Optimal state filter from sequential unknown input reconstruction: Application to distributed state filtering

This paper generalizes Kalman filtering with an intermittent unknown input problem to be left invertible discrete‐time stochastic linear systems with zero, one, or more structural delays. Contrary to the state filtering–based system inversion where the unknown input vector is reconstructed with a time delay that is equal to the structural delay of the plant, we propose an optimal state filtering by reconstructing some linear combinations of the unknown input vector with a time delay less than the structural delay. Designed under a sequential unknown input decoupling constraint, which has never been previously studied in the literature, all presented filters are very computationally efficient. The proposed state filtering is used to solve the autonomous distributed state filtering problem in large‐scale networked control systems when the unknown input vector represents interactions between subsystems and when each subsystem receives intermittent information about the interaction from unreliable networks. The stochastic stability conditions of the extended intermittent unknown input Kalman filter are established when the arrival binary sequence of packet dropouts follows a random Bernoulli process.     

The Unitary Micro-Immunotherapy Medicine Interferon-γ (4 CH) Displays Similar Immunostimulatory and Immunomodulatory Effects than Those of Biologically Active Human Interferon-γ on Various Cell Types

As a cytokine, gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) is considered a key player in the fine-tuned orchestration of immune responses. The extreme cellular sensitivity to cytokines is attested by the fact that very few of these bioactive molecules per cell are enough to trigger cellular functions. These findings can, at least partially, explain how/why homeopathically-prepared cytokines, and especially micro-immunotherapy (MI) medicines, are able to drive cellular responses. We focused our fundamental research on a unitary MI preparation of IFN-γ, specifically employed at 4 CH, manufactured and impregnated onto sucrose-lactose pillules as all other MI medicines. We assessed the IFN-γ concentration in the medium after dilution of the IFN-γ (4 CH)-bearing pillules and we evaluated in vitro drug responses in a wide range of immune cells, and in endothelial cells. Our results showed that IFN-γ (4 CH) stimulated the proliferation, the activation and the phagocytic capabilities of primary immune cells, as well as modulated their cytokine-secretion and immunity-related markers’ expression in a trend that is quite comparable with the well-recognized biological effects induced by IFN-γ. Altogether, these data provide novel and additional evidences on MI medicines, and specifically when active substances are prepared at 4 CH, thus suggesting the need for more investigations.     

Katalytische Methanisierung von Kohlenstoffdioxid

Power‐to‐Methane is a technically feasible process that can store large amounts of electrical energy for a long time period. The produced gas of the process can be fed into the natural gas grid or used as fuel. An essential part of the process chain is the catalytic methanation of carbon dioxide. In the methanation process, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are converted into methane and water vapor. Carbon dioxide can be won from industrial processes, ambient air or biogas plants. In this paper, fundamentals and process developments of methanation of carbon dioxide are described.     

Antibacterial properties of raw and degummed silk with nanosilver in various conditions

This article is concerned with the effects of nanosized silver colloids on the antibacterial properties of silk fibers against two kinds of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs; 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm) were applied to silk fibers by an exhaust method. The effect of medium pH on the Ag NP uptake on the fibers was studied. Also, sodium carbonate and sodium chloride were added to the liquor as auxiliaries. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the morphology of the silk fibers. The antibacterial activity was examined by a bacterial counting method. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy was also used to show the elements on the surface of the silk fibers. We observed that the antibacterial activity increased with silver treatment. It also increased with decreasing pH, especially for the raw silk. The use of NaCl improved the uniformity of the Ag NPs on the fiber surface and increased the antibacterial activities. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Functional,thermal and molecular behaviours of ozone-oxidised cocoyam and yam starches

Ozone-oxidised starches were prepared from the native starches isolated from white and red cocoyam, and white and yellow yam cultivars. The native and oxidised starches were evaluated for functional, thermal and molecular properties. The correlations between the amount of reacted ozone and carbonyl and carboxyl contents of the starches were positive, as ozone generation time (OGT) increased. Significant differences were obtained in terms of swelling power, solubility, pasting properties and textural properties of the native starches upon oxidation. The DSC data showed lower transition temperatures and enthalpies for retrograded gels compared to the gelatinized gels of the same starch types. The native starches showed C_B-type XRD patterns while the oxidised starches resembled the C_A-type pattern. As amylose content increased, amylopectin contents of the starches decreased upon oxidation. Similarly, an increase in M_w values were observed with a corresponding decrease in M_n values upon oxidation.     

Preparation of nanoporous nickel phosphate VSB-5 nanorods carbon paste electrode as glucose non-enzymatic sensor

In this paper, nanoporous nickel phosphate VSB-5 nanorods was synthesized with microwave irradiation and hydrothermal treatment and characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, Filed emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and EDS analysis. FESEM technique exhibited the presence of nickel phosphate nanorods morphology. The BET surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter of synthesized nickel phosphate were obtained to be 102.5 m² g^?1, 0.14 cm³ g^?1 and 3.6 nm, respectively. Carbon paste electrode (CPE) was modified by VSB-5 nanorods and then Ni²⁺ ions incorporated to this electrode to obtain Ni-VSB-5/CPE. The current intensity of glucose oxidation increases impressively on the surface of Ni-VSB-5/CPE and modified CPE can reduce the overvoltage of glucose oxidation in comparison with Ni-CPE. The values of electron transfer coefficient, diffusion coefficient and mean value of catalytic rate constant for glucose and redox sites of electrode were found to be 0.87, 6.18 × 10^?4 cm² s^?1 and 3.06 × 10⁵ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. The good catalytic activity, high sensitivity, good selectivity and stability and ease of preparation rendered the Ni-VSB-5/CPE to be a capable electrode for glucose electro-oxidation.     

预循环氧化对无涂层和有Pt-Al涂层的Rene?80高温合金的高温低循环疲劳寿命的影响

预测金属合金的疲劳寿命是冶金和机械工程领域中最重要的研究之一.在高温下,表面氧化对合金的疲劳强度和延展性有重要影响.本文研究了预循环氧化对无涂层和有Pt-Al涂层的镍基高温合金Rene?80在930°C时的高温低循环疲劳(HTLCF)性能的影响.将有涂层和无涂层的疲劳试样在燃烧器钻机中进行发动机热暴露模拟(1100°C...     

Gamma irradiation induced damage creation on the cation distribution,structural and magnetic properties in Ni–Zn ferrite

Ferrite of system, namely Ni_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ with x = (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0), have been prepared by solid state reaction to investigate the effect of gamma rays irradiations using Co⁶⁰ source on the cation distribution, structural and magnetic properties. The unirradiated and irradiated samples were then subjected to characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, magnetization and AC susceptibility. The results of these characterizations are found to be different for irradiated from that of the pristine sample. The modifications in respect of irradiated samples are explained in terms of the ion-induced disorder. The important result of γ-irradiation on the cation distribution, structural and magnetic properties is the change of ratio Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺. Possible reasons on the results are proposed.     

Experimental study of the salt gradient solar pond stability

Many natural systems such as oceans, lakes, etc.…, are influenced by the effect of double-diffusive convection. This phenomenon, which is a combination of heat and mass transfer, can destroy the stability of system-flows.In the case of solar ponds the middle layer, that is linearly stratified, acts as a thermal and mass insulator for the lower layer. This middle layer, called the Non-Convective Zone (NCZ), needs special care to avoid convection and to maintain its stability. In fact, due to an excess of heat stored, a thermal gradient occurs within the NCZ. A convective movement appears at the bottom of the stratified-layers and then grows to a double-diffusive convection movement. This movement transforms the stratified-layers into a well mixed layer, reducing the storage capacity of the pond.Laboratory small-scale pond and middle-scale outdoor solar ponds were designed and built to provide both quantitative data and to study the dynamic processes in solar ponds, including the behavior of the gradient zone.Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) visualization-experiments carried out in the mechanical and energetic laboratory in the engineering school of Tunisia and experiments in the field showed that the instability of solar ponds could be limited by using porous media placed in the lower layer of the stratification.     

Functional Relationship to Describe Drains with Entrance Resistance

Numerical flow models usually represent drains as a system dependent boundary condition. If soil is saturated, drains act as the Dirichlet boundary condition with pressure head set equal to zero, and if soil is unsaturated, drains act as the Neumann boundary condition with flow set equal to zero. The underlying assumption is that drains exhibit ideal behavior. In reality, however, this is generally not so, and the flow encounters additional resistances due to pipe slotting and clogging of the envelope material around the drains. To account for the resulting resistance, a Hooghoudt-type boundary condition was developed that prescribes drain flow in relation to the groundwater level at a reference position. The measured drain discharge in an old drainage system was compared with calculated discharge assuming an ideal drain. It was found that the ideal drain assumption led to large errors in simulated discharge. With a correctly formulated and calibrated Hooghoudt boundary condition, however, more accurate drain discharges were obtained.