Preliminary Performance Characteristics Research Articles

Development and research of a hybrid power unit for ultralight aircraft: an innovative approach to energy efficiency and operational flexibility

This scientific article presents an innovative concept of a hybrid power unit designed for ultralight aircraft, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and operational flexibility. As part of the development of the system, the construction of the combustion unit and the electric motor / generator, which are the key elements of this solution, was described. The advanced internal combustion engine controller and the bi-directional energy conversion converter have been developed and built to enable optimal cooperation of both energy sources. In order to carry out experimental research on the developed system, a special test stand was built on which a prototype drive unit was mounted. The results of the research include preliminary performance characteristics of the prototype drive unit and an analysis of the achievements that indicate the potential benefits of using such a hybrid drive unit. The article also summarizes the conclusions and recommendations for further work on improving this innovative solution.

B-181 Multi-centre Analytical Performance Evaluation of the EXENTâ Solution for Identification and Quantitation of Monoclonal Immunoglobulins

Abstract Background Current routine methodologies for monoclonal immunoglobulin measurements may not be sufficiently sensitive to reflect the depth of response seen in patients since the introduction of novel therapies; mass spectrometry may offer a valuable, sensitive alternative approach. Here we describe the preliminary analytical performance characteristics of the EXENT® solution (in development by The Binding Site, part of Thermo Fisher scientific) that combines specific immunoprecipitation steps and mass spectrometry for the identification and quantification of IgG, IgA and IgM intact monoclonal immunoglobulins. Each intact monoclonal immunoglobulin clone can be tracked using its unique m/z value. Methods The Lower Limit of Measuring Interval (LLMI) was established for each immunoglobulin type following EP17-A2:2012. Linearity studies were performed according to CLSI EP06-A2:2020 using high and low pools of IgG, IgA, and IgM monoclonal samples and with additional linearity testing below 1 g/L for each specificity to more effectively demonstrate low-end linearity. Within run, between run, between analyzer, between lot and total precision for M protein concentrations and for molecular mass (m/z) of the monoclonal peaks were assessed according to CLSI EP5-A3-2014. Interference was tested following ED3:2018 using 20 potential interferents against 7 samples including high and low IgG, IgA and IgM monoclonal samples. Results The initial indication of the EXENT solution performance, in development, are set out below. Results suggest an analytical sensitivity of the assays around 15 mg/L at the LLMI for all specificities. Linearity over a range of 0.014–88.9 g/L for IgG, 0.011–68.4 g/L for IgA, and 0.11–74.2 g/L for IgM. Coefficients of variation (CVs) for M protein concentrations in precision studies were <15% for all specificities and samples. Mass/charge values were within ±1.1 to ±1.5 m/z in total precision studies, and within ±2.7 to ±3.9 m/z in between lot precision studies, respectively, for M proteins with an m/z value ranging from 11 360.6 to 11 698.5 m/z. No significant interference effects were observed when testing the 20 interferents including intralipid (20 g/L), triglyceride (15 g/L), bilirubin (400 mg/L), rheumatoid factor (200 IU/mL) and haemoglobin (10 g/L). Conclusion The new EXENT solution demonstrates the potential for a wide measuring interval and the ability to detect M proteins with very low concentration. Also, it could provide stable and reproducible performance for the detection and typing of monoclonal immunoglobulins.

Cost effectiveness of liquid biopsy for colorectal cancer screening.

