Optimal Processing Method Research Articles

Optimal Design and Techno-Economic Analysis for Corncob Particles Briquettes: A Literature Review of the Utilization of Agricultural Waste and Analysis Calculation

Corncob is usually disposed of directly as waste, creating problems in the environment, while it can be converted into valuable materials. This research aimed to evaluate the literature review on briquette production from agricultural waste (using non-binder and cold press with a binder) and the current works on techno-economic analysis, to propose an optimal design for the production of briquette from corncob waste, and to perform a techno-economic analysis based on the selected optimal processing method. The engineering perspective based on stoichiometry and mass balance showed the potential corncob briquette manufacture in both home and large scales due to the possible use of inexpensive and commercially available equipment and raw materials. The economic perspective [based on several economic evaluation factors (i.e., gross profit margin, payback period, break-even point, cumulative net present value, return of investment, internal rate return, and profitability index) under ideal and non-ideal conditions by considering internal (i.e., sales, raw materials, utilities, and variable cost) and external aspects (i.e., tax)] confirmed the prospective development of the project in the large-scale production with a lifetime of more than 18 years. The main issue in the project is the raw material (i.e. tapioca flour), giving the most impact on the project’s feasibility. Even in severe conditions, the project is feasible. The great endurance was also confirmed in the case of a higher tax rate. This study demonstrates the importance of producing corncob-based briquettes for improving the economic value and giving alternatives for problem solvers in the utilization of agricultural waste.

Вибір оптимальних методів чистової обробки лопаток закритих моноколіс турбонасосних агрегатів, отриманих адитивним методом прямого лазерного спікання порошку

The creation of complex structural elements of aircraft using is promising and is widely used since such elements have several structural and technological advantages over the manufacture of parts using classical technologies. However, it requires the solution of several scientific and technical problems to obtain products of high accuracy and roughness, the development of a technological process, the development of processing modes, and sometimes the development of a new design of products. For the development of technologies in modern rocketry, improving the quality and accuracy of the production of turbines of turbopump units, an important task is to search for new and improve existing technological solutions for the manufacture of such parts with high surface quality. The work aimed to analyze the existing processing methods for parts of turbopump units with complex geometry and select the most technologically advanced one for further use in technological processes. The objective of this article is an analytical review of existing methods of surface treatment of critical parts and the selection of the most technologically advanced method for finishing the blades of a closed-type turbine (with a shroud) to reduce the roughness and improve the quality of the working surface. The object of the research is the process of machining a segment of a turbine impeller made of Inconel 718 nickel alloy (domestic analog – alloy HN45MVTJuBR), which is a key element of a turbopump unit. The blank part of the turbine monowheel type was made using 3D printing technology. As a result of the work, the optimal processing method was chosen, namely, the DryLyte dry electrochemical polishing technology, which has quite significant advantages in comparison with illogical methods. This method has been tested experimentally and is being actively implemented abroad. To introduce this DryLyte technology, it is necessary to carry out additional experiments on finishing the inner channels of small size (24 mm) using the example of interscapular channels of turbines, which will make it possible to fully assess the capabilities of the technology.

Optimal umbilical cord blood collection, processing and cryopreservation methods for sustained public cord blood banking

Background aimsUmbilical cord blood is an established source of stem cells in patients with hematologic malignancies who do not have HLA-compatible matched related or unrelated donors. The success of an umbilical cord blood transplant depends on the dose of total nucleated and CD34+ cells infused. Therefore, collecting, banking and listing high-quality cord blood units with high total nucleated and CD34+ cell dose are essential. MethodsHere the authors describe their cord blood bank's novel collection technique, which involves both in utero and ex utero collection of a single cord blood unit. The authors also evaluated maternal, neonatal and collection parameters that may impact the cell dose. ResultsMaternal gestational age and race, and neonatal weight and sex correlated with the total nucleated cell dose. ConclusionsThe optimized collection of umbilical cord blood is critical for its use as a source of stem cells for transplantation.

The diagonal technique for alopecia biopsies

To the Editor: Histopathologic examination is a critical step in the diagnosis of alopecia. Nevertheless, the optimal processing method for scalp biopsy tissue remains an area of debate with no definitive gold standard. 1 Tailor A. Asher R.G. Craig P.J. Groves R.W. Fenton D.A. Stefanato C.M. The current state of play in the histopathologic assessment of alopecia: two for one or one for two?. J Cutan Pathol. 2013; 40: 298-304 Crossref PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar , 2 Frishberg D.P. Sperling L.C. Guthrie V.M. Transverse scalp sections: a proposed method for laboratory processing. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996; 35: 220-222 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Nguyen J.V. Hudacek K. Whitten J.A. Rubin A.I. Seykora J.T. The HoVert technique: a novel method for the sectioning of alopecia biopsies. J Cutan Pathol. 2011; 38: 401-406 Crossref PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar , 4 Elston D.M. The “Tyler technique” for alopecia biopsies. J Cutan Pathol. 2012; 39: 306 Crossref PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar Our institution employed the classic bisected transverse Headington method for decades but frequently required additional levels to visualize the epidermis, compromising the turnaround time and adding to the laboratory costs. 5 Headington J.T. Transverse microscopic anatomy of the human scalp. A basis for a morphometric approach to disorders of the hair follicle. Arch Dermatol. 1984; 120: 449-456 Crossref PubMed Scopus (335) Google Scholar

Choosing the Optimal Processing Method to Improve the Productivity of Machine Tools and Machine Systems

This article provides the materials of the tools for comparing the performance of the selected optimal methods that provide opportunities to improve efficiency. The table of performance indicators is supplemented by the surface plastic deformation treatment method and the tool used for this finishing treatment. There is also a graph indicating the processing performance by the years of appearance of various tool materials.

Selection of appropriate post-harvest processing methods based on the metabolomics analysis of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

Post-harvest processing is a leading cause of metabolic changes and quality loss in food products. An untargeted metabolomics approach based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS was conducted to explain metabolic changes during post-harvest processing of Salvia miltiorrhiza. A rapid identification method was established for comprehensive characterization of 56 phenolic acids and 45 tanshinones. Enzymatic browning was found to be the primary factor impacting the metabolic profile. A decreasing in free phenolic acids along with increasing in bound polyphenols was observed correlated with the deepening of browning degree. The various substructures of bound polyphenols were explored to interpret the composition of browning-associated products. It has also been found that the steaming process and control of the moisture content during slicing can effectively reduce the influence of enzymatic browning. This metabolomics study will contribute to select the optimal post-harvest processing methods for S. miltiorrhiza and provide information for post-harvest processing of similar products.

Application of UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS metabolomics approach to investigate the taste and nutrition changes in tilapia fillets treated with different thermal processing methods

Thermal processing is a common processing method for tilapia which has an important impact on the quality and characteristics of fish meat. This study aimed to investigate changes in the metabolites of tilapia fillets after thermal processing. In this work, we used a UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS metabolomics method to identify and screen differential metabolites. A total of 249 metabolites were identified from tilapia fillet samples, 24, 29 and 24 differential metabolites were screened from steaming/raw, boiling/raw and air frying/raw groups, respectively. Thermal processing significantly changed the quality of tilapia fillets, and the contribution of amino acids, phospholipids and nucleotides to different metabolites was large and had important impacts on the taste and nutrition of tilapia fillets. Metabolomics is an effective method for quality detection of thermal processing in aquatic products. This study provides the theoretical basis for the selection of optimized processing methods for tilapia.

Технология приготовления функционального продукта из конины в соусе

Introduction. The priority task of the food industry is to provide population with functional products since the health of nation and its people largely depends on the diet. New formulations and technologies for meat products broaden the range of functional foods. Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of functional ingredients as it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The present research featured horsemeat as a promising raw material of high nutritional and biological value. Horsemeat is a traditional food source for many nations. The research objective was to develop a new technology for horsemeat in sauce and to select the optimal thermal processing method.
 Study objects and methods. The authors tested several methods of heat treatment and used a standard nine-point scale to assess the sensory properties of the finished product. The experiment involved standard physicochemical and organoleptic research methods. The color characteristics were described using digital image processing.
 Results and discussion. The study delivered a new formulation of sauce with flaxseed oil, which improved the quality of the fat component of the finished product. The new sauce proved to be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and possessed high sensory and technological properties. A comparative analysis of the heat treatment methods included traditional frying and stewing, cooking in a steam convection oven, and a sous-vide technology. The sous vide technology appeared to have the best structural-mechanical, physicochemical, and sensory properties. Software processing of digital images made it possible to compare the color of raw, semifinished, and cooked meat samples. The traditional cooking methods of frying and stewing showed the most pronounced changes in the color, while the sous-vide technology demonstrated a smooth color change. As for the quality of the finished product, it proved to satisfy 40% of daily intake for polyunsaturated fatty acids and 20% for tocopherol, which makes the product functional.
 Conclusion. The new technology made it possible to expand the range of functional meat products. The new digital image processing program helped to register changes in shape and color of meat samples after various heat treatment methods.

Drying methods affect bioactive compound contents and antioxidant capacity of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. flower

Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. is a perennial plant widely used as food, medicine and ornamentation. To determine the optimal processing method and promote the application of B. striata flowers, this work investigated the influences of diverse drying treatments on properties, structures, bioactive compound contents and antioxidant capacity of B. striata flowers. The drying methods applied in the study included natural drying, microwave drying, hot air drying, infrared drying, vacuum drying and freeze drying. Microwave drying was the fastest way for completion of drying, followed by infrared drying. Freeze drying had a relatively good color protection effect on the B. striata flowers, and the degree of browning was low. Compared with natural drying, the content of polysaccharide decreased following freeze drying, while the retention of total phenols and total anthocyanins increased significantly. Natural drying required a long time, and the degree of browning was high. Under the condition of natural drying, anthocyanins were almost completely degraded after long drying time and the degree of browning was high, but the retention of total flavonoids and total polysaccharides were higher compared with freeze drying. The methanolic extracts of flowers treated by natural drying and freeze drying both showed high antioxidant capacity. The reduction ability of natural drying group was slightly worse than that of infrared drying and hot air drying. The diammonium 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and OH radical scavenging ability were higher following natural drying. As a consequence, freeze drying was the best way for protecting most characters, contents and activities of B. striata flowers. In consideration of production costs, we recommend infrared drying as a more practical choice for industrial production.

Image Filter Processing Algorithm Analysis and Comparison

In the process of capturing images by the camera, various noises will be generated due to the interference of the external environment or the interference of the internal environment. The noise must be filtered to ensure the accuracy of the size measurement. This article takes Gaussian noise and salt and pepper noise as examples. Experimental simulation analysis of image filtering by different filtering methods. Then combined with the image quality evaluation index to analyze the optimal image filtering processing method, finally it is concluded that the most suitable methods for Gaussian noise and salt and pepper noise filtering are adaptive Gaussian filtering and median filtering.

A Multiple Sources Localization Method Based on TDOA Without Association Ambiguity for Near and Far Mixed Field Sources

A new method for multiple sources localization is proposed to eliminate association ambiguity for near and far mixed field sources. A spatial source localization model in the modified polar representation was constructed without the prior knowledge needed if the source is near-field or far-field. The localization model for multiple sources was deduced by using all the possible permutation of the TDOA sequences obtained from the original array by GCC-PHAT and the generalized trust region optimization processing method. In order to eliminate the phantom sources in the multiple sources localization, a set of calibration sub-arrays was constructed by switching the reference microphone in the array. The TDOA sequences of the estimated possible sources and all actual sources to the calibration sub-arrays were calculated separately. A reliability evaluation function was constructed based on the two sets of TDOA sequences, as well as a reliability evaluation between the sources identified by all the calibration sub-arrays. According to the principle of minimization of the reliability evaluation function, the real sources were screened out to solve the association ambiguity. Comparison analyses through simulation and experiment on real speech datasets were carried out under different localization scenarios. The results of simulation are consistent with the experimental results, which show that the proposed method effectively eliminates the phantom sources, and has higher positioning accuracy and robustness than the comparison methods, no matter sources are in the near-field or far-field.

Influence of mass ratios between SiC particles and chopped carbon fibers on properties of C/SiC/SiO2 porous ceramics

Transpiration cooling in the thermal protection system of hypersonic vehicles still remains a challenge due to the lack of lightweight porous ceramic with excellent permeability. C/SiC/SiO2 porous ceramics with low density and good permeability are fabricated by optimized grinding-mould pressing-sintering process. The influences of different mass ratios between SiC particles and chopped carbon fibers on the microscopic structure, mechanical performance, pore-size distribution and permeability of the porous ceramics are studied systematically. C/SiC/SiO2 porous ceramics with density of 1.092～1.327 g/cm3, compressive strength of 1.55～15.7 MPa, permeability of 5.903 × 10–8～13.434 × 10-8 mm2, as well as uniform microstructure and pore-size distribution have been obtained with the increasing of the mass ratios. Notably, the densities and compressive strengths of C/SiC/SiO2 porous ceramics improve gradually but their permeabilities decrease with the increasing of mass ratio between SiC particles and chopped carbon fibers from 0.3:1 to 1:1. The porous ceramics fabricated by optimized processing method can have a potential application in the transpiration cooling.

Optimal processing sequence and method combination of linear resampling and spectral shaping in swept-source optical coherence tomography

There are many methods employed for the linear resampling and spectral shaping, the most important and complex signal processing procedures in swept-source optical coherence tomography. In this study, commonly used 4 interpolation methods (IMs) and 4 shaping methods (SMs) were used as an example to study the processing sequences (PSs) and method combinations of the two procedures. The acquired interference spectra at different optical path-length differences, corresponding to the shallow, middle, and deep depths in sample, were processed with all the combinations of the IMs and SMs with the current (the resampling followed by the shaping) and exchanged (the shaping followed by the resampling) PSs, respectively. The amplitude, signal-to-noise ratio, and full width at half maximum of axial point spread function, were used for performance evaluation. The exchanged PS was verified to be also correct and had improved performance compared with the current PS. The found optimal method combination with the exchanged PS can improve the performance compared with the current methods, especially for middle and deep regions.

Use of heat treatment for the development of protein-based bioplastics

The production of bioplastics from renewable and biodegradable sources could be a great potential option for the substitution of conventional plastics. In this way, raw materials and processing method have been investigated to improve their competitiveness in the actual market. However, the extra treatment that bioplastics must undergo to improve their properties are expensive, making them unfeasible. In this sense, a heat treatment in a conventional oven seems to be a potential low-cost option. This work aimed to evaluate the incorporation of a heat treatment at 50 °C in the process of protein-based bioplastic. For this, two proteins with different applications, absorption in hygiene (soy protein isolate) and food packaging (pea protein isolate), were selected to evaluate the versatility of this tentative post-treatment. In addition, two different mold temperatures (70 and 130 °C) and different exposure times of heat treatment (0, 4 and 24 h) were studied to evaluate the effect of them in the bioplastics properties and to select the most optimal processing method for each protein. In this context, mechanical properties and water uptake capacity were evaluated to study the influence of this post-treatment on them. The results showed that the processing conditions and the heat post-treatment could modulate the final properties of protein-based bioplastics, being potential materials to replace conventional plastics.

Impact of thermal processing methods on the composition and content of 4'-O-methylpyridoxine analogues in Ginkgo biloba seeds

This study investigated the effect of thermal processing methods, namely, boiling, microwaving, baking, and frying, on the 4'-O-methylpyridoxine (MPN) analogues of Gingko biloba seeds. All thermal processing methods decreased MPN, pyridoxine, and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, total MPN (TMPN), and total vitamin B6 (VB6) contents but increased MPN-5'-glucoside and pyridoxamine contents. Baking and frying reduced TMPN content by 46.54%–54.67% and 46.54%–54.67%, respectively. Frying was identified as the optimal thermal processing method that maintains the VB6 compound content of G. biloba seeds at high levels (72.92%–84.62%). Principal component analysis revealed the different effects of thermal processing methods on MPN analogues in G. biloba seeds. The results of this study demonstrate that compared with other thermal processing methods, frying can better reduce the toxic compound content (TMPN) of G. biloba seeds and promote VB6 retention.

Boron-Loaded Polymeric Sensor for the Direct Detection of Thermal Neutrons.

We report the first demonstration of a solid-state, direct-conversion sensor for thermal neutrons based on a polymer/inorganic nanocomposite. Sensors were fabricated from ultrathick films of poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) semiconducting polymer, with thicknesses up to 100 μm. Boron nanoparticles (NPs) were dispersed throughout the PTAA film to provide the neutron stopping power arising from the high thermal neutron cross section of the isotope 10B. To maximize the quantum efficiency (QE) of the sensor to thermal neutrons, a high volume fraction of homogeneously dispersed boron nanoparticles was achieved in the thick PTAA film using an optimized processing method. Thick active layers were realized using a high molecular weight of the PTAA so that molecular entanglements provide a high cohesive strength. A nonionic surfactant was used to stabilize the boron dispersion in solvent and hence suppress the formation of agglomerates and associated electrical pathways. Boron nanoparticle loadings of up to ten volume percent were achieved, with thermal neutron quantum efficiency estimates up to 6% resulting. The sensors' neutron responses were characterized under a high flux thermal neutron exposure, showing a linear correlation between the response current and the thermal neutron flux up to ∼107 cm-2 s-1. Polymer-based boron nanocomposite sensors offer a new neutron detection technology that uses low-cost, scalable solution processing and provides an alternative to traditional neutron sensors that use rare isotopes, such as 3He.

