Significant Additional Power Research Articles

Russia and Emergency Legislation During the First World War

ABSTRACT Emergency legislation had played an important part in the governance of the Russian Empire since the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881, but the outbreak of war in 1914 provided the opportunity for the Tsarist state to intensify its emergency provisions. The military authorities gained significant additional power, but this generated sustained conflict with the civil government and upset the uneasy equilibrium that had enabled the Tsarist state to maintain its hold on power. Russia’s military proved incapable of carrying out the functions of civil administration that it had been granted under emergency legislation, providing the opportunity for local government to extend its own authority and weaken the position of central government. The emergency powers that the Romanov regime introduced in summer 1914 were intended to strengthen the position of the state and continue the process by which the St Petersburg government was reinforcing its position after the upheavals of 1905. The reality of the introduction of additional emergency powers was, however, very different: emergency legislation served to weaken the authority of the Tsarist state and to hasten its eventual demise in 1917.

Passenger Mutations in More Than 2,500 Cancer Genomes: Overall Molecular Functional Impact and Consequences

The dichotomous model of "drivers" and "passengers" in cancer posits that only a few mutations in a tumor strongly affect its progression, with the remaining ones being inconsequential. Here, we leveraged the comprehensive variant dataset from the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) project to demonstrate that-in addition to the dichotomy of high- and low-impact variants-there is a third group of medium-impact putative passengers. Moreover, we also found that molecular impact correlates with subclonal architecture (i.e., early versus late mutations), and different signatures encode for mutations with divergent impact. Furthermore, we adapted an additive-effects model from complex-trait studies to show that the aggregated effect of putative passengers, including undetected weak drivers, provides significant additional power (∼12% additive variance) for predicting cancerous phenotypes, beyond PCAWG-identified driver mutations. Finally, this framework allowed us to estimate the frequency of potential weak-driver mutations in PCAWG samples lacking any well-characterized driver alterations.

Gas Sparger Orifice Sizes and Solid Particle Characteristics in a Bubble Column – Relative Effect on Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer

AbstractThe relative effects of the size of gas sparger orifices and properties of solid particles on gas‐liquid mass transfer are not yet fully understood. Here, the impact of sparger orifice sizes, solid particle shapes, and their loading amounts in a bubble column reactor on the absorption of oxygen in tap water was investigated. Their influence on the mass transfer coefficient and bubble hydrodynamic parameters was evaluated. The results show that the addition of solid particles can have both positive and negative effects on hydrodynamics and mass transfer, depending on the orifice size of the gas sparger. The introduction of ring‐shaped solid particles can improve the mass transfer rate by up to 28 % without requiring any significant additional power.

THERMOELECTRIC HEAT REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR THE OPERATIONAL STABILISATION OF HEAT PIPES IN A SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING THE THERMAL REGIME OF RADIO ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Objectives . The aim of the study is to conduct an analysis of thermophysical processes in a thermoelectric system used for providing the thermal regime of electronic equipment located in a cabinet. A cabinet design and thermoelectric system for efficient heat removal from the condensing part of the heat pipe are proposed. An additional advantage of the proposed design is the obviation of significant additional power consumption requirement for regulating the temperature of radio electronic equipment stored in the cabinet.A distinctive feature of the constructive realisation is the presence of an intermediate heat removal. Methods. The three-dimensionality of the problem and mixed boundary conditions lead to the need to develop a calculation of heat transfer in the elements of the construction of the thermoelectric system. The numerical calculation method is based on the method of energy balances. The analysis of the heat regimes of the intermediate heat removal is performed on the basis of a mathematical model for a locally-heated and -cooled restricted plate. Results. A cabinet design and a thermoelectric system for efficient heat removal from the condensing part of the heat pipe are proposed. A distinctive feature of the constructive realisation is the presence of an intermediate heat removal. Conclusion. The capacity of the intermediate heat removal for given dimensions and temperature of the source is weakly affected by its thickness (in constructively reasonable limits), as well as the temperature and area of the absorbing side of the thermoelectric module; the total heat output from the heat source is determined by the dimensions and heat exchange conditions on the free surface of the intermediate heat removal, as well as by the temperature and dimensions of the heat absorbing side of the thermoelectric module. The use of an intermediate heat removal can significantly reduce the thermal load on the thermoelectric module with a slight decrease in the temperature driving force.

High Plasma Levels of TGF-α and IL-6 at Diagnosis Predict Early Molecular Response Failure and Transformation in CML

Abstract Introduction: Early molecular response (EMR, BCR-ABL (IS) ≤ 10% at 3 months) is a strong predictor of outcome in imatinib-treated chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) patients, but for patients who transform early 3 months may be too late for effective therapeutic intervention. Thus, alternative approaches are required to identify poor responders at the time of diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify plasma biomarkers at diagnosis that will predict for subsequent EMR failure, early transformation or the development of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain mutations. Cytokine profiling has proven valuable in identifying prognostic factors in myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndromes; however, similar comprehensive studies are lacking to date in CML. Methods: Plasma samples from CP-CML patients enrolled to the TIDEL II trial were collected prior to starting imatinib treatment (n=186) and after 6 months on TKI (n=17); and compared to those of healthy donors (n=19). The levels of 39 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors (CC&GF) were measured using a Luminex multiplex assay. To identify potential biomarkers to predict EMR failure, random forest analysis and recursive partitioning techniques in R were applied as statistical methods. Results: Plasma concentrations of 13/39 CC&GF were significantly elevated at CP-CML diagnosis compared to healthy donor samples. Most (EGF, bFGF, VEGF, TGF-α, CXCL1, CCL4, sCD40L and IL-4) werenormalized after 6 months of TKI treatment while others (TNF-α, sIL-2Ra, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1a) remained at higher levels, possibly reflecting persistent disease-induced alterations within the microenvironment. A third subset of CC&GF, such as CCL2, CCL3 and CCL22, showed higher circulation levels only in TKI-treated patients but not at diagnosis, suggesting that changes in these CC&GF could be treatment-related. 183/186 patients had BCR-ABL1 assessments available at 3 months, and 23/183 (13%) did not achieve EMR. Random forest analysis identified TGF-α, IL-6 and IFN-α as the most important CC&GF associated with EMR failure. Recursive partitioning incorporating these three variables produced a classification tree based only on TGF-α and IL-6, and demonstrated that 12/20 (60%) of patients who were TGF-αhi/IL-6hi failed to achieve EMR (Table 1). Importantly, this group contained 3/3 (100%) patients who transformed within the first 12 months of TKI treatment. Both TGF-α (7.99 vs. 60.57 pg/ml, p<0.001) and IL-6 (0.26 vs. 8.35 pg/ml, p=0.004) were increased in plasma samples of EMR failure patients compared to those who achieved EMR, and this was independent of white cell count (both for TGF-α and IL-6) and Sokal Score (TGF-α only). While less compelling, high TGF-α alone was associated with EMR failure in 15/39 (38%) patients compared to 8/144 (6%) in the TGF-αlo group (p<0.001) and reduced transformation-free survival (92% vs. 99%, p=0.029). Interestingly, the TGF-αlo group also had higher rates of complete molecular response (38% vs. 8%, p=0.005). While the relevance of IL-6 in CML pathogenesis has been previously proposed the association of the EGFR ligand TGF-α with CML treatment outcomes is novel. Conclusion: These data highlight for the first time the prognostic value of cytokine profiling in CML patients. The combination of TGF-α and IL-6 plasma levels at CML diagnosis is strongly predictive for EMR, transformation and CMR. While TGF-α alone delineates a poor response group of patients, the addition of IL-6 provides significant additional power and strongly selects for high-risk patients who may benefit significantly from very early proactive intervention. Thus, incorporation of these simple measurements to the diagnostic work-up of CP-CML patients may enable therapy intensity to be individualized according to the risk profile of the patient. Abstract 1788. Table 1: Treatment outcomes in patients grouped according to predictive plasma biomarkers N(of 183 total patients) EMR failure Trans-formation Mutation MMR by 24 months CMR by 24 months + TGF-αhi/IL-6hi 20 12 (60%) 3# 5 9 (45%) 1 (5%) TGF-αhi/IL-6lo 19 3 (16%) 0 0 12 (63%) 2 (11%) TGF-αlo 144 8 (6%) 2## 6 117 (81%) 55 (38%) Overall p value (log-rank) < 0.001* <0.001 <0.001 0.004 0.004 MMR – major molecular response CMR – complete molecular response (undetectable BCR-ABL1) * p value is only indicative as the groups were formed based on EMR # all early transformations (< 1 year of TKI treatment) ## all late transformations Disclosures Reynolds: Novartis: Shareholder Other. Biondo:CSL Limited: Employment. Busfield:CSL Limited: Employment. Vairo:CSL Limited: Employment. Yeung:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. White:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding. Hughes:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Ariad: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Simulating cosmic reionization: how large a volume is large enough?

We present the largest-volume (425 Mpc/h=607 Mpc on a side) full radiative transfer simulation of cosmic reionization to date. We show that there is significant additional power in density fluctuations at very large scales. We systematically investigate the effects this additional power has on the progress, duration and features of reionization, as well as on selected reionization observables. We find that comoving simulation volume of ~100 Mpc/h per side is sufficient for deriving a convergent mean reionization history, but that the reionization patchiness is significantly underestimated. We use jackknife splitting to quantify the convergence of reionization properties with simulation volume for both mean-density and variable-density sub-regions. We find that sub-volumes of ~100 Mpc/h per side or larger yield convergent reionization histories, except for the earliest times, but smaller volumes of ~50 Mpc/h or less are not well converged at any redshift. Reionization history milestones show significant scatter between the sub-volumes, of Delta z=0.6-1 for ~50 Mpc/h volumes, decreasing to Delta z=0.3-0.5 for ~100 Mpc/h volumes, and $\Delta z$~0.1 for ~200 Mpc/h volumes. If we only consider mean-density sub-regions the scatter decreases, but remains at Delta z~0.1-0.2 for the different size sub-volumes. Consequently, many potential reionization observables like 21-cm rms, 21-cm PDF skewness and kurtosis all show good convergence for volumes of ~200 Mpc/h, but retain considerable scatter for smaller volumes. In contrast, the three-dimensional 21-cm power spectra at large scales (k<0.25 h/Mpc) do not fully converge for any sub-volume size. These additional large-scale fluctuations significantly enhance the 21-cm fluctuations, which should improve the prospects of detection considerably, given the lower foregrounds and greater interferometer sensitivity at higher frequencies. (abridged)

HYDROELECTRIC POWER AND SCENIC PROVISIONS OF THE 1950 NIAGARA TREATY1

ABSTRACT: An important international Niagara River management issue concerns allocation of the average 202,000 cubic feet per second river discharge for hydroelectric power and scenic purposes. Major water diversions from Niagara Falls are necessary for power production. Flow is allocated by the 1950 Niagara Treaty which is intended to maximize power benefits and preserve and enhance the scenic fals spectacle. This paper examines the extent to which the Treaty objectives have been achieved. Based on analyses of government documents, engineering data, and falls‐viewing patterns, it is concluded that the 1950 Treaty led to enhancement of the falls spectacle and increased power generation. But significant additional power diversions probably are attainable without adverse effect upon the existing falls spectacle. Reducing daytime summer Horseshoe Falls flow and scheduling spring and autumn flow according to viewing patterns are possible means of increasing power diversions. Existing generating facilities could use considerably more water and the value of additional Niagara hydroelectricity is very high in terms of generation‐cost savings over alternative power sources. Because of the cultural importance of the falls, Treaty modifications to permit increased power diversions are not recommended without prior public opinion sampling and on‐site viewing experiments. These findings highlight the need for more careful study before long‐term international agreements are concluded and illustrate the need for more flexible treaty arrangements to permit periodic adjustments for changing conditions.

Acoustic Isolation of Fans in Ducts

A method of reducing the sound power radiated downstream from axial flow fans is described and investigated. The normal parallel duct fan housing is replaced by a contoured arrangement. With one type of contour and the use of porous absorbent material the reduction in the downstream overall sound power level is 5 dB, that is, the total sound power is reduced by a factor of three. The attenuation is effective in this case over the full audio frequency range but is largest at frequencies above about 1000 c/s. The total pressure losses in each of the several contoured fan housings investigated are practically identical with those in the usual parallel housing and the fan absorbs no significant additional power. Although commercially available duct noise reduction devices may give higher attenuations than those obtained by the contouring method they usually do so at the expense of quite high total pressure losses. For example, the fan used in this investigation gives a total pressure rise of about 1.4 in water gauge and one commercial type of duct noise attenuator, suitable for use with this fan, introduces a total pressure loss of 0.25 in water gauge. Two basic types of fan housing are investigated. One housing has contoured sections upstream and downstream of the fan rotor and the other is a composite arrangement with the normal parallel duct intake and a contoured downstream section. The effect of the presence of absorber on the performance of these basic types is determined. The acoustic performance of each type of fan housing duct is compared by the use of an ‘in duct’ method of sound pressure measurement. It is stressed that the design of low noise fan/duct systems is economically feasible provided sufficient effort is exerted to find a satisfactory compromise between the required aerodynamic and acoustic performances.