Optimisation and modelling green bean's ultrasound blanching

Using of ultrasound in food processing is a novel and interesting technique, which is often complementary to classical methods. This study reports on the ultrasound blanching (USB) of green bean. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effect of process variables on the USB. Three independent variables including temperature (50–90 °C), time (45–225 s) and duty cycle (0.2–0.8 s) were examined. The optimal USB conditions were obtained with a temperature of 90 °C, USB time of 58.27 s and duty cycle of 0.79 s. At these conditions, the residual peroxidase activity (RPA) determined as 9.64% and the vitamin C loss as 8.92%. The experimental values under optimal condition were in good consistent with the predicted values. According to the results, the USB process is more efficient process and as well as less damage to the product compared to the conventional blanching method.     

Effect of high power ultrasonic treatment on whey protein foaming quality

High power ultrasonic energy at 20%, 40% and 60% amplitude was applied on whey protein suspension at concentrations of 100, 150 and 200 g kg^?1 for 5, 15 and 25 min to improve its foaming quality. Ultrasound‐treated whey protein suspension at 200 g kg^?1 showed improvement in terms of increased foaming capacity by 18%, foam stability by 35%, consistency index by 18%, storage modulus by 17%, loss modulus by 26% and viscosity by 21% compared with untreated whey protein. For maximally ultrasound‐treated samples of 60% amplitude treated for 25 min, the improved whey protein foams also had a 46% increase in the number of more evenly distributed fine bubbles which had a size smaller than 0.0025 mm³ as imaged using X‐ray microtomography.     

Ultrasound‐based,in‐line monitoring of anaerobe yeast fermentation: model,sensor design and process application

In order to implement process analytical technology in beer manufacturing, an ultrasound‐based in‐line sensor was developed which is capable to determine sound velocity and density via the multiple reflection method. Based on a systematic study of the ternary system water–maltose–ethanol, two models were established to estimate the critical process parameters: sugar and ethanol mass fraction. The sound velocity‐based model showed unreasonable high errors although temperature variations and deviations due to dissolved CO₂ were corrected. In contrast, the sound velocity–density–temperature model provided an average root mean square error of 0.53%g/g sugar and 0.26%g/g ethanol content for the main fermentation. Method, sensor and model showed the capability to capture the process signature which may be related to product and process quality.     

Hybrid sonochemic urea-nitrate combustion preparation of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 nanocatalyst used in fuel cell-grade hydrogen production from methanol: Effect of sonication and fuel/nitrate ratio

Fuel cell-grade hydrogen production has been studied via steam reforming of methanol (SRM) over a series of CuO/ZnO/Al₂O₃ nanocatalysts fabricated by the combustion method. The effect of sonication and urea/nitrate ratio on the characteristics and catalytic properties of the prepared catalysts has been investigated. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Particle Size Distribution (PSD), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and FTIR analyses XRD patterns showed positive influence of urea/nitrate ratio on CuO and ZnO crystallite sizes. The ultrasonic mixing of primary gel compared with conventional mixing led to lower crystallite size. FESEM images showed that the sample mixed by sonication with a urea/nitrate ratio of 1 had more homogeneous morphology with narrow particle size distribution. EDX results proved the presence of all metals on the surface of the nanocatalysts and better consistence between the gel and surface composition of elements in samples prepared by sonication. Catalytic performance showed that sonication during the mixing of primary gel dramatically increased the methanol conversion. It was also proved that increasing the amount of urea led to lower catalytic activity. The ultrasound-treated nanocatalyst with urea/nitrate?=?1 was the best sample in terms of activity and selectivity. It was stable in the SRM for 1200?min without considerable change in methanol conversion and product selectivity.     

Effect of pulsed ultrasound treatment compared to continuous mode on microbiological and quality of Mirabelle plum during postharvest storage

The effects of pulsed and continuous ultrasound treatment on microbiological and physiological quality of Mirabelle plum fruit were investigated. Freshly harvested Mirabelle plum was treated with 30‐kHz pulsed and continuous ultrasound at 20 °C for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min and subsequently stored at 4 °C for 10 days. The total count of bacteria, total fungi, decay index, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), colour, texture, ascorbic acid content and total phenolics was measured. The results showed that pulsed and continuous ultrasonic treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of microorganisms and improved the quality of Mirabelle plums during storage. Increasing pretreatment time enhanced the positive effects of pulsed and continuous ultrasound. Also, in terms of the total count of bacteria, total fungi, titratable acidity and total phenolics, the pulsed and continuous ultrasound did not show a significant difference (P < 0.05). However, pulsed ultrasound was better compared to continuous mode in preservation of TSS, colour, texture and ascorbic acid content of the fruit during storage. Our results demonstrated that pulsed ultrasound is an appropriate method for improving safety and maintaining the quality of Mirabelle plum fruit.     

Innovative method of Transthoracic Lung Cancer Biopsy of Parietal Lung Tumors under US Guidance after CT Pre-biopsy Planning as an Alternative to CT- Guided Biopsy

The authors compared their earlier results of the tumor biopsies performed under computer tomography （CT） guidance against the results of their recently modified-combined method of visualization and measurement of lung tumor parameters by CT imaging followed by US guided biopsy. In 238 （6.36%） of 3,745 patients in CT examination, the lung tumor was located peripherally, and obtaining histopathological confirmation was crucial to start the proper treatment. The patients were divided into two groups, the division was based on the biopsy method. Within the first group in I 18 patients, parietal lung tumor was confirmed and CT guided biopsy was performed. Within the second group, parietal lung tumor was confirmed in 120 patients and combined method of CT pre- biopsy planning and US guided biopsy were used. Pre-biopsy planning was performed using CT, measurements such as depth and distance of the tumor were made, obtained data were then saved on CT image and patient＇s skin was marked. Then obtained results were analyzed using test for two proportions. The analysis of the results confirmed the higher efficacy of the combined method taking into account the number of complications （p 〈 0.01） and diagnostic histopathological results （P 〈 0.001）. Suggested innovative method, involving both CT pre-biopsy planning and US guided biopsy, allows to analyze simultaneously static CT and dynamic US images and it is considered to be an easy and effective method comparing to relying on static in nature CT images only. Our method is related to a lower complication risk rate.     

一种改进的各向异性扩散超声图像去噪算法

针对传统的各向异性扩散算法中扩散系数函数的平滑效果不好,扩散过程中扩散门限K的选取依靠经验确定,扩散过程对图像细节保护不足的问题,提出了一种改进的各向异性扩散算法。介绍了几种当前比较典型的各向异性扩散去噪算法;在典型算法分析的基础上提出了一种基于自适应中值滤波的改进扩散模型;根据扩散系数应满足的3个条件及经典的扩散系数函数,提出了改进的扩散模型中的改进扩散系数函数;提出了一种扩散门限K的自适应选取的方法。通过在改进的扩散模型中使用改进的扩散系数函数并结合扩散门限K的自适应选取,对超声图像进行去噪。实验结果表明,所提算法优于PM模型、Catte模型、王常虹算法等,去噪后图像的FOM值比PM模型高出3.34%,PSNR值比PM模型高出0.250 6。该算法在去除散斑噪声的同时有效保护了图像的细节及边缘,有助于医务人员对患病区域的准确诊断。     

基于空间冲激响应的圆形换能器辐射声场研究

基于空间冲激响应的稳态声压场理论,从选取距离函数出发,建立了单阵元圆形平面换能器声场中任一场点处的基于傅里叶变换的冲激响应声场模型,该模型适用于声场中的任意位置。并运用Matlab仿真了换能器的轴向与径向声压分布,且在圆形换能器冲激响应的声压分布实验系统上进行验证,实验结果与仿真得到的声压场具有很好的一致性。实验验证表明,仿真结果可准确反映圆形换能器的空间辐射声场分布。该方法计算快捷,对于优化圆形换能器设计参数及提高超声成像检测分辨率有重要参考意义。     

超声消融与腹腔镜手术治疗子宫肌瘤的临床对比研究

目的:评估超声消融术与腹腔镜下子宫肌瘤切除术治疗子宫肌瘤的效果及对患者生活质量的影响。方法:子宫肌瘤患者130例分别纳入超声消融组和腹腔镜手术组,记录两组患者的治疗相关并发症,采用SF-36量表采集治疗前和治疗后1年患者生活质量评分,统计分析比较两组间各个参数的差异。结果:与腹腔镜手术组相比,超声消融组治疗相关并发症更少,住院时间更短(2.9±1.5天vs 6.2±2.7天,P<0.001)。两种治疗方式均能有效提高生活质量评分,改善子宫肌瘤患者的生活质量。结论:超声消融治疗子宫肌瘤临床并发症少,恢复快,可有效提高子宫肌瘤患者的生活质量。