Prediction of Poultry Egg Freshness Using Vis-Nir Spectroscopy with Maximum Likelihood Method

Crucial physio-chemical changes occuring in eggs during storage after laying lead to loss of egg freshness. In this research, a new method for prediction of egg freshness using transmission visible near infrared spectroscopy was investigated. For this purpose 300 eggs were stored at two control conditions: refrigerator (4–5°C, 75%RH) and room (24–25°C, 40%RH) then by special egg holder, transmission spectroscopy was measured. For two eggs groups, 25 eggs in each group, in six days were tested by spectroscopy, after that Haugh unit and air cell height was measured directly. The non-destructive visible near infrared spectroscopy spectral measurements from 300 to 1100 nm (832 length of wave) were done as well as Haugh unit, air cell height for each egg and created the database for both environments. Finally a maximum likelihood latent root regression algorithm was developed to predict Haugh unit and air cell height by spectrum observation. The database was randomly divided into two parts. Training data, was used for maximum likelihood latent root regression parameter tuning and training of the model and testing data, was used just for model evaluation. Results indicated that maximum likelihood latent root regression method showed good prediction ability with coefficient of determination (R²) value up to 0.82 and 0.86 for Haugh unit and air cell height, respectively for testing data set. The results showed this method was better in comparison with partial least square regression (R² up to 0.79 and 0.72 for air cell height and Haugh unit) which was already used for this prediction.     

Effect of long-term service exposure on microstructure and mechanical properties of Alloy 617

The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of long-term service exposure on microstructure and mechanical properties of a gas turbine hot gas path component, made of Alloy 617. The results showed significant service-induced microstructural changes, such as excessive grain boundary Cr-rich M₂₃C₆ carbides formation and some oxidation features in the exposed material in compare with the solution-annealed material. Also it was found that the yield strength and hardness of the alloy have increased while the ductility of the alloy has decreased. In the similar test conditions, the stress-rupture life of the exposed alloy decreased considerably compared to the solution-annealed sample, which could be attributed to the microstructural degradation, especially formation of continuous M₂₃C₆ carbides on grain boundaries.     

Investigation of hydrogen production reaction kinetics for an iron-silica magnetically stabilized porous structure

In this study the hydrogen production for a laboratory scale iron-based magnetically stabilized porous structure is experimentally investigated for temperature and steam superficial velocities ranging from 600 to 800 °C and 5–25 cm/s, respectively. A reaction kinetic model is proposed, and the important non-dimensional parameters describing the physical characteristics of the reactor are determined. A numerical code is developed to solve the species transport and the substrate conservation equations along the reactor in order to calibrate the kinetic model. A parametric study of the model is conceived and the activation energy, order of the reaction, and the best form of the reaction rate model are determined from experiments. The calibrated model shows very good agreements between the predicted and measured hydrogen production rates. A dimensionless parameter is introduced as the reactor effectiveness, and is utilized to find the operating conditions for which the reactor effectiveness is the highest. This highly reactive structure is very suitable for industrial applications, and the model can provide an excellent tool for designing and controlling larger scale reactors.     

Probabilistic slope stability analysis in Kahrizak landfill: effect of spatial variation of MSW’s geotechnical properties

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - The geotechnical properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills vary considerably depending on the composition, time, and the rate of...     

Nanocomposites of PVC/TiO2 nanorods: Surface tension and mechanical properties before and after UV exposure

In this study, nanocomposites of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), using the synthesized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanorods and commercial nanopowder of titanium dioxide (Degussa P25) were produced by melt blending. The presence of TiO₂ nanorods in PVC matrix led to an improvement in mechanical properties of PVC nanocomposites in comparison with unfilled PVC. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of PVC nanocomposites were investigated by measuring their structural change evaluations, surface tension, and mechanical properties before and after UV exposure for 500 h. It was found that mechanical and physical properties of PVC nanocomposites are not reduced significantly after UV exposure in the presence of TiO₂ nanorods in comparison with the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles, which can be due to the amorphous structure of the synthesized nanorods. Therefore, it can be concluded that TiO₂ nanorods led to an improvement in photostability and mechanical properties of PVC nanocomposites. The interfacial adhesion between TiO₂ nanorods and PVC matrix was also investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Incentive regulation of electricity distribution networks: Lessons of experience from Britain

This paper reviews the recent experience of the UK electricity distribution sector under incentive regulation. The UK has a significant and transparent history in implementing incentive regulation in the period since 1990. We demonstrate the successes of this period in reducing costs, prices, and energy losses while maintaining quality of service. We also draw out the lessons for other countries in implementing distribution sector reform. We conclude by discussing the place of incentive regulation of networks within the wider reform context, the required legislative framework, the need for appropriate unbundling, the importance of quality of service incentives, the regulatory information requirements, and the role of sector rationalisation.     

Effects of carbon‐coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a photostabilizer on the photodegradation of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, nanocomposites of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC) using the synthesized carbon‐coated titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and commercial powder of titanium dioxide (with rutile structure) were prepared by melt blending. The presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles with rutile structure in UPVC matrix led to an improvement in photo stability of UPVC nanocomposites in comparison with commercial UPVC. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of nanocomposites was investigated by measuring their structural changes, surface tension, and mechanical and morphological properties before and after UV exposure for 700 h. It was found that mechanical and physical properties of UPVC nanocomposites are not considerably reduced after UV exposure in the presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles even in small percentage of nanoparticles in comparison with the presence of commercial TiO₂ particles. Therefore, it can be concluded that UPVC/TiO₂ nanocomposite with low content of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles(0.25 wt %) illustrated high stability under light exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40228.     

The case for a new energy research,development and promotion policy for the UK

This paper is a critical assessment of the current balance of efforts towards energy research and development (R&D) and the promotion of low-carbon electricity technologies in the UK. We review the UK's main technological options and their estimated cost ranges in the medium term. We contrast the energy R&D spending with the current and expected future cost of renewable promotion policies and point out the high cost of carbon saving through existing renewable promotion arrangements. We also note that liberalisation of the electricity sector has had significant implications for the landscape of energy R&D in the UK. We argue that there is a need for reappraisal of the soundness and balance of the energy R&D and renewable capacity deployment efforts towards new energy technologies. We suggest that the cost-effectiveness of UK deployment policies needs to be more closely analysed as associated costs are non-trivial and expected to rise. We also make a case for considering increasing the current low level of energy R&D expenditure. Much of energy R&D is a public good and we should consider whether the current organisation of R&D effort is fit for purpose. We argue that it is important to build and maintain the research capability in the UK in order to absorb spillovers of technological progress elsewhere in the world. Against this background, the recent signs that an energy R&D renaissance could be underway are therefore positive and welcome.     

Machining stability in high-speed drilling—Part 1: Modeling vibration stability in bending

In this work, dynamic models for chatter in drilling are developed that deal with the transverse vibration due to bending, and the axial vibration due to torsion. In the first part, a dynamic model is developed to obtain the limit of stability for the bending vibration mode. The equations of motion are formulated based on a lumped representation of the drill, and the gyroscopic effect due to the rotation of the tool is included. It is shown that, including this gyroscopic effect has a profound effect on the resulting stability lobes, especially at very high speeds; it makes the lobes wider but at the same time lowers the minimum stability boundary. In the second part of this work, a time domain simulation model is developed that combines both bending and torsion modes. This model is verified [1] using experimental cutting tests.