Optimization of quality and operational costs through improved scheduling of harvest operations

The agriculture sector still lacks the tools and models to enhance the utilization of different resources. This paper addresses the vineyard harvesting problem in developing countries, with the objective of optimizing the wine quality and minimizing the operational costs. Heuristics were introduced to better assign the harvesting days to the different grape blocks that exist in the vineyard's field. The quality of the grapes was a key target as it can transform production from a pinnacle wine to a bulk one. We solved several numerical examples for verification and demonstrative purposes and found that our proposed approach finds solutions that significantly reduce the harvesting costs in the vineyard and considerably outperform Branch and Bound algorithm especially for large problems.     

Software‐defined networking approach for enhanced evolved packet core network

The evolved packet core (EPC) network is the mobile network standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and represents the recent evolution of mobile networks providing high‐speed data rates and on‐demand connectivity services. Software‐defined networking (SDN) is recently gaining momentum in network research as a new generation networking technique. An SDN‐based EPC is expected to introduce gains to the EPC control plane architecture in terms of simplified, and perhaps even software‐based, vendor independent infrastructure nodes. In this paper, we propose a novel SDN‐based EPC architecture along with the protocol‐level detailed implementation and provide a mechanism for identifying information fields exchanged between SDN‐EPC entities that maintains correct functionality with minimal impact on the conventional design. Furthermore, we present the first comprehensive network performance evaluation for the SDN‐based EPC versus the conventional EPC and provide a comparative analysis of 2 networks performances identifying potential bottlenecks and performance issues. The evaluation focuses on 2 network control operations, namely, the S1‐handover and registration operations, taking into account several factors, and assessing performance metrics such as end‐to‐end delay (E2ED) for completion of the respective control operation, and EPC nodes utilization figures.     

Transient analysis of a PV power generator charging a capacitor for measurement of the I–V characteristics

Measuring the I–V characteristics is of high importance since it can be considered as a quality and performance certificate for each PV generator. The most precise and inexpensive measuring method is represented in capacitor charging by the PV generator. Using the equivalent circuit of the PV generator with a capacitor as load and applying transient analysis on the circuit, we obtain the capacitor charging voltage and current as a function of time, as well as their differentials as a function of short circuit current and capacitor size. The derived equations facilitate the calculation of proper capacitance size for measuring the I–V characteristics, and considers the acquisition speed of the measuring system as demonstrated through two measurement samples in this paper. The capacitor size is directly and indirectly proportional to the short circuit current and open circuit voltage of the PV generator, respectively. Accordingly, the paper presents a capacitance calculation chart, which enables selecting the correct capacitance for measuring the I–V characteristics by a computerized data acquisition system.     

Cross-virtual concatenation for Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH networks

Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH (EoS) is a popular approach for interconnecting geographically distant Ethernet segments using a SONET/SDH transport infrastructure. It typically uses virtual concatenation (VC) for dynamic bandwidth management. The aggregate SONET/SDH bandwidth for a given EoS connection is obtained by “concatenating” a number of equal-capacity virtual channels. Together, these virtual channels form a virtually concatenated group (VCG). In this article, we introduce a new concatenation technique, referred to as cross-virtual concatenation (CVC), which involves the concatenation of virtual channels of heterogeneous capacities. We show that CVC can be implemented through a simple upgrade at the end node, thus utilizing the existing legacy SDH infrastructure. By employing CVC for EoS systems, we show that the SDH bandwidth can be harvested more efficiently than in conventional VC. We consider two problems associated with routing CVC connections: the connection establishment problem and the connection upgrade problem. The goal of the first problem is to compute a set of paths between two EoS end systems such that a total bandwidth demand and a constraint on the differential delay between the paths are satisfied. Among all feasible sets, the one that consumes the least amount of network bandwidth is selected. For this problem, we develop an integer linear program (ILP) and an efficient algorithm based on the sliding-window approach. For the connection upgrade problem, the goal is to augment an existing set of paths so as to increase the aggregate bandwidth, while continue to meet the differential-delay constraint. We model this problem as a flow-maximization problem with a constraint on the delay of the virtual channels with positive flow. We then consider the problem of path selection under imprecise network state information. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the advantages of employing CVC and to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms.

Investigating the relevance of Environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in Saudi Arabia: towards energy efficiency and minimal carbon dioxide emission

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - The Saudi economy is driven by the energy sector which mainly derived from petroleum-based resources. Besides export, the Kingdom’s consumption...     

