Influence of turpentine addition in Jatropha biodiesel on CI engine performance,combustion and exhaust emissions

The prospect of using turpentine oil as an additive for Jatropha biodiesel and using it as an alternative fuel for diesel in CI engines has been experimented in this work. Tests were carried out in a single cylinder, air cooled, constant speed, direct injection diesel engine. The results display that the performance of Jatropha-Mineral Turpentine (JMT) and Jatropha- Wood Turpentine (JWT) blends were found close to diesel, emission features were enhanced and combustion parameters were noticed to be comparable with diesel. Brake thermal efficiency of JMT20 blend found closer to diesel at 75 % load. BSFC increases for JMT and JWT blends at part load and maintains at full load. CO, HC and Smoke emissions were reduced with JMT and JWT blends at 75 % load. NOx emissions were on the raise. Furthermore, JMT and JWT blends offered comparable performance and combustion parameters, reduced emissions and both can substitute standard diesel in CI engines.     

Lateral stability control of dynamic steering for dual motor drive high speed tracked vehicle

In this paper, the torque and power required by dual motors for electric tracked vehicle during dynamic steering maneuvers with different steering radiuses are analyzed. A steering coupling drive system composed of a new type of center steering motor, two Electromagnetic (EM) clutches, two planetary gear couplers, and two propulsion motors is proposed for the dual motors drive high speed electric tracked vehicle (2MHETV), which aims to improve its lateral stability. An average torque direct distribution control strategy based on steering coupling and an optimization-distribution-based close-loop control strategy are designed separately to control the driving torque or regenerative braking torque of two propulsion motors for vehicle stability enhancement. Then models of the 2MHETV and the proposed control strategy are established in Recudyn and Matlab/Simulink respectively to evaluate the lateral stability of dynamic steering for the 2MHETV with different steering radiuses on hard pavement.The simulation results show that the lateral stability of the 2MHETV can be significantly improved by the proposed optimization-distribution-based close-loop control strategy based on steering coupling system.     

Non-intrusive polynomial chaos for efficient uncertainty analysis in parametric roll simulations

Monte Carlo analyses are generally considered the standard for uncertainty analysis. While accurate, these analyses can be expensive computationally. Recently, polynomial chaos has been proposed as an alternative approach to the estimation of uncertainty distributions (Hosder et al. A non-intrusive polynomial chaos method for uncertainty propagation in CFD simulations. In: 44th AIAA aerospace sciences meeting and exhibit, Reno, Nevada, 2006; Wu et al. Uncertainty analysis for parametric roll using non-intrusive polynomial chaos. In: Proceedings of the 12th international ship stability workshop, Washington, DC, USA, 2011). This approach works by representing the function as a series of orthogonal polynomials; the weights for which can be calculated via several methods. Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of this technique for comparatively simple systems such as parametric roll modeled by the Mathieu equation with normally distributed parameter values (Wu et al. Uncertainty analysis for parametric roll using non-intrusive polynomial chaos. In: Proceedings of the 12th international ship stability workshop, Washington, DC, USA, 2011). In the present work, a polynomial chaos method is applied to a nonlinear computational ship dynamics model with normally distributed input parameters. Test cases were selected where parametric roll was expected to potentially occur. The resulting probability distributions are compared to the results of a Monte Carlo analysis. In general, these results demonstrate good agreement between Monte Carlo simulation and polynomial chaos in the absence of capsize with significant computation gains found with polynomial chaos. Overall, we conclude that polynomial chaos is an effective tool for reducing simulation time costs when studying parametric roll, and potentially other ship dynamics phenomena, particularly in the absence of capsize-like bifurcations.     

SiMoCo: the viability of a prototype platform for a coastal monitoring system: a case study

Coastal zones are among the most productive areas in the world, offering a wide variety of valuable habitats and ecosystems services. Despite the low population density in the Brazilian coastal zone, their distribution is quite concentrated near some coastal cities and state capitals. This concentration places enormous pressure on coastal resources. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to present an overview on the current status of SiMoCo (Sistema de Monitoramento Costeiro, or Coastal Monitoring System in English) project as a possible early warning system that can be integrated to the Brazilian Coastal Management Information System. This prototype platform provides a real-time access to the composition, organization and simulation of planktonic communities. First, our results demonstrate such a system detecting a target dinoflagellate; second, we apply structural and functional indexes to compare and characterize the ecological networks from two different coastal areas. Conclusions are made about SiMoCo’s feasibility and its possible contribution to the decision-making process within integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategies.     

Influence of Governance Context on the Management Performance of Marine Protected Area Networks

In the Philippines, networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) are more complex than individual MPAs, primarily due to involvement of multiple governance units. Hence, there is a need to understand the influence of governance context of networks on management performance. We addressed this need indirectly by evaluating the participation of network members and the governance capacity of three MPA networks with varying sizes, histories, and compositions of local governments and constituencies. We defined participation as the involvement of local governments and other stakeholders in decision-making processes. We defined governance capacity as the ability to govern interactions of social, economic, and political processes and dynamics in a political unit. We used qualitative, semi-structured key informant interviews and focus group discussions to ascertain whether participation and governance capacity are influenced by network size, institutional arrangements, and social and political contexts. We found that the sizes of the MPA networks did not affect participation and governance capacity. Instead, participation and capacity were influenced by institutional arrangements and the socioeconomic and political contexts of the local governments involved. We found that less complicated network objectives and systems for engagement, more inclusive membership, better communication, incentive systems, and strong leadership enhanced participation and governance capacity.     

A new self-localization method for wireless sensor networks

Many applications of wireless sensor networks can benefit from fine-grained localization. In this paper, we proposed an accurate, distributed localization method based on the time difference between radio signal and sound wave. In a trilateration, each node adaptively chooses a neighborhood of sensors and updates its position estimate with trilateration, and then passes this update to neighboring sensors. Application examples demonstrate that the proposed method is more robust and accurate in localizing node than the previous proposals and it can achieve comparable results using much fewer anchor nodes than the previous methods.     

射频热凝靶点消融术在颈腰椎间盘突出症中的应用

目的观察射频热凝靶点消融术在治疗颈腰椎间盘突出症中的疗效及安全性,并对该新技术的推广应用做出评估。方法对120例经CT或MRI检查确诊的颈腰椎间盘突出症患者,根据临床症状、CT或MRI结果确定射频热凝的靶点位置,在C型臂引导下穿刺到靶点,通过椎间盘造影确定电极已进入靶点,再行阻抗测试、电生理测试及温度测试后,给予86-94℃温度,对靶点进行热凝消融。此时,通常可以复制出原有的腰腿痛症状,用此温度治疗4个周期,每个周期100 s。结果本组120例患者,经过该技术治疗后,其中73例治疗效果达优级,30例治疗效果良好,13例效果较差,4例无效,优良率85.8%。有4例患者术后并发轻微头痛、头晕等不适症状,均于2日内消失。余无其他并发症。结论射频热凝靶点消融术是目前治疗腰椎间盘突出症的最新的、且安全有效的方法。     

How do people respond to congestion mitigation policies? A multivariate probit model of the individual consideration of three travel-related strategy bundles

This study explores the relationships between adoption and consideration of three travel-related strategy bundles (travel maintaining/increasing, travel reducing, and major location/lifestyle change), linking them to a variety of explanatory variables. The data for this study are the responses to a fourteen-page survey returned by nearly 1,300 commuting workers living in three distinct San Francisco Bay area neighborhoods in May 1998. We first identified patterns of adoption and consideration among the bundles, using pairwise correlation tests. The test results indicate that those who have adopted coping strategies continue to seek for improvements across the spectrum of generalized cost, but perhaps most often repeating the consideration of a previously-adopted bundle. Furthermore, we developed a multivariate probit model for individuals’ simultaneous consideration of the three bundles. It is found that in addition to the previous adoption of the bundles, qualitative and quantitative Mobility-related variables, Travel Attitudes, Personality, Lifestyle, Travel Liking, and Sociodemographics significantly affect individual consideration of the strategy bundles. Overall, the results of this study give policy makers and planners insight into understanding the dynamic nature of individuals’ responses to travel-related strategies, as well as differences between the responses to congestion that are assumed by policy makers and those that are actually adopted by individuals.

Influence of shock absorber wearing on vehicle brake performance

In order to safely maintain a vehicle, it is necessary to verify the most important systems that affect safety during Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections (PMVIs). In a previous paper, a test method and validation criteria were suggested by the authors to verify shock absorber status during PMVIs, as they are a fundamental component that may wear out during a vehicle’s life. In this paper, variations of the performance of the vehicle’s brakes resulting from shock absorber wearing have been analyzed, in order to confirm whether the suggested criteria is valid for taking into account longitudinal forces and pitch movement on the vehicle. A simulation-based study was conducted with several configurations of a worn damper on a vehicle driving on two virtual roads: smooth and undulating. The results confirmed that the damping coefficient established as an acceptable value to verify the shock absorber status in PMVIs is also valid considering the forces involved in a braking maneuver.