OPAH a model for optimal design of multipurpose small hydropower plants

The investment in small hydropower plants requires the analysis of hydrological, technical, operational, budgetary, economical and financial aspects. The analysis of each possible configuration demands the joint action of several technicians, consuming substantial time and money. During initial design of the project, simplified procedures are usually adopted which may compromise the quality of the base configuration.In this paper we will present a global overview of the OPAH model, which was developed to surpass these limitations. This global model performs the optimization of project configuration. This model uses non-linear programming optimization to analyze the multipurpose operation of the hydropower plant. It uses a numeric simulation model of unsteady flow under pressure to analyze the hydraulic circuit. It uses an economical and financial simulation model that takes in to account the project risk associated to hydrologic and market variability, the financial capacity of the investor and the fiscal aspects.     

Testing web applications

Traditional testing techniques are not adequate for web-based applications, since they miss their additional features such as their multi-tier nature, hyperlink-based structure, and event-driven feature. Limited work has been done on testing web applications. In this paper, we propose new techniques for white box testing of web applications developed in the .NET environment with emphasis on their event-driven feature. We extend recent work on modeling of web applications by enhancing previous dependence graphs and proposing an event-based dependence graph model. We apply data flow testing techniques to these dependence graphs and propose an event flow testing technique. Also, we present a few coverage testing approaches for web applications. Further, we propose mutation testing operators for evaluating the adequacy of web application tests.     

Management gaps analysis: a case study of groundwater resource management in New Zealand

The primary objective of this project is to identify gaps, whether real or perceived, that hinder effective groundwater management in New Zealand. These gaps show as gaps in information, gaps in implementation, gaps in technological and management tools, and gaps in understanding of fundamental processes. The secondary objective is to propose a management strategy to close the identified gaps. Several methods are used to meet these objectives: surveys distributed to selected staff in each regional council; the review of various written reports; the analysis of land-use databases; and private consultation within each regional council. Results show that groundwater management in New Zealand is generally reactionary with the main gaps being in strategic planning and national guidelines. Most gaps appear to be predominantly information and implementation issues. In some cases there are gaps in the understanding of fundamental processes within an aquifer system, including the long-term effects of land-use on groundwater quality. An adaptive management approach is suggested as a means of closing these gaps.     

Solid–liquid phase equilibria of binary indole mixtures with some aromatic compounds using a solid–liquid–vapor equation-of-state

The separation of useful chemicals, such as indole from coal tar, is an important subject of research in the field of fossil energy, renewable energy, and utilization of byproducts and waste materials. High-pressure crystallization is one of the proposed separation methods. To understand the process requires detailed knowledge of solid–liquid phase behaviors. Solid–liquid phase equilibrium data of various binary mixtures of indole have been reported in the literature. In the present report, we analyze some of the experimental data with our unified solid–liquid–vapor equation-of-state to see whether our model can be useful for the calculation of solid–liquid equilibria in these organic systems. Good correlations of the data and predictions of phase behavior, at very high pressures, are demonstrated.     

Strength and chemical resistance of mortars containing brick manufacturing clays subjected to different treatments

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the properties of mortar in which a calcined clay was employed as a pozzolan. Mortars were prepared using either heat treated clay or ground waste clay bricks (from the same clay subjected to 1000 °C calcining) as a pozzolanic partial replacement for cement at replacement levels of 10%, 20% and 30%. The compressive strengths of the mortars were monitored up to 90 days and the resistance to sodium sulphate solution and synthetic seawater was monitored up to 300 days. The specimens were also monitored for weight changes. Partially replacing cement by ground brick or heat-treated brick clay gives early strengths that are lower than that of the control. At 90 days, however, the strengths are the same as or are greater than that of the control. Heat-treated clay is effective in reducing expansion during exposure of the mortar to sulphate solution and synthetic seawater. The rapidly cooled clay gives better performance, in terms of strength development and resistance to harmful solutions, than the slow cooled clay.     

Egg Thiamine Status of Lake Ontario Salmonines 1995–2004 with Emphasis on Lake Trout

Alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus), the major prey fish for Lake Ontario, contain thiaminase. They are associated with development of a thiamine deficiency in salmonines which greatly increases the potential for developing an early mortality syndrome (EMS). To assess the possible effects of thiamine deficiency on salmonine reproduction we measured egg thiamine concentrations for five species of Lake Ontario salmonines. From this we estimated the proportion of families susceptible to EMS based on whether they were below the ED20, the egg thiamine concentration associated with 20% mortality due to EMS. The ED20s were 1.52, 2.63, and 2.99 nmol/g egg for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), respectively. Based on the proportion of fish having egg thiamine concentrations falling below the ED20, the risk of developing EMS in Lake Ontario was highest for lake trout, followed by coho (O. kisutch), and Chinook salmon, with the least risk for rainbow trout (O. mykiss). For lake trout from western Lake Ontario, mean egg thiamine concentration showed significant annual variability during 1994 to 2003, when the proportion of lake trout at risk of developing EMS based on ED20 ranged between 77 and 100%. Variation in the annual mean egg thiamine concentration for western Lake Ontario lake trout was positively related (p < 0.001, r² = 0.94) with indices of annual adult alewife biomass. While suggesting the possible involvement of density-dependent changes in alewives, the changes are small relative to egg thiamine concentrations when alewife are not part of the diet and are of insufficient magnitude to allow for natural reproduction by lake trout.     

大型深水湖泊可持续发展制约因子识别与发展对策研究——以千岛湖流域为例

千岛湖是较为典型的大型深水湖泊，近年来其发展受到自然和人为等因素的影响。通过研究千岛湖可持续发展的制约因子，提出适合千岛湖水域环境保护的思路，并制定湖泊水环境保护的方向性和战略性目标。结果表明，千岛湖作为集多种功能于一体的较深大型淡水湖泊，探索出的一条环境保护与经济发展的行之有效的途径，可为国内其它湖泊提供发展的借鉴。     

Butyltin Species and Inorganic Tin in Water and Sediment of the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers

Water and sediment samples from 29 locations in the Detroit and St. Clair rivers were analyzed for the highly toxic tri-n-butyltin (Bu₃Sn⁺) species and for the less toxic di-n-butyltin (Bu₂Sn²⁺) and n-butyltin (BuSn³⁺) species and inorganic tin. In general, locations sampled in the St. Clair River were less contaminated with butyltin species than those in the Detroit River. Inorganic tin and BuSn³⁺ were detected in over 90% of all subsurface water samples, while Bu₂Sn²⁺ and Bu₃Sn⁺ were detected in 45 and 28% of the same samples, respectively. The highest concentration ofBu₃Sn⁺ in subsurface water, 5.9 × 10^?10 mol Sn/L, was at the mouth of the Ecorse River, a tributary of the Detroit River. The three butyltin species and inorganic tin were also detected in 23–46% of all sediment samples. The highest concentrations of Bu₃Sn⁺ in sediment were found close to the mouths of the River Rouge, another tributary of the Detroit River, and the Ecorse River, and were 6.2 × I0^–7 and 1.7 × I0^–7 mol Sn/kg dry weight, respectively, for the top 2 cm of sediment.