Preparation of iron phosphate from sludge sourced from the electrocoagulation treatment of source-separated urine

In order to prepare iron phosphate by waste sludge, we report a method for effective utilization of the sludge obtained from the electrocoagulation treatment of source-separated urine. The sludge was dissolved with hydrochloric acid and pretreated with H₂O₂ and Na₃PO₄; finally, NaOH was added to precipitate iron phosphate from the solution. Thermal treatment of the precipitate at 750 °C in air yielded crystalline quartz-like anhydrous FePO₄. The precipitate was characterized by a number of thermal techniques such as thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction.     

New variogram modeling method using MGGP and SVR

A critical step for kriging in geostatistics is estimation of the variogram. Traditional variogram modeling comprise of the experimental variogram calculation, appropriate variogram model selection and model parameter determination. Selecting of the variogram model and fitting of model parameters is the most controversial aspect of geostatistics. Shapes of valid variogram models are finite, and sometimes, the optimal shape of the model can not be fitted, leading to reduced estimation accuracy. In this paper, a new method is presented to automatically construct a model shape and fit model parameters to experimental variograms using Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Multi-Gene Genetic Programming (MGGP). The proposed method does not require the selection of a variogram model and can directly provide the model shape and parameters of the optimal variogram. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated in a number of cases.     

Development and Extension of An Aggregated Scale Model: Part 1 – Background to ASMITA

Whilst much attention has been given to models that describe wave, tide and sediment transport processes in sufficient detail to determine the local changes in bed level over a relatively detailed representation of the bathymetry, far less attention has been given to models that consider the problem at a much larger scale (e.g. that of geomorphological elements such as a tidal flat and tidal channel). Such aggregated or lumped models tend not to represent the processes in detail but rather capture the behaviour at the scale of interest. One such model developed using the concept of an equilibrium concentration is the Aggregated Scale Morphological Interaction between Tidal basin and Adjacent coast (ASMITA). In this paper we provide some new insights into the concepts of equilibrium, and horizontal and vertical exchange that are key components of this modelling approach. In a companion paper, we summarise a range of developments that have been undertaken to extend the original model concept, to illustrate the flexibility and power of the conceptual framework. However, adding detail progressively moves the model in the direction of the more detailed process-based models and we give some consideration to the boundary between the two.     

Establishment and characterization of a testicular Sertoli cell line from olive flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

The culture of Sertoli cells has become an indispensable resource in studying spermatogenesis. A new Sertoli cell line (POSC) that consisted predominantly of fibroblast-like cells was derived from the testis of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and sub-cultured for 48 passages. Analysis of the mtDNA COI gene partial sequence confirmed that the cell line was from P. olivaceus. Cells were optimally maintained at 25°C in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum, basic fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor. The growth curve of POSC showed a typical “S” shape. Chromosome analysis revealed that the cell line possessed the normal P. olivaceus diploid karyotype of 2n=48t. POSC expressed dmrt1 but not vasa, which was detected using RT-PCR and sequencing. Immunocytochemistry revealed that the cells exhibited the testicular Sertoli cell marker FasL. Therefore, POSC appeared to consist of testicular Sertoli cells. Bright fluorescent signals were observed after the cells were transfected with pEGFP-N3 plasmid, with the transfection efficiency reaching 10%. This research not only offers an ideal model for further gene expression and regulation studies on P. olivaceus, but also serves as valuable material in studying fish spermatogenesis, Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions, and the mechanism of growth and development of testis.     

Impact factors identification of spatial heterogeneity of herbaceous plant diversity on five southern islands of Miaodao Archipelago in North China

Herbaceous plants are widely distributed on islands and where they exhibit spatial heterogeneity. Accurately identifying the impact factors that drive spatial heterogeneity can reveal typical island biodiversity patterns. Five southern islands in the Miaodao Archipelago, North China were studied herein. The spatial distribution of herbaceous plant diversity on these islands was analyzed, and the impact factors and their degree of impact on spatial heterogeneity were identified using CCA ordination and ANOVA. The results reveal 114 herbaceous plant species, belonging to 94 genera from 34 families in the 50 plots sampled. The total species numbers on different islands were significantly positively correlated with island area, and the average α diversity was correlated with human activities, while the β diversity among islands was more affected by island area than mutual distances. Spatial heterogeneity within islands indicated that the diversities were generally high in areas with higher altitude, slope, total nitrogen, total carbon, and canopy density, and lower moisture content, pH, total phosphorus, total potassium, and aspect. Among the environmental factors, pH, canopy density, total K, total P, moisture content, altitude, and slope had significant gross effects, but only canopy density exhibited a significant net effect. Terrain affected diversity by restricting plantation, plantation in turn influenced soil properties and the two together affected diversity. Therefore, plantation was ultimately the fundamental driving factor for spatial heterogeneity in herbaceous plant diversity on the five islands.     

江西牛形坝-柳木坑金银铅锌多金属矿床铋矿物类型及指示意义

江西银坑矿田的牛形坝-柳木坑矿床是赣南于都-赣县矿集区典型的金银铅锌多金属矿床。根据野外调研、系统矿相学研究和电子探针成分分析,表明铋在牛形坝-柳木坑矿床中是一种重要的伴生矿化金属元素,呈独立矿物或呈微细矿物包体分布在早期硫化物内部或边缘。铋矿物种类丰富,主要包括块硫铋银矿、硫铋银矿、板硫铋铜铅矿、针硫铋铅矿、硫铜铋矿、库辉铋铜铅矿、辉碲铋矿等。与同一矿集区石英脉型盘古山钨铋矿床相比,两矿床铋矿物种类均出现Pb-Ag-Bi-S、Te-Bi-S元素组合,赋存形式和含量有所不同,Cu-Pb-Bi-S元素组合仅在牛形坝-柳木坑矿床出现。矿床属于Au-Bi-(低Te)-S体系,铋盐矿物形成于中低温、中高密度、低盐度的成矿环境。从岩浆中分馏出来的成矿流体发生减压沸腾迫使大量蒸汽相逸散,硫逸度增加,铋主要以硫络合物形式运移,随着黄铁矿等硫化物沉淀,硫被大量消耗形成金矿物和碲化物(碲银矿)。成矿流体演化过程中由于温度和硫逸度进一步降低导致在成矿后期沉淀出大量铋硫盐矿物。成矿过程中的Bi促进金的迁移富集。铋矿物在两矿床中的赋存特征、化学成分、形成环境以及沉淀机制等表现出差异,说明铋具有成矿选择性,起到对成矿物质示踪的作用。