Stochastic MPC Design for a Two-Component Granulation Process

We address the issue of control of a stochastic two-component granulation process in pharmaceutical applications through using Stochastic Model Predictive Control (SMPC) and model reduction to obtain the desired particle distribution. We first use the method of moments to reduce the governing integro-differential equation down to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE). This reduced-order model is employed in the SMPC formulation. The probabilistic constraints in this formulation keep the variance of particles' drug concentration in an admissible range. To solve the resulting stochastic optimization problem, we first employ polynomial chaos expansion to obtain the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of the future state variables using the uncertain variables' distributions. As a result, the original stochastic optimization problem for a particulate system is converted to a deterministic dynamic optimization. This approximation lessens the computation burden of the controller and makes its real time application possible.Comment: American control Conference, May, 201

Finding the Correct Language: Defining Fragmented Ethnic Identity in the Second Generation Iranian Americans

This research adds depth to current scholarship on second generation immigrant integration within American context and how children of immigrants continue to be ostracized through intergroup and outer group relations. Additionally, this paper brings another immigrant group into the conversation by incorporating concepts and methodologies from the social sciences (psychology, sociology, ethnic studies, and linguistic anthropology), serving as a reminder that language loss is prominent within all immigrant groups.

Adsorption properties of hydrazine on pristine and Si-doped Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage

The interaction of hydrazine (N₂H₄) molecule with pristine and Si-doped aluminum nitride (Al₁₂N₁₂) nano-cage was investigated using the density functional theory calculations. The adsorption energy of N₂H₄ on pristine Al₁₂N₁₂ in different configurations was about -1.67 and -1.64 eV with slight changes in its electronic structure. The results showed that the pristine nano-cage can be used as a chemical adsorbent for toxic hydrazine in nature. Compared with very low sensitivity between N₂H₄ and Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage, N₂H₄ molecule exhibits high sensitivity toward Si-doped Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage so that the energy gap of the Si-doped Al₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage is changed by about 31.86 and 37.61 for different configurations in the SiAlmodel and by about 26.10 in the SiNmodel after the adsorption process. On the other hand, in comparison with the SiAlmodel, the adsorption energy of N₂H₄ on the SiNmodel is less than that on the SiALmodel to hinder the recovery of the nano-cage. As a result, the SiNAl₁₂N₁₁ is anticipated to be a potential novel sensor for detecting the presence of N₂H₄ molecule. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Clinical effects of topical antifungal therapy in chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intranasal fluconazole

Several studies have been in favor of fungi as a possible pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS); however, to date, there is no scientific consensus about the use of antifungal agents in disease management. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of intranasal fluconazole in improving disease symptoms and objective outcomes of patients with CRS. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 54 patients who were diagnosed with CRS and had not been responsive to routine medical treatments. They were randomly assigned to receive either fluconazole nasal drop 0.2 % or placebo in addition to the standard regimen for a duration of 8 weeks. Patients’ outcomes were evaluated according to Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20), endoscopic scores, and Computed Tomography (CT) scores. No statistically significant difference was found in SNOT-20 (p = 0.201), endoscopic (p = 0.283), and CT scores (p = 0.212) of the patients at baseline and after 8-week course of treatment between drug and placebo group. Similar to many studies, the use of topical antifungal treatment for patients with CRS was not shown to be significantly effective. However, further studies are needed to obtain high levels of consistent evidence in order to arrive at a decision whether antifungal therapy is effective in management of CRS or not

Ab-initio Modeling of CBRAM Cells: from Ballistic Transport Properties to Electro-Thermal Effects

We present atomistic simulations of conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM) cells from first-principles combining density-functional theory and the Non-equilibrium Green's Function formalism. Realistic device structures with an atomic-scale filament connecting two metallic contacts have been constructed. Their transport properties have been studied in the ballistic limit and in the presence of electron-phonon scattering, showing good agreement with experimental data. It has been found that the relocation of few atoms is sufficient to change the resistance of the CBRAM by 6 orders of magnitude, that the electron trajectories strongly depend on the filament morphology, and that self-heating does not affect the device performance at currents below 1 $\mu$A.Comment: 6 figures, conferenc

Perceived Attributions of Discourse Goals for Using Metaphors and Similes by Iranian EFL Undergraduates

The bulk of L2 research on figures of speech boils down to the comprehension domain. By contrast, little work has been conducted on the investigation of the discourse goals for the speaker or the writer's figurative production. This study, going beyond the customary metalinguistic approaches to figurative investigation, aimed at shedding light into a number of different discourse goals as they were identified by Iranian EFL undergraduates in sentences containing figurative language based on 4 independent variables: Figure Type, Tenor Concreteness, Context, and Modality. The participants were given a number of sentences, containing both metaphors and similes, and were asked to choose as many 12 discourse goals as possible which they considered to be the reasons for triggering the utterances. The results indicated that the discourse goal of Compare Similarities was more frequently selected for similes than for metaphors by the participants. The Context variable turned out to have significant interaction with the choice of the discourse goals of Provoke Thought, Get Attention, Clarify, and Contrast Differences, whereas the factor of Modality influenced only Add Emphasis. Also, 3 goals, Add Interest, Clarify, and Show Positive Emotion significantly affected Tenor Concreteness. Comparatively, some marked differences were noticed between Iranian L2 learners and native speakers. L2 teachers are, therefore, advised to more emphasize the correct attributions of discourse goals for metaphors and similes

The Development of Conceptual Fluency and Metaphorical Competence in L2 Learners

Conceptual Fluency (CF) and Metaphorical Competence (MC) have piqued the interest of a number of L2 researchers. Leading the front are Danesi (1992; 1995; 2003) and Johnson and Rosano (1993) who contend that metaphorical language cannot afford to be ignored by L2 curricula anymore. Their push is to instill in L2 learners a more functional communicative competence over a traditional formal competence. This article reports on a study carried out to scrutinize the development of CF and MC in Persian students of English. First, a group of language students (95 freshmen, 92 sophomores, 139 juniors, and 90 seniors) were tested to see whether they were conceptually and metaphorically competent, and the results showed they were almost bereft of such a competence, and the analysis of their written discourse uncovered a very low level of metaphorical density. The findings were in line with what Danesi (1992) has averred: L2 learners do not necessarily develop CF and MC after several years of study. Then, the juniors partook in the study for a six-month period in which they were exposed to and taught about the metaphorical language of English. The posttest results were indicative that they had developed their CF and MC to a large extent and that their written discourse was almost as metaphorically dense as that of native speakers. That is, the findings revealed that it is possible to develop CF and MC in a classroom setting. Finally, the data indicated that there is a relationship between CF and MC

Development of head docking device for linac-based radiosurgery with a Neptun 10 PC linac

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a method for focused irradiation of intracranial lesions. Linac-based radiosurgery is currently performed by two techniques: couch mounted and pedestal mounted. In the first technique a device is required to affix the patient's head to the couch and moreover to translate it accurately. Structure of such a device constructed by the authors plus acceptance test performed for evaluation is described in the article. A head docking device has been designed and constructed according to geometry of linac's couch and also desired functions. The device is completely made from aluminum and consists of four major components: attachment bar, lower structure with four movements, upper structure with two movements equipped with a lock, two handles and a mounting ring for stereotactic frame. Translating accuracy, mechanical stability and isocentric accuracy were assessed in the frame of acceptance test. Translating accuracy, mechanical stability and isocentric accuracy were found to be respectively: 1 mm, 1.64 mm and 3.2 mm with accuracy of 95%. According to AAPM report no.54, a head docking device should translate head with an accuracy of 1 mm; this recommendation has been met. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the isocentric accuracy and mechanical stability of the device are sufficient that the device can confidently be used in stereotactic treatment