South Station Research Articles

FIRST RECORD OF SOLOSTAMENIDES PAUCITESTICULATUS KRITSKY & ÖKTENER, 2015 (MONOGENOIDEA, MICROCOTYLIDAE) FROM GILLS OF ABU MULLET PLANILIZA ABU (HECKEL, 1843) FROM EUPHRATES RIVER OF SAMAWA CITY, SOUTHERN IRAQ

A total of 54 abu mullet Planiliza abu (Heckel, 1843) were collected from two stations (north and south stations) along the Euphrates River near Samawa City, Al-Muthanna province and were examined during the period from October 2016 till September 2017 for parasites. Six out of 35 examined fishes from the north station (17.1%) and one out of 19 examined fishes (5.3%) from south station were infected with the microcotylid Solostamenides paucitesticulatus Kritsky & Oktener, 2015. The parasite was illustrated and described, and it is considered as a new record for the parasitic fauna of fishes of Iraq.

Analysis the economics of sustainable electricity by wind and its future perspective

Since the prices of oil and gasoline increase, the wind power will become increasingly competitive. So, one should present the safe conclusions with respect to the economic viability in terms of investment and operation of the wind turbines at a given location. Egypt enjoys fully a high potentiality of wind energy and its applications, nevertheless the study of this renewable source is still below the required level. Technical assessment of a two wind farms of 300 MW installed capacity has been presented on the proposed locations, where the correct roughness factor was estimated and the rate of wind power density potential per month at 100 m altitude has been derived. Frequency distributions, monthly capacity factor and annual full load hours have been investigated to choose the best suitable wind turbines over there. Annual capacity factors are high ranged between 44% and 42%, respectively, that represents 3855 h of annual operation hours in Kharga station, while 3680 of operative yearly hours were at Dakhla South station. The considered wind farms could generate 1130 GWh of electricity per year. Average cost per kWh is around 2 € cent. In terms of practical economic analysis and considerations given in this paper, Kharga and Dakhla South sites are global areas for wind power plants and have the ability to generate electricity with low price. Also, it is lower than the local electricity tariff in Egypt, which was generated by other ways through the fiscal year 2017/2018, that is equivalent to 5.4 US cent per kilowatt-hour. As a result, this great amount of electricity produced from this venture is relatively more than the needs of Egypt and can be exported to Southern European countries on the Mediterranean Sea, that will reduce the domestic fossil fuel consumption and create a clean regional climate by preventing thousands of tons of carbon emissions per year.

Review: Design norms for soil and water conservation structures in the sugar industry of South Africa

This paper contains a critical review of the norms employed in the design of soil and water conservation structures in the South African sugar industry and highlights research needs in order to update them. Sugarcane in South Africa is grown on wide-ranging soils, sometimes in non-ideal climates and on steep topographies where soils are vulnerable to erosion. A consequence of unsustainable soil loss is reduction in field production capacity. Sugarcane fields are protected against erosion through, inter alia, the use of engineered waterways, contour banks and spill-over roads. The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI), previously known as the South African Sugar Experiment Station (SASEX), developed a nomograph to easily compute the maximum width of field panels based on soil type, tillage method, replant method, surface structures to control runoff, surface cover and slope. This was followed by guidelines and norms for the design of soil and water conservation structures. However, the nomograph was developed based on an acceptable soil loss of 20 t·ha−1·yr−1, yet soil formation rates in South Africa range between 0.25 and 0.38 t·ha−1·yr−1. Comparisons between design norms in the National Soil Conservation Manual and norms used in the sugar industry clearly show discrepancies that need to be investigated. The design of soil conservation structures includes the design of both contour bank spacing and hydraulic capacity. The sustainable soil loss method is recommended in the design of contour spacing and it determines contour spacing based on evaluation of site-specific sheet and rill erosion potential of the planned contour spacing while the hydraulic design employs Manning’s equation. Considering that increases in both design rainfall and design floods are anticipated in South Africa, it is necessary to incorporate these projections in the design of soil and water conservation structures. Many soil loss models exist, of which empirical models are the most robust and provide stable performances. The majority of empirical models are lumped models which estimate average annual soil loss. The Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) estimates event-based erosion and, given that the majority of soil erosion occurs during a few extreme events annually, the design norms should be updated using the MUSLE.

