Pro Series Research Articles

Individual animal variability in rumination, activity, and lying behavior during the periparturient period of dairy cattle

The aim of the current study was to determine individual animal variability in rumination, activity, and lying behavior during the periparturient period within the context of dairy cattle nutrition, social, and physical environment. Holstein animals (nulliparous = 77, parous = 219) from one sand-bedded, freestall dairy in northwest Wisconsin were enrolled −17 d in milk (DIM, d 0 = calving), when they were fitted with an automated monitoring device (Hi-Tag, SCR Engineers Ltd.). At −11 DIM, animals were fitted with HOBO Pendant G Data Loggers. The HOBO Pendant G Data Loggers were fitted 6 d later because they were set up to collect data for 22 d (d −11 to 11), to avoid constant handling of the animals that could alter their behavior. Prepartum, nulliparous and parous animals were housed separately. Postpartum (1 to 17 ± 3 DIM), primiparous and multiparous cows were commingled. Samples of the total mixed ration were submitted for wet chemistry analysis and determination of physically effective NDF (peNDF). Temperature and humidity data were collected using RH Temp probes (HOBO Pro Series) installed in each of the pens, and the percentages of 30-min intervals within a day with temperature-humidity index ≥68 (PctTHI68) were calculated. Stocking density (cows per stall) during the pre- and postpartum periods were calculated daily. Prepartum data from nulliparous and parous animals were analyzed separately, and postpartum data from primiparous and multiparous animals were analyzed together. Prepartum, nulliparous and parous animals explained 83.9 and 64.5% of the variability in rumination, 70.7 and 60.9% of the variability in activity, and 38.1 and 63.6% of the variability in lying time, respectively. Postpartum, animal explained 49.7, 56.8, and 35.6% of the variability in rumination, activity, and lying time, respectively. Although stocking density, PctTHI68, peNDF, crude protein, and ether extract were associated with the variability in rumination, activity, and lying time, they explained ≤6.6% of the daily variability in these behaviors. We conclude that, within the conditions of the collaborating commercial herd, individual animal is the most important factor explaining daily variability in rumination, activity, and lying time.

Weekly External Load Performance Effects on Sports Injuries of Male Professional Football Players.

One of the most challenging issues professional football players face throughout their careers is injuries. Those injuries often result from suboptimal training programs that were not designed according to the players' individual needs. This prospective study aimed to examine in detail the effects of sports injuries on professional football players' weekly external load performances. Thirty-three male professional football players were monitored using 10-Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) units (Apex pro series, StatSports) during an entire season. The variables considered in the analysis were total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), accelerations (ACC), and decelerations (DEC). The comparisons were made between the four-week block before injury (-4T), four-week block after return (+4T), and players' season averages (S). Players displayed significantly higher values of TD, HSR, ACC, and DEC in the -4T, compared to the other two moments (+4T and S). Furthermore, the comparison between the +4T and S showed no significant variations in the GPS metrics. It was shown that a significant increase in players' weekly external load performance over a four-week period may have a negative effect on the occurrence of injuries from a professional football standpoint. Future research should consider the effects of injury severity on players' external load variations.

Oxonium Ion–Guided Optimization of Ion Mobility–Assisted Glycoproteomics on the timsTOF Pro

Spatial separation of ions in the gas phase, providing information about their size as collisional cross-sections, can readily be achieved through ion mobility. The timsTOF Pro (Bruker Daltonics) series combines a trapped ion mobility device with a quadrupole, collision cell, and a time-of-flight analyzer to enable the analysis of ions at great speed. Here, we show that the timsTOF Pro is capable of physically separating N-glycopeptides from nonmodified peptides and producing high-quality fragmentation spectra, both beneficial for glycoproteomics analyses of complex samples. The glycan moieties enlarge the size of glycopeptides compared with nonmodified peptides, yielding a clear cluster in the mobilogram that, next to increased dynamic range from the physical separation of glycopeptides and nonmodified peptides, can be used to make an effective selection filter for directing the mass spectrometer to analytes of interest. We designed an approach where we (1) focused on a region of interest in the ion mobilogram and (2) applied stepped collision energies to obtain informative glycopeptide tandem mass spectra on the timsTOF Pro:glyco-polygon-stepped collision energy-parallel accumulation serial fragmentation. This method was applied to selected glycoproteins, human plasma- and neutrophil-derived glycopeptides. We show that the achieved physical separation in the region of interest allows for improved extraction of information from the samples, even at shorter liquid chromatography gradients of 15min. We validated our approach on human neutrophil and plasma samples of known makeup, in which we captured the anticipated glycan heterogeneity (paucimannose, phosphomannose, high mannose, hybrid and complex glycans) from plasma and neutrophil samples at the expected abundances. As the method is compatible with off-the-shelve data acquisition routines and data analysis software, it can readily be applied by any laboratory with a timsTOF Pro and is reproducible as demonstrated by a comparison between two laboratories.

Apple LiDAR Sensor for 3D Surveying: Tests and Results in the Cultural Heritage Domain

The launch of the new iPad Pro by Apple in March 2020 generated high interest and expectations for different reasons; nevertheless, one of the new features that developers and users were interested in testing was the LiDAR sensor integrated into this device (and, later on, in the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro series). The implications of using this technology are mainly related to augmented and mixed reality applications, but its deployment for surveying tasks also seems promising. In particular, the potentialities of this miniaturized and low-cost sensor embedded in a mobile device have been assessed for documentation from the cultural heritage perspective—a domain where this solution may be particularly innovative. Over the last two years, an increasing number of mobile apps using the Apple LiDAR sensor for 3D data acquisition have been released. However, their performance and the 3D positional accuracy and precision of the acquired 3D point clouds have not yet been fully validated. Among the solutions available, as of September 2021, three iOS apps (SiteScape, EveryPoint, and 3D Scanner App) were tested. They were compared in different surveying scenarios, considering the overall accuracy of the sensor, the best acquisition strategies, the operational limitations, and the 3D positional accuracy of the final products achieved.

Performance of popular pulse oximeters compared with simultaneous arterial oxygen saturation or clinical-grade pulse oximetry: a cross-sectional validation study in intensive care patients

ObjectivesTo evaluate the performance of direct-to-consumer pulse oximeters under clinical conditions, with arterial blood gas measurement (SaO2) as reference standard.DesignCross-sectional, validation study.SettingIntensive care.ParticipantsAdult patients requiring SaO2-monitoring.InterventionsThe studied oximeters are top-selling...

Abstract P161: Tai Chi Movements Bring On Parasympathetic Nerve Output As Indicated By Audible Bowel Sounds

Tai Chi movements are unique exercise that can improve cognition, strength somatomotor coordination, and enhance autonomic nerve regulation on internal organ function. The mild increase in heart rate and/or slight sweat during and after practicing Tai Chi indicates the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. There is lack of evidence to show that Tai Chi exercise enhances the activity of parasympathetic nervous system though it has been claimed that practicing Tai Chi could do so. The author tested the hypothesis that Tai Chi exercise brings on an increase in parasympathetic nerve outputs (PNO). The PNO is evaluated by recording the bowel sounds using an audio recorder (Sony digital voice recorder ICD-PX Series) and the data analyses were done using NCH software (WavePad audio editor). The heart rate was simultaneously recorded using a fingertip pulse oximeter (Zacurate Pro Series 500DL) during Tai Chi exercise. All the data was repeatedly collected from a Tai Chi Master in a study period of 6 months. A total of 30 recordings were used to carry out the analysis. The audible bowel sounds occurred when the performer started to do the Ready-Movement of Yang-style Tai Chi. These Tai Chi induced-bowel sounds lasted from the beginning to the end of a set of movements (3-5 min for 24-moves style). The frequency of bowel sounds was in a range of 0.2 to 3.5 Hz. The average number of bowel sounds was approximately 2.5 sounds per Tai Chi Move. The intensity and frequency of the bowel sounds are not related to the change of the performer’s heart rate. In comparison, meditation or deep squat exercise performed by the Tai Chi master did not cause any changes in the bowel sounds. According to the autonomic innervation of the GI tract, increase of bowel movements is mediated by PNO. In conclusion, Tai Chi movements can simultaneously exercise skeletal muscles, sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. The enhancement of parasympathetic nervous system output by Tai Chi exercise is a valuable modality of physical exercise for wellness.

