A hybrid model for better predicting capabilities under parallel wind conditions for NOx concentrations from highways in Ireland

Atmospheric dispersion models based on the Gaussian line source formulation tend to give poor results for low wind speed and parallel wind directions. Certain dispersion models like HIWAY-2 have an inbuilt dispersion algorithm to adjust in such situations but no correction exists for mathematical based Gaussian dispersion models. We evaluate the performance of a hybrid model a mathematical model, to assess its suitability as an alternative to the Gaussian based models.     

Development of models for predicting roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations and their evaluation against datasets measured in Dublin,Ireland

Different methods for predicting levels of roadside NO₂ from NO_x concentrations have been proposed. Prior work suggests that either a linear or a logarithmic relationship exists among the roadside NO₂ and NO_x concentrations. We modify and compare those methods with new formulations based on the principles of the original methods for datasets pertaining to Dublin. A new relationship based on the power law is developed to better model the decay of the ratio of (NO₂/NO_x)_road ratio with increasing NO_x concentration. These formulations are compared and examined at two study sites: at an intermittently congested urban street canyon and a free-flowing motorway.     

白藜芦醇对重症急性胰腺炎大鼠肝脏的保护作用

目的 探讨白藜芦醇对实验性重症急性胰腺炎(severe acute pancreatitis, SAP)大鼠肝功能的保护作用.方法 96只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术(sham operation, SO)组、重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)组、地塞米松(dexamethasone, DEX)治疗组和白藜芦醇(resveratrol, RES)治疗组.各组大鼠均于制模后3、6、12h采集标本.生化方法进行肝功能测定;酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)测定血清TNF-α和IL-6含量;透射电镜观察胰腺和肝脏超微结构的变化;RT-PCR检测凋亡调控基因Bax、Bcl-2和caspase-3 mRNA表达;Western Blot检测凋亡调控基因Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3和线粒体内细胞色素C蛋白的表达.结果 SAP组各时间点血清谷丙转氨酶(alanine aminotransferase, ALT)、谷草转氨酶(aspartate aminotransferase, AST)和总胆红素(total bilirubin, TBIL)水平均明显高于SO组(P＜0.05),RES组和DEX组肝功损害较SAP组明显降低(P＜0.05).RES组和DEX组TNF-α、IL-6含量均明显低于SAP组(P＜0.05).SAP组出现明显细胞肿胀、毛细血管淤血、血栓形成、线粒体肿胀和细胞凋亡等超微结构的变化,RES组和DEX组上述改变明显减轻.RES组Bax、caspase-3 mRNA表达显著低于SAP组(P＜0.05),Bcl-2 mRNA表达明显高于SAP组.Western blot 检测结果与RT-PCR结果一致.RES组各项指标与DEX组差异不显著(P＞0.05).结论 白藜芦醇可以降低SAP大鼠肝细胞凋亡的发生,从而起到减轻SAP介导的肝脏功能损伤的作用.     

Configuration estimation method for preliminary cost of ships based on engineering bills of materials

Ships are complex engineering structures that are designed and built on the basis of technical experience. A shipowner will often be required to estimate the price of a new ship on the basis of the value of comparable ships identified in trade journals. Similarly, shipbuilders are often interested in estimating approximate costs during the tendering phase in order to determine whether a ship is likely to be competitive for a particular order. Thus, when designing a ship prior to having obtained a contract, one of the most important processes is the estimation of approximate costs, including materials, associated labor, and overhead. During this preliminary design phase, the design is temporary and subject to change based on variations in the shipowner’s requirements. Hence, quick and flexible responses are key during this period and an integral aspect of the competitive powers of the shipbuilder. Given this environment, we propose a “configuration estimation method.” Our method is based on the configuration design method that is widely used in three-dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) systems. We assume that a product lifecycle management system is furnished and that the cost is then estimated via the configuration of the ship, using an engineering bill of materials (E-BOM). In referring to the E-BOM, we utilize technical parametric costs derived from similar ships built previously. Using the proposed method, it is possible to obtain an accurate list of materials from the quotation, as well as a detailed work assessment for labor costs and overhead rates, so that reliable cost estimates can be generated quickly and flexibly. To demonstrate the practical applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method, we implement the prototype of a shipbuilding configuration estimation system by using a Microsoft Structured Query Language database and an E-BOM from AVEVA Marine version 12.01, which is a representative CAD system for shipbuilding.