Effect of Substrate Nitrogen/Chemical Oxygen Demand Ratio on the Formation of Aerobic Granules

The effect of the substrate nitrogen/chemical oxygen demand (N/COD) (mg/mg) ratio on the formation and characteristics of aerobic granules for simultaneous organic removal and nitrification were studied in four sequencing batch reactors operated at different substrate N/COD ratios ranging from 5/100 to 30/100. Results showed that aerobic granules formed at the substrate N/COD ratios studied, and both nitrifying and heterotrophic activities of aerobic granules were governed by the substrate N/COD ratio. The nitrifying activity was significantly enhanced with the increase of the substrate N/COD ratio, while the heterotrophic activity decreased. By determining elemental compositions of aerobic granules cultivated at different substrate N/COD ratios, it was revealed that the cell hydrophobicity was inversely related to the ratio of cell oxygen content to cell carbon content of aerobic granule. The production of extracellular polysaccharides showed a decreasing trend as the substrate N/COD ratio increased. This is probably due to enriched nitrifying population with the high N/COD ratios. This study clearly demonstrated that an aerobic granule-based sequencing batch reactor would have a great potential for simultaneous organic oxidation and nitrification.     

Carbon dioxide—new uses for an old refrigerant

Carbon dioxide has been used as a refrigerant in vapour compression systems of many types for over 130 years, but it is only in the last decade that inventive minds and modern techniques have found new ways to exploit the uniquely beneficial properties of this remarkable substance. This paper traces the development of the old carbon dioxide systems, considers the technical, commercial and social reasons for their slow development and subsequent decline and examines the recent renaissance across a surprisingly broad range of applications, from trans-critical car air conditioners to low temperature industrial freezer plants. The paper then concentrates on industrial refrigeration systems, which were the basis of early developments in the period 1865–1885, but which have been somewhat overlooked in the current renaissance. The paper concludes with a review of possible future developments, indicating the areas of research and product development required to maximise the potential of the only non-toxic, non-flammable, non-ozone-depleting, non-global-warming refrigerant available for Rankine cycle vapour compression systems in the 21st century.     

Requirements for a COTS software component: A case study

The goal of the GUARDS project is to design and develop a generic fault-tolerant computer architecture that can be built from predefined standardised components. The architecture favours the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software components. However, the assessment and selection of COTS components is a non-trivial task as it requires balancing a myriad of requirements from end-users and the preliminary architecture design. In this paper, we present the requirements and assessment criteria for a specific COTS software component, the operating system kernel. As an interface specification constitutes a major compatibility criterion for the selection of COTS components in GUARDS, a particular emphasis is placed on operating system conformance to the POSIX 1003.1 standard. We discuss the general lessons learned from the assessment process and raise a number of questions relevant to the assessment of any COTS software component.     

Performance Comparison of Four Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Deck Panels

In an effort to assess the constructability and performance of bridges with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite decks, the short-term and long-term responses of a 207 m, five-span bridge retrofitted with four different FRP panel systems were monitored. The overall aspects of the panel systems, connection details, and construction techniques are presented prior to presentation of the observed and measured responses. Key design parameters (impact factors, girder distribution factors, and level of composite action) for FRP and reinforced concrete decks are evaluated. This paper demonstrates that FRP replacement decks are a viable alternative to reinforced concrete decks and identifies the differences in performances of various FRP deck systems. Two of the FRP panel systems were found to perform considerably better than the other deck systems. Issues that may reduce the service life of FRP deck systems are presented and discussed.     

绿松石结构的致密性对其颜色量化研究的影响

绿松石的结构致密性对其颜色量化研究工作存在重要影响。采用国际公认的色度学变量CIE 1976色差(ΔE)来表征绿松石样品在特定区域内颜色的不均一性,通过静水称重法和原子力显微镜(AFM)来表征结构致密性的体相和表相特征。结果发现,质地疏松绿松石存在较大色差、较大的表面粗糙度及较小的相对密度。激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱仪(LA-ICP-MS)研究绿松石成分显示,疏松绿松石样品中致色元素含量呈现较大的测量不确定性,存在很严重的随激光剥蚀时间延长而迅速衰减的现象,而致密绿松石样品并无此现象。出土疏松绿松石样品的受沁程度和色差也明显大于致密样品。相对而言,高致密性绿松石具有相对密度较大、表面平滑度较高、颜色分布较为均一、致色元素分布较为规律、抗污染能力较强等优良特征。因此,在后续绿松石颜色量化分级工作当中,对致密性进行严格定量显得尤为必要。     

Passengers’ perceived ability to get out safely from an underground train station in an emergency situation

Cognition, Technology & Work - Many recent studies have been done on the development of evacuation systems and plans. There are also several studies on human behaviour in fire. However, little...     

Virtual network embedding: ensuring correctness and optimality by construction using model transformation and integer linear programming techniques

Software and Systems Modeling - Virtualization technology allows service providers to operate data centers in a cost-effective and scalable manner. The data center network (substrate network) and...     

Why are Tailored Messages More Effective? A Multiple Mediation Analysis of a Breast Cancer Screening Intervention

Past research has found that tailoring increases the persuasive effectiveness of a message. However, the observed effect has been small and the explanatory mechanism remains unknown. To address these shortcomings, a tailoring software program was created that personalized breast cancer screening pamphlets according to risk, health belief model constructs, and visual preference. Women aged 40 and older (N = 119) participated in a 2 (Tailored vs. Stock Message) × 2 (Charts/Graphs vs. Illustrated Visuals) × 3 (Nested Replications of the Visuals) experiment. Participants provided with tailored illustrated pamphlets expressed greater breast cancer screening intentions than those provided with other pamphlets. In a test of 10 different mediators, perceived message relevance was found to fully mediate the Tailoring × Visual interaction.