Spatio-temporal variations in deep-sea demersal communities off the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean)

The spatial and temporal variations of deep-sea megafaunal assemblages from the western Mediterranean are analysed in the present paper. The assemblages from two locations of the Balearic Islands situated 120 km apart were compared using data collected seasonally on a bathymetric stratum covering the 150–750 m depth range during six bottom-trawl surveys. The assemblage structure, in terms of species composition, species dominance and population sizes, was differentially affected by the spatio-temporal variables analysed (depth, location and fishing period). Although depth was the main factor determining the assemblage composition, the differences obtained between the two locations were also relevant. On the upper slope these between-location differences in the dynamics of megafaunal assemblages were found to be related to the effect of fishing exploitation. Population size-based metrics and biomass spectra were good predictors of meso-scale fishing effects, and were mainly reflected by elasmobranchs and demersal teleosts. Nevertheless, the effects of fishing depended on the species considered. Two dominant large-sized fish species found on the upper slope in both localities, Galeus melastomus and Phycis blennoides, had higher biomass values associated with lower fishing effort. Although the mean body weight (MBW) of both species and also the mean maximum body weight (MMBW) of G. melastomus agreed with this pattern, the P. blennoides MMBW did not. This last case could be indicative of natural size-trends such as the bigger–deeper phenomenon which refers to the displacement of large individuals towards the deeper limit of their bathymetric distribution, beyond the maximum depth sampled in this study for this species. By contrast, the target species of the upper slope fishery, the red shrimp Aristeus antennatus, was not negatively affected by the direct impact of fishing activity and other environmental factors, such as the presence of specific water masses could also be important.     

轮胎非稳态侧偏特性在空间域内的仿真研究

本文根据胎体复杂变形的轮胎非稳态侧偏特性理论模型在空间域内的表达式,推导出侧向力和回正力矩关于转动角与侧向位移的积分表达式,将其离散化并实现了非稳态侧偏特性在空间域内的仿真,最后给出了轮胎在几种典型输入时的仿真结果。     

转向梯形驱动机构的运动分析及优化设计

转向梯形驱动机构的空间布置对汽车的操纵稳定性影响很大。本文以常见的非独立悬架结构为例,建立空间几何模型进行运动分析,提出同时满足"与前悬架运动协调"和"左右转向力均匀"两方面要求的转向梯形驱动机构优化设计方法。实践应用表明该方法可行。     

Environmental noise inequity in the city of Barcelona

Environmental noise is a growing concern for urban planners and public health experts. Continuous noise exposure has implications for people’s physical and mental health. Urban planning strategies are also involved in the need for regular noise assessments within urban areas. The objective of this study is to evaluate the exposure to noise of vulnerable population groups in the city of Barcelona, and to determine whether they are affected by an environmental inequity regarding this nuisance. Assessment of noise levels was performed by two methods of analysis—real measures and simulation—in order to build the noise database at block level for the 10 districts of the city. The results obtained by various statistical tests and spatial regression analysis show that children and low-income individuals are not affected by environmental inequity. On the other hand, we found a positive relationship between noise levels and the other groups considered: namely, the unemployed and people over age 65.     

Determinants of ground transport modal choice in long-distance trips in Spain

In transport economics, modeling modal choice is a fundamental key for policy makers trying to improve the sustainability of transportation systems. However, existing empirical literature has focused on short-distance travel within urban systems. This paper contributes to the limited number of investigations on mode choice in medium- and long-distance travel. The main objective of this research is to study the impacts of socio-demographic and economic variables, land-use features and trip attributes on long-distance travel mode choice. Using data from 2007 Spanish National Mobility Survey we apply a multilevel multinomial logit model that accounts for the potential problem of spatial heterogeneity in order to explain long-distance travel mode choice. This approach permits us to compute how the probability of choosing among private car, bus and train varies depending on the traveler spatial location at regional level. Results indicate that travelers characteristics, trip features, cost of usage of transport modes and geographical variables have significant impacts on long-distance mode choice.     

A latent variable representation of count data models to accommodate spatial and temporal dependence: Application to predicting crash frequency at intersections

This paper proposes a reformulation of count models as a special case of generalized ordered-response models in which a single latent continuous variable is partitioned into mutually exclusive intervals. Using this equivalent latent variable-based generalized ordered response framework for count data models, we are then able to gainfully and efficiently introduce temporal and spatial dependencies through the latent continuous variables. Our formulation also allows handling excess zeros in correlated count data, a phenomenon that is commonly found in practice. A composite marginal likelihood inference approach is used to estimate model parameters. The modeling framework is applied to predict crash frequency at urban intersections in Arlington, Texas. The sample is drawn from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) crash incident files between 2003 and 2009, resulting in 1190 intersection-year observations. The results reveal the presence of intersection-specific time-invariant unobserved components influencing crash propensity and a spatial lag structure to characterize spatial dependence. Roadway configuration, approach roadway functional types, traffic control type, total daily entering traffic volumes and the split of volumes between approaches are all important variables in determining crash frequency at intersections.     

基于GIS的Logistic回归在区域滑坡空间预测中的应用

巫山新址西区作为试验区,选取地形地貌、岩性特征、地质构造等区域斜坡稳定性影响因子,以MAPGIS地理信息系统为技术支撑,将全区按10m×10m方格划分为14450个单元,每个格网单元作为一个样本,建立Logistic回归模型,进行区域滑坡空间预测。结果表明:以滑坡发生概率0.163为判据,试验区内发生滑坡地段的判对率为72.08%,不发生滑坡地段的判对率为81.44%。根据计算结果可以得到区域斜坡稳定性分区以及进一步的地质灾害风险评价。     

大跨径连续刚构桥的随机地震动响应分析

以苏通长江大桥辅航道桥为工程背景,考虑结构自重引起几何非线性以及桩土相互影响,建立该桥的地震分析模型,分析行波效应、部分相干效应和局部场地效应对结构地震响应的影响规律。结果表明:行波效应总体上削弱结构的位移响应,对内力响应的影响较大,在相位差为1s的情况下,面内弯矩响应的增幅达到25%;局部场地效应对内力及位移响应的影响均较大;相干效应削弱桥梁主墩的弯矩响应。     

Use of ecological footprinting to explore alternative transport policy scenarios in an Irish city-region

The objective of this paper is to compare the ecological footprint for travel-commuting patterns for the residents of an Irish city-region, that is Limerick city-region, in 1996 and 2002. Scenario building, based on ecological footprint analysis, is used to estimate the impact of different policy choices for 2010. The optimal policy mix for sustainable travel is proposed and consists of a mix of reduced demand through travel demand measures, better spatial planning and technological improvements in fuel economy.