The legacy of 50 years of fuzzy sets: A discussion

International audienceThis note provides a brief overview of the main ideas and notions underlying fifty years of research in fuzzy set and possibility theory, two important settings introduced by L.A. Zadeh for representing sets with unsharp boundaries and uncertainty induced by granules of information expressed with words. The discussion is organized on the basis of three potential understanding of the grades of membership to a fuzzy set, depending on what the fuzzy set intends to represent: a group of elements with borderline members, a plausibility distribution, or a preference profile. It also questions the motivations for some existing generalized fuzzy sets. This note clearly reflects the shared personal views of its authors

Visual Analytics for Human-Centered Machine Learning

We introduce a new research area in visual analytics (VA) aiming to bridge existing gaps between methods of interactive machine learning (ML) and eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), on one side, and human minds, on the other side. The gaps are, first, a conceptual mismatch between ML/XAI outputs and human mental models and ways of reasoning, and second, a mismatch between the information quantity and level of detail and human capabilities to perceive and understand. A grand challenge is to adapt ML and XAI to human goals, concepts, values, and ways of thinking. Complementing the current efforts in XAI towards solving this challenge, VA can contribute by exploiting the potential of visualization as an effective way of communicating information to humans and a strong trigger of human abstractive perception and thinking. We propose a cross-disciplinary research framework and formulate research directions for VA

Translational challenges and opportunities in biofilm science:a BRIEF for the future

Biofilms are increasingly recognised as a critical global issue in a multitude of industries impacting health, food and water security, marine sector, and industrial processes resulting in estimated economic cost of $5 trillion USD annually. A major barrier to the translation of biofilm science is the gap between industrial practices and academic research across the biofilms field. Therefore, there is an urgent need for biofilm research to notice and react to industrially relevant issues to achieve transferable outputs. Regulatory frameworks necessarily bridge gaps between different players, but require a clear, science-driven non-biased underpinning to successfully translate research. Here we introduce a 2-dimensional framework, termed the Biofilm Research-Industrial Engagement Framework (BRIEF) for classifying existing biofilm technologies according to their level of scientific insight, including the understanding of the underlying biofilm system, and their industrial utility accounting for current industrial practices. We evidence the BRIEF with three case studies of biofilm science across healthcare, food & agriculture, and wastewater sectors highlighting the multifaceted issues around the effective translation of biofilm research. Based on these studies, we introduce some advisory guidelines to enhance the translational impact of future research

Expanding the Boundaries of Traditional Enamel Plique à Jour through Hybrid Craft Practice

This practice based research investigates the traditional enamelling craft of plique à jour and approaches to innovation through hybrid craft. Today, while material science and technology provide potential opportunities for developing traditional craft, traditional making methods also promote new design thinking. Hybrid craft is a hybrid form of making, promoting the birth of new techniques through a combination of physical craft and digital technology. As a metal based enamel, plique à jour consists of enamel within a metal frame. A literature review revealed that in the past, the main techniques used to make the metal frames included piercing, wire soldering, and casting, with the enamel seen as a decorative material fired onto the metal body. The application of enamels and the making processes of metal frameworks have remained fundamentally the same since the 6th century A D. This study describes how the limits of these frames can be challenged by new design thinking, craft practice, and digital technology. This research uses reflection on studio practice as a practice based methodology and documentation to collect data, address issues, and achieve new findings. The studio practice is divided into four phases, starting with a new concept Mind the Gap (MTG) and initial material testing. The second phase of the experiments further validate the MTG notion mainly through the handmade approach. The third phase pursues precise modeling, with the production of metal scaffolding combined with digital technologies. The final phase explores the effective method of removing scaffolding, thus, rediscovering the value of traditional making knowledge. New enamelling technique and insights and have emerged in the use of enamel as a bonding agent in design, leading to the orderly connection of metal spheres as a bonding agent in design, leading to the orderly connection of metal spheres to the enamel through constructing modular scaffolding. After removing the to the enamel through constructing modular scaffolding. After removing the scaffold, new forms of enamel bridging and new visual languages were obtained, which expand the boundaries of traditional plique à jour. A new series of enamel objects, the Mind the Gap series, was achieved after iterative studio practices, providing a set of discoveries and potential for future practitioners and researchers in the field of craft and design

