425 research outputs found
Technology Options for Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Range Extenders
No full textIt’s a fact that air pollution is becoming a global health issue which is leading to multiple fatalities where transportation industry is considered to be one of the major contributor of air pollution. Thus governments across globe are forcing automotive industry to develop newer sustainable technologies. One of the major advancements automotive industry has seen in last couple of decades is the development of fully electric vehicle propulsion technologies. Although fully electric vehicles do not produce major pollutants while operation, the limitation of EVs is the dependency of vehicle on amount of electric charge that can be stored in battery and amount of time it takes for recharging, this limits the electric vehicle’s travel range on a single charge leading to range anxiety among potential users electric vehicles. This issue can easily solved by making use of hybrid vehicle architecture where integration of an auxiliary power source for on-board recharging of the vehicle battery, can lower the dependency of fully electric vehicles on city power grids. Hence work done in this report aims for investigation and comparative evaluation of potential range extender technology solutions that can be used for on-board recharging of the vehicle battery in order to extend the vehicle travel range while also minimizing the emissions through the vehicle.
In order to meet the target, the presented work includes a literature review about identification of various powertrains, range extender options, powertrain modelling software and industrial relevance of the project. Further in this work, a numerical model of 2nd generation Toyota Prius power-split hybrid vehicle has been developed using GT-Suite software and its performance has been validated based on the similarity of CO2 emissions and fuel economy identified from the literature. Here a Microsoft Excel based tool for battery capacity improvement has also developed.
Further based on well-to-wheel analysis and considering research gap, microturbine range extender has been numerically modelled using GT-Suite and validated based on its coherence of the model with power generation capacity and exhaust mass flow rate of ‘C30’ microturbine model by ‘Capstone Turbine Corp.’. In later stages, various methods for NOX and CO emission reduction and integration of developed hybrid Prius and microturbine model have been explored and a proof of concept for microturbine range extended hybrid vehicle has been demonstrated.
Critical analysis performed in this project evaluated emissions of the developed hybrid Toyota Prius model on various legislative and real-world drive cycles and when compared against emissions of conventional vehicle, hybrid vehicle achieved 32.9g/km of CO2 emission reduction. In final stage critical analysis of emissions through microturbine range extender using various renewable and non-renewable fuels including hydrogen gas for the operation was conducted where with Ethanol as fuel, NOx, CO and CO2 emissions were reduced by 3.3g/l, 9.0392g/l and 2846.61g/l respectively in comparison with emission results obtained from hybrid Prius model. Hence, on basis of obtained results in this report, it has been proved that vehicle with equipped with microturbine as range extender can be an optimum solution for range extension of hybrid-vehicles
Technical performance and diagnostic utility of the new Elecsys (R) neuron-specific enolase enzyme immunoassay
No full textThis international multicenter study was designed to evaluate the technical performance of the new double-monoclonal, single-step Elecsys neuron-specific enolase (NSE) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and to assess its utility as a sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Intra and interassay coefficients of variation, determined in five control or serum specimens in six laboratories, ranged from 0.7 to 5.3 (interlaboratory median: 1.3%) and from 1.3 to 8.5 (interlaboratory median: 3.4%), respectively. Laboratory-to-laboratory comparability was excellent with respect to recovery and interassay coefficients of variation. The test was linear between 0.0 and 320 ng/ml (highest measured concentration). There was a significant correlation between NSE concentrations measured using the Elecsys NSE and the established Cobas Core NSE EIA II in all subjects (n=723) and in patients with lung cancer (n=333). However, NSE concentrations were systematically lower (approximately 9%) with the Elecsys NSE than with the comparison test. Based on a specificity of 95% in comparison with the group suffering from benign lung diseases (n=183), the cutoff value for the discrimination between malignant and benign conditions was set at 21.6 ng/ml. NSE was raised in 73.4% of SCLC patients (n=188) and was significantly higher (p<0.01) in extensive (87.8%) as opposed to limited disease (56.7%). NSE was also elevated in 16.0% of the cases with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n=374). It is concluded that the Elecsys NSE EIA is a reliable and accurate diagnostic procedure for the measurement of NSE in serum samples. The special merits of this new assay are the wide measuring range (according to manufacturers declaration up to 370 ng/ml) and a short incubation time of 18 min
