Time-varying increasing-gain observers for nonlinear systems

A full-order state observer for a class of nonlinear continuous-time systems is presented as generalization of the high-gain observer for having a time-varying gain that is let to be small in the first time instants, increases over time up to its maximum, and then is kept constant. The global stability of the resulting estimation error is proved by means of a Lyapunov functional via a change of coordinate. The design of such an observer is obtained by solving a nonlinear programming problem and using series expansions to set the time-varying gain.     

An iterative linearised solution to the sinusoidal parameter estimation problem

Signal processing applications use sinusoidal modelling for speech synthesis, speech coding, and audio coding. Estimation of the model parameters involves non-linear optimisation methods, which can be very costly for real-time applications. We propose a low-complexity iterative method that starts from initial frequency estimates and converges rapidly. We show that for N sinusoids in a frame of length L, the proposed method has a complexity of O(LN), which is significantly less than the matching pursuits method. Furthermore, the proposed method is shown to be more accurate than the matching pursuits and time-frequency reassignment methods in our experiments.     

Numerical method coupling finite elements and boundary elements to model forming process tools

Nowadays, the simulation of forming process is rather well integrated in the industrial numerical codes. However, in order to take into account the possible modifications of the tool during rates of working, a dedicated numerical software is currently developed within the laboratory Roberval, this software allows to simulate forming process. The tool is discretized by boundary elements and the product, which is subjected to non-linearities, is discretized by finite elements. For the product, an isotrope law of behaviour is integrated, and the damage is taken into account by the uncoupled Rice and Tracey model. This paper deals with a contact algorithm, coupling boundary elements and finite elements, programmed in the software KSP. For that, friction is described by the Coulomb law and the resolution of contact problems is done by the penalty method. An adaptive step has been developed in order to increase the robustness of the contact algorithm.     

Cell surface properties affect colonisation of raw milk by lactic acid bacteria at the microstructure level

Cell localisation in the matrix microstructure of fermented food is important for microbial activity and ripening. To evaluate the importance of physicochemical factors in these phenomena, the physicochemical behaviour of four strains of lactic acid bacteria were investigated after inoculation of raw milk or milk fractions. To discriminate between physicochemical and metabolic properties, media were (i) rapidly acidified to avoid cell division or (ii) bacteria were allowed to ferment milk. To evaluate the impact of milk components, cells were dispersed in protein or fatty globule fractions. From two Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis strains selected from their different surface properties investigated in previous studies, after rapid acidification one was encountered in fatty globules and protein gels whereas the other was found in serum and on the surface of globules. After fermentation, the first one formed colonies in the lipid phase or next to it in the whey and the second formed colonies in the protein gel. Strains forming long chains (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) were always found in contact with fatty globules, where they developed. Our results suggest that localisation and subsequent spatial colonisation depend on the physicochemical properties of cell surfaces, on the structure in chains as well as on the metabolic ability to develop on proteins or lipids.     

Eco-friendly TiO2–AC Photocatalyst for the Selective Photooxidation of 4-Chlorophenol

The influence of surface pH of activated carbon on selectivity of TiO₂ during the photooxidation of 4-chlorophenol on UV-irradiation was studied. Chlorine substitution by p-hydroxylation yielding hydroquinone in equilibrium with benzoquinone and o-hydroxylation to 4-chlorocathecol were detected as the main intermediates in the photooxidation of 4CP. Changes in surface pH of carbons from basic to closely neutral induce a remarkably increase in the production of 4-chlorocatechol by a factor of 22 on TiO₂–AC in comparison of TiO₂ alone. A mechanism of interaction between both solids is proposed to explain changes both in photoactivity and photoselectivity of TiO₂. In conclusion, results showed that TiO₂–AC can be used as an alternative green photocatalyst in organic synthesis.     

Clinical Determination of Dry Body Weight

While nephrologists wait for the ideal, non invasive, inexpensive, precise, and reproducible tool to evaluate extracellular volume (ECV), they need to exert their clinical acumen in the quest of that holy grail, dry weight (DW). Estimation of DW using a clinical approach based on blood pressure (BP) and ECV is feasible and reliable as shown by successful experiences in various dialysis modes over more than three decades. But a need still exists to resolve difficulties associated with accurate assessment of BP (methods and circumstances of measurement, and the confounding effects of antihypertensive drugs) and ECV (evaluation of weight changes unrelated to ECV, lack of specificity and sensitivity of clinical symptoms, lag time, confusion in terminology). An essential point in clinical assessment of DW is that a normal BP is at the same time the target and the crucial index of DW achievement. For this reason, a trialand‐error “probe” process has to be used at intervals to make sure that the dry weight target point is correctly estimated. The various “non clinical” methods proposed for dry weight assessment increase the complexity and the cost of hemodialysis. They are, in the present state of things, more clinical research than practice tools. They do not replace clinical judgment.     

Axisymmetric waves in electrohydrodynamic flows

The formation of nonlinear axisymmetric waves on inviscid irrotational liquid jets in the presence of radial electric fields is considered. Gravity is neglected but surface tension is considered. Electrohydrodynamic waves of arbitrary amplitude and wavelength are computed using finite-difference methods. Particular attention is paid to nonlinear traveling waves. In the first class of problems, an electric field generated by placing the liquid jet inside a hollow cylindrical electrode held at constant voltage, its axis coinciding with that of the jet, is studied. The jet is assumed to be a perfect conductor whose free surface is stressed by the electric field acting in the hydrodynamically passive annulus. In the second class of problems, the annular gas is a perfect conductor that transmits a constant voltage onto the liquid/gas surface. The liquid axisymmetrically wets a constant-radius cylindrical rod electrode placed coaxially with respect to the hollow outer electrode, and held at a different constant voltage. The fluid dynamics and electrostatics need to be addressed simultaneously in the inner region. Axisymmetric interfacial waves influenced by surface tension and electrical stresses are computed in both cases. The computations are capable of following highly nonlinear solutions and predict, for certain parameter values, the onset of interface pinching accompanied with the formation of toroidal bubbles. For given wave amplitudes, the results suggest that, for the former case, the electric field delays bubble formation and reduces wave steepness, while for the latter case the electric field promotes bubble formation, all other parameters being equal.     

Mechanical behaviour of SSRT specimens optimized for IGSCC concerns

Simulating testing conditions leading to evaluate the intergranular stress corrosion cracking sensitivity of structural alloys is crucial to estimate the lifetime of in-service components. Former studies have pointed out that a simple modification of the design of slow strain rate tensile specimens was particularly convenient for evaluating the susceptibility to intergranular stress corrosion cracking of nickel-base alloys. The aim of the present work is to characterize and model the mechanical behaviour of such specimens. Validation of proposed modelling relies mainly on tensile tests carried on specimens equipped with strain gages. One of the striking results is that, for a given displacement rate of the heads of the specimen, a much slower strain rate can be obtained locally in comparison with the strain rate of an equivalent smooth specimen.