深水平台施工过程自然风险定量评估

在分析现有风险理论的基础上,结合海洋施工实际,提出了一种对海洋施工自然风险进行定量评估的模型。根据目标系统各风险事件与影响因素之间存在高度非线性复杂映射的特点,提出了利用BP神经网络拟合方法,对主要风险事件发生概率进行量化的模型。针对传统的梯度下降优化算法收敛速度慢的特点,采用可避免计算Hesse矩阵的Levenberg-Marquardt算法来训练神经网络。这一模型可以模拟专家评价,并准确地按照专家的评定法则进行估算,具有一定的通用性。     

pH和温度对2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚在土壤中吸附和解吸行为的影响研究

研究了pH和温度对2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)在土壤中的吸附和解吸行为的影响。结果表明,pH和温度都可以影响BDE-47在受试土壤中的吸附和解吸行为。pH升高或降低均会使土壤对BDE-47的吸附能力提高,且在碱性环境中提高的程度更大;酸性或碱性条件下BDE-47在土壤中的解吸滞后性显著增强。温度降低后,土壤对BDE-47的吸附能力提高,5℃时的单点分配系数(Kd,表征土壤对BDE-47的吸附能力)是25℃时的1.03~1.67倍;温度由25℃降低到5℃后,BDE-47在土壤中的解吸滞后性增强。     

印度尼西亚M_s≥7.8强震时空对称特征及其趋势判断

在灾害的综合研究中,自然灾害风险评价是灾害研究的一个热点领域。对自然灾害进行准确的趋势判断,其理论和现实意义重大。利用可公度信息提取方法和蝴蝶结构图法对1900年以来印度尼西亚Ms≥7.8的强震进行了分析,认为印度尼西亚在2014年强震信号较强,有可能发生较大震级的地震。将地震对称性的空间表象、动力学基础及其物理机理进行有机的结合可以作为地震趋势判断的依据,为后续研究提供一些启示。     

Process,Characterization and Biodegradability of Aliphatic Aromatic Polyester/Sisal Fiber Composites

The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical properties of composite materials made of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and sisal fiber (SF) were evaluated. Composites containing acrylic acid-grafted PBAT (PBAT-g-AA/SF) exhibited noticeably superior mechanical properties due to greater compatibility between the two components. The dispersion of SF in the PBAT-g-AA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation between the carboxyl groups of PBAT-g-AA and hydroxyl groups in SF and the consequent creation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules. Each composite was subjected to biodegradation tests in Rhizopus oryzae compost. Morphological observations indicated severe disruption of film structure after 60 days of incubation, and both the PBAT and the PBAT-g-AA/SF composite films were eventually completely degraded. Water resistance of PBAT-g-AA/SF was higher than that of PBAT/SF, although weight loss of composites buried in Rhizopus oryzae compost indicated that both were biodegradable, even at high levels of SF substitution. The PBAT-g-AA/SF films were more biodegradable than those made of PBAT, implying a strong connection between these characteristics and biodegradability.     

Effects of Alkali Treatment on the Properties of Short Flax Fiber–Poly(Lactic Acid) Eco-Composites

In this study, the influence of alkali (NaOH) treatment on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of eco-composites of short flax fiber/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was investigated. SEM analysis conducted on alkali treated flax fibers showed that the packed structure of the fibrils was deformed by the removal non-cellulosic materials. The fibrils were separated from each other and the surface roughness of the alkali treated flax fibers was improved. The mechanical tests indicated that the modulus of the untreated fiber/PLA composites was higher than that of PLA; on the other hand the modulus of alkali treated flax fiber/PLA was lower than PLA. Thermal properties of the PLA in the treated flax fiber composites were also affected. T_g values of treated flax fiber composites were lowered by nearly 10 °C for 10% NaOH treatment and 15 °C for 30% NaOH treatment. A bimodal melting behavior was observed for treated fiber composites different than both of neat PLA and untreated fiber composites. Furthermore, wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystalline structure of cellulose of flax fibers changed from cellulose-I structure to cellulose-II.     

Achieving uniform regulation of environmental lead exposure and poisoning in wildlife and humans

Lead from spent ammunition causes preventable lead exposure in wildlife and humans that may ingest it. Nontoxic substitutes for lead ammunition exist but are not adopted widely because of hunter opposition. Other forms of lead exposure in the human environment have been heavily regulated because there is no safe level of exposure. The use of lead ammunition should be regulated similarly to protect wildlife from this common disease.     

Water Remediation: PVA-Based Magnetic Gels as Efficient Devices to Heavy Metal Removal

Scientific and technological researches are devoted to obtain materials capable of retaining different kinds of pollutants, contributing to contamination solutions. In this context, hydrogels have emerged as great candidates because of their excellent absorption properties as well as good mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. More specifically, ferrogels (magnetic gels) present the extra advantage of being easily manipulated by a permanent magnet. Here, we present the results derived from the application of ferrogels as efficient tools to extract heavy metal pollutants from wastewater samples. The gels were prepared following the method of freezing and thawing of a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution with magnetic nanoparticles coated with polyacrylic acid. Ferrogels were fully characterized and their ability to retain Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺, as model heavy metals, was studied. Thus kinetics and mechanisms of adsorption were evaluated and modeled. The concentration of MNPs on the PVA matrix was key to improve the adsorption capability (approximately the double of retention is improved by the MNPs addition). The adsorption kinetics was determined as pseudo-second order model, whereas the Langmuir model was the most appropriate to explain the behavior of the gels. Finally reuse ability was evaluated to determine the real potential of these materials, the ferrogels demonstrated high efficiency up to about five cycles, retaining about 80–90% of their initial adsorption capability. All the results indicated that the materials are promising candidates able to compete with the commercial technology regarding to water remediation.     

Effects of Natural and Artificial Weathering on the Physical Properties of Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

In accelerated weathering tests, specimens are exposed to higher radiation intensity, temperature and humidity than is likely under natural weathering in order to achieve rapid degradation of the polymer in a convenient short time. In the current work, a correlation between the two environments is attempted so that a prediction of lifetimes in the natural environment can be achieved. During aging, surface flaws are created due to the chain scission process. This is initiated by the absorption of ultra-violet light and directly affects visual appearance and impact strength. After natural weathering, the material shows only plastic deformation in an impact test. However, after artificial weathering to 5000 h of UV exposure, there is a decrease of 85% in impact strength. Colour change occurs at a high rate in the early stages of UV exposure. Beyond 2000 h of exposure, the colour change approaches a steady state and a correlation between the changes under natural and artificial weathering becomes apparent for a potential prediction of lifetimes. From the analysis including the specular component (SCI), taking surface roughening into account, 1 year under natural weathering was found to be equivalent to 25 days under accelerated weathering.