Simulation evaluation of display/FLIR concepts for low-altitude, terrain-following helicopter operations

A piloted simulation of three head-down display (HDD) concepts with flight-director guidance superimposed on forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery was performed to evaluate the task of low-level, terrain-following (TF), manual helicopter flight. The three display concepts were examined for the purpose of finding ways by which aircraft flight-attitude and command symbols and FLIR imagery could be integrated onto one instrument. In all cases, the FLIR imagery was centered on the flight-path vector of the aircraft. The three displays were then characterized by having: (1) pitch attitude conformal to the FLIR imagery; (2) pitch attitude conformal to the FLIR imagery, but with an increase in the scaling; and (3) pitch attitude nonconformal to the FLIR imagery with the same pitch scaling as in (2). The simulation was conducted on the Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) at Ames Research Center, using NASA and Air Force test pilots. The pilots indicated that the nonconformal pitch attitude and FLIR display was the preferred way to display information because of the absence of pitch-attitude information on displays (1) and (2) during some portions of the operational flight envelope

Effect of Steam Pressure and Conditioning Temperature During the Pelleting Process on Phytase Stability

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of steam pressure and conditioning temperature on the stability of microbial phytase. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial of steam pressure (24 and 44 psi) and conditioning temperature (170, 180, and 190°F). Phytase was added to a corn-soybean meal-based diet and mash samples were collected for phytase analysis. The diet was pelleted via steam conditioning (10 × 55 in Wenger twin staff pre-conditioner, Model 150) and using a pellet mill (CPM Model 1012-2) with a 3/16 × 1 1/4 in pellet die (L:D 6.7). Conditioner retention time was set at 30 sec and production rate was set at 33 lb/min, approximately 100% of the rated throughput for the pellet mill. All treatments were replicated on 3 separate days. For each treatment, pellet and conditioned mash samples were composited such that 2 samples of each were analyzed for phytase activity and pellet durability index (PDI). Moisture analysis was conducted on initial mash, conditioned mash, hot pellet, and cooled pellet samples. Conditioning temperature, hot pellet temperature (HPT), and production rate were recorded throughout each processing run. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.4, with pelleting run as the experimental unit and day as the blocking factor. There was no evidence (P \u3e 0.17) for a steam pressure × conditioning temperature interaction for HPT, phytase stability, moisture, or PDI. Increasing conditioning temperature from 170 to 190°F increased (linear, P \u3c 0.01) HPT. There was no evidence for difference (P = 0.80) in HPT between steam pressures. Phytase stability of conditioned mash decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.01) with increasing conditioning temperature. In cooled pellets, phytase stability decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.01) with increasing conditioning temperature. Cooled pellets tended (P = 0.08) to have greater phytase stability when steam pressure was set at 44 psi compared to 24 psi. Moisture of conditioned mash and pellets increased (linear, P ≤ 0.05) with increasing conditioning temperature, and PDI tended (linear, P = 0.06) to increase with increasing conditioning temperature. There was no evidence (P \u3e 0.35) that steam pressure affected feed moisture or PDI. Results of this experiment show that phytase stability in conditioned mash and pellets decreases linearly when the conditioning temperature rises above 170°F and HPT above 179°F. As expected, HPT increased and feed moisture tended to increase with increasing conditioning temperature. Increasing steam pressure from 24 to 44 psi resulted in tendencies for greater phytase stability in pellets and had no effect on HPT or feed moisture

Effect of Pellet Die Thickness and Conditioning Temperature During the Pelleting Process on Phytase Stability

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of pellet mill die thickness and conditioning temperature on the stability of microbial phytase. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial of die thickness (L:D 5.6 and 8.0) and conditioning temperature (165, 175, and 185°F). Phytase was added to a corn-soybean meal-based diet and mash samples were collected for phytase analysis. The diet was pelleted via steam conditioning (10 × 55 in Wenger twin staff pre-conditioner, Model 150) and using a pellet mill (CPM Model 1012-2) with a 5/32 × 7/8 in (L:D 5.6) or 5/32 × 1 1/4 in (L:D 8.0) pellet die. Conditioner retention time was set at 30 sec and production rate was set at 33 lb/min, approximately 100% of the rated throughput for the pellet mill. All treatments were replicated on 3 separate days. Pellet and conditioned mash samples were collected and immediately placed in an experimental counter-flow cooler for 15 min. For each treatment, pellet and conditioned mash samples were composited such that 2 samples of each were analyzed for phytase activity and pellet durability index (PDI). Conditioning temperature, hot pellet temperature (HPT), and production rate were recorded throughout each processing run. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (v. 9.4), with pelleting run as the experimental unit and day as the blocking factor. There was no evidence (P \u3e 0.14) for a die thickness × conditioning temperature inter- action for any of the pelleting or phytase responses analyzed in this study. Hot pellet temperature was increased when diets were pelleted with a thicker die (P \u3c 0.01), and by increasing conditioning temperature from 165 to 185°F (linear, P \u3c 0.01). Pellet durability index was greater (P \u3c 0.01) for diets pelleted using the thicker die with an 8.0 L:D compared to the die with a 5.6 L:D. Additionally, PDI increased (linear, P = 0.03) with increasing conditioning temperature. Increasing conditioning temperature from 165 to 185°F decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.01) phytase stability of conditioned mash and cooled pellets, with no difference (P \u3e 0.72) in stability due to die thickness. Results of this experiment show that phytase stability in conditioned mash and pellets decreases linearly when conditioning temperature rises above 165°F and HPT rises above 177°F. Although the thicker pellet die increased HPT by an average of 1.9°F and increased PDI by an average of 7.8%, there was no evidence that the additional frictional heat associated with increasing the die L:D from a 5.6 to an 8.0 resulted in lower phytase stability. Finally, increasing conditioning temperature linearly increased HPT and PDI

Pelleting and Starch Characteristics of Diets Containing High Amylase Corn

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of die thickness and conditioning temperature on pelleting and starch characteristics in diets containing either conventional yellow dent or high amylase corn (Enogen®, Syngenta Seeds, LLC). Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial of corn type (conventional and high amylase), die thickness (L:D 5.6 and 8.0), and conditioning temperature (165, 175, and 185°F). For the high amylase corn treatments, ground high amylase corn replaced conventional ground corn on a lb:lb basis. Diets were pelleted via steam conditioning (10 in × 55 in Wenger twin staff pre-conditioner, Model 150) and using a pellet mill (CPM Model 1012-2) with a 5/32 in × 7/8 in (L:D 5.6) or 5/32 in × 1 1/4 in (L:D 8.0) pellet die. Conditioner retention time was set at 30 sec and production rate was set at 33 lb/min. All treatments were replicated on 3 separate days. Pellets were composited and analyzed for starch and pellet durability index (PDI). Conditioning temperature, hot pellet temperature (HPT), production rate, and pellet mill energy consumption were recorded throughout each processing run. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (v. 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC), with pelleting run as the experimental unit and day as the blocking factor. The 3-way interaction was not significant (P \u3e 0.15) for any of the pelleting or starch responses analyzed in this study. There was no evidence (P \u3e 0.14) for a corn type × conditioning temperature interaction for HPT, PDI, or energy consumption. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for a corn type × die thickness interaction for PDI. The PDI for the high amylase and conventional corn treatments were similar when diets were pelleted using the L:D 8.0 die. However, PDI for conventional corn diets was greater than high amylase corn diets when pelleted using the L:D 5.6 die. Pelleting diets with the L:D 8.0 die had improved (P \u3c 0.01) PDI compared to the L:D 5.6. Additionally, PDI increased (linear, P = 0.03) with increasing conditioning temperature. Pellet mill energy consumption was greater for the thicker pellet die (P = 0.02), and tended to decrease (quadratic, P = 0.07) with increasing conditioning temperature. There was a corn type × conditioning temperature interaction (P = 0.01) for gelatinized starch in conditioned mash. High amylase corn diets steam conditioned at 185°F had greater gelatinized starch than all other corn type × conditioning temperature treatments. Cooked starch of conditioned mash was greater for diets containing high amylase corn compared to conventional corn and increased (linear, P \u3c 0.01) with increasing conditioning temperature. There was a corn type × die thickness interaction (P \u3c 0.01) for total starch in pellets. Total starch was greater for high amylase corn diets pelleted using the L:D 8.0 compared to the L:D 5.6 die, but not different from the conventional corn diets pelleted using either the L:D 5.6 or 8.0 die. Starch gelatinization was greatest (P \u3c 0.01) for the high amylase diets and increased (linear, P = 0.05) with increasing conditioning temperature. Lastly, pelleted high amylase corn diets had a greater percentage (P \u3c 0.01) of cooked starch compared to conventional corn diets, and there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for cooked starch to increase with increasing conditioning temperature. In conclusion, increasing die L:D and conditioning temperature improved pellet quality. Starch gelatinization was increased when diets were pelleted at the highest conditioning temperature of 185°F, and high amylase corn diets resulted in greater gelatinized starch than conventional corn diets

Multi-Modal Neuroimaging Analysis and Visualization Tool (MMVT)

Sophisticated visualization tools are essential for the presentation and exploration of human neuroimaging data. While two-dimensional orthogonal views of neuroimaging data are conventionally used to display activity and statistical analysis, three-dimensional (3D) representation is useful for showing the spatial distribution of a functional network, as well as its temporal evolution. For these purposes, there is currently no open-source, 3D neuroimaging tool that can simultaneously visualize desired combinations of MRI, CT, EEG, MEG, fMRI, PET, and intracranial EEG (i.e., ECoG, depth electrodes, and DBS). Here we present the Multi-Modal Visualization Tool (MMVT), which is designed for researchers to interact with their neuroimaging functional and anatomical data through simultaneous visualization of these existing imaging modalities. MMVT contains two separate modules: The first is an add-on to the open-source, 3D-rendering program Blender. It is an interactive graphical interface that enables users to simultaneously visualize multi-modality functional and statistical data on cortical and subcortical surfaces as well as MEEG sensors and intracranial electrodes. This tool also enables highly accurate 3D visualization of neuroanatomy, including the location of invasive electrodes relative to brain structures. The second module includes complete stand-alone pre-processing pipelines, from raw data to statistical maps. Each of the modules and module features can be integrated, separate from the tool, into existing data pipelines. This gives the tool a distinct advantage in both clinical and research domains as each has highly specialized visual and processing needs. MMVT leverages open-source software to build a comprehensive tool for data visualization and exploration.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figure

The Influence of Ingredients, Corn Particle Size, and Sample Preparation on the Predictability of the Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

The near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technique is a rapid and non-destructive technique used to evaluate the chemical composition of complete feed and ingredients. The accuracy of its prediction relies upon calibration standards to account for variations in material composition and particle shape and size. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of alternative ingredient inclusion and corn particle size along with sample preparation method on the accuracy of the NIRS technique using standard calibrations provided with the instrument. Treatments were arranged as a 4 × 3 × 3 factorial with diet type (soybean meal (SBM) + DDGS (SD); SBM + fish meal + DDGS (SFD); SBM + fish meal + wheat bran (SFB); and SBM + wheat bran (SB)); corn particle size (400, 600, and 800 μm); and method of analysis (laboratory, NIRS-ground, and NIRS-unground). All samples were evaluated for crude protein (CP) content. Laboratory values from wet chemistry analyses were obtained using the Dumas Combustion method for comparison to results from the NIRS. Ground and unground samples for NIRS were scanned on a Foss NIRS D2500 machine with a wavelength range of 400 to 2,500 nm at a reflectance of log (1/R) at 2 nm intervals for each sample. There was no diet × particle size × method interaction on CP; however, there was an interaction (P ≤ 0.05) between diet and method of analysis. When analyzing diets using laboratory methods there were no differences in CP, but when using the NIRS, grinding samples prior to NIRS analysis improved the results compared to not grinding, though they were still lower than laboratory analysis. There was also an interaction (P ≤ 0.05) between corn particle size and method of analysis. The CP content of NIRS-ground and laboratory samples were similar within the methods used, and values obtained for the different particle sizes were closer to the expected CP (20%) as compared to the NIRS-unground samples. Results from NIRS-unground samples of diets were significantly different and lower than results from laboratory analysis. However, results from the NIRS-ground samples were intermediate between NIRS-unground and laboratory analysis. Results of this trial indicate the necessity for proper calibration biasing to improve the prediction accuracy of NIRS, especially when diets contain alternative ingredients. Grinding the sample prior to scanning with the NIRS will improve accuracy, though values may still differ from laboratory methods when using standard equipment calibrations, further emphasizing the importance of calibration biasing

