Exploiting heterogeneous data for the estimation of particles size distribution in industrial plants

In industrial environments, it is often difficult and expensive to collect a good amount of data to adequately train expert systems for regression purposes. Therefore the usage of already available data, related to environments showing similar characteristics, could represent an effective approach to find a good balance between regression performance and the amount of data to gather for training. In this paper, the authors propose two alternative strategies for improving the regression performance by using heterogeneous data, i.e. data coming from diverse environments with respect to the one taken as reference for testing. These strategies are based on a standard machine learning algorithm, i.e. the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The employed data came from measurements in industrial plants for energy production through the combustion of coal powder. The powder is transported in air within ducts and its size is detected by means of Acoustic Emissions (AE) produced by the impact of powder on the inner surface of the duct. The estimation of powder size distribution from AE signals is the task addressed in this work. Computer simulations show how the proposed strategies achieve a relevant improvement of regression performance with respect to the standard approach, using ANN directly on the dataset related to the reference plant

Classification of bearing faults through time-frequency analysis and image processing

The present work proposes a new technique for bearing fault classification that combines time-frequency analysis with image processing. This technique uses vibration signals from bearing housings to detect bearing conditions and classify the faults. By means of Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), each vibration signal is decomposed into Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). Principal Components Analysis (PCA) is then performed on the matrix of the decomposed IMFs and the important principal components are chosen. The spectrogram is obtained for each component by means of the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) to obtain an image that represents the time-frequency relationship of the main components of the analyzed signal. Furthermore, Image Moments are extracted from the spectrogram images of principal components in order to obtain an array of features for each signal that can be handled by the classification algorithm. 8 images are selected for each signal and 17 moments for each image, so an array of 136 features is associated with every signal. Finally, the classification is performed using a standard machine learning technique, i.e. Support Vector Machine (SVM), in the proposed technique. The dataset used in this work include data collected for various rotating speeds and loads, in order to obtain a set of different operating conditions, by a Roller Bearing Faults Simulator. The results have shown that the developed technique provides classification effectively, with a single classifier, of bearing faults characterized by different rotating speeds and different loads

Le acque sotterranee del Cansiglio

Il Cansiglio è un altipiano carsico, con un’estensione di circa 100 km2 e un’altitudine media di circa 1000 m; esso è situato al confine tra due regioni (Veneto e Friuli Venezia Giulia) e tre provincie (Treviso, Belluno e Pordenone). Questo importante sistema carsico non è mai stato oggetto di approfonditi studi idrogeologici, nonostante la presenza di rilevanti sorgenti alla sua base (Meschio, Molinetto, Santissima e Gorgazzo). L’occasione si è presentata con l’esplorazione, da parte del Gruppo Speleologico Ferrarese in collaborazione con altri gruppi speleologici, di quella che è tuttora la grotta più profonda della zona: l’Abisso Col de la Rizza (904/FR410) (circa 800 m di profondità per 4 km di sviluppo). Con la collaborazione del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell’Università di Ferrara, è stato, quindi, progettato e realizzato un multi- tracciamento delle acque sotterranee, con due iniezioni in parallelo: fluoresceina sodica all’Abisso Col de la Rizza e tinopal CBS-X al Bus de la Genziana (V-TV1000) (la cavità più sviluppata della zona, con circa 5 km di sviluppo per 600 m di profondità). Il monitoraggio è stato eseguito alle sorgenti del Molinetto, Santissima e Gorgazzo, mediante campionatori di acqua automatici (alle sorgenti Molinetto e Gorgazzo) e con un impegnativo programma di prelievi manuali di campioni d’acqua e di fluocaptori (carboni attivi e garze di cotone) in 3-4 punti di ogni sorgente monitorata. Al termine del tracciamento risultavano positive alla fluoresceina sodica le sorgenti Molinetto e Santissima, mentre nessuna delle sorgenti monitorate era positiva al tinopal CBS-X. Le curve di arrivo del tracciante, permettevano il calcolo delle velocità medie di transito in entrambe le sorgenti positive alla fluoresceina sodica, pari a circa: 250 m giorno-1, in fase di magra, e 1100 m giorno-1, in fase di piena.Cansiglio is a limestone plateau with an extent of about 100 km2 and a mean altitude of 1000 m; it is located on the border between two regions (Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia) and three provinces (Treviso, Belluno and Pordenone). The hydrogeology of this important karst system is poorly known, despite it probably feeds three important springs located at its south-eastern border (Molinetto, Santissima and Gorgazzo) that form Livenza River. Gruppo Speleologico Ferrarese, in collaboration with other speleological team, explored the deepest cave of Cansiglio: Abisso Col de la Rizza (904/FR410) (about 800 m deep and with 4 km of extent), which provided the opportunity to perform a tracer test. In collaboration with the Earth Sciences Department of Ferrara University, a multi-tracer test was made with two contemporary injections of fluorescent dyes in groundwaters: uranine in Abisso Col de la Rizza and tinopal CBS-X in Bus de la Genziana (V-TV1000) (600 m deep and 5 km of extent). The monitoring at Molinetto, Santissima and Gorgazzo springs was performed by means of automated samplers (at Gorgazzo and Molinetto springs) and an intense discrete sampling survey, which included water samples, charcoal bags and cotton lints collection. Molinetto and Santissima springs resulted positive to uranine, while any springs was positive to tinopal CBS-X. The breakthrough curves make possible the determination of the mean velocity of uranine: about 250 m day-1, during low flow conditions, and 1100 m day-1, after an intense rainfall event

