Functions and behaviors of activated sludge extracellular polymeric substances (EPS): a promising environmental interest

Extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） are the predominant constituents of activated sludge and represent up to 80% of the mass of activated sludge. They play a crucial role in the flocculation, settling and dewatering of activated sludge. Furthermore, EPS also show great efficiency in binding heavy metals. So EPS are key factors influencing reduction in sludge volume and mass, as well as activity and utilization of sludge. EPS are of considerable environmental interest and hundreds of articles on EPS have been published abroad, while information on EPS in China is limited. In this paper, results of over 60 publications related to constituents and characteristics of EPS and their influences on flocculation, settling and dewatering of sludge are compiled and analyzed. Metal-binding ability of EPS is also discussed, together with a brief consideration of possible research interests in the future.

Biosorption of Cu（II） to extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） from Synechoeystis sp.： a fluorescence quenching study

Biosorption of extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） from Synechocystis sp. （cyanobacterium） with Cu（II） was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. Three fluorescence peaks were found in the excitation-emission matrix （EEM） fluorescence spectra of EPS. Fluorescence of peak A （Ex/Em = 275/452 nm） and peak C （Ex/Em= 350/452nm） were originated from humic-like substances and fluorescence of peak B （Ex/ Em= 275/338nm） was attributed to protein-like sub- stances. Fluorescence of peaks A, B, and C could be quenched by Cu（II）. The effective quenching constants （lg Ka） were 2.8-5.84 for peak A, 6.4-9.24 for peak B, and 3.48-6.68 for peak C, respectively. The values of lg Ka showed a decreasing trend with increasing temperature, indicating that the quenching processes were static in nature. The binding constants （lg Kb） followed the order of peak A 〉 peak B 〉 peak C, implying that the humic-like substances in EPS have greater Cu（II） binding capacity than the protein-like substances. The binding site number, n, in EPS-Cu（II） complexes for peaks A, B, and C was less than 1. This suggests the negative cooperativity between multiple binding sites and the presence of more than one Cu binding site.

Stability analysis method considering non-parallelism:EPSE method and its application

The e-N method is widely used in transition prediction. The amplitude growth rate used in the e-N method is usually provided by the linear stability theory （LST） based on the local parallel hypothesis. Considering the non-parallelism effect, the parabolized stability equation （PSE） method lacks local characteristic of stability analysis. In this paper, a local stability analysis method considering non-parallelism is proposed, termed as EPSE since it may be considered as an expansion of the PSE method. The EPSE considers variation of the shape function in the streamwise direction. Its local characteristic is convenient for stability analysis. This paper uses the EPSE in a strong non-parallel flow and mode exchange problem. The results agree well with the PSE and the direct numerical simulation （DNS）. In addition, it is found that the growth rate is related to the normalized method in the non-parallel flow. Different results can be obtained using different normalized methods. Therefore, the normalized method must be consistent.

Applications of EPSE method for predicting crossflow instability in swept-wing boundary layers

The nth-order expansion of the parabolized stability equation （EPSEn） is obtained from the Taylor expansion of the linear parabolized stability equation （LPSE） in the streamwise direction. The EPSE together with the homogeneous boundary conditions forms a local eigenvalue problem, in which the streamwise variations of the mean flow and the disturbance shape function are considered. The first-order EPSE （EPSE1） and the second-order EPSE （EPSE2） are used to study the crossflow instability in the swept NLF（2）-0415 wing boundary layer. The non-parallelism degree of the boundary layer is strong. Compared with the growth rates predicted by the linear stability theory （LST）, the results given by the EPSE1 and EPSE2 agree well with those given by the LPSE. In particular, the results given by the EPSE2 are almost the same as those given by the LPSE. The prediction of the EPSE1 is more accurate than the prediction of the LST, and is more efficient than the predictions of the EPSE2 and LPSE. Therefore, the EPSE1 is an efficient ey prediction tool for the crossflow instability in swept-wing boundary-layer flows.

基于部分保温法的渠道保温板厚度计算与数值模拟

保温板是北方渠道常用的保温材料,其铺设厚度一般通过经验或全部保温法的热工计算确定,工程造价较高。该文以聚苯乙烯泡沫板为例提出了部分保温法,分析了其合理性和适用条件之后,基于热阻等效原理给出了其计算方法,同时选取新疆车排子西干渠进行部分保温法保温板厚度设计,并与全保温法计算量进行比较。结果表明:部分保温法比全保温法降低了19%的工程造价。最后利用ANSYS有限元程序对原渠道和部分保温渠道进行热力耦合数值模拟。数值分析表明:部分保温渠道的最大冻胀量为1.35cm小于设计允许值2cm,满足抗冻胀要求,部分保温法是可行的;其冻胀量、冻胀力不但分布更加均匀,且被大幅削减,其中阴坡被削减达80%以上。

Effect of Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide on IL-6 m RNA Expression Level in IEC-6 Cell after LPS Injury

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the effect of Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide （EPS） on IL-6 mRNA expression level in IEC-6 cell after lipopolysac- charide （LPS） injury. [Method] Total RNA of IEC-6 cell was extracted with TRIzon reagent and amplified by R-r-PCR. The amplification products were examined by a- garose gel electrophoresis and graphed for analysis. [Result] After stimulation by LPS, the IL-6 mRNA expression level in iEC-6 cell increased. However, EPS could inhibit this effect, and the inhibitory effect was dose-dependent. At the concentration of 50 μg/ml, EPS could partially inhibit the IL-6 mRNA expression in IEC-6 cell after LPS stimulation; in the concentration range of 100-500 μg/ml, the inhibitory effect of EPS on IL-6 mRNA expression in iEC-6 cell increased with the increase of con- centration. When the IEC-6 cell was pre-treated with EPS （50, 100, 200 and 500 μg/ml） for 24 h and then stimulated with LPS （10 μg/ml） for 1 and 4 h, respectively, it was found that the LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-6 in IEC-6 cell was in- hibited by EPS, and this kind of inhibitory effect was time-dependent. [Conclusion] After small intestinal epithelial cells were stimulated by LPS, the IL-6 mRNA expres- sion level increased. However, EPS could inhibit the LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-6, thus protecting the intestinal mucosa. In addition, this kind of inhibitory effect showed time and concentration dependence.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions of Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Activated Sludge

[Objective] To explore the optimal extraction conditions of extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） from activated sludge. [Method] The efficiency of five methods （H2SO4, formaldehyde-NaOH, mixing, heating and NaOH） on the extraction of EPS was investigated comparatively. The optimal extraction conditions of the most suitable method were determined. [Result] NaOH method is most effective in extracting EPS with less DNA contamination and shortened extraction period. The optimal extraction condition was pH of 11, extraction time of 10 min and agitation speed of 80-120 r/min. [Conclusion] The determined optimal extraction condition provided theoretical basis for EPS study.

Influence of expanded polystyrene size on deformation characteristics of light weight soil

Deformation characteristics of light weight soil with different EPS (expanded polystyrene) sizes were investigated by consolidation tests.The results show that the confined stress-strain relation curve is in S shape,which has a good homologous relation with e-p curve and e-lgp curve,and three types of curves reflect obvious structural characteristics of light weight soil.When cement mixed ratio and EPS volume ratio are the same for different specimens,structural strength decreases with the increase of EPS size,but compressibility indexes basically keep unchanged within the structural strength.The settlement of light weight soil can be divided into instantaneous settlement and primary consolidation settlement.It has no obvious rheology property,and 90% of total consolidation deformation can be finished in 1 min.Settlement-time relation of light weight soil can be predicted by the hyperbolic model.S-lgt curve of light weight soil is not in anti-S shape.It is proved that there is no secondary consolidation section,so consolidation coefficient cannot be obtained by time logarithm method.Structural strength and unit price decrease with the increase of EPS size,but the reducing rate of the structural strength is lower than that of the unit price,so the cost of mixed soil can be reduced by increasing the EPS size.The EPS beads with 3-5 mm in diameter are suggested to be used in the construction process,and the prescription of mixed soil can be optimized.

Tracking Performance of Electric Power Steering System Based on the Mixed H_2/H_∞ Strategy

The tracking performance of motor current is an important factor that affects the assistance torque of electric power steering （EPS） system. Bad tracking performance will cause assistant torque delay, and make road feeling bad, and is influenced by the input steering torque and system measuring noise. However the existing methods have some shortages on system＇s robust dynamic performance and robust stability. The mixed H2/H∞ strategy for recirculating ball-type EPS system in a pure electric bus is proposed, and vehicle dynamic model of the system is established. Due to the existence of system model uncertainty, disturbance signals, sensor noises and the demand of system dynamic performance, the indexes of robust performance and road feeling for drivers are defined as the appraisal control objectives. The H∞ method is introduced to design the H∞ controller, and the H2 method is applied to optimize the H∞ controller, thus the mixed H2/H∞ controller is designed. The response of EPS system to the motor current command with amplitude of 20 A, the road disturbance with amplitude of 500 N and the sensor random noise with the amplitude of 1 A is simulated. The simulation results show that the recirculating ball-type EPS system with the mixed H2/H∞ controller can attenuate the random noises and disturbances and track the boost curve well, so the mixed H2/H∞ controller can improve the system＇s robust performance and dynamic performance. For the purpose of verifying the performance of the designed control strategy, the motor current tracking performance ground tests are conducted with step response input of the steering wheel, double-lane steering test and lemniscate steering test, respectively. The tests show that the mixed H2/H∞ controller for the recirculating ball-type EPS system of pure electric bus is feasible. The designed controller can solve the robust performance and robust stability of the system, thus improve the tracking performance of the EPS system and provide satisfied road feeling for the drivers.

Characteristics of extracellular fluorescent substances of aerobic granular sludge in pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor

The aerobic granular sludge was cultivated in a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor （SBR）, and some of the granules were stored at 8 ℃ for 150 d. Extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） of sludge samples were extracted and analyzed during the granulation and storage process. The results show that the contents of protein and EPS increase along with the granulation process, while polysaccharides remain almost unchanged. The content of protein in EPS is almost two-fold larger than that of polysaccharides in granular sludge cultivated with municipal wastewater. Moreover, some of the granules disintegrate during storage, corresponding to the decrease of protein contents in EPS. Three peaks are identified in three-dimensional excitation emission matrix （EEM） fluorescence spectra of the EPS in the aerobic granules. Two peaks （A and B） are attributed to the protein-like fluorophores, and the third （peak C） is related to visible fulvic-like substances. Peak A gradually disappears during storage, while a new peak related to ultraviolet fulvic acid （peak D） is formed. The formation and the stability of aerobic granules are closely dependent on the quantity and composition of EPS proteins. Peak C has no obvious changes during granulation, while the fulvic-like substances present an increase in fluorescence intensities during storage, accompanied with an increase in structural complexity. The fulvie-like substances are also associated with the disintegration of the aerobic granules.

Study on membrane fouling of submerged membrane bioreactor in treating bathing wastewater

A pilot-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) was used to treat the bathing wastewater for more than 90 d. Several factors a?ecting membrane fouling were studied, including the variation in transmembrane pressure (TMP), changes in extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), and distribution of membrane resistance (R). The relationships between R and EPS concentration were found to be R = 0.00008(EPSS)2.915 in the mixed liquor (EPSS) and R = 0.2853(EPSm) – 0.824 on the membrane surface (EPSm). The constant ...

Controller Design for Electric Power Steering System Using T-S Fuzzy Model Approach

Pressure ripples in electric power steering （EPS） systems can be caused by the phase lag between the driver s steering torque and steer angle, the nonlinear frictions, and the disturbances from road and sensor noise especially during high-frequency maneuvers. This paper investigates the use of the robust fuzzy control method for actively reducing pressure ripples for EPS systems. Remarkable progress on steering maneuverability is achieved. The EPS dynamics is described with an eight-order nonlinear state-space model and approximated by a Takagi-Sugeno （T-S） fuzzy model with time-varying delays and external disturbances. A stabilization approach is then presented for nonlinear time-delay systems through fuzzy state feedback controller in parallel distributed compensation （PDC） structure. The closed-loop stability conditions of EPS system with the fuzzy controller are parameterized in terms of the linear matrix inequality （LMI） problem. Simulations and experiments using the proposed robust fuzzy controller and traditional PID controller have been carried out for EPS systems. Both the simulation and experiment results show that the proposed fuzzy controller can reduce the torque ripples and allow us to have a good steering feeling and stable driving.

构建现代企业问题求解环境

在知识经济时代的激烈竞争中 ,现代企业要在市场中保持竞争优势 ,企业的业务过程就要不断地改善以适应市场的变化 ,传统的企业业务管理方法已经不再适应新的经济形势 ,新型的信息技术能够支持企业实现业务过程的持续改善 (BPCI) ,本文主要介绍支持企业实现业务持续改善的企业问题求解环境的软件体系结构和动态建模方法。应用先进的软件技术和方法可以帮助企业快速建立业务管理系统 ,同时降低实施成本 ,保护企业在信息系统的已有投资 ,最大限度满足企业动态多变的需求以适应多变的市场。

Human activity recognition based on HMM by improved PSO and event probability sequence

This paper proposes a hybrid approach for recognizing human activities from trajectories. First, an improved hidden Markov model （HMM） parameter learning algorithm, HMM-PSO, is proposed, which achieves a better balance between the global and local exploitation by the nonlinear update strategy and repulsion operation. Then, the event probability sequence （EPS） which consists of a series of events is computed to describe the unique characteristic of human activities. The anatysis on EPS indicates that it is robust to the changes in viewing direction and contributes to improving the recognition rate. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated by data experiments on current popular datasets.

Effects of Vibration Technology and Polyvinyl Acetate Emulsion on Microstructure and Properties of Expanded Polystyrene Lightweight Concrete

To prevent expanded polystyrene （EPS） beads from rising up to the surface in the molding process of EPS lightweight concrete, vibration with pressure was applied and the polyvinyl acetate （PVA） emulsion was adopted to improve its mechanical properties. The mechanical properties, thermal properties and durability of EPS lightweight concrete were tested. The microstruetures of EPS lightweight concrete were observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. Vibration with pressure reduces the number of small cracks. The 180 d compressive strength and flexural strength increase obviously as a large amount of PVA was added. The mixed amount of PVA has no obvious influence on the thermal performance when it is not more than 10% of the cement. Vibration with pressure and surface modification of EPS beads by PVA improve the combination of EPS beads with cement stone and the mechanical properties of EPS lightweight concrete.

Model development and parameter investigation of a column-type electric power steering system

In this paper, the performance of a column-type electric power steering （EPS） system and vehicle has been studied and a detailed mathematical model for the system has been established. Based on the mathematic model of the optimization design for steering feel, the parameters of the EPS system and vehicle on steering performance have been investigated. Moreover, the effects of the parameters on system stability have been analyzed and compared by the method of absolute sensitivity and the results are given in the end.

Impact Resistance of a Novel Expanded Polystyrene Cement-based Material

The mechanical property of a novel expanded polystyrene cement-based material （EPS-C）, which was prepared by compressing semi-dry materials molding, was investigated. The compressive behavior was analyzed by compression tests to gain the energy absorbed during failure. Performance for impact resistance was tested by a self-made device. The results figures out that the EPS-C has good toughness and can reach swain of 0.7 without failure. The stress-strain curve is quite different from that of normal EPS concrete. It can be divided into three stages and in the third stage the compressing exhibits the highest energy absorption. With the rising of cement ratio, the impact force absorption （IEA） decreases first and then increases. The impact energy absorption （IEA） increases first and then decreases. The lowest IEA and the highest lEA appear at the cement dosage from 233 g/L to 267 g/L and from 233 g/L to 300 g/L, respectively.

A new polystyrene-latex-based and EPS-containing synthetic sludge

Since the living microorganisms in activated sludge continuously change, it is difficult to conduct controlled experiments and achieve reproducible results for evaluating sludge characteristics. Synthetic sludge, as a chemical surrogate to activated sludge, could be used to investigate the sludge physicochemical properties, and it is desirable to prepare synthetic sludge with similar structure and properties to real activated sludge to explore the flocculation and settlement processes in activated sludge systems. In this work, a high-strength synthetic sludge was prepared with functional polystyrene latex particles as the framework and extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） to modify its surface. The flocculation and settling characteristics of the microspheres and the prepared synthetic sludge were tested. Compared with other three functional polystyrene latex microspheres, the synthetic sludge prepared with EPS-modified polystyrene latex microspheres showed good settling characteristics and a significantly higher strength. They could be used for studying the physicochemical properties of activated sludge.

Surface Microstructure and Component Changes of Chromium-resistant Enterobacter Cloacae CYS-25 Strain

Enterobacter cloacae CYS-25 strain was isolated from a chromate plant. This bacterium was capable of resisting high hexavalent chromium concentration and reducing Cr（VI） under aerobic condition. CrO4^2- stimulated the increase of bacterial size and production of compact convex paths containing chromium on the bacterial surface. The increase of bacterial size was caused by integrative growth but not extracellular polymeric substance hyperplasia. IR and SDS-PAGE analyses showed the extracellular polymeric substance （EPS） components were mainly proteins and had no obvious changes whether the strains were induced by Cr（VI） or not. The EPS was amorphous and contained trivalent chromium. Under CrO4^2- growth condition, the extracellular substance of Enterobacter cloacae CYS-25 strains and Cr（VI） had redox reaction. The products were Cr^3＊-protein complexes which formed a piece of compact convex paths on the surface of bacteria and prevented Cr（VI） from entering into cells.

Effects of Salt Stress on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Desert Soil Alga Microcoleus vaginatus Gom

The effects of salt stress on carbohydrate metabolism in Microcoleus vaginatus Gom., a cyanobacterium isolated from desert algal crusts, were investigated in the present study. Extracellular total carbohydrates and exopolysaccharides （EPS） in the culture medium produced by M. vaginatus increased significantly during the growth phase and reached a maximum during the stationary phase. The production of extracellular carbohydrates also significantly increased under higher salt concentrations, which was attributed to an increase in low molecular weight carbohydrates. In the presence of NaCI, the production of cellular total carbohydrates decreased and photosynthetic activity was impaired, whereas cellular reducing sugars, water-soluble sugars and sucrose content and sucrose phosphate synthase activity increased, reaching a maximum in the presence of 200 mmol/L NaCI. These parameters were restored to original levels when the algae were transferred to a non-saline medium. Sodium and K＋ concentrations of stressed cells decreased significantly and H＋-ATPase activity increased after the addition of exogenous sucrose or EPS. The results suggest that EPS and sucrose are synthesized to maintain the cellular osmOtic equilibrium between the intra-and extracellular environment, thus protecting algal cells from osmotic damage, which was attributed to the selective exclusion of cellular Na＋ and K＋ by H＋-ATPase.