Validation Of Naval Platform Electromagnetic Tools Via Model And Full-Scale Measurements

Reliable EMC predictions are very important in the design of a naval platform's topside. Currently, EMC predictions of a Navy ship are verified by scale model and full-scale measurements. In the near future, the validation of software tools leads to an increased confidence in EMC predictions and (hopefully) removes the need for scale model measurements. In general, full-scale verification measurements will remain necessary, although perhaps fewer measurements will be required. The paper presents our topside design experience, from rough estimations 40 years ago, to analytical calculations and model measurements 20 years ago, to the numerically supported process as it is now. It shows the process of validating simulation tools with model and full-scale measurements. It also describes the challenges encountered and the deficiencies of commercial tools used now and the roadmap for Thales Naval Netherlands towards the integrated tools of the future

Ivo van der Graaff, Assistant Professor of Art & Art History, COLA travels to Italy

As the director of excavations for the Oplontis Project, Professor van der Graaff investigated two structures that were buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE

An empirical model for early resistance changes due to electromigration

A new heuristic description for electromigration-induced early resistance changes is given. The basis is formed by two coupled partial differential equations, one for vacancies, and one for imperfections. These equations are solved numerically for a grain boundary bamboo structure. It is shown that this model is capable of simulating the typical effects as observed in early resistance change measurements. These early resistance changes are due to the redistributions of the vacancies and the generation of imperfections. Simulations are performed that closely match the measured resistance change curves

Product introduction by SMEs

In recent years a great deal of research has been carried out on the subject of product introductions. However, there has been little research on product introductions by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Current theory on product introductions might thus not be fully applicable to SMEs. This report therefore aims to answer the question: 'Does the way product introductions are handled by SMEs differ from the way product introductions are described in literature?' �We find that there are indeed differences, though these are mainly differences in level of detail and focus.

Citizens contributing in landscape in the Netherlands

With the continuing loss of landscape elements and open space, landscape management is gaining importance in tandem with the design of acceptable private and voluntary financing arrangements. Here, we analyze the awareness, involvement, socio-demographic characteristics and the contribution of citizens regarding the landscape. The contribution of citizens has been classified into three fields of activities. Data analysis is based on a survey among 1.060 inhabitants in and around three designated peri-urban areas in the Netherlands. The results show that these areas are well known, albeit on a limited scale. Most of the stated willingness of the inhabitants to contribute to the landscape has been related with their socio-demographic characteristics and to a less extent with their involvement with the landscape. To increase the willingness of citizens to contribute to the landscape the communication strategy may be improved

Efficient cloning system for construction of gene silencing vectors in Aspergillus niger

An approach based on Gateway recombination technology to efficiently construct silencing vectors was developed for use in the biotechnologically important fungus Aspergillus niger. The transcription activator of xylanolytic and cellulolytic genes XlnR of A. niger was chosen as target for gene silencing. Silencing was based on the expression vector pXLNRir that was constructed and used in co-transformation. From all the strains isolated (N = 77), nine showed poor xylan-degrading activities in two semi-quantitative plate assays testing different activities for xylan degradation. Upon induction on D-xylose, transcript levels of xlnR were decreased in the xlnR-silenced strains, compared to a wild-type background. Under these conditions, the transcript levels of xyrA and xynB (two genes regulated by XlnR) were also decreased for these xlnR-silenced strains. These results indicate that the newly developed system for rapid generation of silencing vectors is an effective tool for A. niger, and this can be used to generate strains with a tailored spectrum of enzyme activities or product formation by silencing specific genes encoding, e.g., regulators such as Xln

Anaerobic Treatment of Concentrated Black Water in UASB Reactor at a Short HRT

This research describes the feasibility of applying a UASB reactor for the treatment of concentrated black (toilet) water at 25 °C. On average 78% of the influent load of COD at an HRT of 8.7 days was removed. Produced methane can be converted to 56 MJ/p/y as electricity and 84 MJ/p/y as heat by combined heat and power (CHP). Minimum reactor volume at full scale was calculated to be 63L per person (for black water containing 16 gCOD/L produced at 5 L/p/d) and this is more than two times smaller than other type of reactors for anaerobic treatment of concentrated black wate

“The Impact of Housing Market Institutions on Labour Mobility: A European Cross-Country Comparison.” ENEPRI Working Paper No. 54, July 2007

This paper examines the effects of housing market institutions on labour mobility. The authors construct durations for individuals leaving their current job for a different job, becoming unemployed or leaving the labour market, from a sample of households from 14 European countries in 1994-2001. This data are then merged with country-specific housing market institutions, such as transaction taxes, and language and religion diversity. Similar to previous studies, estimated hazards indicate that home-ownership reduces job-to-job mobility as well as the probability to become unemployed or economically inactive on an individual level. However, a comparison between countries reveals that countries with high levels of home-ownership rates also have high levels of unemployment. Therefore, this paper is able to reconcile the seemingly contrasting empirical results from both the macroeconomic and the microeconomic level