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The Arctic is warming rapidly, significantly reducing the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) surface mass balance (SMB) and raising its contribution to global sea‐level rise. Since these trends are expected to continue, it is essential to explore the GrIS SMB response to projected climate warming. We compare projections from three polar regional climate models, RACMO, MAR, and HIRHAM, forced by the Community Earth System Model CESM2 under a high‐end warming scenario (SSP5‐8.5, 1970–2099). We reveal different modeled SMB by 2100, including a twofold larger annual surface mass loss in MAR (−1735 Gt/yr) and HIRHAM (−1698 Gt/yr) relative to RACMO (−964 Gt/yr). Discrepancies primarily stem from differences in projected runoff, triggering melt‐albedo positive feedback and subsequent modeled ablation zone expansion. In addition, we find different responses of modeled meltwater production to similar atmospheric warming. Our analysis suggests clear avenues for model developments to further improve SMB projections and contribution to sea‐level rise. Plain Language Summary: We explore how three different polar climate models predict the future surface mass balance (SMB) of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), a major contributor to global sea‐level rise. Our results show that SMB projections among these models differ significantly by the end of the century. Differences primarily stem from how models convert meltwater into surface runoff toward the ocean, a crucial SMB component that directly contributes to sea‐level rise. Another key factor is the response of these models to climate warming, substantially affecting future melting rates. Our research highlights the need for further improvements of these climate models. By identifying and understanding the drivers behind model differences, we can improve SMB predictions and better estimate future global sea‐level rise. Key Points: With identical forcing, Greenland Ice Sheet surface mass balance from 3 regional climate models shows a two‐fold difference by 2100Different runoff projections stem from substantial discrepancies in projected ablation zone expansion, and reciprocallyThe response of meltwater production to similar atmospheric warming differs significantly among regional climate models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium metabisulfite (SMB) is commonly utilized in food to preserve freshness by acting as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. However, when SMB interacts with water in biological systems, it produces harmful byproducts such as sulfite and sulfur dioxide. These byproducts induce cellular stress and programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, by triggering excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Our study demonstrates that supplementation with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) effectively mitigates the damage caused by SMB to porcine oocytes during their cultivation in laboratory conditions. NMN supplementation not only preserves the oocytes' ability to undergo meiosis with intact spindle and chromosome structures but also enhances their capacity for fertilization by promoting the activity of cortical granule component protease. The protective effects of NMN on porcine oocytes exposed to SMB involve the restoration of mitochondrial function and the reduction of accumulated reactive oxygen species, leading to inhibition of apoptosis. These findings suggest that excessive SMB will impair mitochondrial function in porcine oocytes, which in turn causes oxidative stress and apoptosis, and impedes maturation of porcine oocytes and development of post-fertilised embryos, and that supplementation with NMN is a promising strategy to protect oocytes from the deleterious effects of SMB exposure.

Asset pricing models are widely applied for explaining variations in stock returns. The applicability of these models is tested on different markets for assessing different stock price anomalies. In this paper, Fama and French three-factor model and Carhart Model were applied to the KSE-100 Index, over the period of 2004 to 2019. Following the FF 3 factor methodology, we create a relatively large number of portfolios based on size, value, and momentum, whereas the existence of the momentum factor was checked through the Carhart model. The results indicate that, out of 25 portfolios, 15 were able to explain the variations in stock returns, which shows 60% efficiency of the Carhart model compared to the FF 3 factor model with 56% efficiency whereby only 14 portfolios were able to explain the variations in the stock returns. The momentum factor is thus evident from the results, whereas the value factor is found to be redundant. Our findings suggest that while projecting stock prices, financial experts and analysts should not ignore the momentum factor as by doing so there may be chances of underpricing or over-pricing of stock.

