A new perspective on multiobjective optimization by enhanced normalized normal constraint method

In industrial applications, several objectives are often managed simultaneously (e.g., minimizing the cost and the weight of a mechanical structure satisfying some constraints). Although lots of optimization studies deal with only one objective, this approach is often not realistic for engineering optimization. Therefore, improvements in multiobjective optimization methods are required. This paper presents the formulation of a new utopia hyperplane that improves the proposal of the original normalized normal constraint method using two approaches: a redefinition of the anchor points and an exact linear transformation between the design objectives space and the normalized space. Both approaches always produce a normalized space with equal scales that improves the even distribution of the solutions over the Pareto frontier. Examples of the method proposed are presented related with mechanical engineering and structure design including a challenging non-convex Pareto frontier. Partially supported by FEDER DPI2005-07835, FEDER DPI2004-8383-C03-02 projects (MEC—Spain) and GV06/26 (Generalitat Valenciana)     

Free radical scavenging activity and phenolic content in achenes and thalamus from Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis, F. vesca and F. x ananassa cv. Chandler

The total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin content of achenes (true fruit) and thalamus (receptacle) from the native South American Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis (f. patagonica and f. chiloensis), Fragaria vesca and Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler was determined by spectrophotometric means. Highest phenolic content was found in F. vesca while lowest content was measured for white strawberry (F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis, f. chiloensis). The total anthocyanin and total flavonoid contents in the samples investigated was lower for the white strawberry and higher in F. x ananassa cv. Chandler. Total flavonoid content showed a better correlation than total anthocyanins with the free radical scavenging effect of the extracts measured by means of the DPPH discoloration assay. In the superoxide anion assay all the acetone extracts of strawberries showed similar activity. The data presented in this study demonstrate that the amount of phenolic compounds differ significantly between species and subspecies and determine the free radical scavenging activity of fruits. On a w/w basis, higher total phenolics including flavonoids was found in achenes. The highest total anthocyanin content was found in the achenes of F. chiloensis and F. vesca, while F. ananassa presented higher antocyanin content in thalamus. The main anthocyanin in thalamus of F. ananassa (95%) were pelargonidin derivatives which were also present in F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. patagonica (62.6%) but were not detected in F. vesca and F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. chiloensis. In F. vesca and F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. chiloensis only cyanidin derivatives were found both in thalamus and achenes.     

1.5-V current-mode CMOS true RMS-DC converter based on class-AB transconductors

A current-mode CMOS RMS-DC converter is presented. The basic building blocks are based on a novel approach to design current-mode computational cells. In such an approach, the large-signal V-I characteristic of class-AB transconductors is conveniently exploited leading to a very regular and compact implementation. A proper biasing scheme in such transconductors allows operation with supply voltage as low as V/sub GS/+2V/sub DSsat/. Measurement results from a practical prototype are presented in order to demonstrate the technique proposed here.     

Functional and nutritional value of the Chilean seaweeds Codium fragile,Gracilaria chilensis and Macrocystis pyrifera

The nutritional composition of the edible seaweeds Codium fragile, Gracilaria chilensis and Macrocystis pyrifera was determined, including amino acid and fatty acid contents along with tocol and carotenoid contents. The results indicated that the three algae C. fragile, G. chilensis and M. pyrifera showed a high range of protein contents (13.7–10.8%), amino acid contents (1879.6–1417.7 mg/100 g dry algae) and a low content in lipids (0.7–15.0%). The most abundant fatty acids in C. fragile and G. chilensis were linolenic, oleic, and linoleic acid. δ‐Tocopherol and α‐tocopherol (677.8 and 453.5 µg/g lipid, respectively) were found in C. fragile, while in G. chilensis and M. pyrifera, γ‐tocotrienol and α‐tocopherol (263.5 and 1327.7 µg/g lipid, respectively) were found. In addition, in C. fragile and G. chilensis β‐carotene was the principal carotenoid found (197.9 and 113.7 µg/g dry algae, respectively) compared with M. pyrifera (17.4 µg/g dry algae). The composition of macronutrients (minerals, carbohydrate‐type dietetic fiber, proteins; low in lipids) and micronutrients (essential amino acids, PUFA of balanced n‐6/n‐3 proportion, β‐carotene and α‐tocopherol as source of vitamins A and E), corroborate the nutritional and biological potential of the studied algae, which constitute useful raw materials for the development of diets or ingredients for human and animal nutrition.     

Low-Voltage Super class AB CMOS OTA cells with very high slew rate and power efficiency

A simple technique to achieve low-voltage power-efficient class AB operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) is presented. It is based on the combination of class AB differential input stages and local common-mode feedback (LCMFB) which provides additional dynamic current boosting, increased gain-bandwidth product (GBW), and near-optimal current efficiency. LCMFB is applied to various class AB differential input stages, leading to different class AB OTA topologies. Three OTA realizations based on this technique have been fabricated in a 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. For an 80-pF load they show enhancement factors of slew rate and GBW of up to 280 and 3.6, respectively, compared to a conventional class A OTA with the same 10-/spl mu/A quiescent currents and /spl plusmn/1-V supply voltages. In addition, the overhead in terms of common-mode input range, output swing, silicon area, noise, and static power consumption, is minimal.     

A power efficient and simple scheme for dynamically biasing cascode amplifiers and telescopic op-amps

A simple dynamic biasing scheme to extend the input/output range of cascode amplifiers is introduced. It requires minimum extra hardware and no additional power consumption. A dynamic biased telescopic op-amp is discussed as an application example. Experimental results of a fabricated test chip in 0.5 μm CMOS technology are presented that verify the proposed technique.     

The Multimode Resource‐Constrained Project Scheduling Problem for Repetitive Activities in Construction Projects

In construction projects, resource availability might limit the implementation of ideal schedules. Especially, when repetitive activities are involved, traditional resource‐constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) models fail to allocate the resource consumption in an efficient manner. Besides, actual models only provide local optimal solutions and do not incorporate activity acceleration routines. To fulfill this gap, partially, a mathematical optimization model, the multimode RCPSP for repetitive activities in construction projects, is proposed and solved to optimality; it takes into account acceleration routines under real construction scenarios using spreadsheets. The article shows a complete computational experimentation over a real construction project, considering several scenarios of resource availabilities and continuity conditions. The model allows analyzing the resources efficiency indexes comparing them to resource consumptions, continuity of activities, and objective functions that reveal that fragmented activities do not provide better resource efficiency outcomes.     

Thermal degradation of high‐temperature fluorinated polyimide and its carbon fiber composite

High‐temperature polymers are being used for a broad range of applications, such as composite matrices for structural applications (e.g., high speed aircraft). Polyimides are a special class of polymers that meet the thermal and oxidative stability requirements for high temperature composite aerospace applications. A weight loss study was performed on a fluorinated polyimide resin and its carbon fiber composite in an effort to determine its thermal stability and degradation mechanisms. Experiments were conducted using a preheated oven and thermogravimetric analysis to obtain the weight loss. Regardless of the method used, the resin and composite exhibited excellent thermal stability (less than 1% weight loss) below 430°C, regardless of 2–20 min of exposure. After 20 min of exposure at 510°C, the composite remained relatively stable with only 5.3% weight loss using the oven technique, whereas the neat polyimide sustained 12.6%. When degradation occurred, it was found to be the result of thermolysis and oxidation (to a lesser extent). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

New quality criteria in wastewater reuse : The case of Gran Canaria

Wastewater reuse plays a key role in this vital cycle of water because it is able to reduce the wastewater spilled. Simultaneously, the supply of water for specific uses is increased. A new regulation (Royal Decree 1620/2007) came into force in Spain in December 2007 and regulates the basic conditions for the wastewater reuse and establishes the required criteria of quality to waters according to use.In the present paper, different kinds of tertiary treatments in reuse of wastewater are described. We focused on the applied tertiary treatments in most wastewater treatment plants of Gran Canaria Island. Particularly, we analysed Hoya del Pozo wastewater treatment plant due to its wide number of technologies and processes.Finally, we reviewed the quality criteria used in the regenerated waters, in agreement with the new regulations.     

A novel pectin material: extraction, characterization and gelling properties

A novel pectin was acid extracted from chickpea husk (CHP). CHP presented a 67% (w/w) of galacturonic acid, an intrinsic viscosity of 374 mL/g and a viscosimetric molecular weight of 110 kDa. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum of CHP indicated a degree of esterification of about 10%. The CHP-calcium system formed ionic gels with a storage (G') modulus of 40 Pa and gel set time (G' > G″) of 3 min at 1% (w/v), and a G' of 131 Pa and gel set time of 1 min at 2% (w/v). The G' of CHP gels was not greatly affected by temperature. The results attained suggest that chickpea husk can be a potential source of a gelling pectin material.