Implicit Brushes for Stylized Line‐based Rendering

We introduce a new technique called Implicit Brushes to render animated 3D scenes with stylized lines in realtime with temporal coherence. An Implicit Brush is defined at a given pixel by the convolution of a brush footprint along a feature skeleton; the skeleton itself is obtained by locating surface features in the pixel neighborhood. Features are identified via image‐space fitting techniques that not only extract their location, but also their profile, which permits to distinguish between sharp and smooth features. Profile parameters are then mapped to stylistic parameters such as brush orientation, size or opacity to give rise to a wide range of line‐based styles.     

Development of a questionnaire to assay recalled liking for salt,sweet and fat

Liking for a sweet, salty or fatty diet may induce overconsumption of simple carbohydrates, sodium or lipids. Measuring overall liking of the corresponding sensory sensations contributes to understanding the determinants of dietary behaviours. However, no standardized validated questionnaire assaying these sensations is currently available. In the present study, we developed a web-based questionnaire, “PrefQuest”, which measures recalled liking for the following four sensations: salt, fat and salt, sweet, fat and sweet. PrefQuest included four types of items: (1) liking for sweet, fatty-sweet and fatty-salty foods, (2) preferences in the level of seasoning by adding salt, sweeteners, or fat, (3) preferences for types of dishes in a restaurant menu and (4) overall questions about sweet-, salt- and fat-related behaviours. A development study (n = 198) demonstrated that PrefQuest was feasible, well-perceived, only lasted about 20 min and that items were repeatable (overall mean intra-class correlation coefficient: 0.77, SD 0.08). Construct validity was then evaluated on a larger population sample (n = 47 803). The underlying structure within each of the four sensations was determined by exploratory factor analysis and then internally validated by confirmatory factor analysis. After a selection of the most relevant items, the salt, fat-and-salt, sweet, and fat-and-sweet scales exhibited a theoretically meaningful factor structure, unidimensional for the salt scale and with interrelated sub-dimensions for the sweet, fat-and-salt, and fat-and-sweet scales. Based on the fat-and-sweet and fat-and-salt scales, a fat model was also unveiled. For each factor, internal consistency as well as convergent and divergent validities were demonstrated. Overall, PrefQuest is an internally valid and original tool that can be used to assay recalled liking for sweet, salt, and fat considered altogether or separately as fat and salt or fat and sweet, and can be applied to large population surveys.     

Evaluation of interconnected production sites taking into account multidimensional uncertainties

The production sites of international companies are becoming increasingly interconnected. Due to the uncertainty of multiple factors, determining a location is a strategic choice entailing high financial risk. For this reason, a method for site evaluation was developed allowing multidimensional, i.e., both quantitative and qualitative, uncertainties to be taken into account. The uncertainties are modeled with both probability and fuzzy-set theory and integrated into a modular-structured monetary calculation model. For the analysis and interpretation of evaluation results, methods have been developed which allow risk assessment. The developed method provides a way to handle existing location risks and can thus ensure the success of manufacturing companies in the long term.     

Reproducing ten years of road ageing — Accelerated carbonation and leaching of EAF steel slag

Reuse of industrial aggregates is still hindered by concern for their long-term properties. This paper proposes a laboratory method for accelerated ageing of steel slag, to predict environmental and technical properties, starting from fresh slag. Ageing processes in a 10-year old asphalt road with steel slag of electric arc furnace (EAF) type in the subbase were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and leaching tests. Samples from the road centre and the pavement edge were compared with each other and with samples of fresh slag. It was found that slag from the pavement edge showed traces of carbonation and leaching processes, whereas the road centre material was nearly identical to fresh slag, in spite of an accessible particle structure. Batches of moisturized road centre material exposed to oxygen, nitrogen or carbon dioxide (CO₂) were used for accelerated ageing. Time (7-14 days), temperature (20-40 °C) and initial slag moisture content (8-20%) were varied to achieve the carbonation (decrease in pH) and leaching that was observed in the pavement edge material. After ageing, water was added to assess leaching of metals and macroelements. 12% moisture, CO₂ and seven days at 40 °C gave the lowest pH value. This also reproduced the observed ageing effect for Ca, Cu, Ba, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ca (decreased leaching) and for V, Si, and Al (increased leaching). However, ageing effects on SO₄, DOC and Cr were not reproduced.     

HIx system thermodynamic model for hydrogen production by the Sulfur–Iodine cycle

The HI_x ternary system (H₂O–HI–I₂) is the latent source of hydrogen for the Sulfur–Iodine thermo-chemical cycle. After analysis of the literature data and models, a homogeneous approach with the Peng–Robinson equation of state used for both the vapor and liquid phase fugacity calculations is proposed for the first time to describe the phase equilibrium of this system. The MHV2 mixing rule is used, with UNIQUAC activity coefficient model combined with of hydrogen iodide solvation by water. This approach is theoretically consistent for HI_x separation processes operating above HI critical temperature. Model estimation is done on selected literature vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid, vapor–liquid–liquid and solid–liquid equilibrium data for the ternary system and the three binaries subsystems. Validation is done on the remaining literature data. Results agree well with the published data, but more experimental effort is needed to improve modeling of the HI_x system.     

Bunsen section thermodynamic model for hydrogen production by the sulfur–iodine cycle

A model for the Bunsen section of the Sulfur–Iodine thermo-chemical cycle is proposed, where sulfur dioxide reacts with excess water and iodine to produce two demixing liquid aqueous phases (H₂SO₄ rich and HI rich) in equilibrium. Considering the mild temperature and pressure conditions, the UNIQUAC activity coefficient model combined with Engels' solvation model is used. The complete model is discussed, with HI solvation by water and by iodine as well as H₂SO₄ solvation by water, leading to a very high complexity with almost hundred parameters to be estimated from experimental data. Taking into account the water excess, a successful reduced model with only 15 parameters is proposed after defining new apparent species. Acids total dissociation and total H⁺ solvation by water are the main assumptions. Results show a good agreement with published experimental data between 25 °C and 120 °C.     

Integrated, computer-aided order fulfillment

The process for producing bank checks is well established, and semi automated systems for doing so have been in place for several years. However, these legacy systems are now having difficulty meeting new customer demands. To support greater product variability and responsiveness to new customer requirements, our company (Deluxe Corp.) decided to reexamine its current process with an eye to increased automation. The resulting Post Press System replaced highly labor-intensive, inflexible check order processing and fulfillment with an approach that integrates flexible manufacturing with real time, object database concepts. Several months after initial deployment, the benefits of this integration are significant. Our company can process new orders more quickly, with higher accuracy, and at lower cost. The system also allows rapid order cancellation. Further, the new plastic wrap provides a tamper-evident package, a security feature of paramount importance to our clients. In addition, the PPS's modularity facilitates its rapid deployment in a new factory setting. Deluxe's investment in the PPS's design and deployment has been repaid in cost and time savings. The new architecture has laid the foundation for further manufacturing process automation-beyond order fulfillment and packaging. It provides an interface to new manufacturing technologies and helps Deluxe and its clients implement innovative marketing techniques     

Antimicrobial Activity of Nisin and Natamycin Incorporated Sodium Caseinate Extrusion‐Blown Films: A Comparative Study with Heat‐Pressed/Solution Cast Films

Antimicrobial edible films based on sodium caseinate, glycerol, and 2 food preservatives (nisin or natamycin) were prepared by classical thermomechanical processes. Food preservatives were compounded (at 65 °C for 2.5 min) with sodium caseinate in a twin‐screw extruder. Anti‐Listeria activity assays revealed a partial inactivation of nisin following compounding. Thermoplastic pellets containing food preservatives were then used to manufacture films either by blown‐film extrusion process or by heat‐press. After 24 h of incubation on agar plates, the diameters of K. rhizophila growth inhibition zones around nisin‐incorporated films prepared by solution casting (control), extrusion blowing or heat pressing at 80 °C for 7 min of nisin‐containing pellets were 15.5 ± 0.9, 9.8 ± 0.2, and 8.6 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. Since heat‐pressing for 7 min at 80 °C of nisin‐incorporated pellets did not further inactivate nisin, this indicates that nisin inactivation during extrusion‐blowing was limited. Moreover, the lower diameter of the K. rhizophila growth inhibition zone around films prepared with nisin‐containing pellets compared to that observed around films directly prepared by solution casting confirms that nisin inactivation mainly occurred during the compounding step. Natamycin‐containing thermoplastic films inhibited Aspergillus niger growth; however, by contrast with nisin‐containing films, heat‐pressed films had higher inhibition zone diameters than blown films, therefore suggesting a partial inactivation of natamycin during extrusion‐blowing.