C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi are dog and cat commensals which can be transmitted to humans via bites or scratches and can cause sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, and eye- or wound infections. Recently an additional Capnocytophaga species was identified as part of the oral flora of healthy dogs and was given the name "C. canis". We previously identified a Capnocytophaga isolate that could not be typed with available diagnostic tests including MALDI-TOF, 16S rRNA sequencing or species-specific PCR. This strain and 21 other Capnocytophaga spp isolated in Sweden from clinical blood- or wound-cultures were subjected to whole genome sequencing using the Illumina platform. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the previously non-typable isolate belongs to the putative new species "C. canis". Since this strain was isolated from a wound it also shows that members of "C. canis" have the potential to be pathogenic. In addition, our phylogenetic analysis uncovered an additional species of Capnocytophaga, which can be transmitted from dogs and cats to humans, suggesting a speciation within the Capnocytophaga family that has not been observed before. We propose the name of "C. stomatis" for this putative novel species.

In this paper, a simplified discrete model for calculating the modal parameters of the fundamental vertical mode of a simple beam on viscoelastic supports is proposed. Exact closed-form expressions for the fundamental natural frequency and modal damping ratio of the aforementioned coupled system are derived, as a function of the beam geometry and the foundation impedances. Using this model, the effect of the dynamic stiffness and dissipation capacity of the foundation-soil system on the modal characteristics of the fundamental vertical mode of the railway beam bridges is investigated and discussed. The proposed closed-form expressions, in combination with the impedance functions of different foundation-soil systems, can clarify the main features of dynamic SSI analysis of the railway beam bridges and lead to review the recommended modal damping ratios in the code provisions and design manuals.

Short-span portal frame bridges are predominant in Swedish railway lines. Although it is well known that the dynamic response of these partially-buried rigid structures is governed by the surrounding soil, the effect of the soil is usually neglected in the train-induced vibration analysis due to the expensive computational costs. This paper focuses on studying the effect of the surrounding soil conditions on the dynamic response of portal frame railway bridges. The study aims to validate the accuracy of simplified numerical models in evaluating the dynamic stiffness and modal properties of the bridge-soil system. To achieve this aim, a model updating method was used for FE model calibration of a full-scale portal frame bridge using measured frequency response functions. Both measured and computed responses identify the substantial contribution of the surrounding soil on the global damping of the system and highlight the importance of the soil-structure interaction on the dynamic response of these structures.

This paper is devoted to identify the effect of soil-structure interaction on the dynamic response of,a portal frame railway bridge. The study aims to validate the accuracy of numerical models in evaluating the dynamic stiffness and modal properties of the bridge-soil system. To achieve this aim, a controlled vibration test has been performed on a full-scale portal frame bridge to determine the modal properties of the system through measuring Frequency Response Functions. The results of the dynamic test provide reference data for FE model calibration as well as valuable information about the dynamic behavior of this type of bridges. Using the experimental data, an FRF-based model updating procedure was used to calibrate a full 3D solid model involving the entire bridge track-soil system. Both measured and computed responses identify the substantial contribution of the surrounding soil on the global damping of the system and highlight the importance of the soil-structure interaction on the dynamic response of this type of bridges. The identified modal damping ratio corresponding to the fundamental bending mode of the studied bridge was nearly 5 times higher than the recommended design values. A simplified model for the surrounding soil was also proposed in order to attain a less complicated model appropriate for practical design purposes.

The work reported in this thesis presents a general overview of the dynamic response of short-span railway bridges considering soil-structure interaction. The study aims to identify the effect of the surrounding and underlying soil on the global stiffness and damping of the structural system. This may lead to better assumptions and more efficient numerical models for design.A simple discrete model for calculating the dynamic characteristics of the fundamental bending mode of single span beam bridges on viscoelastic supports was proposed. This model was used to study the effect of the dynamic stiffness of the foundation on the modal parameters (e.g. natural frequency and damping ratio) of railway beam bridges. It was shown that the variation in the underlying soil profiles leads to a different dynamic response of the system. This effect depends on the ratio between the flexural stiffness of the bridge and the dynamic stiffness of the foundation-soil system but also on the ratio between the resonant frequency of the soil layer and the fundamental frequency of the bridge.

The effect of the surrounding soil conditions on the vertical dynamic response of portal frame bridges was also investigated both numerically and experimentally. To this end, different numerical models (i.e. full FE models and coupled FE-BE models) have been developed. Controlled vibration tests have been performed on two full-scale portal frame bridges to determine the modal properties of the bridge-soil system and calibrate the numerical models. Both experimental and numerical results identified the substantial contribution of the surrounding soil on the global damping of short-span portal frame bridges. A simplified model for the surrounding soil was also proposed in order to define a less complicated model appropriate for practical design purposes.

The experimental investigations performed on the behaviour of reinforce concrete elements subjected to blast loading have revealed that the shear mechanisms and ductility play important roles in the overall response and failure mode of such structures.

