Seasonal and diurnal variations of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen in advanced integrated wastewater pond system treating tannery effluent

Seasonal and diurnal fluctuations of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature were investigated in a pilot-scale advanced integrated wastewater pond system (AIWPS) treating tannery effluent. The AIWPS was comprised of advanced facultative pond (AFP), secondary facultative pond (SFP) and maturation pond (MP) all arranged in series. The variations of pH, DO and temperature in the SFP and MP followed the diurnal cycle of sunlight intensity. Algal photosynthesis being dependent on sunlight radiation, its activity reached climax at early afternoons with DO saturation in the SFP and MP in excess of over 300% and pH in the range of 8.6-9.4. The SFP and MP were thermally stratified with gradients of 3-5 degrees C/m, especially, during the time of peak photosynthesis. The thermal gradient in the AFP was moderated by convective internal currents set in motion as a result of water temperature differences between the influent wastewater and contents of the reactor. In conclusion, the AFP possessed remarkable ability to attenuate process variability with better removal efficiencies than SFP and MP. Hence its use as a lead treatment unit, in a train of ponds treating tannery wastewaters, should always be considered.     

Coexistence of Superconductivity and Spin Density Wave (SDW) in Ferropnictide Ba<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>K<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript>

This work focuses on the theoretical investigation of the coexistence of superconductivity and spin density wave (SDW) in ferropnictide Ba_1?x K _x Fe₂As₂. By developing a model Hamiltonian for the system and by using quantum field theory Green’s function formalism, we have obtained mathematical expressions for superconducting transition temperature (T _C), spin density wave transition temperature (T _sdw), superconductivity order parameter (Δ_Sc), and spin density wave order parameter (Δ_sdw). By employing the experimental and theoretical values of the parameters in the obtained expressions, phase diagrams of superconducting transition temperature (T _C) versus superconducting order parameter (Δ_Sc) and spin density wave transition temperature (T _sdw), versus spin density wave order parameter (Δ_sdw) have been plotted. By combining the two phase diagrams, we have demonstrated the possible coexistence of superconductivity and spin density wave (SDW) in ferropnictide Ba_1?x K _x Fe₂As₂.     

Representing group technology classification and coding techniques with object oriented modeling principles

The purpose of this paper is to show the common basis of several object-oriented design modeling principles as compared with those used in classification and coding (C&C) for group technology applications. Five types of decision tree (E-trees, N-trees, X-trees, D-trees, and C-trees) are shown to be in exact correspondence with the object-oriented modeling principles generalization with disjoint subclasses, generalization with overlapping subclasses, classification, generalization with restriction, and aggregation, respectively. In addition, C&C modeling and subsequent database implementation are shown to be enhanced through application of such object-oriented modeling principles as association and role names. Finally, a case study is presented that illustrates the application of these principles in the design and implementation of a C&C system for abrasive flow machining.     

低附着路面转弯工况下半挂汽车列车横向稳定性控制

针对低附着路面半挂汽车列车转弯稳定性差的问题,依据车辆动力学和控制理论对半挂汽车列车转弯控制策略进行分析研究.应用TruckSim软件建立包括传动系统、转向系统、制动系统、悬架系统、空气动力学、轮胎、车体7大子系统的半挂汽车列车模型,并在MATLAB/Simulink中建立ESP和AFS集成控制器,采用联合仿真方式对低附着路面转弯时车辆的稳定性进行分析.结果 表明:提出的AFS和ESP的集成控制策略有效地提高了半挂汽车列车在低附着系数路面转弯工况的横向稳定性,避免了侧滑、折叠等失稳现象.     

Use of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide for rapid detection of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We describe a test which uses the ability of viable cells to reduce 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect resistance to a bactericidal drug, rifampin, in in vitro-cultured Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The assay shows a linear relationship between the number of viable bacteria and the ability to reduce MTT. Dead mycobacteria were unable to reduce MTT. Rifampin-sensitive M. bovis (BCG) and M. tuberculosis exposed to rifampin showed a rifampin concentration-dependent inhibition of the ability to reduce MTT, while the resistant strains were unaffected. The inhibition of MTT reduction after treatment with rifampin paralleled the reduction in the number of CFU. By using mixing experiments in which the population percentages of rifampin-sensitive and -resistant strains were varied, the assay could detect the presence of rifampin resistance in the mixture when at least 1% of the bacterial population was composed of drug-resistant strains. The assay is cheap, can be visually read, and requires less than 3 days to obtain susceptibility results. The total time required to obtain results, from the time sputum is received in the laboratory, is, in most cases, less than 4 to 5 weeks, which is the time required for primary culture of the bacteria. The MTT assay could, in combination with a test to detect resistance to isoniazid, be a cheap and rapid screening method for multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis that is affordable even by low-income countries where tuberculosis is a major public health problem.     

