On the role of complementation in implicit language equations and relations

We solve systems of boolean implicit equations and relations with union and complementation. If the languages are regular, we determine whether a system of implicit boolean equations or relations has solutions. If there is a solution, we provide an effective construction of a (regular) solution. We give representations for maximal and minimal solutions. Moreover, we also solve the problem of uniqueness of solutions as well as whether infinitely many solutions exist.     

Solution to indeterminate multipoint impact with frictional contact using constraints

This work presents a method for determining the post-impact behavior of a rigid body undergoing multiple, simultaneous impact with friction. A discrete algebraic model is used with an event-driven function which finds impact events. In this work, the indeterminate nature of the equations of motion encountered at impact is examined. Velocity constraints are developed based on the rigid body assumption to address the equations and an impact law is used to determine the impulsive forces. The slip-state of each impact point is then determined and appropriate methods are used to resolve the post-impact velocities. These techniques are applied to a 3-D model of a ball which is forced to impact a corner between the ground and two wall planes. Additionally, a rocking block example is considered. Simulations are presented for 2-D and 3-D cases of the ball example, and a 2-D model of the rocking block problem to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Constructal design of underground heat sources or sinks for the annual cycle

Here we show that the heat transfer between a pipe assembly and the soil during the annual temperature cycle of a heat pump depends on the configuration of the flow system. We rely on constructal design to find the flow architecture (spacings, shapes) such that the heat transfer between the assembly and the ground is increased. The flow configuration changes freely, and its design is evolutionary. The better shapes change gradually from slender to square as the volume fraction occupied by the flow assembly increases. The heat transfer performance increases as the depth of the structure decreases, but the depth has a negligible effect on the shape of the structure. The results also show that the heat transfer performance increases as the configuration of the ground volume and the buried structure evolves to the most slender shape possible.     

The Effects of Embedded Dipoles in Aromatic Self‐Assembled Monolayers

Using a representative model system, here electronic and structural properties of aromatic self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) are described that contain an embedded, dipolar group. As polar unit, pyrimidine is used, with its orientation in the molecular backbone and, consequently, the direction of the embedded dipole moment being varied. The electronic and structural properties of these embedded‐dipole SAMs are thoroughly analyzed using a number of complementary characterization techniques combined with quantum‐mechanical modeling. It is shown that such mid‐chain‐substituted monolayers are highly interesting from both fundamental and application viewpoints, as the dipolar groups are found to induce a potential discontinuity inside the monolayer, electrostatically shifting the core‐level energies in the regions above and below the dipoles relative to one another. These SAMs also allow for tuning the substrate work function in a controlled manner independent of the docking chemistry and, most importantly, without modifying the SAM‐ambient interface.     

Metabolic versatility in full-scale wastewater treatment plants performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal

This study analysed the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) microbial community and metabolic performance of five full-scale EBPR systems by using fluorescence in situ hybridisation combined with off-line batch tests fed with acetate under anaerobic–aerobic conditions. The phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) in all systems were stable and showed little variability between each plant, while glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) were present in two of the plants. The metabolic activity of each sludge showed the frequent involvement of the anaerobic tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in PAO metabolism for the anaerobic generation of reducing equivalents, in addition to the more frequently reported glycolysis pathway. Metabolic variability in the use of the two pathways was also observed, between different systems and in the same system over time. The metabolic dynamics was linked to the availability of glycogen, where a higher utilisation of the glycolysis pathway was observed in the two systems employing side-stream hydrolysis, and the TCA cycle was more active in the A²O systems. Full-scale plants that showed higher glycolysis activity also exhibited superior P removal performance, suggesting that promotion of the glycolysis pathway over the TCA cycle could be beneficial towards the optimisation of EBPR systems.     

An analysis of construction productivity in Malaysia

The construction industry is an industry of major strategic importance. Its level of productivity has a significant effect on national economic growth. Productivity indicators are examined. The indicators consist of labour productivity, capital productivity, labour competitiveness, capital intensity and added value content of data, which are obtained from the published census/biannual surveys of the construction industry between the years 1999 and 2011 from the Department of Statistics of Malaysia. The results indicated that there is an improvement in the labour productivity, but the value-added content is declining. The civil engineering and special trades subsectors are more productive than the residential and non-residential subsectors in terms of labour productivity because machine-for-labour substitution is a more important process in those subsectors. The capital-intensive characteristics of civil engineering and special trade works enable these subsectors to achieve higher added value per labour cost but not the capital productivity. The added value per labour cost is lower in larger organizations despite higher capital productivity. However, the capital intensity is lower and unit labour cost is higher in the larger organizations.