Global stabilization of linear periodically time-varying switched systems via matrix inequalities

1 Introduction An important class of hybrid systems is the class of switched systems, which is a family of differential equations together with rules to switch between them. A switched sys- tem can be described by a differential equation the form x˙ = fα(t,x), where {fα(.) : α ∈ N} is a family of functions that is pa- rameterized by some index set N, and α(.) ∈ N, depend- ing on the system state in each time, is a switching sig- nal/strategy. The set N is typically a finite set. Switc…     

Corrugated horn as high-performance monopulse feed†

This paper discusses a type of multimode monopulse feed using corrugated circular waveguide. The ‘ difference ’ or error-signals are derived from the TE₀₁, and/or TM₀₁ modes, whereas the ‘ sum ’ or reference-signal is provided by the so-called hybrid modes. The optimization of the overall tracking performance is carried out in two steps. The horn dimensions are first chosen to give the optimum ‘ difference ’ mode illumination, then the ‘ sum ’ mode efficiency is optimized by shaping the ‘ sum ’ pattern with the aid of higher-order hybrid modes. It is shown that the performance of a corrugated waveguide monopulse feed is, in many respects, superior to that of its conventional counterpart.     

Discrete optimal stochastic controller and its forms

An approach to obtain the optimal controller From an optimal criterion is presented. The controller is very general in the sense that it is multivariable, it compensates Tor process delay and it allows a penalty on the input variable variance. The controller can be obtained in two forms: the state-space model form with the steady-state Kalman filter that separates the control algorithm in distinctive steps to provide an insight into the control problem, while the transfer function form is very convenient for implementation.     

Ionic conductivity, transference numbers, composition and mobility of ions in cross-linked lysozyme crystals

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene expression as well as its immunoreactivity were studied after partial unilateral hemitransection of the rat brain during a time course of 24 h, 72 h, 7 and 14 days. The mechanical injury resulted in a global increase of bFGF gene expression at the 24-h time interval. This global increase was seen at the ipsilateral site at the level of the lesion as well as rostral to the lesion in the ipsilateral hemisphere. The upregulation in bFGF gene expression was in most of the areas investigated due to an upregulation in glial cells as seen by means of nonradioactive in situ hybridization compared with immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Basic FGF immunoreactivity (IR) was increased around the lesion in glial cell nuclei 7 days after the injury. This increase was also detected in GFAP positive glial cells surrounding small vessels in the lesioned area. Moreover, in the present paper we demonstrate increased tenascin immunoreactivity in the lesioned area 7 days after injury. The tenascin IR was increased at the edges of the lesion as well as in vessel like structures. The tenascin IR was partially codistributed with GFAP IR in the lesioned area. The lesion was also characterized by an increase in vimentin IR as well as in laminin IR. It is suggested that the observed changes in the expression of bFGF, matrix proteins (laminin, tenascin) and intermediate filaments (vimentin) are involved in (a) tissue repair, (b) protection of neuronal cells from excitotoxic influences and (c) formation of new vessels in the lesioned area.     

Macrophyllicin, a saponin from Primula macrophylla

A new triterpenoid saponin, macrophyllicin has been isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Primula macrophylla. On the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, the structure of macrophyllicin was determined as 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl] -6 beta,16 alpha,28-trihydroxy-olean-12-ene. The 2D NMR experiments were useful in providing complete information on the structure of macrophyllogenin, a new sapogenin.     

Novel hybrid models of ANFIS and metaheuristic optimizations (SCE and ABC) for prediction of compressive strength of concrete using rebound hammer field test

In this study, we developed novel hybrid models namely Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) optimized by Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) on the one hand and ANFIS with Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) on the other hand. These were used to predict compressive strength (Cs) of concrete relating to thirteen concrete-strength affecting parameters which are easy to determine in the laboratory. Field and laboratory tests data of 108 structural elements of 18 concrete bridges of the Ha Long-Van Don Expressway, Vietnam were considered. The dataset was randomly divided into a 70:30 ratio, for training (70%) and testing (30%) of the hybrid models. Performance of the developed fuzzy metaheuristic models was evaluated using standard statistical metrics: Correlation Coefficient (R), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The results showed that both of the novel models depict close agreement between experimental and predicted results. However, the ANFIS-ABC model reflected better convergence of the results and better performance compared to that of ANFIS-SCE in the prediction of the concrete Cs. Thus, the ANFIS-ABC model can be used for the quick and accurate estimation of compressive strength of concrete based on easily determined parameters for the design of civil engineering structures including bridges.     

Propofol preserves the viability of isolated rat hepatocyte suspensions under an oxidant stress

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term impact of endoluminal low power red laser light (LPRLL) on restenosis in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. BACKGROUND: Despite widespread application of balloon angioplasty for treatment of coronary artery disease, restenosis limits its clinical benefits. Restenosis is a complex process and may be partly attributed to the inability of the vascular endothelium to regenerate and cover the denuded area at the site of arterial injury. We previously demonstrated that LPRLL stimulates endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and contributes to rapid endothelial regeneration after balloon injury in nonatherosclerotic rabbits. METHODS: Rabbit abdominal aortas (n = 12) were treated in separate zones with balloon dilation and balloon dilation plus laser illumination. Endoluminal laser therapy was performed using a laser-balloon catheter delivering a single dose of 10 mW for 3 min from a helium-neon laser (632 nm). Angiography was performed before and after treatment and was repeated 8 weeks before harvesting the aortas. RESULTS: Quantitative angiographic analysis demonstrated no differences in the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) between the two zones before treatment; an increase in the MLD in both zones after balloon angioplasty and a significant versus slight reduction of the MLD in the balloon treatment versus balloon plus laser zones at 8 weeks. Histologic examination showed a very high level of myointimal hyperplasia in the balloon treatment zones but a minimal level in the LPRLL-treated zones. Morphometric analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the lumen area, intimal area and intima/media ratio between the balloon versus balloon plus laser treatment sites. CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental data indicate that endoluminal irradiation with LPRLL prevents restenosis after balloon angioplasty in an atherosclerotic rabbit model.