High Flow (high + flow)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Terms modified by High Flow

  • high flow rate

  • Selected Abstracts


    Laser-Doppler Examination Shows High Flow in Some Common Telangiectasias of the Lower Limb

    DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 4 2005
    Imre Bihari MD
    Background. The accepted pathophysiology of telangiectasias is reflux from superficial or deep veins. There are physical signs and scientific findings that do not fit this theory but support the possibility of arteriovenous (AV) shunt origin. Objective. If there is a higher flow in spider veins than in the surrounding skin, it means that AV shunts participate in the circulation of the telangiectasia. On the other hand, slow flow indicates reflux as the etiologic factor. Method. Telangiectasias and the surrounding skin of 22 legs of 19 patients were examined with laser-Doppler equipment. Results. The probe over the spider vein found a higher flow value (average 28.2 perfusion units [PU]) than in the surrounding skin (15.6 PU) in 13 limbs, but it was significantly higher only in 5 cases. In 9 limbs, the flow was slower. Conclusion. We interpret the higher flow values as a consequence of open AV shunts. This means that AV shunt pathophysiology was present in some of our cases. IMRE BIHARI, MD, PHD, ANIKÓ MURÁNYI, MD, AND PéTER BIHARI, MD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS. [source]


    Reactive Oxygen Species Are Necessary for High Flow (Shear Stress)-induced Diameter Enlargement of Rat Resistance Arteries

    MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 5 2009
    ERIC J. BELIN DE CHANTEMÈLE
    ABSTRACT Objectives: Chronic increases in blood flow induce remodeling associated with increases in diameter and endothelium-mediated dilation. Remodeling requires cell growth and migration, which may involve reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, the role of ROS in flow-mediated remodeling in resistance arteries is not known. Materials and Methods: Rat mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) were exposed to high flow (HF) by sequentially ligating second-order MRAs in vivo. After three weeks, arteries were collected for structural, pharmacological, and biochemical analysis. Results: In HF arteries, luminal diameter (431±12 to 553±14 ,m; n=10), endothelium (acetylcholine)-mediated vasodilatation (61±6 to 77±6% relaxation) and NAD(P)H subunit (gp91phox and p67phox) expression levels, and ROS (dihydroethydine microphotography) and peroxynitrite (3-nitro-tyrosine) production were higher than in normal flow arteries. Acute ROS scavenging with tempol improved acetylcholine-dependent relaxation (92±4% relaxation), confirming that ROS are produced in HF arteries. Chronic treatment with tempol prevented the increase in diameter, reduced ROS and peroxynitrite production, and improved endothelium-mediated relaxation in HF arteries. Thus, ROS and NO were involved in HF-induced diameter enlargement, possibly through the formation of peroxynitrite, while ROS reduced the increase in endothelium-dependent relaxation. Conclusions: ROS production is necessary for flow-mediated diameter enlargement of resistance arteries. However, ROS counteract, in part, the associated improvement in endothelium-mediated relaxation. [source]


    Effects of vegetation on channel morphodynamics: results and insights from laboratory experiments

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 9 2010
    Michal Tal
    Abstract A series of laboratory experiments demonstrates that riparian vegetation can cause a braided channel to self-organize to, and maintain, a dynamic, single-thread channel. The initial condition for the experiments was steady-state braiding in non-cohesive sand under uniform discharge. From here, an experiment consisted of repeated cycles alternating a short duration high flow with a long duration low flow, and uniform dispersal of alfalfa seeds over the bed at the end of each high flow. Plants established on freshly deposited bars and areas of braidplain that were unoccupied during low flow. The presence of the plants had the effect of progressively focusing the high flow so that a single dominant channel developed. The single-thread channel self-adjusted to carry the high flow. Vegetation also slowed the rate of bank erosion. Matching of deposition along the point bar with erosion along the outer bend enabled the channel to develop sinuosity and migrate laterally while suppressing channel splitting and the creation of new channel width. The experimental channels spontaneously reproduced many of the mechanisms by which natural meandering channels migrate and maintain a single dominant channel, in particular bend growth and channel cutoff. In contrast with the braided system, where channel switching is a nearly continuous process, vegetation maintained a coherent channel until wholesale diversion of flow via cutoff and/or avulsion occurred, by which point the previous channel tended to be highly unfavorable for flow. Thus vegetation discouraged the coexistence of multiple channels. Varying discharge was key to allowing expression of feedbacks between the plants and the flow and promoting the transition from braiding to a single-thread channel that was then dynamically maintained. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Suspended sediment transport in a small Mediterranean agricultural catchment

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 7 2009
    Joan Estrany
    Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze suspended sediment transport in a Mediterranean agricultural catchment under traditional soil and water conservation practices. Field measurements were conducted in Can Revull, a small ephemeral catchment (1.03 km2) on the island of Mallorca. This study uses continuous turbidity records to analyse suspended sediment transport regimes, construct and interpret multiple regression models of total suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and of SSC related to stormflow discharge, and assess the sediment loads and yields of three hydrological years (2004,2005 to 2006,2007). An annual average SSC of 17.3 mg l,1, with a maximum of 2270 mg l,1, was recorded in the middle of the winter period when rainfall intensities are high and headwater slopes are ploughed and thus bare. Strong seasonal contrasts of baseflow dynamics associated with different degrees of dilution provide a large scatter in SSC and in the derived rating curves, reflecting that other factors control the supply of suspended sediment. Multiple regression models identify rainfall intensity as the most significant variable in sediment supply. However, under baseflow conditions, physical and biological processes generate sediment in the channel that is subsequently removed during high flow. In contrast, when baseflow is not present, rainfall intensity is the only process that supplies sediment to the channel, mostly from hillslopes. Considering the study period as average in terms of total annual rainfall and intensities, suspended sediment yields were an order of magnitude lower than those obtained in other Mediterranean catchments, a factor that can be related to the historical use of soil conservation practices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Variation in performance reveals discharge-related energy costs for foraging Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr

    ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2006
    P. S. Kemp
    Abstract,,, The energetic costs associated with foraging and social interaction for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr was estimated by measuring gross differences in performance (growth and lipid content) during two experimental trials conducted in an artificial river channel, under similar food input at two discharges. The discharges provided velocities within the range commonly experienced by salmon in the wild. Fish growth (second trial) and lipid content (first trial) were the highest at the lower discharge. Fish were less active and used a smaller area of the experimental arena under high flow. These behavioural adjustments are consistent with the reduction of energy costs at high discharge. However, there was no effect of discharge on aggressive behaviour or food intake. Therefore, despite evidence of energy economy in response to high discharge and velocity, the energetic costs of foraging were sufficiently high to cause substantial reduction in performance. In common with the findings of previous studies, dominance status was associated with individual variation in performance and habitat use. [source]


    Influence of lateral gradients of hydrologic connectivity on trophic positions of fishes in the Upper Mississippi River

    FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
    KATHERINE A. ROACH
    Summary 1. Riverscapes consist of the main channel and lateral slackwater habitats along a gradient of hydrological connectivity from maximum connection in main channel habitats to minimum connection in backwaters. Spatiotemporal differences in water currents along this gradient produce dynamic habitat conditions that influence species diversity, population densities and trophic interactions of fishes. 2. We examined the importance of lateral connectivity gradients for food web dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River during spring (high flow, moderately low temperatures) and summer (low flow, higher temperatures). We used literature information and gut contents analyses to determine feeding guilds and stable isotope analysis to estimate mean trophic position of local fish assemblages. During June and August 2006, we collected over 1000 tissue samples from four habitats (main channel, secondary channels, tertiary channels and backwaters) distributed within four hydrologic connectivity gradients. 3. Mean trophic position differed among feeding guilds and seasons, with highest values in spring. Mean trophic position of fish assemblages, variability in trophic position and food chain length (maximum trophic position) of the two dominant piscivore species (Micropterus salmoides and M. dolomieu) in both seasons were significantly associated with habitat along the lateral connectivity gradient. Food chain length peaked in tertiary channels in both seasons, probably due to higher species diversity of prey at these habitats. We infer that food chain length and trophic position of fish assemblages were lower in backwater habitats in the summer mainly because of the use of alternative food sources in these habitats. 4. A greater number of conspecifics exhibited significant among-habitat variation in trophic position during the summer, indicating that low river stages can constrain fish movements in the Upper Mississippi River. 5. Results of this study should provide a better understanding of the fundamental structure of large river ecosystems and an improved basis for river rehabilitation and management through knowledge of the importance of lateral complexity in rivers. [source]


    Decline in the quality of suspended fine particulate matter as a food resource for chironomids downstream of an urban area

    FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004
    Emma J. Rosi-MarshallArticle first published online: 16 APR 200
    Summary 1. Urbanization and its associated contamination could degrade the quality of suspended fine particulate organic matter (SFPM) (20 ,m to 1 mm) as a food resource for aquatic insects. SFPM was collected at four sites along the main stem of the Chattahoochee River, which drains metropolitan Atlanta at base and high flow during four seasons. 2. Composition of SFPM was estimated using measures conventionally associated with food quality: bacteria, N/C ratio, caloric content, % inorganic, and % lipids, and metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) concentration. In SFPM collected during base flow, % inorganic matter, calories, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations increased with cumulative permitted wastewater treatment discharge (an indicator of extent of urbanization upstream). In SFPM samples collected during high flow, % diatoms, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations increased with urbanization. 3. A growth assay was used as an integrated and direct measure of SFPM quality as a food resource. The instantaneous growth rate (IGR) of chironomids fed SFPM collected during base flow declined downstream of the city. IGRs of chironomids fed SFPM collected at all sites during high flow were as low as the lowest IGR measured during base flow. 4. Insects fed SFPM collected from the Chattahoochee River had IGRs only 20% of those of chironomids fed SFPM collected from the Little Tennessee River, a relatively undisturbed river in North Carolina. The mortality rate of chironomids fed SFPM was not different among sites or rivers. While the decline in SFPM quality in the Chattahoochee River is probably attributable to some aspect of urbanization, the decline was not related to conventional measures of food quality or metal contamination. [source]


    Solute and Colloid Transport in Karst Conduits under Low- and High-Flow Conditions

    GROUND WATER, Issue 1 2008
    Nadine Göppert
    Solute and colloid transport in karst aquifers under low and high flows was investigated by tracer tests using fluorescent dyes (uranine) and microspheres of the size of pathogenic bacteria (1 ,m) and Cryptosporidium cysts (5 ,m), which were injected into a cave stream and sampled at a spring 2.5 km away. The two types of microspheres were analyzed using an epifluorescence microscope or a novel fluorescence particle counter, respectively. Uranine breakthrough curves (BTCs) were regular shaped and recovery approached 100%. Microsphere recoveries ranged between 27% and 75%. During low flow, the 1-,m spheres displayed an irregular BTC preceding the uranine peak. Only a very few 5-,m spheres were recovered. During high flow, the 1-,m-sphere BTC was regular and more similar to the uranine curve. BTCs were modeled analytically with CXTFIT using a conventional advection dispersion model (ADM) and a two-region nonequilibrium model (2RNE). The results show that (1) colloids travel at higher velocities than solutes during low flow; (2) colloids and solutes travel at similar velocities during high flow; (3) higher maximum concentrations occur during high flow; and (4) the 2RNE achieves a better fit, while the ADM is more robust, as it requires less parameters. [source]


    Low and high flow analyses and wavelet application for characterization of the Blue Nile River system

    HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 3 2010
    Assefa Melesse
    Abstract The low and high flow characteristic of the Blue Nile River (BNR) basin is presented. The study discusses low and high flow, flow duration curve (FDC) and trend analysis of the BNR and its major tributaries. Different probability density functions were fitted to better describe the low and high flows of the BNR and major tributaries in the basin. Wavelet analysis was used in understanding the variance and frequency-time localization and detection of dominant oscillations in rainfall and flow. FDCs were developed, and low flow (below 50% exceedance) and high flow (over 75% exceedance) of the curves were analysed and compared. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite-based maps of monthly changes in gravity converted to water equivalents from 2003 to 2006 for February, May and September showed an increase in the moisture influx in the BNR basin for the month of September, and loss of moisture in February and May. It was also shown that 2004 and 2005 were drier with less moisture influx compared to 2003 and 2006. On the basis of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling and Chi-square tests, Gen. Pareto, Frechet 3P, Log-normal, Log-logistics, Fatigue Life and Phased Bi-Weibull distributions best describe the low and high flows within the BNR basin. This will be beneficial in developing flow hydrographs for similar ungauged watersheds within the BNR basin. The below 50% and above 75% exceedance on the FDC for five major rivers in addition to the BNR showed different characteristics depending on size, land cover, topography and other factors. The low flow frequency analysis of the BNR at Bahir Dar showed 0·55 m3/s as the monthly low flow with recurrence interval of 10 years. The wavelet analysis of the rainfall (at Bahir Dar and basin-wide) and flows at three selected stations shows inter- and intra-annual variability of rainfall and flows at various scales. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    The role of waves in ice-jam flooding of the Peace-Athabasca Delta

    HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 19 2007
    Spyros Beltaos
    Abstract Since the late 1960s, a paucity of ice-jam flooding in the lower Peace River has resulted in prolonged dry periods and considerable reduction in the area covered by lakes and ponds that provide habitat for aquatic life in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) region. To identify the causes of this trend, and to develop mitigation or adaptation strategies under present and future climatic conditions, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms that lead to breakup of the ice cover and jamming within the delta reach of Peace River. Because the lower Peace is extremely flat, the long-period waves caused by spring snowmelt are not generally capable of dislodging the winter ice cover, even under conditions of very high flow. The ice cover decays in place and rubble generation, an essential condition for ice jamming, does not occur. However, major jams do, on occasion, form in the middle section of the river and make their way to the delta via repeated releases and stalls. Each release generates a steep wave which can greatly amplify the hydrodynamic forces that are applied on the ice cover and bring about its dislodgment. This is quantified for the lower Peace River by applying recently developed methodology to local hydrometric data. Detailed in situ observations in the spring of 2003, and additional data from 1997 and 2002, fully corroborate this conclusion. Implications to other flat rivers of northern Canada are discussed. Copyright © 2007 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Stuttering priapism complicating Warfarin therapy in a patient with protein C deficiency

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
    R. A. H. ABU SHAM'A
    Summary Priapism is a rare disorder defined as a persistent penile erection that continues hours beyond, or is unrelated to, sexual stimulation. There are two types of priapism; ischemic low-flow type or non-ischemic high flow, with differing etiologies. Priapism associated with thrombophilia is a well-recognized entity. However, the pathogenesis of this association is not fully understood. We report a rare case of recurrent (stuttering) priapism in a patient with protein C deficiency while maintained on Warfarin therapy. This therapy was also complicated by Warfarin-induced skin necrosis. [source]


    Effects of stream restoration on dispersal of plant propagules

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
    Johanna Engström
    Summary 1Species immigration is vital for the success of restoring degraded ecosystems, but the effectiveness of enhancing dispersal following restoration is seldom evaluated. Running water is an important vector for plant dispersal. Frequency and duration of floods and channel-network complexity are important factors influencing propagule dispersal. In Sweden, these functions have been modified by channelization to facilitate timber floating, thus hampering emigration and immigration of riparian propagules. 2During the last 10,20 years, affected watercourses have been restored by removing barriers and replacing boulders into channels. This is hypothesized to facilitate retention of water-dispersed propagules. We studied the efficiency of propagule retention following restoration by releasing propagule mimics and by placing propagule traps in the riparian zone. 3Retention of propagule mimics was highest in sites restored with boulders and large wood. Retention occurred at both high and low flows but was most efficient during low flows when mimics were trapped by boulders and wood. Waterborne propagules ending up at such sites are unlikely to establish unless they can reach the riparian zone later. At high flows, floating propagules are more likely to reach riparian areas suitable for establishment. According to propagule traps placed at various levels of the riparian zone, deposition of plant propagules and sediments did not increase in restored sites. 4Synthesis and applications. Our study not only demonstrates that restoration of channel complexity through replacement of boulders and wood can enhance retention of plant propagules, but also it highlights the importance of understanding how restoration effects vary with flow. Most streams are restored to function optimally during median or average flows, whereas communities often are controlled by ecological processes acting during extreme flow events. We advocate that stream restoration should be designed for optimal function during those discharges under which the ecological processes in question are most important, which in this case is, during high flow. [source]


    Seasonality of Competition in Early Development of Subtidal Encrusting Communities

    MARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 3-4 2000
    Ben C. Maughan
    Abstract. Settlement panels immersed at Lough Hyne, County Cork, Ireland, at six stations with widely different flow regimes were retrieved at monthly intervals. Between 40 and 62 taxa were identified at each station during the study period. Percentage cover, number of interactions and number of recruits were recorded. Space occupied was found to vary more than 2.5 orders of magnitude between stations and seasons (0.3 , 82 %). Competition for space was most intense during summer, when recruitment was highest. More than 3600 interactions between pairs of species were recorded and competitive matrices are presented for the two stations with the most interactions. Both number of interactions and % cover were significantly higher at sites with greater water flow. The nature and the degree of competition varied between sites, with the most intense competition occurring in the very high flow sites with a large proportion of intra­specific encounters. Colonial species were more evident at the sites with high flow. Certain solitary species (notably Anomia ephippium and Pomatoceros spp.) were successful competitors in encounters with cheilostomatid bryozoans. Solitary species may prevent space monopolisation by the faster-growing bryozoans. ,Typical' early successional species, notably bryozoans such as Celleporella hyalina and Microporella ciliata, were more abundant at the more disturbed sites, implying either a larger adult population and/or preferential settlement of these species at such sites. [source]


