Investigating the effects of ingredient levels on physical quality properties of cooked hamburger patties using response surface methodology and image processing technology

A three-factor central composite design was adopted to determine the interactive effects of fat (15–30%), water (10–20%) and textured soy protein (3–9%) content on the shrinkage, fat loss and moisture loss of hamburger patties after cooking. Image processing was used to estimate the shrinkage of hamburger patties. Textured soy protein (TSP) content was found to be the most important factor for minimizing fat and moisture loss. Both fat and water content were found to be significantly effective (P < 0.05) in the model for shrinkage and moisture loss in linear form. The changes in shrinkage due to fat, water and TSP content were also in linear form. The model for fat loss was in linear and quadratic form, whereas the model for moisture loss was in full quadratic form. The models for shrinkage, fat loss and moisture loss had the R-square values of 0.954, 0.969 and 0.964, respectively.     

Fairness-oriented multi-stream rate adaptation using scalable video coding

In the delivery of video services like video on-demand, IP-TV, sport broadcasting, as well as real-time streaming, the end-user expectation is to receive the best feasible quality independently of the particular video complexity, even in the presence of packet losses. In this scenario, rate adaptation is required to optimize the overall quality, whereas fairness is an important issue that has to be addressed. In this paper we propose a multi-stream rate adaptation framework with reference to the scalable video coding (SVC) extension of the H.264/AVC standard with medium grain scalability (MGS). We first define a general discrete multi-objective problem with the aim to maximize the sum of assigned rates, while minimizing the differences among the expected distortions, under a total bit-rate constraint. A single-objective problem formulation is then derived by applying a continuous relaxation. Finally, a simplified continuous semi-analytical model that accurately estimates the rate–distortion relationship for both error-free channel and packet-erasure channel is also proposed, which allows us to derive an optimal and low-complexity procedure to solve the relaxed problem. Unequal erasure protection (UXP) is also considered and designed to suitably shape the rate–distortion relationship for different values of RTP packet-loss rate. The numerical results show the goodness of our framework in terms of error gap between the relaxed and its related discrete solution, and the significant performance improvement achieved with respect to an equal-rate adaptation scheme.     

The development and test of a device for the reconstruction of 3-D position and orientation by means of a kinematic sensor assembly with rate gyroscopes and accelerometers

In this paper, we propose a device for the Position and Orientation (P&O) reconstruction of human segmental locomotion tasks. It is based on three mono-axial accelerometers and three angular velocity sensors, geometrically arranged to form two orthogonal terns. The device was bench tested using step-by-step motor-based equipment. The characteristics of the six channels under bench test conditions were: crosstalk absent, non linearity < +/- 0.1% fs, hysteresis < 0.1% fs, accuracy 0.3% fs, overall resolution better than 0.04 deg/s, 2 x g x 10(-4). The device was validated with the stereophotogrammetric body motion analyzer during the execution of three different locomotion tasks: stand-to-sit, sit-to-stand, gait-initiation. Results obtained comparing the trajectories of the two methods showed that the errors were lower than 3 x 10(-2) m and 2 deg during a 4s of acquisition and lower than 6 x 10(-3) m and 0.2 deg during the effective duration of a locomotory task; showing that the wearable device hereby presented permits the 3-D reconstruction of the movement of the body segment to which it is affixed for time-limited clinical applications.     

Is it feasible to reconstruct body segment 3-D position and orientation using accelerometric data?

The analysis of the mechanics of the musculo-skeletal system during the execution of a motor task requires the determination of the instantaneous position and orientation of the body segments involved in relation to an inertial system of reference. By using adequately assembled uniaxial accelerometric sensors, an easy-to-manage measurement system can be obtained that estimates the three-dimensional position and orientation (P&O) of a body segment through an appropriate analytical model. However, the extent to which experimental errors, in particular accelerometers (ACs) assembly inaccuracies, affect such estimation has never been systematically investigated. This paper systematically analyzes the sensitivity of analytical models of body segment P&O reconstruction through a six-AC system and a nine-AC system to different sources of experimental error. We simulated and statistically assessed the performance of these models in the case of body segment motions typical of movements under muscular control. The results obtained indicated that the inaccuracy in the orientation of the individual AC's active axes and the offset error in the AC responses were the major sources of P&O estimation errors. In particular, no accurate estimation of position was possible with the analytical models analyzed. Under the motion conditions simulated in this study, no substantial advantages were found in using a nine-AC system rather than a six-AC system. Considering that the magnitudes of the simulated experimental errors were quite low (< or = 0.1 deg: AC's orientation; < or = 10(-4) m: uncertainty of the distance between two ACs; < or = 10(-2) ms(-2): random error; 0.5 x 10(-2) ms(-2): offset error), the results indicate that none of the two ACs systems analyzed is suitable for body segment P&O estimation in routine biomechanical applications.     

Formation of black glass to be used in solar collectors as absorbent and CuO and Fe2O3's effect on this glass

Solar energy has the highest potential among novel and renewable energies. In order for solar energy to be used it should first be collected. In this study, a black glass was formed by doping silicate glass with Co₃O₄ at a high concentration to be used as absorbent, and in addition, this black glass was also doped with CuO and Fe₂O₃. Optical absorptions, electrical conductivities, thermal diffusion coefficients, SEM images and EDX spectra of all glasses were obtained and effects of transition metal oxides on glass were examined.     

Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface conditioning on the adhesion of fiber- reinforced composite and zirconia intraradicular posts to the root dentin

This study evaluated the influence of Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface conditioning on push-out bond strength of different root posts to the root dentin. Extracted (N = 27, n = 9 per group) and endodontically treated human mandibular premolars were prepared to receive the posts. Three types of posts, namely quartz fiber (D), glass fiber (S), and zirconium dioxide post (C) were luted with resin cement. The posts were randomly assigned to one of the surface conditioning method: (a) No conditioning, control (L0), (b) Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 175 mJ, 3.5 W for 60 s (L1), and (c) at 225 mJ, 4.5 W for 60 s, with 60 μs pulse duration and repetition rate was 20 Hz (L2) irradiation. Six sections (two coronal, two middle, and two apical) were made in each tooth yielding to 1 mm thick specimens. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37?°C for 24 h and push-out bond strength (MPa) was tested in a Universal Testing Machine (1 mm/min). Data were analyzed using Kruskall–Wallis and Dunns`s post hoc tests (α = 0.05). In group D, both laser treated groups (L1:16.16 ± 19.89; L2:8.24 ± 9.26) presented significantly less bond strength compared to control group (L0:28.3 ± 16.8) (p < 0.001). Mean push-out bond strength values did not significantly differ according to the root segments (coronal, middle, and apical) (p = 0.106). Application of Er,Cr:YSGG laser, with the parameters tested, did not increase the bond strength of zirconium glass fiber and zirconium oxide posts. Laser surface conditioning decreased the bond strength of quartz fiber posts in the root canal.