Effect of enzyme type on the control of fluorescent whitening agents during recycling

The goal of this study was to develop an eco-friendly removal technology for fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) using enzymes suitable for each type of FWA. Internally treated paper with internal FWA (D-FWA) and surface-sized paper with surface-sizing FWA (T-FWA) were made as model papers in a laboratory. The enzymatic treatments were applied to the stock prepared using these model papers by disintegration. Cellulase and (alpha-) amylase treatments were performed at 50 °C under the conditions of pH 3 to 4 and pH 7 to 8, respectively. After disintegration and enzymatic treatments, handsheets were made, and the fluorescence index and FWA reduction of these handsheets were determined for evaluating FWA removal during recycling. Because D-FWA gets strongly attached to cellulosic fibers, it could not be easily separated from the internally treated paper by disintegration. Up to 8.1% of D-FWA was removed by enzymatic treatment with high-activity cellulase. Amylase could not separate D-FWA from cellulosic fibers. In the case of T-FWA, ca. 41% was separated by disintegration, and an additional 24% was detached from surface-sized papers by high-activity amylase treatment. Therefore, cellulase was effective in removing internal FWA (D-FWA), and amylase was required for removing surface-sizing FWA (T-FWA) during recycling.

Fluorescence of Size-Fractioned Humic Substance Extracted from Sediment and Its Effect on the Sorption of Phenanthrene

Phenanthrene (Phe) is a toxin and is ubiquitous in the environment. The sediment humic substances (HS) that bind Phe affect the fate, transport, degradation, and ecotoxicology of Phe. This study investigated Phe sorption constants on size-fractioned HS extracted from river sediment. Fractions were identified as HHS (10 kDa to 0.45 μm), MHS (1–10 kDa), and LHS (<1 kDa). A fluorescence quenching (FQ) method was used to determine the Phe log KHS on size-fractioned HS; the values ranged from 3.97 to 4.68 L/kg-C. The sorption constant (log KHS) is a surrogate of the binding capacity between HS and Phe, where a high log KHS reduces the toxicity and degradation of Phe. The log KHS values on HHS and MHS were significantly higher than the values on LHS (p = 0.015). The SUVA254 values of HHS and MHS were also significantly higher than the LHS value (p = 0.047), while fluorescence index (FI) and S275–295 values were significantly lower than the LHS values (p < 0.005). The HHS and MHS had a higher aromaticity and more terrestrial sources than LHS. The log KHS had a significant correlation with the selected optical indicators (p < 0.002), which suggested that the HS-bound Phe was positively affected by high aromaticity, terrestrial sources, and HS molecular weight. The results demonstrated that optical methods successfully obtained log KHS and the chemical properties of fractioned HS as well as the influenced factors of log KHS. Moreover, even the LHS had a capacity to bind with Phe.

Combined Effect of Different Amounts of Irrigation and Mulch Films on Physiological Indexes and Yield of Drip-Irrigated Maize (Zea mays L.)

Exploring the effect of irrigation on biodegradable film-covered drip-irrigated maize is essential for sustainable agricultural development in arid areas. These regions, like Xinjiang in China, are home to suitable irrigation and biodegradable films. Through field trials, four levels of irrigation, and two biodegradable films and one common polyethylene film were set up to study the effects of different treatments on the physiology, growth indicators, and yield of maize. The results showed that the effects of irrigation and biodegradable films on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of maize reached a very significant level (p < 0.01). The effect of single factor irrigation and biodegradable films on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of maize reached a significant level (p < 0.05). The photosynthesis index, fluorescence index, plant height, LAI (leaf area index) and yield of W3M3 treatment had the highest value, when compared with other treatments. The W1M1 treatment had the lowest value. The photosynthesis index, fluorescence index, plant height, LAI, and yield of the W3M2 treatment were second only to W3M3. In addition, the output was only 40 kg ha−1 less than W3M3. W3M2 has the best treatment effect from a perspective of sustainable agricultural development and efficient water saving; the optimal irrigation amount was 5625 m3 ha−1, induction period was 60 d, and thickness was 0.01 mm. The results of this study are of guiding significance for the promotion of the use of biodegradable films, search for suitable irrigation, and development of low-carbon agriculture.