Towards a better knowledge of Cansiglio karst system (Italy): results of the first successful groundwater tracer test

Cansiglio is a limestone plateau located on the border between the regions of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, northeastern Italy. The eastern area is characterized by a thick succession of Cretaceous peritidal carbonates, while the central western part is characterized by slope breccia deposits. Even thoughPian Cansiglio is an important karst system, its hydrogeology is poorly known. Three important springs that form the Livenza River are located at its southeastern border and are thought to represent the majority of karst aquifer discharge, but no experimental data are available in the literature. Gruppo Speleologico Ferrarese explored an 800 m deep cave (Abisso Col de la Rizza) on Pian Cansiglio, whichprovided the opportunity to conduct tracer tests. Fluorescent dyes were injected in September 2008 in Abisso Col de la Rizza (uranine) and in Bus della Genziana (tinopal CBS-X). Over a period of three months, local cavers conducted an intense sampling programme, whichincluded collecting water samples, charcoal bags and cotton lints. Automated samplers were used for highfrequency monitoring at two of the springs. Tinopal was not detected, so the connection between Bus della Genziana and the springs was not demonstrated. The connection between Abisso Col de la Rizza and two of the springs was demonstrated by uranine. A mean velocity of 248 m/day results from the tracer concentration peaks; intense rainfall events increased the flow velocities four to five times. Different hypotheses are considered in order to explain the low mass recovery rate (32-40% of the injected mass). The uranine tracer test demonstrated that Pian Cansiglio aquifer contributes to the two Livenza springs; it also opens a question about the third spring, whichprobably originates from the Mount Cavallo area (another limestone massif close to Pian Cansiglio). The rapid response to rainfall recharge suggests a vulnerability of the spring system, further supporting the importance of conducting a detailed hydrogeological study. 

Novel RNA-binding properties of the MTG chromatin regulatory proteins

Background: The myeloid translocation gene (MTG) proteins are non-DNA-binding transcriptional regulators capable of interacting with chromatin modifying proteins. As a consequence of leukemia-associated chromosomal translocations, two of the MTG proteins, MTG8 and MTG16, are fused to the DNA-binding domain of AML1, a transcriptional activator crucial for hematopoiesis. The AML1-MTG fusion proteins, as the wild type MTGs, display four conserved homology regions (NHR1-4) related to the Drosophila nervy protein. Structural protein analyses led us to test the hypothesis that specific MTG domains may mediate RNA binding. Results: By using an RNA-binding assay based on synthetic RNA homopolymers and a panel of MTG deletion mutants, here we show that all the MTG proteins can bind RNA. The RNA-binding properties can be traced to two regions: the Zinc finger domains in the NHR4, which mediate Zinc-dependent RNA binding, and a novel short basic region (SBR) upstream of the NHR2, which mediates Zinc-independent RNA binding. The two AML1-MTG fusion proteins, retaining both the Zinc fingers domains and the SBR, also display RNA-binding properties. Conclusion: Evidence has been accumulating that RNA plays a role in transcriptional control. Both wild type MTGs and chimeric AML1-MTG proteins display in vitro RNA-binding properties, thus opening new perspectives on the possible involvement of an RNA component in MTG-mediated chromatin regulation

Changes in corneal parameters at confocal microscopy in treated glaucoma patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate corneal parameters in treated glaucoma patients, nontreated glaucoma patients, and normal subjects using confocal microscop

La grandiosa rosa di pietra. Analisi litologica del rosone del Duomo di Modena

L'analisi litologica del rosone del Duomo di Modena ha permesso di identificare 5 diversi litotipi: Arenaria della Formazione di Pantano, Arenaria di Scabiazza, Pietra di Aurisina varietà granitello, Rosso Ammonitico e Marmo Proconnesio.Lo studio del rosone ha dimostrato come il Duomo sia l’unico monumento modenese in cui si sia utilizzata pietra locale. Nel contesto della Cattedrale la rosa si contraddistingue in quanto non presenta reimpiego di materiali antichi, come testimoniato nelle fasi precedenti, e nemmeno di Rosso Ammonitico veronese, litotipo principale utilizzato dai Campionesi. L’arenaria impiegata nel rivestimento lapideo esterno si è rivelata del tutto inadeguata, come dimostrato sulla Ghirlandina dalle sostituzioni col Rosso Ammonitico effettuate a partire dal XVI secolo. La pratica del restauro dei materiali degradati è stata affrontata diversamente nel corso dei secoli, e progressivamente si è giunti alla consapevolezza del rispetto dei materiali. Solo alla fine del ‘800, quando vennero condotti i risanamenti sulla Cattedrale, la cultura del restauro impose di impiegare lo stesso materiale nel ricostruire gli elementi danneggiati dal tempo. Una nuova attenzione, specchio della sensibilità artistica del momento storico, ha permesso di conservare questo unicum all’interno del panorama architettonico modenese

Power plant condition monitoring by means of coal powder granulometry classification

In this work, a condition monitoring approach suitable for coal fired power plant is proposed. This approach is based on classification techniques and it is applied for the monitoring of the Particle Size Distribution (PSD) of coal powder. For coal fired power plant, the PSD of coal can affect the combustion performance, therefore it is a meaningful parameter of the operating condition of the plant. Three tests have been carried out aimed to study the effect of the class numbers, the dataset size, and the reduction of the number of false positives on the effectiveness of the approach. For each designed test, three standard classification algorithms, i.e. Artificial Neural Network, Extreme Learning Machine and Support Vector Machine, have been employed and compared. Experimental data taken from 13 measuring point on 13 burners of two different industrial power plants have been used. Obtained results showed that, using two classes give the most accurate results, using only the 90% of the available data can still provide comparable classification results, and the level of false positive can be effectively reduced

Progetto Life+ 08NAT/IT/000369“GYPSUM”. Primi risultati sulle analisi chimiche delle acque nei gessi dell’Emilia Romagna

Dal 2010 è in corso il Progetto Life+ 08NAT/IT/000369 “Gypsum” finalizzato alla tutela e gestione dei principali ambienti gessosi dell’Emilia-Romagna e cofinanziato dall’Unione Europea. Nell’ambito dell’Azione A3 è previsto un monitoraggio pluriennale dei principali acquiferi carsici sotto l’aspetto chimico e microbiologico. In questo lavoro vengono presentati i primi risultati di questo monitoraggio idrochimico.Since 2010 a Project Life + 08NAT/IT/000369 “Gypsum” is running, dealing with the safeguard and management of the main gypsum environments of Emilia Romagna region and cofinanced by the European Union. Action A3 of this Project is concerned with the pluriannual hydrochemical and microbiological monitoring of the most important gypsum aquifers. In this paper the first results of this hydrochemical monitoring are presented

The social consequences of economic growth: the relationship between real household income and self-declared tolerance

A widespread opinion, supported by many theoretical contributions of philosophers and economists, states that economic prosperity has positive consequences on material wellbeing which are traded off by negative “moral” consequences and social externalities. An opposite school of thought challenges this view by emphasizing that economic growth has also beneficial moral consequences in terms of higher tolerance, affection towards democracy, generosity and social consensus for competition. This paper focuses on the presumed positive effect of economic growth on tolerance, so far unexplored in the literature from an empirical point of view. Using panel data from the German Socioeconomic Panel on around 33,000 individuals over the period 1992-2004 we find a robust positive relationship between real personal household income and self-declared tolerance, both in levels and first differences. Our results suggest that growth may have positive moral consequences assumed that it translates from aggregate into individual level