Neural identifier for unknown discrete-time nonlinear delayed systems

This work proposes a discrete-time nonlinear neural identifier based on a recurrent high-order neural network trained with an extended Kalman filter-based algorithm for discrete-time deterministic multiple-input multiple-output systems with unknown dynamics and time-delay. To prove the semi-globally uniformly ultimately boundedness of the proposed neural identifier, the stability analysis based on the Lyapunov approach is included. Applicability of the proposed identifier is shown via simulation and experimental results, all of them performed under the presence of unknown external and internal disturbances as well as unknown time-delays.     

Quantum secure direct communication of digital and analog signals using continuum coherent states

In this work, we present optical schemes for secure direct quantum communication of digital and analog signals using continuum coherent states and frequency-dependent phase modulation. The main advantages of the proposed schemes are that they do not use entangled states and they can be implemented with today technology. The theory of quantum interference of continuum coherent state is described, and the optical setups for secure direct communication are presented and their securities are discussed.

     

Habitat Restoration in the Context of Watershed Prioritization: The Ecological Performance of Urban Stream Restoration Projects in Portland,Oregon

In Portland (Oregon, USA), restoration actions have been undertaken at the watershed scale (e.g. revegetation and stormwater management) to improve water quality and, where water quality and quantity are adequate at the reach scale, to increase habitat heterogeneity. Habitat enhancement in urban streams can be important for threatened species, but challenging, because of altered catchment hydrology and urban encroachment on floodplains and channel banks. To evaluate reach‐scale restoration projects in the Tryon Creek watershed, we sampled benthic macroinvertebrates and conducted habitat quality surveys pre‐project and over 4 years post‐project. Species sensitive to pollution and diversity of trophic groups increased after restoration. Taxonomic diversity increased after restoration but was still low compared with reference streams. We found no significant changes in trait proportions and functional diversity. Functional diversity, proportion of shredders and semivoltine invertebrates were significantly higher in reference streams than in the restored stream reaches. We hypothesized that inputs of coarse particulate organic matter and land use at watershed scale may explain the differences in biodiversity between restored and reference stream reaches. Habitat variables did not change from pre‐project to post‐project, so they could not explain community changes. This may have been partly attributable to insensitivity of the visual estimate methods used but likely also reflects the importance of watershed variables on aquatic biota—suggesting watershed actions may be more effective for the ecological recovery of streams. For future projects, we recommend multihabitat benthic sampling supported by studies of channel geomorphology to better understand stream response to restoration actions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiperiod and stochastic formulations for a closed loop supply chain with incentives

Reverse logistics network design problem we focus on is about locating distribution centers, inspection centers and remanufacturing facilities, and determining the acquisition price as well as the amount of returned goods to be collected depending on the unit cost savings and competitor’s acquisition price. We introduce the multiple periods setting and stochastic demand formulated by scenarios. We develop two mathematical programming models to determine the pricing strategy of the recovered products together with the optimal network that must be designed to be the most profitable closed cycle. Our methodology is based on a Golden Section Search with some flexibility that enables us to fix the used product acquisition price and then solve the model as an integer linear programming. Moreover, we establish dependent size fixed costs of opening a distribution, an inspection, and a remanufacturing centers, and show that they have a strong impact on the Golden Section search behavior.     

Styrene/butyl acrylate copolymerization with layer morphology: Kinetics and viscoelastic properties

Styrene/butyl acrylate copolymers with layer morphology were synthesized using an emulsion copolymerization process, The kinetic parameters studied include monomers composition, initiator and transfer agent content, feeding time, and monomer addition sequence. The final product consists of a homopolymer nucleus surrounded by concentric shells of copolymers with different composition; the initial composition is quite rich in the monomer that forms the nucleus while the process ends with an enriched layer of the second homopolymer. Since the middle copolymer layer tends to increase the compatibility among the original homopolyers, we expected to have a set of core-shell products with completely different properties. However, the experimental results showed that this was not the case. The composition effect on the viscoelastic properties shows, on one hand, that an increase in the butyl acrylate content lowers the elastic response of the final product, and on the other hand, that the elasticity increases with copolymer content. As the initiator content in the reaction media increases, the viscosity of the coreshell products decreases because of the existence of a media flooded with free radicals. If the butyl acrylate is first added, a graft polymerization is favored because of the polar nature of this homopolymer and, therefore, the molecular weight level increases.     

