Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, intensity and duration of droughts in all parts of the United States (US). Snow packs are disappearing earlier in the spring and summer, with reduced stream-flow. Lower reservoir levels, higher temperatures, and greater precipitation variability have been observed. Drought events in the US have threatened drinking water supplies for communities in Maryland and Chesapeake Bay as observed in 2001 through September 2002; Lake Mead in Las Vegas in 2000 through 2004; Peace River and Lake Okeechobee in South Florida in 2006; and Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Georgia in 2007. ENSO influences the climate of Florida; where El Niño years tend to be cooler and wetter, while La Niña years tend to be warmer and drier than normal in the fall through the spring, with the strongest effect in the winter. Both prolonged heavy rainfall and drought potentially have impacts on land uses and many aspects of Florida's economy and quality of life. Drought indices could integrate various hydrological and meteorological parameters and quantify climate anomalies in terms of intensity, duration, and spatial extent, thus making it easier to communicate information to diverse users. Hence, understanding local ENSO patterns on regional scales and developing a new land use drought index in Florida are critical in agriculture and water resources planning and managements. Current drought indices have limitations and drawbacks such as calculation using climate data from meteorological stations, which are point measurements. In addition, weather stations are scarce in remote areas and are not uniformly distributed. Currently used drought indices like the iv PDSI and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) could not fully demonstrate the land use effects. Other limitations include no single index that addresses universal drought impact. Hence, there is a renewed interest to develop a new “Regional Land Use Drought Index (RLDI) that could be applied for various land use areas and serve for short term water resources planning. In this study, the first and second research topics investigated water and energy budgets on the specific and important land use areas (urban, forest, agriculture and lake) in the State of Florida by using the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) reanalysis data. NARR data were used to understand how drought events, EI Niño, La Niña, and seasonal and inter-annual variations in climatic variables affect the hydrologic and energy cycle over different land use areas. The results showed that the NARR data could provide valuable, independent analysis of the water and energy budgets for various land uses in Florida. Finally, the high resolution land use (32km×32km) adapted drought indices were developed based on the NARR data from 1979 to 2002. The new regional land use drought indices were developed from normalized Bowen ratio and the results showed that they could reflect not only the level of severity in drought events resulting from land use effects, but also La Niña driven drought impacts.

The effects of energy balance on hormonal patterns and recovered oocytes were evaluated in 20 lactating Holstein cows during two trial periods (fall/spring). Cows were randomly selected and assigned to one of two dietary treatments formulated so that cows consumed 3.6% BW (HE- 1.78 mcal/kg; n=6 in fall, n=5 in spring) and 3.2% BW (LE-1.52 mcal/kg; n= 5 in fall, n=4 in spring). Body weight and body condition score (BCS) were recorded prior to parturition and weekly throughout the fall trial. Ultrasound guided transvaginal follicular aspirations were conducted twice weekly between d 30 and 100 of lactation. Follicle size and number were recorded. Follicular fluid (FF) was aspirated from the largest follicle, and serum samples were collected for hormone assay (IGF-1; estradiol (E2); progesterone (P4, serum ); LH and FSH). Oocytes were collected and graded based upon cumulus density and ooplasm homogeneity, then fertilized and cultured in vitro. Milk yield averaged 41.64 ± .3 kg/d (mean ± SE) for HE and 32.8 ± .3 kg/d for LE. There was a significant cubic day postpartum by treatment interaction for milk yield. Dry matter intake and BW treatment by week interactions were significant for the cubic and linear components, respectively. Oocyte numbers increased linearly from d 30 to 100 postpartum. HE cows produced more good + oocytes (1.5 ± .2 ) than LE cows (1.4 ± .1). Follicles less than or equal to 5 mm predominated throughout the study (6.4 ± 3.0). However, greater numbers of follicles 10 to 14 mm and greater than or equal to 15 mm were found in the fall (1.98 ± .08 and .50 ± .06) than spring (1.11 ± .3 and .23 ± .07). Follicular fluid IGF-1 was higher in HE (2.3 ± .2 ng/ml) than in LE cows (1.6 ± .2 ng/ml). Mean basal serum FSH concentration was lower at 28 d postpartum (173 ± 8 pg/ml) compared to later (521 ± 25 at d 60 and 650 ± 25 pg/ml at d 110). Serum P4 peaked at 35 d postpartum, with HE cows having 1 ng/ml higher P4 than LE cows. Low dietary energy reduced milk yield, DMI, BCS, FF IGF-1 and serum P4 and had a negative impact on oocyte quality. / Master of Science

