Search

Considering the disruption risk and congestion deterioration caused by recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several ports, this study developed a port capacity decision three-stage game model by adopting a sharing approach, which comprised a combined port management committee and a two-port system. The former determines the capacity-sharing rate, and the latter sequentially chooses its terminal handling charge (THC). Through backward induction, the capacity-sharing decisions among multiple extrema are derived, and then the "siphon effect" and "spillover effect" of capacity-sharing are analyzed. A case study of Shanghai and Ningbo Zhoushan Ports is presented to further illustrate the findings. • Three-stage game model is developed by first adopting a capacity sharing approach in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. • The three-stage game model focuses on the imbalanced capacity and congestion deterioration. • A combined port management committee and a two-port system are considered. • The optimal capacity-sharing decisions among multiple extremums are derived. • "Siphon effect" and "spillover effect" of capacity-sharing are comparatively analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe a novel syphon ureteral access sheath (UAS) intended for use during flexible uretero-renoscopy (fURS). We aimed to report on a pilot study as well as intrarenal pressures (IRP) and irrigant flow volumes compared to traditional UAS. Patients undergoing routine fURS for single, <2cm intrarenal nephrolithiasis were identified, and written informed consent was obtained. Irrigation via the fURS was instilled through the novel 11/13 Fr UAS without (a proxy for a traditional UAS) and with the novel syphon box attached. Measured minute irrigant flow volume, steady state and bolus IRP were compared. Ten participants (6 males and 4 females) were treated with the syphon UAS. All procedures were completed safely without intraoperative complications. The mean baseline IRP with and without the syphon was 18 vs 29 mmHG (P <.001, SD 4.0 vs 4.8). The mean minute irrigant flow volume with and without the syphon was 31 vs 21 ml (P <.001, SD 6.4 vs 3.3). The mean peak IRP following a 10 ml bolus with and without the syphon was 71 vs 104 mmHg (P =.03, SD 74 vs 59). The described novel UAS is different from traditional devices by incorporating a syphon mechanism. This pilot trial demonstrates that the novel syphon UAS may hold clinical potential to reduce IRP and increase irrigant flow compared to traditional UAS. Firm conclusions about efficacy and safety require assessment of the device in a larger clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate understanding and grasping of green finance's role and effect process would help improve the accuracy of policies and, thereby, the development of renewable energy in China. Based on a newly built structural break modified SPDM (Spatial Panel Dobbin Model), this study explores the spatiotemporal consistency effects of green finance on renewable energy development and their geographical attenuation process. Several results could be obtained: (1) green finance plays an improving role in developing renewable energy in terms of both local and neighboring regions; (2) the effect objective areas of green finance are transferred from local regions to neighboring regions progressively as green finance grows in China, since the effect degree become weaker in local regions but stronger in neighboring regions; (3) the outflow phenomenon of green finance's effect on renewable energy development is stopped and reversed to siphon effect by the public health crisis that happened in 2019; (4) for green finance's spillover effects on renewable energy development, there are apparent geographic attenuation boundaries in areas near 700 km and impacting dense regions in areas near 350 km. • A new structural break modified SPDM model is built. • The temporal and spatial features in the process is identified. • The spatiotemporal consistency effects are researched. • Attenuation boundary of spatial effect and its characteristics are calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies spatial violence diffusion when criminal organizations specializing in one illegal activity (e.g., drug trafficking) are attacked by security forces. Our theoretical framework suggests that violence diffusion will be linked to criminal diversification. Using the Mexican War on Drugs, we find evidence supporting this prediction. We document that the Mexican War on Drugs induced drug trafficking organizations to begin stealing hydrocarbon products from the Mexican oil pipeline network. In turn, this portfolio reallocation of illegal activities caused violence to escalate in oil pipeline network locations holding little strategic value for drug trafficking. Furthermore, within the pipeline network, branches located further away from the government's eye were more susceptible to the establishment of criminal monopolies and thus experienced greater upticks in violence than other branches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs spatial durbin model (SDM) and spatial mediation model to empirically investigate the relationship between logistics agglomeration (LA) and logistics eco-efficiency (LEE), as well as the transmission mechanism role of technological innovation (TI) and advanced industrial structure (AIS), using panel data on inter-provincial logistics in China from 2008 to 2020. The findings indicate a U-shaped relationship between LA and LEE. The early development of LA in China was accompanied by environmental sacrifices. Further analysis of the curves reveals that LA has spatial spillover effect on LEE. That is, insufficient concentration of LA has a siphon effect on the LEE of surrounding areas, whereas appropriate concentration of LA has a radiation effect on the LEE of surrounding areas. Spatial mediation analysis indicates that enhancing TI and developing AIS are essential channels through which LA bolsters LEE. Additionally, this study innovatively incorporates topography ruggedness and altitude as instrumental variables to account for potential endogeneity issues in the empirical model. Theoretical and practical significance is attributed to this research for China's logistics industry, particularly shedding light on the optimization of efficiency and long-term improvement of LEE through spatial reform via agglomeration zones. • Spatial models could validate the existence of spatial spillover effects between logistics agglomeration and logistics ecological efficiency. • Technological innovation and upgrading of industrial structure serve as intermediaries to reduce environmental pollution. • Logistics agglomeration can guide the improvement of logistics economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lineups are considered a superior method of identification to showups, but why is contested. There are two main theories: diagnostic feature detection theory, which holds that surrounding the suspect with fillers causes the eyewitness to focus on the features that are most diagnostic, and differential filler siphoning theory that claims that the fillers draw incorrect choices away from the suspect. Colloff and Wixted (2020) created a novel identification task, called a simultaneous showup, designed to prevent filler siphoning, while still allowing comparison to occur between members of the array. However, even in the simultaneous showup, it is possible that covert filler siphoning occurs. In Experiment 1, we replicated the simultaneous showup condition and also asked participants if the other photos affected their decision making; we found evidence that participants self-reported both diagnostic feature detection and covert filler siphoning. In Experiment 2, we replicated Colloff and Wixted (2020, Experiment 3) main findings. Additionally, we found that participants self-reported both diagnostic feature detection and covert filler siphoning. This led us to conclude that the simultaneous showup procedure could not fully exclude covert filler siphoning from occurring. • Two main theories, diagnostic feature detection and filler siphoning, are offered for why lineups are superior to showups. • Evidence supports that participants self-report engaging in both diagnostic feature detection and covert filler siphoning. • The simultaneous showup identification technique does not exclude filler siphoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• • Syphons perturb tip-times in many rain gauges. • • Short-term intensity cannot confidently be estimated. • • Syphon artefacts arise at intensities <2 mm h−1 to >300 mm h−1. • • In short-term intensity studies, the syphon should be removed. Tipping-bucket rain gauges (TBRGs) are widely used globally to record rainfall amounts over nominated accumulation durations such as 15-minute rainfall, hourly rainfall, and daily rainfall. To