ALBERT

Description: Sensors, Vol. 17, Pages 2513: High-Accuracy Readout Electronics for Piezoresistive Tactile Sensors Sensors doi: 10.3390/s17112513 Authors: José A. Hidalgo-López Óscar Oballe-Peinado Julián Castellanos-Ramos José A. Sánchez-Durán Raquel Fernández-Ramos Fernando Vidal-Verdú The typical layout in a piezoresistive tactile sensor arranges individual sensors to form an array with M rows and N columns. While this layout reduces the wiring involved, it does not allow the values of the sensor resistors to be measured individually due to the appearance of crosstalk caused by the nonidealities of the array reading circuits. In this paper, two reading methods that minimize errors resulting from this phenomenon are assessed by designing an electronic system for array reading, and the results are compared to those obtained using the traditional method, obviating the nonidealities of the reading circuit. The different models were compared by testing the system with an array of discrete resistors. The system was later connected to a tactile sensor with 8 × 7 taxels.

Description: Abstract 3435 Background: Albeit of well-known, dramatic improvements, there remain some questions to be solved around Ph+CML in treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Among these, the significance of the amount of minimal residual disease (MRD) measured by RT-PCR. For instance, loss of a so-called major molecular response (MMR) is claimed to be a Òsuboptimal responseÓ and following the ELN recommendations, a change in treatment should be considered in these patients. Aims: To evaluate the relevance of a loss of MMR in patients with complete cytogenetic response (CCR). Study Group and Methods: We have analized 81 patients treated with imatinib for CML in chronic phase with a median follow up of 66 months. 36 patients started imatinib after interferon failure and 45 as front line therapy. Major Molecular Response (MMR; BCR-ABL/ABL ratio18 months) compared with those cases whose MMR came much earlier (

Description: Abstract 3780 Background: Imatinib has shown an outstanding improvement in the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Nevertheless, some of them have proven to be resistant or intolerant to imatinib. For these patients, second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are available. These drugs may be indicated in different circumstances as primary or second resistance, suboptimal responses or intolerance.The real benefits of second-generation TKIs as salvage treatment are surely in dependence with the indication in each case and are, therefore, difficult to evaluate. Second-generation TKIs are being evaluated as first line treatment compared to imatinib with quite favourable outcomes so long, but have not yet been compared with a strategy combining imatinib followed by second-generation TKIs for patients with previous unfavourable responses. Aims: Evaluate the real benefit of second-generation TKIs in second line treatment for CML patients regardless of the indication for its use. Study groups and methods: We have studied 98 patients treated with imatinib as first tyrosin kinase inhibitor (TKI) in our centre. These patients have been classified according whether second-generation TKIs were available or not. Group 1 includes 60 patients treated since 2001 to 2005, when the only salvage treatment was an increased imatinib dose, chemotherapy or allogenic stem cell transplantation. Group 2 includes 38 patients treated since 2005 until today. In the second group second-generation TKIs (dasatinib or nilotinib) were used according to the indications mentioned above. Follow up period was 39 months and 32 months for group 1 and 2 respectively. Sokal risk index was high in 14% and 16%; intermediate 42 % and 40%; and low in 44% and 44 % for group 1 and 2 respectively. Results: The use of second-generation TKIs as second line resulted in significant benefit to patients in terms of responses. Complete cytogenetic responses (CCR) at any time were achieved in 73% and 86% for patients in group 1 and 2 (p=.09). Probability of the achievement of mayor molecular responses (MMR) was 42% vs 71% for group 1 and 2 respectively [p=.009; ratio=0.3 (0.1–0.7)]. Response rates at the last follow up for group 1 and 2 were: MMR: 33% vs 62%; CCR: 68% vs 94% and failure 32% vs 6% (p=.008). Progression free survival (including all the patients who started treatment) was 88% vs 94% for group 1 and 2 respectively. We found no correlation among responses and some prognostic factors (Sokal index, mutations at the TK domain or imatinib plasma levels). Imatinib doses were increased in 21 patients (35%) in group 1 (reasons for increasing doses were failure in 14 patients and suboptimal responses in 7 patients). 10 patients (26%) in group 2 received second-line TKIs as second line treatment (4 because imatinib failure, 3 by suboptimal responses and 3 due to intolerance). Conclussions: The use of second-generation TKIs as salvage has improved the responses of CML patients treated with TKIs. Once the second-generation TKIs has shown benefit compared to imatinib in first line treatment, this therapeutic strategy should be compared vs the use of imatinib followed of second-line TKIs for patients without optimal responses to imatinib. Disclosures: Montalban: Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cancer (RETICC): Research Funding; Asociación Española contra el Cancer: Research Funding.