Árbol genealógico de la familia Muley Fez (siglo XVI), descendientes cognados de Muley Hacén, emir del reino nazarí de Granada
No full textDocumentary evidence for the genealogical reconstruction of the descendents of emir Muley Hacen is given in this work. This family is known as Muley Fez. The genealogy of this family has been rebuilt for six consecutive generations, from the end of the 15th century until the end of the 16th century. We have identified a family group of thirty seven persons trought documents. An extended network of family relationships has been discovered by crossing and sharing the information contained in more than twenty unpublished manuscripts of diverse origin and nature. The reconstruction of the genealogy is a previous and necessary step to remake the history and evolution of one of the most important lineages of the Morisco aristocracy of the 16th century, being a goal itself.Este trabajo de investigación revela las pruebas documentales que han hecho posible la reconstrucción genealógica de los descendientes del emir Muley Hacén; la familia conocida como Muley Fez. Hemos logrado reconstruir genealógicamente a la familia en el decurso de seis generaciones consecutivas, desde finales del s. XV hasta finales del s. XVI, identificando y documentando a un elenco familiar que asciende a treinta y siete individuos en total. El cruce y puesta en común de más de una veintena de manuscritos inéditos, de diversa procedencia y naturaleza, han puesto al descubierto una extensa red de parentesco familiar. La reconstrucción del árbol genealógico, pese a ser un fin en sí mismo, es también un paso previo y necesario para rehacer la historia y el devenir de uno de los más importantes linajes de la aristocracia morisca del s. XVI
Varadia Bhosale & Saadi & Wade & Thackeray & Tamboli & Kadam & Muley & Raheem 2021, gen. nov.
No full textVaradia Bhosale & Raheem gen. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: BB363A8F-6796-4874-BBF3-6CE1A207A3C3 Type species Varadia amboliensis Bhosale, Thackeray, Muley & Raheem gen. et sp. nov. (here designated). Diagnosis Only known large semi-slug species from the Western Ghats having broad shell lobes (covering nearly all of the dorsal shell surface when fully extended) and a depressed, discoid shell with a large body whorl. Shell thin, glossy golden brown, with 4–4½ rapidly increasing whorls and barely raised spire. Extensive, largely free penial sheath enclosing substantial part of male genitalia. When sheath is in situ and penis in relaxed state, male genitalia constitute a single elongate, irregularly-shaped mass, with all of penis and epiphallic caecum, most of epiphallus and part of flagellum enclosed by sheath; only vas deferens and most of flagellum is visible outside intact sheath. Penial sheath divisible into thick proximal part and thin distal part, with transition between these two parts occurring between distal penis and epiphallic caecum. With penial sheath removed, following evident: region extending from penis to epiphallic caecum long and cylindrical, with distinctive S-shaped bend in penis and associated band of muscle running along length of penis; proximal ¾ of epiphallus held in long, conspicuous loop; and penial retractor muscle with two branches, one inserting subterminally on epiphallic caecum and one inserting on apex of loop of epiphallus. Inner wall of penis divisible into three regions: proximal penis (one major and several minor longitudinal pilasters), mid-penis (several minor longitudinal pilasters) and distal penis (a few minor pilasters with associated regular transverse ridges in interspaces). Inner wall of epiphallic caecum shows one long major longitudinal pilaster, a large mass of reticulate ridges proximally and several minor longitudinal pilasters distally. Gametolytic gland elongated and long; gametolytic sac 3–3.5 times as long as gametolytic duct. Amatorial organ absent. Spermatophore consists of elongated, soft capsule and long tail-pipe, with U-shaped bend at capsule–tail-pipe junction and funnel-like opening at tip of tail-pipe; surface smooth apart from four ribs running obliquely along length of tail-pipe and short spines near end of tail-pipe. Etymology The new genus is named in honour of the herpetologist Dr Varad Giri, who has made a major contribution to the modern study and conservation of the Indian herpetofauna; masculine.Published as part of Bhosale, Amrut R., Saadi, Ahmed J., Wade, Christopher M., Thackeray, Tejas U., Tamboli, Asif S., Kadam, Suhas K., Muley, Dipak V. & Raheem, Dinarzarde C., 2021, Varadia, a new helicarionoidean semi-slug genus from India's Western Ghats (Stylommatophora: Helicarionoidea), pp. 50-79 in European Journal of Taxonomy 757 (1) on page 58, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.757.1413, http://zenodo.org/record/504764
Francisco Núñez Muley, Memorial (Granada, 1566)
No full textNúñez-Muley abstract
The Edict of 1567, or Anti-Morisco Edict, was promulgated by Spanish King Philip II on January 1, after being approved in Madrid on November 17, 1566. Its purpose was to eliminate specific Morisco customs, such as their language, dress, and dances. Núñez Muley’s Petition is an attempt to persuade Christian authorities to delay enforcing the 1567 Edict. The author lists each of the prohibitions and refutes their effectiveness. He compares Morisco customs to those of other Christian and Muslim communities in the Mediterranean and argues that the prohibitions will not eradicate any putative Islamic practices but instead erase Morisco cultural identity. Moriscos, he claims, are sincere Christians and loyal subjects who support the king’s decisions.
This unit contains a Spanish-language introduction and notes by Lisette Balabarca Fataccioli, and the original Spanish text, followed by a short bibliography of suggested readings
The development and use of thermal desorption methods for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds in ambient air
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.In occupational and public health there is a need for measurement and speciation of chemicals in ambient air to achieve control of air pollution and minimize health risks.
In this work two methods of analysis are developed for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under ambient air conditions. Both methods involve the use of thermal desorption techniques with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) airborne particulate samples are obtained by collection on small glass fibre filters. The volatile materials from these are thermally desorbed in two stages and transferred to a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer analytical system. Results from studies of particulate samples obtained from sites in the region of Uxbridge, Middlesex are reported for eight selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Measurements on samples obtained directly from vehicle emission sources with the engine used under different running conditions are also reported. In the method of analysis of volatile organic compounds in air, samples are absorbed into 4mm Carbotrap 300 tubes and thermally desorbed and passed into a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography (GC) using helium as carrier gas. The Carbotrap absorbers used, show complete absorb/desorb reversibility, are thermally stable and do not react chemically with injected hydrocarbon standards. To demonstrate the value of the method analytical results obtained under ambient air conditions on the Brunel University campus (Uxbridge, Middlesex) are reported. Six selected low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons namely benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and m-, p- and o-xylene are investigated in detail. The concentrations of these compounds were measured and results related to traffic flow rates and meteorological conditions to establish the fact that vehicle exhaust emissions are the main sources of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollution at the collection sites. A study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels in ambient air in Tehran (Iran) in which 55 hydrocarbons are identified is reported. A detailed study is made of the concentrations of the six hydrocarbons benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and m-, p- and o-xylene because high concentrations of these pollutants can produce potential health problems. It is shown that the nature of the geographical location and the day time temperature play an important part in determining the composition of the mixture of pollutants in Tehran. Samples obtained directly from internal combustion engines with and without catalytic converters are also analysed using the method developed and the results show that there is a large depletion in aromatic hydrocarbons when toluene is reduced to a greater extent than benzene. The analytical method is also used to compare vehicle emissions from engines under cold start and hot start conditions.Financial support was obtined from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of L-arginine stabilized gold nanoparticles embedded in PVP polymer
No full text
Survival and prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer patients with spinal bone metastases: a retrospective analysis of 303 patients
No full textFor palliative care of spinal bone metastases, stability assessment is of crucial importance. Pathological fractures, instability-related patient immobility and the extent of bone metastasis have been reported to affect patient outcome and these parameters have therefore been used for treatment stratification. We report on stability-dependent fracture and survival rates in over 300 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients
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