Site testing

This paper describes the use of the extended Park's vector approach (EPVA) for diagnosing the occurrence of stator winding faults in operating three-phase synchronous and asynchronous motors. The major theoretical principles related with the EPVA are presented and it is shown how stator winding faults can be effectively diagnosed by the use of this noninvasive approach. Experimental results, obtained in the laboratory, corroborate that these faults can be detected, in the EPVA signature, by the identification of a spectral component at twice the fundamental supply frequency. On-site tests, conducted in a power generation plant and in a cement mill, demonstrate the effectiveness of the EPVA in the detection of stator circuit faults in large industrial motors, rated up to 5 MW

Rapid advances in biosensors have recently been reported. This has been possible due to rapid growth in the development of new biomaterials such as conducting polymers, copolymers and sol gels etc and the reported improvements in sensing techniques. Biosensors are miniaturized devices employing biochemical molecular recognition as the basis for a selective analysis. The response generated as a result of biochemical reaction is detected by a transducer to give a signal (optical/electrical/thermal) that can be used with or without amplification for the estimation of the concentration of an analyte in a given test sample. Among the various biosensors, electrochemical sensors, especially amperometric biosensors presently hold a leading position.Due to specificity, portability, simplicity, high sensitivity, potential ability for real-time and on-site analysis coupled with the speed and low cost, biosensors have been projected to have applications in food analysis, environment control, clinical detection, drug and agriculture industries etc. Besides this, biosensors offer exciting opportunities for numerous decentralized clinical applications, ranging from emergency room screening, home self testing and alternative site testing, continuous and real-time in vivo monitoring. New generation of biosensors combining new bioreceptors with the ever-growing number of transducers is emerging. The present paper highlights some of the recent advances in the area of biosensors contributed by our laboratory.

We describe the use of a multi-aperture Hartmann mask coupled to a slightly out-of-focus focal plane array imager to monitor atmospheric turbulence (‘seeing’) produced by refractive index fluctuations. The imager (a CCD) is located inside or outside the focal surface of the imaging system so that each sub-aperture of the Hartmann mask produces an image well separated from all of the other images produced by the mask. Since the depth of focus of the sub-apertures is an order of magnitude larger than that of the parent optical system, the individual images are still diffraction-limited. We obtain short (10 to 100 msec) exposures and monitor the position fluctuations of the images. Analysis of the position and intensity fluctuations of the images can be used to determine the atmospheric parameter r0, the wind direction and velocity, and, under some circumstances, the distance of the turbulent layer from the observing site.

Background: Saliva is an alternative biologic matrix for drugs-of-abuse testing that offers the advantages of noninvasive, rapid, and easy sampling. We studied the excretion profile of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphet- amine (MDMA) and its metabolites in both saliva and plasma, as well the effect of the drug on salivary pH. Methods: Saliva and plasma samples were obtained from eight healthy MDMA consumers after

Geophysical imaging methods provide solutions to a wide range of environmental and engineering problems: protection of soil and groundwater from contamination; safe disposal of chemical and nuclear waste; geotechnical site testing for underground vaults, subways, dams, ...

Artificial Light At Night (ALAN), causing light pollution (LP), is not a matter restricted to astronomy anymore. Light is part of modern societies and, as a consequence, the natural cycle day-night (bright-dark) has been interrupted to a large segment of the world population. There is increasing evidence that exposure to light at night of certain type and beyond certain levels may cause hazardous effects to human beings and to the environment. The concept of “dark skies reserves” is a step forward in order to preserve the night sky and a means of increasing the public awareness to the problem of the spread of light pollution worldwide. We assessed the skyglow in two sites in Portugal, the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG) and the region now known as Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve (Figure 1). The latter site was classified as a “Starlight Tourism Destination“ by the Starlight Foundation (the first in the world to achieve this classification) following a series of night sky measurements in situ described in this communication. Our measurements at the PNPG also contributed to the new set of regulations concerning light pollution at this National Park. Here we present the first in situ systematic measurements of the night sky brightness, showing that at the two sites the skies are mostly in the 3rd to 4th levels of the Bortle nine-levels scale (level 1 being the best achievable). We find that the sources of light

This paper describes the use of the extended Park's vector approach (EPVA) for diagnosing the occurrence of stator winding faults in operating three-phase synchronous and asynchronous motors. The major theoretical principles related with the EPVA are presented and it is shown how stator winding faults can be effectively diagnosed by the use of this noninvasive approach. Experimental results, obtained in the laboratory, corroborate that these faults can be detected, in the EPVA signature, by the identification of a spectral component at twice the fundamental supply frequency. On-site tests, conducted in a power generation plant and in a cement mill, demonstrate the effectiveness of the EPVA in the detection of stator circuit faults in large industrial motors, rated up to 5 MW

We extend the method introduced by Cinzano et al. (2000a) to map the artificial sky brightness in large territories from DMSP satellite data, in order to map the naked eye star visibility and telescopic limiting magnitudes. For these purposes we take into account the altitude of each land area from GTOPO30 world elevation data, the natural sky brightness in the chosen sky direction, based on Garstang modelling, the eye capability with naked eye or a telescope, based on the Schaefer (1990) and Garstang (2000b) approach, and the stellar extinction in the visual photometric band. For near zenith sky directions we also take into account screening by terrain elevation. Maps of naked eye star visibility and telescopic limiting magnitudes are useful to quantify the capability of the population to perceive our Universe, to evaluate the future evolution, to make cross correlations with statistical parameters and to recognize areas where astronomical observations or popularisation can still acceptably be made. We present, as an application, maps of naked eye star visibility and total sky brightness in V band in Europe at the zenith with a resolution of approximately 1 km.

Drugged drivers pose a serious threat to other people in traffic as well as to themselves. Reliable oral fluid screening devices for on-site screening of drugged drivers would be both a useful and convenient means for traffic control. In this study we evaluated the appropriateness of Drugwipe 5 and Drugwipe Benzodiazepines oral fluid on-site tests for roadside drug screening. Drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs were screened with the Drugwipe tests. Oral fluid and whole blood samples were collected from the drivers and tested for amphetamine-type stimulant drugs, cannabis, opiates, cocaine and benzodiazepines by immunological methods, GC and GC–MS. The performance evaluations of the tests were made by comparing the results of the Drugwipe tests with laboratory GC–MS confirmation results of oral fluid or whole blood. In addition to the performance evaluations of the Drugwipe tests based on laboratory results, a questionnaire on the practical aspects of the tests was written for the police officers who performed the tests. The aim of the questionnaire was to obtain user comments on the practicality of the tests as well as the advantages and weak points of the tests.The results of the performance evaluations were: for oral fluid (sensitivity; specificity; accuracy) amphetamines (95.5%; 92.9%; 95.3%), cannabis (52.2%; 91.2%; 85.1%), cocaine (50.0%; 99.3%; 98.6%), opiates (100%; 95.8%; 95.9%), benzodiazepines (74.4%; 84.2%; 79.2%) and for whole blood accordingly, amphetamines (97.7%; 86.7%; 95.9%), cannabis (68.3%; 87.9%; 84.9%), cocaine (50.0%; 98.5%; 97.7%), opiates (87.5%; 96.9%; 96.6%) and benzodiazepines (66.7%; 87.0%; 74.4%). Although the Drugwipe 5 successfully detected amphetamine-type stimulant drugs and the police officers were quite pleased with the current features of the Drugwipe tests, improvements must still be made regarding the detection of cannabis and benzodiazepines.

We examine the historical development of astrophysical science in Antarctica from the early 20th century until today. We find three temporally overlapping eras with each having a rather distinct beginning. These are the astrogeological era of meteorite discovery the high energy era of particle detectors and the photon astronomy era of microwave sub-mm and infrared telescopes sidelined by a few optical niche experiments. The favourable atmospheric and geophysical conditions are briefly examined followed by an account of the major experiments and a summary of their results. A scientific effectiveness analysis of the various projects is presented quantitatively and we conclude with an outlook of what is to come in the 21st century

NOx controlling in a municipal solid waste incinerator by selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) using urea–water solution is studied by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, which is validated with on-site experiments. A three-dimensional turbulent reacting flow CFD model including the reduced chemical kinetics and the reagent droplet phase is developed to predict the performance of the SNCR process installed

Vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip) is now being used for transgenic expression in several crops; conferring resistance against lepidopteron pests. A rapid, single step, sensitive and specific immunochromatographic (IC) strip test for the detection of recombinant Vip-S protein in the transgenic samples was developed. Polyclonal rabbit anti-Vip-S IgG conjugated to nanocolloidal gold served as a probe to detect Vip protein in test samples. The detection limit for the developed IC strip was 100 ng/ml (100 ppb) and on addition of gold enhancer the sensitivity increased to 1 ng/ml (1 ppb) of Vip-S protein. The assay was validated with transgenic brinjal samples. The assay time was less than 10 min, suitable for rapid on-site testing. No cross-reactivity was observed with other transgenic plant proteins employed for pest and weed management, i.e. Cry1Ac, Cry1Ab, and CP4-EPSPS. This on-site test offers rapid screening for a genetically modified crops having relatively new transgene (vip) entering the global market.

We report the discovery of all three diamond allotropes (cubic diamond, lonsdaleite, and n-diamond) in an extraterrestrial (ET) impact layer (the YDB), dating to the Younger Dryas onset at 12.9 ka. YDB diamonds are distributed broadly across N America and NW Europe at 15 sites spanning 9,000 km or 23 percent of Earth's circumference. N-diamonds and lonsdaleite, or hexagonal diamond, do not co-occur with terrestrial diamonds, but are found in meteorites. Lonsdaleite is found on Earth only in association with known ET impacts, and thus, is a definitive impact indicator. The diamonds were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using selected area diffraction (SAED), which display reflections corresponding to the following lattice planar spacings definitive of diamond: (1) cubic: 2.06, 1.26, 1.07, and 0.89 A; (2) lonsdaleite: 2.184, 1.261, 1.092, and 0.826 A; and (3) n-diamond: 2.06, 1.26, 1.07, and 0.89 A, plus "forbidden" reflections of 1.78, 1.04, and 0.796 A. Nanodiamonds are rounded to highly angular, and range in size from 1 to 1700 nm with most between 1 and 50 nm. Concentrations are up to 3700 ppb, equaling more than 1 billion diamonds per cm3 of sediment (comparable to K/T levels of 3600 ppb). No diamonds were detected above or below the YDB layer at any site tested. These diamonds could not have formed from volcanic activity, because they combust at temperatures above 500° C in the presence of atmospheric levels of oxygen, and micrometeoritic diamonds are similarly destroyed. Also, the diamonds could not have accumulated from the constant rain of micrometeoritic debris, because multi-billions occur in YDB layer samples, but yet none have been found in non-YDB strata dating from 55,000 RCYBP to present. YDB diamonds are associated with abundance peaks in magnetic spherules, carbon spherules, soot, and iridium, which can peak in impact layers of known ET events, such as the K/T and the 1908 airburst at Tunguska, Siberia. Furthermore, a high proportion of the nanodiamonds are found deeply embedded within spherical particles of melted plant resins, a fact inexplicable by any normal terrestrial process. Altogether, this evidence strongly suggests that the widespread and abundant nanodiamonds constrained to the thin YDB layer resulted from a major ET impact/airburst at 12.9 ka.

Collaborative research trials of Queensland-bred pine hybrids have been established in many sites outside Australia. These trials enable the estimation of genotype x environment effects, which are important in determining the level of regionalisation needed in any breeding program. Correlations across sites testing hybrids between Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis and both l? oocarpa and l? tecunurnanii established in Australia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe are reported. Diameter at breast height and height were measured in all trials, straightness in Australia and Zimbabwe, and wind firmness and lean in Australia, all at five years of age. For each pair of tests, additive genetic correlations and the correlation between full-sib family means were estimated for growth traits across sites. Genetic correlations between test-pairs located within the same country were all strong (0.65 to 0.95); however for pairs of tests in different countries the genetic correlations averaged 0.41 and 0.38 fo...

A sol-gel coating was used in the long-term protection of the 14th Century mosaic situated above the gates of St. Vitus cathedral, in the center of Prague Castle. The choice of a sol-gel coating is the result of a research effort involving both on-site testing in Prague and ...

The European Southern Observatory (ESO), the Institute for Space Imaging Science (ISIS) and the AstroMeteorology group at the Universidad de Valparaiso collaborated on a project to understand the precipitable water vapour (PWV) over the La Silla Paranal Observatory. Both La Silla and Paranal were studied with the goal of using them as reference sites to evaluate potential E-ELT sites. As ground-based infrared astronomy matures, our understanding of the atmospheric conditions over the observatories becomes paramount, specifically water vapour since it is the principle source of atmospheric opacity at infrared wavelengths. Several years of archival optical spectra (FEROS) have been analysed to reconstruct the PWV history above La Silla using an atmospheric radiative transfer model (BTRAM) developed by ISIS. In order to better understand the systematics involved, a dedicated atmospheric water vapour measurement campaign was conducted in May 2009 in close collaboration with Las Campanas observatory and the GMT site testing team. Several methods of determining the water column were employed, including radiosonde launches, continuous measurements by infrared radiometers (IRMA), a compact echelle spectrograph (BACHES) and several high-resolution optical echelle spectrographs (FEROS, HARPS and MIKE). All available observations were compared to concurrent satellite estimates of water vapour in an attempt to ground-truth the satellite data. We present a comparison of the methods used, and results from the archival study and measurement campaign. A mean PWV of 3.4 ± 2.4 mm is found for La Silla using FEROS data covering the period 2005-2009. Important lessons on the strengths and limitations of satellite data are presented. The value of a stand-alone high time resolution PWV monitor has been demonstrated in the context of parallel observations from Las Campanas and La Silla.

We apply the sky brightness modelling technique introduced and developed by Roy Garstang to high-resolution DMSP-OLS satellite measurements of upward artificial light flux and to GTOPO30 digital elevation data in order to predict the brightness distribution of the night sky at a given site in the primary astronomical photometric bands for a range of atmospheric aerosol contents. This method, based on global data and accounting for elevation, Earth curvature and mountain screening, allows the evaluation of sky glow conditions over the entire sky for any site in the World, to evaluate its evolution, to disentangle the contribution of individual sources in the surrounding territory, and to identify main contributing sources. Sky brightness, naked eye stellar visibility and telescope limiting magnitude are produced as 3-dimensional arrays whose axes are the position on the sky and the atmospheric clarity. We compared our results to available measurements.