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One of the main disadvantages of the traditional mean square error (MSE)-based constructive networks is their poor performance in the presence of non-Gaussian noises. In this paper, we propose a new incremental constructive network based on the correntropy objective function (correntropy-based constructive neural network (C2N2)), which is robust to non-Gaussian noises. In the proposed learning method, input and output side optimizations are separated. It is proved theoretically that the new hidden node, which is obtained from the input side optimization problem, is not orthogonal to the residual error function. Regarding this fact, it is proved that the correntropy of the residual error converges to its optimum value. During the training process, the weighted linear least square problem is iteratively applied to update the parameters of the newly added node. Experiments on both synthetic and benchmark datasets demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method in comparison with the MSE-based constructive network, the radial basis function (RBF) network. Moreover, the proposed method outperforms other robust learning methods including the cascade correntropy network (CCOEN), Multi-Layer Perceptron based on the Minimum Error Entropy objective function (MLPMEE), Multi-Layer Perceptron based on the correntropy objective function (MLPMCC) and the Robust Least Square Support Vector Machine (RLS-SVM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffusion process in the production of sugar is a determining process which affects the final quality of sugar. The pH of water which is used in this process is being controlled by adding sulphur dioxide gas to the water. In this research, the reason of corrosion of the sulphur dioxide gas transporter pipe to the diffusion water producer tank has been studied. In this way, the quantometery analysis of the base metal and weld zone, and X-ray diffraction analysis of the corrosion products has been applied. In addition, the corrosion rate of the base metal has been determined by the potentiodynamic polarisation technique at the temperatures between 50 t 70 °C and also the DLEPR method has been used for the weld zone. The Results showed that the main reason of the corrosion of the pipe was the accumulation of the gas in the bottom of the pipe and the concentrated sulphur containing droplets which led to the localised corrosion of the pipe. Finally, changing the position of the branch pipes, shelving the pipe and changing the material are being suggested.

Extraction of bioactive materials from herbal plants may be interesting due to the growing trend of using herbal remedies instead of chemical ones. The aim of present study is to optimize the conditions of Berberine extraction from roots of Berberis Vulgaris by supercritical CO2. The dependency of Berberine extraction yield on extraction parameters, time and pressure, was studied by Response surface Methodology. The effective factors on the extraction yield and adequacy of proposed model was investigated according to the experimental data and statistical analysis. The correlation coefficient (R2 = 92.71 %( showed that about 93% of all alternatives can be explained by this experimental model. Pressure has the most influence on yield of extracted berberine and the interaction term of Time –Pressure is statistically significant on the berberine yield. Using supercritical CO2 method with pressure in the range of 300-400 bars and the time in the range of 40-75 minutes would lead to the maximum of berberine extraction (more than 400 µg/gr). Finally, yield of berberine extraction by SFE has been compared with traditional method (Soxhlet) and the strengths and weaknesses of this novel method have been considered.

The direct relation between high blood cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases has been proved. Food containing high amount of cholesterol such as meat and meat products, egg yolk, milk and dairy products can be elevated the cholesterol content in blood plasma. The possibility of cholesterol reduction in milk using beta cyclodextrin was investigated. In this research, various amounts of β- cyclodextrin (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 %) were mixed with raw (unhomogenized and unpasteurized) and homogenized milk at two temperature conditions of 8°C and 20°C. The cholesterol content of milk was measured for each treatment. The results that statistically were analyzed and showed that the cholesterol content of milk remarkably was decreased with increasing the amount of β- cyclodextrin, particularly in homogenized milk at 20°C .However, the reduction rate of cholesterol were decreased when extra β- cyclodextrin added due to its intermolecular reactions. The maximum cholesterol reduction was achieved when 1.5 % β- cyclodextrin added to homogenized milk at 20°C.

In the present research, the power of antioxidant activity in Bene Hull subspecies (Mutica) extract was discussed using subcritical water technique, at 110,155 and 200°C temperatures with 45 minutes of constant time and the ratio of for Bene hull to water. The dependent variables of this study were measured based on Melanoidic impact extent, the power of resuscitating ferrous (Mg/Ml) the extent of controlling DPPH free radicals (Mg/ Ml) and total amount of phenolic compounds (Mg of Gallic Acid/ 100 G of material). The study revealed that at 200°C the Melanoidic impact extent, the power of resuscitating ferrous (Mg/Ml) the extent of controlling DPPH free radicals (Mg/ Ml) were at the maximum; meanwhile total Phenolic content was highest at 155°C. Under this circumstance, the amount of polyphenolic contents, reduction power according to EC50 and DPPH free radical scavenging activity according to EC50 were predicted to be 2096.41 mg Gallic acid / 100 g Bene hull, 0.213 mg /ml and 0.685 mg/ ml, respectively. The results proved that subcritical water extraction method was suitable to obtain biological materials out of Bene hull. Intense extraction yield, abundant solvent, cheap and non-environmental issues are its benefits. In the present research, the power of antioxidant activity in Bene Hull subspecies (Mutica) extract was discussed using subcritical water technique, at 110,155 and 200°C temperatures with 45 minutes of constant time and the ratio of for Bene hull to water. The dependent variables of this study were measured based on Melanoidic impact extent, the power of resuscitating ferrous (Mg/Ml) the extent of controlling DPPH free radicals (Mg/ Ml) and total amount of phenolic compounds (Mg of Gallic Acid/ 100 G of material). The study revealed that at 200°C the Melanoidic impact extent, the power of resuscitating ferrous (Mg/Ml) the extent of controlling DPPH free radicals (Mg/ Ml) were at the maximum; meanwhile total Phenolic content was highest at 155°C. Under this circumstance, the amount of polyphenolic contents, reduction power according to EC50 and DPPH free radical scavenging activity according to EC50 were predicted to be 2096.41 mg Gallic acid / 100 g Bene hull, 0.213 mg /ml and 0.685 mg/ ml, respectively. The results proved that subcritical water extraction method was suitable to obtain biological materials out of Bene hull. Intense extraction yield, abundant solvent, cheap and non-environmental issues are its benefits

Titanium Oxide nanoparticles with semi conductive and photo catalytic properties exhibits bactericidal activity when irradiated under UV ray in aqueous solutions. This is a phenomenon caused from formation of oxygenated hydroxyl groups. The oxygenated hydroxyl groups could disintegrate the cell wall of some microorganisms. We investigated the lethal effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on four harmful microorganisms in food. Pathogenic strains of E. coli and St. aureus, toxicogenic strain of A. parasiticus and putrefactive strain of S. cerevisiae cultured on their selective media including 1% and 2% TiO2 concentrations activated by UV irradiation using two UV lamps 14W for 30, 60 and 120 minutes before inoculation. Viable cells in cell suspensions were counted after incubation at desired conditions for each microorganism. The results statistically analyzed and showed that the total count of pathogenic E. coli significantly reduced in both concentrations of activated TiO2 up 60 min UV irradiation whereas none of the treatments were unaffected on St. aureus. The viable count reduction were 56.8% and 70% for S. cerevisiae and A. parasiticus respectively on their culture media including 2% TiO2 concentration with 60min irradiated by UV irradiation. This study showed the lethal or growth inhibitory effects of photocatalytic TiO2 on pathogenic and toxicogenic of various microorganisms types and could be applied for further investigations.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for secondary (acquired, combined) dystonia does not reach the high degree of efficacy achieved in primary (genetic, isolated) dystonia. We hypothesize that this may be due to variability in the underlying injury, so that different children may require placement of electrodes in different regions of basal ganglia and thalamus. We describe a new targeting procedure in which temporary depth electrodes are placed at multiple possible targets in basal ganglia and thalamus, and probing for efficacy is performed using test stimulation and recording while children remain for one week in an inpatient Neuromodulation Monitoring Unit (NMU). Nine Children with severe secondary dystonia underwent the NMU targeting procedure. In all cases, 4 electrodes were implanted. We compared the results to 6 children who had previously had 4 electrodes implanted using standard intraoperative microelectrode targeting techniques. Results showed a significant benefit, with 80% of children with NMU targeting achieving greater than 5-point improvement on the Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), compared with 50% of children using intraoperative targeting. NMU targeting improved BFMDRS by an average of 17.1 whereas intraoperative targeting improved by an average of 10.3. These preliminary results support the use of test stimulation and recording in a Neuromodulation Monitoring Unit (NMU) as a new technique with the potential to improve outcomes following DBS in children with secondary (acquired) dystonia. A larger sample size will be needed to confirm these results.

Conventional processes of food dewatering, such as thermal, have undesirable and destruction effects on vitamins, aromatic compounds and pigments. In addition, they are accompanied with some technological complications and energy consumption. Thus, food concentration processes are directed to non-thermal techniques or methods with reduced heat effects. Superabsorbents are highly hydrophilic polymer networks which can absorb water and aqueous solutions some hundred times of their weights and retain them. These materials are subgroups of hydrogel family that are transformed into gels after absorbing water. In the present research, the possibilities of yoghurt dewatering using superabsorbents have been investigated for the first time in Iran and some remarkable results are obtained for this vital product. In the experiments carried out to investigate the effect of these absorbents on normal method of yoghurt concentration (use of permeable membrane), type of bed (wide and vertical) and time are also studied. The percentage of total soluble solids and dry solids of dewatered samples were measured in different time intervals up to 180 min. The results showed that superabsorbent on a wide bed would reduce the concentration time to one third. In other words, in a certain time interval, more than 70% increase in yoghurt dry solids was observed compared to normal method. These results show that acrylic superabsorbent hydrogel can be applied as highly hydrophilic material in non-thermal food dewatering methods.

Various concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) of β-CD were mixed with different fat contents (1%, 2.5% and 3%) of raw (unhomogenized) and homogenized milk at two mixing temperatures of 8 and 20°C. The cholesterol residue, fat, protein, lactose, solid nonfat (SNF), density, and ash content of milk were measured for each treatment. The results statistically analysed and showed that the cholesterol content of milk remarkably decreased as the β-CD was increased particularly in homogenized milk at 20°C. However, the reduction rate of cholesterol was decreased when extra β-CD was added due to its intermolecular reactions. The maximum cholesterol reduction was achieved at the level of 1% β-CD. The fat content, SNF, protein, lactose, and density content were decreased with increasing β-CD whereas it did not affect ash content.

Response surface methodology is a series of statistical techniques that can be used to design experiment, modeling and evaluating the effect of variables on the final obtained results and optimization of process conditions. In this research, optimization of the solvent extraction method of bioactive compounds from seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris) was carried out using response surface methodology. Central composite design was employed with 13 treatments and 5 replications in central points and the effect of variable factors of temperature (50-70ºC) and extraction time (40-120 minutes). The amount of anthocyanin content, vitamin C, phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of extracted barberry were measured. Close agreement was found between experimental and predicted values of model. Effects of extraction temperature and time were found to be significant on all responses. According to these results, optimal extraction conditions were identified at 50 °C temperature for120 minutes. In this condition the maximum of phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, antioxidant activities and vitamin C contents were 585.725 mg GAE/100ml, 208.392 mg/l, 84.2603% and 1292.56 ppm respectively. The results showed that this methodology could be applied in the extraction of bioactive compounds in the natural product industry.

Unmanned operations and automation in modern industry create complex everyday problems, which require algorithmic thinking and creativity. Development of risk assessment methods is critical for the future of this business segment. To provide decision support for the management of an autonomous emission control boat, we begin by proposing a k‐Nearest‐Neighbours (k‐NN)‐based trajectory prediction method. This is employed in a bi‐objective routing problem of finding a Hamiltonian circuit in a dynamic network defined by predicted locations of ships over time. The objectives are maximizing the number of measurement tasks to be done and minimizing the corresponding total travel distance of the emission control boat. To evaluate the impact of trajectory prediction uncertainty on Pareto‐optimal itineraries, we propose a risk measure in a mean‐risk framework. The risk is defined based on an expected shortfall when implementation of an efficient itinerary under the predicted trajectories needs rescheduling based on realized trajectories. The risk measure helps the decision maker to evaluate choice alternatives among efficient itineraries under predicted trajectories and to make a balanced risk‐adjusted decision. We show how historical data is employed in integer linear programming for the estimation of such risk measure. Empirical results demonstrate such estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bi-objectiveMILP model for optimal routing in a dynamic network with moving targets (nodes) is developed, where all targets are not necessarily visited. Hence, our problem extends the moving target travelling salesman problem. The two objectives aim at finding the sequence of targets visited in a given time horizon by minimizing the total travel distance and maximizing the number of targets visited. Due to a huge number of binary variables, such a problem often becomes intractable in the real life cases. To reduce the computational burden, we introduce a measure of traffic density, based on which we propose a time horizon splitting heuristics. In a real-world case study of greenhouse gas emissions control, using Automatic Identification System data related to the locations of ships navigating in the Gulf of Finland, we evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Different splitting scenarios are analysed numerically. Even in the cases of a moderate scale, the results show that near-efficient values for the two objectives can be obtained by our splitting approach with a drastic decrease in computational time compared to the exact MILP method. A linear value function is introduced to compare the Pareto solutions obtained by different splitting scenarios. Given our results, we expect that the present study is valuable in logistic applications, specifically maritime management services and autonomous navigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Mostaque Hussain, Mazhar M. Islam, A. Gunasekaran, Kooros Maskooki There has been a growing tendency for cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the development of economic and financial institutions. This has led to an increasing need for the standardisation of accounting regulations in order to improve cooperation and enhance the efficiency of the financial institutions amongst these. In this paper, an attempt has been made to investigate the accounting standards followed by the financial institutions in five selected GCC countries (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) with some policy prescriptions for harmonisation of the accounting regulations. This paper provides a comparative analysis of various accounting policies and practices, including loans and provisions, assets, investments, taxation, liabilities, foreign exchange, revenue recognition, and consolidation of each GCC countries banking and other financial institutions.

