Fault location estimation is a very important question in electric power system, in order to isolate the fault as soon as possible, and to recover the system with minimal interruptions. In that way, electric equipment is less stressed, and buyers more satisfied. Electric power lines are exposed to environment and probability of line failure is generally higher than other system element failure. Current electric power systems are equipped with high sampling rate power quality meters that are installed in the places of common coupling with distribution systems or high voltage consumers. Data obtained by these power quality meters, especially the voltage and current harmonics present a valuable information about system behavior, even in the faulty conditions. In this paper fault location and fault resistance is estimated by using a combination of artificial neural networks and voltage and current harmonics measured by power quality meters installed only in important system busbars. Results obtained from the real 110 kV transmission system show that a proposed algorithm can be used successfully in fault location and fault resistance estimation in one part of the electric power system. This paper makes a contribution to the existing body of knowledge by developing and testing a new method whose application represents a natural and a feasible upgrade using the existing measurement and communication equipment.

Synchronization and ranging in internet of things $(IoT)$ networks are challenging due to the narrowband nature of signals used for communication between IoT nodes. Recently, several estimators for range estimation using phase difference of arrival $(PDoA)$ measurements of narrowband signals have been proposed. However, these estimators are based on data models which do not consider the impact of clock-skew on the range estimation. In this paper, clock-skew and range estimation are studied under a unified framework. We derive a novel and precise data model for PDoA measurements which incorporates the unknown clock-skew effects. We then formulate joint estimation of the clock-skew and range as a two-dimensional (2-D) frequency estimation problem of a single complex sinusoid. Furthermore, we propose: (i) a two-way communication protocol for collecting PDoA measurements and (ii) a weighted least squares (WLS) algorithm for joint estimation of clock-skew and range leveraging the shift invariance property of the measurement data. Finally, through numerical experiments, the performance of the proposed protocol and estimator is compared against the Cramér Rao lower bound demonstrating that the proposed estimator is asymptotically efficient.

The “golden” channel, in which the newly-discovered Higgs boson decays to four leptons by means of intermediate vector bosons, is important for determining the properties of the Higgs boson and for searching for subtle new physics effects. Different approaches exist for parametrizing the relevant Higgs couplings in this channel; here we relate the use of pseudo-observables to methods based on specifying the most general amplitude or Lagrangian terms for the HVV interactions. We also provide projections for sensitivity in this channel in several novel scenarios, illustrating the use of pseudo-observables, and analyze the role of kinematic distributions and (ratios of) rates in such H → 4ℓ studies.

Article history: Received 3 June 2018 Received in revised form 15 August 2018 Accepted 20 August 2018 The development of ultra-hard cutting tool materials such as cubic boron nitride and ceramics exhibiting excellent wear resistance, chemical stability and hardness at high temperatures have enabled much higher cutting speeds and dry machining. In order to achieve high performance cutting, it is necessary to know the true properties of the cutting tool materials in real operating conditions as well as mechanisms of their failure. The aim of this paper is to determine the properties of certain types of polycrystalline advanced ceramics at a range of loading rates, including dynamics involved in these processes. In order to determine the dynamic fracture toughness of two grades of the material, a crack closure integral method was applied, showing some discrepancy to the static values at high loading rates.

This article deals with the normative trajectory of the constitutional right to a quality education, in the interdisciplinary perspective of Education and Law. It is linked to the activities of Master's Research in School of Education by Unesp – FCLAr and to the interdisciplinary studies of the Research Group on Educational Public Policies in Brazil, presented orally in the XII EIDE – Ibero-American Meeting of Education in Alcala in Spain. On methodological basis of qualitative research in education articulated to the hypothetical deductive methodology and argumentative-dialectical juridical analysis with emphasis on documental research with legal basis. It was prioritized to address the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 (CF), the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA) and the Law of Basic Guidelines of Education – Law 9.394/96 (LDB). It is worth noting the social relevance of this issue, it was approached the importance in the training of legal professionals iterated on the subject for the effective realization of this subjective public right and the quality indicators for the community.

Samples of white and red wines produced in two different wine-growing regions, coastal (Dalmatia) and continental (Hrvatsko zagorje) of Croatia, were analysed for biogenic amines content. Biogenic amines content was determined, and its concentration levels were associated with the geographical origin of the wine. Due to its high sensitivity, HPLC method with ultraviolet detector was used, including the derivatisation step with dansyl chloride. The method was applied to detect and quantify 11 biogenic amines in 48 red and white wines. It was found that both Dalmatian red and white wines are characterised by tryptamine (0.23–1.22 mg L−1), putrescine (0.41–7.5 mg L−1) and ethanolamine (2.87–24.32 mg L−1). White wines from the Hrvatsko zagorje region are characterised by content of isopentylamine (0.31–1.47 mg L−1), putrescine (0.27–1.49 mg L−1) and ethanolamine (3.80–17.96 mg L−1). In contrast to white wines from the Hrvatsko zagorje region, in the red wines, all biogenic amines except ethylamine, were found and equally presented.

This paper presents the performance analysis of five full-reference objective quality assessment measures on compressed high-resolution video sequences from two publicly available video datasets. Quantitative measures that were accepted by the international research community used in the performance analysis - the correlation coefficient of ranks and the linear correlation coefficient between subjective and objective quality scores. The performance analysis is carried out globally - the level of complete datasets and on subsets of sequences with common characteristics (compression type or source sequence). Three types of compressed video content were analyzed - H.265 and its predecessors H.264 and MPEG-2. The correlation between subjective and objective quality scores is analyzed in different scales (resolutions) of the video signal. From the analysis of the results, very important conclusions on the objective quality assessment of the compressed video signals were derived, as well as the directions for further work.

INTRODUCTION West Nile virus (WNV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies have been shown to persist for up to 500 days in certain patients. To evaluate the usefulness of immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity assessment in the diagnosis of WNV infection, we analyzed 54 WNV IgM- and/or IgG-positive serum samples from 39 patients with neuroinvasive disease and 15 asymptomatic cases tested during a seroprevalence investigation. METHODS Serological tests (WNV IgM/IgG antibody detection, IgG avidity) were performed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS WNV IgM antibodies were detected in 47 (87%) samples. Acute/recent WNV infection was confirmed based on low/borderline avidity index (AI) in 44 IgM-positive samples (93.6%). In three IgM-positive samples (6.4%), high IgG AIs were detected, thus indicating persisting IgM antibodies from previous infections. All IgM-negative samples showed high AIs. Patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease tested within 30 days showed low AIs. In six patients tested 34-50 days after disease onset, AI was borderline (42%-60%), suggesting earlier WNV IgG maturation. Samples with the highest IgM values were associated with the lowest AIs (Spearman's rho coefficient -0.767, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that IgG avidity differentiates current/recent WNV infection from persistent IgM seropositivity from the previous WNV transmission season both in patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease and in asymptomatic persons. A strong negative correlation between IgM antibody levels and AI indicates that in cases with very high IgM levels, determination of IgG avidity may not be necessary. As many patients showed rapid avidity maturation, low IgG avidity is indicative of WNV infection within the previous month.

This work was financially supported by: Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007457 (CONSTRUCT - Institute of R&D in Structures and Construction) and by project POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-007633 (ISISE), funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI), and by national funds through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia. FCT and FEDER (COMPETE2020) are also acknowledged for the funding of the research project IntegraCrete PTDC/ECMEST/1056/2014 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016841). The financial support of COST Action TU1404 through its several networking instruments is also gratefully acknowledged.

Introduction: Recent research reported that prolonged use of AET is associated with changes in bone metabolism, with consequent reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fractures. Objectives: Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine on serum levels of 25 -hydroxyvitamin D and on biomarker of bone formation and resorption (serum levels of osteocalcin). Material and methods: We measured serum levels of 25-OHD and osteocalcin (OCLN) in normal controls (n=30) and in epilepsy patients taking carbamazepine (CBZ) (n=50) in monotherapy for a period of at least twelve months. For each participant, mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. Results: The average value of vitamin D in serum was significantly lower in CBZ group than in control group (Vit D 17.03+12.86 vs. 32.03+6.99, p=0.0001). The average value of osteocalcin in serum was significantly higher in CBZ group than in control group (26.06+10.78 vs. 19.64+6, 54, p=0.004).BMD value in CBZ group was significantly lower than in control group (T. score CBZ: 0.08+1.38 vs. T. score control: 0.73+ 1.13, p=0.031; Z score CBZ:-0.05+1.17 vs. Z. score control: 0.55+0.79, p=0.015). Conclusion: AEDs are associated with bone disease, as evidenced by biochemical abnormalities and decreased BMD. Patients on long-term antiepileptic therapy, especially with enzyme-inducing agents, could benefit of routine measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover, and BMD measurement as part of osteoporosis investigation.

Introduction: Several analysis for different population conclude that endothelial plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 gene polymorphism, -675 ID, 4G/5G PAI-1 (ref SNP ID: rs1799889, also described as rs34857375, has merged into rs1799762) may increase risk of pregnancy loss (PL). However, there is a disagreement as to the association 4G allele with pregnancy loss. Aim: Therefore, we decided to investigate the -675 ID, 4G/5G PAI-1 as a potential genetic factor linked to PL in European and worldwide populations. A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted with the use of the PubMed and Scopus electronic databases (1991-present), using the following search terms: pregnancy loss, miscarriage, genetic risk of thrombophilia, rs1799889 PAI-1 gen, 4G/5G PAI-1 gene polymorphism, PAI-1 gene locus 4G/5G polymorphism. Results: Among European populations, the statistically significant association between 4G allele and recurrent PL only in Czechs and Bulgarian women was found (p<0.002 and p=0.018, respectively); while, among populations outside Europe in Iranian, Tunisian and Turkish women (each p<0.001). Conclusions: We concluded, that both in Europe and elsewhere in the world, the high frequency of 4G allele in population, is not unambiguously linked with the risk of pregnancy loss.