Recovering the initial state of an infinite-dimensional system using observers

Let A be the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup T on the Hilbert space X, and let C be a linear operator from D(A) to another Hilbert space Y (possibly unbounded with respect to X, not necessarily admissible). We consider the problem of estimating the initial state z₀∈D(A) (with respect to the norm of X) from the output function y(t)=CT_tz₀, given for all t in a bounded interval [0,τ]. We introduce the concepts of estimatability and backward estimatability for (A,C) (in a more general way than currently available in the literature), we introduce forward and backward observers, and we provide an iterative algorithm for estimating z₀ from y. This algorithm generalizes various algorithms proposed recently for specific classes of systems and it is an attractive alternative to methods based on inverting the Gramian. Our results lead also to a very general formulation of Russell’s principle, i.e., estimatability and backward estimatability imply exact observability. This general formulation of the principle does not require T to be invertible. We illustrate our estimation algorithms on systems described by wave and Schrödinger equations, and we provide results from numerical simulations.     

Effects of aluminium nitride silane-treatment on the mechanical and thermal properties of polybenzoxazine matrix

A new kind of polymer composite, produced from the typical polybenzoxazine and 0–30 wt-% native and silane-treated aluminium nitride (T-AlN), was investigated. The mechanical tests revealed a significant increase in the microhardness and flexural properties upon adding the T-AlN particles compared to that obtained from the untreated ones. By adding 0–30 wt-% T-AlN, the tensile moduli were accurately reproduced by the Halpin-Tsai and Nielsen models. At 30 wt-% T-AlN, dynamic mechanical analysis showed a significant increase in the storage moduli and the glass transition temperature (T_g), reaching 3.2?GPa and 217°C, respectively. The thermal stability of these materials was significantly improved upon the addition of the T-AlN fillers. These improvements are attributed to the high thermal and mechanical properties of the fillers and their good dispersion and adhesion in and to the matrix as revealed by a morphological analysis.     

Toward a better self-regulation: degree of certainty through fuzzy logic in a formative assessment

In the present paper, we plan to introduce a new procedure for learner’s assessment in the learning environment in a way true to reality by using fuzzy logic. In this evaluation, learner’s responses are accompanied by a degree of certainty expressed by him. This method allows detection of problems encountered by the learner and also to fix the concepts mastered and those that are not. It is a diagnostic procedure that improves the process of content adaptation and self-adjustment on the one hand and makes the knowledge model clearly interpretable and more understandable to learner and tutor/teacher/head teacher on the other hand.     

N-benzyl-N,N-bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]amine as corrosion inhibitor of steel in 1 M HCl

The inhibition effect of a new bipyrazole derivative namely N-benzyl-N,N-bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]amine (BBPA) on the corrosion of steel in 1 M HCl is studied at 308 K. Weight-loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarisation, linear polarisation and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods were used. Results show that BBPA is a good inhibitor and inhibition efficiency reaches 87% at 5 · 10^− 4 M. The values of the inhibition efficiency calculated from these techniques are reasonably in good agreement. Polarisation curves revealed that this organic compound acts as a mixed-type inhibitor. The temperature effect on the corrosion behaviour of steel in 1 M HCl with and without BBPA at 5 · 10^− 4 M is studied in the temperature range 308-353 K. The associated activation energy is determined. The adsorption of BBPA on the steel surface obeys to the Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. EIS measurements show that the transfer resistance increases with the inhibitor concentration. Efficiency is explained by the theoretical studies.     

An interval observer for uncertain continuous‐time linear systems

To design robust interval observers for uncertain continuous‐time linear systems, a new set‐integration approach is proposed to compute trajectory tubes for the estimation error. Because this approach, the order‐preserving condition on the dynamics of the estimation error is no longer required. Therefore, synthesis methods can be used to compute observer gains that reduce the impact of the system uncertainties on the accuracy of the estimated state enclosures. The performance of the proposed approach is showcased through illustrative numerical examples.     

Dynamic matrix control and generalized predictive control,comparison study with IMC-PID

Two of control techniques of the Model Predictive Control (MPC) methodology, which are Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) and Generalized Predictive Control (GPC), with IMC-PID are disputed in this paper. The main characteristics of these important control techniques, widely used in industry, are presented. The optimum solution of the predicted control inputs and outputs are obtained by minimizing a cost function that contains the squared errors between the reference trajectory and predictions output on the prediction horizon. These controllers are applied on a Process Control Module (PCM), a system with pure time delay, and tested in the light of disturbance rejection and tracking performance for the constant and variable trajectory.     

Monoclonal Antibody Engineering and Design to Modulate FcRn Activities: A Comprehensive Review

Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the pH-dependent nature of FcRn binding, as well as the various factors influencing the affinity to FcRn, was concurrent with the arrival of the first recombinant IgG monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and IgG Fc-fusion proteins in clinical practice. IgG Fc–FcRn became a central subject of interest for the development of these drugs for the comfort of patients and good clinical responses. In this review, we describe (i) mAb mutations close to and outside the FcRn binding site, increasing the affinity for FcRn at acidic pH and leading to enhanced mAb half-life and biodistribution, and (ii) mAb mutations increasing the affinity for FcRn at acidic and neutral pH, blocking FcRn binding and resulting, in vivo, in endogenous IgG degradation. Mutations modifying FcRn binding are discussed in association with pH-dependent modulation of antigen binding and (iii) anti-FcRn mAbs, two of the latest innovations in anti-FcRn mAbs leading to endogenous IgG depletion. We discuss the pharmacological effects, the biological consequences, and advantages of targeting IgG–FcRn interactions and their application in human therapeutics.     

Acute obstructive renal failure. Analysis of 28 cases

This retrospective study is concerned 28 patients hospitalized with acute obstructive renal failure at the department of nephrology in UHC Ibn-Rochd between 1988 and 1995. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical, étiological, therapeutical and evolutive aspects of the acute obstructive renal failure. It concerned 21 men and 7 women, their mean age is 52 years old. The main symptoms were anuria (85%) and lumbar pain (75%), the mean delay of consultation was 42 days. The diagnosis of the acute obstructive renal function and the presence of obstacle on the upper urinary tract. The obstacle was a stone in 19 cases, cancer in 8 cases and one case of retroperitoneal fibrosis was noted. Treatment of the cause was done whenever possible. Treatment was often palliative in the tumoral pathology. We observed 3 deaths (10.5%), 16 recoveries (58%), 6 cases of residual renal failure (21%), 3 cases of terminal chronic renal failure (10.5%) and 4 cases of recurrence. The lithiasic etiology of acute obstructive renal failure led to a high short-term mortality (15.5%), an effective etiologic causative treatment (69.5%) and a high rate or restoration of the renal function (69.5%). On the other hand, in the neoplastic etiology, there were no short-term mortality, but a frequent course to chronic renal failure.     

The automatic creation of OLAP cube using an MDA approach

The Model‐Driven Architecture (MDA) is an approach that aligns modeling and automation for software development. By applying such an approach to data warehouse (DW) projects, we can minimize a great deal of time and cost. Furthermore, most of OnLine Analytical Processing (OLAP) platforms seem to be like black boxes that provide wizards only to business intelligence developers to create and manipulate OLAP objects without allowing their sustainability and migration from a platform to another. That is why many works in the literature have proposed using the MDA approach in DW projects. However, most of them have mainly focused on the generation of the DW relational model from the conceptual one, and they overlooked the OLAP model and the cube implementation. To deal with this problem, we propose in this paper an MDA solution to automate the process of getting OLAP cube and its implementation through a set of metamodels and automatic transformations among them. In fact, the proposal generates the OLAP and DW relational models (PSMs) from the conceptual one, using also a PDM model that describes the target business intelligence platform. After that, the source code to create the cube is got from both PSM models. For this aim, we define a set of transformation rules implemented using the Atlas transformation language. Finally, a case study will be provided to validate our approach.     

Set membership parameter estimation in the frequency domain based on complex intervals

This paper is devoted to set membership parameter estimation for non-linear complex-valued models. In such a context, the error between the measured data and the output model is supposed to be bounded with known prior bounds. The proposed approach is based on set inversion via complex interval analysis. A first contribution of this paper is the extension of logarithm and exponentiel functions to polar intervals. In a second part, it is shown on an engineering application devoted to thermal parameter estimation, that the proposed interval complex representation is useful.