scholarly journals A portable muon telescope for multidisciplinary applications

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (01) ◽  
pp. C01051
Author(s):  
R.M.I.D. Gamage ◽  
S. Basnet ◽  
E. Cortina Gil ◽  
P. Demin ◽  
A. Giammanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Stability Study ◽  
Particle Accelerator ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Muon Telescope ◽  
Muon Tomography ◽  
Recent Developments

Abstract Muon tomography or “muography” is an emerging imaging technique that uses cosmogenic muons as the radiation source. Due to its diverse range of applications and the use of natural radiation, muography is being applied across many fields such as geology, archaeology, civil engineering, nuclear reactor monitoring, nuclear waste characterization, underground surveys, etc. Muons can be detected using various detector technologies, among which, resistive plate chambers (RPC) are a very cost effective choice. RPCs are planar detectors which use ionization in a thin gas gap to detect cosmic muons, already used since years in major particle accelerator experiments. We have developed a muon telescope (or “muoscope”) composed of small scale RPCs. The design goal for our muoscope is to be portable and autonomous, in order to take data in places that are not easily accessible. The whole setup is light and compact, such to be easily packed in a car trunk. Individual RPCs are hosted in gas-tight aluminium cases. There is no need for gas bottles, once the chambers are filled. The muoscope can be controlled from a reasonable distance using wireless connection. In this paper we summarize the guiding principles of our project and present some recent developments and future prospects, including a long-term stability study of the resistivity of the semiconductive coating obtained with serigraphy.

scholarly journals Full Implementation of the River Chief System in China: Outcome and Weakness

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinghong Li ◽  
Jiaxin Tong ◽  
Longfei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Lake Management ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
The Past ◽  
Full Implementation ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Innovative System

Despite having explored various modes of water management over the past three decades, the water crisis persists and the Chinese government has been required to revolutionize river management from the top down. The River Chief System (RCS), which evolved from small scale, local efforts to manage rivers starting in 2007, is an innovative system that coordinates between existing ‘fragmented’ river/lake management and pollution control systems, to clearly define the responsibilities of all concerned departments. The system was promoted from an emergent policy to nationwide action in 2016, and ever since, has undergone steady development. We have analyzed recent developments in the system from the perspectives of functional expansion, implementation strategies, legislative processes, and public outreach after the full implementation of the RCS. By collecting data over the past several years, the changes in the water quality of representative watersheds in China were evaluated to assess the outcomes of RCS implementation. Finally, a summary of the weaknesses and outstanding problems of the system is presented, putting forward a multi-channel strategy for the long-term stability and effectiveness of river/lake chiefs, and promoting the RCS as a suitable solution to the collaborative and jurisdictional issues in water management in China.

scholarly journals Composting: A Sustainable Route for Processing of Biodegradable Waste in India

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-60
Author(s):  
Ashootosh Mandpe ◽  
Sweta Kumari ◽  
Sunil Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Biodegradable Waste ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Government ◽  
Increasing Demand

AbstractSurging populations, coupled with the ever-increasing demand for sustenance, have led to the generation of behemoth proportions of wastes throughout the globe. The processing of such a considerable amount of waste has raised concerns for environmental planners, policymakers, and researchers in regard to maintaining sustainability. Biodegradable waste is a part of the total waste stream. Consideration should be given to the importance of making better use of biodegradable waste. The technology that is adopted for the management of biodegradable waste should be ecologically sustainable and cost-effective, as well as beneficial to social well-being. The most efficient way of managing biodegradable waste must include different methods for the optimal utilisation of such waste, ranging from the small scale (single household) to the very large scale (entire city). Amid all the other waste processing technologies, composting stands out as a most potent option because of its ability to maintain and restore soil fertility, along with the transformation of waste into a resource. Composting is one of the few technologies which has a benefit–cost ratio higher than 1 at all scales of operation. This chapter analyses the most significant aspects of the composting process, including the recent developments and dynamics involved in it. The chapter discusses various aspects of composting via analysis of the integrated waste management system and composting-related projects implemented at the community level in the Indian context. Finally, the chapter presents policies and the efforts put in place by the Government of India with the aim of encouraging composting practice and related activities.

Urban pollution control strategy: SBR technology to treat agricultural waste from pig farm in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Lindawati Lindawati
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Batch Reactor ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Piggery Wastewater ◽  
Pig Farm ◽  
Number Of Customers

Reduction of food rations and shortages is one of the impacts of the increasing human population. Food sector industries then try to cope with the fast growing number of customers. Agribusiness sector gains its popularity in these recent years, including pig farm. The increase trend of animal farming industry is likely to bring increasing pollution problem unless effective treatment methods are used. The main problems related to the pig farm include odor nuisance and pig manure disposal. The existing land application of piggery wastewater is the traditional way to discharge the wastewater. This may yield in land and water contamination, due to the accumulation of unused nutrients by crop plant. A case study of a large commercial pig farm from Australia is proposed to apply in smaller scale in Indonesia. Operational strategies for the small-scale SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor) treating piggery effluent were developed based on lab-scale experiments. Due to SBR characteristics, which are money-saving and space-saving, it is very suitable to be applied in urban area. An economic evaluation was made of various process options. The cost estimation showed that SBR is a cost effective process, allowing operational batches to be adjusted to reduce unnecessary aeration cost. A reduction in the aeration cost was achieved by shortening the batch time from 24-h to 8-h. A comparison of three different SBR options showed that smaller size reactors could be more flexible and cost effective when compared with the larger ones.

scholarly journals Estimating Copy-Number Proportions: The Comeback of Sanger Sequencing

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Eyal Seroussi
Keyword(s):  
Copy Number ◽  
Sanger Sequencing ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Direct Sequencing ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Gene Copy Number ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Base Editing ◽  
Recent Developments

Determination of the relative copy numbers of mixed molecular species in nucleic acid samples is often the objective of biological experiments, including Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), indel and gene copy-number characterization, and quantification of CRISPR-Cas9 base editing, cytosine methylation, and RNA editing. Standard dye-terminator chromatograms are a widely accessible, cost-effective information source from which copy-number proportions can be inferred. However, the rate of incorporation of dye terminators is dependent on the dye type, the adjacent sequence string, and the secondary structure of the sequenced strand. These variable rates complicate inferences and have driven scientists to resort to complex and costly quantification methods. Because these complex methods introduce their own biases, researchers are rethinking whether rectifying distortions in sequencing trace files and using direct sequencing for quantification will enable comparable accurate assessment. Indeed, recent developments in software tools (e.g., TIDE, ICE, EditR, BEEP and BEAT) indicate that quantification based on direct Sanger sequencing is gaining in scientific acceptance. This commentary reviews the common obstacles in quantification and the latest insights and developments relevant to estimating copy-number proportions based on direct Sanger sequencing, concluding that bidirectional sequencing and sophisticated base calling are the keys to identifying and avoiding sequence distortions.

scholarly journals A Reference Framework to Combine Model-Based Design and AR to Improve Social Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2031
Author(s):  
Fabio Grandi ◽  
Riccardo Karim Khamaisi ◽  
Margherita Peruzzini ◽  
Roberto Raffaeli ◽  
Marcello Pellicciari
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Digital Models ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Digital Contents ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Virtual Simulations ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Information

Product and process digitalization is pervading numerous areas in the industry to improve quality and reduce costs. In particular, digital models enable virtual simulations to predict product and process performances, as well as to generate digital contents to improve the general workflow. Digital models can also contain additional contents (e.g., model-based design (MBD)) to provide online and on-time information about process operations and management, as well as to support operator activities. The recent developments in augmented reality (AR) offer new specific interfaces to promote the great diffusion of digital contents into industrial processes, thanks to flexible and robust applications, as well as cost-effective devices. However, the impact of AR applications on sustainability is still poorly explored in research. In this direction, this paper proposed an innovative approach to exploit MBD and introduce AR interfaces in the industry to support human intensive processes. Indeed, in those processes, the human contribution is still crucial to guaranteeing the expected product quality (e.g., quality inspection). The paper also analyzed how this new concept can benefit sustainability and define a set of metrics to assess the positive impact on sustainability, focusing on social aspects.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Biosensors in Food Safety: Challenges and Perspectives

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2940
Author(s):  
Antonella Curulli
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Electrochemical Sensors ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Electrochemical Biosensors ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Skilled Personnel ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Key Issues

Safety and quality are key issues for the food industry. Consequently, there is growing demand to preserve the food chain and products against substances toxic, harmful to human health, such as contaminants, allergens, toxins, or pathogens. For this reason, it is mandatory to develop highly sensitive, reliable, rapid, and cost-effective sensing systems/devices, such as electrochemical sensors/biosensors. Generally, conventional techniques are limited by long analyses, expensive and complex procedures, and skilled personnel. Therefore, developing performant electrochemical biosensors can significantly support the screening of food chains and products. Here, we report some of the recent developments in this area and analyze the contributions produced by electrochemical biosensors in food screening and their challenges.

scholarly journals Chemical Solution Deposition of La-Substituted BiFe0.5Sc0.5O3 Perovskite Thin Films on Different Substrates

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 307
Author(s):  
Diana Griesiute ◽  
Dovydas Karoblis ◽  
Lina Mikoliunaite ◽  
Aleksej Zarkov ◽  
Andrei N. Salak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Chemical Solution Deposition ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Stability Study ◽  
Fused Silica ◽  
Chemical Solution ◽  
Solution Deposition ◽  
Optimal Annealing Temperature ◽  
Xrd Patterns

In the present work, polycrystalline Bi0.67La0.33Fe0.5Sc0.5O3 thin films were synthesized using a simple and cost-effective chemical solution deposition process employing the spin coating technique. In order to check the feasibility of the fabrication of thin films on various types of substrates, the films were deposited on Pt-coated silicon, silicon, sapphire, corundum, fused silica and glass. Based on the results of thermogravimetric analysis of precursor and thermal stability study, it was determined that the optimal annealing temperature for the formation of perovskite structure is 600 °C. It was observed that the relative intensity of the pseudocubic peaks (001)p and (011)p in the XRD patterns is influenced by the nature of substrates, suggesting that the formed crystallites have some preferred orientation. Roughness of the films was determined to be dependent on the nature of the substrate.

scholarly journals Diversity minimization through part combination – a Portuguese railway infrastructure case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-94
Author(s):  
Diogo Rechena ◽  
Luís Sousa ◽  
Virgínia Infante ◽  
Elsa Henriques
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Product Family ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Sustainable Services ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Design Diversity ◽  
Requirement Changes

Abstract With increasing market needs for product and service variety, companies struggle to provide diversity in cost-effective ways. Through standardization of components with a low perceived added value, companies can take advantage of economies of scale while maintaining product diversity. Railway infrastructure managers face similar challenges of providing economically sustainable services while dealing with the costs of maintaining the system diversity. Typically, unintended design diversity stems from design practices in which existing solutions are not reused for new problems and new solutions are rarely planned considering the dynamics of requirement changes. In this paper we provide a methodology to assess how to standardize different designs to minimize design diversity and to assess design divergence in a product family. The developed methodology is able to take into account any set of standardization compatibility constraints that the user can define. The methodology was applied in the context of a small-scale railway infrastructure manager using a dataset of 223 unique designs of functionally similar components from its electrification system. Depending on the activated compatibility constraints, results indicate that over 60% of components can be reduced to a set of 86 unique designs.

Preparation and Long-Term Stability Study of Steel Fiber/Graphite Conductive Concrete

2016 ◽  
Vol 680 ◽  
pp. 361-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Du ◽  
Cheng Tang ◽  
Bo Jia ◽  
De Zhang ◽  
Qiang Miao
Keyword(s):  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
Steel Fiber ◽  
Stability Study ◽  
Soil Resistivity ◽  
Grounding Resistance ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Conductive Fillers ◽  
The Common

The steel fiber/graphite conductive concrete is applied in power system grounding. In high soil resistivity regions, the common methods for reducing the grounding resistance are not practical. It is difficult for grounding resistance of substations to meet the requirements of working earthing and safety earthing. In order to solve this problem, a steel fiber/graphite conductive concrete is developed in this paper. Steel fiber and graphite are added as conductive fillers. The long-term stability of the steel fiber/graphite conductive concrete is studied. The experiment results show that steel fiber/graphite conductive concrete not only maintains excellent conductivity, but also has good mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in 300 days.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document