Effects of a Dual‐Frequency Frequency‐Sweeping Ultrasound Treatment on the Properties and Structure of the Zein Protein

We investigated the effects of a dual‐frequency frequency‐sweeping ultrasound (DFFSU) treatment on the functional properties and structure of zein. The solubility of ultrasound‐treated zein proteins increased slightly but significantly as the treatment time increased. The results showed that the DFFSU treatment had an obvious influence on the mean particle size and the size distribution. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the size of the particles with respect to time was observed after a sonication time of more than 20 min in zein solutions. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that sonication alters the thermal behavior of zein. Circular dichroism spectra showed a small increase in the percentage of ordered structure elements within the protein molecule. After 60 min of ultrasonication, the percentage of α‐helix structures increased by 0.9%, whereas the percentage of β‐sheets and β‐turns decreased by 0.5%. Microstructural analyses by scanning electron microscopy showed that several microholes appeared in the zein following ultrasonic pretreatment. Under the conditions investigated in this study, DFFSU treatment was found to affect the studied functional properties of the zein protein. This technology could be used to obtain improved functional properties in some protein samples.     

Effects of Vacuum Mixing,Water Addition,and Mixing Time on the Quality of Fresh Chinese White Noodles and the Optimization of the Mixing Process

In this study, the effects of mixing process parameters (degree of vacuum, water addition, and mixing time under vacuum) on the cooking and sensory quality properties of Chinese white noodles were investigated by using one commercial‐scale noodle production line and one typical commercial wheat flour. Noodle appearance, firmness, elasticity, smoothness, and total quality scores were significantly improved as the degree of vacuum increased from 0 to 0.06 MPa, although lower sensory scores and larger cooking losses occurred when noodles were mixed at 0.08 MPa. Noodles with a water addition of 35% had the highest total score and the highest scores for each sensory factor. As mixing time increased, the sensory score of cooked noodles increased initially and then decreased. With a mixing time of 7 min, the sensory score was the highest and cooking loss was the lowest. The results of response surface methodology indicated that fresh noodle quality was most affected by the water addition, followed by vacuum degree. Added water was a more important source of variation for appearance, firmness, stickiness, smoothness, total score, and cooking loss than degree of vacuum and mixing time, whereas degree of vacuum was the predominant source of variation for color and elasticity. The interactions between the factors had little effect on sensory and cooking properties. The optimal mixing conditions were determined to be as follows: degree of vacuum, 0.06 MPa; added water, 35.6%; and mixing time, 7.25 min. Furthermore, vacuum mixing produced a more even, coherent, and closed microstructure for the sheeted dough than nonvacuum mixing.     

基于高斯自适应拟合的苹果目标分割方法研究

苹果目标的准确识别是苹果机械化采摘需要解决的关键问题之一。为此,基于YUV颜色空间模型,提出了一种结合色差分量与高斯自适应拟合算法的苹果目标分割方法。该方法采用首先将苹果目标由RGB颜色空间转换至YUV颜色空间,并利用色差分量V建立果实与背景分割的高斯分布拟合模型,根据拟合结果自动获取分割阈值,以实现自然场景下苹果目标的准确分割。为了验证文中算法的有效性,利用多幅图像进行了试验并与Otsu自适应阈值分割算法进行了比较。试验结果表明,采用文中算法得到的苹果果实的平均检出率达87.08%,识别率领先Otsu算法9.91%。因此,对于着色度较为均匀的苹果目标,采用高斯自适应拟合方法可以有效提高其识别率。     

拖拉机自动转向系统设计及仿真

以TN654拖拉机为平台,基于原车液压转向系统,设计一套比例方向电磁阀组和电控单元(ECU),构建了能响应程序控制的自动转向系统。通过建立阀控缸动力系统数学模型,利用Mat Lab对该系统PD控制性能进行仿真分析。仿真结果显示:系统最大迟滞0.24、1.8s内均能达到平衡点,表明系统具有良好的控制精度和响应性,符合拖拉机自动驾驶作业需求。     

玉米播种机排种监测的试验研究与设计

在对目前玉米播种机排种监测方法的研究基础上,设计了一套新的玉米播种机排种监测的试验方法:将4对光电传感器并排安装在导种管内壁以监测空或堵的情况并进行报警;同时,利用安装在排种盘的中心轴上的空心转速编码器,测出排种盘转速连同试验所得的空穴率,从而得出玉米排种量。试验结果表明:该方案模拟实际空或堵的报警率达100%,排种量检测平均精度98.37%,各项性能指标均达到了实际要求。     

TECHNIQUE,DIFFICULTY, AND ACCURACY OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY‐GUIDED TRANSLAMINAR AND TRANSFORAMINAL LUMBOSACRAL EPIDURAL AND INTRAARTICULAR LUMBAR FACET JOINT INJECTIONS IN DOGS

In human medicine, spinal pain and radiculopathy are commonly managed by computed tomography (CT)‐guided facet joint injections and by transforaminal or translaminar epidural injections. In dogs, CT‐guided lumbosacral epidural or lumbar facet joint injections have not been described. The aim of this experimental, ex vivo, feasibility study was to develop techniques and to assess their difficulty and accuracy. Two canine cadavers were used to establish the techniques and eight cadavers to assess difficulty and accuracy. Contrast medium was injected and a CT scan was performed after each injection. Accuracy was assessed according to epidural or joint space contrast opacification. Difficulty was classified as easy, moderately difficult, or difficult, based on the number of CT scans needed to guide insertion of the needle. A total of six translaminar and five transforaminal epidural and 53 joint injections were performed. Translaminar injections had a high success rate (100%), were highly accurate (75%), and easy to perform (100%). Transforaminal injections had an moderately high success rate (75%), were accurate (75%), and moderately difficult to perform (100%). Success rate of facet joint injections was 62% and was higher for larger facet joints, such as L7‐S1. Accuracy of facet joint injections ranged from accurate (37–62%) to highly accurate (25%) depending on the volume injected. In 77% of cases, injections were moderately difficult to perform. Possible complications of epidural and facet joint injections were subarachnoid and vertebral venous plexus puncture and periarticular spread, respectively. Further studies are suggested to evaluate in vivo feasibility and safety of these techniques.     

A SURVEY OF RADIOLOGISTS AND REFERRING VETERINARIANS REGARDING IMAGING REPORTS

An imaging report is a vital communication tool between a radiologist and clinician. In a field where in‐person communication may not be readily available, it is imperative that the report clearly relays pertinent clinical information in a timely manner. The purpose of this observational study was to describe and compare opinions and expectations of small animal general practitioners, veterinary specialists, and veterinary radiologists regarding the imaging report. Online surveys were distributed, and data were collected from 202 veterinary clinicians and 123 veterinary radiologists. The majority (89%) of clinicians were satisfied with their imaging reports and stated that they read the radiology report as soon as it was available (92%). Just less than half (48%) of clinicians indicated it was standard of care that a board‐certified veterinary radiologist read all imaging studies. Radiologists and clinicians agreed that a clinical history (98% and 94%, respectively) and clinical question (82% and 68%, respectively) were needed to generate a good radiology report. Fifty‐five percent to 70% of clinicians prefer red bulleted reports, which included incidental findings (96%); while radiologists slightly favored prose reporting (37–46%). Clinicians found it helpful when additional imaging (86%), medical (71%), and surgical recommendations (73%) were made. About one‐third of specialists who had been in practice for >11 years thought they were better able to interpret imaging for their own specialty than the radiologist. Clinicians voiced discontentment with reports that were not completed in a timely manner or did not give a prioritized differential list. Further studies are warranted to provide a more in‐depth evaluation of veterinary radiology reporting structure and style.     

Molecular cloning,purification and immunogenicity of recombinant Brucella abortus 544 malate dehydrogenase protein

The Brucella mdh gene was successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli. The purified recombinant malate dehydrogenase protein (rMDH) was reactive to Brucella-positive bovine serum in the early stage, but not reactive in the middle or late stage, and was reactive to Brucella-positive mouse serum in the late stage, but not in the early or middle stage of infection. In addition, rMDH did not react with Brucella-negative bovine or mouse sera. These results suggest that rMDH has the potential for use as a specific antigen in serological diagnosis for early detection of bovine brucellosis.