Integrating the selection of PHA storing biomass and nitrogen removal via nitrite for the treatment of the sludge reject water

Integrating the selection of PHA storing biomass and nitrogen removal via-nitrite for the treatment of the sludge reject wate

Advising patients on visual fitness to drive: implications of revised DVLA regulations

Aim: To examine the relationship between the two UK vision standards for driving: the ability to read a number-plate at 20 m and achieving 6/12 (+0.30 logMAR). Methods: 120 participants were assessed without refractive correction in this cross-sectional study. Vision was assessed with a Snellen chart, Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) style logMAR letter chart and logMAR chart using Landolt rings. Ability to read a post-2001 number-plate was assessed outdoors. Results: For all charts, there was an ‘overlap zone’ of visions within which it was uncertain whether participants would pass the number-plate test. Within this zone, sensitivity and specificity of the 6/12 cut-off for predicting number-plate performance were reasonable for Snellen and ETDRS style charts, but poor for Landolt. All participants with 6/7.5 Snellen (+0.10 logMAR ETDRS) or better could read a number-plate. Some participants (2–6%) with vision between this level and 6/12 could not read a number-plate, and 14%–15% could read a number-plate but not achieve 6/12. Conclusions: To best predict drivers’ ability to read a number-plate, vision should be assessed using a logMAR letter chart or a Snellen chart scored by full line. Drivers with 6/7.5 (+0.10 logMAR) or better vision can be advised that they meet the driving standard. Drivers with acuity between 6/9 and 6/12 (+0.12—+0.30 logMAR) should be advised to check their ability to read a number-plate, as some may not be able to. Clinicians will see patients who can read a number-plate, but do not achieve 6/12, who will need improved vision to meet visual requirements for driving

Information Reconciliation for High-Dimensional Quantum Key Distribution using Nonbinary LDPC codes

Information Reconciliation is an essential part of Quantum Key distribution protocols that closely resembles Slepian-Wolf coding. The application of nonbinary LDPC codes in the Information Reconciliation stage of a high-dimensional discrete-variable Quantum Key Distribution setup is proposed. We model the quantum channel using a $q$-ary symmetric channel over which qudits are sent. Node degree distributions optimized via density evolution for the Quantum Key Distribution setting are presented, and we show that codes constructed using these distributions allow for efficient reconciliation of large-alphabet keys.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, submitted to International Symposium on Topics in Codin

Critical evaluation of date palm sheath fibre characteristics as a reinforcement for developing sustainable cementitious composites from waste materials

Decarbonizing the construction industry is an important step towards achieving the net-zero goals for many countries. New technologies and materials are extensively investigated and proposed to meet sustainability guidelines imposed by governments. This research develops a novel mix of sustainable pozzolanic cementitious composite ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)) reinforced with date palm fibre (DPF) to evaluate the effect of varying DPF loading contents (1, 2, and 3 wt.%) and lengths (10, 20, 30, and 40 mm) on the mechanical (compressive and flexural strength) and physical properties (water absorption) of the produced composite. The effect of curing conditions and DPF surface modification on the mechanical and physical properties was also explored. The results showed that the utilization of DPF as a reinforcement for GGBS/OPC improves the flexural and compressive strength of the composites, which represents a sustainable alternative to synthetic reinforcements for construction applications. Optimal results were demonstrated at the inclusion of 20-mm alkali-treated DPF at a loading content of 1 wt.% showing an enhancement in strength by 57.12% and 30.97% of flexural and compressive strength, respectively, at 28 days of ageing in a water bath. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]</p

Indicator based multi-criteria decision support systems for wastewater treatment plants

Data availability: Data will be made available on request.Wastewater treatment plant decision makers face stricter regulations regarding human health protection, environmental preservation, and emissions reduction, meaning they must improve process sustainability and circularity, whilst maintaining economic performance. This creates complex multi-objective problems when operating and selecting technologies to meet these demands, resulting in the development of many decision support systems for the water sector. European Commission publications highlight their ambition for greater levels of sustainability, circularity, and environmental and human health protection, which decision support system implementation should align with to be successful in this region. Following the review of 57 wastewater treatment plant decision support systems, the main function of multi-criteria decision-making tools are technology selection and the optimisation of process operation. A large contrast regarding their aims is found, as process optimisation tools clearly define their goals and indicators used, whilst technology selection procedures often use vague language making it difficult for decision makers to connect selected indicators and resultant outcomes. Several recommendations are made to improve decision support system usage, such as more rigorous indicator selection protocols including participatory selection approaches and expansion of indicators sets, as well as more structured investigation of results including the use of sensitivity or uncertainty analysis, and error quantification.Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme DEEP PURPLE. The H2020 DEEP PURPLE project has received funding from the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837998. The JU receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-based Industries Consortium

Membrane bioreactors – A review on recent developments in energy reduction, fouling control, novel configurations, LCA and market prospects

COST Action ES1202: Conceiving Wastewater Treatment in 2020 - Energetic, environmental and economic challenges (Water_2020), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)

Economic assessment of nature-based solutions as enablers of circularity in water systems

The transition from the current linear model of abstraction, use and discharge of water into recycle-reuse under the circular economy (CE) principles is momentous. An analysis of recent literature about the economic impact of linear to circular (L2C) transition is made. The review investigates the economic implications (i.e. cost-benefit) of deployment of enabling technologies, tools and methodologies within the circular water systems. The study is enhanced by presenting the results of our investigation into the policy impact (push-barriers) of L2C transition. As the vehicle for the L2C transition, nature-based solutions (NBS) and its economic and policy implications is discussed. A framework is proposed for the monetary assessment of the costs of investment in NBS technologies, infrastructure and education against the environmental and socio-economic benefits within the policy frameworks. This framework may build the early foundation for bridging the gap that exists for a systematic and objective economic impact (cost-benefit) analysis of L2C transition in the Water sector. This framework will lead to a generic multi-parametric cost model of NBS for Circularity Water Systems.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Horizon 2020 research and innovation program HYDROUS

Water Cycle and Circular Economy: Developing a Circularity Assessment Framework for Complex Water Systems

© 2020 The Authors. Water – the most vital resource, negatively affected by the linear pattern of growth – still tries to find its positioning within the emerging concept of circular economy. Fragmented, sectorial circularity approaches hide the risk of underestimating both the preservation of and impacts to water resources and natural capital. In this study, a game changing circularity assessment framework is developed (i.e. MSWCA). The MSWCA follows a multi-sectoral systems approach, symbiotically managing key water-related socio-economic (i.e. urban water, agro-food, energy, industry and waste handling) and non-economic (i.e. natural environment) sectors. The MSWCA modelling framework enables the investigation of the feedback loops between the nature-managed and human-managed systems to assess water and water-related resources circularity. The three CE principles lie at the core of the developed framework, enabling the consideration of physical, technical, environmental and economic aspects. An indicators database is further developed, including all the relevant data requirements, as well as existing and newly developed indicators assessing multi-sectoral systems’ circularity. The MSWCA framework is conceptually applied to a fictional city, facilitating its understanding and practical use.Horizon 2020 research and innovation program HYDROUSA (grant agreement No 776643)

Energy-aware flowshop scheduling: a case for AI-driven sustainable manufacturing

© Copyright 2021 The Author(s). A fully verifiable and deployable framework for optimizing schedules in a batch-based production system is proposed. The scheduler is designed to control and optimize the flow of batches of material into a network of identical and non-identical parallel and series machines that produce a high variation of complex hard metal products. The proposed multi-objective batch-based flowshop scheduling optimization (MOBS-NET) deploys a fully connected deep neural network (FCDNN) with respect to three performance criteria of energy, cost and makespan. The problem is NP-hard and considers minimizing the energy consumed per unit of product, operations cost, and the makespan. The output of the method has been validated and verified as optimal operational planning and scheduling meeting the business operational objectives. Real-time and look ahead discrete event simulation of the production process provides the feedback and assurance of the robustness and practicality of the optimum schedules prior to implementation.Z-FACTOR Project framework, which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (Grant Number: 723906)