Stability of linear discrete switched systems with delays based on average dwell time method

This paper deals with the problem of exponential stability for a class of linear discrete switched systems with constant delays.The switched systems consist of stable and unstable subsystems.Based on the average dwell time method, some switching signals will be found to guarantee exponential stability of these systems.The explicit state decay estimation is also given in the form of the solutions of linear matrix inequalities(LMIs).An example relating to networked control systems(NCSs) illustrates the effect...     

Perforating pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Its distinction from elastosis perforans serpiginosa

It is not generally appreciated that pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) can be associated with epidermal perforation by elastic fibers. We report an example of this phenomenon. The term "perforating PXE" is suggested and a distinction is made from elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS). We believe that most reported cases of coexistence of PXE and EPS are perforating PXE and that the coexistence of EPS has not been clearly demonstrated.     

Decision-feedback detection for block differential space-time modulation

Time variation on fading channels hinders accurate channel estimation in differential space-time modulation and deteriorates the performance. Decision-feedback differential detection is studied for block differential space-time modulation, and compared with conventional differential space-time modulation. It is observed that the proposed scheme does not suffer effective fading bandwidth expansion, as does the conventional scheme. An improved effective signal-to-noise ratio approach is proposed for analyzing the performance of the proposed scheme in time-varying flat Rayleigh fading. Theoretical analysis and simulations show the improved performance of the proposed scheme over the conventional scheme.     

Electroseparation of an antibacterial peptide fraction from snow crab by-products hydrolysate by electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membranes

Recently, a snow crab by-products hydrolysate has demonstrated antibacterial properties due to a peptide with a molecular weight of about 800 Da, but only at high concentration. Consequently, peptide hydrolysate has been fractionated to obtain peptides in a more purified form. The aim of this work was to separate a snow crab by-products hydrolysate by electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membranes (EDUF). EDUF, which allows separation of molecules according to their charges and molecular weights, was used to recover and concentrate the active antibacterial fraction. Two different ultrafiltration membranes (20 and 50 kDa) and two electrical field strengths (2 and 14 V/cm) were used as separation parameters. After EDUF separation, the 300-600 Da peptide molecular weight range was the most recovered with an abundance of 94%. Moreover, fractionation at 14 V/cm with ultrafiltration membranes of 50 kDa allowed the recovery of an anionic fraction which showed antibacterial properties on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Listeria innocua HPB 13.     

Tree-to-tree variation in stearic and oleic acid content in seed fat from Allanblackia floribunda from wild stands: Potential for tree breeding

We determined whether Allanblackia floribunda, a forest tree species that is valued for the fat extracted from its seeds, could be genetically improved for fruit/seed production by sampling 17–40 fruits from each of 70 trees that were distributed among four sites in wild stands. Fat was extracted from the seeds, and stearic and oleic acid content of the fat was estimated. Highly significant (P < 0.0001) between- and within-tree variation characterised fruits and seed characters. Between-site phenotypic variation was not significant. Stearic and oleic acid percentages in seed fat ranged from 44.16% to 66.12%, and from 24.95% to 48.42% per tree sample, respectively. Moderate repeatabilities were identified in fruit characters and mean seed mass. Moderate positive relationships were found between stearic and oleic acid percentages. Seed fat profiles were not found to vary with other fruit characters. Twenty “plus trees” were selected for breeding.     

Thermal Aggregation of Whey Proteins in Model Solutions as Affected by Casein/Whey Protein Ratios

Model solutions (32.5 g protein/L) prepared from milk, ultrafiltration permeate, and whey protein isolate were adjusted at pH 6.7 to casein:whey protein (C:W) ratios of 80:20, 60:40, 40:60,20:80, and 0:100. Heating was performed in test tubes at 95 °C for 5 min. Observations of the heated suspensions revealed the occurrence of heterogeneous particulates from the existing casein micelles complexed with denatured whey proteins and from aggregates essentially consisting of denatured whey proteins. The proportion of whey protein aggregates increased as C:W was changed from 80:20 to 20:80. The results from this study confirmed that heat-induced aggregates were formed not only from casein micelles but also from heat-denatured whey proteins.     

