bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case series of peripheral nerve blocks in pediatrics and young adults with skeletal dysplasia
Authors: Eiszner James R. , Atanda Alfred , Rangavajjula Ashwin , Theroux Mary
Published: March 2016

Aim

The purpose of this study was to report our experience with peripheral nerve blockade in pediatric and young adult patients with skeletal dysplasia undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Background

The incidence of skeletal dysplasia is 1 : 4000 live births. These patients have biomechanical predispositions to knee joint degeneration, which is often palliated by arthroscopic surgery. Regional anesthesia has been proven to improve the cost and quality of care in adults undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Methods

This was a retrospective case series of patients with skeletal dysplasia undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery from 2012–2014 at a tertiary‐care, pediatric hospital. Data pertaining to block effectiveness, technique, adjunct local anesthetic, rates of postoperative nausea/vomiting and admissions, and complications were recorded.

Results

Twenty patients with skeletal dysplasia underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the study period. Ten of these patients received peripheral nerve blockade (12 procedures). All patients received femoral, femoral/sciatic, or femoral/sciatic/obturator blocks. One patient required opioid, constituting a block failure. The same patient required overnight admission for pain control. No patients suffered from PONV. There were no complications associated with any of the blocks performed.

Conclusions

Patients with skeletal dysplasia receiving lower extremity nerve blocks consume minimal opioid and report no major complications. Anesthesiologists should consider this mode of anesthesia in these patients. While no nerve injuries were discovered, further study is necessary to determine whether rates of nerve injury are comparable to that in the general pediatric population. Given the size of the skeletal dysplasia population, this type of study would require close to a decade of metadata from numerous institutions.
Delayed‐Onset Sclerema Neonatorum in a Critically Ill Premature Infant
Authors: Spohn Gina P. , Pietras Thomas A. , Stone Mary Seabury
Published: March 2016

Sclerema neonatorum is extremely rare in the 21st century. We report a premature infant managed in a neonatal intensive care unit with delayed development of sclerema neonatorum.
Syringomas Accentuated on the Upper Lip
Authors: Barzegar Mohammadreza , Abdollahimajd Fahimeh , Golfeshan Atefe , Nikvar Mohammad
Published: March 2016

An 8‐year‐old boy presented with small, skin‐colored papules of 9‐months duration on the upper lip. Results of the histopathologic examination were consistent with syringoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of syringoma of the mustache area of a child.
Subungual Posttraumatic Ectopic Nail
Authors: Kong Tae Seok , Lee Young Chae , Son Sook‐Ja , Lee June Hyunkyung , Han Tae Young
Published: March 2016

Ectopic nail is defined as the malformation of nail tissue in a location other than the usual nail unit. We present a 12‐year‐old boy with a single dystrophic thumb nail after an injury. The nail was observed under the original nail and it is linked to the original nail plate by longitudinal bridge formation with parallel growth. According to these clinical findings, the diagnosis of subungual posttraumatic ectopic nail was made.
Analyses of abdominal fat and sleep apnea
Authors: Chin Kazuo
Published: March 2016

See article, page 533
A Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment for Salmonella in Pigs for the European Union
Authors: Snary Emma L. , Swart Arno N. , Simons Robin R. L. , Domingues Ana Rita Calado , Vigre Hakan , Evers Eric G. , Hald Tine , Hill Andrew A.
Published: March 2016

A farm‐to‐consumption quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) for Salmonella in pigs in the European Union has been developed for the European Food Safety Authority. The primary aim of the QMRA was to assess the impact of hypothetical reductions of slaughter‐pig prevalence and the impact of control measures on the risk of human Salmonella infection. A key consideration during the QMRA development was the characterization of variability between E.U. Member States (MSs), and therefore a generic MS model was developed that accounts for differences in pig production, slaughterhouse practices, and consumption patterns. To demonstrate the parameterization of the model, four case study MSs were selected that illustrate the variability in production of pork meat and products across MSs. For the case study MSs the average probability of illness was estimated to be between 1 in 100,000 and 1 in 10 million servings given consumption of one of the three product types considered (pork cuts, minced meat, and fermented ready‐to‐eat sausages). Further analyses of the farm‐to‐consumption QMRA suggest that the vast majority of human risk derives from infected pigs with a high concentration of Salmonella in their feces (≥104 CFU/g). Therefore, it is concluded that interventions should be focused on either decreasing the level of Salmonella in the feces of infected pigs, the introduction of a control step at the abattoir to reduce the transfer of feces to the exterior of the pig, or a control step to reduce the level of Salmonella on the carcass post‐evisceration.
Semiparametric Quantile Regression Analysis of Right‐censored and Length‐biased Failure Time Data with Partially Linear Varying Effects
Authors: Chen Xuerong , Liu Yeqian , Sun Jianguo , Zhou Yong
Published: March 2016

