Acceleration of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process is crucial to achieving energy-efficient recycling of organic wastes. Hydrochar is produced by hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass, yet its ...application in the AD process is rarely reported. The present study showed that sewage sludge-derived hydrochar (SH) enhanced the methane production rate of glucose by 37%. SH increased the methane production rate from acetate but did not affect acidification and the methane production rate from H2/CO2. SH enhanced hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, which could be due to direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) by converting H+, e–, and CO2 to methane. Trichococcus and Methanosaeta were dominant in the AD process with SH. Label-free proteomic analysis showed Methanosaeta was involved in DIET as reflected by the up-regulation of proteins involved in hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Hydrochars derived from corn straw (CH), Enteromorpha algae (EH), and poplar wood (PH), as well as activated carbon (AC), were also tested in the AD process. SH, CH, and EH obviously increased the methane production rates, which were 39%, 15%, and 20% higher than the control experiment, respectively. It was neither electrical conductivity nor the total redox property of hydrochars and AC but the abundances of surface oxygen-containing functional groups that correlated to the methane production rates.
Full text
Available for:
IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Given that many organizations are competitive and finance centered, organizational leaders may lead with a primary focus on bottom-line attainment, such that they are perceived by their subordinates ...as having a bottom-line mentality (BLM) that entails pursuing bottom-line outcomes above all else. Yet, the field is limited in understanding why such a leadership approach affects employees’ positive and negative contributions in the workplace. Drawing on social exchange theory, we theorize that supervisors high in BLM can influence employees’ felt obligation toward the bottom line, which in turn can influence employees’ task performance and unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). We also examine employee ambition as a moderator of this process. Using three-wave, multisource data collected from the financial services industry, our results revealed that high-BLM supervisors elevate employee task performance as well as UPB by motivating employees’ felt obligation toward the bottom line. Furthermore, we found that employee ambition served as a first-stage moderator, such that the mediated relationships were stronger when employee ambition was high as opposed to low. Our findings break away from the dominant dysfunctional view of BLM and provide a more balanced view of this mentality.
Full text
Available for:
NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Perceived management commitment predicts miners’ safety behavior.•Perceived management commitment enhances miners’ psychological capital.•Psychological capital is positively related to safety ...compliance and participation.•Psychological capital explains the management commitment–safety behavior link.
Introduction: Among attempts that address high incidences of fatalities and injuries in coal mines, increasing attention has been paid to management commitment to complement the traditional focus on technological advances in safety management. However, more research is needed to explain the influence of perceived management commitment, with extant research drawing commonly on Griffin and Neal (2000) to focus on safety knowledge, skills, and motivation. This study draws on social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) to investigate psychological capital as a link between thought process and safety behavior. Method: This study uses survey data from 400 frontline workers in China’s coal mines to test hypotheses. Result: Results suggest that perceived management commitment to safety correlates positively with workers’ safety compliance and participation, and four constituents of psychological capital—self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience—explain the influence of perceived management commitment on safety compliance and participation. Practical Applications: Findings offer both researchers and practitioners an explanation of how perceived management commitment influences safety behaviors, and clarify the roles psychological capital constituents play in explaining the influence of perceived management commitment on safety compliance and safety participation.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In this work, inspired by a water-assisted three-dimensional supramolecular structure
1
, we use a mixed-ligand strategy to form a 3D pillared-layered matrix by the introduction of linear ligands to ...compete against the water molecules. The resulting analogue microporous MOFs of
2-H
,
2-F
and
2-N
, decorated with different functional groups, similarly show the CO
2
uptake. Thanks to the negligible N
2
adsorption capacity, enhanced selective adsorption towards CO
2
is achieved in compound
2-N
. That is, we present here an alternative plan for the high CO
2
selective adsorption performance. In addition, the structure stability and moderate affinity for CO
2
of these microporous MOFs endow them with excellent reusability.
Three Co-based MOFs were obtained via a mixed-ligand strategy. One of them performs an extra high CO
2
/N
2
selectivity because of a negligible N
2
adsorption, which originate from a weak interaction between its framework and nitrogen molecules.
•Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry was applied to characterize the HTLWWs.•Biopolymers (HMW PS and PN) were the most refractory sub-fractions during AD process.•Recalcitrant compounds, like ...nitrogenous compounds were identified.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) has shown potential to convert hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater (HTLWW) into biogas in previous studies. However, the identification of refractory components and further insights into the molecular transformations of organics in HTLWW are essential for developing more efficient AD processes. In this study, two HTLWWs were obtained from the temperature-derived hydrothermal liquefaction of sewage sludge at 170 ℃ and 320 ℃. Their molecular compositions, as well as their modifications in the subsequent AD process, were characterized using a suite of advanced molecular tools. The dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the high temperature-derived HTLWW was lower in molecular weight, less saturated, less oxidized, and enhanced in nitrogenous substances. During the AD process, most of the volatile compounds and low molecular weight (LMW) neutrals were removed, while biopolymers were the most refractory. Carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM), particularly those containing 3 to 5 N for low temperature-derived DOM and 1 to 3 N for high temperature-derived DOM, were resistant to anaerobic biodegradation. Meanwhile, compounds with fewer nitrogens and more carboxyl groups were preferentially produced. This molecular characterization of HTLWW-derived DOM and examination of its transformation during AD will contribute to the development of efficient methods for HTLWW treatment in the future.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Bottom-line mentality (BLM) describes a one-dimensional frame of mind revolving around bottom-line pursuits, which pervades most organizations today. But how does working with high BLM supervisors ...affect employees’ functioning both at work and at home? Guided by this question, we draw on social information processing theory and insights from the person–environment fit literature for a nuanced understanding of the effects of supervisor BLM. Using data from two field studies conducted in China (340 employees) and the United States (174 employees), we find that supervisor BLM increases employee perceptions of a competitive climate that ultimately increases employee thriving at work and insomnia outside work. We further find that employee trait competitiveness moderated the indirect relationship (via perceived competitive climate) between supervisor BLM and thriving at work but not for insomnia; employees high (versus low) in trait competitiveness were found to thrive at work under the competitive climate stimulated by high BLM supervisors. Taken together, our findings highlight the need for organizational leaders to be cautious of being too narrowly focused on bottom-line outcomes and aware of the wider implications of BLM on different domains of their employees’ lives.
Full text
Available for:
NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
•GAC promoted anaerobic digestion of HTLWW obtained from HTL of sewage sludge.•3D-EEM analysis showed degradation of fluorescent components was enhanced.•GC–MS and FT-ICR-MS showed nitrogenous and ...aromatic organics were better removed.•Removal of less oxidized, higher N content and higher DBE organics were increased.•Several versatile syntrophic bacteria and Methanothrix were enriched.
Hydrothermal liquefaction of sewage sludge to produce bio-oil and hydro-char unavoidably results in the production of high-strength organic wastewater (HTLWW). However, anaerobic digestion (AD) of HTLWW generally has low conversion efficiency due to the presence of complex and refractory organics. The present study showed that granular activated carbon (GAC) promoted the AD of HTLWW in continuous experiments, resulting in the higher methane yield (259 mL/g COD) compared to control experiment (202 mL/g COD). It was found that GAC increased the activities of both aceticlastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The molecular transformation of organics in HTLWW was further analyzed. It was shown GAC promoted the degradation of soluble microbial by-products, fulvic- and humic-like substances as revealed by 3-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) analysis. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis showed that GAC resulted in the higher degradation of N-heterocyclic compounds, acids and aromatic compounds and less production of new organic species. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) analysis also showed that GAC promoted the degradation of nitrogenous organics. In addition, it was shown that GAC improved the removal of less oxidized, higher nitrogen content, and higher double bond equivalent (DBE) organic compounds. Microbial analysis showed that GAC not only increased the microbial concentration, but also enriched more syntrophic bacteria (e.g., Syntrophorhabdus and Synergistes), which were capable of degrading a wide range of different organics including nitrogenous and aromatic organics. Furthermore, profound effects on the methanogens and the enrichment of Methanothrix instead of Methanosarcina were observed. Overall, the present study revealed the molecular transformation and microbial mechanism in the AD of HTLWW with the presence of GAC.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of Astragaloside IV in Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici). METHODS: Aticles focusing on Astragaloside IV in English and ...Chinese in databases were collected and reviewed in order to summarize the latest ex- traction separation, pharmacokinetics, and the pharmacological effects of astrageloside IV. RESULTS: Protective effects of Astrageloside IV on the cardiovascular system, immune, digestive, ner- vous system were identified, and the action mecha- nisms were associated with regulation of the calci- um balance, anti-oxydant, antiapoptosis, antivirus, and so on. CONCLUSION: Astrageloside IV has broad applica- tion prospects, especially in cardiovascular diseas- es, digestive diseases, cancer and other modern high incidence, high-risk diseases, and could be de- veloped as a medicine.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Purpose
During image‐guided prostate biopsy, needles are targeted at tissues that are suspicious of cancer to obtain specimen for histological examination. Unfortunately, patient motion causes ...targeting errors when using an MR‐transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion approach to augment the conventional biopsy procedure. This study aims to develop an automatic motion correction algorithm approaching the frame rate of an ultrasound system to be used in fusion‐based prostate biopsy systems. Two modes of operation have been investigated for the clinical implementation of the algorithm: motion compensation using a single user initiated correction performed prior to biopsy, and real‐time continuous motion compensation performed automatically as a background process.
