Multihop Relay Station and 3 sector Cell Zooming usage for Base Station Energy Saving

Projecte final de carrera fet en col.laboració amb Tsinghua UniversityEnglish: A new approach for energy saving in wireless communications is defined. Two different methods to cover a turned off Base Station area in case of low traffic loads are combined; Cell Zooming, in which the other base stations are used to increase the coverage and serve the turned off area. And multihop Relay coverage, which uses relays in multihop relay communications to cover the off zone. The results show that, while keeping the quality of service for the users, the combination of both methods prove a better performance in terms of energy saving than the separate usage of each method.Castellano: Se explica un nuevo método de ahorro energético en comunicaciones wireless formada mediante la combinación de otros dos métodos ya estudiados; por un lado la utilización de relays en comunicaciones multihop cuando, buscando ahorrar energía, una estación base en condiciones de poca carga es parada; "Multihop Relay Coverage". Y, por otro lado, la utilización del resto de estaciones base para ampliar la cobertura a la región donde ha sido parada la estación base; "Cell Zooming". Se demuestra que la combinación de ambos métodos permite obtener un rendimiento óptimo de la red y, al mismo tiempo, conlleva un ahorro energético superior al obtenido utilizando los dos métodos por separado.Català: S'explica una nova tècnica d'estalvi energètic en comunicacions wireless formada mitjançant la combinació de dues tècniques ja estudiades; la utilització de relays en comunicacions multihop quan, per tal d'estalviar energia, s'atura una estació base en condicions de baixa carrega; "Multihop Relay Coverage". I la utilització de la resta d'estacions base per tal d'ampliar la cobertura a la zona que ha estat aturada; "Cell Zooming". Es demostra que la combinació d'aquestes dues tècniques permet mantenir un rendiment òptim i oferir un estalvi energètic superior al que pot oferir la utilització d'aquestes tècniques per separat. Se explica un nuevo método de ahorro energético en comunicaciones wireless formada mediante la combinación de otros dos métodos ya estudiados; la utilización de relays en comunicaciones multihop cuando, buscando ahorrar energía, una estación base en condiciones de poca carga es parada; "Multihop Relay Coverage". Y la utilización del resto de estaciones base para ampliar la cobertura a la región donde ha sido parada la estación base; Cell Zooming. Se demuestra que la combinación de ambos métodos permite obtener un rendimiento óptimo de la red y, al mismo tiempo, conlleva un ahorro energético superior al obtenido utilizando los dos métodos por separado

Videojocs Lliures: Interacció multiplataforma

Gairebé totes les grans empreses d'electrònica de consum ofereixen connectivitat sense fils en els seus aparells. Tot i l'estandardització d'aquest protocol, habitualment es veta la interconnexió entre plataformes per raons de màrqueting. Nosaltres hem volgut sobrepassar aquesta barrera i demostrar que es pot jugar a un videojoc en xarxa entre dos dispositius de companyies diferents. En aquest projecte hem portat un videojoc lliure i multi-plataforma que permet el joc en xarxa entre iPhone, Nintendo DS i PSP. Per a la seva realització hem utilitzat només eines de programari lliure i multi-plataforma

Videojocs Lliures: Interacció multiplataforma

Gairebé totes les grans empreses d'electrònica de consum ofereixen connectivitat sense fils en els seus aparells. Tot i l'estandardització d'aquest protocol, habitualment es veta la interconnexió entre plataformes per raons de màrqueting. Nosaltres hem volgut sobrepassar aquesta barrera i demostrar que es pot jugar a un videojoc en xarxa entre dos dispositius de companyies diferents. En aquest projecte hem portat un videojoc lliure i multi-plataforma que permet el joc en xarxa entre iPhone, Nintendo DS i PSP. Per a la seva realització hem utilitzat només eines de programari lliure i multi-plataforma

Adaptive control algorithm for improving power capture of wind turbines in turbulent winds

Abstract — The standard wind turbine (WT) control law modifies the torque applied to the generator as a quadratic function of the generator speed (Kω 2) while blades are positioned at some optimal pitch angle (β ∗). The value of K and β ∗ should be properly selected such that energy capture is increased. In practice, the complex and time-varying aerodynamics a WT face due to turbulent winds make their determination a hard task. The selected constant parameters may maximize energy for a particular, but not all, wind regime conditions. Adaptivity can modify the controller to increase power capture under variable wind conditions. This paper present new analysis tools and an adaptive control law to increase the energy captured by a wind turbine. Due to its simplicity, it can be easily added to existing industry-standard controllers. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is assessed by simulations on a high-fidelity aeroelastic code. Index Terms — Wind Turbines, Adaptive Control, efficiency. I

The future of European Nephrology 'Guidelines' - a declaration of intent by European Renal Best Practice (ERBP)

The disparities of medical practice, together with a growing number of possible interventions, have increased the demand for well-conceived guidance for practitioners [1]. However, this development is hampered by the number and quality of scientific studies that test medical hypotheses, which are often unsatisfactory. This is especially true in nephrology, where well-conducted controlled trials are rare [2]. Because patients with renal failure are generally excluded from controlled studies in the general population [3], the development of sufficiently well-founded guidance in nephrology has always been difficult. With the development of European Best Practice Guidelines (EBPG), the European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplantation Association (ERA–EDTA) has created its own guidance-generating process. Similar initiatives have also arisen in the USA (Kidney Disease Outcome Initiative—K/DOQI), Australia (Caring for Australasians with Renal Impairment—CARI), Canada (Canadian Society of Nephrology—CSN), the UK (United Kingdom Renal Association—UKRA), as well as at several other locations around the world. These institutions have generated a plethora of often parallel recommendations on similar topics but sometimes with different messages [4]. The question can be asked: ‘Is there still a place for an institution generating European nephrology guidance?’ If there is, how should such an initiative be managed to conform with current demands? To answer these questions, the Council of ERA–EDTA set up a commission that convened three times in the course of 2008–09. The present text is a distillation of the discussions, reflections and final conclusions of this commission. It is an ad hoc document, reflecting the current status. In the future, concepts and attitudes might change, as medical thinking is influenced by changes in practice, needs, general philosophy, ethics and political/financial conditions

Endangered subspecies of the reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi and E. s. lusitanica) in Iberian Peninsula have different genetic structures

In the Iberian Peninsula, populations of two subspecies of the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus have become increasingly fragmented during the last decades when suitable habitats have been lost and/or the populations have gone extinct. Presently, both subspecies are endangered. We estimated the amount of genetic variation and population structure in order to define conservation units and management practices for these populations. We found that the subspecies lusitanica has clearly reduced genetic variation in nuclear and mitochondrial markers, has a drastically small effective population size and no genetic differentiation between populations. In contrast, the subspecies witherbyi is significantly structured, but the populations still hold large amounts of variation even though the effective population sizes are smaller than in the non-endangered subspecies schoeniclus. We suggest several management units for the Iberian populations. One unit includes subspecies lusitanica as a whole; the other three units are based on genetically differentiated populations of witherbyi. The most important genetic conservation measure in the case of lusitanica is to preserve the remaining habitats in order to at least maintain the present levels of gene flow. In the case of the three management units within witherbyi, the most urgent conservation measure is to improve the habitat quality to increase the population sizes.This project would not have been possible without the help of many people, among them A. Rodriguez, D. Bigas, P. Vicens, J. Segura, M. Suarez, J. L. Martinez, V. Urios, M. Rebassa, C. Torralvo, J. L. Hernandez, M. Carregal, P. Alcazar, J. L. Canto, J. Ramirez,, D. Alonso, J. Arizaga, F. Arcos, H. Rguibi, Acciona-Trasnmediterranea, and many others who helped us with the difficult task of sampling Reed Buntings and who sent us their samples. We apologize if we have forgotten someone. "Arcea Xestion de Recursos Naturais S. L." was of inestimable value in obtaining most of the samples from Galicia in 2008, in getting funding from the "Xunta de Galicia", and in helping us with the discussion of the results. We would like to thank the authorities of Daimiel National Park, Marjal Pego-Oliva Natural Park, S'Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park, Delta de L'Ebre Natural Park, "Consejeria de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Rural de Castilla La Mancha", "Servicio de Conservacion de la Diversidad del Gobierno de Navarra", "Direccion Xeral de Conservacion da Natureza de la Xunta Galicia and "Servei de Conservacio de la Biodiversitat de la Generalitat Valenciana" for the facilities to work in protected areas and for the appropriate permits to obtain the samples. The people from these protected areas were always very nice and helped us with the fieldwork. This study was funded by projects CGL2005-02041/BOS of the "Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia" of Spain, and SC000207, Orden 14-12-2005 of the "Consejeria de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Rural de la Junta de Castilla La Mancha", Spain, through the "Ayudas para la realizacion de actuaciones de apoyo a la conservacion de las areas y recursos naturales protegidos, Orden 14-12-2005". The "Direccion Xeral de Conservacion da Natureza de la Xunta de Galicia", Spain, funded part of the fieldwork in NW Iberian Peninsula during the development of the Recovery plan for Emberiza schoeniclus lusitanica in Galicia. The experiments comply the current laws of the countries (Spain, Portugal and Finland) where they were done.Kvist, L.; Ponnikas, S.; Belda Perez, EJ.; Encabo, I.; Martinez, E.; Onrubia, A.; Hernandez, JM.... (2011). Endangered subspecies of the reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi and E. s. lusitanica) in Iberian Peninsula have different genetic structures. Journal of Ornithology. 152(3):681-693. doi:10.1007/s10336-011-0646-9S6816931523Atienza JC, Copete JL (2004) Escribano palustre iberoriental/escribano palustre iberoccidental. In: Madroño A (ed) Libro rojo de las aves de España Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid, pp 378–379Belda EJ, Encabo JL, Hernández JM et al (2008) Requerimientos y uso del hábitat del escribano palustre iberoriental Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi. In: Barba E, Monrós JS, Belda EJ, Andreu J (eds) XII Congreso Nacional y IX Iberoamericano de Etología Ponencias y comunicaciones. Publicaciones de la Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, p 67Bensch S, Price T, Kohn J (1997) Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in a Phylloscopus warbler. Mol Ecol 6:91–92Byers C, Olsson U, Curson J (1994) Buntings and Sparrows—a guide to the Buntings and North American Sparrows. Pica Press, SussexCaughley G (1994) Directions in conservation biology. J Anim Ecol 63:215–244Clement M, Posada D, Crandall KA (2000) TCS: a computer program to estimate gene genealogies. Mol Ecol 9:1657–1660Cornuet JM, Luikart G (1996) Description and power analysis of two tests for detecting recent population bottlenecks from allele frequency data. Genetics 144:2001–2014Cramp S, Perrins CM (1994) The birds of the western palearctic, vol 9. Oxford University Press, OxfordCrandall KA, Bininda-Edmonds ORP, Mace GM, Wayne RK (2000) Considering evolutionary processes in conservation biology. Trends Ecol Evol 15:290–295Excoffier L, Smouse PE, Quattro JM (1992) Analysis of molecular variance inferred from metric distances among DNA haplotypes: application to human mitochondrial DNA restriction data. Genetics 131:479–491Fraser DJ, Bernatchez L (2001) Adaptive evolutionary conservation: towards a unified concept for defining conservation units. Mol Ecol 10:2741–2752Garza JC, Williamson EG (2001) Detection of reduction in population size using data from microsatellite loci. Mol Ecol 10:305–318Graputto A, Pilastro A, Marin G (1998) Genetic variation and bill size dimorphism in a passerine bird, the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. Mol Ecol 7:1173–1182Griffith SC, Stewart IRK, Dawson DA et al (1999) Contrasting levels of extra-pair paternity in mainland and island populations of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus): is there an’island effect’. Biol J Linn Soc 68:303–316Hanotte O, Zanon C, Pugh A et al (1994) Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in a passerine birds: the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. Mol Ecol 3:529–530Hey J, Waples RS, Arnold ML et al (2003) Understanding and confronting species uncertainty in biology and conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 18:597–603Keane TM, Naughton TJ, McInerney JO (2007) MultiPhyl: A high throughput phylogenomics webserver using distributed computing. Nucl Acids Res 35:W33–W37Kuhner MK (2006) Lamarc 20: maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation of population parameters. Bioinformatics 22:768–770Kvist L, Martens J, Higuchi H et al (2003) Evolution and genetic structure of the great tit (Parus major) complex. Proc R Soc Lond B 270:1447–1454Lande R (1988) Genetics and demography in biological conservation. Science 241:1455–1460Matessi G (1999) Evolutionary patterns in European populations of reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus ssp). Dissertation, University of BolognaMayer C, Schiegg K, Pasinelli G (2008) Isolation, characterization and multiplex genotyping of 11 autosomal and four sex-linked microsatellite loci in the reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus (Emberizidae, Aves). Mol Ecol Notes 8:332–334Moritz C (1994) Defining evolutionary significant units for conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 9:373–375Ovenden J, Peel D, Street R, Courtney A, Hoyle S et al (2007) The genetic effective and adult census size of an Australian population of tiger prawns (Penaeus esculentus). Mol Ecol 16:127–138Patkeau D (1999) Using genetics to identify intraspecific conservation units: a critique of current methods. Conserv Biol 13:1507–1509Primmer CR, Møller AP, Ellegren H (1995) Resolving genetic relationships with microsatellite markers: a parentage testing system for the swallow Hirundo rustica. Mol Ecol 4:493–498Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donelly P (2000) Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data. Genetics 155:945–959Raymond M, Rousset F (1995) GENEPOP (version 12): population genetics software for exact tests and ecumenicism. J Hered 86:248–249Rozas J, Rozas R (1999) DnaSP version 3: an integrated program for molecular population genetics and molecular evolution analysis. Bioinformatics 15:174–175Ryder OA (1986) Species conservation and systematics: the dilemma of subspecies. Trends Ecol Evol 1:9–10Sambrook J, Russell DW (2001) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, 3rd edn. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New YorkSpielman D, Brook BW, Frankham R (2004) Most species are not driven to extinction before genetic factors impact them. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:15261–15264von Oosterhout C, Hutchinson WF, Wills PM et al (2004) Micro-checker: software for identifying and correcting genotyping errors in microsatellite data. Mol Ecol Notes 4:535–538Waples RS (1991) Pacific salmon, Onchorynchus spp, and the definition of species under the endangered species act. Mar Fish Rev 53:11–22Zink RM, Barrowclough GF (2008) Mitochondrial DNA under siege in avian phylogeography. Mol Ecol 17:2107–212

GAA repeat expansion mutation mouse models of Friedreich ataxia exhibit oxidative stress leading to progressive neuronal and cardiac pathology

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an unstable GAA repeat expansion mutation within intron 1 of the FXN gene. However, the origins of the GAA repeat expansion, its unstable dynamics within different cells and tissues, and its effects on frataxin expression are not yet completely understood. Therefore, we have chosen to generate representative FRDA mouse models by using the human FXN GAA repeat expansion itself as the genetically modified mutation. We have previously reported the establishment of two lines of human FXN YAC transgenic mice that contain unstable GAA repeat expansions within the appropriate genomic context. We now describe the generation of FRDA mouse models by crossbreeding of both lines of human FXN YAC transgenic mice with heterozygous Fxn knockout mice. The resultant FRDA mice that express only human-derived frataxin show comparatively reduced levels of frataxin mRNA and protein expression, decreased aconitase activity, and oxidative stress, leading to progressive neurodegenerative and cardiac pathological phenotypes. Coordination deficits are present, as measured by accelerating rotarod analysis, together with a progressive decrease in locomotor activity and increase in weight. Large vacuoles are detected within neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), predominantly within the lumbar regions in 6-month-old mice, but spreading to the cervical regions after 1 year of age. Secondary demyelination of large axons is also detected within the lumbar roots of older mice. Lipofuscin deposition is increased in both DRG neurons and cardiomyocytes, and iron deposition is detected in cardiomyocytes after 1 year of age. These mice represent the first GAA repeat expansion-based FRDA mouse models that exhibit progressive FRDA-like pathology and thus will be of use in testing potential therapeutic strategies, particularly GAA repeat-based strategies. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

MutLα heterodimers modify the molecular phenotype of Friedreich ataxia

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Background: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common autosomal recessive ataxia disorder, is caused by a dynamic GAA repeat expansion mutation within intron 1 of FXN gene, resulting in down-regulation of frataxin expression. Studies of cell and mouse models have revealed a role for the mismatch repair (MMR) MutS-heterodimer complexes and the PMS2 component of the MutLα complex in the dynamics of intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions: MSH2, MSH3 and MSH6 promote GAA repeat expansions, while PMS2 inhibits GAA repeat expansions. Methodology/Principal Findings: To determine the potential role of the other component of the MutLα complex, MLH1, in GAA repeat instability in FRDA, we have analyzed intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions from FXN transgenic mice that have been crossed with Mlh1 deficient mice. We find that loss of Mlh1 activity reduces both intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions. However, we also find that loss of either Mlh1 or Pms2 reduces FXN transcription, suggesting different mechanisms of action for Mlh1 and Pms2 on GAA repeat expansion dynamics and regulation of FXN transcription. Conclusions/Significance: Both MutLα components, PMS2 and MLH1, have now been shown to modify the molecular phenotype of FRDA. We propose that upregulation of MLH1 or PMS2 could be potential FRDA therapeutic approaches to increase FXN transcription. © 2014 Ezzatizadeh et al.This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund