On the efficiency of quantization-based integration methods for building simulation

Models describing energy consumption, heating, and cooling of buildings usually impose difficulties to the numerical integration algorithms used to simulate them. Stiffness and the presence of frequent discontinuities are among the main causes of those difficulties, that become critical when the models grow in size. Quantized State Systems (QSS) methods are a family of numerical integration algorithms that can efficiently handle discontinuities and stiffness in large models. For this reason, they are promising candidates for overcoming the mentioned problems. Based on this observation, this article studies the performance of QSS methods in some systems that are relevant to the field of building simulation. The study includes a performance comparison of different QSS algorithms against state-of-the-art classic numerical solvers, showing that the former can be more than one order of magnitude faster.     

What do stakeholders think about knowledge transfer offices? The perspective of firms and research groups in a regional innovation system

Knowledge transfer offices (KTOs) are required to adopt a comprehensive approach to managing a broad set of channels of university–industry collaboration, including collaborative research, business services, exchange of human resources and informal relations within a regional innovation system. The perspectives of firms and academic researchers, the main stakeholders of KTOs, are useful complements to assess KTO activity. The goal of this article is to study the effectiveness that these stakeholders attribute to KTOs. Based on survey data collected in the Spanish region of Andalusia, the article explores stakeholders’ perceptions and determinants. The results show that the level of engagement in a diversified range of activities and the importance attributed to knowledge transfer in the strategy of both research groups and firms are the best predictors of the perceived effectiveness of KTOs. The article also underlines specific differences between the two types of stakeholders.     

Effect of the presence of ethyl lauroyl arginate on the technological properties of edible fish gelatin films

Physical, chemical and antimicrobial properties of fish gelatin films with different concentrations of ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE) were studied. Optical properties of film-forming solution did not vary with increased LAE content. However, pH and surface tension increased. The incorporation of LAE into the formulation increased moisture and solubility of the films. In addition, the presence of LAE affected mechanical properties, making films stronger and more flexible; it had no effect on water vapour permeability. Finally, films with LAE significantly increased antimicrobial properties against Listeria innocua, Shewanella putrefaciens and Pseudomonas fluorescens, but not against Aeromonas hydrophila. These antimicrobial films could be used as an alternative technology for extending shelf-life of fresh fish products.