O presente trabalho foi planejado com o objetivo de estudar os atributos do teste tuberculínico e da abreugrafia em confronto com o diagnóstico bacteriológico da tuberculose. A população de estudo foi constituída por 15.056 pessoas com 15 e mais anos de idade, matriculadas no Centro de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto durante 6 meses consecutivos em 1973. Constatou-se que o valor predictivo do teste tuberculínico negativo foi de 99,98 por cento e o valor predictivo positivo da abreugrafia foi de 14,45 por cento ; a realização de abreugrafia apenas em reatores fortes elevaria o seu valor predictivo positivo para 18,96 por cento melhorando consideravelmente a eficácia desse instrumento sem prejuízo da sua sensibilidade. Esses resultados permitem recomendar o emprêgo do teste tuberculínico em Saúde Pública visando a exclusão de tuberculose doença bem corno para a triagem de adultos para exame abreugráfico do tórax. / This study was designed to evaluate the tuberculin test and roentgenphotography attributes in comparison with the bacteriological diagnosis of tuberculosis. The study population consisted of 15.056 persons aged 15 or above, registered at the Health Center of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, during 6 consecutive months in 1973. It was observed that the predictive value of negative tuberculin test was of 99,98 per cent and the predictive value of abnormal roentgenphotography was of 14,45 per cent ; when the late was taken only of \"strong reactors\" its predictive positive value raised to 18,96 per cent , what increased its efficacy without impairing sensibility. These findings permit to recommend the use of the tuberculin test as a Public Health routine procedure to exclude tuberculosis disease in adults as well as a screening procedure for roentgenphotography examination.

A cadeia produtiva do leite pode favorecer a contaminação por Listeria monocytogenes bem como outras espécies de Listeria sp, e o leite cru pode servir de fonte de contaminação para a indústria e subprodutos. Fatores como saúde do animal, ordenhador, boas práticas de manejo e limpeza adequada de equipamentos e utensílios garantem um leite de melhor qualidade e com baixa contagem de coliformes. A refrigeração do leite é um aspecto importante implementado pela IN 51, na qual o leite cru deve permanecer a 4ºC na propriedade leiteira em tanques ou a 7ºC em latões, porém a esta temperatura pode ocorrer a proliferação de microrganismos psicrotróficos como as espécies de Listeria sp. Três Regiões A, B e C com 25 propriedades fornecedoras de leite para cada região foram caracterizadas por meio da aplicação de um questionário e avaliadas quanto à presença de Listeria monocytogenes, coliformes totais e E. coli em leite cru e avaliadas quanto a presença de Listeria sp em ambiente de ordenha. Foram avaliadas 287 amostras de leite cru, 10 Mechas de Moore e 49 amostras ambientais. As análises foram feitas de acordo com protocolo preconizado pelo FDA descrito no Bacteriological Analitycal Manual (BAM), com enriquecimento em BLEB e plaqueamento em meios Oxford e ALOA. A confirmação dos isolados foi feita em Kit Api Listeria. Das 75 fazendas estudadas, 77,3% (n=58) apresentaram condições insatisfatórias de produção de leite, higienização de equipamentos e infra-estrutura; 20% (n=15) em condições regulares e apenas 2,7% (n=2) em condições satisfatórias. Quanto à enumeração de coliformes totais, nas regiões A, B e C, as amostras de leite apresentaram 86% (n=85), 75% (n=71) e 72% (n=66) de contagens acima de 103 NMP/mL, respectivamente e E. coli esteve presente em 66% (região A) , 66% (região B) e 49% (região C) das amostras. Das amostras de leite cru em relação à presença de L. monocytogenes todas foram negativas. Das mechas de Moore todas foram negativas para Listeria sp e as amostras do ambiente de ordenha