Apple of Sodom (<em>Calatropis procera</em>) Callus Extract, a Novel Skincare Active and Its Biological Activity in Skin Models When Combined with Dead Sea Water

Background: Calotropis procera (C. procera), is an authentic plant naturally grown in the flora of Dead Sea region. Despite its toxicity, C. procera presents healing properties. However, it has not been implemented yet in cosmetics as an active ingredient. Objective: The biological effects of C. procera callus extract on skin were elucidated solely and in combination with Dead Sea water (DSW). Methods: The capability of C. procera extract to protect against skin inflammation and irritation was tested on ex vivo human skin organ culture by LPS and SDS addition respectively. Viability and cytokine secretion were evaluated. The combination of C. procera extract with Dead Sea water was tested on full thickness skin equivalents. Gene expression and relevant biochemical markers for glycolysis, hypoxia and extracellular matrix balance were tested. Results: C. procera extract exhibits a protective biological activity against skin irritation and inflammation at the biochemical level. Furthermore, a combination of C. procera extract and DSW demonstrates a potential contribution for skin wellbeing via enhance energy production, resistance to hypoxia and extracellular matrix balance. Conclusions: Topical application of C. procera callus extract might support skin balance and wellbeing at the molecular level. Hence, it is recommended for new cosmetic formulae as standalone or in combination with Dead Sea water, in the effort to achieve anti-aging bio-activity that is working beyond skin aging symptoms, especially via skin calming effects and skin energy enhancement.

Performance of Galvanized Steel Reinforcement in Concrete in Sea and Dead Sea Water

Steel reinforcements of 8 mm diameter and 24 cm length were cut from steel and after pickling treatment of all specimens. Steel reinforcements then were galvanized by hot dipping method. The measured coating thickness by thickness gage meter of zinc coat was in the range 8 - 11 μm. Bare steel samples were also used for comparison reasons. Each steel bar was inserted in a middle of a plastic tube with 4.5 cm diameter into which concrete was cast. After proper curing, specimens were immersed into 3.5% NaCl and Dead Sea water separately. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed at different time intervals. Results showed that galvanized steel was corrosion resistant in sea water, and Dead Sea water over the test period.

Nrf2 Pathway Involvement in the Beneficial Skin Effects of Moderate Ionic Osmotic Stress—The Case of The Dead Sea Water

Objectives: Exposing skin to moderate ionic osmotic stress (MIOS) triggers several biochemical responses. The objective of this work is to reveal the mechanism triggered by MIOS on the skin surface. Furthermore, this work aims to study the involvement of the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2) pathway, activated by MIOS, and its beneficial effect in protecting skin against stress via the stimulation of phase II enzymes. Methods: HaCaT cells and human skin organ culture were exposed to Dead Sea Water (DSW) as MIOS inducers and the induction of internal ROS elevation, Nrf2 translocation, mRNA gene expressions of the phase II enzymes, heme-oxygenase 1 (HO1), and Catalase (CAT) were determined. Results: Skin exposure to MIOS increases Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, leading to increased levels of ROS, HO1, and CAT. Furthermore, exposing skin to MIOS promotes protection against UVB-related risks. This is demonstrated by attenuation of the expression of biomarkers, related to UVB-induced damage, Caspase-3, IL-8, and IL-1β. Conclusions: Skin exposure to MIOS leads to the activation of Nrf2 skin defense pathway and, therefore, could present beneficial advantages to human skin health, as demonstrated on human skin models. The beneficial effects of MIOS, induced by DSW are significantly superior to eq. NaCl brine, suggests that MIOS protection of skin against stress is partially related to specific mineral combinations.

Changes in quality of groundwater with seasonal fluctuations: an example from Ghor Safi area, southern Dead Sea coastal aquifers, Jordan

The demand for water resources in the area south of the Dead Sea due to continued development, especially at the Arab Potash Company （APC） for production and domestic purposes necessitates that water quality in the area be monitored and evaluated based on the local geology and hydrogeology. The objective of this paper is to monitor seasonal fluctuations of groundwater and to determine how fluctuation in the water levels will affect the groundwater quality. Groundwater levels were found to be influenced by rainfall and pumping of water from the wells for domestic and industrial use. Twenty water samples were collected from different wells and analyzed for major chemical constituents both in pre- and post-seasons to determine the quality variation. Chemical constituents are significantly increased after post-season recharge. According to the overall assessment of the area, water quality was found to be useful for drinking, irrigation and industry.

Hydrochemistry of the Mixed Dead Sea-Red Sea Water under Different Impoundment Scenarios as a Time Dependent State

The expected water mixing process between Red/Dead Sea water during the proposed conveyance projects is the main target of this research. The project will ensue transporting Red Sea water to recover and maintain certain level of the Dead Sea, mostly will reach -395 m. It is found that, the two different water bodies with different EC values or different densities (salinities) are relatively divided by stable plane. This plane is defined as the BARZACH PLANE. In this study, the mixing process occurred between the Red Sea with the Dead Sea waters, located at 20% - 24% of the Dead Sea column depth based on the Barzach Plane level. During a laboratory experimental work, it is found that the mixed Red/Dead Sea water evaporates in a high rate until certain level where the solution attains oversaturated conditions with different dissolved solids. At this stage, a thin layer of solids suddenly formed and floated at the surface of the dense brine. The salinity of the captured water is so dense that floated salt layer cannot be dissolved. In addition, the formed floated salt layer at the surface prevents the below captured water to evaporate and at this stage, stalactites start to form until the excess dissolved solids are not oversaturated with any mineral.

挺水植被影响下滞水区滞留时间预测模型

对于河道修复工程,为了增加河流地貌多样性,常会沿岸布置一些丁坝形成回流区(也称作滞水区)。滞水区的低速环流特点有利于泥沙落淤、营养质积累,为水生植物提供了适宜的生长环境,同时影响着河道内的物质输移扩散过程,对河流生态系统有着重要意义。采用量纲分析与遗传算法研究了挺水植被影响下滞水区滞留时间特性。对于植被化滞水区,影响水体滞留时间的因素可以归纳为三类,包括混合层流动特性、滞水区形貌特征以及植被拖曳作用。首先在前人工作基础上,应用π定理引入了能够反映植被阻滞效应的参数1+C_(D)ad_(c),对于无植被情形1+C_(D)ad_(c)=1,表明物质交换不受该因素影响,而对于有植被情形1+C_(D)ad_(c)>1,表明交换活动会受到影响。其次通过分析比较,筛选了其他影响滞留时间的主控因素,包括体现来流强度的主流傅汝德数Fr,以及体现滞水区形貌特征的三维形状因子(Wdc)0.5/L和宽长比W/L。然后以上述四种因素为自变量,构建了植被化滞水区滞留时间的一般性预测模型(即幂函数乘积模型)。最后基于收集的85组试验数据,采用遗传程序Eureqa对该幂函数乘积模型进行训练,拟合了植被化滞水区的滞留时间预测公式。对判定系数R2与平均绝对误差MAE的评价表明该公式具有较好的预测能力;对各因素变化区间的分析表明该公式具有较宽广的适用范围。此外,通过比较这4种因素对模型结果的作用程度,发现宽长比W/L是影响滞水区水体滞留特性的关键参数,在开展相关工程设计时应予以重点考虑。

溺亡后肠道菌群变化综述

对死后间隔时间(postmortem interval,PMI)的推断,是法医界最大的难题之一,从传统的根据尸体现象推断PMI到如今利用硅藻检验、影像学、分子生物学及人工智能等众多高新技术,极大地提高了PMI判断的准确性。人体死亡后,肠道菌群将发生剧烈变化,因此,分析肠道菌群的变化特点可以为法医鉴定提供新思路。通过肠道微生物分析,建立PMI与肠道菌群之间的关系,从而提高PMI的精确性,极大地拓展了肠道菌群的研究范畴。文章就溺亡尸体肠道菌群的时序性变化进行了简要综述,旨在探讨肠道菌群在法医实践中推断死亡时间的应用现状及应用前景。

水风光互补系统一次调频方案研究

为解决新能源并网后产生的频率问题,提出一种考虑水风光互补的调频策略。首先,建立含风、水、光、荷的简单系统数学模型;其次,结合水轮机、风电机组、光伏及其调频策略所对应的代数微分方程和基于直流潮流的系统网络方程,推导出负荷扰动时水轮机、风电机组、光伏并网节点频率响应的频域解析式;最后根据解析式分析调频死区和调频控制参数等对系统频率的影响,提出一种水风光互补系统联合调频方案。在仿真软件PSD-BPA中搭建四机系统及实际电网的仿真模型,对调频方案的有效性和可行性进行验证,多场景下仿真结果表明该方法可提高系统一次调频能力。

LF精炼过程中通电升温阶段底吹氩方式的优化

在LF(ladle furnace)精炼过程的通电升温阶段多采用双喷嘴等流喷吹的吹氩方式.本文提出一种双喷嘴差流吹氩的底吹方式,以某钢厂135 t钢包为原型设计1∶4非等温水模型实验平台,在总流量相同的情况下进行底吹比例为1∶1,2∶1和3∶1的温度均匀化实验,结果表明底吹比例为2∶1时的各监测点无量纲温差最小,均匀化效果最好.建立流动-传热耦合数学模型对实验结果进行验证,结果表明在总流量相等的情况下,底吹比例为1∶1,2∶1和3∶1时流动死区占比分别为14.1%,9.1%和9.8%,温度死区占比分别为6.2%,2.6%和0.3%,2∶1差流底吹方式在活跃流场和促进温度均匀化方面具有优势.

Implications of the New Operational Rules for Cantareira Water System: Re-Reading the 2014-2016 Water Crisis

During the 2014-2016 water shortage crisis, the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP) water supply system extracted pumping volume from the Cantareira System. Before the crisis, between 1984 and 2013, the reservoir’s average water extraction flow was 29.6 m3·s-1. During the period of pumping volume usage, the average extraction flow was 16.2 m3·s-1. Following the crisis, two new mitigation policies were implemented: a water extraction Resolution (in 2017) and a Resolution for water reallocation from another basin (in 2018). This study provides a novel investigation of the Cantareira System water crisis by assessing the mitigation policies impacts on storage level dynamics. The system storage level was evaluated using the reservoir simulation module of PDM-Cemaden hydrological model, assuming that the new policies had already been implemented prior to the crisis. A control simulation was run with observed in- and out-flow and operationally-practiced extraction flow. The storage level dynamics impacts were evaluated under 4 water mitigation policies scenarios varying the policies implementation starting date, the extraction flow range and including the water reallocation variable. Results showed that pumping volume would only need extraction during a short period (Scenarios I, III and IV), and considering the water reallocation, pumping volume extraction would not have been necessary (Scenario II). Although the pumping volume would still have been extracted during a short period, water shortage impact would have been lessened, had the policies been already implemented before the crisis. The water mitigation policies implementation supports the reservoirs storage management but does not guarantee that MASP water demand is fully met. Therefore, in order to effectively improve water security, further policies and practices to reduce water demand and enhance supply should be considered.

Geotechnical and Mineralogical Properties of the Recently Exposed Black Mud Deposits along the Northeastern Shore of the Dead Sea

Along the recently evacuated shores of the retreating Dead Sea black mud deposits have been exposed and hence subjected to head ward erosion resulting in landslides and land collapses threatening herewith the infrastructure in the area. The geotechnical and mineralogical characterization of the black mud show the presence of a variety of clays including smectite, kaolinite, illite, montmorollinite and muscovite with a natural water content near the liquid limit. These geotechnical and mineralogical properties indicate that the mud is prone to rapid erosion and sliding, which actually hit the area and have until now caused damages and degrading topography and geology in the area. The study also refers the origin of the black mud and its organic content to the erosion and deposition of Upper Cretaceous-Tertiary oil shale deposits formerly covering the whole surrounding areas of the Dead Sea. The study suggests engineering solutions to the geologic degradation processes in the area, before further damage to the infrastructure takes place.

梯级水电开发中生态保护分析与生态水头理念及确定原则

在分析水电开发对生态环境影响及原因的基础上,归纳了近年来水电站建设运行中生态保护措施的研究进展,包括过鱼设施的建设、鱼类增殖放流站的构建、大坝下游河道断面生态流量的确定和梯级水电站水库生态调度,并阐释了这些措施在河流梯级水电开发生态保护中的不足,提出了河流梯级水电开发水头与生态水头协同确定的理念,界定了基于河流自然生境和原生生态及物种保护的生态水头的概念、内涵与确定原则,给出了生态水头规划的综合优化方法。

虚构与现实交界的语言

文章对大江健三郎小说《水死》的文本,以及该小说与它引用的大江其他小说的关系进行了细致解读。如通过详细例举,分析指出,小说《水死》中的全体人物,包括男性在内,"仿佛重合相互的声音一样","通过讨论、议论、争论交换彼此的语言",所有的角色都被编织进了幽灵和宿主的关系网之中。而这种幽灵和宿主的网络里的传达线路,不只存在于作为声音的语言里;过去已经印成铅字的长江古义的小说中的语言,也被编织在了这个幽灵和宿主的网络里。大江的作品,不断地相互运动,是试图将现实世界的小说作者和虚构世界的作品中人物乃至叙述者或记述者这一被认为是自明的分界彻底搅乱的一种实践。《水死》这部小说对现实和虚构世界的分界进行了多层次划定,从而避免了自明性所带来的危险。小说里的人物的无与伦比的存在感,是通过独特的语言传达回路创造出来的。

