Geometry Recovery of a Francis Runner Prototype at Site

Geometry recovery of a turbine runner can be of prime importance in at least two cases: upgrading of an old power plant and field repair of a runner. Considering the importance of the field geometry recovery, we have decided to compare three methods of measurement, on a Francis runner with a 4.4 m outlet outer diameter. The first method of geometry measurements is the classical template technique, consisting in drafting both horizontal and slanted sections of the runner blade-to-blade passage. The instrument used for the second method is a 3D Laser interferometer. The last method is based on a portable coordinates measurement arm with 6 degrees offreedom. The aim of the paper is to describe the procedure and the use of each method, and to compare them from the point of view of their accuracy and their flexibility in the field. As a conclusion, it will be explained why the recovery method with the portable arm seems to be the most advantageous for us

A multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against 15 Plasmodium falciparum and Anopheles gambiae saliva antigens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Assessment exposure and immunity to malaria is an important step in the fight against the disease. Increased malaria infection in non-immune travellers under anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis, as well as the implementation of malaria elimination programmes in endemic countries, raises new issues that pertain to these processes. Notably, monitoring malaria immunity has become more difficult in individuals showing low antibody (Ab) responses or taking medications against the <it>Plasmodium </it><it>falciparum </it>blood stages. Commonly available techniques in malaria seroepidemiology have limited sensitivity, both against pre-erythrocytic, as against blood stages of the parasite. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a sensitive tool to assess the exposure to malaria or to bites from the vector <it>Anopheles gambiae</it>, despite anti-malarial prophylactic treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ab responses to 13 pre-erythrocytic <it>P. falciparum</it>-specific peptides derived from the proteins Lsa1, Lsa3, Glurp, Salsa, Trap, Starp, CSP and Pf11.1, and to 2 peptides specific for the <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>saliva protein gSG6 were tested. In this study, 253 individuals from three Senegalese areas with different transmission intensities and 124 European travellers exposed to malaria during a short period of time were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The multiplex assay was optimized for most but not all of the antigens. It was rapid, reproducible and required a small volume of serum. Proportions of Ab-positive individuals, Ab levels and the mean number of antigens (Ags) recognized by each individual increased significantly with increases in the level of malaria exposure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The multiplex assay developed here provides a useful tool to evaluate immune responses to multiple Ags in large populations, even when only small amounts of serum are available, or Ab titres are low, as in case of travellers. Finally, the relationship of Ab responses with malaria endemicity levels provides a way to monitor exposure in differentially exposed autochthonous individuals from various endemicity areas, as well as in travellers who are not immune, thus indirectly assessing the parasite transmission and malaria risk in the new eradication era.</p

Investigation into the use of thermoelectric modules as an alternative to conventional fluxmeters: Application to convective and radiative heat flux in building

The present work aims to propose the use of Peltier modules for the superficial heat flux measurement, as an alternative to conventional heat flux sensors. In this study, the function of Peltier modules (TEM) as heat flux sensors is compared to the Captec® heat flux sensors (FGT), based on the premise that conventional heat flux sensors such as Captec® have been proven to have acceptable performance for the heat flux measurement, i.e., conduction, convection and radiation. A simple measurement device and a simple general formulation for decoupling the convective and radiative parts from the heat flux measurement are proposed. The latter are implemented in an experimental case presenting weak convective and radiative heat fluxes, using a black-shiny couple of Peltier modules and a black-shiny couple of Captec. The radiative part was found to be the same when comparing FGT and TEM measurements. However, the convective part when using TEM measurements was found to be around two times larger than when using FGT measurement. It has been encountered that this difference is better explained by the geometrical and thermal properties of both sensors

A União Europeia como potência global? As alterações do Tratado de Lisboa na política externa e de defesa

Este artigo aborda as alterações que o Tratado de Lisboa introduziu na política externa e de defesa, tendo em conta a gradual alteração do conceito estratégico da União Europeia que pretende transformá-la numa potência global. Começa por enquadrar a intervenção da União Europeia na política internacional, com a adoção de uma política externa e de segurança pelo Tratado de Maastricht. Em seguida, refere as inovações do Tratado de Lisboa nessa política, analisando os aspectos de maior relevo

Detection chain and electronic readout of the QUBIC instrument

The Q and U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology (QUBIC) Technical Demonstrator (TD) aiming to shows the feasibility of the combination of interferometry and bolometric detection. The electronic readout system is based on an array of 128 NbSi Transition Edge Sensors cooled at 350mK readout with 128 SQUIDs at 1K controlled and amplified by an Application Specific Integrated Circuit at 40K. This readout design allows a 128:1 Time Domain Multiplexing. We report the design and the performance of the detection chain in this paper. The technological demonstrator unwent a campaign of test in the lab. Evaluation of the QUBIC bolometers and readout electronics includes the measurement of I-V curves, time constant and the Noise Equivalent Power. Currently the mean Noise Equivalent Power is ~ 2 x 10⁻¹⁶ W/√Hz

Detection chain and electronic readout of the QUBIC instrument

The Q and U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology (QUBIC) Technical Demonstrator (TD) aiming to shows the feasibility of the combination of interferometry and bolometric detection. The electronic readout system is based on an array of 128 NbSi Transition Edge Sensors cooled at 350mK readout with 128 SQUIDs at 1K controlled and amplified by an Application Specific Integrated Circuit at 40K. This readout design allows a 128:1 Time Domain Multiplexing. We report the design and the performance of the detection chain in this paper. The technological demonstrator unwent a campaign of test in the lab. Evaluation of the QUBIC bolometers and readout electronics includes the measurement of I-V curves, time constant and the Noise Equivalent Power. Currently the mean Noise Equivalent Power is ~ 2 x 10⁻¹⁶ W/√Hz