On the optimal tuning of a robust controller for parabolic distributed parameter systems

Optimal tuning of robust multivariable controllers for stable parabolic distributed parameter systems is discussed. In order to evaluate the behaviour of the closed loop system, a quadratic criterion is selected. Then it is proved that the system may be decomposed into slow and fast subsystems, and that the value of the criterion will mainly depend on the slow subsystem. Tuning of the controller, for this subsystem, turns out to be a standard finite-dimensional quadratic regulator problem. Two examples are given to show the improvement due to the new selection of the control parameters.     

Monotonicity of approximate entropy during transition from awareness to unresponsiveness due to propofol anesthetic induction

The ability to monitor the physiological effects of sedative medication accurately is of interest in clinical practice. During the anesthetic agent driven transition to unresponsiveness, nonstationary changes such as signal amplitude variations appear in electroencephalography. In this paper, it is studied whether the application of the approximate entropy (ApEn) method to electroencephalographic (EEG) signal produces a monotonic response curve during the transition from awareness to unresponsiveness. Data from fourteen patients, undergoing propofol anesthetic induction were studied. To optimize the ApEn performance, different parameter choices were carefully evaluated. It was assumed with our protocol, that the level of anesthesia changes monotonically with the elapsed induction time. The monotonicity of the ApEn change was assessed with the prediction probability statistic (PK). The monotonicity of the ApEn time-series depends on the parameters employed in the algorithm and the varying signal amplitude. Depending on the parameter values, the median PK value ranged from 0.886 to 0.527. Thus, a good directionality and concordance was observed, but the nonstationarity of the signal affected the results. In conclusion, EEG-based ApEn measure shows a nonlinear response during propofol induction. With a judicious choice of parameters, a monotonic response is confirmed using PK statistic.     

Roles of Carbonic Anhydrases and Carbonic Anhydrase Related Proteins in Zebrafish

During recent decades, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become one of the most important model organisms in which to study different physiological and biological phenomena. The research field of carbonic anhydrases (CAs) and carbonic anhydrase related proteins (CARPs) is not an exception to this. The best-known function of CAs is the regulation of acid–base balance. However, studies performed with zebrafish, among others, have revealed important roles for these proteins in many other physiological processes, some of which had not yet been predicted in the light of previous studies and suggestions. Examples include roles in zebrafish pigmentation as well as motor coordination. Disruption of the function of these proteins may generate lethal outcomes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of CA-related studies performed in zebrafish from 1993–2021 that was obtained from PubMed search.     

Influence of nitrogen alloying on hydrogen embrittlement in AISI 304-type stainless steels

Hydrogen embrittlement of AISI 304-type austenitic stainless steels has been studied with special emphasis on the effects of the nitrogen content of the steels. Hydrogen charging was found to degrade the mechanical properties of all the steels studied, as measured by a tensile test. The fracture surfaces of hydrogen charged specimens were brittle cleavage-like whereas the uncharged specimens showed ductile, dimpled fracture. In sensitized materials transgranular cleavage mode of fracture was replaced by an intergranular mode of fracture and the losses of mechanical properties were higher. Nitrogen alloying decreased the hydrogen-induced losses of mechanical properties by increasing the stability of austenite. In sensitized steels the stability of austenite and nitrogen content were found to have only a minor effect on hydrogen embrittlement, except when sensitization had causedα′-martensite transformation at the grain boundaries. Formerly with Helsinki University of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Metallurgy, SF-02150 Espoo 15, Finland.     

Calculation of thermophysical properties of carbon and low alloyed steels for modeling of solidification processes

Algorithms and a computer software package for calculating thermophysical material properties of carbon and low-alloyed steels, associated with the simulation of solidification processes, have been developed. The earlier studies on kinetic phase transformation modeling are applied and are the base of the present work. The calculation algorithms are based on thermodynamic theory connected to thermodynamic assessment data, as well as on regression formulas of experimental data, and they take into account the temperature, the cooling rate, and the steel composition. The calculation algorithms and some results of calculations are presented in this article.     

Increasing the availability of FMS with multimedia-supported diagnostic expert systems

This paper summarizes some of the results in the field of diagnostic expert systems of the EUREKA MAINE EU 744 project FMSMAINT System. Methods and software have been developed to increase the lower-than-expected availability of expensive flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). In the work described in this paper a special emphasis has been put on efficiently integrating automatic data acquisition, data analysis supported by multimedia, and expert-system-based diagnostics. The software described has been installed in the industrial pilots participating in the project, and the modules have already also been taken to a commercial level.     

Bend loss effects in diffused, buried waveguides

Bend loss effects can be a significant concern in the design and performance of diffused, buried waveguide devices. Since diffused, buried waveguides typically do not have analytical mode solutions, the bend mode must be expressed as an expansion of straight waveguide modes. For the case of buried ion-exchanged waveguides, the bend loss is affected by bend radius, the duration of the ion exchange and burial processes, as well as the size of the mask opening used to create the waveguides and applied field during burial. The bend loss effects for each of these variables are explored under typical fabrication conditions.     

Epileptic seizure detection: a nonlinear viewpoint

This study concerns the detection of epileptic seizures from electroencephalogram (EEG) data using computational methods. Using short sliding time windows, a set of features is computed from the data. The feature set includes time domain, frequency domain and nonlinear features. Discriminant analysis is used to determine the best seizure-detecting features among them. The findings suggest that the best results can be achieved by using a combination of features from the linear and nonlinear realms alike.