bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A fuzzy control strategy for power smoothing and grid dynamic response enrichment of a grid‐connected wind energy conversion system
Authors: Howlader Abdul Motin , Urasaki Naomitsu , Pratap Alok , Senjyu Tomonobu , Saber Ahmed Yousuf 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper concentrates on the output power smoothing and the grid dynamic response enhancement of a grid‐interactive MW‐class permanent magnet synchronous generator‐based wind energy conversion system (WECS). A simple fuzzy controller method is applied to improve the overall performance of the WECS. The proposed method can retrieve the storing kinetic energy from the inertia of a wind turbine, perfectly. As a result, it can ensure a proficient power smoothing of the variable speed WECS. On the other hand, the grid side inverter is controlled by the fuzzy controller. This approach can reduce the fluctuation of DC link voltage and can deliver a smooth power to the power grid. The proposed method is compared with two other methods such as the maximum power point tracking control method and the without fuzzy controller method. A simple shunt circuit also includes in the DC link circuit. Therefore, during the system fault condition, the WECS can perform a stable operation. Effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by numerical simulations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐term forecasting of categorical changes in wind power with Markov chain models
Authors: Yoder Megan , Hering Amanda S. , Navidi William C. , Larson Kristin 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTAs penetrations of renewable wind energy increase, accurate short‐term predictions of wind power become crucial to utilities that must balance the load and supply of electricity. As storage of wind energy is not yet feasible on a large scale, the utility must integrate wind energy as soon as it is generated and decide at each balancing time‐step whether a change in conventional energy output is required. With high penetrations of wind energy, utilities must also plan for operating reserves to maintain stability of the electricity system when forecasts for renewable energy are inaccurate. Thus, a simple forecast of whether the wind power will increase, decrease or not change in the next time‐step will give utility operators an easy tool for assessing whether changes need to be made to the current generation mix. In this work, Markov chain models based on the change in power output at up to three locations or lags in time are presented that not only produce such an hourly forecast but also include a measure of the uncertainty of the forecast. Forecasts are greatly improved when knowledge of whether the maximum or minimum wind power is currently being produced and the intrahour trend in wind power are incorporated. These models are trained, tested and evaluated with a uniquely long set of 2 years of 10 min measurements at four meteorological stations in the Pacific Northwest and perform better than a benchmark state‐of‐the‐art wind speed forecasting model.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population dynamics of calanoid copepods in the subtropical mesohaline Danshuei Estuary (Taiwan) and typhoon effects
Authors: Beyrend‐Dur Delphine , Souissi Sami , Hwang Jiang‐Shiou 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe studied the populations of the dominant calanoid copepods Pseudodiaptomus annandalei and Acartia spp. in the mesohaline Danshuei Estuary for two successive springs and summers. We analyzed environmental factors (i.e., temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, light attenuation coefficient, and suspended particulate matter) and the population densities and structures at the surface and near the estuarine bed. The population of P. annandalei dominated the zooplankton community from surface to bottom, except during a medusa bloom in 2009 and during the post‐typhoon period, when Acartia spinicauda dominated. The relationships between environmental factors and densities differed between and within populations of P. annandalei and Acartia spp. We concluded that the primary determinants of the P. annandalei population are predation and the typhoon‐related freshwater runoff, which can strongly influence the copepod succession in this part of the estuary.
Taking Leaves out of the International Criminal Court Statute: The Direct Application of International Criminal Law by Military Courts in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Zongwe Dunia P 
Published: June 2013

Article 215 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the entry point for international law into the DRC legal complex. It provides that international treaties and agreements duly ratified by the state predominate over Acts of Parliament. Cases and studies involving the direct effect or self-executing norms of international law in domestic cases are rare in the DRC. The correct ways of applying Article 215 of the Constitution and international law in domestic cases have not yet been authoritatively settled. The basic dilemma is whether courts should read the provisions of relevant international treaties into disputed provisions of DRC laws or read the disputed provisions in the light of the relevant treaty provisions.Using as a case study the emerging practice of DRC military courts of directly applying international criminal law in domestic cases, the article argues that carelessly cutting and pasting formulations found in international treaties into the texts of applicable municipal laws infringes state sovereignty. Instead, the article proposes a strategy that would avoid unpleasant friction between international criminal law and municipal law, while encouraging cultural pluralism and the judicious intervention of international law in municipal law.
