsorption was observed by the kinetics experiments, which followed pseudo-second-order kinetically. The adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics were examined. This adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, SEM, particle size analysis, ζ potential analysis, and XPS. FTIR and XPS analyses indicated that iron atom was the binding site for phosphate adsorption. SEM pictures suggested that the adsorbent was uniformly ball-shaped and the particle size was about 450 nm. Both the adsorption experiments and characterization demonstrated that the phosphate adsorption mechanism of Fe­(III)-complexed lignin (Fe-CL) followed the complexation mechanism between iron and phosphate on Fe-CL. This study implied that biomass-based lignin could be used as a potential adsorbent for efficient removal of low concentration phosphate from water or wastewater

Successive Adsorption of Cations and Anions of Water–1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Methylsulfate Binary Mixtures at the Air–Liquid Interface Studied by Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy and Surface Tension Measurements

We have investigated the surface behavior of 1-butyl-3-methyl­imidazolium methylsulfate ([bmim]­[MS]) aqueous solutions by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) and surface tension measurements, including the adsorption of ions and its relationship with surface tension. At very low [bmim]­[MS] concentrations, SFG-VS data indicate that with increasing mole fraction of [bmim]­[MS], adsorption of cations at the interface rapidly increases, whereas the surface tension rapidly decreases. When cation adsorption to the surface is close to saturation, the change of the surface tension tends to be gradual. When the mole fraction of [bmim]­[MS] reaches 0.1, anions begin to adsorb to the interface, leading to the changes of the orientation angle of cations and the aggregation behavior of cations and anions at the interface. The previously reported unusual minimum point in the surface tension curve of [bmim]­[BF₄] aqueous solution suggested to be caused by successive adsorption of cations and anions was not observed for [bmim]­[MS] aqueous solution. SFG-VS spectra and the surface tension curve of [bmim]­[MS] aqueous solution indicate that anion adsorption does not significantly affect the surface tension. These results provide important information about the surface behavior of ionic liquid aqueous solutions and the effect of adsorption of ions on the surface tension

Porous Cellulose Microgel Particle: A Fascinating Host for the Encapsulation, Protection, and Delivery of Lactobacillus plantarum

Advances in probiotic markets are always restrained by a low viable loading capacity and poor viability. Herein, cellulose microgels (CMs) with high porosity of 95.83 ± 0.38%, prepared by the sol–gel transition method, turned out to be a hospitable host that accommodated a large number of viable Lactobacillus plantarum higher than 10⁹ colony-forming units (cfu)/g. The unique porous structure fascinated probiotics to penetrate into the core of microgels. The conjugation with alginate helped for better acid resistance and bacterial survival of the probiotics. In comparison to Ca–alginate gels, core–shell gels showed sustainable release of L. plantarum cells without damage of viability, lasting for 360 min in simulated intestine fluid. The cellulose host helped to sustain the viable cell release for a longer duration and afford better shelter for L. plantarum cells as a result of the porous structure and rigid supporting property. The core–shell gels are promising for constructing targeted delivery vehicles of bioactive nutrients

In Situ Interfacial Conjugation of Chitosan with Cinnamaldehyde during Homogenization Improves the Formation and Stability of Chitosan-Stabilized Emulsions

The emulsifying properties of a natural cationic polysaccharide (chitosan) were improved by in situ conjugation with a natural essential oil (cinnamaldehyde, CA) during homogenization. In the absence of CA, chitosan-coated medium-chain triglyceride droplets were highly susceptible to creaming and coalescence at pH values ranging from 1 to 6.5. However, incorporation of relatively low levels of CA in the oil phase greatly improved the formation and stability of oil-in-water emulsions. These effects were attributed to two main factors: (i) covalent binding of lipophilic CA moieties to hydrophilic chitosan chains leading to conjugates with a good surface activity and (ii) interfacial cross-linking of adsorbed chitosan layers by CA leading to the formation of a rigid polymeric coating around the lipid droplets, which improved their stability against coalescence. The encapsulation technique developed in this study may be useful for applications in a range of commercial products; regulatory and flavor issues associated with chitosan and CA would have to be addressed

Table_1_Transcriptome analysis of purple and green Apostichopus japonicus reared under different breeding environments.docx

Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is one of the cultured species with the highest production value to a single species in China’s marine agricultural industry with high nutritional and medicinal value. Body color influences numerous biological functions in sea cucumbers, and it has become a key trait in selective breeding. It is found that a cultivation environment with strong light intensity leads to a lighter body color of A. japonicus compared to dark conditions. However, little research has been conducted on the molecular mechanisms regulating body color in different breeding environments. In this study, we used Illumina sequencing to examine gene expression patterns in green and purple A. japonicus exposed to different culture conditions. Overall, the genes in the body wall of purple individuals were more affected by the environment. We also identified pathways that were potentially influenced by the breeding environment, such as “Drug metabolism - cytochrome P450”, “Porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism”, “Phosphatidylinositol signaling system”, “TGF-beta signaling”, and “mTOR signaling”. The aim of this study was to determine the light conditions and breeding environment that are more favorable to the requirements of body color in A. japonicus and apply them to the selection of high-quality breeds. The results obtained will support the breeding of A. japonicus with specific traits and the production of seedlings to promote the development of this maricultural industry.</p

