QND measurement of a superconducting qubit in the weakly projective regime

Quantum state detectors based on switching of hysteretic Josephson junctions biased close to their critical current are simple to use but have strong back-action. We show that the back-action of a DC-switching detector can be considerably reduced by limiting the switching voltage and using a fast cryogenic amplifier, such that a single readout can be completed within 25 ns at a repetition rate of 1 MHz without loss of contrast. Based on a sequence of two successive readouts we show that the measurement has a clear quantum non-demolition character, with a QND fidelity of 75 %.Comment: submitted to PR

Bilan du carbone dans le lagunage anaérobie appliqué sous climat méditerranéen

Ce travail a porté sur l'application du lagunage anaérobie pour le traitement primaire des eaux résiduaires urbaines sous climat méditerranéen. Il a été réalisé sur les lagunes anaérobies de l' Ecosite de Mèze (Hérault, France). Les lagunes anaérobies constituent un traitement primaire satisfaisant avec des rendements moyens de 55% pour les MES et 30% pour la DBO5, pour une faible emprise au sol. Le taux d'accumulation des boues est de seulement 0,017 m3 /EH.an, notamment du fait de l'efficacité de la dégradation anaérobie. L'équilibre du métabolisme anaérobie des boues est atteint après un an de fonctionnement. L'accumulation des boues se fait alors de façon saisonnière avec une forte accumulation en hiver et une digestion du stock en été. Cette évolution est liée à l'influence de la température sur la méthanogénèse. La production de biogaz (83% CH4) a pu être mesurée par des collecteurs à gaz mis au point pour cette étude et dépend également fortement de la température. Le bilan du carbone montre que 74% du carbone organique épuré est converti en CH4, 13% en carbone inorganique dissous et seulement 15% est stocké dans les boues. Toutefois, les lagunes anaérobies présentent un risque de créer des nuisances olfactives dues à l'émission de H2 S.This project examined the application of anaerobic ponds for the primary treatment of urban wastewater under a Mediterranean climate. The objectives of the study were to determine removal performances and to study sludge accumulation and the production of biogas. Together, these results allowed us to calculate the carbon mass balance in the anaerobic ponds.This work was carried out in the two large primary anaerobic ponds of the waste stabilization pond system at the Ecosite of Mèze (Hérault, France), treating domestic wastewater for 13,800 person-equivalents (PE). Anaerobic ponds were 5,000 m3 in volume, 3.1 m in depth and presented a retention time of 4.6 d with a mean volumetric organic loading of 83 g BOD5 /m3 ×d× The characteristics of the influent and effluent (including: suspended solids (SS); chemical oxygen demand (COD); biological oxygen demand (BOD5); bicarbonate (HCO3 -); total organic carbon (TOC); and volatile fatty acids (VFA)) were determined twice-monthly. The volume of sludge and its characteristics (including: SS; volatile solids (VS); TOC; and VFA) were measured monthly. The production of biogas and its composition (CH4, CO2, H2 S) were measured with gas collectors specially developed for this study.Results showed that the anaerobic ponds constituted a good primary treatment with mean removal rates of 55% for SS, 30% for BOD and 22% for COD. Removal performances were relatively constant over the year. Indeed, removal rates were essentially due to the removal of particulate organic matter by sedimentation. Anaerobic degradation occurred essentially in the sludge layer and the removal of soluble COD was low.The study of sludge characteristics showed that anaerobic digestion equilibrium was reached after one year of operation. The beginning of methanogenesis could be observed by the decrease in the concentration of volatile fatty acids. The accumulation of sludge showed seasonal variation with an important accumulation in winter and the digestion of the accumulated stock in summer. This evolution could be related to the influence of temperature on methanogenesis. The mean rate of sludge accumulation was only 3.8 g SS/P-E×d or 0.017 m3/P-E×yr. This rate was significantly lower than for the primary settling tank (50-60 g SS/P-E×d) and for the facultative ponds (0.085 m3 /P-E×yr) due to the intensive anaerobic degradation.The production of biogas was measured by gas collectors specially developed for this study. The biogas contained essentially CH4 (83%); CO2 was less than 4% because it dissolved in the water column and was converted into bicarbonate alkalinity. The concentration of H2 S was less than 1% (between 75 and 4770 ppm) but was the cause of unpleasant odours. The biogas production rate was strongly dependent on temperature. A non-linear relationship was obtained (Ebiogas=4.8451 × e0.1203T, r2=0.92, n=16). The mean annual biogas production rate was calculated to be 49 L/m2 ×d. Seasonal variation in the biogas production rate could be related to seasonal variations in sludge accumulation.The carbon mass balance showed that 74% of the removed organic carbon was converted into CH4, 13% into dissolved inorganic carbon (bicarbonates) and only 15% was stored in sludge. The mass balance was well equilibrated and did not show the entry of atmospheric CO2, which occurs in aerobic ponds where CO2 is used by algae to produce their cell biomass. In an anaerobic pond, the low production of sludge was due to the efficiency of the anaerobic degradation but also to the low internal biomass production.To conclude, the use of a primary anaerobic pond was advantageous and permitted a reduction in the required surface area for a waste stabilization pond system. This process produced effluent for secondary treatment in a facultative pond with essentially the removal of the particulate organic matter. However, However, anaerobic ponds may cause odor problems linked to the emission of H2 S

French developments for improving In Service Inspection of SFRs

International audienceIn Service Inspection (ISI) is a major issue to be taken into account for future Sodium Fast Reactors safety, thus, a large R&D work is performed since 2010 in France for the future SFRs. ISI requirements have been taken into account since the early pre-conceptual design phase (specific rules for design have been merged into RCC-MRx design rules until 2012), then consolidated through the basic design phase with more detailed specifications leading to increase the ISI tools ability for immersed sodium structures of SFRs, at about 200°C (shut down conditions). Inspection within the main vessel are planned with transducers immersed in sodium and also with transducers located out of sodium medium. Finally, the qualification of ISI ultrasonic transducers (for Non Destructive Examination, Telemetry and Imaging) is being performed with experimental water and sodium testing, to be compared to simulation with CIVA software platform results. A pluri-annual R&D program mainly deals with the reactor block structures, the primary components and circuit, and the Power Conversion System. Specific developments have been performed for NDE of thick austenitic steel welds, NDE using guided Lamb waves, telemetry from the outside of reactor vessel, imaging of immersed structures and components within the large primary vessel (in a pool type reactor concept) and associated in sodium robotics (with in-sodium tightness). Some results of testing and simulation are given for some ASTRID project applications

Are tibial angles measured with inertial sensors useful surrogates for frontal plane projection angles using 2-dimensional video analysis during single leg squat tasks? A reliability and agreement analysis in elite football (soccer) players

During single leg squats (SLS), tibial angle (TA) quantification using inertial measurement units (IMU) may offer a practical alternative to frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) measurement using 2-dimensional (2D) video analysis. This study determined: (i) the reliability of IMUs and 2D video analysis for TA measurement, and 2D video analysis for FPPA measurement; (ii) the agreement between IMU TA and both 2D video TA and FPPA measurements during single leg squats in elite footballers. 18 players were tested on consecutive days. Absolute TA (ATA) and relative TA (RTA) were measured with IMUs. ATA and FPPA were measured concurrently using 2D video analysis. Within-session reliability for all measurements varied across days (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) range=0.27–0.83, standard error of measurement (SEM) range=2.12–6.23°, minimal detectable change (MDC) range=5.87–17.26°). Between-sessions, ATA reliability was good for both systems (ICCs=0.70–0.74, SEMs=1.64–7.53°, MDCs=4.55–7.01°), while IMU RTA and 2D FPPA reliability ranged from poor to good (ICCs=0.39–0.72, SEMs=2.60–5.99°, MDCs=7.20–16.61°). All limits of agreement exceeded a 5° acceptability threshold. Both systems were reliable for between-session ATA, although agreement was poor. IMU RTA and 2D video FPPA reliability was variable. For SLS assessment, IMU derived TAs are not useful surrogates for 2D video FPPA measures in this population

Microalgae for municipal wastewater nutrient remediation: mechanisms, reactors and outlook for tertiary treatment

This review explores the use of microalgae for nutrient removal in municipal wastewater treatment, considering recent improvements in the understanding of removal mechanisms and developments of both suspended and non-suspended systems. Nutrient removal is associated to both direct and indirect uptake, with the former associated to the biomass concentration and growth environment (reactor). Importantly, direct uptake is influenced by the Nitrogen:Phosphorus content in both the cells and the surrounding wastewater, with opposite trends observed for N and P. Comparison of suspended and non-suspended systems revealed that whilst all were capable of achieving high levels of nutrient removal, only non-suspended immobilized systems could do so with reduced hydraulic retention times of less than 1 day. As microalgae are photosynthetic organisms, the metabolic processes associated with nutrient assimilation are driven by light. Optimization of light delivery remains a key area of development with examples of improved mixing in suspended systems and the use of pulsating lights to enhance light utilization and reduce costs. Recent data provide increased confidence in the use of microalgae for nutrient removal in municipal wastewater treatment, enabling effluent discharges below 1 mg L−1 to be met whilst generating added value in terms of bioproducts for energy production or nutrient recovery. Ultimately, the review suggests that future research should focus on non-suspended systems and the determination of the added value potential. In so doing, it is predicted that microalgae systems will be significant in the delivery of the circular economy

The value of tibial mounted inertial measurement units to quantify running kinetics in elite football (soccer) players. A reliability and agreement study using a research orientated and a clinically orientated system

In elite football, measurement of running kinetics with inertial measurement units (IMUs) may be useful as a component of periodic health examination (PHE). This study determined the reliability of, and agreement between a research orientated IMU and clinically orientated IMU system for initial peak acceleration (IPA) and IPA symmetry index (SI) measurement during running in elite footballers. On consecutive days, 16 participants performed treadmill running at 14kmph and 18kmph. Both IMUs measured IPA and IPA SI concurrently. All measurements had good or excellent within-session reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) range = 0.79-0.96, IPA standard error of measurement (SEM) range = 0.19-0.62 g, IPA SI SEM range = 2.50-8.05%). Only the research orientated IMU demonstrated acceptable minimal detectable changes (MDCs) for IPA at 14kmph (range = 7.46-9.80%) and IPA SI at both speeds (range = 6.92-9.21%). Considering both systems, between-session IPA reliability ranged from fair to good (ICC2,1 range = 0.63-0.87, SEM range = 0.51-1.10 g) and poor to fair for IPA SI (ICC2,1 range = 0.32-0.65, SEM range = 8.07-11.18%). All MDCs were >10%. For IPA and SI, the 95% levels of agreement indicated poor between system agreement. Therefore, the use of IMUs to evaluate treadmill running kinetics cannot be recommended in this population as a PHE test to identify prognostic factors for injuries or for rehabilitation purposes

MRI measures of middle cerebral artery diameter in conscious humans during simulated orthostasis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship between middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocity (CFV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) is uncertain because of unknown vessel diameter response to physiological stimuli. The purpose of this study was to directly examine the effect of a simulated orthostatic stress (lower body negative pressure [LBNP]) as well as increased or decreased end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (P(ET)CO(2)) on MCA diameter and CFV. METHODS: Twelve subjects participated in a CO(2) manipulation protocol and/or an LBNP protocol. In the CO(2) manipulation protocol, subjects breathed room air (normocapnia) or 6% inspired CO(2) (hypercapnia), or they hyperventilated to approximately 25 mm Hg P(ET)CO(2) (hypocapnia). In the LBNP protocol, subjects experienced 10 minutes each of -20 and -40 mm Hg lower body suction. CFV and diameter of the MCA were measured by transcranial Doppler and MRI, respectively, during the experimental protocols. RESULTS: Compared with normocapnia, hypercapnia produced increases in both P(ET)CO(2) (from 36+/-3 to 40+/-4 mm Hg, P CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, changes in MCA diameter were not detected. Therefore, we conclude that relative changes in CFV were representative of changes in CBF during the physiological stimuli of moderate LBNP or changes in P(ET)CO(2)

A Raman, Sers and UV-Circular dichroism spectroscopic study of N-acetyl-L-Cisteine in aqueous solutions

The aim of this work is to evaluate the vibrational and structural properties of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC),and its molecular structure and electronic properties in relation to the action of thiol and amine groupsat different pH. Raman and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) spectra were measured inaqueous solution. The influence of an aqueous environment on the NAC spectra was simulated bymeans of an implicit (polarizable continuum model) method. SERS spectra indicate that the S atom isinteracting with the surface through the sulfur atom. One of the consequences of the interaction withthe surface is the deprotonation of the SH group, as revealed by the disappearance of the n(S?H) band.The calculations performed for the Ag?NAC complex confirm the experimental data obtained by SERS,where the S?Ag interaction is the most important. These results are very interesting when one canformulate the drug feasibility of NAC using silver nanoparticles as a carrier. Raman spectra were measuredto compare the behavior of different functional groups in the molecule, both in the solid phase and inaqueous solution at different pH. Apparent ionization constants (pK0 values) for the S?H group at highionic strengths were calculated from the intensity of the 2580 cm1 frequency as a function of pH. UVand circular dichroism spectra were also measured in aqueous solution at different pH. Finally, the studywas completed with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis to determine the presence of hyper-conjugativeinteractions. It is important to observe the behavior of the C2?N bond with the delocalization effect; asthe pH increases the hyperconjugative interaction of this bond decreases in the same way as in the caseof nCN. The way in which the LP pO1 - s*C2?N interaction and nCN decrease is an inverse reflectionof the fractional ionization aSH.Fil: Cobos Picot, Rafael Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Puiatti, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ben Altabef, Aida. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Rubira, R. J.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Faculdade de Engenharia.; BrasilFil: Tuttolomondo, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentin