bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal adaptive sub‐synchronous resonance damping controller for a series‐compensated doubly‐fed induction generator‐based wind farm
Authors: Mohammadpour Hossein Ali , Santi Enrico
Published: March 2015

Using both modal analysis and time domain simulations, it is shown that sub‐synchronous resonance (SSR) phenomena in a series‐compensated DFIG wind farms may cause system instability. In order to damp the SSR, both the rotor‐side converter (RSC) and grid‐side converter (GSC) controllers of the doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) are utilised. The objectives are to design an SSR damping controller (SSRDC) with an optimum input control signal (ICS), and to identify the optimum point within the RSC and GSC controllers where to introduce the SSRDC. The optimum ICS is identified using residue‐based analysis and root‐locus method. The criterion for choice of optimal ICS is that it should make the SSR mode stable without decreasing or destabilising the other system modes. Moreover, since the dynamics of the DFIG‐based series compensated wind farm change with varying operating point conditions, the operation of the SSRDC is optimised using the adaptive gain‐scheduling method.
Multistatic human micro‐Doppler classification of armed/unarmed personnel
Authors: Fioranelli Francesco , Ritchie Matthew , Griffiths Hugh
Published: March 2015

Classification of different human activities using multistatic micro‐Doppler data and features is considered in this study, focusing on the distinction between unarmed and potentially armed personnel. A database of real radar data with more than 550 recordings from 7 different human subjects has been collected in a series of experiments in the field with a multistatic radar system. Four key features were extracted from the micro‐Doppler signature after a short time Fourier transform analysis. The resulting feature vectors were then used as individual, pairs, triplets and all together before inputting to different types of classifiers based on the discriminant analysis method. The performance of different classifiers and different feature combinations is discussed aiming at identifying the most appropriate features for the unarmed against armed personnel classification, as well as the benefit of combining multistatic data rather than using monostatic data only.
Factorised polar‐format back‐projection algorithm
Authors: Yang Zemin , Xing Mengdao , Zhang Yimin D. , Sun Guangcai , Bao Zheng
Published: March 2015

The back‐projection algorithm (BPA) is a useful technique for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. The fast factorised BPA (FFBPA) recursively partitions the back‐projection integral, thus significantly reducing the overall computation complexity corresponding to the improvement obtained by the FFT algorithm compared with the direct implementation of the discrete Fourier transform. In this study, the authors propose a new fast method, termed as the factorised polar‐format BPA (FPFBPA), which combines the polar format algorithm and the factorised back‐projection concept. It is demonstrated that, when the first‐stage subaperture in the FPFBPA contains more than 3 pulses, the proposed method further reduces the computation complexity comparing with FFBPA, provided that the same interpolation method is used. The proposed algorithm is also capable of processing curved orbit and multi‐mode SAR data. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by the processed results using measured airborne data.
Thermodynamic calculations of the Mn–Sn, Mn–Sr and Mg–Mn–{Sn, Sr} systems
Authors: Aljarrah Mohammad , Obeidat Suleiman , Fouad Rami Hikmat , Rababah Mahmoud , Almagableh Ahmad , Itradat Awni
Published: March 2015

Thermodynamic modelling of Mn–Sn and Mn–Sr binary systems is carried out using the reliable data from the literature. Thermodynamic properties of the binary liquid solutions are described using the modified quasi‐chemical model. The calculated phase diagrams and the thermodynamic properties are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data from the literature. A self‐consistent thermodynamic database for the Mg–Mn–{Sn, Sr} systems is constructed by combining the thermodynamic descriptions of their constituent binaries. The constructed database is used to calculate and predict liquidus projection and invariant reactions of these ternary systems. The Mg–Mn–Sr system has nine ternary eutectic reactions, two saddle points and eleven crystallisation fields. Mg–Mn–Sn has four saddle points, two quasi‐peritectic and six ternary eutectic reactions.
Interface circuit for measuring small capacitance changes in sensor networks
Authors: Pintér Ákos , Dénes István
Published: March 2015

This study describes a novel circuit configuration, capable of handling fast transients and small capacitance changes by the evaluation of the signals of a capacitive sensor network. The circuit is based on a conventional bridge measurement method being complemented with a control loop and high‐order filters in order to cancel the effect of the environmental interference, the in‐circuit noise, the propagation delay of the measuring signal and the parasitic elements. Through the first circuit tests, applying to the proposed measurement configuration, it was possible to detect capacitance changes in the order of 100 ppm of the nominal capacitance value with a sampling frequency of 2 kHz. The state of the art measurement configurations compare the rectified measurement signal of the capacitive sensor with that of a reference capacitance. The difference signal, already having a considerable noise content because of the diode‐rectification is then further amplified. The measurement configuration proposed in the study is however amplifying the difference of the unrectified signals. Owing to the rectification being applied only after the gain stage, the noise of the rectifier unit is considerably smaller compared with other solutions. This method is having further potentials especially by means of measurement speed and accuracy.
Radio interference excitation function of conductor bundles based on cage test results and comparison with long‐term data
Authors: He Wang‐ling , He Jun‐jia , Wan Bao‐quan , Chen Yu‐chao , Pei Chun‐ming , Zhang Jian‐gong , Zhang Jin
Published: March 2015

A reasonable excitation function is vital to make a precise evaluation about the radio interference (RI) level of ultra‐high‐voltage (UHV) AC power lines. To obtain this function, a large number of RI measurements in heavy rain condition were done using different conductor bundles in a corona cage. Then, the excitation function in heavy rain condition was obtained by least‐square fitting these measured values. After that, the validity of this function was verified with the statistical data measured from the Hubei long‐term station, which is located under the operating 1000 kV Jindongnan–Nanyang–Jingmen UHV AC transmission lines. It turns out that the deviation between the prediction and the long‐term average value is 1.1 dB in heavy rain condition, and 1.3 dB in fair weather condition. In addition, the long‐term data measured in Hubei Station show that the conversion laws of RI at different weather conditions in International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR)18 are also applicable to 1000 kV UHV transmission lines.
Dynamic model of eicosanoid production with special reference to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐triggered hypersensitivity
Authors: Fajmut Aleš , Emeršič Tadej , Dobovišek Andrej , Antić Nataša , Schäfer Dirk , Brumen Milan
Published: March 2015

The authors developed a mathematical model of arachidonic acid (AA) degradation to prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs), which are implicated in the processes of inflammation and hypersensitivity to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The model focuses on two PGs (PGE2 and PGD2) and one LT (LTC4), their % increases and their ratios. Results are compared with experimental studies obtained from non‐asthmatics (NAs), and asthmatics tolerant (ATA) or intolerant (AIA) to aspirin. Simulations are carried out for predefined model populations NA, ATA and three AIA, based on the differences of two enzymes, PG E synthase and/or LTC4‐synthase in two states, that is, no‐inflammation and inflammation. Their model reveals that the model population with concomitant malfunctions in both enzymes is the most sensitive to NSAIDs, since the duration and the capacity for bronchoconstriction risk are highest after simulated oral dosing of indomethacin. Furthermore, inflammation prolongs the duration of the bronchoconstriction risk in all AIA model populations, and the sensitivity analysis reveals multiple possible scenarios leading to hypersensitivity, especially if inflammatory processes affect the expression of multiple enzymes of the AA metabolic pathway. Their model estimates the expected fold‐changes in enzyme activities and gives valuable information for further targeted transcriptomic/proteomic and metabolomic studies.
Compact and high‐performance band stop filter on textile substrate
Authors: Cavalcante Gustavo Araújo , Minervino Diego Ramalho , D'Assunção Junior Adaildo Gomes , D'Assunção Adaildo Gomes
Published: March 2015

A band stop filter developed on a denim textile substrate is presented. The filter geometry is composed of interconnected half‐wavelength parallel coupled resonators, in a novel microstrip filter configuration. Simulated results were obtained through the wave concept iterative method and Ansoft Designer software, for comparison purposes. In addition, prototypes were fabricated and measured for validating the simulation results. Good agreement is reported between simulated and measured results.
Nonlinear integrable model of Frenkel-like excitations on a ribbon of triangular lattice
Authors: Vakhnenko Oleksiy O.
Published: March 2015

Following the considerable progress in nanoribbon technology, we propose to model the nonlinear Frenkel-like excitations on a triangular-lattice ribbon by the integrable nonlinear ladder system with the background-controlled intersite resonant coupling. The system of interest arises as a proper reduction of first general semidiscrete integrable system from an infinite hierarchy. The most significant local conservation laws related to the first general integrable system are found explicitly in the framework of generalized recursive approach. The obtained general local densities are equally applicable to any general semidiscrete integrable system from the respective infinite hierarchy. Using the recovered second densities, the Hamiltonian formulation of integrable nonlinear ladder system with background-controlled intersite resonant coupling is presented. In doing so, the relevant Poisson structure turns out to be essentially nontrivial. The Darboux transformation scheme as applied to the first general semidiscrete system is developed and the key role of Bäcklund transformation in justification of its self-consistency is pointed out. The spectral properties of Darboux matrix allow to restore the whole Darboux matrix thus ensuring generation one more soliton as compared with a priori known seed solution of integrable nonlinear system. The power of Darboux-dressing method is explicitly demonstrated in generating the multicomponent one-soliton solution to the integrable nonlinear ladder system with background-controlled intersite resonant coupling.
Coulomb excitations for a short linear chain of metallic shells
Authors: Zhemchuzhna Liubov , Gumbs Godfrey , Iurov Andrii , Huang Danhong , Gao Bo
Published: March 2015

A self-consistent-field theory is given for the electronic collective modes of a chain containing a finite number, N, of Coulomb-coupled spherical two-dimensional electron gases arranged with their centers along a straight line, for simulating electromagnetic response of a narrow-ribbon of metallic shells. The separation between nearest-neighbor shells is arbitrary and because of the quantization of the electron energy levels due to their confinement to the spherical surface, all angular momenta L of the Coulomb excitations, as well as their projections M on the quantization axis, are coupled. However, for incoming light with a given polarization, only one angular momentum quantum number is usually required. Therefore, the electromagnetic response of the narrow-ribbon of metallic shells is expected to be controlled externally by selecting different polarizations for incident light. We show that, when N = 3, the next-nearest-neighbor Coulomb coupling is larger than its value if they are located at opposite ends of a right-angle triangle forming the triad. Additionally, the frequencies of the plasma excitations are found to depend on the orientation of the line joining them with respect to the axis of quantization since the magnetic field generated from the induced oscillating electric dipole moment on one sphere can couple to the induced magnetic dipole moment on another. Although the transverse inter-shell electromagnetic coupling can be modeled by an effective dynamic medium, the longitudinal inter-shell Coulomb coupling, on the other hand, can still significantly modify the electromagnetic property of this effective medium between shells.
Magnetorheology of iron associated magnetic metal-organic framework nanoparticle
Authors: Quan Xue Mei , Liu Ying Dan , Choi Hyoung Jin
Published: March 2015

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with zeolite-like structured materials have interesting characteristics because of their high surface areas and pore volumes. Among the various MOFs reported thus far, Fe-BTC was chosen as an additive to improve the dispersion stability of soft-magnetic carbonyl iron particle-based magnetorheological (MR) fluids. The morphology of the Fe-BTC additive was examined by TEM, and the behavior of the MR particles dispersed in silicone oil was examined using a rotational rheometer. With a typical magnetic property, the Fe-BTC additive added MR fluid showed similar MR behavior with that of the CI based MR fluid while its improved dispersion stability was observed.
Gamma Reaction History ablator areal density constraints upon correlated diagnostic modeling of National Ignition Facility implosion experiments
Authors: Cerjan C. , Sayre D. B. , Landen O. L. , Church J. A. , Stoeffl W. , Grafil E. M. , Herrmann H. W. , Hoffman N. M. , Kim Y.
Published: March 2015

The inelastic neutron scattering induced γ-ray signal from 12C in an Inertial Confinement Fusion capsule is demonstrated to be an effective and general diagnostic for shell ablator areal density. Experimental acquisition of the time-integrated signal at 4.4 MeV using threshold detection from four gas Čerenkov cells provides a direct measurement of the 12C areal density near stagnation. Application of a three-dimensional isobaric static model of data acquired in a recent high neutron yield National Ignition Facility experimental campaign reveals two general trends: smaller remaining ablator mass at stagnation and higher shell density with increasing laser drive.
Inhomogeneities of plasma density and electric field as sources of electrostatic turbulence in the auroral region
Authors: Ilyasov Askar A. , Chernyshov Alexander A. , Mogilevsky Mikhail M. , Golovchanskaya Irina V. , Kozelov Boris V.
Published: March 2015

Inhomogeneities of plasma density and non-uniform electric fields are compared as possible sources of a sort of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves that can be identified with broadband extremely low frequency electrostatic turbulence in the topside auroral ionosphere. Such waves are excited by inhomogeneous energy-density-driven instability. To gain a deeper insight in generation of these waves, computational modeling is performed with various plasma parameters. It is demonstrated that inhomogeneities of plasma density can give rise to this instability even in the absence of electric fields. By using both satellite-observed and model spatial distributions of plasma density and electric field in our modeling, we show that specific details of the spatial distributions are of minor importance for the wave generation. The solutions of the nonlocal inhomogeneous energy-density-driven dispersion relation are investigated for various ion-to-electron temperature ratios and directions of wave propagation. The relevance of the solutions to the observed spectra of broadband extremely low frequency emissions is shown.
Low energy elastic electron scattering from CF3Br molecules
Authors: Hargreaves L. R. , Brunton J. R. , Maddern T. M. , Brunger M. J.
Published: March 2015

CF3Br is a potentially valuable precursor molecule for generating beams of gas phase Br radicals suitable for electron collisions studies. However, the utility of CF3Br for this purpose depends critically on the availability of sound scattering cross sections to allow the contribution of the precursor to be isolated within the total scattering signal. To this end, here we present elastic differential cross section (DCS) measurements for CF3Br at incident energies between 15 and 50 eV. Comparison of these DCSs to those from the only other available experimental study [Sunohara et al., J. Phys. B: At., Mol. Opt. Phys. 36, 1843 (2003)] and a Schwinger multichannel with pseudo potentials (SMCPPs) calculation [Bettega et al., J. Phys. B: At., Mol. Opt. Phys. 36, 1263 (2003)] shows generally a very good accord. Integral elastic and momentum transfer cross sections, derived from our DCSs, are also found to be in quite good agreement with the SMCPP results.
Adsorption of carbon monoxide on small aluminum oxide clusters: Role of the local atomic environment and charge state on the oxidation of the CO molecule
Authors: Ornelas-Lizcano J. C. , Guirado-López R. A.
Published: March 2015

We present extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations dedicated to analyze the adsorption behavior of CO molecules on small AlxOy± clusters. Following the experimental results of Johnson et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 112, 4732 (2008)], we consider structures having the bulk composition Al2O3, as well as smaller Al2O2 and Al2O units. Our electron affinity and total energy calculations are consistent with aluminum oxide clusters having two-dimensional rhombus-like structures. In addition, interconversion energy barriers between two- and one-dimensional atomic arrays are of the order of 1 eV, thus clearly defining the preferred isomers. Single CO adsorption on our charged AlxOy± clusters exhibits, in general, spontaneous oxygen transfer events leading to the production of CO2 in line with the experimental data. However, CO can also bind to both Al and O atoms of the clusters forming aluminum oxide complexes with a CO2 subunit. The vibrational spectra of AlxOy + CO2 provides well defined finger prints that may allow the identification of specific isomers. The AlxOy+ clusters are more reactive than the anionic species and the final Al2O+ + CO reaction can result in the production of atomic Al and carbon dioxide as observed from experiments. We underline the crucial role played by the local atomic environment, charge density distribution, and spin-multiplicity on the oxidation behavior of CO molecules. Finally, we analyze the importance of coadsorption and finite temperature effects by performing DFT Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics. Our calculations show that CO oxidation on AlxOy+ clusters can be also promoted by the binding of additional CO species at 300 K, revealing the existence of fragmentation processes in line with the ones experimentally inferred.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on magnetostructural transitions and magnetocaloric properties in (MnNiSi)1−x(FeCoGe)x
Authors: Samanta Tapas , Lepkowski Daniel L. , Saleheen Ahmad Us , Shankar Alok , Prestigiacomo Joseph , Dubenko Igor , Quetz Abdiel , Oswald Iain W. H. , McCandless Gregory T. , Chan Julia Y. , Adams Philip W. , Young David P. , Ali Naushad , Stadler Shane
Published: March 2015

The isostructural alloying of two compounds with different magnetic and thermo-structural properties has resulted in a new system, (MnNiSi)1−x(FeCoGe)x, that exhibits large magnetocaloric effects with acute sensitivity to both compositional variation and applied hydrostatic pressure. The maximum isothermal entropy change reaches a value of −ΔSmax = 143.7 J/kg K for a field change of ΔB = 5 T at atmospheric pressure. The first-order magnetostructural transition responsible for the entropy change shifts to lower temperature with applied hydrostatic pressure (∼−10 K/kbar) but maintains a large value of −ΔSmax.
Magnetic properties and transformation of crystal structure in the ErFe2-ErAl2 system
Authors: Ćwik J. , Koshkid'ko Y. , Mikhailova A. , Kolchugina N. , Nenkov K. , Hackamer A. , Miller M.
Published: March 2015

The modification of structural properties and magnetic behaviour of the ErFe2−xAlx Laves phase intermetallic compounds have been studied while changing the Al content in the range 0.36 ≤ x ≤ 1.5. Powder X-ray diffraction study at room temperature showed the formation of the cubic C15 structure, in the samples with Al content of 0.36 ≤ x < 0.75 and 1.4 ≤ x ≤ 2.0. For the intermediate compositions with 0.75 ≤ x ≤ 1.4, the hexagonal C14 structure is observed. Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of polycrystalline ErFe2−xAlx intermetallic compounds were investigated experimentally using magnetic and heat capacity measurements. The Curie temperature TC decreases from 275 to 28 K as the Al content increases from x = 0.36 to x = 1.5, respectively. Magnetization measurements in strong magnetic fields showed the complex mechanism of magnetic saturation in the studied compounds. Under an external field change from 0 to 2 T, the maximum entropy change is 6 J/kg K at T = 28 K for the composition with x = 1.5. The minimum in the concentration dependence of the magnetic entropy change is observed in the vicinity of x equal to 1.25. Regularities of variations of magnetocaloric properties of ErFe2−xAlx intermetallic compounds with increasing Al content are discussed from the point of view of their both structural and magnetic states.
Communication: Unusual structure and transport in ionic liquid-hexane mixtures
Authors: Liang Min , Khatun Sufia , Castner Edward W.
Published: March 2015

Ionic liquids having a sufficiently amphiphilic cation can dissolve large volume fractions of alkanes, leading to mixtures with intriguing properties on molecular length scales. The trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium cation paired with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide anion provides an ionic liquid that can dissolve large mole fractions of hexane. We present experimental results on mixtures of n-C6D14 with this ionic liquid. High-energy X-ray scattering studies reveal a persistence of the characteristic features of ionic liquid structure even for 80% dilution with n-C6D14. Nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion results reveal decidedly non-hydrodynamic behavior where the self-diffusion of the neutral, non-polar n-C6D14 is on average a factor of 21 times faster than for the cation. Exploitation of the unique structural and transport properties of these mixtures may lead to new opportunities for designer solvents for enhanced chemical reactivity and interface science.
Nitrogenation effect of Sm2Fe17 alloys prepared by strip casting technique
Authors: Xing Meiying , Han Jingzhi , Zhang Yinfeng , Liu Shunquan , Chen Zixi , Wang Changsheng , Yang Jinbo , Du Honglin , Yang Yingchang , Yue Ming
Published: March 2015

Sm2Fe17 alloys prepared by strip casting technique can be directly nitrided to prepare interstitial Sm2Fe17NX compounds without pre-crushing. A phenomenon of spontaneous pulverization in the Sm2Fe17 strips induced by nitrogenation is found. This kind of pulverization may arise from the inter-granular fracture along the Sm-rich grain boundary phase as well as trans-granular fracture of Sm2Fe17 primary phase. Anisotropic Sm2Fe17N2.85 powders with a remanence (Br) of 14.1 kGs, a coercive force (iHc) of 12.1 kOe, and a maximum energy product ((BH)max) of 33 MGOe can be prepared using the nitrided strips.
Anomalous sound absorption in lattices of cylindrical perforated shells
Authors: García-Chocano Victor M. , Sánchez-Dehesa José
Published: March 2015

This work reports the enhancement of sound absorption by sonic crystals slabs made of cylindrical perforated shells. These building units, with perforations of millimeter size, show small losses and cannot explain the strong absorption observed at some specific frequencies when the slabs consist of just a few number of rows. It is found that this phenomenon is due to a resonant Wood anomaly which occurs when the incident wave couples with a leaky guided mode supported by the slab. This effect results in an enhancement of the absorption, since the energy transferred to the guided mode travels within the slab, along a direction perpendicular to the incident one. Multiple scattering and finite element simulations give support to the proposed behavior, the transmittance results being in good agreement with experimental data previously reported.
Molecular orientation of copper phthalocyanine thin films on different monolayers of fullerene on SiO2 or highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Wang Chenggong , Liu Xiaoliang , Wang Congcong , Xu Xumei , Li Youzhen , Xie Fangyan , Gao Yongli
Published: March 2015

The interface electronic structures of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) have been studied using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy as different monolayers of C60 were inserted between CuPc and a SiO2 or highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate. The results show that CuPc has standing up configuration with one monolayer of C60 insertion on SiO2 while lying down on HOPG, indicating that the insertion layer propagates the CuPc-substrate interaction. Meanwhile, CuPc on more than one monolayers of C60 on different substrates show that the substrate orientation effect quickly vanished. Our study elucidates intriguing molecular interactions that manipulate molecular orientation and donor-acceptor energy level alignment.
Improvements in patient care: videoconferencing to improve access to interpreters during clinical consultations for refugee and immigrant patients
Authors: Schulz Thomas R. , Leder Karin , Akinci Ismail , Biggs Beverley-Ann
Published: March 2015

Objective
To demonstrate the suitability of accessing interpreters via videoconference for medical consultations and to assess doctor and patient perceptions of this compared with either on-site or telephone interpreting.

Methods
We assessed the suitability and acceptability of accessing interpreters via videoconference during out-patient clinical consultations in two situations: (i) when the doctor and patient were in a consulting room at a central hospital and the interpreter sat remotely; and (ii) when the doctor, patient and interpreter were each at separate sites (during a telehealth consultation). The main outcome measures were patient and doctor satisfaction, number of problems recorded and acceptability compared with other methods for accessing an interpreter.

Results
Ninety-eight per cent of patients were satisfied overall with the use of an interpreter by video. When comparing videoconference interpreting with telephone interpreting, 82% of patients thought having an interpreter via video was better or much better, 15% thought it was the same and 3% considered it worse. Compared with on-site interpreting, 16% found videoconferencing better or much better, 58% considered it the same and 24% considered it worse or much worse.

Conclusions
The present study has demonstrated that accessing an interpreter via videoconference is well accepted and preferred to telephone interpreting by both doctors and patients.

What is known about the topic?
Many immigrants and refugees settle in rural Australia. Access to professional on-site interpreters is difficult, particularly in rural Australia.

What does this study add?
Interpreters can be successfully accessed by videoconference. Patients and doctors prefer an interpreter accessed by videoconference rather than a telephone interpreter.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Doctors can utilise videoconferencing to access interpreters if this is available, confident that this is well accepted by patients and preferred to telephone interpreting.
A step towards evidence-based regulation of health practitioners
Authors: Bismark Marie M. , Fletcher Martin , Spittal Matthew J. , Studdert David M.
Published: March 2015

In 2010 Australia established a national registration and accreditation scheme, covering more than 620000 health practitioners. The data held by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is a remarkable platform for research aimed at improving health practitioner regulation, health care quality and workforce planning.
Changing roles of population-based cancer registries in Australia
Authors: Roder David , Creighton Nicola , Baker Deborah , Walton Richard , Aranda Sanchia , Currow David
Published: March 2015

Registries have key roles in cancer incidence, mortality and survival monitoring and in showing disparities across the population. Incidence monitoring began in New South Wales in 1972 and other jurisdictions soon followed. Registry data are used to evaluate outcomes of preventive, screening, treatment and support services. They have shown decreases in cancer incidence following interventions and have been used for workforce and other infrastructure planning. Crude markers of optimal radiotherapy and chemotherapy exist and registry data are used to show shortfalls against these markers. The data are also used to investigate cancer clusters and environmental concerns. Survival data are used to assess service performance and interval cancer data are used in screening accreditation. Registries enable determination of risk of multiple primary cancers. Clinical quality registries are used for clinical quality improvement. Population-based cancer registries and linked administrative data complement clinical registries by providing high-level system-wide data. The USA Commission on Cancer has long used registries for quality assurance and service accreditation. Increasingly population-based registry data in Australia are linked with administrative data on service delivery to assess system performance. Addition of tumour stage and other prognostic indicators is important for these analyses and is facilitated by the roll-out of structured pathology reporting. Data linkage with administrative data, following checks on the quality of these data, enables assessment of patterns of care and other performance indicators for health-system monitoring. Australian cancer registries have evolved and increasingly are contributing to broader information networks for health system management.
Whole-plant respiration and its temperature sensitivity during progressive carbon starvation
Authors: Slot Martijn , Kitajima Kaoru
Published: March 2015

Plant respiration plays a critical role in the C balance of plants. Respiration is highly temperature sensitive and small temperature-induced increases in whole-plant respiration could change the C balance of plants that operate close to their light-compensation points from positive to negative. Nonstructural carbohydrates are thought to play an important role in controlling respiration and its temperature sensitivity, but this role has not been studied at the whole-plant level. We measured respiration of whole Ardisia crenata Sims. seedlings and tested the hypothesis that darkness-induced C starvation would decrease the temperature sensitivity of whole-plant respiration. Compared with control plants, sugar and starch concentrations in darkened plants declined over time in all organs. Similarly, whole-plant respiration decreased. However, the temperature sensitivity of whole-plant respiration, expressed as the proportional increase in respiration per 10°C warming (Q10), increased with progressive C starvation. We hypothesise that growth respiration was suppressed in darkened plants and that whole-plant respiration represented maintenance respiration almost exclusively, which is more temperature sensitive. Alternatively, changes in the respiratory substrate during C starvation or increased involvement of alternative oxidase pathway respiration may explain the increase in Q10. Carbohydrates are important for respiration but it appears that even in C-starved A. crenata plants, carbohydrate availability does not limit respiration during short-term warming.
Une autre fable pour l’Espill
Authors: Redondo Jordi
Published: March 2015

Le poème narratif intitulé L’Espill nous offre un bref passage que les éditeurs ont toujours interprété comme un emprunt au Nouveau Testament. L’origine, pourtant, est bien plus ancienne, puisque le motif dérive d’une fable de la sophistique grecque, composée par Antiphon et transmise plus tard par Stobée. La fable, bien connue des spécialistes, forme part aussi du recueil ésopique. Notre contribution présente brièvement les traits principaux de la réception de la fable au sein de deux genres, la comédie, autant grecque que latine, et la littérature néotestamentaire. Ces deux genres montrent une évolution différente des éléments caractéristiques de la fable, de façon à nous mener à la conclusion que c’est la littérature néotestamentaire qui se rapproche le plus de la fable d’Antiphon.

The narrative poem entitled L’Espill presents a short passage that the scholars have always explained as a borrowing from the New Gospel. The origin of the motif is nevertheless quite older, for it goes back to a fable of the Classical sophistic that was written by Antiphon and afterwards transmitted by Stobaeus. This fable, of course well known by the scholars, was also included in the Aesopean collection. Our paper aims to present the main features of the reception of the fable in two genres, comedy -both Greek and Latin- and the New Gospel. These genres show a different evolution of the central elements of the fable, so that it leads us to the conclusion that the New Gospel is closer to the Antiphontean fable.
Reynke Vosz de olde (Rostock, 1539) in context of the Middle Low German Reynke de Vos tradition in the 15th–16th century
Authors: Tsapaeva Sabina
Published: March 2015

The present article discusses the beast epic Reynke Vosz de olde (Rostock, 1539) in context of the Middle Low German Reynke de Vos tradition in the 15th–16th century. Emphasis falls on the comparison of the two particularly important Middle Low German editions of the widely-known epic against the socio-historical background in Northern Germany in the Late Middle Ages. This paper proposes to make a contribution to the field of research of the Middle Low German Reynke de Vos tradition in general but primarily examines the printed Reynke Vosz de olde edition from 1539. For this latter purpose the Reynke Vosz de olde text is compared with the 1498 pretext from the Poppy Printer, the Mohnkopf printing house, in a number of respects: typography and illustrations, construction of the book, division in books and chapters, versification, different tendencies in the commentary parts etc. The 1539 Reynke Vosz de olde edition is filtered for tendencies in textual innovations and structural changes as distinct to prototype text as well as motivation and intention cues for those. Further questions like the importance of the quotation analysis of the marginal gloss notes and of the critical question on the glossator’s identity will be highlighted and discussed.
Detecting and interpreting patterns within regional pest species assemblages using self-organizing maps and other clustering methods.
Authors: Worner S. , Eschen R. , Kenis M. , Paini D. , Saikkonen K. , Suiter K. , Sunil Singh Sunil Singh , Vänninen I. , Watts M.
Published: March 2015

This chapter highlights quantitative methods designed to identify and rank exotic species with potential risk to cause economic and/or environmental harm if they establish in a new area. Until now, pest risk assessments have tended to be qualitative and reactive instead of quantitative and proactive. Here, a computational-intelligence technique called a self-organizing map (SOM) is described that can be used to analyse regional profiles or assemblages of pest species to determine their potential for establishment in new regions. In addition to the SOM, two other useful clustering or classification algorithms, k-means and hierarchical analysis, are also demonstrated to provide a quantitative framework to the risk assessment process. The examples described for each method illustrate how a pest risk analyst can identify, from a large list of potential hazards, which species present the most risk to target areas. Furthermore, examples are given of how such analyses may indicate donor and recipient regions for pest invasion and can highlight previously unknown or ignored threats for further investigation. Finally, cautions are provided and limitations of SOMs and other clustering methods applied to the area of pest risk assessment are discussed.
Process-based pest risk mapping using Bayesian networks and GIS.
Authors: Klinken R. D. van , Murray J. V. , Smith C.
Published: March 2015

Predicting the potential distribution of invasive alien pests (i.e. habitat suitability modelling) and their potential spread from existing populations (i.e. habitat susceptibility modelling) is critical to guide management responses at local, regional and national scales. We use the management of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) invasion in a 260,791 km2 part of eastern Australia as an example to describe a process-based approach for making such predictions with publicly available soft ware (e.g. Netica and ESRI products). The approach is deductive, with causal relationships captured in a Bayesian network and represented spatially at fine resolution using a geographic information system (GIS). Pest risk responses to changing environments, such as land-use change, climate change or altered flood regimes, and to management interventions can be tested through scenario analysis. Predictive risk mapping of invasive aliens is often knowledge-constrained; therefore, our approach seeks to capture the best available knowledge from often disparate sources in a transparent and explicit manner. For Chilean needle grass, we elicited process understanding from experts through a participatory approach, integrated an existing bioclimatic model and obtained our own field data. Our model, thereby, represents a hypothesis of what determines the distribution, abundance and spread of Chilean needle grass in the modelled region. Specifically, the model forecasts the likelihood of the weed reaching a threshold density (e.g. in this case, >30% ground cover) as defined by the experts. This approach to likelihood estimation contrasts with the presence/absence predictions of most other models. Modelling was done at a sufficiently fine spatial resolution (i.e. 30 m) to capture relevant invasion dynamics. Finally, we illustrate how validation can be used to give end users confidence in model predictions and to identify important knowledge gaps and uncertainties. We demonstrate how the resulting pest risk maps for Chilean needle grass can guide management decisions.
Identifying and assessing critical uncertainty thresholds in a forest pest risk model.
Authors: Koch F. H. , Yemshanov D.
Published: March 2015

Pest risk maps can provide helpful decision support for invasive alien species management, but often fail to address adequately the uncertainty associated with their predicted risk values. This chapter explores how increased uncertainty in a risk model's numeric assumptions (i.e. its principal parameters) might affect the resulting risk map. We used a spatial stochastic model, integrating components for entry, establishment and spread, to estimate the risks of invasion and their variation across a two-dimensional gridded landscape for Sirex noctilio, a non-native woodwasp detected in eastern North America in 2004. Historically, S. noctilio has been a major pest of pine (Pinus spp.) plantations in the southern hemisphere. We present a sensitivity analysis of the mapped risk estimates to variation in six key model parameters: (i) the annual probabilities of new S. noctilio entries at US and Canadian ports; (ii) the S. noctilio population-carrying capacity at a given location; (iii) the maximum annual spread distance; (iv) the probability of local dispersal (i.e. at a distance of 1 km); (v) the susceptibility of the host resource; and (vi) the growth rate of the host trees. We used Monte Carlo simulation to sample values from symmetric uniform distributions defined by a series of nested variability bounds around each parameter's initial values (i.e.±5%, ..., ±50%). The results show that maximum annual spread distance, which governs long-distance dispersal, was the most sensitive of the tested parameters. At±15% uncertainty in this parameter, mapped risk values shifted notably. No other parameter had a major effect, even at wider bounds of variation. The methods presented in this chapter are generic and can be used to assess the impact of uncertainties on the stability of pest risk maps or to identify any geographic areas for which management decisions can be made confidently, regardless of uncertainty.
The Algerian economy and the association agreement with the European Union: an evaluative introduction to public policy through the Algerian negotiation performance to ratify the agreement
Authors: Bachir Mohamed Si
Published: March 2015

The problematic of this study addresses the question regarding the signing of the European Union–Algeria Association Agreement in 2005, which is: to what extent were the contexts of the negotiation respected and connected to the fundamentals of the scientific evaluation which specified the strong and weak points of the Algerian economy in order to investigate the probable repercussions if that agreement was signed? Was there an audit on the likely gains and losses for Algeria if such an agreement was signed, relying particularly on the previous experiences of Tunisia and Morocco who were first to enter into a partnership with the European Union?
A critical assessment of the scholarship on violent conflicts in the North Caucasus during the post-Soviet period
Authors: Ratelle Jean-François
Published: March 2015

This article provides an in-depth literature review of the different trends and debates in the English academic literature on the violent conflicts in the North Caucasus during the post- Soviet period. This literature review is separated into three major debates and focused on four major themes that consistently appear in the study of violent conflicts in the North Caucasus: nationalism and identity (grievance), criminality and opportunism (greed), repression (revenge and trauma), and religion (radicalization). The first debate concentrates on the structural factors explaining mass mobilization in the North Caucasus following the end of the Soviet Union. The second debate underscores the role of religious radicalization in mobilization patterns in Chechnya and the North Caucasus, as well as its potential links with other conflicts (Afghanistan and Syria) and the importance of suicide bombings. Finally, the third debate focuses on the study of counter-insurgency and counterterrorism, the development of the Caucasus Emirate, and the diffusion of insurgent violence across the region. The article concludes by underlining the need to engage on a larger theorization of violent mobilization in the North Caucasus seeking to integrate structural, organizational and individual variables linking the global dynamics and local specificities of the region.
Evaluating the Law of one Price Using Micro Panel Data: The Case of the French Fish Market
Authors: Gobillon Laurent , Wolff François-Charles
Published: March 2015

This paper investigates spatial variations in product prices using an exhaustive micro dataset on fish transactions. The data includes all transactions between vessels and wholesalers that occurred within local fish markets in France during 2007. Spatial disparities in fish prices are sizable even after taking into account fish quality, time, and unobserved seller and buyer heterogeneity. The price difference between local fish markets can be explained to some extent by distance, but mostly by a coast effect related to market locations on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. We also propose a new approach for identifying groups of interconnected local fish markets based on the activity of sellers and buyers within these markets. We show that most markets on the Atlantic coast are well connected, and that variation in prices across these markets is very small and in line with the law of one price.
Cues, creaks, and decoys: using passive acoustic monitoring as a tool for studying sperm whale depredation
Authors: Thode Aaron , Mathias Delphine , Straley Janice , O'Connell Victoria , Behnken Linda , Falvey Dan , Wild Lauren , Calambokidis John , Schorr Gregory , Andrews Russell , Liddle Joseph , Lestenkof Phillip
Published: March 2015

Since 2003, a collaborative effort (SEASWAP) between fishers, scientists, and managers has researched how Alaskan sperm whales locate demersal longline fishing activity and then depredate sablefish from gear. Sperm whales constantly produce relatively low-frequency biosonar signals whenever foraging; therefore, over the past decade, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has become a basic tool, used for both measuring depredation activity and accelerating field tests of potential depredation countermeasures. This paper reviews and summarizes past published PAM research on SEASWAP, and then provides a detailed example of how PAM methods are currently being used to test countermeasures. The review covers two major research thrusts: (i) identifying acoustic outputs of fishing vessels that provide long-distance “cues” that attract whales to fishing activity; and (ii) validating whether distinctive “creak” sounds can be used to quantify and measure depredation rates, using both bioacoustic tags and statistical comparisons between visual and acoustic depredation estimates during federal sablefish surveys. The latter part of the paper then provides an example of how PAM is being used to study a particular potential countermeasure: an “acoustic decoy” which transmits fishing vessel acoustic cues to attract animals away from true fishing activity. The results of an initial 2011 field trial are presented to show how PAM was used to design the decoy signals and monitor the efficacy of the deployment. The ability of PAM to detect both whale presence and depredation behaviour has reduced the need to deploy researchers or other specialists on fishing cruises. Instead, volunteer fishers can deploy “user-friendly” acoustic recorders on their gear, greatly facilitating the testing of various deterrents, and providing the industry and regulators a convenient and unobtrusive tool for monitoring both the scale and long-term spread of this behaviour across the Alaskan fishery.
Antimicrobial stewardship: the role of scientists?
Authors: Bowater Laura
Published: March 2015

We continue to be warned about the risk of antibiotic resistance. This campaign has targeted medicine and agriculture, asking these industries to pay attention to the risks of widespread resistance and to cut the use of antibiotics wherever possible. However, there has been little to no mention of the widespread use of antibiotics in the scientific research community. As scientists we use antibiotics and antibiotic resistance as fundamental tools for our research; almost all conventional plasmids use an antibiotic resistance gene as a selectable marker, offering us an easy method of screening. With molecular biology and genetics at the heart of many research disciplines, these tools are ubiquitous. Scientists have a responsibility to monitor and reduce our use of antibiotics. With the growth and fast advancement of synthetic biology, it is timely for us to consider other options and to teach the next generation of researchers by example how to truly value antibiotics by using them more responsibly.