Improved method for development of parsimonious orthonormal basis filter models

One of the major advantages of orthonormal basis filter (OBF) models is that they are parsimonious in parameters. However, this is true only if appropriate type of filter and reasonably accurate dominant poles of the system are used in developing the model. An arbitrary choice of filter type and poles may lead to non-parsimonious model. While the selection of the type of filter may be simple if the damping characteristics of the system are known, finding good estimates of the dominant pole(s) of the system is not a trivial task. Another important advantage of OBF model is the fact that time delays can be easily estimated and incorporated into the model. Currently, time delay of the system is estimated from the step response of the OBF model using the tangent method. While this method is effective in estimating the time delay of systems that can be accurately modeled by first order plus time delay (FOPTD) models, the accuracy is low for systems with second- and higher-order dynamics. In this paper, a scheme is proposed that will result in parsimonious OBF model and a better estimate of time delay starting from an arbitrary set of poles.     

Potential use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for differentiation of bovine and porcine gelatins

In order to classify unknown gelatin into their species of origin, a simple and rapid method for the qualitative determination was developed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) in combination with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and discriminant analysis. The spectra were analysed using a chemometric method, principal component analysis (PCA), to classify and characterise gelatin compounds using regions of the FTIR spectra in the range of 3290–3280 cm^?1 and 1660–1200 cm^?1 as calibration models. Results from PCA, which were subsequently represented by the Cooman’s plot showed a clear distinction between gelatin samples of bovine and porcine origins. This qualitative approach, besides providing a rapid determination of the source of gelatin, may also be established based on a second derivative study of the FTIR spectrum to alleviate any doubt of the gelatin source for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Outdoor ventilation performance of various configurations of a layout of two adjacent buildings under isothermal conditions

This paper explores the pedestrian-level wind environment around two buildings of unequal heights for the effects of ratio of height of upwind building to that of downwind building, referred to as buildings height ratio, spacing distance between the buildings, and direction of ambient wind, on the outdoor air ventilation. The objective is to propose appropriate spacing distances for various configurations of this type of buildings layout in a suburban area of Kuala Lumpur, which would enable harnessing the full ventilation potential of the local wind conditions. A three-dimensional numerical technique employing computational fluid dynamics simulation of continuity and Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations was used to study the turbulent flow field around the full-scale sizes of the buildings. Results indicate the influence of spacing distance between buildings, relative heights of the buildings and direction of ambient wind on outdoor ventilation. Results also show that 3-D turbulent flow processes such as lateral and secondary flows play significant roles in defining the wind flow pattern and ventilation availability. The perpendicular wind direction presents remarkable adverse effects compared to the inclined direction, while a higher upwind building height which would ordinarily be expected to proportionally obstruct wind flow could be of advantage, at low values of building height ratios, in enhancing outdoor ventilation. The findings established the need to give consideration to climatic factors such as wind flow and direction in planning urban cities, as it affects buildings to be situated in close proximity, especially when there is height difference.     

Enhanced in situ ethanolysis of Jatropha curcas L. in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a phase transfer catalyst

Limited solubility of alcohols in vegetable oils hinders transesterification reaction process. Phase transfer catalysis can be of great advantage to enhance the reaction rates. Addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a phase transfer catalyst on in situ transesterification of Jatropha curcas L. with alkaline ethanol was investigated. Use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide increased the yield of fatty acid ethyl esters. Optimum operating conditions were experimentally established. Yield of fatty acid ethyl esters increased from 89.2 wt% to 99.5 wt% with reduced requirement of ethanol by 16.7 v%, sodium hydroxide catalyst by 33.3 wt%, at a lower temperature of 30 °C and reduced mixing speed in shorter reaction time. The quality of fatty acid ethyl esters fuel conforms to the standards of ASTM D6751 and EN-14214.     

Recent Approaches in the Development of Encapsulated Delivery Systems for Probiotics

The concept of probiotics has been well-known for more than a century. The availability and survival of the consumed probiotics in the colon has not been proved convincingly and needs further studies and clarification. It was not known whether the fastidious probiotics could reach the targeted site of action due to gastrointestinal stress. However, probiotics must sustain themselves in high number, survive during passage through the stomach to the intestine, and react symbiotically with the host when they reach the colon. This review consolidates some of the recent findings and new strategies on the development of a delivery system for targeted colonic delivery of probiotics.     

Effect of pre‐germination time of brown rice on serum cholesterol levels of hypercholesterolaemic rats

BACKGROUND: Brown rice is unpolished rice with immeasurable benefits for human health. Brown rice (BR) and pre‐germinated brown rice (PGBR) are known to contain various functional compounds such as γ‐oryzanol, dietary fibre and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the present study, the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR (24, 48 h pre‐germination) were used to investigate the influence of pre‐germination time of brown rice on blood cholesterol in Sprague–Dawley male rats. RESULTS: Hypercholesterolaemia and elevation of LDL‐cholesterol were successfully ameliorated by the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR (24 and 48 h pre‐germination). As compared to the control sample, the pre‐germination time had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on blood cholesterol of Sprague–Dawley male rats. It was also found that the significantly (P < 0.05) better effect on lipid profile of hypercholesterolaemic rats was observed by prolonging the pre‐germination time. As compared to non‐germinated brown rice, the germinated brown rice showed the higher cardio‐protective effect on hypercholesterolaemic Sprague–Dawley male rats. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the changes of blood cholesterol can be mainly modulated by using the PGBR rather than BR. The prolonging of pre‐germination time led to an increase in the bioactive components, thereby providing a more efficient functional diet affecting the high blood cholesterol. This study suggests that PGBR can be used instead of BR and polished rice in the human diet. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical stability of antilisterial proteins from P. polymyxa Kp10 as potential food biopreservative

Listeria monocytogenes has continuously become a significant threat to consumers worldwide. The use of chemical-derived preservatives that are commonly associated with safety and nutritional issues has prompted the use of natural-based preservatives as a better alternative. Many bacterial strains including Paenibacillus polymyxa Kp10 have been reported to produce various antimicrobial proteins and compounds that are considered more natural. However, their stability in various physicochemical conditions should be examined before being applied in various types of food. In this study, the stability of four previously identified antilisterial proteins in P. polymyxa Kp10 upon exposure to several physicochemical conditions was examined. More than 80% residual antilisterial activity is conserved upon heat and proteinase K treatment. But, sensitivity to 24 h trypsin digestion has been observed. P1 and P2 proteins (histone-like DNA binding proteins HU) were sensitive to alkaline pH (pH 10-12) as compared with other proteins. More than 70% and 97% residual antilisterial activity were recovered after incubation in raw beef homogenates and simulated meat gravy model, respectively. However, the antilisterial activity of most proteins was highly compromised in chicken and salmon meat homogenates, and UHT cow milk. Inoculation of these proteins into Listeria-contaminated simulated meat gravy showed that all proteins exerted a bactericidal action against L. monocytogenes. P1 and P2 shared almost similar antilisterial activity rates, while P4 was the most potent antilisterial protein. The findings in this study could provide important preliminary data for future applications of these proteins as preservative in food products especially beef-based meat products.     

Thermally Resistive Electrospun Composite Membranes for Low‐Grade Thermal Energy Harvesting

In this work, thermally insulating composite mats of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blends are used as the separator membranes. The membranes improve the thermal‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency of a thermally driven electrochemical cell (i.e., thermocell) up to 95%. The justification of the improved performance is an intricate relationship between the porosity, electrolyte uptake, electrolyte uptake rate of the electrospun fibrous mat, and the actual temperature gradient at the electrode surface. When the porosity is too high (87%) in PAN membranes, the electrolyte uptake and electrolyte uptake rate are significantly high as 950% and 0.53 µL s^?1, respectively. In such a case, the convective heat flow within the cell is high and the power density is limited to 32.7 mW m^?2. When the porosity is lesser (up to 81%) in PVDF membranes, the electrolyte uptake and uptake rate are relatively low as 434% and 0.13 µL s^?1, respectively. In this case, the convective flow shall be low, however, the maximum power density of 63.5 mW m^?2 is obtained with PVDF/PAN composites as the aforementioned parameters are optimized. Furthermore, multilayered membrane structures are also investigated for which a bilayered architecture produces highest power density of 102.7 mW m^?2.     

Recovery and partial purification of thermophilic β-xylosidase derived from recombinant Bacillus megaterium MS941 by aqueous two-phase system

A polymer–salt-based aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was developed for the effective extraction and purification of extracellular β-xylosidase from the fermentation broth of recombinant Bacillus megaterium MS941. The effect of molecular weight (MW) of polyethylene glycol (PEG), tie-line length (TLL), volume ratio (V_R), crude loading and pH on the recovery performance was evaluated. Under the optimal extraction conditions, β-xylosidase was successfully purified up to 23-fold with a recovery yield of 99% in the bottom salt-rich phase at PEG 4,000/potassium phosphate ATPS comprising TLL of 41.8, V_R of 2.3, crude loading (C_L) of 30% (w/w) at pH 6.