The probability density and autocorrelation of short-term global and beam irradiance

For individual hours, a characteristic bimodal pattern of short-term global and beam irradiance is frequently observed, with modes at high and low irradiances and with low probabilities near the hourly averages. For such hours, averaging over the hour will imply smoothing of quite significant variations within the hour. Models for the probability density distributions of short-term (5 min or less) irradiances are presented in this paper. These distributions are not unique functions of the hourly averages, but depend heavily also on the irradiance variability within the hour. This intrahour variability is found to depend on the averaging time and also on the interhour variability among three hourly averages, namely, the hour in question, the preceding and the deceding hour. The distribution differences between 5 min averages and instantaneous values are, however, negligible for most practical purposes. The lag one autocorrelation is evaluated as a function of averaging time, and a first order autoregressive model is presented. With hourly averages as the only input the probability density and autoregressive model in combination produce time series of short-term intrahour averages having realistic distributions and autocorrelation structure.     

Preparation of Poly(D,L-Lactide/Glycolide) Nanoparticles of Controlled Particle Size Distribution: Application of Experimental Designs

This study investigates the use of the solvent evaporation method for preparing acid and glycolic acid-based copolymer nanoparticles. Initially, appropriate technological and formulation factors for elaboration of polymeric particles were selected by screening. Most favourable results were obtained using polyvinyl alcohol as a dispersing agent and a high pressure homogenizer to reduce the droplet size of the emulsion initially formed. On the basis of the conclusion thus drawn, a composite rotational experimental design was employed to evaluate the joint influence of three formulation variables (phase volume ratio of the emulsion formed, polymer concentration and homogenization pressure) on the micromeritic properties of the suspension finally obtained (mean particle size, coefficient of variation and polydispersity of the particle size distribution). Analysis of variance corresponding to the experimental design, showed a significant influence of the volume phase ratio and the polymer concentration on the mean particle size and the coefficient of variation, whereas the polydispersity is also affected by the homogenization pressure. Considering this information, a 3² experimental factorial design was then selected to investigate the possible interaction between the phase volume ratio and the concentration of polyvinyl alcohol in the aqueous phase. Analysis of variance and subsequent sequencial regression analysis evidenced last hypothesis providing the way to determine the experimental conditions required to achieve a specific particle size distribution.     

A mathematical model for the prediction of temperature in a dry snow layer

A mathematical model for predicting the temperature in a homogeneous layer of dry snow is presented. The model, which is physically based, is capable of predicting diurnal temperature behaviour at the snow surface and at any depth within a snow layer given the variation in a limited set of meteorological parameters over that period. A sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the important parameters in the prediction of snow surface temperatures. These are found to be consistent with simple physical reasoning.     

Die Langzeit-Korrosionsgeschwindigkeit des passiven Eisens in anaeroben alkalischen Lösungen

The long-term corrosion rate of passive iron in anaerobic alcaline solutions Gas generation is an important issue in safety assessments of low and intermediate level radioactive repositories. In this connection the hydrogen production from corrosion of passive iron in saturated calcium hydroxide, in dilute alkali hydroxide and cement porewater solutions has been determined. The measurements were performed manometrically using fusion sealed glass cells, the measurement periods being between 275 and 560 days. In 0.1 M and 0.04 M alkali hydroxide solutions the initial hydrogen generation rate was 12 mmol/m²yr corresponding to a linear corrosion rate of 64 nm/yr. The reaction rate decreases with time. The smallest value obtained after 330 days is 0.3 mmol/m²yr corresponding to 1.5 nm/yr. The influence on iron of the saturated calcium hydroxide solution and the calcic porewater solutions differs from that of the alkali hydroxide solutions. At pH 12.5 the hydrogen generation rate remains practically constant up to breaking off the experiment, the value being about 1 mmol/m²yr corresponding to 5 nm/yr.     

Bisensors for amino acids

Two kinds of biosensors for amino acids (one with nonspecific enzyme as bioelement, the other with specific enzyme(s) as bioelement), including their principles, applications, recent researches and future trends were discussed in detail. 61 references were given. A part of work for gaining Ph. D in chemical and biochemical application at FPMs (Mons, Belgique) Synopsis of the first author Xia Jinlan, Male, born in 1963, now at Facult’e Polytechnique de Mons, Belgique     

Low-dimensional modelling of dynamics via computer algebra

I describe a method, particularly suitable to implementation by computer algebra, for the derivation of low-dimensional models of dynamical systems. The method is systematic and is based upon centre manifold theory. Computer code for the algorithm is relatively simple, robust and flexible. The method is applied to two examples: one a straightforward pitchwork bifurcation, and one being the dynamics of thin fluid films.     

Novel miniature integrated optical goniometers

A new principle and arrangement for directly determining the angle of incidence of an optical beam on an object are proposed and demonstrated. The novelty of the approach lies in the realization of a ‘smart object’, which extracts a portion of the incident beam's power into an optical waveguide attached to the object's surface or embedded in its body for converting the angle of incidence into the position of a guided beam with finite lateral extent. This ‘integrated optical light pointer’ beam is accomplished by means of creating additional degrees of freedom on the target in two different ways. While a first type is based on introducing spatial variations of the waveguide thickness, a second type makes use of a chirp of the grating periodicity. The feasibility for practical applications has been experimentally demonstrated by a direct comparison with a commercial high-resolution encoder, resulting in an r.m.s. error of <30′'. Measurements have been performed for chips fabricated based on replicated polycarbonate substrates and with no external optics, showing the great potential of this approach for realizing low-cost yet high-performance miniature goniometers.