foram positivas em uma propriedade da região C em dois pontos, sendo eles: ralo e chão de ordenha representando 4,44% das amostras ambientais, sendo os isolados pertencentes à espécie Listeria innocua. Nas duas cepas foram feitas a análise por sorotipagem pela Fio Cruz/RJ e o resultado foi de sorotipo 6a e 6b. No ralo de ordenha foram testadas duas colônias sendo encontrados dois sorotipos diferentes 6a e 6b indicando a presença de dois sorotipos em uma mesma amostragem e no piso da sala de ordenha as duas colônias testadas foram do sorotipo 6a. Embora não tenha sido detectada a presença de L. monocytogenes, a presença de L. innocua nas amostras pode indicar presença presumida de L. monocytogenes visto que as mesmas apresentam características fisiológicas semelhantes e podem ocorrer no mesmo ambiente. Quanto à produção do leite, apesar da vigência da IN 51, as regiões estudadas ainda encontram-se, em geral, em condições precárias e são necessárias muitas mudanças para se obter um leite de melhor qualidade. / The production chain of milk may promote contamination by Listeria monocytogenes and other species of Listeria sp and raw milk can serve as a source of contamination for the industry and byproducts. Factors such as animal health, milker, good management practices and proper cleaning of equipment and utensils provide a better quality milk with low coliform counts. The cooling of milk is an important aspect introduced by the IN 51, in which the raw milk should remain at 4 °C in dairy farms in tanks or 7 °C in cans, but at this temperature can occur proliferation of psychrotrophic microorganisms, such as species of Listeria sp. Three regions A, B and C with 25 farms which supply milk for each region were characterized by applying a questionnaire and evaluated for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, coliforms and E. coli in raw milk and for the presence of Listeria sp in the milking environment. We evaluated 287 samples of raw milk, Moore 10 wicks and 49 environmental samples. Analyses were made according to a protocol recommended by the FDA as described in the Bacteriological Analitycal Manual (BAM), with enrichment and plating media Bleb Oxford and ALOA. Confirmation of isolates was done in Kit Api Listeria. Of the 75 farms studied, 77.3% (n = 58) showed unsatisfactory conditions of milk production, hygiene equipment and infrastructure, 20% (n = 15) on a regular basis and only 2.7% (n = 2 ) in satisfactory condition. As for the enumeration of coliforms, in regions A, B and C, milk samples showed 86% (n = 85), 75% (n = 71) and 72% (n = 66) scores above 103 MPN / mL, respectively, and E. coli was present in 66% (region A), 66% (region B) and 49% (region C) of the samples. All the raw milk samples were negative for the presence of L. monocytogenes. The fuses Moore were all negative for Listeria sp, and the environmental samples were positive for milking on a farm in the region C in two points, namely: the floor drain and milking, which represent 4.44% of environmental samples, and the isolates belong to the species Listeria innocua. In the two strains the analysis were made by serotyping, executed by Fio Cruz / RJ, and the results were serotype 6a and 6b. In the drain of milking two colonies were tested, founding two different serotypes, 6a and 6b, indicating the presence of two serotypes in the same sampling and floor in the parlor. The two colonies tested were of serotype 6a. Although not detected the presence of L. monocytogenes, the presence of L. innocua in samples may indicate presumed presence of L. monocytogenes since they have similar physiological characteristics and may occur in the same environment. For milk production, despite the validity of the IN 51, the regions studied are still generally in poor condition and many changes are necessary to achieve a better quality milk.