73 Background: Despite established screening guidelines, adherence to colonoscopy is approximately 60%. Blood-based screening tests, or Liquid Biopsies (LB), have the potential to close this screening gap. Our aim was to determine the cost-effectiveness of LB tests for CRC screening in the US. Methods: We developed a Markov model to compare four CRC screening strategies: no screening, or natural history (NH), colonoscopy (Colo) only, LB only, and colonoscopy to LB hybrid (C-LB). US SEER CRC incidence and mortality data were used to develop and validate the model. Many LB tests are in development awaiting validation; we used the preliminary performance characteristics for CRC screening of 82% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity (base case) from the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test (GRAIL). Screening ran from age 45 to 75; polyp surveillance ended at 85. We assumed 60.6% of the US population would undergo a screening colonoscopy, and 100% adherence for LB. In Colo, nonadherent patients were not offered other screening; in C-LB those who refused colonoscopy underwent LB. Primary outcomes were overall survival, total cost, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), number of CRCs, and CRC deaths. Results: In the NH strategy, 5.2% of the population developed CRC and 1.8% died from CRC, with a cost of $7,802.15/individual. Compared to NH, in Colo, 40% of CRCs and 44% of CRC deaths were prevented, at a cost of $10,610.43/individual. In C-LB, 42% of CRCs and 50% of CRC deaths were prevented compared to NH, costing $13,762.61/individual. LB only prevented 2.0% of CRCs and 11% of CRC deaths compared to NH, and cost $34,339.85/individual. While LB showed an incremental benefit of 0.01 life years gained compared to NH, the ICER compared to NH is $2,653,770. Colo was most cost-effective with an ICER of $30,191.04. Although C-LB prevented the greatest number of CRCs, this strategy had an ICER of $457,057.64, above the accepted US willingness to pay threshold of $100,000/life year. We performed sensitivity analysis around base case estimates for LB. At both 70% and 90% test sensitivity, all outcomes remained largely constant. Conclusions: CRC screening with LB alone or with LB in conjunction with colonoscopy among nonadherent patients is not cost-effective in the US context. At this time, LB is unable to detect pre-cancerous colon polyps, which may limit its effectiveness as a CRC screening strategy. [Table: see text]

Development of an Argon Light Source as a Calibration and Quality Control Device for Liquid Argon Light Detectors

The majority of future large-scale neutrino and dark matter experiments are based on liquid argon detectors. Since liquid argon is also a very effective scintillator, these experiments also have light detection systems. 127 nm wavelength of the liquid argon scintillation leads to the development of specialized light detectors, mostly based on wavelength shifters, and recently photodetectors sensitive to deeper UV. The effective calibration and quality control of these newly developed detectors is still a persisting problem. In order to respond to this need, we developed an argon light source which is based on plasma generation and light transfer across a MgF2 window. The light source is designed as a small, portable and easy to operate device to enable the acquisition of performance characteristics of several square meters of light detectors at once. Here we report on the development of the light source and its preliminary performance characteristics.

Evaluation of a Bubble CPAP System for Low Resource Settings.

Despite its established safety, efficacy, and relative simplicity, CPAP treatment is not widely available for newborns and infants in low- and middle-income settings. A novel bubble CPAP system was designed to address the gaps in quality and accessibility of existing CPAP systems by providing blended, humidified, and pressurized gases without the need for electricity, compressed air, or manual power. This was the first study that tested the performance of the system with a simulated patient model. METHODS: In a spontaneously breathing 3-dimensional printed nasal airway model of a preterm neonate, CPAP performance was assessed based on delivered pressure, oxygen level, and humidity at different settings. RESULTS: Preliminary device performance characteristics were within 5% among 3 separate devices. Performance testing showed accurate control of CPAP and oxygen concentration at all settings with the bubble CPAP system. Lung model pressure and oxygen concentration were shown to stay within ±0.5 cm H2O and ±4% of full scale of the device settings, respectively, with relative humidity > 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Performance testing of the bubble CPAP system demonstrated accurate control of CPAP and oxygen concentration with humidity levels suitable for premature newborns on noninvasive support.

Design of a multipurpose scaled wind turbine model

This paper describes the methodology that was followed for designing a scaled wind turbine model. This model is intended to be used in complex terrain studies as well as deep array wind farm control tests. Therefore, emphasis was given on making it as compact as possible while keeping a high level of instrumentation. The result is a three blade wind turbine with rotor diameter of 0.6 m equipped with active pitch, yaw and torque control. After a discussion on the design procedure, we present preliminary performance characteristics of the model obtained experimentally.

