An application of fuzzy-AHP to ship operational energy efficiency measures

Lowering fuel consumption of ships has gained a great deal of attention in maritime industry with regards to both environmental and economic concerns. The potential for fuel economy in shipping ranging between 25% to 75% is possible by using existing technology and practices and technical improvements in the design of new ship. Despite the existence of many technology and design-based approaches, limitations of emerging these measures has led to discussions about the potential energy savings through operational changes. In this study, operational measures were examined within the scope of Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO). We applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) approach, one of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques, to prioritize the weight of each measure. Fuzzy AHP effectively reflects the vagueness of human thinking with interval values, and shows the relative importance of operational measures - which can be the fundamental decision making data for decision makers (ships' masters, operating companies and ship owners) - by providing a strategic approach to identify energy efficient solutions

An artificial neural network based decision support system for energy efficient ship operations

Reducing fuel consumption of ships against volatile fuel prices and greenhouse gas emissions resulted from international shipping are the challenges that the industry faces today. The potential for fuel savings is possible for new builds, as well as for existing ships through increased energy efficiency measures; technical and operational respectively. The limitations of implementing technical measures increase the potential of operational measures for energy efficient ship operations. Ship owners and operators need to rationalise their energy use and produce energy efficient solutions. Reducing the speed of the ship is the most efficient method in terms of fuel economy and environmental impact. The aim of this paper is twofold: (i) predict ship fuel consumption for various operational conditions through an inexact method, Artificial Neural Network ANN; (ii) develop a decision support system (DSS) employing ANN based fuel prediction model to be used on-board ships on a real time basis for energy efficient ship operations. The fuel prediction model uses operating data -‘Noon Data’ - which provides information on a ship’s daily fuel consumption. The parameters considered for fuel prediction are ship speed, revolutions per minute (RPM), mean draft, trim, cargo quantity on board, wind and sea effects, in which output data of ANN is fuel consumption. The performance of the ANN is compared with multiple regression analysis (MR), a widely used surface fitting method, and its superiority is confirmed. The developed DSS is exemplified with two scenarios, and it can be concluded that it has a promising potential to provide strategic approach when ship operators have to make their decisions at an operational level considering both the economic and environmental aspects

Radiological study on mandibular ramus asymmetry in young population

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ramus asymmetries related to age and gender in a young population and the influence of growth spurt on ramus asymmetry. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 776 panoramic radiographs of individuals aged 9 to 21 years (335 males and 441 females). Individuals were divided into two groups with respect of linear growth spurt as age 12 in females and age 14 in males. The first group consisted of females aged between 9 and 11 and males between 9 and 13. The second group consisted of females aged between 12 and 21 and males between 14 and 21. Bilateral ramus heights on each radiograph were measured. A panoramic software programme was used to measure the ramus heights. Quantitative data was tested by Student’s t test. Qualitative data was tested by χ2 test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for the magnitude error of the measurement. Results: The mean of ramus asymmetry was found to be 2.90% ± 2.58%. Significant differences between the right and left ramus height ratios were observed (p < 0.01). There was a high prevalence (10.8%) of ramus asymmetry, which did not correlate with the age and gender of the patients. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of ramus asymmetry in 9–21- -year-old population. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that ramus asymmetry should be carefully evaluated in all ages for the potential relation with temporomandibular dysfunctions and also for orthodontic anomalies

A P-type ATPase importer that discriminates between essential and toxic transition metals

Transition metals, although being essential cofactors in many physiological processes, are toxic at elevated concentrations. Among the membrane-embedded transport proteins that maintain appropriate intracellular levels of transition metals are ATP-driven pumps belonging to the P-type ATPase superfamily. These metal transporters may be differentiated according to their substrate specificities, where the majority of pumps can extrude either silver and copper or zinc, cadmium, and lead. In the present report, we have established the substrate specificities of nine previously uncharacterized prokaryotic transition-metal P-type ATPases. We find that all of the newly identified exporters indeed fall into one of the two above-mentioned categories. In addition to these exporters, one importer, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Q9I147, was also identified. This protein, designated HmtA (heavy metal transporter A), exhibited a different substrate recognition profile from the exporters. In vivo metal susceptibility assays, intracellular metal measurements, and transport experiments all suggest that HmtA mediates the uptake of copper and zinc but not of silver, mercury, or cadmium. The substrate selectivity of this importer ensures the high-affinity uptake of essential metals, while avoiding intracellular contamination by their toxic counterparts

The NA48 event-building PC farm

The NA48 experiment at the CERN SPS aims to measure the parameter $\Re(\epsilon'/ \epsilon)$ of direct CP violation in the neutral kaon system with an accuracy of $2 \times 10^{-4}$. Based on the requirements of: \\\\ * high event rates (up to 10 kHz) with negligible dead time;\\ * support for a variety of detectors with very wide variation in the number of readout channels;\\ * data rates of up to 150 MByte/s sustained over the beam burst;\\ * level-3 filtering and remote data logging in the CERN computer center; \\\\ the collaboration has designed and built a modular pipelined data flow system with 40 MHz sampling rate. The architecture combines custom-designed components with commercially available hardware for cost effectiveness and flexibility. To increase the available data bandwidth and to add filtering and monitoring capabilities, the original custom-built event builder hardware has been replaced by a farm of 24 Intel PentiumII based PCs running the Linux operating system during the shutdown between the 1997 and 1998 data taking periods. During the data taking period 1998 the system has been successfully operated taking ca. 70 Terabyte of data

Scientific advice and public policy: expert advisers’ and policymakers’ discourses on boundary work

