Characterization of konjac glucomannan–quaternized poly(4‐vinyl‐N‐butyl) pyridine blend films and their preservation effect

Novel polymer blends were prepared from a mixture of 2 wt % konjac glucomannan and 4 wt % quaternized poly(4‐vinyl‐N‐butyl) pyridine (QPVP) in aqueous solution and dried at room temperature for 72 h. Their structure and properties were studied by infrared, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal stability in the dry state was reduced with increasing content of QPVP. Compared with QPVP film, the tensile strength of the films was improved in the dry state. The maximum value of 12.74% tensile break elongation was reached when the content of QPVP was 30%. Structural analysis indicated that clear phase separation was observed when the content of QPVP was only 50%. Results from the filmcoating preservation experiments with lychee showed that this blend film had water‐holding ability. The fruit weight loss rate and rot rate both decreased in various degrees. The potential uses of these novel polymer films could be as preservative films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1868–1875, 2004     

Factors influencing magnetic polymer microspheres prepared by dispersion polymerization

Magnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) was prepared by a coprecipitation method. Core–shell composite magnetic polymer microspheres with carboxyl groups were synthesized by the dispersion polymerization of styrene and acrylic acid in the presence of magnetic oxide, and dibenzoyl peroxide was used as an initiator. The synthesized magnetic polymer microspheres were characterized with X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and so forth. The results indicated that the product was single‐phase Fe₃O₄, and its average size was about 10 nm. The configuration of the microspheres, which contained carboxyl groups, was spherical, and the average size was about 2 μm. The results of vibrating sample magnetometry tests showed that the magnetic powders produced by different surfactants had different saturation magnetizations. When poly(ethylene glycol) with a weight‐average molecular weight of 4000 was used as a surfactant, the saturation magnetization of the samples reached 69.2 emu/g. The factors that affected the shape, magnetism, size, and distribution of the microspheres were also studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Ferroelectric liquid crystals: Excellent tool for modern displays and photonics

The ferroelectric liquid crystals, because of their fast electro‐optical response, are one of the most important classes of liquid crystals. Here, in this review, we have summarized the different electro‐optical modes for ferroelectric liquid crystals. Clark–Lagerwall effect (surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal), deformed helix ferroelectric (DHF) effect, electrically suppressed helix (ESH) mode, DHF orientational Kerr effect, and ESH diffraction modes have been discussed. All of the crucial features, that is, optics, electro‐optics, dynamics, and their dependence on material parameters, operational regime, and applications, have been reviewed.     

On input‐to‐state stability‐based design for leader/follower formation control with measurement delays

This paper addresses the design of low‐level controllers for leader–follower formations of nonholonomic vehicles in the presence of bounded measurement delays. The concept of input‐to‐state stability is extended to encompass the effect of bounded delays and restrictions on the input. A method is proposed to integrate a Smith predictor in a backstepping design on the basis of nested saturations and nonlinear small‐gain assignment, which allows for time delays in the feedback loop. Robustness analysis under uncertain bounded time delays is provided, and design tradeoffs resulting from the use of bounded controls are discussed. Illustrative simulations are shown to validate the design and robustness analysis in the context of a simple leader–follower trailing control problem. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genetic algorithm‐based neural‐network modeling approach applied to AlGaN/GaN devices

An accurate equivalent circuit large‐signal model (ECLSM) for AlGaN‐GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is presented. The model is derived from a distributed small‐signal model that efficiently describes the physics of the device. A genetic neural‐network‐based model for the gate and drain currents and charges is presented along with its parameters extraction procedure. This model is embedded in the ECLSM, which is then implemented in CAD software and validated by pulsed and continuous large‐signal measurements of on‐wafer 8 × 125‐μm GaN on SiC substrate HEMT. Pulsed IV simulations show that the model can efficiently describe the bias dependency of trapping and self‐heating effects. Single‐ and two‐tone simulation results show that the model can accurately predict the output power and its harmonics and the associated intermodulation distortion (IMD) under different input‐power and bias conditions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2013.     

Disquiet in the plasma

The metaphor of plasma is taken up to present and discuss movement and engagement by participants in mixed reality installation arts. Two works involving full body video portraits exhibited through large plasma screens in a variety of public settings are covered. Machinic mediations of video realism are considered in terms of embodied interaction in which viewer-participants contribute to the ‘disquiet’ of gendered figuring. Processural, proximal and personal aspects of responsive engagement are discussed. This is extended to performativity that may lead us to critical reflection of our own actions and responses in mixed reality arts.     

Spatial and functional relationships between air conduits and blood capillaries in the pulmonary gas exchange tissue of adult and developing chickens

The documented data regarding the three-dimensional structure of the air capillaries (ACs), the ultimate sites of gas exchange in the avian lung is contradictory. Further, the mode of gas exchange, described as cross-current has not been clearly elucidated. We studied the temporal and spatial arrangement of the terminal air conduits of the chicken lung and their relationship with the blood capillaries (BCs) in embryos as well as the definitive architecture in adults. Several visualization techniques that included corrosion casting, light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used. Two to six infundibulae extend from each atrium and give rise to numerous ACs that spread centrifugally. Majority of the ACs are tubular structures that give off branches, which anastomose with their neighboring cognates. Some ACs have globular shapes and a few are blind-ending tapering tubes. During inauguration, the luminal aspects of the ACs are characterized by numerous microvillus-like microplicae, which are formed during the complex processes of cell attenuation and canalization of the ACs. The parabronchial exchange BCs, initially inaugurated as disorganized meshworks, are reoriented via pillar formation to lie predominantly orthogonal to the long axes of the ACs. The remodeling of the retiform meshworks by intussusceptive angiogenesis essentially accomplishes a cross-current system at the gas exchange interface in the adults, where BCs form ring-like patterns around the ACs, thus establishing a cross-current system. Our findings clarify the mode of gas exchange in the parabronchial mantle and illuminate the basis for the functional efficiency of the avian lung.     

Consensus of Fractional‐Order Uncertain Multi‐Agent Systems Based on Output Feedback

This paper is devoted to the consensus protocol design for a set of agents with fractional‐order uncertainty dynamics where the fractional order α satisfies 0 < α < 2. For multi‐agent systems (MASs) with fixed undirected topology, a distributed static output feedback protocol is proposed with an undetermined system matrix. Based on model transformation and fractional‐order stability theory, sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the consensus of MASs in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, a simulation example is employed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed consensus protocol.     

Bounded Consensus Algorithms for Multi‐Agent Systems in Directed Networks

In this paper, the consensus problem is investigated via bounded controls for the multi‐agent systems with or without communication. Based on the nested saturation method, the saturated control laws are designed to solve the consensus problem. Under the designed saturated control laws, the transient performance of the closed‐loop system can be improved by tuning the saturation level. First of all, asymptotical consensus algorithms with bounded control inputs are proposed for the multi‐agent systems with or without communication delays. Under these consensus algorithms, the states’ consensus can be achieved asymptotically. Then, based on a kind of novel nonlinear saturation functions, bounded finite‐time consensus algorithms are further developed. It is shown that the states’ consensus can be achieved in finite time. Finally, two examples are given to verify the efficiency of the proposed methods.     

Quantized H∞ Control for Networked Systems with Communication Constraints

The problem of quantized H_∞ control for networked control systems (NCSs) subject to time‐varying delay and multiple packet dropouts is investigated in this paper. Both the control input and the measurement output signals are quantized before being transmitted and the quantized errors are described as sector bound uncertainties. The measurement channel and the control channel packet dropouts are considered simultaneously, and the stochastic variables satisfying Bernoulli random binary distribution are utilized to model the random multiple packet dropouts. Sufficient conditions for the existence of an observer‐based controller are established to ensure the exponential mean‐square stablility of the closed‐loop system and achieve the optimal H_∞ disturbance attenuation level. By using a globally convergent algorithm involving convex optimization, the nonconvex feasibility can be solved successfully. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method.