Estimation of flotation rate constant and collision efficiency using regression and artificial neural networks

The effects of particle characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions on the flotation rate constant (k) and bubble–particle collision efficiency (E_c) of pyrite and chalcopyrite particles were investigated. Experimental results showed that k increases with increase of bubble surface area flux (S_b) and E_c. Artificial neural network (ANN) and multivariable linear regression procedures were used to predict both k and E_c based on the particle characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions. Multivariable linear regression resulted in R² of 0.6 and 0.93 for k and E_c, respectively. Using an ANN model, R² as high as 0.98 was achieved in modeling the E_c with regard to the available parameters. The proposed ANN model can be reliably used to determine both k and E_c parameters in froth flotation.     

Measurement matrix design for CS-MIMO radar using multi-objective optimization

In this paper, we design a measurement matrix for a compressive sensing-multiple-input multiple-output radar in the presence of clutter and interference. To optimize the measurement matrix, three main criteria are considered simultaneously to improve detection and sparse recovery performance while suppressing clutter and interference. To this end, we consider three well-known criteria including Bhattacharyya distance, mutual coherency of sensing matrix, and signal-to-clutter-plus-interference ratio. Due to the use of simultaneous multi-objective functions, a multi-objective optimization (MOO) framework is exploited. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the achieved improvement of our proposed method in target detection and sparse recovery performance. Simulation results show that the proposed MOO technique for measurement matrix design can achieve superior performance in target detection compared with Gaussian random measurement matrix technique.     

Acetalated Dextran Nanoparticles Loaded into an Injectable Alginate Cryogel for Combined Chemotherapy and Cancer Vaccination

Vaccination represents a promising strategy for cancer therapy due to its ability to efficiently eliminate tumors from the host body and prevent their recurrence. Nevertheless, the current vaccines are still lacking efficacy. Combination therapies, such as those integrating chemotherapy with immunotherapy, represent a powerful tool to potentially circumvent this drawback. Herein, injectable alginate cryogels loaded with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and cytosine‐phosphodiester‐guanine‐rich oligonucleotides, are combined with spermine‐modified acetalated dextran nanoparticles (Sp‐AcDEX NPs), loaded with p53 activator Nutlin‐3a (Nut‐3a) for combined chemoimmunotherapy. The Sp‐AcDEX NPs are successfully loaded into the alginate cryogels and released over time. Furthermore, the delivery of the NPs from the cryogel enhances their accumulation in tumor tissue following peritumoral injection. Nut‐3a exerts toxicity towards the tumor cells and induces immunogenic cell death through the upregulation of surface calreticulin expression. Overall, this combination is a promising strategy to reduce cancer cell proliferation, induce immunogenic cell death, and accumulate drug payloads into the tumor. This approach may avoid cancer recurrence through the induction of in situ cancer vaccination mediated by antigens and danger signals released from the apoptotic cancer cells.     

Effect of different additives and their mixtures on thermal stability of polyethylene synthesized using iron and titanocene hybrid catalysts

Traditionally, additives are introduced into a polymer matrix via extrusion process which consumes a high amount of energy. In this study, the use of different additives including antioxidants for the in‐reactor stabilization of polyethylene has been investigated in order to provide an energy saving system. Particular attention was dedicated to the efficiency of antioxidant influencing the catalysts activity and properties of polymers. The effect of the addition of Irganox 1330 and Irgafos 168 antioxidants and zinc stearate on the activities of metallocene, post‐metallocene, and their supported hybrid were studied. In addition, the effect of different additives on the thermal characteristics of the synthesized polymers and oxidative induction time (OIT) was evaluated. Our polymerization results exhibited that the factors such as chemical structure of antioxidant and its steric hindrance, type of catalysts, and their hybrid could affect the catalyst performance and OIT contents. The use of antioxidants mixture and hybrid of catalysts is a way that can increase oxidation resistance of polymers considerably. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45482.     

A novel method for refining of acidic sludge and mixing with vacuum bottom to improve bitumen properties

In this study acidic sludge was refined by a novel method that involves neutralization and extraction of organic compound by a waste solvent. Study on refined sludge indicated that sulfuric acid and major of impurities were removed from sludge. Moreover, resin and asphaltene and accordingly ductility of sludge increased. In continue, different amounts of sludge residue were added to vacuum bottom for bitumen preparation. Test results indicated that sludge residue improved mechanical property and elastic modulus of bitumen. Thermal tests illustrated fine thermal stability of blends at production temperature. Also, aging data described reasonable durability for samples. Consequently, by this approach not only hazardous acidic sludge was eliminated from environment but also it improved mechanical properties of bitumen.     

Blockchain and Machine Learning for Intelligent Multiple Factor-Based Ride-Hailing Services

One of the common transportation systems in Korea is calling taxis through online applications, which is more convenient for passengers and drivers in the modern area. However, the driver's passenger taxi request can be rejected based on the driver's location and distance. Therefore, there is a need to specify driver's acceptance and rejection of the received request. The security of this system is another main core to save the transaction information and safety of passengers and drivers. In this study, the origin and destination of the Jeju island South Korea were captured from T-map and processed based on machine learning decision tree and XGBoost techniques. The blockchain framework is implemented in the Hyperledger Fabric platform. The experimental results represent the features of socio-economic. The cross-validation was accomplished. Distance is another factor for the taxi trip, which in total trip in midnight is quite shorter. This process presents the successful matching of ride-hailing taxi services with the specialty of distance, the trip request, and safety based on the total city measurement.     

On using exponential basis functions for laminates modeled by CLPT,FSDT and TSDT: Further tests and results

In this paper we present some results from the application of a mesh-free method introduced previously (Compos Struct 2011;93:3112–9 and 94:84–91) for bending analysis of laminated composite plates. This method is applicable to a wide range of bending problems without limitation in the stacking sequence of the laminated plates and the boundary conditions. Herein, two specific types of problems, having traction free boundaries, are examined and the issues related to the solution of them are addressed. Also as new benchmark problems, some more results for cross-ply and angle-ply composites are presented.