A new model for compressor surge and stall control.

This paper compares the bifurcations and closed-loop performances of two compressor models, Moore-Greitzer (MG) and a developed model based on MG (Shahriyari Khaleghi, SK). First, both models are linearized about two equilibrium points (pure surge and fully-developed rotating stall), and the perturbed state-space dynamics and input matrices are obtained. The compressor unstable regions are then identified using an eigenvalue and global bifurcation analysis. Furthermore, optimal LQR controllers are designed, and the performances of closed-loop systems are compared. The LQRs are designed to control the compression system near the peak pressure rise by suppressing surge or stall. Results reveal that if the initial operating point is in the positive slope region of the compressor characteristic and the initial amplitude of the disturbances is small, the LQR controller can stabilize the compressor in both models. However, when the disturbances are intensive, the two models respond differently: although the SK model damps a fair range of disturbances and predicts instability for excessively powerful disturbances, the MG model always damps them, even when extremely intense. Without a controller in the MG model, initial disturbances (even very large) can never grow and are always damped in the compressor's negative slope region (obviously, the same applies to the controller). However, pending the amplitude of the disturbances (in the absence of a controller), the disturbances in the SK model may be damped or grow. The SK model can successfully control the instabilities if the disturbances are small. Nonetheless, the controller fails to dampen the instabilities for extreme disturbances, which is consistent with reality.

Role of Berberine on molecular markers involved in migration of esophageal cancer cells.

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in several plant species like famous chinese herb, Rhizoma coptidis which has been used locally as a strong gastrointestinal remedy for thousands of years. The inhibitory effects of berberine on tumor progression properties have been reported before. In this study, we investigated the effect of berberine on an esophageal cancer cell line, KYSE-30 with emphasis on its effects on the expression of certain chemokine receptors. The cytotoxic effect of berberine on KYSE-30 cells was analyzed by MTT assay. In vitro cell migration assay was also applied to the treated cells and the expression levels of the selected chemokine receptors (CXCR4 and CCR7) was measured at mRNA level. A retarded growth, associated with increasing concentrations of berberine, was obvious. On the other hand, the migration rate of the cells was decreased when they were treated with different concentrations of berberine and the expression levels of the two chemokine receptors, involved in the migration and metastasis of esophageal cancer cells, were decreased following the same treatments. With these results, we tend to conclude that berberine might be a proper candidate for further investigations, by targeting the chemokine receptors, and possible applications as anti-metastatic agent in cancer studies.

Construction of a new selective coated disk electrode for Ag (I) based on modified polypyrrole-carbon nanotubes composite with new lariat ether.

A poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membrane ion-selective electrode for silver (I) ion is fabricated based on modified polypyrrole - multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite with new lariat ether. This sensor has a Nernstian slope of 59.4±0.5mV/decade over a wide linear concentration range of 1.0×10(-7) to 1.0×10(-1)molL(-1) for silver (I) ion. It has a short response time of about 8.0s and can be used for at least 50days. The detection limit is 9.3×10(-8)molL(-1) for silver (I) ion, and the electrode was applicable in the wide pH range of 1.6 -7.7. The electrode shows good selectivity for silver ion against many cations such as Hg (II), which usually imposes serious interference in the determination of silver ion concentration. The use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polymer matrix improves the linear range and sensitivity of the electrode. In addition by coating the solid contact with a layer of the polypyrrole (Ppy) before coating the membrane on it, not only did it reduce the drift in potential, but a shorter response time was also resulted. The proposed electrode was used as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of silver ions with chloride anions and in the titration of mixed halides. This electrode was successfully applied for the determination of silver ions in silver sulphadiazine as a burning cream.