Numerical Simulation of Light/Dark Cycle Frequency of Microalgae Fluid in a Helical Tubular Photobioreactor for Carbon Dioxide Capture

In the present study, three-dimensional numerical simulations are conducted on hydrodynamics and light-intensity distribution of microalgae fluid flow in a helical tubular photobioreactor for CO₂ capture. The effect of incident direction of the light illumination is discussed and the light/dark cycle frequency experienced by the microalgae fluid in the cross-section of the photobioreactor is investigated. The simulation results reveal the steadily nonhorizontal and unsymmetrical Dean roll-cells of the microalgae fluid flow in the cross-section of the helical tube. The external light projecting onto the helical tubular photobioreactor from the center is a better way for microalgae cultivation. The light/dark cycle frequency of the microalgae fluid flow is calculated based on the light-intensity distribution inside the photobioreactor. The light/dark cycle frequency keeps constant for the same stream trace of the microalgae flow while varies with different flow regions. Meanwhile, the light/dark cycle frequency increases with the increase in microalgae fluid velocity. The suitable demarcation between the light and the dark zone depends on the shape and the location of the Dean roll-cells.     

Spatially explicit modeling of overstory manipulations in young forests: Effects on stand structure and light

Young forests can be manipulated in diverse ways to enhance their ecological values. We used stem maps from two dense, second-growth stands in western Washington and a spatially explicit light model (tRAYci) to simulate effects of five silvicultural manipulations on diameter distribution, species composition, spatial patterning, and light availability. Each treatment removed 30% of the basal area, but differed in how trees were selected for removal. Three primary treatments were thin from below (removing the smallest trees), random thin (removing trees randomly), and gap creation (removing all trees in circles ∼1 tree height in diameter). Two additional treatments combined elements of these approaches: random ecological thin (a mixture of thin from below and random thin) and structured ecological thin (a mixture of thin from below and gap creation).     

Degradation of Pyrimethanil in Soil: Influence of Light,Oxygen, and Microbial Activity

The research was carried out in order to verify the influence that light, oxygen, and microbial activity have on the degradability of pyrimethanil (PYR) in soil. The products of degradation were also identified and their evolution in time evaluated. The results indicate that the molecule is more persistent in the absence of light, oxygen, and microbial activity. The order of importance of these three factors is as follows: light < microbial activity < oxygen. The following products of degradation were identified: (1) benzoic acid, (2) cis,cis-muconic acid, (3) hydroxyl-4,6-dimethyl-2-pirimidinamine, (4) N′-ethyl-N-hydroxyformamidine, and (5) 4,6-dimethyl-2-piridinamine, which appeared different from those reported in literature for the degradation of PYR in abiotic conditions. This result suggests that the degradation in soil is mainly biotic.     

共振光散射技术在环境分析中的应用

共振光散射技术是一项在普通荧光分光光度计上进行测量的光散射技术,文章简要介绍了光散射现象,共振光散射的基本原理并作了定量基础讨论,对共振光散射技术在环境分析中的应用作了初步研究。     

基于灰关联分析的天津市气溶胶消光特征研究

根据天津市秋季(2006年10月10日～20日)消光系数(bext)、PM2.5、SO2、NOX、NO2、O3质量浓度及相对湿度监测结果,利用灰色关联分析法分析大气消光系数同空气中的几种主要污染要素的相关性。结果表明,与消光系数有关的几种主要指标的灰关联度序为PM2.5NOXRHNO2O3,其中PM2.5与消光系数的灰关联系数达到0.905,远高于其他相关指标。同时对PM2.5和消光系数相关分析表明,监测期间天津市PM2.5质量消光系数为6.04m2/g。     

能见度的降低与大气污染的关系

根据重庆十年能见度及气象数据和大气监测数据,作出了不同风向上能见度玫瑰图和多元回归模型.结果显示,水平能见度距离的降低,主要是空气污染引起的.     

光照、温度和营养盐对滇池微囊藻生长的影响

研究了光照、温度与营养盐对滇地铜绿微囊藻（Ｍｉｃｒｏｃｙｓｔｉｓａｅｒｕｇｉｎｏｓａ）生长的影响。实验表明，在５００～５０００ｌｘ光强范围内，随光强增加，比增殖速率加大；在２２～３５℃区间内，比增殖速率随温度的升高而增加，且温度的影响大于光照；氮磷比（Ｎ／Ｐ）值在５～１０范围内，比增殖速率变化较大，Ｎ／Ｐ值为１４．５时，比增殖速率达最大值。滇池湖水的氮磷比值为１４．４左右，与实验值相接近。根据实验结果及限制因子的定义，总体上讲，滇池中磷是藻类生长的主要限制因子，控制滇池富营养化应以控制磷为主。     

Social and hospital costs of patients admitted to a university hospital in Brazil due to motorcycle crashes

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the social and hospital costs of patients treated at a public hospital who were motorcycle crash victims.

Method: This prospective study was on 68 motorcycle riders (drivers or passengers), who were followed up from hospital admission to 6 months after the crash. A questionnaire covering quantitative and qualitative questions was administered.

Results: Motorcycle crash victims were responsible for 12% of the institution's hospital admissions; 54.4% were young (18–28 years of age); 92.6% were the drivers; 91.2% were male; and 50% used their motorcycles as daily means of transportation. Six months afterward, 94.1% needed help from someone; 83.8% had changed their family dynamics; and 73.5% had not returned to their professional activities. Among the injuries, 94.7% had some type of fracture, of which 53.5% were exposed fractures; 35.3% presented temporary sequelae; and 32.4% presented permanent sequelae. They used the surgical center 2.53 times on average, with a mean hospital stay of 18 days. The per capita hospital cost of these victims’ treatment was US$17,481.50.

Conclusion: The social and hospital costs were high, relative to the characteristics of a public institution. Temporary or permanent disability caused changes to family dynamics, as shown by the high numbers of patients who were still away from their professional activities more than 6 months afterward.     

Chemical characteristics of fine particles and their impact on visibility impairment in Shanghai based on a 1-year period observation

In this work, a one-year observation focusing on high time resolution characteristics of components in fine particles was conducted at an urban site in Shanghai. Contributions of different components on visibility impairment were also studied. Our research indicates that the major components of PM_2.5 in Shanghai are water-soluble inorganic ions and carbonaceous aerosol, accounting for about 60% and 30% respectively. Higher concentrations of sulfate (SO₄²⁻) and organic carbon (OC) in PM_2.5 occurred in fall and summer, while higher concentrations of nitrate (NO₃⁻) were observed in winter and spring. The mass concentrations of Cl⁻ and K⁺ were higher in winter. Moreover, NO₃⁻ increased significantly during PM_2.5 pollution episodes. The high values observed for the sulfate oxidizing rate (SOR), nitrate oxidizing rate (NOR) and secondary organic carbon (SOC) in OC indicate that photochemical reactions were quite active in Shanghai. The IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) formula was used in this study to investigate the contributions of individual PM_2.5 chemical components to the light extinction efficient in Shanghai. Both NH₄NO₃ and (NH₄)₂SO₄ had close relationships with visibility impairment in Shanghai. Our results show that the reduction of anthropogenic SO₂, NO_x and NH₃ would have a significant effect on the improvement of air quality and visibility in Shanghai.     

Motorcycle helmet use in Calicut,India: User behaviors,attitudes, and perceptions

Objectives: The objectives of this study include assessing the motorcycle helmet use pattern in Calicut, India, and analyzing the factors influencing helmet use including motorcyclists' perceptions.

Methods: Field observational studies at 15 locations were conducted to determine the helmet use rate among motorcyclists and pillion passengers. A structured questionnaire interview survey was conducted with 709 motorcyclists to evaluate the users' perceptions and opinions regarding the use of motorcycle helmets.

Results: There was a considerable difference in the level of motorcycle helmet use observed between the locations within and outside the city limits, where different levels of helmet law enforcement were exercised. The helmet use was observed at a maximum of 89% within the city and a minimum of 23% in some locations outside the city. The decreasing percentage of helmet use while moving toward the locations outside the city was confirmed statistically through t tests (t = 1.771, df = 13, P < .05). It was found that only 42% of users revealed that helmets are comfortable and 42% expressed that helmets affect hearing ability. It is important to note that 57% of users are of the opinion that there is no need to use a helmet if you drive slowly and carefully. The price of the helmet was not a deterrent for helmet use. In addition, it was observed that only 45% of helmets used by the motorist were standard helmets with an Indian Standards Institute (ISI) mark.

Conclusion: The widely varying helmet use pattern observed in the study area may be attributed due to the users' behaviors; that is, using a helmet only when the helmet law is strictly enforced rather than using a helmet as a protective device. Further, some of the problems and beliefs associated with helmet use prevent motorcyclists from using a helmet. Hence, the road safety of motorcyclists can be improved only through addressing the identified measures comprehensively.