Identifying the active sites for adsorption and degradation of pollutants in porous carbon is crucial for the porous carbon/persulfate (PDS) decontamination system, yet the identified active sites remain controversial. To address this issue, a porous carbon with both high adsorption capacity and efficient electron transfer (or sp2 C content) is first required, but both are mutually limited. Herein, a series of porous carbons (TPS34C-Y) was effectively prepared using a simple process that involved varying the gas atmosphere (i.e., N2, CO2, air, and steam) during the activation of the pine sawdust (PS)/triphenylphosphine oxide (TO) blends. Notably, the porous carbon fabricated at the air atmosphere and 800 °C temperature (i.e., TPS34C-air) achieved the highest specific surface area (2054.09 m2/g). Not only that, the adsorption capacity of bisphenol A (BPA) by TPS34C-air reached 623.23 mg/g within 60 min. After coupling with PDS, the removal capacity of BPA increased to ∼900.00 mg/g, with the oxidation (i.e., degradation) removal capacity reaching ∼261.10 mg/g. Besides, sp3 C was identified as an adsorption site in a range by correlating the BPA adsorption capacity with texture properties, functional group content, sp3 C, and sp2 C. Similarly, CO can be the primary degradation site in a range, as indicated by correlations between BPA degradation capacity and sp2 C, sp3 C, sp2 C/sp3 C, CO, and CO/C-OH. Encouragingly, the TPS34C-air/PDS system was dominated by the electron transfer pathway (ETP). The present work offers considerable data for identifying adsorption and surface degradation sites in the porous carbon/PDS decontamination system.
Hard carbon negative electrodes, owing to their abundant precursors and low operating potential, are promising candidates for sodium-ion batteries. However, sluggish desolvation kinetics and unstable electrode-electrolyte interfaces hinder their practical deployment. Here we report a melt-coating strategy to encapsulate hard carbon particles with a metal-organic framework glass. The resulting glass coating contains sub-nanometer channels that lower the desolvation activation energy, accelerate sodium-ion transport, and induce a thin, anion-derived solid electrolyte interphase rich in NaF during cycling. The optimized interface promotes the formation of quasi-metallic sodium clusters within the closed pores of hard carbon, activating a high-capacity sodium storage mechanism. Consequently, the glass-coated hard carbon delivers a reversible capacity of 462.2 mAh g-1, cycling stability of 89.1% capacity retention after 4000 cycles at 1 A g-1 and 95.3% capacity retention after 8000 cycles at 2 A g-1, and high-rate capability. This work offers insights into interfacial design strategies for durable sodium-ion storage in hard carbon negative electrodes.
The convergence of digital technologies and intelligent systems (Digital-Intelligence Integration, DII) in agricultural production, is increasingly acknowledged for its transformative potential in enhancing carbon efficiency and ecological sustainability. This study develops a comprehensive framework to evaluate Agricultural Ecological Total Factor Carbon Productivity (AETFCP), an integrated metric capturing carbon emissions, ecological inputs, and agricultural outputs, and empirically examines how DII shapes agricultural carbon performance. Drawing on provincial panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2012 to 2022, we employ a double machine learning approach to address potential endogeneity and identify causal effects. The findings indicate that DII is positively associated with improvements in AETFCP, operating primarily through two channels: the advancement of agricultural technology and the optimization of industrial structures. Furthermore, this effect is more pronounced in regions with lower fiscal decentralization and higher marketization, highlighting the moderating role of institutional and policy environments. These findings contribute to the literature on digital transitions in agriculture and offer actionable implications for policymakers in both developing and developed economies seeking to integrate digital innovations into low-carbon agricultural systems.
Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as potential disruptors of biogeochemical cycles. However, the differential impacts of MPs types and related leachates remain poorly understood, particularly for nitrogen-containing MPs. This study compared the variational responses in sediment carbon and nitrogen transformation to 1% aged MPs (AMPs), leachates (LMPs), washed aged MPs particles (WMPs) derived from nitrogen-containing polyamide (PA) and non-nitrogen-containing polylactic acid (PLA) under natural exposure and freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs). The results showed that the Carbon Pool Management Index (CPMI) in PLA groups was always higher than corresponding PA groups, indicating better sediment quality in the PLA groups. Under natural exposure, LPA and LPLA respectively increased CPMI by 3.4% and 93.6% due to containing biologically available organic matter. FTCs increased CPMI by 34.1% in control groups, whereas only CMPI in AMPs was higher than control groups. Besides, the PLA group reduced the nitrogen mineralization rate by possibly inhibiting the macromolecular organic matter decomposition, and might have reduced the narG/H/I and nirB/D genes, thereby indirectly maintaining the nitrification rate. While the PA group increased the nitrogen mineralization rate by possibly inhibiting the amoA/B/C genes to reduce nitrification rate and enriching ureolytic microorganisms. FTCs mitigated these disparities by intensifying microbial interactions. PLS-SEM suggested that APLA was most strongly associated with carbon and nitrogen transformation within the PLA treatments, whereas the apparent effect of APA was jointly shaped by the opposite associations of WPA and LPA. These findings provide new insights into the complex ecological effects of MPs and their leachates on sediment carbon and nitrogen transformations.
