MINOTAURUS: microorganism and enzyme immobilization: novel techniques and approaches for upgraded remediation of underground-, wastewater and soil

The European project MINOTAURUS aims to deliver innovative bio-processes to eliminate emerging and classic organic pollutants. These bio-processes are all based on the concept of immobilization of biocatalysts (microorganisms and enzymes) and encompass bioaugmentation, enzyme technology, rhizoremediation with halophytes, and a bioelectrochemical remediation process. The immobilization-based technologies are applied to engineered ex situ and natural systems in situ for the bioremediation of groundwater, wastewater and soil. The selection and application of modern physico-chemical, biological and ecotoxicological monitoring tools combined with a rational understanding of engineering, enzymology and microbial physiology is a pertinent approach to open the black-box of the selected technologies. Reliable process-monitoring constitutes the basis for developing and refining biodegradation kinetics models, which in turn will improve the predictability of performances to be achieved with our technologies. A key strength of MINOTAURUS is the possibility of direct implementation of our technologies at five European reference sites that are confronted with pollutants (two technologies will be tested on-site starting from the first year). We will deliver not only a set of tools, techniques, and processes, which will enhance the ability of our communities to respond to the challenges of organic pollutants but also frameworks for structuring and making evidence-based decisions for the most sustainable and appropriate bioremediation measures. The MINOTAURUS consortium includes fifteen partners from eight European countries. Eight research & education institutions, five SMEs covering the whole chain of our bioremediation approaches (production, and monitoring of biocatalysts, bioremediation and engineering), one large end-user operating wastewater treatment plants and one environmental agency work together with the support of an advisory board mainly consisting of environmental decision-maker

Атомно-абсорбционное определение содержания кремния в природных водах

Показана возможность определения содержания кремния в природных и подземных водах различной минерализации методом атомной абсорбции с зеемановской коррекцией неселективного поглощения фона. Высокая селективность метода позволяет определять содержания кремния без предварительной подготовки проб даже в высокоминерализованных образцах подземных вод (в частности, в пластовых водах)

Dilution-induced enhancement of the blocking temperature in exchange-bias heterosystems

The temperature dependence of the exchange bias field is investigated by superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry in Fe1-xZnxF2(110)/Fe14 nm/Ag35 nm, x=0.4. Its blocking temperature exhibits a significant enhancement with respect to the global ordering temperature TN=46.9 K, of the bulk antiferromagnet Fe0.6Zn0.4F2. The enhancement is attributed to fluctuations of the diamagnetic dilution which creates clusters on all length scales having a Zn dilution of 0\u3c~x\u3c~1. While the infinite clusters give rise to the well-known Griffiths phase, finite clusters also provoke a local enhancement of the exchange bias. The temperature dependence of the integral exchange bias effect is modeled by averaging all local contributions of the antiferromagnetic surface magnetization which exhibit a surface critical behavior

Extrinsic control of Exchange Bias-systems in Metal-Insulator Heterostructures

Die extrinsische Kontrolle des Exchange Bias Feldes stellt einen wichtigen Zugang zur experimentellen Untersuchung verschiedener austauschgekoppelter Systeme dar. Neben diesem Aspekt spielt natürlich auch die technologische Anwendbarkeit verschiedener Steuerungsmechanismen auf das Exchange Bias-Feld und damit auf das elektrische Verhalten verschiedener Magnetowiderstandselemente eine nicht zu vernachlässigende Rolle in der Motivation zur Untersuchung der Steuerbarkeit von Exchange Bias-Systemen. In dieser Arbeit werden deshalb verschiedene Kontrollmöglichkeiten des Exchange Bias-Feldes dargestellt und experimentell untersucht. So wird die Kontrollierbarkeit des Exchange Bias-Feldes durch die Temperatur an verschiedenen Systemen nachgeprüft. In diesem Zusammenhang wird auch erstmals ein so genanntes Multiphasen-Exchange Bias-System auf Basis von a-Mangansulfid vorgestellt. An weiteren Systemen wird der Einfluss des magnetischen Einfrierfeldes dargestellt. Auch die durch piezomagnetische Komponenten realisierte Steuerung des Exchange Bias durch mechanischen Druck findet Erwähnung. Die Abnahme des Exchange Bias mit zunehmender Zahl der Ummagnetisierungen wird allgemein als Trainingseffekt bezeichnet und ist ebenfalls Gegenstand der im Rahmen dieser Arbeit vorgestellten Untersuchungen. Die technologisch zur Zeit vielversprechendste Form der extrinsischen Kontrolle des Exchange Bias besteht in der Steuerung durch elektrische Felder und wird in ihren verschiedenen Ausprägungen ebenfalls in der vorliegenden Arbeit erforscht. Ein abschließendes Kapitel widmet sich schließlich der Präsentation verschiedener inzwischen durch die Universität Duisburg-Essen zum internationalen Patent angemeldeten und auf der elektrischen Kontrolle des Exchange Bias basierender informationstechnischer Bauelemente

