|Publication number||US8165849 B2|
|Application number||US 12/172,495|
|Publication date||Apr 24, 2012|
|Filing date||Jul 14, 2008|
|Priority date||Jul 14, 2008|
|Also published as||EP2146297A1, US20100011251|
|Publication number||12172495, 172495, US 8165849 B2, US 8165849B2, US-B2-8165849, US8165849 B2, US8165849B2|
|Inventors||Kamal Mannar, Douglas E. Starasinich|
|Original Assignee||General Electric Company|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (11), Non-Patent Citations (3), Referenced by (2), Classifications (6), Legal Events (2)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of service delivery. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system and method to facilitate device monitoring and servicing.
In a variety of industrial, commercial, medical, and research contexts, various pieces of equipment may be employed on a day-to-day basis to accomplish or facilitate the work being performed at a facility. In many instances, the facility may rely upon a third party to provide service for some or all of the equipment at the site to ensure that the equipment remains operational and available. For example, in an industrial setting, production equipment or computer resources that are in operation in a continuous or near-continuous manner may be serviced by an off-site party that provides servicing as needed or requested. Similarly, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities may utilize another party to service some or all of the diagnostic, monitoring, and/or imaging equipment at a site so that the equipment remains available where and when it is needed. It is noted that failure of such resources or equipment may, in some cases, significantly inconvenience the owners and users of the failed systems.
There is a need for a system and method to monitor device operation and to manage service delivery in an efficient and cost-effective manner. There is also a need for a system and method to calculate when a device should be serviced, what service should be performed, and whether such service was effective. The subject matter described herein is operable to address the needs and concerns described above. Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms various embodiments of the invention might take, and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.
In accordance with one embodiment of the subject matter described herein, a system includes a medical device having at least one component, and monitoring circuitry configured to measure operational data of the device component. The system may also include a data processing system configured to analyze the operational data of the device component and to output a report based at least in part on such analysis. The analysis of the operational data may include applying a transform, such as a wavelet transform, to the operational data to separate different signal components in the operational data. The analysis may also include predicting at least one of a failure rate or a survival rate of the device over a time period based at least in part on comparison of an actual coefficient characteristic of the transform to one or more expected coefficient characteristics.
According to another embodiment, a method includes receiving operational data of a device, the operational data including a feature of interest. Further, the method may include applying a transform to the operational data to extract the feature of interest from the operational data. Additionally, the method may include comparing a characteristic of a transform coefficient associated with the extracted feature of interest to a threshold derived from a population of similar devices. The method may also include outputting a report indicative of the operating state of the device based at least in part on the comparison.
According to yet another embodiment, a manufacture includes one or more computer-readable media having executable instructions stored thereon. The executable instructions may include instructions to apply a transform to operational data of a device to extract a feature of interest from the operational data. The executable instructions may further include instructions to compare a characteristic of a transform coefficient associated with the extracted feature of interest to a threshold derived from a population of similar devices, and instructions to output a report based at least in part on the comparison.
Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation to various aspects of the subject matter described herein. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described embodiments of the present invention alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of the subject matter herein without limitation to the claimed subject matter.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
One or more specific embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, while the term “exemplary” may be used herein in connection to certain examples of aspects or embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, it will be appreciated that these examples are illustrative in nature and that the term “exemplary” is not used herein to denote any preference or requirement with respect to a disclosed aspect or embodiment. Further, any use of the terms “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” other positional terms, and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the described components.
Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to
In one embodiment, the exemplary processor-based system 10 includes a microcontroller or microprocessor 12, such as a central processing unit (CPU), which executes various routines and processing functions of the system 10. For example, the microprocessor 12 may execute various operating system instructions as well as software routines configured to effect certain processes and stored in or provided by a manufacture including one or more computer readable-media (at least collectively storing the software routines), such as a memory 14 (e.g., a random access memory (RAM) of a personal computer) or one or more mass storage devices 16 (e.g., an internal or external hard drive, a solid-state storage device, CD-ROM, DVD, or other storage device). In addition, the microprocessor 12 processes data provided as inputs for various routines or software programs, such as data provided as part of the present subject matter described herein in computer-based implementations.
Such data may be stored in, or provided by, the memory 14 or mass storage device 16. Alternatively, such data may be provided to the microprocessor 12 via one or more input devices 18. The input devices 18 may include manual input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. In addition, the input devices 18 may include a network device, such as a wired or wireless Ethernet card, a wireless network adapter, or any of various ports or devices configured to facilitate communication with other devices via any suitable communications network, such as a local area network or the Internet. Through such a network device, the system 10 may exchange data and communicate with other networked electronic systems, whether proximate to or remote from the system 10.
Results generated by the microprocessor 12, such as the results obtained by processing data in accordance with one or more stored routines, may be provided to an operator via one or more output devices, such as a display 20 and/or a printer 22. Based on the displayed or printed output, an operator may request additional or alternative processing or provide additional or alternative data, such as via the input device 18. Communication between the various components of the processor-based system 10 may typically be accomplished via a chipset and one or more busses or interconnects which electrically connect the components of the system 10. In one embodiment, the exemplary processor-based system 10 can be configured to facilitate monitoring and service delivery for one or more systems, such as medical systems, as discussed in greater detail below with respect to
The processor based-system 10 may be configured to facilitate analysis of operational data from functional systems and to also facilitate management of service delivery with respect to such systems. One or more embodiments of such functional systems may include a medical system (e.g., an imaging system, a diagnostic system, a monitoring system, or the like), although the presently disclosed subject matter may be broadly applicable to non-medical system embodiments as well. In one embodiment, the processor-based system 10 can be configured to extract one or more features from operational data of a system and configured to combine such features with one or more non-parametric reliability models for system failure prediction and system event impact analysis, as described in further detail below. Further, the processor-based system 10 may facilitate determination of an optimal service action from multiple potential service actions, calculation of an optimal time for performing the service action (e.g., based on a predicted time to failure), and analysis of the effectiveness of any performed service action.
By way of example, a system 28 is depicted in
In one embodiment, the devices 30 may include medical imaging devices of one or more modalities, such as magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), X-ray, tomosynthesis, or the like. It should be appreciated, however, that the present teachings may also or instead be used in consort with patient monitors, diagnostic devices, other medical resources, or some combination of these devices and systems. Such other medical resources may include, but are not limited to, data storage or processing systems (e.g., computer workstations or servers), picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), radiological information systems (RIS), and so forth. Indeed, as noted above, while the presently illustrated embodiment may be described with reference to a plurality of medical devices, other embodiments of system 28 may include non-medical devices alone, or include both medical devices and non-medical devices.
A device 30 may include one or more functional components 36 that operate in a manner that contributes to device functionality. In medical devices, such components 36 may include an X-ray tube, a magnetic coil, a power supply, components of a heating system, components of a refrigeration system (e.g., a coldhead, as discussed in greater detail below), and so forth. The device 30 can also include various monitoring circuitry 38 configured to collect operational data of the device 30 and the components 36, such as by way of sensors configured to collect such data. While the monitoring circuitry 38 of the presently illustrated embodiment may be integrated with the device 30, it is noted that, in other embodiments, the monitoring circuitry 38 (and any associated sensors) may be separate from the device 30.
In turn, the data processing system 32 may include a number of hardware and/or software modules to process the operational data collected by the monitoring circuitry 38. For example, in one embodiment, the data processing system 32 may include an analysis module 40 and an output module 42. In this embodiment, the analysis module 40 may be configured to apply one or more mathematical models 44 (e.g., failure prediction models, reliability models, event-effect analysis models, and the like, which may, in at least some embodiments, be non-parametric models) to the operational data, and the results of such processing may be output via the output module 42.
The data processing system 32 may be configured to perform one or more steps of various exemplary methods for monitoring and servicing devices, including, but not limited to, those methods discussed in greater detail below. Any or all of the steps performed by the data processing system 32 may be performed as part of a software-based and/or spreadsheet-based application having stored routines adapted to effect the steps described below. In other embodiments, however, the steps performed by the system 32 may be performed via application-specific hardware or circuitry configured to perform such steps. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the various exemplary steps of the presently disclosed methods may be performed in any suitable order, and need not be performed in the order described below.
For example, an exemplary device monitoring method 46 is illustrated in
Further, one or more mathematical transforms may be selected from a group of such transforms and applied to the collected data in steps 54 and 56, respectively. For instance, a selected mathematical transform may be applied to the operational data 48 to extract one or more features of interest, such as, but not limited to, specific frequency sub-bands from the data. In some embodiments, such feature extraction may facilitate event detection and failure prediction for the monitored systems and components (e.g., device 30 and components 36). Any of various suitable transforms may be applied to extract desired features from the operational data 48. For instance, in one embodiment, the step 56 includes applying a discrete wavelet transform (DWT). In other embodiments, however, the applied transform may include a different wavelet transform, a principal component analysis (PCA) transform, a Fourier transform (e.g., a fast Fourier transform (FFT)), and so forth.
