Robust multi-objective optimization of safety barriers performance parameters for NaTech scenarios risk assessment and management

Safety barriers are to be designed to bring the largest benefit in terms of accidental scenarios consequences mitigation at the most reasonable cost. In this paper, we formulate the problem of the identification of the optimal performance parameters of the barriers that can at the same time allow for the consequences mitigation of Natural Technological (NaTech) accidental scenarios at reasonable cost as a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) problem. The MOO is solved for a case study of literature, consisting in a chemical facility composed by three tanks filled with flammable substances and equipped with six safety barriers (active, passive and procedural), exposed to NaTech scenarios triggered by either severe floods or earthquakes. The performance of the barriers is evaluated by a phenomenological dynamic model that mimics the realistic response of the system. The uncertainty of the relevant parameters of the model (i.e., the response time of active and procedural barriers and the effectiveness of the barriers) is accounted for in the optimization, to provide robust solutions. Results for this case study suggest that the NaTech risk is optimally managed by improving the performances of four-out-of-six barriers (three active and one passive). Practical guidelines are provided to retrofit the safety barriers design

Uniformizing (proximal) Δ-topologies

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A Method to Discriminate Between the Candida stellata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Mixed Fermentation on WLD and Lysine Agar Media

This paper presents a simple method to distinguish between Candida stellata and Saccharomyces cerevisiaeyeasts during microbiological analyses. The method is based on differential yeast growth on a mediumcontaining cycloheximide and a medium containing lysine as only nitrogen source (lysine agar). Thecycloheximide resistance of 45 yeast strains belonging to Candida stellata, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniasporaguilliermondii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Torulaspora delbrueckii, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Kluyveromycesthermotolerans and Zygoascus hellenicus, and 14 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomycesbayanus on WL nutrient agar, was assayed. Cycloheximide resistance is characteristic of the species H. uvarum,H. guilliermondii and Z. hellenicus, while for the other yeasts it depends on the strain and the concentrationof cycloheximide used. Two mg/L of cycloheximide allows selective counting of a strain of C. stellata (Cs3)compared to one of the sensitive S. cerevisiae strain (NDA21). Similar results can be obtained on lysine agar,but counts are reliable only with the additional spreading of a monolayer of Saccharomyces cells. The differentcycloheximide resistance of C. stellata and S. cerevisiae can be used in the microbiological analysis of mixedcultures to monitor the individual growth of the two yeast species. This method can be applied to the studyof mixed fermentations with other non-Saccharomyces species. The modified use of lysine agar is useful to acertain extent in the distinction of multistarter yeasts from the indigenous yeasts

Enhancing airplane boarding procedure using vision based passenger classification

This paper presents the implementation of a new boarding strategy that exploits passenger and hand-luggage detection and classification to reduce the boarding time onto an airplane. A vision system has the main purpose of providing passengers data, in terms of agility coefficient and hand-luggage size to a seat assignment algorithm. The software is able to dynamically generate the passenger seat that reduces the overall boarding time while taking into account the current airplane boarding state. The motivation behind this work is to speed up of the passenger boarding using the proposed online procedure of seat assignment based on passenger and luggage classification. This method results in an enhancement of the boarding phase, in terms of both time and passenger experience. The main goal of this work is to demonstrate the usability of the proposed system in real conditions proving its performances in terms of reliability. Using a simple hardware and software setup, we performed several experiments recreating a gate entrance mock up and comparing the measurements with ground truth data to assess the reliability of the system

Response to measles, mumps and rubella (Mmr) vaccine in transfusion-dependent patients

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) still determine significant morbidity and mortality, although a highly effective vaccine is available. Postponing the MMR vaccination until 6 months after the last red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is recommended, but this delay is incompatible with chronic transfusions. The present study aimed at investigating the impact of blood transfusions on the immunogenicity of the MMR vaccine. In this observational study, a group of 45 transfusion-dependent (TD) patients was compared to 24 non-transfusion-dependent (NTD) patients. Immunity to measles was achieved in 35 (78%) TD and 21 (88%) NTD subjects (p = 0.7), to mumps in 36 (80%) TD and 21 (88%) NTD subjects (p = 0.99), and to rubella in 40 (89%) TD and 23 (96%) NTD subjects (p = 0.99). No significant difference was observed in the number of non-immune individuals or those with doubtful protection between the two groups (p > 0.05). The mean IgG value, assayed in 50 pre-storage leukoreduced RBC units, was 0.075 ± 0.064 mg/mL, ten times lower than the level assumed in blood units and considered detrimental to the immune response in TD patients. This work shows a favorable response to MMR vaccination in TD and NTDT patients and paves the way for further larger studies assessing the impact of chronic transfusions on vaccine response

Presence of Candida zemplinina in Sicilian Musts and Selection of a Strain for Wine Mixed Fermentations

The purpose of this work was to investigate the presence of C. zemplinina yeasts in Sicilian musts andgrapes and to identify strains of oenological interest. We report on the taxonomical reclassificationof Candida yeast isolates from Sicilian musts and on the selection of one strain of oenological interest(Cz3), based on mixed micro-fermentation experiments in sterile Nero d’Avola musts. Our results showthat Candida zemplinina is abundant in Sicilian grapes and musts, and that the Cz3 strain is suitablefor Candida zemplinina/Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixed fermentations. The higher glycerol content andthe lower ethanol level stood out as the most promising features of the wines obtained upon sequentialinoculation of the Cz3 and (S. cerevisiae) NDA21 yeast starters. We therefore have isolated a Sicilian Czstrain endowed with very promising features for the future development of mixed fermentation protocols