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This paper introduces delegates to the content and requirements of the new, and under development, range of ISO standards relating to condition monitoring. The paper describes the outlined processes for condition monitoring system design and implementation as well as new concepts in the fields of diagnostics and prognostics. The processes outlined also have direct FMEA links to RCM programs and can be used to implement CM programs directly linked to RCM analyses. This paper also outlines developments in the fields of Training and Accreditation including new and upcoming standards. Several of the new standards released and under development discussed in this paper are: ISO 17359, Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines – General guidelines ISO 13373, Mechanical vibration and shock - Vibration condition monitoring of machines ISO 13379, Data interpretation and diagnostic techniques which use information and data related to the condition of a machine. ISO 13381, Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines - Prognostics ISO 18436 Part II, Accreditation of organizations and training and certification of personnel - Part II – General requirements for training and certification - Vibration Analysis ISO 18436 Sub Parts under development for Oil Analysis and Thermal Imaging [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of monitoring device-level and system-level faults in industrial heat exchangers. The device-level faults refer to degradation of sensors and control actuators. In the case of heat exchanger (HX) studies presented here, system-level fault refers to fouling of HX tubing during plant operation. The objective of the research performed at The University of Tennessee was to develop techniques to detect and isolate both sensor faults and fouling-related degradation in a tube-and-shell heat exchanger. This was achieved by monitoring the changes in the relationship among a set of system-bound variables for different fault types. The measurement-based models were established using experimental data of fouling progression in a tube and shell industrial heat exchanger. Direct and inferred measurements of fluid temperatures, flow rates, pressure drops, and thermal resistance were used to perform the fault diagnosis. An approach called the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) was developed to characterize the interrelationships among several measurements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive maintenance (or prognostics) is critical to any engineering systems to avoid system breakdown, in particular, for complex systems. With the recent advances on pervasive computing, prognostics can be easily embedded in any devices and systems. When smart machines are networked and remotely monitored, and when their data is modeled and continually analyzed with sophisticated embedded systems, it is possible to go beyond mere ˵predictive maintenance″ to intelligent ˵prognostics″, the process of pinpointing exactly which components of a machine are likely to fail, and when and autonomously trigger service and order spare parts. This paper addresses the paradigm shift in modern maintenance systems from traditional ˵fail and fix″ practices to ˵predict and prevent″ methodology. Recent advances on prognostic technologies and tools are discussed. In addition, case studies are used to validate f these developed technologies and tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safe, secure, and economic operation of nuclear power plants will remain of strategic significance. New and improved monitoring will likely have increased significance in the post-Fukushima world. Prior to Fukushima, many activities were already underway globally to facilitate operation of nuclear power plants beyond their initial licensing periods. Decisions to shut down a nuclear power plant are mostly driven by economic considerations. Online condition monitoring is a means to improve both the safety and economics of extending the operating lifetimes of nuclear power plants, enabling adoption of proactive aging management. With regard to active components (e.g., pumps, valves, motors, etc.), significant experience in other industries has been leveraged to build the science base to support adoption of online condition-based maintenance and proactive aging management in the nuclear industry. Many of the research needs are associated with enabling proactive management of aging in passive components (e.g., pipes, vessels, cables, containment structures, etc.). This paper provides an overview of online condition monitoring for the nuclear power industry with an emphasis on passive components. Following the overview, several technology/knowledge gaps are identified, which require addressing to facilitate widespread online condition monitoring of passive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a work on identification of conjunct verbs in Hindi. The paper will first focus on investigating which noun-verb combination makes a conjunct verb in Hindi using a set of linguistic diagnostics. We will then see which of these diagnostics can be used as features in a MaxEnt based automatic identification tool. Finally we will use this tool to incorporate certain features in a graph based dependency parser and show an improvement over previous best Hindi parsing accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection and identification of plant pathogens currently relies upon a very diverse range of techniques and skills, from traditional culturing and taxonomic skills to modern molecular-based methods. The wide range of methods employed reflects the great diversity of plant pathogens and the hosts they infect. The well-documented decline in taxonomic expertise, along with the need to develop ever more rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods has provided an impetus to develop technologies that are both generic and able to complement traditional skills and techniques. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is emerging as one such generic platform technology and one that is well suited to high-throughput detection of a limited number of known target pathogens. Real-time PCR is now exploited as a front line diagnostic screening tool in human health, animal health, homeland security, biosecurity as well as plant health. Progress with developing generic techniques for plant pathogen identification, particularly of unknown samples, has been less rapid. Diagnostic microarrays and direct nucleic acid sequencing (de novo sequencing) both have potential as generic methods for the identification of unknown plant pathogens but are unlikely to be suitable as high-throughput detection techniques. This paper will review the application of generic technologies in the routine laboratory as well as highlighting some new techniques and the trend towards multi-disciplinary studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveying the frequency of medical x-ray examinations is of prime importance in the assessment of the collective detriment due to diagnostic and interventional radiology. In the past, this was performed using paper questionnaires, but today there is an increasing interest in the automatic collection of the frequency data for reasons related to reducing the work load and increasing the accuracy of the results. This paper present the work performed in Switzerland to explore the use of the Tarmed coding system for this purpose. The preliminary investigation covering a sample of examinations indicates that Tarmed coding can easily be used for the collection of radiography and CT examinations, but presents some difficulties for fluoroscopy, mainly in the case of complex angiography and interventional examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a body of work developed over the past five years. The work addresses the use of Bayesian network (BN) models for representing and predicting social/organizational behaviors. The topics covered include model construction, validation, and use. These topics show the bulk of the lifetime of such model, beginning with construction, moving to validation and other aspects of model ˵critiquing″, and finally demonstrating how the modeling approach might be used to inform policy analysis. The primary benefits of using a well-developed computational, mathematical, and statistical modeling structure, such as BN, are 1) there are significant computational, theoretical and capability bases on which to build 2) the ability to empirically critique the model, and potentially evaluate competing models for a social/behavioral phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an example showing the use of a database system in switch point mechanism diagnostic process. A switch point mechanism is one of the most important devices in railroad traffic control, responsible for the safety of trains passing through a switch. Up until now, software supplied with measuring devices has been used mainly to read and print the measurements made by the device. This article presents a concept of comprehensive analysis of a switch motor-switch system using a database system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we discuss challenges and opportunities facing PEM fuel cell systems in three levels: system architecture, control, and diagnostics. In the system architecture context, we analyze various realizations for the fuel cell system as well as the hybrid system. In the control context, we discuss the optimal control strategy for flow, humidity, temperature, and power subsystems. In the diagnostic context, we discuss diagnostic tools based on the stage in the product lifecycle where they are required, i.e., research, development, manufacturing, and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed classification model for risk factor estimation makes semi-automatic data analysis based on advanced machine-learning methods. The objective is to provide intelligent computer-based support for medical diagnostics. The developed fuzzy boundary classification determines risk factors importance and adjusts the threshold. Experimental results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]