Are the electric vehicles more sustainable than the conventional ones? Influences of the assumptions and modeling approaches in the case of typical cars in China

In order to make the sustainable development of transport system, China has taken actions toward the electrification transition of vehicles. However, whether the electric vehicles (EVs) are more environmentally friendly than the conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) in China is still not clear due to a lack of complete and consistent environmental impact comparison of vehicles. This study takes the vehicle models from BYD Qin Pro series in China as illustrations to compare the environmental impact of battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with the conventional ICEV. The environmental profiles of vehicles across the whole life cycle within a set of environmental indicators are analyzed. The key aspects that may heavily influence the environmental impacts, i.e. regional heterogeneity, technology improvement and different modeling methods (attributional vs consequential) choices, are further tested, respectively. The results show that already today the BEV and PHEV powered by the current average Chinese electricity mix offer 23% and 17% reduction of global warming potential (GWP), respectively, compared to the gasoline ICEV. But it is achieved at the expense of considerable increases in mineral resource scarcity and ecological and human toxicity, etc. All of the factors considered show markedly influences on the environmental profiles of EVs, even up to 51% of GWP differences for different modeling methods application. And they all have the possibility to reverse the environmental priorities of some impact categories among ICEV, BEV and PHEV.

Performance Analysis of Data Transmission on a Wireless Sensor Network Using the XBee Pro Series 2B RF Module

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a wireless network technology that is capable of scanning and can be used to monitor environmental conditions, both indoors and outdoors. One of the devices used in data communication at WSN is XBee. XBee is a device in WSN that uses radio frequency as a data transmission path from one device to another. In sending data, Xbee can be affected by the distance and signal strength between devices. In this research, Xbee communication distance analysis is done outdoors and indoors so as to get data in the form of maximum distance vulnerable from Xbee. The results of this study indicate that the Xbee Pro Series 2B that is measured outside the room is capable of sending data up to a distance of 110 meters, while the Xbee Pro Series 2B device that is measured indoors is capable of sending data up to a distance of 20 meters.

A general design method for full-frame area array CCD driving sequence generator based on sequence subdivision and finite state machine

To provide a general design method for a CCD timing drive, a simple CCD driving circuit design is presented. First, the internal structure and working mode of area array CCD485 are introduced, and its basic driving circuit design is given. Then, through the analysis of the driving sequence diagram of area array CCD485, the normal operation of a full-frame large-area array CCD is analyzed. A design method for a universal full-frame array CCD driving timing generator based on time sequence subdivision and a finite state machine is proposed. By grouping the driving timing of the CCD, each group of timing waveforms is divided into several basic output states. In this manner, the driving sequence needed in each working stage of the CCD can be obtained by combining the basic states, which are described by a Moore finite state machine, and the timing driver is modularized. A timing generator supporting the normal operation of a full-frame area array CCD is designed. The specific design of each module for generating the timing is given. The design process of the generator is simple. Finally, a CCD driving timing generator is designed by using Xilinx's Virtex-II Pro series FPGA-XC2VP20 and Xilinx's ISE software platform, and the waveform is simulated and analyzed. The output signal fully meets the driving timing requirements of the 485 chip, which proves the validity of the design method.

