Sex differences in the computation of traveling distance

Path integration is known to provide information to keep track of spatial location. Surprisingly, few investigations concerning sex differences in computation of the traveling distance have been done. This work was aimed at analyzing the reproduction of both passive and active linear displacements in women and men. To this end, the displacement of blindfolded subjects was done in a wheelchair, then on foot, three times in each condition for a fixed distance. Copies of passive and active traveling distance, distance estimations and pointing responses towards the starting point were analyzed. In passive condition and comparatively to men, women error was larger. Whereas traveling distance was generally underestimated in women, it was overestimated in men. In active condition, no sex differences were observed. When blindfolded subjects have to estimate the traveling distance, the female error was larger than the male one. But, when subjects were asked to indicate the visual cue corresponding to the traveling distance, the male error was larger than the female one. Finally, pointing to the starting point (0°) after a whole-body rotation showed a larger deviation from 0° in men than in women. These results suggest that sex of the subjects influence brain computation of path integration information.

Projecte d'instal·lació d'un mòdul autònom per producció de calefacció amb caldera de biomassa

L’Ajuntament d’un municipi de la comarca de la Selva disposa d’un complex esportiuformat per un edifici amb piscines climatitzades i un pavelló d’esports. Actualment laproducció de calefacció es realitza mitjançant calderes amb cremador de gasoil. Degut al’antiguitat d’aquests equips, a l’elevat cost que suposa la producció amb aquest tipus decombustible i tenint en compte que el municipi no disposa de xarxa de distribució de gasciutat, l’ajuntament contempla la possibilitat d’instal•lar un sistema de producciócentralitzat amb caldera de biomassa.L’objecte d’aquest projecte és el disseny i definició de la instal•lació d’una caldera deproducció d’aigua calenta sanitària i de calefacció mitjançant l’ús de biomassa tipuspellets de fusta integrada dins un mòdul prefabricat que inclou la sitja d’emmagatzematgei tots els elements necessaris, formant un sistema compacte i autònom per alsubministrament i distribució de l’aigua calenta per als dos edificis que formen el complexesportiu de la población. L’àmbit d’aplicació d’aquest projecte és:- Disseny i implantació del Mòdul autònom de producció de calefacció- Dimensionat dels circuits hidràulics de distribució a punts deCom a punt de partida per dimensionar la nova instal•lació de producció s’han tingut encompte les potències instal•lades actuals però també s’han realitat els càlculs de lesnecessitats actuals tenint en compte les exigències del nou Reglament d’Instal•lacionsTèrmiques en els Edificis (RITE 2007) quant a condicions interiors i d’estalvi energètic

Projecte executiu d’instal.lacions d’un CEIP

Disseny de les instal•lacions d’un CEIP (Col•legi d’EducacióInfantil i Primària) per encàrrec de l’Ajuntament del municipi de Vic. Les instal•lacions seran,bàsicament la calefacció, ACS, climatització, ventilació, fontaneria, electricitat, enllumenat interior i exterior, gas, sanejament, contra incendis, intrusió i parallamps

Ilmanvaihtokoneen ohjauksen taloudellisuusvaikutukset

Tämän insinöörityön tarkoituksena oli luoda Insinööritoimisto Olof Granlund Oy:lle malliprojekti ilmanvaihtokoneen ohjauksen mahdollisesta sähköenergian säästöpotentiaalista. Insinöörityötä voidaan myöhemmin käyttää referenssinä tarjottaessa yrityksen palvelua asiakkaille energiakatselmointityössä kiinteistöihin, joissa on suuria ilmanvaihtokone-yksiköitä. Ensin työssä esitellään käytössä olevat, tutkittavat ilmanvaihtokoneet ja niiden toiminta. Sitten selvitetään ilmanvaihtolaitteiden ja niiden ohjauksen eri osien toiminta, sekä ohjausinformaatio, joka välittyy eri laitteiden välillä. Seuraavaksi työssä tutkitaan rakennusautomaation osuutta, sen hyötyä ja rakennetta kiinteistössä. Tämän jälkeen selvitetään hankkeen viranomaismääräykset. Sitten selvitetään, mistä koostuvat kustannukset ilmanvaihtokoneen ohjauksen uusimisessa. Lopuksi vielä tutkitaan, kuinka pitkä on tehtävän investoinnin takaisinmaksuaika, sekä mitkä ovat saneerauksen hiilidioksidi-päästövaikutukset. insinöörityön Lopputuloksena syntyi yrityksen sisäinen kansio. Kansion esimerkkilaskelmia ja laskentamenetelmiä on tarkoitus käyttää jatkossa referenssinä kiinteistönpito-osastolla sähkö- ja lvi-ryhmissä, niiden henkilöiden käytössä, jotka ovat tekemisissä energiakatselmointien kanssa.

