A data-driven health assessment method for electromechanical actuation systems

The design of health assessment applications for the electromechanical actuation system of the aircraft is a challenging task. Physics-of-failure models involve non-linear complex equations which are further complicated at the system-level. Data-driven techniques require run-to-failure tests to predict the remaining useful life. However, components are not allowed to run until failure in the aerospace engineering arena. Besides, when adding new monitoring elements for an improved health assessment, the airliner sets constraints due to the increased cost and weight. In this context, the health assessment of the electromechanical actuation system is a challenging task. In this paper we propose a data-driven approach which estimates the health state of the system without run-to-failure data and limited health information. The approach combines basic reliability theory with Bayesian concepts and obtained results show the feasibility of the technique for asset health assessment

Consequences of the Lack of IL-10 in Different Endotoxin Effects and its Relationship With Glucocorticoids

Sepsis constitutes one of the major causes of death in ICUs. In sepsis induced by gram-negative, although lipopolysaccharide (LPS) initially induces an exacerbated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines leading to endotoxic shock and death resembling a septic shock, it is also capable of inducing refractoriness to subsequent challenge with LPS, a state known as endotoxin tolerance, which is considered the initial step of the immunosuppression found in septic patients. As we previously demonstrated the importance of glucocorticoids in endotoxin tolerance, the aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) both in the endotoxic shock and in the development of the tolerance and its relationship with glucocorticoids. Our results show that, upon LPS challenge, IL-10 knockout mice (KO) mice had an enhanced LPS sensitivity, along with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-12 and interferon-γ, and enhanced tissue damage, despite the high levels of glucocorticoids. This effect may be because, in part, of the higher expression of tumor necrosis factor receptors in IL-10 KO mice. Further, the injection of dexamethasone did not protect IL-10 KO mice from a LPS lethal challenge. Although tolerance was achieved in the absence of IL-10, it was weaker and the elevated levels of glucocorticoids were not able to reverse the high sensitivity of IL-10 KO mice to LPS. Nevertheless, glucocorticoids would play a pivotal role in the establishment and maintenance of this partial tolerance in IL-10 KO mice. Finally, our results show that IL-10 and glucocorticoids could act in a bidirectional way influencing the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory periods.Fil: Córdoba Moreno, Marlina Olyissa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Todero, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fontanals, Adriana Mirta. Fundación Instituto Leloir; ArgentinaFil: Pineda, Gonzalo Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Montagna, Daniela Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Yokobori, Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Barrientos, Gabriela Laura. Hospital Alemán. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Toblli, Jorge Eduardo. Hospital Alemán. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Isturiz, Martín Amadeo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rearte, María Bárbara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Development of an aeronautical electromechanical actuator with real time health monitoring capability

Development and implementation of EMAs has increased rapidly during the last years in the context of the “more electrical aircraft”. One of the main technical key issues for the EMA implementation is the jamming. It can appear due to metalmetal contact of load transmission (in gearboxes, bearings and ball/roller screws). This problem penalizes the reliability although with very low failure rate. To overcome this problem in aeronautical EMAs are actually several ways investigated, where one of the most attractive and with more promising is the implementation of advanced monitoring systems. This implementation of “smart” monitoring systems will imply a clear economical profit in the final product and in the complete system: envisaged benefits will be lower maintenance costs with higher reliability, instead of increasing maintenance costs and decreasing reliability for classical components without Health Monitoring. At the end, the selection of the Health Monitoring and Management system will be able to establish different levels of validation: failure detection, diagnostic and prognostic; this will provide a proactive maintenance strategy in order to replace EMA before failure. A demonstrator prototype of an innovative electromechanical actuator with real time health monitoring capability has been designed and developed by SENER. This actuator type can be taken as a reference for typical secondary control surface applications. This development is based on previous work performed by SENER in AWIATOR project where one of the tasks was the design and calculation of the new flap trailing edge with MINITEDs. In addition, this work included the supports and linkages of the current actuator to the MINITED. This compact electromechanical actuator shows innovations with respect to current state-of-the-art electrical actuators as lightness and compactness of the resulting actuator, with high power density within small dimensions. As an added value, an additional plug module is under development for real time health monitoring to detect potential working incidents: “smart actuator”. One of the additional key points will be the health management in order to solve the introduction of these systems in EMAs, and to check the compatibility with the aircraft systems

Activation of innate and specific immune responses in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)- patients