Process Intensification through Spherical Crystallization: Novel Experimental and Modeling Approaches

Process intensification is defined as the use of innovative techniques and technologies to create sustainable solutions to industrial production difficulties. Continuous spherical crystallization is a process intensification technique that could resolve production issues for pharmaceutical and solids processing industries, consequently, allowing for the integration of upstream and downstream manufacturing units. Spherical crystallization is carried out through emulsion based crystallization and/or agglomeration in suspension of fine crystals to produce aggregates of improved bulk and micromeritic properties. The advantages of spherical crystallization include: (i) replacing downstream particle correction units (i.e., milling, granulation), (ii) providing control of crystalline properties by decoupling crystallization and agglomeration mechanisms, and (iii) reducing plant foot print and allowing for reconfigurable units. The overall aim of the thesis is to further develop the scientific understanding of spherical crystallization mechanisms and introduce a systematic approach for implementing continuous spherical crystallization as a smart manufacturing platform enabled by a quality-by-design framework. Experimentally, the thesis achieves: (i) better mechanistic understanding of spherical crystallization in semi-batch systems using process analytical technologies (PAT); and (ii) the assessment of the feasibility of continuous spherical crystallization in mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) and oscillatory flow baffled crystallizer (OFBC) systems. Computationally, a coupled population balance model is developed that leads to an optimization framework for bioavailability and manufacturability through spherical crystallization. Together the experimental and modeling approaches deliver a model-based framework for process intensification that can lead to adaptive manufacturing systems for high value-added particulate products

Size Control in Pelletisation

This thesis covers an investigation into the topic of size control in pel-letisation, with a focus on how it relates to the pelletisation of ferrous by products. The ferrous by product of focus is oily mill sludge, which has had its properties examined. The kinetic behaviour is also examined using Discrete Element Methods. Over the course of the investigation the growth behaviour of granules has been clarified as being able to be explained en-tirely through external saturation sources such as spray and consolidation behaviours. These contribute to the cohesion of individual pellets, and adhesion of pellets together, which constitute a completely new model of agglomeration. This Adhesion-Cohesion model is physically in line with agglomeration research and granular mechanics as a whole, and was subse-quently integrated into a Discrete Element Method simulation of agglom-eration which provided validation for the growth behaviour predicted

