Effects of solid retention time on the performance of submerged anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor.

In this study, four similar bench-scale submerged Anoxic/Oxic Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) were used simultaneously to investigate the effects of solids retention time (SRT) on organic and nitrogen removal in MBR for treating domestic wastewater. COD removal efficiencies in all reactors were consistently above 94% under steady state conditions. Complete conversion of NH(4+)-N to NO(3-)-N was readily achieved over a feed NH(4+)-N concentration range of 30 to 50 mg/L. It was also observed that SRT did not significantly affect the nitrification in the MBR systems investigated. The average denitrification efficiencies for the 3, 5, 10 and 20 days SRT operations were 43.9, 32.6, 47.5 and 66.5%, respectively. In general, the average effluent nitrogen concentrations, which were mainly nitrate, were about 22.2, 27.6, 21.7 and 13.9 mg/L for the 3, 5, 10 and 20 days SRT systems, respectively. The rate of membrane fouling at 3 days SRT operation was more rapid than that observed at 5 days SRT. No fouling was noted in the 10 days and 20 days SRT systems during the entire period of study.     

Effect of shape on the radiation-stimulated deformation of crystals

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 208–209, March, 1989.     

Methods for Estimating Theoretically the Influence of Ion Scattering and Reflection on the Isotopic Sensitivity of Static Magnetic Mass-Spectrometers

For purposes of optimizing ion-optical systems, analyzer construction, and pump placement in static magnetic mass-spectrometers for isotopic analysis of uranium compounds, a comparative analysis is made and a review is given of methods described in the literature for theoretical estimates of the influence of scattering and reflection of ions on the isotopic sensitivity. Conclusions which make it possible to solve the problem are drawn.     

Modeling phosphorus in the upper Etowah River basin: identifying sources under uncertainty.

The Uniform Covering by Probabilistic Rejection (UCPR) algorithm was used, in conjunction with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, to identify P loads from point source and nonpoint source polluters in the upper Etowah River basin (UERB) in Georgia. The key findings of the research are as follows. The mean absolute error was preferred over the root mean square error as a search criterion for the UCPR algorithm when water quality observations are scarce. The undocumented P load from point sources in the UERB was consistently estimated as about 43 kg/d by the proposed method; but the method was not able to identify the broiler litter application rate to the poultry/beef operation pastures. Point sources (both documented and undocumented), poultry/beef operation pastures, and forests are the three major contributors of P. During 1992-1996, on average they accounted for 36.4, 31.7, and 17.2% of P load from the UERB, respectively.     

Nucleation of copper on an assembly of carbon microelectrodes

The initial stage of copper electrodeposition on the electrochemically activated assembly of carbon microelectrodes from an acid solution of copper sulfate was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic pulse technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Analysis of the experimental current transients has been carried out using a non-linear fitting procedure according to the model that takes into account spherical diffusion towards a disc-shaped microelectrode. The higher values of diffusion coefficient in comparison with those observed on planar electrodes were explained with an increased diffusion caused by the electrode geometry. Impedance spectra showed two time constants, the high-frequency related to the charge transfer process and the low-frequency corresponded to the deposit morphology.     

Development and evaluation of antimicrobial natamycin‐incorporated film in gorgonzola cheese conservation

Conservation of food products depends on product quality and packaging suitability. The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate the antimicrobial efficiency of natamycin‐incorporated film in the production process of Gorgonzola cheese. It aims to optimize the production process and increase shelf‐life and food safety for the consumer. Films with different concentrations of natamycin were produced and tested in Gorgonzola cheeses to evaluate its efficiency against Penicillium roqueforti on the cheese surface. Films with 2 and 4% natamycin presented satisfactory results for fungus inhibition and the amount of natamycin released to the cheese was below that allowed by the legislation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials: An Update

1Introduction Archaeologicalfindingsdatingbacktothe4thcentury BCshowedthatmissinghumanteethhavebeenreplaced bymaterialswhichincluded:animalteeth,coral,shells,ivory(elephanttusk),wood,andmetals[1].Inmodern times,autografts(boneobtainedfromanothersiteinthe …     

Programmable group-delay module using binary polarization switching

We demonstrate the first programmable group-delay module based on polarization switching. With a unique binary tuning mechanism, the device can generate any differential group delay value from -45 to +45 ps with a resolution of 1.40 ps, or any true-time-delay value from 0 to 45 ps with a resolution of 0.7 ps. The delay varying speeds for both applications are under 1 ms and can be as fast as 0.1 ms. We evaluate both the dynamic and static performances of the device while paying special attention to its dynamic figures of merit for polarization-mode dispersion emulation and compensation applications. Our experiment shows that the device exhibits a negligible transient-effect induced power penalty (<0.2 dB) in a 10-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero system.