Particle filter-based delamination shape prediction in composites subjected to fatigue loading

Modeling generic size features of delamination, such as area or length, has long been considered in the literature for damage prognosis in composites through specific models describing damage state evolution with load cycles or time. However, the delamination shape has never been considered, despite that it holds important information for damage diagnosis and prognosis, including the delamination area, its center, and perimeter, useful for structural safety evaluation. In this context, this paper develops a novel particle filter (PF)-based framework for delamination shape prediction. To this end, the delamination image is discretized by a mesh, where control points are defined as intersections between the grid lines and the perimeter of the delamination. A parametric data-driven function maps each point position as a function of the load cycles and is initially fitted on a sample test. Then, a PF is independently implemented for each node whereby to predict their future positions along the mesh lines, thus allowing delamination shape progression estimates. The new framework is demonstrated with reference to experimental tests of fatigue delamination growth in composite panels with ultrasonics C-scan monitoring

Modelling adaptive systems using plausible petri nets

One of the main challenges when analyzing and modelling complex systems using Petri nets is to deal with uncertain information, and moreover, to be able to use such uncertainty to dynamically adapt the modelled system to uncertain (changing) contextual conditions. Such self-adaptation relies on some form of learning capability of the Petri net, which can be hardly implemented using the existing Petri net formalisms. This paper shows how uncertainty management and self-adaptation can be achieved naturally using Plausible Petri Nets, a new Petri net paradigm recently developed by the authors. The methodology is exemplified using a case study about railway track asset management, where several track maintenance and inspection activities are modelled jointly with a stochastic track geometry degradation process using a Plausible Petri net. The resulting expert system is shown to be able to autonomously adapt to contextual changes coming from noisy condition monitoring data. This adaptation is carried out taking advantage of a Bayesian updating mechanism which is inherently implemented in the execution semantics of the Plausible Petri net

In-depth proteomics characterization of ∆Np73 effectors identifies key proteins with diagnostic potential implicated in lymphangiogenesis, vasculogenesis and metastasis in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Alterations in proteins of the p53-family are a common event in CRC. ΔNp73, a p53-family member, shows oncogenic properties and its effectors are largely unknown. We performed an in-depth proteomics characterization of transcriptional control by ∆Np73 of the secretome of human colon cancer cells and validated its clinical potential. The secretome was analyzed using high-density antibody microarrays and stable isotopic metabolic labeling. Validation was performed by semiquantitative PCR, ELISA, dot-blot and western blot analysis. Evaluation of selected effectors was carried out using 60 plasma samples from CRC patients, individuals carrying premalignant colorectal lesions and colonoscopy-negative controls. In total, 51 dysregulated proteins were observed showing at least 1.5-foldchange in expression. We found an important association between the overexpression of ∆Np73 and effectors related to lymphangiogenesis, vasculogenesis and metastasis, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the putative aminoacyl tRNA synthase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1 (EMAP-II)–vascular endothelial growth factor C–vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 axis. We further demonstrated the usefulness of BDNF as a potential CRC biomarker able to discriminate between CRC patients and premalignant individuals from controls with high sensitivity and specificity.This study has been funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project “PI18/00473” and co-funded by the European Union (FEDER funds) and Catedra UAM-Roche en Medicina de Innovacion to GD, and the Ramon y Cajal Programme of the MINECO, PI17CIII/00045 and PI20CIII/00019 research projects from AES-ISCIII to RB. MG-A and JR-C were supported by contracts of the Programa Operativo de Empleo Juvenil y la Iniciativa de Empleo Juvenil (YEI) with the participation of the Consejerıa de Educacion, Juventud y Deporte de la Comunidad de Madrid y del Fondo Social Europeo. AM-C FPU predoctoral contract is supported by the MECD. GSF is a recipient of a predoctoral contract (grant number 1193818N) supported by The Flanders Research Foundation (FWO).Peer reviewe

Cytogenetic analysis of five Hypostomus species (Siluriformes, Loricariidae)

In this work, we analyzed the karyotypes of five Hypostomus species. Hypostomus cf. heraldoi, from the Mogi-Guaçu River, had 2n = 72 chromosomes, with a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) in one chromosomal pair. Hypostomus regani, from the Mogi-Guaçu River had 2n = 72 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus sp., from the Mogi-Guaçu River basin, had 2n = 68 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus aff. agna, from Cavalo Stream, had 2n = 74 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus cf. topavae, from Carrapato Stream, had 2n = 80 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus species showed marked diversity in the karyotypic formula, which suggested the occurrence of several Robertsonian rearrangements and pericentric inversions during the evolutionary history of this genus. This hypothesis was supported by the occurrence of a large number of uniarmed chromosomes and multiple NORs in a terminal position in most species and may be a derived condition in the Loricariidae

Allozyme differentiation of two populations of the genus Neoplecostomus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 (Teleostei, Loricariidae) from the upper Paraná River basin, Brazil

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to examine 12 enzymatic systems in two populations of the genus Neoplecostomus from the Paraná River basin. Samples of Neoplecostomus sp. 1 were collected in Paraitinguinha stream of the Tietê River basin, in the municipality of Salesópolis, São Paulo State, and those of Neoplecostomus sp. 2 from São Domingos stream of the Rio Grande River basin, in the municipality of Muzambinho, Minas Gerais State. The genetic variability of the two populations was estimated by Nei’s expected heterozygosity and was considered lower than average for populations of freshwater fish. The proportion of polymorphic loci was low (only 5.26% for the locus Idh). The low frequency of heterozygosity for both populations revealed a high fixation of alleles for each locus. Homozygote excess was observed in both populations. The values of Nei’s genetic identity and the presence of loci with different allele frequencies in both populations may imply that the two populations belong to different species. The genetic variability between populations was compared to other data for loricariids

Particle Filter-Based Delamination Shape Prediction in Composites

Modelling generic size feature of delamination, like area or length, has long been considered in the literature for damage prognosis in composites through specific models describing damage state evolution with load cycles or time. However, the delamination shape has never been considered, despite that it contains more damage information like the delamination area, center, and boundary for structural safety evaluation. In this context, this paper develops a novel particle filter-based framework for delamination shape prediction. To this end, the delamination image is discretized by a mesh, where control points are defined as intersections between the grid lines and the boundary of the delamination. A parametric data-driven function maps each point position as a function of the load cycles and is initially fitted on a sample test. Then, a particle filter is independently implemented for each node whereby to predict their future positions along the mesh lines, thus allowing delamination shape progression estimates. The new framework is demonstrated with reference to experimental tests of fatigue delamination growth in composite panels with ultrasonics C-scan monitoring

Osteoartritis cronica en un leon de montaña (Felis concolor) en cautiverio

A 23-year-old male Mountain Lion (Felis concolor) died after developing chronic lameness in the Zoological Park “El Pinar”, Caracas-Venezuela. Were practice euthanasia. Grossly, the radio-ulnar- humeral joint had severe bilateral lesions on the surface of the articular cartilage, with erosion of the cartilage and exposure of subcondral bone. There was approximately 1 ml of synovial fluid that was yellowish, and had a decreased viscosity. Histopathology revealed severe erosion and ulceration of the articular cartilage, with variable degrees of exposure of the subcondral bone. Bone tissue had defective osteoid matrix formation, and mineralization failure, resulting in loss of bone lamellae. Radiographic changes included decreased cortical density, trabecular growth pattern, fractures and microfractures. Failure in the formation of bone callus, and presence of osteophytes. These reports support the osteoarthritis and degenerative disease joint under conditions of captivity in a mountain lion.Un león de montaña (Felis concolor), macho de 23 años de edad Montaña desarrollo una claudicación crónica en el parque zoológico “El Pinar”, Caracas-Venezuela. Se le practico eutanasia. Macroscópicamente, la articulación humero-radio-cubital, presento severas lesiones bilaterales en la superficie del cartílago articular, con erosión del cartílago y exposición del hueso subcondral. Aproximadamente 1 ml de líquido sinovial presento de color era amarillento y una viscosidad disminuida. La histopatología reveló una severa erosión y ulceración del cartílago articular, con grados variables de exposición del hueso subcondral. El tejido óseo presento defectuosa formación de la matriz osteoide, con fallas en la mineralización, lo que resulta en la pérdida de laminillas óseas. Los cambios radiográficos incluyen disminución densidad cortical, el patrón de crecimiento trabecular, las fracturas y microfracturas. Fallas en la formación de callo óseo, y la presencia de osteofitos. Estos resultados son consistentes con artrosis y enfermedad degenerativa que son comunes en condiciones de cautiverio en el león de montaña

Osteoartritis crónica en un león de montaña (<i>Felis concolor</i>) en cautiverio

Un león de montaña (Felis concolor), macho de 23 años de edad Montaña desarrollo una claudicación crónica en el parque zoológico “El Pinar”, Caracas-Venezuela. Se le practico eutanasia. Macroscópicamente, la articulación humero-radio-cubital, presento severas lesiones bilaterales en la superficie del cartílago articular, con erosión del cartílago y exposición del hueso subcondral. Aproximadamente 1 ml de líquido sinovial presento de color era amarillento y una viscosidad disminuida. La histopatología reveló una severa erosión y ulceración del cartílago articular, con grados variables de exposición del hueso subcondral. El tejido óseo presento defectuosa formación de la matriz osteoide, con fallas en la mineralización, lo que resulta en la pérdida de laminillas óseas. Los cambios radiográficos incluyen disminución densidad cortical, el patrón de crecimiento trabecular, las fracturas y microfracturas. Fallas en la formación de callo óseo, y la presencia de osteofitos. Estos resultados son consistentes con artrosis y enfermedad degenerativa que son comunes en condiciones de cautiverio en el león de montaña.A 23-year-old male Mountain Lion (Felis concolor) died after developing chronic lameness in the Zoological Park “El Pinar”, Caracas-Venezuela. Were practice euthanasia. Grossly, the radio-ulnar- humeral joint had severe bilateral lesions on the surface of the articular cartilage, with erosion of the cartilage and exposure of subcondral bone. There was approximately 1 ml of synovial fluid that was yellowish, and had a decreased viscosity. Histopathology revealed severe erosion and ulceration of the articular cartilage, with variable degrees of exposure of the subcondral bone. Bone tissue had defective osteoid matrix formation, and mineralization failure, resulting in loss of bone lamellae. Radiographic changes included decreased cortical density, trabecular growth pattern, fractures and microfractures. Failure in the formation of bone callus, and presence of osteophytes. These reports support the osteoarthritis and degenerative disease joint under conditions of captivity in a mountain lion.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Osteoartritis crónica en un león de montaña (<i>Felis concolor</i>) en cautiverio

Un león de montaña (Felis concolor), macho de 23 años de edad Montaña desarrollo una claudicación crónica en el parque zoológico “El Pinar”, Caracas-Venezuela. Se le practico eutanasia. Macroscópicamente, la articulación humero-radio-cubital, presento severas lesiones bilaterales en la superficie del cartílago articular, con erosión del cartílago y exposición del hueso subcondral. Aproximadamente 1 ml de líquido sinovial presento de color era amarillento y una viscosidad disminuida. La histopatología reveló una severa erosión y ulceración del cartílago articular, con grados variables de exposición del hueso subcondral. El tejido óseo presento defectuosa formación de la matriz osteoide, con fallas en la mineralización, lo que resulta en la pérdida de laminillas óseas. Los cambios radiográficos incluyen disminución densidad cortical, el patrón de crecimiento trabecular, las fracturas y microfracturas. Fallas en la formación de callo óseo, y la presencia de osteofitos. Estos resultados son consistentes con artrosis y enfermedad degenerativa que son comunes en condiciones de cautiverio en el león de montaña.A 23-year-old male Mountain Lion (Felis concolor) died after developing chronic lameness in the Zoological Park “El Pinar”, Caracas-Venezuela. Were practice euthanasia. Grossly, the radio-ulnar- humeral joint had severe bilateral lesions on the surface of the articular cartilage, with erosion of the cartilage and exposure of subcondral bone. There was approximately 1 ml of synovial fluid that was yellowish, and had a decreased viscosity. Histopathology revealed severe erosion and ulceration of the articular cartilage, with variable degrees of exposure of the subcondral bone. Bone tissue had defective osteoid matrix formation, and mineralization failure, resulting in loss of bone lamellae. Radiographic changes included decreased cortical density, trabecular growth pattern, fractures and microfractures. Failure in the formation of bone callus, and presence of osteophytes. These reports support the osteoarthritis and degenerative disease joint under conditions of captivity in a mountain lion.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria