COD and AOX Removal and Biodegradability Assessment for Fenton and O3/UV Oxidation Processes: A Case Study from a Graphical Industry Wastewater

Due to process stability and excellent effluent quality, the use of membrane processes is rapidly expanding. However, a drawback is the production of concentrates and their proper disposal. In this study, reverse osmosis concentrate was treated by Fenton and O₃/UV oxidation processes. The concentrate contains halogenated compounds, recalcitrant COD and low biodegradability. The removal of halogenated compounds and the enhancement of biodegradability were examined. Comparing the investigated processes, Fenton oxidation resulted in a better mineralization of organic matter; however, O₃/UV oxidation achieved a better enhancement of the biodegradability. Furthermore, similar degradation of halogenated compounds were observed for both oxidation processes.     

Substrate Activity Screening (SAS) and Related Approaches in Medicinal Chemistry

Substrate activity screening (SAS) was presented a decade ago by Ellman and co‐workers as a straightforward methodology for the identification of fragment‐sized building blocks for enzyme inhibitors. Ever since, SAS and variations derived from it have been successfully applied to the discovery of inhibitors of various families of enzymatically active drug targets. This review covers key achievements and challenges of SAS and related methodologies, including the modified substrate activity screening (MSAS) approach. Special attention is given to the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of these methodologies, as a thorough understanding thereof is crucial for successfully transforming the identified fragment‐sized hits into potent inhibitors.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilisation on protein content,total fatty acid content and composition of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grains

The impact of N-fertilisation level on protein content, total fatty acid (TFA) content and major fatty acid composition of barley grains (cv. Eldorado), grown in a replicated field trial, was investigated. Increasing amounts of N-fertiliser, applied at several stages during the growing season, resulted in a higher protein content and a very slightly lowered TFA content in the grains. Protein and TFA contents were negatively correlated (r=-0.4685). Minor changes of fatty acid composition were found in the decrease of the oleic acid (C18:1) proportion (r=-0.8376) and in the increase of the palmitic acid (C16:0) proportion (r=0.7273). The stearic acid (C18:0) and the linoleic acid (C18:2) proportions were also affected, however, no significant linear correlations with the total N-fertiliser level were obtained. The slow increase in the linolenic acid (C18:3) proportion (r=0.5674) was too small, compared to the residual variance, to be significant. TFA content was positively (P<0.001) correlated with the oleic acid proportion, and negatively (P<0.001) with the palmitic acid proportion. These data suggest that the application of higher amounts of N-fertiliser slightly decreases the total fatty acid content of barley grains, probably due to a decreased synthesis of oleic acid, precursor of the unsaturated C18 fatty acids. The result is a relative increase in palmitic acid.     

Multi-cue hand detection and tracking for a head-mounted augmented reality system

With the recent developments in wearable augmented reality (AR), the role of natural human–computer interaction is becoming more important. Utilization of auxiliary hardware for interaction introduces extra complexity, weight and cost to wearable AR systems and natural means of interaction such as gestures are therefore more desirable. In this paper, we present a novel multi-cue hand detection and tracking method for head-mounted AR systems which combines depth, color, intensity and curvilinearity. The combination of different cues increases the detection rate, eliminates the background regions and therefore increases the tracking performance under challenging conditions. Detected hand positions and the trajectories are used to perform actions such as click, select, etc. Moreover, the 6 DOF poses of the hands are calculated by approximating the segmented regions with planes in order to render a planar menu (interface) around the hand and use the hand as a planar selection tool. The proposed system is tested on different scenarios (including markers for reference) and the results show that our system can detect and track the hands successfully in challenging conditions such as cluttered and dynamic environments and illumination variance. The proposed hand tracker outperforms other well-known hand trackers under these conditions.     

How reliable are the consumers? Comparison of sensory profiles from consumers and experts

This study compares expert and consumer sensory profiles for the same 12 perfumes in different ways: the discriminatory ability and reproducibility are analyzed through ANOVA and the panelists’ consensus through the correlation coefficients. Next, the two product spaces are first analyzed separately for each panel, and then compared through multiple factor analysis. Finally, the two panels are compared using the confidence ellipses methodology. These analyses show that the two panels give similar results with respect to the important criteria for panels (discrimination, consensus, reproducibility). The comparison of the two products spaces shows high similarity. From the confidence ellipses, it can be concluded that no significant differences exist for a given product between the two panels. Hence, in this particular case, the use of consumers appears to be a good alternative to the classical sensory profile provided by a trained panel.     

Thermal Probe Technology for Buildings: Transition from Laboratory to Field Measurements

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the transfer of thermal probe measurement technology from laboratory use to actual buildings in order to undertake the in situ determination of thermal material properties. The imperative reasons for using in situ measurements are (1) the impact of moisture content on thermal properties; (2) the possible wide range of variation of properties across most materials used in construction; and (3) the lack of data for new and innovative materials. Thermal probe technology offers the prospect of taking building specific data, addressing these issues. Based on commercially available thermal probes a portable measurement kit and accompanying measurement procedure have been developed. Three case study buildings, each having different materials, have been studied to ascertain whether or not the technique can be transferred to relatively uncontrolled environments and remain capable of achieving a precision that is similar to an ASTM standard that can be related to thermal conductivity measurements of building materials. The results show that this is indeed the case, and that the use of thermal probe technology may yield thermal properties that vary significantly from the laboratory values currently used in building thermal engineering calculations.     

Estimation of off-track visits in a nature reserve: a case study in central Belgium

Equilibrium has to be found between maximizing social profit and minimizing ecological disturbance in open (accessible) nature reserves. Because the probability of disturbance grows with increasing visit density and frequency, some nature reserves tend to lose their specific quality. The aim of this study, concentrated on the ‘Demerbroeken’, 45 km east of Brussels in central Belgium, is to estimate the probability of off-track visits in any location of the nature reserve at specific times and terrain conditions, by means of a GIS-based friction model. Research was based on a detailed land survey, interviews with visitors, performance of walking experiments and determination of friction values of specific terrain units. Data from interviews and walking experiments were collected to validate the model. The output from this study is of potential help to design an impact assessment and management tool.     

Is cluster policy useful for the energy sector? Assessing self-declared hydrogen clusters in the Netherlands

Research on science-based industries has shown that it is important for organisations to be active in interorganisational networks. Cluster policy has been developed as a means to stimulate the development of these networks and thereby the success rate of these industries. Cluster policy is however not a common policy instrument in the energy sector. In this paper, we focus on three self-declared clusters active in hydrogen-related R&D in the Netherlands and address several characteristics of these clusters. We conclude that cluster policy is a useful addition to existing energy R&D policies but that monitoring whether self-declared clusters actually function as clusters and what their contribution is to the overall system is pivotal in reaping the benefits of cluster policy.