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This project is a part of the master thesis for the course Energy smart innovation in the built environment at Halmstad University. This project is done to check the feasibility of VAWT on replacing traditional horizontal axis windmills, costly offshore windmills, and other renewables. As Micro VAWT are smaller, they can be placed where traditional windmills will not be. To stress the point, these can be placed in places like traffic islands and open garden areas.  Lots of such projects are currently ongoing in different parts of the world. Sweden is lagging in this technology diffusion. We concluded that VAWM couldn't alone be used to replace traditional HAWTs or be enough to reach the full renewable target. They can be used in conjunction with HAWT to boost production and efficiency, and we also found other similar uses for VAWM. A business model is suggested so as for the optimal diffusion of VAWT. Our proposal of a micro VAWT of 1.8 million was able to produce 1.41TWh.We found that it was not possible to achieve with VAWT alone.

<p>The small intestine holds an intrinsic ability to digest and absorb nutrients from the food we intake without intervention from the central nervous system. This ability is made possible by the population of cells that inhabit the gut, particularly interstitial cells of Cajal of the myenteric plexus and sensory primary intrinsic neurons (AH cells), which ultimately influence muscle function and motility. The AH cells are the first neurons in the hierarchy of sensory neurons in the gut and are therefore a perfect candidate to test the effects of <em>Bifidobacterium longum</em> NCC3001 supernatant since in a physiological setting the metabolites secreted by this bacterium can interact with the AH cells directly or indirectly through absorption by the mucosa.</p> <p>The probiotic <em>Bifidobacterium</em> <em>longum</em> NCC3001 has been shown to normalize anxiety-like behaviour and hippocampal brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels in mice infected with <em>Trichuris</em> <em>muris </em>in a model of infectious colitis. Utilizing a chronic model of colitis, a study was conducted to decipher whether or not the anxiolytic effects of <em>Bifidobacterium longum</em> NCC3001 involved the vagus. My specific objective in this study was to find evidence for interaction between <em>B.longum</em> NCC3001 and myenteric neurons as a potential route for <em>B.longum</em> NCC3001 to influence CNS function. We assessed a cell’s electro-responsiveness through spike discharge, which is the number of action potentials elicited in response to a supra-threshold depolarizing current injection.</p> <p>The electro-responsiveness of neurons perfused with <em>B. longum</em> NCC3001 supernatant (conditioned medium; n = 4) was significantly reduced compared to the control group (those perfused with Krebs solution; n = 5; <em>P</em> = 0.016). The electro-responsiveness of neurons perfused with the conditioned medium was also significantly lower than that of neurons perfused with unconditioned group (MRS growth medium alone) group (n = 4; <em>P</em> = 0.029). In comparing the excitabilities of the neurons in the control group with that of the control media group, there was no statistical difference (<em>P</em> = 0.29).</p> <p>In subsequent studies, the objective was to identify the AH cells and to determine the effect of <em>B. longum</em> NCC3001 conditioned medium on this population of cells. The electro-responsiveness as measured through spike discharge of AH cells perfused with the conditioned medium (n = 5) was significantly reduced compared to neurons perfused with the unconditioned medium (n = 5; <em>P</em> = 0.02). Sensory neurons perfused with the conditioned medium (n = 9) exhibited a significant reduction in their instantaneous input resistances compared to neurons perfused with the unconditioned medium (n = 8; <em>P </em>= 0.01). There was also a significant reduction in the time-dependent input resistance of neurons perfused with the conditioned medium (n = 9) compared to neurons perfused with the unconditioned medium (n = 8; <em>P </em>= 0.02). In addition, perfusion of the conditioned medium over sensory neurons (n = 9) significantly reduced the magnitude of the hyperpolarization-activated cationic current (<em>I</em>_h) compared to neurons perfused with the unconditioned medium (n = 8; <em>P</em> = 0.0003). Furthermore, there was also a significant reduction in the action potential half width duration of myenteric sensory neurons perfused with conditioned medium (n = 5) compared to that exhibited by neurons perfused with the unconditioned medium (n = 5; <em>P</em> = 0.008).</p> <p>In later experiments, we wanted to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of this bacterium on the gut so we evaluated its effects on the gut musculature. Upon full immersion, the supernatant of <em>Bifidobacterium longum</em> NCC3001 (conditioned medium) caused an initial depolarization of the circular smooth muscle cell. This depolarization continued until the slow wave oscillations in these cells ceased and membrane potential would plateau. Several minutes after this plateau, the slow wave oscillations reappeared and the cell was significantly hyperpolarized relative to the conditions before conditioned medium was added. The resting membrane potential of circular smooth muscle cells in Krebs solution was -54.3 mV and -70.3 mV approximately two minutes after full immersion by the supernatant when the cell was hyperpolarized and a stable recorded was achieved (n = 7; <em>P</em> = 0.02). The average time of onset of depolarization was 18.6 s and the average change in membrane potential (depolarization) from onset of effect to its plateau was 14.0 mV (n = 7). Occasionally, the addition of the conditioned medium only caused an immediate but slight depolarization (n = 3) and in other cases caused only a hyperpolarization of the cell (n = 3) with no significant changes in any slow wave characteristics in either case. Furthermore, any cells that exhibited the waxing and waning of the slow wave lost this pattern upon the addition of the conditioned medium (n = 10).</p> <p>In attempts to understand the role of neurotransmission in this system, we conducted several experiments whereby carbachol (acetylcholine agonist) and L-NNA (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) were administered to the muscle. Prior to the addition of 1μM carbachol or 2e^-4M L-NNA, we would only observe the pacemaker slow wave associated with the interstitial cells of Cajal of the myenteric plexus during the perfusion of Krebs solution. Upon the addition of carbachol (n = 3) or L-NNA (n = 4), we would observe a second slower frequency pattern appear, referred to as a waxing and waning pattern.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

This thesis proposes a set of methods for the purpose of improving the calibration of three-axis magnetometers. Specifically, these methods aim to improve the accuracy of the bias estimation methods currently in use. The first proposed method utilizes a constrained optimization problem based on norm preserving. The second proposed method finds the same bias estimate as the first method, but in a computationally more efficient manner. The last proposed method tackles the case where the value of the local geomagnetic field is only imprecisely known. Computer simulations demonstrate the viability of the proposed methods.

The aetiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) is poorly understood. Current evidence suggests immune activation and gut microbiota may play a role. Recent studies demonstrated that behavioural traits can be transferred through microbiota transplantation into germ-free (GF) mice. Here we study whether microbiota from patients with MDD can induce depressive-like behaviour. Methods: GF NIH Swiss mice were colonized with stool microbiota from a patient with MDD with elevated faecal β-defensin 2, or a healthy donor (HC). After three weeks, behaviour was assessed using standard tests. Expression of neuroimmune markers was assessed in the gut and brain using gene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry. Microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Microbiota profiles differed between the two groups of mice (p=0.001). Mice colonised with microbiota from a single characterised MDD patient (MDD1), exhibited lower preference for sucrose (p=0.002) and more emotionality (p=0.003) than mice with HC microbiota, however other MDD mice did not display abnormal behaviour. Abnormal MDD1 behaviour was associated with lower BDNF expression in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (p=0.02). Mice colonised with another characterised MDD patient (MDD4 mice) did not have differences in BDNF expression in the same region (p=0.20). MDD1 and MDD4 mice had altered hippocampal and gut gene expression for genes associated with the immune and nervous system. In summary, GF mice colonized with MDD1 microbiota exhibit depression-like behaviors. This appears to be accompanied by changes in intestinal permeability and neuroimmune function. These results suggest that gut microbiota has the capacity to influence the expression of MDD in some patients. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly heterogeneous disorder, with some patients displaying immune activation and altered intestinal microbiota composition when compared to healthy controls. In recent years, the transfer of fecal microbiota pooled from several MDD patients has been used to model depression in recipient rodents. However, we have previously observed the induction of donor-specific phenotypes in mice receiving microbiota from individual irritable bowel syndrome and generalized anxiety disorder patients. Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) using individual versus pooled MDD patient microbiota to induce depressive-like behaviour in recipient rodents. We observed that pooling microbiota from several patients abrogated microbial features unique to individual donors. Mice that received pooled microbiota displayed different behavioural and immune phenotypes when compared to mice that received individual patient microbiota. Two individual MDD microbiota donors, patients MDD1 and MDD5, altered the behaviour of recipient mice when compared to controls. We identified several microbial species that may underlie the anxiety- and depressive-like behaviours observed in MDD1 and MDD5 mice. Additionally, altered expression of neural and immune genes was observed along the gut-brain axis of mice colonized with MDD1 microbiota. As microglia activation may play a role in our model, we developed a protocol for the isolation and phenotyping of adult mouse microglia that will facilitate future research efforts. Overall, our results demonstrate the heterogeneity of the microbial underpinnings of MDD and support the use of individual patient microbiota in future FMT experiments. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第24610号 / 工博第5116号 / 新制||工||1978(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科マイクロエンジニアリング専攻 / (主査)教授 土屋 智由, 教授 横川 隆司, 教授 安達 泰治, 教授 田畑 修(京都先端科学大学) / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Architecture extends into a place through the manifestation of the human spirit and will. It should intensify that place and heighten the awareness of human existence. Upon entering into this higher realm of understanding of the self and place, one begins to find beauty in the created object inhabited. This architecture speaks of a higher intention of man, awakens his emotions, and urges his desires to not merely exist but to engage in the celebration of life. Architecture at the scale of the Town is a stage upon which the daily lives of the individual and the collective are framed, and the exchange of ideas, services, products and entertainment become the scenes of a play. The Town is an artifact of humanity. Through architecture, the Town should be a place where one can refine the mind, body, and soul - a place of fellowship and gathering. The focus of this thesis is to provide such a place for the Town of Floyd, Virginia. / Master of Architecture