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In this analytical study, spray drying of detergent particles of diameters 0.4-1 mm by using counter-current air heated at around 300oC is investigated using Matlab©. Particle drying using hot gases is a mature process with a vast variety of applications ranging from dried food to powdered detergent production. The study shows a strong relationship between the drying process (final water content) and particle size, drying gas temperature, as well as the tower dimensions since cross-sectional area of the tower has a direct control on vertical gas velocity, thus heat and mass transfer coefficients while the height of tower is closely related to residence time of particles in tower which guarantees the targeted drying level. The conclusions of this study can be a guide to have a better set of drying parameters such as inlet temperatures and humidity/water content as well as exit temperatures and humidity/water content and valuable information on how these relate to heat energy consumption necessary to heat the air from atmospheric conditions to the desired drying gas temperature. It is also worth indicating that the measurement of the absolute humidity in tower exhaust is a good parameter to control the drying process in an effective way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The YK 1 shipwreck, found at Yenikapı, Istanbul, is one of 37 shipwrecks dating to the medieval era. This paper describes the studies and the processes which were conducted to conserve the YK 1. Firstly, the level of physical and chemical degradation of the wood from the YK 1 was examined, which revealed that the wood was highly degraded. Therefore, PEG 2000 was chosen for the impregnation process before vacuum freeze-drying. In addition, the ASE values confirmed that the PEG 2000 impregnation and vacuum freeze-drying method together were successful in conserving the YK 1, with values higher than PEG 2000 impregnation and vacuum freeze-drying methods alone. The concentration of the PEG solution in the tank was monitored throughout the impregnation process. Following this, samples taken from the wood cores were analysed using FTIR to evaluate the effectiveness of the impregnation process. Finally, SEM was used to examine the effectiveness of the PEG 2000 impregnation and vacuum freeze-drying method. The SEM images showed that the PEG 2000 was uniformly distributed, and the wood had no deformation after freeze-drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Forced drying process for clay ceramics is studied using design of experiments (DoE). • Plastic clay, sandy clay and claystone were used in a simplex mixture design. • The extruded samples were subjected to forced drying in cycles of 180 min. • Coefficient of sensitivity to drying proved to be a useful tool in the forecast of cracks during drying. Studies have been widely carried out on drying techniques and equipment. The behavior of clays subjected to drying stages requires further research. This study aims to evaluate the behavior of the clay ceramic body during the different stages of the drying cycle and match the characteristics of the raw materials with the final quality of the pieces. In this work, the behavior of three different clays in terms of drying performance was studied. The clays were selected, and their chemical, mineralogical, and particle size characteristics were measured. The mixture design (DoE) developed 10 formulations and was processed through vacuum extrusion. The samples were subjected to forced drying cycles of 180 min by varying the temperature from 30 to 90 °C and air speed from 1.5 to 4.0 m/s. At the end of the cycle, the retraction was a determining factor for the crack probability indicator, where formulations that obtained ∼10% retraction in the dry zone showed losses >25%. On the other hand, it is could be stated that claystone assists the drying process of the ceramic piece, minimizing losses. The drying sensitivity coefficient (k-factor) presented values that reproduce the number of losses during drying, proving to be a valid tool to relate clay properties, drying conditions, and losses in this process. In this case, drying process losses >25% were observed when the k-factor was from 1.6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stream drying is increasing globally, with widespread impacts on stream ecosystems. Here, we investigated how the impacts of drying on stream ecosystem connectivity might depend on stream network size and the location of drying within the stream network. Using 11 stream networks from across the United States, we simulated drying scenarios in which we varied the location and spatial extent of drying. We found that the rate of connectivity loss varied with stream network size, such that larger stream networks lost connectivity more rapidly than smaller stream networks. We also found that the rate of connectivity loss varied with the location of drying. When drying occurred in the mainstem, even small amounts of drying resulted in rapid