Real-time embedded emotional controller

Recent studies show that emotion is a mechanism for fast decision-making in human and other animals. Mathematical models have been developed for describing emotion in mammals. These models, similar to other bioinspired models, must be implemented in embedded platforms for industrial and real applications. In this paper, brain emotional learning based intelligent controller, which is based on mammalian middle brain, is designed and implemented on field-programmable gate arrays, and this emotional controller is applied for controlling of laboratorial overhead traveling crane in model-free and embedded manner. The main features of this controller are leaning capability, providing a model-free control algorithm, robustness and the ability to respond swiftly. By designing appropriate stress signals, a designer can implement a proper trade among control objectives.     

Reliability-based robust Pareto design of linear state feedback controllers using a multi-objective uniform-diversity genetic algorithm (MUGA)

In this paper, fuzzy threshold values, instead of crisp threshold values, have been used for optimal reliability-based multi-objective Pareto design of robust state feedback controllers for a single inverted pendulum having parameters with probabilistic uncertainties. The objective functions that have been considered are, namely, the normalized summation of rising time and overshoot of cart (S_RO–C) and the normalized summation of rising time and overshoot of pendulum (S_RO–P) in the deterministic approach. Accordingly, the probabilities of failure of those objective functions are also considered in the reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) approach. A new multi-objective uniform-diversity genetic algorithm (MUGA) is presented and used for Pareto optimum design of linear state feedback controllers for single inverted pendulum problem. In this way, Pareto front of optimum controllers is first obtained for the nominal deterministic single inverted pendulum using the conflicting objective functions in time domain. Such Pareto front is then obtained for single inverted pendulum having probabilistic uncertainties in its parameters using the statistical moments of those objective functions through a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) approach. It is shown that multi-objective reliability-based Pareto optimization of the robust state feedback controllers using MUGA with fuzzy threshold values includes those that may be obtained by various crisp threshold values of probability of failures and, thus, remove the difficulty of selecting suitable crisp values. Besides, the multi-objective Pareto optimization of such robust feedback controllers using MUGA unveils some very important and informative trade-offs among those objective functions. Consequently, some optimum robust state feedback controllers can be compromisingly chosen from the Pareto frontiers.     

A novel nanosensor based on Pt:Co nanoalloy ionic liquid carbon paste electrode for voltammetric determination of vitamin B9 in food samples

In this work we describe a novel nanoalloy (Pt:Co) room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) modified carbon paste electrode as a high sensitive sensor for voltammetric determination of vitamin B₉ in food samples. The sensor exhibits an enhanced effectiveness for the electro-oxidation of vitamin B₉ in aqueous solution. The oxidation peak potential for this matter at a surface of the ionic liquid (n-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoro phosphate) Pt:Co carbon paste electrode (Pt:Co/IL/CPE) appeared at 685 mV that was about 110 mV lower than the oxidation peak potential at the surface of the traditional carbon paste electrode (CPE) under similar condition. The mechanism of the electro-oxidation process on the surface of the modified electrode was analyzed. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was applied as a very sensitive electrochemical method for the determination of sub-micro-molar amounts of vitamin B₉. The linear response range and detection limit were found to be 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The prepared modified electrode shows several advantages such as simple preparation method, high stability, high sensitivity, and excellent catalytic activity, long-term stability and remarkable voltammetric reproducibility for eletrooxidation of vitamin B₉. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of vitamin B₉ in food samples.     

Comparison of electrothermal and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of total arsenic in broiler chicken

The purpose of this study was to estimate total arsenic concentration in different tissues (leg, breast, liver and heart) of broiler chicken by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. The accuracy of the techniques was evaluated by using certified reference material DORM-2. The percentage recoveries of total As were observed as 100.6% and 99.4% for HGAAS and GFAAS, respectively. The precision of the techniques, expressed as relative standard deviation, was observed as 1.71% and 4.18% for HGAAS and GFAAS measurements, respectively. The limits of detection for HGAAS and GFAAS were 0.025 μg/g and 0.052 μg/g, respectively. The concentrations of total arsenic in different tissues of broiler chicken were found in the range of 2.19–5.28, 2.15–5.22, 2.97–7.17 and 2.68–6.36 μg/g for leg, breast, liver and heart tissues, respectively. At a mean level of chicken consumption (60 g/person/day), people may ingest in the range of 72.0–85.1 μg arsenic/person/day from chicken alone.     

