Integration of multiple national markets for electricity: The case of Norway and Sweden

During the second part of the 1990s the Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) countries have created a unique multinational market for electricity. This paper aims to analyse the degree of integration of the different national markets that constitute the Nordic electricity market. In particular the Norwegian and Swedish wholesale and retail electricity markets are analysed. The results suggest that the wholesale markets are well integrated. Thus prices differ significantly only during periods with unusually high or low supply of hydropower. However, the retail markets are not integrated to the same degree. Thus retail prices and trade margins differ significantly. Differences in the national electricity market legislation seem to be a key factor behind these differences.     

Integratable non-clogging microconcentrator based on counter-flow principle for continuous enrichment of CaSki cells sample

This study addresses the need to reduce the risk of clogging when preparing samples for cell concentration, i.e., the CaSki Cell-lines (epidermoid cervical carcinoma cells). Aiming to develop a non-clogging microconcentrator, we proposed a new counter-flow concentration unit characterized by the directions of penetrating flows being at an obtuse angle to the main flow, due to employment of streamlined turbine blade-like micropillars. Based on the optimization results of the counter-flow unit profile, a fractal arrangement for the counter-flow concentration unit was developed. A counter-flow microconcentrator chip was then designed and fabricated, with both the processing layer and collecting layer arranged in terms of the honeycomb structure. Visualized experiments using CaSki cell samples on the microconcentrator chip demonstrated that no cell-clogging phenomena occurred during the test and that no cells were found in the final filtrate. The test results show an excellent concentration performance for the microconcentrator chip, while a concentrating ratio of >4 with the flow rate being below 1.0 ml/min. As only geometrical structure is employed in the passive device, the counter-flow microconcentrator can be easily integrated into advanced microfluidic systems. Owing to the merit of non-clogging and continuous processing ability, the counter-flow microconcentrator is not only suitable for the sample preparation within biomedical field, but also applicable in water-particle separation.     

The information security digital divide between information security managers and users

Empirical findings from surveys and in-depth interviews with information security managers and users indicate that a digital divide exists between these groups in terms of their views on and experience of information security practices. Information security professionals mainly regard users as an information security threat, whereas users believe themselves that they are an untapped resource for security work. The limited interaction between users and information security managers results in a lack of understanding for the other's point of view. These divergent views on and interpretations of information security mean that managers tend to base their practical method on unrealistic assumptions, resulting in management approaches that are poorly aligned with the dynamics of the users' working day.     

Passivity-preserving splitting methods for rigid body systems

A rigid body model for the dynamics of a marine vessel, used in simulations of offshore pipe-lay operations, gives rise to a set of ordinary differential equations with controls. The system is input–output passive. We propose passivity-preserving splitting methods for the numerical solution of a class of problems which includes this system as a special case. We prove the passivity-preservation property for the splitting methods, and we investigate stability and energy behaviour in numerical experiments. Implementation is discussed in detail for a special case where the splitting gives rise to the subsequent integration of two completely integrable flows. The equations for the attitude are reformulated on \(\mathit{SO}(3)\) using rotation matrices rather than local parameterisations with Euler angles.     

A comparison of organic contaminants in two high Arctic lake ecosystems, Bjørnøya (Bear Island), Norway

Persistent methyl sulfone (MeSO2-) and hydroxylated (HO-) polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) metabolites have emerged as important classes of environmental contaminants in vertebrate, aquatic biota and humans. In the present study, PCB, MeSO2-PCB and HO-PCB concentrations and congener patterns were determined in the whole blood and adipose tissue of male (n = 7) and female (n = 12) polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of random age (3-25 years of age), and collected in 1999-2001 from the Ittoqqortoormiit/Scoresby Sound area in central East Greenland. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between males and females with respect to PCB or PCB metabolite concentrations in either tissue. The mean sum (Sigma) PCB concentrations were 7020+/-3366 ng/g lipid weight (lw) (range 2708-18148 ng/g lw) and 46.1+/-44.6 ng/g wet weight (ww) (range 12.6-204.2 ng/g ww) in adipose and blood, respectively. The mean Sigma-HO-PCB concentration in whole blood was 182.3+/-72.1 ng/g ww (range 93.8-382.1 ng/g ww). The mean Sigma-HO-PCB to Sigma-PCB concentration ratios in whole blood were 4.59+/-3.58 (range 1.03-11.88) and 8.30+/-5.56 (range 2.16-19.47) in females and males, respectively, which are the highest ratios reported so far for polar bears from any population, or for any free-ranging animal. Sigma-HO-PCB concentrations were greater than all other major classes of organochlorines (i.e. Sigma-PCBs, Sigma-MeSO2-PCBs, Sigma-chlordanes (CHLs), Sigma-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and Sigma-chlorobenzenes (CBzs). The mean Sigma-MeSO2-PCB concentrations were 699+/-836 ng/g lw (range 127-3920 ng/g lw) and 10.9+/-9.6 ng/g ww (range 4.3-52.1 ng/g ww) in the adipose and blood, respectively. Regardless of age and sex, in both adipose and whole blood the MeSO2-PCB congener pattern was dominated by 3'- and 4'-MeSO2-CB101 and -CB87, and 4-MeSO2-CB149 (approx. 70% of the Sigma-MeSO2-PCBs). Minor differences in the MeSO2-PCB congener pattern were observed between blood and adipose, which suggests the possible influence of metabolite structure on mobilization and/or deposition to the adipose tissue. Sixteen HO-PCB congeners and one di-HO-PCB congener were identified, and five HO-PCB isomers and one di-HO-PCB isomer were detected. However, congener patterns were dominated by 4'-OH-CB120, 4-HO-CB146/3-HO-CB153, 4-OH-CB187, 4'-HO-CB172, 4-HO-CB193 and 4,4'-di-HO-CB202 (> 10 ng/g ww). HO-PCB congener patterns in whole blood were not significantly different (P < 0.05) between males and females. Other chlorinated phenolic contaminants, pentachlorophenol (0.3+/-0.3 ng/g ww) and 4-HO-heptachlorostyrene (7.5+/-2.9 ng/g ww) were also detected in blood. To our knowledge, this is to first report comparing PCBs, MeSO2-PCBs and HO-PCBs in whole blood and adipose tissue in a free-ranging wildlife species. HO-PCBs and MeSO2-PCBs are both important circulating contaminants in polar bears from this eastern Greenland population. Given the known toxicities of PCB metabolites, this population of polar bear may be experiencing health risks due to exposure to a complex loading of organohalogen contaminants that include HO-PCB and MeSO2-PCB metabolites.     

