Passive Storage Research Articles

Passive Solar House Design Strategy in the North-East of China

Proceed with basic passive solar construction parts,analysis and state thermal storage,heating accumulation and consumption process of passive solar energy.Put forward several effective measures to strengthen thermal storage and heating accumulation and reduce thermal loss in the northeast area.Lay the foundation for the green house design in the north-east of China.

An investigation of optimal control of passive building thermal storage with real time pricing

The cost savings potential of optimal passive thermal storage control were examined for day-ahead real time electricity rate structures. The operational strategies of three office building models were optimized in four US cities (Chicago, New York, Houston and Los Angeles) using price and weather data for the summer of 2008. Optimization of building thermal mass was conducted using a predictive optimal controller to define supervisory strategies in terms of building global cooling temperature setpoints. A global minimization algorithm determined optimal setpoint trajectories for each day divided into four distinct time periods. Cost savings were found to range from 0 to 14% depending on the building, climate, and characteristics of the rate signal. The best cost savings occurred for price spikes or cool nighttime temperatures. Moreover, it was found that low internal gains favoured a more flexible precooling strategy, while high internal gains coupled with low thermal mass resulted in poor precooling performance.

Three layers of working memory: Focus-switch costs and retrieval dynamics as revealed by the N-count task

Two experiments explored the process of switching items in and out of the focus of attention using a new paradigm, the N-count task (adapted from Garavan, 1998; N varied from 1 to 4). This task yielded a focus size of one, indicated by a substantial focus-switch cost for 2-count. Additionally, the focus-switch costs in response time increased with working memory load, indicating an effortful search process occurring at a speed of about 240 ms/item. Maintaining and switching to and from a passive load did not increase the focus-switch costs or decrease memory accuracy, indicating that there is no crosstalk between passive and active items. The results support a concentric theory of working memory: a small focus at its core, a surrounding area of (at least) three readily available items referred to as the outer store, and a still wider region of passive storage, possibly more long-term memory than working memory.

Cognitive and Emotional Factors in Children with Mathematical Learning Disabilities

Emotional and cognitive factors were examined in 18 children with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD), compared with 18 normally achieving children, matched for chronological age, school level, gender and verbal IQ. Working memory, short‐term memory, inhibitory processes, speed of processing and level of anxiety in mathematics were assessed in the two groups. The results corroborated the hypothesis that children with MLD are impaired in working memory capacity, inhibitory ability, and speed of processing. However, no impairment was found in short‐term memory tasks requiring passive storage of verbal and numerical information. Moreover, while the children with MLD showed higher levels of anxiety in mathematics, their anxiety levels in other school subjects were similar to those of normal achievers. Implications for identifying underlying emotional and cognitive deficits in children with MLD are discussed, along with possible approaches to treatment.

Using time domain and geographic source tracers to conceptualize streamflow generation processes in lumped rainfall‐runoff models

The temporal dynamics and geographical sources of streamflow were conceptualized in a lumped rainfall‐runoff model (isoSAMdyn) using isotopic and geochemical tracers derived from a field study in a 3.6 km2upland catchment in Scotland. High‐resolution (daily) sampling of stable isotopes in precipitation and streamflow over a hydrological year, supplemented by fortnightly sampling of groundwater and riparian saturation zones, allowed hypotheses of runoff generation processes to be tested. These were conceptualized in a previously developed model (SAMdyn) based only on geochemically defined geographic source tracers, which showed that the nonlinear dynamic expansion and contraction of riparian saturation areas is the dominant mechanism for storm runoff generation in the catchment. While SAMdynresulted in reasonable simulation of streamflows and alkalinity (as a source tracer), it was unable to reproduce the rainfall‐runoff dynamics of deuterium (δ2H). Using the model in a learning framework, incorporation of parameters for passive storage in catchment hillslopes and groundwater mixing in riparian saturation zones, along with associated isotopic fractionation, improvedδ2H simulations in stream water and the major catchment water stores. The resulting model provided a conceptualization of rainfall‐runoff processes that broadly reconciled hydrometric data and geochemical and isotopic signals. However, in this particular catchment, fractionation of water in surface saturation zones appears to be a complex process that prevents the simulation of short‐term isotope dynamics in the stream during the summer period.

