Minimax Design of 2D FIR Half-Band Filters Using an Efficient Matrix-Based IRLS Algorithm

This paper considers the minimax design of two-dimensional (2D) finite impulse response (FIR) half-band filters. First, the design problem is formulated in a matrix form, where the half-band constraints are expressed as a pair of matrix equations. By matrix transformations, the constrained minimax problem is transformed into an unconstrained one. Then, we propose an efficient iterative reweighted least squares (IRLS) algorithm to solve this problem. The weighted least squares (WLS) subproblems arising from the IRLS algorithm are solved using a generalized conjugate gradient (GCG) algorithm. Moreover, the GCG algorithm is guaranteed to converge in a finite number of iterations. In the proposed algorithm, the design coefficients of filters are solved in their matrix form, leading to a great saving in computations and memory space. Design examples and comparisons with existing methods are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.

Phytoextraction by harvesting dead leaves: Cadmium accumulation associated with the leaf senescence in Festuca arundinacea

Phytoextraction strategy by harvesting dead leaves provides non-stop phytoremediation and a great saving in disposal cost of hazardous plant residues. This strategy is entirely dependent upon the amount of cadmium (Cd) accumulated in dead leaves. However, it is unknown that whether the leaf Cd accumulation is associated with its senescence and how to regulate its Cd accumulation. This study showed that Cd was preferentially and consistently distributed to and accumulated in the senescent leaves with the new leaf emergence and the old leaf dieback under 75 µM of Cd stress in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Individual leaf monitoring from its emergence to senescence showed that Cd concentration increased exponentially with the leaf life cycle, while leaf biomass decreased gradually after 14 d of leaf emergence. The total amount of Cd accumulated in the leaf showed an exponential increase during leaf senescence, regardless of the leaf biomass loss. Our results demonstrated that leaf Cd accumulation was significantly associated with its senescence and the highest Cd accumulated in dead leaves could be contributed from the continuous Cd input during the leaf senescent process, indicating that further regulatory studies should be focused on the leaf senescence process to achieve higher Cd accumulation and phytoextraction efficiency by harvesting dead leaves.

PAH and POP Presence in Plastic Waste and Recyclates: State of the Art

The presence of different pollutants in recycled plastics is reviewed in this article. The desirable circular economy of plastics should be linked to the availability of clean recycled plastics with a non-significant and small to nil amount of substances of concern. Different researchers found polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs), pesticides, dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs) in plastic recyclates. This represents an added difficulty to the effective recycling process of plastics that reduces the demand for energy and materials, in addition to posing a great environmental danger since they represent a vector of accumulation of the contaminants that will finally appear in the most unexpected products. Life Cycle Analysis of the plastic wastes recycling process indicates a great saving of energy, water and CO2 emissions.

A data-driven intelligent hybrid method for health prognosis of lithium-ion batteries

For estimation of the RUL (Remaining useful life) of Lithium ion battery we are required to do its health assessment using online facilities. For identifying the health of a battery its internal resistance and storage capacity plays the major role. However the estimation of both these parameters is not an easy job and requires lot of computational work to be done. So to overcome this constraint an easy alternate way is simulated in the paper through which we can estimate the RUL. For formation of a linear relationship between health index of the battery (HI) and its actual capacity used of power transformation method is done and later on to validate the result a comparison study is done with Pearson & Spearman methods. Transformed value of Health Index is used for developing a neural network. The results demonstrated in the paper shows the feasibility of the proposed technique resulting in great saving of time

Processing Fluorescence Spectra for Pollutants Detection Systems in Inland Waters

Development of contaminant detection systems in various natural and industrial environments has been favored in recent years thanks to the evolution of processors and sensors. Our group works specifically on contaminant detection systems in inland waters: immediate and continuous detection is a fundamental requirement in this type of sensing. Regarding the sensors, the proposed system is based on fluorescence, since it offers a method in which there is no contact with water, which means less wear on the components and a great saving in cleaning and maintenance. On the other hand, the spectrum processing is of great importance, since it is used both in the generation of a library of fluorescence spectra taken in the laboratory and in the continuous analysis of the samples and in the comparison algorithm for identification. The validity of the system is based on the last process that is carried out in a very short time. This article describes a system to process spectra in a more accelerated way.

Comparison of a Tannery that Using the Conventional Treatment of Waste Water and That Using the Recycling Method

The conventional treatment methods of tannery spent float is found to be not sufficient to meet the required international standers levels of liquid discharges on the other hand the establishment of the treatment unit for the physical, biological and chemical treatment of the spent float is found to be extremely high-cost process. During the life time of the tannery by using the recycling of the spent float method, there would be a great saving in the water and the chemicals as well as environment protection. The comparison of the capital cost estimates of two tanneries with the same capacity, one with the conventional treatment method (large treatment unit should be established) and the other used the recycling of the spent float process, show the advantages of using the recycling process over the conventional treatment process.

Penghematan Listrik Rumah Tangga dalam Menunjang Kestabilan Energi Nasional dan Kelestarian Lingkungan

ABSTRACTThe government efforts to maintain national energy stability program through the increase energy supply and saving must be supported by all levels of society. Several energy observers and experts stated that the contribution of the domestic or household sector in the activities of energy saving program is quite significant because the percentage of household customers are relatively high. This paper analyzes the potential of providing research data on the percentage of electricity savings in the domestic or household sectors towards saving electricity nationally. The results of the study show that electrical devices commonly used in households still have the potential to be saved. Electrical devices that are often used at households and have great saving potentials are air conditioners and refrigerators. If each household customer saves 30% of electricity consumption, then the national electricity supply that can be saved will be around 5,679 GW, equivalent to 83.3 trillion rupiah. The saving program resulted in savings of electricity consumption of around 6% of all household consumers or around 2.9% of total national electricity consumption.Keywords: electrical energy, savings, households ABSTRAKUpaya pemerintah dalam menjaga kestabilan energi nasional melalui program peningkatan pasokan dan penghematan energi harus didukung oleh seluruh lapisan masyarakat. Para pengamat dan pakar energi menyatakan bahwa kontribusi sektor domestik atau rumah tangga dalam program penghematan konsumsi energi listrik cukup signifikan karena persentase jumlah pelanggan rumah tangga yang relatif tinggi. Penelitian ini menganalisis tentang potensi persentase penghematan energi listrik sektor domestik atau rumah tangga terhadap penghematan listrik secara nasional. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa piranti listrik yang biasa digunakan pada rumah tangga masih memiliki potensi untuk dilakukan penghematan. Piranti listrik yang sering digunakan pada rumah tangga dan memiliki potensi penghematan yang besar adalah alat pendingin ruangan (AC) dan kulkas. Bila setiap pelanggan rumah tangga melakukan penghematan konsumsi energi listriknya sebesar 30%, maka pasokan listrik nasional yang dapat dihemat adalah sekitar 5.679 GW atau setara dengan 83,3 Trilyun rupiah. Upaya ini menghasilkan penghematan konsumsi listrik sekitar 6% dari seluruh konsumen rumah tangga atau sekitar 2,9 % dari total konsumsi energi listrik nasional.Kata kunci: energi listrik, penghematan, rumah tangga

Hempseed Oil Quality Parameters: Optimization of Sustainable Methods by Miniaturization

Industrial Hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is characterized by low content of THC (<0.2%). An edible oil with excellent nutritional proprieties is obtained from cold pressing of hempseed. Since Hempseed oil is not reported in a Regulation yet, in order to ensure quality parameters, it is necessary to optimize standard methods (taken from the Regulation for EVOO). In this work, the standard method of quality parameters (free fatty acidity, peroxide number, and anisidine number) were miniaturized and optimized for Hempseed oil matrix. The miniaturized methods result in being sustainable, in environmental and economical perspectives, by using a smaller amount of chemicals (e.g., reagents, solvents), also reducing waste production and the sample needed in relation to the high cost of the Hempseed oil (60–70 €/L). The standard methods of miniaturization, carried out by using the Central Composite Design, allow for great saving of sample (5.35 g vs. 29 g) and reagents (up to 50%).

Expected maintenance waste reduction benefits after implementation of Just in Time (JIT) philosophy in maintenance (a statistical analysis)

Purpose The maintenance department of today, like many other departments, is under sustained pressure to slash costs, show outcome and support the assignment of the organization, as it is a commonsensical prospect from the business perspective. The purpose of this paper is to examine expected maintenance waste reduction benefits in the maintenance of organizations after the implementation of just-in-time (JIT) managerial philosophy. For this, a structured questionnaire was designed and sent to the 421 industries in India. Design/methodology/approach The designed questionnaire was divided into two sections A and B to assist data interpretation. The aim of the section A was to build general information of participants, type of organization, number of employees, annual turnover of the organization, etc. Section B was also a structured questionnaire developed based on a five-point Likert scale. The identified critical elements of the JIT were included in the questionnaire to identify the maintenance waste reduction benefits in the maintenance of organizations. Findings On the basis of the 133 responses, hypothesis testing was done with the help of Z-test, and it was found out that in maintenance, we can reduce a large inventory of spare parts and also shorten the excessive maintenance activities due to the implementation of JIT philosophy. All the four wastes: waste of processing; waste of rejects/rework/scrap in case of poor maintenance; waste of the transport of spares, and waste of motion, have approximately equal weightage in their reduction. Waste of waiting for spares got the last rank, which showed that there are little bit chances in the reduction of waiting for spares after the implementation of JIT philosophy in maintenance. Practical implications The implication of the research findings for maintenance of organizations is that if maintenance practitioners implement elements of JIT philosophy in maintenance then there will be a great reduction in the maintenance wastes. Originality/value This paper will be abundantly useful for the maintenance professionals, researchers and others concerned with maintenance to understand the significance of JIT philosophy implementation to get the expected reduction benefits in maintenance wastes of organizations which will be helpful in the great saving of maintenance cost and time side by side great increment in the availability of machines.

PROPOSAL OF A PRODUCT INDICATOR AS A TOOL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF WINDOWS

Windows are elements of great incidence on building consumption and therefore with great saving potential. When designing high-energy efficiency windows, it is possible to negatively influence the indoor environment quality. To ensure indoor environmental quality, hygrothermal comfort, acoustic comfort, luminous comfort, physical-chemical and microbiological contaminants in the air, and the electromagnetic environment must be considered. Of all these aspects, windows intervene in four of them: hygrothermal comfort, luminous comfort, acoustic comfort and air quality. In order to carry out a comprehensive design, designers should study in detail the variables mentioned for each particular case and, consequently, act. This, due to the means and the deadlines with which the prescriber usually counts on, is currently not viable. This research responds to current deficiencies by proposing the development of a product indicator through an integrative procedure for window design that simultaneously contemplates indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency and cost, integrating environmental and socio-economic aspects. The indicator proposed here provides information substantially superior to that currently available to technicians, to be used as a decision making tool.