Finite-Time Stability of Stochastic Cohen–Grossberg Neural Networks with Markovian Jumping Parameters and Distributed Time-Varying Delays

In this paper, the finite-time stability problem is considered for a class of stochastic Cohen–Grossberg neural networks (CGNNs) with Markovian jumping parameters and distributed time-varying delays. Based on Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and stability analysis theory, a linear matrix inequality approach is developed to derive sufficient conditions for guaranteeing the stability of the concerned system. It is shown that the addressed stochastic CGNNs with Markovian jumping and distributed time varying delays are finite-time stable. An illustrative example is provided to show the effectiveness of the developed results.     

Structure, current efficiency, and corrosion properties of brush electrodeposited (BED) Cr from Cr(III)dimethyl formamide (DMF)-bath

Chromium electrodeposited from Cr(III)dimethyl formamide-bath was studied using brush electrodeposition (BED) technique. The effects of current density and plating time on thickness and current efficiency were studied. An advantage of BED Cr was to produce selective area deposition on a suitable substrate. Chromium deposits were characterized using XRD, SEM, and AFM. From the electrochemical studies, BED Cr have higher charge transfer resistance R _ct and very low I _corr than that of mild steel substrate.     

D–A–D-structured conducting polymer-modified electrodes for detection of lead(II) ions in water

Donor–acceptor–donor-structured thiophene derivative-based conducting polymer poly(7,9-dithiophene-2yl-8H-cyclopenta[a]acenaphthalene-8-one) was chemically synthesized. This polymer was used to modify both glassy-carbon and carbon-paste electrode, which was used to detect lead(II) ions present in water in the range of 1 mM to 0.1 μM. Cyclic voltammetry confirms the formation of the co-ordination complex between the soft segment of polymer and the dissolved lead ion. Anodic stripping voltammetry was carried out by the modified electrode to determine the lower limit of detection of dissolved lead(II) species in the solution. Differential adsorptive stripping and impedance measurements were also conducted to find the lowest possible response of the as-synthesized polymer to lead(II) ion in water. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrodes at different pH (4, 7 and 9) environments was carried out by stripping voltammetry, to get optimum sensitivity and stability under these conditions. Finally, interference analysis was carried out to detect the modified electrode’s sensitivity towards lead ion affinity in water.     

An experimental investigation on manifold‐injected hydrogen as a dual fuel for diesel engine system with different injection duration

Stringent emission norms and rapid depletion of petroleum resources have resulted in a continuous effort to search for alternative fuels. Hydrogen is one of the best alternatives for conventional fuels. Hydrogen has both the benefits and limitation to be used as a fuel in an automotive engine system. In the present investigation, hydrogen was injected into the intake manifold by using a hydrogen gas injector and diesel was introduced in the conventional, mode which also acts as an ignition source for hydrogen combustion. The flow rate of hydrogen was set at 5.5 l min^?1 at all the load conditions. The injection timing was kept constant at top dead center (TDC) and injection duration was adjusted to find the optimized injection condition. Experiments were conducted on a single cylinder, four stroke, water‐cooled, direct injection diesel engine coupled to an electrical generator. At 75% load the maximum brake thermal efficiency for hydrogen operation at injection timing of TDC and with injection duration of 30°CA is 25.66% compared with 21.59% for diesel. The oxides of nitrogen (NO_X) emission are 21.7 g kWh^?1 for hydrogen compared with diesel of 17.9 g k Wh^?1. Smoke emissions reduced to 1 Bosch smoke number (BSN) in hydrogen compared with diesel of 2.2 BSN. Hydrogen operation in the dual fuel mode with diesel exhibits a better performance and reduction in emissions compared with diesel in the entire load spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Active layer modification of commercial nanofiltration membrane using CuBTC/PVA matrix for improved surface and separation characteristics

The present study proposes a facile route for the modification of commercial nanofiltration (NF) polymeric membrane by embedding metal organic framework (MOF) via dip coating. A mixed membrane matrix comprising of copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (CuBTC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) served as the new active layer. The obtained topography, functional group, and surface elemental analysis elucidated the presence of heterogeneous phase and the distribution of the MOF on the membrane. The dip coating well supported the modification through excellent adhesion. The water wettability of the modified membrane displayed a positive correlation with CuBTC loading in the PVA polymer matrix. Permeation and separation characteristics of the resultant membranes were investigated by retaining protein and carbohydrates from synthetic dairy wastewater (SDWW). The permeability rate of modified samples increased to 43% as compared to the commercial NF membrane. A significant improvement in the rejection rate of carbohydrate from 61% to 87% and protein from 88% to 94% was achieved. Membrane Fouling was found to be much lesser for the modified samples. The study highlights the potential of CuBTC as filler material for enhancing the separation characteristic of established NF membrane.     

Efficient fuzzy feature matching and optimal feature points for multiple objects tracking in fixed and active camera models

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In computer vision, the multiple objects tracking play a vital challenging role. To solve the issues in this research field, various traditional techniques had...     

Synthesis of novel optically active pyrrolidine‐containing polyaniline: A new heterogeneous organo polymeric‐base catalyst for direct Aldol reaction

An optically active pyrrolidine containing polyaniline, poly‐(2‐anilinomethylpyrrolidine) (PANiMp) is synthesized for the first time. PANiMp material is synthesized by simple one‐pot synthetic route and is characterized by circular dichroism, NMR, FTIR, and electronic absoroption spectral techniques. This novel polyaniline base is evaluated as new heterogeneous organo polymeric‐base catalyst for direct Aldol reaction in water medium. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Resource settings have a major influence on the outcome of maintenance hemodialysis patients in South India

Chronic kidney disease is reaching epidemic proportions and the number of patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) is increasing worldwide and also in developing countries. To meet the challenge of providing RRT, a few charity organizations provide hemodialysis units for underprivileged patients, as the private hospitals are unaffordable for the majority. There is a paucity of information on the outcome of dialysis in these patients. Here, we describe the outcome of hemodialysis patients comparing the middle‐ and upper‐class income group with the lower class income group. A retrospective analysis was carried out in 558 CKD patients initiated on maintenance hemodialysis in two different dialysis facilities. Group A (n=247) included those who belonged to the lowermost socioeconomic status and were undergoing dialysis in two nonprofit, charity (TANKER)‐run dialysis units, and Group B (n=311) was undergoing dialysis in a nonprofit hospital setting where no subsidy was given. Those patients of a low socioeconomic status, especially those who are diabetics, have a higher death rate (Group A‐38.1%, Group B‐4.2%) and loss to follow‐up (Group A‐25.9%, Group B‐0.3%) compared with those who are in the middle‐ and high‐income group. Higher EPO use and hence higher hemoglobin levels (Group A‐6.4±1.2, Group B‐8.9±1.5 P<0.001) were observed in those who were in the middle and the higher income group. Lower serum phosphorus level was observed in the low‐socioeconomic group (Group A‐4.7±1.5, Group B‐5.5±1.9, P<0.001). Patients belonging to the middle and higher socioeconomic group undergo more transplantations compared with the lower socioeconomic group (Group A‐2.4%, Group B‐65.6%).     

Effect of baffle–cavity ratios on buoyancy convection in a cavity with mutually orthogonal heated baffles

Buoyancy driven convection in a square cavity induced by two mutually orthogonal and arbitrarily located baffles is studied numerically. The baffles are of different sizes and the flow is two-dimensional. The coupled governing equations were solved by finite difference method using Alternating Direction Implicit technique and Successive Over-Relaxation method. The steady state results are presented in the form of streamline and isotherm plots. It is found that buoyancy force plays a key role and overall heat transfer in the cavity is enhanced for higher values of both baffle–cavity ratios. Flow inhibition emerges as a deciding factor and diminishes heat transfer when the horizontal baffle is located above the center of the cavity.