The structure of dissipation in the western Irish Sea front

We report on an intensive campaign in the summer of 2006 to observe turbulent energy dissipation in the vicinity of a tidal mixing front which separates well mixed and seasonally stratified regimes in the western Irish Sea. The rate of turbulent dissipation ε was observed on a section across the front by a combination of vertical profiles with the FLY dissipation profiler and horizontal profiles by shear sensors mounted on an AUV (Autosub). Mean flow conditions and stratification were obtained from a bed mounted ADCP and a vertical chain of thermistors on a mooring. During an Autosub mission of 60 h, the vehicle, moving at a speed of ~ 1.2 m s^− 1, completed 10 useable frontal crossings between end points which were allowed to move with the mean flow. The results were combined with parallel measurements of the vertical profile of ε which were made using FLY for periods of up to 13 h at positions along the Autosub track. The two data sets, which show a satisfactory degree of consistency, were combined to elucidate the space–time variation of dissipation in the frontal zone. Using harmonic analysis, the spatial structure of dissipation was separated from the strong time dependent signal at the M₄ tidal frequency to yield a picture of the cross-frontal distribution of energy dissipation. A complementary picture of the frontal velocity field was obtained from a moored ADCP and estimates of the mean velocity derived from the thermal wind using the observed density distribution. which indicated the presence of a strong (0.2 m s^− 1) jet-like flow in the high gradient region of the front. Under neap tidal conditions, mean dissipation varied across the section by 3 orders of magnitude exceeding 10^− 2 W m^− 3 near the seabed in the mixed regime and decreasing to 10^− 5 W m^− 3. in the strongly stratified interior regime. The spatial pattern of dissipation is consistent in general form with the predictions of models of tidal mixing and does not reflect any strong influence by the frontal jet.     

Stakeholder Perspectives on the Value of Marine Spatial Planning Towards Advancing Offshore Wind in the U.S.

The United States contributes only 0.2% of the 18,814?MW of global installed offshore wind capacity. Lack of development has been attributed in part to a cumbersome regulatory process that includes the evaluation of environmental impacts. Assessments are based on biological, social, and technical data that are often incomplete. Marine spatial planning (MSP) may help fill data gaps. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants to understand (1) whether a lack of biological data impedes offshore wind environmental assessments, (2) whether MSP could mitigate these impediments, and (3) whether MSP could advance offshore wind development in the U.S. in other ways. Most informants stated that a lack of biological data in offshore wind environmental assessments was problematic due to incomplete data, uncertainty of data, and mismatched scales. Data issues may be mitigated by creation of data products and increased communication, outcomes of MSP that may benefit the regulatory process by increasing data availability, resolving conflicts among users, and providing a common operating picture. Challenges remain in integrating MSP into the processes of siting and permitting offshore wind, but it provides a strategic framework for the systematic identification, collection, collation, analyses, application, and management of data in the offshore wind environmental regulatory process.     

Information sources for thesis and dissertation research

The process of seeking out information from both published and non-published sources can be laborious and time-consuming. It is essential to work out a strategy to ensure simultaneously the most effective use of time and the most efficient use of resources. Only in this way can one be sure of obtaining all relevant literature. A step-by-step approach, while appearing self-evident, has been proved to be the most pragmatic and effective.     

Nonlinear model predictive dynamic positioning control of an underwater vehicle with an onboard USBL system

This paper presents a novel optimization-based approach for dynamic positioning (DP) of a fully actuated underwater vehicle equipped with an onboard ultrashort baseline transceiver to provide relative position information of two earth-fixed transponders near the vehicle. The DP system error is defined by the transponders’ positions compared to the desired values, which occur at the vehicle’s target pose (position and orientation). The proposed DP strategy is composed of two loops in a hierarchical structure. In the kinematic loop, the nonlinear model predictive control is used to generate the desired velocity by optimizing a cost function of the predictive trajectories under the constraints of velocity and transponder bearings over a limited time horizon. In the dynamic loop, the neural network model reference adaptive control with pseudo control hedging is utilized to ensure the asymptotical convergence of velocity tracking errors in the presence of uncertainties associated with unknown model parameters, currents and thruster dynamics. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is illustrated by comprehensive simulations.     

Psychological items: a useful addition in modeling travel behavior on managed lanes

Transportation - Managed lanes (MLs) are a tool to more efficiently operate segments of a freeway. As ML prevalence increases in the United States of America, it is important to understand travel...     

瑞士铁路货运概述

概述了瑞士铁路的货运政策．并介绍了瑞士铁路三大货运商。     

Wave scattering by multiple floating elastic plates with spring or hinged boundary conditions

We solve the problem of wave scattering by multiple floating elastic plates with arbitrary boundary conditions, such as spring connectors or hinges at the plate edges. We present two solution methods, the first method is based on a matched eigenfunction expansion and the second uses a Green function. The matched eigenfunction expansion method allows arbitrary parameters for a given plate and also allows regions of open water. The Green function method requires that all plate properties must be uniform except plate length and the plate must cover the entire free surface. The Green function method is much less computationally demanding than the matched eigenfunction method and provides a test of accuracy. A range of results are presented, which show that the behaviour of the plate depends strongly on the boundary conditions at the plate edges.     

Integrating Climate and Ocean Change Vulnerability into Conservation Planning

Tropical coastal and marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to ocean warming, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise. Yet these projected climate and ocean change impacts are rarely considered in conservation planning due to the lack of guidance on how existing climate and ocean change models, tools, and data can be applied. Here, we address this gap by describing how conservation planning can use available tools and data for assessing the vulnerability of tropical marine ecosystems to key climate threats. Additionally, we identify limitations of existing tools and provide recommendations for future research to improve integration of climate and ocean change information and conservation planning. Such information is critical for developing a conservation response that adequately protects these ecosystems and dependent coastal communities in the face of climate and ocean change.     

Low-fi simulation of bridge team communication

The paper compares the pedagogical advantages of two simulation types used for training verbal maritime communication. It tests the hypothesis that “low-fi” simulation using online web conference software, specifically ‘chat’ or messaging, is a valid complementary tool for the instruction of Maritime English and full-mission simulation. Based on a series of exercises involving multi-national and multi-lingual students, various linguistic patterns are determined and compared to audio recordings of full-mission simulation. Probability of superiority effect sizes is computed to quantify the observed effects. The findings corroborate the proximity of language patterns found in low-fi and full-mission simulation. Pedagogical implications are discussed, and future research possibilities are outlined.