Coupled Effects of Reduced Chemical Fertilization and Biochar Supplementation on Availability and Transformations of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Vegetable Farmland Soil: An In Situ Study in Southern China

Reduced fertilization technology is an eco-friendly strategy to minimize nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) surpluses and losses in vegetable production. However, little is known about the performance of chemical fertilizer reduction when supplemented with palm silk biochar (PSB) in subtropical acid soils. A short-term (60 d) field investigation under conditions of in situ incubation was conducted in vegetable farmland in southern China. The treatments included no fertilization (Control), 100% conventional fertilization (CF100), 90% conventional fertilization plus 10% PSB-based fertilization (CF90B10), 85% conventional fertilization plus 15% PSB-based fertilization (CF85B15), and 80% conventional fertilization plus 20% PSB-based fertilization (CF80B20). The CF90B10, CF85B15, and CF80B20 treatments had the same inputs of total N and P as the CF100 treatment. Reduced chemical fertilization generally decreased the soil NH4+-N regardless of the PSB substitution rate (10%, 15%, or 20%), incubation condition (top-covered or top-open: preventing or allowing the leaching process, respectively), and sampling time (1 day or 60 days). Conversely, compared with the CF100 treatment, both the CF85B15 and CF80B20 treatments did not lead to a significant decrease in the NO3−-N concentration in soil under top-open incubation conditions, but significantly (p < 0.05) increased soil NO3−-N under top-covered incubation conditions. The CF80B20 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased soil Olsen-P in comparison with the CF100 treatment, regardless of the incubation condition and sampling time. After applying chemical fertilizer in combination with PSB, soil net ammonification and N mineralization tended to be reduced considerably, with substantial reductions of 39–76% and 24–45%, respectively; reversely, soil net nitrification was stimulated by an increased PSB substitution rate. As the rate of chemical fertilization decreased, the trends in NH4+-N and NO3−-N losses from the soil were similar to the trends observed in soil net ammonification and net nitrification, respectively. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the soil net P mineralization and Olsen-P loss between chemical fertilization alone and in combination with PSB application. Generally, the partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with PSB at a low application rate may not substantially reduce plant-available NO3−-N and Olsen-P. It can also contribute to the sustainable availability of N and P in vegetable farmland soil via a variety of transformation processes, such as mineralization, immobilization, and loss.

Evaluate the Toxicity of Pyrethroid Insecticide Cypermethrin before and after Biodegradation by Lysinibacillus cresolivuorans Strain HIS7

Herein, bacterial isolate HIS7 was obtained from contaminated soil and exhibited high efficacy to degrade pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin. The HIS7 isolate was identified as Lysinibacillus cresolivuorans based on its morphology and physiology characteristics as well as sequencing of 16S rRNA. The biodegradation percentages of 2500 ppm cypermethrin increased from 57.7% to 86.9% after optimizing the environmental factors at incubation condition (static), incubation period (8-days), temperature (35 °C), pH (7), inoculum volume (3%), and the addition of extra-carbon (glucose) and nitrogen source (NH4Cl2). In soil, L. cresolivuorans HIS7 exhibited a high potential to degrade cypermethrin, where the degradation percentage increased from 54.7 to 93.1% after 7 to 42 days, respectively. The qualitative analysis showed that the bacterial degradation of cypermethrin in the soil was time-dependent. The High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the soil extract showed one peak for control at retention time (R.T.) of 3.460 min and appeared three peaks after bacterial degradation at retention time (R.T.) of 2.510, 2.878, and 3.230 min. The Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed the successful degradation of cypermethrin by L. cresolivuorans in the soil. The toxicity of biodegraded products was assessed on the growth performance of Zea mays using seed germination and greenhouse experiment and in vitro cytotoxic effect against normal Vero cells. Data showed the toxicity of biodegraded products was noticeably decreased as compared with that of cypermethrin before degradation.

