The sedimentation of memory

This paper explores how architecture can embody the past. In the context of Berlin—the site of much prominent contemporary memorial architecture—it examines one project in detail: Reitermann and Sassenroth's widely overlooked Chapel of Reconciliation, completed in 2000. This building, I argue, demonstrates a distinctive and critically acute approach to memory. Unlike the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by Peter Eisenmann, and the Jewish Museum, designed by Daniel Libeskind, which are projects that make worlds-unto-themselves—and unlike the work of Carlo Scarpa in Verona, or Sverre Fehn at Hamar, or Peter Zumthor in Cologne, where layers of history are conspicuously displayed one-on-top-of-the-next—the Chapel displays a sedimentary approach to the past. This sedimentation is not an outright rejection of history; nor does it suggest that history proceeds as a single, linear narrative. While the Chapel's architecture may not have immediate visceral impact, its thoughtfulness and subtlety repay careful scrutiny. The chapel is read here as a cultural artefact, its organisation and details examined in relation to its specific historical, physical and intellectual contexts.     

Effects of additives on oxidation characteristics of palm oil‐based trimethylolpropane ester in hydraulics applications

Hydraulic fluids represent one of the most important groups of industrial lubricants. Increasing attention to environmental issues drives the lubricant industry to choose vegetable‐based hydraulic fluids which are biodegradable as compared to mineral‐based fluids. However, the lubricating properties of vegetable oil, such as poor oxidative stability and high pour point, have hindered their use. In this study, trimethylolpropane ester, which was derived from palm‐based methyl ester, was used as the base hydraulic fluid. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimum formulation for palm oil‐based synthetic lubricants by using suitable additives that can improve the oxidative stability and viscosity in accordance with the standard regulations for hydraulic fluid applications. The oxidative stability of the oil was evaluated by total acid number (TAN) and viscosity tests. In general, base oil without additive began to degrade after 200 h. The formulated oil, on the other hand, was quite stable even after 800 h of operation. The best formulation was obtained using 1.0% of either additive A or additive B. Both TAN and viscosity values were found to increase with increasing heating temperature. Meanwhile, the results have also shown that additive A performs better than additive B. After 800 h of exposure, the final TAN value for the formulated oil was only at 0.32 as compared to 4.88 mg KOH/g for the oil without additive. However, the kinematic viscosity of the oil at 40 and 100 °C was almost unchanged as compared to the oil without additive.     

The effect of magnetic and optic field in water electrolysis

Hydrogen production via water electrolysis was studied under the effect of magnetic and optical field. A diode solid state laser at blue, green and red were utilized as optical field source. Magnetic bar was employed as external magnetic field. The green laser has shown a greatest effect in hydrogen production due to its non-absorbance properties in the water. Thus its intensity of electrical field is high enough to dissociation of hydronium and hydroxide ions during orientation toward polarization of water. The potential to break the autoprotolysis and generate the auto-ionization is the mechanism of optical field to reveal the hydrogen production in water electrolysis. The magnetic field effect is more dominant to enhance the hydrogen production. The diamagnetic property of water has repelled the present of magnetic in water. Consequently the water splitting occurs due to the repulsive force induced by the external magnetic field. The magnetic distributed more homogenous in the water to involve more density of water molecule. As a result hydrogen production due to magnetic field is higher in comparison to optical field. However the combination both fields have generated superior effect whereby the hydrogen yields nine times higher in comparison to conventional water electrolysis.     

