Direct synthesis of highly crystalline transparent conducting oxide nanoparticles by low pressure spray pyrolysis

In this article, we firstly reported a general preparation method for the production of highly crystallized and single crystalline transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanoparticles: tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), zinc-doped indium oxide (IZO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), and gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO). Low-pressure spray pyrolysis was applied by means of a modified-atomizer and preheated carrier gas. The effects of pyrolysis pressure, temperature and carrier gas temperature on the size and morphology of the synthesized TCO nanoparticles were systematically investigated. The synthesized TCO nanoparticles were 17 nm large with crystallite size of 8–11 nm. The resistivities of the formed pellets were measured and compared. These results showed that this method successfully produces various TCO nanoparticles using neither dispersing agents nor post-heating treatments, which allows rapid, continuous, single-step preparation.     

Quantitative analysis of deuterium using laser-induced plasma at low pressure of helium

It was proved that the analysis of deuterium can be conducted using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy. By selecting the appropriate surrounding gas, its pressure, and gating time of the detection system, it was shown that the emission lines of both hydrogen (H(alpha)) and deuterium (D(alpha)), separated by only 0.179 nm, can be fully resolved. A linear calibration curve was also obtained, indicating that this technique has the potential for quantitative analysis of deuterium. The minimum detection limit achieved in this stage of research was estimated to be 50 ppm. We have also shown that this technique can be used as a simple and rapid method for D and H analysis in solid samples.     

Geothermal energy extraction using abandoned oil and gas wells: Techno-economic and policy review

Retrofitting depleted oil wells to extract geothermal energy is considered as one of the promising proposals to extend the overall economic life of oil and gas well. For successful implementation of this initiative, a comprehensive overview covering all aspects of geothermal energy extraction from abandoned oil well should be taken into account including technical, economic considerations as well as regulations and policies of respective local governments. Unfortunately, most reported studies have been focused only on one or two aspects, primarily on technical and economic aspects. Little or no study has focused on the policy sector. Moreover, these findings have been scattered, creating difficulties to extract essential information and dragging further development of the technology. This paper is therefore prepared with the objective to provide a comprehensive overview on the geothermal energy extraction from abandoned oil well, technical challenges in its implementation, economical consideration on the conversion of the well and government policy on energy especially geothermal energy and regulation on the utilization of abandoned oil well. To achieve this objective, extensive literature reviews are conducted with more attention given to recent studies on the field. Challenges on the development of this technology are discussed from technical, economic, and policy perspectives. Based on the identified challenges, required research and development as well as necessary policies for further advancement of this technology are outlined and discussed. By providing this comprehensive information, this review paper may serve as a good foundation and guidelines on the conversion of abandoned oil wells into geothermal energy wells.     

Development of new dye-metal agarose-coated alumina matrix and elution strategy for purification of alcohol dehydrogenase

A high-density matrix was prepared by coating an alumina particle with agarose using an emulsion technique. Iminodiacetic acid and Cibacron Blue 3GA were immobilized onto this matrix. Charging this matrix with zinc created a useful chromatography matrix for purification of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. The elution strategy was then investigated to obtain a high recovery of this enzyme and a high purification factor. One-step elution using 4 mM EDTA containing 0.5 M NaCl resulted in 66% enzyme recovery and a purification factor of 4.7. Two-step elution using imidazole containing NaCl resulted in a higher purification factor. The first-step elution using 5 mM imidazole containing 1 M NaCl released most contaminant proteins. The second-step elution using 150 mM imidazole containing 1.5 M NaCl resulted in high-performance purification with a purification factor of 6.5 and an enzyme recovery of 40.7%. Equilibration of the matrix with imidazole prior to sample application increased the purification factor and the enzyme recovery to 8.4 and 76.8%, respectively.     

Adaptive Control of Mechanical Systems Using Neural Networks

In this paper, we consider the decentralized adaptive control design problem for uncertain mechanical systems, where uncertainty may arise due to isolated subsystem and/or interconnections among subsystems. Radial basis function neural networks are used to approximate the nonlinear functions to include both dynamic and interconnection uncertainties in each subsystem. The stability of the thus designed control system can be guaranteed by a rigid proof. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

AoA-Based Channel Estimation for Massive MIMO OFDM Communication Systems on High Speed Rails

Channel estimation is a well-known challenge for wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM)communication systems with massive antennas on high speed rails(HSRs).This paper investigates this problem and design two practicable uplink and downlink channel estimators for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM)communication systems with massive antenna arrays at base station on HSRs.Specifically,we first use pilots to estimate the initial angle of arrival(AoA)and channel gain information of each uplink path through discrete Fourier transform(DFT),and then refine the estimates via the angle rotation technique and suggested pilot design.Based on the uplink angel estimation,we design a new downlink channel estimator for frequency division duplexing(FDD)systems.Additionally,we derive the Cramér-Rao lower bounds(CRLBs)of the AoA and channel gain estimates.Finally,numerical results are provided to corroborate our proposed studies.     

A Framework for the Object Life Cycle in Integrated Environments

Problems related to the implementation of product models are different from those encountered during their theoretical development. They are related mainly to information management and the flow of information within the integrated environment. From the point of view of implementation, this paper addresses the problems experienced with current models, concentrating on two main issues: object definition and the life cycle of objects. It also discusses briefly a proposed strategic framework for an integrated construction environment within which a framework for the object life cycle is introduced. Four phases have been defined for the object life cycle. These are create and amend, supplement object with data, use object, and decommission object. This concept has been implemented in the integrated environment SPACE.     

Amperometric detection of organic thiols at a tungsten wire electrode following their separation by liquid chromatography

Here, we describe the complete deduced amino acid sequence of three unconventional myosins identified in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the three myosins represent a novel, highly-divergent class addition to the myosin superfamily. Toxoplasma gondii myosin-A (TgM-A) is a remarkably small approximately 93 kDa myosin that shows a striking departure from typical myosin heavy chain structure in having a head and tail domain but no discernible neck domain. In other myosins, the neck is defined by one or more IQ motifs that serve as potential light chain binding domains. No IQ motifs are apparent in TgM-A. The tail domain of TgM-A encompasses only 57 amino acid residues and is characterized by its highly basic charge (pI = 10.8). The other two Toxoplasma myosins, TgM-B and TgM-C appear to be the product of differential RNA splicing with TgM-B yielding a protein of approximately 114 kDa and TgM-C a protein of approximately 125 kDa. These two myosins are identical throughout their head domain and neck domain which contains a single IQ motif. TgM-B and C share the proximal 245 residues of their tail domain and then diverge in their tail structure distally. The tails, like that of TgM-A, share no homology to any other myosin tails apart from a highly basic charge. The identification of yet another class of unconventional myosins, including a myosin as novel in structure as the 93 kDa TgM-A, continues to underscore the diversity of this family of molecular motors.     

An agent-based model of building occupant behavior during load shedding

Load shedding enjoys increasing popularity as a way to reduce power consumption in buildings during hours of peak demand on the electricity grid. This practice has well known cost saving and reliability benefits for the grid, and the contracts utilities sign with their “interruptible” customers often pass on substantial electricity cost savings to participants. Less well-studied are the impacts of load shedding on building occupants, hence this study investigates those impacts on occupant comfort and adaptive behaviors. It documents experience in two office buildings located near Philadelphia (USA) that vary in terms of controllability and the set of adaptive actions available to occupants. An agent-based model (ABM) framework generalizes the case-study insights in a “what-if” format to support operational decision making by building managers and tenants. The framework, implemented in EnergyPlus and NetLogo, simulates occupants that have heterogeneous thermal and lighting preferences. The simulated occupants pursue local adaptive actions such as adjusting clothing or using portable fans when central building controls are not responsive, and experience organizational constraints, including a corporate dress code and miscommunication with building managers. The model predicts occupant decisions to act fairly well but has limited ability to predict which specific adaptive actions occupants will select.