Robust stability of uncertain piecewise-linear systems: LMI?approach

In this paper we propose sufficient conditions for the robust stability of time-invariant uncertain piecewise-linear systems using homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions. The proposed conditions are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which can be numerically determined. We solve the stabilization of piecewise uncertain linear control systems by using state piecewise-linear feedback. We propose an illustrative example to show the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

Genus Smenospongia: Untapped Treasure of Biometabolites—Biosynthesis,Synthesis, and Bioactivities

Marine sponges continue to attract remarkable attention as one of the richest pools of bioactive metabolites in the marine environment. The genus Smenospongia (order Dictyoceratida, family Thorectidae) sponges can produce diverse classes of metabolites with unique and unusual chemical skeletons, including terpenoids (sesqui-, di-, and sesterterpenoids), indole alkaloids, aplysinopsins, bisspiroimidazolidinones, chromenes, γ-pyrones, phenyl alkenes, naphthoquinones, and polyketides that possessed diversified bioactivities. This review provided an overview of the reported metabolites from Smenospongia sponges, including their biosynthesis, synthesis, and bioactivities in the period from 1980 to June 2022. The structural characteristics and diverse bioactivities of these metabolites could attract a great deal of attention from natural-product chemists and pharmaceuticals seeking to develop these metabolites into medicine for the treatment and prevention of certain health concerns.     

Antioxidant,Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of the Ethanolic Extract Obtained from Berberis vulgaris Roots and Leaves

This work assessed the phenolic and flavonoid components and their antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial effects in the ethanolic extract of barberry leaf and roots. The antibactericidal activity of root and leaf extracts against pathogenic bacteria was tested using agar diffusion and microdilution broth production for the lowest inhibitory concentration (MIC). Berberis vulgaris root and leaf extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus ATCC9973, Escherichia coli HB101, Staphylococcus enteritis, and Escherichia coli Cip812. The disc assay technique was used to assess the bactericidal activity of the extracts versus both pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Hydro alcoholic extract was more effective against bacterial than fungal strains. The results showed that Berberis vulgaris leaf and roots extract had similar antifungal activities. Berberis vulgaris root extract inhibited the mycelial growth of Penicillium verrucosum, Fusarium proliferatum, Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. Berberis vulgaris root extract has excellent antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Berberis vulgaris exhibited antimicrobial activity in vitro, and MIC showed that Berberis vulgaris parts efficiently affected pathogens in vitro. In conclusion, both Berberis vulgaris roots and leaves have considerable antibacterial activity and can be used as a source of antibacterial, antioxidant, and bioactive compounds to benefit human health.     

Numerical investigation and ANN modeling of the effect of single-phase and two-phase analysis of convective heat transfer of nanofluid in a cavity

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The goal of this numerical investigation is to explore and compare the hydrothermal characteristics of free, mixed, and forced convection of...     

Signing and Verifying Encrypted Medical Images Using Double Random Phase Encryption

Digital Signature using Self-Image signing is introduced in this paper. This technique is used to verify the integrity and originality of images transmitted over insecure channels. In order to protect the user’s medical images from changing or modifying, the images must be signed. The proposed approach uses the Discrete Wavelet Transform to subdivide a picture into four bands and the Discrete Cosine Transform DCT is used to embed a mark from each sub-band to another sub-band of DWT according to a determined algorithm. To increase the security, the marked image is then encrypted using Double Random Phase Encryption before transmission over the communication channel. By verifying the presence of the mark, the authority of the sender is verified at the receiver. Authorized users’ scores should, in theory, always be higher than illegal users’ scores. If this is the case, a single threshold might be used to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized users by separating the two sets of scores. The results are compared to those obtained using an approach that does not employ DWT.     

Optical,structural, and photoelectrochemical properties of nanostructured ln-doped ZnO via electrodepositing method

Indium-doped zinc oxide nanorods were electrochemically deposited at low temperature on ITO substrates. The synthesized ZnO-arrayed layers were investigated by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis transmittance, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and photocurrent spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the electrodeposited films are crystalline and present the hexagonal Würtzite ZnO phase with preferential (002) orientation. The ZnO films obtained forms aligned hexagonal nanorods, and depending on the increasing In concentration, the surface morphologies of the films are changed. The ln-doped ZnO nanorods (NRs) are well-aligned with the c-axis being perpendicular to the substrates when the ln concentration was between 0 and 2 at.%. of In, the grown films with In contents up to 4 at.%, changes in the optical band gap from 3.31 to 3.39 eV, and the blue shift in the band gap energy was attributed to the Burstein–Moss effect. The effect of In concentration on the photocurrent generated by films shows that the obtained thin films can be used as a photovoltaic material. Changes in the photocurrent response and the electronic disorder were also discussed in the light of In doping. It was found that the carrier density of IZO thin films varied between 1.06?×?10¹⁸ and 1.88?×?10¹⁸ cm^?3 when the In concentration was between 0 and 4 at.%.

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Graphical Abstract Photocurrent response of IZO samples

     

Adsorption and inhibition performance of the novel cationic Gemini surfactant as a safe corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in hydrochloric acid

The new synthesized cationic Gemini surfactant (CGS) was tested as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel (CS) in 1.0?M hydrochloric acid using weight loss, electrochemical spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization. The inhibition efficiency is increased by increasing the CGS concentration and is almost constant within the temperature range studied. The inhibition was explained by adsorption of the CGS molecule on the CS surface. A mixed-type inhibitor is suggested for the inhibitory effects of CGS as revealed by the potentiodynamic polarization technique. The changes in impedance parameters suggested that the adsorption of the inhibitor on the CGS surface led to the formation of protective films. The adsorption of the CGS on the surface of CS obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were calculated and discussed.     

Analytical and environmental aspects of the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A and its derivatives

The present article reviews the available literature on the analytical and environmental aspects of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), a currently intensively used brominated flame retardant (BFR). Analytical methods, including sample preparation, chromatographic separation, detection techniques, and quality control are discussed. An important recent development in the analysis of TBBP-A is the growing tendency for liquid chromatographic techniques. At the detection stage, mass-spectrometry is a well-established and reliable technology in the identification and quantification of TBBP-A. Although interlaboratory exercises for BFRs have grown in popularity in the last 10 years, only a few participating laboratories report concentrations for TBBP-A. Environmental levels of TBBP-A in abiotic and biotic matrices are low, probably due to the major use of TBBP-A as reactive FR. As a consequence, the expected human exposure is low. This is in agreement with the EU risk assessment that concluded that there is no risk for humans concerning TBBP-A exposure. Much less analytical and environmental information exists for the various groups of TBBP-A derivatives which are largely used as additive flame retardants.     

X-ray,optical, vibrational,electrical, and DFT study of the polymorphic structure of ethylenediammonium bis iodate α-C2H10N2(IO3)2 and β-C2H10N2(IO3)2

The interaction of ethylenediamine with iodic acid by the slow evaporation method at room temperature gives rise to the crystals of α-C₂H₁₀N₂(IO₃)₂ and β-C₂H₁₀N₂(IO₃)₂ denoted as α-EBI and β-EBI, respectively. The acentric crystal structures of both polymorphs that consist of [C₂H₁₀N₂]²⁺ cations and [IO₃]^? anions connected together by N–H…O hydrogen bonds are discussed and compared. The optical properties of both polymorphs were determined using UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showing a wide transparency windows. The DFT calculations using the mixed B3PW91/[6–31?+?(d, p), LanL2Dz] basis set of optimized geometries, dipole moment (μ), polarizability (α), first static hyperpolarizability (β), and population analysis were also reported. The experimental and theoretical IR and Raman spectra were compared, and the careful and complete assignment of the vibrational motions of both compounds was undertaken with the aid of potential energy distribution (PED) analysis. DSC and AC conductivity analysis revealed that α-C₂H₁₀N₂(IO₃)₂ and β-C₂H₁₀N₂(IO₃)₂ undergo a first-order phase transition around 360 K. The electrical σ_tot (ω, T) conductivity obeyed to Jonscher’s power law and the temperature dependence of the S(T) parameter showed that the electrical conductivity of both polymorph phases might be treated using the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model.