Modernisierung der kantonalen Verwaltungen 1990-2008 : Wandel von Administrativstrukturen und Einführung von Verwaltungsreformen = Modernisation des administrations cantonales 1990-2008 : transformations structurelles et gouvernance administrative

De nombreuses études ont été consacrées en Suisse à la promotion de la nouvelle gestion publique (NGP) au niveau des cantons, puis à son évaluation. Or, les chercheurs se sont peu intéressés jusqu'ici aux effets de son introduction sur les structures administratives et les effectifs de la fonction publique. Ils n'ont pas non plus expliqué suffisamment les facteurs ayant favorisé ou freiné la modernisation de l'Etat au-delà de la NGP. Les réformes de l'Etat menées au sein des administrations cantonales dans le cadre de la revitalisation du fédéralisme ont des causes multiples. Cette étude exploratoire tente de décrire les transformations au niveau des structures et de l'organisation de l'Etat depuis le début des années 1990 en analysant le niveau et l'impact des principes NGP ou d'autres facteurs ayant pu jouer un rôle dans la modernisation des administrations: force des partis, degré de professionnalisation des législatifs, taille de la population et des administrations, RPT et revitalisation de la collaboration intercantonale. Il ressort de l'étude qu'un groupe de cantons essentiellement alémaniques, plutôt de taille moyenne à grande (AG, BE, LU, SO, TG, VS, ZH) ont réussi à davantage réformer les administrations selon les principes de la NGP alors que d'autres ont choisi des voies différentes ou médianes (tels que BS, GE, JU, SG, TI, VD). Ces réformes se sont traduites pratiquement partout par un resserrement des structures décisionnelles (modèle ministériel 5/7), par une variation du nombre de services (hausse dans une première phase puis réduction) mais aussi du personnel (plutôt hausse à l'exception de BS et ZH) allant dans le sens d'une convergence des modèles institutionnels déterminée autant par des facteurs externes qu'internes aux cantons. Notre étude montre que la professionnalisation des parlements, davantage développée dans les cantons où le système représentatif est étendu (cantons latins, Bâle-Ville), retarde ou empêche l'essor des principes NGP alors que les cantons alémaniques à démocratie directe plus prononcée favorisent l'autonomisation des processus de réformes administratives avec une capacité de blocage moins grande des parlements

Fracturas de implantes de tibia. Consecuencias para los ensayos de los implantes

El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar los modelos de fracturas de prótesis de tibia descritos en la literatura y, sobre la base de dichos conocimientos, desarrollar un ensayo para implantes en la cual se logren simular condiciones fisiológicas. El caso descrito con mayor frecuencia en la literatura es la migración de la parte medial de la prótesis, fenómeno que, a menudo, antecede a la fractura de la prótesis. La posición defectuosa resultante de dicha migración modifica el eje mecánico y provoca una sobrecarga en la parte medial de la prótesis. Se ha desarrollado un ensayo de implantes que simula el modelo de fallo in-vivo. Dos bases de material sintético de diferente dureza simulan la diferente densidad ósea medial y lateral, para permitir una migración del lado medial del platillo. En el ensayo dinámico el platillo tibial es sometido a una carga de un solo lado y el vástago de la prótesis se apuntala con un contrasoporte. Para simular el entorno fisiológico, todo el dispositivo se encuentra sumergido en una solución de Ringer a 37°. El implante de tibia es expuesto durante 10 millones de ciclos a una carga que corresponde al quíntuple del peso del cuerpo (4.000 N). El punto de aplicación de la fuerza fue tomado de datos de análisis del caminar (marcha en superficie plana, ascendente y descendente, subir escaleras). Con esta carga fisiológica se efectuaron los primeros ensayos. En éstas quedó demostrado que productos clínicamente exitosos podían superar el ensayo. Por el contrario, los productos con modelos de fracturas conocidos no la superaron. Los primeros resultados con estos productos demostraron también que el ensayo generaba muestras de fractura semejantes a las que se producen in vivo. Debido a la configuración fisiológica del dispositivo se somete el sistema completo es decir el platillo, el vástago de la prótesis y la unión - generalmente modular - entre ambos a ensayo. El "ensayo fisiológico de tibia " descrito ayuda a evaluar los diseños de tibia antes de que se autorice su venta. Nuevos implantes y modificaciones de diseño en implantes ya existentes son puestos a la venta después de cumplir con las exigencias del ensayo.Peer Reviewe

Complements and signed digit representations: Analysis of a multi-exponentiation-algorithm of Wu, Lou, Lai and Chang

Wu, Lou, Lai and Chang proposed a multi-exponentiation algorithm using binary complements and the non-adjacent form. The purpose of this paper is to show that neither the analysis of the algorithm given by its original proposers nor that by other authors are correct. In fact it turns out that the complement operation does not have significant influence on the performance of the algorithm and can therefore be omitted

Quantifying the Value of CCS for the Future Electricity System

Many studies have quantified the cost of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) power plants, but relatively few discuss or appreciate the unique value this technology provides to the electricity system. CCS is routinely identified as a key factor in least-cost transitions to a low-carbon electricity system in 2050, one with significant value by providing dispatchable and low-carbon electricity. This paper investigates production, demand and stability characteristics of the current and future electricity system. We analyse the Carbon Intensity (CI) of electricity systems composed of unabated thermal (coal and gas), abated (CCS), and wind power plants for different levels of wind availability with a view to quantifying the value to the system of different generation mixes. As a thought experiment we consider the supply side of a UK-sized electricity system and compare the effect of combining wind and CCS capacity with unabated thermal power plants. The resulting capacity mix, system cost and CI are used to highlight the importance of differentiating between intermittent and firm low-carbon power generators. We observe that, in the absence of energy storage or demand side management, the deployment of intermittent renewable capacity cannot significantly displace unabated thermal power, and consequently can achieve only moderate reductions in overall CI. A system deploying sufficient wind capacity to meet peak demand can reduce CI from 0.78 tCO2 /MWh, a level according to unabated fossil power generation, to 0.38 tCO2 /MWh. The deployment of CCS power plants displaces unabated thermal plants, and whilst it is more costly than unabated thermal plus wind, this system can achieve an overall CI of 0.1 tCO2 /MWh. The need to evaluate CCS using a systemic perspective in order to appreciate its unique value is a core conclusion of this study

An MILP modeling approach to systemic energy technology valuation in the 21st Century energy system

New cannot be measured with old. The transformation of the electricity system from a network of fossil-based dispatchable power plants to one with large amounts of intermittent renewable power generation, flexible loads and markets, requires a concurrent development of new evaluation tools and metrics. The focus of this research is to investigate the value of power technologies in order to support decision making on optimal power system design and operation. Technology valuation metrics need to consider the complexity and interdependency of environmental and security objectives, rather than focusing on individual cost-competitiveness of technologies outside of the power system. We present the System Value as a new technology valuation metric, based on a mixed-integer linear program (MILP) formulation of a national-scale electricity system. The Electricity System Optimization model is able to capture detailed technical operation of the individual power plants as well as environmental and security requirements on the system level. We present a case study on the System Value of onshore wind power plants in comparison with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) equipped gas-fired power plants in a 2035 UK electricity system. Under the given emission constraints, the deployment of both technologies reduce total system cost of electricity generation. In the case of CCS-equipped power plants the reductions in total system cost are 2 to 5 times higher than for the deployment of onshore wind capacity

Power Capacity Expansion Planning Considering Endogenous Technology Cost Learning

We present an power systems optimisation model for national-scale power supply capacity expansion considering endogenous technology cost reduction (ESO-XEL). The mixed-integer linear program minimises total system cost while complying with operational constraints, carbon emission targets, and ancillary service requirements. A data clustering technique and the relaxation of integer scheduling constraints is evaluated and applied to decrease the model solution time. Two cost learning curves for the different power technologies are derived: one assuming local learning effects, the other accounting for global knowledge spill-over. A piece-wise linear formulation allows the integration of the exponential learning curves into the ESO-XEL model. The model is applied to the UK power system in the time frame of 2015 to 2050. The consideration of cost learning effects moves optimal investment timings to earlier planning years and influences the competitiveness of technologies. In addition, the maximum capacity build rate parameter influences the share of power generation significantly; the possibility of rapid capacity build-up is more important for total system cost reduction by 2050 than accounting for technology cost reduction