Robust stabilization for uncertain time-delay systems containingsaturating actuators

A class of uncertain time-delay systems containing a saturating actuator is considered. These systems are characterized by delayed state equations (including a saturating actuator) with norm-bounded parameter uncertainty (possibly time varying) in the state and input matrices. The delay is assumed to be constant bounded but unknown. Using a Razumikhin approach for the stability of functional differential equations, upper bounds on the time delay are given such that the considered uncertain system is robustly stabilizable, in the case of constrained input, via memoryless state feedback control laws. These bounds are given in terms of solutions of appropriate finite dimensional Riccati equations     

Effect of material characteristics of polyolefins on weld line morphology and its correlation to mechanical properties

The effect of a weld line on the tensile, tensile impact and environmental stress cracking properties of a number of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) samples has been investigated. The observed mechanical behaviour has been correlated to material properties, and also to the weld line morphology. PE samples differed in branching, molar mass (Mw) and molar mass distribution (MWD), whereas the PP samples differed in nucleation. The morphology of the weld line formed in injection moulding was analysed by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical strength was studied by tensile, tensile impact and constant tensile stress methods. In polyethylene samples with a high Mw, the weld line area was seen through the skin layer to the shear layer, and even down to the beginning of the core layer. The effect of a high Mw on morphological changes was diminished by a broad MWD. Short chain branching limited the morphological change solely to the skin layer. Both PP samples were morphologically rather homogeneous. The weld line created a V-notch on the surface that acted as a crack initiator in mechanical tests and thus reduced the mechanical strength of the weld line samples. The V-notch mainly hid the effect of the morphology on the mechanical properties. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Eradication of Barrett''s mucosa with argon plasma coagulation and acid suppression: immediate and mid term results

Microcapsules are used for the formulation of drug controlled release and drug targeting dosage forms. Encapsulated hydrophobic drugs are often applied as their solutions in plant oils. The uptake of the oils in the complex coacervate microcapsules can be improved by the addition of surfactants. In this study, soybean, olive and peanut oils were chosen as the representatives of plant oils. The well characterized complex coacervation of gelatin and acacia has been used to produce the microcapsules. The amount of encapsulated oil has been determined gravimetrically. The encapsulation of the oils was high (75-80%). When the surfactants with HLB values from 1.8 to 6.7 were used, the amount of encapsulated oil was high (65-85%). A significant decrease of the oil content in the microcapsules was found when Tween 61 with HLB = 9.6 had been added into the mixture. No oil was found inside the microcapsules from the coacervate emulsion mixture containing Tween 81 (HLB = 10) and Tween 80 (HLB = 15), respectively. The results of the experiment confirm the dependence of hydrophobic substance encapsulation on the HLB published recently for Squalan.     

Differential therapy of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. An analysis with reference to personal microsurgery experiences

A total of 126 patients (63 female, 63 male) underwent microsurgical removal of their cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) by the same surgeon. The mean age at surgery was 34.7 (6-72) years. The symptoms were intracerebral hemorrhage (37.3%), seizure disorder (34.9%) or focal neurological deficits and minor symptoms. According to the Spetzler/Martin scale, 20.6% of the AVMs were grade I, 28.6% grade II, 32.5% grade III, 14.3% grade IV and 4% grade V. In all, 78 AVMs (61.9%) were located in functionally important brain regions. The series was split into three different groups: small AVMs under 3 cm in diameter (n = 62/49.2%), medium-sized AVMs (n = 58/46%) and large AVMs (n = 6/4.8%). Seventeen patients had preoperative embolization of their AVM. All patients had postoperative angiographic control and 3- and 6-month follow-up. One patient died (0.8%), and another one (0.8%), in whom the AVM was incompletely resected, suffered a secondary hemorrhage. Seventeen (27.4%) of the patients with small AVMs developed transient neurological worsening post-operatively, which remained permanently significant in 3.2%. The respective numbers for the patients with medium-sized AVMs were 48.3% and 10.3% and for the large AVMs 83.3% and 33.3%. The results of microsurgical removal of cerebral AVMs can still be considered superior to the results of stereotactic radiosurgical treatment available from the literature-even for small AVMs. This is due to immediate exclusion of the AVM under direct local control of the angioarchitecture and thereby a reduced risk of secondary hemorrhaging and a decreasing morbidity rate with increasing time after the operation. Radiosurgical treatment requires a 2-year latency period for obliteration and carries a mortality rate of up to 12.5% and a rate of unexpected side effects of up to 20%. This treatment should be reserved for small, deep, surgically inaccessible AVMs or used as part of a multimodality treatment regimen consisting of partial embolization, partial excision and consecutive radiation of the residual nidus in initially very large AVMs. Embolization therapy-such as radiosurgery-carries a significant risk of morbidity (8%) and a mortality rate of up to 6%. It should only be considered for AVMs that are expected to be fully obliterated afterwards, or for primary inoperable AVMs that are to be changed into operable ones by embolization. Size reduction of otherwise operable AVMs does not justify the additional risk of embolization. Close collaboration of the specialties involved is desirable.     

Characterization of differing effects caused by homeopathically prepared and conventional dilutions using cytochrome P450 2E1 and other enzymes as detection systems

Determination of cytochrome P450 2E1 activity was carried out via hydroxylation of the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenol to p-nitrocatechol. Crude microsomal preparation isolated from rat liver served as source for cytochrome P450 2E1. Under assay conditions guaranteeing a linear course of the reaction the cytochrome P450 2E1 was stimulated in the presence of a 10(-6) dilution of As2O3 corresponding to 0.915 microM final concentration compared with control. All other concentrations of As2O3 used inhibited the enzyme activity more or less drastically. Furthermore, we used this enzyme system to study the influence of arsenicum album (As2O3) and potassium cyanatum (KCN) in homeopathically prepared (i.e., by consecutive 1:10 steps) and conventional dilutions. We found significant differences between the effects caused by homeopathic potencies (D) and equally concentrated dilutions on catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 2E1. Such differing effects were observed in the case of arsenicum album (As2O3) between D4/10(-4) and D6/10(-6) and in the case of potassium cyanatum (KCN) between D6/10(-6) and D12/10(-12). When we used glutathione-S-transferases and uricase we also found different effects mediated by potencies and conventional dilutions. The results obtained suggest that these three enzyme systems are appropriate detection systems to hunt out differing effects of differently prepared dilutions of specific test substances.     

Expert statement and assessment of medical impairment in work-related pulmonary disease

The Norwegian Societies of Thoracic Medicine and Occupational Medicine established a working group to standardise diagnostic procedures and evaluation of work-related respiratory disorders. In cases of suspected work-related diseases the physician may be asked by the National Insurance Administration or an insurance company to make a statement which will be one of the documents used to decide the patient's right to compensation benefit. We discuss the role of the physician as an independent expert. This is different from his role as clinician. The statement should include a balanced presentation of information from different sources, including health and occupational history, and the employer's information about the work environment (quantitative and qualitative exposure data). The statement must also include the results of a clinical examination and an assessment of functional status based on objective tests. The paper contains recommendations for evaluation of permanent impairment in light of the present Norwegian laws and regulations.     

Comparison of smoothness evaluation devices for power cablecompounds

A variety of data from different devices has been generated on the smoothness of shield products, but no direct comparison of compound smoothness for the devices themselves has been made. The purpose of this study was to compare four different methods for evaluating the smoothness of power cable compounds. The methods compared include: image analysis, laser scanning, mechanical profilometry and photomicroscopy with visual rating. Extruded tape samples of conductor shields, filled insulations and strippable shields were evaluated     

Interactions of histaminergic and serotonergic neurons in the hypothalamic regulation of prolactin and ACTH secretion

Serotonergic and histaminergic neuronal systems are both involved in mediation of the stress-induced release of the pituitary hormones prolactin (PRL) and ACTH. We investigated the possibility of an interaction between serotonin (5-HT) and histamine (HA) in regulation of PRL and ACTH secretion in conscious male rats. Animals were pretreated systemically with antagonists to 5-HT1, 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptors prior to intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of HA. The 5-HT1 + 2 receptor antagonist methysergide prevented and the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist LY 53857 attenuated the HA-induced PRL release while the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron had no effect on this response. None of the three 5-HT receptor antagonists affected the ACTH response to HA. Specific blockade of HA synthesis by alpha-fluoromethylhistidine or blockade of postsynaptic HA receptors by icv infusion of the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine inhibited the PRL response to 5-HT or to the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5- HTP) given in combination with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (Flx). Blockade of the histaminergic system had no effect on the ACTH response to serotonergic stimulation. The H3 receptors are inhibitory HA receptors. Systemic pretreatment with the H3 receptor agonist R(alpha)methylhistamine, or the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide had no effect on the hormone response to activation of the serotonergic system by 5-HTP plus Flx. We conclude that the serotonergic and histaminergic neuronal systems interact in their stimulation of PRL secretion, but not in their stimulation of ACTH secretion. This interaction involves serotonergic 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors and histaminergic H1 and H2 receptors. Furthermore, the previously observed inhibitory effect of the H3 receptor agonist R(alpha)methylhistamine on stress-induced PRL and ACTH release seems not to be exerted by activation of presynaptic H3 receptors located on serotonergic neurons but rather on histaminergic neurons.     

Error floor of MSK modulation in a mobile-radio channel with twoindependently fading paths

We investigate the error probability bit error rate (BER) of minimum shift keying (MSK) modulation with differential detection in a two-path fading channel without noise (error floor). We develop a new method for the computation of the BER: we show that errors occur if the phasors of the instantaneous impulse response fall into certain regions of the complex plane; then we average over the statistics of the phasors to arrive at the mean BER. With this method, we derive analytical expressions for the BER for arbitrary amplitude statistics of the paths. For the special case of two Rayleigh-fading paths with small delay, we find that the BER is proportional to the square of the mean delay spread (normalized to the bit length) if we sample between the two pulses. This proves the qualitative behavior of previous estimates, but our results allow also a more exact quantitative formulation. The quadratic dependence of the BER on the delay spread breaks down if we have one Rayleigh-fading and one Rician-fading path. We find that the bit combinations 1-11 and -11-1 do not lead to errors in the two-path model. However, additional Monte Carlo simulations show that these bit combinations do lead to errors in a three-path model