Magnetoelectric Switching of Exchange Bias

The perpendicular exchange bias field, HEB, of the magnetoelectric heterostructure Cr2O3(111)/(Co/Pt)3 changes sign after field cooling to below the Néel temperature of Cr2O3 in either parallel or antiparallel axial magnetic and electric freezing fields. The switching of HEB is explained by magnetoelectrically induced antiferromagnetic single domains which extend to the interface, where the direction of their end spins controls the sign of HEB. Novel applications in magnetoelectronic devices seem possible

Magnetoelectric Switching of Exchange Bias

The perpendicular exchange bias field, HEB, of the magnetoelectric heterostructure Cr2O3(111)/(Co/Pt)3 changes sign after field cooling to below the Néel temperature of Cr2O3 in either parallel or antiparallel axial magnetic and electric freezing fields. The switching of HEB is explained by magnetoelectrically induced antiferromagnetic single domains which extend to the interface, where the direction of their end spins controls the sign of HEB. Novel applications in magnetoelectronic devices seem possible

Improving the resilience of water distribution agreements

he aim of Deliverable 23.2 is to develop a conceptual model of sustainable and stable water governance arrangements, allowing water service companies and regulators to improve the resilience of water distribution agreements. By analysing competing theories and drawing on relevant case studies, the aim of this task has been realised. The report is structured as follows. A formal assessment of the dynamics between (i) the stability of water governance arrangements and (ii) the procedural and distributional justice considerations that determine how water is allocated is presented in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, we examine water allocation procedures in two countries with contrasting water availability statuses. Chapter 4 provides an analysis of how the features of water governance systems relate to adaptive management theory. Evidenced conclusions on the strengths and weaknesses of various governance models as the physical systems they govern are exposed to unstable operating conditions (climate, demand, competing uses etc.) are drawn upon in Chapter 5. Lastly, a proposed concept for water managers and regulators on how water governance arrangements can be made fit for purpose to deliver its objectives and the needs of stakeholders effectively where (i) resource availability is highly variable, and (ii) there is rapid change in the nature of demand (uses, qualities etc.) is described in Chapter 6.Gormley, A.; Jeffrey, P.; Kapelan, Z.; Hochstrat, R. (2015). Improving the resilience of water distribution agreements. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/4939

Roadmap guideline: A manual to organise transition planning in Urban Water Cycle Systems

A roadmap enables decision makers to plan and implement a pathway to achieve desired objectives. At the same time it serves as an excellent communication tool. The TRUST roadmap links strategy to future needs and actions and incorporates a plan for needed adaptations measures to be available at the right time. It addresses to managers and decision makers of urban water services related institutions in each city/demonstration cluster of the project and can be adapted in general for all strategic UWCS planning activities. The roadmap process can consider good practices of water service related institutions (e.g. drinking water/wastewater utility, local administration, local government, NGOs etc.) for urban water management and its sustainable planning. It will help to find the individual pathway to sustainable UWCS focussing on individual/regional/local adaptation needs and ambitions of the TRUST cities/demonstration clusters. The roadmap is designed as a communication approach that organises a collaborative strategic planning for sustainable USWC in 2040. It supports a direct exchange between all relevant actors. An open interest of the cities/demonstration areas in transition and adaptation issues is a very important element for a successful roadmap demonstration. The roadmap exercise needs data and information about the status quo and (realistic) assumptions about selected future trends and pressures of each participating city. This information will be collected, analysed and assessed with an active participation of the cities in workshops to define a catalogue of measures for a stepwise implementation of the urban water system and service transition. The guideline describes the roadmap demonstration and provides supporting templates. The whole concept will be tested in the demonstration activities in TRUST and will be applicable to any city/region outside of TRUST.Hein, A.; Neskovic, M.; Hochstrat, R.; Smith, H. (2012). Roadmap guideline: A manual to organise transition planning in Urban Water Cycle Systems. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/4662

LMS Moodle как средство развития информационно-коммуникационных компетенций в процессе математической подготовки студентов технического вуза

С каждым годом все сферы жизни современного общества всё сильнее ощущают на себе влияние процессов глобализации и информатизации. Неотъемлемой частью жизни современного человека стал Интернет. В современных условиях в любой сфере деятельности человека умение использовать современные средства информационно-коммуникационных технологий (ИКТ) повышает результативность этой деятельности, поэтому развитие информационно-коммуникационных компетенций (ИКК) студентов, которым предстоит жить и работать в принципиально новой информационной среде − "автоматизированной инфосферы" [1], становится одной из основных задач их профессиональной подготовки. Развитие студента определяется его включением в различные виды деятельности, следовательно, необходимо выявить и активно использовать те виды учебно-познавательной деятельности, которые способствуют развитию информационно-коммуникационных компетенций. По нашему мнению, только активная самоуправляемая познавательная деятельность студентов, координируемая преподавателем, обеспечивает эффективность развития этих компетенций в процессе обучения в вузе. Эффективным средством организации такой деятельности может выступать электронная обучающая среда Moodle