Using frames to disambiguate prepositions

In natural language processing (NLP), disambiguation is the procedure used to solve name conflicts of polysemic concepts (different meanings); in fact, phrase disambiguation is a problem not totally solved in NLP. Several disambiguation types exist; for instance, noun disambiguation (bank is a word with several meanings) or when a word is both used as a noun and as a preposition. Work herein reported describes an algorithm and its implementation to disambiguate prepositions in Spanish phrases; some of them are: a {to} (Translation to English are in bold for explanation purposes; they give only one of the senses of the Spanish word, which usually have multiple meanings.), ante {before}, bajo {under}, cabe {fits}, desde {from}, contra {against}, en {in}, por {by}, según {according to}, sin {without}, entre {between}, so {under}, con {with}, hacia {towards}, sobre {about}, hasta {until}, de {of}, tras {after}, para {for}. This tool will be used in a text analyzer (being built) that converts a text document to its corresponding ontology representation, with the goal of allowing another program to use the information to answer non trivial questions (**).     

Electrochemical characterization of sulfonated PEEK-WC membranes for PEM fuel cells

Sulfonated PEEK-WC polymer was obtained according to chloro-sulfonic acid procedure making possible the preparation of different membrane samples with a sulfonation degree from 48 to 90%. Dense membranes were prepared from casting solutions of S-PEEK-WC dissolved in DMF. Proton conductivity measurements were performed on such S-PEEK-WC membranes in a range of temperature from 30 to 120 °C and 100% of relative humidity, reaching 2.5 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ as the best value at 100 °C and with a sulfonation degree of 90%. In the meanwhile, the open circuit voltage of this S-PEEK-WC membrane (DS = 90%) varied from 0.963 V at 60 °C to 0.802 V at 100 °C, demonstrating that an increase of temperature negatively affects the membrane performance due to the mechanical properties degradation. In this work, a wide experimental campaign was carried out to investigate the electrochemical performances in terms of polarization curves, open circuit voltage and proton conductivity of S-PEEK-WC membranes as well as the fuel crossover and water uptake.     

Behind the Eastern–Western European convergence path: the role of geography and trade liberalization

This paper proposes a 2-block 3-region economic geography model that can account for the most salient stylized facts experienced by Eastern European transition economies during the period 1990–2005. In contrast to the existing literature, which has favored technological explanations, trade liberalization is the only driving force. The model correctly predicts that in the first half of the period, trade liberalization led to divergence in GDP per capita, both between the West and the East and within the East. Consistent with the data, in the second half of the period, this process was reversed and convergence became the dominant force.     

A new approach for project control under uncertainty. Going back to the basics

In this paper we propose a new methodology for project control under uncertainty. In particular, we integrate Earned Value Methodology (EVM) with project risk analysis. The methodology helps project managers to know whether the project deviations from planned values are within the “expected” deviations derived from activity planned variability. Although the methodology is new and innovative, we only go back to the fundamentals of project simulation to generate the “universe” of possible projects, according to the assumed variability of project activities. Then we organize and gather the information in order to make the data coherent with EVM. We explain the steps to implement the methodology and we show three case studies. The methodology makes explicit that the schedule and budget resulting from traditional methods like PERT are statistically very optimistic.     

Methane steam reforming in a Pd-Ag membrane reformer: An experimental study on reaction pressure influence at middle temperature

In this experimental work, methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction is performed in a dense Pd-Ag membrane reactor and the influence of pressure on methane conversion, CO_x-free hydrogen recovery and CO_x-free hydrogen production is investigated. The reaction is conducted at 450 °C by supplying nitrogen as a sweep gas in co-current flow configuration with respect to the reactants. Three experimental campaigns are realized in the MR packed with Ni-ZrO catalyst, which showed better performances than Ni-Al₂O₃ used in a previous paper dealing with the same MR system. The first one is directed to keep constant the total pressure in both retentate and permeate sides of the membrane reactor. In the second case study, the total retentate pressure is kept constant at 9.0 bar, while the total permeate pressure is varied between 5.0 and 9.0 bar. As the best result of this work, at 450 °C and 4.0 bar of total pressure difference between retentate and permeate sides, around 65% methane conversion and 1.2 l/h of CO_x-free hydrogen are reached, further recovering 80% CO_x-free hydrogen over the total hydrogen produced during the reaction. Moreover, a study on the influence of hydrogen-rich gas mixtures on the hydrogen permeation through the Pd-Ag membrane is also performed and discussed.     

An extension of the EVM analysis for project monitoring: The Cost Control Index and the Schedule Control Index

In this paper we propose two new metrics that combine Earned Value Management (EVM) and Project Risk Management for project controlling and monitoring. We compare EVM cost and schedule variances with the deviation the project should have under the risk analysis expected conditions.These two indexes allow project managers to analyse whether the project over-runs are within expected variability or there are structural and systemic changes over the project life cycle. The new monitoring indexes we present are the Cost Control Index and the Schedule Control Index.     

Evolution of aroma compounds of murtilla fruits (Ugni molinae Turcz) during storage

BACKGROUND: ‘Murtilla’, ‘mutilla’ or ‘murta’ (Ugni molinae Turcz) is a native Chilean species that produces a small berry fruit with a special aroma, whose volatile compounds have not yet been identified. The fruit may be consumed raw and also as jams, juice, canned products, confections and liquor. RESULTS: At the beginning and end of the storage, 24 volatile compounds were identified in murtilla fruit aroma and the concentration of these compounds in murtilla fruit ranged from 1.2 to 250.5 µg kg^?1 fresh weight. Methyl 2‐methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2‐methyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, ethyl hexanoate, methyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate were the major components, all of which have been reported as potent odors in other aromatic fruits. Based on estimated odor activity value, the most potent compound in the murtilla fruit aroma were ethyl hexanoate and 4‐methoxy‐2,5‐dimethyl‐furan‐3‐one. The statistical analysis showed that the storage produced a distinct effect on the same volatile compounds released from the murtilla ecotypes. CONCLUSION: The volatile compounds identified in murtilla fruit aroma, which may be described as fruity, sweet and floral, have been found in other aromatic fruits. Concerning the aroma, the murtilla fruit from ecotype 19‐1 was shown to be the best in cooled storage. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

CO‐Free Hydrogen Production by Ethanol Steam Reforming in a Pd–Ag Membrane Reactor

In this work, the ethanol steam reforming (ESR) reaction has been studied by using a dense Pd–Ag membrane reactor (MR) by varying the water/ethanol molar ratio between 3:1 and 9:1 in a temperature range of 300–400 °C and at 1.3 bar as reaction pressure. The MR was packed with a commercial Ru‐based catalyst and a constant sweep gas flow rate in counter current mode was used. The influence of the temperature and the feed molar ratio on different parameters such as the ethanol conversion, the hydrogen production, the hydrogen yield and the CO‐free hydrogen recovery has been evaluated.