Multiple Steady States in Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation

In this article we study multiple steady states in ternary heterogeneous azeotropic distillation. We show that in the case of infinite reflux and an infinite number of trays one can construct bifurcation diagrams on physical grounds with the distillate flow as the bifurcation parameter. Multiple steady states exist when the distillate flow varies non-monotonically along the continuation path of the bifurcation diagram. We show how the distillate and bottom product paths can be located for tray or packed columns, with or without decanter and with different types of condenser and reboiler. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of these multiple steady states based on the geometry of the product paths. We also locate in the composition triangle the feed compositions that lead to these multiple steady states. We show that the prediction of the existence of multiple steady states in the case of infinite reflux and an infinite number of trays has relevant implications for columns operating at finite reflux and with a finite number of trays

Bounded Model Checking for Linear Time Temporal-Epistemic Logic

We present a novel approach to the verification of multi-agent systems using bounded model checking for specifications in LTLK, a linear time temporal-epistemic logic. The method is based on binary decision diagrams rather than the standard conversion to Boolean satisfiability. We apply the approach to two classes of interpreted systems: the standard, synchronous semantics and the interleaved semantics. We provide a symbolic algorithm for the verification of LTLK over models of multi-agent systems and evaluate its implementation against MCK, a competing model checker for knowledge. Our evaluation indicates that the interleaved semantics can often be preferable in the verification of LTLK

Multiple Steady States in Homogeneous Azeotropic Distillation

In this article we study multiple steady states in ternary homogeneous azeotropic distillation. We show that in the case of infinite reflux and an infinite number of trays one can construct bifurcation diagrams on physical grounds with the distillate flow as the bifurcation parameter. Multiple steady states exist when the distillate flow varies non-monotonically along the continuation path of the bifurcation diagram. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of these multiple steady states based on the geometry of the distillation region boundaries. We also locate in the composition triangle the feed compositions that lead to these multiple steady states. We further note that most of these results are independent of the thermodynamic model used. We show that the prediction of the existence of multiple steady states in the case of infinite reflux and an infinite number of trays has relevant implications for columns operating at finite reflux and with a finite number of trays. Using numerically constructed bifurcation diagrams for specific examples, we show that these multiplicities tend to vanish for small columns and/or for low reflux flows. Finally, we comment on the effect of multiplicities on column design and operation for some specific examples

Trends in health facility deliveries and caesarean sections by wealth quintile in Morocco between 1987 and 2012.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in the utilisation of facility-based delivery care and caesareans in Morocco between 1987 and 2012, particularly among the poor, and to assess whether uptake increased at the time of introduction of policies or programmes aimed at improving access to intrapartum care. METHODS: Using data from nationally representative household surveys and routine statistics, our analysis focused on whether women delivered within a facility, and whether the delivery was by caesarean; analyses were stratified by relative wealth quintile and public/private sector where possible. A segmented Poisson regression model was used to assess whether trends changed at key events. RESULTS: Uptake of facility-based deliveries and caesareans in Morocco has risen considerably over the past two decades, particularly among the poor. The rate of increase in facility deliveries was much faster in the poorest quintile (annual increase RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.07-1.11) than the richest quintile (annual increase RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.02-1.02). A similar pattern was observed for caesareans (annual increase among poorest RR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07-1.19 vs. annual increase among richest RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06-1.10). We found no significant acceleration in trend coinciding with any of the events investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Morocco's success in improving uptake of facility deliveries and caesareans is likely to be the result of the synergistic effects of comprehensive demand and supply-side strategies, including a major investment in human resources and free delivery care. Equity still needs to be improved; however, the overall trend is positive

Oulun läänin alueellinen jätesuunnitelma: Jätehuollon kehittämisohjelma vuosille 2008-2018

