Prognostics of transformer paper insulation using statistical particle filtering of on-line data

Prognostics of transformer remaining life can be achieved through a statistical technique called particle filtering, which gives a more accurate prediction than standard methods by quantifying sources of uncertainty

A model-based hybrid approach for circuit breaker prognostics encompassing dynamic reliability and uncertainty

Prognostics predictions estimate the remaining useful life of assets. This information enables the implementation of condition-based maintenance strategies by scheduling intervention when failure is imminent. Circuit breakers are key assets for the correct operation of the power network, fulfilling both a protection and a network reconfiguration role. Certain breakers will perform switching on a deterministic schedule, while operating stochastically in response to network faults. Both types of operation increase wear on the main contact, with high fault currents leading to more rapid ageing. This paper presents a hybrid approach for prognostics of circuit breakers, which integrates deterministic and stochastic operation through Piecewise Deterministic Markov Processes. The main contributions of this paper are (i) the integration of hybrid prognostics models with dynamic reliability concepts for a more accurate remaining useful life forecasting and (ii) the uncertain failure threshold modelling to integrate and propagate uncertain failure evaluation levels in the prognostics estimation process. Results show the effect of dynamic operation conditions on prognostics predictions and confirm the potential for its use within a condition-based maintenance strategy

Intelligent integrated maintenance for wind power generation

A novel architecture and system for the provision of Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) for offshore wind power generation is presented. The architecture was developed by conducting a bottom-up analysis of the data required to support RCM within this specific industry, combined with a top-down analysis of the required maintenance functionality. The architecture and system consists of three integrated modules for Intelligent Condition Monitoring, Reliability and Maintenance Modelling, and Maintenance Scheduling that provide a scalable solution for performing dynamic, efficient and cost effective preventative maintenance management within this extremely demanding renewable energy generation sector. The system demonstrates for the first time, the integration of state-of-the-art advanced mathematical techniques: Random Forests, Dynamic Bayesian Networks, and Memetic Algorithms in the development of an intelligent autonomous solution. The results from the application of the intelligent integrated system illustrated the automated detection of faults within a wind farm consisting of over 100 turbines, the modelling and updating of the turbines’ survivability and creation of a hierarchy of maintenance actions, and the optimising of the maintenance schedule with a view to maximising the availability and revenue generation of the turbines

Specific gene correction of the AGXT gene and direct cell reprogramming for the treatment of Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1

P428 Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH1) is an inherited rare metabolic liver disease caused by the deficiency in the alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase enzyme (AGXT), involved in the glyoxylate metabolism. The only potentially curative treatment is organ transplantation. Thus, the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of these patients appears as a priority.We propose the combination of site-specific gene correction and direct cell reprogramming for the generation of autologous phenotypically healthy induced hepatocytes (iHeps) from skin-derived fibroblast of PH1 patients. For the correction of AGXT mutations, we have designed specific gene editing tools to address gene correction by two different strategies, assisted by CRISPR/Cas9 system. Accurate specific point mutation correction (c.853T-C) has been achieved by homologydirected repair (HDR) with ssODN harbouring wild-type sequence. In the second strategy, an enhanced version ofAGXTcDNAhas been inserted near the transcription start codon of the endogenous gene, constituting an almost universal correction strategy for PH1 mutations. Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts has been conducted by overexpression of hepatic transcription factors and in vitro culture in defined media. In vitro characterization of healthy induced hepatocytes (iHeps) has demonstrated hepatic function of the reprogrammed cells. PH1 patient fibroblasts and , ,

A cost-effective retrofitting technique for urm buildings based on steel encirclements in openings: a case study

A project named PERSISTAH is being developed to study the seismic vulnerability of primary schools in Huelva (Spain) and the Algarve (Portugal). This area has a moderate seismicity but this is affected by a nearby area where earthquakes of large magnitude (Mw≥6) and longreturn periods happen. The seismic vulnerability of URM (UnReinforced Masonry) buildings has been observed and analysed in the last decades. The seismic retrofitting of these buildings is required in order to improve their seismic behaviour. Many retrofitting techniques have been developed for that purpose, most of them very complicated and expensive. Therefore, these are not appropriate to retrofit a large number of buildings. This is especially relevant in areas of moderate seismicity where the cost-efficiency ratio must be carefully considered. The aim of this paper has been to develop a simple, effective and affordable technique to retrofit these buildings. These buildings are characterised by numerous openings which causes a great weakness in the URM walls. Then, a technique that consists in installing a steel encirclement or a grille in the openings of the walls has been proposed. This is a specific retrofitting technique for URM walls since this technique substantially improves the seismic capacity of these structures. To test the technique a case study is proposed. The building under study is a primary school located in Huelva and built in 1961. Results have shown that the capacity of the building is notably increased. Also, the performance point and the damage level of the structure are decreased.This work has been supported by the INTERREG-POCTEP Spain-Portugal programme and the European Regional Development Fund through the 0313_PERSISTAH_5_P project; PERSISTAH, Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos Sismos no Território do Algarve e de Huelvainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Low-Temperature drying of salted cod (Gadus morhua) assisted by high power ultrasound: Kinetics and physical properties

[EN] Low-temperature convective drying could be considered an affordable alternative to conventional freeze-drying for foodstuffs. The process intensification should be based on non-thermal technologies, such as power ultrasound. Thereby, the aim of this work was to evaluate the air-borne application of power ultrasound on the low-temperature drying of salted cod. For that purpose, drying experiments were carried out at −10, 0, 10 and 20 °C on salted cod slices at 2 m/s with (AIR + US, 20.5 kW/m3) and without ultrasonic application (AIR). In the dried-salted cod, its rehydration capacity was analyzed, as were the microstructural, textural and color changes. At every temperature tested, ultrasound application increased the drying rate; thus, an average increase of 74%was observed in the effective diffusivity. AIR+US dried samples were softer and exhibited a higher rehydration capacity than AIR ones, which was linked to the microstructural changes produced by ultrasound. In addition, color changes were induced by ultrasound application. Industrial relevance: Nowadays, low-temperature convective drying represents a promising alternative for the production of high-quality dried products. However, this technology is mostly limited by the low drying rate, which retards the dehydration process and directly increases the processing costs. Power ultrasound, a nonthermal technology, represents an interesting alternative means of improving low-temperature convective drying due to the fact that acoustic (mechanical)waves may affectwater removal during dryingwith a low heating capacity. Thereby, the ultrasonically enhanced low-temperature convective drying could constitute an affordable alternative to lyophilization (or freeze-drying), which is mainly restricted to high-quality food commodities.The authors acknowledge the financial support both from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Ref. DPI2012-37466-C03-03) and Carmen Cambra S.L. for their technical support with the selection of the raw material. Cesar Ozuna was the recipient of a fellowship from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for his research stay in Aalesund University College.Ozuna López, C.; Cárcel Carrión, JA.; Walde, PM.; García Pérez, JV. (2014). Low-Temperature drying of salted cod (Gadus morhua) assisted by high power ultrasound: Kinetics and physical properties. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. 23:146-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2014.03.008S1461552

Developing capacity in health informatics in a resource poor setting: lessons from Peru

The public sectors of developing countries require strengthened capacity in health informatics. In Peru, where formal university graduate degrees in biomedical and health informatics were lacking until recently, the AMAUTA Global Informatics Research and Training Program has provided research and training for health professionals in the region since 1999. The Fogarty International Center supports the program as a collaborative partnership between Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru and the University of Washington in the United States of America. The program aims to train core professionals in health informatics and to strengthen the health information resource capabilities and accessibility in Peru. The program has achieved considerable success in the development and institutionalization of informatics research and training programs in Peru. Projects supported by this program are leading to the development of sustainable training opportunities for informatics and eight of ten Peruvian fellows trained at the University of Washington are now developing informatics programs and an information infrastructure in Peru. In 2007, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia started offering the first graduate diploma program in biomedical informatics in Peru

In vivo CRISPR/Cas9 targeting of fusion oncogenes for selective elimination of cancer cells

This work was supported by CaixaImpulse (CI18-00017;FuGe) to S.R-P. RT-R. is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC). J.C.S. is supported by the Spanish Cell Therapy cooperative research network (TERCEL)(RD16/0011/0011). P.M. also acknowledges the financial support from the Obra Social La Caixa-Fundaciò Josep Carreras. P.M. is an investigator of the Spanish Cell Therapy cooperative research network (TERCEL). A.M.C. acknowledges funding fromXarxa de Bancs de Tumors de Catalunya (XBTC; sponsored by Pla Director d'Oncologia de Catalunya).Fusion oncogenes (FOs) are common in many cancer types and are powerful drivers of tumor development. Because their expression is exclusive to cancer cells and their elimination induces cell apoptosis in FO-driven cancers, FOs are attractive therapeutic targets. However, specifically targeting the resulting chimeric products is challenging. Based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology, here we devise a simple, efficient and non-patient-specific gene-editing strategy through targeting of two introns of the genes involved in the rearrangement, allowing for robust disruption of the FO specifically in cancer cells. As a proof-of-concept of its potential, we demonstrate the efficacy of intron-based targeting of transcription factors or tyrosine kinase FOs in reducing tumor burden/mortality in in vivo models. The FO targeting approach presented here might open new horizons for the selective elimination of cancer cells

Geographical Distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi Genotypes in Venezuela

Chagas disease is an endemic zoonosis native to the Americas and is caused by the kinetoplastid protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite is also highly genetically diverse, with six discrete typing units (DTUs) reported TcI – TcVI. These DTUs broadly correlate with several epidemiogical, ecological and pathological features of Chagas disease. In this manuscript we report the most comprehensive evaluation to date of the genetic diversity of T. cruzi in Venezuela. The dataset includes 778 samples collected and genotyped over the last twelve years from multiple hosts and vectors, including nine wild and domestic mammalian host species, and seven species of triatomine bug, as well as from human sources. Most isolates (732) can be assigned to the TcI clade (94.1%); 24 to the TcIV group (3.1%) and 22 to TcIII (2.8%). Importantly, among the 95 isolates genotyped from human disease cases, 79% belonged to TcI - a DTU common in the Americas, however, 21% belonged to TcIV- a little known genotype previously thought to be rare in humans. Furthermore, were able to assign multiple oral Chagas diseases cases to TcI in the area around the capital, Caracas. We discuss our findings in the context of T. cruzi DTU distributions elsewhere in the Americas, and evaluate the impact they have on the future of Chagas disease control in Venezuela