Role of non-ideality for the ion transport in porous media: derivation of the macroscopic equations using upscaling

This paper is devoted to the homogenization (or upscaling) of a system of partial differential equations describing the non-ideal transport of a N-component electrolyte in a dilute Newtonian solvent through a rigid porous medium. Realistic non-ideal effects are taken into account by an approach based on the mean spherical approximation (MSA) model which takes into account finite size ions and screening effects. We first consider equilibrium solutions in the absence of external forces. In such a case, the velocity and diffusive fluxes vanish and the equilibrium electrostatic potential is the solution of a variant of Poisson-Boltzmann equation coupled with algebraic equations. Contrary to the ideal case, this nonlinear equation has no monotone structure. However, based on invariant region estimates for Poisson-Boltzmann equation and for small characteristic value of the solute packing fraction, we prove existence of at least one solution. To our knowledge this existence result is new at this level of generality. When the motion is governed by a small static electric field and a small hydrodynamic force, we generalize O'Brien's argument to deduce a linearized model. Our second main result is the rigorous homogenization of these linearized equations and the proof that the effective tensor satisfies Onsager properties, namely is symmetric positive definite. We eventually make numerical comparisons with the ideal case. Our numerical results show that the MSA model confirms qualitatively the conclusions obtained using the ideal model but there are quantitative differences arising that can be important at high charge or high concentrations.Comment: 46 page

The Take and Give of ESA Administration: The Need for Creative Solutions in the Face of Expanding Regulatory Proscriptions

Salmon play a significant role in the culture, economy, and ecology of Washington State. Their threatened extinctions have led to a string of listings under the federal Endangered Species Act. This Article considers our response to these listings and the relationship of that response to federal oversight. Part I discusses how the ESA will affect the actions and activities of state and local governments and the citizens they serve. Part II discusses the need for latitude on the part of the federal agencies in assessing the value of state conservation and recovery efforts. This Article concludes that the plight of our salmon and their listings under the ESA will require creative solutions by governments, businesses, and individual citizens. The federal agencies responsible for administering the ESA must in turn be allowed the flexibility to recognize and appropriately credit all state efforts in recovery and conservation, even if those efforts are prospective and voluntary

Modélisation du transport de soluté en milieux poreux par la méthode d’éléments finis mixtes hybrides – développement d’un limiteur de flux

Une méthode d’éléments finis mixte hybride est appliquée pour l’approximation de l’écoulement associé au transport en milieu poreux non saturé. Le développement de ce modèle s’effectue dans le cadre du projet européen ARWET, lequel a pour objectif l’étude de nouvelles potentialités de dissipation des pesticides dans les zones humides. La formulation du modèle bidimensionnel est fondée sur les propriétés de l’espace de Raviart-Thomas. L’écueil numérique que posent les problèmes à convection dominante est surmonté par l’introduction d’un limiteur de flux alors qu’un limiteur de pente est généralement utilisé dans la littérature. Le limiteur suggéré est inconditionnellement stable et permet de conserver la précision des résultats à nombre de Peclet élevé.A mixed hybrid finite element method was applied to obtain a numerical approximation of the flow and associated transport equations in unsaturated media. The model was developed under the framework of the European Life Environment project ARTWET, which aims to study new treatment potentials for the mitigation of non-point source pesticide pollution in a constructed wetland. The model formulation used is based on Raviart-Thomas space properties, considering a two-dimensional domain divided into triangular elements. In order to control for the difficulties when convection is the dominant process, a flux limiting tool was introduced, although a slope limiter is generally used in the literature. The suggested flux limiting tool makes it possible to preserve precision and unconditional stability at low and very high Peclet numbers

Correlated level shifting as a power-saving method to reduce the effects of finite DC gain and signal swing in opamps

This thesis presents methods to reduce the effects of finite opamp DC gain, output voltage swing limitations in opamps, and component mismatches. The primary contribution of this thesis is a new switched-capacitor method named correlated level shifting (CLS). CLS enables true rail-to-rail operation by storing an estimate of the desired signal on a capacitor during an "estimate" phase, and subtracting the signal from the active circuitry (typically an opamp) during a "level shift" phase. This is done within the confines of a feedback loop. The effective loop-gain is the product of the loop-gains during the estimate and level shift phases. This enables, for example, a two-stage opamp to have the accuracy of a four-stage opamp. It also enables full utilization of the power supply since the gain block's output voltage can exceed the power supply. The thesis shows that the full utilization of the power supply and the increased DC effective loop gain leads to a significant power savings compared to existing techniques. The methods are presented in the context of pipelined analog-to-digital converters, although the methods can be used with other circuits that use opamps or are sensitive to component mismatch. An overview of the detrimental effects of reduced signal swing and low DC gain is given with an emphasis on the cost in power to correct these deficiencies when limited to existing circuit techniques. CLS is then shown to correct these deficiencies without increasing power. A detailed explanation of CLS operation is given, as are measured results from a 12-bit pipelined analog-to-digital converter that was fabricated using a 0.18μ CMOS process. The results include greater than 10-bit performance with true rail-to-rail operation. An overview of calibration is also given and the limitations are discussed. An argument is made that using CLS in addition to calibration will reduce power by increasing signal-to-noise ratio and reducing and linearizing the errors due to finite opamp gain. In addition, a method to reduce the effects of mismatch by measuring the relative size of elements is presented. Finally, several avenues for future research into CLS are given

Cross-Species Differential Plasma Protein Binding of MBX-102/JNJ39659100: A Novel PPAR-γ Agonist

Drug binding to plasma proteins restricts their free and active concentrations, thereby affecting their pharmacokinetic properties. Species differences in plasma protein levels complicate the understanding of interspecies pharmacodynamic and toxicological effects. MBX-102 acid/JNJ39659100 is a novel PPAR-γ agonist in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Studies were performed to evaluate plasma protein binding to MBX-102 acid and evaluate species differences in free drug levels. Equilibrium dialysis studies demonstrated that MBX-102 acid is highly bound (>98%) to human, rat and mouse albumin and that free MBX-102 acid levels are higher in rodent than in human plasma. Interspecies differences in free drug levels were further studied using PPAR-γ transactivation assays and a newly developed PPAR-γ corepressor displacement (biochemical) assay. PPAR-γ transactivation and corepressor displacement by MBX-102 acid was higher in rat and mouse serum than human serum. These results confirm the relevance of interspecies differences in free MBX-102 acid levels

Forces and trauma associated with minimally invasive image-guided cochlear implantation

Objective. Minimally invasive image-guided cochlear implantation (CI) utilizes a patient-customized microstereotactic frame to access the cochlea via a single drill-pass. We investigate the average force and trauma associated with the insertion of lateral wall CI electrodes using this technique. Study Design. Assessment using cadaveric temporal bones. Setting. Laboratory setup. Subjects and Methods. Microstereotactic frames for 6 fresh cadaveric temporal bones were built using CT scans to determine an optimal drill path following which drilling was performed. CI electrodes were inserted using surgical forceps to manually advance the CI electrode array, via the drilled tunnel, into the cochlea. Forces were recorded using a 6-axis load sensor placed under the temporal bone during the insertion of lateral wall electrode arrays (2 each of Nucleus CI422, MED-EL standard, and modified MED-EL electrodes with stiffeners). Tissue histology was performed by microdissection of the otic capsule and apical photo documentation of electrode position and intracochlear tissue. Results. After drilling, CT scanning demonstrated successful access to cochlea in all 6 bones. Average insertion forces ranged from 0.009 to 0.078 N. Peak forces were in the range of 0.056 to 0.469 N. Tissue histology showed complete scala tympani insertion in 5 specimens and scala vestibuli insertion in the remaining specimen with depth of insertion ranging from 360° to 600°. No intracochlear trauma was identified. Conclusion. The use of lateral wall electrodes with the minimally invasive image-guided CI approach was associated with insertion forces comparable to traditional CI surgery. Deep insertions were obtained without identifiable trauma. © American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2014

Single InAsP/InP quantum dots as telecommunications-band photon sources

The optical properties of single InAsP/InP quantum dots are investigated by spectrally-resolved and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements as a function of excitation power. In the short-wavelength region (below 1.45 $\mu$m), the spectra display sharp distinct peaks resulting from the discrete electron-hole states in the dots, while in the long-wavelength range (above 1.45 $\mu$m), these sharp peaks lie on a broad spectral background. In both regions, cascade emission observed by time-resolved photoluminescence confirms that the quantum dots possess discrete exciton and multi-exciton states. Single photon emission is reported for the dots emitting at 1.3 $\mu$m through anti-bunching measurements