Parallel time scales and two-dimensional manufacturer and individual customer warranties

We deal with a system whose failures depend on several parallel effects, such as the time in use L and the mileage H. Manufacturer warranties are typically described by a two-dimensional region in the (L, H)-plane. A proper determination of the warranty limits must be based on a two-dimensional distribution of time to failure on this plane. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the possibility of designing individual warranties for a “nontypical” customer who has a very low or very high usage rate b = H/L, and to show a simple way to calculate warranty limits by minimizing the lifetime coefficient of variation. The latter is carried out by introducing the “best” combined time scale in the form K = (1-ε)L+εH which provides the minimal lifetime coefficient of variation.     

BER Performance of Finite in Time Optimal FTN Signals for the Viterbi Algorithm

In this article, we consider the faster than Nyquist (FTN) technology in aspects of the application of the Viterbi algorithm (VA). Finite in time optimal FTN signals are used to provide a symbol rate higher than the “Nyquist barrier” without any encoding. These signals are obtained as the solutions of the corresponding optimization problem. Optimal signals are characterized by intersymbol interference (ISI). This fact leads to significant bit error rate (BER) performance degradation for “classical” forms of signals. However, ISI can be controlled by the restriction of the optimization problem. So we can use optimal signals in conditions of increased duration and an increased symbol rate without significant energy losses. The additional symbol rate increase leads to the increase of the reception algorithm complexity. We consider the application of VA for optimal FTN signals reception. The application of VA for receiving optimal FTN signals with increased duration provides close to the potential performance of BER, while the symbol rate is twice above the Nyquist limit.     

Optimal traffic control synthesis for an isolated intersection

A continuous dynamical model of a simplified controlled isolated intersection is derived in order to find and analyze an optimal control policy to minimize total delay. An analytical solution of the optimal control problem with constrained signal light control is presented. The optimal synthesis is found for the four principal control constraint cases. Previous results from the 1960s and 70s are discussed.     

Discrete dynamic optimization of N-stages control for isolated signalized intersections

The N-stages control problem for isolated signalized intersections is defined as the control problem to disperse initial queue lengths to their optimal steady-state values in N cycles. Based on a discrete-event model of a simplified isolated signalized intersection, the N-stages control problem is formulated as a linear programming problem as well as a quadratic programming problem. A new algorithm is proposed for solving the discrete optimization problem by simple calculations, based on the optimal solution of the corresponding continuous-time problem. Numerical comparisons between the continuous-time optimal solution and the discrete-event optimal solutions, obtained from linear programming and sequential quadratic programming, are given for a few examples.     

Combined Modification of Fiber Materials by Enzymes and Metal Nanoparticles for Chemical and Biological Protection

To obtain fiber materials with pronounced chemical-biological protection, metal (Zn or Ta) nanoparticles were jointly applied with polyelectrolyte complexes of enzymes and polypeptides being their stabilizers. Computer modeling revealed the preferences between certain polyelectrolyte partners for N-acyl-homoserine lactone acylase and hexahistidine-tagged organophosphorus hydrolase (His₆-OPH) possessing the quorum quenching (QQ) behavior with bacterial cells. The combinations of metal nanoparticles and enzymes appeared to function better as compared to the combinations of the same QQ-enzymes with antibiotics (polymyxins), making it possible to decrease the applied quantities by orders of magnitude while giving the same effect. The elimination of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells from doubly modified fiber materials notably increased (up to 2.9-fold), whereas His₆-OPH retained its hydrolytic activity in reaction with organophosphorus compounds (up to 74% of initially applied activity). Materials with the certain enzyme and Zn nanoparticles were more efficient against Bacillus subtilis cells (up to 2.1-fold), and Ta nanoparticles acted preferentially against Escherichia coli (up to 1.5-fold). Some materials were proved to be more suitable for combined modification by metal nanoparticles and His₆-OPH complexes as antimicrobial protectants.     

Ipsilateral and Contralateral Interactions in Spinal Locomotor Circuits Mediated by V1 Neurons: Insights from Computational Modeling

We describe and analyze a computational model of neural circuits in the mammalian spinal cord responsible for generating and shaping locomotor-like oscillations. The model represents interacting populations of spinal neurons, including the neurons that were genetically identified and characterized in a series of previous experimental studies. Here, we specifically focus on the ipsilaterally projecting V1 interneurons, their possible role in the spinal locomotor circuitry, and their involvement in the generation of locomotor oscillations. The proposed connections of these neurons and their involvement in different neuronal pathways in the spinal cord allow the model to reproduce the results of optogenetic manipulations of these neurons under different experimental conditions. We suggest the existence of two distinct populations of V1 interneurons mediating different ipsilateral and contralateral interactions within the spinal cord. The model proposes explanations for multiple experimental data concerning the effects of optogenetic silencing and activation of V1 interneurons on the frequency of locomotor oscillations in the intact cord and hemicord under different experimental conditions. Our simulations provide an important insight into the organization of locomotor circuitry in the mammalian spinal cord.