Optimizing mixture properties of biodiesel production using genetic algorithm-based evolutionary support vector machine

Nowadays, biodiesel is used as one of the alternative renewable energy due to the increasing energy demand. However, optimum production of biodiesel still requires a huge number of expensive and time-consuming laboratory tests. To address the problem, this research develops a novel Genetic Algorithm-based Evolutionary Support Vector Machine (GA-ESIM). The GA-ESIM is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tool that combines K-means Chaotic Genetic Algorithm (KCGA) and Evolutionary Support Vector Machine Inference Model (ESIM). The ESIM is utilized as a supervised learning technique to establish a highly accurate prediction model between the input--output of biodiesel mixture properties; and the KCGA is used to perform the simulation to obtain the optimum mixture properties based on the prediction model. A real biodiesel experimental data is provided to validate the GA-ESIM performance. Our simulation results demonstrate that the GA-ESIM establishes a prediction model with better accuracy than other AI-based tool and thus obtains the mixture properties with the biodiesel yield of 99.9%, higher than the best experimental data record, 97.4%.     

The in vitro effect of selected essential oils on the growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus species

The aim of the present study was to assess the antifungal and anti-toxinogenic activity of 15 essential oils (EOs) against three fungi of the genus Aspergillus (A. parasiticus KMi-227-LR, A. parasiticus KMi-220-LR and A. flavus KMi-202-LR). The minimum inhibitory doses (MIDs) of the tested essential oils and their antifungal activity were determined using the micro-atmosphere method. The original commercial essential oil samples of Jasminum officinale L., Thymus vulgaris L., Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill &; Perry, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ocimum basilicum L., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Salvia officinalis L., Citrus limon (L.) Burm, Origanum vulgare L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Carum carvi L., Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck., Zingiber officinalis Rosc., Mentha piperita L. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. (C. verum J.S.Presl.) were produced in Slovakia (Calendula a.s., Nová ?ubovňa, Slovakia). All essential oils exhibited activity against all tested strains of fungi. After 14 days of incubation, A. flavus (KMi-202-LR) showed the highest susceptibility with a growth inhibition percentage (GIP) of 18.70% to C. limon and 5.92% to C. sinensis, while A. parasiticus (KMi-220-LR) exhibited a GIP of 20.56% to J. officinale. The minimum inhibitory doses (MIDs) of EOs with the most significant activity were recorded. The best antifungal activity, using the micro-atmosphere method was found in S. aromaticum with an MID of 62.5 μL L^?1 air, T. vulgaris (MID of 62.5 μL L^?1 air) and O. vulgare (MID of 31.5 μL L^?1 air) against all tested strains. Mycotoxin production of the tested strains was evaluated by the thin layer chromatography (TLC) method. Mycotoxin production of AFB₁ and AFG₁ was inhibited following all treatments with C. carvi, R. officinale and S. officinale, Eucalyptus globulus L. and O. basilicum L. Essential oils exhibited a potential inhibition activity against toxic fungi, although, these affected only the production of AFB₁.     

生物膜法污水处理工艺中微生物量的对比研究

采用生物膜法污水处理工艺,对深圳布吉秀峰工业城污水进行现场中试研究.出水中有机物BOD₅,COD_Cr及悬浮物去除率一般在80%以上,曝气生物滤池工艺中的污泥质量浓度2倍于生物接触氧化工艺,曝气生物滤池中的原生动物及后生动物密度比生物接触氧化工艺高出1～2个数量级.试验中曝气生物滤池的去除效果比生物接触氧化工艺稍好,从反应器中污泥质量浓度(ρ(MLSS))及原生动物、后生动物数量的比较进一步证实这一结论.      

Fish mercury increase in Lago Manso, a new hydroelectric reservoir in tropical Brazil

It has been frequently demonstrated that mercury (Hg) concentrations in fish rise in newly constructed hydroelectric reservoirs in the Northern Hemisphere. In the present work, we studied whether similar effects take place also in a tropical upland reservoir during impoundment and discuss possible causes and implications. Total Hg concentrations in fish and several soil and water parameters were determined before and after flooding at Rio Manso hydroelectric power plant in western Brazil. The Hg concentrations in soil and sediment were within the background levels in the region (22-35 ng g(-1) dry weight). There was a strong positive correlation between Hg and carbon and sulphur in sediment. Predatory fish had total Hg concentrations ranging between 70 and 210 ng g(-1) f.w. 7 years before flooding and between 72 and 755 ng g(-1) f.w. during flooding, but increased to between 216 and 938 ng g(-1) f.w. in the piscivorous and carnivorous species Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, cachara, and Salminus brasiliensis, dourado, 3 years after flooding. At the same time, concentrations of organic carbon in the water increased and oxygen concentrations decreased, indicating increased decomposition and anoxia as contributing to the increased Hg concentrations in fish. The present fish Hg concentrations in commonly consumed piscivorous species are a threat to the health of the population dependent on fishing in the dam and downstream river for sustenance. Mercury exposure can be reduced by following fish consumption recommendations until fish Hg concentrations decrease to a safe level.     

基于FHWA的兰州市道路交通噪声预测模型的建立

结合美国道路交通噪声污染预测模型(FHWA)和国内学者在该方面的大量研究成果,选择兰州市主、次干道共计52条、142个监测点的建模采样数据,并应用统计学原理分析了影响道路交通噪声的各个因子与道路交通噪声的相关性,最终得出了符合兰州市道路交通特征的噪声污染统计预测模型.随后通过兰州市15个监测点的预测与实测对比验证后发现二者具有较高的一致性,此模型可应用在兰州市道路交通噪声污染的预测评价中.     

贝类帕金虫间接酶联免疫吸附测定法的建立

采用液体巯基醋酸盐培养基(FTM)培养贝类帕金虫,以其制备抗帕金虫的免疫血清,建立一种快速检测贝类帕金虫的间接酶联免疫吸附测定法(iELISA)。方法中理想的包被抗原数量为104/mL;帕金虫抗血清最佳工作浓度1:10 000;酶标二抗工作浓度为1:1 000;进行血清敏感性测定,其最低检出限为102/mL;阻断试验中的阻断率达86.77%;板内和板间变异系数分别为2.9%和3.21%。将该方法标准化后,对30份菲律宾蛤仔体内帕金虫进行检测,所得结果与用FTM方法得到的结果进行比较,后者灵敏度要高于前者,但是在检测时间上,前者在24 h内能够完成,而后者需要7 d。     

长大区间隧道抽出式串联通风机排烟能力实验研究

为实现有效通风以降低隧道火灾带来的损失和伤亡,依托青岛市地铁8号线大洋站至青岛北站区间隧道,建立线性比尺为1∶15的隧道通风排烟模型实验系统,针对通风机串联单抽,围绕3种通风机频率匹配组合,测定单机的变频频率值、电功消耗、排烟道与行车道的断面平均风速以及右侧行车道静压。研究结果表明：在相同功率消耗下,不同频率匹配的串联通风机排烟效果存在差异;针对此差异,利用气体挡烟墙性能及其计算欧拉数值比较发现,风井近端的通风机频率较大时,下游对污染气流的抵抗力更强,拥有更好的排烟效果。研究结果可为隧道火灾提供更有效率的防灾救灾数据支持,并从欧拉数方面为研究隧道临界风速提供新角度。     

汽车道路试验安全管理体系建设研究

为了保障汽车道路试验安全、提高安全管理水平,设计提出汽车道路试验安全管理体系(SMS)总方案。根据OHSAS 18001和安全标准化规范的特点分析,论证了融合两种体系建立道路试验SMS的适用性。并从政策与目标、风险管理、安全保证和安全促进四个模块阐述了该体系的搭建思路、框架内容和搭建步骤。最后,以某自主品牌车企研发中心道路试验的应用情况为例进行效果评估,结果表明:汽车道路试验SMS能有效防控风险、提升试验安全管理水平。     

隧道与横通道交叉角对火灾烟气蔓延影响机制研究

为探索隧道与横通道交叉角对火灾烟气蔓延的影响机制,采用FDS数值模拟,研究横通道与隧道不同交叉角情况下火灾烟气温度、浓度、烟气层高度等的变化规律,建立开启火源下风向横通道时隧道内烟气最高温度修正公式,提出烟气纵向蔓延恢复长度的概念,并探讨其影响规律。 结果表明:隧道和横通道交叉角越小,隧道内同一位置烟气层高度越高,当交叉角由90°降低到30°时,烟气层高度最大增加32%;烟气纵向蔓延恢复长度与交叉角及通风速率呈正相关,而与火源功率几乎无关。研究结果对隧道通风排烟系统设计及相关标准的制定具有参考意义。     

Diffusive gradients in thin films using molecularly imprinted polymer binding gels for in situ measurements of antibiotics in urban wastewaters

• Selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) binding gel was prepared. • MIP-DGT showed excellent uptake performance for antibiotics. • In situ measurement of antibiotics in wastewaters via MIP-DGT was developed. • The MIP-DGT method was robust, reliable, and highly sensitive. Urban wastewater is one of main sources for the introduction of antibiotics into the environment. Monitoring the concentrations of antibiotics in wastewater is necessary for estimating the amount of antibiotics discharged into the environment through urban wastewater treatment systems. In this study, we report a novel diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) method based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for in situ measurement of two typical antibiotics, fluoroquinolones (FQs) and sulfonamides (SAs) in urban wastewater. MIPs show specific adsorption toward their templates and their structural analogs, resulting in the selective uptake of the two target antibiotics during MIP-DGT deployment. The uptake performance of the MIP-DGTs was evaluated in the laboratory and was relatively independent of solution pH (4.0–9.0), ionic strength (1–750 mmol/L), and dissolved organic matter (DOM, 0–20 mg/L). MIP-DGT samplers were tested in the effluent of an urban wastewater treatment plant for field trials, where three SA (sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, and trimethoprim) and one FQ (ofloxacin) antibiotics were detected, with concentrations ranging from 25.50 to 117.58 ng/L, which are consistent with the results measured by grab sampling. The total removal efficiency of the antibiotics was 80.1% by the treatment plant. This study demonstrates that MIP-DGT is an effective tool for in situ monitoring of trace antibiotics in complex urban wastewaters.