Augmented Lyapunov functional approach for stability of neutral systems with mixed delays

This paper is concerned with the neutral‐delay‐dependent and discrete‐delay‐dependent stability for uncertain neutral systems with mixed delays and norm‐bounded uncertainties. Through constructing a new augmented Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and proving its positive definiteness, introducing some slack matrices and using integral inequality, the improved delay‐dependent stability criteria are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the significant improvement on the conservatism of the delay bound over some existing results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

Modal logic as metalogic

The goal of this paper is to show how modal logic may be conceived as recording the derived rules of a logical system in the system itself. This conception of modal logic was propounded by Dana Scott in the early seventies. Here, similar ideas are pursued in a context less classical than Scott's.First a family of propositional logical systems is considered, which is obtained by gradually adding structural rules to a variant of the nonassociative Lambek calculus. In this family one finds systems that correspond to the associative Lambek calculus, linear logic, relevant logics, BCK logic and intuitionistic logic. Above these basic systems, sequent systems parallel to the basic systems are constructed, which formalize various notions of derived rules for the basic systems. The deduction theorem is provable for the basic systems if, and only if, they are at least as strong as systems corresponding to linear logic, or BCK logic, depending on the language, and their deductive metalogic is not stronger than they are.However, though we do not always have the deduction theorem, we may always obtain a modal analogue of the deduction theorem for conservative modal extensions of the basic systems. Modal postulates which are necessary and sufficient for that are postulates of S4 plus modal postulates which mimic structural rules. For example, the modal postulates which Girard has recently considered in linear logic are necessary and sufficient for the modal analogue of the deduction theorem.All this may lead towards results about functional completeness in categories. When functional completeness, which is analogous to the deduction theorem, fails, we may perhaps envisage a modal analogue of functional completeness in a modal category, of which our original category is a full subcategory.     

Analysis of Sequence Divergence in Mammalian ABCGs Predicts a Structural Network of Residues That Underlies Functional Divergence

The five members of the mammalian G subfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporters differ greatly in their substrate specificity. Four members of the subfamily are important in lipid transport and the wide substrate specificity of one of the members, ABCG2, is of significance due to its role in multidrug resistance. To explore the origin of substrate selectivity in members 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 of this subfamily, we have analysed the differences in conservation between members in a multiple sequence alignment of ABCG sequences from mammals. Mapping sets of residues with similar patterns of conservation onto the resolved 3D structure of ABCG2 reveals possible explanations for differences in function, via a connected network of residues from the cytoplasmic to transmembrane domains. In ABCG2, this network of residues may confer extra conformational flexibility, enabling it to transport a wider array of substrates.     

Mobile learning in chemical engineering: An outlook based on case studies

In the context of the electronic learning (E-learning) methodology, mobile learning (M-learning) focuses on the use of portable technology (such as mobiles or tablets) and the mobility of students. E-learning, and particularly M-learning, can be implemented in combination with other pedagogical methodologies for chemical engineering teaching and learning. We can consider that the vast majority of undergraduates own personal mobile devices nowadays. Moreover, many case studies have shown that M-learning is an effective methodology to capture students’ attention and to actively engage them in the learning process. In most cases, lecturers have reported an improvement in both academic performance and qualifications and have expressed a favourable opinion towards this type of initiative in surveys. In line with the increasing interest in the incorporation of E-learning, this review discusses cases studies based on M-learning within the field of chemical engineering teaching through different technological platforms and apps which can be installed or directly used on mobile devices. All the platforms described in this work offer a free version, emphasizing the possibility of extending this methodology within the university with no need for additional economic resources.     

多孔结构耐磨超疏水薄膜的制备及性能

为了获得持久稳定的超疏水材料,本研究将聚偏氟乙烯共六氟丙烯共聚物（P(VDF-HFP)）和疏水改性的纳米三氧化二铝（Al2O3）进行复合并通过溶剂/非溶剂诱导相分离法制备了一种耐磨超疏水薄膜。采用SEM及能谱分析仪和接触角测量仪分别对薄膜的表面微观结构、化学组成和疏水性能进行表征。结果表明：制备的薄膜具有自相似微纳米复合微观结构。并且薄膜具有优异的自清洁性和耐机械摩擦性,即使经历360个周期的砂纸磨损（100 g载重）后仍保持超疏水性。除此之外薄膜具有优异耐化学溶液和紫外灯照射稳定性。     

Genetic Architecture and Molecular,Imaging and Prodromic Markers in Dementia with Lewy Bodies: State of the Art,Opportunities and Challenges

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is one of the most common causes of dementia and belongs to the group of α-synucleinopathies. Due to its clinical overlap with other neurodegenerative disorders and its high clinical heterogeneity, the clinical differential diagnosis of DLB from other similar disorders is often difficult and it is frequently underdiagnosed. Moreover, its genetic etiology has been studied only recently due to the unavailability of large cohorts with a certain diagnosis and shows genetic heterogeneity with a rare contribution of pathogenic mutations and relatively common risk factors. The rapid increase in the reported cases of DLB highlights the need for an easy, efficient and accurate diagnosis of the disease in its initial stages in order to halt or delay the progression. The currently used diagnostic methods proposed by the International DLB consortium rely on a list of criteria that comprises both clinical observations and the use of biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the up-to-now reported knowledge on the genetic architecture of DLB and discuss the use of prodromal biomarkers as well as recent promising candidates from alternative body fluids and new imaging techniques.     

Material Design for 3D Multifunctional Hydrogel Structure Preparation

Hydrogels are recognized as one of the most promising materials for e-skin devices because of their unique applicable functionalities such as flexibility, stretchability, biocompatibility, and conductivity. Beyond the excellent sensing functionalities, the e-skin devices further need to secure a target-oriented 3D structure to be applied onto various body parts having complex 3D shapes. However, most e-skin devices are still fabricated in simple 2D film-type devices, and it is an intriguing issue to fabricate complex 3D e-skin devices resembling target body parts via 3D printing. Here, a material design guideline is provided to prepare multifunctional hydrogels and their target-oriented 3D structures based on extrusion-based 3D printing. The material design parameters to realize target-oriented 3D structures via 3D printing are systematically derived from the correlation between material design of hydrogels and their gelation characteristics, rheological properties, and 3D printing processability for extrusion-based 3D printing. Based on the suggested material design window, ion conductive self-healable hydrogels are designed and successfully applied to extrusion-based 3D printing to realize various 3D shapes.     

解析参数对活性焦再生过程及再生效果的影响

 活性焦的热解析参数对再生活性焦的脱硫脱硝性能和机械强度至关重要。为了明确解析参数对活性焦再生过程和再生效果的影响规律,通过热解析试验探究活性焦硫残余比例、CO₂和CO生成量及再生活性焦脱硫脱硝性能随解析温度和解析时间的变化规律,继而明确适宜的活性焦热解析参数。结果表明,活性焦升温解析过程中,脱硫产物在317 ℃左右迅速分解,随后分解速率下降;在进入恒温解析阶段后脱硫产物分解速率先快速下降,而后进入缓慢解析状态。硫残余比例随恒温解析温度的升高而下降,在530 ℃下解析3 h可使脱硫产物完全解析;解析温度高于430 ℃后,活性焦表面的酚基、醌基、内酯基等含氧官能团分解量明显增加,并随恒温解析温度的升高而持续增加,分解所生成的CO和CO₂也随之大幅增加,这将使活性焦的孔隙结构进一步发展,继而不利于活性焦机械强度的保持;解析温度低于530 ℃时,硫残余比例随解析温度的升高而持续降低,使再生活性焦的脱硫脱硝性能持续提高;解析温度高于530 ℃后,含氧官能团分解量随解析温度的升高而持续增加,这将有利于提高活性焦表面SO₂氧化反应速率,继而使再生活性焦的脱硫性能持续升高,但酚基、内酯基等酸性含氧官能团的分解使再生活性焦对NH₃的吸附性能降低,进而使其脱硝性能降低。在兼顾再生活性焦脱硫脱硝性能、机械强度和生产效率等多方面因素时,430 ℃恒温解析3 h是相对较优的解析参数。在此解析条件下,再生活性焦的硫残余比例仅为1.8%,含氧官能团尚未发生大量分解,脱硫脱硝性能相对较为优良。