4,247 research outputs found
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Predicting the state of charge and health of batteries using data-driven machine learning
Machine learning is a specific application of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn and improve from data and experience via sets of algorithms, without the need for reprogramming. In the field of energy storage, machine learning has recently emerged as a promising modelling approach to determine the state of charge, state of health and remaining useful life of batteries. First, we review the two most studied types of battery models in the literature for battery state prediction: the equivalent circuit and physics-based models. Based on the current limitations of these models, we showcase the promise of various machine learning techniques for fast and accurate battery state prediction. Finally, we highlight the major challenges involved, especially in accurate modelling over length and time, performing in situ calculations and high-throughput data generation. Overall, this work provides insights into real-time, explainable machine learning for battery production, management and optimization in the future
Dynapenic obesity and the risk of incident Type 2 diabetes: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Aim Obesity is a well‐established risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggests that sarcopenia, the age‐related decline in muscle mass and strength, may exacerbate diabetes risk in obese individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the combined effect of obesity and low muscle strength, dynapenia, on the risk of incident Type 2 diabetes in older adults. Methods Participants were 5953 (1670 obese) men and women from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing without known Type 2 diabetes at baseline and for whom handgrip strength, biochemical and other clinical data were collected. A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes was recorded from self‐reported physician diagnosis over 6 years. Results For each unit increase in grip strength, there was a reduction in diabetes risk (age‐, sex‐ and BMI adjusted HR; 0.98; 95% CI 0.96–0.99). The risk of Type 2 diabetes was elevated in all obese participants, but was greatest in those with low handgrip strength (HR = 4.93, 95% CI 2.85, 8.53) compared with non‐obese individuals with high handgrip strength. Eleven per cent of the sample met the threshold for weakness (handgrip strength: men < 26 kg; women < 16 kg) that was associated with elevated Type 2 diabetes risk in obese (HR = 3.57, 95% CI 2.04, 6.24) but not in non‐obese (HR = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.44, 1.68) compared with normal/non‐obese participants. Conclusion Dynapenic obesity, determined by high BMI and low handgrip strength, is associated with increased risk of incident Type 2 diabetes in older people
Laws relating runs, long runs, and steps in gambler's ruin, with persistence in two strata
Define a certain gambler's ruin process \mathbf{X}_{j}, \mbox{ \ }j\ge 0,
such that the increments
take values and satisfy ,
all , where if , and if .
Here denote persistence parameters and with
. The process starts at and terminates when
. Denote by , , and ,
respectively, the numbers of runs, long runs, and steps in the meander portion
of the gambler's ruin process. Define and let for some . We show exists in an explicit form. We obtain a
companion theorem for the last visit portion of the gambler's ruin.Comment: Presented at 8th International Conference on Lattice Path
Combinatorics, Cal Poly Pomona, Aug., 2015. The 2nd version has been
streamlined, with references added, including reference to a companion
document with details of calculations via Mathematica. The 3rd version has 2
new figures and improved presentatio
Design of a nickel-base superalloy using a neural network
A new computational tool has been developed to model, discover, and optimize
new alloys that simultaneously satisfy up to eleven physical criteria. An
artificial neural network is trained from pre-existing materials data that
enables the prediction of individual material properties both as a function of
composition and heat treatment routine, which allows it to optimize the
material properties to search for the material with properties most likely to
exceed a target criteria. We design a new polycrystalline nickel-base
superalloy with the optimal combination of cost, density, gamma' phase content
and solvus, phase stability, fatigue life, yield stress, ultimate tensile
strength, stress rupture, oxidation resistance, and tensile elongation.
Experimental data demonstrates that the proposed alloy fulfills the
computational predictions, possessing multiple physical properties,
particularly oxidation resistance and yield stress, that exceed existing
commercially available alloys
Influenza viruses in healthy wild birds in Hong Kong
Poster Presentations: Animal Influenza EcologyWild waterfowl are considered the natural reservoir of influenza A viruses. The recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Asia which has now spread as far as Africa highlights the importance of defining the influenza virus gene pool in these birds and understanding the potential role played by migratory waterfowl in such HPAI outbreaks. Seventy-three influenza viruses were isolated from 16,724 samples collected from feral waterfowls or their fecal droppings during 2003-7 at Mai Po Marshes and Lok Ma Chau in Hong Kong. A diversity of influenza viruses representing hemagglutinin subtypes of H1, H2, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10 and H11; neuramidinase subtypes of N1, N2, N3, N4, N6, N7, N8 and N9, were isolated. Seventy-two of these 73 positive isolates were collected during the winter period coinciding with the southern migration of waterfowl along the East Asian flyway. No HPAI H5N1 viruses were isolated from healthy birds sampled in this study, though H5N1 viruses have been isolated from dead wild birds found in Hong Kong. Phylogenetic analyses of the HA gene of the H5 viruses isolated in the study showed that they clustered with other LP H5 viruses isolated from Hokkaido, Mongolia and Siberia but they seemed not to be very closely related to the HP H5N1. Six of 150 blood sample collected from wild ducks and one of 43 from shorebirds were tested to have antibody by neutralization tests for H5 subtype hemagglutinin.postprin
Hepatitis C virus exploits cyclophilin A to evade PKR
Counteracting innate immunity is essential for successful viral replication. Host cyclophilins (Cyps) have been implicated in viral evasion of host antiviral responses, although the mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we show that hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-opts the host protein CypA to aid evasion of antiviral responses dependent on the effector protein kinase R (PKR). Pharmacological inhibition of CypA rescues PKR from antagonism by HCV NS5A, leading to activation of an interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF1)-driven cell intrinsic antiviral program that inhibits viral replication. These findings further the understanding of the complexity of Cyp-virus interactions, provide mechanistic insight into the remarkably broad antiviral spectrum of Cyp inhibitors, and uncover novel aspects of PKR activity and regulation. Collectively, our study identifies a novel antiviral mechanism that harnesses cellular antiviral immunity to suppress viral replication
The microscopic anatomy of experimental rat CC531 colon tumour metastases: consequences for immunotherapy?
Demonstrating that Medical Devices Satisfy User Related Safety Requirements
One way of contributing to a demonstration that a medical device is acceptably safe is to show that the device satisfies a set of requirements known to mitigate hazards. This paper describes experience using formal techniques to model an IV infusion device and to prove that the modelled device captures a set of requirements. The requirements chosen for the study are based on a draft proposal developed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A major contributor to device related errors are (user) interaction errors. For this reason the chosen models and requirements focus on user interface related issues.FEDER - Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras(000062)This work has been funded by the EPSRC research grant EP/G059063/1: CHI+MED (Computer–Human Interaction for Medical Devices). J. C. Campos was funded by project NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-00006
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Endothelin-1 down-regulates matrix metalloproteinase 14 and 15 expression in human first trimester trophoblasts via endothelin receptor type B
: Does endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 14 and 15 production and invasion of human first trimester trophoblasts?
: ET-1 in pathophysiological concentrations down-regulates MMP14 and MMP15 expression via endothelin receptor (ETR) type B and decreases trophoblast migration and invasion.
: MMP14 and MMP15 are involved in trophoblast invasion. Impairment of invasion has been linked to pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia (PE). ET-1 is up-regulated in PE.
: study using primary human trophoblasts from 50 first trimester placentas (gestational week 7-12).
: Trophoblasts were cultured in the absence or presence of 10-100 nM ET-1. MMP14 and MMP15 mRNA and protein were quantified by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Selective antagonists for ETRA (BQ-123) or ETRB (BQ-788) were used to identify ETR subtypes involved. Functional ET-1 effects were tested in first trimester chorionic villous explants and transwell invasion assays. The roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (25 ng/ml) and oxygen (1%) in ET-1 regulation of MMP14 and 15 expression were assessed by Western blotting.
: ET-1 down-regulated MMP14 and MMP15 mRNA (-21% and -26%, respectively, < 0.05) and protein levels (-18% and -22%, respectively, < 0.05). This effect was mediated via ETRB. ET-1 decreased trophoblast outgrowth in placental explants (-24%, < 0.05) and trophoblast invasion (-26%, ≤ 0.01). TNF-α enhanced ET-1 mediated MMP15 down-regulation (by 10%, < 0.05), whereas hypoxia abolished the effect of ET-1 on both MMPs.
: N/A.
: Only primary trophoblasts were used in this study. Since trophoblast yield from first trimester placental material is limited, further aspects of MMP14 and 15 regulation could not be characterized. Other anti-invasive factors may be altered by ET-1 in trophoblasts and, thus, contribute to the reduced invasion, but have not been investigated. Oxygen levels similar to those found in the decidua (5-8% O2) were not analyzed in this study.
: ET-1 modifies placental function already during the first trimester of pregnancy, the time-window when the placental changes implicated in PE occur. Thus, our results improve the understanding of the placental mechanisms underlying trophoblast invasion and PE.The study was funded by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Anniversary Fund, project number: 14796) and the Herzfelder'sche Familienstiftung (to J.P.; number: 00685). AMM received funding from the Austrian Science Fund FWF (W1241) and the Medical University Graz through the PhD Program Molecular Fundamentals of Inflammation (DK-MOLIN)
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