Determination of Ni^(2+) in Waters with Sodium Polyacrylate as a Binding Phase in Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films

An aqueous solution containing sodium polyacrylate（PAAS） was used in diffusive gradient in thin-films technique（DGT） to measure DGT-labile Ni2＋ concentrations.The DGT devices（PAAS DGT） were validated in four types of solutions,including synthetic river water containing metal ions with complexing EDTA or that without complexing EDTA,natural river water（Ling River,Jinzhou,China） spiked with Ni2＋,and an industrial wastewater （Jinzhou,China）.Results show that only free metal ions were measured by PAAS DGT,recovery=97.36% in the solutions containing only free metal ions,recovery=49.62% in a solution with metal/EDTA molar ratio of 2：1 and recovery=0 in the solutions with metal/EDTA molar ratios of 1：1 and 1：2.These indicated that the complexes of Ni-EDTA were DGT-inert.The DGT performance in spiked river water（recovery=18.24%） and in industrial wastewater（recovery=12.25%） were investigated,which indicated that the measurement of metals by this DGT device did not include the humic substances complexed fractions of metals.The binding properties of PAAS DGT for Ni2＋ were investigated under different conditions of pH value and ionic strength.Conditional stability constants（lgK） of PAAS-Ni complexes were also evaluated.

Evaluation of Cadmium Bioavailability in Soils Using Diffusive Gradients in Thin Film Technique and Traditional Methods

The developed technique of diffusive gradients in thin film( DGT) has been suggested as a promising tool for evaluation of cadmium( Cd) availability in soils,but there exists considerable debate on its suitability. In this study,Cd bioavailability in soils was systemically investigated by comparing this technique with seven traditional methods, including soil solution concentration and six commonly used extraction methods( HAc,EDTA,Na c,NH4Ac,CaCl2 and MgCl2). Two typical plants( wheat and maize) were examined for Cd uptake. Maize was more sensitive to increasing exposure to Cd in soils than wheat when the added amounts of Cd ranged from 3. 5 to 5. 0 mg · kg-1,accompanied by the significant decreases of shoot and root biomasses. Cd concentrations in shoots and roots of two plants increased continuously with increasing levels of Cd in soils. Cd uptake was higher in wheat than that in maize. The bioavailable concentrations of Cd measured by all methods increased nearly linearly with increasing addition of Cd in soils. Positive correlations were observed between various bioavailable indicators of Cd in soils and Cd concentrations in two plants. The extractable Cd by six chemical extractants was considerably higher for maize than for wheat,while the DGT-measured and soil solution concentrations of Cd were lower for maize than for wheat,following the same trend as plant Cd uptake. The results imply that DGT measurement can effectively predict the bioavailable levels of Cd in soil solutions and that it is an ideal tool for prediction of Cd bioavailability in soils.

Evaluation of the Bioavailability of Metals in Sediment from the Southern Coastal Wetland of the Qiantang Estuary by Using Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Technique

Metal pollution has become an major issue governing the wetland ecosystem health.The southern coastal wetland of the Qiangtang Estuary are facing unusual perturbation due to rapid development along the embayment in recent decades.This study evaluated the bioavailability of metals(Cu,Pb,Cd,Cr and Zn)in the sediment of the southern coastal wetland of the Qiangtang Es-tuary using diffusive gradients in thin films(DGT)techniques and compared with several methods based on total metal content.The results showed that the contents of Cr,Pb,Cd and Cu in sediment,as detected using DGT,were considerably correlated with the exchangeable fraction and the content in Phragmites australis roots,while a weak correlation was observed for Zn.Therefore,DGT analysis could be used to evaluate the bioavailability and potential risk of Cr,Cd,Pb and Cu for P.australis.Quantitative indices,such as DGT concentration,bioaccumulation in P.australis,geoaccumulation index(Igeo)and potential ecological risk index(RI),revealed that Cd was a major potential ecological risk factor along the southern coast wetland of the Qiantang Estuary,especially in the upstream region,which is potentially more vulnerable to the anthropogenic pollution.

