No / Modelling played an important role in simulation, optimisation, and control of multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination processes. Top brine temperature (TBT) is one of the many important parameters that affect optimal design and operation of MSF processes. Within the MSF process model, calculation of TBT is therefore important. For a given pressure, TBT is a function of boiling point temperature (BPT) at zero salinity and temperature elevation (TE) due to salinity. In this work, we develop several neural network (NN) based correlations for predicting TE. It is found that the NN based correlations can predict the experimental TE very closely. Also predictions by the NN based correlations were good when TE values, obtained using existing correlations from the literature are compared. Due to advancement of the microcomputer, plant automation becomes reliable means of plant maintenance. NN based correlations (models) can be updated in terms of new sets of weights and biases for the same architecture or for a new architecture reliably with new plant data.

Yes / The water permeability constant, (Kw) is one of many important parameters that affect optimal design and operation of RO processes. In model based studies, e.g.within the RO process model, estimation of Kw is therefore important. There are only two available literature correlations for calculating the dynamic Kw values. However, each of them are only applicable for a given membrane type, given feed salinity over a certain operating pressure range. In this work, we develop a time dependent neural network (NN) based correlation to predict Kw in RO desalination processes under fouling conditions. It is found that the NN based correlation can predict the Kw values very closely to those obtained by the existing correlations for the same membrane type, operating pressure range and feed salinity. However, the novel feature of this correlation is that it is able to predict Kw values for any of the two membrane types and for any operating pressure and any feed salinity within a wide range. In addition, for the first time the effect of feed salinity on Kw values at low pressure operation is reported. While developing the correlation, the effect of numbers of hidden layers and neurons in each layer and the transfer functions is also investigated.

<p>The physical properties of the coarse fraction of the till (0.4 to 20 cm) and the surface boulders have been studied at two different sites in Sweden. The research work included: development of a new image analysis software for 3D size and shape measurements of particles; lithological analysis on multiple size fractions in till and magnetic susceptibility survey on coarse till clasts, surface boulders and local bedrock.</p><p>The new 3D image analysis method provides an enormous amount of size and shape data for each particle in the coarse fraction (2 to 20 cm) in till. The method is suitable for field study, cost effective and the software is executable in Matlab. The field imaging method together with the image analysis software give non subjective results of size and shape of coarse particles and makes it feasible and easy to study representative sample size, which is one tonne for testing clasts of size up to 20 cm.</p><p>The lithological analysis of the multiple size fraction of the till clasts has been investigated on six different size fractions of the till (0.4 to 20 cm); the result of the different samples from the two sites shows that this method can potentially be used as a stratigraphic tool in the areas where there is no unique indicator lithologies.</p><p>The magnetic susceptibility has been made on the surface boulders, the 6-20 cm till fraction and on insitu bedrock outcrops near to the study sites. The method has good potential for determining stratigraphic relationships between different till units as well as for determining the provenance ofcoarse clasts and surface boulders.</p>

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第19531号 / 理博第4191号 / 新制||理||1602(附属図書館) / 32567 / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 中川 尚史, 教授 中務 真人, 教授 曽田 貞滋 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

There is considerable evidence to suggest that object affordances (see Gibson, 1966) can serve to moderate volitional responses by “priming” the visuomotor system toward certain actions (e.g., Tucker & Ellis, 1998). Typically, these studies assume that shorter voluntary reaction time latencies reflect more efficient movement planning. Questions remain however, as to whether object affordances offer the same motor priming benefits in situations where the temporal window to initiate motor action precludes volitional movements (e.g., during an unexpected balance perturbation). The efficiency of balance reactions to a perturbation is dependent upon the ability for the motor system to generate short latency actions at the onset of instability. Due to the rapid nature of these actions, they are suggested to be regulated by information received prior to the perturbation. In this study, participants sat in a custom-built chair that delivered posterior perturbations and, on each trial, were presented with two of three types of stimuli within their reach (two graspable poles that varied in orientation and a flat non-graspable control). They were instructed to reach and grasp one of the poles at the moment of perturbation so as to mitigate the tilt. To assess cortical activity that may be indicative of motor planning in response to the perception of object affordances, changes in oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the right and left premotor cortices were measured using a continuous wave fNIRS system. Results revealed a significant increase (F= 4.62, p= .043) in oxy-Hb in the right and left hemisphere (M = .023 µM) in response to objects that afford an optimal form of grasping action (mitigating excessive supination or pronation of the hand), compared to when no grasping opportunity was present (M = -.051 µM). These results suggest that affordances may be used to prime the system in the event of a balance threat. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T18:53:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Renata Franklin Castro.pdf: 1525264 bytes, checksum: d789c52721120aca7b6832664023d7cf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The composition and physical properties vary with the rice cultivar. The knowledge of the physical properties of grain materials is useful for establishing appropriate mechanisms to operate any process promoting the best destination of each cultivar. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the physical characteristics and composition of four cultivars of rice (EPA, SCS, and IAS BRS) brown and polished. Significant differences (p <0.05) were observed in the physical properties of paddy, brown and milled rice. EPA, SCS and BRS cultivars have long-fine grains with high amylose (27.39 to 30.19%) and IAS has short grains with low amylose content (19.46%). At processing the biggest yield was the cultivar IAS (74.47%) and this genotype showed higher degree of polishing (10.43%). In chemical evaluations of brown rice, a significant difference (p <0.05) for both the polished rice as for brown rice was found, BRS cultivar showed higher protein content both in brown rice form (10.56%), as the polished (9.10%). In the process of polishing the composition of minerals and phytic acid were reduced, EPA cultivar had a bigger reduction (p <0.05) in the iron concentration (18.56 to 1.2μg/g), phosphorus (451.24 to 84.43 μg/g) and phytic acid (2.77 to 0.12 mg/g), but with lower losses for zinc (24.73 to 19.48 μg/g). When cooked in water, starch started to gain viscosity at same time. The relative degree of crystallinity (%) was higher in starches with higher amylose content, but not in the same proportion, so each cultivar has its particular characteristic. Micro images obtained through the NC-AFM showed no significant difference (p <0.05) in the diameter of the starch granules of different cultivars. The reflectance spectrophotometry showed that regarding the color of starch, there was no difference among cultivars for L *, WI, where there is a very light color. In relation to grains, there were lighter colors for polished in relation to brown kernels, what was also found for the respective flours. The information from this study may be useful in the design of post harvest machinery, for processing and storage structures in food processing industry based on the different cultivars of rice. / A composição e propriedades físicas variam de acordo com o cultivar de arroz. O conhecimento das propriedades físicas de grãos é útil para a criação de mecanismos apropriados para operações de qualquer processo promovendo um melhor destino a cada cultivar. Experimentos foram realizados para avaliar as características físicas e a composição de quatro cultivares de arroz (EPA, SCS, BRS e IAS) integral e polido. Foram observadas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) nas propriedades físicas entre arroz com casca, integral e polido, sendo que as cultivares EPA, SCS e BRS possuem grãos longo-fino com alto teor de amilose (27,39-30,19%) e IAS possui grãos curtos com baixo teor de amilose (19,46%). No beneficiamento o maior rendimento foi da cultivar IAS (74,47%), sendo que este genótipo apresentou maior grau de polimento (10,43%). Nas avaliações químicas do arroz integral, verificou-se diferença significativa (p<0,05) tanto para o arroz polido quanto para o integral, sendo que a cultivar BRS apresentou maior teor de proteínas, tanto na forma integral (10,56%), quanto na polida (9,10%). Com o processo de polimento as composições de minerais e ácido fítico reduziram, sendo que a cultivar EPA apresentou uma maior redução (p<0,05) na concentração de ferro (18,56 para 1,2μg/g), fósforo (451,24 para 84,43μg/g) e ácido fítico (2,77 para 0,12mg/g), porém com menores perdas para o zinco (24,73 para 19,48μg/g). As amostras de amidos começaram a ganhar viscosidade ao mesmo tempo. O grau de cristalinidade relativa (%) foi maior nos amidos com maior teor de amilose, porém não na mesma proporção, sendo assim, cada cultivar possui sua característica particular. As microimagens obtidas através da NC-AFM revelaram que não houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) no diâmetro dos grânulos dos amidos das diferentes cultivares. A espectrofotometria de reflectância demonstra que em relação a cor do amido não houve diferença entre as cultivares para L*, WI, verificando-se uma coloração extremamente clara. Já em relação aos grãos, verificam-se cores mais claras para cultivares polidas em relação a integrais, tanto em grãos como nas farinhas. As informações do presente estudo podem ser úteis nos projetos de máquinas de pós-colheita, para o processamento e estruturas de armazenamento na indústria de processamento de alimentos baseada nas diferentes cultivares de arroz.

No / The water permeability constant, (K-w), is one of the many important parameters that affect optimal design and operation of RO processes. In model based studies, e.g. within the RO process model, estimation of W-w is therefore important There are only two available literature correlations for calculating the dynamic K-w values. However, each of them is only applicable for a given membrane type, given feed salinity over a certain operating pressure range. In this work, we develop a time dependent neural network (NN) based correlation to predict K-w in RO desalination processes under fouling conditions. It is found that the NN based correlation can predict the K-w values very closely to those obtained by the existing correlations for the same membrane type, operating pressure range and feed salinity. However, the novel feature of this correlation is that it is able to predict K-w values for any of the two membrane types and for any operating pressure and any feed salinity within a wide range. In addition, for the first time the effect of feed salinity on Kw values at low pressure operation is reported. Whilst developing the correlation, the effect of numbers of hidden layers and neurons in each layer and the transfer functions is also investigated. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-15T12:27:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diogenes Virginio do Nascimento.pdf: 1474487 bytes, checksum: 048118961940a4468c5c60cb32deca19 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-15T12:27:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diogenes Virginio do Nascimento.pdf: 1474487 bytes, checksum: 048118961940a4468c5c60cb32deca19 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work is related to knowledge of Pedotransfer functions (PTF), enabling an understanding about water soil content influenced by soil properties and analyzes to generate PTFs. This study aimed was proposed pedotransfer functions (PTF) based on hydro-physical soil properties and organic carbon to estimate soil moisture. The study was conducted in the area owned by Santa Teresa Plant in Goiana City, PE (7º36'56 "S 34º59'19" W) with sugarcane crop (Saccharum spp) irrigated by Lateral Move System. Field capacity (θfc) and wilting point (θwp) were assumed by dependent variables. Sand, silt, clay, soil bulk density and organic carbon were adopted as independent variables. Pedotransfer functions generated in this study estimate soil moisture to matric potential at -10 kPa, equivalent to θfc, in sandy soils and at -33 kPa to clay soils and matric potential at -1.500 kPa to θwp in 0-20; 20-40 e 40-60cm soil depth. These functions were classified as “Point PTF”, since estimated specific points to matric potential to soil water retention. Statistical indices and graphic analyses (1:1 ratio) between model-predicted and observed data were used to evaluate PTFs performance. The following statistical indices were used: Correlation coefficient (r), Concordance index (d), Maximum error (ME), Square root mean squared error normalized (RMSE), Coefficient of residual mass (CRM), Mean absolute error (MAE), Performance Index (c) and Determination coefficient (R²). Statistical indices that evaluate generated models to estimate soil water content indicated high performance for most of PTFs and good correlation between observed and estimated values at matric potential studied in all soil layers analyzed. Thus, retention water estimated by PTFs can be an interesting alternative to support irrigation management at sugarcane. / Esta dissertação é referente aos conhecimentos sobre Funções de Pedotransferência (FPT), possibilitando um entendimento relacionado ao conteúdo de água no solo a partir das influências nas propriedades do solo e nas análises estabelecidas para gerar as FPTs. O objetivo deste trabalho foi gerar funções de pedotransferência com base em atributos físico-hídricos do solo e a relação do carbono orgânico para estimar a umidade do solo. O trabalho foi realizado na área pertencente à Usina Santa Teresa localizada no município de Goiana, PE (7º36’56”S 34º59’19”W), em área cultivada com cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp) irrigada por sistema Lateral Móvel Linear. As variáveis adotadas como dependentes foram umidade na capacidade de campo (θcc) e umidade no ponto de murcha permanente (θpmp) e as variáveis independentes foram areia, silte, argila, densidade do solo e carbono orgânico. As funções de pedotransferência foram geradas a partir do método de regressão linear múltipla aplicando a técnica de stepwise backward elimination para seleção das variáveis candidatas ao modelo. Assim, as FPT geradas estimam o conteúdo de água no solo equilibrada nos potenciais mátricos equivalentes à umidade na capacidade de campo de -10kPa para solos arenosos, -33kPa para solos argilosos e ao ponto de murcha permanente de -1500kPa, nas camadas de 0-20; 20-40 e 40-60cm, totalizando 99 amostras. Essas funções foram classificadas como FPT pontuais, uma vez que, estima pontos específicos aplicados nas tensões de interesse para retenção de água no solo. O desempenho das Funções de pedotransferência foram analisadas graficamente pela relação 1:1, entre os dados estimados versus dados observados e por meio dos seguintes indicadores estatísticos: Coeficiente de correlação (r), Índice de concordância (d), Erro máximo (ME), Raiz quadrada do erro médio quadrático normalizado (RMSE), Coeficiente de massa residual (CRM), Erro absoluto médio (EAM), Índice de desempenho (c) e coeficiente de determinação (R²). Os índices estatísticos, que avaliam os modelos gerados para estimar a umidade volumétrica no solo estudado, apresentaram valores que indicam elevado desempenho para a maioria das FPTs e boa correlação entre os valores observados e estimados nas tensões estudadas e em todas as camadas de solo analisadas. Assim, a estimativa da retenção de água no solo por meio da FPTs apresenta-se como uma alternativa para auxiliar as técnicas adotadas no manejo de irrigação da cana-de-açúcar.

Le travail vise à développer un procédé de dessalement de l’eau de mer par congélation sur parois froides. L’étude thermodynamique a permis de quantifier l’effet de la composition et de la salinité de l’eau sur la température de congélation et la température de précipitation de Na2SO4,10 H2O. Les résultats sont bien décrits par le code de calcul de Frezchem, dérivé du modèle de Pitzer. Les essais de dessalement par congélation ont été conduits avec des solutions eau/NaCl de différentes concentrations, ainsi qu’avec de l’eau de mer de Rabat, Nice et Marseille. Le montage expérimental mis au point se compose d’un doigt de gant plongé dans une cuve double enveloppée contenant l’eau à traiter. Le procédé complet de dessalement est conduit en deux étapes: l’étape de congélation produisant un dépôt de glace sur le doigt de gant et l’étape de ressuage, effectuée après vidange de la saumure, qui consiste à purifier en profondeur la glace en opérant une fusion des zones impures. Une caméra filme la couche de glace et fournit la cinétique de croissance de la couche. La congélation a été effectuée dans une solution stagnante ou dans une solution agitée par injection d’air. Elle est conduite en appliquant deux rampes de refroidissement, respectivement dans le doigt de gant et dans la double enveloppe, qui peuvent être ou non identiques. Les essais ont montré la nécessité d’ensemencer la couche de glace sur le tube et d’ajuster finement la température initiale de la rampe de refroidissement. L’étude systématique de l’influence des paramètres opératoires a mis en évidence les rôles importants de la rampe de refroidissement et de la salinité de la solution sur la pureté de la glace produite. En l’absence d’agitation, la température de la double enveloppe a également un effet notoire sur la pureté de la glace à cause des gradients de température, et par suite, des courants de convection qu’elle peut engendrer au sein de la solution. En régime agité, la solution semble être à chaque instant en équilibre avec la glace. Une même salinité finale de la glace peut être obtenue avec des rampes de refroidissement beaucoup plus rapides qu’en statique. Quelles que soient les performances de la congélation, le ressuage est ensuite indispensable pour atteindre la norme de potabilité. La recherche de conditions opératoires optimales a permis de réduire la durée du procédé global à 8h (5h de cristallisation et 3h de ressuage). Les résultats de ce travail montrent la faisabilité de la technique et donnent une bonne idée des conditions de fonctionnement qui peuvent être employées pour produire l'eau potable / The work aims to develop a process for freezing desalination of seawater on cold walls. The thermodynamic study has quantified the effect of composition and of salinity on the freezing temperature and the precipitation temperature of Na2SO4,10 H2O. The results are well described by the calculation code Frezchem, derived from the model of Pitzer. The experiments were performed with water/NaCl solutions of different concentrations and with samples of sea water from Nice, Rabat and Marseille. The pilot crystallizer consists of a cooled tube immersed in a cylindrical double jacketed tank containing water to be treated. The complete process of desalination is conducted in two steps: the freezing step, leading to the crystallization of the ice layer and the sweating step, which consists of purifying in depth the ice layer by melting the impure zones. A camera films the ice and provides the growth kinetics of the layer. Freezing was performed in a stagnant solution to a stirred solution or by injecting air. It is conducted by applying two cooling ramps, respectively in the tube and the double jacket that may or may not be identical. Tests have shown the need to seed the ice on the tube and fine-tune the initial temperature of the cooling ramp. The systematic study of the influence of operating parameters has highlighted the important role of the cooling ramp and salinity of the solution on the purity of the ice produced. In the absence of stirring, the temperature of the double jacket also has a noticeable effect on the purity of the ice due to temperature gradients, and consequently, convection currents that may result in the solution. Steady stirring, the solution seems to be at all times in equilibrium with ice. Same final salinity of the ice can be obtained with ramps cooling much faster than static. Whatever the performance of the freezing, the sweating is then necessary to meet the standard for drinking water. The search for optimum operating conditions has reduced the duration of the overall process to 8 hours (5 hours the crystallization and 3 hours of sweating). The results of this work show the feasibility of the technique and give a good indication of operating conditions that can be used to produce drinking water

The physical properties of the coarse fraction of the till (0.4 to 20 cm) and the surface boulders have been studied at two different sites in Sweden. The research work included: development of a new image analysis software for 3D size and shape measurements of particles; lithological analysis on multiple size fractions in till and magnetic susceptibility survey on coarse till clasts, surface boulders and local bedrock. The new 3D image analysis method provides an enormous amount of size and shape data for each particle in the coarse fraction (2 to 20 cm) in till. The method is suitable for field study, cost effective and the software is executable in Matlab. The field imaging method together with the image analysis software give non subjective results of size and shape of coarse particles and makes it feasible and easy to study representative sample size, which is one tonne for testing clasts of size up to 20 cm. The lithological analysis of the multiple size fraction of the till clasts has been investigated on six different size fractions of the till (0.4 to 20 cm); the result of the different samples from the two sites shows that this method can potentially be used as a stratigraphic tool in the areas where there is no unique indicator lithologies. The magnetic susceptibility has been made on the surface boulders, the 6-20 cm till fraction and on insitu bedrock outcrops near to the study sites. The method has good potential for determining stratigraphic relationships between different till units as well as for determining the provenance ofcoarse clasts and surface boulders. / QC 20110413