Modeling and control of a nonlinear half-vehicle suspension system: a hybrid fuzzy logic approach

Modeling and control of vehicle suspension system are high noteworthy from safety to comfort. In this paper, an analytical nonlinear half-vehicle model which is included quadratic tire stiffness, cubic suspension stiffness, and coulomb friction is derived based on fundamental physics. A hybrid fuzzy logic approach which combines fuzzy logic and PID controllers is designed for reducing the vibration levels of passenger seat and vehicle body. Performances of designed controllers have been evaluated by numerical simulations. Comparisons with classical PID control, Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) and Hybrid Fuzzy-PID control (HFPID) have also been provided. Results of numerical simulations are evaluated in terms of time histories of displacement and acceleration responses and ride index comparison. A good performance for the Hybrid Fuzzy-PID controller with coupled rules (HFPIDCR) is achieved in simulation studies despite the nonlinearities.     

A probe into the chaotic nature of daily streamflow time series by correlation dimension and largest Lyapunov methods

Two chaotic indicators namely the correlation dimension and the Lyapunov exponent methods are investigated for the daily river flow of Kizilirmak River. A delay time of 60 days used for the reconstruction is chosen after examining the first minimum of the average mutual information of the data. The sufficient embedding dimension is estimated using the false nearest neighbor algorithm, which has a value of 11. Based on these embedding parameters the correlation dimension of the resulting attractor is calculated, as well as the average divergence rate of nearby orbits given by the largest Lyapunov exponent. The presence of chaos in the examined river flow time series is evident with the low correlation dimension (2.4) and the positive value of the largest Lyapunov exponent (0.0061).     

LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS–based phenolic profiling and antioxidant activity in Turkish cv. Nizip Yaglik olive oils from different maturity olives

The current study was designed to find out how olive maturity indices (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5) affect the individual phenolic compounds and antioxidant potencies of olive oils produced from cv. Nizip Yaglik olives. Liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode was utilized for the determination of phenolic composition qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings asserted a quite similar phenolic profile (14 phenols) depending on the various phenolic groups in all oils, while the concentration of total and individual phenolic compounds revealed significant differences between the samples statistically (p < 0.05). Among the individual phenolic classes in all samples, secoiridoids were the most prevailing group and their total content showed a clear significant decline as the olive fruits get ripened. Antioxidant potency values showed a clear diminution attitude during the maturation of the olives. The principal component analysis revealed that oils were discriminated from each other according to phenolic compounds and antioxidant potencies. Moreover, oils obtained from the unripe and medium‐ripe fruits possessed a very good quality marked by their elevated phenolic levels.     

Effect of benzyladenine on recovery of cryopreserved shoot tips of grapevine and citrus cultured in vitro

The effect of N6-benzyladenine (BA) on the recovery of cryopreserved shoot tips of the LN33 hybrid (Vitis L.) and Troyer citrange [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. x Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck.] cultured in vitro was examined. For the LN33 hybrid, the presence of BA in the recovery medium was essential for survival of control and cryopreserved shoot tips, although the BA concentration did not influence the survival percentage. BA at 5, 2, and 5 microM or higher induced callus formation in control, and shoot tips cryopreserved by vitrification, and by encapsulation-dehydration, respectively. While a BA concentration of 4 microM was found optimal for recovery of control shoot tips, 1 and 2-4 microM produced the best recovery of shoot tips cryopreserved by vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration, respectively. A similar pattern of effect of BA on recovery was found for 'Troyer' citrange. Low survival of control and cryopreserved shoot tips was observed with a BA-free recovery medium. The addition of BA to the recovery medium significantly increased survival. The BA concentration that induced callus formation in shoot tips cryopreserved by encapsulation-vitrification was higher than that which induced it in those cryopreserved by encapsulation-dehydration. Recovery of control shoot tips was best with an addition of 6-10 microM BA to the medium. Optimal recovery of shoot tips cryopreserved by encapsulation-vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration was achieved with 3-4 and 2 microM BA, respectively. Results from the present study suggest that an optimal BA concentration for recovery of control shoot tips may be different from that for cryopreserved shoot tips; furthermore, the optimal BA concentration for recovery of cryopreserved shoot tips may also differ among different cryogenic procedures.     

