Universal integral controllers for minimum-phase nonlinear systems

We consider a single-input-single-output (SISO) nonlinear system that has a well-defined normal form with asymptotically stable zero dynamics. Using only knowledge of the relative degree and the sign of the high-frequency gain, we design an output feedback integral controller that asymptotically regulates the output to a bounded time-varying reference signal with a constant limit. We give regional as well as semi-global results. We also show that, for relative degree one and two systems, the proposed integral controller reduces to the classical PI and PID controllers, respectively     

Method of imaging low density lipoproteins by atomic force microscopy

This short paper reports a simple method to image low density lipoproteins (LDL) using atomic force microscopy (AFM). This instrument allows imaging of biological samples in liquid and presents the advantage of needing no sample preparation such as staining or fixation that may affect their general structure. Dimensions (diameter and height) of individual LDL particles were successfully measured. AFM imaging revealed that LDL have a quasi-spherical structure on the x and y axis with an oblate spheroid structure in the z axis (i.e., height). LDLs were found to have an average diameter of 23 +/- 3 nm. The obtained mean height was 10 +/- 2 nm.     

Incorporating Software Visualization in the Design of Intelligent Diagnosis Systems for User Programming

Program diagnosis systems were developed to help users solve programming problems. By providing guidence on errors and misconceptions, these systems can help the users in writing programs and understanding their dynamic behavior. Features of software visualization which aim at providing visual and concrete depictions to the abstractions and operations of programs have also shown to be making programs more understandable. The main theme of this paper is to asses the usefulness of incorporating features of software visualization into the design of program diagnosis systems intended for novices. We report an empirical evaluation to assess the effectiveness of supporting visualization features during problem solving. The system used in the evaluation integrates visualzation and immediacy features and supports a model-tracing based approach to program diagnosis. Unlike other similar systems, our prototype system supports a more flexible style of interaction by increasing the grain size of diagnosis to a complete programming statement. The evaluation reported here seems to suggest that when supported with visualization features, systems for program diagnosis tend to be more effective in helping the users during problem solving.     

Electrical and spectrophotometric properties of charge transfer complexes of picric acid and some aniline derivatives

The charge transfer complexes produced by the reaction between picric acid and some aniline derivatives were prepared. The prepared charge transfer complexes (CTC) were investigated using infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy aiming to throw more light on their molecular structure. It was proved that a proton transfer interaction takes place between PiOH and x-Ph.NH₂ leading to the formation of PiO^} and x-Ph.NH₃ ⁺ ions. The normal -¹ electronic interaction takes place by transferring an electron from the aniline ring to the picric acid. The semiconducting properties of the CTC were investigated. All the prepared complexes were proved to have a semiconducting character within the temperature range investigated.     

A variable neighborhood descent heuristic for the problem of makespan minimisation on unrelated parallel machines with setup times

The NP-hard problem of scheduling jobs on unrelated parallel machines, in the presence of machine-dependent and sequence-dependent setup times, with the objective of minimizing the makespan, is considered. A variable neighborhood descent search algorithm, hybridized with mathematical programming elements, is presented and its performance is evaluated on a large set of benchmark problem instances. The extensive computational experiments show that the proposed algorithm outperforms previously proposed methods in terms of solution quality as well as computation time.     

Effect of Cd Addition on Superconducting Fluctuations and Mechanical Properties of Bi1.82Pb0.36Sr2Ca2Cd x Cu3O y System

A study was made of the effect of Cd additions on the superconducting and mechanical properties of Bi_1.82Pb_0.36Sr₂Ca₂ Cd_xCu₃O_y (x = 0.0, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.55). Characterization of the Cd-samples using XRD, DTA, and SEM techniques, has confirmed that remarkably formation of low-T _c phase (2212) by the addition of Cd up to 0.35. High-resolution electrical resistivity ρ (T) data on the composition of Cd = 0.35 have been taken for investigating critically the superconducting fluctuations. Using the Aslamazov and Larkin (AL) and Lawrence and Doniach (LD) models of excess conductivity. Excess conductivity analysis shows that this composition (Cd = 0.35) is 2D in the temperature range 137.8–163.7 K and a 3D one below 137.8 K. Thus, a crossover from 2D to 3D is observed at 137.8 K. Sample microhardness and density are greatly improved by Cd-additions (0.35). This trend is probably due to the intercalation of cadmium between superconducting grains in compositions may provide a plastic-flow region that allows relaxation of undesirable stresses resulting from the grain anisotropy of superconductors.     

Shape retention of injection molded stainless steel compacts

The effects of the binder composition, the powder loading, the thermal properties of feedstocks, and the injection molding parameters on the compact shape retention for metal injection molding 17-4PH stainless steel were investigated. The high-density polyethylene is more effective than ethylene vinyl acetate as a second component of the wax-based binder to retain compact shape due to its higher pyrolytic temperature and less heat of fusion. The compact distortion decreases with increasing the powder loading, molding pressure and molding temperature. There exists an optimal process combination including the powder loading of 68 %, molding pressure of 120 MPa and molding temperature of 150℃. Under this process condition, the percentage of distorted compacts is the lowest.     

Performance recovery under output feedback sampled-data stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems

This paper studies sampled-data output feedback control of a class of nonlinear systems. It is shown that the performance of a stabilizing continuous-time state feedback controller can be recovered by a sampled-data output feedback controller when the sampling period is sufficiently small. The output feedback controller uses a deadbeat discrete-time observer to estimate the unmeasured states. Two schemes are proposed to overcome large initial transients when the controller is switched on.     

Photoconductivity and photoluminescence under bias in GaInNAs/GaAs MQW p-i-n structures

The low temperature photoluminescence under bias (PLb) and the photoconductivity (PC) of a p-i-n GaInNAs/GaAs multiple quantum well sample have been investigated. Under optical excitation with photons of energy greater than the GaAs bandgap, PC and PLb results show a number of step-like increases when the sample is reverse biased. The nature of these steps, which depends upon the temperature, exciting wavelength and intensity and the number of quantum wells (QWs) in the device, is explained in terms of thermionic emission and negative charge accumulation due to the low confinement of holes in GaInNAs QWs. At high temperature, thermal escape from the wells becomes much more dominant and the steps smear out.     

Nano-structured zinc oxide–cotton fibers: synthesis, characterization and applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared and subsequently deposited onto the surface of the cotton fiber by ultrasonic irradiation. The optical, structure and morphology of the coated and un-coated cotton were examined by UV, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. XRD analysis revealed the presence of the crystalline metal oxide of hexagonal phase with an average crystallite size of 12 nm. These nanoparticles are probably physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface. SEM analysis showed a distribution of ZnO nanorod assemblies of various diameters and lengths physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface may take place. The ZnO-cotton fiber nano-composite were tested against Escherichia coli (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) cultures, and showed a significant antimicrobial activity.