<p>The primary goal of the research is to examine the expander manufacturing process of an industry, observe how the industry may sustainably be manufacturing elements throughout its entire manufacturing process, and analyze the advantages of doing so. It will also look at the challenges that would arise if these manufacturing processes were altered to make them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.</p>

Oil sands mining in Alberta completely transforms the natural boreal landscape of upland forests, wetlands and lakes into open pits, tailings and overburden piles. By law, industry is required to return the landscape to its pre-disturbance land capability. While previous reclamation efforts have mainly focused on upland forest ecosystems, rebuilding wetland systems on soft tailings has only recently become a research focus. The dry, sub-humid climate and high salinity levels of underlying mining material complicate reconstruction of wetlands within this region. In 2012, Syncrude Canada Ltd. completed construction of the Sandhill Fen Watershed (SFW), a 52-ha upland-wetland system to evaluate wetland reclamation strategies. SFW includes an active pumping system, upland hummocks, a fen wetland and underdrains. This study examined the watershed-scale water balance in the first two years after commissioning (2013 and 2014). The first paper presents a semi-distributed water balance approach examining the fluxes and stores of different landscape units. Artificial pumping controlled the water balance in 2013, with approximately double the annual precipitation pumped in and out from May-Oct 2013, causing large water table fluctuations. In 2014, pump management was more passive, and water balance controlled by vertical fluxes. In the second paper, growing season ET rates and controls were assessed using data from three eddy covariance towers in the uplands and lowlands. Average ET rates between uplands and lowlands were similar, with average rates of 2.41 – 2.52 mm d-1. ET was radiatively controlled at all sites. Energy partitioning and ET rates are similar to natural boreal peatlands within the area, however upland areas are expected to increase in ET rates as LAI increases and vegetation matures. This study provides critical quantitative data on the early years of a highly managed watershed. Long-term monitoring is necessary, as water balance dynamics will evolve with vegetation development and climate cycles. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第20217号 / 理博第4302号 / 新制||理||1618(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 半谷 吾郎, 教授 湯本 貴和, 教授 平井 啓久 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

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No description available.

Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) systems collect energy from the sun to heat the household water. In the context of a system energy balance, numerical simulations were conducted using the commercial software “TRNSYS-17” to study the SDHW system performance (solar fraction) influenced by the critical parameters in various sizes of the thermal storage tank (TES) tank. The key parameters were the magnitude of the collector mass flow rate, degree of thermal stratification within the TES tank, and the duration of the mass flows through the collector. An empirical correlation was obtained to determine the operating collector mass flow rate and TES volume to deliver the peak system performance. The correlation was preliminarily verified with different weather data. The studies showed that the optimal collector mass flow rate occurred when the same amount of total daily household demand passed through the collector. Furthermore, when the twofold amount of the household demand passed through the collector, the optimal dimensionless tank volume became insensitive to the change of collector flow rate and remained constant at 0.84. Researchers discovered that promoting thermal stratification within the TES tank would enhance system performance. Thermal stratification within a TES improves the system performance by sending colder water to the solar collector and hotter water to the household. This research challenges the research community’s focus on thermal stratification by showing that solar fraction is directly related to the solar collector heat losses. As such, the role of the TES tank is to supply cold fluid to the collector to minimize collector losses. Thermal stratification in the top portion of the tank is thus unimportant in influencing solar fraction. In this research, the pump is turned on/off by monitoring the temperature difference between the collector inlet and outlet. Different pump control strategies at different collector mass flow rates were implemented to adjust the pump-on time. The studies showed the system performance was negligibly affected (~0.5%) by employing different pump control strategies while the collector mass flow rate was held constant. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

[EN] The main objective of this doctoral thesis is the development of a comprehensive methodology to perform and analyse the thermal balance of reciprocating engines, based on experimental and theoretical techniques. Starting from previous works carried out in the research group, which are related to combustion diagnosis and thermal management, a methodology to analyse the thermal balance from two points of view was proposed: on the one hand, the external point of view, mainly based on experimental measurements, and on the other hand, the internal point of view, based on modelling. The combination of both approaches allows the necessary model adjustment, along with a detail characterization of the different energy flows. Apart from the thermal balance methodology, several proposals to model some internal processes have been provided, being noteworthy the sub-models for heat transfer to the chamber walls, the ports and between the oil and coolant. Besides, detailed mechanical losses model was also developed. With the aim of ensuring the models reliability and robustness, an integral uncertainty adjustment methodology is proposed, which allows determining some parameters affecting the thermodynamic properties within the chamber and the sub-models adjustment. The analysis and calibration methodology is flexible enough to be applied in different types of engines and combustion modes, thus ensuring its generality. To demonstrate the methodology potential, it is finally applied to analyse specific parametric studies in two engines, showing its usefulness for both diagnostic and predictive applications. / [ES] El objetivo principal de la presente tesis doctoral es el desarrollo de una metodología integral que permita analizar el balance de energía en motores de combustión interna alternativos, mediante la combinación de diferentes técnicas experimentales y teóricas. Para ello, partiendo de varios trabajos previos realizados en el grupo de investigación en temas relacionados con diagnóstico de la combustión y gestión térmica del motor, se ha propuesto una separación del análisis energético en dos puntos de vista: exterior, basado principalmente en medidas experimentales e interior, fundamentalmente basado en modelado. La combinación de ambos enfoques permite el necesario ajuste de los modelos, así como la caracterización completa y fiable de los flujos de energía en el motor. Junto a la metodología del balance energético, se han aportado una serie de propuestas para el modelado de diferentes procesos internos, entre los que destacan los modelos de transmisión de calor a las paredes de la cámara de combustión, a las pipas y entre el aceite y el refrigerante, así como un modelo detallado de pérdidas mecánicas. Con el fin de garantizar la robustez y fiabilidad de dichos modelos, se ha propuesto una metodología de ajuste de incertidumbres que permite obtener el valor de varios parámetros que afectan al cálculo de las condiciones termodinámicas en la cámara, así como el ajuste de los diferentes modelos propuestos. La metodología de análisis y calibración es suficientemente flexible para ser aplicada a motores de características y modos de combustión diferentes, asegurando así la generalidad de la herramienta. Para mostrar su potencial, se ha aplicado a dos motores en estudios paramétricos específicos, verificándose su utilidad como herramienta tanto de diagnóstico como para su uso en aplicaciones predictivas. / [CA] L'objectiu principal de la present tesi doctoral és el desenrotllament d'una metodologia integral que permeta analitzar el balanç d'energia en motors de combustió interna alternatius, per mitjà de la combinació de diferents tècniques experimentals i teòriques. Per a això, partint de diversos treballs previs realitzats en el grup d'investigació en temes relacionats amb diagnòstic de la combustió i gestió tèrmica del motor, s'ha proposat una separació de l'anàlisi energètica en dos punts de vista: exterior, basat principalment en mesures experimentals i interior, fonamentalment basat en modelatge. La combinació d'ambdós enfocaments permet el necessari ajust dels models, així com la caracterització detallada dels diferents fluxos energètics. Junt amb la metodologia del balanç energètic, s'han aportat una sèrie de propostes per al modelatge de diferents processos interns, entre els que destaquen els models de transmissió de calor a les parets de la cambra de combustió, a les pipes i entre l'oli i el refrigerant, així com un model detallat de pèrdues mecàniques. A fi de garantir la robustesa i fiabilitat dels dits models, s'ha proposat una metodologia integral d'ajust d'incerteses que permet obtindre el valor de diversos paràmetres que afecten el càlcul de les condicions termodinàmiques en la cambra, així com l'ajust dels diferents models proposats. La metodologia d'anàlisi i calibratge és prou flexible per a ser aplicada a motors de característiques i modes de combustió diferents, assegurant així la generalitat de la ferramenta. Per a mostrar el seu potencial, finalment s'ha aplicat a dos motors en estudis paramètrics específics, verificant la seua utilitat tant com a ferramenta de diagnòstic com en aplicacions predictives. / Carreño Arango, R. (2016). A comprehensive methodology to analyse the Global Energy Balance in Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/73069

Yes / Long-term and reversible changes in body weight are typical of seasonal animals. Thyroid hormone (TH) and retinoic acid (RA) within the tanycytes and ependymal cells of the hypothalamus have been implicated in the photoperiodic response. We investigated signalling downstream of RA and how this links to the control of body weight and food intake in photoperiodic F344 rats. Chemerin, an inflammatory chemokine, with a known role in energy metabolism, was identified as a target of RA. Gene expression of chemerin (Rarres2) and its receptors were localised within the tanycytes and ependymal cells, with higher expression under long (LD) versus short (SD) photoperiod, pointing to a physiological role. The SD to LD transition (increased food intake) was mimicked by 2 weeks of ICV infusion of chemerin into rats. Chemerin also increased expression of the cytoskeletal protein vimentin, implicating hypothalamic remodelling in this response. By contrast, acute ICV bolus injection of chemerin on a 12h:12h photoperiod inhibited food intake and decreased body weight with associated changes in hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in growth and feeding after 24hr. We describe the hypothalamic ventricular zone as a key site of neuroendocrine regulation, where the inflammatory signal, chemerin, links TH and RA signaling to hypothalamic remodeling. / BBSRC (grant number BB/K001043/1) and the Scottish Government.