Gas maldistribution in a fermenter stirred with multiple turbines

The study is focused on modeling of gas maldistribution of aerated liquid systems in a multiple impeller bioreactor. The phenomenon may or may not depend on column design. The latter case is dependent merely on bed fluid dynamics and could be treated by using the methodology of the residence time distribution (RTD) theory. Accordingly, a specific methodology is proposed, as follows: the fermenter has been modelled as a reactor network involving a combination of zones representing basic ideal flow patterns. The methodology is based on the wide-spread experimental gas tracer technique extended by a new systemic identification approach. The approach is based on a Mellinmodification of the Laplace transform over the relevant equations. The method allows zero-time solutions for identification analysis. Unlike the diffusion model approximation, the technique considered allows exact approximation of the RTD curves with circulation. The proposed transfer function represents adequately the bioreactor gas maldistribution thus allowing fast overview of the studied reaction and prompt feed back control on the physical situation

Sea Food, Sea Sick: Dining in the Cruise Ship Industry

From its humble beginnings as a transportation enterprise in the nineteenth century, the modern cruise ship industry now serves millions of passengers each year. A significant proportion of the activity conducted by cruise ship personnel includes the preparation, service and preservation of food items. Therefore, sanitation policies and practices are of utmost importance aboard these vessels. Because of the potential for the spread of communicable food-borne diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exercise a great deal of authority over the industry. It has therefore promulgated voluntary guidelines based heavily upon the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Code, to which the vast majority if not all of the American cruise lines adhere. This paper discusses the history and development of the cruise ship industry, the structure and function of the Vessel Sanitation Program, and the potential liability that the cruise lines may face as the industry expands and gastroenteritis outbreaks increase in frequency

Modeling of residence time distribution : application to a three-phase inverse fluidized bed based on a Mellin transform

The study is focused on modeling of gas and liquid residence time distribution in an aerated liquid system of an inverse fluidized bed bioreactor. Two opposite strategies are currently available: the use of powerful complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and the phenomenological semi-empirical models. In this work, a specific methodology is proposed, as follows: the reactor is modeled as a reactor network containing a combination of zones with basic ideal flow patterns such as perfect mixed flow (PMF) and plug flow (PF). The approach is based on a Mellin-modification of the Laplace transformation over the relevant equations. The method allows zero-time solutions for identification analysis. The study shows that the increase of the gas flowrate leads to higher mixing intensity of the gas phase. Decreasing the gas velocity, the inverse fluidized bed tends to perform as a plug flow reactor. The liquid phase performs closer to disperse plug flow

Image Construction as a Strategy of Resistance by Progressive Community Organizations

This article presents research findings on image construction as a strategy of resistance used by progressive community agencies to be responsive to the increasing marginalization of their service users in current times. The agencies project nuanced images in representing their work to service users, funders and stakeholders and community partner agencies. These nuanced images serve to demonstrate the multiple and complex identities of these agencies. The agencies have used this strategy successfully to reclaim their power with funders and use their power effectively in making their services responsive and relevant to the situations of service users. The article provides an interesting presentation on the dynamics of the use of this strategy by progressive community organizations.Cet article présente quelques résultats d’une recherche portant sur la construction de l’image comme stratégie de résistance chez des organismes communautaires progressistes. Ceux-ci y ont actuellement recours afin de réagir adéquatement à l’accroissement de la marginalisation de leurs usagers et usagères. Ces organismes recourent à de multiples images et représentations selon qu’ils s’adressent à des usagers et usagères, des bailleurs de fonds ou des organismes communautaires partenaires. Cette représentation différenciée de leurs interventions démontre le caractère multiple et complexe des identités de ces organismes. Plus encore, en employant des stratégies de construction d’images, ces organismes communautaires progressistes ont réussi à modifier les rapports de pouvoir entre les bailleurs de fonds et eux. Cette stratégie a aussi permis à ces organismes de fournir des réponses pertinentes et adaptées aux réalités de leurs usagers et usagères. Enfin, cet article offre une lecture intéressante des dynamiques sous-jacentes à cette stratégie et, plus particulièrement, à son recours par des organismes communautaires progressistes

Operational Epidemiological Modeling: A Proposed National Process

This article appeared in Homeland Security Affairs (February 2013), v.9, article 1To support the successful integration of civilian and military domestic disaster medical response, the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNH-CEPDR) and US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) have established the National Center for Integrated Civilian-Military Domestic Disaster Medical Response (ICMDDMR). As part of the ICMDDMR, YNH-CEPDR has conducted research to determine the requirements of a national operational epidemiological modeling process to integrate modelers with operational decision makers during an infectious disease event of national significance. This article presents a proposed process that is based on research and consultation with a workgroup of interagency and organizational stakeholders

Asian America and Empathy: Understanding the Chinese American Experience through the Art of Flo Oy Wong

This capstone examines how the work of Chinese American artist Flo Oy Wong could be an impetus for dialogue for creating empathy for the Asian American experience. The capstone briefly discusses Chinese American history as the Chinese are one of the earliest immigrant groups to the United States and Asian American art history which demonstrates the role of art for Asian Americans. It also describes the importance of empathy in society and how some museums today are trying to apply empathy to serve their communities. Within this framework, I discuss artist Flo Oy Wong whose ability to tell stories about her experience as a Chinese American and the experiences of other immigrants can create empathy for Asian Americans. I conclude with a proposal for a hypothetical dual exhibition of her work and other Asian American women artists’ work that builds on these themes. I intend this project to be a cornerstone for the field of museum studies by addressing the lack of representation of Asian American artists in public arts institutions

Old Wisdom Re-Imagined: Proverbial Cartoons for University Students

Proverbs are frequently used in the media as a way to attract attention or to impart wisdom. As an attempt to bring new life into proverbial teachings, a weekly cartoon entitled “Proverb Place” was created in 2011 for the University of Vermont student newspaper, The Water Tower. Using a mix of proverbs and anti-proverbs, the cartoons aimed to re-introduce, or perhaps introduce, university students to important proverbial wisdom in a culturally relevant medium

Old Wisdom Re-Imagined: Proverbial Cartoons for University Students

Proverbs are frequently used in the media as a way to attract attention or to impart wisdom. As an attempt to bring new life into proverbial teachings, a weekly cartoon entitled “Proverb Place” was created in 2011 for the University of Vermont student newspaper, The Water Tower. Using a mix of proverbs and anti-proverbs, the cartoons aimed to re-introduce, or perhaps introduce, university students to important proverbial wisdom in a culturally relevant medium