Tunable passively Q-switched thulium doped fluoride fibre (TDFF) laser using reduced graphene oxide-silver (rGO-Ag) as saturable absorber

A tunable, passively Q-switched thulium doped fluoride fibre (TDFF) laser using a reduced-graphene oxide-silver (rGO-Ag) thin film as a saturable absorber (SA) for S band operation is proposed and its efficacy demonstrated. Over a pump power range of 91.4?mW up to 158.6?mW, passively generated Q-switched pulses are observed with repetition rates from 20 to 34.5?kHz and pulse widths from 3.1 to 7.1?µs. The highest pulse energy observed is 101.2?nJ with a signal to noise ratio of ～42?dB. The proposed laser has a tuning range ～52?nm from 1458 to 1510?nm with a tunable bandpass filter (TBPF) introduced into the cavity.     

Creating an Holistic Emergency Alert Management Platform

ABSTRACT

Extreme natural events require effective emergency procedures to minimize adverse effects on a region’s population and economy. Such procedures typically involve the effort of several different teams of first responders (e.g., fire fighters, public administrations, police departments, utility companies), hence coordination is fundamental to the effectiveness of the response to the emergency that must be supported with adequate infrastructures. Nonetheless, first responders often rely on manual processes, in the life cycle of extreme events, which do not change consistently with the type of shock or affected population. The aim of this paper is to present a technology transfer process to improve both the emergency alert process and the knowledge of disaster-type safety procedures through the implementation of a proposed platform. We also highlight a pilot application on a post-disaster case study—the province of L’Aquila (Abruzzi) in Italy.     

The analysis for morphological evolution and crystallography of degenerate pearlite in 100Mn13 steel

During approximate 773 K aging treatment of 100Mn13 steel, degenerate pearlite will occur and evolve into lamellar pearlite during growth process. The microstructures of degenerate pearlite and its evolutionary lamellar pearlite are observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that after 748 K, 773 K and 798 K aging, degenerate pearlites occur at grain boundary. At growth front of degenerate pearlite forming at 773 K and 798 K, pearlite presents a morphology of short lamellae of carbide and ferrite, indicating a trend of developing into lamellar pearlite. The higher the temperature is, the more obvious the trend is, and even a conventional lamellar pearlite has developed. However, there is no morphological evolution for degenerate pearlite forming at 748 K aging. Besides, the constituents of degenerate pearlite is identified as M₂₃C₆ and ferrite, and Kurdjumov-Sachs orientation relationship exists between them, (01 )_α//( 1 )_M23C6, [111]_α//[110]_M23C6. This orientation relationship maintains in morphological evolution from degenerate pearlite to lamellar pearlite.     

An evaluation of Acacia mearnsii tannin as an aluminum corrosion inhibitor in acid,alkaline, and neutral media

The electrochemical behavior of aluminum in tannin from Acacia mearnsii bark was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in media under three different pH conditions: acid, alkaline, and neutral. A relationship among pH, polymerization grade (PG), zeta potential, surface, and electrochemical properties was observed in the inhibition performance of the tannin. At high pH, the oligomer structure of the tannin was affected, resulting in a low PG (4) and high zeta potential (−75 mV), and consequently, the inhibition efficiency decreased (68%) in comparison with that in acid (99%) and neutral media (96%). The values obtained indicate a physisorption mechanism for the aluminum corrosion inhibition in the studied conditions.     

Influence of the volume factor on the stressed state of pit flanks and unconventional technological solutions

Journal of Mining Science -     

Contact flocculation-filtration of humic substances

Contact flocculation-filtration of humic dispersions with alum in medium grain (0.62 mm) sand gave short runs to breakthrough, while in coarse (1.2 mm) media clarification was inefficient. Alum with cationic polymer gave in coarse media acceptable runs, but shorter then for mineral dispersions. Analysis of results by parameters of existing filtration models showed that using the Ives-Iwasaki model and plotting filtration coefficient λ vs specific deposit σ gave different λ_max for different polymer dose, plot of λ_max vs dose goes through maximum at optimum dose.Plotting the cube root of headloss vs square root of specific deposit gave a straight line corresponding to Shektman formula.Analysis by Adin-Rebhun model showed that for contact flocculation-filtration humic dispersions attachment coefficient k₁ was similar to, detachment k₂ was many fold higher then and theoretical maximum mass capacity much lower then in case of mineral dispersions.Calculations showed that the solid content and the density of alumo-organic deposits in bed are much lower than of alumo-mineral deposits. Polymers and minerals increase the solid content, the density of deposits and the mass capacity of filter beds.     

Detection of enteric viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium in two different types of drinking water treatment facilities

In this study, two types of drinking water treatment facilities (two conventional drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and two compact units (Cus)) were compared referring to their production capacity. Water samples were collected from three main points: (a) different water treatment steps (b) washings of sand filters and (c) distribution system at different distances from the water treatment plants. Both viruses and protozoa were concentrated from each water sample by adsorption and accumulation on the same nitrocellulose membrane filters (0.45 microm pore size). Enteroviruses were detected by plaque infectivity assay in BGM cells and HAV, HEV and Norovirus were detected by RT-PCR. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were detected by conventional staining methods and PCR. The results revealed that enterovirus load at the intake ranged between 10-15 PFU/L for the two compact units and between 4.5 and 75 PFU/L for the two conventional DWTPs. The virus load in distribution system of the first type DWTPs at 1 km from the plant was the same as that of the intake. Viruses in the other type of treatment plants CUs at 1, 5 and 7 km, were much reduced. Investigation of raw water sediments of the two DWTPs showed enterovirus counts between 12 and 17.5 PFU/L. Virus count was reduced in sand of filters after washing. Giardia cysts were equally detected by microscopy and PCR in only intake samples of EL-Hawamdia CU (33.3%) and Meet Fares DWTP (50%). Cryptosporidium oocysts were equally detected by microscopy and PCR in intake samples of Abo EL-Nomros CU (100%), EL-Hawamdia CU (66.7%) and Fowa DWTP (50%). At Meet Fares DWTP three positive intake samples for Cryptosporidium were detected by PCR, compared with only two positive samples by microscopy. Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in raw water sediment and sand of filters before washing. Only one sample from Meet Fares DWTP sand of filters after washing was positive for both Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It can be concluded that the poor microbial quality of the water may be due to improper operational skills and management of the various water treatment plants (especially at the two high capacity treatment plants).     

Decomposing regional productivity growth using an aggregate production frontier

The main contribution of this paper is the implementation of a new model which combines the two parametric approaches most commonly used in the productivity literature: fixed effects and stochastic frontiers. This allows us to discuss whether it is better to use average or frontier functions to estimate regional productivity. The empirical section uses panel data of Spanish regions over the period 1980–1995. Additionally, we calculate and decompose total factor productivity growth for the Spanish regions.     

Settlements and deformations of industrial structure built on weak soils

Conclusions 1. In engineering-geologic explorations, it is necessary to investigate the engineering-geologic morphology to a depth of 15–18 m: lenses and interlayers of weak soils - unevenly compacted silty-sand fills, peat, slime, etc.2. Open unwatering of pits in the vicinity (10–15 m) of existing structures is impermissible, since it leads to removal of fine soil fractions because of piping, and to large and impermissible deformations of the load-bearing elements of the structures. In such cases, deep groundwater lowering by means of wellpoints should be used.In the case described in this article, the industrial structure underwent a mean settlement of about 20 cm, a tilt of 0.015, and a wall deflection of 0.002. By using deep groundwater lowering, such deformations could have been prevented.3. The development of settlements with time was due to the presence of weak soils - peat lenses and thin slime interlayers - in the foundation bed of the shop.4. An effective means for stopping the settlement of the industrial structure was the construction, under the walls, of two rows of cast-in-place piles with cantilever beams to which the wall loads were transmitted.Scientific-Research Institute of Foundations. GIPROLESKhIM. Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 1, pp. 5–7, January–February, 1975.