Investigating the effect of geometric dimensions of median traffic barriers on crashes: Crash analysis of interstate roads in Wyoming using actual crash datasets

IntroductionDespite the numerous safety studies done on traffic barriers’ performance assessment, the effect of variables such as traffic barrier’s height has not been identified considering a comprehensive actual crash data analysis. This study seeks to identify the impact of geometric variables (i.e., height, post-spacing, sideslope ratio, and lateral offset) on median traffic barriers’ performance in crashes on interstate roads.MethodGeometric dimensions of over 110 miles median traffic barriers on interstate Wyoming roads were inventoried in a field survey between 2016 and 2018. Then, the traffic barrier data collected was combined with historical crash records, traffic volume data, road geometric characteristics, and weather condition data to provide a comprehensive dataset for the analysis. Finally, an ordered logit model with random-parameters was developed for the severity of traffic barrier crashes. Based on the results, traffic barrier’s height was found to impact crash severity.ResultsCrashes involving cable barriers with a height between 30″ and 42″ were less severe than other traffic barrier types, while concrete barriers with a height shorter than 32″ were more likely involved with severe injury crashes. As another important finding, the post-spacing of 6.1–6.3 ft. was identified as the least severe range in W-beam barriers.Practical applicationsThe results show that using flare barriers should reduce the number of crashes compared to parallel barriers.     

Risk assessment method of polyethylene dust explosion based on explosion parameters

The explosion characteristic parameters of polyethylene dust were systematically investigated. The variations in the maximum explosion pressure (P_max), explosion index (K_st), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), and minimum explosion concentration (MEC) of dust samples with different particle sizes were obtained. Using experimental data, a two-dimensional matrix analysis method was applied to classify the dust explosion severity based on P_max and K_st. Then, a three-dimensional matrix was used to categorize the dust explosion sensitivity based on three factors: MIE, MIT, and MEC. Finally, a two-dimensional matrix model of dust explosion risk assessment was established considering the severity and sensitivity. The model was used to evaluate the explosion risk of polyethylene dust samples with different particle sizes. It was found that the risk level of dust explosion increased with decreasing particle size, which was consistent with the actual results. The risk assessment method can provide a scientific basis for dust explosion prevention in the production of polyethylene.     

基于均匀分布的滑坡数值模拟参数取值概率研究--以甘肃黑方台黄土滑坡为例

针对数值模拟参数选取主观性强、量化难度大的问题,在高精度无人机地形数据的基础上,通过对11起滑坡案例进行了407组参数反演实验,对结果准确度定量评价后,得到基于Massflow数值软件关键参数λ0的分布范围,进而运用小样本极大似然估计理论,分析区间边界长度对反演精度的影响,最终提出基于均匀分布的参数取值概率模型,并选用案例验证该模型的准确性。结果表明:地形约束会导致反演过程中所需的内聚力减小,反演获得的11组最优λ0的极差和方差分别为0.29、0.01,在置信度为95%下,极大似然法得到区间边界估计长度仅为0.0998,表明参数λ收敛性较好;反演过程中质心滑动距离ψ准确度优于堆积面积重叠率η,在λ0±0.05的范围,参数估计区间内任意值对模拟误差影响较小,评价指标ψ、η与λ0对应案例的相对误差不超过15%;所选案例验证了在置信度为95%下,以反演得到的最优参数区间边界中点构建概率分布函数的可行性和准确性,研究方法可为单体滑坡数值模拟风险评价提供理论支撑。     

半干旱半湿润地区HSPF模型水文模拟及参数不确定性研究

本研究选取半干旱半湿润地区北京妫水河流域2005—2007年和2008年月径流数据为率定期和验证期,建立HSPF水文模型进行径流模拟,结合人工率定和PEST自动率定程序进行参数优选,并通过GLUE方法分析模型参数不确定性.通过Monte-Carlo随机采样得到30000组参数组合,分析参数与似然值散点图,把参数分为敏感参数(LZSN、AGWRC)、区间敏感参数(BASETP)和不敏感参数(AGWETP、INFILT、CEPSC、DEEPFR、UZSN、INTFW、IRC).针对比较敏感的参数LZSN、AGWRC和BASETP分析其相关性,发现LZSN和AGWRC相关性较强.模型存在大量"异参同效"现象,表明影响结果的是参数组合而不是单一参数.进一步计算90%置信度下的不确定性范围,发现不确定性范围与径流大小密切相关,径流愈大其不确定性范围愈大,反之亦然.本文对参数不确定的分析研究可为HSPF模型在区域尺度水文预测等提供参考和依据.     

Sub-lethal toxic effects of deltamethrin on blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica

Feeding deltamethrin-contaminated grains to domestic poultry, such as quails may result in toxic effects in these birds. This study was done to investigate the effects of recommended doses of deltamethrin, sometimes used in grain storage silos, on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Quails were fed grains contaminated with 0.25 and 0.50 mg deltamethrin per kg diet for 21 days and the effects on survival and blood biochemical parameters were studied. Plasma uric acid, creatinine levels, and creatinine phosphokinase activity in the blood were increased. Aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and glucose levels significantly increased in birds treated with the high dose of deltamethrin. Alanine aminotransferase activity and albumin or cholesterol levels were not changed, and acetylcholinesterase and alkaline phosphatase activities, total protein and globulin in plasma were decreased. Administration of 0.25 mg/kg deltamethrin caused increased blood triglyceride levels, 0.50 mg/kg deltamethrin decreased triglyceride levels.     

氮磷营养盐因子对缘管浒苔生长、叶绿素荧光特性和氮磷富集的影响

为探讨大型海藻缘管浒苔(Ulva linza)对氮、磷加富的生理响应及其机制,分析了氮、磷浓度变化对藻体相对生长速率(Rr.g),氮、磷富集,叶绿素(Chl)含量,类胡萝卜素(Car)含量,色素比值(Chl a/Chl b、Chl/Car)以及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明,在30μmol·L-1P浓度不变条件下,随着N浓度的增加,藻体P含量持续降低,而其Rr、g、N含量、Chl含量、Car含量、色素比值(Chl a/Chl b、Chl/Car)和叶绿素荧光参数均逐渐上升,N3处理(500μmol· L-1 N)缘管浒苔Rr.g和叶绿素荧光参数均达到最大值,N4处理(1 000 μmol·L-1)缘管浒苔Chl含量、Car含量和Chl a/Chl b比值均达到最大值.在500 μmol·L-1N浓度不变条件下,依次增加P浓度,缘管浒苔Rr,g没有显著差异,N含量没有显著变化,而P含量则呈明显上升趋势,其他指标变化幅度小.综上所述,与P相比,N的变化对缘管浒苔生长、光合色素和光合作用的影响更明显,在N浓度为500 μmol·L-1、P浓度为30 μmol ·L-1、N/P比值为16.67条件下,藻体生长最佳.当水体富营养化加剧时,缘管浒苔富集氮、磷的能力持续上升.     

运行参数对水蚯蚓生物吸持六价铬性能影响研究

水蚯蚓能通过摄食剩余污泥而使污泥减量,但剩余污泥中常含有各种重金属污染物.本文以颤蚓科蠕虫(Tubificidae)为研究对象,以六价铬为典型重金属污染物,考察运行工艺参数:初始铬浓度、p H、水蚯蚓投加量和温度对水蚯蚓吸持六价铬的影响.实验结果表明,在研究浓度范围内(0.1~8.0 mg·L-1),水蚯蚓对六价铬的吸持速率随铬浓度的增大而加快,单位质量吸持量从14.4 mg·kg-1(以干重计,下同)增加到312.7 mg·kg-1,但六价铬的吸持率却随Cr6+初始浓度的增加而降低;p H从6.0增加到8.0,水蚯蚓对六价铬的吸持速率随p H的上升而提高,吸持率和单位质量吸持量先明显增强,p H达到7.5后逐渐趋于平衡,即吸持最佳p H为7.5;水蚯蚓投加量从1.0 g(以湿重计,下同)增加到5.0 g时,吸持速率及吸持率均上升,但单位质量吸持量却随着水蚯蚓投加量的增加而减少;当温度在10~20℃范围内时,水蚯蚓对六价铬的吸持速率相对较慢,到25℃时,吸持速率明显加快,吸持率和单位质量水蚯蚓的吸持量的变化趋势与吸持速率的变化相一致,但当温度达到30℃,水蚯蚓会大量死亡,综合考虑,处理系统最佳温度宜控制在25℃.     

