Dynamic traffic prediction for insufficient data roadways via automatic control theories

This study aims to propose an algorithm for traffic estimation, particularly for urban roadway sections with insufficient data sources. Establishing an advanced traffic management system (ATMS) heavily depends on obtaining complete data. In this regard, traffic detectors play an important role in data acquisition. However, installing traffic detectors extensively over a metropolitan area can be rather expensive. As such, in most cities around the world, vehicle detectors for traffic data collection are relatively insufficient to meet requirements. In light of this, the current research therefore proposes a feasible algorithm of dynamic section flow prediction based on the automatic control theory and observer design for roadway sections with insufficient data sources. According to the numerical evaluation, the method is found to be satisfactory and acceptable in practice.     

T–S fuzzy model-based tracking control of a one-dimensional manipulator actuated by pneumatic artificial muscles

Pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) has highly nonlinear and time-varying behavior due to gas compression and nonlinear elasticity of the bladder containers. Hence, it is difficult to achieve excellent tracking performance when using classical control methods. This study proposes a Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model-based control for improving control performance. The proposed approach decomposes the model of a nonlinear system into a set of linear subsystems. This allows, the T–S fuzzy model-based controller to use simple linear control techniques providing a systematic framework for the design of a state feedback controller. Stability analysis is carried out using Lyapunov direct method. The powerful LMI Toolbox in MATLAB is employed to solve linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to obtain the controller gains. Experimental results verified that the proposed controller can achieve excellent tracking performance under different disturbances.     

Consideration factors and adoption of type,tabulation and framework for creating e-portfolios

The purpose of this research is to analyze the content of e-portfolios created by students in order to understand their tabulation and ways of displaying content. The analytic result shows that the number of outcome portfolios created by students is more than that of process portfolios. The five types of e-portfolio tabulation, in order of those most commonly created by students, are combination-based, content item-based, work-based, course unit-based, and time-based. The combination-based type incorporates the advantages of other tabulation types, while the content item-based and work-based types are better for clearly classifying data and step-by-step organization of it. Future research may further explore factors related to students’ decision of tabulation type, the difficulties they face in the process, and their mentality as they adopt a portfolio type.     

Exploring the value of purchasing online game items

The aims of this paper are to: (1) modify the theory of consumption values in order to investigate online game users’ perceived value of purchasable game items, and (2) develop a new construct – the “integrated value of purchasing game items” – based on the modified theory of consumption values. We found that the enjoyment, character competency, visual authority, and monetary values are appropriate for describing how online game users perceive the value of game items. Utilizing second order analysis, the “integrated value of purchasing game items” was developed. To show the validity of the new construct, we developed a research model and tested it using the results of 327 valid questionnaires. Results revealed that the new construct is statistically significant in affecting users’ intention to purchase game items.     

On fuzzy renewal processes for fuzzy random variables and extended theorems

In this paper, we construct fuzzy renewal processes involving fuzzy random variables. We first extend the renewal processes to the fuzzy renewal processes where interarrival times, rewards, and stopping times are all fuzzy random variables. According to these fuzzy renewal processes, we then extend some theorems of renewal processes to those in fuzzy renewal processes. These are elementary renewal theorem, asymptotic expected average reward, and Wald's equation. In each part, we also give examples for applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

On global solutions to fractional functional differential equations with infinite delay in Fréchet spaces

In this paper, we investigate global uniqueness results for fractional functional differential equations with infinite delay in Fréchet spaces. We shall rely on a nonlinear alternative of Leray-Schauder type in Fréchet spaces due to Frigon and Granas. The results are obtained by using the α-resolvent family (S_α(t))_t≥0 on a complex Banach space X combined with the above-mentioned fixed point theorem. As an application, a controllability result with one parameter is also provided to illustrate the theory.     