Coordination-Induced Band Gap Reduction in a Metal–Organic Framework

Herein, we report on the synthesis of a microporous, three-dimensional phosphonate metal–organic framework (MOF) with the composition Cu₃(H₅-MTPPA)₂ ⋅ 2 NMP (H₈-MTPPA=methane tetra-p-phenylphosphonic acid and NMP=N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone). This MOF, termed TUB1, has a unique one-dimensional inorganic building unit composed of square planar and distorted trigonal bipyramidal copper atoms. It possesses a (calculated) BET surface area of 766.2 m²/g after removal of the solvents from the voids. The Tauc plot for TUB1 yields indirect and direct band gaps of 2.4 eV and 2.7 eV, respectively. DFT calculations reveal the existence of two spin-dependent gaps of 2.60 eV and 0.48 eV for the alpha and beta spins, respectively, with the lowest unoccupied crystal orbital for both gaps predominantly residing on the square planar copper atoms. The projected density of states suggests that the presence of the square planar copper atoms reduces the overall band gap of TUB1, as the beta-gap for the trigonal bipyramidal copper atoms is 3.72 eV.     

Biosorption of copper(II), lead(II), iron(III) and cobalt(II) on Bacillus sphaericus-loaded Diaion SP-850 resin

The biosorption of copper(II), lead(II), iron(III) and cobalt(II) on Bacillus sphaericus-loaded Diaion SP-850 resin for preconcentration-separation of them have been investigated. The sorbed analytes on biosorbent were eluted by using 1 mol L⁻¹ HCl and analytes were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The influences of analytical parameters including amounts of pH, B. sphaericus, sample volume etc. on the quantitative recoveries of analytes were investigated. The effects of alkaline, earth alkaline ions and some metal ions on the retentions of the analytes on the biosorbent were also examined. Separation and preconcentration of Cu, Pb, Fe and Co ions from real samples was achieved quantitatively. The detection limits by 3 sigma for analyte ions were in the range of 0.20-0.75 μg L⁻¹ for aqueous samples and in the range of 2.5-9.4 ng g⁻¹ for solid samples. The validation of the procedure was performed by the analysis of the certified standard reference materials (NRCC-SLRS 4 Riverine Water, SRM 2711 Montana soil and GBW 07605 Tea). The presented method was applied to the determination of analyte ions in green tea, black tea, cultivated mushroom, boiled wheat, rice and soil samples with successfully results.     

Antibiofilm and Anti-Quorum Sensing Potential of Cycloartane-Type Triterpene Acids from Cameroonian Grassland Propolis: Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract

Propolis is very popular for its beneficial health properties, such as antimicrobial activity and antioxidant effects. It is one of the most long-serving traditional medicines to mankind due to its interesting chemical diversity and therapeutic properties. The detailed chemical information of propolis samples is very necessary to guarantee its safety and for it to be accepted into health care systems. The phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extract was determined using HPLC-DAD, and the antioxidant was evaluated using five complementary methods. Triterpenoids were isolated using column chromatography and characterized using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The effects of the extract and the isolated compounds on quorum sensing mediated processes and biofilm formation in bacteria were evaluated. Protocatechic acid (40.76 ± 0.82 µg/g), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (24.04 ± 0.21 µg/g), vanillic acid (29.90 ± 1.05 µg/g), quercetin (43.53 ± 1.10 µg/g), and luteolin (4.44 ± 0.48 µg/g) were identified and quantified. The extract showed good antioxidant activity in the DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, CUPRAC, and metal chelating assays, and this antioxidant effect was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. 27-Hydroxymangiferonic acid (1), Ambolic acid (2), and Mangiferonic acid (3) were isolated from anti-quorum sensing activity at MIC, and it was indicated that the most active sample was the extract with inhibition diameter zone of 18.0 ± 1.0 mm, while compounds 1, 2, and 3 had inhibition zones of 12.0 ± 0.5 mm, 9.0 ± 1.0 mm, and 12.3 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. The samples inhibited the P. aeruginosa PA01 swarming motility at the three tested concentrations (50, 75, and 100 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. The propolis extract was able to inhibit biofilm formation by S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis at MIC concentration. Compound 1 proved biofilm inhibition on S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. tropicalis at MIC and MIC/2; compound 2 inhibited the formation of biofilm at MIC on S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, S. typhi, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis; and compound 3 inhibited biofilm formation on E. faecalis, E. coli, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis and further biofilm inhibition on E. coli at MIC/4 and MIC/8. The studied propolis sample showed important amounts of cycloartane-type triterpene acids, and this indicates that there can be significant intra-regional variation probably due to specific flora within the vicinity. The results indicate that propolis and its compounds can reduce virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria.     

Surface Propensity of Anions in a Binary Ionic-Liquid Mixture Assessed by Full-Range Angle-Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Surface-Tension Measurements

Angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact-angle measurements guided by a signal attenuation model are utilized to extract molar composition and anion enrichment in the vacuum interface of a binary ionic liquid mixture, having a common quaternary ammonium cation and two different anions. By using the intensity ratio of the F1s peaks belonging to the two different anions recorded at the full electron take-off angle range, from 0° to 80°, we have determined that only a fractionally covered and anion enriched surface layer can predict the AR-XPS data, which is also consistent with surface tension measurements. Moreover, the more bulky and non-spherical anion enrichment is evident even at the conventional and the so assumed bulk sensitive take-off angle of 0°. This methodology provides a surface enrichment factor of the molecular ions and clearly serves as an experimental evidence for recently debated surface layering and/or island structure in ionic liquid systems.     

Utilization of smart hydrogel-metal composites as catalysis media

Various metal nanoparticles such as, Cu, Co, Ni, and Fe were prepared inside poly(1-vinyl imidazole) p(VI) hydrogel by the absorption of the corresponding metal ions from aqueous solutions and the reduction with suitable reducing agents such as NaBH(4) and/or NaOH. TGA and ICP-AES were used to determine the metal particle content of p(VI)-M (M: Cu, Co, and Ni) composites. The prepared hydrogel-metal nanoparticle composites were proven to be resourceful as reaction container for the catalysis of various organic reactions. It was illustrated that p(VI)-M hydrogel-metal composites can be successfully used in the hydrolysis of NaBH(4) for the generation hydrogen form NaBH(4) and NH(3)BH(3). Additionally, p(VI)-M composites were also illustrated in the catalysis of different organic reactions; e.g., these hydrogel-M are very effective in the reduction nitro aromatic compounds such 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to their corresponding amine forms in the presence of aqueous NaBH(4). Various parameters in the catalysis of hydrogen production and 4-NP reduction were determined.     

Material binding peptides for nanotechnology

Remarkable progress has been made to date in the discovery of material binding peptides and their utilization in nanotechnology, which has brought new challenges and opportunities. Nowadays phage display is a versatile tool, important for the selection of ligands for proteins and peptides. This combinatorial approach has also been adapted over the past decade to select material-specific peptides. Screening and selection of such phage displayed material binding peptides has attracted great interest, in particular because of their use in nanotechnology. Phage display selected peptides are either synthesized independently or expressed on phage coat protein. Selected phage particles are subsequently utilized in the synthesis of nanoparticles, in the assembly of nanostructures on inorganic surfaces, and oriented protein immobilization as fusion partners of proteins. In this paper, we present an overview on the research conducted on this area. In this review we not only focus on the selection process, but also on molecular binding characterization and utilization of peptides as molecular linkers, molecular assemblers and material synthesizers.