Biological Water Treatment by a Hybrid Fluidized-Bed Bioreactor: Theoretical Study

A hybrid fluidized-bed bioreactor for water purification was proposed and analyzed. It is a novel type of bioreactor characterized by hitherto unknown stationary and dynamic features. Steady-state characteristics of this hybrid bioreactor with external liquid circulation are presented. A quantitative analysis of steady-state properties of the bioreactor was performed with the aid of an original mathematical model developed for a double-substrate aerobic microbiological process. A steady-state analysis of aerobic processes characterized by different oxygen demand was performed. The effect of essential parameters was evaluated, including carbonaceous substrate concentration in the feed stream to the apparatus, aeration intensity, total residence time of a liquid in the bioreactor, and height of the bed of fine carrier particles.     

Electrochemical machining: new possibilities for micromachining

A better understanding of high rate anodic dissolution processes is urgently required for electrochemical micromachining (EMM) to become a widely employed manufacturing process in the electronic and precision manufacturing industries particularly in the micromanufacturing domain. A successful attempt has been made to develop an EMM setup for carrying out in depth independent research for achieving satisfactory control of electrochemical machining process parameters to meet the micromachining requirements. The developed EMM setup mainly consists of various sub-components and systems, e.g., mechanical machining unit, microtooling system, electrical power and controlling system and controlled electrolyte flow system, etc. All these system components are integrated in such a way that the developed EMM system setup will be capable of performing basic and fundamental research in the area of EMM fulfilling the requirements of micromachining objectives.     

Sensitivity of point- and line-source laser-generated acoustic wave to surface flaws

Laser generation and air-coupled detection were combined as a hybrid ultrasonic technique for the inspection of surface flaws in rails. Narrowband acoustic signals were generated using a formed laser source by focusing the laser light to a point and to a line on the surface of the rail. The pulse energy, and therefore the intensity of the laser source, varied such that the generated signal transitioned from the weak thermoelastic to the strong ablative regime. The detection of flaws using a laser-generated surface acoustic wave, in the presence of surface flaws, was compared between both point and line laser sources operating under different pulse energy levels. The line source was found to be more sensitive to the presence of surface flaws than a point source. The sensitivity of the laser-generated acoustic signal appeared to be independent of the severity of the flaw and, within the ablative regime, independent of the laser-pulse energy. Theoretical analysis is provided to explain the underlying cause that influences the interaction of a formed laser-generated surface acoustic wave to surface flaws and how this sensitivity may vary between the thermoelastic and ablative regimes.     

An unprecedented bonding mode for potassium within a PCP-pincer palladium hydride–K-Selectride complex

The reaction of (PCP)^i-PrPdCl and the commonly-used reductant K-Selectride^® solution [K(sec-Bu₃BH) in THF] does not yield a simple (PCP)^i-PrPdH species, but rather an adduct of the Pd–H that contains bound K(sec-Bu₃BH). This adduct has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and shown to be a centrosymmetric dimer in the solid state. The most unique feature of the structure is that the tri-coordinate K⁺ ion bonds only to the terminal palladium hydride and the two bridging boron hydrides. Despite being prepared in THF, no other donor ligands are bound to K⁺. This [H₃K]⁺ bonding mode for K⁺ ions has not been previously reported.     

The effects of groups' variety and disparity on groups' cognitive complexity.

This study examined the influence of group diversity conceptualized as disparity and as variety on group cognitive complexity. Data on individual cognitive complexity and group cognitive complexity were collected in 44 groups using a conceptual mapping technique. Also data on the quality of teamwork processes and satisfaction were collected using an individual questionnaire. The results indicate that (a) gender variety has a positive impact on group cognitive complexity, (b) cognitive disparity has a negative impact on group cognitive complexity, and (c) groups with a high average individual cognitive complexity have the highest cognitive complexity as a group only if the quality of their interactions is high. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the complex electrical conductivity of poly(2,5-furandiylvinylene)

Summary The presented paper deals with the ac-conductivity of undoped and doped poly(2,5-furandiylvinylene) (PFV). It is shown that the electrical conductivity as a complex physical quantity has to be splitted into a real and an imaginary part. Both parts depend on frequency, temperature, type and concentration of doping agents, and external pressure applied to the test specimens.     

Deep learning neural network for texture feature extraction in oral cancer: enhanced loss function

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The use of a binary classifier like the sigmoid function and loss functions reduces the accuracy of deep learning algorithms. This research aims to increase the...     

Analysis of saturation currents and barrier height of Ta2O5 doped based on Ba0,5S0,5TiO3 photodiode

Ba_0,5Sr_0,5TiO₃ (BST) thin films have been prepared on Si (100) p-type substrates using a chemical solution deposition (CSD) method and doped with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% tantalum pentaoxide (Ta₂O₅). Chemical Solution Deposition Method (CSD) used the spin coating techniques with a rotational speed of 3000?rpm for 30?seconds. BST thin films annealed at a temperature 850?°C. Various electrical parameters such as saturation current, series resistance and barrier height have been calculated from the analysis of experimental I–V results and discussed in detail. The series resistance was found from the experiment of 42.8 MΩ, 7.9 MΩ, 7.2 MΩ, 2.03 MΩ, 1.2 MΩ for variation doping content. The saturation current of 22.3 μA, 2.7 μA, 9.7 μA, 4.82 μA, 4.50 μA was obtained in BST thin film with variation doping content. Then, the barrier height of 0.56?eV, 0.62?eV, 0.58?eV, 0.54?eV, 0.60?eV was obtained in BST thin film with variation doping content. The optical characterization and analysis microstructure such as XRD, EDX were discussed in detail.     

Steam Oxidation Behavior of Advanced Steels and Ni-Based Alloys at 800 °C

This publication studies the steam oxidation behavior of advanced steels (309S, 310S and HR3C) and Ni-based alloys (Haynes^® 230^®, alloy 263, alloy 617 and Haynes^® 282^®) exposed at 800 °C for 2000 h under 1 bar pressure, in a pure water steam system. The results revealed that all exposed materials showed relatively low weight gain, with no spallation of the oxide scale within the 2000 h of exposure. XRD analysis showed that Ni-based alloys developed an oxide scale consisting of four main phases: Cr₂O₃ (alloy 617, Haynes^® 282^®, alloy 263 and Haynes^® 230^®), MnCr₂O₄ (alloy 617, Haynes^® 282^® and Haynes^® 230^®), NiCr₂O₄ (alloy 617) and TiO₂ (alloy 263, Haynes^® 282^®). In contrast, advanced steels showed the development of Cr₂O₃, MnCr₂O₄, Mn₇SiO₁₂, FeMn(SiO₄) and SiO₂ phases. The steel with the highest Cr content showed the formation of Fe₃O₄ and the thickest oxide scale.