Flaking and extrusion as mechanical treatments for enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction of oil from soybeans

Flaking and extruding dehulled soybeans were evaluated as a means of enhancing oil extraction efficiency during enzyme-assisted aqueous processing of soybeans. Cellulase, protease, and their combination were evaluated for effectiveness in achieving high oil extraction recovery from extruded flakes. Aqueous extraction of extruded full-fat soy flakes gave 68% recovery of the total available oil without using enzymes. A 0.5% wt/wt protease treatment after flaking and extruding dehulled soybeans increased oil extraction recovery to 88% of the total available oil. Flaking and extruding enhanced protease hydrolysis of proteins freeing more oil. Treating extruded flakes with cellulase, however, did not enhance oil extraction either alone or in combination with protease. Discrepancies in oil extraction recoveries were encountered when merely considering crude free fat because some oil became bound to denatured protein during extrusion and/or sample drying. Bound fat was unavailable for determination by using the hexane extraction method, but was accounted for by using the acid hydrolysis method for total oil determination. Oil extraction recovery from extruded soybean flakes was affected by oil determination methods, which was not the case for unextruded full-fat soy flour.     

Towards an Environmentally Acceptable Heterogeneous Catalytic Method of Producing Adipic Acid by the Oxidation of Hydrocarbons in Air

A survey is given of the catalytic methods potentially available for the production of adipic acid by the oxidation of readily available hydrocarbon precursors under environmentally benign conditions. Encouraging results are reported using H₂O₂ as oxidant and microporous FeAlPO-5 as catalyst at moderate temperatures.     

The Shot Heard Around the World Wide Web: Who Heard What Where About Osama bin Laden's Death

This study investigated what sources were relied on to find out about Osama bin Laden's death and whether perceptions of credibility and political party affiliation influenced these media choices. The most striking difference in media reliance for bin Laden news was that whatever sources Tea Partiers relied on and thought credible were those that Democrats did not rely on or see as credible. Despite the clamor about how quickly news flows through social network sites and Twitter, only about 5% of respondents first heard about bin Laden through these sources and a slightly larger percentage spread the news via these tools. Moreover, social network sites and Twitter were the least relied on about the aftermath of bin Laden's death.     

Self-repair ability of evolved self-assembling systems in cellular automata

Self-repairing systems are those that are able to reconfigure themselves following disruptions to bring them back into a defined normal state. In this paper we explore the self-repair ability of some cellular automata-like systems, which differ from classical cellular automata by the introduction of a local diffusion process inspired by chemical signalling processes in biological development. The update rules in these systems are evolved using genetic programming to self-assemble towards a target pattern. In particular, we demonstrate that once the update rules have been evolved for self-assembly, many of those update rules also provide a self-repair ability without any additional evolutionary process aimed specifically at self-repair.     

Multi-Wavelength vs. Binary Code Pattern Unwrapping in Fringe Projection Method

Phase extraction, phase unwrapping and phase to height conversion are consecutive steps within the fringe projection method for reconstruction of 3D objects. The procedure of determining discontinuities on the wrapped phase, resolving them and achieving the unwrapped phase is called phase unwrapping. A software system was developed that provides the ability to create many kinds of patterns with a verity of desirable properties suitable for different demands in fringe projection systems. In our previous work, an experimental study was reported based on a multi-wavelength unwrapping approach. In the following work, we implemented a new method called binary code pattern unwrapping that is based on time analysis. A comparison of the two unwrapping approaches in terms of resolution, quality, noise, depth accuracy, and computational cost is provided.     

An architecture modeling framework for probabilistic prediction

In the design phase of business and IT system development, it is desirable to predict the properties of the system-to-be. A number of formalisms to assess qualities such as performance, reliability and security have therefore previously been proposed. However, existing prediction systems do not allow the modeler to express uncertainty with respect to the design of the considered system. Yet, in contemporary business, the high rate of change in the environment leads to uncertainties about present and future characteristics of the system, so significant that ignoring them becomes problematic. In this paper, we propose a formalism, the Predictive, Probabilistic Architecture Modeling Framework (P²AMF), capable of advanced and probabilistically sound reasoning about business and IT architecture models, given in the form of Unified Modeling Language class and object diagrams. The proposed formalism is based on the Object Constraint Language (OCL). To OCL, P²AMF adds a probabilistic inference mechanism. The paper introduces P²AMF, describes its use for system property prediction and assessment and proposes an algorithm for probabilistic inference.     

A method for predicting the probability of business network profitability

In the design phase of business collaboration, it is desirable to be able to predict the profitability of the business-to-be. Therefore, techniques to assess qualities such as costs, revenues, risks, and profitability have been previously proposed. However, they do not allow the modeler to properly manage uncertainty with respect to the design of the considered business collaboration. In many real collaboration projects today, uncertainty regarding the business’ present or future characteristics is so significant that ignoring it becomes problematic. In this paper, we propose an approach based on the predictive, probabilistic architecture modeling framework (P²AMF), capable of advanced and probabilistically sound reasoning about profitability risks. The P²AMF-based approach for profitability risk prediction is also based on the e³-value modeling language and on the object constraint language. The paper introduces the prediction and modeling approach, and a supporting software tool. The use of the approach is illustrated by means of a case study originated from the Stockholm Royal Seaport smart city project.     

The effect of solution variables on the solution of cellulose in dimethyl sulfoxide

Through the study of the effects of concentration, temperature, and molar ration (of paraformaldehyde to cellulose) on solution viscosity and per cent transmittance (at 530 nm), it has been demonstrated that cellulose solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are readily produced. By heating 1, 2, and 50 to 100 parts by weight of cellulose, paraformaldehyde, and DMSO, respectively, extremely viscose cellulose solutions and gels were prepared. Solutions with concentrations as high as 10% were prepared. However, the optimum conditions to effect complete cellulose solution in DMSO at 75°C were found to be 0.5% cellulose and 0.8 and 1.0% paraformaldehyde. This corresponds to a paraformaldehyde-to-cellulose molar ratio of about 10:1.     

Applications of laser Raman microprobe spectroscopy to the characterization of coals and cokes

Optical microscopy is widely used in the characterization of coals and cokes. This Paper shows that the laser Raman microprobe (MOLE) which combines an optical microscope and a Raman spectrometer can provide useful additional information. Three main areas were investigated: identification of minerals in coal and coke; structural characterization of coals and cokes; and the interaction of inorganic additives and coal. Where possible, the results were compared with conventional optical microscopy measurements whereby it was shown that the optical texture and Raman spectra of cokes are not closely related. The Raman spectra of high temperature cokes were used to estimate the size of microcrystalline regions.     

Development of a eutectic freezing process for brine disposal

At the eutectic point, both ice and salt crystallize out of salt water and brine volume is minimized. Thus, continuous eutectic freezing has major potentials for brine disposal and concentration of industrial wastes. This paper presents a laboratory study of the principal unit operations: crystallization, separation, and washing. The results prove technical feasibility and underlie a conceptual design of a two-stage eutectic freezing process. Process economics are also discussed.