The use of thermal analysis techniques for the validation of phase transformation models

In the study of the phase transformation of steel several methods can be used to obtain information about the behaviour of steel during heating and cooling. In this research several conventional methods, e.g. dilatometry, were studied together with an in-situ thermal analysis method (ISTA). This method, which can be applied to any cooling curve, enables us to draw conclusions as to the transformation behaviour of the steel. Using a continuous annealing simulator (Casim) a range of cooling rates can be investigated with the resulting mechanical properties. It will be demonstrated that ISTA can be performed on the results of a variety of experimental techniques and therefore under very different experimental conditions. It is possible to investigate transformation behaviour and mechanical properties on a single test piece. Using the pressurized air cooling of the Casim proves to be a good compromise between the possibilities of determining the mechanical properties and flexibility in cooling conditions of the specimens.     

Search and mobility in a housing market with limited supply

In this paper, a non-linear dynamic model is presented for a housing market in which various types of households and dwellings are distinguished. The model is based on a stock-flow framework, in which households have to cope with incomplete information when searching for dwellings. The model includes life-cycle patterns (social mobility, ageing) as well as stochastic dwelling preferences. Simulations are carried out with the model to investigate its properties (existence of stationary states, etc.) under various conditions of housing supply. Special attention is paid to vacancy rates, duration of residence, and length of vacancy chains.     

Modeling Feedback Bridging Faults with Non-Zero Resistance

We study the behavior of feedback bridging faults with non-zero bridge resistance in both combinational and sequential circuits. We demonstrate that a test vector may detect the fault, not detect the fault or lead to oscillation, depending on bridge resistance. Moreover, the resistance intervals in which a particular behavior is observed are not necessarily contiguous. We demonstrate non-trivial behavior for situations in which a detection seems impossible, namely disabled loops going through a gate with controlling values on its side inputs.We outline the multiple strengths problem which arises due to the fact that a critical bridge resistance depends on the strengths of the signals driving the bridge, which in turn are functions of the number of the on-transistors, these again depending on the bridge resistance, making such a fault very hard to resolve. For sequential circuits, we describe additional difficulties caused by the need to account for implications on bridge behavior, which have originated in the previous time frames. We conclude that the complexity of resistive feedback bridging fault simulation accurate enough to resolve such situations will probably be prohibitively high and propose possible simplifying assumptions. We present simulation results for ISCAS benchmarks using these assumptions with and without taking oscillation into account.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to the cover date.     

Multifrequency coordination in bimanual tapping: Asymmetrical coupling and signs of supercriticality.

The circle map provides a general mathematical model for the mode-locking behavior observed in systems of coupled oscillators. From this theoretical perspective, multifrequency tapping was studied. Three experiments were conducted in which skilled drummers participated. The results were in qualitative agreement with the dynamical features of the circle map. The stability of behavior was affected by the movement frequency at which the multifrequency relations were performed. Attraction to lower order ratios (predominantly showing Farey relations) was observed. In some situations bistability and hysteresis occurred, implying that the system was situated in the supercritical domain of the circle map where resonance zones overlap. Furthermore, the results suggest that multifrequency tapping is characterized by an asymmetrical coupling in that the influence of the fast hand on the slow hand is the strongest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Municipalities as a Driver for Wireless Broadband Access

Municipalities can form a driving force behind the deployment of new telecom infrastructure. While a telecom operator focuses on direct (financial) profits, a municipality is mainly interested in the social benefits for its inhabitants. In this paper, we evaluate a wireless municipality network from both a technical and an economic point of view. WiFi and WiMAX are considered as the most suited technologies for this purpose. A detailed techno-economic study has been performed including forecasting of the user adoption, dimensioning of the wireless network and modelling the related costs and revenues. The trade-off between installing a high number of relatively cheap WiFi access points, and a smaller number of more expensive WiMAX base stations for delivering full coverage is investigated in several scenarios.

Isolation,cloning, and characterization of the 2S albumin: A new allergen from hazelnut

Scope: 2S albumins are the major allergens involved in severe food allergy to nuts, seeds, and legumes. We aimed to isolate, clone, and express 2S albumin from hazelnut and determine its allergenicity. Methods: 2S albumin from hazelnut extract was purified using size exclusion chromatography and RP‐HPLC. After N‐terminal sequencing, degenerated and poly‐d(T) primers were used to clone the 2S albumin sequence from hazelnut cDNA. After expression in Escherichia coli and affinity purification, IgE reactivity was evaluated by Immunoblot/ImmunoCAP (inhibition) analyses using sera of nut‐allergic patients. Results: N‐terminal sequencing of a ～10 kDa peak from size exclusion chromatography/RP‐HPLC gave two sequences highly homologous to pecan 2S albumin, an 11 amino acid (aa) N‐terminal and a 10aa internal peptide. The obtained clone (441 bp) encoded a 147aa hazelnut 2S albumin consisting of a putative signal peptide (22 aa), a linker peptide (20 aa), and the mature protein sequence (105 aa). The latter was successfully expressed in E. coli. Both recombinant and natural 2S albumin demonstrated similar IgE reactivity in Immunoblot/ImmunoCAP (inhibition) analyses. Conclusion: We confirmed the postulated role of hazelnut 2S albumin as an allergen. The availability of recombinant molecules will allow establishing the importance of hazelnut 2S albumin for hazelnut allergy.     

Effect of the sulfide concentration on zinc bio-precipitation in a single stage sulfidogenic bioreactor at pH 5.5

Dissolved zinc is present in natural waters and process streams generated by the mining and metallurgical industry. These streams usually have a low pH. By using sulfate reducing bacteria, sulfide can be produced that precipitates with zinc as zinc sulfide (sphalerite), which can be easily separated from the wastewater and even reused as zinc concentrate. In this study, a sulfate reducing gas-lift bioreactor was operated at pH 5.5 using hydrogen as electron donor for sulfate reduction. We demonstrate effective zinc removal (7.2 mmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹) with low zinc effluent concentrations (0.65–8.8 μM) in a system combining sulfide generation by sulfate reducing bacteria (7.2–10.6 mmol SO₄²⁻ L⁻¹ d⁻¹) at low pH (5.5) with the bio-precipitation of crystalline sphalerite. To investigate the effect of the sulfide excess on the settling properties of the sphalerite precipitates, the sulfide excess concentration was varied about two orders of magnitude (0.008–2.2 mM). The results show that crystalline sphalerite was formed in all cases, but larger particles with better settling properties were formed at lower sulfide concentrations.     

水泥基复合材料集料与浆体界面研究综述(一):实验技术

关于界面研究,概括起来主要可以从以下5个方面考虑：(1)界面研究的相关技术手段;(2)界面微观结构特征的研究;(3)界面微观结构的形成及劣化机理;(4)影响界面微观结构因素的研究;(5)界面过渡区的性能对材料宏观性能(包括：力学性能和耐久性)影响的研究。对这些问题的研究是为了回答以下2个问题：(1)各种层次的界面过渡区到底在多大程度上影响着整个材料的力学性能和耐久性;(2)通过改善界面来达到改善水泥基复合材料的性能这一措施是否可行。由于界面研究的技术手段与方法随着其它相关技术与设备的引入而不断取得新的进展,促进了水泥基复合材料集料与浆体界面相关研究也不断取得新的成果。关于界面研究的新实验技术和方法,从如下4个方面进行了描述：(1)与界面过渡区微观结构表征相关的实验技术;(2)与界面过渡区力学性能(包括：粘结强度、刚度和断裂力学性能)相关的技术和方法;(3)与界面过渡区传输性能相关的技术和方法;(4)与界面过渡区收缩性能相关的技术和方法。     

Investigating measurements of fine particle (PM2.5) emissions from the cooking of meals and mitigating exposure using a cooker hood

There is growing awareness that indoor exposure to particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) is associated with an increased risk of adverse health effects. Cooking is a key indoor source of PM_2.5 and an activity conducted daily in most homes. Population scale models can predict occupant exposures to PM_2.5, but these predictions are sensitive to the emission rates used. Reported emission rates are highly variable and are typically for the cooking of single ingredients and not full meals. Accordingly, there is a need to assess PM_2.5 emissions from the cooking of complete meals. Mean PM_2.5 emission rates and source strengths were measured for four complete meals. Temporal PM_2.5 concentrations and particle size distributions were recorded using an optical particle counter (OPC), and gravimetric sampling was used to determine calibration factors. Mean emission rates and source strengths varied between 0.54—3.7 mg/min and 15—68 mg, respectively, with 95% confidence. Using a cooker hood (apparent capture efficiency > 90%) and frying in non‐stick pans were found to significantly reduce emissions. OPC calibration factors varied between 1.5 and 5.0 showing that a single value cannot be used for all meals and that gravimetric sampling is necessary when measuring PM_2.5 concentrations in kitchens.