Lethal Arg9Cys phospholamban mutation hinders Ca 2+ -ATPase regulation and phosphorylation by protein kinase A

The regulatory interaction of phospholamban (PLN) with Ca(2+)-ATPase controls the uptake of calcium into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, modulating heart muscle contractility. A missense mutation in PLN cytoplasmic domain (R9C) triggers dilated cardiomyopathy in humans, leading to premature death. Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical techniques both in vitro and in live cells, we show that the R9C mutation increases the stability of the PLN pentameric assembly via disulfide bridge formation, preventing its binding to Ca(2+)-ATPase as well as phosphorylation by protein kinase A. These effects are enhanced under oxidizing conditions, suggesting that oxidative stress may exacerbate the cardiotoxic effects of the PLN(R9C) mutant. These results reveal a regulatory role of the PLN pentamer in calcium homeostasis, going beyond the previously hypothesized role of passive storage for active monomers.

Attention and Passive Storage in Working Memory

Attention and Passive Storage in Working Memory

Performance comparison of a planar bipedal robot with rigid and compliant legs

AbstractThe purpose of this work is to study the effect of placing passive storage elements (springs) along the robot legs on its performance. We first present the model of a planar passive dynamic walker with compliant ground contact model, then replace its rigid legs with compliant legs. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of compliant legs in improving the performance (robustness and velocity) of the robot.

Behavior of a train of droplets in a fluidic network with hydrodynamic traps

The behavior of a droplet train in a microfluidic network with hydrodynamic traps in which the hydrodynamic resistive properties of the network are varied is investigated. The flow resistance of the network and the individual droplets guide the movement of droplets in the network. In general, the flow behavior transitions from the droplets being immobilized in the hydrodynamic traps at low flow rates to breaking up and squeezing of the droplets at higher flow rates. A state diagram characterizing these dynamics is presented. A simple hydrodynamic circuit model that treats droplets as fluidic resistors is discussed, which predicts the experimentally observed flow rates for droplet trapping in the network. This study should enable the rational design of microfuidic devices for passive storage of nanoliter-scale drops.

Biogenesis of lipid droplets – how cells get fatter

Lipid droplets are discrete organelles present in most cell types and organisms including bacteria, yeast, plants, insects and animals. Long considered as passive storage deposits, recent cell biology, proteomic and lipidomic analysis show that lipid droplets are dynamic organelles involved in multiple cellular functions. They have a central function in lipid distribution to different membrane-bound organelles and serve not only as main reservoirs of neutral lipids such as triglycerides and cholesterol but in addition, contain structural proteins, proteins involved in lipid synthesis and transmembrane proteins. A detailed model for how transmembrane proteins such as SNARE proteins can exist in lipid droplets is proposed.

The white adipose tissue connection with calcium and bone homeostasis

The white adipose tissue connection with calcium and bone homeostasis

Electroactive micro and nanowells for optofluidic storage

This paper reports an optofluidic architecture which enables reversible trapping, detection and long term storage of spectrally multiplexed semiconductor quantum dot cocktails in electrokinetically active wells ranging in size from 200nm to 5microm. Here we describe the microfluidic delivery of these cocktails, fabrication method and principal of operation for the wells, and characterize the readout capabilities, storage and erasure speeds, internal spatial signal uniformity and potential storage density of the devices. We report storage and erase speeds of less than 153ms and 30ms respectively and the ability to provide 6-bit storage in a single 200nm well through spectral and intensity multiplexing. Furthermore, we present a novel method for enabling passive long term storage of the quantum dots in the wells by transporting them through an agarose gel matrix. We envision that this technique could find eventual application in fluidic memory or display devices.

Gender-related Differences in Visuospatial Memory Persist in Alzheimer's Disease

Gender differences in visuospatial cognition favoring men are larger in tasks requiring active information manipulation than in tasks requiring passive storage. This study was designed to determine whether male advantage in active manipulation of visuospatial information can still be evidenced in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twenty male and 20 female AD patients with equivalent age, education, dementia severity (Mini-Mental State Examination and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale), and visual discrimination abilities were recruited. We administered the forward span of Corsi block-tapping task and Vecchi's matrix memory task involving passive temporary retention of stimuli location. Active manipulation of visuospatial information was assessed with the backward span of Corsi block-tapping task and Vecchi's pathway task in which patients were required to mentally generate a pathway within a matrix. The results showed that scores on the tasks involving passive storage of visuospatial information were equivalent between the two groups of patients, whereas men performed significantly better than women in tasks requiring active manipulation of visuospatial information. This result was limited to visuospatial processing since no difference between male and female patients was evidenced in the verbal short-term memory tasks, neither when the task involved passive storage nor when the task required active processing. Therefore, this study suggests that, besides other variables such as education or lifestyle factors, gender might also modulate the cognitive manifestation of AD.

Thermal Analysis of a Fuel-Handling System for Sodium-Cooled Reactor with Minor Actinide–Bearing Metal Fuel

The Advanced Burner Reactor (ABR) is one of the components of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) used to close the fuel cycle. ABR is a sodium-cooled fast reactor that is used to consume transuranic elements resulting from the reprocessing of light water reactor spent nuclear fuel. ABR-1000 [1000 MW(thermal)] is a fast reactor concept created at Argonne National Laboratory to be used as a reference concept for various future trade-offs. ABR-1000 meets the GNEP goals although it uses what is considered base sodium fast reactor technology for its systems and components. One of the considerations of any fast reactor plant concept is the ability to perform fuel-handling operations with new and spent fast reactor fuel. The transmutation fuel proposed as the ABR fuel has a very little experience base, and thus, this paper investigates a fuel-handling concept and potential issues of handling fast reactor fuel containing minor actinides. In this study, two thermal analyses supporting a conceptual design study on the ABR-1000 fuel-handling system were carried out. One analysis investigated passive dry spent fuel storage, and the other analysis investigated a fresh fuel shipping cask. Passive dry storage can be made suitable for the ABR-1000 spent fuel storage with sodium-bonded metal fuel. The thermal analysis shows that spent fast reactor fuel with a decay heat of 2 kW or less can be stored passively in a helium atmosphere. The 2-kW value seems to be a reasonable and practical level, and a combination of reasonably-sized in-sodium storage followed by passive dry storage could be a candidate for spent fuel storage for the next-generation sodium-cooled reactor with sodium-bonded metal fuel. Requirements for the shipping casks for minor actinide–bearing fuel with a high decay heat level are also discussed in this paper. The shipping cask for fresh sodium-cooled-reactor fuel should be a dry type to reduce the reaction between residual moisture on fresh fuel and the sodium coolant. The cladding temperature requirement is maintained below the creep temperature limit to avoid any damage before core installation. The thermal analysis shows that a helium gas–filled cask can accommodate ABR-1000 fresh minor actinide–bearing fuel with 700-W decay heat. The above analysis results revealed the overall requirement for minor actinide–bearing metal fuel handling. The information is thought to be helpful in the design of the ABR-1000 and future sodium-cooled-reactor fuel-handling system.

Why can't Johnny remember the basic facts?

Memorizing the basic number combinations, such as 9 + 7 = 16 and 16 - 9 = 7, is a punishing and insurmountable task for children with difficulties learning mathematics. Two perspectives on such learning lead to different conclusions about the primary source of this key learning difficulty. According to the conventional wisdom (the Passive Storage View), memorizing a basic fact is a simple form of learning-merely forming and strengthening an association between an expression and its answer. The two primary reasons this simple form of learning does not occur are inadequate practice or, in cases where adequate practice has been provided, a defect in the learner. According to the number sense perspective (Active Construction View), memorizing the basic combinations entails constructing a well-structured or -connected body of knowledge that involves patterns, relations, algebraic rules, and automatic reasoning processes, as well as facts. In effect, fluency with the basic number combinations begins with and grows out of number sense. Aspects of number sense critical to such fluency begin to develop in the preschool years. According to the Active Construction View, the primary cause of problems with the basic combinations, especially among children at risk for or already experiencing learning difficulties, is the lack of opportunity to develop number sense during the preschool and early school years.

Simple, robust storage of drops and fluids in a microfluidic device

We describe a single microfluidic device and two methods for the passive storage of aqueous drops in a continuous stream of oil without any external control but hydrodynamic flow. Advantages of this device are that it is simple to manufacture, robust under operation, and drops never come into contact with each other, making it unnecessary to stabilize drops against coalescence. In one method the device can be used to store drops that are created upstream from the storage zone. In the second method the same device can be used to simultaneously create and store drops from a single large continuous fluid stream without resorting to the usual flow focusing or T-junction drop generation processes. Additionally, this device stores all the fluid introduced, including the first amount, with zero waste. Transport of drops in this device depends, however, on whether or not the aqueous drops wet the device walls. Analysis of drop transport in these two cases is presented. Finally, a method for extraction of the drops from the device is also presented, which works best when drops do not wet the walls of the chip.

Obesity, Hypertension, and the Heart

Controversy exists regarding the amount of risk caused by obesity, but there is general consensus that it is associated with many serious disorders, mostly cardiovascular and neoplastic. Obesity is clearly associated with hypertension, ventricular remodeling with subsequent congestive heart failure, sleep-disordered breathing, and sudden death. The physiologic alterations associated with establishing and perpetuating the obese state are complex but are becoming clear. In discussing the cardiovascular consequences of obesity, the implications and mechanism of the associated hypertension need to be understood. There is growing recognition that adipose tissue is a very active in the neurohormonal axis and is not simply a passive storage depot. Among other things, adipocyte-related hormonal activity and resistance to feedback mechanisms are associated with increased plasma volume and increased sympathetic tone.

Strategies to Reduce Vascular Risk Associated with Obesity

The obesity pandemic will likely have a significant impact on the global incidence of cardiovascular disease. Although the mechanisms linking obesity and cardiovascular disease are unclear, recent studies have implicated the adipocyte as a potentially important mediator of vascular complications. The adipocyte is no longer considered a passive storage depot for triglycerides and fatty acids, but rather an active metabolic organ capable of producing several factors, commonly referred to as adipokines, that may have effects on many physiological and pathophysiological processes. With increasing fat mass, several adipose-related factors are upregulated that may affect local and distant inflammatory processes, including atherothrombosis. Other factors, such as adiponectin, are downregulated with increasing fat mass. Although most adipokines are thought to promote vascular disease, several studies over the past few years indicate adiponectin is actually protective against both diabetes and vascular disease. There are now available pharmacologic agents capable of altering the adipocyte transcription profile. This review will focus on the potential impact of adipocyte-derived factors towards vascular disease and emerging therapeutic strategies that may alter these effects.

A multicomponent exploration of verbal short-term storage deficits in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease

Although many studies have shown diminished performance in verbal short-term memory tasks in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the cognitive processes responsible for this verbal short-term storage (STS) impairment are still unclear for both populations. We explored verbal STS functioning in patients with AD, elderly participants, and young participants, by investigating a series of processes that could underlie STS impairments in normal elderly and AD populations. The processes we investigated were (a) the influence of lexical and sublexical language knowledge on short-term storage performance, (b) functioning of the phonological loop component via word length and phonological similarity effects, and (c) executive control processes (coordination and integration). For the AD and elderly groups, the influence of language knowledge on verbal STS performance and the functioning of the phonological loop were preserved. In contrast, the AD group showed deficits for coordination and integration processes. Our results suggest that the verbal STS deficit observed in AD patients is related to impaired executive control processes. On the other hand, language-related processes underlying passive storage capacity seem to be preserved.

Obesity and inflammation: A new look at an old problem

Obesity is a highly prevalent disease with multiple implications for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The traditional view of obesity is that excessive adipose tissue represents a passive storage depot of excess energy. However, obesity has been demonstrated to be a highly active endocrine organ with multiple metabolic pathways that interact with classic cardiac risk factors. The role of inflammation in atherosclerosis has been clarified by the ready availability of a variety of markers, including C-reactive protein, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, hemostatic markers, resistin, and a variety of emerging markers such as interleukins and adhesion molecules. Adipose tissue has been demonstrated to be the site of synthesis of a variety of proteins that are intimately involved in the regulation of inflammation. The concept that obesity represents an inflammatory state has gained credence over the past decade and has provided insights into the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and risk factor interaction.