Non‐fragile reliable control synthesis of the sugarcane borer

This study considers the problem of non‐fragile reliable control synthesis for mathematical model of interaction between the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) and its egg parasitoid Trichogramma galloi. In particular, the control could be substituted by periodic releases of a small population of natural enemies and hence it is important to propose the time‐varying controller in sugarcane borer. The main aim of this study is to design a state feedback non‐fragile (time‐varying) reliable controller such that the states of the sugarcane borer system reach the equilibrium point within the desired period. A novel approach is proposed to deal with the uncertain matrices which appear in non‐fragile reliable control. Finally, simulations based on sugarcane borer systems are conducted to illustrate the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed design technique. The result reveals that the proposed non‐fragile control provides good performance in spite of periodic releases of a small population of natural enemies occurs.Inspec keywords: microorganisms, plant diseases, biology computing, state feedback, biocontrol, control system synthesisOther keywords: nonfragile reliable control synthesis, sugarcane borer, mathematical model, Diatraea saccharalis, egg parasitoid, Trichogramma galloi, periodic releases, natural enemies, state feedback nonfragile time‐varying reliable controller, equilibrium point, design technique     

A novel nanostructured iron oxide-gold bioelectrode for hydrogen peroxide sensing

Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles covalently linked to a gold electrode have been used for immobilizing catalase (CAT) enzyme to sense the presence of various concentrations of H(2)O(2). These nanoparticles ranging from 20 to 30 nm were synthesized by thermal co-precipitation of ferric and ferrous chlorides. SEM and XRD have been used for morphological and structural characterization of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles. CAT enzyme was linked covalently to the surface of iron oxide using carbodiimide in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 4?°C. The enzyme-iron oxide link was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Sensing studies carried out using cyclic voltammetry showed a linear response of the CAT/nano Fe(3)O(4)/Au bioelectrode towards H(2)O(2) between 1.5 and 13.5 μM with a very sharp response time of 2 s.     

Observer‐based resilient finite‐time control of blood gases model during extra‐corporeal circulation

This study aims at designing an observer‐based resilient controller to regulate the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood of patients during the extra‐corporeal blood circulation process. More precisely, in this study, a suitable observer‐based resilient controller is constructed to regulate the levels of patient blood gases in a finite interval of time. The finite‐time boundedness with the prescribed H∞ performance index of the considered blood gases control system against modelling uncertainty and external disturbances is ensured by using Lyapunov stability analysis. Moreover, a set of sufficient conditions for obtaining the controller gain is developed in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed robust finite‐time control scheme is verified through simulation results. The result reveals that the blood gases are maintained in their physiological ranges during a stable extra‐corporeal circulation process via the proposed observer‐based resilient controller.Inspec keywords: blood, haemodynamics, oxygen, carbon compounds, controllers, medical control systems, biomedical equipment, Lyapunov methods, linear matrix inequalitiesOther keywords: observer‐based resilient finite‐time control, observer‐based resilient controller, oxygen amount, carbon dioxide amount, extracorporeal blood circulation process, patient blood gas levels, finite time interval, finite‐time boundedness, H_∞ performance index, blood gases control system, Lyapunov stability analysis, controller gain, linear matrix inequalities, physiological ranges, LMIs, CO₂ , O₂      

Fabrication of a novel SnO2:Al/ZnO:F bi-layer for opto-electronic applications

Single layered aluminium doped tin oxide (ATO), fluorine doped zinc oxide (FZO) and bi-layered ATO/FZO thin films were deposited onto preheated glass substrates (T_s = 340 ± 5 °C) using a low-cost and simplified spray pyrolysis technique. The structural, optical, electrical and surface morphological properties of the bi-layered ATO/FZO thin films were studied and compared with that of the single layered films. The average optical transmittance of the bi-layer film in the visible range was found to be around 80 %. The bi-layered ATO/FZO films possessed both better transmittance in the visible range and sharp absorption edge, the unique desirable features of ATO and FZO films, respectively. The optical band gap (E_g) value of the bi-layer coating (3.22 eV) was found to lie between the E_g values of single layered ATO (3.71 eV) and FZO (3.20 eV) films. Sheet resistance values of ATO and FZO single layer films were 3.47 and 11.2 kΩ/sq., respectively. The bi-layered ATO/FZO thin films exhibited a sheet resistance of 4.42 kΩ/sq. which was very much close to that of ATO films and three times less than that of FZO film. The AFM images showed the good packing density and homogeneity of the surface of the bi-layer films. The annealing studies clearly showed that the ATO over layer remarkably improved the thermal stability of the bi-layered film.     

Photovoltaic properties of nanocrystalline CdS films deposited by SILAR and CBD techniques—a comparative study

CdS films were fabricated using Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) technique from starting solutions having S:Cd ratio 1:1, 3:1, 5:1 and 7:1 and their structural, surface morphological and optical properties were investigated and compared with that of their chemical bath deposited counterparts. The X-ray diffraction profiles showed that the films have cubic crystal structure with preferential orientation along the (111) plane and the intensity of the (111) plane increases for both the techniques as the S:Cd ratio increases. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that for SILAR deposited films, the S/Cd ratio in the sample increases from 0.8308 (for S:Cd 1:1) to 1.04 (for S:Cd 7:1) as the molar concentration of sulphur in the starting solution increases. But for CBD films, the S/Cd is only ~0.80 for all concentrations of sulphur in the starting solution. The optical band gap increases with the increase in S:Cd ratio in the starting solution in both the techniques.     

An improvement in creep strength of thermo-mechanical treated modified 9Cr-1Mo steel weld joint

Modified 9Cr-1Mo steel weld joints generally experience the type IV premature failure in the intercritical region (ICR) of HAZ under long term creep exposure at high temperature. Possibility of improving the resistance of this joint to type IV cracking through thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT) of the steel has been explored. Weld joints have been fabricated from the TMT and conventional normalized and tempered (NT) steels using electron beam (EB) welding process. Creep tests have been carried out on NT and TMT steels joint at 923 K (650°C) and 110–100 MPa applied stress. Creep rupture life of the TMT weld joint was significantly higher than the NT steel weld joint. Significant variations of microstructural constituents such as M₂₃C₆ precipitate; lath structure and hardness across the joint have been examined in both the joints. The coarser M₂₃C₆ precipitate and lath, and subgrain formation in the ICR resulted in the soft zone formation and was predominant in the ICR of NT steel joint. The enhanced MX precipitation through TMT processing and reduction in coarsening of M₂₃C₆ precipitate under thermal cycle resulted in improved creep rupture strength of TMT steel weld joint.     

Electrochemical studies of heat-treated NiCrMoFeCoAl and NiCrMoFeCoAl-30%Cr3C2 HVOF coatings on T22 boiler steel

Herein, we present the corrosion behavior of NiCrMoFeCoAl and NiCrMoFeCoAl-30%Cr₃C₂ high-velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) coatings on the ASTM-SAE213-T22 boiler tube steel alloy. The samples exposed to molten salt (Na₂SO₄–60%V₂O₅) environment at 700℃ under thermocyclic conditions were investigated in conjunction with electrochemical techniques. The surface structures and morphologies of heat-treated samples suggest the extent of corrosion is least for the NiCrMoFeCoAl-30%Cr₃C₂-coated steel. Room-temperature electrochemical analysis of heat-treated samples demonstrate the good stability with NiCrMoFeCoAl-30%Cr₃C₂ layers on T22 steel at solid/liquid interface under neutral pH conditions. The potentiodynamic and impedance analyses reveal that the higher charge transfer resistance was observed for NiCrMoFeCoAl-30%Cr3C2-coated steel, followed by NiCrMoFeCoAl-coated steel and bare T22 steel. The chromium carbide containing the HVOF coating exhibit a highly dense layer and the metal chromites/chromates on the post-heat-treated coatings provide poor access for the electrolyte to base alloy and subsequently improve corrosion stability.     

Human Prostatic Acid Phosphatase: Structure,Function and Regulation

Human prostatic acid phosphatase (PAcP) is a 100 kDa glycoprotein composed of two subunits. Recent advances demonstrate that cellular PAcP (cPAcP) functions as a protein tyrosine phosphatase by dephosphorylating ErbB-2/Neu/HER-2 at the phosphotyrosine residues in prostate cancer (PCa) cells, which results in reduced tumorigenicity. Further, the interaction of cPAcP and ErbB-2 regulates androgen sensitivity of PCa cells. Knockdown of cPAcP expression allows androgen-sensitive PCa cells to develop the castration-resistant phenotype, where cells proliferate under an androgen-reduced condition. Thus, cPAcP has a significant influence on PCa cell growth. Interestingly, promoter analysis suggests that PAcP expression can be regulated by NF-κB, via a novel binding sequence in an androgen-independent manner. Further understanding of PAcP function and regulation of expression will have a significant impact on understanding PCa progression and therapy.     

Regulation of Phosphor's Color Gamut Area Using Mesoporous Silicate Source—A New Paradigm for the Solid‐State Lighting Segment

The inception of phosphors provoked the need of highly efficient lighting sources for the conceivable next generation applications. In this regards, a striking characteristic material namely the mesoporous silica (MPS) and their series that are quite distinct to each other in their physical properties have been synthesized by adopting a cooperative self‐assemble strategy. Utilizing it, the development of high‐performance Sr_1?xCa_1?yEu_x+ySiO₄ phosphor was traversed using a simple wet‐solid phase process. Systematic investigations on morphological, structural, and few other physical properties were carried out. The derived results are intriguing with a crystal clear alteration in the phosphor morphology when MPS has been used as a silicate source. Subsequent luminescence studies displayed its efficient yellow‐emitting property covering the red spectral components, along with good thermal luminescence stability. Perhaps, the designed prototype LEDs yielded a color correlation temperature (CCT) < 5000 K and color rendering index (CRI) > 80. Therefore, it directs the way for the fabrication of potential warm white LEDs with a long‐lived emission efficacy and high thermal luminescence stability.     

Synthesis,characterization, and magneto‐electric properties of (1−x)BCZT‐xCFO ceramic particulate composites

Synthesis of a new magnetoelectric [(1?x)(Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃‐xCoFe₂O₄] (weight fraction x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 1) ceramic particulate composites with its structural characterization and magneto‐electric properties have been reported here in this study. Lead free piezoelectric (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ (BCZT) and ferrimagnetic CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) were synthesized using sol‐gel and combustion methods respectively. (1?x)BCZT‐xCFO magnetoelectric composites were then synthesized by mixing of the calcined individual ferroic phases with required weight fractions. Powder X‐ray diffraction studies indicate the coexistence of BCZT and CFO phases in the composites sintered at 1300°C. 0.5BCZT‐0.5CFO composite showed high strain sensitivity (dλ/dH) of 52×10^?9 Oe^?1, which is comparable to that of pure CFO (50×10^?9 Oe^?1). A high piezoelectric voltage constant (g₃₃) of 8×10^?3 V m/N was measured for 0.8BCZT‐0.2CFO sample. All the composites showed magnetoelectric effect and a high magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α_ME) of 6.85 mV/cm Oe was measured for 0.5BCZT‐0.5CFO composite at 1 kHz and a large ME coefficient of 115 mV/cm Oe at its resonance frequency. The effect of microstructure on the magnetoelectric properties of [(1?x)BCZT‐(x)CFO] composites has been studied and reported here as a function of its piezoelectric (BCZT)/ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) content.