Description: INTRODUCTION: The current WHO definition requires presence of persistent absolute monocytosis for the diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Oligomonocytic CMML (O-CMML), defined by presence of clinical and pathological features of CMML in the presence of an absolute monocyte count (AMC) of 0.5-0.9x109/L and ³10% monocytes, has been proposed as a unique entity. To date, there is scarce data on the clonal architecture, optimal therapeutic management and survival outcomes of these patients (pts) compared to those with classical CMML. METHODS: We evaluated all untreated pts who met proposed diagnostic criteria of O-CMML treated at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2000 to 2020. Whole bone marrow DNA was subject to 81 gene targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis in a subset of patients. Variant allele frequency (VAF) estimates were used to evaluate clonal relationships within each individual sample using Pearson goodness-of-fit tests and VAF differences. Response to therapy was assessed following MDS/MPN IWG response criteria. RESULTS: A total of 30 pts met criteria for O-CMML. Compared to a cohort of 271 pts with classical CMML, there were no significant differences in cytogenetic abnormalities based on CMML-specific prognostic scoring system (CPSS). NGS was available in 10 (33%) patients with O-CMML. Frequency of identified mutations and their VAFs are shown in Figure 1A and compared to that of the CMML cohort. Frequencies of mutations in ASXL1 (50% vs 49.1%, p=0.958), SRSF2 (60% vs 39.4%, p=0.198), TET2 (70% vs 49.1%, p=0.199) and RUNX1 (20% vs 19.4%, p=0.965) were similar in O-CMML and CMML with RAS pathway mutations (NRAS, KRAS, CBL, NF1, SETBP1, PTPN11) being more frequent in CMML compared to O-CMML (51.4% vs 20%, p=0.053). The median number of mutations was 4 (range 1-12), and 4 (range 0-8) in O-CMML and CMML (p=0.578), respectively. No significant differences in median VAFs for ASXL1 (28.2% vs 33.5%, p=0.503), SRSF2 (41.1% vs 45.7%, p=0.743), TET2 (30.4% vs 42.6%, p=0.342), RUNX1 (26.9% vs 32.7%, p=0.837), and RAS pathway mutations (21.6% vs 23%, p=0.197) were observed between both groups. Frequencies at which each mutation appeared as a dominant or minor clone are shown in Figure 1B. Mutations in RAS pathway were more likely to appear as minor clones in patients with O-CMML (71% vs 50%, p

Description: Parabolic trough solar power plants use a thermal fluid to transfer thermal energy from solar radiation to a water-steam Rankine cycle in order to drive a turbine that, coupled to an electrical generator, produces electricity. These plants have a heat transfer fluid (HTF) system with the necessary elements to transform solar radiation into heat and to transfer that thermal energy to the water-steam exchangers. In order to get the best possible performance in the Rankine cycle and, hence, in the thermal plant, it is necessary that the thermal fluid reach its maximum temperature when leaving the solar field (SF). Also, it is mandatory that the thermal fluid does not exceed the maximum operating temperature of the HTF, above which it degrades. It must be noted that the optimal temperature of the thermal fluid is difficult to obtain, since solar radiation can change abruptly from one moment to another. The aim of this document is to provide a model of an HTF system that can be used to optimize the control of the temperature of the fluid without interfering with the normal operation of the plant. The results obtained with this model will be contrasted with those obtained in a real plant.

Description: We report the use of commercially available glass microcapillaries as micromechanical resonators for real-time monitoring of the mass density of a liquid that flows through the capillary. The vibration of a suspended region of the microcapillary is optically detected by measuring the forward scattering of a laser beam. The resonance frequency of the liquid filled microcapillary is measured for liquid binary mixtures of ethanol in water, glycerol in water and Triton in ethanol. The method achieves a detection limit in an air environment of 50 µg/mL that is only five times higher than that obtained with state-of-the-art suspended microchannel resonators encapsulated in vacuum. The method opens the door to novel advances for miniaturized total analysis systems based on microcapillaries with the add-on of mechanical transduction for sensing the rheological properties of the analyzed fluids without the need for vacuum encapsulation of the resonators.

Description: Stand-alone power systems based on renewable energy sources are used to replace generators based on fossil fuels. Those renewable power systems also require Energy Storage Devices (ESD) interfaced by a charger/discharger power converter, which consist of a bidirectional DC/DC converter, and a DC bus. This paper proposes a single sliding-mode controller (SMC) for the charger/discharger DC/DC converter to provide a stable DC bus voltage in any operation condition: charging or discharging the ESD, or even without any power exchange between the ESD and the DC bus. Due to the non-linear nature of the power converter, the SMC parameters are adapted on-line to ensure global stability in any operation condition. Such stability of the adaptive SMC is mathematically demonstrated using analytical expressions for the transversality, reachability and equivalent control conditions. Moreover, a design procedure for the adaptive SMC parameters is provided in order to ensure the dynamic response required for the correct operation of the load. Finally, simulations and experimental tests validate the proposed controller and design procedure.

Description: Power transformers are crucial in an electric power system. Failures in transformers can affect the quality and cause interruptions in the power supply. Partial discharges are a phenomenon that can cause failures in the transformers if not properly monitored. Typically, the monitoring requires high-cost corrective maintenance or even interruptions of the power system. Therefore, the development of online non-invasive monitoring systems to detect partial discharges in power transformers has great relevance since it can reduce significant maintenance costs. Although commercial acoustic emission sensors have been used to monitor partial discharges in power transformers, they still represent a significant cost. In order to overcome this drawback, this paper presents a study of the feasibility of low-cost piezoelectric sensors to identify partial discharges in mineral insulating oil of power transformers. The analysis of the feasibility of the proposed low-cost sensor is performed by its comparison with a commercial acoustic emission sensor commonly used to detect partial discharges. The comparison between the responses in the time and frequency domain of both sensors was carried out and the experimental results indicate that the proposed piezoelectric sensors have great potential in the detection of acoustic waves generated by partial discharges in insulation oil, contributing for the popularization of this noninvasive technique.

Description: Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings are periodically challenged by biotic and abiotic stresses. The ability of endophytes to colonize the interior of plants could confer benefits to host plants that may play an important role in plant adaptation to environmental changes. In this greenhouse study, nursery-grown Douglas-fir seedlings were inoculated with diazotrophic endophytes previously isolated from poplar and willow trees and grown for fifteen months in nutrient-poor conditions. Inoculated seedlings had significant increases in biomass (48%), root length (13%) and shoot height (16%) compared to the control seedlings. Characterization of these endophytes for symbiotic traits in addition to nitrogen fixation revealed that they can also solubilize phosphate and produce siderophores. Colonization was observed through fluorescent microscopy in seedlings inoculated with gfp- and mkate-tagged strains. Inoculation with beneficial endophytes could prove to be valuable for increasing the production of planting stocks in forest nurseries.

Description: This paper presents a novel method to compensate for hysteresis nonlinearities observed in the response of a tactile sensor. The External Loop Adaptation Method (ELAM) performs a piecewise linear mapping of the experimentally measured external curves of the hysteresis loop to obtain all possible internal cycles. The optimal division of the input interval where the curve is approximated is provided by the error minimization algorithm. This process is carried out off line and provides parameters to compute the split point in real time. A different linear transformation is then performed at the left and right of this point and a more precise fitting is achieved. The models obtained with the ELAM method are compared with those obtained from three other approaches. The results show that the ELAM method achieves a more accurate fitting. Moreover, the involved mathematical operations are simpler and therefore easier to implement in devices such as Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) for real time applications. Furthermore, the method needs to identify fewer parameters and requires no previous selection process of operators or functions. Finally, the method can be applied to other sensors or actuators with complex hysteresis loop shapes.