Stability and Oscillations in a Time-Delayed Vehicle System with Driver Control

In this paper, linear stability and chaotic motion of a time-delayednonlinear vehicle system are studied. The stability is determined bycomputing the spectrum associated with a system of linear retardedfunctional differential equations, which reveals that a loss ofstability occurs following a Hopf bifurcation. Beyond the critical valuefor linear stability, the system exhibits limit cycle motions.Subharmonic, quasi-periodic and chaotic motions are observed for asystem excited by a periodic disturbance.     

Optimal design of a minimum weight thermal diffuser with constraint on the output thermal power flux

The object of this paper is the development of efficient mathematical and numerical tools to find the optimal shape of a minimum-weight thermal diffuser with a priori specifications on the inward thermal power flux (TPF) and a bound on the outward TPF. The present problem arises in connection with the use of high-power solid state devices in future communications satellites. In a space application the thermal power must ultimately be dissipated to the environment by using heatpipes and correspondingly large radiating areas. However, heatpipes can accept only a limited TPF from a source. Hence we have the requirement of a minimum-weight thermal diffuser with a uniform bound on the outward TPF. Shape optimal design and finite elements methods are used. Complete numerical results are provided.This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Strategic Grants G-0573 and G-0654 (Communications) and Operating Grant A-8730.     

Nonlinear oscillations and chaotic motions in a road vehicle system with driver steering control

The nonlinear dynamics of a differential system describing the motion of a vehicle driven by a pilot is examined. In a first step, the stability of the system near the critical speed is analyzed by the bifurcation method in order to characterize its behavior after a loss of stability. It is shown that a Hopf bifurcation takes place, the stability of limit cycles depending mainly on the vehicle and pilot model parameters. In a second step, the front wheels of the vehicle are assumed to be subjected to a periodic disturbance. Chaotic and hyperchaotic motions are found to occur for some range of the speed parameter. Numerical simulations, such as bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps, Fourier spectrums, projection of trajectories, and Lyapunov exponents are used to establish the existence of chaotic attractors. Multiple attractors may coexist for some values of the speed, and basins of attraction for such attractors are shown to have fractal geometries.     

D-Sorbitol Physical Properties Effects on Filaments Used by 3D Printing Process for Personalized Medicine

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a process used to manufacture oral forms adapted to the needs of patients. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) filaments were produced by hot melt extrusion (HME) to obtain a filament suitable for the production of amiodarone hydrochloride oral forms by FFF 3D printing. In order to produce personalized oral forms adapted to the patient characteristics, filaments used by FFF must be controlled in terms of mass homogeneity along filament. This work highlights the relation between filament mass homogeneity and its diameter. This is why the impact of filler excipients physical properties was studied. It has been showed that the particle’s size distribution of the filler can modify the filament diameter variability which has had an impact on the mass of oral forms produced by FFF. Through this work it was shown that D-Sorbitol from Carlo Erba allows to obtain a diameter variability of less than 2% due to its unique particle’s size distribution. Using the filament produced by HME and an innovating calibration method based on the filament length, it has been possible to carry out three dosages of 125 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg by 3D printing with acceptable mass uniformity.     

Dynamic Light Scattering Evidence for a Ligand-Induced Motion between the Two Domains of Glucoamylase G1 of Aspergillus niger with Heterobivalent Substrate Analogues

Heterobifunctional ligands that bind at the same time to the catalytic domain and to the starch-binding domain of glucoamylase induce a conformational change of the protein, as shown by dynamic light scattering. The ligands consist of acarbose and β-cyclodextrin linked together by oligoethylene glycols of variable length (see the schematic diagram).     

Penetration Study of Formulated Nanosized Titanium Dioxide in Models of Damaged and Sun‐Irradiated Skins

Inorganic ultraviolet filters such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂), safe to use on healthy skin, are often applied on compromised and irradiated skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the cutaneous penetration of TiO₂ nanoparticles (≥ 20 nm primary size), included in a sunscreen, in intact, damaged, irradiated, and damaged/irradiated pigskin. Cutaneous penetration and localization of TiO₂ after a 24‐h sunscreen application were investigated quantitatively using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry, and qualitatively using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Elemental identity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by TEM‐coupled Energy Dispersive X‐ray analysis (TEM‐EDX). In intact and damaged/irradiated skins, 102.35 ± 4.20% and 102.84 ± 5.67% of the titanium deposited, respectively, were found at the surface and stratum corneum (SC), whereas only 0.19 ± 0.15% and 0.39 ± 0.39% were found in the viable epidermis and dermis and no titanium was detected in the receptor fluid. TEM‐EDX analysis confirmed the presence of titanium in the aggregates formed by TiO₂ at the SC surface, as already characterized in the sunscreen formulation. TiO₂ nanoparticles included in a sunscreen thus remain in the uppermost layers of the SC, whether in intact skin or in compromised and/or skin exposed to simulated solar radiation.