Fuzzy cost support vector regression on the fuzzy samples

This paper presents a new version of support vector regression (SVR) named Fuzzy Cost SVR (FCSVR) with a unique property of operating on fuzzy data where fuzzy cost (fuzzy margin and fuzzy penalty) are maximized. This idea admits to have uncertainty in the penalty and margin terms jointly. Robustness against noise is shown to be superior in the experimental results as a property compared with conventional SVR.     

Effects of different filling media on the oxidation and lipid quality of canned silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

The influence of four different filling media (sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil and brine) on the oxidation and lipid quality of canned silver carp was evaluated. Hydrolytic rancidity showed that free fatty acid contents in brine and soybean oil canned muscle were higher than olive oil or sunflower oil canned samples. Conjugated diene (CD) levels in soybean oil canned samples increased but the highest CD values were found in canned silver carp using brine as filling medium. Except for olive oil canned muscle, significant increase in thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values was obtained. The highest TBA value was observed in soybean oil canned sample. Canning led to exchange of fatty acids between the fat in the silver carp muscle and the filling media used. Results indicate that the fat composition of canned silver carp tends to be similar to that of the fat used as filling media.     

Solving infinite horizon nonlinear optimal control problems using an extended modal series method

This paper presents a new approach for solving a class of infinite horizon nonlinear optimal control problems (OCPs).In this approach,a nonlinear two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP),derived from P...     

Using Coal Fly Ash and Wastewater for Microwave Synthesis of LTA Zeolite

The reuse of industrial wastes from a coal‐fired power plant and a plasma electrolytic oxidation process was attempted to realize a zero discharge. The batch composition was adjusted by adding sodium hydroxide and sodium aluminate. A single‐mode microwave oven equipped with reflux condenser was used for crystallization under atmospheric pressure. The synthesized samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, BET, thermogravimetric analysis, and cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) measurement. Analytical results indicated that Na‐A zeolite with a defined maximum crystallinity could be successfully synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of fly ash with wastewater. Due to the high CEC, the product can be applied for gas purification and soil remediation processes.     

Development of healthy extruded maize snacks; Effects of soybean flour and feed moisture content

The main aim of this research was to introduce a green and clean method of increasing the nutritional quality while preserving the quality of extruded maize snacks. This was achieved by addition of soybean flour (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, w/w) as a source of plant protein, fibre and bioactive compounds and changing the feed moisture content. Extruded samples were produced using a single-screw extruder. Increasing the soybean flour and feed moisture content resulted in reduced specific mechanical energy of the extruder and consequently several changes in physicochemical properties of the snacks including higher moisture content, lower expansion and volume, reduced crispiness, reduction in L-and a-values but an increase in b-value and formation of more wrinkly and thicker air bubbles cell walls as observed under scanning electron microscope. The addition of <20% soybean flour and feed moisture content resulted in snacks with improved nutritional value and physical properties.     

Photocatalysis of xenobiotic organic compounds in greywater using zinc oxide nanoparticles: a critical review

The direct discharge of raw bathroom greywater has increased the concentrations of various pollutants in the water bodies. Typically, greywater contains large quantities of xenobiotic organic compounds (XOCs) owing to an increase in consumption of personal care and bath products. Therefore, it urges for a suitable technology to eliminate these compounds from contaminated waters. Photocatalytic degradation using Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has the potentiality to eliminate various XOCs. However, ZnO NPs have high tendency to aggregate, which may lower the photocatalytic degradation rate. Therefore, there is an urgency to modify ZnO NPs to overcome the limitation. The present review was conducted to determine a suitable method for the modification ZnO NPs. Besides, the potential of the modified ZnO NPs in degrading XOCs in greywater as a photocatalyst was also discussed.     

Preparation of Tethered Half-Titanocene Complex on Syndiotactic Poly(styrene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-methylstyrene) for Using in Syndiospecific Polymerization of Styrene

Abstract  

In this work the syndiotactic polystyrene copolymer, poly (styrene-co-p-methylstyrene) was prepared by the copolymerization of styrene and p-methylstyrene with cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride/methylaluminoxane catalyst. This copolymer was functionalized with silyl-hydride groups. The structure of copolymer and functionalized copolymer were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The obtained results revealed that the functionalization reaction successfully proceeds at low temperatures. Tethering of half-titanocene complex on polymeric support was done by the hydrosilylation reaction of 1-allylindenyltrichlorotitanium with silyl-hydride functionalized copolymer in the presence of Karstedt catalyst as a coupling reagent. The polymer-supported catalyst was tested for syndiospecific polymerization of styrene using methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst. The results of styrene polymerization showed that the polymer-supported catalyst exhibited high activity for syndiospecific polymerization of styrene. The polymer prepared with supported catalyst was characterized by carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results confirmed the syndiotacticity of obtained polymers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the δ-form crystalline structure of obtained syndiotactic polystyrene.     

Transparent nanostructured coatings with UV-shielding and superhydrophobicity properties

Visible light transparent, UV-shielding and superhydrophobic nanostructured coatings have been successfully fabricated through a facile layer-by-layer deposition of TiO(2) and SiO(2) nanoparticles. The coatings are composed of an underlying UV-shielding TiO(2) layer and a top fully covered protective SiO(2) layer. The resulting coatings can block 100% of UVB and UVC and almost 85% of UVA. The fabricated surfaces have contact angles exceeding 165° after coating with organic PTES (1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane) molecules. The transparent superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit extremely strong UV stability. All coatings retain the initial UV-shielding and superhydrophobic properties even after exposure to 275 nm UV light with a light intensity of 75 mW cm(-2) for 12 h.     

Experimental evaluation of seismic performance of low‐shear strength masonry infills with openings in reinforced concrete frames with deficient seismic details

The influence of openings on lateral behaviour of low‐shear strength masonry infilled reinforced concrete frames is investigated. The design of the reinforced concrete frames in this study are aimed to reflect common seismic design deficiencies, such as location of lap splices at bottom of columns, insufficient transverse reinforcements at column and beam ends and lack of stirrups at beam‐column joints. Six half‐scale single‐storey, single‐bay frame specimens were tested under in‐plane lateral loading. The investigated parameters include shape (window and door), size (regular and large windows) and location of the openings (eccentric and central). The results indicate that presence of openings alters the failure mode, increases the damage level and reduces ductility, strength and stiffness of the infilled frame. The door opening led to reductions of 29% in strength, 34% in the effective stiffness and 23% in the energy dissipation capacity. The window openings led to average reductions of 23% in strength, 8% in effective stiffness and 11% in the energy dissipation capacity. Empirical equations are proposed for estimating overall reductions in stiffness and strength of infilled frames because of the presence of openings, which take into account the effects of size, shape and location of openings. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of autochthonous starter cultures isolated from Siahmazgi cheese on physicochemical,microbiological and volatile compound profiles and sensorial attributes of sucuk,a Turkish dry-fermented sausage

The effect of adding autochthonous starter cultures isolated from Siahmazgi cheese, on the physicochemical parameters and microbial counts of sucuk was investigated during the ripening period. SPME–GC/MS was used in volatile compound analysis and a trained group of panelists carried out sensory analysis of the final product. After preliminary screening, three strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, which possess desirable technological properties, were used to prepare three starter cultures: LBP7, LBP10 and LBP14. The addition of LBP7 and LBP14 starter cultures had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on lightness, leading to higher L values compared to control sausages during the ripening period. Both LBP7 and LBP14 sausages showed higher counts of lactic acid bacteria, lower growth of Enterobacteriaceae and Gram-positive catalase-positive cocci and greatly lowered the pH value compared to control sausages throughout the ripening process. At the end of the ripening process, lactic acid bacteria counts were affected (P < 0.05) by the addition of starter culture since higher counts were observed in sausages prepared with LBP7 (9.14 log CFU/g) and LBP14 (8.96 log CFU/g) batches. The decrease of water activity during the ripening of sausages was not affected by the various starters. The texture profiles of all sausages were similar except for LBP10, which showed lower hardness and gumminess during ripening. Under the conditions of the study, volatile compounds were mainly from spices, and no marked differences were found among inoculated sausages. However, sensory evaluation revealed that most of the sensory attributes were scored higher for inoculated sausages than for the control ones. Therefore, LBP7 and LBP14 could be promising candidates for inclusion as starter cultures for the manufacture of sucuk.