A need exists to monitor and control the localized high temperatures often experienced in solar grain dryers, which result in grain cracking, reduced germination and loss of cooking quality. A verified finite element model would be a useful to monitor and control the drying process. This study examined the feasibility of the finite element method (FEM) to predict temperature distribution in solar grain dryers. To achieve this, an indirect solar grain dryer system was developed. It consisted of a solar collector, plenum and drying chambers, and an electric fan. The system was used to acquire the necessary input and output data for the finite element model. The input data comprised ambient and plenum chamber temperatures, prevailing wind velocities, thermal conductivities of air, grain and dryer wall, and node locations in the xy-plane. The outputs were temperature at the different nodes, and these were compared with measured values. The ${\pm}5%$ residual error interval employed in the analysis yielded an overall prediction performance level of 83.3% for temperature distribution in the dryer. Satisfactory prediction levels were also attained for the lateral (61.5-96.2%) and vertical (73.1-92.3%) directions of grain drying. These results demonstrate that it is feasible to use a two-dimensional (2-D) finite element model to predict temperature distribution in a grain solar dryer. Consequently, the method offers considerable advantage over experimental approaches as it reduces time requirements and the need for expensive measuring equipment, and it also yields relatively accurate results.

This study was conducted to develop a real-time internal quality evaluation technique for Korean red ginseng using NIR spectroscopy while they were moving to be graded. Internal qualities of Korean red ginseng were defined by color, amount of white core and cavity in the red ginseng. To evaluate the internal quality, PLS (Partial Least Square) model was developed. Spectrum saturation can be occurred when most red ginseng has a sound internal quality expressed by higher light transmittance ratio, but that could not found in the ginseng of internal white core under the same light situation. And, if spectrum saturation is obtained, it is hard to identify the exact information of internal quality. In order to evaluate of the internal quality regardless of having internal normal core or white core, an integral time controlled method was used to obtain traditional spectrum. This procedure was applied in real-time process when red ginseng was moving to be graded in the line. Among the 450 samples including 223 internal normal ginsengs and 227 internal white core ginsengs, 315 ginsengs (70%) were used to develop a calibration model and 135 ginsengs were spent to validate the model. The result of quality evaluation by the model was very good showing SEP and bias were 0.3573 and 0.0310, respectively, and the accuracy was 95.6%.

The planocentric gear, known as wobble mechanism, has been used for speed reducing mechanism as an ingenious mechanism. The modem application can be found in the backrest adjusting mechanism of a vehicle reclinable seat, fluid pumps and aircraft hoist and winches. Higher speed reduction ratios, high load capacity, lower weight, and compactness are the main advantages of this gear. This paper presents velocity and static force analysis to investigate the friction lock of the planocentric gear. The rectilinear tooth profile is used to maximize the speed reduction ratio. The equivalent linkage system is used for the analysis of instantaneous motion. As the results, the transmission efficiency of the planocentric gear is found and the friction lock of the system is determined for the friction coefficients of journals. A numerical example that illustrates the developed analysis is presented.

In-field site-specific nitrogen (N) management increases crop yield, reduces N application to minimize the risk of nitrate contamination of ground water, and thus reduces farming cost. Real-time N sensing and fertilization is required for efficient N management. An 'on-the-go' site-specific N management system was developed and evaluated for the supplemental N application to com (Zea mays L.). This real-time N sensing and fertilization system monitored and assessed N fertilization needs using a vision-based spectral sensor and controlled the appropriate variable N rate according to N deficiency level estimated from spectral signature of crop canopies. Sensor inputs included ambient illumination, camera parameters, and image histogram of three spectral regions (red, green, and near-infrared). The real-time sensor-based supplemental N treatment improved crop N status and increased yield over most plots. The largest yield increase was achieved in plots with low initial N treatment combined with supplemental variable-rate application. Yield data for plots where N was applied the latest in the season resulted in a reduced impact on supplemental N. For plots with no supplemental N application, yield increased gradually with initial N treatment, but any N application more than 101 kg/ha had minimal impact on yield.

Assessment of nitrogen and chlorophyll content from crop leaves can help growers adjust N fertilizer rates to meet the demands of the crop. Numerous researchers have presented their studies about spectral signature of plant leaves to characterize the plant features. However, interrelational review and summary were limited and a communication gap exists between the plant science and optical engineering. Understanding the mechanism of leaf interaction to electromagnetic radiation and factors affecting spectrophotometric measurements can enhance the foundation of optical remote sensing technologies. This paper provides extensive review of previous works in optical sensing and explains the basics of plant optics, spectral measurements for plant stress, factors that affect sensitivity to spectral analysis, and applications that deploy optical remote sensing technologies.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of air-phase germination with water-spraying and anion stimuli on germination ratio, sprout growth and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of brown rice. Air-phase germination method with intermittent spraying water improved germination ratio and sprout growth by about 100% compared with the conventional water-soaking method. Anion radiation was applied during the germination process and improved the germination ratio, sprout growth and color quality of the germinated brown rice. Germination ratio and sprout growth were improved up to 9% with anion radiation, and its brightness was higher than brown rice germinated with no anion radiation. The air-phase germination with water-spraying improved the GABA content of germinated brown rice by about 8-9 times compared with that of brown rice.