title: Supercapacitor technologies for renewable energy application

authors: Okeke, Amalachukwu

subjects: Supercapacitor

abstract: Supercapacitors are increasingly gaining popularity since the advent of “world campaign” for clean energy generation. They are characteristically high power-dense energy storage devices with very low ESR. They are known to have more cycle life and less prone to explosion than the conventional lithium-ion batteries. With Research activities on the rise, supercapacitors could be potential alternatives for the less durable battery energy storage systems.

This paper explores the behaviour of different supercapacitor technologies as energy storage devices. Three different technologies are analysed, they include; The Electrochemical double-layer capacitor, the hybrid supercapacitor and the battery-type supercapacitor. More emphasis was laid on the battery type supercapacitor as the latest supercapacitor technology with a capacitance of 40,000F. Empirical tests were conducted on the devices with the charge and discharge characteristic curves obtained to further analyse their behaviours. To investigate the supercapacitor’s storage capability, a boost converter was designed. The converter enables the 2.7V supercapacitor power a 12V LED. A 150W push-pull converter was also designed to enable a bank of supercapacitors to power a 120V LED floodlight. This was done to demonstrate the commercial applicability of the battery type supercapacitor for street lighting system. Detailed design procedures of the two converters are described, including the Printed circuit board and the push-pull transformer.

text: Supercapacitor technologies for renewable energy application Supercapacitors are increasingly gaining popularity since the advent of “world campaign” for clean energy generation. They are characteristically high power-dense energy storage devices with very low ESR. They are known to have more cycle life and less prone to explosion than the conventional lithium-ion batteries. With Research activities on the rise, supercapacitors could be potential alternatives for the less durable battery energy storage systems.

This paper explores the behaviour of different supercapacitor technologies as energy storage devices. Three different technologies are analysed, they include; The Electrochemical double-layer capacitor, the hybrid supercapacitor and the battery-type supercapacitor. More emphasis was laid on the battery type supercapacitor as the latest supercapacitor technology with a capacitance of 40,000F. Empirical tests were conducted on the devices with the charge and discharge characteristic curves obtained to further analyse their behaviours. To investigate the supercapacitor’s storage capability, a boost converter was designed. The converter enables the 2.7V supercapacitor power a 12V LED. A 150W push-pull converter was also designed to enable a bank of supercapacitors to power a 120V LED floodlight. This was done to demonstrate the commercial applicability of the battery type supercapacitor for street lighting system. Detailed design procedures of the two converters are described, including the Printed circuit board and the push-pull transformer.

year: 2019

title: Applying an ecological approach to practice design in American football: some case examples on best practice

authors: Yearby, Tyler

abstract: In this paper, we outline an ecological approach to practice design in American football to support coaches in helping players to coordinate skilled movement behaviours in dynamic performance environments. This approach may require moving away from some long-held practice approaches traditionally employed by some coaches across all performance levels. To guide this progression, we present two novel case examples to support coaches interested in moving towards more contemporary pedagogical frameworks that support the notion of their role as a practice designer, centralising athlete-environment interactions. Distinctively, through the utilisation of a constraints-led methodology, coaches could design practice tasks to offer opportunities for players to interact with challenging performance problems. Our case examples range from high school players to National Football League standouts to support the implementation of alternative approaches to practice design, exploring what an ecological dynamics rationale could look, feel and sound like in the context of American football.

text: Applying an ecological approach to practice design in American football: some case examples on best practice In this paper, we outline an ecological approach to practice design in American football to support coaches in helping players to coordinate skilled movement behaviours in dynamic performance environments. This approach may require moving away from some long-held practice approaches traditionally employed by some coaches across all performance levels. To guide this progression, we present two novel case examples to support coaches interested in moving towards more contemporary pedagogical frameworks that support the notion of their role as a practice designer, centralising athlete-environment interactions. Distinctively, through the utilisation of a constraints-led methodology, coaches could design practice tasks to offer opportunities for players to interact with challenging performance problems. Our case examples range from high school players to National Football League standouts to support the implementation of alternative approaches to practice design, exploring what an ecological dynamics rationale could look, feel and sound like in the context of American football.

