Noble gases in some mineral and warm waters in the Massif Central, France

Cold and warm (up to 82°C) mineral waters in the Massif Central were found to contain enrichments of radiogenic ⁴He, and in a few cases also ⁴⁰Ar, the ratio of radiogenic ⁴He/⁴⁰Ar being 4.4. Atmospheric Ne, Ar and Kr have been identified by their isotopic compositions, the absolute concentrations being positively correlated with the accompanying radiogenic (deep-seated) gases. This indicates that meteoric water was recharged deep in the system and mixed with the radiogenic gases. The concentrations of the atmospheric noble gases are lower than expected in recharge, indicating depletion at depth or during ascent. This might be caused by exhalation of the large gas contents characteristic of the studied waters, or steam separation at depth. The D and ¹⁸O values fit, however, the local meteoric line and rule out steam separation. In any case, the depletion of the atmospheric noble gases may be used to calculate the losses of the accompanying CO₂ and other reactive gases. A ‘reversed’ fractionation pattern is observed in the atmospheric noble gases, the retention being Ne > Ar > Kr. This places boundary conditions that must be explored further. Ionic geothermometry indicates that only low to medium-temperature fluids are involved.     

Thin-film silicon solar cell development on imprint-textured glass substrates

In this work, we report on the fabrication of microcrystalline thin-film silicon solar cells on textured glass substrates. The development of transparent and conductive front contacts for these solar cells is presented. State-of-the-art random textures for light-trapping were replicated into a glass-like resist on glass substrates with an imprint process. We applied an industrial relevant soft polymer mold that gives excellent replication accuracy. The necessity of applying thin front contacts for enhanced incoupling of the incident light is shown. An increased series resistance of these thin front contacts caused a decrease of the fill factor of the solar cells. One way to surpass this decrease in fill factor by reducing the solar cell width is demonstrated. In addition, the light-trapping and the light-incoupling for solar cells deposited on three different types of random textures were compared.     

Differences in patterns of pup care in Mus musculus: III. Genetic analysis.

Conducted a genetic analysis of the differences observed between 275 primiparous females from 2 inbred strains of mice (NZB and CBA/H) for 3 pup-care behaviors. These behaviors were measured during a retrieval test: (1) First-retrieval latency (FRL) was defined as the duration between the 1st contact (between the female and the pups placed out of the nest) and the taking into the mouth of the 1st pup; (2) move away (MAW) was defined as the ratio of the number of times the female drew away from a pup out of the nest without any of them being transported to the number of pups in the litter; and (3) nesting time with all pups (NAP) was a dichotomous variable. FRL, MAW, and NAP were used in the analysis. Results indicate that, for populations formed by parental strains (the F? and their segregating populations), characteristics of the pups, the maternal component, and the interaction between genotype and environment did not contribute to differences between strains. Intralocular interaction was present for all 3 variables. Genetic analysis of MAW and NAP by the nonparametric method showed that the observed values were not different from those expected with a 1-segregating-unit autosomal model; however, the observed differences for FRL were correlated with at least 2 segregating units. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On-line computer control for the blast furnace

The initial work done by IRSID (Institut de Recherches de la Sidérurgie Francaise) toward online computer control of the blast furnace was described in Part I of this article, appearing in the January issue of Journal of Metals. An account was given of how a mathematical model of the blast furnace was developed, and a method of continuously controlling the thermal balance of furnace operations was defined in terms of this model. Part II outlines the results obtained thus far from the application of this theoretical approach to two actual blast-furnace operations: one using 100% self-fluxing sinter, and the other using a burden of ore and sinter.     

你是否因为"数字短视"而错过机遇

如今,不少公司已经看到了互联网、宽带联接和低成本计算的巨大潜力,并迅速采取行动,希望抓住数字经济的机遇.于是,越来越多的公司有了自己的数字经理.他们中的许多人拥有丰富的工作经验和足够的掌控能力,可以帮助所在公司最终挫败对数字化不太了解的竞争对手.然而,有些经理不想学习数字化方面的知识.他们认为,数字化不外乎是提供网络广播、网上订购办公用品,以及为销售人员提供黑莓手机等移动数字装备,而自己的公司早已具备所有互联网因素.结果,这些经理只见局部,他们将错过增加价值的重要新机遇.他们对数字经济的看法是短视的,这很有可能使他们的企业处于能力更强、更懂技术的竞争对手的威胁之下.     

High deposition rate processes for the fabrication of microcrystalline silicon thin films

The increase of deposition rate of microcrystalline silicon absorber layers is an essential point for cost reduction in the mass production of thin-film silicon solar cells. In this work we explored a broad range of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) parameters in order to increase the deposition rate of intrinsic microcrystalline silicon layers keeping the industrial relevant material quality standards. We combined plasma excitation frequencies in the VHF band with the high pressure high power depletion regime using new deposition facilities and achieved deposition rates as high as 2.8 nm/s. The material quality evaluated from photosensitivity and electron spin resonance measurements is similar to standard microcrystalline silicon deposited at low growth rates. The influence of the deposition power and the deposition pressure on the electrical and structural film properties was investigated.     

Chemical study of geothermal waters of Central Tibet (China)

Thirteen of about 300 areas of thermal springs in Tibet have been studied in detail. The springs fall into four groups, the most important and interesting of which produces silica, boron, lithium and cesium-rich waters. Chemical geothermometers agree within a few degrees in the range 200–220°C. A second group includes waters of the same type, but secondary reactions decrease the silica concentrations and increase the Ca and Mg contents. The third and fourth groups are similar to Pyrenean alkaline waters and to CO₂-rich waters from Massif Central respectively; deep temperatures are low to moderate.     

Sodium/lithium ratio in water applied to geothermometry of geothermal reservoirs

We propose here a new geothermometer for natural waters. Analyses from many explored geothermal fields allow us to define two empirical thermometric relationships.One is for waters of low to moderate salinity (Cl⁻< 0·3 M) log Na/Li = 1000/T −0·38 and one for marine waters and brines (Cl⁻ > 0·3 M) log Na/Li = 1195/T + 0·38 These relationships, which at present are not well understood, result mainly from the increase of Li concentrations in waters with temperature.Equation (a) proved to be adequate for spring waters from mostly known geologic origin; this is an important feature in geochemical surveys for geothermal prospecting.Furthermore, when comparison between springs and drillhole chemistry of a given geothermal field is possible, the Na/Li geothermometer gives more reliable temperature estimates from the spring compositions than do classical geothermometers.