The focus of this research is to develop a prototype
expert system for softwood lumber grading. The grading
rules used in the knowledge base of the system are based on
Western Lumber Grading Rules 88 published by the Western
Wood Products Association. The system includes 27 grades
in Dimension, Select/Finish,...
A log breakdown model, SAW3D, was developed to
optimize lumber recovery from logs of any shape in 3-
dimensional space. The program uses a polygonal cross
section representation of logs; three nested dynamic
programming (DP) algorithms to optimize log breakdown,
flitch and cant edging, and trimming operations; and a
simple...
A computer program, SAW3DG, was developed to optimize log breakdown
using 3-dimensional log and internal defect shapes. The program was based on
SAW3D, a log breakdown optimization program considering only 3-dimensional log
shape. SAW3D was modified to include internal log defects in 3-dimensional
representation and integrated with SLGRADER, an expert...
Machine Vision has been extensively applied in industry.
This thesis project, which originated with a local food
processor, applies a vision system to inspection of packages
for cosmetric errors. The basic elements and theory of the
machine vision system are introduced, and some image
processing techniques, such as histogram analysis,...
Bacterial contamination of food poses a great risk to human health worldwide. A
chromatophore cell-based biosensor, utilizing B. splendens erythrophore cells, is an
emerging technology that has shown potential to detect bacterial toxicity based on
function-dependent mechanisms. Previous studies have investigated the response of
erythrophore cells to foodborne pathogens, pesticides,...
Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid found in hops and beer, possesses a long-standing reputation to improve health. Xanthohumol’s cytotoxicity to a wide variety of cancer cell lines is well-established. Herein we provide further insight into the cytotoxicity of not only xanthohumol, but also its non-estrogenic derivatives, to a number of colonic...
Machine vision is widely used in scientific areas and non-wood using
industries, but the extreme variability of wood has limited its adoption by forest
products industries. However, it is now becoming a key factor in further automation
of the forest products industry. As a very important part of machine vision,...
