Processing Problems (processing + problem)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Planning models for parallel batch reactors with sequence-dependent changeovers

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 9 2007
Muge Erdirik-Dogan
Abstract In this article we address the production planning of parallel multiproduct batch reactors with sequence-dependent changeovers, a challenging problem that has been motivated by a real-world application of a specialty chemicals business. We propose two production planning models that anticipate the impact of the changeovers in this batch processing problem. The first model is based on underestimating the effects of the changeovers that leads to an MILP problem of moderate size. The second model incorporates sequencing constraints that yield very accurate predictions, but at the expense of a larger MILP problem. To solve large scale problems in terms of number of products and reactors, or length of the time horizon, we propose a decomposition technique based on rolling horizon scheme and also a relaxation of the detailed planning model. Several examples are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed models. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007 [source]


Linda implementations in Java for concurrent systems

CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 10 2004
G. C. Wells
Abstract This paper surveys a number of the implementations of Linda that are available in Java. It provides some discussion of their strengths and weaknesses, and presents the results from benchmarking experiments using a network of commodity workstations. Some extensions to the original Linda programming model are also presented and discussed, together with examples of their application to parallel processing problems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Visual, auditory and cross-modal processing of linguistic and nonlinguistic temporal patterns among adult dyslexic readers

DYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2005
Ann Meyler
Abstract This study examined visual, auditory, and cross-modal temporal pattern processing at the nonlinguistic and sublexical linguistic levels, and the relationships between these abilities and decoding skill. The central question addressed whether dyslexic readers are impaired in their perception of timing, as assessed by sensitivity to rhythm. Participants were college-level adult dyslexic and normal readers. The dyslexic adults evidenced generalized impairment in temporal processing: they were less accurate and slower than normal readers when required to detect the temporal gap that differentiated pairs of patterns. Impairment was greatest when processing visual syllables. Temporal pattern processing correlated to decoding ability only among normal readers. It is suggested that high-functioning dyslexics may cope with temporal processing problems by adopting a predominantly holistic, orthographic strategy when decoding. It is proposed that there may be cumulative effects of processing demands from different sources including modality, stimulus complexity, and linguistic demands, and that combinations of these may interact to impact temporal processing ability. Moreover, there may be fundamentally distinct and dissociable temporal processing abilities, each of which may be differently linked developmental dyslexia. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A computerized treatment of dyslexia: Benefits from treating lexico-phonological processing problems

DYSLEXIA, Issue 1 2005
Jurgen Tijms
Abstract Two hundred sixty-seven 10- to 14-year-old Dutch children with dyslexia were randomly assigned to one of two samples that received a treatment for reading and spelling difficulties. The treatment was computer-based and focused on learning to recognise and use the phonological and morphological structure of Dutch words. The inferential algorithmic basis of the program ensured that the instruction was highly structured. The present study examined the reliability of the effects of the treatment, and provided an evaluation of the attained levels of reading and spelling by relating them to normal levels. Both samples revealed large, generalized treatment effects on reading accuracy, reading rate, and spelling skills. Following the treatment, participants attained an average level of reading accuracy and spelling. The attained level of reading rate was comparable to the lower bound of the average range. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


COMPLEX METHOD FOR NONLINEAR CONSTRAINED MULTI-CRITERIA (MULTI-OBJECTIVE FUNCTION) OPTIMIZATION of THERMAL PROCESSING

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2003
FERRUH ERDO
ABSTRACT The goal in a multi-objective function optimization problem is to optimize the several objective functions simultaneously. the complex method is a powerful algorithm to find the optimum of a general nonlinear function within a constrained region. the objective of this study was to apply the complex method to two different shapes (a sphere and a finite cylinder) subjected to the same thermal processing boundary conditions to find a variable process temperature profile (decision variable) to maximize the volume-average retention of thiamine. A process temperature range of 5 to 150C was used as an explicit constraint. Implicit constraints were center temperature and accumulated center lethality of the sphere and the finite cylinder. the objective functions for both shapes were combined into a single one using a weighting method. Then, the previously developed complex algorithm was applied using Lexicographic Ordering to order the objective functions with respect to their significance. the results were reported as optimum variable process temperature profiles using the given geometries and objective functions. the thiamine retentions were also compared with a constant process temperature process, and 3.0% increase was obtained in the combined objective function. the results showed that the complex method can be successfully used to predict the optimum variable process temperature profiles in multi-criteria thermal processing problems. [source]


Aggregated structure of flocculated asphaltenes

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001
Theophylaktos G. Savvidis
Many petroleum processing problems are related to asphaltene flocculation. A detailed understanding of the colloidal structure of asphaltenes in oild can play a decisive role in improving processing facilities and/or operating conditions. The structure of the flocculated part of the asphaltenes of a crude oil far above the flocculation threshold was studied to understand its links with macroscopic phase separation. Asphaltene filtrations were performed using filter pore sizes from 0.025 to 10 ,m. According to small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) spectra and density measurements, these extracted asphaltenes in toluene solutions did not have any physical differences. Measurements of nanometric sizes for the dispersed particles after dissolution in toluene show that micron-size flocculated asphaltenes are strongly aggregated structures. Therefore, filtration experiments separate asphaltenes corresponding powders show spherically shaped aggregates of micron size. SAXS and USAXS techniques were used to investigate the internal structure of the asphaltene powder. The aggregates are clearly a compact organization of asphaltenic material. This dense structure explains why flocculated asphaltenes are subject to sedimentation, which induces the visible macroscopic phase separation. [source]


An fMRI Study of Number Processing in Children With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2010
Ernesta M. Meintjes
Background:, Number processing deficits are frequently seen in children exposed to alcohol in utero. Methods:, Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine the neural correlates of number processing in 15 right-handed, 8- to 12-year-old children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or partial FAS (PFAS) and 18 right-handed, age- and gender-matched controls from the Cape Coloured (mixed ancestry) community in Cape Town, South Africa, using Proximity Judgment and Exact Addition tasks. Results:, Control children activated the expected fronto-parietal network during both tasks, including the anterior horizontal intraparietal sulcus (HIPS), left posterior HIPS, left precentral sulcus, and posterior medial frontal cortex. By contrast, on the Proximity Judgment task, the exposed children recruited additional parietal pathways involving the right and left angular gyrus and posterior cingulate/precuneus, which may entail verbally mediated recitation of numbers and/or subtraction to assess relative numerical distances. During Exact Addition, the exposed children exhibited more diffuse and widespread activations, including the cerebellar vermis and cortex, which have been found to be activated in adults engaged in particularly challenging number processing problems. Conclusions:, The data suggest that, whereas control children rely primarily on the fronto-parietal network identified in previous studies to mediate number processing, children with FAS/PFAS recruit a broader range of brain regions to perform these relatively simple number processing tasks. Our results are consistent with structural neuroimaging findings indicating that the parietal lobe is relatively more affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and provide the first evidence for brain activation abnormalities during number processing in children with FAS/PFAS, effects that persist even after controlling statistically for group differences in total intracranial volume and IQ. [source]