Breeding schemes with optimum-contribution selection or truncation selection for beef cattle destined for use on dairy females

We tested the hypothesis that the size of a beef cattle population destined for use on dairy females is smaller under optimum-contribution selection (OCS) than under truncation selection (TRS) at the same genetic gain (ΔG) and the same rate of inbreeding (ΔF). We used stochastic simulation to estimate true ΔG realized at a 0.005 ΔF in breeding schemes with OCS or TRS. The schemes for the beef cattle population also differed in the number of purebred offspring per dam and the total number of purebred offspring per generation. Dams of the next generation were exclusively selected among the one-year-old heifers. All dams were donors for embryo transfer and produced a maximum of 5 or 10 offspring. The total number of purebred offspring per generation was: 400, 800, 1,600 or 4,000 calves, and it was used as a measure of population size. Rate of inbreeding was predicted and controlled using pedigree relationships. Each OCS (TRS) scheme was simulated for 10 discrete generations and replicated 100 (200) times. The OCS scheme and the TRS scheme with a maximum of 10 offspring per dam required approximately 783 and 1,257 purebred offspring per generation to realize a true ΔG of €14 and a ΔF of 0.005 per generation. Schemes with a maximum of 5 offspring per dam required more purebred offspring per generation to realize a similar true ΔG and a similar ΔF. Our results show that OCS and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer act on selection intensity through different mechanisms to achieve fewer selection candidates and fewer selected sires and dams than under TRS at the same ΔG and a fixed ΔF. Therefore, we advocate the use of a breeding scheme with OCS and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer for beef cattle destined for use on dairy females because it is favorable both from an economic perspective and a carbon footprint perspective.     

Sizing of multi-stage Op Amps by combining design equations with the gm/ID method

Analog integrated circuit design has as integral parts both analytical reasoning and numerical validation in the process from topology construction to sizing. Given a circuit topology, different circuit sizing results can be obtained from different processes of sizing inference. Sizing methods by simulation-based numerical searching have been a continuously studied subject. However, almost all approaches in this category require an overwhelming number of circuit simulations to arrive at an optimized sizing result. On the other hand, many published manual sizing methods by using the conventional device equations also require repeated SPICE simulations to correct the equation-based sizing results. This paper proposes a systematic gm/ID-based initial sizing method specifically customized for designing multiple-stage operational amplifiers (Op Amps). A main feature of the proposal is to use circuit-level design equations as constraints on the gm/ID table lookup method to substantially reduce the uncertainty in the sizing calculations. As a result, a significant amount of SPICE based correction work can be reduced to complete an initial sizing. The proposed sizing procedure includes a few regular sizing rules customized to the configuration of multi-stage Op Amps. We validate the proposed sizing method by application to several multi-stage Op Amp examples with a capacitive load or Miller compensation. Simulations have justified that the produced initial sizing results can achieve most of the prespecified design targets.     

基于LoRa物联网技术的智能照明控制方案在高速公路上的应用——以北京新机场高速公路(南五环-北京新机场)为例

文章结合北京新机场高速公路照明工程实例,阐述了常规照明控制系统的现状,分析了基于新兴的LoRa物联网技术智能照明控制方案的系统原理和系统构成、系统在高速公路智能照明控制领域的应用以及系统应用能达到的节能和管理效益的提升效果,并对系统的扩展应用前景做了研究分析。     

Seeing sweet and choosing sour: Compensatory effects of typeface on consumers’ choice behavior

The present research included two field studies investigating, firstly, the effects of round and angular typefaces on taste expectations and, secondly, how such expectations may have downstream effects on naturalistic consumer choice. A taste experiment conducted at a science festival asked participants (N = 125) to rate the expected and actual sweetness and sourness of beer served from plastic cups labelled with either angular or round typeface. Effects of typeface were found on both taste expectations and perceived taste, but in opposite directions; participants rated the expected sourness of a beer as higher in the round (vs. angular) typeface condition, whereas they rated perceived sourness as lower in the round compared to the angular typeface condition. A follow-up field study conducted at a beer bar tested whether different typefaces on a beer board would affect actual beer choices. Data consisted of beer transactions (N = 1,952) and included the monetary amount, and the specific style, and size of beer purchased. The results showed that average transaction amount was lower in the round (vs. angular) typeface condition, and that customers purchased more sour beer options in this condition. These findings support a crossmodal compensation account, and suggest that round typefaces could increase choices of contrasting sour products. Hence, marketers may want to consider how typefaces can either enhance or diminish certain tastes.     