losses in ecosystem connectivity. When drying occurred in headwater reaches, small amounts of drying had little impact on connectivity. Beyond a certain threshold, however, connectivity declined rapidly with further increases in drying. Given the increasing stream drying worldwide, our findings underscore the need for managers to be particularly vigilant about fragmentation when managing at large spatial scales and when stream drying occurs in mainstem reaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the research and development undertaken as part of a Master's degree in Computer Engineering, with a primary focus on enhancing control mechanisms for natural wood drying. While this method is known for its cost-effectiveness in terms of labor and energy, it suffers from slower and unstable drying cycles. The project's objective is to implement an intelligent control system that significantly improves monitoring and recording of humidity levels in each wooden stack. Additionally, the system incorporates the capability to predict humidity based on data sourced from a weather forecasting API. The proposed solution entails a three-layer system: data collection, relay, and analysis. In the data collection layer, low-computing devices, utilizing a Raspberry Pi, measure humidity levels in individual wood stacks. These devices then transmit the data via Low Power Bluetooth to the subsequent layer. The data relay layer incorporates an Android application designed to aggregate, normalize, and transmit collected data. Furthermore, it provides users with visualization tools for comprehensive data understanding. The data storage and analysis layer, developed with Django, serves as the back-end, offering management functionalities for stacks, sensors, overall data, and analysis capabilities. This layer can generate humidity forecasts based on real-time weather information. The implementation of this intelligent control system enables accurate insights into humidity levels, triggering alerts for any anomalies during the drying process. This reduces the necessity for constant on-site supervision, optimizes work efficiency, lowers costs, and eliminates repetitive tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When processing surgical instruments after use, the safe, residue-free removal of blood and blood-containing soiling is one of the most important tasks. There are recommendations from various working groups regarding the ideal timeframe for cleaning used instruments in order to ensure safe disinfection and sterilization and avoid adverse effects. These are generally based primarily on practical experience and there is little systematic work on this topic. In the present study, cleaning experiments with test specimens previously contaminated with sheep's blood were performed, and in this way the effects of the drying time of whole blood on the results of the subsequent cleaning were examined. Reflecting practice, both visual and spectroscopic methods were used to quantify residual protein. The experimental results were evaluated both as a function of the drying time and the residual moisture of the blood. Drying blood was particularly difficult to remove within the first 1–2 h. In this phase, in which the blood is coagulated but not yet completely dried, considerably more protein residues remained on the test specimens after cleaning than after longer standing times. There is a timeframe for the removal of blood residues in which optimum cleaning results can be expected. As a consequence, there are also standing times that are disadvantageous for reprocessing. Based on the experimental data, it was deduced that this optimum time is either directly after contamination or in the range of >3 h and <24 h after soiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the use of drying models in vacuum-infrared drying, an experiment was conducted to investigate the drying process of cherry pips at different temperatures of 60°C, 70°C and 80°C, drying characteristic curves were constructed and analysed using 6 types of thin layers, and effective diffusion coefficients, moisture content and activation energy were calculated. The results showed that the drying temperature has a greater influence on the drying rate of cherry pits, and the drying time decreases with increasing drying temperature. The main drying step occurs in the downward drying stage. Comparison of the fitting results of the six thin layer drying models presented in this paper showed that Wang and Singh's model fits better for cherry pips (${{\rm{R}}^2} \gt 0,9996$ R 2 > 0 , 9996) and the predicted values of the model agree well with the experimental values. These values are suitable for describing the drying characteristics of cherry pips under any conditions. T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Due to the emergence of new hybrid rice cultivars, rice processors must refine their processing protocols to maintain the production of high‐quality products. This is crucial for the instant rice processing industry. Therefore, this