Comparisons of the Effect of Different Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on the Root and Shoot Growth under Shaking and Non-Shaking Incubation, Different Plants and Binary Mixture Conditions

We evaluated the toxicity of five metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in single or binary mixtures based on root and shoot growth of two plant species under non-shaking and shaking conditions. The effects of NPs on root and shoot growth differed depending on the NP type, incubation condition, and plant type. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of NPs based on root growth were significantly lower, by 2.6–9.8 times, under shaking than non-shaking conditions (p = 0.0138). The magnitude of the effects of NPs followed the order CuO > ZnO > NiO >> Al2O3, TiO2. In addition, Lactuca sativa L. was more sensitive to the tested NPs than Raphanus sativus L., with an EC50 0.2–0.7 times lower (p = 0.0267). The observed effects of 12 combinations of binary NP mixtures were slightly, albeit non-significantly, lower than expected, indicative of an additive effect of the individual NPs in the mixtures. The results emphasize the importance of careful plant model selection, appropriate application of incubation conditions, and consideration of chemical mixtures rather than single compounds when evaluating the effects of metal oxide NPs.

Does culture condition of reduced oxygen pressure helps in embryo quality? A prospective randomized study

Background: Embryo quality is of paramount importance in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle. A healthy embryo leads to a robust pregnancy. Incubation in an ideal atmosphere is essential requirement in an IVF-ET cycle.Methods: Traditionally carbon dioxide incubator with sensors for carbon dioxide levels and temperature has been used widely. We compared the quality of these embryos to incubation in hypoxic condition by addition of nitrogen. Oxygen levels were brought to 5% as compared to 21% in room air.Results: Ladies with high body mass index (BMI) and advanced age had more embryos available for transfer. More embryos reached day 3 and day 5, thus increasing availability for cryopreservation. The fragmentation rate and fertilization failure were less. Pregnancy rate was definitely improved as compared to traditional incubation.Conclusions: Hypoxic incubation condition leads to better embryo health. This translates into improved and efficient cycle outcome.

Aqueous enzymatic extraction of palm kernel oil

Inexpensive enzyme with high hydrolitic activity is required to bring the aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) of seed / biomass oil into commercialization. In this study a commercial digestive drug which is mainly composed of amylase and protease enzymes has been applied to extract the palm kernel oil. A single factor experiment evaluated the effect of the ratio palm kernel to water, concentration of digestive drug used, pH, incubation time and temperature on extraction efficiency, free fatty acid (FFA) content and lipid profile in form of monoglyceride, diglyceride and triglyceride. A significant effect was observed for all the parameters and the highest extraction efficiency of 96% with FFA content less than 0.68% was observed in the incubation condition of 1:5 ratio palm kernel to water, 9% w/w of digestive drug, pH of 9, 90 min of incubation time at 45°C. Green metrics assesment confirmed that the AEE process is more green process than the soxhlet method. In comparison with other existing extraction methods, the AEE showed better extraction efficiency against the screw press and supercritical carbon dioxide methods.

Development of a Species Diagnostic Molecular Tool for an Invasive Pest, Mythimna loreyi, Using LAMP

The Mythimna loreyi (Duponchel) is one of the well-known invasive noctuid pests in Africa, Australia, and many Asian countries. However, it is difficult to identify the invasive and morphologically similar species, Mythimna separate, which occur at the cornfield in the larvae stage. Currently, the molecular biology method for diagnosing M. loreyi species is only using the mtCO1 universal primer (LCO1490, HCO2198), which requires a lot of time and effort, such as DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, and sequencing. In this study, the LAMP assay was developed for rapid, simple, effective species identification. By analyzing the mitochondrial genome, the species-specific sequence was found at the coding region of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene. Based on this unique sequence, four LAMP primers and two loop primers were designed. The F3 and B3 primers were able to diagnose species-specific, in general, and multiplex PCR and specifically reacted within the inner primers in LAMP assay. The optimal incubation condition of the LAMP assay was 61 °C for 60 min with four LAMP primers, though additional loop primers, BF and LF, did not significantly shorten the amplification time. The broad range of DNA concentration was workable in LAMP assay, in which the minimum detectable DNA concentration was 100 pg. DNA releasing method was applied, which took five minutes of incubation at 95 °C without the DNA extraction process. Only some pieces of tissue of larvae and adult samples were needed to extract DNA. The incidence of invasive pests is gradually diversifying. Therefore, this simple and accurate LAMP assay is possibly applied in the intensive field monitoring for invasive pests and integrated management of Mythimna loreyi.