C–H···O Interaction in Methanol–Water Solution Revealed from Raman Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations

A combination of temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculation was employed to investigate the blue shift of CH₃ stretching vibration in methanol–water mixtures. It shows that the conventional O–H···O hydrogen bonds do not fully dominate the origin of the C–H blue shift and the weak C–H···O interactions also contribute to it. This is consistent with the temperature-dependent results, which reveal that the C–H···O interaction is enhanced upon increasing the temperature, leading to further C–H blue shift in observed spectra at high temperature. This behavior is in contrast with the general trend that the conventional O–H···O hydrogen bond is destroyed by the temperature. The results will shed new light onto the nature of the C–H···O interaction and be helpful to understand hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions of amphiphilic molecules in different environments

Cl-Loss Dynamics of Vinyl Chloride Cations in the B²A″ State: Role of the C²A′ State

The dissociative photoionization of vinyl chloride (C₂H₃Cl) in the 11.0–14.2 eV photon energy range was investigated using threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) velocity map imaging. Three electronic states, namely, A²A′, B²A″, and C²A′, of the C₂H₃Cl⁺ cation were prepared, and their dissociation dynamics were investigated. A unique fragment ion, C₂H₃⁺, was observed within the excitation energy range. TPEPICO three-dimensional time-sliced velocity map images of C₂H₃⁺ provided the kinetic energy release distributions (KERD) and anisotropy parameters in dissociation of internal-energy-selected C₂H₃Cl⁺ cations. At 13.14 eV, the total KERD showed a bimodal distribution consisting of Boltzmann- and Gaussian-type components, indicating a competition between statistical and non-statistical dissociation mechanisms. An additional Gaussian-type component was found in the KERD at 13.65 eV, a center of which was located at a lower kinetic energy. The overall dissociative photoionization mechanisms of C₂H₃Cl⁺ in the B²A″ and C²A′ states are proposed based on time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the Cl-loss potential energy curves. Our results highlight the inconsistency of previous conclusions on the dissociation mechanism of C₂H₃Cl⁺

Means, standard deviations, reliability coefficients, average variance extracted, standardised factor loadings, item residual variances, and factor correlations for the Chinese versions of the Music Ear Test (MET).

Means, standard deviations, reliability coefficients, average variance extracted, standardised factor loadings, item residual variances, and factor correlations for the Chinese versions of the Music Ear Test (MET).</p

Timeline.

In the context of extensive disciplinary integration, researchers worldwide have increasingly focused on musical ability. However, despite the wide range of available music ability tests, there remains a dearth of validated tests applicable to China. The Music Ear Test (MET) is a validated scale that has been reported to be potentially suitable for cross-cultural distribution in a Chinese sample. However, no formal translation and cross-cultural reliability/validity tests have been conducted for the Chinese population in any of the studies using the Music Ear Test. This study aims to assess the factor structure, convergence, predictiveness, and validity of the Chinese version of the MET, based on a large sample of Chinese participants (n≥1235). Furthermore, we seek to determine whether variables such as music training level, response pattern, and demographic data such as gender and age have intervening effects on the results. In doing so, we aim to provide clear indications of musical aptitude and expertise by validating an existing instrument, the Music Ear Test, and provide a valid method for further understanding the musical abilities of the Chinese sample.</div

Manifesting Direction-Specific Complexation in [HFIP_–H·H₂O₂]⁻: Exclusive Formation of a High-Lying Conformation

Size-selective, negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations is employed to investigate the geometric and electronic structures of a protype system in catalytic olefin epoxidation research, that is, deprotonated hexafluoroisopropanol ([HFIP–H]−) complexed with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Spectral assignments and molecular electrostatic surface analyses unveil a surprising prevalent existence of a high-lying isomer with asymmetric dual hydrogen-bonding configuration that is preferably formed driven by influential direction-specific electrostatic interactions upon H2O2 approaching [HFIP–H]− anion. Subsequent inspections of molecular orbitals, charge, and spin density distributions indicate the occurrence of partial charge transfer from [HFIP–H]− to H2O2 upon hydrogen-bonding interactions. Accompanied with electron detachment, a proton transfer occurs to form the neutral complex of [HFIP·HOO•] structure. This work conspicuously illustrates the importance of directionality encoded in intermolecular interactions involving asymmetric and complex molecules, while the produced hydroperoxyl radical HOO• offers a possible new pathway in olefin epoxidation chemistry