Crawl space assisted heat pump

A variety of experiments and simulations, currently being designed or underway, to determine the feasibility of conditioning the source air of an air to air heat pump using stored ground heat or cool to produce higher seasonal COP's and net energy savings are discussed. The ground would condition ambient air as it is drawn through the crawl space of a house. Tests designed to evaluate the feasibility of the concept, to determine the amount of heat or cool available from the ground, to study the effect of the system on the heating and cooling loads of the house, to study possible mechanisms which could enhance heat flow through the ground, and to determine if diurnal temperature swings are necessary to achieve successful system performance are described

Identification of putative steroid receptor antagonists in bottled water : combining bioassays and high-resolution mass spectrometry

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are man-made compounds interfering with hormone signaling and thereby adversely affecting human health. Recent reports provide evidence for the presence of EDCs in commercially available bottled water, including steroid receptor agonists and antagonists. However, since these findings are based on biological data the causative chemicals remain unidentified and, therefore, inaccessible for toxicological evaluation. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activity of bottled water and to identify the causative steroid receptor antagonists. We evaluated the antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activity of 18 bottled water products in reporter gene assays for human estrogen receptor alpha and androgen receptor. Using nontarget high-resolution mass spectrometry (LTQ-Orbitrap Velos), we acquired corresponding analytical data. We combined the biological and chemical information to determine the exact mass of the tentative steroid receptor antagonist. Further MS(n) experiments elucidated the molecule's structure and enabled its identification. We detected significant antiestrogenicity in 13 of 18 products. 16 samples were antiandrogenic inhibiting the androgen receptor by up to 90%. Nontarget chemical analysis revealed that out of 24520 candidates present in bottled water one was consistently correlated with the antagonistic activity. By combining experimental and in silico MS(n) data we identified this compound as di(2-ethylhexyl) fumarate (DEHF). We confirmed the identity and biological activity of DEHF and additional isomers of dioctyl fumarate and maleate using authentic standards. Since DEHF is antiestrogenic but not antiandrogenic we conclude that additional, yet unidentified EDCs must contribute to the antagonistic effect of bottled water. Applying a novel approach to combine biological and chemical analysis this is the first study to identify so far unknown EDCs in bottled water. Notably, dioctyl fumarates and maleates have been overlooked by science and regulation to date. This illustrates the need to identify novel toxicologically relevant compounds to establish a more holistic picture of the human exposome

Many-particle effects in adsorbed magnetic atoms with easy-axis anisotropy: the case of Fe on CuN/Cu(100) surface

We study the effects of the exchange interaction between an adsorbed magnetic atom with easy-axis magnetic anisotropy and the conduction-band electrons from the substrate. We model the system using an anisotropic Kondo model and we compute the impurity spectral function which is related to the differential conductance (dI/dV) spectra measured using a scanning tunneling microscope. To make contact with the known experimental results for iron atoms on the CuN/Cu(100) surface [Hirjibehedin et al., Science {\bf 317}, 1199 (2007)], we calculated the spectral functions in the presence of an external magnetic field of varying strength applied along all three spatial directions. It is possible to establish an upper bound on the coupling constant J: in the range of the magnetic fields for which the experimental results are currently known (up to 7T), the low-energy features in the calculated spectra agree well with the measured dI/dV spectra if the exchange coupling constant J is at most half as large as that for cobalt atoms on the same surface. We show that for even higher magnetic field (between 8 and 9T) applied along the ``hollow direction'', the impurity energy states cross, giving rise to a Kondo effect which takes the form of a zero-bias resonance. The paper introduces an approach for calculating the expectation values of global spin operators and all components of the impurity magnetic susceptibility tensor in numerical renormalization group (NRG) calculations with no spin symmetry. An appendix contains a density-functional-theory (DFT) study of the Cu and Fe adsorbates on CuN/Cu(100) surface: we compare magnetic moments, as well as orbital energies, occupancies, centers, and spreads by calculating the maximally localized Wannier orbitals of the adsorbates.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure

Uma aplicação do SOC na estimação por intervalo do parametro razão de produtos cruzados em tabelas de contingência 2 x 2.

Neste sentido, foi desenvolvido o programa TAB2x2.ENT utilizando os recursos do módulo CM do SOC - Fevereiro/88, o qual fornece, para dados não pareados dispostos em uma tabela 2x2, as estimativas pontuais do parâmetro razão de produtos cruzados, os limites dos intervalos assintáticos de Cornfield (1956) , Ccx (1958) , Wolf (1954) com correção de continuidade e Gart (1962) , comprimento dos intervalos e, para os métodos assintáticos condicionais, os níveis de significância exatos unicaudais e os coeficientes de confiança exatos.bitstream/item/76611/1/CNPTIA-COM.TEC.-8803-88.pd

Control of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea Klug in organic fruit growing and possible side effects of control strategies on Aphelinus mali Haldeman and other beneficial insects

The effect of Quassia extract on eggs and larvae of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea was studied. The efficacy of this extract is mainly due to an oral toxicity to the neonate sawfly larvae. The main active ingredients, Quassin and Neoquassin, were tested separately. Wheras Quassin has a considerable efficacy also on older larvae, Neoquassin is less efficient in this case. While Quassin and Neoquassin are found in different Quassia sources in varying relations to each other and have different efficacy, they have to be considered separately in the definition of extract quality by the content of active ingredients. These findings mean, that the “egg maturity” is not important for application date. Nevertheless, the application must take place before the larvae hatch. It was shown that low rates of Quassin (4-6 g/ha) can show very good results in the field, in other cases the rates necessary for good efficacy are much higher. This corresponds to farmers experience. Several factors as application technique and the condition of the blossom must be taken in consideration and will be object of further studies. The side effects of Quassin, Neoquassin and Quassia extract on Aphelinus mali and other beneficial arthropods were tested. Quassia is harmless to all organisms tested

