Lifetime Expectancies Research Articles

Engineering Interoperable, Plug-and-Play, Distributed, Robotic Control Systems for Futureproof Fusion Power Plants

Maintenance and inspection systems for future fusion power plants (e.g., STEP and DEMO) are expected to require the integration of hundreds of systems from multiple suppliers, with lifetime expectancies of several decades, where requirements evolve over time and obsolescence management is required. There are significant challenges associated with the integration, deployment, and maintenance of very large-scale robotic systems incorporating devices from multiple suppliers, where each may utilise bespoke, non-standardised control systems and interfaces. Additionally, the unstructured, experimental, or unknown operational conditions frequently result in new or changing system requirements, meaning extension and adaptation are necessary. Whilst existing control frameworks (e.g., ROS, OPC-UA) allow for the robust integration of complex robotic systems, they are not compatible with highly efficient maintenance and extension in the face of changing requirements and obsolescence issues over decades-long periods. We present the CorteX software framework as well as results showing its effectiveness in addressing the above issues, whilst being demonstrated through hardware that is representative of real-world fusion applications.

Lifetime Expectancy of Li-Ion Batteries used for Residential Solar Storage

This paper analyses the degradation that is experienced by different types of Li-ion batteries when used as home solar storage systems controlled to minimize the electricity bill of the corresponding household. Simulating the annual operation of photovoltaic (PV) residential systems with batteries at different locations was undertaken to perform the study and it uses actual consumption values and real PV production profiles, as well as validated semi-empirical ageing models of the batteries. Therefore, the work provides a realistic prognosis around the lifetime expectancies for the different Li-ion chemistries.

Temporal Constraints in Human--Building Interaction

Human--building interaction (HBI) is converging the fields of architecture and interaction design, leading to new and interesting tensions in perspectives and methodological approaches. One such tension is related to temporal constraints. Architecture and interaction design typically produce outcomes with very different lifetime expectancies and, predominantly, use methods with very different pace. As an example, fast, iterative approaches of contemporary interaction design, consisting of frequent updates and redesigns, contrasts with much slower, plan-driven and long-term vision driven approaches within architecture. One question emerging from this tension is how to meaningfully combine perspectives and approaches. One suggestion, among others, has been that interaction design methods such as participatory design can be used to heighten the involvement of inhabitants and other stakeholders in continuous adaptations of the buildings they inhabit. While an interesting proposal, we believe that methodological considerations only partly address the complexity of the tension at play from the different lifetime expectancies of buildings and interactive computer systems. Unfolding this complexity further, we therefore propose a framework of temporal constraints at three levels of abstraction: (1) rationale, (2) method, and (3) outcome. Inspired by previous work, we discuss temporal constraints in HBI at these levels. We argue that designing for HBI requires an understanding of temporally constrained design conventions that apply meaningfully to both the short term and long term.

Reliability Testing and Stress Measurement of QFN Packages Encapsulated by an Open-Ended Microwave Curing System

In this paper, the influence of microwave curing on the reliability of a representative electronic package is examined by reliability testing and measurement of residual stresses. A LM358 voltage regulator die was mounted to an open quad flat no-leads (QFN) package for reliability testing. For the stress measurement, a specifically designed stress measurement die was mounted to the QFN package. The chips were encapsulated with Hysol EO1080 thermosetting polymer material. Curing was performed using an open-ended microwave oven system equipped with in situ temperature control. Three different temperature profiles for microwave curing were selected according to the requested degree of cure and chemical composition of the cured material. A convection cure profile was selected for the control group samples. Temperature cycle tests and highly accelerated stress tests (HAST) were performed on a total number of 80 chips. Ninety-five QFN packages with stress measurement chips were also manufactured. The increased lifetime expectancy of the microwave-cured packaged chips was experimentally demonstrated and measured between the 62% and 149% increased lifetime expectancies after temperature cycle test (TCT), and between 63% and 331% after a HAST and TCT compared to conventionally cured packages. The analysis of specifically designed stress test chips showed significantly lower residual stresses ranging from 26 to 58.3 MPa within the microwave-cured packages compared to conventionally cured packaged chips, which displayed residual stresses ranging from 54 to 80.5 MPa. Therefore, this paper provides additional confidence in the industrial relevance of the microwave curing system and its advantages compared to the traditional convection oven systems.

Loss of life expectancy derived from a standardized mortality ratio in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) is a widely used measure. A recent methodological study provided an accurate approximate relationship between an SMR and difference in lifetime expectancies. This study examines the usefulness of the theoretical relationship, when comparing historic mortality data in four Scandinavian populations. For Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, data on mortality every fifth year in the period 1950 to 2010 were obtained. Using 1980 as the reference year, SMRs and difference in life expectancy were calculated. The assumptions behind the theoretical relationship were examined graphically. The theoretical relationship predicts a linear association with a slope, [Formula: see text], between log(SMR) and difference in life expectancies, and the theoretical prediction and calculated differences in lifetime expectancies were compared. We examined the linear association both for life expectancy at birth and at age 30. All analyses were done for females, males and the total population. The approximate relationship provided accurate predictions of actual differences in lifetime expectancies. The accuracy of the predictions was better when age was restricted to above 30, and improved if the changes in mortality rate were close to a proportional change. Slopes of the linear relationship were generally around 9 for females and 10 for males. The theoretically derived relationship between SMR and difference in life expectancies provides an accurate prediction for comparing populations with approximately proportional differences in mortality, and was relatively robust. The relationship may provide a useful prediction of differences in lifetime expectancies, which can be more readily communicated and understood.

Lifetime Expectancy in Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Effects of Donepezil Administration and Special Nursing Home Replacement. A Retrospective Analysis in the Tajiri Project

Objective: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) can delay the progression of Alzheimer disease (AD). We previously demonstrated a positive effect of donepezil (DNP) administration and a Special Nursing Home (SNH) replacement on lifetime expectancy after the onset of AD. Recently DNP has been indicated for use in the treatment of dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB); however, the effect on lifetime expectancy remains unclear. Herein, we analyzed the effects of DNP on DLB. Methods: All outpatients at the Tajiri Clinic with available medical records and death certificates from 1999- 2012 were included in this retrospective analysis. The entry criteria were a diagnosis of dementia based on DSM-IV criteria and diagnosis of DLB using the international consensus criteria; medical treatment for more than 3 months and follow up to less than 1 year before death. Results: We identified 510 subjects based upon medical records and death certificates, of which 360 had a diagnosis of dementia that met the entry criteria. Of 51 patients diagnosed with DLB, 23 had taken DNP and 28 patients had not undergone drug treatment due to treatment prior to the introduction of DNP in 1999 in Japan. The lifetime expectancies after onset were 6.4 years in the DNP group and 3.6 years in the non-DNP group; with a significant drug effect. However, in contrast with the previous AD data, no significant effect of SNH residency was noted. Conclusion: Although this report has the limitation that all analyses were retrospective and lacked randomization, we found a positive effect of DNP on lifetime expectancy after the onset of DLB. The lower life expectancy compared with that of AD and the lack of an effect of SNH residency suggest the cholinergic deficiency in DLB is greater than that in AD.

How to control the impact of the severe environments surrounding medium-voltage switchgear

This study presents an ecosystem, which aims at continuing the initiative of sustainable developments. This approach become more and more integrated in the regulation framework of the energy markets as the directives 2009/125/EC and 2014/25/EU. This ecosystem deals with increase the lifetime expectancies of medium-voltage switchgear and controlgear exposed to special and severe service conditions. The association of sensors and algorithms enable to anticipate any early ageing. However, a strong product design is still required, with a complete functional analysis anticipating the constraints met during the product lifecycle. All of this allows a better expected lifespan coupled with a minimised environmental footprint.

EFFECT OF DRUG TREATMENT AND NURSING HOME RESIDENCY ON LIFE EXPECTANCY IN DEMENTIA (DLB VS AD): A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS IN THE TAJIRI PROJECT

Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) such as donepezil have the effect of delaying progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). We previously reported (BMC Neurol 2014) the positive effect on life expectancy of AD patients, however, that of DLB is unclear. We analyzed the influence of donepezil on life expectancy after onset of DLB.reported (BMC Neurol 2014) the positive effect on life expectancy of AD patients, however, that of DLB is unclear. We analyzed the influence of donepezil on life expectancy after onset of DLB. All outpatients at the Tajiri Clinic from 1999–2012 with available medical records and death certificates were included in a retrospective analysis. The entry criteria were a dementia diagnosis based on DSM-IV criteria and diagnosis of DLB using the consensus criteria; medical treatment for more than 3 months; and follow up until less than 1 year before death. We identified 390 subjects with medical records and death certificates, of whom 275 had a diagnosis of dementia that met the entry criteria. Of 39 patients diagnosed with DLB, 11 had taken donepezil and 28 patients had not received the drug due to treatment prior to the introduction of donepezil in 1999 in Japan. The lifetime expectancies after onset were 6.4 years in the donepezil group and 3.6 years in the non-donepezil group. There were covariate effect of Parkinsonism and nursing home (NH) residency; however, the latter was cancelled by 4-group (donepezil/NH, yes/no) analysis. Although this report has the limitation of all retrospective analyses: the lack of randomization, we found a positive effect of donepezil on lifetime expectancy after onset of DLB. This may be due to a decreased mortality rate caused by reduction of concomitant diseases. The lesser effect of NH residency compared to AD suggests a greater importance of drug treatment for DLB patients.

