This study optimized physicochemical factors for the sphericity of capsule type-fish roe analogs using equipment with double nozzles. The manufacturing process of fish roe analogs was optimized by response surface methodology with central composite design. For the optimum conditions of sphericity, sodium alginate concentration, calcium chloride concentration, agitation speed of calcium chloride solution in a reactor, and dropping height were investigated as independent variables. Soybean oil was put into the equipment through an internal nozzle, along with sodium alginate solution through an external nozzle into calcium chloride solution. The optimum conditions for the production of fish roe analogs were 1.66% (w/v) sodium alginate, 1.86% (w/v) calcium chloride, agitation speed of calcium chloride at 280 rpm, dropping height at 17 cm between the tip of the nozzle and the surface of calcium chloride solution. Consequently, the fish roe analogs showed a high sphericity of 99.8±0.77% at optimal conditions.

This paper reexamines the interannual intensity change of tropical cyclone (TC) over the western North Pacific. Analyses are done for the annual extreme intensity and the average intensity of the five strongest typhoons based on the best track data issued from the RSMC (Regional Specialized Meteorological Center) Tokyo and the JTWC (Joint Typhoon Warning Center). Trends over the last 30+ years in one data set are nearly opposite in another. Specifically, the TC intensity tends to increase with the years in the JTWC data, whereas the opposite is found in the RSMC data. Realizing that one data set shows a significant statistical difference from the other, a homogenization process has been applied to the original data so that comparisons of the two data sets and the trend analyses become more meaningful than those with solely the original data. With the homogenized data, we present some cautious conclusions regarding the TC intensity changes over the western North Pacific. The annual extreme TC intensity has been decreasing, while the strong TCs have become stronger over the years. For TCs entering the KMA emergency area and directly hitting Korea, we are hesitant to make any conclusions because the corresponding area is small so that the number of TCs entering the area each year is too small to have any statistically significant implications.