Antibacterial Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) Complexes of Thiadiazoles Schiff Bases

Schiff bases were obtained by condensation of 2-amino-l,3,4-thiadiazole with 5-substituted-salicylaldehydes which were further used to obtain complexes of the type [M(L)(2)]Cl(2), where M=Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) or Zn(II). The new compounds described here have been characterized by physical, spectral and analytical data, and have been screened for antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial potency of these Schiff bases increased upon chelation/complexation, against the tested bacterial species, opening new aproaches in the fight against antibiotic resistant strains.     

Experimental quadrotor flight performance using computationally efficient and recursively feasible linear model predictive control

A new linear model predictive control (MPC) algorithm in a state-space framework is presented based on the fusion of two past MPC control laws: steady-state optimal MPC (SSOMPC) and Laguerre optimal MPC (LOMPC). The new controller, SSLOMPC, is demonstrated to have improved feasibility, tracking performance and computation time than its predecessors. This is verified in both simulation and practical experimentation on a quadrotor unmanned air vehicle in an indoor motion-capture testbed. The performance of the control law is experimentally compared with proportional-integral-derivative (PID) and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controllers in an unconstrained square manoeuvre. The use of soft control output and hard control input constraints is also examined in single and dual constrained manoeuvres.     

Adaptive Fuzzy Logic Controller for Harmonics Mitigation Using Particle Swarm Optimization

An excessive use of non-linear devices in industry results in current harmonics that degrades the power quality with an unfavorable effect on power system performance. In this research, a novel control technique-based Hybrid-Active Power-Filter (HAPF) is implemented for reactive power compensation and harmonic current component for balanced load by improving the Power-Factor (PF) and Total–Hormonic Distortion (THD) and the performance of a system. This work proposed a soft-computing technique based on Particle Swarm-Optimization (PSO) and Adaptive Fuzzy technique to avoid the phase delays caused by conventional control methods. Moreover, the control algorithms are implemented for an instantaneous reactive and active current (I_d-I_q) and power theory (Pq0) in SIMULINK. To prevent the degradation effect of disturbances on the system's performance, PS0-PI is applied in the inner loop which generate a required dc link-voltage. Additionally, a comparative analysis of both techniques has been presented to evaluate and validate the performance under balanced load conditions. The presented result concludes that the Adaptive Fuzzy PI controller performs better due to the non-linearity and robustness of the system. Therefore, the gains taken from a tuning of the PSO based PI controller optimized with Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) are optimal that will detect reactive power and harmonics much faster and accurately. The proposed hybrid technique minimizes distortion by selecting appropriate switching pulses for VSI (Voltage Source Inverter), and thus the simulation has been taken in SIMULINK/MATLAB. The proposed technique gives better tracking performance and robustness for reactive power compensation and harmonics mitigation. As a result of the comparison, it can be concluded that the PSO-based Adaptive Fuzzy PI system produces accurate results with the lower THD and a power factor closer to unity than other techniques.     

Thermally Resistive Electrospun Composite Membranes for Low‐Grade Thermal Energy Harvesting

In this work, thermally insulating composite mats of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blends are used as the separator membranes. The membranes improve the thermal‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency of a thermally driven electrochemical cell (i.e., thermocell) up to 95%. The justification of the improved performance is an intricate relationship between the porosity, electrolyte uptake, electrolyte uptake rate of the electrospun fibrous mat, and the actual temperature gradient at the electrode surface. When the porosity is too high (87%) in PAN membranes, the electrolyte uptake and electrolyte uptake rate are significantly high as 950% and 0.53 µL s^?1, respectively. In such a case, the convective heat flow within the cell is high and the power density is limited to 32.7 mW m^?2. When the porosity is lesser (up to 81%) in PVDF membranes, the electrolyte uptake and uptake rate are relatively low as 434% and 0.13 µL s^?1, respectively. In this case, the convective flow shall be low, however, the maximum power density of 63.5 mW m^?2 is obtained with PVDF/PAN composites as the aforementioned parameters are optimized. Furthermore, multilayered membrane structures are also investigated for which a bilayered architecture produces highest power density of 102.7 mW m^?2.     

Quench behavior of 1.5 m model SSC collider dipole magnets atFermilab

The quench behaviors of 10 model dipole magnets for the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) have been studied. Horizontally split yoke, vertically split yoke, and the latest 50 mm diameter design were compared with regard to the quench characteristics. The excitation results showed a good progress of the R&D program. SSC magnets can now be built with no training to the required field of 6.65 T at 4.3 K     

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) Complexes With Cephradine

Some Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of antibacterial drug cephradine have been prepared and characterized by their physical, spectral and analytical data. Cephradine acts as bidentate and the complexes have compositions, [M(L)(2)X(2)] where [M = Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II), L = cephradine and X = Cl(2)] showing octahedral geometry, and [M(L)(2)] where [M = Cu(II), L = cephradine] showing square planar geometry. In order to evaluate the effect of metal ions upon chelation, eephradine and its complexes have been screened for their antibacterial activity against bacterial strains, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Wear mechanisms analysis for turning Ti-6Al-4V—towards the development of suitable tool coatings

Titanium alloys are materials of choice for a wide range of applications. Their high strength and low density make them suitable for aerospace applications. Titanium-based alloys also exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and are bio-compatible, making them suitable for prosthetic applications like orthopedic transplants. The reactivity as well as heat resistance of titanium-based alloys, however, renders them difficult to machine. Based on previous research involving the development of a wear map for Ti-6Al-4V alloy, this research aims to identify the wear mechanisms associated with tool deterioration across different regions of the wear map. The characterization of wear mechanisms with respect to machining conditions and tool wear rate would ultimately help in the development of suitable tool coatings for machining titanium-based alloys.     

Retained stones in the common bile duct: results of management

Seventeen patients underwent treatment for retained common bile duct stones. In 7 patients the stones were removed via a T-tube tract using steerable catheters while 5 patients underwent ERCP and sphincterotomy and 5 underwent surgical re-exploration. Considering morbidity, mortality, success rate and patients' stay in the hospital, non-operative modalities should be the treatment of choice for retained common bile duct stones.     

Magnetic field measurements of 1.5 meter model SSC collider dipolemagnets at Fermilab

Magnetic field measurements have been performed at Fermilab on 1.5 m magnetic length model dipoles for the Superconducting Supercollider (SSC). Harmonic measurements are recorded at room temperature before and after the collared cell is assembled into the yoke and at liquid helium temperature. Measurements are made as a function of longitudinal position and excitation current. High field data are compared with room temperature measurements of both the collared coil and the completed yoked magnet and with the predicted fields of both the body of the magnet and the coil ends. The effects of yoking and cold testing agree well with predictions. One of the two cold-tested dipoles satisfies the SSC specification for sextupole/decapole