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A European project started at the end of 1992, in which, in addition to current methods, trained sensory panels were used to investigate office buildings all over Europe. The main aim of this EC-Audit was to develop assessment procedures and guid-ance on ventilation and source control, to help optimize energy use in buildings while assuring good indoor air quality. In each of nine countries, six or more office buildings were select-ed. Measurements were performed at five selected locations in each building. The buildings were studied while normally occu-pied and ventilated to identify the pollution sources in the spaces and to quantify the total pollution load caused by the occupants and their activities, as well as the ventilation systems. The investi-gation included physical and chemical measurements, assessment of the perceived air quality in the spaces by a trained sensory pan-el, and measurement of the outdoor air supply to the spaces. A questionnaire for evaluating retrospective and immediate symp-toms and perceptions was given to the occupants of the buildings. The building characteristics were described by use of a check-list. The annual energy consumption of the buildings and the weather conditions were registered. This paper presents results and conclusions of the audit in 56 buildings in Europe. However, the analysis and discussions of the results are a summary of the work done, and are focused mainly on comparison between sensory assessments and the other meas-urements performed. Furthermore, this paper brings the results of the study based on a two-factor analysis. A paper dealing with results on a multifacto-rial analysis is in preparation.

A European project started at the end of 1992, in which, in addition to current methods, trained sensory panels were used to investigate office buildings all over Europe. The main aim of this EC-Audit was to develop assessment procedures and guid-ance on ventilation and source control, to help optimize energy use in buildings while assuring good indoor air quality. In each of nine countries, six or more office buildings were select-ed. Measurements were performed at five selected locations in each building. The buildings were studied while normally occu-pied and ventilated to identify the pollution sources in the spaces and to quantify the total pollution load caused by the occupants and their activities, as well as the ventilation systems. The investi-gation included physical and chemical measurements, assessment of the perceived air quality in the spaces by a trained sensory pan-el, and measurement of the outdoor air supply to the spaces. A questionnaire for evaluating retrospective and immediate symp-toms and perceptions was given to the occupants of the buildings. The building characteristics were described by use of a check-list. The annual energy consumption of the buildings and the weather conditions were registered. This paper presents results and conclusions of the audit in 56 buildings in Europe. However, the analysis and discussions of the results are a summary of the work done, and are focused mainly on comparison between sensory assessments and the other meas-urements performed. Furthermore, this paper brings the results of the study based on a two-factor analysis. A paper dealing with results on a multifacto-rial analysis is in preparation.

More "green" power provided by Distributed Generation will enter into the European electricity network in the near future. hi order to control the powerflow and to ensure proper and secure operation of this future grid, with an increased level of the renewable power, new power electronic converters for grid connection of renewable sources are needed. These power converters must be able to provide intelligent power management as well as ancillary services. This paper presents an overview of an advanced power converter for universal and flexible power management that can enable the large scale-integration of dispersed generation into these future networks. The overall structure and the control requirements that are to be placed upon this converter are given. Furthermore, some possible applications as well as the bene,fits of using this converter are presented.

More "green" power provided by Distributed Generation will enter into the European electricity network in the near future. hi order to control the powerflow and to ensure proper and secure operation of this future grid, with an increased level of the renewable power, new power electronic converters for grid connection of renewable sources are needed. These power converters must be able to provide intelligent power management as well as ancillary services. This paper presents an overview of an advanced power converter for universal and flexible power management that can enable the large scale-integration of dispersed generation into these future networks. The overall structure and the control requirements that are to be placed upon this converter are given. Furthermore, some possible applications as well as the bene,fits of using this converter are presented.

GaN-FET-based solar microinverter using a differential-mode inverter (DMI) topology is presented. Key features of the DMI topology and its switching scheme are outlined and how the GaN-FET technology affects the power-stage performance are narrated. Further, summary of the issues with grid connection are elaborated. Next, how the modular DMI can be scaled for three-phase inverter and energy-storage applications are illustrated. Finally, one manifestation of how the energy storage can be integrated using topology emulating the DMI is narrated.

GaN-FET-based solar microinverter using a differential-mode inverter (DMI) topology is presented. Key features of the DMI topology and its switching scheme are outlined and how the GaN-FET technology affects the power-stage performance are narrated. Further, summary of the issues with grid connection are elaborated. Next, how the modular DMI can be scaled for three-phase inverter and energy-storage applications are illustrated. Finally, one manifestation of how the energy storage can be integrated using topology emulating the DMI is narrated.

AbstractClimate change poses a serious threat to the existence of many species. The combination of habitat fragmentation and increasing temperatures is of particular concern because it can alter demographic and population genetic processes, which may ultimately lead to extinction. Locomotion is very important in mitigating the negative impacts of these processes by upholding migration and contributing to random mating within and between populations. In the present study, aT‐maze, constituting a relatively complex laboratory assay, is used to investigate whether inbreeding affects the capacity to reach a food source in maleDrosophila melanogasterMeigen 1830 (Diptera:Drosophilidae) reared at 20, 25 or 30 °C, respectively. The effects of inbreeding and crossbreeding are highly temperature‐specific. Strong heterosis for the ability to reach food in the maze is observed in flies developed and maintained at 30 °C, whereas inbred flies locate the food significantly faster than crossbreds when reared at 25 °C in four of six runs. No clear pattern is evident in flies reared at 20 °C. The results suggest that complex traits such as locomotor performance in a maze are highly informative in the evaluation and detection of inbreeding depression under different thermal conditions. The effect of inbreeding is most pronounced at high temperature, which is a characteristic of the conditions that many natural populations may have to face under climate change.

AbstractClimate change poses a serious threat to the existence of many species. The combination of habitat fragmentation and increasing temperatures is of particular concern because it can alter demographic and population genetic processes, which may ultimately lead to extinction. Locomotion is very important in mitigating the negative impacts of these processes by upholding migration and contributing to random mating within and between populations. In the present study, aT‐maze, constituting a relatively complex laboratory assay, is used to investigate whether inbreeding affects the capacity to reach a food source in maleDrosophila melanogasterMeigen 1830 (Diptera:Drosophilidae) reared at 20, 25 or 30 °C, respectively. The effects of inbreeding and crossbreeding are highly temperature‐specific. Strong heterosis for the ability to reach food in the maze is observed in flies developed and maintained at 30 °C, whereas inbred flies locate the food significantly faster than crossbreds when reared at 25 °C in four of six runs. No clear pattern is evident in flies reared at 20 °C. The results suggest that complex traits such as locomotor performance in a maze are highly informative in the evaluation and detection of inbreeding depression under different thermal conditions. The effect of inbreeding is most pronounced at high temperature, which is a characteristic of the conditions that many natural populations may have to face under climate change.