Is there a link between deep‐sea biodiversity and ecosystem function?

Studying the diversity‐ecosystem function relationship in the deep sea is of primary importance in the face of biodiversity loss and for our understanding of how the deep sea functions. Results from the first study of diversity‐ecosystem function relationships in the deep sea (Danovaro et al. 2008; Current Biology, 18, 1–8) are unexpected and show an exponential relationship between deep‐sea nematode diversity and ecosystem function and efficiency, although this relationship appears largely restricted to relatively low diversities [ES(51) <25]. Here, we investigate the relationship between nematode diversity and several independent measures/proxies of ecosystem function (sediment community oxygen consumption, bacterial biomass, bacterial extracellular enzyme activity) and efficiency (ratio of bacterial/nematode carbon to organic C content of the sediment) on the New Zealand continental slope. Nematode diversity at our study sites was relatively high [ES(51) = 30–42], and there was no relationship between species/functional diversity and ecosystem function/efficiency after accounting for the effects of water depth and food availability. Our results are consistent with a breakdown of the exponential diversity‐function relationship at high levels of diversity, which may be due to increased competition or greater functional redundancy. Future studies need to take into account as many environmental factors and as wide a range of diversities as possible to provide further insights into the diversity‐ecosystem function relationship in the largest ecosystem on Earth.     

Developing constitutive models from EPR‐based self‐learning finite element analysis

A constitutive model that captures the material behavior under a wide range of loading conditions is essential for simulating complex boundary value problems. In recent years, some attempts have been made to develop constitutive models for finite element analysis using self‐learning simulation (SelfSim). Self‐learning simulation is an inverse analysis technique that extracts material behavior from some boundary measurements (eg, load and displacement). In the heart of the self‐learning framework is a neural network which is used to train and develop a constitutive model that represents the material behavior. It is generally known that neural networks suffer from a number of drawbacks. This paper utilizes evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR) in the framework of SelfSim within an automation process which is coded in Matlab environment. EPR is a hybrid data mining technique that uses a combination of a genetic algorithm and the least square method to search for mathematical equations to represent the behavior of a system. Two strategies of material modeling have been considered in the SelfSim‐based finite element analysis. These include a total stress‐strain strategy applied to analysis of a truss structure using synthetic measurement data and an incremental stress‐strain strategy applied to simulation of triaxial tests using experimental data. The results show that effective and accurate constitutive models can be developed from the proposed EPR‐based self‐learning finite element method. The EPR‐based self‐learning FEM can provide accurate predictions to engineering problems. The main advantages of using EPR over neural network are highlighted.     

Optimum design and application of non‐traditional tuned mass damper toward seismic response control with experimental test verification

A variant type of tuned mass damper (TMD) termed as ‘non‐traditional TMD (NTTMD)’ is recently proposed. Mainly focusing on the employment of TMD for seismic response control, especially for base‐isolated or high‐rise structures, this paper aims to derive design formulae of NTTMDs based on two methodologies with different targets. One is the fixed points theory with the performance index set as the maximum magnitude of the frequency response function of the relative displacement of the primary structure with respect to the ground acceleration, and the other is the stability maximization criterion (SMC) to make the free vibration of the primary structure decay in the minimum duration. Such optimally designed NTTMDs are compared with traditional TMDs by conducting both numerical simulations and experiments. The optimum‐designed NTTMDs are demonstrated to be more effective than the optimum‐designed traditional TMDs, with smaller stroke length required. In particular, the effectiveness of the TMDs combined with a base‐isolated structure is investigated by small‐scale model experimental tests subjected to a time scaled long period impulsive excitation, and it is demonstrated that the SMC‐based NTTMD can suppress structural free vibration responses in the minimum duration and requires much smaller accommodation space. Additionally, a small‐scale shaking table experiment on a high‐rise bending model attached with a SMC‐based NTTMD is conducted. This study indicates that NTTMD has a high potential to apply to seismic response control or retrofit of structures such as base‐isolated or central column‐integrated high‐rise structures even if only a limited space is available for accommodating TMDs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paleo‐fires and Atmospheric Oxygen Levels in the Latest Permian: Evidence from Maceral Compositions of Coals in Eastern Yunnan,Southern China

