Neuro-fuzzy control strategy for an offshore steel jacket platform subjected to wave-induced forces using magnetorheological dampers

Magnetorheological (MR) damper is a prominent semi-active control device to vibrate mitigation of structures. Due to the inherent non-linear nature of MR damper, an intelligent non-linear neuro-fuzzy control strategy is designed to control wave-induced vibration of an offshore steel jacket platform equipped with MR dampers. In the proposed control system, a dynamic-feedback neural network is adapted to model non-linear dynamic system, and the fuzzy logic controller is used to determine the control forces of MR dampers. By use of two feedforward neural networks required voltages and actual MR damper forces are obtained, in which the first neural network and the second one acts as the inverse dynamics model, and the forward dynamics model of the MR dampers, respectively. The most important characteristic of the proposed intelligent control strategy is its inherent robustness and its ability to handle the non-linear behavior of the system. Besides, no mathematical model needed to calculate forces produced by MR dampers. According to linearized Morison equation, wave-induced forces are determined. The performance of the proposed neuro-fuzzy control system is compared with that of a traditional semi-active control strategy, i.e., clipped optimal control system with LQG-target controller, through computer simulations, while the uncontrolled system response is used as the baseline. It is demonstrated that the design of proposed control system framework is more effective than that of the clipped optimal control scheme with LQG-target controller to reduce the vibration of offshore structure. Furthermore, the control strategy is very important for semi-active control.     

Analyse théorique et caractérisation expérimentale ďune jonction Y intégrée utilisée comme capteur de déplacement

The coherent coupling of radiation modes in symmetric single-mode Y-junction excited by a single mode fiber is studied in this work. Using the bpm (beam propagation method) we find that the power splitting between the two outputs of the junction depends strongly on the fiber displacement with respect to the junction axis of symmetry. A GaAs/GaAlAs single mode junction is tested and the experimental measurements show a splitting ratio as high as 12 dB that could not be explained if the radiation field is neglected. The experimental results confirm the theoretical predictions that take into account the propagation of radiation modes in the structure. These results propose the structure to be used as an integrated optical displacement sensor with a sensitivity in the order of 5 dB/μm and a dynamic range within 4 to 5 μm.     

Coaxial Alginate Hydrogels: From Self-Assembled 3D Cellular Constructs to Long-Term Storage

Alginate as a versatile naturally occurring biomaterial has found widespread use in the biomedical field due to its unique features such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. The ability of its semipermeable hydrogels to provide a favourable microenvironment for clinically relevant cells made alginate encapsulation a leading technology for immunoisolation, 3D culture, cryopreservation as well as cell and drug delivery. The aim of this work is the evaluation of structural properties and swelling behaviour of the core-shell capsules for the encapsulation of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs), their 3D culture and cryopreservation using slow freezing. The cells were encapsulated in core-shell capsules using coaxial electrospraying, cultured for 35 days and cryopreserved. Cell viability, metabolic activity and cell–cell interactions were analysed. Cryopreservation of MSCs-laden core-shell capsules was performed according to parameters pre-selected on cell-free capsules. The results suggest that core-shell capsules produced from the low viscosity high-G alginate are superior to high-M ones in terms of stability during in vitro culture, as well as to solid beads in terms of promoting formation of viable self-assembled cellular structures and maintenance of MSCs functionality on a long-term basis. The application of 0.3 M sucrose demonstrated a beneficial effect on the integrity of capsules and viability of formed 3D cell assemblies, as compared to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone. The proposed workflow from the preparation of core-shell capsules with self-assembled cellular structures to the cryopreservation appears to be a promising strategy for their off-the-shelf availability.     

Observing Proteins as Single Molecules Encapsulated in Surface‐Tethered Polymeric Nanocontainers

Protein unfolding inside immobilized polymerosomes : One of the most interesting properties of polymeric vesicles is their remarkable stability against extreme temperatures and osmotic stress, and their longevity even under harsh environmental conditions. We have demonstrated, in an application on protein folding, that surface‐tethered polymerosomes are suitable for performing time‐resolved single molecule studies with encapsulated proteins, as illustrated here.

     

State of the art in passive digital image forgery detection: copy-move image forgery

Authenticating digital images is increasingly becoming important because digital images carry important information and due to their use in different areas such as courts of law as essential pieces of evidence. Nowadays, authenticating digital images is difficult because manipulating them has become easy as a result of powerful image processing software and human knowledge. The importance and relevance of digital image forensics has attracted various researchers to establish different techniques for detection in image forensics. The core category of image forensics is passive image forgery detection. One of the most important passive forgeries that affect the originality of the image is copy-move digital image forgery, which involves copying one part of the image onto another area of the same image. Various methods have been proposed to detect copy-move forgery that uses different types of transformations. The goal of this paper is to determine which copy-move forgery detection methods are best for different image attributes such as JPEG compression, scaling, rotation. The advantages and drawbacks of each method are also highlighted. Thus, the current state-of-the-art image forgery detection techniques are discussed along with their advantages and drawbacks.     

