Optimization analysis of non-contact ultrasonic degradation system based on synchronous resonance of multiple modes

To solve the defects of low degradation efficiency and high cross-contamination risk in the conventional ultrasonic processor, a non-contact ultrasonic degradation system was developed. Through finite-element modal analysis, the natural frequencies of the first ten modes of the diaphragm with dome-shaped structure were found to have a ladder-like distribution, which provides a possibility to utilize the synchronous resonance of multiple modes. The effects of curvature radius, thickness and preload force on the synchronous resonance of multiple modes are studied using the control variate method, and then the structural parameters and the preload force are optimized. Based on these results, the diaphragm was manufactured, the experimental platform of the non-contact ultrasonic degradation was established, and its degradation efficiency was evaluated. The experimental results proved that the non-contact ultrasonic degradation system was able to effectively degrade Bacillus atrophaeus

Embodied greenhouse gas emissions from building China’s large-scale power transmission infrastructure

China has built the world’s largest power transmission infrastructure by consuming massive volumes of greenhouse gas- (GHG-) intensive products such as steel. A quantitative analysis of the carbon implications of expanding the transmission infrastructure would shed light on the trade-offs among three connected dimensions of sustainable development, namely, climate change mitigation, energy access and infrastructure development. By collecting a high-resolution inventory, we developed an assessment framework of, and analysed, the GHG emissions caused by China’s power transmission infrastructure construction during 1990–2017. We show that cumulative embodied GHG emissions have dramatically increased by more than 7.3 times those in 1990, reaching 0.89 GtCO -equivalent in 2017. Over the same period, the gaps between the well-developed eastern and less-developed western regions in China have gradually narrowed. Voltage class, transmission-line length and terrain were important factors that influenced embodied GHG emissions. We discuss measures for the mitigation of GHG emissions from power transmission development that can inform global low-carbon infrastructure transitions.

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Content Analysis of Food Safety Information in Apple-Drying Recipes from YouTube, Blogs, Cookbooks, and Extension Materials

Recurrent foodborne outbreaks associated with low-moisture foods prompted this study to evaluate apple-handling practices presented in apple-drying recipes available to United States consumers, and to explore the food safety implications of the recipes. Because little research is available on the safety of home fruit-drying, we conducted a systematic search of English-language apple-drying recipes from YouTube videos, blog articles, cookbooks, and university extension sources. Our evaluation found that most recipes excluded handwashing instructions, and potential cross-contamination practices were evident in 12% of the videos. Bruised or damaged apples were selected for drying in 16% of the videos, two blogs, and five cookbook recipes. Although more than half the blogs and videos demonstrated pre-treatment procedures, they did so predominantly to minimize browning with almost no mention of antimicrobial benefits. Drying temperature information was missing in 41% of the videos and 35% of the cookbooks that we evaluated. Even when temperatures were mentioned, most were insufficient for pathogen reduction according to the recommendations of previous studies. These videos, blogs, and cookbooks commonly advocated subjective indicators instead of unit measurements when slicing apples and checking for doneness. Our findings reveal the need for drastic improvements in food safety information dissemination to home apple-dryers and recipe developers

Effectiveness of Online Food-Safety Educational Programs: A Systematic Review, Random-Effects Meta-Analysis, and Thematic Synthesis

Online food-safety educational programs are increasingly important to educate different populations as technology and culture shift to using more technology. However, the broad effectiveness of these programs has yet to be examined. A systematic review, random-effects meta-analysis, and thematic synthesis are conducted to identify the effect size of online food-safety educational programs on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of consumers, food workers, and students and their respective barriers and recommendations. Online food-safety education was found to be of moderate and low effectiveness, with attitudes being the lowest in all populations. Consumers struggled with staying focused, and it was found that messaging should focus on risk communication. Students struggled with social isolation and a lack of time, and it was recommended that videos be used. Food workers struggled with a lack of time for training and difficulty understanding the material, and future programs are recommended to implement shorter but more frequent trainings with simple language. Future online food-safety educational programs should focus on incorporating social elements, as they can remain a huge barrier to learning. They should also focus on changing the participant’s attitude to risk perception and beliefs in the importance of food safety

Optimization of Vibration Parameters for Red Jujube Trees with Different Diameters

Vibratory harvesting is the primary method used to harvest red jujubes. This study aimed to improve the efficiency of vibratory harvesting for red jujubes and identify the optimal parameters for harvesting at different jujube tree diameters. A model for the forced vibration dynamics of jujube trees was established, and a three-dimensional model was constructed for different diameter variations. A kinematic simulation analysis was then conducted to determine the inherent frequency and modal vibration patterns of jujube trees. Harmonic response analysis was performed to study the displacement and acceleration responses of jujube trees with different diameters to different vibration factors. Subsequently, vibration tests were carried out on the jujube trees. The results showed that the vibration characteristics of trees with different diameters were distinct at each vibration order, and the maximum number of vibrating branches differed at different orders of vibration. The vibration frequency ranges for vibration harvesting of jujube trees with 30 mm, 50 mm, and 70 mm diameters were determined as 4–30 Hz, 6–25 Hz, and 17–29 Hz, respectively. Furthermore, the study obtained the optimal vibration parameters for jujube trees by establishing the regression equations of harvest rate and each vibration factor. For jujube trees with a diameter of 30 mm, the optimal parameters included a vibration frequency of 30 Hz and a vibration amplitude of 15 mm. For jujube trees with a diameter of 50 mm, the optimal parameters included a vibration frequency of 18.55 Hz and a vibration amplitude of 12.52 mm. Lastly, for jujube trees with a diameter of 70 mm, the optimal parameters included a vibration frequency of 6 Hz and a vibration amplitude of 15 mm. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for improving the efficiency of vibratory harvesting and identifying the optimal vibration harvesting parameters for jujube trees with different diameters.</p

Identification of ZHOUPI Orthologs in Rice Involved in Endosperm Development and Cuticle Formation

The endosperm occupies most of the available space within mature rice seeds, contains abundant nutrients, and directly influences both the quality and quantity of rice production. Initial reports noted that AtZHOUPI (AtZOU) coordinates endosperm breakdown and the concomitant separation of the embryo from this structure in Arabidopsis. The results of this study show that rice genomes contain two most closely related homologs of AtZOU, OsZOU-1 and OsZOU-2; of these, OsZOU-1 expression is limited to within the endosperm where it can be detected throughout this structure 5 days after pollination (DAP). Its expression gradually decreases from seven DAP to nine DAP. The second of the two most closely related homologs, OsZOU-2, is highly expressed in leaves and stem, but is not detected in developing seeds. Heterologous expression of OsZOU-1 and OsZOU-2 in Atzou-4 mutants also revealed that OsZOU-1 partially complements the seed phenotypes of these individuals, while its counterpart, OsZOU-2, was unable to recover these phenotypes. The over-expression of OsZOU-1 severely disrupts both seed development and plant growth in transgenic rice lines, as plants in which this gene has been knocked down failed in the separation of endosperm from embryo and cuticle formation during seed development. The results of this study therefore suggest that OsZOU-1 is orthologous to the AtZOU, and regulates both endosperm development and cuticle formation in rice