Photodegradation of sulfonamide antibiotics in simulated and natural sunlight: Implications for their environmental fate

The photochemical fate of seven sulfonamides was investigated in matrices representative of natural water bodies under various light sources. Fundamental photolysis parameters such as molar absorption coefficient, quantum yield (QY) and first-order rate constants were determined. The photolysis decay rate was dependent on the protonation state of the molecule, pH of the water sample and dissolved organic matter. Natural organic matter was the most significant factor in the indirect photolysis of sulfonamides. Half-lives were in the range of minutes at 254 nm to days under natural sunlight. Under natural sunlight, all sulfonamides showed higher removal rates in natural waters implying that indirect photolysis is the predominant mechanism.     

太阳活动与四川盆地气候资源波动

本文应用四川省气象局提供的气候资料,借助于电子计算机,统计分析了太阳黑子位相与四川盆地热量资源、降水资源波动的关系;采用文献[2]的公式,计算了太阳黑子相对数年均值与热量、降水资源的同期及延后相关系数,并进行了周期分析,进而分析其演变趋势及其对农业生产的影响和应采取的对策。     

估计近场地震动的统计—经验格林函数法

本文提出统计-经验格林函数法,用以估计缺乏小震记录场点在大震时的地震动时程。统计-经验格林函数的富里哀幅值谱从其它类似场地获得的小震记录的富里哀谱的衰减关系中得到,其相位谱则直接取自小震记录的相位谱。本文分别用经验格林函数法和统计-经验格林函数法,用迁安台记录到的1976年唐山地震的三次余震(M_L 5.8、M_L 5.7和M_L 5.4)的加速度记录,合成唐山地震的最大余震滦县地震(M_s 7.1)时迁安台的加速度时程曲线,合成结果说明了所提方法的可行性。     

紫外光谱结合正交试验设计同时测定水中苯系物

利用正交试验设计,以光谱预处理、特征筛选及多元校正方法为考察因素,每个因素的4种不同方法为水平,确定了水中3种苯系物（苯酚、苯胺及苯甲酸）紫外光谱数据的最佳分析方法,从而建立了其定量校正模型。对于苯酚、苯胺及苯甲酸,其光谱预处理、特征筛选及多元校正分别采用一阶导数+无信息变量消除法（UVE）+偏最小二乘回归（PLSR）,Savitzky-Golay平滑+变量结合种群分析法（VCPA）+PLSR,Savitzky-Golay平滑+移动窗口偏最小二乘法（MWPLS）+PLSR。在独立测试集上3组分的预测误差均方根（RMSEP）分别为0.809 4、0.796 3和0.945 4。水样加标回收实验的回收率为97.79%~103.84%,相对标准偏差（RSD）小于3%。该方法可作为一种同时测定水中苯系物的简便有效方法。     

Multi-objective-based optimal transmission switching and demand response for managing congestion in hybrid power systems

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a novel congestion management (CM) approach by using the optimal transmission switching (OTS) and demand response (DR) for a system with conventional thermal generators and renewable energy sources (RESs). In this paper, wind and solar PV units are considered as the RESs. The stochastic behavior of wind and solar PV powers are modeled by using the appropriate probability density functions (PDFs). The proposed CM methodology simultaneously optimizes the generation dispatch, demand response, and also the network topology of the power system. The OTS identifies the branches that should be taken out of service by significantly reducing the operating cost of the system while respecting the system security. Here, the total operating cost minimization/social welfare maximization and system losses minimization are considered as the objectives to be optimized. The proposed CM problem is solved using the multi-objective Jaya algorithm and it is used to determine a set of Pareto-optimal solutions. The Jaya algorithm is simple and it does not have any algorithmic-specific parameters to be tuned. This aspect reduces the designer’s effort in tuning the parameters to arrive at the optimum objective function value. A fuzzy logic-based approach is used to identify the best compromise solution. The effectiveness of the proposed CM approach is examined on modified IEEE 30 and practical Indian 75 bus test systems. The obtained simulation results are analyzed and they show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Investigation of sustainable energy alternatives for powering remote communities in northern Ontario

ABSTRACT

Remote communities in the North of Ontario survive in isolation as their proximity to the southern industrial sector of the province limits their accessibility to the major grid. The lack of grid connection has led to antiquated methods of power generation which pollute the environment and deplete the planet of its natural resources. Aside from the primary means of electricity generation being by diesel generators, generation infrastructure is deteriorating due to age and the stagnation of the power supply has led to communities facing load restrictions. These challenges may be resolved by introducing clean energy alternatives and providing a fuel blend option. The primary energy sources investigated in this research are solar, wind, and hydrogen. To assess the viability of these energy production methods in Northern communities, an exergy analysis is employed as it utilizes both the first and second law of thermodynamics to determine systems’ efficiency and performance in the surroundings. Local weather patterns were used to determine the viability of using wind turbines, solar panels and/or hydrogen fuel cells in a remote community. Through analysis of the resources available at the community, it was determined that the hydrogen fuel cell was best suited to provide clean energy to the community. Wind resulted in low efficiency in the range of 2–3% while solar efficiencies resulted in ranges of 18 – 19%, as the seasonal variations between the three years is not very great. Due to the higher operating efficiencies observed of the PV panels it would also be an attractive alternative to diesel generators however, the lack of consistent operation above 30% efficiency throughout the year, resulted in hydrogen fuel cells being a better alternative.     

On the Formal and Informal Estimates of Floristic Diversity: An Example of Pine Forests of the Southern Urals

Advantages of the informal assessment of biodiversity based on the phytosociological spectrum (the ratio of species associated with different higher units of ecological-floristic classification in the cenoflora) are demonstrated in a study of pine forests of the Southern Urals (classes Vaccinio-Piceetea, Brachypodio-Betuletea, and Querco-Fagetea). The phytosociological spectrum reflects environmental conditions better than formal estimations of , , and -diversity.     

On Methods for Analyzing Ecotones of Forest Margins

A simple method for the quantitative gradient analysis of a xerotermic forest-margin ecotone is described. In this method, the mean value of the coefficient of similarity between all plots of the transect is used for estimating the rate of changes in species composition. Changes in the phytosociological spectrum are analyzed. The method adequately reflects trends in the displacement of forest species by forest-margin, steppe, and meadow species.     

ESTIMATING THE SUSPENDED SEDIMENT LOAD IN RESERVOIRS1

ABSTRACT: The total suspended sediment loads of four north Mississippi reservoirs were determined from measurements of concentrations of suspended sediment in a vertical profile at several locations on each reservoir made during the year. These data were combined with the stage-height and known stage-volume relationships for each reservoir in a numerical integration to determine the total suspended sediment in the water body. Total suspended sediments were estimated using the product of the suspended sediment concentration in the surface water by the appropriate reservoir volume. The averaged ratios of the estimated to measured suspended sediment loads for each reservoir exceeded 0.90. Since the concentration of suspended sediments in surface waters of north Mississippi reservoirs has been shown as highly correlated with spectral reflectance, estimating the total suspended sediment of these reservoirs using remotely sensed spectral reflectance data is possible.