Intelligent Integral Backstepping Sliding‐mode Control Using Recurrent Neural Network For Piezo‐flexural Nanopositioning Stage

In this study, an intelligent integral backstepping sliding‐mode control (IIBSMC) system using a recurrent neural network (RNN) is proposed for the three‐dimensional motion control of a piezo‐flexural nanopositioning stage (PFNS). First, the dynamic model of the PFNS is derived. Then, an integral backstepping sliding‐mode control (IBSMC) system is proposed for the tracking of the reference contours. The steady‐state response of the control system can be improved effectively due to the addition of the integrator in the IBSMC. Moreover, to relax the requirements of the bound and discard the switching function in the IBSMC, an IIBSMC system using an RNN estimator is proposed to improve the control performance and the robustness of the PFNS. The RNN estimator is proposed to estimate the lumped uncertainty, including the system parameters and external disturbance, online. Furthermore, the online tuning law for the training of the parameters of the RNN is derived using the Lyapunov stability theorem. In addition, a robust compensator is proposed to confront the minimum reconstructed error occurring in the IIBSMC system. Finally, some experimental results for the tracking of various contours are given to demonstrate the validity of the proposed IIBSMC system. From the performance measurements of the proportional‐integral control, sliding mode control, IBSMC, and IIBSMC systems, the proposed IIBSMC system has the lowest maximum, average, and standard deviation of the position tracking errors for three‐dimensional motion control of the PFNS.     

Dual boundary element analysis for fatigue behavior of missile structures

Abstract

The fatigue behavior of a crack in a missile structure is studied using the dual boundary integral equations developed by Hong and Chen (1988). This method, which incorporates two independent boundary integral equations, uses the displacement equation to model one of the crack boundaries and the traction equation to the other. A single domain approach can be performed efficiently. The stress intensity factors are calculated and the paths of crack growth are predicted. In order to evaluate the results of dual BEM, four examples with FEM results are provided. Two practical examples, cracks in a V‐band and a solid propellant motor are studied and are compared with experimental data. Good agreement is found.     

Toe transplantation for isolated index finger amputations distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint

Functional deficit following single distal index finger amputations has been considered insignificant, and reconstruction is usually not recommended. Herein, 19 cases of second toe transplantation for reconstruction of isolated index finger amputation distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint are presented with long-term functional results. There are 14 men and 5 women. The average age was 26 years. The toe transplantations were performed either as a primary procedure (5 patients) while the wounds were still open or as a secondary procedure (14 patients) after the wounds healed. In 11 patients, the dominant hand was involved. All toes survived completely, although re-exploration was required in three cases (16 percent). The functional evaluation included (1) sensory recovery, where the average static and moving two-point discrimination were 8 mm (range 4 to 15 mm) and 6 mm (range 2 to 15 mm); (2) motor function, where the average of index-thumb pulp-to-pulp pinch compared with the normal hand was 67.5 percent (range 36 to 96 percent); (3) average range of motion in index finger joints (extension/flexion), where metacarpophalangeal joint was 14/90, proximal interphalangeal joint was 0/94, and distal interphalangeal joint was 19/38; and (4) functional and cosmetic results, where percentage of involvement in daily activities and functional capacity of the reconstructed index were 69 percent and 70.5 in average, respectively, over a total score of 100. Average scores of aesthetic appearance and acceptability of donor-site deformity were 74 and 87.5 over a total score of 100, respectively. Toe transplantation for distal index finger amputations improved hand function when performed in selected patients with specific job requirements or high motivation.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Benzene in Air Streams in an Optical Fiber Photoreactor

Photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous benzene at room temperature was studied with a differential‐type optical fiber reactor using TiO₂ as the photocatalyst. The effects of humidity, UV light intensity and benzene concentration on the performance of the reactor for benzene decomposition were investigated. It was observed that both the apparent quantum yields of benzene decomposition and CO₂ production were superior to the traditional photoreactor, especially under limited UV light supply. In addition, deactivation of the TiO₂ catalyst heavily relied on the humidity contained in the airflow. Purging with ozone‐containing air rapidly decomposed the organic residues adhering to the TiO₂ surface and regenerated the deactivated catalyst within 30 minutes.     

Effects of areca nut, inflorescence piper betle extracts and arecoline on cytotoxicity, total and unscheduled DNA synthesis in cultured gingival keratinocytes

Betel quid (BQ) chewing has a strong correlation with oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. For elucidation of its pathogenesis, we investigated the effects of areca nut (AN) and inflorescence piper betle (IPB) extracts and arecoline on the growth, total DNA synthesis (TDS) and unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) of cultured human gingival keratinocytes (GK). Arecoline and AN extract suppressed the growth of GK over 5 days of incubation in a dose-dependent fashion. At concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 microg/ml, AN extract suppressed the growth of GK by 31%, 46% and 90%, respectively. The IPB extracts exerted less inhibitory effect on the growth of GK. IPB extract (200-400 microg/ml) decreased cell numbers by 20-40% over 5 days of incubation. Moreover, at a concentration of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mM, arecoline suppressed cell growth by 44%, 77% and 96%, respectively. However, only AN extract induced TDS and UDS in cultured GK within 6 h of exposure. Induction of UDS by AN extract was concomitant with the presence of apparent intracellular vacuolization. Arecoline was also toxic to GK, but did not induce intracellular vacuolization. At a concentration range of 200-1600 microg/ml, AN extract induced TDS by 2.1- to 6.5-fold. Furthermore, at a concentration of 400-1600 microg/ml, AN extract elevated the UDS by 2.4- to 5.5-fold more than that of untreated control. On the contrary, IPB extract (200-1600 microg/ml) and arecoline (0.2-1.6 mM) inhibited the TDS and UDS of GK to a different extent. Simultaneous exposure of confluent GK to AN extract, IPB extract and arecoline for 1 to 5 days led to different degrees of cytotoxicity that was dose- and time-dependent. These results indicate that AN, IPB and arecoline take part in the pathogenesis of BQ chewing-related oral mucosal lesions, possibly through both genotoxic and non-genotoxic mechanisms.     

Fast algorithm for computing the roots of error locator polynomialsup to degree 11 in Reed-Solomon decoders

The central problem in the implementation of a Reed-Solomon code is finding the roots of the error locator polynomial. In 1967, Berlekamp et al. found an algorithm for finding the roots of an affine polynomial in GF(2^m) that can be used to solve this problem. In this paper, it is shown that this Berlekamp-Rumsey-Solomon (1967) algorithm, together with the Chien (1964) search method, makes possible a fast decoding algorithm in the standard-basis representation that is naturally suitable in a software implementation. Finally, simulation results for this fast algorithm are given     

Assessment of fire protection performance of water mist applied in exhaust ducts for semiconductor fabrication process

Fume exhaust pipes used in semiconductor facilities underwent a series of fire tests to evaluate the performance of a water mist system. The parameters considered were the amount of water that the mist nozzles used, the air flow velocity, the fire intensity and the water mist system operating pressure. In order to make a performance comparison, tests were also performed with a standard sprinkler system. The base case served as a reference and applied a single water mist nozzle (100 bar operating pressure, 7.3 l/min water volume flux and 200 µm mean droplet size) installed in the pipe (60 cm in diameter) subjected to a 350°C air flow with an average velocity of 2 m/s. In such a case, the temperature in the hot flow dropped sharply as the water mist nozzle was activated and reached a 60°C saturation point. Under the same operating conditions, four mist nozzles were applied, and made no further contribution to reducing the fire temperature compared with the case using only a single nozzle. Similar fire protection performances to that in the base case were still retained when the exhaust flow velocity increased to 3 m/s and the inlet air temperature was increased to 500°C due to a stronger input fire scenario, respectively. Changing to a water mist system produced a better performance than a standard sprinkler. With regard to the effect of operating pressure of water mist system, a higher operating pressure can have a better performance. The results above indicate that the droplet size in a water‐related fire protection system plays a critical role. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regulation of ClC-2 Chloride Channel Proteostasis by Molecular Chaperones: Correction of Leukodystrophy-Associated Defect

The ClC-2 channel plays a critical role in maintaining ion homeostasis in the brain and the testis. Loss-of-function mutations in the ClC-2-encoding human CLCN2 gene are linked to the white matter disease leukodystrophy. Clcn2-deficient mice display neuronal myelin vacuolation and testicular degeneration. Leukodystrophy-causing ClC-2 mutant channels are associated with anomalous proteostasis manifesting enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation. The molecular nature of the ER quality control system for ClC-2 protein remains elusive. In mouse testicular tissues and Leydig cells, we demonstrated that endogenous ClC-2 co-existed in the same protein complex with the molecular chaperones heat shock protein 90β (Hsp90β) and heat shock cognate protein (Hsc70), as well as the associated co-chaperones Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (HOP), activator of Hsp90 ATPase homolog 1 (Aha1), and FK506-binding protein 8 (FKBP8). Further biochemical analyses revealed that the Hsp90β-Hsc70 chaperone/co-chaperone system promoted mouse and human ClC-2 protein biogenesis. FKBP8 additionally facilitated membrane trafficking of ClC-2 channels. Interestingly, treatment with the Hsp90-targeting small molecule 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) substantially boosted ClC-2 protein expression. Also, 17-AAG effectively increased both total and cell surface protein levels of leukodystrophy-causing loss-of-function ClC-2 mutant channels. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of 17-AAG in correcting anomalous ClC-2 proteostasis associated with leukodystrophy.