Metabolite profiling of heat treated whole palm oil extract

The chemically complex and diverse nature of the plant metabolome require different platform technology to entire range of metabolites. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) technique was developed to profile and identify a set of small-molecule metabolites found in heat treated whole palm oil extract. An investigation was carried out on the effect of heat treatment on the yield, quality and metabolites profile for whole palm oil extract. Palm fruits were collected, cleaned and sterilized for 0, 20, 40 and 60 minutes. The kernels were then stripped from the sterilized fruit to get the pulp (mesocarp part) and later the pulp was pressed using small scale expeller. The resulting puree was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes. The results show that there was a significant difference between sterilization time of 0 minute and 40 minutes in yield and quality. Of all, the highest yield of oil of 19.9% was obtained at sterilization time of 40 minutes with DOBI value of 5.95 ± 0.08 and FFA of 1.44 ± 0.10. The MarkerView software version 1.2.0.1 analysis of the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS preliminary experimental data demonstrated the distribution and identity of several compounds in the whole palm oil extract for 40 minutes sterilization and 0 minute of sterilization

Simulating tourists' behaviour using multi-agent modelling

We discuss who should be in charge of providing data relevant to marketing segmentation for the tourism industry. We describe the difficulties of using the most commonly found consumer behavioural models within an information system, and oppose them to a novel approach in marketing segmentation, based on outgoings analysis. We use agent-modelling techniques, based on cellular automaton rules and stochastic processes to implement our model and generate sales data. We then present our algorithm to identify similarly behaved tourists, showing that the commonly used “nationality” variable for segments discrimination is not efficient. We conclude with some test runs results discussion and possible further research tracks

Modeling and Real-Time Scheduling of DC Platform Supply Vessel for Fuel Efficient Operation

DC marine architecture integrated with variable speed diesel generators (DGs) has garnered the attention of the researchers primarily because of its ability to deliver fuel efficient operation. This paper aims in modeling and to autonomously perform real-time load scheduling of dc platform supply vessel (PSV) with an objective to minimize specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) for better fuel efficiency. Focus has been on the modeling of various components and control routines, which are envisaged to be an integral part of dc PSVs. Integration with photovoltaic-based energy storage system (ESS) has been considered as an option to cater for the short time load transients. In this context, this paper proposes a real-time transient simulation scheme, which comprises of optimized generation scheduling of generators and ESS using dc optimal power flow algorithm. This framework considers real dynamics of dc PSV during various marine operations with possible contingency scenarios, such as outage of generation systems, abrupt load changes, and unavailability of ESS. The proposed modeling and control routines with real-time transient simulation scheme have been validated utilizing the real-time marine simulation platform. The results indicate that the coordinated treatment of renewable based ESS with DGs operating with optimized speed yields better fuel savings. This has been observed in improved SFOC operating trajectory for critical marine missions. Furthermore, SFOC minimization at multiple suboptimal points with its treatment in the real-time marine system is also highlighted

The criteria and potential adaptive reuse of pre-war shophouses

Pre-war shophouses in some town areas of Malaysia are among national heritage buildings which require conservation efforts, among other through adaptive reuse. Adaptive reuse, in line with sustainability principles, is a process to revitalise or reinvent disused or ineffective existing buildings including old or historical buildings for new use, purpose or function. The aim of this study is to propose the decisionmaking in selecting the optimal reuse of pre-war shophouses by considering the importance criteria that are influenced the adaptive reuse process. A questionnaire survey among four (4) selective respondents consist of town planner from local authorities, valuer from valuation and property service department (JPPH), architects and building owners conducted to achieve the objectives. From the analysis, five (5) potential new uses which are new shophouses, pharmacy hotel, rental house anda restaurant were identified as a very suitable. Thirty-three (33) criteria were classified into six aspects which are economic, environment, social, architecture, technology, and legislative. Out of them, sixteen (16) criteria were identified as very important to be considered in deciding adaptive reuse for pre-war shophouses. The outcome of this study is a conceptual framework that can assist stakeholders, especially local authorities, Valuation and Property Service Department (JPPH), architects and building owners, in adaptive reuse decision-making process. This conceptual framework proposedly can be used by architects as the main actors in adaptive reuse process, building owners since they are the most entitle person to decide any conversion on their buildings, and government bodies since they are involved directly in preparing the guidelines for conservation of pre-war shophouse