A Practical Method for Designing Linear Quadratic Regulator for Commensurate Fractional-Order Systems

The methods currently available for designing a linear quadratic regulator for fractional-order systems are either based on sufficient-type conditions for the optimality of functionals or generate very complicated analytical solutions even for simple systems. It follows that the use of such methods is limited to very simple problems. The present paper proposes a practical method for designing a linear quadratic regulator (assuming linear state feedback), Kalman filter, and linear quadratic Gaussian regulator/controller for commensurate fractional-order systems (in Caputo sense). For this purpose, considering the fact that in dealing with fractional-order systems the cost function of linear quadratic regulator has only one extremum, the optimal state feedback gains of linear quadratic regulator and the gains of the Kalman filter are calculated using a gradient-based numerical optimization algorithm. Various fractional-order linear quadratic regulator and Kalman filter design problems are solved using the proposed approach. Specifically, a linear quadratic Gaussian controller capable of tracking step command is designed for a commensurate fractional-order system which is non-minimum phase and unstable and has seven (pseudo) states.     

A Comparative Study of the Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Gd5Ge4 and Gd5Si4 Compounds

We present a comparative study of electronic structure and magnetic properties of Gd₅Si₄ and Gd₅Ge₄ compounds using first principles full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based on density functional theory (DFT) using the WIEN2k code. The local-spin density approximation with correlation energy (LSDA+U) method has been used as the exchange-correlation potential. The optimized lattice constants are in good agreement with the experimental data. The total and partial density of states (DOS) of Gd₅Si₄ and Gd₅Ge₄ show the difference in Si 3p-Gd 5d and Ge 4p-Gd 5d hybridization, which have an effective role in indirect exchange interaction. In addition, the magnetic moments of Gd, Si, and Ge atoms and the compounds are calculated to clarify the differences in the magnetic properties of these compounds.     

Construction of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles by employing ultrasound waves for selective determination of doxepin from human plasma samples: Modeling and optimization

In this work, molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (MINPs) were applied as selective adsorbent for ultrasound‐assisted micro‐solid‐phase extraction (UAMSPE) of doxepin (DP) from human plasma samples, which was then cleaned up, pre‐concentrated and subjected to HPLC. The MINPs were synthesized based on a non‐covalent approach by precipitation polymerization utilizing methacrylic acid and styrene as functional monomers, DP as template, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker and 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. The obtained MINPs were characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Factors influencing the efficiency of UAMSPE such as sonication time, volume of eluent solvent and amount of sorbent were investigated using a central composite design and the optimal points were identified as 4 min of sonication time, 380 μL of eluent solvent and 30 mg of sorbent. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method has linear responses in the range of 0.2–2000 ng mL^–1, with a satisfactory limit of detection of 0.04 ng mL^–1 and limit of quantification of 0.11 ng mL^–1.     

DNA Binding and Antitumor Activity of a New Fluorescent Probe Eu(Ⅲ)-Complex Containing 4-Methyl-Coumarin Moiety

A new europium (Ⅲ) complex containing (4-Methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yloxy)-acetic acid moiety (CMMC) was synthesized, characterized, and confirmed as antitumor agent and fluorescent probe. The spectroscopic measurements of Eu(Ⅲ) in the presence of CMMC were obtained in different solvents. The results show that the strongest Eu(Ⅲ) emission bands were monitored in iso-propyl alcohol while the weakest Eu(Ⅲ) emission band was observed in acetonitrile. The interaction of Eu(Ⅲ)-(CMMC)₂ complex with DNA was monitored using absorption and emission techniques. From fluorescence titration measurements, the binding constants of DNA with Eu(Ⅲ)-(CMMC)₂ complex were found to be 1.04×105 L·mol-1 in Tris-HCl and 1.17×107 L·mol-1 in DMSO-Tris-HCl buffer (9∶1 V/V). Hypochromism was observed from the absorption titration experiment which indicates the intercalation of Eu(Ⅲ)-complex between the base pair of DNA. This result further confirmed by fluorescent Ethidium bromide displacement assay. The fluorescence calibration curve was used for the determination of DNA with LOD of 1.2 ng in DMSO-Tris-HCl buffer (9∶1 V/V) and 5 ng in Tris-HCl buffer. The preliminary antitumor investigation shows promising cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 (mammary cancer), and PC-3 (prostate carcinoma) cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 40.63, 25.42 and 30.25 μmol·L-1, respectively.     

New Approach in Modeling of Metallocene‐Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization Using Artificial Neural Networks

A new approach for the estimation of kinetic rate constants in olefin polymerization using metallocene catalysts is presented. The polymerization rate has been modeled using the method of moments. An ANN has been used and trained to behave like the mathematical model developed before, so that it gets polymerization rate at different reaction times and predicts reaction rate constants. The network was trained using modeling results in desired operational window. The polymerization rates were normalized to make the network work independent of operational conditions. The model has also been applied to real polymerization rate data and the predictions were satisfactory. This model is specially useful in comparing different new metallocene catalysts.

     

Fruits Vinegar: Quality Characteristics,Phytochemistry, and Functionality

The popularity of fruits vinegar (FsV) has been increased recently as a healthy drink wealthy in bioactive compounds that provide several beneficial properties. This review was designed in the frame of valorization of fruits vinegar as a by-product with high value added by providing overall information on its biochemical constituents and beneficial potencies. It contains a cocktail of bioactive ingredients including polyphenolic acids, organic acids, tetramethylperazine, and melanoidins. Acetic acid is the most abundant organic acid and chlorogenic acid is the major phenol in apple vinegar. The administration of fruits vinegar could prevent diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress, cancer, and boost immunity as well as provide a remarkable antioxidant ability. The production techniques influence the quality of vinegar, and consequently, its health benefits.     

The Nutritional and Antioxidant Potential of Artisanal and Industrial Apple Vinegars and Their Ability to Inhibit Key Enzymes Related to Type 2 Diabetes In Vitro

The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition of apple vinegar produced by artisanal and industrial methods. Apple vinegar samples were analyzed to identify their electrical conductivity, pH, titratable acidity, total dry matter, Brix, density, mineral elements, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. The antioxidant activity of apple vinegar samples was evaluated using two tests, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Finally, we determined α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of artisanal and industrial apple vinegar. The results showed the following values: pH (3.69–3.19); electrical conductivity (2.81–2.79 mS/cm); titratable acidity (3.6–5.4); ash (4.61–2.90); °Brix (6.37–5.2); density (1.02476–1.02012), respectively, for artisanal apple vinegar and industrial apple vinegar. Concerning mineral elements, potassium was the most predominant element followed by sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Concerning bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C), the apple vinegar produced by the artisanal method was the richest sample in terms of bioactive compounds and had the highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition. The findings of this study showed that the quality and biological activities of artisanal apple vinegar were more important than industrial apple vinegar.     

Activity concentration of uranium in groundwater from uranium mineralized areas and its neighborhood

Uranium mineralization in parts of northeastern Nigeria necessitated its exploration during early eighties by the Nigeria Uranium Mining Company (NUMCO) which was later abandoned. During their course of decay, uranium isotopes pass through radioactive decay stage and eventually into stable isotope of lead. The course of concern for soluble uranium in groundwater especially from the mineralized areas include ionizing radiation, chemical toxicity and reproductive defects for which ingested uranium has been implicated to have caused. This study is aimed at assessing the levels of concentration of uranium in groundwater to ascertain its compliance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) and the United State Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guideline for uranium in drinking water. Thirty five groundwater samples were collected using EPA’s groundwater sampling protocol and analyzed at the Department of Geology, University of Cape Town using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometric (ICP-MS) technique. Significant finding of this work was that there is radiological contamination of groundwater in the area. There is also an indication that the extent of radiological contamination is not much within the mineralized zones, therefore, there is likelihood that groundwater has acted as a medium of transporting and enhancing uranium in groundwater in an environment away from that of origin. About 5.7 % of the samples studied had uranium concentration above WHO and EPA’s maximum contaminant level of 30 μg/L which is a major concern for inhabitants of the area. It was also apparent that radiological contamination at the southwestern part of the study area extends into the adjacent sheet (sheet 152). Uranium concentration above set standards in those areas might have originated from rocks around established mineralized zones but was transported to those contaminated areas by groundwater that leaches across the host rock and subsequently mobilizing soluble uranium along with it.