The aim of this study is to establish the prevailing conditions of changing climatic trends and change point dates in four selected meteorological stations of Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Warri in the Niger Delta re...The aim of this study is to establish the prevailing conditions of changing climatic trends and change point dates in four selected meteorological stations of Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Warri in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Using daily or 24-hourly annual maximum series (AMS) data with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the modified Chowdury Indian Meteorological Department (MCIMD) models were adopted to downscale the time series data. Mann-Kendall (MK) trend and Sen’s Slope Estimator (SSE) test showed a statistically significant trend for Uyo and Benin, while Port Harcourt and Warri showed mild trends. The Sen’s Slope magnitude and variation rate were 21.6, 10.8, 6.00 and 4.4 mm/decade, respectively. The trend change-point analysis showed the initial rainfall change-point dates as 2002, 2005, 1988, and 2000 for Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Warri, respectively. These prove positive changing climatic conditions for rainfall in the study area. Erosion and flood control facilities analysis and design in the Niger Delta will require the application of Non-stationary IDF modelling.展开更多
Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) fish, which are an amphidromous species distributed in East Asia, live in brackish water (BW) during their larval stage and in fresh water (FW) during their adult stage. In this stud...Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) fish, which are an amphidromous species distributed in East Asia, live in brackish water (BW) during their larval stage and in fresh water (FW) during their adult stage. In this study, we found that FW-acclimated ayu larvae exhibited a slower growth ratio compared with that of BW-acclimated larvae. However, the mechanism underlying FW acclimation on growth suppression is poorly known. We employed transcriptome analysis to investigate the differential gene expression of FW acclimation by RNA sequencing. We identified 158 upregulated and 139 downregulated transcripts in FW-acclimated ayu larvae compared with that in BW-acclimated larvae. As determined by Gene Ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway mapping, functional annotation of the genes covered diverse biological functions and processes, and included neuroendo- crinology, osmotic regulation, energy metabolism, and the cytoskeleton. Transcriptional expression of several differentially expressed genes in response to FW acclimation was further confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. In accordance with transcriptome analysis, iodothyronine deiodinase (ID), pro-opiom- elanocortin (POMC), betaine-homocysteine S-meth- yltransferase 1 (BHMT), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase B (aldolase B), tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), and Na+-K+ ATPase (NKA) were upregulated after FW acclimation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of b-type natriurefic peptide (BNP) and transgelin were downregulated after FW acclimation. Our data indicate that FW acclimation reduced the growth rate of ayu larvae, which might result from the expression alteration of genes related to endocrine hormones, energy metabolism, and direct osmoregulation.展开更多
Seismic data show some important characteristics, such as big volume and strong timeliness. Specific to the time series data of earthquake precursory observations, a piecewise linear representation based on the slidin...Seismic data show some important characteristics, such as big volume and strong timeliness. Specific to the time series data of earthquake precursory observations, a piecewise linear representation based on the sliding window mean value (PLR_MTSW) algorithm is proposed. With this algorithm, the mutation points can be identified accurately according to the rate Of mean value change, while the main features of time series are maintained well. This algorithm can also smooth the noise and improve the compression accuracy with sliding window. Meanwhile the local extreme points can be identified effectively according to the change of mean value trend within window.展开更多
This paper uses the cellular automaton model to study the dynamics of traffic flow around an on-ramp with an acceleration lane. It adopts a parameter, which can reflect different lane-changing behaviour, to represent ...This paper uses the cellular automaton model to study the dynamics of traffic flow around an on-ramp with an acceleration lane. It adopts a parameter, which can reflect different lane-changing behaviour, to represent the diversity of driving behaviour. The refined cellular automaton model is used to describe the lower acceleration rate of a vehicle. The phase diagram and the capacity of the on-ramp system are investigated. The simulation results show that in the single cell model, the capacity of the on-ramp system will stay at the highest flow of a one lane system when the driver is moderate and careful; it will be reduced when the driver is aggressive. In the refined cellular automaton model, the capacity is always reduced even when the driver is careful. It proposes that the capacity drop of the on-ramp system is caused by aggressive lane-changing behaviour and lower acceleration rate.展开更多
The Doppler effect can be defined as the frequency shift suffered by a wave phenomenon, when there is a difference in relative speed between the waves generated and their source. We know that it occurs in the case of ...The Doppler effect can be defined as the frequency shift suffered by a wave phenomenon, when there is a difference in relative speed between the waves generated and their source. We know that it occurs in the case of mechanical and electromagnetic waves. We propose to generalize the Doppler effect to the case of frequency changes of certain oscillatory variables in biology before and after puberty, starting from the basis that a metabolically accelerated system is equivalent to a mechanically accelerated system. We then established the following objectives: To verify if there is an average difference in heart and respiratory rates, before and after puberty. To verify the association of these frequency differences with the metabolic activity estimated as basal metabolic rate or BMR. We studied heart and respiratory rate data from healthy people of both sexes, verifying the frequency distribution before and after puberty. We also study the relationship of the frequency distribution with the evolution of the basal metabolic rate throughout life. Analysis of the results shows that the highest heart and respiratory rates occur before puberty, while the lowest rates occur after puberty. A high correlation of the evolution of the variables studied with the evolution of the metabolic acceleration of the system throughout life is also evident. Taking into account that a mechanically accelerated system is equivalent to a metabolically accelerated system, we can conclude that the frequency distribution found is the expression of a generalization of the Doppler effect in the case of biological physical systems.展开更多
Phase change energy storage technology can effectively solve the energy mismatch in space and time.There are many disadvantages of phase change materials(PCMs),such as high supercooling,phase separation and poor heat ...Phase change energy storage technology can effectively solve the energy mismatch in space and time.There are many disadvantages of phase change materials(PCMs),such as high supercooling,phase separation and poor heat transfer performance.As a new type of heat exchange structure,pulsating heat pipe has the advantages of simple structure,high heat transfer coefficient and good economic behavior.The system efficiency can be greatly improved by using pulsating heat pipe combined with cold storage technology.A set of pulsating heat pipe type cold storage device is developed,the finite time thermodynamic analysis is carried out,and the correlation between heat pipe efficiency and power is established.The three-dimensional physical model of pulsating heat pipe is simulated and verified by experiments.The experimental results show that in the cold storage stage,with the increase of the filling rate,the greater the pressure is,the better the heat transfer effect is;in the cold release stage,with the decrease of the filling rate,the smaller the pressure is,the better the heat transfer effect is.展开更多
文摘The aim of this study is to establish the prevailing conditions of changing climatic trends and change point dates in four selected meteorological stations of Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Warri in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Using daily or 24-hourly annual maximum series (AMS) data with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the modified Chowdury Indian Meteorological Department (MCIMD) models were adopted to downscale the time series data. Mann-Kendall (MK) trend and Sen’s Slope Estimator (SSE) test showed a statistically significant trend for Uyo and Benin, while Port Harcourt and Warri showed mild trends. The Sen’s Slope magnitude and variation rate were 21.6, 10.8, 6.00 and 4.4 mm/decade, respectively. The trend change-point analysis showed the initial rainfall change-point dates as 2002, 2005, 1988, and 2000 for Uyo, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Warri, respectively. These prove positive changing climatic conditions for rainfall in the study area. Erosion and flood control facilities analysis and design in the Niger Delta will require the application of Non-stationary IDF modelling.
基金Foundation items: The project was supported by the Program for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31201970) and the KC Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University
文摘Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) fish, which are an amphidromous species distributed in East Asia, live in brackish water (BW) during their larval stage and in fresh water (FW) during their adult stage. In this study, we found that FW-acclimated ayu larvae exhibited a slower growth ratio compared with that of BW-acclimated larvae. However, the mechanism underlying FW acclimation on growth suppression is poorly known. We employed transcriptome analysis to investigate the differential gene expression of FW acclimation by RNA sequencing. We identified 158 upregulated and 139 downregulated transcripts in FW-acclimated ayu larvae compared with that in BW-acclimated larvae. As determined by Gene Ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway mapping, functional annotation of the genes covered diverse biological functions and processes, and included neuroendo- crinology, osmotic regulation, energy metabolism, and the cytoskeleton. Transcriptional expression of several differentially expressed genes in response to FW acclimation was further confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. In accordance with transcriptome analysis, iodothyronine deiodinase (ID), pro-opiom- elanocortin (POMC), betaine-homocysteine S-meth- yltransferase 1 (BHMT), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase B (aldolase B), tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), and Na+-K+ ATPase (NKA) were upregulated after FW acclimation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of b-type natriurefic peptide (BNP) and transgelin were downregulated after FW acclimation. Our data indicate that FW acclimation reduced the growth rate of ayu larvae, which might result from the expression alteration of genes related to endocrine hormones, energy metabolism, and direct osmoregulation.
