bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The design and optimization of RNA trans‐splicing molecules for skin cancer therapy
Authors: Gruber Christina , Koller Ulrich , Murauer Eva M. , Hainzl Stefan , Hüttner Clemens , Kocher Thomas , South Andrew P. , Hintner Helmut , Bauer Johann W.
Published: August 2013

Targeting tumor marker genes by RNA trans‐splicing is a promising means to induce tumor cell‐specific death. Using a screening system we designed RNA trans‐splicing molecules (RTM) specifically binding the pre‐mRNA of SLCO1B3, a marker gene in epidermolysis bullosa associated squamous cell carcinoma (EB‐SCC). Specific trans‐splicing, results in the fusion of the endogenous target mRNA of SLCO1B3 and the coding sequence of the suicide gene, provided by the RTM. SLCO1B3‐specific RTMs containing HSV‐tk were analyzed regarding their trans‐splicing potential in a heterologous context using a SLCO1B3 expressing minigene (SLCO1B3‐MG). Expression of the chimeric SLCO1B3‐tk was detected by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis assays confirmed that the RTMs induced suicide gene‐mediated apoptosis in SLCO1B3‐MG expressing cells. The lead RTM also showed its potential to facilitate a trans‐splicing reaction into the endogenous SLCO1B3 pre‐mRNA in EB‐SCC cells resulting in tk‐mediated apoptosis. We assume that the pre‐selection of RTMs by our inducible cell‐death system accelerates the design of optimal RTMs capable to induce tumor specific cell death in skin cancer cells.
Solutions and multiple solutions for superlinear perturbations of the periodic scalar p-Laplacian
Authors: Kyritsi Sophia Th. , O'Regan Donal , Papageorgiou Nikolaos S.
Published: August 2013

We consider a nonlinear periodic problem driven by the scalar p-Laplacian and with a reaction term which exhibits a (p – 1)-superlinear growth near ±∞ but need not satisfy the Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz condition. Combining critical point theory with Morse theory we prove an existence theorem. Then, using variational methods together with truncation techniques, we prove a multiplicity theorem establishing the existence of at least five non-trivial solutions, with precise sign information for all of them (two positive solutions, two negative solutions and a nodal (sign changing) solution).
On the exponential behaviour of non-autonomous difference equations
Authors: Barreira Luis , Valls Claudia
Published: August 2013

Given a sequence of matrices(Am)m∈ℕwhose Lyapunov exponents are limits, we show that this asymptotic behaviour is reproduced by the sequencesxm+1=Amxm+ fm(xm)for any sufficiently small perturbationsfm. We also consider the general case of exponential rates ecρmfor an arbitrary increasing sequenceρm. Our approach is based on Lyapunov's theory of regularity.
On the existence of global weak solutions to an integrable two-component Camassa–Holm shallow-water system
Authors: Guan Chunxia , Yin Zhaoyang
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we investigate the existence of global weak solutions to an integrable two-component Camassa–Holm shallow-water system, provided the initial datau0(x)andρ0(x)have end statesu± andρ±, respectively. By perturbing the Cauchy problem of the system around rarefaction waves of the well-known Burgers equation, we obtain a global weak solution for the system under the assumptionsu− ≤ u+andρ− ≤ ρ+.
The feeding apparatus of dyrosaurids (Crocodyliformes)
Authors: SCHWARZ-WINGS DANIELA
Published: August 2013

Reconstructed soft-tissues of the craniocervical region of dyrosaurids are analysed under functional aspects to determine their prey-catching capabilities. Jaw adductors and jaw abductors are enlarged and possess longer muscle fibres that are increased by a long retroarticular process. This muscle enlargement resulted in a more forceful and quicker contraction, effective for movement of the long rostrum. The occipital joint and the cervical ribs, the long retroarticular process and the high cervical neural spines of dyrosaurids suggest a higher dorsoventral flexibility of the craniocervical region, whereas lateromedial flexibility was reduced. The epaxial muscles of the neck and scapular muscles were enlarged, and the supraspinal ligament most likely fanned out into a nuchal ligament. Suspension of the neck and skull of dyrosaurids was achieved by the scapular muscles, dorsal neck ligaments and epaxial muscles, whereas ventral bracing was reduced. From the reconstructed specializations of the feeding apparatus, an enhanced capability for movements in the vertical plane is postulated for dyrosaurids, together with reduced lateral movements of the craniocervical region. Besides laterally directed strokes for fish-catching, behaviours such as poking in the substrate, bottom feeding, multidirectional prey-catching strokes and improvement of diving skills were options for dyrosaurids and suggest a possible expansion of their diet. The longirostrine skull limited prey size, but the dentition allowed shelly prey items. The specialization of the food-capturing system in dyrosaurids and the resulting expansion of their food spectrum is one possible explanation for their evolutionary success, including their undisturbed transition of the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary.
Brotherhood From a Distance: Americanization and the Internationalism of the Knights of Labor
Authors: Parfitt Steven
Published: August 2013

The Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor was the largest American labour organization of the nineteenth century. But while scholars have charted its history in North America they have largely failed to explore the Order's history elsewhere, even though the organization also boasted members in Europe, Australasia, and Africa. This article is designed as part of a wider “transnationalization” of American labour history, and analyses the reasons that drove the Order's leaders towards their international growth. The leaders of the Knights of Labor sent organizers around the world not only because of their attachment to the idea of Universal Brotherhood, but also as a way to limit immigration to the United States. This synthesis of seemingly incompatible ideas reflected their desire to “Americanize” the rest of the world, by protecting living standards at home, raising them elsewhere to American standards, and exporting American-style republican institutions abroad.
A Critical Review of the Jurisprudence of the African Commission on the Right to Development
Authors: Kamga Serges Alain Djoyou , Fombad Charles Manga
Published: August 2013

This article critically examines the jurisprudence of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Commission) on the right to development (RTD). Notwithstanding the controversy over the RTD, it is binding in the African human rights system and has been the focus of a number of cases that have come before the African Commission. After briefly examining the historical and theoretical framework of the RTD, the article focuses on the meaning of the right and its duty bearers at the national and international levels. After analysing several cases decided by the African Commission, the article concludes that the RTD is an important composite right that can provide scope, at both an individual and a collective level, for marginalized groups in society to assert their human rights.
ALLOSTATIC LOAD AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IN POLISH ADULT MEN
Authors: LIPOWICZ ANNA , SZKLARSKA ALICJA , MALINA ROBERT M.
Published: August 2013

This study considers the relationship between a cumulative index of biological dysregulation (allostatic load) and several dimensions of socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle in adult Polish males. The extent to which lifestyle variables can explain SES variation in allostatic load was also evaluated. Participants were 3887 occupationally active men aged 25–60 years living in cities and villages in the Silesia region of Poland. The allostatic load indicator included eleven markers: % fat (adverse nutritional intake), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (cardiovascular activity), FEV1 (lung function), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (inflammatory processes), glucose and total cholesterol (cardiovascular disease risk), total plasma protein (stress-haemoconcentration), bilirubin, creatinine clearance and alkaline phosphatase activity (hepatic and renal functions). A higher level of completed education, being married and residing in an urban area were associated with lower physiological dysregulation. The association between indicators of SES and allostatic load was not eliminated or attenuated when unhealthy lifestyle variables were included in the model. Smoking status and alcohol consumption played minimal roles in explaining the association between SES and allostatic load; physical activity, however, had a generally protective effect on allostatic load.
Alfven wave interactions within the Hall-MHD description
Authors: BRODIN G. , STENFLO L.
Published: August 2013

We show that comparatively simple expressions for the Alfven wave coupling coefficients can be deduced from the well-known Hall-magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model equations.
Evidence of the three main clonalToxoplasma gondiilineages from wild mammalian carnivores in the UK
Authors: BURRELLS A. , BARTLEY P. M. , ZIMMER I. A. , ROY S. , KITCHENER A. C. , MEREDITH A. , WRIGHT S. E. , INNES E. A. , KATZER F.
Published: August 2013

Toxoplasma gondiiis a zoonotic pathogen defined by three main clonal lineages (types I, II, III), of which type II is most common in Europe. Very few data exist on the prevalence and genotypes ofT. gondiiin the UK. Wildlife can act as sentinel species forT. gondiigenotypes present in the environment, which may subsequently be transmitted to livestock and humans. DNA was extracted from tissue samples of wild British carnivores, including 99 ferrets, 83 red foxes, 70 polecats, 65 mink, 64 badgers and 9 stoats. Parasite DNA was detected using a nested ITS1 PCR specific forT. gondii, PCR positive samples were subsequently genotyped using five PCR–RFLP markers.Toxoplasma gondiiDNA was detected within all these mammal species and prevalence varied from 6·0 to 44·4% depending on the host. PCR–RFLP genotyping identified type II as the predominant lineage, but type III and type I alleles were also identified. No atypical or mixed genotypes were identified within these animals. This study demonstrates the presence of alleles for all three clonal lineages with potential for transmission to cats and livestock. This is the first DNA-based study ofT. gondiiprevalence and genotypes across a broad range of wild British carnivores.
The place names of Zemlya Frantsa-Iosifa: Leigh Smith'sEiraexpeditions, 1880 and 1881–1882
Authors: Capelotti P.J. , Forsberg Magnus
Published: August 2013