reduce the under-estimation of rainfall amounts that results from high rates of inflow to the tipping buckets in intense rainfall, small syphons are commonly installed between the rain-collecting funnel and the bucket mechanism. The syphon is designed to regulate the inflow, reducing the systematic error inherent in the basic TBRG mechanism. The inter-tip times (ITTs) of a TBRG are often used as a source of rainfall intensity data, since the ITTs provide the highest temporal resolution possible from such gauges. However, the influence of the syphon is generally neglected in this approach to intensity estimation. Experimental results are presented here from a high-quality TBRG fed with known rates of water inflow, simulating rain of various constant intensities. Tests were replicated with the syphon installed, and with it removed. Results confirm that the syphon significantly perturbs the sequence of ITTs, causing apparent fluctuations in intensity that do not in fact exist. At least two factors contribute to this. The first is the lack of correspondence between syphon and bucket volumes, such that more than one syphon operation may be needed to fill one bucket. The second factor is the continued inflow to the syphon during its emptying cycle. This lengthens the time required for the syphon to cycle, as well as worsening any mismatch between the amount of water discharged through the syphon to the tipping-bucket mechanism and the bucket capacity. In fact, there can be no fixed relationship between the syphon discharge volume and the capacity of a TBRG bucket. Therefore, one syphon emptying cycle can deliver more than the nominal 0.2 mm needed to trigger a tip event, such that the varying excess (dependent on the rainfall intensity) drains to the second bucket, which in turn tips earlier than would be expected. Consequently, even at constant intensity, the ITTs display increased variability, with widely-varying apparent intensities among successive ITTs. The variance among ITTs is shown always to be greater in data from a syphon-equipped TBRG than from a "straight-through" (no-syphon) gauge, such that the reliability of intensity data obtained from the ITTs of a syphon-equipped TBRG are reduced by the presence of the syphon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon‒oxygen balance has always been problematic in constructed wetlands (CWs), putting pressure on stable and efficient nitrogen removal. In this study, a novel partial siphon operational strategy was developed to further optimize the carbon and oxygen distributions of a partially saturated vertical flow CW (SVFCW) to enhance nitrogen removal. The removal performances of the partial siphon SVFCW (S-SVFCW) were monitored and compared with those of the SVFCWs at different partial siphon depths (15 cm, 25 cm and 35 cm) in both the warm and cold seasons. The results showed that the partial siphon operating strategy significantly facilitated the removal of ammonia and total nitrogen (TN) in both the warm and cold seasons. When the partial siphon depth was 25 cm, the S-SVFCWs had the highest TN removal efficiency in both the warm (71%) and cold (56%) seasons, with an average improvement of 46% and 52%, respectively, compared with those of the SVFCWs. The oxidation‒reduction potential (ORP) results indicated that richer OPR environments and longer hydraulic detention times were obtained in the S-SVFCWs, which enriched the denitrification bacteria. Microbial analysis revealed greater nitrification and denitrification potentials in the unsaturated zone with enriched functional genes (e.g., amo_AOA , amo_AOB , nxr A and nir K), which are related to nitrification and denitrification processes. Moreover, the strengthening mechanism was the intensified oxygen supply and carbon utilization efficiency based on the cyclic nitrogen profile analysis. This study provides a novel partial siphon operational strategy for enhancing the nitrogen removal capacity of SVFCWs without additional energy or land requirements. [Display omitted] • A partial siphon strategy created periodic redox conditions in partial-unsaturated zone. • A partial siphon strategy promoted oxygen supply and carbon utilization abilities in VFCWs. • A partial siphon strategy in VFCWs increased TN removal by 40 % compared to the control. • At low temperature, 25 cm siphon depth improved TN removal by 52 % compared to the control. • A partial siphon strategy enriched DNB population of the unsaturated zone from 17.6 % to 34.5 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The algal genus Vitinellopsis nov. gen. is well represented in the Silurian limestones of Gotland (Sweden). This new taxon is interpreted as a calcified codiacean alga (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales). In the studied material, the calcareous wall of sparry calcite, probably originally aragonitic, appears well preserved. The subcylindrical thallus, with rounded ends, rarely bifurcated, measures up to 27 mm long and 2.5 mm wide. The medullar zone exhibits 4–6 longitudinal, subtly undulating siphons; the subcortical zone shows inflated, vesiculiform radial siphons, and the cortical zone displays small, relatively short acrophorous siphons. The status of the tribe Vitinelleae nomen novum , formerly Bothryelleae, is discussed. Given its abundance, ease of identification, and short stratigraphic range, Vitinellopsis gotlandica nov. gen., nov. sp. may prove useful for regional correlations, facies and paleobiogeographic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic linear infrastructures can reduce landscape connectivity for wildlife, and crossing structures are a mitigation strategy to facilitate animal movement across potential barriers. However, the spatial and temporal factors promoting crossing structure use by the wildlife community across scales are not fully understood, especially for major water canals. We tested multiple hypotheses and predictions to evaluate how wildlife use of crossing structures was influenced by (1) landscape features (i.e., fine landscape-scale vegetation cover and broad landscape-scale plant productivity, topography, and human development), (2) season, and (3) time of day. We used remote cameras to monitor 43 overpasses and 13 siphons (i.e., natural crossing areas where the canal traveled underground) along the Central Arizona Project canal across three seasons (i.e., hot-dry, hot-wet, cool-wet) during one year. We detected 17 small- to large-sized herbivore and carnivore species using overpasses and siphons. When using crossing structures, each wildlife species exhibited unique habitat relationships in relation to vegetation cover, plant productivity, and topography. Several species decreased use of overpasses as the amount of human development increased. Crossing frequency increased in the hot-dry and cool-wet seasons for many species at overpasses (11 species) and siphons (9 species). Daily activity patterns of individual species were similar across seasons, and between overpasses and siphons. Ultimately, this study suggests that to promote movement across canals for the wildlife community, it is important to provide a variety of crossing types that occur away from human development and across a range of vegetation and topographic characteristics. • 17 mammal species used overpasses and siphons to cross a major canal. • Crossing use was species-specific and varied across variables and scales. • Crossing use peaked for several species during the hot-dry and cool-wet seasons. • The time of day of crossing use was consistent across crossing types and seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the dynamics of an orbital siphon anchored to a rotating ellipsoidal asteroid. The siphon is a chain of tether-connected payload masses arranged vertically from the asteroid surface, envisaged for propellantless delivery of payloads (e.g., mined material) from the asteroid surface to a collecting spacecraft. If the structure is long enough, the centrifugal-induced force can overcome the gravitational force on the payloads, eventually allowing resource payloads to escape. By connecting new payloads at the bottom of this chain while removing upper payloads a net orbital siphon effect is established, which provides a net continuous flow of resources from the asteroid surface to a collecting spacecraft, attached at the top of the siphon. The dynamics of the siphon is investigated in detail by varying a set of relevant parameters, in particular, chain length, anchor location and asteroid shape. It is shown that the system exhibits oscillatory behaviour in the equatorial plane, with decreasing oscillation amplitude over time and that the longest equatorial end is the best anchor location to guarantee proper siphon operation while minimizing the chain length. Eventually, a method is proposed to exploit the equatorial Coriolis-induced oscillations of the siphon to transfer payload masses from the collecting spacecraft to the stable equilibrium points associated with the effective potential of the ellipsoidal asteroid, where a catcher would collect the material. • Dynamics of orbital siphon anchored at ellipsoidal asteroid is studied. • Anchoring at longest equatorial end minimizes siphon length. • Siphon exhibits damped oscillatory behaviour. • Stable equilibrium points can be used as gravitational depots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are isolated from peripheral blood and identified as any blood cell with a round nucleus that exhibits immune responses and undergoes immunophenotypic changes upon exposure to various pathophysiological stimuli. Obtaining high-recovery and clinical-grade PBMCs without decreasing cell viability and causing stress is crucial for disease diagnosis and successful immunotherapy. However, traditional manual PBMCs extraction methods rely on manual intervention with less recovery rate and reliability. In this study, we introduced a novel and efficient strategy for the fully automated extraction of PBMCs based on a Lab-on-a-Disk (LoaD) platform. The centrifugal chip used percoll as density gradient media (DGM) for separation and extraction on account of the density difference of cells in whole blood, without labeling and any additional extra cellular filtration or cell lysis steps. Above all, we proposed a high-speed triggered siphon valve, which was closed under the speed of cell sedimentation and subsequently opened by increasing speed to complete the extraction of PBMCs. It can avoid the problem that previous siphon valves rely on unstable hydrophilic surface treatment and prime under low/zero speed conditions. With valves and the clock channel integrated on the chip, users can achieve fully automated collection of PBMCs. Compared with the clinical laboratory results, the recovery rate of extracted PBMCs was 80 %. The experimental results prove that the high-speed triggered siphon valve improves the extraction efficiency of PBMCs. The robust chips, which are not only simple to manufacture and assemble but also stable and reliable to use, have great potential in biomedical and clinical applications. [Display omitted] • A novel and efficient Lab-on-a-Disk platform for the fully automated extraction of PBMCs. • A high-speed triggered siphon valve independent of unstable hydrophilic surface treatment and low-pass priming conditions. • The clock channel improved the stability of blood loading on DGM. • The PBMCs extraction performance of this system surpassed most microfluidics based on DGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural simplification and efficient hydraulic performance are key to effectively utilizing ultra-low head water power resources and reducing hydroelectric unit costs. In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was used to predict hydraulic performance of an axial turbine at the Gaoliangjian power station. CFD results agreed well with field test data. Using the same numerical method, a new siphon turbine was then designed based on the original distributor and turbine runner equipment. This study investigated the effect of different siphon outlet passage geometry parameters, runner blade shapes, and distributors on the hydraulic performance of the siphon turbine. The maximum hydraulic efficiency increased to 87.9% under a head of 2.87 m. Finally, the hydraulic performance of the turbine was compared for four different distributor designs after adding an intake sump at the turbine entrance. The bell-shaped distributor with four guide vanes resulted in the highest power output at the lowest head. Therefore, the siphon turbine is a good option for energy conversion in ultra-low water head settings. • An Ultra-Low Head Siphon Hydro Turbine was developed. • The hydraulic performance of the tail pipe was optimized by orthogonal experiment. • The best blade design can both improve the efficiency of the impeller and reduce hydraulic losses in the outlet passage. • The 4-guide vane of the bell-shaped distributor possesses the best inflow condition for the runner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Drainage is a critical and cost-effective method to stabilize rainfall-induced landslide. In order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of drainage system, a new siphon drainage method is presented in this paper. Factor of safety (FOS) under the action of a given siphon drainage design, computed using Morgenstern-Price method, was used to evaluate the design effectiveness. A guidance for the design of this new siphon drainage method was established based on the robust design concept. Signal-to-noise ratio, which is a function of mean and standard deviation of FOS and related to the uncertainty of shear strength parameters of slip surface, is used as a measure of the design robustness. A framework based on the concept of robust design is proposed for determining the most optimal siphon drainage design considering multiple objectives including safety, cost, design robustness, and drain effectiveness. This framework is illustrated with a case study, the Hongpucun landslide in Zhejiang Province, China. Based on the outcome of this study, the optimal siphon drainage design is obtained. Highlights • A novel siphon drainage method for stabilizing rainfall-induced landslides is proposed. • A framework is proposed for selecting the most preferred siphon drainage design based on the concept of robust design. • The proposed siphon drainage method and framework are validated against a case study. • This study provides an alternative method and guidance for stabilizing rainfall-induced landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Downstream migrating anguillid eels face many barriers including turbines and pumps at impoundments for water abstraction, power generation and water level control, when attempting to exit the freshwater catchment to reach spawning grounds. Multiple eel species worldwide are facing different levels of endangerment and alleviating the impacts of barriers to migration is essential to allow completion of the life cycle. Deep bypass systems with entrances located near the riverbed hold some promise for increased effectiveness compared to traditional downstream guidance and bypass facilities with entrances near the surface, as eels typically occupy the bottom of the water column. Here we evaluate two deep entrance bypass designs; an airlift (the Conte Airlift) and a conventional gravity siphon of the same entrance dimensions. Tests were performed using migratory silver-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata), at night, in a simulated forebay environment. Passage performance was monitored over a 3 h test period using both PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag and video recording equipment. Entrance velocity was fixed at 1.2 m s−1 in each of 8 test runs with cohort size fixed in six runs at 14 and in two runs at 42. Test eels readily located, entered and passed both bypass designs. Differences in performance metrics between the airlift and siphon were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) with linked mean values of 74.5%, 90.5% and 100%, respectively. Eel length did not affect passage speed (P > 0.05) or slip ratio, i.e., the measured eel velocity relative to fluid velocity. The slip ratio was, however, greater in the siphon than in the airlift (P < 0.01) within identical vertical upflow sections of the test equipment. Siphon slip ratios in the upflow vertical section were comparable to those established for the horizontal and downflow sections. Fish density did not affect attraction and passage through the airlift or siphon. No mortality or signs of injury were observed on any of the test eels through a 48 h post-test observation period. Both airlift and siphon downstream bypass systems show promise as effective technologies for protection of downstream migrating eels at a variety of water diversion or hydroelectric sites that pose threats of impingement, entrainment, and turbine mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Interruptible siphon valving is proposed for liquid manipulations. • Interruptible transfer of liquid from one reservoir into the next is achieved. • Analytical model of the interruptible siphon valving is reported and verified. • Band-pass siphon valving, repeated washing, inward pumping, programmable flow control and flow sequencing are demonstrated. Abstract Various types of valving techniques, especially passive valves, have been demonstrated on centrifugal microfluidic devices, which are simple to fabricate and easy to implement. In this study, a novel interruptible siphon valving technique is proposed to enhance the flexibility for the flow control on passive centrifugal microfluidic platforms. Differs from traditional siphon valves, the main feature of the interruptible valve is having an additional air vent at the