scholarly journals From laboratory to environmental conditions: a new approach for chemical’s biodegradability assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 18684-18693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brillet François ◽  
Maul Armand ◽  
Durand Marie-José ◽  
Gérald Thouand
Author(s):  
Takuya Mori ◽  
Satoshi Shibasaki ◽  
Hideki Aoyama

Various approaches for generating woodgrain patterns using computer graphics have been proposed so far. However, it is difficult to reproduce real woodgrain patterns using such conventional methods. In this paper, a new approach for generating woodgrain patterns is proposed. Virtual trees are generated by simulating tree growth in consideration of environmental conditions. Moreover, fine tree tissues and reflection properties at the wood surface are modeled. By applying these modeled factors, more diverse and accurate woodgrain patterns can be generated. With this approach, various types of virtual trees can be obtained by changing growth conditions such as period and location of growth or form of tissue in trees without the need to reset complicated parameters of each tree species. After this, the virtual trees can be cut at arbitrary areas, thus allowing a variety of woodgrain patterns to be generated by easy parameter setup.


2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1763) ◽  
pp. 20130818 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Keith ◽  
A. H. Baird ◽  
T. P. Hughes ◽  
J. S. Madin ◽  
S. R. Connolly

Species richness gradients are ubiquitous in nature, but the mechanisms that generate and maintain these patterns at macroecological scales remain unresolved. We use a new approach that focuses on overlapping geographical ranges of species to reveal that Indo-Pacific corals are assembled within 11 distinct faunal provinces. Province limits are characterized by co-occurrence of multiple species range boundaries. Unexpectedly, these faunal breaks are poorly predicted by contemporary environmental conditions and the present-day distribution of habitat. Instead, faunal breaks show striking concordance with geological features (tectonic plates and mantle plume tracks). The depth range over which a species occurs, its larval development rate and genus age are important determinants of the likelihood that species will straddle faunal breaks. Our findings indicate that historical processes, habitat heterogeneity and species colonization ability account for more of the present-day biogeographical patterns of corals than explanations based on the contemporary distribution of reefs or environmental conditions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1913-1919 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. García-Escárzaga ◽  
S. Moncayo ◽  
I. Gutiérrez-Zugasti ◽  
M. R. González-Morales ◽  
J. Martín-Chivelet ◽  
...  

Mg/Ca ratios in shells of the mollusc species Phorcus lineatus obtained using the LIBS technique has been evaluated as an environmental proxy to reconstruct paleotemperatures and season of capture of molluscs for the first time.


1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Mendelssohn ◽  
Philippe Cury

In this paper we analyze time series of catch per unit of effort (CPUE) from 1966 to 1982 of small pelagic species off the Ivory Coast using sea surface temperature (SST) collected by merchant ships. A fill-in model is used to estimate missing values of CPUE and SST in the areas in which the fishery operates. A multivariate time series model of the fortnightly data is able to explain 43% of the observed variance in CPUE from 1966 to 1982. A model estimated by using only the data from 1966 to 1980 produced reasonable forecasts of the fortnightly CPUE for 1981–82. A new approach for estimating optimal transformations of variables in the model is used to examine the form of the relationships between CPUE and its predictors. The biological interpretation of the estimated transformations is consistent with previous results on the dynamics of zooplankton in the same area.


1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Eames ◽  
B. Norton

A numerical simulation model was employed to investigate the effects of ambient temperature and insolation of the efficiency of compound parabolic concentrating solar energy collectors. The limitations of presently used collector performance characterization curves were investigated and a new approach proposed. The major advantage of the new procedure over those employed previously is that different solar collector performance characteristics can now be readily normalized to a common set of environmental conditions. Thus, an equitable comparison may be made, in the context of the application conditions, of rating characteristics for disparate collectors which were obtained initially under different conditions.


Author(s):  
Tek Khaw ◽  
Phil Rawstron ◽  
Kaj Lagstrom

Problems and issues arising in the design and operation of mono-hull FPSOs have been apparent for many years. This has resulted in shortcomings of current design philosophy being highlighted. Environmental downtime of 10 to 14 days per year is not uncommon in both new-built and converted FPSOs. The financial loss resulting from this downtime during the life of a field, is a significant factor in the overall field economics. The importance of selecting the principal dimensions of the hull to optimise the natural periods of the FPSO is discussed in this paper. Converted FPSOs are therefore at a disadvantage as the natural periods are already set by the principal dimensions and mass properties, which may not suit the environmental conditions at site, potentially resulting in high downtime. However, it is also noted that preliminary design of new built-FPSOs has also tended to neglect this aspect of design and opportunities to optimise motion performance have often been lost by following standard ship building practices in selecting initial principal hull dimensions. This paper explores a new rational approach to the design of the FPSOs, relative to the field environmental conditions, particularly for deep water locations. The main objective is to achieve minimum downtime to avoid financial penalties caused by the associated loss of production. Preliminary hull sizing software for optimising the hull principal dimensions, relative to the mooring and riser requirements and the field environmental conditions for a given storage capacity and topside load is presented. Benefits for the riser and mooring systems and for hull material and fabrication costs are also outlined.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-56
Author(s):  
Roberts Alasdair

Research in Public Management (PM) has run into two obstacles. In Western countries, scholars complain that PM research neglects big questions about the overall design of government and its adaptation to new threats. Meanwhile, Asian scholars complain about the Western-centrism of PM research and its failure to account for the distinctive features of governance in their countries. A new approach to PM research will overcome both obstacles. This new approach assumes that leaders of the world’s 195 states face the common challenge of devising a strategy for governing their territory and population that will achieve security, prosperity, and justice. These “strategies for governing” vary between countries and over time, as leaders wrestle with contradictions among goals, uncertainty about tactics, turbulent environmental conditions, and sticky cultural and institutional inheritances. This is a macro approach to PM research that provides a framework for addressing big questions about governance while overcoming the Western-centric bias of current scholarship.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1000 ◽  
pp. 215-218
Author(s):  
Petr Bílý ◽  
Alena Kohoutkova ◽  
Pavla Ryparová ◽  
Zuzana Rácová

Photocatalytic cement containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles (N-TiO2) is commercially available for some 10 years already, but its wider utilization is limited by economic aspects. A new approach to implanting N-TiO2 into surface of cementitious composite exposed to severe environmental conditions was investigated. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanotextile containing N-TiO2 was prepared on Nanospider device. Photocatalytic properties of specimens made from ordinary white cement with surface covered by PVA nanotextile containing N-TiO2 were compared to the properties of reference samples made from ordinary white cement and samples made from commercially available photocatalytic cement. Although the PVA nanotextile containing N-TiO2 was not found to be a prospective solution for photocatalytic finishing in this stage of research, the idea of treating concrete surfaces with enriched nanotextiles was examined and will be further pursued as a very promising research topic.


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