Minimisation of the cost of generated electricity from dye-sensitised solar cells using numerical analysis

Arrays of thin-film solar cells based on dye-sensitised nanocrystalline oxides (DSC) promise low-cost electricity especially where continuous direct insolation is unavailable. However, the optimisation of arrays of DSC is not straightforward because of the lower power levels obtained and the corresponding increased stringency needed when calculating the production tolerances permissible in the individual cells. This paper describes the first stage of project to devise and build a DSC array simulator driven solely by a phenomenological model of individual DSC behaviour at the level of infinitesimal cells. The simulator numerically extrapolates this behaviour to real finite cells and thence to a real physical array. In the process it is observed that optimisation of infinitesimal cells is only possible when the size of the real cell is first decided, and that the relationship between the conducting oxide transparency and electrical resistance is critical for the optimisation to be effective. The results obtained using the simulator are compared with the behaviour of real test cell assemblies manufactured by STI, a DSC Licensee, and are found to be in good agreement. Their effects on the costs of delivered power are discussed.     

Development of a new cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) immunoblot for detection of CMV-specific IgM

We developed a new cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) immunoblot to detect CMV-specific IgM in human sera. The new test contains four viral proteins (vp150, vp82, vp65, and vp28) purified from viral particles and four recombinant proteins (rp150, rp130, rp52, and rp38) purified from Escherichia coli. These antigens were individually loaded onto nitrocellulose strips, and the strips were then used to detect CMV-specific IgM by using a mu-specific conjugate. The new assay was evaluated in parallel with one or two IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to test 592 serum samples from different groups of latently or acutely infected individuals. The sensitivity of the new assay with respect to the consensus of two ELISAs was 100%, the specificity was 98.6%, the positive predictive value was 96.9%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. We also evaluated the new test by testing sera from pregnant women and transplant recipients with a known clinical history. Our results suggest that the new test combines high sensitivity with high specificity, characteristics that are mutually exclusive with the other commercially available tests. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation was observed between the number of IgM-reactive bands and the elevated risk of transmission from CMV-infected pregnant women to their offspring.     

High-Speed Tools for Global Information Management. II. Specifications and Uses of the Transparent Query Language (TQL) PART IID. Manipulation of Information Representations

This part, PART IID [4], of the document HIGH-SPEED TOOLS FOR GLOBAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT. II. Specifications and Uses of the Transparent Query Language (TQL) [1–6] is about normalization and manipulation of information representations. It references PART IIA [1], PART IIB [2] and PART IIC [3]. Concise definitions of Transparent Query Language terms, Conclusions and Acknowledgments are given in PART IIF [6].     

Modeling and parameter identification of the human respiratory system

The human respiratory response to breathing an excess of carbon dioxide gas is modeled on physiological grounds as an almost linear second-order system. The parameters corresponding to the gains, time constants, threshold, and noise powers are identified by both least squares and maximum likelihood methods. The purpose is both to find the site of action of drugs and to gain understanding of this part of the respiratory control system. It is concluded that the maximum likelihood method is necessary in cases where the noise is not white and when unbiased estimates of the gains and variances are essential, such as in drug studies and in some physiological modeling.     

Bioaccumulation kinetics and toxic effects of Cr, Ni and Zn on Eichhornia crassipes

The aim of this work was to assess the uptake efficiencies, the uptake and bioaccumulation kinetics and the toxic effects of Cr, Ni and Zn on Eichhornia crassipes. Plants were exposed to 1 mg L(-1) of each metal and sampled during 30 days. E. crassipes removed 81%, 95% and 70% of Cr, Ni and Zn, respectively. Metal removal from water involved a fast and a slow component. Metals were accumulated fundamentally by roots. Cr was scarcely translocated to aerial parts. In these tissues, Ni showed the highest accumulation amount while Zn presented the highest accumulation rate. Metal toxicity on the biomass was different among treatments. However, biomass did not decrease in any case. All the studied metals produced chlorophyll decrease. The root cross-sectional area (CSA) and vessel number increased and the root length decreased when plants were exposed to Zn. Despite the toxic effects, E. crassipes accumulated Cr, Ni and Zn efficiently.