Long-term monitoring of natural hydrogen superficial emissions in a brazilian cratonic environment. Sporadic large pulses versus daily periodic emissions

In many basins, hydrogen-emitting structures are now observed, but the estimation of the H₂ flow leading to their formation remains poorly constrained since all data show that the H₂ emissions are variable in space and time. We present here the data of a long-term monitoring campaign with a high density of permanent hydrogen detectors installed in 2 structures in the Minas Gerais State (Brazil). Results show that two kinds of signals are recorded, large sporadic pulses that affect the H₂ content of the soil for one or two days and smaller ones, with a daily periodicity, that last 6 h and during which the near surface soil concentration usually does not exceed 200 ppm. This last signal is very regular in frequency, less in amount, and the daily maximum happens around noon or in the early afternoon. We interpret the large pulses as evidences of a deep hydrogen flux, leaking either from a reservoir located in the subsurface, from an aquifer which is degassing or, although it seems unlikely, directly from the H₂ generation area.The time correlation between the pulse and the increase of the daily signal suggests that this last one corresponds to the slow release of the gas that has been captured by the soil during its transport towards the surface. This daily signal is most likely influenced by external factors such as atmospheric pressure and sub-surface bacterial activity. In map view, the lack of correlation between the highest hydrogen concentrations over time suggests that the soil is very heterogeneous and that preferential pathways exist. The results confirm that long-term monitoring, over a few months, is mandatory to catch a certain number of high pulses and so to have a better estimation of the real flow. Data also suggests that sensors with a large concentration range should be used (from 10 to several 10⁴ ppm). Even if quantification of leakage doesn't help to quantify the subsurface reserves, these new data allow a more precise evaluation of the quantity of H₂ released in surface by these structures, few hundred of kilo per day, and confirm the high H₂ prospectivity of this basin.     

DOPO‐Based Phosphorus‐Containing Methacrylic (Co)Polymers: Glass Transition Temperature Investigation

A two‐step synthetic procedure is designed for preparing new flame‐retardant methacrylic monomers containing 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) as a substituent side group. DOPO and methacrylate moieties are linked by linear aliphatic hydrocarbon spacers (3 to 11 carbon atoms). Copolymerization with methyl methacrylate is carried out leading to copolymers containing between 2 and 10 wt% phosphorus. All homo‐ and copolymers exhibit a unique glass transition temperature (T_g ). A new group contribution for DOPO‐based substituent is extracted that leads to reasonable estimations of T_g s of other published polymers. The Fox equation provides a good estimation of T_g s for most copolymers and for physical blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and DOPO. When using monomers having three and four carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon spacer, the T_g of copolymers remains close to that of PMMA over a wide range of composition.     

Emulsifying and Foaming Properties of Protein Concentrates Prepared from Cowpea and Bambara Bean Using Different Drying Methods

Effect of cabinet-drying, vacuum-drying, and freeze-drying methods on the surface hydrophobicity, secondary structure, emulsifying, and foaming properties of protein concentrates prepared from different cultivars of cowpea and Bambara bean was investigated. The vacuum-drying method reduced hydrophobicity, while freeze-dried concentrates presented high hydrophobicity. The concentrates prepared by freeze drying presented more β-sheet (40–43%) and less β-turn (19–24%) structures. Bambara bean protein concentrates prepared by freeze-drying presented higher emulsifying activity (56–59%) compared to those by vacuum-drying and cabinet-drying, while emulsifying activity varied significantly among cultivars of cowpea (46–61%). Protein concentrates prepared by cabinet-drying showed the highest foaming ability.     

How operators make use of wide-choice adaptable automation: observations from a series of experimental studies

The present paper is concerned with the design of adaptable automation. It analyses the aggregated data from five experiments (N = 154) to examine which automation levels operators prefer, how often they switch between them, and whether performance is associated with frequent switching or the automation levels being used. Using wide-choice adaptable automation (i.e. up to six levels were offered), the experiments were conducted using a PC-based simulation of a complex work environment. The results showed that about 95% of operators had a clearly preferred automation level, which they used for more than 50% of the time. They strongly preferred intermediate automation levels over levels at the higher and lower ends of the scale. Most operators switched rarely between levels and when they did, they usually made small adjustment rather than large changes. Several implications for the design of adaptable automation were derived from the empirical data.     

Noise Feedback Coding Revisited： Refurbished Legacy Codecs and New Coding Models

Noise feedback coding(NFC) has attracted renewed interest with the recent standardization of backward-compatible enhancements for ITU-T G.711 and G.722.It has also been revisited with the emergence of proprietary speech codecs,such as BV16,BV32,and SILK,that have structures different from CELP coding.In this article,we review NFC and describe a novel coding technique that optimally shapes coding noise in embedded pulse-code modulation(PCM) and embedded adaptive differential PCM(ADPCM).We describe how this new technique was incorporated into the recent ITU-T G.711.1,G.711 App.III,and G.722 Annex B(G.722B) speech-coding standards.     

Evaluation of temperature field and heat flux by inverse analysis during steel strip rolling

Knowledge of the temperature field in the roll is a critical factor of modern, high-speed rolling mills. In this paper, an inverse analytical method is developed to determine the temperature field and especially the temperature (and heat flux) at the surface of the roll by measuring the temperature with a thermocouple (fully embedded) at only one point inside the roll. Iterative methods are not studied because short computation times are desired. Some assumptions are done to resolve analytically the unsteady heat equation, taking into account the restrictions of the measurement system (e.g., measurement according to successive times). The solution is validated by comparing the outputs of the method and prescribed analytical temperature fields. Good agreement is obtained. Noise sensitivity is estimated by adding artificial random numbers to the inputs. Good accuracy is observed. A 10% error of the temperature sensor depth is also considered and does not compromise the method. On the other hand, the computation time (around 0.05 s by cycle) is studied to rapidly optimise the industrial parameters during the rolling process.     

Design of a low-density wood-cement particleboard for interior wall finish

Gypsum boards form a very large part of the building walls and ceilings finishing market. However, they have poor screw-withdrawal resistance, low hardness and are highly sensitive to moisture. The objective of this study was to determine whether it is possible to make wood-cement particleboards of the same density as gypsum boards while avoiding these drawbacks.Wood-cement particleboards were made by pouring the wood-cement paste in a mould. This was made possible by adding a viscosity modifying mixture to the mixing water and a set accelerating mixture to improve wood/cement compatibility. The mechanical properties and surface quality of the wood-cement particleboards were improved by using, on the board surfaces, paper sheets that were the same as those used on gypsum boards.The average specific gravity of the wood-cement particleboards was the same as gypsum boards, at 0.7. The average bending modulus of rupture obtained for the wood-cement particleboards was 10 MPa in the finishing paper principal direction and 5 MPa in the other direction compared to 5.5 MPa and 1.6 MPa respectively for gypsum boards. The average screw-withdrawal resistance of wood-cement particleboards was 570 N, that is, 1.7 times higher than for gypsum boards.