Oulun läänin alueellinen jätesuunnitelma on Kainuun ja Pohjois-Pohjanmaan ympäristökeskuksien yhteinen jätehuollon kehittämissuunnitelma. Sen laadinnassa on sovellettu SOVA-lain eli viranomaisten suunnitelmien ja ohjelmien ympäristövaikutusten arvioinnista annetun lain (200/2005) mukaista ympäristöarviointia, josta on laadittu ympäristöselostus. Käsillä olevassa Oulun läänin jätesuunnitelmassa on kolme osaa: jätehuollon nykytila (osa I), ympäristöselostus (osa II) ja suunnitelma (osa III). Jätesuunnitelmassa esitetään jätehuollon nykytila sekä tulevaisuuden kehittämistarpeet vuosille 2008 – 2018. Jätesuunnitelman taustatavoitteita ovat jätteen määrän vähentäminen (sisältäen jätteen synnyn ehkäisyn), jätteen hyötykäyttöasteen nostaminen, jätehuollon ympäristö- ja terveyshaittojen vähentäminen ja jätehuollon organisoinnin eko- ja kustannustehokkuus. Taustatavoitteiden mukaiselle kehitykselle on suunnitelmassa haettu kehittämisaskelia kahdeksalla painopistealueella. Ne ovat biohajoavan jätteen ohjaaminen pois kaatopaikoilta, jätteiden energiakäyttö, lietteiden jätehuolto mukaan lukien haja-asutuksen lietteet, energiantuotannon ja kaivosteollisuuden jätteet (tuhka, sivukivi, rikastushiekka), haja asutuksen jätehuollon palvelutaso ja kustannustehokkuus, roskaantumisen torjunta ja jätemaksujen kannustavuus sekä alueellinen yhteistyö keräilyssä, hyödyntämisessä ja käsittelyssä. Neljällä ensin mainitulla painopistealueilla on ympäristöarvioinnissa vertailtu erilaisia toteutusvaihtoehtoja. Vaihtoehtovertailussa edistämisen arvoisiksi vaihtoehdoiksi nousivat biohajoavien jätteiden syntypaikkalajittelun ja aineena hyödyntämisen (kompostointi, mädätys)kehittäminen, jätteiden energiakäytön osalta rinnakkaispolton edistäminen sille jätteelle, jonka muodostumista ei voida ehkäistä, ja jota ei voida kohtuullisin kustannuksin kierrättää, lietteiden osalta lannoitevalmistekäytön edistäminen ja tuhkan osalta sekä lannoitevalmiste- että maarakennuskäytön edistäminen. Sivukiven osalta jätteen synnyn ehkäisyn lisäksi edistetään sivukiven käyttöä maarakentamisessa. Jätteiden energiakäytön osalta myös muunlainen jätteiden poltto on mahdollista silloin, kun jätteiden synnyn ehkäisystä huolehditaan, hyödynnettävät jätelajit (mm. paperi, kartonki, biojäte) eivät kulkeudu polttoon, vaan ne hyödynnetään aineena, sekä polttoon menevien jätteiden määrä pidetään rajallisena

Characteristics of neonatal near-miss in hospitals in Benin, Burkina Faso and Morocco in 2012-2013.

: The objective of this study is to explore the usefulness of neonatal near miss in low- and middle-income countries by examining the incidence of neonatal near miss and pre-discharge neonatal deaths across various obstetric risk categories in 17 hospitals in Benin, Burkina Faso and Morocco. : Data were collected on all maternal deaths, maternal near miss, neonatal near miss (based on organ-dysfunction markers), Caesarean sections, stillbirths, neonatal deaths before discharge and non-cephalic presentations, and on a sample of births not falling in any of the above categories. : The burden of stillbirth, pre-discharge neonatal death or neonatal near miss ranged from 23 to 129 per 1000 births in Moroccan and Beninese hospitals, respectively. Perinatal deaths (range 17-89 per 1000 births) were more common than neonatal near miss (range 6-43 per 1000 live births), and between a fifth and a third of women who had suffered a maternal near miss lost their baby. Pre-discharge neonatal deaths and neonatal near miss had a similar distribution of markers of organ dysfunction, but unlike pre-discharge neonatal deaths most neonatal near miss (63%, 81% and 71% in Benin, Burkina Faso and Morocco, respectively) occurred among babies who were not considered premature, low birthweight or with a low 5-min Apgar score as defined by WHO's pragmatic markers of severe neonatal morbidity. : Whether the measurement of neonatal near miss adds useful insights into the quality of perinatal or newborn care in settings where facility-based intrapartum and early newborn mortality is very high is uncertain. Perhaps the greatest advantage of adding near miss is the shift in focus from failure to success so that lessons can be learned on how to save lives even when clinical conditions are life-threatening.<br/

REMOVAL OF A BASIC TEXTILE DYE BY RELEASES OF DJEBEL ONK PHOSPHATES

The modified natural phosphate of djebel onk was investigated for the removal of cationic textile dye Methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The modified natural phosphate rock powder (MNP) was characterized by means of XRD, IR spectroscopic and thermal analysis. Adsorption studies were carried out under various parameters such as pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, the results of modeling adsorption of Methylene blue (MB) on modified natural phosphate rock (MNP) show that the Langmuir model present a good coefficient of correlation compared to other models. The kinetics of adsorption were best described by pseudo-second order and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH˚, ΔS° and ΔG°) of the adsorption were also evaluated. The adsorption process was found not-spontaneous and exothermic

