• European University of Technology

Research indicates that aerosol optical thickness (AOT) values and particulate matter (PM10) measurements can be used as indicators of atmospheric pollution. The problem of relating AOT with suspended particulate matter near the ground is still an open question. While satellite images can provide reliable and synoptic measurements from space, comparisons with monitoring surface level air pollution continues to be a challenge since satellite measurements are column integrated quantities. In this study, in-situ spectroradiometric measurements were taken during satellite overpass using field spectrometers to obtain the reflectance values of the calibration targets used. Sun photometer measurements were taken with the Microtops hand-held sun photometer to measure AOT. Meteorological data was collected from nearby meteorological stations and PM10 measurements were collected from local mobile air pollution stations. Following, the darkest pixel method of atmospheric correction was applied to a series of Landsat satellite images. The reflectance values of the atmospherically-corrected image were used in the radiative transfer equation to solve for AOT. Thematic maps were generated in order to develop air quality indices. The image-derived AOT values were examined for a positive correlation with PM10 measurements. It appears there exists a significant correlation between AOT and PM10 measurements. 2012 SPIE.

Concrete pavements and airfields in the curing process of protection against desiccation, particularly, the application of the wax-polymer emulsion which forms a solid film, which persists for a long time in the initial period of operation of roads and airfields. The presence of the film changes the nature of the friction on the surface that could adversely affect traffic and aircraft. This paper investigates the friction of rubber on the surface of the treated concrete with an aqueous emulsion of paraffin series Emcoril. It was established that the friction on the paraffin film, unlike friction on the surface of the concrete does not respect the law of linear Coulomb. The degree of deviation from linearity, the higher the greater the thickness of the film. The frictional force on the film increases with the slip velocity. At high speed, friction in the film is greater than the frictional force on the concrete, and at low speed is much lower than the previous one

The integration of BIM and GIS is the subject of considerable research, particularly as the two coalesce for the purpose of information management. Large scale infrastructure projects require best practice in terms of how information is managed given the volume of information generated throughout the project lifecycle and the numerous parties requiring access to project content. This paper investigates whether the integration of BIM and GIS can enhance information management on large scale linear infrastructure projects. The research comprised a literature review and interviews with a number of BIM/GIS professionals actively working on linear infrastructure projects across the world. Some of the key findings to emerge from this research include the use of GIS web platforms to act as ‘gateways’ to project content, the importance of the CDE for information management, the use of ETL tools for moving data between BIM and GIS and finally the criticality of skilled personnel for ensuring the tools and workflows are applied correctly. The key findings resulted in a proposed implementation strategy for BIM-GIS integration for large scale linear infrastructure projects such as MetroLink. This research demonstrates that BIM and GIS complement each other when it comes to information management and the synergies between them strengthen the case for further integration.

Abstract Mg-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramic microspheres were prepared by spray drying and subsequent processing at 1173, 1273 and 1373 K. Influence of various Mg substitution levels (up to 0.84 ± 0.10 wt%) on physicochemical properties of the HAp bioceramic microspheres was evaluated. Obtained results were used for the elucidation of the compositional and structural characteristics of the microspheres in conjunction with adsorption of protein, namely, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The primary difference among the microspheres processed at various temperature was the presence or absence of the micropores ( i.e. , ion release, and, accordingly, increase in the amount of BSA adsorbed on the microspheres. Furthermore, the BSA adsorption capacity of the microspheres decreased with increasing Mg content despite of higher SSA.

Today one of the topical issues in Latvia relates to the compliance of the architectural practice with the modern concept of sustainable development. Although the beginning of the first decade of the 21st century introduced positive ideas promoting energy efficient architecture in Latvia, the worldwide experience has shown that despite the importance of environmental ideas in designing, their introduction and implementation in practice often encounter problems. This article addresses a number of factors that should be taken into account introducing changes to the current practice of architectural design in line with the modern principles of sustainable development and bioclimatic design.

In this paper, we show statistical analyses of several types of traffic sources in a UMTS network, namely, voice, video, and data sources. For each traffic source type measurements were collected in order to, on the one hand, gain better understanding of the statistical characteristics of the sources and, on the other hand, enable forecasting traffic behavior in the network. The latter can be used to estimate service times and Quality of Service. Based on evaluation of packet inter-arrival times, we propose the Polya distribution to be used in network simulations or in estimations of available capacity in opportunistic sessions. Our results can be applied for dynamic network configuration in order to avoid potential network congestions or overflows.

The answer to global problems challenging energy sector was to use more efficiently local alternative (non-conventional fossil fuel or renewable) energy resources. In power systems, the use of renewable energy (RE) based distributed generation (DG) has increased considerably all over the world; the presence of DG units at distribution voltage level determines the transition from traditional passive to new active distribution networks. Concurrently, the modern distribution networks supply a large variety of non-linear loads based on power electronics contributing to increased current and voltage harmonics issues; dynamic loads and unbalance in power systems cause other power quality problems. The Romanian power system faces some challenges in order to ensure the reliability and quality of the power supply, especially in low voltage (LV) rural and sub-urban grids; thus, the power quality issues must be appropriately identified in every network while their assessment is the key element in the design of measures aiming to diminish all existing disturbances. A research project aims to identify the power quality issues and the impact of DG or other non-linear loads on LV distribution networks in Romania; the final goal is to develop an equipment able to remove or, at least, to mitigate all electromagnetic disturbances considering the characteristics and sensitivity of end use equipment within customer facilities.

The article examines an experimental installation with a Human Centric Lighting illuminator to find out if new technologies such as Tunable White and Dali Device Type 8 meet the requirements for accurate and smooth change in the radiated color temperature of the illuminator. To this end, a number of real-time measurements have been carried out and analyzed. The measurement results are summarized in the graphs for the illuminator investigated

Employing the critical juncture theory (CJT), a discursive institutionalist approach, this paper examines the nature of the changes to social partnership policy at the end of the decade of the 2000s. Did these changes constitute a transformation in social partnership policy, or were they a continuation of a previously established policy pathway? The CJT consists of three elements – economic crisis, ideational change, and the nature of the policy change – that must be identified for us to be able to declare with some certainty if the changes to social partnership policy constituted a critical juncture. In this context, ideational change is very important, constituting the intermediating factor between a crisis and the subsequent nature of the policy change. Our findings will help explain the nature of the changes to social partnership policy at this time.

Introducing of the Computer Control Systems (C.C.S.) in the front loaders is forced by a lot of technological and ergonomic reasons. Experimental investigation of a such a system requires processing and sifting of a great amount of data concerning the most important parameters for the machine control: working pressure in the hydraulic system, rotational angles, forces acting on the basket liver etc. A structure of an adaptive algorithm is also present. C.C.S intensifies the working process: as many as 8 actions are possible during the manual control, while using the non- adaptive or adaptive algorithms allows respectively 20 and 44 control activities for the same time period. CC.S reacts on external changes 4 times more frequently than the operator.