Robust identification of multiple-input single-output system response for efficient pickup noise removal from tokamak diagnostics.

Electromagnetic pickup noise in the tokamak environment imposes an imminent challenge for measuring weak diagnostic photocurrents in the nA range. The diagnostic signal can be contaminated by an unknown mixture of crosstalk signals from coils powered by currents in the kA range. To address this issue, an algorithm for robust identification of linear multi-input single-output (MISO) systems has been developed. The MISO model describes the dynamic relationship between measured signals from power sources and observed signals in the diagnostic and allows for a precise subtraction of the noise component. The proposed method was tested on experimental diagnostic data from the DIII-D tokamak, and it has reduced noise by up to 20 dB in the 1-20 kHz range.

Coliform aerosols emitted by sewage treatment plants.

Development of the science of aerobiology has furnished a tool for the investigation of potential sources of microbial aerosols. An investigation of aerosols emitted by trickling-filter sewage treatment plants revealed that coliforms were indeed emitted and have been sampled to a distance of 0.8 mile (1.2 kilometers) downwind. Factors affecting survival of Escherichia coli are presented.

Source, significance, and control of indoor microbial aerosols: human health aspects.

The usual profile of indoor microbial aerosols probably has little meaning to healthy people. However, hazardous microbial aerosols can penetrate buildings or be generated within them; in either case, they can have significant adverse effects on human health. These aerosols can be controlled to some extent by eliminating or reducing their sources. In this regard, careful consideration should be given in building construction to the design of ventilation and air-conditioning systems and to the flooring material, so that these systems and the flooring material will not act as microbial reservoirs. It is evident that in spite of the considerable body of data available on indoor microbial aerosols, little is known of their true significance to human health except in terms of overt epidemic disease. Continued research is needed in this area, particularly in respect to situations of high risk in such locations as hospitals and schools for young children.

Aerosol stability of infectious and potentially infectious reovirus particles.

The aerosol stability of two particle forms, infectious and potentially infectious, of reovirus were examined under static conditions for a range of relative humidities at 21 and 24 degrees C. Virus aerosolization efficiency was determined for two methods of dissemination: Collison nebulizer and Chicago atomizer. Suspensions of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores were added to reovirus preparations that included both particle forms and disseminated into a dynamic aerosol toroid to estimate the physical decay of the aerosols. At 90 to 100% relative humidity, both reovirus particle forms showed less than 10-fold loss of infectivity after 12 h of aging. At lower relative humidities the aerosol decay curve showed rapid initial decay followed by a markedly lower decay rate. Our findings reveal that reovirus particles are relatively stable in the airborne state.

Airborne coliphages from wastewater treatment facilities.

The emission (from wastewater treatment plants) of airborne coliphages that form plaques on two strains of Escherichia coli was investigated. Two activated-sludge and two trickling-filter plants were studied. Field sampling procedures used large-volume air samplers with recirculation devices. Coliphages were enumerated by a most-probable-number (MPN) procedure. Temperature, relative humidity, windspeed, and presence of sunlight were monitored. Concurrent samples of sewage were taken during each air-sampling run. Average coliphage levels in the airborne emissions of trickling-filter beds and activated-sludge units were 2.84 X 10(-1) and 3.02 X 10(-1) MPN/m3, respectively, for all positive observations, and sewage liquor concentrations from the sources were 4.48 X 10(5) and 2.94 X 10(6) plaque-forming units/liter, respectively, depending upon the E. coli host used for assay. This work establishes minimal airborne-coliphage concentrations from the plants studied. The procedures employed will be useful in evaluating the animal virus levels in these emissions.