A comparison of buffer sizing techniques in the critical chain method. case study

The presented paper is an attempt to evaluate the application of different buffer sizing methods (within the critical chain approach) to a real-life project, in order to show that it is important to choose consciously one of the existing methods. The implementation of the different approaches to the buffer sizing procedure resulted in eight unique schedules. Once all the methods were implemented, the authors of this paper stumbled upon 2 inconveniences (slack vs. buffer, splitting up buffers). Funding solution for these handicaps caused obtaining eight more schedules. In order to evaluate all the determined solutions, the authors decided to establish a simulation study. A random dataset was generated of 2000 observations using the mean and variance calculated for the probability distribution determined by three possible durations (optimistic, expected and pessimistic) given by the project team members. To validate the performance of different methods, two penalty systems were designed. The test results indicate which specific buffer sizing technique performs best in the presented case, taking into account the attitude of the decision maker. The simulation study is the proposal of a method to be applied in each case of the critical chain method application, because it makes the use of the critical chain method more effective

Catalytic gasification of biomass (Miscanthus) enhanced by CO2 sorption

International audienceThe main objective of this work concerns the coupling of biomass gasification reaction and CO2 sorption. The study shows the feasibility to promote biomass steam gasification in a dense fluidized bed reactor with CO2 sorption to enhance tar removal and hydrogen production. It also proves the efficiency of CaO-Ca12Al14O33/olivine bi-functional materials to reduce heavy tar production. Experiments have been carried out in a fluidized bed gasifier using steam as the fluidizing medium to improve hydrogen production. Bed materials consisting of CaO-based oxide for CO2 sorption (CaO-Ca12Al14O33) deposited on olivine for tar reduction were synthesized, their structural and textural properties were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) methods, and the determination of their sorption capacity and stability analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It appears that this CaO-Ca12Al14O33/olivine sorbent/catalyst presents a good CO2 sorption stability (for seven cycles of carbonation/decarbonation). Compared to olivine and Fe/olivine in a fixed bed reactor for steam reforming of toluene chosen as tar model compound, it shows a better hydrogen production rate and a lower CO2 selectivity due to its sorption on the CaO phase. In the biomass steam gasification, the use of CaO-Ca12Al14O33/olivine as bed material at 700 A degrees C leads to a higher H-2 production than olivine at 800 A degrees C thanks to CO2 sorption. Similar tar concentration and lighter tar production (analyzed by HPLC/UV) are observed. At 700 A degrees C, sorbent addition allows to halve tar content and to eliminate the heaviest tars

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Not AvailableThere is a natural floral organ mutant of rice (var. Jugal) where the florets, popularly known as spikelet bear multiple carpels and produce multiple kernels in most of its grain. In our earlier work a detailed study has been done on its morphoanatomical structure with allelic diversity and expression study of the major genetic loci associated with floral organ development. In present study high throughput whole genome sequencing was done which generated about of 3.7 million base pair genomic data for downstream analysis. The reads were about 101 bases long and mapped to the Oryza sativa var.Nipponbare as reference genome. Genome wide variant analysis detected 1,096,419 variants which included 943,033 SNPs and 153,386 InDels. A total of 24,920 non-synonymous SNPs were identified for 11,529 identified genes. Chromosomewise distribution of uniquely mapped reads onto reference genome showed that maximum reads were mapped to 1st chromosome and least to 9th chromosome. 10th chromosome showed highest density of variations (about 325.6 per 100 kb genome sequence). Detailed sequence analysis of 23 floral organ developmental genes detected 419 potent variants where DL (Drooping Leaf) and OSH1 (Oryza sativa Homeobox1) genes showed highest number (32) of variants; whereas, MADS21 (Minichromosome Agamous Deficient Serum Factor 21) gene have lowest number (5) of variants. The information generated in this study will enrich the genomics of floral organ development in indica rice and cereal crops in general.Not Availabl

Optical Diagnostics of RF Argon and Xenon Magnetron Discharges

A comparison of magnetron discharges in Ar and Xe gases with Al and BN targets has shown that a similar electron kinetic is producing about the same quantity of Ar and Xe metastable atoms: $(1{-}3) \times 10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$ at gas pressures of 25 and 100 mTorr and RF powers, W, from 5 to 50 watts. The electron density is varying as $W^{\frac{1}{2}}$ in the two gases. The sputtering yields of Al and BN targets are lower in Xe than in Ar, by factors of 1.1–1.2 for Al and of 3 for BN.La comparaison de décharges magnétrons dans des gaz d'argon et de xénon, avec des cibles en Al et BN indique que des quantités équivalentes d'argon et de xénon métastables sont produites, à savoir $(1{-}3) \times 10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$ à des pressions de 25 et 100 mTorr et des puissances RF, W, de 5 à 50 watts. La densité électronique varie comme $W^{\frac{1}{2}}$ dans les deux cas. Les taux de pulvérisation de cibles d'Al et de BN sont plus faibles dans le Xe que dans l'Ar, d'un facteur 1, 1– 1, 2 pour Al et 3 pour BN

Innovative and highly integrated modular electric drivetrain

A highly integrated electric drivetrain module with 157 kW peak power is presented, which incorporates novel technologies in the field of electric machines, power electronics and transmissions: 1. High-speed electric machine with six phases and injection mould polymer-bonded magnets; 2. High-ratio dual-speed transmission with double planetary gear set (Ravigneaux gear set); 3. Gallium nitride (GaN) power electronics with winding reconfiguration feature. The combination of these components in one single housing makes the drive module flexible to integrate and to combine with conventional or alternative propulsion technologies, thus allowing various hybrid and electric drivetrain topologies. All technologies are selected in accordance with mass production potential and can therefore have a high impact on the automotive market in the future. Currently, the drive module is under development; the first models will be assembled in winter 2019. The integration into a demonstrator vehicle in 2020 will prove the potential of many new technologies and the suitability for the automotive market

Developmental plasticity and human health

Many plants and animals are capable of developing in a variety of ways, forming characteristics that are well adapted to the environments in which they are likely to live. In adverse circumstances, for example, small size and slow metabolism can facilitate survival, whereas larger size and more rapid metabolism have advantages for reproductive success when resources are more abundant. Often these characteristics are induced in early life or are even set by cues to which their parents or grandparents were exposed. Individuals developmentally adapted to one environment may, however, be at risk when exposed to another when they are older. The biological evidence may be relevant to the understanding of human development and susceptibility to disease. As the nutritional state of many human mothers has improved around the world, the characteristics of their offspring—such as body size and metabolism—have also changed. Responsiveness to their mothers' condition before birth may generally prepare individuals so that they are best suited to the environment forecast by cues available in early life. Paradoxically, however, rapid improvements in nutrition and other environmental conditions may have damaging effects on the health of those people whose parents and grandparents lived in impoverished conditions. A fuller understanding of patterns of human plasticity in response to early nutrition and other environmental factors will have implications for the administration of public health

Precisely controlled fabrication, manipulation and in-situ analysis of Cu based nanoparticles

13 pags., 8 figs. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0The increasing demand for nanostructured materials is mainly motivated by their key role in a wide variety of technologically relevant fields such as biomedicine, green sustainable energy or catalysis. We have succeeded to scale-up a type of gas aggregation source, called a multiple ion cluster source, for the generation of complex, ultra-pure nanoparticles made of different materials. The high production rates achieved (tens of g/day) for this kind of gas aggregation sources, and the inherent ability to control the structure of the nanoparticles in a controlled environment, make this equipment appealing for industrial purposes, a highly coveted aspect since the introduction of this type of sources. Furthermore, our innovative UHV experimental station also includes in-flight manipulation and processing capabilities by annealing, acceleration, or interaction with background gases along with in-situ characterization of the clusters and nanoparticles fabricated. As an example to demonstrate some of the capabilities of this new equipment, herein we present the fabrication of copper nanoparticles and their processing, including the controlled oxidation (from Cu to CuO through CuO, and their mixtures) at different stages in the machine.This work was supported by the European Union [grant number ERC-2013-SyG 610256 NANOCOSMOS]; the Spanish MINECO [grant numbers MAT2017-85089-C2-1-R, MAT2014-54231-C4-1-P, MAT2014-54231- C4-4-P, MAT2014-59772-C2-2-P, FIS2016-77578-R, FIS2013-48087-C2-1P, FIS2016-77726-C3-1P and CSIC13-4E-1775].Peer Reviewe