Solar Membrane Distillation: Use of a Helically Coiled Fiber

Membrane distillation (MD) is a novel process introduced to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional distillation process. MD has gained much interest, principally, for its lower energy demand and higher rejection factors. Many configurations of the membrane module have been tested to improve the MD process. In this case, and in order to see the possibility of using the helically coiled fiber for MD coupled with solar energy, a mathematical model has been developed. This model describes the evolutions of permeate flow rate with the variation of inlet feed characteristics, solar flux, and so on. A comparison between the use of linear and helically-coiled fiber shows an enhancement of the temperature polarization coefficient about 6% for the case of the helical fiber and to have an improvement factor by 28%. For the case of the effect of solar energy on the permeate flow rate, an increase of 264% is remarked for the variation of the direct solar flux from 200 to 800 W/m2. However, a reduction of 12% for the permeate flux is obtained, when the inlet feed concentration grows from 10 to 300 g/l

Confrontation of economic politics

Keynesianism is a national focused economic theory. The Keynesian theory builds on the assumption that prices and wages are sticky sizes evolves imbalance; high inflation or deflation follows. This in combination with various market crises, such as the current financial crisis, is suggesting that the market always fails, both in achieving full employment and avoiding crisis that affects unemployment. Thus, Keynesian argues that for an active state stabilization and labor market policy in the form of fiscal and monetary policies that can create just full employment and good business, while market deregulation and laissez-faire policies fail

Valorization of Date Palm Wastes by Lignin Extraction to be Used for the Improvement of Polymeric Membrane Characteristics

This work aimed to valorize Date Palm Wastes (DPW) by the extraction of lignin and its application for polymeric membrane modification. Lignin was extracted from five types of DPW (date palm kernel, leaflet, pedicel, palm frond, and fibrilium) using the Klason method. Following DPW characterization, we remark the highest amount of extractives content in the leaflet sample (10.07 %) and the lowest in the fibrilium sample (6.51 %). The ash content ranged from 1.56 % for fibrilium to 7.96 % for palm frond. After extraction, the lignin yield was in the range of 22–32 %. The extracted lignins were characterized by Infrared and Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. All extracted lignins provide a high concentration of (-OH) group. Besides, both syringyl and guaiacyl are present in the extracted lignins with a slightly more syringyl unit. The extracted lignins were added to the polymeric solution, prepared from waste plastic, to produce membranes. These membranes showed improved hydrophilicity marked a decrease in the contact angle of 28 % when the lignin concentration increased from 0.125 to 0.5 %. In addition, the membrane porosity increased with the use of the extracted lignins as an additive

Determinants of foreign direct investment in Tunisia: Empirical assessment based on an application of the autoregressive distributed Lag model

In recent years, the changing economic and political environment in Tunisia led to a renewed interest on the drivers of foreign direct investment, given its potential important gains. In this study, we investigated the impact of various factors over the period 1980-2012. In doing this, three categories of determinants were considered: economic, political and sociocultural variables. Empirical findings drawn from the autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach show that variation in foreign direct investment inflow in the short-run and long-run is affected by the majority of variables considered, except exchange rate, urban population and gross domestic savings. As a matter of policy, it is essential that government should continue its efforts to create a macroeconomic environment which is attractive to foreign direct investment

A reassessment of the genus Oligoneuriopsis Crass, 1947 (Ephemeroptera, Oligoneuriidae, Oligoneuriellini)

The distinction between the two closely related genera Oligoneuriella Ulmer, 1924 and Oligoneuriopsis Crass, 1947 has been much debated. First described from South Africa, Oligoneuriopsis seemed to be a clearly defined genus. However, as the known distribution of the genus widened and knowledge on it expanded, species delimitation based on morphology became less clear due to overlap in several apparently defining morphological characters, especially in the nymphs. This work attempts to reassess Oligoneuriopsis morphology in the context of all currently known species. The type species, Oligoneuriopsis lawrencei Crass, 1947 is redescribed at the imaginal and nymphal stages and a neotype is designated. The putative nymph of Oligoneuriopsis dobbsi (Eaton, 1912) is described based on material collected around Mt Elgon (Kenya). The adults of Oligoneuriella orontensis Koch, 1980 are described for the first time and the species is transferred to the genus Oligoneuriopsis (Oligoneuriopsis orontensiscomb. nov.). Egg structure is also described for the first time for the species Oligoneuriopsis skhounate and O. orontensis. Some biogeographical considerations are also given. It is likely that more species will still be discovered, especially in Africa

Assessment of heavy metals pollution in the gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) using four mollusk species

Since the establishment of the ‘Tunisian Chemical Group’ in Gabes city, Tunisia, no serious investigations were carried out about the heavy metal pollution in Gabes gulf.  In the present study, the contents of four heavy metals were assessed in four mollusk species (two gastropods, Gibbula ardens and Patella caerulea, and two bivalves, Pinctada radiata and Pinna nobilis), collected from twelve coastal stations. The results obtained showed generally that high concentrations of heavy metals were recorded in the central area of Gabes gulf, nearer to Gabes city; the low concentrations were in contrast found at the edges of this gulf, which is probably due to the chemical pollution generated from the huge industry of phosphoric acid in Gabes city. Comparing the results found with the four examined species, the lowest concentrations were noted with the two bivalve species P. radiata and P. nobilis. The highest heavy metals’ concentrations, noted during this study, are comparable to the findings of other authors in other areas, but they are considerably beyond the standards. A remediation action is necessarily needed either by reducing the amount of heavy metals in the phosphgypums quantities thrown directly in the sea or by stopping completely this harmful industry to protect the marine life in the area. A remediation action is necessarily needed to protect the marine life in the area

Électrochimie et spectroscopie Raman de matériaux d'électrode positive pour batteries Li-ion

Dans ce travail de thèse, la microspectrométrie Raman a été mise à profit pour décrire les changements structuraux induits par la réaction électrochimique d'insertion/désinsertion des ions lithium dans des composés de structure lamellaire LiCoO2 et cubique LiMn2O4 et LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4, utilisés comme électrodes positives dans les batteries Li-ion. L'étude du composé d'électrode LiCoO2 pendant le processus de charge permet de mettre en évidence une région biphasée où la phase initiale coexiste avec une nouvelle phase hexagonale caractérisée par une expansion du paramètre inter-feuillets de l'ordre de 3% et un affaiblissement de la liaison Co-O dans le plan des feuillets. Dans le cas de LiMn2O4, une nouvelle attribution du spectre Raman a pu être proposée. Pendant la charge à 4V, un mécanisme à trois phases (phase initiale LiMn2O4, phase intermédiaire, phase pauvre en lithium) est décrit par spectroscopie Raman alors que la diffraction des RX ne permet pas d'observer la phase intermédiaire dans nos conditions de mesure. L'étude de l'insertion électrochimique du lithium dans LiMn2O4 (région 3V), a permis de montrer pour la première fois par spectroscopie Raman la formation progressive d'une phase tétragonale de composition Li2Mn2O4 qui coexiste avec la phase cubique initiale et qui est pure en fin de décharge. La réversibilité de cette transition structurale a également été démontrée. Dans le cas du composé substitué au nickel, LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4, une attribution complète du spectre Raman est proposée pour la première fois. L'étude par diffraction des RX du matériau en fonction de l'état de charge et de décharge met en évidence une conservation de la structure cubique avec des variations modérées de paramètres de maille. Le spectre Raman présente quant à lui des variations très significatives qui rendent compte de la présence dans des proportions différentes des espèces redox impliquées dans le fonctionnement électrochimique (Mn4+, Mn3+, Ni2+, Ni3+, Ni4+). Une analyse spectrale par décompositions de bandes permet d'identifier et de quantifier les proportions relatives des différents couples redox du nickel. Une réversibilité complète de la signature Raman est observée en décharge. Une application concrète et originale de la spectroscopie Raman a consisté à étudier le mécanisme d'autodécharge qui est observé pour le matériau LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 complètement chargé. L'évolution des spectres Raman permet de mettre en évidence une réduction rapide et quantitative des ions Ni4+ pendant les premières heures de séjour dans l'électrolyte, puis un processus plus lent de réduction des ions Ni3+. Enfin, pour la première fois également, l'insertion du lithium dans le composé LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 a été explorée par microspectrométrie Raman et a permis notamment d'identifier l'empreinte Raman de la phase la plus réduite de symétrie tétragonale Li2Ni0.4Mn1.6O4. L'originalité de ce travail a été d'apporter un grand nombre de données Raman expérimentales sur des matériaux d'électrode performants fonctionnant à 4V. De nouvelles attributions ont pu être proposées pour les composés initiaux, et des données vibrationnelles inédites ont été fournies sur les composés formés en charge et en décharge. Dans certains cas, ces données ont permis, sur la base d'une analyse détaillée des spectres Raman par décompositions de bandes, de proposer un raisonnement quantitatif sur l'existence de phases ou d'espèces redox en mélange. Il conviendrait bien sûr de corroborer ces nouvelles données et attributions par des calculs théoriques ab initio capables de simuler les fréquences et les intensités des modes vibrationnels dans les structures hôtes et lithiéesIn this work, we show the relevance of Raman spectroscopy as a useful technique to investigate the local changes induced by the electrochemical reaction of intercalation/deintercalation of lithium in positive electrode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries.Raman investigations concern three types of high voltage cathode materials (4-5Volts) which are layered LiCoO2 and cubic LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4.During electrochemical deintercalation of LiCoO2, we show the existence of a two phase region where the initial hexagonal phase coexist with a second hexagonal phase with a 3% expansion of the lattice parameter indicating a weakening of the Co-O bond in the Li1-xCoO2 material.On the other hand, a new assignment of LiMn2O4 Raman spectrum was proposed. During the charge in the 4V region, a three region phase (initial LiMn2O4 phase, intermediary phase and poor lithium phase) was described using Raman spectroscopy. RX measurements can not detect this intermediary phase. Lithiated phase Raman signature shows a specific local order: Fd3m for extreme phases and F43m for partially lithiated phase. A rich Raman band spectrum is attributed to this later phase in coherence with literature calculations. Structural changes reversibility is demonstrated. Identification of this intermediary phase as a major component of a cycled electrode, underline the incomplete reduction and explain the important loss of capacity observed during cycling. Raman study of LiMn2O4 electrochemical insertion in the 3V region, has demonstrated for the first time a progressive formation of tetragonal Li2Mn2O4 phase, which is in coexistence with initial cubic phase and is pure at the end of discharge. Structural transition reversibility was also demonstrated.In the case of LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4, the assignment of the Raman spectrum of LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 is provided for the first time. DRX study in function of the state of charge and discharge, exhibit cubic structure conservation with moderate lattice parameters variations. The Raman spectrum of the spinel oxide exhibits drastic spectral changes during Li extraction. These changes have been directly related to the Mn and Ni oxidation states in the cathode material under operation. It comes out that electrochemical reactions of LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 are reversible and based on three redox couples of Mn3+/Mn4+, Ni2+/Ni3+, and Ni3+/Ni4+. An original and concrete Raman spectroscopy application is the study of self discharge mechanism of completely charged LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4. Raman spectra evolution exhibits a quantitative Ni4+ reduction during the first hours, and then a slower Ni3+ reduction process. Finally, LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 lithium insertion has been explored for the first time using Raman spectroscopy, and a tetragonal Li2Ni0.4Mn1.6O4 phase has been identified.The originality of this work is the important number of experimental Raman data of 4V electrode materials. New assignment of initial compound has been proposed and original vibrationnal data of compound during charge/discharge has been presented. These Raman data has permitted to propose a quantitative explanation which must be completed with ab initio calculations to simulate vibrationnal modes frequencies/ intensitiesPARIS-EST-Université (770839901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Drying methodology effect on the phenolic content, antioxidant activity of Myrtus communis L. leaves ethanol extracts and soybean oil oxidative stability

