Optimization of Photo-Fenton Catalyst Preparation Based Bamboo Carbon Fiber by Response Surface Methodology

In this paper,the residue from bamboo factory has been used to design photo-Fenton catalyst,which has the advantages of low cost and magnetic recycling.The photo-Fenton catalytic performance of the biocarbon-based catalyst was excellent and its optimal preparation process was also explored by response surface methodology.First,bamboo-carbon fiber was selected as the photo-Fenton catalyst carrier.Subsequently,the surface of the car-bon fiber was modified,with which dopamine,nano-Fe_(3)O_(4) and nano-TiO_(2) were successively loaded by hydro-thermal method.After the single factor tests,four factors including dopamine concentration,ferric chloride mass,P25 titanium dioxide mass and liquid-solid ratio were selected as the characteristic values.The degradation efficiency of photo-Fenton catalyst to methylene blue(MB)solution was treated as the response value.After the analysis of the response surface optimization,it was shown that the significance sequence of the selected 4 factors in terms of the MB degradation efficiency was arranged as follows:dopamine concentration>liquid-solid ratio>P25 titanium dioxide quality>ferric chloride quality.The optimal process parameters of fiber-carbon catalyst were affirmed as follows:the 1.7 mg/mL concentration of dopamine,the 1.2 g mass of ferric chloride,the 0.2 g mass of P25 titanium dioxide and the liquid-solid ratio of 170 mL/g.The experiment-measured average MB degra-dation efficiency performed by the optimized catalyst was 99.3%,which was nearly similar to the model-predicted value of 98.9%.It showed that the prediction model and response surface model were accurate and reliable.The results from response surface optimization could provide a good reference to design bamboo-based Fenton-like catalyst with excellent catalytic performance.

Response Surface Optimization of Ultrasound-assisted Aqueous Two-phase Extraction of Sweet Potato Leaf Polysaccharides

[Objectives]The ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides was studied.[Methods]With the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides as the index,the aqueous two-phase extraction system was determined,and the optimal extraction conditions were optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology.[Results]The optimal parameters were ethanol concentration 25.68%,liquid-to-material ratio 55.83,and ultrasonic treatment time 38.33 min.Under these conditions,the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides could reach 20.646 mg/g.[Conclusions]The ethanol/ammonium sulfate aqueous system is a rapid and efficient method for extracting sweet potato leaf polysaccharides,which is of great significance for the application of sweet potato leaf extract as a natural food additive.

Optimization of Steam Explosion Process Condition for Extracting Polysaccharides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla by Response Surface Methodology

【Objective】To optimize the steam explosion process condition for extracting polysaccharides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla.【Method】The effects of steam pressure,pressure-maintaining time and material moisture content on the extraction of polysaccharides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla were studied by response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design.【Result】The findings showed that each factor could significantly affect the test index,and the optimum condition was as follows:steam pressure 1.50 Mpa,pressuremaintaining time 46 s and material moisture content 46%.Under this condition,the verified experimental value of polysaccharides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla was 39.32%,indicating a relative standard deviation of 2.73%from the predictive value.Meanwhile,scanning electron microcopy(SEM)images showed that the surface physical structure of Pseudostellaria heterophylla was irregularly broken and cracked,which means the physical structure of Pseudostellaria heterophylla was changed and destroyed at the cellular level.【Conclusion】This experiment provides a new approach for the extraction of polysaccharides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla,as well as a reference for the resource utilization of Pseudostellaria heterophylla.

Optimization of Formula of Matsutake Highland Barley Biscuit by Response Surface Methodology

Taking refined flour,matsutake powder,and highland barley powder as main raw materials,this experiment studied the optimal formula of matsutake highland barley biscuit. Besides,single factor experiment was carried out for the amount of highland barley powder,white granulated sugar,and shortening. Then,the response surface optimization analysis was made on crispness and sensory score of the biscuit. The experiment indicates that taking the refined flour as the base 100 g( 100%),the formula of 20% highland barley powder,25% white granulated sugar,and 26% shortening can bake crisp biscuit with complete shape,pure flavor and high quality.

