Principal component analysis as a tool to extract Sq variation from the geomagnetic field observations: conditions of applicability

In this paper, we analyze the applicability of the principal component analysis (PCA) as a tool to extract the Sq variation of the geomagnetic field. We tested different geomagnetic field components and used data measured at different levels of the solar and geomagnetic activity and during different months. Geomagnetic field variations obtained with PCA were classified as SqPCA using two types of reference series: SqIQD series calculated using geomagnetically quiet days and simulations of the ionospheric field with models. The results for the X and Y and Z components are essentially different. The Sq variation is always filtered to the first PCA mode for the Y and Z components. Thus, PCA can automatically extract the Sq variation from the observations of the Y and Z components of the geomagnetic field. For the X component, the automatic extraction of the Sq variation is not possible, and a complimentary analysis, like a comparison to a reference series, is always needed. We tested two types of reference series: the mean SqIQD and the outputs of the CM5 and DIFI3 models. Our results show that both the data-based and model-based reference series can be used but the DIFI3 model performs better. We also recommend estimating the similarity of the series not with the correlation analysis but using metrics that account for possible local stretching/compressing of the compared series, for example, the dynamic time warping (DTW) distance.Comment: 32 pages, 18 figures, 4 tables, 9 SM. Re-submitted to MethodsX in July 2022. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2104.0039

I8As21Ge25

Single crystals of octaiodine henacosarsenic pentacosagermanium were grown by chemical transport reactions. The structure is isotypic with the analogous clathrates-I. In this structure, the statistically occupied clathrand atoms (As,Ge)46 form bonds in a distorted tetra­hedral coordination and their arrangement can define two polyhedra of different sizes; one is an (As,Ge)20 penta­gonal dodeca­hedron, and the other is an (As,Ge)24 tetra­kaideca­hedron. The guest atom (iodine) resides inside these polyhedra with site symmetry m3 (Wyckoff position 2a) and 2m (Wyckoff position 6d), respectively

Security Monitoring of Distribution Automation Systems

Distribution automation systems represent the new generation of power distribution systems in response to the growing interest in smart grids along with the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT). Distribution automation systems leverage advanced ICTs to automate system operation for delivering electrical energy to consumers. With the use of ICT comes the need to protect distribution automation systems from cyberattacks that could impact the operation of such systems, mainly power availability. In this thesis, the main objective is to assess the security aspect of distribution automation systems. As such, we design and implement a security monitoring platform that allows assessing the dynamics of these systems. In this regard, a digital twin testbed is designed and implemented to simulate smart power distribution systems in near real-time. Moreover, a proposed security monitoring platform is designed and implemented on top of the previously mentioned digital twin testbed. The platform can help monitor the impacts of different occurring incidents and allows executing implemented cyberattacks against the modeled power systems. In addition, it employs AI techniques to detect these attacks. The specific contributions of this thesis are: (i) the design and implementation of a cosimulation testbed for distribution automation systems using open source software packages; (ii) the design and implementation of an AI-based security analytics framework for distribution automation systems; and (iii) the implementation of cyberattacks targeting distribution automation applications. Various machine and deep learning models are implemented to detect the attacks and different performance evaluation metrics are used to compare different models. The obtained results are competitive and they validate the usefulness of the models in detecting attacks. The co-simulation platform is able to simulate power distribution systems in near real-time, along with an emulation of the IEC 60870-5-104 communication protocol. Also, the platform is capable of simulating big distribution test cases, e.g., the IEEE 123-bus and the IEEE 8500-nodes systems. The proposed platform allows power utilities to assess the security of their power distribution systems without affecting power availability and quality

Comparative Study of PMSM and SRM Capabilities

International audienceThis paper is a synthesis of various research work performed on innovative structures for electrical machines (EM) responding to new performance requirements and applications. A presentation of the various statistical applications of EM will be made with various criteria. It will establish an initial comparison between the possibilities of both types of machines, namely the permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) and switched reluctance machine (SRM), since more competing by conventional machines such as induction machines. It will be completed by a performance comparison study using a torque density criterion. Finally, an analytical-numerical method for PMSM and SRM structures design will be proposed

MMP-2, MMP-9 and their inhibitors TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 production by human monocytes in vitro in the presence of different forms of hydroxyapatite particles.

DOI : 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.09.034After calcium-phosphates biomaterials based implantation like hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, particles are released in the periprosthetic tissues. Wear-debris induced fibrous membranes contain macrophage subsets that can produce metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are considered to be key enzymes in extra-cellular matrix turnover. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are important regulator of MMPs activity. Interleukin-1 mainly produced by monocytes can also regulate MMPs production. In the present work, we have evaluated the effect of HA particles characteristics (size, shape and sintering temperature) on the MMP-2, -9 and their respective inhibitors TIMP-2, -1 production. Our results demonstrate that sintering temperature (that modify crystal size and surface area) have little effect on MMPs and TIMPs production. Non-phagocytable particles induced more MMP-9, although phagocytable particles induced more IL-1β release. The shape of the particles was the most important factor since needle-shaped particles induced the most significant up-regulated expression of MMPs and IL-1β

I8Sb10Ge36

Single crystals of the title compound, octa­iodide deca­anti­monate hexa­tria­conta­germanide, were grown by chemical transport reactions. The structure is isotypic with the analogous clathrates-I. In this structure, the (Ge,Sb)46 framework consists of statistically occupied Ge and Sb sites that atoms form bonds in a distorted tetra­hedral arrangement. They form polyhedra that are covalently bonded to each other by shared faces. There are two polyhedra of different sizes, viz. a (Ge,Sb)20 dodeca­hedron and a (Ge,Sb)24 tetra­cosa­hedron in a 1:3 ratio. The guest atom (iodine) resides inside these polyhedra with symmetry m3 (Wyckoff position 2a) and 2m (Wyckoff position 2d), respectively

Genotype-phenotype correlation in PRKN-associated Parkinson's disease

Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in PRKN are the most common cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). 647 patients with PRKN-PD were included in this international study. The pathogenic variants present were characterised and investigated for their effect on phenotype. Clinical features and progression of PRKN-PD was also assessed. Among 133 variants in index cases (n = 582), there were 58 (43.6%) structural variants, 34 (25.6%) missense, 20 (15%) frameshift, 10 splice site (7.5%%), 9 (6.8%) nonsense and 2 (1.5%) indels. The most frequent variant overall was an exon 3 deletion (n = 145, 12.3%), followed by the p.R275W substitution (n = 117, 10%). Exon3, RING0 protein domain and the ubiquitin-like protein domain were mutational hotspots with 31%, 35.4% and 31.7% of index cases presenting mutations in these regions respectively. The presence of a frameshift or structural variant was associated with a 3.4 ± 1.6 years or a 4.7 ± 1.6 years earlier age at onset of PRKN-PD respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, variants located in the N-terminus of the protein, a region enriched with frameshift variants, were associated with an earlier age at onset. The phenotype of PRKN-PD was characterised by slow motor progression, preserved cognition, an excellent motor response to levodopa therapy and later development of motor complications compared to early-onset PD. Non-motor symptoms were however common in PRKN-PD. Our findings on the relationship between the type of variant in PRKN and the phenotype of the disease may have implications for both genetic counselling and the design of precision clinical trials

Genotype–phenotype correlation in PRKN- associated Parkinson’s disease

Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in PRKN are the most common cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson’s disease (PD). 647 patients with PRKN-PD were included in this international study. The pathogenic variants present were characterised and investigated for their effect on phenotype. Clinical features and progression of PRKN-PD was also assessed. Among 133 variants in index cases (n = 582), there were 58 (43.6%) structural variants, 34 (25.6%) missense, 20 (15%) frameshift, 10 splice site (7.5%%), 9 (6.8%) nonsense and 2 (1.5%) indels. The most frequent variant overall was an exon 3 deletion (n = 145, 12.3%), followed by the p.R275W substitution (n = 117, 10%). Exon3, RING0 protein domain and the ubiquitin-like protein domain were mutational hotspots with 31%, 35.4% and 31.7% of index cases presenting mutations in these regions respectively. The presence of a frameshift or structural variant was associated with a 3.4 ± 1.6 years or a 4.7 ± 1.6 years earlier age at onset of PRKN-PD respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, variants located in the N-terminus of the protein, a region enriched with frameshift variants, were associated with an earlier age at onset. The phenotype of PRKN-PD was characterised by slow motor progression, preserved cognition, an excellent motor response to levodopa therapy and later development of motor complications compared to early-onset PD. Non-motor symptoms were however common in PRKN-PD. Our findings on the relationship between the type of variant in PRKN and the phenotype of the disease may have implications for both genetic counselling and the design of precision clinical trials