bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic modeling and Exergy Analysis of Gas Turbine Cycle for Different Boundary conditions
Authors: Pattanayak Lalatendu
Published: March 2017

In this study an exergy analysis of 88.71 MW 13D2 gas turbine (GT) topping cycle is carried out. Exergy analysis based on second law was applied to the gas cycle and individual components through a modeling approach. The analysis shows that the highest exergy destruction occurs in the combustion chamber (CC). In addition, the effects of the gas turbine load and performance variations with ambient temperature, compression ratio and turbine inlet temperature (TIT) are investigated to analyse the change in system behavior. The analysis shows that the gas turbine is significantly affected by the ambient temperature which leads to a decrease in power output. The results of the load variation of the gas turbine show that a reduction in gas turbine load results in a decrease in the exergy efficiency of the cycle as well as all the components. The compressor has the largest exergy efficiency of 92.84% compared to the other component of the GT and combustion chamber is the highest source of exergy destruction of 109.89 MW at 100 % load condition. With increase in ambient temperature both exergy destruction rate and exergy efficiency decreases.
Vector Control of Three-Phase Induction Motor with Two Stator Phases Open-Circuit
Authors: Asgari Seyed Hesam , Jannati Mohammad , Sutikno Tole , Nik Idris Nik Rumzi
Published: March 2017

Variable frequency drives are used to provide reliable dynamic systems and significant reduction in usage of energy and costs of the induction motors. Modeling and control of faulty or an unbalanced three-phase induction motor is obviously different from healthy three-phase induction motor. Using conventional vector control techniques such as Field-Oriented Control (FOC) for faulty three-phase induction motor, results in a significant torque and speed oscillation. This research presented a novel method for vector control of three-phase induction motor under fault condition (two-phase open circuit fault). The proposed method for vector control of faulty machine is based on rotor FOC method. A comparison between conventional and modified controller shows that the modified controller has been significantly reduced the torque and speed oscillations.
Open-Switch Fault-Tolerant Control of a Grid-Side Converter in a Wind Power Generation System
Authors: Das Partha Sarati , Kim Kyeong-Hwa
Published: March 2017

A fault-tolerant technique of a grid-side converter (GSC) is a very important task because the unbalanced grid power endangers the overall system. Since the GSC is very sensitive to grid disturbance, the complete system needs to be stopped suddenly once an open-switch fault occurs. To improve the reliability of system, the continuous operation should be guaranteed. In this paper, a redundant topology based fault-tolerant algorithm is proposed for a GSC in a wind power generation system. The proposed scheme consists of the fault detection and fault-tolerant algorithms. The fault detection algorithm employs the durations of positive and negaitive cycles of three-phase grid currents as well as normalized root mean square (RMS) currents. Once a fault is detected, the corresponding faulty phase is identified and isolated to enable the fault-tolerant operation. The faulty phase is replaced by redundant one rapidly to recover the original shape of the grid currents, which ensures the continuity in operation. In contrast with the conventional methods, the proposed fault detection and fault-tolerant algorithms work effectively even in the presence of the open faults in multiple switches in the GSC. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control algorithms.
Modified Bidirectional Converter with Current Fed Inverter
Authors: S Athira , Kaliyaperumal Deepa
Published: March 2017

A bidirectional dc-dc converter with multiple outputs are concatenated with a high frequency current source parallel resonant push pull inverter is presented in this paper. The two outputs are added together and it is taken as the input source for the inverter. The current source parallel resonant push pull inverter implemented here with high frequency applications like induction heating, Fluorescent lighting, Digital signal processing sonar. This paper proposes a simple photovoltaic power system consists of a bidirectional converter and a current fed inverter for regulating the load variations. Solar power is used as the input source for the system. Simulation of the proposed system is carried out in PSIM software and experimentally verified the results.
Convergence Parameter Analysis for Different Metaheuristic Methods Control Constant Estimation and it’s Tradeoff Inference
Authors: Sagayaraj R. , Thangavel S.
Published: March 2017

This paper is an extension of our previous work, which discussed the difficulty in implementing different methods of resistance emulation techniques on the hardware due to its control constant estimation delay. In order to get rid of the delay this paper attempts to include the meta-heuristic methods for the control constants of the controller. To achieve the minimum Total Harmonic Disturbance (THD) in the AC side of the converter modern meta-heuristic methods are compared with the traditional methods. The convergence parameters, which are primary for the earlier estimation of the control constants, are compared with the measured parameters, tabulated and tradeoff inference is done among the methods. This kind of implementation does not need the mathematical model of the system under study for finding the control constants. The parameters considered for estimation are population size, maximum number of epochs, and global best solution of the control constants, best THD value and execution time. MatlabTM /Simulink based simulation is optimized with the M-file based optimization techniques like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Cuckoo Search Algorithm, Gravity Search Algorithm, Harmony Search Algorithm and Bat Algorithm.
Droop Characteristics of Doubly Fed Induction Generator Energy Storage Systems within Micro Grids
Authors: Sireesha K.L. , Kesava Rao G.
Published: March 2017

This article presents the operation of DFIG Doubly fed induction generator and a component energy storage (ES) within micro grids (MG). The aim of this proposal is to control voltage and frequency of wind farm micro grid shared by the Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) through droop characteristics. This paper is mainly concerned with the operation of islanded micro grids. The proposed control methods are pretend by using Matlab/simulink.
A Novel Method for IRFOC of Three-Phase Induction Motor under Open-Phase Fault
Authors: Jannati Mohammad , Sutikno Tole , Nik Idris Nik Rumzi , Abdul Aziz Mohd Junaidi
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the vector control of a star-connected three-phase Induction Motor (IM) under stator winding open-phase fault. The used vector control method is based upon indirect rotor field-orientation concepts that have been adapted for this type of machine. Beside the implementation of this method in critical industrial applications, the proposed method in this paper can be used for vector control of unbalanced 2-phase or single-phase IM with two main and auxiliary windings. Simulation results are provided to show the operation of the proposed drive system.
Faults Diagnosis in Five-Level Three-Phase Shunt Active Power Filter
Authors: Benyettou L. , Benslimane T. , Abdelkhalek O. , Abdelkrim T. , Bentata K.
Published: March 2017

In this paper, characteristics of open transistor faults in cascaded H-bridge five-level three-phase PWM controlled shunt active power filter are determined. Phase currents can’t be trusted as fault indicator since their waveforms are slightly changed in the presence of open transistor fault. The proposed method uses H bridges output voltages to determine the faulty phase, the faulty bridge and more precisely, the open fault transistor.
Unknown Input Observer for a Doubly Fed Induction Generator Subject to Disturbances
Authors: Abdelmalek Samir , Barazane Linda , Larabi Abdelkader
Published: March 2017

This paper deals with the problem design of an unknown input observer (UIO) for a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) subject to disturbances. These disturbances can be considered as unknown inputs (UI). The state space model of the DFIG is obtained from the voltage equations of the stator and rotor. Then, this latter is used for the design of an unknown input observer (UIO) in order to estimate both the state and the unknown inputs of the DFIG. Furthermore, the UIO gains are computed by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Simulations results are given to show the performance and the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Novel Method of FOC to Speed Control in Three-Phase IM under Normal and Faulty Conditions
Authors: Jannati Mohammad , Sutikno Tole , Nik Idris Nik Rumzi , Abdul Aziz Mohd Junaidi
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a novel method for speed control of three-phase Induction Motor (IM) which can be used for both healthy three-phase IM and three-phase IM under open-phase fault. The proposed fault-tolerant control system is derived from conventional Field-Oriented Control (FOC) algorithm with minor changes on it. The presented drive system is based on using an appropriate transformation matrix for the stator current variables. The presented method in this paper can be also used for speed control of single-phase IMs with two windings. The feasibility of the proposed strategy is verified by simulation results.
Towards More Reliable Renewable Power Systems - Thermal Performance Evaluation of DC/DC Boost Converters Switching Devices
Authors: Batunlu Canras , Albarbar Alhussein
Published: March 2017

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Power electronic converters (PECs) are one of the most important elements within renewable power generation systems. The reliability of switching elements of PECs is still below expectations and is a major contributor to the downtime of renewable power generation systems. Conventional technology based elements such as Silicon Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) operate as switching components in PECs. Recent topological improvements have led to new devices called Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs which, are also being used as switching elements for PECs. This paper presents detailed investigations into the performance of those switching devices with a focus on their reliability and thermal characteristics. Namely, trench gate NPT, FS IGBT topologies and SiC MOSFET are firstly modelled using 3-D multi-physics finite element modelling to gain clear understanding of their thermal behaviour. Subsequently, modelling outcomes are verified by using those devices as switching elements in operational boost converters. The purposely-developed test setups are utilised to critically assess the performances of those switching devices under different loading and environmental conditions. In general, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">SiC device was found to exhibit about 20 °C less in its operating temperature and therefore expected to offer more reliable switching element. 
Seven Levels Symmetric H-bridge Multilevel Inverter with Less Number of Switching Devices
Authors: Chulan Megat Azahari , Abdul Aziz Mohd Junaidi , Mohammed Yatim Abdul Halim , Daud Mohd Zaki
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a new topology of a cascaded multilevel inverter that utilises less number of switches than the conventional topology. The proposed topology maintains the performance of conventional 7-levels output multilevel inverter while reducing the loss of power, installation area, converter size as well as development cost. The circuit development consists of six switches and one diode. With less number of switching devices in the circuit, there will be a reduction in the gate driver circuits and also in effect fewer switches required for specific intervals of time. Simulation works have been conducted to validate the proposed MLI topology. It is envisaged that the proposed topology can be applied for the system that requires high efficiency and a low electromagnetic interference.
Design Improvement of Three Phase 12Slot-14Pole Outer Rotor Field Excitation Flux Switching Motor
Authors: Othman S.M.N.S. , Ahmad M.Z. , Rahim J.A. , Bahrim F.S. , Sulaiman E.
Published: March 2017

This paper present with design improvement of 12Slot-14Pole outer rotor field excitation flux switching motor (ORFEFSM) from the initial design by implement Deterministic Optimization Method (DOM) which involve 2-dimensional Finite-Element Analysis (FEA). The design improvement starts with the non-active part, rotor and followed with active part, stator which involve the armature coil slot and field excitation coil (FEC) slot. Since it is one of local optimization method, this method involves more than one cycle of improvement depends on the design structure and slot-pole configuration until achieve optimum performance. However, the initial torque and power output of 12Slot-14Pole is 112.95 Nm and 50.46 kW. The main objective is to improve the structure in order to obtain optimum torque and power output. Besides, it is necessary to reduce flux saturation and optimize the flux flow between the rotor teeth and stator arc width. The target torque and power output performance is expected higher than 210 Nm and 123 kW. With the deterministic optimization method technique, the final torque and power output achived are 221.83 Nm and 189kW.
Reduction in Cogging Torque and Flux per Pole in BLDC Motor by Adapting U-Clamped Magnetic Poles
Authors: Noyal Doss M. Arun , Vijayakumar S. , Mohideen A. Jamal , Kannan K. Sathiah , Sairam N.D. Balaji , Karthik K.
Published: March 2017

A Permanent Magnet BLDC motor is designed for reduction in cogging torque and flux per pole. The cogging torque causes direct impact in permanent magnet BLDC motor performance by causing torque ripple problems. This paper proposes a new method for reducing cogging torque by adapting to U-clamped magnetic poles. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to calculate the cogging torque and the flux per pole for different shapes of magnetic pole. It can be shown that the cogging torque could be greatly reduced by adapting to U-clamped magnetic poles. At the same time it is found that the flux per pole is also considerably reduced. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparing the cogging torque and flux per pole for various designs available in the literature.
Experimental Verification of the main MPPT techniques for photovoltaic system
Authors: Abdourraziq Mohamed Amine , Maaroufi Mohamed
Published: March 2017

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the important renewable energy resources as it is pollution free and clean. PV systems have a high cost of energy and low eciency, consequently, they not made it fully attractive as an alternative option for electricity users. It is essential that PV systems are operated to extract the maximum possible power at all times. Maximum Power Point (MPP) changes with atmospheric conditions (radiation and temperature), it is dicult to sustain MPP at all atmospheric levels. Many Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) have been developed and implemented. These methods varied according to several aspects such as a number of sensors used, complexity, accuracy, speed, ease of hardware implementation, cost and tracking eciency. The MPPT techniques presented in the literature indicate that Variable step size of Perturb & Observe (VP&O), Variable step size of Incremental Conductance (VINC) and Perturb & Observe (P&O) using Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) can achieve reliable global MPPT with low cost and complexity and be easily adapted to dierent PV systems. In this paper, we established theoretical and experimental verication of the main MPPT controllers (VP&O, VINC, and P&O using FLC MPPT algorithms) that most cited in the literature. The three MPPT controller has been tested by MATLAB/Simulink to analyze each technique under dierent atmospheric conditions. The experimental results show that the performance of VINC and P&O using FLC is better than VP&O in term of response time.
Direct Power Control of Brushless Doubly-fed Induction Generator Used in Wind Energy Conversion System
Authors: Rahab A. , Senani F. , Benalla H.
Published: March 2017

This article describes firstly a wind power production line, principally a wind turbine constitutes her and brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG). The models of these components are developed, and control objective of BDFIG is to achieve a dynamic performance similar to the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) using a stator flux field oriented control (FOC) and direct power control (DPC) strategy. After, the simulation program using Matlab/Simulink has been developed. The performances of this strategy are evaluated and analyzed, so the results show a good robustness great dynamic and a precision of speed.
Adaptive Method for Power Quality Improvement through Minimization of Harmonics Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Thirumoorthi P. , T D Raheni
Published: March 2017

Power system harmonics are a menace to electric power system with disastrous consequence. Due to the presence of non linear load, power quality of the system gets affected.  To overcome this, shunt active power filter have been used near harmonic producing loads or at the point of common coupling to block current harmonics. The shunt active power filter is designed to minimize harmonics in source current and reactive power in the non linear power supplies which are creating harmonics. In this paper, Instantaneous power of p-q theory is employed to generate the reference currents and PI controller is used to control the dc link voltage. In addition to this, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technique is used to minimize the harmonics produced by nonlinear load. The main objective of this paper is to analyze and compare THD of the source current with PI controller and by artificial neural network based back propagation algorithm. The proposed system is designed with MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.
A New Approach for Classification of Fault in Transmission Line with Combination of Wavelet Multi Resolution Analysis and Neural Networks
Authors: Srinivasa Rao Y , Kumar G. Ravi , Kesava Rao G.
Published: March 2017

An appropriate fault detection and classification of power system transmission line using discrete wavelet transform and artificial neural networks is performed in this paper. The analysis is carried out by applying discrete wavelet transform for obtained fault phase currents. The work represented in this paper are mainly concentrated on classification of fault and this classification is done based on the obtained energy values after applying discrete wavelet transform by taking this values as an input for the neural network. The proposed system and analysis is carried out in Matlab Simulink.
Thrombotic risk according to SERPINC1 genotype in a large cohort of subjects with antithrombin inherited deficiency
Authors: Alhenc-Gelas Martine , Plu-Bureau Genevieve , Hugon-Rodin Justine , Picard Veronique , Horellou Marie-Helene ,   GFHT study group on Genetic Thrombophilia
Published: March 2017

Inherited quantitative (type I) or qualitative (type II) antithrombin deficiency (ATD) due to mutations in the SERPINC1 gene is a well-known risk factor for venous thromboembolism. ATD may also increase risk for arterial thrombosis. Few studies have investigated risk for thrombosis according to mutations. We addressed this topic in a large retrospective cohort study of 540 heterozygous carriers of SERPINC1 mutations and compared risk for first venous or arterial thrombosis associated with carrying of different type II or type I mutations. No clear difference in risk for first venous thrombotic event was observed among type I (missense or null), type IIRS or type IIPE mutation carriers except for a few variants that displayed lower risk [all events, adjusted relative risk: Cambridge II: 0.42 (95%CI 0.25–0.70), Dublin: 0.35 (95%CI 0.13–0.99)]. IIHBS mutation carrying was associated with a clearly lower risk than type I mutation carrying [0.28 (95%CI 0.20–0.40)]. These differences in risk were observed for both all venous thrombotic events and pulmonary embolism associated with deep venous thrombosis. The HBS group was also heterogeneous, with AT Budapest 3 carriers displaying a non-significantly different risk [0.61 (95%CI 0.31–1.20)] compared to type I mutation carriers. We also studied risk for arterial thrombosis and found no significant influence of mutation type. Altogether, our findings suggest a place for SERPINC1 genotyping in the diagnosis of ATD.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
ЧАСТОТА ВИЯВЛЕННЯ ПРОЛЕЖНІВ СЕРЕД ПАЦІЄНТІВ ВІДДІЛЕННЯ ПАЛІАТИВНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ КОМУНАЛЬНОЇ 4-Ї МІСЬКОЇ КЛІНІЧНОЇ ЛІКАРНІ М. ЛЬВОВА
Authors: Ometyuh I. V. , Reha N. I. , Yastremska S. O.
Published: March 2017

У статті описано частоту виникнення пролежнів серед пацієнтів відділення паліативної допомоги. Визначено необхідність виділення груп пацієнтів з пролежнями та ризиком їх виникнення.
ОЖИРІННЯ – ПРОБЛЕМА СУЧАСНОСТІ
Authors: Ermolenko N. A. , Zarudna O. I.
Published: March 2017

У статті висвітлено поширеність розвитку ожиріння та його основні проблеми, пов’язані зі здоров’ям людини.
ОЦІНКА МОТИВАЦІЙНОГО НАВЧАННЯ ПАЦІЄНТІВ З ГІПЕРТОНІЧНОЮ ХВОРОБОЮ ТА АЛІМЕНТАРНИМ ОЖИРІННЯМ
Authors: Matveycheva A. O. , Kasiyan V. Ya. , Kasiyan S. R.
Published: March 2017

У статті проведено оцінку ефективності розробленої нами програми мотиваційного навчання пацієнтів з гіпертонічною хворобою та аліментарним ожирінням. Встановлено, що проведення мотиваційного навчання для таких пацієнтів підвищує їх рівень інтенсивності ставлення до здоров’я, що приводить до модифікації способу життя (збільшення тривалості відпочинку і тривалості сну, дотримання раціонального харчування, відмова від тютюнокуріння), регулярного контролю артеріального тиску, що покращує їх якість життя.
СОЦІАЛЬНІ ТА ПЕДАГОГІЧНІ УМОВИ ФОРМУВАННЯ МОРАЛЬНИХ ТА ОСОБИСТІСНИХ ЯКОСТЕЙ СТУДЕНТІВ В ОДЕСЬКОМУ ОБЛАСНОМУ БАЗОВОМУ МЕДИЧНОМУ УЧИЛИЩІ
Authors: Kuzmyna O. S.
Published: March 2017

В даній статті розглянуто досвід роботи з питань соціальних та педагогічних умов формування моральних та особистісних якостей студентів в Одеському обласному базовому медичному училищі
Changes in Body Weight and Composition Are Associated With Changes in Left Ventricular Geometry and Function in the General Population
Authors: Markus Marcello Ricardo Paulista , Werner Nicole , Schipf Sabine , Siewert-Markus Ulrike , Bahls Martin , Baumeister Sebastian Edgar , Völzke Henry , Felix Stephan Burkhard , Ittermann Till , Dörr Marcus
Published: March 2017

Background—

The different effects of total body weight (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), and fat mass (FM) on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function are complex. We investigated the associations of changes over time in TBW, FM, and FFM with changes in LV geometry and function.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed data from 1189 subjects (694 women), aged 44 to 86 years, from the baseline and the 5-year follow-up examination of the population-based SHIP (Study of Health in Pomerania). TBW was measured, and FFM and FM were calculated based on height-weight models derived from bioelectrical impedance studies. Echocardiographic measurements of LV geometry and function were performed according to the guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography. Changes in body composition measures were associated with changes in LV geometry and function by multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. A 1-kg increase/decrease in TBW or FM was associated, respectively, with an increase/decrease of 0.89 g or 1.84 g in LV mass, whereas there was no such association on changes in FFM. Moreover, an increase in FM was associated with LV concentric remodeling and impairment of systolic and diastolic function parameters, whereas an increase in FFM was associated with LV eccentric remodeling and improved systolic and diastolic functional variables.

Conclusions—

Our findings indicate that changes in LV morphology and function depend on the type of body mass composition. Prospective data need to address whether specific changes in body composition over time may affect the risk for heart dysfunction more precisely than the change in TBW.
Characterization of
18
F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake Pattern in Noninfected Prosthetic Heart Valves
Authors: Mathieu Cédric , Mikaïl Nidaa , Benali Khadija , Iung Bernard , Duval Xavier , Nataf Patrick , Jondeau Guillaume , Hyafil Fabien , Le Guludec Dominique , Rouzet François
Published: March 2017

Background—

18
F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been recently acknowledged as a diagnostic tool for prosthetic valve endocarditis, but its specificity is limited by uptake on noninfected valves. The objective of this study was to outline the main features of FDG uptake on PET/CT in patients with noninfected prosthetic heart valve (PHV).

Methods and Results—

Our institution’s PET/CT database was reviewed to identify patients with PHV, excluding those suspected of infection or who had received antibiotic treatment. PET indication, valve location, and type (biological/mechanical) and time from implantation were collected for each patient. Images with and without attenuation correction were considered for interpretation. The pattern of FDG uptake (absent, homogeneous, or heterogeneous) was recorded. Fifty-four PHVs (51 patients) were identified, including 32 biological valves. Indications for PET were oncology (n=26), suspicion of prosthetic valve endocarditis subsequently excluded (n=17), and history of vasculitis (n=11). A periprosthetic FDG uptake was present in 47 (87%) and 30 (56%) PHVs with and without attenuation correction, respectively, and the pattern was homogeneous in all but 4 (7%) and 3 (6%) PHVs, respectively. On quantitative analysis, maximum standardized uptake values was greater in mechanical than in biological valves (4.0 [2.4–8.0] versus 3.3 [2.1–6.1];
P
=0.01) and in patients with vasculitis than in those referred for other indications. The uptake intensity did not differ before and 3 months after valve replacement.

Conclusions—

Noninfected PHVs frequently display homogeneous FDG uptake, which remains steady over time. Caution is, therefore, needed when interpreting FDG PET/CT in suspected prosthetic valve endocarditis, with specific attention to uptake pattern.
Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities and Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Morton Paul D. , Ishibashi Nobuyuki , Jonas Richard A.
Published: March 2017

In the past 2 decades, it has become evident that individuals born with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of developing life-long neurological deficits. Multifactorial risk factors contributing to neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with CHD have been identified; however, the underlying causes remain largely unknown, and efforts to address this issue have only recently begun. There has been a dramatic shift in focus from newly acquired brain injuries associated with corrective and palliative heart surgery to antenatal and preoperative factors governing altered brain maturation in CHD. In this review, we describe key time windows of development during which the immature brain is vulnerable to injury. Special emphasis is placed on the dynamic nature of cellular events and how CHD may adversely impact the cellular units and networks necessary for proper cognitive and motor function. In addition, we describe current gaps in knowledge and offer perspectives about what can be done to improve our understanding of neurological deficits in CHD. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary approach will be essential to prevent or improve adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in individuals surviving CHD.
T-Cell Mineralocorticoid Receptor Controls Blood Pressure by Regulating Interferon-Gamma
Authors: Sun Xue-Nan , Li Chao , Liu Yuan , Du Lin-Juan , Zeng Meng-Ru , Zheng Xiao-Jun , Zhang Wu-Chang , Liu Yan , Zhu Mingjiang , Kong Deping , Zhou Li , Lu Limin , Shen Zhu-Xia , Yi Yi , Du Lili , Qin Mu , Liu Xu , Hua Zichun , Sun Shuyang , Yin Huiyong , Zhou Bin , Yu Ying , Zhang Zhiyuan , Duan Sheng-Zhong
Published: March 2017

Rationale:

Hypertension remains to be a global public health burden and demands novel intervention strategies such as targeting T cells and T-cell–derived cytokines. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists have been clinically used to treat hypertension. However, the function of T-cell MR in blood pressure (BP) regulation has not been elucidated.

Objective:

We aim to determine the role of T-cell MR in BP regulation and to explore the mechanism.

Methods and Results:

Using T-cell MR knockout mouse in combination with angiotensin II–induced hypertensive mouse model, we demonstrated that MR deficiency in T cells strikingly decreased both systolic and diastolic BP and attenuated renal and vascular damage. Flow cytometric analysis showed that T-cell MR knockout mitigated angiotensin II–induced accumulation of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)–producing T cells, particularly CD8
+
population, in both kidneys and aortas. Similarly, eplerenone attenuated angiotensin II–induced elevation of BP and accumulation of IFN-γ–producing T cells in wild-type mice. In cultured CD8
+
T cells, T-cell MR knockout suppressed IFN-γ expression whereas T-cell MR overexpression and aldosterone both enhanced IFN-γ expression. At the molecular level, MR interacted with NFAT1 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1) and activator protein-1 in T cells. Finally, T-cell MR overexpressing mice manifested more elevated BP compared with control mice after angiotensin II infusion and such difference was abolished by IFN-γ–neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusions:

MR may interact with NFAT1 and activator protein-1 to control IFN-γ in T cells and to regulate target organ damage and ultimately BP. Targeting MR in T cells specifically may be an effective novel approach for hypertension treatment.
Sanction Accumulation in the Context of Business Offending: The Full Force of the Law?
Authors: Harding Christopher
Published: March 2017

Over the past thirty years or so the regulation of business cartels in an international context has provided an interesting site for the application of legal sanctions—both criminal law and otherwise, both penal and otherwise—in a way which is wide-ranging and with some impressive accumulation in quantity, although without much systematic and considered reflection on the theoretical basis or practical impact of this practice. From the point of view of both policy and justice, the calculation and critical assessment of such sanction accumulation might appear to be an important and worthwhile exercise. Yet the theory and the methodology of such an assessment appears to be insufficiently considered and worked out. It will be argued here that this is a matter which deserves some reflection and clarification, with some endeavour to work out principle and method for the purpose of calculating sanction accumulation and the matching of the latter with victimhood in this context.
The bark louse family Stenopsocidae (Psocodea: Psocomorpha) newly recorded from Laos, with description of three new species
Authors: LIANG FEIYANG
Published: March 2017

The order Psocodea is poorly known from Laos. Here three new species of Stenopsocidae were described, i.e., Malostenopsocus lacteus sp. nov., Stenopsocus abnomis sp. nov., and Stenopsocus wangi sp. nov. Stenopsocus externus Banks, 1937 is also newly recorded from Laos.
New species and new behavioral data of Phlugiola Karny, 1907 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from the Brazilian Amazonian Rainforest
Authors: MENDES DIEGO MATHEUS DE MELLO , OLIVEIRA JOMARA CAVALCANTE DE , ALVES-OLIVEIRA JOÃO RAFAEL , RAFAEL JOSÉ ALBERTINO
Published: March 2017

Phlugiola Karny, 1907 is a genus of small predatory katydids with six included species distributed in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Suriname. In this paper two new Brazilian species are described, Phlugiola longipedes sp. nov. (type locality: Amazonas, Tefé) and Phlugiola igarape sp. nov., (type locality: Acre, Bujari) both from tropical rainforests. Behavioral data and natural history notes are provided.
Offline Implementation and Evaluation of the Canadian Small Lake Model with the Canadian Land Surface Scheme over Western Canada
Authors: Verseghy Diana L. , MacKay Murray D.
Published: March 2017

The Canadian Small Lake Model (CSLM), version 2, was run with the Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS), version 3.6.1, in an offline regional test over western Canada. Forcing data were derived from ERA-Interim and downscaled using the fifth-generation Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM5). The forcing precipitation field was adjusted using monthly data from the Canadian Gridded Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies (CANGRD) observation-based dataset. The modeled surface air temperature was evaluated against CANGRD data, the modeled albedo against MODIS data, and the modeled snow water equivalent against Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) and Global Snow Monitoring for Climate Research (GlobSnow) data. The lake simulation itself was evaluated using the Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR) Reprocessing for Climate: Lake Surface Water Temperature and Ice Cover (ARC-Lake) dataset. Summer surface lake temperatures and the lake ice formation and breakup periods were well simulated, except for slight warm/cold summer/fall surface temperature biases, early ice breakup, and early ice formation, consistent with warm/cold biases in the climate simulation. Tests were carried out to investigate the sensitivity of the CSLM simulation to the default values assigned to the shortwave extinction coefficient and the average lake depth, and changing the former from 0.5 to 2.0 m−1 and the latter from 10.0 to 50.0 or 5.0 m had minimal effects on the simulation. Comparisons of the average annual variations of the simulated net shortwave radiation, turbulent fluxes, snowpack, and maximum and minimum daily surface temperatures between the land and the lake fractions for tundra, boreal, and southern regions showed patterns consistent with those expected. Finally, a test of the CSLM over the large resolved lakes in the model domain demonstrated a performance comparable to that for subgrid lakes.
An Edge-Referenced Surface Fresh Layer in the Beaufort Sea Seasonal Ice Zone
Authors: Dewey Sarah R. , Morison James H. , Zhang Jinlun
Published: March 2017

To understand the factors causing the interannual variations in the summer retreat of the Beaufort Sea ice edge, Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Surveys (SIZRS) aboard U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Domain Awareness flights were made monthly from June to October in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The seasonal ice zone (SIZ) is where sea ice melts and reforms annually and encompasses the nominally narrower marginal ice zone (MIZ) where a mix of open-ocean and ice pack processes prevail. Thus, SIZRS provides a regional context for the smaller-scale MIZ processes. Observations with aircraft expendable conductivity–temperature–depth probes reveal a salinity pattern associated with large-scale gyre circulation and the seasonal formation of a shallow (~20 m) fresh layer moving with the ice edge position. Repeat occupations of the SIZRS lines from 72° to 76°N on 140° and 150°W allow a comparison of observed hydrography to atmospheric indices. Using this relationship, the basinwide salinity signals are separated from the fresh layer associated with the ice edge. While this layer extends northward under the ice edge as the melt season progresses, low salinities and warm temperatures appear south of the edge. Within this fresh layer, average salinity is correlated with distance from the ice edge. The salinity observations suggest that the upper-ocean freshening over the summer is dominated by local sea ice melt and vertical mixing. A Price–Weller–Pinkel model analysis reveals that observed changes in heat content and density structure are also consistent with a 1D mixing process.
Handing out beauty: Gabriele D’Annunzio’s ritual squanderers
Authors: Pireddu Nicoletta
Published: March 2017

D’Annunzio’s approach to beauty has largely unnoticed connections with the anti-modern anthropological discourse on symbolic economy that at the turn of the 20th century begins to reject instrumentality in life and representation. From the cultural primitivism of his time, D’Annunzio develops a consistent reflection on the aesthetic and ethical significance of ritual exchange that informs his search for a higher morality through art. Focusing on the nexus of art, giving, and temporality, this article addresses the intuitions and the contradictions of unconditional expenditure in D’Annunzio’s works, analyzing the leitmotif of the hand as an ambivalent carrier of lavishness and power. From Trionfo della morte to Il fuoco, from Le vergini delle rocce to his autobiographical writings, the implications of D’Annunzio’s argument contribute to an extended theoretical debate that interrogates the role of value in aesthetic and social practices—from Nietzsche, Mauss, and Bataille to Heidegger and Derrida. Can art’s luxurious dissipation truly break the circle of speculation and restitution?
High School Dropout, Resource Attainment, and Criminal Convictions
Authors: Bäckman Olof
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

To examine the effect of high school dropout on subsequent criminal convictions and how postdropout resource attainment in terms of education and employment may modify such an effect.

Methods:

Propensity score matching (PSM) using administrative register data covering two full Swedish birth cohorts is employed to assess the effect of dropout on convictions. Event history analysis is used to examine the modifying effect of subsequent resource attainment.

Results:

The PSM analysis reveals an effect of dropout on convictions for men, whereas no evidence of such an effect is found for women. Returning to school after dropout significantly reduces the crime-inducing effect of dropout among men. Finding occupation after dropout also reduces the risk for criminal conviction but does so independently of the effect of dropout.

Conclusion:

Since resource attainment after the dropout event modifies the effect on criminal convictions, it is concluded that policies such as lifelong learning strategies promoting opportunities for a “second chance” may, besides their intended consequences, also have crime preventive side effects.
Five Cents to Dreamland: A trip to Coney Island New York Transit Museum
Authors: Woolley Jonathan
Published: March 2017

Railroads played a key role in developing resorts during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, few North American transportation museums emphasize this. This exhibition chronicles how rail links led to the development of amusement parks at an urban beach resort in New York.
The elusive international
Authors: Rosenberg Justin
Published: March 2017

This piece responds to the critical commentaries offered in this forum. I re-state the core aspects of the thesis and emphasize four themes related to theory in response to the critics: (1) Levels of Theory, (2) Locations of Theory, (3) Disciplines of Theory and (4) Ideologies of Theory.
Social Movements in Chile (1983–2013): Four Theoretical and Historical Moments
Authors: Vázquez Mónica Iglesias
Published: March 2017

During the 1980s, the study of social movements became a central element of Chilean social thought. In the context of the struggle against the dictatorship, the forms of organization and protest deployed by the popular sectors attracted the attention of academics and politicians in an attempt to determine their nature and democratizing potential. Hegemonic sociology concluded that social movements did not exist in Chile and that social mobilizations had to be subordinate to the strategy of political parties, thereby bestowing a “scientific” status on the social-political divide. In the 1990s, with the end of the dictatorship, those sociologists abandoned the study of social movements. Only social history persisted in the understanding of the formation of popular subjectivities, contributing tools for characterizing the popular realm and the most recent outbreaks of protest and mobilization.

El estudio de los movimientos sociales se constituyó como un eje central del pensamiento social chileno en la década de los ochenta. En el contexto de la lucha contra la dictadura, las formas de organización y de protesta desplegadas por los sectores populares concitaron la atención de académicos y políticos, en aras de establecer su carácter y potencialidad democratizadora. La sociología hegemónica concluyó que no existían movimientos sociales en Chile, y que las movilizaciones sociales debían subordinarse a la estrategia de los partidos políticos, dotando de “cientificidad” la escisión entre lo social y lo político. En los noventa, con el fin de la dictadura, aquellos sociólogos abandonaron el estudio de los movimientos sociales. Sólo la historia social perseveró en la comprensión de la constitución de las subjetividades populares, aportando herramientas para la caracterización del mundo popular y de los más recientes estallidos de protesta y movilización.
A model-based measurement method for intelligent circuit breaker with data communication
Authors: Liu Zhiheng , Duan Xiongying , Liao Minfu , Ge Guowei , Zou Jiyan
Published: March 2017

In this paper, an object-oriented information model of an intelligent vacuum circuit breaker based on its physical structure and function (service) was established to integrate the measuring information flow of field parameters, the monitoring information flow of status data, and the operating and controlling information flow. The status parameters of the intelligent vacuum breaker were detected by analysing the principles and methods based on IEC61850 and IEC62271 standards. The IEC 61850 standard repository can be extended according to the characteristics of the intelligent vacuum breaker status parameters, and the IED server model was constructed to be suitable for the vacuum breaker. A key feature of the new method is the use of a multimode fibre that is incorporated into the IED server model to transmit the status parameters from the target to the sensor. The main characteristic of the measurement method is that it exhibits real-time transmission of data collection. The model includes temperature testing of the switch contact, vacuum arc testing, detection of vacuum switch motion and primary circuit parameters testing. Furthermore, we show how the IEC61850 standard can be used to give a better insight on data communication of the data collector and intelligent circuit breaker. Experimental results showed that the feasibility of intelligent vacuum breaker status monitoring through the switching-on test. It purposes to achieve information integration and a frame communication platform for the intelligent vacuum breaker.
The Self-Control Irony: Desire for Self-Control Limits Exertion of Self-Control in Demanding Settings
Authors: Uziel Liad , Baumeister Roy F.
Published: March 2017

Self-control is a highly adaptive human capacity. Accordingly, development of self-control is widely encouraged. Whereas the benefits of having self-control are well documented, little is known about the impact of wanting self-control. The present investigation fills this void by exploring the effect of desire for self-control on the ability to exert self-control. It was expected that in the context of demanding self-control challenges, a desire for self-control will highlight a discrepancy between one’s goals and perceived performance potential, leading to reduced efficacy beliefs and task disengagement. Four studies ( N = 635) supported the prediction. Study 1 showed that a strong desire impaired performance on a demanding task but not on a simple task. Study 2 conceptually replicated the decrement in performance and established causality by experimentally manipulating desire for self-control. Studies 3 and 4 showed that reduction in efficacy beliefs mediate the effect. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Treatment of incompetent perforators in recurrent venous insufficiency with adhesive embolization and sclerotherapy
Authors: Prasad BP Krishna , Joy Binu , Toms Ajith , Sleeba Teena
Published: March 2017

Recurrent lower limb venous insufficiency is often a challenge in clinical practice and is most commonly due to incompetent perforators. Many of these patients do not have adequate symptom relief with compression and require some form of treatment for incompetent perforator interruption. Various treatment methods have been tried with different efficiencies.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility, efficiency and safety of an outpatient combined cyanoacrylate adhesion–sodium tetradecyl sulphate sclerotherapy for treatment of patients with symptoms of persistent or recurrent lower limb venous insufficiency secondary to incompetent perforators.

Methods

Eighty-three limbs of 69 patients with symptoms of persistent or recurrent lower limb venous insufficiency secondary to incompetent perforators were treated with cyanoacrylate embolization of incompetent perforators and sclerotherapy of dilated collateral veins (surface branch varicose veins). Technical success, procedural pain, perforator occlusion, venous occlusion, clinical improvement and ulcer healing were assessed. Follow-up was done three- and six-month post-procedure.

Results

Procedure could be successfully performed in all patients. One hundred and ninety-one perforators were treated in total. Perforator and varicose veins occlusion rate was 100%. Deep venous extension of cyanoacrylate occurred in four (4.8%) patients, with no adverse clinical outcome. Venous clinical severity score improved from a baseline of 8.18 ± 3.60 to 4.30 ± 2.48 on three-month follow-up and 2.42 ± 1.52 on six-month follow-up (p < 0.0001). All ulcers showed complete healing within three months. Significant prolonged thrombophlebitis occurred in 38.5% of limbs.

Conclusion

Combined cyanoacrylate adhesion and setrol sclerotherapy is technically easy, has a lot of advantages including being an outpatient procedure and highly efficacious but with a guarded safety profile.
Incidence and risk factors for rectal pain after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Lee Jin Young , Kim Hee Cheol , Huh Jung Wook , Sim Woo Seog , Lim Hyun Young , Lee Eun Kyung , Park Hui Gyeong , Bang Yu Jeong
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the incidence of and potential risk factors for rectal pain after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 300 patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. We assessed the presence of rectal pain and categorized patients into Group N (no rectal pain) or Group P (rectal pain).

Results

In total, 288 patients were included. Of these patients, 39 (13.5%) reported rectal pain and 14 (4.9%) had rectal pain that persisted for >3 months. Univariate analysis revealed that patients in Group P had more preoperative chemoradiotherapy, more ileostomies, longer operation times, more anastomotic margins of <2 cm from the anal verge, more anastomotic leakage, and longer hospital stays. Multivariate analysis identified an anastomotic margin of <2 cm from the anal verge and a long operation time as risk factors. The presence of diabetes mellitus was a negative predictor of rectal pain.

Conclusions

In this study, the incidence of rectal pain after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery was 13.5%. An anastomotic margin of <2 cm from the anal verge and a long operation time were risk factors for rectal pain. The presence of diabetes mellitus was a negative predictor of rectal pain. Thus, the possibility of postoperative rectal pain should be discussed preoperatively with patients with these risk factors.