Sound Grains Research Articles

Toward a cylinder pressure signals-based active synthesis algorithm for engine sound

The active sound design (ASD) technology is one of the most flexible methods to achieve the diverse design of automobile sound, in which the active sound synthesis algorithm is essential. However, in previous works, the discontinuity phenomena always appear in the synthesized sound. Thus, a new method of active engine sound synthesis based on cylinder pressure signals is proposed in this paper for the sound synthesis algorithm of ASD technique. Firstly, the index matrix of sound grains is constructed based on the periodicity of engine cylinder pressure signal. Then the frame length and frame shift are defined by tracing the time step of Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of engine, and the hamming window function is constructed to extract sound grains. Subsequently, the overlap-and-add (OLA) method is used to realize the synthesis of engine sounds with different durations. In addition, the code program of proposed algorithm is written and the ASD prototype system is built respectively to synthesize the engine sounds. Finally, a similarity evaluation metric is defined to verify the effectiveness of proposed algorithm. The results show that our algorithm not only restitutes the main features of original sound, but also satisfies both the real-time feedback on the driving status and the continuity of synthesized sound. It contributes to the development of real-time ASD engineering for automobiles.

Economic studies of quality rice (Oryza sativa L.) on different varieties under organic production system in Chhattisgarh

An experiment was conducted under Chhattisgarh agro-climatic conditions at the instructional cum research farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) entitled “Economic studies of quality rice (Oryza sativa L.) on different varieties under organic production system in Chhattisgarh.” The highest number of effective tillers hill-1 was recorded in the variety Zinco rice MS (10.7) which was significant superior over rest of the tested varieties. The lowest number of effective tiller hill-1 Lohandi (7.2) in over rest of the varieties. The highest length of panicle (32.9 cm) in Tulsi Manjiri while lowest length of panicle (21.1 cm) with Indira Sugandhit Dhan 1. The overall result also indicate that traditional rice varieties were produced the higher number of sound grains panicle-1 like Samund Chini (153.0) and Aatma Sheetal (152.7) over high yielding scented and fortified rice varieties while the lowest sound grains panicle-1 was recorded with Zinco rice MS (71.7) in overall tested varieties. The highest sterility percent was reported in Zinco rice MS (22.8%) but the lowest (9.8%) in Lokti Machhi. The highest test weight was noticed in CG Madhuraj 55 (32.9g) followed by Protezin (31.6g). The maximum grain yield was recorded in CG Devbhog (37.0 q ha-1) and lowest grain yield (22.6 q ha-1) in Tulsi Manjiri. The highest straw yield was recorded in the variety of Tulsi Manjiri (71-72 q ha-1) which differ significantly in rest over the varieties and lowest straw yield in the variety Protezin (33.9 q ha-1). The maximum value of harvest index recorded in the cultivars Protezin (49.1%) and the lowest harvest index value was recorded in the variety Tulsi Manjiri (24.3 %). The highest B: C ratio recorded the variety CG Devbhog (1.6) while the lowest in the variety Lohandi and Aatma Sheetal (0.8).

Image processing techniques to estimate weight and morphological parameters for selected wheat refractions

The geometric and color features of agricultural material along with related physical properties are critical to characterize and express its physical quality. The experiments were conducted to classify the physical characteristics like size, shape, color and texture and then workout the relationship between manual observations and using image processing techniques for weight and volume of the four wheat refractions i.e. sound, damaged, shriveled and broken grains of wheat variety PBW 725. A flatbed scanner was used to acquire the images and digital image processing method was used to process the images and output of image analysis was compared with the actual measurements data using digital vernier caliper. A linear relationship was observed between the axial dimensions of refractions between manual measurement and image processing method with R2 in the range of 0.798–0.947. The individual kernel weight and thousand grain weight of the refractions were observed to be in the range of 0.021–0.045 and 12.56–46.32 g respectively. Another linear relationship was found between individual kernel weight and projected area estimated using image processing methodology with R2 in the range of 0.841–0.920. The sphericity of the refractions varied in the range of 0.52–0.71. Analyses of the captured images suggest ellipsoid shape with convex geometry while the same observation was recorded by physical measurements also. A linear relationship was observed between the volume of refractions derived from measured dimensions and calculated from image with R2 in the range of 0.845–0.945. Various color and grey level co-variance matrix texture features were extracted from acquired images using the open-source Python programming language and OpenCV library which can exploit different machine and deep learning algorithms to properly classify these refractions.

