Modelling of concentrations along a moving observer in an inhomogeneous plume. Biological application: model of odour-mediated insect flights

We develop a stochastic model for the time-evolution of scalar concentrations and temporal gradients in concentration experienced by observers moving within inhomogeneous plumes that are dispersing within turbulent flows. In this model, scalar concentrations and their gradients evolve jointly as a Markovian process. Underlying the model formulation is a natural generalisation of Thomson’s well mixed condition [Thomson DJ (1987) J Fluid Mech 180:529–556]. As a consequence model outputs are necessarily compatible with statistical properties of scalars observed in experiment that are used here as model input. We then use the model to examine how insects aloft within the atmospheric boundary-layer can locate odour sources by modulating their flight patterns in response to odour cues. Mechanisms underlying odour-mediated flights have been studied extensively at laboratory-scale but an understanding of these flights over landscape scales is still lacking. Insect flights are simulated by combining the stochastic model with a simple model of insect olfactory response. These simulations show the strong influence of wind speed on the distributions of the times taken by insects to locate the source. In accordance with experimental observations [Baker TC, Vickers NJ (1997) In: Insect pheromone research: new directions, pp 248–264; Mafra-Neto A, Cardé RT (1994) Nature 369:142–144], flight patterns are predicted to become straighter and shorter, and source location is predicted to become more likely as the mean wind speed increases. The most probable arrival time to the source decreases with the mean wind speed. It is shown that scale-free movement patterns arising from olfactory-driven foraging stem directly from the power-law distribution of concentration excursion times above/below a threshold level and are robust with respect to variations in Reynolds number. Flight lengths are well represented by a power law distribution in agreement with the observed patterns of foraging bumblebees [Heinrich B (1979) Oecologia 40(3):235–245].     

Network design for water quality monitoring of surface freshwaters: a review

To date, many water quality monitoring networks for surface freshwaters have been rather haphazardly designed without a consistent or logical design strategy. Moreover, design practices in recent years indicate a need for cost-effective and logistically adaptable network design approaches. There are many variables that need to be included in a comprehensive yet practical monitoring network: a holistic appraisal of the monitoring objectives, representative sampling locations, suitable sampling frequencies, water quality variable selection, and budgetary and logistical constraints are examples. In order to investigate the factors which affect the development of an effective water quality monitoring network design methodology, a review of past and current approaches is presented.     

土工膜渗漏定位方法研究

对偶极子法电极形状和外形尺寸以及其他影响定位的因素进行了深入研究.结果表明:偶极子的检测电压与偶极子的外形尺寸关系不大.偶极子检测电压最大值出现在偶极子中心与漏洞的距离等于偶极子间距的1/2处,并且偶极子的间距越大,检测电压越高.偶极子下沿距离HDPE膜越近,检测电压变化越明显.在多漏洞的情况下,当偶极子的间距小于漏洞间距时,2个漏洞都能被检测出来;当2个漏洞间距小于偶极子间距时,将可能漏检1个漏洞.膜上供电电极的位置对漏洞定位有一定的影响,在测量时应尽可能将供电电极远离测量区.      

抗滑桩加固后边坡稳定性评价与桩位优化研究进展

边坡失稳是影响人类工程建设活动安全性的一类常见的地质问题,抗滑桩是边坡治理工程中常用的防治措施之一,但是目前考虑加桩后边坡的稳定性研究较少。针对抗滑桩加固后的边坡稳定性评价和抗滑桩桩位布设优化问题的研究进展进行了概述,重点综述了:抗滑柱加固边坡的稳定性分析方法,即国内外在理论计算、数值模拟和物理模型实验三方面的研究成果,并对比分析了各自的优缺点;目前常用的抗滑桩最优布设分析方法,并指出了各自的适用条件;当前边坡工程中抗滑桩桩位优化研究的现状,并对今后的发展方向进行了展望,可为今后类似研究提供一定借鉴与参考。     

Cues used by shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) to locate and parasitise chalk-browed mockingbird (Mimus saturninus) nests

Unlike other birds, shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) must locate host nests where to lay their eggs and then decide whether to parasitise them. They should also synchronise their laying with that of the host to increase the survival of parasite egg and young. Shiny cowbirds can discover nests using host behaviour as a cue, or by searching the habitat without need for the presence of a host. Besides, they can synchronise parasitism with host laying by monitoring nests during building and laying, or directly by assessing the degree of development of embryos through the puncture of host eggs. Alternatively, synchronization can arise by lower nest attentiveness during host laying. We determined the extent of synchronization between laying of shiny cowbirds and chalk-browed mockingbirds (Mimus saturninus) and estimated if parasitism was negatively associated with host nest attentiveness. We also conducted an experiment to test if host activity was necessary to locate nests, and if puncture of host eggs was a cue for deciding parasitism. Shiny cowbirds synchronised parasitism with host laying in 75% of the cases and synchronization was not explained by lower host nest attentiveness during laying. Shiny cowbirds located nests without need for presence of a host, but the decision of parasitising the nest depended on host activity at the nest. The information that shiny cowbirds could obtain through egg punctures was not necessary for deciding parasitism. Our results indicate that shiny cowbirds rely on the precise timing of their eggs and avoid laying in unsuitable nests.     

