Detecting parameter identifiability problems in system identification

A simple, practical and unified method is presented for detecting parameter identifiability problems caused by non-persistent excitation, overparametrization and/or output feedback within the system to be identified. All the required information is generated inherently by the multiple-model least-squares (MMLS) method and/or the augmented UD identification (AUDI) algorithm developed by the authors, so very little extra computation is required. Several examples are included to illustrate the principles involved and their application. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of chemical modifications on FTIR spectra. II. Physicochemical behavior of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)

This article highlights chemical modifications like alkali treatment, dinitrophenylation, benzoylation, and benzoylation-acetylation carried out on an pineapple agrowaste leaf fiber (PALF). The parent and chemically modified PALF were characterized by FTIR spectra, pH measurement, and detection of nitrogen. The percent moisture regain (extent of hydrophobicity), mechanical strength, and chemical inertness of parent and chemically modified fibers were evaluated. The modified fibers showed significant hydrophobicity, improved mechanical strength, and moderate chemical resistance. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2119–2125, 1997     

Polymerization of olefins through heterogeneous catalysis. XVII. Experimental study and model interpretation of some aspects of olefin polymerization over a TiCl4/MgCl2 catalyst

Using a high-activity MgCl₂-supported TiCl₄ catalyst, kinetic studies of ethylene and propylene polymerization are conducted in a semi-batch gas phase stirred-bed reactor system. Based on the experimental observations obtained from this study and others in the literature, simple kinetic mechanisms are proposed to explain the data. This model considers both the site formation from the interaction of catalyst and cocatalyst as well as the participation of monomers during site activation. By using this model together with parameters estimated from various sources, some aspects of kinetic behavior have been successfully predicted. These include the rate enhancement introduced by α-olefins, the effect of the Al/Ti ratio on kinetic features such as catalyst activity and decay rate, as well as the different reaction orders observed for various monomers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1037–1052, 1997     

Experimental study of thermal performance improvement of a solar air flat plate collector through the use of obstacles: application for the drying of ‘yellow onion’

In the solar air flat plate collector, the insufficiency of the thermal exchange between the fluid and the absorber obliges the user to enhance their optimization. This low thermal exchange does not allow these systems to obtain their best performance or the best thermal efficiency. In our experimental study, which consists of a solar energy simulation, we have sought to improve the efficiency–temperature rise couple of the flat plate solar collector by considering several types of obstacles disposed in rows in the dynamic air vein of the collector. Thus, we have proceeded to the application of the best two systems (WDL1 and TL) for drying an agricultural product (Yellow Onion). By comparing with the collector without obstacles (WO), the thermal transfers and, consequently, the output temperature (T_OC) and the collector efficiency (η) are clearly improved. The drying times obtained with the proposed systems are very interesting. The heat quantities obtained in the case of WDL1 are very important compared with the collector WO. However, the entry to the drying cupboard of this high temperature (T_OC) in the vicinity of the solar midday must be limited to the maximal value demanded by the considered product. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nothing Regular about the Regulins: Distinct Functional Properties of SERCA Transmembrane Peptide Regulatory Subunits

The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) is responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis in all eukaryotic cells by actively transporting calcium from the cytosol into the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) lumen. Calcium is an important signaling ion, and the activity of SERCA is critical for a variety of cellular processes such as muscle contraction, neuronal activity, and energy metabolism. SERCA is regulated by several small transmembrane peptide subunits that are collectively known as the “regulins”. Phospholamban (PLN) and sarcolipin (SLN) are the original and most extensively studied members of the regulin family. PLN and SLN inhibit the calcium transport properties of SERCA and they are required for the proper functioning of cardiac and skeletal muscles, respectively. Myoregulin (MLN), dwarf open reading frame (DWORF), endoregulin (ELN), and another-regulin (ALN) are newly discovered tissue-specific regulators of SERCA. Herein, we compare the functional properties of the regulin family of SERCA transmembrane peptide subunits and consider their regulatory mechanisms in the context of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of these peptides. We present new functional data for human MLN, ELN, and ALN, demonstrating that they are inhibitors of SERCA with distinct functional consequences. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of SERCA in complex with the transmembrane domains of MLN and ALN provide insights into how differential binding to the so-called inhibitory groove of SERCA—formed by transmembrane helices M2, M6, and M9—can result in distinct functional outcomes.     

Concentration of Bacillus spores by using silica magnetic particles

Silica particles are mainly used for the concentration of nucleic acid for diagnostic purposes. This is usually done under acidic or chaotropic conditions that will demolish most of the living organisms and prevent the application of other diagnostic tests. Here we describe the development of a method for the capturing and concentration of Bacillus spores using silica magnetic particles to enable fast and sensitive detection. We have shown that capturing various Bacilli spores via silica magnetic particles is limited, with large differences between spore batches (42 +/- 25%). The hydrophobic exosporium layer of spore limits the capture by the hydrophilic silica beads. Partial removal of Bacillus exosporium increases capture efficiency. To increase capturing efficiency without harming the spores' viability, a cationic lipid, didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), was used as a coat for the negatively charged silica particles. DDAB treatment increased capture efficiency from 42% to more than 90%. Using this method, we were able to capture as few as 100 Bacillus anthracis spores/mL with 90% efficacy. Release of captured spores was achieved by the addition of albumin. The capture and release processes were verified by plating and by flow cytometry using light scatter analysis. The method is simple, efficient, easy to operate, and fast.     

Analysis of slitless holographic spectrometers implemented by spherical beam volume holograms

The analysis of a slitless volume holographic spectrometer is presented in detail. The spectrometer is based on a spherical beam volume hologram followed by a Fourier-transforming lens and a CCD. It is shown that the spectrometer is not sensitive to the incident angle of the input beam for the practical range of applications. A holographic spectrometer based on the conventional implementation is also analyzed, and the results are used to compare the performance of the proposed method with the conventional one. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical study. It is also shown that the slitless volume holographic spectrometer lumps three elements (the entrance slit, the collimator, and the diffractive element) of the conventional spectrometer into one spherical beam volume hologram. Based on the unique features of the slitless volume holographic spectrometer, we believe it is a good candidate for portable spectroscopy for environmental and biological applications.