Search

Many of the methods used for estimating population size from ecological surveys have limitations on precision, cost, and/or applicability. The CountEm method was proposed recently for estimating the number of individuals in large groups from single images. It is simple and efficient, and can be applied to any species. Here we present a case study by applying CountEm to a real ecological survey with 278 images of Greater Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens atlanticus) and Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) flocks taken from fixed-wing aircraft in Eastern Canada. First, we evaluated the precision and counting time of CountEm on single images. Second, we developed and tested a new multi-image version of the CountEm software. We show that flock sizes of N?>?35,000 can be estimated on single images in ?5 min, from counting a sample of ?200 birds, yielding relative SEs in the 5%?10% range. Processing times increased to 10?20?min when simultaneously processing large numbers of images that contained over half a million birds with only modest increases in relative SE (range: 10%?15%). Our results suggest that CountEm may be used to save time and resources if incorporated into monitoring programs that utilize imagery in the abundance estimates. Proyecto Puente (Contrato Programa Gobierno de Cantabria-Universidad de Cantabria), Consejería de Universidades, Igualdad, Cultura y Deporte del Gobierno de Cantabria

This article presents and tests the performance of a digital differential protection for three-phase ( $3\phi$ ) converter transformers. The proposed digital differential protection is developed to comply with the ANSI 87T protection procedure. The presented protection is featured with fault detection based on the energy contents of the high-frequency subbands of the $d{-}q$ axis components of differential currents. Desired energy contents are extracted using the phaselet transform (PHT), which can process signals without sensitivity to the variations in their phase shifts. Energy contents of the high-frequency subbands offer accurate, fast, and reliable detection, and identification of internal faults in any part of a $3\phi$ converter transformer. The $d{-}q$ PHT-based digital differential protection is implemented for performance evaluation using different $3\phi$ converter transformers, when feeding controlled rectifier units. Performance results demonstrate accurate, fast, and reliable detection, and response to different types of fault, and nonfault events. Response features of the developed differential protection are complimented with simple implementation, reduced computations, and minor sensitivity to phase shifts, fault location, and loading levels.

This article presents a new approach for estimating the frequency variations ( $Df$ ) due to applying smart grid functions on a load bus. The proposed approach is based on constructing a ZIP model for the power demands at a load bus that is controlled by smart grid functions.The constructed ZIP model provides a relationship between the active and reactive power demands and the frequency at any load bus. This relationship can be formulated as a set of nonlinear equations, which can be numerically solved for $Df$ . The load-model approach is implemented for performance evaluation using load buses in the IEEE 30-bus power system under different loading levels. Performance results show that the proposed approach has a simple implementation, and can provide an accurate estimation of frequency variations due to slow and small changes load power demands. Furthermore, performance results reveal the insensitivity of the load-model approach to load power demands and/or seasonal changes in load power demands.

Solid-state transformers (SSTs) have diverse designs and constructions that make them suitable for various industrial applications, including distributions systems. This new breed of transformers has been developed to support the typical functionalities of core-type distribution transformers, along with new functionalities, such as controlling power flows, integrating dc distribution systems, utilizing distributed generation and storage units, supporting load-side voltage/frequency control, and improving the power quality. As SSTs become candidates for distribution systems, their deployment can pose challenges for distribution systems. Such challenges include the cost, protection, size and weight, efficiency, and adequate grounding designs. This article discusses some of the challenges that face the deployment of SSTs in distribution systems. In addition, this article provides a comparison between core-type and SST transformers for applications in distribution systems. The comparison between the transformers is made in terms of their efficiency, cost, and weight. Finally, this article makes several recommendations for future works that can further facilitate the deployment of SSTs in distribution systems.

The Eastern Canada (ECA) Flocks data set consists of manually annotated images from the Common Eider (COEI, Somateria mollissima) Winter Survey and the Greater Snow Geese (GSGO, Anser caerulescens atlanticus) Spring Survey. The images were taken in eastern Canada using fixed-wing aircraft and manually annotated with ImageJ's Cell counter plugins. We selected and annotated the ECA Flocks images in order to test the precision of the CountEm flock size estimation method. ECA Flocks includes 179 COEI and 99 GSGO single flock images. We cut each image manually to a rectangle that excluded large parts of the image with no birds. Both versions (original and cut) of each image are available in the data set. We manually annotated 637,555 (124,309 COEI and 514,235 GSGO) bird positions in the cut images from both surveys. Each bird has an associated "Type," which refers to species and/or sex. Sex identification was only possible for adult common eiders, because females and immature males are brown birds, whereas adult males have mainly white plumage. In the COEI images 64,484 males and 58,029 females, as well as 1,796 birds of other species, were identified. In the GSGO images 504,891 Snow Geese and 9,344 birds of other species were labeled. A .csv file including all annotated bird positions and types is available for each image. The COEI and GSGO photos of the ECA Flocks data set were taken in the years 2006 and 2018 and 2016-2018, respectively. We selected these photos in order to include images with different quality and resolution. COEI and GSGO flock sizes range from 6 to 4,154 and from 43 to 36,241 respectively. There is high variability in light conditions, backgrounds, and number and spatial arrangement of birds across the images. The data set is therefore potentially useful to test the precision of methods for analyzing imagery to estimate the abundance of animals by directly detecting, identifying, and counting individuals. We release these data into the public domain under a Creative Commons Zero license waiver. When you use the data in your publication, cite this data paper. Should ECA Flocks be a major part of the data analyzed in your study, you should consider inviting the ECA Flocks originators as collaborators. If you plan to use the ECA Flocks data set, we request that you contact the ECA Flocks core team to learn whether updates are available, and whether similar analyses are already ongoing.

Induction motors (IMs) are among the fully developed electromechanical technologies that are still in use today. Over the course of the last century, their structure, control, and operation have been undergone through several stages of development. Among stages of development, the automated control and continuous monitoring of IMs has benefited from the emergence of modern artificial intelligence (AI) methods. IM automation schemes have demonstrated the ability to provide machine fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) function. AI-based FDD methods in IMs have employed frequency-domain, time–frequency, and time-domain analyses as the basis of their feature extraction schemes. A promising feature extraction scheme is one that uses symmetrical components (SCs) in time-domain FDD systems. Current SC-based approaches, however, are limited in their generalizability to different fault classes, may require detailed machine models, and can suffer from computational limitations. In this paper, an improved feature extraction method that uses SCs for a pattern recognition based FDD scheme for three-phase ( $3\phi$ ) IMs will be presented. This novel feature extraction method will be implemented and verified experimentally to demonstrate high classification performance, increased generalizability, and low computational cost.

Solid-state transformers (SSTs) are an emerging technology that has been developed to improve the stability, reliability, and economic operation of distribution systems. These new transformers are composed of a medium ac voltage (MV) stage, a dc stage, and a low ac voltage (LV) stage. Passive and active dc links are used to construct the dc stage in SSTs in order to offer new functionalities, including hybrid (ac and dc) distribution, reactive power compensation, voltage/frequency regulation, power quality improvement, and distributed generation utilization. On one hand, a distribution SST has its ac stage connected to an MV level, which mandates specific power electronic converter (PEC) topologies, switching element capabilities, and filtering circuits. On the other hand, the dc-link stage has to provide isolation between the MV and LV levels, which requires the employment of isolated dc PECs. Part I of this work provides a review of SST designs and constructions (for deployment in distribution systems), in terms of the required technology, supported functionalities, and construction features.

This paper presents the development, analysis, and performance evaluation of a new topology for an isolated dc power electronic converter (PEC). The proposed topology (called the reverse flyback dc PEC ) is developed to process a discontinuous input voltage and produce a continuous output voltage. The reverse flyback dc PEC is operated based on charging the inductive element in the high-frequency transformer, while discharging the energy to the output side through on – off actions of the switching element, which is located on the secondary side of the high-frequency transformer. A prototype for the proposed reverse flyback dc PEC is constructed to evaluate its performance under different operating conditions. Performance results show that the reverse flyback dc PEC is capable of processing discontinuous input voltages with different duty ratios and maintaining continuous output voltages with a minor sensitivity to the load type of ratings.

This paper compares the performances of protection coordination [time setting and zone selection interlocking (ZSI)] and digital modular protection, when deployed for grid-connected battery storage systems (BSSs). The comparison between these protection management methods is made in terms of their structures, functionalities, and response capabilities. These criteria are selected to demonstrate possible impacts of the system configuration and mode of operating a grid-connected BSS on protection responses. The performance comparison among the time-setting coordination, the ZSI coordination, and the digital modular protection is conducted for different grid-connected BSSs, when operated for various fault and non-fault conditions. Performance results show that the protection coordination can offer a simple structure that is set to achieve specific response (TRIP and RESTRAIN). In addition, performance results show that the digital modular protection can offer diverse responses (TRIP, RESTRAIN, and ACTIVATE), which mandate for a digital implementation.

This paper presents the development, implementation, and performance evaluation of a new active dc link for permanent magnet generator (PMG)-based wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). The proposed dc link is developed based on the multiport converter (MPC) topology with two dc–dc power electronic converters (PECs) that have separate inputs and parallel-connected outputs. The first dc–dc PEC is designed as a boost converter, while the second dc–dc PEC is designed as a flyback converter. Each dc–dc PEC is operated and controlled independently to facilitate processing continuous and/or discontinuous input dc voltages. The performance of the MPC active dc-link is experimentally evaluated using a grid-connected 7.5-kW PMG-based WECS, when operated under different wind speeds and/or levels of power delivery to the host grid. Test results show that the proposed dc link can produce a high-quality-regulated dc output voltage over a wide range of wind speeds and levels of power delivery to the host grid. Performance results also demonstrate that the operation of the MPC active dc link has minor impacts on the operation and control of the generator-side and grid-side PECs.

This paper presents a new digital differential protection for three phase $(3\phi)$ converter transformers. The proposed digital differential protection is developed to comply with the Standard ANSI 87 $T$ , and is designed to detect and identify internal faults based on the energy contents of the high frequency subbands present in the $d$ - q-axis components of the differential currents. Desired energy contents are quantified using the phaselet transform (PHT), which can process signals without sensitivity to the variations in their phase shifts. Energy contents of the high frequency sub-bands offer accurate, fast, and reliable detection and identification of internal faults in any part of a $3\phi$ converter transformer. The $d$ - $q$ PHT-based digital differential protection is implemented for performance evaluation using different $3\phi$ converter transformers, when feeding controlled rectifier units. Performance results demonstrate accurate, fast and reliable detection and response to different types of fault and non-fault events. Response features of the developed differential protection are complimented with simple implementation, reduced computations, and minor sensitivity to phase shifts.

The development of models to predict yield potential and quality of a Miscanthus crop must consider climatic limitations and the duration of growing season. As a biomass crop, yield and quality are impacted by the timing of plant developmental transitions such as flowering and senescence. Growth models are available for the commercially grown clone Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg), but breeding programs have been working to expand the germplasm available, including development of interspecies hybrids. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of diverse germplasm beyond the range of environments considered suitable for a Miscanthus crop to be grown. To achieve this, six field sites were planted as part of the EU OPTIMISC project in 2012 in a longitudinal gradient from West to East: Wales—Aberystwyth, Netherlands—Wageningen, Stuttgart—Germany, Ukraine—Potash, Turkey—Adana, and Russia—Moscow. Each field trial contained three replicated plots of the same 15 Miscanthus germplasm types. Through the 2014 growing season, phenotypic traits were measured to determine the timing of developmental stages key to ripening; the tradeoff between growth (yield) and quality (biomass ash and moisture content). The hottest site (Adana) showed an accelerated growing season, with emergence, flowering and senescence occurring before the other sites. However, the highest yields were produced at Potash, where emergence was delayed by frost and the growing season was shortest. Flowering triggers varied with species and only in Mxg was strongly linked to accumulated thermal time. Our results show that a prolonged growing season is not essential to achieve high yields if climatic conditions are favorable and in regions where the growing season is bordered by frost, delaying harvest can improve quality of the harvested biomass.

This study has measured the longitudinal and transverse (T2* relaxivity curves for ProHance (Gadoteridol), Vasovist (Gadofosveset) and deoxyhemoglobin at 1.5, 3.0, and 7.0 Tesla. The plots of R(1) versus both contrast agent and deoxyhemoglobin concentration were linear. The plots of R2* versus deoxyhemoglobin concentration showed a quadratic dependence. R2* versus contrast agent concentration showed a parabolic dependence with a minimum occurring at contrast agent concentrations of approximately 1.5 mM, corresponding to an accessible concentration in vivo. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to support the hypothesis that the minimum results from the susceptibility of the red blood cells being matched to the susceptibility of the plasma. Relaxivity values (s(-1)mM(-1)) for R2* and R1 for all agents and all three field strengths are given.

This study aims to improve the method used to produce cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) maps by MRI. Previous methods have used a standard boxcar presentation of carbon dioxide (CO(2)). Here this is replaced with a sinusoidally modulated CO(2) stimulus. This allowed the use of Fourier analysis techniques to measure both the amplitude and phase delay of the BOLD CVR response, and hence characterize the arrival sequence of blood to different regions of the brain. This characterization revealed statistically significant relative delays between regions of the brain (ANOVA < 0.0001). In addition, post hoc comparison showed that the frontal (P < 0.001) and parietal (P = 0.004) lobes reacted earlier than the occipital lobe. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In 2009 The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) Policy Enabled Coalition Communications (PECC) environment Project Arrangement (PA) officially began to investigate scalable and distributed network management and control approaches that addressed policy-enabled networking, management and security across different coalition domains. This paper highlights the progress of the work undertaken: the characterisation of military coalition networks, and the creation of both a framework for Quality of Protection (QoP) via overlay networks and techniques for policy based network management in coalition black core networks. Finally, the application of QoP to develop a mechanism for trust based path selection is explored.

We examined the effects of fishing with crustacean traps on benthic species in Great Britain by means of qualitative and quantitative experiments. Experimental sites were selected where fishing using pots or creels was practised regularly and where species perceived to be potentially sensitive to damage were present. The effect of Nephrops creels on different sea pen species was studied in Scottish sea lochs. Sea pens were observed to bend in response to the pressure wave before the creel made contact. After smothering and even uprooting, they re-established themselves when in contact with muddy substrate. Observations of lobster and crab pots being hauled from rocky substrates in southern England, revealed that the habitats and their communities appeared relatively unaffected by potting. The slow-growing, long-lived, pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa were observed to flex under the weight of pots as they passed and then returned back to an upright position. Quantitative studies, undertaken in south England and west Wales, were based on surveys carried out along transect lines before and after a month of pot fishing for crabs and lobsters. The results suggest that four weeks of fairly intense fishing did not have immediate detrimental effects on the abundance of the species selected for study, although some individual ross coral colonies (Pentapora foliacea) were damaged.

OBJECTIVE To assess the provision of accurate pre-symptomatic genetic testing with DNA analysis and appropriate counselling for individuals and families known to be at high risk of developing familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-one families with clinically and pathologically documented FAP were ascertained from the Western Australian Polyposis Registry. DNA was collected from over 200 individuals in these families to establish their genetic risk status for FAP, either by direct mutation analysis, or by linkage analysis. Individuals undergoing DNA testing were given intensive psychosocial support and counselling. RESULTS In 19 families DNA-based counselling could not be offered because either the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutation could not be detected or there were insufficient family members for linkage analysis. Gene testing yielded mutations of the APC gene in 87 individuals from 12 families; by gene tracking (or linkage analysis) in three families and by mutation analysis in the remaining nine (four of which had only one affected individual). DNA results conformed with a definite clinicopathological diagnosis in 27 FAP patients and, of the remaining 60 high-risk subjects tested, 14 had inherited the mutated APC gene. CONCLUSIONS DNA analysis allowed accurate genetic counselling for 12 of 31 families affected by FAP, thus improving the medical and personal management in asymptomatic people who would otherwise be subjected to the uncertainty of long term surveillance and repeated colonic examinations. In future a superior biomolecular approach to gene mutation analysis, such as the protein truncation test, will facilitate management for most FAP individuals and families.

Naval at sea (maritime tactical) networks are characterised by a dynamic, heterogeneous, and low-bandwidth environment. There is a critical need for Traffic Engineering (TE) mechanisms to support traffic prioritisation and resource optimisation in this environment. A desirable management service in this environment is end-to-end guaranteed bandwidth for critical application flows. Solutions such as RSVP are not appropriate for the maritime environment where links are error prone and easily overloaded. This paper describes the Resource Reservation Service (RRS), a policy-enabled flow-based TE management service developed specifically for the low-bandwidth, high-error rate, and mobility of the maritime environment. This service includes several novel features including multi-path probing, bi-directional reservations, and full policy control. The value of multi-path probing is demonstrated by simulation.

This paper reports on the development status of a Multimedia Asset Management (MAM) test-bed for content-based indexing and retrieval of audio-visual documents within the MPEG-7 standard. The project, called "MPEG-7 AudioVisual Document Indexing System" (MADIS), specifically targets the indexing and retrieval of video shots and key frames from documentary film archives, based on audio-visual content like face recognition, motion activity, speech recognition and semantic clustering. The MPEG-7/XML encoding of the film database is done off-line. The description decomposition is based on a temporal decomposition into visual segments (shots), key frames and audio/speech subsegments. The visible outcome will be a web site that allows video retrieval using a proprietary XQuery-based search engine and accessible to members at the Canadian National Film Board (NFB) Cineroute site. For example, end-user will be able to ask to point on movie shots in the database that have been produced in a specific year, that contain the face of a specific actor who tells a specific word and in which there is no motion activity. Video streaming is performed over the high bandwidth CA*net network deployed by CANARIE, a public Canadian Internet development organization.