Liquid Agglomeration of Ink Particles in Deinking

Liquid agglomeration is defined by references as a separation process (3). For the purpose of this thesis project, it is the process of using a hydrocarbon oil, dispersed in water, to a pulp slurry, to agglomerate the ink particles and then float them to the top. The idea behind this research is that the sludge produced will have a higher BTU value due to the hydrocarbon oil, which will make incineration a more feasible means of disposal. The preliminary work consisted of determining whether or not the ink particles would agglomerate with hexadecane. It was found that the ink particles did in fact agglomerate and hexadecane was an efficient agglomerating oil. Previous work had found that internal starch and internal size inhibited agglomeration, however, it is believed that if the right surface chemistry could be induced onto the fiber, the agglomeration process would be promoted (3). This was attempted by evaluating four different surfactants to determine if any of them could promote agglomeration. BRD2340, BRD2342, Busperse 47, an Busperse 59 were the surfactants chosen for evaluation. It was found that BRD2342 and BRD2340 were incapable of promoting agglomeration. However, Busperse 47 and Busperse 59 did promote agglomeration, with Busperse 59 visually performing the best. After the pulp had been run through the agglomeration cells, it was evaluated for pulp cleanliness. This was done by making brightness pads and running the pads through the Spec*Scan 2000 to determine dirt counts. It was found that the agglomeration cells could not perform as efficiently as an air flotation cell. However, it was observed that the liquid agglomeration process did increase the ink particles size. It is hypothesized that this may prove favorable in an air flotation cell. It can be concluded that the liquid agglomeration process needs additional research

Quantum and classical fidelities for Gaussian states

We examine the physical significance of fidelity as a measure of similarity for Gaussian states, by drawing a comparison with its classical counterpart. We find that the relationship between these classical and quantum fidelities is not straightforward, and in general does not seem to provide insight into the physical significance of quantum fidelity. To avoid this ambiguity we propose that the efficacy of quantum information protocols be characterized by determining their transfer function and then calculating the fidelity achievable for a hypothetical pure reference input state.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, to be published in J. Opt. Soc. Am. B special issue on Optical Quantum Information Scienc

Quality Analysis of United States Commercial Air Carriers: Airline Quality Rating 2019

Past research regarding major U.S. commercial air carriers and consumer perceptions of airline performance has provided little more than a descriptive “snapshot” of the average air traveler. Using the most recent data and findings, as well as building on the previous 29 continuous years of research with the national Airline Quality Rating (AQR), the present study attempts to move beyond the basic descriptive information by identifying significant changes that have occurred over the previous year. Collectively, changes may influence the way consumers, at varying levels of travel frequency, view the commercial air industry. This research utilizes trend analysis methodology by examining airline data from the most current report. This approach provides a means to track airlines’ progressions and regressions in operational performance and allows for the development of theories in data shifts and trends. The development of this qualitative model also enables industry experts to enhance their understanding of the attitudinal patterns and relationships between airline performance and consumer viewpoints. Additionally, this study attempts outline the measurable results from the Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumers Report and exemplify the formula-driven, weighted averages calculated by the Airline Quality Rating. The most recent findings suggest that the airline industry has improved significantly, and the flying public has noticed this improvement in performance. Kaetlyn Blocker is a Graduate Research Assistant in ERAU Prescott\u27s College of Aviation, Master of Safety Science program

Power System Steady-State Analysis with Large-Scale Electric Vehicle Integration

It is projected that the electric vehicle will become a dominant method of transportation within future road infrastructure. Moreover, the electric vehicle is expected to form an additional role in power systems in terms of electrical storage and load balancing. This paper considers the latter role of the electric vehicle and its impact on the steady-state stability of power systems, particularly in the context of large-scale electric vehicle integration. The paper establishes a model framework which examines four major issues: electric vehicle capacity forecasting; optimization of an object function; electric vehicle station siting and sizing; and steady-state stability. A numerical study has been included which uses projected United Kingdom 2020 power system data with results which indicate that the electric vehicle capacity forecasting model proposed in this paper is effective to describe electric vehicle charging and discharging profiles. The proposed model is used to establish criteria for electric vehicle station siting and sizing and to determine steady-state stability using a real model of a small-scale city power system

