Differences of Uptake and Accumulation of Zinc in Four Species of Sedum

Four species of Sedum L. were grown in nutrient solution for the comparison of their Zn uptake and accumulation. S. alfredii Hance showed much greater tolerance to Zn than the other three species. Shoot and root yields of S. sarmentosum Bunge, S. bulbiferum Makino, and S. emarginatum Migo decreased with increasing Zn concentration in the solution, while shoot and root yields of S. alfredii increased when Zn concentration was ≤80 mg·L -1. At 80 mg·L -1 Zn, Zn concentration in shoots of S. alfredii reached 19.09 mg·g -1. S. alfredii was also more efficient in Zn translocation from roots to shoots, while Zn concentration in shoots was much higher than in roots. However, this was not the case for the other three species. The results showed that S. alfredii is a Zn hyperaccumulator and could be useful for the phytoremediation of Zn-contaminated soils.

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The responses of the growth and metabolism activity of Phanerochaete chrysosporium （P. chrysosporium） to cadmium （Cd）, lead （Pb） and their combined pollution stress, were investigated in plate and liquid culture conditions. The diameter of colony, biomass ofP. chrysosporium, ligninolytic enzyme activities and bioaccumulation quantity of heavy metals were detected. The results indicated that Cd was more toxic than Pb to P. chrysosporium and the toxicity of Cd and Pb to P. chrysosporium was further strengthened under Cd＋Pb combined pollution in different culture conditions. Heavy metals Cd and Pb had indirect influence on the production of ligninolytic enzymes by directly affecting the fungal growth and metabolic activity, and by another way in liquid culture. In addition, the results provided an evidence of the accumulation of Cd and Pb on the mycelia ofP. chrysosporium.

Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation and Toxicity with Special Reference to Microalgae

The bioaccumulation and toxicity of heavy metals were reviewed with special reference to microalgae, the key compo- nent of the food web in aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals enter algal cells either by means of active transport or by endocytosis through chelating proteins and affect various physiological and biochemical processes of the algae. The toxicity primarily results from their binding to the sulphydryl groups in proteins or disrupting protein structure or displacing essential elements. Metals can break the oxidative balance of the algae, inducing antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The amount of oxidized proteins and lipids in the algal cells thus indicates the severity of the stress. Algal tolerance to heavy metal is highly dependent upon the defense response against the probable oxidative damages. Pro- duction of binding factors and proteins, exclusion of metals from cells by ion-selective transporters and excretion or compartmen- talization have been suggested with regard to reducing heavy metal toxicity. However, a comprehensive description on the mecha- nisms underlining metal toxicity of microalgae and gaining tolerance is yet to be elaborated.

Cultivation Ages Effect on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Greenhouse Soils

The intensive management practices in greenhouse production may alter the soil physicochemical properties and contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals(HMs). To determine the HM concentrations in vegetable soil in relation to soil physicochemical properties and cultivation age, we conducted a soil survey for typical greenhouse soils in Shouguang, China. The results indicated that Cd is a major HM pollutant in the tested soils, as the only HM element exceeding the allowed limit for vegetable soil. The surveyed data was analyzed with regression analysis, correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis(CCA). A positive correlation is observed between HM pollution level and cultivation age. CCA results suggest that the HM pollution level and distribution in soil are significantly affected by soil physicochemical properties, which was a function of years of cultivation as revealed by regression analysis. In summary, cultivation age is an important factor to affect soil physicochemical properties(organic matter and inorganic nutrients) as well as HM contamination.

Some Properties of Si,Ge,and α-Sn Using Pseudopotential Theory

The pseudopotential theory beyond second order with our well established single parametric model potential is employed to compute total crystal energy, static bulk modulus, energy band gap at the point X on the Jones-zone face and pressure-volume relation （equation of state under pressure） of Si, Ge and α-Sn using Nagy＇s static local field correction function. The results are compared with those obtained using few other local field correction functions. The present results of total energy are in good agreement with the experimental data. Bulk modulus calculated by Nagy＇s screening function is perfectly matching with the experimental results for Ge and α-Sn. Some deviation is found in the value of energy band gap.

