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Flow Models (flow + models)
Selected AbstractsA Polymorphic Dynamic Network Loading ModelCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2008Nie Yu (Marco) The polymorphism, realized through a general node-link interface and proper discretization, offers several prominent advantages. First of all, PDNL allows road facilities in the same network to be represented by different traffic flow models based on the tradeoff of efficiency and realism and/or the characteristics of the targeted problem. Second, new macroscopic link/node models can be easily plugged into the framework and compared against existing ones. Third, PDNL decouples links and nodes in network loading, and thus opens the door to parallel computing. Finally, PDNL keeps track of individual vehicular quanta of arbitrary size, which makes it possible to replicate analytical loading results as closely as desired. PDNL, thus, offers an ideal platform for studying both analytical dynamic traffic assignment problems of different kinds and macroscopic traffic simulation. [source] A Bayesian Approach to Prediction Using the Gravity Model, with an Application to Patient Flow ModelingGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2000Peter Congdon This paper investigates the potential for estimation and prediction by Bayesian methods of hospitalization flows classified by place of residence and hospital site. The focus is especially with respect to emergency (unplanned) admissions to hospitals. The need for strategic modeling and forecasting arises since the structure of U.K. emergency service provision is subject to changes involving site closures or changes in bed numbers. The gravity model, reflecting patient demand, hospital supply, and distance effects has been applied to patient flows, but generally in a situation of unchanged destination states. It may be modified, however, in accordance with major changes in hospital service structure, to include access effects (the interplay of supply and distance) and temporal variation in its parameters. Therefore, prediction may be applied to a "new" situation defined, for example, by closures of entire hospital sites. The modeling approach used may be adapted to other flow models where destinations may be added or eliminated (for example, trade-area models). A case study involves a sector of London subject to such a restructuring following the U.K. government's 1997,98 review of London's emergency services. [source] Identifying connections in a fractured rock aquifer using ADFTsGROUND WATER, Issue 3 2005Todd Halihan Fractured rock aquifers are difficult to characterize because of their extremely heterogeneous nature. Developing an understanding of fracture network hydraulic properties in these aquifers is difficult and time consuming, and field testing techniques for determining the location and connectivity of fractures in these aquifers are limited. In the Clare Valley, South Australia, well interference is an important issue for a major viticultural area that uses a fractured aquifer. Five fracture sets exist in the aquifer, all dipping >25°. In this setting, we evaluate the ability of steady-state asymmetric dipole-flow tests (ADFTs) to determine the connections between a test well and a set of piezometers. The procedure involves dividing a test well into two chambers using a single packer and pumping fluid from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. By conducting a series of tests at different packer elevations, an "input" signal is generated in fracture zones connected to the test well. By monitoring the "output" response of the hydraulic dipole field at piezometers, the connectivity of the fractures between the test well and piezometers can be determined. Results indicate the test well used in this study is connected in a complex three-dimensional geometry, with drawdown occurring above and below areas of potentiometric buildup. The ADFT method demonstrates that the aquifer evaluated in this study cannot be modeled effectively on the well scale using continuum flow models. [source] Variability of Isotope and Major Ion Chemistry in the Allequash Basin, WisconsinGROUND WATER, Issue 7 2003John F. Walker As part of ongoing research conducted at one of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water, Energy, and Biogeochem-ical Budgets sites, work was undertaken to describe the spatial and temporal variability of stream and ground water isotopic composition and cation chemistry in the Trout Lake watershed, to relate the variability to the watershed flow system, and to identify the linkages of geochemical evolution and source of water in the watershed. The results are based on periodic sampling of sites at two scales along Allequash Creek, a small headwater stream in northern Wisconsin. Based on this sampling, there are distinct water isotopic and geochemical differences observed at a smaller hillslope scale and the larger Allequash Creek scale. The variability was larger than expected for this simple watershed, and is likely to be seen in more complex basins. Based on evidence from multiple isotopes and stream chemistry, the flow system arises from three main source waters (terrestrial-, lake-, or wetland-derived recharge) that can be identified along any flowpath using water isotopes together with