Study on Evacuation Strategy of Commercial High-Rise Building under Fire Based on FDS and Pathfinder

With the development of economy and society and the growth of population,the high-rise and multi-function of commercial buildings have become an international trend.But it also poses huge fire hazards.Most of the existing studies’research objects are predominantly high-rise residential buildings,without considering the impact of different functional zones(Standard floor,entertainment zone,office zone,equipment room and so on)and personnel distribution of commercial buildings evacuation.And the influence of using elevators to carry evacuees on the refuge floor on personnel evacuation is rarely studied.In this work,the fire scenario of the Yangtze River InternationalConferenceCenter,a high-rise commercial building,is simulated with the Pyrosim programto get the necessary parameters under various fire scenarios and to calculate the available evacuation time TASET.At the same time,according to the complex functional zone of the commercial high-rise building and the distribution of people in different time periods,a reasonable evacuation strategy is developed and simulated by Pathfinder software.The results indicate that unorganized evacuation will lead individuals to take the erroneous evacuation route,resulting in a vast region of congestion;comprehensive consideration of the time staggering and the reasonable distribution of evacuation routes can significantly improve evacuation efficiency,and the TRSET of night and working hours is 36.6%–55.3%and 49.9%–79.6%of unorganized evacuation,respectively.For the night fire,60%of the people use elevator-refuge floor to evacuate is the optimal strategy;for the fire during working hours,half of the people on standard floors use the elevator to evacuate and people on multifunctional floors evacuate in four batches is the best plan.The results of this study can provide viable solutions and a foundation for analyzing the fire evacuation and safety of big commercial high-rise buildings.

Can other host species of cotton bollworm be non-Bt refuges to prolong the effectiveness of Bt-cotton?

The potential ecological risks of Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) insecticides and Bt-crops have caused increasing concern since their commercial release in the field, among which pests’ resistance to Bt-crops is the major ecological risk. Refuge tactic, which can produce sensitive populations, has proved to be a key and sound resistance management strategy in USA and Australia; however, no tactics have been performed in China where Bt-cotton is mostly planted with other host crops of cotton bollworm. Genetic variation and gene flow among different host populations of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera were analyzed using PCR fingerprinting method. The results show that maize and castor-oil plant, as well as cotton can take effect as refuges to prevent resistance of cotton bollworm to Bt-cotton, while peanut and sesame are not as suitable for planting with Bt-cotton as refuges in the field as low gene flow was detected among populations on peanut, sesame and Bt cotton.

Implications of Declining Ground Water and Water Quality in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion and Areawide Environmental Impact Statement Required for Mining in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin—Part 1

Karst aquifers occur worldwide and exhibit groundwater flow responses that differ considerably from aquifers lacking fractures, bedding planes, and other karst conduits where significant and rapid groundwater flow can occur. The regional, karst Floridan aquifer system underlies the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain Physiographic Region and exhibits hydrologic interconnections with overlying surficial aquifers and throughout other zones of the aquifer system, as is characteristic of other karst aquifer systems. Anthropogenic groundwater declines in this regional karst aquifer system have been documented in published literature for decades, but the impacts of those declines in this coastal plain region and the embedded ecosystems that provide essential and critical habitat for native, endemic, and federally endangered and threatened species have not been considered previously. Those anthropogenic groundwater declines reduce surfacewater levels and flows due to the capture of both groundwater and overland flow of surfacewater, resulting in induced recharge through semi-confining zones and interbasin flow through fractures and other karst conduits. This case study identifies examples from the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area and comparison areas of how those declines result in loss of historic base flow to surface waters and other capture of surface waters, ultimately increasing saltwater intrusion. Those results alter and degrade the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, in violation of the US Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Historic groundwater declines from mining and other anthropogenic groundwater withdrawals from this regional karst aquifer system already threaten the survival and recovery of federally endangered and threatened species, as well as existing and proposed critical habitat for those species within this regional extent, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. This case study and its companion publication (Part 2) appear to be the first to provide scientific support for this regional karst aquifer system as the unifying factor in habitat responses to irreversible groundwater impacts on aquatic and marine ecosystems. These adverse impacts strongly suggest that the extent of the regional Floridan aquifer system should be designated as the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion for the purpose of managing natural resources. Mining activities continue to expand in our study area, which is the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. Despite that fact, no comprehensive Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS), similar to the AEIS required for phosphate mining within the Central Florida Phosphate District (CFPD) approximately a decade ago has been conducted for any of the numerous mining projects that are occurring and are proposed within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also provides examples of why a comprehensive AEIS is essential to consider all of the adverse direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of those mining activities to the CWA, the ESA, and the irreversible losses to local economies, because federal agencies responsible for considering those adverse impacts rely on public comments to identify those adverse impacts. The mining activities authorized throughout the regional Floridan aquifer system under Category 44 Nationwide Permits (NWP) result in the same type of adverse impacts as the mining activities evaluated under Individual Permits in that region. Therefore, those Category 44 NWP mining activities also should be required to obtain Individual Permits and be evaluated under an AEIS in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also describes how Florida’s assumption of the CWA Section 404 regulatory authority in 2020 severs four sub-basins within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area at the state line between Florida and Georgia.

Image denoising algorithm of refuge chamber by combining wavelet transform and bilateral filtering

In order to preferably identify infrared image of refuge chamber, reduce image noises of refuge chamber and retain more image details, we propose the method of combining two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform and bilateral denoising. First, the wavelet transform is adopted to decompose the image of refuge chamber, of which low frequency component remains unchanged. Then, three high-frequency components are treated by bilateral filtering, and the image is reconstructed. The result shows that the combination of bilateral filtering and wavelet transform for image denoising can better retain the details which are included in the image, while providing better visual effect. This is superior to using either bilateral filtering or wavelet transform alone. It is useful for perfecting emergency refuge system of coal mines.

A test method for evaluating the thermal environment of underground coal mine refuge alternatives

Since 2009,the Mine Safety and Health Administration(MSHA)has required mines to install refuge alternatives(RAs)in underground coal mines.One of the biggest concerns with occupied RAs is the possible severity of the resulting thermal environment.In 30 CFR 7.504,the maximum allowable apparent temperature(AT)for an occupied RA is specified as 35℃(95°F).Manufacturers must conduct heat/humidity tests to demonstrate that their RAs meet the 35℃(95°F)AT limit.For these tests,heat input devices are used to input the metabolic heat of actual miners.A wide variety of test methods,sensors,and heat input devices could be used when conducting such tests.Since 2012,the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)has conducted over thirty 96-hour heat/humidity tests on four different RAs.This paper discusses the test equipment and procedures used during these investigations.This information is useful for RA manufacturers conducting RA heat/humidity tests,for other researchers investigating RA heat/humidity buildup,and for those who need to assess the thermal environment of any confined space where people may be trapped or are seeking refuge.

Bifurcation and Limit Cycle of a Ratio-dependent Predator-prey, System with Refuge on Prey

Influences of prey refuge on the dynamics of a predator-prey model with ratio-dependent functional response are investigated. The local and global stability of positive equilibrium of the system are considered. Theoretical analysis indicates that constant refuge leads to the system undergo supercritical Hopf bifurcation twice with the birth rate of prey species changing continuously.

Occurrence of Conspecific in the Neighboring Space Influence on Flight Initiation Distance in Cape Hare <i>Lepus capensis</i>under Human Stimuli

Optimal escape theory predicts that animals would balance the costs and benefits of flight. One cost of not fleeing is the ongoing cost of vigilance for upcoming environmental threats. Our results show that FID increases for vigilant hares with predator starting distance, due to the costs acquired by continuing to scan for ecological dangers. The presence of conspecifics within proximity distance for social hare was reduced FID due to collective vigilance, while a solitary animal had greater FID, due to less cooperative defense for predator detection. In both seasons, detection and flight initiation distance of the focal hare increased in open habitat due to a higher probability of detection for upcoming danger, while dense cover provided concealment but reduced the probability of detecting an incoming threat, reducing FID. Moreover, proximity to roads and the nearest refuge significantly influenced anti-predator risk by compensation energy to cope with approaching stimuli. In a landscape with heavy human hunting in retaliation to plantations damage has modified the natural behavior of the hare in the Shigar valley. The findings are discussed in the context of hare FID by humans and the suggestions for management and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict are also considered.