STUDYING THE EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF PHOSPHORIC ACID ON THE SEPARATION OF NICKEL FROM THE WASTE OF SOUTH BAGHDAD THERMAL POWER STATION

The process of separating nickel from the waste of thermal power stations has a positive effect on the environment and has a good economic return. . In this study, nickel was separated from the wastes of the South Baghdad thermal power station by using phosphoric acid. The investigation studied the influence parameters ( concentration of acid, temperature, time, size of waste granules and acid to the waste quantity ratio) on separation process of nickel. The best conditions in the separation process were obtained when the concentration of acid is 5 molarities, the temperature 50 °C, the duration time of separation is 4 hours, the acid phosphoric to the waste quantity ratio is 30, and the size of the waste granules is 150μm. The percentage of nickel that can be separated from the wastes of south Baghdad thermal power station reaches 81%.

Assessment of pavement condition index: a case of flexible road pavements on the university of agriculture Makurdi Campus

This study assessed the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of flexible road pavements on the University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) Campus. The ASTM D6433 standard manual for assessing flexible road pavement condition manually was adopted. Analysis of results using descriptive statistics revealed that over 65% of the road pavement on the UAM campus were rated within the range of poor to failed state. Some segments at different routes were rated as fair and above (up to good) conditions, these routes and their corresponding percentages for fair and above conditions included; the Ring Road (RR) at 69.3%, University Entrance Gate - Clinic Junction (GCJ) route at 42.9%, Hostel Junction - Water Works (HJWW) at 33.3%, Clinic Junction - Ring Road Junction (CRRJ) at 26.7%, Staff Quarters Street (SQS) at 25%, South Core Bus Station – Entrance Gate Junction (SCG) at 9.1% and South Core Bus Station - Veterinary Auditorium (SCV) at 0%. The RR route had relatively high percentage of fair to good road pavement segments, while the SCV route had relatively high fraction of pavement with worse condition. Timely and total rehabilitation of flexible road pavement on the UAM campus were recommended since over 65% of the road network is at deplorable state, the prompt rehabilitation of the worse routes such as the SCV and SCG routes (having the least % for fair and above conditions) should be given priority. Also, the patching of potholes at this stage of deterioration is essential to prevent further damages and thereby reducing cost of rehabilitation in the future. Keywords: Flexible road pavement, Pavement Condition Index (PCI), maintenance strategies, pavement rehabilitation, surface distress and University of Agriculture Makurdi

Evaluation of GSMaP Satellite Precipitation Over Central VietNam in 2000-2010 Period and Correction Ability

Abstract: Daily/Monthly precipitation of GSMaP is compared with observation at 10 stations over Central VietNam in 2000-2010 period. Evaluation indices used in this study include correlation coefficient (r), relative bias (B), probability of detection (POD) and false alarm ratio (FAR). The results show that the agreement of the first rainy month over 100mm and the maximum rainy month between GSMaP and observation, however, the duration of rainy months over 100mm of GSMaP is shorter than that of observation. GSMaP precipitationoften underestimates compared to observation in October-December at almost stations.It can be seen that monthly correlation coefficients are often positive at almost stations when evaluating daily precipitation, the lower values normally are found in January and February. Positive relative biases are observed in April-September at most of North Central stations, while those often occur in July-September at South Central stations. Negative relative biases can be found in October until March of next year at almost stations. The good POD and FAR values are given at 0-6mm/day threshold and the worse values are found at 6-16mm/day threshold. After applying correction methods, the GSMaP precipitation is much better agreement with observation, especially in underestimated rainy months.
 Key words:Precipitation, GSMaP, evaluation, correction.

Neutralizing environmental uncertainties: the evolution of leadership in the South Korean TV station, KBS

ABSTRACTLeadership studies on public TV companies are few and far between due to their peculiar status as a monopoly in the market. TV leadership has been deemed less important than the government that regulates it or the corporate advertisers who buy its air time. Using the theory of environmental threats and leadership evolution, this study analyses the personal data of CEOs at the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), which is owned and controlled by the state from its conception in 1961. This contribution finds that different types of CEOs were favoured for each evolutionary stage with dissimilar environmental threats. Over the years, CEOs at KBS have become much more professionalized and were selected from inside rather than from the government. However, CEOs continue to pursue their political, rather than professional, roles to neutralize its external threats. It continues to be genuine that the most critical environmental threat for KBS is the state itself. The continuous political nature of KBS leadership makes it very difficult for the organization to be free from internal and external crises, including general strikes by employees and the sweeping layoff of key decision-makers in the firm by the government. It is expected that new CEOs at KBS should play professional roles for their long-term survival.

Geophysical changes detection by remote sensing in Alaminos River Pangasinan, Philippines

Geophysical changes of the river outlets, riverbanks and coastlines in Alaminos, Pangasinan were measured using Google Earth from 2009 to 2014. On the other hand, actual measurements were gathered using South Total Station (NTS-362R6L) in 2015. The insights of the residents regarding feature changes of the river were obtained through one on one interview. Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) were computed for measurement and horizontal positional accuracy of Google Earth. To perceive the effects of sea levels, historical data (2004-2015) from Bolinao, Philippines Tide Chart at online tides and currents predictions were also analyzed. Alaminos river outlets decreased in width size due to natural factor and human activities. Alaminos riverbank increased in width size which could be possibly due to natural calamities and weak bank resistance brought about by the frequent flooding caused by heavy rains and the emergency released of water from San Roque Dam. Generally the north and south coasts of Alaminos River increased and expanded. Rise in sea level is also a probable cause of changes wherein heights of low tides in Pangasinan Gulf is increasing overtime. The computed RMSE was low which indicate positional accuracy and measurement of Google Earth in the study area.

Mineralogical, chemical, and petrographic properties of selected South African power stations’ feed coals and their corresponding density separated fractions using float-sink and reflux classification methods

ABSTRACTThree South African feed coal samples for the combustion process were beneficiated to produce carbon-rich and mineral-rich fractions. The mineralogical, petrographical, and chemical properties of these feed coals and their density separated fractions were investigated using XRD, XRF, QEMSCAN, Electron microprobe, and petrography analyses. This work was conducted with the goal of better understanding the processes and operational problems which could possibly occur during coal utilization, with particular focus on the included and excluded mineral matter transformational behavior at elevated temperatures. The conventional float-sink and reflux classification methods used were shown to successfully eliminate liberated minerals and produced maceral-rich float fractions (98%) macerals. The main differences between the feed coals were related to the mode of occurrence of mineral matter. An integration of these different analytical techniques allowed for better determination of the concentrations of mineral matter responsible for industrial ash-related problems. In this paper, we propose that blends of the different density fractions will reduce or minimize clinker and slag formation as well as the abrasive nature of the clinkers or slags. Possible blends to minimise clinker and slag formation include the float and sink fractions of the feed coals in varying proportions based on the specific mineralogical, petrographical and chemical data.

Remote sensing application in monitoring change of river and coastlines of Morong, Bataan, Philippines

Remote sensing offers fast, cheap and reliable method in detecting river and coastal changes. In this study, satellite imageries of Morong river and coastlines from 2006 to 2016 were collected and analyzed to monitor changes. Field measurements were also done using South Total Station (NTS-362R6L) in 2016 for comparison and validation of data. Results showed that the river outlet and the riverbank increased in width size due to erosion brought about by torrential rains and urban run-offs. Coastlines near the river narrowed in size or shifted landward due to coastal erosion and sea level rise. An interview was conducted to locals residing nearby the river and coast where strong typhoons were reported which cause geophysical changes in the area. The residents also observed sea level rise, coastal and river erosion which caused narrowing of the coastlines and widening of the river, respectively. Records of high tides and low tides collected were projected in annual average levels per month. The average level of low tides increased per year which can be a result of sea level rise. The computed RMSE between field and remote sensing measurements ranged from 0.1m to 0.67m which indicated positional accuracy of Google Earth in the area.

Rare earth elements in select Main Karoo Basin (South Africa) coal and coal ash samples

Internationally, the demand for a variety of rare earth elements (REY/REY + Sc) (i.e. Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) for use in modern electronic and related components is increasing. This demand has led to a need to expand extraction from alternative sources, such as coal and combustion ash. South Africa has extensive coal resources and generates a significant amount of coal ash. The aim of the study is to determine the levels of REY + Sc in three South African power station feed coals and their associated ash products (eight samples), with a consideration of the viability of commercial extraction of REY + Sc from these materials. The coal and ash samples were analysed using a variety of routine and advanced techniques, including petrography, Malvern particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Total REY concentrations ranged from 95 to 149 ppm in the coal samples, and H– and M-type REY enrichment types were determined. Total REY concentrations ranged from 402 to 599 ppm in the ash samples, far higher than the average upper crustal values, and higher than global average hard coal ash values, but lower than REY-rich coal ashes recorded for various deposits globally. The INAA data are comparable to the ICP-MS data for most elements considered, and Sc was determined. Further investigations are required to confirm the potential of the Main Karoo Basin coal ash for economically viable REY extraction.

The Design of Chengdu Railway South Station Hub Urban Complex Project

The hub city complex project of Chengdu railway south station is a large multi-function complex. The plane size of the two way maximum structure is 220m*146m, the main body of the structure is super long structure and the crack control is strictly required. This project uses the cast-in-situ unbonded prestressed concrete two-way ribbed floor system in the roof with high crack resistance, which greatly facilitates the construction, reduces the cost of the project and shortens the time limit. This article will introduce related contents of the project design for designers.

Research on Automatic Ticketing Interface Design of Tianjin South Station under the Background of Aging

Based on the context of increasingly serious aging problem in China, the psychological characteristics of elders in using public self-service facilities and the development status and the future trend of public self-service ticketing service. The approach is analysing physiological and psychological characteristics, education level of the elderly and studying its characteristics of consumer psychology and regional cultural characteristics profoundly before conducting comprehensive analysis and research in combination with the interface features of public self-service ticketing machine. The interface design will be more personalized, intelligent, regional and international. Strategies of caring for the elderly in the regional public self-service facility interface design innovation develops the concept of taking care of the elderly in the entire region as an indispensable people-benefiting optimization system in the modern social services.

Modeling ionospheric [formula omitted] response during geomagnetic storms using neural network and linear regression techniques

In this paper, the modeling of the ionospheric foF2 changes during geomagnetic storms by means of neural network (NN) and linear regression (LR) techniques is presented. The results will lead to a valuable tool to model the complex ionospheric changes during disturbed days in an operational space weather monitoring and forecasting environment. The storm-time foF2 data during 1996–2014 from Grahamstown (33.3°S, 26.5°E), South Africa ionosonde station was used in modeling. In this paper, six storms were reserved to validate the models and hence not used in the modeling process. We found that the performance of both NN and LR models is comparable during selected storms which fell within the data period (1996–2014) used in modeling. However, when validated on storm periods beyond 1996–2014, the NN model gives a better performance (R = 0.62) compared to LR model (R = 0.56) for a storm that reached a minimum Dst index of −155 nT during 19–23 December 2015. We also found that both NN and LR models are capable of capturing the ionospheric foF2 responses during two great geomagnetic storms (28 October–1 November 2003 and 6–12 November 2004) which have been demonstrated to be difficult storms to model in previous studies.

A Tale of Two Cities: Evolution of Academic Physiatry in Boston and Baltimore: Part 1: The Boston Marathon

A Tale of Two Cities: Evolution of Academic Physiatry in Boston and Baltimore: Part 1: The Boston Marathon

Forecasting seasonal rainfall characteristics and onset months over South Africa

ABSTRACTAspects of forecast skill in predicting seasonal characteristics using global climate models (GCMs) are assessed over South Africa. The GCMs output is configured to predict number of rainfall days at South African Weather Service stations exceeding pre‐defined threshold values for the austral summer seasons and to predict the rainfall totals of the onset months of the rainy seasons for eight homogeneous rainfall regions of South Africa. Using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) as statistical downscaling technique through model output statistics, the forecast skill levels of coupled ocean–atmosphere and uncoupled atmospheric models are determined through retro‐actively generated hindcasts. Both downscaled models have skill in predicting low and high number of rainfall days exceeding pre‐defined thresholds for the austral summer seasons as well as rainfall totals of onset months. In addition to the forecast verification results, CCA pattern is performed to determine the dominating atmospheric circulation systems predicted to be controlling rainfall variations for the seasons and months of interest. CCA patterns for both the GCMs indicate that usually when there are anomalously negative (positive) predicted 850 hPa geopotential heights over South Africa, there are anomalously wet (dry) conditions over most parts of South Africa. The work has paved the way for the operational production of seasonal rainfall characteristics over South Africa in real time.

Evaluation of Drought Condition in Arid and Semi- Arid Regions, Using RDI Index

Investigation of drought event has a great importance in the natural resources management and planning water resources management. One strategy to manage drought is to predict drought conditions by probabilistic tools. In this study climate data of 11 synoptic stations in south of Iran during 1980–2014 were used to estimate of seasonal drought based on RDI index. To prediction of drought (from 2015 to 2020) and analysis of changes trend of it, time series model, first-order Markov Chain model and parametric and non- parametric statistical methods were used. Results showed that MA (5), MA (10), AR (12) and AR (15) were the best time series models that fitted in data of all stations. According to results of prediction of drought classes, classes with normal and moderate dry condition had allocated the most frequency of seasonal drought classes from 2015 to 2020 based on time series model and Markov Chain method. Analysis of changes trend of drought classes showed that based on observed data (1980–2014) and predicted data (1980–2020) changes trend of drought classes in all stations had increasing trend based on parametric and non- parametric statistical methods but increasing trend in about 27% of stations include: Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Jask and Shiraz had significant level of 5%. Finally result showed that the study area in 2020 compared to 2014 will be drier.

