Mixing Operations for 50 L to 2000 L Single-Use Mixer: Liquid-Liquid Mixing Characterization and Slurry Suspension

Mixers are employed throughout all parts of bioprocessing. Single-use mixers (S.U.M.) are commonly used for upstream operations including media formulation and hydration, media holding, sterile filtration and downstream operations including media and product storage, viral inactivation, buffer preparation, and resin/slurry preparation for column packing. This study presents the automation of both simple and complex mixing procedures using the Thermo Fisher Touchscreen Control Panel. Also investigated are the selection method for scalable mixing parameters allowing normalized mixing performance across all single use mixer sizes. The following applications are demonstrated in this study: Characterization of scalable mixing parameters by comparing power input per volume and T95 blend time criteria Automation of a basic mixing process control variables including temperature, agitation , pump rate, flow valves, line pressure, and filtration effeciency using the Touchscreen Electrical Panel Automation of a complex viral inactivation process including multiple pH and temperature shifts This work demonstrates best practices for mixing in bioprocessing unit operations including use of the Touchscreen Control Panel for automation thus minimizing operator intervention and process variance while maximizing the quality and traceability of data gathered during the mixing process thus improving overall lab efficiency

Solar Salt Latent Heat Thermal Storage for a Small Solar Organic Rankine Cycle Plant

The design of the latent heat thermal storage system (LHTESS) was developed with a thermal capacity of about 100 kW h as a part of small solar plant based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The phase change material (PCM) used is solar salt with the melting/solidification temperature of about 220 °C. Thermophysical properties of the PCM were measured, including its phase transition temperature, heat of fusion, specific heat, and thermal conductivity. The design of the thermal storage was finalized by means of the 3D computational fluid dynamics analysis. The thermal storage system is modular, and the thermal energy is delivered with the use of thermal oil, heated by Fresnel mirrors. The heat is transferred into and from the PCM in the casing using bidirectional heat pipes, filled with water. A set of metallic screens are installed in the box with the pitch of 8–10 mm to enhance the heat transfer from heat pipes to the PCM and vice-versa during the charging and discharging processes, which take about 4 h. This work presents a numerical study on the use of metallic fins without thermal bonding as a heat transfer enhancement method for the solar salt LHTESS. The results show that the absence of the thermal bonding between fins and heat pipes (there was a gap of 0.5 mm between them) did not result in a significant reduction of charging or discharging periods. As expected, aluminum fins provide better performance in comparison with steel ones due to the difference in the material conductivity. The main advantage observed for the case of using aluminum fins was the lower temperature gradient across the LHTESS

Continuous Process Performance Enhancements for 50-500 L S.U.B.s

Improvements in single-use systems have allowed implementation of high-density cultures in emerging bioprocess workflows while progressive advances in media optimization and improved clone genetic selection have underscored the perceived performance limitations of single-use bioreactors (S.U.B.s). This study presents how strategic enhancements to the sparge and agitation systems of Thermo Scientific™ HyPerforma™ S.U.B.s have revealed the potential for a three- to four-fold improvement of mixing and mass transfer performance compared to legacy SUB designs. This study investigates the following: Bioreactor characterization, TruBio™ DeltaV™ controller optimization, online process analytics, and scalability analysis of the S.U.B. when targeting perfusion applications from 50 L pilot scale to 500 L production scale working volumes. High-density culture results (\u3e260E06 cells/mL) while maintaining proper operating parameters. New data reveal how a 50 L S.U.B. – equipped with a specialized precision drilled-hole sparger (DHS), single-use foam probe, and oversized impeller – is able to improve overall S.U.B. operating efficiency. Results also include specific suggestions on how to maintain a nearly ideal dissolved carbon dioxide environment, reduce headspace foam generation, and produce lower overall shear levels, thus yielding excellent cell viability. The work also demonstrates best practices and the desirable process benefits that can be achieved through reduced technical risk, lower labor, and simplified technical transfer of a completely disposable processing assembly. Further evidence is presented on the advantages of continuous processing when used in high-density seed train intensification or as a compact production-scale bioreactor system operating at reasonable media exchange rates of one to two vessel volumes per day (VVD). Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Risk Aversion among Smallholder High-value Crop Farmers in the Southern Philippines

Several elicitation techniques were employed to gauge the attitudes to risk of smallholder high-value crop farmers in the southern Philippines. Results showed varying degrees of risk aversion, neutrality, and preference among smallholder farmers. Although some of the techniques classified distinct groups of local growers as either risk-averse or risk-preferring, the estimated risk aversion coefficients were relatively low signifying an inclination toward risk neutrality. These may partly explain the degree of openness or non-openness of smallholder farmers to cultural changes and development interventions. Variations in farmers' risk attitude classification among the different elicitation methods indicate the need for further validation studies and more definitive evaluation standards

Rifaximin has the potential to prevent complications of cirrhosis

Background: Cirrhosis-related complications are associated with poor prognosis. With our analyses, we examined the potential benefit of rifaximin in reducing the risk of developing cirrhosis-related complications. Methods: Adults with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in remission were randomly assigned to receive rifaximin 550 mg twice daily or placebo for 6 months with concomitant lactulose permitted. Post hoc analyses examined time to cirrhosis-related complications (HE, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), variceal bleeding, acute kidney injury/hepatorenal syndrome). Subgroup analyses evaluated efficacy for select baseline disease characteristics. Results: Of patients receiving rifaximin (n = 140) and placebo (n = 159), 53.6% and 49.1%, respectively, had baseline Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ⩾ 12 and international normalized ratio (INR) ⩾ 1.2. Baseline ascites was observed in 36.4% (rifaximin) and 34.6% (placebo) of patients. In patients with MELD score ⩾ 12 and INR ⩾ 1.2, rifaximin reduced the relative risk (RR) of any first complication experienced during trial by 59% [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25–0.67; p \u3c 0.001] versus placebo. For patients with baseline ascites, rifaximin reduced the RR of any first complication experienced during trial by 42% versus placebo (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34–1.0; p = 0.045). For some subgroups, there was a decrease in RR of complications of SBP, variceal bleeding, and acute kidney injury/hepatorenal syndrome with rifaximin versus placebo, although there were few events reported in the study. Conclusion: Rifaximin may reduce the incidence of cirrhosis-related complications and the recurrence of overt HE. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00298038.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Will An Additional Observer Enhance Adenoma Detection During Colonoscopy?

Background: Due to varied level of experience, the detection rate of adenoma on colonoscopy is different. In presence of both fellows and attending the incidence rates of adenoma are shown to increase in a small study reported by Rogart et al [4]. Based on similar hypothesis, a study was undertaken with much larger sample size to improve the power of the study. Aims and objective: To know if presence of additional observer will enhance adenoma detection during colonoscopy. Material and Methods: 2236 consecutive colonoscopies performed at Metro Health Medical Centre, Cleveland, Ohio were included in the study from July 2005 to August 2006. Cases with history of colorectal, surgical resection of colon, inflammatory bowel diseases and hereditary polyposis syndrome were excluded. Inpatient colonoscopies were also excluded. With all usual precautions for colonoscopy and after giving polyethylene glycol electrolyte (PEGEL) colonoscopies were performed by one of the nine experienced staff attending using an Olympus colonoscope and Evis Exera processors. All colonoscopies performed by fellows were supervised by an attending throughout the procedure. Advanced adenomas were defined as adenomas greater than 1 cm size. Statistical analysis was done using Tall hassee, FL software; Fisher’s exact test, unpaired t test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. p-value of <0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Results: Of the total 2236 colonoscopies included in the study, 1527 were performed by fellows under supervision of attending and 709 by the attending. There was no significant difference in patient demographics, caecal intubation or poor preparation colonoscopies. The mean age of the group was 55 years in both of the groups. There was no statistically significant different in the polyp detection rate (35% Vs 36.8%) as well as overall adenoma detection rate (28.4% Vs 27.7%) between these two groups of performers. However, increased rate of adenoma detection was seen for the adenomas of size 0.5 to 1.00 cm in the fellow and attending group (7.2%) as compared to attending alone group (4.0%). There was no difference in the number of colonoscopies aborted due to poor bowel preparations There was no statistically significant difference in the number of colonoscopies aborted due to poor bowel prep, 91(5.9%) Vs 32(4.5%). Conclusions: Our retrospective study has shown no improvement in the rate of adenoma detection when fellows performed colonoscopy with a supervising attending in comparison to procedures performed by attending alone. In fact, Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) and caecal intubation rates are increasingly seen as important quality measure. We propose that ADR needs to be used as a tool to assess trainee competency and should be a marker to evaluate proper training. These could be evaluated in randomized prospective trials in future

