Application of advanced soft control strategies into the dairy industry

This paper outlines the application of soft control strategies in the thermal treatment in the dairy industry. The milk pasteurizer is the most important process for guarantee the quality of the milk. The article describes with details the application of fuzzy logic and neural network in a plate heat exchanger (PHE). Recently the application of artificial intelligent has increased sharply, especially, fuzzy logic due to its easy implementation and low mathematical level. This article discusses technical features of three advanced control technologies: Fuzzy control, Model Reference Adaptive Fuzzy Control and neural networks, their implementation in food processes including a comparative study.

Industrial relevance

Existing control does not permit to introduce the experience of the operator for an adequate control of the milk pasteurization in industrial applications. Consequently, it was the aim of this very relevant to test the efficiency of soft techniques (fuzzy logic and neural networks) to control the temperature during milk pasteurization. The uses of soft techniques do not require complex mathematical models and complex tuning control methods. Since the controller can be realized by simple arithmetic operations, it can be improved continuously.     

Characterization of a goat whey peptic hydrolysate produced by an ultrafiltration membrane enzymic reactor

Goat whey was hydrolysed by pepsin in an ultrafiltration membrane enzymic reactor coupled with a 30 kDa mineral membrane. Peptides collected in the permeate were resolved using reversed-phase HPLC. Their sequences were determined by amino acid analysis, second order derivative spectra analysis and mass spectrometry. Owing to the resistance of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg) towards pepsin, the majority of peptides identified were derived from alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-la). Pepsin showed a broad specificity of hydrolysis sites and generated a wide range of products from dipeptides to very large peptides containing disulphide bridges. The molecular masses of peptides resulting from alpha-la degradation were between 150 and 6900 Da: 36% were < 600 Da. 24% were 600-2000 Da and 40% were > 2000 Da.     

Comparison of plain radiographs and magnetic resonance images in the evaluation of periosteal reaction and osteoid matrix in osteosarcomas

To determine the relationship and the degree of agreement between radiographs and MR images for the existence of osteoid matrix and periosteal reactions in the initial diagnosis of osteosarcomas. the plain radiographs and MR studies of 54 patients with proven osteosarcoma were retrospectively evaluated. In each tumor the visualization and type of osseous matrix, periosteal reaction and Codman angle were recorded independently for both techniques and by consensus between two radiologists. In 37 tumors agreement existed regarding osteoid matrix and in 31 cases regarding periosteal reactions. The Kappa statistic showed a significant relationship between both tests (0.49 and 0.44, respectively). Both techniques were also not statistically different in the proportion of findings with the McNemar test. Therefore, the ability of MR images seems important in reporting the MR features of bone tumors. Identification of osteoid mineralization and periosteal reaction can also be used with MR in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma.     

Pulse drive and capacitance measurement circuit for MEMS electrostatic actuators

In this paper we present an electronic circuit for position or capacitance estimation of MEMS electrostatic actuators based on a switched capacitor technique. The circuit uses a capacitive divider configuration composed by a fixed capacitor and the variable capacitance of the electrostatic actuator for generating an output signal that is a function of the input voltage and capacitive ratio. The proposed circuit can be used to simultaneously actuate and sense position of an electrostatic MEMS actuator without extra sensing elements. This approach is compatible with the requirements of most analog feedback systems and the circuit topology of pulsed digital oscillators.     

Neuregulin 4 Downregulation Induces Insulin Resistance in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes through Inflammation and Autophagic Degradation of GLUT4 Vesicles

The adipokine Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) protects against obesity-induced insulin resistance. Here, we analyze how the downregulation of Nrg4 influences insulin action and the underlying mechanisms in adipocytes. Validated shRNA lentiviral vectors were used to generate scramble (Scr) and Nrg4 knockdown (KD) 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Adipogenesis was unaffected in Nrg4 KD adipocytes, but there was a complete impairment of the insulin-induced 2-deoxyglucose uptake, which was likely the result of reduced insulin receptor and Glut4 protein. Downregulation of Nrg4 enhanced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Anti-inflammatory agents recovered the insulin receptor, but not Glut4, content. Proteins enriched in Glut4 storage vesicles such as the insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP) and Syntaxin-6 as well as TBC1D4, a protein involved in the intracellular retention of Glut4 vesicles, also decreased by Nrg4 KD. Insulin failed to reduce autophagy in Nrg4 KD adipocytes, observed by a minor effect on mTOR phosphorylation, at the time that proteins involved in autophagy such as LC3-II, Rab11, and Clathrin were markedly upregulated. The lysosomal activity inhibitor bafilomycin A1 restored Glut4, IRAP, Syntaxin-6, and TBC1D4 content to those found in control adipocytes. Our study reveals that Nrg4 preserves the insulin responsiveness by preventing inflammation and, in turn, benefits the insulin regulation of autophagy.