A multiobjective GRASP–VND algorithm to solve the waste collection problem

In this paper, the waste collection problem (WCP) of a city in the south of Spain is addressed as a multiobjective routing problem that considers three objectives. From the company's perspective, the minimization of the travel cost is desired as well as that of the total number of vehicles. Additionally, from the employee's point of view, a set of balanced routes is also sought. Four variants of a multiobjective hybrid algorithm are proposed. Specifically, a GRASP (greedy randomized adaptive search procedure) with a VND (variable neighborhood descent) is combined. The best GRASP–VND algorithm found is applied in order to solve the real‐world WCP of a city in the south of Spain.     

In-plane shear behaviour of thin low reinforced concrete panels for earthquake re-construction

Low reinforced thin concrete panels have been used for the re-construction of living buildings in the devastated zone of L’Aquila. A structural characterization of these types of panels is presented in this paper, paying particular attention to the fact that these panels are subjected mainly to shear forces. Refined compression-field theory (RCFT) has recently been proposed in order to better predict the behaviour of reinforced concrete members subjected to in-plane shear and axial stresses. This theory is based on continuum mechanics, i.e. satisfying compatibility, equilibrium and formulating the constitutive equations in terms of average (i.e. “smeared”) stresses and strains. The improvement of RCFT in comparison with the two most famous theories for reinforced concrete member subjected to shear [i.e. the modified compression-field theory (MCFT), and the rotating-angle softened-truss model (RA-STM)], deals with an embedded bar model based on the tension stiffening model in concrete. After an ad-hoc calibration procedure, the RCFT is employed in order to reproduce the envelope of the experimental load-deflection response of three full-scale thin low reinforced concrete panels subjected to cyclic loading. The predictions provided by RCFT are compared with the experimental data as well as with those provided by MCFT and RA-STM. This paper presents the necessary parameters for the design of thin low reinforced concrete panels using the RCFT. The preliminary numerical validations seem very promising. However, additional experimental data are required for calibrating and validating the parameters of the proposed RCFT theory.     

ZnO@Ni foam photoelectrode modified with heteroatom doped graphitic carbon for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting under solar light

In this study, an electrocatalyticaly inactive ZnO@Ni foam photoelectrode was modified with heteroatom doped graphitic carbon to achieve enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance. The O, S and N doped graphitic carbon was simultaneously deposited with ZnO on Ni foam substrate under hydrothermal deposition. One dimensional ZnO nanorods with flower-like graphitic carbon on their surface were obtained on the Ni foam substrate, which was directly used as photoelectrode to derive photoelectrochemical water splitting under solar light irradiation. The pristine ZnO@NF exhibit unattractive PEC performance evidenced by the high overpotential required for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) couple of water splitting reaction (398 mV vs. RHE). The carbon modified ZnO–C@NF photoelectrode lowers the overpotential required to 317 mV. This enhancement was attributed to the carbon modification which serves as both active site and photoelectron reservoir; facilitating the sluggish kinetics of OER couple reaction and promoting separation of photogenerated charge carriers.     

Analyzing locality over a P2P computing architecture

A characteristic of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) computing networks is their huge number of different computational resources scattered across the Internet. Gathering peers into markets according to their multi-attribute computational resources makes it easier to manage these environments. This solution is known as market overlay. In this context, the closeness of the markets with similar resources, known as locality, is a key feature for ensuring good P2P resource management. Thus, the locality feature over a market overlay allows a lack of resources in a given market to be compensated quickly by any other market with similar resources, whenever these are close to each other. Consequently, locality becomes an essential challenge.This paper addresses the analysis of the locality of P2P market over-lays. According to this, a new procedure for measuring locality is applied together with an extensive analysis of some well-known structured P2P overlays. Based on this analysis, a new P2P computing architecture, named DisCoP, oriented towards optimizing locality is proposed. Our proposal gathers the peers into markets according to their computational resources. A Hilbert function is used to arrange multi-attribute markets in an ordered and mono-dimensional space and the markets are linked by means of a Bruijn graph. In order to maintain the DisCoP locality whenever the overlay is not completed, a solution based on the virtualization of markets is also proposed. Finally, the DisCoP locality is tested together with the proposed virtualization method for approximate searches over uncompleted overlays. The simulation results show that approximate searches exploit the DisCoP locality efficiently.     

A Box–Behnken Design-Based Model for Predicting Power Performance in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Wastewater

Although modeling is regarded as a useful tool to understand the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), the number of MFC models remains very low compared with the number of experimental works available in the literature. Moreover, there are very few MFC modeling attempts dealing with the use of wastewater as fuel in these devices, which is essential for the practical implementation of MFCs since the potential of this technology lies in the two-fold benefit of wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation. In this work, a four-factor three-level Box–Behnken design was developed to model the electrochemical power generation in two-chamber MFCs using wastewater as fuel. The optimum values of temperature, external resistance, feed concentration and anodic pH that maximized power output were investigated. Optimum conditions were found at T = 35°C and R = 1 kΩ, corresponding to a maximum power density of 0.88 W·m^?3, while feed concentration and pH did not show statistical significance in the ranges studied. Thus, a Box–Behnken design-based model as empirical approach could provide an effective tool for the optimization study of MFC systems.     

Invited review: Potential antiobesity effect of fermented dairy products

The growing prevalence of obesity affects millions of people around the world and has gained increased attention over the years because it is associated with the development of other chronic degenerative diseases. Different organizations recommend lifestyle changes to treat obesity; nevertheless, other strategies in addition to lifestyle changes have recently been suggested. One of these strategies is the use of probiotics in fermented dairy products; however, a need exists to review the different studies available related to the potential antiobesity effect of these products. Because probiotic fermented dairy products that support weight management are not available in the market, there is a great opportunity for the development of functional dairy products with new lactic acid bacteria that may present this added health benefit. Thus, the purpose of this overview is to highlight the importance of probiotic fermented dairy products as potential antiobesogenic functional foods and present in vitro and in vivo studies required before this kind of product may be introduced to the market. Overall, most studies attributed the antiobesity effect of fermented dairy foods to the probiotic strains present; however, bioactive peptides released during milk fermentation may also be responsible for this effect.     

“Arbequina” Olive Oil Composition Is Affected by the Application of Regulated Deficit Irrigation during Pit Hardening Stage

Three new regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments were applied to “Arbequina” olive orchards during pit hardening. Oil quality was determined by measuring analytical parameters for olive oil grading, antioxidant activity, total phenol content, fatty acid profile, volatile compounds profile, and sensory analysis. Oils from RDI were classified as “extra virgin olive oil” and their quality was improved due to their higher antioxidant potential (ABTS⁺ [increased ~75%] and DPPH^˙ [increased ~25%] assays) and phenols (increased ~53%) than control. Concentration of total volatile compounds decreased (~27%) but RDI olive oils showed a more balanced profile (alcohols, aldehydes, and esters). Monounsaturated fatty acid content increased (~5%) and atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes decreased (~8.5%) in RDI olive oil. Regarding sensory analysis, RDI provided more balanced oils with higher fruit aroma than control. Other benefits of RDI olive oil, when compared with oil from full irrigated orchards are reduced use of water and improved functional and sensory quality.