Effect of Fe deficiency on alfalfa plants grown in the presence ofPseudomonas
Authors: CAMEJO D. , MARTÍ M. C. , MARTÍNEZ-ALCALÁ I. , MEDINA-BELLVER J. I. , MARQUÉS S. , JIMÉNEZ A. 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYAlfalfa is a model plant defined as less sensitive than others to iron (Fe) deficiency. In the present work, some mechanisms induced in low Fe availability conditions were studied, including the effect of inoculation of alfalfa seeds withPseudomonas putida. The effect of different Fe contents in the nutrient solution on the growth parameters was evaluated at 3 and 10 days, observing that low Fe conditions promoted biomass accumulation. Activation in the mechanisms of Fe acquisition, through acidification of the media and an increase in the ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity, was observed in the absence of Fe at 10 days. The presence ofP. putidaKT2442 in the rhizosphere eliminated FCR activation through the excretion of siderophores. The effect of the siderophores on the modulation of FCR activity was demonstrated using appsDmutant strain, unable to segregate them, observing an activation of the activity similar to that observed in the absence of the bacteria. This, together with the demonstrated mechanisms to increase Fe availability, contributed to the conclusion that alfalfa can be used for recovery programmes of soils with low Fe availability.
Molecular Mechanisms of Asymmetric Division in Oocytes
Authors: Sun Shao-Chen , Kim Nam-Hyung 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn contrast to symmetric division in mitosis, mammalian oocyte maturation is characterized by asymmetric cell division that produces a large egg and a small polar body. The asymmetry results from oocyte polarization, which includes spindle positioning, migration, and cortical reorganization, and this process is critical for fertilization and the retention of maternal components for early embryo development. Although actin dynamics are involved in this process, the molecular mechanism underlying this remained unclear until the use of confocal microscopy and live cell imaging became widespread in recent years. Information obtained through a PubMed database search of all articles published in English between 2000 and 2012 that included the phrases “oocyte, actin, spindle migration,” “oocyte, actin, polar body,” or “oocyte, actin, asymmetric division” was reviewed. The actin nucleation factor actin-related protein 2/3 complex and its nucleation-promoting factors, formins and Spire, and regulators such as small GTPases, partitioning-defective/protein kinase C, Fyn, microRNAs, cis-Golgi apparatus components, myosin/myosin light-chain kinase, spindle stability regulators, and spindle assembly checkpoint regulators, play critical roles in asymmetric cell division in oocytes. This review summarizes recent findings on these actin-related regulators in mammalian oocyte asymmetric division and outlines a complete signaling pathway.
Experimental Assessment of the Magnitude and Sources of Lake Sturgeon Egg Mortality
Authors: Forsythe P. S. , Scribner K. T. , Crossman J. A. , Ragavendran A. , Baker E. A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMortality during early life stages can greatly affect annual recruitment. Despite the importance to population abundance and community composition, quantitative estimates of the sources and magnitude of early life mortality in natural environments are generally lacking for many fish species. We conducted a field experiment to quantify egg mortality during incubation for Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. Fertilized Lake Sturgeon eggs were placed in replicated exclosures in the Black River, Michigan, at a known spawning location. Incubation conditions were modified using four exclosure treatments differing in mesh size that simulated different levels of access by predators and water flow regimes (0.1–0.6 m/s). Egg mortality through 80% of the incubation period was high (average 91%) and varied significantly (75–97%) across treatments. Treatments with reduced predator access and low water velocity experienced the highest levels of cumulative egg mortality. Developmental arrest was a larger source of mortality (84%) than the combined effect of predation and scour or de‐adhesion (16%). We also documented a significant treatment by time (day of incubation) interaction, indicating that although cumulative rates of mortality may not vary significantly among spawning sites, the relative contributions of different sources of mortality can vary greatly at different times during egg incubation.
Expressive Writing as a Therapeutic Process for Drug-Dependent Women
Authors: Meshberg-Cohen Sarah , Svikis Dace , McMahon Thomas J. 
Published: June 2013

Background Although women with substance use disorders (SUDs) have high rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress, many addiction programs do not offer trauma-specific treatments. One promising intervention is Pennebaker's expressive writing, which involves daily, 20-minute writing sessions to facilitate disclosure of stressful experiences. Methods Women ( N = 149) in residential treatment completed a randomized clinical trial comparing expressive writing with control writing. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to document change in psychological and physical distress from baseline to 2-week and 1-month follow-ups. Analyses also examined immediate levels of negative affect following expressive writing. Results Expressive writing participants showed greater reductions in posttraumatic symptom severity, depression, and anxiety scores, when compared with control writing participants at the 2-week follow-up. No group differences were found at the 1-month follow-up. Safety data were encouraging: although expressive writing participants showed increased negative affect immediately after each writing session, there were no differences in pre-writing negative affect scores between conditions the following day. By the final writing session, participants were able to write about traumatic/stressful events without having a spike in negative affect. Conclusions Results suggest that expressive writing may be a brief, safe, low-cost, adjunct to SUD treatment that warrants further study as a strategy for addressing posttraumatic distress in substance-abusing women.
Frequency of Energy Drink Use Predicts Illicit Prescription Stimulant Use
Authors: Woolsey Conrad L. , Barnes Laura B. , Jacobson Bert H. , Kensinger Weston S. , Barry Adam E. , Beck Niels C. , Resnik Andrew G. , Evans Marion W. 
Published: June 2013

Background The purpose of this study was to examine energy drink (ED) usage patterns and to investigate the illicit use of prescription stimulants among college students. Methods A sample of 267 undergraduate and graduate students (mean age of 22.48 among stimulant users) from a large midwestern university and its branch campus locations voluntarily participated in the study. Results Among prescription stimulant users without a valid medical prescription, Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of ED use was a significant predictor of the illicit use of prescription stimulants. Moreover, frequency of ED consumption was a significant predictor of the illicit use of prescription stimulant medications, with the odds for using increasing by .06 with each additional day of ED use past 0 day (odds for use = 1.06, P =.008). Conclusions Results indicate that the frequency of ED use is a significant predictor of the illicit use of prescription stimulants. All prescription stimulant users with or without a valid script also used EDs. This finding is important to practitioners because of the harmful interactions (eg, serotonin syndrome) that can occur when ED ingredients (eg, ginseng, yohimbine, evodamine, etc) are mixed with prescription stimulants.
Cytomorphometric Analysis of Oral Buccal Mucosal Smears in Tobacco and Arecanut Chewers who Abused with and without Betel Leaf
Authors: Noufal Ahammed , George Antony , Jose Maji , Khader Mohasin Abdul , Jayapalan Cheriyanthal Sisupalan 
Published: June 2013

Background Tobacco in any form (smoking or chewing), arecanut chewing, and alcohol are considered to be the major extrinsic etiological factors for potentially malignant disorders of the oral cavity and for squamous cell carcinoma, the most common oral malignancy in India. An increase in nuclear diameter (ND) and nucleus-cell ratio (NCR) with a reduction in cell diameter (CD) are early cytological indicators of dysplastic change. The authors sought to identify cytomorphometric changes in ND, CD, and NCR of oral buccal cells in tobacco and arecanut chewers who chewed with or without betel leaf. Methods Participants represented 3 groups. Group I consisted of 30 individuals who chewed tobacco and arecanut with betel leaf (BQT chewers). Group II consisted of 30 individuals who chewed tobacco and arecanut without betel leaf (Gutka chewers). Group III comprised 30 apparently healthy nonabusers. Cytological smears were prepared and stained with modified-Papanicolaou stain. Results Comparisons between Groups I and II and Groups II and III showed that ND was increased, with P values of .054 and .008, respectively, whereas a comparison of Groups I and III showed no statistical significance. Comparisons between Groups I and II and Groups II and III showed that CD was statistically reduced, with P values of .037 and <.000, respectively, whereas comparison of Groups I and III showed no statistical significance. Comparisons between Groups I and II and groups II and III showed that NCR was statistically increased, with P values of <.000, whereas a comparison of Groups I and III showed no statistical significance. Conclusions CD, ND, and NCR showed statistically significant changes in Group II in comparison with Group I, which could indicate larger and earlier risk of carcinoma for Gutka chewers than in BQT chewers.
Validation of a Risk Stratification Index and Risk Quantification Index for Predicting Patient Outcomes
Authors: Sigakis Matthew J. G. , Bittner Edward A. , Wanderer Jonathan P. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background:
External validation of published risk stratification models is essential to determine their generalizability. This study evaluates the performance of the Risk Stratification Indices (RSIs) and 30-day mortality Risk Quantification Index (RQI).

Methods:
108,423 adult hospital admissions with anesthetics were identified (2006–2011). RSIs for mortality and length-of-stay endpoints were calculated using published methodology. 91,128 adult, noncardiac inpatient surgeries were identified with administrative data required for RQI calculation.

Results:
RSI in-hospital mortality and RQI 30-day mortality Brier scores were 0.308 and 0.017, respectively. RSI discrimination, by area under the receiver operating curves, was excellent at 0.966 (95% CI, 0.963–0.970) for in-hospital mortality, 0.903 (0.896–0.909) for 30-day mortality, 0.866 (0.861–0.870) for 1-yr mortality, and 0.884 (0.882–0.886) for length-of-stay. RSI calibration, however, was poor overall (17% predicted in-hospital mortality vs. 1.5% observed after inclusion of the regression constant) as demonstrated by calibration plots. Removal of self-fulfilling diagnosis and procedure codes (20,001 of 108,423; 20%) yielded similar results. RQIs were calculated for only 62,640 of 91,128 patients (68.7%) due to unmatched procedure codes. Patients with unmatched codes were younger, had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status and 30-day mortality. The area under the receiver operating curve for 30-day mortality RQI was 0.888 (0.879–0.897). The model also demonstrated good calibration. Performance of a restricted index, Procedure Severity Score + American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, performed as well as the original RQI model (age + American Society of Anesthesiologists + Procedure Severity Score).

Conclusion:
Although the RSIs demonstrated excellent discrimination, poor calibration limits their generalizability. The 30-day mortality RQI performed well with age providing a limited contribution.
Imaging of hypoxia with 18F‐FAZA PET in patients with locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Trinkaus Mateya E , Blum Rob , Rischin Danny , Callahan Jason , Bressel Mathias , Segard Tatiana , Roselt Peter , Eu Peter , Binns David , MacManus Michael P , Ball David , Hicks Rodney J 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIntroductionFor many cancers, tumour hypoxia is an adverse prognostic factor, and increases chemoradiation resistance; its importance in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unproven. This study evaluated tumoural hypoxia using fluoroazomycin arabinoside (18F‐FAZA) positron emission tomography (PET) scans among patients with locoregionally advanced NSCLC treated with definitive chemoradiation.MethodsPatients with stage IIIA‐IIIB NSCLC underwent 18F‐FAZA PET scans and 18F‐2‐deoxyglucose (FDG)‐PET scans within 4 weeks of commencing and 8 weeks following conventionally‐fractionated concurrent platinum‐based chemoradiation (60 Gy). Intra‐lesional hypoxic volumes of the primary and nodal masses were compared with FDG‐PET metabolic volumes. Baseline tumoural hypoxia was correlated with disease free survival (DFS).ResultsSeventeen patients underwent pre‐treatment 18F‐FAZA PET and FDG‐PET scans. Intra‐lesional hypoxia was identified on 11 scans (65%). Baseline lesional hypoxic volumes were consistently smaller than FDG‐PET volumes (P = 0.012). There was no statistical difference between the mean FDG‐PET volumes in patients with or without baseline hypoxia (P = 0.38). Eight patients with baseline hypoxia had post treatment 18F‐FAZA scans and 6 of these (75%) had resolution of imageable hypoxia following chemoradiation. The DFS was not significantly different between the hypoxic or non‐hypoxic groups (median 0.8 years and 1.3 years respectively, P = 0.42).ConclusionsIntra‐lesional hypoxia, as detected by 18F‐FAZA PET, was present in 65% of patients with locally‐advanced NSCLC and resolved in the majority of patients following chemoradiation. Larger studies are required to evaluate the prognostic significance of the presence and resolution of hypoxia assessed by PET in NSCLC.
Epidemiology of CYP3A4‐Mediated Clopidogrel Drug–Drug Interactions and Their Clinical Consequences
Authors: Tirkkonen Tuire , Heikkilä Pekka , Vahlberg Tero , Huupponen Risto , Laine Kari 
Published: June 2013

SummaryAimsClopidogrel is a prodrug that needs to be activated to inhibit platelet aggregation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical consequences of potential drug–drug interactions of clopidogrel with drugs affecting CYP3A4 activity.MethodsCo‐administrations of clopidogrel together with well‐established CYP3A4 inhibitors, CYP3A4 inducers, and atorvastatin were investigated in a population‐based pharmacoepidemiological study utilizing data from the national healthcare registers and in more detail from a university hospital register in Finland. The main outcome measures were all‐cause mortality and mortality and morbidity related to thrombosis or bleeding.ResultsIn the nationwide analysis, 6.1%, 1.0%, and 20.8% of the clopidogrel‐treated patients were exposed to concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors, CYP3A4 inducers, and atorvastatin, respectively. In the survival analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio for overall mortality was 2.29 (P < 0.001) for CYP3A4 inducer users and 0.74 (P = 0.003) for atorvastatin users compared with controls (patients receiving clopidogrel without interacting medication). CYP3A4 inhibitor use seemed to prevent from thrombosis: HR 0.67, P < 0.001. The hospitalizations due to bleedings were rarer in atorvastatin and CYP3A4 inhibitor groups compared with controls. Thrombosis complications leading to hospitalizations were more often seen in the atorvastatin group than in the control group.ConclusionsNo uniform untoward effect of concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitor use on the clinical efficacy of clopidogrel was found. In patients receiving concomitant atorvastatin and clopidogrel, the antithrombotic effect of clopidogrel was moderately attenuated, but the combination significantly reduced the overall mortality. CYP3A4 inhibitors and atorvastatin may reduce bleedings in clopidogrel users.
Challenges and policy options in the global bio‐economy: introduction and overview
Authors: Swinnen Johan , Weersink Alfons 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAgricultural economics is at the nexus of the major policy options surrounding the global bio‐economy. The outputs from agriculture have expanded beyond the traditional food, feed, and fiber to include fuel and other nonfood applications as well as environmental goods due to recent technological developments and changing consumer demands. Numerous policy questions have arisen within the bio‐economy. This article introduces and summarizes several invited panel sessions on issues of special importance in the global bio‐economy: new institutions of dealing with uncertainty and increased volatility related to climate change; structural transformations in agricultural production and food consumption and their effect on development; biofuel policies and development; and determinants of changes in consumer attitudes to new products and technologies.