Multi-effects of gravity and geometric flow channel on the performance of continuous microbial fuel cells

Nowadays microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a rapidly evolving field and studied extensively because of their simultaneous dual functions of decomposing organic waste matter and eco-power generation. Now, facing their low power density, multiple effects including various gravity conditions ranging from 0 G to 2 G and three kinds of geometric flow channel (serpentine channel, serpentine tapered channel and bio-mixer channel) in MFCs were studied because of their ability to significantly impact the performance of MFCs.Numerical simulation technology, with its significant lessening of time needed and saving experimental costs required was used in this study. Results show that a better power performance was found at a condition of 0.125 G and Reynolds number Re = 41.3 regardless of flow channel in MFCs. In addition, the bio-mixer channel of the flow channels in MFCs will have a better performance than the other two channels because of its lower pressure drop and higher power generation. These findings will provide useful information on enhancing the performance of MFCs, especially with the application of low gravity conditions in the future.     

2009/2010年枯水期珠江口磨刀门水道强咸潮分析

研究对翔实的实测数据进行深入分析,总结出2009/2010年枯水期珠江口磨刀门水道咸潮具有出现早、来势猛、影响大的显著特征。通过对此次强咸潮上溯的影响因素进行分析,研究认为:2009年8月以后,气候变化导致的珠江流域降水异常偏少,径流锐减是2009/2010年枯水期珠江口磨刀门水道强咸潮出现的主要原因;潮汐是驱动磨刀门水道咸潮上溯的主要动力因素,潮汐愈强咸潮愈强;海平面上升是磨刀门水道强咸潮出现的重要影响因素。在全球气候变暖和海平面上升的背景下,研究对深入了解河口区淡水资源的合理开发利用,尤其是对保障河口区城乡供水安全具有重要的参考意义。     

二氧化硫衍生物对背根神经元钙通道的影响

应用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了SO₂衍生物对大鼠DRG(背根神经节)神经元不同亚型钙通道的影响. 结果表明,1 μmol/L SO₂衍生物对不同电压下的钙电流均有增大作用,在-10 mV时可使钙电流增幅达到63.4%±5.7%. 在细胞外液中加入不同亚型钙通道的阻滞剂并经过修正计算发现,1 μmol/L SO₂衍生物使L型钙电流增长了82.2%,N型钙电流增长了95.3%,r型(非L型、非N型)钙电流增长了9.4%,说明高阈值激活的N型和L型钙电流对SO₂衍生物特别敏感,推测SO₂衍生物诱发神经性疼痛,引起神经毒性,可能主要通过增大DRG神经元上N型和L型钙通道发生电流介导.      

Numerical simulation and study on the transmission law of flame and pressure wave of pipeline gas explosion

Based on FLUENT simulation software, the laws of transmission of flame and pressure wave in pipeline gas explosion were studied. It turned out that, the maximum pressure value of the explosion point is not the maximum value of the whole explosion process; the maximum pressure value of the pressure wave lowers firstly near the explosion point, then rises to a peak, and then drops gradually; two waves divide the space in the pipeline into three sections during the gas explosion transmission. The result is basically consistent between numerical simulation and experiment, and the conclusion from the simulation provides theoretical basis for research on explosion-proof and suppression devices for underground gas pipeline, as well as for technical regulations of installation.     

中山市2000~2014年霾天气特征及气象影响因子

利用中山市2000~2014年气象资料及2013~2014年环境监测站资料,分析中山市霾特征及气象影响因子,结果表明,中山市霾日数年际变化明显,最少为11d,出现在2005年;最多为134d,出现在2008年.霾天气主要发生在秋冬季节,霾日数最多的月份是1月,平均为10.5d.霾日PM_2.5的平均浓度是非霾日的2.26倍,PM_2.5是霾天气的重要污染物.中山市霾日典型天气形势有7种:大陆高压型、海上高压型、均压场型、冷锋前部型、台风外围下沉气流型、槽前脊后型、低压槽型.其中以大陆高压型占比例最高,为52.03%,冷锋前部型造成的能见度最低.气流轨迹聚类分析表明,影响中山的气流轨迹有7类,主要来源于东北方向的大陆和偏东方向的沿海;在东北方向气流轨迹影响下,污染物浓度较高;在东部沿海的气流轨迹下,能见度较低,表明中山市的霾天气受区域传输影响显著.     

Transmission Functions and its application to the analysis of time uncertainties in Protection Engineering

In this paper we explore the concept of transmission Functions and its application to the resolution of the problem posed by the uncertainty in the time to take manual protective actions due for instance to different operator abilities. This time uncertainty is a very special kind of uncertainty with obvious relevance in Protection Engineering problems. Tackling it involves a large amount of simulations of transients associated to sequences of system transitions, resulting from those actions, where the only difference from one simulation to another is the time interval between transitions, the evolution laws being always the same. In order to solve such type of problems, a new formalism is proposed based on the concept of transmission Function. We prove that for a large class of Multiple Input–Multiple Output (MIMO) piecewise linear systems, the output may be obtained as additive contributions of each interval of the sequence, each one characterized via a Transmission Function. We then provide efficient methods to compute Transmission Functions of sequences of canonical Single Input-Single Output (SISO) piecewise systems, and to find the locus of protective action times that lead to damage (damage domain).     