Analytical overview of DNA interaction with Morin and its metal complexes

Flavonoids play an important role in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. Various flavonoids, especially Morin, have potential to interact with DNA. Their prospective clinical and pharmacological utilities have attracted researchers?? attention in last two decades. Due to their interaction with DNA and their anticancer effects, a lot of investigations have been carried out all over the world. In this paper, we will review the properties of Morin and its different metal complexes as well as their interactions with DNA that have been reported by several research groups. Also, further details have been provided about binding mechanisms of these materials with DNA using analytical techniques such as UV?CVisible and fluorescence spectroscopies, viscosity and voltammetry. Structural analysis showed Morin binds to DNA through non-intercalation mode, but its metal complexes interact with DNA via intercalation mode and binding mode of Morin, and its metal complexes with DNA will be helpful in the determination of anticancer drugs binding mechanism to DNA. Therefore, it will be useful in new drug designs.     

Developing electrochemical measurements in order to assess anti-corrosive coatings more effectively

The aim of this project was to check reproducibility of results obtained using NOCS (no connection to the substrate) arrangement of the electrochemical noise method (ENM). NOCS involves taking measurements from three nominally identical areas on the coated surface. Thus, no electrical connection to substrate is required. In practice the areas are not identical and various arrangements for connection of the three cells were tried to see if the individual areas could be separated out and whether the individual resistances could be computed. Also different ways of calculating the R_n (noise resistance) and R_sn (spectral noise resistance) parameters were attempted to see which one gave the best comparison with the more standard EIS measurements. The maximum entropy method was recognized to be the most useful for comparison with EIS, as well as for graphic evaluation of results. Regarding distinguishing three areas using different connection arrangements, it was possible to identify the situation when one of the three values was different to the other two. However further experiments are needed before it will be possible to confidently assign an R_n value to each individual area.     

Hazardous impact of toxic metals on tobacco leaves grown in contaminated soil by ultrasonic assisted pseudo-digestion: multivariate study

Tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum L.), agricultural soil and pollute irrigated lake water samples were collected during 2005–2006 and analyzed for Cd and Ni by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). A simple and efficient procedure was investigated for the complete decomposition of tobacco leaves using ultrasonic assisted acid pseudo-digestion method (UPDM). A Plackett–Burman experimental design was used as a multivariate strategy for the evaluation of seven factors/variables at once, while central composite were used to found optimum values of significant variables. The accuracy of the proposed methods was assessed by analyzing certified reference (CRM); Virginia tobacco leaves (CTA-VTL-2). The results being compared with those obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method. The result obtained by optimized method showed good agreement with the certified values and sufficiently high recovery 97.8 and 98.7% for Cd and Ni, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the detection limits (3σ) were evaluated to be 0.019 μg g⁻¹ for Cd and 0.37 μg g⁻¹ for Ni. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of Cd and Ni in raw, processed tobacco and different branded cigarettes samples.     

A multivariate study: variation in uptake of trace and toxic elements by various varieties of Sorghum bicolor L

The aim of present study was to evaluate the variation in uptake of elements (As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn) by different varieties of Sorghum bicolor L., plants grown in soil amended with untreated industrial waste water sewage sludge (SUIS), on same experimental plots. The power of chemometrics was also used in exploring the potential natural and/or anthropogenic sources responsible for elemental contents in different varieties of sorghum. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to explore the different variety of sorghum grouping according to corresponding their SUIS samples as additional information to the output obtained by principal component analysis. Significant genotypic variation was detected in the fourteen elements concentrations in sorghum grains, indicating the possibility to reduce the concentration of toxic elements in grains through breeding approach. It was observed that high tolerance limit of toxic elements was observed in sorghum variety PARC-SV-1.