单壁碳纳米管材料对水稻幼苗的毒性效应

随着碳纳米管材料(CNTs)被广泛地应用于工业和商业等多个领域,其将不可避免地进入到大气、水和土壤环境中,从而对生态系统结构和功能产生一些负面影响.为明确进入水环境中的碳纳米管材料对农业生产的潜在危险,本实验采用水培法,研究了不同浓度(10、20、40mg·L~(-1))的单壁碳纳米管材料(SWCNTs)对萌发期内水稻的发芽率、根长耐性指数和幼苗生长期内水稻的鲜重、叶绿素和可溶性蛋白的影响,以及单壁碳纳米管材料在水稻根部的累积.结果表明,在萌发期,胁迫处理4 d后,与对照相比,10、20、40 mg·L-1SWCNTs处理组对水稻发芽率没有任何抑制作用,但会延迟种子的发芽时间;水稻根长耐性指数随着单壁碳纳米管材料浓度的增加而下降.在幼苗生长期,胁迫处理30 d后,与对照相比,水稻鲜重随着单壁碳纳米管材料浓度的增加而分别下降14.2%、21.0%和38.8%;与此相类似,水稻叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量随着单壁碳纳米管材料浓度的增加而下降;另外,通过透射电镜观察(TEM)发现,SWCNTs颗粒分布在水稻幼苗根尖表皮细胞的细胞壁中.SWCNTs对水稻生长起抑制作用,且随着浓度的增加抑制作用逐渐增强.     

落石冲击作用下架设油气管道响应分析

针对影响油气管道安全运营的落石冲击问题,基于弹塑性力学、Cowper-Symonds本构模型和有限元方法,建立了球形落石冲击油气管道的计算模型,对管道动态响应过程进行了数值模拟。对冲击速度、落石半径、管道内压力和落石冲击位置进行了参数敏感性分析,研究了各参数对管道冲击变形的影响规律。结果表明:落石的冲击能量主要用于管道塑性变形;冲击过程中,落石与管道的接触区域由初始的椭圆斑逐渐变成了椭圆环;管道塑性变形随着冲击速度和落石半径的增大而增大,随内压和落石偏移度的增大而减小。该研究工作为油气管道的安全评价及防护工程的设计提供了参考依据,对保障油气安全运输具有重要的工程意义。     

Characterization of Ti powders mixed with TiO2 powders: Thermal and kinetic studies

The fire and explosion risks of metal powders admixed with solid inertants have been extensively investigated for many years. However, it remains unclear why such solid mixtures have high potential fire and explosion risk even when mixed with high percentages of non-combustible solids. This paper investigates how to interpret these risks, from a microscopic perspective, with thermal and kinetic parameters including initial ignition temperature, mass unit exothermic energy, activation energy and risk index of spontaneous combustion. The results show that the initial ignition temperature based on TG (Thermogravimetry) analysis is related to ignition sensitivity, and increased with percentage of admixed solid inertant. The unit mass exothermic energy based on DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry) analysis is related to flame spread velocity. Activation energy and the risk index of spontaneous combustion can be used to explain the reactivity and spontaneous combustion hazard, respectively, of metal powders. We conclude that thermal and kinetic parameters may provide another way to describe the fire and explosion risk of combustible powders, especially for nano metal powders due to the laboratory safety in the normative tests for explosion parameter determination.