Concentration and purification of galacto‐oligosaccharides using nanofiltration membranes

This study was aimed at using nanofiltration to purify the galactooligosaccharides (GOS) found in a commercial mixture containing lactose, glucose and galactose, whose compositions were similar to that obtained through transgalactosylation reactions catalysed by β‐galactosidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus CCT 7082. NP030 polyethersulphone membrane was selected for the purification processes, once it differed statistically from other membranes due to the higher purification factor and permeate flux under the optimised temperature and pressure conditions of 35 °C and 3 MPa, respectively. Results indicate that NP030 membrane can be employed as a preliminary technique for the GOS purification with approximately 61% (w/w) of recovery.     

Models and methods for frequency assignment with cumulative interference constraints

In this paper, a realistic modeling of interferences for frequency assignment in hertzian telecommunication networks is presented. In contrast with traditional interference models based only on binary interference constraints involving two frequencies, this new approach considers the case of cumulative disruptions that are modeled through a unique non‐binary constraint. To deal with these complex constraints, we propose extensions of classical integer linear programming formulations. On a set of realistic instances, we propose hybrid constraint programming and large neighborhood search solution methods to solve minimum interference and minimum span frequency assignment problems. We compare their performances with those of existing heuristics. Finally, we show how the end‐user benefits from using the cumulative model instead of the traditional one.     

Remote RF and Baseband Video Measurement Laboratory Based Upon Open-Code Software

An application based on open-code source resources is developed to allow remote operation of test instruments over the web. The application was deployed using LINUX, JAVA, and CamServ and shows potential use as a didactic tool, as well as in laboratories dealing with different types of test instruments. The tool is an alternative to commercial applications used with the same purposes. Specification and development issues are described, as well as testing and validation schemes.     

Moisture influence on porous low-k reliability

In this paper, the impact of moisture on the reliability of porous low-k materials has been investigated. It was found that moisture uptake is higher for more porous SiOC low-k materials, and its presence inside the low-k has a strong impact on the dielectric reliability. It has been demonstrated that by eliminating moisture, the leakage current can be significantly decreased; in addition, higher breakdown electric fields and longer dielectric lifetimes can be achieved. Therefore, integration of porous low-k materials requires maximum attention to prevent moisture uptake at each step during integration; in addition, the passivation layers need to be perfectly hermetic in order to maintain good dielectric reliability.     

Using the handicap code of the ICIDH for classifying patients by intensity of nursing care requirements

An 11-class patient classification system (PCS) has been built on a recode of two dimensions of the handicap code of the ICIDH: physical independence and mobility handicaps. The proposed system, called MAC XI, explains 78% of the variance of nursing care hours required by nursing-home residents and extended-care hospital patients. This percentage of variation is higher than the one explained by traditional dependency grids such as the Exton-Smith, Murphy, Kuntzmann and SMAF. MAC XI, based on two dimensions of the handicap code, is thus a powerful tool for predicting intensity of nursing care for staffing and budgeting purposes in long-term care institutions.