crest of the siphon channel. Using this design, a primed siphon can discharge liquids in a proper range of spin speed, or be cut off by further increasing the rotation frequency. An analytical model of the interruptible siphon valving is proposed and verified to estimate the cut-off spin speed, which can be a guidance for the device design. To demonstrate the potential of this valve for flow control, five typical applications based on interruptible siphon valving were proposed and evaluated, including band-pass siphon valving, repeated washing, inward pumping, programmable flow control and flow sequencing. Our methods are well balanced in simplicity and flexibility, and have significant potential to be applied in multistep biochemical analysis, immunoassays and nucleic acid tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this paper, a methodology is presented that facilitates the calculation of the failure rate performance of a cable's sheath bonding system due to lightning strikes on the connected overhead line(s). • The methodology consists of two steps: 1) detailed ATP simulations for the calculation of the minimum critical lightning current that results in the exceedance of the defined insulation withstand levels of the sheath bonding system and 2) the calculation of the failure rate performance based on the (national) lightning statistics. • The findings and conclusions of a practical study case in the Dutch 110 kV transmission grid are presented. This case refers to a double-circuit syphon connection, where the bonding leads of the cables' sheath bonding systems could reach lengths of up to 35 m due to land access limitations. • It could be concluded that the MTBF performance of a cable's bonding system strongly depends on a) the lightning performance of the connected overhead line(s) and b) the selected bonding scheme and its design. In mixed/Syphon connections, the cable system as a whole can be subjected to fast-front overvoltages due to lightning strikes, either directly on the phase conductors or on the shield wires of the overhead line(s) connected to the cable. In this paper, a methodology is presented that facilitates the calculation of the failure rate performance of a cable's sheath bonding system due to lightning strikes on the connected overhead line(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boolean network modeling of gene regulation but also of post-transcriptomic systems has proven over the years that it can bring powerful analyses and corresponding insight to the many cases where precise biological data is not sufficiently available to build a detailed quantitative model. Besides simulation, the analysis of such models is mostly based on attractor computation, since those correspond roughly to observable biological phenotypes. The recent use of trap spaces made a real breakthrough in that field allowing to consider medium-sized models that used to be out of reach. However, with the continuing increase in model size and complexity of Boolean update functions, the state-of-the-art computation of minimal trap spaces based on prime implicants shows its limits due to the difficulty of the prime-implicant computation. In this article we explore and prove for the first time a connection between trap spaces of a general Boolean network and siphons of its Petri net encoding. Besides important theoretical applications in studying properties of trap spaces, the connection enables us to propose an alternative approach to compute minimal trap spaces, and hence complex attractors, of a general Boolean network. It replaces the need for prime implicants by a completely different technique, namely the enumeration of maximal siphons in the Petri net encoding of the original model. We then demonstrate its efficiency and compare it to the state-of-the-art methods on a large collection of real-world and randomly generated models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An innovative low-grade heat driven desalination system inspired by heat pipe is proposed in this work. The system utilizes siphon force to create vacuum environment for seawater evaporation at much lower temperature which can significantly reduce energy consumption. The capillary force of the NiO wick pumps the seawater to the evaporator and pushes the generated vapor to the condenser without using any additional mechanical equipment. Localized vaporization in the micro channels of the NiO wick's surface further improves the heat utilization efficiency. Experimental results show that nearly 3.88 kg/(m2·h) of distilled water production rate can be produced at the heat source temperature as low as 34 °C and this value can be increased to 55.25 kg/(m2·h) at the temperature of 60 °C. The corresponding heat-conversion efficiency is 65.2% and 90.7%, respectively, which is much higher than that of most conventional desalination techniques. With the very low temperature operation condition and high efficiency, this novel technology may provide an efficient approach to harvest low-grade heat for fresh water production. Highlights • Innovative desalination system using open loop heat pipe is developed. • Stable operation by capillary force and siphon force, no pumping needed. • Heat localization for higher energy conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted with the design of a small scale siphon breaker using the Siphon Breaker Simulation Program (SBSP). The feasibility of SBSP was researched in a small scale experimental facility. C factor, Chisholm B coefficient, and simulation results of the Undershooting Height (UH) were obtained by the SBSP. The major parts of the experimental facility are an upper tank, a lower tank, a downcomer, and a Siphon Breaker Line (SBL). The experiment variables are LOCA sizes of 30 and 38 mm and SBL sizes of 2/8, 3/8, and 4/8 in. The overall analysis of the air sweep-out mode was conducted by observing the differential pressure, flow patterns in the downcomer, and the UH. In addition, the reasons for the deviation of the UH prediction were analyzed in terms of the C factor-Chisholm B coefficient relation. We observed partial and zero sweep-out modes from the experimental results with SBL 3/8 and 4/8 in. In these experiments, the UH prediction results by the SBSP showed an average error of approximately 16 mm, which deviates by 2.5% compared with the height of the upper tank. Therefore, the SBSP predicts the experimental results well. Contrarily, full, partial and zero sweep-out modes were observed for the SBL 2/8 in. experiment. The UH for this experiment was predicted with a maximum error of approximately 48%. Consequently, the experimental results fairly agree with the SBSP model predictions for C factor range of 100,000–420,000. However, the disagreement becomes larger as the C factor increases and since the UH is too big in a high C factor range, in which full sweep-out mode occurs, the high C factor range (over 420,000) should be avoided during the siphon breaker designing stage. Finally, the SBSP could be considered as a reasonable simulation software for designing various scale siphon breakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The transient law of conservation of momentum approximates the siphon draining course. • Variables modifying the fluid head loss and falling height impact draining dynamics. • Six dimensionless variables characterize siphon draining for 10 and 16 mm diameters. • An empirical correlation can predict the draining duration for 10 and 16 mm diameters. Abstract This study aims at analyzing the phenomenon of siphon draining occurring in drainback solar thermal systems. Although several experimental studies have been previously carried out, there is a lack of theoretical work in the literature. Since describing the draining process from a theoretical point of view should include complex phenomena as two-phase flow and stochastic events, a simpler representation is sought through dimensional analysis. The main physical parameters impacting the draining are at first identified with the equations of fluid mechanics before being individually assessed with experiments. The piping diameter, the type of fluid, the piping length, the drained volume of the circuit as well as the singular pressure losses are for this purpose varied throughout the experiments. A methodology for obtaining an empirical equation using dimensionless variables is finally developed, showing that the impact of all the studied parameters on the draining time could be accurately described for piping with an inner diameter of 10 and 16 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sessile organisms are reliant on the use of refugia or chemical and physical defences to avoid or reduce attacks from predators. Many solitary ascidians possess a thick leathery outer tunic, sometimes reinforced with inorganic inclusions, that generally acts to deter predators. The genus Herdmania is remarkable among ascidians in possessing an abundance of barbed needle-like calcareous spicules in both the external tunic and the internal mantle. Our focus was on a habitat-forming subtidal ascidian – Herdmania grandis . We questioned why a large ascidian possessing a leathery test would possess spicules within the mantle – an apparent defence within a defence. We first quantified variation in spicule size and density within animals. Second, we examined the size and density of spicules for individuals of a range of sizes. Third, we incorporated these spicules at natural concentrations into feeding discs and tested their ability to deter gastropod predators that specialise in consuming ascidians and an asteroid that is considered a generalist consumer. Finally, we examined survivorship of lab-reared ascidian recruits when exposed to the starfish predator. Spicules constituted up to 30% dry weight (DW) of the tunic and an astounding 57% DW of the body wall (mantle). Spicules were significantly smaller in the contractile regions of the animal (the siphon and branchial basket) and were also found in lower densities, though not significantly. Mantle spicules were effective feeding deterrents; control feeding discs, lacking spicules, were consumed at three times the rate of discs with spicules (p < 0.05) by specialist ascidian predators, the Ranellid gastropods Cabestana spengleri and Ranella australasia . In contrast, we did not detect a significant difference in the consumption of feeding discs by the seastar Meridiastra calcar . In addition, the seastar reduced survivorship of 90 day old lab-reared recruits by four-fold. We contend that the primary defence mechanism of this ascidian is the leathery test and that this is effective against generalist consumers. The second line of defence – spicules in the mantle –is to thwart gastropod predators that bypass the tunic either by boring through it or by inserting their proboscis directly into soft tissues of their prey via the siphons. The presence of both a leathery tunic and spicules in H. grandis probably contributes to the dominance of this species on shallow subtidal reefs in southeastern Australia, where it is an important habitat-forming species. Our findings confirm the importance of considering a range of consumer strategies and life history stages in assessing potential control of engineering species by predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of organic loading rate (OLR) and operating temperature on the performance of siphon-driven self-agitated anaerobic reactor (SDSAR) in an on-site food waste (FW) treatment system were investigated. Two reactors were operated in parallel for comparison between mesophilic condition (35 ± 1 °C) and thermophilic condition (55 ± 1 °C). With HRT above 15 d and OLR below 4.8 kg-COD/m 3 /d, relatively high COD removal in the range of 84.5–92.3% was obtained in both reactors. The limits of the loading capacity of the mesophilic SDSAR were observed when OLR was further increased to 7.3 kg-COD/m 3 /d by shortening HRT. Blocking and gas production reduction occurred and COD removal decreased sharply to 75.9% in the mesophilic reactor. In contrast, the thermophilic reactor can be operated at this OLR with satisfactory COD removal and biogas production. Furthermore, at OLR of 14.4 kg-COD/m 3 /d, the COD removal was maintained as high as 87.5% in the thermophilic reactor. The conversion of influent COD to methane was maintained above 80% at all the OLR applied in both reactors. The results of this study indicated that thermophilic SDSAR is preferred for the on-site FW treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pool-type reactors, as research reactors, are equipped with a siphon break line to prevent continuous siphonage flow that can cause core uncovery during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). In this study, the siphonage flow rate and siphon break phenomena during a LOCA in a pool-type research reactor are assessed using the three-dimensional two-phase transient flow analysis code, CUPID. The calculation indicates that the siphonage LOCA break flow rate relies on the wall friction model for the main drainage pipe, and the initiation of a siphon break is significantly affected by the interfacial drag model. The CUPID simulation of the siphon break confirms that the siphonage LOCA break flow rate and the initiation of siphon break phenomena are accurately predicted using the three-dimensional two-phase flow analysis code with the relevant physical models for wall friction and interfacial drag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deposited sediment removal or dredging is generally required in many hydro-system projects. Siphon dredging or hydrosuction bears many advantages including low energy consumption, minor turbidity generation and ability of localized dredging. A new device attached to a regular siphon inlet is introduced which produces a swinging action by means of a simple mechanism. Equipped siphon sweeps a larger area than what a regular siphon does and enhances the hydrosuction performance for cohesive sediment removal. Regular and equipped siphon performances for dredging non-cohesive and cohesive sediments were investigated experimentally. Time to reach equilibrium scour was determined and applied for all the tests. The equipped siphon generated larger scour holes in cohesive sediment type than that of the regular one and enhanced sediment removal process. This could be attributed to the swinging action of the siphon inlet which strikes the scour hole wall and acts against the cohesion property of the sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An arid climate can present large temperature changes between day and night. • A passive air-conditioning system is proposed using a thick wall with pipes. • Thermal inertia of the wall is used in favor of the system's performance. • A semi-analytic model describes the system's behavior with favorable results. • Considerable air temperature changes can be achieved through passive conditioning. A passive air-conditioning system for an arid climate with large temperature changes is proposed using a thick wall with pipes in its interior, and the siphon effect caused by natural convection. The thick wall acts as a capacitance term, absorbing heat from hot air at daytime, and releasing it to cold air at night. The system is modeled through a semi-analytic model that combines the use of scale analysis, a harmonic treatment, and the enhanced multipole method. This model is validated by means of a finite difference numerical scheme, that includes the terms neglected by the semi-analytic model, with favorable results. Furthermore, a parametric analysis is made considering the variation of the pipe's radius and length, and the wall's thermal parameters and thickness. It is shown that pipe's radius and length have a larger influence on the system's performance than the rest of parameters. The design seems to perform as expected, with promising outcomes. Further studies to improve this work are mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the balanced panel data of 260 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2016, and the quasi-natural experiment of the Pollution Information Transparency Index (PITI) project implemented in 110 prefecture-level cities in 2009, this paper uses the spatial difference-in-differences (SDID) model and the spatial Dubin model (SDM) model to investigate the FDI attraction effect of environmental information disclosure (EID). The results show that EID will significantly promote the inflow of FDI in cities, and this effect will be stronger with the increasing disclosure extent. EID has a siphon effect on FDI, that is, a city that has a better EID will attract more FDI than its neighbors, further intensifying the competition effect of FDI among cities with similar geographical distance, levels of economic development, and Internet penetration. The attraction effect of EID on FDI is mainly present in polluting cities and non-resource-based cities, while the impact on clean and resource-based cities is not significant. • We analyze the attraction effect of environmental information disclosure on FDI. • The effect of PITI project is evaluated with spatial-DID and SDM methods. • Environmental information disclosure has a siphon effect on FDI among cities. • The FDI attraction effect of disclosure extent is heterogeneous in city characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive water in a channel is an important factor that triggers channelized debris flows. In this study, we propose a new system for the separation of water and sediment and drainage in order to drain water away from channels and reduce the potential for debris flows. The main component of the system contains a siphon drainage pool covered with an inclined perforated plate and siphon drainage pipes. The inclined perforated plate can separate sediment from the water, and the siphon drainage pipe can drain flood water quickly. To test the effectiveness of the new structure, a field experiment was developed and tested in a small catchment in which debris flow was an issue. The experimental results showed that the drainage pool effectively decreased the maximum depth of the flow in the triggering area, thereby avoiding the occurrence of debris flow. To set the optimize design parameters of the pool, three main design parameters were evaluated, i.e., peak discharge during storms, separation ability of drainage pool, and the maximum depth of surface flow in the triggering areas. The peak discharge was obtained by using the NAM model and a rational formula, and the NAM model provided more accurate results. The results of the calculation of the separated ratio showed large runoff volumes and a lower separated ratio. The results of the NAM model were used to simulate the maximum depth of flow using the FLO-2D model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centrifugal microfluidics has proven to be successful in biomedical diagnostics, biological analysis and environmental monitoring. However, the automation of multi-step sample processing, reaction and detection remains a great challenge. In this study, a conditional siphon priming technique is introduced for multi-step liquid addition or selective routing. Since the siphon channel is locally modified or venting is blocked by liquid in another chamber, siphon priming can be triggered by liquid addition or venting at low frequency. Using this technique, sequential release of liquids and selective routing in multiple manners were successfully achieved. As a proof of concept, a centrifugal microfluidic platform was designed for on-site ammonium analysis in water samples. The linear range of ammonium concentrations is extended by integration of a dilution process. This novel valving technique provides new solutions for integration of complex liquid handling processes on centrifugal platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean thermal energy refers to the thermal potential energy produced by the temperature difference between the warm surface seawater and the cold deep seawater. In this paper, a siphon flash evaporation desalination system using ocean thermal energy is proposed. Because it can utilize the ocean thermal energy directly for desalination, siphon flash evaporation desalination system has relatively higher energy efficiency compared with converting ocean thermal energy into electric energy and then using electric energy for desalination. The working principle of this system is introduced firstly. Then, the exergy, exergy loss and exergy efficiency in the flash evaporation, condensation and the whole system are carried out quantitatively. The results show that the exergy efficiency of the system which directly utilizing ocean thermal energy for desalination reaches to 7.81% under design conditions; lower surface seawater temperature, higher deep seawater temperature and higher flash temperature can result in an increasing of system efficiency, while the whole energy consumption shall also be taken into consideration. Then the simulation model of the whole system is created in ASPEN PLUS in order to investigate the influence of some most important parameters, such as surface seawater temperatures, deep seawater temperatures and difference of inlet temperature between surface and deep seawater. Finally, an experimental platform is established based on the working principle and process to verify the validity of the working principle and the simulation model. The siphon flash evaporation desalination system provides a novel method of direct high efficient conversion and utilization of ocean thermal energy and this work can provide the theoretical support for the feasibility of similar engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the design conditions of a research reactor, the siphon phenomenon induced by pipe rupture can cause continuous efflux of water. In order to prevent water efflux, an additional facility is necessary. A siphon breaker is a type of safety facility that can resist the loss of coolant effectively. However, analysis of siphon breaking is complex since it comprises two-phase flow and there are many inputs to be considered. For this reason, in order to facilitate the analysis and design of the siphon breaker, a simulation program based on fluid mechanics was developed using MFC (Microsoft Foundation Class) programming. From Bernoulli’s equation, the velocity and quantity as well as undershooting height, water level, pressure, friction coefficient, and factors related to the two-phase flow could be calculated. The Chisholm model, which was included in the program to analyze the two-phase flow, can predict the results in a manner similar to those obtained from a real-scale experiment. By modifying the values of the input parameters and analyzing the results with respect to loss of coolant accident (LOCA) locations, the size of pipe and coefficients could be compared easily. Since simulation results are shown in the form of a graph, the user is able to confirm the total breaking situation. Furthermore, it is possible to save the entire simulation results. The simulation results were shown to be similar to those obtained from the real-scale experiment and the program functioned correctly. By using the program, the user is easily able to confirm the status of the siphon breaking, and the program is also helpful in the design of the siphon breaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is an emerging alternative for alleviating the water crisis due to its sustainability and eco-friendly, but it still required efficient strategies to address the major obstacle of salt accumulation during high-rate evaporation processes. Herein, a spatial solar evaporation device with hydrogel-based evaporator and 3D printing module was fabricated to achieve excellent evaporation performance based on siphon phenomenon, in which carbon nanotubes were used as light absorber and coated on cotton fabrics via polyvinyl alcohol as binder. The 3D evaporator structure captured ambient energy efficiently to accelerate water vaporization. Coupling with the low evaporation enthalpy of intermediate water in PVA-hydrogel matrix, the evaporator exhibited fascinating evaporation rate of 4.55 ± 0.06 kg m−2 h−1 in siphon mode under 1.0 sun, which was ~3.2 times and ~1.8 times higher than the 2D floating and 2.5D hanging mode. Moreover, the design of siphon effect prevented the salt accumulation on the spatial evaporation device. Even for 20.0 wt% brine, there was no salt precipitating on the evaporator surface during a long-term evaporation (8 h), demonstrating the excellent stability and durability. In addition, the concentrated brine can be separated from the feed timely, avoiding the declined evaporation performance from increased feed salinity. A spatial (3D) evaporation device constituted with hydrogel-based solar evaporator (CNTs@PVA cotton fabric solar evaporator) and 3D printing module was designed and fabricated to achieve excellent evaporation performance based on siphon phenomenon. [Display omitted] • A universal and efficient strategy to construct a spatial solar evaporation device • As high as 4.55 ± 0.06 kg m−2 h−1 of evaporation rate was achieved. • The design of siphon effect can prevent the salt accumulation. • The concentrated brine can be separated from the feed timely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insufficient water in the hydrologically critical part of the year is a problem often present in sub-arid areas. Human water demand and climate change compound the problem. This paper discusses the possibility of karst spring overexploitation, where there is a siphon-shaped cavity inside the mountain. Additionally, the paper presents some basic information related to the test area and Krupac Spring investigations including diving. The project, successfully implemented about 10 years ago, has provided the city of Niš with an additional 200 l/s of spring water during the most critical part of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A theoretical model was proposed to simulate discharge periodic variation. • The model was verified by physical experiments and applied extensively. • The model reveals the relationship between water level and discharge periods. • The model can estimate the permeability coefficient according to periodic changes. Intermittent karst springs (IKS) are common phenomena in karst areas where spring flow rates rise and fall in variable periods, which is generally attributed to the siphon structure in karst aquifers. However, the previous model assumed that the siphon cavity received a fixed recharge rate, thus the IKS showed a fixed periodic characteristic. In this study, an improved theoretical model (IKS model) was proposed to