The method 46 may also include comparing one or more transform coefficients (or data derived from such coefficients), in a step 58, to a threshold 60. In one embodiment, the threshold 60 is determined in a step 62 through use of a failure prediction model and training data to provide a point of reference based on other systems or components similar to the analyzed device 30 or component 36. The determined threshold 60 may also be stored in a database 64 for future access. In one embodiment, a discrete wavelet transform can be applied to the operational data 48 to generate approximate and detail coefficients, and the variance of one or more of these coefficients (representative of operation of the device 30) is compared to a threshold 60 indicative of expected operation (which may be based on normal operation, minimum or maximum performance expectations, or the like) to determine whether operation of the device 30 is an outlier with respect to expected operational parameters. The comparison of step 58 may also, or instead, include other comparative processes. In another embodiment, for instance, a failure probability (e.g., probability that the device 30 (or component 36 thereof) will fail within a given time period, such as twenty days) may be calculated for the device 30 from the operational data 48 and compared to a threshold failure probability, to facilitate servicing of the device 30 when failure probability exceeds the threshold failure probability. In one embodiment, a failure probability model may include a proportional hazards prediction model, such as that described in greater detail below, to facilitate calculation of the failure probabilities.
In a step 66, a report 68 may be generated based on the comparison performed in the step 58. For example, the report 68 may include an indication of imminent component or device failure, and may suggest servicing of the component 36 or device 30. The report 68 may be output in a variety of manners. For instance, the report 68 may be output to, and stored in, a database 70 to facilitate future access or processing, or may be output in a human-readable form, such as via the display 20 and printer 22.
An exemplary method for determining an optimal service action, and for measuring the impact of performance of the optimal service action, is generally depicted in
Step 80 of the method 76 may include predicting the effect of one or more potential service actions with respect to the device 30 (or component 36) on the probability of failure of that device (or component). The aforementioned prediction may, in some embodiments, be generated via a non-parametric reliability model that integrates an extracted feature, as discussed above. Again, such a non-parametric reliability model may include a proportional hazards model that uses wavelet coefficients derived from the operational data 48 to determine the probability of failure of the device within a given time period. Further, as generally indicated by block 82, the method 76 may iteratively predict the effect of each service action of a number of potential service actions (e.g., various repair and/or replacement options) on the failure probability for the monitored component 36 or device 30. Based at least on these calculated failure probabilities, an optimal service action may be determined in a step 84. Using the models described above, or some other mathematical models, an estimated time to failure may be calculated for the device 30, or a component 36 thereof, and an optimal time for servicing (e.g., a point in time before expected failure of the device 30 or component 36) may be calculated in a step 88. Additionally, one or both of the optimal service action and the optimal service time may be output, such as via a report 86.
In one embodiment, the method 76 may also include performing a service action (e.g., the determined optimal service action) in a step 90. Further, in a step 92, additional operational data 94 may be collected from the device 30 following such servicing. The operational data 94 collected after performance of the optimal service action may be analyzed, in a step 96, to determine an updated failure probability for the serviced device 30 or component 36. It is noted that this updated failure probability may be calculated in an identical or similar manner to that described above with respect to the determination of a failure probability based on operational data 48 collected prior to performance of the optimal service action. In other embodiments, however, one or both of steps 78 and 96 for determining failure probabilities may be performed in some other suitable manner.
Additionally, the device failure probabilities determined before and after, respectively, performance of the optimal service action may be compared in a step 98, and the effectiveness of the performance of the optimal service action may be reported in a step 100. For instance, a decrease in the device failure probability following performance of the optimal service action (in comparison to the device failure probability determined prior to the performance of the optimal service action) may indicate the optimal service action had a positive impact on the reliability of the serviced device. Alternatively, an unchanged or higher device failure probability after performance of the optimal service action may generally indicate that the optimal service action was not effective. Such ineffectiveness may, in some cases, suggest that the service action was improperly performed or that a replacement part was defective.
While the presently illustrated embodiment is described above as including a step 98 of comparing device failure probabilities it is noted that the effectiveness of the optimal service action may be determined through other comparison processes and criteria in other embodiments. For instance, in one embodiment, the impact of the optimal service action predicted in step 80 (which may include, but is not limited to, a predicted change in device failure probability attributable to performance of the optimal service action) may be compared to the actual impact of the optimal service action (e.g., actual change in device failure probability resulting from performance of the optimal service action). Such a comparison may be used to ensure that a service action performed on a device 30 or component 36 is properly performed and restores operation of the device 30 or component 36 to an expected level or range.
Further, an exemplary method 106 for measuring the impact of an event, such as a service event or a transient event, on a failure probability, a survival probability, an expected time to failure, or the like, for the device 30 or component 36 is illustrated in
As noted above, the data processing system 32 may facilitate monitoring and analysis of a variety of devices 30, including medical devices. By way of example, several exemplary medical devices and components, along with exemplary implementations of certain aspects of the present subject matter, are discussed below in accordance with various embodiments illustrated in
In some embodiments, an exemplary medical device 30 may include a data acquisition system 130 having certain typical modules or components as indicated generally in
The sensors generate signals or data representative of the sensed parameters. Such raw data may be transmitted to a data acquisition module 136. The data acquisition module may acquire sampled or analog data, and may perform various initial operations on the data, such as filtering, multiplexing, and so forth. The data may then be transmitted to a signal conditioning module 138 where further processing is performed, such as for additional filtering, analog-to-digital conversion, and so forth. A processing module 140 then receives the data and performs processing functions, which may include simple or detailed analysis of the data. A display/user interface 142 permits the data to be manipulated, viewed, and output in a user-desired format, such as in traces on screen displays, hardcopy, and so forth. The processing module 140 may also mark or analyze the data for marking such that annotations, delimiting or labeling axes or arrows, and other indicia may appear on the output produced via interface 142. Finally, an archive module 144 serves to store the data either locally within the resource, or remotely. The archive module may also permit reformatting or reconstruction of the data, compression of the data, decompression of the data, and so forth. The particular configuration of the various modules and components illustrated in
Data acquisition systems 130 may include a number of non-imaging systems capable of collecting desired data from a patient. For instance, the data acquisition systems 130 may include, among others, an electroencephalography (EEG) system, an electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) system, an electromyography (EMG) system, an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system, an electronystagmography (ENG) system, a system adapted to collect nerve conduction data, or some combination of these systems. The data acquisition systems may also or instead include various imaging resources, as discussed below with respect to
Such imaging resources may be employed to diagnose medical events and conditions in both soft and hard tissue, and for analyzing structures and function of specific anatomies. Moreover, imaging systems are available which can be used during surgical interventions, such as to assist in guiding surgical components through areas which are difficult to access or impossible to visualize.
The imager 152 may operate under the control of system control circuitry 154. The system control circuitry 154 may include a wide range of circuits, such as radiation source control circuits, timing circuits, circuits for coordinating data acquisition in conjunction with patient or table of movements, circuits for controlling the position of radiation or other sources and of detectors, and so forth. The imager 152, following acquisition of the image data or signals, may process the signals, such as for conversion to digital values, and forwards the image data to data acquisition circuitry 156. In the case of analog media, such as photographic film, the imaging system 150 may generally include supports for the film, as well as equipment for developing the film and producing hard copies that may be subsequently digitized. For digital systems, the data acquisition circuitry 156 may perform a wide range of initial processing functions, such as adjustment of digital dynamic ranges, smoothing or sharpening of data, as well as compiling of data streams and files, where desired. The data is then transferred to data processing circuitry 158 where additional processing and analysis are performed. For conventional media such as photographic film, the data processing system may apply textual information to films, as well as attach certain notes or patient-identifying information. For the various digital imaging systems available, the data processing circuitry perform substantial analyses of data, ordering of data, sharpening, smoothing, feature recognition, and so forth.
Ultimately, the image data is forwarded to some type of operator interface 160 for viewing and analysis. While operations may be performed on the image data prior to viewing, the operator interface 160 is at some point useful for viewing reconstructed images based upon the image data collected. It should be noted that in the case of photographic film, images are typically posted on light boxes or similar displays to permit radiologists and attending physicians to more easily read and annotate image sequences. The images may also be stored in short or long term storage devices, for the present purposes generally considered as included within the interface 160, such as picture archiving communication systems. The image data can also be transferred to remote locations via the network 34. It should also be noted that, from a general standpoint, the operator interface 160 affords control of the imaging system, typically through interface with the system control circuitry 154. Moreover, it should also be noted that more than a single operator interface 160 may be provided. Accordingly, the operator interface 160 may include an interface at an imaging scanner or station to regulate parameters involved in the image data acquisition procedure, and further include a different interface to manipulate, enhance, and view resulting reconstructed images.
