Fuzzy linear model for production optimization of mining systems with multiple entities

Planning and production optimization within multiple mines or several work sites (entities) mining systems by using fuzzy linear programming (LP) was studied.LP is the most commonly used operations research methods in mining engineering.After the introductory review of properties and limitations of applying LP,short reviews of the general settings of deterministic and fuzzy LP models are presented.With the purpose of comparative analysis,the application of both LP models is presented using the example of the Bauxite Basin Niksic with five mines.After the assessment,LP is an efficient mathematical modeling tool in production planning and solving many other single-criteria optimization problems of mining engineering.After the comparison of advantages and deficiencies of both deterministic and fuzzy LP models,the conclusion presents benefits of the fuzzy LP model but is also stating that seeking the optimal plan of production means to accomplish the overall analysis that will encompass the LP model approaches.     

An introduction to the special issue section on “The 7th International Conference on Photosynthesis and Hydrogen Energy Production in Honor of Nathan Nelson and T. Nejat Veziroğlu, 19–25 June 2016, Pushchino,Russia”

The research in photosynthesis and hydrogen energy production provides a unique opportunity for transforming sustainable solar energy into our energy system. This special issue presented the selected and invited papers from the International Conference on Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability in honor of Nathan Nelson and T. Nejat Veziro?lu which was held on June 19–25, 2016, in Pushchino, Russia. These papers offered readers with some of the most recent and exciting progresses in photosynthesis and hydrogen energy production. The potential limitations and future efforts with open questions were also offered to stimulate the further research endeavors in the field.     

Strong and Specific Recognition of CAG/CTG Repeat DNA (5’-dWGCWGCW-3’) by a Cyclic Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide

Abnormally expanded CAG/CTG repeat DNA sequences lead to a variety of neurological diseases, such as Huntington's disease. Here, we synthesized a cyclic pyrrole-imidazole polyamide (cPIP), which can bind to the minor groove of the CAG/CTG DNA sequence. The double-stranded DNA melting temperature (T_m) and surface plasmon resonance assays revealed the high binding affinity of the cPIP. In addition, next-generation sequencing showed that the cPIP had high specificity for its target DNA sequence.     

Strength and bonding characteristics of adhesive joints with surface-treated titanium-alloy substrates

This paper presents a study on the effect of surface treatments on the mechanical behavior of adhesively bonded titanium alloy joints. Several different treatments were selected for the preparation of Ti-6Al-4V alloy faying surfaces, and bonded joints were fabricated using surface-treated titanium alloy substrates and a film adhesive. Tensile tests were performed on single-lap specimens to evaluate the joint strength and to assess the failure mode, i.e. cohesive failure, adhesive (interfacial) failure or a mix of both. Contact angle measurements were also carried out, and the surface free energies of titanium alloys and the thermodynamic works of adhesion for the adhesive/titanium alloy interfaces were obtained. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to predict the strength of the specimens exhibiting cohesive failure. In addition, an expression of the relationship between the joint strength corresponding to interfacial failure and the thermodynamic work of adhesion was introduced based on the cohesive zone model (CZM) concept. It is shown that two surface treatments, Itro treatment and Laseridge, lead to cohesive failure and a significant increase in the joint strength, and the numerically predicted strength values are fairly close to the experimental values. These surface treatments are possible replacements for the traditional surface treatment processes. For degreasing, emery paper abrasion, atmospheric plasma treatment, sulfuric acid anodizing, nano adhesion technology and high-power lasershot, the specimens fail at the adhesive/substrate interface and the joint strength increases linearly with the thermodynamic work of adhesion as expected from our CZM-based expression.     

Proteins degradation value in cured meat product made from M. Cutaneous-omo brachialis muscle of bovine

We analyzed differences in some physicochemical parameters of proteins in shoulder rose (M. Cutaneous-omo brachialis) muscle as a result of beef processing to produce pastirma. Samples from processed muscles showed significantly increased concentrations of extracted proteins, especially of H₂O P-ex and Guba-Straub–adenosine triphosphate solution (P < 0.01), as a result of the salting–curing process. The salt-curing process was likely to have an important effect on the extractability of muscle proteins such as myosin heavy chain (MHC) and water-soluble proteins, possibly as a result of releasing some proteins from each other and cleaving the structures between certain proteins. The fluorescence intensities of processed samples were higher than those of the control samples at all guanidine hydrochloride concentrations. The hydrophobicity also increased on account of new compounds that were created during the pastirma-making process. Since the process of making pastirma lasts about 4 weeks (drying), the metmyoglobin content was greatly increased in pastirma samples compared with the unprocessed samples (by as much as 57 %). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results conceived that during processing of pastirma products, MHC and other muscle proteins degraded into polypeptides with smaller molecular weight lower than 15-kDa. The results of this study demonstrated that meat processing promoted the enzymatic digestion of some proteins, and the differences in composition between the control and pastirma samples were thus likely to be owing to protein degradation. The traditional pastirma-making process hence has no negative impact on the structure of the muscle and produces a firmer-textured.     

Influence of pulsed electric field on enzymes,bacteria and volatile flavor compounds of unpasteurized sake

A pulsed electric field(PEF) was applied to unpasteurized sake at constant temperatures, at which α-amylase was not inactivated. We adjusted the input energy to be identical for the temperatures by changing the number of PEF application, because the current significantly increased with the temperature, even the amplitude of the applied voltage was identical. As a result, the α-amylase was seemed to be inactivated by PEF application, not due to thermal effect.The glucoamylase was significantly inactivated by PEF. Moreover, the acid carboxypeptidase was inactivated by PEF at 4 °C but significantly activated at 25 °C. These results show that the sensitivity of enzyme to PEF application differs depending on the types of enzyme and treatment temperature. On the other hand, the colony number of bacteria was remarkably decreased, but the amount of the volatile flavor compounds was not decreased by PEF application.     

Thermoelastic analysis of cracked woven GFRP laminates at cryogenic temperatures

We deal with the thermal-mechanical response of multi-layered G-11 woven glass/epoxy laminates with cracks and temperature-dependent properties under tension at liquid helium temperature (4 K). The composite material is assumed to be in generalized plane strain. Cracks are located in the fill fiber bundles and are assumed to span the width of the fill fiber bundles. Finite element model is used to study the influence of residual thermal stresses on the mechanical behavior of multi-layered woven laminates with cracks. Numerical calculations are carried out, and the Young's modulus and stress distributions near the crack tip are shown graphically.     

Cross-Sectional TEM Analysis of an ITO Surface Coated with Photosystem I and Molecular Wires

Photosystem I (PSI) from Thermosynechococcus elongatus was immobilized on ITO by using vitamin K₁ exchange with artificial molecular wires in PSI. A PSI-modified surface was prepared for observation of lateral TEM images to provide an understanding of its interfacial structure. This paper describes the use of an ultramicrotome to prepare ultra-thin (< 20 nm) sections of PSI on ITO substrates. Cross-sectional TEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry supported that monolayer PSI was attached to the ITO electrode.     

Effects of Au and Pd Additions on Joint Strength, Electrical Resistivity, and Ion-Migration Tolerance in Low-Temperature Sintering Bonding Using Ag2O Paste

A new bonding process using an Ag₂O paste consisting of Ag₂O particles mixed with a triethylene glycol reducing agent has been proposed as an alternative joining approach for microsoldering in electronics assembly, which currently uses Pb-rich, high-temperature solders. Ag nanoparticles were formed at approximately 130°C to 160°C through a reduction process, sintered to one another immediately, and bonded to a metal substrate. An Au-coated Cu specimen was successfully bonded using the Ag₂O paste. The resulting joint exhibited superior strength compared with joints fabricated using conventional Pb-rich solders. To improve ion-migration tolerance, the Ag₂O paste was mixed with Au and Pd microparticles to form sintered Ag-Au and Ag-Pd layers, respectively. The additions of Au and Pd improved the ion-migration tolerance of the joint. Regarding the mechanical properties of the joints, addition of secondary Au and Pd both resulted in decreased joint strength. To match the joint strength of conventional Pb-10Sn solder, the mixing ratios of Au and Pd were estimated to be limited to 16?vol.% and 7?vol.%, respectively. The electrical resistivities of the sintered layers consisting of 16?vol.% Au and 7?vol.% Pd were lower than that of Pb-10Sn solder. Thus, the additive fractions of Au and Pd to the Ag₂O paste should be less than 16?vol.% and 7?vol.%, respectively, to avoid compromising the mechanical and electrical properties of the sintered layer relative to those of contemporary Pb-10Sn solder. Following the addition of Au and Pd to the paste, the ion-migration tolerances of the sintered layers were approximately 3 and 2 times higher than that of pure Ag, respectively. Thus, the addition of Au was found to improve the ion-migration tolerance of the sintered Ag layer more effectively and with less sacrifice of the mechanical and electrical properties of the sintered layer than the addition of Pd.