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This paper presents a finite element model of a railway crossing panel for use in multibody simulations (MBS). It is a two-layer track model with rails and sleepers represented by beam elements that use linear bushings for rail fastenings and non-linear bushings for ballast. The model is calibrated and validated to measurement data from a comprehensively instrumented switch and crossing demonstrator installed in the Austrian railway network as a part of the European research programme Shift2Rail. The validation concerns the capability of the model to capture the structural response of the crossing panel under traffic loading after calibration of physical track parameters to realistic values. The structural response is measured in the form of displacements, strains, and sleeper-ballast contact forces. It is shown that the developed model can represent the measured track responses well and that it was necessary to account for a varying sleeper-ballast gap distribution along the crossing transition sleeper to obtain good agreement. The calibration uses Latin hypercube samples to explore the parameter space in a sensitivity analysis before a parameter optimisation is performed using a gradient-based method on a response surface built from a polyharmonic spline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a composite material for the adsorption removal of thiophenic sulfur compounds (TSCs) was prepared by loading Cu2O onto palygorskite using a simple and low‐cost impregnation method and characterized for its structure and morphology. The addition of Cu2O did not change palygorskite's structure, and the Cu+ was evenly dispersed in the palygorskite fibers. The palygorskite provided the adsorptive active centers Cu+ efficient surface and pore structure to increase the sulfur removal performance of palygorskite. The optimum desulfurization process conditions of the Cu2O/palygorskite were obtained experimentally and by response surface methodology. With solid/liquid mass ratio of 1/100 and temperature of 30°C, the maximum static adsorption capacity of the Cu2O/palygorskite in model oil, which was composed of n‐octane and a single TSC at 400 mg S/L, showed an increase of 639% for thiophene, 543% for benzothiophene, and 563% for dibenzothiophene compared to palygorskite alone. In addition, the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model exhibited the most fitting results for thiophene adsorbing on the composite, indicating that chemisorption on a monolayer basis plays a key role in the adsorption process. To sum up, these results suggest the composite has some potential in the field of adsorption‐desulfurization materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton stalk is one of the most high-quality biomass resources with a wide range of applications, such as building boards, chemical product raw materials, fuel, and papermaking. China is one of the major cotton-producing countries in the world. The planting area (3×106 hm²) has been ranked third in 2022, leading to the very abundant cotton stalk resources. The cotton stalks can be fully utilized to accelerate the green and low-carbon development of agriculture. Mechanical harvesting can be expected to efficiently remove the cotton stalks from the field. However, the current uprooting machine also needs to be improved and optimized for the cotton stalk. In this research, a clamping-type uprooting device with variable stiffness was designed for a high uprooting rate and low clamping breakage rate. The variable rigidity clamping was adjusted as follows. The flexible rubber clamping was used to prevent the cotton stalk from breaking; A rigid support structure was designed on the outside of the rubber block to obtain a greater clamping force. The better performance was achieved by clamping tightly without breaking the cotton stalk. The uprooting was also improved for the two scenarios of breakage and slippage. The device often consisted of a dividing disk, variable stiffness clamping and pulling mechanism, and tensioning guide mechanism. The dividing disk was used for the orderly feeding of cotton stalks; The variable stiffness clamping and pulling mechanism was used to realize the clamping and pulling of cotton stalks; The tensioning guide mechanism was to effectively control the clamping force and gap of cotton stalks. Two sets of chains were utilized to drive multiple clamping blocks, indicating a simple and reliable structure. Moreover, the frictional heating of traditional flexible belt mechanisms was avoided in this structure. A mechanical analysis was carried out on the cotton stalk pulling motion and the interaction between the variable stiffness clamp and the cotton stalk. The critical structural dimensions and operating parameter ranges were determined for the variable stiffness clamping device. A systematic investigation was made to clarify the influencing factors on the quality of clamping and pulling. The response surface method (RSM) was used to analyze the effects of the forward speed, the rotational speed of the active sprocket, and the clamping force on the stalk uprooting performance of the variable stiffness clamping and pulling device. The field test validated the simulation. The results showed that there was very consistency between the experimental and theoretical predictions, when the forward speed was 0.68 m/s, and the sprocket speed was 95 r/min. The tension force was 1 792 N, and the cotton stalk uprooting rate was 94.70%. The relative error between the measured and predicted uprooting rate value was 1.67%, which was less than 5%. The leakage rate and breakage rate of variable stiffness clamping and uprooting devices were 3.99% and 1.32%, respectively, compared with the existing devices of 5.19% and 3.68%, respectively. Therefore, the leakage rate and breakage rate of the device were reduced by 23.1% and 64.13%, respectively, compared with the former. The variable stiffness gripper effectively reduced the cotton stalk breakage to realize the whole stalk uprooting. The finding can provide new ideas to design the variable stiffness clamps, in order to optimize and improve the cotton stalk pullers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office 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 current study focused on optimizing the extraction parameters of terebinth seed proteins from cold‐pressed terebinth oil byproducts to maximize protein purity and protein yield. The isolated proteins were characterized to evaluate their properties; thus revealing the valorization potential of these byproducts. Response surface methodology was used to detect the effect of three extraction parameters (pH, temperature, and time). The protein isolates were studied for their physicochemical and functional characteristics. The results indicated that an extraction pH of 8, a temperature of 50°C, and an extraction period of 60 min are optimum conditions for obtaining protein isolates with the highest purity. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that an extraction pH of 12, a temperature of 46.4°C, and an extraction duration of 102.4 min were optimum conditions for the maximum protein yield. The proteins produced under these two sets of conditions, referred to as TRP (terebinth protein with maximum purity) and TRY (terebinth protein with maximum yield), respectively, exhibited comparable oil absorption capacity (OAC), foaming, emulsifying capabilities, and stability. Both proteins showed the highest solubility at pH 11, and their zeta potentials approached zero at pH 4, indicating proximity to their isoelectric points. However, FRAP and DPPH assays showed that TRP and TRY offered low antioxidative capacity. The high β‐sheet content in TRP and TRY suggests enhanced thermal stability but reduced digestibility of these proteins. Therefore, in addition to protein enrichment, TRP and TRY protein isolates can be utilized in muffins and other food applications thanks to their favorable oil absorption, foaming and emulsifying capacities, and thermal stabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To rapidly dry peanut pods and effectively address mold issues resulting from rainy weather, this article provides an analysis of the current research status of global peanut digging, inverting, and harvesting technologies. Based on a two-stage peanut harvesting model, the operating principles of a high-quality peanut digging-inverter are elaborated upon, and the design of key machine components is discussed. The evaluation metrics for the operation of a high-quality peanut digging-inverter include the rate of vine inverting, the soil content rate, the rate of fallen pods, and the rate of buried pods. Utilizing theoretical analysis, the Box–Behnken experimental design is employed to investigate the operating parameters of these machines, with the tractor's running speed, the linear speed of the inverting roller, and the linear speed of the conveyor chain serving as the experimental factors in a three-factor, three-level experimental study. A regression model is established to analyze the impact of each factor on operational quality and to comprehensively optimize the influencing factors. The experimental results indicate that all factors significantly affect the rate of vine inverting. The tractor's running speed (X1) and the linear speed of the inverting roller (X3) significantly influence the rate of buried pods, while the linear speed of the conveyor chain (X2) does not have a significant effect on this rate. Similarly, the tractor's running speed (X1) and the linear speed of the inverting roller (X3) significantly affect the rate of fallen pods, whereas the linear speed of the conveyor chain (X2) does not. Furthermore, the linear speed of the conveyor chain (X2) and the linear speed of the inverting roller (X3) significantly impact the soil content rate, while the tractor's running speed (X1) does not. The optimal combination of operating parameters is a tractor running speed of 1 m/s, a conveyor chain linear speed of 1.3 m/s, and an inverting roller linear speed of 2.1 m/s. Under these conditions, the high-quality peanut digging-inverter achieves a vine inverting rate of 89.29%, a buried pod rate of 0.31%, a fallen pod rate of 0.74%, and a soil content rate of 8.11%. The experimental values for each evaluation index exhibit relative errors of 1.14%, 6.45%, 1.35%, and 0.13% compared to the optimized values provided by the Design-Expert software. The findings of this research will facilitate the development of hardware conditions for the future intelligent and information-based harvesting of peanuts, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the high-quality initial processing of oilseeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a combination of Serratia nematophila L2 and Bacillus velezensis W24 was used to biocontrol Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. When the mixed ratio of L2 to W24 was 1:1, the inhibition rate on the growth of S. sclerotiorum was 88.1 %. To gain a large number of bacteria, the culture medium and conditions were optimized. When the medium formula involved molasses (8.890 g/L), soy peptone (6.826 g/L), and NaCl (6.865 g/L), and the culture conditions were 32 °C, inoculum 4%, rotation speed 200 rpm, and pH 7, the maximum amounts of bacterial cells obtained. In order to prepare microcapsules, spray drying conditions were optimized. These conditions included the soluble starch concentration of 30 g/100 mL, the inlet air temperature of 160 °C, and the feed flow rate of 450 mL/h. Under these optimized conditions to prepare microcapsules, the mixed strain (L2 and W24) exhibited a survival rate of 93.9 ± 0.9% and a viable bacterial count of 6.4 × 1012 cfu/g. In addition, microcapsules (GW24Ms) which contained strains L2 and W24 had good storage stability. In the pot experiment, GW24Ms could effectively reduce the disease of soybean plants and the control effect was 88.4%. Thus, the microbial agent represents a promising biocontrol solution for managing Sclerotinia in soybean. • The GW24 (W24 and L2 strains were mixed) could inhibit the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. • The culture conditions and medium of GW24 were optimized. • The GW24 microcapsules were prepared by spray drying. • The GW24 microcapsules had great storage ability. • The GW24 microcapsules had great effects on S. sclerotiorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from multiple informants has long been considered best practice in education. However, multiple informants often disagree on similar constructs, complicating decision-making. Polynomial regression and response-surface analysis (PRA) is often used to test the congruence effect between multiple informants on an outcome. However, PRA assumes the congruence effect on the outcome is homogeneous across individuals. To investigate unknown heterogeneity in the congruence effect, we introduce polynomial regression mixture modeling (PRMix). We demonstrate how PRMix enhances congruence research by allowing researchers to investigate individual differences in the congruence effect. The differential congruence effects between latent classes are illustrated with response-surface plots. We provide practical suggestions for using PRMix and discuss future research directions in methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the optimal ratio of limestone powder and calcined clay in the limestone calcined clay composite cementitious material system, the response surface method was adopted to optimize. The prediction model was established by taking ordinary Portland cement, calcined clay and limestone powder as variable factors, and 28 d compressive strength and 28 d flexural strength of cement mortar as response variable. Mechanical properties were tested, and the regression model between the proportion of mineral admixture compounding and the mechanical properties was established. At the conditions of mineral admixture proportion of 15%, 30% and 45% (mass fraction, the same below), the regression model was used to optimize the mixing ratio of limestone powder and calcined clay in the limestone calcined clay composite cementitious material system. The optimization results are as follows: calcined clay accounts for 15%, without limestone powder. Calcined clay accounts for 25%, and limestone powder accounts for 5%. Calcined clay accounts for 30. 5%, and limestone powder accounts for 14. 5%. The predicted values of 28 d compressive strength of system are 63. 26, 58. 57 and 48. 10 MPa, respectively, while the measured values are 63. 74, 57. 21 and 47. 