Comparison of spectral fluorescent signatures-based models to characterize DOM in treated water samples

Statistical procedures enable a multivariate analysis of the measurements to identify specific characteristics of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions in raw natural water, including the concentrations. In this work, three already established models were used to predict the concentrations of fractions of DOM from spectral fluorescent signatures (SFSs): a general linear regression (GLR), loadings and scores of a principal components analysis (PCA), and a partial least squares regression (PLS). Details about the method undertaken to prepare the fractions were given. Water samples from surface water treatment plants in New Jersey were used for the testing. In all cases, PLS have shown much better biases and accuracies than GLR and PCA models. Hydrophilic neutral, however, showed poor performances (bias 33%) due to the isolation technique used. Recommendations were provided in order to improve the DOM characterization through SFS, which linked to PLS make a powerful and cost-effective surrogate parameter to characterize DOM.     

Unknown input observer design and analysis for networked control systems

The insertion of communication networks in the feedback loops of control systems is a defining feature of modern control systems. These systems are often subject to unknown inputs in a form of disturbances, perturbations, or attacks. The objective of this paper is to design and analyse an observer for networked dynamical systems with unknown inputs. The network effect can be viewed as either a perturbation or time-delay to the exchanged signals. In this paper, we (1) review an unknown input observer (UIO) design for a non-networked system, (2) derive the networked unknown input observer (N_etUIO) dynamics, (3) design a N_etUIO such that the effect of higher delay order terms are nullified and (4) establish stability-guaranteeing bounds on the networked-induced time-delay and perturbation. The formulation and results derived in this paper can be generalised to scenarios and applications where the signals are perturbed due to a different source of perturbation or delay.     

Development of core to solve the multidimensional multiple-choice knapsack problem

The multidimensional multiple-choice knapsack problem (MMKP) is an extension of the 0–1 knapsack problem. The core concept has been used to design efficient algorithms for the knapsack problem but the core has not been developed for the MMKP so far. In this paper, we develop an approximate core for the MMKP and utilize it to solve the problem exactly.     

Software features for the estimation of an operators’ group activity in man-machine system

Methods for the selection of candidates for operators of man-machine systems are analyzed. Vector mean estimates of group intelligence and estimates defining the group’s collective decision-making ability to obtain the unified solution to the selection problem and to retain the correct original solution to the problem, and estimates of solution quality and interoperability in correct decision-making are proposed. The properties of the suggested estimates are studied with a test example of five candidates. Amongst these properties are estimates of the group’s psychological traits, such as average estimates of professional competence, static components of the intelligence vector for tested candidates, components of the trainability vector for tested candidates, average intelligence estimates for tested candidates, average estimates for the basis of groups, average different-mindedness estimates of groups, variations in the trainability of operators, and arithmetic estimates of group intelligence variability such as levels of awareness, knowledge level, mean speed of knowledge variation, comprehension and motivation in operators’ reasoning.     

Spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric determination of ramipril and perindopril through ternary complex formation with eosin and Cu(II)

Two sensitive, spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric procedures are developed for the determination of ramipril and perindopril. Both methods are based on the formation of a ternary complex, extractable with chloroform, between copper(II), eosin and the two cited drugs. Spectrophotometrically under the optimum condition, the ternary complexes showed an absorption maximum at 535 nm, with apparent molar absorptivities of 6.55 and 4.00 x 10(3) mol(-1) x cm(-1) and Sandell's sensitivities of 5.80 x 10(-2) and 1.04 x 10(-1) microg x cm(-2) for perindopril and ramipril, respectively. The solution of ternary complex obeyed Beer's law in concentration ranges 10-60 and 20-100 microg x ml(-1) for perindopril and ramipril, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of the two cited drugs in pharmaceutical tablets. The atomic absorption spectrometric method, directly through the quantitative determination of copper content of the organic extract of the complex, was also investigated for the purpose of enhancing the sensitivity of the determination. The spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric procedures hold their accuracy and precision well when applied to the determination of ramipril and perindopril dosage forms.     

Biotechnical measurement and software system controlled features for determining the level of psycho-emotional tension on man-machine systems by fuzzy measures

A new software technique for determining emotional tension on humans is developed by means of psychological tests connected with the psycho-emotional sphere and on indicators characterizing the state of a subject’s visual attention. Each of these two areas determines several factors for psycho-emotional tension. The level of tension is determined as an aggregate of these two components with the rules of fuzzy logic. The membership functions and solving rules for the psychological tests, and for the state of visual attention, are constructed using fuzzy logic theory. It is shown that the resulting method can be used as an informative feature for prediction of many properties, such as the situational awareness (training and experience) of an operator and the operator’s individual capacity to function (mental-physiological limits). The second group of indicators characterize properties such as switchable attention (the ability to switch attention) (SWA), concentration (ability to concentrate) (CNA), stability of visual attention (STA) and parameters determining the state of memory. One of the most important issues for man-machine systems is to evaluate the performance of operators under abnormal conditions such as stress or tension.     

Hydration of granulated slag-alite in the presence of quartz

The aim of the present work was to study the effect of quartz on the hydration characteristics of hydrothermally hardened granulated slag-alite pastes. The pastes, of water: solid ratio 0.20, were moulded at a pressure of 50 kg cm^–2 and autoclaved at 10 atm for 0.5, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h. Compressive strengths of the hardened product were determined, and the kinetics of reaction were studied by the quantitative determination of free lime and combined water contents. The phases formed after autoclaving were determined using XRD techniques. The reaction mechanism of the system under investigation was discussed and correlated to the strength of the hardened product. It can be concluded that the addition of quartz to slag-alite mixture increases the strength of the final product. The strength obtained for samples with high alite content are higher than that of low-alite content. Finally, the addition of quartz assists the formation of tobermorite in the hardened specimens.     

Engineering behavior of the Lisan Marl as a dyke foundation material: Dead Sea,Jordan

Problems have occurred with dykes constructed on the Lisan Marl to retain brine pumped from the Dead Sea, which is chemically processed to produce potash. In this study the engineering behavior, collapse potential and compressibility of the Lisan Marl were assessed by undertaking laboratory tests with both natural, distilled water and brine as the media. The results showed that the liquid limit and fine particles increased when the soil was mixed with fresh/distilled water compared with brine water. The soil can be classified as highly compressible with a low undrained shear strength. In terms of collapsibility, the soil could be classified as slightly collapsible upon inundation with distilled water and moderately collapsible when soaked in Dead Sea brine. The results are important when determining the height and nature of the dykes.      

Co(II) Catalyzed Solvent Free Auto-Oxidation of Methylbenzenes to Substituted Benzoic Acids Under Phase Transfer Conditions

A novel methodology for the solvent free auto-oxidation of methylbenzenes under mild conditions is disclosed. The new scheme is based on a combination of metallic salt (cobalt chloride) and a quaternary ammonium phase transfer catalyst (didecyldimethylammonium bromide) which together form a complex soluble catalyst in the organic phase. Major reaction parameters are studied and optimized and the procedure is applied for the conversion of several substituted toluenes to the corresponding benzoic acids in excellent isolated yields.