    Reactive Oxygen Species Are Necessary for High Flow (Shear Stress)-induced Diameter Enlargement of Rat Resistance Arteries

    MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 5 2009
    ERIC J. BELIN DE CHANTEMÈLE
    ABSTRACT Objectives: Chronic increases in blood flow induce remodeling associated with increases in diameter and endothelium-mediated dilation. Remodeling requires cell growth and migration, which may involve reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, the role of ROS in flow-mediated remodeling in resistance arteries is not known. Materials and Methods: Rat mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) were exposed to high flow (HF) by sequentially ligating second-order MRAs in vivo. After three weeks, arteries were collected for structural, pharmacological, and biochemical analysis. Results: In HF arteries, luminal diameter (431±12 to 553±14 ,m; n=10), endothelium (acetylcholine)-mediated vasodilatation (61±6 to 77±6% relaxation) and NAD(P)H subunit (gp91phox and p67phox) expression levels, and ROS (dihydroethydine microphotography) and peroxynitrite (3-nitro-tyrosine) production were higher than in normal flow arteries. Acute ROS scavenging with tempol improved acetylcholine-dependent relaxation (92±4% relaxation), confirming that ROS are produced in HF arteries. Chronic treatment with tempol prevented the increase in diameter, reduced ROS and peroxynitrite production, and improved endothelium-mediated relaxation in HF arteries. Thus, ROS and NO were involved in HF-induced diameter enlargement, possibly through the formation of peroxynitrite, while ROS reduced the increase in endothelium-dependent relaxation. Conclusions: ROS production is necessary for flow-mediated diameter enlargement of resistance arteries. However, ROS counteract, in part, the associated improvement in endothelium-mediated relaxation. [source]


    Regional Variations of Contractile Activity in Isolated Rat Lymphatics

    MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 6 2004
    ANATOLIY A. GASHEV
    ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate lymphatic contractile activity in different regions of the lymphatic system in a single animal model (the rat thoracic duct, mesenteric, cervical, and femoral lymphatics) in response to changes in lymph pressure and flow. Methods: The systolic and diastolic diameters of isolated, cannulated, and pressurized lymphatic vessels were measured. Contraction frequency, ejection fraction, and fractional pump flow were determined. The influences of incrementally increased transmural pressure (from 1 to 9 cm H2O) and imposed flow (from 1 to 5 cm H2O transaxial pressure gradient) were investigated. Results: The authors determined regional differences in lymphatic contractility in response to pressure and imposed flow. They found the highest pumping (at the optimal pressure levels) in mesenteric lymphatics and lowest pumping in thoracic duct. All lymphatics had their optimal pumping conditions at low levels of transmural pressure. Different degrees of the flow-induced inhibition of the pump were observed in the different types of lymphatics. During high flow, the active lymph pumps in thoracic duct and cervical lymphatics were almost completely abolished, whereas mesenteric and femoral lymphatics still exhibited significant active pumping. Conclusions: The active lymph pumps in different regions of the rat body express variable relative strengths and sensitivities that are predetermined by different hydrodynamic factors and regional outflow resistances in their respective locations. [source]


    Development of Air Micro Bubbles in the Venous Outlet Line: An In Vitro Analysis of Various Air Traps Used for Hemodialysis

    ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 6 2007
    Christofer J. Stegmayr
    Abstract:, Venous air traps were tested in vitro with respect to presence of micro bubbles. Three types of venous air traps were measured (Bioline, Bioline GmbH, Luckenwalde, Germany; Gambro, Gambro AB, Lund, Sweden; Fresenius M.C., Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, Bad Homburg, Germany). Measurements (n = 10) were taken for each air trap, fluid flow (50,600 mL/min), and fluid level (high/low). A 1.5-MHz ultrasound probe was used with an analysis device. The probe was mounted on the outlet line downstream of the venous air trap. A semisynthetic fluid was used to resemble blood viscosity. Occurrences of micro bubbles, without inducing an alarm of the dialysis device, were detected in almost all measurements. The amount of bubbles increased with increasing flow. There were more bubbles with low fluid level compared with high level. The Bioline tubing released the least bubbles in high fluid level. At low level, the Gambro tubing showed the least bubbles at flows 50,400 mL/min, and the Fresenius M.C. tubing showed the least bubbles at flows 400,600 mL/min. High fluid level in the air trap reduced generation of micro bubbles compared to low level, as did lower fluid flow versus high flow. The design of the air trap was also of importance. [source]


