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One DOF mechanism for the mechanical harvest of vines in an arbor structure and the validation of the acceleration of grape berry harvesting

Osvaldo PENISI,José BOCCA,Horacio AGUILAR,Pedro BOCCA

Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering 2015, Volume 10, Issue 3,   Pages 221-232 doi: 10.1007/s11465-015-0347-9

Abstract:

In the mechanized harvest of vines, grape berries are detached through the vibration to the structure supporting the clusters. According to the kind of guide selected, the clusters require one or two vibration directions in the structure. For guiding in parral structures, vibration is necessary in two directions or planes: One perpendicular to the other. The guide branches producing the clusters develop in these planes, and the guiding is called H-guiding. Mechanism theory indicates that a mechanism has as many degrees of freedom as its actuators, and an actuator is needed to achieve a certain vibration. Having the smallest number of possible actuators is beneficial in reducing moving parts and achieving more compact and easily controllable mecha-nisms. In this case, a single degree-of-freedom mechanism is proposed. It is capable of generating vibrations on two planes: One perpendicular to the other. This mechanism is the sum of two link mechanisms on perpendicular planes with a common outlet located at the output rod of the mechanism where the actuator is found. As the distance between the soil and the elements containing the clusters is not constant, a system has been designed to measure the accelerations at the bars and the rocker to validate the acceleration values that detach the grape berries in a prototype in a lab experiment, to ensure that the acceleration needed for pulling the grape berries are produced at any contact point of the bar.

Keywords: harvest     mechanisms     one DOF     vibration    

Availability of wind energy resource potential for power generation at Jos, Nigeria

O. O. Ajayi, R. O. Fagbenle, J. Katende, J. O. Okeniyi

Frontiers in Energy 2011, Volume 5, Issue 4,   Pages 376-385 doi: 10.1007/s11708-011-0167-5

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the potential viability of the wind resource potential in JosThe outcome showed that Jos was suitable as a site for wind farm projects of varying sizes and that MW

Keywords: green electricity     renewable resources     Weibull statistics     Jos     Nigeria    

Synthesis of hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural from hardwood and softwood pulp using ferric sulphate as catalyst

Agneev Mukherjee, Guillermo Portillo-Perez, Marie-Josée Dumont

Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering 2019, Volume 13, Issue 3,   Pages 531-542 doi: 10.1007/s11705-019-1814-3

Abstract: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural are promising chemicals for the creation of a bio-based economy. The development of an inexpensive catalytic system for converting cellulosic biomass into these chemicals is an important step in this regard. Ferric sulphate is a common, cheap and non-toxic Lewis acid that has been used to catalyse reactions such as wood depolymerisation. In this work, ferric sulphate was used to help the production of HMF and furfural from hardwood and softwood pulps. It was found that for hardwood pulp, the use of ferric sulphate alone gave a maximum HMF yield of 31.6 mol-%. The addition of the ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl or HCl as co-catalysts did not lead to an increase in the yields obtained. A prior decationisation step, however, resulted in HMF yields of 50.4 mol-%. Softwood pulp was harder to depolymerise than hardwood, with a yield of 28.7% obtained using ferric sulphate alone. The maximum HMF yield from softwood, 37.9 mol-%, was obtained using a combination of ferric sulphate and dilute HCl. It was thus concluded that ferric sulphate is a promising catalyst for HMF synthesis from cellulosic biomass.

Keywords: 5-hydroxymethylfurfural     hardwood     softwood     ferric sulphate     biorefinery    

Vacuum promotes metabolic shifts and increases biogenic hydrogen production in dark fermentation systems

DÍAZ,José L. SANZ

Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering 2016, Volume 10, Issue 3,   Pages 513-521 doi: 10.1007/s11783-015-0777-y

