The non-bipartite integral graphs with spectral radius three

In this paper, we classify the connected non-bipartite integral graphs with spectral radius three.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, 2 table

Families of periodic orbits for the spatial isosceles 3-body problem

We study the families of periodic orbits of the spatial isosceles 3-body problem (for small enough values of the mass lying on the symmetry axis) coming via the analytic continuation method from periodic orbits of the circular Sitnikov problem. Using the first integral of the angular momentum, we reduce the dimension of the phase space of the problem by two units. Since periodic orbits of the reduced isosceles problem generate invariant two-dimensional tori of the nonreduced problem, the analytic continuation of periodic orbits of the (reduced) circular Sitnikov problem at this level becomes the continuation of invariant two-dimensional tori from the circular Sitnikov problem to the nonreduced isosceles problem, each one filled with periodic or quasi-periodic orbits. These tori are not KAM tori but just isotropic, since we are dealing with a three-degrees-of-freedom system. The continuation of periodic orbits is done in two different ways, the first going directly from the reduced circular Sitnikov problem to the reduced isosceles problem, and the second one using two steps: first we continue the periodic orbits from the reduced circular Sitnikov problem to the reduced elliptic Sitnikov problem, and then we continue those periodic orbits of the reduced elliptic Sitnikov problem to the reduced isosceles problem. The continuation in one or two steps produces different results. This work is merely analytic and uses the variational equations in order to apply Poincar´e’s continuation method

A methodology for developing Distributed Generation scenarios in urban areas using geographical information systems

The implementation of Distributed Generation (DG) may lead to increased pollutant emissions that adversely affect air quality. This work presents a systematic methodology to characterise DG installation in urban basins. First, a set of parameters that characterise a DG implementation scenario is described. Second, a general approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data is presented. Third, the methodology is demonstrated by application to the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) of California. Results show that realistic scenarios in the SoCAB concentrate DG technologies nearby industrial zones and introduce pollutant mass increments no larger than 0.43% with respect to baseline emissions.We graciously acknowledge the financial support of the California Energy Commission, sponsor of this work, and the significant leadership and contributions of Marla Mueller, our Contract Manager. M. Carreras and M. Medrano thank the continuing support of the Balsells-Generalitat de Catalunya Fellowship

AIR QUALITY IMPACTS OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS IN THE SOUTH COAST AIR BASIN OF CALIFORNIA

The effects of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on pollutant emission inventories and air quality in the South Coast Air Basin of California were evaluated using recent LNG emission measurements by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and with a state-of-the-art air quality model. Pollutant emissions can be affected by LNG owing to differences in composition and physical properties, including the Wobbe index, a measure of energy delivery rate. This analysis uses LNG distribution scenarios developed by modeling Southern California gas flows, including supplies from the LNG receiving terminal in Baja California, Mexico. Based on these scenarios, the projected penetratino of LNG in the South Coast Air Basin is expected to be limited. In addition, the increased Wobbe index of delivered gas (resulting from mixtures of LNG and conventional gas supplies) is expected to cause increases smaller than 0.05 percent in overall (area-wide) emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). BAsed on the photochemical state of the South Coast Air Basin, any increase in NOx is expected to cause an increase in the highest local ozone concentrations, and this is reflected in model results. However, the magnitude of the increase is well below the generally accepted accuracy of the model and would not be discernible with the existing monitoring network. Modeling of hypothetical scenarios indicates that discernible changes to ambient ozone and particulate matter concentrations would occur only at LNG distribution rates that are not achievable with current or planned infrastructure and with Wobbe index vlaues that exceed current gas quality tariffs. Results of these hypothetical scenarios are presented for consideration of any proposed substantial expansion of LNG supply infrastructure in Southern California

The spatio-temporal relationship between concurrent lesion and brain atrophy changes in early multiple sclerosis: A post-hoc analysis of the REFLEXION study