Focus on nanotechnology, lasers, and imaging

Focus on nanotechnology, lasers, and imaging

Hydration Status and Thermoregulatory Responses in Drivers During Competitive Racing

Carlson, LA, Lawrence, MA, and Kenefick, RW. Hydration status and thermoregulatory responses in drivers during competitive racing. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2061-2065, 2018-Stock car drivers are exposed to high ambient temperatures, further complicated by the fact that they are encapsulated in protective clothing; however, the hydration status of these drivers has not been determined. This study quantified the degree of fluid losses during a competitive event in hot conditions. Nine male stock car drivers (29.6 ± 9.4 years, 177.8 ± 3.0 cm, 81.5 ± 18.5 kg) were studied during a Pro Series Division NASCAR race. Sweat rate (SR) and dehydration was determined through nude body weights (BWs). Prerace BW was 81.5 ± 18.5 kg and decreased to 81.1 ± 18.5 kg after race (p = 0.001). Body weight loss after race was 0.77 ± 0.3% and mean SR was 0.63 ± 0.4 L·h. Intestinal core temperature increased from 38.0 ± 0.4 to 38.5 ± 0.4° C after race (p = 0.001). Skin temperature increased from 35.8 ± 0.8 to 36.9 ± 0.8° C after race (p = 0.001), whereas the core-to-skin temperature gradient narrowed from 2.2 ± 0.9 to 1.6 ± 0.9° C, before race to after race (p = 0.001). Heart rates after race were 89 ± 0.0% of the drivers' age-predicted maximum heart rate (HR). Fluid losses during competitive racing can be significant. Without a fluid replacement strategy, fluid losses may exceed 3% of BW and could negatively impact driving performance in longer races.

Identification of Clostridium species using the VITEK® MS

The genus Clostridium is of high clinical relevance, as some species may cause rapid and even lethal infections. Thus, a timely identification of these anaerobic bacteria is desirable. Conventional identification methods rely on biochemical properties of these organisms, however, establishing these is time-consuming and not always reliable. Alternatively, 16S rRNA gene sequence based diagnostic methods may be used, but they are expensive and not ubiquitously available. This study was designed to assess the possibility to identify Clostridium species employing the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). For this purpose, 848 Clostridium strains representing 42 species were analyzed with the VITEK® MS instrument (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France), comparing mass spectra derived from these organisms with the spectra provided in the available database. 90.3% of the strains were correctly identified at species level and another 3.6% at genus level. Since the number of Clostridium species included in the database was rather limited (21 altogether), the spectra obtained were also analyzed employing the Shimadzu Pro Series software. Thus, it became possible to create a dendrogram of the species included in this study.

ALiEM Blog and Podcast Watch: Toxicology.

IntroductionThe WestJEM Blog and Podcast Watch presents high-quality open-access educational blogs and podcasts in emergency medicine based on the ongoing Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM) Approved Instructional Resources (AIR) and AIR-Professional (Pro) series. Both series critically appraise open-access educational blogs and podcasts in EM using an objective scoring instrument. This installment of the blog and podcast watch series curated and scored relevant posts in the specific topic of toxicology emergencies from the AIR-Pro Series.MethodsThe AIR-Pro Series is a continuously building curriculum covering a new subject area every two months. For each area, eight EM chief residents identify 3–5 advanced clinical questions. Using FOAMsearch.net and FOAMSearcher to search blogs and podcasts, relevant posts are scored by eight reviewers from the AIR-Pro editorial board, which is comprised of EM faculty and chief residents at various institutions across North America. The scoring instrument contains five measurement outcomes based on seven-point Likert scales: recency, accuracy, educational utility, evidence based, and references. The AIR-Pro label is awarded to posts with a score of ≥28 (out of 35) points. An “honorable mention” label is awarded if board members collectively felt that the blogs were valuable and the scores were > 25.ResultsA total of 31 blog posts and podcasts were included. Key educational pearls from the six high-quality AIR-Pro posts and four honorable mentions are summarized.ConclusionThe WestJEM ALiEM Blog and Podcast Watch series is based on the AIR and AIR-Pro Series, which attempts to identify high-quality educational content on open-access blogs and podcasts. This series provides an expert-based, crowdsourced approach towards critically appraising educational social media content for EM clinicians. This installment focuses on toxicology emergencies.

MULTISEASONAL TREE CROWN STRUCTURE MAPPING WITH POINT CLOUDS FROM OTS QUADROCOPTER SYSTEMS

Abstract. OTF (Off The Shelf) quadro copter systems provide a cost effective (below 2000 Euro), flexible and mobile platform for high resolution point cloud mapping. Various studies showed the full potential of these small and flexible platforms. Especially in very tight and complex 3D environments the automatic obstacle avoidance, low copter weight, long flight times and precise maneuvering are important advantages of these small OTS systems in comparison with larger octocopter systems. This study examines the potential of the DJI Phantom 4 pro series and the Phantom 3A series for within-stand and forest tree crown 3D point cloud mapping using both within stand oblique imaging in different altitude levels and data captured from a nadir perspective. On a test site in Brandenburg/Germany a beach crown was selected and measured with 3 different altitude levels in Point Of Interest (POI) mode with oblique data capturing and deriving one nadir mosaic created with 85/85 % overlap using Drone Deploy automatic mapping software. Three different flight campaigns were performed, one in September 2016 (leaf-on), one in March 2017 (leaf-off) and one in May 2017 (leaf-on) to derive point clouds from different crown structure and phenological situations – covering the leaf-on and leafoff status of the tree crown. After height correction, the point clouds where used with GPS geo referencing to calculate voxel based densities on 50 × 10 × 10 cm voxel definitions using a topological network of chessboard image objects in 0,5 m height steps in an object based image processing environment. Comparison between leaf-off and leaf-on status was done on volume pixel definitions comparing the attributed point densities per volume and plotting the resulting values as a function of distance to the crown center. In the leaf-off status SFM (structure from motion) algorithms clearly identified the central stem and also secondary branch systems. While the penetration into the crown structure is limited in the leaf-on status (the point cloud is a mainly a description of the interpolated crown surface) – the visibility of the internal crown structure in leaf-off status allows to map also the internal tree structure up to and stopping at the secondary branch level system. When combined the leaf-on and leaf-off point clouds generate a comprehensive tree crown structure description that allows a low cost and detailed 3D crown structure mapping and potentially precise biomass mapping and/or internal structural differentiation of deciduous tree species types. Compared to TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanning) based measurements the costs are neglectable and in the range of 1500–2500 €. This suggests the approach for low cost but fine scale in-situ applications and/or projects where TLS measurements cannot be derived and for less dense forest stands where POI flights can be performed. This study used the in-copter GPS measurements for geo referencing. Better absolute geo referencing results will be obtained with DGPS reference points. The study however clearly demonstrates the potential of OTS very low cost copter systems and the image attributed GPS measurements of the copter for the automatic calculation of complex 3D point clouds in a multi temporal tree crown mapping context.

Closed-circuit PRO series no. 6: advanced PRO membranes and technologies

Closed-circuit PRO series no. 6: advanced PRO membranes and technologies

A microplate reader-based method to quantify NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activity for diagnosis of recessive congenital methaemoglobinemia

