bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trypan Blue/Giemsa Staining to Assess Sperm Membrane Integrity in Salernitano Stallions and its Relationship to Pregnancy Rates
Authors: Serafini R , Longobardi V , Spadetta M , Neri D , Ariota B , Gasparrini B , Di Palo R 
Published: July 2013

ContentsAim of this study was to test the reliability ofTrypan blue/Giemsa staining to evaluate sperm membrane integrity, acrosomal intactness and morphology in stallion to verify whether it could be appliedin vitroas useful tool for sperm fertilizing ability. Fertility data on inseminated mares were collected to evaluate the relationship of sperm quality to pregnancy rates. Forty‐one ejaculates were collected from 3 stallions ofSalernitanoHorseBreed and evaluated for gross appearance, volume, visual motility and membrane integrity withTrypan blue/Giemsa staining and thirty‐five mares were inseminated during the breeding season fromApril toJuly. Differences among stallions were found in volume, sperm concentration (p < 0.05) and visual motility (p < 0.01). A decrease in sperm motility, concentration (p < 0.05) and total sperm number was found in June–July (p < 0.01). Live sperm with intact acrosome (LSIA) and proximal droplets (PD) were lower (p < 0.01) in June–July, while acrosome reacted sperm (ARS) percentage increased (p < 0.05). No fertility differences were found among stallions with an average fertility per cycle of 44.6% and a pregnancy rate of 68.6%. Higher percentages ofLSIAwere found in the ejaculates used to inseminate mares that became pregnant vs those used in mares not pregnant (p < 0.05). The significance ofLSIAas test variable to verify the reliability ofTrypan blue/Giemsa staining was confirmed by Receiver operating characteristicROCanalysis and the sensitivity of the test was 85% at a cut‐off value of 48%LSIA. Trypan blue‐Giemsa showed to be an accurate method that can be applied on field to evaluate sperm membrane integrity and to identify poor‐quality ejaculates.
An overview of service quality of continuous positive airway pressure services in Australian pharmacies
Authors: Hanes Carissa A. , Wong Keith K.H. , Saini Bandana 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground and objectiveLittle is known about CPAP services offered in the Australian primary care pharmacy setting, despite the potential influence of service quality on patient adherence. The objective of this study was to provide an overview on a nationwide scale of the range and quality of CPAP and sleep apnoea‐related services in Australian pharmacies.MethodsA paper‐based questionnaire was developed and mailed to all pharmacies in Australia that currently provide CPAP services (as identified by manufacturer's distributor lists or Internet search). A point system was devised to score participants on the quality of their CPAP service. Pharmacies were rated against a list of 23 criteria that were determined by consensus, with one point allocated for each criterion met, allowing for a maximum score of 23.ResultsThe study response rate was 55% (110/199), and representation was obtained from all eight Australian states and territories. The mean number of criteria met (total score) for pharmacies was 15.7 ± 3.4 (15.7/23 = 68.3%; score range 2–22). Variability was evident in the range of services offered. Eighty‐seven per cent of respondents believed that pharmacies supplying CPAP should adhere to a formalized set of professional guidelines.ConclusionsThe accessibility of pharmacies may make them a valuable venue for CPAP service provision. However, models of care to guide practice and standardize the variability in services are required. Implementation of such models could improve patient access to quality treatment in the primary care setting.
Multidirectional, synchronously‐triggered seismo‐turbidites and debrites revealed by X‐ray computed tomography (CT)
Authors: Van Daele Maarten , Cnudde Veerle , Duyck Philippe , Pino Mario , Urrutia Roberto , De Batist Marc 
Published: July 2013

AbstractOn 21 April 2007, a Mw 6·2 earthquake struck Aysén fjord (Chilean Patagonia) and caused onshore and offshore mass movements which triggered tsunamis and density flows in the fjord. To better understand the facies successions in, and the intercalation of, the density‐flow deposits, a study was made of the 2007 deposits in 22 short sediment cores taken in the inner Aysén fjord. By combining grain‐size analysis with X‐ray computed tomography scanning, it was possible to demonstrate that the encountered facies correspond to classical divisions of debrites and turbidites. The single‐event deposits consist of a succession of several sub‐deposits deposited under different flow directions and can be interpreted as stacked turbidites. Orientations of: (i) folds; (ii) imbricated mud clasts; (iii) backsets and foresets of climbing ripples; and (iv) asymmetrical convolute lamination were used to determine relative flow directions at the location of the cores. By assigning the basal flow of the stacked debrites and turbidites to the closest principal mass flow, the absolute flow directions of the sub‐deposits were determined which, in combination with multibeam basin‐floor morphology, allowed reconstruction of the 2007 density‐flow successions in Aysén fjord. Furthermore, alternating flow directions provide evidence for a seiche induced by the density flows. It was concluded that X‐ray computed tomography scans provide crucial information for reconstructing palaeoflows and can be a useful tool in marine and lacustrine sedimentology and palaeoseismology. The multidirectionality of sub‐deposits in turbidites is, next to differences in mineralogy, a new criterion to identify stacked turbidites. These multidirectional, stacked turbidites are an indication of simultaneous triggering of density flows and can therefore, in most cases, be attributed to earthquakes, ruling out other triggers, such as floods, storms or other sediment failures.
Flow Distribution in Flat Solar Collectors Systems Interconnected
Authors: Ríos Orozco C. O. , Uzarraga-Rodriguez N. C. , Gallegos-Muñoz A. , Riesco Ávila J. M. 
Published: July 2013

In this work the characterization of the water flow through a flat solar collector and solar collectors systems interconnected is presented. This allows analyzing the behavior of flow distribution in the headers pipe and riser tubes of flat solar collectors. The hydraulic analysis allows determining if the water flow inside the risers presents a no-uniform distribution, having that the mass flow rate through riser tubes increases when they are located a greater distance from inlet of header pipe. This effect also occurs at system composed of several solar collectors interconnected, through their own header pipes, which behaves like a simple flat solar collector with header pipe longer and major number of riser tubes.
The hydraulic model of the water flow through a flat solar collector, equipped with different number of riser tubes, is modeled in the FLUENT® software and comparing with theory and methodology knowing for the calculation of pressure drop in pipe sections and accessories. The results show the curves obtained for hydraulic behavior for the cases of study, where is observed that the water flow is no-uniform. This no uniformity provokes that the friction coefficient varies depending of the position of riser tube.
Energetic Comparison of Linear Fresnel and Parabolic Trough Collector Systems
Authors: Schenk Heiko , Hirsch Tobias , Feldhoff Jan Fabian , Wittmann Michael 
Published: July 2013

Within the last years, Linear Fresnel (LF) collector systems have been developed as a technical alternative to parabolic trough collector (PT) systems. In the past, LF systems focused on low- and medium temperature applications. Nowadays, LF systems equipped with vacuum receivers can be operated at the same temperatures as PT systems. Papers about the technical and economical comparison of specific PT and LF systems have already been published, [1–3]. However, the present paper focuses on the systematic differences in optical and thermodynamic performance and the impact on the economic figures.
In a first step the optical performance of typical PT and LF solar fields has been examined, showing the differences during the course of the day and annually. Furthermore, the thermodynamic performance, depending on the operating temperature, has been compared.
In a second step, the annual electricity yield of typical PT and LF plants are examined. Solar Salt has been chosen as heat transfer fluid. Both systems utilize the same power block and storage type. Solar field size, storage capacity, and power block electrical power are variable, while all examined configurations achieve the same annual electricity yield. As expected for molten salt systems, both systems are the most cost-effective with large storage capacities. The lower thermodynamic performance of the LF system requires a larger solar field and lower specific costs in order to be competitive. Assuming specific PT field costs of 300 €/m2 aperture, the break-even costs of the LF system with Solar Salt range between 202 and 235 €/m2, depending on the site and storage capacity.
Experimental Validation of Solar Chimney Performance Models and Operational Characteristics for Small Scale Remote Applications
Authors: Raney Stephen M. , Brooks Jeremy R. , Schaffer Jared P. , French Jesse J. 
Published: July 2013

Though the Solar Chimney (SC) concept is one that has been around for nearly a century, this technology has regained momentum in recent decades. Several large-scale projects have been constructed, and others are in the process of being constructed. CFD and numerical analysis have allowed research to progress in characterizing the performance of SCs. Previous research has focused primarily on large-scale, high power production designs. The authors have validated these analyses empirically for small-scale, low power production SCs through the design and fabrication of a small-scale SC with adjustable geometries. The performance of the SC was characterized by the primary variable of chimney height. The effects of secondary variables were also measured and characterized: chimney diameter, collector height, and collector slope.
Results are presented showing that, though the numerical analysis and characteristic equations hold for large scale SCs, in small scale applications the reduction in size creates a greater dependence on the secondary variables in the overall performance of the SC. Optimization of both primary and secondary variables is discussed and demonstrated based on empirically gathered data. Though this study does not consider the turbine generator system, charge controller, or their efficiencies, power output as a function of collector geometry is discussed in detail.
Reducing Residential and Commercial Energy Consumption in the US: The Role of Water Heaters
Authors: Twomey Kelly M. , Conover Susan , Webber Michael E. 
Published: July 2013

Residential and commercial water heating in the United States consumed nearly 3,700 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of primary energy in 2010. Nearly half of this primary energy was lost as waste heat at the point of power generation to provide electricity for electric water heaters. In the residential sector alone, water heating accounted for 17% of total 2010 on-site energy, use or about 1,960 trillion BTUs. Of this amount, about 22%, or 440 trillion BTUs, was consumed by residential electric water heaters. However, 1,380 trillion BTUs of primary energy was required to produce this retail electric power at the power station, indicating that electricity generation is much less efficient than directly burning fuels for water heating.
This study analyzes 2010 baseline primary energy consumption for water heating in the US by considering energy conversions and end-use efficiencies in the residential and commercial sectors. In order to assess more energy and carbon-efficient means of heating water, we defined four additional scenarios in order to quantify potential energy savings by replacing electric water heaters with more efficient, commercially available technologies. The scenarios ranged in scope and technology deployment, and resulted in energy savings of 10–25% and carbon dioxide emission reductions of 10–20%. Although future deployment of water heating technologies is not likely to replicate any specific scenario, the conclusions drawn from this study are useful in guiding policy incentives and consumer behavior in regards to choosing between water heating technologies.
A Direct-Steam Linear Fresnel Performance Model for NREL’S System Advisor Model
Authors: Wagner Michael J. , Zhu Guangdong 
Published: July 2013

This paper presents the technical formulation and demonstrated model performance results of a new direct-steam-generation (DSG) model in NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM). The model predicts the annual electricity production of a wide range of system configurations within the DSG Linear Fresnel technology by modeling hourly performance of the plant in detail. The quasi-steady-state formulation allows users to investigate energy and mass flows, operating temperatures, and pressure drops for geometries and solar field configurations of interest.
The model includes tools for heat loss calculation using either empirical polynomial heat loss curves as a function of steam temperature, ambient temperature, and wind velocity, or a detailed evacuated tube receiver heat loss model. Thermal losses are evaluated using a computationally efficient nodal approach, where the solar field and headers are discretized into multiple nodes where heat losses, thermal inertia, steam conditions (including pressure, temperature, enthalpy, etc.) are individually evaluated during each time step of the simulation.
This paper discusses the mathematical formulation for the solar field model and describes how the solar field is integrated with the other subsystem models, including the power cycle and optional auxiliary fossil system. Model results are also presented to demonstrate plant behavior in the various operating modes.
Development and Validation of an Operational, Cloud-Assimilating Numerical Weather Prediction Model for Solar Irradiance Forecasting
Authors: Mathiesen Patrick J. , Collier Craig , Kleissl Jan P. 
Published: July 2013

For solar irradiance forecasting, the operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) models (e.g. the North American Model (NAM)) have excellent coverage and are easily accessible. However, their accuracy in predicting cloud cover and irradiance is largely limited by coarse resolutions (> 10 km) and generalized cloud-physics parameterizations. Furthermore, with hourly or longer temporal output, the operational NWP models are incapable of forecasting intra-hour irradiance variability. As irradiance ramp rates often exceed 80% of clear sky irradiance in just a few minutes, this deficiency greatly limits the applicability of the operational NWP models for solar forecasting.
To address these shortcomings, a high-resolution, cloud-assimilating model was developed at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Garrad-Hassan, America, Inc (GLGH). Based off of the Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) model, an operational 1.3 km-gridded solar forecast is implemented for San Diego, CA that is optimized to simulate local meteorology (specifically, summertime marine layer fog and stratus conditions) and sufficiently resolved to predict intra-hour variability. To produce accurate cloud-field initializations, a direct cloud assimilation system (WRF-CLDDA) was also developed. Using satellite imagery and ground weather station reports, WRF-CLDDA statistically populates the initial conditions by directly modifying cloud hydrometeors (cloud water and water vapor content). When validated against the dense UCSD pyranometer network, WRF-CLDDA produced more accurate irradiance forecasts than the NAM and more frequently predicted marine layer fog and stratus cloud conditions.
A Cost Effective Solar Tracker and Performance Monitoring System for Utility Scale Photovoltaic Installations
Authors: Sadineni Suresh B. , Madala Srikanth , Boehm Robert F. 
Published: July 2013

A prototype of an integrated tracking and monitoring system is developed and experimentally tested in the environmental conditions of the desert south-west. This system hardware design incorporates both the tracker control and performance monitoring mechanism. A wireless communication protocol coupled with internet transmits the PV panel performance information collected by the electronic sensors to a remote user who can monitor the system performance. The initial experimental results of this newly developed system performance are presented. Finally, an economic analysis is conducted to evaluate the applicability of the current system to a utility scale installation.
The preliminary results suggest that there would be a 25% average increase in solar insolation received by a single-axis tracking surface over a fixed (tilt equal to local latitude) surface during the winter months. Although, limited amount of data is available for typical summer days, results from September days suggest an increase in solar insolation as high as 38%. Also, such an integrated tracking and monitoring system will yield in better monitoring resolution due to monitoring at the string level as opposed to central inverter level in the central inverter type PV power plant topology.
The monitoring sub-system design incorporates cutting edge electronic sensors. The measurements using these sensors were compared against the measurement through a programmable D.C load. The difference between both the power measurements is well within a median of 5–12% suggesting a good agreement between both the measurements.
Aerodynamic Forces and Vortex Shedding for Surface-Mounted Finite Square Prisms and the Effects of Aspect Ratio and Incidence Angle
Authors: McClean John F. , Sumner David 
Published: July 2013

The flow around a surface-mounted square prism of finite height was investigated experimentally using a low-speed wind tunnel. Of interest were the effects of aspect ratio and incidence angle on the mean aerodynamic forces and vortex shedding. Compared to the case of the “infinite” (or two-dimensional) square prism, the flow around the finite square prism has not been extensively studied. The experiments were conducted at a Reynolds number of Re = 7.2 × 104 for aspect ratios of AR = 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 and incidence angles of α = 0°, 15°, 30° and 45°. The thickness of the boundary layer on the ground plane relative to the side length was δ/D = 1.5. Measurements of the vortex shedding frequency were made with a single-component hot-wire probe in the wake, and measurements of the mean drag and lift forces were obtained with a force balance.
For all aspect ratios and incidence angles, the Strouhal number and the mean drag coefficient were lower than those of an infinite prism, while the mean lift coefficient was of nearly similar magnitude. As the aspect ratio was increased from AR = 3 to 11, the force coefficients and Strouhal number slowly approached the infinite-square-prism data. The behaviours of the mean drag coefficient and Strouhal number with incidence angle were less sensitive compared to the case of the infinite square prism, although a minimum mean drag coefficient, minimum (most negative) mean lift coefficient, and maximum Strouhal number were found at α = 15°. The reduced sensitivity to incidence angle is attributed to the complex three-dimensional flow over the free end of the prism and the downwash flow that enters the near wake. The behaviour of the force coefficients and Strouhal number for the prism of AR = 3 was distinct from the other prisms (with lower values of drag coefficient and lift coefficient magnitude, and a different Strouhal number trend), suggesting the critical aspect ratio was between AR = 5 and AR = 3 in these experiments. In the wall-normal direction, the power spectra for AR = 11 and 9 tended to have weaker and/or more broad-banded vortex shedding peaks near the ground plane and near the free end at α = 0° and 15°. For AR = 7 to 3, well-defined vortex shedding peaks were detected along the entire height of the prisms. For AR = 11 and 9, at α = 30° and 45°, vortex shedding peaks were absent in the power spectra in the upper part of the wake.
An Experimental Study of the Flow Above the Free Ends of Surface-Mounted Bluff Bodies
Authors: Rostamy Noorallah , Sumner David , Bergstrom Donald J. , Bugg James D. 
Published: July 2013

The flow around surface-mounted finite-height bluff bodies is more complex than the flow around a two-dimensional or “infinite” cylinder. The flow over the free end and the boundary layer flow around the body-wall junction strongly influence the near-wake flow pattern. Streamwise tip vortex structures interact in a complex manner with Kármán vortex shedding from the sides of the body, and are responsible for a downward-directed local velocity field in the upper part of the wake known as “downwash.” A second pair of streamwise vortex structures, known as the base vortices, is found close to the ground plane. Upstream of the body the familiar horseshoe vortex is found. The interactions between the tip vortices, base vortices, and Kármán vortex shedding are strongly influenced by the aspect ratio, AR = H/D (for height, H, and width, D), the Reynolds number, Re, and the relative thickness of the boundary layer, δ/D.
The flow above the free ends of surface-mounted finite-height circular cylinders and square prisms was studied in a low-speed wind tunnel using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Cylinders and prisms of AR = 9, 7, 5, and 3 were tested at Re = 4.2 × 104. The bodies were mounted normal to a ground plane and were partially immersed in a turbulent flat-plate boundary layer with δ/D = 1.7. PIV measurements were made above the free ends in three vertical planes at different cross-stream locations (y/D = 0, 0.25, and 0.375). The ensemble-averaged streamlines, turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress fields were obtained in these planes.
The PIV results provide insight into the separated flow above the free ends, including the effects of AR and body shape. For the finite square prism, the large, separated, recirculating flow region extends into the near-wake. For the finite circular cylinder, this region is smaller and the separated flow reattaches onto the free-end surface. For the square prism of AR = 3, considerable difference is seen in the free-end flow pattern compared to the more slender prisms of AR = 9, 7 and 5. In particular, a cross-stream vortex is formed due to interaction between the separated flow from the leading edge of the prism and the reverse flow over the free end. This vortex is seen in all three planes for AR = 3 but only in the symmetry plane for AR = 9, while for the finite circular cylinder the flow pattern above the free end seems to be the same in all three planes for all aspect ratios, consisting of a cross-stream vortex at approximately x/D = 0.