Abstract Simulated moving bed (SMB) technology is considered one of the most successful techniques in chromatographic separation. However, due to the nonlinearity caused by discrete events and sensitivity to numerous separation performance parameters, purity control in SMB systems has been a challenging issue. Fuzzy controllers are increasingly popular in industrial environments due to their simplicity and effectiveness in handling nonlinearity. However, traditional fuzzy controllers used in industry often overlook considerations of error acceleration, resulting in slight deviations from target values under steady-state conditions and oscillatory behavior when system parameters change. This study proposes an advanced fuzzy controller, where in a series of experiments, the purity control targets for component B are set at 94% and 96%, and for component A are set at 96% and 96%, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the advanced fuzzy controller achieves higher precision, with an average deviation of around 0.1%, for both components B and A. Importantly, under variations in adsorbent parameter(from 0.01 to 0.03), feed concentration(from 4.5 to 5.2), and switching time(from 178 to 182), the experimental results demonstrate smoother control with the advanced controller, particularly when oscillations occur with conventional fuzzy controllers due to switching time variations, indicating robust control with the advanced fuzzy controller.

Chromatographic separation plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing of chemical products and biopharmaceuticals. This technique exploits differences in distribution between stationary and mobile phases to separate mixtures, impacting final product quality. Simulated moving bed (SMB) technology, recognized for its continuous feed, enhances efficiency and increases production capacity while reducing solvent and water consumption. Despite its complexity in controlling variables like flow rates and valve switching times, traditional control theories fall short. This study introduces an intelligent fuzzy controller resembling an approximate neural network (NN) for SMB control. Simulation results demonstrate the controller's effectiveness in achieving desirable outcomes for the SMB system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium metabisulfite (SMB) is commonly utilized in food to preserve freshness by acting as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. However, when SMB interacts with water in biological systems, it produces harmful byproducts such as sulfite and sulfur dioxide. These byproducts induce cellular stress and programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, by triggering excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Our study demonstrates that supplementation with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) effectively mitigates the damage caused by SMB to porcine oocytes during their cultivation in laboratory conditions. NMN supplementation not only preserves the oocytes' ability to undergo meiosis with intact spindle and chromosome structures but also enhances their capacity for fertilization by promoting the activity of cortical granule component protease. The protective effects of NMN on porcine oocytes exposed to SMB involve the restoration of mitochondrial function and the reduction of accumulated reactive oxygen species, leading to inhibition of apoptosis. These findings suggest that excessive SMB will impair mitochondrial function in porcine oocytes, which in turn causes oxidative stress and apoptosis, and impedes maturation of porcine oocytes and development of post-fertilised embryos, and that supplementation with NMN is a promising strategy to protect oocytes from the deleterious effects of SMB exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Simulated moving bed (SMB) is one of the most successful technologies in chromatographic separation, which is widely used in chemical industry and food industry. There are many parameters that can affect the separation effect of SMB, and the sensitivity is very strong, so the effective control is always a difficulty problem for SMB. In this paper, a self-tuning advanced fuzzy controller is proposed to control the purity of the SMB outlet, and the study finds it has smaller steady-state error and better adaptability of in SMB when compares with the traditional and advance fuzzy type controller.

This paper presents a study about the possibility of system identification for a simulated moving bed (SMB), which is an important step for developing a smart SMB automatic control mechanism with a precise control capability. An SMB is a very complex and nonlinear system that is constructed from multiple columns in series and complex valve arrangements. All feed mixtures and solvents and the desorbent flow are controlled by the columns and valve devices at a fixed switching time. Thus, if the operational behavior of an SMB system can be identified in advance, then the precise control of the system can be achieved easily. In this study, the neural network (NN) technique was used to identify an SMB system. From the experimental results shown, an NN was found to be a very effective tool for SMB system identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is aimed at studying the basis of formalized approach to the management of small and medium-sized business (SMB) according to the principles of social and ecological responsibility. The fundamental modules of the ethical code of SMB management are formed, becoming a reflection of causal relations between the global goals of sustainable development and the prospect of Ukrainian business in the foreign economic activity, as well as its initiative on the world stage. The content modules of regulation of the basic relations between the key subjects of SMB and their orientation to a qualitatively new level of business are defined. The key provisions of the code, regulating social responsibility of SMB, are proposed as follows: guarantee of favorable and safe working conditions; support for cultural diversity versus discrimination and harassment; regulation of the recruitment and employment process; motivation to increase intellectual capital through training and development. During the self-regulation of the SMB ecological responsibility it is proposed to adhere to such provisions of the code: compliance with ecological policy; optimality of strategies and instruments in accordance with the environmentally friendly goals; ecological orientation in relations with contractors.

