Integral function method for determination of nonlinear harmonic distortion

The analysis of harmonic distortion is of prime importance for the analog and mixed integrated circuits. Recently we presented a new integral function method (IFM), based on a completely new principle, which allows the calculation of harmonic distortion using the DC output characteristic of devices or circuits. In this work we complement the integral function method to provide direct calculation of the following distortion figures: total harmonic distortion (THD), second harmonic distortion (HD2) and third harmonic distortion (HD3), voltage intercept points (VIP) and the intermodulation distortion (IMD). The comparison with the same distortion figures calculated by the Fourier coefficients (FC), by direct AC measurements and from FFT in simulators, indicates that results obtained by IFM give an excellent agreement in the full range of the analyzed active regions. The IFM combines simplicity and computer efficiency with accuracy and with the possibility to easily analyze the distortion when varying any of the circuit or device parameters.     

Heavy metals uptake by sonicated activated sludge: relation with floc surface properties

The effects of sonication of activated sludge on heavy metal uptake were in a first time investigated in respect with potential modifications of floc surface properties. The treatment led to the simultaneous increase of specific surface area and of the availability of negative and/or hydrophilic sites. In parallel, organic matter was released in the soluble fraction. Sorption isotherms of cadmium and copper showed that uptake characteristics and mechanisms were highly dependent on both heavy metal species and specific energy supplied. The increase of both specific surface area and fixation sites availability led to the increase of Cd(II) uptake. For Cu(II), organic matter released in soluble phase during the treatment seemed to act as a ligand and to limit adsorption on flocs surface. Three different heavy metals uptake mechanisms have been identified: proton exchange, ion exchange and (co)precipitation.     

A novel porous scaffold fabrication technique for epithelial and endothelial tissue engineering

Porous scaffolds have the ability to minimize transport barriers for both two- (2D) and three-dimensional tissue engineering. However, current porous scaffolds may be non-ideal for 2D tissues such as epithelium due to inherent fabrication-based characteristics. While 2D tissues require porosity to support molecular transport, pores must be small enough to prevent cell migration into the scaffold in order to avoid non-epithelial tissue architecture and compromised function. Though electrospun meshes are the most popular porous scaffolds used today, their heterogeneous pore size and intense topography may be poorly-suited for epithelium. Porous scaffolds produced using other methods have similar unavoidable limitations, frequently involving insufficient pore resolution and control, which make them incompatible with 2D tissues. In addition, many of these techniques require an entirely new round of process development in order to change material or pore size. Herein we describe “pore casting,” a fabrication method that produces flat scaffolds with deterministic pore shape, size, and location that can be easily altered to accommodate new materials or pore dimensions. As proof-of-concept, pore-cast poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated and compared to electrospun PCL in vitro using canine kidney epithelium, human colon epithelium, and human umbilical vein endothelium. All cell types demonstrated improved morphology and function on pore-cast scaffolds, likely due to reduced topography and universally small pore size. These results suggest that pore casting is an attractive option for creating 2D tissue engineering scaffolds, especially when the application may benefit from well-controlled pore size or architecture.     

Potential method to improve the treatment efficiency of persistent contaminants in industrial wastewater

The objective of this work was to evaluate a potential method for improving the treatment efficiency of persistent contaminants in industrial wastewater. Adsorption with powdered activated carbon (PAC) was applied as pre-treatment and operational conditions as pH, temperature, carbon concentration and time were investigated in laboratory scale for different streams generated in a fine chemical industry. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 63 and 50% were attained for two important industrial streams, Product C after acid treatment and precipitation and Influent, at pH 7, room temperature and with 5 and 15 g l(-1) of PAC, respectively. Biodegradation assays showed that PAC adsorption enhanced COD removal efficiency. PAC pre-treatment increased the COD removal of Product C after production stream from 15 to 80% and improved the biodegradability of the Influent stream by 50%.     

Gender differences in the circadian variations in muscle strength assessed with and without superimposed electrical twitches

The circadian rhythm in muscle strength was analysed in 12 males (28 +/- 4 years, 79.6 +/- 12.3 kg, 1.80 +/- 0.05 m) and eight females (28 +/- 4 years, 60.3 +/- 5.5 kg, 1.61 +/- 0.08 m). After two familiarization sessions, participants were tested at six different times of the day (02:00, 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00 hours), the order of which was randomly assigned over 3-4 days. Rectal temperature (T(rec)) was measured over 30 min before each test. Peak isokinetic torques (PT) of knee extensors and flexors were then measured at 1.05 rad s(-1) and 3.14 rad s(-1) through a 90 degrees range of motion. Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of knee extensors and flexors was measured at 60 degrees of knee flexion and the MVC of knee extensors was also assessed with superimposed electrical twitches (50 Hz, 250 V, 200 mus pulse width) in order to control for motivational effects. Three trials were performed in each condition, separated by 3 min recovery, and the highest values were retained for subsequent analyses. A significant circadian rhythm was observed for T(rec) in both males and females (acrophase, Phi, 17:29 and 16:40 hours; mesor, Me, 37.0 and 36.8 degrees C; amplitude, A, 0.28 and 0.33 degrees C for males and females, respectively). The mesor of T(rec) was higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). Significant circadian rhythms were observed for knee extensor PT at 3.14 rad s(-1) in males (Phi, 17:06 hours; Me, 178.2 N m; A, 4.7 N m) and for knee extensor PT at 1.05 rad s(-1) in females (Phi, 15:35 hours; Me, 128.7 N m; A, 3.7 N m). In males, the MVC of knee extensors demonstrated a significant circadian rhythm, but only when electrical twitches were superimposed (Phi, 16:17 h; Me, 302.1 N m; A, 13.6 N m). Acrophases of all indices of muscle strength were not statistically different between the two groups and were located in the afternoon (12:47 < Phi < 17:16 hours). The amplitude (percentage of mesor) of extensors MVC (electrically stimulated) was higher in males (6.4%) than in females (4.2%; p < 0.05). Significant circadian rhythms were not consistently observed for all indices of muscle strength whatever the gender. Our group of female subjects tended to show lower circadian amplitudes than the males. In males, maximal voluntary contraction of electrically stimulated muscles followed a circadian curve, which was not significant without the superimposed twitches. These results suggest that motivation could have a masking effect on the circadian rhythm in muscle performance and strengthen the view that peripheral factors are implicated in this rhythm.     

Determination of trap cross-section in a-Si:H p-i-n diodes parameters using simulation and parameter extraction

Modeling the current density–voltage (J–V) curve of a-Si:H p-i-n diodes requires a group of input physical parameters that have to be previously determined. Some of them can be determined directly from experiment, while others, as the trap cross-section, have to be indirectly determined or assigned. We present a simple procedure to estimate trap cross-section using computer simulation and parameter extraction. The experimental J–V forward characteristic of the p-i-n diode, dark and illuminated, is used to determine the ideality factor n and the short circuit current density J_SC. The charged trap cross-section and its relation to the neutral trap cross-section are determined by fitting to tabulated and graphical results from simulation. Determined values of trap cross-section are used to simulate the reverse current of diodes under illumination and results compared with experimental curves.     

Evaluation of alternative thermochemical cycles – Part III further development of the Cu–Cl cycle

This is the third in a series of papers on alternative cycle evaluation. Part I described the evaluation methodology. Part II described the down-selection process where the most promising of the nine alternative cycles was determined. The Cu–Cl cycle was selected for further development because it alone meets the four criteria used. The current results indicate that the cycle is chemically viable, feasible with respect to engineering, energy-efficient, and capable of meeting DOE's timeline for an Integrated Laboratory Scale (ILS) demonstration. All of the reactions have been proven and the remaining technical challenges should be met with current technologies. The maximum temperature requirement is around 550 °C (823 K), which can be obtained with a variety of heat sources. The lower temperature should mitigate the demands on the materials of construction. This paper, Part III, describes the procedure used to develop the Cu–Cl cycle beyond the relatively simple Level 3 efficiency calculation completed by the universities. The optimization process consisted of (i) updating the thermodynamic database used in the Aspen Plus^® simulation, (ii) developing a robust flowsheet and optimizing the energy usage therein, (iii) designing a conceptual process incorporating the Aspen Plus^® mass and energy flows, and then (iv) estimating the hydrogen production costs. The results presented here are preliminary because further optimization is ongoing.     

Composition and treatment of effluent from shale gas production

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - The expansion of shale gas production requires characterization and correct management of the residues generated by the activity, due to their high...     

Biofilm responses to ageing and to a high phosphate load in a bench-scale drinking water system

The effects of ageing and of phosphate load on drinking water biofilms developed on a polycarbonate substratum in the pseudo-equilibrium state have been evaluated. Phosphate was added in an amount higher than the stochiometric nutrient requirements of bacteria, at concentrations commonly applied in a drinking water distribution system for corrosion control. Multiple parameters were monitored: heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs), total direct counts (TDCs) and potential exoproteolytic activity (PEPA) in order to characterise changes in bacterial biofilms. The total carbohydrate, amino acid and phosphate contents of biofilms were analysed to characterise and monitor the biochemical composition of the biofilm.The three enumeration methods showed that a pseudo-equilibrium state was reached after 7 weeks of colonisation after which, the bacterial growth rate in the biofilm was 0.1 log per week on average. Bulk phosphate addition doubled the phosphate in the biofilm, but did not affect the other biological, physiological or chemical parameters measured.Polysaccharides increased in the biofilm with ageing and the dynamics of individual carbohydrate synthesis also varied with the age of the biofilm. Once pseudo-equilibrium, it was found that the total proteins were globally constant, whereas the spectra of some individual amino acids of the proteins had significantly changed.