BACKGROUND: White matter (WM) lesions and brain atrophy are present early in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their spatio-temporal relationship remains unclear. METHODS: Yearly magnetic resonance images were analysed in 387 patients with a first clinical demyelinating event (FCDE) from the 5-year REFLEXION study. Patients received early (from baseline; N = 258; ET) or delayed treatment (from month-24; N = 129; DT) with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a. FSL-SIENA/VIENA were used to provide yearly percentage volume change of brain (PBVC) and ventricles (PVVC). Yearly total lesion volume change (TLVC) was determined by a semi-automated method. Using linear mixed models and voxel-wise analyses, we firstly investigated the overall relationship between TLVC and PBVC and between TLVC and PVVC in the same follow-up period. Analyses were then separately performed for: the untreated period of DT patients (first two years), the first year of treatment (year 1 for ET and year 3 for DT), and a period where patients had received at least 1 year of treatment (stable treatment; ET: years 2, 3, 4, and 5; DT: years 4 and 5). RESULTS: Whole brain: across the whole study period, lower TLVC was related to faster atrophy (PBVC: B = 0.046, SE = 0.013, p < 0.001; PVVC: B = −0.466, SE = 0.118, p < 0.001). Within the untreated period of DT patients, lower TLVC was related to faster atrophy (PBVC: B = 0.072, SE = 0.029, p = 0.013; PVVC: B = −0.917, SE = 0.306, p = 0.003). A similar relationship was found within the first year of treatment of ET patients (PBVC: B = 0.081, SE = 0.027, p = 0.003; PVVC: B = −1.08, SE = 0.284, p < 0.001), consistent with resolving oedema and pseudo-atrophy. Voxel-wise: overall, higher TLVC was related to faster ventricular enlargement. Lower TLVC was related to faster widespread atrophy in year 1 in both ET (first year of treatment) and DT (untreated) patients. In the second untreated year of DT patients and within the stable treatment period of ET patients (year 4), faster periventricular and occipital lobe atrophy was associated with higher TLVC. CONCLUSIONS: WM lesion changes and atrophy occurred simultaneously in early MS. Spatio-temporal correspondence of these two processes involved mostly the periventricular area. Within the first year of the study, in both treatment groups, faster atrophy was linked to lower lesion volume changes, consistent with higher shrinking and disappearing lesion activity. This might reflect the pseudo-atrophy phenomenon that is probably related to the therapy driven (only in ET patients, as they received treatment from baseline) and “natural” (both ET and DT patients entered the study after a FCDE) resolution of oedema. In an untreated period and later on during stable treatment, (real) atrophy was related to higher lesion volume changes, consistent with increased new and enlarging lesion activity

Deprotonation of large calixarenes-cation binding and conformations

© 2016 CSIRO. Single crystal X-ray studies of p-t-butylcalix[10]arene·2dmso·7H2O (1) and [NMe4][p-t-butylcalix[9]arene-H]·2dmso·H2O (2), provide new data on these large macrocycles and their conformations, that of 2 being the first where an encapsulated [NMe4]+ cation is present, while 1 contains the neutral ligand. Both were obtained as crystalline products of the reactions of the calixarenes with tetramethylammonium hydroxide after prolonged standing. The structure of [NEt4][calix[4]arene-H], in which the cation approaches inclusion in the shallow cone of the anion, is also defined and compared with various other alkylammonium derivatives of calixarenes as well as that of p-t-butylcalix[9]arene

Comment on "How green is blue hydrogen?"

This paper is written in response to the paper “How green is blue hydrogen?” by R. W. Howarth and M. Z. Jacobson. It aims at highlighting and discussing the method and assumptions of that paper, and thereby providing a more balanced perspective on blue hydrogen, which is in line with current best available practices and future plant specifications aiming at low CO2 emissions. More specifically, in this paper, we show that: (i) the simplified method that Howarth and Jacobson used to compute the energy balance of blue hydrogen plants leads to significant overestimation of CO2 emissions and natural gas (NG) consumption and (ii) the assumed methane leakage rate is at the high end of the estimated emissions from current NG production in the United States and cannot be considered representative of all-NG and blue hydrogen value chains globally. By starting from the detailed and rigorously calculated mass and energy balances of two blue hydrogen plants in the literature, we show the impact that methane leakage rate has on the equivalent CO2 emissions of blue hydrogen. On the basis of our analysis, we show that it is possible for blue hydrogen to have significantly lower equivalent CO2 emissions than the direct use of NG, provided that hydrogen production processes and CO2 capture technologies are implemented that ensure a high CO2 capture rate, preferably above 90%, and a low-emission NG supply chain