Stabilization of controlled positive discrete‐time T‐S fuzzy systems by state feedback control

This paper deals with sufficient conditions of asymptotic stability and stabilization for nonlinear discrete‐time systems represented by a Takagi–Sugeno‐type fuzzy model whose state variables take only nonnegative values at all times t for any nonnegative initial state. This class of systems is called positive systems. The conditions of stabilizability are obtained with state feedback control. This work is based on multiple Lyapunov functions. The results are presented in linear matrix inequalities form. A real plant is studied to illustrate this technique. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of diesel policy banning on PM levels in urban areas

Increased use of diesel engine in on‐road vehicles presents a serious health concern, particularly in traffic‐congested urban areas. Diesel exhaust contains various gaseous and particulate pollutants, which, at high concentrations, pose adverse health effects. In this respect, various policy measures are being adopted worldwide to curtail emissions from diesel engines. This paper presents an assessment of diesel engine policy banning in the Greater Beirut Area. For this purpose, particulate matter levels in the air were measured after the ban and compared with concentrations reported prior to the ban. Health‐based socio‐economic benefits associated with improvement in air quality were then estimated using the long‐term decrease of particulate matter as an indicator.     

Electrochemical recognition of chiral species using quaternary ammonium binaphthyl salts

The use of ephedrine-substituted quaternary ammonium binaphthyl salts as molecular receptors is demonstrated. The electrochemical oxidation of the receptor is affected by the binding of an analyte in solution. The binding site on the binaphthyl salt has been determined using computer modeling and confirmed using 1D and 2D NMR studies. It is shown that the sensitivity of the receptor is related to the size of the analyte. Axially chiral binaphthyl salts are shown to bind chiral analytes in a different manner and this is demonstrated using lactic and mandelic acid. The presence of a polar functional group on the analyte is also shown to have an effect on the guest-host interaction.     

On the Completeness of Quantum Hydrodynamics: Vortex Formation and the Need for Both Vector and Scalar Quantum Potentials in Device Simulation

The conditions for the occurrence of quantized vortices in electron flow are examined critically in the context of quantum hydrodynamic modelling. The presence of vortices is shown to be described by the coupling to a new vector quantum potential which augments the conventional scalar quantum potential used in hydrodnamic and density gradient modelling of semiconductor devices.     

Plastic microfluidic devices modified with polyelectrolyte multilayers

Control of the polymer surface chemistry is a crucial aspect of development of plastic microfluidic devices. When commercially available plastic substrates are used to fabricate microchannels, differences in the EOF mobility from plastic to plastic can be very high. Therefore, we have used polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) to alter the surface of microchannels fabricated in plastics. Optimal modification of the microchannel surfaces was obtained by coating the channels with alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(styrene sulfonate). Polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) glycol (PETG) were chosen as substrate materials because of the significant differences in the polymer chemistries and in the EOF of channels fabricated in these two plastic materials. The efficacy of the surface modification has been evaluated using XPS and by measuring the EOF mobility. When microchannels prepared in both PS and PETG are modified with PEMs, they demonstrate very similar electroosmotic mobilities. The PEMs are easily fabricated and provide a means for controlling the flow direction and the electroosmotic mobility in the channels. The PEM-coated microchannels have excellent wettability, allowing facile filling of the channels. In addition, the PEMs produce reproducible results and are robust enough to withstand long-term storage.     

Refusal to eat in the elderly

Refusal to eat by the elderly, and subsequent malnutrition, occurs in both institutional and community settings. Causes include physiologic changes associated with aging, mental disorders such as dementia and depression, and medical, social, and environmental factors. Treatment approaches call for management of these causes while considering the roles that medicine, ethics, and culture play in the process.     

A complication of T-fasteners in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement

Two patients with sinus tracts from retained T-fasteners following PEG tube placement are reported. Both patients had the PEG tubes subsequently removed and presented with purulent discharge and granulations near well-healed gastrostomy sites. The management of this complication and a possible method of prevention are discussed.     

Tendon interposition in a juxta-epiphyseal fracture of the proximal phalanx

PURPOSE: To report the clinicopathologic features of intraocular osseous production in association with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. METHOD: The clinical and histopathologic features of two patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and intraocular bone formation are reviewed. RESULTS: Preretinal osseous tissue incorporated in the proliferative vitreoretinopathy was surgically removed in one patient, and osseous tissue was present in the proliferative vitreoretinopathy in the enucleated eye of the other patient. CONCLUSIONS: Bone formation, presumably from metaplastic retinal pigment epithelium, may be present in proliferative vitreoretinopathy tissue. The intraocular bone is present internal rather than external to the neurosensory retina.