Degrader Analysis for Diagnostic and Predictive Capabilities: A Demonstration of Progress in DoD CBM+ Initiatives

This paper presents a modified reliability centered maintenance (RCM) methodology developed by The Applied Research Laboratory at The Pennsylvania State University (ARL Penn State) to meet challenges in decreasing life cycle sustainment costs for critical Naval assets. The focus of this paper is on the requirements for the development of the on-board Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system with a discussion on the implementation progress for two systems: the high pressure air compressor (HPAC), and the advanced carbon dioxide removal unit (ACRU). Recent Department of Defense (DoD) guidance calls for implementing Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) as an alternative to traditional reactive and preventative maintenance strategies that rely on regular and active participation from subject matter experts to evaluate the health condition of critical systems. The RCM based degrader analysis utilizes data from multiple sources to provide a path for selecting systems and components most likely to benefit from the implementation of diagnostic and predictive capabilities for monitoring and managing failure modes by determining various options of possible CBM system designs that provide the highest potential ROI. Sensor data collected by the PHM system can be used with machine learning applications to develop failure mode predictive algorithms with greatest benefit in terms of performance, sustainment costs, and increasing platform operational availability. The approach supports traditional maintenance strategy development by assessing the financial benefit of the PHM technology implementation with promising potential for many industrial and military complex adaptive system applications

Towards a Capabilities Taxonomy for Prognostics and Health Management

This communication proposes the development by the PHM Society of a classification or taxonomy for the skills needed for the prognostics and health management (PHM) field. This taxonomy is a set of descriptors for each skill for a chosen range of competency levels: entry, working and mastery. This communication defines a structure and process to ensure application to real needs by employers, practitioners and training developers. Preliminary results of the development of Analytics, Test and Experiment Design and Cost Benefit Studies sub-domains within the PHM field are reported based on workshops at the PHM 2012 and 2013 Annual Conferences. Steps for a way forward are proposed and mechanisms for interested parties to participate are suggested. The PHM Society’s Education and Professional Development Committee would lead these efforts

A mathematical model for breath gas analysis of volatile organic compounds with special emphasis on acetone

Recommended standardized procedures for determining exhaled lower respiratory nitric oxide and nasal nitric oxide have been developed by task forces of the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society. These recommendations have paved the way for the measurement of nitric oxide to become a diagnostic tool for specific clinical applications. It would be desirable to develop similar guidelines for the sampling of other trace gases in exhaled breath, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which reflect ongoing metabolism. The concentrations of water-soluble, blood-borne substances in exhaled breath are influenced by: (i) breathing patterns affecting gas exchange in the conducting airways; (ii) the concentrations in the tracheo-bronchial lining fluid; (iii) the alveolar and systemic concentrations of the compound. The classical Farhi equation takes only the alveolar concentrations into account. Real-time measurements of acetone in end-tidal breath under an ergometer challenge show characteristics which cannot be explained within the Farhi setting. Here we develop a compartment model that reliably captures these profiles and is capable of relating breath to the systemic concentrations of acetone. By comparison with experimental data it is inferred that the major part of variability in breath acetone concentrations (e.g., in response to moderate exercise or altered breathing patterns) can be attributed to airway gas exchange, with minimal changes of the underlying blood and tissue concentrations. Moreover, it is deduced that measured end-tidal breath concentrations of acetone determined during resting conditions and free breathing will be rather poor indicators for endogenous levels. Particularly, the current formulation includes the classical Farhi and the Scheid series inhomogeneity model as special limiting cases.Comment: 38 page

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Clarifying prehistoric parasitism from a complementary morphological and molecular approach

This paper reports an approach to the identification of prehistoric parasitic infection, which integrates traditional morphological methods with molecular methods. The approach includes the strengths of each method while mitigating the limitations. Demonstrating the efficacy of this approach, we provide a case study from a 1400 year old desiccated fecal sample from La Cueva de los Muertos Chiquitos, archaeological site, near Rio Zape, Durango, Mexico. Traditionally prepared microscope slides were processed via microscopy and tentative ascarids were identified. Information regarding the parasites’ developmental stage was recorded. DNA was then extracted directly from the slide material. From this DNA extract, a small segment of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene variant that is specific to Ascaris, and its phylogenetically close relatives, was targeted for PCR amplification and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequence best matched a member of physalopterids, rather than ascarids, with a single exception of a match to Contracaecum spiculigerum. Subsequent extractions, amplifications and sequencing of the original rehydrated coprolite material confirmed these results. The C. spiculigerum sequence represented a phylogenetic anomaly and subsequent analysis determined the sequence was an error in the BLAST database, likely attributable to misidentification of juvenile specimens prior to sequencing and submission. Physaloptera are a difficult genus to identify morphologically and can carry major health burdens. They may be underreported in humans, in part, because of morphological similarities to the more common human parasites belonging to ascarids. We conclude that integrating traditional morphological methods with molecular methods can help resolve this issue, in both contemporary and prehistoric populations

Die einfache Bereitung einheimischer Stellvertreter des ausländischen Zuckers, oder die häusliche Zuckerbereitung

DIE EINFACHE BEREITUNG EINHEIMISCHER STELLVERTRETER DES AUSLÄNDISCHEN ZUCKERS, ODER DIE HÄUSLICHE ZUCKERBEREITUNG Die einfache Bereitung einheimischer Stellvertreter des ausländischen Zuckers, oder die häusliche Zuckerbereitung ([1]r) Einband ( - ) Titelseite ([1]r) Widmung ([I]) Vorbericht ([III]) Inhalt (VII) I. Die leichteste und einfachste Art, sich ohne alle chemische Kenntnisse einen wohlschmeckenden Zuckersyrup und einen rein und angenehm schmeckenden zucker aus Runkeln zu bereiten ([1]) 2. Ueber die Wahl der Runkeln zur Syrup- und Zuckerbereitung (6) 3. Ueber die Vorbereitung und das Trocknen der Runkeln (7) 4. Ueber das Ausziehen des Zuckers aus den getrockneten Runkelscheiben und das Kochen des Syrups (13) 5. Ueber die Absonderung und Reinigung des krystallirten Zuckers vom Syrup (21) 6. Syrup und Zucker aus Waizen und Kartoffel-Stärke (26) 7. Syrup aus Zwetschgen oder Pflaumen und allen Arten derselben (44) 8. Syrup aus Birnen (51) 9. Syrup aus Möhren (53) 10. Wiederholung der Grundsätze, nach welchen die in dieser Schrift beschriebenen Syrupe bereitet wurden, und nach welchen man auch jedes zuckerhaltige Wurzelgewächs, jede süße Baumfrucht und süße Beere behandeln muß, um aus ihnen Zuckersyrup darzustellen (59) Nachtrag (62