Multiproduct batch plants design using linear process performance models

In this contribution, a novel linear generalized disjunctive programming (LGDP) model is developed for the design of multiproduct batch plants optimizing both process variables and the structure of the plant through the use of process performance models. These models describe unit operations using explicit expressions for the size and time factors as functions of the process variables with the highest impact. To attain a linear formulation, values of the process variables as well as unit sizes are selected from a set of meaningful discrete values provided by the designer. Regarding structural alternatives, both kinds of unit duplications in series and in parallel are considered in this approach. The inclusion of the duplication in series requires different detailed models that depend on the structure selected. Thus, in a new approach for the multiproduct batch plant design, a set of potential structural alternatives for the plant is defined. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

Solution‐processable exfoliated zeolite nanosheets purified by density gradient centrifugation

Highly crystalline exfoliated MFI‐nanosheets can pave the way for large‐scale deployment of sub‐500‐nm zeolite membranes due to their processing and packing advantages. Exfoliated MFI‐nanosheets prepared by melt compounding contain a large amount of polymer and unexfoliated particles which are detrimental to the fabrication of ultrathin zeolite membranes. Complete removal of polystyrene from the nanosheet suspension in toluene is demonstrated by centrifugation of the suspension across chlorobenzene as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Rate‐zonal centrifugation in a nonlinear density gradient fractionated exfoliated MFI‐nanosheets from unexfoliated particles. The purified nanosheets were highly crystalline as indicated by high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM) and electron diffraction (ED). Coating of purified MFI‐nanosheets on a smooth α‐alumina support, fabricated by filtration of α‐alumina suspension, led to a compact, b‐oriented, 80‐nm‐thick film. A mild hydrothermal treatment of the film led to a 200‐nm‐thick membrane, which demonstrated molecular sieving properties. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3458–3467, 2013     

TVGuide2.0: applying the Web2.0 fundamentals to IDTV

In this paper we introduce our experiences in applying the Web 2.0 philosophy to build a TV guide system for Interactive Digital TV (IDTV) platforms. Subscribers give their opinion about TV content and, informally, a folksonomy is progressively built. Based on this shared knowledge, the TV guide obtains personal recommendations and allows users to browse among the multimedia content. Additionally, and over this collaborative layer, a more formal vision enables applying semantic reasoning to supplement the knowledge informally inferred.     

Theranostics Through the Synergistic Cooperation of Heterometallic Complexes

Heterometallic drugs are emerging as a great alternative to conventional metallodrugs. Careful selection of different metallic fragments makes possible to enhance not only the therapeutic potential by a synergistic effect, but also to incorpore key features like traceability. Drugs that integrate traceability and therapy in one system are known as theranostic agents. In cancer research, theranostic agents are becoming increasingly important. They deliver crucial information regarding their biological interplay that can ultimately be used for optimization. The well-established therapeutic potential of Pt^II-, Ru^II- and Au^I-based drugs combined with the outstanding optical properties of d⁶ transition metal complexes grant the delivery of traceable metallodrugs. These species can be easily fine-tuned through modification of their respective ligands to provide a new generation of drugs.     

Key Properties of a Bioactive Ag-SiO2/TiO2 Coating on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy as Necessary at the Development of a New Class of Biomedical Materials

Recent years have seen the dynamic development of methods for functionalizing the surface of implants using biomaterials that can mimic the physical and mechanical nature of native tissue, prevent the formation of bacterial biofilm, promote osteoconduction, and have the ability to sustain cell proliferation. One of the concepts for achieving this goal, which is presented in this work, is to functionalize the surface of NiTi shape memory alloy by an atypical glass-like nanocomposite that consists of SiO₂-TiO₂ with silver nanoparticles. However, determining the potential medical uses of bio(nano)coating prepared in this way requires an analysis of its surface roughness, tribology, or wettability, especially in the context of the commonly used reference coat-forming hydroxyapatite (HAp). According to our results, the surface roughness ranged between (112 ± 3) nm (Ag-SiO₂)—(141 ± 5) nm (HAp), the water contact angle was in the range (74.8 ± 1.6)° (Ag-SiO₂)—(70.6 ± 1.2)° (HAp), while the surface free energy was in the range of 45.4 mJ/m² (Ag-SiO₂)—46.8 mJ/m² (HAp). The adhesive force and friction coefficient were determined to be 1.04 (Ag-SiO₂)—1.14 (HAp) and 0.247 ± 0.012 (Ag-SiO₂) and 0.397 ± 0.034 (HAp), respectively. The chemical data showed that the release of the metal, mainly Ni from the covered NiTi substrate or Ag from Ag-SiO₂ coating had a negligible effect. It was revealed that the NiTi alloy that was coated with Ag-SiO₂ did not favor the formation of E. coli or S. aureus biofilm compared to the HAp-coated alloy. Moreover, both approaches to surface functionalization indicated good viability of the normal human dermal fibroblast and osteoblast cells and confirmed the high osteoconductive features of the biomaterial. The similarities of both types of coat-forming materials indicate an excellent potential of the silver-silica composite as a new material for the functionalization of the surface of a biomaterial and the development of a new type of functionalized implants.     

Do all kids look alike? Evidence for an other-age effect in adults.

The current study provides evidence for the existence of an other-age effect (OAE), analogous to the well-documented other-race effect. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrate that adults are better at recognizing adult faces compared with faces of newborns and children. Results from Experiment 3 indicate that the OAE obtained with child faces can be modulated by experience. Moreover, in each of the 3 experiments, differences in the magnitude of the observed face inversion effect for each age class of faces were taken to reflect a difference in the processing strategies used to recognize the faces of each age. Evidence from Experiment 3 indicates that these strategies can be tuned by experience. The data are discussed with reference to an experience-based framework for face recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Classification of Slovak white wines using artificial neural networks and discriminant techniques

This work demonstrates the possibility to use artificial neural networks (ANN) for the classification of white varietal wines. A multilayer perceptron technique using quick propagation and quasi-Newton propagation algorithms was the most successful. The developed methodology was applied to classify Slovak white wines of different variety, year of production and from different producers. The wine samples were analysed by the GC–MS technique taking into consideration mainly volatile species, which highly influence the wine aroma (terpenes, esters, alcohols). The analytical data were evaluated by means of the ANN and the classification results were compared with the analysis of variance (ANOVA). A good agreement amongst the applied computational methods has been observed and, in addition, further special information on the importance of the volatile compounds for the wine classification has been provided.     

Antimicrobial action and clotting time of thin,hydrated poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose acetate films functionalized with LL37 for prospective wound-healing applications

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose acetate (PVA/CA) films were prepared via a new method that combines principles from solvent casting and phase inversion. To guarantee some degree of flexibility, films were produced with a higher percentage of PVA compared to CA, from 90/10 to 50/50. The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) LL37 was then anchored using dopamine as a binding agent. Films were characterized in terms of functional groups, thermal stability, tensile strength, porosity, swelling, and degradation (stability in physiological media at different pHs). The antimicrobial performance of LL37 surface-modified films was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli in dynamic environment and in the presence and absence of an albumin interface. LL37 treated films demonstrated great antibacterial efficacy against the three kinds of bacteria, ≈75% inhibition for S. aureus, ≈85% for S. epidermidis, and ≈60% for E. coli, regardless of PVA/CA ratio. Presence of albumin reduced bacteria inhibition in all tested groups, most likely due to the binding of the protein molecules to the antimicrobial agents, reducing the free fraction available for bacterial killing. Films treated with LL37 accelerated clotting time (≈10 min) above vancomycin and bare surfaces, demonstrating great capacity to activate the intrinsic coagulation cascade. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48626.