Aboveground carbon (AGC) fluxes from deforestation and subsequent regrowth in tropical moist forest (TMF) are increasingly well characterized, but carbon losses and gains following partial disturbance are uncertain. We synthesized 146 studies quantifying postdisturbance AGC changes relative to undisturbed forests across TMF. Immediate AGC losses (mean ± 1 SD; 2.5 ± 2.3 years after disturbance) following partial anthropogenic disturbances were greatest for forest fires (49 ± 26%), selective logging (34 ± 20%), and edge effects (31 ± 19%). Higher-frequency and -intensity disturbances significantly increased carbon loss. After 20 years of regeneration, AGC stock was higher in recovering degraded forests (41 to 117%) compared to secondary regrowth forests after complete deforestation (1 to 74%), indicating greater regeneration potential when forest structure is preserved. Our compiled database and associated meta-analysis improve accuracy and completeness for carbon inventory reporting and modeling. Substantial AGC losses and gains from distinct degradation and recovery processes are now better characterized, serving as an evidence base for policies to halt degradation and foster recovery for climate mitigation.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated during the incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials and have been identified as mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, and immunotoxic agents. Maternal exposure to PAHs via inhalation, occupational exposures, dietary intake, or dermal absorption has been linked to an elevated risk of infertility, spontaneous abortion and preterm birth. PAHs can cross the placenta, potentially leading to adverse fetal outcomes including growth restriction and congenital anomalies. Additionally, both prenatal and postnatal exposure to PAHs have been associated with a range of childhood disorders, including asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, pediatric cancers, and allergic conditions. The objective of this scoping review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current evidence regarding the effects of PAH exposure on maternal, fetal, neonatal, and childhood health outcomes. IMPACT: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hazardous organic pollutants that have been implicated in adverse maternal, fetal, neonatal and childhood outcomes. Appreciation of the mechanisms, exposure pathways, and their correlation with health outcomes can facilitate the development of informed policies and effective strategies for exposure management, prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with PAH exposure. This scoping review summarizes current literature on the impact of PAH exposure on perinatal and childhood health outcomes.
Accurate prediction of porosity and permeability in complex carbonate reservoirs is very important for understanding reservoirs, but remains challenging due to inherent heterogeneity. This study develops a robust, machine learning-driven workflow to enhance the prediction of these critical petrophysical properties and the identification of Hydraulic Flow Units. The methodology integrates conventional core data and geophysical well logs, employing advanced data preprocessing, including depth matching, which significantly improved the log-core porosity correlation. A key innovation involves using a Gaussian Mixture Model for unsupervised Hydraulic Flow Unit identification, which outperformed traditional empirical methods and K-Means clustering by yielding five distinct Hydraulic Flow Units with high intra-unit porosity-permeability correlations (R2 up to 0.93) validated by Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure data. For predictive modeling, a comprehensive comparison of algorithms revealed that a Voting ensemble meta-algorithm with a Multi-Layer Perceptron base learner delivered superior performance for both porosity (on integrated data from three wells) and permeability (modeled per Hydraulic Flow Unit). The final models successfully estimated properties in non-cored intervals and a blind well, demonstrating high accuracy and generalizability. This integrated approach provides a reliable and theory-grounded framework for characterizing heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs, reducing dependency on extensive coring operations.
The reliability of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) as a surrogate for arterial arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO₂) during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in infants is uncertain. This study evaluated EtCO₂-PaCO₂ agreement in infants undergoing OLV and identified factors associated with clinically significant discrepancy. This secondary analysis of a prospective, randomized controlled trial included 172 infants (aged ≤ 2 years) undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Paired PaCO₂ and EtCO₂ measurements were obtained 20 min after initiating OLV. Clinical agreement was defined a priori as an absolute difference of ≤ 5 mmHg. Statistical evaluations included Bland-Altman analysis and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of disagreement, and correlation analyses. During OLV, the mean EtCO₂-PaCO₂ bias was 2.8 mmHg with wide 95% limits of agreement (-4.7 to 10.3 mmHg), exceeding the clinically acceptable threshold. Oxygenation impairment (PaO₂/FiO₂ < 200 mmHg) significantly reduced the proportion of clinically acceptable measurements (55.9% vs. 81.7%, P = 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, EtCO₂-PaCO₂ disagreement occurred exclusively in infants ventilated under the non-protective protocol (VT 8 mL/kg with ZEEP). After excluding ventilatory variables that were structurally confounded with randomized allocation, lower lung compliance was independently associated with disagreement (adjusted OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.05-2.64, P = 0.030). EtCO₂ provides only limited reliability as a stand-alone substitute for arterial blood gas analysis in infants during OLV, particularly under non-protective ventilation. The lung-protective ventilation strategy as a composite intervention is associated with substantially improved EtCO₂-PaCO₂ agreement during OLV in infants. Among individual patient-level factors, lower lung compliance independently predicts EtCO₂-PaCO₂ disagreement and may serve as a bedside indicator for clinicians to consider supplementary arterial blood gas analysis.
Glacier forelands undergo a transition from oligotrophic to eutrophic conditions during primary succession. Reduced sulfur compounds may serve as an energy source for early microbial colonizers, yet the sulfur oxidation potential and key taxa remain largely unknown. Here, we perform a multi‑omics survey across a 130‑year chronosequence on the Tibetan Plateau. Glacial retreat profoundly reshapes both viral communities (61,394 viral operational taxonomic units, vOTUs) and microbial communities (404 metagenome‑assembled genomes, MAGs). Notably, Oxidative Dissimilatory sulfite reductase (Dsr) operon‑encoding Sulfur‑Oxidizing Bacteria (ODSOB) were specifically enriched within the first 1-5 years after retreat. Their associated viruses predominantly follow a "piggyback‑the‑winner" strategy, influencing host cold shock protein evolution and potentially modulating sulfur oxidation via iron‑sulfur (Fe‑S) cluster assembly. Metatranscriptomics reveals elevated expression of the oxidative Dsr operon and Form‑I ribulose‑1,5‑bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) in early stages, coinciding with higher sulfate, sulfite, sulfide, and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)‑to‑dissolved carbon ratios compared to later stages. These findings indicate that ODSOB support DIC fixation and sulfide detoxification during early ecosystem development. Collectively, this study uncovers the eco‑evolutionary dynamics between viruses and microbes in developing ecosystems and provides genomic and functional evidence for ODSOB as key drivers of soil formation and primary succession in glacial forelands.
Mining by-products are an underutilized resource with strong potential for soil restoration within a circular economy. However, the combined effects of claying and remineralization on soil health remain unclear. We evaluated sedimentary rock powder (applied for claying at low [LC] and high [HC] rates), mafic rock dust (remineralization, R), and their combination (C + R) in a degraded tropical sandy pasture soil. After 18 months, soil (0-20 cm) was analyzed using the Soil Management Assessment Framework, integrating chemical, physical, and biological indicators into a soil health index (SHI). The LC + R treatment showed the best performance, increasing SHI by 22% and soil organic carbon by 17% compared to the control. Improvements were driven by chemical and biological indicators, while physical attributes showed limited change. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed treatment differentiation. Results demonstrate rapid soil response to mineral amendments, highlighting their potential as regenerative inputs for climate-resilient agriculture and circular economy strategies.
Electrochemical measurements of neurotransmitters in tissue are often made in conjunction with optogenetic and fluorescent techniques which expose the electrode to light. Recently, our lab observed that light affects the background current of electrodes, but this effect has not been systematically characterized. Here, we investigate the effects of blue and green-light exposure on carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). The effects of light on background charging current were observed at three potentials: near the switching potential of the dopamine waveform (1.2-1.3 V), at the dopamine oxidation potential (0.6-0.7 V), and at a lower potential (0.2 V). When exposed to blue light, the largest change in background current appeared near the switching potential both during calibration and also in tissue. The background change was 50% less with green light, and the largest change was still at the switching potential. Then, we exposed CFMEs to light for 1 minute and detected dopamine. CFME currents for dopamine were enhanced after blue-light exposure during calibrations and there was a 33% increase in the current for electrically stimulated dopamine in mouse nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) brain slices. We hypothesize that this enhancement is generated by photothermal effects that shrink the width of the electric double layer and alter analyte adsorption thermodynamics. Thus, to account for the effects of light in FSCV experiments, the light should be turned on 30 s before the experiment, calibrations should be performed with light for tissue experiments, and more red-shifted wavelengths should be used when possible.
The carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio constrains microbial metabolism, yet whether nutrient stoichiometry controls the differential fates of intracellular (iARGs) versus extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) remains unknown. This study aimed to test whether C:N ratios approaching the bacterial threshold elemental ratio (TER) would maximize iARG enrichment through a dissolved organic matter (DOM)-extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-mobile genetic element (MGE) cascade, while eARG dynamics would be governed by physicochemical processes. Cyanobacteria-bacteria co-cultures at four C:N ratios (5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1) were analyzed using shotgun metagenomics, FTICR-MS, 3D-EEM, untargeted metabolomics, and EPS fractionation. C:N = 10:1 produced the highest iARG abundance (65.1 ± 17.4 TPM, mean ± SD) and a 17-fold iARG/eARG ratio, while eARG showed no significant treatment effect (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.082, treating triplicate subsamples as observations). FTICR-MS revealed the lowest intensity-weighted O/C (0.334), most negative NOSC (-0.67), and highest molecular diversity (8029 formulas) at C:N = 10:1, indicating a uniquely reduced, aliphatic-enriched DOM pool. (Note: FTICR-MS samples were pooled from triplicate subsamples per treatment, yielding one composite per C:N level; these results are therefore descriptive and unreplicated.) EPS polysaccharide/protein ratios peaked at 2.8, correlating with iARG across treatments (ρ=0.91, p < 0.001) but inversely with eARG (ρ=-0.59, p = 0.044). Guanosine (ppGpp precursor) peaked at C:N = 10:1 (ρ=0.75 with iARG) while UDP-glucose was depleted, confirming active EPS biosynthesis. Piecewise structural equation modeling identified a pathway from C:N through DOM, EPS, and MGE to iARG (R²=0.78, Fisher's C p = 0.31), whereas eARG depended on eDNA physicochemical trapping (R²=0.41). These findings provide evidence that nutrient stoichiometry acts as a selective control on ARG partitioning, suggesting that C:N monitoring could be incorporated into eutrophic water ARG risk assessment.
Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors (CNTFETs) represent a promising post-CMOS technology, yet their adoption in sequential logic remains hindered by device-level non-idealities. This work presents a comprehensive device-to-system evaluation of flip-flop topologies in 32nm CNTFET technology using the Stanford compact model. N-type and p-type CNTFET I-V characteristics are characterized across three chiral vectors, establishing physical design constraints. Screening 25 flip-flop architectures from recent literature identifies that only 11 (44%) maintain functionality in CNTFET, with failure modes attributed to threshold voltage asymmetry, ambipolar conduction, and insufficient drive current. The 11 functional topologies undergo rigorous multi-corner analysis: voltage scaling (0.7-1.1 V), chirality variation, data activity dependence, and 200-run Monte Carlo simulations with 10% standard deviation in channel length, oxide thickness, and pitch. System-level validation via a 3-bit shift register confirms cascadability for robust designs while revealing functional failures in three topologies that operated correctly in isolation. Among all candidates, Lin's FF achieves optimal energy efficiency (0.046 aJ) with robust corner-to-corner operation, while Mishra's FF demonstrates superior variation tolerance (81.5% Monte Carlo yield). Eight actionable design guidelines are distilled for CNTFET sequential circuits, including prioritization of TSPC architectures, avoidance of ratioed logic, and early chirality-aware validation. This study provides a foundational reference for emerging-technology digital design, demonstrating that careful topology selection enables robust, energy-efficient sequential logic in CNTFET technology despite significant device-level challenges.
Microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) co-contamination is an emerging concern in agricultural soils, but its dynamic effects on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling in medicinal plant systems remain unclear. Here, we conducted a full-growth-cycle pot experiment using Epimedium as a model plant, covering seedling (S1), vegetative (S2), and maturity (S3) stages. Polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) were applied at 0.01-0.15% (w/w) combined with Cd at 2 mg/kg. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, PICRUSt2, and structural equation modeling, we assessed soil C/N pools, enzyme activities, bacterial communities, and functional genes. Pollution effects exhibited clear growth-stage-dependent thresholds. The strongest disturbance to C/N pools occurred at S2, with partial recovery at S3. PLA-Cd induced significantly stronger disturbances than PE-Cd, driven by fundamentally different pathways: PE-Cd effects are primarily associated with physicochemical pathways (direct enzyme inhibition), whereas PLA-Cd effects are strongly correlated with microbial community restructuring. Under PLA-Cd, keystone taxa shifted from functional genera (Sphingomonas, Flavisolibacter) to stress-tolerant Acidobacterium, and bacterial co-occurrence network modularity collapsed from 0.362 to 0.227. Predicted abundances of C-fixation, N-fixation, and nitrification genes decreased by 44.9-64.0%, forming a metabolic pattern of suppressed N input and weakened C retention. These findings propose the "growth stage dependent response pattern" and a "differentiated mechanism of synergistic toxicity", elucidating how degradable vs. non-degradable MPs exert divergent toxic effects. This challenges the common assumption that biodegradable plastics are environmentally friendly under heavy metal co-contamination.