Preliminary performance and biofilm characteristics of ANAMMOX process in an improved FBR with mixture of honeycomb-like and non-woven carriers

Preliminary performance and biofilm characteristics of ANAMMOX process in an improved FBR with mixture of honeycomb-like and non-woven carriers

A novel research reactor concept based on coated particle fuel

This work presents a preliminary study of a novel plate-type fuel concept for a high-performance and ultra-safe research reactor. This new fuel type consists of coated particle fuel (CPF) randomly dispersed in an aluminum matrix with a certain packing fraction that can be adjusted depending on the reactor design requirements. The CPF can also be varied in the fuel kernel material between UC and UO2. For the purpose of this study, UO2 was used as the reference fuel type. Using this novel fuel type, a 20MWth pool-type research reactor was investigated to determine the preliminary performance and safety characteristics of the new fuel. The core thermal analysis was done using the MATRA-P code. The neutronics analysis was done using the Monte Carlo Serpent code for an equilibrium cycle resulting from a multi-batch fuel management. In this analysis, it was found that the Doppler effect is significantly enhanced through the implementation of CPF, in turn improving the inherent safety of the reactor. In addition to the notable improvement in safety, the new fuel type also promises to be able to achieve a high thermal neutron flux, improving the performance and utility of the reactor. It is concluded that the CPF-based fuel concept presented in this paper can enable new high-flux reactor designs using simple plate-type fuels with improved safety.

MOCVD-Grown GaP/Si Subcells for Integrated III–V/Si Multijunction Photovoltaics

Enabled by a heteroepitaxial nucleation process that yields GaP-on-Si integration free of heterovalent-related defects, GaP/active-Si junctions were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. n-type Si emitter layers were grown on p-type (1 0 0)-oriented Si substrates, followed by the growth of n-type GaP window layers, to form fully active subcell structures compatible with integration into monolithic III-V/Si multijunction solar cells. Fabricated test devices yield good preliminary performance characteristics and demonstrate great promise for the epitaxial subcell approach. Comparison of different emitter layer thicknesses, combined with descriptive device modeling, reveals insight into recombination dynamics at the GaP/Si interface and provides design guidance for future device optimization. Additional test structures consisting of GaP/active-Si subcell substrates with subsequently grown GaAs <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</sub> P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1-y</sub> step-graded buffers and GaAs <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">0.75</sub> P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">0.25</sub> terminal layers were produced to simulate the optical response of the GaP/Si junction within a theoretically ideal dual-junction solar cell.

A continuously monitored colorimetric method for detection of &lt;I&gt;Mycobacterium tuberculosis&lt;/I&gt; complex in sputum

Mbeya, Tanzania. To develop a new liquid culture method to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) in sputum using 2,3-diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium (STC), the nitrate reductase assay (NRA) and p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB). Ninety-three sputum samples collected from 18 tuberculosis patients were decontaminated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide using MGIT™ 960 and in STC-NRA cultures, both in the presence and in the absence of PNB, an inhibitor of MTC growth. The reduction of STC by colour change indicated mycobacterial growth; NRA was then performed to confirm MTC. STC-NRA culture was positive for acid-fast bacilli in 66/93 (71%) samples, of which 60/93 (64.5%) were identified as MTC-positive and 6/93 (6.5%) as indeterminate mycobacteria. MGIT indicated MTC in 59/93 (63.4%) cultures. Contamination was detected in 12/93 (13%) STC-NRA cultures vs. 29/93 (31.2%) MGIT cultures. The mean time to detection (TTD) of MTC using STC-NRA was 14 days and 7 days using MGIT. The STC-NRA method is sensitive for the detection of MTC in sputum. TTD increased with duration of anti-tuberculosis treatment, highlighting the value of this method in monitoring treatment success. The method is simple and inexpensive and, unlike MGIT, does not require technical equipment. The preliminary performance characteristics of the method should be further evaluated in larger studies.

