Fuzzy functions based ARX model and new fuzzy basis function models for nonlinear system identification

In this study, auto regressive with exogenous input (ARX) modeling is improved with fuzzy functions concept (FF-ARX). Fuzzy function with least squares estimation (FF-LSE) method has been recently developed and widely used with a small improvement with respect to least squares estimation method (LSE). FF-LSE is structured with only inputs and their membership values. This proposed model aims to increase the capability of the FF-LSE by widening the regression matrix with lagged input–output values. In addition, by using same idea, we proposed also two new fuzzy basis function models. In the first, basis of the fuzzy system and lagged input–output values are structured together in the regression matrix and named as “L-FBF”. Secondly, instead of using basis function, the membership values of the lagged input–output values are used in the regression matrix by using Gaussian membership functions, called “M-FBF”. Therefore, the power of the fuzzy basis function is also enhanced. For the corresponding models, antecedent part parameters for the input vectors are determined with fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm. The consequent parameters of the all models are estimated with the LSE. The proposed models are utilized and compared for the identification of nonlinear benchmark problems.     

Control of attendance applied in higher education through mobile NFC technologies

This paper presents an improved attendance control system, required for continuous evaluation which has become compulsory following the Bologna Process. It provides a solution based on NFC technology and is based on a real project developed and pilot tested at the “Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Campus Madrid”.     

Optical,electrical, mechanical,and thermal properties and non-isothermal decomposition behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)–ZnO nanocomposites

Iranian Polymer Journal - Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites incorporated with ZnO nanofiller were prepared and examined to study the influence of nanofiller on their properties. All the...     

Analysis of Porcine Gelatin DNA in a Commercial Capsule Shell Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Halal Authentication

The presence of pig derivatives, such as porcine gelatin, in any products is prohibited to be consumed by Muslim community. This study is intended to develop a specific primer from mytochondrial D-loop capable of amplifying DNA from porcine gelatin in commercial capsule shells. Two pairs of primers designed from mitochondrial D-loop region were tested in order to confirm the primer specificity in gelatin sources (pork, beef, and catfish) and fresh tissue (pig, cows, goat, chickens, and rat). Primers were then used to perform sensitivity test of six dilution series (1000, 200, 100, 10, 5, and 1 pg/µL) of porcine gelatin and porcine capsule shell. The amplification was also performed on capsule shell from porcine-bovine mixture gelatin at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100% concentration. The repeatability test was performed by measuring amplification capsule shells from porcine–bovine gelatin mixture. Real time polymerase chain reaction method using primers designed was further applied to analyze capsule shells purchased from markets. From two primers have been designed specifically, only primer D-Loop 108 (forward: 5’-CGT ATG CAA AAA ACC ACG CCA-3’; reverse: 5’-CTT ACT ATA GGG AGC TGC ATG-3’) had the capability to identify the presence of porcine DNA in fresh tissue and gelatin sources at optimum annealing temperature of 58.4ºC. Sensitivity of the developed method expressed as limit of detection of DNA in gelatin and capsule shells is 5 pg.     

Assessment of odorous VOCs released from a main MSW landfill site in Istanbul-Turkey via a modelling approach

An air pollution modeling study was conducted to investigate the odorous effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from a sanitary landfill area on ambient air quality. The atmospheric dispersion of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and 22 VOCs was modeled. Industrial Source Complex v3 Short Term (ISCST3) model was used to estimate hourly concentrations of odorous VOCs over the nearest residential area. Odor thresholds of VOCs of interest were also found in the literature. Results showed that short-term averages of three odorous VOCs, namely ethyl mercaptan, methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide, exceeded their odor thresholds, which are reported to be 0.022, 0.138 and 11.1 μg/m³, respectively, at several points within the domain. Their highest concentrations within Gokturk County were estimated to be 0.09387 μg/m³ for ethyl mercaptan, 0.07934 μg/m³ for methyl mercaptan and 6.315 μg/m³ for hydrogen sulfide. Short-term model results revealed the occasional odor problems being reported for Gokturk County. Hourly concentrations were used to obtain frequencies of odor episodes in Gokturk County via a probability analysis. The results showed that ethyl mercaptan concentrations did not exceed its odor threshold during more than 8.84% of the time. Similarly, the maximum odor episode frequencies for methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide were 0.98% and 0.34% of the time, respectively.     