Analysis of an Eco-Epidemiological Model Considering Effect of Harvesting and Prey Refuge

In this work, we analyze an eco-epidemiological model with the disease in the prey, considering a constant proportion of harvesting of either species or a prey refuge. The positive invariant set, the conditions of existence, and locally asymptotically stability of the equilibria are studied using the stability theory of ordinary differential equation. The global stability of border equilibria by constructing Lyapunov functions and permanence of the system by comparison theoremare proved. The numerical simulation further proved the correctness of the theoretical analysis. The result indicates that overfishing would lead to population extinction and a reasonable fishing strategy should keep the coexistence of populations.

One-piece coal mine mobile refuge chamber with safety structure and less sealing risk based on FEA

In order to reduce the risk of sealing and improve the structural strength for a coal mine mobile refuge chamber,a new type of one-piece model was designed.Mechanical and mathematical calculation performed an important role.Calculated according to statics and relevant contents,the structure had the same total volume as the traditional segmented structure,but had shorter length,wider width and greater height.Those prevented the structure from stress or deformation failure.Some reinforcing ribs with enough moments of inertia were welded in the external shell.Because of the one-piece structure,this refuge chamber reduced the risk of sealing which was a serious problem of segmented structure.Impact load with 300 ms duration and0.6 MPa over-pressure was settled.Explicit nonlinear dynamic analysis program was used to simulate the response of the refuge chamber.The maximum stress and the maximum displacement were obtained.The refuge chamber including blast airtight doors could meet the rigidity requirement.Weak parts of the chamber were the front and back end shell where bigger displacement values occurred than others.Thus,the calculation indicated that the refuge chamber could meet structural safety requirements.Based on the numerical analysis,suggestions were put forward for further resistance ability improvement.Only large inclined shaft with larger wellhead was suitable for this one-piece coal mine mobile refuge chamber.

Propagating Characteristic of Premixed Methane-Oxygen Deflagration in the Coal Mine Lane Including a Refuge Chamber

In order to investigate detonation propagation and distribution problems of premixed CH_4 ＋ 2O_2 mixture around a concrete structure such as a refuge chamber,detonation experiments in one small size tube were conducted. A simulation method was developed to obtain the flow field load distribution in the coal mine lane and pressure load of each part for the refuge chamber. Firstly,a physical model of a full-size explosiontest lane was established,which included the refuge chamber. With the calculations of the exact initial detonation pressure,the propagation characteristics of CH_4 ＋ 2O_2 premixed mixture detonation in the lane was simulated. Simulation results of various parts from AUTODYN are recorded,and the shock wave arrival time and the pressure peak can be observed from the detonation pressure-time curve over the changing propagation distance. So curve differences in different locations cannot be ignored. Then by detonation experiments in the small size tube,detonation pressure-time curves and velocity were obtained. Finally the simulation waveform of variation curve agreed well with the experimental results,which validated the detonation simulation method. The difference between shockwaves of the two sensors confirmed that detonation wave changed along with distance and time. These results should be taken into serious consideration for the detonation progration and distribution problem in future researches.

Dynamical behaviors of a constant prey refuge ratio-dependent prey-predator model with Allee and fear effects

In this paper,we consider a nonlinear ratio-dependent prey-predator model with constant prey refuge in the prey population.Both Allee and fear phenomena are incorporated explicitly in the growth rate of the prey population.The qualitative behaviors of the proposed model are investigated around the equilibrium points in detail.Hopf bifurcation including its direction and stability for the model is also studied.We observe that fear of predation risk can have both stabilizing and destabilizing effects and induces bubbling phenomenon in the system.It is also observed that for a fixed strength of fear,an increase in the Allee parameter makes the system unstable,whereas an increase in prey refuge drives the system toward stability.However,higher values of both the Allee and prey refuge parameters have negative impacts and the populations go to extinction.Further,we explore the variation of densities of the populations in different bi-parameter spaces,where the coexistence equilibrium point remains stable.Numerical simulations are carried out to explore the dynamical behaviors of the system with the help of MATLAB software.

Switching effect on a two prey-one predator system with strong Allee effect incorporating prey refuge

In an environment,the food chains are balanced by the prey-predator interactions.When a predator species is provided with more than one prey population,it avails the option of prey switching between prey species according to their availability.So,prey switching of predators mainly helps to increase the overall growth rate of a predator species.In this work,we have proposed a two prey-one predator system where the predator population adopts switching behavior between two prey species at the time of consumption.Both the prey population exhibit a strong Allee effect and the predator population is considered to be a generalist one.The proposed system is biologically well-defined as the system variables are positive and do not increase abruptly with time.The local stability analysis reveals that all the predator-free equilibria are saddle points whereas the prey-free equilibrium is always stable.The intrinsic growth rates of prey,the strong Allee parameters,and the prey refuge parameters are chosen to be the controlling parameters here.The numerical simulation reveals that in absence of one prey,the other prey refuge parameter can change the system dynamics by forming a stable or unstable limit cycle.Moreover,a situation of bi-stability,tri-stability,or even multi-stability of equilibrium points occurs in this system.As in presence of the switching effect,the predator chooses prey according to their abundance,so,increasing refuge in one prey population decreases the count of the second prey population.It is also observed that the count of predator population reaches a comparatively higher value even if they get one prey population at its fullest quantity and only a portion of other prey species.So,in the scarcity of one prey species,switching to the other prey is beneficial for the growth of the predator population.

具有食饵避难所的离散捕食者-食饵模型的余维二分支分析

In this paper,a discrete predator-prey model with prey refuge is investigated.It is proved that the model undergoes codimension-2 bifurcations associated with 1:2 and 1:3 resonances.The bifurcation diagrams and phase portraits show that the model has some interesting complex dynamical behaviors,such as limit cycle,periodic solutions,chaos and codimension-1 bifurcations.

The role of host refuge and strong Allee effects in a host-parasitoid system

We propose and study a discrete host-parasitoid model of difference equations with a spatial host refuge where hosts in the refuge patch are free from parasitism but undergo a demographic strong Allee effect.If the growth rate of hosts in the non-refuge patch is less than one,a host Allee threshold is derived below which both populations become extinct.It is proven that both populations can persist indefinitely if the host growth rate in the non-refuge patch exceeds one and the maximum reproductive number of parasitoids is greater than one.Numerical simulations reveal that the host refuge can either stabilize or destabilize the host-parasitoid interactions,depending on other model parameters.A large number of parasitoid turnover from a parasitized host may be detrimental to the parasitoids due to Allee effects in the hosts within the refuge patch.Moreover,it is demonstrated numerically that if the host growth rate is not small,the population level of parasitoids may suddenly drop to a small value as some parameters are varied.

Identifying a research gap in relation to family and domestic violence accommodation design within Victoria,Australia:A systematic review

Within Australia,domestic and family violence(DFV)is a major health and welfare issue that disproportionately impacts on women,children,and vulnerable segments of the population.This paper examines the results of a systematic literature review aimed at identi-fying the existing evidence base in relation to the nexus between accommodation design and the health and well-being of women seeking shelter within Victoria,Australia.The review focused on three primary questions:a.What literature currently exists in relation to the design of refuges?b.How does the design of DFV refuges impact on those within refuges?C.What methods and metrics have been used to assess the effectiveness of the design of housing inter-ventions to support and promote agency,and better health and wellbeing?The review found that there is a significant lack of research into housing interventions for those seeking refuge.Of the 6038 records screened,only 2 studies were identified that fit within the review criteria,both of which focused exclusively on refuges within the USA.Among the very limited research that exists,there is lttle interrogation of the design of the refuge,nor an intersectional and geographically contextualized examination of how experiences of DFV and the shelter environment impact on wellbeing outcomes.Despite literature that dem-onstrates the positive impacts of well-being centered design approaches,the application of such research to the evaluation and design of DFV refuges,both within Australia and globally,remains an area in need of further research.

