A New $H_{{bm infty}}$ Stabilization Criterion for Networked Control Systems

This note is concerned with robust H_infin control of linear networked control systems with time-varying network-induced delay and data packet dropout. A new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, which makes use of the information of both the lower and upper bounds of the time-varying network-induced delay, is proposed to drive a new delay-dependent H_infin stabilization criterion. The criterion is formulated in the form of a non-convex matrix inequality, of which a feasible solution can be obtained by solving a minimization problem in terms of linear matrix inequalities. In order to obtain much less conservative results, a tighter bounding for some term is estimated. Moreover, no slack variable is introduced. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed design method.     

Robust exponential stability conditions for retarded systems with Lipschitz nonlinear stochastic perturbations

This paper investigates robust mean‐square exponential stability of a class of uncertain stochastic state‐delayed systems with Lipschitz nonlinear stochastic perturbation. Based on Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) method and free‐weighting matrix technique, some new delay‐dependent stability conditions are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). In order to reduce the conservatism, (1) the delay is divided into several segments, i.e. the delay decomposition method is applied; (2) cross terms estimation is avoided; (3) some information of the cross terms relationships which has not been involved in Reference (IET Control Theory Appl. 2008; 2(11):966–973) is considered. Moreover, from the mathematical point of view, the results obtained by free‐weighting matrix technique can be equivalently re‐formulated by simpler ones without involving any additional free matrix variables. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by numerical examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of auditory,haptic and visual feedback on performing gestures by gaze or by hand

Modern interaction techniques like non-intrusive gestures provide means for interacting with distant displays and smart objects without touching them. We were interested in the effects of feedback modality (auditory, haptic or visual) and its combined effect with input modality on user performance and experience in such interactions. Therefore, we conducted two exploratory experiments where numbers were entered, either by gaze or hand, using gestures composed of four stroke elements (up, down, left and right). In Experiment 1, a simple feedback was given on each stroke during the motor action of gesturing: an audible click, a haptic tap or a visual flash. In Experiment 2, a semantic feedback was given on the final gesture: the executed number was spoken, coded by haptic taps or shown as text. With simultaneous simple feedback in Experiment 1, performance with hand input was slower but more accurate than with gaze input. With semantic feedback in Experiment 2, however, hand input was only slower. Effects of feedback modality were of minor importance; nevertheless, semantic haptic feedback in Experiment 2 showed to be useless at least without extensive training. Error patterns differed between both input modes, but again not dependent on feedback modality. Taken together, the results show that in designing gestural systems, choosing a feedback modality can be given a low priority; it can be chosen according to the task, context and user preferences.     

UML在流程工业优化调度工艺描述系统中的应用

结合建模工具Rational Rosc说明如何在系统开发过程中运用UML建模。通过流程工业优化调度工艺描述系统的实际建模，对UML建模应用作了进一步说明。     

线性最优调节器二阶工程设计法及应用

本文利用文[1]结论，给出一种实用线性最优调节器二阶工程设计法．该设计法建立了古典控制意义上的系统性能指标与二次型性能指标的关系．并给出解析其式，提出二阶最优参数域的概念．通过轧机综合最优控制系统的设计和实验，验证了该方法在工程设计中的可行性．     

Tumor Infiltration with CD20+CD73+ B Cells Correlates with Better Outcome in Colorectal Cancer

Immunotherapy has become increasingly important in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Currently, CD73, also known as ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E), has gained considerable interest as a potential therapeutic target. CD73 is one of the key enzymes catalyzing the conversion of extracellular ATP into adenosine, which in turn exerts potent immune suppressive effects. However, the role of CD73 expression on various cell types within the CRC tumor microenvironment remains unresolved. The expression of CD73 on various cell types has been described recently, but the role of CD73 on B-cells in CRC remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed CD73 on B-cells, especially on tumor-infiltrating B-cells, in paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples from 62 eligible CRC patients. The highest expression of CD73 on tumor-infiltrating B-cells was identified on class-switched memory B-cells, followed by naive B-cells, whereas no CD73 expression was observed on plasmablasts. Clinicopathological correlation analysis revealed that higher CD73⁺ B-cells infiltration in the CRC tumors was associated with better overall survival. Moreover, metastasized patients showed a significantly decreased number of tumor-infiltrating CD73⁺ B-cells. Finally, neoadjuvant therapy correlated with reduced CD73⁺ B-cell numbers and CD73 expression on B-cells in the CRC tumors. As promising new immune therapies are being developed, the role of CD73⁺ B-cells and their subsets in the development of colorectal cancer should be further explored to find new therapeutic options.     

Capacity-achieving probability measure for a reduced number of signaling points

Putting bounding constraints on the input of a channel leads in many cases to a discrete capacity-achieving distribution with a finite support. Given a finite number of signaling points, we determine reduced subsets and the corresponding optimal probability measures to simplify the receiver design. The objective for the subset selection is to keep the channel quality high by maximizing mutual information and cutoff rate. Two approaches are introduced to obtain a capacity-achieving probability measure for the reduced subset. The first one is based on a preceded signaling point selection while the second one chooses the signaling points and corresponding probabilities simultaneously. Numerical results for both approaches show that using only a small number of signaling points achieves a very high mutual information compared to channels utilizing the full set of signaling points.     

Site-selective substitution and resulting magnetism in arc-melted perovskite ATiO3-δ (A = Ca,Sr, Ba)

Magnetic properties in perovskite titanates ATiO_3-δ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) were investigated before and after arc melting. Crystal structure analysis was conducted by powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinements. Quantitative chemical element analysis was carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements were conducted by vibrating sample magnetometer and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). The magnetic properties are found to be affected by impurities of 3d elements such as Fe, Co, and Ni. Depending on the composition and crystal structure, the occupation of the magnetic ions in perovskite titanates is selectively varied, which is interpreted to be the origin of the different magnetic behaviors in arc-melted perovskite titanates ATiO_3-δ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba). In addition, both formation of oxygen vacancies and the reduction of Ti⁴⁺ to Ti³⁺ during arc-melting also play a role as proven by XMCD. Nevertheless, preferential site occupation of magnetic impurities is dominant in the magnetic properties of arc-melted perovskite ATiO_3-δ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba).     

Failed Neuroprotection of Combined Inhibition of L-Type and ASIC1a Calcium Channels with Nimodipine and Amiloride

Effective pharmacological neuroprotection is one of the most desired aims in modern medicine. We postulated that a combination of two clinically used drugs—nimodipine (L-Type voltage-gated calcium channel blocker) and amiloride (acid-sensing ion channel inhibitor)—might act synergistically in an experimental model of ischaemia, targeting the intracellular rise in calcium as a pathway in neuronal cell death. We used organotypic hippocampal slices of mice pups and a well-established regimen of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to assess a possible neuroprotective effect. Neither nimodipine (at 10 or 20 µM) alone or in combination with amiloride (at 100 µM) showed any amelioration. Dissolved at 2.0 Vol.% dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO), the combination of both components even increased cell damage (p = 0.0001), an effect not observed with amiloride alone. We conclude that neither amiloride nor nimodipine do offer neuroprotection in an in vitro ischaemia model. On a technical note, the use of DMSO should be carefully evaluated in neuroprotective experiments, since it possibly alters cell damage.