02 MPa, respectively. The absolute relative errors between the predicted and measured values are less than 5%. It provides a new solution idea and test basis for the optimal proportioning problem of limestone calcined clay composite cementitious material system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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As shield tunnels increase, managing shield muck strains construction and the environment. To mitigate this problem, shield muck replaced bentonite in silty clay to improve synchronous grouting slurry. Initially, the physical attributes and microstructural composition of shield muck were obtained, alongside an analysis of the effects of the muck content, particle size, and general influencing factors on the slurry properties through standardized tests and regression models. Subsequently, leveraging three-dimensional response surface methodology, admixture interactions and multiple factor impacts on the slurry were explored. Finally, utilizing the SQP optimization technique, an optimal slurry blend ratio tailored for actual project needs was derived for improved muck slurry. The findings reveal with the decreasing bleeding rates as the muck content rises, the particle size diminishes. An inverse relationship exists between the muck content and slurry fluidity. At soil–binder ratios below 0.6, a decrease in the soil–binder ratio intensifies the influence of the water–binder ratio on the slurry density, bleeding rate, and setting time. The fly flash–cement ratio inversely correlates with the slurry bleeding rate, while the ratio greater than 0.6 is positively correlated. For muck particle sizes under 0.2 mm, the fly flash–cement ratio inversely impacts the density, while over 0.2 mm, it correlates positively. The optimal proportion for silty clay stratum synchronous grouting slurry, substituting muck for bentonite, includes a water–binder ratio of 0.559, binder–sand ratio of 0.684, fly flash–cement ratio of 2.080, soil–binder ratio of 0.253, particle size under 0.075 mm, and water-reducing admixture of 0.06. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces an integrated optimization methodology for spindle design, combining the improved dung beetle optimization (IDBO) algorithm with finite element analysis (FEA). The IDBO algorithm, enhanced in population initialization and convergence factors, minimizes total deformation and mass, addressing a multi-objective optimization model. The obtained optimal parameters guide the construction of a finite element model, considering additional factors like stiffness and maximum stress. The ensuing FEA produces a foundation for constructing a response surface, further optimized to refine the initial design. Through the combination of the IDBO algorithm and FEA method, the mass of the spindle is reduced from 46.582 kg obtained by the IDBO algorithm solution to 28.479 kg, a total reduction of 38.86%, while meeting design requirements such as maximum total deformation. Modal analysis up to the sixth order validates the design correctness reveals dynamic spindle behavior and guarantees the design requirements. The study demonstrates the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed IDBO algorithm in conjunction with FEA, providing a versatile framework for engineering optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the relationship between unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content and parameters for microwave extraction, multimaterial and multiparameter testing was conducted in which five kinds of materials with different UFA contents (potato, wheat, corn, soybean, and peanut) were selected for the experiment. Four factors, namely, extraction temperature (X1), extraction time (X2), proportional volume of acetone (X3), and liquid‐to‐solid ratio (X4), were screened for their significant effects by using Prob > |T| values from the Plackett–Burman experiment. A microwave extraction orthogonal experiment with four factors and five levels was designed separately using Design‐Expert 8.05 software and them concentrated. Microwave‐accelerated methyl esterification was then performed, and the UFA content was determined via gas chromatography (flame ionization detector). The optimal extraction conditions (X1, X2, X3, X4) and the optimal UFA content of potato were 80.68°C, 10.74 min, 0.80, 3.25 mL × g−1, 1.08%; wheat: 80.81°C, 10.54 min, 0.80, 20.91 mL × g−1, 2.26%; corn: 81.18°C, 9.93 min, 0.80, 50.94 mL × g−1, 6.89%; soybean: 82.07°C, 9.07 min, 0.80, 93.87 mL × g−1, 15.81%; and peanut: 83.12°C, 8.11 min, 0.80, 168.70 mL × g−1, 33.07%. Then, the optimization results for the five kinds of materials were synthesized by Origin 8.0 software, the fitting degree of the cubic model with the four extraction factors was the highest, the determination coefficients were 0.9984, 0.9991, 0.8953, and 0.9989, the residual sums of squares were 0.2888, 0.1587, 0.8265, and 0.1864, and the correlation coefficients are ideal. The stability and accuracy of the model were verified by the orthogonal experiment of UFA extraction from rice, and the correlation coefficient between the predicted value and the actual value of the orthogonal experiment was 0.9998. This study systematically collates the optimal parameters for microwave extraction of UFA content in different crops from the perspective of multimaterial and multiparameter, which can provide a large amount of detailed basic data for microwave extraction technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries 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.)

This paper proposes a novel structural damage identification approach coupling the Mayfly algorithm (MA) with static displacement-based response surface (RS). Firstly, a hybrid optimal objective function is established that simultaneously considers the sensitivity-based residual errors of static damage identification equation and the static displacement residual. In the objective function, the static damage identification equation is addressed by the Tikhonov regularization technique. The MA is subsequently employed to conduct an optimal search and pinpoint the location and intensity of damages at the structural element level. To handle the inconformity of the static loading points and the measurement points of displacements, the model reduction and displacement extension techniques are implemented to reconstruct the static damage identification equation. Meanwhile, the static displacement-based RS is constructed to calculate the displacement residual in the hybrid objective function, thereby circumventing the time-consuming finite element calculations and improving computational efficiency. The identification results of the numerical box girder bridge demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the particle swarm optimization, differential evolution, Jaya and whale optimization algorithms about both convergence rate in optimal searching and identification accuracy. The proposed method enables more accurate damage identification compared to methods solely based on the indicator of the residual of static damage identification equations or displacement residual. The results of identifying damage in the 21 element-truss structure and the static experiments on identifying damage in an aluminum alloy cantilever beam confirm the high efficiency of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, novel Ni2P/WO3-ZrO2 bifunctional catalysts are prepared by an isovolume impregnation method. A series of characterizations (e.g., Py-IR, TEM, and XPS) demonstrated that the introduction of WO3 resulted in the acidity of the carrier and the formation of a well-dispersed Ni2P crystalline phase. The hydrodeoxygenation and hydroisomerization properties were evaluated by single-factor experiments using stearic acid as a model compound. Under the same conditions (solvent-free and relatively mild), the product obtained with a low amount of catalyst (stearic acid:catalyst = 40:1 wt.%) has a high deoxygenation rate (> 96%). The addition of an acidic carrier also gave the catalyst excellent hydroisomerization properties, which were excellent for increasing the low-temperature fluidity of the biodiesel. In addition, the effects of catalyst dosage, H2 pressure, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the hydroisomerization of stearic acid were investigated using the response surface method. In the response surface experiments, the deoxygenation rate of all experimental products is above 98%. The increase in catalyst dosage, reaction temperature, and decrease in H2 pressure favored the increase in isoparaffin content, and the reaction time had the least effect. The isoparaffin content varied significantly in response surface experiments, with molar ratios in the product ranging from 3 to 30%. There are interactions between the independent variables and a high coefficient of determination of the regression model (R2 = 0.9729), indicating that the experimental results were in good agreement with the model predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liner is affixed to the inner side of the ball mill cylinder to protect the cylinder. Through isothermal compression experiments, Arrhenius constitutive models, peak strain models, critical strain models, dynamic recrystallization dynamic models, and grain size models suitable for the forging process of Mn–Cr–Ni–Mo steel used in ball mill liners were established. By utilizing Deform software, a 3D thermo‐force‐structure coupling model for the hot forging process of ball mill liners was constructed, and the volume fraction of dynamic recrystallization and average grain size during forging was predicted. The response surface model was employed to investigate how process parameters interacted with each other and affected microstructure uniformity in ball mill liners. After optimization, the optimal parameters were determined: initial forging temperature at 1200 °C, forging speed at 30 mm s−1, and friction coefficient at 0.3. Subsequently, a hot forging experiment on ball mill liners was conducted using these optimized parameters; samples were analyzed through backscattered electron diffraction device experiments and microscopic tissue observations. Results demonstrated that microstructural changes observed during actual forging processes aligned with numerical simulation results—thus verifying both the accuracy of the Mn–Cr–Ni–Mo steel material model and numerical simulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This paper aimed to study the interaction mechanism of straw-soil-strip vertical rotary tillage system in rice stubble field, explore the influence of key operation parameters under the interaction of the three on the clearing and leveling effect of seedbed, and play a guiding role in the integrated straw field management and the optimal design of tillage machinery in the water-drought rotation system. [Methods] A 3D vertical rotation simulation model was constructed based on discrete element method. The process of vertical strip rotation under rice straw mulching was simulated, and the parameter range was optimized and verified by laboratory soil tank test. In the process of strip vertical rotation, the forward speed, the rotational speed of tool shaft and the stubble length were taken as the influencing factors. The response surface method was used to build a mathematical model to analyze the influence of each factor on the quality of the seedbed and carry out the performance optimization test. [Results]When the tillage depth was set to 15 cm, the main and secondary factors affecting the cleaning rate of stubble and the flatness of seedbed were the forward speed, the tool shaft rotational speed and stubble length. The results of multi-objective optimization showed that the quality of seedbed was the best when the tool forward speed was 1.09 m·s-1, the tool shaft rotational speed was 281.5 r·min-1 and the stubble length was 6.89 cm. The straw cleaning rate of seedbed was 81.95% and the seedbed flatness was 8.67 mm. [Conclusions] The interaction model established in this paper was proved to be reliable and could effectively reflect the effect of vertical rotation operation parameters on the clearing of straw in seed bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orange juice is a highly nutritious beverage. Traditional pasteurization methods cause nutrient loss and taste changes. Plasma treatment (PT) is an emerging method with a high sterilization rate. This study investigated the effects of corona discharge plasma on the sterilization of orange juice by changes in color difference, total phenol content, and pH value. Single‐factor experiments revealed that higher voltage (40 kV) and longer sterilization time (25 min) had better sterilization effects. Response surface analysis indicated that frequency had the greatest impact on sterilization rates, and the optimal sterilization conditions were a voltage of 44.75 kV, a frequency of 9.46 kHz, and a sterilization time of 25 min. Under these conditions, the sterilization rate reached 97.9%, meeting the national standard of 104 colony‐forming units/mL (GB7101‐2022). Compared to untreated juices, the color difference value was 16.32, the pH value decreased by 0.12, and the total phenol content increased by 0.669 mg/mL. However, the evaporation of water plays an important role in increasing the total phenol co. Moreover, the comparative analysis showed that PT was comparable to pasteurization in terms of sterilization effects, flavor preservation, and the concentration of bioactive components. This study provides a theoretical basis for industrial applications of PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the number of people driving from plain areas to the western plateau of China has been increasing, and their safety is threatened by acute high-altitude reactions caused by hypoxia. Vehicle-mounted pressure swing adsorption oxygen supply technology can help solve this problem. For the optimization of vehicle pressure swing adsorption oxygen production, the influence of different pressure equalization methods on oxygen production efficiency was studied. The best oxygen production performance was achieved when the initial upper pressure equalization method and the simultaneous pressure equalization method were used. Using a 160 W air compressor, the product gas flow rate could reach 2.5 L/min with an oxygen concentration of 93.48%. The impact of adsorption time, equalization time, flow rate, and throttle inner diameter on oxygen concentration and recovery rate was analyzed using the response surface method. The order of the four factors affecting oxygen concentration is as follows: flow rate > adsorption time > equalization time > throttle inner diameter. After optimization, the product gas flow rate was 2.6 L/min, the oxygen concentration was 92.11%, and the oxygen recovery rate was 44.51%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane in situ explosion fracturing can induce intricate fracture networks by detonating methane desorbed from deep shale reservoirs. Elucidating the fracture propagation mechanisms under high-pressure gas explosive loading, along with the predominant controlling factors and interactions between different factors, remains imperative for optimizing fracturing efficacy. This study first established a method for calculating the explosion characteristic parameters in the in situ reservoir environment and determined the dynamic constitutive model parameters for Wufeng–Longmaxi shale. Then numerical simulation model of methane explosion fracturing in the in situ shale reservoir was established. Then response surface methodology was used to design numerical experiments and analyze the effects of explosive loading, in situ stress, and stress difference on the fracturing efficiency. A dimensionless factor Fmef was proposed for the comprehensive evaluation of the fracturing efficiency to elucidate the control mechanisms of the three factors. Lastly, the influence mechanisms of various factors on fracture growth are discussed from the perspective of coupled interactions between methane explosion loads and in situ stresses. The results demonstrate that the fracturing network can be delineated into smash district, damage zone, fracture zone, and vibration zone under gas explosive loading. With peak explosive pressure lower than the shale dynamic compressive strength, no smash district or damage zones appear, and increasing explosive loading markedly enlarges the extent of smash, damage, and fracture zones. The explosive loading predominantly affects the smash district and damage zone, whereas the stress state primarily influences the fracture zone. The response surface analysis with Fmef reveals convex surfaces for both the in situ stress-explosive loading interaction and the stress differential–explosive loading interaction, due to the quadratic effect of the explosive loading. Increasing explosive loading initially positively influences fracturing efficiency, transitioning to a negative impact, while in situ stress and stress differential show a monotonically decreasing trend. Stress analysis showed that the in situ stress significantly suppresses fracture propagation induced by the explosion. Differential stress induces concentration in both vertical and horizontal directions around the wellbore, resulting in longer fracture length and stable propagation time along the maximum principal stress direction. The difference between the primary controls for compressive–shear failure in smash district and tensile failure in fracture zone is explained by the coupled interactions of dynamic loads and in situ stresses. By correlating reservoir pressure and stress state with stimulation success, the constructed response surface model offers a theoretically sound basis for identifying optimal formations for methane explosion fracturing. Highlights: A methane in-situ explosion fracturing technique by detonating methane desorbed from in-situ shale reservoirs is proposed. Established a calculation method for methane-oxygen explosion characteristic parameters under high-temperature and high-pressure reservoir conditions. Calibrated the dynamic constitutive model parameters for Wufeng-Longmaxi shale in the major shale gas producing zones in China The fracturing efficacy in shale reservoirs first increases and then decreases with rising methane explosive loading. The fracturing efficacy of methane explosion fracturing in shale reservoirs is inversely correlated with the in-situ stress and stress difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed a microwave-assisted ionic liquid extraction method to extract three alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, and berbamine) from the bark of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. . Initially, the impact of the type of ionic liquid and liquid-tosolid ratio on extraction efficiency was investigated through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, the effects of ionic liquid concentration, extraction time, and temperature on extraction efficiency were further explored. The Box-Behnken response surface methodology was then applied to optimize and obtained the optimal extraction process, which was subsequently compared with traditional extraction methods. The research findings indicated that [Bmim] [Br] solution exhibited the highest extraction efficiency for the alkaloids. The optimal extraction conditions included an ionic liquid concentration of 0. 31 mol/L, a temperature of 94°C, and an extraction time of 15 minutes. Under these conditions, the yields of berberine, palmatine, and berbamine were 0. 047%±0. 003%, 0.421%± 0. 011%, and 1.150%±0. 028%, respectively. Compared to the traditional water heating reflux method, the extraction efficiencies were 9. 3%, 12. 8%, and 23. 6% higher, respectively. This study demonstrates that the use of microwave-assisted ionic liquid extraction technology can efficiently extract alkaloids from the bark of Phellodendron amurense Rupr., providing a theoretical basis and empirical support for the extraction of active components from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By analyzing the influencing factors of alkaline extraction of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from Rosa roxburghii pomace produced in the old Yellow River channel of Kaifeng, the optimization parameters of Rosa roxburghii pomace SDF extraction process were obtained. On the basis of a single factor experiment affecting the extraction rate of SDF from Rosa roxburghii pomace, a three factor three-level response surface experiment was conducted by selecting liquid to material ratio, extraction temperature, and alkaline concentration. The optimal extraction conditions were obtained as follows: liquid to material ratio (mL: g) of 30: 1, extraction temperature of 77 ℃, and alkaline concentration of 9.7 g/L. The SDF extraction validation experiment of Rosa roxburghii pomace was conducted under these conditions, and the average actual extraction rate was measured to be 16.843%, which is basically consistent with the predicted value, indicating that the optimized parameters are reliable. The water holding capacity of SDF obtained from Rosa roxburghii pomace is (13.41±0.09) g/g, oil holding capacity is (4.72±0.17) g/g, and expansion capacity is (11.95±0.05) mL/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance cellulose hydrolysis under high solid loadings, increasing the mixing intensity is often necessary, but this can lead to heightened product inhibition. In this work, the effect of mixing on high-solid cellulose hydrolysis was investigated. Through response surface optimization experiments, the optimal mixing intensities for 15%, 25%, and 35% (w/v) cellulose hydrolysis were obtained under different levels of product inhibition. A combined mixing optimization strategy was developed for different solid concentrations, aiming to enhance both the glucose yield and the conversion rate of microcrystalline cellulose and corn cobs. After optimization, the hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose resulted in glucose concentrations of 85 g/L, 130 g/L, and 167 g/L, corresponding to maximal conversion enhancements of 23%, 13%, and 8.6%, respectively. Similarly, the hydrolysis of corn cobs achieved glucose concentrations of 81 g/L, 124.6 g/L, and 140 g/L, with maximal conversion improvements of 4%, 5%, and 13%. These results indicate that the optimized strategy can effectively improve the conversion rate of high-solid enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology is the property of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology Periodical Office 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.)

