Synergistic and Intelligent Process Optimization : First Results and Open Challenges

Data science has become an important research topic across scientific disciplines. In Process Systems Engineering, one attempt to create true value from process data is to use it proactively to improve the quality and accuracy of production planning as often a schedule based on statistical average data is outdated already when reaching the plant floor. Thus, due to the hierarchical planning structures, it is difficult to quickly adapt a schedule to changing conditions. This challenge has also been investigated in integration of scheduling and control studies (Touretzky AIChE J. 2017, 63 (66), 1959-1973). The project SINGPRO investigated the merging of big data platforms, machine learning, and data analytics with process planning and scheduling optimization. The goal was to create online, reactive, and anticipative tools for more sustainable and efficient operation. In this article, we discuss selected outcomes of the project and reflect the topic of combining optimization and data science in a broader scope.Peer reviewe

Relationships between the Salivary Microbial Composition and Gastrointestinal Diseases

Abstract   Background and Objective: Salivary microbiota, including bacteria shed from oral surfaces, is individualized, temporally stable and affected by the environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle and oral hygiene. Salivary microbiota is nonpathogenic and commensal; however, if microbiota colonizes into the intestines, they could alter gastrointestinal microbiota and result in development of several chronic inflammatory diseases, foremost autoimmune diseases and gastrointestinal cancers. There are few studies that assessed salivary microbiota in autoimmune gastrointestinal disorders. This may help researchers find novel personalized therapeutic approaches for the gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review was to discuss alterations of salivary microbiota composition in gastrointestinal disease progress, including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancers. Results and Conclusion: This study suggested that oral microbiota composition is linked to chronic inflammatory diseases by changing the immune system responses through increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Investigation of saliva microbiota is becoming an important part of diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases and changes in the composition of oral microbiota can predict risks of disorder progression in high-risk individuals. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Data-Driven Approach to Grade Change Scheduling Optimization in a Paper Machine

This paper proposes an efficient decision support tool for the optimal production scheduling of a variety of paper grades in a paper machine. The tool is based on a continuous-time scheduling model and generalized disjunctive programming. As the full-space scheduling model corresponds to a large-scale mixed integer linear programming model, we apply data analytics techniques to reduce the size of the decision space, which has a profound impact on the computational efficiency of the model and enables us to support the solution of large-scale problems. The data-driven model is based on an automated method of identifying the forbidden and recommended paper grade sequences, as well as the changeover durations between two paper grades. The results from a real industrial case study show that the data-driven model leads to good results in terms of both solution quality and CPU time in comparison to the full-space model.Peer reviewe

2003年バム地震による鉄筋コンクリート建物の応答に対する組積造壁の効果 : バム電話局の解析例

The Bam telephone center building, with a nonsymmetrical reinforced concrete momentresisting frame structure, is located about 1.5km northeast of the 2003 Bam earthquake strong motion station. Based on post-earthquake damage assessment results, almost no residual deformations or cracks were observed in the structural elements of the building. However, assuming the designed base shear coeffcient of the structure, nonlinear responses were expected due to the earthquake. Hence, to obtain an analytical answer for the almost linear performance of the building, 3-dimensional nonlinear time history analyses were carried out for north-south and east-west recorded strong motions. The response simulations were performed for different categories of bare frame and infilled frame. An approach was developed to model masonry infill walls with or without openings. The results of the analyses were compared to damage and residual cracks observed on the masonry infill walls. Reasonable correlations were obtained between analytical and observed results. It may be concluded that the presence of masonry infill walls is the main reason for the nearly linear responses of the Bam telephone center building during the earthquake

Seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in Children (5-15 yr Old) Referred to the Pediatric Clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Human toxocariasis, a helminthozoonosis, is due to the migration of Toxocara species larvae into human organisms. Humans, especially children become infected by ingesting of embryonated eggs from soil, dirty hands, and raw vegetables. Seroprevalence of this infection is high in developed countries, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in children referred to the pediatric clinic of Imam Hossein hospital, Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: In this cross sectional study the sera of children aged 5 to 15 years old, admitted to Imam Hossein Pediatric Hospital were collected during 2013-14. Then the sera were examined for anti Toxocara canis antibodies using commercial ELISA kit. RESULTS: From 427 children, 196 (45.9%) were female and 231(54.1%) were male. 107(25.1%) were from rural and 320 (74.9%) were from urban area. Of them 129 (30.2%) were contacted with dog. One child (0.2%) had hypereosinophilia, 33 (7.7%) eosinophlia, and 6 (1.39%) were positive for T. canis IgG (two male and four female). Four of infected children with T. canis were from urban (1.25%) and two from rural areas (1.9%). There was no significant correlation between education of parents, gender, age, place of living and contact with dog with ELISA results test. CONCLUSION: Toxocariasis is prevalent in the children of Isfahan region. Results suggest a low Toxocara exposure in children in this area. Therefore, more risk factors associated with Toxocara exposure should be identified in the further investigatio

2003年バム地震による建物の被害の調査と解析

A brief statistical assessment of the seismic vulnerability of buildings in Iran is carried out. Based on the results, Iran is concluded to be one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to earthquake. A post-earthquake building damage survey was performed in Bam city, Iran, after the catastrophic earthquake of Dec. 26, 2003. Subsequently, studies were carried out on the building damage data collected. Based on the results, adobe and masonry buildings, which are the major types of structure in Bam city, were found to have suffered the highest level of damage. Reinforced concrete buildings infilled with masonry walls and masonry buildings with reinforced concrete ties, however, were structures with very low levels of damage. 624 buildings were evaluated using the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS). The results show that the low earthquake resistance of buildings in Bam city is the main reason for the high level of damage. Furthermore, macroseismic intensities are estimated for the Bam region based on the MSK scale for vulnerability class B

Potential of Acid-Activated Bentonite and SO3H-Functionalized MWCNTs for Biodiesel Production From Residual Olive Oil Under Biorefinery Scheme

Application of acid-activated bentonite and SO3H-functionlized multiwall carbon nanotubes (SO3H-MWCNTs) for lowering free fatty acids (FFAs) content of low-quality residual olive oil, prior to alkali-catalyzed transesterification was investigated. The used bentonite was first characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and was subsequently activated by different concentrations of H2SO4 (3, 5, and 10 N). Specific surface area of the original bentonite was measured by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) method at 45 m2/g and was best improved after 5 N-acid activation (95–98°C, 2 h) reaching 68 m2/g. MWCNTs was synthesized through methane decomposition (Co-Mo/MgO catalyst, 900°C) during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. After two acid-purification (HCl, HNO3) and two deionized-water-neutralization steps, SO3H was grafted on MWCNTs (concentrated H2SO4, 110°C for 3 h) and again neutralized with deionized water and then dried. The synthesized SO3H-MWCNTs were analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The activated bentonite and SO3H-MWCNTs were utilized (5 wt.% and 3 wt.%, respectively), as solid catalysts in esterification reaction (62°C, 450 rpm; 15:1 and 12:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, 27 h and 8 h, respectively), to convert FFAs to their corresponding methyl esters. The results obtained revealed an FFA to methyl ester conversion of about 67% for the activated bentonite and 65% for the SO3H-MWCNTs. More specifically, the acid value of the residual olive oil was decreased significantly from 2.5 to 0.85 and 0.89 mg KOH/g using activated bentonite and SO3H-MWCNTs, respectively. The total FFAs in the residual olive oil after esterification was below 0.5%, which was appropriate for efficient alkaline-transesterification reaction. Both catalysts can effectively pretreat low-quality oil feedstock for sustainable biodiesel production under a biorefinery scheme. Overall, the acid-activate bentonite was found more convenient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly than the SO3H-MWCNTs

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous and Open Surgery Approaches in The Animal Model of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha-Induced Disc Degeneration

Objective: Animal models provide a deeper understanding about various complications and better demonstratethe effect of therapeutic approaches. One of the issues in the low back pain (LBP) model is the invasiveness ofthe procedure and it does not mimic actual disease conditions in humans. The purpose of the present study wasto compare the ultrasound-guided (US-guided) percutaneous approach with the open-surgery method in the tumornecrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced disc degeneration model for the first time to showcase the advantages of thisrecently developed, minimally invasive method.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, eight male rabbits were divided into two groups (open-surgery andUS-guided). Relevant discs were punctured by two approaches and TNF-α was injected into them. Magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI) was performed to assess the disc height index (DHI) at all stages. Also morphological changes (annulusfibrosus, nucleus pulposus) were evaluated by assessing Pfirrmann grade and histological evaluation (Hematoxylin &Eosin).Results: The findings indicated targeted discs became degenerated after six weeks. DHI in both groups was significantlyreduced (P<0.0001), however the difference was not significant between the two groups. In the open-surgery group,osteophyte formation was seen at six and eighteen weeks after the puncture. Pfirrmann grading revealed significantdifferences between injured and adjacent uninjured discs (P<0.0001). The US-guided method indicated significantlyfewer signs of degeneration after six (P=0.0110) and eighteen (P=0.0328) weeks. Histological scoring showedsignificantly lower degeneration in the US-guided group (P=0.0039).Conclusion: The US-guided method developed a milder grade condition and such a model better mimics the chroniccharacteristics of LBP and the procedure is more ethically accepted. Therefore, the US-guided method could be a meritapproach for future research in this domain as a safe, practical and low-cost method

Hybrid fire testing for assessing performance of structures in fire\u2014application

This paper presents the results for application and implementation of the hybrid fire testing (HFT) approach, developed previously for performance assessment of the structure in fire. The HFT carried out by means of both computer simulation and experimentation using the National Research Council Canada's (NRC) testing facilities in Ottawa. The test specimen was a full-scale 6-storey building structure with a fire compartment scenario on the main floor of the building. Using the HFT, the column in the designated fire compartment was exposed to the fire in a column furnace and the rest of the building was simulated using a numerical modeling, simultaneously. The methodology of the HFT and its numerical verifications were developed and described in a previous paper. This paper includes application of the HFT and some of results for fire structural performance of the whole 6-storey building. It also includes results of a separate, benchmark, column specimen with identical specifications, tested in fire using the traditional prescriptive fire resistance test method. The HFT was carried out successfully. The results indicated that the hybrid fire testing method would provide more realistic fire endurance evaluation than the prescriptive method due to including the effects from the rest of the building on the column specimen during the test.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye