Fat Mass Is Positively Associated with Estimated Hip Bone Strength among Chinese Men Aged 50 Years and above with Low Levels of Lean Mass.

PubMed

Han, Guiyuan; Chen, Yu-Ming; Huang, Hua; Chen, Zhanyong; Jing, Lipeng; Xiao, Su-Mei

2017-04-24

This study investigated the relationships of fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) with estimated hip bone strength in Chinese men aged 50-80 years (median value: 62.0 years). A cross-sectional study including 889 men was conducted in Guangzhou, China. Body composition and hip bone parameters were generated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The relationships of the LM index (LMI) and the FM index (FMI) with bone phenotypes were detected by generalised additive models and multiple linear regression. The associations between the FMI and the bone variables in LMI tertiles were further analysed. The FMI possessed a linear relationship with greater estimated hip bone strength after adjustment for the potential confounders ( p < 0.05). Linear relationships were also observed for the LMI with most bone phenotypes, except for the cross-sectional area ( p < 0.05). The contribution of the LMI (4.0%-12.8%) was greater than that of the FMI (2.0%-5.7%). The associations between the FMI and bone phenotypes became weaker after controlling for LMI. Further analyses showed that estimated bone strength ascended with FMI in the lowest LMI tertile ( p < 0.05), but not in the subgroups with a higher LMI. This study suggested that LM played a critical role in bone health in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men, and that the maintenance of adequate FM could help to promote bone acquisition in relatively thin men.

New LMI based gain-scheduling control for recovering contact-free operation of a magnetically levitated rotor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, M.; Cole, M. O. T.; Keogh, P. S.

2017-11-01

A new approach for the recovery of contact-free levitation of a rotor supported by active magnetic bearings (AMB) is assessed through control strategy design, system modelling and experimental verification. The rotor is considered to make contact with a touchdown bearing (TDB), which may lead to entrapment in a bi-stable nonlinear response. A linear matrix inequality (LMI) based gain-scheduling H∞ control technique is introduced to recover the rotor to a contact-free state. The controller formulation involves a time-varying effective stiffness parameter, which can be evaluated in terms of forces transmitted through the TDB. Rather than measuring these forces directly, an observer is introduced with a model of the base structure to transform base acceleration signals using polytopic coordinates for controller adjustment. Force transmission to the supporting base structure will occur either through an AMB alone without contact, or through the AMB and TDB with contact and this must be accounted for in the observer design. The controller is verified experimentally in terms of (a) non-contact robust stability and vibration suppression performance; (b) control action for contact-free recovery at typical running speeds with various unbalance and TDB misalignment conditions; and (c) coast-down experimental tests. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the AMB control action whenever it operates within its dynamic load capacity.

PHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HS Aqr, EG Cep, VW LMi, AND DU Boo

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Djurasevic, G.; Latkovic, O.; Bastuerk, Oe.

2013-03-15

We analyze new multicolor light curves for four close late-type binaries: HS Aqr, EG Cep, VW LMi, and DU Boo, in order to determine the orbital and physical parameters of the systems and estimate the distances. The analysis is done using the modeling code of G. Djurasevic, and is based on up-to-date measurements of spectroscopic elements. All four systems have complex, asymmetric light curves that we model by including bright or dark spots on one or both components. Our findings indicate that HS Aqr and EG Cep are in semi-detached, while VW LMi and DU Boo are in overcontact configurations.

Robust design of feedback feed-forward iterative learning control based on 2D system theory for linear uncertain systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhifu; Hu, Yueming; Li, Di

2016-08-01

For a class of linear discrete-time uncertain systems, a feedback feed-forward iterative learning control (ILC) scheme is proposed, which is comprised of an iterative learning controller and two current iteration feedback controllers. The iterative learning controller is used to improve the performance along the iteration direction and the feedback controllers are used to improve the performance along the time direction. First of all, the uncertain feedback feed-forward ILC system is presented by an uncertain two-dimensional Roesser model system. Then, two robust control schemes are proposed. One can ensure that the feedback feed-forward ILC system is bounded-input bounded-output stable along time direction, and the other can ensure that the feedback feed-forward ILC system is asymptotically stable along time direction. Both schemes can guarantee the system is robust monotonically convergent along the iteration direction. Third, the robust convergent sufficient conditions are given, which contains a linear matrix inequality (LMI). Moreover, the LMI can be used to determine the gain matrix of the feedback feed-forward iterative learning controller. Finally, the simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.

Sex- and age-specific percentiles of body composition indices for Chinese adults using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

PubMed

Xiao, Zeyu; Guo, Bin; Gong, Jian; Tang, Yongjin; Shang, Jingjie; Cheng, Yong; Xu, Hao

2017-10-01

The aims of the study were to develop sex- and age-specific percentiles for lean mass index (LMI), appendicular LMI (aLMI), fat mass index (FMI), and body fat distribution indices in Chinese adults using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to compare those indices with those of other ethnicities using the US NHANES data. Whole-body and regional lean mass and fat mass (FM) were measured using DXA in 5688 healthy males (n = 1693) and females (n = 3995) aged 20-90 years. Body fat distribution indices were expressed as % fat trunk/% fat legs, trunk/appendicular FM ratio (FMR), and android/gynoid FMR. Percentile curves of LMI, aLMI, FMI, and body fat distribution indices were obtained by the Lambda-Mu-Sigma method. The aLMI and LMI were negatively associated with age, decreasing from the fifth decade for males, but were not associated with age in females. Females had more total FM than males, whereas males had greater central adiposity (% fat trunk/% fat legs ratio, trunk/appendicular FMR, and android/gynoid FMR) than females. Moreover, FMI and body fat distribution indices consistently increased with age in both sexes, especially in women. In comparison with white, black, and Mexican populations in the USA, Chinese adults had lower total FM, but had greater central adiposity (% fat trunk/% fat legs ratio and trunk/appendicular FMR). Additionally, older white and Mexican populations showed greater decreases for aLMI and LMI than their Chinese counterparts. We present the sex- and age-specific percentiles for aLMI, LMI, FMI, and body fat distribution indices by DXA in Chinese adults, which may refine the individual assessment of the nutritional status of Chinese adults.

Robust gaze-steering of an active vision system against errors in the estimated parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Youngmo

2015-01-01

Gaze-steering is often used to broaden the viewing range of an active vision system. Gaze-steering procedures are usually based on estimated parameters such as image position, image velocity, depth and camera calibration parameters. However, there may be uncertainties in these estimated parameters because of measurement noise and estimation errors. In this case, robust gaze-steering cannot be guaranteed. To compensate for such problems, this paper proposes a gaze-steering method based on a linear matrix inequality (LMI). In this method, we first propose a proportional derivative (PD) control scheme on the unit sphere that does not use depth parameters. This proposed PD control scheme can avoid uncertainties in the estimated depth and camera calibration parameters, as well as inconveniences in their estimation process, including the use of auxiliary feature points and highly non-linear computation. Furthermore, the control gain of the proposed PD control scheme on the unit sphere is designed using LMI such that the designed control is robust in the presence of uncertainties in the other estimated parameters, such as image position and velocity. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method provides a better compensation for uncertainties in the estimated parameters than the contemporary linear method and steers the gaze of the camera more steadily over time than the contemporary non-linear method.

Effect of Endurance Training on The Lactate and Glucose Minimum Intensities

PubMed Central

Junior, Pedro B.; de Andrade, Vitor L.; Campos, Eduardo Z.; Kalva-Filho, Carlos A.; Zagatto, Alessandro M.; de Araújo, Gustavo G.; Papoti, Marcelo

2018-01-01

Due to the controversy about the sensitive of lactate minimum intensity (LMI) to training and the need to develop other tool for aerobic fitness evaluation, the purpose of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of glucose minimum intensity (GMI) and LMI to endurance training. Eight trained male cyclists (21.4 ± 1.9 years, 67.6 ± 7.5 kg and 1.72 ± 0.10 m) were evaluated twice, before and after 12 weeks of training. GMI and LMI were calculated, respectively, by the lowest blood glucose and lactate values attained during an incremental test performed after a hyperlactemia induction, and VO2max was determined during standard incremental effort. The training was prescribed in three different zones and controlled by heart rate (HR). The training distribution was equivalent to 59.7%, 25.0% and 15.3% below, at and above anaerobic threshold HR respectively. The anaerobic threshold evaluated by GMI and LMI improvement 9.89 ± 4.35% and 10.28 ± 9.89 respectively, after training, but the VO2max 2.52 ± 1.81%. No differences were found between GMI and LMI in pre (218.2 ± 22.1 vs 215.0 ± 18.6 W) and post (240.6 ± 22.9 vs 237.5 ± 18.8 W) training situations. LMI and GMI were sensitive to 12-week aerobic training in cyclist; thus, both protocols can be used to assess aerobic adaptation, athletes diagnostic and prescribe training. Key points The lactate and glucose minimum intensities (GMI) can be used for monitoring training effects on cyclists Although both GMI and lactate minimum intensities are important index of aerobic fitness, they cannot be used to determine aerobic fitness. The polarized training was effective for improvements of maximal oxygen uptake on trained cyclists. PMID:29535585

LMI designmethod for networked-based PID control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souza, Fernando de Oliveira; Mozelli, Leonardo Amaral; de Oliveira, Maurício Carvalho; Palhares, Reinaldo Martinez

2016-10-01

In this paper, we propose a methodology for the design of networked PID controllers for second-order delayed processes using linear matrix inequalities. The proposed procedure takes into account time-varying delay on the plant, time-varying delays induced by the network and packed dropouts. The design is carried on entirely using a continuous-time model of the closed-loop system where time-varying delays are used to represent sampling and holding occurring in a discrete-time digital PID controller.

Anthropometry profiles of elite rugby players: quantifying changes in lean mass.

PubMed

Duthie, G M; Pyne, D B; Hopkins, W G; Livingstone, S; Hooper, S L

2006-03-01

To demonstrate the utility of a practical measure of lean mass for monitoring changes in the body composition of athletes. Between 1999 and 2003 body mass and sum of seven skinfolds were recorded for 40 forwards and 32 backs from one Super 12 rugby union franchise. Players were assessed on 13 (7) occasions (mean (SD)) over 1.9 (1.3) years. Mixed modelling of log transformed variables provided a lean mass index (LMI) of the form mass/skinfolds(x), for monitoring changes in mass controlled for changes in skinfold thickness. Mean effects of phase of season and time in programme were modelled as percentage changes. Effects were standardised for interpretation of magnitudes. The exponent x was 0.13 for forwards and 0.14 for backs (90% confidence limits +/-0.03). The forwards had a small decrease in skinfolds (5.3%, 90% confidence limits +/-2.2%) between preseason and competition phases, and a small increase (7.8%, 90% confidence limits +/-3.1%) during the club season. A small decrease in LMI (approximately 1.5%) occurred after one year in the programme for forwards and backs, whereas increases in skinfolds for forwards became substantial (4.3%, 90% confidence limits +/-2.2%) after three years. Individual variation in body composition was small within a season (within subject SD: body mass, 1.6%; skinfolds, 6.8%; LMI, 1.1%) and somewhat greater for body mass (2.1%) and LMI (1.7%) between seasons. Despite a lack of substantial mean changes, there was substantial individual variation in lean mass within and between seasons. An index of lean mass based on body mass and skinfolds is a potentially useful tool for assessing body composition of athletes.

Anthropometry profiles of elite rugby players: quantifying changes in lean mass

PubMed Central

Duthie, G M; Pyne, D B; Hopkins, W G; Livingstone, S; Hooper, S L

2006-01-01

Objective To demonstrate the utility of a practical measure of lean mass for monitoring changes in the body composition of athletes. Methods Between 1999 and 2003 body mass and sum of seven skinfolds were recorded for 40 forwards and 32 backs from one Super 12 rugby union franchise. Players were assessed on 13 (7) occasions (mean (SD)) over 1.9 (1.3) years. Mixed modelling of log transformed variables provided a lean mass index (LMI) of the form mass/skinfoldsx, for monitoring changes in mass controlled for changes in skinfold thickness. Mean effects of phase of season and time in programme were modelled as percentage changes. Effects were standardised for interpretation of magnitudes. Results The exponent x was 0.13 for forwards and 0.14 for backs (90% confidence limits ±0.03). The forwards had a small decrease in skinfolds (5.3%, 90% confidence limits ±2.2%) between preseason and competition phases, and a small increase (7.8%, 90% confidence limits ±3.1%) during the club season. A small decrease in LMI (∼1.5%) occurred after one year in the programme for forwards and backs, whereas increases in skinfolds for forwards became substantial (4.3%, 90% confidence limits ±2.2%) after three years. Individual variation in body composition was small within a season (within subject SD: body mass, 1.6%; skinfolds, 6.8%; LMI, 1.1%) and somewhat greater for body mass (2.1%) and LMI (1.7%) between seasons. Conclusions Despite a lack of substantial mean changes, there was substantial individual variation in lean mass within and between seasons. An index of lean mass based on body mass and skinfolds is a potentially useful tool for assessing body composition of athletes. PMID:16505074

Motion control of planar parallel robot using the fuzzy descriptor system approach.

PubMed

Vermeiren, Laurent; Dequidt, Antoine; Afroun, Mohamed; Guerra, Thierry-Marie

2012-09-01

This work presents the control of a two-degree of freedom parallel robot manipulator. A quasi-LPV approach, through the so-called TS fuzzy model and LMI constraints problems is used. Moreover, in this context a way to derive interesting control laws is to keep the descriptor form of the mechanical system. Therefore, new LMI problems have to be defined that helps to reduce the conservatism of the usual results. Some relaxations are also proposed to leave the pure quadratic stability/stabilization framework. A comparison study between the classical control strategies from robotics and the control design using TS fuzzy descriptor models is carried out to show the interest of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2012 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Musical Training and Late-Life Cognition

PubMed Central

Gooding, Lori F; Abner, Erin L; Jicha, Gregory A; Kryscio, Richard J; Schmitt, Fredrick A

2014-01-01

This study investigated effects of early- to mid-life musical training on cognition in older adults. A Musical Training Survey examined self-reported musical experience and objective knowledge in 237 cognitively intact participants. Responses were classified into Low, Medium, and High knowledge groups. Linear mixed models compared the groups’ longitudinal performance on the Animal Naming Test (ANT; semantic verbal fluency) and Logical Memory Story A Immediate Recall (LMI; episodic memory) controlling for baseline age, time since baseline, education, sex, and full-scale IQ. Results indicate that High knowledge participants had significantly higher LMI scores at baseline and over time compared to Low knowledge participants. ANT scores did not differ among the groups. Ability to read music was associated with higher mean scores for both ANT and LMI over time. Early-to mid-life musical training may be associated with improved late-life episodic and semantic memory as well as a useful marker of cognitive reserve. PMID:24375575

Factors Associated With Changes in Body Composition Shortly After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: The Potential Influence of Immunosuppressive Agents.

PubMed

Brito-Costa, Ana; Pereira-da-Silva, Luís; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Alves, Marta; Mateus, Élia; Nolasco, Fernando; Barroso, Eduardo

2016-08-01

This study aimed to determine factors associated with body composition changes shortly after liver transplantation (LTx), including the influence of immunosuppressive agents. The combined resting energy expenditure (REE) and handgrip strength provided a valuable assessment in data interpretation of body composition. This observational single-center study included a cohort of consecutive end-stage liver disease patients with indications for LTx over 2 years. Cyclosporine was preferred for diabetic, hepatitis C-infected, and human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients per the transplant center protocol. Subjective Global Assessment, handgrip strength, multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and REE measurements were collected. The assessments were performed before LTx (T0) and at medians of 9 (T1) and 36 (T2) days after LTx. The fat mass index (FMI) and lean mass index (LMI) were surrogates of adiposity and skeletal muscle, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used. Fifty-six patients with a mean age of 53.7 (8.5) years were included; 87.5% were men. Preoperative Subjective Global Assessment undernourishment (β-estimate = 17.9; P = 0.004) and of drug addiction absence (β estimate = 14.6; P = 0.049) were associated with FMI increase. Higher REE at T1 (per 100 kcal) was associated with LMI increase (β estimate = 1.70; P = 0.012) and body cell mass increase (β estimate = 1.60; P = 0.049). The cyclosporine-based regimen was associated with FMI decrease (β estimate = -25.64; P < 0.001) and LMI increase (β estimate = 23.76; P < 0.001) when compared with a tacrolimus-based regimen. Steroids did not affect body composition. The cyclosporine-based regimen was independently associated with decreased adiposity and increased skeletal muscle compared with the tacrolimus-based regimen. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

The Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) on the FY-4 satellite and a typical application experiment using the LMI data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, F.; Hui, W.; Li, X.; Liu, R.; Zhang, Z.; Zheng, Y.; Kang, N.

2017-12-01

The Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) on the FY-4A satellite, which was launched successfully in December 2016, is the first satellite-based lightning detector from space independently developed in China, and one of the world's first two stationary satellite LMIs. The optical imaging technique with a 400x600 CCD array plane and a frequency of 500 frames/s is adopted in the FY-4A LMI to perform real-time and continuous observation of total lightening in the Chinese mainland and adjacent areas. As of July 2017, the in-orbit test shows that the lightening observation date could be accurately obtained by the FY-4A LMI, and that the geo-location could be verified by the ground lightening observation network over China. Since the beginning of the 2017 flood season, every process of strong thunderstorms has been monitored by the FY-4A LMI throughout the various areas of China, and of these are used as a typical application case in this talk. On April 8 and 9, 2017, a strong convective precipitation process occurred in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China. The observation data of the FY-4A LMI are used to monitor the occurrence, development, shift and extinction of the thunderstorm track. By means of analyzing the station's synchronous precipitation observation data, it is indicated that the moving track of the thunderstorm is not completely consistent with that of the precipitation center, and while the distribution areas of thunderstorm and precipitation are consistent to a certain extent, a significant difference also exists. This difference is mainly caused by the convective precipitation and stratus precipitation area during the precipitation process. Through comparative analysis, the preliminary satellite and foundation lightening observation data show a higher consistency. However, the time of lightening activity observed by satellite is one hour earlier than that of the ground observation, which is likely related to the total lightning observation by satellite rather than the cloud-ground lightning observation by the ground network. The application test shows that the FY-4A LMI can achieve the real-time and continuous observation on the lightening activity with a strong convective system. This is a significant technological breakthrough in China's lightening detection field.

Reliable gain-scheduled control of discrete-time systems and its application to CSTR model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakthivel, R.; Selvi, S.; Mathiyalagan, K.; Shi, Y.

2016-10-01

This paper is focused on reliable gain-scheduled controller design for a class of discrete-time systems with randomly occurring nonlinearities and actuator fault. Further, the nonlinearity in the system model is assumed to occur randomly according to a Bernoulli distribution with measurable time-varying probability in real time. The main purpose of this paper is to design a gain-scheduled controller by implementing a probability-dependent Lyapunov function and linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach such that the closed-loop discrete-time system is stochastically stable for all admissible randomly occurring nonlinearities. The existence conditions for the reliable controller is formulated in terms of LMI constraints. Finally, the proposed reliable gain-scheduled control scheme is applied on continuously stirred tank reactor model to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed design technique.

Labor Market Information and Career Decision Making. ERIC Digest No. 83.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Imel, Susan; Kerka, Sandra

Labor market information (LMI) describes the interaction between occupations and employers. Three major components make up LMI: economic or labor force information, occupational information, and demographic information. Various agencies, including federal departments and state employment security agencies, compile LMI. A guide to the information…

Monitoring of pipelines in nuclear power plants by measuring laser-based mechanical impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyeonseok; Sohn, Hoon; Yang, Suyoung; Yang, Jinyeol

2014-06-01

Using laser-based mechanical impedance (LMI) measurement, this study proposes a damage detection technique that enables structural health monitoring of pipelines under the high temperature and radioactive environments of nuclear power plants (NPPs). The applications of conventional electromechanical impedance (EMI) based techniques to NPPs have been limited, mainly due to the contact nature of piezoelectric transducers, which cannot survive under the high temperature and high radiation environments of NPPs. The proposed LMI measurement technique aims to tackle the limitations of the EMI techniques by utilizing noncontact laser beams for both ultrasound generation and sensing. An Nd:Yag pulse laser is used for ultrasound generation, and a laser Doppler vibrometer is employed for the measurement of the corresponding ultrasound responses. For the monitoring of pipes covered by insulation layers, this study utilizes optical fibers to guide the laser beams to specific target locations. Then, an outlier analysis is adopted for autonomous damage diagnosis. Validation of the proposed LMI technique is carried out on a carbon steel pipe elbow under varying temperatures. A corrosion defect chemically engraved in the specimen is successfully detected.

Robust fuzzy output feedback controller for affine nonlinear systems via T-S fuzzy bilinear model: CSTR benchmark.

PubMed

Hamdy, M; Hamdan, I

2015-07-01

In this paper, a robust H∞ fuzzy output feedback controller is designed for a class of affine nonlinear systems with disturbance via Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy bilinear model. The parallel distributed compensation (PDC) technique is utilized to design a fuzzy controller. The stability conditions of the overall closed loop T-S fuzzy bilinear model are formulated in terms of Lyapunov function via linear matrix inequality (LMI). The control law is robustified by H∞ sense to attenuate external disturbance. Moreover, the desired controller gains can be obtained by solving a set of LMI. A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), which is a benchmark problem in nonlinear process control, is discussed in detail to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach with a comparative study. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stochastic sampled-data control for synchronization of complex dynamical networks with control packet loss and additive time-varying delays.

PubMed

Rakkiyappan, R; Sakthivel, N; Cao, Jinde

2015-06-01

This study examines the exponential synchronization of complex dynamical networks with control packet loss and additive time-varying delays. Additionally, sampled-data controller with time-varying sampling period is considered and is assumed to switch between m different values in a random way with given probability. Then, a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF) with triple integral terms is constructed and by using Jensen's inequality and reciprocally convex approach, sufficient conditions under which the dynamical network is exponentially mean-square stable are derived. When applying Jensen's inequality to partition double integral terms in the derivation of linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions, a new kind of linear combination of positive functions weighted by the inverses of squared convex parameters appears. In order to handle such a combination, an effective method is introduced by extending the lower bound lemma. To design the sampled-data controller, the synchronization error system is represented as a switched system. Based on the derived LMI conditions and average dwell-time method, sufficient conditions for the synchronization of switched error system are derived in terms of LMIs. Finally, numerical example is employed to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neural-adaptive control of single-master-multiple-slaves teleoperation for coordinated multiple mobile manipulators with time-varying communication delays and input uncertainties.

PubMed

Li, Zhijun; Su, Chun-Yi

2013-09-01

In this paper, adaptive neural network control is investigated for single-master-multiple-slaves teleoperation in consideration of time delays and input dead-zone uncertainties for multiple mobile manipulators carrying a common object in a cooperative manner. Firstly, concise dynamics of teleoperation systems consisting of a single master robot, multiple coordinated slave robots, and the object are developed in the task space. To handle asymmetric time-varying delays in communication channels and unknown asymmetric input dead zones, the nonlinear dynamics of the teleoperation system are transformed into two subsystems through feedback linearization: local master or slave dynamics including the unknown input dead zones and delayed dynamics for the purpose of synchronization. Then, a model reference neural network control strategy based on linear matrix inequalities (LMI) and adaptive techniques is proposed. The developed control approach ensures that the defined tracking errors converge to zero whereas the coordination internal force errors remain bounded and can be made arbitrarily small. Throughout this paper, stability analysis is performed via explicit Lyapunov techniques under specific LMI conditions. The proposed adaptive neural network control scheme is robust against motion disturbances, parametric uncertainties, time-varying delays, and input dead zones, which is validated by simulation studies.

Multi-model predictive control based on LMI: from the adaptation of the state-space model to the analytic description of the control law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falugi, P.; Olaru, S.; Dumur, D.

2010-08-01

This article proposes an explicit robust predictive control solution based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The considered predictive control strategy uses different local descriptions of the system dynamics and uncertainties and thus allows the handling of less conservative input constraints. The computed control law guarantees constraint satisfaction and asymptotic stability. The technique is effective for a class of nonlinear systems embedded into polytopic models. A detailed discussion of the procedures which adapt the partition of the state space is presented. For the practical implementation the construction of suitable (explicit) descriptions of the control law are described upon concrete algorithms.

Fuzzy Model-based Pitch Stabilization and Wing Vibration Suppression of Flexible Wing Aircraft.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ayoubi, Mohammad A.; Swei, Sean Shan-Min; Nguyen, Nhan T.

2014-01-01

This paper presents a fuzzy nonlinear controller to regulate the longitudinal dynamics of an aircraft and suppress the bending and torsional vibrations of its flexible wings. The fuzzy controller utilizes full-state feedback with input constraint. First, the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy linear model is developed which approximates the coupled aeroelastic aircraft model. Then, based on the fuzzy linear model, a fuzzy controller is developed to utilize a full-state feedback and stabilize the system while it satisfies the control input constraint. Linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques are employed to solve the fuzzy control problem. Finally, the performance of the proposed controller is demonstrated on the NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM).

Robust scalable stabilisability conditions for large-scale heterogeneous multi-agent systems with uncertain nonlinear interactions: towards a distributed computing architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manfredi, Sabato

2016-06-01

Large-scale dynamic systems are becoming highly pervasive in their occurrence with applications ranging from system biology, environment monitoring, sensor networks, and power systems. They are characterised by high dimensionality, complexity, and uncertainty in the node dynamic/interactions that require more and more computational demanding methods for their analysis and control design, as well as the network size and node system/interaction complexity increase. Therefore, it is a challenging problem to find scalable computational method for distributed control design of large-scale networks. In this paper, we investigate the robust distributed stabilisation problem of large-scale nonlinear multi-agent systems (briefly MASs) composed of non-identical (heterogeneous) linear dynamical systems coupled by uncertain nonlinear time-varying interconnections. By employing Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, new conditions are given for the distributed control design of large-scale MASs that can be easily solved by the toolbox of MATLAB. The stabilisability of each node dynamic is a sufficient assumption to design a global stabilising distributed control. The proposed approach improves some of the existing LMI-based results on MAS by both overcoming their computational limits and extending the applicative scenario to large-scale nonlinear heterogeneous MASs. Additionally, the proposed LMI conditions are further reduced in terms of computational requirement in the case of weakly heterogeneous MASs, which is a common scenario in real application where the network nodes and links are affected by parameter uncertainties. One of the main advantages of the proposed approach is to allow to move from a centralised towards a distributed computing architecture so that the expensive computation workload spent to solve LMIs may be shared among processors located at the networked nodes, thus increasing the scalability of the approach than the network size. Finally, a numerical example shows the applicability of the proposed method and its advantage in terms of computational complexity when compared with the existing approaches.

Effect of molecular weight and concentration of legume condensed tannins on in vitro larval migration inhibition of Haemonchus contortus.

PubMed

Naumann, H D; Armstrong, S A; Lambert, B D; Muir, J P; Tedeschi, L O; Kothmann, M M

2014-01-17

The effect of molecular weight of condensed tannins (CT) from a variety of warm-season perennial legumes commonly consumed by sheep and goats on anthelmintic activity has not been previously explored. The objectives of this study were to determine if molecular weight of CT from warm-season perennial legumes could predict the biological activity of CT relative to anthelmintic activity against ivermectin resistant L3 stage Haemonchus contortus (HC) using a larval migration inhibition (LMI) assay. A second objective was to determine if CT from warm-season perennial legumes possess anthelmintic properties against L3 stage (HC). Lespedeza stuevei had the greatest concentration of total condensed tannin (TCT; 11.7%), whereas, with the exception of Arachis glabrata, a CT-free negative control, Leucaena retusa had the least TCT (3.3%). Weight-average molecular weight of CT ranged from 552 Da for L. stuevei to 1483 Da for Lespedeza cuneata. The treatments demonstrating the greatest percent LMI were L. retusa, L. stuevei and Acacia angustissima var. hirta (65.4%, 63.1% and 42.2%, respectively). The ivermectin treatment had the smallest percent LMI (12.5%) against ivermectin resistant L3 HC. There was a weak correlation (R(2)=0.34; P=0.05) between CT MW and percent LMI, suggesting that molecular weight of CT is a weak contributing factor to CT biological activity as it relates to LMI of L3 stage HC. L. stuevei, L. retusa and A. angustissima var. hirta STP5 warrant further evaluation of anthelmintic properties in vivo. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

LMI1-like genes involved in leaf margin development of Brassica napus.

PubMed

Ni, Xiyuan; Liu, Han; Huang, Jixiang; Zhao, Jianyi

2017-06-01

In rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), leaf margins are variable and can be entire, serrate, or lobed. In our previous study, the lobed-leaf gene (LOBED-LEAF 1, BnLL1) was mapped to a 32.1 kb section of B. napus A10. Two LMI1-like genes, BnaA10g26320D and BnaA10g26330D, were considered the potential genes that controlled the lobed-leaf trait in rapeseed. In the present study, these two genes and another homologous gene (BnaC04g00850D) were transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants to identify their functions. All three LMI1-like genes of B. napus produced serrate leaf margins. The expression analysis indicated that the expression level of BnaA10g26320D determined the difference between lobed- and entire-leaved lines in rapeseed. Therefore, it is likely that BnaA10g26320D corresponds to BnLL1.

ADP SYSTEMS ANALYSIS - COMMITTED VS. AVAILABLE MILITARY TRANSPORTATION (LMI T1).

DTIC Science & Technology

LOGISTICS , * MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING), (*DATA PROCESSING, LOGISTICS), INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, MILITARY TRANSPORTATION, CARGO VEHICLES, SCHEDULING, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND CONTROL

Ipsilateral hemiparesis in lateral medullary infarction: Clinical investigation of the lesion location on magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Uemura, Masahiro; Naritomi, Hiroaki; Uno, Hisakazu; Umesaki, Arisa; Miyashita, Kotaro; Toyoda, Kazunori; Minematsu, Kazuo; Nagatsuka, Kazuyuki

2016-06-15

In 1946, Opalski reported two cases of Wallenberg syndrome with ipsilateral hemiparesis (IH). His hypothesis seems to be based on the view that IH is caused by post-decussating pyramidal tract damage. Afterwards, other researchers proposed a different hypothesis that ipsilateral sensory symptoms of limbs (ISSL) or ipsilateral limb ataxia (ILA) caused by lateral medullary infarction (LMI) might lead to ipsilateral motor weakness. The present study is aimed to clarify whether IH in LMI patients is attributable mainly to ISSL/ILA or disruption of ipsilateral post-decussating pyramidal tract. Thirty-two patients with acute LMI admitted during the last 13years were divided to IH Group (n=7) and Non-IH Group (n=25). Lesion location/distribution on MRI and neurological findings were compared between the two groups. LMI involved the lower medulla in all seven IH patients and 12 of 25 Non-IH patients. The lower medullary lesion extended to the cervico-medullary junction (CMJ) in four of seven IH patients and one of 12 Non-IH patients. Definitive extension to upper cervical cord (UCC) was confirmed in none of the patients. ISSL was found in two IH and three Non-IH patients all showing only superficial sensory impairments. ILA or hypotonia was observed in 57% of IH and 60% of Non-IH patients. IH in LMI appears to be due mainly to post-decussating pyramidal tract damage at the lower medulla instead of ILA or ISSL participation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

LMI-Based Fuzzy Optimal Variance Control of Airfoil Model Subject to Input Constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swei, Sean S.M.; Ayoubi, Mohammad A.

2017-01-01

This paper presents a study of fuzzy optimal variance control problem for dynamical systems subject to actuator amplitude and rate constraints. Using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy modeling and dynamic Parallel Distributed Compensation technique, the stability and the constraints can be cast as a multi-objective optimization problem in the form of Linear Matrix Inequalities. By utilizing the formulations and solutions for the input and output variance constraint problems, we develop a fuzzy full-state feedback controller. The stability and performance of the proposed controller is demonstrated through its application to the airfoil flutter suppression.

Polynomial fuzzy observer designs: a sum-of-squares approach.

PubMed

Tanaka, Kazuo; Ohtake, Hiroshi; Seo, Toshiaki; Tanaka, Motoyasu; Wang, Hua O

2012-10-01

This paper presents a sum-of-squares (SOS) approach to polynomial fuzzy observer designs for three classes of polynomial fuzzy systems. The proposed SOS-based framework provides a number of innovations and improvements over the existing linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based approaches to Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy controller and observer designs. First, we briefly summarize previous results with respect to a polynomial fuzzy system that is a more general representation of the well-known T-S fuzzy system. Next, we propose polynomial fuzzy observers to estimate states in three classes of polynomial fuzzy systems and derive SOS conditions to design polynomial fuzzy controllers and observers. A remarkable feature of the SOS design conditions for the first two classes (Classes I and II) is that they realize the so-called separation principle, i.e., the polynomial fuzzy controller and observer for each class can be separately designed without lack of guaranteeing the stability of the overall control system in addition to converging state-estimation error (via the observer) to zero. Although, for the last class (Class III), the separation principle does not hold, we propose an algorithm to design polynomial fuzzy controller and observer satisfying the stability of the overall control system in addition to converging state-estimation error (via the observer) to zero. All the design conditions in the proposed approach can be represented in terms of SOS and are symbolically and numerically solved via the recently developed SOSTOOLS and a semidefinite-program solver, respectively. To illustrate the validity and applicability of the proposed approach, three design examples are provided. The examples demonstrate the advantages of the SOS-based approaches for the existing LMI approaches to T-S fuzzy observer designs.

MicroRNA-125b protects against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury via targeting p53-mediated apoptotic signalling and TRAF6

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaohui; Ha, Tuanzhu; Zou, Jianghuan; Ren, Danyang; Liu, Li; Zhang, Xia; Kalbfleisch, John; Gao, Xiang; Williams, David; Li, Chuanfu

2014-01-01

Aims The present study examined the role of microRNA-125b (miR-125b) in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We constructed lentivirus-expressing miR-125b (LmiR-125b) and developed transgenic mice with overexpression of miR-125b. Methods and results LmiR-125b was transfected into mouse hearts through the right common carotid artery. Lentivirus vector (LmiR-Con) served as vector control. Untreated mice served as I/R control. Sham operation served as sham control. Seven days after transfection, the hearts were subjected to ischaemia (45 min) followed by reperfusion (4 h). Myocardial infarct size was analysed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. In separate experiments, hearts were subjected to ischaemia (45 min) followed by reperfusion for up to 7 days. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography before, as well as 3 and 7 days after myocardial I/R. Increased expression of miR-125b significantly decreased I/R-induced myocardial infarct size by 60% and prevented I/R-induced decreases in ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (%FS). Transgenic mice with overexpression of miR-125b also showed the protection against myocardial I/R injury. Increased expression of miR-125b attenuated I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis and caspase-3/7 and -8 activities. Western blot showed that increased expression of miR-125b suppresses p53 and Bak1 expression in the myocardium. In addition, transfection of LmiR-125b decreased the levels of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and prevented I/R-induced NF-κB activation. Conclusion miR-125 protects the myocardium from I/R injury by preventing p53-mediated apoptotic signalling and suppressing TRAF6-mediated NF-κB activation. PMID:24576954

