Energetic state and the performance of dawn chorus in silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis)

Stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) models predict that males singing to attract a mate should concentrate singing in what has been termed the dawn chorus. This is because male birds should have a variable surplus of fat in the morning that can be used to fuel singing, with the amount of fat available dependent upon such factors as his quality, foraging success and risk of predation. In this manner, the dawn chorus can act as an indicator of male quality in the context of female mate choice. We test a key prediction of SDP models of singing behaviour that males with greater fat levels should sing more. We conducted an experiment where we recorded the dawn chorus of male silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) on three consecutive days. Each male received supplementary food on the second day, which enabled us to sample his dawn chorus before, during and after food supplementation. We also collected data on the effect of supplementary food on the body mass of silvereyes. As predicted by SDP models, we found that silvereyes sang for a greater proportion of the time after receiving supplementary food. Supplementary food also had a significant effect on the complexity of a male song, indicating that males not only increased the quantity of their song but also the quality of their song when they received extra food. As the provision of supplementary food significantly increased the mass of fed birds, our results support a causal link between male energy reserves and his ability to perform the dawn chorus.     

黑龙江省生态功能区划研究

在生态环境现状评价、生态环境敏感性评价、生态系统服务功能重要性评价基础上,根据区划原则,采用定性和定量分区相结合的方法,将黑龙江省划分成6个生态区,13个生态亚区,45个生态功能区,并且给出各类重要生态功能区的数量、位置和面积.     

基于无线通讯技术的起重机抬吊同步控制系统改进

本文介绍了基于无线工业以太网通讯的可编程同步检测系统结构和设计方法、同步功能的检测原理及实现方法、调试和操作方法。通过在控制系统中加入信号反馈,将两台起重机的控制执行器信号和末端机械传动的差异值进行反馈跟踪,组成具有反馈功能的抬吊控制系统,在监測到执行器异步或末端传动异步现象时及时控制两车同步停止,从而避免吊物坠落等吊运事故的发生。     

Do lower electricity storage costs reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

In the electricity sector, innovation in large-scale storage is anticipated to reduce costs and improve performance. The effect on greenhouse gas emissions of lower storage costs depends on the interactions between storage and the entire grid. The literature has disagreed on the role of storage in reducing emissions. In this paper we present a stylized model, which suggests that the effect of storage costs on emissions depends on the supply responsiveness of both fossil and renewable generators. Under common conditions in the United States, lower storage costs are more likely to reduce emissions when wind investment responds to equilibrium electricity prices and when solar investment does not. Simulations of a computational model of grid investment and operation confirm these intuitions. Moreover, because of its effect on coal and natural gas–fired supply responsiveness, introducing a carbon dioxide emissions price may increase the likelihood that lower storage costs reduce emissions.     

Reduction of water usage in industry by using the MINLP coordinates technique

Natural resources are limited, so we need to handle them carefully. Wastewater also belongs as a significant natural resource. The re-usage of wastewater is to save fresh water and for the preparation of raw materials or/and utilities. The wastewater re-usage distribution can be optimised using mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP), as a tool in combinations using the coordinates technique. The main goal of this MINLP coordinates technique was: i) wastewater and condensate, as produced during different industrial processes, could be collected for: utilities for steam-generation, and the preparations of raw materials; ii) wastewater and condensate could be collected within the main reservoir; iii) distributions from the main reservoir could be used with including different alternatives, which can reduce pollution, based on the re-usage of wastewater. Alternatives included in the optimization model represent potential solutions, which need to be evaluated on appropriate way.The MINLP coordinates technique for wastewater re-usage distribution was tested on existing formalin and methanol industrial processes, thus allowing the saving of water and generated by 280 kEUR/a profit.     

The value of flexibility in conservation financing

Land‐acquisition strategies employed by conservation organizations vary in their flexibility. Conservation‐planning theory largely fails to reflect this by presenting models that are either extremely inflexible—parcel acquisitions are irreversible and budgets are fixed—or extremely flexible—previously acquired parcels can readily be sold. This latter approach, the selling of protected areas, is infeasible or problematic in many situations. We considered the value to conservation organizations of increasing the flexibility of their land‐acquisition strategies through their approach to financing deals. Specifically, we modeled 2 acquisition‐financing methods commonly used by conservation organizations: borrowing and budget carry‐over. Using simulated data, we compared results from these models with those from an inflexible fixed‐budget model and an extremely flexible selling model in which previous acquisitions could be sold to fund new acquisitions. We then examined 3 case studies of how conservation organizations use borrowing and budget carry‐over in practice. Model comparisons showed that borrowing and budget carry‐over always returned considerably higher rewards than the fixed‐budget model. How they performed relative to the selling model depended on the relative conservation value of past acquisitions. Both the models and case studies showed that incorporating flexibility through borrowing or budget carry‐over gives conservation organizations the ability to purchase parcels of higher conservation value than when budgets are fixed without the problems associated with the selling of protected areas.     

网络重要基础设施脆弱性评价模型及其应用

为了评价网络重要基础设施的脆弱性,基于网络图论,构建一个数学规划模型。利用ArcGIS将网络重要基础设施的弧段和节点赋值,将网络拓扑结构以数字形式表示;利用数学规划软件对该模型进行优化求解,得出网络重要基础设施中的脆弱性组件(弧段或节点)。结果表明这些组件的破坏会使网络脆弱性达到最大值,需要对这些组件进行优先防护。将该模型应用于京津冀高速公路交通网络系统,得到该交通网络系统的脆弱性路段。     

基于非线性规划的冬小麦生产碳足迹优化研究

农田是重要的温室气体人为排放源,在全球气候变化研究中占有重要的地位.碳足迹是评估农作物生产生命周期温室气体排放的有力工具.因此,本研究以我国典型冬小麦生长区山西省晋中市为例,采用生命周期评价的方法估算该区单位质量小麦生产的碳足迹,并在此基础上用非线性规划的方法对冬小麦生产碳足迹进行优化,旨在寻求小麦增产减排的途径.结果表明,研究区在传统的耕作方式下,生产1 t小麦的碳足迹为1357.28 kg(以CO2当量计),其中,生长阶段的温室气体排放的碳足迹和尿素生产环节所占比例较大.通过优化尿素与有机肥的施用量,可将研究区生产1 t小麦的碳足迹降低到469.99 kg,同时使单位面积产量增加9.13%.本文结果与相关研究差异较大,可能与氮肥施用量及N2O排放系数的取值有关.本研究对于了解冬小麦生产的综合碳排放情况,探索农业增产减排途径等方面具有重要意义.     

基于修正A值法估算西安市大气环境容量研究

采用以单箱模型法为基础的A值法对西安市大气容量进行估算,并将干沉降、湿沉降和化学转化三个消除过程引入模型测算中,借鉴国内外对于大气常规污染物的清除系数的科学研究成果,对研究区域的SO2、NO2、PM10及PM2.5等4项常规污染物的环境容量进行估算。结果表明,执行2012年新的环境质量标准下,西安市SO2、NO2、PM10及PM2.5大气环境容量分别为13.86×104吨/年,9.24×104吨/年、1.62×105吨/年及8.09×104吨/年。     

Optimal nonpoint source pollution control strategies for a reservoir watershed in Taiwan

The purpose of this study is to develop a model for optimal nonpoint source pollution control for the Fei-Tsui Reservoir watershed in Northern Taiwan. Several structural best management practices (BMPs) are selected to treat stormwater runoff. The complete model consists of two interacting components: an optimization model based on discrete differential dynamic programming (DDDP) and a zero-dimensional reservoir water quality model. A predefined procedure is used to locate suitable sites for construction of various selected BMPs in the watershed. In the optimization model, the objective function is to find the best combination of BMP type and placement, which minimizes the total construction and operation, maintenance, and repair (OMR) costs of the BMPs. The constraints are the water quality standards for total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in the reservoir. A zero-dimensional reservoir water quality model of the Vollenweider type is embedded in the optimization framework to simulate pollutant concentrations in Fei-Tsui Reservoir. The resulting optimal cost and benefit of water quality improvement are depicted by the model-derived trade-off curves. The modeling framework developed in the present study could be used as an efficient tool for planning a watershed-wide implementation of BMPs for mitigating stormwater pollution impact on the receiving water bodies.