Thermal conductivity prediction of foods by Neural Network and Fuzzy (ANFIS) modeling techniques

A neuro-fuzzy modeling technique was used to predict the effective of thermal conductivity of various fruits and vegetables. A total of 676 data point was used to develop the neuro-fuzzy model considering the inputs as the fraction of water content, temperature and apparent porosity of food materials. The complexity of the data set which incorporates wide ranges of temperature (including those below freezing points) made it difficult for the data to be predicted by normal analytical and conventional models. However the adaptive neuro-fuzzy model (ANFIS) was able to predict conductivity values which closely matched the experimental values by providing lowest mean square error compared to multivariable regression and conventional artificial neural network (ANN) models. This method also alleviates the problem of determining the hidden structure of the neural network layer by trial and error.     

Analyzing and enhancing the parallel sort operation on multithreaded architectures

The sort operation is a core part of many critical applications (e.g., database management systems). Despite the large efforts to parallelize it, the fact that it suffers from high data-dependencies vastly limits its performance. Multithreaded architectures are emerging as the most demanding technology in leading-edge processors. These architectures include simultaneous multithreading, chip multiprocessors, and machines combining different multithreading technologies. In this paper, we analyze the memory behavior and improve the performance of the most recent parallel radix and quick integer sort algorithms on modern multithreaded architectures. We achieve speedups up to 4.69× for radix sort and up to 4.17× for quicksort on a machine with 4 multithreaded processors compared to single threaded versions, respectively. We find that since radix sort is CPU-intensive, it exhibits better results on chip multiprocessors where multiple CPUs are available. While quicksort is accomplishing speedups on all types of multithreading processers due to its ability to overlap memory miss latencies with other useful processing.     

Tree colonization trends on a sediment bar after a major flood

Tree mortality and regeneration in riparian areas are greatly influenced by flooding. The elevational distribution of Salix spp. and Robinia pseudoacacia were investigated by observing densities and standing conditions before and after a major flood on a sediment bar in the middle reaches of the Arakawa River in Kumagaya, Japan. The subsequent tree recruitment was also examined. R. pseudoacacia was easily washed away with the eroded sediment, whereas Salix spp. was found to be more tolerant. Both species were able to survive even after collapsing, provided that their roots were fully or partially embedded in the sediment. Re‐shooting of collapsed trees, rather than emergence from saplings (either by seeds or vegetative fragments), was observed to be the major method of recruitment after the flood. Therefore, tree density before the flood was unchanged, unless the trees were subject to washing away. Salix spp. recruitment was mainly observed in low‐lying areas and R. pseudoacacia in elevated areas. Recruitment from saplings was species‐specific. Salix spp. at high elevations originated mainly from shoot fragments as they need high levels of moisture for seed germination and at higher elevations, sediment moisture content is very low. R. pseudoacacia, on other hand, originated mainly from roots and seeds. At a given elevation, past recruitment patterns indicated that the annual recruitment of trees increased with tree density up to a particular threshold of recruitment density. Further increases in tree density beyond that optimum value resulted in a decline in recruitment. Furthermore, threshold density was observed to increase along with elevation for R. pseudoacacia while declining with Salix spp. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes via electron reduction of benzophenone by potassium metal

The covalent sidewall functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via the electron reduction of benzophenone by potassium metal is reported. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that diphenylcarbinol (DPC) groups were successfully grafted to the MWCNTs sidewalls after 10 days of reaction time. Raman and UV–vis spectroscopies reveal the presence of covalent sidewall functionalization. The percentage of residues for DPC-MWCNTs was found to be lower than that for pristine MWCNTs, which indicates the existence of functional groups on the sidewalls of DPC-MWCNTs. It is shown that the sidewall of the DPC-MWCNTs was covered by non-uniform layer of DPC, as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results from Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, TGA, UV–vis spectroscopy and TEM confirm that the functionalization of the covalent sidewalls of MWCNTs was successfully performed by this method.     

Software Engineering Ethics in a Digital World

In ethics-aware software engineering, ethical considerations are explicitly taken into account across the software development life cycle and are an integral part of risk assessment and acceptance criteria.     

