Analysis of two particular iterative learning control schemes in frequency and time domains

This paper deals with iterative learning control design for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. Two particular ILC schemes are considered and analyzed in both frequency and time domains. Some remarks on the convergence, implementation, robustness with respect to disturbances and reinitialization errors, as well as positive realness issues related to both schemes are provided.     

Carbon oxides hydrogenation on RhNa-Y: Addition of 1-butene

At 4.0 MPa, CO₂ hydrogenation over a RhNA-Y catalyst yields only saturated and essentially linear hydrocarbons (up to C₇). In contrast, CO hydrogenation gives a more complex mixture including olefins ( and ), paraffins (linear and branched) and oxygenates. Addition of 1-butene provides a plausible interpretation of these differences.     

Fuzzy classification in dynamic environments

The persistence and evolution of systems essentially depend on their adaptivity to new situations. As an expression of intelligence, adaptivity is a distinguishing quality of any system that is able to learn and to adjust itself in a flexible manner to new environmental conditions and such ability ensures self-correction over time as new events happen, new input becomes available, or new operational conditions occur. This requires self-monitoring of the performance in an ever-changing environment. The relevance of adaptivity is established in numerous domains and by versatile real-world applications. The present paper presents an incremental fuzzy rule-based system for classification purposes. Relying on fuzzy min–max neural networks, the paper explains how fuzzy rules can be continuously online generated to meet the requirements of non-stationary dynamic environments, where data arrives over long periods of time. The approach proposed to deal with an ambient intelligence application. The simulation results show its effectiveness in dealing with dynamic situations and its performance when compared with existing approaches.     

Strain–Stress Formation During Stationary and Intermittent Drying of Deformable Media

The goal of this work is to study the effect of different drying conditions on the induced stresses within deformable media, the drying kinetics, and the energy consumption. A comparison between stationary and intermittent drying with periodically changing air temperature was performed. A theoretical formulation of the coupled heat, mass, and momentum transfers in saturated porous media was established. The model is based on the averaging theory. The thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling was closed using the effective stress theory of Terzaghi. In this approach, the viscoelastic behavior of the medium was considered. A bi-dimensional-shaped bentonite sample was used for numerical tests. The evolution of drying kinetics and stresses within the material during drying at constant and intermittent conditions was presented. It was observed that a non-stationary drying with smaller period applied at the end of the constant drying rate phase has the best effects on the product quality and energy gain without considerably extending the drying time.     

Triacylglycerols and Phospholipids Composition of Caper Seeds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capparis spinosa</Emphasis>)

The goal of this study is to evaluate for the first time the composition of triacylglycerols (TAG) using ESI-TOF-MS and phospholipids species using HPLC–ESI-TOF-MS of two Capparis spinosa seed oil populations. Results show that LOO, LOP, LLO, OOO, PLL and POO were the major molecular species of triacylglycerol detected in caper seeds; where L represents linoleic acid; O, oleic acid; and P, palmitic acid. The TAG composition was significantly different among the two C. spinosa populations. In Ghar el Melh population, LOO (15.7%) was detected as the dominant TAG molecular species, followed by LOP (13.2%), LLO (12.0%) and OOO (11.4%); while, the dominant fraction was LLO (14.2%) followed by LOO (14.1%), LOP (11.5%) and PLL (10.5%) in Chouigui samples. The major component in the phospholipids fraction was phosphatidylinositol (ca. 54–91%), followed by phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid. A variety of molecular species within each class were identified. The major component in all phospholipids species contains a C-18:1 lipid chain. C16:0/C18:2-PI (ca. 28–31%) was the most abundant PI. PG species were mainly C18:2/C18:1-PG (25–32%). The major PE was C18:1/C18:1-PE (44–75%). The major PA species was C18:1/C18:1-PA (22–24%).     

The influence of pH,hydrolysis and degree of substitution on the temperature‐sensitive properties of polyaspartamides

Temperature‐sensitive polyaspartamide obtained by the aminolysis reaction of polysuccinimide with isopropylamine has been proposed as a good material for biomedical applications. The polymer is susceptible to hydrolysis producing carboxyl groups; thus the temperature‐sensitive behavior of the polymer depends on pH. A set of polyaspartamides was synthesized with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) and substitution (DS). The influence of DH, DS and pH on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polyaspartamides was studied. The LCST of the polyaspartamides increases as the pH increases and at the same pH the polymer with higher DH presents a higher LCST. Also, at the same pH an increment in the DS produces a decrease in the LCST. These tendencies are explained by the presence of a carboxylate group on the polyaspartamide structure. The behaviors can be tailored as functions of DS and DH enabling the use of temperature‐sensitive polyaspartamide in different biomedical applications where pH and/or temperature changes will trigger a drug delivery. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Beclomethasone-loaded lipidic nanocarriers for pulmonary drug delivery: preparation, characterization and in vitro drug release

The purpose of this research paper was the development of lipid nanoparticles (LN) formulation suitable for beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) administration via the pulmonary route. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were prepared by high-shear homogenization method; the effects of process and formulation parameters on nanoparticles characteristics were investigated. LN were characterized in terms of morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and aerosol aerodynamic properties. Nano-sized BDP-loaded LN with high entrapment efficiency values reaching 99% were successfully obtained. Application of in vitro drug release data to the Higuchi kinetic equation indicated a diffusion-controlled release from the lipidic matrix. Aerosolisation and subsequent cascade impaction measurements proved that SLN and NLC were efficiently nebulized yielding aerosols of a suitable particle size for BDP deep lung delivery. Results demonstrate that LN are promising nebulized carriers for BDP opening the way for lipophilic drug-targeting strategies by nebulization.