Irreversible Jaynes Engine for More Efficient Heating

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.Thermal heat efficiency, represented by the heating gain factor, is calculated by using non-equilibrium thermodynamics of discrete systems, thus replacing former estimations and results by finite-time thermodynamics. For performing this calculation, an irreversible Jaynes engine is introduced and compared with conventional heating by heat conduction. Starting out with the second law, represented by Clausius inequalities for the particular parts of the Jaynes engine, the heating gain factor is expressed by their efficiency factors. The entropy productions of the reversible and the totally irreversible limits are considered. The profit of heat supply and the higher stationary temperature of the heated room obtained by using a Jaynes engine are calculated. Comparison with the conventional heating demonstrates that fuel saving is possible by changing the traditional heating technology

Exuberant “Magic Carpet” Giga-Project Macro-Imagineering: The Arabian/Persian Gulf Shallow Draft PV-Raft Giga-Project

Processos naturais e atividades antropogênicas afetam de forma variável a diversidade climática e  ecossistêmica das nações ao redor do Golfo Pérsico-Arábico. O Magic Carpet Giga-Project, proposto como uma contramedida de enfrentamento da aridez dos ambientes regionais, é concebido como uma vasta jangada flutuante com painéis fotovoltaicos, disposta sobre o Golfo. Conectada por cabos elétricos a instalações terrestres, a energia poderia ser fornecida para cidades e para aplicações industriais que incluiriam enormes usinas de dessalinização de água do mar para uso municipal em geral. A adaptação espacial e marítima na forma de caminhos de aproximação e desvios será necessária em razão das rotas marítimas existentes, bem como do acesso adequado às plataformas da indústria petrolífera offshore que pontilham o Golfo. Os macroprojetos “The Line” e “The Loop” serão áreas bem delimitadas com vegetação controlada pelo clima, enquanto o “Magic Carpet” pode se tornar um esteio de dessalinização e fornecimento de eletricidade para a futura infraestrutura básica de cada estado do Golfo.Palavras-chave: Macroengenharia, Arábia Saudita, NEOM, jangada fotovoltaica flutuante, Golfo Pérsico-Arábico, Golfo da Califórnia. =========================================================================== Abstract: Natural processes and anthropogenic activities variably affect climate variability and meteorological drought in ecosystem-nations surrounding the Arabian-Persian Gulf. The Magic Carpet Giga-project, proposed as a counter measure to aridification of the regional environments, is envisaged as a vast floating PV-panel studded raft in the Gulf. Connected by electrical cables to land-based facilities, power could be provided for cities and industrial applications that would include enormous seawater desalination plants for municipal and commercial applications. Spatial and sea lane accommodation in the form of approach ways and bypasses will be necessary for designated sea-lanes, as well as according access to in-place offshore petroleum industry platforms dotting the Gulf. “The Line” and “The Loop” macro-projects are to be climate-controlled, vegetated enclosures whilst the “Magic Carpet” may become an electricity-desalination mainstay of the future basic infrastructure of every Gulf ecosystem-state.Keywords: Giga-project, Saudi Arabia, NEOM, floating photovoltaic raft, Arabian-Persian Gulf, Gulf of California

Replication study of 34 common SNPs associated with prostate cancer in the Romanian population

Prostate cancer is the third‐most common form of cancer in men in Romania. The Romanian unscreened population represents a good sample to study common genetic risk variants. However, a comprehensive analysis has not been conducted yet. Here, we report our replication efforts in a Romanian population of 979 cases and 1027 controls, for potential association of 34 literature‐reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with prostate cancer. We also examined whether any SNP was differentially associated with tumour grade or stage at diagnosis, with disease aggressiveness, and with the levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen). In the allelic analysis, we replicated the previously reported risk for 19 loci on 4q24, 6q25.3, 7p15.2, 8q24.21, 10q11.23, 10q26.13, 11p15.5, 11q13.2, 11q13.3. Statistically significant associations were replicated for other six SNPs only with a particular disease phenotype: low‐grade tumour and low PSA levels (rs1512268), high PSA levels (rs401681 and rs11649743), less aggressive cancers (rs1465618, rs721048, rs17021918). The strongest association of our tested SNP's with PSA in controls was for rs2735839, with 29% increase for each copy of the major allele G, consistent with previous results. Our results suggest that rs4962416, previously associated only with prostate cancer, is also associated with PSA levels, with 12% increase for each copy of the minor allele C. The study enabled the replication of the effect for the majority of previously reported genetic variants in a set of clinically relevant prostate cancers. This is the first replication study on these loci, known to associate with prostate cancer, in a Romanian population.This study was funded in part by the European Union FP7 Program (ProMark project 202059) and by the EEA grant (ROMCAN project RO14-0017; EEA-JRP-RO-NO-20131-10191).Peer reviewe

Overview and future challenges of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) design in Southern Europe

In times of great transition of the European construction sector to energy efficient and nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB), a market observation containing qualitative and quantitative indications should help to fill out some of the current gaps concerning the EU 2020 carbon targets. Next to the economic challenges, there are equally important factors that hinder renovating the existing residential building stock and adding newly constructed high performance buildings. Under these circumstances this paper summarises the findings of a cross-comparative study of the societal and technical barriers of nZEB implementation in 7 Southern European countries. The study analyses the present situation and provides an overview on future prospects for nZEB in Southern Europe. The result presents an overview of challenges and provides recommendations based on available empirical evidence to further lower those barriers in the European construction sector. The paper finds that the most Southern European countries are poorly prepared for nZEB implementation and especially to the challenge opportunity of retrofitting existing buildings. Creating a common approach to further develop nZEB targets, concepts and definitions in synergy with the climatic, societal and technical state of progress in Southern Europe is essential. The paper provides recommendations for actions to shift the identified gaps into opportunities for future development of climate adaptive high performance buildings. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of Lynch syndrome risk variants in the Romanian population.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked DownloadTwo familial forms of colorectal cancer (CRC), Lynch syndrome (LS) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), are caused by rare mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) and the genes APC and MUTYH, respectively. No information is available on the presence of high-risk CRC mutations in the Romanian population. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 61 Romanian CRC cases with a family history of cancer and/or early onset of disease, focusing the analysis on candidate variants in the LS and FAP genes. The frequencies of all candidate variants were assessed in a cohort of 688 CRC cases and 4567 controls. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 was performed on tumour tissue. We identified 11 candidate variants in 11 cases; six variants in MLH1, one in MSH6, one in PMS2, and three in APC. Combining information on the predicted impact of the variants on the proteins, IHC results and previous reports, we found three novel pathogenic variants (MLH1:p.Lys84ThrfsTer4, MLH1:p.Ala586CysfsTer7, PMS2:p.Arg211ThrfsTer38), and two novel variants that are unlikely to be pathogenic. Also, we confirmed three previously published pathogenic LS variants and suggest to reclassify a previously reported variant of uncertain significance to pathogenic (MLH1:c.1559-1G>C).European Union EE

Moon: Prospective Energy and Material Resources

The Earth has limited material and energy resources. Further development of the humanity will require going beyond our planet for mining and use of extraterrestrial mineral resources and search of power sources. The exploitation of the natural resources of the Moon is a first natural step on this direction. Lunar materials may contribute to the betterment of conditions of people on Earth but they also may be used to establish permanent settlements on the Moon. This will allow developing new technologies, systems and flight operation techniques to continue space exploration.   In fact, a new branch of human civilization could be established permanently on Moon in the next century. But, meantime, an inventory and proper social assessment of Moon’s prospective energy and material resources is required. This book investigates the possibilities and limitations of various systems supplying manned bases on Moon with energy and other vital resources. The book collects together recent proposals and innovative options and solutions. It is a useful source of condensed information for specialists involved in current and impending Moon-related activities and a good starting point for young researchers

Maximum reversible work extraction from a blackbody radiation reservoir. A way to closing the old controversy

The old controversy concerning the correctness of Petela-Landsberg-Press and Carnot formulas for the efficiency of reversible work extraction from a blackbody radiation reservoir is solved. Both formulas are correct. They are particular cases of a more general formula involving the geometric factor of the radiation reservoir. The maximum work rate density obtained from a reservoir associated with Carnot efficiency may be higher, or lower, than that obtained from a radiation reservoir of similar temperature associated with lower reversible conversion efficiency, depending on the ambient temperature

Asteroids: prospective energy and material resources

The Earth has limited material and energy resources while these resources in space are virtually unlimited. Further development of humanity will require going beyond our planet and exploring of extraterrestrial resources and sources of unlimited power.   Thus far, all missions to asteroids have been motivated by scientific exploration. However, given recent advancements in various space technologies, mining asteroids for resources is becoming ever more feasible. A significant portion of asteroids value is derived from their location; the required resources do not need to be lifted at a great expense from the surface of the Earth.   Resources derived from Asteroid not only can be brought back to Earth but could also be used to sustain human exploration of space and permanent settlements in space.   This book investigates asteroids' prospective energy and material resources. It is a collection of topics related to asteroid exploration, and utilization. It presents past and future technologies and solutions to old problems that could become reality in our life time. The book therefore is a great source of condensed information for specialists involved in current and impending asteroid-related activities and a good starting point for space researchers, inventors, technologists and potential investors.   Written for researchers, engineers, and businessmen interested in asteroids' exploration and exploitation.   Keywords: Asteroids, Asteroid exploration, Asteroid exploitation, Energy sources, Space Resources, Material Resources, In-Situ Resource Utilization, Mining

Modeling thermodynamic distance, curvature and fluctuations: a geometric approach

This textbook aims to briefly outline the main directions in which the geometrization of thermodynamics has been developed in the last decades. The textbook is accessible to people trained in thermal sciences but not necessarily with solid formation in mathematics. For this, in the first chapters a summary of the main mathematical concepts is made. In some sense, this makes the textbook self-consistent. The rest of the textbook consists of a collection of results previously obtained in this young branch of thermodynamics. The manner of presentation used throughout the textbook is adapted for ease of access of readers with education in natural and technical sciences