Texture Prediction in Intact Green Asparagus by Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy,Assaying Linear and Non-linear Regression Strategies

Texture-related parameters were assessed in intact green asparagus at harvest and during postharvest storage using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with MPLS and LOCAL algorithms. Three spectrophotometers were evaluated for this purpose: a monochromator (range, 400–2,500 nm), a diode-array Vis–NIR spectrophotometer (range, 400–1,700 nm), and a handheld micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) spectrophotometer (range, 1,600–2,400 nm). Three hundred green asparagus spears (cv. “Grande”) were used to obtain calibration models based on reference data and NIR data. Results for maximum shear force showed that LOCAL algorithm improved the predictive capacity of models constructed using all three NIRS instruments, increasing r ² by 24, 16, and 56 % and reducing the SEP(c) values by 11, 8, and 14 %, respectively. For cutting energy, the LOCAL also improved the predictive capacity of the models (r ² increased by 3 % for the monochromator and the diode-array instrument and by 6 % for the MEMS device; and the SEP(c) decreased by 3 % in the three instruments). It is worth noting that while the monochromator and diode-array instruments displayed similar predictive capacity for the parameters tested, the MEMS instrument achieved slightly poorer results but has clear advantages for the measurement of texture in intact asparagus, being economical, portable, and easy to use in situ.     

Thermal noise in aqueous quadrupole micro- and nano-traps

ABSTRACT: Recent simulations and experiments with aqueous quadrupole micro-traps have confirmed a possibility for control and localization of motion of a charged particle in a water environment, also predicting a possibility of further reduction of the trap size to tens of nano-meters for trapping charged bio-molecules and DNA segments. We study the random thermal noise due to Brownian motion in water which significantly influences the trapping of particles in an aqueous environment. We derive the exact, closed-form expressions for the thermal fluctuations of position and velocity of a trapped particle and thoroughly examine the properties of the rms for the fluctuations as functions of the system parameters and time. The instantaneous signal transferring mechanism between the velocity and position fluctuations could not be achieved in the previous phase-average approaches.     

Application of NIRS for Nondestructive Measurement of Quality Parameters in Intact Oranges During On-Tree Ripening and at Harvest

External and internal quality parameters were measured in oranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. “Powell Summer Navel”) during on-tree ripening and at harvest using near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. The performance of two NIRS instruments was evaluated: a handheld microelectromechanical system spectrophotometer working in the 1,600- to 2,400-nm range, and a diode array visible–NIR spectrophotometer working in the 380- to 1,700-nm range. Spectra and analytical data were used to construct MPLS prediction models for quantifying weight, size (equatorial and axial diameters), color (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, and color index), texture (firmness and maximum penetration force), yield (pericarp thickness, juice weight, and juice content), and chemical parameters (soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, and maturity index). Both instruments yielded promising results for on-tree and at-harvest quality measurements, but models constructed using the diode array instrument provided greater predictive capacity, particularly for fruit size (equatorial and axial diameters) and total soluble solids content. Subsequent evaluation of the LOCAL algorithm revealed that it increased the predictive capacity of models constructed for all the main parameters tested. These results confirm that noninvasive NIRS technology can be used to simultaneously evaluate external and internal quality parameters in intact oranges both during on-tree ripening and at harvest, thus making it easier for farmers to monitor the ripening process and also to optimize harvest timing in order to meet the demands of the citrus-fruit industry.     

Chemical sputtering of deuterated carbon surfaces at various surface temperatures

The chemical sputtering of deuterated amorphous carbon (a-C:D) surfaces irradiated by 1-50 eV deuterium atoms at surface temperatures between 300 and 1000 K was studied using classical molecular dynamics. A quasi-stationary state was reached by cumulative bombardment for each energy and temperature. Results were compared with available experimental data and previous modeling results and the applicability of molecular dynamics for thermally generated processes was discussed. An attempt is made to correct the absence of the thermally stimulated desorption/degassing of hydrogen from the MD simulations, which evolve at the longer time scales.     

Measuring Creative Experience from Visitors’ Paths and Abstract Multi-sensory Artefacts

Mobile Networks and Applications - Project MindCatcher is an art/research project which has the intention to explore the potential of interactive artistic environments for measuring and a better...     

A new electronically controlled floating/grounded meminductor emulator based on single MO-VDTA

Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing - This paper proposes a circuit configuration to emulate the behaviour of a floating/grounded incremental/decremental flux-controlled meminductor,...     

Aging of the over-voltage protection elements caused by over-voltages

The aim of this work is examining the influence of the number of the activation––over-voltage pulses to the aging of over-voltage protection elements. Both non-linear (gas-filled surge arresters (GFSA), varistors, over-voltage diodes) and linear (capacitors––constituents of filters) over-voltage protection elements were tested. The instruments employed allow reliable measurements, 1000 consecutive activation were tested. The double-exponential current pulse (amplitude I₁^max=13 A, I₂^max=16 A, rise time T₁=8 μs, fall time T₂=20 μs) for non-linear elements and a double-exponential over-voltage pulse (rise time T₁=1.2 μs, fall time T₂=50 μs) of the amplitude U₁^max=320 V, U₂^max=480 V and U₃^max=640 V for capacitors were used. The experimental results show that the over-voltage diodes are the most reliable elements in view of characteristic modifications that are consequence of aging. However, it was observed that varistors, GFSA and capacitors undergo noticeable changes in characteristics.