A linearized vector radiative transfer model for atmospheric trace gas retrieval

We present a plane parallel radiative transfer model for polarized light, that provides the intensity vector as well as the derivatives of the four Stokes parameters with respect to atmospheric trace gas profiles. These derivatives are essential for retrieval of height resolved trace gas information from satellite measurements of backscattered sunlight. The model uses the Gauss-Seidel iteration technique for solving the radiative transfer equation. For the first time, the forward-adjoint radiative perturbation theory is applied for the linearization of a radiative transfer model including polarization. The accuracy of the model is better than 0.025% for all four Stokes parameters and better than 0.03% for the derivatives.     

The opacity coefficient method—nongray determination of inhomogeneous atmospheric extinction

The computation of radiation transmittance in nongray, inhomogeneous atmospheric models is frequently complicated by complex bands of line spectra which range in value over many orders of magnitudes and depend strongly on either or both of pressure and temperature. We present here a new opacity sampling technique which is shown to determine correctly the wavelength-averaged extinction due to path-dependent realizations of banded line spectra. The technique is easy to implement computationally and is applicable to a wide variety of atmospheric problems in which frequent iteration of the radiative transfer model is required. We consider two such instances: modeling of solar flux attenuation for use in a time-dependent planetary ionosphere model and retrieval from nadir measurements of backscattered solar irradiance. The power of the new method lies in its straightforward analytical treatment of both atmospheric inhomogeneity and spectral complexity. It is thus relevant for both retrieval and radiative transfer modeling purposes.     

Should Epstein strip arrangement be changed?

The paper describes effect of texture on the anisotropy of magnetic properties and shows that an Epstein strip arrangement including strips cut in a direction 45° to the rolling direction gives property values that are closer to the average values than the traditional RD+TD arrangement.     

Consequences of magnetic aging for iron losses in electrical steels

Electrical steels, when submitted to operation, present continuous decrease of their magnetic properties, depending on the carbon content. This effect is attributed to the increase of the size of carbides, a process also known as coarsening or Ostwald Ripening. Loss separation can offer a better understanding of this phenomenon. Experimental results show that all effect of aging is inside the hysteresis loss component, with the excess losses unaffected. The carbon content in electrical steels should be less than 25 ppm to avoid magnetic aging.     

Characterization of humic substances by capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis was used for the separation of humic acid (HA) from peat, soil, and vermicompost. The electropherograms show the presence of at least three peaks eluted between 6 and 11 min for all HA. The best analysis resolution was obtained with the use of borate buffers at pH 8.9. The HA analyzed have structural and charge similarity, which increases the difficulty of separation. Therefore, the shape of the peaks is broad and the CE profiles of all HA are similar. It is reasonable to assume that the broad band in the three regions is due to the acidic groups that have a similar structure. By comparing the results obtained for HA extracted from soil, peat, vermicompost, and the commercial sample, HA from peat had the major carbon content.     

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric characterization of isomeric alkylthiophenes (C20) and their occurrence in deep sea sediments

Six isomeric C₂₀ alkylthiophenes were synthesized in order to prove the occurrence of such compounds in various deep sea sediments. As expected from the analogy with the corresponding saturated hydrocarbons, 2- and 3-heptadecylthiophene have considerably longer relative retention times than the isomeric isoprenoid compounds, i.e. 2- and 3-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)thiophene and 3- and 4-methyl-2-(3,7,11-trimethyldodecyl)thiophene. Covats retention indices for all compounds were determined by isothermal analysis at 190°C on two different silicone-coated capillary columns. The mass spectra of the monoalkylated thiophenes show a base peak at m/z 98 corresponding to a Mcafferty rearrangement product in the case of the 3-substituted isomers, whereas a simple benzylic cleavage dominates in the mass spectra of 2-alkylthiophenes. 4-Methyl-2-(3,7,11-trimethylodecy)thiophene is an exception from this simple rule because also shows the McLafferty rearrangement as dominant fragmentation. Two of the isoprenoid thiophenes are prominent compounds in various deep sea sediments.     

The two-phase flow at gas-evolving electrodes: Bubble-driven and Lorentz-force-driven convection

We observe electrolysis with gas evolution, a phenomenon occurring in a number of industrial scale electrochemical processes. Here, water electrolysis takes place in a small undivided electrolysis cell consisting of vertical electrodes embedded in a larger glass vessel which contains a dilute NaOH solution. Fluid flow velocities are measured by particle image velocimetry with fluorescent tracers, while size distribution and velocities of the bubbles are determined from bubble shadow images obtained with a high speed camera. Coalescence phenomena are observed in the flow and explain the relatively wide distribution of bubble sizes. Depending on the gap width and the current density, bubbles ascending near the electrodes form two discernible bubble curtains (low average void fraction, wide gaps) or a flow profile more akin to a channel flow (high average void fraction, small gaps). If the flow consists of separate bubble curtains, instabilities develop not unlike to those of a single phase wall jet. Finally, the influence of different wall parallel Lorentz force configurations on the velocity distribution in the cell is investigated. These Lorentz forces are generated by permanent magnets mounted behind the electrodes. Depending on gap width, current density, and magnet configuration, liquid phase velocities can be increased by several times compared to the baseline case.     

Evaluation of As,Se and Zn in octopus samples in different points of sales of the distribution chain in Brazil

Three CRMs of different matrix composition were analysed, representing an environmental matrix sample (BCR–320R Channel Sediment), a botanical matrix sample (SRM 1547 Peach Leaves) and a zoological matrix sample (SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue). The element mass fractions were obtained using the KayWin program. Analytical measurement uncertainty was determined by two approaches: (1) the routine procedure applying combination of the overall uncertainty u(m) = 3.5 % and statistical uncertainty of the peak area determination and (2) the procedure applying the dedicated ERON program for calculating uncertainty. Performance of altogether 31 certified values was tested by means of calculating E _n numbers. For the remaining 52 non-certified values, comparison between uncertainties obtained by the two approaches was made. When using the first approach, the E _n number showed satisfactory performance in 28 cases; by using the second approach, the E _n number showed satisfactory performance in 27 cases. None of the unsatisfactory performances (E _n  > 1) appeared to be of systematic nature. The uncertainties obtained by applying the two approaches revealed a big extent of consistency. As the present nuclear database lacks lot of data that serve as input to the ERON program, in particular uncertainties of Q ₀ factors, estimates need to be introduced for the missing values, emphasising the urgent need to upgrade the database with missing data.     

FE-simulation of spatially graded gelation during adhesive's curing

In this contribution main aspects of material characterization and modelling of a curing adhesive are denoted. It is pointed out how to deal with the exothermic heat generation during curing, both, how to obtain it experimentally as well as how to account for it in the continuum mechanical an FE-modelling framework. Furthermore, a strategy to simulate spatially graded gelation processes in ANSYS® is presented. An academic simulation example completes this work. By the help of this simulation tool a better understanding of a novel manufacturing process of smart semi-finished light weight structures is ensured. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Efficient time integration in multiplicative inelasticity

In Shutov et al. (Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 265:213–225, 2013), the numerical time integration of a famous large strain model of Maxwell fluid type has been considered. The underlying model is based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient and includes a Neo-Hookean hyperelasticity relation as well as an incompressible viscous flow rule. Shutov et al. presented a time stepping algorithm for implicit time integration of the inelastic flow rule, which is based on Euler backward time discretisation, prevents error accumulation and is iteration free. In this contribution, the basic idea of the this approach is applied to more general models of multiplicative viscoelasticity. Here, extended hyperelastic relations including general functions of the first principal invariant of deformation tensors are regarded. An efficient time stepping algorithm is derived, where only one scalar equation for one scalar unknown has to be solved within every time step. The approach is applied to a specific viscoelastic model. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)