Queen's University Belfast

About: Queen's University Belfast is a education organization based out in Belfast, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 25457 authors who have published 55463 publications receiving 1751346 citations. The organization is also known as: Queen's College, Belfast & Queen's College.

Direct Power Control of DFIG With Constant Switching Frequency and Improved Transient Performance

Abstract: This paper proposes a new direct power control (DPC) strategy for a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine system. The required rotor control voltage, which eliminates active and reactive power errors within each fixed time period, is directly calculated based on stator flux, rotor position, and active and reactive powers and their corresponding errors. No extra power or current control loops are required, simplifying the system design, and improving transient performance. Constant converter switching frequency is achieved that eases the design of the power converter and the ac harmonic filter. Rotor voltage limit during transients is investigated, and a scheme is proposed that prioritizes the active and reactive power control such that one remains fully controlled while the error of the other is reduced. The impact of machine parameter variations on system performance is investigated and found negligible. Simulation results for a 2 MW DFIG system demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control strategy during variations of active and reactive power, machine parameters, and wind speed

Vitamin D and mortality: meta-analysis of individual participant data from a large consortium of cohort studies from Europe and the United States

Abstract: Objective To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (25(OH)D) and mortality in a large consortium of cohort studies paying particular attention to potential age, sex, season, and country differences. Design Meta-analysis of individual participant data of eight prospective cohort studies from Europe and the US. Setting General population. Participants 26 018 men and women aged 50-79 years Main outcome measures All-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Results 25(OH)D concentrations varied strongly by season (higher in summer), country (higher in US and northern Europe) and sex (higher in men), but no consistent trend with age was observed. During follow-up, 6695 study participants died, among whom 2624 died of cardiovascular diseases and 2227 died of cancer. For each cohort and analysis, 25(OH)D quintiles were defined with cohort and subgroup specific cut-off values. Comparing bottom versus top quintiles resulted in a pooled risk ratio of 1.57 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.81) for all-cause mortality. Risk ratios for cardiovascular mortality were similar in magnitude to that for all-cause mortality in subjects both with and without a history of cardiovascular disease at baseline. With respect to cancer mortality, an association was only observed among subjects with a history of cancer (risk ratio, 1.70 (1.00 to 2.88)). Analyses using all quintiles suggest curvilinear, inverse, dose-response curves for the aforementioned relationships. No strong age, sex, season, or country specific differences were detected. Heterogeneity was low in most meta-analyses. Conclusions Despite levels of 25(OH)D strongly varying with country, sex, and season, the association between 25(OH)D level and all-cause and cause-specific mortality was remarkably consistent. Results from a long term randomised controlled trial addressing longevity are being awaited before vitamin D supplementation can be recommended in most individuals with low 25(OH)D levels.

Interventions to prevent hypothermia at birth in preterm and/or low birthweight infants

Abstract: Background Keeping vulnerable preterm infants warm is problematic even when recommended routine thermal care guidelines are followed in the delivery suite. Objectives To assess efficacy and safety of interventions designed for prevention of hypothermia in preterm and/or low birthweight infants applied within 10 minutes after birth in the delivery suite compared with routine thermal care. Search methods We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group (CNRG). The review was updated in October 2009. Selection criteria Trials using randomised or quasi-randomised allocations to test a specific intervention designed to prevent hypothermia, (apart from 'routine' thermal care) applied within 10 minutes after birth in the delivery suite to infants of < 37 weeks' gestational age or birthweight ≤ 2500 g. Data collection and analysis We used the methods of the CNRG for data collection and analysis. Main results 1) Barriers to heat loss [5 studies; plastic wrap or bag (3), plastic cap (1), stockinet cap (1)]: Plastic wraps or bags were effective in reducing heat losses in infants < 28 weeks' gestation (4 studies, n = 223; WMD 0.68 °C; 95% CI 0.45, 0.91), but not in infants between 28 to 31 week's gestation. Plastic caps were effective in reducing heat losses in infants < 29 weeks' gestation (1 study, n = 64; MD 0.80 °C; 95% CI 0.41, 1.19). There was insufficient evidence to suggest that either plastic wraps or plastic caps reduce the risk of death within hospital stay. There was no evidence of significant differences in other clinical outcomes for either the plastic wrap/bag or the plastic cap comparisons. Stockinet caps were not effective in reducing heat losses. 2) External heat sources [2 studies; skin-to-skin (1), transwarmer mattress (1)]: Skin-to-skin care (SSC) was shown to be effective in reducing the risk of hypothermia when compared to conventional incubator care for infants (1 study, n = 31; RR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01, 0.64). The transwarmer mattress reduced the incidence of hypothermia on admission to NICU in VLBW infants (1 study, n = 24; RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.11, 0.83). Authors' conclusions Plastic wraps or bags, plastic caps, SSC and transwarmer mattresses all keep preterm infants warmer leading to higher temperatures on admission to neonatal units and less hypothermia. However, the small numbers of infants and studies and the absence of long-term follow-up mean that firm recommendations for clinical practice cannot be given.

Electron scattering by complex atoms

Abstract: A theory of electron scattering by complex atoms is developed in which the target atomic eigenstates and pseudostates are written as linear sums of configurations and the incident electron wave function is expanded in terms of orbitals which satisfy logarithmic boundary conditions on the surface of a sphere. The radius of the sphere is chosen so that exchange between the scattered and atomic electrons is only important within the sphere but full allowance must be made for the long range atomic potentials which exist outside of the sphere. Both the bound and the continuum calculations involve a diagonalization of the Hamiltonian in the appropriate basis and these calculations are arranged so that they use the same analytic procedures and computer codes. Finally, the construction of the S-matrix and the cross section matrix is discussed.