System Investigation for Hybrid Electric Vehicle

A hybrid electric vehicle is a fast-growing concept in the field of vehicle industry. Nowadays two global problems make manufactures to develop such systems. These problems are: the growing cost of a fuel and environmental pollution. Also development of controlled electric drive with high control accuracy and reliability allows improving of vehicle drive characteristics. The objective of this Diploma Thesis is to investigate the possibilities of electrical drive application for new principle of parallel hybrid vehicle system. Electric motor calculations, selection of most suitable control system and other calculations are needed. This work is not final work for such topic. Further investigation with more precise calculations, modeling, measurements and cost calculations are needed to answer the question if such system is efficient.

Modernization of protection and control system of HV/MV substation in Russia

This work describes different possibilities of protection and control system improvement of primary distribution substation. The status of condition and main problems of power networks from reliability point of view in Russia are described. This work studies technologies used today in Russia for protection of distribution networks with their disadvantages. Majority of medium voltage networks (6-35 kV) has isolated network point. There is still no any protection available on the market which allows to estimate distance to fault in case of earth fault. The thesis analyses methods of earth fault distance calculation. On the basis of computer simulation the influence of various factors on calculation accuracy is studied. The practical implementation of the method presupposes usage of digital relay. Application of digital relay is accompanied by numerous opportunities which are described in this work. Also advantages of system implemented on the basis of IEC 61850 standard are examined. Finally, suitability of modern digital relays from GOST standard point of view is analyzed.

Prediction of the economic cost of individual long-term care in the Spanish population

Pensions together with savings and investments during active life are key elements of retirement planning. Motivation for personal choices about the standard of living, bequest and the replacement ratio of pension with respect to last salary income must be considered. This research contributes to the financial planning by helping to quantify long-term care economic needs. We estimate life expectancy from retirement age onwards. The economic cost of care per unit of service is linked to the expected time of needed care and the intensity of required services. The expected individual cost of long-term care from an onset of dependence is estimated separately for men and women. Assumptions on the mortality of the dependent people compared to the general population are introduced. Parameters defining eligibility for various forms of coverage by the universal public social care of the welfare system are addressed. The impact of the intensity of social services on individual predictions is assessed, and a partial coverage by standard private insurance products is also explored. Data were collected by the Spanish Institute of Statistics in two surveys conducted on the general Spanish population in 1999 and in 2008. Official mortality records and life table trends were used to create realistic scenarios for longevity. We find empirical evidence that the public long-term care system in Spain effectively mitigates the risk of incurring huge lifetime costs. We also find that the most vulnerable categories are citizens with moderate disabilities that do not qualify to obtain public social care support. In the Spanish case, the trends between 1999 and 2008 need to be further explored.

Price rivalry in airline markets: A study of a successful strategy of a network carrier against a low-cost carrier

Competition in airline markets may be tough. In this context, network carriers have two alternative strategies to compete with low-cost carriers. First, they may establish a low-cost subsidiary. Second, they may try to reduce costs using the main brand. This paper examines a successful strategy of the first type implemented by Iberia in the Spanish domestic market. Our analysis of data and the estimation of a pricing equation show that Iberia has been able to charge lower prices than rivals with its low-cost subsidiary. The pricing policy of the Spanish network carrier has been particularly aggressive in less dense routes and shorter routes.

Adaptation of a Gaussia princeps Luciferase reporter system in Candida albicans for in vivo detection in the Galleria mellonella infection model.

For the past 10 years, mini-host models and in particular the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella have tended to become a surrogate for murine models of fungal infection mainly due to cost, ethical constraints and ease of use. Thus, methods to better assess the fungal pathogenesis in G. mellonella need to be developed. In this study, we implemented the detection of Candida albicans cells expressing the Gaussia princeps luciferase in its cell wall in infected larvae of G. mellonella. We demonstrated that detection and quantification of luminescence in the pulp of infected larvae is a reliable method to perform drug efficacy and C. albicans virulence assays as compared to fungal burden assay. Since the linearity of the bioluminescent signal, as compared to the CFU counts, has a correlation of R(2) = 0.62 and that this method is twice faster and less labor intensive than classical fungal burden assays, it could be applied to large scale studies. We next visualized and followed C. albicans infection in living G. mellonella larvae using a non-toxic and water-soluble coelenterazine formulation and a CCD camera that is commonly used for chemoluminescence signal detection. This work allowed us to follow for the first time C. albicans course of infection in G. mellonella during 4 days.

Development of a population-based cost-effectiveness model of chronic graft versus host disease in Spain

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is the leading cause of late nonrelapse mortality (transplant-related mortality) after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Given that there are a wide range of treatment options for cGvHD, assessment of the associated costs and efficacy can help clinicians and health care providers allocate health care resources more efficiently. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) compared with rituximab (Rmb) and with imatinib (Imt) in patients with cGvHD at 5 years from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. METHODS: The model assessed the incremental cost-effectiveness/utility ratio of ECP versus Rmb or Imt for 1000 hypothetical patients by using microsimulation cost-effectiveness techniques. Model probabilities were obtained from the literature. Treatment pathways and adverse events were evaluated taking clinical opinion and published reports into consideration. Local data on costs (2010 Euros) and health care resources utilization were validated by the clinical authors. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were used to assess the robustness of the model. RESULTS: The greater efficacy of ECP resulted in a gain of 0.011 to 0.024 quality-adjusted life-year in the first year and 0.062 to 0.094 at year 5 compared with Rmb or Imt. The results showed that the higher acquisition cost of ECP versus Imt was compensated for at 9 months by greater efficacy; this higher cost was partially compensated for ( 517) by year 5 versus Rmb. After 9 months, ECP was dominant (cheaper and more effective) compared with Imt. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of ECP versus Rmb was 29,646 per life-year gained and 24,442 per quality-adjusted life-year gained at year 2.5. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the results. The main study limitation was that to assess relative treatment effects, only small studies were available for indirect comparison. CONCLUSION: ECP as a third-line therapy for cGvHD is a more cost-effective strategy than Rmb or Imt.

Estimation de l'impact économique de l'introduction d'un test diagnostique rapide pour le dépistage des MRSA au CHUV

Contexte : Parmi les infections nosocomiales, le Staphylocoque méticilline résistant (MRSA) est le germe pathogène le plus couramment identifié dans les hôpitaux du monde entier. La stratégie de contrôle des MRSA au CHUV implique le dépistage des patients à risque. Avec la méthode de dépistage par culture, le temps d'attente est de plusieurs jours. Ceci occasionne des problèmes dans la gestion des flux des patients, principalement à cause des mesures d'isolement. Pour réduire le temps d'attente, l'hôpital envisage d'utiliser une méthode de diagnostic rapide par "polymerase chain reaction" (PCR). Méthodologie : Les données concernant les dépistages réalisés, dans trois services durant l'année 2007, ont été utilisées. Le nombre de jours d'isolement a d'abord été déterminé par patient et par service. Ensuite une analyse des coûts a été effectuée afin d'évaluer la différence des coûts entre les deux méthodes pour chaque service. Résultats : Le principal impact économique de la méthode par PCR dépend principalement du nombre de jours d'isolements évités par rapport à la méthode de culture. Aux services de soins, l'analyse a été menée sur 192 dépistages. Quand la différence de jours d'isolement est de deux jours, le coût des dépistages diminue de plus de 12kCHF et le nombre de jours d'isolement diminue de 384 jours. Au centre interdisciplinaire des urgences, sur 96 dépistages, le gain potentiel avec la méthode PCR est de 6kCHF avec une diminution de 192 jours d'isolement. Aux soins intensifs adultes, la méthode de dépistage par PCR est la méthode la plus rentable avec une diminution des coûts entre 4KCHF et 20K CHF et une diminution des jours d'isolement entre 170 et 310. Pour les trois services analysés, les résultats montrent un rapport coût-efficacité favorable pour la méthode PCR lorsque la diminution des jours d'isolement est supérieure à 1.3 jour. Quand la différence de jours d'isolement est inférieure à 1.3, il faut tenir compte d'autres paramètres, comme le coût de matériel qui doit être supérieur à 45.5 CHF, et du nombre d'analyses par dépistage, qui doit être inférieur à 3, pour que la PCR reste l'alternative la plus intéressante. Conclusions : La méthode par PCR montre des avantages potentiels importants, tant économiques qu'organisationnels qui limitent ou diminuent les contraintes liées à la stratégie de contrôle des MRSA au CHUV. [Auteure, p. 3]

Estimation des coûts engendrés par l'occupation inappropriée des lits de soins aigus du CHUV par des patients en attente de placement

[Table des matières] 1. Pourquoi s'intéresser à l'occupation inappropriée des lits de soins aigus au CHUV ?. - 1.1. Etat des lieux. - 1.1.1. Les chiffres du CHUV. - 1.1.2. La cellule de gestion des flux de patients. - 1.1.3. L'unité de patients en attente de placement. - 1.1.4. La pénurie de lits dans les EMS vaudois. - 1.1.5. Le vieillissement de la population vaudoise. - 1.2. Evidences nationales et internationales. - - 2. Estimation des coûts. - 2.1. Coûts chiffrables. - 2.1.1. Perte financière directe. - 2.1.2. Coûts des transferts pour engorgement. - 2.1.3. Coût d'opportunité. - 2.2. Coûts non chiffrables. - 2.2.1. Patients. - 2.2.2. Personnel médical. - 2.2.3. CHUV. - - 3. Propositions. - 3.1. Prises en charge alternatives. - 3.1.1. Les réseaux intégrés de services aux personnes âgées. - 3.1.2. Les courts séjours gériatriques. - 3.1.3. Autres solutions. - 3.2. Prévention. - 3.2.1. Prévention des chutes. - 3.2.2. La prévention par l'information aux personnes âgées. - 3.2.3. La prévention par l'information à l'ensemble de la population

Profile, cost and pattern of prescriptions for polymedicated patients in Catalonia, Spain

OBJECTIVES: Polypharmacy is one of the main management issues in public health policies because of its financial impact and the increasing number of people involved. The polymedicated population according to their demographic and therapeutic profile and the cost for the public healthcare system were characterised. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary healthcare in Barcelona Health Region, Catalonia, Spain (5 105 551 inhabitants registered). PARTICIPANTS: All insured polymedicated patients. Polymedicated patients were those with a consumption of ≥16 drugs/month. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The study variables were related to age, gender and medication intake obtained from the 2008 census and records of prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies and charged to the public health system. RESULTS: There were 36 880 polymedicated patients (women: 64.2%; average age: 74.5±10.9 years). The total number of prescriptions billed in 2008 was 2 266 830 (2 272 920 total package units). The most polymedicated group (up to 40% of the total prescriptions) was patients between 75 and 84 years old. The average number of prescriptions billed monthly per patient was 32±2, with an average cost of 452.7±27.5. The total cost of those prescriptions corresponded to 2% of the drug expenditure in Catalonia. The groups N, C, A, R and M represented 71.4% of the total number of drug package units dispensed to polymedicated patients. Great variability was found between the medication profiles of men and women, and between age groups; greater discrepancies were found in paediatric patients (5-14 years) and the elderly (≥65 years). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides essential information to take steps towards rational drug use and a structured approach in the polymedicated population in primary healthcare.

Public and Private Production in a Mixed Delivery System: Regulation, Competition and Costs

Academics and policy makers are increasingly shifting the debate concerning the best form of public service provision beyond the traditional dilemma between pure public and pure private delivery modes, because, among other reasons, there is a growing body of evidence that casts doubt on the existence of systematic cost savings from privatization, while any competition seems to be eroded over time. In this paper we compare the relative merits of public and private delivery within a mixed delivery system. We study the role played by ownership, transaction costs, and competition on local public service delivery within the same jurisdiction. Using a stochastic cost frontier, we analyze the public-private urban bus system in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. Our results suggest that private firms tendering the service have higher delivery costs than those incurred by the public firm, especially when transaction costs are taken into account. Tenders, therefore, do not help to reduce delivery costs. Our results suggest that under a mixed delivery scheme, which permits the co-existence of public and private production, the metropolitan government and the regulator can use private delivery to contain costs in the public firm and, at the same time, benefit from the greater flexibility of private firms for dealing with events not provided for under contract.

Externalities of Shipping in the Gulf of Finland until 2015

During the last few years, the discussion on the marginal social costs of transportation has been active. Applying the externalities as a tool to control transport would fulfil the polluter pays principle and simultaneously create a fair control method between the transport modes. This report presents the results of two calculation algorithms developed to estimate the marginal social costs based on the externalities of air pollution. The first algorithm calculates the future scenarios of sea transport traffic externalities until 2015 in the Gulf of Finland. The second algorithm calculates the externalities of Russian passenger car transit traffic via Finland by taking into account both sea and road transport. The algorithm estimates the ship-originated emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), sulphur oxides (SO_x), particulates (PM) and the externalities for each year from 2007 to 2015. The total NOx emissions in the Gulf of Finland from the six ship types were almost 75.7 kilotons (Table 5.2) in 2007. The ship types are: passenger (including cruisers and ROPAX vessels), tanker, general cargo, Ro-Ro, container and bulk vessels. Due to the increase of traffic, the estimation for NO_x emissions for 2015 is 112 kilotons. The NO_x emission estimation for the whole Baltic Sea shipping is 370 kilotons in 2006 (Stipa & al, 2007). The total marginal social costs due to ship-originated CO₂, NO_x, SO_x and PM emissions in the GOF were calculated to almost 175 million Euros in 2007. The costs will increase to nearly 214 million Euros in 2015 due to the traffic growth. The major part of the externalities is due to CO₂ emissions. If we neglect the CO2 emissions by extracting the CO₂ externalities from the results, we get the total externalities of 57 million Euros in 2007. After eight years (2015), the externalities would be 28 % lower, 41 million Euros (Table 8.1). This is the result of the sulphur emissions reducing regulation of marine fuels. The majority of the new car transit goes through Finland to Russia due to the lack of port capacity in Russia. The amount of cars was 339 620 vehicles (Statistics of Finnish Customs 2008) in 2005. The externalities are calculated for the transportation of passenger vehicles as follows: by ship to a Finnish port and, after that, by trucks to the Russian border checkpoint. The externalities are between 2 – 3 million Euros (year 2000 cost level) for each route. The ports included in the calculations are Hamina, Hanko, Kotka and Turku. With the Euro-3 standard trucks, the port of Hanko would be the best choice to transport the vehicles. This is because of lower emissions by new trucks and the saved transport distance of a ship. If the trucks are more polluting Euro 1 level trucks, the port of Kotka would be the best choice. This indicates that the truck emissions have a considerable effect on the externalities and that the transportation of light cargo, such as passenger cars by ship, produces considerably high emission externalities. The emission externalities approach offers a new insight for valuing the multiple traffic modes. However, the calculation of the marginal social costs based on the air emission externalities should not be regarded as a ready-made calculation system. The system is clearly in the need of some improvement but it can already be considered as a potential tool for political decision making.

The Design of a Software Lifecycle Management Framework to a Configuration Management System

Keeping track of software assets and managing software installations in IT environments can be a hard endeavor, especially when the size and diversity of the environment grows. How to install and uninstall software efficiently and cost effectively? Are there too few or too many software licenses purchased? If installed, is the software actually in use? Software Asset Management (SAM) is a process that involves managing and optimizing the purchase, deployment, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of software applications within an organization. This master’s thesis describes a special Software Lifecycle Management Framework to provide solutions to the multitude of challenges within SAM. The main objectives when designing the framework was to provide a set of tools to control the software assets during their entire lifecycle while trying to minimize the costs related to owning and managing them.

Dimensioning DC-voltage capacitor for a DC-distribution system and dynamic analysis

Technical analysis of Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) distribution systems shows that in LVDC transmission the customer voltage quality is higher. One of the problems in LVDC distribution networks that converters both ends of the DC line are required. Because of the converters produce not pure DC voltage, but some fluctuations as well, the huge electrolytic capacitors are required to reduce voltage distortions in the DC-side. This thesis master’s thesis is focused on calculating required DC-link capacitance for LVDC transmission and estimation of the influence of different parameters on the voltage quality. The goal is to investigate the methods of the DC-link capacitance estimation and location in the transmission line.

Estimation of Water Circulation in a Mediterranean Salt Marsh and its Relationship with Flooding Causes

Variations in water volume in small depressions in Mediterranean salt marshes in Girona (Spain) are described and the potential causes for these variations analysed. Although the basins appear to be endorrheic, groundwater circulation is intense, as estimated from the difference between water volume observed and that expected from the balance precipitation / evaporation. The rate of variation in volume (VR = AV / VAt) may be used to estimate groundwater supply ('circulation'), since direct measurements of this parameter are impossible. Volume.conductivity figures can also be used to estimate the quantity of circulation, and to investigate the origin of water supplied to the system. The relationships between variations in the volume of water in the basins and the main causes of flooding are also analysed. Sea storms, rainfall levels and strong, dry northerly winds are suggested as the main causes of the variations in the volumes of basins. The relative importance assigned to these factors has changed, following the recent regulation of freshwater flows entering the system