Order-disorder transition in eicosylated polyethyleneimine comblike polymers

Order-disorder transition (ODT) behavior in eicosylated polyethyleneimine (PEI20C) comblike polymer obtained by grafting n-eicosyl group on polyethyleneimine backbone was systematically investigated by the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as solid-state high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. DSC investigations showed two obvious transitions, assigned to the transitions (1) from orthorhombic to hexagonal and (2) from hexagonal to amorphous phase, respectively. These transitions are induced by the variations of alkyl side chain conformation and packing structure with temperature changing, which consequently lead to the destruction of original phase equilibrium. The ODT behavior can also be confirmed by spectroscopic methods like WAXD, FTIR and NMR. The ordered structure and the transition behavior of the alkyl side chains confined by the PEI backbone are obviously different from those of pristine normal alkanes. The transition mechanism of ODT and the origin of the phase transition behavior in PEI20C comblike polymer were discussed in detail in this paper.

Impacts of anthropogenic activity on the recent evolution of the Huanghe (Yellow) River delta

Hydrological statistical data, remote sensing images, and bathymetric charts were used to study the recent evolution of the Huanghe (Yellow) River delta under human-induced interventions. It was clear that water and sediment discharge from the Huanghe River had dropped rapidly since 1970, particularly after 1986. The water and sediment discharges for the period of 1986-2000 were found to have been reduced to only 29.2% and 31.2% of those in the period of 1950-69. This was caused by human factors in the upper and middle reaches of the Huanghe River, including water diversion, damming and reservoir construction, and water and soil conservation. Based on the results from visual interpretation of processed Landsat (MSS or TMJETM+) images dated from 1976 to 2001 and two digital elevation models generated from bathymetric charts surveyed in 1976 and 1992, we found that human-induced reduction of water and sediment discharge led to coastline retrogradation, with the maximum mean recession rate of -0.51 km yr-1 over the period of 1976-98, and seabed erosion beyond the -20 m isobath between 1976 and 1992. Other impacts of human activities on the recent evolution of the Huanghe River delta, including tidal flats shrinking, artificial coastline increasing, land surface sinking and so on, were also analyzed. We found that: (i) the whole delta, including subaerial and subaqueous, has turned from a highly constructive period to a destructive phase; (ii) channelization and dredging were two of the main causes of delta destruction; (iii) land loss in the Huanghe River delta caused by submersion will be increased in the near future; (iv) the Huanghe River delta was becoming more fragile and susceptible to natural hazards.

Pollinator shift and reproductive performance of the qinghai-tibetan plateau endemic and endangered Swertia przewalskii (Gentianaceae)

Reproductive failure results in many plant species becoming endangered. However, little is known of how and to what extent pollinator shifts affect reproductive performance of endangered species as a result of the artificial introduction of alien insects. In this study we examined breeding systems, visitor species, visiting frequency and seed set coefficients of Swertia przewalskii in two years that had different dominant pollinator species (native vs. alien). Flowers of this species were protandrous and herkogamous and insects were needed for the production of seeds. The stigmatic receptivity of this species was shorter than for other gentians. No significant difference in seed set coefficient was found for hand-pollinated plants between the two years, indicating that pollinator shift only had a minor effect on this plant's breeding system. The commonest pollinators in 2002 were native bumblebees, alien honeybees and occasional solitary bees, however, only alien honeybees were observed in 2004. The flower visitation rate in both years was relatively high, although the total visit frequency decreased significantly in 2004. The control flowers without any treatment produced significantly fewer seed sets in 2004 than in 2002. In the past decade the seed production of this species may have partly decreased due to pollination by alien honeybees, however, we suggest that they might have acted as alternative pollinators ensuring seed production of S. przewalskii when native pollinators were unavailable. The main reason that this plant is endangered is probably the result of habitat destruction, but changes in land use, namely intensified agricultural practice and unfavorable animal husbandry have also contributed to its decline. We recommend that in-situ conservation, including the establishment of a protected area, is the best way to preserve this species effectively.

利用台阵面波资料研究华北克拉通北缘燕山褶皱带及其邻区的地壳与上地幔结构

The continent of eastern China, especially the North China Craton (NCC), has endured intensive tectonic renovation during Mesozoic and Cenozoic, with the presence of widespread magmatism, high heat flow and development of large sedimentary basins and mountain ranges. The cratonic lithosphere of the region has been destroyed remarkably, which is characterized by not only a significant reduction in thickness but also complex modifications in physical and chemical properties of the lithosphere. As for the tectonic regime controlling the evolution of the NCC, various models have been put forward, including the impingement of mantle plumes (“mushroom cloud” model), the collision of south China block and north China block, the subduction of the Pacific plate, etc. Lithosphere delamination and thermal erosion were proposed as the two end-member mechanisms of the lithospheric thinning. However, given the paucity of the data, deep structural evidence is currently still scarce for distinguishing and testifying these models. To better understand the deep structure of the NCC, from 2000 to the present, temporary seismic array observations have been conducted in the NCC by the Seismological Laboratory of the Institute of the Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences under the North China Interior Structure Project (NCISP). Many arrays extend from the North China Craton and the off-craton regions, and traverse a lot of main tectonic boundaries. A total of more than 300 broadband seismic stations have been deployed along several profiles that traversed the major tectonic units within the craton’s interior, at the boundary areas and in the neighboring off-craton regions. These stations recorded abundant high-quality data, which provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to unravel the deep structural features of the NCC using seismological methods. Among all the seismological methods, the surface wave method appears to be an efficient and widely adopted technique in studying the crustal and upper mantle structures. In particular, it can provide the absolute values of S-wave velocity that are difficult to obtain with other methods. Benefiting from the deployment of dense seismic arrays, progresses have been made in improving the spatial resolution of surface wave imaging, which makes it possible to resolve the fine-scale velocity structures of the crust and upper mantle based on surface wave analysis. Meanwhile, the differences in the S-wave velocities derived from Rayleigh and Love wave data can provide information on the radial anisotropy beneath the seismic arrays. In this thesis, using the NCISP-III broadband data and based on phase velocity dispersion analysis and inversion of fundamental mode Rayleigh and Love waves, I investigated the lateral variations in the S-wave velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Yanshan Belt and adjacent regions at the northeastern boundary of the NCC. Based on the constructed structural images, I discussed possible deep processes of the craton destruction in the study region.

大型反倾岩体变形破坏机制及稳定性分析———以金沙江宽谷坝址龙蟠边坡为例

A large number of catastrophic accidents were aroused by the instability and destruction of anti-dip rock masses in the worldwide engineering projects, such as hydropower station, mine, railways and so on. Problems in relation to deformation and failure about anti-dip rock slopes are significant for engineering geology research. This dissertation takes the Longpan slope in the Jinsha River as a case to study the deformation mechanism of large-scale anti-dip rock masses and the slope stability analysis method. The primary conclusions are as follows. The Dale Reach of Jinsha River, from Longpan to the debouchment of Chongjiang tributary, is located in the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Longpan slope is the right embankment of Dale dam, it is only 26 km to the Shigu and 18 km to Tiger Leaping Gorge. The areal geology tectonic structures here area are complicated and blurry. Base on the information of geophysical exploration (CSAMT and seismology) and engineering geological investigation, the perdue tectonic pattern of Dale Reach is put forward for the first time in this paper. Due to the reverse slip of Longpan fault and normal left-rotation of Baihanchang fault, the old faulted valley came into being. The thick riverbed sediments have layered characters of different components and corresponding causes, which attribute to the sedimentary environments according with the new tectonic movements such as periodic mountain uplifting in middle Pleistocene. Longpan slope consists of anti-dip alternate sandstone and slate stratums, and the deformable volume is 6.5×107m3 approximately. It was taken for an ancient landslide or toppling failure in the past so that Dale dam became a vexed question. Through the latest field surveying, displacement monitoring and rock masses deforming characters analyses, the geological mechanism is actually a deep-seated gravitational bending deformation. And then the discrete element method is used to simulate the deforming evolution process, the conclusion accords very well with the geo-mechanical patterns analyses. In addition strength reduction method based on DEM is introduced to evaluate the factor of safety of anti-dip rock slope, and in accordance with the expansion way of the shear yielding zones, the progressive shear failure mechanism of large-scale anti-dip rock masses is proposed for the first time. As an embankment or a close reservoir bank to the lower dam, the stability of Longpan slope especially whether or not resulting in sliding with high velocity and activating water waves is a key question for engineering design. In fact it is difficult to decide the unified slip surface of anti-dip rock slope for traditional methods. The author takes the shear yielding zones acquired form the discrete element strength reduction calculation as the potential sliding surface and then evaluates the change of excess pore pressure and factor of stability of the slope generated by rapid drawdown of ponded water. At the same time the dynamic response of the slope under seismic loading is simulated through DEM numerical modeling, the following results are obtained. Firstly the effective effect of seismic inertia force is resulting in accumulation of shear stresses. Secondly the discontinuous structures are crucial to wave transmission. Thirdly the ultimate dynamic response of slope system takes place at the initial period of seismic loading. Lastly but essentially the effect of earthquake load to bringing on deformation and failure of rock slope is the coupling effect of shear stresses and excess pore water pressure accumulation. In view of limitations in searching the critical slip surface of rock slope of the existing domestic and international software for limit equilibrium slope stability analyses, this article proposes a new method named GA-Sarma Algorithm for rock slope stability analyses. Just as its name implies, GA-Sarma Algorithm bases on Genetic Algorithm and Sarma method. GA-Sarma Algorithm assumes the morphology of slip surface to be a broken line with traceability to extend along the discontinuous surface structures, and the slice boundaries is consistent with rock mass discontinuities such as rock layers, faults, cracks, and so on. GA-Sarma Algorithm is revolutionary method that is suitable for global optimization of the critical slip surface for rock slopes. The topics and contents including in this dissertation are closely related to the difficulties in practice, the main conclusions have been authorized by the engineering design institute. The research work is very meaningful and useful for the engineering construction of Longpan hydropower station.

龙游石窟洞室群稳定性分析及最佳旅游路线选择

The large ancient underground rock caverns in Longyou is an important component of grotto cultural. Current task facing the long-term preservation of these unmovable cultural relics is arduous and challenging. The deformation failure of the caverns' surrounding rock is deteriorating. The weathering velocity of these caverns is accelerating. With the strength of caverns' surrounding rock worsening, critical rocks were generated in local regions of the caverns' vault and posing a threat to the security of people passing by. Selection of a maximum-security route and construction a aisle in the caverns might be an efficient way to ensure the security of tourists and reach the target of long-term preservation. The deformation and destruction of the ancient underground caverns is primarily dominated by geological conditions and the special structure of caverns. Based on field investigation, several fundamental conditions for deformation and failure are recognized, and nine deformation and fracture patterns of the Longyou grotto are proposed. In order to judge the stability of caverns’ surrounding rock, the element safety coefficient method is presented. An explicit explanation for the meaning of the method is deduced using Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion. Numerical analyses are carried out in the dissertation through FLAC3D code. Through numerical analysis, the stress distribution regularities of the caverns’ roofs, piles and public side wall are analysed, and the stability properties of caverns’ surrounding rock are also assessed. At the same time, the element safety coefficient method is introduced to contrast the stability degree of different regions in caverns. The above analyses are bases for choosing the optimal tourism routes in the caverns of Longyou grotto. The impact of surface load on the stability of shallow buried cavities in Longyou grotto is evaluated, the results show that building load has significant influence on the stability of the No.1 cavern’s roof, pile and public side wall between the No.1 cavern and the No.2 cavern, pedestrian load has less impact on the stability of surrounding rock than building load. The principles for choosing the optimal tourism routes in the caverns are discussed. With these principles, the dissertation makes a systematic research on the geological analytic method, numerical analytic method and meeting tourism requirements method, which are used in selecting the optimal tourism routes in the caverns. In order to achieve the best effect in the process of tourism routes selection, the above three method are integrated through Theory of Engineering Geomechanics Meta-system(EGMS). According to field investigations, numerical analyses, tourism requirements and expert experiences, the optimal tourism routes through No.1 to No.5 cavern are determined preliminarily. The obtained results from the research work are useful for the security aisle's construction, they also have reference value to other projects in practice.

