Genetic defects of erythrocyte transport proteins cause disorders of red blood cell volume that are characterized by abnormal permeability to the cation and, consequently, by changes in red cell hydration. Within this group of hereditary anemias we focused on familial pseudohyperkalemia and dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis. The main aims of the project thesis are to study both the molecular genetics and the pathogenic mechanisms of these two disorders.
Isolated Familial Pseudohyperkalemia (FP) is a dominant red cell trait characterized by cold-induced 'passive leak' of red cell K+ into plasma. The causative gene of this condition is ABCB6, encoding an erythrocyte membrane ABC transporter protein bearing the Langereis blood group antigen system.
Dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (DHS) is an autosomal dominant congenital hemolytic anemia with moderate splenomegaly and often compensated hemolysis. Red cells are characterized by cation leak of the red cell membrane, reflected in elevated sodium content, decreased potassium content, elevated MCHC and MCV, and decreased osmotic fragility. The majority of symptomatic DHS cases reported to date have been associated with gain-of-function mutations in the mechanosensitive cation channel gene, PIEZO1.
Our study started with the recruitment of 97 patients affected by both FP and DHS from 41 unrelated families of Italian and foreign countries.
Regarding familial pseudohyperkalemia, analyzing three new families, we reported the first functional characterization of ABCB6 mutants, including homozygous mutation V454A, heterozygous mutation R276W, and compound heterozygous mutations R276W and R723Q. All these mutations are annotated in public databases, suggesting that FP could be common in the general population. Indeed, we identified variant R276W in one of 327 random blood donors (0.3%). Measurement of cation flux demonstrated greater loss of K+ or Rb+ from HEK-293 cells expressing ABCB6 mutants than from cells expressing ABCB6 WT. The R276W/R723Q mutations elicited greater cellular K+ efflux than did the other mutants tested.
Regarding dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis by whole exome sequencing analysis of two previously undiagnosed DHS families we identified the second causative gene of DHS, the KCNN4 gene, encoding the Gardos channel (KCa3.1), the erythroid Ca2+-sensitive K+ channel of intermediate conductance. We characterized the expression of KCNN4 in the mutated patients and during erythroid differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cell CD34+ and K562 cells. We also analyzed KCNN4 expression during mouse embryonic development. Finally, we demonstrated that the mutations in KCNN4, as for PIEZO1, cause a gain of function, by increasing potassium efflux.
Moreover, by analysing the genotype of the patients here collected, we characterized a new interesting mutation in PIEZO1, that is a duplication of two aminoacids localized in the pore of the channel, found in two families with different phenotype. We further analysed the modified effect of an additional PIEZO1 missense variant carried by the family exhibiting the more severe phenotype. We found that the missense variant co-inherited with the duplication cause an augmented potassium efflux.
In conclusion, ABCB6 missense mutations in FP erythrocytes show elevated K+ efflux. The patients are present at moderate frequency in the blood donor population. Storage of blood of these patients leads to significantly increased K+ levels, with serious clinical implications for neonates and infants receiving large-volume transfusions of whole blood. Genetic tests for FP could be added to blood donor pre-screening. Further study of ABCB6 function and trafficking could be informative for the study of other pathologies of red blood cell hydration.
The identification of KCNN4 mutations in DHS patients supports recent studies that indicate it plays a critical role in normal erythrocyte deformation in the microcirculation and participates in maintenance of erythrocyte volume homeostasis. The characterization of PIEZO1 and KCNN4 mutations in DHS has contributed to the understanding of DHS pathogenesis that will be useful for the prognosis, the management, the follow-up, and the treatment of these patients.


Quantum dots in the Si/Ge and InAs/GaAs materials systems are examined by means of photoluminescence. The spectroscopic study of Si/Ge quantum dots has demonstrated two different radiative recombination channels in the type II band alignment: The spatially direct transition inside the dot and the spatially indirect transition across the dot interface. Increased sample temperature results in a gradual transfer from the spatially indirect to the spatially direct recombination due to higher oscillator strength combined with the increased electron population inside the dot. In contrast to the spatially direct transition, the spatially indirect transition is shown to be sensitive to the carrier density due to the band bending at the Si/Ge interface. Due to an increased Si/Ge intermixing and hence reduced strain in the Si barrier, a reduction of the conduction band offset at increased growth temperatures is observed utilizing the different recombination channels as probes. The optical properties as derived from photoluminescence are correlated with the structural properties obtained by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, by applying an electric field across the Si/Ge quantum dot structure, a reversed quantum confined Stark effect is demonstrated for the spatially indirect transition. By switching between the two different field directions, unique information on the growth related asymmetric strain profile derived at the through self-assembly of the quantum dots can be gained since corresponding information can not be obtained for type I systems.The studies of the InAs/GaAs quantum dots show that external electric and magnetic fields alter the in-plane carrier transport to the dots. The results obtained from the micro-photoluminescence exciton spectra of a single dot demonstrate a redistribution of the excitonic lines when a lateral electric field is applied. This fact exhibits an effective charge reconfiguration of the dot from a purely negative charge state to a neutral state, demonstrating that the number of electrons and holes are controlled by the electric field. The model proposed to explain the charge redistribution is based on an effective hole localization at the potential fluctuations of the wetting layer at low temperatures and low fields. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the quantum dot photoluminescence signal is considerably increased (up to a factor of 4) depending on the magnitude of the external electric field. The experimental results also show that the internal field is altered by an additional infrared illumination of the sample. An applied magnetic field perpendicular to the quantum dot layer at low temperatures is found to enhance the carrier localization in the wetting layer and accordingly reduce the quantum dot photoluminescence intensity. At higher temperatures (>100K), an enhanced photoluminescence intensity is instead observed due to increased capture, localization, and recombination rate of the carriers in the quantum dots.


Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is widely used as a food additive but its excessive intake leads to oxidative stress of several organs. However, the oxidative effect of MSG on male accessory reproductive organs remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MSG on the status of oxidative stress and morphological alterations in the male accessory reproductive organs such as epididymis, prostate glands and seminal vesicle of Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups with 8 rats per group. Control group received distilled water (1 ml/kg) while MSG60 and MSG120 received 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg of MSG, respectively. All the substances were administered via force feed oral for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed to obtain the accessory organs for biochemical analysis and histological observations. The SOD activity in the epididymis showed a significant increase in MSG60 and MSG120 compared to control (p < 0.05). The GSH levels in the epididymis of MSG 120 showed a significant reduction (p <0.05) compared to the control group. The levels of MDA and PC in the epididymis and prostate gland of MSG60 and MSG120 showed a significant increased (p <0.05) compared to the control group. Histological alterations were found in the epididymis and prostate gland of MSG treated rats. In conclusion, MSG at both doses induced oxidative stress in the epididymis and prostate gland of experimental rats. DOI :  http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2018-10


These mechanical debutantes made their entrance last June at the prototype robot exhibition of the 2005 World Exposition, in Nagoya, Japan. The Partner Ballroom Dance Robots are the joint work of the Japanese robotics and machinery maker Nomura Unison Co., in Chino City, and the laboratory of Kazuhiro Kosuge at Tohoku University, in Sendai. Much of Kosuge's research involves getting robots to understand human intentions and to predict their actions. Just as a human dancer would, the robot reads its partner's next move by noticing the force and torque against its body. It looks up in its memory what that signal is likely to mean in the context of the dance it is performing and sends the correct motion commands to three motorized wheels hidden under its plastic dress.


Abstract. Coated-wall flow tube reactors are frequently used to investigate gas uptake and heterogeneous or multiphase reaction kinetics under laminar flow conditions. Coating surface roughness may potentially distort the laminar flow pattern, induce turbulence and introduce uncertainties in the calculated uptake coefficient based on molecular diffusion assumptions (e.g., Brown/Cooney–Kim–Davis (CKD)/Knopf–Poschl–Shiraiwa (KPS) methods), which has not been fully resolved in earlier studies. Here, we investigate the influence of surface roughness and local turbulence on coated-wall flow tube experiments for gas uptake and kinetic studies. According to laminar boundary theory and considering the specific flow conditions in a coated-wall flow tube, we derive and propose a critical height δc to evaluate turbulence effects in the design and analysis of coated-wall flow tube experiments. If a geometric coating thickness δg is larger than δc, the roughness elements of the coating may cause local turbulence and result in overestimation of the real uptake coefficient (γ). We further develop modified CKD/KPS methods (i.e., CKD-LT/KPS-LT) to account for roughness-induced local turbulence effects. By combination of the original methods and their modified versions, the maximum error range of γCKD (derived with the CKD method) or γKPS (derived with the KPS method) can be quantified and finally γ can be constrained. When turbulence is generated, γCKD or γKPS can bear large difference compared to γ. Their difference becomes smaller for gas reactants with lower uptake (i.e., smaller γ) and/or for a smaller ratio of the geometric coating thickness to the flow tube radius (δg ∕ R0). On the other hand, the critical height δc can also be adjusted by optimizing flow tube configurations and operating conditions (i.e., tube diameter, length, and flow velocity), to ensure not only unaffected laminar flow patterns but also other specific requirements for an individual flow tube experiment. We use coating thickness values from previous coated-wall flow tube studies to assess potential roughness effects using the δc criterion. In most studies, the coating thickness was sufficiently small to avoid complications, but some may have been influenced by surface roughness and local turbulence effects.


Attribute-Based Credential (ABC) schemes provide a privacy-friendly method to perform authentication.
In such a system the user does not necessarily have to identify himself, but may reveal only partial information about him, i.e., attributes the user possesses.
The use of this technique is a proper solution for several kinds of authentication where no full identification is required, e.g., buying liquor at the liquor store or opening the door to an office building.
However, using Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) provides some advantages of ABCs in the case of data protection.
Ciphertext-Policy ABE schemes allow a user to define an access policy over an encrypted file, so that only the individuals possessing the right attributes can decrypt the file.
The data authorization takes place when a user tries to decrypt a file; data access does not involve an on-line party such as would be required by an ABC system.

A smart card implementation of the Identity Mixer (idemix) credentials system exists, making it feasible to implement the ABC system.
Little progress has been made to create an ABE scheme that is suitable to run in a similar environment.
Most ABE schemes require computationally complex decryption algorithms that take too much time to run on current smart cards.
Moreover, many multi-authority ABE schemes violate the user's privacy by requiring the user to reveal his unique identifier, enabling authorities to profile its users.

We create an overview of different types of ABE schemes and describe several schemes in terms of security and efficiency.
Using our classification, we select the Lewko–Waters decentralized multi-authority ABE scheme that we can adapt to meet our requirements.
We propose a Blind Key Generation protocol that provides a way to do privacy-friendly key issuance without the user having to reveal his identifier.
We prove this protocol to be secure against three different types of attackers using the security definitions introduced by Green and Hohenberger.
Additionally, we propose an Off-card Decrypt protocol.
This protocol enables us to outsource some of the most complex operations to a trusted device, yet safely store the decryption keys on the smart card and never reveal them.


The interbank market is important for the efficient functioning of the financial system, transmission of monetary policy and therefore ultimately the real economy. In particular, it facilitates banks' liquidity management. This paper aims at extending the literature which views interbank markets as mutual liquidity insurance mechanism by taking into account persistence of liquidity shocks. Following a theory of long-term interbank funding a financial system which is modeled as a micro-founded agent based complex network interacting with a real economic sector is developed. The model features interbank funding as an over-the-counter phenomenon and realistically replicates financial system phenomena of network formation, monetary policy transmission and endogenous money creation. The framework is used to carry out an optimal policy analysis in which the policymaker maximizes real activity via choosing the optimal interest rate in a trade-off between loan supply and financial fragility. It is shown that the interbank market renders the financial system more efficient relative to a setting without mutual insurance against persistent liquidity shocks and therefore plays a crucial role for welfare.


Introduction: Ancient DNA (aDNA)studies can support hypotheses regarding ancient populations; molecular studies can analyze the local population's genetic composition, minimizing biases introduced by later migrations, demographic expansions, mutations, and bottleneck effects. These analyses must be performed with special care because of the low DNA concentrations and contamination risk; therefore, it is necessary to establish protocols to guarantee the reproducibility and veracity of results.
Objective: The present study aims to establish a protocol to obtain ancient DNA from 16 pre-Columbian bone samples found in an excavation performed in the area «Candelaria La Nueva» in Bogota, Colombia, dated in the period «Muisca Tardio».
Methods: Four founder mitochondrial DNA Amerindian haplotypes were analyzed by high resolution restriction enzyme analyses, obtaining fragments between 121 and 186 base pairs (bp). Different analyses were performed following a strict control of authenticity criteria regarding laboratory conditions, including: positive and negative controls, reproducibility of results, and verification of particular characteristics present in ancient DNA.
Results: Results obtained from the bone samples showed the exclusive presence of haplogroup A in the population studied. This data support the statement of the archaeologists of a single biological population in space and time. The distribution of this haplogroup in a 100% frequency supports the hypothesis of Chibcha genetic affiliation.
Conclusion: The present study is a contribution to the study of genetic diversity in archaic American populations, allowing the integration of geographic and historic data with genetic characterization techniques associated with linguistic, ethnographic, and glottochronology patterns. Following the protocol proposed in the present study allows fulfilling authenticity criteria for ancient samples with the available techniques.


Native American Indians charged in tribal court criminal proceedings are not entitled to court appointed defense counsel. Under well-settled principles of tribal sovereignty, Indian tribes are not bound by Fifth Amendment due process guarantees or Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Instead, they are bound by the procedural protections established by Congress in the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968. Under the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA), Indian defendants have the right to counsel at their own expense. This Article excavates the historical background of the lack of counsel in the tribal court arena and exposes the myriad problems that it presents for Indians and tribal sovereignty. While an Indian has the right to defense counsel in federal criminal court proceedings, he does not in tribal court. This distinction makes a grave difference for access to justice for Americans Indians not only in tribal court, but also in state and federal courts. The Article provides in-depth analysis, background, and context necessary to understand the right to counsel under the ICRA and the U.S. Constitution. Addressing serious civil rights violations that negatively impact individual Indians and a tribe's right to formulate due process, this Article ultimately supports an unqualified right to defense counsel in tribal courts. Defense counsel is an indispensable element of the adversary system without which justice would not "still be done." Tribes, however, were forced to embrace a splintered system of justice that required the adversary system but prohibited an adequate defense. The legacy of colonialism and the imposition of this fractured adversary system has had a devastating impact on the formation of tribal courts. This legacy requires tribal and congressional leaders to rethink the issue of defense counsel to ensure justice and fairness in tribal courts today. The Article concludes that tribes should endeavor to provide counsel to all indigent defendants appearing in tribal courts and calls upon Congress to fund the provision of counsel to reverse the legacy of colonialism and avoid serious human rights abuses.


When many (m) null hypotheses are tested with a single dataset, the control of the number of false rejections is often the principal consideration. Two popular controlling rates are the probability of making at least one false discovery (FWER) and the expected fraction of false discoveries among all rejections (FDR). Scaled multiple comparison error rates form a new family that bridges the gap between these two extremes. For example, the Scaled Expected Value (SEV) limits the number of false positives relative to an arbitrary increasing function of the number of rejections, that is, E(FP/s(R)). We discuss the problem of how to choose in practice which procedure to use, with elements of an optimality theory, by considering the number of false rejections FP separately from the number of correct rejections TP. Using this framework we will show how to choose an element in the new family mentioned above.


An 823 m thick glaciomarine Cenozoic section sitting unconformably on the Lower Devonian Beacon Supergroup was recovered in CRP -3. This paper reviews the chronostratigraphical constraints for the Cenozoic section. Between 3 and 480.27 mbsf 23 unconformity bounded cycles of sediment were recorded. Each unconformity is thought to represent a hiatus of uncertain duration. Four magnetozones have been recognised from the Cenozoic section. The record is complex with several "tiny wiggles" recorded throughout. Biostratigraphical or Sr ages, which could be used to link these magnetozones to the magnetic polarity time scale are restricted to the upper 190 m of sediment. Two diatom datums (Cavitatus jouseanus at 48.9 mbsf and Rhizosolenica antarctica at 68.60 mbsf), together with five Sr-isotope dates derived from molluscan fragments taken from between 10.88 and 190.29 mbsf indicate an early Oligocene (c. 31 Ma) age for this interval. The appearance of a new species of the bivalve ?Adamussium at about 325 mbsf, suggests that the Oligocene age can be extended down to this level. This confirms that the dominantly reversed magnetozone (R1), recorded down to about 340 mbsf, is Chron C12r. The ages imply high sedimentation rates and only minimal time gaps at the sequence boundaries. Below 340 mbsf there are no independent datums to guide the correlation of the magnetozones to the magnetic polarity time scale. However, the absence of in situ dinocysts attributable to Transantarctic Flora, if not a result of environmental control, limits the age of the base of the hole to between c. 33.5 and 35 Ma.


Using high-contrast imaging with the SPHERE instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT), we report the first images of a cold brown dwarf companion to the exoplanet host star HD 4113A. The brown dwarf HD 4113C is part of a complex dynamical system consisting of a giant planet, a stellar host, and a known wide M-dwarf companion. Its separation of 535 ± 3 mas and H-band contrast of 13.35 ± 0.10 mag correspond to a projected separation of 22 AU and an isochronal mass estimate of 36 ± 5 MJ based on COND models. The companion shows strong methane absorption, and through fitting an atmosphere model, we estimate a surface gravity of logg = 5 and an effective temperature of ~500–600 K. A comparison of its spectrum with observed T dwarfs indicates a late-T spectral type, with a T9 object providing the best match. By combining the observed astrometry from the imaging data with 27 years of radial velocities, we use orbital fitting to constrain its orbital and physical parameters, as well as update those of the planet HD 4113A b, discovered by previous radial velocity measurements. The data suggest a dynamical mass of 66−4+5 MJ and moderate eccentricity of 0.44−0.07+0.08 for the brown dwarf. This mass estimate appears to contradict the isochronal estimate and that of objects with similar temperatures, which may be caused by the newly detected object being an unresolved binary brown dwarf system or the presence of an additional object in the system. Through dynamical simulations, we show that the planet may undergo strong Lidov-Kozai cycles, raising the possibility that it formed on a quasi-circular orbit and gained its currently observed high eccentricity (e ~ 0.9) through interactions with the brown dwarf. Follow-up observations combining radial velocities, direct imaging, and Gaia astrometry will be crucial to precisely constrain the dynamical mass of the brown dwarf and allow for an in-depth comparison with evolutionary and atmosphere models.


