Novel Method for Wind Turbines Blades Damage Classification using Image Processing

Wind turbine generators are spreading around the world due to its advantages over fossil fuels. Structural monitoring of them is important to increase operation and reduce maintenance times. Visual inspection is highly influenced by the human factor due to the working conditions. Image processing supported by vision systems offers high advantages reducing times, being the software and processing algorithms, which generates added value. In this paper, a novel method for wind turbines blades damages analysis is presented using image processing and a classifier based on dimensional features. The image acquisition is performed using a reflex camera with a telephoto and geo-location enabled. The faults analyzed include cracks, edge erosion, and electric discharge

Novel Method for Wind Turbines Blades Damage Classification using Image Processing

75-79Wind turbine generators are spreading around the world due to its advantages over fossil fuels. Structural monitoring of them is important to increase operation and reduce maintenance times. Visual inspection is highly influenced by the human factor due to the working conditions. Image processing supported by vision systems offers high advantages reducing times, being the software and processing algorithms, which generates added value. In this paper, a novel method for wind turbines blades damages analysis is presented using image processing and a classifier based on dimensional features. The image acquisition is performed using a reflex camera with a telephoto and geo-location enabled. The faults analyzed include cracks, edge erosion, and electric discharge

The Entropy of the Rotating Charged Black Threebrane from a Brane-Antibrane System

We show that a model based on a D3-brane--anti-D3-brane system at finite temperature, proposed previously as a microscopic description of the non-rotating black threebrane of type IIB supergravity arbitrarily far from extremality, can also successfully reproduce the entropy of the rotating threebrane with arbitrary charge (including the neutral case, which corresponds to the Kerr black hole in seven dimensions). Our results appear to confirm in particular the need for a peculiar condition on the energy of the two gases involved in the model, whose physical interpretation remains to be elucidated.Comment: 12 pages, references added in section 1 and

Pancreatic window and open necrosectomy; a surgical alternative for walled-off pancreatic necrosis in a second level hospital in Mexico

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis is defined as a necrotic collection with a defined wall, which generally occurs in 15% of patients in the fourth week after acute pancreatitis. Actually, open surgery is reserved for selected cases, with minimally invasive treatments such as image-assisted percutaneous drainage or endoscopic ultrasound being the procedures of choice. However, in developing countries the open approach continues to be an effective therapeutic alternative. We present the case of a 47-year-old male patient with no significant history who developed severe acute pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia and who later developed walled-off pancreatic necrosis as a late complication. As a treatment, a debridement of the necrotic tissue with marsupialization was performed using the bradley III technique, secondary to the procedure, a pancreatic fistula was developed. After 8 weeks of hospitalization, in which he had a favourable response to surgical treatment, with spontaneous closure of the fistula without complications. Surgical management of late complications of acute pancreatitis remains controversial. Although minimally invasive procedures are the first option nowadays, in developing countries, open necrosectomy remains a good option for the treatment of these types of complications

Effect of Recombinant Prophenin 2 on the Integrity and Viability of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is the causal agent of trichomoniasis, which is associated with preterm child delivery, low birth weight, and an increased risk of infection by human papilloma virus and human immunodeficiency virus following exposure. Several reports have established increasing numbers of trichomoniasis cases resistant to metronidazole, the agent used for treatment, and it is therefore important to identify new therapeutic alternatives. Previously, our group reported the effect of tritrpticin, a synthetic peptide derived from porcine prophenin, on T. vaginalis; however, the hemolytic activity of this small peptide complicates its possible use as a therapeutic agent. In this study, we report that the propeptide and the processed peptide of prophenin 2 (cleaved with hydroxylamine) affected the integrity and growth of T. vaginalis and that pro-prophenin 2 displays some resistance to proteolysis by T. vaginalis proteinases at 1 h. Its effect on T. vaginalis as well as its low hemolytic activity and short-time stability to parasite proteinases makes prophenin 2 an interesting candidate for synergistic or alternative treatment against T. vaginalis

Young Stellar Object Variability (YSOVAR): Long Timescale Variations in the Mid-Infrared

The YSOVAR (Young Stellar Object VARiability) Spitzer Space Telescope observing program obtained the first extensive mid-infrared (3.6 & 4.5 um) time-series photometry of the Orion Nebula Cluster plus smaller footprints in eleven other star-forming cores (AFGL490, NGC1333, MonR2, GGD 12-15, NGC2264, L1688, Serpens Main, Serpens South, IRAS 20050+2720, IC1396A, and Ceph C). There are ~29,000 unique objects with light curves in either or both IRAC channels in the YSOVAR data set. We present the data collection and reduction for the Spitzer and ancillary data, and define the "standard sample" on which we calculate statistics, consisting of fast cadence data, with epochs about twice per day for ~40d. We also define a "standard sample of members", consisting of all the IR-selected members and X-ray selected members. We characterize the standard sample in terms of other properties, such as spectral energy distribution shape. We use three mechanisms to identify variables in the fast cadence data--the Stetson index, a chi^2 fit to a flat light curve, and significant periodicity. We also identified variables on the longest timescales possible of ~6 years, by comparing measurements taken early in the Spitzer mission with the mean from our YSOVAR campaign. The fraction of members in each cluster that are variable on these longest timescales is a function of the ratio of Class I/total members in each cluster, such that clusters with a higher fraction of Class I objects also have a higher fraction of long-term variables. For objects with a YSOVAR-determined period and a [3.6]-[8] color, we find that a star with a longer period is more likely than those with shorter periods to have an IR excess. We do not find any evidence for variability that causes [3.6]-[4.5] excesses to appear or vanish within our data; out of members and field objects combined, at most 0.02% may have transient IR excesses.Comment: Accepted to AJ; 38 figures, 93 page

The frequency of osteogenic activities and the pattern of intermittence between periods of physical activity and sedentary behaviour affects bone mineral content: the cross-sectional NHANES study

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviours, defined as non exercising seated activities, have been shown to have deleterious effects on health. It has been hypothesised that too much sitting time can have a detrimental effect on bone health in youth. The aim of this study is to test this hypothesis by exploring the association between objectively measured volume and patterns of time spent in sedentary behaviours, time spent in specific screen-based sedentary pursuits and bone mineral content (BMC) accrual in youth. METHODS: NHANES 2005–2006 cycle data includes BMC of the femoral and spinal region via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), assessment of physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns through accelerometry, self reported time spent in screen based pursuits (watching TV and using a computer), and frequency of vigorous playtime and strengthening activities. Multiple regression analysis, stratified by gender was performed on N = 671 males and N = 677 females aged from 8 to 22 years. RESULTS: Time spent in screen-based sedentary behaviours is negatively associated with femoral BMC (males and females) and spinal BMC (females only) after correction for time spent in moderate and vigorous activity. Regression coefficients indicate that an additional hour per day of screen-based sitting corresponds to a difference of −0.77 g femoral BMC in females [95% CI: -1.31 to −0.22] and of −0.45 g femoral BMC in males [95% CI: -0.83 to −0.06]. This association is attenuated when self-reported engagement in regular (average 5 times per week) strengthening exercise (for males) and vigorous playing (for both males and females) is taken into account. Total sitting time and non screen-based sitting do not appear to have a negative association with BMC, whereas screen based sedentary time does. Patterns of intermittence between periods of sitting and moderate to vigorous activity appears to be positively associated with bone health when activity is clustered in time and inter-spaced with long continuous bouts of sitting. CONCLUSIONS: Some specific sedentary pursuits (screen-based) are negatively associated with bone health in youth. This association is specific to gender and anatomical area. This relationship between screen-based time and bone health is independent of the total amount of physical activity measured objectively, but not independent of self-reported frequency of strengthening and vigorous play activities. The data clearly suggests that the frequency, rather than the volume, of osteogenic activities is important in counteracting the effect of sedentary behaviour on bone health. The pattern of intermittence between sedentary periods and activity also plays a role in bone accrual, with clustered short bouts of activity interspaced with long periods of sedentary behaviours appearing to be more beneficial than activities more evenly spread in time