Heat and mass transfer effects on MHD flow of a couple‐stress fluid in a horizontal wavy channel with viscous dissipation and porous medium

This paper looks at heat and mass transfer effects on an unsteady MHD flow of a couple‐stress fluid in a horizontal wavy porous space with travelling thermal waves in the presence of a heat source and viscous dissipation. Initially the temperatures of the walls are maintained at different constant temperatures. The analytical expressions for velocity, temperature, and concentration field are obtained by the regular perturbation technique. The results are presented graphically for various values of emerging dimensionless parameters of the problem and are discussed to show interesting aspects of the solution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21040 PACS: 44.15.+a, 44.30.+f, 44.27.nd, 47.50.Cd     

Efficacy of mycosynthesised AgNPs from Earliella scabrosa as an in vitro antibacterial and wound healing agent

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with their unique chemical and physical properties are proving as a new therapeutical agent. In the present study, the AgNPs synthesised from an aqueous extract of a macrofungus, Earliella scabrosa, were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and further evaluate for its in vitro antibacterial and wound healing efficacy. The mycosynthesised AgNPs exhibited the surface plasmon resonance peak at 410 nm with good stability over a period of a month. The FESEM and EDX analyses revealed the spherical‐shaped AgNPs of an average size of 20 nm and the presence of elemental Ag, respectively. The XRD pattern showed the crystalline nature of AgNPs. The FTIR spectra confirmed the conversion of Ag⁺ ions to AgNPs due to reduction by biomolecules of macrofungus extract. The mycosynthesised AgNPs showed effective antibacterial activity against two Gram‐positive bacteria, namely Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pathogens were highly sensitive to AgNPs, whereas less sensitive to AgNO₃. The mycosynthesised AgNPs showed significant wound healing potential with 68.58% of wound closure.Inspec keywords: surface plasmon resonance, wounds, X‐ray diffraction, nanoparticles, molecular biophysics, nanomedicine, antibacterial activity, biomedical materials, reduction (chemical), silver, microorganisms, X‐ray chemical analysis, nanofabrication, transmission electron microscopy, particle size, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectraOther keywords: high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, healing efficacy, mycosynthesised AgNPs, spherical‐shaped AgNPs, wound healing agent, in vitro antibacterial efficacy, Earliella scabrosa, silver nanoparticles, physical properties, chemical properties, therapeutical agent, aqueous extract, macrofungus, field emission scanning electron microscopy, FESEM, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, EDX, X‐ray diffraction, XRD, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance peak, crystalline nature, biomolecules, Gram‐positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Gram‐negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pathogens, wound closure, Ag     

Ultrastructure of male reproductive system of Eurydema ventrale Kolenati 1846 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The male reproductive system of Eurydema ventrale Kolenati 1846 is studied morphologically and histologically by using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The reproductive system of the male E.ventrale consists of a pair of testis, a pair of vas deferens, a pair of seminal vesicles, accessory glands, a bulbus ejaculatorius, a pair of ectodermal sacs, and a ductus ejaculatorius. The testicular follicles have three different development zones (growth zone, maturation zone, and differentiation zone). The testes are connected to the seminal vesicles by the vas deferens that is a specialized in sperm storage. Sperm have an elongated head and a tail (flagellum) with an axonema and two mitochondrial derivatives. Vas deferens and seminal vesicles are fine, long, and cylindrical. The seminal vesicle is connected with bulbus ejaculatorius, which is balloon shaped and surrounded with accessory glands. The bulbus ejaculatorius is continuous with ductus ejaculatorius which is connected to the aedeagus. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:643–653, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.