Synthesis of β‐cyclodextrin‐based dendrimer as a novel encapsulation agent

The aim was the fabrication of glycodendrimer encapsulation agents with high proportions of cyclodextrins (CDs) to maintain the biocompatibility properties, as well as to notably improve their ability to load various suitably sized drugs. The novel glycodendrimers contained β‐CD in both core and branches, namely β‐cyclodextrin‐based dendrimer (CD‐dendrimer) prepared through a straightforward procedure using S_N2 displacement to attach multivalent β‐CDs together. The desired CD‐dendrimer was synthesized in three steps: (i) reaction of β‐CD with p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride and/or iodine to afford C‐6 mono‐ and/or per‐β‐CD derivative; (ii) reaction of the β‐CD precursors with ethylenediamine to give C‐6 mono‐ and/or per‐amino‐β‐CD derivative; and (iii) S_N2 displacement of β‐CD electrophilic derivative with β‐CD nucleophilic derivative in dimethylsulfoxide to provide the CD‐dendrimer. Then, the encapsulation behaviour of the CD‐dendrimer was examined using naproxen and naltrexone as the guest molecules. The structure of the designed CD‐dendrimer allowed two types of possible sites for encapsulation of the guest: in cavities of the dendritic structure and in hydrophobic cavities of CDs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigation of quadratic electro-optic effects and electro-absorption process in GaN/AlGaN spherical quantum dot

Quadratic electro-optic effects (QEOEs) and electro-absorption (EA) process in a GaN/AlGaN spherical quantum dot are theoretically investigated. It is found that the magnitude and resonant position of third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility depend on the nanostructure size and aluminum mole fraction. With increase of the well width and barrier potential, quadratic electro-optic effect and electro-absorption process nonlinear susceptibilities are decreased and blueshifted. The results show that the DC Kerr effect in this case is much larger than that in the bulk case. Finally, it is observed that QEOEs and EA susceptibilities decrease and broaden with the decrease of relaxation time.     

Effect of green GO/Au nanocomposite on in‐vitro amplification of human DNA

Recently nanomaterials have attracted interest for increasing efficiency of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems. Here, the authors report on the usefulness of green graphene oxide/gold (GO/Au) nanocomposites for enhancement of PCR reactions. In this study, green GO/Au nanocomposite was prepared with Matricaria chamomilla extract as reducing/capping agent for site‐directed nucleation of Au^o atoms on surface of GO sheets. The as‐prepared green GO/Au nanocomposites were then characterised with UV–VIS spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Later, the effect of these nanocomposites was studied on end‐point and real‐time PCR employed for amplification of human glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase gene. The results indicated that GO/Au nanocomposite can improve both end‐point and real‐time PCR methods at the optimum concentrations, possibly through interaction between GO/Au nanocomposite and the materials in PCR reaction, and through providing increased thermal convection by the GO surface as well as the Au nanostructures. In conclusion, it can be suggested that green GO/Au nanocomposite is a biocompatible and eco‐friendly candidate as enhancer of in‐vitro molecular amplification strategies.Inspec keywords: graphene, molecular biophysics, nucleation, enzymes, gold, nanofabrication, nanocomposites, scanning electron microscopy, nanoparticles, DNA, nanomedicine, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, graphene compoundsOther keywords: green GO/Au nanocomposite, polymerase chain reaction systems, green graphene oxide/gold, PCR reaction, as‐prepared green GO/Au nanocomposites, real‐time PCR methods, Au nanostructures, in‐vitro amplification, human DNA, Matricaria chamomilla extract, site‐directed nucleation, Au, CO, CO‐Au     

Modeling and Stimulating Node Cooperation in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

In wireless networks, cooperation is necessary for many protocols, such as routing, clock synchronization, and security. It is known that cooperator nodes suffer greatly from problems such as increasing energy consumption. Therefore, rational nodes have no incentive to cooperatively forward traffic for others. A rational node is different from a malicious node. It is a node that makes the best decision in each state (cooperate or non‐cooperate). In this paper, game theory is used to analyze the cooperation between nodes. An evolutionary game has been investigated using two nodes, and their strategies have been compared to find the best one. Subsequently, two approaches, one based on a genetic algorithm (GA) and the other on learning automata (LA), are presented to incite nodes for cooperating in a noisy environment. As you will see later, the GA strategy is able to disable the effect of noise by using a big enough chromosome; however, it cannot persuade nodes to cooperate in a noise‐free environment. Unlike the GA strategy, the LA strategy shows good results in a noise‐free environment because it has good agreement in cooperation‐based strategies in both types of environment (noise‐free and noisy).     

