Reliability Analysis Method Research Articles

Dual-frequency ultrasonic oxidation of cyanobacterial toxins (MC-LR and MC-RR) at drinking water resources: Assessment of analytical methods and ultrasonic reactor configuration.

Ultrasonic oxidation provides the degradation of a wide range of water pollutants to the final products defined as carbon dioxide, short-chain organic acids, and inorganic ions, typically less toxic and favorable to biodegradation. In this study, it was investigated the application of novel ultrasonic reactor that allows the several combinations of low (20kHz and 40kHz) and high frequency ultrasonic piezoceramic transducer (578kHz, 862kHz and 1142kHz) to degrade two main cyanobacterial toxins, Microcystin-RR (MC-RR) and Microcystin-LR (MC-LR). A plate transducer operating at different frequencies (40kHz or 578kHz/862kHz/1142kHz) was combined with a probe (20kHz) as well as two plate transducers 40kHz and 578kHz/862kHz/1142kHz were combined to provide dual frequency ultrasonic reactor (DFUR). In order to carry out the study successfully, it is necessary to detect and monitor microcystins (MCs) using sensitive, robust, selective and reliable analytical methods. In this work, it was simultaneously identified and quantified with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) without any phase extraction for sample preparation. Ultrasonic oxidation of MC-RR and MC-LR by DFUR exhibited more suitable degradation rate with second order than a very small difference from first-order reaction. A comprehensive standardization method for ultrasonic sources were considered based on calorimetry, chemical dosimetry, cavitational yield, energy efficiency as well.

Application of QuEChERS for Analysis of Contaminants in Dairy Products: A Review.

The safety of dairy products is intrinsically linked to consumer health, and the exceedance of risk indicators, such as pesticide and veterinary drug residues, constitutes one of the primary issues affecting their quality and safety. To assess the safety of dairy products, it is crucial to develop accurate and reliable analytical methods for their detection. Food safety testing involving important indicators such as pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, mycotoxins, and unapproved additives has become a pivotal requirement in the industry field. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) method is widely acknowledged as a food safety analysis method currently. This method can effectively extract a wide range of compound classes from diverse matrices in food safety testing, thereby enhancing the accuracy of detection. Additionally, when combined with chromatographic-mass spectrometry techniques, it can simultaneously analyze hundreds of target analytes, rendering it widely applicable in the quality and safety testing of dairy products. Although QuEChERS has rapidly developed in the field of dairy product quality and safety analysis due to its efficiency and speed advantages, certain shortcomings remain, presenting considerable room for improvement. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the utilization and research advancements of the QuEChERS technique in dairy products, with the aim of providing more precise, expeditious, and reliable methods for the safety assessment of dairy products.

Development and validation of a UHPLC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of trans-ISRIB in human plasma.

The integrated stress response (ISR) is a cellular defense mechanism activated under stress conditions. When the ISR is activated, it slows the production of proteins, the building blocks that cells need to function. Trans-integrated stress response inhibitor (trans-ISRIB) is a compound that can reverse the effects of ISR activation, showing promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The preclinical and clinical evaluation of trans-ISRIB necessitates a reliable analytical method. This study presents the development and validation of an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative analysis of trans-ISRIB in human plasma, conforming to the U.S. FDA's guidelines for bioanalytical method validation. The method developed utilizes a liquid-liquid extraction procedure to prepare plasma samples with a spiked internal standard (IS). The extracts containing trans-ISRIB and the IS were dried under nitrogen, reconstituted in the mobile phase, and separated on a Waters XSelect HSS T3 column under isocratic conditions with a mobile phase containing 0.1% acetic acid in 70% methanol aqueous solution at a flow rate of 0.500mL/min. Detection and quantification were accomplished using a positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer (ESI+-MS/MS) operated in multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. The method demonstrated a linear calibration range for trans-ISRIB concentrations from 0.500 to 1.00x103 nM, with high specificity, precision, accuracy, and recovery. This method addresses a significant analytical gap, offering a robust tool for quantifying trans-ISRIB in human plasma. Chemical compounds studied in this article: 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-[4-[[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetyl]amino]cyclohexyl]acetamide (trans-ISRIB) (CAS # 1597403-47-8); 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-(2-{[(4-chlorophenoxy)acetyl]amino}ethyl)acetamide (CAS # 327071-30-7).

Identifying a probe to visualize the variability of operating teams for supporting the human reliability analysis of nuclear power plants: An explanatory study

Identifying a probe to visualize the variability of operating teams for supporting the human reliability analysis of nuclear power plants: An explanatory study

Reliability Analysis Method for Multiple Failure Modes with Overlapping Failure Domains

Reliability Analysis Method for Multiple Failure Modes with Overlapping Failure Domains

RP-HPLC and MS Methods for Simultaneous Estimation of Arbutin and Quercetin from <i>Origanum majorana</i>

Background: Arbutin (ARB) and quercetin (QUER) are two important phytoconstituents with proven anti-cancer effects. In vitro cytotoxic actions against a variety of tumor cell lines or antitumor-promoting properties have also been associated with extracts from Origanum majorana. Aim: To develop an easy, rapid, accurate, precise and reliable novel analytical method for the simultaneous estimation of quercetin and arbutin from Origanum majorana extracts and its marketed formulation. Method: The ideal chromatographic conditions for estimating arbutin and quercetin simultaneously using the RP-HPLC method are a stationary phase LichroCART C18 column (250mm × 4.0mm, 5μm), a mobile phase that contains 1% orthophosphoric acid and methanol in a 50:50% v/v ratio, a flow rate of 1 ml/min, ambient temperature operation, and a detection wavelength of 287 nm. The presence of arbutin and quercetin were qualitatively analyzed using mass spectroscopy. Results: The new RP-HPLC technique yielded a correlation value of 0.9999 and was demonstrated to be linear in the 0.5-2.5μg/ml range. Arbutin and quercetin were shown to have retention periods of 2.24 and 13.5 minutes, respectively. The amount of arbutin and quercetin in formulation were found to be 0.6484 μg and 0.1420 μg, respectively. The technique was validated using criteria such as specificity, accuracy, LOD, LOQ, precision, repeatability, stability, and system adaptability. Arbutin and quercetin were also confirmed to be present in the extract and formulation using mass spectroscopy (273 and 303 m/z values). Conclusion: Simple, fast, accurate, reliable, and economical, the suggested RP-HPLC and mass spectroscopy techniques are useful for consistently identifying arbutin and quercetin in both their prescription dose form and bulk. Major Findings: For arbutin and quercetin, the linearity was found to be between 0.5 and 2.5μg/ml, respectively. Among the extracts chloroform extract was found with separation of many components. The amount of arbutin and quercetin was determined to be 0.6484 μg and 0.1420 μg in the formulation.

Overview on Analytical Methods for Simultaneous Estimation of Bisoprolol Fumarate and Telmisartan

This article reviews the development and validation of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods, particularly Reverse Phase HPLC (RP-HPLC), for the simultaneous estimation of Bisoprolol fumarate and Telmisartan in pharmaceutical formulations. Both drugs are essential in managing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and reliable analytical methods are crucial for quality control in their production. The review highlights various RP-HPLC methods with different chromatographic conditions, including stationary phases, mobile phase compositions, flow rates, and wavelengths. These methods have been validated for precision, accuracy, and regulatory compliance, ensuring efficient and cost-effective analysis. The development of such validated RP-HPLC methods supports the effective quality control of combination therapies, enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes.

A novel reliability-based robust design optimization method integrating a multivariate quality loss function and advanced finite step length

To enhance the robustness of mechanical structures and reduce fluctuations in reliability, a novel reliability-based robust design optimization method combining a multivariate quality loss function (MQLF) and advanced finite step length (AFSL) is proposed. Gaussian process regression is used to formulate an MQLF for mechanical structures, integrating multiple quality characteristic deviations, predicted quality and robustness. An AFSL method for structural reliability analysis is proposed, effectively enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of reliability calculations through conjugate gradient search and an adaptive step length adjustment formula, while also solving the reliability sensitivity using the AFSL method. A multi-objective reliability-based robust optimization model is established with the objective of the MQLF and reliability sensitivity, considering structural reliability and design variable tolerances as constraints. Practical examples demonstrate that the proposed method achieves an optimal equilibrium solution, accounting for both quality loss and reliability sensitivity, in contrast to the traditional approach.

