20 research outputs found
Efficiency and profitability of second life automotive batteries for renewable sources power plants
No full textMobility electrification is considered among the main pillars for decarbonization of modern society, a crucial challenge in light of the ever growing impacts of human activities on Earth's climate. The cost of batteries is a significant factor slowing down the diffusion of electric vehicles (EVs) and their disposal still presents open criticalities. On the other hand, to achieve larger shares of renewable electricity generation, installation of battery accumulators is needed to support production from non-programmable sources, such as free-flow hydroelectric plants or photovoltaic parks. Their realization with recycled modules coming from automotive application helps addressing the two issues altogether and represents a cheaper alternative to first life batteries. This article presents the experimental results of the installation of a large-scale storage system to improve the profitability of a free-flow hydraulic plant. The main novelty coming from the project is the application of a mix of second life and new modules, to compare their performance in the same operating environment. On-field behavior of the two subsystems has been used to analyze the respective profitability, in light of historic price trends and real production program of the free-flow hydraulic plant. The results show a faster return of investment for the second life subsystem
StimTrack: An open-source software for manual transcranial magnetic stimulation coil positioning
No full textBackground: During Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) experiments researchers often use a neuronavigation system to precisely and accurately maintain coil position and orientation. New method: This study aimed to develop and validate an open-source software for TMS coil navigation. StimTrack uses an optical tracker and an intuitive user interface to facilitate the maintenance of position and orientation of any type of coil within and between sessions. Additionally, online access to navigation data is provided, hereby adding e.g. the ability to start or stop the magnetic stimulator depending on the distance to target or the variation of the orientation angles. Results: StimTrack allows repeatable repositioning of the coil within 0.7 mm for translation and 0.9) was obtained on all parameters computed on SR curves acquired using StimTrack. Comparison with existing method: StimTrack showed a target accuracy similar to that of a commercial neuronavigation system (BrainSight, Rogue Research Inc.). Indeed, small differences both in position (∼0.2 mm) and orientation (<1°) were found between the systems. These differences are negligible given the human error involved in landmarks registration. Conclusions: StimTrack, available as supplementary material, is found to be a good alternative for commercial neuronavigation systems facilitating assessment changes in corticospinal excitability using TMS. StimTrack allows researchers to tailor its functionality to their specific needs, providing added value that benefits experimental procedures and improves data quality
Intra and inter-session reliability of rapid Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation stimulus-response curves of tibialis anterior muscle in healthy older adults.
No full textObjectiveThe clinical use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a technique to assess corticospinal excitability is limited by the time for data acquisition and the measurement variability. This study aimed at evaluating the reliability of Stimulus-Response (SR) curves acquired with a recently proposed rapid protocol on tibialis anterior muscle of healthy older adults.MethodsTwenty-four neurologically-intact adults (age:55-75 years) were recruited for this test-retest study. During each session, six SR curves, 3 at rest and 3 during isometric muscle contractions at 5% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), were acquired. Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) were normalized to the maximum peripherally evoked response; the coil position and orientation were monitored with an optical tracking system. Intra- and inter-session reliability of motor threshold (MT), area under the curve (AURC), MEPmax, stimulation intensity at which the MEP is mid-way between MEPmax and MEPmin (I50), slope in I50, MEP latency, and silent period (SP) were assessed in terms of Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), relative SEM, Minimum Detectable Change (MDC), and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).ResultsThe relative SEM was ≤10% for MT, I50, latency and SP both at rest and 5%MVC, while it ranged between 11% and 37% for AURC, MEPmax, and slope. MDC values were overall quite large; e.g., MT required a change of 12%MSO at rest and 10%MSO at 5%MVC to be considered a real change. Inter-sessions ICC were >0.6 for all measures but slope at rest and MEPmax and latency at 5%MVC.ConclusionsMeasures derived from SR curves acquired in <4 minutes are affected by similar measurement errors to those found with long-lasting protocols, suggesting that the rapid method is at least as reliable as the traditional methods. As specifically designed to include older adults, this study provides normative data for future studies involving older neurological patients (e.g. stroke survivors)
Nazi radio offensive against cardinal Hlonde in 1940
No full textReaching to archival records, the article describes the ways in which broadcasting radio stations which remained under the control of Nazi during World War II, influenced public opinion in order to falsify the image and mislead the public with reference to the statesman and respected authority, Cardinal August Hlond – the Primate of Poland. The author elucidates the history introducing the readers into the context of the initial phase of the warfare on the territory of Poland. It also centres on Cardinal Hlond’s stay in Rome, his pastoral and diplomatic activity aimed at presenting a veracious picture of the fate of Poland and its people during German occupation. It was exactly this activity which became inconvenient for the occupant and resulted in mass propaganda undertaken by Nazi broadcasting stations
Nazistowska ofensywa radiowa przeciw Kardynałowi Hlondowi w 1940 roku: L’offensiva radiofonica nazista contro il card. Hlond nel 1940
No full textReaching to archival records, the article describes the ways in which broadcasting radio stations which remained under the control of Nazi during World War II, influenced public opinion in order to falsify the image and mislead the public with reference to the statesman and respected authority, Cardinal August Hlond – the Primate of Poland. The author elucidates the history introducing the readers into the context of the initial phase of the warfare on the territory of Poland. It also centres on Cardinal Hlond’s stay in Rome, his pastoral and diplomatic activity aimed at presenting a veracious picture of the fate of Poland and its people during German occupation. It was exactly this activity which became inconvenient for the occupant and resulted in mass propaganda undertaken by Nazi broadcasting stations.Artykuł, sięgając do źródeł archiwalnych, opisuje sposób oddziaływania rozgłośni radiowych, pozostających w czasie II wojny światowej pod kontrolą nazistów, na opinię publiczną w celu zniekształcenia obrazu i wprowadzenia jej w błąd względem osoby męża stanu i wielkiego autorytetu, którym był Kardynał August Hlond – Prymas Polski. Autor naświetla historię, wprowadzając w kontekst początku działań wojennych na terenie Polski i pobytu kard. Hlonda w Rzymie, jego działań pasterskich i dyplomatycznych mających na celu ukazanie prawdziwego obrazu losu Polski i jej mieszkańców w okresie okupacji niemieckiej. To właśnie te działania stały się niewygodne dla okupanta i stały się powodem zmasowanej akcji propagandowej rozgłośni nazistowskich
Nazi radio offensive against cardinal Hlonde in 1940
No full textArtykuł, sięgając do źródeł archiwalnych, opisuje sposób oddziaływania rozgłośni radiowych, pozostających w czasie II wojny światowej pod kontrolą nazistów, na opinię publiczną w celu zniekształcenia obrazu i wprowadzenia jej w błąd względem osoby męża stanu i wielkiego autorytetu, którym był Kardynał August Hlond – Prymas Polski. Autor naświetla historię, wprowadzając w kontekst początku działań wojennych na terenie Polski i pobytu kard. Hlonda w Rzymie, jego działań pasterskich i dyplomatycznych mających na celu ukazanie prawdziwego obrazu losu Polski i jej mieszkańców w okresie okupacji niemieckiej. To właśnie te działania stały się niewygodne dla okupanta i stały się powodem zmasowanej akcji propagandowej rozgłośni nazistowskich.Reaching to archival records, the article describes the ways in which broadcasting radio stations which remained under the control of Nazi during World War II, influenced public opinion in order to falsify the image and mislead the public with reference to the statesman and respected authority, Cardinal August Hlond – the Primate of Poland. The author elucidates the history introducing the readers into the context of the initial phase of the warfare on the territory of Poland. It also centres on Cardinal Hlond’s stay in Rome, his pastoral and diplomatic activity aimed at presenting a veracious picture of the fate of Poland and its people during German occupation. It was exactly this activity which became inconvenient for the occupant and resulted in mass propaganda undertaken by Nazi broadcasting stations
Metrics for driving political economy of energy and growth
No full textEnergy metrics is the development of a whole new theoretical framework for the conception and measurement of energy and economic performances, energy efficiency and productivity improvements with important political economy implications consistent with the best use of all natural and economic resources. The purpose of this research is to present some vital energy indicators based on magnitude and scale of energy weakness, GDP per barrel that is an indicator of energy productivity and barrels per capita that is an indicator of energy efficiency. Energy metrics can support policy maker to monitor energy system of countries in order to design effective strategy and political economy focused to increase the competitive advantage of countries in modern economies.Energy metrics, Energy productivity, Energy efficiency, Energy systems
Scenario analysis report with policy recommendations: An assessment of sustainability, resilience, efficiency and fairness and effective chain relationships in VALUMICS case studies
No full textThe functioning of food value chains entails a complex organisation from farm to fork which is characterised by various governance forms and externalities which have shaped the overall food system. VALUMICS food value chain case studies: wheat to bread, dairy cows to milk, beef cattle to steak, farmed salmon to fillets and tomato to processed tomato were selected to enable explorative and empirical analysis to better understand the functioning of the food system and, to identify the main challenges that need to be addressed to improve sustainability, integrity, resilience, and fairness of European food chains. The VALUMICS system analysis was executed through four operational phases starting with Groundwork & analysis including mapping specific attributes and impacts of food value chains and their externalities. This was followed by Case study baseline analysis, which provided input to the third phase on Modelling and exploration of future scenarios and finally Policy and synthesis of the overall work.
This report is an overall synthesis of the VALUMICS results as follows:
• Key findings from the VALUMICS project on the functioning of European food value chains and their impacts on more sustainable, resilient, fairer, and transparent food system are summarised through a compilation of 25 Research Findings and Policy Briefs.
• By highlighting the major contributions from the research activities throughout the four phases of the VALUMICS project, this report delivers an assessment of various factors influencing sustainability, resilience, efficiency and fairness and effective chain relationships of different food value chains, and their determinants.
• The synthesis of the outcome allows the identification of opportunities and challenges characterising the functioning of food supply chains, and thus, the prospects and potentials for strengthening the EU food sector.Citation: Olafsdottir, G., Bogason, S., Aubert, P.M., Barling, D., Thakur, M., Duric, I., Nicolau, M., McGarraghy, S., Sigurdardottir; H., Samoggia, A., Holden N.M., Čechura, L., Jaghdani, T.J., Svanidze, M., Esposito., G., Monticone, F., Fedato, C., Xhelili, A., Huber, E., Hargaden, V., Saviolidis, N M., Gorton, M., Hubbard, C., Kahiluoto, H., Hoang, V.(2021). Scenario analysis report with policy recommendations: An assessment of sustainability, resilience, efficiency and fairness and effective chain relationships in VALUMICS case studies. The VALUMICS project funded by EU Horizon 2020 G.A. No 727243. Deliverable: D8.4, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, 130 pages DOI:10.5281/zenodo.653401
Possible technological determinants and primary energy resources of future long waves
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to conjecture the possible underlying technological determinants of future long waves, based on prominent studies of scholars and leading forecasting companies; in particular, this research assumes the converging of nano-bio-info-cogno technologies to be the foundation of 5th and 6th economic cycles, whereas the future technological revolution that may underpin the 7th long wave is assumed to be Faster-Than-Light technologies. The positive effects of these future technological revolutions on worldwide economic system are a high increase of productivity, employment rate, consumption and economic growth that lead to longer, happier, and healthier living as well as general well-being.Long Waves, Technological Revolution, Forecasting, Foresight