Optimization of the Ultrasonic-assisted Extraction Process for Protocatechuic Acid from Emilia sonchifolia DC by Response Surface Methodology

[Objectives] This study was conducted to optimize the extraction process of protocatechuic acid from Emilia sonchifolia DC. [Methods] The optimal extraction conditions were determined by single factor,response surface analysis and variance analysis,and the content of protocatechuic acid was determined by HPLC. [Results] The protocatechuic acid standard curve equation was: y = 1 435 x + 8 403,R^2= 0. 999 8,indicating a good linear relationship. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: a temperature at 80 ℃,an extraction time of 1 h,a material-to-liquid ratio at 1:10 and an ultrasonic power of 600 W,and the content of protocatechuic acid extracted was 1. 93 mg/g. The method showed a RSD of 0. 41%,less than 2%,and the detection limit was 0. 0000047261 g/ml.The experimental sample X1 was the low-level 0. 1 mg/ml standard solution,which showed recovery of protocatechuic acid between 100.8% and 105.2%,with a RSD of 0. 013%;and the sample X2 was the high-level 1. 0 mg/ml standard solution,which exhibited recovery between 100. 6% and 102. 2%,with a RSD of 0.076%. Thus,the recovery was high,and the requirements of the performance index were met. [Conclusions] The detection method is stable and reliable and can produce satisfactory results.

Multi-type sensor placement and response reconstruction for building structures: Experimental investigations

Estimation of lateral displacement and acceleration responses is essential to assess safety and serviceability of high-rise buildings under dynamic loadings including earthquake excitations. However, the measurement information from the limited number of sensors installed in a building structure is often insufficient for the complete structural performance assessment. An integrated multi-type sensor placement and response reconstruction method has thus been proposed by the authors to tackle this problem. To validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method, an experimental investigation using a cantilever beam with multi-type sensors is performed and reported in this paper. The experimental setup is first introduced. The finite element modelling and model updating of the cantilever beam are then performed. The optimal sensor placement for the best response reconstruction is determined by the proposed method based on the updated FE model of the beam. After the sensors are installed on the physical cantilever beam, a number of experiments are carried out. The responses at key locations are reconstructed and compared with the measured ones. The reconstructed responses achieve a good match with the measured ones, manifesting the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. Besides, the proposed method is also examined for the cases of different excitations and unknown excitation, and the results prove the proposed method to be robust and effective. The superiority of the optimized sensor placement scheme is finally demonstrated through comparison with two other different sensor placement schemes： the accelerometer-only scheme and non-optimal sensor placement scheme. The proposed method can be applied to high-rise buildings for seismic performance assessment.

Behavior analysis of malicious sensor nodes based on optimal response dynamics

Wireless sensor networks are extremely vulnerable to various security threats.The intrusion detection method based on game theory can effectively balance the detection rate and energy consumption of the system.The accurate analysis of the attack behavior of malicious sensor nodes can help to configure intrusion detection system,reduce unnecessary system consumption and improve detection efficiency.However,the completely rational assumption of the traditional game model will cause the established model to be inconsistent with the actual attack and defense scenario.In order to formulate a reasonable and effective intrusion detection strategy,we introduce evolutionary game theory to establish an attack evolution game model based on optimal response dynamics,and then analyze the attack behavior of malicious sensor nodes.Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the evolution trend of attacks is closely related to the number of malicious sensors in the network and the initial state of the strategy,and the attacker can set the initial strategy so that all malicious sensor nodes will eventually launch attacks.Our work is of great significance to guide the development of defense strategies for intrusion detection systems.

AB001.How to optimize the visual contrast response of cortical neurons

Background:In the visual system,one of the most explored neural behaviors is the response of cells to changes in visual contrast.This neural response to visual contrast,also known as the contrast response function(CRF),can be fitted with the Naka-Rushton equation(NRE).Assessing the CRF of many neurons at the same time is critical to establishing functional visual properties.However,maximizing the performance of neurons to fit the NRE,while minimizing their time acquisitions is a challenge.We present a method to accurately obtain reliable NRE fits from experimental data,that ensure a reasonable time of record acquisition.Methods:We simulated CRF of cortical neurons with a toy model based on the response of Poisson spike trains to varied levels of contrasts.We first tested whether mean values or the whole set of contrast responses fit better the NRE.Then,we analyzed what were the boundaries to optimize the fit of the NRE,and after we explore the consequences of fitting the NRE with single-or multi-units.With these outcomes,we varied experimental parameters such as the number of trials,number of input contrasts and length of time acquisition to calculate the errors of fitting CRFs.Those data sets that maximize the CRF fit but minimize the time of recording were selected.The selected data set was then evaluated in visual cortical neurons of anesthetized cats from areas 17,18 and 21a.Results:First,we found that is always better to fit the NRE with mean values rather than the whole set of points.Then,we noticed that either removing or imposing loose boundaries to the CRF parameters lead to an increase in the performance of the NRE fit.Afterward,we found that single units(SU)or assume multi-unit formed of several SUs(>30)adjusted considerably better the NRE fit.Finally,the experiments showed that specific sets of patterns(number of trials,number of input contrasts and length of time acquisition)satisfied our two constraints:minimize the error of the NRE fit while maximizing the acquisition time of recording.The most characteristic pattern was the one with 6 points,15 repetitions and 1 second of duration.However,cortical areas varied in the representation of the patterns.Conclusions:Theoretical simulations of many different sets of patterns and their following experimental validation suggest strongly that a particular set of patterns can satisfy the imposed constraints.With this approach,we provided a tool that allows an optimal design of stimuli to assess the CRF of large neuronal populations and guarantees the finest fit for each unit analyzed.

