Surface Reconstruction and Modification of Port-Combustion Chamber Structure for a Gasoline Engine

Geometry of port-combustion chamber has an important effect on the performance of gasoline engines. Methods and approaches in reverse engineering are introduced into surface reconstruction and modification of a port-combustion chamber structure. Free-form surfaces of the port-combustion chamber structure for a gasoline engine with 4-valves and dual-ball type combustion chamber are successfully reconstructed in the reverse way through data processing, surface modeling, surface verifying, surface re-modeling and smooth evaluating etc., based on laser-scanned point cloud data of a sample work piece. It lays a foundation for imitation innovation of gasoline engine by changing the local structural characteristics and dimensions of a prototype model.     

Influence of Heat Stress on Growth and Leaf Epicuticular Structure of Cabbages

These studies demonstrate that epicuticular wax may effect the water balance of cabbage under high temperature conditions. In ten week old leaves we did not observe that the cristalline structured wax of the variety Kinsyun was reduced as in three week old leaves compared to Sousyu at high day and night temperatures. Neither the wax structure nor the amount of surface wax of eight varieties could be correlated with their ability to build a head. That head formation of the heat tolerant Sousyu stopped at 27/29°C (day/night) suddenly after starting between leaf stage 11 and 15 could not be explained with differences in the optimum of the photosynthesis or water stress.
Growth parameters such as leaf number, length, area and dry weight of additional varieties, Akiou and Braunschweiger, first recommended for summer growing in warm areas and later in a temperate climate, were determined after three month exposure to mean temperature regimes of 27/29, 27/24 and 24/24°C in growth cabins.     

Weed occurrence on pavements in five North European towns

Weeds on pavements in urban areas are unwanted mainly because they cause an untidy appearance or sometimes structural damage. Glyphosate has been the principal weed control method for years, but policies in several European towns have changed to lower dependence on herbicides. Instead, less effective and more species-dependent non-chemical methods are used, but little is known about the pavement flora. Consequently, we surveyed the flora on pavements in five North European towns [Braunschweig (DE), Malmö (SE), Næstved (DK), Royal Leamington Spa (UK) and Wageningen (NL)] by recording weed species and their coverage in 56 recording points randomly placed in each town. Weeds were recorded at several dates in 2005 and 2006 and no weed control was applied apart from sweeping. Weed coverage increased during the survey (averaging 1.4% in late 2006) and was highest in the towns having the strictest policies limiting herbicide use. Most coverage (averaging 2%) was found along the pavement edge away from the road. Poa annua was the most frequently recorded species, followed by bryophytes (mainly mosses), Sagina procumbens and perennial grasses. Grasses and some other species frequently found, notably Taraxacum officinale , should receive particular attention when planning a non-chemical weed control campaign on pavements.     

Flight performance and wing morphology in the bat Carollia perspicillata: biophysical models and energetics

Studies on functional performance are important to understand the processes responsible for the evolution of diversity. Morphological trait variation within species influences the energetic cost of locomotion and impacts life history traits, with ecological and evolutionary consequences. This study examined wing morphology correlates of flight performance measured by energetic expenditure in the Seba's short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata. In the flight experiments, nature caught bats (59 females, 57 males) were allowed to fly for 3 min in a room. After each flight, thermographic images were taken to measure body temperature, and biophysical models were used to calculate sensible heat loss as a measure of energetic expenditure. Wing morphological traits were measured for each individual and associated with heat loss and power required to fly on performance surfaces. Wing morphological traits explained 7–10% of flight energetic cost, and morphologies with the best performance would save the energy equivalent to 9–30% of total daily requirements. The optimal performance areas within the C. perspicillata morphospace were consistent with predicted selection trends from the literature. A trade-off between demands for flight speed and maneuverability was observed. Wing loading and camber presented sexual dimorphism. These morphological differences are likely associated with more economical but less maneuverable flight in females, leading them to fly more often in open areas along the forest edge. Our findings demonstrate how small scale changes in wing morphology can affect life history strategies and fitness.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of soil organic phosphorus by immobilized phosphatases

 In order to estimate the role of phosphatases in maintaining the potential bioavailable P pool in soils, water and 0.4 M NaOH soil extracts were incubated with immobilized acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phospholipase and nuclease, separately, and in combinations. Immobilized nuclease at an optimum pH of 7.0 hydrolyzed the most soluble unreactive P (SUP) both in water and 0.4 M NaOH extracts. The combination of immobilized alkaline phosphatase and nuclease increased the hydrolysis of SUP at pH 7.0 by up to 61% in 0.4 M NaOH extracts relative to that due to immobilized nuclease alone. The combination of immobilized acid phosphatase and nuclease, however, did not increase the hydrolysis of SUP in either extract relative to that due to immobilized nuclease alone. Immobilized alkaline phosphatase and phospholipase increased the hydrolysis of SUP at pH 7.0 by up to 62% in 0.4 M NaOH extracts relative to that due to immobilized phospholipase alone. Similarly, immobilized acid phosphatase and phospholipase increased the hydrolysis of SUP at pH 7.0 by up to 49% in 0.4 M NaOH extracts relative to that due to immobilized phospholipase alone. The similarities in the optimum pH of indigenous phosphatases in soils and the immobilized phosphatases used in this study, immobilized on positively charged supports, suggests that indigenous phosphatases could be immobilized on positively charged surfaces in soils. Received: 17 November 1998     

Weed suppressiveness of paving joint filling materials under diverging water regimes

Since 2015, chemical weed control on public pavements in Flanders has been banned. This necessitates alternative weed control strategies. In this study, growth chamber experiments evaluated the weed suppressive ability of different joint filling materials under various water regimes. The tested materials comprised five unbound standard fillers (white quartz sand, sea sand, limestone 0/2 mm, limestone 2/6.3 mm and porphyry 2/6.3 mm) and two innovative materials (Dansand^® and Eco Fugensand^®). Their weed suppressiveness was tested in pure and organically polluted states. Germination and biomass accumulation of two weed species that are abundantly found on public pavements (Lolium perenne and Taraxacum officinale) were investigated. Germination and biomass accumulation were lowest in both innovative materials, irrespective of organic contamination level, plant species and water regime. Weed growth in the standard materials was affected by plant species and water regime. Monthly biomass accumulation increased with increasing monthly water supply and number of irrigation days. Furthermore, the materials best capable of reducing weed growth, under all water regimes, even when organically polluted, were the innovative materials and sea sand. The results of this study show that the implemented water regime can influence weed suppressiveness (absolute as well as relative) of a joint filler. Hence, to fully assess weed suppressive ability, commercially launched joint fillers should be tested under diverging water regimes.     

结合面接触刚度分形模型研究

指出了以往有关粗糙表面接触刚度理论研究工作的缺陷与不足,在一定的前提下,基于球体与平面的接触理论和粗糙表面的接触分形理论,同了具有尺度独立性的结合面接触刚度分形模型,并进行了数字仿真研究,仿真结果与实验研究结果相一致。     

Effect of temperature on race times on a synthetic surface

Reasons for performing study: Differences in racing times have been noted on synthetic track surfaces that appear to depend on the temperature of the track. No published study to date has considered this effect in a systematic manner. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between temperature of track and speed of horses racing on a synthetic surface. Potential changes in the wax component of the synthetic track were investigated as one possible cause of changes in the track speed at the temperatures observed. Methods: At Del Mar racetrack (California, USA), the air, surface and subsurface temperatures at 4 depths in the synthetic race surface were measured periodically throughout the day over a 42 day period. The 6 furlong (1.2 km) race (afternoon) and fast training ‘work’ (morning) times were also compiled. Samples of the track were obtained and the wax separated using a solvent separation technique. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the range of temperatures at which the wax from the track underwent softening and other material changes. Transformation temperatures were compared to temperatures acquired from the track to evaluate the likelihood of changes in the wax properties during racing. Results: Average air, surface and subsurface temperatures changed significantly throughout the day. Temperatures were higher during the afternoon race sessions and race times were significantly slower compared to morning work times. Temperatures at which some of the components of the wax began to soften were found to be within the range of temperature measured during track operation. Conclusions: A correlation was found between temperature of the synthetic track and speed of horse. Wax separated from the track showed that the temperatures experienced in the surface during normal operation exceed the temperatures at which the wax begins to experience thermal transformation. It is therefore hypothesised that the wax may be a cause of the observed changes in the track performance. Potential relevance: Future work should include a study of components of the synthetic track responsible for the change and epidemiological association of risk of injury.     

盐热联合示踪表征薄层水流剖面流速分布

坡面薄层水流流速是重要的水动力学参数之一,研究其分布规律对于理解坡面土壤侵蚀机理具有重要意义。该研究采用盐与热联合示踪的方法,对不同粗糙下垫面的坡面薄层水流流速进行测量,探究下垫面对薄层水流剖面流速分布的作用规律。在3种坡度(5°、10°和20°)下,以下垫面条件(有机玻璃、80目即0.16 mm砂纸和24目即0.53 mm砂纸)、流量(2、5和8 L/min)和示踪剂类型(盐和热)为试验因素,以每个坡长(2、3和4 m)处的水流流速为试验指标进行多因素间的完全试验。结果表明,当下垫面一定,水深为粗糙高度的2～4倍,且水流为层流流态时,盐与热联合示踪的方法可用于表征薄层水流的剖面流速分布;下垫面粗糙高度和水深对薄层水流剖面流速分布具有显著影响(P<0.05)。3种垫面下,2种示踪剂测得流速具有显著的线性相关关系,其线性拟合直线斜率分别为1.015、1.094和1.078,决定系数R²分别为0.892、0.824和0.760。随下垫面粗糙度增加,2种示踪剂测得流速差异呈增大的趋势;床面粗糙高度的增加,加大了对水流的扰动作用,增加了水流的紊动程度,进而影响盐与热...     

废黄河沙土区土壤侵蚀量分析

废黄河沙土区是水土流失比较严重地区,通过对废黄河上、中、下游3个典型地带径流小区2006年观测资料的统计分析,获得废黄河沙土区不同下垫面坡面条件下的土壤侵蚀状况.结果分析表明,一般农地土壤年侵蚀量在1191～2714 t/k㎡之间;林地在550～1157 t/k㎡;沟坡在7779～8658 t/k㎡(坡度17°～22°).其中,农地受人工扰动后的土壤年侵蚀量约为未扰动农地侵蚀量的2～4倍.