MicroRNA-125b protects against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury via targeting p53-mediated apoptotic signalling and TRAF6.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaohui; Ha, Tuanzhu; Zou, Jianghuan; Ren, Danyang; Liu, Li; Zhang, Xia; Kalbfleisch, John; Gao, Xiang; Williams, David; Li, Chuanfu

2014-06-01

The present study examined the role of microRNA-125b (miR-125b) in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We constructed lentivirus-expressing miR-125b (LmiR-125b) and developed transgenic mice with overexpression of miR-125b. LmiR-125b was transfected into mouse hearts through the right common carotid artery. Lentivirus vector (LmiR-Con) served as vector control. Untreated mice served as I/R control. Sham operation served as sham control. Seven days after transfection, the hearts were subjected to ischaemia (45 min) followed by reperfusion (4 h). Myocardial infarct size was analysed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. In separate experiments, hearts were subjected to ischaemia (45 min) followed by reperfusion for up to 7 days. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography before, as well as 3 and 7 days after myocardial I/R. Increased expression of miR-125b significantly decreased I/R-induced myocardial infarct size by 60% and prevented I/R-induced decreases in ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (%FS). Transgenic mice with overexpression of miR-125b also showed the protection against myocardial I/R injury. Increased expression of miR-125b attenuated I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis and caspase-3/7 and -8 activities. Western blot showed that increased expression of miR-125b suppresses p53 and Bak1 expression in the myocardium. In addition, transfection of LmiR-125b decreased the levels of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and prevented I/R-induced NF-κB activation. miR-125 protects the myocardium from I/R injury by preventing p53-mediated apoptotic signalling and suppressing TRAF6-mediated NF-κB activation. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

LMI-Based Generation of Feedback Laws for a Robust Model Predictive Control Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acikmese, Behcet; Carson, John M., III

2007-01-01

This technical note provides a mathematical proof of Corollary 1 from the paper 'A Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Algorithm with Proven Robustness and Resolvability' that appeared in the 2006 Proceedings of the American Control Conference. The proof was omitted for brevity in the publication. The paper was based on algorithms developed for the FY2005 R&TD (Research and Technology Development) project for Small-body Guidance, Navigation, and Control [2].The framework established by the Corollary is for a robustly stabilizing MPC (model predictive control) algorithm for uncertain nonlinear systems that guarantees the resolvability of the associated nite-horizon optimal control problem in a receding-horizon implementation. Additional details of the framework are available in the publication.

Multi-Mode Estimation for Small Fixed Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Localization Based on a Linear Matrix Inequality Approach

PubMed Central

Elzoghby, Mostafa; Li, Fu; Arafa, Ibrahim. I.; Arif, Usman

2017-01-01

Information fusion from multiple sensors ensures the accuracy and robustness of a navigation system, especially in the absence of global positioning system (GPS) data which gets degraded in many cases. A way to deal with multi-mode estimation for a small fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) localization framework is proposed, which depends on utilizing a Luenberger observer-based linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. The proposed estimation technique relies on the interaction between multiple measurement modes and a continuous observer. The state estimation is performed in a switching environment between multiple active sensors to exploit the available information as much as possible, especially in GPS-denied environments. Luenberger observer-based projection is implemented as a continuous observer to optimize the estimation performance. The observer gain might be chosen by solving a Lyapunov equation by means of a LMI algorithm. Convergence is achieved by utilizing the linear matrix inequality (LMI), based on Lyapunov stability which keeps the dynamic estimation error bounded by selecting the observer gain matrix (L). Simulation results are presented for a small UAV fixed wing localization problem. The results obtained using the proposed approach are compared with a single mode Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the viability of the proposed strategy. PMID:28420214

Robust H∞ output-feedback control for path following of autonomous ground vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Chuan; Jing, Hui; Wang, Rongrong; Yan, Fengjun; Chadli, Mohammed

2016-03-01

This paper presents a robust H∞ output-feedback control strategy for the path following of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs). Considering the vehicle lateral velocity is usually hard to measure with low cost sensor, a robust H∞ static output-feedback controller based on the mixed genetic algorithms (GA)/linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach is proposed to realize the path following without the information of the lateral velocity. The proposed controller is robust to the parametric uncertainties and external disturbances, with the parameters including the tire cornering stiffness, vehicle longitudinal velocity, yaw rate and road curvature. Simulation results based on CarSim-Simulink joint platform using a high-fidelity and full-car model have verified the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.

Linear Parameter Varying Control Synthesis for Actuator Failure, Based on Estimated Parameter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shin, Jong-Yeob; Wu, N. Eva; Belcastro, Christine

2002-01-01

The design of a linear parameter varying (LPV) controller for an aircraft at actuator failure cases is presented. The controller synthesis for actuator failure cases is formulated into linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimizations based on an estimated failure parameter with pre-defined estimation error bounds. The inherent conservatism of an LPV control synthesis methodology is reduced using a scaling factor on the uncertainty block which represents estimated parameter uncertainties. The fault parameter is estimated using the two-stage Kalman filter. The simulation results of the designed LPV controller for a HiMXT (Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology) vehicle with the on-line estimator show that the desired performance and robustness objectives are achieved for actuator failure cases.

Non-Static error tracking control for near space airship loading platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Ming; Tao, Fei; Yang, Jiandong

2018-01-01

A control scheme based on internal model with non-static error is presented against the uncertainty of the near space airship loading platform system. The uncertainty in the tracking table is represented as interval variations in stability and control derivatives. By formulating the tracking problem of the uncertainty system as a robust state feedback stabilization problem of an augmented system, sufficient condition for the existence of robust tracking controller is derived in the form of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Finally, simulation results show that the new method not only has better anti-jamming performance, but also improves the dynamic performance of the high-order systems.

A new look at the robust control of discrete-time Markov jump linear systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todorov, M. G.; Fragoso, M. D.

