A generalised optimal linear quadratic tracker with universal applications – part 1: continuous-time systems

This paper presents a generalised optimal linear quadratic analog tracker (LQAT) with universal applications for the continuous-time (CT) systems. This includes: (1) a generalised optimal LQAT design for the system with the pre-specified trajectories of the output and the control input and additionally with both the input-to-output direct-feedthrough term and known/estimated system disturbances or extra input/output signals; (2) a new optimal filter-shaped proportional plus integral state-feedback LQAT design for non-square non-minimum phase CT systems to achieve a minimum phase-like tracking performance; (3) a new approach for computing the control zeros of the given non-square CT system; and (4) a one-learning-epoch input-constrained iterative learning LQAT design for the repetitive CT system.     

Optimization of the Extraction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alpinia oxyphylla</Emphasis> Essence Oil in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The essence oil of the Alpinia oxyphylla seed has been used as a vasodilatatory and analgesic agent in pharmacology. The extraction of the essence oil in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) from Alpinia oxyphylla seeds was investigated. Small particles were obtained after breaking open, sieving, and drying from the Alpinia oxyphylla seeds. The small particles were placed in a 5-L extraction tank in a temperature-controlled system. The CO₂ flow rate of the system was set at 1 L/min in this study. Response surface methodology with a three-factor and three-level Box-Behnken experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of the reaction parameters such as extraction time (1, 2, 3 h), temperature (45, 55, 65 °C), and pressure (20, 30, 40 MPa), on the extraction yield of the essence oil from Alpinia oxyphylla seeds. The results indicate that the extraction pressure was the most important parameter affecting the yield of the essence oil. A model for the estimation of the yield was developed. Based on the analysis of ridge max, the optimal extraction conditions were established as an extraction time of 2.8 h, a temperature of 67.5 °C, and a pressure of 28.5 MPa, with an expected yield of 2.78%. Extraction of Alpinia oxyphylla essence oil in SC-CO₂ under these optimal conditions was conducted, and a yield of 2.77 ± 0.19% was obtained.     

Probability-based validation of protein identifications using a modified SEQUEST algorithm

Database-searching algorithms compatible with shotgun proteomics match a peptide tandem mass spectrum to a predicted mass spectrum for an amino acid sequence within a database. SEQUEST is one of the most common software algorithms used for the analysis of peptide tandem mass spectra by using a cross-correlation (XCorr) scoring routine to match tandem mass spectra to model spectra derived from peptide sequences. To assess a match, SEQUEST uses the difference between the first- and second-ranked sequences (ACn). This value is dependent on the database size, search parameters, and sequence homologies. In this report, we demonstrate the use of a scoring routine (SEQUEST-NORM) that normalizes XCorr values to be independent of peptide size and the database used to perform the search. This new scoring routine is used to objectively calculate the percent confidence of protein identifications and posttranslational modifications based solely on the XCorr value.     

Inherent and apparent scattering properties of coated or uncoated spheres embedded in an absorbing host medium

The conventional Lorenz-Mie formalism is extended to the case for a coated sphere embedded in an absorbing medium. The apparent and inherent scattering cross sections of a particle, derived from the far field and near field, respectively, are different if the host medium is absorptive. The effect of absorption within the host medium on the phase-matrix elements associated with polarization depends on the dielectric properties of the scattering particle. For the specific cases of a soot particle coated with a water layer and an ice sphere containing an air bubble, the phase-matrix elements -P12/P11 and P33/P11 are unique if the shell is thin. The radiative transfer equation for a multidisperse particle system embedded within an absorbing medium is discussed. Conventional multiple-scattering computational algorithms can be applied if scaled apparent single-scattering properties are applied.     

A Transparent Distributed Shared Memory for Clustered Symmetric Multiprocessors

A transparent distributed shared memory (DSM) system must achieve complete transparency in data distribution, workload distribution, and reconfiguration respectively. The transparency of data distribution allows programmers to be able to access and allocate shared data using the same user interface as is used in shared-memory systems. The transparency of workload distribution and reconfiguration can optimize the parallelism at both the user-level and the kernel-level, and also improve the efficiency of run-time reconfiguration. In this paper, a transparent DSM system referred to as Teamster is proposed and is implemented for clustered symmetric multiprocessors. With the transparency provided by Teamster, programmers can exploit all the computing power of the clustered SMP nodes in a transparent way as they do in single SMP computer. Compared with the results of previous researches, Teamster can realize the transparency of cluster computing and obtain satisfactory system performance.     

Automated identification of amino acid sequence variations in proteins by HPLC/microspray tandem mass spectrometry

Amino acid sequence variations resulting from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified using a novel mass spectrometric method. This method obtains 99+% protein sequence coverage for human hemoglobin in a single LC-microspray tandem mass spectrometry (microLC-MS/MS) experiment. Tandem mass spectrometry data was analyzed using a modified version of the computer program SEQUEST to identify the sequence variations. Conditions of sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and data collection were optimized to correctly identify amino acid changes in six variants of human hemoglobin (Hb C, Hb E, Hb D-Los Angeles, Hb G-Philadelphia, Hb Hope, and Hb S). Hemoglobin proteins were isolated and purified, dehemed, (S)-carboxyami-domethylated, and then subjected to a combination proteolytic digestion to obtain a complex peptide mixture with multiple overlaps in sequence. Reversed-phase chromatographic separation of peptides was achieved on-line with MS utilizing a robust fritless microelectrospray interface. Tandem mass spectrometry was performed on an ion trap mass spectrometer using automated data-dependent MS/MS procedures. Tandem mass spectra were collected from the five most abundant ions in each scan using dynamic and isotopic exclusion to minimize redundancy. The spectra were analyzed by a version of the SEQUEST algorithm modified to identify amino acid substations resulting from SNPs.     

Proteome profiling-pitfalls and progress

In this review we examine the current state of analytical methods in proteomics. The conventional methodology using two-dimensional electrophoresis gels and mass spectrometry is discussed, with particular reference to the advantages and shortcomings thereof. Two recently published methods which offer an alternative approach are presented and discussed, with emphasis on how they can provide information not available via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These two methods are the isotope-coded affinity tags approach of Gygi et al. and the two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach as presented by Link et al. We conclude that both of these new techniques represent significant advances in analytical methodology for proteome analysis. Furthermore, we believe that in the future biological research will continue to be enhanced by the continuation of such developments in proteomic analytical technology.     

Integration of automatic mapping/facility management in distribution system analysis

This paper presents the use of an Automatic Mapping/Facility Management (AM/FM) system for distribution system analysis and design. The AM/FM provides an environment for building a database which contains both graphic information and non-graphic facility data. This database can be used by various departments for engineering analysis, accounting, inventory, map production, and so forth. This system can be used to retrieve facility data from the database and support different applications such as system analysis or planning. With the state-of-the-art graphic user interface (GUI), output results of the application can be shown on the screen along with the graphic displays of the system that includes the geographic information. In this paper, the integration of the AM/FM is illustrated by a three-phase load flow program, that is, a very precise and sophisticated three-phase distribution system model was used. It is also shown that a statistical report of facilities can be easily built with the aid of the AM/FM.     

Sex-and age-related differences in ceramide dihexosides of primary human brain tumors

Neutral glycolipids (NGL) are promising diagnostic markers of human gliomas, but differences in NGL with age and sex have not been examined. Previous work demonstrated that ceramide dihexosides (CDH) levels in mouse kidney are age- and sex-dependent, probably due to levels of sex hormones. We quantitated CDH in 181 human gliomas and found significant differences with sex and age, particularly menopause and male puberty. This emphasizes the importance of assessing results of studies on glycolipids in disease states with respect to age and sex in order to avoid erroneous conclusions concerning the relationship of glycolipid composition with diagnosis and pathogenesis.