Turning to a more detailed example of the imaging system 150 that may be monitored and/or serviced in accordance with various exemplary processes described herein, a general diagrammatical representation of a magnetic resonance imaging system 166 is illustrated in
The scanner 168 is coupled to gradient coil control circuitry 170 and to RF coil control circuitry 172. The gradient coil control circuitry 170 permits regulation of various pulse sequences which define imaging or examination methodologies used to generate the image data. Pulse sequence descriptions implemented via the gradient coil control circuitry 170 are designed to image specific slices, anatomies, as well as to permit specific imaging of moving tissue, such as blood, and defusing materials. The pulse sequences may allow for imaging of multiple slices sequentially, such as for analysis of various organs or features, as well as for three-dimensional image reconstruction. The RF coil control circuitry 172 permits application of pulses to the RF excitation coil, and serves to receive and partially process the resulting detected MR signals. It should also be noted that a range of RF coil structures may be employed for specific anatomies and purposes. In addition, a single RF coil may be used for transmission of the RF pulses, with a different coil serving to receive the resulting signals.
The gradient and RF coil control circuitry 170 and 172 function under the direction of a system controller 174. The system controller 174 implements pulse sequence descriptions that define the image data acquisition process. The system controller 174 will generally permit some amount of adaptation or configuration of the examination sequence by means of an operator interface 160.
Data processing circuitry 176 receives the detected MR signals and processes the signals to obtain data for reconstruction. In general, the data processing circuitry 176 digitizes the received signals, and performs a two-dimensional fast Fourier transform on the signals to decode specific locations in the selected slice from which the MR signals originated. The resulting information provides an indication of the intensity of MR signals originating at various locations or volume elements (voxels) in the slice. Each voxel may then be converted to a pixel intensity in image data for reconstruction. The data processing circuitry 176 may perform a wide range of other functions, such as for image enhancement, dynamic range adjustment, intensity adjustments, smoothing, sharpening, and so forth. The resulting processed image data is typically forwarded to an operator interface for viewing, as well as to short or long-term storage, or may be forwarded to a data processing system for additional processing. As in the case of foregoing imaging systems, MR image data may be viewed locally at a scanner location, or may be transmitted to remote locations both within an institution and remote from an institution such as via the network 34.
By way of further example, exemplary components of the scanner 168 are generally depicted in
To maintain the magnet 171 within a desired temperature range (and the cryostat 173 within a desired pressure range), the scanner 168 may also include a refrigeration system 175 and a heating system 177. In one embodiment, the refrigeration system 175 may include a compressor 178 and a coldhead 180, which work in combination to compress cryogen that evaporates due to ambient heat, and to cool and recondense the gas into a liquid state. The heating system 177 may include a number of further components, such as a resistive heating element, configured to increase temperature and pressure within the cryogen vessel 173. Additionally, the scanner 168 may include monitoring circuitry 182 to monitor various parameters of the scanner 168, including temperature within any of the components of the scanner 168, pressure within the cryogen vessel 173, the amount of cryogen within the cryogen vessel 173, the duty cycle of the heating system 177, and the like.
Again, the presently disclosed monitoring and analytical processes may be used with any of a wide array of systems or components to facilitate servicing thereof. By way of further example, a representative implementation of certain aspects of such processes in conjunction with the coldhead 180 is described below in accordance with one embodiment. It is noted, however, that the present subject matter is not limited to use with coldheads or to the particular implementation details of this representative example.
In one embodiment, the data processing system 32 may detect deterioration of a component 36, such as the coldhead 180, prior to change in a mean value of the parameters and may facilitate separation of transient events from actual component failures. Further, in one embodiment, the data processing system 32 may analyze the ability (or inability) of the coldhead 180 to maintain the pressure of cryogen vessel 173 within a desired range. Typically, pressure within the cryogen vessel 173 is controlled in a closed-loop manner, in which the heating system 177 operates to increase the cryogen vessel pressure and the coldhead 180 operates to decrease the cryogen vessel pressure. As a result, the pressure within the cryogen vessel 173 is generally cyclical within a desired operating range, but the cyclical nature of the data signal changes over time as various heating and cooling components age or otherwise degrade.
In one embodiment, the data processing system 32 may be operated to detect such changes in a data signal indicative of cryogen vessel pressure over time that indicate deterioration of the coldhead 180. It is noted that while a data signal representative of the pressure within the cryogen vessel 173 over a given time period may include a large cyclical component, as generally discussed above, the data signal may also include smaller, non-stationary characteristics (e.g., trends or sudden changes) and transitory characteristics that may correspond to deterioration of the coldhead 180. The non-stationary characteristics and the transitory characteristics may be separated from the cyclical component to facilitate coldhead failure prediction, as well as transient event detection and impact analysis.
For example, in one embodiment, changes in specific frequency sub-bands in the pressure data may provide an early indication (e.g., several days or weeks before failure) of coldhead deterioration, and a rising trend in vessel pressure may indicate imminent failure. Such indications may allow time to determine and perform a desired service action (e.g., cryogen recharge, coldhead replacement, or the like) before actual failure. In another embodiment, extracted data signal features may also be used to detect transitory events (e.g., resetting or shutoff of the compressor 178) that may affect the operational life of the coldhead 180, to classify these transitory events, to distinguish such transitory events from trends in the measured parameters of the coldhead 180, and to gauge (e.g., through event detection and modeling) the impact of such transient events on the life of coldhead 180.
As may be appreciated, a normal coldhead 180 and a deteriorated (but still functioning) coldhead 180 may both be capable of maintaining a mean cryogen vessel pressure within a desired range (e.g., from approximately 27 kPa to approximately 28 kPa). Consequently, typical failure models focusing only on the measured mean pressures of the respective normal and degraded coldheads 180 may not be capable of detecting differences between the deteriorated coldhead 180 and the normal coldhead 180 until the beginning of coldhead failure (e.g., when the mean pressure exceeds the maximum desired range). In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, however, the data processing system 32 may detect differences in the frequency and nature of the cyclical data, and may use such differences to provide earlier detection of coldhead deterioration and an extended prediction horizon in comparison to previous failure models.
In one embodiment, the data processing system 32 may employ a wavelet-based approach to model the cyclical nature of the signal and to detect trends and discontinuities in the signal. It is noted that wavelets are localized basis functions that are translated and dilated versions of a fixed mother wavelet function that provide time-frequency resolution for analyzing non-stationary and transient signals, and may be used to extract smaller informative components in a larger, repetitive signal. In the following non-limiting example, provided for the sake of explanation, wavelet decomposition may be used to decompose a data signal and to extract features of interest.
In one embodiment, the vessel pressure measurement obtained from a single system may be represented by:
y=(y(t 1), . . . , y(t N))′
obtained at equally spaced discrete time points t=ti. The observed data may be assumed to be a realization of y(t)=f(t)+εt, where εt is independent and identically distributed noise. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) of y may be defined by d=Wy, where W is a N×N orthonormal wavelet transform matrix of the form:
d=(cl, dl, dl+1, . . . , dJ)′, where cl, dl, . . . , dJ are wavelet coefficients at various scales. Further, cl may represent low frequency oscillations (approximation) while dJ may represent the high frequency oscillations (details). It is noted that other transforms may be used instead of DWT, such as PCA or FFT, as noted above.
It is also noted that various optimal wavelet functions and decomposition levels may be selected for specific applications. In one embodiment, during normal operation of the coldhead 180, regular sharp transitions of vessel pressure between approximately 27 kPa and 28 kPa may occur due to the closed-loop nature of the system. These sharp transitions may generally result in larger values in specific detail wavelet coefficients (based on the affected frequency sub-band). As the coldhead 180 deteriorates, the transitions may change due to the inability of the coldhead to bring the vessel pressure down in a short duration of time and the number of cycles over a given period of time may reduce, resulting in a change in the selected wavelet coefficient values. The change in the selected wavelet coefficient values may be analyzed to detect and measure deterioration of the coldhead 180. In one embodiment, the selection of an appropriate wavelet coefficient may be based on maximizing the detection of transitions of coldhead cycle (i.e., the detail wavelet coefficient which maximizes this difference). Higher differentiability of the wavelet function allows greater differences in coefficient values between sharp and smooth transitions, providing better resolution of such transitions. Increased differentiability, however, may lead to larger support size for the wavelet and may reduce the ability to detect singularities.
Also, transient events in the life of a coldhead 180 may correspond to singularities (such as a large variation over a relatively short number of samples) caused by other cryogen cooling components (such as compressor failure or reset). In some instances, these events may cause a large increase in vessel pressure for a short duration of time. In one embodiment, these transient events may be better detected, and separated from actual failures, through use of a wavelet having a smaller support size. Still further, in one embodiment, trends in the measured pressure data for the coldhead 180 may be detected to predict coldhead failure. It is noted that long-term evolution of data, such as trends, corresponds to a low frequency component of the signal, which may be modeled by an approximation measuring slowly changing, coarse features of low frequency.
As such, in one embodiment, the selection of an optimum wavelet may be based on the differentiability and support size of the individual criteria of the deterioration, transient events and trend detection. Also, the decomposition level may be related to the frequency of the coldhead cycle, which may suggest use of a corresponding detail wavelet coefficient. In one embodiment, a Coif3 wavelet function with ‘level 5’ decomposition may be used by the data processing system 32 to provide the presently disclosed functionality.
Based on selected approximate and detail coefficients, a failure prediction model may be developed using training data to determine thresholds for wavelet features for deterioration and/or failure identification. In one embodiment, coldhead deterioration may be identified through comparison of the variance of the selected detail coefficient to a determined threshold to identify if the coldhead 180 of interest is an outlier compared to coldheads of similar age. Using a proportional hazards prediction model described below, the probability of failure in a given time period, such as twenty days, may be determined using the wavelet features. When the probability of failure increases to pre-determined threshold, the data processing system 32 may determine that the coldhead 180 is going to fail, and a service action (such as the optimal service action determined above) may be performed.
Additionally, one or more extracted features of a data signal, such as that described above, may be used in a non-parametric reliability model to model the impact of events on a monitored system or component. In one embodiment, use of such a model facilitates the combination of baseline deterioration of a system or component (e.g., coldhead 180) with respect to age, with the effect of individual events occurring in the system. Such a combination may generally allow the data processing system 32 to predict failures, to determine the impact of transient events, and to measure the effectiveness of service actions.
In one embodiment, based on the selected wavelet coefficient features, the data processing system 32 may model the relationship of a given value of the coefficients to a hazard function of failure. The baseline hazard function may relate coldhead life to the age of the coldhead 180 based on observed reliability of a population of similar coldheads 180. The baseline hazard function may then be modified multiplicatively by the addition of covariates X. For the coldhead 180, these covariates may represent the standard deviation of a detail coefficient and slope of the approximate coefficient, and may allow for directly relating the observed deterioration of the wavelet coefficient to the hazard function and, thus, to the estimated time to failure for the coldhead 180. The coefficients β for the covariates may be estimated using training data. Additionally, the model may allow for capturing the profile of the coldhead hazard function at different ages of the coldhead 180 by building the model based on sample data from similar coldheads of different ages. In one embodiment, the model may be described by:
and may be used to calculate a predicted time to failure and the effect of an event on the life of the coldhead 180.
As discussed above, transient events (e.g., compressor reset) may be detected automatically by way of the wavelet analysis. Further, however, the impact of these detected events on the life of the coldhead 180 may be determined through analysis of changes in the observed hazard function. For instance, if XB and XA are the covariate measurements before and after occurrence of the event, the change in hazard function due to the event may be determined using the model described immediately above. Further, based on a predicted coldhead failure, a corrective service action can be performed to extend coldhead life (e.g., recharging compressor) or to replace the coldhead 180. The effectiveness of the service action in terms of recovery of the coldhead cycle can be used to determine the degree of renewal of the coldhead (which may generally correspond to a decrease in hazard rate based on XB and XA). Based on estimated renewal for each service action, an optimal service action can be determined, as previously discussed above. It is noted that the optimal service action may depend on the age and operating state of the coldhead 180. For instance, recharge of the compressor may be the optimal service action for a relatively young coldhead 180, whereas replacement may be the optimal service action for an older coldhead 180.
Finally, after the recommended service action is performed, the actual renewal of the coldhead 180 may be compared to the predicted renewal of the coldhead 180 to determine effectiveness of the service action. Such a comparison may also be made upon replacement of a coldhead 180 with another coldhead 180. For instance, the hazard function of the replaced coldhead can be compared with an estimated hazard of a new coldhead (based on training data of coldhead replacements) to determine if the replacement was done effectively and if performance of the new coldhead 180 is within estimated limits. Accordingly, any faulty coldhead 180 or replacement issues can be identified based on this analysis.
As generally discussed above, various data, predictions, and results may be reported to a user in any suitable fashion, including, but not limited to, displaying or printing such items via the display 20 or the printer 22, respectively. In one example, such information may be displayed in a window 190 of the display 20, as depicted in
In some embodiments, technical effects of the present subject matter may include, among others, early detection of device or component deterioration and determination of an optimal service action for the device or component. Further, another technical effect may include determination of an estimated time to failure of the device or component, and the calculation of the effectiveness of a performed service action. Still further, an additional technical effect may include transient event detection and determination of the impact of such events on the life of a monitored device or component.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
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|US5439483 *||Oct 21, 1993||Aug 8, 1995||Ventritex, Inc.||Method of quantifying cardiac fibrillation using wavelet transform|
|US5668850||May 23, 1996||Sep 16, 1997||General Electric Company||Systems and methods of determining x-ray tube life|
|US5995910||Aug 29, 1997||Nov 30, 1999||Reliance Electric Industrial Company||Method and system for synthesizing vibration data|
|US6567752||Aug 15, 2001||May 20, 2003||The Penn State Research Foundation||General method for tracking the evolution of hidden damage or other unwanted changes in machinery components and predicting remaining useful life|
|US6601005 *||Jun 25, 1999||Jul 29, 2003||Rosemount Inc.||Process device diagnostics using process variable sensor signal|
|US6828889||Nov 26, 2003||Dec 7, 2004||Ge Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.||Recondensing superconducting magnet thermal management system and method|
|US7020569||Mar 15, 2004||Mar 28, 2006||Ibex Process Technology, Inc.||Intelligent modelling of process and tool health|
|US7099852 *||Apr 15, 2004||Aug 29, 2006||Reliance Electric Technologies, Llc||Detection of pump cavitation/blockage and seal failure via current signature analysis|
|US7103509||Nov 23, 2004||Sep 5, 2006||General Electric Company||System and method for predicting component failures in large systems|
|US20020128731||Feb 27, 2001||Sep 12, 2002||Wegerich Stephan W.||Global state change indicator for empirical modeling in condition based monitoring|
|US20050109049||Nov 26, 2003||May 26, 2005||Peter Chan||Method and system for modeling of magnet cryogen cooler systems|
|1||*||Li et al., ‘Real-Time Tool Condition Monitoring Using Wavelet Transforms and Fuzzy Techniques’, Aug. 2000, IEEE Publication, vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 352-357.|
|2||*||Li et al., 'Real-Time Tool Condition Monitoring Using Wavelet Transforms and Fuzzy Techniques', Aug. 2000, IEEE Publication, vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 352-357.|
|3||*||Xiaoli et al., On-Line tool condition monitoring system with wavelet fuzzy nearual network', 1997, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, pp. 271-276.|
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|U.S. Classification||702/189, 702/183, 702/104|
|Jul 14, 2008||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORK
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANNAR, KAMAL;STARASINICH, DOUGLAS E.;REEL/FRAME:021233/0506;SIGNING DATES FROM 20080710 TO 20080711
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORK
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANNAR, KAMAL;STARASINICH, DOUGLAS E.;SIGNING DATES FROM20080710 TO 20080711;REEL/FRAME:021233/0506
|Oct 26, 2015||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4


Aspects To Understand About The Installation Of The Stainless Steel Chimney Liner.
Some aspects regarding the chimney liners must be taken into considerations by the homeowners. The aluminum, the stainless steel, and the titanium are the things used to make the chimney liners which is the first point to take into consideration. At most of the times, the stainless steel are also called the titanium alloy liners or the stainless liners. Titanium is the main compound in all these which is a point to note. Thus, they are expensive to buy.
It is vital noting that the type of the chimney liner you are in need of is determined by the type of fuel being exhausted from the chimney flu. For instance, if by any chance you are not venting a gas water heater, it is advisable for you not to use the aluminum liner. It is not possible for the aluminium liner to hold on the heat emitted by sources, for example, the oil furnace and the fireplace and thus its use in such area is not right. The stainless steel is thus the best choice as it has some guarantee to the manufacturers.
Life is guaranteed to them in most of the cases since there is existence of lifetime guarantee. A guarantee of the best results expected by an individual is assured when they are purchasing the chimney lining. It is essential to understand that a lot of money is required during the installation of the chimney liner All the same, this cost used for the installation cannot be compared with the services that the chimney liner is to offer for the long period. For this reason, it is considerate to have the stainless steel chimney liners.
Some of the chimney services will as well guarantee the job itself. Thus it is important for you to choose the services of such companies that give you these services. For this reason it is vital for you to look around and search for the most appropriate company that give you a lot of their services. All the same, there is need for every liner that is installed to have a cap for the protection of the liner and the crown of the chimney.