    Mischer mit mikrostrukturierten Folien für chemische Produktionsaufgaben

    CHEMIE-INGENIEUR-TECHNIK (CIT), Issue 5 2004
    B. Werner
    Abstract Seit etwa 10 Jahren beschäftigt sich die Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH (IMM) mit der Nutzung von Mikrostrukturen im Bereich der Mikroverfahrenstechnik. Deren Vorteile , effizienterer Wärmeaustausch und Massentransport , bewirken u.,a. Steigerung von Ausbeute und Selektivität bei gleichzeitiger Ressourcenschonung. Die Entwicklung von mikrostrukturierten Mischern war dabei ein Schlüssel zu verbesserten Feinchemikaliensynthesen sowie zur Herstellung von Dispersionen, Cremes, Schäumen und Emulsionen. Bislang waren diese mikrostrukturierten Mischer im Wesentlichen auf Labor- oder bestenfalls Pilotanlagen-Maßstab festgelegt , typische Maximalflussraten lagen bei 2,, 100,L/h für wasserähnliche Fluidsysteme. Mit der Einführung der StarLaminatoren StarLam300 und StarLam3000, konnte diese Grenze jetzt auf weit über 300,L/h bis in den m3/h-Bereich angehoben werden. Beide Apparate zeigen gute Mischgüten bei hohen Flüssen, die durchaus an die sehr guten Werte von bisher bekannten Niederdurchsatz(L/h)-Mikromischer heranreichen. Damit ist eine Kontinuität von ,wirklichen" Mikromischern über die hier beschriebenen Hochdurchsatz-Tools bis zu statischen Mischern mit noch höheren Durchsätzen gegeben. Eine Klassifikation der Mischeffizienz nach dem Leistungseintrag bestätigt ebenso diese Kontinuität. Mixers with Microstructured Foils for Chemical Production Purposes Since about 10 years the Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH (IMM) is engaged with the application of microstructures for chemical micro process engineering. Their advantages , more efficient heat exchange and mass transport , lead to, among other things, an increase in yield and selectivity even while saving resources. The development of microstructured mixers thereby played a key role for carrying out advanced syntheses of fine chemicals as well as for the generation of dispersions, creams, foams, and emulsions. So far, microstructured mixers were mainly limited for laboratory-scale or at best pilot plant-scale , typical maximum flow rates were from 2 , 100 L/h for watery fluid systems. With the introduction of the StarLaminators StarLam300 and StarLam3000 this barrier could be lifted far beyond 300 L/h up to the m3/h domain. Both apparatus yield at high flow rates a mixing efficiency which reaches the high performance of today's low-capacity (L/h) micro mixers. Therefore, continuity from the "real" micro mixers over the herein described high-throughput tools to conventionally manufactured static mixers with even higher flow rates is given. [source]


    Using Population Count Data to Assess the Effects of Changing River Flow on an Endangered Riparian Plant

    CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006
    DIANE M. THOMSON
    análisis de viabilidad poblacional; gestión ribereña; método de difusión; presas; riesgo de extinción Abstract:,Methods for using simple population count data to project extinction risk have been the focus of much recent theoretical work, but few researchers have used these approaches to address management questions. We analyzed 15 years of census data on the federally endangered endemic riparian plant Pityopsis ruthii (Small) with the diffusion approximation (DA). Our goals were to evaluate relative extinction risk among populations in two different watersheds (in Tennessee, U.S.A.) and potential effects of variation in managed river flow on population dynamics. Populations in both watersheds had high projected risks of extinction within 50 years, but the causes of this risk differed. Populations of P. ruthii on the Hiwassee River had higher initial population sizes but significantly lower average growth rates than those on the Ocoee River. The only populations with low predicted short-term extinction risk were on the Ocoee. Growth rates for populations on both rivers were significantly reduced during periods of lower river flow. We found only marginal evidence of a quadratic relationship between population performance and flow. These patterns are consistent with the idea that low flows affect P. ruthii due to growth of competing vegetation, but the degree to which very high flows may reduce population growth is still unclear. Simulations indicated that populations were most sensitive to growth rates in low-flow years, but small changes in the frequency of these periods did not strongly increase risk for most populations. Consistent with results of other studies, DA estimates of extinction risk had wide confidence limits. Still, our results yielded several valuable insights, including the need for greater monitoring of populations on the Hiwassee and the importance of low-flow years to population growth. Our work illustrates the potential value of simple methods for analyzing count data despite the challenges posed by uncertainty in estimates of extinction risk. Resumen:,Los métodos que utilizan datos de conteos simples de la población para proyectar el riesgo de extinción han sido el foco reciente de mucho trabajo teórico, pero pocos investigadores han utilizado estos métodos para responder preguntas de gestión. Analizamos 15 años de datos de censos de la planta ribereña, endémica y federalmente en peligro Pityopsis ruthii (Small) mediante el método de difusión. Nuestras metas fueron evaluar el riesgo de extinción de poblaciones en dos cuencas hidrológicas distintas y con dos efectos potenciales de la variación del flujo de agua sobre la dinámica de la población. Las poblaciones en ambas cuencas tenían alto riesgo de extinción proyectado a 50 años, pero las causas de este riesgo difirieron. Las poblaciones de P. ruthii en el Río Hiwassee tuvieron poblaciones iniciales más grandes, pero tasas de crecimiento significativamente menores, que las poblaciones en el Río Ocoee. Las únicas poblaciones con bajo riesgo de extinción pronosticado estaban en el Ocoee. Las tasas de crecimiento de las poblaciones en ambos ríos se redujeron significativamente durante períodos de bajo flujo en el río. Sólo encontramos evidencia marginal de la relación cuadrática entre el funcionamiento de la población y el flujo. Estos patrones son consistentes con la idea de que los bajos flujos afectan a P. ruthii debido al crecimiento de vegetación competitiva, pero aun no es claro el grado en que flujos muy grandes pueden reducir el crecimiento poblacional. Las simulaciones indicaron que las poblaciones son más sensibles a las tasas de crecimiento en años con bajo flujo en los ríos, pero pequeños cambios en la frecuencia de esos períodos no aumentaron el riesgo en la mayoría de las poblaciones. Consistentemente con los resultados de otros estudios, las estimaciones del riesgo de extinción mediante el método de difusión tienen amplios límites de confianza. Aun así, nuestros resultados aportaron varios conocimientos valiosos, incluyendo la necesidad de mayor monitoreo de las poblaciones en el Hiwassee y la importancia para el crecimiento poblacional de los años con bajo flujo. Nuestro trabajo ilustra el valor potencial de métodos sencillos de análisis de datos de conteo a pesar de los retos impuestos por la incertidumbre en las estimaciones del riesgo de extinción. [source]


    Short-term climatic trends affect the temporal variability of macroinvertebrates in California ,Mediterranean' streams

    FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007
    LEAH A. BÊCHE
    Summary 1. Long-term studies in ecology are essential for understanding natural variability and in interpreting responses to disturbances and human perturbations. We assessed the long-term variability, stability and persistence of macroinvertebrate communities by analysing data from three regions in northern California with a mediterranean-climate. During the study period, precipitation either increased or decreased, and extreme drought events occurred in each region. 2. Temporal trends in precipitation resulted in shifts from ,dry-year' communities, dominated by taxa adapted to no or low flow, to ,wet-year' communities dominated by taxa adapted to high flows. The abundance of chironomid larvae was an important driver of community change. Directional change in community composition occurred at all sites and was correlated with precipitation patterns, with more dramatic change occurring in smaller streams. 3. All communities exhibited high to moderate persistence (defined by the presence/absence of a species) and moderate to low stability (defined by changes in abundance) over the study period. Stability and persistence were correlated with climatic variation (precipitation and El Niño Southern Oscillation) and stream size. Stability and persistence increased as a result of drought in small streams (first-order) but decreased in larger streams (second- and third-order). Communities from the dry season were less stable than those from the wet-season. 4. This study demonstrates the importance of long-term studies in capturing the effects of and recovery from rare events, such as the prolonged and extreme droughts considered here. [source]


    Effects of floods versus low flows on invertebrates in a New Zealand gravel-bed river

    FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2006
    ALASTAIR M. SUREN
    Summary 1. Floods and low flows are hydrological events that influence river ecosystems, but few studies have compared their relative importance in structuring invertebrate communities. Invertebrates were sampled in riffles and runs at eight sites along 40 km of a New Zealand gravel-bed river every 1,3 months over 2.5 years, during which time a number of large flood and low flow events occurred. Flows were high in winter and spring, and low in summer and autumn. Four flow-related variables were calculated from hydrological data: flow on the day of sampling (Qsample), maximum and minimum flow between successive samples (Qmax and Qmin, respectively), and the number of days since the last bed-moving flood (Ndays). 2. The invertebrate community was summarised by relative densities of the 19 most abundant taxa and four biotic metrics [total abundance, taxon richness, the number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera taxa (i.e. EPT richness), and per cent EPT]. Invertebrate density fluctuated greatly, and was high in summer and autumn, and low during winter and spring. Stepwise multiple regression (SMR) analysis was used to investigate relationships between the invertebrate community and season, flow, habitat and water temperature. 3. Seasonal variables were included in almost 50% of the SMR models, while flow-related variables were included in >75% of models. Densities of many taxa were negatively correlated to Qmin and Qmax, and positively correlated to Ndays, suggesting that while high flows reduced invertebrate densities, densities recovered with increasing time following a flood. Although season and flow were confounded in this study, many of the taxa analysed display little seasonal variation in abundance, suggesting that flow-related variables were more important in structuring communities than seasonal changes in density associated with life-cycles. 4. Five discrete flood and low flow events were identified and changes to invertebrate communities before and after these events examined. Invertebrate densities decreased more commonly after floods than after low flows, and there was a significant positive relationship between the number of taxa showing reductions in density and flood magnitude. Densities of most invertebrates either remained unchanged, or increased after low flow events, except for four taxa whose densities declined after a very long period (up to 9 months) of low flow. This decline was attributed to autogenic sloughing of thick periphyton communities and subsequent loss of habitat for these taxa. 5. Invertebrate communities changed more after floods and the degree of change was proportional to flood magnitude. Community similarity increased with increasing time since the last disturbance, suggesting that the longer stable flows lasted, the less the community changed. These results suggest that invertebrate communities in the Waipara River were controlled by both floods and low flows, but that the relative effects of floods were greater than even extended periods of extreme low flow. 6. Hydraulic conditions in riffles and runs were measured throughout the study. Riffles had consistently faster velocities, but were shallower and narrower than runs at all measured flows. Invertebrate density in riffles was expressed as a percentage of total density and regressed against the flow-related variables to see whether invertebrate locations changed according to flow. Significant negative relationships were observed between the per cent density of common taxa in riffles and Qsample, Qmax and Qmin. This result suggests either that these animals actively drifted into areas of faster velocity during low flows, or that their densities within riffles increased as the width of these habitats declined. [source]


    Solute and Colloid Transport in Karst Conduits under Low- and High-Flow Conditions

    GROUND WATER, Issue 1 2008
    Nadine Göppert
    Solute and colloid transport in karst aquifers under low and high flows was investigated by tracer tests using fluorescent dyes (uranine) and microspheres of the size of pathogenic bacteria (1 ,m) and Cryptosporidium cysts (5 ,m), which were injected into a cave stream and sampled at a spring 2.5 km away. The two types of microspheres were analyzed using an epifluorescence microscope or a novel fluorescence particle counter, respectively. Uranine breakthrough curves (BTCs) were regular shaped and recovery approached 100%. Microsphere recoveries ranged between 27% and 75%. During low flow, the 1-,m spheres displayed an irregular BTC preceding the uranine peak. Only a very few 5-,m spheres were recovered. During high flow, the 1-,m-sphere BTC was regular and more similar to the uranine curve. BTCs were modeled analytically with CXTFIT using a conventional advection dispersion model (ADM) and a two-region nonequilibrium model (2RNE). The results show that (1) colloids travel at higher velocities than solutes during low flow; (2) colloids and solutes travel at similar velocities during high flow; (3) higher maximum concentrations occur during high flow; and (4) the 2RNE achieves a better fit, while the ADM is more robust, as it requires less parameters. [source]


