Bayesian spline method for assessing extreme loads on wind turbines

This study presents a Bayesian parametric model for the purpose of estimating the extreme load on a wind turbine. The extreme load is the highest stress level imposed on a turbine structure that the turbine would experience during its service lifetime. A wind turbine should be designed to resist such a high load to avoid catastrophic structural failures. To assess the extreme load, turbine structural responses are evaluated by conducting field measurement campaigns or performing aeroelastic simulation studies. In general, data obtained in either case are not sufficient to represent various loading responses under all possible weather conditions. An appropriate extrapolation is necessary to characterize the structural loads in a turbine's service life. This study devises a Bayesian spline method for this extrapolation purpose, using load data collected in a period much shorter than a turbine's service life. The spline method is applied to three sets of turbine's load response data to estimate the corresponding extreme loads at the roots of the turbine blades. Compared to the current industry practice, the spline method appears to provide better extreme load assessment.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/13-AOAS670 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Beliefs in advance care planning among Chinese Americans: Similarities and differences between the younger and older generations

The purpose of this research is to explore behavioral, normative, and control beliefs in the discussion of advance care planning (ACP) among older and younger Chinese Americans. Ethnic minority groups have been identified as less engaged in ACP and this represents an ethnic and cultural gap. Older Chinese American adults often have different beliefs and values compared to the younger generation who are more acculturated to American mainstream culture. These differences may hinder the discussion of ACP with Chinese older adults. A qualitative design was used. The Theory of Planned Behavior guided the development of the interview guide. We recruited 60 Chinese Americans. Prior experience was identified as a theme that influenced attitudes about ACP. We found that older and younger Chinese participants had different beliefs in the norm and control related to ACP discussions, but not in the belief of attitudes about ACP discussions. Both younger and older Chinese American participants believed that ACP was important and necessary. Participants in both clusters expressed that they were ready and willing to engage in ACP discussions with their family members but hesitant to initiate these discussions. The reluctance in discussing ACP with Chinese older adults may be related to the expectations and obligations of Xiao (filial piety) in Chinese culture. This study describes the similarities and differences of beliefs in ACP between older and younger Chinese Americans. We identified barriers and facilitators in behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that can be used to promote ACP for Chinese Americans

Adaptive Extreme Load Estimation in Wind Turbines

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143051/1/6.2017-0679.pd

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity of SnO2-ZnO Quantum Dots Anchored on g-C3N4 Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Pollutant Degradation and H-2 Production

A zero-dimensional/two-dimensional heterostructure consists of binary SnO2-ZnO quantum dots (QDs) deposited on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets. The so-called SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid was successfully synthesized via an in situ co-pyrolysis approach to achieve efficient photoactivity for the degradation of pollutants and production of hydrogen (H-2) under visible-light irradiation. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images show the close contacts between SnO2-ZnO QDs with the g-C3N4 in the ternary SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid. The optimized hybrid shows excellent photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 99% rhodamine B dye degradation in 60 min under visible-light irradiation. The enriched charge-carrier separation and transportation in the SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid was determined based on electrochemical impedance and photocurrent analyses. This remarkable photoactivity is ascribed to the "smart" heterostructure, which yields numerous benefits, such as visible-light-driven fast electron and hole transfer, due to the strong interaction between the SnO2-ZnO QDs with the g-C3N4 matrix. In addition, the SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid demonstrated a high rate of hydrogen production (13 673.61 mu mol g(-1)), which is 1.06 and 2.27 times higher than that of the binary ZnO/g-C3N4 hybrid (12 785.54 mu mol g(-1)) and pristine g-C3N4 photocatalyst (6017.72 mu mol g(-1)). The synergistic effect of increased visible absorption and diminished recombination results in enhanced performance of the as-synthesized tin oxide-and zinc oxide-modified g-C3N4. We conclude that the present ternary SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid is a promising electrode material for H-2 production and photoelectrochemical cells

Football v. Football: A Comparison of Agent Regulation in France’s Ligue 1 and the National Football League

Baker, Heitner, Broçard and Byon, in their article Football v. Football, analyze agent regulation in the NFL and compare it to how agents are regulated in France for Ligue 1. The article begins with a brief discussion on the concept of a sports agency that includes analysis of governmental regulation of agency in both the United States and in France. The article continues by exploring how agents are regulated in their representation of the NFL and Ligue 1 football players. Subsequently the article concludes with a discussion that includes suggestions concerning future agent regulation for both the NFL and Ligue 1