study aims to refine current convective heated air‐drying processing methods to suit the new hybrid rice cultivars intended for instant rice production. New strategies to dry cooked rice were investigated. These included drying in a stepwise manner with high (230–200°C) and medium (190–160°C) air temperatures and drying at constant high (200°C) and medium (160°C) air temperatures. Changes in quality attributes of two new long‐grain (LG) hybrid rice cultivars (XL 753 and RT 7521 FP), including rehydration ratios, texture, color, and bulk density, were examined after using the modified drying strategies. Findings: The percentage points of moisture removed were significantly affected by cultivar type, cooked rice drying air temperatures, and relative humidity (RH) (p <.05). Additionally, the rehydration ratio of instantized rice was significantly influenced by the drying air temperature (p =.0361). The highest rehydration ratio (3.14) was observed for cultivar XL 753, which was dried at a constant air temperature of 160°C and 40% RH, whereas the lowest (2.77) was observed with the same cultivar when dried at a constant air temperature of 200°C and 40% RH. The bulk density and volume increase ratio were impacted by cultivar type (p <.05), while drying air temperature and RH did not have significant effects on the volume increase ratio. Water activity values ranged from 0.53 to 0.56 for both cultivars and were influenced by drying air temperature, while color was affected by RH (p <.05). Textural parameters (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, and cohesiveness), except resilience and springiness, were significantly affected by cultivar type, while drying air temperature had significant impacts on all textural parameters. Conclusions: Prediction profiler for multi‐attribute optimization using a desirability function approach from JMP suggested the XL753 cultivar, an RH of 20%, and Stepwise High as the drying treatment. Under these settings, the predicted percent point of moisture content loss, rehydration ratio, ΔE value (color), bulk density, hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, and cohesiveness of the models were 36.75, 9.44, 0.33, 2.95 g/mL, 3941.60 g, −14.17 gs, 0.72, and 0.59, respectively. The study provides crucial information for guiding decisions on drying conditions for industrial processing of instantized rice that may yield the most desirable quality attributes. Different rice cultivars may have differences in the quality of instant rice; however, the drying treatment found to work best in this study should be valid for all rice cultivars. Significance of Study: The study has provided crucial information on the possibility of modifying convective heated air‐drying methods to improve the quality attributes of instant rice made from new hybrid rice cultivars. Information generated from this study may be useful to guide decisions on drying conditions for industrial processing of instantized rice with premium quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently revised American Society for Testing and Materials consensus standard guide for drying of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) provides considerations and guidance for preparing SNF for its safe storage in a sealed dry storage system. The standard discusses (1) needs for drying, (2) techniques to dry, and (3) demonstration of adequate dryness. No specific approach is prescribed since the effective techniques and needs for drying depend on the specifics of the fuel and dry storage system. This paper discusses these topics using examples for both Zr-alloy-clad commercial SNF and for aluminum-alloy-clad research reactor SNF. Residual water can include free water (liquid and/or vapor), physisorbed water bound to internal surfaces, and chemisorbed water incorporated into surface films, such as (oxy)hydroxides. The potential impacts of these residual waters are corrosion/oxidation, radiolytic breakdown into gaseous and/or reactive species, and canister pressurization. For commercial SNF, inadvertent free water, even up to large amounts (e.g., 10+ mol), is not predicted to cause adverse corrosion degradation, except possible fuel oxidation for breached SNF. For aluminum-clad SNF, the production of radiolytic hydrogen with contribution from the chemisorbed water in its hydrated oxides is a primary consideration. For both SNF systems, canister pressurization is predicted to be well within the canister design, and flammability would not pose a safety concern using an oxygen limit of 5 vol % criterion. (Flammability control can be achieved by limiting either hydrogen or oxygen, and an oxygen limit is expected to be easier to meet in the presence of radiolytic H2 generation.) The two primary technologies for SNF drying, vacuum drying and forced-gas dehydration, are described herein, and drying tests and campaigns using these methods are cited. Dryness criteria and the methods used to detect and measure residual (free) water are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of science and technology has experienced such rapid growth, thus encouraging humans to try to overcome all problems that arise around them and ease the work around the environment through automatic control systems. One of the technologies currently being developed is the Arduino microcontroller. Based on the problems often experienced by students when leaving clothes to dry in the dormitory. If it rains or bad weather, it can be a problem if you do not have time to lift the clothesline so that dry clothes become wet with rainwater when there are no dorm residents because they are on campus. Given these problems, the author designed an automatic drying room prototype using a rain sensor and light sensor based on an Arduino microcontroller. The components used are a drying room and roof, a light sensor and water sensor as input, an Arduino microcontroller, breadboard and jumper cables, a power bank as a processor, and a servo motor and LED lights as output. A servo motor automatically moves the roof of the clothes' drying room, and the LED lights turn on, according to input from the light sensor and rain sensor, according to the conditions received by the sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuels, an (oxy)hydroxide layer on the surface of the cladding hosts chemisorbed water formed during reactor and post-discharge exposure to water. Any residual water is susceptible to generating hydrogen via radiolysis, which can be a risk associated with dry fuel storage. Engineering-scale forced helium dehydration (FHD) and vacuum drying tests were conducted on mock-up fuel assemblies that included corroded aluminum surrogate plates to assess the removal of bulk and chemisorbed water. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed on samples of the surrogate plates, both undried control samples used to determine onset temperatures associated with a phase change occurring in the oxide layer and samples from drying tests used to determine the effectiveness of each drying method. Both vacuum drying and FHD processes were capable of removing bulk water. However, FHD was determined to provide additional drying capabilities, including partial removal of chemisorbed water from bayerite due to the higher temperatures during drying. The temperature threshold for partial dehydroxylation of the oxide layer was determined to be around 220°C, meaning any drying methods attempting to remove chemisorbed water must exceed 220°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The goal of this paper has been to add an experimental data set for drying a meat product and provide a comparison with well-established thin-layer drying models. This article presented experimental investigations on the convective drying of Polish sausage slices at a temperature of 40°C. Slices have been in the thickness of 3 to 8mm. Measurements of mass loss and size change were performed. The data have been presented in the form of standard drying kinetics. Additionally, the estimation of the diffusion coefficient according to the simplified graphical approach is made. Based on the best-fit approach the coefficients for typical semiempirical correlations for MR (moisture ratio) estimation have been calculated and presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This study investigated different drying temperatures (40°C, 50°C, and 60°C) during the preparation of dehydrated quick‐cooking beans and verified the physical and chemical effects and digestibility of the grains. Two genotypes (BRS Esteio and BRS Estilo), freshly harvested and with hard‐to‐cook (HTC) defects, were used. Findings: Lower drying temperature favors producing quick‐cooking beans with reduced cooking times. As the temperature increases, there is an increase in grain browning. Higher temperature (60°C) promotes the most significant damage, reaching 36.35% in BRS Estilo. Phytic acid content reduced considerably at drying temperatures of 50°C and 60°C in HTC beans, and the lower content of tannin was obtained after drying at 40°C (0.45 and 0.60 mg/100 g). All quick‐cooking beans had over 90% protein digestibility. The development of quick‐cooking beans using a drying temperature of 40°C provided higher starch digestibility after 180 min of simulated intestinal digestion. Conclusions: The drying process at 40°C improved the technological, physical, and nutritional characteristics of quick‐cooking dehydrated beans. Significance and Novelty: The drying temperature directly influences the final quality of quick‐cooking beans; so, it is important to consider the use of low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, water conservation efforts in rice production have necessitated the use of reduced irrigation input systems such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) as a substitute to conventional continuous flood‐irrigated systems (FLD), but little is known about the role of AWD in altering outcrossing potentials between cultivated rice and weedy rice (WR). In the United States, rice growers often control WR by cultivating varieties that possess herbicide resistance. However, an ongoing concern with such technology is hybridization or outcrossing between herbicide‐resistant rice cultivars and WR over time. Such outcrossing may result in transferring of herbicide resistance with increased occurrence of herbicide‐resistant WR ecotypes and reduction in the efficacy of herbicide management. This study compared and quantified outcrossing rates between two Clearfield rice varieties (CL142AR and CL261) that are herbicide resistant and two common WR genotypes, strawhull (SH) and blackhull (BH), under FLD and AWD management. Outcrossing was evident in all four genotype combinations (i.e., CL142AR or CL261 cultivated rice and SH or BH weedy rice) in both FLD and AWD; however, outcrossing rates with CL261 averaged about 6.5 times lower than those with CL142AR. Additional analysis revealed that higher outcrossing rates were associated with increased synchrony of flowering times and closer vertical proximity of panicles of WR to CL142AR than with CL261. AWD irrigation reduced outcrossing in SH weedy rice, suggesting that reduced outcrossing of SH weedy rice might be an additional benefit from AWD irrigation management. Core Ideas: Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation reduced outcrossing in strawhull (SH) weedy rice (WR).Cultivar CL261 had an average 6.5 times lower outcrossing rate than cultivar CL142AR under AWD management.Water conservation irrigation systems could provide an added benefit of reduced outcrossing between rice and WR.New knowledge will help in developing more effective WR control measures in rice production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying is one of the most important unit operations used in food processing sector at large scale to extend shelf-life, enhance appearance, maintain nutritional value, reduce packaging and transporting cost. The high temperature convective hot air drying process reduces the nutritional and organoleptic quality of food products. Heat pump drying is one of the options for drying of fruits and vegetables at low temperature with high nutritional and organoleptic quality apart from saving in energy consumption and operation under controlled conditions. Heat pump drying works on the principle of refrigeration cycle which controls the temperature and relative humidity of drying air in the drying process. Researchers have found that high-value heat-sensitive food products can be dehydrated through heat pump drying while preserving nutrition and phytochemicals, improving rehydration (lesser cellular structure damage) and organoleptic (odor, flavor, taste, texture and appearance) properties. This paper discusses the principle of operations, nutrient and color degradation kinetics and quality of heat pump dried fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks linked to inadequate endoscope drying have infected numerous patients, and current standards and guidelines recommend at least 10 minutes of forced air for drying channels. This study evaluated a new forced-air drying system (FADS) for endoscopes. Drying was assessed using droplet detection cards; visual inspection of air/water connectors, suction connectors, and distal ends; and borescope examinations of endoscope interiors. Assessments were performed after automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) alcohol flush and air purge cycles and after 10-minute FADS cycles. Researchers evaluated drying during encounters with 22 gastroscopes and 20 colonoscopes. After default AER alcohol and air purge cycles, 100% (42/42) of endoscopes were still wet. Substantial fluid emerged from distal ends during the first 15 seconds of the FADS cycle, and droplets also emerged from air/water and suction connectors. Following FADS cycle completion, 100% (42/42) were dry, with no retained fluid detected by any of the assessment methods. Multiple endoscope ports and channels remained wet after AER cycles intended to aid in drying but were dry after the FADS cycle. This study reinforced the need to evaluate the effectiveness of current drying practices and illustrated the use of practical tools in a real-world setting. • A forced-air drying system with multiple channel connections was evaluated. • Assessments included droplet detection paper and visual inspection with borescopes. • Endoscopes were wet after automated reprocessor alcohol flush and air purge cycles. • Fluid emerged from multiple ports and channels during forced air drying. • No residual fluid was detected following a 10-minute forced air drying cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of microwave-assisted foam-mat drying methods on physical, flow, energy consumption and thermo-physical properties were investigated to produce functional orange powder. In the study, modified temperature-controlled microwave (MTCM) and microwave (M-540,720 W) drying methods were used. The drying rates of the drying processes varied between 3.84 × 10−5 and 2.64 × 10−4 g moisture/g dry base minute. Effective diffusion values were determined between 1.69 and 5.00 × 10−10 m2/s. The SMER values of the drying processes were determined between 0.0019 and 0.089 kg/kWh and the SEC values were between 11.29 and 538.80 kWh/kg. Drying processes did not preserve the color value of the greyhound statistically (p > 0.05). The bulk density of the powder varied between 0.46 and 0.69 g/ml and tapped density values between 0.46 and 0.73 g/ml. CI and HR values were determined between 8.82 and 13.16% and 1.10–1.16%, respectively. Micro-capsulating was found between 99.44 and 99.88%. The moisture content of the powder was determined as 0.10–1.72%. Specific heat 837.00–846.00 J/kgK, thermal diffusivity 8.10 × 10−8–3.14 × 10−7 m2/s, thermal conductivity 0.05–0.25 W/mK and density 694.72–839.41 kg/m3 were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Objectives: It is of utmost importance for the instant rice processing sector to reassess its methodologies to enhance the overall quality of instantized rice products. This study aimed to analyze how the combination of microwave (MW) drying and convective heated air drying influences the quality of instantized rice. Novel approaches for drying precooked rice were explored, involving the utilization of an industrial MW operating at a frequency of 915 MHz with treatment conditions set at 4 kW power for 8 min. This was followed by two distinct convective oven drying strategies, each lasting 4 min. Specifically, stepwise convective hot air drying involved progressively decreasing temperatures, while constant temperature convective hot air drying maintained a consistent temperature. The convective hot air‐drying temperatures ranged from 160°C to 230°C, while the constant temperature options were either 160°C or 200°C. Both strategies encompassed three relative humidity levels (20%, 40%, and 60%). The impact of these techniques on the quality attributes of a newly developed long‐grain (LG) hybrid rice variety, RT 7521 FP, was assessed. Findings: The drying approach and percentage RH significantly impacted the percentage points of moisture removed, with both their p values smaller than.01. For water activity, the main effect of the drying approach was significant because the p values of its hypothesis test were smaller than.05. The results showed that increasing the percentage of RH increases the mean water activity under the constant medium, constant high, and stepwise medium approaches. MW drying followed by a Constant high approach under 40% RH had a higher rehydration ratio value of instantized rice than all other drying treatments. The second highest rehydration ratio was observed in MW drying, followed by stepwise high treatments. None of the effects of the factors of RH and drying approach were significant for the rehydration ratio because their p values were all larger than.05. For bulk density, the main effects of RH and the drying approach were not significant since their p values were larger than.05. The drying temperature had significant impacts on textural parameters such as hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience, except springiness. RH impacted both adhesiveness and resilience. All parameters measured, including percentage RH and drying approach, did not significantly impact the rehydration ratio, color, and bulk density of treated instant rice samples (p >.05). Conclusions: Prediction profiler for multiattribute optimization using a desirability function approach from John's Macintosh Project Pro 17 statistical software was used to identify the best setting of RH and the drying approach that maximizes the percentage of moisture content removed, minimizes water activity, and reaches an adhesiveness and resilience values close to −4.615 and 0.6722, respectively. The best setting for RH was identified as 20%, and the best drying approach was stepwise high. Under these settings, the predicted mean percentage of moisture removed, water activity, adhesiveness, and resilience of the models were 44.43%, 0.478, −9.02, and 0.5, respectively. Therefore, these settings are recommended to achieve rice samples with attractive moisture content removed, water activity, adhesiveness, and resilience. Significance of Study: The study has provided crucial information on the instantizing potential of a new variety of hybrid rice and the feasibility of combining a 915 MHz industrial MW and convective hot air to dry and obtain instant rice with improved quality attributes, including high rehydration ratios for shorter cooking times, lighter weight, and longer shelf life. The information generated from this study may be useful to guide decisions on drying conditions for industrial processing of instantized rice with premium quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: During microwave drying process of corn, temperature and moisture content are the main reasons for crack formation, which reduces the drying quality. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effects of temperature and moisture content on crack generation. Findings: Under the set drying conditions, as the temperature increases, cracks gradually increase, deformation gradually increases, and the crack index increases exponentially. As the moisture content decreases, deformation first increases and then decreases, single cracks first increase and then decrease and then increase, double cracks gradually decrease, multiple cracks continue to increase, and the crack index increases linearly. The deformation reaches its maximum value at a moisture content of 31%. Conclusions: The results indicate that the generation of cracks is mainly influenced by water content. The maximum errors between the simulated and experimental values of temperature and moisture content are 4.73% and 7.76%, respectively, indicating that the model can be used to study the distribution patterns of temperature, moisture content, and deformation during corn drying. Significance and Novelty: This study established a mathematical model for electromagnetic, mass, energy, and deformation of corn, coupled the model for the solution, and conducted experimental verification. The relationship between the generation of cracks during microwave drying of corn kernels and temperature and moisture content was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, hand drying has been highlighted as a key step in appropriate hand hygiene, as moisture on hands can increase the transfer of micro-organisms from hands to surfaces and vice versa. To understand bacterial and viral aerosolization following hand drying, and study the transfer of micro-organisms from hands to surfaces after drying using different methods. Groups of five volunteers had their hands pre-washed with soap, rinsed and dried, then inoculated with a concentrated mixture of Pseudomonas fluorescens and MS2 bacteriophage. Volunteers entered an empty washroom, one at a time, and rinsed their hands with water or washed their hands with soap prior to drying with a jet dryer or paper towels. Each volunteer applied one hand successively to various surfaces, while their other hand was sampled using the glove juice method. Both residual bacteria and viruses were quantified from the washroom air, surface swabs and hand samples. P. fluorescens and MS2 bacteriophages were rarely aerosolized while drying hands for any of the drying methods studied. Results also showed limited, and similar, transfer of both micro-organisms studied on to surfaces for all drying methods. The use of jet dryers or paper towels produces low levels of aerosolization when drying hands in a washroom. Similarly, all drying methods result in low transfer to surfaces. While the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic raised concerns regarding public washrooms, this study shows that all methods tested are hygienic solutions for dry washed hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the amount, composition, and decay power density of high-level liquid waste in a storage tank, the temperature change of the waste up to 600°C and the corresponding vapor and gas release rates of H2O, HNO3, NO2, NO, and O2 as a function of time after the loss of cooling function were obtained by the following method. The heat balance equations in and around the tank were derived, and the solution of the waste temperature change was numerically obtained using the vaporization rates of H2O and HNO3 and the generation rate of NOx, which were both obtained from the experiments using the simulated liquid waste. Utilizing the temperature versus time curve obtained from the equation, the release rates of the components described above were obtained as a function of time. This information on the progress of the accident can be used to study the Leak Path Factor of radioactive materials, especially of volatilized Ru, and further, it becomes basic information when considering accident management and suppressing the impact of a disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Textile Leader is the property of China Textile Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Objective: Maize is the major staple in sub‐Saharan Africa. Whole‐grain maize meal (WGMM) is highly susceptible to rancidity development. This work investigated whether rancidity development in micronutrient‐fortified WGMM is retarded by drying the grain of safe moisture content to below this level using a commercial hot‐air grain dryer before milling. Findings: Fat acidity (hydrolytic rancidity measure) of WGMM from maize dried to 11.6% moisture and stored for 47 days at 40°C was only 61% of meal from the undried grain control (13.3% moisture). Peroxide value (oxidative rancidity measure) was only 53%. With the exception of riboflavin, there was no reduction in fortificant micronutrients during meal storage. Descriptive sensory evaluation indicated greater similarity to the control for stored maize meal and its stiff porridge from dried maize than for meal and porridge from undried maize. Conclusions: Drying maize grain to 11.6% moisture substantially retards rancidity development in fortified WGMM development, probably by inactivating the grain's lipase and oxidative enzymes, providing a shelf life of at least 20 weeks at 25°C. Significance and Novelty: This simple process to extend the shelf life of whole‐grain maize meal is implementable by any mill with access to a hot‐air grain dryer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compliance with the recommended 30 s drying time of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is often suboptimal. To increase hand hygiene compliance at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we installed an Incubator Traffic Light (ITL) system which shows 'green light' to open incubator doors after the recommended drying time. To measure the impact of this visual feedback system on NICU healthcare professionals' compliance with the recommended ABHR drying time. Ten traffic light systems were installed on incubators at a NICU, five of which provided visual feedback, and five, serving as a control group, did not provide visual feedback. During a two-month period, the systems measured drying time between the moment of dispensing ABHR and opening the incubator's doors. The drying times of the incubators were compared with and without feedback. Of the 6422 recorded hand hygiene events, 658 were valid for data analysis. Compliance with correct drying time reached 75% (N = 397/526) for incubators equipped with visual feedback versus 36% (N = 48/132; P < 0.0001) for incubators lacking this feature. The ITL improves compliance with the recommended 30 s ABHR drying time in a NICU setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mixture of ß-tricalcium phosphate (ßTCP) made from green mussel shells and polyacrylic acid (PAA) solution was successfully prepared via a setting reaction and reinforced by a freeze-drying process. The freeze-drying process is a popular method for producing bone substitute materials with porous structures. The sublimation process in freeze-drying eliminates the remaining water or solvent leaving the pores in the materials. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the freeze-drying method on the porosity and mechanical strength of a ßTCP/PAA composite block. Initially, a mixture of ßTCP powder with PAA solution was put inside a mold, frozen at low temperature, and dried to obtain a composite block. As a control, the same mixture was stored at 37 °C in an incubator without the freeze-drying process. Porosity and diametral tensile strength (DTS) were investigated and compared with the control samples obtained without the freeze-drying process. Freeze-dried samples had lower porosity (26.97 ± 2.64%) and higher DTS (11.76 ± 1.59 MPa) than the control sample (porosity: 37.47 ± 4.49%; DTS: 6.19 ± 1.85 MPa). In conclusion, the freeze-drying process decreased the porosity of the ßTCP/PAA composite block and increased the mechanical strength in terms of DTS value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge-cured lightweight soils have unique advantages in roadbed treatment due to their properties such as low density and high strength. Its long-term mechanical law based on the superposition of drying-wetting and freezing-thawing (D-W-F-T) is studied through creep experiment. The test results show that: with the increase of the number of D-W-F-T, the deformation of the soil gradually increases, and the deformation tends to be stable when it reaches a certain number of times; the stress-strain isochronous curves are obviously nonlinear in general; The long-term strength increases with the increase of density and confining pressure, and decreases with the increase of the number of D-W-F-T; by comparing the isochronous stress-strain curve cluster method and the steady state creep rate vs. The comparative analysis suggests that the steady state creep rate versus stress level curve method be used to determine the long term strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the heat and mass transfer characteristics of kiwifruit samples during vacuum freeze-drying process have been investigated numerically and experimentally. The numerical simulation with moving grid method is adopted to simulate the radial and axial moving sublimation interfaces during vacuum freeze-drying. The simulated average moisture content and temperature of kiwifruit during drying are validated with the measured data, with the mean average error (MAE) of 14.7%. The findings demonstrate that the sublimation interface shifts toward the center during the drying process and the sublimation rate and pressure gradient are significant in the early stage of drying. After 10 h of drying process, the sublimation rate dropped by 80% due to the increase of the thickness of the dried region and the decrease of the shelf plate heat transfer. In addition, it is noted that the increasing shelf plate temperature and chamber pressure would cause an increase of sublimation rate, thereby reducing the drying time. Although increasing the sample thickness can improve the sublimation rate, the drying time becomes longer due to the presence of more ice crystals in thicker kiwifruit samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]