Pulsed Electric Field processing is a non-thermal alternative to sucrose extraction from sugar beet. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on the viscoelastic properties of sugar beet tissue. The electrical conductivity disintegration index was used for characterization of the PEF-induced damage of sugar beet tissue. Cell membrane disintegration increased with increasing field strength and pulse number. Stress-relaxation tests were also performed. The changes in viscoelastic properties were quantified as a result of applied field strength and pulse number and were correlated with cell disintegration index. The generalized Maxwell model was used to fit the measured stress-relaxation data. The rheological constants, elastic module (MPa), equilibrium elastic module (MPa) and relaxation time (s) were decreased significantly with increase of cell disintegration index. Scanning electron microscope images of the intact and PEF-treated samples showed increased deformation of cells and larger intercellular spaces for the PEF-treated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of ultrasound (US) with carbonated feed were studied on ultrafiltration flux enhancement and membrane hydrodynamic resistances. A cross flow ultrafiltration of cherry concentrate was performed under US at 37 and 80 kHz with carbonated feed and noncarbonated feed, within the flat-sheet membrane module. Although, the US degassed the carbonated feed within the module, but no membrane cleaning effect was observed for the US with carbonated feed. Results showed that 37 kHz of US increases the permeation flux higher than 80 kHz, The lowest fouling resistance was obtained for gas bubbling by carbonated feed under 80 kHz, although there was no significant difference between 37 kHz and gas bubbling under 80 kHz. Practical Applications The most important limitation of ultrafiltration is flux decline during processing. Flux decline caused to higher operation cost and decrease the performance of separation. Using the ultrasound (US) treatment at low frequency (37 kHz) and carbonated feed with US at high frequency (80 kHz) can improve the flux permeation significantly. This technique can be applied to ultrafiltration to postpone the fouling and flux decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fouling is one of the main obstacles to filtration process. In this study, the effects of gas bubbling by carbonated feed, gas bubbling by direct injection of CO2 (GB-DI-CO2) and N2 (GB-DI-N2) and ultrasound (US) were evaluated on flux enhancement during milk solution ultrafiltration and flux recovery during cleaning process of fouled hollow fibers membrane module. Results showed that the US and gas bubbling (GB) treatments significantly enhanced the performance of both ultrafiltration and cleaning processes, however, the effect of GB-DI-CO2 was not considerable. The best results were achieved when the GB-DI-N2 treatment was applied with US treatment in filtration and cleaning process, under this treatment, the permeation flux was remarkably enhanced up to 288.57% during ultrafiltration as well as the fouling percentage was reduced to 15.55% after cleaning the fouled membrane. Furthermore, the US was more effective than the GB during cleaning process. Practical Applications Filtration process is faced to flux decline as a result of fouling. The ultrasound at low frequency and liquid-gas two phase flow can affect the concentration polarization and cake layer significantly. The combination of these techniques can be used as an effective methods to handle the fouling and flux decline. Also artificial neural networks model is able to predict the flux permeation of hollow-fibers filtration under ultrasound and gas bubbling combination as a complex condition practically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound (US) and gas bubbling (GB) on permeate flux and membrane fouling. The ultrafiltration process of 1% skimmed milk was performed under various ultrasonic frequencies (37, 80 kHz, and tandem), irradiation modes (pulsed and sweeping), two-phase flow patterns (bubble and slug), and gas flow rates. The results showed that the US treatment improves the permeate flux up to 180%. The highest cleaning effect was obtained in the pulsed mode at 37 kHz. In the tandem frequency, the results showed that the fouling percentage significantly decreased with reduction in the frequency switching time. The GB injection treatment improved the mean of permeate flux up to 72% after 30 min. The slug pattern at medium gas flow rate was more effective than the other treatments. Best result was achieved in combination of the US (pulsed mode—37 kHz) and the GB (slug pattern—medium flow rate). In this condition, the permeate flux was significantly improved up to 384% in comparison with the control. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic resistance results showed the higher ability of the US in cleaning of membrane pores during ultrafiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Cleaning effects of ultrasound and alkaline solution of EDTA individually and together on spiralwound ultrafiltration membrane were studied. Several frequencies of 28, 45 and 100kHz and alternative waveforms of ultrasound, alkaline solutions of EDTA (pH 11, 1mM and 3mM) as well as their interaction effects were used as cleaning agents of spiralwound membranes that fouled using 1% solution of skim milk. The flux recovery and hydrodynamic resistance of each treated membrane were measured during and after cleaning process and cleaning efficiency of each factor was also calculated during various time intervals on treated membranes. The obtained data statistically analyzed in ANOVA table using multifactor design. The overall results showed that the cleaning efficiency of each treatment including different frequencies of ultrasound and alkaline solutions of EDTA individually is relatively low. However, the cleaning efficiency of ultrasound and EDTA increased when applied altogether. The maximum cleaning effects were obtained in the first seconds and after 5min and additional cleaning process were not necessary. The best results were obtained when mixed waveform of ultrasound and 3mM EDTA were used together. This effect may be due to a synergistic sonochemical effect of ultrasound and EDTA as cleaning factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ability of low frequency ultrasound for cleaning fouled membrane has been proved. In this investigation, various frequencies and mixed wave ultrasound were used separately and together with two concentrations of EDTA as chelating agent in forward flush cleaning of MF membranes which was fouled by milk solution 1%. A statistical multifactor design was employed to obtain more precise results. The main factors involving several frequencies of 28, 45, 100kHz and mixed wave ultrasound as well as two concentrations of 1mMole and 3mMole of EDTA and their interaction effects were evaluated on flux recovery, cleaned membrane resistance and cleaning efficiency. The results showed that mixed wave ultrasound individually and together with EDTA 1mMole had higher cleaning efficiency than other treatments and there is a synergistic effect when ultrasound was used with EDTA as a cleaning factor. Also polynomial regression of flux as a function of time showed that only 5min forward flushing under irradiation of effective frequency of ultrasound and a low concentration of EDTA are enough to approach the cleaning of fouled MF membranes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]