567 research outputs found
Modelling double skin façades (DSFs) in whole-building energy simulation tools: Validation and inter-software comparison of a mechanically ventilated single-story DSF
Double skin façades (DSFs) have been proposed as responsive building systems to improve the building envelope's performance. Reliable simulation of DSF performance is a prerequisite to support the design and implementation of these systems in real buildings. Building energy simulation (BES) tools are commonly used by practitioners to predict the whole building energy performance, but the simulation of the thermophysical behaviour of DSFs may be challenging when carried out through BES tools. Using an exhaust-air façade case study, we analyse and assess the reliability of four popular BES tools when these are used to simulate a DSF, either through available in-built models or through custom-built representations based on zonal models. We carry out this study by comparing numerical simulations and experimental data for a series of significant thermophysical quantities, and we reflect on the performance and limitations of the different tools. The results show that no tool is outstandingly better performing over the others, but some tools offer better predictions when the focus is placed on certain thermophysical quantities, while others should be chosen if the focus is on different ones. After comparing the different modelsâ limitations and challenges, we conclude that BES tools can simulate the performance of DSF systems over long periods. However, their use alone is not recommended when the simulation's scope is to replicate and study short-term phenomena and dynamic aspects, such as sizing the building's HVAC system
Photonic crystals of coated metallic spheres
It is shown that simple face-centered-cubic (fcc) structures of both metallic
and coated metallic spheres are ideal candidates to achieve a tunable complete
photonic bandgap (CPBG) for optical wavelengths using currently available
experimental techniques. For coated microspheres with the coating width to
plasma wavelength ratio and the coating and host
refractive indices and , respectively, between 1 and 1.47, one can
always find a sphere radius such that the relative gap width (gap
width to the midgap frequency ratio) is larger than 5% and, in some cases,
can exceed 9%. Using different coatings and supporting liquids, the width
and midgap frequency of a CPBG can be tuned considerably.Comment: 14 pages, plain latex, 3 ps figures, to appear in Europhys. Lett. For
more info on this subject see
http://www.amolf.nl/research/photonic_materials_theory/moroz/moroz.htm
A Site Evaluation Campaign for a Ground Based Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope in Romania
Around the world, several scientific projects share the interest of a global
network of small Cherenkov telescopes for monitoring observations of the
brightest blazars - the DWARF network. A small, ground based, imaging
atmospheric Cherenkov telescope of last generation is intended to be installed
and operated in Romania as a component of the DWARF network. To prepare the
construction of the observatory, two support projects have been initiated.
Within the framework of these projects, we have assessed a number of possible
sites where to settle the observatory. In this paper we submit a brief report
on the general characteristics of the best four sites selected after the local
infrastructure, the nearby facilities and the social impact criteria have been
applied.Comment: 6 pages, 5 Postscript figure
Ultrafast Spectroelectrochemistry of the Catechol/oâQuinone Redox Couple in Aqueous Buffer Solution
Eumelanin is a natural pigment found in many organisms that provides photoprotection from harmful UV radiation. As a redoxâactive biopolymer, the structure of eumelanin is thought to contain different redox states of quinone, including catechol subunits. To further explore the excited state properties of eumelanin, we have investigated the catechol/oâquinone redox couple by spectroelectrochemical means, in a pH 7.4 aqueous buffered solution, and using a boron doped diamond mesh electrode. At pH 7.4, the two proton, two electron oxidation of catechol is promoted, which facilitates continuous formation of the unstable oâquinone product in solution. Ultrafast transient absorption (femtosecond to nanosecond) measurements of oâquinone species involve initial formation of an excited singlet state followed by triplet state formation within 24 ps. In contrast, catechol in aqueous buffer leads to formation of the semiquinone radical Ît>500 ps. Our results demonstrate the rich photochemistry of the catechol/oâquinone redox couple and provides further insight into the excited state processes of these key building blocks of eumelanin
Validation of Androgen Receptor loss as a risk factor for the development of brain metastases from ovarian cancers
Abstract Background Central nervous system (CNS) spreading from epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is an uncommon but increasing phenomenon. We previously reported in a small series of 11 patients a correlation between Androgen Receptor (AR) loss and localization to CNS. Aims of this study were: to confirm a predictive role of AR loss in an independent validation cohort; to evaluate if AR status impacts on EOC survival. Results We collected an additional 29 cases and 19 controls as validation cohort. In this independent cohort at univariate analysis, cases exhibited lower expression of AR, considered both as continuous (pâ<â 0.001) and as discrete variable (10% cut-off: pâ<â 0.003; Immunoreactive score: pâ<â 0.001). AR negative EOC showed an odds ratio (OR)â=â8.33 for CNS dissemination compared with AR positive EOC. Kaplan-Meier curves of the combined dataset, combining data of new validation cohort with the previously published cohort, showed that ARâ<â 10% significantly correlates with worse outcomes (pâ=â0.005 for Progression Free Survival (PFS) and pâ=â0.002 for brain PFS (bPFS) respectively). Comparison of AR expression between primary tissue and paired brain metastases in the combined dataset did not show any statistically significant difference. Conclusions We confirmed AR loss as predictive role for CNS involvement from EOC in an independent cohort of cases and controls. Early assessment of AR status could improve clinical management and patientsâ prognosis
Single hadron response measurement and calorimeter jet energy scale uncertainty with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
The uncertainty on the calorimeter energy response to jets of particles is
derived for the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). First, the
calorimeter response to single isolated charged hadrons is measured and
compared to the Monte Carlo simulation using proton-proton collisions at
centre-of-mass energies of sqrt(s) = 900 GeV and 7 TeV collected during 2009
and 2010. Then, using the decay of K_s and Lambda particles, the calorimeter
response to specific types of particles (positively and negatively charged
pions, protons, and anti-protons) is measured and compared to the Monte Carlo
predictions. Finally, the jet energy scale uncertainty is determined by
propagating the response uncertainty for single charged and neutral particles
to jets. The response uncertainty is 2-5% for central isolated hadrons and 1-3%
for the final calorimeter jet energy scale.Comment: 24 pages plus author list (36 pages total), 23 figures, 1 table,
submitted to European Physical Journal
Standalone vertex ďŹnding in the ATLAS muon spectrometer
A dedicated reconstruction algorithm to find decay vertices in the ATLAS muon spectrometer is presented. The algorithm searches the region just upstream of or inside the muon spectrometer volume for multi-particle vertices that originate from the decay of particles with long decay paths. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using both a sample of simulated Higgs boson events, in which the Higgs boson decays to long-lived neutral particles that in turn decay to bbar b final states, and pp collision data at âs = 7 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC during 2011
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