β-lactam antibiotics are the most commonly used antibiotics to treat infection in critically-ill patients. The modalities of antibiotics reconstitution/preparation for continuous infusion are elaborated according to drug stability. In between 2 periods, a sustainable protocol for 4 common β-lactam antibiotics administration was implemented, consisting of preparing the highest stable concentration for continuous administration through a 50 mL syringe. Overall, 418 patients were treated (202 in 2024 and 216 in 2025), age, and SAPSII did not differed between both periods. A sustainable protocol implementation reduced the greenhouse gas emission (GHG) by 52% from 2760 [1380-4968]g to 1380 [552-2208]g/treatment, p < 0.0001. The global reduction of plastic consumed (syringes, tubing, solution bags, blister packs) was - 48% (-61 kg), and treatment cost was also reduced by 48% (-1324 €). The total nursing time for preparation was 145 h shorter during the second 6 months period. These results showed that implementation of a sustainable protocol for continuous β-lactam antibiotics can significantly reduce the environmental impact of antibiotic administration. A careful prescription of drug dilution, if continuous infusion of β-lactam antibiotics is used, can be efficient in reducing GHG emissions, consumables, waste, and costs.
Long-term fertilization is widely recognized as an effective strategy for enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration; however, its depth-dependent impacts on soil biogeochemical processes remain insufficiently understood. Here, the responses of soil physicochemical properties, carbon and nitrogen pools, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities to different fertilization regimes (control, chemical fertilizer, manure, and their combination) were investigated across a 0-100 cm soil profile in apple orchards during 2023, and 2024. The results indicated that most soil properties exhibited significant depth-dependent patterns (p < 0.05-0.001), with soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), microbial biomass, and enzyme activities decreasing significantly with depth, while soil pH and water content increased. Compared to chemical fertilizer alone, combined manure and chemical fertilizer (MCF) significantly increased SOC, TN, AP, and AK across both surface and subsurface layers (p < 0.05), whereas chemical fertilizer showed no significantly increased SOC, TN, AP, and AK across both surface and subsurface layers (p < 0.05), whereas chemical fertilizer showed no significant improvement below 40 cm. These changes have driven significant increases in microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, as well as enzyme activities involved in carbon (β-glucosidase), nitrogen (N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase), and (alkaline phosphatase) cycling under MCF (p < 0.01). In contrast, mineral nitrogen forms showed weaker and partially non-significant associations with other soil variables. Notably, multivariate and network analyses revealed that integrated fertilization significantly strengthened the coupling among soil carbon, nitrogen, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities, particularly in 2024, indicating enhanced system stability. Overall, combined organic-inorganic fertilization promotes a vertically extended and functionally resilient soil system, providing new insights into sustainable nutrient management and soil health in orchard ecosystems.
Rising atmospheric CO[Formula: see text] levels and increasing emissions from internal combustion (IC) engines highlight the need for compact carbon-capture technologies suitable for distributed emission sources. This study presents a simulation-based analysis of an electrochemical CO[Formula: see text] absorption system for engine exhaust using an aqueous NaCl electrolyte. A dynamic MATLAB/Simulink model is developed by coupling gas-liquid mass transfer, Henry's-law solubility, simplified electrochemical kinetics, Faraday-based hydroxide generation, and pH-dependent carbonate/bicarbonate speciation. Under the corrected baseline conditions of [Formula: see text] exhaust flow containing [Formula: see text] CO[Formula: see text], the system captures [Formula: see text] CO[Formula: see text] over a [Formula: see text] operating period, corresponding to a cycle-integrated capture efficiency of [Formula: see text]. At the simulated bulk pH of approximately [Formula: see text], bicarbonate formation is dominant; therefore, the effective electron requirement is treated as [Formula: see text] rather than assuming complete carbonate formation. Using a representative Faradaic efficiency of [Formula: see text], the current required to support the corrected capture rate is [Formula: see text], giving a corrected cell-level specific energy consumption of [Formula: see text]. When first-order auxiliary loads for gas handling, cooling, electrolyte circulation, and control electronics are included, the estimated system-level energy requirement increases to approximately [Formula: see text]. Sensitivity and optimization analyses indicate that mass-transfer performance, electrode area, electrolyte concentration, Faradaic efficiency, and auxiliary power demand strongly influence overall system performance. Because the model is not experimentally validated, the results should be interpreted as a preliminary feasibility and sensitivity assessment rather than a definitive prediction of reactor performance. The Bangladesh case study is used only to illustrate potential deployment relevance for distributed exhaust sources, while experimental validation, improved electrode kinetics, chloride-management strategies, and detailed techno-economic assessment are identified as essential future work.
