ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTINESTERASE FROM VALENCIA ORANGE1

Thermolabile (TL) and thermostable (TS) pectinesterases (PE) were extracted from the pulp of fresh Valencia oranges by enzyme hydrolysis using a native pH and high ionic strength buffer system. Each form was separated individually by CM-Sephadex C-50, Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B and CM-Bio-Gel A chromatography. TLPE and TSPE exist as multiple forms which were shown to differ in their stability and effects on cloud loss in single strength orange juice.     

Crystallization and void formation in ZnO–B2O3–SiO2–MgO sintered solder glasses

The evolution of crystallization and porosity changes with firing temperature were studied in ZnO–B2O3–SiO2–MgO glasses. Those glasses presintered at 610 °C to a low porosity were crystallized in the temperature range of 690–870 °C. The glasses were crystallized by a surface crystallization mechanism. The porosity increased with the crystallization temperature. In the temperature range of 710–790 °C, several crystalline phases, such as 3ZnO–B2O3, willemite (2ZnO–SiO2), 5ZnO–2B2O3, and another form of zinc silicate (2ZnO–SiO2), produced at relatively low temperatures, were produced, while above 800 °C only the 2ZnO–SiO2 phase co-existed with a glass phase. Only an observed density difference between the glass and the crystallized glass cannot be attributed to the void formation during the crystallization reaction. Due to the crystallization the composition of the remaining glass around the crystalline phases is expected to change. The depletion of a certain component in the remaining glass, probably the SiO2 due to the production of the 2ZnO–SiO2 phase, might result in the increase in the vapour pressure of the remaining glass and lead to the observed increase in porosity. Below 800 °C, at which temperature the crystallization rate is fast and only a small amount of the glass phase remained, the porosity remained constant after the completion of the crystallization. Contrarily at 860 °C the porosity continuously increased with firing time. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

一种简化的BP神经网络图像插值算法

为进一步提高图像插值质量,丰富非线性图像插值算法研究,提出一种简化的神经网络插值算法。利用前向反馈神经网络(BP-NN)构造最佳的图像插值模型,通过2组实验确定该模型的BP网络最佳拓扑结构、最佳采样模型和采样点数量,并定量描述每组模型的耗时。实验结果表明,对512×512像素图像采用BP-NN训练点数量为50000、拓扑结构为8-16-1的参数插值时,该算法平均插值时间约为0.7 s,且其峰值信噪比比线性均值方法平均高1 dB~2 dB,能够得到更佳的视觉感受。     

Driving characteristics of octagon-type ultrasonic motor

Structure of the octagon-type ultrasonic motor was proposed and designed so as to allow the motor to drive small actuator. The stator of the motor consisted of the octagon shape elastic body and four rectangular plate ceramics. The four ceramics were attached to outer surfaces of the octagon elastic body. The same phase voltages were applied to the ceramics on horizontal surfaces, and 90° phase difference voltages were applied to the ceramics on vertical surfaces. When the AC voltage with 90° phase difference was applied in ceramics, the elliptical displacement of unimorph bars was generated by generating bending vibration. To find the maximum displacement model that generates elliptical displacement at the centers of the inner surfaces, the finite element analysis program ATILA was used. The analyzed results were compared to the experimental results. As a result, the speed and torque are increased linearly by increasing the input voltage and the speed of motors can be controlled by changing the applied voltages.     

Preparation and characterization of DLC/SiO2/Al2O3 nanofiltration membrane

High quality ceramic thin films were fabricated by thin film deposition process in semiconductor field in order to fabricate high performance carbon/SiO ₂ /Al ₂ O₃ membrane. α-Al ₂ O ₃ substrate was used as a supporting material. A severe thermal stress and rough surface for active ceramic top layer such as zeolite were observed. To overcome thermal stress, intermediate layer of SiO₂ and diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin film were used. SiO ₂ and DLC thin films on porous alumina support were deposited using plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Homogeneous and smooth surfaces and interfaces of DLC/SiO ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ membrane were observed by FESEM. The phases of DLC and SiO ₂ thin films were identified by X-ray diffraction pattern. Gas permeabilities of the nanofiltration membrane with DLC/SiO ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ were observed at various annealing temperatures. Mixed gas permeability of the membrane with 1 μm-thick SiO₂ and 2 μm-thick DLC thin film annealed at 200 °C was ～18 ccm at 1018 mb back pressure.