Increasing selective pressure towards the best compromise in evolutionary multiobjective optimization: The extended NOSGA method

Most current approaches in the evolutionary multiobjective optimization literature concentrate on adapting an evolutionary algorithm to generate an approximation of the Pareto frontier. However, finding this set does not solve the problem. The decision-maker still has to choose the best compromise solution out of that set. Here, we introduce a new characterization of the best compromise solution of a multiobjective optimization problem. By using a relational system of preferences based on a multicriteria decision aid way of thinking, and an outranked-based dominance generalization, we derive some necessary and sufficient conditions which describe satisfactory approximations to the best compromise. Such conditions define a lexicographic minimum of a bi-objective optimization problem, which is a map of the original one. The NOSGA-II method is a NSGA-II inspired efficient way of solving the resulting mapped problem.     

Boundary-Conforming Discontinuous Galerkin Methods via Extensions from Subdomains

A new way of devising numerical methods is introduced whose distinctive feature is the computation of a finite element approximation only in a polyhedral subdomain D{\mathsf{D}} of the original, possibly curved-boundary domain. The technique is applied to a discontinuous Galerkin method for the one-dimensional diffusion-reaction problem. Sharp a priori error estimates are obtained which identify conditions, on the subdomain D{\mathsf{D}} and the discretization parameters of the discontinuous Galerkin method, under which the method maintains its original optimal convergence properties. The error analysis is new even in the case in which D=W{\mathsf{D}}=\Omega . It allows to see that the uniform error at any given interval is bounded by an interpolation error associated to the interval plus a significantly smaller error of a global nature. Numerical results confirming the sharpness of the theoretical results are displayed. Also, preliminary numerical results illustrating the application of the method to two-dimensional second-order elliptic problems are shown.     

A comparison of learning methods over raw data: forecasting cab services market share in New York City

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The cab services, present in most of the cities, are one of the most used offerings for passenger transportation. Nowadays their business model is being...     

Kinetic study of liquid lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis of olive oil using Lipozyme TL 100L

Monoacylglycerol (MAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) are two natural components found in most edible oils and fats. Conventional synthesis of MAG and DAG is usually conducted by glycerolysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) at high temperatures (above 200°C) in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. In this work, the synthesis of MAG and DAG using enzymatic glycerolysis of olive oil was investigated using Tween 80 as surfactant, n-butanol as co-surfactant and the novel lipase in free/liquid formulation Lipozyme TL 100L as catalyst. Experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of enzyme load and reaction temperature on the feedstock conversion. Enzyme load and system temperature were significant variables in the statistical design and the best condition was found at 35°C, 7.5 vol% of Lipozyme TL 100L and glycerol to oil volumetric ratio of 2:1 with conversion of TAG at approximately 98% after 2 h of process. A mathematical model based on the Ping-Pong Bi-Bi mechanism was used to describe the reaction kinetics. The model adequately described the behavior of the system and can be a useful tool for the design of reactors in larger scales.     

Ultrahigh temperature water gas shift catalysts to increase hydrogen yield from biomass gasification

Noble metal (Rh, Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, and Ag) and Ni catalysts supported on CeO₂–Al₂O₃ were investigated for water gas shift reaction at ultrahigh temperatures. Pt/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ and Ru/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ demonstrated as the best catalysts in terms of activity, hydrogen yield and hydrogen selectivity. At 700 °C and steam to CO ratio of 5.2:1, Pt/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ converted 76.3% of CO with 94.7% of hydrogen selectivity. At the same conditions, the activity and hydrogen selectivity for Ru/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ were 63.9% and 85.6%, respectively. Both catalysts showed a good stability over 9 h of continuous operation. However, both catalysts showed slight deactivation during the test period. The study revealed that Pt/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ and Ru/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ were excellent ultrahigh temperature water gas shift catalysts, which can be coupled with biomass gasification in a downstream reactor.     

Study of the Effects of LAS and Zein Concentrations on Protein Solubilization

The effects of both linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and zein protein concentrations on protein solubilization were investigated to better understand the influence of increasing concentration of the surfactant on protein denaturation and skin irritation. Different methods have been used for the determination of the amount of protein dissolved. A wide range of LAS concentrations and zein amounts were used. The results confirm that protein solubilization increases with LAS concentration increase and demonstrate that a minimum LAS/Zein ratio exists for all the zein to be dissolved.     

Oil sorbers based on renewable sources and coffee grounds

This work presents useful composites for oil spill cleanup processes. These systems are composed of a polyester matrix loaded with coffee ground powder and maghemite. They were prepared by in situ polymerization. The aliphatic monomers proportion—castor oil and glycerin—was studied with the aim of understanding the effect of feed ratio on the product properties. The materials were studied using several techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet‐visible Spectrophotometry, and Wide Angle X‐ray Scattering, with magnetic force tests used for the characterization of materials. Density tests showed the presence of coffee grounds causes an important reduction in the density values of composites, improving their flotation. The interaction between composites and petroleum is more than twice that between composites and water. Moreover, for all magnetizable composites, the removal capability was (25.1 ± 1.2) g/g (petroleum/composite), allowing us to state that this is a promising material for use in oil spill cleanup processes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43127.     

Programmed Cell Death in the Small Intestine: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Celiac Disease

The small intestine has a high rate of cell turnover under homeostatic conditions, and this increases further in response to infection or damage. Epithelial cells mostly die by apoptosis, but recent studies indicate that this may also involve pro-inflammatory pathways of programmed cell death, such as pyroptosis and necroptosis. Celiac disease (CD), the most prevalent immune-based enteropathy, is caused by loss of oral tolerance to peptides derived from wheat, rye, and barley in genetically predisposed individuals. Although cytotoxic cells and gluten-specific CD4⁺ Th1 cells are the central players in the pathology, inflammatory pathways induced by cell death may participate in driving and sustaining the disease through the release of alarmins. In this review, we summarize the recent literature addressing the role of programmed cell death pathways in the small intestine, describing how these mechanisms may contribute to CD and discussing their potential implications.