A critical review of health risk assessments of exposure to emissions from coal-fired power stations in South Africa

Emissions from coal-fired power stations increase the incidence of respiratory, cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases and contribute to premature deaths. Wildly varying estimates of the magnitude of these health impacts have been published, however. This paper investigates the reasons for the large discrepancies calculated in five comprehensive health risk assessments of South African coal-fired power station emissions. We review the approaches and input data used by the studies. We also evaluate the exposure-response functions (which relate the pollution concentration to which the population is exposed, to the increase in health risk) used by each study and pay specific attention to whether the exposure-response functions are relevant to the South African context. Health risks are under-estimated in studies that only consider impacts in industrialised areas, or assume high counterfactual concentrations. Health risks are probably over-estimated, however, in other studies which use linear or exponential exposure-response functions that are not applicable in areas where exposure levels are much higher (such as solid fuel-using communities). A more accurate estimate of health effects would be obtained by applying integrated exposure-response functions to quantify health risks at actual exposure levels, and then apportioning the health effects relative to the contribution made by each source to total exposure levels. A fair assessment of the health risk of South Africa’s older coal-fired power stations should also weigh the health costs of the emissions against the health benefits of electricity use in lower income households.

Causes of the Antarctic region record high temperature at Signy Island, 30th January 1982

AbstractOn 30th January 1982, the research station on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands) reported a daily maximum temperature of 19.8 °C. This is a record maximum for any station south of 60°S. We use surface observations, atmospheric reanalyses and high‐resolution atmospheric model simulations to investigate the drivers of this extreme event. At the time of the record temperature exceptionally warm air was being advected southwards towards the South Orkney Islands from the subtropical South Atlantic. This air mass cooled significantly at levels below 1 km during its long track over the cold Southern Ocean but remained relatively warm above this level. Atmospheric model simulations show that warm air from upper levels was brought down towards the surface over Signy Island in a föhn wind generated by northerly flow over Coronation Island, a mountainous island just to the north of Signy Island. Modelled temperatures over Signy Island are in good agreement with observations and thus support the hypothesis that the record temperature was caused by a combination of exceptional warm advection with conditions suitable for the generation of föhn. Since conditions conducive to föhn occur relatively frequently, föhn warming may have a significant influence on the local climate and ecology of Signy Island.

The impact of photovoltaic (PV) installations on downwind particulate matter concentrations: Results from field observations at a 550-MWAC utility-scale PV plant

ABSTRACTWith utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects increasingly developed in dry and dust-prone geographies with high solar insolation, there is a critical need to analyze the impacts of PV installations on the resulting particulate matter (PM) concentrations, which have environmental and health impacts. This study is the first to quantify the impact of a utility-scale PV plant on PM concentrations downwind of the project site. Background, construction, and post-construction PM2.5 and PM10 (PM with aerodynamic diameters <2.5 and <10 μm, respectively) concentration data were collected from four beta attenuation monitor (BAM) stations over 3 yr. Based on these data, the authors evaluate the hypothesis that PM emissions from land occupied by a utility-scale PV installation are reduced after project construction through a wind-shielding effect. The results show that the (1) confidence intervals of the mean PM concentrations during construction overlap with or are lower than background concentrations for three of the four BAM stations; and (2) post-construction PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations downwind of the PV installation are significantly lower than the background concentrations at three of the four BAM stations. At the fourth BAM station, downwind post-construction PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations increased marginally by 5.7% and 2.6% of the 24-hr ambient air quality standards defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, respectively, when compared with background concentrations, with the PM2.5 increase being statistically insignificant. This increase may be due to vehicular emissions from an access road near the southwest corner of the site or a drainage berm near the south station. The findings demonstrate the overall environmental benefit of downwind PM emission abatement from a utility-scale PV installation in desert conditions due to wind shielding. With PM emission reductions observed within 10 months of completion of construction, post-construction monitoring of downwind PM levels may be reduced to a 1-yr period for other projects with similar soil and weather conditions.Implications: This study is the first to analyze impact of a utility photovoltaic (PV) project on downwind particulate matter (PM) concentration in desert conditions. The PM data were collected at four beta attenuation monitor stations over a 3-yr period. The post-construction PM concentrations are lower than background concentrations at three of four stations, therefore supporting the hypothesis of post-construction wind shielding from PV installations. With PM emission reductions observed within 10 months of completion of construction, postconstruction monitoring of downwind PM levels may be reduced to a 1-yr period for other PV projects with similar soil and weather conditions.