Improvement of Synchronous Machine Dynamic Characteristics via Neural Network Based Controllers

This paper presents Simulation and experimental study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of an adaptive artificial neural network stabilizer on enhancing the damping torque of a synchronous generator. For this purpose, a power system comprising a synchronous generator feeding a large power system through a short tie line is considered. The proposed adaptive neuro-control system consists of two multi-layered feed forward neural networks, which work as a plant model identifier and a controller. It generates supplementary control signals to be utilized by conventional controllers. The details of the interfacing circuits, sensors and transducers, which have been designed and built for use in tests, are presented. The synchronous generator is tested to investigate the effect of tuning a Power System Stabilizer (PSS) on its dynamic stability. The obtained simulation and experimental results verify the basic theoretical concepts

Effects of bisphenol A and DDT on mRNA expression of vitellogenin II in liver of quail embryos

Summary This study was conducted to reveal the estrogenic effects of bisphenol A and o, p'-DDT on quail embryos. Thirteen fertilized eggs were used as control (injected with 20 µl corn oil), 15 eggs were injected with estradiol 17β (0.04 mg dissolved in 20 µl corn oil), 20 eggs were injected with BPA (2 mg dissolved in 20 µl corn oil) and 20 eggs were injected with o, p'-DDT (2 mg dissolved in 20 µl corn oil) at day 13 of incubation. Two days later the livers of the embryos were collected. The DNA was extracted from the liver for molecular sexing, while total RNA was extracted for vitellogenin II (VTGII) mRNA expression in embryos. In female embryos, BPA and o, p'-DDT induced variable levels of VTGII mRNA expression, while in male embryos, o, p'-DDT induced a slightly VTGII mRNA expression. In contrast, there was no expression of VTGII after BPA injection. In conclusion, the estrogenicity of BPA was lower than o, p'-DDT and both of them were lower than the estradiol 17β

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change : UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017

Peer reviewe

The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 Inhibits Complement Component 1q Effector Mechanisms and Exerts Detrimental Effects during Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Phagocytosis and inflammation within the lungs is crucial for host defense during bacterial pneumonia. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-2 was proposed to negatively regulate TLR-mediated responses and enhance phagocytosis by macrophages, but the role of TREM-2 in respiratory tract infections is unknown. Here, we established the presence of TREM-2 on alveolar macrophages (AM) and explored the function of TREM-2 in the innate immune response to pneumococcal infection in vivo. Unexpectedly, we found Trem-2(-/-) AM to display augmented bacterial phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo compared to WT AM. Mechanistically, we detected that in the absence of TREM-2, pulmonary macrophages selectively produced elevated complement component 1q (C1q) levels. We found that these increased C1q levels depended on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR-δ) activity and were responsible for the enhanced phagocytosis of bacteria. Upon infection with S. pneumoniae, Trem-2(-/-) mice exhibited an augmented bacterial clearance from lungs, decreased bacteremia and improved survival compared to their WT counterparts. This work is the first to disclose a role for TREM-2 in clinically relevant respiratory tract infections and demonstrates a previously unknown link between TREM-2 and opsonin production within the lungs

The minimally invasive supraorbital subfrontal key-hole approach for surgical treatment of temporomesial lesions of the dominant hemisphere

INTRODUCTION: Surgery in the temporomesial region is generally performed using a subtemporal, transtemporal, or pterional-transsylvian approach. However, these approaches may lead to approach-related trauma of the temporal lobe and frontotemporal operculum with subsequent postoperative neurological deficits. Iatrogenic traumatisation is especially significant if surgery is performed in the dominant hemisphere. METHODS: During a five-year period between January 2003 and December 2007, we have approached the temporomesial region in 21 cases via the supraorbital approach. In 15 cases, the lesion was located within the dominant hemisphere, all lesions had space-occupying effects. In all cases, meticulous approach planning was performed, demonstrating a close proximity of the lesion to the pial surface on the upper anterior mesial aspect of the temporal lobe. An extension within the parahippocampal gyrus or with deep temporobasal tumor growth below the sphenoid wing were considered as exclusion criteria for using the supraorbital approach. RESULTS: In all cases surgery was performed without intraoperative complications. Pathological investigation showed 7 low-grade astrocytomas, 4 high-grade astrocytomas, 2 gangliogliomas and 2 cavernomas. Early postoperative MRI scans confirmed a complete removal of the lesion in 14 cases. In one case of a subtotal resection, the residual tumor was removed through a posterior subtemporal approach. The postoperative neurological examination was unchanged in 14 cases. In one case a transient hemiparesis was observed. In patients with dominant-sided lesions no speech or mental deficits were present. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, the minimally invasive supraorbital craniotomy offers excellent surgical efficiency in the temporomesial region with no approach-related morbidity compared to a standard transtemporal or pterional-transsylvian approach