Clinically oriented automatic three-dimensional enamel segmentation via deep learning

BackgroundEstablishing accurate, reliable, and convenient methods for enamel segmentation and analysis is crucial for effectively planning endodontic, orthodontic, and restorative treatments, as well as exploring the evolutionary patterns of mammals. However, no mature, non-destructive method currently exists in clinical dentistry to quickly, accurately, and comprehensively assess the integrity and thickness of enamel chair-side. This study aims to develop a deep learning work, 2.5D Attention U-Net, trained on small sample datasets, for the automatical, efficient, and accurate segmentation of enamel across all teeth in clinical settings.MethodsWe propose a fully automated computer-aided enamel segmentation model based on an instance segmentation network, 2.5D Attention U-Net. After data annotation and augmentation, the model is trained using manually annotated segmented enamel data, and its performance is evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient metrics. A satisfactory image segmentation model is applied to generate a 3D enamel model for each tooth and to calculate the thickness value of individual enclosed 3D enamel meshes using a normal ray-tracing directional method.ResultsThe model achieves the Dice score on the enamel segmentation task of 96.6%. This study provides an intuitive visualization of irregular enamel morphology and a quantitative analysis of three-dimensional enamel thickness variations. The results indicate that enamel is thickest at the incisal edges of anterior teeth and the cusps of posterior teeth, thinning towards the roots. For posterior teeth, the enamel is thinnest at the central fossae area, with mandibular molars having thicker enamel in the central fossae compared to maxillary molars. The average enamel thickness of maxillary incisors, canines, and premolars is greater than that of mandibular incisors, while the opposite is true for molars. Although there are individual variations in enamel thickness, the average enamel thickness graduallly increases from the incisors to the molars among all teeth within the same quadrant.ConclusionsThis study introduces an automatic, efficient, and accurate 2.5D Attention U-Net system to enhance precise and efficient chair-side diagnosis and treatment of enamel-related diseases in clinical settings, marking a significant advancement in automated diagnostics for enamel-related conditions.

High-throughput markerless pose estimation and home-cage activity analysis of tree shrew using deep learning.

Quantifying the rich home-cage activities of tree shrews provides a reliable basis for understanding their daily routines and building disease models. However, due to the lack of effective behavioral methods, most efforts on tree shrew behavior are limited to simple measures, resulting in the loss of much behavioral information. To address this issue, we present a deep learning (DL) approach to achieve markerless pose estimation and recognize multiple spontaneous behaviors of tree shrews, including drinking, eating, resting, and staying in the dark house, etc. RESULTS: This high-throughput approach can monitor the home-cage activities of 16 tree shrews simultaneously over an extended period. Additionally, we demonstrated an innovative system with reliable apparatus, paradigms, and analysis methods for investigating food grasping behavior. The median duration for each bout of grasping was 0.20 s. This study provides an efficient tool for quantifying and understand tree shrews' natural behaviors.

Development of a Validated HPLC-UV Method for the Determination of Panthenol, Hesperidin, Rutin, and Allantoin in Pharmaceutical Gel-Permeability Study

A pressure ulcer is the necrosis of the skin and tissues due to prolonged pressure. Its prevention and treatment are of great importance not only for the health but also for the patient’s quality of life and are considered the highest priority. In the present study, a reliable analytical method is developed for the quantitative determination of panthenol, hesperidin, rutin, and allantoin by HPLC and UV detectors. The substances were formulated into a pharmaceutical gel, with healing and regenerative properties recommended for first- and second-degree bedsores. Their separation was achieved with a ZIC-Hilic column (150 × 4.6 mm), 5 μm, and a gradient elution system (Solvent A: CH3CN-H2O, 90:10 v/v/v and Solvent B: CH3CN-H2O, 10:90 v/v). The method was evaluated based on the required specifications (%RSD < 2, % Recovery > 96.7%) and was applied for the quantitative extraction of the active substances in the gel. The purification of the samples was carried out using experimental design and Cross-D-Optimal methodology (%RSD < 2.2, % Recovery > 96.9%). Subsequently, the gel was studied in terms of the transdermal permeation of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) through vertical Franz cells and their behavior (Papp values) was compared with a similar aqueous suspension product (reference formulation). The samples were reconstituted by lyophilization and extraction with methanol. According to the results, the drugs exhibit satisfactory penetration, ensuring the healing of problems that may occur in the skin and dermis.

Reliability analysis of wind turbine gearboxes: past, progress and future prospects

PurposeAs a clean and renewable energy source, wind energy will become one of the main sources of new energy supply in the future. Relying on the stable and strong wind resources at sea, wind energy has great potential to become the primary energy. As a critical part of the wind turbine, the gearbox of a wind turbine often bears a large external load. Especially at sea, due to the effects of ocean corrosion, waves and wind, the burden of the wind turbine gearbox is greater, which brings great challenges to its reliability analysis. This study aims to systematically review the reliability research in wind turbine gearboxes and guide future research directions and challenges.Design/methodology/approachThis study systematically reviews some design requirements and reliability analysis methods for wind turbine gearboxes. Then, it summarizes previous studies on wind load uncertainty modeling methods, including the processing of wind measurement data and the summary of three different classifications of random wind speed prediction models. Finally, existing reliability analysis studies on two major parts of the gearbox are described and summarized.FindingsFirst, the basic knowledge of wind turbine gearboxes and their reliability analysis is introduced. The requirements and reliability analysis methods of wind turbine gearboxes are explained. Then, the processing methods of wind measurement data and three different random wind speed prediction models are described in detail. Furthermore, existing reliability analysis studies on two common parts of wind turbine gearboxes, gears and bearings, are summarized and classified, including a summary of bearing failure modes. Finally, three possible future research directions for wind turbine gearbox reliability analysis are discussed, namely, reliability research under the influence of multiple factors on gears, damage indicators of bearing failure modes and quantitative evaluation criteria for the overall dynamic characteristics of offshore wind turbine gearboxes and a summary is also given.Originality/valueThis paper aims to systematically introduce the relevant contents of wind turbine gearboxes and their reliability analysis. The contents of wind speed data processing, predictive modeling and reliability analysis of major components are also comprehensively reviewed, including the classification and principle introduction of these contents.

Probabilistic modeling of uncertainties in reliability analysis of mid- and high-strength steel pipelines under hydrogen-induced damage

PurposeTransporting hydrogen through natural gas pipelines in blended compositions has been proven to be a highly feasible solution in the short term. However, under hydrogen-rich environments, steel structures are prone to hydrogen-induced damage (HID). Additionally, uncertainties in various parameters can significantly impact the performance evaluation of hydrogen pipelines. Efficient reliability and sensitivity analyses of medium- to high-strength steel pipelines considering HID have become a challenge. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis study first establishes reliability analysis models for medium- to high-strength steels, represented by X65 and X80. In these models, the effect of HID is expressed by reduced stress, and its statistical parameters are calculated. Then, a highly efficient enhanced first order reliability method (FORM) is proposed for pipeline reliability analysis. This method overcomes the oscillation and convergence issues of traditional FORM when dealing with certain problems and can compute negative reliability indices. The proposed reliability analysis method is applied to solve the constructed reliability models. Finally, a reliability sensitivity analysis is conducted on the models to identify the key variables affecting the reliability of medium- to high-strength steel pipelines under HID.FindingsFirst, two reliability analysis examples are used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed enhanced FORM. Then, using this method to solve the constructed reliability models for X65 and X80 steel pipelines under HID reveals that, for both types of steel, the reliability indices decrease significantly when considering HID compared to cases without HID. The decline is more pronounced for X80 steel than for X65 steel. As internal pressure increases, the reliability of both steels drops sharply, showing a concave parabolic trend. Moreover, the reliability sensitivity analysis shows that at a pressure of 10 MPa, for both X80 and X65, internal pressure, pipeline wall thickness and model error are the top three factors influencing reliability. As internal pressure increases, its influence becomes stronger, while the impact of other variables diminishes. Notably, for X80 steel, the presence of hydrogen amplifies the effect of internal pressure on pipeline reliability compared to when HID is not considered, but for X65, this trend is reversed.Originality/valueGiven the urgent need for safety evaluation studies on hydrogen transport through natural gas pipelines, this research provides new insights by constructing reliability models for X65 and X80 pipeline steels under HID and introducing an enhanced FORM method. The results of the reliability and sensitivity analyses of the models offer valuable insights and serve as a reference for engineering design.

Finite-Element-Based Time-Dependent Service Life Prediction for Carbonated Reinforced Concrete Aqueducts

This study proposes a time-dependent reliability analysis method for aqueduct structures based on concrete carbonation and finite element analysis. The primary goal of this study is to improve the reliability assessment of reinforced concrete aqueducts by incorporating environmental factors such as carbonation over time. First, a three-dimensional finite element model of a reinforced concrete aqueduct is established using the Midas 2022 Civil software, incorporating a time-varying function derived from a predictive model of concrete carbonation depth. Point estimation is then integrated with structural finite element analysis to calculate the first four moments of random variables as functions of concrete carbonation. Additionally, the original performance function is transformed into a normal distribution using dual power transformation and the Jarque–Bera test. The high-order unscented transformation (HUT) is subsequently employed to estimate the first four moments of the transformed performance function, facilitating the calculation of time-varying reliability indices for the carbonated concrete aqueduct. Based on the time-varying reliability index data, a reliability function corresponding to different time points is fitted and applied to service life prediction. The results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively reduces large errors associated with the fourth-moment method in calculating large reliability indices. Furthermore, the comparison with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) results validates the high efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method, offering a valuable tool for addressing the reliability challenges of aqueducts exposed to carbonation and other environmental factors over time.

Integrating entropy-driven DNA circuit with tetrahedral scaffold as a generic in-situ electrochemical biosensor for amplified detection of microRNAs

Detection of carcinogenesis-related miRNAs presents significant challenges due to their low abundance and high specificity, necessitating highly sensitive and reliable analytical methods. Herein, we propose a generic in-situ electrochemical biosensor...

Preparation of matrix-matched calibration standards for accurate determination of elemental concentrations in uric acid stones by LA-ICP-MS.

Accurate determination of elemental concentrations in uric acid (UA) stones is crucial for understanding their formation process. However, the lack of matrix-matched calibration standards has limited the application of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in this field. This study addresses this limitation by preparing a synthetic UA precipitate (UA-1) doped with 17 elements using a recrystallization method. Reference concentrations of these elements were measured using pneumatic nebulization-ICP-MS (PN-ICP-MS) for calibration purposes. The synthetic standard was characterized through 30 random spot analyses, demonstrating a homogeneity of approximately 5%. Using this synthetic standard, a reliable analytical method was developed, achieving limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0 to 0.42 μg g-1. The method's accuracy, with relative deviations between -8.33% and 0 and correlation coefficients (R2) greater than 0.99, confirms its reliability. Additionally, elemental distribution differences observed across various zones in a real UA stone suggest that this method offers a promising approach for the precise analysis of elemental concentrations in UA stones.

A novel self-adaptive step size first-order method for structural reliability analysis based on modified Sigmoid function and Armijo rule

A novel self-adaptive step size first-order method for structural reliability analysis based on modified Sigmoid function and Armijo rule

Automatic monitoring and on-line chiral separation of chiral drug synthesis.

Chiral synthesis of single chiral drugs offers high efficiency, controllable costs, and excellent enantioselectivity, making it crucial in the pharmaceutical industry. A significant number of studies on chiral drug synthesis primarily focuses on the design and synthesis of innovative chiral catalysts and ligands with extremely high selectivity, as well as the development of new methods and strategies. Nonetheless, the on-line monitoring of chiral drug synthesis and its underlying mechanisms remain obscure. The principal challenge lies in the diverse synthesis pathways and intricate mechanisms of chiral drugs, with numerous intermediates and by-products. To tackle this issue, employing the chiral drug omeprazole as a breakthrough, we design and establish a reliable and stable analytical method to monitor the synthesis process. By integrating electrokinetic chromatography technology with automatic sequence injection, the chiral synthesis of omeprazole can be comprehensively tracked and monitored throughout its entire process. During the chiral drug synthesis process, all compounds, containing all reagents and products (omeprazole sulfide, R-omeprazole, S-omeprazole, iodobenzene and iodobenzene diacetate) are efficiently separated and simultaneously detected through a single run. The method shows a high resolution greater than 1.2, a wide linear range with a detection limit as low as 0.008 μM, as well as exceptional repeatability in sequence analysis. Therefore, the proposed method has demonstrated significant value in the analysis of chiral drug synthesis and holds potential for extensive application in the industrial production of chiral compound synthesis.

Effects of Simulated Degradation Conditions on the Authentication of Fresh Quail Eggs Using a Miniaturized NIR Spectrometer and DD-SIMCA

This study developed a reliable and non-destructive analytical method for quality control of quail eggs under simulated degradation conditions, including temperature variations and UV radiation exposure, using a miniaturized near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer combined with Data-Driven Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (DD-SIMCA). A total of 336 quail egg samples were evaluated, with 90 samples stored under optimal conditions for up to 14 days, while the remaining 246 samples underwent controlled storage at temperatures of 30 and 40 °C for 24, 48, and 72 h, and were exposed to UV irradiation for 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 h. DD-SIMCA models utilizing NIR spectra pre-processed with multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and Savitzky-Golay first derivative (SGD) achieved remarkable sensitivity and specificity of 100% in the test set, demonstrating an effective and low-cost technology for ensuring the authenticity of fresh quail eggs.

Method for reliability analysis based on RBF surrogate model and evidence theory

Method for reliability analysis based on RBF surrogate model and evidence theory