A quadratic complementarity problem related to the optimal design of a pipeline freely resting on a rough sea bottom

A submarine pipeline resting on a rigid, frictionless seabed assumes an equilibrium configuration which can be determined by solving a unilateral contact problem, i.e. a quadratic program or a variational inequality.When the sea bed is irregular, its profile along the sealine can be modified, in present offshore technology, by means of costly trench excavations or artificial supports, in order to avoid excessive bending moments in the pipe. Thus, the problem arises of determining the minimum cost of the profile changes provided that a specified curvature is nowhere exceeded.This optimal design problem is solved by assuming a quadratic cost function and reducing it to a sequence of convex quadratic programming problems leading to the optimal design situation. Upper and lower bounds on the absolute minimum cost and optimality conditions are established. A suitable algorithm for solving the problem in a finite number of steps is developed. Its generalization to allow for ‘fixed charges’ due to the equipment mobilization cost is presented. Two numerical examples illustrate the optimum (minimum cost) proposed design method.     

The Italian national survey of indoor radon exposure

An investigation is being developed by the Camitato Nazionale per la Ricerca e per lo Sviluppo dell'Energia Nucleare e delle Energie Alternative, ENEA, to assess the indoor exposure of the Italian population. The programme, which started in 1982, includes regional and local surveys in all the administrative districts and intensive investigations of factors which influence indoor radon levels. The survey is organized by statistical areas of sampling to obtain representative samples of houses. The definition of the areas takes into account basic parameters e.g. geolithological environments, radon soil gas from underlying soils and rocks, specific activities of local building materials, climatic and seasonal variations, building technology, types of houses and town planning. The collected data may also be used for the compilation of radon risk maps to plan special monitoring and remedial actions if needed. Preliminary results concerning the above items are discussed.     

Prediction of the effectiveness of rolling dynamic compaction using artificial neural networks and cone penetration test data

Rolling Dynamic Compaction(RDC),which is a ground improvement technique involving non-circular modules drawn behind a tractor,has provided the construction industry with an improved ground compaction capability,especially with respect to a greater influence depth and a higher speed of compaction,resulting in increased productivity. However,to date,there is no reliable method to predict the effectiveness of RDC in a range of ground conditions. This paper presents a new and unique predictive tool developed by means of artificial neural networks(ANNs) that permits a priori prediction of density improvement resulting from a range of ground improvement projects that employed 4-sided RDC modules;commercially known as"impact rollers". The strong coefficient of correlation(i.e. R0.86) and the parametric behavior achieved in this study indicate that the model is successful in providing reliable predictions of the effectiveness of RDC in various ground conditions.     

Arsenic-sulfides confound anion exchange resin speciation of aqueous arsenic

A field-portable anion exchange resin method (often cited as the Ficklin method (1983)) has been extensively used to distinguish between dissolved arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) species in natural waters. As(III) occurs largely as As(OH)(3), which is uncharged at ca. pH 7, while As(V) is negatively charged and will sorb to the resin. However, we show that negatively charged As(III)-sulfide (thioarsenite) species, important at sulfide concentrations >10 microM, also bind to the anion exchange resins, and therefore might be interpreted incorrectly as As(V). Furthermore, we show that nitrogen-purging, which results in a conversion of As(III)-sulfides to arsenite, can be used to obtain accurate arsenic speciation when resins are used on sulfidic water samples.     

On the potential of combining neutron activation analysis and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) for micro- and microdistribution analysis of hard metals in human tissues

