General Nexus Between Water and Electricity Use and Its Implication for Urban Agricultural Sustainability:A Case Study of Shenzhen, South China

Although water and energy resources are well-recognized concerns regarding economic and social development sustainability, little specific research has focused on both water and energy problems at the same time. This study analyzed the water and electricity-use patterns in Shenzhen, South China during 2001-2009. A curve regression method was used to examine the relationship between water and electricity use per gross domestic product （GDP） in Shenzhen and its three sectors, i.e., agriculture, industry ＆ construction, and residential life ＆ services. Results showed that agriculture only covered less than 10% of water and electricity use in Shenzhen, while industry ＆ construction and residential life ＆ services accounted for more than 90% of water and electricity use in Shenzhen, which coincided with the city＇s industrial structure. The water and electricity use per GDP in agriculture was the biggest among three sectors in Shenzhen during 2001-2009, which means inefficiency of water and electricity use in agriculture. Due to transitioning to advanced materials and manufacturing, both water and electricity use per GDP their utilization efficiencies gradually increased over time. in industry ＆ construction decreased during 2001-2009 and The same held true for those in residential life ＆ services transformed toward modern business, creative culture, finance services, etc. Derived from the survival of the fittest in competing for limited water and electricity resources, agriculture in Shenzhen has been gradually substituted by industry ＆ construction and residential life ＆ services, with much higher efficiencies of water and electricity use. And traditional agriculture will not be sustainable in the process of urbanization and industrialization, except high-tech intensive agriculture with low water and energy cost. Furthermore, by means of curve regression, we found that there was a significant quadratic relationship between water use per GDP and electricity use per GDP in the entire city and its three sectors. Suitable industrial transformation and advancement was a very effective way to save water and energy for modern cities. This can provide some reference for systematic planning and design of water and electricity allocation and use in agriculture, industry ＆ construction and residential life ＆ services in a city.

Mobile Based Electricity Bill Deposit System through UML

The present paper deals with a model design through Unified Modeling Language (UML) for a mobile based elec-tricity bill deposit system. Due to complex life style of people this model is proposed in the form of UML Class, Sequence and Use Case diagrams. For implementation of proposed model, a real case study of Uttar Pradesh Electricity Bill deposit System is considered. By the use of this model, one can display the status of deposited electricity bill on a hand held mobile device system.

High-Quality and Strain-Relaxation GaN Epilayer Grown on SiC Substrates Using AIN Buffer and AlGaN Interlayer

We study the effect of the AlGaN interlayer on structural quality and strain engineering of the GaN films grown on SiC substrates with an AlN buffer layer, hnproved structural quality and tensile stress releasing are realized in unintentionally doped GaN thin films grown on 6H-SiC substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Using the optimized AlGaN interlayer, we find that the full width at half maximum of x-ray diffraction peaks for GaN decreases dramatically, indicating an improved crystalline quality. Meanwhile, it is revealed that the biaxial tensile stress in the GaN film is significantly reduced from the Raman results. Photoluminescence spectra exhibit a shift of the peak position of the near-band-edge emission, as well as the integrated intensity ratio variation of the near-band-edge emission to the yellow luminescence band. Thus by optimizing the AlGaN interlayer, we could acquire the high-quality and strain-relaxation GaN epilayer with large thickness on SiC substrates.

The use of permanent magnet motor for Tesla electric vehicle stimulates the demand for rare earth Nd

On March 13th,Reuters reported that the long run version of Tesla Model 3 will use permanent magnet motors.One of the materials for this type of motor is rare earth metal neodymium,which will further increase the supply pressure of neodymium.Governments around the world are committed to reducing the harmful emissions produced by fossil fuel cars,pushing up demand for electric vehicles

Efficiency of Model Induction Motor Using Various Non-Oriented Electrical Steels

The performance of a 3-phase 6-pole 400 W inverter-drive induction motor was investigated using a variety of non-oriented electrical steels for stator core at PWM inverter fundamental wave frequencies of 30 to 300 Hz. There existed an optimum Si content of the material depending on the tooth flux density. Both reduction of material thickness and stress-relief annealing of the stator core improved the motor efficiency. The influence of Si content on the efficiency was small at lower PWM frequencies, while at higher frequencies the motor efficiency increased with increasing Si content. The Cu loss WC increased and the Fe loss Wi counteractiveiy decreasedwith increasing Si content at lower frequencies; while at higher frequencies Wi had dominant effect on the efficiency. Newly developed materials RMA, having lower Fe losses after stress-relief annealing and higher flux densities with lower Si contents, showed motor efficiencies superior to conventional J1S grade materials with comparable Fe losses.

