Urine and fecal excretion patterns of dairy cows divergent for milk urea nitrogen breeding values consuming either a plantain or ryegrass diet

Environmental degradation has been attributed to inefficient nitrogen utilization from pastoral dairy production systems. This degradation has especially been associated with the urine patch, which has been identified as a key component of nitrate leaching to waterways. However, a lack of information exists regarding the pattern of urination events and individual urination characteristics across the day, which would help inform strategic management decisions. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate and report the patterns and characteristics of fecal and urination events throughout the day for cows divergent for milk urea nitrogen breeding values (MUNBV) on either a plantain [Plantago lanceolata L. (PL)] or ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. (RG)] diet as ways to reduce environmental impact. Sixteen multiparous lactating Holstein Friesian × Jersey cows divergent for MUNBV were housed in metabolism crates for 72 h, with all excretion events captured and analyzed. Cows selected as low for MUNBV consistently had a 65.2-kg lower urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) load (kg/ha) than high MUNBV cows for all hours of the day when consuming RG. The association between lower urinary urea loading rates and less N leaching implies a reduced environmental impact from low MUNBV cows consuming RG. When cows consumed PL, regardless of MUNBV, they had on average a 137.5-kg (UUN/ha) lower loading rate compared with high MUNBV cows on RG and a 72.2-kg (UUN/ha) lower loading rate compared with low MUNBV cows consuming RG across the day. Cows on PL also exhibited a different diel pattern of UUN load compared with cows consuming RG. Differences in the diel pattern of N excreted in feces were also detected based on MUNBV and by diet, with low MUNBV cows excreting on average 3.06 g more N in feces per event for the majority of the day compared with high MUNBV cows when consuming RG. Lower UUN loading rates and more N excreted in feces indicate a potentially lower environmental impact from low MUNBV cows when consuming RG compared with high MUNBV cows. The use of the PL diet also resulted in lower UUN loading rates and greater levels of N excreted in feces compared with RG, therefore also indicating its ability to reduce environmental impact compared with RG.     

Role of stuffer layers and fibre volume fractions on the mechanical properties of 3D woven fabrics for structural composites applications

Using weaving technology, possible manipulations can be done so as to derive maximum advantage from the reinforcements towards desired mechanical properties of the composites. Thus with different sets of weaving parameters and tow linear densities, an attempt has been made to investigate tensile, impact and knife penetration performance of different stuffer layers and fibre volume fractions of 3D orthogonal and interlock E-glass fabrics as reinforcements for composite applications. The tensile properties were effectively influenced by warp tow crimp%, number of stuffer tows per unit width of the fabric and fabric assistance. The tow linear density, fabric sett and the number of cross over points play a determining role towards impact energy absorption capacity. The fabric sett along with tow linear densities also play a vital role towards peak energy during knife penetration test. The number of cross over points were found to be least important in the knife penetration results analysis.     

基于Copula函数的郑州市夏季双重城市热岛及其影响因素关系分析

城市热环境变化影响城市小区域气候，探究影响因子与其作用机制，可有效减缓城市热岛现象。利用郑州市1960～2017年长序列数据，从相对热岛（RHI）和绝对热岛（AHI）两个层面探究驱动因子降雨（R）、蒸发（E）、建成区面积(B_BUA)、城镇化率(U_UR)的影响关系，利用交叉小波和小波相干探究热岛与降雨的雨热关系，采用Copula函数计算影响因子在不同取值条件下与热岛的遭遇概率。结果表明，相对热岛-相对降雨在短中周期、绝对热岛-降雨在短周期上均呈负相关关系，雨热关系不同步，且绝对热岛-降雨的关系最为显著；影响因子B_BUA、U_UR取值越大，R取值越小，则与RHI、AHI的遭遇概率越大；不同影响因子在不同评价层面，敏感性强弱不同，E在不同层面的反馈机制也不同，可见选取合适评价分析层面，有利于准确量化影响程度。     

Life cycle assessment of HFC-134a production by calcium carbide acetylene route in China

