Sensitivity Factors for Integrated Energy Systems: A Joined Quasi-Steady-State Approach

Integrated energy systems can increase the use of volatile renewable energy generation while reducing operation cost in the electric power system. The benefits result from shifting energy between energy infrastructures and using the network storage capability of district heating and gas systems. But the more strongly the different energy systems are linked the more complex their operation becomes. To ensure a secure and reliable system operation while using the full potential of integrated energy systems the interactions and the network storage effects of the district heating and gas system must be analyzed. Existing power flow calculation methods of integrated energy systems, however, neglect the network storage effects which result from the dynamic behavior of the district heating and gas system. The dynamic behavior is only investigated if the different energy systems are solved separately. As existing methods do not directly represent the interactions and effects of the dynamic behavior in an integrated energy system, the effect of any unit's power change on the power flows in the integrated energy system can only be determined by a complete power flow calculation, leading to a high computational cost. To reduce the computational cost this thesis derives sensitivity factors estimating the effect of a power change on the system state of an integrated energy system. To derive the sensitivity factors a joined quasi-steady-state power flow calculation method for integrated energy systems is developed extending existing steady-state approaches. For this, the system state of the electric power system, district heating system, and gas system is determined simultaneously, directly representing their interactions. To include the dynamic behavior a gradient method is proposed, which allows temperature and calorific value changes to be tracked in a coupled power flow calculation. The gradient method can accurately depict the dynamic behavior in the joined quasi-steady-state power flow calculation method even with simulation time increments of up to 60 min. Hence, compared to existing methods larger simulation time increments can be chosen to reach the same accuracy, leading to a reduced computation time. The sensitivity factors are on average ten times faster in estimating a new system state after a unit's power change compared to a power flow calculation. Besides the high computational efficiency, they can provide good estimates considering the complexity of the interactions and the dynamic behavior in an integrated energy system. As the joined quasi-steady-state power flow calculation method is based on the steady-state analysis existing use cases can be easily extended to consider the full potential of integrated energy systems. Therefore, the thesis provides system operators with a method to accurately analyze the full potential of Integrated energy systems

Providing Information in Public Opinion Surveys: Motivation and Ability Effects in the Information-and-Choice Questionnaire

The Information-and-Choice Questionnaire (ICQ) is an instrument for public opinion survey in which respondents are presented with a policy-relevant decision problem and provided with information relevant to the problem (e.g. information about the consequences of the policy options). In the present paper we study the effects of respondents' motivation (operationalized as involvement in the issue) and ability (operationalized as respondent's level of education) on the formation and stability of preferences in the ICQ. Data were gathered in a nation-wide (N=991) survey on preferences for different ways of generating electricity in the Netherlands. As predicted, more motivated and more able respondents appeared to engage in more elaborate information processing

Power and Energy Student Summit 2019: 9 – 11 July 2019 Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg ; Conference Program

The book includes a short description of the conference program of the "Power and Energy Student Summit 2019". The conference, which is orgaized for students in the area of electric power systems, covers topics such as renewable energy, high voltage technology, grid control and network planning, power quality, HVDC and FACTS as well as protection technology. Besides the overview of the conference venue, activites and the time schedule, the book includes all papers presented at the conference

Safety and accuracy of blind vs. ultrasound-guided dorsal retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses—A cadaveric study

Objective There is limited knowledge regarding the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses. The aim of this study was to compare these parameters between blind and ultrasound-guided injection techniques for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block in horses. Methods Equine cadaver heads were used to inject the retrobulbar space with contrast medium (CM). Injections were performed either blindly based on anatomic landmarks (blind group, n = 44) or under ultrasonographic guidance (US-group, n = 44), equally divided between an experienced and unexperienced operator. Needle position and distribution of CM were assessed with computed tomography imaging and evaluated by a board-certified veterinary diagnostic imager blinded to the technique. Safety and accuracy of both techniques were compared. Results Ocular penetration was observed in two cases (n = 2/44) in the blind group but not in the US group (n = 0/44). No intrathecal, intraneural, or intravascular injections were seen in either group. Safety was significantly improved in the US group (p = .026). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the accuracy of the injection. Excellent accuracy was achieved more often with the ultrasound-guided technique (n = 11/22) than with the blind technique (n = 7/22) when performed by the unexperienced operator, but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion To prevent globe-threatening complications and improve the safety of the injection, we recommend using the ultrasound-guided injection technique for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block

Influence of Varying Fermentation Parameters of the Yeast Strain Cyberlindnera saturnus on the Concentrations of Selected Flavor Components in Non-Alcoholic Beer Focusing on (E)-b-Damascenone

The diversification of beer flavor is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the field of non-alcoholic beers, where sales are growing steadily. While flavor substances of traditional beers can largely be traced back to defined secondary metabolites, the production of non-alcoholic beers with non-Saccharomyces yeasts generates novel fruity flavors, some of which cannot yet be assigned to specific flavor substances. In a recently published study, besides pear, cool mint sweets, and banana-like flavor, distinctive red berry and apple flavors were perceived in a non-alcoholic beer fermented with the yeast strain Cyberlindnera saturnus TUM 247, whose secondary metabolites were to be elucidated in this study. The trials were carried out using response surface methodology to examine the fermentation properties of the yeast strain and to optimize the beer with maximum fruitiness but minimal off-flavors and ethanol content. It turned out that a low pitching rate, a moderate fermentation temperature, and an original gravity of 10.5 °P gave the optimal parameters. Qualitative analysis of the secondary metabolites, in addition to standard analysis for traditional beers, was first performed using headspace-gas chromatography with olfactometry. (E)-β-damascenone emerged as the decisive substance for the red berry and apple flavor and so this substance was then quantitated. Although (E)-β-damascenone is a well-known secondary metabolite in beer and this substance is associated with apple or cooked apple-and berry-like flavors, it has not yet been reported as a main flavor component in non-alcoholic beers.Fil: Methner, Yvonne. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Dancker, Philipp. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Maier, Robin. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Latorre, Mailén Angelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales; ArgentinaFil: Hutzler, Mathias. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Zarnkow, Martin. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Steinhaus, Martin. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Libkind Frati, Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales; ArgentinaFil: Frank, Stephanie. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Jacob, Fritz. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; Alemani

The Necrotic Signal Induced by Mycophenolic Acid Overcomes Apoptosis-Resistance in Tumor Cells

The amount of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a pivotal enzyme for the biosynthesis of the guanosine tri-phosphate (GTP), is frequently increased in tumor cells. The anti-viral agent ribavirin and the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) are potent inhibitors of IMPDH. We recently showed that IMPDH inhibition led to a necrotic signal requiring the activation of Cdc42.Herein, we strengthened the essential role played by this small GTPase in the necrotic signal by silencing Cdc42 and by the ectopic expression of a constitutive active mutant of Cdc42. Since resistance to apoptosis is an essential step for the tumorigenesis process, we next examined the effect of the MPA–mediated necrotic signal on different tumor cells demonstrating various mechanisms of resistance to apoptosis (Bcl2-, HSP70-, Lyn-, BCR-ABL–overexpressing cells). All tested cells remained sensitive to MPA–mediated necrotic signal. Furthermore, inhibition of IMPDH activity in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia cells was significantly more efficient at eliminating malignant cells than apoptotic inducers.These findings indicate that necrosis and apoptosis are split signals that share few if any common hub of signaling. In addition, the necrotic signaling pathway induced by depletion of the cellular amount of GTP/GDP would be of great interest to eliminate apoptotic-resistant tumor cells

Conformational Dynamics of Actin: Effectors and Implications for Biological Function

Actin is a protein abundant in many cell types. Decades of investigations have provided evidence that it has many functions in living cells. The diverse morphology and dynamics of actin structures adapted to versatile cellular functions is established by a large repertoire of actin-binding proteins. The proper interactions with these proteins assume effective molecular adaptations from actin, in which its conformational transitions play essential role. This review attempts to summarise our current knowledge regarding the coupling between the conformational states of actin and its biological function

The Modification of Actomyosin ATPase Activity by Tropomyosin-Troponin and its Dependence on Ionic Strength, ATP-Concentration, and Actin-Myosin Ratio

At millimolar concentrations of ATP the ATPase activity of regulated actomyosin (which consisted of myosin and of actin containing the regulatory proteins tropomyosin and troponin) was lower than that of unregulated actomyosin (containing actin devoid of the regulatory proteins) when the ionic strength was high (> 0 .0 3 ᴍ KCl). At low ionic strength (0.03 ᴍ KCl) the ATPase activity of regulated actomyosin was similar to or even higher than that of unregulated acto­ myosin. Besides increasing ionic strength an increasing actin-myosin ratio tended to depress the ATPase activity of regulated actomyosin below that of unregulated one. At lower ATP concen­ trations (0.1 mᴍ or lower) the ATPase activity of regulated actomyosin was higher than that of unregulated actomyosin at any ionic strength and at any actin-myosin ratio. EGTA inhibited the ATPase of regulated actomyosin under any conditions at high ATP concentrations. At lower ATP concentrations EGTA inhibited either at higher ionic strength or at a higher actin-myosin ratio. The inhibition of the ATPase activity of acto-HMM by increasing ionic strength was not in­ fluenced by the regulatory proteins. - For the interpretation of these results it has been assumed that in actomyosin regulated actin can adopt three states: A low-affinity state which activates the ATPase of myosin only slightly (occurring at high ATP concentrations and in the absence of Ca2+), a high affinity state which activates the ATPase of myosin better than does unregulated actin (occurring at low concentrations of ATP and in the presence of Ca2+), and an intermediate state. This latter state (occurring at high concentrations of ATP and in the presence of Ca2+ or at low concentrations of ATP and in the absence of Ca2+) activates the ATPase of myosin less than does unregulated actin when the actin-myosin ratio is high (wide spacing of myosin on the actin filaments) but activates more (or at least not less) when the actin-myosin ratio is low (dense spacing of myosin on the actin filaments