The main aim of this master thesis is to study the possibility of using finite element method as a tool for predicting the dynamic response of blast loaded reinforced concrete beams and evaluation of their shear strength. In this study, the commercial software, ABAQUS/Explicit has been used by implementing appropriate constitutive material models in order to consider the material nonlinearity, stiffness degradation and strain rate effects. The results of some blast loaded tested beams have been used for verification and calibration of the model. As a secondary objective, the calibrated model used to study the influence of some important factors on the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams and investigate their effects on the failure mode. The results used as a reference and compared with the calculations according to some design codes for blast resistance design.

The results of the present research show that the implemented nonlinear finite element model successfully simulates the dynamic responses including displacement/reaction force time histories and induced damage patterns of blast tested beams with reasonable accuracy.

The results of performed parametric study confirm that the ductility play important role in the failure behaviour of studied beams. The numerical simulations show that dynamic response of a soft element is more ductile than the stiffer one and the shear forces are thereby limited. Thus, although a soft element fails by large deformations in flexure, a stiff element may experience a brittle shear failure mode for the same load intensity.

The comparison between the results of numerical analysis and design codes calculation show that the American approach in shear design of reinforced concrete elements subjected to blast loading is relatively conservative, similar to static design approach and do not consider the effect of ductility in the shear design procedure. On the contrary, the procedure that Swedish guideline implemented somehow considers the effect of ductility on the shear strength of reinforced concrete elements subjected to impulsive loads.

Further research should involve the using the developed finite element model as a tool in order to theoretically study the dynamic response of blast loaded reinforced concrete elements and their failure modes. The results of numerical simulations can be used as a reference to derive simplified computational methods for practical design purposes.

In the last few years the usage of 3D finite element analyses has increased substantially in the bridge design community. Such analyses provide the possibility for a more accurate study of the structure than what is possible by using more traditional design tools. However, in order to use the full strength of the finite element method in daily design practice a number of critical issues have to be addressed. These issues are related either to the FE-modelling itself (geometry, support conditions, mesh density, etc.) or to the post processing of the obtained results (stress concentrations, choice of critical sections, distribution widths and so on).  In the latter category, one problem of special significance refers to concrete structures subjected to restrained forces caused by temperature loading or shrinkage.

In this context, the present report addresses the problem of crack width control in transversal direction for concrete slab frame bridges subjected to restrained thermal or shrinkage loading. The recommendations given herein are based not only on the existing literature but also on the authors own investigations using non-linear finite element analyses.

The authors want to express their gratitude to the members of the reference group. Their comments and suggestions have been invaluable in shaping the report.

This report is a part of a larger research project entitled “Recommendations for finite element analysis of structures whose coordinators are Costin Pacoste and Mario Plos. The work has been financially supported by Trafikverket and also ELU Konsult. This support is gratefully acknowledged.

The acoustic characteristics of so-called 'dist' tones, commonly used in singing rock music, are analyzed in a case study. In an initial experiment a professional rock singer produced examples of 'dist' tones. The tones were found to contain aperiodicity, SPL at 0.3 m varied between 90 and 96 dB, and subglottal pressure varied in the range of 20-43 cm H₂O, a doubling yielding, on average, an SPL increase of 2.3 dB. In a second experiment, the associated vocal fold vibration patterns were recorded by digital high-speed imaging of the same singer. Inverse filtering of the simultaneously recorded audio signal showed that the aperiodicity was caused by a low frequency modulation of the flow glottogram pulse amplitude. This modulation was produced by an aperiodic or periodic vibration of the supraglottic mucosa. This vibration reduced the pulse amplitude by obstructing the airway for some of the pulses produced by the apparently periodically vibrating vocal folds. The supraglottic mucosa vibration can be assumed to be driven by the high airflow produced by the elevated subglottal pressure.

This thesis analyses a specific type of energy usage system, “energy usage in hotels”, and how this system behaves. In order to evaluate the current state of energy use in hotels, an energy audit questionnaire was developed and conducted among 31,5% of hotels on the Adriatic coast. The energy audit was used as a tool to set a benchmark for energy consumption in hotels and to identify opportunities for increased energy efficiency measures in HVAC systems. The analysis has shown that the average energy consumption in hotels on the Adriatic coast is in the range of 159 to 180 kWh/m2 and 162 to 225 kWh/m2 for seasonal and non seasonal hotels respectively. In order to establish a relationship between different independent variables in the hotels (total floor area and number of rooms) and dependent variables, such as electricity and oil consumption, mathematical statistical methods, such as correlation and regression analysis, were implemented.

The objective of this thesis was also to develop - from an energy, environmental and economical points of view - a methodology for the design and retrofit of HVAC systems in the hotels on the Adriatic coast. The methodology named HOTECO is based on a system thinking approach. With respect to the technological aspects, the first step was to analyse conventional HVAC system designs and to compare it with the three most promising alternative HVAC systems utilizing renewable energy sources for a typical hotel. Computer modelling in TRNSYS was used to assess energy consumption. TRNSYS software has been used for simulations for a number of years, is internationally recognized, and has been validated and verified.

It was concluded that energy and environmental savings in hotels on the Adriatic coast could be achieved using readily available technologies. The HOTECO methodology also demonstrated a framework that supports decision making iv regarding system selection and operational strategies to limit environmental impact from HVAC systems in hotels. Four scenarios for energy consumption in hotels on the Adriatic coast with regards to current state of energy systems and improved retrofit solutions utilizing renewable energy source were given.

The focus of this study is on the relationship between uranyl(VI) poly-peroxo clusters in the solid state and their possible precursors in solution. For this purpose, the complex formation in the ternary U(VI)-H2O2-F-system has been studied by potentiometric titrations, measuring p[H+] and p[F-], revealing that significant amounts of ternary uranyl(VI)-peroxide-fluoride complexes are formed. Based on the analysis of these data we find that there are two models consistent with structure data and previous speciation in the uranyl(VI)peroxide- carbonate system (Dalton. Trans., 2012, 41, 11635-11641). One model contains ternary complexes (UO2)(4)(O-2)(4)F- and (UO2)(4)(O-2)(4)F-2(2-) and the other (UO2)(4)(O-2) (F-)(4) and (UO2)(5)(O-2)(5)F-3(3-); we have chosen the second model as the one most consistent with available information. We suggest that (UO2)(4)(O-2)(4)(F-) is a building block in the U-24 cluster, [Na-6(OH2)(8)]@[UO2(O-2)F](24)(18-) identified in a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of the solid phase that slowly precipitates from the slightly acidic test solutions. At p[H+] approximate to 9.5, a new solid phase is formed that contains the cluster [Na-6(OH2)(8)]@[UO2(O-2)OH](24)(18-), also identified from an X-ray structure. Both structures contain. 2-. 2 bridging peroxide and. 2 bridging fluoride or hydroxide ions, respectively. As fluoride bridges are unknown in solution coordination chemistry, it is unlikely that the U-24 fluoride cluster is formed in solution. We suggest that both the solid state fluoride and hydroxide clusters are formed in the crystallization from smaller precursors identified in solution. The study illustrates the importance of accurate control of the solution chemistry when preparing poly-peroxo-metallate clusters and also that the mechanism of their formation is still an open field of research.

The enthalpies of reaction for the formation of uranyl(VI) hydroxide {[(UO2)(2)(OH)(2)](2+), [(UO2)(3)(OH)(4)](2+), [(UO2)(3)(OH)(5)](+), [(UO2)(3)(OH)(6)]((aq)), [(UO2)(3)(OH)(7)](-), [(UO2)(3)(OH)(8)](2-), [(UO2)(OH)(3)](-), [(UO2)(OH)(4)](2-)} and peroxide complexes {[UO2(O-2)(OH)](-) and [(UO2)(2)(O-2)(2)(OH)](-)} have been determined from calorimetric titrations at 25 degrees C in a 0.100 M tetramethyl ammonium nitrate ionic medium. The hydroxide data have been used to test the consistency of the extensive thermodynamic database published by the Nuclear Energy Agency (I. Grenthe, J. Fuger, R. J. M. Konings, R. J. Lemire, A. B. Mueller, C. Nguyen-Trung and H. Wanner, Chemical Thermodynamics of Uranium, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1992 and R. Guillaumont, T. Fanghanel, J. Fuger, I. Grenthe, V. Neck, D. J. Palmer and M. R. Rand, Update on the Chemical Thermodynamics of Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium, Americium and Technetium, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2003). A brief discussion is given about a possible structural relationship between the trinuclear complexes [(UO2)(3)(OH)(n)](6-n), n = 4-8.

The composition and equilibrium constants of the complexes formed in the binary U(VI)-hydroxide and the ternary U(VI)-hydroxide-peroxide systems have been studied using potentiometric and spectrophotometric data at 25 degrees C in a 0.100 M tetramethylammonium nitrate medium. The data for the binary U(VI) hydroxide complexes were in good agreement with previous studies. In the ternary system two complexes were identified, [UO2(OH)(O-2)](-) and [(UO2)(2)(OH)(O-2)(2)](-). Under our experimental conditions the former is predominant over a broad p[H+] region from 9.5 to 11.5, while the second is found in significant amounts at p[H+] < 10.5. The formation of the ternary peroxide complexes results in a strong increase in the molar absorptivity of the test solutions. The absorption spectrum for [(UO2)(2)(OH) (O-2)(2)](-) was resolved into two components with peaks at 353 and 308 nm with molar absorptivity of 16200 and 20300 M-1 cm(-1), respectively, suggesting that the electronic transitions are dipole allowed. The molar absorptivity of [(UO2)(OH)(O-2)](-) at the same wave lengths are significantly lower, but still about one to two orders of magnitude larger than the values for UO22+(aq) and the binary uranyl(VI) hydroxide complexes. It is of interest to note that [(UO2)(OH)(O-2)](-) might be the building block in cluster compounds such as [UO2(OH)(O-2)](60)(60-) studied by Burns et al. (P. C. Burns, K. A. Kubatko, G. Sigmon, B. J. Fryer, J. E. Gagnon, M. R. Antonio and L. Soderholm, Angew. Chem. 2005, 117, 2173-2177). Speciation calculations using the known equilibrium constants for the U(VI) hydroxide and peroxide complexes show that the latter are important in alkaline solutions even at very low total concentrations of peroxide, suggesting that they may be involved when the uranium minerals Studtite and meta-Studtite are formed by alpha-radiolysis of water. Radiolysis will be much larger in repositories for spent nuclear fuel where hydrogen peroxide might contribute both to the corrosion of the fuel and to transport of uranium in a ground water system.