Inertinite maceral compositions of the Late Permian coals from three sections in the terrestrial and paralic settings of eastern Yunnan are analyzed in order to reveal the paleo-fire events and the atmospheric oxygen levels in the latest Permian. Although the macerals in the studied sections are generally dominated by vitrinite, the inertinite group makes up a considerable proportion. Its content increases upward from the beginning of the Late Permian to the coal seam near the Permian-Triassic boundary. Based on the microscopic features and the prevailing theory that inertinite is largely a by-product of paleo-fires, we suggest that the increasing upward trend of the inertinite abundance in the latest Permian could imply that the Late Permian peatland had suffered from frequent wildfires. Since ignition and burning depend on sufficient oxygen, a model-based calculation suggests that the O2 levels near the Wuchiapingian/Changhsingian boundary and the Permian-Triassic boundary are 27% and 28% respectively. This output adds supports to other discoveries made in the temporal marine and terrestrial sediments, and challenges the theories advocating hypoxia as a mechanism for the Permian-Triassic boundary crisis.     

Study of Metal Distribution in Raw and Screened Swine Manure

The growth of industrial swine production over the last few years has led to a growth in concern over effluents generated by the activity. Several elements, mainly toxic metals, can be present in swine wastewater and can have a serious environmental impact. It is important, therefore, to know the metal concentration before the discharge of wastewater. In this work the temporal metal distribution in swine manure and its potential reduction using coarse (2 mm) and fine (<0.45 μm) liquid‐solid separation techniques were investigated. In order to do this, different swine manure sample preparation methods for Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) were tested. The acid mixtures used to digest the manure sample significantly affected the metal recovery. Good analyte recoveries were observed with nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide mixtures or nitric acid/perchloric acid mixtures. Sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide mixtures produced inconsistent results and poor recoveries, mainly for Ba and Pb. It was observed that metal concentrations in swine manure varied greatly with time, up to one order of magnitude, due to changes in swine production such as feed and animal numbers. Metals concentrations observed in the raw wastewater exceeded Brazilian limits for discharge into water bodies and recommendations for agricultural use. Results obtained from the liquid‐solid separation study showed that metals in the raw swine manure were not removed with coarse screening. However, the major fraction of metals were removed by filtration (0.45 μm), with the exception of Na, K and Sr. Thus, the use of liquid‐solid separation techniques that capture the fine solid fractions (and associated metals) from raw manure can have a favorable impact on the environment and contribute to swine production wastewater treatment.     

流感世界大流行的气候特征

流感爆发与气候的剧烈变化有关。本文揭示了拉马德雷冷位相、拉尼娜、太阳黑子极值年、厄尔尼诺、低温冷害、沙尘暴、潮汐南北震荡异常与流行性感冒世界大流行相互对应的关系及其物理机制,对气候及其相关灾害的预测有重大科学意义。规律表明,在拉马德雷冷位相时期,全球强震、低温、飓风伴随拉尼娜、全球性流感伴随厄尔尼诺将越来越强烈。面对日益增大的全球灾害,长期气候预报意义重大。     

基于多体分析的浅水FPSO和水下软钢臂系泊系统运动特性研究

基于多体动力分析方法进行FPSO和水下软钢臂系泊系统的运动特性研究。相较于非线性弹簧模拟软钢臂系泊系统或者其他近似模拟方法,多体分析方法可以充分考虑系泊系统具体结构形式及其动力项对FPSO运动性能的影响,更好的预报系统运动响应和系泊力。本文将FPSO和水下钢臂结构模拟成2个具有6自由度的独立结构,两者用系泊链组进行连接。基于三维势流理论应用汇源分布法,首先在频域内进行FPSO的水动力参数分析,进而在时域内对系统进行耦合动力分析。本文重点讨论系泊系统黏性力和二阶波浪力对系统响应的影响,计算结果发现系泊系统黏性力对系泊力有一定影响,而在浅水条件下二阶波浪力的计算对准确预报系统运动及系泊力非常重要。     

‘Development’, resistance and the geographies of affect in Oecussi: Timor‐Leste's Special Economic Zone (ZEESM)

In 2013, it was announced that Timor‐Leste's Oecussi enclave would become the site of a special economic zone. Arid, and inhabited mostly by semi‐subsistence farmers from West Timor's Meto ethno‐linguistic group, the plan entails remaking the enclave as an industrial, transport and tourism hub. To facilitate this, in mid‐2015 the authorities began the process of clearing hundreds of indigenous gardens and homes from land slated for mega‐projects intended to make the region attractive to foreign investors. In this paper, I describe how, for many Meto, land tends to be experienced as a spiritually mediated ‘geography of affect’ (Lea & Woodward, 2010) in which questions of place, belonging, spirituality and personal fortune cannot easily be divided, a reality that raises questions about the suitability of the plan's vision of globalized and investment driven ‘development’. Drawing on Scott, I argue that in Oecussi, spirits associated with the land are not apolitical, but are sometimes perceived as acting to protect locals against powerful outsiders – a characteristically Meto ‘weapon of the weak’ that is in keeping with their previous encounters with colonial regimes.     

山东济宁高硫煤与低硫煤煤层剖面地球化学特征研究

运用电感耦合等离子质谱（ICP-MS）、X射线荧光光谱（XRF）、离子选择电极（ISE）、显微镜光度计和煤化学等方法,对山东济宁矿区的高硫煤（太原组16号煤层）与低硫煤（山西组3上煤层）剖面的煤岩、煤质和煤地球化学特征进行研究。高硫煤中微量元素在垂向上呈现显著的变化规律：（1）Sr含量从煤层底板到顶板呈增高趋势,而Ba含量则相反;因而Sr/Ba比值从下向上呈逐渐变大趋势（0.04～47.7）;（2）Th/U比值从下向上也呈逐渐变大趋势（0.2～37.1）;（3）As含量在煤层顶板石灰岩（26.1μg/g）、透镜状黄铁矿夹层（14.7～19.3μg/g）中较高;（4）V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn等元素在煤层底部和顶部分层中含量较高,而在煤层中部分层中含量较低;（5）Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、Ga等元素从煤层的底部到顶部呈逐渐降低趋势;（6）煤中稀土元素总量（REE）,除透镜状黄铁矿夹层（第2、4、11分层）外,其它分层（第1、3、5、6、7、8、9、10分层）显示从上往下逐渐增高之规律性。低硫煤中微量元素的分布和垂向变化与高硫煤明显不同：As含量在14个煤分层中都较低（1.03～3.37μg/g）,Sr/Ba比值从下向上变化不大（0.4～2.2）,各个煤分层中稀土元素总量（REE）呈现随灰份含量增高而增高的变化趋势,低硫煤与高硫煤的稀土元素分布模式差别很大。上述研究结果表明济宁矿区高硫煤与低硫煤在地球化学特征上的差别,反映了上石炭统太原组与下二叠统山西组沉积环境和聚煤条件的差别,具有指相意义;太原组16号煤层中富集的硫及有害微量元素,对环境具有潜在危害。     

低空无人飞艇航测相机稳定平台控制方法

针对低空无人飞艇航空遥感系统平台姿态稳定问题,以及现有稳定平台用于无人飞艇航测系统存在的困难,提出了基于轻小型低精度GNSS/IMU系统和PID算法的三轴稳定平台控制方法。该系统结合双GPS轻小型组合GNSS/IMU系统,采用分离相机和GNSS/IMU系统控制方式,采用PID控制方法,利用STM32控制芯片电路实现稳定平台的控制,解决无人飞艇航测系统相机姿态稳定问题。最后通过飞行试验验证了该系统的稳定性。试验结果表明,该方法能够满足相机系统的俯仰和翻滚角度及航偏角度控制的要求,能够有效隔离无人飞艇姿态的不稳定对成像系统的影响,对于提高无人飞艇航测系统成图精度有重要意义。