Employer safety obligations, transformational leadership and their interactive effects on employee safety performance

Accepted versionWe examine the moderating effect of safety-specific transformational leadership on the relationship between perceived employer safety obligations and employee safety performance behaviour and attitudes. Drawing on social exchange theory, and using data from a cross-sectional (N = 115) and a longitudinal (N = 140) sample of trade employees, we show that perceived employer safety obligations are positively associated with employee safety compliance, safety participation and attitudes. Safety-specific transformational leadership was positively and significantly associated with employee safety compliance, safety participation and safety attitudes. Leadership also acted as a moderator such that the relationships between perceived employer safety obligations and the safety outcomes (safety compliance, safety participation, safety attitudes) are stronger when safety-specific transformational leadership is high, as opposed to when low. We provide theoretical and practical implications stemming from this study and suggest directions for future research aimed at improving safety performance behaviour and attitudes within organizations

Thermal analysis of fin cooling large format automotive lithium-ion pouch cells

Conductively cooling the surface of lithium-ion pouch cells may simplify the external cooling mechanism, as heat transfer mediums are not routed across the cell surface. In this paper, the thermal performance of cooling cells with metallic fins is analysed using a developed test rig and thermal model. Results indicate that single edge fin cooling with aluminum sheets is effective in limiting surface temperature gradients to below circa 5℃ for cells subject to realistic EV and mild PHEV duty cycles. For aggressive track racing EV cycles, double edge fin cooling is required to limit surface temperature gradients to below 12℃

Urinary proteomic profiling in severe obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea with CPAP treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common in obesity and is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in OSA may lead to physiological changes reflected in the urinary proteome. The aim of this study was to characterise the urinary proteome in severely obese adult subjects with OSA who were receiving CPAP compared with severely obese subjects without OSA. METHODS: Severely obese subjects with and without OSA were recruited. Subjects with OSA were receiving CPAP. Body composition and blood pressure measurements were recorded. Urinary samples were analysed by Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry (CE-MS). RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects with OSA-on-CPAP (age 49±7years, BMI 43±7 kg/m(2)) and 25 controls without OSA (age 52±9years, BMI 39±4 kg/m(2)) were studied. Age and BMI were not significantly different between groups. Mean CPAP use for OSA patients was 14.5±1.0 months. Metabolic syndrome was present in 14(52%) of those with OSA compared with 6(24%) of controls (p=0.039). A urinary proteome comprising 15 peptides was identified showing differential expression between the groups (p<0.01). Although correction for multiple testing did not reach significance, sequences were determined for 8 peptides demonstrating origins from collagens, fibrinogen beta chain and T-cadherin that may be associated with underlying cardiovascular disease mechanisms in OSA. CONCLUSIONS: The urinary proteome is compared in OSA with CPAP and without OSA in severe obesity. The effects of CPAP on OSA may lead to changes in the urinary peptides but further research work is needed to investigate the potential role for urinary proteomics in characterising urinary peptide profiles in OSA

First Smart Spaces

This document describes the Gloss software currently implemented. The description of the Gloss demonstrator for multi-surface interaction can be found in D17. The ongoing integration activity for the work described in D17 and D8 constitutes our development of infrastructure for a first smart space. In this report, the focus is on infrastructure to support the implementation of location aware services. A local architecture provides a framework for constructing Gloss applications, termed assemblies, that run on individual physical nodes. A global architecture defines an overlay network for linking individual assemblies. Both local and global architectures are under active development