Influence of processing parameters on laser metal deposited copper and titanium alloy composites

The laser metal deposition （LMD） was conducted on copper by varying the processing parameters in order to achieve the best possible settings. Two sets of experiments were conducted. The deposited composites were characterized through the evolving microstructure, microhardness profiling and mechanical properties. It was found that the evolving microstructures of the deposited composites were characterized with primary, secondary and tertiary arms dendrites, acicular microstructure as well as the alpha and beta eutectic structures. From the two sets of experiments performed, it was found that Sample E produced at a laser power of 1200 W and a scanning speed of 1.2 m/min has the highest hardness of HV （190±42） but exhibits some lateral cracks due to its brittle nature, while Sample B produced at laser power of 1200 W and a scanning speed of 0.3 m/min shows no crack and a good microstructure with an increase in dendrites. The strain hardening coefficient of the deposited copper composite obtained in this experiment is 3.35.

A New Approach to Investigation of vdW Type of Equations of State

A new approach to the investigation of vdW type of equations of state (EOS) is developed by embedding a vapor pressure equation and a saturated liquid volume equation into vdW type EOS, which results in a new function AS(T). The AS(T) possesses the properties of an attractive parameter A(T), and if an EOS is accurate in the whole PVT space, then its numerical value equals A(T). As a useful tool for investigating EOS, the As(T) has been used to make comparisons among RKS, PRSVII, PT and ALS EOS, and to indicate where the shortcomings of the EOS are coming from. Based on the AS(T), a possible way to develop a real predictive equation of state is also suggested.

Comparative study on photocatalytic properties of TiO_2 nanoparticles prepared in acidic medium and basic medium by hydrothermal method

In order to investigate the difference of phtotocatalytic properties of TiO2 samples prepared in different pH conditions, TiO2 nanopartieles were prepared in acidic medium and basic medium by a hydrothermal process, respectively. The samples were characterized using XRD, TEM, BET, XPS, surface photovoltage spectroscopy （SPS） and field-induced surface photovohage spectroscopy （FISPS）. Effects of temperature and pH in the hydrothermal process on particle sizes, specific surface areas, and photoeatalytic properties of the TiO2 nanoerystalline were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the photocatalysis activity of TiO2 nanoparticles prepared in basic medium （ B-TiO2 ） is superior to that in acidic medium （ A-TiO2 ）, which is ascribed to the difference of surface state between A-TiO2 and B-TiO2.

Relationship of glass forming ability and local structural properties of liquid Cu-Zr alloys

Molecular dynamics(MD) simulations were performed to investigate the glass forming ability(GFA) and microscopic structural properties of liquid Cu-Zr alloys.Based on the analysis of composition dependences of the reduced glass transition temperatures and the excess volume,we found that the Cu-Zr glasses have the largest GFA at Cu65Zr35 composition.To get more detailed information of local structure,we calculated the pair correlation functions,partial pair correlation functions,the excess entropy,chemical order parameter,coordination number,and Voronoi index of Cu-Zr liquids.We found that there exists an obvious and close relationship among the GFA,the excess entropy calculated using the total pair correlation functions,chemical order parameters,and some Cu centered cluster with Voronoi index <0,2,8,1> and Zr centered cluster with Voronoi index <0,3,6,4>,which all have nonlinear dependences on Cu/Zr concentration and have extreme values at liquid Cu65Zr35 composition.

属性模糊集的分解特征

在模糊集理论研究的基础上,结合粗糙集的属性集、元素迁移的相关知识,提出属性模糊集的概念,利用给出属性模糊集的有关知识,结合模糊集与粗糙集合的有关理论,得到了属性模糊集的一系列重要定理,为模糊集合理论的进一步研究奠定了理论基础。

Neighbour Peer Selection Scheme Based on Effective Capacity for Mobile Peer-to-Peer Streaming

For Peer-to-Peer (P2P) streaming services in mobile networks, the selection of appropriate neighbour peers from candidate peers with demanding data is an important approach to improve Quality-of-Service (QoS). This paper proposes a novel Effective Capacity Peer Selection (ECPS) scheme based on effective capacity. In the ECPS scheme, the neighbour peer selection problem was modeled using the Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) theory, which considered multiple factors of candidate peers, including Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR), residency time, power level, security, moving speed, and effective capacity. This model could increase the suitability of ECPS for wireless mobile environments. Then, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to solve the MADM problem and identify the preferred neighbour peers. Simulation results show that the ECPS scheme can improve the network throughput, reduce packet delay by about 82%, and almost double the packet delivery ratio of the mobile P2P streaming service.

Effect of Ferric Chloride on the Properties of Biological Sludge in Co-precipitation Phosphorus Removal Process

This paper studied the effect of ferric chloride on waste sludge digestion,dewatering and sedimentation under the optimized doses in co-precipitation phosphorus removal process.The experimental results showed that the concentration of mixed liquid suspended solid(MLSS) was 2436 mg.L-1 and 2385 mg.L-1 in co-precipitation phosphorus removal process(CPR) and biological phosphorous removal process(BPR),respectively.The sludge reduction ratio for each process was 22.6% and 24.6% in aerobic digestion,and 27.6% and 29.9% in anaerobic digestion,respectively.Due to the addition of chemical to the end of aeration tank,the sludge content of CPR was slightly higher than that of BPR,but the sludge reduction rate for both processes had no distinct difference.The sludge volume index(SVI) and sludge specific resistance of BPR were 126 ml.g-1 and 11.7×1012 m.kg-1,respectively,while those of CPR were only 98 ml.g-1 and 7.1×1012 m.kg-1,indicating that CPR chemical could improve sludge settling and dewatering.

Multi-modal face parts fusion based on Gabor feature for face recognition

A novel face recognition method, which is a fusion of muhi-modal face parts based on Gabor feature （MMP-GF）, is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the bare face image detached from the normalized image was convolved with a family of Gabor kernels, and then according to the face structure and the key-points locations, the calculated Gabor images were divided into five parts： Gabor face, Gabor eyebrow, Gabor eye, Gabor nose and Gabor mouth. After that multi-modal Gabor features were spatially partitioned into non-overlapping regions and the averages of regions were concatenated to be a low dimension feature vector, whose dimension was further reduced by principal component analysis （PCA）. In the decision level fusion, match results respectively calculated based on the five parts were combined according to linear discriminant analysis （LDA） and a normalized matching algorithm was used to improve the performance. Experiments on FERET database show that the proposed MMP-GF method achieves good robustness to the expression and age variations.

Determination of Nutrient Uptake Characteristic of Black Pepper （Piper nigrum L.）

The relationship between the growth and nutrient uptake by perennial crop such as pepper is poorly understood and improved understanding of such relationship is important for the establishment of rational crop management practices. In order to characterize the growth performance and quantify the nutrient removed, this study presents results of three consecutive cropping years, fertilized with 1, 2 and 3 ton ha1 of NPK fertilizer respectively. Plant biomass accumulated was evaluated every two months, separating plant into stems, branches, leaves, berries, fruit spikes and flowers. Total biomass of pepper increased linearly and reach maximum at 22 months after planting. Thereafter, a decrease in dry matter was observed due to fruit export and fallen leaves at harvest. However, at the 28 months of planting, the biomass of pepper vine showing some increasing trend indicating the vegetative growth was reassumed for the next flowering. At 30 months, the pepper had removed 293.08 kg of nitrogen, 46.41 kg of phosphorus, 264.95 kg of potassium, 35.4 kg of magnesium and 74.82 kg of calcium. Based on data obtained, the nutrient uptake rates were lower than nutrient applied suggested that fertilizer had been overused for pepper production. In light of these results obtained, the optimum fertilizer dosage would be 62-10-62-6-18 kg/ha, 237-22-246-22-65 kg/ha and 390-62-352-47-100 kg/ha of N-P-K-Mg-Ca for the year 1, year 2 and year 3 of cropping year.

Seismic sedimentology of conglomeratic sandbodies in lower third member of Shahejie Formation (Palaeogene) in Shengtuo area, East China

The sand-conglomerate fans are the major depositional systems in the lower third member of Shahejie Formation in Shengtuo area, which formed in the deep lacustrine environment characterized by steep slope gradient, near sources and intensive tectonic activity. This work was focused on the sedimentary feature of the glutenite segment to conduct the seismic sedimentology research. The near-shore subaqueous fans and its relative gravity channel and slump turbidite fan depositions were identified according to observation and description of cores combining with the numerous data of seismic and logging. Then, the depositional model was built depending on the analysis of palaeogeomorphology. The seismic attributes which are related to the hydrocarbon but relative independent were chosen to conduct the analysis, the reservoir area of the glutenite segment was found performing a distribution where the amplitude value is relatively higher, and finally the RMS amplitude attribute was chosen to conduct the attribute predicting. At the same time, the horizontal distribution of the sedimentary facies was analyzed qualitatively. At last, the sparse spike inversion method was used to conduct the acoustic impedance inversion, and the inversion result can distinguish glutenite reservoir which is greater than 5 m. This method quantitatively characterizes the distribution area of the favorable reservoir sand.