Greenland Ice Sheet surface elevation is changing as mass loss accelerates. In understanding elevation change, the magnitudes of physical processes involved are important for interpretation of altimetry and assessing changes in these processes. The four key processes are surface mass balance (SMB), firn densification, ice dynamics, and isostatic adjustment. We quantified these processes at Summit, Greenland, where monthly Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) snowmobile traverses measured elevation change from 2008 to 2018. We find an elevation increase of 0.019 m a−1. The sum of the effects of the four processes reproduces the measured elevation time series, in linear trend and in intra‐annual variability. The short‐term variability in elevation is primarily explained by the variability in SMB. Since SMB has not changed significantly over the last century, and the other processes change over longer time scales, the elevation change likely has been ongoing for at least the last 100 years. Key Points: Measurements of ice sheet elevation, flow divergence, firn densification, and accumulation are self‐consistent at Summit, GreenlandThe ice sheet surface at Summit, Greenland, is rising at 1.9 cm/year over the last decade, a trend likely unchanged in the last centuryShort‐term ice sheet elevation changes are dominated by surface mass balance changes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global Positioning System (GPS) provides critical geodetic constraints on Earth's elastic response induced by ice and other mass loadings in Greenland. Previous studies focused on long‐term ice mass changes, with relatively fewer studies on transient signals and had used fewer GPS stations. Here we reconstructed 44 Greenland‐wide coastal decadal GPS time series using multichannel singular spectral analysis and quantified the origins of spatiotemporal patterns of transient to seasonal signals. We used an exhaustive list of geophysical processes, including surface mass balance (SMB), atmospheric pressure, continental hydrology, nontidal ocean loading, bedrock thermal expansion, precipitation, runoff, and ice discharge, and identified that most of Greenland's GPS sites exhibit SMB‐induced transient signals during 2012–2015, with maximum displacement reaching 20.45 mm. Analyses of differenced time series between adjacent GPS stations near peripheral glaciers reveal that locally varying seasonal signals are primarily attributable to SMB, followed by atmosphere. Plain Language Summary: Prior studies on Greenland ice sheet mass change mainly focused on long‐term and accelerated signals. However, the effects of multisource geophysical mechanisms on GPS observed transient or abrupt signals are relatively less studied, including quantifying locally varying spatiotemporal patterns between adjacent Global Positioning System (GPS) stations over entire Greenland. In this study, we model crustal displacements caused by an exhaustive list of geophysical mechanisms in Greenland, including atmospheric pressure, continental water storage, nontidal ocean circulation loading, bedrock thermal expansion, surface mass balance, and ice discharge. We then reconstruct the transient signals from 44 Greenland‐wide coastal GPS decadal records using multichannel singular spectral analysis. The differenced time series between adjacent GPS stations located near the peripheral glaciers reveals that locally varying deformation is primarily caused by surface mass balance loading, followed by atmosphere loading. Most of GPS observed transient signals are attributable to surface mass balance and ice discharge loading, 2009 to mid‐2011, and 2012 to 2015, which can reach a maximum displacement of 20.5 mm, with a mean displacement of 5.97 mm. Key Points: Interpretation of Greenland‐wide 44 GPS deformation time series, manifested by multisource seasonal and transient mass loading signalsWe use M‐SSA reconstructed Greenland GPS and modeled deformation data to quantify origins of spatiotemporal loading patternsDifferenced GPS time series between adjacent sites reveals that locally varying seasonal signals are primarily attributable to SMB [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Α novel approach to optimize TMB units is presented. • A new version of the PSO algorithm is presented, the Parallel PSO. • Parallel PSO is the best compromise between productivity and iterations to converge. • TMB performance was significantly higher than previous results in literature. • TMB results were used to simulate SMB units. Abstract The Particles Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an optimization technique that has been gaining attention in the last years. In this work, the PSO method is applied to optimize the productivity and the eluent consumption of the separation of the bi-naphthol enantiomers in a True Moving Bed (TMB) device. Three optimization strategies are presented: the two-steps optimization , the single optimization and a new version of the PSO algorithm, the Parallel PSO. All the three strategies showed to be efficient to perform the desired optimization. Comparing in terms of productivity and computation time (represented by the number of iterations), the Parallel PSO appeared to be the best compromise, which emphasizes the relevance of this new version to perform the optimization of the mentioned separation process. Generally, The TMB optimization results presented in this work had an average productivity that was 30% higher than the results previously reported in the literature. The best result was obtained using the Parallel PSO strategy in which a productivity of 209.2 g/L ads /day (corresponding to an eluent consumption of only 83.9 dL/g) was achieved. As the TMB is only a theoretical model, simulations with Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) devices with four, eight and twelve columns were obtained using the equivalence between the two models, and the results were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the long term relationship of risk premium and fundamental factors in emerging stock markets of China, India and Pakistan keeping in view leading contribution of Fama and French (1992) and Carhart (1997) models. Contrary to the macroeconomic multifactor models, this study incorporates firm-specific risk factors related to the market premium; size (SMB), value (HML), momentum (WML) and growth (UMD) as determinants of risk premium. The firm-specific growth factor is incorporated based on evidence from Ho, Strange, and Piesse (2008) by employing (UMD) which is based on assets to market equity of the firm. Sample of 1198 companies from the three emerging markets for the period of 2001-2013 depicts market risk premium as the leading factor affecting risk premium in Indian and the Pakistani markets. Results reveal market momentum being high enough to overestimate coefficients in the short run. However, the relationship is stabilized and adjusted in the long run. Chinese markets, where all the risk factors seem to play their role to determine risk premium, are relatively much stable and grown-up and clearly represent maturity of the Chinese markets. Distinction between the short run and long run might be useful for the investors of the three emerging economies. According to the principle of high risk associated with high returns, small value happens to deliver higher returns with higher volatility. The growth stocks outperform value stocks in these economies.

β-adrenergic antagonists (β-blockers) with at least one chiral center are an exceedingly important class of drugs used mostly to treat cardiovascular diseases. At least 70 β-blockers have been investigated in history. However, only a few β-blockers, e.g., timolol, are clinically marketed as an optically pure enantiomer. Therefore, the separation of racemates of β-blockers is essential both in the laboratory and industry. Many approaches have been explored to obtain the single enantiomeric β-blocker, including high performance liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography and simulated moving bed chromatography. In this article, a review is presented on different chromatographic methods applied for the enantioseparation of β-blockers, covering high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB).

There are some disadvantages in conventional cryogenic liquid pumps (CLPs) with mechanical bearings, such as difficult lubrication and short working life. In this paper, we propose a new structure of CLP-submerged cryogenic disk motor-pump with superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB). The impeller and the rotor of the disk motor are combined as the suspension rotor of the disk motor-pump. The suspension rotor which is supported by SMB system, rotates frictionlessly with self-stabilized. The SMB system includes a radial-type SMB, an axial-type permanent magnet bearing, and an axial flux disk motor. Theoretical calculations and experimental measurements of levitation forces in the SMB system are carried out. The levitation force of radial-type SMB is calculated by using H-formulation finite-element model in COMSOL. The kinetic model of the suspension rotor is established to ensure the force balance and torque balance. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed submerged cryogenic disk motor-pump with SMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neurodegenerative condition caused by a reduction in the amount of functional survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN has been implicated in transport of mRNA in neural cells for local translation. We previously identified microtubule-dependent mobile vesicles rich in SMN and SNRPB, a member of the Sm family of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP)- associated proteins, in neural cells. By comparing the interactomes of SNRPB and SNRPN, a neural-specific Sm protein, we now show that the essential neural protein neurochondrin (NCDN) interacts with Sm proteins and SMN in the context of mobile vesicles in neurites. NCDN has roles in protein localisation in neural cells and in maintenance of cell polarity. NCDN is required for the correct localisation of SMN, suggesting they may both be required for formation and transport of trafficking vesicles. NCDN may have potential as a therapeutic target for SMA together with, or in place of the targeting of SMN expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a comparison and contrast of the predictive powers of two asset pricing models: CAPM and seven factor risk-return adjusted model, to explain the cross section of stock rate of returns in the financial sector listed at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE). To test the models daily returns from January 2013 to February 2014 have been taken and the excess returns of portfolios are regressed on explanatory variables. The results of the tested models indicate that the models are valid and applicable in the financial market of Pakistan during the period under study, as the intercepts are not significantly different from zero. It is consequently established from the findings that all the explanatory variables explain the stock returns in the financial sector of KSE. In addition, the results of this study show that addition of more explanatory variables to the single factor CAPM results in reasonably high values of R2. These results provide substantial support to fund managers, investors and financial analysts in making investment decisions.

To address the phenomenon of rapid fire spread in high-rise steel buildings, this paper used the in situ growth method to crystallize sodium metaborate (SMB) on the surface of layered double hydroxide (LDH) and grafted Ti-O onto LDH@SMB hybrid material by hydroxyl action. The synthesized LDH@SMB@Ti (LST) hybrid material was then doped into epoxy resin (EP) to prepare a composite coating. The fire test showed that the LST/EP coating makes the steel plate reach a stable temperature in a shorter time, so that the plate temperature did not continue to rise, and the temperature on the back side of the plate was stabilized at 172.9 °C, which was 87.4 °C lower compared to pure EP. This proves that the LST material gives the coating stronger fire retardant properties upfront and strengthens the continuous insulation ability of the char layer. Cone calorimeter tests showed that the total heat release rate (THR) of LST/EP was reduced by 47.3% and the total smoke release rate (TSR) was reduced by 45.4%, proving the excellent fire and smoke suppression performance of LST/EP. In the expansion performance test, the expansion height and expansion rate of LST/EP reached 29.90 mm and 23.36 respectively, and the expansion of char layer was more uniform. This indicates that the addition of LST hybrid material can improve the mechanical strength of char layer and attenuate the heat transfer rate in the vertical direction. The residual char of LST/EP was 33.2% by thermogravimetric analysis, indicating that the addition of LST could reduce the volatilization of volatile components and improve the thermal stability of EP. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to probe the synergistic effect of cobalt phosphate (Co-Pi) and sodium metaborate hydrate (SMB) on the flame retardancy of aqueous epoxy resins. In situ growth of sodium metaborate on cobalt phosphate surfaces by co-precipitation to form a multi-functional flame retardant material and the prepared mixture was added to a waterborne epoxy resin to improve the inflaming retarding of the resin. Finally, water-based epoxy resin with flame retardant was applied to the wood for performance testing. After experimental comparison, the Co-Pi@SMB 3% /EP shows the best results in maximum decomposition temperature (374.3 ℃), the residual carbon (26.6 %), the limiting oxygen index (26 %), time to ignition (26 s) peak heat release rate (173.9 kW/m2), total heat release (41.35 MJ/m2), peak smoke release rate (0.060 m2/s), total smoke release (5.6 m2), peak CO release (0.035 g/g), and peak CO 2 release (0.613 g/g), possessing the optimum flame retardant effect. The residual char after the limiting oxygen index test was characterized, and it was confirmed that the Co-Pi@SMB composites have good flame retardant feature. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous academic publications are currently concentrating on the role that structural funds play in financing small- and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the level of possibili- ties and the benefits that such enterprises may be able to gain as a result of structural funding. The high formal and substantive requirements for access to these funds, which causes that these sources are not available for all enterprises, often are skipped. The objective of this paper is to answer the question of what attributes are typical for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises that fulfilled all requirements and received structural funds subsidies. Additionally, this article presents opinions expressed on structural fund access barriers by entrepreneurs. The research (whose results are discussed in this paper) was conducted among micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises of Malopolska received structural funds subsidies. This article demonstrates that access to structural funding is limited to a particular group of enterprises.

The model equation of simulated moving bed (SMB) process is solved by a space–time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) method, which is found to be more efficient than other methods in the two case studies. Furthermore, this CE/SE method was combined with continuous prediction technique (CPM) to further accelerate determination of the cyclic steady state in SMB operation. Comparing with conventional method of lines at the same required precisions, CE/SE with CPM was proved to save the CPU time by 77% for the pseudo-linear system of glucose–fructose separation and 96% for nonlinear enantioseparation. Finally, the combination of CE/SE and CPM was applied to the optimization study to determine the optimum switching time and flow rate. To ensure the method be convergent, the four Courant numbers in four zones need to fall between 0.1 and 1. The method for fulfill this constraint is also developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an empirical investigation of factors affecting SMB CEOs decision to improve or not their company's information security (ISS). We developed a research model by adopting the protection motivation theory (PMT) to investigate the effect of threat and coping appraisal on protective actions. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey with SMB CEOs. Prior studies using PMT have never been focused on SMB CEOs behavior, and we postulate that in SMBs where there is no CIO or even IT people, CEO's actions are of utmost importance for achieving a satisfying ISS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we demonstrate an improved framework for simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatographic process development using a superstructure formulation. Various optimal column configurations and operations are obtained by solving a multi-objective optimization problem representing the superstructure by maximizing feed throughput and minimizing desorbent usage. In order to resolve the model mismatch with experimental data, here we utilize the simultaneous optimization - model correction (SOMC) method in which process optimization is carried out in tandem with model correction using data obtained from experimental evaluations. The potential of the superstructure-SOMC framework has been demonstrated by separating glucose and fructose using columns packed with a cation exchange resin with water as the mobile phase. The optimal operation modes found using the superstructure included standard SMB, three zone (3Z) operation, intermittent SMB (I-SMB) and a newly found outlet stream swing (OSS) - partial feed (PF) hybrid operation. All configurations were experimentally implemented using a Semba Octave ™ 100 Chromatography System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Con el objetivo de comparar la eficiencia de dos tratamientos del anestro post-parto a los 90 días (control, inyección i.m. de 10 cc de solución fisiológica estéril; SMB + PMSG, implante por 9 días con 1000 u.i de PMSG; y VFL, inyección i.m. de Vitaminas A, D3 y E, fósforo inorgánico y levamisol), 113 vacas (control = 46, SMB + PMSG = 32, VFL = 35) mestizas en anestro fueron adjudicadas aleatoriamente a algunos de los tratamientos indicados. Se midieron los efectos de la época del año (E), sistema de producción (SP), Producción Acumulada hasta los 100 días de lactancia (PA), número de partos (NP), sexo de la cría (SC), condición corporal (CC) y Raza (R), sobre parámetros reproductivos como porcentaje de ciclicidad post-tratamiento (PCPT), intervalo parto-celo (IPARCE), intervalo parto-concepción (IPARCO), porcentaje de vacas en anestro orgánico [PVAO) y tasa de concepción - .- (TC). Se encontró que el PCPT fue de 43.48%, 34.29% y 81.25% en el Control, VFL y SMB + PMSG, respectivamente (P < 0.001). La TC fue de 45.45%, 50.0% y 28.13% para el C, VFL y SMB + PMSG (P > 0.05). El IPARCE fue menor (89.21 días) en vacas tratadas entre diciembre y febrero (P < 0.05) en relación a las otras épocas estudiadas. El IPARCE fue acortado en cinco días aproximadamente por efecto del SP mejorado (P < 0.05). El IPARCO mostró diferencias (P < 0.05) entre la época diciembre - febrero y junio - agosto (84.2 vs. 111.78 días respectivamente). El SP no mostró efecto alguno sobre el IPARCO. Los factores PA, NP, SC, CC y R. no mostraron efectos significativos sobre los parámetros reproductivos estudiados (P > 0.05). El SMB + PMSG constituye una alternativa terapéutica exitosa para el anestro post-parto. Sin embargo, SP y E afectaron la efectividad de los tratamientos. Â