Design optimization of transonic compressor stage using CFD and response surface model

In order to shorten the design period, the paper describes a new optimization strategy for computationally expensive design optimization of turbomachinery, combined with design of experiment (DOE), response surface models (RSM), genetic algorithm (GA) and a 3-D Navier-Stokes solver(Numeca Fine). Data points for response evaluations were selected by improved distributed hypercube sampling (IHS) and the 3-D Navier-Stokes analysis was carried out at these sample points. The quadratic response surface model was used to approximate the relationships between the design variables and flow parameters. To maximize the adiabatic efficiency, the genetic algorithm was applied to the response surface model to perform global optimization to achieve the optimum design of NASA Stage 35. An optimum leading edge line was found, which produced a new 3-D rotor blade combined with sweep and lean, and a new stator one with skew. It is concluded that the proposed strategy can provide a reliable method for design optimization of turbomachinery blades at reasonable computing cost.

Optimal guidance strategy for flexible load based on hybrid direct load control and time of use

The time-of-use(TOU)strategy can effectively improve the energy consumption mode of customers,reduce the peak-valley difference of load curve,and optimize the allocation of energy resources.This study presents an Optimal guidance mechanism of the flexible load based on strategies of direct load control and time-of-use.First,this study proposes a period partitioning model,which is based on a moving boundary technique with constraint factors,and the Dunn Validity Index(DVI)is used as the objective to solve the period partitioning.Second,a control strategy for the curtailable flexible load is investigated,and a TOU strategy is utilized for further modifying load curve.Third,a price demand response strategy for adjusting transferable load is proposed in this paper.Finally,through the case study analysis of typical daily flexible load curve,the efficiency and correctness of the proposed method and model are validated and proved.

Coal-based activated carbon prepared by H2O activation process for supercapacitors using response surface optimization method

The scalable production of high grade activated carbon from abundant coal for supercapacitors application is an efficient way to achieve high value-added utilization of coal sources.However,this technology is challenging due to lack of comprehensive understanding on the mechanism of activation process and effect of external factors.In this paper,the effect of activating temperature and time on the specific capacitance of coal-based activated carbon prepared by H2O steam activation was studied using the response surface method.Under optimal conditions,coal-based activated carbon exhibits the largest specific capacitance of 194.35 F·g^(−1),thanks to the appropriate pore/surface structure and defect degree.Density functional theory calculations explain in detail the mechanism of contraction of aromatic rings and overflow of H2 and CO during the activation.Meanwhile,oxygen-containing functional groups are introduced,contributing to the pseudocapacitance property of coal-based activated carbon.This mechanism of reactions between aromatic carbon and H2O vapor provides understanding on the role of water during coal processing at the molecular level,offering great potential to regulate product distribution and predict rate of pore generation.This insight would contribute to the advancement of other coal processing technology such as gasification.

Optimization of press bend forming path of aircraft integral panel

In order to design the press bend forming path of aircraft integral panels,a novel optimization method was proposed, which integrates FEM equivalent model based on previous study,the artificial neural network response surface,and the genetic algorithm.First,a multi-step press bend forming FEM equivalent model was established,with which the FEM experiments designed with Taguchi method were performed.Then,the BP neural network response surface was developed with the sample data from the FEM experiments.Furthermore,genetic algorithm was applied with the neural network response surface as the objective function. Finally,verification was carried out on a simple curvature grid-type stiffened panel.The forming error of the panel formed with the optimal path is only 0.098 39 and the calculating efficiency has been improved by 77%.Therefore,this novel optimization method is quite efficient and indispensable for the press bend forming path designing.

