A H2 PEM fuel cell and high energy dense battery hybrid energy source for an urban electric vehicle

Electric vehicles are set to play a prominent role in addressing the energy and environmental impact of an increasing road transport population by offering a more energy efficient and less polluting drive-train alternative to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Given the energy (and hence range) and performance limitations of electro-chemical battery storage systems, hybrid systems combining energy and power dense storage technologies have been proposed for vehicle applications. The paper discusses the application of a hydrogen fuel cell as a range extender for an urban electric vehicle for which the primary energy source is provided by a high energy dense battery. A review of fuel cell systems and automotive drive-train application issues are discussed, together with an overview of the battery technology. The prototype fuel cell and battery component simulation models are presented and their performance as a combined energy/power source assessed for typical urban and sub-urban driving scenario

Effect of Stimulus Orientation on Visual Function in Children with Refractive Amblyopia.

Purpose: We investigated and characterized the patterns of meridional anisotropies in newly diagnosed refractive amblyopes using pattern onset–offset visual evoked potentials (POVEPs) and psychophysical grating acuity (GA). Methods: Twenty-five refractive amblyopes were recruited and compared with non-amblyopic controls from our previous study. Monocular POVEPs were recorded in response to sinewave 4 cycles per degree (cpd) grating stimuli oriented along each individual participants' principal astigmatic meridians, which were approximately horizontal (meridian 1) and vertical (meridian 2). Binocular POVEPs in response to the same stimuli, but oriented at 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°, were recorded. Psychophysical GAs were assessed along the same meridians using a two-alternative non-forced-choice technique. The C3 amplitudes and peak latencies of the POVEPs and GAs were compared across meridians for both groups (refractive amblyopes and controls) using linear mixed models (monocular) and ANOVA (binocular), and post hoc analysis was conducted to determine if meridional anisotropies in this cohort of amblyopes were related to low (≤1.50 diopters [D]), moderate (1.75–2.75 D) and high (≥3.00 D) astigmatism. Results: In the newly diagnosed refractive amblyopes, there were no significant meridional anisotropies across all outcome measures, but the post hoc analysis demonstrated that C3 amplitude was significantly higher in those with low (P = 0.02) and moderate (P = 0.004) astigmatism compared to those with high astigmatism. Refractive amblyopes had poorer GA and C3 amplitudes compared to controls by approximately two lines on the logMAR chart (monocular: P = 0.013; binocular: P = 0.014) and approximately 6 µV (monocular: P = 0.009; binocular: P = 0.027), respectively. Conclusions: Deleterious effects of high astigmatism was evident in newly diagnosed refractive amblyopes, but the neural deficits do not seem to be orientation-specific for the stimulus parameters investigated

Electrophysiological and Psychophysical Studies of Meridional Anisotropies in Children With and Without Astigmatism.

Purpose: We investigated the pattern of meridional anisotropies, if any, for pattern onset-offset visual evoked potential (POVEPs) responses and psychophysical grating acuity (GA) in children with normal letter visual acuity (20/20 or better). Methods: A total of 29 children (aged 3-9 years), nine of whom were astigmatic (AS), were recruited. Orientation-specific monocular POVEPs were recorded in response to sinewave grating stimuli oriented along the subjects' principal AS meridians. Horizontal and vertical gratings were designated Meridians 1 and 2, respectively, for nonastigmatic patients (Non-AS). Binocular POVEPs in response to the same stimuli, but oriented at 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°, were recorded. Psychophysical GAs were assessed monocularly and binocularly along the same meridians using the same stimuli by a 2-alternative-forced-choice staircase technique. The C3 amplitudes and peak latencies of the POVEP and GAs were compared across meridians using linear mixed models (monocular) and ANOVA (binocular). Results: There were significant meridional anisotropies in monocular C3 amplitudes regardless of astigmatism status (P = 0.001): Meridian 2 (mean ± SE Non-AS, 30.13 ± 2.07 μV; AS, 26.53 ± 2.98 μV) was significantly higher than Meridian 1 (Non-AS, 26.14 ± 1.87 μV; AS, 21.68 ± 2.73 μV; P = 0.019), but no meridional anisotropies were found for GA or C3 latency. Binocular C3 amplitude in response to horizontally oriented stimuli (180°, 29.71 ± 3.06 μV) was significantly lower than the oblique (45°, 36.62 ± 3 .05 μV; P = 0.03 and 135°, 35.95 ± 2.92 μV; P = 0.04) and vertical (90°, 37.82 ± 3.65 μV; P = 0.02) meridians, and binocular C3 latency was significantly shorter in response to vertical than oblique gratings (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Meridional anisotropy was observed in children with normal vision. The findings suggest that horizontal gratings result in a small, but significantly lower POVEP amplitude than for vertical and oblique gratings

Effect of Inflow and Infiltration in Sewerage System of Residential Area, Kuantan, Pahang