Difficulties with the experience of anxiety often embody one of the primary reasons behind clients seeking care and utilising the service of health care professionals. Anxiety is a complex emotion that involves an interplay of biological, cognitive, behavioural and affective factors in the acquisition and maintenance of difficulties related to this experience. Despite the attempt to classify anxiety related difficulties, the current diagnostic system does not offer an accurate categorical system of anxiety related disorders with distinct differences in aetiology, course of the disorder, prognosis, and choice of treatment. Additionally, there is growing evidence suggesting that anxiety disorders share important psychological processes. Therefore, practitioners have deemed it would be beneficial to move beyond diagnosis and begin to examine every day experiences of anxiety to provide a better picture of emotional distress.

This research explored how seven participants experienced anxiety after completing a mindfulness based stress reduction course. The study utilised a form of qualitative methodology, in order to maintain a close look at participants' experiences. Participants were recruited with the help of teachers who facilitate this programme. Participants' interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Through the analysis two major themes emerged: 'The ravaging tornado of anxiety' and 'tempering the storm through self-discovery'. Each of these themes entails several sub-themes.

The findings are considered in relation to the wider literature and links are made with theoretical models regarding reflexive awareness, being with emotions and embodiment. Clinical implications of the findings are also discussed.


Simultaneous oscillations of 1318.8nm, 1320.0nm, 1332.6nm, 1335.0nm, 1338.2nm and 1339.0nm in a side, pulsed-diode-laser-array pumped Nd:YAG laser is realized for both free running and Q-switched operation. An average power of 1.1W is obtained for an absorbed pump power of 7.1W with an effective optical slope efficiency of 33%. The difference frequency interactions among these wavelengths may be used to generate radiation in the range 0.13-3.43THz. With the two most intense lines at 1318.8nm and 1338.2nm, it is possible to generate coherent radiation at 3.3THz with numerically estimated peak power of 0.21W in a 1.5mm thick GaSe crystal.


Abstract This paper examines the role of a research network that involves design schools and researchers from a wide variety of disciplines. The C-SAN Futures network addressed the role that global exchanges within design education and research networks can play in addressing challenges related to climate change. The network organized researcher and student exchanges, events, collaboration with local communities and the building of a digital platform to support knowledge exchange and communication. Through these actions, the network highlights the importance of a new kind of dialogue and new approaches to design research and education that underline possible futures and an approach to sustainability based on an understanding humanity as a holistic ecology. The paper shows how the network has played a key role in meaningful exchanges between design students and teachers, and given participants access to new experiences, perspectives and strategies for addressing climate change, sustainability and resource dilemmas.


We present a new and flexible approach to repair reactive programs with respect to a specification. The specification is given in linear-temporal logic. Like in previous approaches, we require that a repaired program satisfies the specification and is syntactically close to the faulty program. In addition our approach also allows the user to ask for a program that is semantically close by enforcing that a specific subset of the correct traces is preserved. Our approach is based on synthesizing a program producing a set of traces that stays within a lower and an upper bound. We provide an algorithm to decide if a program is repairable with respect to our new notion and synthesize a repair if one exists. We analyze several ways to choose the set of traces to leave intact and show the boundaries they impose on repairability.


Resting potentials, action potentials, and miniature end-plate potentials have been recorded from isolated phrenic-diaphragm preparations of the rat during and after irradiation with X-rays. Relatively small doses of a few thousand roentgens have no obvious effect on the preparation for many hours but larger doses, of the order of 70 to 150 kr irreversibly block neuromuscular transmission. The block is not accompanied by any change in the size of action potentials, resting potentials, membrane constants or miniature potentials recorded in the muscle with intracellular electrodes, or in the size of action potentials recorded in the nerve. Records made at the motor end-plate show that the cause of the block is a 'pre-synaptic ' failure of impulse propagation in the intramuscular part of the nerve. The time course of the failure depends largely on the rate at which X-rays are delivered to the preparation: at a high dose-rate (70kr/min) the block develops rapidly and is accompanied by an increase in the frequency of miniature potentials; at a low dose-rate (7 kr/min) larger doses are required, the latency is longer and the miniature potentials continue at a normal frequency. The sequence in which different parts of the muscle become blocked, the abrupt nature of the failure at an individual motor end-plate, and the increase in frequency of the miniature potentials together suggest that the action of X-rays is to block conduction in the nerve near its terminals, possibly by depolarizing points where the axons branch and the safety factor for the propagation of impulses is low. The results reported in this paper do not support the hypotheses that small doses of X-rays at a high or a low dose-rate lead to an initial 'enhancement' of function or that they produce immediate and reversible changes in the permeability of excitable membranes to ions.


Cooperative driving is based on wireless communications between vehicles and between vehicles and roadside infrastructure, aiming for increased traffic flow and traffic safety, while decreasing fuel consumption and emissions. To support and accelerate the introduction of cooperative vehicles in everyday traffic, in 2011, nine international teams joined the Grand Cooperative Driving Challenge (GCDC). The challenge was to perform platooning, in which vehicles drive in road trains with short intervehicle distances. The results were reported in a Special Issue of IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, published in September 2012 [item 1 in the Appendix].


Abstract The lower divertor of the DIII-D tokamak has been modified to provide improved density control of the tokamak plasma during operation in a high triangularity double-null configuration. Union Carbide ATJ grade graphite tiles covering the new lower divertor and vessel floor were designed to have better tile-to-tile alignment and to withstand higher heat flux than existing tiles. Gaps between tiles were successfully reduced from 2.5 to 0.4 mm and tile top surface alignment was greatly improved from 1.0 to 0.1 mm. Small tile gaps along with good vertical edge alignment greatly reduce the number and size of thin edges visible to the plasma, thus minimizing possible carbon introduction into the plasma. Close tile-to-tile alignment was the result of the very flat divertor plate surface, carefully controlled tile positioning, well-machined graphite tiles, and hand filing. Tiles were specified to survive 27 MJ of energy deposited per toroidal row of tiles during a 10 s shot period. When this energy is applied over the narrow triangular heat flux profiles originally specified, modeling shows that the tiles exceed maximum allowable tensile stress. Modeling does show that the tiles are able to absorb the 27 MJ per row without exceeding stress limits in cases where the heat flux profile is less focused than the original design specification. This paper will compare tile design analysis with operational experience obtained during the first 12-week operations campaign with the new divertor.


Significant research explores effectiveness of entrepreneurial curriculum, teaching innovations and programs, but less often studied is the role of entrepreneurship educators. The way that the educator sees his or her role relative to the students is of critical importance because this directly influences pedagogy choices, expectations for students and learning outcomes, as well as job satisfaction. While recent studies propose typologies characterizing pedagogical approaches of educators, few of these are based on the data from entrepreneurship educators. Framed within role identity theory, we conducted 13 in–depth interviews to examine how entrepreneurship educators perceive their role. Using the qualitative data analysis tool (NVivo), we analyzed how the relationship between their perceptions of their role and core value orientation is connected to teaching approaches. Results show that these educators view their roles as teacher-focused, network-focused, or student-focused and that these perspectives are associated with different perceptions of students' role and learning objectives. Further, we find different levels of emphasis on roles and that personal core values are differentially linked to these roles. Implications and future research directions are discussed.


This paper describes the application and testing of innovative dual porosity flow diagnostics to quantitatively rank large ensembles of fractured reservoir models. Flow diagnostics can approximate the dynamic response of multi-million cell models in seconds on standard hardware. The need for new faster screening methods stems from the challenge of making robust forecasts for naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs. First order uncertainties including the distribution and properties of natural fractures, matrix heterogeneity and wettability can all negatively impact on recovery. A robust multi-realisation approach to production forecasting is often rendered impractical due to the time cost for simulating many models.
 We have extended existing flow diagnostics techniques to dual porosity systems by accounting for the matrix-fracture exchange. New metrics combine the transfer rate with the advective time of flight in the fractures identifying risk factors for early water breakthrough and providing quantitative measures of dynamic heterogeneity.
 We have compared ranking a large ensemble of synthetic fractured reservoir models using dual porosity flow diagnostics and using full-physics simulation. The synthetic ensemble explores a number of different geological concepts around the fracture distributions, wettability and matrix heterogeneity which can. Not only does the flow diagnostic ranking agree well with the cumulative oil ranking the run time for the flow diagnostics is <0.25% of the total simulation time. This significant reduction in the time to compare models allows more time to spend running full physics simulation on the important and geologically diverse cases that offer the most insight.


A preliminary prototype of a brachytherapy equipment has been constructed. The work started by developing conceptual design, followed by basic design and detailed design. In the conceptual design, design requirements are stated. In the basic design, technical specifications for main components are determined. In detailed design, general drawings are discussed. The prototype consists of three main systems: a mechanical system, an instrumentation system, and a safety system. The mechanical system assures the movement mechanism of the isotope source position beginning from the standby position until the applicators. It consists of three main modules: a position handling module, a container module, and a channel distribution module. The position handling module serves to move the isotope source position. As shielding, the second module is to store the source when the equipment is in standby position. The prototype provides 12 output channels.  The channel selection is performed by the third module. The instrumentation system controls the movement of source position by handling motor operations. It consists of several modules. A microcontroller module serves as a control center whose task includes both controlling motors and communicating with computer. A motor module serves to handle motors. 10 sensors, including their signal conditionings, are introduced to read the environment conditions of the equipment. LEDs are used to display these conditions. In order to facilitate the operators' duty, communication via RS232 is provided. The brachytherapy equipment can therefore be operated by using computer. Interface software is developed using C# language. To complete both mechanical and instrumentation systems performance, a safety system is developed to make sure that the safety for operator and patients from receiving excessive radiation. An interlock system is introduced to guard against abnormal conditions. In the worst case, a manual intervention by the operator is provided when all other means are failing to store the isotope source into the safe container. The tests showed good results. The prototype can send the isotope source to applicators. The isotope source can be positioned with an accuracy of  ± 0.5 mm and with a speed of 550 mm/second. These characteristics meet the design criteria. Received: 16 January 2013; Revised: 26 August 2013; Accepted: 29 August 2013


Abstract. Reconstructing the 3D profile from a set of UAV-based images can obtain hyperspectral information, as well as the 3D coordinate of any point on the profile. Our images are captured from the Cubert UHD185 (UHD) hyperspectral camera, which is a new type of high-speed onboard imaging spectrometer. And it can get both hyperspectral image and panchromatic image simultaneously. The panchromatic image have a higher spatial resolution than hyperspectral image, but each hyperspectral image provides considerable information on the spatial spectral distribution of the object. Thus there is an opportunity to derive a high quality 3D point cloud from panchromatic image and considerable spectral information from hyperspectral image. The purpose of this paper is to introduce our processing chain that derives a database which can provide hyperspectral information and 3D position of each point. First, We adopt a free and open-source software, Visual SFM which is based on structure from motion (SFM) algorithm, to recover 3D point cloud from panchromatic image. And then get spectral information of each point from hyperspectral image by a self-developed program written in MATLAB. The production can be used to support further research and applications.


This attractive boxed set includes:The Digital Photography Book (ISBN 0-321-47404-X)The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 (ISBN 0-321-52476-4)The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 (ISBN 0-321-61765-7)Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, shows which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and hundreds of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get budding photographers shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with their digital camera every time they press the shutter button.Scott tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think). Each chapter is packed with plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people, and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he's got full chapters on his most requested topics, including loads of tips for landscape photographers, wedding photographers, and there's an entire chapter devoted to sharing some of the pro's secrets for making your photos look more professional, no matter what you're shooting.


Anthocyanins are nonphotosynthetic water-soluble pigments associated with the resistance of plants to environmental stresses such as drought, low soil nutrients, high radiation, herbivores, and pathogens. Information on the absolute and relative amounts of anthocyanins allows evaluating the physiological conditions of plants and their responses to stress and has the potential for evaluating plant species diversity across broad geographic regions. As anthocyanins absorb radiation in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum (with a peak of absorption at around 540-560 nm), broadband vegetation indices that use this spectral region in their formulation will exhibit sensitivity to their presence. In this letter, we evaluate the sensitivity of four broadband vegetation indices using reflectance in the green spectral region to foliar anthocyanin content. Among the indices tested, the visible atmospherically resistant vegetation index was found to be closely and linearly related to the relative amount of foliar anthocyanin across five different species (the root-mean-square error of the prediction is ca. 0.1, and the relative error is below 20%). While this result was obtained at leaf level, it opens new possibilities for analyzing anthocyanin content and composition across multiple scales by means of spacecraft-mounted broadband sensor systems such as Landsat Thematic Mapper, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer.


In order to clarify the objectives of bankruptcy, to reveal the true essence of bankruptcy procedure and the origin of legal terms, it is necessary to ascertain the nature of this institute of law, as well as the reasons for its creation and development. This article provides historic analysis of the development of the institute of bankruptcy procedure. For this purpose, a historic comparative research is undertaken in the article, in order to find certain parallels of bankruptcy procedure under Roman law and the modern bankruptcy procedure. Roman law has been chosen as the most phenomenal ancient law for the purposes of undertaking a historic analysis of the development of bankruptcy procedure. In the authors' opinion, it it the best example that reveals the origin of bankruptcy procedure, and the reasons for its formation. Analysis of certain private law institutes of Roman law enables the authors to conclude that the main features (principles) of the bankruptcy procedure formed precisely under Roman law: replacement of personal liability by pecuniary; public auction as a form of realization of debtor's property; transition from selling of debtor's property as a whole to disposal of property in divided property units; creation of subject, who administers auctions of debtor's property under oath not to act in selfish purposes; setting of a term of 30 days, during which a debtor has to cover the debts (claims' dispute resolution); establishment of the institute of informing creditors about initiated procedures of debt retrieval and encouragement to join these procedures; establishment of the ban to recover debts from household items; laying of the foundations of the institute of peace agreement between the debtor and his creditors; establishment of actio Pauliana - a remedy for the protection of creditors rights. The mentioned rules in one way or another eventually have been transferred to legal acts on legal relations in case of bankruptcy of many foreign countries.


Active Support is a proven model of care that enables and empowers people with intellectual disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of their lives. This evidence-based approach is particularly effective for working with people with more severe disabilities, and is of growing interest to those responsible for providing support and services.

The authors provide a comprehensive overview of Active Support and how it can be used in practice, based on the theory and research underpinning the methods involved. They describe how to engage people with intellectual disabilities in meaningful activity as active participants, and look at the communication style needed to foster positive relationships between carers and the people they are supporting. Highlighting the main issues for those trying to put Active Support into practice, they explain what is needed on a day-to-day basis to support the implementation, improvement and maintenance of the approach, along with possible solutions for the difficulties they may encounter. Finally, they look at how to integrate Active Support with other person-centred approaches, drawing on examples from various organisations and individual case studies.

The definitive text on Active Support, this book will be essential reading for anyone professionally concerned with the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities, including psychologists, behaviour specialists, social workers, care managers, occupational therapists and inspectors and regulators of services, as well as families.


We study vortex pattern formation in thin ferromagnetic films under the action of strong spin-polarized currents. Considering the currents which are polarized along the normal of the film plane, we determine the critical current above which the film goes to a saturated state with all magnetic moments being perpendicular to the film plane. We show that stable square vortex-antivortex superlattices (vortex crystals) appear slightly below the critical current. The melting of the vortex crystal occurs with further decrease of current. A mechanism of current-induced periodic vortex-antivortex lattice formation is proposed. Micromagnetic simulations confirm our analytical results with a high accuracy.


PURPOSE
To investigate if and under what conditions pencil beam scanning (PBS) will offer therapeutic benefits compared to passive scattered proton therapy for pediatric patients with tumors in the thorax/pelvis.

METHODS
A cohort of six pediatric patients with thorax/pelvic solid tumors treated with passive scattered protons was selected. The tumor types included prostate/bladder rhabdomyosarcoma and spinal/pelvic ewing sarcoma. Five PBS plans were created and optimized for each patient with variable beam spot sizes and utility of beam shaping devices namely apertures and range compensators. These included 12, 8 and 3 mm spot sigma at the isocenter, 12 mm spot with the use of apertures and 12 mm spot with both aperture and compensator. The conformity index for all plans was calculated to ensure sufficient tumor coverage. Dose volume histograms were analyzed and equivalent uniform dose (EUD) for each organ was computed. PBS and PSPT were compared by obtaining the % differences between the two methods for individual organs and for each patient and scanning parameter setting.

RESULTS
The results clearly indicate that PBS with 12 mm sigma spots size does not offer dosimetric or clinical advantage over PSPT. However, adding apertures or both apertures and compensators could ensure equivalent or better treatment quality. On average the EUD difference was 0.2% of the prescribed dose for the larger spot size and -3.9% when adding both beam shaping components. Decreasing the spot size further improved all plans, providing better dosimetric quality than PSPT, while alleviating the need for beam shaping devices.

CONCLUSION
The added benefit of using PBS largely depends on the delivery configurations. We recommend the use of beam shaping components in facilities limited to larger spot size (>10mm sigma), in order to sharpen the dose penumbra and reduce the organ at risk toxicity in children with thoracic/pelvic cancers.


Abstract Copula models have become one of the most popular tools, especially in finance and insurance, for modeling multivariate distributions in the past few decades, and they have recently received increasing attention for data analysis in reliability engineering and survival analysis. This paper considers two Archimedean copula models — the Gumbel-Hougaard copula and Frank copula — for analyzing one-shot device data with two correlated failure modes, which are collected from constant-stress accelerated life tests. A one-shot device is a unit that cannot be used again after a test, e.g., munitions, rockets, and automobile airbags. Only either left- or right-censored data are collected instead of the actual lifetimes of the devices under test. With the aid of Kendall's tau correlation coefficient, initial values of the dependence parameter for the copula models are presented to determine maximum likelihood estimates of model parameters through a numerical approach. Furthermore, the proposed model can be used to examine whether the correlation between times to failure modes changes over stress levels. Real data from a survival experiment are also re-analyzed to illustrate the proposed methods.


This paper uses the notion of contracting strategy to advance research on plural sourcing. We develop and test a theoretical framework to explain how plural-sourcing firms strike the make-and-buy balance depending on their contracting strategy. The focal firm's choice of a contracting strategy is associated with a specific supplier portfolio design, with a bargaining-based strategy resulting in many, narrowly capable suppliers with short tenure, and a relationship-based contracting strategy resulting in fewer, broadly capable suppliers with long tenure. Focal firms with the latter strategy incur lower overall contracting costs than those with the former, and therefore outsource more. Focal firms seek to influence contracting costs associated with their supplier portfolio for "nearly the same inputs" and "nearly the same suppliers." Empirical analysis corresponding to the two levels, namely patent prosecution and legal services at Fortune 500 firms, provide consistent support for our theory.


