Package Insert Conversions Using Topic-Based Writing

Traditional word processing programs, at least for large companies managing controlled documents, are becoming obsolete. The next leap in the field of Technical Writing is employing Content Management Systems (CMSs). Each concept or topic created in a CMS can be referenced by multiple publications and allows for global changes. At Cal Poly, through the Liberal Arts & Engineering Studies program, I specialized in Industrial Engineering and Technical Writing. For this senior project, I applied interdisciplinary skills to transfer four of Cepheid’s FrameMaker package inserts into an Extensible Markup Language Content Management System (XML CMS) called Vasont Inspire. The end objective of this conversion project is to cut down work time, allow for easier peer-review, prevent duplicate or rework, maintain industry standards, and optimize the translation process

The early life history of the clam Macoma balthica in a high CO₂ world

This study investigated the effects of experimentally manipulated seawater carbonate chemistry on several early life history processes of the Baltic tellin (Macoma balthica), a widely distributed bivalve that plays a critical role in the functioning of many coastal habitats. We demonstrate that ocean acidification significantly depresses fertilization, embryogenesis, larval development and survival during the pelagic phase. Fertilization and the formation of a D-shaped shell during embryogenesis were severely diminished: successful fertilization was reduced by 11% at a 0.6 pH unit decrease from present (pH 8.1) conditions, while hatching success was depressed by 34 and 87%, respectively at a 0.3 and 0.6 pH unit decrease. Under acidified conditions, larvae were still able to develop a shell during the post-embryonic phase, but higher larval mortality rates indicate that fewer larvae may metamorphose and settle in an acidified ocean. The cumulative impact of decreasing seawater pH on fertilization, embryogenesis and survival to the benthic stage is estimated to reduce the number of competent settlers by 38% for a 0.3 pH unit decrease, and by 89% for a 0.6 pH unit decrease from present conditions. Additionally, slower growth rates and a delayed metamorphosis at a smaller size were indicative for larvae developed under acidified conditions. This may further decline the recruit population size due to a longer subjection to perturbations, such as predation, during the pelagic phase. In general, early life history processes were most severely compromised at similar to pH 7.5, which corresponds to seawater undersaturated with respect to aragonite. Since recent models predict a comparable decrease in pH in coastal waters in the near future, this study indicates that future populations of Macoma balthica are likely to decline as a consequence of ongoing ocean acidification

Sediment Transport Processes in Coarse Gravel-Bed Rivers: An Example From Costa Rica.

This study was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the sedimentological and morphological characteristics of boulder-dominated, coarse gravel-bed rivers associated with alluvial fans in humid tropical climates and the transport processes of boulder-size clasts within these systems. The study focused on the Rio Toro Amarillo, a braided, coarse gravel-bed river in Costa Rica which drains an active volcano within the Atlantic Watershed of Costa Rica. The investigation involved mapping and measurement of the distribution of braid complexes and channels; gradient, grain-size distribution, lithofacies, and micromorphology of the channel-beds and bar surfaces; elevational differences between channel bed and bar surface; and flow direction in a abandoned channel reach of the river. The data demonstrated that coarse-gravel-bed rivers associated with alluvial fans in volcanically active areas are capable of transporting large volumes of sediments in a short period of time. High-sediment-concentration flows are suggested to be an active contributor to the transport dynamics of boulder-size clasts during non-catastrophic conditions. Inducement of such flows would result from changes in the morphology of the system, such as channel shifting, and possibly from destruction of bed forms. Consequently, transport dynamics in these rivers are dictated, in part, by site-specific conditions which can result in significant changes in the morphology of the river. A new micromorphological feature was observed in the Rio Toro Amarillo and was called circular rib. A circular rib consists of an accumulation of large clasts in a half-circular pattern. Boulders and cobbles are lodged against this ridge of large boulders at the stoss-side of the deposit in an imbricated manner. Lee-side deposits generally consist of finer-grained sediments. Morphologically, circular ribs result in a sudden decrease in elevation towards the downstream side of the ridge; the elevational difference being at least the magnitude of the largest clasts forming the ridge

Identification et prédiction non intrusive de l'état des charges dans les bâtiments résidentiels à partir de mesures compteur à échantillonnage réduit

Nous abordons dans ces travaux l'identification non intrusive des charges des bâtiments résidentiels ainsi que la prédiction de leur état futur. L'originalité de ces travaux réside dans la méthode utilisée pour obtenir les résultats voulus, à savoir l'analyse statistique des données (algorithmes de classification). Celle-ci se base sur des hypothèses réalistes et restrictives sans pour autant avoir de limitation sur les modèles comportementaux des charges (variations de charges ou modèles) ni besoin de la connaissance des changements d'état des charges. Ainsi, nous sommes en mesure d'identifier et/ou de prédire l'état des charges consommatrices d'énergie (et potentiellement contrôlables) en se basant uniquement sur une phase d'entrainement réduite et des mesures de puissance active agrégée sur un pas de mesure de dix minutes, préservant donc la vie privée des habitants. Dans cette communication, après avoir décrit la méthodologie développée pour classifier les charges et leurs états, ainsi que les connaissances métier fournies aux algorithmes, nous comparons les résultats d'identification pour cinq algorithmes tirés de l'état de l'art et les utilisons comme support d'application à la prédiction. Les algorithmes utilisés se différentient par leur capacité à traiter des problèmes plus ou moins complexe (notamment la prise en compte de relations entre les charges) et se ne révèlent pas tous appropriés à tout type de charge dans le bâtiment résidentiel

Optimization-based scheduling of data center workload in function of outside weather conditions

International audienceData centers are the fifth largest energy consumerin the world and demand for data center services, driven bycloud computing, is rising rapidly. There is also a lot of interestin using data centers for offering grid services. Here, focus isput on scheduling, or in other words, shifting workload in time.This work explores the possible gains that could be achieved ifworkload would be easily scheduled. An energetic model of thedata-center is used, taking into account the dependency of thecooling's coefficient of performance (COP) on the outside weatherconditions as well as the influence of the heat load on the powerconsumption of the fans and pumps. This model is used to showthe possible energy savings that could be obtained by schedulingthe workload in function of outside wet bulb temperatures and fanpowers.</p