Measurement of ocean temperatures using instruments carried by Antarctic fur seals

The study aimed to test the utility of instruments deployed on marine mammals for measuring physical oceanographic variation and, using this method, to examine temperature variation in the coastal waters around South Georgia. There was a significant correlation between temperature measurements made using a towed undulating oceanographic recorder (UOR) and concurrent measurements from time-depth recorders (TDRs) fitted to lactating Antarctic fur seals foraging from the coast of South Georgia. Congruence was found at horizontal spatial scales from 0.01°×0.01° to 0.5°×0.5° (degrees of latitude and longitude), and at a vertical scale of 10 m. However, there was no significant correlation between temperature measured by TDRs in the top 5 m and sea surface temperature (SST) measured by satellite remote sensing. TDR data provided information about temperature variation vertically through the water column, and through time. The UOR data were used to recalibrate the TDR data in order to correct for the slow response time of the TDR thermistor relative to the speed of seal movements through the water column. Seasonal temperature variation was apparent, and temperatures also varied between regions, and with bathymetry. These results were consistent with the current interpretation of the coastal oceanography around South Georgia. In particular, the relationship between on- and off-shelf waters showed larger amounts of warmer surface water in a region in which more run-off was to be expected. The study also showed that Antarctic fur seals concentrate their activity in regions of colder, and presumably oceanic, water. Such instrumented animals could provide near real time data for assimilation into ocean models.     

Improving noise assessment at intersections by modeling traffic dynamics

Three families of road noise prediction models can be distinguished. Static noise models only consider free-flow constant-speed traffic with uniformly distributed vehicles. Analytic noise models assume that all vehicles are isolated from one another but account for their mean kinematic profile over the network. Micro-simulation noise models relax the hypothesis of no interaction between vehicles and fully capture traffic flow dynamic effects such as queue evolution. This study compares the noise levels obtained by these three methodologies at signalized intersections and roundabouts. It reveals that micro-simulation noise models outperform the other approaches. Particularly, they are able to capture the effects of stochastic transient queues in under-saturated conditions as well as stop-and-go behaviors in oversaturated regime. Accounting for traffic dynamics is also shown to improve predictions of noise variations due to different junction layouts. In this paper, a roundabout is found to induce a 2.5 dB(A) noise reduction compared to a signalized intersection in under-saturated conditions while the acoustic contributions of both kinds of junctions balance in oversaturated regime.     

Solutions to the optimal network design problem with shipments related to transportation cost

Two versions of an optimal network design problem with shipments proportional to transportation costs are formulated. Extensions of an algorithm developed in prior research for solving these problems are proposed and tested. The performance of the algorithms is found to improve substantially as the dependence of shipments on costs is increased. Moreover, the optimal solutions obtained are unexpectedly robust with respect to a wide range of transportation cost assumptions. These findings could have important computational and policy implications if applicable to larger networks.     

Corrosion analysis of bulk carriers, Part I: operational parameters influencing corrosion rates

This paper considers the physical processes of corrosion that occur in bulk carriers. Three main types of corrosive environments are identified within a bulk carrier, namely, immersion in seawater, exposure to an enclosed atmosphere, and exposure to porous media. Fundamental variables influencing corrosion in each environment of the cargo hold region, ballast tanks and void spaces are identified. These serve to identify operational parameters that affect bulk carrier corrosion. It is proposed that such parameters can be used to obtain corrosion rate databases representative of vessel operation.     

焊轨机的发展前景

本文介绍了能够解决现代钢轨,包括电炉钢钢轨,在使用线路焊轨机进行焊接工作时发生焊接问题的新工艺、新技术和新装备。     

Problems with certification and legislation

This paper discusses the vast growth of requirements directed toward mobile offshore drilling units attempting to be internationally certified. As a simplistic example, the regulations regarding heliports are examined with the pitfalls and benefits of an international standard discussed from the viewpoint of owner and operator. Recommendations contained in an International Maritime Organization resolution are suggested for use by the various regulatory bodies when dealing with new or amended rules. It is suggested that a more universal standard would evolve if the guidance of the resolution were heeded.     

Reducing pedestrian exposure to environmental pollutants: A combined noise exposure and air quality analysis approach

This study offers a combined analysis of pedestrian exposure to noise and air pollution within a specific urban setting in Dublin, Ireland. The impact of a recent boardwalk development on reducing pedestrian exposure to air and noise pollution is examined while modelling experiments are undertaken to explore the possibility of achieving further reductions in pollutant exposure through better urban design and planning. The results show that the boardwalk has reduced pedestrian exposure to air and noise pollution and that further reductions may be achieved by more strict segregation of pedestrian and road traffic in urban areas.     

Influence of injection parameters on the transition from PCCI combustion to diffusion combustion in a small-bore HSDI diesel engine

In this paper, the influence of injection parameters on the transition from Premixed Charge Combustion Ignition (PCCI) combustion to conventional diesel combustion was investigated in an optically accessible High-Speed Direct-Injection (HSDI) diesel engine using multiple injection strategies. The heat release characteristics were analyzed using incylinder pressure for different operating conditions. The whole cycle combustion process was visualized with a high-speed video camera by simultaneously capturing the natural flame luminosity from both the bottom of the optical piston and the side window, showing the three dimensional combustion structure within the combustion chamber. Eight operating conditions were selected to address the influences of injection pressure, injection timing, and fuel quantity of the first injection on the development of second injection combustion. For some cases with early first injection timing and a small fuel quantity, no liquid fuel is found when luminous flame points appear, which shows that premixed combustion occurs for these cases. However, with the increase of first injection fuel quantity and retardation of the first injection timing, the combustion mode transitions from PCCI combustion to diffusion flame combustion, with liquid fuel being injected into the hot flame. The observed combustion phenomena are mainly determined by the ambient temperature and pressure at the start of the second injection event. The start-of-injection ambient conditions are greatly influenced by the first injection timing, fuel quantity, and injection pressure. Small fuel quantity and early injection timing of the first injection event and high injection pressure are preferable for low sooting combustion.     

Association of reduced visibility with crash outcomes

Most of the information necessary for driving a vehicle is regarded as visual information. In spite of its importance, visibility conditions at the time of a crash are often not documented at a high level of detail. Past studies have not examined the quantified values of visibility and its association with crashes. The current study merged data collected from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with 2010–2012 Florida crash data. From the thousands of logged weather events compiled by the NOAA, the researchers isolated periods of normal visibility and comparable periods of reduced visibility in a matched-pairs study. The NOAA data provided real visibility score based on the spatiotemporal data of the crashes. Additionally, the crash data, obtained from Roadway Information Database (RID), contains several geometric and traffic variables that allow for effects of factors and visibility. The study aims to associate crash occurrence under different levels of visibility with factors included in the crash database by developing ordinal logistic regression. The intent is to observe how different visibility conditions contribute to a crash occurrence. The findings indicate that the likelihood of a crash increase during periods of low visibility, despite the tendency for less traffic and for lower speeds to prevail during these times. The findings of this study will add valuable knowledge to the realm of the impact of visibility in the way of using and designing appropriate countermeasures.