The stress-strain behavior of clayey soil is time dependent. Laboratory study and constitutive modeling of the time-dependent stress-strain behavior are needed to understand the soil behavior and analyze displacements of reclamation works and foundations on clayey soils. The stress relaxation, as one of the significant time-dependent phenomena in clayey soils, has been observed and examined in excavations and constructions, such as the short-term change in lateral earth pressure after installation of a supporting system. In this study, Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMDs), which are clayey soils, and a sand-mixed bentonite (SMB) soil were investigated in relaxation tests. Relaxations were performed in both the loading stage and the unloading stage. This paper is focused on the testing study and modeling of the time-dependent relaxation behavior of clayey soils. Relaxation tests were carried out to measure the changes of the effective stress with time in one-dimensional (1D) straining condition. A new 1D elastic visco-plastic model considering swelling (1D EVPS) was used to simulate the relaxation tests. Analytical solutions from the 1D EVPS constitutive equations were obtained for relaxation tests. All parameters in this 1D EVPS model were obtained from a conventional oedometer test. The analytical solutions from the 1D EVPS model were used to simulate the relaxation behavior and compare with test data. Good agreement between the simulated curve and the measured data were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A low computation time is a key need for optimization of SMB systems. [•] A method is presented for the simulation of a separation column. [•] The method shows to be much faster than other ones for the same accuracy. [•] Simulations were compared to experimental data showing a good agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the last decade in the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industry, simulated moving bed technology has become an import chromatographic method for the separation of racemates. In this report we describe the SMB principle along with its application for the small and mid scale separation of binary mixtures. A practical approach to method development is presented with highlights on the factors that are critical for the design of a robust separation process and its expected productivity. An example of process optimization is also given in regard to the separation of racemic Z-?-homo-alanine.

The role of SMA and SMB smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms in tonic and phasic contractions was studied in phasic (longitudinal ileum and stomach circular antrum) and tonic (stomach circular fundus) smooth muscle tissues of SMB knockout mice. Knocking out the SMB MHC gene eliminated SMB MHC protein expression and resulted in upregulation of the SMA MHC protein without altering the total MHC protein level. Switching from SMB to SMA MHC protein expression decreased the rate of the force transient and increased the sustained tonic force in SMB(-/-) ileum and antrum with high potassium (KPSS) but not with carbachol (CCh) stimulation. The increased tonic contraction under the depolarized condition was not through changes in second messenger signaling pathways (PKC/CPI-17 or Rho/ROCK signaling pathway) or LC20 phosphorylation. Biochemical analyses showed that the expression of contractile regulatory proteins (MLCK, MLCP, PKCδ, and CPI-17) did not change significantly in tissues tested except for PKCα protein expression being significantly decreased in the SMB(-/-) antrum. However, specifically activating PKCα with phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) was not significantly different in knockout and wild-type tissues, with total force being a fraction of the force generation with KPSS or CCh stimulation in SMB(-/-) ileum and antrum. Taken together, these data show removing the SMB MHC protein expression with a compensatory increase in the SMA MHC protein results in enhanced sustained KPSS-induced tonic contraction with a reduced rate of force generation in these phasic tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present here a mechanistic view of adsorption processes for separation of gas mixtures. The moving-bed adsorber (abandoned due to practical difficulties) is shown to offer orders of magnitude higher productivity than the conventional pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and yields ‘perfect separation’. To realize its potential in fixed beds, simulated moving bed (SMB) with pressure or thermal swing and 3-bed and 4-bed PSAs that emulate moving-bed adsorbers have been proposed. Based on their characteristics of phase equilibria and separating agents employed, a classification of adsorption processes has been proposed as ‘absorption like’, ‘distillation like’ and ‘chromatographic’ processes, which provides insight into these processes and a rational basis for their design. The mechanism of separation in moving bed, SMB and the conventional PSA are shown to be similar to that of either absorption or distillation. On the other hand, the duplex, molecular-gate and rapid PSAs are shown to share the same separation mechanism that is akin to heat-transfer mechanism in heat regenerators. Subtle but significant differences in the role of ‘reflux’ in absorption-like and distillation-like processes and their implications in process design have been highlighted. Though process intensification in molecular-gate PSA and duplex PSA is modest compared to the SMB, they appear to hold promise since they are based on a proven technology. Their adaptability for absorption and extraction using immobilized solvent has been presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]