Calcium promotes cadmium elimination as vaterite grains by tobacco trichomes

In tobacco plants, elimination of Zn and Cd via the production of Ca-containing grains at the top of leaf hairs, called trichomes, is a potent detoxification mechanism. This study examines how Cd is incorporated in these biominerals, and how calcium growth supplement modifies their nature. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX), microfocused X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD), and microfocused X-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES) spectroscopy were used to image the morphology of the grains, identify the crystallized mineral phases, and speciate Cd, respectively. The mineralogy of the grains and chemical form of Cd varied with the amount of Ca. When tobacco plants were grown in a nutrient solution containing 25 μM Cd and low Ca supplement (Ca/Cd = 11 mol ratio), most of the grains were oblong-shaped and low-Cd-substituted calcite. When exposed to the same amount of Cd and high Ca supplement (Ca/Cd = 131 mol ratio), grains were more abundant and diverse in compositions, and in total more Cd was eliminated. Most grains in the high Ca/Cd experiment were round-shaped and composed predominantly of Cd-substituted vaterite, a usually metastable calcium carbonate polymorph, and subordinate calcite. Calcium oxalate and a Ca amorphous phase were detected occasionally in the two treatments, but were devoid of Cd. The biomineralization of cadmium and implications of results for Cd exposure of smokers and phytoremediation are discussed.     

Age Estimation and Growth Performance of the Blackthroat Seaperch,Doederleinia berycoides (Hilgendorf, 1879), in Korean Waters

Ocean Science Journal - Age and growth estimations are important fisheries management tools to gain insight into the population structures of commercially important fish species. Despite their...     

Application of a fuzzy operator to susceptibility estimations of coal mine subsidence in Taebaek City,Korea

Quantitative determination of locations vulnerable to ground subsidence at mining regions is necessary for effective prevention. In this paper, a method of constructing subsidence susceptibility maps based on fuzzy relations is proposed and tested at an abandoned underground coal mine in Korea. An advantage of fuzzy combination operators over other methods is that the operation is mathematically and logically easy to understand and its implementation to GIS software is simple and straightforward. A certainty factor analysis was used for estimating the relative weight of eight major factors influencing ground subsidence. The relative weight of each factor was then converted into a fuzzy membership value and integrated as a subsidence hazard index using fuzzy combination operators, which produced coal mine subsidence susceptibility maps. The susceptibility maps were compared with the reported ground subsidence areas, and the results showed high accuracy between our prediction and the actual subsidence. Based on the root mean square error and accuracy in terms of success rates, fuzzy γ-operator with a low γ value and fuzzy algebraic product operator, specifically, are useful for ground subsidence prediction. Comparing the results of a fuzzy γ-operator and a conventional logistic regression model, the performance of the fuzzy approach is comparative to that of a logistic regression model with improved computational. A field survey done in the area supported the method’s reliability. A combination of certainty factor analysis and fuzzy relations with a GIS is an effective method to determine locations vulnerable to coal mine subsidence.     

Transport phenomena in kaolinite clay: Molecular simulation,homogenization analysis and similitude law

Kaolinite is a common clay mineral. It is a nanomaterial with a platelet crystalline structure. In order to analyze the behavior of kaolinite, its microscopic structure and material properties must be specified correctly. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is used for determining the microscale properties of hydrated kaolinite, and these properties are introduced into a multiscale homogenization analysis (HA). We previously developed such an MD/HA technique to investigate seepage, diffusion, sorption and consolidation in bentonite clay (Proceedings of the Science Basis for Nuclear Waste Management, Davos, Switzerland, vol. XXI. Material Research Society: Warrendale, PA, 1997; 359–366; Eng. Geol. 1999; 54 :21–31; Eng. Geol. 2001; 60 :127–138; Coupled Thermo‐Hydro‐Mechanical‐Chemical Processes in Geo‐systems. Elsevier: Amsterdam, 2005; 457–464). We here apply the method to kaolinite clay to investigate the permeability, diffusion and related similitude law. The obtained results are supported by existing experimental data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The X-ray pulse profile of BG CMi

We present an analysis of the X-ray data of a magnetic cataclysmic variable, BG CMi, obtained with ROSAT in March 1992 and with ASCA in April 1996. We show that four peaks clearly exist in the X-ray pulse profile, unlike a single peak found in the optical profile. The fluxes of two major pulses are 2–5 times larger than those of two minor pulses. The fraction of the total pulsed flux increases from 51% to 85% with increasing energy in 0.1–2.0 keV, whereas it decreases from 96% to 22% in 0.8–10 keV. We discuss the implications of our findings for the origin of the pulse profile and its energy dependence.     

Homogenization framework for three‐dimensional elastoplastic finite element analysis of a grouted pipe‐roofing reinforcement method for tunnelling

This paper deals with the grouted pipe‐roofing reinforcement method that is used in the construction of tunnels through weak grounds. This system consists on installing, prior to the excavation of a length of tunnel, an array of pipes forming a kind of ‘umbrella’ above the area to be excavated. In some cases, these pipes are later used to inject grout to strengthen the ground and ‘connect’ the pipes. This system has proven to be very efficient in reducing tunnel convergence and water inflow when tunnelling through weak grounds. However, due to the geometrical and mechanical complexity of the problem, existing finite element frameworks are inappropriate to simulate tunnelling using this method. In this paper, a mathematical framework based on a homogenization technique to simulate ‘grouted pipe‐roofing reinforced ground’ and its implementation into a 3‐D finite element programme that can consider stage construction situations are presented. The constitutive model developed allows considering the main design parameters of the problem and only requires geometrical and mechanical properties of the constituents. Additionally, the use of a homogenization approach implies that the generation of the finite element mesh can be easily produced and that re‐meshing is not required as basic geometrical parameters such as the orientation of the pipes are changed. The model developed is used to simulate tunnelling with the grouted pipe‐roofing reinforcement method. From the analyses, the effects of the main design parameters on the elastic and the elastoplastic analyses are considered. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.