Comparison of Estimators in GLM with Binary Data

Maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) of regression parameters in the generalized linear models (GLM) are biased and their bias is non negligible when sample size is small. This study focuses on the GLM with binary data with multiple observations on response for each predictor value when sample size is small. The performance of the estimation methods in Cordeiro and McCullagh (1991), Firth (1993) and Pardo et al. (2005) are compared for GLM with binary data using an extensive Monte Carlo simulation study. Performance of these methods for three real data sets is also compared

Effect of substrate thermal resistance on space-domain microchannel

In recent years, Fluorescent Melting Curve Analysis (FMCA) has become an almost ubiquitous feature of commercial quantitative PCR (qPCR) thermal cyclers. Here a micro-fluidic device is presented capable of performing FMCA within a microchannel. The device consists of modular thermally conductive blocks which can sandwich a microfluidic substrate. Opposing ends of the blocks are held at differing temperatures and a linear thermal gradient is generated along the microfluidic channel. Fluorescent measurements taken from a sample as it passes along the micro-fluidic channel permits fluorescent melting curves to be generated. In this study we measure DNA melting temperature from two plasmid fragments. The effects of flow velocity and ramp-rate are investigated, and measured melting curves are compared to those acquired from a commercially available PCR thermocycler

Effective interfacial area for mass transfer in the liquid-liquid slug flow capillary microreactors

Liquid-liquid biphasic reactions play an important role in the chemical and pharmaceutical Industries The liquid-liquid slug flow capillary microreactor offers considerable potential benefits over the conventional liquid-liquid contactors Though the hydrodynamics and mass transfer have been investigated for this reactor concept, so fat the effective interfacial area available for mass transfer has not been experimentally quantified Despite the well-defined flow patterns arising in the capillary microreactor, the wetting behaviour of the liquids at the capillary wall is inadequately integrated into the models and thus, the true Interfacial area being used for mass transfer is uncertai

Microstructured reactors and supports for ionic liquids

Different types of microstructures and their applicationswith respect to the synthesis and the use of ionic liquids are presented. Microstructured reactors are suitable for reactions with fast intrinsic kinetics, requiring high mass and heat transfer performances. Chemical synthesis can be performed safely underoperatingcondition (e.g. hightemperature, pressure, etc.) difficult too btain in traditional reactors. The examples presented clearly indicate thatmicrostructuredreactorsoffersuperior performance for the synthesis of ionic liquids in comparisontoconventional equipment. For the use of ionic liquids as reaction media, existing ionic liquids shows ome limitations due to their higher viscosity compared to conventional solvents. Therefore, future research shouldbefocused on the development of low viscosity ionic liquids. The approachestouseionicliquidsinmicrostructured reactors and in combination with microstructured supports for catalytic reactions show many advantages inviewofhighproduct selectivity and yield. The use of supported ionic liquids on microstructured materials seems to be particularly promising for gas phase as well asfor g as/liquid reactions. (C) 2010 ElsevierLtd. All rights reserved

Acknowledgement

It is a great pleasure for me to acknowledge all the people who helped me to accomplish this dissertation. First and foremost, I wish to express my deep felt gratitude towards my supervisors, Prof. Dr.-Ing. David W. Agar and Prof. Dr. Stefan Turek, for giving me an opportunity to work in their groups. I am highly indebted for their insights, advice, encouragement, easy accessibility and freedom for work which helped me to explore new ideas and to complete the work in time. I am thankful to both of them for sharing ideas on many varied issues such as report writing, time management, presentation techniques etc. which helped me to develop my personal skills as well. Thank you for being wonderful teachers! I would also like to thank chairman of the doctoral commission, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Jörissen, and members, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Strauß and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eugeny Kenig, for evaluating my work. I am grateful to my colleagues from both groups (Institute of Reaction Engineering and Institute for Applied Mathematics), who ensured a technically stimulating, creative and pleasant working environment and helped in technical and non-technica

Heat Management in Single and Multi-injection Microstructured Reactors: Scaling Effects, Stability Analysis, and Role of Mixing

The exothermic reactions with fast intrinsic kinetics when carried out in conventional reactors are often limited by heat transfer. This results in the formation of hot spots, which affects product distribution of complex reactions and may lead to reactor runaway. Microstructured reactors (MSR) have been successfully used for this type of reaction, gaining increased temperature control and enhanced safety. Although different MSR concepts have been applied to various processes, the general design criteria are still poorly discussed in the literature. In this review, temperature management in conventional single injection MSR is described. The important issues, such as reactor safety and stability, along with the role of mixing, are discussed in detail. Subsequently, the multi-injection reactor concept is introduced and a simplified model developed to investigate the temperature profile is presented. Finally, the benefits and critical issues in the design of multi-injection MSR are highlighted