Right‐censored and length‐biased failure time data arise in many fields including cross‐sectional prevalent cohort studies, and their analysis has recently attracted a great deal of attention. It is well‐known that for regression analysis of failure time data, two commonly used approaches are hazard‐based and quantile‐based procedures, and most of the existing methods are the hazard‐based ones. In this paper, we consider quantile regression analysis of right‐censored and length‐biased data and present a semiparametric varying‐coefficient partially linear model. For estimation of regression parameters, a three‐stage procedure that makes use of the inverse probability weighted technique is developed, and the asymptotic properties of the resulting estimators are established. In addition, the approach allows the dependence of the censoring variable on covariates, while most of the existing methods assume the independence between censoring variables and covariates. A simulation study is conducted and suggests that the proposed approach works well in practical situations. Also, an illustrative example is provided.
Unstable relations: a critical appraisal of indigeneity and environmentalism in contemporary Australia
Authors: Vincent Eve , Neale Timothy
Published: March 2016

The 1970s witnessed the emergence of a protest‐based environmental movement in Australia. We outline here the history of the unstable meeting of environmentalism and Aboriginal interests, before turning to Marcia Langton's recent critique of the progressive ‘green left’ in Australia.We summarise Langton's argument: environmentalists would deny Aboriginal groups the benefits that flow from native title‐related agreements; environmentalists live at luxurious distance from the realities of remote and rural Aboriginal poverty and social problems; environmentalists exalt ‘noble savages’. We critique these claims on the basis that they pay inadequate attention to the structural inequities that underpin the market in native title interests and, further, deny the reality that Aboriginal groups often seek to form strategic alliances with green groups, arguing for conservation of their country on their own—or shared—terms. We argue that any appraisal of the present status of ‘green‐black’ relations needs to consider these factors seriously.
The Russian Cyber‐Bride as Geopolitical Fantasy
Authors: Klinke Ian
Published: March 2016

This article unpacks the fantasy of the Russian online bride and its striking contamination with geopolitical language. Drawing on critical geopolitics and psychoanalysis, it explores the economy of desire and anxiety that accompanies British men's quest for sexually available ‘traditional’ housewives that are still untouched by ‘modern’ feminism. The paper argues that these men desire the slippery substance of Easternness – an ideal object of desire which is too elusive to be conquered or held. The paper thereby inverts existing accounts of the sexualised nature of the geopolitical gaze to expose the traces of geopolitics in sexual fantasies themselves. In doing so, it formulates the basis for a triadic understanding of otherness.
Revisiting Al‐Idrissi: The Eu and the (Euro)Mediterranean Archipelago Frontier
Authors: Ferrer‐Gallardo Xavier , Kramsch Olivier Thomas
Published: March 2016

This contribution has three overarching objectives. First, it seeks to describe the logics of fracture and cohesion governing current geopolitical dynamics in the Mediterranean. Second, in the face of these contradictory tendencies, it proposes the notion of archipelago‐frontier as a concept for deepening our understanding of an ever more dispersed and ubiquitous geography defining the Southern border of the EU. In this light we draw on the contemporary resonances of the destabilising cartographic imagination of Al‐Idrissi (1100‐1165). And we argue that, read today, it helps us rethink the current symbolic, terminological (and hence geopolitical) abduction of the Mediterranean by the European Union, which the very term ‘Euromediterranean’ encapsulates. Finally, the paper underlines the necessity of forging new vistas on the Mediterranean engendering perspectives that are more dialogical, plurivocal and sensitive to permanent transformation, as evoked by a long‐term spatial as well as political horizon of struggle.
Contemporary Geopolitical Positionings of Iceland Towards ‘Europe’ and the Nordic States
Authors: Jones Alun , Clark Julian
Published: March 2016

In the context of the spatialities of Europeanisation, we demonstrate the manoeuvrability of states through the selection and deployment of geopolitical positioning strategies. Specifically, we highlight how geographic quantities (territory, location, resources, natural conditions) are bundled together to substantiate a mutable national interest as well as underpin the advocacy by states of particular geopolitical positionings. We argue that the diplomatic use of geographic quantities in state‐led efforts to structure and shape international interactions has demonstrable geopolitical consequences. Using the case study of Iceland, one of the first casualties of the international financial crisis, we examine this state's geopolitical repositioning towards ‘EUrope’ through use of geographical uniqueness and concomitant reaffirmation of Nordic closeness. We expose the diplomatic challenges to the use of geographical categories such as uniqueness in geopolitical (re)positioning towards the emerging ‘EUropean’ order.
US Army blood program: 2025 and beyond
Authors: Gonzales Richard , Taylor Audra L. , Atkinson Andrew J. , Malloy Wilbur W. , Macdonald Victor W. , Cap Andrew P.
Published: March 2016

In preparing to support the Army in 2025 and beyond, the Army Blood Program remains actively engaged with the research and advanced development of blood products and medical technology to improve blood safety and efficacy in conjunction with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. National and International Blood Bank authorities have noted that the US Army research and development efforts in providing new blood products and improving blood safety operate on the cutting edge of technology and are transformational for the global blood industry. Over the past 14 years, the Army has transformed how blood support is provided and improved the survival rate of casualties. Almost every product or process developed by or for the military has found an application in treating civilian patients. Conflicts have many unwanted consequences; however, in times of conflict, one positive aspect is the identification of novel solutions to improve the safety and efficacy of the blood supply.
Treatment of blood with a pathogen reduction technology using ultraviolet light and riboflavin inactivates Ebola virus in vitro
Authors: Cap Andrew P. , Pidcoke Heather F. , Keil Shawn D. , Staples Hilary M. , Anantpadma Manu , Carrion Ricardo , Davey Robert A. , Frazer‐Abel Ashley , Taylor Audra L. , Gonzales Richard , Patterson Jean L. , Goodrich Raymond P.
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Transfusion of plasma from recovered patients after Ebolavirus (EBOV) infection, typically called “convalescent plasma,” is an effective treatment for active disease available in endemic areas, but carries the risk of introducing other pathogens, including other strains of EBOV. A pathogen reduction technology using ultraviolet light and riboflavin (UV+RB) is effective against multiple enveloped, negative‐sense, single‐stranded RNA viruses that are similar in structure to EBOV. We hypothesized that UV+RB is effective against EBOV in blood products without activating complement or reducing protective immunoglobulin titers that are important for the treatment of Ebola virus disease (EVD).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Four in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of UV+RB on green fluorescent protein EBOV (EBOV‐GFP), wild‐type EBOV in serum, and whole blood, respectively, and on immunoglobulins and complement in plasma. Initial titers for Experiments 1 to 3 were 4.21 log GFP units/mL, 4.96 log infectious units/mL, and 4.23 log plaque‐forming units/mL. Conditions tested in the first three experiments included the following: 1—EBOV‐GFP plus UV+RB; 2—EBOV‐GFP plus RB only; 3—EBOV‐GFP plus UV only; 4—EBOV‐GFP without RB or UV; 5—virus‐free control plus UV only; and 6—virus‐free control without RB or UV.

RESULTS

UV+RB reduced EBOV titers to nondetectable levels in both nonhuman primate serum (≥2.8‐ to 3.2‐log reduction) and human whole blood (≥3.0‐log reduction) without decreasing protective antibody titers in human plasma.

CONCLUSION

Our in vitro results demonstrate that the UV+RB treatment efficiently reduces EBOV titers to below limits of detection in both serum and whole blood. In vivo testing to determine whether UV+RB can improve convalescent blood product safety is indicated.
The treatment of canine mast cell tumours with electrochemotherapy with or without surgical excision
Authors: Lowe R. , Gavazza A. , Impellizeri J. A. , Soden D. M. , Lubas G.
Published: March 2016

To describe the results of electrochemotherapy (ECT) in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) either as first line therapy or as an adjuvant to surgery. The treatment combines administration of low dose chemotherapeutic drugs with the application of microsecond electric pulses, which cause the temporary permeabilization and increased porosity of the tumour cell membranes. The design of this study is a retrospective case series. A total of 51 dogs with MCTs were included and classified according to ECT procedure into 4 groups (ECT only, 15 cases, intra‐surgery ECT, 11, ECT Adjuvant to surgery, 14, Surgery followed by ECT, 11). The four groups (staged with location, size and grade) were evaluated to assess complete or partial remission, disease free interval, overall survival time and local toxicity. In this case series, Boxers, mixed breed and Labrador Retrievers, male dogs, between 4 and 9 years old were more represented. MCTs were predominantly grade 2 (Patnaik) and T stage 0–1, I‐1 (World Health Organization). Treated lesions were most commonly identified on the hindlimb and head where curative surgery would involve cosmetic or functional compromise. The intra‐surgery group of dogs showed the best disease free interval with Kaplan–Meyer analysis. Local toxicity induced by ECT ranged mostly from 1 to 4 in a 5‐point arbitrary scale with 0 – no toxicity to 5 – highest toxicity. In this study, ECT can be applied successfully as an exclusive therapy in smaller MCTs as an alternative to surgery. ECT can be combined with surgery either intra‐operatively or post operatively for larger lesions without significant toxicity.
“Workers' Rights are Human Rights”: The Scope and Limits of a Precarious Wageworker's Strategy
Authors: Caffentzis George
Published: March 2016

This essay examines the slogan, “Worker's Rights are Human Rights” which is the early twenty‐first century echo of the nineteenth's, “An injury to one is an injury to all.” I analyze the implications of the strategy implicit in the twenty‐first century slogan for an anti‐globalization movement and its impact on the precarious wageworkers' struggle in the U.S. and internationally. I conclude that the nineteenth century shibboleth is more politically reliable.
Mobilizing and Bargaining at the Edge of Informality: The “3 Cosas Campaign” by Outsourced Migrant Workers at the University of London
Authors: Alberti Gabriella
Published: March 2016

In September 2012, a group of outsourced service workers at the University of London, many from Latin America, launched the “3 Cosas Campaign” demanding equal treatment with in‐house employees. Drawing from qualitative interviews and social media analysis this article explores the extent to which formal and informal mechanisms of union voice provide effective bargaining and mobilization tools to low‐paid outsourced workers. The rank‐and‐file autonomous union that led the campaign, although excluded from union recognition, developed powerful strategies to expose the employer publicly obtaining key improvements for the workers. The central argument is that a mix of strategies “at the edge of informality” including unpredictable direct action, community mobilization, and media campaigns provide additional leverage to outsourced workers confronting their multiple employers, while union recognition remains a key strategy of legitimization for relatively disenfranchised migrant workers.
Long-Term Evolution of SCD-1 Satellite Temperatures Based on Comparative Analysis of Telemetric Data Measured in Orbit
Authors: Genaro Andreia F. S. , Garcia Ezio C. , Muraoka Issamu , de Conde Kevin E.
Published: March 2016

This paper presents results of the research investigation regarding the causes for temperature variation of the SCD-1 (data-collection satellite) by analyzing its thermal behavior evolution throughout 13 years in orbit. SCD-1, the first satellite designed and built in Brazil, was launched in 1993 and is still in operation. A mathematical model has been developed to simulate thermal behavior of SCD-1 in orbit, which was used as a working tool during project design phase, and is presented here. Temperatures of SCD-1 in orbit have been monitored and recorded in the Control and Tracking Center (São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil) since its launch. An analysis carried out at the mission’s beginning showed that all the temperatures were within the ranges predicted in model. Over the years, the battery, which is the most temperature-sensitive equipment in the satellite, had an increase in temperature approaching upper limit. A method has been developed to investigate the causes of this upswing in which an optimization routine linked to the mathematical model corrects a selected set of parameters in order to adjust the theoretical temperature values to the experimental values. By means of this methodology, data from SCD-1 were analyzed from 1995 to 2005 period and it was concluded that the rise in temperature was caused by an increase in internal battery heat dissipation and absorptivity in solar spectrum of some of the external satellite shielding, both consequences of a long-term degradation.
Time-Dependent Electro–Magneto–Thermoelastic Stresses of a Poro-Piezo-Functionally Graded Material Hollow Sphere
Authors: Jabbari M. , Tayebi M. S.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, analytical solution for time-dependent electro–magneto–thermoelastic stresses of a hollow sphere made of a fluid-saturated functionally graded porous piezoelectric material (FGPPM) is presented. All material properties, except Poisson's ratio, vary through the radial direction of the FGPPM spherical structure according to a simple power-law. The general form of thermal, mechanical, and electric potential boundary conditions is considered on the internal and external surfaces of the sphere, and the sphere is under constant electrical and magnetic fields. Stress–strain and strain–displacement relations are used to obtain stress–displacement equations, and then by putting stress–displacement equations in the equilibrium equation, Navier equation is acquired. The homogenous differential heat conduction equation is solved. The nonhomogenous differential Navier equation is solved for two cases. At first, creep strains are ignored and the initial electro–magneto–thermoelastic stresses are obtained. Then considering creep strains singly, the creep stress rates are obtained. Finally, time-dependent creep stress distributions at any time ti are attained.
Stress Analysis of Various Shaped Blade of Savonius Wind Turbine
Authors: Khan Jobaidur R. , Rahman Mosfequr
Published: March 2016

Amidst of high demand of energy, the world is seeking alternative energy sources. Wind alone can fulfill most of the energy requirement of the world by its efficient conversion into energy. On efficiency measurement, Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) is the popular to the researchers, but it works best in places where the wind is not disturbed and has high wind power. The inherent advantage of facing the wind direction, design simplicity, less expensive technology for construction, lower wind start-up speeds, easier maintenance, and relatively quietness are turning the focus to Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). The low wind speed and non-smooth wind flow regions are attracted for these machines. Savonius turbine is the simplest form of VAWT and operation is based on the difference of the drag force on its blades. The main objective of this study is to analyze a perfect mixture of new and innovative designs of Savonius turbine blades, which can make VAWT more attractive, efficient, durable and sustainable. This is studied by using blade with different numbers in operating in different wind speed. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis has been used. 2D CAD models of various VAWT geometries are created and tested with CFD software ANSYS/FLUENT with a similar flow-driven motion in a wind tunnel. These simulations provided the aero-dynamic characteristics like shear stress, velocity distribution and pressure distribution. Some physical models with desired properties needed to be fabricated and tested inside tunnel to find the effect of different shapes in real.
Coupling of RELAP and LabVIEW to Model a Nuclear Power Plant System Realistically
Authors: Pack J. C. , Fu Z. , Aydogan F.
Published: March 2016

