On-site tests for the detection of potential induced degradation in modules

This paper presents different test alternatives which can be used on-site in a PV installation to detect potential induced degradation (PID) in modules. The testing procedures proposed are: thermal imaging; electroluminescence imaging; open circuit voltage measurements; operating voltage measurements; IV curve measurements; and dark IV curve measurements. Advantages and disadvantages of each test are reported

Analysis of electroencephalograms in Alzheimer's disease patients with multiscale entropy

The aim of this study was to analyse the electroencephalogram (EEG) background activity of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients using the Multiscale Entropy (MSE). The MSE is a recently developed method that quantifies the regularity of a signal on different time scales. These time scales are inspected by means of several coarse-grained sequences formed from the analysed signals. We recorded the EEGs from 19 scalp electrodes in 11 AD patients and 11 age-matched controls and estimated the MSE profile for each epoch of the EEG recordings. The shape of the MSE profiles reveals the EEG complexity, and it suggests that the EEG contains information in deeper scales than the smallest one. Moreover, the results showed that the EEG background activity is less complex in AD patients than control subjects. We found significant difference

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site metastasis from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: case series and literature review

Objectives To present our experience with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) seeding of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) sites and to review all reported cases to identify risk factors and develop strategies for complication avoidance. Materials and methods The records of 4 patients with PEG site metastasis from HNSCC were identified from the authors’ institution. Thirty-eight further cases were reviewed following a PubMed search and evaluation of references in pertinent articles. Results Review of 42 cases revealed the average time from PEG to diagnosis of metastatic disease to be 8 months. Average time to death from detection of PEG disease was 5.9 months. One-year survival following PEG metastasis was 35.5% with an overall mortality of 87.1%. Conclusion PEG site metastatic disease portends a poor prognosis. Early detection and aggressive therapy may provide a chance of cure. Changes in PEG technique or in timing of adjunctive therapies are possible avenues in further research to prevent this complication

Universal Predictions for Statistical Nuclear Correlations

We explore the behavior of collective nuclear excitations under a multi-parameter deformation of the Hamiltonian. The Hamiltonian matrix elements have the form $P(|H_{ij}|)\propto 1/\sqrt{|H_{ij}|}\exp(-|H_{ij}|/V)$, with a parametric correlation of the type $\log \langle H(x)H(y)\rangle\propto -|x-y|$. The studies are done in both the regular and chaotic regimes of the Hamiltonian. Model independent predictions for a wide variety of correlation functions and distributions which depend on wavefunctions and energies are found from parametric random matrix theory and are compared to the nuclear excitations. We find that our universal predictions are observed in the nuclear states. Being a multi-parameter theory, we consider general paths in parameter space and find that universality can be effected by the topology of the parameter space. Specifically, Berry's phase can modify short distance correlations, breaking certain universal predictions.Comment: Latex file + 12 postscript figure

From Multiview Image Curves to 3D Drawings

Reconstructing 3D scenes from multiple views has made impressive strides in recent years, chiefly by correlating isolated feature points, intensity patterns, or curvilinear structures. In the general setting - without controlled acquisition, abundant texture, curves and surfaces following specific models or limiting scene complexity - most methods produce unorganized point clouds, meshes, or voxel representations, with some exceptions producing unorganized clouds of 3D curve fragments. Ideally, many applications require structured representations of curves, surfaces and their spatial relationships. This paper presents a step in this direction by formulating an approach that combines 2D image curves into a collection of 3D curves, with topological connectivity between them represented as a 3D graph. This results in a 3D drawing, which is complementary to surface representations in the same sense as a 3D scaffold complements a tent taut over it. We evaluate our results against truth on synthetic and real datasets.Comment: Expanded ECCV 2016 version with tweaked figures and including an overview of the supplementary material available at multiview-3d-drawing.sourceforge.ne

Small palladium islands embedded in palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles form catalytic hotspots for oxygen reduction

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode side of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is one major technical challenge for realizing sustainable solutions for the transportation sector. Finding efficient yet cheap electrocatalysts to speed up this reaction therefore motivates researchers all over the world. Here we demonstrate an efficient synthesis of palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous carbon. Despite a very low percentage of noble metal (palladium: tungsten = 1:8), the hybrid catalyst material exhibits a performance equal to commercial 60% platinum/Vulcan for the oxygen reduction process. The high catalytic efficiency is explained by the formation of small palladium islands embedded at the surface of the palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles, generating catalytic hotspots. The palladium islands are similar to 1 nm in diameter, and contain 10-20 palladium atoms that are segregated at the surface. Our results may provide insight into the formation, stabilization and performance of bimetallic nanoparticles for catalytic reactions

A one-dimensional lattice model for a quantum mechanical free particle

Two types of particles, A and B with their corresponding antiparticles, are defined in a one dimensional cyclic lattice with an odd number of sites. In each step of time evolution, each particle acts as a source for the polarization field of the other type of particle with nonlocal action but with an effect decreasing with the distance: A -->...\bar{B} B \bar{B} B \bar{B} ... ; B --> A \bar{A} A \bar{A} A ... . It is shown that the combined distribution of these particles obeys the time evolution of a free particle as given by quantum mechanics.Comment: 8 pages. Revte

Summary of Archeological Investigations Conducted Under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4207 for the Texas Department of Transportation, Gonzales, Caldwell, Williamson, Bastrop, and Hill Counties, Texas

In July 2006, the Texas Department of Transportation contracted TRC Environmental Corporation to conduct four surveys without geological evaluation under Contract #575XXSA008. All four investigations were subsumed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4207, with J. Michael Quigg serving as Principal Investigator. Fieldwork for all four investigations was performed by Dana Anthony and David O. Brown. All field work was conducted between July 2006 and October 2006. The projects were located in Gonzales and Caldwell County, Williamson County, Bastrop County, and Hill County. Final preparation of this report was performed by Marisol Espino and James Abbott, based upon drafts provided by TRC Environmental, with James T. Abbott assuming the role of Principal Investigator. Task 1 – This project consisted of improvements to US 183, from IH10 to a point 0.29 miles north of Business 183 in Gonzales (Gonzales and Caldwell County). The project would widen the roadway to construct an auxiliary lane at five locations. The completed project would provide three 12-foot travel lanes with 10-foot shoulders. A 100% survey of the seven bridge crossings and the 3,000-foot section was conducted, and 10 shovel tests, 6 auger tests and 18 backhoe trenches were excavated, during this project. A total of 28.52 acres were examined between July 26, 2006 and August 4, 2007. Six new archeological sites were recorded. These include one site each at the Plum Creek tributary (41CW102), Mule Creek (41GZ213), the 3000-foot section at the unnamed creek (41GZ216), and Canoe Creek (41GZ217), and two sites (41GZ214 and 41GZ215) at the Artesia Creek crossing. None of the sites was judged to retain sufficient integrity to merit additional work. The SHPO concurred with this recommendation on September 28, 2006. Task 2 – This project entailed replacing the bridge and approaches on FM 619 at Dry Brushy Creek in Williamson County. The existing bridge would be replaced by a longer and wider bridge aligned several m to the east of the existing roadway, and the approaches would be reworked to meet the new bridge. About 4.6 acres of new ROW would be required. A total of 12 acres were examined between August 17, 2006 and August 31, 2006 by Dana Anthony and David O. Brown. The pedestrian survey did not identify any intact cultural materials on the surface or in the cut banks of Dry Brushy Creek. No further work was recommended. The SHPO concurred with this recommendation on October 12, 2006. Task 3 – This project entailed replacing a bridge and approaches on County Road 143 (also known as Stockdale Ranch Road) at West Yegua Creek in Bastrop County, Texas. The existing bridge was replaced by a longer and wider bridge that was aligned several m to the east. A total of 2 acres were surveyed on October 24, 2006 by Dana Anthony and David O. Brown. The surface inspection of the project area was negative as were the four trenches excavated. No prehistoric or historic archeological remains were identified. Based on the negative survey, the project was placed on TxDOT’s weekly list of projects requiring no further work on December 7, 2006. Task 4 – This project entailed improvements to 8.7 mi of SH31 in Hill County, including constructing a new 5.4 mi bypass south of the town of Hubbard on new location. The overall project consisted of 277 acres of ROW. TxDOT identified four areas totaling approximately 50 acres with reasonable potential to contain archeological sites with sufficient integrity to qualify as historic properties under NHPA or for listing as a State Archeological (now Antiquities) Landmark (SAL). A total of 50 acres were examined between September 27 – 29, 2006 and then again between October 5 – 6, 2006 by Dana Anthony and David O. Brown. No prehistoric archeological remains were identified. Historic archeological remains consisting of some standing farm outbuildings were recorded as site 41HI295. No associated subsurface deposits were located at the site, and aerial photography suggested that the farmhouse was outside the project area of potential effect (APE). Accordingly, the portion of the site in the APE was judged to require no further work. The SHPO concurred with this finding on November 3, 2006

Palabras extrañas a sí mismas: una aproximación desde la hermenéutica intercultural al bilingüismo de Julia Kristeva

El abandono de la lengua materna y la adquisición del francés como lengua de escritura desempeñan un papel fundamental a lo largo de toda la obra teórica y literaria de Julia Kristeva. El presente trabajo se propone estudiar las posiciones de Kristeva respecto al cambio de lengua, ubicándolas en su contexto histórico e ideológico y analizándolas a la luz de las numerosas aportaciones teóricas dedicadas al multilingüismo literario surgidas en los últimos años, prestando especial atención a su concepción de la lengua y del individuo como extraños a sí mismos. El presente trabajo trata además de poner en relación las ideas de Kristeva con las teorías de la hermenéutica intercultural, que entiende la lectura de textos literarios extranjeros como una manera de sacar a la luz los prejuicios de la cultura propia para poder acercarse al mundo del texto respetando su alteridad irreductible.The loss of the mother tongue and the acquisition of French as the language of her writing play a capital role in the theoretical and literary work of Julia Kristeva. This paper aims to analyze Kristeva’s ideas on bilingualism and language loss as well as their historical and ideological context by using the latest scholarship on literary multilingualism. Special attention will be paid to Kristeva’s concept of language and the individual as strangers to themselves. Additionally, this paper endeavors to establish a channel of communication between Kristeva’s ideas and the theories of intercultural hermeneutics, a school which proposes reading foreign literary texts as a means of unearthing the prejudices of our own culture while approaching the world of the text respecting its irreducible otherness