Chitosan based biomaterials: soft tissue engineering applications

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to chitosan (CS)-based biomaterials and their applications in the field of soft tissue engineering (TE). CS is a glycosaminoglycan derived from chitin, the primary structural polymer in crustacean exoskeletons. CS is biocompatible, biodegradable, easily formed into various structures (i.e. sponges, nanofibers and films) under mild processing conditions and can be chemically modified through graft copolymerization and crosslinking. However, the rapid degradation of CS and its low mechanical strength are concerns that may limit its use in clinical applications. In the first part of the thesis, different non cytotoxic crosslinkers were used aiming at improving the structural properties of CS. Genipin (GP), γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), dibasic sodium phosphate (DSP) were selected as biocompatible CS crosslinkers as reported in literature. After a preliminary physico-chemical and mechanical characterization, the proper crosslinking compounds were selected for the development of different typologies of CS scaffolds for both human and veterinary applications. CS- based scaffolds were developed as nerve guidance channels (NGCs) and internal fillers fabrication to promote peripheral nerve regeneration in humans. Two CS based hollow NGCs were prepared and tested in vitro and in vivo (coded as CS flat membrane and bi-layer CS membrane) and a CS based nanostructured internal filler was optimized and characterized in vitro. i. CS flat membranes were prepared by solvent casting. According to the results obtained in the first part of the thesis, DSP alone (CS/DSP) or in association with the GPTMS (CS/GPTMS_DSP) were used as crosslinkers. CS crosslinked membranes showed permeation to nutrients and did not exert any cytotoxic effect on RT4-D6P2T. The higher mechanical stability of CS/GPTMS_DSP under wet state allowed to confirm the RT4-D6P2T attachment and proliferation as well as the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) on CS substrates. Before in vivo implantation in rats, CS/GPTMS_DSP and CS/DSP membranes were easily rolled up to form a NGC. Then, membranes were used to bridge median nerve defects in rats. After 12 week post-operative CS/GPTMS_DSP tubes were found to be detached from the distal suturing site and functional recovery did not occurred. On the other hand, crushed nerve encircled with CS/DSP membranes, allowed nerve fibre regeneration and functional recovery, showing similar results to autografts. ii. Bi-layer CS membranes were developed using a two-step coating technique. CS/DSP and CS/GPTMS_DSP flat membranes were combined to produce scaffold structures with good biocompatibility in the inner layer (CS/DSP) and with the desired mechanical strength imparted by the outer (CS/GPTMS_DSP, GPTMS 25% wt./wt.). Gradual water uptake and permeation to small molecules was observed compared to single layers. From in vivo tests, median nerves treated with bi-layer tubes displayed regenerated and aligned fibres at the injury site. iii. CS crosslinked electrospun nanofibres were fabricated by electrospinning solutions containing CS, polyethylene oxide (PEO), and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). PEO and DMSO were introduced to allow the spinnability of CS solutions at high polymer concentration with controllable fiber size and increase fiber yields by relaxing CS chain entanglement. Optimization of the process and solution parameters allowed to obtain CS nanofibres with size of 128±17 nm. To increase CS stability in aqueous media, DSP was used as crosslinker After DSP crosslinking fibre size decreased to 109±17 nm while an increase in the mechanical strength (E, from 63±10 MPa to 113±8 MPa) was observed compared to uncrosslinked nanofibrous matrices. In the third part of the thesis, CS porous membranes with improved antimicrobial properties were prepared for veterinary application. The developed scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying to promote the wound healing process and to reduce the bacterial proliferation in chelonian shell injury site. Different ratios of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, 5%, 10% and 15% wt. /wt.) and gentamicin sulphate (GS, 3.5 mg/ml) were loaded into the CS/GPTMS_DSP membranes to impart the proper antibacterial properties and to favor drug release avoiding the risk of systemic toxicity. After a preliminary in vitro characterization, CS/GPTMS_DSP loaded with AgNPs at a concentration of 10% wt./wt (CS/GPTMS_DSP_AgNP10) was selected as ideal candidate for this application field. GS release profile from CS/GPTMS_DSP_GS evidenced high burst release of the antibiotics in the first day (about 70%). Finally, GS and AgNPs (10 % wt./wt.) effect on bacterial inhibition was evaluated and confirmed against Gram+ and Gram-. The results reported in this thesis work demonstrate that CS is a promising candidate for applications in human and veterinary soft TE. Mechanical and physico-chemical properties of CS scaffolds can be tuned by using different crosslinking methods. By the in vitro characterization, GPTMS and DSP were selected as ideal compounds to the development of scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration (in human) and wound healing (in animals). Four different morphologies (3 for peripheral nerve regeneration and 1 for wound healing application) were obtained by varying the fabrication methods and the final composition. All membranes were found to satisfy the requirements for the application of interest. CS based membranes developed for peripheral nerve regeneration were found to be biocompatible, and successful functional recovery was observed in case of CS/DSP and bi-layer membranes. Porous membranes with improved antimicrobial properties were prepared to enhance wound healing in chelonians and were found to be effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria following the release of two different investigated antimicrobial agents (AgNPs and GS)

The Ostrobothnian model of smart specialisation

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