Semisynthetic Latrunculin Derivatives as Inhibitors of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Biological Evaluations,Preliminary Structure–Activity Relationship and Molecular Modeling Studies

The microfilament cytoskeleton protein actin plays an important role in cell biology and affects cytokinesis, morphogenesis, and cell migration. These functions usually fail and become abnormal in cancer cells. The marine‐derived macrolides latrunculins A and B, from the Red Sea sponge Negombata magnifica, are known to reversibly bind actin monomers, forming 1:1 stoichiometric complexes with G‐actin, disrupting its polymerization. To identify novel therapeutic agents for effective treatment of metastatic breast cancer, several semisynthetic derivatives of latrunculin A with diverse steric, electrostatic, and hydrogen bond donor and acceptor properties were rationally prepared. Analogues were designed to modulate the binding affinity toward G‐actin. Examples of these reactions are esterification, acetylation, and N‐alkylation. Semisynthetic latrunculins were then tested for their ability to inhibit pyrene‐conjugated actin polymerization, and subsequently assayed for their antiproliferative and anti‐invasive properties against MCF7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells using MTT and invasion assays, respectively.     

Analysis of corrosion protection behavior of Al2O3-TiO2 oxide ceramic coating on carbon steel pipes for petroleum industry

Corrosion is the deterioration of materials by chemical interaction with their environment. In the oil and gas industry, corrosion of the pipelines and other equipment is one of the leading causes of failure and the corrosion-related costs are very high. Hence, corrosion protection is an essential requirement. In this study, the objective is to analysis of the corrosion protection behavior of spray Alumina-Titania (Al₂O₃-TiO₂) oxide ceramic coating on carbon steel pipes C45 using two different thermal spray coatings processes. These two different thermal spraying coating, High velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and plasma thermal spraying techniques can be used instead of extensive treatment by expensive chemical formation of coatings on pipelines and equipment to improve or restore a component's surface properties or dimensions and to protect them from corrosion. Molten or semi-molten ceramic composite powders are sprayed on the surface in order to produce a dense coating layer. FESEM of coated samples showed that a high temperature of plasma coating method end in melting the ceramic powders and creation of completely melted regions on the coated samples’ surface compared to HVOF coating techniques. Corrosion testing of coated samples in seawater (3.5% NaCl) was conducted within 30 days. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as well as potentiodynamic polarization outcomes represented that the corrosion resistivity of plasma coating technique for this type of ceramic composite is better than HVOF coating technique. However, both types of coating techniques are protecting the substrate against seawater.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Sn and Mg–6Zn alloys prepared by different processing techniques: a comparative study

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Sn and Mg–6Zn are investigated and compared in cast/heat treated, rolled and extruded conditions. Compared to the heat treated alloys, the grain size of both alloys decreases while the volume fraction of precipitates increases by rolling and extrusion in Mg–6Sn alloy at 350 ºC due to dynamic recrystallization and dynamic precipitation of intermetallic phases. Zinc has a stronger grain refining effect than tin in the heat treated alloys while the opposite effect is found in the rolled and extruded alloys. For the heat treated alloys the Mg–6Sn the strength reached 158.7 MPa with elongation 5.2% while Mg–6Zn exhibited a higher strength of 183.7 MPa and 8.4% elongation. In rolled condition the strength of Mg–6Sn reached 224 MPa with 1.6% elongation while Mg–6Zn exhibited a lower strength of 124 MPa and a lower ductility of 0.5% elongation due to susceptibility to hot shortness. Extrusion of Mg–6Sn alloy resulted in the maximum attained strength of 281 MPa and an elongation of 6.1% while Mg–6Zn cracked during extrusion due to hot shortness. The results obtained are discussed with respect to microstructure evolution in both alloys.     

An equivalent electrical circuit design for pipeline corrosion monitoring based on piezoelectric elements

Underground pipelines are important infrastructure for transporting energy resources, particularly water and oil. Due to the high risk of damage and possible consequences, close monitoring of pipelines is a serious challenge for researchers and decision makers. Piezoelectric sensors/actuators are being used to monitor the physical characteristics of pipelines, including corrosion and crack. Piezoelectric ceramics as transmitters and/or receivers are connected to data concentrators in order to monitor the defects in pipelines. The performance and accuracy of this system highly depends on the accurate interpretation of the received electrical signals due to changing mechanical fields. However, due to the existence of two different fields, namely, electrical and mechanical, in this problem, simulation and interpretation of the damages occurring in pipelines is a consistent challenge. This paper proposes an equivalent electrical circuit model for a complete monitoring system which contains piezoelectric ceramics and a pipeline equivalent electrical circuit with corrosion defects and cracks through the pipeline. The pipeline is integrated with PZT sensor and actuator, in which PZT actuator generates waves along the thickness of the pipeline and its response is received by a PZT sensor. The proposed model approximates the electrical signal achieved by the PZT sensor to a complete health monitoring system. As the sensing signals in the present model are in one single field (i.e. electrical instead of mechanical and electrical), analysis and signal processing are more efficient, and the results are better understood. Numerical examples and, where applicable, simple tests have been presented to show the functionality and performance of the system.