Optimal MODIS data processing for accurate multi-year paddy rice area mapping in China

ABSTRACT Researchers, policy makers, and farmers currently rely on remote sensing technology to monitor crops. Although data processing methods can be different among different remote sensing methods, little work has been done on studying these differences. In order for potential users to have confidence in remote sensing products, an analysis of mapping accuracies and their associated uncertainties with different data processing methods is required. This study used the MOD09A1 and MYD09A1 products of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite, from which the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the two-band EVI (EVI2) images were obtained. The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of different data processing combinations for multi-year rice area mapping. Sixteen combinations of EVI and EVI2 with two cloudy pixel removal methods (QA/BLUE) and four pixel replacement methods (MO/MY/MOY/MYO) were investigated over the Jiangsu Province of southeast China from 2006 to 2016. Different accuracy results were obtained with different data processing combinations for multi-year rice field mapping. Based on a comparison of the relative performance of different MODIS products and processing method combinations, EVI2_BLUE_MYO was proposed to be the optimal processing method, and was applied to forecasting the rice-planted area of 2017. Study results from 2006 to 2017 were validated against reference data and showed accuracies of rice area extraction of greater than 95%. The mean absolute error of transplanting, heading, and maturity dates were 11.55, 8.10, and 7.78 days, respectively. In 2017, two sample regions (A and B) were selected from places where rice fractional cover was greater than 75%. Rice area extraction accuracies of 85.0% (A) and 92.3% (B) were obtained. These results demonstrated the complementarity of MOD09A1 and MYD09A1 datasets in enhancing pixel spatial coverage and improving rice area mapping when atmospheric influences are significant. The optimal data processing combination indentified in this study is promising for accurate multi-year and large-area paddy rice information extraction and forecasting.

Surface preparation as one of the main factors for ensuring the durability of anti-corrosion coatings

This article is devoted to the protection of bridge metal structures from corrosion. The article was written with the aim of studying one of the stages of anti-corrosion treatment, namely the preparation of the surface before applying a protective coating. In the article, the authors address the problem of the durability of paint coatings, and point to the main reasons, to a greater extent, affecting the service life. Studying the problem of the durability of protective coatings, the authors distinguish such a stage as preparing the metal surface of the bridge structure before applying the paintwork. The authors tell how important the preparation of the surface is and what negative consequences are possible if it is disturbed or not. For a more detailed study of the problem, the authors consider several methods of preparing the surface of the structure, such as: abrasive blast cleaning, phosphating the surface and heat treatment. When studying the above mentioned methods, the authors describe the technology of the work, the main factors affecting the final result of processing, as well as the positive and negative sides of each of the methods. For each of the surface treatment methods, the authors present illustrations that clearly show the basic concept of the selected treatment option. Summing up the comparative analysis of surface treatment methods before applying anti-corrosion coatings, the authors chose the most optimal processing method, as well as concluded that the importance of this stage and the possibility of its further improvement.

Research on the Innovative Management Mode in Enterprises during Big Data Era

In China, information technology and network information technology has developed many years, people can get massive information in time and quickly on the network platform. During the big data era, enterprises must innovate management work in combination with the current situation all over the world, so as to make enterprises develop better. To be able to adapt to the big data era, managers need to consider how to innovate management from all aspects. In order to deal with the challenges that existing in the work of Chinese enterprises during the big data era, we proposed a optimization processing method of the enterprise management mode, hoping to be helpful for the enterprise managers to innovate the management mode.

"Attenuation-preservation effects" of different processed products of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix in industrialized production

To study the correlation between toxicity and efficacy of different processed Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix productsin industrial production, in order to define the optimal processing method for "attenuation-preservation effects". The HPLC method was used to determine the content of six aconitine alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and its different processed products. The Bliss method was used to determine the half-lethal dose(LD_(50)) or the maximum dose of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and its different processed products in mice. The toluene-induced ear swelling method and the acetic acid twist method were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of different processed products. The results showed that: ① the total amount of diester alkaloids incrude Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix was 0.358 8%; the total amount of diester alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix prepared by pharmacopoeia-based boiling method was 0.002 2%, and the total amount of monoester alkaloids was 0.036 2%; the total amount of diester alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix produced by atmospheric steaming method was 0.006 0%, and the total amount of monoester alkaloids was 0.056 7%; ② the LD_(50) of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix was 5.4 g·kg~(-1),and the maximum dose of processed products by two methods were 133.34 g·kg~(-1); pathological observation showed that compared with the normal group, the two kinds of processed products of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix had certain damage to the heart, liver and kidney; ③products processed by pharmacopoeia-based boiling method and atmospheric steaming method had anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were as follows: the atmospheric steaming method was superior to the pharmacopoeia-based boiling method. The above results suggest that the crude Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radixis more toxic. The atmospheric steaming method can significantly reduce the toxicity, while retaining its good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which is significantly better than the pharmacopoeia-based boiling method. The atmospheric steaming process is simple and easy to operate, and suitable for industrial production.