Ultra-high freshwater production in multistage solar membrane distillation via waste heat injection to condenser.

Passive solar membrane distillation (MD) is an emerging technology to alleviate water scarcity. Recently, its performance has been enhanced by multistage design, though the gains are marginal due to constrained temperature and vapor pressure gradients across the device. This makes condenser cooling enhancement a questionable choice.

An atmospheric water harvesting system based on the "Optimal Harvesting Window" design for worldwide water production.

Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is a promising solution to the water shortage problem. Current sorption-based AWH (SAWH) systems seldom obtain both wide climatic adaptability and high energy efficiency due to the lack of thermodynamic optimization. To achieve the ideal harvesting circulation in SAWH systems, the "optimal harvesting window" (OHW) design based on thermodynamic analysis was first proposed and validated by our prototype.

Association of Residential Proximity to the Coast With Incident Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Little is known about how the residential distance to the coast is associated with incident myocardial infarction (MI) and which mechanisms may explain the association. We aim to explore this association using data from a prospective, population-based cohort with unprecedented sample size, and broad geographical coverage.

Methods: In this study, 377,340 participants from the UK Biobank were included.

Unsuspected intraspecific variability in the toxin production, growth and morphology of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum R.W. Litaker (Group IV) blooming in a South Western Mediterranean marine ecosystem, Annaba Bay (Algeria).

Physiological plasticity gives HABs species the ability to respond to variations in the surrounding environment. The aim of this study was to examine morphological and physiological variability in Alexandrium pacificum R.W.

In-depth analysis of the human tear proteome.

The tears, a critical body fluid of the surface of the eye, contain an unknown number of molecules including proteins/peptides, lipids, small molecule metabolites, and electrolytes. There have been continued efforts for exploring the human tear proteome to develop biomarkers of disease. In this study, we used the high speed TripleTOF 5600 system as the platform to analyze the human tear proteome from healthy subjects (3 females and 1 male, average age: 36±14).

Proteomic profiling of inflammatory signaling molecules in the tears of patients on chronic glaucoma medication.

Purpose: To identify the tear proteins associated with the long-term use of glaucoma medication by using proteomic analysis and to compare these proteins to those previously reported in primary dry eye disease.

Methods: Eighteen patients treated with topical antiglaucoma medications and 10 normal age-matched subjects with no prior topical treatment were recruited for the study. Tears were collected by using Schirmer's strip and analyzed by iTRAQ (isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation) for tear proteins by mass spectrometry.

Incidence and characteristics of unilateral keratoconus classified on corneal topography.

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of unilateral keratoconus defined on the basis of corneal topography and analyze videokeratography parameters between fellow eyes and normal controls.

Methods: A total of 111 patients with clinical keratoconus were prospectively enrolled. Both eyes were evaluated with Tomey (Tomey Corp) and Orbscan II (Bausch & Lomb) corneal topography systems.

Association of tear proteins with Meibomian gland disease and dry eye symptoms.

Aim: Tear proteins have an important role in the maintenance of the ocular surface and modulation of biological processes, including inflammation, in dry eye. Meibomian gland disease (MGD) is a condition that can increase inflammation in the ocular surface, but tear protein changes due to MGD have not been documented. This study evaluated the possible association of tear proteins with severity of MGD in dry eye.

Identification of tear fluid biomarkers in dry eye syndrome using iTRAQ quantitative proteomics.

The proteins found in tears have an important role in the maintenance of the ocular surface and changes in the quality and quantity of tear components reflect changes in the health of the ocular surface. In this study, we have used quantitative proteomics, iTRAQ technology coupled with 2D-nanoLC-nano-ESI-MS/MS and with a statistical model to uncover proteins that are significantly and reliably changed in the tears of dry eye patients in an effort to reveal potential biomarker candidates. Fifty-six patients with dry eye and 40 healthy subjects were recruited for this study.

Repetitive control approach towards automatic tuning of Smith predictor controllers.

This paper proposes a new method for automatic tuning of the Smith predictor controller based on a Repetitive Control (RC) approach. The method requires the input of a periodic reference signal which can be derived from a relay feedback experiment. A modified repetitive control scheme repetitively changes the control signal to achieve tracking error convergence.

Direct measurement of beam size in a spectroscopic ellipsometry setup.

Spectroscopic ellipsometry signals used in thin film analysis are dependent on the beam probe size. In this work, we report a technique to determine the beam size that uses the existing detection facilities in a spectroscopic ellipsometry setup without the need to rearrange the optical components. The intensity signal recorded with the technique comprises a coupled boundary diffraction and knife edge wave that can be isolated using nonlinear fitting.

Precision motion control with a high gain disturbance compensator for linear motors.

In this paper, we address the problem relating to the precision control of permanent magnet linear motors to track repeated motion trajectories. A high gain disturbance compensator is developed to improve the control performance degraded due to the presence of significant disturbances. An inverse gain of the overall system model is used to set up a disturbance observer.