Fault Detection and Diagnosis in Air Conditioners and Refrigerators

A fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) method was used to detect and diagnose faults on both a refrigerator and an air conditioner during normal cycling operation. The objective of the method is to identify a set of sensors that can detect faults reliably before they severely hinder system performance. Unlike other methods, this one depends on the accuracy of a number of small, on-line linear models, each of which is valid over a limited range of operating conditions. To detect N faults, N sensors are needed. Using M>N sensors can further reduce the risk of false positives. For both the refrigerator and air conditioner systems, about 1000 combinations of candidate sensor locations were examined. Through inspection of matrix condition numbers and each sensor's contribution to fault detection calculation, the highest quality sets of sensors were identified. The issue of detecting simultaneous multiple faults was also addressed, with varying success. Fault detection was verified using both model simulations and experimental data. The results were similar, although in practice only one of the two would probably be used. Both load-type faults (such as door gasket leaks) and system faults were simulated on the refrigerator. It was found that system faults were generally more easily detectable than load faults. Refrigerator experiments were performed on a typical household refrigerator because it was readily available in a laboratory, but the results of this project may be more immediately useful on larger commercial, industrial or transport refrigeration systems. Air conditioner experiments were performed on a 3-ton split system. Again, the economic benefits of this type of fault detection scheme may also be more feasible for larger field-assembled systems.Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 8

A geophysical and geochemical interpretation of the configuration of the Mount Peyton complex, central Newfoundland

An integrated geophysical, geological and geochemical study of the Mount Peyton complex in central Newfoundland has provided insight into the surface and subsurface configuration of the feature. The geology, magnetics, gravity, copper, nickel and uranium data enable us to delineate and redefine the lithological boundaries of the complex and develop an appreciation of its possible configuration at depth. The geophysical modelling is consistent with earlier interpretations that the batholith consists of a gabbroic phase which was emplaced in the Botwood Group at 420 ± 8 Ma. A later granitic phase was emplaced at 390 ± 15 Ma. There is a close spatial relationship between the various lithologies and specific geophysical and geochemical signatures. Shaded relief techniques applied to the aeromagnetic data indicate that the batholith has undergone at least one phase of faulting. Magnetic modelling reveals inward dipping gabbro blocks along the exterior boundaries of the complex. The model derived from the limited gravity data is consistent with the magnetically modelled blocks based on more extensive data. The geophysical and geochemical data suggest the granitic portion of the batholith is smaller in volume, but larger' in area, than implied by the limited outcrop mapping. The geophysical modelling is consistent with a thin granitic phase and thicker gabbroic phase. RÉSUMÉ Une étude géophysique, géologique et géochimique intégrée du complexe du mont Peyton dans le centre de Terre-Neuve à fourni des indices sur la configuration de surface et souterraine du complexe. Les données géologiques, magnétiques, gravimétriques et de cuivre, nickel et uranium nous permettent de tracer et de redéfinir les contacts lithologiques du complexe et de développer une appréciation de sa configuration possible en profondeur. La modélisation géophysique est en accord avec les interprétations antérieures selon lesquctles le batholite comprendrait une phase gabbroique qui s'est mise en place dans le Groupe de Botwood à 420 ± 8 Ma. Une phase granitique plus tardive s'est mise en place à 390 ± 15 Ma. Il y a une association spaciale étroite entre les diverses lithologies et des signatures géophysiques et géochimiques spécifique. Les techniques de relief ombragé appliquées aux données aéromagnétiques indiquent que le batholite à connu au moins une génération de failles. La modélisation des données magnétiques montre des blocs de gabbro inclinés vers l'intévieur, autour des bordures externes du complexe. Le modèle dérivé de la quantité restreinte de données gravimétriques est en accord avec les blocs de la modélisation magnéique, laquelle est basée sur une plus grande quantité de données. Les données géophysiques et géochimiques suggèrent que la partie granitique du batholite à un volume plus petit, mais une surface plus grande, que ne l’indiquent les données restreintes de cartographie de surface. La modélisation geéophysique est en accord avec une phase granitique mince et une phase gabbroique plus épaisse. [Traduit par le journal