Relation of α2-Antiplasmin Genotype and Genetic Determinants of Fibrinogen Synthesis and Fibrin Clot Formation with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Level in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Objective: Coagulation and fibrinolysis are interrelated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which frequently is increased in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We tested whether (i) α₂-antiplasmin (A2AP) Arg6Trp, (ii) fibrinogen, factor XIII A-subunit or B-subunit genotypes are associated with VEGF levels and assessed whether the known association between elevated VEGF and radiographic spinal progression in axSpA depends on genetic background. Methods: One hundred and eighty-six axSpA patients from the German Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort were genotyped, characterized for VEGF levels, and statistically analyzed. The association between VEGF and radiographic spinal progression was assessed in dependence on genetic background in stratified analyses. Results: A2AP 6Trp carriage was associated with VEGF elevation (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.06–5.29) and VEGF levels (6Trp, 455 ± 334 pg/mL; 6Arg/Arg, 373 ± 293 pg/mL; p < 0.008). Association between elevated VEGF and radiographic spinal progression in axSpA (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.02–8.82) depended remarkably on the fibrinogen (FGA) genotype. When considering axSpA patients with elevated VEGF, in FGA rs6050A>G wild types, 42.1% of patients (8 of 19) progressed, while in G-allele carriers, no radiographic progression happened (0 of 13) (p < 0.04). Conclusions: The A2AP Arg6Trp genotype seems to influence VEGF levels in axSpA. The predictive value of VEGF elevations in respect of radiographic spinal progression in axSpA depends on FGA genotypes.     

Activated carbon/iron oxide magnetic composites for the adsorption of contaminants in water

In this work the adsorption features of activated carbon and the magnetic properties of iron oxides were combined in a composite to produce magnetic adsorbents. These magnetic particles can be used as adsorbent for a wide range of contaminants in water and can subsequently be removed from the medium by a simple magnetic procedure. Activated carbon/iron oxide magnetic composites were prepared with weight ratios of 2:1, 1.5:1 and 1:1 and characterized by powder XRD, TG, magnetization measurements, chemical analyses, TPR, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, Mössbauer spectroscopy and SEM. The results suggest that the main magnetic phase present is maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) with small amounts of magnetite (Fe₃O₄). Magnetization enhancement can be produced by treatment with H₂ at 600 °C to reduce maghemite to magnetite. N₂ adsorption measurements showed that the presence of iron oxides did not significantly affect the surface area or the pore structure of the activated carbon. The adsorption isotherms of volatile organic compounds such as chloroform, phenol, chlorobenzene and drimaren red dye from aqueous solution onto the composites also showed that the presence of iron oxide did not affect the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon.     

Investigation of AISI 1040 steel corrosion in H2S solution containing chloride ions by digital image processing coupled with electrochemical techniques

This paper presents a study of AISI 1040 steel corrosion in aqueous electrolyte of acetic acid buffer containing 3.1 and 31 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ of Na₂S in both the presence and absence of 3.5 wt.% NaCl. This investigation of steel corrosion was carried out using potential polarization, and open-circuit and in situ optical microscopy. The morphological analysis and classification of types of surface corrosion damage by digital image processing reveals grain boundary corrosion and shows a non-uniform sulfide film growth, which occurs preferentially over pearlitic grains through successive formation and dissolution of the film.     

Incorporation of norbixin in biodegradable alginate films crosslinked with Ca2+: Pro-oxidant action

Alginate is a biopolymer with film-forming properties that can be used as food packaging material. Norbixin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, commonly used as a natural food coloring. The research objective was to create calcium-crosslinked alginate films and incorporated with norbixin concentrations (N%) of 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.50% (g norbixin/g alginate). The polymer matrix helped to retard the thermal degradation of norbixin during the drying process and decreased leaching losses during the crosslinking process. The addition of norbixin influenced film opacity in ultraviolet light (all N%) and visible light (higher N%), causing an increase in red-yellow coloration. Only the higher N% influenced the water vapor permeability of film. Norbixin thus improved the overall barrier properties of the crosslinked sodium alginate film, with a 0.50 N% showing the most promising results. When used as sunflower oil packaging, films with a N% above 0.10 provided pro-oxidant activity during storage.     

Unified description of martensite microstructure and kinetics

A quantitative metallography method is described to obtain size and number per unit volume of martensite units from linear intercept measurements. The entailed relationship between the number per unit volume of martensite plates and the volume fraction transformed is consistent with the autocatalytic nature of martensite. Application to the athermal and the isothermal martensite reactions allowed development of a unified microstructure-kinetic model. Validation of the model equations was achieved with data pertaining to FeNiC and FeNiMn alloys found in the literature. The apparent activation energy for propagation of isothermal martensite yielded by the transformation curve is compatible with the value obtained from the initial transformation rate. The defect redistribution process austenite/martensite established during the thickening of the plates has a crucial role in autocatalysis.