geochemical characteristics such as iron concentrations. The ground water chemistry demonstrates considerable spatial variability that depends mainly on the flow-path length and water mobility through the aquifer. Calcium concentrations increase with increasing flowpath length, whereas strontium isotope ratios increase with increasing extent of stagnation in either the unsaturated or saturated zones as waters move from source to sink. The flowpath distribution we identify provides important constraints on the calibration of ground water flow models such as that undertaken by Pint et al. (this issue). [source] The integration of thermal infrared imaging, discharge measurements and numerical simulation to quantify the relative contributions of freshwater inflows to small estuaries in Atlantic CanadaHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 20 2009Serban Danielescu Abstract Nutrient fluxes from developed catchments are often a significant factor in the declining water quality and ecological functioning in estuaries. Determining the relative contributions of surface water and groundwater discharge to nutrient-sensitive estuaries is required because these two pathways may be characterized by different nutrient concentrations and temporal variability, and may thus require different remedial actions. Quantifying the volumetric discharge of groundwater, which may occur via diffuse seepage or springs, remains a significant challenge. In this contribution, the total discharge of freshwater, including groundwater, to two small nutrient-sensitive estuaries in Prince Edward Island (Canada) is assessed using a unique combination of airborne thermal infrared imaging, direct discharge measurements in streams and shoreline springs, and numerical simulation of groundwater flow. The results of the thermal infrared surveys indicate that groundwater discharge occurs at discrete locations (springs) along the shoreline of both estuaries, which can be attributed to the fractured sandstone bedrock aquifer. The discharge measured at a sub-set of the springs correlates well with the area of the thermal signal attributed to each discharge location and this information was used to determine the total spring discharge to each estuary. Stream discharge is shown to be the largest volumetric contribution of freshwater to both estuaries (83% for Trout River estuary and 78% for McIntyre Creek estuary); however, groundwater discharge is significant at between 13% and 18% of the total discharge. Comparison of the results from catchment-scale groundwater flow models and the analysis of spring discharge suggest that diffuse seepage to both estuaries comprises only about 25% of the total groundwater discharge. The methods employed in this research provide a useful framework for determining the relative volumetric contributions of surface water and groundwater to small estuaries and the findings are expected to be relevant to other fractured sandstone coastal catchments in Atlantic Canada. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Simulating short-circuiting flow in a constructed wetland: the implications of bathymetry and vegetation effectsHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 6 2009Joong-Hyuk Min Abstract Short-circuiting flow, commonly experienced in many constructed wetlands, reduces hydraulic retention times in unit wetland cells and decreases the treatment efficiency. A two-dimensional (2-D), physically based, distributed modelling approach was used to systematically address the effects of bathymetry and vegetation on short-circuiting flow, which previously have been neglected or lumped in one-dimensional wetland flow models. In this study, a 2-D transient hydrodynamics with advection-dispersion model was developed using MIKE 21 and calibrated with bromide tracer data collected at the Orlando Easterly Wetland Cell 7. The estimated topographic difference between short-circuiting flow zone and adjacent area ranged from 0·3 to 0·8 m. A range of the Manning roughness coefficient at the short-circuiting flow zone was estimated (0·022,0·045 s m,1/3). Sensitivity analysis of topographical and vegetative heterogeneity deduced during model calibration shows that relic ditches or other ditch-shaped landforms and the associated sparse vegetation along the main flow direction intensify the short-circuiting pattern, considerably affecting 2-D solute transport simulation. In terms of hydraulic efficiency, this study indicates that the bathymetry effect on short-circuiting flow is more important than the vegetation effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A new saturated/unsaturated model for stormwater infiltration systemsHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 25 2008Dale Browne Abstract Infiltration systems are widely used as an effective urban stormwater control measure. Most design methods and models roughly approximate the complex physical flow processes in these systems using empirical equations and fixed infiltration rates to calculate emptying times from full. Sophisticated variably saturated flow models are available, but rarely applied owing to their complexity. This paper describes the development and testing of an integrated one-dimensional model of flow through the porous storage of a typical infiltration system and surrounding soils. The model accounts for the depth in the storage, surrounding soil moisture conditions and the interaction between the storage and surrounding soil. It is a front-tracking model that innovatively combines a soil-moisture-based solution of Richard's equation for unsaturated flow with piston flow through a saturated zone as well as a reservoir equation for flow through a porous storage. This allows the use of a simple non-iterative numerical solution that can handle ponded infiltration into dry soils. The model is more rigorous than approximate stormwater infiltration system models and could therefore be valuable in everyday practice. A range of test cases commonly used to test soil water flow models for infiltration in unsaturated conditions, drainage from saturation and infiltration under ponded conditions were used to test the model along with an experiment with variable depth in a porous storage over saturated conditions. Results show that the model produces a good fit to the observed data, analytical solutions and Hydrus. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modelling snowpack surface temperature in the Canadian Prairies using simplified heat flow modelsHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 18 2005Purushottam Raj Singh Abstract Three practical schemes for computing the snow surface temperature Ts, i.e. the force,restore method (FRM), the surface conductance method (SCM), and the Kondo and Yamazaki method (KYM), were assessed with respect to Ts retrieved from cloud-free, NOAA-AVHRR satellite data for three land-cover types of the Paddle River basin of central Alberta. In terms of R2, the mean Ts, the t -test and F -test, the FRM generally simulated more accurate Ts than the SCM and KYM. The bias in simulated Ts is usually within several degrees Celsius of the NOAA-AVHRR Ts for both the calibration and validation periods, but larger errors are encountered occasionally, especially when Ts is substantially above 0 °C. Results show that the simulated Ts of the FRM is more consistent than that of the SCM, which in turn was more consistent than that of the KYM. This is partly because the FRM considers two aspects of heat conduction into snow, a stationary-mean diurnal (sinusoidal) temperature variation at the surface coupled to a near steady-state ground heat flux, whereas the SCM assumes a near steady-state, simple heat conduction, and other simplifying assumptions, and the KYM does not balance the snowpack heat fluxes by assuming the snowpack having a vertical temperature profile that is linear. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Data assimilation and inverse problem for fluid traffic flow models and algorithmsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2008P. Jaisson Abstract This article deals with traffic data assimilation and algorithms that are able to predict the traffic flow on a road section. The traffic flow is modellized by the Aw,Rascle hyperbolic system. We have to minimize a functional whose optimization variables are initial condition. We use the Roe method to compute the solution to the traffic flow modelling system. Then we compute the gradient of the functional by an adjoint method. This gradient will be used to optimize the functional. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Numerical boundary conditions for globally mass conservative methods to solve the shallow-water equations and applied to river flowINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 6 2006J. Burguete Abstract A revision of some well-known discretization techniques for the numerical boundary conditions in 1D shallow-water flow models is presented. More recent options are also considered in the search for a fully conservative technique that is able to preserve the good properties of a conservative scheme used for the interior points. Two conservative numerical schemes are used as representatives of the families of explicit and implicit numerical methods. The implementation of the different boundary options to these schemes is compared by means of the simulation of several test cases with exact solution. The schemes with the global conservation boundary discretization are applied to the simulation of a real river flood wave leading to very satisfactory results. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pressure relaxation procedures for multiphase compressible flowsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 1 2005M.-H. Lallemand Abstract This paper deals with pressure relaxation procedures for multiphase compressible flow models. Such models have nice mathematical properties (hyperbolicity) and are able to solve a wide range of applications: interface problems, detonation physics, shock waves in mixtures, cavitating flows, etc. The numerical solution of such models involves several ingredients. One of those ingredients is the instantaneous pressure relaxation process and is of particular importance. In this article, we present and compare existing and new pressure relaxation procedures in terms of both accuracy and computational efficiency. Among these procedures we enhance an exact one in the particular case of fluids governed by the stiffened gas equation of state, and approximate procedures for general equations of state, which are particularly well suited for problems with large pressure variations. We also present some generalizations of these procedures in the context of multiphase flows with an arbitrary number of fluids. Some tests are provided to illustrate these comparisons. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modelling of wetting and drying of shallow water using artificial porosityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 11 2005B. van't Hof Abstract A new method for wetting and drying in two-dimensional shallow water flow models is proposed. The method is closely related to the artificial porosity method used by different authors in Boussinesq-type models, but is further extended for use in a semi-implicit (ADI-type) time integration scheme. The method is implemented in the simulation model WAQUA using general boundary fitted coordinates and is applied to realistic schematization for a portion of the river Meuse in the Netherlands. A large advantage of the artificial porosity method over traditionally used methods on the basis of ,screens' is a strongly reduced sensitivity of model results. Instead of blocking all water transport in grid points where the water level becomes small, as in screen-based methods, the flow is gradually closed off. Small changes in parameters such as the initial conditions or bottom topography therefore no longer lead to large changes in the model results. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] THE PROMISE OF REAL OPTIONSJOURNAL OF APPLIED CORPORATE FINANCE, Issue 2 2000Aswath Damodaran In recent years, both practitioners and academics have argued that traditional discounted cash flow models do a poor job of capturing the value of the options embedded in many corporate actions. This paper shows how option pricing models used in valuing financial assets can be used to value three kinds of real options that are often built into corporate projects: the option to delay, the option to expand, and the option to abandon. As a number of examples in this paper suggest, corporate investments that would be rejected using conventional DCF analysis can sometimes be justified by the value of the strategic options they provide. As the illustrations also show, however, the pricing of real options is considerably more difficult than the pricing of financial options and adjustments must often be made to capture the complexity of real investments. [source] Hydrodynamic behaviour of a full-scale anaerobic contact reactor using residence time distribution techniqueJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Isabel Capela Abstract BACKGROUND: The knowledge of the fluid pattern of full-scale anaerobic reactors is of fundamental importance for the optimisation of biological processes. High solids concentrations often lead to inefficient mixing conditions, which may reduce treatment capacity due to heterogeneity within the biomass. RESULTS: The hydrodynamic characteristics of a full-scale anaerobic contact reactor treating evaporator condensate from a sulphite pulp mill were investigated. The methodology applied was based on the residence time distribution (RTD) technique using lithium as a tracer. Different non-ideal hydraulic flow models were tested and the best model fitting RTD data was the Gamma distribution model with by-pass. It was concluded that the full-scale bioreactor presents a good degree of mixing with about 22% of non-effective volume due to the presence of high amounts of inorganic materials. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study it was possible to both improve the full-scale bioreactor performance and decrease the running costs by changes in the plant operation strategies which allowed reduction of the huge amount of inorganic materials contributing to the non-effective volume. The methodology is simple and results from a unique RTD experiment and confirms the importance of considering mixing characteristics when assessing complex full-scale treatment processes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Overall efficiency evaluation of commercial distillation columns with valve and dualflow traysAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 9 2010T. L. Domingues Abstract The main objective of this work is to establish appropriated ways for estimating the overall efficiencies of industrial distillation columns with valve trays with downcomer and dualflow trays. The knowledge of efficiencies has fundamental importance in the design and performance evaluation of distillation columns. Searching in the literature, a tree of alternatives was identified to compose the tray efficiency model, depending on the mass transfer models, the liquid distribution and vapor flow models on the tray, the liquid entrainment model, the multicomponent mixture equilibrium model, the physical properties models, the height of froth on the tray model and the efficiency definition. In this work, different methods to predict the overall efficiency of distillation columns with valve and dualflow trays were composed and compared with data from three commercial distillation columns under different operating conditions. The models were inserted in the Aspen Plus 12.1 simulator, in Fortran language, together with tray geometrical data, fluid properties and operating data of the distillation columns. For each column, the best thermodynamic package was chosen by checking the temperature profile and overhead and bottom compositions obtained via simulation against the corresponding actual data of industrial columns. A modification in the fraction of holes evaluation that is jetting parameter of the Garcia's hydraulic model of dispersion above the tray was proposed. This modification produced better results than the original model to predict the fraction of holes that are jetting and in the efficiency of dualflow trays and similar results to Garcia model in the efficiency evaluation of valve trays. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Deagglomeration of nanoparticle aggregates via rapid expansion of supercritical or high-pressure suspensionsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 11 2009Daniel To Abstract Deagglomeration of suspensions of alumina and titania nanopowders (i.e., nanoparticle aggregates) via rapid expansion of supercritical suspensions (RESS) or high-pressure suspensions (REHPS) was studied. The size distribution of fragmented nanopowders was characterized by online Scanning Mobility Particle Spectrometer (SMPS) and Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS), and by offline Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SMPS and SEM measurements indicate that the average agglomerate sizes were well below 1 ,m, consistent with the length scales observed in our complementary RESS/REHPS mixing experiments using alumina and silica nanopowders. The APS measurements, on the other hand, were affected by reagglomeration during sampling and yielded an agglomerate size range of 1 to 3 ,m. Analysis of the RESS/REHPS process through compressible flow models revealed that both the shear stress in the nozzle and the subsequent impact of the agglomerates with the Mach disc in the free expansion region can lead to micron or sub-micron level deagglomeration. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] CFD modeling and validation of the turbulent fluidized bed of FCC particlesAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2009Jinsen Gao Abstract An experimental and computational study is presented on the hydrodynamic characteristics of FCC particles in a turbulent fluidized bed. Based on the Eulerian/Eulerian model, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model incorporating a modified gas-solid drag model has been presented, and the model parameters are examined by using a commercial CFD software package (FLUENT 6.2.16). Relative to other drag models, the modified one gives a reasonable hydrodynamic prediction in comparison with experimental data. The hydrodynamics show more sensitive to the coefficient of restitution than to the flow models and kinetics theories. Experimental and numerical results indicate that there exist two different coexisting regions in the turbulent fluidized bed: a bottom dense, bubbling region and a dilute, dispersed flow region. At low-gas velocity, solid-volume fractions show high near the wall region, and low in the center of the bed. Increasing gas velocity aggravates the turbulent disorder in the turbulent fluidized bed, resulting in an irregularity of the radial particle concentration profile. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Refining the P,T records of UHT crustal metamorphismJOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2008S. L. HARLEY Abstract Ultra-high-temperature (UHT) metamorphism occurs when the continental crust is subjected to temperatures of greater than 900 °C at depths of 20,40 km. UHT metamorphism provides evidence that major tectonic processes may operate under thermal conditions more extreme than those generally produced in numerical models of orogenesis. Evidence for UHT metamorphism is recorded in mineral assemblages formed in magnesian pelites, supported by high-temperature indicators including mesoperthitic feldspar, aluminous orthopyroxene and high Zr contents in rutile. Recent theoretical, experimental and thermodynamic data set constraints on metamorphic phase equilibria in FMAS, KFMASH and more complex chemical systems have greatly improved quantification of the P,T conditions and paths of UHT metamorphic belts. However, despite these advances key issues that remain to be addressed include improving experimental constraints on the thermodynamic properties of sapphirine, quantifying the effects of oxidation state on sapphirine, orthopyroxene and spinel stabilities and quantifying the effects of H2O,CO2 in cordierite on phase equilibria and reaction texture analysis. These areas of uncertainty mean that UHT mineral assemblages must still be examined using theoretical and semi-quantitative approaches, such as P(,T),, sections, and conventional thermobarometry in concert with calculated phase equilibrium methods. In the cases of UHT terranes that preserve microtextural and mineral assemblage evidence for steep or ,near-isothermal' decompression P,T paths, the presence of H2O and CO2 in cordierite is critical to estimates of the P,T path slopes, the pressures at which reaction textures have formed and the impact of fluid infiltration. Many UHT terranes have evolved from peak P,T conditions of 8,11 kbar and 900,1030 °C to lower pressure conditions of 8 to 6 kbar whilst still at temperature in the range of 950 to 800 °C. These decompressional P,T paths, with characteristic dP/dT gradients of ,25 ± 10 bar °C,1, are similar in broad shape to those generated in deep-crustal channel flow models for the later stages of orogenic collapse, but lie at significantly higher temperatures for any specified pressure. This thermal gap presents a key challenge in the tectonic modelling of UHT metamorphism, with implications for the evolution of the crust, sub-crustal lithosphere and asthenospheric mantle during the development of hot orogens. [source] X-ray evidence for multiphase hot gas with nearly solar Fe abundances in the brightest groups of galaxiesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000David A. Buote We analyse the ASCA spectra accumulated within ,100 kpc radii of 12 of the brightest groups of galaxies. Upon fitting isothermal models (1T) jointly to the ASCA SIS and GIS spectra we obtain fits for most groups that are of poor or at best marginal quality and give very subsolar metallicities similar to previous studies, ,Z,=0.29±0.12 Z,. Two-temperature models (2T) provide significantly better fits for 11 out of the 12 groups, and in every case have metallicities that are substantially larger than obtained for the 1T models, ,Z,=0.75±0.24 Z,. Though not very well constrained, for most of the groups absorption in excess of the Galactic value is indicated for the cooler temperature component of the 2T models. A simple multiphase cooling flow model gives results analogous to the 2T models including large metallicities, ,Z,=0.65±0.17 Z,. The nearly solar Fe abundances and also solar ,/Fe ratios indicated by the 2T and cooling flow models are consistent with models of the chemical enrichment of ellipticals, groups, and clusters which assume ratios of Type Ia to Type II supernovae and an initial mass function (IMF) similar to those of the Milky Way. Thus we have shown that the very subsolar Fe abundances and Si/Fe enhancements obtained from most previous studies within r,100 kpc of galaxy groups are an artefact of fitting isothermal models to the X-ray spectra, which also has been recently demonstrated for the brightest elliptical galaxies. Owing to the importance of these results for interpreting X-ray spectra, in an appendix we use simulated ASCA observations to examine in detail the ,Fe bias' and ,Si bias' associated with the spectral fitting of ellipticals, groups and clusters of galaxies. [source] Extreme point characterizations for infinite network flow problemsNETWORKS: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2006H. Edwin Romeijn Abstract We study capacitated network flow problems with demands defined on a countably infinite collection of nodes having finite degree. This class of network flow models includes, for example, all infinite horizon deterministic dynamic programs with finite action sets, because these are equivalent to the problem of finding a shortest path in an infinite directed network. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for flows to be extreme points of the set of feasible flows. Under an additional regularity condition met by all such problems with integer data, we show that a feasible solution is an extreme point if and only if it contains neither a cycle nor a doubly-infinite path consisting of free arcs (an arc is free if its flow is strictly between its upper and lower bounds). We employ this result to show that the extreme points can be characterized by specifying a basis. Moreover, we establish the integrality of extreme point flows whenever node demands and arc capacities are integer valued. We illustrate our results with an application to an infinite horizon economic lot-sizing problem. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 48(4), 209,222 2006 [source] Mobility of boron,polyol complexes in the hemiparasitic association between Rhinanthus minor and Hordeum vulgare: the effects of nitrogen nutritionPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 1 2008Fan Jiang Boron (B) is an essential nutrient required for plant growth and physiological processes. Long-distance B transport is facilitated by the formation of B,polyol complexes. We investigated B uptake and distribution in response to differing levels of exogenous nitrogen supply in the hemiparasitic association between Rhinanthus minor and Hordeum vulgare (barley) and in unparasitised barley and single Rhinanthus plants. In this system, the polyol mannitol is the major assimilate in Rhinanthus, whereas polyols are not detectable in barley. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that the accumulation of polyols within Rhinanthus is negatively affected by the application of exogenous nitrogen. Within the association, the strongest accumulation of B was detected in lateral buds and inflorescences of Rhinanthus, consistent with the greatest B demand in strong sink organs supplied through the phloem that contain high concentrations of mannitol. In the host, the strongest B accumulation was found in xylem-supported leaf lamellae. Roots and sheaths did not accumulate substantial amounts of B, while re-circulation of B through the phloem vessels accounted for only 10% (unparasitised) and 8% (parasitised) of the xylem sap-imported B in the mannitol-free barley hosts. In contrast, 53% (attached) and 39% (in the absence of a host) of the xylem sap-imported B was re-circulated in the phloem in the mannitol-rich Rhinanthus. We therefore present the first quantitative uptake and flow models of long-distance B transport in polyol-rich and polyol-free plants. Our findings are consistent with a close relationship between B re-translocation and mannitol concentrations in phloem vessels. [source] Numerical investigation of continuous processes for catalytic hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubberPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 5 2002Qinmin Pan Dynamic behavior of continuous processes was numerically investigated for the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber, based on developed models, which took into account the coupling between kinetics and mass transfer. The evolution of hydrogenation reaction trajectories in both cases were analyzed. It is proposed that the coupling behavior between the catalytic hydrogenation and mass transfer was completely determined by the ability of the catalyst in activating hydrogen, carbon-carbon double bond loading level and the relative capacity of reaction to mass transfer as well as the residence time in the reactor. Four dimensionless parameters were derived to characterize these aspects. The effects of operation conditions on the hydrogenation processes were investigated. The application of the ideal flow models to non-ideal flows was in addition discussed. It is suggested that the optimal reactor for such a hydrogenation system would be a plug flow reactor with an instantaneous well-mixing component in the inlet of it, and a reasonable approach to the proposed optimal reactor should be with the flow behavior of at least three continuous stirred tank reactors in series. Further research directions are suggested. [source] Isotope applications in environmental investigations part II: Groundwater age dating and recharge processes, and provenance of sulfur and methaneREMEDIATION, Issue 2 2003Julie K. Sueker Measurement of the isotopic composition of solids, solutes, gases, and water complement standard hydrogeological investigation techniques by providing information that may not otherwise be obtainable. Groundwater age estimates determined from the decay of radio-isotopes or from groundwater concentrations of anthropogenic gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are used to verify flow regimes and constrain or calibrate hydrologic flow models. Groundwater recharge rates are estimated by measuring the concentrations or activities of a variety of isotopes including 2H, 3H, 18O, and 36Cl. Excess sulfur causes salinization of water supplies and acidification of precipitation, surface water, and groundwater. The wide range of sulfur isotopic compositions exhibited by different sulfur species and sources allows the application of sulfur isotopes to trace sources and fate of sulfur in the environment. Methane is a ubiquitous gas that has economic value when located in extractable reservoirs. Methane is also a greenhouse gas and is a potential explosion and health hazard when it accumulates in buildings and water distribution systems. The carbon and hydrogen isotopic composition of methane can be used to determine the provenance of methane, distinguishing between thermogenic and biogenic sources. The addition of isotopic analyses to environmental investigations can be a cost-effective means of resolving intractable issues. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] z -Transform and adaptive signal processing in analysis of tracer dataTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2002Leszek Furman Abstract In the field of data processing, the common practice is to interpret tracer-determined residence time distributions (RTDs) of particles through different arrangements of elementary flow models. However, such analysis needs an a priori chosen arrangement of these models, and some information carried by the RTD curve may be lost. This paper presents a competitive method based on adaptive filtering in a z -transform domain, and it may give better insight into flow patterns in a steady-state flow system. A physical interpretation of the transfer function was developed. The application of this modelling to the interpretation of radiotracer data from recent studies in different industry sectors is presented. Dans le domaine du traitement des données, la pratique courante consiste à interpréter les distributions de temps de séjour (DTS) déterminées par traceur de particules à travers différents arrangements de modèles d'écoulements élémentaires. Toutefois, une telle analyse implique de choisir a priori l'arrangement de ces modèles. Ainsi, certaines informations données par la courbe de DTS peuvent se perdre. On présente dans cet article une méthode compétitive basée sur le filtrage adaptatif dans le domaine de la transformée en z, qui peut permettre une meilleure compréhension des schémas d'écoulement pour un système en écoulement permanent. Une interprétation physique de la fonction de transfert a été développée. On présente l'application de cette modélisation de l'interprétation des données de traceurs radioactifs provenant d'études récentes dans différents secteurs industriels. [source] Role of Nitric Oxide in the Development of Distant Metastasis From Squamous Cell Carcinoma,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2007Richard L. Scher MD Abstract Background: Metastasis, the dissemination of malignant cells to distant sites, remains one of the most significant factors responsible for death from cancer. Recent studies have shown some improvement in the rate of distant metastasis (DM) with the addition of chemotherapy to surgery and radiation for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, diagnosis and treatment at an early stage ultimately leads to a better prognosis. The prediction of which patients will develop metastasis and the selection of treatment most effective at preventing and treating metastasis remains dependent on an incomplete understanding of prognostic factors and the biological and molecular basis for metastatic development. This study was undertaken using an in vivo model to investigate the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of metastasis from HNSCC. The findings will result in better understanding of the metastatic process for HNSCC, with the potential to develop and implement therapies that could prevent and treat metastasis in patients. Objectives/Hypothesis: 1) To analyze whether in vivo videomicroscopy (IVVM) is useful for the study of DM from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; 2) with use of IVVM, investigate the effect of the biological mediators NO and interleukin (IL)-1 on the adhesion of circulating human HNSCC cells in the hepatic microcirculation. Study Design: Prospective study using an animal model. Methods: Phase 1: athymic nude rats and mice were used for IVVM experiments. The cremaster muscle and liver, used as arterial and venous flow models, were tested to determine whether IVVM was useful for the study of human HNSCC interactions with the microcirculation. A human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (FaDu) labeled with the intracytoplasmic fluorescent marker BCECF-am. was used for all experiments. Videomicroscopic images of FaDu cells in the microcirculation were analyzed for cell adhesion, morphology, deformation, circulation, location of adhesion within the microcirculation, and alteration of microvascular circulation. Phase 2: the effect of IL-1, NO, and NO inhibitors on HNSCC cell adhesion in the hepatic microcirculation of nude mice was analyzed by IVVM. This was followed by histologic determination of the ratio of FaDu cells present for liver area analyzed. Nude mice were treated with 1) IL-1; 2) L-arginine (an NO substrate); or 3) L-N-monomethyl-L-arginine (an NO synthase inhibitor) alone or in combination. These data were analyzed statistically to determine the effect on cell adhesion in the liver. Results: IVVM provided a method for the study of circulating HNSCC with the microcirculation in both the cremaster and liver models. FaDu cells were arrested at the inflow side of the circulation, with maintenance of cell integrity. L-arginine and IL-1 both increased FaDu cell arrest in the liver above baseline (P = .00008 and P = .03), and the combination of these agents potentiated the effect (P = .000009). Conclusions: IVVM allows direct assessment of circulating HNSCC with the microcirculation and is a powerful model for the study of DM. NO and IL-1 play a role in increasing the arrest of HNSCC in the liver and are important in the generation of DM in patients with HNSCC. [source] Dimensionierung von Vakuumwasserhaltungen im tertiären FeinsandBAUTECHNIK, Issue 7 2004Peter-Michael Mayer Dr.-Ing. Der Entwurf umfangreicher Vakuumwasserhaltungen ist aufgrund fehlender allgemeingültiger analytischer Berechnungsverfahren bisher auf Abschätzungen und Erfahrungen angewiesen. Vorliegende Untersuchungen zeigen exemplarisch für eine 80 m lange und 37 m breite Spundwandbaugrube im tertiären Feinsand, wie mittels räumlicher Finite-Element-Modelle die erforderliche Anzahl und Tiefe von Vakuumtiefbrunnen zur Grundwasserabsenkung berechnet werden kann. Die Auswirkungen von Schichtanisotropien bzw. lokaler Bereiche mit hoher Durchlässigkeit auf das erreichte Absenkziel und die geförderten Pumpmengen werden aufgezeigt. Darüberhinaus wird auch der Wasserdruck auf die Spundwand analysiert. Die Bedeutung zeitabhängiger Strömungsberechnungen wird durch die Verbindung von Aushub und Wasserhaltung deutlich und kann durch instationäre Betrachtungen erfaßt werden. Der Vergleich von in-situ-Messungen und Berechnungsergebnissen zeigt die Leistungsfähigkeit, aber auch die Grenzen numerischer Strömungsmodelle bei der Abschätzung des Ausführungsrisikos und möglicher wirtschaftlicher Optimierungen. Dimensioning of vacuum dewaterings in tertiary fine sand. Because of outstanding valid analytical solutions, the study of extensive dewatering depends actually only on estimations and experiences. This paper show, for a 80 m long and 37 m large excavation in fine sand, how to calculate the requested number and depth of vacuum deep well for the lowering of the groundwater level by Finite-Element-Models. The effects of anisotropic layer and layer with local ranges with high porosity for the achieved lowering and pumping capacity have been showed. Additionally the water pressure on sheet pile wall was also analyzed. The significance of transient flow calculations becomes clearly by the connection of excavation and dewatering. The comparison of in-situ measurements and results of calculations shows the performance but also the limits of the numerical flow models on the estimation of the execution risks and possible improvement on dewatering process. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||