Thermoregulatory value of cracking-clay soil shelters for small vertebrates during extreme desert conditions

Deserts exhibit extreme climatic conditions.Small desert-dwelling vertebrates have physiological and behavioral adaptations to cope with these conditions,including the ability to seek shelter.We investigated the temperature(T)and relative humidity(RH)regulating properties of the soil cracks that characterize the extensive cracking-clay landscapes of arid Australia,and the extent of their use by 2 small marsupial species:fat-tailed and stripe-faced dunnarts(Sminthopsis crassicaudata and Sminthopsis macroura).We measured hourly(over 24-h periods)the T and RH of randomly-selected soil cracks compared to outside conditions,during 2 summers and 2 winters.We tracked 17 dunnarts(8 Sminthopsis crassicaudata and 9 Sminthopsis macroura)to quantify their use of cracks.Cracks consistently moderated microclimate,providing more stable conditions than available from non-crack points,which often displayed comparatively dramatic fluctuations in T and RH.Both dunnart species used crack shelters extensively.Cracks constitute important shelter for small animals during extreme conditions by providing a stable microclimate,which is typically cooler than outside conditions in summer and warmer in winter.Cracks likely play a fundamental sheltering role by sustaining the physiological needs of small mammal populations.Globally,cracking-clay areas are dominated by agricultural land uses,including livestock grazing.Management of these systems should focus not only on vegetation condition,but also on soil integrity,to maintain shelter resources for ground-dwelling fauna.

Using “management mosaics” to mitigate the impacts from extreme wildfires

Human activities and global change have resulted in more severe and destructive megafires in forest ecosystems worldwide.Here,I introduce and discuss the concept of“management mosaics”and how to use it over both space and time to mitigate the growing impacts of extreme wildfires.

Natural refuge crops, buildup of resistance, and zero-refuge strategy for Bt cotton in China

In the context of genetically modified crops expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin, a ‘refuge’ refers to a crop of the same or a related species that is planted nearby to enable growth and reproduction of the target pest without the selection pres- sure imposed by the Bt toxin. The goal of this study is to discuss the role of natural refuge crops in slowing down the buildup of resistance of cotton bollworm (CBW), and to evaluate China’s no-refuge policy for Bt cotton. We describe in detail the dif- ferent factors that China should consider in relation to the refuge policy. Drawing on a review of scientific data, economic analyses of other cases, and a simulation exercise using a bio-economic model, we show that in the case of Bt cotton in China, the no-refuge policy is defensible.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 1,000 MPa Ultra-High Strength Hot-Rolled Plate Steel for Coal Mine Refuge Chamber

The 1,000 MPa ultra-high strength hot-rolled plate steel with low-carbon bainitic microstructure was developed in the laboratory for coal mine refuge chamber. The static recrystallization behavior, microstructure evolution, and mechanical properties of this hot-rolled plate steel were investigated by the hot compression, continuous cooling trans- formation, and tensile deformation test. The results show that the developed steel has excellent mechanical properties at both room and elevated temperature, and its microstructure mainly consists of lath bainite, granular bainite, and ferrite after thermal-mechanical control process （TMCP）. The ultra-high strength plate steel is obtained by the TMCP process in hot rolling, strengthened by bainitic transformation, microstructure refinement, and precipitation of alloying elements such as Nb, Ti, Mo, and Cu. The experimental steel has relatively low welding crack sensitivity index and high atmospheric corrosion resistance index. Therefore, the developed steel has a good balance of strength and ductility both at room and elevated temperature, weldability and corrosion resistance, and it can suffice for the basic demands for materials in the manufacture of coal mine refuge chamber.

Analysis of a predator-prey model with herd behavior and disease in prey incorporating prey refuge

In this work,we have introduced an eco-epidemiological model of an infected predator prey system.Incorporation of prey refuge gives that a fraction of the infected prey is available to the predator for consumption.Moreover,to make the model more realistic to the environment,we have introduced strong Allee effect in the susceptible population.Boundedness and positivity of the solution have been established.Local stability conditions of the equilibrium points have been found with the help of Routh-Hurwitz criterion and it has been observed that if a prey population is infected with a lethal disease,then both the prey(susceptible and infected)and predator cannot survive simultaneously in the system for any parametric values.The disease transmission rate and the attack rate on the susceptible have an important role to control the system dynamics.For different values of these two key parameters,we have got only healthy or disease-free or predation-free or a fluctuating disease-free or even a fluctuating predator-free system with some certain parametric conditions.