A wavelet-based procedure for process fault detection

To detect faults in a time-dependent process, we apply a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to several independently replicated data sets generated by that process. The DWT can capture irregular data patterns such as sharp "jumps" better than the Fourier transform and standard statistical procedures without adding much computational complexity. Our wavelet coefficient selection method effectively balances model parsimony against data reconstruction error. The few selected wavelet coefficients serve as the "reduced-size" data set to facilitate an efficient decision-making method in situations with potentially large-volume data sets. We develop a general procedure to detect process faults based on differences between the reduced-size data sets obtained from the nominal (in-control) process and from a new instance of the target process that must be tested for an out-of-control condition. The distribution of the test statistic is constructed first using normal distribution theory and then with a new resampling procedure called "reversed jackknifing" that does not require any restrictive distributional assumptions. A Monte Carlo study demonstrates the effectiveness of these procedures. Our methods successfully detect process faults for quadrupole mass spectrometry samples collected from a rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition process     

Crack Development in Individually Quick Frozen Cut and Peel Carrots

ABSTRACT:  Crack development during freezing (CDF) is one of the major challenges in individually quick frozen (IQF) cut and peel carrot processing. The effects of processing and freezer storage on crack development were examined on the cut and peel carrot variety, Sugarsnax. Carrot samples were removed from the major processing steps, the trans-slicer, the shaper, the blancher, and the dryer, and examined for crack development by measuring percentage cracked, crack morphology, total soluble solids, moisture levels, and membrane injury index immediately after processing. These parameters were also examined following 20 wk of standard freezer storage for cut and peels. Approximately 2% of nonprocessed carrots were cracked compared to 45% of carrots after the initial trans-slicing stage. As the processing continued, cracking decreased due to the removal of the outer epidermis to 16% of the finished product. This suggests that CDF was initiated at the 1st processing stage. Crack width and depth were 2.3 and 2.6 mm, respectively, at the trans-slicer stage and decreased to 1.1 and 1.8 mm at the end of the line. It was found that CDF was further exacerbated by freezer storage due to inefficient water removal at the dryer stage. Crack width and depth increased to 1.5 and 3.0 mm after 20 wk for freezer storage. Root size also played a role in CDF, suggesting that larger pieces are more susceptible to crack development. Total soluble solid concentrations did not play a role in crack formation during cut and peel processing.     

Application of Multiagent Technologies to Multiple Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows

In this paper, a multiagent approach to the Multiple Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (MDVRPTW) is presented. A multiagent system of interacting trucks, depots and orders is considered. For limiting the intensity of negotiations, a Delaunay triangulation-based scene structure is proposed. As demonstrated below, the solutions obtained by the new algorithm vary by 10–30% from the well-known best counterparts; however, the speed of calculations is considerably higher, and hence the new algorithm can be applied in real-time systems.     

Imidazoline receptors and use of drug blocking receptors I1

Imidazoline-preferring receptors are important in the pathophysiology of hypertension. The selective l1-receptor agonists are moxonidine, cimetidine and rilmenidine. Some clinical studies indicate the usefulness of moxonidine therapy in hypertension, arrhythmias and acute myocardial infarction.     

Influence of non-covalent interactions on properties of lanthanide systems with aromatic ligands

Two series of lanthanide compounds, namely, chlorides containing different numbers of both 1,10-phenanthroline （Phen） molecules and chloride anions in the first coordination sphere, and Schiff Bases （SBs） derived from Pyridoxal （PL） and amino acids, were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and luminescence techniques. The combined use of these techniques for the analysis of long-distance europium non-covalent interactions was performed for the first time. As a result, the correlation between supramolecular organization and the features of the Eum electronic transitions was found for the compounds of the first series. Strong non-covalent interactions between pyridoxal tings of SBs （the second series of compotmd） led to the formation of 1：2 species and four-dentate coordination function of these SBs in aqueous solution.     

An overview of consumer attitudes and beliefs about plant food supplements

The use of dietary supplements is increasing globally and this includes the use of plant food supplements (PFS). A variety of factors may be influencing this increased consumption including the increasing number of older people in society, mistrust in conventional medicine and the perception that natural is healthy. Consumer studies in this area are limited, with a focus on dietary supplements in general, and complicated by the use of certain plant food supplements as herbal medicines. Research indicates that higher use of dietary supplements has been associated with being female, being more educated, having a higher income, being white and being older, however the drivers for consumption of supplements are complex, being influenced by both demographic and health-related factors. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of current knowledge about the users and the determinants of usage of plant food supplements. With growing consumption of these products, the need for effective risk-benefit assessment becomes ever more important and an insight into who uses these types of products and why is an important starting point for any future science-based decisions made by policy makers, PFS manufacturers and ultimately by consumers themselves.     

Selenium content in the pilchard of the Adriatic Sea

The selenium content was determined in the muscle tissue (M. longissimus dorsi) of the pilchard (Clupea pilchardus). The fishes originated from catches at two localities, the mid-and northern Adriatic Sea, during two seasons—spring and autumn. The selenium content was determined by the hydride procedure of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with the results being expressed as wet weight (ww). Four groups of the analysed samples indicated differences in the selenium content, depending on the location and time (season) of the catch. The highest selenium content was found in the pilchard of the mid-Adriatic Sea in spring (712.7 ±23.7 ng/g wet weight) and the lowest in the pilchard of the northern Adriatic Sea caught in autumn (472.7± 34.7 ng/g ww.). Regardless of seasonal differences and/or geographical aspects, the pilchard of the Adriatic Sea contains on average 580 ng Se/g ww and may be considered a significant source of this essential micronutrient.