In the summer of 1880, the British explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith made the first reconnaissance of the western reaches of Zemlya Frantsa-Iosifa [Franz Josef Land] in the specially built polar research vesselEira. This was the first expedition to go ashore in the archipelago after its acknowledged discovery by Weyprecht and Payer in 1873. Combined with his brief reconnaissance in 1881 beforeEirasank near Cape Flora, Leigh Smith added a total of 41 place names, 37 of which are still in use, to its geographic nomenclature during his two expeditions, 1880 (39 place names) and 1881–1882 (2). The 1880 names were a post-expedition collaboration, between Leigh Smith and Clements Markham, Secretary of the Royal Geographic Society (RGS). Leigh Smith provided the names of colleagues and scientists who had either been with him in 1880 or on one of his earlier expeditions to Svalbard, or those of favoured relatives, while Markham, along with Sir George Nares as an RGS peer reviewer, added the names of particularly influential individuals in geographical circles as well as a variety of museum curators who identified natural history collections returned by the expedition. Additionally, two place names are connected to the DutchWillem Barentsexpedition of 1879.
Number dissimilarities facilitate the comprehension of relative clauses in children with (Grammatical) Specific Language Impairment
Authors: ADANI FLAVIA , FORGIARINI MATTEO , GUASTI MARIA TERESA , VAN DER LELY HEATHER K. J.
Published: August 2013

This study investigates whether number dissimilarities on subject and object DPs facilitate the comprehension of subject- and object-extracted centre-embedded relative clauses in children with Grammatical Specific Language Impairment (G-SLI). We compared the performance of a group of English-speaking children with G-SLI (mean age: 12;11) with that of two groups of younger typically developing (TD) children, matched on grammar and receptive vocabulary, respectively. All groups were more accurate on subject-extracted relative clauses than object-extracted ones and, crucially, they all showed greater accuracy for sentences with dissimilar number features (i.e., one singular, one plural) on the head noun and the embedded DP. These findings are interpreted in the light of current psycholinguistic models of sentence comprehension in TD children and provide further insight into the linguistic nature of G-SLI.
Inclusions of ternary rings of operators and conditional expectations
Authors: SALMI PEKKA , SKALSKI ADAM
Published: August 2013

It is shown that if T is a ternary ring of operators (TRO), X is a nondegenerate sub-TRO of T and there exists a contractive idempotent surjective map P: T → X then P has a unique, explicitly described extension to a conditional expectation between the associated linking algebras. A version of the result for W*-TROs is also presented and some applications mentioned.
Understanding the Accuracy of Astro Navigation
Authors: Malkin Roy
Published: August 2013

In this paper, the accuracy of astronomical (astro) navigation will be considered against the wide variety of factors that affect it. A series of practical observations will be analysed and astro positions compared with GPS positions and the reasons for the differences discussed. The paper will reach the conclusion that only by understanding the processes of astro navigation can its accuracy be fully understood and properly used by a practical navigator.
X-ray powder diffraction refinement of PbTi(1−x)FexO(3−δ) solid solution series
Authors: Ganegoda Hasitha , Kaduk James A. , Segre Carlo U.
Published: August 2013

A series of iron-doped lead titanate PbTi(1−x)FexO(3−δ) samples in the x = 0–1 composition range was prepared using sol–gel synthesis at a calcination temperature of 700 °C. The room temperature CuKα powder diffraction data collected from x = 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, 0.15, 0.175, 0.2, and 0.3 samples were analyzed using the Rietveld method. Magnetoplumbite (PbFe12O19) secondary phase formation was observed at compositions x = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1. Fe-composition dependent decrease of tetragonal distortion has been observed. According to Vegard's law, the B-site iron solubility limit in the lead titanate host was found to be approximately 10 mol% (x = 0.1). Homogeneous distribution of dopants below the solubility limit was evidenced by the linear behavior of unit-cell parameters. The absence of a cubic phase and the persistence of distorted oxygen octahedra indicated the existence of ferroelectric properties even at the x = 0.3 composition. Beyond x = 0.3, the P4mm tetragonal model was determined to be invalid possibly because of oxygen defect driven structural changes, mainly tilting Fe-polyhedra.
Campylobacterinfection associated with consumption of duck liver pâté: a retrospective cohort study in the setting of near universal exposure
Authors: YOUNG N. J. , DAY J. , MONTSHO-HAMMOND F. , VERLANDER N. Q. , IRISH C. , PANKHANIA B. , OLIVER I.
Published: August 2013

A retrospective cohort study was performed following several reported cases of gastrointestinal illness after a catered event. The attack rate was 45/77 (58·4%) by clinical case definition, with four individuals confirmed to haveCampylobacter. There was near universal exposure to most foodstuffs served; consumption of duck liver pâté [relative risk (RR) 2·53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·05–6·10], mixed leaf salad (RR 2·91, 95% CI 1·22–6·92) and table water (RR undefined,P < 0·01) were associated with illness in univariate analysis, with only the latter associated in the final multivariable model (P < 0·001). Samples of cooked duck liver pâté subsequently prepared using identical methods at the venue were contaminated withCampylobacter jejuniandC. coli; water sampling was negative. Making inferences about causation in the presence of near universal exposures in this study required consideration of the limitations of statistical analysis, with the most compelling evidence of the causal role of inadequately prepared duck liver pâté provided by environmental investigation.
Learners’ email with native speakers beyond the class: a follow-up to a classroom email project
Authors: Takahama Junko , Pasfield-Neofitou Sarah
Published: August 2013

Although the linguistic and sociocultural benefits of class-based email projects are widely acknowledged, there has been little investigation of what occurs after a curriculum activity finishes. In particular, what factors promote continued communication or cause communication breakdown have received less empirical attention. This paper explores factors which promote the continuation or non-continuation of email interactions between Australian and Japanese students after the conclusion of their coursework email exchange task via the analysis of two class surveys, in addition to collected email interaction and interviews with four key students (two continuers and two non-continuers) who serve as case studies. The experiences of these four students who were randomly assigned partners in the project are contrasted with those of a fifth student, Lucas, who chose to communicate with a long-term Japanese friend for the assessment, instead of being paired by the teacher. A number of factors which influence continuation are identified, including past sojourn experience, existing social networks, perceptions towards the curriculum task and their partners, shared topics of interest, time constraints, explicit statement of desire to continue, and potentially face-threatening behaviour, and several recommendations for enhancing online exchanges are given.
Bowel and Bladder-Control Anxiety: A Preliminary Description of a Viscerally-Centred Phobic Syndrome
Authors: Kamboj Sunjeev K. , Langhoff Christine , Pajak Rosanna , Zhu Alex , Chevalier Agnes , Watson Sue
Published: August 2013

Background: People with anxiety disorders occasionally report fears about losing control of basic bodily functions in public. These anxieties often occur in the absence of physical disorder and have previously been recognized as “obsessive” anxieties reflecting a preoccupation with loss of bowel/bladder control. Motivated by our observations of the non-trivial occurrence of such anxieties in our clinical practice we sought to fill a gap in the current understanding of “bowel/bladder-control anxieties”. Method: Eligible participants completed an internet survey. Results: Bowel/bladder-control anxieties (n = 140) tended to emerge in the mid to late 20s and were associated with high levels of avoidance and functional impairment. There was a high prevalence of panic attacks (78%); these were especially prevalent among those with bowel-control anxiety. Of those with panic attacks, 62% indicated that their main concern was being incontinent during a panic attack. Significantly, a proportion of respondents (~16%) reported actually being incontinent during a panic attack. Seventy percent of participants reported intrusive imagery related to loss of bowel/bladder control. Intrusion-related distress was correlated with agoraphobic avoidance and general role impairment. Some differences were noted between those with predominantly bowel-, predominantly bladder- and those with both bowel and bladder-control anxieties. Conclusion: This preliminary characterization indicates that even in a non-treatment seeking community sample, bowel/bladder-control anxieties are associated with high levels of distress and impairment. Further careful characterization of these anxieties will clarify their phenomenology and help us develop or modify treatment protocols in a way that takes account of any special characteristics of such viscerally-centred phobic syndromes.
A DUALIZING OBJECT APPROACH TO NONCOMMUTATIVE STONE DUALITY
Authors: KUDRYAVTSEVA GANNA
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present paper is to extend the dualizing object approach to Stone duality to the noncommutative setting of skew Boolean algebras. This continues the study of noncommutative generalizations of different forms of Stone duality initiated in recent papers by Bauer and Cvetko-Vah, Lawson, Lawson and Lenz, Resende, and also the current author. In this paper we construct a series of dual adjunctions between the categories of left-handed skew Boolean algebras and Boolean spaces, the unital versions of which are induced by dualizing objects $\{ 0, 1, \ldots , n+ 1\} $, $n\geq 0$. We describe the categories of Eilenberg-Moore algebras of the monads of the adjunctions and construct easily understood noncommutative reflections of left-handed skew Boolean algebras, where the latter can be faithfully embedded (if $n\geq 1$) in a canonical way. As an application, we answer the question that arose in a recent paper by Leech and Spinks to describe the left adjoint to their ‘twisted product’ functor $\omega $.
Transparency actually: how transparency affects public perceptions of political decision-making
Authors: de Fine Licht Jenny
Published: August 2013

Building on a widely held account of transparency as integral to legitimate and successful governance, this article addresses the question of how transparency in decision-making can influence public perceptions of political decision-making. An original experiment with 1099 participants shows that people who perceive political decision-making to be transparent judge the degree of procedural fairness highly and are more willing to accept the final decision. Perceptions of transparency are, however, largely shaped by transparency cues (e.g. statements provided by external sources) rather than by the degree of actual transparency, and no direct effect of actual transparency can be found on decision acceptance. The implication is that it is difficult to influence people's acceptance of political decisions by means of transparency reforms, as people base their assessments of political decisions largely on considerations other than evalutations of actual decision-making procedures.
A human rights approach to health care in conflict
Authors: Footer Katherine H. A. , Rubenstein Leonard S.
Published: August 2013

Attacks on and interference with health care services, providers, facilities, transports, and patients in situations of armed conflict, civil disturbance, and state repression pose enormous challenges to health care delivery in circumstances where it is most needed. In times of armed conflict, international humanitarian law (IHL) provides robust protection to health care services, but it also contains gaps. Moreover, IHL does not cover situations where an armed conflict does not exist. This paper focuses on the importance of a human rights approach to addressing these challenges, relying on the highest attainable standard of health as well as to civil and political rights. In particular we take the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment No. 14 (on Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) as a normative framework from which states' obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health across all conflict settings can be further developed.
Two mixed-NH3/amine platinum (II) anticancer complexes featuring a dichloroacetate moiety in the leaving group
Authors: Liu Weiping , Su Jia , Jiang Jing , Li Xingyao , Ye Qingsong , Zhou Hongyu , Chen Jialin , Li Yan
Published: August 2013

Two mixed-NH3/amine platinum (II) complexes of 3-dichoroacetoxylcyclobutane-1, 1-dicarboxylate have been prepared in the present study and characterized by elemental analysis and IR, HPLC-MS and 1H, 13C-NMR. The complexes exist in equilibrium between two position isomeric forms and undergo hydrolysis reaction in aqueous solution, releasing the platinum pharmacophores and dichloroacetate which is a small-molecular cell apoptosis inducer. Both complexes were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic profile in A549, SGC-7901 and SK-OV-3 caner cells as well as in BEAS-2B normal cells. They exhibit markedly cytoxicity toward cancer cells by selectively inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells, whereas leaving normal cells less affected. They have also the ability to overcome the resistance of SK-OV-3 cancer cells to cisplatin. Our findings offer an alternative novel way to develop platinum drugs which can both overcome the drug resistance and selectively target tumor cells.
Global sampled‐data output feedback stabilisation of a class of upper‐triangular systems with input delay
Authors: Du Haibo , Qian Chunjiang , He Yigang , Cheng Yingying
Published: August 2013

This study investigates the problem of designing a sampled‐data output feedback controller to globally stabilise a class of upper‐triangular systems with delay in the input. By using a linear observer, a linear dynamic sampled‐data output feedback control law is explicitly constructed. To dominate the unknown non‐linear perturbing terms and handle the case with a larger input delay, a tunable scaling gain is introduced to the controller by using a coordinates change. With the help of an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasoveskii functional and the technique of sampled‐data output‐feedback domination, it is shown that the considered upper‐triangular non‐linear system with any bounded input delay can be globally stabilised by the proposed controller with appropriate gains. Finally, an example is given to verify the efficiency of the proposed method.
Robust attitude control of uncertain quadrotors
Authors: Liu Hao , Bai Yongqiang , Lu Geng , Zhong Yisheng
Published: August 2013

This study presents a controller design method to achieve the robust attitude control for uncertain quadrotors. The proposed linear time‐invariant controller consists of a proportional–derivative (PD) controller and a robust compensator. The PD controller is designed for the nominal linear system to achieve the desired tracking and the robust compensator is added to restrain the influence of the uncertainties. It is proven that attitude tracking errors are bounded and the boundaries can be made as small as desired. Experimental results on the quadrotor are given to confirm the effectiveness of this control method.
Pinning synchronisation in fixed and switching directed networks of Lorenz‐type nodes
Authors: Wen Guanghui , Yu Wenwu , Zhao Yu , Cao Jinde
Published: August 2013

This study addresses the global pinning synchronisation of directed networks with Lorenz‐type node dynamics. By using tools from M ‐matrix theory and Lyapunov stability theory, the interesting issues of what kind of nodes should be pinned and how large the control strength between neighbouring nodes should be selected for achieving global synchronisation in both fixed and switching networks are clearly addressed. It is theoretically shown that global pinning synchronisation of an arbitrarily given fixed network can be achieved if the network topology contains a directed spanning tree and the coupling strength is larger than a derived critical value depending both on the node dynamics and the network topology. By suitably constructing multiple Lyapunov functions, it is further proved that global pinning synchronisation in switching networks with a suitable coupling strength can be guaranteed if each possible network topology contains a directed spanning tree and the dwell time of switching is less than a positive threshold. Numerical examples are finally given for illustration.
Vehicle‐to‐infrastructure communication‐based adaptive traffic signal control
Authors: Cai Chen , Wang Yang , Geers Glenn
Published: August 2013

This study presents a method that combines travel‐time estimation and adaptive traffic signal control. The proposed method explores the concept of vehicle‐to‐infrastructure communication, through which real‐time vehicle localisation data become available to traffic controllers. This provides opportunity to frequently sample vehicle location and speed for online travel‐time estimation. The control objective is to minimise travel time for vehicles in the system. The proposed method is based on approximate dynamic programming, which allows the controller to learn from its own performance progressively. The authors use micro‐traffic simulation to evaluate the control performance against benchmark control methods in an idealistic environment, where errors in sampling vehicle location and speed are not considered. The results show that the proposed method outperforms benchmarking methods substantially and consistently.
Emotional temporal difference Q ‐learning signals in multi‐agent system cooperation: real case studies
Authors: Abdi Javad , Moshiri Behzad , Abdulhai Baher
Published: August 2013

