Development of data-based model-free representation of non-conservative dissipative systems

A general procedure is presented for developing data-based, non-parametric models of non-linear multi-degree-of-freedom, non-conservative, dissipative systems. Two broad classes of methods are discussed: one relying on the representation of the system restoring forces in a polynomial-basis format, and the other using artificial neural networks to map the complex transformations relating the system state variables to the needed system outputs. A non-linear two-degree-of-freedom system is used to formulate the approach under discussion and to generate synthetic data for calibrating the efficiency of the two methods in capturing complex non-linear phenomena (such as dry friction, hysteresis, dead-space non-linearities, and polynomial-type non-linearities) that are widely encountered in the applied mechanics field. Subsequently, a reconfigurable test apparatus was used to generate experimental measurements from a physical non-linear “joint” involving two-dimensional motion (translation and rotation) and complicated interaction forces between the different motion axes, among its internal elements. Both the polynomial-basis approach and the neural network method were used to develop high-fidelity, non-parametric models of the physical test article. The ability of the identified models to accurately “generalize” the essential features of the non-linear system was verified by comparing the predictions of the models with experimental measurements from data sets corresponding to different excitations than those used for identification purposes. It is shown that the identification techniques under discussion can be useful tools for developing accurate simulation models of complex multi-dimensional non-linear systems under broadband excitation.     

Synthesis and application of polythiophene-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for preconcentration of ultra-trace levels of cadmium in different real samples followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

In this research, magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesised by co-precipitation method and modified with polythiophene (PT) to produce Fe₃O₄-PT nanoparticles for preconcentration and determination of cadmium (??) ion followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of FT-IR spectroscopy, EDX analysis and SEM images show that Fe₃O₄-PT nanoparticles were synthesised successfully. Different parameters such as sample pH, amounts of adsorbent, sample volume, extraction time, type and concentration of eluent and desorption time were completely investigated and optimum conditions were selected.

Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.01–0.25 µg L^?1 of cadmium (??). The relative standard deviation was 4.7% (n = 7, 0.10 µg L^?1 Cd²⁺) and limit of detection was 3.30 ng L^?1. The accuracy of the proposed method was verified by the analysis of a certified reference material and spike method. Finally, the proposed method was applied for the determination of ultra-trace levels of cadmium (??) in different water and food samples.     

On Supervised Classification of Feature Vectors with Independent and Non-Identically Distributed Elements

In this paper, we investigate the problem of classifying feature vectors with mutually independent but non-identically distributed elements that take values from a finite alphabet set. First, we show the importance of this problem. Next, we propose a classifier and derive an analytical upper bound on its error probability. We show that the error probability moves to zero as the length of the feature vectors grows, even when there is only one training feature vector per label available. Thereby, we show that for this important problem at least one asymptotically optimal classifier exists. Finally, we provide numerical examples where we show that the performance of the proposed classifier outperforms conventional classification algorithms when the number of training data is small and the length of the feature vectors is sufficiently high.     

Photocatalytic Ring Opening of α-Epoxyketones: 1,3-Dioxolane Formation

 Photocatalytic ring opening of α-epoxyketones by 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate in acetone resulted in the formation of 1,3-dioxolanes as major products through C–O bond cleavage and the formation of alcoholic by-products through C–C bond cleavage. The type and nature of the substituent affects the rate of ring opening.     

Werner''s Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Hoarseness

Werner's syndrome (WS) is a rare hereditary disorder which is characterized by clinical signs of premature aging. A 31-year-old man presented with a 12-year history of hoarseness. Also noted were diabetes mellitus, cataracts, scleroderma-like skin atrophy, osteoporosis, and hypogonadism. A clinical diagnosis of WS was made. Laryngoscopy revealed bowed vocal folds resulting in a spindle-shaped closure with glottal incompetence during phonation. We used Gortex for medialization of the middle part of vocal fold to correct the glottal gap in this patient. Despite correction of glottal incompetence in patients with WS, quality of voice could not be improved to that of age-matched normal individuals.     

The presentation of an approach for estimating the intramolecular hydrogen bond strength in conformational study of β-Aminoacrolein

All the plausible conformations of β-aminoacrolein (AMAC) have been investigated by the Bekes-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) nonlocal density functional with extended 6-311++G** basis set for studying the stability order of conformers and the various possibilities of intramolecular hydrogen bonding formation. In general the ketoamine (KA) conformers of AMAC, by mean average, are more stable than the corresponding enolimine (EI) and ketoimine (KI) analogues and this stability is mainly due to the π-electron resonance in these conformers that established by NH2 functional group. The contribution of resonance to the stability of chelated KA conformers is about 75.6 kJ/mol, which is greater than that of the hydrogen bond energy (E_HB=35.0 kJ/mol). The relative decreasing order of the various hydrogen bond energies was found to be: O–HN_imine(strong)>N_amine-HO_keto (normal)>N_imine-HO_hydroxyl (weak) > N_imine-HO_keto (weak). Hydrogen bond energies for all systems were obtained from the method that we called related rotamers method (RRM). The topological properties of the electron density contributions for various type of intramolecular hydrogen bond have been analyzed in term of the Bader theory of atoms in molecules (AIM). The results of these calculations support the previous calculations, which obtained by the related rotamer methods.     

Horseradish Peroxidase as a Catalyst for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

The hemoprotein horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzes the polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide with an alkyl bromide initiator under conditions of activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) in the absence of any peroxide. This is a novel activity of HRP, which we propose to name ATRPase activity. Bromine‐terminated polymers with polydispersity indices (PDIs) as low as 1.44 are obtained. The polymerization follows first order kinetics, but the evolution of molecular weight and the PDI upon increasing conversion deviate from the results expected for an ATRP mechanism. Conversion, and PDI depend on the pH and on the concentration of the reducing agent, sodium ascorbate. HRP is stable during the polymerization and does not unfold or form conjugates.

     

Designing syntheses of cellulose and starch derivatives with basic or cationic N‐functions: part I—cellulose derivatives

The use of cellulose and starch derivatives that bear amino or quaternary ammonium moieties is steadily increasing, and the applications in industry are continuing to grow. These promising products are routinely used in cosmetic and paper‐making industries. This article provides an overview of strategies available to chemists for designing the syntheses of such compounds. The review provides a brief historical perspective on synthesis and describes recent developments that have enabled chemists to enhance their synthesis productivity. However, the graft polymerization techniques are far from the scope of this paper and will be noted in a few words only. In addition to the structural and synthetic aspects, applications of these derivatives are discussed in brief. We have divided this article in two parts mainly because of the vastness of the subject and limited space available. The first part of which reviews the advances in the synthesis of basic and cationic cellulose derivatives having amino or quaternary ammonium moieties and the second part of which considers starch ones. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.