Potential of Fluorescence Index Derived from the Slope Characteristics of Laser-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Spectrum for Rice Leaf Nitrogen Concentration Estimation

Leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) is a major biochemical parameter for estimating photosynthetic efficiency and crop yields. Laser-induced fluorescence, which is a promising potential technology, has been widely used to estimate the growth status of crops with the help of multivariate analysis. In this study, a fluorescence index was proposed based on the slope characteristics of fluorescence spectrum and was used to estimate LNC. Then, the performance of different fluorescence characteristics (proposed fluorescence index, fluorescence ratios, and fluorescence characteristics calculated by principal component analysis (PCA)) for LNC estimation was analyzed based on back-propagation neural network (BPNN) model. The proposed fluorescence index exhibited more stability and reliability for LNC estimation than fluorescence ratios and characteristics calculated by PCA. In addition, the effect of different kernel functions and hidden layer sizes of BPNN model on the accuracy of LNC estimation was discussed for different fluorescence characteristics. The optimal train functions “trainrp,” “trainbr,” and “trainlm” were then selected with higher R2 and lower standard deviation (SD) values than those of other train functions. In addition, experimental results demonstrated that the hidden layer size has a smaller impact on the accuracy of LNC estimation than the kernel function of the BPNN model.

Highly Integrated and Mobile Sensor System for Dissolved Organic Matter in Stream Ecosystems

The impact of agricultural land use on the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its effects on the aquatic carbon cycle are still largely unknown. A sensor for dissolved DOM in stream ecosystems based on fluorescence measurement was developed. It’s an easy to use handheld optical system for online monitoring of DOM under field-conditions. For the determination of DOM two indices are used, namely the freshness index (BIX) and the fluorescence index (FIX).

Elevated Levels of CD64 MFI on Monocyte Subsets Are Associated with a History of Stroke in Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Ischemic stroke is a cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Recent studies showed that non-classical monocytes may be protective against vaso-occlusive crisis. Monocyte subsets have been examined in non-SCD stroke, but little is known about the role of monocyte or their subsets in ischemic stroke in SCD. CD64 (FCγRI), a high affinity receptor for IgG, is a marker of endothelial adherence on immature neutrophils in SCD, however it is more classically exhibited on activated pro-inflammatory monocytes. We hypothesized that higher levels of CD64 mean fluorescence index (MFI) on monocyte subsets may be associated with ischemic stroke due to increased adherence. Methods: Adults (age ≥18) who presented for regularly scheduled clinic visits were enrolled. Blood samples were taken when subjects were at their healthy baseline and sent for complete blood count with differential. Monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry and subsequently sub-classified by their CD14 and CD16 expression into classical (CD14high, CD16 low), intermediate (CD14high, CD16high), and non-classical (CD14low, CD16high). The CD64 MFI was determined for each monocyte subset. History of ischemic stroke was confirmed by neurologist or neuroimaging documentation in the medical record. Laboratory results between those with a history of stroke and those without history of stroke were compared using Student's T Tests. We modeled log-odds of stroke history for increasing levels of each monocyte subtype and CD64 MFI using both marginal and age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 49 adults, of whom 17 (35%) had a history of ischemic stroke. There was no difference in age, gender, or genotype between the two groups (Table 1). Patients with a history of stroke had higher total neutrophils, but there was otherwise no difference in complete blood counts (Table 1). When monocyte subsets were examined, patients with a history of stroke had a higher percent of intermediate monocytes and a lower percent of classical monocytes (Table 1). Patients with history of stroke also had a higher MFI (mean fluorescence index) both overall and on each monocyte subset. (Table 1). In univariate models increased levels of classical monocytes were associated with decreased odds of stroke history and increased levels of intermediate monocytes, CD64 MFI on each monocyte subtype, total monocyte CD64 MFI, and total neutrophil count were all associated with increased odds of stroke history (Table 2). However, in multivariate models adjusted for age and monocyte subtype percent only total monocyte CD64 MFI and total neutrophil counts remained significant and both had increased odds ratios for ischemic stroke history, (OR 3.8 per 1000 CD64 95% CI 1.2 - 11.4, p= 0.02, OR 1.2 per 1x10^9/L 95% CI 1.0 - 1.4, p=0.05 respectively, R-squared 0.45). Conclusion: Levels of monocyte subsets have been shown to correlate with clinical outcomes in non-SCD stroke, but to our knowledge this is the first study to examine their roles in ischemic stroke in SCD. The pathophysiology of stroke in SCD is unique and the role of monocytes in it deserves separate study from the role of monocytes in non-SCD stroke. We saw that while monocyte subsets were associated with a history of ischemic stroke, CD64 MFI on all monocyte subsets showed a strong association. We wonder if this may be due to CD64 MFI being a marker for cells which are more adherent to endothelium as has been shown in previous studies. This creates a need for future studies. In particular it would be valuable to know if increased CD64 MFI precedes stroke and could be used as a marker of future stroke risk. Table Table. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

