Enhanced backstepping sliding mode controller for motion tracking of a nonlinear 2-DOF piezo-actuated micromanipulation system

Microsystem Technologies - In this paper a robust backstepping sliding mode controller is developed for tracking control of 2-DOF piezo-actuated micromanipulation system. The control approach is...     

Structurally Diverse Histone Deacetylase Photoreactive Probes: Design,Synthesis, and Photolabeling Studies in Live Cells and Tissue

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is modulated in vivo by post-translational modifications and formation of multiprotein complexes. Novel chemical tools to study how these factors affect engagement of HDAC isoforms by HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) in cells and tissues are needed. In this study, a synthetic strategy to access chemically diverse photoreactive probes (PRPs) was developed and used to prepare seven novel HDAC PRPs 9 – 15 . The class I HDAC isoform engagement by PRPs was determined in biochemical assays and photolabeling experiments in live SET-2, HepG2, HuH7, and HEK293T cell lines and in mouse liver tissue. Unlike the HDAC protein abundance and biochemical activity against recombinant HDACs, the chemotype of the PRPs and the type of cells were key in defining the engagement of HDAC isoforms in live cells. Our findings suggest that engagement of HDAC isoforms by HDACi in vivo may be substantially modulated in a cell- and tissue-type-dependent manner.     

Energy efficient scheduling in local area networks

Wireless Networks - In Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), portable devices such as notebooks, tabs, and smart phones are powered by batteries with limited energy. With the great increase of using...     

Review of the phase change material (PCM) usage for solar domestic water heating systems (SDWHS)

The shortage in energy resources combined with the climb in greenhouse emissions is the main incentive beyond the deployment of solar energy resource in various applications. One of the most successful applications is the utilization of solar energy in the domestic water heating systems (DWHS) because 70% of the consumed energy in the residential segment is utilized for space heating and appliances in cold climates 1 . However, the full deployment of solar energy in domestic water heating is only possible when an energy storage system with acceptable price is available. Recently a new tendency for deploying phase change materials (PCMs) as an energy storage system is introduced in several solar DWHS. These systems are known as integrated PCM in solar DWHS and offer several advantages including high storage capacity, low storage volume, and isothermal operation during the charging and discharging phases. The present study reviews various techniques utilized for integrating the PCM in solar water heating systems and the utilized methods for enhancing the heat transfer characteristics of the PCM through the usage of extended surfaces and high conductive additives. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ZF and MMSE Detectors Performances of a Massive MIMO System Combined with OFDM and M-QAM Modulation

Wireless Personal Communications - This paper presents a least squares channel estimation (LSCE) in the UpLink transmission for a Massive MIMO systems in 5G wireless communications, combined with...     

Structural,ferroelectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of (1-x) Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 -x La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 lead-free magnetoelectric composites

The influence of an additional La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ (LSMO) magnetic phase on the structural, ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, and magnetoelectric properties of Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Zr_0.1Ti_0.9O₃ (BCZT) ferroelectric phase was studied for composites of (1-x)BCZT -xLSMO (x = 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%). The ferroelectric BCZT sample showed a perovskite single phase formation with a tetragonal crystal structure of the P4mm space group, and the magnetic phase of LSMO presented a rhombohedral crystal structure of R3c space group as shown by XRD. The composite sample with 25% LSMO exhibited large ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties with remnant, saturation polarization, and coercive electric field P_r ~7.74 μC/cm², P_s ~11.69 μC/cm² and E_C ~12.22 kV/cm with a piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ ~ 231 pC/N. The magnetic characterization for the composites showed that the sample containing 75% of LSMO revealed the highest remnant, saturation magnetization, and coercive field of M_r ~1.358 emu/g, M_s ~19.17 emu/g, and H_C ~33.19 Oe, respectively. Moreover, it revealed the largest magnetoelectric coupling coefficient α_ME ~2.51 mV/cm.Oe with high coupling quality at a lower applied magnetic field. The results highlight the value of these composites as lead-free room temperature magnetoelectric sensors and actuators.     

Characterization and Beneficiation of Gold Mining By-products as Source of High-Quality Silica for High Technical Applications; Response Surface Studies and Optimization

Silicon - This paper aims to evaluate and upgrade the quality of quartz mining by-products through acid leaching process. The quartz samples were collected as gold mine by-products from El Sid-...     

Asthma‐related outcomes associated with indoor air pollutants among schoolchildren from four informal settlements in two municipalities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

The health impact of indoor air pollution in informal settlement households has not been extensively studied in South Africa. This cross‐sectional study investigated the association between asthma and common indoor exposures among schoolchildren from four informal settlements located in two municipalities in the Western Cape Province. A total of 590 children, aged 9‐11 years, were recruited. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was administered to caregivers. Pulmonary function assessment included spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Phadiatop test for atopy was done. The prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed asthma was 3.4% (n = 20) among whom only 50% were on treatment. The prevalence of current wheeze was 12.9%, and 17.6% had airway obstruction (FEV₁ < lower limit of normal), while 10.2% had airway inflammation (FeNO > 35 ppb). In adjusted logistic regression models, dampness, visible mold growth, paraffin use for cooking, and passive smoking were associated with a twofold to threefold increased risk in upper and lower airway outcomes. The strongest association was that of visible mold growth with rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio—aOR 3.37, 95% CI: 1.69‐6.71). Thus, there is a need for improved diagnosis of childhood asthma and Indoor Air Quality in informal settlement households.     

Numerical assessment of tunnel collapse: a case study of a tunnel at the East–West Algerian highway

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Construction of long tunnels in difficult sites is associated with various risks. Such risks are usually resulted on one hand from the lack of...