Within the study and design of a nuclear power plant extensive system modeling is necessary to determine how the reactor is going to perform in any given situation, not only in the normal performance of the reactor but also transients including unanticipated transients without scram and hypothetical accidents. One of the difficulties in the performance of this modeling is that there are often separate programs used to model the primary and other loops in multiple loop systems. When the modeling requires no interaction between the loops, this method is adequate but in many of these scenarios an understanding of the interaction loops is crucial especially in the case of transients including accident scenarios. However, each loop is generally modeled individually and there is no feedback effect between loops. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how this coupling between the primary and secondary system of a typical PWR can be performed. The primary and secondary sides of the PWR are modeled with Reactor Excursion and Leak Analysis Program (RELAP5) and Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) computer simulators respectively. Primary loop model includes a four loops PWR. The coupling between RELAP5 and LabVIEW has been executed with steady state and transients, in this case a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). The results of the coupling have been compared with the typical RELAP5 results without coupling.
Multi-Objective Energy-Noise Wind Farm Layout Optimization Under Land Use Constraints
Authors: Sorkhabi Sami Yamani Douzi , Romero David A. , Yan Gary Kai , Gu Michelle Dao , Moran Joaquin , Morgenroth Michael , Amon Cristina H.
Published: March 2016

Recently, the environmental impact of wind farms has been receiving increasing attention. As land is more extensively exploited for onshore wind farms, they are more likely to be in proximity with human dwellings, infrastructure (e.g. roads, transmission lines) and environmental features (e.g. rivers, lakes, forests). As a result of regulatory constraints, this proximity causes significant portions of the wind farm terrain to become unusable for turbine placement. In this work, we present a constrained, continuous-variable model for layout optimization that takes noise and energy as objective functions, based on Jensen’s wake model and ISO-9613-2 noise calculations. A multi-objective genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to solve the optimization problem, considering a set of land use constraints, which are handled with static and dynamic penalty functions. A set of test cases with different number of turbines and percentages of land availability are solved. Results from this bi-objective optimization model illustrate how the severity of the land use constraints affects the trade-off between energy generation and noise production.
A Study of Load Comparison of Two- and Three-Bladed Rotor Wind Turbines
Authors: Lee Jin Woo , Andersen Brett , Jehan Musarrat , Afjeh Abdollah , Nikolaidis Efstratios
Published: March 2016

In this study, load effects of identically rated power two- and three-bladed rotor wind turbines are computed and compared using the requirements of the IEC61400-3 standard. The two-bladed turbine includes a teeter mechanism. Moreover, an improved blade design is considered for the two-bladed turbine. A series of wind turbine operational simulations was performed for the wind turbine models under selected design load cases of IEC61400-3 standard. Loads were computed using the FAST code. The series of simulations were driven and post-processed using the FAST_SM code. Additionally, fatigue damages of the two- and three-bladed rotor wind turbines were computed. The study showed that the maximum load effects and fatigue damage of the two-bladed wind turbine generally increased compared to the three-bladed turbine. The simulation results also showed that the baseline design blade of the two-bladed wind turbine requires improvement in order to sustain the computed large load effects.
Tool for Hourly Energy Consumption Estimation in Existing Office Buildings
Authors: Fumo Nelson , Mago Pedro J. , Ledbury Emily
Published: March 2016

Building energy consumption analysis is a difficult task because it depends on the characteristics and interaction among the building, the heating/cooling system, and the surroundings. Since the evaluation of building energy consumption usually requires building energy profiles on an hourly basis, which often is not available for existing buildings, the hourly energy consumption must be estimated. The dynamic behavior of the weather conditions and building operation makes computer simulations a good practice for reliable solutions. However, an energy building computer simulation requires a significant amount of experience, time, and effort to enter detailed building parameters, which is a drawback for a cost-effective solution. Therefore, simplified models based on statistics or a combination of statistics and simulations may be a better solution with reasonable uncertainty. This paper presents a tool to estimate hourly building energy consumption for existent office buildings. The proposed tool, developed in Microsoft Excel, uses simulation data from EnergyPlus Commercial Reference Buildings to convert monthly energy consumption from utility bills into hourly energy consumption. Results account for baseline and variable energy consumption for electricity and fuel. The site weather conditions, for which the energy consumption is estimated, are considered using the sixteen climate zones of the U.S.
A Meta-Analysis of the Specific Heat Enhancement of Nanofluids
Authors: Romanin Vincent D. , Fereres Sonia
Published: March 2016

