An online fault tolerant actor-critic neuro-control for a class of nonlinear systems using neural network HJB approach

In this paper, we propose an actor-critic neuro-control for a class of continuous-time nonlinear systems under nonlinear abrupt faults, which is combined with an adaptive fault diagnosis observer (AFDO). Together with its estimation laws, an AFDO scheme, which estimates the faults in real time, is designed based on Lyapunov analysis. Then, based on the designed AFDO, a fault tolerant actor- critic control scheme is proposed where the critic neural network (NN) is used to approximate the value function and the actor NN updates the fault tolerant policy based on the approximated value function in the critic NN. The weight update laws for critic NN and actor NN are designed using the gradient descent method. By Lyapunov analysis, we prove the uniform ultimately boundedness (UUB) of all the states, their estimation errors, and NN weights of the fault tolerant system under the unpredictable faults. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed method through numerical simulations.     

Intelligent digital redesign for nonlinear systems using a guaranteed cost control method

In this paper, a novel intelligent digital redesign (IDR) technique using the guaranteed cost control method is proposed for nonlinear systems which can be represented by a Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. The IDR technique, which is one of the sampled-data fuzzy controller design methods, guarantees not only the stability condition of the sampled-data closed-loop system with the sampleddata fuzzy controller and the state-matching error is presented. By using the concept of the guaranteed cost control method, sufficient conditions are obtained for both minimization of the state-matching error and stabilization of the sampled-data closed-loop system and derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, a numerical example is provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique.     

Multibody dynamics analysis of the driveshaft coupling of the ball and tripod types of constant velocity joints

The paper proposes a multibody dynamic simulation to numerically evaluate the generated axial force (GAF) and plunging resistant force (PRF) practically related to the shudder and idling vibration of an automobile. A numerical analysis of the drive shaft coupling of a ball joint (BJ) and two plunging type joints, a tripod joint (TJ), and a very low axial force tripod joint (VTJ), are conducted using the commercial program DAFUL. User-defined subroutines of a friction model illustrating the contacted parts of the outboard and inboard joint are subsequently developed to overcome the numerical instability and improve the solution performance. The Coulomb friction effect is applied to describe the contact models of the lubricated parts in the rolling and sliding mechanisms. The numerical results, in accordance with the joint articulation angle variation, are validated with experimentation. The offset between spider and housing is demonstrated to be the critical role in producing the third order component of the axial force that potentially causes the noise and vibration in the vehicle. The VTJ shows an excellent behavior for the shudder when compared with the TJ. In addition, a flexible nonlinear contact analysis coupled with multibody dynamics is also performed to show the dynamic strength characteristics of the rollers, housing, and spider.     

Inductive semimodules and the vector modules over them

The notion of an inductive semimodule over an ordered *-semiring is introduced and some related properties are investigated. Inductive semimodules are extensions of several important algebraic structures such as Kleene modules, Kleene algebras and inductive *-semirings. We prove that an inductive semimodule over an ordered *-semiring K is a Kleene module if and only if K is a Kleene algebra. Moreover, we establish that the vector module of an inductive semimodule over an ordered Conway semiring is again an inductive semimodule over the matrix semiring. Consequently, in an inductive semimodule over an ordered Conway semiring, least solutions to linear inequation systems can be denoted by linear expressions, avoiding the least fixed point operator. In addition, we also introduce a related notion called weak inductive semimodules, and propose several open problems on them.

Matrix method to study IEEE 802.11 network

In this paper, we estimate characteristics of the IEEE 802.11 DCF (Distributed Coordination Function) in non-saturation mode. We take into account two significant features inherent to the non-saturated 802.11 DCF: (i) the possibility of asynchronous transmission performed without preceding backoff for the first packet arriving at the idle staion; and (ii) so-called post backoff meaning that a station must perform a backoff once after any of its transmissions even if its queue becomes empty. We derive the probability generating function (PGF) of Head-of-Line delay (HoL-delay). Our method to find PGF of HoL-delay is quite intuitive and straightforward. Also, we obtain the packet loss probability and non-saturation throughput. Numerical results show that these two features inherent to the non-saturated 802.11 DCF influence on the performance measures of DCF such as delay considerably and it should be taken into account for accurate modeling of DCF.     

Mucoadhesive Phenolic Pectin Hydrogels for Saliva Substitute and Oral Patch

Oral disease is one of the most common conditions worldwide, negatively affecting general health, reducing the quality of life, and often developing into systemic illness. However, the design of therapeutic agents for oral diseases is challenging due to various unique features of the oral cavity, including its wet and dynamic environment and curved shape. Herein, the development of highly biocompatible mucoadhesive functional hydrogels for oral applications is reported, generated by introducing bio-inspired phenolic moieties into a pectin polymer. Pyrogallol-functionalized pectin (Pec-PG) can be crosslinked in situ via autoxidation without chemical agents and readily fabricated as various formulations. Sprayable Pec-PG hydrogel exhibits strong mucoadhesion and outstanding hydration ability ex vivo and in vivo, thus displaying significant potential as a novel saliva substitute for dry mouth. The authors further show that topical application of mucoadhesive Pec-PG patches pre-loaded with corticosteroid significantly promotes the repair of diabetic oral ulcer tissue via prolonged drug release, free radical scavenging, and physical barrier effects. Moreover, similar applications for oral ulcer treatment using a pectin hydrogel modified with catechol (Pec-CA), another phenolic moiety are demonstrated. Together, these findings suggest that mucoadhesive phenolic pectin derivatives can provide highly biocompatible, convenient, and effective hydrogel platforms for treating oral diseases.     

Skin-like Omnidirectional Stretchable Platform with Negative Poisson's Ratio for Wearable Strain–Pressure Simultaneous Sensor

Conventional elastomeric polymers used as substrates for wearable platforms have large positive Poisson's ratios (≈0.5) that cause a deformation mismatch with human skin that is multidirectionally elongated under bending of joints. This causes practical problems in elastomer-based wearable devices, such as delamination and detachment, leading to poorly reliable functionality. To overcome this issue, auxetic-structured mechanical reinforcement with glass fibers is applied to the elastomeric film, resulting in a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR), which is a skin-like stretchable substrate (SLSS). Several parameters for determining the materials and geometrical dimensions of the auxetic-structured reinforcing fillers are considered to maximize the NPR. Based on numerical simulation and digital image correlation analysis, the deformation tendencies and strain distribution of the SLSS are investigated and compared with those of the pristine elastomeric substrate. Owing to the strain-localization characteristics, an independent strain-pressure sensing system is fabricated using SLSS with a Ag-based elastomeric ink and a carbon nanotube-based force-sensitive resistor. Finally, it is demonstrated that the SLSS-based sensor platform can be applied as a wearable device to monitor the physical burden on the wrist in real time.     

Implementation of mmWave long-range backhaul for UAV-BS

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a vital element in nonterrestrial networks, especially with respect to 5G communication systems and beyond. The use of UAVs in support of 4G/5G base station (uncrewed aerial vehicle base station [UAV-BS]) has proven to be a practical solution for extending cellular network services to areas where conventional infrastructures are unavailable. In this study, we introduce a UAV-BS system that utilizes a high-capacity wireless backhaul operating in millimeter-wave frequency bands. This system can achieve a maximum throughput of 1.3 Gbps while delivering data at a rate of 300 Mbps, even at distances of 10 km. We also present the details of our testbed implementation alongside the performance results obtained from field tests.     

Synthesis of Co/SiO2 hybrid nanocatalyst via twisted Co3Si2O5(OH)4 nanosheets for high-temperature Fischer-Tropsch reaction

A cobalt-silica hybrid nanocatalyst bearing small cobalt particles of diameter ～5 nm was prepared through a hydrothermal reaction and hydrogen reduction.The resulting material showed very high CO conversion (＞82％) and high hydrocarbon productivity (～1.0 gHc·g-1cat,·h-11) with high activity (～8.5 x 10-5 molco·g-1Co·S-1) in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.     

Fracture mechanics modelling of constant and variable amplitude fatigue behaviour of field corroded 7075‐T6511 aluminium

For ageing airframe structures, a critical challenge for next generation linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) modelling is to predict the effect of corrosion damage on the remaining fatigue life and structural integrity of components. This effort aims to extend a previously developed LEFM modelling approach to field corroded specimens and variable amplitude loading. Iterations of LEFM modelling were performed with different initial flaw sizes and crack growth rate laws and compared to detailed experimental measurements of crack formation and small crack growth. Conservative LEFM‐based lifetime predictions of corroded components were achieved using a corrosion modified‐equivalent initial flaw size along with crack growth rates from a constant K_max‐decreasing ΔK protocol. The source of the error in each of the LEFM iterations is critiqued to identify the bounds for engineering application.