The focus of this study is on the identification of precursors in solution that might act as building blocks when solid uranyl(VI) poly-peroxometallate clusters containing peroxide and hydroxide bridges are formed. The precursors could be identified by using carbonate as an auxiliary ligand that prevented the formation of large clusters, such as the ones found in solids of fullerene type. Using data from potentiometric and NMR (O-17 and C-13) experiments we identified the following complexes and determined their equilibrium constants: (UO2)(2)(O-2)(CO3)(4)(6-), UO2(O-2)CO32-, UO2(O-2)(CO3)(2)(4-), (UO2)(2)(O-2)(CO3)(2)(2-), (UO2)(2)(O-2)(2)(CO3)(2-) and [UO2(O-2)(CO3)(5)(10-). The NMR spectra of the pentamer show that all uranyl and carbonate sites are equivalent, which is only consistent with a ring structure built from uranyl units linked by peroxide bridges with the carbonate coordinated "outside" the ring; this proposed structure is very similar to [UO2(O-2)(oxalate)](5)(10-) identified by Burns et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 16648; Inorg. Chem., 2012, 51, 2403) in K-10[UO2(O-2)(oxalate)](5)center dot(H2O)(13); similar ring structures where oxalate or carbonate has been replaced by hydroxide are important structure elements in solid poly-peroxometallate complexes. The equivalent uranyl sites in (UO2)(2)(O-2)(2)(CO3)(2-) suggest that the uranyl-units are linked by the carbonate ion and not by peroxide.

The alkali metal ions Li+, Na+ and K+ have a profound influence on the stoichiometry of the complexes formed in uranyl(VI)-peroxide-hydroxide systems, presumably as a result of a templating effect, resulting in the formation of two complexes, M[(UO2)(O-2)(OH)](2)(-) where the uranyl units are linked by one peroxide bridge, mu-eta(2)-eta(2), with the second peroxide coordinated "end-on", eta(2), to one of the uranyl groups, and M[(UO2)(O-2)(OH)](4)(3-), with a four-membered ring of uranyl ions linked by mu-eta(2)-eta(2) peroxide bridges. The stoichiometry and equilibrium constants for the reactions: M+ + 2UO(2)(2+) + 2HO(2)(-) + 2H(2)O -> M[(UO2)(O-2)(OH)] 2 - + 4H(+) (1) and M+ + 4UO(2)(2+) + 4HO(2)(-) + 4H(2)O -> M[(UO2)(O-2)(OH)](4)(3-) + 8H(+) (2) have been measured at 25 degrees C in 0.10 M (tetramethyl ammonium/M+)NO3 ionic media using reaction calorimetry. Both reactions are strongly enthalpy driven with large negative entropies of reaction; the observation that Delta H(2) approximate to 2 Delta H(1) suggests that the enthalpy of reaction is approximately the same when peroxide is added in bridging and "end-on" positions. The thermodynamic driving force in the reactions is the formation of strong peroxide bridges and the role of M+ cations is to provide a pathway with a low activation barrier between the reactants and in this way "guide" them to form peroxide bridged complexes; they play a similar role as in the synthesis of crown-ethers. Quantum chemical (QC) methods were used to determine the structure of the complexes, and to demonstrate how the size of the M+-ions affects their coordination geometry. There are several isomers of Na[(UO2)(O-2)(OH)](2)(-) and QC energy calculations show that the ones with a peroxide bridge are substantially more stable than the ones with hydroxide bridges. There are isomers with different coordination sites for Na+ and the one with coordination to the peroxide bridge and two uranyl oxygen atoms is the most stable one.

The constitution and equilibrium constants of ternary uranyl(VI) peroxide carbonate complexes [(UO2)(p)(O-2)(q)(CO3)(r)](2(p-q-r)) have been determined at 0 degrees C in 0.50 M MNO3, M = Li, K, and TMA (tetramethyl ammonium), ionic media using potentiometric and spectrophotometric data; O-17 NMR data were used to determine the number of complexes present. The formation of cyclic oligomers, "[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](n)", n = 4, 5, 6, with different stoichiometries depending on the ionic medium used, suggests that Li+, Na+, K+ and TMA ions act as templates for the formation of uranyl peroxide rings where the uranyl-units are linked by mu-eta(2)-eta(2) bridged peroxide-ions. The templating effect is due to the coordination of the M+-ions to the uranyl oxygen atoms, where the coordination of Li+ results in the formation of Li[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](4)(7-), Na+ and K+ in the formation of Na/K[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](5)(9-) complexes, while the large tetramethyl ammonium ion promotes the formation of two oligomers, TMA[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)] 5 9-and TMA[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](6)(11-). The NMR spectra demonstrate that the coordination of Na+ in the five-and six-membered oligomers is significantly stronger than that of TMA(+); these observations suggest that the templating effect is similar to the one observed in the synthesis of crown-ethers. The NMR experiments also demonstrate that the exchange between TMA[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](5)(9-) and TMA[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](6)(11-) is slow on the O-17 chemical shift time-scale, while the exchange between TMA[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](6)(11-)and Na[(UO2)(O-2)(CO3)](6)(11-) is fast. There was no indication of the presence of large clusters of the type identified by Burns and Nyman (M. Nyman and P. C. Burns, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012, 41, 7314-7367) and possible reasons for this and the implications for the synthesis of large clusters are briefly discussed.