Kinematic data on primate head and neck posture: implications for the evolution of basicranial flexion and an evaluation of registration planes used in paleoanthropology

Kinematic data on primate head and neck posture were collected by filming 29 primate species during locomotion. These were used to test whether head and neck posture are significant influences on basicranial flexion and whether the Frankfurt plane can legitimately be employed in paleoanthropological studies. Three kinematic measurements were recorded as angles relative to the gravity vector, the inclination of the orbital plane, the inclination of the neck, and the inclination of the Frankfurt plane. A fourth kinematic measurement was calculated as the angle between the neck and the orbital plane (the head-neck angle [HNA]). The functional relationships of basicranial flexion were examined by calculating the correlations and partial correlations between HNA and craniometric measurements representing basicranial flexion, orbital kyphosis, and relative brain size (Ross and Ravosa [1993] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 91:305-324). Significant partial correlations were observed between relative brain size and basicranial flexion and between HNA and orbital kyphosis. This indicates that brain size, rather than head and neck posture, is the primary influence on flexion, while the degree of orbital kyphosis may act to reorient the visual field in response to variation in head and neck posture. Regarding registration planes, the Frankfurt plane was found to be horizontal in humans but inclined in all nonhuman primates. In contrast, nearly all primates (including humans) oriented their orbits such that they faced anteriorly and slightly inferiorly. These results suggest that for certain functional craniometric studies, the orbital plane may be a more suitable registration plane than Frankfurt "Horizontal."     

Polyadenylation promotes degradation of 3'-structured RNA by the Escherichia coli mRNA degradosome in vitro

Polyadenylation contributes to the destabilization of bacterial mRNA. We have investigated the role of polyadenylation in the degradation of RNA by the purified Escherichia coli degradosome in vitro. RNA molecules with 3'-ends incorporated into a stable stem-loop structure could not readily be degraded by purified polynucleotide phosphorylase or by the degradosome, even though the degradosome contains active RhlB helicase which normally facilitates degradation of structured RNA. The exoribonucleolytic activity of the degradosome was due to polynucleotide phosphorylase, rather than the recently reported exonucleolytic activity exhibited by a purified fragment of RNase E (Huang, H., Liao, J., and Cohen, S. N. (1998) Nature 391, 99-102). Addition of a 3'-poly(A) tail stimulated degradation by the degradosome. As few as 5 adenosine residues were sufficient to achieve this stimulation, and generic sequences were equally effective. The data show that the degradosome requires a single-stranded "toehold" 3' to a secondary structure to recognize and degrade the RNA molecule efficiently; polyadenylation can provide this single-stranded 3'-end. Significantly, oligo(G) and oligo(U) tails were unable to stimulate degradation; for oligo(G), at least, this is probably due to the formation of a G quartet structure which makes the 3'-end inaccessible. The inaccessibility of 3'-oligo(U) sequences is likely to have a role in stabilization of RNA molecules generated by Rho-independent terminators.     

Perimetric motion thresholds are elevated in glaucoma suspects and glaucoma patients

The purpose of this study was to determine if a clinically feasible perimetric motion test utilizing random-dot kinematograms could identify glaucomatous visual field defects. Using a staircase procedure, an automated perimetric motion test and a larger foveally presented target were given to normal (n = 30), glaucoma suspects (n = 31) and primary open-angle glaucoma patients (n = 19). Motion thresholds at specific locations throughout the whole visual field were significantly elevated in glaucoma patients (P < or = 0.001). Perimetric motion testing identified 84.2% of the primary open-angle glaucoma patients and 25.8% of the glaucoma suspects as abnormal. A larger foveal stimulus was unable to distinguish between the different subject groups (P < or = 0.185). Perimetric motion thresholds were significantly correlated with Humphrey standard visual field thresholds in the glaucoma and glaucoma-suspect patients (P < or = 0.0002).     

Environmental health hazards: how children are different from adults

In policymaking on environmental health, it is often assumed that the entire population is exposed to and reacts to environmental contaminants in a similar manner. However, this assumption is misguided, especially where children are concerned. This article presents the scientific basis for the impacts of the environment on children, showing how children are different from adults in the ways in which they are exposed to environmental contamination and the ways in which they react to it when exposed. Specifically, the article examines the changing physical and biological environments of children. Children at different stages of development have unique physical risk factors for certain types of exposure because of changing location, levels of mobility, oxygen consumption, eating patterns, and behavior. When children are exposed to contaminants, their developing biological makeup--the way in which they absorb, distribute, and metabolize chemicals--will also affect how their bodies deal with the foreign substance. Each of these factors, along with the customs, laws, and regulations that affect the way in which children are exposed to the contaminants, had implications for the well-being of children in the years to come.