The application of parameter sensitivity analysis methods to inverse simulation models

Knowledge of the sensitivity of inverse solutions to variation of parameters of a model can be very useful in making engineering design decisions. This paper describes how parameter sensitivity analysis can be carried out for inverse simulations generated through approximate transfer function inversion methods and also by the use of feedback principles. Emphasis is placed on the use of sensitivity models and the paper includes examples and a case study involving a model of an underwater vehicle. It is shown that the use of sensitivity models can provide physical understanding of inverse simulation solutions that is not directly available using parameter sensitivity analysis methods that involve parameter perturbations and response differencing

Active vibration control of smart composite plates using optimized self-tuning fuzzy logic controller with optimization of placement, sizing and orientation of PFRC actuators

This paper deals with optimization of the sizing, location and orientation of the piezo-fiber reinforced composite (PFRC) actuators and active vibration control of the smart composite plates using particle-swarm optimized self-tuning fuzzy logic controller. The optimization criteria for optimal sizing, location and orientation of the PFRC actuators is based on the Gramian controllability matrix and the optimization process is performed by involving the limitation of the plates masses increase. Optimal configurations of five PFRC actuators for active vibration control of the first six modes of cantilever symmetric ((90 degrees/0 degrees/90 degrees/0 degrees)s), antisymmetric cross-ply ((90 degrees/0 degrees/90 degrees/0 degrees/90 degrees/0 degrees/90 degrees/0 degrees)) and antisymmetric angle-ply ((45 degrees/-45 degrees/45 degrees/-45 degrees/45 degrees/-45 degrees/45 degrees/-45 degrees)) composite plates are found using the particle swarm optimization. The detailed analysis of influences of the PFRC layer orientation and position (top or bottom side of composite plates), as well as bending-extension coupling of antisymmetric laminates on controllabilities is also performed. The experimental study is performed in order to validate this behavior on controllabilities of antisymmetric laminates. The particle swarm-optimized self-tuning fuzzy logic controller (FLC) adapted for the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) control is implemented for active vibration suppression of the plates. The membership functions as well as output matrices are optimized using the particle swarm optimization. The Mamdani and the zero-order Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy inference methods are employed and their performances are examined and compared. In order to represent the efficiency of the proposed controller, results obtained using the proposed particle swarm optimized self-tuning FLC are compared with the corresponding results in the case of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimal control strategy.This is the peer reviewed version of the article: Zorić, N.; Tomović, A.; Obradović, A.; Radulović, R.; Petrović, G. R. Active Vibration Control of Smart Composite Plates Using Optimized Self-Tuning Fuzzy Logic Controller with Optimization of Placement, Sizing and Orientation of PFRC Actuators. Journal of Sound and Vibration 2019, 456, 173–198. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2019.05.035

Determination of nickel content in the semimembranosus muscle of pigs produced in Vojvodina

The content of nickel was investigated in the M. semimembranosus of sixty-nine pigs from ten different genetic lines produced in Vojvodina. Nickel was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after mineralization by dry ashing. The difference in the nickel content in the analyzed muscle tissues among different genetic lines of pigs was not significant (P > 0.05). Nickel levels ranged from 12.93 to 80.18 μg/100 g, with a general average of 32.41 μg/100 g. The average level of nickel was found to be higher than the levels observed in pork in some developed countries

Color measurement of animal source foods

Rapid and objective assessment of food color is necessary in quality control. The color evaluation of animal source foods using a computer vision system (CVS) and a traditional colorimeter is examined. With the same measurement conditions, color results deviated between these two approaches. The color returned by the CVS had a close resemblance to the perceived color of the animal source foods, whereas the colorimeter returned not typical colors. The effectiveness of the CVS is confirmed by the study results. Considering these data, it could be concluded that the colorimeter is not representative method for color analysis of animal source foods, therefore, the color read by the CVS seemed to be more similar to the real ones

Effects of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol on biochemical parameters of swimming-induced oxidative stress in serum of guinea pigs

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol as well as combination of these vitamins with or without exposure to physical exercise on intensity of lipid peroxidation, activity of xanthine oxidase, activity of total antioxidative system, concentration of glutathione, and activity of catalase in the serum of guinea pigs.Materials and Methods: The experimental measurements of intensity of lipid peroxidation, activity of xanthine oxidase, activity of total antioxidative system, concentration of glutathione, and activity of catalase were done in the serum of guinea pigs. The animals were exposed to the test load to achieve exhaustion and the test was terminated when the animal for the third time to sink into the water.Results: The results of this study demonstrated that endurance exercise of guinea pigs induced oxidative stress response in terms of increased lipid peroxidation and activity of xanthine oxidase in the serum of experimental animals. Our study investigated the antioxidant activity of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol also measuring three protective markers in the serum: total antioxidant activity, content of glutathione and activity of catalase. The results obtained show that the vitamins influence the concentrations of above mentioned biochemical parameters, which points out their protective effect of swimming-induced oxidative stress.Conclusion: Single or combined administration of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol caused significant inhibition of these markers indicating the important antioxidant activity of the vitamins. Results lead to conclude that the combined treatments with vitamins with or without exposure to physical exercise showed the clear synergistic effect.Key words: L-ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, guinea pigs, oxidative stress,  biochemical parameter

Highly Efficient and Scalable Separation of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes via Weak Field Centrifugation

The identification of scalable processes that transfer random mixtures of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into fractions featuring a high content of semiconducting species is crucial for future application of SWCNTs in high-performance electronics. Herein we demonstrate a highly efficient and simple separation method that relies on selective interactions between tailor-made amphiphilic polymers and semiconducting SWCNTs in the presence of low viscosity separation media. High purity individualized semiconducting SWCNTs or even self-organized semiconducting sheets are separated from an as-produced SWCNT dispersion via a single weak field centrifugation run. Absorption and Raman spectroscopy are applied to verify the high purity of the obtained SWCNTs. Furthermore SWCNT - network field-effect transistors were fabricated, which exhibit high ON/OFF ratios (10$^{5}$) and field-effect mobilities (17 cm$^{2}$/Vs). In addition to demonstrating the feasibility of high purity separation by a novel low complexity process, our method can be readily transferred to large scale production

Probabilistic Consensus of the Blockchain Protocol

We introduce a temporal epistemic logic with probabilities as an extension of temporal epistemic logic. This extension enables us to reason about properties that characterize the uncertain nature of knowledge, like “agent a will with high probability know after time s same fact”. To define semantics for the logic we enrich temporal epistemic Kripke models with probability functions defined on sets of possible worlds. We use this framework to model and reason about probabilistic properties of the blockchain protocol, which is in essence probabilistic since ledgers are immutable with high probabilities. We prove the probabilistic convergence for reaching the consensus of the protocol

Wide dynamic range enrichment method of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes with weak field centrifugation

The potential of single–walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to outperform silicon in electronic application was finally enabled through selective separation of semiconducting nanotubes from the as-synthesized statistical mix with polymeric dispersants. Such separation methods provide typically high semiconducting purity samples with narrow diameter distribution, i.e. almost single chiralities. But for a wide range of applications high purity mixtures of small and large diameters are sufficient or even required. Here we proof that weak field centrifugation is a diameter independent method for enrichment of semiconducting nanotubes. We show that the non-selective and strong adsorption of polyarylether dispersants on nanostructured carbon surfaces enables simple separation of diverse raw materials with different SWCNT diameter. In addition and for the first time, we demonstrate that increased temperature enables higher purity separation. Furthermore we show that the mode of action behind this electronic enrichment is strongly connected to both colloidal stability and protonation. By giving simple access to electronically sorted SWCNTs of any diameter, the wide dynamic range of weak field centrifugation can provide economical relevance to SWCNTs

Ultimate pH, colour characteristics and proximate and mineral composition of edible organs, glands and kidney fat from Saanen goat male kids

Ultimate pH value and instrumental colour (CIEL*a*b* values) characteristics, proximate (moisture, protein, total fat and total ash) and mineral composition (K, P, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni and Mn) were determined in 10 (heart, tongue, lungs, spleen, liver, kidney, brain, testicle, thymus and kidney fat) edible by-products of Saanen goat male kids. Many significant or numerical differences were found in the mean values of quality characteristics among the edible by-products. Among edible organs and glands, liver had the lowest surface CIEL* value (darkest colour), and the highest levels of protein, Zn, Cu and Mn. Furthermore, the highest pH(24h), total ash, K, P and Mg levels were determined in the thymus. The testicle had the highest moisture, Ca and Ni levels. The spleen had the lowest fresh cut cross-section CIEL* value (darkest colour), and the highest Fe level. The highest total fat content and Na level were determined in the brain and kidney, respectively. Among all the edible by-products, kidney fat had the highest pH(24h), surface CIEL* value (lightest colour) and total fat content, and the lowest moisture, protein, total ash, K, P, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni and Mn levels

Effect of Packaging Methods and Storage Time on Oxidative Stability of Traditional Fermented Sausage

In this paper influence of packaging method (vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging) on lipid oxidative stability and sensory properties of odor and taste of the traditional sausage Petrovská klobása were examined. These parameters were examined during storage period (7 months). In the end of storage period, vacuum packed sausage showed better oxidative stability. Propanal content was significantly lower (P<0.05) in vacuum packed sausage compared to these values in unpacked and modified atmosphere packaging sausage. Hexanal content in vacuum packed sausage was 1.85 µg/g, in MAP sausage 2.98 µg/g and in unpacked sausage 4.94 µg/g. After 2 and 7 months of storage, sausages packed in vacuum had the highest grades for sensory properties of odor and taste