A web-based software tool for participatory optimization of conservation practices in watersheds

WRESTORE (Watershed Restoration Using Spatio-Temporal Optimization of Resources) is a web-based, participatory planning tool that can be used to engage with watershed stakeholder communities, and involve them in using science-based, human-guided, interactive simulation–optimization methods for designing potential conservation practices on their landscape. The underlying optimization algorithms, process simulation models, and interfaces allow users to not only spatially optimize the locations and types of new conservation practices based on quantifiable goals estimated by the dynamic simulation models, but also to include their personal subjective and/or unquantifiable criteria in the location and design of these practices. In this paper, we describe the software, interfaces, and architecture of WRESTORE, provide scenarios for implementing the WRESTORE tool in a watershed community's planning process, and discuss considerations for future developments.     

优化军工科研项目管理的具体策略

我国的军工科研所成立于上世纪，它以军工项目的科研、预研为主，为我国的国防军工提供研发产品。伴随着我国经济实力的增强和科技军事力量的增长，军工科研院所也转变了原有的工业专属性质，走上了军民两用、寓军于民的道路，并在时代的进步中成为了我国先进装备制造业的重要科研力量和科技创新支柱。凸现军事工业“高、精、尖”的特点，以项目管理的优化为具体策略进行军工科研开发工作。     

The robust knapsack problem with queries

We consider robust knapsack problems where item weights are uncertain. We are allowed to query an item to find its exact weight,where the number of such queries is bounded by a given parameter Q. After these queries are made, we need to pack the items robustly, i.e., so that the choice of items is feasible for every remaining possible scenario of item weights.The central question that we consider is: Which items should be queried in order to gain maximum profit? We introduce the notion of query competitiveness for strict robustness to evaluate the quality of an algorithm for this problem, and obtain lower and upper bounds on this competitiveness for interval-based uncertainty. Similar to the study of online algorithms, we study the competitiveness under different frameworks, namely we analyze the worst-case query competitiveness for deterministic algorithms, the expected query competitiveness for randomized algorithms and the average case competitiveness for known distributions of the uncertain input data. We derive theoretical bounds for these different frameworks and evaluate them experimentally. We also extend this approach to Γ-restricted uncertainties introduced by Bertsimas and Sim.Furthermore, we present heuristic algorithms for the problem. In computational experiments considering both the interval-based and the Γ-restricted uncertainty, we evaluate their empirical performance. While the usage of a Γ-restricted uncertainty improves the nominal performance of a solution (as expected), we find that the query competitiveness gets worse.     

A design of experiments investigation into dry separation using a Knelson Concentrator

Enhanced gravity, or centrifugal, separators have revolutionised gold processing over the past decades, significantly increasing the recovery of fine (−100 μm) free gold. One of the main drawbacks of centrifugal gravity concentrators is the large volume of water required (even if it is all recycled). With water becoming an ever increasingly important “commodity”, reducing this is of importance both from an environmental and a monetary point of view. This work investigated operating a laboratory scale Knelson Concentrator with a dry feed and using air as the fluidising medium. The feed used was a synthetic mixture of tungsten and quartz, used to mimic a gold ore. The response surface method and central composite design techniques were used to design the experiments and to model the results, with the experimental variables being the bowl speed (G-Level), air fluidising pressure and the feed rate. The models corresponded well to the experimental results, indicating that for this experimental setup, the optimal conditions were a bowl G-Level of 40 G, a feed rate of 220 g/min and an air fluidising pressure of 8 psi.     

Collapse load of composite laminates: Lower bound evaluation by stress field analytical approximation

The paper proposes a limit analysis approach to define the ultimate load capacity of orthotropic composite laminates under biaxial loading and plane stress conditions. A lower bound to the collapse load multiplier is computed by solving a maximization nonlinear problem, according to the static theorem of limit analysis. To set up the optimization problem a stress field distribution is hypothesized at lamina level, moreover inter-lamina stresses are also considered. The effectiveness and validity of the proposed approach is shown by comparing the obtained numerical predictions both with available experimental data and with other numerical results carried out by means of a different numerical lower bound approach.     

Improved method for roadside barrier length of need modeling using real-world trajectories

The 2011 AASHTO Roadside Design Guide (RDG) contains perhaps the most widely used procedure for choosing an appropriate length of need (LON) for roadside barriers. However, this procedure has several limitations. The procedure uses a highly simplified model of vehicle departure, and the procedure does not allow designers to specify an explicit level of protection. A new procedure for choosing LON that addresses these limitations is presented in this paper. This new procedure is based on recent, real-world road departure trajectories and uses this departure data in a more realistic way. The new procedure also allows LON to be specified for a precisely known level of protection – a level which can be based on number of crashes, injury outcomes or even estimated crash cost – while still remaining straightforward and quick to use like the 2011 RDG procedure.     

Development and monitoring of an integrated bioprocess for production of a potential malaria vaccine with Pichia pastoris

An engineered variant of the yeast Pichia pastoris was used to produce the potential malaria vaccine D1M1. This paper describes the implementation of an expanded bed adsorption chromatography step into a sequential cultivation process of the yeast in order to link protein expression, cell release, and product capture of the secreted protein in a fully automated plant. The process is operated with a semi-continuous strategy for an integrated production. Process improvements have been achieved using design of experiments. Resulting purities of product achieved up to 87% with recoveries of 51% in a single downstream operation. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis of historical batch data was used to develop a golden batch model for process monitoring.     

嵌入式盲文单手输入系统设计与实现

计算机录入编辑盲文是信息处理的特殊应用领域，是特殊教育中的重要研究课题。文中将盲文制作为特殊符号，通过制作字库，编写个性化码表，然后嵌入到主流输入法，从而实现盲文与汉字混排以及实现单手盲文输入。该系统具有易学易记性、盲文编码多样性、嵌入性强等优点，并通过实验证明输入盲文效率能提高5~6倍，在盲文出版、盲文印刷、盲文教学等领域有重要的应用价值。但盲文字符在不同平台(如智能手机)与不同操作系统兼容性问题还有待进一步研究开发。     

Physical Stability of Octenyl Succinate–Modified Polysaccharides and Whey Proteins for Potential Use as Bioactive Carriers in Food Systems

The high cost and potential toxicity of biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic)acid (PLGA) has increased the interest in natural and modified biopolymers as bioactive carriers. This study characterized the physical stability (water sorption and state transition behavior) of selected starch and proteins: octenyl succinate–modified depolymerized waxy corn starch (DWxCn), waxy rice starch (DWxRc), phytoglycogen, whey protein concentrate (80%, WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and α‐lactalbumin (α‐L) to determine their potential as carriers of bioactive compounds under different environmental conditions. After enzyme modification and particle size characterization, glass transition temperature and moisture isotherms were used to characterize the systems. DWxCn and DWxRc had increased water sorption compared to native starch. The level of octenyl succinate anhydrate (OSA) modification (3% and 7%) did not reduce the water sorption of the DWxCn and phytoglycogen samples. The Guggenheim–Andersen–de Boer model indicated that native waxy corn had significantly (P < 0.05) higher water monolayer capacity followed by 3%‐OSA‐modified DWxCn, WPI, 3%‐OSA‐modified DWxRc, α‐L, and native phytoglycogen. WPC had significantly lower water monolayer capacity. All Tg values matched with the solid‐like appearance of the biopolymers. Native polysaccharides and whey proteins had higher glass transition temperature (Tg) values. On the other hand, depolymerized waxy starches at 7%‐OSA modification had a “melted” appearance when exposed to environments with high relative humidity (above 70%) after 10 days at 23 °C. The use of depolymerized and OSA‐modified polysaccharides blended with proteins created more stable blends of biopolymers. Hence, this biopolymer would be suitable for materials exposed to high humidity environments in food applications.