Characterization of activated sludge flocs by confocal laser scanning microscopy and image analysis

In this study we present a new approach to determine volumes, heterogeneity factors, and compositions of the bacterial population of activated sludge flocs by 3D confocal imaging. After staining the fresh flocs with fluorescein-isothiocyanate, 75 stacks of images (containing approx. 3000 flocs) were acquired with a confocal laser scanning microscope. The self-developed macro 3D volume and surface determination for the KS 400 software package combined the images of one stack to a 3D image and calculated the real floc volume and surface. We determined heterogeneity factors like the ratio of real floc surface to the surface of a sphere with the respective volume and the fractal dimension (D(f)). According to their significant influence on floc integrity and quality, we also investigated the chemical composition of flocs and quantified their bacterial population structure by using group-specific rRNA-targeted probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization. By a settling experiment we enriched flocs with poor settling properties and determined the above-mentioned parameters. This approach revealed shifts in floc volume, heterogeneity, and bacterial and chemical composition according to the settling quality of the flocs.     

Improving SFR economics through innovations from thermal design and analysis aspects

Achieving economic competitiveness as compared to LWRs and other Generation IV (Gen-IV) reactors is one of the major requirements to attract large-scale investment in commercial sodium cooled fast reactor (SFR) power plants. Advances in R&D for advanced SFR fuel and structural materials provide key long-term opportunities to improve SFR economics. In addition, other new opportunities are emerging to further improve SFR economics. This paper provides an overview on potential ideas from the perspective of thermal hydraulics to improve SFR economics. These include: (1) a new hybrid loop-pool reactor design to further optimize economics, safety, and reliability of SFRs with more flexibility, (2) a multiple-reheat and intercooling helium Brayton cycle to improve plant thermal efficiency and to reduce safety related overnight and operation costs, and (3) modern multi-physics thermal analysis methods to reduce analysis uncertainties and associated requirements for over-conservatism in reactor design. This paper reviews advances in all three areas and their potential beneficial impacts on SFR economics.     

Active packaging of cheese with allyl isothiocyanate, an alternative to modified atmosphere packaging

The natural antimicrobial compound allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), found in mustard oil, is effective against cheese-related fungi both on laboratory media and cheese. Penicillium commune, Penicillium roqueforti, and Aspergillus flavus were more sensitive to AITC when it was added just after the spores had completed 100% germination and branching had started on Czapek yeast extract agar than were spores in the dormant phase. The use of 1 AITC label (Wasaouro interior labels, LD30D, 20 by 20 mm) in combination with atmospheric air in the packaging extended the shelf life of Danish Danbo cheese from 4 1/2 to 13 weeks. Two AITC labels extended the shelf life from 4 1/2 to 28 weeks. Both 1 and 2 labels in combination with modified atmosphere packaging extended the shelf life of the cheese from 18 to 28 weeks. This study showed that AITC was absorbed in the cheese, but it was not possible to detect any volatile breakdown products from AITC in the cheese. Cheese stored for up to 12 weeks with an AITC label had an unacceptable mustard flavor. The mustard flavor decreased to an acceptable level between weeks 12 and 28. Cheese stored in atmospheric air had a fresher taste without a CO2 off-flavor than did cheese stored in modified atmosphere packaging. AITC may be a good alternative to modified atmosphere packaging for cheese. The extended shelf life of cheese in the package is very desirable: the cheese can be transported longer distances, and the packaging can be used for the final maturing of the cheese. Furthermore, AITC can address problems such as pinholes and leaking seals in cheese packaging.     

A 640 by 480 Pixels Readout Circuit for IR Imaging

A readout circuit for a 640 × 480 pixels FPA (focal plane array) has been successfully designed, fabricated and tested. The circuit solution is based on a per pixel source-follower direct injection (SFDI) pre-amplifier. Signal multiplexing is performed in both X and Y direction. The pixel size is 25 m × 25m. The chip is optimized for a QWIP (quantum well infrared photodetector) operating at a temperature of 70 K. The circuit has been realized in a standard 0.8 m CMOS process.     

The link between ethnic diversity and scientific impact: the mediating effect of novelty and audience diversity

Scientometrics - Understanding the nature and value of scientific collaboration is essential for sound management and proactive research policies. One component of collaboration is the composition...     

New CAMAC based data acquisition and beam control system for Lund nuclear microprobe

A new CAMAC based data acquisition system has been installed at the Lund Nuclear Microprobe facility. This paper reports on the development and present status of the data acquisition system. The system is a true multiparameter CAMAC based system with fast Fera bus readout and in crate memory buffer. The user interface is based on Sparrow Kmax software for a Power Macintosh platform. The system read out and tag the event data with position on-line, which make fast on-line monitoring of spectra or element maps possible.Simultaneously, all data can be saved event by event for off-line analysis. The beam scanning part is software controlled through a timed D/A converter, this allows fast scanning of the beam. With a CCD-camera and video card the area to be analysed could be defined directly from the image, and the sample position can be moved. Any kind of irregular scan patterns could be defined.     

Spontaneous Desorption time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (SDMS): Time correlated emission of electrons and negative ions in a constant electric field

A very simple time of flight mass spectrometer has been used to measure mass spectra for the negative ions of organic compounds in the mass range up to 3000 u. Desorbed ions were obtained by applying a constant negative voltage to a flat metallic surface, coated with a few micrograms of organic material. We show that electrons and negative ions are emitted simultaneously from the same point on the surface. Mass spectra obtained by this technique are compared to mass spectra for the same compounds, obtained with ²⁵²Cf fission fragment ionization.     

Optical in-plane strain field sensor

A whole-field speckle strain sensor is presented. The speckle strain sensor allows the measurement of all three in-plane components of the strain field simultaneously without touching the surface of the sample. The strain fields are extracted from the in-plane motion of defocused laser speckles in a telecentric imaging system. To distinguish the contribution to the speckle motion from surface translation, rotation, and strain, the speckle motion from three lasers with different illumination directions and wavelengths has to be analyzed separately. Simultaneous acquisition of the three individual speckle patterns is achieved by means of splitting the light from the lasers onto separate but synchronized detectors with the aid of dichroic mirrors. The motion of the speckles is calculated with digital speckle photography (speckle correlation), which enables the strain sensor to measure strain fields with noise levels as low as 10 microstrain.     

The complex aerodynamic footprint of desert locusts revealed by large-volume tomographic particle image velocimetry

Particle image velocimetry has been the preferred experimental technique with which to study the aerodynamics of animal flight for over a decade. In that time, hardware has become more accessible and the software has progressed from the acquisition of planes through the flow field to the reconstruction of small volumetric measurements. Until now, it has not been possible to capture large volumes that incorporate the full wavelength of the aerodynamic track left behind during a complete wingbeat cycle. Here, we use a unique apparatus to acquire the first instantaneous wake volume of a flying animal''s entire wingbeat. We confirm the presence of wake deformation behind desert locusts and quantify the effect of that deformation on estimates of aerodynamic force and the efficiency of lift generation. We present previously undescribed vortex wake phenomena, including entrainment around the wing-tip vortices of a set of secondary vortices borne of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in the shear layer behind the flapping wings.     

基于A位元素置换策略合成新型MAX相材料Ti3ZnC2

MAX相材料是一类兼具金属和陶瓷特性的三元层状材料, 在高温导电、耐磨、耐腐蚀和耐辐照损伤等方面性能优异。目前已经合成出的MAX相材料已有70余种, 但A位元素一直局限在ⅢA和ⅣA主族元素, 如Al、Si、Ga等, 而以副族元素占据A位的MAX相鲜有报道。本研究以Ti₃AlC₂为前驱体, 利用熔盐中的A位置换反应, 制备出了A位为Zn元素的全新MAX相材料Ti₃ZnC₂。结合X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜等分析手段对Ti₃ZnC₂的成分和结构进行了确认, 并通过密度泛函理论对Ti₃ZnC₂的结构稳定性和晶格参数进行了确定。进一步通过热力学计算对Fe、Co、Ni、Cu等几种元素的A位置换反应进行了预测, 发现采用这几种元素的氧化物进行置换反应在热力学上也都具有可行性。本研究所提出的元素置换策略是在保持MAX相六方层状晶体结构的基础上, 利用Al、Zn在高温下形成共晶产物实现Zn原子向A层内的迁移, 而熔盐介质的存在促进了反应动力学。本方法巧妙地避免了MAX相传统合成过程中竞争相的形成, 如M-A合金相, 因此可以用于探索更多未知的MAX相材料。