Transport of Carbamazepine, Ciprofloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole in Activated Carbon: Solubility and Relationships between Structure and Diffusional Parameters

The transport of carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole in the different pores of activated carbon in an aqueous solution is a dynamic process that is entirely dependent on the intrinsic parameters of these molecules and of the adsorbent. The macroscopic processes that take place are analyzed by interfacial diffusion and reaction models. Modeling of the experimental kinetic curves obtained following batch treatment of each solute at 2 µg/L in tap water showed (i) that the transport and sorption rates were controlled by external diffusion and intraparticle diffusion and (ii) that the effective diffusion coefficient for each solute, with the surface and pore diffusion coefficients, were linked by a linear relationship. A statistical analysis of the experimental data established correlations between the diffusional parameters and some geometrical parameters of these three molecules. Given the major discontinuities observed in the adsorption kinetics, the modeling of the experimental data required the use of traditional kinetic models, as well as a new kinetic model composed of the pseudo first or second order model and a sigmoidal expression. The predictions of this model were excellent. The solubility of each molecule below 60 °C was formulated by an empirical expression.

The shear resistance of a member without shear reinforcement according to Eurocode 2; the error of the calculated value and the mechanical explanation of the problem

In this paper the shear resistance of a member without shear reinforcement according to Eurocode 2 is investigated. This expression, as most expressions of design codes typically used to estimate the nominal shear resistance, has been created based on experimental investigations. It will be verified that in case of non-prestressed reinforced concrete member without stirrups, the shear resistance is carried by the shear resistance of the compressive zone; and the shear resistance given by the empirical expression of Eurocode 2 is actually the shear resistance of the compressive zone.Knowing the mechanical background of the empirical expressions of Eurocode 2, the limits of its applicability can be shown, thus its error can be predicted. Using the reports of experimental investigations, it is easy to find cases to prove the correctness of the error-prediction. In this paper simple modifications will be suggested to Eurocode 2 shear design procedures, by which a more consistent level of safety can be ensured.

Evaluation of Wear Behaviour in Metallic Binders Employed in Diamond Tools for Cutting Stone

A type of disc-on-plate test methodology was used to determine the wear behavior of metallic binders employed in the manufacturing of diamond impregnated tools. The disc consists of a special circular wheel that allows the binder materials alone (i.e., without diamond, but sintered under conditions identical to those of the complete tool) to be tested against a plate of stone material under pre-determined testing conditions. The testing conditions are intended to be equivalent to those used in the industrial processes. Using plates of five types of granite and one type of marble, this work comprises wear tests of 15 different types of metallic binders and two sintering modes conducted under, at least, three different values of contact-force. The analysis of the results demonstrated that the wear of the binders can be related to their mechanical properties through an empirical expression. The larger the difference between the characteristics of the tribological pair (binder versus stone), the higher is the correlation between the experimental wear data and the values given by the empirical expression. The relationships presented in this work allow predicting the wear behavior of the binder, and therefore may help in the design process of diamond tools. There was a clear difference between the wear behavior of metallic binders when they were employed against the two main classes of stone under analysis (marble and granite).

Oscillatory persistent currents in quantum rings

The density functional theory is used to study persistent currents in two-dimensional quantum rings containing several electrons. We find a series of magic numbers for the total angular momentum of electrons in the strong magnetic field and show that changes in the angular momentum of electrons lead to persistent current oscillations. We suggest an empirical expression for the period of persistent current in quantum rings and examine the effect of Coulomb interaction on the properties of persistent currents.

Analysis of Incomplete Film in Parallel Plates Including Inlet Tube and Groove

To clarify the realistic upstream boundary conditions of hydrodynamic bearings, the oil spread in a complex system of parallel plates including an inlet tube and axial groove is studied by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The effects of various design parameters including clearance, velocity of bottom plate, and inlet mass flowrate on oil spread-length are presented and explained. By intensive parametric study for these parameters, an empirical expression for the oil spread-length is derived. A groove with blind ends significantly increases the efficiency of the system. A comparison with experimental observation validates the present model as a proper one for accurately solving oil spread in similar systems.

Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Urban Light Emissions: Ground and Satellite Comparison

‘Lockdown’ periods in response to COVID-19 have provided a unique opportunity to study the impacts of economic activity on environmental pollution (e.g., NO2, aerosols, noise, light). The effects on NO2 and aerosols have been very noticeable and readily demonstrated, but that on light pollution has proven challenging to determine. The main reason for this difficulty is that the primary source of nighttime satellite imagery of the earth is the SNPP-VIIRS/DNB instrument, which acquires data late at night after most human nocturnal activity has already occurred and much associated lighting has been turned off. Here, to analyze the effect of lockdown on urban light emissions, we use ground and satellite data for Granada, Spain, during the COVID-19 induced confinement of the city’s population from 14 March until 31 May 2020. We find a clear decrease in light pollution due both to a decrease in light emissions from the city and to a decrease in anthropogenic aerosol content in the atmosphere which resulted in less light being scattered. A clear correlation between the abundance of PM10 particles and sky brightness is observed, such that the more polluted the atmosphere the brighter the urban night sky. An empirical expression is determined that relates PM10 particle abundance and sky brightness at three different wavelength bands.

Microplasma microphones

It is shown experimentally that a microplasma created by a microstructured electrode array is sensitive to sound pressure. In this paper, two electrode architectures are used to create the microplasma. The sensitivity of these microplasma microphones, close to 0.4 nA/Pa, is estimated using a waveguide and a calibration method by comparison with a reference microphone. An empirical expression of the acoustic pressure sensitivity of microdischarges is proposed. The predictions of this empirical model are in good agreement with the experimental data.