Evolutionary algorithms for multiobjective and multimodal optimization of diagnostic schemes

This paper addresses the optimization of noninvasive diagnostic schemes using evolutionary algorithms in medical applications based on the interpretation of biosignals. A general diagnostic methodology using a set of definable characteristics extracted from the biosignal source followed by the specific diagnostic scheme is presented. In this framework, multiobjective evolutionary algorithms are used to meet not only classification accuracy but also other objectives of medical interest, which can be conflicting. Furthermore, the use of both multimodal and multiobjective evolutionary optimization algorithms provides the medical specialist with different alternatives for configuring the diagnostic scheme. Some application examples of this methodology are described in the diagnosis of a specific cardiac disorder-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.     

Novel technologies for monitoring the in‐line quality of virgin olive oil during manufacturing and storage

The quality of virgin olive oil is related to the agronomic conditions of the olive fruits and the process variables of the production process. Nowadays, food markets demand better products in terms of safety, health and organoleptic properties with competitive prices. Innovative techniques for process control, inspection and classification have been developed in order to to achieve these requirements. This paper presents a review of the most significant sensing technologies which are increasingly used in the olive oil industry to supervise and control the virgin olive oil production process. Throughout the present work, the main research studies in the literature that employ non‐invasive technologies such as infrared spectroscopy, computer vision, machine olfaction technology, electronic tongues and dielectric spectroscopy are analysed and their main results and conclusions are presented. These technologies are used on olive fruit, olive slurry and olive oil to determine parameters such as acidity, peroxide indexes, ripening indexes, organoleptic properties and minor components, among others. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Pleiotrophin Deficiency Induces Browning of Periovarian Adipose Tissue and Protects against High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis

(1) Background: Pleiotrophin preserves insulin sensitivity, regulates adipose tissue lipid turnover and plasticity, energy metabolism and thermogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of pleiotrophin in hepatic lipid metabolism and in the metabolic crosstalk between the liver and brown and white adipose tissue (AT) in a high-fat diet-induced (HFD) obesity mice model. (2) Methods: We analyzed circulating variables, lipid metabolism (hepatic lipid content and mRNA expression), brown AT thermogenesis (UCP-1 expression) and periovarian AT browning (brown adipocyte markers mRNA and immunodetection) in Ptn^−/− mice either fed with standard-chow diet or with HFD and in their corresponding Ptn^+/+ counterparts. (3) Results: HFD-Ptn^−/− mice are protected against the development of HFD-induced insulin resistance, had lower liver lipid content and lower expression of the key enzymes involved in triacylglycerides and fatty acid synthesis in liver. HFD-Ptn^−/− mice showed higher UCP-1 expression in brown AT. Moreover, Ptn deletion increased the expression of specific markers of brown/beige adipocytes and was associated with the immunodetection of UCP-1 enriched multilocular adipocytes in periovarian AT. (4) Conclusions: Ptn deletion protects against the development of HFD-induced insulin resistance and liver steatosis, by increasing UCP-1 expression in brown AT and promoting periovarian AT browning.     

MASS TRANSFER WITH CHEMICAL REACTION IN PARTIALLY WETTED FLAT PLATE CATALYST PELLETS: RIVULET FLOW ANALYSIS

Mass transfer with chemical reaction is analyzed in a system formed by a flat plate solid catalyst, partially wetted by a flowing rivulet of a liquid in contact with a stagnant pure gas. The paper solves the fluid dynamic problem of the liquid phase first, and afterwards incorporates the mass transfer and the chemical reaction. The system is assumed to be isothermal and at steady state, with a first order kinetics whose limiting reactant is in the gas phase. This work studies the influence of the gas-liquid surface tension, the liquid reactant flow rate, the liquid viscosity and the angle of inclination of the solid, upon the wetting factor. The model proposed also predicts the effect of these parameters and the Thiele modulus on the overall effectiveness factor and the molar flux of the limiting gaseous reactant at the catalytic solid-liquid interface in a direct way. This approach makes the wetting factor a non-manipulated variable.