非调制双色红外测温误差实时补偿方法研究

针对环境温度变化对双色红外测温准确度的影响,基于双色比色红外测温原理,分析了非调制双色红外测温的误差来源,提出一种新的快门式非调制双色红外测温方法。在光路中增加快门及其控制模块,控制快门闭合,将测得系统偏移作为补偿项,补偿实际测温时因温度变化给测量带来的误差。仿真结果表明,在600～1 100℃的测温范围内,长时间使用的无快门非调制红外双色测温的精度严重劣化,而快门式非调制双色红外测温的准确度大幅提高,可达到±0.5%。     

New version of continuous–discrete cubature Kalman filtering for nonlinear continuous–discrete systems

For nonlinear continuous–discrete systems, this paper elaborates a new accurate implementation of continuous–discrete cubature Kalman filter (CD-CKF). As the main contribution of this work, the new Kalman prediction stage begins by integrating the nonlinear continuous model for all the cubature sample vectors; the prior estimate state and covariance prediction are based on the weighted statistics of these integrated cubature sample vectors and the Gauss–Legendre approximation scheme. The new square root form CD-CKF is also derived and accurately implemented by combining with the modified variable stepsize NIRK. As the advantages of proposed approach, the complicated and error-prone processes of solving covariance differential equation or calculating derivatives are avoided, while the positive semi-definiteness of prior error covariance are numerically guaranteed. Simulations of traffic control scenarios further confirm the new approach’s superior filtering performance in both reliability and accuracy.     

Observer-based prescribed performance attitude control for flexible spacecraft with actuator saturation

This paper investigates the prescribed performance attitude control problem for flexible spacecraft subject to external disturbances and actuator constraints. By using a new performance function and an error transformation, the attitude control system is transformed into an error system which will be kept bounded to ensure expected dynamic and steady-state responses. Compared with the commonly used performance function, the modified one has an explicit prespecified terminal time which determines the maximum convergence time of the attitude control system. A modal observer and a disturbance observer are designed to deal with the flexible vibration and disturbances, respectively. Furthermore, when considering actuator saturation, an improved control strategy is developed with an auxiliary system utilized to compensate the saturation. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed by Lyapunov theory. Simulation results show the effectiveness and performance of the proposed methods.     

补偿强反光体表面红外测温误差的算法研究

针对运动强反光体表面温度实时测量困难、精度低这一难点,本文从红外测温原理入手,分析并揭示了红外测温精度易受到被测物体反射率、测量距离、测量环境、红外入射角等因素的影响。根据铝板材加工设备轧辊表面测温实际需要设计了一种利用红外传感器实现对强反光体表面温度点对点测量的方案。通过对测量数据的研究分析建立了一种基于斯忒藩定律的红外入射角度补偿算法,以此减小因红外入射角度变化产生的测温误差。实验结果证明本方法能较好地弥补红外入射角度变化产生的测温误差,提高测温精度。该补偿算法运算简单,适应性强,为改善入射角度变化对测温精度影响提供了新的方法。     

Distribution-free composite Shewhart-GWMA Mann-Whitney charts for monitoring the process location

The Mann-Whitney (MW) statistic is one of the most recommended two-sample statistical tests when the assumption of normality fails to hold due to its robustness and fascinating properties especially when small sample sizes are involved. In order to improve the sensitivity of the generally weighted moving average (GWMA) monitoring scheme toward the detection of large shifts, in this paper, a new distribution-free phase II composite Shewhart-GWMA (CSG) scheme is proposed using the MW U statistic. The performance of the proposed scheme is investigated using the average run-length (ARL) and average extra quadratic loss (AEQL) values through extensive simulations. The performance of this newly proposed monitoring scheme is found to be superior when compared to numerous memory-type MW schemes (some existing and others introduced in this paper) in many situations. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the implementation of the CSG MW U scheme using real-life data.     

Design and validation of robotic bionic eye with multiple flexible ropes parallel mechanism inspired by oculomotor law

Producing a stable and agile bionic eye for visual image acquisition in robotics is a challenging task. In this paper, we design a bionic eye with mirror-symmetric distribution and cross-connection of flexible ropes. This mechanism is based on oculomotor law and the physiological structure of the extraocular muscles (EOMs). Specifically, the basic structural parameters are determined by Listing’s law, and the unique connection of the flexible ropes can realize the functions of the recti and oblique muscles. Furthermore, to mimic the trochlea structure, a pulley mechanism is constructed to permit the free movement of the flexible ropes. Through simulation and physical experiments, it is demonstrated that the bionic eye mechanism can move with agility under the structural parameters. The experimental results indicate that the proposed bionic eye mechanism has a superior motion accuracy of 2.798 mm, which is 6.7% of the maximum motion distance, and the repeatable accuracy of the mechanism can up to 0.210 mm.