Investigation of fault position and sources of radon by measurement of 238U decay series radionuclide activity in soil samples

North Derbyshire is designated a Radon Affected Area by the National Radiological Protection Board of Great Britain since more than 1% of the housing stock is estimated to have radon levels in excess of the 200 Bq m-3 Action Level. Enhanced radon emissions associated with geological faults make knowledge of their position important in relation to any potential residential or industrial development. A general survey of radionuclides present in the soils of north Derbyshire and their relationship to the underlying geology highlighted the difficulty of identifying the position of geological faults in the field. Using gamma-ray spectroscopy of soil samples the activity of three 238U decay series radionuclides (226Ra, 214Pb and 214Bi), which were taken as evidence of the presence of 222Rn which occurs in the same decay series, was measured to indicate the position of a fault by enhanced activity. The results also provided some evidence of the source of radon emitted at the fault. A comparison of this methodology with the more conventional soil gas analysis method is made.     

邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶基因克隆、定位和高效表达

采用特异性引物，以菲、芘降解菌株ZL5的代谢性质粒为模板，扩增出邻苯二酚2，3—双加氧酶(C23O)基因，将该基因和表达载体pET—30a( )连接，转化E.coli JM109(DE3)，获得了高效表达的转化子，SDS—PAGE结果表明，转化子的C23O蛋白不仅在细胞内存在，而且能被分泌到胞外，薄层扫描显示，转化子细胞内和细胞外表达蛋白总量占细胞总蛋白的42％，酶活分析表明，分布在转化子细胞内、外的表达蛋白都具有较高的C23O比活力，Southern杂交将菌株ZL5的C23O基因定位在内生质粒的不同酶切片段上。图5表1参12。     

双衬层填埋场渗漏检测电极铺设方式研究

利用高压直流电法对双衬层填埋场渗漏检测进行了研究.结果表明检测电极的铺设方式以及供电电极和参比电极的位置对漏洞定位有一定影响.在回路电流、检测电极间距、定位算法、介质分布相同的条件下,三角形的检测电极铺设方式比四边形的漏洞定位误差小,且不同点的误差波动小.当参比电极距离漏洞较近时,漏洞定位误差较大;而参比电极与漏洞的距离越大,漏洞定位误差则越小.同时,检测层的电势分布主要是由供电电极和漏洞造成,因此,参比电极的位置既要远离漏洞又要远离供电电极.     

Spatial Pattern Analysis of Regional Water Use Profile Based on the Gini Coefficient and Location Quotient

Water resources have become a barrier hampering socioeconomic development. Changes in the spatial distribution of water use profile have direct impacts to regional water use efficiency. However, the related research is inadequate, and a more suitable way to analyze regional water use profile is necessary. The Gini coefficient and location quotient, two reliable methods commonly used in discussing the spatial distribution of elements, were introduced and calculated. Taking Gansu Province as the study area, the concentration effect of industrial water use was the strongest, followed by domestic, environmental, and agricultural water use. However, a balanced distribution of agricultural water use failed to be coordinated with the production conditions, the center of Gansu’s grain production should be established to enhance the scale effect of agricultural production. The industrial agglomeration effect remained weak, and each region’s dominant industries need to be developed vigorously. Gansu’s domestic water use was consistent with its population distribution, but it is necessary to reduce the water use gap between urban and rural areas. With a growing awareness of environmental protection, environmental water use exhibited a more balanced distribution. Overall, the methods are simple and have good applicability, and the results can provide a reference in water use optimization.     

基于D-S证据理论的“丝绸之路旅游带”5A景区区位优势度测评

景区发展与其区位条件密切相关,处于优势区位的景区更容易获得优先快速发展。以“丝绸之路旅游带”为例,综合考虑资源、市场、交通及服务四大区位因子,将其视为证据,引入D-S证据理论对景区区位优势进行测度,以I~V级表征区位由优到劣的状态,最后对景区区位与旅游发展核心区进行对比。结果显示：（1）区位优势等级区域差异化显著,总体呈现由东南至西北逐级递减的空间分布规律,自I至V级,重心逐步向西北方向偏移。（2）各区位因子分布存在差异性,东南地区景区资源区位优于西北地区;市场区位地带间差异最为明显,存在“长尾”特征及陕西“一省独大”现象;交通区位内在差异性与区位优势相仿;服务区位已不再是制约景区区位的主要因子,但就单个省份来看,“核心—边缘”结构较为明显。（3）与景区旅游发展对比来看,二者具有明显的空间关联性,但仍存在一定程度的空间错位现象。