EAPB0503, an Imidazoquinoxaline Derivative Modulates SENP3/ARF Mediated SUMOylation,and Induces NPM1c Degradation in NPM1 Mutant AML

Nucleophosmin-1 (NPM1) is a pleiotropic protein involved in numerous cellular processes. NPM1 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, but exhibits a predominant nucleolar localization, where its fate and functions are exquisitely controlled by dynamic post-translational modifications (PTM). Sentrin/SUMO Specific Peptidase 3 (SENP3) and ARF are two nucleolar proteins involved in NPM1 PTMs. SENP3 antagonizes ARF-mediated NPM1 SUMOylation, to promote ribosomal biogenesis. In Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), NPM1 is frequently mutated, and exhibits an aberrant cytoplasmic localization (NPM1c). NPM1c mutations define a separate AML entity with good prognosis in some AML patients, rendering NPM1c as a potential therapeutic target. SENP3-mediated NPM1 de-SUMOylation induces resistance to therapy in NPM1c AML. Here, we demonstrate that the imidazoquinoxaline EAPB0503 prolongs the survival and results in selective reduction in the leukemia burden of NPM1c AML xenograft mice. Indeed, EAPB0503 selectively downregulates HDM2 expression and activates the p53 pathway in NPM1c expressing cells, resulting in apoptosis. Importantly, we unraveled that NPM1c expressing cells exhibit low basal levels of SUMOylation paralleled with high SENP3 and low ARF basal levels. EAPB0503 reverted these molecular players by inducing NPM1c SUMOylation and ubiquitylation, leading to its proteasomal degradation. EAPB0503-induced NPM1c SUMOylation is concurrent with SENP3 downregulation and ARF upregulation in NPM1c expressing cells. Collectively, these results provide a strong rationale for testing therapies modulating NPM1c post-translational modifications in the management of NPM1c AML.     

Optimization of stress wave propagation in a multilayered elastic/viscoelastic hybrid composite based on carbon fibers/carbon nanotubes

The hypothesis of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the interfacial layers of fiber‐reinforced polymer composites fiber‐reinforced Polymers (FRPs) to enhance their mechanical properties and mitigate the stress wave propagation during a blast event is investigated. A numerical model is developed to simulate the stress wave propagation in a laminated elastic/viscoelastic FRP. Coupled with multiobjective optimization paradigms, the optimal CNTs contents in the interfacial layers are determined to minimize the stress‐to‐strength ratio in each layer. A case study demonstrating the design of a five‐layered FRP subjected to a blast event is presented. The simulation revealed that the viscoelastic properties of the matrix material contribute significantly to the energy dissipation during stress wave propagation. It is shown that addition of 0.69% CNTs by volume to the epoxy interface significantly enhances the ability of composite to resist blast loading. Results were compared with a standard model that assumes only elastic behavior. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Development of the Acidity of Zirconia-Supported Niobia Catalysts

A series of NbO _x /ZrO₂ catalysts containing up to 2.67wt Nb (ca. 80 nominal surface coverage) was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation from niobium oxalate and oxalic acid solution. The structure of the catalysts was monitored by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated the presence of a surface Nb phase. No evidence for the formation of crystalline Nb₂O₅ species was found. The development of the acidity as a function of Nb loading was monitored by adsorption of a basic probe molecule followed by infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated the appearance of Brnsted acid sites for a threshold of Nb loading. The abundance of Brnsted acid sites correlated well with the isopropanol dehydration activity. The overall behavior was very similar to that reported earlier for the WO _x /ZrO₂ system.     

The selective hydrogenation of butyne-1,4-diol by supported palladiums: a comparative study on slurry, fixed bed, and monolith downflow bubble column reactors

The present study was carried out to asses performance of a Pd-monolith downflow bubble column (DBC) reactor, and compare it with that of the slurry and the fixed bed DBC. The selective hydrogenation of butyne-1,4-diol to cis-2-butene-1,4-diol over palladium catalyst was chosen as a model reaction. In principle, the monolith DBC allowed the reaction to take place under kinetic control regime. Comparison with DBC employing 5% Pd/C powder and 1% Pd-on-Raschig ring catalysts revealed a better performance of the monolith DBC (1% Pd loading) with advantage of smaller reaction volume and intensified reaction rate. In the monolith DBC, improved hydrogen transport was possible, as the interface between bubbles and the channel wall was very thin, thus, the length of the diffusion path was very short. In addition, the interfacial surface area at both gas–liquid and liquid–solid interface in the monolith was also very high. The reaction kinetics was well represented by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism. As an alternative to conventional three-phase reactors, the monolith DBC was simple due to its inherent characteristic operation and no specially designed device.     

Viscoelastic behavior of epoxy/carbon fiber/Zno nano‐rods hybrid composites

The insufficient viscoelastic resistance of fiber reinforced plastics can be retrofitted by the addition of more rigid nano fillers to the polymer matrix. In this study, carbon fibers plies were grafted with zinc oxide (ZnO) nano‐rods and the hybridized reinforcement was utilized in laminated composites. Flexural creep tests were carried out using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and the time/temperature superposition principle was employed for accelerated testing. To verify the applicability of TTPS, prolonged stress relaxation tests were also carried out in flexural mode. Data from the DMA flexural creep tests revealed that the whiskerization of carbon fibers with ZnO nano rods reduced the creep compliance by 23% at elevated temperatures and prolonged durations. Also, the relaxation data confirmed the applicability of TTPS to these hybrid composites. The stress relaxation modulus improved by 65% in comparison to composites based on neat carbon fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1967–1972, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineer