A multigranular hierarchical linguistic model for design evaluation based on safety and cost analysis

Before implementing a design of a large engineering system different design proposals are evaluated. The information used by experts to evaluate different options may be vague and/or incomplete. Although different probabilistic tools and techniques have been used to deal with these kinds of problems, it seems better to use the fuzzy linguistic approach to model vagueness and the Dempster‐Shafter theory of evidence for modeling incompleteness and ignorance. In the evaluation of alternative designs, different criteria can be considered. In this article an evaluation process is developed in terms of Safety and Cost analysis. Both criteria involve uncertainty, vagueness, and ignorance due to their nature. Therefore, we propose an evaluation process defined in a linguistic framework where both criteria will be conducted in different utility spaces, i.e., in a multigranular linguistic domain. Once the evaluation framework has been defined, we present an evaluation process based on a Multi‐Expert Multi‐Criteria decision model that will be able to deal with multigranular linguistic information without loss of information in order to evaluate different design options for an engineering system in a precise manner. Accordingly, we propose the use of a multigranular linguistic model based on the Linguistic Hierarchies presented by Herrera and Martínez (“A model based on linguistic 2‐tuples for dealing with multigranularity hierarchical linguistic contexts in multi‐expert decision‐making.” IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern B 2001;31(2):227–234). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 20: 1161–1194, 2005.     

Structure of Na2O–CaO–P2O5–SiO2 Glass–Ceramics with Multimodal Porosity

We have investigated the evolution of the structure of nano–macro porous CaO–Na₂O–P₂O₅–SiO₂ bioactive glass–ceramics by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A controlled devitrification, followed by a chemical leaching treatment is used to produce a multimodal distribution of nano/macro pores that are expected to improve cell attachment. Data show that the leaching process removes the sodium- and calcium-containing crystalline phases that are formed during the ceramming heat treatment. The primary Si–O peaks in the infrared spectra blue shift with leaching, indicating that the sample becomes SiO₂ rich. In parallel, the fraction of nonbridging oxygen decreases. These results suggest a restructuring of the glass network far below the glass transition temperature. The stresses from leaching, capillary forces, and subsequent restructuring develop and grow, eventually producing cracks in the sample.     

Kinetics and Reactor Modeling of Hydrogen Production from Glycerol via Steam Reforming Process over Ni/CeO2 Catalysts

As a result of skyrocketing prices, environmental concerns and depletion associated with fossil fuels, renewable fuels are becoming attractive alternatives. In this respect, the demand for biodiesel has increased tremendously in recent years. Increased production of biodiesel has resulted in a glut of glycerol that has reduced the demand for this once valuable commodity. Consequently, finding alternative uses for glycerol is a timely proposition. One alternative is producing renewable hydrogen from this cheap commodity. Only a handful of studies have been conducted on producing hydrogen from glycerol. Previous studies have mainly focused on finding effective catalysts for glycerol steam reforming. This paper extends previous knowledge by presenting kinetic parameters in relation to glycerol steam reforming over Ni/CeO₂ and a reactor modeling. The study found that the activation energy and the reaction order for the glycerol steam reforming reaction over Ni/CeO₂ catalyst were 103.4 kJ/mol and 0.233, respectively.     

Immobilization of β-cyclodextrin on gold surfaces by chemical derivatization of an 11-amino-1-undecanthiol self-assembled monolayer

A new methodology for the covalent functionalization of a SAM of 11-amino-1-undecanethiol, previously adsorbed on polycrystalline Au, was successfully applied in order to immobilize a β-CD layer on surface. A two steps synthetic strategy is proposed based on the activation of the SAM with di-(N-succinimidyl) carbonate for the further inclusion of the β-CD. The modification of the SAM was followed by PM-FTIRRAS, AFM imaging, CV, and EIS which confirmed the introduction of β-CD layer. The AFM images allowed the identification of homogeneously distributed β-CD aggregates over the Au grain microstructure. The electrode was characterized in the presence of electroactive species in solution, with the ability to form inclusion complexes with the β-CD cavity. Contrary to the reported for other thiolated CD derivative films, the results of this study showed the formation of well-packed and compact structures which strongly reduce non-specific adsorption phenomena. The redox response of the probes at the β-CD electrode was shown to appear at higher potentials with respect to the response at bare Au. Good correlation was found between the increase of the hydroquinone oxidation peak and, both, the scan rate used in CV experiments (typical behavior of surface-confined species) and the hydroquinone concentration. In the case of dopamine, the processes seem to shifted out of the potential window of SAM stability. The results suggest that this problem could be overcome by improving the design of the device.     