ABSTRACTObjectives: Congenital methemoglobinemia due to NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (CYB5R3) deficiencies is an autosomal recessive disorder that occurs sporadically worldwide, A sensitive, accurate, and rapid analysis of NADH-CYB5R enzyme concentrations is necessary for the diagnosis of RCM. Here we present an alternative microplate method that is based on a standard 96-well microplate format and microplate reader that simplify the quantification of NADH-CYB5R activity.Methods: TECAN (Infinite 200 PRO series) microplate reader with Tecan’s proven Magellan™ software measured the NADH-CYB5R enzyme activity in 250 normal controls and previously diagnosed 25 cases of RCM due to NADH-CYB5R deficiency in the Indian population using 96-well microplates using 200 μl of total reaction mixture and also compared with standard spectrophotometric assay. We have also studied stability of the hemolysate stored at 4 and −20°C temperature.Results and discussion: Enzyme activity in all 25 samples ranged from 6.09 to 10.07 IU/g Hb (mean ± SD: 8.08 ± 1.99 IU/g Hb) where as normal control ranged (n = 250) between 13.42 and 21.58 IU/g Hb) (mean ± SD: 17.5 ± 4.08 IU/g of Hb). Data obtained from the microplate reader were compared with standard spectrophotometer method and found 100% concordance using both methods. Microplate method allows differentiating between normal, deficient and intermediate enzyme activity. It was observed that samples had significant loss of activity when stored at 4°C and retained stable activity at −20°C for 1 week time.Conclusion: Our new method, incorporating a whole process of enzyme assay into a microplate format is readily applicable and allows rapid monitoring of enzyme assay. It is readily applicable to quantitative assay on pediatric sample as well as large number of samples for population screening.

Surgical sealants with tunable swelling, burst pressures, and biodegradation rates.

We developed two types of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based surgical sealants, which we have termed the PER and PRO series. In one, the PRO series, an 8-arm PEG containing activated carbonyl end-groups was reacted with a 4-armed amino-PEG. In the second, the PER series, a 4-arm PEG containing bi-functional end groups with four azides and four activated esters was reacted by strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition with a 4-arm cyclooctyne-PEG to give a near-ideal Tetra-PEG hydrogel. The sealants showed predictably tunable strength, swelling, adhesion, and gelation properties. The gels were compared to commercially available PEG-based sealants and exhibit physical properties equivalent to or better than the standards. Variants of each gel-format were prepared that contained a β-eliminative cleavable linker in the crosslinks to control degradation rate. Linkers of this type self-cleave with half-lives spanning from hours to years, and offer the unique ability to precisely tune the degradation to match the healing process. In addition, these linkers could serve as cleavable tethers for controlled drug release. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1602-1611, 2017.

PENGOLAHAN CITRA DIGITAL BERBASIS WIRELESS 2.4 GHz DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN ARDUINO UNO REV 3

Digital image processing of a system capable of generating digital image data and software as a medium to display the digital image data that uses radio waves to send data in HEX and convert in the form of images. Linksprite camera which enable to produce the digital image data and utilize the arduino UNO as a controller to send commands to the camera image capture and send the digital image data to the PC. The process of digital image based data transmission by radio waves utilizing the XBee Pro Series 1 . Results of testing the system implemented in the outdoor can take a longer distance when compared with the application of the system in the room . At a distance of 10-250 meters complete the full HEX data transmission and produces good images , with time ranging 2m.29s.39ms-2m.36s.56ms. Distance of 260-450 meters with a time of 2m.05s.02ms - 06ms 2m 01s but the picture quality is not good. At a distance of 500-530 meters with a time of 1m.10s.23ms-0m.50s.59ms produce images that are very less. While the distance of > 550 meters is the limit HEX data transmission capability to the receiver. The ability of the system mileage in the process of data transfer shorter if applied indoors. Distance of 1-60 meters with a time of 2m.29s.39ms - 60ms.2m.34s produce good quality images. At a distance of 80 meters with a time of 1m.25s.59ms produce poor images, and with a distance of 90 meters with a time 0m.35s.49ms produce images that are very less . While the distance of > 100 system not able to perform HEX data transmission

Closed Circuit PRO Series No 5: clean energy generation from seawater and its concentrates by CC-PRO without need of energy recovery

This study explores the prospects for clean energy generation in coastal regions from salinity gradient made of seawater (SW) and its concentrates (SWC) by the CC-PRO technology of near absolute energy efficiency without energy recovery device and semi-permeable membranes such as HTI-TFC (A = 2.49 lmh/bar, B = 0.39 lmh, and S = 564 μm) of 48.3 bar maximum applied pressure and alike. This power generation process is fueled by SW as low salinity feed and SWC as high salinity feed (HSF) and the regeneration of HSF from the produced high salinity diluted feed achieved through evaporation ponds of the types extensively used by the sea salt manufacturing industry. Large-scale harvesting of clean energy from the sea could be found particularly attractive along coastlines of arid zones where climate conditions (e.g. solar radiation, temperature, wind, humidity, etc.) favor effective evaporation from reservoirs of SWC. The simulated CC-PRO process of the SW (4.2%)–SWC (25%) salinity gradient with the HTI-TFC membrane revealed maximum membrane power density of 55.6 W/m2 and net electric power density after accounting for the auxiliary pumps of 39.3 W/m2 at the hydraulic pressure difference of 48.3 bar under draw/permeation flow ratio of 5.0 and membrane actual/ideal flux ratio of 0.2 estimated from available forward osmosis data of the same membrane in the 1.0–3.0 NaCl salinity gradients range. HTI-TFC membrane surface area of 1,000 m2 should provide 943 kWh electric energy per day enough to desalinate 377 m3/d of SW (4.2%) with 50% recovery by means of the closed circuit desalination (CCD) technology (RO: 2.5 kWh/m3). The results of this study reveal that the CC-PRO technology opens the door for large-scale commercial clean power generation from SW–SWC salinity gradients already with existing PRO membranes and improved economic feasibility when PRO membrane of higher actual/ideal flux ratio and burst pressure shall become available in the near future.

Closed circuit PRO series No 4: CC-PRO hydroelectric power generation prospects from the Red Sea brine and Dead Sea salinity gradient

The Red Sea (RS) to Dead Sea (DS) water transfer project in Jordan under the sponsorship of the World Bank is intended to stop the sea-level decline of the DS as well as for the desalination of RS water and for hydroelectric power generation. Red Sea Brine (RSB ~7.13%) disposal to the DS (~34%) creates a salinity gradient of interest for PRO hydroelectric power generation and the prospects of such an application are explored in the present study with the most advanced existing tools including a new Closed Circuit PRO technology (CC-PRO) of near absolute energy efficiency without need of ERD and a recent PRO membrane (HTI-TFC) of the highest reported strength to withstand applied pressure up to 48.3 bar. Power generation prospects from RSB–DS using CC-PRO with HTI-TFC are assessed in the actual/ideal flux ratio (β) range 0.123–0.400 and High Salinity Feed (DS as draw solution) to permeation flow ratio (δ) range 1–25. The minimum β = 0.123 for said process is established from available PRO experimental data with HTI-TFC for 0.6–3.0M NaCl salinity gradients accounting for the presence of considerable concentrations of divalent cations such as Ca and Mg in DS water. The Net Electric Power (NEP) generation prospects from the RSB–DS Jordanian project using CC-PRO and HTI-TFC are assessed on the basis of 120 Mm3/year RSB availability for mixing with DS water. The results of this study accounting for the pressure limitation of HTI-TFC reveal NEP generation prospects of 7,753 kW under the conditions of δ = 1.0 and β = 0.123-0.200 from the RSB–DS gradient, or a supplement of 56.6% more power on top of the conventional hydroelectric power generation facility of the project (~13,698 kW). If the HTI-TFC membrane, or alike, could be made to operate at maximum PRO pressures of 60 and 86 bar, the CC-PRO NEP availability from RSB–DS is expected to rise to 9,767 kW (71.3%) and 13,219 kW (96.5%), respectively, with added power to the project indicated in parenthesis. In simple terms, the current state of the art revealed in this study suggest the immediate availability of the CC-PRO technology with HTI-TFC membranes for economical NEP generation from the RSB–DS gradient in the context of the Jordanian project with future improvements of membranes to withstand higher applied pressures expected to improve the economic feasibility.