On the general Kalman filter for discrete time stochastic fractional systems

In this paper the derivation of Kalman filter for discrete time-stochastic fractional system is investigated. Based on a novel cumulative vector form model for fractional systems, a general Kalman filter is introduced. The validity of the proposed method has been compared with a previously presented method via simulation results. It is shown that this method can be better applied for discrete time stochastic fractional systems with slower dynamics.     

Surfactant-Alumina-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles as an Efficient Aldehydes Adsorbent Prior Their Determination by HPLC

Separation and determination of trace levels of low-molecular weight aldehydes are very important from water suppliers’ point of view. Modified magnetic nanoparticles can be used for this propose. Alumina-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS/Al₂O₃/Fe₃O₄) are used for extraction of formaldehyde (FA) and acetaldehyde (AA) from drinking water samples. In this manner, the aldehydes were converted to their corresponding hydrazones by the reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). After preconcentration, the HPLC technique was used for the determination of the aldehydes and the results were compared with the commercial C₁₈ solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns. The results showed that the extraction with SDS/Al₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ is more efficient and faster than the commercial columns. A very good repeatability (RSD was 3.3 and 2.4% for FA and AA, respectively, n = 7, C = 50 ppb) was obtained. Linear regression analysis indicated that the responses for two investigated compounds were linear over about two orders of magnitude above the LOD (LOD was 3.6 ppb for FA and 3.2 ppb for AA), with correlation coefficients >0.9990. Determination of FA and AA in tap water and various brands of bottled waters were carried out using the modified nanoparticles. Based on the obtained results, the aldehyde content of the commercial bottled waters was particularly apparent after exposure to direct sunlight.     

Prevalence of aflatoxins in blood and urine of Egyptian infants with protein-energy malnutrition

The aim of the present work was to study the presence of aflatoxins in blood and urine of infants with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). The study was conducted on 60 infants, 30 with kwashiorkor and 30 with marasmus, with 10 age-matched healthy infants studied as a control group. Complete blood count, liver function tests, and determination of the level of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, M2, G2a, B3, GM1, P, and aflatoxicol R0) in blood and urine were carried out in all studied infants. Serum aflatoxins were detected in more infants with kwashiorkor (80%) than in those with marasmus (46.7%). The mean serum levels of total aflatoxins, AFB1, AFG1, and AFB2a, were significantly higher in infants with kwashiorkor (p <.001). Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was the most commonly detected type. The prevalence of aflatoxin excretion in the urine of infants with kwashiorkor was 80%, a higher value than that in infants with marasmus (46.7%). The mean urinary concentration of total aflatoxins followed the same pattern of distribution (p < .052). There were no significant differences between groups in the mean urinary concentrations of AFB1, AFG1, AFB2a, AFM1, and AFG2a. Aflatoxins were not detected in any of the serum or urine samples of the control group. Aflatoxins are highly prevalent in this study population and show a high degree of correlation with severe PEM.     

A modified shuffle frog leaping algorithm for multi-objective optimal power flow

This paper presents an efficient and reliable evolutionary-based approach to solve the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem by considering the emission issue. The OPF problem has been widely used in power system operation and planning for determining electricity prices. Therefore, the conventional optimal power flow cannot meet the environmental protection requirements, because it only considers generation cost minimization. The multi-objective optimal power flow considers economical and emission issues. By adding the emission objective in the optimal power flow problem, this problem become more complicated than before and it needs to be solved with an accurate algorithm. This paper proposes an algorithm based on the Shuffle Frog Leaping Algorithm (SLFA) to solve the multi-objective OPF problem. Furthermore, this paper presents a modified SLFA called MSLFA algorithm which profits from a mutation in order to reduce the processing time and improve the quality of solutions, particularly to avoid being trapped in local optima. The IEEE 30-bus test system is presented to illustrate the application of the proposed problem.     