Very large dielectric response of thin ferroelectric films with the dead layers

We study the dielectric response of ferroelectric (FE) thin films with "dead" dielectric layer at the interface with electrodes. The domain structure inevitably forms in the FE film in presence of the dead layer. As a result, the effective dielectric constant of the capacitor $\epsilon_{eff}$ increases abruptly when the dead layer is thin and, consequently, the pattern of 180-degree domains becomes "soft". We compare the exact results for this problem with the description in terms of a popular "capacitor" model, which is shown to give qualitatively incorrect results. We relate the present results to fatigue observed in thin ferroelectric films.Comment: 5 pages, REVTeX 3.1 with one eps-figure. A note added that the linear response is not changed by electromechanical effect. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Poincare's Recurrence Theorem and the Unitarity of the S matrix

A scattering process can be described by suitably closing the system and considering the first return map from the entrance onto itself. This scattering map may be singular and discontinuous, but it will be measure preserving as a consequence of the recurrence theorem applied to any region of a simpler map. In the case of a billiard this is the Birkhoff map. The semiclassical quantization of the Birkhoff map can be subdivided into an entrance and a repeller. The construction of a scattering operator then follows in exact analogy to the classical process. Generically, the approximate unitarity of the semiclassical Birkhoff map is inherited by the S-matrix, even for highly resonant scattering where direct quantization of the scattering map breaks down.Comment: 4 latex pages, 5 ps figure

Neoplastic transformation of mouse C3H 10T1/2 and Syrian hamster embryo cells by heavy ions

C3H 10T1/2 mouse-embryo fibroblasts were used for transformation experiments to study the effectiveness of various heavy ions with energies up to 20 MeV/u and LET values from 170 to 16.000 keV/μm. The transformation frequency per unit absorbed dose decreased with increasing ionization density; at the highest values of LET we found a decrease even of the transformation efficiency per unit fluence. Uranium ions at energies of 5, 9, and 16.3 MeV/u did not induced any transformation. In additional studies piimary Syrian hamster embryo cells (SHE) were exposed to heavy ions in order to characterize cytological and molecular changes which may be correlated with neoplastic transformation. Growth behaviour, chromosomal status, tumorigenicity in nude mice, and expression of oncogenes of transformed cell lines were examined

Atomic layer deposition of HfO2 on graphene from HfCl4 and H20

Atomic layer deposition of ultrathin HfO2 on unmodified graphene from HfCl4 and H2O was investigated. Surface RMS roughness down to 0.5 nm was obtained for amorphous, 30 nm thick hafnia film grown at 180 degrees C. HfO2 was deposited also in a two-step temperature process where the initial growth of about 1 nm at 170 degrees C was continued up to 10-30 nm at 300 degrees C. This process yielded uniform, monoclinic HfO2 films with RMS roughness of 1.7 nm for 10-12 nm thick films and 2.5 nm for 30 nm thick films. Raman spectroscopy studies revealed that the deposition process caused compressive biaxial strain in graphene whereas no extra defects were generated. An 11 nm thick HfO2 film deposited onto bilayer graphene reduced the electron mobility by less than 10% at the Dirac point and by 30-40% far away from it.Comment: 4 figures, accepted by CEJ

Der Handel von Kreditrisiken: eine neue Dimension des Kapitalmarktes

This paper makes an attempt to present the economics of credit securitization in a non-technical way, starting from the description and the analysis of a typical securitization transaction. The paper sketches a theoretical explanation for why tranching, or nonproportional risk sharing, which is at the heart of securitization transactions, may allow commercial banks to maximize their shareholder value. However, the analysis makes also clear that the conditions under which credit securitization enhances welfare, are fairly restrictive, and require not only an active role of the banking supervisiory authorities, but also a price tag on the implicit insurance currently provided by the lender of last resort. Klassifikation: D82, G21, D74. February 16, 2005

