Calibration of imprecise and inaccurate numerical models considering fidelity and robustness: a multi-objective optimization-based approach

Traditionally, model calibration is formulated as a single objective problem, where fidelity to measurements is maximized by adjusting model parameters. In such a formulation however, the model with best fidelity merely represents an optimum compromise between various forms of errors and uncertainties and thus, multiple calibrated models can be found to demonstrate comparable fidelity producing non-unique solutions. To alleviate this problem, the authors formulate model calibration as a multi-objective problem with two distinct objectives: fidelity and robustness. Herein, robustness is defined as the maximum allowable uncertainty in calibrating model parameters with which the model continues to yield acceptable agreement with measurements. The proposed approach is demonstrated through the calibration of a finite element model of a steel moment resisting frame.     

Glucose prevents citrate metabolism by enterococci

Enterococcus faecalis FAIR E-239, growing on glucose plus citrate, metabolized citrate at pH 6.5 or 7.5, but only when glucose had been exhausted; it did not metabolize citrate at pH 5.5 or 8.5. When grown on citrate only, the strain metabolized citrate at all pH values, and two growth rates were apparent. Citrate was mainly metabolized during the second, much slower growth rate. Glucose also inhibited citrate metabolism by E. faecalis FAIR E-237 and FAIR E-259 and Enterococcus faecium FAIR E-338 and FAIR E-371. Glucose-grown resting cells were unable to metabolize citrate. Citrate-grown resting cells had a pH optimum of 4.7 for citrate metabolism but also metabolized significant amounts of citrate at pH 4.2 and 6.5. Resting stationary phase cells used citrate more rapidly than resting log phase cells. Citrate metabolism was faster at citrate levels <10 mM than above 10 mM. These results suggest that some form of catabolite repression is occurring.     

Discrete modelling of transport processes in two spatial dimensions

A random flight model of linear transport processes in two spatial dimensions is considered and solved exactly in closed algebraic form. Its one-dimensional version had been proposed by Taitel as a means to overcome the paradox of infinite speed of propagation within classical heat diffusion theory. The connection with hyperbolic diffusion theory is complemented here by deriving the discrete fluxes and their relaxation term. Moreover, such an approach circumvents the discretization of a continuum model for an intrinsically discrete process, when diffusion processes are to be solved numerically. Finite samples are treated by means of the reflection method. Some applications of these general results are mentioned.     

A new source of X-ray line broadening: inhomogeneous strains induced by uniform homogeneous temperature conditions in polyphase or non-cubic materials

Thermal strains may contribute to X-ray diffraction line broadening in both single-phase non-cubic and in polyphase cubic polycrystalline materials even under uniform temperature conditions. A method is developed for calculating the magnitude of these thermally induced strains directly from the measured diffraction peak profiles. Corrections for particle-size effects can be made readily if particle-size broadening is significant, and the thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) contribution to the diffracted intensity can be taken into account experimentally. By this method, the strains in a Mg-5 wt% Si alloy were found to be increased by as much as 35% by a 190° C temperature change. Even in the case of this relatively low melting point alloy, the TDS effect causes only a maximum of 15% error in these measured strain effects. The interpretation of these isothermally induced strains in terms of crystal anisotropy, grain morphology and orientation and the relative sizes of phases and grains is discussed.     

Maxillary sinus augmentation in the non-human primate: a comparative radiographic and histologic study between recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 and natural bone mineral

The posterior maxilla has traditionally been one of the most difficult areas to successfully place dental implants due to poor bone quality and close approximation to the maxillary sinus. Sinus augmentation procedures have become a viable means of assuring adequate bone for the placement of dental implants in this area. However, with the techniques currently employed, a considerable variation in the quality of bone attained with the sinus augmentation procedure exists. The purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate the healing response and bone formation stimulated by 3 doses of recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (rhOP-1), 0.25, 0.6, and 2.5 mg OP-1 per gram of collagen matrix; natural bone mineral; or collagen matrix alone (control) placed in the maxillary sinus of adult chimpanzees. Results were assessed using clinical, histologic, and radiographic techniques. Radiographic analysis of the computed tomography scans taken at 1 week, and 2.5, 4.5, and 6.5 months revealed a more rapid mineralization with the 2.5 mg OP-1/g collagen matrix and natural bone mineral treatment groups. The incremental bone mineral density (BMD) increase for these 2 treatments from 1 week to 2.5 months was over 2.5 times the increase found with the collagen matrix alone; these 2 treatments also had a higher BMD at the most superior slices evaluated when compared to the other 3 groups. Biopsy specimens were taken at 3.5, 5.5, and 7.5 months and for all 5 treatment groups bone formation was observed at all time points in the majority of the specimens. At 7.5 months the 2.5 and 0.6 mg OP-1/g collagen matrix treatment groups had an increase in the percent bone area when compared to the matrix alone control. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that sinus augmentation with natural bone mineral or 2.5 mg OP-1/g collagen matrix induce comparable radiographic and histologic evidence of bone formation and that both of these treatments performed superior to the control group of collagen matrix alone based upon all methods of evaluation.     

Partition of lactic streptococcal bacteriophage during the ultrafiltration concentration of milk and whey

Milk and whey inoculated with lactic streptococcal bacteriophages 316, or 322, or both were concentrated by UF using a DDS Mini-Lab 20. The plate and frame unit was fitted with Type GR61PP polysulfone membrane with a 20,000 molecular weight cutoff. The unit was operated at an inlet pressure of .40 MPa and an outlet pressure of .23 MPa with an initial flux of 2.0 to 3.0 L/h. Samples of retentate, permeate, and membrane were analyzed for the presence of bacteriophages. Under the conditions established in this study, phage particles did not pass through the membrane but instead became trapped in the polarization concentration layer or in the membrane. Phages were recovered from the membrane by extraction in sterile buffered water with the Stomacher. The UF concentration of milk containing the host species of Streptococcus cremoris resulted in phage propagation and lysis of the host but did not result in the passage of phages through the membrane. The UF processing of milk or whey should produce a phage-free permeate.     

An adaptive optimization procedure for spot-welded structures

The behavior of a spot welded structure under dynamic loads is strongly influenced by the number and locations of the resistance spot welds. The design problem requires the number and locations of spot welds to be optimized so as to obtain reasonable trade-offs between manufacturing cost and structural performance. An adaptive optimization procedure is proposed which iteratively adds and removes spot welds based on decision indicators in order to correct for the approximations made in the iterative process. In practice, it is possible that some spot welds may be defective or even missing when structure leaves the assembly line. Therefore, a simple robustness indicator is formulated to characterize the impact of the number of defective or missing spot welds on the system performance. This indicator provides a useful decision making tool for deciding both how many spot welds should be inspected following assembly as well as pointing to a small number of critical spot welds that should be reinforced. The proposed methodologies will be illustrated on a full body-in-white structure for a car.     

Detection of propionic acid bacteria in cheese.

Mesophilic lactic starters and thermophilic lactobacilli but not Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus grew on the sodium lactate agar (SLA) used for estimating the numbers of propionic acid bacteria (PAB) in cheese. The addition of cloxacillin (4 micrograms/ml) to SLA inhibited the starter bacteria but had no effect on the PAB. It was possible to count low numbers of PAB in the presence of high numbers of starter bacteria. A correlation coefficient of 0.9 was obtained between the level of propionic acid and the counts of PAB in cheese (n = 40). A disadvantage of the medium is that other bacteria found in cheese (mesophilic lactobacilli, enterococci, Clostridium tyrobutyricum) also grow on it; however, these bacteria are easily distinguishable from PAB on the basis of size, colour and absence of catalase.     

Nephelometric Measurements by Use of a Spectrofluorometer. Part I: (A) Determination of Sulphate; and (B) Determination of Calcium

An approach to quantitative nephelometric measurements using a spectrofluorometer is presented. The measurements are performed with the aid of a monochromatic filter, which is transparent for the line 546 nm and by adjusting the monochromator for the same wavelength. The method was applied for the determination of micro amounts of: (1) sulphate as barium sulphate in colorless or colored aqueous solutions, in phosphoric acid, in the presence of large amounts of iron and in ores; is also suitable for determination of total inorganic sulfur after oxidation to sulphate and in organics after combustion; (2) calcium as calcium naphthalhydroxamate in aqueous and phosphoric acid solutions; and (3) calcium in the presence of large amounts of magnesium. The proposed technique has proved useful for quantitative nephelometric determinations in colored solutions. The high sensitivity also permits the use of micro samples.