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes grafted chitosan nanobiocomposite: A prosperous functional nanomaterials for glucose biosensor application

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) grafted chitosan (CS) nanowire (NW) was prepared by phase separation method. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was sequentially immobilized into MWNT-CS-NW to obtain MWNT-CS-NW/GOx biosensor. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images of MWNT-CS-NW/GOx reveals the existence of MWNT and CS. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to evaluate the electrochemical determination of glucose. The MWNT-CS-NW/GOx biosensor shows an excellent performance for glucose at +0.34 V with a high sensitivity (5.03 μA/mM) and lower response time (3 s) in a wide concentration range of 1-10 mM (correlation coefficient of 0.9988). In addition, MWNT-CS-NW/GOx biosensor possesses better reproducibility, storage stability and there is negligible interference from other electroactive components.     

Micro-piezoelectric immunoassay chip for simultaneous detection of Hepatitis B virus and α-fetoprotein

In this paper, a piezoelectric diaphragm-based immunoassay chip was developed to simultaneously detect anti-Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and anti-alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The chip was fabricated by micro-machining technology and consists of eight individual circular sensors with a diameter of 800 μm. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C core antigen (HBcAg) and AFP as the probe molecules were immobilized on different sensing spots on the chip. A solution containing anti-HBsAg and anti-AFP was applied into the reaction chambers in all sensors of the chip, and significant frequency shifts were only observed in the sensors with HBsAg and AFP for immunoassay detection. The fluorescence image further confirmed the successful detection of anti-HBsAg and anti-AFP. The total assay time was less than 2 h. The frequency shift-based calibration curves show a detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml and a dynamic detection range of 0.1-10,000 ng/ml for both anti-HBsAg and anti-AFP, respectively, thus demonstrating that the developed piezoelectric immunoassay chip has potential applications for rapid, specific, sensitive, and multiple detections of HBV.     

Fuzzy rule interpolation based on the ratio of fuzziness of interval type-2 fuzzy sets

In recent years, some fuzzy rule interpolation methods have been presented for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets. However, the existing methods have the drawbacks that they cannot guarantee the convexity of the fuzzy interpolated result and may generate the same fuzzy interpolated results with respect to different observations. Moreover, they also cannot deal with fuzzy rule interpolation with bell-shaped interval type-2 fuzzy sets. In this paper, we present a new method for fuzzy rule interpolation for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems based on the ratio of fuzziness of interval type-2 fuzzy sets. The proposed method can overcome the drawbacks of the existing methods. First, it calculates the weights of the closest fuzzy rules with respect to the observation to obtain an intermediate consequence fuzzy set. Then, it uses the ratio of fuzziness of interval type-2 fuzzy sets to infer the fuzzy interpolated result based on the intermediate consequence fuzzy set. We also use some examples to compare the fuzzy interpolated results of the proposed method with the results by the existing methods. The experimental results show that the proposed fuzzy rule interpolation method gets more reasonable results than the existing methods.     

Modeling analysis of a triaxial microaccelerometer with piezoelectric thin-film sensing using energy method

This study applies energy method to derive the system modeling of a triaxial microaccelerometer that consists of a quadri-beam suspension, a seismic mass, and displacement transducers using piezoelectric thin films. Two suspension beams support both ends of the seismic mass, which is fabricated by anisotropic etching of silicon. An out-of-plane acceleration will result in a symmetric bend, and in-plane accelerations will produce asymmetric bend and torsion of the suspension beams. Two piezoelectric thin-film transducers are arranged at both ends of each suspension beam. Eight transducers in total are interconnected such that triaxial accelerations can be measured selectively. The structure stiffness of the suspension beams considers both the silicon beams and piezoelectric films by the use of the laminated beam theory. Therefore, the analytical model is applicable to the accelerometers with thick piezoelectric films. The model is based on the anisotropic material properties of Silicon and PZT and Euler’s beam equation with the assumptions that smaller strains and stresses are negligible. The analytical results of the resonant frequencies and sensor sensitivities to triaxial accelerations are presented and confirmed by finite element analysis.