A aflatoxina M1 (AFM1) é um metabólito tóxico resultante da biotransformação da aflatoxina B1 e pode ser secretada no leite de animais que ingerem alimentos contaminados com esta última. Considerando os efeitos adversos que podem ocorrer devido à ingestão do produto contaminado e visto que as crianças, maiores consumidoras deste alimento, são potencialmente mais sensíveis que os adultos aos efeitos desta micotoxina, a avaliação da presença de AFM1 no leite se faz necessária. Durante o período de março a novembro de 2006 foram analisadas 48 amostras de leite cru provenientes de 8 propriedades fornecedoras de leite para uma Cooperativa de Leite da Serra Gaúcha e 80 amostras de leite UHT, provenientes de 7 marcas distintas, comercializadas em Porto Alegre (RS). A metodologia empregada na análise de aflatoxina M1 envolveu partição líquido-líquido na etapa de extração, uso de coluna de sílica gel na etapa de purificação e Cromatografia em Camada Delgada para a detecção. O limite de detecção foi de 10 ng e a avaliação da eficiência do método apresentou valor de 86% no teste de recuperação. Nas condições de trabalho e pelo método utilizado nenhuma das amostras analisadas foi positiva para a presença de AFM1, sugerindo que as mesmas encontram-se dentro das conformidades legais. / Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic metabolite resulting of the biotransformation of aflatoxin B1, and may be sectreted in milk of animals that consume foods contaminated with aflatoxin B1. Considering the adverse effects that can occur when foods contaminated are consumed, and since children, the greatest milk consumer are potentially more susceptible than adults to the effects of this mycotoxin, the evaluation of the presence of AFM1 in milk is necessary. From March to November of 2006 48 samples of raw milk from 8 dairy farms that integrate a Milk Cooperative of mountain region of Rio Grande do Sul and 80 samples of UHT milk from 7 different brands commercialized in Porto Alegre were analized. The mehodology employed for the analysis of aflatoxin M1 involved liquid-liquid partition on the extraction step, use of silic gel column for the purification step and Thin Layer Chromatography for the detection. The evaluation of the method efficiency present a value of 86% in the recovery test and the detection level was 10ng. Following analysis conditions and the method employed none of the samples analyzed were positive for the presence of aflatoxin M1, suggesting that samples analysed attend the legal conformities.

A indústria de pedras preciosas de Soledade/RS e região gera em seus processos de beneficiamento grande quantidade de rejeitos gemológicos, que acabam sendo depositados nos pátios das empresas, podendo causar danos ao meio ambiente. A gema de maior volume de beneficiamento na região é a ágata. Este trabalho propõe uma técnica para efetuar a reutilização de rejeitos oriundos do beneficiamento da ágata e transformá-los em matériaprima para a fabricação de objetos via impressão tridimensional a jato de tinta (3DP). Através da utilização de metodologia adequada para moagem e classificação dos rejeitos, foi possível obter pó com granulometria adequada ao processo. Foram efetuadas duas formulações de matéria-prima, utilizando o método de aglutinação orgânico, com material de ligação misturado ao pó e líquido de deposição reologicamente simples. Foram efetuados testes de bancada para interação entre o pó e o aglutinante, testes em equipamento de prototipagem rápida e confecção de corpos de prova, que mais tarde foram submetidos a medição e ensaios de resistência mecânica à flexão a 4 pontos. Das análises efetuadas, a primeira formulação não foi considerada satisfatória, pois teve grandes deformações durante a construção e manipulação e pós-tratamento. Já a segunda formulação alcançou a mesma resistência mecânica do material disponibilizado pelo fabricante, com coerência nas formas geométricas e desvios dimensionais reduzidos. Com a utilização desta nova matéria-prima, estima-se que o custo final de fabricação das peças seja reduzido em até 70%, viabilizando a utilização do processo por empresas de micro e pequeno porte. / The gem processing industries of Soledade/RS and region generate a large amount of waste which is eventually deposited in the companies’ grounds and may damage the environment. The gem with largest volume of processing in the region is the agate. This work is a review of the reuse of wastes of agate as raw materials for inkjet three-dimensional printing (3DP). Through the use of appropriate methodology for grinding and classification of waste it was possible to obtain powder with a particle size indicated to the process. Two formulations of raw material were made, using the organic binding method with the binder material mixed into the powder and using the deposition simple rheological liquid. Bench tests were performed for powder binder interaction, and equipment was used for produce of test specimens which were later subjected to measurement and testing of mechanical strength. Based on the analysis the first formulation was not considered acceptable as it had large deformations during construction, manipulation and post-treatment. The second formulation reached the same mechanical strength of the manufacturer material with consistency in geometric shapes and dimensional deviation. Using this new raw material the estimated final cost of parts manufacturing is reduced by 70% making the use of the process available to micro and small businesses.

