Bioprocess applications of model-based estimation techniques

The last decade has seen the development of a number of approaches for estimating those variables which are difficult to measure on-line in industrial process situations. Whilst a range of techniques is available, a common element is the use of process knowledge in the form of a system model. In the case of bioprocess systems, although a large range of models has been presented in the literature, their use in estimation schemes on an industrial scale has been limited. A number of reasons can be identified for their low level of utilisation. Of particular significance is the uncertainty which exists in quantifying system performance and the process-model mismatch which inevitably results. The level of ‘pre-defined model’ uncertainty, together with the knowledge gained during the course of the fermentation, serves to dictate estimator structure. The paper considers a range of estimation strategies and contrasts, through industrial applications, their performance characteristics and utility.     

Interactive image processing in research

The objective of the work described here was to build an interactive and multi-purpose image processing system and to use that system to solve practical problems. The system was built and it was demonstrated that it could be used to measure the size of gas bubbles in a gas---liquid reaction system. Photographs of gas bubbles were available from high-speed schlieren motion picture studies and image processing is a feasible way to make large numbers of measurements of bubble size quickly and accurately.     

Autoxidation of fatty materials in emulsion. II. Factors affecting the histidine-catalyzed autoxidation of emulsified methyl linoleate

Several factors which affect autoxidation of methyl linoleate in emulsion have been examined. Data are presented which indicate: 1) In the presence of histidine, the ionic (anionic) emulsifiers examined promote autoxidation of emulsified methyl linoleate, but nonionic emulsifiers do not. 2) The concentration of an emulsifier affects the rate of oxygen absorption. 3) Inorganic salts (0.1 M or less) such as sodium chloride, sodium acetate and sodium sulfate affect oxygen absorption of emulsified methyl linoleate prepared with either ionic or nonionic emulsifiers. In histidine-catalyzed autoxidation there is a suppressing effect in the case of the ionic and a promotional effect in the case of the nonionic. In uncatalyzed autoxidation, these salts have a promotional effect in ionic emulsions and none in nonionic emulsions. 4) Sodium phosphate buffers completely suppress autoxidation due to histidine catalysis, but do not suppress the normal uncatalyzed autoxidation of emulsified methyl linoleate. 5) The pro-oxidative effects of histidine and histidine-metal ion complexes on emulsified unsaturated materials is not limited to polyolefins but also includes mono-olefinic compounds. Presented at the AOCS meeting in Toronto, October, 1962. E. Utiliz. Res. and Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

Universal Features of the Superfluid Transition of a Thin 4He Film on an Atomically Flat Substrate

We analyse recent observations, using a torsional oscillator, of the superfluid transition of a fluid ⁴ He bilayer, within the framework of a modified dynamic theory of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. A parametric plot of the real and imaginary parts of the complex superfluid density, determined from the measured period shift and dissipation, achieves a high degree of collapse of the experimental data at different coverages onto a universal curve. This is compared with the result of the recent theory.     

Using a microprocessor-based instrument to predict the incident energy from arc-flash hazards

With better understanding of arc flashes, the electrical safety industry continues to develop new safety procedures for electrical workspaces. To assess the potential arc hazards of a workspace, workers must rely on engineering fault studies to provide vital fault-current data. An instrument, based on a network impedance analyzer, determines the maximum flash-arc incident-energy exposure at a worksite within a few seconds. The digital analyzer measures the power system source impedance, X/R ratio, and the system voltage to predict the bolted fault current and incident energy, while the power distribution system is energized and in normal operation. The instrument computes the incident energy for standard electrical workspaces of an open-air arc and an enclosed box with one open side. Experiments have been conducted to verify the accuracy of the impedance and X/R ratio measurements.     

Possible Phase Transition at Low mK Temperatures in Liquid Helium Mixture Films Adsorbed on Graphite

We report heat capacity and magnetisation measurements of ³He adsorbed on the surface of graphite plated with three atomic layers of ⁴He. For ³He coverages n ₃>4 nm^?2 the heat capacity corresponds to a 2D Fermi fluid. The inferred hydrodynamic mass of the ³He quasiparticles is 1.38±0.05 m₃. The ³He effective mass ratio increases with coverage to 2.4 at n ₃=4 nm^?2, due to Fermi liquid interactions. The heat capacity isotherm exhibits a steplike increase centred on n ₃=4.5 nm^?2, similar to that previously observed on four layers of ⁴He. This is associated with the population of the first excited Andreev surface bound state. However, in the present case, as n ₃ is increased through the step a pronounced anomalous feature develops in the temperature dependence of the heat capacity, around 10 mK. Below 5 mK the heat capacity is approximately linear in temperature. With n ₃=7 nm^?2, we find that this behaviour is very sensitive to small changes in the ⁴He third layer coverage, around the completed third layer. Measurements of the ³He magnetisation,, by continuous wave NMR methods, find a significant increase with decreasing temperature below around 20 mK. Together the data suggest that a phase transition takes place in the film at low mK temperatures.     

Impact of cross-phase modulation for WDM systems over positive andnegative dispersion NZ-DSF and methods for its suppression

The impact of cross-phase modulation (XPM) is measured on positive and negative dispersion fibre. The exponential build-up of XPM over positive dispersion fibre indicates amplification due to modulation instability. Methods for suppressing XPM crosstalk are also demonstrated     

A Software Package for Design and Manufacture of Prosthetic Sockets for Transtibial Amputees

A software package, written in Pascal, whkh automates the shape management process associated with fitting prosthetic sockets to transtibial (below-knee) amputees, is described. The system allows an operator to apply global and piecewise transformations, based upon clinkal measurements, to a primitive socket database. These transformations yield a modified socket database which defines the surface shape of a positive socket mold over which an amputee's prosthetic socket is formed. The mold is replicated using a computer numerkally controled milling machine, with the final socket being formed over this mold by a specialized vacuum former. Preliminary clinical trials indkate that this automated approach to shape management yields comfortable prostheses, with savings in time and cost over the traditional methods of prosthesis manufacture.     

The effect of increased interrogation zone,reader antenna polarization and application factors in the performance of UHF RFID tag detection on modified atmosphere packaged meat

The effect of conveyor speed, test sample size, antenna to sample distance, antenna polarization and ideal tag location in relation to the coupling capabilities of ultra‐high frequency radio frequency identification on optimal reader antenna placement were studied. The influence of each individual factor and its interaction was determined using the general linear model analysis of variance. In decreasing order of significance of the variables tested were sample type (F = 4174.40, p < 0.0005), smaller samples preferred for coupling; distance (F = 863.83, p < 0.0005), where distance between sample and antenna should be kept to a minimum; inlay design (F = 167.82, p < 0.0005), where AD‐612 preformed best due to its large antenna area; and reader antenna polarization (F = 149.64, p < 0.0005), where circular polarization preformed better yet comparative advantage decreased with distance. A reader antenna offset of 95 mm, while not significant, (F = 1.73, p = 0.188) tended to decrease coupling capabilities of the system despite increasing the zone of influence. Ideal tag location on sample was found to be on the right, back and front face with y‐orientation proving superior than either x or z. A 190‐mm centre–to‐centre reader antenna offset resulted in a decrease in the average tag detection rate from 62 to 49% highlighting the importance of optimal reader antenna placement which needs to be confirmed if a similar result is to be obtained when a large number of tags are interrogated simultaneously. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A single, mild, transient scrotal heat stress causes DNA damage, subfertility and impairs formation of blastocysts in mice

Infertility represents a major clinical problem and 50% of cases are attributable to the male partner. Testicular function is temperature dependent, and in both man and mouse the position of the testes in the scrotum ensures that they are kept at between 2 and 8 degrees C below core body temperature. We used a mouse model to investigate the impact of a single, transient, mild, scrotal heat stress (38, 40 or 42 degrees C for 30 min) on testicular function, sperm DNA integrity and embryo survival. We detected temperature-dependent changes in testicular architecture, number of apoptotic cells and a significant reduction in testis weight 7 and 14 days after heat stress at 42 degrees C. We report for the first time that DNA strand breaks (gamma-H2AX-positive foci) were present in spermatocytes recovered from testes subjected to 40 or 42 degrees C. Fertility of heat-stressed males was tested 23-28 d after treatment (sperm at this time would have been spermatocytes at time of heating). Paternal heat stress at 42 degrees C resulted in reduced pregnancy rate, placental weight and litter size; pregnancies from the 40 degrees C group had increased resorptions at e14.5. Abnormalities in embryonic development were detected at e3.5 and in vitro fertilisation with sperm recovered 16 h or 23 d after scrotal stress at 42 degrees C revealed a block in development between the 4-cell and blastocyst stages. This study has provided evidence of temperature-dependent effects on germ cell DNA integrity and highlighted the importance of an intact paternal genome for normal embryo development.