Determination of alcohols and volatile organic acids in anaerobic bioreactors for H2 production by near infrared spectroscopy

In recent years, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been investigated as a tool for monitoring anaerobic digesters, but several adversities in its application have been reported. This study proposes the application of NIR for the determination of alcohols and volatile organic acids from H₂ production bioreactors and evaluates different approaches to optimize the prediction models. Partial least squad (PLS) models were developed using samples from anaerobic batch reactors fed with crude glycerol for wastewater treatment. The analytes predicted were: methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol, acetic, propanoic, butyric, isocaproic and total volatile organic acids (VFA). The optimization of the predictive capacity of the models was achieved through the orthogonal signal correction (OSC) preprocessing and the selection of variables performed by the genetic algorithm (GA). The application of the proposed models were based on the following figures of merit: accuracy, precision, linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, measurement interval, sensitivity, selectivity, signal-to-noise ratio and bias. Despite the low selectivity (maximum of 0.12%), the models presented high sensitivity [γ^?1 = 0.19 (mg L^?1)^?1], low LOQ (1 mg L^?1) and correlation between reference and predicted values (r) at least 0.93, except for propanoic acid (r_pred = 0.85). The F-test revealed that the selection of variables by GA significantly improved the accuracy and linearity of the prediction models for methanol, acetic acid, isocaproic acid and VFA. NIR spectroscopy has proved to be a powerful tool for monitoring H₂ production bioreactors since provides fast, low cost and multicomponent information.     

CFD and experimental investigation of the gas–liquid flow in the distributor of a compact heat exchanger

High performance of compact heat exchangers is conditioned by correct fluid distribution. This is especially true for gas–liquid heat exchangers where a uniform distribution is particularly delicate to obtain and where maldistribution entails significant performance deterioration. Several phenomena can lead to phase distribution problems: the fins may be subject to manufacturing defects or fouling, leading to shortcuts or dead zones. But the first source of maldistribution may be a poor distribution at the outlet of the entrance distributor. This distributor aims at mixing the phases and distributing them across the channels.     

An experimental study of factors associated with driver frustration and overtaking intentions

This study examined directly the impact of various factors associated with driving on ‘A-class’ roads in the United Kingdom (specifically length of platoon, proportion of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), speed and opportunities for overtaking) on self-reported frustration and overtaking intentions. The impact of situational variables (being under time pressure, and time behind a slower moving platoon) were also examined, as was the association between frustration and self-reported overtaking intentions. 183 members of the public from the areas around Perth and Inverness, Scotland took part in the study. Participants viewed simulated ‘driver’s viewpoint’ clips representing all the combinations of the experimental variables (except time pressure, which was a between-groups variable, and time behind platoon, which was examined separately in four specific clips). After each clip, participants responded on a paper questionnaire as to the level of frustration they would feel for a given clip, and the likelihood that at some point during the clip they would have attempted an overtake manoeuvre. The findings show that the links between traffic variables such as speed and platoon length, and behaviourally-relevant variables such as frustration and overtaking intentions, are not simple. Although there are broad and predictable effects of speed and platoon length (lower speeds and longer platoons leading to greater frustration) these are mediated by other variables, and it is not always the case that more frustration leads to more intention to overtake. Analysis of driver attitudes identified three clusters (low, medium and high risk drivers) and suggests that higher risk drivers’ levels of frustration are more affected by situational changes than those of lower risk drivers.     

The principal factors affecting construction project overhead expenses: an exploratory factor analysis approach

Estimation is the first step in the project development process. Information technology provides an efficient platform for estimators to obtain quotations and specifications for their bid estimates. However, in practice, project overhead estimation relies heavily on the professional judgement and intuition of the estimators. This reduces the overall accuracy and reliability of the bid and a better understanding of the factors affecting project overheads is fundamental before any improved estimating methods can be devised. Unfortunately, the published literature on this topic is very limited. Using exploratory factor analysis, we aim to bridge the current knowledge gap by highlighting the principal factors affecting project overheads. Questionnaires detailing 27 variables were sent to quantity surveying managers of large contractors in Hong Kong. Seventy-nine valid responses were analysed by exploratory factor analysis. From the results, eight factors were extracted with their latent properties identified with reference to the expert opinions collected from telephone interviews. The findings clarify some misconceptions about the factors affecting project overheads and provide useful evidence for practitioners and researchers to understand project overheads. Estimators who address the identified factors when assessing future project overhead costs can improve the accuracy of their cost estimates and project budgets.     

Judicial review in the New Zealand planning system: 1926–1977

This paper explores the development of the planning appeal system in New Zealand in the period from 1926 to 1977 under the first two town planning acts, in particular focusing on the judicial aspects of that process. Drawing on archival and oral history sources it traces the development of the system from one of an expert panel to an appeal board which functioned as a tribunal and increasingly blended town planning and legal considerations. It was also a system that ran on the proverbial shoestring while at the same time developing an appeals system and a cannon of decisions that influenced the development of town planning in New Zealand.     

Multiple Land Regimes: Rethinking Land Governance in Maputo’s Peri-urban Spaces

Africa’s increasing levels of urbanisation have significant implications for urban land. Growing populations imply that there is increasing pressure on cities to provide economic opportunities, housing, infrastructure and social services to existing and incoming urban dwellers. These activities take place on urban land, and much of the new growth occurs outside of the state regulatory and legal frameworks. Using survey data collected in Maputo’s peri-urban areas of Luis Cabral and Hulene B, this paper explores how ordinary urban dwellers access, hold, transact and manage land. These findings suggest that a land market that is technically outside of the legal system exists. Notwithstanding its illegality, these land practices are organised, comprising sophisticated local land management and regulatory systems. The low incidence of land conflicts in both neighbourhoods shows that these governance practices are relatively functional. Local practices are characterised by a complex web of social roleplayers, including family members, neighbours, local leadership structures and state officials all of whom lend credibility and legitimacy to the existence of a local land market. These findings challenge conventional understanding of formal and informal markets. It is argued that these socially embedded land markets indicate how urban territory is segmented and managed, and their existence also transforms the way we conceptualise formality and informality in African cities. This situation shows how informal urban economies are co-produced by state and non-state regulatory systems. These hybrid economies have implications for how we understand governance, markets and the role of the state in our cities.     

Role of Methyl Salicylate on Oviposition Deterrence in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants attacked by herbivores have evolved different strategies that fend off their enemies. Insect eggs deposited on leaves have been shown to inhibit further oviposition through visual or chemical cues. In some plant species, the volatile methyl salicylate (MeSA) repels gravid insects but whether it plays the same role in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana is currently unknown. Here we showed that Pieris brassicae butterflies laid fewer eggs on Arabidopsis plants that were next to a MeSA dispenser or on plants with constitutively high MeSA emission than on control plants. Surprisingly, the MeSA biosynthesis mutant bsmt1-1 treated with egg extract was still repellent to butterflies when compared to untreated bsmt1-1. Moreover, the expression of BSMT1 was not enhanced by egg extract treatment but was induced by herbivory. Altogether, these results provide evidence that the deterring activity of eggs on gravid butterflies is independent of MeSA emission in Arabidopsis, and that MeSA might rather serve as a deterrent in plants challenged by feeding larvae.