广州地区大气污染物输送通道的特征

运用NCEP的GDAS全球气象要素资料与HYSPLIT后向轨迹模式,计算广州地区2010~2012年逐日72h后向轨迹,利用聚类分析方法,分析了广州地区污染物输送通道垂直特征, 计算不同输送通道下广州市颗粒物浓度日均值,同时分析污染物在输送过程中跨越边界层的特征.结果表明:广州地区近地面污染物输送通道可以分为局地、东北路、北路、西北路、东路、南路,不同输送路径对应的PM2.5浓度存在显著差异.局地与东北路输送时,PM2.5浓度最大,北路次之,东路较小,南路输送时最小.西北路输送时,PM10中粗粒子比重明显增加.影响广州地区主要为湖南东南部、江西中部及东南沿海,超过1000m高度的轨迹数所占百分比为16.1%,而低于500m高度的轨迹数所占百分比为 73.1%,近地面污染物的输送主要发生在边界层内部.     

COMPUTATION OF STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATIONSHIPS AFFECTED BY UNSTEADY FLOW1

ABSTRACT: The dynamic relationship between stage and discharge which is unique to a particular flood for a selected station along the river can be determined via a mathematical model based on the complete one-dimensional equations of unsteady flow, i.e., the equations for the conservation of mass and momentum of the flood wave, and the Manning equation which accounts for energy losses. By assuming the bulk of the flood wave moves as a kinematic wave, the need for spatial resolution of the flood can be eliminated, and only the time variation of either the discharge or stage at the selected station is necessary for the computation of the other. The mathematical model can be used in river forecasting to convert the forecast discharge hydrograph into a stage hydrograph which properly reflects the unique dynamic stage-discharge relationship produced by the variable energy slope of the flood discharge. The model can be used also in stream gaging to convert a recorded stage hydrograph into a discharge hydrograph which properly accounts for the effects of unsteady flow. The model is applied to several observed floods at selected stations along the Lower Mississippi, Red, and Atchafalaya Rivers. The root mean square errors between observed and computed discharges are in the range of 3 to 7 percent, values well within the accuracy of the observations. A simple, easily-applied graphical procedure is also provided for estimating the magnitude of the effect of the unsteady flow on stage-discharge ratings. As a general rule, the dynamic effect may be significant if the channel bottom slope is less than 0.001 ft/ft (about 5 ft/mi) when the rate of change of stage is greater than about 0.10 ft/hr.     

Effects of uncertainty, transmission type, driver age and gender on brake reaction and movement time

PROBLEM: Braking time (BT) is a critical component in safe driving, and various approaches have been applied to minimize it. This study analyzed the components of BT in order to assess the effects of age, gender, vehicle transmission type, and event uncertainty, on its two primary components, perception-reaction time and brake-movement time. METHOD: Perception-reaction time and brake-movement time were measured at the onset of lights for 72 subjects in a simulator. The six experimental conditions were three levels of uncertainty conditions (none, some, and some + false alarms) and two types of transmission (manual and automatic). The 72 subjects, half male and half female, were further divided into three age groups (mean of 23, 30, and 62 years). Each subject had 10 trials in each of the three levels of uncertainty conditions. RESULTS: Transmission type did not significantly affect either perception-reaction time or brake-movement time. Perception-reaction time increased significantly from 0.32 to 0.42 s (P < .05) as uncertainty increased but brake-movement time did not change. Perception-reaction time increased (from 0.35 to 0.43 s) with age but brake-movement time did not change with age. Gender did not affect perception-reaction time but did affect brake-movement time (males 0.19 s vs. females 0.16 s). IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: At 90 km/h, a car travels 0.25 m in 0.01 s. Consequently, even such small effects multiplied by millions of vehicle-kilometers can contribute to significant savings in lives and damages.     

MORPHOLOGIC RESPONSE OF SUBALPINE STREAMS TO TRANSBASIN FLOW DIVERSION1

ABSTRACT: Flow has been diverted from Rocky Mountain streams for many years with little documentation of the impacts on physical form and biological function of the losing stream system. This study addresses whether differences in form can be detected in subalpine step-pool, plane bed, or pool-riffle channels and linked to changes in flow regime from diversion. Total annual discharge was reduced between 20 and 60 percent and average annual peak flow was reduced up to 45 percent in the subalpine systems assessed; channels were diverted between 20 and 100 years. Expected impacts include reduced conveyance and changes in vegetation growth patterns because formerly active surfaces are colonized by riparian species, effectuating shrinking channel capacity. In this study, reduced channel width is used as an indicator of morphologic response. Observed reductions in width, ranging from 35 to 50 percent at some sites, resulted not only from vegetation invasion of stable surfaces but also from the development of an inset beside former cut banks. This observation, however, was restricted to wider pool-riffle channels with gravel bars. Outside of these areas, morphologic changes were either subtle or absent. The absence of widespread response is attributed primarily to periodic “flooding” of the diverted channel. During wetter-than-average years when excess water is available, minimal flow is diverted and the hydrograph resembles a free-flowing regime. The release of high flow to the natural channel potentially offsets changes in form incurred during “dry” periods. The stable nature and structure of subalpine channels also contributes to the absence of reduced capacity.