Selective oxidation-driven pollutant polymerization enables simultaneous contaminant removal and carbon recovery, yet current catalysts suffer from competitive adsorption between pollutants and oxidants, disrupting redox balance and causing premature termination. Herein, we present a microenvironment-decoupled strategy by anchoring atomically dispersed Sn on amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT-NH2). Amino preferentially stabilizes Sn as Sn(II)-N4, which selectively activates peroxydisulfate (PDS) by forming a bidentate Sn-PDS complex and sustains an electron-transfer-dominated pathway. Meanwhile, the carbon surface enriches phenolic substrates and sustains their para-C-O polymerization transfer. In situ spectroscopy and density functional theory identify Sn 5p-O 2p interactions as the origin of this unique selectivity. As a result, the SnPc/CNT-NH2/PDS system maintains over 95% phenol removal after five cycles (versus one cycle for CNT) and achieves ~82% total organic carbon removal (versus ~46% for CNT). A decoupled reactor further demonstrates the practical feasibility of this mechanism for continuous water purification. This work provides a microenvironment-decoupled paradigm for precise oxidation regulation toward sustainable pollutant polymerization transfer in water purification.
Methanol is a promising one-carbon (C1) feedstock for sustainable bioproduction, and its mixotrophic co-utilization with other substrates can improve product formation. However, mixotrophy often leads to sequential substrate utilization that delays methanol assimilation, and the regulatory basis underlying this phenotype remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism governing methanol utilization in a methylotrophic acetogen and to determine whether rewiring this system could improve methanol co-utilization. Here, we identify a dual-layer regulatory circuit centered on PmtaR, the promoter driving the mta operon in Eubacterium limosum, as the key regulatory locus where methanol-responsive activation and carbon catabolite repression are integrated to govern the onset of methanol utilization. We show that robust PmtaR activation requires the AraC-type regulator MtaR along with an upstream activation region within the promoter, whereas this activation is counteracted by a catabolite-responsive element (cre) embedded in PmtaR, consistent with CcpA-mediated repression. This dual-layer regulatory architecture explains the delayed induction of the mta operon and the sequential utilization of glucose and methanol in E. limosum. Rewiring mta expression with a cre-free methanol-responsive promoter relieved repression enabled improved glucose-methanol co-utilization with enhanced methanol assimilation during glucose consumption. This achieved up to 3-fold increases in growth, substrate uptake, and product formation rates, accompanied by a metabolic shift towards butyrate production. This study reveals a dual regulatory mechanism governing methanol utilization in E. limosum by integrating local methanol-responsive activation with global carbon catabolite repression. This mechanism explains sequential substrate utilization during glucose-methanol mixotrophy and provides a practical engineering strategy to improve methanol co-utilization and product formation in acetogenic bioprocesses.
In this study, we reported that the photoelectrons excited from lava can enter the photosynthetic chain of the strain Rhodopseudomonas palustris K7, and participate in a mineral-electron-driven photophosphorylation reaction. We found that mineral photoelectrons could promote the development of the photosynthetic system in the bacterial cells. Further studies confirmed that although less photon energy from light was harvested by the bacterial cells when they were connected to lava, more mineral photoelectrons could transfer along the photosynthetic chain and be coupled with ATP generation. We denoted the new photosynthetic pathway as "mineral-assisted pohotophosphorylation". With the support of this pathway, the carbon assimilation efficiency of photosynthetic bacteria was significantly improved. The additional carbon fixation by photosynthetic bacteria supported by mineral photoelectrons may accelerate the carbon cycle in the environment, which consequently make a impact on the changes in the ecological environment.