Application of response surface methodology for the optimization of biodiesel production from yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed oil

In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) involving central composite design (CCD) was applied to optimize the reaction parameters of biodiesel production from yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed oil during the single-step transesterification process. A total of 30 experiments were designed and performed to determine under the effects of variables on the biodiesel yield such as methanol to oil molar ratio (2:1–10:1), catalyst concentration (0.2–1.0 wt.% NaOH), reaction temperature (50–70°C), and reaction time (30–90 min). The second order polynomial model was used to predict the biodiesel yield and coefficient of determination (R²) was found to be at 0.9818. The optimum biodiesel yield was calculated as 96.695% from the model with the following reaction conditions: 7.41:1 of methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.63 wt. % NaOH of catalyst concentration, 61.84°C of reaction temperature, and 62.12 min of reaction time. It is seen that the regression model results were in agreement with the experimental data. The results showed that RSM is a suitable statistical technique for optimizing the reaction parameters in the transesterification process in order to maximize the biodiesel yield.     

Challenges and Opportunities for Creating Intelligent Hazard Alerts: The “FloodHippo” Prototype

Disasters evolving from hazards are a persistent and deadly occurrence in the United States. Despite this, hazard alerts have remained spatially vague, temporally imprecise, and lack actionable information. These deficiencies indicate a divide between the status quo and what is possible given modern environmental models, geographic information systems (GIS), and smartphone capabilities. This work describes an alternative, prototype system, “FloodHippo,” which integrates operational model outputs, cloud‐based GIS, and expanded communication channels to provide personal and interactive disaster alerts for floods. The precepts and methods underpinning FloodHippo apply equally to other disasters that evolve over space and time, presenting the opportunity for a more intelligent disaster response system. The development of such a system would not only minimize current shortcomings in disaster alerts but also improve resilience through individual action, along with community, academic, and federal cooperation.     

钱塘江突发水污染事故应急系统开发与应用

采用网络信息平台和水环境模型相结合的技术手段,构建了钱塘江突发水污染事故应急系统。该系统旨在帮助应急管理部门快速应对钱塘江流域突发性水污染事故,以及保障G20峰会期间钱塘江流域的饮用水源地安全。该系统以水动力模型、溢油和化学品泄漏模型为核心,采用空间关系型中央数据库作为数据管理系统,基于网络GIS技术开发而成。通过对钱塘江流域历史事故的反演,验证了该系统的准确度和可靠性。在该系统的基础上,构建了钱塘江流域典型流场库和典型突发水污染事故情景库,以实现快速应对G20峰会期间钱塘江流域突发水污染事故风险。     

改变连接特性提高振动台冲击响应谱模拟能力

目的提高振动台冲击响应谱试验模拟能力。方法分析影响振动台冲击响应谱模拟能力的原因,提出通过改变连接特性提高振动台冲击响应谱模拟能力的方法,并对该方法进行理论分析和试验验证。结果利用具有谐振效应的台面能够将160 k N振动台冲击响应谱量级由原来的1000g提高至2000g,并能够实现负载情况下1600g的冲击响应谱试验,提高了振动台冲击响应谱模拟能力。结论通过改变连接特性可以提高振动台冲击响应谱模拟能力,同时应尽量避免使用振动试验夹具进行冲击试验,针对产品试验要求设计冲击试验夹具,能够获得更理想的冲击试验效果。     

厌氧发酵产沼气过程中脱氢酶活性检测工艺及其优化

为了优化脱氢酶活性这一指标在厌氧发酵产沼气系统中的检测方法,分别以小麦秸秆、羊粪及其混合原料(质量比1∶1)为发酵底物,通过Box-Behnken试验及响应面分析法确定并优化了沼气发酵系统中碘硝基四唑紫法脱氢酶活性的检测工艺,并对脱氢酶活性与甲烷产量进行了相关性分析.结果表明,3种底物均以乙醇作为萃取剂,以甲醛作为终止剂时显色效果最好.分别以秸秆、粪便及其混合为发酵底物时,脱氢酶检测在pH值分别为6.5、7.2、7.7,反应温度均在37℃下,碘硝基四唑紫质量分数均为0.15%,反应时间均为50 min时比色效果最好.相关性分析显示,厌氧发酵产沼气系统中脱氢酶活性与甲烷产量相关性显著.     

