Orchestration of renewable generation in low energy buildings and districts using energy storage and load shaping

There is increasing penetration of renewable generation in buildings and districts. There are challenges in making the effective use of this generation. The objective of the ORIGIN project (Orchestration of Renewable Integrated Generation In Neighborhoods) is to shape loads so that the fraction of energy consumed that is from local renewable generation is maximized, and energy imported from outside sources is minimized. This paper presents the overall approach taken in the ORIGIN project and explores building physics aspects of solar thermal storage system orchestration. The case study districts are briefly introduced and characteristics of their generation, buildings, districts and shiftable loads described. The orchestration approach taken in ORIGIN is then presented. At the core of the ORIGIN system is the orchestration algorithm which generates informational and control outputs to shape future loads to best meet the objectives. The model based approach used to quantify thermal and electrical load shifting opportunities for pre-charging, coasting or avoiding loads, while meeting thermal comfort and other demands, is described using a solar thermal storage system as an example. The future steps for the ORIGIN project; retrofit of the ORIGIN system into existing districts and potential for other future applications is briefly discussed

Treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) with bosentan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of bosentan when administered to thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A clinical pilot study was designed in which patients with ulcer and/or pain at rest were treated with bosentan p.o. at a dose of 62.5 mg twice daily during the first month, which was thereafter up-titrated to 125 mg twice daily. The study endpoints were clinical improvement rate, major or minor amputation rate, haemodynamic changes, changes in endothelial function and angiographic changes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven out of 12 patients were male (58%). Median age was 39 years (range 29-49). The median follow-up was 20 months (range 11-40). All patients were smokers. With bosentan treatment, new ischaemic lesions were observed in only one patient. Overall, clinical improvement was observed in 12 of the 13 extremities (92%). Only two out of 13 extremities underwent amputation (one major and one minor) after bosentan treatment. After being assessed by digital arteriography with subtraction or angio-magnetic resonance imaging, an increase of distal flow was observed in 10 out of the 12 patients. All patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in their BAFMD values (mean: 1.8 at baseline; 6.6 at the end of the treatment; 12.7 three months after the end of the treatment; p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bosentan treatment may result in an improvement of clinical, angiographic and endothelial function outcomes. Bosentan should be investigated further in the management of TAO patients. Larger studies are required to confirm these results.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01447550">NCT01447550</a></p

The immunopathology of canine vector-borne diseases

The canine vector-borne infectious diseases (CVBDs) are an emerging problem in veterinary medicine and the zoonotic potential of many of these agents is a significant consideration for human health. The successful diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these infections is dependent upon firm understanding of the underlying immunopathology of the diseases in which there are unique tripartite interactions between the microorganism, the vector and the host immune system. Although significant advances have been made in the areas of molecular speciation and the epidemiology of these infections and their vectors, basic knowledge of the pathology and immunology of the diseases has lagged behind. This review summarizes recent studies of the pathology and host immune response in the major CVBDs (leishmaniosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, hepatozoonosis, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis and borreliosis). The ultimate application of such immunological investigation is the development of effective vaccines. The current commercially available vaccines for canine leishmaniosis, babesiosis and borreliosis are reviewed

Limitation of the exponential model for the correction for mass discrimination effects during isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICPMS. Demonstration with Sr at 5-15 microL min-1 continuous liquid flow rates

The need for performing isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICPMS on samples only available in small sizes and not allowing any dilution requires the development of sample introduction systems able to work below 10 μL min-1 (continuous mode). For the torch integrated sample introduction system (TISIS), the optimisation of the conditions involves the study of the temperature of the spray chamber (TSC) and the sample flow rate. This paper investigates the consequences of changing TSC up to 100 oC and the sample flow rate down to 5 μL min-1 on mass discrimination effects. The validity of the exponential model commonly used to correct for these effects was tested for strontium isotopic measurements. Two categories of processes favouring the heaviest isotopes were envisaged: at plasma stage – “mechanism 1”, and within the ion beam – “mechanism 2”. The extraction potential applied inside the interface (HV1) was progressively increased, and results obtained for a range of approximately ± 5-6 V around HV1 = 4004 V at 15 μL min-1 and TSC = 40 ºC were used as reference. The intensity of mass discrimination effects increased at 15 μL min-1 and TSC = 60 or 100 ºC, and decreased at 5 μL min-1 and TSC = 40 ºC. At TSC = 100 ºC (15 μL min-1) or at 5 μL min-1 (TSC = 40 ºC) the stability of mass discrimination effects and the average efficiency of the exponential model were particularly degraded. The contribution of mechanism 1 (and its influence on mechanism 2) seemed to be the determining factor. At TSC = 100 ºC the hypothesis made was the acceleration of the solvent evaporation process inside the TISIS, leading to variations in the characteristics of the tertiary aerosols. And the consequence was an increase of the plasma mass discriminative effects (ion diffusion) reinforced from the extra energy made available to the plasma ions. At 5 μL min-1, changes in the plasma composition arising from the reduction of the water load in combination with the ion production at an earlier stage within the plasma followed by the processes of ion diffusion were also hypothesized as possible causes for the inadequacy of the exponential model.JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

MC-ICPMS Isotope Ratio Measurements Using an Ultra-Low Flow Sample Introduction System

This study characterises for the first time isotope ratio measurements by multi-collector ICPMS when performed at liquid flow rates as low as 10-15 µL min-1. An evolution of the torch integrated sample introduction system (TISIS) was employed, which combined an Opalmist nebulizer and a heated single pass spray chamber, allowing the transport of almost 100 % of the solvent. The different factors potentially influencing the isotope ratio measured values and the associated uncertainties (sensitivity and interferences, mass discrimination effects, repeatability of isotope ratio measurement, and rinsing time and memory effects) were investigated systematically under varying experimental conditions. Results showed that the liquid flow rate has a large impact on mass discrimination effects, making the control of this variable critical. From 5 to 30 µL min-1, when using the exponential model, the mass discrimination per mass unit changed from -1.6 to -2.1 and from -1.1 to -1.9, for 88Sr+/86Sr+ and 208Pb+/206Pb+ ratios respectively. Moreover, extrapolations from these results lead to the conclusion that a syringe pump may be required instead of a free aspiration regime to control the liquid flow rate and eliminate the possibility of undesired variations of isotope ratio results (typically, 0.05 per mille error for 1-2 % fluctuations at 10 µL min-1). The validity of the exponential model also depended on the experimental conditions selected. When working at 15 µL min-1 and heating the chamber walls at 60-80 ºC, the performance was as good as it could be with a Micromist/water cooled cinnabar combination operated at 200 µL min-1 (thus, the efficiency was 12 times better for the TISIS). Both systems were compared for the measurement of the Sr isotopic signature in honey samples. Since the TISIS allowed for a pre concentration of samples by a factor 5, the combined uncertainty on results could be improved by 1.6 to 4.4. The main drawback was however the longer rinsing time required to reach a stable background signal (10-12 minutes rather than 4).JRC.DG.D.4-Isotope measurement