A two-stage subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland for high-rate nitrogen removal.

By using a two-stage constructed wetland (CW) system operated with an organic load of 40 gCOD.m(-2).d(-1) (2 m2 per person equivalent) average nitrogen removal efficiencies of about 50% and average nitrogen elimination rates of 980 g N.m(-2).yr(-1) could be achieved. Two vertical flow beds with intermittent loading have been operated in series. The first stage uses sand with a grain size of 2-3.2 mm for the main layer and has a drainage layer that is impounded; the second stage sand with a grain size of 0.06-4 mm and a drainage layer with free drainage. The high nitrogen removal can be achieved without recirculation thus it is possible to operate the two-stage CW system without energy input. The paper shows performance data for the two-stage CW system regarding removal of organic matter and nitrogen for the two year operating period of the system. Additionally, its efficiency is compared with the efficiency of a single-stage vertical flow CW system designed and operated according to the Austrian design standards with 4 m2 per person equivalent. The comparison shows that a higher effluent quality could be reached with the two-stage system although the two-stage CW system is operated with the double organic load or half the specific surface area requirement, respectively. Another advantage is that the specific investment costs of the two-stage CW system amount to 1,200 EUR per person (without mechanical pre-treatment) and are only about 60% of the specific investment costs of the singe-stage CW system.     

Some aspects of the effect of gravity on the superfluid transition in4He

After a brief review of the experimental study of the effect of gravity on the superfluid transition, various options are discussed for choosing a reference superfluid-transition temperature for a sample in the presence of gravity where there is no unique transition. Thereafter some presently feasible experiments are discussed, which could be substantially improved in a microgravity environment.Based on a talk given at the Eighth University of Oregon Conference on Low-Temperature Physics/The JPL Workshop, Washington, D.C., January 14 to 15, 1991.     

Detecting evoked potentials with SVD- and ICA-based statistical models.

In the functional diagnostics of human sensor systems, the analysis of stimulus responses embedded in an electroencephalogram (EEG), e.g. evoked potentials (EPs), is of high relevance for an objective electrophysiological assessment. The aim of this work is to detect weak EPs from highly contaminated signal traces. In principle this can be done using methods of spatiotemporal signal processing, which simultaneously increase the weak SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). However, methods based on any a priori knowledge of spatial or temporal properties as well as the propagation speed and direction are not applicable. Models with adjustable signal properties similar to real cortical activity are necessary for the development and evaluation of new methods of spatiotemporal signal processing. A model is needed which can be used in forward- and inverse-projection calculations. This study aims to develop a signal generator of the background EEG activity with embedded EPs of fully adjustable signal parameters. The study also compares the results of modeled signal analysis by known methods for signal decomposition, SVD (singular value decomposition) and ICA (independent component analysis).     

Trends in the production and storage of fresh meat – the holistic approach to bacteriological meat quality

The aim of this review paper is to introduce readers to the modern approach to meat production as recommended by public authorities. No part of the food chain can be regarded alone but has to be seen as part of the whole. A holistic approach to fresh meat storage and retailing must therefore start with the living animal and cannot end with the sale of the meat. It must also include the consumers. One of the highest priority issues for consumers, producers and governments is food safety, and with it, consumer safety. Here we briefly describe the possibilities of keeping initial amounts of bacteria in meat low and modern storage of fresh meat. In future, the consumer must be incorporated in the meat food chain.     

Numerical microstructure prediction for an aluminium casting and its experimental validation

Virtual manufacturing based on through-process modelling becomes an evolving research area which aims at integrating diverse simulation tools to realize computer-aided design, analysis, prototyping and manufacturing. Numerical prediction of the as-cast microstructure is an initial and critical step in the whole through-process modelling chain for engineering components. A commercial software package with the capability of calculating important microstructure features for aluminium alloys is used to simulate a G-AlSi7MgCu0.5 laboratory casting. The simulated microstructure, namely grain size, secondary dendrite arm spacing and diverse phase fractions are verified experimentally. Correspondence and discrepancies are reported and discussed.     