Heterogeneous 40Ar* distributions in naturally deformed muscovite: in situ UV-laser ablation evidence for micro structurally controlled intragrain diffusion

Micas are commonly used in Ar-40/Ar-39 thermochronological studies of variably deformed rocks yet the physical basis by which deformation may affect radiogenic argon retention in mica is poorly constrained. This study examines the relationship between deformation and deformation-induced microstructures on radiogenic argon retention in muscovite, A combination of furnace step-heating and high-spatial resolution in situ UV-laser ablation Ar-40/Ar-39 analyses are reported for deformed muscovites sampled from a granitic pegmatite vein within the Siviez-Mischabel Nappe, western Swiss Alps (Penninic domain, Brianconnais unit). The pegmatite forms part of the Variscan (similar to 350 Ma) Alpine basement and exhibits a prominent Alpine S-C fabric including numerous mica `fish' that developed under greenschist facies metamorphic conditions, during the dominant Tertiary Alpine tectonic phase of nappe emplacement. Furnace step-heating of milligram quantities of separated muscovite grains yields an Ar-40/Ar-39 age spectrum with two distinct staircase segments but without any statistical plateau, consistent with a previous study from the same area. A single (3 X 5 mm) muscovite porphyroclast (fish) was investigated by in situ UV-laser ablation. A histogram plot of 170 individual Ar-40/Ar-39 UV-laser ablation ages exhibit a range from 115 to 387 Ma with modes at approximately 340 and 260 Ma. A variogram statistical treatment of the (40)Ad/Ar-39 results reveals ages correlated with two directions; a highly correlated direction at 310 degrees and a lesser correlation at 0 degrees relative to the sense of shearing. Using the highly correlated direction a statistically generated (Kriging method) age contour map of the Ar-40/Ar-39 data reveals a series of elongated contours subparallel to the C-surfaces which where formed during Tertiary nappe emplacement. Similar data distributions and slightly younger apparent ages are recognized in a smaller mica fish. The observed intragrain age variations are interpreted to reflect the partial loss of radiogenic argon during Alpine (similar to 35 Ma) greenschist facies metamorphism. One-dirnensional diffusion modelling results are consistent with the idea that the zones of youngest apparent age represent incipient shear band development within the mica porphyroclasts, thus providing a network of fast diffusion pathways. During Alpine greenschist facies metamorphism the incipient shear bands enhanced the intragrain loss of radiogenic argon. The structurally controlled intragrain age variations observed in this investigation imply that deformation has a direct control on the effective length scale for argon diffusion, which is consistent with the heterogeneous nature of deformation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The Palaeozoic metamorphic evolution of the Alpine External Massifs

The pre-Mesozoic metamorphic pattern of the External Massifs, composed of subunits of different metamorphic histories, resulted from the telescoping of Variscan, Ordovician and older metamorphic and structural textures and formations. During an early period, the future External Massifs were part of a peri-Gondwanian microplate evolving as an active margin. Precambrian to lower Palaeozoic igneous and sedimentary protoliths were reworked during an Ordovician subduction cycle (eclogites, granulites) preceding Ordovician anatexis and intrusion of Ordovician granitoids. Little is known about the time period when the microcontinent containing the future External Massifs followed a migration path leading to collision with Laurussia. Corresponding rock-series have not been identified. This might be because they have been eroded or transformed by migmatisation or because they remain hidden in the monocyclic areas. Besides the transformations which originated during the Ordovician subduction cycle, strong metamorphic transformations resulted from Variscan collision when many areas underwent amphibolite facies transformations and migmatisation. The different subunits composing the External Massifs and their corresponding P-T evolution are the expression of different levels in a nappe pile, which may have formed before Visean erosion and cooling. The presence of durbachitic magmatic rocks may be the expression of a large scale Early Variscan upwelling line which formed after Variscan lithospheric subduction. Late Variscan wrench fault tectonics and crustal thinning accompanied by high thermal gradients triggered several pulses of granite intrusions.

Evauation of Recycled Asphalt Concrete Pavements: Final Report for Kossuth County, Iowa, HR-1888, February 1980

After some success with a small asphalt pavement recycling project in 1975, Kossuth County, Iowa programmed a much larger undertaking during the 1976 construction season. The work performed in 1975 indicated that a quality product could be produced with some modifications to conventional equipment. As anticipated , the major problem encountered was the excessive air pollution created during the heating and mixing process. As part of its 1976 road program, Kossuth County developed plans for recycling sixteen miles of existing asphalt pavements using the "hot mix" recycling process. One project, ten miles in length, was selected by the Federal Highway Authority as part of "Demonstration Project No. 39, Recycling Asphalt Pavements." The FHWA provided a $29,500 grant t o the project to be used for project testing and evaluation. Cooperation and input into the work proposed for 1976 was received from many sources. The people and organizations contributing were the Federal Highway Authority, the Iowa Department of Environmental Quality, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, several contractors, and personnel from the Kossuth County Engineer's Office.

Second hand tobacco smoke exposure in Switzerland

A passive sampling device called Monitor of NICotine or "MoNIC", was constructed and evaluated by IST laboratory for determining nicotine in Second Hand Tobacco Smoke (SHTS) or Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). Vapour nicotine was passively collected on a potassium bisulfate treated glass fibre filter as collection medium. Analysis of collected nicotine on the treated filter by gas chromatography equipped with Thermoionic-Specific Detector (GC-TSD) after liquid-liquid extraction of 1mL of 5N NaOH : 1 mL of n-heptane saturated with NH3 using quinoline as internal standard. Based on nicotine amount of 0.2 mg/cigarette as the reference, the inhaled Cigarette Equivalents (CE) by non-smokers can be calculated. Using the detected CE on the badge for non-smokers, and comparing with amount of nicotine and cotinine level in saliva of both smokers and exposed non-smokers, we can confirm the use of the CE concept for estimating exposure to ETS. The regional CIPRET (Center of information and prevention of the addiction to smoking) of different cantons (Valais (VS), Vaud (VD), Neuchâtel (NE) and Fribourg (FR)) are going to organize a big campaign on the subject of the passive addiction to smoking. This campaign took place in 2007-2008 and has for objective to inform clearly the Swiss population of the dangerousness of the passive smoke. More than 3'900 MoNIC badges were gracefully distributed to Swiss population to perform a self-monitoring of population exposure level to ETS, expressed in term of CE. Non-stimulated saliva was also collected to determine ETS biomarkers nicotine/cotinine levels of participating volunteers. Results of different levels of CE in occupational and non-occupational situations in relation with ETS were presented in this study. This study, unique in Switzerland, has established a base map on the population's exposure to SHTS. It underscored the fact that all the Swiss people involved in this campaign (N=1241) is exposed to passive smoke, from <0.2 cig/d (10.8%), 1-2 to more than 10 cig/d (89.2%). In the area of high exposure (15-38 cig/d), are the most workers in public restaurant, cafe, bar, disco. By monitoring ETS tracer nicotine and its biomarkers, salivary nicotine and cotinine, it is demonstrated that the MoNIC badge can serve as indicator of CE passive smoking. The MoNIC badge, accompanied with content of salivary nicotine/cotinine can serve as a tool of evaluation of the ETS passive smoking and contributes to supply useful data for future epidemiological studies. It is also demonstrated that the salivary nicotine (without stimulation) is a better biomarker of ETS exposure than cotinine.

Tectonic subsidence of the Lomonosov Ridge

The Cenozoic sedimentary record revealed by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program's Arctic Coring Expedition (ACEX) to the Lomonosov Ridge microcontinent in 2004 is characterized by an unconformity attributed to the period 44-18 Ma. According to conventional thermal kinematic models, the microcontinent should have subsided to >1 km depth owing to rifting and subsequent separation from the Barents-Kara Sea margin at 56 Ma. We propose an alternative model incorporating a simple pressure-temperature (P-T) relation for mantle density. Using this model, we can explain the missing stratigraphic section by post-breakup uplift and erosion. The pattern of linear magnetic anomalies and the spreading geometry imply that the generation of oceanic crust in the central Eurasia Basin could have been restricted and confined by non-volcanic thinning of the mantle lithosphere at an early stage (ca. 56-40 Ma). In response to a rise in temperature, the mantle mineral composition may have changed through breakdown of spinet peridotite and formation of less dense plagioclase peridotite. The consequence of lithosphere heating and related mineral phase transitions would be post-breakup uplift followed by rapid subsidence to the deep-water environment observed on the Lomonosov Ridge today.

Faster oxygen uptake kinetics during recovery is related to better repeated sprinting ability.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that subjects having faster oxygen uptake (VO(2)) kinetics during off-transients to exercises of severe intensity would obtain the smallest decrement score during a repeated sprint test. Twelve male soccer players completed a graded test, two severe-intensity exercises, followed by 6 min of passive recovery, and a repeated sprint test, consisting of seven 30-m sprints alternating with 20 s of active recovery. The relative decrease in score during the repeated sprint test was positively correlated with time constants of the primary phase for the VO(2) off-kinetics (r = 0.85; p &lt; 0.001) and negatively correlated with the VO(2) peak (r = -0.83; p &lt; 0.001). These results strengthen the link found between VO(2) kinetics and the ability to maintain sprint performance during repeated sprints.

Non-conventional water resources in coastal areas: a review of the use of reclaimed water

In an era of increasing concern for limited water resources a wise joint management of conventional and nonconventional water resources must be considered. Water scarcity aggravates in coastal zones which are often characterised by high population density, intense economic activity and tourism; meaning heavy seasonal water demands. The relationships between sea and land-water can also compromise the quality of available freshwater. In this context, the use of non-conventional water increases the availability of water supplies. Non-conventional water resources of low quality could be directed to meet several needs (like watering lawns, washing cars, flushing toilets and cooling systems, among others). Therefore, significantly more potable water would be available to meet human demand for safe water.

Nonlinear Finite Element Study of Piles in Integral Abutment Bridges, HR-227, Part 2, 1982

The highway departments of the states which use integral abutments in bridge design were contacted in order to study the extent of integral abutment use in skewed bridges and to survey the different guidelines used for analysis and design of integral abutments in skewed bridges. The variation in design assumptions and pile orientations among the various states in their approach to the use of integral abutments on skewed bridges is discussed. The problems associated with the treatment of the approach slab, backfill, and pile cap, and the reason for using different pile orientations are summarized in the report. An algorithm based on a state-of-the-art nonlinear finite element procedure previously developed by the authors was modified and used to study the influence of different factors on behavior of piles in integral abutment bridges. An idealized integral abutment was introduced by assuming that the pile is rigidly cast into the pile cap and that the approach slab offers no resistance to lateral thermal expansion. Passive soil and shear resistance of the cap are neglected in design. A 40-foot H pile (HP 10 X 42) in six typical Iowa soils was analyzed for fully restrained pile head and pinned pile head. According to numerical results, the maximum safe length for fully restrained pile head is one-half the maximum safe length for pinned pile head. If the pile head is partially restrained, the maximum safe length will lie between the two limits. The numerical results from an investigation of the effect of predrilled oversized holes indicate that if the length of the predrilled oversized hole is at least 4 feet below the ground, the vertical load-carrying capacity of the H pile is only reduced by 10 percent for 4 inches of lateral displacement in very stiff clay. With no predrilled oversized hole, the pile failed before the 4-inch lateral displacement was reached. Thus, the maximum safe lengths for integral abutment bridges may be increased by predrilling. Four different typical Iowa layered soils were selected and used in this investigation. In certain situations, compacted soil (> 50 blow count in standard penetration tests) is used as fill on top of natural soil. The numerical results showed that the critical conditions will depend on the length of the compacted soil. If the length of the compacted soil exceeds 4 feet, the failure mechanism for the pile is similar to one in a layer of very stiff clay. That is, the vertical load-carrying capacity of the H pile will be greatly reduced as the specified lateral displacement increases.

Control de dispositivos con Android

Este proyecto de final de carrera de la titulación de Ingeniería en Informática de Gestión consiste en el diseño y desarrollo de un sistema de control de dispositivos conectados a Raspberry Pi y gestionados desde un dispositivo Android. Se podrán llevar a cabo diferentes acciones como encender, apagar, programar la calefacción y consultar la temperatura actual remotamente desde un dispostivo conectado a la red wifi doméstica o desde de cualquier red que esté conectada a internet.

Energiansäästökohteiden kartoitus konepajateollisuuden yrityksessä

Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena on kartoittaa Vaahto Oy:n Hollolan tehtaan energiankulutus ja energiansäästökohteet. Ensin tutkittiin tehtaan energiankulutus ja energiankulutuksen jakautuminen. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin saatavilla olevia kulutustietoja, luettiin konekirjoja sekä haastateltiin tehtaan työntekijöitä. Lisäksi tehdashallien lämmityslaitteiden hyötysuhteet mitattiin. Tutkimuksen päätavoite oli selvittää, miksi tehtaan lämmitysenergiankulutus on kasvanut ja kannattaisiko rakennusten lämmittämiseen käyttää vaihtoehtoista lämmitysmuotoa öljylämmitykselle. Potentiaalisista energiansäästökohteista tehtiin investointilaskelmat ja toimenpide-ehdotukset. Kannattaviksi toimenpiteiksi tutkimuksessa todettiin: lämmityspolttoaineen vaihtaminen maakaasuun, nosto-ovien hankkiminen, paineilmaverkon huolto, paineilmakompressorin lämmöntalteenotto, tehdastilojen sisälämpötilan tarkastus ja työnjohtotilojen ilmanvaihdon käyntiaikojen muutos. Toimenpiteillä arvioidaan vuotuisten energiakustannusten pienenevän noin 34 000 euroa. Toimenpiteiden toteuttamisen arvioidaan maksavan 135 000 ¤, mistä lämmitysjärjestelmän vaihdon osuus on 100 000 ¤.

Propagation of the Ignition Front against Airflow in Packed Beds of Wood Particles

Combustion of wood is increasing because of the needs of decreasing the emissions of carbon dioxide and the amount of waste going to landfills. Wood based fuels are often scattered on a large area. The transport distances should be short enough to prevent too high costs, and so the size of heating and power plants using wood fuels is often rather small. Combustion technologies of small-size units have to be developed to reach efficient and environmentally friendly energy production. Furnaces that use different packed bed combustion or gasification techniques areoften most economic in small-scale energy production. Ignition front propagation rate affects the stability, heat release rate and emissions of packed bed combustion. Ignition front propagation against airflow in packed beds of wood fuels has been studied. The research has been carried out mainly experimentally. Theoretical aspects have been considered to draw conclusions about the experimental results. The effects of airflow rate, moisture content of the fuel, size, shape and density of particles, and porosity of the bed on the propagation rate of the ignition front have been studied. The experiments were carried out in a pot furnace. The fuels used in the experiments were mainly real wood fuels that are often burned in the production of energy. The fuel types were thin wood chips, saw dust, shavings, wood chips, and pellets with different sizes. Also a few mixturesof the above were tested. Increase in the moisture content of the fuel decreases the propagation rates of the ignition front and makes the range of possible airflow rates narrower because of the energy needed for the evaporation of water and the dilution of volatile gases due to evaporated steam. Increase in the airflow rate increases the ignition rate until a maximum rate of propagation is reached after which it decreases. The maximum flame propagation rate is not always reached in stoichiometric combustion conditions. Increase in particle size and density transfers the optimum airflow rate towards fuel lean conditions. Mixing of small and large particles is often advantageous, because small particles make itpossible to reach the maximum ignition rate in fuel rich conditions, and large particles widen the range of possible airflow rates. A correlation was found forthe maximum rate of ignition front propagation in different wood fuels. According to the correlation, the maximum ignition mass flux is increased when the sphericity of the particles and the porosity of the bed are increased and the moisture content of the fuel is decreased. Another fit was found between sphericity and porosity. Increase in sphericity decreases the porosity of the bed. The reasons of the observed results are discussed.