The ability to engineer enhanced thermal properties by adding small amounts of nanoparticles to liquids is especially attractive in the case of heat transfer fluids, which find applications in many types of power and heat generation. The specific heat capacity of nanofluids is an important parameter in the design of these systems, especially in the case of thermal energy storage. As with many nanofluid properties, the nature and extent of the modification of the specific heat capacity with the addition of nanoparticles is not well established, and many publications report conflicting experimental data. In contrast to thermal conductivity enhancements, it is yet unclear whether the specific heat capacity of a nanoparticle suspension can increase with respect to the base fluid value. In order to help determine the magnitude, nature, and theory of specific heat capacity modification with the addition of nanoparticles, published experimental heat capacity data for nanofluids was compiled and analyzed to investigate any trends or biases in the data. The objective of this meta-analysis is twofold: 1) to clarify in what cases an enhancement of specific heat capacity can be expected, and 2) to understand the mechanisms responsible for this behavior. It is hypothesized that reported anomalous specific heat enhancements are related to the ionic nature of the base fluid and, therefore, to particle-fluid interactions. Theories of nanofluid heat capacity are discussed in the context of the compiled data. Other factors are also discussed, including the effect of the heat capacity measurement technique, nanofluid synthesis methods, aggregation and dispersion and the characterization thereof, and the effect of base fluid, nanoparticle size, shape, and material. Finally, recommendations are made for improving the reliability and consistency in synthesizing and characterizing nanofluids and their thermal properties.
Analysis of Building Envelope Performance Effects of an Insulating Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic (STPV) Glazing Unit
Authors: McLaughlin Dirk V. P. , Kapsis Konstantinos , Athienitis Andreas K. , Siassi Sam , Nichilo Livio
Published: March 2016

This paper presents characterization results for the electrical and thermal properties of a unique insulating semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) glazing unit using calorimetry hot box methods finding a U-value of 1.09 W/m2·°C and a SHGC of 0.11. These properties are then applied to an energy model of a case study commercial building in a continental climate region to examine the effects of utilizing STPV in the building envelope on the electricity and natural gas consumption levels and peak demands. The results indicate that such a building envelope can significantly reduce heating and cooling loads compared to standard glazing which would help architects maintain the desirable properties of highly glazed façades while avoiding the drop in building energy performance that could make adhering to increasingly stringent building codes and performance standards difficult. The paper also presents simulation results for the photovoltaic energy generation of the vertical STPV façades at two building orientations.
Comparative Study of Two-Bladed Upwind and Downwind Turbines Using the NREL Reference Wind Turbine
Authors: Lee Jin Woo , Jehan Musarrat , Andersen Brett , Afjeh Abdollah , Nikolaidis Efstratios
Published: March 2016

Two-bladed wind turbines offer the potential for a lower cost of energy compared with three-bladed rotor turbines. This investigation was conducted to quantify the differences between the loads of upwind and downwind two-bladed wind turbines operating under random wind conditions. This paper focuses on a comparison of maximum and average loads that can cause first excursion failure, and loads that can cause fatigue failure. In this study, upwind and downwind turbines with two bladed rotors are compared. The NREL 5MW reference wind turbine was used as a baseline design and was modified as necessary to design a two bladed upwind wind turbine. The tower shadow effect was considered for the downwind turbine. The IEC61400-3 standard load cases were used to define the loading conditions for the wind turbine simulations. The computed load effects generally showed that the downwind configuration had lower load effects. Moreover, fatigue damage was lower for the two-bladed downwind turbine compared to the upwind turbine.
High Temperature Latent-Heat Thermal Energy Storage Module With Enhanced Combined Mode Heat Transfer
Authors: Archibold Antonio Ramos , Rahman Muhammad M. , Goswami D. Yogi , Stefanakos Elias L.
Published: March 2016

A numerical solution of the melting problem of a semitransparent gray, medium contained in a closed heated spherical shell is presented in this study. The influence of all the fundamental energy transfer mechanisms on the melting dynamics of the phase change medium (PCM) has been analyzed, in order to extend the convectional natural convection-dominated model and to expand the limited literature in the thermal energy storage (TES) area at high operating temperatures (>800°C). A two-dimensional, axisymmetric, transient model has been solved numerically. The discrete ordinate method was used to solve the equation of radiative transfer and the finite volume scheme was used to solve the equations for mass, momentum and energy conservation. The effect of the optical thickness of the medium on the melt fraction rate, total and radiative heat transfer rates at the inner surface of the shell has been analyzed and discussed. Also the influence of thermal radiation has been quantified by performing comparisons between the pure conduction and the simultaneous conduction and radiation models. The results showed that the presence of thermal radiation enhances the melting process, particularly during the solid phase sensible heating process in the multi-mode heat transfer model. Also, it was found that the contribution of the radiant energy exchange is one order of magnitude smaller than the convective transport process.
A Copper Microchannel Heat Exchanger for MEMS-Based Waste Heat Thermal Scavenging
Authors: Borquist E. , Baniya A. , Thapa S. , Wood D. , Weiss L.
Published: March 2016

The growing necessity for increased efficiency and sustainability in energy systems such as MEMS devices has driven research in waste heat scavenging. This approach uses thermal energy, which is typically rejected to the surrounding environment, transferred to a secondary device to produce useful power output. This paper investigates a MEMS-based micro-channel heat exchanger (MHE) designed to operate as part of a micro-scale thermal energy scavenging system. Fabrication and operation of the MHE is presented. MHE operation relies on capillary action which drives working fluid from surrounding reservoirs via micro-channels above a heated surface. Energy absorption by the MHE is increased through the use of a working fluid which undergoes phase change as a result of thermal input.

In a real-world implementation, the efficiency at which the MHE operates contributes to the thermal efficiency of connected small-scale devices, such as those powered by thermoelectrics which require continual heat transfer. This full system can then more efficiently power MEMS-based sensors or other devices in diverse applications. In this work, the MHE and micro-channels are fabricated entirely of copper with 300μm width channels. Copper electro-deposition onto a copper substrate provides enhanced thermal conductivity when compared to other materials such as silicon or aluminum. The deposition process also increases the surface area of the channels due to porosity. Fabrication with copper produces a robust device, which is not limited to environments where fragility is a concern.

The MHE operation has been designed for widespread use in varied environments. The exchanger working fluid is also non-specific, allowing for fluid flexibility for a range of temperatures, depending on the thermal source potential. In these tests, the exchanger shows approximately 8.7 kW/m2 of thermal absorption and 7.6 kW/m2 of thermal transfer for a dry MHE while the wetted MHE had an energy throughput of 8.3 kW/m2. The temperature gradient maintained across the MHE bottom plate and lid is approximately 30 °C for both the dry and wetted MHE tests though overall temperatures were lower for the wetted MHE.
Assessment of Sustainability for Small Municipalities
Authors: Schmid Katherine , McGuire Andrew , Fulton Erin , Archibald Mark
Published: March 2016

A method for assessing sustainability of local regions and small municipalities is presented. Such a tool is needed as decisions made at the local level can have significant effects on the sustainability of a region when applied to multiple small municipalities. Quantitative and objective measures for evaluating regional sustainability should provide guidance and direction for improvement, and should help direct public policy. The ecological footprint method distills a complex system into a single parameter — the land area required to support the region under study. While this method provides a metric that is easily understood by both the public and policy makers, it is difficult to apply on the scale of many local municipalities. The method gives an overall indication of a region’s sustainability, but it can be difficult to determine specific actions that will lead to improvement, and hence has limited value as a guide to policy. The emergy accounting method is scalable and can indicate specific areas needing improvement. All energy flows are transformed into a common unit, the solar emjoule, allowing equitable assessment of sustainability within a system comprised of a broad spectrum of human, natural, and industrial resources and processes. Obtaining data for a study of any scale can be challenging; however, it is particularly so for small regions in which data may not be readily available. Adjustments in data collection methods appropriate to small regions and municipalities are evaluated. The adjusted method was applied to the analysis of a small rural municipality in western Pennsylvania. The study boundaries were defined by the borough limits — an area encompassing 2.7 square miles and 8300 residents. This study primarily treats data collection for an emergy accounting analysis of a small region. Full results of the analysis will be presented in a follow-up paper.
A Novel Wake Interaction Model for Wind Farm Layout Optimization
Authors: Kuo Jim Y. J. , Romero David A. , Amon Cristina H.
Published: March 2016

Optimizing the turbine layout in a wind farm is crucial to minimize wake interactions between turbines, which can lead to a significant reduction in power generation. This work is motivated by the need to develop wake interaction models that can accurately capture the wake losses in an array of wind turbines, while remaining computationally tractable for layout optimization studies. Among existing wake interaction models, the sum of squares (SS) model has been reported to be the most accurate. However, the SS model is unsuitable for wind farm layout optimization using mathematical programming methods, as it leads to non-linear objective functions. Hence, previous work has relied on approximated power calculations for optimization studies. In this work, we propose a mechanistic linear model for wake interactions based on energy balance, with coefficients determined based on publicly available data from the Horns Rev wind farm. A series of numerical tests was conducted using test cases from the wind farm layout optimization literature. Results show that the proposed model is solvable using standard mathematical programming methods, and resulted in turbine layouts with higher efficiency than those found by previous work.
Evaluation of Regression Analysis Based Building Hourly Thermal Load Prediction Algorithms Under Climate Change
Authors: Sarwar Riasat , Cho Heejin
Published: March 2016

This study presents performance of two ARX (auto-regressive with exogenous, i.e., external, inputs) building hourly thermal load prediction models under influence of climate change. ARX building thermal load prediction models are of particular interest not only for their higher prediction accuracy but also for computational efficiency. Precise thermal load prediction is a significant aspect of energy planning for mixed energy distribution systems in regional and national level as well as in intelligent building energy management and control. However, in order to ensure reliability, prediction models should be able to account for influence from climate change in the upcoming years. Performance and robustness of the models over five consecutive years have been evaluated. A case study with medium office reference building in Atlanta, GA has been carried out to demonstrate prediction accuracy of both models over the period utilizing a widely accepted building energy simulation software. Results have been evaluated using statistical criteria to quantify the effect of climate change on prediction accuracy.
Study of Performance of Attic Air Source Heat Pump in Maine
Authors: Lin Lin , Doxsey Julie
Published: March 2016

