Evaluation method of dam behavior during construction and reservoir filling and application to real dams

In this paper we analyzed a real fill-type dam, named the Minami-Aiki Dam, to verify a numerical consolidation method with an elastoplastic model for unsaturated soils. The validities were conducted by comparing the analyzed and measured values during construction and impounding. The settlements calculated showed good agreement to those observed. Though the changing patterns of the measured and calculated pore water pressures were similar, the amounts of pore water pressures induced by the self-weights of embankment and the dissipation speeds were different. The earth pressures measured at the bottom of the core zone showed good agreement with those calculated. This method is valid for estimating behavior of fill-type dams during construction and impounding.     

Interactions of Monosodium Glutamate and Sodium Chloride on Saltiness and Palatability of a Clear Soup

The sensory interactions of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and NaCl in a clear soup were examined by a sensory test, by a response-surface method. The extents of saltiness and palatability were expressed by second order polynomials of the concentrations of MSG and NaCl added. The polynomials indicated that to provide an appropriate saltiness and the maximum palatability score, more NaCl was required in soup with a lower MSG concentration, and vice versa. It is recommended that when the amount of sodium in the soup must be restricted while retaining a high palatability score, the NaCl level should be reduced while adding an optimal MSG level.     

Tank模型及其在边坡水位预测中的应用

 Tank模型可以模拟非线性的降雨–地下水运移过程,并且能迅速得到解答。基于现有的单列tank模型,提出新的复合水箱模型。由于新模型参数超过20个,应用传统优化算法难以快速找到最优解,一种新的启发式自搜索算法(变维数搜索算法)被引入并改进后用于模型最优解的寻找。变维数搜索算法能够根据搜索进程的变化自动改变搜索维数并且快速找到最优解。27个参数的复合tank模型被应用于日本国道九号线的一个边坡,计算结果表明：变维数搜索算法能够在10 min左右找到合适的最优解;降雨过程复合tank模型计算的地下水位变化和观测值非常接近。最后通过和有限单元法计算结果的比较表明,有限单元法的计算结果受地质渗透特性的影响很大,而复合tank模型不存在这种问题。工程实例计算表明,该方法和监测结果比较一致,但其适应性更强,特别适用于没有进行足够地质结构探查的边坡。它能够快速反映降雨过程中地下水位的运移过程,可以推广使用。     

Difference of histology and elemental composition of the cervical enamels among human permanent teeth

The purpose of this study is to clarify the difference of histology and elemental composition of the cervical enamels among the human permanent teeth. The re-ground surfaces at the cervical enamels of them were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contents of seven elements were analyzed quantitatively with electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). The widths of the rod sections at the cervical enamels were larger than those at the cuspal enamels. The rod sections at the mesial cervical enamels in the incisors were more obscure and more decayed by acid solution than those in the premolars and molars. The calcium and phosphorus contents of the cervical enamels were significantly lower than those of the cuspal enamels. The carbon content of the cervical enamels was significantly higher than that of the cuspal enamels. The calcium and phosphorus contents of the cervical enamels were the significantly highest in the premolars. The carbon and sodium contents of the cervical enamels were significantly highest in the premolars. It is thought that the calcification level is lower, while the content of organic matter is higher at the cervical enamels than those at the cuspal enamels. It is considered that the sodium causes high calcification.     

Water quality and growth of phytoplankton for the Yellow River estuary reservoirs—The nutrients release from reservoir sediments

Effects of nutrients released from sediments on eutrophication in lakes and reservoirs were not well known in China. In the test, the release conditions of nitrogen and phosphorus from the sediments were observed by batch experiment. The test results revealed that the content released is correlated to the initial content of organic matter in sediments. In the Gengjing area, when the water quality of waterway, grit chamber and reservoir were compared, the water quality of the waterway was the highest, and lowered in the order of the grit chamber and the reservoir. The grit chamber could get not only fine sand removal but also the organic substance, nitrogen, phosphorus and phytoplankton, therefore it is important to operate and maintain the grit chamber to preserve the water quality of the reservoir. Due to little organic substance in sediments, ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus weren’t released during the incubation. But from the absorptiometric turbidity unit (ATU) test results, although the release of ammonium concentration was very low, ammonium oxidizing and nitrite oxidizing bacteria existed in sediments.     

A Cooperative Control Algorithm for Multiple SVRs Using Correlation of Measurement Data of Distribution Line

In this paper, a cooperative control algorithm for multiple step voltage regulator (SVR) using correlation of measurement data of distribution line is proposed. Conventionally, the control time constant of a SVR placed on the feeder end side was set slower than a SVR placed on the substation side. The unnecessary tap movement of SVR was reduced by this setting. In this case, on the condition that “the photovoltaic power generation output of the feeder end fluctuates” and “only SVR of the end side works”, it is a problem that control of SVR becomes slow. By the proposed method, the SVR settled in end side of a feeder can change its tap rapidly only if the SVR settled in sending side of a feeder will not change its tap by using proposed method. The features of the method are followings: (1) to estimate tap change possibility of the sending side SVR using correlation model of both of the SVR, (2) only use local measurement data of the SVRs for tap change control. By the proposed method, unnecessary tap change operation and lag of tap control are reduced without communication networks.     

Influence of pulsed electric field on enzymes,bacteria and volatile flavor compounds of unpasteurized sake

A pulsed electric field(PEF) was applied to unpasteurized sake at constant temperatures, at which α-amylase was not inactivated. We adjusted the input energy to be identical for the temperatures by changing the number of PEF application, because the current significantly increased with the temperature, even the amplitude of the applied voltage was identical. As a result, the α-amylase was seemed to be inactivated by PEF application, not due to thermal effect.The glucoamylase was significantly inactivated by PEF. Moreover, the acid carboxypeptidase was inactivated by PEF at 4 °C but significantly activated at 25 °C. These results show that the sensitivity of enzyme to PEF application differs depending on the types of enzyme and treatment temperature. On the other hand, the colony number of bacteria was remarkably decreased, but the amount of the volatile flavor compounds was not decreased by PEF application.     

Impact of Infrared Broiling on the Thiamin and Riboflavin Retention and Sensory Quality of Salmon Steaks for Foodservice Use

Salmon steaks were broiled using infrared radiation and compared to convection oven baking. Total percent cooking losses of moisture and fat content were not significantly different. Samples broiled by infrared oven retained 87.2% and 92.6% of thiamin and riboflavin content, respectively. There were no significant differences for vitamin retention by both methods. Appearance and color of salmon steaks baked in the convection oven were rated significantly higher than infrared broiled samples. Tenderness and juiciness scores for infrared broiled steaks were significantly higher than those for convection oven baked steaks. There were no significant differences in panel scores for odor, flakiness, flavor and overall acceptability of steaks prepared by both methods.     

Mixing and Flow Characteristics in the Alumina/Thermoplastic Resin System

Rheological properties were investigated for combinations of six different alumina and three thermoplastic resins of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The curves of torque versus time in the alumina/resin mixture systems could be classified into four patterns depending on both the mixing properties of each of the resins and the solid concentration. It was verified through infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography measurements that the behavior of the mixtures could be explained by taking the degradation of each resin into account. Flow was characterized as shear thinning in both the alumina/resin and resin systems. A simple parameter, V¯_p= (ρ_cr− V¯)/ρ_cr, a kind of corrected liquid volume concentration, was introduced to express the dependence of relative viscosity η_r of the mixture on the solid concentration V¯ and the relative compaction density ρ_cr. The relation η_r=αV¯^−β_p could be useful for estimation of the flow properties of ceramic powder/resin mixture systems.