Purple Urchin Removal

Soaring purple urchin populations have contributed to a greater than 90% reduction of northern California’s bull kelp forests. Human intervention to reduce the purple urchin population may allow localized kelp patches to grow. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife requested that our team develop a mechanical device to aid in the removal of the urchins. This document provides an update from the scope of work and details the process conducted to reach a scale final design. In this document, we provide background research to show our understanding of urchins and their effect on kelp forests. Then, we analyze the requirements and engineering specification that guided our solution to this problem. The solution we proceeded with is that of an ROV with a suction attachment and onboard storage container. We show the process by which we developed and selected ideas for a solution. Next, we explain the process by which we built and tested a scale design. Then, we explain in detail the layout of our scale design, and the materials required for the scale design. Finally, we will present the results of our testing, and a recommendation for how our design can be scaled up based on what we have learned

Using PBL to Prepare Educators and Emergency Managers to Plan for Severe Weather

Within the past 10 years severe weather has been responsible for an annual average of 278 fatalities in the United States (National Weather Service, 2013). During severe weather special populations are populations of high concentrations of people that cannot respond quickly. Schools show both of these characteristics. The average lead time for tornadoes is only 11 minutes (Simmons & Sutter, 2008), so decisions must be made decisively and leaders must be prepared in advance. This paper describes how an instructional design process was used to develop an interdisciplinary problem based learning training for both school personnel and emergency managers. In this real world based activity, participants simulated difficult decisions that must be made during severe weather to develop a better understanding of each others’ roles and responsibilities

Facilitating smart HACCP strategies with Process Analytical Technology

The critical feature to any food management system, be it safety or quality focused, is timely and accurate product and process data. The HACCP framework is one of a systematic preventive approach that addresses hazards as a means of prevention rather than finished product inspection. The PAT initiative is a framework which also aims to change product assurance from end-product testing to preventive control through timely measurements of critical product and process parameters. The continued emergence of sensitive yet affordable sensors capable of direct measurement of biological, chemical and physical risks associated with foods during production, processing or over their shelf-life undoubtedly will support a higher temporal and spatial profiling of foods

Atmospheric Cold Plasma Inactivation of Escherichia Coli, Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Listeria Monocytogenes Inoculated on Fresh Produce

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) represents a potential alternative to traditional methods for non-thermal decontamination of foods. In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of a novel dielectric barrier discharge ACP device against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on cherry tomatoes and strawberries, was examined. Bacteria were spot inoculated on the produce surface, air dried and sealed inside a rigid polypropylene container. Samples were indirectly exposed (i.e. placed outside plasma discharge) to a high voltage (70kVRMS) air ACP and subsequently stored at room temperature for 24 h. ACP treatment for 10, 60 and 120 s resulted in reduction of Salmonella, E. coli and L. monocytogenes populations on tomato to undetectable levels from initial populations of 3.1, 6.3, and 6.7 log10 CFU/sample, respectively. However, an extended ACP treatment time was necessary to reduce bacterial populations attached on the more complex surface of strawberries. Treatment time for 300 s resulted in reduction of E. coli, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes populations by 3.5, 3.8 and 4.2 log10 CFU/sample, respectively, and also effectively reduced the background microflora of tomatoes

Atmospheric Cold Plasma Inactivation of Escherichia Coli in Liquid Media Inside a Sealed Package

Abstract Aims: The main objective of this study was to determine the inactivation efficacy of dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD-ACP) generated inside a sealed package for Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Methods and Results: A plasma discharge was generated between two circular aluminium electrodes at 40 kV. E. coli suspensions (10^7 CFU/ml) in either maximum recovery diluent (MRD) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were treated in a 96-well microtitre plate inside a sealed package. The effects of treatment time, post-treatment storage time, either direct or indirect samples exposure to the plasma discharge and suspension media were studied. Regardless of the media tested, 20 s of direct and 45 s of indirect plasma treatment resulted in complete bacterial inactivation (7 log CFU/ml). At the lower plasma treatment times (10–30 s) investigated, the effects of suspension media and mode of exposure on the inactivation efficacy were evident. The inactivation efficacy was also influenced by the post-treatment storage time. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that the novel DBD-ACP can inactivate high concentrations of E. coli suspended in liquids within sealed packages in seconds. Significance and impact of the Study: A key advantage of this in-package nonthermal novel disinfection approach is the elimination of post-processing contamination

In-Package Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma Treatment of Cherry Tomatoes

Cold plasma is increasingly under research for decontamination of foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. The effect of cold plasma on food quality, however, remains under researched. This study investigates the effects of cold plasma generated within a sealed package from a dielectric barrier discharge on the physical quality parameters and respiration rates of cherry tomatoes. Respiration rates and weight loss were monitored continuously, while other parameters are reported at the end of storage period. Differences among weight loss, pH and firmness for control and treated cherry tomatoes were insignificant towards the end of storage life. Changes in respiration rates and colour of tomatoes were recorded as a function of treatment, which were not drastic. The results implicate that cold plasma could be employed as a means for decontamination of cherry tomatoes while retaining product quality

The Potential of Cold Plasma for Safe and Sustainable Food Production

In-package decontamination of foods using cold plasma has advanced this technology as a unit process for fresh foods decontamination and shelf-life extension. Chemical residues of agricultural pesticides of varying structure can be degraded to safe or less-toxic structures using cold plasma. Cold-plasma-mediated control of contaminants, along with the promotion of seed germination and plant growth, offers alternatives to current pesticides and fertilizers for agriculture. Controlling plasma reactive species formulations in dry and liquid delivery formats advances the potential for understanding and successful translation to multiple points along the agriculture and food sectors. Employing predictive microbiology, process optimization tools and a systems approach with controlled reactive species formulations may achieve risk- or problem-tailored solutions for whole food systems. Cold plasma science and technology is increasingly investigated for translation to a plethora of issues in the agriculture and food sectors. The diversity of the mechanisms of action of cold plasma, and the flexibility as a standalone technology or one that can integrate with other technologies, provide a rich resource for driving innovative solutions. The emerging understanding of the longer-term role of cold plasma reactive species and follow-on effects across a range of systems will suggest how cold plasma may be optimally applied to biological systems in the agricultural and food sectors. Here we present the current status, emerging issues, regulatory context, and opportunities of cold plasma with respect to the broad stages of primary and secondary food production

Bacterial Inactivation by High Voltage Atmospheric Cold Plasma: Influence of Process Parameters and Effects on Cell Leakage and DNA

Aims: This study investigated a range of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) process parameters for bacterial inactivation with further investigation of selected parameters on cell membrane integrity and DNA damage. The effects of high voltage levels, mode of exposure, gas mixture and treatment time against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes were examined. Methods and Results: 108 CFU ml-1 E. coli ATCC 25922, E. coli NCTC 12900 and L. monocytogenes NCTC11994 were ACP treated in 10ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Working gas mixtures used were; Air (gas mix 1), 90% N2+10% O2 (gas mix 2) and 65% O2+30% CO2+5% N2 (gas mix 3). Greater reduction of viability was observed for all strains using higher voltage of 70 kVRMS, and with working gas mixtures with higher oxygen content in combination with direct exposure. Indirect ACP exposure for 30 s inactivated below detection level both E. coli strains. L. monocytogenes inactivation within 30 s was irrespective of the mode of exposure. Leakage was assessed using A260 absorbance and DNA damage was monitored using PCR and Gel electrophoresis. Membrane integrity was compromised after 5 s, with noticeable DNA damage also dependent on the target cell after 30 s. Conclusions: Plasma treatment was effective for inactivation of challenge microorganisms, with a greater sensitivity of L. monocytogenes noted. Different damage patterns were observed for the different bacterial strains, attributed to the membrane structure and potential resistance mechanisms

IPTV: Streaming television over the Internet

Abstract only availableIPTV is the process of streaming video over a network connection like the internet. This could be the next step in television evolution. There are currently several programs and boxes that you can buy that use the internet to connect to various servers that broadcast live TV and video on demand. These systems can be expensive and usually come with a monthly fee. Because of the large amount of data required for digital media it is difficult to stream it over common internet connections without lag or a buffering process. This project investigates two ways of solving problems with IPTV technology. The first method uses real-time bitstream switching. This process should reduce the quality of the video by reducing the size of the bitstream thus allowing the video to buffer faster during times of low bandwidth. It should also switch to higher quality during times of increased bandwidth. The second problem that was investigated was how to easily and efficiently change the resolution of a video. Interpolation is the process of increasing or decreasing the size of an image by guessing what the pixels in between known pixels should look like. In video processing, interpolation is required for proper reconstruction of frames in a video using motion vectors with sub-pixel accuracy to calculate the location of most similar pixels from one frame to the next. A third task is to create a GUI implementation for the project. The GUI should have the capability to use picture in picture (PiP) and a multichannel preview. For this project, we used VLC, an open source media player, and the mp4 video file format. After modifying VLC code, we were able to switch between multiple tracks within an mp4 file, where each track has a different bit rate. Using a similar process, we were able to switch between videos at different spatial resolutions. Further modifications to VLC are required to interpolate the image in order for smooth switching of spatial resolutions. The GUI implementation uses visual C# to embed VLC, and allows the user to select video files from a streaming server to watch in a main screen and PiP format.NSF-REU Program in Home Networking Technologie