A simplified method for elastic large deflection analysis of plates and stiffened panels due to local buckling

A computational model for analysis of local buckling and postbuckling of stiffened panels is derived. The model provides a tool that is more accurate than existing design codes, and more efficient than nonlinear finite element methods. Any combination of biaxial in-plane compression or tension, shear, and lateral pressure may be analysed. Deflections are assumed in the form of trigonometric function series. The deformations are coupled such that continuity of rotation between the plate and the stiffener web is ensured, as well as longitudinal continuity of displacement. The response history is traced using energy principles and perturbation theory. The procedure is semi-analytical in the sense that all energy formulations are derived analytically, while a numerical method is used for solving the resulting set of equations, and for incrementation of the solution. The stress in certain critical points are checked using the von Mises yield criterion, and the onset of yielding is taken as an estimate of ultimate strength for design purposes.     

Feed supplement recovered from dairy wastewater by biological and chemical pretreatment

A continuous process for treatment of dairy wastewater with immobilized lactic acid bacteria has been demonstrated at pilot scale. A strain of Lactobacillus plantarum was selected on the basis of a high conversion rate of lactose at low pH, a high affinity of lactose at low concentrations, and the ability to retain activity for a long time immobilized in alginate beads. Lactose was converted to lactic acid, which lowered the pH and precipitated milk proteins. The proteins were separated together with milk fat by flotation with carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) or chitosan and gave a solid phase of approx. 10% dry matter (23% protein and 68% fat). The total chemical oxygen demand (COD_t) removed varied from 65 to 78% for CMC and 49 to 82% for chitosan. The precipitated material was used as a feed supplement for pigs to provide up to 30% of the total energy intake. No adverse effects on the pig's performance were observed. The energy feed value of the precipitate was estimated to be 2·0 feed units (FUs) per kg dry matter. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ultra-porous titanium oxide scaffold with high compressive strength

Highly porous and well interconnected titanium dioxide (TiO₂) scaffolds with compressive strength above 2.5 MPa were fabricated without compromising the desired pore architectural characteristics, such as high porosity, appropriate pore size, surface-to-volume ratio, and interconnectivity. Processing parameters and pore architectural characteristics were investigated in order to identify the key processing steps and morphological properties that contributed to the enhanced strength of the scaffolds. Cleaning of the TiO₂ raw powder removed phosphates but introduced sodium into the powder, which was suggested to decrease the slurry stability. Strong correlation was found between compressive strength and both replication times and solid content in the ceramic slurry. Increase in the solid content resulted in more favourable sponge loading, which was achieved due to the more suitable rheological properties of the ceramic slurry. Repeated replication process induced only negligible changes in the pore architectural parameters indicating a reduced flaw size in the scaffold struts. The fabricated TiO₂ scaffolds show great promise as load-bearing bone scaffolds for applications where moderate mechanical support is required.     

Sintering of AlN Using CaO-Al2O3 as a Sintering Additive: Chemistry and Microstructural Development

The densification of aluminum nitride using Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ as a sintering aid has been studied with emphasis on the effect of using coarse or fine powder, the amount of sintering aid, the sintering temperature, and embedding. Both crystalline and amorphous grain boundary phases were observed. Significant weight losses were observed for coarse-grained samples, and if suitable embedding was not used. Porous and coarse-grained ceramics with high contiguity and minor amounts of secondary phases were obtained by enhanced evaporation while dense ceramics were obtained limiting the evaporation. High weight losses in the graphite environment resulted in formation of a dense AlN surface layer.