Extended state observer-based finite-region control for 2-D Markov jump systems

In this article, an extended state observer-based finite-region control scheme is presented for two-dimensional Markov jump systems with unknown mismatched disturbances. The mathematical model of the two-dimensional Markov jump systems is built on the well-known Roesser model. By establishing special recursive formulas and utilizing the 2-D Lyapunov function theory, sufficient conditions are obtained, which prove that the resultant system is finite-region bounded, if some linear matrix inequalities are achieved. Then, we provide an algorithm to solve the extended state observer-based controller gains. With the proposed control scheme, the external disturbances can be actively rejected from the system outputs. To conclude, a numerical example based on the Darboux equation is provided to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the devised control scheme.     

Robust integrated sequential covariance intersection fusion Kalman filters and their convergence and stability for networked sensor systems with five uncertainties

For networked sensor systems (NSSs) with hard and soft sensors including five uncertainties, two universal approaches of solving the robust fusion estimation problems are presented. It includes an integrated sequential covariance intersection (SCI) fusion minimax robust Kalman filtering approach with cross-covariance information and a generalized Lyapunov equation approach with four pairs of Lyapunov equations. Applying them, the robust local and SCI fused time-varying and steady-state Kalman filters are presented in the sense that their actual estimation error variances are guaranteed to have the corresponding minimal upper bounds. The equivalent batch SCI fusers are also presented. Their robustness and accuracy relations are proved, and the sensitivity of the SCI fuser with respect to the fused orders of sensors is analyzed. Applying the dynamic error system analysis method and the dynamic variance error system analysis method, a new convergence and absolute asymptotic stability theory of robust fusion Kalman filtering is presented. The classical Kalman filtering convergence and stability theory is developed. Compared with the original covariance intersection fuser, they significantly reduced the computational complexity and burden. Compared with the optimal and conservative SCI fusers, they significantly improved the robust accuracies. They are suitable to deal with asynchronous or random delayed data and are suitable for real-time applications. A simulation applied to the two-mass spring damper mechanical system shows their effectiveness.     

3D printing system: an innovation for small-scale manufacturing in home settings? – early adopters of 3D printing systems in China

This study investigates Chinese consumers’ adoption of the innovative 3D printing systems for small-scale manufacturing in home settings. Empirical studies were conducted in a survey with 256 participants. The number of significant determinants that affect an individual’s decision to adopt 3D printing systems has been identified by applying a model that integrates the Technology Acceptance Model and Innovation Diffusion Theory. A number of moderation effects of demographic variables (e.g. gender, design background) on the association between motivational variables and participants’ adoption have also been analysed with factor analysis, structural equation modelling and hierarchical regression. Our results shed some light on the characteristics of early adopters of home 3D printing systems in China. This study contributes to the early understanding of Chinese consumers’ adoption of innovative 3D printing systems.     

Thermal,mechanical and drug release characteristics of an acrylic film using active pharmaceutical ingredient as non-traditional plasticizer

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate thermal and mechanical properties as well as in vitro drug release of Eudragit® RL (ERL) film using chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) as either active pharmaceutical ingredient or non-traditional plasticizer. Differential scanning calorimeter was used to measure the glass transition temperature (T_g) of 0–100% w/w CPM in ERL physical mixture. Instron testing machine was used to investigate Young’s modulus, tensile stress and tensile strain (%) of ERL film containing 20–60% w/w CPM. Finally, a Franz diffusion cell was used to study drug release from ERL films obtained from four formulations, i.e. CRHP0/0, CRHP0/5, CRHP2/0 and CRHP2/5. The T_g of ERL was decreased when the weight percentage of CPM increased. The reduction of the T_g could be described by Kwei equation, indicating the interaction between CPM and ERL. Modulus and tensile stress decreased whereas tensile strain (%) increased when weight percentage of CPM increased. The change of mechanical properties was associated with the reduction of the T_g when weight percentage of CPM increased. ERL films obtained from four formulations could release the drug in no less than 10?h. Cumulative amount of drug release per unit area of ERL film containing only CPM (CRHP0/0) was lower than those obtained from the formulations containing traditional plasticizer (CRHP0/5), surfactant (CRHP2/0) or both of them (CRHP2/5). The increase of drug release was a result of the increase of drug permeability through ERL film and drug solubility based on traditional plasticizer and surfactant, respectively.     

Development of a water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion system integrating biomimetic aqueous-core lipid nanodroplets for protein entity stabilization. Part II: process and product characterization

The aqueous-core enclosed in lipid nanoballoons integrating multiple emulsions of the type water-in-oil-in-water mimic, at least in theory, the environment within viable cells, thus being suitable for housing hydrophilic protein entities such as bioactive proteins, peptides and bacteriophage particles. This study reports a complete physicochemical characterization of optimized biomimetic aqueous-core lipid nanoballoons housing hydrophilic (BSA) protein entities, evolved from a statistical 2³×3¹ factorial design study (three variables at two levels and one variable at three levels) that was the subject of the first paper of a series of three, aiming at complete stabilization of the three-dimensional structure of protein entities attempted via housing the said molecular entities within biomimetic aqueous-core lipid nanoballoons integrating a multiple (W/O/W) emulsion. The statistical factorial design followed led to the production of an optimum W/O/W multiple emulsion possessing quite homogeneous particles with an average hydrodynamic size of (186.2?±?2.6) nm and average Zeta potential of (?36.5?±?0.9) mV, and exhibiting a polydispersity index of 0.206?±?0.014. Additionally, the results obtained for the diffusion coefficient of the lipid nanoballoons integrating the optimized W/O/W multiple emulsion were comparable and of the same order of magnitude (10^?12 m² s^?1) as those published by other authors since, typically, diffusion coefficients for molecules range from 10^?10 to 10^?7 m² s^?1, but diffusion coefficients for nanoparticles are typically of the order of magnitude of 10^?12 m² s^?1.     

A simple spatial integration scheme for solving Cauchy problems of non-linear evolution equations

In this study, we address a new and simple non-iterative method to solve Cauchy problems of non-linear evolution equations without initial data. To start with, these ill-posed problems are analysed by utilizing a semi-discretization numerical scheme. Then, the resulting ordinary differential equations at the discretized times are numerically integrated towards the spatial direction by the group-preserving scheme (GPS). After that, we apply a two-stage GPS to integrate the semi-discretized equations. We reveal that the accuracy and stability of the new approach is very good from several numerical experiments even under a large random noisy effect and a very large time span.     

求解变系数对流扩散反应方程的指数型高精度紧致差分方法

本文给出了一种数值求解变系数对流扩散反应方程的指数型高精度紧致差分方法.我们首先将模型方程变形,借助常系数对流扩散方程的指数型高精度紧致差分格式,采用残量修正法得到变系数对流扩散反应方程的指数型高精度紧致差分格式;并从理论上分析了当Pelect数很大时,本文格式达到四阶计算精度时网格步长的限制条件;离散得到的代数方程组可采用追赶法直接求解.数值实验结果与理论分析完全吻合,表明了本文格式对于边界层问题或大梯度变化的物理量求解问题具有的高精度和鲁棒性的优点.     

A meshless method for solving 1D time-dependent heat source problem

A novel meshless numerical procedure based on the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) and the heat polynomials is proposed for recovering a time-dependent heat source and the boundary data simultaneously in an inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP). We will transform the problem into a homogeneous IHCP and initial value problems for the first-order ordinary differential equation. An improved method of MFS is used to solve the IHCP and a finite difference method is applied for solving the initial value problems. The advantage of applying the proposed meshless numerical scheme is producing the shape functions which provide the important delta function property to ensure that the essential conditions are fulfilled. Numerical experiments for some examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.