Energie- und CO2-Bilanzen von Solarkollektoranlagen

Energy systems based on solar collectors or other renewable energy sources are normally regarded as CO₂ zero-emission systems because nearly no fossil fuels are used to operate the systems. But the complete evaluation of an energy system concerning its CO₂ reduction potential must not be restricted to the emissions during the operation of the system. The cumulative energy demand and the cumulative CO₂ emissions during the life cycle have to be considered. In case of a solar collector system, in particular the production-determined emissions and emissions due to the requirement of auxiliary electric power for the collector pump are important. An energy analysis is this kind was performed for solar domestic hot water systems. It is shown that the consideration of the life cycle emissions reduces significantly the CO₂ reduction potential of solar collector systems whereby the design of the system has a major influence.     

Data challenges of time domain astronomy

Astronomy has been at the forefront of the development of the techniques and methodologies of data intensive science for over a decade with large sky surveys and distributed efforts such as the Virtual Observatory. However, it faces a new data deluge with the next generation of synoptic sky surveys which are opening up the time domain for discovery and exploration. This brings both new scientific opportunities and fresh challenges, in terms of data rates from robotic telescopes and exponential complexity in linked data, but also for data mining algorithms used in classification and decision making. In this paper, we describe how an informatics-based approach—part of the so-called “fourth paradigm” of scientific discovery—is emerging to deal with these. We review our experiences with the Palomar-Quest and Catalina Real-Time Transient Sky Surveys; in particular, addressing the issue of the heterogeneity of data associated with transient astronomical events (and other sensor networks) and how to manage and analyze it.     

A NEW EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF GENETIC ALGORITHM AND SIMULATED ANNEALING WITH BOUNDED VARIABLES

Genetic algorithms (GA) can work in very large and complex spaces, which gives them the ability to solve many complex real-world problems. The bounded variables linear programming is formulated as genetic algorithms and simulated annealing (SA). This article demonstrates that genetic algorithms and simulated annealing are much easier to implement for solving network problems compared with constructing mathematical programming formulations, because it is a very simple matter to implement a new cost function and solution constraints when using a GA and SA. Finally, the presented results show that the genetic algorithm and simulated annealing provide a good scheduling methodology to bounded variables programming.     

Evaluation of prescription opioids using operant-based pain measures in rats.

Opioids are the most effective compounds available for the relief of pain, yet there are a number of side effects that are of great concern to clinicians. For example, opioids are powerful reinforcers, and the treatment of pain using opioids could lead to the development of addiction. In addition, there is an increasing body of literature demonstrating that the repeated administration of opioids could lead to a phenomenon called opioid-induced hyperalgesia (i.e., increased sensitivity to painful stimulation). Studies examining these potential adverse effects are necessary in the development of novel analgesics. Furthermore, most studies of pain sensitivity and pain relief use reflex-based procedures to identify analgesics; however, it is argued here that operant-based procedures provide measures that are more analogous to the human condition (i.e., the mechanisms of pain are similar to those in humans) and should be useful in the assessment of novel analgesics. A series of studies examining the effects of opioids and the influence of variables such as age are discussed to demonstrate the utility of this approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Soy Protein Fortification Affects Sensory, Chemical, and Microbiological Properties of Dairy Yogurts

ABSTRACT: Chemical, microbiological, and sensory properties for low fat yogurts fortified with 0,1, 2.5, or 5% soy protein concentrate were determined through 1 mo storage at 5 °C. Yogurts were adjusted to equivalent total solids with nonfat dried milk. Microbiological counts, fermentation time, and final developed acidity were not affected by soy protein. Instrumental viscosity and sensory thickness, soy aroma, and soy flavor increased with soy protein addition (P 0.05). Soy flavor and aroma did not increase with storage time. Yogurt with 5% soy protein was darker, more chalky, and less sweet compared to control yogurt or yogurts with lower concentrations of soy protein (P 0.05). Yogurts with 1 or 2.5% soy protein were most similar to control yogurt.     

Intensive weekly chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer using fluorouracil, cisplatin, epi-doxorubicin, 6S-leucovorin, glutathione, and filgrastim: a report from the Italian Group for the Study of Digestive Tract Cancer

PURPOSE: A multiinstitutional trial was performed to confirm the clinical activity, in terms of response rate and toxicity (primary objectives) and duration of responses and survival (secondary objectives), of an intensive weekly regimen in advanced gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable unresectable and/or metastatic gastric carcinoma received 1-day per week administration of cisplatin (CDDP) 40 mg/m2, fluorouracil (5FU) 500 mg/m2, epi-doxorubicin (epi-ADR) 35 mg/m2, 6S-stereoisomer of leucovorin 250 mg/m2, and glutathione 1.5 g/m2. On the other days, filgrastim was administered by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 5 mg/kg. One cycle of therapy consisted of eight 1-week treatments. Patients who showed a response or stable disease received a further 6 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Of 105 enrolled patients, 11 had locally advanced unresectable disease only; 33 had primary nonresected and metastatic disease; 48 had metastatic disease and primary tumor resected; 10 had locoregional recurrence and metastatic disease; and three had locoregional recurrence only. After one cycle, 18 complete responses (CRs) and 47 partial responses (PRs) were achieved, for an overall response rate of 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53% to 71%). Twenty patients had stable disease and 20 progressed on therapy. The median survival duration of all 105 patients was 11 months, with 1- and 2-year survival rates of 42% and 5%, respectively. World Health Organization (WHO) grade III to IV toxicity, in terms of anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and mucositis, was experienced by 40 patients (38%). There were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: These data support the results of the pilot study and confirmed the high activity of the regimen, with acceptable toxicity. This schedule deserves evaluation in the adjuvant setting.