Temporal and Spatial Variations of Phytoplankton Community Structure in Lake Erhai,a Chinese Plateau Lake,with Reference to Environmental Factors

Russian Journal of Ecology - Temporal and spatial variations of phytoplankton community in Lake Erhai were investigated from May 2010 to April 2011. A total of 124 species belonging to 8 phyla and...     

Social representations of governance for change towards sustainability: perspectives of sustainability advocates

There is a substantial body of literature on public understandings of large-scale ‘environmental’ phenomena such as climate change and resource degradation. At the same time, political science and economics analyse the governance arrangements to deal with such issues. These realms of research rarely meet: there has been little research into people’s understandings of the governance of environmental change. This study adds a psychological perspective to governance research by investigating social representations of governance that promotes societal change towards sustainability, and related practices. It examines data from qualitative interviews with sustainability-interested people in seven European countries (n = 105). The analysis identified building blocks of representations suitable as an analytical framework for future research on governance representations. The diversity of their content reflected a range of pathways to societal change. Representations often seemed to have a creative function as a guiding vision for individuals’ own practices, but their wider transformative potential was constrained.     

Investigation of modified horizontal wing cut twisted tapes fitted with rod and spacer at trailing edge on heat transfer properties in Double Glazing V-Trough solar water heaters

An experimental analysis of heat transfer efficiency in double glazing solar water heating system having full-length Horizontal wing cut twisted tapes having twist ratio 3 fitted with rod or spacer of dimensions 125 mm, 250 mm, and 500 mm as length at the trailing edges has been dealt in this work. The experimental results have been compared with a plain tube with similar operating conditions and concluded that variation in the Nusselt number, as well as friction factor, are ±12.56% and ±10.17%, respectively. The result of empirical correlation concludes that Nusselt number is maximal for horizontal wing cut twisted tapes having rod or spacer at its ends while comparing with full-length horizontal wing cut twisted tapes. The friction factor is low for full-length horizontal wing cut twisted tapes than the horizontal wing cut twisted tapes fitted with rod or spacer. The horizontal wing cut twisted tapes fitted with rod has superior performance than twist fitted with spacer.     

Trace elements and microbiological parameters in farmed Nile tilapia with emphasis on muscle,water, sediment and feed

Fish may bioaccumulate contaminants from the aquatic environment and extend them to the food chain provoking risks to human health. This study evaluated the microbiological parameters of the pond´s water and trace elements concentrations in samples of water, sediment, feed and muscle of farmed Nile tilapia used for human consumption in southern Brazil. A total of 240 fish were collected from 12 tilapia farms. Sediment, tank water and dry ration used in the animals' diet were collected for analysis. Analysis were performed by Energy Dispersion X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Induced Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS-VGA). In addition, the microbiological analysis of the water was carried out. The concentrations of Se, I, Fe, Cu and Zn in fish muscle were higher than the recommended by the Brazilian legislation, considering the advised daily intake for adults. The arsenic element had concentrations above the limit stipulated by the present Brazilian legislation, observed in all samples of muscle, sediment and tank water highlighting a possible environmental and fish contamination by the toxic element. Moreover, the arsenic concentration in the water presented a positive correlation (ρ?=?0.33) with arsenic in the muscle, suggesting that tilapia is a good environmental bioindicator, once they properly reflect the levels of arsenic in the water. It is suggested to perform an arsenic speciation for quantification of the inorganic form and accurate assessment of the degree of toxicity in the muscle samples and risks it can bring to human health. Regarding the other potentially toxic elements (Hg, Pb and Cd), and microbiological analysis of water it was verified that the consumption of the fish in question does not raise risks, since the values are within a quality benchmark established by law. The concentration of total and fecal coliforms in pond´s water in the facilities was in agreement with the microbiological indexes required by the legislation of CONAMA class II. Western region presented the lowest concentrations of fecal coliforms when compared to the other regions. There was no significant difference in the microbiological counts of total heterotrophic bacteria, Vibrio spp. and Pseudomonas spp. among the regions.     

Characterizing the child passenger safety workforce in Michigan: A statewide survey in 2015

Objective: In this study, we assessed the number of child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) in Michigan over 4 years and characterized the CPST workforce in 2015 to identify factors associated with high productivity and longevity in the field.

