The Reynolds transport theorem: Application to ecological compartment modeling and case study of ecosystem energetics

The Reynolds transport theorem (RTT) from mathematics and engineering has a rich history of success in mass transport dynamics and traditional thermodynamics. This paper introduces RTT as a complementary approach to traditional compartmental methods used in ecological modeling and network analysis. A universal system equation for a generic flow quantity is developed into a generic open-system differential expression for conservation of energy. Nonadiabatic systems are defined and incorporated into control volume (CV) and control surface (CS) perspectives of RTT where reductive assumptions in empirical data are then formally introduced, reviewed, and appropriately implemented. Compartment models are abstract, time-dependent systems of simultaneous differential equations describing storage and flow of conservative quantities between interconnected entities (the compartments). As such, they represent a set of flexible and somewhat informal, assumptions, definitions, algebraic manipulations, and graphical depictions subject to influence and selectively parsed expression by the modeler. In comparison, RTT compartment models are more rigorous and formal integro-differential equations and graphics initiated by the RTT universal system equation, forcing an ordered identification of simplifying assumptions, ending with clearly identified depictions of the transfer and transport of conservative substances in physical space and time. They are less abstract in the rigor of their equation development leaving less ambiguity to modeler discretion. They achieve greater consistency with other RTT compartment style models while possibly generating greater conformity with physical reality. Characteristics of the RTT approach are compared with those of a traditional compartment model of energy flow in an intertidal oyster-reef community.     

The effects of seston food quality on planktonic food web patterns

In planktonic food webs, the conversion rate of plant material to herbivore biomass is determined by a variety of factors such as seston biochemical/elemental composition, phytoplankton cell morphology, and colony architecture. Despite the overwhelming heterogeneity characterizing the plant–animal interface, plankton population models usually misrepresent the food quality constraints imposed on zooplankton growth. In this study, we reformulate the zooplankton grazing term to include seston food quality effects on zooplankton assimilation efficiency and examine its ramifications on system stability. Using different phytoplankton parameterizations with regards to growth strategies, light requirements, sinking rates, and food quality, we examined the dynamics induced in planktonic systems under varying zooplankton mortality/fish predation, light conditions, nutrient availability, and detritus food quality levels. In general, our analysis suggests that high food quality tends to stabilize the planktonic systems, whereas unforced oscillations (limit cycles) emerge with lower seston food quality. For a given phytoplankton specification and resource availability, the amplitude of the plankton oscillations is primarily modulated from zooplankton mortality and secondarily from the nutritional quality of the alternative food source (i.e., detritus). When the phytoplankton community is parameterized as a cyanobacterium-like species, conditions of high nutrient availability combined with high zooplankton mortality led to phytoplankton biomass accumulation, whereas a diatom-like parameterization resulted in relatively low phytoplankton to zooplankton biomass ratios highlighting the notion that high phytoplankton food quality allows the zooplankton community to sustain relatively high biomass and to suppress phytoplankton biomass to low levels. During nutrient and light enrichment conditions, both phytoplankton and detritus food quality determine the extent of the limit cycle region, whereas high algal food quality increases system resilience by shifting the oscillatory region towards lower light attenuation levels. Detritus food quality seems to regulate the amplitude of the dynamic oscillations following enrichment, when algal food quality is low. These results highlight the profitability of the alternative food sources for the grazer as an important predictor for the dynamic behavior of primary producer–grazer interactions in nature.     

Recruitment and attrition of associated plants under a shading crop canopy: Model selection and calibration

Associated plant and animal diversity provides ecosystem services within crop production systems. The importance of the maintenance or restoration of diversity is therefore increasingly acknowledged. Here we study the population dynamics of associated annual plants (‘weeds’) during the growth of a crop in a season and introduce a minimal model to characterize the recruitment and attrition of the associated plants under the influence of shading by the crop. A mechanistically based, logistic, light interception model was parameterized with light interception measurements in two single crops (barley and rye) and in mixtures of these cereals with peas. Population dynamics data were collected for the annuals Papaver rhoeas, Centaurea cyanus, Chrysanthemum segetum, and Misopates orontium. A minimal population dynamics model was identified for each annual plant species, using system identification techniques as model selection and calibration.     

