Reweighting anthropometric data using a nearest neighbour approach

When designing products and environments, detailed data on body size and shape are seldom available for the specific user population. One way to mitigate this issue is to reweight available data such that they provide an accurate estimate of the target population of interest. This is done by assigning a statistical weight to each individual in the reference data, increasing or decreasing their influence on statistical models of the whole. This paper presents a new approach to reweighting these data. Instead of stratified sampling, the proposed method uses a clustering algorithm to identify relationships between the detailed and reference populations using their height, mass, and body mass index (BMI). The newly weighted data are shown to provide more accurate estimates than traditional approaches. The improved accuracy that accompanies this method provides designers with an alternative to data synthesis techniques as they seek appropriate data to guide their design practice.Practitioner Summary: Design practice is best guided by data on body size and shape that accurately represents the target user population. This research presents an alternative to data synthesis (e.g. regression or proportionality constants) for adapting data from one population for use in modelling another.     

Cross-layer based multiclass intrusion detection system for secure multicast communication of MANET in military networks

Wireless Networks - Multicast communication of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET), rather than multiple unicast communication, delivers common content to more than one receiver at a time. Due to...     

Tenderness and flavor of leg cuts from meat goats influenced by calcium chloride injection

This study was conducted to assess the potential of improving tenderness of chevon using calcium chloride (CaCl₂) injection and its effect on the palatability characteristics of chevon. Primal leg cuts from meat goats were allotted to one of four treatments: either no injection (control) or injection with water, CaCl₂ (food grade, 2.2% w/v), or CaCl₂ plus a spice mix. The CaCl₂ injection improved tenderness of goat leg cuts, proven by Warner–Bratzler shear force values and sensory panels. Furthermore, panelists were not able to detect off-flavor problems associated with CaCl₂ injection. When CaCl₂ was injected into goat leg cuts with the beef spice mixture, it resulted in a more desirable flavor. Calcium injection did not influence flavor volatile compounds in cooked chevon leg cuts. The results indicate that CaCl₂ plus spice mix injection can be applied to improve tenderness of goat meat without detrimental effects on other sensory characteristics.     

Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide over calcined cobalt aluminum hydrotalcites

Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide has been carried out over calcined cobalt aluminum hydrotalcites of general formula [Co_1−xAl_x(OH)₂[CO₃]_x/2 H₂O where x = 0.25–0.33 at 50 Torr (1 Torr = 133 Pa) initial pressure of N₂O in a static glass recirculatory reactor (130 cc) in the temperature range 150–280°C. All catalysts showed a first order dependence in N₂O without significant oxygen inhibition. The activity increased with an increase in cobalt concentration present in the sample. The catalyst precursor synthesized under low supersaturation (LS) exhibited a higher activity than the precursor synthesized by sequential precipitation (SP) method. The observed trend in the activity is explained based on the surface concentration of cobalt, determined by XPS and matrix effects. Prior to catalytic studies, the fresh and calcined samples were characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as XRD, FT–IR, TG–DSC, TEM (with EDAX) and BET surface area measurements.     

Performance analysis of low heat rejection diesel engine,using Mahua oil bio fuel

In the present investigation, the effect of thermal barrier coated piston on the performance and emission characteristics of mahua-biodiesel-fuelled diesel engine was studied and compared with those of neat diesel fuel. The piston, cylinder walls and the valves of the engine were coated with 0.25?mm thickness of Al₂O₃ material without affecting the compression ratio of the engine. Experiments were conducted using diesel and biodiesel blend (B20) in the engine with and without coating. The results revealed that specific fuel consumption was decreased by 8.5% and the brake thermal efficiency was increased by 6.2% for biodiesel blend with coated engine compared with the base engine with neat diesel fuel. The exhaust emissions CO, NO_x and HC emissions were also decreased for biodiesel blend with coated engine compared with base engine.     

Occurrence of eight bisphenol analogues in indoor dust from the United States and several asian countries: implications for human exposure

Bisphenol A has been reported to be a ubiquitous contaminant in indoor dust, and human exposure to this compound is well documented. Information on the occurrence of and human exposure to other bisphenol analogues is limited. In this study, eight bisphenol analogues, namely 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BPA), 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (BPAF), 4,4'-(1-phenylethylidene)bisphenol (BPAP), 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane (BPB), 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane (BPF), 4,4'-(1,4-phenylenediisopropylidene)bisphenol (BPP), 4,4'- sulfonyldiphenol (BPS), and 4,4'-cyclohexylidenebisphenol (BPZ), were determined in indoor dust samples (n = 156) collected from the United States (U.S.), China, Japan, and Korea. Samples were extracted by solid-liquid extraction, purified by automated solid phase extraction methods, and determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The total concentrations of bisphenols (∑BPs; sum of eight bisphenols) in dust were in the range of 0.026-111 μg/g (geometric mean: 2.29 μg/g). BPA, BPS, and BPF were the three major bisphenols, accounting for >98% of the total concentrations. Other bisphenol analogues were rare or not detected, with the exception of BPAF, which was found in 76% of the 41 samples collected in Korea (geometric mean: 0.0039 μg/g). The indoor dust samples from Korea contained the highest concentrations of both individual and total bisphenols. BPA concentrations in dust were compared among three microenvironments (house, office, and laboratory). The estimated median daily intake (EDI) of ∑BPs through dust ingestion in the U.S., China, Japan, and Korea was 12.6, 4.61, 15.8, and 18.6 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively, for toddlers and 1.72, 0.78, 2.65, and 3.13 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, for adults. This is the first report on the occurrence of bisphenols, other than BPA, in indoor dust.     

Comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency in lactating cattle and buffaloes

An attempt was made to assess the comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency of lactating buffaloes and cows based on results obtained from experimental feeding trials conducted in India. Data on dry matter (DM) intake, total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake, digestible crude protein (DCP) intake, body weight or metabolic body size (MBS), body weight change, milk yield or 4% fat‐corrected milk (FCM) yield, milk fat percentage and roughage/concentrate ratio in the diet of lactating buffaloes and cows were collected from published reports. The data were processed and analysed to assess the comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency using suitable statistical analysis models. DM intake was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in buffaloes (2.57 kg DM per 100 kg body weight or 119.2 g kg^?1 MBS) than in cattle (3.09 kg DM per 100 kg body weight or 132.0 g kg^?1 MBS). Mean gross energetic efficiency (30.53 versus 27.83%; P < 0.01), gross protein efficiency (45.48 versus 37.06%; P < 0.01), net energetic efficiency (69.16 versus 64.10%; P < 0.05) and net protein efficiency (80.15 versus 59.59%; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in buffaloes than in cattle. Lactating buffaloes consumed significantly less (P < 0.001) protein (75.69 g DCP) and less (P < 0.01) energy (695.9 g TDN) than cows (93.89 g DCP, 774.8 g TDN) for production of 1 kg of 4% fat‐corrected milk. Buffaloes had higher energy and protein utilisation efficiencies as compared with cattle at similar fat‐corrected milk production level, plane of energy and protein nutrition, body size and body weight change. Buffaloes (1.189 kg DM kg^?1 4% FCM) consumed a similar (P > 0.05) amount of feed dry matter to that of cows (1.267 kg DM kg^?1 4% FCM). However, when DM intake kg^?1 FCM (4%) was compared at constant levels of metabolic body size, fat‐corrected milk, body weight change, dietary energy concentration and green forage percentage in the diet, lactating buffaloes consumed significantly less DM kg^?1 FCM yield as compared with cattle. It was concluded that DM intake was lower in lactating buffaloes. Moreover, lactating buffaloes utilised dietary dry matter, energy and protein for milk production more efficiently than cattle. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Michigan inland lakes

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in sediment cores collected from 11 inland lakes in Michigan for examination of spatial and temporal trends in accumulation and sources. Concentrations of PAHs varied widely among these lakes; the highest concentrations were found in sediment collected from Cass Lake, located in an urbanized watershed. Concentrations of PAHs were correlated with watershed population density on a spatial scale. PAH concentrations have decreased over time since the 1980s in nine of the 11 lakes studied, most of which are located in suburban and rural areas. The rate of decline in PAH concentration was faster in Gratiot Lake, a remote lake with no known local sources of pollution in recent years. Concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments from Cass and Cadillac Lakes were greater than the threshold for adverse effects. Despite the wide variations in total PAH concentrations, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[k]fluoranthene were the major PAHs in all of the lakes studied. The proportions of individual PAHs within the total PAH concentrations have changed both temporally and spatially, suggesting a shift in the sources of PAHs in the environment. A general increase in the proportion of high-molecular-weight PAHs suggests an increase in combustion-related sources recently.     

Removal of Cu(II) by biosorption onto coconut shell in fixed-bed column systems

Biosorption of Cu(II) onto coconut shell, an agricultural biomaterial, was studied in a fixed-bed column. The Cu(II) biosorption column had the best performance at 10 mg L^?1 inlet Cu(II) concentration, 10 mL min^?1 flow rate and 20 cm bed depth. The equilibrium uptake of Cu(II) amounted to 7.25 mg g^?1. The simulation of the breakthrough curve was successful with the BDST and Yoon–Nelson models, but the entire breakthrough curve was best predicted by the Clark model. The design of a fixed bed column for Cu(II) removal from wastewater by biosorption onto coconut shell can be done based on these models.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) dispersion of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites: Structural,mechanical, thermal,and barrier properties

Dispersed poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/clay nanocomposites can lead to materials with superior barrier and mechanical properties. PET/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melting extrusion of PET with as‐received or supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) predispersed Cloisite^® 30B (30B). The predispersion of 30B was assessed by WAXD, SEM, and TGA, and results indicated that scCO₂ processing could predisperse 30B and the surface modification of the clay was preserved after processing. The structure of PET/30B nanocomposites was investigated by WAXD and TEM confirming that PET has penetrated into the clays inter‐galleries and the predispersed clays lead to improved interfacial interaction and homogenous clay dispersion. Both tensile strength and Young's modulus were improved by 12.1% and 24.9% respectively, as incorporating of 3 wt % of scCO₂ processed clay. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that clay particles served as nucleation agent could increase the crystallinity whereas had no impact on melting process. In addition, with the addition of 1 wt % of predispersed clay, a significant reduction of oxygen permeation (～33%) was achieved at 23 °C and the maximum reduction (44%) was achieved by adding 3 wt % processed clay. Moreover, we confirmed the effect of temperature on the permeation of PET/30B nanocomposites depended both on the Arrhenius behavior of the organic phases and tortuous path effects, where improved clay dispersion resulted in a higher effective activation energy. Moreover, the transparency of PET matrix was preserved for all nanocomposites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44779.