simulate the hydrological process of IKS with changing periods by considering the varying recharge rate from aquifers to the siphon cavity. The model uses two tandem tanks to represent the karst aquifer and siphon cavity separately. The numerical solution was obtained by the iterative method to predict the periodic variations of flow rate and eruption time of IKS. The IKS model was verified by physical experiments under four representative recharge conditions, showing good consistency between theoretical and experimental results. It reveals the hydrologic processes mechanism of the IKS by quantitatively describing the relationship between the cycle period of the IKS discharge variations and the flow exchanges in the siphon cavity-aquifer system. Furthermore, this model performs well in simulating the hydrological process of Chaoshuidong Spring in central China and approximately estimated the hydraulic coefficient of the aquifer in the basin based on observed periodic changes in spring discharge. These findings might be essential for the development, management, and protection of groundwater resources in IKS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonies of the marine, filter-feeding ascidian Botryllus schlosseri undergo cyclical generation changes or takeovers. These events are characterised by the progressive resorption of adult zooids and their replacement by their buds that grow to adult size, open their siphons and start filtering. During the take-over, tissues of adult zooids undergo extensive apoptosis; circulating, spreading phagocytes enter the effete tissues, ingest dying cells acquiring a giant size and a round morphology. Then, phagocytes re-enter the circulation where they represent a considerable fraction (more than 20%) of circulating haemocytes. In this study, we evidence that most of these circulating phagocytes show morphological and biochemical signs of apoptosis. Accordingly, these phagocytes express transcripts of orthologues of the apoptosis-related genes Bax, AIF1 and PARP1. Electron microscopy shows that giant phagocytes contain apoptotic phagocytes inside their own phagocytic vacuole. The transcript of the orthologues of the anti-apoptotic gene IAP7 was detected only in spreading phagocytes, mostly abundant in phases far from the take-over. Therefore, the presented data suggest that, at take-over, phagocytes undergo phagocytosis-induced apoptosis (PIA). In mammals, PIA is assumed to be a process assuring the killing and the complete elimination of microbes, by promoting the disposal of terminally differentiated phagocytes and the resolution of infection. In B. schlosseri , PIA assumes a so far undescribed role, being required for the control of asexual development and colony homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D Computational Particle Fluid Dynamic (CPFD) model is validated against experimental measurements in a lab-scale cold flow model of a Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB). The model prediction of pressure along the riser, downcomer and siphon as well as bed material circulation rates agree well with experimental measurements. Primary and secondary air feed positions were simulated by varying the positions along the height of the reactor to get optimum bed material circulation rate. The optimal ratio of the height of primary and secondary air feed positions to the total height of the riser are 0.125 and 0.375 respectively. The model is simulated for high-temperature conditions and for reacting flow including combustion reactions. At the high temperature and reaction conditions, the bed material circulation rate is decreased with the corresponding decrease in pressure drop throughout the CFB for the given air feed rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow drainage techniques such as mole and gravel mole drainage are used in low permeability soils to siphon off infiltrating rainwater and mitigate the associated rise in watertable. Their purpose is to improve trafficability and agricultural production. In Ireland, long-term climate predictions envisage an increased level of short-term extreme rainfall events. Therefore, a key question is how these drainage techniques perform during episodic, high intensity rainfall events, specifically in terms of discharge hydrographs and associated parameters (principally flow start time, flow peak time, lag time, peak flow rate and flashiness index). We examined 12 rainfall events over a 1 year period on a clay-loam dominated grassland site of 1.4% slope in the south of Ireland. Four drainage treatments, namely; (A) an un-drained control, (B) Mole drainage installed in January 2011 (sub-optimal installation conditions), (C) Mole drainage installed in July 2011 (optimal installation conditions) and (D) Gravel mole drainage installed in July 2011 were examined. Results showed that gravel mole drainage exhibited shorter response times to rainfall events and ultimately drained greater volumes. Drain flow from mole drainage treatments B and C produced longer start, peak and lag times and lower peak and total flows relative to the other flow discharges. Variations in discharges from all treatments were closely correlated to soil moisture status, 30 days antecedent rainfall and rainfall event intensity. Drain flow response in all treatments was seen to deteriorate in time with the strongest responses evident in early events. Flow hydrographs showed strong variation in flow characteristics, within and across treatments and across events. If the predicted increase in short-term extreme rainfall events materialises then such systems will have to operate in increasingly adverse conditions. This will require changes in system design to improve the effectiveness of mole and gravel mole drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air siphon nozzles are a simple device commonly used to transport liquid fuel to a combustor. Recent research in dual fuel combustion demonstrates benefits to using gas and liquid phase fuels in the same system. This paper demonstrates the use of hydrogen and other gases other than air to control liquid fuel flow through the siphon nozzle. It is shown mathematically that the two major variables controlling liquid flow rate are the specific heat ratio and upstream pressure of the gas. Since diatomic gases have similar specific heat ratios (k = 1.4 at 300 K), a mixture of hydrogen and air can control liquid flow using only pressure, regardless of mixture composition. At relevant gas pressures, it is analytically shown that the error from changing k is small for 1.1 < k < 1.67. The analytical work was verified experimentally by measuring the suction pressure on the fuel line. Tests using air, hydrogen, argon and helium showed good agreement between gases. However, the deviation begins to increase with the use of propane. This flexibility with gas selection enables liquid flow control with gas mixtures such as hydrogen rich reformate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The nutrients and PAHs removal were highly enhanced in Si-CW. • The combination of siphon and magnetite formed the iron cycle in Si-CW. • Microbial degradation was the main mechanism of PAHs removal in CW. • PAH-degrading bacteria possessed better propagation and growth condition in Si-CW. • Si-CW had higher siderophores produced which promoted the PAHs removal. Due to its limited dissolved oxygen concentration, constructed wetland (CW) could not remove nutrients and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) effectively. Therefore, in this study, a siphon was applied in CW (Si-CW) to create tidal flow to achieve efficient removal of nutrients and B[a]P, and the removal mechanism was explored. The results showed that the NH 4 + and TP removal values for the Si-CW were 55.95% ± 7.75% and 20.79% ± 8.39%, which exceeded those for the conventional CW (CCW). Alternative anaerobic and aerobic environments formed by siphon also enabled magnetite in Si-CW to form the iron cycle (Fe2+/Fe3+ cycle), which promoted the occurrence of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification and hydrogen-utilizing autotrophic denitrification and improved nitrogen removal significantly. The mass balance showed that microbial degradation was the main mechanism of B[a]P removal (39.0% – 54.0%). Si-CW possessed better oxygen conditions and iron cycles, favoring the propagation and growth of B[a]P-degrading bacteria (i.e., Pseudoxanthomonas) while enhancing the proportion of microbial degradation of B[a]P. Metagenomic analysis indicated that Si-CW had a higher TC.FEV.OM gene expression of Pseudoxanthomonas , which could regulate the siderophores produced by Pseudoxanthomonas through the metabolic pathway (K02014) of the iron complex outer-membrane receptor protein to achieve efficient B[a]P removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of infection caused by bacteria in recent years. The present study was aimed to evaluate the response mechanisms to SMX stress in gills and digestive gland of Corbicula fluminea (O. F. Müller, 1774). To this end, clams were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of SMX (0, 1, 10 and 100 μg/L) for 7 and 28 days, and siphon behavior, tissue-specific enzymatic and transcriptional changes were assayed. Our results showed that exposure to SMX significantly suppressed filtration rate and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, activated antioxidant defense system and elevated transcription of several genes related to cell apoptosis in gills and digestive gland of clams. In general, SMX at environmentally relevant concentrations exhibited a negative impact on siphon behavior and induced neurotoxicology, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in C. fluminea. The current study will help broaden our understanding of the ecotoxicity of SMX on freshwater bivalves. [Display omitted] • Exposure to SMX impaired the physiological status of C. fluminea via reducing siphoning rate. • SMX exerted neurotoxicity in C. fluminea , evidenced by suppressed AChE activity. • Exposure to SMX could activate antioxidant responses and induce apoptosis in gills and digestive gland of C. fluminea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new form of industrial organization, there is still a lack of research on how industrial symbiotic agglomeration affects green economic growth. To fill this research gap, this paper analyzes the impact mechanism of industrial symbiotic agglomeration on green economic growth from the perspective of energy efficiency, waste recycling, and green technology innovation. Based on the data of Chinese cities from 2004 to 2019, we use the spatial difference-in-differences approach for empirical testing. The research concludes: (1) Industrial symbiotic agglomeration can both significantly promote green economic growth and have a spillover effect on neighboring cities. (2) The specific spillover effects are divided into three cases. Diffusion effect (within 150 km), siphon effect (150 km–750 km), no significant spatial effect (over 750 km). (3) The promotion and spillover effects of industrial symbiotic agglomeration on green economic growth can only be brought into full play when a certain threshold is reached. The local promotion effect requires the area of the symbiotic agglomeration area to be greater than 106 km2, while the spillover effect requires a larger scale (greater than 393.2 km2) for it to manifest itself. This has theoretical and practical significance for promoting green growth and achieving sustainable development through symbiotic agglomeration. • For the first time, we analyze the impact mechanism of industrial symbiotic agglomeration on green economic growth from the perspectives of energy efficiency, waste recycling and green technology innovation. • For the first time, the impact of industrial symbiotic agglomeration on green economic growth is quantitatively analyzed. Industrial symbiotic agglomeration can both significantly promote green economic growth and have a spillover effect on neighboring cities. • The specific spillover effects are divided into three cases. Diffusion effect (within 150 km), siphon effect (150 km-750 km), no significant spatial effect (over 750 km). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siphons are basic and powerful hydraulic instruments which can be used as dam spillway or weir. In a siphon, atmospheric pressure pushes the water into the region of vacuum at the crest of the siphon, and then water falls towards the outlet of siphon. In this study, the siphon used as a side weir was investigated to determine hydrodynamic characteristics experimentally, theoretically and numerically. First, the flow properties of main channel were examined for subcritical flow condition. Then, the velocity and pressures distributions inside the siphon; finally the discharge performance of siphon side weir was determined comparatively, and the results were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water tests of a loop-type sodium-cooled fast reactor have been conducted to physically evaluate the natural circulation characteristics. The water test apparatus was manufactured as a 1/10-scale mock-up of the Japan Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor, which adopts a decay heat removal system (DHRS) utilizing natural circulation. Tests simulating a variety of events and operation conditions clarified the thermal hydraulic characteristics and core-cooling performance of the natural circulation in the primary loop. Operation conditions such as the duration of the pump flow coast-down and the activation time of the DHRS affect the natural circulation characteristics. A long pump flow coast-down cools the upper plenum of the reactor vessel (RV). This causes the loss of the buoyant force in the RV. The test result indicates that a long pump flow coast-down tends to result in a rapid increase in the core temperature because of the loss of the buoyant force. The delayed activation of the DHRS causes a decrease in the natural circulation flow rate and a temperature rise in the RV. Flow rate deviation and a reverse flow appear in the parallel cold-leg piping in some events, which cause thermal stratification in the cold-leg piping. The DHRS prevents the core temperature from fatally rise even for the most severe design-basis event, in which sodium leakage in a secondary loop of the DHRS and the opening failure of a single damper of the air cooler occur simultaneously. In the water test for the case of siphon break in the primary loop, which is one of the design extension conditions, a circulation flow consisting of ascendant and descendant flows in the core channels suppresses the rise in the core temperature instead of the primary coolant loop. However, the test result suggests that the present DHRS has insufficient performance to remove the decay heat in the case of siphon break. Repeated tests have shown that the results of the water test have sufficiently high reproducibility in terms of the flow rate of the primary loop to be used for the verification of numerical codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the difficulty in denitrification of low C/N ratio wastewater, electrochemical technology with multiple electrodes and tidal flow method via siphon aeration were used to enhance the denitrification process. At the same time, because of the low phosphorus removal efficiency in traditional activated sludge process, the constructed wetland and microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) reactor with dewatered alum sludge (DAS) as substrate were constructed. In addition, the REDOX conditions of the reactor were changed by siphon, which significantly improved the removal efficiency of N and P and the energy recovery capacity of the reactor. In the 172 d, the Tidal Flow Constructed Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cell (TF CW-MFC) had the highest removal efficiency of COD and total nitrogen (TN), which were 97.4% and 83.4%, respectively. Although the removal rate of total phosphorus (TP) by TF CW-MFC was lower than artificial aeration, it can still reached 89.0%. The removal effect of aromatic protein substances in water was also significant. The amount of electrons generated by the artificial aeration anode and the amount of oxygen generated by the cathode were not enough to match. The voltage of TF CW-MFC was significantly higher than artificial aeration, around 350 mV, and the maximum power density was 98.16 mW m−3. In addition, MFC had an inhibitory effect on CW methane emissions. The analysis of the microbial community structure showed that most of the dominant bacteria of TF CW-MFC belonged to the Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi. These results showed that the TF CW-MFC technology as a zero-energy oxygen supply mode had high efficiency in the treatment of low C/N ratio wastewater and also had the environmental effect of reducing methane emissions. This study suggests that this green wastewater treatment technology has potential application value. [Display omitted] • The multi-anode enhanced low C/N ratio wastewater treatment and energy recovery. • The change of the electron transfer and REDOX potential were keys to the reactors. • Siphon aeration facilitated methane control through biochemical processes. • The siphon aeration created aerobic/anaerobic environment for nitrogen removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] New method and new special collector in determining feed conversion ratio in fishey. [•] The uneaten pellets were automatically collected other than siphoning. [•] Time and labor saving make the process of determining FCR fair convenient. [•] No need to separate uneaten pellets and feces. [•] Improved accuracy of FCR compared to weigh method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]