Abstract: The successful operation of any type of hydrogen-producing bioreactor depends on the performance of the microorganisms present in the system. Both substrate and partial gas pressures are crucial factors affecting dark fermentation metabolic pathways. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of both factors on hydrogen production using anaerobic granular sludge as inoculum and, secondly, to study the metabolic shifts of an anaerobic community subjected to low partial gas pressures. With this goal in mind, seven different wastewater (four synthetic media, two industrial wastewater, and one domestic effluent) and the effect of applying vacuum on the systems were analyzed. The application of vacuum promoted an increase in the diversity of hydrogen-producing bacteria, such as , and promoted the dominance of acetoclastic- over hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The application of different media promoted a wide variety of metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, reduction of the hydrogen partial pressure by application of vacuum lead to further oxidation of reaction intermediates irrespective of the medium used, which resulted in higher hydrogen and methane production, and improved the COD removal. Interestingly, vacuum greatly promoted biogenic hydrogen production from a real wastewater, which opens possibilities for future application of dark fermentation systems to enhance biohydrogen yields.

Keywords: dark fermentation     biohydrogen     wastewaters     vacuum    

Analysis of foundation sliding of an arch dam considering the hydromechanical behavior

Maria Luísa Braga FARINHA, José Vieira de LEMOS, Emanuel MARANHA DAS NEVES

Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering 2012, Volume 6, Issue 1,   Pages 35-43 doi: 10.1007/s11709-012-0142-1

Abstract: This paper presents the application of a methodology which can be used to assess arch dam foundation stability, using the discrete element method (DEM) and the code 3DEC. A global three-dimensional model of a dam foundation was developed, in which some discontinuities were simulated and both the grout and drainage curtains were represented. The model, calibrated taking into account recorded data, was used to carry out nonlinear mechanical analysis. The same model was employed to perform a hydraulic analysis, based on equivalent continuum concepts, which allowed the water pressure pattern within the foundation to be obtained. These water pressures were applied on discontinuities involved in the possible sliding mechanism along the dam/foundation interface, and the safety of the dam/foundation system was evaluated using a process of reduction of strength characteristics, with the aim of calculating the minimum safety factors that ensure stability. Results were compared with those obtained with the usual bi-linear uplift pressure distribution at the base of the dam, commonly used in concrete dam design. The relevance of carrying out hydraulic analysis in arch dam foundation failure studies is highlighted.

Keywords: concrete dams     rock foundations     hydromechanical behavior     failure analysis    

Stochastic Earned Duration Analysis for Project Schedule Management Review

Fernando Acebes,David Poza,José Manuel González-Varona,Adolfo López-Paredes

Engineering 2022, Volume 9, Issue 2,   Pages 148-162 doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.07.019

Abstract:

Earned duration management (EDM) is a methodology for project schedule management (PSM) that can be considered an alternative to earned value management (EVM). EDM provides an estimation of deviations in schedule and a final project duration estimation. There is a key difference between EDM and EVM: In EDM, the value of activities is expressed as work periods; whereas in EVM, value is expressed in terms of cost. In this paper, we present how EDM can be applied to monitor and control stochastic projects. To explain the methodology, we use a real case study with a project that presents a high level of uncertainty and activities with random durations. We analyze the usability of this approach according to the activities network topology and compare the EVM and earned schedule methodology (ESM) for PSM.

Keywords: Earned duration management     Earned value management     Stochastic project control     Duration forecasting     Uncertainty    

Optimization of pretreatment of Jatropha oil with high free fatty acids for biodiesel production

Supriyono SUWITO, Giuliano DRAGONE, Hary SULISTYO, Bardi MURACHMAN, Suryo PURWONO, José TEIXEIRA

Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering 2012, Volume 6, Issue 2,   Pages 210-215 doi: 10.1007/s11705-012-1282-5

Abstract: A central composite rotatable design and response surface methodology were used in order to investigate the individual and combined effects of the ethanol-to-oil ratio, H SO concentration, temperature and time of reaction on the reduction of free fatty acid (FFA) in jatropha oil. A quadratic polynomial model relating the reaction variables with FFA reduction was developed, presenting a good coefficient of determination ( = 0.893). For reducing FFA to less than 1%, the optimal combination was found to be 0.62 v·v ethanol-to-oil ratio (14.9 v·v ethanol-to-FFA ratio), 1.7% v·v H SO concentration, and 79 min reaction time at a reaction temperature of 54°C. These results are of great relevance to maximize methyl esters formation by transesterification using an alkaline catalyst.

Keywords: biodiesel     biofuel     esterification     free fatty acids     jatropha curcas oil    

Modelling and diagnostics of multiple cathodes plasma torch system for plasma spraying

Nazlim BAGCIVAN, Lidong ZHAO, Ivica PETKOVIC, Jochen SCHEIN, Karsten HARTZ-BEHREND, Stefan KIRNER, José-Luis

Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering 2011, Volume 6, Issue 3,   Pages 324-331 doi: 10.1007/s11465-011-0125-2

Abstract:

Usage of a multiple-arcs system has significantly improved process stability and coating properties in air plasma spraying. However, there are still demands on understanding and controlling the physical process to determine process conditions for reproducible coating quality and homogeneity of coating microstructure. The main goal of this work is the application of numerical simulation for the prediction of the temperature profiles at the torch outlet for real process conditions. Behaviour of the gas flow and electric arcs were described in a three-dimensional numerical model. The calculated results showed the characteristic triangular temperature distribution at the torch nozzle outlet caused by three electric arcs. These results were compared with experimentally determined temperature distributions, which were obtained with specially developed computed tomography equipment for reconstructing the emissivity and temperature distribution of the plasma jet close to the torch exit. The calculated results related to temperature values and contours were verified for the most process parameters with experimental ones.

Keywords: plasma spraying     electric arc     three-cathode plasma torch     numerical simulation     computed tomography    

A multi-integrated approach on toxicity effects of engineered TiO

DINIZ,Joana LOURENÇO,Isabel PERES,Luisa CASTRO,José Brito CORREIA,Joana PEREIRA,Isabel FERREIRA,António

Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering 2015, Volume 9, Issue 5,   Pages 793-803 doi: 10.1007/s11783-015-0775-0

Abstract: The new properties of engineered nanoparticles drive the need for new knowledge on the safety, fate, behavior and biologic effects of these particles on organisms and ecosystems. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been used extensively for a wide range of applications, e.g, self-cleaning surface coatings, solar cells, water treatment agents, topical sunscreens. Within this scenario increased environmental exposure can be expected but data on the ecotoxicological evaluation of nanoparticles are still scarce. The main purpose of this work was the evaluation of effects of TiO nanoparticles in several organisms, covering different trophic levels, using a battery of aquatic assays. Using fish as a vertebrate model organism tissue histological and ultrastructural observations and the stress enzyme activity were also studied. TiO nanoparticles (Aeroxide® P25), two phase composition of anatase (65%) and rutile (35%) with an average particle size value of 27.6±11 nm were used. Results on the EC for the tested aquatic organisms showed toxicity for the bacteria, the algae and the crustacean, being the algae the most sensitive tested organism. The aquatic plant showed no effect on growth. The fish showed no effect on a 21 day survival test, though at a biochemical level the cytosolic Glutathione-S-Transferase total activity, in intestines, showed a general significant decrease ( <0.05) after 14 days of exposure for all tested concentrations. The presence of TiO nanoparticles aggregates were observed in the intestine lumen but their internalization by intestine cells could not be confirmed.

Keywords: ecotoxicity     enzymatic analysis     histology     transmission electron microscopy (TEM)     TiO2-nanoparticles    

Non-thermal plasma for exhaust gases treatment

,José HUERTAS C.,Hilda FRÍAS P.

Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering 2015, Volume 10, Issue 3,   Pages 301-305 doi: 10.1007/s11465-015-0344-z

Abstract:

This article describes a study on a non-thermal plasma device to treat exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. Several tests using a plasma device to treat exhaust gases are conducted on a Honda GX200-196 cm3 engine at different rotational speeds. A plasma reactor could be efficient in degrading nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Monoxide and carbon dioxide treatment is minimal. However, achieving 1%–3% degradation may be interesting to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Keywords: plasma treatment     NOx     CO     CO2     particulate matter     vehicle    

LAND-USE INTENSIFICATION TRENDS IN THE RIO DE LA PLATA REGION OF SOUTH AMERICA: TOWARD SPECIALIZATION OR RECOUPLING CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Paulo César DE FACCIO CARVALHO, Jean Víctor SAVIAN, Tomas DELLA CHIESA, William DE SOUZA FILHO, José

Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering 2021, Volume 8, Issue 1,   Pages 97-110 doi: 10.15302/J-FASE-2020380

Abstract: The Rio de la Plata region comprises central Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. Modern agriculture developed around 1900 with recent decades being characterized by the advance of cropping areas over native grasslands. Highly specialized agriculture has decoupled crop and livestock production but has succeeded in intensifying yields. However, significant losses of ecosystem services have been reported. Thus, questions have been raised on the sustainability of this pathway. A glance at world regions that have experienced similar trends suggests that an urgent course correction is needed. A major concern has been the lack of diversity in regions with highly specialized agriculture, promoting renewed interest in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS), not only because ICLS are more diverse than specialized systems, but also because they are rare examples of reconciliation between agroecosystem intensification and environmental quality. Consequently, this paper discusses alternatives to redesign multifunctional landscapes based on ICLS. Recent data provide evidence that recoupling crop and animal production increases the resilience of nutrient cycling functions and economic indicators to external stressors, enabling these systems to face climate-market uncertainty and reconcile food production with the provision of diverse ecosystem services. Finally, these concepts are exemplified in case studies where this perspective has been successfully applied.

Keywords: grazing     integrated crop-livestock systems     mixed crops-livestock     Pampa    

Multi-camera systems for rehabilitation therapies: a study of the precision of MicrosoftKinect sensors Project partially supported by Spanish Ministerio de Economíay Competitividad/FEDER (Nos. TIN2012-34003 and TIN2013-47074-C2-1-R) and FPU Scholarship (FPU13/03141) from the Spanish Government A preliminary version was presented at the 13th International Conference on Practical Applications of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, June 3–4, 2015, Spain

Miguel OLIVER,Francisco MONTERO,José Pascual MOLINA,Pascual GONZÁLEZ,Antonio FERNÁNDEZ-CABALLERO

Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering 2016, Volume 17, Issue 4,   Pages 348-364 doi: 10.1631/FITEE.1500347

Abstract: This paper seeks to determine how the overlap of several infrared beams affects the tracked position of the user, depending on the angle of incidence of light, distance to the target, distance between sensors, and the number of capture devices used. We also try to show that under ideal conditions using several Kinect sensors increases the precision of the data collected. The results obtained can be used in the design of telerehabilitation environments in which several RGB-D cameras are needed to improve precision or increase the tracking range. A numerical analysis of the results is included and comparisons are made with the results of other studies. Finally, we describe a system that implements intelligent methods for the rehabilitation of patients based on the results of the tests carried out.

Keywords: Kinect sensor     Rehabilitation system     Capture precision     Multi-camera system    

Multiplexed Biosensing Diagnostic Platforms Detecting Autoantibodies to Tumor-Associated Antigens from Exosomes Released by CRC Cells and Tissue Samples Showed High Diagnostic Ability for Colorectal Cancer Article

Ignacio Casal, Gemma Domínguez, Ana Guzman-Aranguez, Alberto Peláez-García, José Manuel Pingarrón, Susana

Engineering 2021, Volume 7, Issue 10,   Pages 1393-1412 doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.04.026

Abstract:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. The 5-year survival rate of CRC patients depends on the stage at diagnosis, being higher than 80% when CRC is diagnosed in the early stages but lower than 10% when CRC is diagnosed in advanced stages. Autoantibodies against specific CRC autoantigens (tumor-associated antigens (TAAs)) in the sera of patients have been widely demonstrated to aid in early diagnosis. Thus, we herein aim to identify autoantigens target of autoantibodies specific to CRC that possess a significant ability to discriminate between CRC patients and healthy individuals by means of liquid biopsy. To that end, we examined the protein content of the exosomes released by five CRC cell lines and tissue samples from CRC patients by means of immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 103 proteins were identified as potential autoantigens specific to CRC. After bioinformatics and meta-analysis, we selected 15 proteins that are more likely to be actual CRC autoantigens in order to evaluate their role in CRC prognosis by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). We found dysregulation at the protein level for 11 of these proteins in both tissue and plasma exosome samples from patients, along with an association of nine of these proteins with CRC prognosis. After validation, all but one showed a statistically significant high diagnostic ability to distinguish CRC patients and individuals with premalignant lesions from healthy individuals, either by luminescence Halotag-based beads, or by a multiplexed biosensing platform involving the use of magnetic microcarriers as solid support modified with covalently immobilized Halotag fusion proteins constructed for CRC detection. Taken together, our results highlight the usefulness of the approach defined here to identify the TAAs specific to chronic diseases; they also demonstrate that the measurement of autoantibody levels in plasma against the TAAs identified here could be integrated into a point-of-care (POC) device for CRC detection with high diagnostic ability.

Keywords: Autoantibodies     Diagnosis     Colorectal cancer     Exosomes     Tumor microenviroment     Humoral immune response     Point of care     Biosensors    

Title Author Date Type Operation

One DOF mechanism for the mechanical harvest of vines in an arbor structure and the validation of the acceleration of grape berry harvesting

Osvaldo PENISI,José BOCCA,Horacio AGUILAR,Pedro BOCCA

Journal Article

Availability of wind energy resource potential for power generation at Jos, Nigeria

O. O. Ajayi, R. O. Fagbenle, J. Katende, J. O. Okeniyi

Journal Article

Synthesis of hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural from hardwood and softwood pulp using ferric sulphate as catalyst

Agneev Mukherjee, Guillermo Portillo-Perez, Marie-Josée Dumont

Journal Article

Vacuum promotes metabolic shifts and increases biogenic hydrogen production in dark fermentation systems

DÍAZ,José L. SANZ

Journal Article

Analysis of foundation sliding of an arch dam considering the hydromechanical behavior

Maria Luísa Braga FARINHA, José Vieira de LEMOS, Emanuel MARANHA DAS NEVES

Journal Article

Stochastic Earned Duration Analysis for Project Schedule Management

Fernando Acebes,David Poza,José Manuel González-Varona,Adolfo López-Paredes

Journal Article

Optimization of pretreatment of Jatropha oil with high free fatty acids for biodiesel production

Supriyono SUWITO, Giuliano DRAGONE, Hary SULISTYO, Bardi MURACHMAN, Suryo PURWONO, José TEIXEIRA

Journal Article

Modelling and diagnostics of multiple cathodes plasma torch system for plasma spraying

Nazlim BAGCIVAN, Lidong ZHAO, Ivica PETKOVIC, Jochen SCHEIN, Karsten HARTZ-BEHREND, Stefan KIRNER, José-Luis

Journal Article

A multi-integrated approach on toxicity effects of engineered TiO

DINIZ,Joana LOURENÇO,Isabel PERES,Luisa CASTRO,José Brito CORREIA,Joana PEREIRA,Isabel FERREIRA,António

Journal Article

Non-thermal plasma for exhaust gases treatment

,José HUERTAS C.,Hilda FRÍAS P.

Journal Article

LAND-USE INTENSIFICATION TRENDS IN THE RIO DE LA PLATA REGION OF SOUTH AMERICA: TOWARD SPECIALIZATION OR RECOUPLING CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Paulo César DE FACCIO CARVALHO, Jean Víctor SAVIAN, Tomas DELLA CHIESA, William DE SOUZA FILHO, José

Journal Article

Multi-camera systems for rehabilitation therapies: a study of the precision of MicrosoftKinect sensors Project partially supported by Spanish Ministerio de Economíay Competitividad/FEDER (Nos. TIN2012-34003 and TIN2013-47074-C2-1-R) and FPU Scholarship (FPU13/03141) from the Spanish Government A preliminary version was presented at the 13th International Conference on Practical Applications of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, June 3–4, 2015, Spain

Miguel OLIVER,Francisco MONTERO,José Pascual MOLINA,Pascual GONZÁLEZ,Antonio FERNÁNDEZ-CABALLERO

Journal Article

Multiplexed Biosensing Diagnostic Platforms Detecting Autoantibodies to Tumor-Associated Antigens from Exosomes Released by CRC Cells and Tissue Samples Showed High Diagnostic Ability for Colorectal Cancer

Ignacio Casal, Gemma Domínguez, Ana Guzman-Aranguez, Alberto Peláez-García, José Manuel Pingarrón, Susana

Journal Article