Біотехнологія очищення стічних вод молочних виробництв

This paper investigates three load control methods for a  marine current energy converter using a vertical axis current  turbine (VACT) mounted on a permanent magnet synchronous generator  (PMSG). The three cases are; a fixed AC load, a fixed pulse width  modulated (PWM) DC load and DC bus voltage control of a DC  load. Experimental results show that the DC bus voltage control  reduces the variations of rotational speed by a factor of 3.5 at the cost  of slightly increased losses in the generator and transmission lines.  For all three cases, the tip speed ratio   can be kept close to  the expected    . The power coefficient is estimated to be  0.36 at    ; however, for all three cases, the average  extracted power was about  \%. A maximum power point  tracking (MPPT) system, with or without water velocity measurement,  could increase the average extracted power.Funders: J Gust Richert, Bixia Miljöfond</p

A low-speed generator for energy conversion from marine currents-experimental validation of simulations

Abstract: A low-speed permanent magnet (PM) cable wound generator for electrical energy conversion from marine or tidal currents has been designed and constructed. A key feature of this variable speed direct drive generator is its capability to efficiently generate electricity from tidal currents with very low velocities, in the order of 1 m/s. In arriving at an appropriate design for the generator typical characteristics of tidal currents were considered. Using these characteristics as input, and accounting for the electromagnetic losses, detailed computer simulations using a finite-element method software were carried out to come up with the final design. Various parameters that can influence the generator design are presented. An experimental set-up has been constructed based on the above-mentioned design in order to study the electrical and mechanical performance of the generator through a variety of experiments. The power input for this set-up is a variable speed motor, capable of operating the generator at rotational speeds of 0-16 r/min, representing tidal currents with very low velocities. The generator presented in this paper may be beneficial for a better understanding of an appropriate design and layout of tidal energy conversion systems

Interventions for treating depression after stroke

Background: Depression is an important consequence of stroke that impacts on recovery yet is often not detected or inadequately treated. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2004. Objectives: To determine whether pharmaceutical, psychological, or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) of depression in patients with stroke can improve outcome. Search strategy: We searched the trials registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group (last searched October 2007) and the Cochrane Depression Anxiety and Neurosis Group (last searched February 2008). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2008), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2006), EMBASE (1980 to May 2006), CINAHL (1982 to May 2006), PsycINFO (1967 to May 2006) and other databases. We also searched reference lists, clinical trials registers, conference proceedings and dissertation abstracts, and contacted authors, researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials comparing pharmaceutical agents with placebo, or various forms of psychotherapy or ECT with standard care (or attention control), in patients with stroke, with the intention of treating depression. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors selected trials for inclusion and assessed methodological quality; three review authors extracted, cross-checked and entered data. Primary analyses were the prevalence of diagnosable depressive disorder at the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included depression scores on standard scales, physical function, death, recurrent stroke and adverse effects. Main results: Sixteen trials (17 interventions), with 1655 participants, were included in the review. Data were available for 13 pharmaceutical agents, and four trials of psychotherapy. There were no trials of ECT. The analyses were complicated by the lack of standardised diagnostic and outcome criteria, and differing analytic methods. There was some evidence of benefit of pharmacotherapy in terms of a complete remission of depression and a reduction (improvement) in scores on depression rating scales, but there was also evidence of an associated increase in adverse events. There was no evidence of benefit of psychotherapy. Authors' conclusions: A small but significant effect of pharmacotherapy (not psychotherapy) on treating depression and reducing depressive symptoms was found, as was a significant increase in adverse events. More research is required before recommendations can be made about the routine use of such treatments

65 YEARS OF THE DOUBLE HELIX Genetics informs precision practice in the diagnosis and management of pheochromocytoma

Although the authors of the present review have contributed to genetic discoveries in the field of pheochromocytoma research, we can legitimately ask whether these advances have led to improvements in the diagnosis and management of patients with pheochromocytoma. The answer to this question is an emphatic Yes! In the field of molecular genetics, the well-established axiom that familial (genetic) pheochromocytoma represents 10% of all cases has been overturned, with >35% of cases now attributable to germline disease-causing mutations. Furthermore, genetic pheochromocytoma can now be grouped into five different clinical presentation types in the context of the ten known susceptibility genes for pheochromocytoma-associated syndromes. We now have the tools to diagnose patients with genetic pheochromocytoma, identify germline mutation carriers and to offer gene-informed medical management including enhanced surveillance and prevention. Clinically, we now treat an entire family of tumors of the paraganglia, with the exact phenotype varying by specific gene. In terms of detection and classification, simultaneous advances in biochemical detection and imaging localization have taken place, and the histopathology of the paraganglioma tumor family has been revised by immunohistochemical-genetic classification by gene-specific antibody immunohistochemistry. Treatment options have also been substantially enriched by the application of minimally invasive and adrenal-sparing surgery. Finally and most importantly, it is now widely recognized that patients with genetic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndromes should be treated in specialized centers dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of this rare neoplasm.Peer reviewe

