Railway wheel fault diagnosis using a fuzzy-logic method

A simple method for diagnosis of railway wheel defects using fuzzy-logic is proposed. The method is based on vibration measurements at different train speeds on healthy wheels and wheels with defects known a priori. The measured vibrations are statistically analyzed and confidence intervals for healthy and defective wheels depending on train speed and frequency of analysis are established. To facilitate the implementation of the method a fuzzy-logic is adopted. The fuzzy-logic model stores the obtained experience in a database and performs the decision making on damage extent and consequently the need of preventive maintenance. In view of the obtained results, the advantages and the limitations of the proposed approach as well as suggestions for further improvements are presented and discussed.     

Solid phase insertion of diamines into peptide chains

Diamines derived from naturally occurring aminoacids were inserted into peptide chains by the reaction of the monophthaloyl diamines with amino acid 1-benzotriazolyl esters, bound through their amino functions onto trityl-type resins. The phthaloyl group was removed and peptide chains using N-Fmoc amino acids, were assembled on the liberated amino function. The peptidyl diamides obtained, were cleaved from the resins with ^tBu-side chain protection remaining intact, or fully deprotected.     

Resin-bound aminothiols: synthesis and application

Aminothiols were attached through their thiol group onto the 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl (Dmt)-, 4-methoxytrityl (Mmt)-, 4-methyltrityl (Mtt)-, trityl (Trt)- and 2-chlorotrityl (Clt)-resins. The new resins were used in the solid-phase synthesis of aminothiol containing peptides utilizing N-Fmoc amino acids. The synthesized peptides were cleaved from the resins by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solutions using triethylsilane (TES) or ethanedithiol (EDT) as scavengers.     

The inhibition of calcium carbonate crystal growth by the cysteine-rich Mdm2 peptide

The crystal growth of calcite, the most stable calcium carbonate polymorph, in the presence of the cysteine-rich Mdm2 peptide (containing 48 amino acids in the ring finger configuration), has been investigated by the constant composition technique. Crystallization took place exclusively on well-characterized calcite crystals in solutions supersaturated only with respect to this calcium carbonate salt. The kinetic results indicated a surface diffusion spiral growth mechanism. The presence of the Mdm2 peptide inhibited the crystal growth of calcite by 22-58% in the concentration range tested, through adsorption onto the active growth sites of the calcite crystal surface. The kinetic results favored a Langmuir-type adsorption model, and the value of the calculated affinity constant was k(aff)=147x10(4) dm(3)mol(-1), a(ads)=0.29.     

A factorial analysis for the determination of an optimal train speed with a desired ride comfort

A new method of optimization of the N_MV is proposed. The comfort index N_MV was measured and analyzed in research carried out for the Greek Railway network. Factorial analysis was used for the calculation of the effect of each factor on the comfort index N_MV. ISO 2631-1 standards were also involved in this study for the design of the equivalent vibration dose lines as a function of the N_MV and the exposure time. Using the factorial model, the N_MV index for different values of a train’s speed and rail condition was predicted. Finally, an optimum speed value, as regards acceptable passenger comfort, was obtained by using the equal vibration dose lines.