Ranger System Research Articles

Machine learning and metabolic modelling assisted implementation of a novel process analytical technology in cell and gene therapy manufacturing

Process analytical technology (PAT) has demonstrated huge potential to enable the development of improved biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes by ensuring the reliable provision of quality products. However, the complexities associated with the manufacture of advanced therapy medicinal products have resulted in a slow adoption of PAT tools into industrial bioprocessing operations, particularly in the manufacture of cell and gene therapy products. Here we describe the applicability of a novel refractometry-based PAT system (Ranger system), which was used to monitor the metabolic activity of HEK293T cell cultures during lentiviral vector (LVV) production processes in real time. The PAT system was able to rapidly identify a relationship between bioreactor pH and culture metabolic activity and this was used to devise a pH operating strategy that resulted in a 1.8-fold increase in metabolic activity compared to an unoptimised bioprocess in a minimal number of bioreactor experiments; this was achieved using both pre-programmed and autonomous pH control strategies. The increased metabolic activity of the cultures, achieved via the implementation of the PAT technology, was not associated with increased LVV production. We employed a metabolic modelling strategy to elucidate the relationship between these bioprocess level events and HEK293T cell metabolism. The modelling showed that culturing of HEK293T cells in a low pH (pH 6.40) environment directly impacted the intracellular maintenance of pH and the intracellular availability of oxygen. We provide evidence that the elevated metabolic activity was a response to cope with the stress associated with low pH to maintain the favourable intracellular conditions, rather than being indicative of a superior active state of the HEK293T cell culture resulting in enhanced LVV production. Forecasting strategies were used to construct data models which identified that the novel PAT system not only had a direct relationship with process pH but also with oxygen availability; the interaction and interdependencies between these two parameters had a direct effect on the responses observed at the bioprocess level. We present data which indicate that process control and intervention using this novel refractometry-based PAT system has the potential to facilitate the fine tuning and rapid optimisation of the production environment and enable adaptive process control for enhanced process performance and robustness.

MOVING OBJECTS AWARE SENSOR MESH FUSION FOR INDOOR RECONSTRUCTION FROM A COUPLE OF 2D LIDAR SCANS

Abstract. Indoor mapping attracts more attention with the development of 2D and 3D camera and Lidar sensor. Lidar systems can provide a very high resolution and accurate point cloud. When aiming to reconstruct the static part of the scene, moving objects should be detected and removed which can prove challenging. This paper proposes a generic method to merge meshes produced from Lidar data that allows to tackle the issues of moving objects removal and static scene reconstruction at once. The method is adapted to a platform collecting point cloud from two Lidar sensors with different scan direction, which will result in different quality. Firstly, a mesh is efficiently produced from each sensor by exploiting its natural topology. Secondly, a visibility analysis is performed to handle occlusions (due to varying viewpoints) and remove moving objects. Then, a boolean optimization allows to select which triangles should be removed from each mesh. Finally, a stitching method is used to connect the selected mesh pieces. Our method is demonstrated on a Navvis M3 (2D laser ranger system) dataset and compared with Poisson and Delaunay based reconstruction methods.

Aerial VHF tracking of wildlife using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV): comparing efficiency of yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) nest location methods

Context Locating cryptic animals is an important aspect of many wildlife management programs and research studies. However, this process can be inefficient, time-consuming and expensive. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) or drones fitted with a camera are increasingly being used for counting and monitoring wildlife; however, these are often not suitable for cryptic species. Very high-frequency (VHF) radio-tracking is commonplace; however, single-channel VHF receivers mean that animals must be tracked individually, or scanning receivers must be used; but this raises the possibility of signals being missed. Aims We aimed to test the effectiveness of aerial VHF tracking using a multi-channel receiver for locating wildlife. Methods We tracked wildlife fitted with VHF transmitters operating on individual frequencies, by means of a UAV with a multi-channel VHF receiver to simultaneously monitor all frequencies. This offered distinct advantages over traditional single-channel scanning receivers. To test and compare this novel method, yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) were located on nests hidden under vegetation on Enderby Island in the New Zealand subantarctic, using manual ground searching, unassisted ground VHF tracking, as well as using location flights by the UAV Drone Ranger system. Key results The UAV system allowed for faster nest location than did all other methods, with a higher cumulative success (number of nests found each day) and lower search effort required (person hours per nest). Conclusions Aerial VHF tracking can greatly extend the search range and minimise search effort compared with ground VHF tracking or manual searching. Implications This technology has applications for locating and tracking a wide range of wildlife, particularly cryptic species that may be difficult to find using other methods.

322 - Application of stratophase ranger system and automated closed loop feeding control for T-cell therapy bioprocessing

322 - Application of stratophase ranger system and automated closed loop feeding control for T-cell therapy bioprocessing

Variable link equation parameters and expected photon returns for the HartRAO Lunar Laser Ranger - Improving our understanding of the Earth-Moon system

The HartRAO Lunar Laser Ranger (LLR) system requires a state-of-the-art software tool that enables optimal efficiency and signal path parameter estimation. The existing link budget equation estimates the number of returned photons for given conditions and LLR system parameters. This equation is one of the essential mathematical tools that can be considered when developing an integrated system and model for the LLR. The mathematical tool, still under development at HartRAO, can be used to estimate and visualize the relationship between the returned number of photons (observed and computed) and the varying link budget equation parameters. In this work, the tool is used to indicate “worse and optimal” parameter values which influence the return signal, presented as an estimate of expected number of returned photons for the HartRAO station. This is all done to achieve optimal efficiency in the LLR signal path in order to yield an improvement in the return-energy of the laser so that ranges to the lunar corner cube retroreflectors can be measured accurately. The geographic position of the HartRAO station, new state-of-the-art HartRAO LLR system under development and the expected number of returned photons will enable HartRAO to play a key role in improving the ranging accuracy to a sub-centimetre level. This will enhance the current effort to determine highly accurate Earth-Moon distances for various scientific purposes such as Lunar Ephemeris, determination of Universal Time and rate of change of the gravitational constant, G .

Thermal analysis of the LLR optical telescope tube assembly based in Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory

The Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory of South Africa is currently developing a lunar laser ranger (LLR) system based on a one metre aperture telescope in collaboration with National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Observatoire de la Cote d’Azur. This LLR will be an addition to a limited list of operating LLR stations globally and it is expected to achieve sub-centimetre range precision to the Moon. Key to this expectation including the overall telescope operational performance is thermal analysis of the telescope structure, based on the thermal properties of component materials and their interaction with the environment through conventional heat transfer mechanisms. This paper presents transient thermal simulation results of the telescope’s optical tube and one metre primary mirror in terms of thermal variations and consequent structural deformations. The results indicate that on a non-windy, cloud-free and winter day, the temperature gradients on the structure could be within 1 °C with respect to the temporal ambient air temperatures at the site when these are between 9 and 23 °C. Furthermore, these gradients were coupled with thermally-induced total deformations that vary between 2.9 and 40.7 μm of the assembled telescope components. In overall, these findings suggest that both the tube and especially the mirror may respond very slowly to ambient temperatures; however, correcting for structural thermal variations is imperative in maximizing the pointing accuracy of the telescope thereby increasing the chance being on-target with the retroreflectors located on the Moon surface.

Unraveling Hong Kong Geopark experience with visitor-employed photography method

Geoparks have been established around the world with the major objective of protecting significant geoheritage features and reinforcing geoconservation ideas and support through educating visitors. Understanding visitors' perception of geoheritage can inform educational and conservation endeavors. This study used the visitor-employed photography (VEP) method to unravel visitor perception of geoheritage and associated natural and cultural features in the recently designated Hong Kong Global Geopark of China (HKGP). Participants were asked to take photographs of scenes with an effect on their experience in the HKGP and to elaborate in a logbook the chosen subject, reason of choice, and effect on their travel experience. Aimed at capturing real-time and organic experiences, it was found that geoheritage plays a major role in HKGP visits. Visitors develop strong emotional connections with nature through appreciating and learning about prominent features of both small and landscape scales. However, a mismatch was found between visitor belief or incorrect geological or geomorphological knowledge with inherently strong enthusiasm in deciphering the science behind geoheritage. The findings permit development of a new approach of geopark interpretation, commencing with aesthetic and emotional connections with geoheritage features. Modification of fixed on-site provisions and guiding services directed at visitor interests can better spread geoheritage knowledge and reinforce geoconservation ideas. Modeling after overseas practices, a park ranger system, audio guide devices and smart phone applications are essential to achieve meritorious geopark management, appreciation, and enjoyment.

Caring for Country, a Form of Bureaucratic Participation. Conservation, Development, and Neoliberalism in Indigenous Australia

‘Conservation-as-development’ policies are increasingly implemented for and by Indigenous peoples across the world. In particular, such policies have been introduced and adopted in many Indigenous communities of northern Australia since the 1990s. In this context, the transnational model of community-based natural (and cultural) resource management has produced the ‘ranger system’: a multi-actor, multi-rationale, and multi-level system articulated around job opportunities in the domain of ‘caring for country’. In this paper, I explore how the ranger system reflects and extends a process of neoliberal bureaucratisation into Indigenous communities, and to what extent this process can be described as a form of ‘bureaucratic participation’. I argue that the notion of ‘bureaucratic participation’ contributes to the investigation of existing entanglements between rationales of empowerment and neoliberal principles in Australia and beyond. My analysis is based on the ethnography of the daily work of the Indigenous rangers operating from a remote community in Arnhem Land in 2009 and 2010. I examine the complex relationships between local practices and bureaucratic requirements imposed by the Australian state at the core of the Indigenous ranger jobs.

Community forests in Baden-Württemberg (Germany): A case study for successful Public-Public-Partnership

This paper examines the current situation and future prospects for community forestry in the south-west of Germany. A classification of functional types of community forests and a unique form of forest administration as an appropriate reaction to the intensive mixture of ownership types are explained. In most cases institutional support is more important than direct measure-related subsidies. The results of customer satisfaction analysis and indicators including participation in the state ranger system provide evidence that the model of Public-Public-Partnership (PuPuP) has proved successful. The role of various forest functions in the individual community is highlighted. High productivity in community forests, increasing wood consumption in the housing sector and increasing use for energy production suggest favourable prospects for community forestry in Baden-Wurttemberg. Equally important are efforts to increase technical efficiency of production. Improved stakeholder communication can result in a better perception of the importance of forestry. The paper also identifies relevant threats to community forestry. The increasing cost-price squeeze is one of the crucial risks for communal forest enterprises. Additionally, an anti-trust campaign of the timber industry endangers their market position. A reorganisation of the state forest administration will result in a lower level of financial and institutional support.

Precision ranger for measuring large mechanical components.

We present a precision laser ranger system for the measurement of large manufactured components and structures. The system was developed based on a beat-wave interferometry principle. The light source of this system is a frequency-stabilized laser with a frequency stability of 1 x 10(-7) (in open air) or 10(-8) (in the laboratory). The laser operates in two longitudinal modes, and the two modes are generated in common resonator; therefore the two beams are naturally coaxial. The precision ranger system does not need a long guide or any heavy machinery. In this system an adaptive filter and a wavelet-transform program are used to improve the measurement accuracy. The system described here has a measuring range of 0-20 m and a measuring uncertainty of 30 microm/10 m.