Layer‐By‐Layer Electropeeling of Organic Conducting Material Imaged In Real Time

Soft materials comprising low‐molecular‐weight organic molecules are attracting increasing interest because of their importance in the development of a number of emerging areas in nanoscience and technology, including molecular electronics, nanosystems for energy conversion, and devices in the widest sense. Their interaction with electrodes and their behavior under electric fields is a topic of vital significance for these areas, and about which very little is known. Here unprecedented evidence is presented for the controlled peeling of organic molecular material when a voltage is applied between the conducting system and the conducting probe of a scanning force microscope. The rate of removal of the material from the surface of the bulk conducting supramolecular material can be tuned. It depends on the potential applied and is initiated only above a threshold value of 200 mV. The results indicate the importance of electric fields on the stability and performance of conducting organic systems at the nanoscale.     

A Hammerstein-type equalizer for concatenated fiber-wireless uplink

In optical fiber-based wireless access schemes, the radio signal is transmitted through fiber without frequency conversion radio-over-fiber (ROF). Although the fiber has adequate bandwidth, nonlinear distortion due to electrical to optical (E/O) conversion is a concern. In the uplink, the dynamic multipath wireless channel is followed by this static memoryless ROF link; this forms a Wiener system. In this paper, we propose a Hammerstein type decision feedback equalizer (HDFE) for the fiber-wireless uplink to combat the nonlinear distortion and the wireless channel dispersion. The proposed equalizer is less complex because it handles static and dynamic distortions separately. The nonlinear distortion is compensated first, reducing the power of cross modulation products significantly. Analytical results show that the lower bound of the mean squared error depends on the optical and wireless channel noise. The bit error rate (BER) performance of the HDFE for the nonlinear channel approaches the performance of a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) in a linear channel when the nonlinearity is adequately compensated.     

Identification of the flavonoid fraction in saffron spice by LC/DAD/MS/MS: Comparative study of samples from different geographical origins

The flavonoid fraction in saffron spice has been analysed, for the first time, by LC-DAD-MS/MS ESI and five kaempferol derivatives have been found. Compounds such as kaempferol-3-sophoroside, kaempferol-3-sophoroside-7-glucoside and kaempferol-3,7,4′-triglucoside were tentatively identified, whereas other compounds, such as kaempferol tetrahexoside and kaempferol-3-dihexoside were detected. Saffron samples from different geographical origins were clearly separated by their kaempferol 3-sophoroside contents that were able to explain 100% of the variance when a discriminant test was carried out.     

Degradation kinetics and colour of anthocyanins in aqueous extracts of purple- and red-flesh potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The effect of pH and temperature on the stability and visual colour of aqueous anthocyanin (ACY) extracts from purple- and red-flesh potatoes was evaluated and compared to commercial ACY extracts from grape and purple carrot. Extracts from purple carrot and red-flesh potatoes showed higher stability than grape and purple-flesh potato extracts. Stability to pH (?3) and thermal degradation of extracts (pH 3) followed first-order kinetics. Changes in lightness and hue followed zero-order kinetics, while changes in chroma followed first-order kinetics. Degradation parameters such as t_1/2, k-, D-, z- and Q₁₀-values were determined. Extracts from red- and purple-flesh potatoes at pH 3 showed similar hues to FD&C Red #40 and red cabbage extracts, respectively. The visual colour of both potato ACY extracts was also affected by tinctorial strength. The use of purple- and red-flesh potatoes as a source of natural colorants shows potential use in the pH region around 3.     

Phenolic profiles of Andean purple corn (Zea mays L.)

Qualitative and quantitative high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was performed to characterize the presence of phenolic compounds in Andean purple corn. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by separating them in two main fractions: a water fraction (WF) and an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF). The WF rich in anthocyanins revealed the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside. The respective acylated anthocyanin glucoside forms of these compounds were also detected following alkaline hydrolysis. The EAF was composed of phenolic acids such as p-coumaric, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, flavonoids such quercetin derivatives and a hesperitin derivative. Alkaline and acid hydrolysis of the EAF revealed the presence of p-coumaric and ferulic acid as main components in four bound hydroxycinnamic acid forms present in the ethyl acetate fraction.