Existing and alternative approaches to reducing bycatch of marine mammals

Commercial fishing results in the incidental capture, injury, and mortality of marine mammals. Often, this occurs at levels constituting an existential threat to individual populations or species. One solution to this global problem is gear modification, which is generally the preferred strategy of the fishing industry. Gear modifications can sometimes achieve bycatch reduction, but commonly suffer from several important limitations: (a) they are often narrowly focused on individual species or populations, have limited applicability to others, and often carry risks to other marine species and ecosystems; (b) they may be implemented in the absence of adequate scientific assessment of their efficacy; (c) testing new gear can actually subject threatened species to increased bycatch risk, a problem compounded by the extreme difficulty of obtaining adequate sample sizes; and (d) a disproportionate focus of this work occurs in developed countries, even though most of the world’s fishing sector (98%) is located in developing countries, as are many of the marine mammals threatened by bycatch. Here, I present global reviews of techniques for reducing marine mammal bycatch in gillnets, and for large whales in multiple gear types. Next, I present results from a field study in a small-scale non-industrial gillnet fishery, in which the catch and bycatch are compared between traditional gillnets and an alternative gear (pots). The most commercially valuable fish species were caught in both, however with differences in size class selectivity. Switching gears may represent a more promising approach than making incremental modifications to existing ones. Lastly, I employ a new computer model that simulates conflicts between the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and fishing lines. The model examined their tensile strength under different entanglement scenarios, as an aid for evaluating the potential of using ropes with reduced breaking strength that are practical for fishing but allow large baleen whales to break free if entangled. The results support the use of these “whale-release” ropes to reduce entanglement risk within a large subsector of the US east coast lobster fishery. These studies highlight the benefits of applying new tools and strategies for reducing marine mammal bycatch

Airline Customer Satisfaction 2015-2017 Results

Previous research on perceptions, satisfaction, and attitudes regarding the major commercial air carriers in the United States has provided little more than an interesting descriptive representation of the average air traveler. This study moves beyond basic descriptive information of air travelers to identify attitudinal patterns and relationships in the way consumers at varying levels of travel frequency view the commercial air industry. The Airline Passenger Survey (APS) elements developed via the utilization of rigorous scientific methodology, with the intention of capturing the most important data from passengers while reducing confusion or variability in comprehension of questions. APS items are a combination of demographic variables, categorical data, and Likert-type scale responses asking participants to evaluate statements regarding the current state of the airline industry

Fatigue and Its Management in the Aviation Industry, with Special Reference to Pilots

Abstract Fatigue is a significant contributing factor that reduces human ability and leads to accidents and threatens the safety of aircraft and human lives. Approximately 70% of fatal accidents that occur in commercial aviation operations are due to human factors. More specifically, crew fatigue contributes to nearly 15 to 20% of the accidents (Akerstedt, 2000). These accidents and incidents are associated with pilot fatigue because of the long duty periods, disruption of circadian rhythms, and inadequate sleep that are common among both commercial and military pilots. Though fatigue is seen in all the disciplines associated with the aviation industry, this paper will discuss only pilot fatigue. Based on the literature examined, this paper first defines fatigue, examines the significance of the problem, discusses what is fatigue, its types and causes, discusses fatigue-related accidents and incidents, examines fatigue in different flight operations and its impact on the wellbeing of pilots, investigates the in-flight and pre-/post-flight countermeasures (both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods) practiced at present, and discusses the fatigue risk management system (FRMS)—in this it defines FRMS, briefly discusses its history, describes the organizational structure of FRMS, its process, and its operation in the aviation industry, merits and demerits of FRMS, and its future applications. The paper finally concludes with some recommendations for future research/study in this discipline