Status of neutrino oscillations 2018: first hint for normal mass ordering and improved CP sensitivity

We present a new global fit of neutrino oscillation parameters within the simplest three-neutrino picture, including new data which appeared since our previous analysis~\cite{Forero:2014bxa}. In this update we include new long-baseline neutrino data involving the antineutrino channel in T2K, as well as new data in the neutrino channel, data from NO$\nu$A, as well as new reactor data, such as the Daya Bay 1230 days electron antineutrino disappearance spectrum data and the 1500 live days prompt spectrum from RENO, as well as new Double Chooz data. We also include atmospheric neutrino data from the IceCube DeepCore and ANTARES neutrino telescopes and from Super-Kamiokande. Finally, we also update our solar oscillation analysis by including the 2055-day day/night spectrum from the fourth phase of the Super-Kamiokande experiment. With the new data we find a preference for the atmospheric angle in the upper octant for both neutrino mass orderings, with maximal mixing allowed at $\Delta\chi^2 = 1.6 \, (3.2)$ for normal (inverted) ordering. We also obtain a strong preference for values of the CP phase $\delta$ in the range $[\pi,2\pi]$, excluding values close to $\pi/2$ at more than 4$\sigma$. More remarkably, our global analysis shows for the first time hints in favour of the normal mass ordering over the inverted one at more than 3$\sigma$. We discuss in detail the origin of the mass ordering, CP violation and octant sensitivities, analyzing the interplay among the different neutrino data samples.Comment: Updated neutrino oscillation analysis using the most recent results from T2K, NO$\nu$A, RENO and Super-Kamiokande. 17 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

Validation of the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA)

The Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA) is an energy audit tool designed specifically to identify recommended weatherization measures for mobile homes as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Weatherization Assistance Program. A field validation of MHEA was performed using billing/delivery data collected on 86 mobile homes heated primarily by electricity, natural gas, or propane to assess the audit's accuracy and the validity of its recommendations. The validation found that MHEA overpredicts the annual space-heating energy savings of weatherization measures to be installed in mobile homes, which leads to low realization rates, primarily because of its large overprediction of annual pre-weatherization space-heating energy consumption. However, MHEA's annual space-heating energy savings estimates and realization rates can be improved considerably using MHEA's built-in billing adjustment feature. In order to improve the accuracy of MHEA's annual space-heating energy savings estimates and realization rate, the cause of MHEA's overprediction of annual pre-weatherization space-heating energy consumption needs to be further investigated and corrected. Although MHEA's billing adjustment feature improved MHEA's annual space-heating energy savings estimates, alternative methods of making the correction that may provide improved performance should be investigated. In the interim period before permanent improvements to MHEA can be made, the following recommendations should be followed: (a) do not enter into MHEA insulation thicknesses of 1 in. or less and especially zero (0 in.) unless such low levels have been verified through visual inspection of several parts of the envelope area in question; (b) use MHEA's billing adjustment feature to develop a list of recommended measures based on adjusted energy savings if possible, especially in mobile homes that have several major energy deficiencies; and (c) do not use MHEA's "evaluate duct sealing" option at this time (although certainly seal all duct leaks and use diagnostics as appropriate to find leakage sites and quantify improvements)

Guidelines for Retrofit Performance Monitoring

A data specification guideline developed for use in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Single-Family Building Energy Retrofit Research Program is applicable to field monitoring studies of cooling retrofits. The guideline was developed to promote the collection of data (more detailed than billing data) that are needed to fully understand retrofit energy performance. The guideline identifies the important data parameters that should be collected to meet this need and defines the data parameters to ensure that consistent and comparable data' are collected. The purpose of this paper is (a) to summarize the data parameters identified in the guideline. and (b) to discuss low-cost instrumentation that can be used to' monitor the data parameters identified in a minimum data set

Sterile neutrinos with altered dispersion relations revisited

In this paper we investigate neutrino oscillations with altered dispersion relations in the presence of sterile neutrinos. Modified dispersion relations represent an agnostic way to parameterize new physics. Models of this type have been suggested to explain global neutrino oscillation data, including deviations from the standard three-neutrino paradigm as observed by a few experiments. We show that, unfortunately, in this type of models new tensions arise turning them incompatible with global data.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Version 2, matches published versio

Modelo matemático para estudo da dinâmica de transmissão da AIE via mutuca.

A Anemia Infecciosa Equina (AIE) é uma doença incurável e de grande prevalência no Pantanal Brasileiro, acometendo cerca de 50% dos animais de serviço (SILVA et al., 2004), causada por um vírus pertencente ao gênero do vírus da AIDS (Lentivirus, da família Retroviridae). O objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um modelo matemático compartimental determinístico para representar a dinâmica temporal da transmissão da AIE por seu inseto vetor, a mutuca, que desempenha o papel mais importante na cadeia natural da doença. Partindo do modelo desenvolvido por Marquesone (2011), o modelo aqui apresentado considera também a variação populacional do vetor definida por cenário, unifica os compartimentos de cavalos infectados e assintomáticos e define criteriosamente os parâmetros biológicos envolvidos. Tal modelo é então analisado do ponto de vista de equilíbrio e estabilidade e simulações de cenários são realizadas em condições compatíveis com a realidade do Pantanal.CIIC 2012. No 12601