Growth inhibition and oxidative damage of Microcystis aeruginosa induced by crude extract of Sagittaria trifolia tubers

Aquatic macrophytes are considered to be promising in controlling harmful cyanobacterial blooms. In this research, an aqueous extract of Sagittaria trifolia tubers was prepared to study its inhibitory effect on Microcystis aeruginosa in the laboratory. Several physiological indices of M. aeruginosa, in response to the environmental stress, were analyzed. Results showed that S. trifolia tuber aqueous extract significantly inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa in a concentration-dependent way. The highest inhibition rate reached 90% after 6 day treatment. The Chlorophyll-a concentration of M. aeruginosa cells decreased from 343.1 to314.2 μg/L in the treatment group. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase and the content of reduced glutathione in M. aeruginosa cells initially increased as a response to the oxidative stress posed by S. trifolia tuber aqueous extract, but then decreased as time prolonged. The lipid peroxidation damage of the cyanobacterial cell membranes was reflected by the malondialdehyde level, which was notably higher in the treatment group compared with the controls. It was concluded that the oxidative damage of M. aeruginosa induced by S.trifolia tuber aqueous extract might be one of the mechanisms for the inhibitory effects.     

公众参与环评听证法律问题研究

对于比较敏感或涉及面较广建设项目的环境影响评价公众参与的表达途径,一般采用听证会。在中国,公众参与环评听证会,在听证公告、代表遴选、政府回应方面都面临困境,需要分别找寻出路:对于听证公告,要明确适用范围、确立合理期限、完善内容规定、采用合理方式来应对;对于代表遴选,建立一整套行之有效的制度势在必行;对于政府回应,建立一个合理的评估系统、启动司法审查不失为良策。     

暴雨径流污染负荷计算的响应函数模型

暴雨径流污染具有影响面广,监测、控制和处理困难而复杂的特点,其负荷定量化是进行治理与控制的重要基础与中心环节。从我国的实际出发,建立了一个完整的流域暴雨径流污染负荷模型,包括降雨径流模型、流域产污模型与污染物迁移转化模型。野外实测资料检验表明,该模型具有计算简便、精度高、适应性强的特点。重点论述暴雨径流过程中的污染物迁移转化模型     

钻井井场噪音对听觉系统影响的观察

对油田井场的特定部位进行声强测定及频谱分析,发现其噪声强度均已超过国家标准。选健康,耳廊反射正常豚鼠30只,分别置于柴油机旁（8只）,钻井平台（8只）和值班房（8只）,余6只为正常对照。每天暴露6h,连续21d,记录豚鼠脑干电位及扫描电镜下形态学改变,结果表明,虽然钻井平台上的噪音强度低于柴油机组,但它对人耳的损伤程度却高于柴油机组。     

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN THE SOUTHEAST U.S.1

ABSTRACT: Climate change has the potential to have dramatic effects on the agricultural sector nationally and internationally as documented in many research papers. This paper reports on research that was focused on a specific crop growing area to demonstrate how farm managers might respond to climate-induced yield changes and the implications of these responses for agricultural water use. The Hadley model was used to generate climate scenarios for important agricultural areas of Georgia in 2030 and 2090. Linked crop response models indicated generally positive yield changes, as increased temperatures were associated with increased precipitation and CO2. Using a farm management model, differences in climate-induced yield impacts among crops led to changes in crop mix and associated water use; non-irrigated cropland received greater benefit since irrigated land was already receiving adequate moisture. Model results suggest that farm managers will increase cropping intensity by decreasing fallowing and increasing double cropping; corn acreage decreased dramatically, peanuts decreased moderately and cotton and winter wheat increased. Water use on currently irrigated cropland fell. The potential for increased water use through conversion of agriculturally important, but currently non-irrigated, growing areas is substantial.