Permeable reactive barrier for groundwater remediation

This article aims to provide an overview of the upcoming technology of permeable reactive barriers for groundwater remediation. A comprehensive list of references and web-links are also provided for further in-depth understanding. A brief discussion on the Australian perspective on this emerging technology is also included.     

X-ray diffraction spectroscopic and thermal studies on 1,3,5-trinitro-hexahydropyrimidine (TNP)

TNP, a heterocyclic nitramine containing a C NO₂ functionality, has been studied as regards the kinetics and mechanism of thermal decomposition, morphology and the gaseous products evolved therof, using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and hot stage microscopy. The elementary cell parameters obtained form the XRD pattern are: a = 18.818 ± 0.005 Å, b = 18.818 ± 0.005 Å and c = 4.867 ± 0.005 Å. The crystal belongs to the hexagonal system with c/a ratio = 0.259. IR spectra of TNP have also been recorded and the bands assigned. Kinetics of thermolysis has been followed both by isothermal TG and IR. The best linearity with a correlation coefficient of 0.986 was obtained for the three-dimensional diffusion controlled Jander-equation. Kinetic parameters were evaluated from the induction period as well as from isothermal TG. Activation energy was found to be 202.05 kJ/mol and log A(in s-¹) 22.78 from TG and 181.133 kJ/mol and log A (in s¹) 20.97 from IR, respectively. The corresponding values were 171.17 kJ/mol and log A (in s-¹) 21.20 from the induction period data. The effect of a series of additives incorporated to the extent of 5 %, on the initial thermolysis of TNP, has also been studied. Evolved gas analysis by IR showed that CO₂, NO₂, NO and N₂O are produced in larger amounts than CO and HCN. The cleavage of the N N bond appears to be the primary step in the thermolysis of TNP.     

Heat transfer from a vertical fin array by laminar natural convection and radiation—A quasi‐3D approach

A quasi‐3D numerical model is developed to study the problem of laminar natural convection and radiation heat transfer from a vertical fin array. An enclosure is formed by two adjacent vertical fins and vertical base in the fin array. Results obtained from this enclosure are used to predict heat transfer rate from a vertical fin array. All the governing equations related to fluid in the enclosure, together with the heat conduction equation in both fins are solved by using the Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) method for getting the temperatures along the height of the fin and the temperature of the fluid in the enclosure. Separate analysis is carried out to calculate the heat transfer rates from the end fins in the fin array. A numerical study has been carried out for the effect of fin height, fin spacing, fin array base temperature, and fin emissivity on total heat transfer rates and effectiveness of the fin array. The numerical results obtained for an eight‐fin array show good agreement with the available experimental data. Results show that the fin spacing is the most significant parameter and there exists an optimum value for the fin spacing for which the heat transfer rate from the fin array is maximum. Correlations are presented for predicting the total heat transfer rate, average Nusselt number, and effectiveness of the fin array. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20360     

A compact uniplanar ACS fed multi band low cost printed antenna for modern 2.4/3.5/5 GHz applications

Microsystem Technologies - A uniplanar compact triple operating band asymmetric coplanar strip (ACS) fed printed antenna loaded with multiple L-shaped branches and the asymmetric rectangular ground...     

Neuroanatomy in Rett syndrome: cerebral cortex and posterior fossa

Rett syndrome (RS), a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology occurring almost exclusively in females, is characterized by autistic-like behavior, motor dysfunction, loss of language skills, dementia, and microcephaly. This study is a follow-up and extension of a previously reported neuroimaging study of patients with RS. We replicated previously reported findings with a larger patient population, and the volumetric MRI analysis was extended to include an analysis of neuroanatomy of the posterior fossa. Twenty girls with RS were compared with individually age- and gender-matched normal controls. Patients with RS showed global reduction in gray- and white-matter volumes. The prefrontal, posterior-frontal, and anterior-temporal regions showed the largest bilateral decrease in gray-matter volume, whereas white-matter volume was uniformly reduced throughout the brain. We found confirmation for the preferential reduction in caudate nucleus volume. However, we observed no preferential reduction in midbrain volume despite a preferential reduction in the midsagittal area of this region. We also present an individual case comparison between monozygotic twins discordant for RS.     

Sorption/diffusion of aqueous mixtures of 1,4‐dioxane/tetrahydrofuran through blend membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol) and sodium alginate: Their compatibility and pervaporation separation studies

Blend membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) were prepared by solution casting and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA). Polymer blend compatibility was studied in water by measuring solution viscosity at 30°C. From the viscosity data, interaction parameters were determined to find the blend compatibility. Thickness of the membranes ranged between 35 and 40 μm. Circular disc‐shaped samples were cut from the thin membranes to perform gravimetric sorption experiments in water + 1,4‐dioxane and water + tetrahydrofuran mixtures at 30°C. Diffusion coefficients were calculated using Fick's equation. Concentration profiles of liquids were computed by solving Fick's equation under suitable boundary conditions. Diffusion coefficients show a dependence on the composition of the blends as well as composition of binary mixtures. A correlation was attempted between concentration profiles and diffusion coefficients of the transporting liquids. Degree of swelling and sorption coefficients were calculated from the gravimetric sorption data. Sorption kinetics was studied using an empirical equation to understand the nature of sorption–diffusion anomalies. Membrane selectivity for water + 1,4‐dioxane and water + tetrahydrofuran mixtures were calculated from the pervaporation experiments. A correlation between sorption and membrane selectivity was attempted. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 178–188, 2005