Parameter Identification of an Ultrafiltration Model for Organics Removal in a Full-Scale Wastewater Reclamation Plant with Sparse and Incomplete Monitoring Data

<div><p>Ultrafiltration (UF) has become one of the dominant treatment processes for wastewater reclamation in China. Modeling is an effective instrument to understand and optimize UF systems. To this end, a previously developed UF model for organics removal was applied to the UF process in a typical, full-scale wastewater reclamation plant (WRP) in China. However, the sparse and incomplete field monitoring data from the studied WRP made the traditional model analysis approaches hardly work in this case. Therefore, two strategies, namely Strategy 1 and Strategy 2, were proposed, following a regional sensitivity analysis approach, for model parameter identification. Strategy 1 aimed to identify the model parameters and the missing model input, i.e. sampling times, simultaneously, while Strategy 2 tried to separate these two processes to reduce the dimension of the identification problem through an iteration procedure. With these two strategies, the model performed well in the Qinghe WRP with the absolute relative errors between the simulated and observed total organic carbon (TOC) generally below 10%. The four model parameters were all sensitive and identifiable, and even the sampling times could be roughly identified. Given the incomplete model input, these results were encouraging and added to the trustworthiness of model when it was applied to the Qinghe WRP.</p></div

Relative errors between the simulated and observed permeate TOC with Strategy 1 and 2.

<p>Relative errors between the simulated and observed permeate TOC with Strategy 1 and 2.</p

Two strategies for parameter identification of the UF model applied to the Qinghe WRP.

<p>Two strategies for parameter identification of the UF model applied to the Qinghe WRP.</p

Initial ranges and probability distributions of model parameters and input.

<p>Initial ranges and probability distributions of model parameters and input.</p

Posterior probability distributions of the behavior-giving parameters with Strategy 1 and 2.

<p>Posterior probability distributions of the behavior-giving parameters with Strategy 1 and 2.</p

Posterior probability distributions of the behavior-giving <i>t</i>₁~<i>t</i>₈ with Strategy 1 and 2.

<p>Posterior probability distributions of the behavior-giving <i>t</i>₁~<i>t</i>₈ with Strategy 1 and 2.</p

Three-Dimensional Visualization of Gas Evolution and Channel Formation inside a Lithium-Ion Battery

Gas generation within lithium ion batteries (LIBs) gives rise to safety concerns that question their applicability. By employing synchrotron X-ray imaging, the gas and channel evolution occurring in an operating LIB have been directly visualized in their inherent 3D state as a function of discharge and charge. Using the spatial 3D distribution of gas bubbles and channels, the active particles that dictate the performance of a functional LIB were identified and visualized in 3D. Delithiation and lithiation are interpreted as the process of activating particles continuously in a step-by-step way. The present work not only demonstrates the generation and evolution of gas within LIB in 3D, but also reveals the distribution of active particles for the first time. These fundamentally findings presented here shed light on a range of processes that could not previously be characterized in 3D and can provide practical guidance for the design of next-generation LIBs with improved safety

Tax Liability for Wage Theft

This paper shows how, under existing tax law, illegal wage underpayment by an employer (sometimes called “wage theft”) may generate employer tax liability for unreported income or disallowed business expense deductions. Given that the tax authority needs information from the underpaid worker to prove such liability, the paper identifies two ways that a worker can transmit that information to a tax authority: becoming a tax informant, or bringing a qui tam action under a state false claims act. Finally, the paper discusses possible influences on the decision of the unpaid worker to inform on the employer to the tax authority, and considers the conditions under which a tax authority is likely to audit an employer based on such information. In so doing, the paper identifies a new approach to combating wage theft and an undiscovered implication of basic income tax law

Contour-Enhanced Funnel Plot of Acupuncture versus Sham-acupuncture for CLBP in Pain at immediate term.

<p>Visual inspection of the funnel plot suggested some degree of asymmetry. Specifically, there was a relative lack of trials with negative results (i.e., fewer trials in areas of statistical nonsignificance), indicating a potential for publication bias; meanwhile, the dot on the lower left part of the Figure suggested an evidence of small-study effect.</p

Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture versus Medications for CLBP in pain on VAS 10 cm.

<p>Fixed-effects model was used; CI, confidence interval; CLBP, chronic low back pain; SD, standard deviation; WMD, weighted mean difference.</p