ALGORITMA UNTUK DETEKSI TUMPAHAN MINYAK DI LAUT TIMOR MENGGUNAKAN CITRA MODIS

Tumpahan minyak di Laut Timor yang terjadi pada tahun 2009 telah menyebarkan minyak seluas 10.842.81 km2.Tumpahan minyak ini berhasil dideteksi oleh satelit Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah membandingkan hasil deteksi tumpahan minyak dari beberapa algoritma dengan citra menggunakan citra MODIS dan melihat perbedaan visual yang dihasilkan. Algoritma yang digunakan adalah Oil Spill Index, Fluorescence Index, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Visualisasi tumpahan minyak yang terlihat pada citra MODIS dengan algoritma oil spill indeks dan fluorescence index lebih cerah dibandingkan dengan badan air disekitarnya dan juga memiliki nilai piksel lebih tinggi, sedangkan visualisasi minyak menggunakan algoritma PCA dan NDVI lebih gelap dibandingkan dengan badan air disekitarnya dan juga memiliki nilai piksel yang lebih rendah. Hasil uji akurasi yang dilakukan terhadap algoritma oil splill index, fluorescence index, PCA, NDVI berturut-turut sebagai berikut 41%, 46%, 41%, dan 60%

Expression of 4-1BB and its ligand on blasts correlates with prognosis of patients with AML

Costimulatory ligands (COLs) and their receptors (COR) regulate immune reactions and cellular survival and might be relevant in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study evaluated the clinical relevance of 4-1BBL, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR) and ligand (GITRL), CD80, and CD86 in case of expression on AML blasts. 98 patients were evaluated at initial diagnosis. Immunophenotypically evaluated specific fluorescence index (SFI) levels of COR and COL on blasts were correlated with morphological, cytogenetic, and several prognostic parameters. Significantly higher COR expression was seen in monocytic versus non-monocytic AML subtypes; GITR, p=0.05; GITRL, p=0.005; CD86, p=0.001). Cut-off values for two COR and their ligands were evaluated: cases presenting with 4-1BB values above cut-off 1.2 SFI levels correlated (tendentially) significantly with a higher probability for disease-free survival (DFS, p=0.06) and a favorable HR of 0.2; p=0.04 for relapse. HR for death was also significantly lower in this group (0.12; p=0.04). In contrast, a lower probability for DFS and overall survival was seen in cases with 4-1BBL expression above 2.2 SFI levels (p=0.08 and p=0.09). In addition, multivariate analysis showed a significantly higher probability of death in this group (HR 10.3, p=0.04). Expression of CD80 and CD86 did not show significant prognostic relevance. On initial diagnosis, 4-1BB and 4-1BBL qualify as markers for prediction of patients’ course and represent a valuable screening target for patients with AML at initial diagnosis.