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The Gomti River in Lucknow City, India, was an important source of water for the different uses few decades ago. However, because of the rapid global changes, current status of the river is very critical from environmental, aesthetic and commercial usage point of view. Henceforth, this research work focused on assessing the current as well as predicting its future situation using different scenarios while considering key drivers of global changes namely climate change and population growth. Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP), a numerical simulation tool, was used to model river water quality using two scenarios viz. business as usual (BAU) and scenario with mitigation measures. Water quality simulation was done along 24 km stretch of the Gomti River from downstream of Near Moosa Bird Sanctuary to Near Bharwara. Comparison of simulated water quality parameters for the current and BAU status clearly indicates that the water quality by 2030 will rapidly deteriorate and will be not suitable for many aquatic lives in terms of simulated water quality parameters. Results from scenario with mitigation measures suggest current planned wastewater treatment plants and policies are not sufficient enough to achieve desirable river water quality within class B and hence call for immediate and inclusive action.

Yes The main objective of this research is to investigate solid-state destabilization mechanism and kinetics of the model cocrystal caffeine : malonic acid (CA:MO) in presence of oxalic acid (OX) as a structural competitor. Competitive destabilization of CA:MO and subsequent formation of CA:OX takes place at temperatures significantly below its melting point. Destabilization mechanism was found to be mediated by sublimation of both CA:MO and OX. During CA:MO destabilization, free CA could not be detected and direct transformation to CA:OX cocrystal was observed. The destabilization kinetics follow Prout-Tompkins nucleation and crystal growth model with activation energy of 133.91 kJ/mol and subsequent CA:OX growth kinetic follow Ginstling – Brounshtien diffusion model with activation energy of kJ/mol.

The influence of vibronic coupling on the outer valence ionic states of cis-dichloroethene has been investigated by recording photoelectron spectra over the excitation range 19–90 eV using plane polarized synchrotron radiation, for two polarization orientations. The photoelectron anisotropy parameters and electronic state branching ratios derived from these spectra have been compared to theoretical predictions obtained with the continuum multiple scattering approach. This comparison shows that the photoionization dynamics of the à 2B2, B̃ 2A1, C̃ 2A2, and D̃ 2B1 states, all of which are formed through the ejection of an electron from a nominally chlorine lone-pair orbital, exhibit distinct evidence of the Cooper minimum associated with the halogen atom. While retaining a high degree of atomic character, these orbital ionizations nevertheless display clear distinctions. Simulations, assuming the validity of the Born-Oppenheimer and the Franck-Condon approximations, of the X̃ 2B1, à 2B2, and D̃ 2B1 state photoelectron bands have allowed some of the vibrational structure observed in the experimental spectra to be assigned. The simulations provide a very satisfactory interpretation for the X̃ 2B1 state band but appear less successful for the à 2B2 and D̃ 2B1 states, with irregularities appearing in both. The B̃ 2A1 and C̃ 2A2 state photoelectron bands exhibit very diffuse and erratic profiles that cannot be reproduced at this level. Photoelectron anisotropy parameters, β, have been evaluated as a function of binding energy across the studied photon energy range. There is a clear step change in the β values of the à 2B2 band at the onset of the perturbed peak intensities, with β evidently adopting the value of the B̃ 2A1 band β. The D̃ 2B1 band β values also display an unexpected vibrational level dependence, contradicting Franck-Condon expectations. These various behaviors are inferred to be a consequence of vibronic coupling in this system International audience

International audience; Grinding is an abrasive machining process characterized by producing high quality components for high added-value industries. Thermal damage is an undesired phenomenon that may ruin nearly finished products. The study of thermal damage requires understanding the mechanisms of heat partition between wheel and workpiece. In this work and original methodology and experimental set-up for the study the influence of grinding variables on the heat partition to the workpiece, Rw, is presented. The new methodology avoids errors related to the steep thermal gradients typical of grinding operations. In addition, uncertainty related to the actual area of contact is suppressed thanks to a rigid and controlled experimental configuration. An inverse model based on Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and a finite element model has been used for heat partition to the workpiece identification. Results have lead to a time-dependant Rw definition which had not been previously proposed in literature, and they have allowed as well relating variations in Rw values to physical removing mechanisms of grinding. Results have been validated by means of an indirect parameter: workpiece hardness variation during the tests, which strengthens the validity of the results.

In the Campo de Níjar (southeast Spain), an intensive horticulture model under plastic has been developed based on the use of groundwater. For many years, aquifers have been overexploited, almost generating an environmental collapse. The construction of a desalination plant was planned to improve this situation and to achieve sustainable aquifer management. However, the aquifer is still being overexploited, since farmers scarcely use desalinated seawater for irrigation. In this paper, farmers irrigating with desalinated seawater are characterized, since they contribute to aquifer sustainability. The study aimed to identify the variables which condition the use of this water resource, as well as the kinds of incentives that encourage this option. For this purpose, a survey was undertaken within a sample of 110 farmers. A cluster analysis and a binary logistic regression were employed. The results from the cluster analysis allowed the characterization of farmers who use desalinated seawater for irrigation. Furthermore, the regression model showed the variables that determine a more intensive use of this irrigation source, such as crop diversification, availability of different water resources and the conductivity of aquifer water available for irrigation. The incentives promoting the use of desalinated seawater for irrigation that most encourage farmers are the implementation of tax relief, price reductions and the obligation to install rainwater collection systems.

[ES] El proyecto consiste en dotar de un sistema automático de seguimiento solar a una instalación fotovoltaica de baja potencia. El sistema se implementará sobre la instalación real dotándola de un movimiento automático a través de dos ejes. Con ello se consigue que los paneles solares estén en todo momento encarados hacia el sol. Para ello se utilizará un Arduino Mega como plataforma de desarrollo, primando su bajo coste y fiabilidad. Se integrará un sistema de monitorización de la producción, un control automático y manual y un sistema de seguridad frente a las ráfagas del viento. En el proyecto encontraremos tanto la caracterización de los sensores y actuadores cómo la programación del Arduino, el montaje del sistema, su puesta en marcha y las pruebas de funcionamiento. Con todo ello conseguiremos una instalación mucho más eficiente y productiva a la vez que segura y fiable. [EN] The project consists of providing an automatic solar tracking system to a low-power photovoltaic installation. The system will be implemented on the real installation, giving it an automatic movement through two axes. This achieves that the solar panels are at all times facing the sun. For this purpose, an Arduino Mega will be used as a development platform, giving priority to its low cost and reliability. It will integrate a production monitoring system, an automatic and manual control and a security system against wind gusts. In the project we will find both the characterization of the sensors and actuators and the programming of the Arduino, the assembly of the system, its start-up and the functioning tests. With all this we will achieve a much more efficient and productive installation while being safe and reliable.

High rate algal ponds are an economic and sustainable alternative for wastewater treatment, where microalgae and bacteria grow in symbiosis removing organic matter and nutrients. Microalgal biomass produced in these systems can be valorised through anaerobic digestion. However, microalgae anaerobic biodegradability is limited by the complex cell wall structure and therefore a pretreatment step may be required to improve the methane yield. In this study, ultrasound pretreatment at a range of applied specific energy (16-67. MJ/kg. TS) was investigated prior to microalgae anaerobic digestion. Experiments showed how organic matter solubilisation (16-100%), hydrolysis rate (25-56%) and methane yield (6-33%) were improved as the pretreatment intensity increased. Mathematical modelling revealed that ultrasonication had a higher effect on the methane yield than on the hydrolysis rate. A preliminary energy assessment indicated that the methane yield increase was not high enough as to compensate the electricity requirement of ultrasonication without biomass dewatering (8% VS).