A Case Study on Optimization of Biomass Flow During Single-Screw Extrusion Cooking Using Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Response Surface Method (RSM)

In the present study, response surface method (RSM) and genetic algorithm (GA) were used to study the effects of process variables like screw speed, rpm (x ₁), L/D ratio (x ₂), barrel temperature (°C; x ₃), and feed mix moisture content (%; x ₄), on flow rate of biomass during single-screw extrusion cooking. A second-order regression equation was developed for flow rate in terms of the process variables. The significance of the process variables based on Pareto chart indicated that screw speed and feed mix moisture content had the most influence followed by L/D ratio and barrel temperature on the flow rate. RSM analysis indicated that a screw speed?>?80 rpm, L/D ratio?>?12, barrel temperature?>?80 °C, and feed mix moisture content?>?20% resulted in maximum flow rate. Increase in screw speed and L/D ratio increased the drag flow and also the path of traverse of the feed mix inside the extruder resulting in more shear. The presence of lipids of about 35% in the biomass feed mix might have induced a lubrication effect and has significantly influenced the flow rate. The second-order regression equations were further used as the objective function for optimization using genetic algorithm. A population of 100 and iterations of 100 have successfully led to convergence the optimum. The maximum and minimum flow rates obtained using GA were 13.19?×?10^?7 m³/s (x ₁?=?139.08 rpm, x ₂?=?15.90, x ₃?=?99.56 °C, and x ₄?=?59.72%) and 0.53?×?10^?7 m³/s (x ₁?=?59.65 rpm, x ₂?=?11.93, x ₃?=?68.98 °C, and x ₄?=?20.04%).     

Optimisation of processing variables in the preparation of sweet potato chips using response surface methodology

Models capable of predicting the product quality of sweet potato chips have been developed using response surface methodology and used to determine the optimum processing conditions. Moisture loss, oil uptake, crispness (measured using a bending-snapping test in the TA.XT2 Texture Analyser), and sensory attributes such as colour, flavour, and texture were used to assess the product quality in the preparation of sweet potato chips. The optimum conditions which were attained for maximum moisture loss (11.65% on wet basis), minimum oil uptake (2.57%), crispness (794.37 g), colour score (7), flavour score (7) and texture score (7) were: frying temperature, 174.7 °C; salt concentration, 0.45%; citric acid concentration, 0.37%; potassium metabisulphite concentration, 0.65%; and frying time, 26 s.     

Insight into the tension stiffening behavior of reinforced concrete tension members revealed by finite element modeling

Abstract

The disasters happened in recent past pointed out the need of design criteria, ensuring adequate safety levels against progressive collapse. The attention was focused on the behavior of composite beam-to-column joint components in the field of large displacements. This article presents the experimental and numerical study enabling the simulation of the RC elements under tension. This has helped in understanding the non-negligible contribution of concrete in tension stiffening response up to failure especially in the case of discontinuous geometry marked in composite structures. The finite element model proposed may be considered a mid-way between smeared and discrete crack modeling approaches.     

Multifunctional epoxy resins

The curing behavior of epoxy resins prepared by reacting epichlorohydrin with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DADPM)/4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (DADPE) or 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) was investigated using DDS and tris-(m-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide (TAP) as curing agents. A broad exothermic transition with two maxima were observed in the temperature range of 100–315°C when TAP was used as the curing agent. The effect of varying DDS concentration on curing behavior of epoxy resin was also investigated. Peak exotherm temperature (T_exo) decreased with increasing concentration of DDS, whereas heat of curing (ΔH) increased with an increase in amine concentration up to an optimum value and then decreased. Thermal stability of the resins, cured isothermally at 200°C for 3 h, was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis in a nitrogen atmosphere. Glass fiber-reinforced multifunctional epoxy resin laminates were fabricated and the mechanical properties were evaluated. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterization of copper nanoparticles synthesized by a novel microbiological method

The exploitation of various biomaterials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered as green technology as it does not involve any harmful chemicals. The present study reports the synthesis of copper nanoparticles which involves non-pathogenic bacterial strain Pseudomonas stutzeri, isolated from soil. These copper nanoparticles are further characterized for size and shape distributions by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results showed that the particles are spherical and quite stable in nature and shows surface plasmon resonance clearly featured in the optical spectra in visible region.     

Transformations in Sol-Gel Synthesized Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite Calcined Under Different Temperatures and Time Conditions

Nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) has been synthesized using sol-gel technique. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate were used as precursors for calcium and phosphorus, respectively. A detailed study on its transformation during calcination at two crucial temperatures has been undertaken. The synthesized nanopowder was calcined at 600 and 800?°C for different time periods. The results revealed that the obtained powders after calcining at 600 and 800?°C are composed of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The nano-HAP powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and BET surface area analyzer techniques. The results indicate that crystallite size as well as crystallinity of synthesized HAP nanopowders increase with increase in calcination temperature as well as calcination time, but the effect of temperature is more prominent as compared to that of calcination time. TEM micrograph revealed the presence of majority of HAP powder particles as agglomerates and a few as individual particles. It also revealed that HAP produced after sintering at 600?°C is 26-45?nm in size, which is well in agreement with the crystallite size calculated using XRD data. TGA study showed the thermal stability of the as-synthesized nano-HAP powder. The BET surface area decreased with increase in calcination temperature and time. The results clearly demonstrate the significant role of calcination parameters on the characteristics of nano-HAP powders.     

Smart secondary polyurethane dispersions

Secondary dispersions of cationic segmented polyurethanes (PUs) with thermoresponsivity (upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in water), high solid contents and antibacterial properties are highlighted in this paper. PUs were prepared by polyaddition reactions and subsequent quaternization with methyl iodide. No additional stabilizers, organic solvents or special procedures were required to obtain stable aqueous dispersions containing up to 10 wt% PU; in contrast, stable dispersions were straightforwardly accessed by a combination of UCST behavior and repulsive electrostatic forces among the positively charged segments, which meets the requirements of a green chemistry process. Particle size and UCST strongly depended on the solid content of the dispersions and the content of poly(ethylene glycol) segments in the copolymers. The dispersions exhibited fast‐acting antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

DRYING CHARACTERISTICS AND PRODUCT QUALITY OF OKRA

ABSTRACT

Effects of size (whole and sliced), pre-treatment (blanching in water and 0.5% NaCl solution at 95° C) and temperature of drying air (40, 55 and 70° C) on the drying characteristics and quality of okra were studied. Estimation of the drying rate established that the drying of okra takes place under the falling rate period. Page's model was found to adequately describe the drying behavior of okra over a wide range of drying conditions used in the study. The coefficients of Page's model were correlated with air temperature and it was found that the dependence of the rate constant on the drying air temperature can be described using the Arrhenius law. The quality of the dried product was found to be best when okra was sliced and blanched at 95° C in 0.5% NaCl solution for 5 min and then dried at 55° C.     

Clinical Advances in Molecular Biomarkers for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Cancer diagnosis is currently undergoing a paradigm shift with the incorporation of molecular biomarkers as part of routine diagnostic panel. The molecular alteration ranges from those involving the DNA, RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins. The miRNAs are recently discovered small non-coding endogenous single-stranded RNAs that critically regulates the development, invasion and metastasis of cancers. They are altered in cancers and have the potential to serve as diagnostic markers for cancer. Moreover, deregulating their activity offers novel cancer therapeutic approaches. The availability of high throughput techniques for the identification of altered cellular molecules allowed their use in cancer diagnosis. Their application to a variety of body specimens from blood to tissues has been helpful for appreciating their use in the clinical context. The development of innovative antibodies for immunohistochemical detection of proteins also assists in diagnosis and risk stratification. Overall, the novel cancer diagnostic tools have extended their application as prognostic risk factors and can be used as targets for personalized medicine.