HFC-134a is a widely used environment-friendly refrigerant. At present, China is the largest producer of HFC-134a in the world. The production of HFC-134a in China mainly adopts the calcium carbide acetylene route. However, the production route has high resource and energy consumption and large waste emission, and few of the studies addressed on the environmental performance of its production process. This study quantified the environmental performance of HFC-134a production by calcium carbide route via carrying out a life cycle assessment (LCA) using the CML 2001 method. And uncertainty analysis by Monte-Carlo simulation was also carried out. The results showed that electricity had the most impact on the environment, followed by steam, hydrogen fluoride and chlorine, and the impact of direct CO₂ emissions in calcium carbide production stage on the global warming effect also could not be ignored. Therefore, the clean energy (e.g., wind, solar, biomass, and natural gas) was used to replace coal-based electricity and coal-fired steam in this study, showing considerable environmental benefits. At the same time, the use of advanced production technologies could also improve environmental benefits, and the environmental impact of the global warming category could be reduced by 4.1% via using CO₂ capture and purification technology. The Chinese database of HFC-134a production established in this study provides convenience for the relevant study of scholars. For the production of HFC-134a, this study helps to better identify the specific environmental hotspots and proposes useful ways to improve the environmental benefits.     

Energy infrastructure in India: Profile and risks under climate change

India has committed large investments to energy infrastructure assets-power plants, refineries, energy ports, pipelines, roads, railways, etc. The coastal infrastructure being developed to meet the rising energy imports is vulnerable to climate extremes. This paper provides an overview of climate risks to energy infrastructures in India and details two case studies – a crude oil importing port and a western coast railway transporting coal. The climate vulnerability of the port has been mapped using an index while that of the railway has been done through a damage function for RCP 4.5.0 and 8.5 scenarios. Our analysis shows that risk management through adaptation is likely to be very expensive. The system risks can be even greater and might adversely affect energy security and access objectives. Aligning sustainable development and climate adaptation measures can deliver substantial co-benefits. The key policy recommendations include: i) mandatory vulnerability assessment to future climate risks for energy infrastructures; ii) project and systemic risks in the vulnerability index; iii) adaptation funds for unmitigated climate risks; iv) continuous monitoring of climatic parameters and implementation of adaptation measures, and iv) sustainability actions along energy infrastructures that enhance climate resilience and simultaneously deliver co-benefits to local agents.     

增容高抗冲聚苯乙烯/高乙烯基聚丁二烯橡胶热塑性硫化胶的Mullins效应及其可逆性

采用动态硫化法制备了苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物(SBS)增容高抗冲聚苯乙烯(HIPS)/高乙烯基聚丁二烯橡胶(HVPBR)热塑性硫化胶(TPV),考察了SBS用量对TPV物理机械性能的影响,表征了TPV的微观形貌,并研究了TPV的Mullins效应及其可逆性。结果表明,SBS可显著改善HIPS/HVPBR体系的相容性,其用量为12份时,TPV的物理机械性能较好;SBS增容TPV的断面平整、结构致密,界面相互作用明显增强;SBS增容TPV在循环单轴拉伸过程中出现明显的Mullins效应,提高应变速率时,TPV的最大应力和内耗呈增大趋势,瞬时残余形变则减小;当拉伸比相同时,TPV经第1次拉伸热处理后,第2次单轴拉伸中TPV的最大应力和内耗均增大,瞬时残余形变则减小。     

耐刮擦高灼热丝温度HIPS研究

制备了一种耐刮擦高灼热丝温度高抗冲聚苯乙烯(HIPS)材料,研究了不同阻燃体系对HIPS灼热丝温度和力学性能的影响,考察了耐刮擦助剂对高灼热丝温度HIPS材料耐刮擦性能的影响。结果表明,采用自制复合阻燃体系相对于一般溴系阻燃体系可使HIPS的灼热丝温度提高30~80℃,其质量分数为13%时HIPS的灼热丝温度即可达到960℃;复合阻燃体系含量增加时材料的冲击强度下降;耐刮擦助剂质量分数为1%时即可显著提高材料的耐刮擦性,且不影响其阻燃和力学性能。     

橡胶改性双组分丙烯酸酯胶粘剂的研究

将为克服双组分丙烯酸酯胶粘剂(SGA)韧性差、耐冲击性差的缺点,采用不同橡胶对其进行改性。以苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物SBS1401、氯丁橡胶(CR3223)、氯磺化聚乙烯CSM3305、粉末丁腈橡胶GS33为增韧剂,考查了它们对SGA胶液稳定性、黏度及力学性能的影响。结果表明,当采用CR3223、GS33时胶液稳定性较好;不同橡胶对胶粘剂的黏度影响较大;当w CR3223=6%或w CSM3305=4%或w GS33=3%时,制备的胶粘剂拉伸剪切强度较高;当w CR3223=5%或w CSM3305=3%或w GS33=4%时,制备的胶粘剂冲击强度较高。()()()()()()()()()