Development, assessment and implementation of integrated stormwater management plan: a case study in Shanghai

An innovative stormwater master plan based on low impact development LID is proposed.Unlike the traditional urban drainage plan this plan employs a sustainable stormwater management approach in communities utilizing LID practices to reduce runoff and pollution load. An integrated hydraulic model which combines the traditional drainage sewer system with LID practices is adopted to assess the master plan.Through a long-term continuous simulation for 20 years the results reveal that the runoff volume will be reduced by over 80% following full implementation of this plan. Combining with the local conditions technical guidelines are established to provide assistance in implementing the stormwater master plan. Bioretention facilities for three main roads are constructed and other areas of development are being implemented sequentially under the guidance of the plan. This project provides an alternative method of stormwater management through the implementation of LID and it acts as a good example for other developing districts in China.

Infliximab to treat severe ulcerative colitis

A 48-year-old female with severe ulcerative colitis refractory to conventional therapy was referred to our facility for management. The patient showed extensive ulcerative colitis since the age of 20 years and had failed therapy with 5-aminosalicylic acid agents and azathioprine. The disease remained active despite treatment with steroids and cyclosporine. The clinical and endoscopic parameters were consistent with severe disease. Infectious precipitants were ruled out. Given the severity of the disease and in order to avoid a colectomy, we started the patient on infliximab therapy. A dramatic clinical and endoscopic response was observed and she remained in remission at the end of a 1-year follow-up period. We discuss findings in the literature regarding the use ofinfliximab therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis who have failed steroids and cyclosporine.

Defect and Innovation of Water Rights System

The rare deposition of water resources conflicts with its limitless demand. This determined the existence of the water rights transaction system. The implementation of the water rights transaction system requires clarifying the definition of water resource right above all distinctly. At present, it is a kind of common right system arrangement which needs the Chinese government to dispose of water resources. Though a series of management systems guaranteed the government＇s supply of water resource, it hindered the development of the water market seriously and caused the utilization of water resources to stay in the inefficient or low efficient state for a long time. Thus, we should change the government＇s leading role in the resource distribution and really rely on the market to carry on the water rights trade and transaction. In this way, the water rights could become a kind of private property right relatively, and circulate freely in the market. As a result of this, we should overcome the defects of common right, make its external performance internalized maximally and achieve the optimized water resource disposition and use it more effectively.

Upper Lillooet River Hydroelectric Project： The Challenges of Constructing a Power Tunnel for Run-of-River Hydro Projects in Mountainous British Columbia

The Upper Lillooet River Hydroelectric Project （ULHP） is a run-of-river power generation scheme located near Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada, consisting of two separate hydroelectric facilities （HEFs） with a combined capacity of 106.7 MW. These HEFs are owned by the Upper Lillooet River Power Limited Partnership and the Boulder Creek Power Limited Partnership, and civil and tunnel construction was completed by CRT-ebc. The Upper Lillooet River HEF includes the excavation ofa 6 m wide by 5.5 m high and approximately 2500 m long tunnel along the Upper Lillooet River Valley. The project is in a moun- tainous area; severe restrictions imposed by weather conditions and the presence of sensitive wildlife species constrained the site operations in order to limit environmental impacts. The site is adjacent to the Mount Meager Volcanic Complex, the most recently active volcano in Western Canada. Tunneling conditions were very challenging, including a section through deposits associated with the most recent eruption from Mount Meager Volcanic Complex （-2360 years before the present）. This tunnel section included welded breccia and unconsolidated deposits composed of loose pumice, organics （that represent an old forest floor）, and till, before entering the underlying tonalite bedrock. The construction of this section of the tunnel required cover grouting, umbrella support, and excavation with a combination of road header, hydraulic hammer, and drilling-and-blasting method. This paper provides an overview of the project, a summary of the key design and construction schedule challenges, and a description of the successful excavation of the tunnel through deposits associated with the recent volcanic activity.

Combined Effect of Nutrient and Pest Management on Soil Ecological Quality in Hybrid Rice Double-Cropping System

The mineral fertilizers (NPK) and pesticide, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were applied alone or in combination and the soil sampling was done at different growth stages during the crop cycle to study the changes in soil organic matter, microbial biomass and their activity parameters in a paddy soil with different nutrient and pest management practices in a hybrid rice double-cropping system. A consistent increase in the electron transport system (ETS) activity was measured during the different crop growth stages of rice. The use of fertilizers (NPK) alone or with pesticides increased ETS activity, while a decline of ETS activity was noticed with pesticides alone as compared with the control. Nearly an increasing trend in soil phenol content was observed with the progression of crop growth stages, while the usage of pesticides alone caused maximum increments in the soil phenol content. The soil protein content was found nearly stable with fertilizers and/or pesticides application at various growth stages in both crops taken. But notable changes were noticed at different growth stages probably because of fluctuations in moisture and temperature at particular stages, which might have their effects on N mineralization. Marked depletions in the phospholipid content were found with the advancement of crop growth stages, while the incorporation of fertilizers and/or pesticides also produced slight changes, in which a higher decline was noticed with pesticide application alone compared with the control.

Impact of Low-Impact Development Technologies from an Ecological Perspective in Different Residential Zones of the City of Atlanta, Georgia

Low-impact development （LID） technologies have a great potential to reduce water usage and stormwa- ter runoff and are therefore seen as sustainable improvements that can be made to traditional water infrastructure, These technologies include bioretention areas, rainwater capturing, and xeriscaping, all of which can be used in residential zones, Within the City of Atlanta, residential water usage accounts for 53% of the total water consumption; therefore, residential zones offer significant impact potential for the implementation of LID, This study analyzes the use of LID strategies within the different residen- tial zones of the City of Atlanta from an ecological perspective by drawing analogies to natural ecosys- tems, The analysis shows that these technologies, especially with the addition of a graywater system, work to improve the conventional residential water network based upon these ecological metrics, The higher metric values suggest greater parity with healthy, natural ecosystems.

Effects of Land-Cover Changes and Other Remediations on Hydrology of Xinjiang River Sub-Watershed

To determine whether reforestation efforts in the denuded hills have significant impacts on hydrology in the Xinjiang River watershed, the authors examined eight land-cover scenarios to compare hydrologic responses and to provide a conceptual basis for restoration practices. The authors analyzed a 17-year time period using remote sensing to develop land-cover classification for the watershed. Climate, soil and terrain data for the watershed were used as input in the SWAT （soil and water analysis tool） to quantify and compare the impacts on hydrologic processes. The model was calibrated to a two-year record of stream discharge measurements. The results show significant increase in forest-cover on hills （13%）. However, the hydrological response is not very significant considering the changes in forest-cover, the surface runoff and percolation ratios only changed by 2% and 1% over time. Installment of earthen irrigation ponds in the outlets of sub-basin with maximum runoff had provided the most significant hydrologic improvements and could provide irrigation water to increase crop yield on remaining cropland. The study will provide information to the local government to aid decision-making in sustainable reforestation programs resulting in better hydrologic functioning for sustainable water resource management.

Research on the Present Situation and Improvement Strategy of Water Conservancy Project Construction Quality Management based on the Quality Efficiency Equilibrium Theory

In this paper, we conduct research on the present situation and improvement strategy of the water conservancy project construction quality management based on quality efficiency equilibrium theory. Water conservancy engineering construction enterprises should refer to oneself circumstance, and the characteristics of the water conservancy project, determine the quality objectives of specific quality assurance plan and the related measures, clear implementation content, methods and effects. Strictly control the factors influencing the water conservancy engineering quality of many aspects, in the process of the water conservancy project construction, to establish a meet the requirements of the technical process and quality standards, operation procedures. Establish the strict appraisal system, continuous improvement and improve the level of construction technique and technology. Establish strict quality assurance system and quality responsibility system, each division, subdivisional work will comprehensively implement in place management to ensure the engineering quality.