Suchergebnisse

Abstract. One of the quickest means of tsunami evacuation is transfer to higher ground soon after strong and long ground shaking. Ground shaking itself is a good initiator of the evacuation from disastrous tsunami. Longer period seismic waves are considered to be more correlated with the earthquake magnitude. We investigated the possible application of this to tsunami hazard alarm using single-site ground motion observation. Information from the mass media is sometimes unavailable due to power failure soon after a large earthquake. Even when an official alarm is available, multiple information sources of tsunami alert would help people become aware of the coming risk of a tsunami. Thus, a device that indicates risk of a tsunami without requiring other data would be helpful to those who should evacuate. Since the sensitivity of a low-cost MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) accelerometer is sufficient for this purpose, tsunami alarm equipment for home use may be easily realized. Amplitude of long-period (20 s cutoff) displacement was proposed as the threshold for the alarm based on empirical relationships among magnitude, tsunami height, hypocentral distance, and peak ground displacement of seismic waves. Application of this method to recent major earthquakes indicated that such equipment could effectively alert people to the possibility of tsunami.

In order to enhance levels of security and reliability of power systems, allowing for advanced remote diagnostics, Merging Units (MUs) play a key role. Some of the benefits are a more efficient transmission of electricity and a better integration with renewable energy systems. In this paper an implementation of a Stand Alone Merging Unit (SAMU), compliant with the IEC 61850-9-2 standard and based on a low cost ARM microcontroller, is described. It acquires two signals, one voltage and one current, and it sends the samples over the Ethernet connection. A high-resolution analog to digital converter (ADC), synchronized to the Universal Time coordinated (UTC) through a Global Positioning System (GPS) disciplined oscillator, is used. The results of the characterization of the ADC are presented. ; The work reported here has received support from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's

Purpose: To examine 2-week nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) starter kit quit outcomes and predictors and the impact of adding this new service on treatment reach. Design: Observational study of a 1-year cohort of QUITPLAN Services enrollees using registration and utilization data and follow-up outcome survey data of a subset of enrollees who received NRT starter kits. Setting: ClearWay Minnesota's QUITPLAN Services provides a quit line that is available to uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans and NRT starter kits (a free 2-week supply of patches, gum, or lozenges) that are available to all Minnesota tobacco users. Participants: A total of 15 536 adult QUITPLAN Services enrollees and 818 seven-month follow-up survey NRT starter kit respondents. Measures: Treatment reach for all services and tobacco quit outcomes and predictors for starter kit recipients. Analysis: Descriptive analyses, χ2 analyses, and logistic regression. Results: Treatment reach increased 3-fold after adding the 2-week NRT starter kit service option to QUITPLAN Services compared to the prior year (1.86% vs 0.59%). Among all participants enrolling in QUITPLAN services during a 1-year period, 83.8% (13 026/15 536) registered for a starter kit. Among starter kit respondents, 25.6% reported being quit for 30 days at the 7-month follow-up. After controlling for other factors, using all NRT and selecting more cessation services predicted quitting. Conclusion: An NRT starter kit brought more tobacco users to QUITPLAN services, demonstrating interest in cessation services separate from phone counseling. The starter kit produced high quit rates, comparable to the quit line in the same time period. Cessation service providers may want to consider introducing starter kits to reach more tobacco users and ultimately improve population health.

Electrification policies are crucial to improve the welfare of rural populationsworldwide. In this context, auctions for the deployment of stand-alone solar home systems (SASHS) are an appropriate alternative to facilitate access to electricity in rural areas. The aim of this paper is to analyze the design elements and functioning of the SASHS auction in Peru in order to derive lessons for the effective and efficient design of those auctions. Based on an analytical framework developed elsewhere, this article draws on official documents and data, secondary material and interviews with stakeholders. Our results show that some design elements are particularly suitable in this regard. In contrast to renewable electricity auctions in general, for which the volume auctioned is usually set as capacity (MW) or generation (MWh), the volume of SASHS auctions should be set in terms of the number of SASHS providing an electricity service.Geographical diversity,with different auctions per region, would ensure the adoption of a minimum amount of SASHS in a given geographical area. Financial solvency, but not technical reputation, should be required. Otherwise, only the incumbents would be able to participate in the auction. The choice of technology-specific, price-only, sealed-bid, single-item auctions brings benefits in terms of economies of scale, lower support or transaction costs and a greater transparency or simplicity. A correction factor on the remuneration which accounts for the quality of the service, as applied in the Peru auction, is suitable for this type of auctions. Finally, provision of technical information, which facilitates the participation in the auction, and the implementation of a non-disclosed ceiling price are deemed appropriate. In contrast, given the lowpresence of local companies in the Peruvian PV market, the adoption of local content requirements would lead to higher support costs without significantly increasing the local development potential. ; The authors would like to acknowledge Mr. Julio Eisman Valdés forhis guidance and support and Mr. Mats Marquardt (Factor) for editingsupport. Dr. Cabeza would like to thank the Catalan Government forthe quality accreditation given to her research group GREiA (2017 SGR1537). GREiA is certified agent TECNIO in the category of technology de-velopers from the Government of Catalonia. This work is partially sup-ported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia program

Recently, the environmental objectives set by the European Union to reduce CO2 emissions and to increase the renewable share, together with the reduction of PV prices since 2010, have motivated a great interest in PV heat pump systems for heating and cooling applications. This papers describes the initial characterization test and results of a stand-alone PV heat pump prototype installed in Madrid (Spain), using a water tank as thermal storage instead of batteries as electricity storage (a more expensive and technically complex solution). This initial test has the objective of characterizing the response of the converter that operates the compressor of the heat pump. Such converter was powered by a constant frequency input (the electric grid), in order to quantify the variable frequency output that the compressor demands. In future work, the converter will be powered by a PV array (which means a variable frequency input) and programmed to provide the required output without overcoming any limit value of the system. This way, the heat pump system will be operated completely stand-alone.

Since the early 1990's the number of corporate stand-alone reports produced by various organisations worldwide has increased considerably (Kolk, 2004; Owen, 2006). It is argued that introducing an assurance statement with the stand-alone report may contribute to enhancing the credibility of the reported information (FEE, 2002; Dando and Swift, 2003; ACCA and AccountAbility, 2004). This thesis reports on a multi-level analysis of assurance statements attached to stand-alone reports that were produced by the UK FTSE100 companies during the reporting years 2000-2004. Drawing on a research instrument (which itself has been informed by previous literature, namely O'Dwyer and Owen, 2005) as well as the most recent assurance guidelines and standards (such as FEE, 2002; GRI, 2002, AA1000AS, 2003; and ISAE3000, 2004), this thesis examines the extent to which assurance statements disclose information about crucial elements of the assurance engagement, the amount of disclosure as well as factors associated with the information disclosed. In this context, particular attention is given to issues of independence of the assurance provider; the methodology used to conduct the assurance engagement; the degree to which stakeholders have been engaged and their issues taken account of within the assurance process; and assurance results (namely presentation of the assurance opinion, findings and recommendations). The research results suggest that, despite the increased amount and quality of information disclosed within the assurance statements over the years, engagement of stakeholders and taking adequate account of their issues within the assurance process is still lacking compared to other dimensions of assurance. In the absence of generally accepted stand-alone reporting criteria and assurance standards for this type of reporting, various assurance approaches have emerged and these correspond to the nature of the assurance provider (for example, accountancy, consultancy and certification body). The FTSE100 companies (in almost in two-thirds of the conducted engagements) rely most heavily on consultancy firms for assurance and as a result, this approach dominates UK assurance practice. As a consequence, there are noticeable variations in the assurance methodologies, results of the assurance engagements (findings, opinions and recommendations) and shape of the assurance statements over the study. There are also changes that emerge over time and these are most strongly associated with the standards that are used to govern the assurance engagement and also the type of information being assured. These findings raise concerns about whether it is possible to harmonise assurance practice of the corporate stand-alone reports. This thesis concludes with some practical implications for the assurance of stand-alone reports, as well as recommendations for future research.

ObjectiveTo assess program completion of the online OurRelationship program with varying levels of paraprofessional support in an effort to further examine the role of coach support in self‐help couple interventions.BackgroundAlthough the OurRelationship program for distressed couples has been found to statistically improve relationship and individual functioning, the program's provision of paraprofessional coach support limits its dissemination and implementation.MethodUsing an interrupted time series design, we compared completion rates of those who enrolled in a trial of OurRelationship with no coach support (n = 529 couples) to completion rates of a previous trial of OurRelationship in which couples were randomized to receive either one (n = 179 couples) or four (n = 177 couples) calls with a coach.ResultsIndividuals were statistically less likely to complete the OurRelationship program when they were not provided a coach than they were when provided with either one or four coach calls. Analyses of moderators of completion rates revealed that a coach was generally equally helpful across demographic factors and measures of baseline relationship and individual functioning; however, coaching was especially helpful for Hispanic individuals and those without elevated depressive symptoms at baseline.ConclusionsEven a single call with a coach yields higher completion of an online program for relationship distress.ImplicationsThe findings highlight the growing need for tests of alternate types of program support, such as automated support, in an effort to reduce program costs and increase potential for dissemination without negatively affecting program completion rates.