A taxonomy of variability realization techniques

Development of software product families relies heavily on the use of variability to manage the differences between products by delaying design decisions to later stages of the development and usage of the constructed software systems. Implementation of variability is not a trivial task, and is governed by a number of factors. In this paper, we describe the factors that are relevant in determining how to implement variability, and present a taxonomy of variability realization techniques. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ENDOW (efficient development of offshore wind farms): modelling wake and boundary layer interactions

While experience gained through the offshore wind energy projects currently operating is valuable, a major uncertainty in estimating power production lies in the prediction of the dynamic links between the atmosphere and wind turbines in offshore regimes. The objective of the ENDOW project was to evaluate, enhance and interface wake and boundary layer models for utilization offshore. The project resulted in a significant advance in the state of the art in both wake and marine boundary layer models, leading to improved prediction of wind speed and turbulence profiles within large offshore wind farms. Use of new databases from existing offshore wind farms and detailed wake profiles collected using sodar provided a unique opportunity to undertake the first comprehensive evaluation of wake models in the offshore environment. The results of wake model performance in different wind speed, stability and roughness conditions relative to observations provided criteria for their improvement. Mesoscale model simulations were used to evaluate the impact of thermal flows, roughness and topography on offshore wind speeds. The model hierarchy developed under ENDOW forms the basis of design tools for use by wind energy developers and turbine manufacturers to optimize power output from offshore wind farms through minimized wake effects and optimal grid connections. The design tools are being built onto existing regional‐scale models and wind farm design software which was developed with EU funding and is in use currently by wind energy developers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Confirmatory analysis of steroids in muscle using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method is described for screening and confirmation of synthetic and endogenous steroids in muscle tissue. The method is sensitive, selective, and rapid and the consumption of organic solvents is low, compared to previously published methods. The procedure involves hydrolysis, defattening with heptane and final clean up with SPE using C(18) cartridge. After filtration, the analytes are analysed by LC/MS/MS and quantification is performed using deuterated internal standards. Decision limits (CCα) varied from 0.02 to 0.33 μg kg(-1) and the detection capabilities (CCβ) were <0.50 μg kg(-1). The mean within-laboratory reproducibility ranged 5-22% (%RSD(IR)). Endogenous steroids (e.g. testosterone, epitestosterone and androstenedione) have been included in the method, to provide an insight into their levels, as the presence of these steroids was detected several times during analysis of imported meat.     

Comparison between infrared and Raman spectroscopic analysis of maturing rabbit cortical bone

The molecular composition of the organic and inorganic matrices of bone undergoes alterations during maturation. The aim of this study was to compare Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and near-infrared (NIR) Raman microspectroscopy techniques for characterization of the composition of growing and developing bone from young to skeletally mature rabbits. Moreover, the specificity and differences of the techniques for determining bone composition were clarified. The humeri of female New Zealand White rabbits, with age range from young to skeletally mature animals (four age groups, n = 7 per group), were studied. Spectral peak areas, intensities, and ratios related to organic and inorganic matrices of bone were analyzed and compared between the age groups and between FT-IR and Raman microspectroscopic techniques. Specifically, the degree of mineralization, type-B carbonate substitution, crystallinity of hydroxyapatite (HA), mineral content, and collagen maturity were examined. Significant changes during maturation were observed in various compositional parameters with one or both techniques. Overall, the compositional parameters calculated from the Raman spectra correlated with analogous parameters calculated from the IR spectra. Collagen cross-linking (XLR), as determined through peak fitting and directly from the IR spectra, were highly correlated. The mineral/matrix ratio in the Raman spectra was evaluated with multiple different peaks representing the organic matrix. The results showed high correlation with each other. After comparison with the bone mineral density (BMD) values from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging measurements and crystal size from XRD measurements, it is suggested that Raman microspectroscopy is more sensitive than FT-IR microspectroscopy for the inorganic matrix of the bone. In the literature, similar spectroscopic parameters obtained with FT-IR and NIR Raman microspectroscopic techniques are often compared. According to the present results, however, caution is required when performing this kind of comparison.     

The metallurgy,mechanics, modelling and assessment of dissimilar material brazed joints

At the heart of any procedure for modelling and assessing the design or failure of dissimilar material brazed joints there must be a basic understanding of the metallurgy and mechanics of the joint. This paper is about developing this understanding and addressing the issues faced with modelling and predicting failure in real dissimilar material brazed joints and the challenges still to be overcome in many cases. An understanding of the key metallurgical features of such joints in relation to finite element modelling is presented in addition to a study of the mechanics and stress state at an abrupt interface between two materials. A discussion is also presented on why elastic singularities do not exist based on a consideration of the assumption of an abrupt change in material properties and plasticity in the vicinity of the joint. In terms of modelling real dissimilar material brazed joints; there are several barriers to accurately capturing the stress state in the region of the joint and across the brazed layer and these are discussed in relation to a metallurgical study of a real dissimilar material brazed joint. However, this does not preclude using a simplified modelling approach with a representative braze layer in design and failure assessment away from the interface. In addition modelling strategies and techniques for assessing the various failure mechanisms of dissimilar material brazed joints are discussed. The findings from this paper are applicable to dissimilar material brazed joints found in a range of applications; however the references listed are primarily focussed on work in fusion research and development.     