Pharmaceutical Excipients and Drug Metabolism: A Mini-Review

Conclusions from previously reported articles have revealed that many commonly used pharmaceutical excipients, known to be pharmacologically inert, show effects on drug transporters and/or metabolic enzymes. Thus, the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) of active pharmaceutical ingredients are possibly altered because of their transport and metabolism modulation from the incorporated excipients. The aim of this review is to present studies on the interaction of various commonly-used excipients on pre-systemic metabolism by CYP450 enzymes. Excipients such as surfactants, polymers, fatty acids and solvents are discussed. Based on all the reported outcomes, the most potent inhibitors were found to be surfactants and the least effective were organic solvents. However, there are many factors that can influence the inhibition of CYP450, for instance type of excipient, concentration of excipient, type of CYP450 isoenzyme, incubation condition, etc. Such evidence will be very useful in dosage form design, so that the right formulation can be designed to maximize drug bioavailability, especially for poorly bioavailable drugs.

Development of a species diagnostic molecular tool for an invasive pest, Mythimna loreyi using LAMP

The Mythimna loreyi (Duponchel) is one of the well-known a noctuid pest in Africa, Australia, and many Asian countries. This species has recently emerged as an invasive pest of some cereal crops in Korea. However, it is extremely difficult to identify the morphologically similar species, Mythimna separate, which occur at the cornfield in the larvae stage. Therefore, it is hard to accurately investigate invasive pests. In this study, the LAMP assay was developed for rapid, simple, effective species identification. By analyzing the mt genome, the species-specific sequence was found at the coding region of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene. Based on this unique sequence, four LAMP primers and two loop primers were designed. The F3 and B3 primers were able to diagnose species-specific in general and multiplex PCR, and specifically reacted within the inner primers in LAMP assay. The optimal incubation condition of the LAMP assay was 61 □ for 60 minutes with four LAMP primers, though additional loop primer, BF and LF, did not significantly shorten the amplification time. The broad range of DNA concentration was workable in LAMP assay, in which the minimum detectable DNA concentration was 100 pg. Here, DNA releasing method was applied which took five minutes of incubation at 95 □ without the DNA extraction process, and only some pieces of tissue from larvae and adult samples were needed. The incidence of invasive pests is gradually diversifying, therefore, this simple and accurate LAMP assay possibly applied in the intensive field monitoring for the invasive pests and integrated management of Mythimna loreyi.

Development of a simple and accurate molecular tool for Spodoptera frugiperda species identification using LAMP

ABSTRACTThe fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is a native species in the Americas. However, nowadays it is one of the most serious invasive lepidopteran pests in African and Asian countries. S. frugiperda has been spread very quickly after the first outbreak was reported in many countries. Based on mt genome sequence alignment, S. frugiperda specific sequence region was identified in tRNAs coding region between NADH dehydrogenase, ND3 and ND5. By using this unique region, species diagnostic primers were designed and applied in LAMP (lamp loop mediated isothermal amplification) assay as well as conventional PCR to identify the field-collected samples of S. frugiperda. Optimal incubation condition of LAMP assay was 61°C for 90 minutes with 4 LAMP primers, and additional loop primer increased the amplification efficiency. Also, wide range of DNA concentration responded in LAMP assay and minimum detectable DNA concentration was 10 pg. This LAMP assay was also applied in DNA releasing technique from larval and adult sample, without DNA extraction, 95°C incubation for five minutes of the tissue sample. This new molecular diagnostic method is easy to use and accurate. It possibly applied in intensive field monitoring of S. frugiperda and its ecological studies.

Dissection Versus Incubation: The Within-Subject Effects of Product Dissection Activities on Design Variety

Product dissection is a popular educational tool in engineering design due to its ability to help students understand a product, provide inspiration for new design ideas, and aid in product redesign. While prior research has investigated how dissecting a product before idea generation impacts the creative output of the ideation session, these studies failed to look at the types of ideas generated before dissection or how the type of product dissected impacts this. Thus, the goal of the current study was to examine how product dissection impacts the solution space explored by students. Fifty-five undergraduate engineering students participated in the experiment; 40 participants virtually dissected a product, while the remaining 15 completed a personality test. The results of the study highlight that students explored new types of ideas during the second ideation session for all conditions and at all levels, with students having the biggest increase in embodiment variety when they dissected analogically far products. Overall, there were no differences in design variety between students in the dissection condition and the incubation condition. This study highlights how incubation can impact design variety and calls for further investigation of the interaction between product dissection and incubation.