Combined Cooling Heating and Power (CCHP) systems have been recognized as a viable alternative to conventional electrical and thermal energy generation in buildings because of their high efficiency, low environmental impact, and power grid independence. Many researchers have presented models for comparing CCHP systems to conventional systems and for optimizing CCHP systems. However, many of the errors and uncertainties that affect these modeling efforts have not been adequately addressed in the literature. This dissertation will focus on the following key issues related to errors and uncertainty in CCHP system modeling: (a) detailed uncertainty analysis of a CCHP system model with novel characterization of weather patterns, fuel prices and component efficiencies; (b) sensitivity analysis of a method for estimating the hourly energy demands of a building using Department of Energy (DOE) reference building models in combination with monthly utility bills; (c) development of a practical technique for selecting the optimal Power Generation Unit (PGU) for a given building that is robust with respect to fuel cost and weather uncertainty; (d) development of a systematic method for integrated calibration and parameter estimation of thermal system models. The results from the detailed uncertainty analysis show that CCHP operational strategies can effectively be assessed using steady state models with typical year weather data. The results of the sensitivity analysis reveal that the DOE reference buildings can be adjusted using monthly utility bills to represent the hourly energy demands of actual buildings. The optimal PGU sizing study illustrates that the PGU can be selected for a given building in consideration of weather and fuel cost uncertainty. The results of the integrated parameter estimation study reveal that using the integrated approach can reduce the effect of measurement error on the accuracy of predictive thermal system models.

Die Exstirpation erkrankter Nebenschilddrüsen (NSD) ist die einzige kurative Therapie des primären Hyperparathyreoidismus (pHPT). Die präoperative Detektion der dem pHPT zugrunde liegenden NSD-Adenome durch eine adäquate Lokalisationsdiagnostik stellt eine wichtige Säule bei der Operationsplanung dar. Angesichts der umfangreichen diagnostischen Möglichkeiten ist noch nicht abschließend beantwortet, wie viel und welche Diagnostik mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit zur erfolgreichen Lokalisation von NSD-Adenomen führt und ob/wie diese den perioperativen Verlauf beeinflusst. Die Beantwortung dieser Fragen war das Hauptziel der vorliegenden Arbeit. Es handelt sich um eine monozentrische, retrospektive Datenanalyse anhand des Kollektivs des Universitätsklinikums Würzburg (UKW) der Jahre 2005 bis 2017. Nach Datenextraktion aller Patienten/Patientinnen mit Hyperparathyreoidismus aus dem Dokumentationssystem des UKW erfolgten die deskriptiven und statistischen Auswertungen mittels Excel und SPSS. Insgesamt wurden im untersuchten Zeitraum 467 Patienten/Patientinnen aufgrund eines pHPT operiert. NSD-Sono und NSD-Szinti waren die am häufigsten durchgeführten Lokalisationsdiagnostika mit Sensitivitäten von 61,5 % bzw. 66,3 % für die Seite. Bei der Etagen-Blutentnahme lag die Sensitivität bei 100 %; bei der MRT bei 