H∞ control for uncertain one‐sided Lipschitz nonlinear systems in finite frequency domain

The current article discusses the H_∞ disturbance attenuation control design problem for one‐sided Lipschitz systems in finite frequency domain. Models containing norm‐bounded parameter uncertainties, disturbances, and input nonlinearities are considered. By contrast to existing full frequency methods, the H_∞ controller is computed depending on the frequency ranges of disturbances. The finite frequency disturbance attenuation index is initially defined. Thanks to Finsler's lemma, sufficient and less conservative analysis conditions are also derived for the closed‐loop system. Then, synthesis conditions in the low, middle, and high frequency ranges as well as the whole frequency range, are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. At last, to prove the effectiveness and the superiority of the proposed approach, a physical example is used and a comparative study is done.     

Semi-blind channel estimation based on modified CMA and unitary scrambling for massive MIMO systems

Pilot contamination is one of the main impairments in multi-cell massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output systems. In order to improve the channel estimation in this context, we propose to use a semi-blind channel estimator based on the constant modulus algorithm (CMA). We consider an enhanced version of the CMA namely the Modified CMA which modifies the cost function of the CMA algorithm to the sum of cost functions for real and imaginary parts. Due to pilot contamination, the channel estimator may estimate the channel of a contaminating user instead of that of the user of interest (the user for which the Base Station wants to estimate the channel and then the data). To avoid this, we propose to scramble the users sequences before transmission. We consider different methods to perform unitary scrambling based on rotating the transmitted symbols (one Dimensional (1-D) scrambling) and using unitary matrices (two-Dimensional (2-D) scrambling). At the base station, the received sequence of the user of interest is descrambled leading to a better convergence of the channel estimator. We also consider the case where the Automatic Repeat reQuest protocol is used. In this case, using scrambling leads to a significant gain in terms of BLock Error Rate due to the change of the contaminating users data from one transmission to another induced by scrambling.

     

On business process monitoring using cross-flow coordination

This paper presents an approach for monitoring the execution progress of business processes. The monitoring focuses on the exceptions that could arise during this execution and, hence, could make the processes fail if not handled properly and timely. The approach relies on three flows known as control, communication, and navigation. The control flow connects tasks together with respect to a certain business logic. The communication flow captures the messages exchanged between persons/machines when they perform tasks of processes. Finally, the navigation flow captures the interactions between specialized networks that offer solutions to exceptions. These networks are built upon relations between tasks, between persons, and between machines. The coordination of control, communication, and navigation flows focuses on both the actions that are taken and the messages that are exchanged when handling exceptions. A system demonstrating flow development and coordination is, also, presented in the paper.     

New pulse mode neuro-fuzzy hardware architecture and application to image denoising

This paper focuses on a new digital architecture of pulse mode neuro-fuzzy system (PMNFS) with on-chip learning ability. The main purpose goal is to make use of the outstanding features of neuro-fuzzy in function approximation, and implement a reconfigurable architecture with on-chip learning on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) platform. Details of the whole design with on-chip learning solutions are given. As an application illustrating the efficiency and scalability of the proposed PMNFS, we have considered the approximation of image denoising, which is a very important step in image processing. Experimental results show great efficiency of the proposed method, outperforming other denoising techniques. It was also demonstrated that such a system is strongly adaptive and gives good restored images independently of the kind of noises. Owing to learning, such feature cannot be met with conventional denoising techniques. Design synthesis results on a virtex II PRO FPGA platform are presented. Comparisons with conventional techniques as well as neural ones show higher performances of the designed PMNFS.     

Effects of Extraction Solvents and Provenances on Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) Seeds

Polyphenol contents and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seed extracts were compared depending on their geographical origin (Tunisia and India: TCS and ICS, respectively) and the extraction solvent polarity. The ??-carotene bleaching assay, the chelating ability and the reducing power of the most promising solvent extracts were also assessed. In addition, TCS and ICS extracts were acid-hydrolyzed and the phenolics identified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Seed phenolic contents and antioxidant activity appeared to be accession and solvent dependent. Extraction with 80% acetone led to the highest polyphenol (18.60 and 16.50?mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW)), flavonoid (5.91 and 4.99?mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g DW) and tannin (83.23 and 80.23?mg CE/g DW) contents, respectively for TCS and ICS. DPPH scavenging activity, ??-carotene bleaching assay, chelating ability and reducing power were maximal in 80% acetone for both TCS and ICS. HPLC analysis revealed several phenolic compounds in C. cyminum seeds, with p-coumaric (4.83 and 2.33?mg/g DW), trans-2-dihydrocinnamic (1.09 and 1.20?mg/g DW) and rosmarinic (0.70 and 1.04?mg/g DW) acids as major phenolics in TCS and ICS, respectively. Thus, phenolic composition of cumin seeds is also origin dependent. Taken together, our findings indicate that cumin might constitute a rich and novel source of natural antioxidants as food additives in food industry and that acetone 80% would be the most appropriate solvent for seed extraction.     

Effects of frequency dimming electronic ballast on a high‐pressure mercury thallium iodide discharge

This study focuses on the behavior of a cylindrical metal halide discharge lamp powered by frequency‐controlled electronic ballast. Half‐bridge electronic ballast was designed and achieved.