Optical scattering in beef steak to predict tenderness using hyperspectral imaging in the VIS-NIR region

The objective of this research is to develop a non-destructive method for predicting cooked beef tenderness using optical scattering of light on fresh beef muscle tissue. A hyperspectral imaging system (λ = 496–1,036 nm) that consists of a CCD camera and an imaging spectrograph, was used to acquire beef steak images. The hyperspectral image consisted of 120 bands with spectral intervals of 4.54 nm. Sixty-one fresh beef steaks, including 44 strip loin and 17 tenderloin cuts, were collected. After imaging, the steaks were cooked and Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force values were collected as tenderness references. The optical scattering profiles were derived from the hyperspectral images and fitted to the modified Lorentzian function. Parameters, such as the peak height, full scattering width at half maximum (FWHM), and the slope around the FWHM were determined at each wavelength. Stepwise regression was used to identify 7 key wavelengths and parameters. The parameters were then used to predict the WBS scores. The model was able to predict WBS scores with an R = 0.67. Optical scattering implemented with hyperspectral imaging shows limited success for predicting current status of tenderness in beef steak.     

Time and temperature effect on the linear–nonlinear viscoelastic transition threshold of a polymeric system

In the present study, the transition of a polymeric material from the linear to the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior and the determination of the nonlinearity stress threshold variation with time and temperature are investigated. For this purpose a systematic experimental program consisted of thermal and mechanical characterization of certain polymeric material followed by isothermal creep tests at different stress levels and temperatures was conducted. Through isochronal curves that occurred from creep tests, the nonlinearity threshold dependence on both time and temperature is presented. The reported results provide information that is critical for the design and development of polymer structures and components. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

An integrated biodesulfurization process,including inoculum preparation,desulfurization and sulfate removal in a single step,for removing sulfur from oils

BACKGROUND: A single‐stage reactor, in which the growth of bacterial culture, induction of desulfurizing enzymes, and desulfurization reaction are carried out in a single step, was adopted to investigate desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) at high cell densities. Rhodococcus erythropolis, IGTS8 was used as the biocatalyst. Optimal conditions for bacterial growth and DBT desulfurization were investigated. RESULTS: Optimization of fermentation conditions was necessary to obtain high cell densities including controlling accumulation of acetate. Under optimal operating conditions, the maximum optical density at 600 nm (OD₆₀₀) was measured to be 26.6 at 118 h of cultivation. When biodesulfurization of DBT in model oil with a high cell density culture of IGTS8 was investigated, accumulation of sulfate was found to limit the extent of desulfurization. A sulfate removal step was added to obtain a single‐stage integrated biodesulfurization process. Sulfate removal was achieved via an aqueous bleed stream and use of a separation unit to recycle the organic phase. CONCLUSION: A proof of principle of a complete system capable of biocatalyst growth, induction, desulfurization and by‐product separation was demonstrated. This system enables simplification of the biodesulfurization process and has potential to lower the operating cost of the bioprocess. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microstructure and creep of eutectic indium/tin on copper and nickel substrates

The behavior during creep in shear of eutectic indium-tin joints on copper and nickel substrates was examined in order to determine the effect of creep deformation on the microstructure of the alloy. Primary creep was absent in all the samples tested. The stress exponent at 20° C was much higher for samples on nickel than for those on copper, indicating a different creep deformation mechanism. Also, the microstructure within the indium-tin joints differed significantly with a change of substrate. Samples with a nickel substrate showed a colony microstructure that was not observed in those with a copper substrate. Thus, eutectic morphology is important in determining deformation mechanism during creep. The microstructure within the joints in tested and untested regions of the samples was effectively the same. This is quite distinct from the behavior of eutectic lead-tin observed in previous work. Lead-tin formed a recrystallized band of material along a region of concentrated shear deformation. While the deformation pattern in the indium-tin samples appeared to be the same as for lead-tin, the microstructural changes did not occur. This implies that the behavior observed in lead-tin is not universal to eutectic alloys.     

Series resonant ZCS‐PFM DC‐DC power converter with high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for high‐power magnetron drive

This paper presents a single lossless inductive snubber‐assisted ZCS‐PFM series resonant DC‐DC power converter with a high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for industrial‐use high‐power magnetron drive. The current flowing through the active power switches rises gradually at a turned‐on transient state with the aid of a single lossless snubber inductor, and ZCS turn‐on commutation based on overlapping current can be achieved via the wide range pulse frequency modulation control scheme. The high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer primary side resonant current always becomes continuous operation mode, by electromagnetic loose coupling design of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer and the magnetizing inductance of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer. As a result, this high‐voltage power converter circuit for the magnetron can achieve a complete zero current soft switching under the condition of broad width gate voltage signals. Furthermore, this high‐voltage DC‐DC power converter circuit can regulate the output power from zero to full over audible frequency range via the two resonant frequency circuit design. Its operating performances are evaluated and discussed on the basis of the power loss analysis simulation and the experimental results from a practical point of view. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 153(3): 79–87, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20126     

Drying of Prone to Twist Boards in a Pre-Twisted Position

A method to minimize twist has been investigated; i.e., drying the boards in a pre-twisted position. It has been found that Norway spruce boards can be deformed toward straightness by this method. The force exerted by a board on its holders during drying in a pre-twisted position has been measured. When the variation in torsional stiffness as a function of temperature and moisture content is accounted for, it is found that a creep deformation of the board occurs both during the drying phase and the cooling phase. In addition to mechano-sorptive creep, a deformation released by a change in temperature also seems to occur.     

A simplified cascade current‐source inverter interconnected to a single‐phase three‐wire distribution system and its application to electric energy storage systems with batteries

A novel current source inverter system interconnected to the single‐phase grid is proposed. It has the same construction as the conventional three‐phase current source inverter that is interconnected to the single‐phase three‐wire distribution system. Though the proposed circuit has no output transformer, it can be equivalently performed as the single‐phase double cascade inverter by diverting the pole transformer in the utility system. By controlling the appropriate scheme, the output currents can be obtained as the five‐level waveforms and their distortions can be decreased sufficiently. It is applied to the interactive electric energy storage system with batteries and the basic discharging characteristics are discussed experimentally. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(2): 50–61, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10380     

硫对注入YSZ单晶的金属铂在退火过程中结晶的影响

秀卢瑟福背散射－沟道技术（ＲＢＳ－Ｃ）和Ｘ射线衍射技术（ＸＲＤ）研究了Ｐｔ和注入ＹＳＺ（Ｙ２Ｏ３稳定的ＺｒＯ２）后产生的损伤和退火过程中损伤的恢复及注入Ｐｔ的晶化，ＲＢＳ－Ｃ分析表明ＹＳＺ室温下的存在较强自退火效应，ＸＲＤ分析结果示出硫以铂的晶化产生很大影响。     

高层住宅结构设计

主要介绍长沙梦泽园高层住宅从基础到上部楼层各部位的结构设计,以及在设计、施工过程中所考虑的一些问题及处理方法。