Ensemble Deep Learning for Detecting Onset of Abnormal Operation in Industrial Multi-component Systems

Breakdowns and unplanned shutdowns in industrial processes and equipment can lead to significant loss of availability and revenue. It is imperative to perform optimal maintenance of such systems when signs of abnormal behavior are detected and before they propagate and lead to catastrophic failure. This is particularly challenging in systems with interconnected multiple components as it is difficult to isolate the effect of one component on the operation of other components in the system. In this work, an ensemble approach based on Cascaded Convolutional neural network and Long Short-term Memory (CC-LSTM) network models is proposed for detecting and predicting the time of onset of faults in interconnected multicomponent systems. The performance of the ensemble CC-LSTM model was demonstrated on an industrial 4-component system and was found to improve the accuracy of onset time predictions by ~15% compared to individual CC-LSTM models and ~25-40% compared to commonly used deep learning techniques such as dense neural networks, convolutional neural networks and LSTMs. The CC-LSTM and the ensemble models also had the lowest missed detection rates and zero false positive rates making them ideal for real-time monitoring and fault detection in multicomponent systems

Variations in the SDN Loop of Class A Beta-Lactamases: A Study of the Molecular Mechanism of BlaC (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) to Alter the Stability and Catalytic Activity Towards Antibiotic Resistance of MBIs

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis calls for an immediate search for novel treatment strategies. Recently, BlaC, the principal beta-lactamase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was recognized as a potential therapeutic target. BlaC belongs to Ambler class A, which is generally susceptible to the beta-lactamase inhibitors currently used in clinics: tazobactam, sulbactam, and clavulanate. Alterations at Ser130 in conserved SDN loop confer resistance to mechanism-based inhibitors (MBIs) commonly observed in various clinical isolates. The absence of clinical evidence of S130G conversion in M. tuberculosis draws our attention to build laboratory mutants of S130G and S130A of BlaC. The study involving steady state, inhibition kinetics, and fluorescence microscopy shows the emergence of resistance against MBIs to the mutants expressing S130G and S130A. To understand the molecular reasoning behind the unavailability of such mutation in real life, we have used circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and stability-based enzyme activity to compare the stability and dynamic behaviors of native and S130G/A mutant form of BlaC. A significant decrease in melting temperature (BlaC T M 60°C, S130A T M 50°C, and S130G T M 45°C), kinetic instability at higher temperature, and comparative dynamic instability correlate the fact that resistance to beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations will likely not arise from the structural alteration of BlaC, therefore establishing confidence that this therapeutic modality can be potentially applied as a part of a successful treatment regimen against M. tuberculosis

Mitotic chromosome binding predicts transcription factor properties in interphase

Mammalian transcription factors (TFs) differ broadly in their nuclear mobility and sequence-specific/non-specific DNA binding. How these properties affect their ability to occupy specific genomic sites and modify the epigenetic landscape is unclear. The association of TFs with mitotic chromosomes observed by fluorescence microscopy is largely mediated by non-specific DNA interactions and differs broadly between TFs. Here we combine quantitative measurements of mitotic chromosome binding (MCB) of 501 TFs, TF mobility measurements by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, single molecule imaging of DNA binding, and mapping of TF binding and chromatin accessibility. TFs associating to mitotic chromosomes are enriched in DNA-rich compartments in interphase and display slower mobility in interphase and mitosis. Remarkably, MCB correlates with relative TF on-rates and genome-wide specific site occupancy, but not with TF residence times. This suggests that non-specific DNA binding properties of TFs regulate their search efficiency and occupancy of specific genomic sites

Prospective, multicentre study of screening, investigation and management of hyponatraemia after subarachnoid haemorrhage in the UK and Ireland

Background: Hyponatraemia often occurs after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). However, its clinical significance and optimal management are uncertain. We audited the screening, investigation and management of hyponatraemia after SAH. Methods: We prospectively identified consecutive patients with spontaneous SAH admitted to neurosurgical units in the United Kingdom or Ireland. We reviewed medical records daily from admission to discharge, 21 days or death and extracted all measurements of serum sodium to identify hyponatraemia (<135 mmol/L). Main outcomes were death/dependency at discharge or 21 days and admission duration >10 days. Associations of hyponatraemia with outcome were assessed using logistic regression with adjustment for predictors of outcome after SAH and admission duration. We assessed hyponatraemia-free survival using multivariable Cox regression. Results: 175/407 (43%) patients admitted to 24 neurosurgical units developed hyponatraemia. 5976 serum sodium measurements were made. Serum osmolality, urine osmolality and urine sodium were measured in 30/166 (18%) hyponatraemic patients with complete data. The most frequently target daily fluid intake was >3 L and this did not differ during hyponatraemic or non-hyponatraemic episodes. 26% (n/N=42/164) patients with hyponatraemia received sodium supplementation. 133 (35%) patients were dead or dependent within the study period and 240 (68%) patients had hospital admission for over 10 days. In the multivariable analyses, hyponatraemia was associated with less dependency (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.35 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.69)) but longer admissions (aOR=3.2 (1.8 to 5.7)). World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade I–III, modified Fisher 2–4 and posterior circulation aneurysms were associated with greater hazards of hyponatraemia. Conclusions: In this comprehensive multicentre prospective-adjusted analysis of patients with SAH, hyponatraemia was investigated inconsistently and, for most patients, was not associated with changes in management or clinical outcome. This work establishes a basis for the development of evidence-based SAH-specific guidance for targeted screening, investigation and management of high-risk patients to minimise the impact of hyponatraemia on admission duration and to improve consistency of patient care

Change in Requirement of Propofol During Subsequent Sessions of Intracavitary Brachytherapy Applications

Cancer cervix patients need intracavitary brachytherapy as a treatment modality for which sedation is needed. Usually each patient requires 4 cycles. Propofol dose requirement was studied in subsequent cycles to see any increase in dose as the cycle progresses. Materials and Methods: After approval of the hospital ethical committee, 60 American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) I and II patients were studied for change in their haemodynamic variables and Propofol doses to maintain the sedation level at Modified Ramsay Sedation Score (MRSS) of 8 which is required for brachytherapy procedure. Results: There was no statistically significant change in a haemodynamic variables over subsequent cycles. The Propofol doses initially decreased but then increased to near previous doses only to maintain MRSS of 8. Conclusion: On the basis of present study we concluded that average Propofol doses did not increase in subsequent cycles to maintain the appropriate sedation level for the procedure

Psychological challenges encountered by health care professionals having a risk of accidental exposure and its impact on their wellbeing in a non-covid hospital during the prevailing pandemic

Health care professionals played and are still playing a crucial role in containing the spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV 2). While being a frontliner and saving the lives of patients, healthcare professionals (HCP’s) have encountered physical but varied levels and types of psychological challenges. Psychological challenges faced by HCP’s at covid care centres have been highlighted by many researches and publications. The purpose of this study was to highlight the psychological challenges encountered by HCP’s at a non-covid cancer care institute. A self-designed survey about psychological challenges (physical changes, anxiety, perceived fear, depression, awareness, and positivity) experienced by HCP’s with purposive sampling (Doctors) was conducted in a tertiary cancer care institute. Results revealed that fear and anxiety of getting infected and infecting their significant others was significantly high among HCP’s. To maintain an effective, encouraging, and motivating workforce, psychological interventions played a key role

Prevalance of Nasal Carriage of Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccocus aureus in Health Care Workers

Background: Prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers is a known risk factor for nosocomial infections. In developing countries like India, this risk factor can have serious socioeconomic impact and hence there is need of data and also policy for MRSA infection control.Aim and Objectives: Present study was aimed at establishing the carriage of MRSA among healthcare workers of Peoples College of Medical Sciences, Bhopal M.P and at formulating an MRSA control policy, based on the outcomes. Material and methods: We screened 100 healthcare workers of the Peoples Hospital, Bhopal MP, for MRSA. Swabs taken from both anterior nares were transported, inoculated onto mannitol salt agar (MSA) and incubated aerobically at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Gram positive cocci in clusters, with positive catalase, coagulase and DNAse tests, were identified as S.aureus. Further categorization of S aureus into MRSA was done by using cefoxitin disc diffusion Method.Results: The number of strains @ S. aureus which was isolated from our 100 participants was nine. Three of the nine isolates of S. aureus, were MRSA as identified by cefoxitin disc diffusion method.Conclusion: MRSA carriage among healthcare workers at Peoples Hospital was 3%, which is comfortably low. The existing infection control policy in our hospital are effective in controlling carrier and transmission risk