Characterization of hot-air drying and infrared drying of spearmint (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mentha spicata</Emphasis> L.) leaves

In this study, spearmint leaves were dried using hot-air (HA) and infrared (IR) techniques. Dried products were comprehensively analyzed for their drying time, specific energy consumption (SEC), rehydration, essential oil content and color changes. The IR drying process was carried out at radiation intensity levels of 1562, 3125 and 4688 W/m², emitter to sample distances of 10, 15 and 20 cm and air temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 °C. For HA drying, three levels of air temperature (30, 40 and 50 °C) and air velocity (0.5, 1 and 1.5 m/s) were applied. The results indicated that drying time, SEC and color changes were lower in IR drying of spearmint than in HA drying. IR drying gave the highest essential oil content (0.95 %) and rehydration ratio (0.788 kg water/kg dry matter (DM)). Totally, it was observed that IR drying of spearmint resulted in better quality preservation and had lower energy costs in comparison to HA drying.     

On the dispersion of CNTs in polyamide 6 matrix via solution methods: assessment through electrical, rheological, thermal and morphological analyses

In this study, polyamide 6 (PA 6)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared by different solution methods based on phase inversion, drop-casting and simple evaporation processes. Optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to investigate the dispersion states of the nanotubes in PA 6 matrix. The results indicated that the dispersion state of MWCNTs in the nanocomposites prepared by the phase inversion-based method was better than those in the nanocomposites prepared by the other two methods. Electrical, rheological, differential scanning calorimetry and thermo-gravimetric analysis measurements showed that the PA 6/MWCNTs nanocomposites prepared by the phase inversion-based method had higher electrical conductivity, storage modulus, crystallization temperature and thermal stability in comparison with those prepared by the other two methods, attributed to the better dispersion state of MWCNTs. These results confirmed achievement of a good dispersion state of MWCNTs within PA 6 matrix by the phase inversion-based efficient approach.     

Formal translation of YAWL workflow models to the Alloy formal specifications: a testing application

Software and Systems Modeling - Within microservice architecture-based systems, some microservices are integrated to build the software. The integration of these services may be defined based on a...     

Correlation of rheology and morphology and estimation of interfacial tension of immiscible COC/EVA blends

Rheology and morphology of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) / ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) immiscible blends with droplet and co-continuous morphologies were experimentally examined and theoretically analyzed using emulsion and micromechanical models. The blends showed an asymmetric phase diagram in which the EVA-rich blends had smaller dispersed size domains as compared to the COC-rich blends. This could be explained based on the higher melt elasticity and viscosity of COC as compared to EVA determined by the rheological investigations. The rheological tools were used to investigate the miscibility of the blends. From the melt viscosity data it is found that the COC/EVA blends show a positive deviation behavior at all compositions which is a hint for strong interaction between the COC and EVA. Analysis of Cole-Cole and Han diagrams revealed that COC/EVA blends, at high EVA contents, were more compatible than COC-rich blends. For the droplet morphology, Palierne model was more successful but, by increasing the dispersed phase content some deviation was observed. In the co-continuous region, the Coran model was in good correspondence with the experimental data as compared to the Veenstra’s model. The storage and loss modulus of EVA-rich blends had a better correspondence with the Palierne model than the COC-rich blends which further confirmed the morphological findings. Interfacial tension calculated for the COC/EVA blends using the Palierne model, were about 1.2 and 15 mN/m² for EVA-rich (10/90) and COC-rich blends (90/10), respectively. In both EVA-rich and COC-rich systems the interfacial tension increased with increasing the dispersed phase content.     

A model-driven approach to semi-structured database design

Recently XML has become a standard for data representation and the preferred method of encoding structured data for exchange over the Internet. Moreover it is frequently used as a logical format to store structured and semi-structured data in databases. We propose a model-driven and configurable approach for modeling hierarchical XML data using object role modeling (ORM) as a flat conceptual model. First a non-hierarchical conceptual schema of the problem domain is built using ORM and then different hierarchical views of the conceptual schema or parts of it are specified by the designer using transformation rules. A hierarchical modeling notation called H-ORM is proposed to show these hierarchical views and model more complex semi-structured data constructs and constraints. We also propose an algorithm to map hierarchical H-ORM views to XML schema language.     

Field Study of Concrete Maturity Methodology in Cold Weather

The objective of this study was to assess the reliability and potential benefits of using the concrete maturity method in cold weather. This paper reviews the concrete maturity method, describes the technology and field observations, and discusses potential benefits of using concrete maturity in cold climates. The concrete maturity method is based on the idea that concrete strength development is strongly correlated with the curing temperature history. Modern sensor and processing devices (loggers) are able to measure and record the temperature of concrete over time. This information could be used to predict concrete strength over time. Findings from a case study in application of the maturity method in an industrial construction project in Edmonton, Alta., Canada indicated a significant potential time and cost reduction. The study also indicated that the concrete maturity methodology enables reliable quality control through the accurate estimation of in-place concrete strength. The real time information available through the concrete maturity method allowed the project manager to be proactive in managing heating and protection to ensure that the proper level of concrete strength was developed.     

A Feature Model Based Framework for Refactoring Software Product Line Architecture

Software product line (SPL) is an approach used to develop a range of software products with a high degree of similarity. In this approach, a feature model is usually used to keep track of similarities and differences. Over time, as modifications are made to the SPL, inconsistencies with the feature model could arise. The first approach to dealing with these inconsistencies is refactoring. Refactoring consists of small steps which, when accumulated, may lead to large-scale changes in the SPL, resulting in features being added to or eliminated from the SPL. In this paper, we propose a framework for refactoring SPLs, which helps keep SPLs consistent with the feature model. After some introductory remarks, we describe a formal model for representing the feature model. We express various refactoring patterns applicable to the feature model and the SPL formally, and then introduce an algorithm for finding them in the SPL. In the end, we use a real-world case study of an SPL to illustrate the applicability of the framework introduced in the paper.     

Effect of Loading Position and Storage Duration on the Textural Properties of Eggplant

Eggplant has a very limited shelf life and, like other vegetables, is susceptible to different types of damage during and after harvest operations. Besides, eggplant is inhomogeneous considering its inner construction point of view. It is therefore important to specify how storage might affect their mechanical properties and how they vary in morphology. In this work, eggplants were divided into three portions along the longitudinal axis and their textural properties were separately investigated using different types of test over a 10-day period of storage. The results showed that the tension strength, rupture force and Young’s modulus of skin tissue decreased with increasing the length of storage period, and they were generally different in the different portions of the fruit that were sampled. The values of Young’s modulus and rupture force of pulp tissue taken from compression tests decreased from 1.466 to 0.821 MPa and 20.70 to 17.66 N for upper section, 0.637 to 0.536 MPa and 15.33 to 13.13 N for middle section and 0.518 to 0.422 MPa and 14.19 to 12.19 N for bottom section, respectively, with the increase in storage period. Similarly, as the samples were stored longer, the Young’s modulus and rupture force of their combined skin and pulp tissues, obtained from penetration tests, decreased from 3.01 to 2.02 MPa and 31.21 to 24.95 N for upper section, 2.59 to 1.66 MPa and 28.64 to 21.66 N for middle section and 1.91 to 1.15 MPa and 23.18 to 17.37 N for bottom section, respectively.     

Non-Destructive Estimation of Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Persimmons by Ultrasonic Spectroscopy

Fruit properties, including ripeness, are still being measured destructively in most countries. Recently, an increased attention has been given to non-destructive methods, such as ultrasonic techniques, for quality assessment of food commodities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonic spectroscopy to monitor the changes of mechanical properties (rupture force and modulus of elasticity) and chemical properties (soluble solids content) in two cultivars of persimmons (Karaj and Shomali) during 3 weeks of storage. Samples’ ultrasonic properties such as ultrasonic velocity and attenuation coefficient were analyzed with transducers, and their textural properties were obtained using destructive compression test and their refractometric properties were measured from its fresh-squeezed juice in laboratory. Mechanical and chemical properties were statistically modeled from ultrasonic parameters. The results showed that our proposed model could predict persimmons’ mechanical and chemical properties well, i.e., rupture force (R² = 0.893/0.837; RMSE = 3.683/3.849 for Shomali and Karaj cultivars, respectively), modulus of elasticity (R² = 0.826/0.861; RMSE = 0.231/0.217 for Shomali and Karaj cultivars, respectively) and soluble solids content (R² = 0.931/0.987; RMSE = 0.519/0.851 for Shomali and Karaj cultivars, respectively).