year: 2022

title: Outcomes from colonoscopy following referral from New Zealand general practice: a retrospective analysis

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background: New Zealand has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but poor outcomes. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed following referral from general practice, where a general practitioner (GP) assesses symptoms according to national guidelines. All referred patients are then re-prioritised by the hospital system. The first objective of this study was to identify what proportion of patients referred by general practice to surgical/gastroenterology at Waikato District Health Board (DHB) had a colonoscopy. The second objective was to determine what proportion of these referrals have an underlying CRC and the factors associated with the likelihood of this diagnosis. 
Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of e-referral data for patients aged 30–70+ who were referred from 75 general practices to general surgery, gastroenterology or direct to colonoscopy at Waikato DHB, 01 January 2015–31 December 2017. Primary and secondary outcome measures included the proportion and characteristics of patients who were having colonoscopy, and of those, who were diagnosed with CRC. Data were analysed using chi square and logistic regression. 
Results: 6718/20648 (32.5%) patients had a colonoscopy and 372 (5.5%) of these were diagnosed with CRC. The probability of having CRC following a colonoscopy increased with age (p value < 0.001). Females (p value < 0.001), non-Māori (p value < 0.001), and patients with a high suspicion of cancer (HSCan) label originating from their GP were more likely to have a colonoscopy, while the odds ratio of Māori having a colonoscopy was 0.66 (95% CI 0.60–0.73). The odds ratio of a CRC diagnosis following colonoscopy was 1.67 (95% CI 1.35–2.07) for men compared to women, and 2.34 (95% CI 1.70–3.22) for those with a GP HSCan label. Of the 585 patients referred with a GP HSCan, 423 (72.3%) were reprioritised by the hospital and 55 patients had their diagnosis unnecessarily delayed. 
Conclusions: If a GP refers a patient with an HSCan, and the patient receives a colonoscopy, then the likelihood of having CRC is almost 15.0%. This would suggest that these patients should be routinely prioritised without further triage by the hospital. Further research is needed to understand why Māori are less likely to receive a colonoscopy following referral from general practice.

text: Outcomes from colonoscopy following referral from New Zealand general practice: a retrospective analysis Background: New Zealand has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but poor outcomes. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed following referral from general practice, where a general practitioner (GP) assesses symptoms according to national guidelines. All referred patients are then re-prioritised by the hospital system. The first objective of this study was to identify what proportion of patients referred by general practice to surgical/gastroenterology at Waikato District Health Board (DHB) had a colonoscopy. The second objective was to determine what proportion of these referrals have an underlying CRC and the factors associated with the likelihood of this diagnosis. 
Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of e-referral data for patients aged 30–70+ who were referred from 75 general practices to general surgery, gastroenterology or direct to colonoscopy at Waikato DHB, 01 January 2015–31 December 2017. Primary and secondary outcome measures included the proportion and characteristics of patients who were having colonoscopy, and of those, who were diagnosed with CRC. Data were analysed using chi square and logistic regression. 
Results: 6718/20648 (32.5%) patients had a colonoscopy and 372 (5.5%) of these were diagnosed with CRC. The probability of having CRC following a colonoscopy increased with age (p value < 0.001). Females (p value < 0.001), non-Māori (p value < 0.001), and patients with a high suspicion of cancer (HSCan) label originating from their GP were more likely to have a colonoscopy, while the odds ratio of Māori having a colonoscopy was 0.66 (95% CI 0.60–0.73). The odds ratio of a CRC diagnosis following colonoscopy was 1.67 (95% CI 1.35–2.07) for men compared to women, and 2.34 (95% CI 1.70–3.22) for those with a GP HSCan label. Of the 585 patients referred with a GP HSCan, 423 (72.3%) were reprioritised by the hospital and 55 patients had their diagnosis unnecessarily delayed. 
Conclusions: If a GP refers a patient with an HSCan, and the patient receives a colonoscopy, then the likelihood of having CRC is almost 15.0%. This would suggest that these patients should be routinely prioritised without further triage by the hospital. Further research is needed to understand why Māori are less likely to receive a colonoscopy following referral from general practice.

year: 2021-12-15