Shape is an important indicator of cell type, cycle, and state, etc., and can thus serve as a specific marker for label-free bioparticle separation. We demonstrate in this work a shape-based separation of equal-volumed spherical and peanut particles in viscoelastic fluids through straight rectangular microchannels. This continuous sheath-free separation arises from the shape-dependent equilibrium particle position(s) as a result of the flow-induced elasto-inertial lift and shear thinning effects. A continuous transition from single to dual and to triple equilibrium positions is observed for both types of particles with the increase in flow rate. However, the flow rate at which the transition takes place differs with the particle shape. This phenomenon occurs only in microchannels with a large aspect ratio (width/height) and has not been reported before. It is speculated to correlate with the dissimilar dependences of elastic and inertial lift forces on particle size and flow rate as well as the rotational effects of non-spherical particles. V

The present study examined the effects of anatase nanometer TiO2 on photochemical degradation of chlorothalonil in aqueous solution and on the plant surface. Results showed that nanometer TiO2 exhibited a strong photosensitizing effect on the degradation of chlorothalonil both in aqueous solution and on the surface of green pepper. The photosensitization rate was the highest in the sunlight compared to illumination under high-pressure mercury and UV lamps. Use of distinct hydroxyl radical scavengers indicated that nanometer TiO2 acted by producing hydroxyl radicals with strong oxidizing capacity. Notably, nanometer TiO2 facilitated complete photodegradation of chlorothalonil with no detectable accumulation of the intermediate chlorothalonil-4-hydroxy. Nanometer TiO2 was also active on the surface of green pepper under natural sunlight both inside and outside of plastic greenhouse. These results together suggest that nanometer TiO2 can be used as a photosensitizer to accelerate degradation of the pesticides under greenhouse conditions.

The photodegradation kinetics of octachlorodipropyl ether (OCDPE) in aqueous solution have been studied under select conditions. The photodegradation rate constants of OCDPE increase with the increases of temperature and pH. The photolysis rates of OCDPE in the investigated water follow the sequence of pure water>impoundment water>pond water>lake water. The photodegradation product of OCDPE is shown to be 2,3,3-trichloroprop-2-en-1-ol. We propose that the OCDPE photolytic pathways consist of dehydrochlorination and ether cleavage via ionic or radical mediated reaction.

For researching ecological behaviors of Cupriavidus taiwanensis X1 which has strong hydrolysis activity on chlorpyrifos(CP), reporter gene luxAB was successfully introduced into cells by electroporation. The labeled strain X1-lux with genetic stability and fluorescence was obtained. Both of strain X1 and X1-lux could completely degrade 200 mg/l CP within 12h in minimal salt medium, and experimental results showed that introduction of luxAB did not affect strain X1 growth and degradation on CP. The cells of X1-lux and X1 were inoculated into soil with 500 mg/l CP, the cell concentration and CP residual was detected, and data revealed that strain X1 could absolutely removed CP in 12d and survive in soil. Strain X1 is a potential excellent choice for bioremediation of organophosphorus polluted environments.