东天山镁铁-超镁铁岩铜镍硫化物矿床通道式成矿机制与岩体含矿性评价研究

A mafic-ultramafic complex belt well developed in Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China, which contains a series of Cu-Ni sulfide deposits. This area is the important production basis for Cu-Ni deposits, including Tulargen deposit, Hulu deposit, Huangshan-Huangshandong deposit, Hulu deposit, Xiangshan deposit, Tianyu deposit, Chuanzhu deposit. In China, especially Eastern Tianshan, it is prevalent that large Cu-Ni deposits occurred in small intrusions, typically including Jinchuan, Kalatongke, et al., so the ore-forming mechanism and evaluation rule for those small intrusions are very meaningful and of universal significance. On the basis of the research to typical Cu-Ni deposits, ore-forming conditions and processes are summarized through which to evaluate the ore-bearing potential for barren intrusions and unexplored mafic-ultramafic intrusions. By the contrast, metallogenic rule and mechanism of ore genesis are concluded, and evaluation system is preliminarily set up on the basis of these conclusions. Quantitatively simulation for the composition of olivine is introduced for the first time in China to discuss the interaction between magma and sulfide, and a new method to calculate the Mg-Fe composition of primitive magma is developed. Interaction between magma and sulfide liquid is used to get the Ni content in sulfide liquid. Sulfur isotopic characteristics in sulfide minerals in country rocks and ores are used to judge crustal sulfur introduction, which is applied for the first time in China. Re-Os isotopic characteristics are related to the ore-forming process, to interpret the process of enrichment of chalcophile elements. On the basis of the evaluation system, Mati, Chuanzhu, Luodong, Xiadong, those intrusions are evaluated to their ore-bearing potential. According to the studies to typical Cu-Ni deposits, conduit-type ore-forming model is set up, and the characteristics of the model are concluded systematically. The evaluation system and conduit-type ore-forming model can be helpful to the evaluation of mafic-ultramafic intrusions in this and similar mafic-ultramafic intrusion belts. The studied typical deposits and mafic-ultramafic intrusion include Tulargen deposit, Hulu deposit, Huangshandong deposit, Chuanzhu deposit, Mati intrusion，Luodong intrusion, Xiadong intrusion, and others. Through studies, there are similar characteristics for Tulargen and Hulu deposits in magma origin, composition of primitive magma（MgO=12.5%, FeO=12% and MgO=11%, FeO=10.5% respectively）, magma evolution, mechanism of sulfide segregation and conduit-type ore-forming process. By Re-Os isotopic system, the ore forming date of Tulargen deposit is 265.6±9.2Ma, which is consistent to regional metallogenic event, but little younger. The Mg-Fe composition of primitive magma of Baishiquan, Huangshandong area, Kalatongke is lower than that of Tulargen and Hulu deposit, showing common basalt composition. The Mg# value（Mg#=(Mg/Mg+Fe）increases gradually from Kalatongke to Baishiquan to Huangshan-Huangshandong East. Baishiquan intrusions show relatively higher crustal contamination by evidence of trace element, which indicates the lower magma original source, from depleted mantle to crust. One break is the discovery of komatiitic intrusion, Xiadong intrusion, which shows characteristics of highly magnesium (Max Fo=96). The primitive magma is calculated of MgO=28%，FeO=9%, belonging to komatiitic magma. Tectonic evolution of Eastern Tianshan is discussed. By the statistics of ore-forming data of porphyry copper deposits, magmatic sulfide Cu-Ni deposits, orogenic hydrothermal gold deposits, we believe that those deposits are the successive products of oceanic subduction, are and back-arc basin collision and post-orogenic extention. And Cu-Ni sulfide deposits and orogenic gold deposits occurred in the stage of post-orogenic extention. According to the conclusions, the conduit-type ore-forming mechanism of magmatic sulfide deposit is set up, and its characteristics and conditions are concluded as well. The conduit-type ore-forming system includes magma generation, sulfide segregation, enrichment of chalcophile elements, interaction of sulfide and magma, sulfide collection in limited space in magma conduit and bottom of the chamber, which make a whole ore-forming system.The ore-forming process of Cu-Ni sulfide deposits is concluded as three steps: 1. mantle derived magma rises upward to the middle-upper crust; 2. magma suffers crustal contamination of different degrees and assimilates crustal sulfur, which leads to sulfur saturation and sulfide segregation. Sulfide liquid interacts with magma and concentrates chalcophile elements; 3. enriched sulfide located in the conduit(Tulargen) or bottom of the chamber (Hulu). Depleted magma rises upward continuously to form barren complexes. For the practical cases, Tulargen deposit represents the feeding conduit, and Hulu deposit represents the bottom of the staging magma chamber. So the deeper of west of Tulargen and southwest of Hulu are the favorite locate for ore location. The evaluation for ore potential can be summarized as follows: (1) Olivine can be served as indicator for magma evolution and events of sulfide segregation; (2) Sulfur isotopic characteristics is an efficient method to judge sulfur origin for magmatic sulfide deposit; (3) Re-Os content of the ores can indicate interaction between sulfide and silicate magma and crustal contamination; (4) PGE mineralization is effected by degree of partial melting of mantle; (5) Cu/Zr is efficient parameter to judge sulfide segregation; (6) The effects of multiple magma fractionation and emplacement are important, for inverse order shows the destruction to previous solid lithofacies and orebodies. Mati, Chuanzhu, Xiadong, Luodong, mafic-ultramafic intrusions are evaluated using evaluation system above. Remarkable Ni depletion is found in olivine of Mati, and southwest of the intrusion can be hopeful location for ore location. Chuanzhu intrusion has remarkable evidence of sulfide segregation, but the intrusion represents the narrow feeder conduit, so the wide part of the conduit maybe the favorite location for sulfide to deposit. The ore potential of Luodong and Xiadong is not good. Both the intrusions show no Ni depletion in olivine, and there is no sulfide in country rocks, so no crustal sulfur is added into the magmatic system. For Sidingheishan, a very large intrusion, the phenomenon of sulfide segregation is found, but there are no favorite places for sulfide to deposit. So the Cu-Ni ore potential maybe not good, but PGE mineralization should be evaluated further.

复杂断块群四维应力场模型及油藏预测

This paper is belonging to Chinese Petrochemical Corporation's key project. Although it is difficult and great workload, it has important theoretical and practical value. Its targets is to establish 4 dimension stress fields of complex fault block groups, and then to predict the forming mechanism and distribution rule of petroleum pools, by applying the most advanced theories, methods and technology and the most sophisticated software in highly explored zones. By means of multi-discipline theories, methods, technologies and multi-source information, using computer with maximum efforts, investigating the strata framework, structure framework, petroleum pool forming mechanism and forming mode of complex fault block groups, several results have been achieved as following: The fastigiated mode of Xianhe complex fault block groups was established, pointed out the control function of pool accumulate in Xianhe complex fault block groups Xianhe fastigiated complex fault block groups are the results of combining stress of extending, slipping and reversing, which formed in early Shahejie stage, changed and perplexed during Dongying stage and that control the forming and destruction of petroleum pools. By measuring the earth stress and rock mechanics parameters in the research region, the model of 4 dimension stress field and potential fields of migrating fluids was established from ES3 stage to current, with their space distribution and time evolve and petroleum accumulate. The fault-sealing model in Xianhe complex fault block groups was established, which reveal the sealing mechanism of petroleum about control-fault, made for petroleum pool prediction in complex fault block. The petroleum pool forming mode and mechanism in complex fault block was established. Petroleum distribution were predicted in three stress inverse zones, and remaining oil were point out in the high points of 2 micro-structures and the region with strong fault-sealing capabilities. (6). A set of theories, technology and methods of complex fault block petroleum pool have been developed, bring on an improvement of the development geology theory in continental fault depression lake basin, good economic benefits have been obtained by applying on both east and west areas of our country.

高山峡谷地区大跨度桥梁岸坡稳定性分析、趋势预测及应用研究

In order to realize fast development of the national economy in a healthy way and coordinate progress with whole society, the country has implemented the strategy of development of the western region. An important action of finishing this strategic task is to accelerate the highway construction in the western region, join the western region and places along the coast, the river, the border with goods and materials, technology, and personnel interchanges, and then drive development of the local economy.The western region was influenced by the Himalaya Tectonization in Cenozoic, and the crust rose and became the plateau. In the course of rising, rivers cut down sharply to form a lot of high mountains and gorges.Because of topography and geomorphology, bridges in the traffic construction in the alpine gorge area are needed. Rivers have characteristics of large flow, fast velocity and high and steep river valley, so building a pier in the river is not only very difficult, but also making the cost increase. At the same time, the impact that the pier is corroded and the bridge base that is drawn to be empty by flow are apt to cause destruction of the pier. For those reasons, suspending bridge and cable-stay bridge are usually adopted with the single and large span. For the large span bridge, the pier foundation could receive ten thousand and more vertical strength, bending moment and near kiloton horizontal thrust.Because bank slope in the alpine gorge district is cut deeply and unsettled big, natural stability is worse under endogenic and exogenic force. When bank slope bears heavy vertical strength, bending moment and horizontal thrust facing the river, it will inevitably make the balance state of rock and soil mass change, bridge bank slope deform, and even destroyed. So the key problem at the time of the large span's bridge construction in the alpine gorge area is how to make it stable.So based on the spot investigation, the Engineering Geology Analysis Method is very important to grasp the bank slope stability. It can provide the bank slope stability macroscopic ally and qualitatively, and reference to the indoor calculation. The Engineering Geology Analysis Method is that by way of analyzing and investigating terms of bank slope instability, stability development trend, the ancient rock slide and devolution in the site, stability comprehensive evaluation primarily, current and future stability of bank slope is gotten, realizing the intention to serving the concrete engineering.After the Engineering Geology Analysis Method is applied to project instances of BeiPan River Bridge and BaLin River Bridge, results are accord with bank slope actual conditions, which proves sites are suited to building bridges from site stability.we often meet bank slope stability issues in the traffic construction in the alpine gorge areao Before the evaluation of the bank slope stability, the engineering geological condition is investigated first. After that, the next exploration target and geology measures are decided. So, the Engineering Geology Analysis Method that the investigation of the engineering geological condition is the main content is quite important in practice. The other evaluations of the bank slope stability are based on it. Because foundation receives very heavy load, for the big span's bridge in the alpine gorge area, a long pile of the large diameter (D^0.8m) is usually selected. In order to reflect rock mass's deformation properties under rock-socketed pile function, the author has used the FLAG30 software for rock and soil mass and done many numerical simulations. By them, the author launches the further investigation on deformation properties of bank slope under different slope angle, pile length, diameter, elastic modulus, load, bank slope's structure, etc. Some conclusion meaningful to the design and produce are obtained.

句容海安区块热史、成烃史与二次生烃

Jurong -Hai'an block of lower Yangtz area is one of the important petroleum exploration area among the residual marine basins in the south China. In the history of the basin's evolution, the strongly compressing, napping, folding and deforming during Indosinian to Yanshan epoch resulted in destruction of the early formed petroleum pool. Therefore, the strategy exploration of the secondary hydrocarbon generation and later formation of petroleum pool was brought forward for petroleum exploration and planning in the study area..On the basis of tectonic and sedimentary as well as present-day thermal regime evolution, using vitrinite reflectance and apatite fission track data and the paleo-heat flow based method, the basin's thermal history is reconstructed and hence the strata's temperature history are obtained. In addition, the maturation histories of the main four sets of marine hydrocarbon source rocks in the block are calculated. Furthermore, taking the maturity in the end of early Cretaceous as the original maturity and according to the formulas fitted by the secondary hydrocarbon generation model, the secondary hydrocarbon generation potential of the four sets of source rock is evaluated.The results of thermal history reconstruction show that Jurong-Hai'an block was under an uniform thermal setting during the Caledonian to Hercynian period and characterized by middle heat flow (52~57rnW/ m2). The uniform thermal setting was divided during and after Indosinian to Yanshan epoch. Wuwei area of southern Anhui province was under the high heat flow setting(~90 mW/m2)between 236Ma and 137Ma; Jurong area of southern Jiangsu ,Huangqiao area and Subei basin reached its maximum heat flow of 90,84 and 78-82 mW/m2 at 101Ma,157Ma and 56Ma respectivelyThe study of secondary hydrocarbon generation shows that the upper Paleozoic and Triassic source rocks have excellent secondary hydrocarbon generation potential. Silurian source rock posses some secondary hydrocarbon generation. Cambrian source rock, however, nearly has no secondary hydrocarbon generation. Overall there are no advantages of secondary hydrocarbon generation in the southern area of Jiansu. The intensity of secondary hydrocarbon generation in North Jiangsu basin is definitely better than that in the southern area of Jiangsu.

