Advanced Materials Research Vols. 378-379

Abstract: Map symbol is the basis of digital cartography, and ArcGIS is the best suited digital cartography GIS software in the current. As the same as other GIS software, symbol database of ArcGIS still cannot completely satisfy the requirement of digital chart production and display. Therefore, we must create symbol database according to the Map chart requirements. The paper described the design method of Map Symbol database under the condition of ArcGIS, and discussed respectively the production of different kinds of symbols, expanding ArcGIS symbol database.

Abstract: The effects of nitric oxide (NO) in protecting maize (Zea mays) roots against cadmium (Cd) toxicity were investigated. Maize seedlings pretreated for 24 h with 10-40 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, and subsequently exposed to 5 µM Cd for 24 h exhibited significantly greater root elongation as compared with the plants without SNP pretreatment. The pretreatment with 20 µM SNP alleviated Cd toxicity most obviously. SNP reduced Cd-induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malonodialdehyde (MDA), which indicated NO alleviated Cd-induced oxidative damage. Cd treatment resulted in an upregulation of activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and the contents of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (ASC). Though SNP suppresses activities of POD, SOD and APX, it increases the production of non-enzymic antioxidants including glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (ASC). The protective effect of SNP on Cd toxicity can be reversed by 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5 -tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), a NO scavenger, suggesting that the protective effect of SNP is attributable to NO released. These results suggest that NO plays an important role in protecting the plant against Cd-induced oxidative damage.

Abstract: This paper considers the demineralization of mine water using a lab-scale electrodialysis unit EDR-Z/10-1.0. Experiment were carried out on real mine water from Jeremenko water pit complex (DIAMO s.p., ODRA Ostrava branch, Czech Republic). These mine water greatly affect surface water quality, especially high concentration of dissolved solids, sulfates and chlorides. Aim of research was to treatment of mine water to quality corresponding with legislative limits for surface water. Electrodialysis tests were conducted in the batch and feed-and-bleed modes. It was demonstrated that electordialysis is good way for mine water treatment.

Abstract: A sliding block model is developed for predicting the runout of high-speed landslides, which couple with SPH method (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) to simulate impulse wave. This model adopts the limit equilibrium analysis approach to simulate the whole travel process of the soil mass from the onset of the landslide. The submarine landslide produces highly unsteady and rapidly varied flows, so it was very complicated by fixed grid numerical simulations. The SPH method is a meshfree particle-based Lagrangian method. A sample test is given which shows the impulsive waves generated by high-speed landslide can be reproduced well.

Abstract: Abscisic acid (ABA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) treatment significantly increased chilling tolerance in maize seedlings. ABA in combination with nitric oxide (NO) donor SNP further enhanced the ABA-induced chilling tolerance. But the addition of NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) nullified the increasing effect of SNP on chilling tolerance. In addition, the combination of ABA and PTIO decreased the ABA-induced chilling tolerance. Measurement of activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and the level of lipid peroxidation (in terms of malondialdehyde) indicated that chilling stress induced an oxidative stress in maize seedlings. ABA treatment enabled maize seedlings to maintain higher SOD and CAT activities and lower level of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation under chilling stress. ABA in combination with SNP further enhanced the ABA-induced increase in SOD and CAT activities and lowered the chilling stress-induced lipid peroxidation in the ABA-treated seedlings. But the addition of PTIO scavenged the increasing effect of SNP. In addition, the combination of ABA and PTIO had a contrary effect with that of ABA and SNP. These results suggest that the ABA-induced chilling tolerance is mediated by NO, NO is involved in ABA-induced chilling tolerance by increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced endogenous H2O2 accumulation.

Abstract: PCR-DGGE was applied to analyze the relationship between pH and the microbial community structure of Sequence Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR) autotrophic nitrogen removal process. The reactor was possessed of a high nitrogen removal efficiency at pH=8.0 where the similarity of microbial community structure between active sludge and biofilm samples was the lowest about 84.6% and the richness of bacterial community was the most abundant in biofilm compared with other pH conditions. pH=7.0 was good for the microbes in active sludge but unfavorable for anaerobic bacteria. At pH=9.0, the effects were presented with both bacterial activities and microbial community structure and when pH=6.0 the amount of microbial types dramatically dropped

Abstract: The issues of energy shortage, global warming and climate change have led to an increased interest in new energy sector, such as microalgae-based biofuels. There are many advantages to produce microalgae as a biofuel feedstock, for instance, high photosynthesis efficiency and uncompetition with traditional agriculture on farmlands. Benefiting from current culturing technologies, such as open ponds and photobioreactors, commercial microalgae farming (e.g., Earthrise) is booming. In this regard, identifying the main environmental benefits associated with microalgae production is pretty important to support this promising industry. Although there are many researches on microalgae production, published information available on the sustainably environmental benefits is fragmented. The aims of this paper are to investigate and analyze environmental benefits related with microalgae biomass production for biofuel usage from sustainability perspective, systematically and explicitly, including water resource, land, nutrient, greenhouse gases and genetic modification dimensions.

Abstract: The paper deals with the properties of mixtures on the base of fly ash and sludge from the metallurgical production. The mixture composition of this group is grounded in the knowledge acquired during testing of various mixtures. The mixtures of sludge and coal fly ash and/or cement after of curing were used for tests. The uniaxial compressive strength of solidified sludge was examined. To understand the behaviour of mixtures in the long term, the prepared mixtures were tested after 14, 28, 56 and 120 days.

Abstract: Air sparging (AS) is one of the in-situ groundwater remediation techniques for remediating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contaminated soil, and the knowledge of air flow features is essential in designing air sparging system for soil remediation. The centrifuge modeling technique was employed to simulate the in-situ conditions and to investigate air follow characteristics during air sparging by using glass beads as soils. Several centrifugal modeling tests were performed under various g-levels. According to the test results, the zone of influence (ZOI) during air sparging is in a truncated-cone shape under various g-levels, which can be expressed by the lateral expansion around the air injection point and the cone angle between the vertical axis and the boundary of ZOI. A 2D numerical model is used to model the air movement during air sparging process. The ZOI and the water saturation distribution were obtained. The results agree well with the centrifuge test data, which indicates the two phase flow model is reasonable to simulate the air sparging process. It was also shown that air compressibility and buoyant force have a significant influence on the extent of ZOI and should be adequately considered. Hence centrifuge modeling and numerical simulation can be used as a design tool for in-situ air sparging system

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) failure mechanism, based on the framework of the kinematical approach of limit analysis theory, is applied to calculate the face supporting pressure of a circular tunnel driven by the Earth Pressure Balance Shield (EPBS). The geometry of the mechanisms considered is composed of a sequence of truncated rigid cones. The numerical results obtained are presented.