Ensemble Numerical Simulations of Realistic SEP Events and the Inspiration for Space Weather Awareness

The solar energetic particle (SEP) event is a kind of hazardous space weather phenomenon, so its quantitative forecast is of great importance from the aspect of space environmental situation awareness. We present here a set of SEP forecast tools, which consists of three components: 1) a simple polytropic solar wind model to estimate the background solar wind conditions at the inner boundary of 0.1AU (about 20 R⊙); 2) an ice-cream-cone model to estimate the erupted CME parameters; and 3) the improved Particle Acceleration and Transport in the Heliosphere (iPATH) model to calculate particle fluxes and energy spectra. By utilizing the above models, we have simulated six realistic SEP events from August 14, 2010 to September 10, 2014, and compared the simulated results to the GOES spacecraft observations. The results show that the simulated fluxes of > 10MeV particles agree with the observations while the simulated fluxes of > 100MeV particles are higher than the observed data. One of the possible reasons is that we have adopted a simple method in the model to calculate the injection rate of energetic particles. Furthermore, we have conducted the ensemble numerical simulations over these events and investigated the effects of different background solar wind conditions at the inner boundary on SEP events. The results imply that the initial CME density plays an important role in determining the power spectrum, while the effect of varying background solar wind temperature is not significant. Naturally, we have examined the influence of CME initial density on the numerical prediction results for virtual SEP cases with different CME ejection speeds. The result shows that the effect of initial CME density variation is inversely associated with CME speed.

AGN orientation through the spectroscopic correlations and model of dusty cone shell

The differences between Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) and Broad Line AGNs (BLAGNs) are not completely understood; it is thought that they may have different inclinations and/or physical characteristics. The FWHM(Hβ)–luminosities correlations are found for NLS1s and their origin is the matter of debate. Here we investigated the spectroscopic parameters and their correlations considering a dusty, cone model of AGN. We apply a simple conical dust distribution (spreading out of broad line region, BLR), assuming that the observed surface of the model is in a good correlation with MIR emission. The dusty cone model in combination with a BLR provides the possibility to estimate luminosity dependence on the cone inclination. The FWHM(Hβ)–luminosities correlations obtained from model in comparison with observational data show similarities which may indicate the influence of AGN inclination and structure to this correlation. An alternative explanation for FWHM(Hβ)–luminosities correlations is the selection effect by the black hole mass. These FWHM(Hβ)–luminosities correlations may be related to the starburst in AGNs, as well. The distinction between spectral properties of the NLS1s and BLAGNs could be caused by multiple effects: beside physical differencies between NLS1s and BLAGNs (NLS1s have lighter black hole mass than BLAGNs), inclination of the conical AGN geometry may have important role as well, where NLS1s may be seen in lower inclination angles.

Improved Model for Generating Incremental Product Innovation Schemes

To realize incremental product innovation, the key problems of existing products need to be identified and solved with feasible innovation schemes. This study examines the generation process of innovation schemes by integrating Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). This study has the following advantages: first, this study proposes new rules for distinguishing physical conflicts with technical conflicts and the method for calculating conflict importance after building House of Quality (HoQ) in QFD. Second, an improved integrated model of QFD and TRIZ is constructed, which generates innovation schemes by solving not only the conflicts between technical characteristics but also the problems of product parts. Third, the uncertainty and subjectivity of the data provided by decision-makers in the evaluation process of innovation schemes are processed by interval grey numbers. Moreover, a cone model is built to make the evaluation results more reliable. Last, a case study of water purifiers is conducted to illustrate the validity of the generation process of incremental product innovation schemes.

Methane Production from Slaughterhouse Waste and Wheat Straw: Influence of Concentration

The indiscriminate generation of slaughterhouse waste and agricultural waste can present pollution problems in the environment. An alternative to counteract these problems is the anaerobic digestion of waste through the production of biogas and methane as clean and renewable energy. In this sense, this study aimed to optimize methane production from anaerobic codigestion of slaughterhouse waste from cattle and wheat straw. The treatments were evaluated using anaerobic sludge as inoculum from the wastewater treatment plant of the city of Ibarra. The tests were carried out under mesophilic conditions (38°C) in digesters with a useful volume of 186 ml. The influence of the substrate concentration was evaluated by anaerobically digesting 45 samples at different concentrations (5, 10 and 15 g VS/l) with a substrate/inoculum ratio of 1:2. The highest accumulated methane yield occurred in the digesters composed of 15 g VS/l. The maximum methane production was 320.48 Nml/g VS. The kinetics of the tests were adjusted with the cone model, where there were correlations greater than 99%. Keywords: biogas, methane, codigestion, synergy, inoculum, kinetics. Resumen La generación indiscriminada de residuos de matadero y desechos agrícolas pueden presentar problemas de contaminación en el medio ambiente. Una alternativa para contrarrestar estos problemas es la digestión anaeróbica de los desechos mediante la produción de biogás y metano como energía limpia y renovable. En este sentido el objetivo de este estudio es la optimización de la producción de metano a partir de la codigestión anaeróbica de residuos de matadero de ganado vacuno y paja de trigo. Los tratamientos se evaluaron empleando como inóculo lodo anaerobio de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de la ciudad de Ibarra. Los ensayos se realizaron en condiciones mesofílicas (38°C) en digestores de 186 ml de volumen útil. La influencia de la concentración del sustrato se evaluó digiriendo anaeróbicamente 45 muestras a diferentes concentraciones (5, 10 y 15 g SV/l) con una relación sustrato/inóculo de 1:2. El mayor rendimiento acumulado de metano se produjo en los digestores compuestos por 15 g SV/l. La producción máxima de metano fue de 320,48 Nml/g SV. La cinética de los ensayos se ajustó con el modelo del cono, donde se tuvo correlaciones superiores al 99%. Palabras Clave: biogás, metano, codigestión, sinergia, inóculo, cinética.

Multi-Wavelength Properties of the 2021 Periastron Passage of PSR B1259-63

PSR B1259-63 is a gamma-ray binary system hosting a radio pulsar orbiting around a O9.5Ve star, LS 2883, with a period of ∼3.4 years. The interaction of the pulsar wind with the LS 2883 outflow leads to unpulsed broadband emission in the radio, X-ray, GeV, and TeV domains. One of the most unusual features of the system is an outburst of GeV energies around the periastron, during which the energy release substantially exceeds the spin down luminosity under the assumption of the isotropic emission. In this paper, we present the first results of a recent multi-wavelength campaign (radio, optical, and X-ray bands) accompanied by the analysis of publicly available GeV Fermi/LAT data. The campaign covered a period of more than 100 days around the 2021 periastron and revealed substantial differences from previously observed passages. We report a major delay of the GeV flare, weaker X-ray flux during the peaks, which are typically attributed to the times when the pulsar crosses the disk, and the appearance of a third X-ray peak never observed before. We argue that these features are consistent with the emission cone model proposed by us previously, in the case of a sparser and clumpier disk of the Be star.

Anaerobic Codigestion of Slaughter Residues with Agricultural Waste of Amaranth Quinoa and Wheat

The objective of this research is to experimentally evaluate the anaerobic co-digestion of slaughterhouse residues in the city of Guaranda with straw residues from agriculture, such as: amaranth, quinoa and wheat. The study was carried out on a laboratory scale using 311 ml biodigesters under mesophilic conditions of 37 °C. Anaerobic co-digestion resulted in methane yields of 407 ml CH4/g VS, with a methane content in the biogas of 77% for the mixture of slaughterhouse waste and quinoa (RM-QU (25:75)). The increase in inoculum in the mixtures composed of slaughterhouse residues and quinoa increased the biodegradability between 17 and 22%. However, in the mixtures of slaughterhouse waste and amaranth (RM-AM (0:100)), a further increase in inoculum decreased biodegradability by 5%. To predict and simulate methane production, 5 kinetic models were used: modified Gompertz, logistic equation, transfer, cone and Richards. The cone model was the one that best adjusted the experimental values ​​with those predicted with an R2 of 0.982 to 0.999 and RMSE of 0.61 to 6.92 ml CH4/g VS. The calculation of the theoretical yield was carried out by stoichiometry and elemental analysis of the samples. Theoretical yields ranged between 480-564 ml CH4/g VS for all mixtures of RM with agricultural residues.