Cadmium (Cd) is an unessential trace element in plants that is ubiquitous in the environment. Anthropogenic activities such as disposal of urban refuse, smelting, mining, metal manufacturing, and ...application of synthetic phosphate fertilizers enhance the concentration of Cd in the environment and are carcinogenic to human health. In this manuscript, we reviewed the sources of Cd contamination to the environment, soil factors affecting the Cd uptake, the dynamics of Cd in the soil rhizosphere, uptake mechanisms, translocation, and toxicity of Cd in plants. In crop plants, the toxicity of Cd reduces uptake and translocation of nutrients and water, increases oxidative damage, disrupts plant metabolism, and inhibits plant morphology and physiology. In addition, the defense mechanism in plants against Cd toxicity and potential remediation strategies, including the use of biochar, minerals nutrients, compost, organic manure, growth regulators, and hormones, and application of phytoremediation, bioremediation, and chemical methods are also highlighted in this review. This manuscript may help to determine the ecological importance of Cd stress in interdisciplinary studies and essential remediation strategies to overcome the contamination of Cd in agricultural soils.
•Mining, smelting and synthetic fertilizers are main sources of Cd toxicity.•Cd stress influences plant growth and its grain accumulation poses health risks.•Immobilization, adsorption and precipitation of Cd can reduce its bioavailability.•Use of amendments may can immobilize Cd in soil without affecting plant health.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
As classical 1D nanoscale structures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. In the past several years, considerable attention has been ...paid to the use of CNTs as building blocks for novel high‐performance materials. In this way, the production of macroscopic architectures based on assembled CNTs with controlled orientation and configurations is an important step towards their application. So far, various forms of macroscale CNT assemblies have been produced, such as 1D CNT fibers, 2D CNT films/sheets, and 3D aligned CNT arrays or foams. These macroarchitectures, depending on the manner in which they are assembled, display a variety of fascinating features that cannot be achieved using conventional materials. This review provides an overview of various macroscopic CNT assemblies, with a focus on their preparation and mechanical properties as well as their potential applications in practical fields.
Macroscopic architectures based on assembled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with controlled orientation and configuration are fabricated. This is an important step towards their application. This review provides an overview of various macroscopic CNT assemblies (e.g., fibers, films, arrays), with a focus on their preparation and mechanical properties as well as their potential applications in practical fields.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The catalytic conversion of dinitrogen (N2) into ammonia under ambient conditions represents one of the Holy Grails in sustainable chemistry. As a potential alternative to the Haber–Bosch process, ...the electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 is attractive owing to its renewability and flexibility, as well as its sustainability for producing and storing value‐added chemicals from the abundant feedstock of water and nitrogen on earth. However, owing to the kinetically complex and energetically challenging N2 reduction reaction (NRR) process, NRR electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and high selectivity are rare. In this contribution, as a proof‐of‐concept, we demonstrate that both the NH3 yield and faradaic efficiency (FE) under ambient conditions can be improved by modification of the hematite nanostructure surface. Introducing more oxygen vacancies to the hematite surface renders an improved performance in NRR, which leads to an average NH3 production rate of 0.46 μg h−1 cm−2 and an NH3 FE of 6.04 % at −0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 0.10 m KOH electrolyte. The durability of the electrochemical system was also investigated. A surprisingly high average NH3 production rate of 1.45 μg h−1 cm−2 and a NH3 FE of 8.28 % were achieved after the first 1 h chronoamperometry test. This is among the highest FEs reported so far for non‐precious‐metal catalysts that use a polymer‐electrolyte‐membrane cell and is much higher than the FE of precious‐metal catalysts (e.g., Ru/C) under comparable reaction conditions. However, the NH3 yield and the FE dropped to 0.29 μg h−1 cm−2 and 2.74 %, respectively, after 16 h of chronoamperometry tests, which indicates poor durability of the system. Our results demonstrate the important role that the surface states of transition‐metal oxides have in promoting electrocatalytic NRR under ambient conditions. This work may spur interest towards the rational design of electrocatalysts as well as electrochemical systems for NRR, with emphasis on the issue of stability.
A sustainable alternative to the Haber–Bosch process: The introduction of oxygen vacancies into hematite (α‐Fe2O3) nanorods promotes the electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia from N2 and water at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (see picture). A higher concentration of surface oxygen vacancies leads to both improved NH3 yield and a large NH3 faradaic efficiency.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•This paper summarised the major types of SARS-COV-2 cluster infections worldwide.•Sixty-five studies were included, involving 108 cluster infections.•The major types of clusters were families, ...community transmission, etc.
To summarise the major types of SARS-CoV-2 cluster infections worldwide through a comprehensive systematic review.
All studies published between 01 January–15 June 2020 on COVID-19 cluster infections in English electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. All included studies were independently screened and evaluated by two authors, and information from each study was extracted using a standard form.
Sixty-five studies were included, which involved 108 cluster infections from 13 countries, areas or territories. Seventy-two (66.7%) of the cluster infections were reported in China. The major types of cluster infections were families, community transmission, nosocomial infection, gatherings, transportation, shopping malls, conferences, tourists, religious organisations, workers, prisons, offices, and nursing homes.
The SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted in various circumstances, and cluster infections play an important role in the rapid evolution of COVID-19 transmission. Prevention and control measures such as social distancing must be strictly implemented to contain these cluster infections.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We prospectively assessed 49 coronavirus disease cases in Guangdong, China, to estimate the frequency and duration of detectable severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA in human body ...fluids. The prolonged persistence of virus RNA in various body fluids may guide the clinical diagnosis and prevention of onward virus transmission.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We performed this meta-analysis to estimate the associations of maternal exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical constituents with birth weight and to explore the sources of heterogeneity in regard to the ...findings of these associations. A total of 32 studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE, PUBMED, Embase, China Biological Medicine and Wanfang electronic databases before April 2015. We estimated the statistically significant associations of reduced birth weight (β = −15.9 g, 95% CI: −26.8, −5.0) and LBW (OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.032, 1.150) with PM2.5 exposure (per 10 μg/m3 increment) during the entire pregnancy. Trimester-specific analyses showed negative associations between birth weight and PM2.5 exposure during the second (β = −12.6 g) and third (β = −10.0 g) trimesters. Other subgroup analyses indicated significantly different pooled-effect estimates of PM2.5 exposure on birth weight in studies with different exposure assessment methods, study designs and study settings. We further observed large differences in the pooled effect estimates of the PM2.5 chemical constituents for birth weight decrease and LBW. We concluded that PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy was associated with lower birth weight, and late pregnancy might be the critical window. Some specific PM2.5 constituents may have larger toxic effects on fetal weight. Exposure assessment methods, study designs and study settings might be important sources of the heterogeneity among the included studies.
•Effects of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on birth weight were assessed.•A meta-analysis was performed on studies published before March 2015.•PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy might induce lower birth weight.•Late pregnancy might be the critical window of PM2.5 effects.•Some specific PM2.5 constituents may have larger toxic effects on fetal weight.
PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy was associated with lower birth weight, and late pregnancy might be the critical window. Some specific PM2.5 constituents might have larger toxicity.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
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•Four of the planetary boundaries have been exceeded and other are under pressure.•Planetary changes pose increasing threats to human health.•Imperative to identify the research ...progress and knowledge gaps in this field.
It has been widely recognised that the threats to human health from global environmental changes (GECs) are increasing in the Anthropocene epoch, and urgent actions are required to tackle these pressing challenges. A scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of the nine planetary boundaries and the threats to population health posed by human activities that are exceeding these boundaries in the Anthropocene. The research progress and key knowledge gaps were identified in this emerging field. Over the past three decades, there has been a great deal of research progress on health risks from climate change, land-use change and urbanisation, biodiversity loss and other GECs. However, several significant challenges remain, including the misperception of the relationship between human and nature; assessment of the compounding risks of GECs; strategies to reduce and prevent the potential health impacts of GECs; and uncertainties in fulfilling the commitments to the Paris Agreement. Confronting these challenges will require rigorous scientific research that is well-coordinated across different disciplines and various sectors. It is imperative for the international community to work together to develop informed policies to avert crises and ensure a safe and sustainable planet for the present and future generations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In this study, our aim was to compare the effects of low-frequency (20kHz) ultrasonication applied at various powers (150, 300, or 450W) and for different durations (12 or 24min) on the functional ...and structural properties of black-bean protein isolate (BBPI) dispersions. In SDS-PAGE analysis, we detected no marked changes in protein electrophoretic patterns. However, secondary-structure analysis performed using circular dichroism indicated that all samples except Sample E (300W, 24min) showed a decrease in the α-helix proportion and an increase in β-sheets content in the BBPI after ultrasonic treatment. Moreover, emission-fluorescence spectra revealed that the tertiary structure of black-bean proteins changed after ultrasonic treatment, and scanning electron microscopy of ultrasonicated BBPI samples showed that BBPI microstructure had changed and it contained larger aggregates when compared with the untreated BBPI sample. When medium-power ultrasonication was applied for 24min, the particle size was minimized and the absolute zeta potential was maximized. Surface hydrophobicity and protein solubility of the BBPI dispersions were enhanced after ultrasonication, which increased the destruction of internal hydrophobic interactions of protein molecules and accelerated the molecular motion of proteins to cause protein aggregation. However, medium-power ultrasound treatment disrupted BBPI dispersions into small soluble protein aggregates by means of cavitation forces that induced increases in surface hydrophobicity and solubility. High-power ultrasound treatment caused a restructuring of BBPI aggregates, which led to an increase of particle size but a decrease in the absolute zeta potential.
•Black beans are the main crops in Asia and the ideal source of high quality protein and contain a good balance of amino acids.•The function of black beans protein limit to its solubility.•Ultrasound plays an important role in improving properties of proteins.•Sonication causes aggregates.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•The manuscript has reviewed and discussed current status and challenge of swine influenza virus.•Different swine influenza viruses circulating in pigs globally is a major challenge to produce ...broadly effective vaccines and control disease.•Enhanced surveillance of IAVs in pigs worldwide is needed to better understand the ecology of IAVs in order to protect animal and public health.
Since swine influenza virus was first isolated in 1930, it has become endemic in pigs worldwide. Although large amount of swine influenza vaccines has been used in swine industry, swine influenza still cannot be efficiently controlled and has been an important economic disease for swine industry. The high diversity and varied distribution of different subtypes and genotypes of swine influenza viruses circulating in pigs globally is a major challenge to produce broadly effective vaccines and control disease. Importantly, swine influenza virus is able to cross species barrier to infect humans and even caused influenza pandemic in 2009. Herein, current status and challenge of swine influenza viruses is reviewed and discussed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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