Simultaneous External and Internal Stabilization for Continuous and Discrete-Time Critically Unstable Linear Systems with Saturating Actuators

The issues arising in hybrid or simultaneous external as well as internal stabilization of linear systems with saturating actuators are considered. Four different stabilization problems are studied. Roughly, these problems are (1) simultaneous semi-global external as well as semi-global internal stabilization, (2) simultaneous semi-global external as well as global internal stabilization, (3) simultaneous global external as well as semi-global internal stabilization, and (4) simultaneous global external as well as global internal stabilization. As evident from the literature, the requirement of internal stabilization alone either in the global or semi-global sense demands that the linear part of the given system be (a) stabilizable, and (b) has all its poles in the closed left half complex plane for continuous-time systems while it has all its poles inside and/or on the unit circle for discrete-time systems. This implies that the posed simultaneous stabilization problems are solvable at best only under the conditions (a) and (b). Under such conditions, we construct here explicit state as well as measurement feedback controllers for all the four problems in the case of continuous-time systems, and for the problems (1), (2) and (4) in the case of discrete-time systems. The design methodologies used to construct appropriate feedback laws are based on by now familiar low-gain and low-and-high gain design concepts or certain scheduled versions of them.     

Brief Note: Isolation,culture, characterization and optimization of human corneal stem cells

The effects of human versus mouse EGF on cell growth and culture duration were studied to optimize a human limbal stem cells culture method for therapeutical autologous transplantation. Limbal cells were obtained by trypsin digestion and transferred to a culture medium. The time needed to reach full confluence in culture was determined. Specific antibodies to corneal stem cell marker (P63) versus corneal epithelial differentiation marker (K3) were used for histochemical determinations. A high proportion of P63 positive cells (85± 4.6%), and a correspondingly low proportion K3 positive cells (15 ± 3.8%) indicated that most cultured cells remained undifferentiated and were considered as stem cells (mean ± SE, n=10). Cultures reached full confluency after 17.3 ± 1.2 days when the medium was supplemented with human EGF, while 21.7 ± 1.5 days were needed when the medium was supplemented with mouse EGF. The results showed that limbal stem cells proliferate more easily and reach to full confluency in a shorter time if the medium is supplemented with hEGF rather than with mEGF.     

Optimization and comparison of two different 3D culture methods to prepare cell aggregates as a bioink for organ printing

The ultimate goal of tissue engineering is to design and fabricate functional human tissues that are similar to natural cells and are capable of regeneration. Preparation of cell aggregates is one of the important steps in 3D tissue engineering technology, particularly in organ printing. Two simple methods, hanging drop (HD) and conical tube (CT) were utilized to prepare cell aggregates. The size and viability of the aggregates obtained at different initial cell densities and pre-culture duration were compared. The proliferative ability of the cell aggregates and their ability to spread in culture plates were also investigated. In both methods, the optimum average size of the aggregates was less than 500 μm. CT aggregates were smaller than HD aggregates. 5,000 cells per drop HD aggregates showed a marked ability to attach and spread on the culture surface. The proliferative ability reduced when the initial cell density was increased. Comparing these methods, we found that the HD method having better size controlling ability as well as enhanced ability to maintain higher rates of viability, spreading, and proliferation. In conclusion, smaller HD aggregates might be a suitable choice as building blocks for making bioink particles in bioprinting technique.     

Decoration of vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays with WO3 particles for hydrogen fuel production

WO₃ decorated photoelectrodes of titanium nanotube arrays (W-oxide TNTAs) were synthesized via a two-step process, namely, electrochemical oxidation of titanium foil and electrodeposition of W-oxide for various interval times of 1, 2, 3, 5, and 20 min to improve the photoelectrochemical performance and the amount of hydrogen generated. The synthesized photoelectrodes were characterized by various characterization techniques. The presence of tungsten in the modified TNTAs was confirmed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) proved the deposition of W-oxide as small particles staked up on the surface of the tubes at lower deposition time whereas longer times produced large and aggregate particles to mostly cover the surface of TiO₂ nanotubes. Additionally, the incorporation of WO₃ resulted in a shift of the absorption edge toward visible light as confirmed by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and a decrease in the estimated band gap energy values hence, modified TNTAs facilitated a more efficient utilization of solar light for water splitting. From the photoelectrochemical measurement data, the optimal photoelectrode produced after 2 min of deposition time improved the photo conversion efficiency and the hydrogen generation by 30% compared to that of the pure TNTA.     

Electrical and optical measurements in the early hydrogen discharge of GLAST-Ⅲ

This work presents the first electrical and optical measurements of the initial phase of hydrogen discharge in the upgraded spherical tokamak GLAST-III, initiated with electron cyclotron heating(ECH). Diagnostic measurements provide insights into expected and unexpected physics issues related to the initial phase of discharge. A triple Langmuir probe(TLP) has been developed to measure time series of the floating potential, plasma electron temperature and number density over the entire discharge, allowing monitoring of the two phases of the discharge: the ECH pre-ionization phase following by the plasma current formation phase. A TLP has the ability to give time-resolved measurements of the floating potential(V_(float)), electron temperature(T_e) and ion saturation current(I_(sat)∝n_e√kT_e).sat e eThe evolution of the ECH-assisted pre-ionization and subsequent plasma current phases in one shot are well envisioned by the probe. Intense fluctuations in the plasma current phase advocate for efficient equilibrium and feedback control systems. Moreover, the emergence of some strong impurity lines in the emission spectrum, even after only a few shots, suggests a crucial need for improvements in the base vacuum level. A noticeable change in the shape of the temporal profiles of the floating potential, electron temperature, ion saturation current(I_(sat)) and light emission has been observed with changing hydrogen fill pressure and vertical magnetic field.     

Breakdown of Evaporating Falling Films as a Function of Surface Tension Gradient

This study has found that liquid film breakdown in isopropanol, ethylene glycol, and water mixtures occurred only in systems with negative surface tension gradients. These systems were characterized by a decrease in local surface tension with a decrease in film thickness. Thus, the direction of surface tension gradient with respect to film thickness can be used as a criterion for predicting falling film breakdown in certain mixture systems.

Visual observations of an evaporating falling film gave insight into the mechanism of film breakdown. It appeared that a lateral surface shear force created by the surface tension gradient caused lateral expansion of valleys of the wavy film liquid film as it flowed over the heating surface. This valley expansion caused localized gradual thinning of the wavy film, so that the film thinned to an unstable thickness and broke down.     

Thermal characteristics and corrosion behaviour of Mg–xZn alloys for biomedical applications

The thermal parameters of Mg–xZn cast alloys with 0·5–9 wt% Zn were evaluated by using computer aided cooling curve thermal analysis (CA–CCTA), whereas the corrosion behaviour was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests. Thermal analysis results revealed that the dendrite coherency temperature (T _DCP ) decreased from 642·2 to 600 °C with the addition of Zn from 0·5 to 9 wt%. The liquid fraction at coherency point ( ${f}_{ L}^{ DCP}$ ) increased by 72% when Zn was increased up to 9 wt%. MgZn intermetallic phase was observed in samples with <3 wt% Zn. At higher percentages of Zn, the Mg ₅₁Zn ₂₀ intermetallic phase was also detected in addition to α-Mg and MgZn by first derivative cooling curves under non-equilibrium solidification. All these phases were observed along the grain boundary when Zn was rejected from the solid/liquid interface and enriched in the triple conjunction of grain boundary. The grain size decreased from 185·2 to 71·5 μm when Zn content was increased. The addition of Zn content had a significant effect on the corrosion rate and the corresponding mechanisms. The corrosion rate decreased from 2·1 to 1·81 mmpy as Zn content increased from 0·5 to 3 wt%; afterwards, however, this value increased with further increase of Zn. Mg–3Zn also had the lowest degradation rate and highest corrosion resistance which can be fully utilized for biodegradable orthopedic applications.     

The use of carbon dioxide in the processing and packaging of milk and dairy products: A review

The upswing in consumer demand for fresh and high quality preservative‐free foods has led to the development of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Increasingly, MAP is being used with high carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration as well as CO₂/N₂ gas mixes. Modified atmosphere packaging or ‘gas flushing’ as it is also known is an increasingly popular technique used to extend the shelf life (both quality and safety) of a number of dairy products. Carbon dioxide is an active constituent of MAP, naturally present in freshly drawn raw milk. Addition of CO₂ to raw milk or flushing the package headspace has proved to be a simple and cost‐effective method, depending upon the initial microbiological quality of the food product. Carbon dioxide addition through MAP or direct injection as an economically affordable shelf life extension strategy is used commercially worldwide for some dairy products. The development of food packaging machines with integrated gas flushing capabilities and the supply of ‘food grade’ gases allow dairy foods manufacturers to enhance the quality of their products. This review presents a broad spectrum of current research and the current trends with respect to CO₂ as a natural microbial hurdle with special focus on its precise mechanism and its role in quality improvement of dairy products.     

纤维素氨基甲酸酯溶液制备工艺研究

研究纤维素氨基甲酸酯(CC)溶液的制备工艺及其稳定性。结果表明:在-5~5℃条件下,用聚合度为350~632的纤维素浆粕合成含氮量为2.34%~3.56%的CC能很好地溶解在质量浓度为2.25~3.0 mol/L的氢氧化钠溶液中,形成淡黄色透明溶液。该溶液经过渗透处理,不仅实现了纺丝液中CC与NaOH质量比≥1的要求,且溶液的黏性、稳定性都有所提高,可直接用于纺丝。通过研究发现,尿素、氯化铝及氯化锌在一定范围内对CC有助溶作用。     

Proposed Model to Match the Experimental Results for Oil Displaced by Externally Generated Foam

A mathematical model was developed to predict the performance of the oil displaced by water foam in porous media. In this model, the diffusivity equations of both water foam (the displacing phase) and oil (the displaced phase) were combined in a single equation, which was solved numerically by a finite difference method, using the implicit-explicit method. The proposed model was compared with Poiseueille's model which represents the porous media by straight capillary tubes. It was found that the proposed model is superior to that of Poiseueille, because the Poiseueille model does not take into account the variations in foam properties along the sand pack. The production data used for the proposed model were obtained experimentally from the displacement of oil by water foam of different qualities (externally generated foam). The plastic viscosity of the water foam was measured experimentally for four foam quality ranges using capillary tubes of different sizes. The effective viscosity of the water foam determined from the plastic viscosity was used in the proposed model. Foam viscosity was found to increase as the quality increases, and the water foam obeys a Bingham plastic fluid model. The porous medium was represented by a sand pack whose length was 36 cm and diameter was 6.3 cm. Its absolute permeability was 341 md and porosity was 22.8%. The foam consisted of tap water, surfactant, and nitrogen gas.