Shallow water processes govern system-wide phytoplankton bloom dynamics: A modeling study

A pseudo-two-dimensional numerical model of estuarine phytoplankton growth and consumption, vertical turbulent mixing, and idealized cross-estuary transport was developed and applied to South San Francisco Bay. This estuary has two bathymetrically distinct habitat types (deep channel, shallow shoal) and associated differences in local net rates of phytoplankton growth and consumption, as well as differences in the water column's tendency to stratify. Because many physical and biological time scales relevant to algal population dynamics decrease with decreasing depth, process rates can be especially fast in the shallow water. We used the model to explore the potential significance of hydrodynamic connectivity between a channel and shoal and whether lateral transport can allow physical or biological processes (e.g. stratification, benthic grazing, light attenuation) in one sub-region to control phytoplankton biomass and bloom development in the adjacent sub-region. Model results for South San Francisco Bay suggest that lateral transport from a productive shoal can result in phytoplankton biomass accumulation in an adjacent deep, unproductive channel. The model further suggests that turbidity and benthic grazing in the shoal can control the occurrence of a bloom system-wide; whereas, turbidity, benthic grazing, and vertical density stratification in the channel are likely to only control local bloom occurrence or modify system-wide bloom magnitude. Measurements from a related field program are generally consistent with model-derived conclusions.     

“Comparing guideway transit implementation plans,including the impact on road traffic”

A methodology for comparing phased implementation plans for a new fixed guideway transit system in an urban area is presented. Four assumptions are made: (1) the guideway system replaces existing or planned bus service, (2) superior service on the new system results in increased ridership when compared to buses; (3) presence of the guideway facility redirects outward urban growth resulting in additional ridership, and (4) conversely, the absence of any action on the new guideway facility reinforces a diffuse urban growth pattern that creates an irreversible loss of transit ridership. The economic comparision of alternative plans includes total as well as “relative” inflation of principal cost components. A key feature of the proposed methodology is including in the comparisons the costs of private automobile mileage that could have been replaced by transit. These costs are expressed as “fuel” and “all other” automobile costs; favorable transit system implementation schedules can then be identified as a function of parametrically assumed values for these two unit costs. A hypothetical example demonstrates the proposed method.     

Picophytoplankton and nanophytoplankton abundance and distribution in the southeastern Beaufort Sea (Mackenzie Shelf and Amundsen Gulf) during Fall 2002

The distribution of picophytoplankton (0.2–2 µm) and nanophytoplankton (2–20 µm) in the Beaufort Sea–Mackenzie Shelf and Amundsen Gulf regions during autumn, 2002 is examined relative to their ambient water mass properties (salinity, temperature and nutrients: nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, and silicate) and to the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence, Fv/Fm. Total phytoplankton and cell abundances (< 20 µm) were mainly correlated with salinity. Significant differences in picophytoplankton cell numbers were found among waters near the mouth of the Mackenzie River, ice melt waters and the underlying halocline water masses of Pacific origin. Picophytoplankton was the most abundant phytoplankton fraction during the autumnal season, probably reflecting low nitrate concentrations (surface waters average ~ 0.65 µM). The ratio Fv/Fm averaged 0.44, indicating that cells were still physiologically active, even though their concentrations were low (max Chl a = 0.9 mg m^− 3). No significant differences in Fv/Fm were evident in the different water masses, indicating that rate limiting conditions for photosynthesis and growth were uniform across the whole system, which was in a pre-winter stage, and was probably already experiencing light limitation as a result of shortening day lengths.     

The development of studying flexible pipe bend reinforced by Kevlar fibers

The flexible pipe bend can not only reduce the structural vibration and fluid noise in pipeline, but also realize the flexible connection of a horizontal line and a vertical line and compensate the displacement of three dimensions produced by the shock or vibration of pipeline in the special situations. Up to now, little attention has been paid to study the flexible pipe bend applied in the pipeline of medium or high pressure, because no appropriate framework materials can be used to reinforce it which must endure the burst pressure higher than 10 MPa. The investigation shows that it is possible to produce the flexible pipe bend of medium or high pressure if such fibers with high performance as Kevlar fibers are used to be its reinforced materials. However, its structural designing theory, manufacturing technology and measuring techniques aren‘t yet perfect and systematic, which leads to the instability of the performance of products. Furthermore, few references about its research can be seen. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically and thoroughly develop the structural designing theory, manufacture technology and measuring techniques of flexible pipe bend.     

Ship hull plate processing surface fairing with constraints based on B-spline

The problem of ship hull plate processing surface fairing with constraints based on B-spline is solved in this paper. The algorithm for B-spline curve fairing with constraints is one of the most common methods in plane curve fairing. The algorithm can be applied to global and local curve fairing. It can constrain the perturbation range of the control points and the shape variation of the curve, and get a better fairing result in plane curves. In this paper, a new fairing algorithm with constraints for curves and surfaces in space is presented. Then this method is applied to the experiments of ship hull plate processing surface. Finally numerical results are obtained to show the efficiency of this method.     

Assimilation of sea surface temperature in the POL Coastal Ocean Modelling System

A one-dimensional scheme is used to assimilate satellite Sea Surface Temperature data into the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory Coastal Ocean Modelling System, set up in the Irish Sea with a fine resolution ( 1.8 km). The capabilities of the assimilation scheme are investigated using two different sets of satellite data, of lower and similar resolution to that of the model respectively. Comparison of results with independent data show that assimilation improves the modelled Sea Surface Temperature, but does not address model representation of the temperature vertical structure. It is concluded that for the Irish Sea and at the scales resolved by the model, the assimilation problem cannot be approached in a one-dimensional framework. It is also pointed out that forecast error needs to account explicitly for errors in the representation of the vertical structure of the thermal field.Three-dimensional methods that are suited for coastal systems are then suggested.     

A new model for soil consolidation based on microstructure

This paper introduces a new means to predict consolidation deformation of soil from its microstructure. Based on a kind of pore-size distribution density function, a fractal model for soil consolidation is established. Through this model, the relation between macroscopic deformation and microcosmic pore property of soil is founded. In order to justify this proposed model for soil consolidation, consolidation experiments of soft clay are performed. Afterward, the microstructure of soft clay unconsolidated and consolidated under every pressure is studied by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the proposed model for soil consolidation is valid in predicting consolidation deformation.     

Numerical simulation of non-destructive testing of stainless steel composites plate by infrared thermography

The non-destructive testing (NDT) of debonding in stainless steel composites plate (SSCP) is performed by infrared thermography, finite element analysis (FEA) software ANSYS is taken as the simulative tool, and 2D simulative model has been set up to investigate effect of the thickness of coating and/or substrate on the detectibility of debonging in SSCPs. Two parameters, namely the maximum defect temperature difference and defect appearing index, are defined to evaluate the detectivity of defects, and their computational methods and formulas are given respectively. The preliminary changing tendency of the maximum defect temperature difference and defect appearing index with the thickness of coating and/or substrate is found by numerical simulation.     

Hoop stress approximation in offshore design codes

For a circular cylindrical vessel with an elastic material, Lame equations can accurately predict hoop stress variation within the vessel wall. However, because of the complexity involved in Lame formulations they are seldom used in design. In this paper, Lame equations are reproduced in terms of vessel outer and material cross-sectional areas and presented in a very simple format that enables hoop stress calculation without use of any approximation. Lame equations are also presented in terms of diameter-to-wall-thickness ratios in order to perform parametric studies. For a practical range of diameter-to-wall-thickness ratios the Lame hoop stress predictions are compared with approximate solutions of a selected design codes. For a range of loading conditions, comparison of results shows that a number of design codes overestimate the hoop stress. In contrast, a selection of offshore codes is shown to underestimate the hoop stress and, for a certain loading condition some codes ignore the hoop stress effect completely. The present paper also shows how the hoop stress approximation may lead to onerous results when the true wall axial stress is derived based on design code hoop stress formulations. It is concluded that what makes the present hoop stress formulations so important in design is their ability to interpret the mechanics of behavior that Lame equations strived to reveal.     

The economic impact of the ATA/Southwest Airlines code-share agreement

This paper examines the economic impact of the code-sharing agreement between ATA and Southwest Airlines, the first time Southwest has chosen to enter markets via a code-share alliance rather than direct entry. We examine the impact of complementary code-sharing on incumbent airline's fares and passenger volumes and also the overall impact on consumer welfare in Denver airline markets. Empirical results show that air fares decreased and passenger volumes increased for incumbent carriers operating on code-shared routes. Further, we find evidence that this code-sharing arrangement increased both consumer and producer surplus. Thus, the well-known “Southwest Effect” is observed not only when Southwest enters a route directly, but also when it enters a route via a code-share agreement with another airline.