Extension of the measurement capabilities of the quadrupole resonator

The quadrupole resonator, designed to measure the surface resistance of superconducting samples at 400 MHz has been refurbished. The accuracy of its RF-dc compensation measurement technique is tested by an independent method. It is shown that the device enables also measurements at 800 and 1200 MHz and is capable to probe the critical RF magnetic field. The electric and magnetic field configuration of the quadrupole resonator are dependent on the excited mode. It is shown how this can be used to distinguish between electric and magnetic losses.     

Command hallucinations and the prediction of dangerousness

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have supported the belief that command hallucinations can induce dangerous behavior. This study tried to replicate previous findings that compliance with the command was associated with delusions related to hallucinations and the ability to identify the hallucinated voice. This study also assessed the association between compliance and the dangerousness of the command, chronicity of illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and past compliance with hallucinated commands. METHODS: The most recent command hallucination reported by 93 psychiatric inpatients was rated for level of dangerousness and level of compliance with the command. RESULTS: Subjects who experienced less dangerous commands or who could identify the hallucinated voice reported higher levels of compliance, although reported compliance with more dangerous commands was not uncommon. Commands experienced in the hospital were less dangerous than those experienced elsewhere and tended to be specific to the hospital environment. Subjects were less likely to comply with commands experienced in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Based on their self-reports, psychiatric patients who experience command hallucinations are at risk for dangerous behavior. Ability to identify the hallucinated voice is a fairly reliable predictor of reported compliance. Level of dangerousness resulting from compliance with command hallucinations may be a function of the patient's environment.     

Technological learning in bioenergy systems

The main goal of this article is to determine whether cost reductions in different bioenergy systems can be quantified using the experience curve approach, and how specific issues (arising from the complexity of biomass energy systems) can be addressed. This is pursued by case studies on biofuelled combined heat and power (CHP) plants in Sweden, global development of fluidized bed boilers and Danish biogas plants. As secondary goal, the aim is to identify learning mechanisms behind technology development and cost reduction for the biomass energy systems investigated. The case studies reveal large difficulties to devise empirical experience curves for investment costs of biomass-fuelled power plants. To some extent, this is due to lack of (detailed) data. The main reason, however, are varying plant costs due to differences in scale, fuel type, plant layout, region etc. For fluidized bed boiler plants built on a global level, progress ratios (PRs) for the price of entire plants lies approximately between 90–93% (which is typical for large plant-like technologies). The costs for the boiler section alone was found to decline much faster. The experience curve approach delivers better results, when the production costs of the final energy carrier are analyzed. Electricity from biofuelled CHP-plants yields PRs of 91–92%, i.e. an 8–9% reduction of electricity production costs with each cumulative doubling of electricity production. The experience curve for biogas production displays a PR of 85% from 1984 to the beginning of 1990, and then levels to approximately 100% until 2002. For technologies developed on a local level (e.g. biogas plants), learning-by-using and learning-by-interacting are important learning mechanism, while for CHP plants utilizing fluidized bed boilers, upscaling is probably one of the main mechanisms behind cost reductions.     

A three-compartment electrolytic cell for anodic oxidation of sulfur dioxide and cathodic production of hydrogen

A three-compartment electrolytic cell with a minimized ohmic resistance avoiding the cathodic reduction of sulfur dioxide was constructed. Since sulfur dioxide penetrates all separators studied, sulfur dioxide migration from anode to cathode compartment is prevented by an additional electrolyte flow through an intermediate compartment. The intermediate compartment is limited by two cation exchanger membranes in order to avoid electrolyte interchange by pressure variations. NEOSEPTA membranes turned out to be stable at sulfuric acid concentrations up to 55 w/o and 90°C. Resistivity is sufficiently low. Graphite felt flow-through electrodes fitted onto the membranes and additional catalysts were used. Other cell materials were impregnated graphite, PVDF and copper. The cell voltage was 455, 565, 665, 770, 880 mV at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mA cm^?2, respectively, with 50 w/o sulfuric acid at 88°C.     

