Comparison of a Rapid Light-Induced and Forced Test to Study the Oxidative Stability of White Wines

The oxidation processes of white wines can occur during storage and commercialization due to several factors, and these can negatively affect the color, aroma, and quality of the wine. Wineries should have faster and simpler methods that provide valuable information on oxidation stability of wines and allow fast decision-making procedures, able to trigger suitable technological interventions. Using a portable prototype instrument for light irradiations at different wavelengths and times was considered and evaluated on sensorial, spectrophotometric, and colorimetric parameters of white wines. The sensorial analysis revealed that white and light blue were the most significant, after only 1 h of irradiation. The experimental results showed that hydrogen peroxide could enhance the effect of light treatment, allowing a contemporary evaluation of the oxidation stability of wine against light and chemical stresses. As expected, a good correlation (R2 > 0.89) between optical density at 420 nm and b* parameter was highlighted. The synergic effect of light and H2O2 was also studied on the hydrolyzable and condensed tannins’ additions to white wine. The proposed methodology could be used to evaluate the oxidative stability of white wines, but also to evaluate the effect of some oenological adjuvants on wine stability.

Evolution of the Kandyan Vina of Sri Lanka with Special Reference to the Contemporary Usage

The string instrument, the Kandyan vina (Uḍaraṭa Vīṇā), once portrayed in the book by John Davy as “Venah”, shares close resemblance with the Coconut shell fiddle instruments in India, in terms of their inherent form, structure, cultural peculiarities and playing posture. Such similarities serve to confirm that the prototypic musical instrument – the Kandyan vina, originated from the Coconut shell fiddle instruments of India. According to sources, the prototype instrument of the Kandyan vina arrived with the gypsy groups who migrated to Sri Lanka from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu during the Kandy period of 1600-1750 AD. Since then, until 1980-1990 AD, the prototype instrument was developed by the influence of the Western musical instruments and musical intelligence, available material, creative methods inherent in the aristocratic, villagers, beggars, Veddas, and gypsy communities. Therefore, the rise of the Kandyan vina is proven to have originated within Sri Lanka as a unique native string instrument. Research objectives of this study are: firstly, to re-introduce a native string instrument according to its true historic trails; secondly, a modern Kandyan vina is constructed using the modified knowledge discovered through exploring the ancient Kandyan vina instruments; and thirdly, to assimilate knowledge of a musical instrument based on its historical literature and archaeological data from an Archaeomusicological perspective. With this in mind, Frescoes/murals, artefacts, legal documents and primary books were used as the primary sources, while journal articles and secondary books were used as secondary sources.

Arduino Mega Based Current Recorder Prototype Implementation

Current measurements in electric power systems are important aspects, both for monitoring and protection. The researchers have designed, created and tested a digital current measuring and recording prototype instrument. The current signals were sensed by the split-core current transformers, entered to the signal conditioning, to the main Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller, and finally to the three outputs, namely a PC monitor, SD card data logger and LCD. It was tested and the results were compared to the computation results and the clamp ammeter readings, as the reference instrument. On both single and three phase systems, the absolute deviations would considerably rise and the relative deviations would slightly reduce as the load currents increased. Nevertheless, the values on both systems were not exactly same. For the single phase, the average absolute and relative deviation slopes were 0.156548 A/kW and -0.0020772 %/kW respectively. On other hand, for the three phase system, they were 0.12372 A/kW and -0.04176 %/kW respectively. The relative deviations to the computation results were under 6%, tended to be 3%, and the relative deviations to the reference instrument readings were under 3%, tended to be 1%, as the load increased.

Dual Wavelength Differential Detection of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors with a Pulsed DFB Laser

We show how dual wavelength differential detection can be used to measure fiber Bragg grating sensors using nanosecond pulses from a single DFB laser diode, by taking advantage of its dynamic chirp. This can be performed in two ways: by measuring the reflected power from two separate pulses driven by two different currents, or by taking two delayed digitized samples within a single pulse. A prototype instrument using fast digitizing and processing with an FPGA is used to characterize the chirp, from which the performance can be optimized for both measurement schemes.

Design, operation and performance of the PAON4 prototype transit interferometer

ABSTRACT PAON4 is an L-band (1250–1500 MHz) small interferometer operating in transit mode deployed at the Nançay observatory in France, designed as a prototype instrument for intensity mapping. It features four 5 m diameter dishes in a compact triangular configuration, with a total geometric collecting area of ${\sim} 75\, \mathrm{m^2}$, and is equipped with dual polarization receivers. A total of 36 visibilities are computed from the eight independent RF signals by the software correlator over the full 250 MHz RF band. The array operates in transit mode, with the dishes pointed toward a fixed declination, while the sky drifts across the instrument. Sky maps for each frequency channel are then reconstructed by combining the time-dependent visibilities from the different baselines observed at different declinations. This paper presents an overview of the PAON4 instrument design and goals, as a prototype for dish arrays to map the large-scale structure in radio, using intensity mapping of the atomic hydrogen 21 cm line. We operated PAON4 over several years and use data from observations at different periods to assess the array performance. We present a preliminary analysis of a large fraction of these data and discuss crucial issues for this type of instrument, such as the calibration strategy, instrument response stability and noise behaviour.

Vaccination Data When the Outbreak Happens: A Qualitative Evaluation of Oregon’s Rapid Response Tool

ABSTRACTObjectiveImmunization data are vital to support responses to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. The Oregon Immunization Program developed a unique prototype instrument—the Rapid Response Tool (RRT)—that provides population data to local responders within 2 hours of a request. Data outputs include vaccination coverage by age group and zip code; percentages of students with nonmedical exemptions to vaccination requirements, by school; and current, comprehensive lists of local vaccination providers.MethodsThe RRT was demonstrated to staff at 7 Oregon counties and feedback was solicited via comments and a structured survey.ResultsThe RRT received strong support. Attendees identified several uses for RRT data, including outbreak response and ongoing intervention efforts, and they pointed to areas for further development.ConclusionsThe success of the RRT demonstrations illustrates that a well-populated immunization information system can contribute to preparedness work well beyond current standards. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:682–685)

Measurement of Bulk Electrical Properties Using GPR with a Variable Reflector

Bulk electrical properties of media are important inherently for ground penetrating radar (GPR) applications and for providing a means to determine indirectly other physical properties such as moisture content. We have developed a reflector whose reflectivity can be controlled electronically. This variable reflector controlled by a GPR provides an effective method to measure bulk electrical properties of media. For sample measurements, the GPR is placed on one side of a sample and the variable reflector on the opposite side. GPR trace data are then acquired with the reflector in an on-state and in the off-state. By differencing these measurements, we improve the ability to detect the specific reflection event from the variable reflector. This process removes both the direct wave and clutter from the trace data, improving the quality of the refection event and our ability to accurately pick its arrival time and amplitude. We describe the variable reflector, a prototype instrument based on the reflector and numerical modeling performed to understand its response. We also show the results of testing applications to the measurement of wood chip moisture content and monitoring of the electrical properties of concrete during the curing process.

Airborne direct-detection and coherent wind lidar measurements over the North Atlantic in 2015 supporting ESA’s aeolus mission

The launch of the Aeolus mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) is planned for 2018. The satellite will carry the first wind lidar in space, ALADIN (Atmospheric Laser Doppler INstrument). Its prototype instrument, the ALADIN Airborne Demonstrator (A2D), was deployed during several airborne campaigns aiming at the validation of the measurement principle and optimization of algorithms. In 2015, flights of two aircraft from DLR & NASA provided the chance to compare parallel wind measurements from four airborne wind lidars for the first time.