Optimal multi-floor process plant layout with production sections

This paper addresses the multi-floor process plant layout problem by developing four mixed integer linear programming (MILP) models. The problem involves decisions concerning the optimal spatial arrangement of process plant equipment and/or auxiliary units considering equipment connectivity, pumping and construction costs, and other factors. These considerations are extended to account for tall equipment items that span across floors and the availability of predefined production sections. The proposed models determine simultaneously the number of floors per section, floor areas per section, plot layout and site layout, and are applied to two case studies with up to 22 units and 6 production sections to demonstrate their applicability

An MILP model for safe multi-floor process plant layout using the domino hazard index

In this paper, an optimisation-based approach to obtain safe multi-floor process plant layout designs using the domino hazard index (a sub-index of the integrated inherent safety index) is presented. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed to obtain the economically optimal multi-floor layout design considering connection by pipes, horizontal and vertical pumping of process fluids, purchase of land, fixed and area-dependent construction of floors, the financial risk associated with hazardous events and their escalation potential, and the installation of passive protection devices. Hazardous events such as pool fires, jet fires, flash fires, fireballs and blast waves resulting from explosions are considered using a novel and more realistic estimation of safety distances between equipment items. A bi-objective optimisation problem is also considered, minimising the layout costs and the total domino hazard index values for the plant, adopting the ϵ-constraint method. The proposed model is then applied to an 11-unit case study susceptible to each of these hazardous events, obtaining results with the optimal layout and protection device configurations in a relatively short amount of time

The Impact of Interest Rate Spread on the Performance of Nigerian Banking Industry

This study examined the impact of interest rate spread on the performance of Nigerian banking industry for the period of 1986-2012. The study used OLS method of estimation to analyze the data generated from CBN statistical Bulletin and World Bank online data base. Testing for the properties of time-series, ADF test indicates that all the variables are integrated of same order I(1). The Co-integration test reviles that there exists a long-run relationship among the variables under consideration. The result shows that interest rate spread, negatively and significantly impact on bank performance in the long-run. Exchange rate and GDP was found to be positively and significantly affecting bank performance in Nigeria at the long-run. The result of the ECM indicates that 23.37 percent of the disequilibrium in the model will be corrected annually. Moreover at the short-run interest rate spread also negatively but insignificantly affect bank performance in Nigeria. Government should improve the macroeconomic environment by striving to develop the level of infrastructural facility in the country as well as reducing the level of insecurity in the country by cubing the menace of the Boko-Haram sect and that of Militancy in Nigeria. Therefore banks should not rely only on interest income if they must continue in business. Key Words: Interest Rate Spread, Bank Performance, Exchange Rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP

Effect of Iron Ore Tailing on the Properties of Concrete

Experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of iron ore tailing (IOT) as fine aggregate replacement of sand (RS) for concrete used for rigid pavement. The use of iron ore tailing (IOT) from Itakpe mines near Okene in north-central Kogi state of Nigeria will ensure economy in concrete production as well as a better way of disposing the tailing. Mix design was carried out for concrete of grade 35 using standard practice for selecting proportions for normal weight, and mass concrete [ACI 211.1-91, 1997]. The constituent materials were batched by weight. The mix with only sand as fine aggregate served as the control mix, while sand was replaced in the other mixes by 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% iron ore tailing (IOT). Consistency and Strength test were conducted on both concrete specimens. It was observed that concrete workability reduced with increase in the percentage of iron ore tailing in the mix. Twenty-eight (28) days compressive strength and indirect tensile strength values of 43.67N/mm2 and 2.69N/mm2 respectively, were obtained for concrete when 20% iron ore tailing (IOT) was used, Values comparable to 28days compressive strength and indirect tensile strength values of 45.02N/mm2 and 2.64N/mm2 respectively, obtained using only sand as fine aggregate. Keywords: concrete; sand (RS); iron ore tailing (IOT); compressive and tensile strength

The flip side of Cell Talk in Exercise: Cell Noise

The article makes an effort to study, assess, and bring additional depth to the concept of cell talk, crosstalk, and cell noise -highlighting molecular-level occurrences such as signaling activity that affect different metabolic processes, gene expression, and protein synthesis. It also establishes the idea of "cell noise," or "dysregulated cell signaling," which is defined as cell activity that may worsen or result in cellular injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation. There is abundant evidence that consistent, lifelong exercise extends lifespan and delays the onset of chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis. The aforementioned highlights the need for metered or regulated physical training that takes into account genetic and environmental variances among individuals. Everyone is advised to engage in structured, well-chosen workouts that will promote longevity of life and result in the human body functioning at its best. Keywords: Cell Talk in Exercise, Cell Noise DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-8-05 Publication date:May 31st 202

Proline Metabolism is Essential for Trypanosoma brucei brucei Survival in the Tsetse Vector

