Hierarchical behavior categorization using correlation based adaptive resonance theory

This paper introduces a new model for robot behavior categorization. Correlation based adaptive resonance theory (CobART) networks are integrated hierarchically in order to develop an adequate categorization, and to elicit various behaviors performed by the robot. The proposed model is developed by adding a second layer CobART network which receives first layer CobART network categories as an input, and back-propagates the matching information to the first layer networks. The first layer CobART networks categorize self-behavior data of a robot or an object in the environment while the second layer CobART network categorizes the robot's behavior with respect to its effect on the object. Experiments show that the proposed model generates reasonable categorization of behaviors being tested. Moreover, it can learn different forms of the behaviors, and it can detect the relations between them. In essence, the model has an expandable architecture and it contains reusable parts. The first layer CobART networks can be integrated with other CobART networks for another categorization task. Hence, the model presents a way to reveal all behaviors performed by the robot at the same time.     

Chemical changes of three native Turkish hazelnut varieties (Corylus avellana L.) during fruit development

Three native hazelnut varieties from Turkey, namely, Tombul, Palaz, and Badem, were examined for their proximate composition, minerals, and fatty acid profiles, as well as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and lipase activities during fruit development stages (early stage: ES, middle stage: MS, and harvest stage: HS). Proximate composition varied considerably (dry weight basis) from ES to MS. Fat was the predominant component at all stages and showed increasing trends. Six essential minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc) were analysed (dry weight basis). Consuming recommended daily amount of 42.5 g hazelnut at HS supplies 23.3–25.0% of phosphorus, 11.6–18.1% of magnesium, 7.0–18.9% of iron, 4.9–8.9% of zinc, 5.1–5.7% of calcium, and 5.1–5.3% of potassium for recommended dietary allowances or adequate intake for adults. Significant (P < 0.05) decreasing trends were found in all mineral contents from early development to maturity, with some exceptions. Sixteen fatty acids were identified, among which 18:1ω9 was by far the most predominant one, followed by 18:2ω6, 16:0, and 18:0. As expected, total monounsaturated fatty acids constituted the main group of fatty acids ranging from 75.51 to 81.07% in Tombul, from 78.21 to 82.71% in Palaz, and from 73.69 to 81.65% in Badem through the maturation stages. In contrast, total polyunsaturated fatty acids showed decreasing trends from ES to HS. No significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed in total saturated fatty acids at different maturation stages. Tombul variety had the lowest PPO activity compared to those of Palaz and Badem. Badem showed highest POD activity compared to Tombul and Palaz at three stages of maturation and significant decreases (P < 0.05) in all hazelnut samples were observed in POD activity from ES to HS. No lipase activity was detected in any hazelnut samples at ES and MS, except in Badem at MS. In contrast, lipase activity was detected in all hazelnut samples at HS. These results suggest that some proximate compositions, minerals, and fatty acids gave good indications during fruit development stages, whereas enzymatic activities of PPO, POD, and lipase behaved differently among varieties and fruit development stages.     

Microstructure and properties of Fe–Al intermetallic coatings on the low carbon steel synthesized by mechanical alloying

Fe–Al coating was obtained on low carbon steel substrates using mechanical alloying and subsequent heat treatment. Light optical microscopy and a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to conduct the microstructure characterization. Mechanical properties of the coatings were evaluated by microhardness measurements and wear tests. The corrosion behavior was determined by potentiodynamic polarization measurements in 3.5 % NaCl solution. The results of the mechanical and corrosion tests showed that the hardness and wear resistance of the coatings decreased with increasing the milling time, while increase in the milling time resulted in a significant increase in the thickness, porosity level, and corrosion resistance.     

Effects of prolonged heating on antioxidant activity and colour of honey

The kinetics of changes in total antioxidant activity as assessed by DPPH radical and brown pigment formation (BPF) in honey heated at different temperatures (50, 60 and 70 °C) for up to 12 days were studied. Antioxidant activity and BPF increased with treatment temperature and time. BPF increased following zero-order kinetics with the activation energy value of 122 kJ/mol⁻¹ at 50–70 °C. However, antioxidant activity variation showed different trends according to heating temperatures following second-order, first-order and zero-order kinetics at 50, 60 and 70 °C, respectively. Heating of honey at 70 °C was found to be more effective than 50 and 60 °C for both two parameters. The results demonstrated that antioxidant activity was correlated with increased browning of the samples.     

Dyeing of Wool and Cotton with Extract of the Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Leaves

The aim of the study is to investigate the optimum dyeing conditions for wool and cotton fabrics with the nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract. For this purpose, the leaves of the nettle were extracted with distilled water by using Soxhlet apparatus. Wool and cotton fabrics were pretreated with artificial animal urine system (AAUS) including NH₃ (3%, v/v), CaC₂O₄ (3%, m/v), and urea (3%, m/v) before dyeing processes in order to improve the fastness properties of the dyed samples. The best dyeing conditions were evaluated in terms of color strength. The results reveal that the nettle leaves shall probably be an important raw material especially for dyeing of wool fibers.     

Improved Ethanol Production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae with EDTA,Ferrocyanide and Zeolite X Addition to Sugar Beet Molasses

The influence of ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA), potassium ferrocyanide and zeolite X on ethanol production from sugar beet molasses by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. For all of the three substances used, the effect was more pronounced when added to the fermentation medium rather than to the growth medium; 1·9 mmol dm⁻³ potassium ferrocyanide caused an increase in the final ethanol concentration of about 16·4% and 47·5% with respect to control culture on addition to growth and fermentation media respectively. The greatest stimulation in product yield was obtained with zeolite X introduced during the fermentation stage; 8·0 g dm⁻³ zeolite X increased ethanol concentration by 53·3%. © 1997 SCI.     

Concanavalin A immobilized magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) beads for antibody purification

Concanavalin A (Con A) immobilized magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (mPGMA) beads in monosize and spherical for (1.62 μm in diameter) were used for the purification of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) from human plasma. Con A was immobilized by covalent binding onto the mPGMA beads. The maximum IgG adsorption on the mPGMA-Con A beads was observed at pH 6.0. The nonspecific IgG adsorption onto the plain mPGMA beads was very low (0.22 mg/g). Scatchard analysis of the adsorption isotherm for IgG on mPGMA-Con A beads showed an affinity constant (K_a) of 1.39 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and a theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of 109.1 mg/g. An apparent IgG adsorption capacity of 66.2 mg/g was observed under the experimental conditions. IgG adsorption capacity from human plasma was observed as 48.0 mg/g. The adsorption of human serum albumin from plasma was 2.0 mg/g. The total protein adsorption was determined to be 50.0 mg/g. IgG molecules could be repeatedly adsorbed and eluted with the mPGMA-Con A beads without noticeable loss in the IgG adsorption capacity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

EFFECT OF INITIAL MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE THIN LAYER DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZELNUTS DURING ROASTING

ABSTRACT

Effect of initial moisture content on the thin layer drying characteristics of hazelnuts during roasting was described for a temperature range of 100-160°C, using several thin layer equations. The effective diffusivity varied from 2.8×10^?7 to 21.5×10^?7m²/s over the temperature and moisture range. Temperature dependence of the diffusivity coefficient was described by Arrhenius-type relationship. The activation energy for moisture diffusion was found to be 2703 kJ/kg, 2289 kJ/kg and 2030 kJ/kg for the initial moisture content of 12.3% db, 6.14% db, and 2.41% db, respectively. Two-term equation gave better predictions than Henderson and Pabis and Thompson equations, and satisfactorily described thin layer drying characteristics of hazelnut roasting. A generalised mathematical model with the linear temperature dependence for moistured, non-treated and pre-dried hazelnuts were also developed.     

Tribo-material based on a UHMWPE/RGOC biocomposite for using in artificial joints

Reduced graphene oxide (RGOC) filler that was green synthesized by vitamin C had been included in the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrix to produce biocomposite possessing improved properties especially against wear. The biocomposites filled with different loading (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%) of RGOC was produced by a method of liquid phase ultrasonic mixing and then hot press molding. The structural analysis results of biocomposites showed that RGOC well-dispersed in polymer matrix and confirmed that there was interaction between the RGOC-UHMWPE. The biocomposite containing 2.0 wt% RGOC (UHMWPE/RGOC-2) gave the maximum microhardness and the value increased by 22. 5% compared with unfilled polymer. At the same RGOC content, the biocomposite had the highest thermal stability with residue content at 2.42%. The wear and friction behavior of biocomposites were carried out in a reciprocating friction testing machine under distilled water lubricating conditions. The UHMWPE/RGOC-2 biocomposite had the lowest friction coefficient value (0.034) and the wear rate of the biocomposite decreased by 44%, compared with that of unfilled UHMWPE. Furthermore, fatigue wear tracks were significantly reduced. This study suggests the use of this composite that had excellent tribological behavior as biomaterial instead of UHMWPE.     

A COMPARATIVE ADSORPTION/BIOSORPTION OF PHENOL TO GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON AND IMMOBILIZED ACTIVATED SLUDGE IN A CONTINUOUS PACKED BED REACTOR

The potential use of Mowital B30H resin immobilized dried activated sludge as a substitute for granular activated carbon for removing phenol from aqueous solution was examined in a continuous packed bed reactor as a function of flow rate and inlet phenol concentration. The working sorption pH value was determined as 1.0 for both the sorbents, and packed bed sorption studies were performed at this pH value. The maximum specific uptakes, total adsorbed quantities, and total removals of phenol related to the effluent volumes were determined by evaluating the breakthrough curves obtained at different flow rates and different inlet phenol concentrations for each sorbent. At the lowest flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and at the inlet phenol concentration of 500 mg/L, the maximum specific uptakes and total removals of phenol were 84.0 mg/g and 27.6%, respectively, for granular activated carbon and 9.0 mg/g and 9.3%, respectively, for immobilized dried activated sludge. Data confirmed that total removals of phenol decreased with increasing flow rate and inlet phenol concentration for both immobilized dried activated sludge and granular activated carbon systems.