This paper analyses convergence in per capita gross regional product of Russia's regions during the period 1995-2010, when regional data are available. Using a panel regression framework we find no evidence for beta-convergence. Instead we find divergence, which is, however, attenuated over time. Robustness checks that use regional real income instead of gross regional product confirm this outcome as do non-parametric estimates of convergence, namely estimates using Markov transition probability matrices and stochastic kernel plots of regional relative income. Decompositions of regional income and gross regional product also find no sigma-convergence of Russian regions. These decompositions point to the geographical concentration of extractive activities in the Urals and of business services and of the public administration in the Moscow area as the main culprit for this lack of convergence. They also establish that despite reforms to equalize provisions of public goods across Russia, the social services sector of the public administration, education and health still do not have the expected equalizing impact on regional income.


The formation of new aerosol from the gas phase is commonly represented in atmospheric modeling with parameterizations of the steady state nucleation rate. Present parameterizations are based on classical nucleation theory or on nucleation rates calculated with a numerical aerosol model. These parameterizations reproduce aerosol nucleation rates calculated with a numerical aerosol model only imprecisely. Additional errors can arise when the nucleation rate is used as a surrogate for the production rate of particles of a given size. We discuss these errors and present a method which allows a more precise calculation of steady state sulfate aerosol formation rates. The method is based on the semi-analytical solution of an aerosol system in steady state and on parameterized rate coefficients for H2SO4 uptake and loss by sulfate aerosol particles, calculated from laboratory and theoretical thermodynamic data.


Comments on Christine Charyton's review (see record 2006-04625-001) of the edited book by Jane E. Myers and Thomas John Sweeney, Counseling for Wellness: Theory, Research, and Practice (see record 2006-01762-000) which, the authors feel, does not properly address the intent of the book being reviewed. The current authors state that the book is presented in four parts. The first part addresses wellness theory and measurement, including the history of wellness theory, the theoretical Wheel of Wellness model, the evidence-based indivisible Self Wellness model, and methods for wellness assessment. The book's second part addresses wellness research, specifically using the counseling-based wellness models introduced in Part 1. The third major section of the book explores wellness applications in counseling professional practice, including strategies for wellness and habit change and integrating concepts of spirituality and stress management into practice. In the final part of the book, wellness applications in counseling settings and counselor education are addressed. The reviewer's first critique of the book questioned the relevance of Adlerian theory to the original theoretical Wheel model. The chapter on this model reveals the roots of wellness theory in Adler's writings. In addition, there were content errors in the minor part of the review that actually related directly to the contents of the book. The reviewer confused the theoretical Wheel model and its measurement instrument, the Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle Inventory (WEL), with an evidenced-based wellness model (the Indivisible Self; IS-Wel) and its associated measurement instrument, the 5F-Wel. Although most of the book focuses on the need for evidence-based wellness practice, which is the foundation of the IS-Wel model, the reviewer never mentions that model even once in her review. The authors welcome questions, suggestions, and dialogue from persons who share our interest in promoting wellness of all persons across the lifespan. In summary, they hope their response better informs interested readers.


BACKGROUND
Falls among older adults are both prevalent and preventable.

PURPOSE
To describe the benefits and harms of interventions that could be used by primary care practitioners to prevent falling among community-dwelling older adults.

DATA SOURCES
The reviewers evaluated trials from a good-quality systematic review published in 2003 and searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and CINAHL from the end of that review's search date to February 2010 to identify additional English-language trials.

STUDY SELECTION
Two reviewers independently screened 3423 abstracts and 638 articles to identify randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) of primary care-relevant interventions among community-dwelling older adults that reported falls or fallers as an outcome. Trials were independently critically appraised to include only good- or fair-quality trials; discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer.

DATA EXTRACTION
One reviewer abstracted data from 61 articles into standardized evidence tables that were verified by a second reviewer.

DATA SYNTHESIS
Overall, the included evidence was of fair quality. In 16 RCTs evaluating exercise or physical therapy, interventions reduced falling (risk ratio, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.81 to 0.94]). In 9 RCTs of vitamin D supplementation, interventions reduced falling (risk ratio, 0.83 [CI, 0.77 to 0.89]). In 19 trials involving multifactorial assessment and management, interventions with comprehensive management seemed to reduce falling, although overall pooled estimates were not statistically significant (risk ratio, 0.94 [CI, 0.87 to 1.02]). Limited evidence suggested that serious clinical harms were no more common for older adults in intervention groups than for those in control groups.

LIMITATIONS
Interventions and methods of fall ascertainment were heterogeneous. Data on potential harms of interventions were scant and often not reported.

CONCLUSION
Primary care-relevant interventions exist that can reduce falling among community-dwelling older adults.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.


IonFR calculates the amount of ionospheric Faraday rotation for a specific epoch, geographic location, and line-of-sight. The code uses a number of publicly available, GPS-derived total electron content maps and the most recent release of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. ionFR can be used for the calibration of radio polarimetric observations; its accuracy had been demonstrated using LOFAR pulsar observations.


We present G-band and Ca ii H observations of NOAA AR 10930 obtained by Hinode/SOT on 2006 December 6 covering an X6.5 flare. The Local Correlation Tracking technique was applied to the foreshortening-corrected G-band image series to acquire horizontal proper motions in this complex βγδ active region. With the continuous high-quality, spatial and temporal resolution G-band data, we not only confirm the rapid decay of outer penumbrae and darkening of the central structure near the flaring neutral line, but also unambiguously detect for the first time the enhancement of the sheared Evershed flow (average horizontal flow speed increased from 330 ± 3.1 to 403 ± 4.6 m s−1) along the neutral line right after the eruptive white-light flare. Post-flare Ca ii H images indicate that the originally fanning out field lines at the two sides of the neutral line get connected. Since penumbral structure and Evershed flow are closely related to photospheric magnetic inclination or horizontal field strength, we interpret the rapid changes of sunspot structure and surface flow as the result of flare-induced magnetic restructuring down to the photosphere. The magnetic fields turn from fanning out to inward connection causing outer penumbrae decay, meanwhile those near the flaring neutral line become more horizontal leading to stronger Evershed flow there. The inferred enhancement of horizontal magnetic field near the neutral line is consistent with recent magnetic observations and theoretical predictions of flare-invoked photospheric magnetic field change.


This study compares the speaker recognition strengths based on suprasegmental duration and intensity variability in the speech signal using artificial neural networks. Such algorithm can well capture the nonlinear effects in the data, and is more robust against noise in the data. Three rounds of classification tasks were performed with 1) duration metrics, 2) intensity metrics, and 3) the combination of duration and intensity metrics as the independent variables. The results indicated that both intensity and combined metrics significantly outperformed the duration metrics. Moreover, the combination of intensity and duration metrics showed higher probability of improved speaker classifications than intensity metrics over duration metrics.


Urban/Rural Inequalities in Suicide Rates in Georgia, 2008-2013: A county-level analysis By Garrett Mahon December 9, 2016 Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a significant public health issue. There have been copious amounts of research completed worldwide attempting to understand the reasons behind suicide, including those revolving around urban and rural disparities. However, research has yet to find a consensus on the issue. The state of Georgia, in particular, has a variety of county-level characteristics that could help understand the dissimilarity between urban/rural populations and direct future research to improve prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to assess disparities in suicide rates across urban-rural populations, adjusting for rurality, ethnicity, and a county-level dissimilarity index, in the State of Georgia from 2008 to 2013. METHODS: Suicide mortality data by ethnicity, age, and county of residence were obtained from Georgia's violent death incident report and death certificate database for 2008 to 2013. A series of Poisson Models were used to evaluate the rates of suicides between urban and rural populations. RESULTS: The analysis was conducted on 5833 suicides across the 159 counties of Georgia with Urban and Rural counties classified as both a binary and fourfold modify variable. There was sufficient evidence to suggest that rural counties in Georgia have a significantly high rate of suicide than those of its urban counterpart, (IRR=1.43, IRR=1.37), even after adjusting for ethnicity and a county level dissimilarity index. CONCLUSION: Georgia's suicide rates are relatively higher among those living in rural counties when compared to urban settings. These results both confirm and conflict with findings from previous research. The diversity in findings denotes that future research should explore the variations across urban/rural classification systems, spatial remoteness of the area, and additional regional level characteristics.


Ergezer H., Kaya H.İ., Şimşek Ö. (2018): Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) extract in beef patties. Czech J. Food Sci., 36: 154–162. The antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of artichoke extract (AE) in raw beef patties (RBPs) was evaluated during the storage. The RBPs were prepared with the addition of 500 and 1000 ppm AE. Also, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19118 were inoculated to each RBP to follow the antimicrobial activity. An evaluation of the instrumental colour, pH, total phenolic content (TPC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, TBARS and microbiological properties was carried out during storage. The evaluation revealed that the a* value decreased significantly, so that the reduction level of the AE500 and AE1000 samples during storage was 35, 57, and 56%, respectively, in the control. AE addition slightly decreased the pH of RBPs, which varied between 5.72 and 5.96. The TPC and DPPH values of samples with added 500 and 1000 ppm AE were 2 to 3-fold and 3 to 7-fold higher than in the control, respectively. Also, the TBARS values were determined as 43 and 54% lower than in the control at the end of storage when 500 and 1000 ppm AE were used. The AE in RBP inhibited the viability of total aerobic psychrophilic bacteria, coliform bacteria and yeast-mould in a concentration-dependent manner. AE prevented the growth of E. coli ATCC25922 and L. monocytogenes ATCC19118 inoculated to the RBPs. In conclusion, 1000 ppm AE was sufficient for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in RBP. To our knowledge, this is the first study that presents the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of AE used in a food model system.


Claudius Marius Victor (or Victorius), a rhetor of Marseilles (according to Gennadius), composed in the first half of the fifth century a metrical paraphrase of Genesis from the creation of the world up to the destruction of Sodom. The work, which amounts to something over 2,000 lines and is supposedly unfinished, is entitled Alethia, seasoned with occasional discussion of philosophic or other matter, and written with the expressed hope of improving the minds of the young. The text depends on a single ninth-century Paris manuscript (P), which contains errors that are numerous but in general rudimentary and susceptible of convincing emendation. The first serious edition—for the edition of J. de Gagny (1536), though it offered many useful emendations, was too full of licentious alterations, excisions, and additions, to rank as such—was that of G. Morel (1560). The next editor, G. Fabricius (1564), in spite of his awareness of Morel's edition, did little more than reproduce the depraved text of Gagny.


The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the development of a multidisciplinary tool capable of giving fast and easily readable feedback during the preliminary design phase of low pressure turbine stages of aircraft engines. A feasible and high performance aerodynamic result may not be compliant with the aeromechanic side of the project. The steps back and forth to obtain a high quality project both in aerodynamics and aeromechanics may lead to slow and complicated iterations. For this reason the need to develop a preliminary tool giving a clear feedback to the designer has arisen. The GE Avio Aero tool is a Workbench Wizard named PRIME, which connects to DynBooster, a private property software which builds the CAD directly from airfoil geometry de fined by the aerodynamic section and inner/outer band templates. PRIME then generates a FEM model with proper boundary conditions and is set up to perform all the analysis requested, giv- ing outputs for following analysis and direct feedbacks on the ones carried out inside the tool itself. The whole process is performed by a Wizard built in ANSYS Workbench Mechanical environment, which automatizes most of the steps, leaving the user to set up proper inputs and outputs. The first functions implemented by the tool focused on a pre-stressed modal analysis, inputs for vibratory behaviour and a basic Campbell Diagram. During the work carried out during this Thesis, the main focus was put on the static analysis and the post processing phase of results, thus ranging from extensive tests on load cases to experimental ways to show results. Thanks to the development of this software, the user will be able to obtain reliable and fast results even without the know-how which lies behind FEM analysis. In the first three chapters a general background will be offered, starting from the corporate reality of GE, Avio Aero and Greatlab, through the basics of propulsion until some theoretical notions about the content of the thesis. Following chapters will put the attention on the work itself, the way PRIME works and its advantages, specifying the need for such a software in the fast growing industry. The final chapter will present the future works related to PRIME and its future applications.


A detailed chart showing normal anatomy of the head and neck as well as common injuries. Each illustration is clearly drawn and labeled. Anatomy and Injuries of the Head and Neck illustrates the following normal anatomy: 3/4 view of the head, neck and face showing the muscles, nerves, blood supply. Lateral view of the skeleton of the neck showing the base of the skull, and cartilage of the neck Anatomy and Injuries of the Head and Neck illustrates the following common injuries: Head injuries: Basic concussion Coup Countra Coup Concussions Epidural Hematoma Subdural Hematoma Stroke Orbital, Nasal and Mandibular Fractures: bridge of nose fracture, left zygomaticofrontal suture fracture, fracture of the orbital floor, left zygomatic arch fracture, inferior orbital fracture, fracture of mandibular symphysis, fracture if mandibular body. Neck Injuries: hyperflexion, hyperextension, muscle injury, ligament damage, spinal cord injury, spinal stenosis Made in the USA. Available in the following versions : 20" x 26" heavy paper laminated with grommets at top corners 20" x 26" heavy paper


In this eagerly anticipated book, Boris Gasparov gazes through the lens of music to find an unusual perspective on Russian cultural and literary history. He discusses six major works of Russian music from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, showing the interplay of musical texts with their literary and historical sources within the ideological and cultural contexts of their times. Each musical work becomes a tableau representing a moment in Russian history, and together the works form a coherent story of ideological and aesthetic trends as they evolved in Russia from the time of Pushkin to the rise of totalitarianism in the 1930s. Gasparov discusses Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmilla (1842), Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov (1871) and Khovanshchina (1881), Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin (1878) and The Queen of Spades (1890), and Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony (1934). Offering new interpretations to enhance our understanding and appreciation of these important works, Gasparov also demonstrates how Russian music and cultural history illuminate one another.


This study investigated how a 6s maximal voluntary isometric conditioning contration (MVIC) affected plantar flexor twitch rate of torque development (RTDTW), as well as peak torque (PTCC) and rate of torque development (RTDCC) of maximal voluntary concentric contractions (MVCC) performed at 60°/s. RTDCC and normalized triceps surae electromyography signals (EMGTS) were measured during different phases of contraction. Additionally, muscle tendon unit passive stiffness index (SI) calculated from the torque-angle relation was measured following each MVCC.Enhancements were found in the RTDTW immediately (by 59.7%) and up to 480s (by 6.0%) post MVIC (p<0.05). RTDCC during the 100-200ms, 50-200ms, and 0-200ms phases and PTCC were enhanced (by 5.7-9.5%) from 90-300s post conditioning (p<0.05). Neuromuscular efficiency increased (decreased EMGTS/RTDCC) in the 50-200ms and 0-200ms phases by 8.8-12.4%, from 90-480s post MVIC (p<0.05). No significant changes were found in the SI or in RTDCC during the 50-100ms phase, suggesting that the enhancements reported, reflect mainly contractile rather than neural or tensile mechanisms.PAP effects on PTCC and RTDCC were significant, and more durable at a lower velocity than previously reported. Enhancement in RTDCC and neuromuscular efficiency were found to be more prominent in later phases (>100ms) of the MVCC. This suggests that enhanced contractile properties, attained via MVIC, benefit concentric contraction performance.


Seven hill country sites, covering a range of soil fertility were studied with the objective of examining the relationship between soil fertility indices and the components of and seasonality of forage supply of a hill pasture under continuous grazing. The seven sites varied from an undeveloped, unfertilized hill pasture, containing only low fertility adapted grasses and weeds to a highly productive sward dominated by high fertility responsive grasses and white clover. The differences between sites were the consequence of different fertilizer application, position on the landscape and accumulation of nutrients from dung and urine. The total C content of the soils varied from 4.7 to 7.2%, N content varied from 0.43 to 0.70% and P content from 517 to 1361 mg L· • Soils were sampled biweekly and analyzed for mineral N and Olsen and Resin P for 12 months starting in January 1993. In each season microbial C, N and P were also measured. Pasture growth and components at each site were assessed under biweekly and 4-weekly cutting regimes throughout the 12 months of the experiment. Nitrogen and P concentration of mixed pasture samples from each cut were also determined. There was a wide range in the values of the three soil fertility indices measured (mineral N, Olsen P and Resin P). Ammonium was the dominant form of soil mineral N at all but the highest overall soil fertility site. Differences in mineral N between sites were mainly due to N03 content. The seasonal pattern was similar for all sites with the lowest soil mineral N content in winter and the highest in summer. In contrast both soil P indices had smaller variation throughout the year and no clear seasonal pattern. Olsen P values at the seven sites ranged from 7. 7 to 46.3 and Resin P values from 12.2 to 76.7. Microbial C and N content of soil showed little seasonal variation or differences between sites. In sharp contrast. Microbial P was higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter and this difference decreased as the fertility of the seven sites increased. The Microbial C:P ratio decreased as fertility increased. iii Annual pasture production varied more than 5-fold across the 7 sites, ranging from 3300 to 17000 kg DM/ha/year. There was little effect of cutting frequency on pasture production. Grasses adapted to low fertility environments were the dominant botanical fraction of pasture at all sites with the exception of the highest production site. High fertility responsive grass production followed the same trend as total pasture production and weeds the opposite trend. The seasonal pattern of pasture production was similar at all sites with spring and summer production accounting for more than 70% of annual production. Seasonality of pasture growth was not affected by soil fertility or cutting frequency. Nitrogen and P concentration of pasture followed the same trends of pasture production being the highest in the high production sites and extremely deficient in the low production sites. Differences in P uptake by pasture were far greater (nearly 10-fold) than differences in pasture production. There were strong relationships between the three soil fertility indices studied and pasture growth. Monthly and seasonal mineral soil N values had a strong linear relationship with seasonal and annual pasture production indicating that N was limiting pasture growth over the range of soils studied. Spring and summer estimates of mineral N were the most reliable predictors of annual pasture production. Monthly and seasonal values of soil P fertility indices (Olsen and Resin P) were strongly related to pasture production although pasture growth appeared to be reaching a plateau at high P levels, specially in spring and summer. Due to the small variability of these indices throughout the year, relationships between Olsen P and Resin P and total pasture production were independent of sampling time, with the exception of the sampling immediately following P fertiliser application. Estimated P levels for 95% of maximum growth were extremely high (103 and 187 μglee for Olsen P and Resin P, respectively). These indices are much greater than the commonly used critical level for Olsen P in these soils (20 μgig). However, the shape of the response curve in this study may be affected by the combined effect of available P and N at the high fertility sites. Indices of P fertility were also related to pasture composition, with a strong positive linear relationship with high fertility responsive grass production, a quadratic relationship with white clover production and a negative relationship with weeds production and content.


A method is described for efficiently obtaining the comprehensive information of a polychromatic radiator. Under certain conditions both the spatial and spectral details of the radiative object can be recovered simultaneously from the three-dimensional spatial coherence function in the diffraction region. The recovery of object information is based on a Fourier-transform relationship derived from the basic formula [ WolfE.CarterW. H., J. Opt. Soc. Am.68, 953– 964 ( 1978)] describing the field correlation function in terms of the source correlation function. A new type of interferometer is proposed for the efficient collection of the spatial coherence data. Experimental results of the spectral-image recovery are also presented.


Aim: To assess the diagnostic concordance of SCID-II and clinicians' estimation of DSM-III-R personality disorders of substance abusers. Method: Clinical diagnoses of substance abusers in inpatient treatment were compared with SCID-II diagnoses (N = 138). Findings: The overall prevalence of personality disorder was 79% for clinical diagnosis and 80% for SCID-H diagnosis. Substantial agreement was found for borderline personality disorder, and moderate agreement was found for presence of any personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. All other disorders had slight to fair agreement. Antisocial personality disorder was overdiagnosed by clinical diagnosis but schizotypal, obsessive-compulsive, passive-aggressive, and masochistic personality disorders were reported more often by SCID-II. Selecting only the primary clinical diagnosis and omitting additional clinical diagnoses, reduced agreement with SCID-II diagnoses. Implications: Clinical diagnosis and structured interviews are not interchangeable, and produce somewhat different profiles of diagnoses for a group of substance abusers, but the two methods for diagnosing personality disorders converge for the two most common personality disorders in substance abusers. Rare and less-known diagnoses tend to be underreported whereas common and well-known disorders tend to be slightly overdiagnosed by clinical diagnosis as compared with a semistructured interview, especially if only one clinical diagnosis is noted.


Recent work in decentralized, schedule-driven traffic control has demonstrated the ability to improve the efficiency of traffic flow in complex urban road networks. In this approach, a scheduling agent is associated with each intersection. Each agent senses the traffic approaching its intersection and in real-time constructs a schedule that minimizes the cumulative wait time of vehicles approaching the intersection over the current look-ahead horizon. In order to achieve network level coordination in a scalable manner, scheduling agents communicate only with their direct neighbors. Each time an agent generates a new intersection schedule it communicates its expected outflows to its downstream neighbors as a prediction of future demand and these outflows are appended to the downstream agent's locally perceived demand. In this paper, we extend this basic coordination algorithm to additionally incorporate the complementary flow of information reflective of an intersection's current congestion level to its upstream neighbors. We present an asynchronous decentralized algorithm for updating intersection schedules and congestion level estimates based on these bi-directional information flows. By relating this algorithm to the self-optimized decision making of the basic operation, we are able to approach network-wide optimality and reduce inefficiency due to strictly self-interested intersection control decisions.


This paper provides a description and an analysis of what I call "conditionally interpreted declaratives" in Spanish: a coordination of two declarative clauses which receive a conditional interpretation. Conditionally interpreted declaratives in Spanish may even receive a counterfactual reading, which is something very rare cross-linguistically. I propose that such conditionally interpreted declaratives contain a left-subordinating conjunction 'and', which (i) conveys a causal modal, and (ii) turns the first conjunct into the restrictor of the modal and the second one into the scope. The fact that the first conjunct acts as a restrictor explains its peculiar prosody, which acts as a strong cue towards the relevant interpretation. Finally, the counterfactual interpretation is a pragmatic effect (i.e. it is defeasible) which is obtained when it is common ground that the first conjunct does not hold.


Asset expansion planning in Distribution System is important and should be expanded to consider utility scale energy storage systems such as batteries, flywheels, compressed air, thermal, etc. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are maturing for utility scale applications and are considered in this thesis for asset planning exercise.

Unlike other electromechanical assets such as generators, transformers, motors, feeders, distribution lines, etc., usage parameters such as number of storage cycles and depth of discharge have a dramatic nonlinear effect on the life of Battery Energy Storage Systems. Hence, in the optimal asset planning formulation of electric power distribution systems considering BESS, it is imperative to include their relationship between life in years, number of storage cycles and extent of usage in terms of depth of discharge.

A new optimal asset expansion planning formulation and algorithm for distribution systems is developed and presented in this thesis that considers (1) new sources of energy supply, and (2) BESS, while modeling nonlinear relationship life-cycling-usage of BESS.

The formulation aims to minimize annualized cost of the optimal expansion plan while satisfying forecasted demand and other distribution system service requirements. The proposed method in this thesis is then used to develop optimal expansion plans for a 6-bus synthetic system and an IEEE 33-bus distribution network. The results show the
effect of considering the life-cycling-usage relationship of BESS on optimal asset expansion plans.

Further, using sensitivity analysis, the effect of ratio off-peak load to peak load on total asset costs are analyzed and reported.


"Operations and Supply Chain Management", as the title indicates, provides increased emphasis on supply chain management in the 13th Edition. The 13th Edition continues its market leading up-to-date coverage of service operations as well. The text includes solved examples and problems, enough cases for MBA courses to use without supplementing, and the industry leading technology support suite.


We live in a world in which there is a great disparity between the lives of the rich and the poor. Technology offers great promise in bridging this gap. In particular, wireless technology unfetters developing communities from the constraints of infrastructure providing a great opportunity to leapfrog years of neglect and technological waywardness. In this paper, we highlight the role of resource pooling for wireless networks in the developing world. Resource pooling involves (i) abstracting a collection of networked resources to behave like a single unified resource pool and (ii) developing mechanisms for shifting load between the various parts of the unified resource pool. The popularity of resource pooling stems from its ability to provide resilience, high utilization, and flexibility at an acceptable cost. We show that ``resource pooling'', which is very popular in its various manifestations, is the key unifying principle underlying a diverse number of successful wireless technologies (such as white space networking, community networks, etc.). We discuss various applications of resource pooled wireless technologies and provide a discussion on open issues.


The conflict in eastern Ukraine has opened a bitter rift among academics and scientists. In early autumn, Ukraine9s science ministry hurriedly began moving 11 universities out of rebel territory in the strife-torn region. Most relocated to nearby towns that the central government still controls, in some cases leaving the original campuses in the hands of separatists. Donetsk National University, one of Ukraine9s leading universities, has set up shop 800 kilometers west in Vinnytsya. So far, about 1500 scientists and professors and 100,000 students have fled. Some have managed to spirit out valuable specimens and other research materials. But others have had to abandon their labs and life9s work. A multitude of scholars remain in the war zone because they will not forsake elderly family members, students, or research projects—or because they are loyal to the separatist regimes.


Introduction: In this paper we present new results of our long-term project on investigations of meteoritic nanodiamonds using grain-size analysis. The main goal of the project is to identify and characterize nanodiamond populations with different origin. The idea that meteoritic nanodiamonds can be represented by more than one population has been discussed for long time, almost since their discovery. The pointers to multiple populations include variations in carbon isotopic composition during stepped combustion of the nanodiamonds and variations between samples from meteorites with different metamorphic histories. The latter suggests that the different nanodiamond populations have varying level of resistance to the parent body metamorphic alterations (grades and environment where it takes place). In other words, notwithstanding what could have been an initial homogeneity in the diamond ensemble, a certain separation between populations occurred in different parent bodies (or at different places within individual parent bodies) during metamorphism under natural conditions. Laboratory grains-size separation of the nanodiamonds by means of centrifugation show that carbon isotopic composition varies systematically with size of the diamond grains. The total range of carbon isotope variations significantly increased and the effect of metamorphism considerably enhanced in the size fractions compared to unseparated samples so that it became possible to create a model from which carbon isotopic compositions of the pure populations can be found. In an early stage of the investigations we identified only two populations for the bulk grain-size fractions of Efremovka, Krymka and Boriskino, though the stepped combustion data suggested that a third populations may also be present. Recently we developed centrifugation procedures that have allowed us to produce the coarsest fractions. Applying these procedures to nanodiamonds from Orgueil we were able to identify a third high-temperature population with relatively heavy carbon isotopic composition (concentrated mostly in the coarsest fractions) which is associated with the P6 noble gas component. The other two populations we tentatively identified with the other known noble gas components: HL and P3. The new data we are going to discuss here are obtained for nanodiamonds from Kainsaz. In contrast to Orgueil this meteorite experienced a much stronger metamorphism under oxidising conditions, resulting in an extremely low SiC content relative to that for nanodiamonds. Since SiC (with a relatively heavy carbon isotopic composition) always represents a possible source of contamination of nanodiamonds, this sample gives us an opportunity to constrain the nature of the heavy carbon already identified in Orgueil (i.e. and rule out the presence of SiC as a factor).


This qualitative study provides new insight into how the sensitive management of the
emotional climate of an early years setting contributes to a beneficial context for child
development by focusing on enhancing the emotional well-being of the workforce.
This action research centred on the experiences of staff employed to care for young
children and explored the wide range of skills and responsibilities that are required of
managers and staff teams in settings that provide day care and early education. It also
considered the extent to which the needs and best interests of children are being
adequately addressed. This enquiry contributes to the ongoing debate over how well
young children are served by the use of early childcare and education settings and
whether some young children may be at risk of emotional neglect if relationships and
interactions in the setting are not sensitive and responsive to the emotional needs of the
children and their carers.
This research approach provides insight into how management actions and organisational
practices in early years settings can impact on children's well-being, learning and
development, and draws on many viewpoints using a variety of research tools. After an
initial survey of early years staff and managers of a range of settings in the East Midlands,
the focus moves to data gathering activities arising in one main setting based in the
region. The findings from the preliminary survey and the main setting raise important
questions about the experiences of young children.
Reflective management tools have been developed and successfully piloted in the main
study setting. The findings demonstrate a significant link between the implementation of
beneficial organisational practices in early years settings and the development of a
positive emotional climate through addressing issues affecting the staff and children's
well-being. Although this study is located in one region with data collected from one main
setting in particular, the research tools and findings have relevance to the organisational
practices in other early years settings
v
Personal well-being and team morale of early years staff are shown to contribute to the
quality of interactions that impact on children's well-being. The issue of 'being valued and
appreciated' is revealed as a key factor to be addressed in order to raise and maintain
staff morale. Practitioners in the main setting identified positive leadership and
management behaviours as contributing to feeling valued and appreciated. The
development of a management style that empowers and motivates staff, is recognised
here as compensatory in overcoming the inherent low pay and the sense of being undervalued
often associated with early years work. A nurturing management style is shown to
contribute to a positive emotional climate by improving staff retention and team stability.
A positive emotional climate is described as an environment that supports children's
emotional development, cognitive development and subsequent educational achievement
and social integration. The task of providing early years care and education at a level
that promotes children's emotional well-being is one that requires training in an holistic
approach to care and development and high professional standards for those with a
leadership responsibility. A young child's positive emotional well-being is identified as a
major factor in helping children to establish themselves as life-long learners and this study
concludes that the development of critical reflective management skills is essential if early
years settings are able to provide an environment in which children can thrive. The
concept of a beneficial childhood is defined and the study recommends that a focus on
child emotional well-being is the top priority that underpins local and national policy.
The teamwork skills of staff are extended to include the child's parents or main carers
such that the adults collectively take responsibility for creating a coherent and consistent
community of practice within which the children can thrive. The development of an
identifiable and supportive group culture is regarded as the responsibility of the most
senior person involved in the setting and this research identifies that this role requires
assistance and support from others internal and external to the setting.
The overall conclusions and recommendations focus on the following areas:
· Recognition of the impact of adult well-being on children's experiences;
· Description of a beneficial leadership style for early years settings;
· Clarification of specific organisational practices to be developed;
· Consideration of parental involvement and shared responsibility for childhood;
· Proposal of specific training activities to support development of practice.


Fingerprints are unique characteristics of an individual; therefore, the imaging and recognition of latent fingerprints (LFPs) are a top-priority task in forensic science. Fast visualization of LFPs can greatly help policemen in screening potential criminal scenes and capturing fingerprint clues. Here, we developed a simple, rapid, easily performed method for nondestructive visualization of sebaceous LFPs using "silver imaging ink" as a new imaging moiety. In principle, when the ink dried at a proper temperature, in situ generation of dark silver nanoparticles on the fingerprint's furrow areas occurred and resulted in a negative image of the LFPs. Interestingly, the preparation of silver imaging ink and the visualization of LFPs were carried out in a short period time of no more than 10 min in total. Fingerprints on different nonporous surfaces and from different volunteers were detected successfully. Moreover, the level 2 and 3 substructures of the fingerprints could also be clearly identified. Thus, the present method opens a new avenue for LFP detection and will find wide-ranging applications in forensic investigations.


China will achieve a position of paramount importance in the world economy and the global political order in years to come; yet, the United States holds to no consistent policy with regard to this rising superpower. In the ideological void left by the end of the cold war, media images and expediency seem more likely to guide U.S. actions toward China than any clearly stated agenda. At this critical point in the history of U.S.-China relations, Living with China offers an essential historical assessment composed by leading scholars and political analysts. From Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet and the legacy of Tiananmen Square to trade, markets, and commercial diplomacy, these compelling essays address the complex web of issues that will shape future relations with China. This book offers important facts and insights for anyone interested in this most important and thorny of foreign policy issues.


In Ireland, the burden of alcohol related harm is often experienced by those around the drinker, be they family member,
friend, co-worker or innocent 'bystander'. Alcohol's harm to others (AH2O) undermines public safety and is experienced
in every community. The negative effects from other people's drinking are visible in the public domain and can range
from the nuisance factor, feeling unsafe in public places to the violent attack by an intoxicated drinker. Physical assaults
and driving a car while under the influence of alcohol can contribute to injuries, accidents, disabilities and death of
innocent people. Although not often publically visible, alcohol's harm to others within the family can have very serious
consequences for the safety and well-being of family members, with children being the most vulnerable. The World
Health Organisation (WHO), in its Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, called for special attention to be
given to reducing harm to people other than the drinker and to populations that are at particular risk (WHO 2010). This
report examines alcohol's harm to others in three Irish settings – the general population, in the workplace and children in
families. The information is based on self-reported responses in the national drinking surveys of 2006 and 2010, funded
by the Health Service Executive.


This impressive collection joins the recent outpouring of exciting new work on American politics and political actors in the mid-nineteenth century. For several generations, much of the scholarship on the political history of the period from 1840 to 1877 has carried a theme of failure; after all, politicians in the antebellum years failed to prevent war, and those of the Civil War and Reconstruction failed to take advantage of opportunities to remake the nation. Moving beyond these older debates, the essays in this volume ask new questions about mid-nineteenth-century American politics and politicians. In "A Political Nation, " the contributors address the dynamics of political parties and factions, illuminate the presence of consensus and conflict in American political life, and analyze elections, voters, and issues. In addition to examining the structures of the United States Congress, state and local governments, and other political organizations, this collection emphasizes political leaders those who made policy, ran for office, influenced elections, and helped to shape American life from the early years of the Second Party System to the turbulent period of Reconstruction. The book moves chronologically, beginning with an antebellum focus on how political actors behaved within their cultural surroundings. The authors then use the critical role of language, rhetoric, and ideology in mid-nineteenth-century political culture as a lens through which to reevaluate the secession crisis. The collection closes with an examination of cultural and institutional influences on politicians in the Civil War and Reconstruction years. Stressing the role of federalism in understanding American political behavior, "A Political Nation" underscores the vitality of scholarship on mid-nineteenth-century American politics. Contributors: Erik B. Alexander, University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Jean Harvey Baker, Goucher College - William J. Cooper, Louisiana State University - Daniel W. Crofts, The College of New Jersey - William W. Freehling, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities - Gary W. Gallagher, University of Virginia - Sean Nalty, University of Virginia - Mark E. Neely Jr., Pennsylvania State University - Rachel A. Shelden, Georgia College and State University - Brooks D. Simpson, Arizona State University - J. Mills Thornton, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor"


Abstract Steady-state dissolution rates of basaltic glass were measured in mixed-flow reactors at 50°C at pH 3 and 4 as a function of aqueous sulphate concentration. Dissolution rates in the presence of 0.1 moles/kg SO42− were found to be ∼3 times greater than those in corresponding SO42− free solutions. This rate increase is found to be approximately consistent with that calculated using a rate equation previously proposed by Gislason and Oelkers (2003). These results suggest that the addition of sulphate to injected CO2 may facilitate CO2sequestration in basalts by accelerating basaltic glass dissolution rates thus more rapidly releasing aqueous Ca and Mg to solution.


Ramea is a small island in southern Newfoundland. Since 2004, it has a wind-diesel hybrid power
system to provide power for approximately 600 inhabitants. The average wind energy contribution to the total
supplied load is less than 10%. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro with the support of ACOA has upgraded the
Ramea hybrid power system. They have added three more 100kW wind turbines and a hydrogen energy storage
system. The new system is still under construction and it is expected to be fully operational by fall 2010. In a
hydrogen energy storage system, excess wind generated electricity is converted to hydrogen using a 70% efficient
electrolyzer. The hydrogen produced is compressed and stored in tanks. Compressed hydrogen is used to run a
less than 35% efficient hydrogen engine as needed. It is expected that overall conversion efficiency of the energy
storage system will be less than 25%. For a remote location like Ramea where there are few hills with a height
above 60m a pumped hydro energy storage is possible. The overall efficiency of a pumped hydro energy storage
system is typically above 70%.
In this research we present a study of a pumped hydro long-term energy storage system for Ramea winddiesel
system. We determined optimal energy storage requirements for the Ramea hybrid power system, identified
a site that can be used for pumped hydro energy storage and calculated the required storage capacity. We present a
detailed analysis and dynamic simulation of the proposed wind diesel pumped hydro system. Sizing of a pumped
hydro system indicates that a 150kW pumped hydro storage system at Ramea can achieve a renewable energy
fraction to 37%. Such a system will need a 3932m3 water reservoir at a height of 63m (on top of Man of War Hill)
and it will provide 150kW for 3.14 hours. Dynamic system simulations indicate acceptable power quality after an
addition of a pumped hydro storage system.
We think a pumped hydro energy storage system for Ramea is a much better choice than a hydrogen
energy storage system. Such a system will have a higher overall efficiency and could be maintained using local
technical expertise, therefore a more appropriate technology for Ramea.