Convergence for a Splitting-Up Scheme for the 3D Stochastic Navier-Stokes-α Model

We propose and analyze a splitting-up scheme for the numerical approximation of the 3D stochastic Navier-Stokes-α model. We prove the convergence of the scheme to the unique variational solution of the 3D stochastic Navier-Stokes-α model when the time step tends to zero.     

Stabilised finite-element methods for solving the level set equation with mass conservation

Finite-element methods are studied for solving moving interface flow problems using the level set approach and a stabilised variational formulation proposed in Touré and Soulaïmani (2012; Touré and Soulaïmani To appear in 2016 Touré, Mamadou Kabirou, and Azzeddine Soulaïmani. To appear in 2016. “Stabilized Finite Element Methods for Solving the Level Set Equation without Renitialization.” Computers &; Mathematics with Applications. doi:10.1016/j.camwa.2016.02.028[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), coupled with a level set correction method. The level set correction is intended to enhance the mass conservation satisfaction property. The stabilised variational formulation (Touré and Soulaïmani 2012; Touré and Soulaïmani, To appear in 2016 Touré, Mamadou Kabirou, and Azzeddine Soulaïmani. To appear in 2016. “Stabilized Finite Element Methods for Solving the Level Set Equation without Renitialization.” Computers &; Mathematics with Applications. doi:10.1016/j.camwa.2016.02.028[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) constrains the level set function to remain close to the signed distance function, while the mass conservation is a correction step which enforces the mass balance. The eXtended finite-element method (XFEM) is used to take into account the discontinuities of the properties within an element. XFEM is applied to solve the Navier–Stokes equations for two-phase flows. The numerical methods are numerically evaluated on several test cases such as time-reversed vortex flow, a rigid-body rotation of Zalesak's disc, sloshing flow in a tank, a dam-break over a bed, and a rising bubble subjected to buoyancy. The numerical results show the importance of satisfying global mass conservation to accurately capture the interface position.     

Characterization of Nanoparticles and Colloids in Aquatic Systems 1. Small Angle Neutron Scattering Investigations of Suwannee River Fulvic Acid Aggregates in Aqueous Solutions

Fulvic acids (FA) and humic acids (HA) constitute 30–50% of dissolved organic matter in natural aquatic systems. In aqueous solutions, a commonly accepted view is that FA and HA exist as soluble macroligands at low concentration and as supramolecular aggregates at higher concentration. The size, shape and structure of these aggregates are still the subject of ongoing debate in the environmental chemistry literature. In this article, we use small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to assess the effects of solute concentration, solution pH and background electrolyte (NaCl) concentration on the structures of Suwannee River FA (SRFA) aggregates in D₂O. The qualitative features of the SANS curves and data analysis are not consistent with the view point that SRFA forms micelle-like aggregates as its concentration in aqueous solution increases. We find that SRFA forms fractal aggregates in D₂0 with size greater than 242 nm. The SRFA aggregates undergo a significant degree of restructuring in compactness as solution pH, solute concentration and NaCl concentration increase.     

Dendritic chelating agents. 1. Cu(II) binding to ethylene diamine core poly(amidoamine) dendrimers in aqueous solutions

This paper describes an investigation of the uptake of Cu(II) by poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with an ethylenediamine (EDA) core in aqueous solutions. We use bench scale measurements of proton and metal ion binding to assess the effects of (i) metal ion-dendrimer loading, (ii) dendrimer generation/terminal group chemistry, and (iii) solution pH on the extent of binding of Cu(II) in aqueous solutions of EDA core PAMAM dendrimers with primary amine, succinamic acid, glycidol, and acetamide terminal groups. We employ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to probe the structures of Cu(II) complexes with Gx-NH2 EDA core PAMAM dendrimers in aqueous solutions at pH 7.0. The overall results of the proton and metal ion binding measurements suggest that the uptake of Cu(II) by EDA core PAMAM dendrimers involves both the dendrimer tertiary amine and terminal groups. However, the extents of protonation of these groups control the ability of the dendrimers to bind Cu(II). Analysis of the EXAFS spectra suggests that Cu(II) forms octahedral complexes involving the tertiary amine groups of Gx-NH2 EDA core PAMAM dendrimers at pH 7.0. The central Cu(II) metal ion of each of these complexes appears to be coordinated to 2-4 dendrimer tertiary amine groups located in the equatorial plane and 2 axial water molecules. Finally, we combine the results of our experiments with literature data to formulate and evaluate a phenomenological model of Cu(II) uptake by Gx-NH2 PAMAM dendrimers in aqueous solutions. At low metal ion-dendrimer loadings, the model provides a good fit of the measured extent of binding of Cu(II) in aqueous solutions of G4-NH2 and G5-NH2 PAMAM dendrimers at pH 7.0.     

The establishment of quality systems in veterinary diagnostic testing laboratories in developing countries: experiences with the FAO/IAEA External Quality Assurance Programme

Quality systems, established to internationally accepted standards, are one mechanism that can assist in evaluations of the sustainability of technology transfer, the proficiency of the user, and the reliability and comparability of data generated, resulting in potential enhancement of laboratory credibility. The means of interpreting existing standards and implementing quality systems in developing country veterinary diagnostic laboratories has become a significant adjunct to the technology transfer element within the Food and Agriculture/ International Atomic Energy Agency, FAO/IAEA programme. The FAO/IAEA External Quality Assurance Programme (EQAP) is given as an example for an initial step towards enhancing the “quality” culture in developing country veterinary laboratories. In 1995 the EQAP began as an effort to assure that test results emanating from laboratories using FAO/IAEA ELISA kits for animal disease diagnosis are valid. For this purpose 15 international external quality-assurance rounds have been performed to date for a variety of animal diseases e.g. Rinderpest, brucellosis, trypanosomosis, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Results indicate that the EQAP is a valuable tool in the assessment of both the results provided by, and use of the ELISA kits provided through, the joint FAO/IAEA programme. Furthermore EQAP can assist laboratory diagnosticians to enhance quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) procedures for conducting FAO/IAEA ELISAs and to advise on the implementation of similar QC/QA procedures in other laboratory activities. Based on the experiences made during the implementation of the EQAP a proposal for establishing a quality system standard was ratified through the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) general conference in May 2000. The OIE Standard On Management And Technical Requirements For Laboratories Conducting Tests For Infectious Animal Diseases is based on ISO 17025 and provides a clear formula for establishing quality systems in veterinary diagnostic laboratories world-wide.     

A Better Understanding of the Very Low-Pressure Plasma Polymerization of Aniline by Optical Emission Spectroscopy Analysis

In the wavelength range from 200 up to 1000 nm, optical emission from electronically excited fragments (CN, CH, NH, C₂, H₂, N₂, N₂⁺, and H-Balmer) is detected when aniline plasmas are generated in a multi-dipolar microwave reactor. The optical emission spectrum monitored in very low-pressure conditions (~?1 mTorr) shows important characteristics. The H_α, H_β and CN species are the most radiating systems and according to the NH/N₂ intensity ratio, two different operating regimes are observed suggesting a change in the reaction pathways. These two regimes are correlated to changes of the plasma characteristics (electron temperature and density) deduced from Langmuir probe measurements. The plasma thermodynamic state is quantified by implementing numerical simulation codes for synthetic spectra calculations. The rovibrational temperatures (T_r, T_v) are determined for some neutral species (CN, CH). The obtained values of T_r and T_v show the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium of the vibrational and rotational states (T_r?<?T_v). Moreover, the very low pressure aniline-based plasmas deviate substantially from the Boltzmann distribution. Correlation between the optical emission data and the solid phase analysis allows proving that the in situ characterization of the plasma phase is an important predictive tool of physico-chemical properties of the film. From these correlated data, we deduce preponderant chemical reaction pathways which help to better understand the plasma generation. Relative contributions of the dehydrogenation of C–H and N–H groups are established in order to deduce the leading initiation reaction for H-Balmer line formation.     

Performance of conversion efficiency of a bifacial silicon solar cell with particle irradiation

This paper investigates theoretically the performance of conversion efficiency of a bifacial silicon solar cell with particle irradiation. The bifaciality coefficient and the conversion efficiency are calculated for various rear side illumination conditions and electron fluence, taking into account the diffusion length related damage coefficient. The main purpose of the work is to show that irradiation could significantly degrade both the bifaciality coefficient and then the conversion efficiency of the bifacial solar cell and to exhibit the role of the fluence and rear side illumination condition level in the performance of the bifacial silicon solar cell.     

A generalization of the Fourier transform and its application to spectral analysis of chirp-like signals

We show that the de Branges theory provides a useful generalization of the Fourier transform (FT). The formulation is quite rich in that by selecting the appropriate parametrization, one can obtain spectral representation for a number of important cases. We demonstrate two such cases in this paper: the finite sum of elementary chirp-like signals, and a decaying chirp using Bessel functions. We show that when defined in the framework of de Branges spaces, these cases admit a representation very much similar to the spectral representation of a finite sum of sinusoids for the usual FT.