Earthquake response of a multiblock nuclear reactor graphite core: Experimental model vs simulations

The complex dynamics of a quarter‐scale model of a graphite nuclear reactor core, representative of the second generation of British advanced gas‐cooled nuclear reactors, is investigated numerically and experimentally. Advanced gas‐cooled nuclear reactor cores are polygonal, multilayer, arrays of graphite bricks, with each brick allowed to rock by design relative to each other in accordance with the boundary conditions. A 35 000 DOF, nonlinear finite element model of the core created by Atkins Nuclear, was analysed on a high performance computing facility at the University of Bristol, and a corresponding 8 t physical model, equipped with 3200 data acquisition channels, was built and tested on the University of Bristol 6‐DOF shaking table. In this paper, the two models are subjected to a series of (1) synthetic earthquake and (2) idealised harmonic input motions. The experimental data are used to compare and verify the two models and explore the dynamics of the core. A kinematic model of the response is also developed based solely on geometric constraints. The results are presented in the form of response maps and graphs. Important conclusions are drawn as to the dynamics and earthquake response of such systems, which inform numerical model validation. It is found that contrary to the case of a small number of rocking blocks that exhibit highly complex response patterns, the behaviour of the model at hand is both smooth and repeatable. An analogy between the response of the core and that of dense granular matter exhibiting particle interlocking and dilatancy is highlighted.     

An operational forecasting system for physical processes in the Santos-Sao Vicente-Bertioga Estuarine System,Southeast Brazil

Ocean Dynamics - We describe the design, implementation, and performance of a fully automated Santos Operational Forecasting System (SOFS), built to monitor and predict short-term (< 3 days)...     

美国荒野风景河流的空间分布特征及其对中国的启示

美国荒野风景河流体系是全球最早建立的河流保护地类型。经过50年发展,其完善的体系呈现出一定空间分布特征。将线状国家荒野风景河流（NWSR）抽象为点状单元,对208个NWSR单元进行空间计算,并与自然生态和社会经济等因素进行叠加分析。结果表明,美国已有40个州分布NWSR,其中以俄勒冈等3个州的数量分布最多,且集中分布于特定的区域：西部的太平洋海岸、落基山脉和山间高地3个自然地理区;极地、温湿润、干旱3个Ⅰ级生态区;太平洋西北部、加利福尼亚、阿拉斯加及五大湖4个流域。NWSR线密度与州域的人口密度、经济水平相关性不强,但与大坝建设密切相关。荒野思想影响了法案制定,法案指导了遴选标准,遴选标准又进一步影响了NWSR的空间分布。研究对中国的借鉴意义在于：应当明确保护地指导思想、关注价值突出区域、确定合适遴选标准、重视保护地系统规划等。     

Choice chamber experiments to test the attraction of postflexion Rhabdosargus holubi larvae to water of estuarine and riverine origin

Although the recruitment of larvae and juveniles of marine fishes into estuaries has been well documented, little is known about the factors governing the immigration of estuary-associated marine fishes into estuaries. Fishes have a well-developed sense of smell and it has been suggested by several workers that olfactory cues of freshwater or estuarine origin serve as stimuli, attracting larvae and juveniles of estuary-associated species into estuaries. Attraction of postflexion Rhabdosargus holubi larvae to estuary and river water from the Kowie estuarine system, South Africa, was measured using a rectangular choice chamber. In experiments, conducted during peak recruitment periods, larvae selected estuary and river water with a significantly higher frequency than sea water. This study, the first to assess the possible role of olfaction in the recruitment process of an estuary-associated marine fish species, demonstrates that larvae are able to recognise water from different origins, probably based on odour.     

Distributions and seasonal variability of dissolved organic nitrogen in two estuaries in SW England

Nitrogen loadings to coastal waters have increased over the last century, resulting in deterioration in water quality. In this study we investigated the distributions and seasonality of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and its relationship to total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), for two anthropogenically influenced estuarine systems in southwest England. Concentrations of DON in both estuaries were generally < 80 μM. DON showed non-conservative distributions, resulting from external and internal inputs and in situ reactivity. DON contributed 38 ± 22% (range 4–79%, Yealm) and 36 ± 17% (range 4–84%, Plym) to the TDN pool, with lower values generally observed in the fresher samples relative to the more saline samples. DON was a larger fraction of the TDN pool during the summer and autumn relative to winter and spring, indicating the influence of bacterioplankton release on nitrogen cycling in the estuaries. Ammonification and nitrification were observed in the estuaries, processes which were reproduced in incubation experiments using bioreactors. The bioreactor experiments showed that 12% h^− 1 of the DON flux from the River Plym may be available to bacteria, indicating significant removal of DON during the residence time of the water in the estuary (a few days). The bioavailable nature of the DON means that this N fraction significantly adds to the eutrophication burden of the receiving coastal waters, and therefore cannot be ignored in environmental assessments.     

Hindered settling velocity of cohesive/non-cohesive sediment mixtures

New methods are proposed for predicting the hindered settling conditions encountered by concentrated suspensions containing mixtures of sand particles and mud flocs. These methods, based on two-fraction formulations, are developed by consideration of the settling characteristics of monodisperse and polydisperse solid particle suspensions applied to cohesive/non-cohesive mixtures of mud flocs and sand particles. The behaviour of these predictive methods is evaluated over a wide range of mixture conditions and compared with existing formulations, with their parametric dependence on the relative volumetric concentrations and floc/particle sizes for the mud and sand constituents established. The results indicate that consideration of the full return flow effects generated by both fractions provides the best modelling framework for predicting the hindered settling conditions over a wide range of sand–mud mixtures.     

Three-dimensional modeling of tidal circulation and mixing over the Java Sea

A combination of a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model and in-situ measurements provides the structures of barotropic tides, tidal circulation and their relationship with turbulent mixing in the Java Sea, which allow us to understand the impact of the tides on material distribution. The model retains high horizontal and vertical resolutions and is forced by the boundary conditions taken from a global model. The measurements are composed of the sea level at coastal stations and currents at moorings embedded in Seawatch buoys, in addition to hydrographic data. The simulated tidal elevations are in good agreement with the data for the K₁ and M₂ constituents. The K₁ tide clearly shows the lowest mode resonance in the Java Sea with intensification around the nodal point in the central region. The M₂ tide is secondary and propagates westward from the eastern open boundary, along with a counterclockwise amphidromic point in the western part. The K₁ tide produces a major component of tidal energy, which flows westward and dissipates through the node region near the Karimata Strait. Meanwhile, the M₂ tide dissipates in the entire Java Sea. However, the residual currents are mainly induced by the M₂ tide, which flows westward following the M₂ tidal wave propagation. The tidal mixing is mainly caused by K₁ tide which peaks at the central region and is consistent with the uniform temperature and salinity along the vertical dimension. This mixing is expected to play an important role in the vertical exchange of nutrients and control of biological productivity.     

Tolerance of ciliated protozoan Paramecium bursaria (Protozoa, Ciliophora) to ammonia and nitrites

1 INTRODUCTION Ammonia and nitrites are common pollutants in waters used for intensive aquiculture, and are harmful to cultured animals and their larvae when present in sufficiently high concentrations (Zhou, 1991). Ammonia in water is usually derived from animal excretion and catabolism of organic materi- als. It occurs in un-ionized and ionized forms. Un-ionized ammonia can pass through cell mem- brane and is harmful to the cells due to its fat-soluble feature (Chen, 2000; Chin, 2001).…     

IV. Water resource modelling using remote sensing and object-oriented simulation

Remote sensing technology has matured significantly over the past decade. Operational satellites provide reliable, periodic coverage for all areas of the Earth. Data from these satellites are in a digital format that provides enhanced flexibility in hydrological modelling. Considerable advances in acquiring hydrological data from airborne and in situ sensors have also been achieved. Additionally, data from non-traditional remote sources such as weather radar from which spatial and temporal rainfall rates may be estimated are widely available. These new data acquisition capabilities have been paralleled by equal advancements in digital array processing and geographic information systems, which allow the effective extraction of both temporal and spatial information. This paper examines the use of object-oriented programming techniques to create dynamic hydrological models, and explores their potential to receive real and near real-time data from remote sensors as input to improve hydrological forecasting. In particular, the COE SSARR model is used to illustrate how an established hydrological model may be adapted to create a dynamic object model.