Determining the Influence of Sample Preparation and Feed Form on the Predictability of the Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Technique

The near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technique is a rapid and non-destructive technique used to evaluate the chemical composition of complete feed and ingredients. The accuracy of its prediction is not only affected by instrument calibrations but also by sample particle size, shape, and arrangement. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect sample preparation method and feed form (mash and pellet) have on the accuracy of the NIRS technique using standard calibrations provided with the instrument. The experiment was designed as a 3 × 2 factorial with three methods of analysis (laboratory, NIRS-ground, and NIRS-unground) and two feed forms (mash and pellet). All samples were evaluated for crude protein (CP) content. Prior to analysis, subsamples were ground through a 0.5 mm sieve for analysis by laboratory and NIRS-ground methodologies. Laboratory values from wet chemistry analyses were obtained using the Dumas Combustion method for comparison to results from the NIRS. Ground and unground samples were scanned on a Foss NIRS D2500 machine with a wavelength range of 400 to 2,500 nm at a reflectance of log (1/R) at 2 nm intervals for each sample. There was an interaction (P ≤ 0.05) observed between feed form and method of analysis. The CP content of unground feed samples varied for the feed forms, but the grinding samples yielded similar results for both NIRS and laboratory analyses. Analyzing unground feed samples using standard calibrations yielded less accurate results compared to the samples ground prior to analysis using either NIRS or laboratory methods

Influence of High Crystalline Amino Acid Inclusion on Poultry Diet Formulation and Pellet Quality

A total of 3 broiler diets were pelleted to determine the effects of diet formulation on pellet quality. Dietary treatments consisted of corn and soybean meal (SBM)-based control, the control with crystalline Val, and the control with crystalline Val and Ile. As crystalline amino acids (AA) increased in the diets, corn concentrations increased as SBM and choice white grease (CWG) were removed to balance for nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn). Diets contained 54.2, 56.4, and 57.5% corn; 39.1, 37.1, and 36.2% SBM; and 2.5, 2.1, and 1.9% CWG in the control, Val, and Val + Ile diets, respectively. Corn was ground to approximately 1,000 μm and used to mix 1,100 lb of feed per treatment. There were 3 replicates per treatment with time of processing as a blocking factor and treatment order randomized within each block. Diets were pelleted via steam conditioning (10 × 55 in., Wenger twin staff preconditioner, Model 150) using a pellet mill (CPM Model PM 1012-2 HD) equipped with a 3/16 × 1 ¼ in. pellet die. The target conditioning temperature was 185°F for 30 s at a 34 lb/min production rate. Pellet samples were collected and cooled in an experimental counterflow cooler for 15 min to determine percent fines, standard pellet durability index (PDI; ASABE S269.4, 2007), modified PDI (three 19-mm hex nuts) and Holmen NHP100 for 60 s. Hot pellet temperature decreased (P \u3c 0.01) in the control diet compared to Val and Val + Ile diets, which were 184.5, 185.1, and 185.088°F, respectively. Pellet mill kilowatts (kW) were 9.1, 8.9, and 10.3 for control, Val, and Val + Ile diets, respectively. Pellet mill kW increased (P \u3c 0.05) in pelleted Val + Ile diets compared to the control and Val diets. Percent fines decreased (P \u3c 0.01) and PDI increased (P \u3c 0.01) as crystalline AA increased and added fat decreased in the diet. For the control, Val and Val + Ile diets, PDIs were 66.5, 73.6, and 76.6% for the standard; 37.1, 46.9, and 52.8% for the modified; and 53.4, 67.8, and 73.7% for the Holmen NHP100 for 60 s methods, respectively. In conclusion, diets with increasing crystalline AA, Val, and Val + Ile, led to improved pellet quality, which can be explained by the 0.4% or 0.6% reduction in added fat with increasing crystalline AA and balancing for MEn in the diet