In this study, different drying methodologies (convective air, oven and microwave) of Myrtus communis L. (M. communis L.) leaves were conducted to investigate their effects on the levels of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts (EEs) as well as the soybean oil oxidative stability. Drying methodology significantly influenced the extractability of phenolic compounds. Microwave drying led to an increase in the amounts of total phenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins followed by oven drying at 70 °C. Higher temperature of drying (100 and 120 °C) led to a significant reduction of their amounts (p < 0.05). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography method combined with high resolution mass spectroscopic detection was used to analyze the phenolic fraction of extracts. Higher amounts of the identified compounds were observed when leaves were heat treated. Furthermore, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity showed that the studied extracts possess in general high antioxidant capacities, significantly dependent on the employed drying methodology. The incorporation of the different extracts at 200 ppm in soybean oil showed that its oxidative stability was significantly improved. Extracts from leaves treated with microwave (EE_MW) and at 70 °C (EE_70) have better effect than BHT. The results of the present study suggest that microwave drying could be useful to enhance the extractability of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of M. communis L. leaf extract

Trace element levels in the muscles of three tern species (Aves: Laridae) from the western Arabian Gulf: environmental assessment and implications for conservation

In the Arabian Gulf (called also Persian Gulf; hereafter 'the Gulf'), Jana and Karan Islands are recognized as one of the most Important Bird Areas in the region. Many migratory breeding seabirds, like the Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii, White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa and Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus, depend on these islands during the breeding season. However, these aquatic wildlife species are suffering from intensified urban and industrial coastal development and various contamination events including wars and related oil spills. In this study, we used these three piscivorous top predator birds to analyse the levels of 19 trace elements (TEs; i.e. Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) in 15 muscular tissue samples from Jana and Karan Islands. PERMANOVA analysis showed no difference in contamination profile between sites nor between species probably due to their spatial and ecological proximity and therefore similar levels of exposure to TEs. Comparing these levels with existing literature, our results showed no particular concern for all elements, except for Al (maximum values recorded = 116.5 mu g g-1 d.w.) and, in two samples, Ba (33.67 mu g g-1 d.w.) and Pb (5.6 mu g g-1 d.w.). The results can be considered as an initial step for supplementary evaluations with a larger number of samples and specified time intervals for the collection of specimens. This study provided baseline information on the pollution status of these two ecologically important sites which require a continuous biomonitoring programme