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office 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 development of mild strategies to transform of fructose to prepare high-purity 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is of great significance for biomass valorization, and the design of an efficient catalytic approach is crucial. Herein, a mild catalytic strategy was developed to achieve the preparation of high-purity HMF from fructose over Amberlyst-15 catalyst in a water-methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) biphasic system under atmospheric pressure and lower temperature (90 °C). The catalytic system was optimized and analyzed by response surface methodology and kinetics study. Results indicated that a 46.6% yield of HMF could be obtained under optimal conditions: 80 wt% Amberlyst-15 catalyst, the mass ratio of MIBK to H2O 10, and the reaction time of 7 h. Furthermore, a simple and efficient purification strategy of HMF was established. High purity (99.0%) and recovery rate (65.5%) of HMF were obtained. This work provides an efficient catalytic strategy to produce high-purity HMF from fructose under atmospheric pressure and lower temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the synergistic effects of three protein concentrates from legumes (pea, lentil, and lima bean) as emulsifiers and stabilizers of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions using a simplex-centroid mixture design. The aim was to check whether proteins combined in different proportions have better emulsifying properties than isolated proteins. During this study, each protein concentrate was characterized by different evaluated parameters: emulsifying activity, emulsion stability, accelerated stability test, thermal coagulation time, stability to coalescence, and others. After statistical analysis mixture optimization, it was found that the best formulation for stabilizing O/W emulsion under the tested conditions (2% total protein; 3% sunflower oil) was the protein blend containing 21.21% pea, 32.78% lentil, and 46.01% fava bean. This blend exhibited better emulsification properties compared to the individual proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone waste refers to the waste stone particles generated from mining and stone processing to finished products that are not utilized in a resourceful manner. In this study, a CGF solid waste-based binder (abbreviated as CGF), with calcium carbide residue (CCR), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), and fly ash (FA) as components, was developed to solidify the stone waste. Through "treating waste with waste", the resource utilization of solid waste was realized. In order to improve the performance of the new material, this paper proposes the MAA-SW model for stone waste pavement base material based on the MAA model, establishes the relationship with the target gradation, and obtains the ideal gradation composition of stone waste through the calculation of the response surface analysis so as to obtain an energy-saving stone waste pavement base material with excellent performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fibrinolytic kinase identified in the nereid worm (Perinereis aibuhitensis Grub) displays exceptional kinase activity, stability, and specificity, suggesting its potential as a promising candidate for the advancement of new thrombolytic drugs. In this study, a process was optimized for the production of fibrinolytic kinase using Escherichia coli, and the effects of factors such as inoculum, pH, OD, temperature, inducer concentration, and time on the protein yield were investigated. The optimum points of key parameters were determined by single-factor experiments, and the initial pH, OD, and time were determined to be significant by PB (Plackett–Burman design) with six factors at two levels of experiments. The response surface experiments highlighted the key roles of initial pH and induced OD values, and the convergence of the model and experimental data confirmed the optimal conditions and reasonable fluctuation intervals, which proved the reliability of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In order to solve the problem of shortage of roof support materials and large accumulation of graphite tailings in mining. Method:The alkali-activated method was used to stimulate the pozzolanic activity of slag fly ash and graphite tailings as aggregates for the first time to prepare the support material for gob-side entry retaining. The response surface and satisfaction function method were used to optimize the mix proportion. Result; With the increase of alkali dosage,the compressive strength of the support material of the graphite tailings gob-side entry retaining showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing, and the cost gradually increased. With the increase of powder/mine,the compressive strength of gob-side entry retaining support material gradually decreases, the fluidity gradually becomes better, and the cost decreases. With the increase of bone glue ratio, the compressive strength of gob-side entry retaining support material decreases gradually,and the cost decreases gradually. The mass concentration has little effect on the support material of gob-side entry retaining. Conclusion;The supporting body of gob-side entry retaining has the optimal target strength and the lowest cost. The optimal ratio is 0. 501 for powder/ ore,3. 71 for bone glue ratio, 85. l%for mass concentration, and 8%for alkali dosage. Significance: To provide the experimental and theoretical basis for improving the practical application of graphite tailings in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment 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.)

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment 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.)

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment 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.)

Objective: To study the effect of ultrasonic treatment on the digestion characteristics and glycemic index (GI) of glutinous rice flour. Methods: With GI value as the index, the effects of four factors, including emulsion concentration, ultrasonic power, ultrasonic time and drying temperature, on the digestibility of glutinous rice flour were studied by single factor test and response surface method. The results showed that ultrasound could transform the components between starches, increase the content of resistant starch, and significantly (P

Editorial Note - 2024-10-22 The article has been retracted, see the corresponding retraction notice: https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2281-4485/20311. --- This work investigates the application of artificial neural networks (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM) in developing a technique for removing Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions from wastewater using chitosan derivative. The materials including chitosan beads (CS) and grafted chitosan beads (MCS) were evaluated using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The process factors were modeled and optimized using the central composite design (CCD) derived from RSM. Removal efficiency was described as the response for the output layer. However, the input layer feed data consists of pH, adsorbent dose, contact duration, temperature, and concentration. Two neurons were used as the ANN algorithm's output layers, which correspond to the adsorption of Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions. Both models were measured using statistical metrics like average relative errors (ARE), coefficient of determination (R2), Marquart's percentage standard deviation (MPSD), mean squared error (MSE), Pearson's Chi-square (), root means square errors (RMSE), and the sum of squares of errors (SSE). The ideal trained neural network depicts the training, validation, and testing phases, with R2 values of 1.0, 0.968, and 0.961, respectively. The findings, however, showed that the ANN technique is superior to the RSM-CCD model approach. At pH 5, starting concentration of 100 mg/L, an adsorbent mass of 6.0 g, a reaction time of 55 min, and a temperature of 40 oC, the RSM-CCD model's optimization results for the process variables were achieved. The greatest removal percentages for Pb2+ and Ni2+ ion was 98.14% and 98.12%, respectively. The findings suggest that ANN can be utilized in forecasting the removal of adsorbates from wastewater.

Objective: To extract Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) from Astragalus membranaceus using compound enzymes (including papain, pectinase and cellulase), and to analyze the effect of process conditions on APS extraction. Methods: Orthogonal experiments were conducted to determine the proportion of compound enzymes. The response surface method was used to optimize the conditions of extracting APS with compound enzymes. The optimal process condition was obtained, and the α-glucosidase-inhibiting effect of APS was evaluated by pNPG method. Results: For 5 g of Astragalus herbs, the optimal ratio of papain, pectinase and cellulase were 88000 U, 65000 U and 6000 U, respectively. The optimal extraction condition was as follows: time of 2.82 h, temperature at 60.34 ℃, pH of 5.11, and solid-liquid ratio of 1:34.46 g/mL. The yield of APS under the optimal condition was up to 22.79%±0.14%. The half-inhibition concentration (IC50) of APS for α-glucosidase was 7.42 μg/mL. Conclusion: The yield of APS by compound enzymes is significantly higher than that by single enzymes, and APS can effectively inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase.

