scholarly journals Establishing elemental turnover in exercising birds using a wind tunnel: implications for stable isotope tracking of migrants

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Elizabeth Yohannes
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Exponential Model ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Migratory Flight ◽  
C Value ◽  
And Control ◽  
Best Fit

Stable isotope measurements are being used increasingly to track migratory wildlife, especially birds. This approach relies on the assumption that tissue isotopic values represent a known period of dietary integration and that such a period is long enough to provide information on previous geographic origin. To date, such measurements have been obtained by switching isotopic composition of diets of sedentary captive individuals. The assumption has been that such measurements of elemental turnover likely represent minimal estimates, since wild migratory birds undergo increased metabolism and exercise during migratory flights. We tested this assumption using isotopic manipulation of diet on captive Rosy Starling ( Sturnus roseus (L., 1758)) conditioned for flight in a wind tunnel. We used four control (no exercise) and four experimental (exercised) birds. For both groups, diet was switched from primarily a C-3 content to a C-4 content and blood samples were taken throughout our experiment until day 53. Contrary to expectation, δ13C values in blood did not follow an exponential model of growth to a plateau under the new diet. Instead, the best fit was a linear increase in δ13C value of the blood cellular fraction following the switch (day 15) until day 50, after which no further isotopic change was noted. We found no difference between experimental and control groups in the rate of carbon turnover. Our results support the contention that metabolic costs of migratory flight in conditioned birds may not result in increases in carbon elemental turnover in tissues and that previous estimates of tissue isotopic turnover based on captive, nonexercised birds may be applied to wild birds.

An evaluation model of 2019-nCoV prevention effectiveness based on immigration data in China (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiangsheng Huang
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Related Data ◽  
The Face ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Best Fit

BACKGROUND As of the end of February 2020, 2019-nCoV is currently well controlled in China. However, the virus is now spreading globally. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of outbreak prevention and control measures in a region. METHODS A model is built for find the best fit for two sets of data (the number of daily new diagnosed, and the risk value of incoming immigration population). The parameters (offset and time window) in the model can be used as the evaluation of effectiveness of outbreak prevention and control. RESULTS Through study, it is found that the parameter offset and time window in the model can accurately reflect the prevention effectiveness. Some related data and public news confirm this result. And this method has advantages over the method using R0 in two aspects. CONCLUSIONS If the epidemic situation is well controlled, the virus is not terrible. Now the daily new diagnosed patients in most regions of China is quickly reduced to zero or close to zero. Chinese can do a good job in the face of huge epidemic pressure. Therefore, if other countries can do well in prevention and control, the epidemic in those places can also pass quickly.

scholarly journals Geostatistical Analysis for delineating sterile inclusions in Sidi Chennane' phosphatic series, Morrocco

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Khadija Baba ◽  
Lahcen Bahi ◽  
Latifa Ouadif
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Exponential Model ◽  
Geostatistical Analysis ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Geostatistical Methods ◽  
Qualitative Interpretation ◽  
Phosphate Deposit ◽  
Squared Residuals ◽  
Geoelectric Data ◽  
Best Fit

<p>The anomalies detected in phosphatic series of Sidi Chennane, one of phosphatic basins in Morocco, hinder the proper exploitation of phosphate levels and the assessing phosphate reserves seems incorrect. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of geostatistical methods for delimitation of these disturbances. To cover all the zones being able to be disturbed, we carried out, during the geophysical prospection in a parcel of 50 ha, 5151 resistivity measurements as horizontal profiling using the well-known Schlumberger array, in order to map the spatial distribution of  the sterile hardpan inclusions.</p><p>Geostatistical tools were used to quantify the spatial correlation between apparent resistivity data. Semivariograms were obtained using a classical Matheron semivariogram estimator and fit to the experimental semivariograms obtained. We have selected those with the best fit in terms of sum of squared residuals (SSR).</p><p>Geostatistical analysis was performed using the software VESPER 1.63. Spatial distribution maps were made by ordinary kriging, the qualitative interpretation of these maps reflects that the exponential model is found to be the best model representing the spatial variability of our geoelectric data. The qualitative interpretation of the kriged resistivity maps allows defining resistivity contrast, consequently we have delimited the crossing dominate area from a “normal” into a “disturbed” area. Models of the geology were successfully obtained from geostatical method, which help mapping the phosphate deposit inclusions and the estimations of phosphate reserves were improved and better constrained.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Resumen</strong></p><p>Las anomalías detectadas en las series fosfóricas de Sidi Chennane, una de las cuencas fosfóricas de Marruecos, dificultan la explotación apropiada de los niveles de fosfato y hacen parecer incorrectos los cálculos de las reservas. El propósito de este estudio es la evaluación de los métodos geoestadísticos para la delimitación de estas anomalías. Para cubrir todas las zonas donde se pueden presentar estas alteraciones se llevaron a cabo,durante la exploración geofísica en una parcela de 50 hectáreas, 5151 medidas de resistividad con perfileshorizontales a través del conocido sondeo Schlumberger, con el fin de mapear la distribución espacial de las inclusiones estériles de la capa sólida.</p><p>Se utilizaron herramientas geoestadísticas para cuantificar la correlación espacial entre los datos de resistividad. Se obtuvieron semivariogramas a través del tradicional estimador de semivariogramas Matheron y se adecuaron a los semivariogramas experimentales obtenidos. La selección se basó en aquellos que mejor se acoplaban en términos de la suma de cuadrados residuales (SCE). Los análisis geoestadísticos se realizaron con el programa VESPER 1.63. Los mapas de distribución espacial se hicieron por Kriging regular, y la interpretación cualitativa de estos mapas refleja que el modelo exponencial es el que mejor representa la variablilidad espacial de estos datos geoeléctricos. La interpretación cualitativa de los mapas de resistividad obtenidos por la técnica del Kriging permite definir el contraste de resistencia, lo que fija el área entre los estándares de “normal” y “Con Alteraciones”. Los modelos geológicos fueron obtenidos del método geoestadístico, lo que ayudó a mapear los depósitos de inclusiones de fosfato y mejoró las estimaciones de las reservas a través de una mejor definición de estas.</p><p> </p>

Eco Friendly Lighting Options for Offshore Installations and Related Design Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sathishkumar Pragasam
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Artificial Lighting ◽  
Migratory Flight ◽  
Offshore Installations ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The impact of artificial lighting on birds and animals has been a subject of research for many decades. These studies have established that light pollution from offshore facilities result in disturbing effects on migratory birds and marine animals. It is understood from the various studies that light emanating from offshore structures attract birds at night and disorient them during their migratory flight. As they are distracted from their flight path, they are either found trapped by the light that they keep circling around the installations or make them to take shelter in the installations, ultimately making them miss their migratory journey. This results in reduced winter survival and reduced reproduction success. Many birds are also found to die eventually because of bird strike or by getting themselves incinerated in flares. Congregation of birds in offshore installations also lead to risks related to helicopter landing / take-off. It is also observed that artificial light attracts marine species like turtles and fishes, which result in adverse effects like alteration of feeding habits, impacted circadian rhythm and interference with their reproductive function. From the knowledge of aforementioned disruptive effects of artificial lighting, significant efforts have been made to develop lighting systems for offshore installations that are eco-friendly. Various means of mitigating the undesirable effects of artificial lighting in offshore installations are being tried in the last couple of decades.

Flutter mitigation of a superlong-span suspension bridge with a double-deck truss girder through wind tunnel tests

2020 ◽  
pp. 107754632094615
Author(s):  
Yanguo Sun ◽  
Yongfu Lei ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Haili Liao ◽  
Mingshui Li
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Suspension Bridge ◽  
Wind Tunnel Tests ◽  
Long Span Bridges ◽  
Long Span ◽  
Upper Deck ◽  
Torsional Damping ◽  
And Control ◽  
Wind Induced Vibration

As flutter is a very dangerous wind-induced vibration phenomenon, the mitigation and control of flutter are crucial for the design of long-span bridges. In the present study, via a large number of section model wind tunnel tests, the flutter performance of a superlong-span suspension bridge with a double-deck truss girder was studied, and a series of aerodynamic and structural measures were used to mitigate and control its flutter instability. The results show that soft flutter characterized by a lack of an evident divergent point occurred for the double-deck truss girder. Upper central stabilizers on the upper deck, lower stabilizers below the lower deck, and horizontal flaps installed beside the bottoms of the sidewalks are all effective in suppressing flutter for this kind of truss girder. By combining the structural design with aerodynamic optimizations, a redesigned truss girder with widened upper carriers and sidewalks, and double lower stabilizers combined with the inspection vehicle rails is identified as the optimal flutter mitigation scheme. It was also found that the critical flutter wind speed increases with the torsional damping ratio, indicating that the dampers may be efficient in controlling soft flutter characterized by single-degree-of-freedom torsional vibration. This study aims to provide a useful reference and guidance for the flutter design optimization of long-span bridges with double-deck truss girders.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Superposition Effect of Oil Vapor Leakage and Diffusion from External Floating-Roof Tanks Using CFD Numerical Simulations and Wind-Tunnel Experiments

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Jie Fang ◽  
Weiqiu Huang ◽  
Fengyu Huang ◽  
Lipei Fu ◽  
Gao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Vapor Concentration ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Ambient Wind ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
And Control

Based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and Realizable k-ε turbulence model, we established a numerical simulation method for wind and vapor-concentration fields of various external floating-roof tanks (EFRTs) (single, two, and four) and verified its feasibility using wind-tunnel experiments. Subsequently, we analysed superposition effects of wind speed and concentration fields for different types of EFRTs. The results show that high concentrations of vapor are found near the rim gap of the floating deck and above the floating deck surface. At different ambient wind speeds, interference between tanks is different. When the ambient wind speed is greater than 2 m/s, vapor concentration in leeward area of the rear tank is greater than that between two tanks, which makes it easy to reach explosion limit. It is suggested that more monitoring should be conducted near the bottom area of the rear tank and upper area on the left of the floating deck. Superposition in a downwind direction from the EFRTs becomes more obvious with an increase in the number of EFRTs; vapor superposition occurs behind two leeward tanks after leakage from four large EFRTs. Considering safety, environmental protection, and personnel health, appropriate measures should be taken at these positions for timely monitoring, and control.

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation in Stable Isotope Ratios of Cow Milk in Vilnius Region, Lithuania

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrius Garbaras ◽  
Raminta Skipitytė ◽  
Justina Šapolaitė ◽  
Žilvinas Ežerinskis ◽  
Vidmantas Remeikis
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Ratio Method ◽  
Stable Isotope Ratios ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Artesian Water

Various studies have shown that stable isotope analysis has the potential to verify the geographic origin of foods and drinks. However, stable isotope composition is not always constant in the environment and can even change in the same area. Dairy products are of particular interest as a group of foods that play an important role in feeding the population. The composition of milk is fundamentally dependent on the feeding of the cows, and thereby on a particular environment. To better understand the amount of variation in δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N values in the milk from the same area, we measured stable isotope ratios in cow milk water, artesian water, and precipitation (δ18O) as well as in bulk milk samples (δ13C and δ15N) collected in 2014–2016. Different water and food sources were available during the winter (artesian water only and dry grass) and summer (artesian water and fresh grass), and spring and autumn seasons reflected transitional periods. Oxygen stable isotope ratios in milk water were relatively lower in winter and transitional seasons and higher in summer, showing the dependence on the main water source. δ13C values reflected particular food sources. This study shows the applicability of the stable isotope ratio method in linking cow milk to specific environments and reveals the amount of variation in stable isotope ratios in the same area. These results could be valuable for other studies on geographical origin determination of dairy products.

scholarly journals Every apple has a voice: using stable isotopes to teach about food sourcing and the water cycle

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 3799-3810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Oerter ◽  
Molly Malone ◽  
Annie Putman ◽  
Dina Drits-Esser ◽  
Louisa Stark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Isotope Hydrology ◽  
Computer Lab ◽  
Outreach Activity

Abstract. Agricultural crops such as fruits take up irrigation and meteoric water and incorporate it into their tissue (fruit water) during growth, and the geographic origin of a fruit may be traced by comparing the H and O stable isotope composition (δ2H and δ18O values) of fruit water to the global geospatial distribution of H and O stable isotopes in precipitation. This connection between common fruits and the global water cycle provides an access point to connect with a variety of demographic groups to educate about isotope hydrology and the water cycle. Within the context of a 1-day outreach activity designed for a wide spectrum of participants (high school students, undergraduate students, high school science teachers) we developed introductory lecture materials, in-class participatory demonstrations of fruit water isotopic measurement in real time, and a computer lab exercise to couple actual fruit water isotope data with open-source online geospatial analysis software. We assessed learning outcomes with pre- and post-tests tied to learning objectives, as well as participant feedback surveys. Results indicate that this outreach activity provided effective lessons on the basics of stable isotope hydrology and the water cycle. However, the computer lab exercise needs to be more specifically tailored to the abilities of each participant group. This pilot study provides a foundation for further development of outreach materials that can effectively engage a range of participant groups in learning about the water cycle and the ways in which humans modify the water cycle through agricultural activity.

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