Model-Reference Adaptive Control--Stability, Parameter Convergence, and Robustness

We study stability, parameter convergence, and robustness aspectsof single input-single output model-reference adaptive systems.We begin by establishing a framework for studying parametrizableand unparametrizable uncertainty in the plant to be controlled.Using the standard assumptions on the parametrizable part ofthe plant dynamics we rederive a modified proof (of Narendra,Lin, and Valavani) of the stability of the nominal adaptivescheme. Next, we give conditions on the exogenous input to theadaptive loop—the reference signal—to guaranteeexponential parameter and error convergence. Using our frameworkfor studying unmodelled (unparametrized) dynamics; we show howthe model should be chosen, and the update law modified (bya deadzone in the update law) to preserve stability of the adaptiveloop in the presence of output disturbances and unmodelled dynamics.Finally, we compare adaptive and non-adaptive control and listdirections of continuing research.     

Thermal expansion behaviour and phase stability of AFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> (A = Ca,Sr and Eu) using powder diffraction technique

The thermal expansibilities and phase stabilities of AFe ₂As ₂ (A = Ca, Sr and Eu) have been investigated by powder diffraction techniques in the temperature range 5–600 K. We found the anisotropic thermal expansivities with temperature for all the compounds. The lattice parameter in the tetragonal phase ( A_T) of CaFe ₂As ₂ contracts with increasing temperature, whereas C_T expands. The rate of contraction in A_T is lower than the rate of expansion in C_T. Other compounds show normal thermal expansion behaviour along both a- and c-axes. In-plane expansion (i.e., along the a-axis) is found to be the smallest for EuFe ₂As ₂ and the highest for BaFe ₂As ₂. However, the rate of change of thermal expansivities along out-of-plane (i.e., along the c-axis) is higher as we go from Ba, Sr, Eu and Ca, respectively. Above 600 K, we notice the appearance /disappearance of certain reflections which suggest that tetragonal phase is not stable above this temperature for these compounds.     

Graft Copolymerization of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate onto Bovine Serum Albumin: Preparation and Characterization

ABSTRACT

Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) was separated from the whole blood of freshly slaughtered animals. This BSA was graft copo-lymerized with poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and characterized. The infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and percentage of grafting of the composites were studied. The graft copolymers have better physico-chemical properties and, therefore, could be more useful in their field of application.     

ChemInform Abstract: Thermal Effect on BaFCl: High-Temperature X-Ray Diffraction.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

Elliptic ovoids and their rosettes in a classical generalized quadrangle of even order

Let Q₀ be the classical generalized quadrangle of order q = 2ⁿ(n≥2) arising from a non-degenerate quadratic form in a 5-dimensional vector space defined over a finite field of order q. We consider the rank two geometry \(\mathcal {X}\) having as points all the elliptic ovoids of Q₀ and as lines the maximal pencils of elliptic ovoids of Q₀ pairwise tangent at the same point. We first prove that \(\mathcal {X}\) is isomorphic to a 2-fold quotient of the affine generalized quadrangle Q?Q₀, where Q is the classical (q,q²)-generalized quadrangle admitting Q₀ as a hyperplane. Further, we classify the cliques in the collinearity graph Γ of \(\mathcal {X}\). We prove that any maximal clique in Γ is either a line of \(\mathcal {X}\) or it consists of 6 or 4 points of \(\mathcal {X}\) not contained in any line of \(\mathcal {X}\), accordingly as n is odd or even. We count the number of cliques of each type and show that those cliques which are not contained in lines of \(\mathcal {X}\) arise as subgeometries of Q defined over \(\mathbb {F}_{2}\).