畜禽废弃物集运车自动监控回报地理信息系统之开发

本研究能藉由装置于畜禽废弃物集运车之重量感测系统（Weighing System，WS）及全球卫星定位系统（Global Positioning System，GPS），经由全球行动无线通讯系统（Global System for Mobile Communication，GSM）全天候将集运车上畜禽废弃物载重变化及其位置，实时传回监控中心之地理信息系统（Geographic Information System，Gis）与数据库服务器中，再利用网络地图服务器经因特网（Intemet）随时提供客户端上网浏览查询与监控集运车可能不当流用之行为。本系统着重以重量变化信息作为监控端参考的重要依据，再配合车辆定位信息以核对畜禽废弃物卸载地点与重量而掌控不当流用之明确证据。另考虑集运车司机可能利用下班时间进行违法行为，监控人员无法全天侯监控，本研究系统增加集运车于非上班时间发生异常状况时，以简讯（Short Message）及电子邮件（E-mail）型式传送至预设监控者手机或远程计算机内或在提供监控者于下班时间直接透过因特网浏览器监控之功能，以及藉由远程操控软件（Symantec PC Anywhere）透过远程计算机进入监控中心做不定时的查询监视。另外，本系统透过手持式输入设备，将清运司机所输入毙死畜禽数量信息传送到GSM／GPRS（General Packet Radio Service）模块，并发送回监控端，其监控人员可透过因特网浏览接口，了解集运车辆实时清运数量、重量与路线位置之关系，以确实达到集运车辆控管之目的。     

Does heavy oil pollution induce bacterial diseases in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus?

As basic research for the effect of heavy oil on the fish immune system, in this study, the number of leukocyte was counted in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, after exposure to heavy oil at a concentration of 30 g/8L for 3 days. To compare the numbers of bacteria in the skin mucus between oil-exposed and control fish, viable bacteria were enumerated by counting colony forming unit (CFU). Compared with 5.79+/-1.88 x 10(7)leukocytes/mL in the controls, the exposed fish demonstrated higher counts, averaging 1.45+/-0.45 x 10(8)cells/mL. The bacterial numbers of control fish were 4.27+/-3.68 x 10(4)CFU/g, whereas they were 4.58+/-1.63 x 10(5)CFU/g in the exposed fish. The results suggest that immune suppression of the fish occurred due to heavy oil stressor, and bacteria could invade in the mucus, resulting in the increasing leukocyte number to prevent infectious disease.     

Estimation of mean water transit time on a steep hillslope in South Korea using soil moisture measurements and deuterium excess

A method for estimating daily mean transit time (DMTT) within a soil layer was proposed using field measurements of soil moisture. Vertical profiles of soil moisture time series were used for storage estimation. Water fluxes were evaluated through matrix and bypass flow. Variations in soil moisture and soil thickness were used to evaluate matrix flow. Exponential decay in depth of macropores was also used for bypass flow approximation. DMTT evaluation was compared to results obtained from a stable water isotope model using two years of data acquired on a steep granite hillslope in the Sulmachun watershed, South Korea. Various uncertainties in transit time evaluation such as model structure, non‐stationary assumption and data acquisition of existing approaches can be accounted for in the proposed methodology, and the flowpath contribution can be further configured in conjunction with hydrometric measurements. Probability density functions of isotope analyses were partially explained by transit time distributions that were based on soil moisture measurements. Supplementary sensitivity analyses for uncertainty configurations indicate that matrix flow is the primary process in determining transit time distribution while the impact of bypass flow is minor. The feasibility of a DMTT approach over isotope‐based methodologies highlights not only the strength of this proposed method, both in cost and time, but also its further application potential for existing soil moisture measurements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zur Charakterisierung von Aktivkohlen durch die Zersetzung von Wasserstoffperoxid

In search for a suitable and fast analytical method for assessing kinds of activated carbon for water purification there were carried out investigations with hydrogen peroxide. According to their catalytic activity, the various kinds of activated carbon are capable of decomposing hydrogen peroxide to different degrees and at different rates. The released oxygen can be determined volumetrically. The results of investigation obtained on always fresh carbon samples with acid and basic groups were discussed on the basis of the velocity constants of the oxygen development. An assessment of quality would be possible, in principle, but the surface characteristic of the kinds of carbon is considerably superimposed by influences of morphology, so that applying this method is advised against.     

Analytical and experimental studies on midstory isolated buildings with modal coupling effect

In a midstory isolated building, the isolation system is incorporated into the midstory rather than the base of the building. Because of the flexibility of the substructure below the isolation system in a midstory isolated building, the contribution of higher modes to the seismic responses of the midstory isolated structure may not be negligible, especially when the coupling of higher modes exists. To investigate this modal coupling effect, a simplified three‐lumped‐mass structural model of the midstory isolated building is assumed in this study. Through the equivalent linear analysis and shaking table tests, it is found that the coupling of higher modes may lead to enlarged acceleration responses at the super‐floor and superstructure above the isolation layer. Accordingly, a simple method to prevent the midstory isolation design from the coupling of higher modes attributed to the improper design of the substructure and superstructure is proposed in this paper. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of salinity on acute copper and zinc toxicity to Tigriopus japonicus: The difference between metal ions and nanoparticles

We investigated the effects of salinity (5‰, 15‰, 25‰ and 35‰) on metal ion (Cu and Zn) and nanoparticle (NP) CuO and ZnO toxicity to Tigriopus japonicus. Increasing the test media volume without renewal increased the 96-h LC₅₀ for Cu (32.75 mg L⁻¹) compared to the reported value (3.9 mg L⁻¹). There was no significant difference in acute toxicity at different salinities between acclimated and unacclimated T. japonicus (p > 0.05). Increasing salinity decreased the dissolved concentrations of Cu and Zn ions due to the precipitation of the metal ions, consequently reducing the acute toxicity to T. japonicus. The effect of salinity on acute CuO and ZnO NP toxicity was similar to that on metal ion toxicity. Since the aggregation of NPs generally enhanced at higher salinities, both the dissolution and aggregation of CuO and ZnO NPs may control the effect of salinity on acute toxicity to T. japonicus.     

The rare earth element compositions of the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow) river sediments

Thirty-four samples from the Changjiang and Huanghe were analyzed to characterize their rare earth element (REE) compositions. Although REE concentrations in the Changjiang sediments are higher than those of the Huanghe sediments, the former are less variable. Bulk samples and acid-leachable fractions have convex REE patterns and middle REE enrichments relative to upper continental crust, whereas flat patterns are present in the residual fractions. Source rock composition is the primary control on REE composition, and weathering processes play a minor role. Grain size exerts some influence on REE composition, as demonstrated by the higher REE contents of clay minerals in sediments from both rivers. Heavy minerals contribute about 10-20% of the total REE in the sediments. Apatite is rare in the river sediments, and contributes less than 2% of the REE content, but other heavy minerals such as sphene, allanite and zircon are important reservoirs of residual REE fractions. The Fe-Mn oxides phase accounts for about 14% of bulk REE content in the Changjiang sediments, which could be one of the more important factors controlling REE fractionation in the leachable fraction.