Constrained regulation of continuous Petri nets

This paper deals with constrained regulation of continuous Petri nets under the so-called infinite servers semantics. Our aim is to design feedback gains that permit us to reach both desired stationary marking vector and desired asymptotic firing rate vector. The proposed approach takes into account constraints on the control, the marking of the Petri net, and the stability of the closed-loop system. The existence of a solution is first expressed geometrically, in terms of the inclusion of two polyhedral sets. They are reformulated algebraically as linear matrix inequalities, which provides an effective way to calculate feedback gains answering the problem. Finally, an application to an assembly production system is given.     

Nonlinear damped Timoshenko systems with second sound—Global existence and exponential stability

In this paper, we consider nonlinear thermoelastic systems of Timoshenko type in a one‐dimensional bounded domain. The system has two dissipative mechanisms being present in the equation for transverse displacement and rotation angle—a frictional damping and a dissipation through hyperbolic heat conduction modelled by Cattaneo's law, respectively. The global existence of small, smooth solutions and the exponential stability in linear and nonlinear cases are established. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A correlation for crystallite size of undoped ZnO thin film with the band gap energy – precursor molarity – substrate temperature

Transparent conducting undoped zinc oxide thin films were deposited on glass substrate by ultrasonic spray and spray pyrolysis techniques. The thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures ranging between 300 and 450 °C with various precursor molarities. The correlation between the structural and optical properties suggests that the crystallites sizes of the films are predominantly influenced by the band gap energy of the thin films. The data of the correlation is suspected of involving some experimental measurement errors and therefore discarded in the development of the present correlation. The coefficient of correction is equal to 0.01, indicating high quality representation of data based on Eq. (1). The correlation also indicates that the crystallites sizes of the films are predominantly influenced by the band gap energy and the precursor molarity of the thin films. The model proposed of undoped ZnO thin film with substrate temperature was investigated.     

A comparative study on structural and optical properties of ZnO and Al-doped ZnO thin films obtained by ultrasonic spray method using different solvents

Transparent conducting ZnO and Al doped ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrate by ultrasonic spray method. The thin films with concentration of 0.1 M were deposited at 350 °C with 2 min of deposition time. The effects of ethanol and methanol solution before and after doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties were examined. The DRX analyses indicated that ZnO films have nanocrystalline nature and hexagonal wurtzite structure with (1 0 0) and (0 0 2) preferential orientation corresponding to ZnO films resulting from methanol and ethanol solution, respectively. The crystallinity of the thin films improved with methanol solution after doping to (0 0 2) oriented. All films exhibit an average optical transparency about 90%, in the visible range. The band gaps values of ZnO thin films are increased after doping from 3.10 to 3.26 eV and 3.27 to 3.30 eV upon Al doping obtained by ethanol and methanol solution, respectively. The electrical conductivity increase from 7.5 to 15.2 (Ω cm)⁻¹ of undoped to Al doped ZnO thin films prepared by using ethanol solution. However, for the methanol solution; the electrical conductivity of the film is stabilized after doping.     

Structural and Catalytic Activity of V2O5-Supported on AlPO4 Catalysts

Summary. A series of AlPO₄-V₂O₅ (APV) systems with various vanadia amounts 1–30mol% were prepared by the impregnation method and calcinated at 400 and 600°C for 4h. The catalysts were characterized by TG/DTG, DSC, IR spectroscopy, XRD, N₂ adsorption, and electrical conductivity measurements. The surface acidity and basicity of the catalysts were studied by the dehydration-dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol and the adsorption of pyridine. The catalytic gas phase esterification of acetic acid with ethyl alcohol was carried out at 210°C in a flow system at 1atm using air as a carrier gas. The results showed that the catalysts calcinated at 400°C were active and selective towards the formation of ethyl acetate whereas the calcination of samples at 600°C led to a drastic reduction in both activity and selectivity. Good correlations were obtained between catalytic activities towards ester formation and acidity of the prepared catalysts.     

An electrochemiluminescence-based competitive displacement immunoassay for the type-2 brevetoxins in oyster extracts

A new competitive electrochemiluminescence-based immunoassay for the type-2 brevetoxins in oyster extracts was developed. The assay was verified by spiking known amounts of PbTx-3 into 80% methanol extracts of Gulf Coast oysters. We also provide preliminary data demonstrating that 100% acetone extracts, aqueous homogenates, and the clinical matrixes urine and serum can also be analyzed without significant matrix interferences. The assay offers the advantages of speed ( 2 h analysis time); simplicity (only 2 additions, one incubation period, and no wash steps before analysis); low limit of quantitation (conservatively, 50 pg/mL = 1 ng/g tissue equivalents); and a stable, nonradioactive label. Due to the variety of brevetoxin metabolites present and the lack of certified reference standards for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmation, a true validation of brevetoxins in shellfish extracts is not possible at this time. However, our assay correlated well with another brevetoxin immunoassay currently in use in the United States. We believe this assay could be useful as a regulatory screening tool and could support pharmacokinetic studies in animals and clinical evaluation of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning victims.     

Existence and uniqueness results for a fractional two‐times evolution problem with constraints of purely integral type

This paper deals with a fractional two‐times evolution equation associated with initial and purely boundary integral conditions. The existence and uniqueness of generalized solution are proved. The classical functional method based on a priori estimates and density used by many authors in the case of nonfractional differential equations is applied for the time fractional case. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.