A robust test of uncertain linear systems

In this paper, it is shown that for low-order uncertain systems, there is no need to calculate all the minimum and maximum values of the coefficients for a perturbed system which is expressed in terms of polynomials and hence no need to formulate and test all the four Kharitonov＇s polynomials. Furthermore, for higher-order systems such as n ≥ 5, the usual four Kharitonov＇s polynomials need not be tested initially for sufficient condition of perturbed systems; rather, the necessary condition can be checked before going for sufficient condition. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed method, numerical examples are shown and computational efficiency is highlighted.     

Complementary‐based coalition formation for energy microgrids

In recent years, the notion of electrical energy microgrids (MGs), in which communities share their locally generated power, has gained increasing interest. Typically, the energy generated comes from renewable resources, which means that its availability is variable, ie, sometimes there may be energy surpluses and at other times energy deficits. This energy variability can be ameliorated by trading energy with a connected electricity grid. However, since main electricity grids are subject to faults or other outages, it can be advantageous for energy MGs to form coalitions and share their energy among themselves. In this work, we present our model for the dynamic formation of such MG coalitions. In our model, MGs form coalitions on the basis of complementary weather patterns. Our agent‐based model, which is scalable and affords autonomy among the MGs participating in the coalition (agents can join and depart from coalitions at any time), features methods to reduce overall “discomfort” so that, even when all participating MGs in a coalition experience deficits, they can share energy so that their overall discomfort is reduced. We demonstrate the efficacy of our model by showing empirical studies conducted with real energy production and consumption data.     

A generic library of problem solving methods for scheduling applications

In this paper, we propose a generic library of problem-solving methods for scheduling applications. Although some attempts have been made in the past at developing the libraries of scheduling problem-solvers, these only provide limited coverage. Many lack generality, as they subscribe to a particular scheduling domain. Others simply implement a particular problem-solving technique, which may be applicable only to a subset of the space of scheduling problems. In addition, most of these libraries fail to provide the required degree of depth and precision. In our approach, we subscribe to the task-method-domain-application knowledge modeling framework which provides a structured organization for the different components of the library. At the task level, we construct a generic scheduling task ontology to formalize the space of scheduling problems. At the method level, we construct a generic problem-solving model of scheduling that generalizes from the variety of approaches to scheduling problem-solving, which can be found in the literature. The generic nature of this model is demonstrated by constructing seven methods for scheduling as an alternative specialization of the model. Finally, we validated our library on a number of applications to demonstrate its generic nature and effective support for developing scheduling applications.     

An approach to eliminate stepped features in multistage incremental sheet forming process: Experimental and FEA analysis

Incremental sheet forming (ISF) is a recently developed manufacturing technique. In ISF, forming is done by applying deformation force through the motion of Numerically controlled (NC) single point forming tool on the clamped sheet metal blank. Single Point Incremental sheet forming (SPISF) is also known as a die-less forming process because no die is required to fabricate any component by using this process. Now a day it is widely accepted for rapid manufacturing of sheet metal components. The formability of SPISF process improves by adding some intermediate stages into it, which is known as Multi-stage SPISF (MSPISF) process. However during forming in MSPISF process because of intermediate stages stepped features are generated. This paper investigates the generation of stepped features with simulation and experimental results. An effective MSPISF strategy is proposed to remove or eliminate this generated undesirable stepped features.     

An Inexpensive Digital Integrator for Gas Chromatography

SUMMARY

An inexpensive gas chromatographic integrator with digital readout is described. The device is precise to ±1 count and shows linear response to within ±2%. It is directly compatible with flame ionization detectors and is easily adapted to thermal conductivity detectors.     

Strategies for preserving the confidentiality of psychological reports.

Describes strategies that appear to be effective in reducing breaches of confidentiality due to unauthorized dissemination of psychological reports. Strategies suggested include (1) clarifying the word "confidentiality," (2) not placing psychological reports in general medical records, and (3) insisting that forms authorizing release of information specifically name the psychology department or an individual staff member. It is concluded that operationally defining in the report itself how the report is to be treated is a complementary strategy that may help reduce breaches of confidentiality. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do the diminishing efficacy and increasing toxicity of sodium stibogluconate in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India, justify its continued use as a first-line drug? An observational study of 80 cases

The results of recent investigations of the analgesic and the nonanalgesic effects of opioid glucuronides are relevant to the research on drug abuse in forensic toxicology. As has been shown for heroin, knowledge of the state of distribution and elimination of active and inactive metabolites and glucuronides offers new possibilities in forensic interpretation of analytic results. Because of similar metabolic degradation, calculation of the time-dependent ratio of the concentration of morphine and its glucuronide metabolites in blood or serum allows a rough estimation of increased dosage and of time elapsed since the last application. Drug effects can be examined with respect to individual case histories, including overdose and survival time if the patient died. However, different methods of administration and the strong influence of different volumes or compartments of distribution of parent compounds and metabolites on concentrations in human body tissues require careful use of glucuronide concentration data. In Germany, dihydrocodeine (DHC) is prescribed as a heroin substitute, and relative overdoses are needed to be effective. DHC metabolism was studied in three patients who died from overdoses. All metabolites (dihydrocodeine-6-glucuronide [DHC6], nor-DHC [NDHC], dihydromorphine [DHM], nor-DHM [NDHM], and DHM-3- and 6-glucuronide [DHM3G, DHM6G]) were determined using HPLC and fluorescence detection. Concentrations of DHM (0.16 mg/L to 0.22 mg/L serum) were found. The DHM glucuronide ratios were similar to those of morphine. Receptor binding studies showed that the binding affinity of DHM to porcine mu-receptor was higher than that of morphine, and DHM6G's binding affinity was as high as that of morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G). Metabolites may play an important role in the effectiveness of DHC in substitution and toxicity. Because of enzyme polymorphism, the formation of DHC poses a risk for proper dosage in patients who are either poor or extensive metabolizers. The distribution of opioid glucuronides in cerebral spinal fluid in relation to transcellular transport in central nervous tissue is discussed with respect to the receptor binding of opiates and drug effect.     

Towards nonideal iris recognition based on level set method, genetic algorithms and adaptive asymmetrical SVMs

We present algorithms for iris segmentation, feature extraction and selection, and iris pattern matching. To segment the inner boundary from a nonideal iris image, we apply a level set based curve evolution approach using the edge stopping function, and to detect the outer boundary, we employ the curve evolution approach using the regularized Mumford-Shah segmentation model with an energy minimization algorithm. Daubechies wavelet transform (DBWT) is used to extract the textural features, and genetic algorithms (GAs) are deployed to select the subset of informative features by combining the valuable outcomes from the multiple feature selection criteria without compromising the recognition accuracy. To speed up the matching process and to control the misclassification error, we apply a combined approach called the adaptive asymmetrical support vector machines (AASVMs). The parameter values of SVMs are also optimized in order to improve the overall generalization performance. The verification and identification performance of the proposed scheme is validated using the UBIRIS Version 2, the ICE 2005, and the WVU datasets.