A physics informed emulator for laser-driven radiating shock simulations

This work discusses the uncertainty quantification aspect of quantification of margin and uncertainty (QMU) in the context of two linked computer codes. Specifically, we present a physics based reduction technique to deal with functional data from the first code and then develop an emulator for this reduced data. Our particular application deals with conditions created by laser deposition in a radiating shock experiment modeled using the Lagrangian, radiation-hydrodynamics code Hyades. Our goal is to construct an emulator and perform a sensitivity analysis of the functional output from Hyades to be used as an initial condition for a three-dimensional code that will compute the evolution of the radiating shock at later times. Initial attempts at purely statistical data reduction techniques, were not successful at reducing the number of parameters required to describe the Hyades output. We decided on an alternate approach using physical arguments to decide what features/locations of the output were relevant (e.g., the location of the shock front or the location of the maximum pressure) and then used a piecewise linear fit between these locations. This reduced the number of outputs needed from the emulator to 40, down from the O(1000) points in the Hyades output. Then, using Bayesian MARS and Gaussian process regression, we were able to build emulators for Hyades and study sensitivities to input parameters.     

Oxidation of cholesterol in heated tallow

Preliminary thin layer and gas chromatography data indicate that tallow cholesterol is oxidised when tallow is exposed to high temperatures (180°C) for an extended period. This may be of some significance to human health since some of these oxidation products may be angiotoxic and/or carcinogenic and tallow is used as a deep-fat frying medium in some fast-food restaurants.     

Vibration-resistant direct-phase-detecting optical interferometers

Two dual-beam differential direct-phase-detecting optical interferometers for scanning moving surfaces are described. Two beams from these interferometers are focused ~42 mum apart on moving surfaces, and the difference in their reflected path lengths is measured to provide the surface roughness measurement. These interferometers are exceptionally insensitive to environmental vibrations and to surface physical and chemical factors. Applications discussed include the measurement of the surface roughness of a rotating cylinder and a moving web.     

A study of class I partial response signaling for magneticrecording

Using a semianalytic technique based on the work of Agazzi and Seshadri, we compare the performance of PR1, PR4, and EPR4 partial response schemes on a magnetic recording channel. The technique includes the effect of imperfect equalization and, in the PR4 case, the effect of employing two interleaved Viterbi detectors. Assuming the Lorentzian channel model and superposition, we use this technique to compare these signaling schemes at medium and high recording densities. It is observed that, even with the trivial DC-free code employed, PR1 is superior to PR4 at recording densities beyond about S_c=2.4 and superior to EPR4 beyond about S_c=2.9. In addition, PR1 lends itself to difference metric Viterbi detection. Our analytical results are supported by computer simulations     

Hole‐Transfer Dependence on Blend Morphology and Energy Level Alignment in Polymer: ITIC Photovoltaic Materials

Bulk‐heterojunction organic photovoltaic materials containing nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) have seen remarkable advances in the past year, finally surpassing fullerenes in performance. Indeed, acceptors based on indacenodithiophene (IDT) have become synonymous with high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Nevertheless, NFAs have yet to achieve fill factors (FFs) comparable to those of the highest‐performing fullerene‐based materials. To address this seeming anomaly, this study examines a high efficiency IDT‐based acceptor, ITIC , paired with three donor polymers known to achieve high FFs with fullerenes, PTPD3T , PBTI3T , and PBTSA3T . Excellent PCEs up to 8.43% are achieved from PTPD3T:ITIC blends, reflecting good charge transport, optimal morphology, and efficient ITIC to PTPD3T hole‐transfer, as observed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Hole‐transfer is observed from ITIC to PBTI3T and PBTSA3T , but less efficiently, reflecting measurably inferior morphology and nonoptimal energy level alignment, resulting in PCEs of 5.34% and 4.65%, respectively. This work demonstrates the importance of proper morphology and kinetics of ITIC → donor polymer hole‐transfer in boosting the performance of polymer: ITIC photovoltaic bulk heterojunction blends.     

The impact of salt reduction in bread: a review

The dietary intake of sodium chloride has increased considerably over the last few decades due to changes in the human diet. This higher intake has been linked to a number of diseases including hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Numerous international health agencies, as well as the food industry, have now recommended a salt intake level of about 5-6 g daily, approximately half the average current daily intake level. Cereal products, and in particular bread, are a major source of salt in the diet. Therefore, any reduction in the level of salt in bread would have a major impact on global health. However, salt is a critical ingredient in bread production, and its reduction can have a deleterious effect on the production process. This includes an impact on dough handling, as well as final bread quality characteristics, including shelf-life, bread volume, and sensory characteristics, all deviating from the expectations of bakers and consumers. This review describes the effect of salt reduction during bread production and the resulting problems, both technological and qualitative, as well as evaluating some techniques commonly used to replace sodium chloride.     

Toluene depletion in produced oil contributes to souring control in a field subjected to nitrate injection

Souring in the Medicine Hat Glauconitic C field, which has a low bottom-hole temperature (30 °C), results from the presence of 0.8 mM sulfate in the injection water. Inclusion of 2 mM nitrate to decrease souring results in zones of nitrate-reduction, sulfate-reduction, and methanogenesis along the injection water flow path. Microbial community analysis by pyrosequencing indicated dominant community members in each of these zones. Nitrate breakthrough was observed in 2-PW, a major water- and sulfide-producing well, after 4 years of injection. Sulfide concentrations at four other production wells (PWs) also reached zero, causing the average sulfide concentration in 14 PWs to decrease significantly. Interestingly, oil produced by 2-PW was depleted of toluene, the preferred electron donor for nitrate reduction. 2-PW and other PWs with zero sulfide produced 95% water and 5% oil. At 2 mM nitrate and 5 mM toluene, respectively, this represents an excess of electron acceptor over electron donor. Hence, continuous nitrate injection can change the composition of produced oil and nitrate breakthrough is expected first in PWs with a low oil to water ratio, because oil from these wells is treated on average with more nitrate than is oil from PWs with a high oil to water ratio.     

Potassium Lactate and Fresh-Pork-Sausage Formulation Effects on Shelf Life in Lighted and Unlighted Display

ABSTRACT:  The objective was to examine the effects of potassium lactate (KL) and raw-meat blend on the shelf-life of fresh-pork-sausage patties in lighted and unlighted display. Four fresh-pork-sausage blends (70% prerigor meat, 30% fresh-pork trim; 80%/20%; 90%/10%; and 100%/0%) were formulated ( n = 3) with 0% and 3% KL, and patties were displayed for 10 d at 4 °C in lighted display or for 7 d in unlighted display followed by 3 d in lighted display. Patties with KL had lower aerobic plate counts (APC), more stable color (greater a* and chroma, less visual discoloration), and less lipid oxidation ( P < 0.05) during display than did patties without KL. Patties in the light for 10 d were more discolored and had more lipid oxidation ( P < 0.05) than those in the dark for 7 d followed by the light for 3 d. Patties with KL in the light for 10 d had similar color ( P > 0.05) to patties without KL that were in the dark for the first 7 d. Adding KL resulted in similar color stability ( P > 0.05) among patties made from 80, 90, and 100% prerigor meat and greater color stability ( P < 0.05) than similarly formulated patties without KL. By using 3% KL, fresh-pork-sausage patty color stability was maximized, APC and lipid oxidation were minimized, and formulation costs can be decreased by using less-expensive fresh-pork trim for up to 20% of the blend. Adding KL also minimized the effects of display lighting on myoglobin and lipid oxidation.