Extended multiplicative signal correction to improve prediction accuracy of protein content in weathered sorghum grain samples

AbstractBackground and objectivesSorghum grains may be subjected to weathering damage in the field as naked grains on the panicle are exposed to adverse environmental conditions during grain development or dry down before harvest. A near infrared (NIR) protein calibration model did not work as expected for weathered grains. Extended multiplicative signal correction was tested as a preprocessing method for spectra to improve the prediction accuracy of the model when weathered grain samples are evaluated.FindingsNIR spectra of weathered sorghum grain samples showed marked distortions with a higher apparent absorbance at lower wavelengths in the 950–1650 nm spectral range. A partial least squares calibration developed with sound grain samples using spectra preprocessed with multiplicative signal correction (MSC) predicted protein content of validation sample set of sound grains with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.67% and coefficient of determination (r2) = 0.83. However, performance of this calibration model dropped with RMSEP = 13.14% and r2 = 0.04 when used to predict proteins in weathered grain samples. Introduction of weathered grain spectra to the calibration improved predictive performance with RMSEP = 0.92% and r2 = 0.69. Application of extended multiplicative scatter correction (EMSC) to preprocess the spectra of the calibration with weathered grain samples enhanced the prediction performance with RMSEP = 0.61% and r2 = 0.85.ConclusionsInclusion of weathered grain spectra in the calibration and preprocessing spectra with EMSC markedly improved the robustness of the sorghum protein calibration.Significance and noveltySorghum breeders using NIR spectroscopy for evaluation of protein levels in sorghum breeding lines can get the weathered grain samples also analyzed for protein levels by using this method.

Qualitative classification of milled rice grains using computer vision and metaheuristic techniques.

Qualitative grading of milled rice grains was carried out in this study using a machine vision system combined with some metaheuristic classification approaches. Images of four different classes of milled rice including Low-processed sound grains (LPS), Low-processed broken grains (LPB), High-processed sound grains (HPS), and High-processed broken grains (HPB), representing quality grades of the product, were acquired using a computer vision system. Four different metaheuristic classification techniques including artificial neural networks, support vector machines, decision trees and Bayesian Networks were utilized to classify milled rice samples. Results of validation process indicated that artificial neural network with 12-5*4 topology had the highest classification accuracy (98.72%). Next, support vector machine with Universal Pearson VII kernel function (98.48%), decision tree with REP algorithm (97.50%), and Bayesian Network with Hill Climber search algorithm (96.89%) had the higher accuracy, respectively. Results presented in this paper can be utilized for developing an efficient system for fully automated classification and sorting of milled rice grains.

Utilization of Different Corn Fractions by Broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional values of fractions of damaged corn. One hundred and eighty 22-d-old Cobb 500 male broilers were distributed in batteries according to a completely randomized design with six treatments of six replicates each. The treatments consisted of diets containing five corn fractions, classified as sound, fermented, insect-damaged, mold-damaged, or reference corn. The test diets consisted of 60% of reference diet + 40% of each corn fraction. Only the reference corn fraction included all the fractions at different proportions (0.8% fermented, 0.05% insect-damaged, 3.3% mold-damaged, and 95.85% sound grains). The method of total excreta collection was used to determine AMEn values and metabolizability coefficients of dry matter (MDM), crude protein (MCP), ether extract (MEE), and gross energy (MGE) of the reference corn and its fractions. The density values of the corn fractions were used to calculate the correlations among the evaluated parameters. The evaluated corn fractions presented different compositions values. The insect-damaged and mold-damaged grains presented higher CP level, lower density, and MDM and MCP coefficients compared with the other fractions. However, calculated AMEn values were not significantly different (p>0.05) among corn fractions. A low correlation between density and AMEn content (r 0.8) were calculated. Although the evaluated corn fractions presented different nutritional values, there were no marked differences in their utilization by broilers.

Rheology Study of Starch Extracted from Germinated Ragi and its Application in Textile Printing

Rheology Study of Starch Extracted from Germinated Ragi and its Application in Textile Printing Finger millet (Ragi) is a non-conventional carbohydrate rich source, which can be used as source of starch. Germinated ragi is generally discarded as a waste material and is used for non productive purposes. In the present investigation, starch extracted from germinated ragi has been compared with the starch from non-germinated ragi, as a thickener in textile printing. Extraction of starch was done by alkali steeping method. Analysis of both the starches was done by measuring swelling power, paste clarity, crystallinity and iodine binding. Printing of vat dyes on 100% cotton fabric was carried out using both the starches as thickener. The effect of solid contents of thickener and the shearing time on the viscosity of paste over a wide range of shear rates was studied for both germinated and non germinated ragi. The solid contents of the starch obtained from both germinated and sound grains were adjusted to have printable viscosity of the pastes. The prints were analyzed by measuring colour value (K/S and L*, a*, b* value), bending length, light fastness and fastness to washing and crocking. Results suggest that germinated ragi can be used partially in blends if not fully, as a thickener in printing.

How do extreme wet events affect rice quality in a changing climate?

Despite the growing body of evidence that ongoing warming modifies the cereal quality of several crop species, little is known about how it interacts with other climate change drivers. Here, we examined how elevated [CO2], warming, and extreme wet events (EWEs) would affect the grain quality of a temperate rice (Oryza sativa L.). In 2009 and 2010, plants were grown at two levels of [CO2] (c. 390 and 650μll−1) and three levels of warming (ambient, +1.2°C and +2.2/2.4°C) over the seasons in six independent temperature gradient field chambers (three each for ambient and elevated [CO2]). From 20 days after heading, plants were exposed to EWE with a simulated rainfall of 30mm a day and cloud cover by shading (c. 18% of full sunlight) for 10 consecutive days. There were also control plots, which were non-treated (NT) in terms of EWE. We found that warming and EWE, both independently and in their interaction, lead to a significant reduction in the percentages of sound grains, whereas elevated [CO2] does not seem to do so. Not only warming and EWE, but also elevated [CO2] resulted in a significant increase of immature chalky grains (ICGs), which mostly consisted of milky-white chalky grains, degrading the grain quality. In addition, warming interacted positively with elevated [CO2] on ICGs, whereas the warming sensitivity of IGCs was moderated in EWEs: e.g., on average, the % of ICGs in ambient vs. elevated [CO2] were 8.5% vs. 9.4%, 10.7% vs. 18.1% and 17.8% vs. 29.8% at ambient (24.7°C), +1.2°C and +2.4°C, respectively, whereas they in NT vs. EWE were 1.2% vs. 16.6%, 7.7% vs. 21.1% and 19.4% vs. 28.2%. Our results tightly confirmed that elevated [CO2] leads to a significant reduction in rice grain protein content (PC). While warming had little effect on the PC, EWE had a significant positive effect, and the EWE-induced increase in PC was smaller in elevated (+3.3%) than in ambient [CO2] (+10.9%). Given the rice quality predictor of ICGs and PC, our findings imply that expected climate change and weather extremes have a great potential to degrade the quality of rice, in terms of its milling, cooking, eating, and nutritional quality, as well as market value.

Effect of Electrohydrodynamic and Batch Drying on Rice Fissuring

The effects of high-voltage electrostatic field (10 kV), batch drying (45°C), and natural air-drying (26°C) on the impact strength of a brown rice kernel (Oryza Sativa L.) variety of Khazar were investigated under three levels of kinetic impact loading (10, 23, and 37 mJ) with 10 replications. Results showed that the effects of kinetic impact loading on the breakage susceptibility index (BSI) of artificially dried rice grains were significant at 1% confidence level. With increasing kinetic impact loading, the average value of BSI increased. The sound brown rice grains became stronger in natural air-drying as the drying duration increased at low drying temperatures. High-voltage electrostatic field and batch drying considerably increased the rate of breakage susceptibility but the EHD drying was inherently energy efficient with a low surface drying temperature.

Music Neurotechnology for Sound Synthesis: Sound Synthesis with Spiking Neuronal Networks

Music neurotechnology is a new research area emerging at the crossroads of neurobiology, engineering sciences and music. Examples of ongoing research into this new area include the development of brain-computer interfaces to control music systems and systems for automatic classification of sounds informed by the neurobiology of the human auditory apparatus. The authors introduce neurogranular sampling, a new sound synthesis technique based on spiking neuronal networks (SNN). They have implemented a neurogranular sampler using the SNN model developed by Izhikevich, which reproduces the spiking and bursting behavior of known types of cortical neurons. The neurogranular sampler works by taking short segments (or sound grains) from sound files and triggering them when any of the neurons fire.

OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME GRAINS USING VISIBLE LASER

The objective of the present study was to identify criteria of optical properties from sound grains using visible laser with wavelength of 632.8 nm and power 8 mw. The experiments and measurements for the optical and electrical properties were carried out for a random sample from four grain varieties. Obtained results are summarized as follows: a) The absorption percentages were higher than reflection percentages, reflections were 18.61, 16.31, 9.61, 7.63, 7.00, and 6.90%. Meanwhile, absorption were 81.39, 83.69, 90.39, 92.38, 93.00, and 93.10% for hollow phase corn, flat phase corn, hollow phase wheat, flat phase wheat, and rice and bean grains, respectively, b) There is variation between reflection and absorption percentages for the same grains which had different two phases such as corn and wheat grain, c) The electrical reflection decreased gradually as follows: 5.88, 5.67, 5.46, 5.06, 3.94, and 3.62 mV for hollow phase corn, flat phase corn, hollow phase wheat, paddy rice, flat phase wheat, and bean grains, respectively according to the reflection intensity of laser, d) The values (high, low, and closed) of the reflection intensity for grains were (198, 119, and 148.9 lux), (189, 105, and 130.5 lux), (90, 55, and 76.9 lux), (86, 40, and 61 lux), (83, 35, and 56 lux), and (66, 46, and 55.2 lux). Meanwhile, the absorption intensities were (681, 602, and 651.1 lux), (695, 611, and 669.5 lux), (745, 710, and 723.1 lux), (760, 714, and 739 lux), (765, 717, and 744 lux), and (754, 734, and 744.8 lux) for hollow phase corn, flat phase corn, hollow phase wheat, paddy rice, flat phase wheat, and bean grains, respectively, e) The criteria of optical properties from sound grains are arranged descending order as follows: The reflections were: Bean (6.90%) >, Flat phase-Wheat (7.0%) >, Hollow phase-Wheat (7.63) >, Rice (9.61%) >, Flat phase-Corn (16.31) >, and Hollow phase-Corn (18.61%). Meanwhile, the absorptions were: Hollow phase-Corn (81.39.61%) >, Flat phase-Corn (83.69%) >, Rice (90.39%) >, Hollow phase-Wheat (92.38%) >, Flat phase-Wheat (93.0%) >, and Bean (93.10%), and f) Sorting and separating different grains can be according to optical properties of laser.

Violent Spore-discharge in Tilletia Tritici

Tilletia Tritici and T. laevis are fungi which cause the well-known stinking smut disease or bunt of wheat. An affected wheat grain becomes transformed into a sack filled with several million, closely packed, minute, brown chlamydospores which, in the mass, have the odour of decaying fish. These spores become powdery and, under natural conditions, are passively dispersed by wind and rain. In the artificial process of threshing, the smut-balls are broken open and much of the chlamydospore-powder becomes adherent to the outer surface of the sound wheat grains. When smutty grains are planted in the soil, the fungus attacks the wheat seedlings and once more gives rise to the smut disease. Farmers in Canada and other countries treat the seed-wheat with formalin or some other poisonous substance. This kills the chlamydospores and greatly reduces the incidence of the disease.

The Croonian Lecture. Microscopical observations on the suspension of the muscular motions of the Vibrio tritici

The Vibrio tritici is a small worm which infects wheat, being the immediate cause of that destructive disease called Ear Cockle, or Purples. Upon examining the grains thus diseased, the author found them to be the unimpregnated germens, containing masses of a white and apparently gluey mucus, which might be removed in the shape of a firm ball, and which, when immersed in water, and viewed through the microscope, displayed hundreds of minute worms in lively motion. When these worms had become perfectly dry, and apparently entirely lifeless, they again recovered upon being moist­ened with a drop of water, and were as lively as before. To determine the origin of these animals, Mr. Bauer undertook a series of experiments, which convinced him that the spawn or eggs were conveyed into the cavities of the germens by the circulating sap. In these experiments he inserted some of the worms into sound grains of wheat, suffered them to germinate, and found the worms in different stages of their growth in the stalk, and ultimately in the germens.