Texture measurement of cabbages using acoustical vibration method

Textures of six cabbage cultivars were quantified using an acoustical vibration technique. A sample of four outer leaves of a cabbage was penetrated using a probe. The acoustical vibration signals were measured during penetration using a piezoelectric sensor. A new texture index (TI), the “energy density", was introduced, which was determined by the integration of squared amplitudes of texture signals multiplied by a factor of a frequency band. This TI enabled evaluation of acoustical signals in the high-frequency region (> 1000 Hz) more sensitively than the previously used index (“amplitude density"), which was determined by the integration of texture signal amplitudes. Significant differences in TI among the cultivars were obtained by using ANOVA method, especially between a spring and a winter cabbage. We also examined cabbages that had been stored under 4 °C for 10 or 19 d. Most TI readings increased after the storage. These results provide useful information related to the shelf life of cabbages

Device for acoustic measurement of food texture using a piezoelectric sensor

We have developed a device that enables direct measurement of food texture. The device inserts a probe into a food sample and detects the vibration caused by the sample's fracture. A piezoelectric sensor was used to detect that vibration. The frequency response of the piezoelectric sensor was measured. Results showed that the sensor covered the full audio frequency range up to 20 kHz. The device probe was designed so that its resonance was not in the signal detection band. An octave multi-filter was used to analyze the obtained signals. Preliminary data were obtained and used to quantify the sample texture. Quantification of food texture was possible by using the device together with the analytical tool. We also discuss the application of the device to investigation of physical and structural aspects of food

Vulnerability Analysis in the Körös-corner flood area along the Middle-Tisza River

The objective of this report is a pilot study application of general vulnerability analysis techniques developed in FLOODsite sub-theme 1.3, in one of the flood cells to identify the effectiveness of flood management strategies. Chapter 1 describes the preconditions of the work, Chapter 2, based on the results of the analysis of the preconditions justifies to perform an indicative vulnerability analysis (or, damage evaluation) in macro scale level for a flood area of limited extent only. The introduction and characterisation of the selected flood area is given in Chapter 3. Results of the work performed are demonstrated in Chapter 4 of this report. the report presents: (a) the flood hazard map of the Körös corner flood area, indicating the distribution of flood depth, (b) the extension of land use categories and the distribution of the value of assets at risk in the Körös corner flood area (mean estimation) developed relative damage functions, (c) the distribution of flood event damages for three different scenarios, the floods of 200 year, 100 year and 50 year recurrence period (or 0.5% - 1.0% and 2.0% probability), (d) the annual average damage and documented the uncertaintiesFloodsit

Improved Methodology of Measuring Water Content of Wood by a Vibration Technique

A method of measuring water content of wood is introduced. This method uses a vibration technique. A shaker driven by swept sine signals was used for the accurate measurement of vibration. A cylindrical wood was used as a sample to verify our method of measuring the water content. The resonance frequencies of the wood sample decreased as its water content increased. Also, we performed an experiment of measuring the vibration of a tree to explore the feasibility of applying the method to the measurement of tree water content. The circumferential mode that is independent of the height of a tree was identified using a white oak tree