A self-synthesized origin for heavy metals in hot subdwarf stars

Context. A number of He-rich hot subdwarf stars present high abundances for trans-iron elements, such as Sr, Y, Zr, and Pb. Diffusion processes are important in hot subdwarf stars and it is generally believed that the high abundances of heavy elements in these peculiar stars are due to the action of radiative levitation. However, during the formation of He-rich hot subdwarf stars, hydrogen can be ingested into the convective zone driven by the He-core flash. It is known that episodes of protons being ingested into He-burning convective zones can lead to neutron-capture processes and the formation of heavy elements.Aims. In this work, we aim to explore, for the first time, whether neutron-capture processes can occur in late He-core flashes taking place in the cores of the progenitors of He-rich hot subdwarfs. We aim to explore the possibility of a self-synthesized origin for the heavy elements observed in some He-rich hot subdwarf stars.Methods. We computed a detailed evolutionary model for a stripped red-giant star using a stellar evolution code with a nuclear network comprising 32 isotopes. Then we post-processed the stellar models in the phase of helium and hydrogen burning using a post-processing nucleosynthesis code with a nuclear network of 1190 species, which allowed us to follow the neutron-capture processes in detail.Results. We find the occurrence of neutron-capture processes in our model, with neutron densities reaching a value of ∼5 × 1012 cm−3. We determined that the trans-iron elements are enhanced in the surface by 1 to 2 dex, as compared to initial compositions. Moreover, the relative abundance pattern [Xi/Fe] produced by neutron-capture processes closely resembles those observed in some He-rich hot subdwarf stars, hinting at a possible self-synthesized origin for the heavy elements in these stars.Conclusions. We conclude that intermediate neutron-capture processes can occur during a proton ingestion event in the He-core flash of stripped red-giant stars. This mechanism offers a natural channel for the production of the heavy elements observed in certain He-rich hot subdwarf stars

Role of sheet-edge interactions in β-sheet self-assembling peptide hydrogels

Hydrogels’ hydrated fibrillar nature makes them the material of choice for the design and engineering of 3D scaffolds for cell culture, tissue engineering, and drug-delivery applications. One particular class of hydrogels which has been the focus of significant research is self-assembling peptide hydrogels. In the present work, we were interested in exploring how fiber–fiber edge interactions affect the self-assembly and gelation properties of amphipathic peptides. For this purpose, we investigated two β-sheet-forming peptides, FEFKFEFK (F8) and KFEFKFEFKK (KF8K), the latter one having the fiber edges covered by lysine residues. Our results showed that the addition of the two lysine residues did not affect the ability of the peptides to form β-sheet-rich fibers, provided that the overall charge carried by the two peptides was kept constant. However, it did significantly reduce edge-driven hydrophobic fiber–fiber associative interactions, resulting in reduced tendency for KF8K fibers to associate/aggregate laterally and form large fiber bundles and consequently network cross-links. This effect resulted in the formation of hydrogels with lower moduli but faster dynamics. As a result, KF8K fibers could be aligned only under high shear and at high concentration while F8 hydrogel fibers were found to align readily at low shear and low concentration. In addition, F8 hydrogels were found to fragment at high concentration because of the high aggregation state stabilizing the fiber bundles, resulting in fiber breakage rather than disentanglement and alignment

CCL2 and CCR2 regulate pain-related behaviour and early gene expression in post-traumatic murine osteoarthritis but contribute little to chondropathy

SummaryObjectiveThe role of inflammation in structural and symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. One key mediator of inflammation is the chemokine CCL2, primarily responsible for attracting monocytes to sites of injury. We investigated the role of CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 in experimental OA.DesignOA was induced in 10 weeks old male wild type (WT), Ccl2−/− and Ccr2−/− mice, by destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM). RNA was extracted from whole joints at 6 h and 7 days post-surgery and examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Gene expression changes between naïve and DMM-operated mice were compared. Chondropathy scores, from mice at 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks post DMM were calculated using modified Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) grading systems. Changes in hind paw weight distribution, as a measure of pain, were assessed by Linton incapacitance.ResultsAbsence of CCL2 strongly suppressed (>90%) selective inflammatory response genes in the joint 6 h post DMM, including arginase 1, prostaglandin synthase 2, nitric oxide synthase 2 and inhibin A. IL6, MMP3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 were also significantly suppressed. Similar trends were also observed in the absence of CCR2. A lower average chondropathy score was observed in both Ccl2−/− and Ccr2−/− mice at 12, 16 and 20 weeks post DMM compared with WT mice, but this was only statistically significant at 20 weeks in Ccr2−/− mice. Pain-related behaviour in Ccl2−/− and Ccr2−/− mice post DMM was delayed in onset.ConclusionThe CCL2/CCR2 axis plays an important role in the development of pain in murine OA, but contributes little to cartilage damage