47,4 % und bei der 11Kohlenstoff-Methionin-Positronenemissionstomographie/Computertomographie (11C-Methionin-PET/CT) bei 58,8 %. Durch zusätzliche Diagnostik konnte nicht grundsätzlich eine Erhöhung der Treffsicherheit erreicht werden. Die Analyse der perioperativen Parameter zeigte, dass das Alter der Operierten positiv mit der Operationsdauer, der Krankenhausaufenthaltsdauer und dem Auftreten postoperativer Hypocalcämien korrelierte. Die Einnahme eines Thrombozytenaggregationshemmers führte zu einer verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthaltsdauer. Die therapeutische Antikoagulation war ein Risikofaktor in Bezug auf längere OP-Dauern und das Auftreten von Nachblutungen. Eine zusätzlich zur Parathyreoidektomie durchgeführte Sanierung der Schilddrüse war mit einer erhöhten Rate an postoperativen Hypocalcämien vergesellschaftet. Zusammenfassend zeigen die vorliegenden Daten, dass nach initial vermeintlich erfolgreicher Detektion eines NSD-Adenoms mit NSD-Sono oder NSD-Szinti eine weiterführende Lokalisationsdiagnostik nicht sinnvoll ist. Nach initial erfolgloser NSD-Sono oder NSD-Szinti dagegen ist die Durchführung einer 11C-Methionin-PET/CT zu erwägen. / Extirpation of diseased parathyroid glands is the only curative therapy for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas underlying pHPT by appropriate localization diagnostics is important for planning surgery. Considering extensive diagnostic possibilities, it is not completely clear yet how much and which diagnostics with high probability will detect parathyroid adenomas correctly and if/how it influences perioperative course. Answering these questions was main aim of the present work. It is a monocentric, retrospective data analysis of the collective of Universitätsklinikum Würzburg (UKW) from 2005 - 2017. After data extraction of all patients with hyperparathyroidism out of documentation system of UKW, descriptive and statistic evaluations were made by Excel and SPSS. All in all, 467 patients underwent surgery for pHPT during the investigated timespace. Parathyroid-ultrasound and parathyroid-scintigraphy were the localization techniques used most frequently with sensitivities of 61,5 % and 66,3 % respectively for correct localization of the side. Sensitivity of selective venous sampling was 100 %, of MRI was 47,4 % and of 11carbon methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (11C methionine PET/CT) was 58,8 %. Using additional diagnostics, the detection rate could not necessarily be increased. Analysis of perioperative parameters showed that age was positively correlated with duration of surgery, length of stay at the hospital and postoperative hypocalcaemias. Inhibitors of platelet aggregation led to longer duration of hospitalisation stay. Therapeutic anticoagulation was risk factor for longer duration of surgery and appearance of postoperative bleedings. Additional to parathyroid gland performed thyroid surgery was associated with postoperative hypocalcaemias. In summary the present data show that after supposedly successful parathyroid ultrasound or parathyroid scintigraphy, no further localization diagnostics is indicated. After initially unsuccessful parathyroid ultrasound or parathyroid scintigraphy however, 11C methionine PET/CT should be considered.

The evacuation planning has become an important issue addressed by many research studies and publications aiming to improve the security of the daily life for our public inside the United States of America. The main objective of this research was to address the growing need for evacuation planning using traffic simulation. With increased interests and awareness in emergency evacuation and first responder access to emergencies in public locations (airports, transit stations, ports or stadiums), the traffic simulation can be helpful in orchestrating the traffic flow during emergencies. Related to this issue, Federal Transit Administration has issued a large number of publications and guidelines concerning emergency preparedness and incident management. These guidelines are used to develop a simulation-based activity to evaluate the current plan and alternative plans for the deployment of transit during an emergency situation. A major task for this project is to study the effect of evacuation on the surrounding traffic network and help the local transit company (LYNX) to evaluate their evacuation plan and consider different possibilities without the risk and cost of actual evacuation drills. A set of different scenarios and alternatives for each scenario were simulated and studied to reach the best possible evacuation strategy. The main findings were evacuation as pedestrians have less impact on traffic network and rerouting decreases the congestion resulting from the evacuation process.

The need for modern electricity infrastructures and more capable grid components brings attention to distributed energy storage systems because of their bidirectional power flow capability. This dissertation focuses on three different aspects of distributed energy storage system applications in distribution networks. It starts with flywheel energy storage system modeling and analysis for application in microgrid facilities. Then, a market-based optimal controller is proposed to enhance the operational profit of distributed energy storage devices in distribution networks. Finally, impact of multiple distributed energy storage devices on harmonic propagation in distribution networks is investigated. This dissertation provides a comparison between batteries and flywheels for the ride-through application in critical microgrid facilities like data centers. In comparison with batteries, the application of FES for power security is new. This limits the availability of experimental data. The software tool developed in this dissertation enables analysis of short-term, ride-through applications of FES during an islanded operation of a facility microgrid. As a result, it can provide a guideline for facility engineers in data centers or other types of facility microgrids to design backup power systems based on FES technology. This dissertation also presents a real-time control scheme that maximizes the revenue attainable by distributed energy storage systems without sacrificing the benefits related to improvements in reliability and reduction in peak feeder loading. This optimal control algorithm provides a means for realizing additional benefits by utilities by taking advantage of the fluctuating cost of energy in competitive energy markets. The key drivers of the economic optimization problem for distributed energy storage systems are discussed. In this dissertation, the impact of distribution network topology on harmonic propagation due to the interaction of multiple harmonic sources is investigated. Understanding how multiple harmonic sources interact to increase or decrease the harmonic distortion is crucial in distribution networks with a large number of Distributed Energy Resources. A new index, Index of Phasor Harmonics (IPH), is proposed for harmonic quantization in multiple harmonic source cases. The proposed IPH index presents more information than commonly used indices. With the help of the detailed distribution network model, topological impacts of harmonic propagation are investigated. In particular, effects of mutual coupling, phase balance, three phase harmonic sources, and single phase harmonic sources are considered. / Ph. D.

Degradation of the nation's waters continues to be a problem and urban runoff is a large contributor to it. New stormwater management policies stress the importance of using stormwater control practices that reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff. The new approaches tend to emphasize small-scale, on-site practices over large scale. Yet to achieve water quality benefits, stormwater control practices must be maintained over time. Maintenance costs of these facilities, however, are poorly understood. A case study of five municipalities around the United States is used to estimate inspection and enforcement costs for each case site. Maintenance activities and costs were collected at the case sites for the following stormwater controls: dry ponds, wet ponds, wetlands, bioretention facilities, sand filters, and infiltration trenches. Cost estimates indicate that inspection and enforcement is not influenced by type. Maintenance cost estimates change depending on the BMP type. Estimated annual post-construction costs applied to a hypothetical 1,000-acre indicate that moving from large-scale to small-scale stormwater controls has a large impact in terms of financial obligation. / Ph. D.

Hypotension är vanligt förekommande vid anestesi och i den postoperativa fasen. Om blodtrycket sjunker till för låga nivåer eller pågår under för lång tid kan vitala organ som hjärta och njurar ta allvarlig skada. De flesta fall av hypotension behandlas idag retroaktivt. Med möjlighet att kunna upptäcka hypotension innan det uppstår skulle behandling kunna ske i ett förebyggande syfte och på så sätt minska tiden i hypotension för patienten. Med hjälp av maskininlärning går det att analysera blodtryckskurvor och kunna hitta vilka attribut i dem som kan förutse hypotension. Detta projekt har gått ut på att definiera och beräkna attribut för att i framtida arbeten kunna låta en maskininlärningsalgoritm analysera dem. Utöver detta har arbetet med signalbehandling skett för att kunna upptäcka bristande kvalitet på den analyserade signalen och kunna förbättra den vid behov. Målet att definiera och beräkna attribut har lyckats. Målet att kunna avgöra kvaliteten på signalen har lyckats delvis.

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A fixed charge model has been developed for a case study of a total energy power plant involving energy demands for chilled water, high temperature hot water, and electrical power. Using a FORTRAN computer program, which employs the Land and Doig branch and bound algorithm, the system model is solved for different sets of system demands for multiple energy users, and the following set of information is obtained to guide the decisions of operations personnel: 1. Recommend on/off status for each piece of equipment in the system. 2. Recommended rate of operation for each piece of machinery. 3. Required amounts of different types of fuel to satisfy system demands. 4. A preferred path of flow through the system for each type of energy purchased or produced within the system.