    Detection of trends in hydrological extremes for Canadian watersheds

    HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 13 2010
    Donald H. Burn
    Abstract The potential impacts of climate change can alter the risk to critical infrastructure resulting from changes to the frequency and magnitude of extreme events. As well, the natural environment is affected by the hydrologic regime, and changes in high flows or low flows can have negative impacts on ecosystems. This article examines the detection of trends in extreme hydrological events, both high and low flow events, for streamflow gauging stations in Canada. The trend analysis involves the application of the Mann,Kendall non-parametric test. A bootstrap resampling process has been used to determine the field significance of the trend results. A total of 68 gauging stations having a nominal record length of at least 50 years are analysed for two analysis periods of 50 and 40 years. The database of Canadian rivers investigated represents a diversity of hydrological conditions encompassing different extreme flow generating processes and reflects a national scale analysis of trends. The results reveal more trends than would be expected to occur by chance for most of the measures of extreme flow characteristics. Annual and spring maximum flows show decreasing trends in flow magnitude and decreasing trends in event timing (earlier events). Low flow magnitudes exhibit both decreasing and increasing trends. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Low and high flow analyses and wavelet application for characterization of the Blue Nile River system

    HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 3 2010
    Assefa Melesse
    Abstract The low and high flow characteristic of the Blue Nile River (BNR) basin is presented. The study discusses low and high flow, flow duration curve (FDC) and trend analysis of the BNR and its major tributaries. Different probability density functions were fitted to better describe the low and high flows of the BNR and major tributaries in the basin. Wavelet analysis was used in understanding the variance and frequency-time localization and detection of dominant oscillations in rainfall and flow. FDCs were developed, and low flow (below 50% exceedance) and high flow (over 75% exceedance) of the curves were analysed and compared. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite-based maps of monthly changes in gravity converted to water equivalents from 2003 to 2006 for February, May and September showed an increase in the moisture influx in the BNR basin for the month of September, and loss of moisture in February and May. It was also shown that 2004 and 2005 were drier with less moisture influx compared to 2003 and 2006. On the basis of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling and Chi-square tests, Gen. Pareto, Frechet 3P, Log-normal, Log-logistics, Fatigue Life and Phased Bi-Weibull distributions best describe the low and high flows within the BNR basin. This will be beneficial in developing flow hydrographs for similar ungauged watersheds within the BNR basin. The below 50% and above 75% exceedance on the FDC for five major rivers in addition to the BNR showed different characteristics depending on size, land cover, topography and other factors. The low flow frequency analysis of the BNR at Bahir Dar showed 0·55 m3/s as the monthly low flow with recurrence interval of 10 years. The wavelet analysis of the rainfall (at Bahir Dar and basin-wide) and flows at three selected stations shows inter- and intra-annual variability of rainfall and flows at various scales. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    El Niño Southern Oscillation link to the Blue Nile River Basin hydrology

    HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 26 2009
    Wossenu Abtew
    Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationships of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indices and the Blue Nile River Basin hydrology using a new approach that tracks cumulative ENSO indices. The results of this study can be applied for water resources management decision making to mitigate drought or flood impacts with a lead time of at least few months. ENSO tracking and forecasting is relatively easier than predicting hydrology. ENSO teleconnections to the Blue Nile River Basin hydrology were evaluated using spatial average basin rainfall and Blue Nile flows at Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The ENSO indices were sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in region Niño 3·4 and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). The analysis indicates that the Upper Blue Nile Basin rainfall and flows are teleconnected to the ENSO indices. Based on event correspondence and correlation analysis, high rainfall and high flows are likely to occur during La Niña years and dry years are likely to occur during El Niño years at a confidence level of 90%. Extreme dry and wet years are very likely to correspond with ENSO events as given above. The great Ethiopian famine of 1888,1892 corresponds to one of the strongest El Niño years, 1888. The recent drought years in Ethiopia correspond to strong El Niño years and wet years correspond to La Niña years. In this paper, a new approach is proposed on how to classify the strength of ENSO events by tracking consecutive monthly events through a year. A cumulative SST index value of ,5 and cumulative SOI value of , ,7 indicate strong El Niño. A cumulative SST index value of ,,5 and cumulative SOI index of ,7 indicate strong La Niña. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    The influence of hydroelectrical development on the flow regime of the karstic river Cetina

    HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 1 2003
    Ognjen Bonacci
    Abstract The Cetina River is a typical karst watercourse in the deep and well-developed Dinaric karst. The total length of the Cetina River open streamflow from its spring to the mouth is about 105 km. Estimated mean annual rainfall is 1380 mm. The Cetina catchment is built of Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous carbonate strata. The western part of the catchment by the Cetina River is referred to as the ,direct' or topographic catchment. It was defined based on surface morphologic forms, by connection between mountain chain peaks. This part of the catchment is almost entirely situated in the Republic of Croatia. The eastern part of the catchment is referred to as the ,indirect' catchment, and is mainly situated in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Water from the ,indirect' catchment emerges from the western ,direct' catchment in numerous permanent and temporary karst springs. Since 1960, numerous hydrotechnical works have been carried out on the Cetina River and within its catchment. Five hydroelectric power plants (HEPPs), five reservoirs, and three long tunnels and pipelines have been built. Their operation has significantly altered the natural hydrological regime. The Cetina River is divided into two hydrological reaches. In the 65 km upstream, the hydrological regime was redistributed within the year: low flows had increased and high flows had decreased, although the mean annual discharge remained the same. Part of the Cetina watercourse downstream from the Pran,evi,i Reservoir lost the majority of its flow. The mean annual discharges dropped from 100 m3 s,1 to less than 10 m3 s,1 because of the Zaku,ac HEPP development. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Effects of stream restoration on dispersal of plant propagules