The effect of enzymatic hydrolysis time and temperature on the properties of protein hydrolysates from Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) viscera

Protein hydrolysate was prepared from the viscera of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus), a major sturgeon species in the Caspian Sea. Hydrolysis was performed at three different temperatures (35, 45 and 55 °C), pH 8.5, using commercially available Alcalase^® and an enzyme to substrate ratio of 0.1 AU/g viscera protein over a 205 min incubation period. Protein and lipid content of the hydrolysate were 65.82%, and 0.18%, respectively. Protein recovery and degree of hydrolysis ranged from 34.97% to 61.96% and 13.32% to 46.13%, respectively. The highest degree of hydrolysis was observed at 55 °C after 205 min (p < 0.05). The amino acid score of the hydrolysates was similar to that of the FAO/WHO reference protein. It is revealed that Persian sturgeon visceral protein hydrolysate amino acid fulfils adult human requirements. Based on National Research Council guidelines, phenylalanine is the first limiting amino acid in the hydrolysate. However, the hydrolysate has the potential for application as an ingredient in formulated diets.     

Dyadic coping in metastatic breast cancer.

Objective: Couples facing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) must learn to cope with stressors that can affect both partners’ quality of life as well as the quality of their relationship. Common dyadic coping involves taking a “we” approach, whereby partners work together to maintain their relationship while jointly managing their shared stress. This study prospectively evaluated whether common dyadic coping was associated with less cancer-related distress and greater dyadic adjustment for female MBC patients and their male partners. Design: Couples (N = 191) completed surveys at the start of treatment for MBC (baseline), and 3 and 6 months later. Main Outcome Measures: Cancer-related distress was assessed with the Impact of Events Scale; dyadic adjustment was assessed using the short-form of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results: Multilevel models using the couple as the unit of analysis showed that the effects of common positive dyadic coping on cancer-related distress significantly differed for patients and their partners. Whereas partners experienced slightly lower levels of distress, patients experienced slightly higher levels of distress. Although patients and partners who used more common negative dyadic coping experienced significantly greater distress at all times, the association was stronger for patients. Finally, using more common positive dyadic coping and less common negative dyadic coping was mutually beneficial for patients and partners in terms of greater dyadic adjustment. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of couples working together to manage the stress associated with MBC. Future research may benefit from greater focus on the interactions between patients and their partners to address ways that couples can adaptively cope together. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis of highly-active single-crystalline TiO2 nanorods and its application in environmental photocatalysis

Highly-active anatase TiO₂ nanorods have been successfully synthesized via a simple two-step method, hydrothermal treatment of anatase/rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticle powder in a composite-hydroxide eutectic system of 1:1 M KOH/NaOH, followed by acid post-treatment. The morphology and crystalline structure of the obtained nanorods were characterized using XRD, TEM, SEM/EDX and BET surface area analyzer. The obtained TiO₂ nanorods have a good crystallinity and a size distribution (about 4-16 nm); with the dimensions of 200-300 nm length and of 30-50 nm diameter. Compared with its precursor anatase/rutile TiO₂ nanoparticles and the titanate nanotubes, the pure anatase TiO₂ nanorods have a large specific surface area with a mesoporous structure. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared nanorods was tested in the degradation of the commercial Cibacrown Red (FN-R) textile dye, under UV irradiation. Single-crystalline anatase TiO₂ nanorods are more efficient for the dye removal.     

Study of droplet behaviour along a pulsed liquid–liquid extraction column in the presence of nanoparticles

In this article, droplet size and its distribution along a pulsed liquid–liquid extraction column, is studied where SiO₂ nanoparticles with concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 vol.% and different hydrophobicities are applied to the dispersed phase. Using ultrasonication, nanoparticles were dispersed in kerosene as the base fluid. Nanofluids' stability was ensured using a UV–vis spectrophotometer. Some 22,000 droplets were measured by photographic technique and results were compared with systems containing no‐nanoparticles (Water–Acetic acid–Kerosene). Addition of nanoparticles changed the droplet shape from ellipsoidal to spherical. Also, there was a marked influence on droplet breakage and droplet coalescence at 0.01 vol.%, and 0.05 vol.% or higher volume fractions, respectively. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering