Comparing the Effects of Microwave and Conventional Heating Methods on the Evaporation Rate and Quality Attributes of Pomegranate (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Punica granatum</Emphasis> L.) Juice Concentrate

Pomegranate juice was concentrated by conventional heating and microwave heating at different operational pressures (12, 38.5, and 100 kPa), and their effects on evaporation rate and quality attributes of concentrated juice were investigated. The final juice concentration of 40° Brix was achieved in 140, 127, and 109 min at 100, 38.5, and 12 kPa, respectively, by using conventional heating. Applying microwave energy decreased required times to 118, 95, and 75 min. The changes in color, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity during concentration processes were investigated. L*, a*, and b* parameters were measured to estimate the intensity of color loss. All Hunter color parameters decreased with time. Results showed that the degradation of color, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity were more important in conventional heating compared to microwave heating method. Degradation rates increases by increasing process pressure. A first-order kinetics model was applied to modeling changes in total solid content, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity.     

Optical Spectra of Synthetic Spinels in the System MgAl2O4–MgCr2O4

Unpolarized optical spectra were measured in the wavelength range 322–1666 nm by the diffuse reflection technique from spinel powders synthesized in the system MgAl₂O₄–MgCr₂O₄. The spectra were interpreted by the crystal-field theory on the basis of trigonally distorted spinel octahedra with D_3d symmetry. For chromium-rich solid solutions, including the MgCr₂O₄ end-member, results after peak fittings showed octahedral D_3d local symmetry around Cr³⁺ ions, identical to the crystallographic site symmetry. For chromium-poor solid solutions, however, octahedral C_3v local symmetry was suggested around Cr³⁺ ions, different from the D_3d crystallographically expected.     

A Study on the Effect of Air on the Dynamic Motion of a MEMS Device and Its Shape Optimization

The authors propose a new design concept for controlling the deflection of a micro-membrane with the aid of its thickness distribution for realizing a prescribed design in the MEMS. As an example, the authors treat a micro air pump that comprises a micro-membrane. The membrane is actuated by an electrostatic force. The membrane deflects and thus the deflection is influenced by the air pressure and the electrostatic field. This is a highly complicated system. To find out a proper thickness distribution, the authors use the genetic algorithm that is appropriate to reduce the searching space of solution.     

Investigation on the effects of microwave and conventional heating methods on the phytochemicals of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and black mulberry juices

Black mulberry and pomegranate juices were concentrated by conventional and microwave heating at different operational pressures (7.3, 12, 38.5, and 100 kPa). The effects of each heating method on the phytochemical changes (total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity) of juices were investigated. The effect of various heating methods on the profile of the pomegranate anthocyanins were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). The main anthocyanins of pomegranate quantified by HPLC–MS were cyanidin, delphidin, pelargonidin, 3-glucoside, and 3, 5-diglucoside. In black mulberry juice, the final juice concentration of 42° Brix was achieved in 140, 120, and 95 min at 100, 38.5, and 7.3 kPa respectively and the final pomegranate juice concentration of 40° Brix was achieved in 140, 127, and 109 min at 100, 38.5, and 12 kPa respectively by using a rotary evaporator. Applying microwave energy decreased the required times to 115, 95, and 60 min for black mulberry juice and to 118, 95, and 75 min for pomegranate juice. Results showed that anthocyanin degradation and consequently decrease in antioxidant activity were more pronounced in rotary evaporation compared to microwave heating method.     

Suppression of skin reactivity to purified protein derivative by hepatitis C virus among HTLV-I carriers in Japan

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors are the sites of action for many antiepileptic drugs such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates. We report the results of molecular cloning of the gamma1-subunit from seizure prone DBA/2J and resistant C57BL/6J inbred mice, and analyses of nucleotide sequences and expression of the gamma1-subunit messenger RNA (mRNA) in DBA/2 and C57BL/6 inbred mice. The mouse gamma1-subunit complementary DNA (cDNA) shares 98% similarity with that of the rat at the level of amino acid sequence. Northern blot hybridization indicates that the gamma1-subunit mRNA is expressed predominantly in areas other than the cerebral cortex and cerebellum and shows little change with postnatal development. No differences have been found for the subunit between DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mice either for nucleotide sequence or for level of expression of the subunit's mRNA in whole brain by Northern blots at 3 weeks of age.     

Proportion of aflatoxin B1 contaminated kernels and its concentration in imported peanut samples

Moldy and split peanut kernels were separated from peanuts exported from Brazil, Sudan, India and Taiwan by visual inspection. The remaining peanuts from Brazil, Sudan and India were roasted lightly and the skins were removed. Stained peanuts were separated from the others. Aflatoxin was detected in moldy and stained peanuts. There was a positive correlation between % of aflatoxin-contaminated peanut kernels and aflatoxin B1 concentration in whole samples. Aflatoxin concentration of moldy peanuts was higher than that of stained peanut kernels.     

Electromyographic prosthetic hand using grasping-force-magnification mechanism with five independently driven fingers

This paper proposes an electromyographic (EMG) prosthetic hand that has five independently driven fingers, a flexion drive, and a force-magnification drive. The flexion drive allows for rapid finger motion, and the force-magnification drive allows for a firm grasp. To realize the natural feeling of control similar to that of movements with nonamputated parts, the control system includes the impedance model of human forearms and utilizes the muscle contraction level extracted from a user’s EMG signals. We experimentally verified that the maximum fingertip force of the hand exceeds 20 N, and the time required to fully close the hand by the flexion drive is 0.53 s. We also experimentally verified that in response to EMG signals, the fingers can flex smoothly and the grasping force can be modulated. Furthermore, we show that taking EMG signals as inputs makes it possible to control six operations, including ones that use the five fingers in distinctive ways.     

Development and industrial application of soft sensors with on-line Bayesian model updating strategy

This paper deals with the issues associated with the development of data-driven models as well as model update strategy for soft sensor applications. A practical yet effective solution is proposed. Key process variables that are difficult to measure are commonly encountered in practice due to limitations of measurement techniques. Even with appropriate instruments, some measurements are only available through off-line laboratory analysis with typical sampling intervals of several hours. Soft sensors are inferential models that can provide continuous on-line prediction of hidden variables; such models are capable of combining real-time measurements with off-line lab data. Due to the prevalence of plant-model mismatch, it is important to update the model using the latest reference data. In this paper, parameters of data-driven models are estimated using particle filters under the framework of expectation–maximization (EM) algorithms. A Bayesian methodology for model calibration strategy is formulated. The proposed framework for soft sensor development is applied to an industrial process to provide on-line prediction of a quality variable.     

Design of inferential sensors in the process industry: A review of Bayesian methods

In many industrial plants, development and implementation of advanced monitoring and control techniques require real-time measurement of process quality variables. However, on-line acquisition of such data may involve difficulties due to inadequacy of measurement techniques or low reliability of measuring devices. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional instrumentation, inferential sensors have been designed to infer process quality indicators from real-time measurable process variables. In recent years, due to the demonstrated advantages of Bayesian methods, interest in investigating the application of these methods for design of inferential sensors has grown. However, the potential of Bayesian methods for inferential modeling practices in the process industry has not yet been fully realized. This paper provides a general introduction to the main steps involved in development and implementation of industrial inferential sensors, and presents an overview of the relevant Bayesian methods for inferential modeling.