Engineering design in food-packaging industry: The case study of a tuna canning machine

Food packaging industry requires machines able to perform different tasks and carry out several functions. Machine modularization allows to feed customer's needs creating a set of equipment with different features and technology. Module derivation is particularly important at the conceptual phase where main decisions are taken and where the degree of freedom are higher, avoiding subsequent costly modification. This study aims at investigating the adoption of engineering design process for the development of a tuna canning machine, deriving main modules for a definition of a product platform. The possibility to have a modular framework in this type of products allows to satisfy constraints coming from different markets and applications (i.e., product quality, adaptability, upgradability, assemblability, compliance with standards where the machine is installed, etc.). Modules were derived based on state-of-art approaches used for product development (i.e., functional analysis, module derivation and morphological matrix) and two examples (i.e., Cutter and Compactor & Shaper modules) were detailed to explain the developed design solutions. Results highlight how different design options can be adopted to overcome several issues (i.e., assemblability, upgradability) and fulfill requirements of different markets (i.e., product quality and aesthetic)

Multi-sensor analysis of extreme events in North-Eastern Italy

International audienceThe North-eastern part of Italy is known to be one of the most rainy regions in Europe. In this paper three extreme events are analysed, using a multi-sensor observing system including a weather radar and a dense telemetric network of surface stations, recording precipitation, wind, temperature and relative humidity. The cases examined comprise two long lasting rainfall events impacting two distinct areas, and a vigorous hail-producing thunderstorm event over the plains. In all cases, inter-comparison between remotely sensed and surface observations, including estimates and measures of precipitation and wind, helps to better understand the behaviour of the atmosphere, thus supporting operational fore- and now-casting. In the case of widespread precipitation, a relation is suggested between the wind speed and direction at medium/low levels with the location of the maximum precipitation relative to the mountains. This reflects the dynamical interaction between the mountain barrier and the atmospheric flux impinging upon it. This flux can be estimated by the automatic weather station of Mt. Cesen, a focal point for a now-casting of the rain in the Veneto Region. Analysis of strong thunderstorm activity makes extensive use of radar data. In the examined case the interaction of a sea breeze-like circulation with a mesoscale trough gave rise to a distinct convergence line that triggered a severe and long-lived hail-producing multi-cell thunderstorm. The hail was successfully detected by the radar's hail detection algorithm

Finite control set and modulated model predictive flux and current control for induction motor drives

The paper presents a new implementation of direct flux and current vector control of an induction motor drive using the techniques of model predictive control. The advantages offered by predictive control are used to enhance the dynamics of direct flux vector control. To minimize the problems of variable switching frequency inherent to finite control set predictive control, an alternative approach using pulse width modulation is studied for command execution as occurs in the so-called modulated model predictive control. A comparison between finite control set and modulated model predictive control is presented and the results are also compared with the control implementation through traditional proportional-integral regulators to highlight the advantages and drawbacks of predictive control based strategies. Apart from a greater harmonic content in stator currents, the predictive control can offers control dynamics comparable with proportional-integral control while maintaining immunity against machine parameter variations and excluding the need for controller tunin

Radial force control of Multi-Sector Permanent Magnet machines considering radial rotor displacement

A mathematical model enabling to predict the electromagnetic x-y forces and torque for a given input current in a Multi-Sector Permanent Magnet Synchronous (MSPMS) machine is presented. The rotor static eccentricity is also accounted and the analytical calculations are validated by means Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Furthermore, a novel force and torque control is proposed based on input current minimization and is applied to suppress the Unbalanced Magnetic Pull (UMP) caused by the rotor eccentricity. The effective operation of the force suppression technique is verified by means of FEA

Taking into account interactions between converters in the design of aircraft power networks

This paper presents some key interactions among converters, which need to be taken into account when designing a modern embedded electrical grid, including a large amount of Power Electronics based loads. A design by Optimization method is first used to define the converter parameters. During this step, it is mandatory to account for the interaction between the input and output EMI filters. The second step consists in designing the control strategy; the paper will show that the results are largely improved if all converters are considered simultaneously. Finally, the stability study of the embedded network has to be investigated. All these interactions are studied in the example of a three phases AC network, composed of a Voltage Source Inverter and an Active Front End

Molecular mechanism of chemoresistance by miR-215 in osteosarcoma and colon cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Translational control mediated by non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a key role in the mechanism of cellular resistance to anti-cancer drug treatment. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TYMS, TS) are two of the most important targets for antifolate- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapies in the past 50 years. In this study, we investigated the roles of miR-215 in the chemoresistance to DHFR inhibitor methotrexate (MTX) and TS inhibitor Tomudex (TDX).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The protein levels of both DHFR and TS were suppressed by miR-215 without the alteration of the target mRNA transcript levels. Interestingly, despite the down-regulation of DHFR and TS proteins, ectopic expression of miR-215 resulted in a decreased sensitivity to MTX and TDX. Paradoxically, gene-specific small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against DHFR or TS had the opposite effect, increasing sensitivity to MTX and TDX. Further studies revealed that over-expression of miR-215 inhibited cell proliferation and triggered cell cycle arrest at G2 phase, and that this effect was accompanied by a p53-dependent up-regulation of p21. The inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was more pronounced in cell lines containing wild-type p53, but was not seen in cells transfected with siRNAs against DHFR or TS. Moreover, denticleless protein homolog (DTL), a cell cycle-regulated nuclear and centrosome protein, was confirmed to be one of the critical targets of miR-215, and knock-down of DTL by siRNA resulted in enhanced G2-arrest, p53 and p21 induction, and reduced cell proliferation. Additionally, cells subjected to siRNA against DTL exhibited increased chemoresistance to MTX and TDX. Endogenous miR-215 was elevated about 3-fold in CD133+HI/CD44+HI colon cancer stem cells that exhibit slow proliferating rate and chemoresistance compared to control bulk CD133+/CD44+ colon cancer cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, our results indicate that miR-215, through the suppression of DTL expression, induces a decreased cell proliferation by causing G2-arrest, thereby leading to an increase in chemoresistance to MTX and TDX. The findings of this study suggest that miR-215 may play a significant role in the mechanism of tumor chemoresistance and it may have a unique potential as a novel biomarker candidate.</p

Space vectors and pseudo inverse matrix methods for the radial force control in bearingless multi-sector permanent magnet machines

Two different approaches to characterize the torque and radial force production in a Bearingless Multi-Sector Permanent Magnet (BMSPM) machine are presented in this work. The first method consists of modelling the motor in terms of torque and force production as a function of the stationary reference frame α-β currents. The current control reference signals are then evaluated adopting the Joule losses minimization as constrain by means of the pseudo inverse matrix. The second method is based on the control of the magnetic field harmonics in the airgap through the current Space Vector (SV) technique. Once the magnetic field harmonics involved in the torque and force production are determined, the SV transformation can be defined to obtain the reference current space vectors. The methods are validated by numerical simulations, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental tests. The differences in terms of two Degrees of Freedom (DOF) levitation performance and efficiency are highlighted in order to give the reader an in-depth comparison of the two methods

Pharmacokinetic disposition of triclabendazole in cattle and sheep; discrimination of the order and the rate of the absorption process of its active metabolite triclabendazole sulfoxide

A comparative pharmacokinetic study was conducted to determine the order and the rate of absorption of triclabendazole (TCBZ) in cattle and sheep. A commercial suspension of TCBZ (Biofasiolex, Biogenesis S.A., Argentina) was administered at a dose rate of 10 mg/kg by the oral route to six Holstein female calves and six Corriedale female sheep. The plasma concentration profiles of the metabolites triclabendazole sulfoxide (TCBZ-SO) and triclabendazole sulfone (TCBZ-SO₂) were analysed by means of the non-compartmental method. The order of the absorption process of the active metabolite, TCBZ-SO, was determined by construction of curves of cumulative absorbed fraction of the drug by means of the Wagner-Nelson method. The appearance of TCBZ-SO in plasma of cattle and sheep resembles the entry of a constant quantity of drug into the organism per unit time. This is explained by the reservoir effect of the rumen, which acts as a biological slow-release system for TCBZ-SO and its precursor TCBZ to the posterior digestive tract where they are absorbed. The plasma concentration profiles of TCBZ-SO in both species were well described by a one-compartment open model with zero-order process of absorption and first-order process of elimination. The values of AUC0-∞ and Cmax of TCBZ-SO did not differ between species, while other kinetic parameters except for λz had higher values in calves than in sheep. In the case of TCBZ-SO₂, tmax was the only parameter that did not differ between species, while other kinetic parameters except for λz had higher values in calves than in sheep.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Indoor particulate matter measurement as a tool in the process of the implementation of Smoke-free Hospitals

Aim of the study: There are International and National standards that requires hospitals and health premises to be smoke-free. According to recent data from Italy and other European Countries, smoking is a widespread habit in hospitals. To get smoke-free hospitals in an Italian region, we have adopted the European Code for smoke-free hospitals, which sets standards and provides instruments for its implementation. According to the Code, whenever possible, each step towards a smoke-free hospital, should be shared by all staff. As a mean for achieving this goal, in our region the certification of single units as smoke-free units has been chosen. For getting the certification, besides implementing the Code, we planned to use ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) monitoring, as ETS should not be present in hospitals. As a marker of ETS we have chosen Particulate Matter (PM), as it can easily be measured in real-time with a portable instrument and, when other - even outdoor - sources of combustion can be ruled out, it is an accurate detector of cigarette smoke. Here the first experience of measuring PM in hospitals for monitoring ETS and certificating smoke-free health premises, is described. Materials and methods: PM measurements were carried out without any previous notification in different areas of two Network hospitals of the Veneto Region, during a single working day. A real time laser-operated aerosol mass analyser was used. Several classes of PM (PM1, PM2.5, PM7, PM10, TSP Total Suspended Particles) were measured. Results: Outdoor PM levels were found to be repeatedly lower than the annual official limits of 65 mcg/m3 and around the 24 hour official limits of 15 mcg/m3 [15 to 20 mcg/m3, with an overall mean (±SD) of 17.8 (1.9)] throughout the whole day. Very good indoor air quality was found in the operating theaters and isolation department, where PM2.5 concentrations were much lower than outdoor levels [1.6 (0.9) and 5.9 (0.6) mcg/m3, respectively]. No increase in PM pollution was found in the surveyed medical offices, halls and waiting rooms where smoking was positively forbidden [PM2.5 concentrations of 14.8 (2.2) and 12.9 (1.1) mcg/m3] except in a medical office and in two coffee rooms for staff only where high PM levels were recorded [PM2.5 58.7 (29.1), 27.0 (10.6) and 107.1 (47.8) mcg/m3] and an offence of smoking restrictions could be proved. Conclusions: The measurement of PM in hospital for monitoring ETS proved to be both feasible and sensible. PM measurements with a portable instrument can be used both for controlling the compliance with rules or chosen standards and for educating staff about smoking related hazards, thus gaining consensus for the implementation of the tobacco control policy. In our experience, PM measurement can be used as an aid inside all actions designed by the European Code for smoke-free hospitals

Reduction of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) leads to visual impairment in vertebrates

In vertebrates, mitochondria are tightly preserved energy producing organelles, which sustain nervous system development and function. The understanding of proteins that regulate their homoeostasis in complex animals is therefore critical and doing so via means of systemic analysis pivotal to inform pathophysiological conditions associated with mitochondrial deficiency. With the goal to decipher the role of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) in brain development, we employed the zebrafish as elected model reporting that the Atpif1a−/− zebrafish mutant, pinotage (pnttq209), which lacks one of the two IF1 paralogous, exhibits visual impairment alongside increased apoptotic bodies and neuroinflammation in both brain and retina. This associates with increased processing of the dynamin-like GTPase optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), whose ablation is a direct cause of inherited optic atrophy. Defects in vision associated with the processing of OPA1 are specular in Atpif1−/− mice thus confirming a regulatory axis, which interlinks IF1 and OPA1 in the definition of mitochondrial fitness and specialised brain functions. This study unveils a functional relay between IF1 and OPA1 in central nervous system besides representing an example of how the zebrafish model could be harnessed to infer the activity of mitochondrial proteins during development