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential of Alginate and Alginate/Chitosan Films Containing Potassium Sorbate and Natamycin

The antimicrobial potential of alginate films (AFs) and alginate/chitosan composite films with two different mass proportions of the biopolymers, 82.5:17.5 (CF1) and 65:35 (CF2), containing potassium sorbate (KS) or natamycin was evaluated. At the practical limit of KS addition (0.17 g KS per gram of alginate) for pure AFs, no inhibition zones were observed against Debaromyces hansenii, Penicillium commune and Penicillium roqueforti by the agar diffusion test. Above this concentration, films became opaque, brittle and showed a whitish precipitate over their surface, making them not suitable for use. However, alginate and alginate/chitosan composite films containing natamycin were able to inhibit the growth of the three microorganisms listed above. Natamycin was effective at concentrations as low as 0.005 g per gram of biopolymer for AF and 0.01 g per gram of biopolymer for both composite films, alginate/chitosan 65:35 (CF1) and alginate/chitosan 82.5:17.5 (CF2) against all microorganisms tested. The inhibitory zone diameter increased as concentration of natamycin increased. Active films containing 0.04 g natamycin per gram of biopolymer obtained in the present study exhibited suitable functional attributes and showed excellent perspectives as active antimicrobial films intended for food protection applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

System-wide emissions implications of increased wind power penetration

This paper discusses the environmental effects of incorporating wind energy into the electric power system. We present a detailed emissions analysis based on comprehensive modeling of power system operations with unit commitment and economic dispatch for different wind penetration levels. First, by minimizing cost, the unit commitment model decides which thermal power plants will be utilized based on a wind power forecast, and then, the economic dispatch model dictates the level of production for each unit as a function of the realized wind power generation. Finally, knowing the power production from each power plant, the emissions are calculated. The emissions model incorporates the effects of both cycling and start-ups of thermal power plants in analyzing emissions from an electric power system with increasing levels of wind power. Our results for the power system in the state of Illinois show significant emissions effects from increased cycling and particularly start-ups of thermal power plants. However, we conclude that as the wind power penetration increases, pollutant emissions decrease overall due to the replacement of fossil fuels.     

Management of quality of service enabled VPNs

New emerging IP services based on differentiated services and the IP security architecture offer the level of communication support that corporate Internet applications need nowadays. However, these services add an additional degree of complexity to IP networks which will require sophisticated management support. The management of enhanced IP services for their customers is thus an emerging important task for Internet service providers. This article describes a potential management architecture service providers will need for that task, considering problems such as multiprovider services and service automation. We focus on a quality-enhanced virtual private network service which is particularly useful for corporate internetworking     

Influence of the Material and the Surface Roughness of the Drying Support on the Self‐detachment of Maltodextrin Films

The influence of four different materials (glass, stainless steel, polytetrafluoroethylene – PTFE and polyamide) used as a paste drying support on the detachment conditions of dried maltodextrin films was investigated. The tests were accomplished in a drying chamber that allows the spreading of a uniform film of pastelike material over solid plates and the visual observation of the instant of the detachment from the surface. The chamber temperature and the water content of the dried film were compared with the corresponding glass transition temperature curve. The effect of the material roughness on the detachment of the dried maltodextrin film was evaluated comparing glass plates with two different surfaces (smooth and sand‐blasted glass). Results indicate that the higher the surface roughness, the drier should the film be, in order to promote self‐detachment at the same temperature conditions. The chemical and physical interactions between the support material and the dried film also influence the process. The PTFE support required less severe detachment conditions than solids with lower surface roughness.     

品种和加工方式对双低菜粕有效能和氨基酸有效性的影响_注

用精确饲喂技术评价了 3个品种的中国双低油菜和 1个加拿大卡诺拉的脱脂种籽和商品饼粕的能量和氨基酸的有效性。结果表明 ,4个脱脂种籽的氮校正真代谢能和氨基酸真消化率没有差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;而 4个商品饼粕的脱脂样品的氮校正真代谢能和氨基酸真消化率有极显著或显著差异。研究结果证实 ,不适当的加工方式不仅降低了氨基酸的有效性 ,而且影响家禽对能量的利用效率。