Analysis of space- and ground-based parameters prior to an earthquake on 12 December 2009

The present study includes observations of anomalies at ionospheric and ground levels using data from global positioning system (GPS)-based total electron content (TEC), ionospheric electron density by Detection of Electromagnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER), and ground-based ultra-low-frequency (ULF) emission prior to an earthquake that occurred on 12 December 2009. The analysis of the data from these three different techniques show relations with preseismic activities. The GPS-based TEC showed enhancement three days prior to the day of the earthquake. On converting the satellite azimuth into latitude and longitude, a large number of passes giving anomalous TEC values were observed covering a zone 17–23° N and 70–74° E (i.e. around the epicentre). Electron density and temperature as measured by DEMETER also show enhancement of the tracks around the epicentre one day prior to the earthquake. For ground-based ULF emission, we used different analysis techniques for the detection of abnormal changes in ULF emission before the earthquake. We observed changes in different parameters such as polarization ratio and fractal dimension. Clear enhancement is observed for polarization parameters (Z/X, Z/Y) and fractal analysis (for the Z component). The results provide useful information in acquiring data prior to earthquakes.     

Query optimization via contention space partitioning and cost error controlling for dynamic multidatabase systems

A multidatabase system (MDBS) integrates information from multiple autonomous local databases. Performing global query optimization to achieve efficient query processing in such a system is challenging due to local autonomy of the data sources. Dynamic factors in the environment make the problem even more difficult. In this paper, we present two techniques, i.e., contention space partitioning and cost error controlling, to perform global query optimization in a dynamic MDBS. Both techniques generate an execution plan with multiple versions for a query in a dynamic MDBS, utilizing the multistate cost models built for the dynamic environment via our previous multistate query sampling method. The first technique partitions the contention space of a dynamic multidatabase environment into a given number of subspaces and chooses a good query execution plan version for each subspace, while the second technique selects a set of execution plan versions by using a given error tolerance to control query execution costs. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed techniques are quite promising for performing global query optimization in a dynamic MDBS. Compared with related work on dynamic query optimization, our approach has an advantage of avoiding the high overhead for modifying or re-generating an execution plan for a query based on dynamic runtime information. Research was supported by the US National Science Foundation under Grant # IIS-9811980 and The University of Michigan.     

The Buoyant Filter Bioreactor: a high-rate anaerobic reactor for complex wastewater--process dynamics with dairy effluent

A novel high-rate anaerobic reactor, called "Buoyant Filter Bioreactor" (BFBR), has been developed for treating lipid-rich complex wastewater. The BFBR is able to decouple the biomass and insoluble COD retention time from the hydraulic retention time by means of a granular filter bed made of buoyant polystyrene beads. Filter clogging is prevented by an automatic backwash driven by biogas release, which fluidizes the granular filter bed in a downward direction. During filter backwash, the solids captured in the filter are reintroduced into the reaction zone of the reactor. The reaction zone is provided with a mixing system, which is independent of the hydraulic retention time. The performance of a laboratory-scale BFBR was studied for the treatment of dairy effluent, chosen as a model complex wastewater. The dairy effluent was not pre-treated for fat removal. The BFBR was operated over 400 d and showed greater than 85% COD removal at 10 kg COD/(m3/d). The COD conversion to methane in the BFBR was essentially complete. The BFBR performance improved with age, and with feed containing 3200 mg COD/l, the treated effluent had 120 mg COD/l and no turbidity. The hold-up of degradable biosolids, including scum, inside the BFBR was estimated using starvation tests. When load is increased, scum accumulates inside the BFBR and then decays after undergoing change from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. This is explained as the accumulation of fat solids, its conversion to insoluble long chain fatty acids and its further solubilization and degradation.     

Composition and rheological and baking simulating whole wheatmeal quality of a by-product of wheat milling

Studies were made of the composition, rheological and baking characteristics of sixteen samples of a by-product of roller wheat milling, which is used as human food in the same way as whole wheatmeal. The by-product consisted of variable proportions of fine bran, shorts, clears, and tail fines. Compared with the grist, it contained on average about twice as much thiamine, and one and half times as much fat, riboflavin and lysine, respectively. Mean phytic phosphorus, as a percentage of total phosphorus, was about the same as in wheat. The doughs of the by-product were stable to mixing and showed considerably higher baking absorptions than the values indicated by the farinograph. A significant positive correlation (+ 0.72) between loaf volumes and percentage of fines passing through a lOXX sieve was observed. The fractions separated on 60W and 6XX sieves had no gluten, but contained a high percentage of lysine, 0.694.88 and 11.8–19.3 μg/g pentosans; and 10.5–13.9 μg/g thiamine.     

