Plant Copper Amine Oxidases: Key Players in Hormone Signaling Leading to Stress-Induced Phenotypic Plasticity

Polyamines are ubiquitous, low-molecular-weight aliphatic compounds, present in living organisms and essential for cell growth and differentiation. Copper amine oxidases (CuAOs) oxidize polyamines to aminoaldehydes releasing ammonium and hydrogen peroxide, which participates in the complex network of reactive oxygen species acting as signaling molecules involved in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. CuAOs have been identified and characterized in different plant species, but the most extensive study on a CuAO gene family has been carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana. Growing attention has been devoted in the last years to the investigation of the CuAO expression pattern during development and in response to an array of stress and stress-related hormones, events in which recent studies have highlighted CuAOs to play a key role by modulation of a multilevel phenotypic plasticity expression. In this review, the attention will be focused on the involvement of different AtCuAOs in the IAA/JA/ABA signal transduction pathways which mediate stress-induced phenotypic plasticity events.     

Speciation of copper in high chloride concentrations,in the context of corrosion of copper canisters

Canisters with a cast iron insert for mechanical strength and a 50-mm thick copper shell as corrosion protection are planned to be used for disposal of spent nuclear fuel in Sweden and Finland. Chloride can be considered “beneficial”, as it promotes active dissolution of copper rather than passivation (which might result in pitting), but a high concentration of chloride in solution would increase the driving force for corrosion through the formation of soluble copper chloro complexes. Thermodynamic calculations are performed in this study with the PHREEQC software and three of its accompanying databases, and a comparison with experimental data is performed to select the database to be used when evaluating repository performance. The activity coefficient models are given special attention. For the assessment of chloride-assisted corrosion of a KBS-3 canister, chloride concentrations pessimistically up to 5 mol/kg are used (in Finland and Sweden, the groundwater and bentonite porewater chloride concentrations are not expected to exceed 1 mol/kg). The resulting copper solubilities are then considered in different mass transport cases.     

Influence of CO2 inleakage on the slight-alkalization of generator internal cooling water

The slight-alkalization of generator internal cooling water (GICW) is widely used to inhibit the corrosion of hollow copper conductor and thereby ensure the safe operation of the generator. CO₂ inleakage is increasingly identified as a potential security risk for GICW system. In this paper, the influence of CO₂ inleakage on the slight-alkalization of GICW was theoretically discussed. Based on the equilibriums of the CO₂-NaOH-H₂O system, CO₂ inleakage saturation was derived to quantify the amount of the dissolved CO₂ in GICW. This parameter can be directly calculated with the measured conductivity and the [Na⁺] of GICW. The influence of CO₂ inleakage on the slight-alkalization conditioning of GICW and the measurement of its water quality parameters were then analyzed. The more severe the inleakage, the narrower the water quality operation ranges of GICW, resulting in the more difficult the slight-alkalization conditioning of GICW. The temperature calibrations of the conductivity and the pH value of GICW show non-linear correlations with the amount of CO₂ inleakage and the NaOH dosage. This study provides insights into the influence of CO₂ inleakage on the slight-alkalization of GICW, which can serve as the theoretical basis for the actual slight-alkalization when CO₂ inleakage occurs.     

蒸压建材生产过程中钢渣安定性处理与活性化利用

钢渣安定性处理过程常常造成胶凝活性的损失。为此，本文利用改性助剂消除钢渣水化过程中产生的氢氧化物并生成胶凝产物，在蒸压建材的生产过程中实现钢渣安定性处理和游离氧化物的活性化利用，并避免单独处置钢渣造成的活性物质损失。研究表明，8%秸秆灰和3%磷酸二氢铵作为复合助剂制备的尾矿-钢渣蒸压试块体积稳定，抗压强度达24.0MPa。通过对蒸压样品游离氧化物消解率、化学结合水量及热重、XRD分析，得出钢渣安定性处理与活性化利用机制：硅质材料与钢渣中f-CaO水化生成的Ca(OH)₂结合迅速生成对体系力学强度有益的水化硅酸钙，避免因大量Ca(OH)₂积累造成体积膨胀；磷酸盐中的NH₄⁺、H₂PO₄^-与f-MgO结合生成磷酸铵镁及其他低溶度积复盐类矿物，进而消除因f-MgO水化生成Mg(OH)₂造成体积膨胀的隐患。试样在180℃蒸压4h后，f-CaO及f-MgO消解率分别可达86.28%、89.73%。本文将为利用钢渣大比例取代水泥和石灰生产蒸压建筑材料提供理论基础，对于提高钢渣利用率、减少碳排放具有重要价值。     

Analysis of suitability of TPP ash-slag waste as materials for hydrogen fuel storage

The current trends in energy were described, the main of which is the use of alternative energy sources, especially hydrogen. The most common methods of hydrogen accumulation were proposed: accumulation of compressed gaseous hydrogen in high-pressure tanks; accumulation of liquid hydrogen in cryogenic tanks; storing hydrogen in a chemically bound state; accumulation of gaseous hydrogen in carriers with a high specific surface area. Based on the combination of advantages and disadvantages, the most promising methods of accumulation were selected: storage of liquid hydrogen and storage of hydrogen in carriers with a high specific surface area. The main requirement for materials for hydrogen storage by these methods was revealed – a high specific surface area. Prospects for the development of waste-free low-emission technologies due to the recycling of secondary raw materials and the development of low-temperature technologies for the synthesis of functional and structural materials were substantiated. The applicability of large-scale ash and slag waste from coal-fired thermal power plants as a raw material for obtaining materials by low-temperature technologies was shown. The traditional ways of using ash and slag waste as a raw material, active additive and filler in the production of cements were described. Modern technologies for the production of innovative materials with a unique set of properties were presented, namely carbon nanotubes, silica aerogel and geopolymer materials. The prospect of using geopolymer matrices as a precursor for the synthesis of a number of materials was described; the most promising type of materials was selected – geopolymer foams, which are mainly used as sorbents for purifying liquids and gases or accumulating target products, as well as heat-insulating materials. The possibility of obtaining products of any shape and size on the basis of geopolymer matrices without high-temperature processing was shown. The special efficiency of the development of the technology of porous granules and powders obtained from a geopolymer precursor using various methods was substantiated. The obtained granules can be used in the following hydrogen storage technologies: direct accumulation of hydrogen in porous granules; creation of insulating layers for liquid hydrogen storage units.     

Essential (Mg,Fe, Zn and Cu) and Non-Essential (Cd and Pb) Elements in Predatory Insects (Vespa crabro and Vespa velutina): A Molecular Perspective

The recent introduction of the Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, into Europe has raised concern regarding the threat to honeybees and the competition with the European hornet, Vespa crabro. The aim of this study was to investigated essential (Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) and non-essential (Cd and Pb) elements in these two species. Element concentrations were determined in the whole body and separately in the head, thorax and abdomen using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The changes in essential element concentration and speciation during metamorphosis were also studied using size exclusion chromatography followed by AAS and proteomic analysis. In both species, the essential elements were more concentrated in the abdomen due to the presence of fat bodies. Magnesium, Fe and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in V. crabro than in V. velutina and could have been related to the higher aerobic energy demand of the former species required to sustain foraging flight. Low concentrations of Cd and Pb were indicative of low environmental exposure. The concentration and speciation of essential elements, particularly Fe, varied among the developmental stages, indicating a modification of ligand preferences during metamorphosis. Overall, the results in the present study provide a better understanding of the hornet metal metabolism and a foundation for additional studies.     

Corrosion behavior of copper in extremely harsh marine atmosphere in Nansha Islands,China

The corrosion behavior of pure copper exposed to the atmosphere of Nansha Islands for 21 months was studied by mass loss method, composition analysis, morphology observation and electrochemical measurements. The results showed that the average corrosion rate of copper exposed for one year was approximately 7.85 μm/a, implying that Nansha Islands was classified as a corrosion category of CX. The structure and properties of the corrosion product layer generated on the front and back sides of the exposed sample differed significantly. The inner corrosion product layer (Cu₂O) on the front side was relatively thick and dense, whereas the outer product layer (Cu₂Cl(OH)₃) was extremely thin. However, the outer product layer on the back side was thicker than the inner layer. Electrochemical measurements indicated that the protection afforded by the corrosion product layer on the front side was improved gradually, while that on the back side was deteriorated.     

Chromium-promoted preparation of forsterite refractory materials from ferronickel slag by microwave sintering

The chromium-promoted preparation of forsterite refractory materials from ferronickel slag was investigated by microwave sintering of the slag with the additions of sintered magnesia and 0–10 wt% chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃). The thermodynamic calculations revealed that the addition of Cr₂O₃ can promote the formations of spinel and liquid phase and maintain high content of forsterite below 1500 °C. The experimental results showed that there existed a stronger promoting effect of Cr₂O₃ additive on the properties of refractory materials in the microwave field than that in conventional sintering. It was attributed to the preferential formation and growth of spinel with stronger microwave absorption than other phases (e.g., enstatite), the existence of more forsterite, and the enhanced densification in association with the presence of more liquid phase at the same temperature. By microwave sintering of the mixture of ferronickel slag, 25 wt% sintered magnesia, and 4 wt% Cr₂O₃ at 1350 °C for 20 min, a superior refractory material with refractoriness of 1801 °C, thermal shock resistance of 6 times, bulk density of 2.97 g/cm³, apparent porosity of 1.4%, and compressive strength of 197 MPa was obtained. Compared with that prepared by conventional sintering at 1350 °C for 2 h, the refractoriness and thermal shock resistance were increased by 175 °C and 100%, respectively. The present study provided a novel method for preparing high-quality refractory materials from ferronickel slag and relevant industrial wastes.     

不同消解方法对土壤中铜锌测定的影响

采用微波消解法和石墨消解法对土壤样品进行预处理,用火焰原子吸收分光光度法测定土壤中铜和锌的含量。对3个土壤标准物质(GSS-17、GSS-30、GSS-34)的精密度和准确度进行了分析,结果表明:微波消解法和石墨消解法的检出限、精密度和准确度均能满足土壤检测的要求,石墨消解法相对于微波消解法更加便捷,具有很好的精密度和准确度。     

Effect of the type of superplasticizer on the properties of cementitious systems incorporating slag

Superplasticizers have become an integral ingredient in the formulation of concretes. After 40?years, their use and dosage remain uncertain due to variations in their compositions and those of cement. In addition, the substitution of cement by supplementary cementitious materials having different chemical compositions exacerbates the problem without counting the multiplicity of superplasticizers to choose from. The present work consists of a study of the rheological and mechanical properties of cementitious systems containing slag and various types of superplasticizers. The tests were carried out on pastes, mortars and concretes incorporating slag in partial cement replacement and four superplasticizers types, polynaphthalene sulphonate (PNS) and three polycarboxylates (PC). The results of this study demonstrate that the viscosity and the yield stress increase with the rate of incorporation of the slag. The air increases with the polycarboxylates but this effect is less perceptible in the presence of the slag. Polycarboxylates improve workability more than PNS. The use of polycarboxylates reduces the viscosity and the yield stress. The compressive strength of concretes containing slag is low at early age but high at long run. They exhibit good resistances to scaling. The permeability to chloride ions is considerably reduced in the presence of the slag independently of the type of superplasticizer, suggesting good durability of these concretes in potentially aggressive external environments.