Cadmium-induced DNA damage and mutations in Arabidopsis plantlet shoots identified by DNA fingerprinting

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) test is a feasible method to evaluate the toxicity of environmental pollutants on vegetal organisms. Herein, Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) plantlets following Cadmium (Cd) treatment for 26 d were screened for DNA genetic alterations by DNA fingerprinting. Four primers amplified 20-23 mutated RAPD fragments in 0.125-3.0 mg L⁻¹ Cd-treated Arabidopsis plantlets, respectively. Cloning and sequencing analysis of eight randomly selected mutated fragments revealed 99-100% homology with the genes of VARICOSE-Related, SLEEPY1 F-box, 40S ribosomal protein S3, phosphoglucomutase, and noncoding regions in Arabidopsis genome correspondingly. The results show the ability of RAPD analysis to detect significant genetic alterations in Cd-exposed seedlings. Although the exact functional importance of the other mutated bands is unknown, the presence of mutated loci in Cd-treated seedlings, prior to the onset of significant physiological effects, suggests that these altered loci are the early events in Cd-treated Arabidopsis seedlings and would greatly improve environmental risk assessment.     

Coupled hydromechanical modeling of CO2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers

Sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in deep saline aquifers has emerged as an option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. The large amounts of supercritical CO₂ that need to be injected into deep saline aquifers may cause large fluid pressure increases. The resulting overpressure may promote reactivation of sealed fractures or the creation of new ones in the caprock seal. This could lead to escape routes for CO₂. In order to assess the probability of such an event, we model an axisymmetric horizontal aquifer–caprock system, including hydromechanical coupling. We study the failure mechanisms, using a viscoplastic approach. Simulations illustrate that, depending on boundary conditions, the least favorable moment takes place at the beginning of injection. Initially, fluid pressure rises sharply because of a reduction in permeability due to desaturation. Once CO₂ fills the pores in the vicinity of the injection well and a capillary fringe is fully developed, the less viscous CO₂ displaces the brine and the capillary fringe laterally. The overpressure caused by the permeability reduction within the capillary fringe due to desaturation decreases with distance from the injection well. This results in a drop in fluid pressure buildup with time, which leads to a safer situation. Nevertheless, in the presence of low-permeability boundaries, fluid pressure continues to rise in the whole aquifer. This occurs when the radius of influence of the injection reaches the outer boundary. Thus, caprock integrity might be compromised in the long term.     

Ozone tolerance in Phaseolus vulgaris depends on more than one mechanism

Two bean cultivars with different sensitivity to ozone, i.e. the O₃-sensitive Cannellino and the O₃-tolerant Top Crop, were exposed to acute O₃-stress (165 nL L⁻¹) with the aim of evaluating physiological and biochemical traits that may confer O₃-tolerance. Stomatal conductance was smaller and the ability to dissipate excess energy, via regulated and unregulated nonphotochemical quenching mechanisms was greater in Top Crop than in Cannellino. These morphological and physiological-traits allowed the O₃-tolerant cultivar to compensate for the light-induced declines in Φ_PSII, to preserve photosystem II from excitation-energy, and likely to prevent the generation of ROS to a superior degree than the O₃-sensitive cultivar. Furthermore, the potential capacities to reducing the superoxide anion and H₂O₂ were significantly greater in Top Crop than in Cannellino. These findings are consistent with the early accumulation of H₂O₂, the almost complete disruption of cell structure, and irreversible damages to the photosynthetic apparatus observed in the O₃-sensitive cultivar.     

粘滞阻尼支撑框架结构弹塑性时程分析

对阻尼支撑框架结构的弹塑性时程分析方法进行了探讨,给出了阻尼支撑的力学计算模型;对地震动的选用进行了分析,给出了地震动选取的初步建议。建立了两个三层的单榀粘滞阻尼支撑框架结构,利用IDARC 2D非线性分析软件进行了弹塑性时程分析,对框架弹塑性阶段的地震响应、塑性铰分布及结构损伤进行了对比研究,提出了阻尼支撑框架结构的设计要点,为实际工程提供设计依据。     

基于结构多尺度分析的超大跨斜拉桥损伤定位方法研究

以苏通大桥斜拉桥的扁平钢箱梁结构为分析对象,采用子结构方法,将扁平钢箱梁结构的整体尺度动力特性和细节尺度构件损伤相互衔接,实现了超大跨斜拉桥的多尺度损伤分析。在此基础上,对模态曲率指标和模态应变能指标的损伤识别效果进行了对比分析。结果表明:采用子结构方法可以有效地实现钢箱梁局部构件损伤与整体结构响应的多尺度衔接,从而较真实地研究钢箱梁局部构件损伤对超大跨斜拉桥动力特性的影响;无噪声情况下,模态曲率指标能正确识别所有损伤工况,而模态应变能指标则对部分损伤工况的识别效果较差;模态应变能指标的抗噪声能力总体上优于模态曲率指标。     

结构响应与损伤识别敏感性探讨

利用小波多分辨分析的特性,研究结构不同位置加速度响应信号对损伤的敏感性问题。通过对一个5层框架结构在不同损伤工况下的数值计算结果表明,不同位置的加速度传感器表征结构损伤特性的能力是不同的,每一传感器只能描述其附近区域结构的工作状态。如果仅利用某一个或者某一些传感器信息进行损伤诊断,就有可能导致错误的诊断结论。只有综合利用多传感器的数据信息,才能使损伤识别更具全局性,才可能准确地识别出结构损伤的发生。     

地铁盾构施工泡沫剂改良土体控制渗害的试验研究

地铁建设中地下水影响是环境损伤事故最重要的诱因,分析了近年地铁施工及渗害诱发地层沉降、建筑坍塌的典型工程事故。鉴于泡沫剂改良渣土是盾构隧道施工中维护开挖面稳定及控制地层渗害的极端重要性,研制了一种新型泡沫剂发泡装置,进行了泡沫剂改良地层的系列实验研究,获得了泡沫剂对粘性土和砂土的渗透性影响、流动性影响的实验规律,可为盾构施工中开挖面稳定性与渗害控制提供重要依据。     

大丰风电场建设对盐城自然保护区的生态影响分析

研究了大丰风电场一期、二期工程对盐城沿海湿地珍禽国家级自然保护区的生态影响.结果表明,在自然保护区实验区内建风电场会改变自然保护区生态结构和功能,使生物量减少,鸟类栖息地丧失,物种多样性下降,景观破碎化.提出了对策措施,以降低由于风电场的建设对自然保护区造成的生态影响.     

毛乌素沙漠东部边缘中β尺度暴雨和冰雹综合分析

利用多普勒雷达资料、Micaps系统提供的常规观测资料和物理量场,对2006年9月20日发生在毛乌素沙漠东部边缘的一次强对流天气过程进行了分析。结果表明:冰雹和暴雨是由两块呈块状的中β尺度强对流单体造成的;地面能量比中α尺度"Ω"系统的生成,为能量的积聚和集中释放提供了有利条件;地面能量比中β尺度能量比低值舌的生成,为强对流天气的发生提供了抬升触发机制;冰雹和暴雨发生前,涡度场和散度场的耦合、影响雹暴区次级环流的形成,为雹暴的发生维持提供了动力机制;850 hPa等压面上湿正压场和湿斜压场的配合、以及湿位涡的三维空间结构,对雹暴的发生及落区有指示意义;在多普勒雷达径向速度场上,雹暴运动的前方对流层低层有中气旋生成,雹暴运动的后方对流层低层有中反气旋生成,而对流层中高层有辐散生成,且超级单体特征明显。     

多层砌体房屋震害预测分析

对目前我国房屋建筑中一种最为广泛应用的结构形式房屋——多层砌体房屋进行震害预测分析研究,简要介绍六种常用的多层砌体震害预测方法,易损性概率分析法或称为半经验半理论法、强度判别法、延性系数判别法、模糊类比法、人工神经网络法和结构理论计算法,在详细调查房屋基本情况的基础上,综合考虑以上几种方法,提出相应的震害预测的分析方法。对郑东新区砌体房屋进行震害预测,做出该地区的震害矩阵,并给出该地区砌体房屋在地震作用下的破坏程度及相应震害面积。