Chaotic non‐linear dynamics approach is now the most powerful tool for scientists to deal with complexities in real cases; and artificial neural networks and neuro‐fuzzy models are widely used for their capabilities in non‐linear modelling of chaotic systems. Chaos, uncertain behaviours, demanding fluctuation, complexity of the traffic flow situations and the problems with those methods, however, caused the forecasting traffic flow values to lack robustness and precision. In this study, the traffic flow forecasting is analysed by emotional concepts and multi‐agent systems (MASs) points of view as a new method. Its architecture is based on a temporal difference (TD) Q ‐learning with a neuro‐fuzzy structure. The performance of TD Q ‐learning method is improved by emotional learning. The concept of emotional TD Q ‐learning method is discussed for the first time in this study. The forecasting algorithm which uses the Q ‐learning algorithm is capable of finding the optimal forecasting approach as the one obtained by the reinforcement learning. In addition, in order to study in a more practical situation, the neuro‐fuzzy behaviours can be modelled by MAS. The real traffic flow signals used for fitting the proposed methods are obtained from interstate I‐494 in Minnesota City in USA and the E17 motorway Gent–Antwerp in Belgium.
Enhancing privacy in collaborative traffic‐monitoring systems using autonomous location update
Authors: Amro Belal , Saygin Yucel , Levi Albert
Published: August 2013

Collaborative traffic‐monitoring (CTM) systems exploit the location information continuously collected from vehicles. Location data are very sensitive information that made privacy a major obstacle for the widespread usage of CTM systems. The way how this data are generated and used is very important for users' privacy and data quality as well. Recently, two CTM approaches have been proposed, the first relies on a dedicated infrastructure that is called vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), and the second utilises the existing underlying infrastructure such as cellular and wireless networks. In this study, the authors propose a privacy aware collaborative traffic monitoring system (PA‐CTM) that considers the privacy and security properties of VANETs and existing infrastructures. PA‐CTM provides a client server architecture that relies on existing infrastructures and enhances privacy by: (i) Using a robust pseudonym providing system for anonymous access. Pseudonyms enable users to be authenticated anonymously by the traffic server without having their identities revealed. It also allows revealing identities for law enforcement purposes when necessary. Users are able to change their pseudonyms and hence hide their complete trajectory information form traffic server. (ii) Utilising a novel autonomous location update mechanism (ALUM) that does not rely on a trusted third party and uses only local parameters (speed and direction) for triggering a location update or pseudonym change. These performance results showed that ALUM is effective for traffic monitoring in terms of both privacy and utility.
Evaluation of pre‐registration and incentive scheme applied for mitigation of motorway traffic congestion
Authors: Xing Jian , Takahashi Hideki , Tada Hishashi
Published: August 2013

This study describes the result of six transportation demand management (TDM) implementations in three major traffic concentration periods of 2009–2010 with an expressway pre‐registration and incentive scheme for electronic toll collection (ETC) vehicles in order to mitigate traffic congestion of the Tomei Expressway in Japan. The new TDM scheme offers an incentive to a limited number of pre‐registered target travelers selected by drawings, from the viewpoint of reducing revenue loss, after confirming the eligibility of their travel as specified by the new TDM scheme with the ETC data. This scheme is considered more useful than the early applied TDM scheme with toll discount. The operator can control the total cost in the new TDM scheme, avoiding the large revenue loss incurred by the operator because of the toll discount in the early TDM scheme. The new scheme also has the advantage of easily conducting web surveys of the registrants’ behavioural changes with regard to the TDM scheme. The characteristics of travelers’ behavioural changes and the implementation effects of the TDM scheme are described.
Infrared‐based vehicular positioning with the automatic radiation‐strength control
Authors: Lu Po‐Wen , Chen Rongshun
Published: August 2013

Infrared dedicated short‐range communication (IR‐DSRC) has been used in single‐lane vehicle‐to‐roadside applications, and is challenged for its application in multi‐lane‐free‐flow vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) conditions. However, based on IR positioning technology, the IR‐DSRC is expected to be useful and valuable under V2V conditions for several intelligent‐transportation‐system applications. In the previous studies, a three‐dimensional IR positioning system was developed to position a preceding vehicle. However, the positioning performance degrades as the longitudinal or the lateral distance between vehicles increases because the resolution of the received signal is deteriorated for weak signals. In this study, onboard units (OBUs) with wide radiation‐pattern designs and automatic radiation‐strength control are realised to provide stable signal strength for positioning, and the non‐ideality of the IR positioning system is compensated by the calibrating procedures as well. A two‐vehicle trial is performed, in which the positioning OBU is installed on the most front of the following vehicle to reduce the scattering effect of the vehicle body. The experimental result demonstrates that the positioning performance is greatly improved after aforementioned improvements.
On a spatiotemporally discrete urban traffic model
Authors: Lin Shu , De Schutter Bart , Hegyi Andreas , Xi Yugeng , Hellendoorn Hans
Published: August 2013