Optimal nitrogen fertilization of boreal conifer forest

Background： Forest fertilization offers a means to increase the production of renewable resources.Nitrogen is the most common fertilizer in boreal upland forests.There is plenty of research on the effect of nitrogen fertilization on volume growth, but less research on the optimal timing of fertilization and optimal management of fertilized stands.Methods： This study used simulation and optimization to analyze the profitability of fertilization, optimal management of fertilized stands and the effects of fertilization on cash flows and timber yields.The management of 100 stands representing the most common growing sites of Scots pine and Norway spruce was optimized.Results： Fertilization improved profitability in most of the analyzed stands.Profitability improved most in spruce stands growing on mesic site.Improving stem quality increased the economic benefit of fertilization.The timber yields of medium-aged conifer stands can be increased by almost 1 m^3·ha^（-1）·a^（-1）（15%） in sub-xeric pine and mesic spruce sites and about 0.5 m^3·ha^（-1）·a^（-1）（5%） in mesic pine and herb-rich spruce sites when the recommended nitrogen dose（150kg·ha^（-1）） is applied once in 30 years.Conclusions： Nitrogen fertilization of boreal conifer forest should be used mainly in spruce-dominated stands growing on medium sites.The gains are the highest in stands where the mean tree diameter is 16–20 cm and stand basal area is 14–20 m^2·ha^（-1）.

Optimization of Cultivation Conditions for Exopolysaccharide and Mycelial Biomass by Clitocybe sp. Using Box-Behnken Design

Response surface (RSM) methodology based on a three-level three-factor Box-Behnkendesign of experiment was used to optimize the exopolysaccharide content (EPC) and themycelium biomass in submerged cultivation by Clitocybe sp. AS 5.112. The criticalfactors selected for the investigation were cultivation temperature, time and volume ofmedium, based on the results of previous Plackett-Burman design. By analyzing theresponse surface plots, the optimum ranges of cultivation temperature, time and mediumvolume for obtaining over 1 253.00gmL-1 of EPC lie in 24.325.8℃, 9.710.2d and 76.090.0mL, respectively. While for obtaining over 8.32 mg mL-1 of dry cell weight (DCW), theabove variables would be in the range of 23.824.8℃, 9.610.3d and 71.098.0mL,respectively. By solving the inverse matrix from the quadratic regression equations, theoptimal conditions to gain 1 265.45gmL-1 of EPC were 25.0℃, 9.9d and 83.4mL, to gain8.50mg mL-1 of DCW were 24.4℃, 9.9d and 87.1mL. In order to obtain the maximum yield ofEPC and DCW at the same time, the above conditions would be 24.5℃, 9.9d and 84.7mL,respectively, in this situation, the maximum predicted EPC and DCW were 1 261.60gmL-1and 8.47mgmL-1, respectively. The experimental data under various conditions have validatedthe theoretical values.

Combined Size and Shape Optimization of Structures with DOE,RSM and GA

In this paper,size and shape optimization problem of a machine gun system is addressed with an efficient hybrid method,in which a novel and flexible mesh morphing technique is employed to achieve fast parameterization and modification of complexity structure without going back to CAD for reconstruction of geometric models or to finite element analysis（ FEA） for remodeling. Design of experiments（ DOE） and response surface method（ RSM） are applied to approximate the constitutive parameters of a machine gun system based on experimental tests. Further FEA,secondary development technique and genetic algorithm（ GA） are introduced to find all the optimal solutions in one go and the optimal design of the demonstrated machine gun system is obtained. Results of the rigid-flexible coupling dynamic analysis and exterior ballistics calculation validate the proposed methodology,which is relatively time-saving,reliable and has the potential to solve similar problems.

Saponins Content in Fibrous Roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Optimization of the SEP Extraction Technology

[Objectives]To explore the saponins resources in fibrous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla and optimize the SEP technology for extracting saponins.[Methods]Saponins contents in fibrous roots and root tubers of P.heterophylla were compared;with the fibrous roots as host materials,this experiment applied Box-Behnken design to analyze the influence of steam pressure,maintenance pressure time,moisture content of host materials on the content of saponins extracts.[Results]Saponins content was higher in fibrous roots than in tuberous roots of P.heterophylla;the response surface optimization showed that SEP(steam explosion pretreatment)promoted the contents of saponins and extracts in fibrous roots,and the optimal extracting conditions were stream pressure 1.50 Mpa,maintenance pressure time 54 s,and moisture content of host materials 30%.Under this extracting conditions,the verification value of saponins content experiment was 0.441%,36.53%higher than the untreated control group.[Conclusions]This research offered a new method of exploring saponins resources from fibrous roots of P.heterophylla,and provided a reference for developing new medicinal parts of P.heterophylla.

Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of the Microwave Assisted Extraction of the Natural Polyphenols and Flavonoids from the Raw Solid Waste of the Orange Juice Industry

Orange pomace is the solid waste of the orange juice industry which accounts for approximately 50%of the quantity of the fruits processed into juice and is a good raw material for production of high added value products with diverse uses.Orange pomace is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids which can substitute the potentially hazardous or less desirable chemical antioxidants/antimicrobials used in agro-food and cosmetics industry.In this work,an eco-friendly aqueous microwave assisted extraction of orange pomace was investigated and optimized in order to produce aqueous bioactive antioxidant/antimicrobial extracts.A three factorial Response Surface Optimization methodology with centered Box&Behnken experimental design was used to obtain optimum values of total polyphenols and total flavonoids and build predictive models for their optimal extraction conditions.The three optimization factors in terms of applied process parameters were(a)water/solid ratio,(b)extraction temperature and(c)extraction time.The effectiveness and statistical soundness of the two corresponding models regarding optimal total polyphenols and flavonoids were verified by Analysis of Variance(ANOVA).

Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of the Microwave Assisted Extraction of the Solid Waste of the Pomegranate Juice Industry

Pomegranate pomace is the solid waste of the pomegranate juice industry which accounts for approximately 50%of the quantity of the fruits,which is processed into juice and is a good raw material for production of high added value products with diverse uses.Pomegranate pomace is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids which could substitute the potentially hazardous synthetic antioxidants/antimicrobials used in agro-food and cosmetics sectors.In this work,eco-friendly aqueous microwave assisted extraction of pomegranate pomace was investigated and optimized in order to produce effectively novel natural antioxidant/antimicrobial extracts.A three-factorial response surface optimization methodology with centered Box&Behnken experimental design was used to obtain the predictive models and the maximum values of total polyphenols,total flavonoids and total antioxidant capacity(TAC).The three optimization factors involved were:(a)water/solid ratio;(b)extraction temperature;(c)extraction time and the effectiveness and robustness of the three models were statistically verified by ANOVA.

Experimental Design Technique on Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide using CaO-eggshells Dispersed onto Palm Kernel Shell Activated Carbon：Experiment,Optimization,Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies

This study presents the use of chicken eggshells waste utilizing palm kernel shell based activated carbon（PKSAC） through the modification of their surface to enhance the adsorption capacity of H2S. Response surface methodology technique was used to optimize the process conditions and they were found to be： 500 mg/L for H2S initial concentration, 540 min for contact time and 1 g for adsorbent mass. The impacts of three arrangement factors（calcination temperature of impregnated activated carbon（IAC）, the calcium solution concentration and contact time of calcination） on the H2S removal efficiency and impregnated AC yield were investigated. Both responses IAC yield（IACY, %） and removal efficiency（RE, %） were maximized to optimize the IAC preparation conditions. The optimum preparation conditions for IACY and RE were found as follows： calcination temperature of IAC of 880 ℃, calcium solution concentration of 49.3% and calcination contact time of 57.6 min, which resulted in 35.8% of IACY and 98.2% RE. In addition, the equilibrium and kinetics of the process were investigated. The adsorbent was characterized using TGA, XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDX, and BET. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 543.47 mg/g. The results recommended that the composite of PKSAC and Ca O could be a useful material for H2S containing wastewater treatment.

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of wedelolactone from Eclipta alba using response surface methodology

An efficient microwave-assisted extraction tech- nique was used to extract wedelolactone from Eclipta alba. To optimize the effects of the microwave-assisted extraction （MAE） processing parameters on the yield ofwedelolactone, a response surface methodology with a central composite rotatable design was employed. Four independent variables were investigated： microwave power, ethanol concentration, extraction time and the solvent-to-solid ratio. The optimum conditions were： microwave power, 208 W; ethanol con- centration, 90%; extraction time, 26.5 min; and solvent-to- solid ratio, 33 mL.g-~. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction yield of wedelolactone was （82.67±0.16）%, which is in close agreement with the value predicted by the statistical model. MAE was also compared to other conventional methods, including ultrasonic assisted extrac- tion, extraction at room temperature and heat reflux extraction. MAE has distinct advantages for the extraction of wedelolactone in terms of both time and efficiency. Therefore, MAE is a reliable method for the extraction of wedelolactone from Eclipta alba.