Purification and characterization of a novel glucoamylase from Fusarium solani

Thermostable enzymes are currently being investigated to improve industrial processes of starch saccharification. A novel glucoamylase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the culture supernatant of Fusarium solani on a fast protein liquid chromatographic system (FPLC). The recovery of glucoamylase after gel filtration on FPLC was 31.8% with 26.2-fold increase in specific activity. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 40 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 41 kDa by gel filtration. The glucoamylase exhibited optimum activity at pH 4.5. The K_cat and K_m were 441/min and 1.9 mg/ml, respectively, for soluble starch, specificity constant (K_cat/K_m) was 232. The enzyme was thermally stable at 50 °C and retained 79% activity after 60 min at this temperature. The half-life of the enzyme was 26 min at 60°C. The enzyme was slightly stimulated by Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Fe³⁺.     

Essential oil composition of commercial black tea (Camellia sinensis)

The essential oil components of different tea brands were investigated by gas chromatography. The oil yields of dried tea samples were ranged from 0.09% to 0.63%. Twenty-five compounds from Supreme and Lipton Yellow Label tea brands representing 98.0% and 88.0% of the Camellia sinensis oil were identified, respectively. The main ones were β-pinene (51.2%) and α-pinene (30.2%). Nineteen components from Tapal tea brand representing 76.7% of the C. sinensis oil were determined with high contents of muurol-5-en-4-a-ol (10.5%) and muurol-5-en-4-b-ol (31.3%). Fifteen components from Deer and Diana tea brands were identified, accounting for 83.3% and 78.2% of the oil containing α-cadinol and β-pinene. Seventeen components from non-branded teas were determined with high contents of muurol-5-en-4-a-ol and muurol-5-en-4-b-ol. Twenty-one compounds from non-branded Bangladeshi Shezan and Indian teas were also identified. All oils consisted of monoterpenic hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.     

Effect of filler surface treatment on the properties of recycled high‐density polyethylene/(natural rubber)/(Kenaf powder) biocomposites

Biocomposites were prepared from a kenaf core powder and recycled high‐density polyethylene/(natural rubber) blend by using an internal mixer at 165^oC and 50 rpm. The effect of the filler content and the filler surface treatment was studied. Chemical modification of kenaf filler was performed with alkali pretreatment followed by treatment with silane. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed changes in the chemical compositions and structural characteristics induced through the modification. It was found that treated biocomposites offered higher tensile strength and tensile modulus, but lower elongation at break compared with untreated biocomposites. Lower water absorption and higher thermal stability of the resultant biocomposites were also obtained when treated fillers were used. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:218–224, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Biodegradable Thin Metal Foils and Spin‐On Glass Materials for Transient Electronics

Biodegradable substrates and encapsulating materials play critical roles in the development of an emerging class of semiconductor technology, generally referred as “transient electronics”, whose key characteristic is an ability to dissolve completely, in a controlled manner, upon immersion in ground water or biofluids. The results presented here introduce the use of thin foils of Mo, Fe, W, or Zn as biodegradable substrates and silicate spin‐on‐glass (SOG) materials as insulating and encapsulating layers, with demonstrations of transient active (diode and transistor) and passive (capacitor and inductor) electronic components. Complete measurements of electrical characteristics demonstrate that the device performance can reach levels comparable to those possible with conventional, nontransient materials. Dissolution kinetics of the foils and cytotoxicity tests of the SOG yield information relevant to use in transient electronics for temporary biomedical implants, resorbable environmental monitors, and reduced waste consumer electronics.     

Metal accumulation potential of wild plants in tannery effluent contaminated soil of Kasur, Pakistan: field trials for toxic metal cleanup using Suaeda fruticosa

The tannery effluent contaminated lands, adjacent to Depalpur Road, Kasur, Pakistan, have been rendered infertile due to long term effluent logging from the leather industry. The area has been colonized by twelve plant species among which Suaeda fruticosa, Salvadora oleoides and Calatropis procera have been found to be the most common and high biomass producing plants. S. fruticosa was subjected to further experimentation because of its high biomass and phytoextraction capabilities for metals. The pot and field experiments were carried out simultaneously. Pot experiments were conducted using the same field soil in column pots with stoppard bottoms to obtain the leachate. EDTA treatment caused a greater solubility of Cr in the soil pore water. In higher doses more amount of the heavy metal was leached. The increase in the amount of EDTA significantly caused a decrease in the biomass of plants without toxicity symptoms. A higher biomass of plants was observed in the field as compared to the pot experiment. The greatest amount of Na was accumulated by leaves of S. fruticosa followed by stem and roots. Similarly, the greatest amount of Cr was bioaccumulated by leaves of S. fruticosa, but followed by roots and then stem. S. fruticosa can be employed in rehabilitation of tannery effluent contaminated soil using small doses of EDTA.