The sedimentation of memory

This paper explores how architecture can embody the past. In the context of Berlin—the site of much prominent contemporary memorial architecture—it examines one project in detail: Reitermann and Sassenroth's widely overlooked Chapel of Reconciliation, completed in 2000. This building, I argue, demonstrates a distinctive and critically acute approach to memory. Unlike the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by Peter Eisenmann, and the Jewish Museum, designed by Daniel Libeskind, which are projects that make worlds-unto-themselves—and unlike the work of Carlo Scarpa in Verona, or Sverre Fehn at Hamar, or Peter Zumthor in Cologne, where layers of history are conspicuously displayed one-on-top-of-the-next—the Chapel displays a sedimentary approach to the past. This sedimentation is not an outright rejection of history; nor does it suggest that history proceeds as a single, linear narrative. While the Chapel's architecture may not have immediate visceral impact, its thoughtfulness and subtlety repay careful scrutiny. The chapel is read here as a cultural artefact, its organisation and details examined in relation to its specific historical, physical and intellectual contexts.     

The asymmetric synthesis and in vitro characterization of succinyl mercaptoalcohol and mercaptoketone inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases

A series of succinyl based mercaptoketones and diastereomeric mercaptoalcohols were prepared and evaluated in vitro as inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases collagenase-1 (MMP-1), stromelysin (MMP-3), and gelatinase-B (MMP-9).     

An integrated technique using solar and evaporation ponds for effective brine disposal management

Desalination is a process that involves the removal of salts and non-ionic minerals from seawater to produce freshwater that is fit for human consumption. This process produces brine, which is typically redisposed into the sea. The relatively high salt concentration in the disposed brine increases the salinity of water and soil, which adversely affects the environment. However, brine is found to be rich in economically valuable minerals. In order to effectively manage the disposed brine, this study proposes an integrated technique using solar and evaporation ponds to filter valuable minerals from concentrated brine. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed technique can be effectively employed for this purpose. Furthermore, this helps reduce desalination costs and complies with the notion of renewable energy production and eco-friendliness.     

Radiation modelling and performance evaluations of fixed,single- and double-axis tracking surfaces: a case study for Dhahran city,Saudi Arabia

This work overviews the solar radiation basics and insolation of different surfaces is presented. A complete solar radiation modelling and investigation on the effect of horizontal plate, yearly tilt, monthly tilt, and single-axis and double-axis tracking surface on the insolation are carried out to conduct performance evaluation using the case study in Dhahran city of Saudi Arabia. The increments received by insolation for the yearly tilt, monthly tilt, and single-axis and dual-axis tracking surface with respect to traditional flat-plate collector is estimated. The results show that the yearly optimal tilt angle due to the south is close to the 0.913 time latitude of Dhahran. It is found that the yearly irradiation gains using yearly and monthly optimal tilts relative to flat panel installation are 7% and 14%, respectively. The yearly insulation gains made by single-axis and dual-axis continuous tracking surfaces are 33% and 48%, respectively.     

Analysis of heavy metals during composting of the tannery sludge using physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques

The major limitation of direct application of tannery sludge compost in agriculture is the total heavy metal contents and their bioavailability to the soil-plant system. This study focused on the heavy metal characterization and the influence of changing the physicochemical properties of the medium throughout the composting on the concentrations, bioavailability or chemical forms of Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in tannery sludge. The study shows that throughout the 60 days of composting, physicochemical analysis and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic characterization show that all parameters elaborated and reached relatively stable levels reflecting the stability and maturity of the final product, and revealed the biodegradation of components that can be easily assimilated by microorganism. The C/N ratio reaches the optimal range of stable compost; inorganic nitrogen is transformed into stable organic forms. The total concentration of Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd is very low rendering final compost acceptable for agricultural use. The germination index for both Chinese cabbage and lettuce was 97% after 60 days of composting, showing that the final compost was not phytotoxic. Furthermore, in using a sequential extraction method in sludge compost at different phases of treatment, a less than 2% of metals bound to bioavailable fractions X-(KNO(3)+H(2)O). A large proportion of the heavy metals were associated to the residual fraction (75-85%) and more resistant fractions to extraction X-NaOH, X-EDTA, X-HNO(3) (15-25%). Mobile fractions of metals are poorly predictable from the total content. Bioavailability of all fractions of elements tends to decrease.