This article reports on considerable variety and diversity among discourses on their own jobs of boundary workers of several major Dutch institutes for science-based policy advice. Except for enlightenment, all types of boundary arrangements/work in the Wittrock-typology (Social knowledge and public policy: eight models of interaction. In: Wagner P (ed) Social sciences and modern states: national experiences and theoretical crossroads. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991) do occur. ‘Divergers’ experience a gap between science and politics/policymaking; and it is their self-evident task to act as a bridge. They spread over four discourses: ‘rational facilitators’, ‘knowledge brokers’, ‘megapolicy strategists’, and ‘policy analysts’. Others aspire to ‘convergence’; they believe science and politics ought to be natural allies in preparing collective decisions. But ‘policy advisors’ excepted, ‘postnormalists’ and ‘deliberative proceduralists’ find this very hard to achieve

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ РАДІОЗАХИСНИХ ТА АНТИМІКРОБНИХ ВЛАСТИВОСТЕЙ КИСЛОМОЛОЧНОГО ПРОДУКТУ ДЛЯ ОЗДОРОВЧОГО ХАРЧУВАННЯ

There are given the results of experimental and clinical investigations of sour–milk bacterial product of «Narine». The sour–milk product «Narine» and bacterial preparation «Narine» show the antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and adaptogenic properties revealed in conditions of the everyday application in organisms of animals of isotope of 137Cs during 30 days. The products of «Narine» eliminate occurrence of inflammatory processes, normalizes conditions of mucous membranes and improves the state of organisms of women suffered of gardnerellezus. It is recommended to consume the products of «Narine» by men who live in regions contaminated by radionuclides. The product may be consumed also as the dietetic, prophylactic, and be used for curing of ill men.Представлены результаты экспериментальных и клинических исследований кисломолочного продукта и бактериального препарата «Наринэ». Выявлены антиоксидантные, мембраностабилизирующие и адаптогенные свойства кисломолочного продукта и бактериального препарата «Наринэ» на фоне ежедневного введения в организм животным 137Cs в течение 30 суток. Кисломолочный продукт и бактериальный препарат «Наринэ» устраняют воспалительные процессы, нормализуют слизистые оболочки и улучшают общее состояние организма у женщин с гарднереллезом. Рекомендовано употреблять «Наринэ» населению, которое проживает на радиоактивно загрязненных терриротиях, а также в качестве диетического продукта для профилактики и лечения.Представлені результати експериментальних і клінічних досліджень кисломолочного продукту і бактеріального препарату «Наріне». Виявлені антиоксидантні, мембрано стабілізуючі і адаптогенні властивості кисломолочного продукту і бактеріального препарату «Наріне» на фоні щоденного введення в організм тварин на протязі 30 діб. Кисломолочний продукт і бактеріальний препарат «Наріне» запобігає запальним процесам , нормалізує слизневі оболонкиі покращує загальний стан організму у жінок з гарднереллезом. Рекомендовано вживати «Наріне» населенню, яке проживає на радіоактивно забруднених територіях, а також в якості дієтичного продукту для профілактики та лікування. &nbsp

ТЕХНОЛОГІЯ ВАРЕНИХ КОВБАС ІЗ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯМ ТРАНСГЛЮТАМІНАЗИ

Theoretically substantiated and experimentally confirmed the possibility of the use of the enzyme preparation of transglutaminase and a protein supplement on the basis of gluten in the production technology of cooked sausages. Experimentally established that the introduction of 0,15 % transglutaminase Activa GS and protein supplement Alma Tex on the basis of gluten in an amount of 2,5 % to provide an improved texture of the finished sausage product. During the course of comprehensive studies confirmed the ability of the enzyme have a positive effect on the rheological indicators minced meat and prepared meat products – limit shear stress in test samples № 1, № 3 and №5 increased by 25 % 98 % and 108 % respectively compared to the control sample, indicating the strengthening minced structure. Experimental investigation of the effect of activated water environments (catholyte) to improve the ability to form protein hydraulic kit, exacerbate the effects of transglutaminase and influence the microbial environment of the finished product.Теоретически обоснована и экспериментально подтверждена возможность использования ферментного препарата трансглютаминазы и  белковой добавки на основе глютена в технологии производства вареных колбас.Экспериментальным путем установлено, что внесение 0,15 % трансглютаминазы Activa GS и белковой добавки Альма Текс на основе глютена в количестве 2,5 % обеспечило улучшение текстуры готового колбасного изделия. В ходе проведения комплексных исследований подтверждена способность фермента положительно влиять на реологические показатели фаршей и готовых мясных продуктов – граничное напряжение сдвига в опытных образцах № 1, № 3 и № 5 увеличивается на 25 %, 98 % и 108 % соответственно в сравнении с контрольным образцом, что свидетельствует об укреплении структуры фарша. Экспериментально исследовано влияние активированных водных сред (католита) на повышение способности белка образовывать гидромодуль, усиливать действие трансглютаминазы и влиять на микробиологическую среду готового продукта.Теоретично обґрунтована і експериментально підтверджена можливість використання ферментного препарату трансглютамінази і  білкової добавки на основі глютену в технології виробництва варених ковбас. Експериментальним шляхом встановлено, що внесення 0,15 % трансглютамінази Activa GS та білкової добавки Альма Текс на основі глютену в кількості 2,5 % забезпечило покращення текстури готового ковбасного виробу. В ходi проведення комплексних дослiджень підтверджено здатність ферменту позитивно впливати на реологiчнi показники фаршiв та готових м’ясних продуктів – гранична напруга зсуву в дослідних зразках № 1, № 3 та № 5 збільшується на 25 %, 98 % та 108 % відповідно в порівнянні із контрольним зразком, що свідчить про певне зміцнення структури фаршу. Експериментально дослiджено вплив активованих водних середовищ (католіту) на підвищення здатності білку утворювати гідромодуль, підсилювати дію трансглютамінази та впливати на мiкробiологiчне середовище готового продукту. &nbsp