Methods: We determined the number of CPSTs and those newly certified using lists from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) from 2012 to 2015. We conducted a statewide survey of Michigan CPSTs in October 2015. Analyses were conducted in 2016. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, reasons to enter the field and maintain certification, and motivations to conduct seat checks. We used CPST-reported time devoted to seat checks and average number of seats checked per month to create a composite “activity level” variable. We examined activity levels across several characteristics.

Results: The number of CPSTs ranged from 941 to 980 over the study period, with approximately 200 new certifications annually. In 2015, surveys were started by 496 of 962 eligible CPSTs and 427 submitted complete responses. CPST-instructors had a higher response rate than CPSTs in general (89 vs. 49%, P < .0001). The majority of respondents were women (71%) and self-identified as white (88%). More than one third were 35–44 years old. Just 7% were comfortable checking seats using a language other than English. “Personal reasons” were most often cited motivation for becoming a CPST and maintaining certification. Natural fit/job enhancement were more common reasons to maintain certification than become a CPST. Time and distance had the greatest influence on seat check participation. Perceived need, appointments vs. drop-in, and employer factors were very influential for 10–15% of CPSTs. Few CPSTs considered free food and payments/giveaways very influential. About 40% of respondents were considered high-activity (>24 seats checked/year), one third medium-activity (5 to 24 seats checked/year), and one quarter low-activity (<5 seats checked/year). High-activity CPSTs most commonly reported both being paid and volunteering their time to check seats, worked with a Safe Kids coalition, worked in law enforcement or social services, and had recertified at least once. Motivation to participate in seat checks did not vary with activity level.

Conclusions: Understanding the demographic characteristics and motivations of CPSTs can help Michigan OHSP recruit and retain a workforce dedicated to increasing the safety of child passengers. Agencies hosting seat checks can use these results to align the strategies they employ to incentivize CPSTs to serve in their communities with the factors that have the greatest influence on CPST participation.     

新疆大气颗粒物的时空分布特征

基于2015年新疆12个城市的PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)地面监测数据,并结合同期气象观测数据,分析了新疆PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)质量浓度的时空分布特征及其与气象要素的关联性。结果表明:新疆大气颗粒物年均质量浓度呈现南高北低特征,南疆各城市的年均PM_(10)质量浓度为150～262μg/m~3,年均PM_(2.5)质量浓度为50～118μg/m~3。北疆各城市的质量浓度相对较低,年均PM_(10)质量浓度为28～139μg/m~3,年均PM_(2.5)质量浓度为13～74μg/m~3。从时间变化来看,在春季和夏季,新疆以粗颗粒物污染为主,冬季以细颗粒物污染为主。此外,在南疆各城市3月PM_(10)质量浓度突然大幅升高与相对湿度明显下降、风速增大直接相关,沙尘天气是导致该区域春季高PM_(10)质量浓度的重要原因。     

Deep learning of grasping detection for a robot used in sorting construction and demolition waste

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The traditional construction and demolition waste (CDW) treatment process adopts the method of crushing and screening after mixing and combines the...     

基于功率法的结构⁃TMD减震控制分析∗

建立了结构-TMD振动方程,推导了无控结构和带TMD受控结构基于功率表达的运动方程,分别解释并给出了各种功率表达参数的物理意义,推导了随机激励下结构耗能功率流均值的随机表达式,对比分析了基于功率法的结构-TMD优化方法与其他优化方法的优化分析结果,并对其减震控制效果进行了对比分析。结果表明,结构-TMD系统的参数可以通过耗能功率流随机分析方法所得均值进行优化,且通过功率法优化后,结构在减震效果上优于其他传统方法得到的结果,从耗能功率均值的随机分析和时程功率分析角度证明了TMD控制的有效性;TMD做功功率为负时对结构有控制效果,起吸收转移能量的作用,且功率幅值越大控制效果越好,做功功率为正时则相反。     

水稻秸秆生物炭对水体中DDE的吸附性能研究

通过模拟实验,初步考察了一款水稻秸秆生物炭对水中滴滴涕农药的吸附效应。吸附动力学与吸附等温线的结果表明,水稻秸秆生物炭对水中滴滴涕具有吸附速度快、吸附容量高的特点,在水体有机污染物防治中具有较好应用前景。     

从工程设计角度改善石化实验室职业卫生环境

结合近年来大型石油化工联合装置实验室的工程设计经验,针对石油化工实验室的特点,从合理规划实验室的功能布置、改善实验室的工作环境、加强实验室的污染防护、改进分析方法、优化分析仪器配置等方面,提出了改善实验室职业卫生环境的措施和建议。