Heat pumps are a popular heating source in many parts of the United States. They are not widely used in State of Maine due to an assumption that they are marginally useful in cold climates. An attic source heat pump is a variation on a conventional heat pump. In summer, the temperature in the attic is much higher than outside as it absorbs the heat from sunlight. In winter or evening, the attic captures the heat released from the house. Therefore, the attic makes a good candidate for the heat source of a heat pump. For this ongoing study, a laboratory scale heat pump was constructed and experimental tests were performed to establish its operating performance. A temperature controlled testing chamber was built to simulate the attic environment. Attic heat was used to heat up a water tank. COP value was measured for different attic temperatures. Experimental data were favorable to the use of an attic air source heat pump in Maine.
Design and Modeling of an Integrated CHP System With Solar Hydrogen/Methane Fueled PEM Fuel Cell for Residential Applications
Authors: Amirian Hajar , Sayedin Farid , Maroufmashat Azadeh
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the designing and evaluation of an alternative energy system which consists of PEMFC, PV, PEM electrolyser, methane reformer and hydrogen tank. In order to find out the minimum capacity of the components, a system sizing model is developed in MATLAB based on meteorological and electrical demand data. Three scenarios are considered based on different combinations of solar energy and fossil fuel energy as energy resources. The heating energy produced by the fuel cell is recovered for supplying domestic hot water while the system would supply electrical energy. Results show that system sizing strongly depends on scenarios and unit cost of electricity decreases through the reduction of solar energy contribution in scenarios. CHP analysis indicates that the overall energy efficiency and fuel cell efficiency are increased approximately 3.4% and 40% respectively. Furthermore, the cost benefit ratio of using the fuel cell heat is equivalent to 25% of the total annual cost of the electricity.
Enhancing the Storage Capacity of Supercapacitors Using PVA/CNT Nanocomposite Electrolytes
Authors: Coskun T. , Asmatulu R.
Published: March 2016

The ability to achieve high surface areas with nanomaterials brought several advancements in energy storage devices and their applications in different industries. Supercapacitors, a new generation of energy storage devises, have quick charge and discharge abilities, and hold as much energy as batteries and other chemical storage devices. The present study focuses on the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) inclusions in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrolytes for the improved capacitance values, which may affect the lifetime, charge holding, and charging and discharging rates of the graphene nanoflake-based supercapacitors. In this research, various supercapacitors were constructed using the reduced graphene oxide nanoflakes, PVA and PVA incorporated with CNTs, and the best candidates were selected for the future considerations. The test results showed that the CNT concentrations of 0.1–1.0wt% in PVA enhanced the capacitance (charge holding capacity) and reduced the internal resistance of the electrolytes significantly. This study may open up new possibilities for the supercapacitors and other energy storage devices currently under developments.
Study of Coanda Effect Applied to Vertical Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Larion Ioan , Lemu Hirpa G.
Published: March 2016

This article presents study of Coanda effect on a patented vertical wind turbine design performance. The study involves both theoretical study and numerical simulation. The numerical modelling and the flow analysis were done using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation techniques in a virtual wind tunnel. The goal is to find the wind pressure distribution profile behind the blades that is further used to optimize the shape of the blade and the angle of the auxiliary blade that introduces the Coanda effect. The Coanda effect is introduced by providing an auxiliary short blade attached to the tip of the turbine blade that redirects the wind flow behind the blade. Because the protuberant shape of the surface behind the blade, incomplete expansion of flow takes place. This creates a low pressure behind the blade, and results with a pull force, dragging the blade in the rotation direction. In other words, the shape of the blade creates a low pressure using the Coanda effect that results in enhancing lifting force effect producing more electricity at the same wind speed. The experimental results are used to verify the simulation results.
Numerical Study of Wind Loads on Residential Roof-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Arrays
Authors: Giorges Aklilu T. G. , Amador Guillermo J. , Goodman Joseph
Published: March 2016

Residential rooftops offer attractive options for solar arrays since it makes productive use of otherwise unused space and are co-located with residential demand. However, the current installation practice in the solar panel industry is based on code (ASCE-7) that is intended to estimate the design wind loads on buildings and roofs and is not intended to apply to roof-mounted solar arrays. Conservative mounting approaches are likely to result in over designed and expensive mounting systems, while less conservative methods may jeopardize the integrity of the whole system and safety of the surrounding structure. One of the major challenges of producing affordable energy form solar photovoltaic arrays is the cost of the installation. Thus, understanding wind-induced aerodynamic loads in arrays of solar panels is an important part of designing appropriate mounting systems. This study addresses the wind load on a 1:12 scale model of a moderate (83.6 m2) residential structure with a roof pitch of 26.5° with two arrays of solar panels on one side. The wind angle is varied from 0 to 360 degrees to address front and back roof-mounted arrays. The flow is simulated using the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation and k–ε turbulent model. The wind load is estimated from numerically obtained wind-induced pressure coefficients. The model result is also compared to a roof with no panels. Depending on the air flow direction, complex maximum and minimum pressure locations are identified where the panels are exposed to extreme conditions.