A new approach to allocate environmental responsibility, the "value added-based responsibility" allocation, is presented in this article. This metric allocates total environmental pressures occurring along an international supply chain to the participating sectors and countries according to the share of value added they generate within that specific supply chain. We show that - due to their position in global value chains - certain sectors (e.g. services) and countries (e.g. Germany) receive significantly greater responsibility compared to other allocation approaches. This adds a new perspective to the discussions concerning a fair distribution of mitigation costs among nations, companies and consumers.

O Brasil destaca-se em relação ao uso de fontes renováveis de energia com 41 % da matriz energética (biomassa e hidráulica) contra apenas 13% da média mundial. Desta forma, o país tem uma excelente oportunidade para desenvolver e aperfeiçoar novas matrizes energéticas associadas à produção de combustíveis através de fontes renováveis e que emitam baixa quantidade de dióxido de carbono um dos principais responsáveis pelo efeito estufa. No Brasil, a utilização do biodiesel se torna ainda mais relevante uma vez que a matriz do transporte brasileiro é predominantemente rodoviária (58%) na frente do ferroviário que vem em seguida com apenas 25%. Ainda vale destacar a enorme frota de caminhões no Brasil. Dentre os combustíveis mais consumidos destaca-se o diesel 39%, na frente da gasolina utilizada pelos automóveis com apenas 15% em relação ao consumo total de todos os combustíveis líquidos utilizados no Brasil. Portanto, torna-se estratégico para o país investir em programas de incentivo na produção, bem como em pesquisas para o desenvolvimento de processos de menor custo para a produção do biodiesel. O principal objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar parâmetros importantes de diferentes matérias-primas lipídicas e biodieseis, analisando a estabilidade térmica e oxidativa, poder calorífico e número de cetano. Todos esses parâmetros visam estudar a qualidade de diferentes biodieseis que poderão ser utilizados em motores do ciclo Diesel. Para análise da estabilidade térmica e oxidativa foram utilizadas as técnicas termoanalíticas termogravimetria (TGA) e a calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) que são técnicas que trazem resultados bastante precisos e necessitam de pouca quantidade de amostra. Para o estudo do poder calorífico foi utilizada a calorimetria de combustão e para o estudo do número de cetano através de espectroscopia de infravermelho por Transforma de Fourier. Verificou-se que as composições de diferentes ácidos graxos constituintes da matéria-prima influenciam nessas propriedades. O óleo de babaçu se mostrou ser a melhor matéria-prima apresentando melhor estabilidade oxidativa e com menor gasto energético para produção de biodiesel por craqueamento térmico devido a grandes quantidades de ácidos graxos de cadeias curtas. O biodiesel de Tilápia etílico seguido do biodiesel de soja etílico apresentou as melhores estabilidades termo-oxidativa, índice de cetano e poder calorífico devido à grande quantidade de ésteres etílicos de cadeias longas. O estudo de blendas de biodiesel com diesel mineral mostrou que quanto maior a quantidade de biodiesel na blenda melhor a estabilidade térmica, número de cetano e índice de cetano. Porém, essa tendência se inverte em relação ao poder calorífico que diminue com a adição de biodiesel na blenda. / The Brazil walks to be an example regarding the use of renewable energy sources to 41% of energy sources (biomass and hydro) only 13% of the world average. Thus, the country has an excellent opportunity to develop and refine new energy matrices associated with the production of fuels from renewable sources that emit low amounts of carbon dioxide a major greenhouse. In Brazil, the use of biodiesel becomes even more relevant since the matrix of the Brazilian road transport is predominantly (58%) in superior of the railway\'s next with only 25%. Yet it is worth noting the huge fleet of trucks in Brazil. Among the most consumed fuel highlights the diesel 39%, ahead of the gasoline used by cars with only 15% in the total consumption of all liquid fuels used in Brazil. Therefore, is strategic for the countries invest in incentive programs in production as well as in research for the development of lower-cost processes for the production of biodiesel. The main objective of this work is to evaluate important parameters of different raw materials and lipid biodiesels, analyzing thermal and oxidative stability, calorific value and cetane number. All these parameters are aimed at studying the quality of different biodiesels that could be used in Diesel cycle engines. To analyze the thermal and oxidative stability, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques that is bringing quite accurate results and requires little amount of sample was used. To study the calorific value and combustion calorimetry for the study of cetane number by Fourier transform spectrometer was used. It has been found that the compositions of different constituent fatty acids of the raw material influence these properties. The babassu oil proved to be the best raw material showing better oxidative stability and lower energy consumption for biodiesel production by thermal cracking by having large amounts of short chain fatty acids. Biodiesel Tilapia followed by ethyl biodiesel ethyl soybeans had the best thermo-oxidative stability, cetane number and calorific value due to the large amount of ethyl esters of long chains. The study of blends of biodiesel with mineral diesel fuel showed that the greater the amount of biodiesel in the blend better thermal stability, cetane number and cetane index. However, this trend is reversed in relation to the calorific value only decreases with the addition of biodiesel in the blend.

[pt] Este trabalho tem como objeto de estudo a técnica do Tensegrity como solução alternativa para a redução de matéria - prima e energia no design de produtos Eco-sustentáveis. O seu objetivo é apresentar uma série de conceitos e teorias que possibilitem o maior entendimento sobre o assunto e, como conseqüência, permita o surgimento de novas possibilidades de produtos compatíveis com a racionalização de recursos e energia (o Eco-design). Para chegar ao objetivo, procedeu-se de estudos e análises bibliográficas referentes ao que seja Tensegrity e Ecodesign. A esses estudos foi somada a experimentação prática como forma de desenvolver e absorver as técnicas construtivas e as possibilidades projetuais do Tensegrity em relação ao Eco- design. Tais informações direcionam-se ao contexto educacional dos futuros designers, assim como de arquitetos e engenheiros. / [en] This work is intended to study tensegrity`s technique as a solution to ambiental buildings (constructions) and its relation with Eco-design. The goal is to present a series of concepts and theories that make possible the most agreement on the subject and, as a consequence, allows the emergence of new possibilities of compatible products with the rationalization of resources and energy (Eco-design). In order to reach these objectives, studies and analysis of the current bibliography were made, mainly under the key words tensegrity and eco- design. Practical experiments were added in order to develop and absorb construction techniques and project capabilities of tensegrity related to eco-design. This information could be useful for educational purposes of future designers, as well as architects and engineers.

The Aurignacian is a contentious time period in paleoanthropology. The myriad social changes which accompany the Upper Paleolithic transition have often become associated with the physical tools which Aurignacian people left behind. One result of this is the current tendency of professionals to use blade technology as an indicator of "modernity," rather than examining how changes accompanying the Upper Paleolithic transition made blades a useful adaptation. Of particular importance is the fact that the adoption of blades coincides with a long distance shift in the system used to procure and transport the lithic raw materials. This suggests that before we can use blades to answer anthropological questions about the Aurignacian, we need to establish the relationship between blade production and the acquisition of exotic raw materials. This dissertation combines an analysis of the lithic collection from the French archaeological site of Abri Cellier with the experimental fracture of lithic raw material samples in order to examine the impact of raw material quality on Aurignacian blade production. The analysis of the assemblage from Abri Cellier demonstrates that Aurignacian blades manufactured on exotic materials were of higher quality than those produced locally. The experimental fracture of raw material samples reveals that the differences in the quality of the exotic and local materials do not sufficiently account for the differences in the quality of the blades produced on them. This implies that the differential transport of high quality final products accounts for the increased quality of exotic blades at Abri Cellier. This research examines a number of new ways to evaluate quality in the archaeological record. More importantly, however, it firmly demonstrates that the acquisition of long distance raw materials was not a prerequisite for blade production in the Perigord. This work will conclude by arguing that blades played a role in increasing the maintainability of a hafted toolkit geared towards meeting the requirements of an increasingly mobile and collaborative Aurignacian population.

Growing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions have implied an increased attention to the development of renewable energy sources. Bioenergy from forest biomass is expected to be one of the cornerstones in reaching renewable energy targets, especially in forest-rich countries such as Sweden. However, forest biomass is a limited resource, and an intensified use of bioenergy could affect roundwood and forest products’ markets in several ways. The overall purpose of this thesis is to analyze price formation and resource allocation of forest raw materials in the presence of increased bioenergy demand. The empirical focus is on the competition for wood fibres between bioenergy use and the traditional forest industries, as well as synergy effects between the various sectors using forest raw materials. The methodologic approach is partial equilibrium modeling (forest sector model), and the geographical focus is on Sweden. The thesis comprises three self-contained articles, which all address the above issues. The first paper presents an economic assessment of two different policies – both implying an increased demand for forest ecosystem services – and how these could affect the competition for forest raw materials. A forest sector trade model is updated to a new base year (2016), and used to analyze the consequences of increased bioenergy use in the heat and power (HP) sector as well as increased forest conservation in Sweden. These overall scenarios are assessed individually and in combination. The results show how various forest raw material-using sectors are affected in terms of price changes and responses in production. A particularly interesting market impact is that bioenergy promotion and forest conservation tend to have opposite effects on forest industry by-product prices. Moreover, combining the two policies mitigates the forest industry by-product price increase compared to the case where only the bioenergy-promoting policy is implemented. In other words, the HP sector is less negatively affected in terms of increased feedstock prices if bioenergy demand target are accompanied by increased forest conservation. This effect is due to increasing pulpwood prices, which reduces pulp, paper and board production, and in turn mitiges the competition for the associated by-products. Overall, the paper illustrates the great complexity of the forest raw material market, and the importance of considering demand and supply responses within and between sectors in energy and forest policy designs. The second article investigates the forest raw material market effects from introducing second-generation transport biofuel (exemplified by Bio-SNG) production in Sweden. Increases in Bio-SNG demand between 5 and 30 TWh are investigated. The simulation results illustrate increasing forest industry by-product (i.e., sawdust, wood chips and bark) prices, not least in the high-production scenarios (i.e. 20-30 TWh). This suggests that increases in second-generation biofuel productions lead to increased competition for the forest raw materials. The higher feedstock prices make the HP sector less profitable, but very meagre evidence of substitution of fossil fuels for by-products can be found. In this sector, there is instead an increased use of harvesting residues. Fiberboard and particleboard production ceases entirely due to increased input prices. There is also evidence of synergy (“by-product”) effects between the sawmill sector and the use of forest raw materials in the HP sector. Higher by-product prices spur sawmills to produce more sawnwood, something that in turn induces forest owners to increase harvest levels. Already in the 5 TWh Bio-SNG scenario, there is an increase in the harvest level, thus suggesting that the by-product effect kicks in from start. Biofuels and green chemicals are likely to play significant roles in achieving the transition towards a zero-carbon society. However, large-scale biorefineries are not yet cost-competitive with their fossil-fuel counterparts, and it is therefore important to identify biorefinery concepts with high economic performance in order to achieve widespread deployment in the future. For evaluations of early-stage biorefinery concepts, there is a need to consider not only the technical performance and the process costs, but also the performance of the full supply chain and the impact of its implementation in the feedstock and products markets. The third article presents – and argues for – a conceptual interdisciplinary framework that can form the basis for future evaluations of the full supply-chain performance of various novel biorefinery concepts. This framework considers the competition for biomass feedstocks across sectors, and assumes exogenous end-use product demand and various geographical and technical constraints. It can be used to evaluate the impacts of the introduction of various biorefinery concepts in the biomass markets in terms of feedstock allocations and prices. Policy evaluations, taking into account both engineering constraints and market mechanisms, should also be possible. Overall, the thesis illustrates the importance of considering the market effects when designing and evaluating forest policies and bioenergy policy targets. The forest industry sector and the bioenergy sector are closely interlinked and can both make or break one another depending on the policy design. The results indicate that for an increased demand of bioenergy, an industrial transformation is to be expected, as well as increased roundwood harvest.

Methods for on-farm extraction of low-concentration (minor) proteins from raw whole bovine milk directly after milking were explored. These minor proteins have high commercial value. Lactoferrin (LF) and lactoperoxidase (LP) were used as model proteins for extraction using cation exchange chromatography. Laboratory fractionations showed that milk could be processed by conventional column chromatography without excessive column backpressures if resin with large particles sizes were used and the temperature was high enough so fat in the milk was malleable; ideally the milk should be near the secretion temperature of 37oC. Processing parameters such as equilibrium and dynamic capacities were determined for SP Sepharose ™ (GE Healthcare Technologies) and Bio Rex 70 (BioRad Laboratories) resins. SP Sepharose Big Beads (SP BB) were found to be more suitable than BR 70, for raw whole milk processing due to the larger size (200 um). Design considerations showed that column chromatography was not the most practical method for on-farm processing of fresh, raw whole milk. Trials with a single-stage stirred tank showed that SP BB resin could extract up to 65% of LF (initial LF concentration of 0.5 mg/mL) with a 10-minute adsorption time. The composite non-linear (CNL) model of Rowe et al. (1999) was used to describe LF uptake by SP BB resin in raw whole milk with initial LF concentrations of 0 to 1.0 mg/mL and resin:milk volume ratios of 0.010, 0.012, 0.017 and 0.024 over 45-minute contact times. The CNL model could be used to predict LF yields if initial feed concentration, milk and resin volumes, and contact times were known. Laboratory extractions showed that processing did not significantly affect bulk milk composition (fat, protein, lactose and total solids), indicating that the milk could be used for conventional processing after the minor proteins had been extracted. Resin cleaning and regeneration studies, using a procedure similar to that recommended by the resin supplier, showed that the Sepharose resin had not degraded and there was no significant decrease in binding capacity after 50 extraction cycles. A Protein Fractionation Robot (PFR) prototype based on a single-stage stirred tank and the operating parameters obtained from the laboratory trials was designed, assembled and coupled to an Automated Milking System (AMS) to process fresh, raw whole milk from individual cows immediately after milking. The LF and LP extracted from the milk from 16 individual cows were 19.7 - 55.2% (35.6 10.2%) and 21.2 - 99.5% (87.1 12.0%) respectively. Generally, higher extraction levels were obtained at higher resin:milk ratios. The amount of LF extracted on-farm agreed within 14.1 9.8% of those predicted by the CNL model, with predicted values generally being higher. The experimental on-farm adsorption values were calculated using data of LF recovered after elution, so differences between actual and predicted values may be due to losses during post-adsorption processing. Economic feasibility studies, based on experimental data from the PFR and realistic wholesale prices for LF and LP ($400 and $150/kg respectively) showed that PFR-based processing is economically viable if the farmer is paid for the LF and LP produced as well as the bulk milk. This system would have a payback period of approximately five years and an internal rate of return of 14.5%. Further case studies determined the sensitivity of the economics to various operating parameters and value/cost assumptions, including producing recombinant human protein from transgenic bovine milk. These studies showed that the higher the value of the processed raw milk, the higher the absorptive capacity of the resin, and the higher the value of the extracted protein, the more favourable the economics. In the extreme case of producing a very high value therapeutic protein (e.g. $20 000), the payback period could be as low as 0.3 years, with an internal rate of return of 818%.