Inflow and infiltration is a phenomenon in sewerage systems that can have negative effects on the environment and human health if not treated properly. Collaboration has been made between Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd. (IWK) where the purpose is to evaluate the amount of inflow and infiltration happening in sewerage systems of residential areas in Kuantan. For this part of the study, one sewer pipeline (MH92a–MH92b) was selected at the residential area of Bandar Putra, having a population equivalent of 1694. The method used in this research was the Flowrate method to tabulate data. ISCO 2150 and 4250 Area Velocity Flowmeters were used to measure flow rate data in the sewer pipeline, whereas ISCO 674 Rain Gauge was used to collect rainfall intensity data. Calibration of all the equipment was done at the Hydrology and Hydraulic Laboratory in UMP. The data was collected for 41 days with each measurement separated by an interval of five minutes. The result shows that the average percentage Infiltration Rate of Qpeak and Qave in this residential catchment were 10.3% and 26.5% which is higher than the value mentioned in Hammer and Hammer (2012). Inflow and infiltration is a real concern, so more study is required to determine whether revision of the infiltration rate recommended in the Malaysian Standard is needed

Leveraging knowledge-policy interfaces for food systems transformation in the UK: lessons from civil society

This report presents the findings of a research project that explored how civil society organisations (CSOs) navigate ‘knowledge-policy interfaces’ to influence food policy in the UK. These interfaces encompass processes, spaces, and structures related to knowledge exchange amongst policy actors, including but not limited to researchers, policymakers, CSOs, and industry. The report provides insights into CSOs’ approaches, constraints, and roles within these interfaces. It aims to make visible the important and challenging work of CSOs in driving food policy change and share valuable lessons for shaping food policy between sectors

Sanitation challenges in Dar es salaam: The potential of Simplified Sewerage Systems

In the context of growing urbanization, sanitation in many cities is an acute crisis with severe social and environmental consequences. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of sanitation for all by 2030 is increasingly elusive. Municipalities have been experimenting with a range of lower-cost sanitation solutions. Simplified Sewerage Systems (SSS) have emerged in different cities as one response, but with mixed results. This paper evaluates an SSS project in an informal settlement in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Drawing on a combination of a survey and focus group discussions, the paper examines the social and economic impacts of the SSS and identifies a set of key concerns for future urban sanitation interventions: affordability, maintenance and governance. We conclude by considering the implications for future research and practice on urban sanitation, including the limits of technology-based approaches and the need to focus on the diverse needs of residents in place

ERIA Study to Further Improve the ASEAN Economic Community Scorecard: the Philippines

Within the context of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Scorecard mechanism developed by the ASEAN Secretariat to monitor the implementation of the AEC Blueprint, the study focuses on the current state, performance and impact of investment liberalization and facilitation, trade facilitation, and transport and logistics services regulatory regime. The analysis was based on survey questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions complemented by secondary data provided by national and international agencies. The study shows that after more than two decades of pursuing market-oriented reforms such as liberalization, deregulation and privatization; there exists a large gap between policy and practice; coordination among government agencies has remained ineffective; governance has been weak; poor infrastructure continues to hamper efficient business operations; and many processes such as registration and applications for permits and licenses have remained complex, problematic, and costly. Many complementary policies and institutions that are necessary to support the reforms and generate supply-side responses leading to employment and growth are missing. If market reforms are to have their intended effects, behind the border complementary policies that define the business environment must be addressed, including investment in human capital, infrastructure, and the quality of governance in the country. To move forward, the Philippines should substantially increase infrastructure investment spending and strengthen its weak institutional and regulatory environment. These are necessary to enable us to deepen our integration within the ASEAN region and the global community and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the rising trend of economic integration in the region

A New View on Worst-Case to Average-Case Reductions for NP Problems

We study the result by Bogdanov and Trevisan (FOCS, 2003), who show that under reasonable assumptions, there is no non-adaptive worst-case to average-case reduction that bases the average-case hardness of an NP-problem on the worst-case complexity of an NP-complete problem. We replace the hiding and the heavy samples protocol in [BT03] by employing the histogram verification protocol of Haitner, Mahmoody and Xiao (CCC, 2010), which proves to be very useful in this context. Once the histogram is verified, our hiding protocol is directly public-coin, whereas the intuition behind the original protocol inherently relies on private coins

How Are Firms Responding to Philippine FTAs?

The Philippines has been more cautious in its policy toward free trade agreements (FTAs) than other ASEAN member-states, having signed, so far, only one bilateral agreement with Japan in addition to the various ASEAN+1 agreements. While the government is expected to progressively reduce preferential tariffs to zero, Philippine firms have historically been slow to take advantage of FTAs. This survey reaffirms that this awareness and the usage of FTAs need significant improvement among both manufacturing and services sector firms.Identified as the main source of information for FTAs, the government needs to increase the efficiency, scope, and reach of its promotional and technical training programs and to rely further on technology to deliver results. These efforts to enhance FTA utilization are directly linked with the easing of rules of origin (ROOs) compliance and administration. At the national level, these efforts include reforms toward electronic Certificates of Origin and self-certification, and linkage to the national single window. This will improve timelines and ease the entry of micro, small, and medium enterprises. Regional efforts to harmonize ROOs can increase FTA utilization across ASEAN member-countries and pave the way for the forthcoming Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Governing the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Interactions, Infrastructures, and Institutions

Three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) concerned health. There is only one health goal in 17 proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Critiques of the MDGs included missed opportunities to realise positive interactions between goals. Here we report on an interdisciplinary analytical review of the SDG process, in which experts in different SDG areas identified potential interactions through a series of interdisciplinary workshops. This process generated a framework that reveals potential conflicts and synergies between goals, and how their interactions might be governed