Separation of isomeric xylenes by pervaporation through cellulose ester membranes

The interaction between the isomeric xylenes and different cellulose esters was investigated using solubility parameter considerations and through measurements of swelling values. p]Hansen's three-dimensional solubility parameters δd, δp, δh of all the components have been calculated. These values have been used to predict the interaction between polymer and penetrant. A measure for this interaction is given by Δ, which is the distance between polymer and penetrant in the δd, δr, δh space. As expected, the experimental swelling values varied in inverse proportion to the calculated Δ values. p]Pervaporation characteristics of different cellulose ester membranes were determined by measuring product rates and selectivity. The differences in membrane characteristics have been explained qualitatively in terms of the solubility parameter concept

An asteroseismic study of the O9V star HD 46202 from CoRoT space-based photometry

The O9V star HD 46202, which is a member of the young open cluster NGC 2244, was observed by the CoRoT satellite in October/November 2008 during a short run of 34 days. From the very high-precision light curve, we clearly detect beta Cep-like pulsation frequencies with amplitudes of ~0.1 mmag and below. A comparison with stellar models was performed using a chi^2 as a measure for the goodness-of-fit between the observed and theoretically computed frequencies. The physical parameters of our best-fitting models are compatible with the ones deduced spectroscopically. A core overshooting parameter alpha_ov = 0.10 +- 0.05 pressure scale height is required. None of the observed frequencies are theoretically excited with the input physics used in our study. More theoretical work is thus needed to overcome this shortcoming in how we understand the excitation mechanism of pulsation modes in such a massive star. A similar excitation problem has also been encountered for certain pulsation modes in beta Cep stars recently modelled asteroseismically.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics on 17/12/2010, 9 pages, 7 figures, 4 table

Integraal plan Boven-Zeeschelde: Subreport 1. SCALDIS: a 3D Hydrodynamic model for the Scheldt Estuary

In the framework of the projects 'Integrated plan for the Upper Sea Scheldt' and 'Agenda for the Future', it was necessary to develop a hydrodynamics and sediment transport model that covers the entire tidally influenced zone of the Scheldt Estuary and the mouth area, and that has sufficient resolution in the upstream part.Existing models lack a high resolution in the Upper Sea Scheldt, Durme, Rupel and Nete. For this reason, the SCALDIS model, a new unstructured high resolution model of the Scheldt Estuary is developed in TELEMAC 3D for the entire estuary, but with special attention to the upstream parts. The use of an unstructured grid allows to combine a large model extent with a high resolution upstream. The calibrated model will be used to analyse the effects of several scenarios (different morphology of the Scheldt with different ranges of boundary conditions).This report describes the model development, calibration and validation of the hydrodynamics. The model is calibrated for one spring-neap tidal cycle in 2013 against field data: water levels, velocities (in deep and shallow zones) and discharges

Ongerief bij rundvee, varkens, pluimvee, nertsen en paarden: eerste herhaling = Discomfort among cattle, pigs, poultry, mink and horses: first repetition

An inventory of discomfort experienced by cattle, pigs, poultry, mink and horses in The Netherlands is carried out and compared with a similar inventory in 2007. In general, discomfort is reduced, but compared to the overall level of discomfort not to a large extent

Farmer opinion on the process of health and welfare planning in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Switzerland

This report serves as a deliverable from the ANIPLAN project, with the original title ‘Evaluation report on state of the art regarding animal health and welfare planning in the participating countries’ (Deliverable 5.1). We chose to focus on the farmers’ perspective in each country, and ask the farmers who had participated in our project how they perceived the process of animal health and welfare planning. We did that using a questionnaire which each participant used in an interview with the farmer, asking some specific questions with the aim to evaluate how the farmers had experienced the ANIPLAN approach. We found that this focus was important as a supplement to other outcomes from the project, such as reduction of medicines (Ivemeyer et al., 2011) and improvement of animal based parameters (Gratzer et al., 2011). Furthermore potential scenarios for implementation of this concept into practice can be developed from the farmers responses

The dialogue with farmers

This report covers the project outcome Deliverable 4.2 ‘Analysis completed after a joint effort to identify possibilities in each country as how to facilitate the best possible dialogue regarding animal health and welfare’ as part of the European CORE Organic project ‘Minimising medicine use in organic dairy herds through animal health and welfare planning.’ The work was intended to understand the processes and was analysed from the perspective of the key animal health and welfare (AHW) planning principles developed as part of the project. The analysis was completed on transcripts of interviews of facilitators and advisors who had participated in the ANIPLAN project, some of them as partners in the project group. If animal health and welfare planning is to gain widespread use among organic farmers, communication between farmers and between farmers and advisors and other actors in the organic farming environment is crucial. Whilst other forms of communication regarding the role and benefits of AHW assessment systems, such as benchmarking, may be the motivational catalyst needed to encourage engagement in the process, a creative dialogue with the individual farmer is necessary when identifying goals and planning means to reach the desired goals. In order to understand how this dialogue works in practice, and what issues arise, a series of interviews were conducted in all of the ANIPLAN participating countries, involving persons directly involved and those with other experiences. The analysis of the interviews was based on a theoretical framework concerning learning, knowledge and empowerment and a functional framework based on the animal health and welfare principles developed as an output from the ANIPLAN project