Emerging frontier technologies for food safety analysis and risk assessment

Access to security and safe food is a basic human necessity and essential for a sustainable world. To perform hi-end rood safety analysis and risk assessment with state of the art technologies is of utmost importance thereof. With applications as exemplified by microfiuidic immunoassay, aptasensor, direct analysis in real time, high resolution mass spectrometry, benchmark dose and chemical specific adjustment factor, this review presents frontier food safety analysis and risk assessment technologies, from which both food quality and public health will benefit undoubtedly in a foreseeable future.

A novel stochastic modeling framework for coal production and logistics through options pricing analysis

We propose a novel stochastic modeling framework for coal production and logistics using option pricing theory.The problem of valuing the inherent real optionality a coal producer has when mining and processing thermal coal is modelled as pricing spread options of three assets under the stochastic volatility model.We derive a three-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform(“FFT”)lower bound approximation to value the inherent real optionality and for robustness check,we compare the semi-analytical pricing accuracy with the Monte Carlo simulation.Model parameters are estimated from the historical monthly data,and stochastic volatility parameters are obtained by matching the Kurtosis of the low-ash diff data to the Kurtosis of the stochastic volatility process which is assumed to follow Cox–Ingersoll–Ross(“CIR”)model.

Reverse Engineering of Machine-tool Settings with Modified Roll for Spiral Bevel Pinions

Although a great deal of research has been dedicated to the synthesis of spiral bevel gears, little related to reverse engineering can be found. An approach is proposed to reverse the machine-tool settings of the pinion of a spiral bevel gear drive on the basis of the blank and tooth surface data obtained by a coordinate measuring machine(CMM). Real tooth contact analysis(RTCA) is performed to preliminary ascertain the contact pattern, the motion curve, as well as the position of the mean contact point. And then the tangent to the contact path and the motion curve are interpolated in the sense of the least square method to extract the initial values of the bias angle and the higher order coefficients(HOC) in modified roll motion. A trial tooth surface is generated by machine-tool settings derived from the local synthesis relating to the initial meshing performances and modified roll motion. An optimization objective is formed which equals the tooth surface deviation between the real tooth surface and the trial tooth surface. The design variables are the parameters describing the meshing performances at the mean contact point in addition to the HOC. When the objective is optimized within an arbitrarily given convergence tolerance, the machine-tool settings together with the HOC are obtained. The proposed approach is verified by a spiral bevel pinion used in the accessory gear box of an aviation engine. The trial tooth surfaces approach to the real tooth surface on the whole in the example. The results show that the convergent tooth surface deviation for the concave side on the average is less than 0.5 μm, and is less than 1.3 μm for the convex side. The biggest tooth surface deviation is 6.7 μm which is located at the corner of the grid on the convex side. Those nodes with relative bigger tooth surface deviations are all located at the boundary of the grid. An approach is proposed to figure out the machine-tool settings of a spiral bevel pinion by way of reverse engineering without having known the theoretical tooth surfaces and the corresponding machine-tool settings.

Real traffic-data based evaluation of vehicular traffic environment and state- of-the-art with future issues in location-centric data dissemination for VANETs

Extensive investigation has been performed in location-centric or geocast routing protocols for reliable and efficient dissemination of information in Vehicular Adhoc Networks （VANETs）. Various location-centric routing protocols have been suggested in literature for road safety ITS applications considering urban and highway traffic environment. This paper characterizes vehicular environments based on real traffic data and investigates the evolution of location-centric data dissemination. The current study is carded out with three main objectives： （i） to analyze the impact of dynamic traffic environment on the design of data dissemination techniques, （ii） to characterize location-centric data dissemination in terms of functional and qualitative behavior of protocols, properties, and strengths and weaknesses, and （iii） to find some future research directions in information dissemination based on location. Vehicular traffic environments have been classified into three categories based on physical characteristics such as speed, inter-vehicular distance, neighborhood stability, traffic volume, etc. Real traffic data is considered to analyze on-road traffic environments based on the measurement of physical parameters and weather conditions. Design issues are identified in incorporating physical parameters and weather conditions into data dissemination. Functional and qualitative characteristics of location-centric techniques are explored considering urban and highway environments. Comparative analysis of location-centric techniques is carded out for both urban and highway environments individually based on some unique and common characteristics of the environments. Finally, some future research directions are identified in the area based on the detailed investigation of traffic environments and location-centric data dissemination techniques.

The choice of a neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycle for breast cancer has significance in clinical practice: results from a population-based, real world study

Objective:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)is currently used in both early stage and locally advanced breast cancers.The survival benefits of standard vs.non-standard NAC cycles are still unclear.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between NAC cycles and survival based on real world data.Methods:We identified patients diagnosed with invasive primary breast cancers who underwent NAC followed by surgery.Patients who received at least 4 NAC cycles were defined as having received standard cycles,while patients who received less than 4 NAC cycles were defined as having received non-standard cycles.Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS).Results:Of the 1,024 included patients,700 patients received standard NAC cycles and 324 patients received non-standard NAC cycles.The DFS estimates were 87.1%and 81.0%(P=0.007)and the OS estimates were 90.0%and 82.6%(P=0.001)in the standard and non-standard groups,respectively.Using multivariate analyses,patients treated with standard NAC cycles showed significant survival benefits in both DFS[hazard ratio(HR):0.62,95%confidence interval(CI):0.44–0.88]and OS(HR:0.54,95%CI:0.37–0.79).Using stratified analyses,standard NAC cycles were associated with improved DFS(HR:0.59,95%CI:0.36–0.96)and OS(HR:0.49,95%CI:0.28–0.86)in the HER2 positive group.Similar DFS(HR:0.50,95%CI:0.25–0.98)and OS(HR:0.45,95%CI:0.22–0.91)benefits were shown for the triple negative group.Conclusions:Standard NAC cycles were associated with a significant survival benefit,especially in patients with HER2 positive or triple negative breast cancer.

New Strategy for Further Improving the Detection Sensitivity of Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry

Ambient mass spectrometry facilitates surface detection under ambient conditions and has quickly found its applications in various areas.However,the sensitivity of AMS methods is usually not as good as that of encapsulated ion sources due to less efficient ion transmission.In this work,a briefly machined external ion funnel(threepole electrostatic lens)was adopted and installed between direct analysis in real time and the mass spectrometer inlet to increase detection sensitivity.Software investigation with SIMION version 8.0 was employed to calculate electric fields and to simulate the trajectories of charged particles in the electric field.Both the geometrical parameters of the ion funnel and the electric parameters were studied to obtain the optimal ion focusing results,which demonstrated the ion funnel equipment would greatly improve the ion transmission efficiency.The equipment showed good prospect in direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry analysis in the future.

Application of Spectra Accuracy for Analysis of Organic Explosive: 2,4,6‑trinitrotoluene by AccuTOF‑DART

This paper,through mass spectrometric(MS)analysis for nitro compound explosives on a direct analysis in a real‑time time‑of‑flight MS,indicates that even on a high‑resolution MS with accurate mass measurement capabilities,there is no guarantee to obtain the unique molecular formula of a compound.By calculating spectra accuracy,highly accurate isotope pattern matching can be conducted to significantly improve performance of compound confirmation or identification.

Combination of Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction and Direct Analysis in Real Time-Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry for Sensitive and Rapid Analysis of 15 Phthalate Plasticizers in Beverages

A method for rapid identification and quantification of phthalate plasticizers in beverages was developed.A number of 15 phthalate plasticizers which covered all the phthalates concerned in the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act(CPSIA),European Union legislations and Chinese national standards(GB)were analyzed.By a combined solid-phase micro-extraction(SPME)and direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry(DART-MS)approach,phthalates at sub-ng•mL^(−1)levels can be qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in a short time.The use of ultrahigh-resolving power and the accurate mass measurement capacity naturally provided by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry(FT-ICR-MS)minimizes the matrix interferences and thus enables the evaluation of phthalates in a complex matrix without extensive sample handlings or preparations.The limits of quantification(LOQs)were estimated to be at 0.3-5.0 ng•mL^(−1),lower than the Maximum Residue Limit(MRL)regulated by the European Union legislations(2007/19/EC)in foods,beverages,food packaging and toys(0.3-30 ng•mL^(−1)).This rapid and easy-to-use SPME-DART-FT-ICR-MS method provided a relatively high-throughput and powerful analytical approach for quick testing and screening phthalates in beverages and water samples to ensure food safety.

DART-MS:A New Research Tool for Herbal Medicine Analysis

Direct analysis in real time(DART) possesses the merits of analyzing sample in its native status with minimal or even no sample pretreatment.In this review, we summarized the recent applications of DART in the field of herbal medicine analysis such as compound detection, species identification, metabolites profiling and initial quantification. DART with the characters of hyper-rapid, easy-hyphenated offers a new research tool for herbal medicines to complete the experimental process in a very simple but still reliable way. It is anticipated that more wide and deep applications of DART in herbal medicine analysis, as rapid quantification, high-throughput active compounds screening, rapid species identification, and fast illegal additives screening will be promising and foreseeable in the near future.

Rapid Screening of Nine Illicit Drugs in Human Blood and Urine by Direct Analysis in Real‑Time Mass Spectrometry

We aimed to establish for the rapid detection of morphine,O6‑monoacetylmorphine,heroin,codeine,cocaine,methamphetamine,ketamine,methadone,and dolantin in human blood and urine by direct analysis in real‑time coupled with tandem mass spectrometry(DART‑MS/MS).These samples were extracted by acetonitrile‑methanol(V/V=4:1),using DART 12 Dip‑it automatic sampling system.They were injected at 400℃,and analyzed by positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring mode.The detection limits of morphine,O6‑Monoacetylmorphine,heroin,codeine,cocaine,methamphetamine,ketamine,methadone,and dolantin were 100,50,50,100,20,20,10,1,and 0.01 ng/mL,respectively.The practical cases contained methamphetamine,codeine,cocaine,and O6‑monoacetylmorphine were detected accurately and rapidly.The method has the advantages of high sensitivity and good accuracy.The sample processing is simple and can be analyzed in a short time.This method is suitable for the analysis of morphine,O6‑monoacetylmorphine,heroin,codeine,cocaine,methamphetamine,ketamine,methadone,and dolantin in some practical cases.

Weighted Probability Density Estimator with Updated Bandwidths

In this paper,the authors study a class of weighted version of probability density estimator.It is shown that the weighted estimator contains some existing estimators of probability density,no matter they are recursive or non-recursive.Some statistical results including weak consistency,strong consistency,rate of strong consistency,and asymptotic normality are established under some mild conditions.Moreover,the random weighted estimator is also investigated.Some numerical simulations and a real data analysis are presented to study the numerical performances of the estimators.

A new insight into electrochemical detection of eugenol by hierarchical sheaf-like mesoporous NiCo2O4

NiCo2O4 nanosheets with sheaf-like nanostructure morphologies have been synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal reaction followed by annealing treatment. Impressively, the NiCo2O4 nanosheets exhibit rapid detection of eugenol. The linear range of detection is from 1-500μM, and the limit of detection is 5.4 μM. The NiCo2O4 modified electrode demonstrated high sensitivity, good repeatability and reproducibility, and long-term stability （7% decrease in response over 30 days）. Based on this work, an electrochemical reaction mechanism for eugenol oxidation was proposed, and in addition, the NiCo2O4 modified electrode was successfully employed for the analysis of eugenol in medicative balm samples. Recovery values for eugenol in medicative balm samples were in the range 98.7%-105.5%.

The Fixed Point Theorem and the Iterative Approximation of Modified Cauchy Integral Operator of Regular Functions

In the first part of this paper, we discuss the Holder continuity of the cauchy integral operator for regular functions and the relation between ‖T{f}‖α and ‖f‖α. In the second part of this paper, we introduce the modified cauchy integral operator T^- for regular functions. Firstly, we prove that the operator T^- has a unique fixed point by the Banach＇s Contraction Mapping Principle. Secondly, we give the Mann iterative sequence, and then we show the iterative sequence strongly converges to the fixed point of the operator T^-.

A sensitive and compact mercury analyzer by integrating dielectric barrier discharge induced cold vapor generation and optical emission spectrometry

An environmentally friendly,low power consuming,sensitive and compact mercury analyzer was developed for the determination of mercury in water samples by integrating a thin film dielectric barrier discharge induced cold vapor reactor and a dielectric barrier discharge optical emission spectrometer into a small polymethyl methacrylate plate（10.5 cm length×8.0 cm width×1.2 cm height）.Mercury cold vapor was generated when standard or sample solutions with or without formic acid were introduced to the reactor to form thin film liquid and exposed to microplasma irradiation and subsequently separated from the liquid phase for transport to the microplasma and detection of its atomic emission.Limits of detection of 0.20 μg L^-1 and 2.6 μg L^-1 were obtained for the proposed system using or not using formic acid,respectively.Compared to the conventional microplasma optical emission spectrometry used for mercury analysis,this system not only retains the good limit of detection amenable to the determination of mercury in real samples,but also reduces power consumption,eliminates the generation of hydrogen and avoids the use of toxic or unstable reductant.Method validation was demonstrated by analysis of a certified reference material of water sample and three real water samples with good spike recoveries（88-102%）.

IT APPLICATIONS PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT UNDER BUSINESS AND IMPLEMENTATION UNCERTAINTY

Corporations need to improve business processes in order to enhance velocity and service levels while reducing their processing costs and differentiating themselves in the face of competition. The levitation of importance beyond support roles has raised IT investment decisions to high priority in chief executive officers＇ agendas. Corporate planning groups as well as lines of business are increasingly applying techniques of IT applications portfolio management in a more systematic fashion to improve decision-making and resource-allocation processes. Recent advances in software engineering and IT service delivery methodologies have achieved the logical separation of business functions from implementation. This separation has made a new breed of innovative IT project possible with a new project risk structure; the adjustment of portfolio management techniques is appropriate. We present an integrated portfolio management model so that the corporation can focus on organic growth through sources at both the department and top management levels. The research gives clear advice as to how top management can seek economic growth by selecting an entrepreneurial strategic posture, implying a strong risk-taking propensity. By integrating a risk-return model and risk-tolerance paradigm to cope with today＇s risk structure, overall capabilities can improve the decision process and the corporation＇s performance as well. The application of the integrated technique to a Japanese manufacturing firm is described.

Almansi-Type Decomposition Theorem for Bi-k-regular Functions in the Clifford Algebra Cl_(2n+2,0)(R)

Almansi-type decomposition theorem for bi-k-regular functions defined in a star-like domainΩ⊆R^(n+1)×R^(n+1)centered at the origin with values in the Clifford algebra Cl_(2n+2,0)(R)is proved.As a corollary,Almansi-type decomposition theorem for biharmonic functions of degree k is given.