Modified OFS-RDS bat algorithm for IFS encoding of bitmap fractal binary images

This work is an extension of a previous paper (presented at the Cyberworlds 2019 conference) introducing a new method for fractal compression of bitmap binary images. That work is now extended and enhanced through three new valuable features: (1) the bat algorithm is replaced by an improved version based on optimal forage strategy (OFS) and random disturbance strategy (RDS); (2) the inclusion of new similarity metrics; and (3) the consideration of a variable number of contractive maps, whose value can change dynamically over the population and over the iterations. The first feature improves the search capability of the method, the second one improves the reconstruction accuracy, and the third one computes the optimal number of contractive maps automatically. This new scheme is applied to a benchmark of two binary fractal images exhibiting a complex and irregular fractal shape. The graphical and numerical results show that the method performs very well, being able to reconstruct the input images with high accuracy. It also computes the optimal number of contractive maps in a fully automatic way. A comparative work with other alternative methods described in the literature is also carried out. It shows that the presented method outperforms the previous approaches significantly.     

Deep reinforcement learning-based safe interaction for industrial human-robot collaboration using intrinsic reward function

Aiming at human-robot collaboration in manufacturing, the operator's safety is the primary issue during the manufacturing operations. This paper presents a deep reinforcement learning approach to realize the real-time collision-free motion planning of an industrial robot for human-robot collaboration. Firstly, the safe human-robot collaboration manufacturing problem is formulated into a Markov decision process, and the mathematical expression of the reward function design problem is given. The goal is that the robot can autonomously learn a policy to reduce the accumulated risk and assure the task completion time during human-robot collaboration. To transform our optimization object into a reward function to guide the robot to learn the expected behaviour, a reward function optimizing approach based on the deterministic policy gradient is proposed to learn a parameterized intrinsic reward function. The reward function for the agent to learn the policy is the sum of the intrinsic reward function and the extrinsic reward function. Then, a deep reinforcement learning algorithm intrinsic reward-deep deterministic policy gradient (IRDDPG), which is the combination of the DDPG algorithm and the reward function optimizing approach, is proposed to learn the expected collision avoidance policy. Finally, the proposed algorithm is tested in a simulation environment, and the results show that the industrial robot can learn the expected policy to achieve the safety assurance for industrial human-robot collaboration without missing the original target. Moreover, the reward function optimizing approach can help make up for the designed reward function and improve policy performance.     

Fuzzy approximation-based adaptive control of nonstrict feedback stochastic nonlinear systems with time-varying state constraints

This article develops an approximation-based fuzzy control scheme for nonstrict feedback stochastic nonlinear systems (NFSNS) with time-varying state constraints. The difficulty in constructing controller is how to conquer the algebraic loop problem caused by nonstrict feedback structure, as well as prevent the state constraints from violating. To dispose the time-varying state constraints, time-varying barrier Lyapunov function is incorporated into the backstepping design framework. The lumped uncertainties of NFSNS are approximated by the fuzzy logic systems. By virtue of fuzzy basis function, the algebraic loop problem is effectively handled. Theoretical analysis shows that the predefined state constraints are not violated and all signals of the closed-loop systems are bounded. Finally, simulation results substantiate the validity of the devised method.     

Asthma‐related outcomes associated with indoor air pollutants among schoolchildren from four informal settlements in two municipalities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

The health impact of indoor air pollution in informal settlement households has not been extensively studied in South Africa. This cross‐sectional study investigated the association between asthma and common indoor exposures among schoolchildren from four informal settlements located in two municipalities in the Western Cape Province. A total of 590 children, aged 9‐11 years, were recruited. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was administered to caregivers. Pulmonary function assessment included spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Phadiatop test for atopy was done. The prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed asthma was 3.4% (n = 20) among whom only 50% were on treatment. The prevalence of current wheeze was 12.9%, and 17.6% had airway obstruction (FEV₁ < lower limit of normal), while 10.2% had airway inflammation (FeNO > 35 ppb). In adjusted logistic regression models, dampness, visible mold growth, paraffin use for cooking, and passive smoking were associated with a twofold to threefold increased risk in upper and lower airway outcomes. The strongest association was that of visible mold growth with rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio—aOR 3.37, 95% CI: 1.69‐6.71). Thus, there is a need for improved diagnosis of childhood asthma and Indoor Air Quality in informal settlement households.     

Investigation on standard entropy change of metal hydrides and work function of metals

We focused on the work function of metals as an index of ion binding property between metals and hydrogen and analyzed the relation between the standard entropy change of metal hydrides and the work function of metals (alloys). The standard entropy change of saline hydrides and metallic hydrides roughly increased with the work function. It was indicated that hydrogen storage alloys consist of metal elements A and B whose work functions are small and large, respectively. The standard entropy changes of alloy-based metal hydrides with different composition ratio ΔS⁰ linearly increased with the work functions of the alloys W_c. W_c also linearly increased with the bulk modulus B_c. Then, it was found that ΔS⁰ was proportional to the standard heat of formation ΔH⁰ because dW_c/dB_c, dΔS⁰/dW_c and dΔH⁰/dB_c are constant.     

2011～2020年华北平原气溶胶光学厚度时空分布特征及潜在源分析

随着经济高速增长和城市化进程不断加快,华北平原区域性空气污染问题愈演愈烈。针对该区域开展长时序气溶胶光学厚度时空分布特征和潜在源分析研究,对华北平原大气污染治理具有重要意义。基于长时序MODIS/Terra C6.1 MOD04_L2气溶胶光学厚度产品,分析华北平原气溶胶光学厚度的时空分布特征,并利用后向轨迹聚类分析讨论华北平原7个重点城市气团输送的季节变化,并以污染较为严重的河北石家庄为例进行潜在源分析和浓度权重分析,探究影响其大气质量的污染物潜在源区。结果表明:2011～2020年华北平原气溶胶光学厚度月均值呈显著的周期性变化,以年为周期,每个周期内峰值一般出现在6月至8月; 气溶胶光学厚度月际年内呈单峰分布,峰值出现在6月(0.75),最小值出现在12月(0.37); 气溶胶光学厚度季均值从大到小依次为夏季(0.67)、春季(0.59)、冬季(0.49)、秋季(0.46); 10年间气溶胶光学厚度呈下降趋势,整体下降幅度达36.84%,其中2011年最高(0.72),2018年最低(0.45); 华北平原7个重点城市春、夏、秋、冬四季主要受短距离气团输送影响较大,长距离气团输送影响较小; 2014～2020年河北石家庄的空气质量优良天数占比相对较小,空气质量状况差,影响其空气质量的污染物多为本地生成,同时也受周边省市近距离输送的影响。     

基于改进灰狼优化算法的服务功能链映射算法

随着工业互联网、车联网、元宇宙等新型互联网应用的兴起，网络的低时延、可靠性、安全性、确定性等方面的需求正面临严峻挑战。采用网络功能虚拟化技术在虚拟网络部署过程中，存在服务功能链映射效率低与部署资源开销大等问题，联合考虑节点激活成本、实例化开销，以最小化平均部署网络成本为优化目标建立了整数线性规划模型，提出基于改进灰狼优化算法的服务功能链映射（improved grey wolf optimization based service function chain mapping，IMGWO-SFCM）算法。该算法在标准灰狼优化算法基础上添加了基于无环K最短路径（K shortest path，KSP）问题算法的映射方案搜索、映射方案编码以及基于反向学习与非线性收敛改进三大策略，较好地平衡了其全局搜索及局部搜索能力，实现服务功能链映射方案的快速确定。仿真结果显示，该算法在保证更高的服务功能链请求接受率下，相较于对比算法降低了11.86%的平均部署网络成本。     

Memory-based dynamic event-triggered control for networked interval type-2 fuzzy systems subject to DoS attacks

In this article, the memory-based dynamic event-triggered controller design issue is investigated for networked interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy systems under non-periodic denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. For saving limited network bandwidth, a novel memory-based dynamic event-triggered mechanism (DETM) is proposed to schedule data communication. Unlike existing event-triggered generators, the developed memory-based DETM can utilize a series of newly released signals and further save network resources by introducing interval dynamic variables. Moreover, to improve design flexibility, an IT2 fuzzy controller with freely selectable fuzzy rule number and premise membership functions (MFs) is synthesized. Then, a new switched time-delay system with imperfectly matched MFs is established under the consideration of memory-based DETM and DoS attacks simultaneously. Besides, based on the property of MFs, the boundary information of membership grades and slack matrices are introduced in the stability analysis. Furthermore, by using a piecewise Lyapunov–Krasovskii method, membership-functions-dependent criteria are deduced to ensure the asymptotic stability of built fuzzy switched systems. Finally, the effectiveness of proposed control strategies is demonstrated by simulation examples.     

Mechanosensation and Mechanotransduction by Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Act as Important Regulators of Lymphatic Development and Function

Our understanding of the function and development of the lymphatic system is expanding rapidly due to the identification of specific molecular markers and the availability of novel genetic approaches. In connection, it has been demonstrated that mechanical forces contribute to the endothelial cell fate commitment and play a critical role in influencing lymphatic endothelial cell shape and alignment by promoting sprouting, development, maturation of the lymphatic network, and coordinating lymphatic valve morphogenesis and the stabilization of lymphatic valves. However, the mechanosignaling and mechanotransduction pathways involved in these processes are poorly understood. Here, we provide an overview of the impact of mechanical forces on lymphatics and summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the mechanosensation and mechanotransduction by lymphatic endothelial cells. We also discuss how these mechanosensitive pathways affect endothelial cell fate and regulate lymphatic development and function. A better understanding of these mechanisms may provide a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of various diseases associated with impaired lymphatic function, such as lymphedema and may eventually lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for these conditions.     

On a marching level-set method for extended discontinuous Galerkin methods for incompressible two-phase flows: Application to two-dimensional settings

In this work a solver for two-dimensional, instationary two-phase flows on the basis of the extended discontinuous Galerkin (extended DG/XDG) method is presented. The XDG method adapts the approximation space conformal to the position of the interface. This allows a subcell accurate representation of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in their sharp interface formulation. The interface is described as the zero set of a signed-distance level-set function and discretized by a standard DG method. For the interface, resp. level-set, evolution an extension velocity field is used and a two-staged algorithm is presented for its construction on a narrow-band. On the cut-cells a monolithic elliptic extension velocity method is adapted and a fast-marching procedure on the neighboring cells. The spatial discretization is based on a symmetric interior penalty method and for the temporal discretization a moving interface approach is adapted. A cell agglomeration technique is utilized for handling small cut-cells and topology changes during the interface motion. The method is validated against a wide range of typical two-phase surface tension driven flow phenomena in a 2D setting including capillary waves, an oscillating droplet and the rising bubble benchmark.