Parameter-dependent <Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Subscript>∞</Subscript> Control for Time-varying Delay Polytopic Systems

This paper addresses the robust stabilization and H _∞ control problem for a class of linear polytopic systems with continuously distributed delays. The control objective is to design a robust H _∞ controller that satisfies some exponential stability constraints on the closed-loop poles. Using improved parameter-dependent Lyapunov Krasovskii functionals, new delay-dependent conditions for the robust H _∞ control are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities.     

New indications of potential rat intestinal α-glucosidase inhibition by Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) and its hypoglycemic effect in mice

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Natural α-glucosidase inhibitors (aGIs) have been considered effective agents for type 2 diabetes management. In this study, Syzygium zeylanicum (L.)...     

“Printing” DNA Strand Patterns on Small Molecules with Control of Valency,Directionality, and Sequence

The incorporation of synthetic molecules as corner units in DNA structures has been of interest over the last two decades. In this work, we present a facile method for generating branched small molecule‐DNA hybrids with controllable valency, different sequences, and directionalities (5′–3′) using a “printing” process from a simple 3‐way junction structure. We also show that the DNA‐imprinted small molecule can be extended asymmetrically using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and can be replicated chemically. This strategy provides opportunities to achieve new structural motifs in DNA nanotechnology and introduce new functionalities to DNA nanostructures.     

Time-resolved spectroscopy of freestanding GaN layers grown by halide vapour phase epitaxy

Freestanding GaN layers of various thicknesses grown by HVPE have been studied by time-resolved spectroscopy combined with structural and electrical measurements. We have observed an increase of the PL lifetime with increasing layer thickness; however, a saturation of the recombination times has been detected for the GaN layers thicker than 400 μm. We explain the observed thickness-dependent behavior of the decay times by competition of two nonradiative mechanisms; namely, for layers with thickness less than 400 μm the main nonradiative channel is related to the structural defects, while in thicker layers the recombination decay time is limited by impurities and/or vacancies.     

Retraction Note to: Secondary treated wastewater of latex processing: reusing for irrigation or treatment by membrane filtration

Research on Chemical Intermediates -     

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil from Fruit of Schisandra perulata

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

Analysis of volatile components of drugs and explosives by solid phase microextraction-ion mobility spectrometry

Current ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) devices are used to detect drugs and explosives in the form of particles and, in cases where the vapor pressure of the drugs or explosives is sufficiently high, the gas can be sampled and detected directly. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of solid phase microextraction (SPME) as a preconcentration technique coupled to an IMS for the detection of odor signature compounds of drugs and explosives. The reduced mobilities (K(o)) and IMS operating conditions for the odor signature compounds of cocaine, marijuana, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) are reported for the first time. LODs, linear dynamic ranges (LDRs), and the precision of the analysis of these odor signature compounds, and the explosive taggant 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) were obtained by SPME-IMS and normal IMS conditions. The systematic optimization of the IMS operating parameters for the detection of these odor compounds is also reported incorporating the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) for finding the optimal settings for the detection of these compounds of interest. These results support the case for targeting volatile components as a presumptive detection for the presence of the parent compounds of drugs and explosives. Furthermore, the IMS-specific GA developed can be used as an optimization tool for the detection of other compounds of interest in future work.     

On deformations of maps and curve singularities

We study several deformation functors associated to the normalization of a reduced curve singularity . The main new results are explicit formulas, in terms of classical invariants of (X, 0), for the cotangent cohomology groups T ⁱ , i  =  0,1,2, of these functors. Thus we obtain precise statements about smoothness and dimension of the corresponding local moduli spaces. We apply the results to obtain explicit formulas, respectively, estimates for the -codimension of a parametrized curve singularity, where denotes the Mather–Wall group of left-right equivalence.     

Tuning the electronic properties of cyclopentadienyl analogs with CB2N2 frameworks: 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolyl ligands and their alkali metal salts

Two heterocyclic cyclopentadienyl analogs with a CB2N2 skeleton, 4-methyl-1,2,3,5-tetraphenyl-1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolidine and 4-methyl-3,5-dimethylamino-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolidine were prepared through cyclocondensation of the corresponding 1,1-bis(organochloroboryl)ethane with 1,2-diphenylhydrazine. The former diazadiborolidine featured a cyclopentadiene-like structure with short B-N bonds and a planar ring framework, while in the latter the B-N bonds were noticeably longer and the ring framework was considerably folded as a result of the interaction between boron and the electron donating NMe2 groups. The dimethylamino substituted diazadiborolidine could not be deprotonated due to the reduced acidity of the ring proton, however, the B-phenylated analog was easily deprotonated and the lithium, sodium and potassium 1,2-diaza-3,5-diborolyls were isolated and structurally characterized. The solid state structures of the lithium and sodium salts were similar, with an eta(1)-coordinated pi ligand and three THF molecules completing the coordination sphere of the metal. The potassium salt featured a highly unusual mono-dimensional polymeric structure with the metal pi-coordinated by the CB2N2 ligand and two of the phenyl groups on boron and nitrogen, and sigma-coordinated by one THF molecule.     

Biodegradation of a synthetic co-polyester by aerobic mesophilic microorganisms

The aerobic biological degradation of the synthetic aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester Ecoflex™ (BASF) by 29 strains of enzyme-producing soil bacteria, fungi and yeasts was investigated at moderate environmental conditions. Previous studies had shown that these materials could be degraded but these studies were done under thermophilic conditions. In this paper, a screening procedure was developed to assess the biodegradability of the co-polyester at ambient environmental conditions and to investigate the mechanism of biodegradation. Results showed that the aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester could be degraded by a number of different microorganisms. However, after 21 days exposure to even the most promising cultures of pure microorganisms, only partial degradation of the Ecoflex™ was accomplished and only a few samples showed visible signs of degradation as loosely defined by the mechanical weakening of the films. Weight loss was not as obvious as the visual degradation and suggested broader types of microbial attack. The bacteria studied preferentially degraded the bonds between aliphatic components of the copolymer and the rate of biodegradation of oligomers was appreciably faster than that for the polymer chains. Using GC-MS techniques, degradation intermediates were identified to be the monomers of the co-polyester. Gel permeation chromatography results suggested exo-enzyme type degradation, where the microbes hydrolysed the ester bonds at the termini of the polymeric chains preferentially.