Methods
Retrospective 2D and 3D TRUS patient images acquired prior to biopsy gun firing were registered using an intensity‐based algorithm utilizing normalized cross‐correlation and Powell's method for optimization. 2D and 3D images were downsampled and cropped to estimate the optimal amount of image information that would perform registrations quickly and accurately. The optimal search order during optimization was also analyzed to avoid local optima in the search space. Error in the algorithm was computed using target registration errors (TREs) from manually identified homologous fiducials in a clinical patient dataset. The algorithm was evaluated for real‐time performance using the two different modes of clinical implementations by way of user initiated and continuous motion compensation methods on a tissue mimicking prostate phantom.
Results
After implementation in a TRUS‐guided system with an image downsampling factor of 4, the proposed approach resulted in a mean ± std TRE and computation time of 1.6 ± 0.6 mm and 57 ± 20 ms respectively. The user initiated mode performed registrations with in‐plane, out‐of‐plane, and roll motions computation times of 108 ± 38 ms, 60 ± 23 ms, and 89 ± 27 ms, respectively, and corresponding registration errors of 0.4 ± 0.3 mm, 0.2 ± 0.4 mm, and 0.8 ± 0.5°. The continuous method performed registration significantly faster (P < 0.05) than the user initiated method, with observed computation times of 35 ± 8 ms, 43 ± 16 ms, and 27 ± 5 ms for in‐plane, out‐of‐plane, and roll motions, respectively, and corresponding registration errors of 0.2 ± 0.3 mm, 0.7 ± 0.4 mm, and 0.8 ± 1.0°.
Conclusions
The presented method encourages real‐time implementation of motion compensation algorithms in prostate biopsy with clinically acceptable registration errors. Continuous motion compensation demonstrated registration accuracy with submillimeter and subdegree error, while performing < 50 ms computation times. Image registration technique approaching the frame rate of an ultrasound system offers a key advantage to be smoothly integrated to the clinical workflow. In addition, this technique could be used further for a variety of image‐guided interventional procedures to treat and diagnose patients by improving targeting accuracy.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction: Existing studies have not conclusively proven that GLP-1RA drugs can attenuate hyperuricemia, and dual agonist drugs such as Tirzepatide have also not been reported. But in previous ...studies, we unexpectedly found that the statistically significant reduction in serum uric acid levels in participants receiving Mazdutide. So we designed animal experiments to verify this result.
Methods: Male 12-week-old adult SD rats were given potassium oxyzincate 1000 mg/kg and adenine 100 mg/kg used to maintain hyperuricemia status and were divided into different groups (Table1). Statistical and metabolomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic analyses were performed after 18 days of intervention, respectively.
Results: The Mazdutide and allopurinol groups showed varying degrees of decrease in serum uric acid, while there was no change in the semaglutide group (Table1). The specific mechanism will be analyzed after the histological results are available.
Conclusion: The degree of reduction of hyperuricemia by Mazdutide on rats was comparable to that of allopurinol. A slight increase in UUA may mean that the drug is working by promoting uric acid excretion. We conclude that Mazdutide has a safety and effectiveness profile similar to GLP-1 receptor agonist and has potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of hyperuricemia.
Disclosure
H. Jiang: None. Y. Zhang: None. Y. Ren: None.
Funding
First Affiliated Hospital; College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology