Vibration based diagnostics on rolling contact fatigue test bench

The paper presents the first results of a study on vibrations associated with a rolling contact fatigue test bench and how this mechanical behavior may be correlated to the fatigue damage of the specimens. In particular, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to detect and quantify, thanks to vibration analysis, the damage on two discs subjected to rolling contact fatigue. The first part of this work regards a description of the bench with a focus on the results acquired by its static and modal fem analyses. Then, some pure rolling and sliding condition tests were carried out and a procedure to monitor both the specimens damage state and to record accelerometric data was implemented by placing a set of piezoaccelerometers on the machine and developing a virtual instrument for automatic data handling and analysis. Tests were also periodically stoppedand the rolling contact surface profile was acquired by means of a linear video camera in order to evaluate its progressive damage. Data acquired were analyzed, considering also the results from the first part of work, both using a standard approach, such as a spectral analysis (FFT, PSD and waterfall), and by implementing custom digital weighting filters for a windowed RMS in order to estimate, realtime during the measurement, a good estimator for the specimen damage state development

On the conceptual design of the novel balanced rolling piston expander

This work presents a novel type of positive-displacement expander, named the balanced rolling piston expander. It proposes also a design procedure and assesses the mechanical behavior of a virtual prototype. The expander is conceptually capable of operating at higher fluid temperatures than other positive-displacement expanders, such as scroll- or screw-type machines. Moreover, it employs a radially balanced rotor, differently from common rolling piston technologies and does not require any timing mechanism for filling and emptying the working chambers, differently from Wankel or reciprocating solutions. The investigated virtual prototype is chosen for the study case of a small-scale heat recovery unit currently under investigation. The results indicate that a prototype of about 300 mm in diameter and 100 mm in length is capable of an ideal power of 20 kW. Moreover, vane accelerations can be relatively high but anyhow comparable to those in sliding vane machines, while pressure drops in percent terms are in general lower than 1%. Lastly, load-induced displacements are manageable by a proper radial clearance at room temperature. In brief, the balanced rolling piston expander is a promising option for small-scale power generation units operating with temperatures not achievable by common technologies and, hence, it deserves further investigation

Prediction of rope bending fatigue life based on wire breaking rate

Steel wire ropes offer manufacturer-independent safety performance, while the durability performance can be different. To assess the damage status of a wire rope during its service, fail-safe methods are used, so it is necessary to know the progression of the damage to apply them. This paper proposes an analytical method for estimating the fatigue life of steel wire ropes. Using a dimensionless analysis, the characteristic damage curve of each rope category has been suggested, setting the basis of a predictive maintenance procedure extendable to all areas of rope application where bending fatigue is the first discard criterion for rope replacement. Rotary bending fatigue tests are performed on different rope construction specimens, and the evolution of broken wires is monitored. It has been demonstrated that the trend of breakage level is exponential with time, regardless of the type of rope and the stress level imposed

Clinical and molecular characterization of patients with YWHAG‐related epilepsy

Objective YWHAG variant alleles have been associated with a rare disease trait whose clinical synopsis includes an early onset epileptic encephalopathy with predominantly myoclonic seizures, developmental delay/intellectual disability, and facial dysmorphisms. Through description of a large cohort, which doubles the number of reported patients, we further delineate the spectrum of YWHAG-related epilepsy. Methods We included in this study 24 patients, 21 new and three previously described, with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in YWHAG. We extended the analysis of clinical, electroencephalographic, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and molecular genetic information to 24 previously published patients. Results The phenotypic spectrum of YWHAG-related disorders ranges from mild developmental delay to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Epilepsy onset is in the first 2 years of life. Seizure freedom can be achieved in half of the patients (13/24, 54%). Intellectual disability (23/24, 96%), behavioral disorders (18/24, 75%), neurological signs (13/24, 54%), and dysmorphisms (6/24, 25%) are common. A genotype–phenotype correlation emerged, as DEE is more represented in patients with missense variants located in the ligand-binding domain than in those with truncating or missense variants in other domains (90% vs. 19%, p < .001). Significance This study suggests that pathogenic YWHAG variants cause a wide range of clinical presentations with variable severity, ranging from mild developmental delay to DEE. In this allelic series, a genotype–phenotype correlation begins to emerge, potentially providing prognostic information for clinical management and genetic counseling

Eight Decades of Hatchery Salmon Releases in the California Central Valley: Factors Influencing Straying and Resilience

The California Central Valley contains the southernmost native populations of Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, which inhabit a highly variable, anthropogenically altered environment. To mitigate habitat loss and support fisheries, millions of fall‐run hatchery salmon are released each year, often transported downstream to avoid in‐river mortality, with consequences not fully understood. We synthesize historical trends in release location and timing (1941–2017), focusing on outcomes influencing stock resilience, adult straying, and ocean arrival timing. Over time, juveniles have been transported increasing distances from the source hatchery, particularly during droughts. Transport distance was strongly associated with straying rate (averaging 0–9% vs. 7–89% for salmon released on site vs. in the bay upstream of Golden Gate Bridge, respectively), increasing the effects of hatchery releases on natural spawners. Decreasing variation in release location and timing could reduce spatiotemporal buffering, narrowing ocean arrival timings and increasing risk of mismatch with peak prey production. Central Valley salmon epitomize the pervasive challenge of balancing short‐term (e.g., abundance) against long‐term (e.g., stability) goals