Condition monitoring and anomaly detection in cyber-physical systems

The modern industrial environment is equipping myriads of smart manufacturing machines where the state of each device can be monitored continuously. Such monitoring can help identify possible future failures and develop a cost-effective maintenance plan. However, it is a daunting task to perform early detection with low false positives and negatives from the huge volume of collected data. This requires developing a holistic machine learning framework to address the issues in condition monitoring of high-priority components and develop efficient techniques to detect anomalies that can detect and possibly localize the faulty components. This paper presents a comparative analysis of recent machine learning approaches for robust, cost-effective anomaly detection in cyber-physical systems. While detection has been extensively studied, very few researchers have analyzed the localization of the anomalies. We show that supervised learning outperforms unsupervised algorithms. For supervised cases, we achieve near-perfect accuracy of 98 percent (specifically for tree-based algorithms). In contrast, the best-case accuracy in the unsupervised cases was 63 percent :the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) exhibits similar outcomes as an additional metric.Comment: 6 page

CRISPR/Cas9: An inexpensive, efficient loss of function tool to screen human disease genes in Xenopus

AbstractCongenital malformations are the major cause of infant mortality in the US and Europe. Due to rapid advances in human genomics, we can now efficiently identify sequence variants that may cause disease in these patients. However, establishing disease causality remains a challenge. Additionally, in the case of congenital heart disease, many of the identified candidate genes are either novel to embryonic development or have no known function. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop inexpensive and efficient technologies to screen these candidate genes for disease phenocopy in model systems and to perform functional studies to uncover their role in development. For this purpose, we sought to test F0 CRISPR based gene editing as a loss of function strategy for disease phenocopy in the frog model organism, Xenopus tropicalis. We demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can efficiently modify both alleles in the F0 generation within a few hours post fertilization, recapitulating even early disease phenotypes that are highly similar to knockdowns from morpholino oligos (MOs) in nearly all cases tested. We find that injecting Cas9 protein is dramatically more efficacious and less toxic than cas9 mRNA. We conclude that CRISPR based F0 gene modification in X. tropicalis is efficient and cost effective and readily recapitulates disease and MO phenotypes

Investigating the Role of Poultry in Livelihoods and the Impact of HPAI on Livelihoods Outcomes in Africa: Evidence from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria

In this paper we investigate the role of poultry in the livelihoods portfolios of households and the impact of supply and demand shocks that may be caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on various livelihoods outcomes of households in four Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The study countries include Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa and Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa. These countries represent a spectrum of SSA countries in terms of disease status, role of poultry sector and means of disease spread. By using nationally representative household level secondary data and discrete choice methods (probit model and zero inflated negative binomial model) we profile the household, farm and regional characteristics of those households who are most likely to keep poultry, and those who are most likely to be engaged in intensive poultry production, i.e., keep larger household flocks. We estimate the impact of the disease outbreaks and scares/threats on livelihood outcomes by using matching methods (i.e., propensity score matching). The results of this study generate valuable information regarding the role of poultry in the livelihoods of small-scale poultry producing households and the livelihood impacts of HPAI induced demand and supply shocks. Such information is critical for the design of targeted and hence efficient and effective HPAI control and mitigation policies.Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), demand shock, supply shock, livelihoods, probit model, zero inflated negative binomial model, propensity score matching, Livestock Production/Industries,

Identification of optimal investments

Biofortification is regarded as a complement to supplementation, industrial fortification and dietary diversification in the fight against micronutrient deficiencies. It is important therefore to first identify areas where biofortification may have high impact and prioritize these areas for more in-depth analysis. HarvestPlus has developed the Biofortification Prioritization Index (BPI), which ranks countries globally according to their suitability for investment in biofortification interventions. HarvestPlus is also conducting ex ante micronutrient intervention portfolio analyses, designed to simulate the implementation and impact of a biofortification program in countries which have been identified as suitable candidates for investment. Micronutrient intervention portfolio studies offer the ability to distinguish production, consumption and inadequate micronutrient intake at a more disaggregated level and offer a complementary design and planning tool to simulate the implementation of biofortification and examine its potential impact and cost-effectiveness among different approaches. In addition, these studies are designed to examine multiple interventions within a country, to better understand biofortification’s role in reducing micronutrient deficiency when considered among a suite of interventions. This case study of Zambia demonstrates how these tools can be used to assess the potential impact of biofortification, quantify its cost-effectiveness and examine how it interacts with and complements other interventions. Given the long-term nature of biofortification as an intervention investment, future analyses should continue to incorporate various scenarios including continued investment in sustainable development and the effects of climate change which are likely to condition the impact of biofortification and other interventions.Keywords: Biofortification, Biofortification Priority Index (BPI), Cost-effectiveness, Household Consumption and Expenditure Surveys (HCES

Prioritizing Research for Integrated Implementation of Early Childhood Development and Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition Platforms

Background: Existing health and nutrition services present potential platforms for scaling up delivery of early childhood development (ECD) interventions within sensitive windows across the life course, especially in the first 1000 days from conception to age 2 years. However, there is insufficient knowledge on how to optimize implementation for such strategies in an integrated manner. In light of this knowledge gap, we aimed to systematically identify a set of integrated implementation research priorities for health, nutrition and early child development within the 2015 to 2030 timeframe of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methods: We applied the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method, and consulted a diverse group of global health experts to develop and score 57 research questions against five criteria: answerability, effectiveness, deliverability, impact, and effect on equity. These questions were ranked using a research priority score, and the average expert agreement score was calculated for each question. Findings: The research priority scores ranged from 61.01 to 93.52, with a median of 82.87. The average expert agreement scores ranged from 0.50 to 0.90, with a median of 0.75. The top-ranked research question were: i) How can interventions and packages to reduce neonatal mortality be expanded to include ECD and stimulation interventions? ; ii) How does the integration of ECD and MNCAH&N interventions affect human resource requirements and capacity development in resource-poor settings? ; and iii) How can integrated interventions be tailored to vulnerable refugee and migrant populations to protect against poor ECD and MNCAH&N outcomes? . Most highly-ranked research priorities varied across the life course and highlighted key aspects of scaling up coverage of integrated interventions in resource-limited settings, including: workforce and capacity development, cost-effectiveness and strategies to reduce financial barriers, and quality assessment of programs. Conclusions: Investing in ECD is critical to achieving several of the SDGs, including SDG 2 on ending all forms of malnutrition, SDG 3 on ensuring health and well-being for all, and SDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all. The generated research agenda is expected to drive action and investment on priority approaches to integrating ECD interventions within existing health and nutrition services

Enhancing crop productivity through community-based seed multiplication system

Improved quality seeds out-yield farmers' saved seeds significantly. However, the limited availability of such seeds through the conventional seed supply system is due to socio-economic factors and inadequacy of skilled personnel and infrastructure. A community-based seed multiplication system was, therefore, adopted and small seed stocks of soybean, cowpea and yam were distributed to farmer groups in the rural communities in northern Ghana, northern Nigeria and central Togo, respectively, between 1996 and 1999 for further multiplication. An impact assessment after 4 years showed a significant ease of farmers' access to improved seeds and development of linkages with pesticide dealers, credit sources, and extension services as a result of opting for this system. Quality of farmers' saved seeds had improved and farmers' yield had increased over 90 per cent. Extra incomes earned were used to purchase household items, and part invested in transport businesses and rearing of small ruminants as well as in human capital such as paying children's school fees and family hospital bills and meeting other social responsibilities. This system was, therefore, effective in diffusing improved seeds and associated technologies and services to many more farmers and communities within a very short time to improve their socio-economic status.Les graines de qualité améliorée dépassaient considérablement en rendement les graines gardées par les agriculteurs. Cependant, la disponibilité de telles graines par le système conventionnel de provision de graine est limitée en raison de facteurs socio-économiques, l'insuffisance de personnel qualifié et l'infrastructure. Un système de multiplication de graine basé à la communauté était donc adopté et une petite quantité de stocks de graine de soja, de dolique et d'igname étaient distribués aux groupes d'agriculteurs dans les communautés rurales dans le nord du Ghana, le nord du Nigéria et le centre du Togo respectivement entre les années 1996 et 1999 pour de multiplication davantage. L'évaluation d'impact entreprise après quatre années montrait une aisance considérable avec laquelle les agriculteurs avaient accès aux graines améliorées et aux liens de développement avec les marchands de pesticide, les lignes de crédit et les services de vulgarisation agricole à la suite d' opter pour ce système. La qualité de graines gardées par les agriculteurs avait amélioré et les rendements d'agriculteurs avaient augmenté plus de 90%. Les suppléments de revenus gagnés étaient dépensés pour les articles ménagers, et une partie du revenun était investie en entreprises de transport et en élévage de petits ruminants ainsi qu'en ressources humaines telles que le paiement de frais de scolarité de la jeunesse, les factures hospitalières et pour régler d'autres responsabilités sociales. Ce système était donc efficace pour la distribution de graines améliorées et la vulgarisation de services et de technologies liées à l'agriculture à beaucoup plus d'agriculteurs et aux communautés dans très peu de temps pour améliorer leur situation socio-économique. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (2) 2006: pp. 181-18

Using the CROPGRO-peanut model to quantify yield gaps of peanut in the Guinean Savanna Zone of Ghana

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield in Ghana is limited by variable rainfall, low soil fertility, pests and diseases, and poor crop management. Field experiments were conducted during the 1997 and 1998 seasons at the Savanna Agricultural Research Station in Ghana to evaluate the CROPGRO-peanut model for its ability to simulate growth, yield, and soil water balance of a peanut crop and to quantify yield losses caused by biotic and abiotic factors. Two peanut cultivars, Chinese which matures in 90 d, and F-Mix which matures in 120 d, were grown rainfed on an Alfisol soil at three sowing dates between May and August in 1997 and at four dates in 1998. Soil water and crop growth were measured during the season and compared with crop model simulations to determine yield-limiting factors relative to potential yield. Growth and yield were highest for the early sowing dates and decreased progressively with later sowing, a trend attributed to leaf diseases. After incorporating functions for percentage leaf defoliation and percentage diseased leaf area, the model accurately simulated soil water content fluctuations, crop growth, and yield of cultivars for the sowing dates and seasons. Simulated yield losses caused by water deficits were small (averaging 5–10%) for early sowing dates (late May to mid-July) and increased with later sowing dates (20 and 70% for third and fourth sowings). Yield losses due to diseases and pests were simulated as a percentage of potential yield under water-limited environments and averaged 40%, also increasing with later sowing dates. Using 13 yr of weather data, simulated yields were reduced 10 to 20% by water deficit for the two earlier (normal) sowing dates, but more for the later sowing dates, while additional yield reductions were attributed to biotic stresses. We conclude that the CROPGRO-peanut model can be successfully used to quantify the yield potential and yield gaps associated with yield-reducing stresses and crop management for this region

FRET spectroscopy—towards effective biomolecular probing

The advent of super-resolution microscopy has been a major breakthrough in bioscience research, allowing accurate molecular signaling analysis of cellular and biological materials. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy, for instance, has emerged to be significant over the past few decades, owing to its non-invasive spatiotemporal cellular and subcellular probing abilities. The success of FRET has been the resurgence of fluorescent proteins (FPs) and sophisticated imaging techniques. The developments in FP and FRET-based techniques have made FRET investigations possible in diverse biotechnological fields. However, the current literature suffers a dearth in terms of a review that explains the fundamental principles (with examples) of the major areas of FRET application. This article presents a retrospective overview of the salient exploits and advancements of FRET spectroscopy and discusses the current challenges with some options. Moreover, some of the much anticipated future applications have been highlighted

Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Ghana: Providing evidence through a pre-validation survey.

BACKGROUND: In order to achieve elimination of trachoma, a country needs to demonstrate that the elimination prevalence thresholds have been achieved and then sustained for at least a two-year period. Ghana achieved the thresholds in 2008, and since 2011 has been implementing its trachoma surveillance strategy, which includes community and school screening for signs of follicular trachoma and trichiasis, in trachoma-endemic districts. In 2015-2016, the country conducted a district level population-based survey to validate elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. METHODS: As per WHO recommendations, a cross-sectional survey, employing a two-stage cluster random sampling methodology, was used across 18 previously trachoma endemic districts (evaluation units (EUs) in the Upper West and Northern Regions of Ghana. In each EU 24 villages were selected based on probability proportional to estimated size. A minimum of 40 households were targeted per village and all eligible residents were examined for clinical signs of trachoma, using the WHO simplified grading system. The number of trichiasis cases unknown to the health system was determined. Household environmental risk factors for trachoma were also assessed. RESULTS: Data from 45,660 individuals were examined from 11,099 households across 18 EUs, with 27,398 (60.0%) children aged 1-9 years and 16,610 (36.4%) individuals 15 years and above All EUs had shown to have maintained the WHO elimination threshold for Trachomatous inflammation-Follicular (TF) (<5.0% prevalence) in children aged 1-9 years old. The EU TF prevalence in children aged 1-9 years old ranged from between 0.09% to 1.20%. Only one EU (Yendi 0.36%; 95% CI: 0.0-1.01) failed to meet the WHO TT elimination threshold (< 0.2% prevalence in adults aged 15 and above). The EU prevalence of trichiasis (TT) unknown to the health system in adults aged ≥15 years, ranged from 0.00% to 0.36%. In this EU, the estimated TT backlog is 417 All TT patients identified in the study, as well as through on-going surveillance efforts will require further management. A total of 75.9% (95% CI 72.1-79.3, EU range 29.1-92.6) of households defecated in the open but many households had access to an improved water source 75.9% (95%CI: 71.5-79.8, EU range 47.4-90.1%), with 45.5% (95% CI 41.5-49.7%, EU range 28.4-61.8%) making a round trip of water collection < 30 minutes. CONCLUSION: The findings from this survey indicate elimination thresholds have been maintained in Ghana in 17 of the 18 surveyed EUs. Only one EU, Yendi, did not achieve the TT elimination threshold. A scheduled house-by-house TT case search in this EU coupled with surgery to clear the backlog of cases is necessary in order for Ghana to request validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem