Potential of Snapshot-Type Hyperspectral Imagery Using Support Vector Classifier for the Classification of Tomatoes Maturity.

It is necessary to convert to automation in a tomato hydroponic greenhouse because of the aging of farmers, the reduction in agricultural workers as a proportion of the population, COVID-19, and so on. In particular, agricultural robots are attractive as one of the ways for automation conversion in a hydroponic greenhouse. However, to develop agricultural robots, crop monitoring techniques will be necessary. In this study, therefore, we aimed to develop a maturity classification model for tomatoes using both support vector classifier (SVC) and snapshot-type hyperspectral imaging (VIS: 460-600 nm (16 bands) and Red-NIR: 600-860 nm (15 bands)). The spectral data, a total of 258 tomatoes harvested in January and February 2022, was obtained from the tomatoes' surfaces. Spectral data that has a relationship with the maturity stages of tomatoes was selected by correlation analysis. In addition, the four different spectral data were prepared, such as VIS data (16 bands), Red-NIR data (15 bands), combination data of VIS and Red-NIR (31 bands), and selected spectral data (6 bands). These data were trained by SVC, respectively, and we evaluated the performance of trained classification models. As a result, the SVC based on VIS data achieved a classification accuracy of 79% and an F1-score of 88% to classify the tomato maturity into six stages (Green, Breaker, Turning, Pink, Light-red, and Red). In addition, the developed model was tested in a hydroponic greenhouse and was able to classify the maturity stages with a classification accuracy of 75% and an F1-score of 86%.

Effect of broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitor raffinose, a plant galactoside, on the inhibition of co-culture biofilm on the microfiltration membrane.

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) integrates process such as membrane filtration and biological treatment of activated sludge. However, organic, inorganic and biological matters cause membrane fouling, which seriously affects membrane performance. The goal of this study was to evaluate the biofouling inhibition capacity of raffinose during the MBR process. The results showed that 0-1,000 µM raffinose significantly reduced the formation of the P. aeruginosa and S. aureus co-culture biofilm by about 25-52 % in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the effect of raffinose on the microfiltration membrane biofilm was tested in a flow reactor and lab-scale MBR unit. The results showed that the co-culture biofilm and transmembrane pressure were decreased by raffinose treatment compared to those by furanone C-30 treatment. These results clearly demonstrated that raffinose, broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitor, inhibits biofilm formation in mixed cultures and could be used to mitigate biofouling in MBR processes.

An Experimental Study on the Ductility and Flexural Toughness of Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete Beams Subjected to Bending.

Ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) and high-strength concrete (HSC) are currently widely used because of their distinct superior properties. Thus, a comprehensive comparison of the flexural behavior of UHPC and HSC beams is presented in this study. Nine UHPC beams and three HSC beams were subjected to pure bending tests to investigate the effect of various reinforcement ratios and steel fiber volume contents on the cracking and failure patterns, load-deflection behavior, ductility, and flexural toughness of these beams. The addition of steel fibers in the UHPC improved the energy absorption capacity of the beams, causing the UHPC beams to fail via rebar fracture. The deflection and curvature ductility indices were determined and compared in this study. The ductility indices of the HSC beam tended to decrease sharply as the rebar ratio increased, whereas those of the UHPC beam did not show a clear trend with respect to the rebar ratio. In addition, a comparison between the results in this study and the results from previous studies was performed. In this study, the addition of steel fiber contents up to 1.5% in UHPC increased the load capacity, ductility, and flexural toughness of the UHPC beams, whereas the addition of a steel fiber content of 2.0% did not significantly increase the ductility or flexural toughness of the UHPC beams.

Improved insulin sensitivity and adiponectin level after exercise training in obese Korean youth.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the association among adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha] and adiponectin and to study the effects of exercise training on adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers among obese male Korean adolescents. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twenty-six obese and 14 lean age-matched male adolescents were studied. We divided the obese subjects into two groups: obese exercise group (N = 14) and obese control group (N = 12). The obese exercise group underwent 6 weeks of jump rope exercise training (40 min/d, 5 d/wk). Adiposity, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and adiponectin were measured before and after the completion of exercise training. RESULTS: The current study demonstrated higher insulin resistance, total cholesterol, LDL-C levels, triglyceride, and inflammatory markers and lower adiponectin and HDL-C in obese Korean male adolescents. Six weeks of increased physical activity improved body composition, insulin sensitivity, and adiponectin levels in obese Korean male adolescents without changes in TNF-alpha, IL-6, and hs-CRP. DISCUSSION: Obese Korean male adolescents showed reduced adiponectin levels and increased inflammatory cytokines. Six weeks of jump rope exercise improved triglyceride and insulin sensitivity and increased adiponectin levels.