Online Optimal Neuro-Fuzzy Flux Controller for DTC Based Induction Motor Drives

In this paper a fast flux search controller based on the Neuro-fuzzy systems is proposed to achieve the best efficiency of a direct torque controlled induction motor at light load. In this method the reference flux value is determined through a minimization algorithm with stator current as objective function. This paper discusses and demonstrates the application of Neurofuzzy filtering to stator current estimation. Simulation and experimental results are presented to show the fast response of proposed controller

Delineating the antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic potentials of 4-methylimidazole against ethyl methanesulfonate toxicity in bone marrow cell of swiss albino mice

4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) is mostly used in beverages and coloring food, dark beers and common brands of cola drinks, which may contain more than 100 μg of this compound per 12-ounce serving. This study was aimed to investigate the antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of 4-MEI (100, 130 and 160 mg/kg) against ethyl methanesulfonate (240 mg/kg) using chromosome aberrations (CAs) and Mitotic index (MI) tests in bone marrow cells of Swiss Albino Mice at 12 h and 24 h treatment periods. So, the t-test was used for the statistical analysis. In this research, 4-MEI at all concentrations for 12 h treatment period reduced chromosomal aberrations and at 130 and 160 mg/kg concentrations for 24 h treatment period increased chromosomal aberrations induced by EMS (240 mg/kg), but th ese reductions and increases were not significant. Also, intraperitoneal injection of 4-MEI at doses of 100, 130 and 160 mg/kg combined with EMS (240 mg/kg) showed that the mitotic index was decreased at 100 and 130 mg/kg for 12h and 130 mg/kg for 24 h treatment periods, when compared to positive sample (EMS), but did not show any statistically difference from the EMS treated group. It can be concluded that 4-MEI might not be antigenotoxic and protective effects in bone marrow cells of Swiss Albino Mice, because 4-MEI could not reduce the chromosomal aberrations induced by EMS

Mitigating the Inrush Current of V/V Transformers using Railway Conditioners

Inrush current is high-magnitude current drawn by power transformers upon energization. The severity of inrush current depends on factors such as the transformer’s residual flux and the voltage phase angle at the energization instant. This paper proposes a flux matching method for the energization of V/V traction transformers to mitigate inrush current. This is achieved by adjusting the residual flux of the core to an appropriate reference value and then obtaining the proper energization instant. To this end, the method only requires knowledge of nominal voltage and excitation current, eliminating the need to acquire transformer’s parameters/design information. The railway power conditioner, typically present at the low voltage side of the V/V transformer, is used as a current source to inject sinusoidal current into the transformer windings before its energization. The reference residual flux is calculated based on the circuit breaker operating characteristics. The energization instant is determined such that the adjusted flux density matches the steady-state flux expected with respect to the applied voltage. The proposed method is validated by conducting over 14,000 simulations under different conditions using PSCAD/EMTDC. The method is also implemented and successfully tested on a laboratory-scale test rig, which verifies its effectiveness in more realistic conditions

Analytical protocols for separation and electron microscopy of nanoparticles interacting with bacterial cells

An important step toward understanding interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and bacteria is the ability to directly observe NPs interacting with bacterial cells. NPbacteria mixtures typical in nanomedicine, however, are not yet amendable for direct imaging in solution. Instead, evidence of NPcell interactions must be preserved in derivative (usually dried) samples to be subsequently revealed in high-resolution images, e.g., via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Here, this concept is realized for a mixed suspension of model NPs and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. First, protocols for analyzing the relative colloidal stabilities of NPs and bacteria are developed and validated based on systematic centrifugation and comparison of colony forming unit (CFU) counting and optical density (OD) measurements. Rate-dependence of centrifugation efficiency for each component suggests differential sedimentation at a specific predicted rate as an effective method for removing free NPs after co-incubation; the remaining fraction comprises bacteria with any associated NPs and can be examined, e.g., by SEM, for evidence of NPbacteria interactions. These analytical protocols, validated by systematic control experiments and high-resolution SEM imaging, should be generally applicable for investigating NPbacteria interactions.financial support from the following sources: grant SFRH/BPD/47693/2008 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT); FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013; project “BioHealth Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality”, Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027, cofunded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2−O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER; project “Consolidating Research Expertise and Resources on Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology at CEB/IBB”, ref. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER- 027462

Synthesis of air‐stable, odorless thiophenol surrogates via Ni‐Catalyzed C−S cross‐coupling

Thiophenols are versatile synthetic intermediates whose practical appeal is marred by their air sensitivity, toxicity and extreme malodor. Herein we report an efficient catalytic method for the preparation of S-aryl isothiouronium salts, and demonstrate that these air-stable, odorless solids serve as user-friendly sources of thiophenols in synthesis. Diverse isothiouronium salts featuring synthetically useful functionality are readily accessible via nickelcatalyzed C-S cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl iodides and thiourea. Convenient, chromatography-free isolation of these salts is achieved via precipitation, allowing the methodology to be translated directly to large scales. Thiophenols are liberated from the corresponding isothiouronium salts upon treatment with a weak base, enabling an in situ release / S-functionalization strategy that entirely negates the need to isolate, purify or manipulate these noxious reagent

Palladium nanoparticles supported on fluorine-doped tin oxide as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling and 4-nitrophenol reduction

Immobilization of palladium nanoparticles onto the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as support Pd/FTO, resulted in a highly active heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions and 4-nitrophenol reduction. The Pd/FTO catalyst has been synthesized by immobilization of palladium nanoparticles onto FTO via a simple impregnation method. ICP-MS analysis confirmed that there is 0.11 mmol/g of palladium was loaded successfully on FTO support. The crystallinity, morphologies, compositions and surface properties of Pd/FTO were fully characterized by various techniques. It was further examined for its catalytic activity and robustness in Suzuki coupling reaction with different aryl halides and solvents. The yields obtained from Suzuki coupling reactions were basically over 80%. The prepared catalyst was also tested on mild reaction such as reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). Pd/FTO catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity towards 4-NP reduction with a rate constant of 1.776 min(-1) and turnover frequency (TOF) value of 29.1 hr(-1). The findings revealed that Pd/FTO also maintained its high stability for five consecutive runs in Suzuki reactions and 4-NP reductions. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic activities by using a small amount of Pd/FTO for the Suzuki coupling reaction and 4-NP reduction

Nanotechnology intervention of the microbiome for cancer therapy

The microbiome is emerging as a key player and driver of cancer. Traditional modalities to manipulate the microbiome (for example, antibiotics, probiotics and microbiota transplants) have been shown to improve efficacy of cancer therapies in some cases, but issues such as collateral damage to the commensal microbiota and consistency of these approaches motivates efforts towards developing new technologies specifically designed for the microbiome–cancer interface. Considering the success of nanotechnology in transforming cancer diagnostics and treatment, nanotechnologies capable of manipulating interactions that occur across microscopic and molecular length scales in the microbiome and the tumour microenvironment have the potential to provide innovative strategies for cancer treatment. As such, opportunities at the intersection of nanotechnology, the microbiome and cancer are massive. In this Review, we highlight key opportunistic areas for applying nanotechnologies towards manipulating the microbiome for the treatment of cancer, give an overview of seminal work and discuss future challenges and our perspective on this emerging area