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The ongoing cladding crisis within the United Kingdom has elevated the need for designers and risk assessors to have the knowledge and tools to evaluate the fire safety of proposed and existing cladding systems. This paper documents efforts to develop a test that could be used to evaluate the fire safety hazards of cladding products that were either proposed for use in design or that were found on existing buildings. Specifically, the products of interest were composite products (i.e., those comprised of multiple layers). The conceptual approach of the European harmonised system was used as a basis for investigating whether a small‐scale test could be used to evaluate product fire hazards. A relevant fire scenario was identified, this was linked to candidate large‐scale reference tests, and this was linked to performance in a candidate small‐scale test. The candidate test showed remarkable agreement with the reference large‐scale test, however, many issues were also identified. It was found that, even when specifically intended to accommodate composite products, the small‐scale test was unable to always evaluate hazards. Thus the authors were left with the conclusion—regardless of the testing system, there are always products that will not fit the testing system, however hard one tries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyze and investigate the SARS‐CoV‐2 (SC‐2) transmission with effect of heart attack in United Kingdom with advanced mathematical tools. Mathematical model is converted into fractional order with the help of fractal fractional operator (FFO). The proposed fractional order system is investigated qualitatively as well as quantitatively to identify its stable position. Local stability of the SC‐2 system is verified and test the proposed system with flip bifurcation. Also system is investigated for global stability using Lyponove first and second derivative functions. The existence, boundedness, and positivity of the SC‐2 is checked which are the key properties for such of type of epidemic problem to identify reliable findings. Effect of global derivative is demonstrated to verify its rate of effects of heart attack in united kingdom. Solutions for fractional order system are derived with the help of advanced tool FFO for different fractional values to verify the combine effect of COVID‐19 and heart patients. Simulation are carried out to see symptomatic as well as a symptomatic effects of SC‐2 in the United Kingdom as well as its global effects, also show the actual behavior of SC‐2 which will be helpful to understand the outbreak of SC‐2 for heart attack patients and to see its real behavior globally as well as helpful for future prediction and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Operating reserves (OR), alongside other ancillary services, are essential for mitigating the increasing uncertainty in generation from Intermittent Renewable Energy Sources (IRES). Traditional OR are determined based on rules of thumb, such as reliability considerations (N − 1 or N − k), and they neglect the uncertainty between dispatch intervals. Load–generation imbalances lead to excessive reliance on regulation reserves and out-of-merit dispatch. Highlighting this, recent literature has focused on developing models for dynamic reserve quantification. While the models significantly enhance the traditional static reserve quantification, they heavily rely on probabilistic approaches. Despite their effectiveness, probabilistic approaches are computationally complex and necessitate precise historical data. Furthermore, most studies do not consider the correlation between load and IRES when determining reserves, leading to inaccurate estimation and impacting the system's economics. Affine arithmetic-based models emerge as a promising solution, offering the ability to estimate correlated uncertainties with reduced computational complexity. This paper contributes to developing affine arithmetic models for OR quantification, considering IRES and load correlated uncertainties. Two distinct approaches to reserve quantification are explored: (1) deterministic scheduling with exogenous OR quantification, and (2) affine arithmetic-based scheduling framework to quantify and allocate OR endogenously. A comparative analysis is conducted with probabilistic scenario-based method and interval arithmetic scheduling. The effectiveness of the models is analyzed on the Great Britain test system with 40% renewable integration. Numerical results highlight that around 99% of the probabilistic net-load scenarios are within the net-load bounds generated by the proposed methodology. The reserve requirement is minimized by approximately 8% during peak hours and 35% during off-peak hours with correlated uncertainty. Furthermore, AA-based approach achieved a 15% reduction in total operating cost during the considered operational time-frame, compared to interval arithmetic optimization. • A multi-objective optimization model for reserve quantification and allocation. • Affine arithmetic based correlated uncertainties of renewable power and load. • Exogenous and endogenous methods for reserve assessment are presented. • Trade-offs between computational time and cost are deciding factors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-thermal endovenous ablations, due to the lowest probability of complications, are the new method of treating chronic venous insufficiency—one of the most common diseases globally. The Flebogrif system (Balton Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland) is a new mechano-chemical ablation system causing the mechanical damage of endothelium that allows for better sclerosant penetration into its wall. The purpose of the article is to provide mechanical characteristics in the form of force–displacement dependence for a single cutting element, and a bundle of cutting elements of Flebogrif as a whole for different levels of protrusion of the bundle of cutting elements. A TA.HD plus (Stable Micro Systems, Godalming, UK) analyzer equipped with special handles, was used for characteristics testing. The head movement speed used was 5 mm·s−1. The Flebogrif system was tested for three cutting element protrusion levels: L = Lmax, L = 0.9·Lmax, and L = 0.8·Lmax. Before testing, geometric measurement of the spacing of the cutting elements for three proposed protrusions was performed. It was established that decreasing the working length of the cutting elements will increase their rigidity, and, as a result, increase the force exerted on the internal surface of the vein wall. The obtained characteristics will allow for specifying contact force variability ranges and the corresponding diameter ranges of operated veins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper reviews the current literature on the major challenges faced by building contractors in the UK due to COVID-19 to create an evaluation framework. Design/methodology/approach: A PRISMA scoping review systematically maps the information published and establishes the potential challenges, as a precursor to a literature review that synthesises the data available to establish an initial COVID-19 evaluation framework to build a rationale for a future series of studies. Findings: The research identified these seven challenges: health and safety on-site, economic cost, possible legal exposures, manpower availability, instability of the supply chain and subcontractors, and the uncertainty related to the constant and unpredictable evolution of the pandemic. The magnitude of each challenge was also found to differ depending on the size of the contractor, the rigor of local regulations and the sector where the contractor works. Research limitations/implications: This research contributes to increasing understanding on the subject and provides an initial assessment framework, based on these seven parameters, so that contractors can analyse their weaknesses and plan specific priorities so that their companies can remain competitive, minimising the impact of COVID-19 and possible future waves. Originality/value: This research is timely and relevant as it produces the first academic review on how COVID-19 has affected contractors and the construction stage. This document gives a holistic view of the new scenario created by COVID-19 and creates a self-assessment system for contractors to test their resistance to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, that emerged as a major pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 was identified as a betacoronavirus. Nucleocapsid protein (NP) is evolutionary high protein homologies and solid structure protein for SARS-CoV-2 detection as opposed to other proteins, that aren't reliable as a single viral antigen during diagnostics methods. The viral RNA can be detected from nasal and pharyngeal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage samples by PCR assay. However, the wrong collection of samples can lead to false-negative diagnosis and have dangerous consequences at this stage of pandemic. One of efficient and accurate methodological approaches for the screening of pathogens are serological assays. Aim. Evaluation and comparison of the sensitivity of invented DIA®-SARS-CoV-2-Ag-R enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based test system and commercial rapid tests, which detect the viral antigen of SARS-CoV-2. Methods. We carried out a comparison of DIA®-SARS-CoV-2-Ag-R and existed commercial test systems, which are used to detect the antigen of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Rapid tests are intended for nasopharyngeal swabs, but we proposed a protein of our own manufacture - recombinant NP as a calibrator. The detection limit was calibrated by standard CFAR #100982 NIBSC, UK. We had determined levels of NP (1400, 900, 750, 640 and 280 pg/mL) that we used as a sample for the rapid tests. The COVID-19 Ag Rapid Tests were performed according to the manufactures instructions at room temperature. Results. DIA®-SARS-CoV-2-Ag-R detected 10 pg/mL of in-house standard of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 NP. The positive results were observed using 1400, 900, 750 pg/mL, while 640 and 280 pg/mL samples were performed as negative in ABBOTT-PanBio test. The rapid tests manufactured by МBU, BIOTIME, Core Technology, SD BIOSENSOR and Turklab showed positive results only in 1400 pg/mL concentration. NP of lower levels was detected as a negative sample. The LEPU MEDICAL test was evaluated as positive sample using 900 pg/mL. The rapid test manufactured by Green Cross Medical Science Corp. showed negative results for all levels of NP. It can mean that the sensitivity of test is lower and demands higher level of antigen to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions. The study presented an excellent analytical sensitivity of DIA®-SARS-CoV-2-Ag-R against commercial Antigen rapid tests. Thus, invented ELISA test system can be recommended for widespread usage for detection and confirmation of acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State-estimation plays a vital role to monitor, observe and understand the combined heat and electric network. In this paper, a hybrid framework is presented to accurately estimate the system states of electric distribution network and heat network, using the limited non-redundant measurements obtained from supervisory control and data acquisition and advanced metering infrastructure systems. The presented hybrid framework involves two steps, namely, the state-forecasting and the state-estimation. The state-forecasting uses a deep neural network to forecast the system states at every fifteen minutes interval, while these forecasted states are further used by the hybrid estimator, which uses a robust extended Kalman filter to estimate the system states with help of both datasets corresponding to supervisory control and data acquisition and advanced metering infrastructure systems, at hourly interval. The proposed framework does not completely rely on the system model at different instants. The effectiveness of the method is validated through thorough comparisons with simulation studies carried out using the Barry Island test system, United Kingdom. Satisfactory performance is observed even with the presence of bad data in the measurements. • A framework to estimate states of electric and heat networks with SCADA and AMI data • A method of forecasting the CHEN states using only a limited SCADA dataset • A robust Kalman filter for accurate estimation under gross errors in data. • Test results that validate the method on Barry Island CHEN system. • Comparative results over the state-of-art WLS and ANN based estimators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analytical method for estimating the size of a loss-of-generation disturbance. • Investigates a linear relationship between power and frequency deviations of CCGTs. • Improves disturbance size estimation accuracy with CCGT units' negative droop gain. • Estimates the disturbance size for pre-and post-event conditions. • Provide an approach that computes deviations in post-event demand-side consumption. With the substantial popularity of combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in the nowadays power systems, special care must be taken to regulate frequency due to unique frequency response characteristic of the full-loaded CCGT units. This unique feature is documented in the literature; however, its effect on determining frequency response of the power systems was not addressed in detail. This study proposes a new analytical method to achieve a more accurate estimated size of a loss-of-generation disturbance. This method considers demand-side power deviations and transmission lines power loss as well as unique frequency response of the CCGT units following the event. Firstly, it is exposed that there is an approximately linear relationship between power and frequency deviations of these plants in a real-world power system despite the complexity of the CCGT model. This relationship may be represented by a negative droop gain. Next, the derived CCGT's linear characteristic is formulated in the disturbance size estimation process. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed modifications is demonstrated through extensive simulations on a 36-zone Great Britain equivalent test system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro mechanical testing of intervertebral discs is crucial for basic science and pre‐clinical testing. Generally, these tests aim to replicate in vivo conditions, but simplifications are necessary in specimen preparation and mechanical testing due to complexities in both structure and the loading conditions required to replicate in vivo conditions. There has been a growing interest in developing a consensus of testing protocols within the spine community to improve comparison of results between studies. The objective of this study was to perform axial compression experiments on bovine bone‐disc‐bone specimens at three institutions. No differences were observed between testing environment being air, with PBS soaked gauze, or a PBS bath (P >.206). A 100‐fold increase in loading rate resulted in a small (2%) but significant increase in compressive mechanics (P <.017). A 7% difference in compressive stiffness between Labs B and C was eliminated when values were adjusted for test system compliance. Specimens tested at Lab A, however, were found to be stiffer than specimens from Lab B and C. Even after normalizing for disc geometry and adjusting for system compliance, an ∼35% difference was observed between UK based labs (B and C) and the USA based lab (A). Large differences in specimen stiffness may be due to genetic differences between breeds or in agricultural feed and use of growth hormones; highlighting significant challenges in comparing mechanics data across studies. This research provides a standardized test protocol for the comparison of spinal specimens and provides steps towards understanding how location and test set‐up may affect biomechanical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) is a vital technique for realistic testing of prototype systems. While the application of power electronics-based amplifiers to enable PHIL capability has been widely reported, the use of motor-generator (MG) sets as the PHIL interfaces has not been fully investigated. This article presents the realization of the first MW-scale PHIL setup using an MG set as the power amplifier, which offers a promising solution for testing novel systems for the integration of distributed energy resources. Uniquely, this article presents a methodology that introduces augmented frequency and phase control loops that can be integrated to commercially-available MG set's existing frequency controller for precise frequency and phase tracking. Internal model control is used for the controllers design and tuning. The developed control algorithm is tested in a MW-scale MG set that couples a Great Britain (GB) transmission network model simulated in a real time simulator to an 11 kV distribution network. Experimental results are presented, which demonstrate that the proposed control methodology is highly effective in maintaining the synchronization between the simulated and physical systems, thereby capable of enabling the MG set as a PHIL interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EC-Earth large ensembles are used to drive hydrological models of catchments in Great Britain. • Estimates show the changing chance of unprecedented high temperatures and low rainfall. • Climate storylines describe changes in future dry spring-summers, autumn-winters and multiple dry winters. • Storylines can be used to stress test hydrological systems and inform decision-making. The UK has experienced recurring hydrological droughts in the past and their frequency and severity are predicted to increase with climate change. However, quantifying the risks of extreme droughts is challenging given the short observational record, the multivariate nature of droughts and large internal variability of the climate system. We use EC-Earth time-slice large ensembles, which consist of 2000 years of data each for present-day, 2°C and 3°C conditions relative to pre-industrial, to drive hydrological models of river catchments in Great Britain (GB) to obtain a large set of plausible droughts. Since future warming is certain, the uncertainty in drought is mainly associated with uncertainty in precipitation. Estimates of unprecedented extremes show that the chance of a summer month in a given year drier than the observed driest summer (1995) is projected to increase with future warming (from 9% in the present-day (PD) to 18% in a 3°C warmer world (3C) for southeast England). For winter, the chance of a dry winter month drier than the observed driest winter (1991–92) slightly decreases (from 10% - PD to 8% − 3C for southeast England) but the chance of the driest winter does not change significantly with future warming. We add value to these probabilistic estimates by sampling for physical climate storylines of drought sequences characterised by dry spring-summers, autumn-winters and consecutive dry winters. Dry spring-summers are estimated to become drier with future warming primarily driven by reduced precipitation in summer. Dry autumn-winters may become wetter mainly driven by the general trend of more precipitation in winter although drought conditions triggered by moderate autumn–winter precipitation deficits may worsen given the higher likelihood of being followed by a dry summer. Similarly, drought impacts of consecutive dry winters, a particular risk for slow-responding catchments in the English Lowlands, may worsen with future warming as the intervening summer is projected to become hotter and drier. These storylines can be used to stress-test hydrological systems and inform decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel input–output frequency-response function (FRF) based field modal testing (MT) of an operational and fully occupied tallest cross-laminated timber (CLT) building in the U.K. A custom-built MT system and testing protocol were developed to facilitate exceptionally fast field testing work lasting only 10 h, including all instrumentation and field testing work. This yielded eight fundamental and higher-order modes of vibration with natural frequencies up to 12 Hz. The higher order modes are normally not possible to measure well enough using the standard output-only operational modal analysis (OMA). An FE model was developed prior to the testing to assure quality and facilitate the fast testing process. The FE model, based on the best engineering judgement, proved to be able to predict very well the key features of the test building. This includes close matching and correct clustering of the FE-calculated and MT-estimated natural frequencies, as well as a very reasonable prediction of the static stiffness at the top of the building. The in-situ measured horizontal static stiffness at the top of the CLT building is a considerable benefit of the field FRF measurements and is not possible in the standard OMA. It was shown that the preliminary best practice FE model was over-predicting the static stiffness in the two orthogonal directions by only up to 22% of the measured values. Curve-fitting of the good quality FRF data yielded damping ratio values for the higher order modes of vibration, typically above 3%. This is quite high for a full-scale multi-storey residential building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposes a modified start and end-time netload uncertainty based multi-interval FRP design. • FRPs are modeled from energy storage systems, demand response and conventional units. • Flexibility constrained scheduling co-optimizes FRPs with energy and ancillary services. • Netload scenarios generated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique. • 15%--20% reduction in FRP procurement with proposed FRP design. Flexible Ramp Products (FRPs) can address netload variability and uncertainty caused by increasing renewable energy integration. They secure additional ramping capability to follow netload variations of upcoming dispatch intervals. The challenges in current practice of FRP procurement are - 1) Neglecting start-time uncertainty of netload results in inaccurate ramp requirement estimation 2) Inadequate ramping capacity in real-time market for FRP provision leads to the commitment of out-of-merit units 3) Priority in dispatch of renewable energy sources de-commits Conventional Generation (CG) units, thus reducing available ramping capacity. Hence, scheduling FRPs in day-ahead market from CG units and flexible resources along with an appropriate estimation of FRP requirement is essential to ensure ramping sufficiency. In this context, the paper proposes a modified start-time and end-time netload uncertainty based FRP design and a two-stage scheduling framework to integrate FRPs in day-ahead market. Further, system-wide benefits of integrating flexible resources, FRPs and improved operations are highlighted. The proposed framework is simulated on IEEE RTS-24 and reduced Great Britain test systems and proficiency of the method is compared with existing FRP designs. Numerical results indicate a reduction in operating costs and ramping insufficiency with coordinated operation of flexible resources and FRP deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method called Fitness Distance Ratio (FDR) PSO to solve the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem with ramp rate limits of the generators. To avoid premature convergence of the conventional PSO, a velocity updation has been carried out to improve its convergence performance. The proposed method is tested on 5-unit, 10-bus test system and 39 bus New England system. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the OPF results are compared with other optimization methods. Transient stability limit of the generators are also incorporated in the formulation of OPF problem. Wheeling transactions and contingency analysis are also carried out on the New England test system and the system stability is checked. A 24-hour load curve is considered for the same system and transient stability constrained OPF solution is obtained through FDR PSO method and the results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid and reliable tests for pre-emergence herbicide susceptibility in weeds are important to test a wider range of accessions on their baseline sensitivity, as well as to provide information on putative resistance. This study focused on the development of an agar quick test to determine sensitivity differences in Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. to pre-emergence herbicides containing flufenacet and cinmethylin. The new agar quick test and a standardized whole plant pot bioassay were conducted twice in 2019. For both test systems, seeds of 18 populations of A. myosuroides originated from Southwest Germany and Great Britain were used and treated with discriminating rates of herbicides in dose-response studies. After 28 days, the above-ground dry matter of the plants was determined and the resistance factors were calculated. The agar test was able to provide information on the resistance status of the tested biotype within 12 days. All populations did not show reduced sensitivity to cinmethylin. Within three populations, differences in sensitivity levels were observed between the two test systems. As cinmethylin is not yet marketed in Europe, these resistance factors can also be considered as a baseline sensitivity for A. myosuroides. For flufenacet, the resistance factors differed significantly from the whole plant pot bioassay and the agar test for the biotypes A (0.35, 13.1), C (0.56, 13.2), D (1.87, 12.4), E (15.5, 3.5) and H (2.95, 14). It was possible for the most part for the cinmethylin tested populations to confirm the results of the standardized whole plant pot bioassay in the agar bioassay sensitivity tests, and hence create a promising, faster test system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The welfare of broiler chickens affects the pattern of their flock movements. • Cameras can 'read' these movements to predict future mortality and hockburn. • Differences between flocks are apparent in chicks of only a few days old. • Flocks carry their history with them throughout life. • Results are repeatable in the different conditions of the UK and Switzerland. Although systems for automated assessment of broiler chicken welfare have now been developed on a small scale, none are currently in widespread commercial use. We addressed this gap between research and uptake by field testing a camera system that uses the optical flow patterns made by the movements of flocks to monitor bird welfare. We tested the hypothesis that the movement patterns made by flocks of broiler chickens are correlated with two key welfare outcomes – mortality and hockburn. Life-long CCTV monitoring was carried out on 74 commercial broiler flocks (UK = 31; Switzerland = 43) and the resulting data analysed to give daily values of 4 optical flow descriptors: mean, variance, skew and kurtosis. Flock mortality and hockburn data were obtained from information routinely collected on the farms and at abattoirs. Bayesian multivariate regression models were used to analyse data with all 4 optical flow descriptors as input variables, first day-by-day and then cumulatively using information from each day and all previous days. For both the UK and Swiss flocks, the cumulative regression showed that optical flow was significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with % total mortality (by day 1 for the UK flocks and by day 4 for the Swiss flocks). Optical flow was also significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with % birds with end-of-life hockburn (by day 3 for UK flocks and day 2 for Swiss flocks). This ability to distinguish between flocks that will have different final welfare outcomes when the birds are only a few days old is a particularly useful property of this system as it potentially provides farmers with an early warning of problem flocks that are still young enough for interventions to be possible. In conclusion, the optical flow patterns made by the movements of broiler chicken flocks were reliably correlated with two key welfare outcomes - mortality and hockburn - obtained by cumulating information over days as the birds grow. Differences between flocks became apparent within the first few days of life and were similar in the UK and Switzerland, despite differences in environment and management practices, suggesting that this approach to automated welfare assessment has the potential for widespread commercial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses how operational flexibility and the curtailment of renewable energy are connected using a unit commitment and economic dispatch model that includes operational characteristics of conventional power plants and system constraints. A Great Britain test system is analysed under different scenarios of wind (onshore and offshore) and solar installed capacity, showing that an increase in curtailment is mostly expected as wind deployment increases. This curtailment reaches 17% of the annual available variable renewable electricity generation at high wind and solar installed capacities and is mainly driven by the inertial requirement. The best approach to reducing curtailment is, therefore, to reduce the inertia floor by relaxing Rate of Change of Frequency limits. For the assumed curtailment costs, onshore wind presents a stronger correlation with overall curtailment than offshore wind and solar, albeit influenced by the levels of solar installed capacity. Significant reductions in curtailment can be achieved if wind contributes to system balancing requirements. This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that variable renewables are technically able to contribute to system balancing, wherever feasible, and of improving access to revenue streams that incentivise flexible operation of variable renewable generation. • The inertia floor is the main driver of curtailment in this work. • This curtailment can reach 17% of annual available renewable generation. • Onshore wind has stronger correlation with curtailment than offshore wind or solar. • Curtailment is needed to ensure reserve services when the inertia floor is lowered. • Curtailment can be reduced by 88% if wind contributes to system inertia and reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the announcement of LMS Ltd. that automotive engineering specialists MIRA Ltd. has chosen LMS TEst.Lab for vehicle, noise and vibration testing and development in Great Britain. It cites that noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) test systems deployed at MIRA consist the LMS Test.Lab software suite and multiple LMS SCADAS III front-end units. NHV engineer Mark Randle of MIRA, says that portability and immediate results are the main advantages of the LMS Test.Lab system.