Towards a knowledge structuring framework for decision making within industry 4.0 paradigm

International audienceThis article discusses the importance of data and knowledge structuring to allow their exploitation in emergent context of industry of the future. The complexity of integrating knowledge into decision support systems is particularly due to the heterogeneity of knowledge sources and the large volume of data to be analyzed. This problematic is challenging in the context of high-speed machining of aeronautical mechanical parts because of the high quality and safety constraints requested in this business area. To answer the above problem, this paper proposes a new semantic modeling framework covering both generic business knowledge and real time data. The application to the proposed semantic models for decision aid perspective within the SmartEmma project is also discussed

PRINSIP PERJANJIAN HIBAH PEMERINTAH DAERAH DAN AKIBAT HUKUMNYA

Judul tesis ini adalah Prinsip Perjanjian Hibah Pemerintah Daerah dan Akibat Hukumnya. Isu hukum yang diangkat dalam tesis ini adalah: (1) Karateristik perjanjian hibah Pemerintah Daerah dan (2) Akibat hukum Perjanjian Hibah Pemerintah Daerah. Sesuai dengan isu hukum yang di kaji, maka penelitian ini merupakan penelitian hukum yang bersifat normatif dengan Pendekatan perundangan-undangan (statute approach) dan Pendekatan konsep (conseptual approach). Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah: (1). Bahwa karakteristik atau ciri khas daripada Perjanjian Hibah Pemerintah daerah itu ditandai dengan adanya kesepakatan yang dituangkan dalam bentuk perjanjian yang mengikat pada pemerintah daerah yang bekerjasama. Perjanjian tersebut tidak hanya tunduk atas kesepakatan/perjanjian yang diatur dalam hukum perdata akan tetapi juga tunduk kepada hukum publik. Untuk itu, karakteristik Perjanjian Hibah adalah terdapat unsur hukum publik dan hukum perdata, sehingga perjanjian tersebut berkarakteristik campuran publik dan perdata. Selanjutnya, dalam kontrak pemerintah menempatkan pemerintah dalam dua peran. Pertama, sebagai salah satu pihak pemerintah berkedudukan seperti subyek hukum perdata. Kedua, disisi lain pemerintah juga menjalankan fungsi sebagai pelayanan publik. Norma hukum publik berkaitan dengan prosedur, kewenangan, pembentukan dan pelaksanaan kontrak. Sehingga ciri dari perjanjian Hibah pemerintah jelas terlihat, unsur publik akan berpengaruh pada penyelesaian sengketa yang terjadi. (2).Bahwa akibat hukum dari perjanjian adalah timbulnya hak dan kewajiban masing-masing pihak. Timbulnya kewajiban pihak pertama (pemerintah), terletak pada penetapan penerima hibah sesuai dengan ketentuan yang berlaku. Kewajiban pihak kedua (penerima hibah), terletak pada pertanggung jawaban hasil pelaksanaan kegiatan sesuai Naskah Perjanjian Hibah Daerah (NPHD). Penetapan penerima hibah merupakan keputusan tata usaha Negara, akibatnya apabila terjadi sengketa dikarenakan kesalahan ada pada penetapan tersebut maka dapat di gugat ke PTUN, dan sebaliknya apabila kesalahan pada realisasi pihak kedua (penerima hibah) tidak sesuai dengan NPHD dan Keputusan Kepala Daerah tentang Hibah Daerah, maka dapat dituntut pengembalian hibah dan sanksi pidana sesuai peraturan perundang-undangan yang berlaku. Atas kesimpulan tersebut disarankan (1) Pemerintah daerah dalam melaksanakan Perjanjian Hibah Daerah harus lebih ekstra dalam menanganinya, terutama dalam Naskah Perjanjian Hibah Daerah. Mencantumkan sanksi apa saja yang diberikan apabilah penerima hibah menyalahgunakan dana hibah tersebut. Walaupun secara hukum publik telah mentukan. (2) Pemerintah harus tetap mempertahankan standar persyaratan penerima hibah dan bantuan sosial

MCMAS: an open-source model checker for the verification of multi-agent systems

We present MCMAS, a model checker for the verification of multi-agent systems. MCMAS supports efficient symbolic techniques for the verification of multi-agent systems against specifications representing temporal, epistemic and strategic properties. We present the underlying semantics of the specification language supported and the algorithms implemented in MCMAS, including its fairness and counterexample generation features. We provide a detailed description of the implementation. We illustrate its use by discussing a number of examples and evaluate its performance by comparing it against other model checkers for multi-agent systems on a common case study