Self-adjusting process monitoring system in series production

Modern monitoring systems in machine tools are able to detect process errors promptly. Still, the application of monitoring systems is restricted by the complexity of parameterization for save monitoring. In most cases, only specially trained personnel can handle this job especially for multi-purpose machines. The aim of the research project "Proceed" is to figure out in which extent a self-parameterization and autonomous optimization of monitoring systems in industrial series production can be realized. Therefore, a self-adjusting and self-tuning process monitoring system for series production has been developed. This system is based on multi-criteria sensor signal evaluation and is able to assess its monitoring quality quantitatively. For this purpose, the complete process chain of parameterization has been automated. For series production it is assumed, that the first process is not defective. So, process sensitive features are identified by a correlation analysis with a reference signal. The reference signal is selected through an analysis of the process state by an expert system. To assess the monitoring quality resulting from automatic parameterization, normed specific values were used. These values describe the monitoring quality with the help of the distance between a feature and its threshold normed to signal amplitude and noise. A second indicator is the reaction of the monitoring system to a synthetic error added to signal a sequence. Thus it is possible to estimate monitoring quality corresponding to automatic parameterization. The validation is carried out by a comparison between the result of the assessment and the reaction ability of the monitoring system to real process errors from milling, drilling and turning processes.DFG/DE 447/96–

Emerging energy geographies : scaling and spatial divergence in European electricity generation capacity

This paper presents an evaluation of the impact of the related EU internal energy market and renewable energy policies by exploring the (sustainable) energy transition in the EUropean electricity sector and drawing on the emerging literatures on energy geographies. We use evidence aggregated from plant-level data on installed electricity generation capacity in the EUropean electric utilities sector over the period 1990–2013 to demonstrate how the unintended interaction between EU policies on energy market liberalization and climate change have led to new renewable energy entrants and more widely dispersed ownership of total generation capacity. Our empirical results suggest that six energy geography concepts enable deeper insights into the spatiality of the EUropean energy transition. Specifically, we find that territoriality and scaling are key lenses for interpreting the differentiated change processes occurring at EUropean, subregional and national levels. The EUropean energy transition is unlikely to converge onto a single trajectory any time soon, but particularly subregional approaches are argued to offer policy-makers with more spatially cognizant and effective levers

Predict the distribution of nanoparticles in molten metal

In the present study the results of mathematical modeling of the process of introducing particles into an aluminum melt using the mixing device. A pattern of the distribution of these particles in the melt is obtained

Mediat. Inflamm.

There is increasing evidence that proteasomes have a biological role in the extracellular alveolar space, but inflammation could change their composition. We tested whether immunoproteasome protein-containing subpopulations are present in the alveolar space of patients with lung inflammation evoking the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatants and cell pellet lysate from ARDS patients (n = 28) and healthy subjects (n = 10) were analyzed for the presence of immunoproteasome proteins (LMP2 and LMP7) and proteasome subtypes by western blot, chromatographic purification, and 2D-dimensional gelelectrophoresis. In all ARDS patients but not in healthy subjects LMP7 and LMP2 were observed in BAL supernatants. Proteasomes purified from pooled ARDS BAL supernatant showed an altered enzyme activity ratio. Chromatography revealed a distinct pattern with 7 proteasome subtype peaks in BAL supernatant of ARDS patients that differed from healthy subjects. Total proteasome concentration in BAL supernatant was increased in ARDS (971 ng/mL perpendicular to 1116 versus 59 perpendicular to 25; P < 0.001), and all fluorogenic substrates were hydrolyzed, albeit to a lesser extent, with inhibition by epoxomicin (P = 0.0001). Thus, we identified for the first time immunoproteasome proteins and a distinct proteasomal subtype pattern in the alveolar space of ARDS patients, presumably in response to inflammation

Gut microbiota alteration in adolescent anorexia nervosa does not normalize with short-term weight restoration

Objective: Gut microbiota are linked to metabolic function, body weight regulation, and brain and behavioral changes. Alteration of gut microbiota is repeatedly demon- strated in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) and transplantation of stool from adult patients with AN reduces weight gain, food consumption and food efficiency in germ-free mice. No similar data are available for adolescents, who might differ from adults due to their shorter duration of illness. Method: Nineteen female adolescent patients with AN at admission and after short-term weight recovery were included in a longitudinal study and compared to 20 healthy controls (HC). DNA was extracted from stool samples and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis. Group comparisons, indicator genera and simper analysis were applied. Taxon abundances at admission was used to predict inpatient treatment duration. Results: Alpha diversity is increased in patients with AN after short-term weight recov- ery, while beta diversity shows clear group differences with HC before and after weight gain. A reduction in Romboutsia and taxa belonging to Enterobacteriaceae at both timepoints and an increase in taxa belonging to Lachnospiraceae at discharge are most indicative of patients. Lachnospiraceae abundance at admission helped to predict shorter inpatient treatment duration. Discussion: This pilot study provides first evidence of gut microbiota alterations in adolescent patients with AN that do not normalize with weight gain. If verified in larger studies, the predictive power of taxa belonging to Lachnospiraceae for clinical outcome could complement known predictors at admission, inform clinicians and serve as a target for nutritional interventions

Effect of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens crystal lattice curvature within surface layers on fatigue failure mechanisms

In the present work the role of the crystal lattice curvature in fatigue failure of Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens was discussed. The effect of the specimens ultrasonic treatment and further electrolytic hydrogenation on their fatigue properties was revealed. It was found that the crystal lattice curvature resulted in the fatigue durability increase due to a grain boundary sliding at the boundaries of strongly dispersed phases as well as the decrease one by reason of the brittle intermetallic phase of Ti3Al precipitation or the stabilization by hydrogen of the strong BCC ß phase depending on the Ti-6Al-4V specimens structure and phase composition

Novel Insights in the Management of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC): European Expert Consensus Using a Modified Nominal Group Technique

Introduction: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare, severe allergic ocular disease, typically occurring in children and adolescents, that can have a significant impact on quality of life and lead to visual impairment. Long-term treatment may be necessary to tackle chronic inflammation and topical corticosteroid dependency must be minimised due to the risk of complications. There is a need for unified clinical guidance to aid the assessment, diagnosis and management of VKC across Europe. The aim of this expert panel (the EUR-VKC Group) was to provide clear guidance for primary care physicians and general ophthalmologists involved in the diagnosis and management of VKC. Methods: An expert group of seven European ophthalmologists was convened and a modified nominal group technique used to develop key recommendations on VKC management. The recommendations were subject to up to two rounds of voting using a 5-point Likert scale to ascertain consensus and the strength of each recommendation. Consensus was set at a predetermined threshold of ≥ 75.0% of experts selecting 'Strongly agree' or 'Agree'. Results: A total of 47 recommendations were developed relating to the assessment of key of VKC, guidance on who and when to refer, as well as treatment-escalation pathways, long-term follow-up, and supportive care and education. All recommendations reached consensus after two rounds. The group emphasise how timely diagnosis and treatment initiation that is appropriate to disease severity are crucial to benefit patients with VKC. Patients with signs ('red flags') indicating severe VKC, or persistent mild-to-moderate VKC that is non-responsive following 2-4 weeks of treatment, should be referred to a sub-specialist. Conclusion: The EUR-VKC Group provides recommendations on the assessment, diagnosis, management, referral and follow-up of patients with VKC. It also provides a framework to facilitate collaboration between primary care physicians, general ophthalmologists and sub-specialists to improve the outcomes for patients with VKC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The poverty of journal publishing

The article opens with a critical analysis of the dominant business model of for-profit, academic publishing, arguing that the extraordinarily high profits of the big publishers are dependent upon a double appropriation that exploits both academic labour and universities’ financial resources. Against this model, we outline four possible responses: the further development of open access repositories, a fair trade model of publishing regulation, a renaissance of the university presses, and, finally, a move away from private, for-profit publishing companies toward autonomous journal publishing by editorial boards and academic associations. </jats:p

Проблемы процесса управления в техносферной безопасности

В статье будет рассмотрены проблемы техносферной безопасности через интеграционный подход, как самый эффективный в сфере управления природопользования. Самые важные проблемы будут обобщены в вопросах государственного регулирования, также будут выявлены факторы влияния на эффективность управления данного процесса