Optimization of ingredients and process conditions for the preparation of tandoori roti using response surface methodology

A model capable of predicting the product quality of tandoori roti has been developed using response surface methodology (RSM) and used to determine the optimum processing conditions. The overall sensory score, which is an indicator of blister size, colour, appearance, handfeel, texture, mouthfeel, taste and aroma, was used to assess the product quality in the preparation of tandoori roti. The optimum conditions which were attained for maximum sensory score (31.6) were: water level – 720mL kg⁻¹ flour (the corresponding farinograph consistency – 800 BU at lever position 1:1), salt level – 11g kg⁻¹ flour, mixing time – 3.7 min in a Hobart mixer at 58 r.p.m., baking time – 37 s, and baking temperature – 425°C.     

Effect of different baking modes on the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of tandoori roti

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of baking, in different types of oven such as an earthen tendoor, a gas tandoor, an electric oven and a heated plate, on the physico-chemical and quality characteristics of tandoori roti. The studies indicated that the extent of gelatinization of starch varied depending on the type of oven used and was found to be 74.6, 78.4, 90.7 and 88.4% in roties baked in an earthen tandoor, a gas tandoor, an electric oven and a heated plate respectively. The pasting characteristics of starch, separated from the tandoori roti sample and measured using a Rapid Visco Analyzer, indicated the highest peak viscosity (36 SNU) for tandoori roti baked in an earthen tandoor and the lowest (25 SNU) for that baked in an electric oven. The concentration of high molecular weight proteins was lower in roti baked in an earthen tandoor and a gas tandoor, indicating greater dissociation of high molecular weight proteins during baking in such ovens. The sensory texture, taste and flavour of roti baked in an earthern tandoor was found to be superior to those baked in other types of ovens.     

Estimation of bremsstrahlung photon energy in the environment of high-energy electron accelerator using CaSO4:Dy based TL dosemeter

High-energy bremsstrahlung X rays constitute the major radiation hazard to working personnel around the high-energy electron accelerators. Thermoluminescent (TL) dosemeter system based on CaSO4:Dy Teflon disc used in the routine individual monitoring was used to estimate the bremsstruhlung photon energy at different locations of the experimental hall of 450-MeV synchrotron accelerator. The response of TL discs under different filter regions of the dosemeter system undergo change with photon energy due to the lack of build up and interaction of photon in the metal filters. This change in the response of the discs used to estimate the energy of the bremsstrauhlung photon in conjunction with suitable calibration curve generated using known photon energy from medical linear accelerator. The photon energies estimated were in the range 1-4 MeV, depending on the locations.     

Studies of IAA and IBA as fungal α‐amylase inhibitors using enzyme kinetics,molecular modeling and thermodynamics

Simple sugars like glucose and maltose are found to induce the production of aflatoxin. Since the formation of simple sugars is directly linked to α‐amylase function in fungus, it is considered that the inhibition of this enzyme is an effective approach to control the production of aflatoxins. The action of two indole derivatives such as indoleacetic acid (IAA) and indolebutyric acid (IBA) has been investigated by means of enzyme kinetics, isothermal titration calorimetric and molecular docking analysis. The results suggested that both IAA and IBA can inhibit α‐amylase in a competitive manner.     

Lipid enhancement in microalgae by temporal phase separation: Use of indigenous sources of nutrients

Microalgae have been recommended as superior candidate for fuel production because of their advantages of higher photosynthetic efficiency,biomass & lipid productivity,and faster growth rate as compared to other energy crops.To meet up all these criteria,we have developed a continuous outdoor micro-algal raceway pond reactor (RPR) and a lab scale indoor tubular photo bioreactor (PBR) for biofuel production.An attempt to utilise indigenous sources of nutrients to improve the economics also revealed that micro-algal culturing can also be used as a mode of nutrient removal and water treatment.The photosynthetic rate and lipid production were enhanced by arresting daytime cell division and promoting night-time cell division.A 50％ lipid improvement was observed for the particular algal consortia.Microscopic studies revealed that temporal phase separation could be achieved by adjusting nutrient distribution pattern.To monitor temporal phase separation,it is required to know DNA multiplication model.Quantification of gDNA in RPR confirmed that cell division happens during the night which positively affects the photosynthetic efficiency and lipid productivity of microalgae.