气幕挡墙及挡坝结构对中间包流场的影响

针对某钢厂中间包使用原挡坝时死区较大,流经挡坝钢液向上运动趋势不明显,流场不利于夹杂物上浮去除等问题,采用中间包水模型试验,对挡坝结构进行了优化,设置了气幕档墙。结果表明,提高挡坝高度,开向上角度通钢孔,并设置气幕挡墙,可有效消除浇注区及挡坝后死区,死区体积比降低46%;钢液向液面运动趋势增大,滞止时间提高23%,峰值时间提高16%。工业试验表明,中间包采用优化后的控流装置,夹杂物总量从14.4 mg/10 kg降为6.64 mg/10 kg,中间包钢液内大型夹杂物得到有效去除。

高含水条件下CO_2混相驱替实验

油藏水驱后进行CO_2驱已在油田现场取得了成功,但由于油藏的高含水饱和度,导致了CO_2与原油间的接触方式发生改变,混相过程也受到一定制约。为研究高含水条件对CO_2混相驱的影响,制作了盲端微观可视化模型,进行了水驱前后CO_2混相过程微观实验。结合不同含水饱和度条件下的CO_2驱替实验,明确了CO_2混相驱替特征以及含水饱和度对CO_2驱油效率的影响。结果表明,高含水饱和度会对CO_2与原油的接触过程产生一定的屏蔽作用,注入的CO_2不能直接接触到剩余油,从而导致CO_2与原油的混相过程被大大延缓,进而导致高含水条件下CO_2驱见效时间被推迟。

禹门河水库死水位泄流规模论证

介绍了禹门河水库的基本情况,采用实测资料分析、造床流量计算、水库冲刷指标分析等方法,结合水工建筑物布置情况,对禹门河水库死水位的泄流规模进行了论证,最终确定死水位泄流规模为549 m3/s。采用该数值进行水库运用,有利于保持水库的有效库容,长期发挥水库的反调节作用。

饱和—非饱和流溶质运移的实验及数值模拟研究

本文在水盐运移实验基础上,正确地采用了考虑土壤不动水体与吸附作用的溶质运移数学模型和以v为因变量的土壤水分数学模型。在非饱和蒸发条件下对各种求解溶质运移方程的数值方法进行了系统比较,采用了适合于本研究特征—饱和—非饱和流的特征—有限元法对灌溉入渗、蒸发和再分配条件下饱和—非饱和土壤溶质运移规律作了较系统的计算机数值模拟与预测研究。

非稳态法优化校正油水相对渗透率曲线的新方法

油水相对渗透率曲线是油藏工程中一项重要基础资料。在利用非稳态法测量油水相对渗透率时,由于受实验装置中死体积的影响,无法得到真实情况下油藏的油水相对渗透率曲线。通过分析死体积对油水相对渗透率的影响,总结了常规克服死体积的方法,提出了运用电阻率与含水饱和度关系原理校正油水相对渗透率曲线的方法。该方法直接测量岩心两端电阻值,结合稳态法标定实验得到的岩心电阻与含水饱和度关系式,从而计算出实际岩心的累计产油量和平均含水饱和度,进而得到不受死体积影响的油水相对渗透率。对比概率减法和电阻率法预测死体积中原油产出的过程,可知死体积中原油集中在驱替初期产出。采用电阻率法校正的油水相对渗透率曲线,排除了死体积的影响,与矿场开发规律相符,具有一定的理论和应用价值。

用水动力学方法改善水驱开发效果

应用水动力学方法分析分井组周期性调整注水强度的水驱开发机理，分析和矿场试验结果均表明，在注水油田开发进入中高含水期，采用分井组周期性调整注水强度的方法可以改善水驱开发效果。在提高水驱原油采收率方面比单纯的周期注水法效果好，与常规法注水相比可提高原油采收率３％～１０％。该法具有简单易行、投资小、见效快、经济效益好等优点，对注水油田开发有一定的借鉴作用。

张家界市漩水林场毛竹林水文生态效益初步研究 Ⅰ 生态效益计量

连续 4a的定量研究结果表明 ,在同一母岩、同一土壤类型上的 6种植被 ,以毛竹林地土壤非毛管孔隙度最大 ;土壤蓄水能力毛竹林比柏木林大 30 % ,比柳杉林大 5 2 % ,比杉木林大 6 4% ,比灌木林大 71% ,比草灌荒山大 118% ,最大蓄水量毛竹林达 130 4t·hm- 2 ,比荒山每公顷多蓄水 70 7.2 t;渗透率也以毛竹林最大 ;毛竹林下枯落物最大吸水率为 330 .5 % ,最大吸水量达 2 9.1t· hm- 2 .毛竹是一个比较理想的水源涵养林树种 .