The microbiology of sheep carcasses processed in a modern Indian abattoir

A study has been conducted on the microbiology of sheep carcasses processed in a modern abattoir. The data revealed that careful handling at the different stages of processing of sheep reduced the level of microbial contamination of carcasses. Processing steps such as evisceration and washing did not increase the microbial counts on the carcass surface. Sources of microbial contamination in the abattoir were examined. It was observed that skin, floor washings, intestinal contents and gambrels were the major sources of microbial contamination. Seasonality did not have any effect on the microbial contamination of carcasses. The study revealed that total plate counts in 86·6% of the carcasses ranged between 3·0–4·9log/cm². The counts of coliforms, staphylococci, enterococci and psychrotrophs were low. Pathogens such as Salmonella were not detected. The microbial counts were well within the generally acceptable levels. These findings demonstrated hygienic handling of carcasses. Shoulder and neck are the critical points for microbiological sampling as these sites showed higher microbial counts. Micrococcus and Staphylococcus predominated among microorganisms associated with carcasses. It was noted that differences occurred in microbial types of carcasses processed in tropical and temperate climates. The data generated in a model facility procided useful information for improving meat handling practices.     

Swelling behavior of hydroxyapatite‐filled chitosan–poly(acrylic acid) polyelectrolyte complexes

A family of hydroxyapatite (HAP)‐filled chitosan (CHI)–poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polyelectrolyte complexes was prepared for the development of a degradable biocompatible organic matrix with nascent HAP that will degrade in vivo over a period of time. The effects of complexation on the degradation profile of the composites as well as the interaction between the CHI–PAA matrix and HAP in the composite system were evaluated by studying the swelling behavior of these composites in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) by varying their CHI–PAA ratio and HAP content. All composite systems showed a general trend of three stages of swelling with the variation in the degree of equilibrium swelling. The percentage weight gain initially decreased in a linear way with increases in the HAP weight percentages, leading to a first equilibrium swelling, represented by the plateau; further increased to a greater extent; and finally stabilized. The CHI/PAA/HAP composites were stable in PBS up to a period of more than 45 days whereas the 50/50 CHI/PAA control sample showed a single equilibrium attained after a period of 288 h. Further exposure of the specimen to the medium led to its disintegration. It was also observed that, even though CHI and PAA were capable of binding HAP, because of the lack of efficient binding, the integrity of the CHI–HAP and PAA–HAP composites were lost within 48 h. The 50/50/80 CHI/PAA/HAP composition showed the minimum amount of swelling in the series. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4716–4722, 2006     

Studies on bitumen production from North Rumaila crude oil

In the present investigation, the effect of three process variables viz., air rate, temperature and time of oxidation has been studied to determine the possibility of making paving bitumens from North Rumaila Crude Oil. In order to have flexibility in the choice of proper feedstock for bitumen production, the effect of these process parameters was studied on three different vacuum residues. Air rate and temperature of oxidation were optimised to produce a bitumen product having less temperature susceptibility. The composition studies of typical feeds and oxidised products indicate that mainly “saturates” components get converted to “asphaltics” on air blowing.     

Thermal error measurement and modelling in machine tools.: Part I. Influence of varying operating conditions

Thermal error in machine tools has been observed to be closely linked to the temperature of critical elements of the machine. It was found, in the experiments conducted herein, that there was a significant increase in the axis positioning error on account of an increase in the temperature of the machine elements due to continuous operation. However, it was also observed that the specific operating parameters of the test cycles carried out also significantly affected the positioning error. Different sets of operating parameters generated significantly different error values even though the temperature of the machine elements generated by those operating conditions was similar. As such, this observation forms a very important consideration in the development of a generic thermal error compensation system. It appears to indicate that such a system needs to be capable of evaluating the compensation depending upon the temperature values of the machine elements as well as account for the effect that different operating parameters induce upon the positioning error under the same thermal condition of the machine. This paper attempts to analyse the thermal behaviour of a three-axis vertical machining centre under the influence of various operating parameters and, through the experimental results obtained, point out and explain the effect of these parameters on the axis positioning error. This behaviour forms the basis of an improved modelling methodology that is presented separately in Part II of this paper.     

Agile Spectrum Imaging: Programmable Wavelength Modulation for Cameras and Projectors

We advocate the use of quickly‐adjustable, computer‐controlled color spectra in photography, lighting and displays. We present an optical relay system that allows mechanical or electronic color spectrum control and use it to modify a conventional camera and projector. We use a diffraction grating to disperse the rays into different colors, and introduce a mask (or LCD/DMD) in the optical path to modulate the spectrum. We analyze the trade‐offs and limitations of this design, and demonstrate its use in a camera, projector and light source. We propose applications such as adaptive color primaries, metamer detection, scene contrast enhancement, photographing fluorescent objects, and high dynamic range photography using spectrum modulation.     

Performance Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms for Classifying Hand Motion-Based EEG Brain Signals

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) records brain activity using electroencephalogram (EEG) headsets in the form of EEG signals; these signals can be recorded, processed and classified into different hand movements, which can be used to control other IoT devices. Classification of hand movements will be one step closer to applying these algorithms in real-life situations using EEG headsets. This paper uses different feature extraction techniques and sophisticated machine learning algorithms to classify hand movements from EEG brain signals to control prosthetic hands for amputated persons. To achieve good classification accuracy, denoising and feature extraction of EEG signals is a significant step. We saw a considerable increase in all the machine learning models when the moving average filter was applied to the raw EEG data. Feature extraction techniques like a fast fourier transform (FFT) and continuous wave transform (CWT) were used in this study; three types of features were extracted, i.e., FFT Features, CWT Coefficients and CWT scalogram images. We trained and compared different machine learning (ML) models like logistic regression, random forest, k-nearest neighbors (KNN), light gradient boosting machine (GBM) and XG boost on FFT and CWT features and deep learning (DL) models like VGG-16, DenseNet201 and ResNet50 trained on CWT scalogram images. XG Boost with FFT features gave the maximum accuracy of 88%.     

Reinterpretable Imager: Towards Variable Post‐Capture Space,Angle and Time Resolution in Photography

We describe a novel multiplexing approach to achieve tradeoffs in space, angle and time resolution in photography. We explore the problem of mapping useful subsets of time‐varying 4D lightfields in a single snapshot. Our design is based on using a dynamic mask in the aperture and a static mask close to the sensor. The key idea is to exploit scene‐specific redundancy along spatial, angular and temporal dimensions and to provide a programmable or variable resolution tradeoff among these dimensions. This allows a user to reinterpret the single captured photo as either a high spatial resolution image, a refocusable image stack or a video for different parts of the scene in post‐processing. A lightfield camera or a video camera forces a‐priori choice in space‐angle‐time resolution. We demonstrate a single prototype which provides flexible post‐capture abilities not possible using either a single‐shot lightfield camera or a multi‐frame video camera. We show several novel results including digital refocusing on objects moving in depth and capturing multiple facial expressions in a single photo.     

Experimental technique using FTIR to estimate IR optical properties at variable temperatures: application to PMDA-ODA polyimide thin films from 100 to 380 degrees C

An experimental technique is presented to measure reflectance at high sample temperature with respect to room temperature in the infrared using Fourier transform infrared fitted with a reflectometer. Sample temperature artifacts are accounted for by sequential measurements taken with the lamp source on and with the lamp source off. The sequential measurements are shown mathematically to correct for the modulation of sample and detector thermal emissions. Further, the technique is applied to a polyimide (PMDA-ODA) film on a layer of gold deposited on a thermally oxidized Si wafer. It is shown that the optical properties (index of refraction and extinction coefficient) remain relatively constant with temperature (from room temperature to 380 degrees C) in the 4000-6000 cm(-1) spectral region. The significant changes that occur with temperature are the change in thickness of the film and also the spectral properties in the 2000-4000 cm(-1) region. Also, by using a Lorentz oscillator model, it is shown that this method is able to discern that spectral features corresponding to the OH stretching bands at 3630 and 3470 cm(-1) show significant variation with increasing temperature.     

Evaluation of a workplace technology for mental health assessment: A meaning-making process

This paper describes the results of a summative evaluation conducted to explore the usability and acceptability of an automated telephone-based technology, designed and developed as a screening tool for mental health disorders in the workplace. The system screens employees for symptoms and subsequently provides educational information and referrals to improve mental health and enhance productivity. The qualitative evaluation was a sub-study of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 individuals who participated in the RCT and had used the system. A phenomenological theoretical framework was utilized to analyze the narrative data. Results indicated that participants had mostly positive experience with the system and perceived it as a confidential program that allowed them to reflect on their symptoms without inhibition, fear of judgment or embarrassment. We also learned that asking mere questions about mental health symptoms can be a positive, instructive and possibly a restorative experience. There is a likelihood that for many participants, exposure to questions about their emotional and mental distress validated their feelings about their symptoms and was sufficiently compelling to promote help-seeking behavior. This evaluation study demonstrates that computers can be utilized in the workplace as effective screening and educational tools to improve employees’ mental health.