Retention of Escherichia coli in municipal sewage by means of planted soil filters in two-stage pilot plant systems.

Different types of constructed wetlands in a pilot-plant system were fed with identical municipal waste water to compare the sanitisation process in two-stage systems. With combinations of a vertical and a horizontal flow filter an E. coli reduction of 5 log10 with an E. coli influent concentration of 10(7) MPN/100 ml was achieved. Using different filter materials in each stage the total performance of the two-stage system was independent from the sequence of these materials. However, using coarser filter material in the first stage makes the filter less prone to clogging and is thus the preferential option with regard to operational reliability.     

Comfort limits for asymmetric thermal radiation

Groups of 32 and 16 subjects of both sexes were exposed in an environmental chamber to radiant asymmetry caused by a cool wall, a warm wall, and a cool ceiling. Each subject was tested individually while seated and clothed at 0.6 clo. During each 3.5-hour experiment the subject was exposed to six radiant temperature asymmetries. He was asked whether and where he experienced any local cool or warm sensation, and whether it was felt to be uncomfortable. During the entire experiment he was kept thermally neutral by changing the air temperature according to his wishes.For cool walls, warm walls, and cool ceilings curves have been established showing the percentage of dissatisfied subjects as a function of the radiant asymmetry. Radiant asymmetry at a warm wall caused less discomfort than a cool wall. A cool ceiling caused less discomfort than a warm ceiling. Accepting that 5% of the subjects may feel uncomfortable. a radiant temperature asymmetry of 10°C is allowable at a cool wall, 23°C at a warm wall, and 14°C under a cool ceiling. A previous study showed that 4°C is allowable under a warm ceiling. Radiant asymmetry had no significant impact on the operative temperatures preferred by the subjects. No significant differences were observed between the responses of men and women exposed to radiant asymmetry.     

Calibrating high-vacuum gauges

Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 6, pp. 19–20, June, 1989.     

Near-resonance oscillations of a nonsymmetric nonlinear system with a crack

The Malkin method, which was developed to construct a single unique resonance solution of nonlinear equations, is generalized for the case of the derivation of all stationary solutions in the near-resonance zone, and also for transient oscillations.Kiev Polytechnic Institute. Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 10, pp. 108–112, October, 1989.     

Power spectral density of CMI-coded TV signal transmitted through fibre-optic heterodyne system

An expression is derived for the power spectral density of a coded mark inversion (CMI) TV signal transmitted through a fibre-optic heterodyne system. An illustrative example is given, and its power spectral density has been computed numerically.     

Surface Activation of Diamond Particles in the Process of Chemical Coppering

The effect of the composition of sensitizing–activating solutions on the activation efficiency and the chemical coppering of diamond powders is studied. The results demonstrate that stabilizing additives improve the stability of the solutions, influence the average coppering rate, and play a key role in determining the morphology and quality of the resultant coatings. The most effective stabilizing additive is synthamid-10, which ensures the deposition of high-quality copper coatings.     

High-strain-rate superplasticity of nanocrystalline aluminum alloy 1570

The structure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline aluminum alloy 1570 obtained by means of severe plastic deformation have been studied. Being tested in a temperature range from 300 to 400°C, the alloy exhibits high-strain-rate superplasticity. At 400°C, the superplasticity is manifested in a very broad range of strain rates, extending from 5 × 10^?3 to 1 s^?1.