The effect of different number of diffusion gradients on SNR of diffusion tensor-derived measurement maps

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is mainly applied to white matter fiber tracking in human brain, but there is still a debate on how many diffusion gradient directions should be used to get the best results. In this paper, the performance of 7 protocols corresponding to 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 noncollinear number of diffusion gradi-ent directions (NDGD) were discussed by com-paring signal-noise ratio (SNR) of tensor- de-rived measurement maps and fractional ani-sotropy (FA) values. All DTI data (eight healthy volunteers) were downloaded from the website of Johns Hopkins Medical Institute Laboratory of Brain Anatomi-cal MRI with permission. FA, apparent diffusion constant mean (ADC-mean), the largest eigen-value (LEV), and eigenvector orientation (EVO) maps associated with LEV of all subjects were calculated derived from tensor in the 7 proto-cols via DTI Studio. A method to estimate the variance was presented to calculate SNR of these tensor-derived maps. Mean ±standard deviation of the SNR and FA values within re-gion of interest (ROI) selected in the white mat-ter were compared among the 7 protocols. The SNR were improved significantly with NDGD increasing from 6 to 20 (P<0.05). From 20 to 30, SNR were improved significantly for LEV and EVO maps (P<0.05), but no significant dif-ferences for FA and ADC-mean maps (P>0.05). There were no significant variances in FA val-ues within ROI between any two protocols (P>0.05). The SNR could be improved with NDGD in-creasing, but an optimum protocol is needed because of clinical limitations.

Effect of Non-Uniform Basic Concentration Gradient on the Onset of Double-Diffusive Convection in Micropolar Fluid

The effect of non-uniform basic concentration gradient on the onset of double diffusive convection in a micropolar fluid layer heated and saluted from below and cooled from above has been studied. The linear stability analysis is performed. The eigen value of the problem is obtained using Galerkian method. The eigen values are obtained for 1) free-free 2) rigid-free 3) rigid-rigid velocity boundary combination with isothermal temperature condition on spin-vanishing permeable boundaries. The influence of various micropolar parameters on the onset of convection has been analyzed. One linear and five non linear concentration profiles are considered and their comparative influence on onset is discussed and results are depicted graphically. It is observed that fluid layer with suspended particles heated and soluted from below is more stable compare to the classical fluid without suspended particles.

NMR Chromatography: Molecular Diffusion in the Presence of Pulsed Field Gradients in Analytical Chemistry Applications

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an excellent analytical tool for precise structural characterization of organic and bio-molecules. Though NMR is often used to characterize a single compound in solution, emerging experimental methods using pulsed-field-gradients (PFGs) allow structural dynamic characterization of several compounds, simultaneously in the same solution. NMR as a chromatography tool is often an overlooked application by analytical chemists. Therefore, in this article we introduce the concept of NMR based diffusion measurements, basic operational methods and novel applications. We expect this article to increase the overall use and appreciation of NMR-based diffusion measurements in general and in particular, in analytical chemistry applications.

Effects of temperature gradient on the interface microstructure and diffusion of diffusion couples:Phase-field simulation

The temporal interface microstructures and diffusions in the diffusion couples with the mutual interactions of the temperature gradient, concentration difference and initial aging time of the alloys are studied by phase-field simulation, and the diffusion couples are produced by the initial aged spinodal alloys with different compositions. Temporal composition evolution and volume fraction of the separated phase indicate the element diffusion direction through the interface under the temperature gradient. The increased temperature gradient induces a wide single-phase region on two sides of the interface.The uphill diffusion proceeds through the interface, no matter whether the diffusion direction is up or down with respect to the temperature gradient. For an alloy with short initial aging time, phase transformation accompanying the interdiffusion results in the straight interface with the single-phase regions on both sides. Compared with the temperature gradient,composition difference of diffusion couple and initial aging time of the alloy show greater effects on diffusion and interface microstructure.

ELLIPTIC GRADIENT ESTIMATES FOR DIFFUSION OPERATORS ON COMPLETE RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLDS

In this note, we obtain the elliptic estimate for diffusion operator L = △＋△Ф·△ on complete, noncompact Riemannian manifolds, under the curvature condition CD（K, m）, which generalizes B. L. Kotschwar＇s work [5]. As an application, we get estimate on the heat kernel. The Bernstein-type gradient estimate for SchrSdinger-type gradient is also derived.

Two-dimensional equations for thin-films of ionic conductors

A theoretical model is developed for predicting both conduction and diffusion in thin-film ionic conductors or cables. With the linearized Poisson-Nernst-Planck(PNP)theory, the two-dimensional(2D) equations for thin ionic conductor films are obtained from the three-dimensional(3D) equations by power series expansions in the film thickness coordinate, retaining the lower-order equations. The thin-film equations for ionic conductors are combined with similar equations for one thin dielectric film to derive the 2D equations of thin sandwich films composed of a dielectric layer and two ionic conductor layers. A sandwich film in the literature, as an ionic cable, is analyzed as an example of the equations obtained in this paper. The numerical results show the effect of diffusion in addition to the conduction treated in the literature. The obtained theoretical model including both conduction and diffusion phenomena can be used to investigate the performance of ionic-conductor devices with any frequency.

Linear stability of triple-diffusive convection in micropolar ferromagnetic fluid saturating porous medium

The triple-diffusive convection in a micropolar ferromagnetic fluid layer heated and soluted from below is considered in the presence of a transverse uniform magnetic field. An exact solution is obtained for a flat fluid layer contained between two free boundaries. A linear stability analysis and a normal mode analysis method are carried out to study the onset convection. For stationary convection, various parameters such as the medium permeability, the solute gradients, the non-buoyancy magnetization, and the micropolar parameters （i.e., the coupling parameter, the spin diffusion parameter, and the micropolar heat conduction parameter） are analyzed. The critical magnetic thermal Rayleigh number for the onset of instability is determined numerically for a sufficiently large value of the buoyancy magnetization parameter M1. The principle of exchange of stabilities is found to be true for the micropolar fluid heated from below in the absence of the micropolar viscous effect, the microinertia, and the solute gradients. The micropolar viscous effect, the microinertia, and the solute gradient introduce oscillatory modes, which are non-existent in their absence. Sufficient conditions for the non-existence of overstability are also obtained.

EXISTENCE OF SOLUTIONS FOR GRADIENT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATION TO DIFFUSION PROBLEMS INVOLVING NONCONVEX ENERGIES

In this paper, we establish the existence of solutions for gradient systems ofevolution under some type （M） and semi-coerciveness conditions. The main result is appliedin order to solve nonlinear diffusion equations involving nonconvex energies.

Titanium diboride-metals gradient materials prepared by field activated diffusion bonding process

Functionally gradient samples are prepared by getting metal Ni or Cu bonded with Ni-matrix composites reinforced by TiB2 particles by field activated diffusion bonding process. The intermetallic compound of Ni3Al has been applied as a mediate layer in order to reduce residual stress. The microstracture, phase composition of the interfaces between the metal and Ni3Al are determined and the mechanical properties of the gradient materials are characterized. Elemental concentration profiles across the interfaces between layers showed significant diffusion dissolution and formation of firm bonds. Measured micro-hardness values of the sample increased monotonically from the metal substrate to the surface layer of composites. The values for the surface composite layer ranged from about 2 000 HK to 3 300 HK. The results of this investigation demonstrate the feasibility of field activated diffusion bonding process for rapid preparation of FGMs.

Self-similar singular solution of fast diffusion equation with gradient absorption terms

The self-similar singular solution of the fast diffusion equation with nonlinear gradient absorption terms are studied. By a self-similar transformation, the self-similar solutions satisfy a boundary value problem of nonlinear ordinary differential equation （ODE）. Using the shooting arguments, the existence and uniqueness of the solution to the initial data problem of the nonlinear ODE are investigated, and the solutions are classified by the region of the initial data. The necessary and sufficient condition for the existence and uniqueness of self-similar very singular solutions is obtained by investigation of the classification of the solutions. In case of existence, the self-similar singular solution is very singular solution.

Role of temperature gradient in liquid/solid phase solution-diffusion bonding

The liquid-film solution-diffusion bonding of ZCuBe2.5 alloys was conducted using Cu-based alloy powders. The tensile strength of the joint is up to 318 MPa. With the increase of temperature gradient, the bonding time decreases and the interface migration velocity increases remarkably. The appropriate temperature gradient is 5-40 K/cm. Under fixed bonding time, the thickness of diffusion layer increases with the increase of temperature gradient, and this tendency becomes more remarkable with the prolonging of bonding time.