Effect of Dietary Formic Acid and Lignosulfonate on Pellet Quality

Nursery pig diets are pelleted to improve handling characteristics and pig performance. Feeding good quality pellets is important to achieve the maximum improvements in growth performance. Therefore, it is important to determine how feed additives included in nursery pig diets influence pellet quality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of formic acid and lignosulfonate (LignoTech USA) inclusion in nursery pig diets on pelleting characteristics, pellet quality, and diet pH. The 5 treat­ments consisted of a control, or the control plus 2 concentrations of added formic acid (0.36% or 0.60%), or the control plus two combinations of 60% formic acid and 40% lignosulfonate (0.60% or 1.0%). Diets were steam conditioned (10 × 55 in, Wenger twin shaft pre-conditioner, Model 150) for approximately 30 s and pelleted on a 1-ton 30-horsepower pellet mill (1012-2 HD Master Model, California Pellet Mill) with a 3/16 × 1 ¼ in pellet die (length:diameter ratio of 6.67). The production rate was set at 1,984 lb/h. Treatments were pelleted at 3 separate time points to provide 3 replicates per treatment. Samples were collected directly after discharging from the pellet mill and cooled in an experimental counterflow cooler. Pellet samples were analyzed for pellet durability index using the Holmen NHP 100 (TekPro Ltd, Norfolk, UK) and stan­dard and modified tumble box methods. Pellet hardness was determined by evaluating the peak amount of force applied before the first signs of fracture. Pellets were crushed perpendicular to their longitudinal axis using a texture analyzer (Model TA-XT2, Stable Micro Systems Godalming, UK). Pellet samples were analyzed for pH via poten­tiometer and electrodes (AACC Method 02-52.01). Voltage and amperage data was collected via Supco DVCV Logger (Supco, Allenwood, NJ) and used to calculate pellet mill energy consumption (kWh/ton). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS v. 9.4, with pelleting run as the experimental unit. Increasing formic acid in the diet decreased pH (P \u3c 0.001) by 0.6 to 0.8 in low formic acid diets and by 1 point in the high formic acid diets. When adding formic acid or lignosulfonate to the diet, no evidence for differences was observed for pellet mill energy consumption, production rate, hot pellet temperature, or pellet durability regardless of testing method or pellet hardness. In conclusion, pellet quality was not influenced by formic acid or lignosulfo­nate, and as expected pH decreased as the level of formic acid increased

The Effects of Filter Type and Warm-Up Time on Pellet Durability Index Using the Holmen NHP100 Portable Pellet Tester

The Holmen NHP100 (TekPro Ltd, Norfolk, UK) is a portable forced air pellet tester commonly used by the feed industry to determine the pellet durability index (PDI). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of filter type and machine warm-up time on PDI. A corn-soybean meal-based grower diet was conditioned at 185°F for 30 sec and subsequently pelleted using a laboratory pellet mill (Model CL5 California Pellet Mill Co., Crawfordsville, IN) equipped with a 0.16- × 0.5-in die. Production rate was 120 lb/h. Once cool, pellets were analyzed for PDI using the NHP100 with a 60-sec run time. Air temperature and pressure within the NHP100 were recorded throughout the experiment. Treatments were arranged in a 3 × 8 factorial with varying filters (none, factory tissue filter, or commercial paper towel filter) and machine warm-up time (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, or 21 min). There were three replicates per treatment. Pellets were sifted before and after analysis for separation of fines and pellets using a U.S. #6 standard sieve. There was a filter × warm-up time interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for air temperature. The air temperature without warm-up time (0 min) was greater with the factory filter and paper towel compared to no filter. Air temperature remained similar regardless of filter type as the warm-up time increased from 6 to 21 min There was a filter × warm-up time interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for air pressure. At 0 min warm-up time, there were no differences in air pressure between none, factory and paper towel filters. At 3 to 21 min warm-up time, air pressure remained similar between factory and paper towel filters, while no filter was greater than the paper towel filter. There was a filter × warm-up time interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for PDI. For no filter, increasing warm-up time from 0 to 6 min increased PDI with no further increase from 6 to 21 min. However, there were no differences in PDI with increasing warm-up time when using the factory filter or paper towel. Using the factory filter or paper towel had similar PDI, but resulted in greater PDI compared to no filter. In conclusion, warm-up time did not influence air temperature, pressure, or PDI when using a filter. Therefore, it is suggested to use a filter when conducting PDI analysis using the Holmen NHP 100