Anthropogenic activities accompanied by heavy metal waste threaten the environment. Heavy metal pollution alters the soil microbial community composition, and the microorganisms that adapt to this stress increase in abundance. The remediation process of contaminated soil not only reduces the concentration of heavy metals but also alters the bacterial communities. High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing techniques were applied to understand the changes in soil microbial communities. Using the remediation approach of the soil mixing, the concentrations of heavy metals in the contaminated areas were diluted and the soil environment was changed. The change of soil environment as a disturbance contributed to the alteration of microbial diversity of the remediated areas. The pH and heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) were the most influential factors driving the changes in community structure. The bacterial community structure was significantly different among sample areas. The decrease of heavy metals in soil may be the important factors that changed the microbial composition. This study provides the better understanding of the changes in composition of microbial communities affected by the remediation process in heavy metal-contaminated soil.

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(1) Background: deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has long been recognized as the most devastating complication after total knee replacement (TKR). To prevent DVT, intermittent pneumatic compression to improve venous return in the lower leg has been advocated by surgeons. Physical activities such as active ankle pumping and early mobilization have been recommended as auxiliary measures to increase venous return in the lower leg and help in ambulation after TKR. In this study, in order to remind patients to exercise their ankle actively and efficiently after TKR, a foot band with motion sensor and reminder alarm was used. (2) Methods: The patients were randomly allocated into three groups according to the therapeutic protocols. The patients in group 1 conducted active ankle pumping without any reminders, those in group 2 underwent intermittent pneumatic compression, and those in group 3 conducted active ankle pumping with ankle motion sensor/reminder. The parameters of blood flow, namely, peak flow velocity and flow volume, in the bilateral common femoral vein and popliteal vein on the 1st, 3rd, and 14th days after surgery were measured using the echo technique, an index to evaluate the effect on promotion of venous return, among the three groups. (3) Results: The peak flow velocity and flow volume of the operative limb in group 3 (with motion sensor/reminder) were significantly higher than those in other groups. The peak flow velocity and flow volume in the popliteal vein in group 3 increased by 112% and 93.8%, respectively, compared to group 1 on the 14th day. No significant difference in peak flow velocity or flow volume was found in the nonoperative limb between the groups. (4) Conclusions: According to the results, a motion sensor/reminder with vibration alarms can improve the performance of active ankle pumping exercises in improving lower leg circulation, and hence may reduce the risk of DVT.