Integration of multiple model based fault detection and nonlinear model predictive fault‐tolerant control

In this paper, we present a new fault‐tolerant control system for a class of nonlinear systems with input constraints. Because of many important factors that stabilize a nonlinear model predictive controller, it can be used as a powerful controller in the event of fault occurrence. So, the reconfigurable controller is designed based on the quasi‐infinite model predictive control (QIMPC) approach as a fault‐tolerant approach. On the other hand, a fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) system is designed based on the multiple model method. The bank of extended Kalman filters (EKFs) is used to detect the predefined actuator fault and estimate the unknown parameters of a fault. When a fault is detected, the proposed FDD information is used to correct the model of the faulty system recursively and reconfigure the controller. Delay on FDD decision may lead to performance degradation or even instability for some systems. The timely proposed FDD approach will preserve stability. Moreover, a framework is presented to ensure stability when a fault occurs. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated, in comparison with conventional nonlinear model predictive control, by two practical examples. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Comparative and competitive adsorption of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) onto Sepia pharaonis endoskeleton biomass from aqueous solutions

In this research, the possibility of simultaneous removal of lead, cadmium and copper divalent ions from water samples through the use of Sepia pharaonis endoskeleton powder (SPEB) as bio‐material, was investigated. The bio‐sorbent was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT‐IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The different factors affecting the bio‐sorption process were studied. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyse the experimental data. The kinetic studies showed that the pseudo‐second order model kinetics were compatible with the investigated systems. It was found that under optimal conditions, this bio‐sorbent was efficient in the uptake of these heavy metal ions from both mono and multi‐metal solutions, and high removal percentages were achieved. This study verified the potential ability of SPEB as an efficient natural adsorbent for removal of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions from river, tap and mineral water samples.     

Analysis of internal winding short circuit faults in power transformers using transient finite element method coupling with external circuit equations

Interturn short circuit faults are the leading cause of power transformer failures. If not quickly detected, these faults usually develop into more serious faults, which would result in irreversible damage to the transformer, unexpected outages, and consequential costs. The aim of this research is to obtain a better understanding of the physical behavior of the power transformers in the presence of interturn faults as well as to discover the best indicators for detection of interturn short circuit faults. To this end, a time stepping finite element model of power transformer has been developed to analyze the transient behavior of a real power transformer when the transformer is working under winding short circuit fault conditions. The transient model, coupled with external circuit equations, allows us to simulate the dynamic behavior of the transformer with the real power supply and external loads connections. The FEM computations show the ability of the electromagnetic flux inside the transformer, transformer terminal currents, and circulating current in the shorted turns as useful monitoring parameters for transformer fault detection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protein detection through different platforms of immuno-loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Different immunoassay-based methods have been devised to detect protein targets. These methods have some challenges that make them inefficient for assaying ultra-low-amounted proteins. ELISA, iPCR, iRCA, and iNASBA are the common immunoassay-based methods of protein detection, each of which has specific and common technical challenges making it necessary to introduce a novel method in order to avoid their problems for detection of target proteins. Here we propose a new method nominated as ‘immuno-loop-mediated isothermal amplification’ or ‘iLAMP’. This new method is free from the problems of the previous methods and has significant advantages over them. In this paper we also offer various configurations in order to improve the applicability of this method in real-world sample analyses. Important potential applications of this method are stated as well.     

H ∞ Control of T-S Fuzzy Singularly Perturbed Systems Using Multiple Lyapunov Functions

In this paper, H _∞ controller synthesis of T-S fuzzy singularly perturbed systems based on fuzzy and non-fuzzy multiple Lyapunov functions is discussed. By assuming some lower bounds for the grades of fuzzy membership functions and using the elimination lemma, the design conditions are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Considering ε as the singular perturbation parameter, it is shown that the ε-dependent controller in the absence of disturbances, results in an asymptotically stable closed-loop system, and in the presence of disturbances, satisfies the H _∞-norm condition for all ε∈(0,ε ^?]. The resulting LMIs are feasible for larger values of ε ^? compared to those of the previous methods. Moreover, for the case that the value of ε is not available for feedback, Finsler’s lemma is used to separate the controller gains and the ε-dependent Lyapunov matrix, and to achieve an ε-independent control. An example is presented to illustrate the validity of the design techniques.     

Improving Water-Filling Algorithm to Power Control Cognitive Radio System Based Upon Traffic Parameters and QoS

Cognitive radio scenario is based upon the ability to determine the radio transmission parameters from its surrounding environment. Power allocation in cognitive radio systems improves secondary network capacity subject to primary receiver interference level threshold. In this paper, statistical property of the injected interference power in primary user channel is used to establish the container bottom for each subcarrier employing water filling algorithm. In other words, the container bottom level of each subcarrier depends on the injected interference in primary user (PU) (most probably from the overloaded neighbor subcarriers). Traffic statistical parameters are also employed to formulate power allocation problem. Within this context, quality of service constraint is considered also to improve performance of power allocation algorithm. Simulation Results show that the injected interference in PU is decreased while the secondary user capacity improves. Indeed, the proposed algorithm is more compatible than a waterfilling algorithm with cognitive radio system constraints.