One-electron standard reduction potentials of nitroaromatic and cyclic nitramine explosives

Extensive studies have been conducted in the past decades to predict the environmental abiotic and biotic redox fate of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives. However, surprisingly little information is available on one-electron standard reduction potentials (E^o(R-NO₂/R-NO₂⁻)). The E^o(R-NO₂/R-NO₂⁻) is an essential thermodynamic parameter for predicting the rate and extent of reductive transformation for energetic residues. In this study, experimental (linear free energy relationships) and theoretical (ab initio calculation) approaches were employed to determine E^o(R-NO₂/R-NO₂⁻) for nitroaromatic, (caged) cyclic nitramine, and nitroimino explosives that are found in military installations or are emerging contaminants. The results indicate a close agreement between experimental and theoretical E^o(R-NO₂/R-NO₂⁻) and suggest a key trend: E^o(R-NO₂/R-NO₂⁻) value decreases from di- and tri-nitroaromatic (e.g., 2,4-dinitroanisole) to nitramine (e.g., RDX) to nitroimino compound (e.g., nitroguanidine). The observed trend in E^o(R-NO₂/R-NO₂⁻) agrees with reported rate trends for reductive degradation, suggesting a thermodynamic control on the reduction rate under anoxic/suboxic conditions.     

Preparation of Alginic Acid and Metal Alginate from Algae and their Comparative Study

Alginic acid and metal alginates are prepared from fresh algae using extraction method. A FTIR spectrum indicates that alginic acid is converted into the metal alginate. Comparing calcium and cobalt alginates, asymmetric stretching of free carboxyl group of calcium alginate at 1630 cm⁻¹ is shifted to 1585 cm⁻¹ in cobalt alginate, due to the change of charge density, radius and atomic weight of the cation, creating a new environment around the carbonyl group. The strong exothermic peak of alginic acid in DSC thermogram indicates the decomposition of biopolymer, whereas strong exothermic peak of metal alginate in DSC thermogram attributed to the decomposition of biopolymer and formation of respective carbonate. Based on DSC study, the decomposition of cobalt alginate occurs at higher temperature comparing to those of sodium and calcium alginate, which may conclude into the higher stability of cobalt alginate. TGA results reveal that, cobalt alginate is more stable than calcium and sodium alginate at 300 °C temperature. Surface morphology (at same magnification), as well as porosity (%) and pore size distribution results change with metals present in different metal alginates.     

Degradation of a Terephthalate-containing Polyester by Thermophilic Actinomycetes and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> Species Derived from Composts

We intended to find thermophilic degraders of terephthalate-containing Biomax^® films. Films in mesh bags were buried in composts (inside temperature: approximately 55–60 °C), resulting in the degradation of them in 2 weeks. Fluorescent microscopy of films recovered from composts showed that microorganisms gradually covered the surface of a film during composting. DGGE analysis of microorganisms on the composted film indicated the presence of Bacillus species as main species (approximately 80% of microbial flora) and actinomycetes (approximately 10–20%) as the second major flora. Isolation of Biomax^®-utilizing bacteria was focused on these two genera: two actinomycetes and one Bacillus species were isolated as pure best degraders from the composted polymer films, which were fragmented into small pieces. All the strains were thermophilic and identified, based on their 16S rDNA analyses. Degradation of polymer films was confirmed by (1) accelerated fragmentation of films in composts, compared with a control (no inoculum) and resultant decrease in molecular weights, (2) growth in a powdered Biomax^® medium, compared with a control without powdered Biomax^®, and (3) production of terephthalate in a powdered Biomax^® medium. In this way, we concluded that these bacteria were useful for degradation of thermostable Biomax^® products.     

Accumulation, speciation and cellular localization of copper in Sesbania drummondii

Growth, accumulation and intracellular speciation and distribution of copper (Cu) in Sesbania drummondii was studied using scanning-electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The growth of seedlings was assessed in terms of biomass accumulation. The growth of the seedling was enhanced by 73.5% at a low Cu concentration (50 mg l⁻¹) compared to the control treatment. Additionally, seedling growth was inhibited by 18% at 300 mg l⁻¹ Cu with respect to the control. Copper concentration in roots and shoots was increased with increasing Cu concentration in the growth solution. The accumulation of Cu was found to be higher in roots than in the shoots. At a concentration of 300 mg l⁻¹ Cu, the roots accumulated 27,440 mg Cu kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw) while shoots accumulated 1282 mg Cu kg⁻¹ dw. Seedlings were assessed for photosynthetic activity by measuring chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters: F_v/F_m and F_v/F₀ values. Photosynthetic integrity was not affected by any of the Cu treatments. The X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) studies showed that Cu was predominantly present as Cu(II) in Sesbania tissue. In addition, from the XAS studies it was shown that the Cu exists in a mixture of different coordination states consisting of Cu bound to sugars and small organic acids with some possible precipitated copper oxide. From the EXAFS studies, the coordination of Cu was determined to have four equatorial oxygen(nitrogen) ligands at 1.96 Å and two axial oxygen ligands at 2.31 Å. Scanning-electron microscopy studies revealed the distribution of Cu within the seedlings tissues, predominantly accumulated in the cortical and vascular (xylem) regions of root tissues. In the stem, most of the Cu was found within the xylem tissue. However, the deposition of Cu within the leaf tissues was in the parenchyma. The present study demonstrates the mechanisms employed by S. drummondii for Cu uptake and its biotransformation.     

Injection Molded Biocomposites from Soy Protein Based Bioplastic and Short Industrial Hemp Fiber

Biocomposites from soy based bioplastic and chopped industrial hemp fiber were fabricated using twin-screw extrusion and injection molding process. Soy based bioplastics were prepared through cooking with plasticizer and blending with biodegradable poly(ester amide). Mechanical, thermal properties and fracture surface morphology of the “green”/biocomposites were evaluated with universal testing system (UTS), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). It was found that the tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, impact strength and heat deflection temperature of industrial hemp fiber reinforced biocomposites significantly improved. The fracture surfaces showed no signs of matrix on the fiber surface suggesting poor interfacial adhesion.     

Urban geochemistry: research strategies to assist risk assessment and remediation of brownfield sites in urban areas

Urban geochemical maps of Wolverhampton and Nottingham, based on multielement analysis of surface soils, have shown distribution patterns of “total” metals concentrations relating to past and present industrial and domestic land use and transport systems. Several methods have been used to estimate the solubility and potential bioavailability of metals, their mineral forms and potential risks to urban population groups. These include sequential chemical extraction, soil pore water extraction and analysis, mineralogical analysis by scanning electron microscopy, source apportionment by lead isotope analysis and the development of models to predict metal uptake by homegrown vegetables to provide an estimate of risk from metal consumption and exposure. The results from these research strategies have been integrated with a geographical information system (GIS) to provide data for future land-use planning.     

Comparative growth response of two varieties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> L. (var. PDM 54 and var. NM 1) grown on different tannery sludge applications: effects of treated wastewater and ground water used for irrigation

This study evaluates the possibility of using contaminated soil by treated tannery wastewater and the use of tannery sludge in agriculture. The plants of Vigna radiata var. PDM 54 grown on contaminated soil and irrigated with ground water have not shown the translocation of toxic metal (Cr) in the upper part. The biomass of the plant increased when irrigated with treated tannery wastewater compared to ground water, whereas no significant change was observed in chlorophyll and protein contents. In both the varieties (var. PDM 54 and var. NM 1) of V. radiata grown on tannery sludge amendments, the growth parameters exhibited a pronounced positive growth response up to 35% tannery sludge amendments compared with the plants grown on garden soil. Despite the Cr accumulation at lower amendments, no toxicity symptoms were observed in both the varieties of the plants. Higher amendments affected various growth parameters, NR activity, and carbohydrate content of the plants. The results suggest that the plants of V. radiata (var. PDM 54) may be grown on contaminated soil or lower sludge amendments and irrigated with ground water. No translocation of toxic metal Cr was found in the seeds of the plants grown in up to 25% tannery sludge. However, periodical monitoring is required before the consumption of seeds. Overall, the results showed that plant growth patterns were influenced to some extent by the level of soil contamination and the water used for irrigation.     

淹没式膜生物反应器中膜污染机理的研究

为减小微生物絮体对膜的污染,设计了一种具有沉降室的膜生物反应器,膜A与膜B分别淹没在上清液和污泥混合液中以相同的抽吸方式运行,与预期结果相反,膜A比膜B的污染速度还快．为探讨膜污染机理,考察了污泥混合液中不同组分对膜污染的影响,利用扫描电镜和原子力显微镜分析了膜面污染层的特征．结果发现,在污泥混合液与上清液中膜面污染层在微观结构上存在显差异,其方差平均粗糙度Rms分别为132．3nm和75．2nm．经膜污染机理分析认为：微生物絮体和大分子有机物会在膜面形成污染层,该污染层作为“二次膜”影响膜过滤性能．上清液中细小的微生物絮体和大分子有机物形成的污染层相对致密,会加剧膜污染．     

AFM probe based nano mechanical scribing of soda-lime glass

In recent years, demands for miniature components have increased due to their reduced size, weight and energy consumption. In particular, brittle materials such as glass can provide high stiffness, hardness, corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength for various biomedical and high-temperature applications. In this study, cutting properties and the effects of machining parameters on the ductile cutting of soda-lime glass are investigated through the nano-scale scratching process. In order to understand the fundamentals of the material removal mechanism at the atomic scale, such as machined surface quality, cutting forces and the apparent friction, theoretical investigation along with experimental study are needed. Scribing tests have been performed using a single crystal diamond atomic force microscope (AFM) probe as the scratching tool, in order to find the cutting mechanism of soda-lime glass in the nano-scale. The extended lateral force calibration method is proposed to acquire accurate lateral forces. The experimental thrust and cutting forces are obtained and apparent friction coefficients are deduced. The effects of feed rates and the ploughing to shearing transition of soda-lime glass have been investigated.     

石英ESR法在河流沉积物源示踪中的探讨及应用

使用石英ESR法示踪河流沉积物源是一种新方法和新理论的探索。本文从拟解决的科学问题出发,在着重分析石英ESR信号强度和CI值物源示踪理论基础之上,讨论了该方法在亚洲现代沙尘沉降物源示踪和地质历史时期风尘堆积物源示踪研究中的有效性,结合ESR测年可覆盖整个第四纪时期的特性,认为石英ESR法不仅可以为物源示踪提供良好的年代框架约束,而且还可以较好的反映地质历史时期沉积物质来源在不同时空尺度上的变化特征。随后,通过对指导思想、研究思路以及长江流域不同河段和主要支流的地质地貌背景、岩石类型分布、水系组合特征以及"源-汇"系统之间物质剥蚀-堆积过程的可通达性等方面的综合论述与分析,讨论了石英ESR法在河流沉积物源示踪上的有效性及其在研究长江流域水系发育历史和沉积演化过程中的可行性。