Alkoxide route to La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 epitaxial thin films on SrTiO3

An all alkoxide based sol–gel route was investigated for preparation of epitaxial La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ (LSCO) films on 100 SrTiO₃ (STO) substrates. Films with 20–30 to 80–100 nm thickness were prepared by spin-coating 0.2–0.6 M (metal) solutions on the STO substrates and heat treatment to 800 °C at 2 °C min^− 1, 30 min, in air. The films were epitaxial with a cube-on-cube alignment and the LSCO cell was strained to match the STO substrate of 3.905 Å closely; a and b = 3.894 Å and 3.897 Å for the 20–30 and 80–100 nm films, respectively. The c-axis was compressed to 3.789 Å and 3.782 Å for the 20–30 and 80–100 nm films, respectively, which resulted in an almost unchanged cell volume as compared to polycrystalline film and nano-phase powders prepared in the same way. The SEM study showed mainly very smooth, featureless surfaces, but also some defects. A film prepared in the same way on an -Al₂O₃ substrate was dense and polycrystalline with crystallite sizes in the range 10–50 nm and gave cubic cell dimensions of a_c = 3.825 Å. The conductivity of the ca 30–40 nm thick polycrystalline film was 1.7 mΩcm, while the epitaxial 80–100 nm film had a conductivity of around 1.9 mΩcm.     

Simulation of the interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures using a fracture mechanics approach

HYDROCK method aims to store thermal energy in the rock mass using hydraulically propagated fracture planes. The hydraulic fractures can interact with the pre-existing natural fractures resulting in a complex fracture network, which can influence the storage performance. This study investigates the interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures using a fracture mechanics approach. The new functionality of the fracture mechanics modelling code FRACOD that enables crossing of hydraulically driven fracture by a pre-existing fracture is presented. A series of two-dimensional numerical models is prepared to simulate the interaction at different approach angles in granitic rock of low permeability. It is demonstrated that multiple interaction mechanisms can be simulated using the fracture mechanics approach. The numerical results are in agreement with the modified Renshaw and Pollard analytical criterion for fracture crossing. The results show that for large approach angles, the hydraulic fracture crosses the natural fracture, whereas for small approach angles, the hydraulic fracture activates the natural fracture and the wing-shaped tensile fractures are propagated from its tips. Thus, the presence of fractures with low dip angles can lead to the growth of more complex fracture network that could impair the thermal performance of the HYDROCK method.     

How does increased competition on the housing market affect rents? an empirical study concerning sweden

The aim of the study is to investigate if more competition leads to lower rents on the housing market. Data about the rent level for similar apartments in 30 cities in Sweden were available. Three hypotheses were formulated: (H1) Increased ‘internal’ competition, measured by the market share of the municipal housing company (that dominates the market and is price-leader according to the Swedish system of rent regulation), leads to lower rents. (H2) Increased ‘external’ competition measured by the price level on the market for single-family owner occupied housing, leads to lower rents. (H3) Lower capital expenditure in the municipal housing company leads to lower rents. The statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between the rent level and the level of external competition, but no relation was found for the level of internal competition and the level of capital expenditure. A possible conclusion is that policies that make it easier for households to leave the rental market are important for increasing the pressure on the firms in the rental sector and reducing rents.     

Flue gas cleaning by periodic absorption

Simulations and designs are presented of conventional and periodic SO₂ absorption from exhaust gases using salt water as absorption solvent. Operating conditions resemble those of a maritime operation, involving relatively small amounts of SO₂, so the separation is in the linear region. The advantages of periodic operation, as already demonstrated for conventional distillation remain valid for absorption processes: Less tall towers, than staged towers are possible, or substantially less salt water is required for the process employing periodic cycling.     

Online and Offline Algorithms for the Time-Dependent TSP with Time Zones

The time-dependent traveling salesman problem (TDTSP) is a variant of TSP with time-dependent edge costs. We study some restrictions of TDTSP where the number of edge cost changes are limited. We find competitive ratios for online versions of TDTSP. From these we derive polynomial time approximation algorithms for graphs with edge costs one and two. In addition, we present an approximation algorithm for the orienteering problem with edge costs one and two.