Emergy algebra: Improving matrix methods for calculating transformities

Transformity is one of the core concepts in Energy Systems Theory and it is fundamental to the calculation of emergy. Accurate evaluation of transformities and other emergy per unit values is essential for the broad acceptance, application and further development of emergy methods. Since the rules for the calculation of emergy are different from those for energy, particular calculation methods and models have been developed for use in the emergy analysis of networks, but double counting errors still occur because of errors in applying these rules when estimating the emergies of feedbacks and co-products. In this paper, configurations of network energy flows were classified into seven types based on commonly occurring combinations of feedbacks, splits, and co-products. A method of structuring the network equations for each type using the rules of emergy algebra, which we called “preconditioning” prior to calculating transformities, was developed to avoid double counting errors in determining the emergy basis for energy flows in the network. The results obtained from previous approaches, the Track Summing Method, the Minimum Eigenvalue Model and the Linear Optimization Model, were reviewed in detail by evaluating a hypothetical system, which included several types of interactions and two inputs. A Matrix Model was introduced to simplify the calculation of transformities and it was also tested using the same hypothetical system. In addition, the Matrix Model was applied to two real case studies, which previously had been analyzed using the existing method and models. Comparison of the three case studies showed that if the preconditioning step to structure the equations was missing, double counting would lead to large errors in the transformity estimates, up to 275 percent for complex flows with feedback and co-product interactions. After preconditioning, the same results were obtained from all methods and models. The Matrix Model reduces the complexity of the Track Summing Method for the analysis of complex systems, and offers a more direct and understandable link between the network diagram and the matrix algebra, compared with the Minimum Eigenvalue Model or the Linear Optimization Model.     

Reliability of Conservation Actions Based on Elasticity Analysis of Matrix Models

Abstract: Matrix population models have entered the mainstream of conservation biology, with analysis of proportional sensitivities (elasticity analysis) of demographic rates becoming important components of conservation decision making. We identify areas where management applications using elasticity analysis potentially conflict with the mathematical basis of the technique, and we use a hypothetical example and three real data sets (Prairie Chicken [   Tympanuchus cupido ], desert tortoise [ Gopherus agassizii ], and killer whale [ Orcinus orca ]) to evaluate the extent to which conservation recommendations based on elasticities might be misleading. First, changes in one demographic rate can change the qualitative ranking of the elasticity values calculated from a population matrix, a result that dampens enthusiasm for ranking conservation actions based solely on which rates have the highest elasticity values. Second, although elasticities often provide accurate predictions of future changes in population growth rate under management perturbations that are large or that affect more than one rate concurrently, concordance frequently fails when different rates vary by different amounts. In particular, when vital rates change to their high or low values observed in nature, predictions of future growth rate based on elasticities of a mean matrix can be misleading, even predicting population increase when the population growth rate actually declines following a perturbation. Elasticity measures will continue to be useful tools for applied ecologists, but they should be interpreted with considerable care. We suggest that studies using analytical elasticity analysis explicitly consider the range of variation possible for different rates and that simulation methods are a useful tool to this end.     

ASSESSMENT OF PREDICTORS FOR STREAM EUTROPHICATION POTENTIAL1

ABSTRACT: Predicting stream eutrophication potential from non-point source nutrient loading across large temporal and spatial scales is a significant problem. In this paper we describe how two physiological indicators of P stress of stream bioflims, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and stored (surplus) P relate to two predictors of P loading: annual P loading predicted by the watershed model SIMPLE, and stream concentrations of soluble reactive P (SRP) in eight subbasins in the illinois River basin in Oklahoma. Data for APA, surplus P, nutrients and water chemistry were obtained at watershed outlets once during the cold season and twice during the warm season. There was a negative curvilinear relationship between APA and both predictors. Best fit was achieved by APA vs. annual predicted P loading. Both SRP and P. load are potentially useful to identify subbasins requiring no pollution abatement and to establish a regional target for P-load reduction. Surplus P is not as useful as APA in establishing these thresholds.     

An empirical survey of the benefits of implementing pay for safety scheme (PFSS) in the Hong Kong construction industry

Introduction

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has implemented different safety initiatives to improve the safety performance of the construction industry over the past decades. The Pay for Safety Scheme (PFSS), which is one of the effective safety measures launched by the government in 1996, has been widely adopted in the public works contracts. Both the accident rate and fatality rate of public sector projects have decreased noticeably over this period.

Method

This paper aims to review the current state of application of PFSS in Hong Kong, and attempts to identify and analyze the perceived benefits of PFSS in construction via an industry-wide empirical questionnaire survey. A total of 145 project participants who have gained abundant handson experience with the PFSS construction projects were requested to complete a survey questionnaire to indicate the relative importance of those benefits identified in relation to PFSS. The perceived benefits were measured and ranked from the perspectives of the client and contractor for crosscomparison.

Results

The survey findings suggested the most significant benefits derived from adopting PFSS were: (a) Increased safety training; (b) Enhanced safety awareness; (c) Encouragement of developing safety management system; and (d) Improved safety commitment. A wider application of PFSS should be advocated so as to achieve better safety performance within the construction industry.

Impact on Industry

It is recommended that a similar scheme to the PFSS currently adopted in Hong Kong may be developed for implementation in other regions or countries for international comparisons.     

A general kinetic law for heavy metal vaporization during municipal solid waste incineration

Metal emissions from waste incineration plants become a great environmental concern because of their toxicity for both human health and environment. Metals are not destroyed by high-temperature thermal treatment and some vaporized metals may be emitted. It is thus essential to understand the release mechanism of metals during high-temperature waste treatment, in order to improve the understanding of their behavior and the control of their emission. The objective of this study is to identify the kinetic law for metal release from realistic artificial waste. The vaporization of three metals of most concern (Cd, Pb and Zn) during municipal waste incineration was studied. The vaporization rate at the particle level was determined from the experimental concentration profile in the outlet gas of a fluidized bed reactor, by using the inverse method that was previously developed and validated by our team. As a first step, the kinetic parameters were determined thanks to experiments carried out at several temperatures. Specific laws, for each studied metal, were thus obtained as a function of temperature. Nevertheless, it is very useful to identify all the experimental kinetic curves (all studied metals at all temperatures) to one single mathematical law. Therefore, a general kinetic law, expressing the solid matrix influence on the metal vaporization dynamic, was determined as a second step. It permits to predict the vaporization characteristic time and the time course of the metal concentration in the waste.     

产业联盟透视 关于中外产业联盟问题的10个答问

国内外产业联盟的形成和发展,原因在于经济全球化、高新技术特别是信息技术的快速发展。联盟按照自愿、平等、互利原则建立,这种组织形式有利于成员间的资源整合,有利于新技术的研发、统一标准、开拓全球市场,使联盟成员在市场竞争中获得更多的优势。联盟的发展需要有明确的定位,坚持战略性、市场化、互利性原则。目前安防行业成立的产业联盟,本质上是企业联盟。在企业家探索、实践产业联盟之际,我们对产业联盟的来龙去脉、对联盟的定位和功能进行了梳理,目的是抛砖引玉,希望大家对产业联盟、企业联盟有一个相对全面、直观的解读。     

The effect of land use on soil health indicators in peri-urban agriculture in the humid forest zone of southern cameroon

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of different land uses in peri-urban agriculture on the soil properties. Soil health indicators were evaluated in the top 10 cm at five tilled agricultural sites involving different cropping systems and use of agrochemicals within the peri-urban agricultural areas of Yaounde, Cameroon, and compared with a native forest land. The experimental data showed that the selected indicators were sensitive to cropping practice. Most cropped land had significantly higher total C, available N and P concentrations, soil pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, biomass C and P, dehydrogenase, beta-glucosidase, and acid phosphatase activities. Land producing corn (Zea mays L.) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) differed from that producing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), but cultivation of these crops has significantly impacted native soil quality. However, phenol oxidase, microbal biomass C/organic C (C(mic)/C(org)), and microbial biomass C/microbial biomass P (C(mic)/P(mic)) were negatively affected. These appeared to be more consistent indicators of negative management causing changes to soil health and may be suitable for an early appraisal of soil health.     

A solid-phase microextraction chamber method for analysis of manure volatiles

Odors from livestock operations are a complex mixture of volatile carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. Currently, detailed volatiles analysis is both time consuming and requires specialized equipment and methods. This work describes a new method that utilizes a dynamic flux chamber, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to describe and compare the odorous compounds emitted from cattle and swine feces. Evaluation of method parameters produced a protocol for comparing relative emissions based on fixed sample temperature (20 degrees C) and exposed surface area (approximately 523 cm(2)), air flow rates (1 L min(-1) or 16 cm s(-1)), SPME exposure time (5 min), and chamber cleaning procedures (70% ethanol rinse and drying for 30 min at 105 degrees C) to minimize cross-contamination between samples. A variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including alcohols, volatile fatty acids, aromatic ring compounds, ketones, esters, and sulfides were routinely detected and the relative emissions from fresh and incubated (37 degrees C overnight) swine and cattle feces were compared as a measure of potential to produce odorants during manure storage. Differences in the types and relative quantities of volatiles emitted were detected when animal species (cattle or swine), diet, fecal incubation, or sample storage conditions (20, 4, or -20 degrees C) were varied.     

Estimating the Unknown Components of Nutrient Mass Balances for Forestry Plantations in Mine Rehabilitation, Upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

Commercial forestry plantations as a postmining land use in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia are restricted by both the poor nutrient availability of mining substrates and low regional rainfall. An experiment was conducted to investigate whether municipal waste products and saline groundwater from coal mining operations could improve early tree growth without impacting on the environment through salt accumulation and/or nutrient enrichment and changes in groundwater quality. Potential impacts were investigated by quantifying the nutrient cycling dynamics within the plantation using an input–output mass balance approach for exchangeable calcium (Ca²⁺), exchangeable magnesium (Mg²⁺), exchangeable potassium (K⁺), exchangeable sodium (Na⁺), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). Measured inputs to and outputs from the available nutrient pool in the 0–30 cm of the overburden subsystem were used to estimate the net effect of unmeasured inputs and outputs (termed “residuals”). Residual values in the mass balance of the irrigated treatments demonstrated large leaching losses of exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na. Between 96% and 103% of Na applied in saline mine-water irrigation was leached below the 0–30-cm soil profile zone. The fate of these salts beyond 30 cm is unknown, but results suggest that irrigation with saline mine water had minimal impact on the substrate to 30 cm over the first 2 years since plantation establishment. Accumulations of N and P were detected for the substrate amendments, suggesting that organic amendments (particularly compost) retained the applied nutrients with very little associated losses, particularly through leaching.     

Phosphorus runoff during four years following composted manure application

Repeated manure application can lead to excessive soil test P (STP) levels and increased P concentration in runoff, but also to improved water infiltration and reduced runoff. Research was conducted to evaluate soil P tests in prediction of P concentration in runoff and to determine the residual effects of composted manure on runoff P loss and leaching of P. The research was conducted from 2001 to 2004 under natural runoff events with plots of 11-m length. Low-P and high-P compost had been applied during the previous 3 yr, resulting in total applications of 750 and 1150 kg P ha(-1). Bray-P1 in the surface 5 cm of soil was increased from 16 to 780 mg kg(-1) with application of high-P compost. Runoff and sediment losses were 69 and 120% greater with no compost than with residual compost treatments. Runoff P concentration increased as STP increased, but much P loss occurred with the no-compost treatment as well. Agronomic soil tests were predictive of mean runoff P concentration, but increases in STP resulted in relatively small increases in runoff P concentration. Downward movement of P was not detected below 0.3 m. In conclusion, agronomic soil tests are useful in predicting long-term runoff P concentration, and risk of P loss may be of concern even at moderate soil P levels. The residual effect of compost application in reducing sediment and runoff loss was evident more than 3 yr after application and should be considered in P indices.