On the simulation,economic analysis,and life cycle assessment of batch-mode organic solvent recovery alternatives for the pharmaceutical industry

This study explores design alternatives for the purification and possible reuse of low-volume organic solvents waste streams in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Solvent use has a large impact on the life cycle of pharmaceutical processes, as typically 80–90% of the total mass used in the production of an active pharmaceutical ingredient is attributed to solvent use. Solvents are not consumed in pharmaceutical processes so they exit the process as waste. These waste streams are usually disposed of using incineration; therefore, generating significant life cycle emissions from disposal and replacement of virgin solvent. Solvent recovery efforts are generally limited to large-volume waste streams. However, results show that solvents in low-volume streams can also be economically recovered using a versatile multi-campaign solvent recovery skid. Three different solvent waste streams were evaluated, and 85.3% reduction in total emissions and 86.3% reduction in operating costs were achieved. Investment in the solvent recovery system was determined to have a payback period of 4.5 years and a 28% IRR over 10 years. A life cycle impact assessment shows impacts on the human health, ecosystems, and resources categories have been reduced by 82.4, 85.1, and 87.1%, respectively.     

Low cycle fatigue life prediction in shot‐peened components of different geometries—part I: residual stress relaxation

In this study, the residual stress relaxation behaviour occurring during low‐cycle fatigue in shot‐peened specimens with either a flat or a notched geometry has been studied. A representative low‐pressure steam turbine material, FV448, was used. The residual stress and strain hardening profiles caused by shot peening were measured experimentally and were then incorporated into a finite element model. By allowing for both effects of shot peening, the residual stress relaxation behaviour was successfully simulated using this model and correlated well with the experimental data. Although more modelling work may be required to simulate the interaction between shot peening effects and external loads in a range of notched geometries, the model predictions are consistent with the specimens tested in the current study. The novelty of this study lies in the development of such a modelling approach which can be used to effectively simulate the complex interaction between shot peening effects and external loads in notched regions. Compared with the un‐notched geometry, the notched geometry was found to be more effective in retaining the improvement in fatigue life resulting from shot peening, by restricting the compressive residual stress relaxation during fatigue loading.     

Genomewide search for dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (hereditary xerocytosis): mapping of locus to chromosome 16 (16q23-qter)

Dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis, also known as "hereditary xerocytosis," is caused by a red blood cell-membrane defect characterized by stomatocytic morphology, increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, decreased osmotic fragility, increased permeability to the univalent cations Na+ and K+, and an increased proportion of phosphatidylcholine in the membrane. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous, ranging from mild to moderate hemolytic anemia associated with scleral icterus, splenomegaly, and choletithiasis. Iron overload may develop later in life. The disease is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. We recruited a large three-generation Irish family affected with DHS and comprising 23 members, of whom 14 were affected and 9 were healthy. Two additional, small families also were included in the study. The DNA samples from the family members were used in a genomewide search to identify, by linkage analysis, the DHS locus. After the exclusion of a portion of the human genome, we obtained conclusive evidence for linkage of DHS to microsatellite markers on the long arm of chromosome 16 (16q23-q24). A maximum two-point LOD score of 6.62 at recombination fraction .00 was obtained with marker D16S520. There are no recombination events defining the telomeric limit of the region, which therefore is quite large. No candidate genes map to this area.     

Mutation analysis of the MEN1 gene in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, familial acromegaly and familial isolated hyperparathyroidism

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by neoplasia of the parathyroid glands, the endocrine pancreas, and the anterior pituitary gland. In addition, families with isolated endocrine neoplasia, notably familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP) and familial acromegaly, have also been reported. However, whether these families constitute MEN 1 variants or separate entities remains speculative as the genetic bases for these diseases are unclear. The gene for MEN 1 has recently been cloned and characterized. Using single strand conformation analysis (SSCA) and sequencing, we performed mutation analysis in: a) a total of 55 MEN 1 families from 7 countries, b) 13 isolated MEN 1 cases without family history of the disease, c) 8 acromegaly families, and d) 4 FIHP families. Mutations were identified in 27 MEN 1 families and 9 isolated cases. The 22 different mutations spread across most of the 9 translated exons and included frameshift (11), nonsense (6), splice (2), missense mutations (2), and in-frame deletions (1). Among the 19 Finnish MEN 1 probands, a 1466del12 mutation was identified in 6 families with identical 11q13 haplotypes and in 2 isolated cases indicating a common founder. One frameshift mutation caused by 359del4 (GTCT) was found in 1 isolated case and 4 kindreds of different origin and haplotypes; this mutation therefore represents a common "warm" spot in the MEN1 gene. By analyzing the DNA of the parents of an isolated case one mutation was confirmed to be de novo. No mutation was found in any of the acromegaly and small FIHP families, suggesting that genetic defects other than the MEN1 gene might be involved and that additional such families need to be analyzed.     

Measures for investigating the contextual modulation of information transmission

The aim of this paper is to show how information theoretic measures can be used to analyse and interpret the results of psychophysical experiments designed to search for conditions under which information from one source modulates the transmission of information from another source. We therefore use measures of mutual and conditional information to analyse systems with two inputs. The information transmitted by such a system can be split into three components depending on whether it is shared between the two inputs or is specific to each. We are concerned here with distinguishing systems that use one input to modulate transmission of information about the other from systems that simply add both inputs, and show how the three components provide evidence for distinguishing between additive and modulatory effects. We also report numerical simulations of the sampling biasses and variances of these measures as a function of the sample size and propose minimum sample sizes that should be used to overcome the bias.     

Comparison of two novel MRAS based strategies for identifying parameters in permanent magnet synchronous motors

Two model reference adaptive system (MRAS) estimators are developed for identifying the parameters of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) based on the Lyapunov stability theorem and the Popov stability criterion, respectively. The proposed estimators only need online measurement of currents, voltages, and rotor speed to effectively estimate stator resistance, inductance, and rotor flux-linkage simultaneously. The performance of the estimators is compared and verified through simulations and experiments, which show that the two estimators are simple, have good robustness against parameter variation, and are accurate in parameter tracking. However, the estimator based on the Popov stability criterion, which can overcome parameter variation in a practical system, is superior in terms of response speed and convergence speed since there are both proportional and integral units in the estimator, in contrast to only one integral unit in the estimator based on the Lyapunov stability theorem. In addition, the estimator based on the Popov stability criterion does not need the expertise that is required in designing a Lyapunov function.     

SedLog: A shareware program for drawing graphic logs and log data manipulation

SedLog is a free multi-platform software package for creating graphic sediment logs providing an intuitive graphical user interface. The graphic sediment logs generated by SedLog can be exported as PDF, Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), or JPEG for use by other drawing applications or for publications. Log data can be imported and exported in Comma Separated Values (CSV) format. The logs can also be printed to any paper size the user wants. Zoom In, Zoom Out, Fit page, Fit Height and Fit Width facilities are also provided to enable the user to customise the workspace size.