Mixed outer synchronization of coupled complex networks with time-varying coupling delay

In this paper, the problem of outer synchronization between two complex networks with the same topological structure and time-varying coupling delay is investigated. In particular, we introduce a new type of outer synchronization behavior, i.e., mixed outer synchronization (MOS), in which different state variables of the corresponding nodes can evolve into complete synchronization, antisynchronization, and even amplitude death simultaneously for an appropriate choice of the scaling matrix. A novel nonfragile linear state feedback controller is designed to realize the MOS between two networks and proved analytically by using Lyapunov-Krasovskii stability theory. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of our proposed control approach.     

Impact of Spray Cone Angle on the Performances of Methane/Diesel RCCI Engine Combustion under Low Load Operating Conditions

The behaviors of spray, in Reactivity Controlled Combustion Ignition (RCCI) dual fuel engine and subsequent emissions formation, are numerically addressed. Five spray cone angles ranging between 5° and 25° with an advanced injection timing of 22° Before Top Dead Center (BTDC) are considered. The objective of this paper is twofold: (a) to enhance engine behaviors in terms of performances and consequent emissions by adjusting spray cone angle and (b) to outcome the exergy efficiency for each case. The simulations are conducted using the Ansys-forte tool. The turbulence model is the Renormalization Group (RNG) K-epsilon, which is selected for its effectiveness in strongly sheared flows. The spray breakup is governed by the hybrid model Kelvin–Helmholtz and Rayleigh–Taylor spray models. A surrogate of n-heptane, which contains 425 species and 3128 reactions, is used for diesel combustion modeling. The obtained results for methane/diesel engine combustion, under low load operating conditions, include the distribution of heat transfer flux, pressure, temperature, Heat Release Rate (HRR), and Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD). An exergy balance analysis is conducted to quantify the engine performances. Output emissions at the outlet of the combustion chamber are also monitored in this work. Investigations show a pressure decrease for a cone angle θ = 5° of roughly 8%, compared to experimental measurement (θ = 10°). A broader cone angle produces a higher mass of NO_x. The optimum spray cone angle, in terms of exergy efficiency, performance, and consequent emissions is found to lie at 15° ≤ θ ≤ 20°.     

One-pot hydrothermal preparation of hierarchical manganese oxide nanorods for high-performance symmetric supercapacitors

An eco-friendly, new, and controllable approach for the preparation of manganese oxide(a-MnO₂) nanorods has been introduced using hydrothermal reaction for supercapacitor application. The in-depth crystal structure analysis of α-MnO₂ is analyzed by X-ray Rietveld refinement by using Full Prof program with the help of pseudo-Voigt profile function. The developed a-MnO₂ electrode attains a remarkable capacitance of 577.7 F/g recorded at a current density value of 1...     

Experimental Investigation of Pure Spinel Mn3O4 Properties Synthesized through Chemical Spray Pyrolysis for Future Gas Sensor Application

The semiconductor realization is a very significant stage in gas sensor application. Herein, the Mn₃O₄ semiconductor was deposited using chemical spray pyrolysis. The effect of deposition temperature on structural, vibrational optical and electrical Mn₃O₄ thin layers properties were investigated through: X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometer, and two points electrometers respectively. The X-ray diffraction showed the appearance of spinel phase of tetragonal Mn₃O₄ with strong formation direction along (101) plan and without any secondary phase indicating the formation of pure Mn₃O₄. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the results obtained in XRD and certified the high-quality formation of Mn₃O₄. In addition, the crystallinity improvement (the increase of crystallite size and the decrease of dislocation density) was caused by the increasing of deposition temperature from 350 °C to 450 °C. Optical properties such as transmittance, absorbance and band gap energy were extracted by UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Thus, low transmittance, high absorbance and small band gap energy were observed at the highest substrate temperature (450 °C). The electrical conductivity showed good values between 4.83 and 13.89 mS.cm⁻¹. These properties make Mn₃O₄ an appropriate material to be used as a sensitive layer in gas sensors applications.     

Physical aging phenomena in silica and glass beads filled elastomers (EPDM)

The physical aging concept is generally used to explain the typical behavior of amorphous glassy materials such as amorphous polymers. It can be easily evidenced by measuring the effect of a static deformation on the dynamic mechanical properties. In this paper, an attempt is made to determine the “glassy” behavior of elastomeric EPDM chains when they are confined in the vicinity of the filler (glass beads, silicas) surface. It is demonstrated that glassy behavior and physical aging phenomena are detected even with a filled elastomer. Furthermore, the influence of the filler volume fraction, the filler nature and of filler surface treatments with silanes were studied. Finally, an original attempt is made to explain filler-rubber reinforcement by a kind of bimodal network created from linkages between a densely packed interfacial region and the outer loose matrix.     

Pyridazine,oxazine, pyrrole,and pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinazoline derivatives from malononitrile dimer

2‐Amino‐1,1,3‐tricyano‐3‐bromopropene was obtained from bromination of 2‐amino‐1,1,3‐tricyanopropene (malononitrile dimer) with N‐bromosuccinimide. This bromo derivative reacts with hydrazine hydrate, phenyl hydrazine, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride to afford pyridazine and oxazine derivatives, respectively. In base‐catalyzed reactions with primary aromatic amines and anthranilic acid derivatives, it produces N‐aryl pyrrol‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile and pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinazolin‐5‐imine, or pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinazolin‐5‐one derivatives, respectively. The structures of the newly synthesized heterocycles were established on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:612–616, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10199     

Functionally substituted alkylbenzotriazoles: Reactivity of alkylbenzotriazoles toward electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents

The reactivity of benzotriazolylacetone toward a variety of carbon and nitrogen electrophiles is reported. Several novel azolylbenzotriazoles as well as benzotriazolyl‐cinnolines have been synthesized. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:141–145, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10009     

Spline quasi-interpolation in the Bernstein basis and its application to digital elevation models

A nonstandard low-cost spline approximation method for approximating bivariate functions is constructed. It is applied for Digital Elevation approximation and then its accuracy in the downscaling process is studied.     

Study of the migration of additives from plasticized PVC

The aim of this paper is to study the interactions between packaging and food. For that purpose, additives were first characterized. Kinetic studies of their specific migrations have been carried out by using different analytical methods such as gas chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The influence of various parameters such as temperature, agitation, nature of food simulant and initial concentration of plasticizer was considered.