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
    Johanna Engström
    Summary 1Species immigration is vital for the success of restoring degraded ecosystems, but the effectiveness of enhancing dispersal following restoration is seldom evaluated. Running water is an important vector for plant dispersal. Frequency and duration of floods and channel-network complexity are important factors influencing propagule dispersal. In Sweden, these functions have been modified by channelization to facilitate timber floating, thus hampering emigration and immigration of riparian propagules. 2During the last 10,20 years, affected watercourses have been restored by removing barriers and replacing boulders into channels. This is hypothesized to facilitate retention of water-dispersed propagules. We studied the efficiency of propagule retention following restoration by releasing propagule mimics and by placing propagule traps in the riparian zone. 3Retention of propagule mimics was highest in sites restored with boulders and large wood. Retention occurred at both high and low flows but was most efficient during low flows when mimics were trapped by boulders and wood. Waterborne propagules ending up at such sites are unlikely to establish unless they can reach the riparian zone later. At high flows, floating propagules are more likely to reach riparian areas suitable for establishment. According to propagule traps placed at various levels of the riparian zone, deposition of plant propagules and sediments did not increase in restored sites. 4Synthesis and applications. Our study not only demonstrates that restoration of channel complexity through replacement of boulders and wood can enhance retention of plant propagules, but also it highlights the importance of understanding how restoration effects vary with flow. Most streams are restored to function optimally during median or average flows, whereas communities often are controlled by ecological processes acting during extreme flow events. We advocate that stream restoration should be designed for optimal function during those discharges under which the ecological processes in question are most important, which in this case is, during high flow. [source]


    Distillation in hollow fibers

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 9 2003
    Guoliang Zhang
    Distillation in hollow fibers can give better, more productive separations than distillation in random or structured packing. Since the hollow fibers used have little resistance to mass transfer, the selectivity of the separation depends on the relative volatility, just as in conventional distillation. Because the fibers are nonporous, the distillation can operate at high flows which normally cause flooding, and at low flows which normally compromise loading. As a result, the turndown ratio is nearly infinite and the height of a transfer unit can be as small as desired. Experiments do give values consistent with correlations developed for other membrane modules, although the practical value of hollow fiber distillation is uncertain because of the materials limitations. [source]


    Constructing an Interdisciplinary Flow Regime Recommendation,

    JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 5 2010
    John M. Bartholow
    Bartholow, John M., 2010. Constructing an Interdisciplinary Flow Regime Recommendation. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1-15. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00461.x Abstract:, It is generally agreed that river rehabilitation most often relies on restoring a more natural flow regime, but credibly defining the desired regime can be problematic. I combined four distinct methods to develop and refine month-by-month and event-based flow recommendations to protect and partially restore the ecological integrity of the Cache la Poudre River through Fort Collins, Colorado. A statistical hydrologic approach was used to summarize the river's natural flow regime and set provisional monthly flow targets at levels that were historically exceeded 75% of the time. These preliminary monthly targets were supplemented using results from three Poudre-specific disciplinary studies. A substrate maintenance flow model was used to better define the high flows needed to flush accumulated sediment from the river's channel and help sustain the riparian zone in this snowmelt-dominated river. A hydraulic/habitat model and a water temperature model were both used to better define the minimum flows necessary to maintain a thriving cool water fishery. The result is a range of recommended monthly flows and daily flow guidance illustrating the advantage of combining a wide range of available disciplinary information, supplemented by judgment based on ecological principles and a general understanding of river ecosystems, in a highly altered, working river. [source]


    POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CALIFORNIA HYDROLOGY,

    JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 4 2003
    Norman L. Miller
    ABSTRACT: Previous reports based on climate change scenarios have suggested that California will be subjected to increased wintertime and decreased summertime streamflow. Due to the uncertainty of projections in future climate, a new range of potential climatological future temperature shifts and precipitation ratios is applied to the Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting Model and Anderson Snow Model in order to determine hydrologic sensitivities. Two general circulation models (GCMs) were used in this analysis: one that is warm and wet (HadCM2 run 1) and one that is cool and dry (PCM run B06.06), relative to the GCM projections for California that were part of the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A set of specified incremental temperature shifts from 1.5°C to 5.0°C and precipitation ratios from 0.70 to 1.30 were also used as input to the snow and soil moisture accounting models, providing for additional scenarios (e.g., warm/dry, cool/wet). Hydrologic calculations were performed for a set of California river basins that extend from the coastal mountains and Sierra Nevada northern region to the southern Sierra Nevada region; these were applied to a water allocation analysis in a companion paper. Results indicate that for all snow-producing cases, a larger proportion of the streamflow volume will occur earlier in the year. The amount and timing is dependent on the characteristics of each basin, particularly the elevation. Increased temperatures lead to a higher freezing line, therefore less snow accumulation and increased melting below the freezing height. The hydrologic response varies for each scenario, and the resulting solution set provides bounds to the range of possible change in streamflow, snowmelt, snow water equivalent, and the change in the magnitude of annual high flows. An important result that appears for all snowmelt driven runoff basins, is that late winter snow accumulation decreases by 50 percent toward the end of this century. [source]


    TREE RING RECONSTRUCTIONS OF STREAMFLOW FOR THREE CANADIAN PRAIRIE RIVERS,

    JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 3 2003
    Roslyn A. Case
    ABSTRACT: Information regarding long term hydrological variability is critical for the effective management of surface water resources. In the Canadian Prairie region, growing dependence on major river systems for irrigation and other consumptive uses has resulted in an increasing vulnerability to hydrological drought and growing interprovincial tension. This study presents the first dendrochronological records of streamflow for Canadian Prairie rivers. We present 1,113-year, 522-year, and 325-year reconstructions of total water year (October to September) streamflow for the North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Rivers, respectively. The reconstructions indicate relatively high flows during the 20th Century and provide evidence of past prolonged droughts. Low flows during the 1840s correspond with aridity that extended over much of the western United States. Similarly, an exceptional period of prolonged low flow conditions, approximately 900 A.D. to 1300 A.D., is coincident with evidence of sustained drought across central and western North America. The 16th Century megadrought of the western United States and Mexico, however, does not appear to have had a major impact on the Canadian rivers. The dendrohydrological records illustrate the risks involved if future water policy and infrastructure development in the Canadian Prairies are based solely on records of streamflow variability over the historical record. [source]