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We present the architecture and design of the IANOS scheduling framework. The goal of the new Grid scheduling system is to provide a general job submission framework allowing optimal positioning and scheduling of HPCN applications. The scheduling algorithms used to calculate best-suited resources are based on an objective cost function that exploits information on the parameterization of applications and resources. This standard-based, interoperable scheduling framework comprises four general web services and three modules. The middleware is complemented with one client and one admin console. The implementation is based on proposed Grid and Web services standards (WSRF, WS-Agreement, JSDL, and GLUE). It is agnostic to a specific Grid middleware. The beta version of IANOS has been tested and integrated with UNICORE. The validation of IANOS is in progress by running different types of HPCN applications on a large-scale Grid testbed.

If femoral blood is not available at autopsy, toxicological analyses, in particular blood ethanol measurements, are carried out on cardiac blood. This is known to be subject to major redistribution. We aimed to determine whether subclavian blood can be equated with a peripheral blood sample and could be used if femoral blood is not available. The study was based on 50 medicolegal autopsies in which we compared ethanol concentrations between subclavian blood, the different heart blood compartments (right and left cardiac blood), and femoral blood. Mechanisms that could lead to variations in concentration, i.e., postmortem redistribution and/or endogenous production, were also taken into account in interpreting the results. Ethanol concentrations were determined by headspace gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. In each case, we recorded the circumstances of death, resuscitation attempts if any, degree of putrefaction, chest or abdominal trauma, and/or inhalation of gastric fluid in the airways. Ethanol concentrations in subclavian blood were found to be close to those in peripheral blood (p = 0.948) and were not influenced by the degree of putrefaction (r = 0.017, p = 0.904), gastric ethanol concentration (r = -0.011, p = 0.940), inhalation of gastric contents in the airways (p = 0.461), or cardiac resuscitation attempts (p = 0.368). We discuss the possible explanations for these findings and stress the value of sampling subclavian blood when femoral blood is not obtainable at autopsy.

This deliverable includes the methodology in EnergyPROSPECTS for an in-depth study of energy citizenship. It features the criteria used for selecting the cases for indepth study, the list of cases selected for in-depth study as well as key research foci and empirical research questions.

The rapidly changing climate presents unprecedented challenges, especially in permafrost regions, where its thawing directly affects houses, mines, roads, pipelines, airport runways, and rail tracks. Monitoring the dynamics of ground ice in permafrost landscapes is essential for assessing geohazards and adapting infrastructure to changing conditions. This abstract presents a new initiative utilizing cosmic neutrons metrology for permafrost studies, specifically focusing on ground-ice content monitoring. Traditional methods for assessing ground-ice content in permafrost regions involve labor-intensive surveys and analysis of geomorphological features. However, these approaches are often limited in spatial coverage and may not capture the full extent of ground-ice distribution. In response to these challenges, we propose leveraging cosmic neutrons as a non-invasive and scalable method for assessing ground-ice content. Cosmic neutrons naturally penetrate the Earth's surface and interact with hydrogen atoms in the soil, including those bound in water molecules. By measuring the cosmic neutron albedo, which is the flux of epithermal neutrons that are partially thermalized in the ground, we can infer the presence and distribution of ground ice. This approach builds upon established techniques used for soil moisture monitoring, adapting them for permafrost studies. In that regard, we conducted Monte Carlo simulations of cosmic neutron transport and interaction with modeled ground to investigate the feasibility of using cosmic neutrons for ground-ice content monitoring. Our simulations considered various ground compositions and ice concentrations to assess the sensitivity of cosmic neutron measurements to ground-ice content. The results of our simulations provide promising proof-of-concept for the proposed method, demonstrating its potential for accurately estimating ground-ice content in permafrost landscapes. Additionally, we are developing at DOSEO (CEA – Saclay, France) thermal over fast neutron reference fields that could be used to test, characterize, and calibrate detectors specifically for the presented application. The proposed method offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides measurements on a metric scale (~10m wide on ~1m depth), effectively balancing local detail with regional coverage, thus making it well-suited for mapping geohazards on a kilometric scale. Additionally, cosmic neutrons albedo measurements is non-destructive and non-invasive and can be applied across diverse permafrost landscapes, offering valuable insights into ground-ice dynamics. Moreover, mapping ground-ice content is feasible through the flexible deployment of neutron detectors. These detectors can either be moved around the study area to gather spatially distributed measurements or installed as fixed monitoring stations, enabling continuous observation of ground-ice dynamics across different seasons and over time. Integration of data from cosmic neutrons albedo measurements into Geographic Information System (GIS) applications enhances the ability to map geohazards and predict future changes in permafrost landscape stability. By combining information on ground-ice content with elevation, drainage patterns, periglacial features, and infrastructure, a better understanding of the interactions between climate change and geohazards in permafrost regions is achievable.In conclusion, cosmic neutrons metrology offers a promising approach for monitoring ground-ice content in permafrost landscapes. By advancing our understanding of permafrost dynamics, this initiative contributes to the broader goals of cryosphere monitoring and sustainable development.

Abstract The adoption rate and stringency of building energy standards in the U.S. have been increasing since the mid-1990s as a result of the Energy Policy Act mandate of 1992 (EPAct). Current evidence on the energy savings that accrue from commercial building energy standards is based on engineering simulations, which do not account for realized behaviour once a standard is actually adopted. This paper uses quasi-experimental variation in commercial building energy standard adoptions to estimate their effect on realized electricity consumption and cost-effectiveness. In states induced by EPAct to adopt an energy standard where all new nonresidential construction was erected under a commercial standard, electricity consumption per service worker is lower by about 12%, and total commercial electricity consumption is lower by 10%. Including early adopters and never-adopters to the analysis leads to a downward bias in the treatment effect. The realized electricity savings in the EPAct states represent three quarters of predicted simulated savings, and electricity saved in 2010 came at a cost of approximately 7.7 cents per kWh.

The solution of an electric circuit problem is only valid if the circuit elements have been validly modelled. The iron-cored coil is a common nonlinear circuit element, especially in power system circuits, where the iron core is laminated grain-oriented silicon-iron sheet. This paper attempts to show that eddy-current loss modelling in such a core is at least as important as hysteresis loss modelling, and demonstrates the accuracy of linear modelling of the eddy-current effect. If the circuit analyst has confidence in this complete model he can then decide which aspects of the model can be ignored with impunity when studying such circuit phenomena as ferroresonance, subharmonics and inrush current.

Abstract In this paper, a general mathematical model for the dynamic simulation of a single-effect LiBr/water absorption chiller is presented. The model is based on mass and energy balances applied to the internal components of the machine, and it accounts for the non-steady behaviour due to thermal and mass storage in the components. The validation of the mathematical model is performed through experimental data collected on a commercial small-capacity water-cooled unit. Due to the peculiar technology adopted in the real chiller, a special effort was made to identify the appropriate values of the main physical parameters. The validation of the model is based on the values of the water temperature at the outlet of the machine, as no measurement inside the machine was possible; anyway, a consistency analysis applied to the internal parameters is also presented. The agreement between experimental and simulated results is very good, both on a daily and on a seasonal basis.

Abstract For 118 million residential housing units in the U.S., there is currently a gap between the potential energy savings that can be achieved through the use of existing energy efficiency technologies, and the actual level of energy savings realized, particularly for the 37% of housing units that are considered residential rental properties. Additional quantifiable benefits are needed beyond energy savings to help further motivate residential property owners to invest in energy efficiency upgrades. This research focuses on assessing the adoption of energy efficient upgrades in U.S. residential housing and the impact on rental prices. Ten U.S. cities are chosen for analysis; these cities vary in size across multiple climate zones, and represent a diverse set of housing market conditions. Data was collected for over 159,000 rental property listings, their characteristics, and their energy efficiency measures listed in rental housing postings across each city. Following an extensive data quality control process, over thirty different types energy efficient features were identified. The level of adoption was determined for each city, ranging from 5.3% to 21.6%. Efficient lighting and appliances were among the most common, with many features doubling as energy efficient and other desirable aesthetic or comfort improvements. Then using propensity score matching and conditional mean comparison methods, the relative impact on rent charged in each city was calculated, which ranged from a 6% to 14.1% increase in rent for properties with energy efficient features, demonstrating a positive economic impact of these features, particularly for property owners. This was further subdivided into five types of energy efficiency upgrade and three housing types. Single family homes generally demanded higher premiums with energy efficient features, however there was not a consistent pattern across the types of efficient upgrades. The results of this work demonstrate that investment in energy efficient technologies has quantifiable benefits for rental property owners in the U.S. beyond just energy savings. This methodology and results can also be used in other cities and by property owners, utility companies, or others, ultimately encouraging further investment and positive economic impact in residential energy efficiency and in turn improving energy and resource conservation in the building sector.