Developing the vegetation drought response index for South Korea (VegDRI-SKorea) to assess the vegetation condition during drought events

South Korea has experienced severe droughts and water scarcity problems that have influenced agriculture, food prices, and crop production in recent years. Traditionally, climate-based drought indices using point-based meteorological observations have been used to help quantify drought impacts on the vegetation in South Korea. However, these approaches have a limited spatial precision when mapping detailed vegetation stress caused by drought. For these reasons, the development of a drought index that provides detailed spatial-resolution information on drought-affected vegetation conditions is essential to improve the country’s drought monitoring capabilities, which are needed to help develop more effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. The objective of this study was to develop a satellite-based hybrid drought index called the vegetation drought response index for South Korea (VegDRI-SKorea) that could improve the spatial resolution of agricultural drought monitoring on a national scale. The VegDRI-SKorea was developed for South Korea, modifying the original VegDRI methodology (developed for the USA) by tailoring it to the available local data resources. The VegDRI-SKorea utilizes a classification and regression tree (CART) modelling approach that collectively analyses remote-sensing data (e.g. normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)), climate-based drought indices (e.g. self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) and standardized precipitation index (SPI)), and biophysical variables (e.g. elevation and land cover) that influence the drought-related vegetation stress. This study evaluates the performance of the recently developed VegDRI-SKorea for severe and extreme drought events that occurred in South Korea in 2001, 2008, and 2012. The results demonstrated that the hybrid drought index improved the more spatially detailed drought patterns compared to the station-based drought indices and resulted in a better understanding of drought impacts on the vegetation conditions. The VegDRI-SKorea model is expected to contribute to the monitoring of drought conditions nationally. In addition, it will provide the necessary information on the spatial variations of those conditions to evaluate local and regional drought risk assessment across South Korea and assist local decision-makers in drought risk management.     

The effect of thiourea, l(−) cysteine and glycine additives on the mechanisms and kinetics of copper electrodeposition

The influence of thiourea, l(?) cysteine and glycine on the mechanisms and kinetics of copper electrodeposition from aqueous solution at pH 1.00 ± 0.05 and 25 °C was investigated using several complementary techniques. Rotating disc electrode current density measurements and the kinetic parameters calculated from Koutecký–Levich analysis indicated that at 5 × 10^?3 M thiourea and l(?) cysteine addition the electro-reduction of Cu(II) was significantly inhibited. By contrast, upon similar addition of glycine, the reduction current density increased and the equilibrium potential moved towards more positive values. Microscopic imaging studies of the resulting Cu films showed that thiourea and l(?) cysteine led to fine-grained deposits, whilst glycine addition resulted in a coarser deposit. It is suggested the additives substantially altered the electron and mass transfer processes during electrodeposition. Both thiourea and l(?) cysteine appear to act by specific chemical interactions that lead to CuS co-crystallization. On the other hand, glycine is believed to act by mediating the Cu(II) to Cu(I) reduction process.     

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL ARCH AND ITS RELATION TO THE COLORADO OIL AND MINERAL BELT.

The Transcontinental Arch and its flanking basins dominated the landscape of North America before the rise of the Ancestral Rockies and the Wichita system. It is the SW extension of the Canadian Shield, and is partly of PreCambrian origin and partly a later development. It is found in a belt extending SW from Minnesota to New Mexico. This concealed structural feature is depicted here from comparisons of stratigraphic sections and well records. It was active from the Camnbrian through the Mississippian. During Cambrian time it was wide and uniform from the Canadian Shield to Arizona. Later, sags developed in Colorado and in Arizona. The changes in size and shape were partly positive and partly negative. PreCambrian rocks and structures have been recorded from geophysical data as well as from holes drilled for oil and gas in the intervening areas, particularly in the western half of the lowlands. The narrow NE-trending Colorado mineral belt, containing the major mining districts of Colorado is closely related to this continental backbone. It is characterized by NE-trending faults, and oil and mineral deposits of Laramide age.