Sodium Diffuses from Glass Substrates through P1 Lines and Passivates Defects in Perovskite Solar Modules

Most thin-film photovoltaic modules are constructed on soda-lime glass(SLG)substrates containing alkali oxides,such as Na_(2)O.Na may diffuse from SLG into a module's active layers through P1 lines,an area between a module's constituent cells where the substrate-side charge transport layer(CTL)is in direct contact with SLG.Na diffusion from SLG is known to cause several important effects inⅡ-Ⅵand chalcogenide solar modules,but it has not been studied in perovskite solar modules(PSMs).In this work,we use complementary microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to show that Na diffusion occurs in the fabrication process of PSMs.Na diffuses vertically inside P1 lines and then laterally from P1 lines into the active area for up to 360 pm.We propose that this process is driven by the high temperatures the devices are exposed to during CTL and perovskite annealing.The diffused Na preferentially binds with Br,forming Br-poor,l-rich perovskite and a species rich in Na and Br(Na-Br)close to P1 lines.Na-Br passivates defect sites,reducing non-radiative recombination in the perovskite and boosting its luminescence by up to 5×.Na-Br is observed to be stable after 12 weeks of device storage,suggesting long-lasting effects of Na diffusion.Our results not only point to a potential avenue to increase PSM performance but also highlight the possibility of unabated Na diffusion throughout a module's lifetime,especially if accelerated by the electric field and elevated temperatures achievable during device operation.

Directional growth behavior of a(Al) dendrites during concentration-gradientcontrolled solidification process in static magnetic field

The large and small sized Cu（solid）/Al（liquid） couples were prepared to investigate the directional growth behavior of primary a（Al） phase during a concentration-gradient-controlled solidification process under various static magnetic fields（SMFs）.The results show that in the large couples,the α（Al） dendrites reveal a directional growth character whether without or with the SMF.However,the 12 T magnetic field induces regular growth,consistent deflection and the decrease of secondary arm spacing of the dendrites.In the small couples,the α（Al） dendrites still reveal a directional growth character to some extent with a SMF of ≤5 T.However,an 8.8 T SMF destroys the directional growth and induces severe random deflections of the dendrites.When the SMF increases to 12 T,the a（Al） dendrites become quite regular despite of the consistent deflection.The directional growth arises from the continuous long-range concentration gradient field built in the melt.The morphological modification is mainly related to the suppression of natural convections and the induction of thermoelectric magnetic convection by the SMF.

基于美学梯度法的人工智能风格化绘画系统

当前Stable diffusion等人工智能绘画模型在绘画时难以直接控制图像风格,同时风格模型训练仅针对单种风格。针对该问题,提出了一种基于美学梯度法的人工智能风格化绘画系统,以实现多种图像风格的控制和融合,并提供更加便捷的图像创作体验。收集并分析网络用户数据,结合问卷得到用户对图像风格的感性需求;根据感性需求收集各风格图像数据得到对应的风格图像训练集。使用梯度下降算法计算风格化文本编码器的权重,实现生成图像风格化的效果。通过可用性测试对比用户对该系统与传统人工智能绘画系统产出图像的风格满意程度,结果表明:人工智能风格化绘画系统的平均满意度相较传统人工智能绘画系统提升23%,表明人工智能风格化绘画系统在图像风格生成上具有更好的效果,可满足用户对图像风格的需求。该人工智能风格化绘画系统可以更便捷地实现图像风格调整,允许用户直观选择不同风格的权重,便捷使用一种或多种风格,能够有效满足用户对图像风格设计的需求。