Tungsten carbide and cobalt are the main components of hard metal alloy while other metals such as chromium, niobium, tantalum, titanium and vanadium are sometimes added in smaller amounts. Exposure to hard metal dusts can induce a lung fibrosis with cobalt playing a major role. In order to provide information on the role that each metal may have in causing this disease, determination of the total content and the distribution of inhaled metals in lung tissue of hard metal workers is of paramount importance. However, samples such as transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), often used in the medical diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, only allow for a small amount of material. This calls for sensitive and accurate analytical procedures for microdetermination and distribution of metals in pulmonary tissue and cellular material, such as macrophages. This work proposes a combination of sophisticated analytical techniques such as neutron activation analysis (NAA), currently applied to the determination of the total concentration of more than 30 elements in biological specimens, and PIXE analysis, particularly microPIXE, which has a great potential for microdistribution analysis in small biological samples. Principles and perspectives for the combined use of these techniques for the analysis of human tissue are outlined and discussed. NAA: determination of hard metals in lung tissue are carried out by neutron irradiation (2 × 10¹⁴ neutrons cm⁻² s⁻¹) in the HFR reactor of Petten. After neutron activation, radiochemical separations of ⁶⁰Co, ¹⁸⁷W, ¹⁸²Ta, ⁵¹Cr followed by computer-based high resolution gamma ray spectrometry allow the measurement of these elements in pulmonary tissues with sensitivities ranging from 10⁻⁴ μg (Cr) to 10⁻⁶ μg (W). PIXE: this technique is multielemental and of relatively high sensitivity (μg/g) even in small total sample masses of from 10 to 100 μg, thus allowing the analysis of parts of needle biopsies. Whereas PIXE has been successfully applied to many medical problems, its usefulness is limited in the total samples analysis for cobalt-related hard metal disease, due to the low levels of cobalt in tissue combined with severe element interferences from the generally more abundant metal, iron. Nevertheless, microPIXE, a special variety of the method scanning over the sample with a focussed ion beam of about 2 × 2 μm², could complement the NAA findings in total samples in the sense of achieving a microdistribution analysis of hard metals (including cobalt) in suitable thin tissue sections.The availability of specialized facilities at the JRC such as the powerful HFR reactor (Petten), the NAA laboratories (Ispra) and the microPIXE facility (Geel) could represent a European ‘reference pole’ for the study of metals in tissues of hard metal diseased subjects.     

An Independent Perception of Regulation in Practice

The paper reviews the regulation of water companies in England and Wales since 1989 by reference to the historical regulation of utilities in these countries. It considers how comparative competition, service standards and charging arrangements are developing. Particular mention is made of the debates over rates of return and household metering. The conclusion is that regulation, to be effective and appropriate, must be capable of evolution.     

Resources and reserves of European gravel deposits

Contrary to public opinion, gravel and sand are mineral raw materials that are not available in unlimited quantities, and, at any place. In quantity and economic value they belong to the top-ranking resources on a world scale. Supplies are not unlimited: lifetime is very short in some regions. Being very vulnerable to changes in transport costs and sensitive with respect to conflicts between environmental protection and mining, sand and gravel require scientific effort in order that new deposits be found and the lifetime of reserves increased.     

Separation of physical loading from photosynthesis/respiration processes in rivers by mass balance

Diurnal variations in physical and chemical concentrations, including nutrients, are observed in river ecosystems. Understanding these cycles and separating the effects of physical loading (from point and non-point sources) and biogeochemical processes are necessary for water management and the TMDL process. A chloride mass balance approach is used to separate the relative influences of physical loading and biogeochemical processes in the Bow River through Calgary, Canada, which has a significant influence on the river water chemistry. Sampling campaigns were conducted in December 2005, when minimal photosynthesis and respiration occur, and in July 2006, when river discharge is high and some photosynthesis and respiration activity is present. Samples in each campaign were collected at point source input and output along the river reach through the city every hour for a 24-hour period, allowing for time of travel. The two wastewater treatment facilities within the city contributed the majority of physical mass loading to the river, with temporal variations in effluent discharge, chloride, and nutrient concentrations. Wastewater effluent chloride to nutrient (as well as other parameter relationships) concentrations also varied diurnally. An hourly chloride mass balance was achieved, within 0.5% (average, S.D.=4.4) for December and 7.7% (average, S.D.=4.2) for July, between estimated cumulative sum values from all inputs and measured values at the river output downgradient of the city, allowing for the investigation of other parameter conservativeness. Some slight diurnal variations associated with photosynthesis and respiration were observed even with limited productivity in the river. Nitrate mass fluxes appeared to be most strongly influenced by photosynthesis and respiration processes, with phosphate being less influenced. Ammonia mass fluxes appeared to be most strongly influenced by wastewater effluent loading. Physical loading can mask or enhance biogeochemical diurnal fluctuations, creating errors in river process interpretations. Chloride was a useful tracer in the mass balance to distinguish between and assist in separating physical loading and biogeochemical processes in the river.     

Chlorine disappearance in sea-water

A series of chlorination studies were carried out on natural and artificial sea-water. It was determined that both the forward and back titration procedures accurately described the two phases of chlorine losses in sea-water: a rapid initial loss followed by a continuous loss at a sharply reduced rate. The order of adding the iodide and buffer reagents was found to be crucial in affecting the rapid initial loss. The initial loss was found to reach a saturation level that varied widely between natural sea-water samples and appeared to be related to a true organic demand. In contrast, the second phase was difficult to explain. Losses continued over 10 day periods and were pronounced in both natural and artificial sea-water containing bromide. In the absence of bromide, long term losses in artificial sea-water were greatly reduced, indicating that the lost applied chlorine was associated with the bromine chemical system in sea-water. The fate of the lost chlorine was not determined and the untitratable halogen compounds must remain suspect as potential biocides.