基金Project supported by the Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project(Grant No.J50103)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai Municipality(Grant No.08ZR1408400)
文摘Seismic data show some important characteristics, such as big volume and strong timeliness. Specific to the time series data of earthquake precursory observations, a piecewise linear representation based on the sliding window mean value (PLR_MTSW) algorithm is proposed. With this algorithm, the mutation points can be identified accurately according to the rate Of mean value change, while the main features of time series are maintained well. This algorithm can also smooth the noise and improve the compression accuracy with sliding window. Meanwhile the local extreme points can be identified effectively according to the change of mean value trend within window.
基金Project supported by the State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China (Grant No.2006CB705500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.70631001,70501004 and 70701004)+1 种基金Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No.NCET-07-0057)the Innovation Foundation of Science and Technology for Excellent Doctorial Candidate of Beijing Jiaotong University (Grant No.48025)
文摘This paper uses the cellular automaton model to study the dynamics of traffic flow around an on-ramp with an acceleration lane. It adopts a parameter, which can reflect different lane-changing behaviour, to represent the diversity of driving behaviour. The refined cellular automaton model is used to describe the lower acceleration rate of a vehicle. The phase diagram and the capacity of the on-ramp system are investigated. The simulation results show that in the single cell model, the capacity of the on-ramp system will stay at the highest flow of a one lane system when the driver is moderate and careful; it will be reduced when the driver is aggressive. In the refined cellular automaton model, the capacity is always reduced even when the driver is careful. It proposes that the capacity drop of the on-ramp system is caused by aggressive lane-changing behaviour and lower acceleration rate.
文摘The Doppler effect can be defined as the frequency shift suffered by a wave phenomenon, when there is a difference in relative speed between the waves generated and their source. We know that it occurs in the case of mechanical and electromagnetic waves. We propose to generalize the Doppler effect to the case of frequency changes of certain oscillatory variables in biology before and after puberty, starting from the basis that a metabolically accelerated system is equivalent to a mechanically accelerated system. We then established the following objectives: To verify if there is an average difference in heart and respiratory rates, before and after puberty. To verify the association of these frequency differences with the metabolic activity estimated as basal metabolic rate or BMR. We studied heart and respiratory rate data from healthy people of both sexes, verifying the frequency distribution before and after puberty. We also study the relationship of the frequency distribution with the evolution of the basal metabolic rate throughout life. Analysis of the results shows that the highest heart and respiratory rates occur before puberty, while the lowest rates occur after puberty. A high correlation of the evolution of the variables studied with the evolution of the metabolic acceleration of the system throughout life is also evident. Taking into account that a mechanically accelerated system is equivalent to a metabolically accelerated system, we can conclude that the frequency distribution found is the expression of a generalization of the Doppler effect in the case of biological physical systems.
基金China’s National Key Research and Development Plan(2018YFD0401300)Shanghai Municipal Sci-ence and Technology Project(16040501600)Doctoral Innovation Fund of Shanghai Maritime Univeristy(2017ycx081).
文摘Phase change energy storage technology can effectively solve the energy mismatch in space and time.There are many disadvantages of phase change materials(PCMs),such as high supercooling,phase separation and poor heat transfer performance.As a new type of heat exchange structure,pulsating heat pipe has the advantages of simple structure,high heat transfer coefficient and good economic behavior.The system efficiency can be greatly improved by using pulsating heat pipe combined with cold storage technology.A set of pulsating heat pipe type cold storage device is developed,the finite time thermodynamic analysis is carried out,and the correlation between heat pipe efficiency and power is established.The three-dimensional physical model of pulsating heat pipe is simulated and verified by experiments.The experimental results show that in the cold storage stage,with the increase of the filling rate,the greater the pressure is,the better the heat transfer effect is;in the cold release stage,with the decrease of the filling rate,the smaller the pressure is,the better the heat transfer effect is.