The best type of the chimney that one should have is one that has the cap in the place of having the liner kits. This is for the reason that the chimneys liners that only have the kits and have no cap can leave the chimney crown exposed to the elements and this can lead it to wear out. A long life span of the chimney liner can be increased by having it in the right order. It is crucial to have the money for the installation of the chimney liner not go to waste by following the right procedure of installing the chimney liner.


Ready to support you on your next group ride, the Novus Boost Evo TM Superflow provides superior comfort without sacrificing strength.
Created with pure comfort in mind, the Novus Boost Evo TM Superflow is ideal for epic rides through the most challenging of landscapes. Completely redesigned from the ground up, this saddle is lightweight and comfortable thanks to its wave profile. This evolved design supports your ischial bones on long rides and Superflow cut-out reduces pressure on the perineum. The Manganese rails and short nose improve pedalling ergonomics, manoeuvrability, comfort and performance.
Weight 265 g
Dimensions 145 x 245 mm
Rail Manganese Tube Ø7 mm
Intended use Road
Materials and Shapes
Waved saddles are suggested for Static Riders or individuals who have a Posterior Pelvic Tilt.
The Superflow technology drastically reduces all physical limitations caused by prolonged pressure in the perineal area.
Shell made with carbon composite and high grade nylon polymer.
Tubular structure in Cromoly and Manganese alloy. Light and flexible at the same time, ø 7 mm.
Special polyurethane cover guarantees high levels of comfort.
Novus Boost Evo TM Superflow
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Havlicek passed away last week, and Boston made sure their legend will be remembered Friday night.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) May 4, 2019
John Havlicek, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, played his entire 16-year career with the Celtics. He is a member of the 1984 Hall of Fame class. He was 79 years old.
The 13-time All-Star retired from basketball in 1978. He turned in his remarkable career averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 36.6 minutes per game. The Cs wore his retired No. 17 in pregame warmups.
Brad Stevens says of tonight's planned tributes, "We feel lucky to get a chance to celebrate John Havlicek tonight."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2019
Havlicek played alongside the great Bill Russell in the crux of his title triumph, and he even wholeheartedly came off the bench through a majority of their games.
In a statement released by the team after Havlicek's passing, the Celtics called the Boston great “one of the most accomplished players in Boston Celtics history, and the face of many of the franchise’s signature moments.”
John was kind and considerate, humble and gracious. He was a champion in every sense, and as we join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss, we are thankful for all the joy and inspiration he brought to us.”
The Celtics would very much like to commemorate Havlicek with a crucial victory against the top-seeded Bucks. A win would push the series to 2-1 in Boston's favor.


Windows 10: WIFI or Ethernet Priority?
WIFI or Ethernet Priority?
So I've got a simple question really when a laptop is connected to a WIFI network then a Ethernet connection is plugged in which one will it use as priority?
itll ignore wifi and use ethernet
Are you sure about that? Because to me it doesn't seem to.
Hit the flight mode, it will serve as switch.
Basically what happened before: After updating to Windows 10, my computer was not showing any network options. (The icon says "Not connected - No connections are available) Going into Control Panel/Network and Internet/Network Connections, it then...
I was wondering if it's possible to utilize both WiFi and ethernet in tandem. I'm pretty sure some of you are going to tell me that I can only access the internet through one of these, up to my bandwidth limit, but that's not what I mean.
Hi 10 Forums !
I have a kind of big problem with 10 Pro. My problem was "ok" in 8/8.1 Pro.
As title says, I would like to give WiFi priority over ethernet. Why ? You may ask, I'm using laptop as a hyper-v machine ( prepare migrations from...
I upgraded to Widows 10 some weeks ago from Win 7. All has been fine, however this morning my WiFi stopped working saying "limited connection". It also says the same thing when using Ethernet. Both say they are limited. I've ruled out problems with...
Please help. My laptop is for some unknown reason not connecting to the internet via wifi or ethernet. It will also not diagnose the problem as it says The Diagnostics Policy Service is not running and it cannot fix it. Please can someone advise -...


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This lovely light blue Russian Santa Claus is hand carved and hand painted by the artist creating this amazing piece of artwork with Old World Victorian village scenes. The front of Santa's cloak depicts a warmly lit Victorian home with icicles hanging from it with a little boy building a friendly snowman. There is a decorated Christmas tree near the front of the house and a woman approaching the front steps of the house. The back of the Santa has a scene of another Victorian home with a snowman and friendly neighbors out for a stroll. Santa is holding a decorated staff and his cloak is decorated with swirls that look like swirling, blowing snow. This Santa is lightly lacquered so it is easily cleaned and protected. The solid linden wood is dried for almost 2 years before it is carved so it will last a lifetime. Linden wood was once used to make drafting boards because it is so stable once properly dried. It does not warp change shape or crack and this artist piece will bring enjoyment for a lifetime! (Note: These are not molded or mass produced as are some molded resin Santas from China. All Russian Santas are hand carved from Linden Wood and no two are ever identical!) This Grandfather Frost (as he is called in Russia) is made in Sergei Posad, Russia and is signed by the artist. The Santa measures just over 10.25 inches tall by 6.25 inches wide.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING Gr8RussianStuff
SATISFACTION 100% GUARANTEED OR YOUR PURCHASE PRICE REFUNDED

domain: artistic


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Which leads us to point number two: If you want to lose belly fat, you'll need to lose weight. If you stick to the following plan, you won't have to lose as much weight as you might think because your body will burn more fat for energy, but still. Reducing your body fat percentage will require losing some weight. Don't go into this thinking you won't have to lose weight, because that's the surest way to fail.
Sorry keto -- the Mediterranean diet is king. Endurance athletes and celebrities like LeBron James and the Kardashians have raved about the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet -- which was among Google’s most-searched terms this year. But Dr. Louis Aronne, an endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine who runs the Comprehensive Weight Control Center, noted that the Mediterranean diet “is the only diet that has been proven in trials to promote weight loss and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.” This meal plan includes using olive oil rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids as your main cooking oil, and loading your plate with fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein like fish and chicken, with the occasional piece of red meat. The American Heart Association recommends a similar diet that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, particularly fruits, veggies and whole grains, as well as low-fat dairy products, nuts and legumes, and non-tropical vegetable oils, while reducing salt, sugar and trans fats.
The Shred Diet is a cycle diet, which means that if you haven’t hit your goal weight after six weeks, you can repeat the cycle of weeks in a different order. Once you’ve hit your target weight, you’ll be in the maintenance phase, which means that every 4 weeks you choose any week of the diet and follow its plan for 7 days. Once you’ve kept the weight off for a period of six months, you can commit to a week of the cycle to do every eight weeks, like a tune-up for your metabolism.
You can try this supplement for a month for just the cost of shipping and handling. With the K Shred risk free trial, $5.94 will get you a bottle, and you can see if this is the supplement for you first-hand. If you like what you see, each bottle after the trial costs $89.94. If it isn’t the supplement for you, cancel the trial within fourteen days, and you won’t have lost anything but a few bucks in shipping.
Losing weight isn’t necessarily a matter of meat vs. plants or carbs vs. fats. Repeatedly, studies suggest you can lose weight with a number of different approaches, including the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, and WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers). Truth be told, losing weight is much easier than keeping it off. The last decade of research on weight loss points to the fact that once you lose weight, your body is in a battle with biology. It’s an unfortunate irony, but studies show that as you drop pounds, your levels of “I’m hungry” hormones increase, while your “I’m full” hormones decrease. At the same time, your body physically needs less fuel to operate your smaller size. It’s not an easy battle, but it isn’t impossible; you can march on. Here’s what we’ve learned about weight loss, and what you can do to take charge of your weight this year.
Fathi, Y., Faghih, S., Zibaeenezhad, M. J., & Tabatabaei, S. H. (2016, February). Kefir drink leads to a similar weight loss, compared with milk, in a dairy-rich non-energy-restricted diet in overweight or obese premenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 55(1), 295–304. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-015-0846-9
Thing is, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be in on the secret, too. Whether you’re planning a last-minute vacation, or auditioning for latest action movie there’s a method you can follow to get as lean and hard as possible, so your muscles look like they’ve been shrink-wrapped by your skin. Follow these seven steps to get “the body” for your big moment.
NASM-certified personal trainer Sydney Eaton, head of fitness and programs at PK Coin App, said that high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, can also be an effective way to burn fat fast. "I've seen many clients achieve desirable results in a very short amount of time with [HIIT]," Sydney told POPSUGAR. For your cardio days, you could opt to do HIIT in the form of sprints on the treadmill or a 20-minute no-equipment HIIT workout.
3. Doing Bicycles not only help to melt belly fat it also works on the muscles of your upper body. For this you have to lie on your back and raise your legs at 90 degree, then bend your legs to 90 degree and hold it. Keep your hands under your head and slowly raise your head and shoulder off the ground. Now with a fast movement bring your right elbow to your left knee and extend your right leg in the front. You have to switch sides fast to create the cycling effect. Use your core muscles to keep your head and shoulder above the ground throughout the exercise. Do 20 repetitions and add 10 as you become stronger.
Your body needs a certain amount of essential vitamins and minerals to function properly. What happens when you don’t get enough of them? What happens when you eat too little food, or when the food you eat isn’t sufficiently nutritious? Perhaps our bodies catch on and reply by increasing hunger levels. After all – if we eat more, we increase the chances of consuming enough of whatever nutrient we are lacking.
For even more impressive effects on body composition: aim for exercise forms which elicit a positive hormonal response. This means lifting really heavy things (strength training), or interval training. Such exercise increases levels of the sex hormone testosterone (primarily in men) as well as growth hormone. Not only do greater levels of these hormones increase your muscle mass, but they also decrease your visceral fat (belly fat) in the long term.
Acai had a major health food moment, thanks to the incredibly delicious acai bowl, which is basically a super thick acai berry smoothie mixed with nuts, oatmeal, and fresh fruit. But not only does acai cost a lot more than other berries, it doesn’t quite live up to all of its hype. “Acai has been touted for many benefits, including aiding in weight loss, but there is no evidence that this berry will have you shedding pounds,” says Amidor. Find out exactly what food to buy at the supermarket to lose weight.
Frequent and sustained cardio training is one of the best ways to burn fat and boost metabolism. One of the best cardio exercises to perform is running, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, as it burns a high number of calories per hour and improves cardiovascular health. ACSM recommends training five days a week, with a minimum of 60 minutes per session.
There are many reasons why you might want to lose weight. If you have been significantly overweight or obese for a long time, then you might have concerns about what the extra weight could be doing to your health. Obesity increases your risk of many health problems, including diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, and some types of cancer. If you have recently gained a bit of weight, then you might just want to lose some weight to fit back into your old jeans. Whatever your reason for wanting to lose weight, there are some important strategies that you should know about.
This is ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters. This parameter helps doctors judge whether the person will suffer from heart disease or strokes. Those having a BMI of 25-29.9 are considered overweight and those with a BMI of 30 are considered obese. However, this parameter is not always accurate in measuring belly fat. In fact, you can measure your belly fat with a measuring tape in front of the mirror, and set your own targets to reduce belly fat. Looking at the mirror and checking regularly will motivate you to lose the unhealthy fat lining your abdomen.
Try a diet in which you consume 2200 calories (men) or 2000 calories (women) per day. This should cause a deficit sufficient for you to lose one or two pounds per week, depending on your activity level. Some women may require lower daily calorie intake, such as 1800 or 1500 a day. Start by limiting yourself to a 2000 calorie limit per day, and lower the limit if you do not see progress.
Sometimes, to whip your body into shape, you have to get a little nutty. While nuts are high in fat, it’s that very fat that makes them such powerful weapons in the war against a ballooning belly. In fact, a study published in Diabetes Care revealed that study participants who consumed a diet rich in monounsaturated fats, like those in nuts, over a 28-day period gained less belly fat than their saturated fat-consuming counterparts while improving their insulin sensitivity.
Call it what you will: An eating plan, a lifestyle, a diet, a philosophy, but few things garner such heated debate as how to lose weight. The truth is, whether you’re on a low-carb keto program, devoted to the Paleo lifestyle, all in to the Whole 30 or remain committed to low-fat eating, these plans have more in common than you think. What’s more, follow any one of them religiously, and you’ll likely notice results.
They say that the best diet is the one you stick to. Well, I'm not going to be able to stick to this. A couple of weeks in and it's becoming increasingly clear that this is sort of like a liquid diet. Solid meals are becoming quite infrequent. Soups, fruit smoothies and protein shakes are the main choices for meals. I want to chew! No more drinking my food!
6. Eat a little less. When your body gets smaller, it requires fewer calories to function properly. A 165-pound woman who works out three to five times a week may require 2,300 calories per day to maintain her weight, but the same woman at 125 pounds may only need 2,000 calories for maintenance. Trying to lose additional pounds in your lighter body means cutting back a little more. You do not need to make radical changes, however; if you’re already increasing the intensity of your workouts and eating a clean, whole-foods diet, you could probably see the scale move with a modest 100-calorie reduction per day.
Ultimately, you need to pick a healthy eating plan you can stick to, Stewart says. The benefit of a low-carb approach is that it simply involves learning better food choices—no calorie-counting is necessary. In general, a low-carb way of eating shifts your intake away from problem foods—those high in carbs and sugar and without much fiber, like bread, bagels and sodas—and toward high-fiber or high-protein choices, like vegetables, beans and healthy meats.
At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That’s nearly 90,000 calories a year—or 25 pounds! And research shows that despite the calories, sugary drinks don’t trigger a sense of fullness the way that food does. Find out how many calories in a pound you’ll need to shed to lose weight.
Dairy products contain varying amounts of lactose (milk sugar), which slows down weight loss. What’s more, part of the protein in milk generates a significant insulin response, which can have the same effect. Consequently, cutting back on dairy products may accelerate weight loss. This applies especially to dairy products typically lacking in fat, such as regular milk and various yogurts, but be careful with full-fat dairy such as cream and cheese all the same. And don’t forget whey protein powder, which is pure milk protein.
Leafy Greens – Help you feel satisfied longer, boost your metabolism and turn off your hunger receptors. You will eat less and lose more belly fat just by increasing your leafy greens! They’re low in calories and high in fiber, making them the perfect weight loss food. Not a fan? Try one of our yummy green smoothies. Examples include spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, bok choy, arugula, chard, and mustard greens.
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times: Abs are made in the kitchen. Unfortunately, if you regularly eat ultra-processed foods (think chips, store-bought baked goods, and candy), you won’t be able to see yours. “These foods are produced using sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, which in high amounts has been shown to promote visceral fat accumulation in the liver, leading to weight gain, inflammation, and related diseases,” explains Rachel Fine, RD, owner of To The Pointe Nutrition.
Don’t let extra hours lounging in bed stand between you and a flatter belly. While getting enough sleep can help boost your metabolic rate, sleeping in may undo any benefit you’d enjoy from catching a few extra winks. One Obesity study reveals that late sleepers who snoozed past 10:45 in the morning ate nearly 250 more calories over the course of the day, despite eating half as many fruits and vegetables as their early bird counterparts. Even worse, they chowed down on more salty, sugary, and trans-fat-laden fast food than those who woke up earlier. If you happen to head out of the house early, you’re in for an additional metabolic boost; researchers at Northwestern University have found that people exposed to just a short period of early morning sunlight had lower BMIs than their late-waking counterparts.

domain: medical


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What did you do before, that you really enjoyed, that you simply don’t do anymore?
When you think about certain things (or one certain thing) you used to do, or talk about these activities in the past tense to others, do you feel a twinge of regret?
When that regret passes across your consciousness, do you shove …Continue Reading »
Whenever I work with a client, the deep work of coaching starts when I help her navigate the unexpected “swamp” into which she inevitably stumbles.
What seemed clear, possible and wonderful when first envisioned becomes foggy and hazy in the distance, perhaps even impossibly far away.
Had she imagined it?
Who was she to think she could deserve …Continue Reading »

domain: literature


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This nexus began with first Franklin Roosevelt, then Dwight Eisenhower to Jimmy Carter to George H.W. Bush. Declared Roosevelt after meeting Saudi Arabia's king aboard a warship in 1945, "I hereby find that the defense of Saudi Arabia is vital to the defense of the United States." Carter, in 1980, put it even more forcefully: "Let our position be absolutely clear. Any attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States." It was clear even before WWII that oil had become the vital strategic commodity for expanding military and economic clout .During WWII, the Nazis occupied Romania for its oil and went for the oil fields in Azerbaijan, both countries then big oil producers.
Even a major reason for the partition of Hindustan was to protect western oil wells in the Middle East. Late Indian diplomat Narendra Singh Sarila in his well researched book 'The Shadow of the Great Game: The Untold Story of India's Partition', documents how the British leadership across the political spectrum , Conservatives and Labour , intrigued ,told lies , divided the Indian subcontinent and created a weak state of Pakistan which would be reliant on the West. Because Mahatma Gandhi with this opposition to violence and war, and emphasis on peaceful means to resolve all disputes and Jawaharlal Nehru with his non-real politic idealism and vision of creating friendship and understanding among colonized and exploited people of Asia, Africa, Middle east and elsewhere, would not join Western military pacts to protect from the Soviet Union, the oil wells in the Middle East dominated by Western oil companies.
Financial Times (London) warned last year that the US dollar will lose its status as the reserve currency in 25 years and would be replaced by a portfolio of currencies according to a survey of central bank reserve managers who collectively control more than $8,000 billion, unlike in the past when they said the dollar would retain its status as the sole reserve currency. -- The dollar would be replaced by a portfolio of currencies within the next 25 years. Central banks have bought about 151 tons of gold so far this year, led by Russia and Mexico, according to the World Gold Council, and are on track to make their largest annual purchases of bullion since the collapse in 1971 of the Bretton Woods system, which pegged the value of the dollar to gold. The Yellow metal
Would be the best performing asset class over the next year, citing sovereign defaults as the chief risk to the global economy.
US debt now amounts to over $ 14 trillion , equal to its GDP .Even in this GDP , the financial industry contributes 40%.The US economy is now 20-25 % of world GDP unlike 50% after WWII and is being artificially sustained by a stimulus of $ 2.8 trillion .There are no green shoots of revival , unemployment continues to rise . US economy remains in recession .The 1930s recession was overcome by WWII which allowed its protected ( from war) industry to run full steam and indebt European and other countries .With many industries disappearing or in decline , even the automobile one ,the US economic downhill can only worsen.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, "We have very good relations with Iran, and we are putting much effort into renewing Iran's talks with the 5+1 [Iran Six - the United Nations Security Council permanent members plus Germany] mediators' group. Turkey will continue looking for a peaceful solution to the issue."
BRICS member India - alongside Russia and China - also dismissed sanctions. South Korea and Japan will inevitably extract exemptions from the Barack Obama administration.
All across Eurasia trade is fast moving away from the US dollar. The Asian Dollar Exclusion Zone, crucially, also means that Asia is slowly disengaging itself from Western banks.
The movement may be led by China - but it's irreversibly transnational. Once again, follow the money. BRICS members China and Brazil started bypassing the US dollar on trade in 2007. BRICS members Russia and China did the same in 2010. Japan and China - the top two Asian giants - did the same only last month.
Only last week, Saudi Arabia and China rolled out a project for a giant oil refinery in the Red Sea. And India more or less secretly is deciding to pay for Iranian oil in gold - even bypassing the current middleman, a Turkish bank.
Asia wants a new international system - and it's working for it. Inevitable long-term consequences; the US dollar - and, crucially, the petrodollar - slowly drifting into irrelevance. "Too Big to Fail" may turn out to be not a categorical imperative, but an epitaph." concluded Escobar.
If EU hopes that Saudi Arabia will bail out , whatever the spin in Western corporate media – Riyadh does not have the spare capacity. Saudis will be happy with higher prices is high oil prices, as they have indicated ,to bribe - apart from repressing - its own population into forgetting about Arab revolts against US puppets in Arab states in north Africa and Yemen. It is likely that the Europeans will be compelled to buy oil at higher prices indirectly through intermediaries. This will hit Club Med countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece, having little time to find a possible alternative to Iran's light, high-quality crude. Greece - already facing the abyss - has been buying heavily discounted oil from Iran. The oil embargo may even precipitating a Greek government bond default - and have even cascading effect in the Euro-zone (Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Spain – and even beyond)
Even Turkey which has been cajoled and enticed into supporting Saudi policies by Yesil Surmaye aka Green Money from Riyadh since 2001 , finds that its Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu policy of 'Zero friction with neighbours ' has ended in tensions with all its neighbours and the passage of Armenian genocide bill in French Parliament . Davutoglu, who recently visited Tehran to sort out differences said "We have very good relations with Iran, and we are putting much effort into renewing Iran's talks with the 5+1 [Iran Six - the United Nations Security Council permanent members plus Germany] mediators' group. Turkey will continue looking for a peaceful solution to the issue."
BRICS member India - alongside Russia and China – is opposed to sanctions according the media including a website close to Israel. India will keep buying Iranian oil and paying in rupees or even in gold. After being led by the noose and hood winked by Washington on Indo-US Nuclear Treaty which has given no freedom from NSG regime or access to advanced technology, not allowed to work out an energy security policy with Iran and others, New Delhi is moving away from total obedience to Washington, since the replacement of a policeman National Security Adviser by a strategic expert.
National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was expected to offer 600,000 barrels of heavy crude oil for sale on the first day launch of the bourse. Ali Akbar Hashemian, the managing director of Iran Mercantile Exchange, said the NIOC planned to offer 50,000 barrels of Iran's crude on the bourse on a regular daily basis, once all the necessary requirements are satisfied. Iran, OPEC's second-largest oil producer, has the world's second largest natural gas reserves after Russia.
In end 1993 , along with six ambassadors resident in Ankara I flew to Baku , capital of Azerbaijan , to present our first letters of credence to president Haidar Aliev , a former senior member of the Soviet Politburo , from Azerbaijan After the letters ceremony and calls on ministers , I called on resident ambassadors in Baku .The new US embassy was quite large and imposing , the British, smaller undergoing renovation; the Israeli , extensive extensions and renovation .
But I was in for a shock when I called on the Russian ambassador, who's Residence, consisted of a couple of rooms in an Intourist hotel. Russians were the masters of Azerbaijan till it broke away a few years earlier.
The point I want to make is that the Russians who lorded over Azerbaijan till recently were reduced to such straits that its Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary was confined to a suite in a two star hotel you find near old Delhi Railway station .But this kind of thing is not new in history . After all USSR had lost the Cold War , which was a tabletop nuclear war exercise between the two mighty adversaries .Moscow just could not match huge sums Washington poured into military expenditure . Washington now spends over US$ 700 billion for its defense and over $ One Trillion in all on National Security according to Chris Hellmen in Tomgram.

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Honoring our Female Superheroes and the Jewelry that Celebrates Them
Despite composing roughly half of the human population, women have not been proportionally represented in many fields. There’s a lot to say about this in the real world, but we want to stay in our lane and focus on what we know best- superheroes and pop culture characters.
The first female superhero to appear in print was Fantomah, "Mystery Woman of the Jungle", who appeared in Jungle Comics #2, which was published by Fiction House in February of 1940. Fantomah had permed blonde hair, a leotard, assorted superpowers, and sometimes her face turned into a blue skull. A month later, Thrilling Comics #2 introduced us to The Woman In Red, the first masked, crime-fighting superhero, who was the alter-ego of police officer Peggy Allen. In 1941, Bell Syndicate released a Sunday comic strip, The Black Fury written by June Tarpé Mills. The Black Fury was the alter ego of socialite Marla Drake, before switching names to be known as Miss Fury. Marvel comics reprinted the strips later in the 1940s. While Fantomah’s legacy faded, The Woman In Red was revived by comic legend Alan Moore in 2001, and Miss Fury has been appearing sporadically up until 2021. (And, no, she’s not related to Nick.)
The next big name in female superheroes you probably know: Wonder Woman! Officially created by Writer/ Harvard Psychologist William “Charles” Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter, Wonder Woman was inspired by Marston’s wife, Elizabeth, and the couple’s partner, Olive Byrne. Marston pointed out the lack of strong, powerful role models for girls, and stated, “The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.” Worth noting, the Marstons also invented the lie detector, which might have partially inspired the Lasso of Truth. William writing under the pseudonym “Charles” also suggests that he has at least a small insight into the idea of secret identities.
Known in her homeland as Princess Diana of Themyscira, and in mortal society as Diana Prince, many of her early stories involved twists on classic tropes, such as the damsel in distress needing the hero to save her. Now, the damsel was her own hero. Wonder Woman has appeared countless times in different media, including cartoons voiced by Rosario Dawson and in the most recent DCU films as portrayed by Gal Gadot. We suspect that we don’t have to explain much about Wonder Woman, she’s so famous she even has her own holiday on October 21!
What we will explain is that we have a LOT of cool Wonder Woman jewelry!
While it is Women’s History month, we admit that we’re not historians, we’re a jewelry company, so, yes, even our articles come down to selling things. The good news is that we have fun stuff to sell!
While we tend to focus on the term “jewelry,” we do have many other accessories, such as our set of 3 scrunchies, featuring Wonder Woman iconography and color schemes. They’re a great fashion statement if you want to reward your friends with sharp eyes and attention to detail. If you have shorter hair or wear it down, these also make great bracelets!
If you want to be more overt about your love for Wonder Woman, why not wear it close to your heart-literally- with lapel pins? We have this Wonder Woman 84 Pin featuring our protagonist and her adversary, Cheetah, our classic Wonder Woman logo pin, and this set featuring the latter pin, her name, and two comic book images.
Of course, we have plenty of traditional jewelry items, for instance, if you want to wear Wonder Woman Logo Earrings, you can wear this set, this set, or even a set of screw-fit plugs. We also feature this set of earrings with a matching necklace, as well as a set with the WW Logo and dangling Lassos. Whatever you pick, you’ll look fierce and fabulous!
Meanwhile, in another multiverse entirely:
Marvel’s first female superhero was Sue Storm, aka Sue Richards, aka The Invisible Woman, from Fantastic Four. However, when she first was introduced, she was called “The Invisible Girl.” Perhaps this is one aspect of attempts at gender equality as created by men. That said, Sue was at least presented as part of a team, as opposed to the trend of female heroes as sort of the diminutive female counterpart to a “real” hero, such as Supergirl in relation to Superman.
In the mid to late 1970’s, Marvel started taking female characters especially more seriously, although the company’s history of women protagonists seems entangled with the history of eponymous characters: In 1972, Jean Grey’s alter ego went from Marvel Girl to Phoenix. In 1977, the character of Ms. Marvel was introduced: originally as the alter ego of Carol Danvers, who would later be called Captain Marvel (As opposed to the other Captain Marvel and that completely other Captain Marvel, who, despite being the first Captain Marvel, was not a Marvel hero.) Of course, the name Ms. Marvel came back into the story as the alter ego of Kamala Khan, who is the protagonist of the 2022 Marvel Studios series of the same name on Disney+. We can also discuss the connection between characters named Captain Marvel and characters named Mar-Vell. Confused? Maybe this video will help. (Two grownups had a meeting to discuss which source would be the best explanation, even though this brings up even more characters and tangents.) In any case, Captain Marvel the film stands as the first MCU film to focus on a single female protagonist, and Captain Marvel the character stands on record as the MCU’s most powerful hero.
Whether or not you are confused, we do make it simple enough to order our products! (How’s that for a forced segue?) You may easily click the following links to check out this Captain Marvel Logo Pin,this other Captain Marvel Logo Pin or even our Captain Marvel Pin Set. We have a Captain Marvel Bib Necklace and a CAPTAIN MARVEL LOGO INTERCONNECTING 2-TIERED NECKLACE, even this Captain Marvel logo keychain. If you want to support feminine heroes with traditionally masculine accessories, we even have a Captain Marvel Cufflinks, Tie Bars and Money Clip Set.
If you lost track of which Marvel is which Captain, we also represent some of Marvel’s other characters; for instance this Spider Gwen adjustable ring, a full selection of Black Widow accessories to honor our favorite female Avenger, and an assortment of Wanda/ Scarlet Witch accessories such as our popular Tiara.
Do all Super Heroes need to be “Superheroes?”
We’ve covered the history of women as comic heroes, comic superheroes, and some of the big names in the big two companies, and if we had the time, we could discuss heroic women in many fandoms and legacies, but a few of us here are a bit obsessed with Avatar: the Last Airbender, and that raises the question; what is a superhero? See, A:tlA already has raised questions about, say, if it’s technically an Anime or not, now we bring to your attention the question: are benders superheroes? They have powers, they are heroic, they wear fancy outfits, and while they don’t have personal logos, they do live in societies that have cool logos.
Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that by the time Avatar was created for Nickelodeon, pop culture has gotten to the point where the female characters were not sidekicks or the female version of an existing male hero. Nor are any of the female characters the token girl in a group of guys. The heroes, the villains, even the minor characters have a considerable mix of male and female characters with different inherent and learned strengths. So let’s hear it for https://jewelrybrands.shop/collections/nickelodeon/products/avtrchbktrlp01-nickelodeon-avatar-chibi-pin-htmland https://jewelrybrands.shop/products/avtrchbtoplp01-nickleodeon-avatar-toph-chibi-lapel-pin-html?_pos=1&_sid=fae34a6e8&_ss=r, both of whom have superpowers, both of whom have developed their skills to be beyond what anyone in their world have seen, both of whom have overtly defeated both the bad guys and social patriarchal oppression!
History is an Ongoing Process!
When we talk about history, or, in this case, herstory, we often think that it’s the past leading up to where we are now. But “now” is part of history. (Literally, what is being written now is already the past by the time you read it.) What does the future of pop culture hold for our favorite women, and who might we meet? As we mentioned earlier, Ms. Marvel is getting her own Disney + series. Wanda “Scarlet Witch” Maximoff returns to the big screen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She Hulk will be getting her own Disney+ series. Thor:Love and Thunder will feature the return of Valkyrie and a power promotion for Jane Foster. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hints at some powerful female energy, and all in all, 2022 looks like a great year for superhero media. We’ll be there, releasing new and exciting superhero jewelry and other pop culture accessories.


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I am an ex-childminder so I am very good with children. This gives me a huge advantage when it comes to photographing children as I can engage with them and make it fun.
I make sure my new born and baby photography has a timeless feel to it. I capture the natural beauty of the baby and the essence of the moment.
As parents you want to show off your new little bundle of joy with pride to family and friends. This is best achieved through special first photographs and keepsakes.
Babies’ appearance grows and changes so quickly the moment can pass you by. Make sure you book yours as quick as possible to capture the incredibly unique moments.
You will get a varied range of shots. But ultimately it depends on the baby so it is important we can all be adaptive to capture the most natural photos possible.
It is important that we concentrate on the times of day that your baby is most settled. Babies don’t stay settled for long so it is very important to me that we capture the moments you can treasure forever.
Why not bundle with the Maternity Bump shoot for £125 – two separate shoots for one price!
Each session at Treasure the Moments includes:
- Consultation via Phone or Messenger.
- A minimum of 30 different professionally produced images which have natural authentic feel about them.
These digital images will be provided on a USB/Disc.
- Professional guided direction from the photographer to ensure we capture you in the most flattering way.
- Shoot in your own home. Pop-Up studio included (screen & lighting)
- Alternative locations can be discussed if there is somewhere in particular you would like.
- Approx 1 hour photo shoot
Travel included is worked out from postcode to postcode on google maps;


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Fall is here and we are totally into it. We are all about the pumpkin everything, the sweater weather, the TGIT nights, the long walk through the fall leaves and every other basic thing you can think of! There are so many fun things to do with your pup during the best season of the year! We have pulled some of our must-dos with our pups this fall as well as our must-haves! See below and comment to let us know what your favorite fall activities are!
Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patches: There is nothing like going to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch with your dogs, sipping some cider and well basically getting the cutest photos ever! There are so many great places that are dog-friendly, make sure you call ahead to double-check!
Fall Beach Days: The beach is great during the summer, yes, BUT there is something about going to the beach in a sweater with a glass of red wine and the crisp air taking that tennis ball down the beach while the pups run full speed after it. I, personally, love the beach this time of the year because I don’t have to worry about the dogs getting overheated or their paws burning from the hot sand. Another plus about the beach in the fall is that most beaches turn dog-friendly all day after the summer season, so you don’t have to worry about going there late or having to wake up super early… you have ALL day long!
Hiking and New Parks: This is the perfect time of the year for hikes! The weather is perfect so you can go a little longer than you do during the summer, the trees are changing colors and well everything is just stunning! Find a new park or some new trails to hit with your pup and your man this fall! (always bring the man, so you can make him take photos of you and your pup #instagramboyfriend).
Best Dog Day Ever by the Dodo: The Dodo is launching Best Dog Day Ever because we believe the best way to bond with your pup is through experiences you can enjoy together. Our team of dog experts have let their imaginations run wild to create an event that inspires pure joy for dogs and their people. The results are nothing short of the most creative, ambitious and bold Halloween experience ever. Best Dog Day Ever brings you and your best friend the most perfectly spooky fall day with activities tailor-made just for him, unforgettable experiences, extreme photo ops and of course…very special treats!
Get your pup in costume so he can make an appearance in our epic parade and discover brand-new installations including a pumpkin patch just for pups, Dyson’s Transformation Lab to get groomed and prepped, the ultimate trick-or-treat shoppe (with dog-friendly ice cream!), a happy AND haunted house packed with adorable rescue pups, Target’s Costume Cam and so much more. Best Dog Day Ever is designed to make your dogs as happy as they make you. So start planning your pup’s costume and we’ll see you in Brooklyn!
With all the fun things to with your pup this fall, you have to make sure you are up to date on all the new fall trends, so here are some of our must-haves for both Puppy Baby Mamas and their fur-babes!

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- Powerful stretch fabric with major comfort chops (and kicks).
- Interior adjustable waistband expands for a perfect fit.
- Snap-button closure | Zip fly.
- Riveted scoop pockets and coin pocket, Patch pockets in back.
- Built-In Tough twill have 2x the strength of regular jeans or five-pocket pants.
- Slim leg
- Built-In Flex Max is engineered with double the innovative stretch technology for maximum comfort & movement.
- Soft, Durable Cotton Twill.
- Composition : 98% cotton , 2% spandex
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domain: design