Optical characteristics of waste stabilization ponds: recommendations for monitoring.

The optical character of waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) is of concern for several reasons. Algal photosynthesis, which produces oxygen for waste oxidation in WSPs, is influenced by attenuation of sunlight in ponds. Disinfection in WSPs is influenced by optical characteristics because solar UV exposure usually dominates inactivation. The optical nature of WSPs effluent also affects assimilation by receiving waters. Despite the importance of light behaviour in WSPs, few studies have been made of their optical characteristics. We discuss simple optical measures suitable for routine monitoring of WSPs (including at sites remote from laboratories): optical density of filtrates - an index of dissolved coloured organic (humic) matter, visual clarity - to provide an estimate of the beam attenuation coefficient (a fundamental quantity needed for optical modelling) colour (hue) - as an indicator of general WSP 'condition' and irradiance attenuation quantifying depth of light penetration. The value of optical characterisation of WSPs is illustrated with reference to optical data for WSPs in NZ (including high-rate algal ponds) treating dairy cattle wastewater versus domestic sewage. We encourage increased research on optical characteristics of WSPs and the incorporation of optical measures in monitoring and modelling of WSP performance.     

Study of specific absorption rate (SAR) induced in two child head models and in adult heads using mobile phones

This paper gives a first comparison of specific absorption rate (SAR) induced in a child-sized (CS) head and an adult head using a dual-band mobile phone. In the second study, the visible human head is considered and comparison of SAR induced in a CS or child-like (CL) head and an adult head using a dual-band mobile phone is given. All the peaks of average SAR over a mass of 10 and 1 g in the head and the power budget are determined in the two comparisons using the finite-difference time-domain method. The differences between the results for adult and CS or CL heads are given at 900 and 1800 MHz. No important differences are noted for the peak SAR averaged over 10 g (SAR10 g), between the two adult head models, as well as between the two child head models. The peak SAR10 g in the brain of the CS or CL head is slightly more significant than that for the adult one.     

Spectrum efficient region-based resource allocation with fractional loading for FH-OFDMA cellular systems

A practical resource management method that can significantly reduce cochannel interference (CCI) and improve spectrum utilisation in FH-OFDMA packet-based cellular networks is presented. The proposed method seeks an effective combination of dynamic resource allocation with fractional coding and bit loading to respectively minimise CCI and maximise system throughput for a desired performance.     

2/spl times/4 optical add-drop module with no difference in propagation length

We developed a micromachined X-type 2/spl times/4 optical add-drop module (OADM) featuring no difference in propagation length. Four pairs of lensed fibers are aligned in "X" position, and four micromirrors are located between the pairs of optical fibers. The OADM was fabricated utilizing a silicon-on-insulator process. Electrostatic comb actuators can be driven up to 90 /spl mu/m to change the light path within 1 ms. The insertion loss and the on-off ratio were less than 3 and 70 dB, respectively. The loss uniformity in every channel was 1.5 dB.     

Total and Fractional Performance of Granular Dust Traps in Refractory Production

Methods are proposed for designing interpolation models for the preliminary determination and subsequent forecasting of general and fractional breakthrough coefficients for dust used with granular filters, as employed in energy-saving and high-performance dust trapping from technological gases and ventilation discharges in refractory production. The models are supplied with nomograms, which makes them widely suitable for experts working in environmental protection at refractory-producing organizations. The main factors are identified that influence the performance. The results are of interest to experts in related areas of industry such as building materials and engineering ceramics and so on. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 4, pp. 64–67, April, 2008.     

Effects of surfactant/silica and silica/cerium ratios on the characteristics of mesoporous Ce-MCM-41

Using the surfactant CTMABr (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) and cerium(IV) sulfate, mesoporous Ce-MCM-41 molecular sieves were produced under a hydrothermal condition with various surfactant/silica (surfactant/Si) and silica/cerium (Si/Ce) ratios. Changes to the structural traits caused by changing the molar ratios of both surfactant/Si and Si/Ce were investigated. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FT-IR (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and SEM (scanning electro microscopy) were used for the characterization of prepared mesoporous samples. Among the tested molar ratios, surfactant/Si ratio of 0.5 and 0.2 showed highest values of d_1 0 0 and intensity, respectively, for the Si-MCM-41. XRD analysis also identified a quintessential hexagonal structure of Ce-MCM-41 for the Si/Ce molar ratio higher than 40 (maintaining the surfactant/Si ratio at 0.2). When cerium content was increased to have the Si/Ce molar ratio of 20, the hexagonal structure of Ce-MCM-41 was collapsed due to the structural stress of substituted cerium. FT-IR results confirmed calcination of Ce-MCM-41 and the incorporation of Ce⁴⁺ ions of cerium sulfate into the silica surface with proper removal of the surfactant. Rod-like shape with rounded edges of the prepared Ce-MCM-41 samples was identified by SEM. These results suggest surfactant/Si ratio of 0.2 and Si/Ce ratio of 40 for the production of Ce-MCM-41 with the highest level of crystallinity.     

Mode Matching Analysis of a Tapered Coaxial Tip in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide

A tapered coaxial tip in a parallel plate waveguide is investigated. A boundary-value problem of electromagnetic scattering from a tapered coaxial monopole is solved rigorously based on the Fourier transform, eigenfunction expansion, and mode matching. Scattering parameters are represented in a series and computed to understand the behavior of the scattering in terms of the coaxial tip geometry.     

A robust algorithm for text region detection in natural scene images

In this paper, a new method for detecting text regions in natural scene images is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on the segmentation of objects in a scene, followed by the identification of text objects by a support vector machine (SVM). First, to segment objects in the scene, the input image is separated into chromatic and achromatic regions according to the distribution of red, green and blue (RGB) elements, and different clustering algorithms are applied. Second, each object is transformed into the wavelet domain for multi-resolution analysis, and moment features of the wavelet coefficients are used in the SVM for the classification of text objects. The proposed approach provides robustness to non-uniform illumination by using different clustering algorithms according to the characteristics of the colour components in the segmentation. Also, moment features, used for classification, are invariant to the size, direction, shape and other properties of texts. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.     

Recrystallization of phenylbutazone using supercritical fluid antisolvent process

Phenylbutazone was recrystallized from its solutions by using a supercritical fluid antisolvent process. It was dissolved in acetone and supercritical carbon dioxide was injected into the solution, thereby inducing supersaturation and particle formation. Variation in the physical properties of the recrystallized phenylbutazone was investigated as a function of the crystallizing temperature and the carbon dioxide injection rate. The recrystallized particles showed cleaner surfaces and more ordered morphology compared to the particles obtained by other methods such as solvent evaporation. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the crystallinity of the particles had been modified upon the recrystallization. Differential scanning calorimetry measurement revealed that the crystallizing temperature influenced the thermal stability of the resulting crystals. Larger crystals were produced when the carbon dioxide injection rate was reduced.