This paper describes a new approach to the management of product variety that

should help manufacturing companies to improve the profitability of their product

portfolios. The scientific research is conducted in different ways. After a short

introduction of basic concepts relevant for the research, a broad review of the

existing academic knowledge is proposed in form of a literature review. As a

conclusion of the review, gap analysis shows the limitations of existing methods of

variety management and sets the requirements for a new methodology. A

methodology is hence developed by the author to analyze variety of product

portfolios. The methodology includes the analysis of customer requirements, the

calculation of complexity costs and the mapping of physical variety. Furthermore,

clear guidelines are presented with the aim of improving the overall profitability of the

chosen product portfolio; these mainly refer to changes in product architectural

aspects or complete elimination of certain product variants.

Subsequently, empirical evidence has been gathered from a case study at a

manufacturing company, which has been a valuable source of data to confirm the

applicability and the validity of such a methodology. The benefits of using the

proposed methodology are proved, comparing the achieved results to the ones

gathered after the application of other methodologies.

The purpose of this study was to develop a new methodology for supporting and

enhancing decision related to variety in manufacturing companies. This methodology

aims to find a way to link the cost of complexity to the product architecture, what

represents a very important aspect that existing methodologies cannot fully perform.

For this reason the study provides a valuable contribution to the empirical knowledge

on variety management practices.

In light of recent data from hot-wire anemometry and laser Doppler velocimetry, this article explores experimentally the momentum balance and kinetic energy production in fully developed turbulent pipe flow for shear Reynolds numbers in the range from two pipe facilities. It has become common practice to indirectly deduce the Reynolds shear stress via the mean flow data and the mean-momentum balance whenever the simultaneous measurements of the streamwise and wall-normal velocity fluctuations can not be performed precisely. The current assessment underlines, however, the importance of measuring the Reynolds shear stress directly, and the friction velocity independently from the mean-velocity profile to ascertain the quality of the data when utilising the momentum balance. The present analysis also reinforces the universality of the viscous stress gradient to the Reynolds shear stress gradient in the wall vicinity up to the inner limit of the logarithmic layer. The new set of the experimental data shows that Panton's stress function reproduces the measured Reynolds shear stress and kinetic energy production in turbulent pipe flows over a wide Reynolds number range to a high degree.

This paper proposes a model-based current/torque control strategy for synchronous machines, where the magnetic model mismatches are compensated in real time and the flux weakening operation is obtained without the need of an external voltage regulation loop. Starting from an initial (and potentially wrong) knowledge of the non-linear current-to-flux linkage relation in the form of a look-up-table, a combination of feedforward actions, compensating mechanisms and binary searches are used to achieve the target during real-time operation. The algorithm is implemented in a laboratory test bench and successfully verified with experiments on an 11-kW synchronous reluctance machine, proving the feasibility of the proposed approach.

This work discusses an online stator resistance estimation method for synchronous machines. Multiple improvements are provided with respect to a similar method already been used for induction machines. The method is based on the temporary injection of a DC voltage in the machine phases during normal operation. The stator resistance estimation is obtained by means of the Ohm's law. The proposed scheme works entirely in the stator fixed reference frame, without the need of any machine parameter. The selection of the DC injection level is discussed, as well as the countermeasures for reducing the spurious harmonics appearing in the currents and the torque when the machine is speed- and current-regulated. In particular, minimum electric loss and minimum torque ripple due to the injection is achieved. Moreover, as an alternative to conventional low-pass filtering of the measured signals, it is shown that the resistance estimation can be obtained by averaging the signals over few electric periods. Experiments prove the validity of the proposed approach.

The paper analyses a combined current model-voltage model estimator for flux linkages in permanent magnet synchronous machines, with the capability of converging to exact flux estimation even in presence of mismatches because of magnetic saturation. As a trend in next-generation electric drives, the whole algorithm, including both the flux estimator and the standard field-oriented control, has been implemented in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chip. Simulations and experimental tests, along with some figures for the FPGA selection, have been included in the study.

Industrial automation has been recently challenged by new initiatives such as Industry 4.0, which promises higher connectivity between the devices in an industrial plant. The goal of this work is to discuss how electric drives, widely employed in industry, could benefit from this increased connectivity. Specific applications, such as condition monitoring and multi drive systems, are considered to show the advantages of the industrial network presence, combined with the introduction of new data driven methods. Moreover, the status of industrial communication technologies is depicted, and their suitability for condition monitoring and multi-drive systems applications is described.

This study proposes a model-based control strategy for flux weakening operation of a synchronous reluctance machine, with a methodology that is extendible to any synchronous machine. The strategy leverages in the presence of digital non-linear models that describe the relation between currents and flux linkages in the machine. Such models are usually needed for conventional maximum-torque-per-ampere control and sensorless control, but here they are exploited to achieve flux-weakening operation without the need of flux weakening regulators, ensuring a seamless transition between the operating regions of the machine. The external voltage regulation loop for flux weakening is thus eliminated and substituted by a combination of look-up tables and binary searches, which are executed within one digital control period and which generate the required current and voltage references that fulfil the drive limitations. The method can also be coupled with mechanisms to compensate for magnetic parameter inaccuracies, to achieve an accurate tracking of the reference torque. The proposed solution is simulated and validated in a laboratory test bench on an 11 kW synchronous reluctance machine.

The present deliverable presents a general overview of the European rail freight system in terms of:

Demand:

Where the general characteristics and trends on freight transportation market are analysed, obtaining among other conclusions that more transport of processed high-valued goods with low density and higher space requirement is happening in contrast to transport of bulk cargo and heavy goods.

Supply

Where the freight railway system and its performance are analysed, being intermodal transportation and unit trains the business segments with major interest. The current wagon fleet characteristics together with their performance are discussed to produce guidelines for VEL-Wagon concepts, among which the multipurpose applications. 

Infrastructure

General overview of railway infrastructure characteristics paying especial attention to loading gauges and axle loads.

Finally it presents rough concept definitions of VEL-Wagon based on partners evaluation.

Pyrolysis of biomass consists of heating solid biomass inthe absence of air to produce solid, liquid and gaseous fuels.In the first part of this thesis rapid pyrolysis of wood(birch) and some agricultural residues (olive waste, sugarcanebagasse and wheat straw in untreated and in pelletized form) athigh temperature (800ºC–1000ºC) is studied ina free fall reactor at pilot scale. These conditions are ofinterest for gasification in fluidized beds. Of main interestare the gas and char yields and compositions as well as thereactivity of the produced char in gasification.

A higher temperature and smaller particles increase theheating rate resulting in a decreased char yield. The crackingof the hydrocarbons with an increase of the hydrogen content inthe gaseous product is favoured by a higher temperature and byusing smaller particles. Wood gives more volatiles and lesschar than straw and olive waste. The higher ash content inagricultural residues favours the charring reactions. Charsfrom olive waste and straw are more reactive in gasificationthan chars from birch because of the higher ash content. Thecomposition of the biomass influences the product distribution.Birch and bagasse give more volatiles and less char thanquebracho, straw and olive waste. Longer residence time inrapid pyrolysis increase the time for contact between tar andchar which makes the char less reactive. The secondary charproduced from tar not only covers the primary char but alsoprobably encapsulates the ash and hinders the catalytic effectof the ash. High char reactivity is favoured by conditionswherethe volatiles are rapidly removed from the particle, i.e.high heating rate, high temperature and small particles.

The second part of this thesis deals with slow pyrolysis inpresence of steam for preparation of active carbon. Theinfluence of the type of biomass, the type of reactor and thetreatment conditions, mainly temperature and activation time,on the properties and the yield of active carbons are studied.The precursors used in the experiments are birch (wood) anddifferent types of agricultural residues such as sugarcanebagasse, olive waste, miscanthus pellets and straw in untreatedand pelletized form.

The results from the pyrolysis of biomass in presence ofsteam are compared with those obtained in inert atmosphere ofnitrogen. The steam contributes to the formation of solidresidues with high surface area and good adsorption capacity.The yield of liquid products increases significantly at theexpense of the gaseous and solid products. Large amount ofsteam result in liquid products consisting predominantly ofwater-soluble polar compounds.

In comparison to the stationary fixed bed reactor, therotary reactor increases the production of energy-rich gases atthe expense of liquid products.

The raw materials have strong effect on the yields and theproperties of the pyrolysis products. At equal time oftreatment an increase of the temperature results in a decreaseof the yield of solid residue and improvement of the adsorptioncapacity until the highest surface area is reached. Furtherincrease of the temperature decreases the yield of solidproduct without any improvement in the adsorption capacity. Therate of steam flow influences the product distribution. Theyield of liquid products increases while the gas yielddecreases when the steam flow is increased.

Keywords: rapid pyrolysis, pyrolysis, wood, agriculturalresidues,biomass, char, tar, gas, char reactivity,gasification, steam, active carbon

This paper deals with rapid pyrolysis of agricultural residues such as olive waste and straw at high temperature (800 -1000degreesC) in a free-fall reactor at pilot scale. The conditions are of interest for gasification in fluidized beds where rapid pyrolysis plays an important role as first stage. The objective of the work is to study the effect of the process conditions such as heating rate, temperature and particle size on the product distribution, gas composition and char reactivity. A higher temperature and smaller particles increase the heating rate resulting in a decreased char yield. The cracking of the hydrocarbons with an increase in the hydrogen content is favoured by a higher temperature and by using smaller particles. Wood gives more volatiles and less char than straw and olive waste. The higher ash content in agricultural residues favours the charring reactions. The higher lignin content in olive waste results in a higher char yield in comparison with straw. Chars from olive waste and straw are more reactive in gasification than chars from birch because of the higher ash content.

This paper describes the preparation of activated carbon by chemical activation. The selected biomass used as precursor is sawdust from both Cuban and Swedish Pine tree. Phosphoric acid and Zinc Sulphate are the chemical reagents. The objective is to study the influence of acid concentration, impregnation ratio and activation temperature on adsorption performance of the obtained activated carbon.

The experiments with phosphoric acid activation show that treatment with 40% acid concentration at 400 °C produce an activated carbon with good properties for ammonia adsorption and good iodine number. If a 30% phosphoric acid is used for activation, an activation temperature of 500 °C is recommended. With an impregnation ratio of 1, good adsorption was obtained in the activated carbon produced from Swedish pine while using Cuban pine a higher adsorption was obtained with an impregnation ratio of 2.

The experiments with Zinc Sulphate activation show that activation conditions of 20% zinc sulphate concentration, 400 °C and impregnation ratio: 1 are enough to produce an activated carbon with good properties for ammonia adsorption. The adsorption of carbon tetrachloride was lower. Activated carbons produced with 10 % zinc sulphate concentration, 0.5 impregnation ratio and 400 °C activation temperature (the mildest studied conditions) show already good iodine number and BET surface area.    

The paper presents the initial work performed in a newly built updraft gasifier. Densified woody biomass, birch, in form of pellets with a diameter of 8 mm and a length between 5 and 15 mm has been used as a raw material for batch autothermal gasification using air as an oxidation agent. The main objectives were to study the effect of the treatment conditions on the distribution of the products and the composition of product gas to establish the suitability of the gasifier to produce combustible gas with sufficiently high calorific value.The amount of the biomass used in the experiments was varied between 1 and 4 kg and the flow rate of the oxidation agent, air, was varied from 1,1 to 2,6 m3/h. Increased airflow rates favored higher temperatures, however, excessively high airflow rates resulted in fast consumption of the biomass and it also favored combustion over gasification and thus formation of lower amounts of combustible products. High airflow rates caused also higher yields of liquid products, due to the shorter residence time of the tar-rich gas in the gasifier and thus unfavorable conditions for tar cracking.

A laboratory-scale countercurrent fixed-bed gasifier has been designed and constructed to produce datafor process modelling and to compare the gasification characteristics of several biomasses. Densified woodybiomass, birch, in form of pellets with a diameter of 8 mm and a length between 5 and 15 mm has been used as a rawmaterial for batch autothermal gasification using air as an oxidation agent. The main objectives were to study theeffect of the treatment conditions on the distribution of the products and the composition of product gas to establishthe suitability of the gasifier to produce combustible gas with sufficiently high calorific value. The influence of theair flow rates on the composition of the producer gas has been studied. The amount of the biomass used in theexperiments was varied between 1 and 4 kg and the flow rate of the oxidation agent, air, was varied from 1,1 to 2,6m3/h.

El trabajo presenta los resultados de la gasificación de madera pelletizada de abedul en un reactor discontinuo de lecho ascendente. En los experimentos realizados se cargo el gasificador y se realizo el ensayo sin volver a alimentar el gasificador. Es decir se gasificó solo una carga. Se varió la carga utilizada (3 y 4 kg de madera pelletizada) y el flujo de aire (entre 1.1 m3/h y 2.6 m3/h). El gas producido por la gasificación esta compuesto de CO2, CO, H2, CH4 y hidrocarburos livianos. Las mayores concentraciones de los gases producidos por la gasificación y ricos en energía son 19% de CO, 7% de H2, 4 % de C4, y 1% de hidrocarburos livianos [C2 (etano, eteno y acetileno)]. El efecto predominante del aumento del flujo de aire es una mayor temperatura en el gasificador. El proceso de gasificación mejora debido a una mayor temperatura y a un aumento de la cantidad de dióxido de carbono producida por una mayor combustión. A mayor velocidad de gasificación aumenta la producción de monóxido de carbono y el contenido calorífico del gas producido es mayor. La cantidad de líquidos aumenta con el flujo de aire.

This paper presents a work on biomass torrefaction performed in a laboratory unit with a reactor tube of a length of 0.5 m and an inner diameter of 0.04 m. The experiments are conducted with miscanthus, birch, salix as well as with wood and straw pellets. The reactor was heated to the selected temperature (230°C, 250°C or 280°C) and kept at the final temperature for a period of 1, 2 or 3 hours. The effect of the raw material, temperature, and residence time on the properties of the torrefied products is studied. The torrefied biomass products are characterized with elemental composition, energy content, moisture content, ash content and volatile fraction. The gaseous products are also analysed. The type of biomass influenced the product distribution. During torrefaction biomass undergoes changes in physical and chemical properties. The fixed carbon content and energy density increase with both time and temperature of torrefaction, while the yield on a weight basis decreases. The torrefied biomass has hydrophobic properties and a higher calorific value than the raw material.

In this paper we establish a threshold for perceptually acceptable beat tracking based on the mutual agreement of a committee of beat trackers. In the first step we use an existing annotated dataset to show that mutual agreement can be used to select one committee member as the most reliable beat tracker for a song. Then we conduct a listening test using a subset of the Million Song Dataset to establish a threshold which results in acceptable quality of the chosen beat output. For both datasets, we obtain a percent age of trackable music of about 73%, and we investigate which data tags are related to acceptable and problematic beat tracking. The results indicate that current datasets are biased towards genres which tend to be easy for beat tracking. The proposed methods provide a means to automatically obtain a confidence value for beat tracking in non-annotated data and to choose between a number of beat tracker outputs.

Sustainability is a normative concept, building on ideas such as justice, equity and responsibility, and based on human culture and society. Computers, internet, and the technologies that are central in our network society embed also normative values and are part of a cultural context. But the work looking at computer technologies and sustainability has been mostly oriented towards either calculating the impact of technology or using technology as a tool for solving practical problems. ICT is seen as a neutral system to be used or study, while the more normative aspects are mostly overlooked. This paper explores some of the problems arising from these overlooked normative values, such as focusing only on quantifiable problems while forgetting other aspects that may be as important but not easy to put in numbers, or trusting too much in numbers while hiding assumption and model choices. This paper suggests that more critical reflection on these questions is needed in the research area, as well as developing more connections with existing research on these topics in more traditional disciplines.

The ICT4S Green Hackathon was an event exploring the use of information and communications technologies in sustainable food production and consumption, where developers, designer and problem owners met for creating prototypes and applications for a whole day. This article presents the concept, implementation, results and lessons learned from this event.

This paper presents the results of EcoPanel, an eco-feedback visualization created in collaboration with a Swedish food retailer. The visualization uses automatic data gathering to provide consumers with detailed information and long-term trends about their organic food consumption. The results from a five months test with 65 users show an increase in organic purchases compared to the control group, especially for the users who overestimated their percentage of organic food before the test. From the results we point out the possibilities of using visualization as a way of creating insight on behaviors such as food consumption, that are difficult to grasp from individual actions. This insight can be a way of closing the gap between attitudes and actual behavior, helping users that are already aware and willing to change, to perform more sustainable.

ICT for Sustainability is a growing research area looking at the potential of information and communication technologies for contributing to sustainability. The existing work in this area can be grouped in four main categories: The optimization of existing systems using ICT, the dematerialization of cultural assets and presence, the use of technology for behavioral change, and the support of sustainability practice and research. Within this research area, this thesis focuses on exploring how new technologies and approaches of working with data, such as APIs, mashups, crowdsourcing, open data, and dynamic visualizations, can be applied to sustainability and sustainability practice.

This thesis follows a research through design method, where applications, prototypes, and events were created and released following an iterative design process. Five different design artifacts or “hacks” are presented and analyzed together as a portfolio. This collection of artifacts is a practical exploration of the research questions and it embodies the results.

Based on the created artifacts, this text argues that the new technologies and paradigms coming from ICT can transform how sustainability work is performed, by changing the way that sustainability data is created, shared and visualized. This new “data-driven” approach is characterized by a bottom-up way of data gathering, automatic data collection and crowdsourcing, a real time orientation, a focus on transparency and openness, dynamic and interactive visualizations, and new approaches to innovation. These characteristics create new opportunities for making sustainability practice more effective and broaden its impact, but they also create new problems and increase existing risks.

Finally it is argued that while information and communication technologies are usually treated as tools, these innovations in ICT for Sustainability are not only technological, but also cultural. The hacker ethic values connected with computer technologies, such as an open way of sharing knowledge, the focus on creativity as a driving force, and a hands-on approach, are key for understanding this research area and an important part of the contribution from ICT to sustainability. 

We are nowadays increasingly presented with information about greenhouse gases in our everyday life. However there seems to be a gap between this increase in the exposure to carbon dioxide information and the understanding of how to interpret it, making behavioral change difficult. This article presents examples of how different applications have dealt with this problem by representing the carbon dioxide information in different ways. Based on the existing examples, an application called carbon.to was developed and released. This service tries to improve the understanding of carbon dioxide information by simulation in a playful way. Feedback from the users points towards that the gap in understanding existed and that carbon.to was successful in helping closing it.

Green Hackathon is an international series of coding events withsustainability purpose. Developers, researchers, environmental practitioners,and anyone else who is interested, work for a limited amount of time to createinnovative software solutions for sustainability. These events have explicitlyaimed to invite a broad spectrum of expertise besides technical expertise. Thisarticle presents the experiences and tensions of including these end users at amostly technically oriented event, and discusses how end-user developmentcould be used to encourage more reflective practices and as well as broadeningthe participation and the interdisciplinary collaboration in these events – withhigher-quality as a prospective outcome.

Sustainability science relies heavily on information (Allenby 2000, 2006). And as sustainability isgaining weight in decision-making, good and accessible environmental information is needed(Goleman 2009). This is true both at an institutional level, like when deciding the materials forbuilding a product, and at a personal level, deciding between chicken and salmon at thesupermarket. However, most of the environmental information is closed, based on proprietarysoftware, expensive or in text documents that are not possible to process.

We believe that it is necessary to bring open data concepts from the web to environmentalimpact information (Davis et al, 2010; Zapico et al, 2010). This would increase transparency,openness, and make it easier to create sustainability services on top of the data.

Exploring these ideas we have created Footprinted1, a web service that is trying to solve theseproblems by opening up the information using linked data, focusing in life cycle assessmentinformation. This article presents the finished application, the experiences developing it, and thefirst usages.