Optimal placement of piezoelectric actuators on plate structures for active vibration control via modified control matrix and singular value decomposition approach using modified heuristic genetic algorithm

The present work deals with the optimal placement of piezoelectric actuators on a thin plate using modified control matrix and singular value decomposition (MCSVD) approach. The MCSVD is considered as the fitness function and optimal positions of the actuators are obtained by maximizing it with MHGA (modified heuristic genetic algorithm). Vibration suppression has been studied for simply supported plate with piezoelectric patches in optimal positions to suppress first specified modes using LQR (linear quadratic regulator) controller. It is observed that the positions of patches obtained with this approach give greater vibration suppression, reduced computational requirements, and provide global optimum solution only.     

Fuzzy-genetic algorithm for pre-processing data at the RTU

Uncertainties are always present in the data captured at the remote terminal unit (RTU) in a power system. In this paper, it has been demonstrated that pre-processing the data with a fuzzy-genetic algorithm at the RTU will reduce the uncertainty and vagueness in the measurands. The initial population for the genetic algorithm is generated with assumed fuzzy functions. These functions are optimized using the theory of reproduction, cross over and mutation. The result shows that the fuzzy-genetic algorithm gives better results than the other methods available. It is also observed that the fuzzy-genetic algorithm is easy to apply to the output fuzzy solution rather than to the input fuzzy function.     

Impact of pH Value on Structural,Thermal, Optical and Raman Studies of Neodymium Phosphate (NdP) Nanoparticles Synthesized by Co-Precipitation Technique

Abstract

The present study deals with the impact of pH value on neodymium phosphate (NdP) nanoparticles which have been successfully synthesized via wet chemical co precipitation technique. PXRD revealed the formation of monoclinic phase, purity and crystallinity. TEM reveals spherical morphology with the formation of slight agglomeration and grain size decrease at low pH as compared to high pH. TGA/DTA suggests that as synthesized nanoparticle shows phase transition above 800^°C. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy signifies slight shifting of bands towards lower wave number at high pH and gives relevant peaks of phosphates (PO₄^3?) group. Optical absorption with selected value of pH were studied in UV-VIS spectrophotometer and showed a strong absorbance with a tendency towards blue shift.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a fluorescent non-peptidic cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor specific antagonist for cancer cell imaging

Fluorescent labeling has enabled a better understanding of the relationships between receptor location, function, and life cycle. Each of these perspectives contributes new insights into drug action, particularly for G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). The aim of this study was to develop a fluorescein derivative, FLUO‐QUIN—a novel antagonist of the cholecystokinin‐B/gastrin receptor. A radioligand‐binding experiment revealed an IC₅₀ of 4.79 nm, and the antagonist inhibited gastric acid secretion in an isolated lumen‐perfused mouse stomach assay (up to 51 % at 100 nm) . The fluorescence properties altered upon binding to the receptor, and the fluorophore was quenched to a greater extent when free than in the bound form. FLUO‐QUIN specifically bound to human pancreatic carcinoma cells, MiaPaca‐2, which are known to express the receptor, as evidenced by rapid clustering followed by time‐dependent receptor internalization. This proves the stability of FLUO‐QUIN and its ability to penetrate vesicular membranes and reach various cell targets. Hence it might be used as an agent for the detection of CCK‐B‐receptor‐positive tumors by fluorescence imaging.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Transferrin in Experimental Glaucoma Models

Iron is essential for retinal metabolism, but an excess of ferrous iron causes oxidative stress. In glaucomatous eyes, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death has been associated with dysregulation of iron homeostasis. Transferrin (TF) is an endogenous iron transporter that controls ocular iron levels. Intraocular administration of TF is neuroprotective in various models of retinal degeneration, preventing iron overload and reducing iron-induced oxidative stress. Herein, we assessed the protective effects of TF on RGC survival, using ex vivo rat retinal explants exposed to iron, NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, or CoCl₂-induced hypoxia, and an in vivo rat model of ocular hypertension (OHT). TF significantly preserved RGCs against FeSO₄-induced toxicity, NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, and CoCl₂-induced hypoxia. TF protected RGCs from apoptosis, ferroptosis, and necrosis. In OHT rats, TF reduced RGC loss by about 70% compared to vehicle-treated animals and preserved about 47% of the axons. Finally, increased iron staining was shown in the retina of a glaucoma patient’s eye as compared to non-glaucomatous eyes. These results indicate that TF can interfere with different cell-death mechanisms involved in glaucoma pathogenesis and demonstrate the ability of TF to protect RGCs exposed to elevated IOP. Altogether, these results suggest that TF is a promising treatment against glaucoma neuropathy.     

A study of peeling-off tension in rotor spinning and its dependence on rotor and fibre variables part I: theoretical

While assessing the overall yarn tension in rotor spinning, most of the researchers have ignored the contribution of peeling-off tension (T₀) assuming this being small. However, experiments in the present study showed a significant discrepancy between the calculated and the measured mean yarn tension due to neglect of T₀. Further, T₀ has a bearing in twist propagation and compacting the fibres in the zone of Peripheral Twist Extent (PTE) for ensuring continuity of the yarn formation. In the present study, a theoretical deduction has been made to estimate T₀ by summing up the contributions due to fibre tension at the yarn formation point and the tension arising out of the length of the PTE sliding in the rotor groove. The dependence of T₀ on various rotor and fibre variables has also been established.     

Direction-of-arrival estimation using rank revealing QRfactorization

The authors describe a novel technique for direction-of-arrival estimation based on computing a permutation matrix E and a QR factorization RE=HB of the permuted covariance matrix R, such that a possible rank deficiency of R is revealed in the triangular factor B having a minimum norm lower right block. A subset of the columns of the orthogonal matrix, H, is shown to be orthogonal to the direction vectors of sources and hence can be used to estimate their bearings. The cost of this algorithm is only slightly more than that of one QR factorization, but is much lower than that of an eigen-decomposition. Simulation results are included to show that the proposed method performs nearly as well as MUSIC in terms of signal resolution, bias, and variance of the estimated bearings     

Thermal processing of prawn 'kuruma' in retortable pouches and aluminium cans

Prawn ‘kuruma’ was prepared from Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus), packed in conventional 301 × 206 and 401 × 411 aluminium cans and in thin profile retort pouches having a three-layer configuration of 12.5 μ polyester, 12.5 μ aluminium foil and 85 μ cast polypropylene of size 16 × 20 cm and 17 × 30 cm. The physico-chemical tests conducted on these containers showed their suitability for thermal processing. Prawn to kuruma ratio of 65:35 was maintained in all the containers and heat processed to equal lethality in an over pressure autoclave with the facility to record the time–temperature data, F₀ value and cook value. The process time was calculated by using formula method. The processing in 16 × 20 cm and 17 × 30 cm retortable pouch resulted in 35.67% and 56.56% reduction in process time compared with 301 × 206 and 401 × 411 cans, respectively, with equal pack weight. The amino acid content did not vary considerably in both containers. In the canned samples the reduction of sulfhydryl content was 50.54% more when compared with the pouched product. Products packed in pouches were found to be superior to canned products with regard to sensory and textural attributes such as colour, firmness, hardness, chewiness, and overall acceptability.     

Dielectric properties of human colostrum at microwave frequencies.

This article communicates the study of both the dielectric properties of human colostrums and breast milk at microwave frequencies. The colostrum samples were taken immediately after child birth and breast milk samples were collected at weekly intervals following the delivery. Rectangular cavity perturbation technique is used for the measurements of dielectric properties at the S-band of microwave frequency. The dielectric constants of the colostrums samples and breast milk samples are found to increase as weeks elapse, which is attributed to the reduced fat content and increased lactose concentration. The conductivity of these samples is similarly found to increase due to the increased dilution.