Safety climate factors, group differences and safety behaviour in road construction

This study determines the factor structure of safety climate within a road construction organization using a modified version of the safety climate questionnaire (SCQ). It also investigates the relationship between safety climate and safety performance. The SCQ was administered to 192 employees from two districts and in two job categories — construction and maintenance. A behavioural observation measure of safety performance was also developed. Factor analysis derived six factors, which were similar to those obtained in an earlier study using the SCQ. Differences in the safety climate of job sub-groups were found on two of the factors. No differences between the two districts were found. No relationship was found between safety climate and the safety performance measure. While identical safety climate factors cannot apply to all organizations, some general safety climate factors may emerge. Discussion focuses upon the measurement of safety climate.     

计算机辅助事故树分析中的图形输入法

笔者提出计算机辅助事故树分析中事故树数据的图形输入法。通过详细讨论数据采集过程中数据结构的选用和算法设计 ,不但能方便地实现计算机辅助事故树绘图 ,而且在绘图的同时得到事故树的全部数据 ,进而可对事故树进行全部定性和定量分析。这种方法是计算机辅助事故树分析中绘图和数据输入方法的重要补充 ,同时也将有益于其他类型树及图的绘制和分析。最后 ,给出了一个实例 ,应用图形输入法得到满意的结果。该方法不仅是事故树的新绘制方法 ,也是全新的事故树数据输入法 ,是事故树算法的拓展和补充     

系统安全预测的本质与组合预测

详细分析了系统安全预测的内在规律性、有效时间长度及有效性等方面的问题 ,提出了安全预测的本质就是建立系统安全可预测的思想。并针对目前的安全预测方法 ,提出了组合预测法 ,以提高安全预测的精度和准确性     

关于安全逻辑的综合研究及技术探讨

逻辑是一门工具性基础学科 ,在职业安全卫生领域占有重要位置并得到广泛应用 ,从而出现了安全逻辑。笔者概要分析并阐述了安全逻辑所涉及的理论和方法 ;指出安全逻辑学已成为安全科学的一个重要组成部分 ;强调安全逻辑的推广及应用对安全生产有着重要的实用价值和指导意义 ,具有良好的发展前景。笔者通过对安全逻辑的长期研究 ,认为我国“安全逻辑学”的框架及学科理论已基本形成     

火灾扑救模拟演练DIS系统框架的研究

论述了分布式交互仿真 (DistributedInteractiveSimulation ,简称DIS)技术在火灾扑救模拟演练中的应用 ,给出其系统框架 ;详细描述了该DIS系统中的白方系统、蓝方系统和红方系统的具体组成功能部分 ;提出了实现这些功能的软件平台。最后给出了研究DIS在火灾扑救演练应用中的结论 ;指出未来的发展方向 ,强调了实际应用中可能出现的技术难点     

安全工程本科教学改革探讨

讨论安全工程本科教学计划改革问题 ;建议修改了安全工程专业的培养模式与目标 ;强调了安全工程这样的综合学科教育更应重基础、淡专业 ;提出了为适应社会需要 ,拓宽专业口径 ,应把信息安全列入安全学科培养体系的之中。     

计算机硬盘驱动器的振动安全性分析

硬盘驱动器是计算机重要的外存储设备。它对随机振动环境较为敏感 ,是控制计算机系统工作安全性和进行信息处理的薄弱环节之一。笔者对计算机硬盘驱动器在随机振动环境下的工作安全性进行了分析 ,提出了导致硬盘工作失效的基本形式 ,针对读写过程中头盘振动响应位置偏移与读写模式间的关系给出了硬盘工作失效的判定方法。有关结果对计算机系统的振动安全分析和评估是有益的探讨。