Improving plasticity of the Zr46Cu46Al8 bulk metallic glass via thermal rejuvenation

In this paper, effects of cryogenic thermal cycling on deformation behavior and thermal stability of the Zr46Cu46AI8 bulk metallic glass （BMG） were studied. The results show that with the increase of the number of cryogenic thermal cycles （CTC）, thermal stability remains almost unchanged, while the plasticity is increased, indicating that the cryogenic thermal cyclic treatment is an effective way to improve plasticity of metallic glasses without distinctly deteriorating thermal stability. Our analysis suggests that the increase in the defect density resulted from the cryogenic thermal treatments are responsible for the plasticity increment. Variation of yield strength can be well interpreted from microstructural percolation which affected by both density and characteristic volume of the defect sites.

Co-amenability and Connes's embedding problem

A longstanding open question of Connes asks whether any finite von Neumann algebra embeds into an ultraproduct of finite-dimensional matrix algebras.As of yet,algebras verified to satisfy the Connes's embedding property belong to just a few special classes (e.g.,amenable algebras and free group factors).In this article,we prove that von Neumann algebras satisfying Popa's co-amenability have Connes's embedding property.

Rigid Properties of Quasi-almost-Einstein Metrics

In this paper,quasi-almost-Einstein metrics on complete manifolds are studied.Two examples are given and several formulas are established.With the help of these formulas,the author proves rigid results on compact or noncompact manifolds,in which some basic tools,such as the weighted volume comparison theorem and the weak maximum principle at infinity,are used.A lower bound estimate for the scalar curvature is also obtained.

Artificial solid-electrolyte interface facilitating uniform Zn deposition by promoting chemical adsorption

Zn-air batteries are promising energy storage and conversion systems to replace the conventional lithiumbased ones.However,their applications have been greatly hindered by the formation of Zn dendrites and ZnO passivation layer on the Zn anodes.Herein,we report the fabrication of an artificial protective layer comprised of N-doped threedimensional hollow porous multi-nanochannel carbon fiber with well-dispersed TiO_(2) nanoparticles(HMCNF).The incorporated TiO;nanoparticles and N dopants improve the ion flux distribution and promote the surface adsorption,facilitating the interfacial pseudocapacitive behaviors during Zn deposition.The hierarchical architecture also induces homogenous electric field distribution at the anode/electrolyte interface.Accordingly,the deposition behavior of Zn is regulated,giving rise to enhanced utilization and rechargeability of Zn.When integrated in alkaline Zn-air batteries,the HMCNF-coated Zn anodes exhibit improved electrochemical performances relative to those with the bare Zn anodes,demonstrating a versatile strategy to boost energy storage of metal anodes through optimizing surface adsorption properties.

Effects of Cu,Fe and Co addition on the glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Zr-Al-Ni bulk metallic glasses

The thermal stability,glass-forming ability(GFA) and mechanical properties of Zr60Al15Ni25xTMx(TM = Cu,Fe and Co,x = 0-10) bulk metallic glasses(BMGs) were systematically investigated.Additional 5-10 at.% Cu greatly enhances the thermal stability and GFA of the base alloy.Zr60Al15Ni15Cu10 BMG exhibits the largest supercooled liquid region of 104 K and critical diameter of 18 mm.However,addition of 5-10 at.% Fe or Co decrease the thermal stability and GFA.In addition,the plasticity of the BMG can be improved by adding of Cu,while the strength is decreased slightly.Zr60Al15Ni20Cu5 BMG has the largest plastic strain of 5.5% with a yield stress of 1755 MPa and Young's modulus of 83 GPa.Addition of Co brings an increase of strength but a lower of plasticity,and additional Fe reduces the strength and plasticity simultaneously.