Mathematical Model for Scaling up Bioprocesses Using Experiment Design Combined with Buckingham Pi Theorem

Scaling up bioprocesses from the experimental to the pilot or industrial scale involves heuristics and scale relationships that are far from the specific phenomena and are usually not connected to the experimental data. In complex systems, the scaling-up methodology must connect the experimental data with the tools of engineering design. In this work, a two-stage gold bioleaching process was used as a case study to develop a mathematical model of bioprocess scaling that combines the design of experiments with dimensional analysis using the Buckingham Pi theorem to formulate a predictive model that allows scaling up bioprocesses. It was found that the C/N, C/K, and T/C ratios are dimensionless factors that can explain the behavior of a system. Using the Pearson Product–Moment bivariate analysis, it was found that the dimensionless factors C/N and C/K were correlated with the leaching potential of the fermented broth at 1060 cm−1. With these results, a non-linear logarithmic model based on dimensionless parameters was proposed to explain the behavior of the system with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.9889, showing that the optimal conditions to produce fermented broth comprised a C/N ratio close to 50 and a C/K ratio close to 800, which allows predicting the scaling of the bioprocess.

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF HOT AIR DRIED APPLE AND EFFECTS OF VARIETY, SHAPE AND TEMPERATURE ON DRYING BEHAVIOR AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

In this study, drying kinetics and quality characteristics of apple cv. Starking, Gala and Granny Smith circles and squares were studied at two different drying temperatures, 60 °C and 70 °C. Drying times were varied between 85-165 min. Depending on variety, shape and temperature. The falling rate period was observed and drying rate changed depending on the drying parameters. Four mathematical models were fitted to experimental data and Logarithmic model was found to be the best for all the samples. Total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of dried apple samples varied in the range of 4.11-8.36 mg GAE/g dry matter and 4536.43-7370.47 mmol AEAC 100/g dry matter, respectively and showed a tendency to increase or decrease after drying depending on the variety and shape interaction. Shape had also significant effect on antioxidant capacities of samples as well as the variety (p<0.05). The results of variance analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences among color values of apple samples dried at 60 ºC and 70 ºC.

Modeling the occurrence of unsafe behaviors based on dimensions of safety climate and organizational leadership style in oil platforms using fuzzy logic approach

Background: Offshore oil and gas platforms have a high potential for major accidents due to sensitive operational conditions. Safety climate and leadership style have been identified as two key factors in the occurrence of unsafe behaviors. This study aimed to modeling the occurrence of unsafe behaviors based on dimensions of safety climate and organizational leadership style in oil platforms using fuzzy logic approach.Methods: This cross-sectional and modeling study was conducted in 2019 among five oil platforms located in the Persian Gulf. The sample size was 291 employees. To measure organizational leadership style and safety climate, multifactor leadership and standard occupational safety climate questionnaires were used, respectively. To determine unsafe behaviors, a checklist of unsafe acts was used. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients in SPSS version 25. Fuzzy logarithmic model and MATLAB software were used for modeling.Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between transformational and transactional leadership style and the occurrence of unsafe behaviors. Moreover, finding revealed that there was a significant correlation between the dimensions of safety of workplace and the neglecting dangers and the occurrence of unsafe behaviors (P-value< 0.05). The results of the fuzzy logarithmic model also showed that mentioned parameters are important risk factors for predicting the occurrence of unsafe behaviors in oil platforms.Conclusion: Findings revealed that transformational and transactional leadership styles, safety of workplace and neglecting dangers in oil platforms are among important factors in the occurrence of unsafe behaviors. Using fuzzy logarithmic models can also be an effective way to predict and control the occurrence of unsafe behaviors in oil platforms.

Explorative Meta-Analysis of 417 Extant Archaeal Genomes to Predict Their Contribution to the Total Microbiome Functionality

Revealing the relationship between taxonomy and function in microbiomes is critical to discover their contribution to ecosystem functioning. However, while the relationship between taxonomic and functional diversity in bacteria and fungi is known, this is not the case for archaea. Here, we used a meta-analysis of 417 completely annotated extant and taxonomically unique archaeal genomes to predict the extent of microbiome functionality on Earth contained within archaeal genomes using accumulation curves of all known level 3 functions of KEGG Orthology. We found that intergenome redundancy as functions present in multiple genomes was inversely related to intragenome redundancy as multiple copies of a gene in one genome, implying the tradeoff between additional copies of functionally important genes or a higher number of different genes. A logarithmic model described the relationship between functional diversity and species richness better than both the unsaturated and the saturated model, which suggests a limited total number of archaeal functions in contrast to the sheer unlimited potential of bacteria and fungi. Using the global archaeal species richness estimate of 13,159, the logarithmic model predicted 4164.1 ± 2.9 KEGG level 3 functions. The non-parametric bootstrap estimate yielded a lower bound of 2994 ± 57 KEGG level 3 functions. Our approach not only highlighted similarities in functional redundancy but also the difference in functional potential of archaea compared to other domains of life.

Microwave and Blanching Pretreatments for Hot Air Drying of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Slices (Ipomoea batatas)

Microwave and steam blanching as pretreatments to hot air drying of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) were studied. The air-drying experiment was performed at constant temperature of 70°C and airflow of 1.0 m/s. The effective moisture diffusivity varied from 1.5 × 10 − 9 to 4.4 × 10 − 9 m2/s, and 1.1 × 10 − 10 to 7.9 × 10 − 10 m2/s, for the microwave and blanched assisted hot air drying, respectively. The activation energy obtained for the various microwave-assisted hot air drying was 29.1 W/mm for 4 min, 68.1 W/mm for 3 min, and 79.7 W/mm for 2 min. Ascorbic acid degradation and formation of brown pigments in the OFSP slices were lower in microwave than in steam blanch-assisted drying. Microwave-assisted drying of OFSP is best governed by Page model, M R = exp − k t n , while the blanch-assisted followed the logarithmic model, M R = a exp − k t + c . To produce better quality OFSP flour, it is recommended to cut the tubers into 3 mm slices, microwave at a power of 630 W for 2 min or blanch for 1 min, 43 seconds prior to hot air drying.

Explorative meta-analysis of 417 extant archaeal genomes to predict their contribution to the total microbiome functionality

Unveiling the relationship between taxonomy and function in microbiomes is crucial to determine their contribution to ecosystem functioning. However, while the relationship between taxonomic and functional diversity in bacteria and fungi was reported, this is not the case for archaea. Here, we used a meta-analysis of completely annotated extant genomes of 417 taxonomically unique archaeal species to describe intergenome and intragenome redundancy of functions and to predict the extent of microbiome functionality on Earth contained within archaeal genomes using accumulation curves of all known functions from the level 3 of KEGG Orthology. We found that intergenome redundancy as functions present in multiple genomes was inversely related to intragenome redundancy as multiple copies of a gene in one genome, implying the trade of between additional copies of functionally important genes or a higher number of different genes. A logarithmic model described the relationship between functional diversity and species richness better than both the unsaturated and the saturated model, which suggests a limited total number of archaeal functions in contrast to the potential of bacteria and fungi. Using a global archaeal species richness estimate of 13,159, the logarithmic model predicts a total of 4,164.1 ±2.9 KEGG level 3 functions while the non-parametric bootstrap estimate yields a lower bound of 2,994 ±57 KEGG level 3 functions. Our approach not only highlights similarities in functional redundancy but also the difference in functional potential of archaea compared to other domains of life.

Predicting Recovery of Upper Extremity Motor Function After Stroke According to the NovEl Intervention Using Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Occupational Therapy: NEURO

Background: To encourage patient goal setting and active participation in their own rehabilitation, physicians should provide patients with evidence-based prognostic predictions. Objective: This study aimed to analyze whether logarithmic time series changes in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score of the upper extremity (from treatment to one month after treatment) owing to NovEl intervention using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intensive occupational therapy (NEURO) conformed to logarithmic model formulae (group level), and whether the FMA score could be predicted by applying pre/posttreatment FMA scores following the model equation (individual level). Methods: This retrospective, longitudinal study included 514 poststroke paralysis patients admitted to our hospital between March 2010 and December 2018. FMA scores at 3 time points (before, after, and 4 weeks after treatment) were assessed, and conventional logarithmic regression analyses were performed to determine the time course of motor recovery. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups in derivation ( n = 257) and validation ( n = 257) analysis. Results: The time series change in the FMA score correlated with logarithmic model formulae ( r2 = .97). The FMA score was substituted for the logarithmic formulae, and individual FMA scores (4 weeks after NEURO treatment) were predicted. The r2 value between the predicted and measured FMA scores was .65. Conclusions: The logarithmic model based on FMA scores before and after NEURO treatment individually predicted approximately 65% of FMA scores 4 weeks after treatment. NEURO allows the physicians to explain the prognosis to individual patients so that they can participate in their rehabilitation practices and achieve their goals.

Perturbation Solution for Pulsatile Flow of a Non-Newtonian Fluid in a Rock Fracture: A Logarithmic Model

The purpose of this work is to study the motion of a non-Newtonian fluid in a rock fracture, generated by a constant pressure gradient to which a pulsating component is superposed. The momentum equation is faced analytically by adopting a logarithmic constitutive law; the velocity is expressed as a power series of the amplitude of the pulsating component, up to the second order, easily usable for numerical calculations. The results obtained are compared with those provided in the past by the authors, using a three-parameter Williamson model. The comparison highlights that the value of the mean flow rate in a period differs by less than 10% even if the velocity profiles look quite different.