Somatosensory abnormalities in atypical odontalgia : A case-control study

Somatosensory function in patients with persistent idiopathic types of orofacial pain like atypical odontalgia (AO) is not well described. This study tested the hypothesis that AO patients have significantly more somatosensory abnormalities than age- and sex-matched controls. Forty-six AO patients and 35 controls participated. Inclusion criteria for AO were pain in a region where a tooth had been endodontically or surgically treated, persistent pain >6 months, and lack of clinical and radiological findings. The examination included qualitative tests and a battery of intraoral quantitative sensory testing (QST). Most AO patients (85%) had qualitative somatosensory abnormality compared with few controls (14%). The most common qualitative abnormalities in AO patients were found with pin-prick 67.4%, cold 47.8%, and touch 46.5% compared with 11.4%, 8.6%, and 2.9%, respectively, in the control group (P<0.001). Between-group differences were seen for many intraoral QST: mechanical detection threshold, mechanical pain threshold (pinprick), dynamic mechanical allodynia (brush), dynamic mechanical allodynia (vibration), wind-up ratio, and pressure pain threshold (P<0.01). In the trigeminal area, between-group differences in thermal thresholds were nonsignificant while differences in cold detection at the thenar eminence were significant. Individual somatosensory profiles revealed complex patterns with hyper- and hyposensitivity to intraoral QST. Between-group differences in pressure pain thresholds (P<0.02) were observed at the thenar eminence. In conclusion, significant abnormalities in intraoral somatosensory function were observed in AO, which may reflect peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal pathways. More generalized sensitization of the nociceptive system may also be part of AO pathophysiology

Power And Energy Needed For Starting A Vertical Axis Marine Current Turbine

A marine current power station has been deployed in Söderfors, Sweden. It comprises a five bladed fixed pitch vertical axis H-rotor turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The turbine is rated for 1.3 m/s, but at lower water speeds the turbine is generally not self starting. This paper investigates the energy and power needed to at low speeds start the turbine electrically with a BrushLess DC (BLDC) motor until  he turbines gives a net positive torque to the generator. A range of startup BLDC powers have been investigated. It is shown that for three water speeds (0.98 m/s, 1.04 m/s and 1.16 m/s) the energy needed for start up is equivalent to less than 1.2 s of power production at maximum power capture of the turbine. The startup time is mostly dependent on BLDC power setting, not on water speed. A BLDC power of 1/7th of rated power of the machine is enough to start the machine within 2 seconds. The results suggest that a higher BLDC power than that will not significantly reduce the startup time nor reduce the energy needed (increase the efficiency of the startup process). The water speed has the highest impact on the time it takes to recover the energy needed for startup once the BLDC power is well above the losses in the system.Marine Current Powe

Power And Energy Needed For Starting A Vertical Axis Marine Current Turbine

A marine current power station has been deployed in Söderfors, Sweden. It comprises a five bladed fixed pitch vertical axis H-rotor turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The turbine is rated for 1.3 m/s, but at lower water speeds the turbine is generally not self starting. This paper investigates the energy and power needed to at low speeds start the turbine electrically with a BrushLess DC (BLDC) motor until  he turbines gives a net positive torque to the generator. A range of startup BLDC powers have been investigated. It is shown that for three water speeds (0.98 m/s, 1.04 m/s and 1.16 m/s) the energy needed for start up is equivalent to less than 1.2 s of power production at maximum power capture of the turbine. The startup time is mostly dependent on BLDC power setting, not on water speed. A BLDC power of 1/7th of rated power of the machine is enough to start the machine within 2 seconds. The results suggest that a higher BLDC power than that will not significantly reduce the startup time nor reduce the energy needed (increase the efficiency of the startup process). The water speed has the highest impact on the time it takes to recover the energy needed for startup once the BLDC power is well above the losses in the system.Marine Current Powe

Power And Energy Needed For Starting A Vertical Axis Marine Current Turbine

A marine current power station has been deployed in Söderfors, Sweden. It comprises a five bladed fixed pitch vertical axis H-rotor turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The turbine is rated for 1.3 m/s, but at lower water speeds the turbine is generally not self starting. This paper investigates the energy and power needed to at low speeds start the turbine electrically with a BrushLess DC (BLDC) motor until  he turbines gives a net positive torque to the generator. A range of startup BLDC powers have been investigated. It is shown that for three water speeds (0.98 m/s, 1.04 m/s and 1.16 m/s) the energy needed for start up is equivalent to less than 1.2 s of power production at maximum power capture of the turbine. The startup time is mostly dependent on BLDC power setting, not on water speed. A BLDC power of 1/7th of rated power of the machine is enough to start the machine within 2 seconds. The results suggest that a higher BLDC power than that will not significantly reduce the startup time nor reduce the energy needed (increase the efficiency of the startup process). The water speed has the highest impact on the time it takes to recover the energy needed for startup once the BLDC power is well above the losses in the system.Marine Current Powe

An approach to automate the design of fixed offshore structures

Most conventional structural analysis and design programs have the following inherent weaknesses: the structure needs to be configured and the members need to be sized prior to any modelling, analysis and design; the modelling and data input are usually tedious when a structure is large and complex, which is typical of an offshore structure; while the experienced engineer can construct a relatively accurate model to define the conceived structure, he or she is just as prone to input errors as an inexperienced engineer; and the level of performance and its consistency depend entirely on the user's ability and experience in using the program. This paper describes the design and implementation of an 'intelligent' structural design system, IPDOS, to simultaneously overcome the weaknesses in conventional programs and exploit the user's earlier experiences with them. © 1993.link_to_subscribed_fulltex