A practical approach to the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls in transformer oil

A practical and efficient disposal method for hydrodechlormation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformer oil is reported. Transformer oil containing PCBs was treated by nanometric sodium hydride (nano-NaH) and transition metal catalysts. High destruction and removal efficiency (89.8%) can be attained by nano-NaH alone under mild conditions. The process exhibits apparent characteristics of a first order reaction. The reductive ability of nano-NaH was enhanced by the addition of transition metal catalysts. In the presence of TiCl4, 99.9% PCBs was hydrodechlorinated. The complex reducing reagents, Ni(OAc)(2) + i-PrONa, show extra hydrodechlorinating activity for di-chlorinated biphenyls. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrode catalysts behavior during direct ethanol fuel cell life-time test

In the present paper, a 60 h life-time test of a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) at a current density of 20 mA cm(-2) (the beginning 38 h) and 40 mA cm(-2) (the last 22 h) was carried out. After the life-time test, the MEA could not achieve the former performance. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were employed to characterize the anode and cathode catalyst before and after the life-time test. The XRD and TEM results showed that the particle size of the anode catalyst increased from 2.3 to 3.3 nm and the cathode from 3.0 to 4.6 nm. The EDX results of PtSn/C anode catalysts before and after the life-time test indicated that the content of the oxygen and tin, especially the content of the platinum, decreased prominently after the life-time test. The results suggest that the agglomeration of electrocatalysts, the destruction of the anode catalyst together with the fuel/water crossover from anode to cathode concurrently contribute to the performance degradation of the DEFC. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Valve surgery in active infective endocarditis: a simple score to predict in-hospital prognosis

Aims Surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high mortality. Our objectives were to describe the experience with surgical treatment for IE in Spain, and to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. Methods Prospective cohort of 1000 consecutive patients with IE. Data were collected in 26 Spanish hospitals. Results Surgery was performed in 437 patients (43.7%). Patients treated with surgery were younger and predominantly male. They presented fewer comorbid conditions and more often had negative blood cultures and heart failure. In-hospital mortality after surgery was lower than in the medical therapy group (24.3 vs 30.7%, p = 0.02). In patients treated with surgery, endocarditis involved a native valve in 267 patients (61.1%), a prosthetic valve in 122 (27.9%), and a pacemaker lead with no clear further valve involvement in 48 (11.0%). The most common aetiologies were Staphylococcus (186, 42.6%), Streptococcus (97, 22.2%), and Enterococcus (49, 11.2%). The main indications for surgery were heart failure and severe valve regurgitation. A risk score for in-hospital mortality was developed using 7 prognostic variables with a similar predictive value (OR between 1.7 and 2.3): PALSUSE: prosthetic valve, age ≥ 70, large intracardiac destruction, Staphylococcus spp, urgent surgery, sex [female], EuroSCORE ≥ 10. In-hospital mortality ranged from 0% in patients with a PALSUSE score of 0 to 45.4% in patients with PALSUSE score > 3. Conclusions The prognosis of IE surgery is highly variable. The PALSUSE score could help to identify patients with higher in-hospital mortality.

Spying on Science : Western Intelligence in Divided Germany, 1945-1961

Maddrell, John, Spying on Science: Western Intelligence in Divided Germany, 1945-1961 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006), pp.xi+330 RAE2008

Hamas in Politics: Democracy, Religion, Violence

Gunning, Jeroen, Hamas in Politics: Democracy, Religion, Violence (London: Hurst Publishers Ltd, 2007), pp.xiv+310 RAE2008