ObjectiveTo establish a method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the detection of six common trichothecene toxins in oats.MethodsOats were selected as the research subject in this study. Response surface design was used to optimize the QuEChERS extraction method. Additionally, a rapid and efficient strategy for sample extraction and purification was developed. Combined with UHPLC-MS/MS, six commonly co-occurring trichothecene toxins in oats were quantitatively analyzed simultaneously.ResultsThis method demonstrated good analytical performance for each analyte across the corresponding concentration ranges (r>0.99), with accuracy ranging from 87.26% to 99.64%. The inter-day and intra-day relative standard deviations were less than 6.8% and 5.5%, respectively, indicating its potential for practical application. This method was used to detect mycotoxins in 12 oat samples from China, and it was found that one sample exceeded the standard limits for deoxynivalenol (DON), and the co-contamination of trichothecene toxin was prevalent.ConclusionThe risk posed by these toxins has been underestimated. Ongoing, extensive monitoring is necessary to provide contamination data to assess the consumer risk.

The amount of rural sewage varies greatly, which easily affects the normal operation of sewage treatment facilities. The application of waste bricks to construct rural sewage treatment type household manholes can realize front pollution control, improve the stability of the rural sewage treatment system, and realize the resource utilization of rural construction wastes, which has a broad prospect. However, the influencing factors and parameter selection of this technology are not clear, which affects its popularization and application. To solve the above problems,this study adopted small and pilot devices, combined with material characterization, single factor analysis and response surface analysis to study the influence of waste brick particle size, pollution control effect and parameter optimization process of waste brick-based rural sewage treatment type household manholes. It was found that waste brick-based rural sewage treatment type household manholes had good sewage treatment effects, and waste brick fragments with particle size of 0.5-

Abstract Background Ancient classic prescription play a crucial role in the preservation and advancement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories. They represent a significant milestone in the ongoing development and transmission of TCM knowledge and practices and are considered one of the breakthroughs in the development of TCM inheritance. In the process of developing ancient classic prescriptions, many problems may still arise in ensuring quality consistency between traditional methods and modern production processes, among which the extraction process poses major challenges. This paper introduces a practical approach extracting an ancient classic prescription using a modern extraction process. The technique is demonstrated through the study of the extraction process of Shenshou Taiyi powder (STP). Methods This study focuses on optimising the STP extraction process to ensure consistency in the quality of the product obtained through ancient and modern processes using the standard relation and fuzzy analytic hierarchical process (FAHP) and criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method integrated weights combined with the Box-Behnken response surface test. Using the contents of rosmarinic acid, isoimperatorin, puerarin, as well as the extract yield and fingerprint similarity as evaluation indexes of STP, the Box-Behnken response surface method was employed to examine the varying extraction parameters, including water addition ratio, extraction duration, and number of extractions. The weighted coefficients for each parameter were calculated by combining the benchmark correlation and FAHP-CRITIC method, deriving a comprehensive score. Results The optimal extraction process for STP consisted of a two extractions, each using at a tenfold quantity of water, performed for one hour. Process verification across three separate batches yielded a comprehensive score of 94.7, with a relative standard deviation of 0.76%. Conclusions The application of the Box-Behnken response surface method combined with standard relation and FAHP-CRITIC approach proved to be stable and feasible for optimising the extraction process of STP.

In order to improve the quality of whole wheat steamed bread, in this paper, stone-ground whole wheat flour with low-temperature and low-speed milling was selected, and the natural pigment of pumpkin flour was utilized to study the effect of the addition of pumpkin flour on the whole wheat flour-wheat flour mixture, and the effects of the addition of whole wheat flour, the addition of pumpkin flour, the addition of yeast, and the fermentation time on the sensory, specific volume, and chromaticity of the whole wheat steamed bread. On this basis, the sensory score was used as the response value, and the Box-Behnken experiment was used to optimize to obtain the optimal formulation of whole wheat steamed bread and the nutritional characteristics of whole wheat steamed bread were analyzed. The results showed that the influence of each factor on the sensory scores of whole wheat steamed bread was in descending order: the amount of whole wheat flour added, the amount of yeast added, and the amount of pumpkin flour added. The optimal formulation of whole wheat steamed bread was 55% wheat flour, 45% whole wheat flour, 10% pumpkin flour, 2% yeast, and fermentation time 40 min. The sensory score of whole wheat steamed bread prepared under this formulation was 97.23, which was similar to the predicted value of 97.81. The moisture content of pumpkin whole wheat steamed bread under the optimal formulation was 44.86%, the polyphenol content was 5.47 mg/g, and the flavonoid content was 2.57 mg/g. The steamed bread under the formulation had a golden color, and prominent aroma, fluffy and tasty, and possessed the unique flavors of pumpkin and whole wheat. It provides a useful reference for the deep processing and comprehensive utilization of pumpkins.

This study investigates tube-in-tube heat exchanger performance under steady-state conditions, examining co-current and counter-current flows. It explores various configurations, including metal foam enhancements, to optimize heat transfer efficiency and minimize pressure drop. Driven by the potential of metal foam to enhance heat transfer, the study aims to demonstrate significant improvements in thermal performance compared to conventional designs. Experimental methods involve testing four configurations with Nickel foam (10 PPI, 0.90 porosity) inserts, evaluating temperatures and pressure drops across flow rates of 25 to 50 LPH. Hot water at 65°C flows in the annulus, while normal water at 31°C flows in the outer annulus. Results show metal foam’s substantial enhancement in heat transfer, with counter-current metal foam configurations achieving up to 3.71 times greater efficiency than parallel flow setups. Moreover, comprehensive performance evaluation reveals that the counter-flow heat exchanger with metal foam is 2.03 times more efficient than the conventional co-current flow without metal foam. Conclusions highlight metal foam’s effectiveness in improving heat transfer performance and optimizing thermal systems through systematic parameter optimization using response surface methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Rosa roxburghii produced in the old Yellow River channel of Kaifeng as raw material, based on the experiment of single factor affecting the extraction rate of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides, a three factor and three level response surface experiment was conducted by selecting liquid to material ratio, extraction time, and extraction temperature to optimize the extraction process of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides. The optimal extraction conditions were corrected as follows: liquid to material ratio (mL: g) 26∶1, extraction time 2 hours, and extraction temperature 60 ℃. The validation experiment of extracting Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides was conducted under the optimized conditions, the actual extraction rate was 22.47%, which was basically consistent with the predicted value. This indicates that the optimized parameters are reliable and have practical application value, and have very good reference significance for the development and utilization of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides resources. Through the analysis of the antioxidant activity test of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides, it is found that within the concentration range determined in the experiment, Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides exhibite good ability to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The IC50values of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides on DPPH and ABTS free radicals are calculated to be 0.45 mg/mL and 0.53 mg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substrate that adheres between the teeth of the traveling track plate during the operation of a deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining vehicle affects the driving performance, so this study aimed to investigate the effect of the water jet on the cleaning and decontamination performance of the track under different conditions. An optimization design method based on response surface methodology (RSM) is proposed. Based on the Box–Behnken design, the optimization variables of jet pressure, jet target distance, and impact angle, and the target response of jet strike pressure on tracks, were selected, and the numerical simulation method was combined with the response surface method to establish the regression model of the response of each optimization variable to the jet strike pressure on tracks and to determine the optimal parameter combinations. The study findings indicate that the primary factor influencing the pressure of the jet striking the crawler is the jet pressure. The hierarchical order of influence on the pressure of the jet striking the crawler, under the interaction of the three factors, is as follows: jet pressure and impact angle, jet pressure and target distance of the jet, and target distance of the jet and impact angle. The maximum pressure of the jet striking the crawler occurs when the jet pressure is 0.983 MPa, the target distance is 0.14 m, and the impact angle is 89.5°. Overall, the proposed design serves as a systematic framework for parameter optimization in the cleaning and decontamination process, and the research method and results provide theoretical references for the optimal design of mining truck desorption efficiency, which is critical for increasing mining efficiency and lowering energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to enhance the feed value of chicory leaves. Through response surface methodology, the experiment optimized the extraction process of flavonoids from chicory leaves and evaluates their antioxidant activity. Based on single-factor experiments, the design and optimization of the Box-Behnken design were conducted with the response variable being the yield of flavonoids, to analyze the effects of the liquid-to-solid ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time on the yield of flavonoids in chicory leaves. The results showed that the optimized conditions for the extraction of chicory leaf flavonoids were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 37.0 mL/g, an extraction time of 59.2 minutes, and an extraction temperature of 43 ℃. Under these conditions, the yield of chicory leaf flavonoids was 3.09%, which was basically consistent with the predicted value, indicating that this optimization method was reasonable and reliable. In vitro antioxidant activity tests showed that the scavenging ability of chicory leaf flavonoids on DPPH and ABTS+ radicals was concentration-dependent. The study suggests that chicory leaf flavonoids have strong in vitro antioxidant capacity and potential for feed additive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil being a naturally formed material, the prediction and analysis of anchor uplift capacity incorporating the inherent variabilities in the soil properties is essential. This paper presents a probabilistic analysis of horizontal strip anchors in spatially varying soil using the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) as a prediction model. The use of MARS in spatially varying soils is proposed, and its advantage over the conventional expensive Monte Carlo simulations is reported in this paper. The soil cohesion and friction angle have been modeled as lognormal random fields, and the influence of the spatially distributed soil properties on the anchor uplift capacity is assessed in the current study. Furthermore, a comparison between the deterministic and reliability-based design methodologies is presented, and their implications on the design of foundation are discussed. The results indicate that the code-specified factor of safety (FOS) value of 1.5 does not fulfill the target probability of failure ( P f ) values recommended in probabilistic design. A minimum FOS = 2 is required to satisfy the P f ≤ 0.001 criteria, which is usually recommended for the design of foundations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we prepared two kinds of nanocomposites (MCT#1 and MCT#2) involving MWCNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles. The characterisation of the samples is carried out based on FTIR spectroscopy and TEM. The Ti-O groups that is attributed to the TiO2 nanoparticles can be confirmed according to the FTIR analysis. TEM images show that the average particle size of TiO2 nanoparticles in prepare MCT#1 and MCT#2 is equal to 13 nm and 15 nm, respectively. The influences of nanocomposites weight fraction and illumination time are investigated on the decomposition rate of methyl orange (MO) as pollutant. The photocatalytic results exhibit that the decomposition rate of MO is increased with respect to the weight fraction and illumination time. Meanwhile, higher decomposition rate can be observed using MCT#2 compared to MCT#1. Statistical analysis of the results based on Duncan's multiple range test at α = 0.05 reveals that all of the applied levels of the factors have a significant effect on the decomposition rate. The response surface results confirm that the effect of illumination time is high that that of weight fraction of MCT#1 and MCT#2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-running surrogate computational models (simpler computational models) have been successfully used to replace time-intensive finite element models. However, it is unclear how well they perform in accurately and efficiently replicating complex, full human body finite element models. Here we survey several surrogate modeling techniques and assess their accuracy in predicting full strain fields of tissues of interest during a highly dynamic behind armor blunt trauma impact to the liver. We found that coupling dimensionality reduction on the high-dimensional output space (principal component analysis or autoencoders) with machine learning techniques (Gaussian Process Regression or multi-output neural networks) provides a framework capable of accurately and efficiently replacing complex full human body models. It was found that these surrogate models can successfully predict the strain fields (<10% average strain error) of select tissues during a nonlinear impact event but careful consideration should be given to element parsing and modeling technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Edulis Fungi is the property of Acta Edulis Fungi 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.)

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office 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.)