La función primaria del sistema inmunológico es preservar al individuo sano frente a infinidad de agentes microbianos patógenos o injuriantes. Sin embargo, en determinadas circunstancias los mecanismos agresores normalmente montados contra un agente invasor, pueden tornarse altamente injuriantes para el propio individuo. Hay importantes evidencias tanto clínicas como experimentales, de que la reacción inflamatoria inducida por los distintos componentes de las bacterias Escherichia coli productoras de toxina Shiga (Stx) (STEC), fundamentalmente la Stx y los lipopolisacáridos (LPS), contribuye decisivamente en la evolución a la forma completa de SUH Así los pacientes al ser diagnosticados de SUH, presentan evidencias de haber sufrido un proceso de activación del sistema inmune innato, o reacción inflamatoria muy aguda y temprana en la evolución de la enfermedad. Algunas de estas evidencias pueden resumirse como: una neutrofilia marcada, leucocitos neutrófilos (PMN) circulantes que se encuentran “agotados o exhaustos”, los monocitos diferenciados hacia un fenotipo inflamatorio (menor expresión de CD14 y aumento de CD16), y se encuentra un significativo descenso en los leucocitos que presentan el receptor para la quimioquina Fractalquina (FKN, CX3CL1)) (CX3CR1): los. monocitos clásicos y células Natural Killer (NK). Estas células tienen un alto potencial citotóxico. La FKN se expresa en endotelio y epitelio renal y ha sido involucrada en los mecanismos patogénicos en distintas nefropatías. Llamativamente, encontramos una correlación significativa entre la severidad del cuadro renal y las alteraciones mencionadas. Por último se discute el papel protector que la respuesta inmune específica podría ejercer, fundamentalmente a través de la producción de anticuerpos neutralizantes de la Stx.The central role of the immune system is the preservation of the health against several pathogenic microbes and injury agents. However, on special conditions defensive mechanisms triggered towards the foreign agent can damage the host. Clinical and experimental evidence indicate that inflammatory reaction triggered by the main components of Shiga toxin (Stx)- producing Escherichia coli (STEC), participate in the evolution to the complete form of HUS. When children are diagnosed of HUS, they present evidence that have suffered a very strong and early inflammatory response. These features include: the presence of a marked neutrophilia, the polymorfonuclear leucocytes (PMN) are “deactivated or exhausted” and the monocytes are differentiated towards an inflammatory phenotype (CD14-reduced and CD16-enhanced membrane expression). In addition, HUS-patients show a marked reduction in the absolute and relative number of leucocytes carrying the receptor (CX3CR1) for the chemokine “Fractalkine” (FKN, CX3 CL1), which are the classic monocytes and Natural Killer cells (NK). All these cells express a high cytotoxic potencial. The chemokine FKN is expressed in endothelial and epithelial renal cells, and is involved in the pathogenic mechanism of different nephropathies. Noteworthy, we found a significant correlation between the severity of the renal damage (as days of anuria) and the alterations described above. Finally, the protective role of specific immune response, mainly through the antibody production with Stx-neutralizing capacity, is discussed.Fil: Palermo, Marina Sandra. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Gabriela C.. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Maria Victoria. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bentancor, Leticia. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Brando, Romina Jimena. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Dran, Graciela I.. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Isturiz, Martín Amadeo. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Roots migration: The post-return experiences of second-generation Venezuelan-Portuguese migrants

Luso-Venezuelan ‘returnees’ have been moving from Venezuela to Madeira since the 1990s. In recent years, they have arrived in masses, as a result of the ongoing crisis that hit the country after the severe global crash in oil prices. This study focuses on ‘roots migration’, specifically on the experiences of second-generation ‘returnees’ from Venezuela to Madeira, as an important part of the historic phenomenon of emigration from Portugal to Venezuela that started in the 1940s, with a clear majority departing from Madeira island. Drawing on fieldwork based on semi-directed interviews, the aim is to understand the circumstances in which the decision to relocate to Madeira takes place, and how the migration experience develops upon return. Taking into consideration and highlighting these individuals’ upbringing as children of well-integrated immigrants, we look at the way these migrants negotiate their identities and belonging, and how their constructions of the self and home influence their expectations and lived experience in the ancestral homeland.‘Retornados’ Luso-Venezuelanos têm chegado à Madeira vindos da Venezuela, desde a década de 1990, e nos últimos anos, têm chegado em números significativos, como resultado da atual crise que o país tem atravessado desde a grave quebra global dos preços do petróleo. Este estudo centra-se na 'migração em busca de raízes', nomeadamente nas experiências dos filhos dos imigrantes Madeirenses na Venezuela, no âmbito do fenómeno histórico da emigração Portuguesa para a Venezuela que se iniciou nos anos 1940, e cuja maioria era oriunda da ilha da Madeira. A partir de um trabalho de campo centrado em entrevistas semi-diretivas, pretende-se compreender as circunstâncias em que surge a decisão de relocação para a Madeira, e como se desenvolve a experiência migratória após a chegada. Tendo em consideração que os indivíduos em questão são filhos de imigrantes bem integrados no país de acolhimento, analisamos a maneira como estes negociam a sua identidade e sentimentos de pertença, que por sua vez influenciam as expetativas criadas e posteriormente as experiências vivenciadas no país de origem dos pais

Effect of ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction on pneumococcal carriage in Fiji: results from four annual cross-sectional carriage surveys.

BACKGROUND: The indirect effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are mediated through reductions in carriage of vaccine serotypes. Data on PCVs in Asia and the Pacific are scarce. Fiji introduced the ten-valent PCV (PCV10) in 2012, with a schedule consisting of three priming doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age and no booster dose (3 + 0 schedule) without catch-up. We investigated the effects of PCV10 introduction using cross-sectional nasopharyngeal carriage surveys. METHODS: We did four annual carriage surveys (one pre-PCV10 and three post-PCV10) in the greater Suva area in Fiji, during 2012-15, of 5-8-week-old infants, 12-23-month-old children, 2-6-year-old children, and their caregivers (total of 8109 participants). Eligible participants were of appropriate age, had axillary temperature lower than 37°C, and had lived in the community for at least 3 consecutive months. We used purposive quota sampling to ensure a proper representation of the Fiji population. Pneumococci were detected by real-time quantitative PCR, and molecular serotyping was done with microarray. FINDINGS: 3 years after PCV10 introduction, vaccine-serotype carriage prevalence declined, with adjusted prevalences (2015 vs 2012) of 0·56 (95% CI 0·34-0·93) in 5-8-week-old infants, 0·34 (0·23-0·49) in 12-23-month-olds, 0·47 (0·34-0·66) in 2-6-year-olds, and 0·43 (0·13-1·42) in caregivers. Reductions in PCV10 serotype carriage were evident in both main ethnic groups in Fiji; however, carriage of non-PCV10 serotypes increased in Indigenous Fijian infants and children. Density of PCV10 serotypes and non-PCV10 serotypes was lower in PCV10-vaccinated children aged 12-23 months than in PCV10-unvaccinated children of the same age group (PCV10 serotypes -0·56 [95% CI -0·98 to -0·15], p=0·0077; non-PCV10 serotypes -0·29 [-0·57 to -0·02], p=0·0334). INTERPRETATION: Direct and indirect effects on pneumococcal carriage post-PCV10 are likely to result in reductions in pneumococcal disease, including in infants too young to be vaccinated. Serotype replacement in carriage in Fijian children, particularly Indigenous children, warrants further monitoring. Observed changes in pneumococcal density might be temporal rather than vaccine related. FUNDING: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government through the Fiji Health Sector Support Program; Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Toward AI Policies for the Caribbean

Artificial Intelligence offers extraordinary opportunities for accelerating human progress across a range of fields from healthcare and education, to combating climate change and disasters. However, if left unregulated, AI could exacerbate inequalities, undermine human rights and threaten peace

Alternativas de recuperación, reúso, reciclaje y disposición final de la tierra de blanqueo gastadas en el proceso de refinación del aceite vegetal

Bleaching earths or clays are raw materials used in the process of refining vegetable oil. Due to its physical conditions, it has characteristics and properties that make it suitable for the adsorption of certain non-glyceride components and impurities, such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, free fatty acids, phospholipids and hydroperoxides, thereby ensuring that the oil meets the necessary requirements to achieve the quality of the final product. The clays can retain between 30-45% of the refined oil and once used in the bleaching process they are disposed in open dumps without any method of recovery. This behavior of consuming and discarding is changing and one begins to see industrial waste as value-added materials that can be used in different processes and thereby promote secondary economies from the properties of waste. In this sense, this publication identifies technological alternatives for the recovery of adhering oil in the clays, regeneration of the qualities of the lands for later use in the refining industry and options for the recovery of the waste for the production of biodiesel and biogas, food supplement for animals, fertilizers, water treatments, aggregates for construction, soap making, among others. Information that was extracted in the database of the Patent Inspiration platform for patent documents and Web of Science for scientific publications, under a search strategy that allowed to identify successful and proven experiences in different countries.Las tierras o arcillas de blanqueo son materia prima empleada en el proceso de refinación del aceite vegetal. Por sus condiciones físicas, posee características y propiedades que la hacen idóneas para la adsorción de ciertos componentes no glicéridos e impurezas, tales como carotenoides, clorofilas, ácidos grasos libres fosfolípidos e hidro-peróxidos, con ello se asegura que el aceite cumpla los requisitos necesarios para lograr la calidad del producto final. Las arcillas pueden llegar a retener entre 30-45 % del aceite refinado y una vez empleada en el proceso de blanqueo son dispuestas en vertederos a cielo abierto sin ningún método de valorización. Este comportamiento de consumir y desechar está cambiando y se comienza a visualizar a los residuos industriales como materiales con valor agregado que pueden ser aprovechados en distintos procesos y con ello promocionar economías secundarias a partir de las propiedades de los residuos. En este sentido, esta publicación identifica alternativas tecnológicas para la recuperación del aceite adherido en las arcillas, regeneración de las cualidades de las tierras para posterior uso en la industria de refinación y opciones de valorización del residuo para producción de biodiesel y biogás, complemento alimenticio para animales, fertilizantes, tratamientos de agua, agregados para la construcción, elaboración de jabones, entre otros. Información que fue extraída en la base de datos de la plataforma Patent Inspiratión para documentos de patentes y Web of Science para publicaciones científicas, bajo una estrategia de búsqueda que permitió identificar experiencias exitosas y comprobadas en distintos países