On the recovery of the time average of continuous and discrete time functions from their Laplace and z‐transforms

The determination of the time averages of continuous functions or discrete time sequences is important for various problems in physics and engineering, and the generalized final‐value theorems of the Laplace and z‐transforms, relevant to functions and sequences not having a limit at infinity, but having a well‐defined average, can be very helpful in this determination. In the present contribution, we complete the proofs of these theorems and extend them to more general time functions and sequences. Besides formal proofs, some simple examples and heuristic and pedagogical comments on the physical nature of the limiting processes defining the averaging are given. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BCI Meeting 2005--workshop on signals and recording methods.

This paper describes the highlights of presentations and discussions during the Third International BCI Meeting in a workshop that evaluated potential brain-computer interface (BCI) signals and currently available recording methods. It defined the main potential user populations and their needs, addressed the relative advantages and disadvantages of noninvasive and implanted (i.e., invasive) methodologies, considered ethical issues, and focused on the challenges involved in translating BCI systems from the laboratory to widespread clinical use. The workshop stressed the critical importance of developing useful applications that establish the practical value of BCI technology.     

Structure,nonlinearity, and system theory

The suggestion of writing, for some problems, nonlinear state equations not as dx/dt = F(x,u,t), but as dx/dt = [A(t,x)]x + [B(t,x)]u(t), which is more ‘constructive’ as re system perception and possible structural generalizations, is considered, supported by arguments related to the classification of switched circuits as linear and nonlinear. The point of the distinction is mainly that when solving dx/dt = F(x,u,t), one immediately dwells into the analytical problems related to pure mathematics, whereas for dx/dt = [A(t,x)]x + [B(t,x)]u(t), considering first a constant matrix [A], one introduces the system's physical structure and considering then [A(x)] sees the nonlinearity of the system as a dependence of the structure on the processes in it or on system's input. (This might be named structural response). The thinking in terms of structure better observes the engineering and physical degrees of freedom, which are relevant regarding applications. Some electronic systems and physical systems (e.g., hydrodynamic) are considered in these terms. The logical side is always the focus, and the pedagogical (even philosophical) side is not ignored. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Programmed Cell Death in the Small Intestine: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Celiac Disease

The small intestine has a high rate of cell turnover under homeostatic conditions, and this increases further in response to infection or damage. Epithelial cells mostly die by apoptosis, but recent studies indicate that this may also involve pro-inflammatory pathways of programmed cell death, such as pyroptosis and necroptosis. Celiac disease (CD), the most prevalent immune-based enteropathy, is caused by loss of oral tolerance to peptides derived from wheat, rye, and barley in genetically predisposed individuals. Although cytotoxic cells and gluten-specific CD4⁺ Th1 cells are the central players in the pathology, inflammatory pathways induced by cell death may participate in driving and sustaining the disease through the release of alarmins. In this review, we summarize the recent literature addressing the role of programmed cell death pathways in the small intestine, describing how these mechanisms may contribute to CD and discussing their potential implications.     

Effect of Ca and B incorporation into silicon oxycarbide on its microstructure and phase composition

Ca- and/or B-modified silicon oxycarbides were synthesized via pyrolysis of suitable polysilsesquioxane-based single-source precursors. Their polymer-to-ceramic transformation was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis, coupled with in situ evolved gas analysis. The prepared silicon oxycarbides were investigated with respect to their crystallization behavior, network architecture, and chemical compositions. The network connectivity in silicon oxycarbides can be affected/tuned upon using two different “tools”: (a) first, the use of network modifiers, such as Ca in our study, leads to a slight depolymerization of the network via generation of a small amount of Q³ sites; (b) second, the modification of silicon oxycarbide with B/Ca leads to a decrease of the carbon content in the network and thus to a significant decrease of its connectivity. Using these two different effects, the network connectivity in silicon oxycarbides can be finely tuned.     

Chemically modified babassu coconut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Orbignya sp.)</Emphasis> biopolymer: characterization and development of a thin film for its application in electrochemical sensors

The babassu coconut is a plant very abundant in northeast of Brazil and other countries, and any part of plant and fruit becomes residue. In this study, babassu mesocarp (Orbignya sp) (BM) was chemically modified with phthalic anhydride (BMPA) to increase its solubility in an aqueous medium, and thus facilitate its processing in the form of thin films. The reaction of modification of the babassu mesocarp with phthalic anhydride (PA), obtaining BMPA, was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, TG/DTG, Zeta Potential and SEM analysis, from the differences in the bands of the FTIR spectra, increase in crystallinity, new thermal profile, changes in zeta potential value and morphology, respectively. The thin monolayer films of BM and BMPA were produced by the self-assembly monolayer (SAM) technique, and adsorbed onto conductive glass substrates (tin-doped indium oxide, ITO). The electroactive properties of these thin films were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). BM exhibited a pair redox pair process of +0.57 V(oxidation) and?+?0.19 V (reduction) for BM. In BMPA these redox processes were observed at +0.37 V (oxidation) and 0.24 V vs. ECS (reduction), verifying that both BM and BMPA are electroactive materials that can be used in the construction of sensor platforms, without the necessity of being conjugated with other electroactive materials, such as conductive polymers, metal phthalocyanines, or dyes. Furthermore, under the experimental conditions used, the BMPA presented a more reversible redox process and higher electrochemical stability in comparison to BM. This effect occurs because BMPA has higher solubility in aqueous media, which favors the preparation of films with smaller grain sizes compared to BM films, as observed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This study showed that BMPA is a new material with potential for applications in electrochemical sensors.

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Graphical abstract Obtaining and modifying babassu mesocarp for the electrochemical studies

     

From task parameters to motor synergies: A hierarchical framework for approximately optimal control of redundant manipulators

We present a hierarchical framework for approximately optimal control of redundant manipulators. The plant is augmented with a low‐level feedback controller, designed to yield input‐output behavior that captures the task‐relevant aspects of plant dynamics but has reduced dimensionality. This makes it possible to reformulate the optimal control problem in terms of the augmented dynamics, and optimize a high‐level feedback controller without running into the curse of dimensionality. The resulting control hierarchy compares favorably to existing methods in robotics. Furthermore, we demonstrate a number of similarities to (nonhierarchical) optimal feedback control. Besides its engineering applications, the new framework addresses a key unresolved problem in the neural control of movement. It has long been hypothesized that coordination involves selective control of task parameters via muscle synergies, but the link between these parameters and the synergies capable of controlling them has remained elusive. Our framework provides this missing link. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Inducing Constructor Systems from Example-Terms by Detecting Syntactical Regularities

We present a technique for inducing functional programs from few, well chosen input/output-examples (I/O-examples). Potential applications for automatic program or algorithm induction are to enable end users to create their own simple programs, to assist professional programmers, or to automatically invent completely new and efficient algorithms. In our approach, functional programs are represented as constructor term rewriting systems (CSs) containing recursive rules. I/O-examples for a target function to be implemented are a set of pairs of terms (F(i_i),o_i) meaning that F(i_i)—denoting application of function F to input i_i—is rewritten to o_i by a CS implementing the function F. Induction is based on detecting syntactic regularities between example terms. In this paper we present theoretical results and describe an algorithm for inducing CSs over arbitrary signatures/data types which consist of one function defined by an arbitrary number of rules with an arbitrary number of non-nested recursive calls in each rule. Moreover, we present empirical results based on a prototypical implementation.     

Robotic nucleic acid isolation using a magnetic bead resin and an automated liquid handler for biological agent simulants

The events that occurred following the mailing of Bacillus anthracis-laced envelopes through the postal system has highlighted the need to perform biological screening on large numbers of environmental samples. High-throughput screening that relies on integrated robotic systems to speed analysis has been undertaken to handle the surge in samples requiring testing in events involving weapons of mass destruction. These automated screening systems require DNA extraction methods capable of handling environmental samples that contain inhibitors and have target organisms at low concentrations. This study describes the development of a method for the detection of the biological warfare agent simulants Erwinia herbicola and Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores using paramagnetic bead-based resin with an automated liquid handler and environmental samples.