Local nonlinear unknown input observer

This paper proposes a new nonlinear unknown input observer. The observer design approach utilizes the first order Taylor expansion. The observer gains are then obtained by a systematic method. In this paper, we added some improvements to this method. The developed approach also can enable observer design for a large class of differentiable nonlinear systems. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of the observer are given. A numerical example is given to illustrate the attractiveness and the simplicity of the new design procedure.     

A GGP approach to solve non convex min-max predictive controller for a class of constrained MIMO systems described by state-space models

This paper proposes a new method to solve non convex min-max predictive controller for a class of constrained linear Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) systems. A parametric uncertainty state space model is adopted to describe the dynamic behavior of the real process. Moreover, the output deviation method is used to design the j-step ahead output predictor. The control law is obtained by the resolution of a non convex min-max optimization problem under input constraints. The key idea is to transform the initial non convex optimization problem to a convex one by means of variable transformations. To this end, the Generalized Geometric Programming (GGP) which is a global deterministic optimization method is used. An efficient implementation of this approach will lead to an algorithm with a low computational burden. Simulation results performed on Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) system show successful set point tracking, constraints satisfaction and good non-zero disturbance rejection.     

Long term ageing of polyamide 6 and polyamide 6 reinforced with 30% of glass fibers: physicochemical,mechanical and morphological characterization

Hygrothermal ageing of polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyamide 6 reinforced with 30 wt% of glass fibers (PA6GF30) was undertaken. Immersion was conducted in distilled water at 90 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH) for up to 80 days (1920 h). Results revealed a noteworthy decrease either in glass transition temperature T_g or in tensile properties, at early stage of ageing, for both studied materials. This decline was mainly caused by the plasticization effect of water and the weakness of the interfacial interactions leading as a consequence to a loss of adhesion between fiber and matrix. Afterwards, physical and mechanical properties decrease monotonically testifying the occurrence of exhaustive damages and chemical reaction phenomena. Such phenomena were yellowing and crazing formation which were observed for both materials after 1920 h of conditioning. The former is caused by the thermo- oxidation whereas the latter results from the release of internal stresses induced by water sorption. These chemical reactions were monitored by infrared spectroscopy. Thus, an increase of the free N-H stretch and the carbonyl groups (imides) was noted. Accordingly, it seems that long term immersion in distilled water at high temperature induces chemical reactions which indicate the severity of the damage.     

A new convolution approach for the time-delay identification of systems with arbitrary entries

In this paper, an online delay identification approach of continuous-time linear systems with unstructured entries is achieved via a new algebraic technique. The arbitrary input and output trajectories are chosen with close and abundant crossing zero. Initial conditions and static disturbances are taken into account in the design of the identification approach. The proposed method is based on a distributional algebraic technique and a convolution approach. A proposed theorem is hence enounced to identify a single time-delay of such systems. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by an illustrative example. The obtained results show the high performances of the proposed time-delay identification approach in severe operation conditions of the considered system.     

Infra-red characterization of carbonization of Si surfaces by gas source molecular beam epitaxy

The carbonization and epitaxial growth of cubic SiC films on Si(100) substrates using C₂H₂ and solid Si sources has been investigated by means of infra-red Fourier transform spectroscopy. The carbonization of the Si surface is performed under continuous C₂H₂ flux in two steps: an ordinary process, plus an increase of the substrate temperature to its final value. Subsequent epitaxial films were grown under simultaneous supply of elemental Si and C₂H₂ gas beam. Infra-red reflectivity spectra of samples under different conditions are reported and permit the direct verification for the presence of SiC in carbonized layers, measure the thickness of the films and evaluate their quality.     

LC/ESI-MS/MS characterisation of procyanidins and propelargonidins responsible for the strong antioxidant activity of the edible halophyte Mesembryanthemum edule L.

Mesembryanthemum edule is used as a food ingredient and in traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated antioxidant activities of several extracts (methanol/acidified water, v/v: 20/80; 40/60 and 60/40) obtained from M. edule leaf, stem and root. Then, individual phenolics were characterised by reverse-phase HPLC coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and multi-stage MS fragment analysis. Results showed that 40% methanol leaf extract, 40% methanol root extract and 20% methanol stem extract displayed the highest scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Regarding LC/ESI-MS/MS identification of active phenols, there were significant differences among the fractions of interest. In fact, 40% leaf extract mainly contained procyanidins, whereas propelargonidins were the major phenolics in 20% methanol stem extract, while, in 40% root extract, the active compounds remained unidentified. These results indicate that edible M. edule can be used as a nutraceutical in the pharmaceutical industry.     

Municipal solid waste compost application improves productivity, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity of Mesembryanthemum edule

Organic wastes were successfully used as soil amendment to improve agrosystems productivity. Yet, the effectiveness of this practice to enhance plant antioxidant capacities has received little attention. Here, we assess the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost (at 40 t ha(-1)) on growth, polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities of Mesembryanthemum edule. MSW compost application significantly increased the soil contents of carbon, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. This was associated with higher nutrient (N, P, and K) uptake, which likely led to the significant improvement of the plant biomass and relative growth rate (RGR) (+93% on average) as compared to the control. In the same way, the fertilizing effect of the added organic matter significantly enhanced the antioxidant potential M. edule, assessed by radical scavenging activity, iron reducing power and β-carotene bleaching capacity. This was associated with significantly higher antioxidant contents, mainly total phenols and flavonoids. Heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn) concentrations were slightly increased upon compost application, but remained lower than phytotoxic values. Overall, our results point out that short-term MSW compost application at 40 t ha(-1) is efficient in enhancing the productivity together with the antioxidant potentiality of M. edule without any adverse environmental impact.     

Development of a molecular method for the rapid discrimination of red seaweeds used for agar production

In Tunisia, agar is produced from the species Gracilaria verrucosa. Other species, such as Gracilariopsis sp. which have a very similar morphology to Gracilaria, can be harvested in a mixture with Gracilaria with the result that the quantity and quality of agar extracted is different than initially expected. In this study, we tested the use of ITS sequences from 5.8s rDNA for species discrimination between G. verrucosa and Gracilariopsis harvested from two production sites (Bizerte and Tunis Lagoons). The amplification of genomic ITS sequences and sequencing shows that the samples collected from Tunis can be identified by PCR fragment of 1124 bp whereas the samples from Bizerte are characterized by the presence of two fragments of 1124 and 983 bp, respectively. A BLAST investigation in Genbank shows that the sequence similarities between the fragment of 1124 pb and G. verrucosa was 85% and between the fragment of 983 pb and Gracilariopsis sp. Plymoutn was 94%. Gracilariopsis sp. possesses a PCR fragment with a length of 983 bp, which discriminates it from G. verrucosa when these two species are collected in a mixture as in the lagoon of Bizerte. The RFLP method after EcoRI application provides a characteristic pattern for G. verrucosa, which is composed of two main fragments with respective sizes of 823 and 301 bp whereas amplified DNA of Gracilariopsis was uncut under these conditions.