RRR-Tocopherols and their Acetates as a Possible Scavenger of Free Radicals Produced in the Skin upon UVA-Exposure – An in vivo Screening Method

RRR-tocopherols currently draw attention as constituent of cosmetic preparations a. o. to prevent damage by over-exposure to sunlight. Because they only absorb part of the UVB and are transparent to UVA, their skin protective activity is supposed to be based on scavenging of reactive intermediates formed by ultraviolet radiation. To investigate this possibility, an in vivo method was developed. This is based on the determination of irreversible binding to epidermal DNA/RNA, proteins and lipids, of reactive intermediates formed by photodecomposition of a xenobiotic in the skin. The results support the conclusion that RRR-tocopherols can indeed scavenge reactive intermediates which are formed upon UV-exposure in the skin. RRR-tocopherol acetates also are active in this respect but only after pretreatment for some days (possibly because enzymatic hydrolysis of these compounds is a prerequisite).     

Reflection contrast microscopy for high resolution detection of (3)H-estradiol in ultrathin sections of human stratum corneum

A single autoradiographical method for light and electron microscopy (LM and EM) is presented. Human skin, containing (3)H-estradiol ((3)H-E2) after an in vitro permeation experiment, was processed via a non-extractive tissue preparation protocol, comprising cryo-fixation, freeze-drying, osmium tetroxide vapor fixation, and Spurr resin embedding. Semithin sections were processed for LM autoradiography, while ultrathin sections were processed both for high-resolution LM and EM autoradiography. The autoradiographs were visualized by bright-field microscopy (BFM), reflection contrast microscopy (RCM), and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the potentials of RCM visualization in high-resolution LM autoradiography. RCM visualization of ultrathin vs. semithin resin sections showed an improved stratum corneum morphology. Histological staining was superfluous. The localization of (3)H-E2 in human stratum corneum using high-resolution LM autoradiography and RCM was as accurate as with high-resolution EM autoradiography.     

EUBIONET III—Solutions to biomass trade and market barriers

The EUBIONET III project has boosted (i) sustainable, transparent international biomass fuel trade, (ii) investments in best practice technologies and (iii) new services on biomass heat sector. Furthermore, it identified cost-efficient and value-adding use of biomass for energy and industry. The aims of this article are to provide a synthesis of the key results of this project. Estimated annual solid biomass potential in the EU-27 is almost 6600 PJ (157 Mtoe), of which 48% is currently utilised. The greatest potential for increased use lies in forest residues and herbaceous biomass. Trade barriers have been evaluated and some solutions suggested such as CN codes for wood pellets and price indexes for industrial wood pellets and wood chips. The analysis of wood pellet and wood chip prices revealed large difference amongst EU countries, but also that on the short term prices of woody and fossil fuels are barely correlated. Sustainable production and use of solid biomass are also deemed important by most European stakeholders, and many support the introduction of harmonised sustainability criteria, albeit under a number of preconditions. The study identified also that a number of woody and agro-industrial residue streams remain un- or underutilised. The estimated European total potential of agro-industrial sources is more than 250 PJ (7.2 Mtoe), the amount of unutilised woody biomass (the annual increment of growing stock) even amounts to 3150 PJ (75 Mtoe). Finally 35 case studies of biomass heating substituting fossil fuels were carried out, showing that the potential to reduce GHG emissions ranges between 90 and 98%, while costs are very similar to fossil fuel heating systems. Overall, we conclude that solid biomass is growing strongly, and is likely to heavily contribute to the EU renewable energy targets in the coming decade.     

Market diffusion,technological learning,and cost-benefit dynamics of condensing gas boilers in the Netherlands

High costs often prevent the market diffusion of novel and efficient energy technologies. Monitoring cost and price decline for these technologies is thus important in order to establish effective energy policy. Here, we present experience curves and cost-benefit analyses for condensing gas boilers produced and sold in the Netherlands between 1981 and 2006. For the most dominant boiler type on the Dutch market, i.e., condensing gas combi boilers, we identify learning rates of 14±1% for the average price and 16±8% for the additional price relative to non-condensing devices. Economies of scale, competitive sourcing of boiler components, and improvements in boiler assembly are among the main drivers behind the observed price decline. The net present value of condensing gas combi boilers shows an overall increasing trend. Purchasing in 2006 a gas boiler of this type instead of a non-condensing device generates a net present value of 970 EUR (Euro) and realizes CO₂ (carbon dioxide) emission savings at negative costs of −120 EUR per tonne CO₂. We attribute two-thirds of the improvements in the cost-benefit performance of condensing gas combi boilers to technological learning and one-third to a combination of external effects and governmental policies.