原位覆盖控制沉积物磷释放效果的验证评估

文章通过覆盖材料(方解石、湖沙或方解石+湖沙)对底泥磷释放的阻控实验以及利用梯度扩散薄膜(DGT)的底泥原位测试,验证评估覆盖剂对呼伦湖沉积物磷的生态修复效果。结果发现:(1)方解石、方解石+湖沙或湖沙能有效降低表层沉积物的DGT-P浓度(CDGT(PO_(4)^(3-)-P)),沉积物/水界面扩散通量和上覆水溶解反应性磷;方解石、方解石+湖沙覆盖的表层沉积物的CDGT(PO_(4)^(3-)-P)峰值或平均值明显低于对照样;方解石、方解石+湖沙的上覆水DRP的去除率分别超过78%和81%;方解石+湖沙可以将沉积物/水界面无机磷扩散通量降低至负值;(2)方解石和方解石+湖沙能明显地降低表层沉积物总磷(TP)、活性磷(NH_(4)Cl-P和BD-P)含量及其占TP的百分比,沉积物反应性磷再补给系数r减少而惰性成份(NaOH_(85)-P和Ca-P)及其占TP的百分比增加;(3)方解石+湖沙覆盖的表层沉积物TP变化范围:-45~-30 mg/kg;磷提取相(NH_(4)Cl-P、BD-P、Ca-P和NaOH_(85)-P)含量变化值,磷提取相变化量占对照沉积物对应提取成份的百分比分别为-17~-10 mg/kg (-38.46%~-29.31%);-23~-16 mg/kg (-46.15%~-32.86%);10~15 mg/kg (2.41%~3.63%)和8~14 mg/kg(3.20%~3.99%);r降低范围:0.02~0.19。综上,方解石的吸附或阻隔作用能降低沉积物总磷和活性磷,降低沉积物磷再补给能力;NH_(4)Cl-P和BD-P被转化为情性成份(NaOH_(85)-P和Ca-P),磷迁移性降低。覆盖剂对沉积物磷内源负荷控制效果为方解石+湖沙>方解石>湖沙。方解石+湖沙的磷阻控机制是方解石对磷的吸附,磷和方解石的共沉淀以及湖沙的物理阻隔;方解石+湖沙的多层覆盖是一种应用价值较高的沉积物原位修复技术。

春夏季巢湖湖滨沉积物-水界面磷动态与内源释放潜力

采用传统采样和薄膜扩散梯度技术(DGT),分析了春夏季巢湖西北部湖滨上覆水、间隙水及沉积物中磷形态和DGT有效态磷铁(DGT-P、DGT-Fe)的动态变化及扩散通量.结果表明,初夏季(6月)湖滨上覆水磷含量显著降低,可能源于藻类生长吸收营养盐;而间隙水磷形态含量季节差异显著.巢湖西北部湖滨沉积物无机磷主要为自生磷(Auth-P),占无机磷(IP)比例为19.7%~61.3%.湖滨带消落区(S1、S2)沉积物磷含量明显低于堤坝隔离区(S3),但受有机质水平、水动力扰动等因素影响,具有更高的磷释放潜力;夏季沉积物内源磷释放潜力高于春季.DGT-P和DGT-Fe的相关分析结果表明,湖滨带消落区沉积物内源磷释放主要受控于铁结合态磷还原过程,而堤坝隔离区沉积物受铁磷循环调控作用较弱.

基于梯度扩散薄膜(DGT)技术评估玉米农田土壤中铅的生物有效性及动力学过程

为验证梯度扩散薄膜(DGT)技术在准确评估自然环境下玉米农田土壤中铅(Pb)的生物有效性的可行性,并基于该技术探究土壤中Pb的动力学过程,本研究使用DGT技术、土壤溶液法和单独提取法测定了湖南省凤凰县内种植玉米的农田土壤中Pb的可提取态含量,并与玉米不同部位中Pb的含量进行了线性拟合分析;利用DGT技术结合DGT诱导土壤/沉积物通量(DIFS)模型模拟了土壤内部Pb的动力学过程。结果表明:35%的土壤点位中Pb的含量超过湖南省Pb背景值,但不存在玉米粒中Pb超标的情况(GB 2762—2022)。Pb在玉米不同部位迁移富集能力较低,且主要富集在根部,难以向地上部位迁移。不同方法测定的土壤中Pb的生物有效态含量分别为DGT技术(1.32±2.49)µg·L^(-1)、土壤溶液(2.23±3.75)µg·L^(-1)、二乙基三胺五乙酸(DTPA)单独提取法(5.79±2.51)mg·kg^(-1)、醋酸(HAc)单独提取法(0.81±0.49)mg·kg^(-1)和氯化钙(CaCl_(2))单独提取法(0.05±0.13)mg·kg^(-1)。DGT技术对玉米不同部位Pb含量的预测效果优于其他方法,且对叶中Pb含量的预测效果最佳。研究区大部分土壤固相Pb补给液相的能力较低,但固相上Pb的释放量较为稳定,仍可能会对当地造成潜在的生态风险。整体而言,DGT技术是评估玉米农田土壤中Pb生物有效性的最佳方法,其测定的Pb含量对玉米叶部Pb含量预测效果最佳,但对粒中Pb含量预测效果较差。此外,DGT技术可以结合DIFS模型深入分析土壤内部Pb的动力学的过程,为土壤污染的精准防控提供科学依据。