Review and extension of the McCabe-Thiele method covering multiple feeds, products and heat transfer stages

The McCabe-Thiele method is a classical approximate graphical method for the conceptual design of binary distillation columns which is still widely used, mainly for didactical purposes, though it is also valuable for quick preliminary calculations. Nevertheless, no complete description of the method has been found and situations such as different thermal feed conditions, multiple feeds, possibilities to extract by-products or to add or remove heat, are not always considered. In the present work we provide a systematic analysis of such situations by developing the generalized equations for: a) the operating lines (OL) of each sector, and b) the changeover line that provides the connection between two consecutive trays of the corresponding sectors separated by a lateral stream of feed, product, or a heat removal or addition.

The comparison of maximal and endurance strength of quadriceps femori in trained and untrained elderly

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in knee extensor maximal and endurance strength in elderly. Sixteen healthy elderly served as subjects, eight of them trained , age 61.0±8.9 yrs; height, 170.6±6.8 cm; weight, 71.8±11.7 kg [mean ± standard deviation] and eight untrained 61.4±8.1 yrs, height 174.6±7.4 cm; weight 83.9 ±14.2 kg. Maximal strength in single leg extension exercise was measured unilaterally with the dominant leg until the subjects reached their 1 Repetition Maximum (RM) covering the full Range of Motion (ROM). Muscular endurance was obtained with a load of 75% of 1-RM for 3 consecutive sets, with 2 min rest periods till failure. Load at 1 RM was lower in absolute terms in untrained, but not significant, while the relative 1-RM test was significantly lower in untrained subjects (0.20 vs. 0.25 kg load/kg body weight) (p<0.05). The number of repetitions and amount of weight lifted performed of all 3 sets was higher in trained subjects, but not significant. In the trained group both repetitions and the load managed in the third set was significant lower compared with the first two sets. The result that maximal force output is more affected compared to muscular endurance in these subjects might be due to the habitual use of quadriceps femoris muscles during activity of daily living in both trained and untrained elderly.

Developing Semantic Rich Internet Applications with the Sm4RIA Extension for OIDE

This paper introduces the Sm4RIA Extension for OIDE, which implements the Sm4RIA approach in OIDE (OOH4RIA Integrated Development Environment). The application, based on the Eclipse framework, supports the design of the Sm4RIA models as well as the model-to-model and model-to-text transformation processes that facilitate the generation of Semantic Rich Internet Applications, i.e., RIA applications capable of sharing data as Linked data and consuming external data from other sources in the same manner. Moreover, the application implements mechanisms for the creation of RIA interfaces from ontologies and the automatic generation of administration interfaces for a previously design application.

Obesity, knee osteoarthritis, and polypathology: factors favoring weight loss in older people

Aim: We aimed to explore the meaning of obesity in elderly persons with knee osteoarthritis (KO) and to determine the factors that encourage or discourage weight loss. Background: Various studies have demonstrated that body mass index is related to KO and that weight loss improves symptoms and functional capacity. However, dietary habits are difficult to modify and most education programs are ineffective. Design: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted. Intentional sampling was performed in ten older persons with KO who had lost weight and improved their health-related quality of life after participating in a health education program. A thematic content analysis was conducted following the stages proposed by Miles and Huberman. Findings: Participants understood obesity as a risk factor for health problems and stigma. They believed that the cause of obesity was multifactorial and criticized health professionals for labeling them as “obese” and for assigning a moral value to slimness and diet. The factors identified as contributing to the effectiveness of the program were a tolerant attitude among health professionals, group education that encouraged motivation, quantitative dietary recommendations, and a meaningful learning model based on social learning theories. Conclusion: Dietary self-management without prohibitions helped participants to make changes in the quantity and timing of some food intake and to lose weight without sacrificing some foods that were deeply rooted in their culture and preferences. Dietary education programs should focus on health-related quality of life and include scientific knowledge but should also consider affective factors and the problems perceived as priorities by patients.