APPLICATION OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TO VARIOUS BUILDING LIFETIME SHEARING LAYERS: SITE, STRUCTURE, SKIN, SERVICES, SPACE, AND STUFF

Currently, green rating systems are not directly related to environmental consequences. Moreover, rating systems score both building-related tasks with long lifetime expectancies and system-related tasks with short lifetime expectancies without separating them. Therefore, passive solar and bio-climatic architectures, which have long lifetime expectancies and thus have a strong, negative impact on the environment, are neglected. The main goal of this study is to explore differences in total environmental impact for a single “typical” building module (with the heavy wall building technology accepted in Israel) in terms of six different lifetime shearing layers, Site, Structure, Skin, Services, Space Plan, and Stuff, each of which reflects a different form of environmental damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the six shearing layers using life cycle assessment (LCA) by applying Eco-indicator 99 (EI99). It was found that the environmental damage associated with the Building layers (Site, Structure, and Skin) was higher than that associated with the Service layers (Services, Space Plan, and Stuff). The paper may contribute to the development of a more scientific (quantitative) background for green rating systems. As a result, a greater decrease in building-related ecological impacts can be achieved, thus encouraging sustainable building activities.

TÜRKİYE’DE YAŞLILIK ÇALIŞMALARI

The concepts of old, old age and aging vary in meaning in terms of one person’s attributions like biological health, mental health and social function. The old, formed an important and functional part in the community throughout the history of humanity. Knowledge, experience, mental maturity, economic opportunities, tolerance capacity, customs and traditions has ensured the respectability and status of elderly. The modernization process of the industrial revolution has affected things that are traditional and social. Individualsinstead of being defined according to their descent, they started to gain social status with their skills, abilities, achievements. Innovation, associated with this condition, has reduced the dependency between the older and younger to the emotional-psychological dimension. One result of the development of societies, is that the fall in the birth rates have become inversely proportional with lifetime expectancies. This has brought out an increase in the elderly population according to the developments in health care facilities. The process of modernization has edited the roles and statue of social actors while emerging complex factors made the phenomenon of aging problematic. The problems which are related to the process of aging in today’s society must be the subject of conscious and scientific interest. The detection of problems related to the aging process, their solution and the reconstruction of the process are important in terms of social permanence. Therefore, this study was based on the determination that Turkish society entered the aging process with the purpose revealing the interest shown in the topic by the Turkish science community by taking into account scientific studies.

Donepezil and life expectancy in Alzheimer’s disease: A retrospective analysis in the Tajiri Project

BackgroundCholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) such as donepezil have the effect of delaying progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but their effect on life expectancy is unclear. We analyzed the influence of donepezil on life expectancy after onset of AD, together with the effects of antipsychotic drugs and residency in a nursing home.MethodsAll outpatients at the Tajiri Clinic from 1999–2012 with available medical records and death certificates were included in a retrospective analysis. The entry criteria were a dementia diagnosis based on DSM-IV criteria and diagnosis of AD using NINCDS-ADRDA criteria; medical treatment for more than 3 months; and follow up until less than 1 year before death.ResultsWe identified 390 subjects with medical records and death certificates, of whom 275 had a diagnosis of dementia that met the entry criteria. Of 100 patients diagnosed with AD, 52 had taken donepezil and 48 patients had not received the drug due to treatment prior to the introduction of donepezil in 1999 in Japan. The lifetime expectancies after onset were 7.9 years in the donepezil group and 5.3 years in the non-donepezil group. There was a significant drug effect with a significant covariate effect of nursing home residency. Other covariates did not reach a significant level.ConclusionsAlthough this report has the limitation of all retrospective analyses: the lack of randomization, we found a positive effect of donepezil on lifetime expectancy after onset of AD. This may be due to a decreased mortality rate caused by reduction of concomitant diseases such as pneumonia. The similar life expectancies in patients taking donepezil at home and those not taking donepezil in a nursing home indicated a positive health economic effect of the drug.

Hot Corrosion Behaviour of HVOF Sprayed Stellite-6 Coatings on Gas Turbine Alloys

The coal burned natural gas in contact with gas turbine can contain impurities of sodium, sulfur, vanadium, silicon and possibly lead and phosphorous, induce accelerated hot corrosion during long term operation. Coatings are frequently applied on gas turbine components in order to restrict surface degradation and to obtain accurate lifetime expectancies. High velocity oxy-fuel thermal spraying has been used to deposit Stellite-6 alloy coatings on turbine alloys. Hot corrosion behavior of the coatings were investigated for 50 cycles of 1 h heating at 800 °C followed by 20 min cooling in presence of Na2SO4 + 50 % V2O5 measuring weight gain (or loss). X-ray diffraction and SEM/EDAX techniques were used to characterize the oxide scale formed. The superior performance of Stellite-6 coating can be attributed to continuous and protective thin oxide scale of CoO, Cr2O3 and SiO2 formed on the surface. The coating region beneath this thin oxide scale was partially oxidized. Uncoated SuperCo-605 and MDN-121 showed less weight gain than Stellite-6 coated samples, but they showed spalling or sputtering during cyclic oxidation. Stellite-6 coating was dense and pore free even after 50 cycles, indicating that it can resist the hot corrosion cycle.

Assessment of Existing Roadside Swales with Engineered Filter Soil: I. Characterization and Lifetime Expectancy

Roadside infiltration swales with well-defined soil mixtures (filter soil) for the enhancement of both infiltration and treatment of stormwater runoff from roads and parking areas have been common practice in Germany for approximately two decades. Although the systems have proven hydraulically effective, their treatment efficiency and thus lifetime expectancies are not sufficiently documented. The lack of documentation restricts the implementation of new such systems in Germany as well as other countries. This study provides an assessment of eight roadside infiltration swales with filter soil from different locations in Germany that have been operational for 6 to16 yr. The swales were assessed with respect to visual appearance, infiltration rate, soil pH, and soil texture, as well as soil concentration of organic matter, heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn), and phosphorus. Visually, the swales appeared highly variable with respect to soil color and textural layering as well as composition of plants and soil-dwelling organisms. Three swales still comply with the German design criteria for infiltration rate (10 m/s), while the remaining swales have lower, yet acceptable, infiltration rates around 10 m/s. Six of the eight studied soils have heavy metal concentrations exceeding the limit value for unpolluted soil. Provided that the systems are able to continuously retain existing and incoming pollutants, our analysis indicates that the soils can remain operational for another 13 to 136 yr if the German limit values for unrestricted usage in open construction works are applied. However, no official guidelines exist for acceptable soil quality in existing infiltration facilities.

Electro-stimulated biological production of hydrogen from municipal solid waste

Hydrogen production from municipal solid wastes was investigated by applying a weak current (0.06 A) to a slurry of municipal solid waste in an anaerobic reactor at 55 °C using 4 electrodes (carbon graphite for the cathode and platinum electroplated titanium for the anode). Current application to the organic waste stimulated the hydrogen producing bacteria especially bacteria related to the Thermotogales and Bacillus families. Measured hydrogen production rates were comprised between 16 and 41 mL/h. Comparison of bacterial and archaeal communities in methane-producing (control) and electro-stimulated reactors showed similar species but with different dynamics correlated to hydrogen or methane production. Energy efficiency of the overall bioelectrolysis process using municipal solid waste and an applied voltage of 3V was approximately 12.4%, which is relatively low compared to values reported in the literature for organic wastes and can be explained by the low organic carbon content and availability in the municipal solid waste. Results of this study highlight some important operational constraints with respect to electro-stimulated hydrogen production from organic wastes; related in particular to electrode lifetime expectancies. Results nevertheless illustrate the potential for hydrogen production from municipal solid waste as a possible route for energy recovery.

Estimation of lifetime expectancies of motors

Methods for evaluating lifetime expectations are discussed. Factors that affect the life of bearings and brushes and of wire coil insulation are identified. Thermal life of insulation and methods for accelerated testing are discussed. Examples are included to assist in the calculation of such factors as motor temperature-rise conditions and the benefits to be realized through upgrading the thermal classification of the motor insulation system.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Recent advances in high-power ignitron development

The authors describe the advances made in high-power ignitron switching capabilities in a comparison study between conventional size D and size E tubes, demountable experimental tubes, and the new NL-9000 (Richardson Electronics). The authors discuss the differences in tube design and the associated peak current and charge transfer capabilities and lifetime expectancies. The critical design criteria are the anode shape and placement in order to control the plasma and prevent prefires. Tube failure modes and recent studies on alternate ignitor schemes are presented. In addition, results of plasma diagnostics performed on a demountable ignitron with optical access to the discharge plasma are shown. Time-resolved images of the interference patterns from an optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer were recorded with a mechanical high-speed camera and evaluated with the help of image processing. >