Stellar Observations Network Group: The prototype is nearly ready

AbstractThe prototype telescope and instruments for the Stellar Observations Network Group (SONG) are nearing completion at the Observatorio del Teide on Tenerife. In this contribution we describe the current status (autumn 2013) of the telescope and its instrumentation. Preliminary performance characteristics are presented for the high-resolution spectrograph based on daytime observations of the Sun and a 4 hour test series obtained for the sub-giant β Aquilae.

P2.036 Detection of Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2 from Clinical Samples with a Fully-Automated PCR Test on the Cobas ® 4800 System

BackgroundIdentification of genital herpes can have important implications for clinical management of HIV infected patients, immunosuppressed individuals, pregnant women, and individuals with HSV seronegative partners. This study was performed to...

Sol–gel synthesis of Li2CoPO4F/C nanocomposite as a high power cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Li2CoPO4F cathode materials are successfully synthesized by solid state (SS) and sol–gel (SG) methods. The XRD results show that Li2CoPO4F samples prepared by two methods are both indexed as orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma. The particles of Li2CoPO4F (SS) are micron grade. However, the particle of Li2CoPO4F (SG) is only tens of nanometers with an amorphous carbon uniformly coated. A high reversible capacity of 138 mAh g−1 is achieved for Li2CoPO4F/C (SG) at 1 C, which is much higher than that of 106 mAh g−1 prepared by solid state method. Also, Li2CoPO4F/C (SG) shows excellent rate performance, a capacity of 119 mAh g−1, 86% retention of that at 1 C, is achieved at 20 C. The excellent rate capacity of the material is attributed to nanosized particles and uniform carbon coating that reduce ion diffusion length and enhance electronic conductivity. Furthermore, the preliminary performance characteristics of Li2CoPO4F/Li4Ti5O12 full cells are presented. The cell shows a high voltage plateau around 3.4 V with excellent rate capacity. The impressive electrochemical properties indicate that Li2CoPO4F can be a promising high power cathode material for lithium ion batteries. The capacity fading mechanism of Li2CoPO4F is also briefly investigated.

Optimization of conditions of the direct atomic emission analysis of oxide-silicate materials

The matrix effect of silicon on the intensity of analytical lines of admixtures has been studied in the systems silicone oxide-graphite powder and silicon oxide-carrier-graphite powder. The composition of the spectroscopic buffer and the conditions of the direct spectrochemical analysis of oxide-silicate materials (brick, concrete, refractory materials, slags, glass, ceramics, etc) have been optimized. An atomic emission procedure has been proposed and its preliminary performance characteristics have been estimated.

Characterization of Metamorphic GaAsP/Si Materials and Devices for Photovoltaic Applications

GaAs <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1-</sub> <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> anion-sublattice compositionally graded buffers and device structures were grown directly on Si(100) substrates by way of a high-quality GaP integration layer, yielding GaAsP target layers having band gaps of photovoltaic interest (1.65-1.8 eV), free of antiphase domains/borders, stacking faults, and microtwins. GaAs <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1-</sub> <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> growths on both Si and GaP substrates were compared via high-resolution X-ray diffractometry of the metamorphic buffers and deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) of p <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">+</sup> -n diodes that are lattice matched to the final buffer layer. Structural analysis indicates highly efficient epitaxial relaxation throughout the entire growth structure for both types of samples and suggests no significant difference in physical behavior between the two types of samples. DLTS measurements performed on GaAsP diodes fabricated on both Si and GaP substrates reveal the existence of identical sets of traps residing in the n-type GaAsP layers in both types of samples: a single majority carrier (electron) trap, which is located at <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">EC</i> - 0.18 eV, and a single minority carrier (hole) trap, which is located at <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">EV</i> + 0.71 eV. Prototype 1.75-eV GaAsP solar cell test devices grown on GaAs <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1-</sub> <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> /Si buffers show good preliminary performance characteristics and offer great promise for future high-efficiency III-V photovoltaics integrated with Si substrates and devices.

A Lithium-Ion Cell Based on Li[sub 4∕3]Ti[sub 5∕3]O[sub 4] and LiVPO[sub 4

The preliminary performance characteristics of a Li 4/3 Ti 5/3 O 4 II LiVPO 4 F lithium-ion cell are presented. The cell delivers an average discharge voltage of 2.6 V and at low rates the active materials cycle at close to their theoretical utilization. At a 10 C discharge rate the cell is capable of delivering close to 80% of the rated capacity. The room-temperature stability of the insertion system was confirmed with a typical cell completing over 400 cycles with less than 8% discharge capacity fade. This battery chemistry may be particularly suitable for commercial applications where rate performance and safety characteristics are at a premium.

Novel multichannel plasma-source mass spectrometer

A novel mass spectrometer system for elemental analysis is described. The instrument combines an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) ion source with a Mattauch-Herzog mass spectrometer and multichannel ion detector. Ion detection is simultaneous and an elemental mass spectrum (20-230 μ) can be acquired in <10 ms. The instrument can be used with either Ar or He plasma sources. The speed of the system makes it well suited for acquisition of fast (10-100-ms duration) transient signals, such as those generated by pulsed laser ablation sample introduction. Preliminary system performance characteristics, which include detection limits, stability, and measurement accuracy, obtained with an Ar ICP are presented. The application of the instrument to the analysis of solid samples by laser ablation is discussed.

Electrically heated wire-loop, in-torch vaporization sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with photodiode array detection

A new sample introduction system that can be used for the analysis of microliter volumes of liquids by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) is described. The system consists of an electrically heated W wire-loop which is attached to a thermocouple ceramic insulator. Ceramic and wire-loop are inserted manually into the central tube of a modified ICP torch, with the top of the wire-loop positioned about 10 cm below the plasma. An inexpensive variac, which plugs into a wall socket, is used as a power supply. This in-torch vaporization (ITV) sample introduction system was characterized using an ICP optical emission spectrometer with a photodiode array detector. In this pilot study aimed at testing the validity of the approach, spectral interference effects arising from W emission lines are documented for Be, Cu, Mn, Sc, Sr, V, Y and Zn and preliminary analytical performance characteristics using an unoptimized wire-loop/torch design are presented. Calibration curves were linear for over three orders of magnitude for Sr, Y and Be; the non-linear calibration curves obtained for Cu were attributed to contamination from the power transfer cables, for Mg to contamination from the ceramic and for Ca to airborne particles adhering to the wire-loop. As well, Au-coated W wire-loops proved to be sensitive to Hg 0-vapor in air. Precision varied between 1.9 and 4.5% (10 μl injection of single element standards) and, estimated absolute detection limits were (in pg) Zn (710), V (20), Mn (10), Y (10), Sc (9), Be (1) and Sr (0.4).

Design and Preliminary Performance Characteristics of a Newly Proposed Reference Cell for Ionized Calcium in Serum

A novel flow-through design for a calcium ion-selective liquid membrane and half-cell is proposed. The membrane is based on a neutral carrier for calcium and has the same quantitative chemical composition as that used in most commercial analyzers for ionized calcium (iCa2+). The membrane and half-cell follow the specifications in the Stage 1, Draft 4 document for a Reference Method for iCa2+ of the IFCC Expert Panel on pH, Blood Gases, and Electrolytes. Measurements of iCa2+ in serum with this cell confirm prior observations that protein adsorption on the membrane surface causes a rapid but reversible shift in the cell calibration signal and possible systematic errors in the measurement of iCa2+ in serum. When the protein adsorption phenomenon is maintained at equilibrium during calibrations and sample measurements, the new cell can be used to reproducibly assign iCa2+ concentrations to serum pools. These calibrated pools may then be used as reference materials and to resolve the biases known to exist among commercial iCa2+ analyzers.

A novel cw optically pumped submillimeter laser

Laser operation has been achieved in an optically pumped submillimetre laser that employs a novel cw resonator design which separates the pumping optics from the resonator optics by the use of a Brewster window. This design also allows pumping by an unfocused CO 2 laser beam. The preliminary performance characteristics of the laser are presented.