Finite-time optimal tracking control for a class of nonlinear systems with prescribed performance

In this paper, a finite-time optimal tracking control scheme based on integral reinforcement learning is developed for partially unknown nonlinear systems. In order to realize the prescribed performance, the original system is transformed into an equivalent unconstrained system so as to a composite system is constructed. Subsequently, a modified nonlinear quadratic performance function containing the auxiliary tracking error is designed. Furthermore, the technique of experience replay is used to update the critic neural network, which eliminates the persistent of excitation condition in traditional optimal methods. By combining the prescribed performance control with the finite-time optimization control technique, the tracking error is driven to a desired performance in finite time. Consequently, it has been shown that all signals in the partially unknown nonlinear system are semiglobally practical finite-time stable by stability analysis. Finally, the provided comparative simulation results verify the effectiveness of the developed control scheme.     

An output formation consensus control for leader–follower networked multi-agent systems under communication constraints and switching topologies

In this paper, the formation consensus problem for a class of leader–follower networked multi-agent systems under communication constraints and switching topologies is investigated. A networked predictive control scheme is proposed to achieve stability and output formation consensus with the switching topology, capable of compensating for data loss and time delays in the network. By equating the whole closed-loop networked multi-agent system with the proposed control scheme to the corresponding switched system, the sufficient and necessary condition of output formation consensus and stability for agents is given. Finally, using three-degree-of-freedom air-bearing spacecraft simulators as the control objects, the proposed scheme is demonstrated to be able to actively compensate for the communication constraints through numerical simulations, and it is also verified to have a good control performance by further realizing the formation task of the simulators through practical experiments.     

An optimized image watermarking algorithm based on SVD and IWT

The Journal of Supercomputing - With the wide spread of image information, it is an urgent problem to protect image property rights and crack down on piracy. Watermarking algorithm is an effective...     

Magnetically coupled oscillators applicable to high-sensitivity mass detection

Microsystem Technologies - In this paper, a system of magnetically coupled oscillators consisting of a Π-shaped horizontal cantilever and a rectangular vertical cantilever with a frequency...     

A prediction approach of SLM based on the ensemble of metamodels considering material efficiency,energy consumption,and tensile strength

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing - As a rapid developing additive manufacturing (AM) technology, selective laser melting (SLM) provides a promising way for intelligent manufacturing. The SLM...     

Effect of Sintering Temperature on Magnetic and Electrical Properties of GdBaCo<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis><Subscript>5 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript>

In this study, we report the results of an investigation into the sintering temperature dependence of magnetic and transport properties for GdBaCo₂ O _{5 + δ} synthesized through a sol-gel method. The lowering of sintering temperature leads to the increase of oxygen content and the reduction of grain size. The increase of oxygen content results in the enhancement of magnetic interactions and the weakening of Coulomb repulsion effect, while the reduction of grain size improves the magnetoresistance effect. Metal-insulator transition accompanied with spin-state transition is observed in all samples.     

Application potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) based tissue-engineering for spinal cord defect repair in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta

Spina bifida aperta are complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of fusion in the spinal neural tube during embryogenesis. Despite surgical repair of the defect, most patients who survive with spina bifida aperta have a multiple system handicap due to neuron deficiency of the defective spinal cord. Tissue engineering has emerged as a novel treatment for replacement of lost tissue. This study evaluated the prenatal surgical approach of transplanting a chitosan–gelatin scaffold seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the healing the defective spinal cord of rat fetuses with retinoic acid induced spina bifida aperta. Scaffold characterisation revealed the porous structure, organic and amorphous content. This biomaterial promoted the adhesion, spreading and in vitro viability of the BMSCs. After transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs, the defective region of spinal cord in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta at E20 decreased obviously under stereomicroscopy, and the skin defect almost closed in many fetuses. The transplanted BMSCs in chitosan–gelatin scaffold survived, grew and expressed markers of neural stem cells and neurons in the defective spinal cord. In addition, the biomaterial presented high biocompatibility and slow biodegradation in vivo. In conclusion, prenatal transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs could treat spinal cord defect in fetuses with spina bifida aperta by the regeneration of neurons and repairmen of defective region.     

Electrochemical corrosion behavior of 2A02 Al alloy under an accelerated simulation marine atmospheric environment

The corrosion behavior of 2A02 Al alloy under simulated marine atmospheric environment has been studied using mass-gain, scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), laser scanning confocal microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and localized electrochemical methods. The results demonstrate that the relationship between the corrosion induced mass-gain and the corrosion time is in accordance with the power rule. The mass-gain increases gradually during the corrosion time, while the corrosion rate decreases. With ongoing of the corrosion, corrosion products film changed from a porous to a compact structure. The various spectroscopic data show that the corrosion products films composed mainly of Al(OH)₃, Al₂O₃ and AlCl₃. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the 2A02 Al alloy was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).