Novel measurement system for respiratory aerosols and droplets in indoor environments

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has created a great demand for a better understanding of the spread of viruses in indoor environments. A novel measurement system consisting of one portable aerosol-emitting mannequin (emitter) and a number of portable aerosol-absorbing mannequins (recipients) was developed that can measure the spread of aerosols and droplets that potentially contain infectious viruses. The emission of the virus from a human is simulated by using tracer particles solved in water. The recipients inhale the aerosols and droplets and quantify the level of solved tracer particles in their artificial lungs simultaneously over time. The mobile system can be arranged in a large variety of spreading scenarios in indoor environments and allows for quantification of the infection probability due to airborne virus spreading. This study shows the accuracy of the new measurement system and its ability to compare aerosol reduction measures such as regular ventilation or the use of a room air purifier.     

A practical Equivalent Electrical Circuit model for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) systems

An alternative Equivalent Electrical Circuit for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells is modelled in this study. Both I–V characteristics and H₂ consumptions corresponding to generated power under load and no-load conditions are investigated. For this purpose, H₂ consumptions and I–V characteristics of three different sized PEMFCs are tested. There is a very good harmony between the model results and measured values (relative error %0.7, %6.4 and %2.5 for FC-A, FC-B and FC-C respectively). In the proposed model current passes only on parallel resistance and not on serial resistance at no-load condition. Thus, a FC with higher parallel resistance should be preferred. Another key output of this study is that based on the proposed model, performance comparison of FCs can be performed with the parameters defined in this work. Proposals made in this study can easily be used for performance analysis of FCs under for both steady state and transient analysis.     

Partitioning of predominant lipophilic bioactives (squalene, α-tocopherol and β-sitosterol) during olive oil processing

The partitioning of predominant lipophilic olive bioactives (squalene, β-sitosterol and α-tocopherol) in olive oil processing was studied for the first time using common integrated olive milling plant. 7% of the oil and 5% of the squalene present in the olives was lost in the last pomace. β-sitosterol and α-tocopherol, which are mainly concentrated in the seed of the olive fruit, was recovered in virgin olive oil to a lesser extent (66%, 67%) while 10% were lost in last pomace. Thus, the loss of β-sitosterol and α-tocopherol was higher than that of squalene and oil, due to nonrecovered bound forms. 19% of the α-tocopherol and 21% of the β-sitosterol loss was unaccounted for, which can be attributed to degradation of α-tocopherol and incomplete recovery of sterols from the olive and pomace matrices. This study provides a basis for process development studies.     

Optimal design of elastic beams with segmentwise constant height in the case of dynamic loading

A shape optimization method for elastic beams with segmentwise constant height is proposed. The ends of the beam are simply supported, clamped or free. Two problems are discussed; (i) a beam is loaded by lateral pressure, (ii) a beam is struck by an attached mass. External loads and volume of the beam are prescribed and the deflection in a given cross-section is to be minimized. For solving this problem, the deflections are expanded into a Fourier series by eigenfunctions. Numerical results are given for two-, three- and four-stepped beams.     

Possibilities and problems with the use of models as a communication tool in water resource management

Politicians and policy-makers, as well as modellers, often nurses an expectation that model derived results is an objective source of information that can be used to support decisions. However, several prerequisites have to be dealt with in order to ensure that models can be used as legitimate and efficient tools in water resource management. Based on empirical material from recent studies on the use of models in stakeholder dialogues, mainly focusing on catchment nutrient transport, two central problems are identified: (a) Models are laden with choices and thus depend on assumptions and priorities of modellers. (b) There are several factors that influence ability and willingness of stakeholders (as information recovers) to criticize or accept results of the modelling exercise. Recognized factors likely to influence stakeholders' acceptance of model derived results include issues at stake, stakeholders' ability to criticize model derived information, and their trust in the institutions that have developed or applied the used models. Identified prerequisites for successful use of models in integrated water resource management include: consideration of user relevance, awareness of and preparedness to handle constraints linked to communication of model-based results, transparency of used models and data and of involved uncertainties, mutual respect between experts and stakeholders and between involved stakeholder groups, a robust institutional network, and sufficient time for dialogues. Development and use of strategies for participatory modelling, based on a continuous dialogue between experts and stakeholders is recommended as a way to facilitate that the prerequisites for a successful use of models in water resource management are fulfilled.     

工业项目的海绵城市建设标准与技术要点

工业用地是城市建设用地的主要类型之一,是海绵城市建设的重要区域。通过梳理工业项目硬化面积高、径流污染程度高等特征,针对性提出其海绵城市建设的实施路径、建设标准和技术应用等实施建议。工业项目的海绵城市设计应遵循因地制宜的原则,应合理布局绿地并建设海绵设施,通过精细化的标高设计进行径流组织设计;对于降雨径流污染严重的三类工业项目,其海绵措施应以雨水调蓄池(应急事故池)为主,严禁设置具有渗透功能的源头控制设施。对于三类工业项目,海绵城市所提出的年径流总量控制率的目标与事故池的环保要求基本一致,建议相关部门在制定(修订)的应急事故池设计标准时,其中的径流污染控制体积可与对应区域年径流总量控制率标准协同一致。     

Investigation of the Influence of Fillers on the Properties of Poly(vinyl acetate) Adhesives

The properties of poly(vinyl acetate) compositions prepared as potential wood adhesives were investigated. The paper presents the results of the influence of various kinds of inorganic fillers based on calcium carbonate and alumino-silicate and an organic filler, starch, on the adhesive composition properties. The comparison among rheological behavior of the adhesive dispersions concerning the specific role of fillers were made. Mechanical and relaxation properties of the adhesive films could reveal the effect of filler characteristics on the polymer matrix. The significant influences of particle size distribution and specific surface area on the poly(vinyl acetate) adhesive composition were determined, along with other filler characteristics.     

Mechanical properties of wollastonite‐reinforced polypropylene composites modified with SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA elastomers

Mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene/wollastonite/styrene rubber block copolymers (iPP/wollastonite/SRBC) composites were studied as a function of elastomeric poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) triblock copolymer (SEBS) and SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) content from 0 to 20 vol%. Microphase morphology was stronger influenced by SRBC elastomers than by different wollastonite types. Higher encapsulation ability of SEBS‐g‐MA than SEBS caused more expressive core‐shell morphology and consequently higher notched impact strength as well as yield parameters, but lower Young's modulus. Higher ductility of the composites with SEBS than with SEBS‐g‐MA has been primarily caused by better miscibility of the polypropylene chains with SEBS molecules. Surface properties of components and adhesion parameters also indicated that adhesion at SEBS‐g‐MA/wollastonite interface, which was stronger than the one at the SEBS/wollastonite interface, influenced higher encapsulation of wollastonite particles by SEBS‐g‐MA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1873–1880, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polymeric absorbent for water sorption based on chemically crosslinked poly (acrylamide/2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt) hydrogels

Summary Swelling equilibrium of polyelectrolyte copolymer gels containing of acrylamide (AAm) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (AMPS) have been studied as a function of copolymer composition. AAm/AMPS hydrogels were prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous solution of AAm with AMPS as anionic comonomer and two multifunctional crosslinkers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25 °C, gravimetrically. The influence of AMPS content in hydrogels was examined. Swelling of AAm/AMPS hydrogels was increased up to 1018% (for containing 2% AMPS and crosslinked by EGDMA) 15246% (for containing 8% AMPS and crosslinked by TMPTA), while AAm hydrogels swelled up to 804% (crosslinked by TMPTA)–770% (crosslinked by EGDMA). The values of equilibrium water content of the hydrogels are 0.8851–0.9935. Diffusion behavior was investigated. Water diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non-Fickian in character.