Adaptation to different nutritional environments is essential for life cycle completion by all Trypanosoma brucei sub-species. In the tsetse fly vector, L-proline is among the most abundant amino acids and is mainly used by the fly for lactation and to fuel flight muscle. The procyclic (insect) stage of T. b. brucei uses L-proline as its main carbon source, relying on an efficient catabolic pathway to convert it to glutamate, and then to succinate, acetate and alanine as the main secreted end products. Here we investigated the essentiality of an undisrupted proline catabolic pathway in T. b. brucei by studying mitochondrial Δ1-pyrroline-5- carboxylate dehydrogenase (TbP5CDH), which catalyzes the irreversible conversion of gamma-glutamate semialdehyde (γGS) into L-glutamate and NADH. In addition, we provided evidence for the absence of a functional proline biosynthetic pathway. TbP5CDH expression is developmentally regulated in the insect stages of the parasite, but absent in bloodstream forms grown in vitro. RNAi down-regulation of TbP5CDH severely affected the growth of procyclic trypanosomes in vitro in the absence of glucose, and altered the metabolic flux when proline was the sole carbon source. Furthermore, TbP5CDH knocked-down cells exhibited alterations in the mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨm), respiratory control ratio and ATP production. Also, changes in the proline-glutamate oxidative capacity slightly affected the surface expression of the major surface glycoprotein EP-procyclin. In the tsetse, TbP5CDH knocked-down cells were impaired and thus unable to colonize the fly's midgut, probably due to the lack of glucose between bloodmeals. Altogether, our data show that the regulated expression of the proline metabolism pathway in T. b. brucei allows this parasite to adapt to the nutritional environment of the tsetse midgut

Chemotherapy Synergizes with Radioimmunotherapy Targeting La Autoantigen in Tumors

To date, inefficient delivery of therapeutic doses of radionuclides to solid tumors limits the clinical utility of radioimmunotherapy. We aim to test the therapeutic utility of Yttrium-90 (90Y)-radio-conjugates of a monoclonal antibody, which we showed previously to bind specifically to the abundant intracellular La ribonucleoprotein revealed in dead tumor cells after DNA-damaging treatment. Methodology/Principal Findings: Immunoconjugates of the DAB4 clone of the La-specific monoclonal antibody, APOMAB®, were prepared using the metal chelator, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-​tetraacetic acid (DOTA), and then radiolabeled with 90Y. Mice bearing established subcutaneous tumors were treated with 90Y-DOTA-DAB4 alone or after chemotherapy. Non-radiosensitizing cyclophosphamide/etoposide chemotherapy was used for the syngeneic EL4 lymphoma model. Radiosensitizing cisplatin/gemcitabine chemotherapy was used for the syngeneic Lewis Lung carcinoma (LL2) model, and for the xenograft models of LNCaP prostatic carcinoma and Panc-1 pancreatic carcinoma. We demonstrate the safety, specificity, and efficacy of 90Y-DOTA-DAB4-radioimmunotherapy alone or combined with chemotherapy. EL4 lymphoma-bearing mice either were cured at higher doses of radioimmunotherapy alone or lower doses of radioimmunotherapy in synergy with chemotherapy. Radioimmunotherapy alone was less effective in chemo- and radio-resistant carcinoma models. However, radioimmunotherapy synergized with radiosensitizing chemotherapy to retard significantly tumor regrowth and so prolong the survival of mice bearing LL2, LNCaP, or Panc-1 subcutaneous tumor implants. Conclusions/Significance: We report proof-of-concept data supporting a unique form of radioimmunotherapy, which delivers bystander killing to viable cancer cells after targeting the universal cancer antigen, La, created by DNA-damaging treatment in neighboring dead cancer cells. Subsequently we propose that DAB4-targeted ionizing radiation induces additional cycles of tumor cell death, which further augments DAB4 binding to produce a tumor-lethal ‘genotoxic chain reaction’. Clinically, this approach may be useful as consolidation treatment after a drug-induced cell death among (small-volume) metastatic deposits, the commonest cause of cancer death. This article is part II of a two-part series providing proof-of-concept for the diagnostic and therapeutic use of the DAB4 clone of the La-specific monoclonal antibody, APOMAB®.Fares Al-Ejeh, Jocelyn M. Darby and Michael P. Brow

Prevalence and Direct Economic Losses from Bovine Tuberculosis in Makurdi, Nigeria

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and direct economic losses (DEL) from tuberculosis in cattle slaughtered in Makurdi abattoirs from 2008 to 2012, using abattoir records obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Out of 61654 cattle slaughtered during the study period 1172 (1.90%) were positive for tuberculosis lesions. The annual prevalence of bovine tuberculosis ranges from 0.90% in 2008 to 4.04% in 2012. There was significant (P<0.05) difference in annual prevalence of bovine tuberculosis. It was also observed that there was no seasonal difference in the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis. A total of 1935 affected organs by BTB weighing 3046.50 kg, amounting to 2.91 × 106 Naira (1.82 × 104 USD), were condemned within the study period. Seasonal variation in organ condemnation due to bovine tuberculosis was significantly different (Mann-Whitney U statistics = 774 × 103, P=0.034). It was concluded that bovine tuberculosis is prevalent in Makurdi and accounts for heavy economic losses due to condemnation of edible organs

SerpinB2 regulates stromal remodelling and local invasion in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has a devastating prognosis, with an overall 5-year survival rate of ~8%, restricted treatment options and characteristic molecular heterogeneity. SerpinB2 expression, particularly in the stromal compartment, is associated with reduced metastasis and prolonged survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and our genomic analysis revealed that SERPINB2 is frequently deleted in PDAC. We show that SerpinB2 is required by stromal cells for normal collagen remodelling in vitro, regulating fibroblast interaction and engagement with collagen in the contracting matrix. In a pancreatic cancer allograft model, co-injection of PDAC cancer cells and SerpinB2(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) resulted in increased tumour growth, aberrant remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and increased local invasion from the primary tumour. These tumours also displayed elevated proteolytic activity of the primary biochemical target of SerpinB2-urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). In a large cohort of patients with resected PDAC, we show that increasing uPA mRNA expression was significantly associated with poorer survival following pancreatectomy. This study establishes a novel role for SerpinB2 in the stromal compartment in PDAC invasion through regulation of stromal remodelling and highlights the SerpinB2/uPA axis for further investigation as a potential therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer