Safety assessment of the film boiling chemical vapor infiltration (FB-CVI) process through a system-theoretic accident model and process (STAMP)

Film boiling chemical vapor infiltration (FB-CVI) is considered as one of the fastest process methodologies for manufacturing carbon-carbon (C–C) composite products and possesses various advantages compared to conventional methodologies. However, there are safety concerns associated with this process for large-scale manufacturing, mainly owing to the intrinsic nature of the precursor and the process conditions. Considering the multifunctional interactions of the various systems during the process, a system-theoretic process analysis (STPA)/system theoretic accident model and process (STAMP) model is used to perform a safety analysis of the hazardous states of the FB-CVI process at the system level. As a case study, the FB-CVI process equipment employed for the manufacturing of C–C composites is considered. The safety constraints present in the system are assessed for adequacy through a hazard analysis by STPA/STAMP. The analysis through STPA/STAMP demonstrated the capability to create proactive strategies for the design and realization of process equipment that can be employed to manufacture C–C composite products through the FB-CVI process.     

Review: recent advances in biogas purifying technologies

Biomethane production through biogas upgrading is a promising renewable energy for some industries which could be part of the equilibrium needed with fossil fuels consumption to achieve a sustainable society. This paper presents a comprehensive list of biogas upgrading technologies focused on carbon dioxide removal as well as recent advances reported by researcher with wide expertise in this topic. Additionally, an extensive costs–performance comparison among the technologies studied is discussed. Among the different alternatives, chemical scrubbing stood out to achieve high biomethane purities while cryogenic technologies proved to be effective against methane losses. Regarding the different costs, water scrubbing and membrane separation seem to be the most affordable techniques.     

Exoautometabolic regulation of transgenes in microorganisms

Data on the existence of a specific system regulating the growth, size, and structure of enterobacterial populations are first summarized in terms of the chemical ecology concept formulated by S.S. Shvarts. The role of this system in transgene functioning is described using the example of the lux operon integrated into Escherichia coli. A relatively simple test for estimating such interactions is proposed.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 91–96.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Pshenichnov, Maslennikova, Nikitina.     

Tropic attributes of the mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the mangrove swamps of Imo River estuary, Nigeria

Aspects of the trophic attributes of the mudskipper,Periophthalmus barbarus occurring in the mangrove swamps of ImoRiver estuary, Nigeria, were investigated during a 12-month period(April, 1992-March, 1993). Feeding intensity increased with size;it was higher in the dry season (November-April) than in the wetseason (May-October); monthly changes in the indices of feedingintensity were significantly correlated. Major food objectscomprised detritus and benthic algae; crustaceans, insects,macrophyte matter and sand grains were minor food objects whilefish, molluscs, Chilopoda, nematodes and fungi were unconsciouslydevoured objects. Diet varied seasonally; algae and sesarmid crabswere generally more in the dry season than during the rains whereasFPOM and fish increased in the wet over dry season. The mudskipperdisplay a high degree of euryphagy and can be considered as ageneralist and an omnivore. The lower trophic status of P. barbarusqualifies it as a good aquaculture candidate. Food richness washigher in big-sized class (BSC) than small-sized class (SSC).Size-based and seasonal variations were not apparent in foodrichness. Diet breadth was higher in the BSC than the SSC; therewas dry season increase in diet breadth.     

Is the alkaloid in 2spot ladybirds (Adalia bipunctata) a defence against ant predation?

Garden black ants,Lasius niger L., in a laboratory colony, attacked three species of live ladybirds found near their nest, killing the smaller two species. A second colony was offered artificial diets containing crushed ladybirds of two species, and the ants' choice of feeding site noted. Both the diets were aversive compared to control, but that containing 7spot,Coccinella septempunctata L., was more aversive than the diet containing 2spot,Adalia bipunctata L. The implications of this lesser protection for 2spots in terms of the chemical defence of the species are discussed.     

Acid Deposition in the Tuscan Appennines During the Dry Period 1988-89

The typical parameters of acid precipitation are evaluated in the forest of Vallombrosa (Tuscan Appennines) during the dry period 1988-89. Individual rain events (dry and wet deposition) were sampled in a clearing of the forest and below the canopy of an evergreen tree as well as a deciduous broadleaf tree.

In atmospheric precipitation the pH values usually vary around 4.4, with neutralization in the hot season due to calcareous material from distant sources. Relatively large concentrations of Pb and Cd are found in rain, but only in a small amount in canopy leachate. Aluminium, manganese and iron are more significantly washed off than Pb and Cd.     

Magnetic resonance image findings of placental lake: report of two cases

Two cases with a large cystic mass within the placenta are reported. By ultrasonography, it was found that both women had a subchorionic hypoechoic lesion (11.0 × 4.8 × 4.0 cm and 6.6 × 3.7 × 2.2 cm, respectively) at 24 and 35 weeks of gestation, respectively. In both cases, turbulent blood flow generated by a pulsatile jet flow (pulse rate; 40 to 60 beats per minute) into the cystic lesion seen on real-time imaging and lesions being low intensity on T1-weighted and isointensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance image suggested that they contained fresh maternal blood. In both cases, the sonolucency of the lesions did not change until cesarean deliveries of females, both of whom were small-for-gestational-age infants (1940 g at 37 weeks and 2195 g at 37 weeks, respectively). Biochemical analysis of the fluid in the cystic lesion sampled during the cesarean section in the latter case confirmed that the fluid had originated from the maternal blood. These lesions histologically corresponded to large avillous areas surrounded by normal villi. Thus, a huge placental lake was diagnosed in both cases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

岗南水库沉积物间隙水有色溶解有机物的时空分布特征及差异分析

有色可溶性有机物(CDOM)作为溶解性有机物的重要组分,影响着水体中污染物质的形态特征和迁移转化过程.本研究运用紫外-可见光谱技术(UV-vis)以及三维荧光光谱(EEMs)技术结合平行因子分析法(PARAFAC),对岗南水库自入库河口到坝前主库区四季演变过程中沉积物间隙水CDOM的分布、光谱特征以及来源进行解析.结果表明,岗南水库沉积物间隙水CDOM的相对浓度a_(254)、a_(260)、a_(280)和a_(355)存在显著的季节差异,并且相对浓度大小为夏季春季秋季冬季;沉积物间隙水CDOM的E2/E3、E3/E4、E4/E6以及S_R存在显著的季节差异,呈现冬季高夏季低的特征;秋冬季的E2/E3以及E3/E4明显高于春夏季,并且秋冬季的E3/E4大部分均大于3.5,表明秋冬季沉积物间隙水CDOM具有更小的分子量和更低的腐殖化程度;三维荧光光谱通过PARAFAC解析出3种组分,分别为类酪氨酸(C1)、短波类富里酸(C2)和降解的腐殖类物质(C3),并且3种荧光组分间具有显著的正相关性(P0.001);岗南水库沉积物间隙水的CDOM总荧光强度和各荧光组分荧光强度呈现显著的季节差异,总荧光强度以及各组分的荧光强度呈现春季的最高、秋冬季次之、夏季最低的分布特征;秋冬季各个荧光组分占比不存在显著差异,春夏季各个荧光组分占比不存在显著差异,秋冬季与春夏季各个荧光组分占比存在显著差异;秋冬季沉积物间隙水CDOM生物源指数(BIX)和荧光指数(FI)均高于春夏季,表明秋冬季CDOM的自生源强于春夏季,与腐殖程度指标(HIX)的结果相吻合;PCA结合Adonis分析显示沉积物间隙水CDOM的光谱特征呈现显著的季节差异(P0.001);并且组分C1、C2、C3以及水质参数[氨氮、硝氮、亚硝氮、溶解性总氮以及溶解性总磷]均有很好的线性回归方程.综上,通过对岗南水库沉积物间隙水CDOM光谱特征进行研究,可以为分析岗南水库有机物污染特征和水质管理提供技术支持.     

上海地区大气中氯化氢和颗粒氯排放源清单初步研究

氯自由基对于臭氧和二次气溶胶的生成贡献不容忽视.夜间颗粒相氯(Cl~-)可以通过与N_2O_5的复杂反应转化生成ClNO_2,其光解产生的氯自由基将显著影响大气污染的形成机制.本文以上海地区为案例,以2017年为基准年,收集了人为源活动水平数据,采用排放系数估算方法,首次建立了上海地区人为源氯化氢(HCl)和颗粒氯(Cl~-)的排放清单;并进一步结合模型计算海盐气溶胶排放的颗粒氯(Cl~-).结果表明,2017年上海市人为源和天然源排放的HCl和Cl~-分别为1207 t和820 t,其中,燃煤、工业、垃圾焚烧和秸秆燃烧产生的HCl排放量分别为327、134、722和24 t.燃煤源中的燃煤电厂和其它行业燃烧约占燃煤源排放的80%;工业源中水泥为HCl的最大排放源,约占工业源排放的51%;垃圾焚烧厂排放约占总HCl排放的60%,为最大的HCl排放源.燃煤、工业源、垃圾焚烧、秸秆焚烧、烹饪源和海盐的颗粒Cl~-排放量分别为82、153、498、47、39和0.6 t,燃煤源中的燃煤电厂占燃煤Cl~-排放的40%,供热、其他行业和家庭燃烧分别占燃煤Cl~-排放的24%、22%和14%;钢铁行业为工业源的主要Cl~-排放源,约占工业源排放的90%,垃圾焚烧厂占全部Cl~-排放的61%,烹饪源中餐饮企业为最主要排放源,占烹饪源的70%;天然源海盐的排放量极少,未占到总排放的1%.从空间分布来看,浦东新区、宝山、普陀、松江和金山排放的HCl和Cl~-占到全市人为源总排放的80%,为主要的HCl和Cl~-排放区域.本文研究建立的上海地区大气中氯化氢和颗粒氯排放源清单,对于深入研究氯化学机制对二次污染的影响提供了重要的数据参考.