Occupational exposure to N-hexane/2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) was found to adversely affect reproductive functions in females. However, there are few studies regarding the mechanisms underlying reproductive system damage initiated by 2,5-HD. Several studies demonstrated that 2,5-HD exerts hormonal dysfunctions in females by promoting apoptosis using rat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) as a model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNontraditional stable isotopes of bioactive metals emerged as novel proxies for reconstructing the biogeochemical cycling of metals, which serve as cofactors in major metabolic pathways. The fractionation of metal isotopes between ambient fluid and microorganisms is ultimately recorded in authigenic minerals, such as carbonates, which makes them potentially more reliable than standard biomarkers in organic matter. Stromatolitic carbonates are geochemical archives that allow for the study of the long-term interplay of the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere through deep time, with the unique potential to investigate early life environments and the evolution of the metallome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn increase in atmospheric O has been proposed as a trigger for the Cambrian Explosion at ∼539-514 Ma but the mechanistic linkage remains unclear. To gain insights into marine habitability for the Cambrian Explosion, we analysed excess Ba contents (Ba) and isotope compositions (δBa) of ∼521-Myr-old metalliferous black shales in South China. The δBa values vary within a large range and show a negative logarithmic correlation with Ba, suggesting a major (>99%) drawdown of oceanic Ba inventory via barite precipitation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a commonly used cleaning agent for recovering membrane performance in membrane technologies. A thorough understanding of the impacts of NaOCl exposure on membrane properties and fouling behavior is important for optimizing chemical cleaning process and extending membrane lifespan. In this study, three commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes (SMM-1010, MEMCOR CS II and ZeeWeed 500) were used to systematically explore the effects of NaOCl dose and solution pH (8 and 10) on membrane properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that has long been proven to improve the growth of plants, and it has been widely used in agriculture. However, in many reports, we observed that during the application of bacterial fluids, it appeared that the effect of the cell-free fermentation broth (CFB) was ignored. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of the no inoculation treatment (CK), the strain S3-1 treatment (S), the CFB treatment in the Pak choi, soil bacterial community structure, soil enzyme activity, and field soil properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography mask defects may cause severe reflectivity deformation and phase shift in advanced nodes, especially like multilayer defects. Geometric parameter characterization is essential for mask defect compensation or repair. In this paper, we propose a machine learning framework to predict the geometric parameters of multilayer defects on EUV mask blanks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent studies have proposed barium isotopes as a novel proxy for studying primary productivity in paleo-oceangraphical studies and elements cycling through the critical zone. Pristine marine carbonates are generally assumed to preserve Ba isotope compositions of ancient seawater. However, Ba incorporated in or adsorbed on detrital minerals such as clays in impure carbonates may limit the accurate application of the Ba isotope proxy for paleo-ocean environmental reconstruction purposes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe fundamental advances in silicon isotope geochemistry have been systematically demonstrated in this work. Firstly, the continuous modifications in analytical approaches and the silicon isotope variations in major reservoirs and geological processes have been briefly introduced. Secondly, the silicon isotope fractionation linked to silicon complexation/coordination and thermodynamic conditions have been extensively stressed, including silicate minerals with variable structures and chemical compositions, silica precipitation and diagenesis, chemical weathering of crustal surface silicate rocks, biological uptake, global oceanic Si cycle, etc.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExcept for extensive studies in core formation and volatile-element depletion processes using radiogenic Ag isotopes (i.e., the Pd-Ag chronometer), recent research has revealed that the mass fractionation of silver isotopes is in principle controlled by physicochemical processes (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSignificant isotope fractionation of silicon provides a powerful geochemical tracer for biological and physicochemical processes in terrestrial and marine environments. The exact mechanism involved in silicon uptake as part of the biological process is not well known. The silicon uptake in biological processes is investigated using silicate adsorption onto the N-methylglucamine functional group (sugarlike structure, abbreviated as L) of Amberlite IRA-743 resin as an analogue of the formation of silicate-sugar complexes in plants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) disproportionately impacts poor livestock keepers in southern countries. Although the estimated cost of the disease in the billions, response to the epidemic remains fragmented and information channels slow. Given the continuing threat of outbreaks, and what appears to be the politicisation of outbreak reporting, new tools are needed to enforce transparency in stakeholder communication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrop Anim Health Prod
October 2010
Introduction: The following paper details the creation and dissemination of a multi-media learning program for poor livestock keepers in Orissa, India: the Livestock Guru.
Methods: To devise the learning content, interviews were held with 240 poor livestock-keeping households in four districts in Orissa State. Methods for measuring user demand and assessing disease priorities are detailed in addition to a description of the software content, design, and dissemination strategy.