In order to control urban traffic with model‐based control methods, a proper traffic model is very important. This traffic control model needs to have enough descriptive power to reproduce relevant traffic phenomena, and it also has to be fast enough to be used in practice. Consequently, macroscopic urban traffic flow models are usually applied as control models. In this study, a macroscopic spatiotemporally discrete urban traffic model with a variable sampling time interval is proposed for model‐based control strategies. By selecting proper sampling time intervals and sampling space distances, it allows us to balance modelling accuracy and computational complexity of the spatiotemporally discrete model. In addition, an urban traffic Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) condition is deduced for spatiotemporally discrete urban traffic models, which is a sufficient condition to guarantee the discrete model to bear enough descriptive modelling power to reproduce necessary traffic phenomena. The model is analysed and evaluated based on the model requirements for control purposes. The simulation results are compared for the situations where the CFL condition is violated and not violated.
Intelligent transport systems harmonisation assessment: use case of some Spanish intelligent transport systems services
Authors: Tomás Vicente R. , Pla Castells Marta , Samper J. Javier , Soriano Francisco R.
Published: August 2013

From the 1980s, new telematic technologies have meant a great evolution in several areas. In the transportation domain, their use has implied the development and implementation of several intelligent transport systems (ITS). However, these deployments were done in an isolated way. Traffic managers, public and private organisations, stakeholders and others have implemented ITS without much perspective, that is, without providing ITS as services for end users. In the last few years, several European Union (EU) funded projects have been dealing with the development of harmonised ITS services. For example, the EasyWay Project is involving most of the European countries (EU member states and others) to deploy harmonised ITS services taking into account the European citizen as the final target. In this study, an introduction of the EasyWay project is made, including the ITS concept services and the deployment guidelines for harmonisation. In November 2012, EasyWay presented a new version of DGs, which were approved with minor editorial changes. An overview on these DGs for the ITS services is presented and two real Spanish road traffic ITS services are analysed.
Second‐order sliding‐mode controller design and tuning for grid synchronisation and power control of a wind turbine‐driven doubly fed induction generator
Authors: Susperregui Ana , Martinez Miren Itsaso , Tapia Gerardo , Vechiu Ionel
Published: August 2013

This study presents a second‐order sliding‐mode control (2‐SMC) scheme for a wind turbine‐driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG). The tasks of grid synchronisation and power control are undertaken by two different algorithms, designed to command the rotor‐side converter at a fixed switching frequency. Effective tuning equations for the parameters of both controllers are derived. A procedure is also provided that guarantees bumpless transfer between the two controllers at the instant of connecting the DFIG to the grid. The resulting 2‐SMC scheme is experimentally validated on a laboratory‐scale 7 kW DFIG test bench. Experimental results evidence both the high dynamic performance and the superior robustness achieved with the proposed control scheme.
Maximising revenue for non‐firm distributed wind generation with energy storage in an active management scheme
Authors: Gill Simon , Barbour Edward , Wilson I.A. Grant , Infield David
Published: August 2013

The connection of high penetrations of renewable generation such as wind to distribution networks requires new active management techniques. Curtailing distributed generation during periods of network congestion allows for a higher penetration of distributed wind to connect, however, it reduces the potential revenue from these wind turbines. Energy storage can be used to alleviate this and the store can also be used to carry out other tasks such as trading on an electricity spot market, a mode of operation known as arbitrage. The combination of available revenue streams is crucial in the financial viability of energy storage. This study presents a heuristic algorithm for the optimisation of revenue generated by an energy storage unit working with two revenue streams: generation‐curtailment reduction and arbitrage. The algorithm is used to demonstrate the ability of storage to generate revenue and to reduce generation curtailment for two case study networks. Studies carried out include a single wind farm and multiple wind farms connected under a ‘last‐in‐first‐out’ principle of access. The results clearly show that storage using both operating modes increases revenue over either mode individually. Moreover, energy storage is shown to be effective at reducing curtailment while increasing the utilisation of circuits linking the distribution and transmission networks. Finally, renewable subsidies are considered as a potential third revenue stream. It is interesting to note that under current market agreements such subsidies have the potential to perversely encourage the installation of inefficient storage technologies, because of increased losses facilitating greater “utilisation” of renewable generation.
Optimal capacity allocation of standalone wind/solar/battery hybrid power system based on improved particle swarm optimisation algorithm
Authors: Wang Jidong , Yang Fan
Published: August 2013

A standalone wind/solar/battery hybrid power system, making full use of the nature complementarity between wind and solar energy, has an extensive application prospect among various newly developed energy technologies. The capacity of the hybrid power system needs to be optimised in order to make a tradeoff between power reliability and cost. In this study, each part of the wind/solar/battery hybrid power system is analysed in detail and an objective function combining total owning cost and loss of power supply probability is built. To solve the problems with non‐linearity, complexity and huge computation, an improved particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm is developed, which integrates the taboo list to broaden the search range and introduces ‘restart’ and ‘disturbance’ operation to enhance the global searching capability. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm is more stable and provides better results in solving the optimal allocation of the capacity of the standalone wind/solar/battery hybrid power system compared with the standard PSO algorithm.
Design and implementation of a grid‐tied wind power micro‐inverter
Authors: Chiang Hsuang‐Chang , Tsai Hsuan‐Yu
Published: August 2013

Small wind turbine generator (WTG) below 300 W capacity is suitable to generate power in residential or city area, where no large space for installing kilowatt scale WTG. The modularised micro‐inverter which can feed WTG power to the grid directly has the merit of increasing the installed flexibility and omitting the battery in this application. This study proposes a grid‐tied micro‐inverter combining the boost and flyback‐based inverter topology and specially designed for the small WTG with permanent magnetic (PM) generator. The boost converter is used to step up the input voltage and track the maximum power point (MPP) of the WTG. The flyback‐based inverter is used to feed power to the grid with unity power factor. A fast MPP tracking (MPPT) method is presented to track the wind power to fit for the wind speed with fast variation. The variable frequency peak current mode control method is adopted for the control of the flyback‐based inverter. An interleaving technique is also applied to the inverter for increasing its power capacity. Quantitative controller design of the boost converter with the WTG input and the grid‐tied flyback‐based inverter is presented. A 240 W experimental system is built. A WTG emulator implemented with the M–G set is developed for testing the proposed system. Some simulation and measured results are provided for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Gaussian graphical model for identifying significantly responsive regulatory networks from time course high‐throughput data
Authors: Liu Zhi‐Ping , Zhang Wanwei , Horimoto Katsuhisa , Chen Luonan
Published: August 2013

With rapid accumulation of functional relationships between biological molecules, knowledge‐based networks have been constructed and stocked in many databases. These networks provide curated and comprehensive information for functional linkages among genes and proteins, whereas their activities are highly related with specific phenotypes and conditions. To evaluate a knowledge‐based network in a specific condition, the consistency between its structure and conditionally specific gene expression profiling data are an important criterion. In this study, the authors propose a Gaussian graphical model to evaluate the documented regulatory networks by the consistency between network architectures and time course gene expression profiles. They derive a dynamic Bayesian network model to evaluate gene regulatory networks in both simulated and true time course microarray data. The regulatory networks are evaluated by matching network structure with gene expression to achieve consistency measurement. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the authors method, they identify significant regulatory networks in response to the time course of circadian rhythm. The knowledge‐based networks are screened and ranked by their structural consistencies with dynamic gene expression profiling.
Tic‐Tac‐Toe‐Arch: a self‐organising virtual architecture for Underwater Sensor Networks
Authors: Ojha Tamoghna , Khatua Manas , Misra Sudip
Published: August 2013

In this study, the authors propose Tic‐Tac‐Toe‐Arch, an ‘energy‐efficient’, ‘self‐organising’, and ‘virtual’ network architecture for Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSNs). In UWSNs, underwater currents play a major role for connectivity disruption. The Tic‐Tac‐Toe‐Arch is capable of self‐organising the selection of active nodes to maintain the connectivity providing a ‘virtual topology’. Further, this selection is such that the redundant nodes are selected based on node density and passive node mobility in the corresponding underwater layer. Thus, the network energy consumption is less because of different, but low activity ratio, through the layers. Prior works on UWSN architecture, such as Multipath Virtual Sink, 3D Architecture, and EDETA, did not consider the change in topology because of passive node mobility. Moreover, they did not consider the duty‐cycle control through topology management, which, in turn consumes high energy. The authors evaluated the performance of Tic‐Tac‐Toe‐Arch through simulations in NS‐3. In terms of the topology formation time, the simulation results show that 99.3% performance improvement is achieved in Tic‐Tac‐Toe‐Arch than EDETA.
Application‐specific spectrum sensing method for cognitive sensor networks
Authors: Zahmati Amir Sepasi , Fernando Xavier , Grami Ali
Published: August 2013

The authors address an important aspect of spectrum sensing that has been often overlooked in the cognitive radio (CR) research. Although CR is supposed to be aware of its surrounding, most existing articles do not consider the characteristics of secondary users in the optimisation of sensing period. In this study, based on a continuous‐time Markov chain model for cognitive sensor networks and energy detection method, the authors propose an application‐specific spectrum sensing method that obtains the optimal sensing period according to the characteristics of both ‘primary and secondary’ users (hybrid scheme). The authors define and analytically derive two parameters, the interference ratio and the undetected opportunity ratio, and analytically find the optimum sensing period. Numerical and simulation results indicate that our proposed method is able to provide an optimal sensing period, that is customised for different cognitive networks. The proposed method significantly increases the system throughput by up to 11% and reduces the network's power consumption by as low as 33%. Finally, the trade‐off between the throughput maximisation and power consumption minimisation is discussed.