Electron-Cyclotron Laser Using Free-Electron Two-Quantum Stark Radiation in a Strong Uniform Axial Magnetic Field and an Alternating Axial Electric Field in a Voltage-Supplied Pill-Box Cavity

We consider the radiation from the beam electrons traveling in a strong uniform axial magnetic field and an axial alternating electric field of wavelength Aw generated by a voltage-supplied pill-box cavity. The beam electrons emit genuine laser radiation that propagates only in the axial direction through free-electron two- quantum Stark radiation. We find that laser radiation takes place only at the expense of the axial kinetic energy when Aw 〈〈 c/（ωc/γ）, where ωc/γ is the relativistic electron--cyclotron frequency. We formulate the laser power based on quantum-wiggler electrodynamics, and envision a laser of length lore with estimated power 0.1 GW/（kA） in the 10-4 cm wavelength range.

Evaluation, simulation, and optimization of land use spatial patterns for high-quality development: A case study of Zhengzhou city, China

High-intensity land use and resource overloaded-induced regional land use spatial pattern(LUSP)are essential and challenging for high-quality development.The empirical studies have shown that a scientific land uses spatial layout,and the supporting system should be based on a historical perspective and require better considering the double influence between the current characteristics and future dynamics.This study proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates the resource environment carrying capacity(RECC)and land use change(LUC)to investigate strategies for optimizing the spatial pattern of land use for high-quality development.China’s Zhengzhou city was the subject of a case study whose datasets include remote sensing,spatial monitoring,statistics,and open sources.Three significant results emerged from the analysis:(1)The RECC has significant spatial differentiation but does not follow a specific spatial law,and regions with relatively perfect ecosystems may not necessarily have better RECC.(2)From 2020 to 2030,the construction land and farmland will fluctuate wildly,with the former increasing by 346.21 km^(2) and the latter decreasing by 295.98 km^(2).(3)The study area is divided into five zones,including resource conservation,ecological carrying,living core,suitable construction,and grain supply zones,and each one has its LUSP optimization orientation.This uneven distribution of RECC reflects functional defects in the development and utilization of LUSP.In addition,the increase in construction land and the sharp decline of farmland pose potential threats to the sustainable development of the study area.Hence,these two elements cannot be ignored in the future high-quality development process.The findings indicate that the LUSP optimization based on dual dimensions of RECC and LUC is more realistic than a single-dimension solution,exhibiting the LUSP optimization’s effectiveness and applicability.

Evaluation and Prediction of Groundwater Quality in the Municipality of Za-Kpota (South Benin) Using Machine Learning and Remote Sensing

Accessing drinking water is a global issue. This study aims to contribute to the assessment of groundwater quality in the municipality of Za-Kpota (southern Benin) using remote sensing and Machine Learning. The methodological approach used consisted in linking groundwater physico-chemical parameter data collected in the field and in the laboratory using AFNOR 1994 standardized methods to satellite data (Landsat) in order to sketch out a groundwater quality prediction model. The data was processed using QGis (Semi-Automatic Plugin: SCP) and Python (Jupyter Netebook: Prediction) softwares. The results of water analysis from the sampled wells and boreholes indicated that most of the water is acidic (pH varying between 5.59 and 7.83). The water was moderately mineralized, with conductivity values of less than 1500 μs/cm overall (59 µS/cm to 1344 µS/cm), with high concentrations of nitrates and phosphates in places. The dynamics of groundwater quality in the municipality of Za-Kpota between 2008 and 2022 are also marked by a regression in land use units (a regression in vegetation and marshland formation in favor of built-up areas, bare soil, crops and fallow land) revealed by the diachronic analysis of satellite images from 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2022. Surveys of local residents revealed the use of herbicides and pesticides in agricultural fields, which are the main drivers contributing to the groundwater quality deterioration observed in the study area. Field surveys revealed the use of herbicides and pesticides in agricultural fields, which are factors contributing to the deterioration in groundwater quality observed in the study area. The results of the groundwater quality prediction models (ANN, RF and LR) developed led to the conclusion that the model based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN: R2 = 0.97 and RMSE = 0) is the best for groundwater quality changes modelling in the Za-Kpota municipality.

Effects of irrigation regimes on soil NO_(3)^(-)-N, electrical conductivity and crop yield in plastic greenhouse

Developing water-saving irrigation regimes has important practical significance not only in alleviating the crucial water shortage,but also in controlling soil salinization for the protected cultivation in eastern China.A field study with six treatments was conducted to evaluate the effects of different irrigation regimes with subdrainage systems on the soil nitrate nitrogen,salinity and moisture,also evaluate the effects on tomato growth,fruit yield and irrigation water use efficiency(IWUE).The treatments were distinguished by three different irrigation amounts of 310 mm,360 mm and 410 mm,and two irrigation frequencies of 7 and 11 times.Results showed that the irrigation amount had significant effects on the soil NO_(3)^(-)-N and electric conductivity(EC).A positive correlation was detected between soil NO_(3)^(-)-N(x)and EC(y)at 0-20 m depth after harvest,with a linear equation of y=0.063x-0.670.Soil volumetric moisture at 0.10 m and 0.20 m depth was increased as the irrigation amount increased.Moreover,a higher amount of irrigation increased the fruit yield but reduced the IWUE of tomato.It was also found that smaller irrigation amounts combined with frequent intervals could increase fruit yield and IWUE.However,the fruit quality of tomato had a significant(p<0.05)negative correlation with irrigation amount.Therefore,the parameters of irrigation regime including the irrigation amount and intervals should be considered comprehensively in order to find a compromise between salinity control and irrigation water use efficiency improvement.

Contrasting Behaviours of AC and DC Excited Plasmas in Contact with Liquid

A comparative study of the needle-to-liquid plasma in the continuous mode with DC and AC excitations is detailed in this paper. All plasmas studied here are shown to be glow discharges. This study is based on measurements of several key parameters, including electrical energy, optical emission intensities of active species, rotational and vibrational temperatures, and temperatures of the needle and liquid electrodes. AC plasmas can produce 1.2～5 times higher excited state active species than DC plasmas under the same dissipated power. AC excited liquid plasmas have the highest energy utilization efficiency among the three systems （AC excited plasmas, DC excited plasmas with water anode and DC excited plasmas with water cathode）; most of the energy is used to produce useful species rather than to heat the electrodes and plasmas.

Automated Autonomous Vehicles: Prospects and Impacts on Society

All automobile manufacturing companies, Google and Microsoft have announced recently their production of the Fully Automated Autonomous Vehicles (FAAVs), otherwise known as driverless cars. A few FAAVs would be available in the market as early as in 2018, but mostly in 2020’s. When FAAVs will be available to and become affordable by the average consumers, the implications to the society would be far reaching. The purpose of the paper is to examine the prospect of the popularity of FAAVs and their socio-economic implications to the future society of the World. The paper examines potential impacts on selected sectors of the society including changes in demand for automobiles, its impact on the use of oil, on the environment, and on urban land uses, to list a few.

High Precision CAE Analysis of Automotive Transaxle Oil Seal Leakage

The manufacturing industry today due to worldwide competition is focused on shorter development cycle. In this situation, computer aided education （CAE） technology as a tool for simultaneous achievement of quality, cost and delivery （QCD） plays an important role. The hardware-software environment surrounding CAE has evolved. Though technological problems have been understood and general solutions have been derived and reflected in the CAE analysis software, research findings that boost the credibility of CAE have still not been incorporated fully enough into the development of design process. The real technical mechanism issue is not precisely capture. Therefore, it is important to clarify the real cause in CAE results through CAE simulation in order to assure product reliability and assurance. It is the aim of this study to realize the prediction of design analysis process through understanding of unclear technical mechanism in abnormal occurrences with the utilization of CAE simulation. In other words, it is the aim of this study to focus on issue in automotive transaxle oil seal leakage to understand, grasp, and visualize the main cause through usage of CAE analysis process. It is understood that the point of contact and pump volume was related and this could contribute towards seals quality design. Plus, the utilization of CAE analysis in prediction phase to realized design development is also possible

Energy Consumption in the Municipal Water Supply Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Water-energy nexus is an emerging issue that receives considerable attention in the world in general and in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in particular. The GCC countries depend mainly on energy generated from fossil fuels to produce drinking water. Yet, the amount of water-related energy use in Bahrain remains unexplored. This study aims to quantify the amount of energy used in the water supply cycle for the first time in Bahrain using quantitative methods. A bottom-up approach for data collection was adopted where data for the three main stages of the water supply in Bahrain: water production, water transmission, and water distribution were collected. Results show that the water production stage consumes about 97% of the total energy consumption in the water supply sector, followed by water transmission (2.9%) and water distribution (0.1%). Comparisons conducted with best practices in the world show that water desalination plants in Bahrain consume relatively high amounts of energy to produce water based on the desalination technology used. This study calls for focusing on the production stage in achieving energy efficiency since it is the largest consumer and where losses are occurring based on the benchmarking. This study also recommends investigating the share of electricity and thermal energy consumed in the water supply cycle in Bahrain in addition to the wastewater treatment sector. This is imperative to provide a holistic overview of the water-related energy use in Bahrain.

New Process of Cold Fusion

The author＇s Process of Cold Fusion firstly was announced at the International Conference on Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems in 2007, after that it was presented at the International Conference on Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems in 2009. The product has already been applied since June, 2007. It was developed as a large Module of 300 cm x 40 cm, producing energy at 600 megawatts per hour, with unique waste of about 300 cubic meters of pure drinkable instant water a day. There is also a Portable Module, producing about 1 megawatt per hour, having in waste about 1 cubic meter of pure drinkable instant water a day. The important details： （1） we have the ability to stop the Module at any time; （2） the civil applications of this process is mentioned at the articles, published on the website of the European Scientific Parliament in the year of 2010; （3） the diverse modules became the object of special protocols, signed with a number of countries all over the world.

Effects of LED light quality on the growth of pepper seedling in plant factory

The extensive environment,especially low temperature and weak lighting in winter and spring,which limits the growth of pepper(Capicum annuum L.)seedlings,the use of plant factory with artificial lighting technology can effectively control the lighting environment to produce high-quality seedlings.In this study,white LED lamps with R:B ratio of 0.7(L0.7)and 1.5(L1.5)and red-blue LED lamps with R:B ratio of 3.5(L3.5)were used to cultivate seedlings of“CAU-24”pepper in the light intensity of 250μmol/m^(2)·s and photoperiod of 12 h/d,white fluorescent lamps with R:B ratio of 1.7(F1.7)was used as control.The results showed that plant height,stem diameter,hypocotyl length,biomass accumulation,light energy use efficiency(LUE)and electric energy use efficiency(EUE)of pepper seedling under L1.5 were the highest.After 36 days of sowing,the dry weight of shoot reached 302.8±45.2 mg/plant.Leaf area reached maximum value of 153.5±22.0 cm^(2) under L0.7.The contents of chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll of pepper seedling leaves under all kinds of LED light were greater than F1.7,but there was no significant difference in net photosynthetic rate.The total dry weight with lamp electric power consumption of L1.5 were 3.0 g/(kW·h)which was 1.5,2,and 3 times greater than that of L3.5,L0.7,and F1.7,respectively.Therefore,compared with fluorescent lamp and other LED lamps,the white LED light quality with R:B ratio of 1.5 is suitable for pepper seedling production in plant factory because of the high LED lighting efficiency,greater LUE and EUE.

Global convergence in correlations among soil properties

The correlations among major soil properties at a global scale are essential for explaining the global convergence of ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems but have never been assessed.In this study,a global soil database was analyzed to determine whether correlations among soil properties were consistent and how such correlations varied among continents and land use types.Across the entire dataset,the electrical conductivity of soils increased significantly with increasing pH;additionally,the total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity increased significantly with increasing organic carbon content,while the organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity decreased significantly with increasing sand content in soil.The correlations between paired soil properties were consistent among continents and land use types.The slopes of the relationships,however,varied significantly by continent and land use type.The results indicated a global convergence of correlations among soil properties and variation in the slopes of specific relationships between paired soil properties among continents and land use types.Such consistent global correlations and different slopes of specific correlations can have important implications in explaining the global patterns of biogeochemical processes and can provide some basis for linking soil resources with ecological processes on a global scale.