2016-03-01

In this paper, we make a foray in the role played by a set of four operators on the study of robust H2 and mixed H2/H∞ control problems for discrete-time Markov jump linear systems. These operators appear in the study of mean square stability for this class of systems. By means of new linear matrix inequality (LMI) characterisations of controllers, which include slack variables that, to some extent, separate the robustness and performance objectives, we introduce four alternative approaches to the design of controllers which are robustly stabilising and at the same time provide a guaranteed level of H2 performance. Since each operator provides a different degree of conservatism, the results are unified in the form of an iterative LMI technique for designing robust H2 controllers, whose convergence is attained in a finite number of steps. The method yields a new way of computing mixed H2/H∞ controllers, whose conservatism decreases with iteration. Two numerical examples illustrate the applicability of the proposed results for the control of a small unmanned aerial vehicle, and for an underactuated robotic arm.

Observer-based state tracking control of uncertain stochastic systems via repetitive controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakthivel, R.; Susana Ramya, L.; Selvaraj, P.

2017-08-01

This paper develops the repetitive control scheme for state tracking control of uncertain stochastic time-varying delay systems via equivalent-input-disturbance approach. The main purpose of this work is to design a repetitive controller to guarantee the tracking performance under the effects of unknown disturbances with bounded frequency and parameter variations. Specifically, a new set of linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based conditions is derived based on the suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional theory for designing a repetitive controller which guarantees stability and desired tracking performance. More precisely, an equivalent-input-disturbance estimator is incorporated into the control design to reduce the effect of the external disturbances. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the desired control system stability and their tracking performance. A practical stream water quality preserving system is also provided to show the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed approach.

Get the Most from Your Cash Flow.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bauer, Richard I.

1995-01-01

Provides guidelines for overseeing a school district's cash-flow management program: (1) receipts into cash; (2) types of float; (3) concentration account or controlled-disbursement account; (4) bank-account analysis; and (5) safety. One figure is included. (LMI)

Cell-mediated immunity in Chagas' disease: Alterations induced by treatment with a trypanocidal drug (nifurtimox).

PubMed Central

Lelchuk, R; Cardoni, R L; Fuks, A S

1977-01-01

Peripheral leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) with Trypanosoma cruzi-specific antigens, measured as a migration index (MI), was studied in chronic Chagas' disease patients. The MI of untreated patients with polymerized antigens from culture forms (epimastigotes) of T. cruzi was significantly lower than that of controls. In contrast, when chronic Chagas' patients were treated with nifurtimox, 10 mg/kg/day for 2 months, the MI was not different from control values. Treated and untreated patients had normal T- and B-lymphocyte markers, measured by the ability to form rosettes either with sheep erythrocytes (E-RFC) or with sheep erythrocytes--antibody--complement (EAC-RFC). In addition, the number of lymphocytes bearing surface membrane Ig (SMIg) was the same as that of controls. Non-specific functional assays, such as PHA-induced blastogenesis and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) to sensitized chicken erythrocytes were also normal, both in treated and untreated patients. Thus, nifurtimox produced a particularly effect on cell-mediated immunity, specially detectable using LMI. PMID:414867

Optimal exponential synchronization of general chaotic delayed neural networks: an LMI approach.

PubMed

Liu, Meiqin

2009-09-01

This paper investigates the optimal exponential synchronization problem of general chaotic neural networks with or without time delays by virtue of Lyapunov-Krasovskii stability theory and the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique. This general model, which is the interconnection of a linear delayed dynamic system and a bounded static nonlinear operator, covers several well-known neural networks, such as Hopfield neural networks, cellular neural networks (CNNs), bidirectional associative memory (BAM) networks, and recurrent multilayer perceptrons (RMLPs) with or without delays. Using the drive-response concept, time-delay feedback controllers are designed to synchronize two identical chaotic neural networks as quickly as possible. The control design equations are shown to be a generalized eigenvalue problem (GEVP) which can be easily solved by various convex optimization algorithms to determine the optimal control law and the optimal exponential synchronization rate. Detailed comparisons with existing results are made and numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the established synchronization laws.

Master-slave exponential synchronization of delayed complex-valued memristor-based neural networks via impulsive control.

PubMed

Li, Xiaofan; Fang, Jian-An; Li, Huiyuan

2017-09-01

This paper investigates master-slave exponential synchronization for a class of complex-valued memristor-based neural networks with time-varying delays via discontinuous impulsive control. Firstly, the master and slave complex-valued memristor-based neural networks with time-varying delays are translated to two real-valued memristor-based neural networks. Secondly, an impulsive control law is constructed and utilized to guarantee master-slave exponential synchronization of the neural networks. Thirdly, the master-slave synchronization problems are transformed into the stability problems of the master-slave error system. By employing linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique and constructing an appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, some sufficient synchronization criteria are derived. Finally, a numerical simulation is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition reference values of limbs and trunk from NHANES 1999–2004 with additional visualization methods

PubMed Central

Fan, Bo; Ng, Bennett K.; Shepherd, John A.

2017-01-01

Body Mass Index has traditionally been used as a measure of health, but Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Lean Mass Index (LMI) have been shown to be more predictive of mortality and health risk. Total body FMI and LMI reference curves have particularly been useful in quantifying sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Research has shown regional composition has significant associations to health outcomes. We derived FMI and LMI reference curves of the regions of the body (leg, arm, and trunk) for 15,908 individuals in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for each sex and ethnicity using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method and developed software to visualize this regional composition. These reference curves displayed differentiation between males and females during puberty and sharper limb LMI declines during late adulthood for males. For adults ages 30–50, females had 39%, 83%, and 47% larger arm, leg, and trunk FMI values than males, respectively. Males had 49%, 20%, and 15% higher regional LMI values than females for the arms, legs, and trunk respectively. The leg FMI and LMI of black females were 14% and 15% higher respectively than those of Hispanic and white females. White and Hispanic males had 37% higher trunk FMI values than black males. Hispanic females had 20% higher trunk FMI than white and black females. These data underscore the importance of accounting for sex and ethnicity in studies of regional composition. This study is the first to produce regional LMI and FMI reference tables and curves from the NHANES dataset. These reference curves provide a framework useful in studies and research involving sarcopenia, obesity, sarcopenic obesity, and other studies of compositional phenotypes. Further, the software tool we provide for visualizing regional composition will prove useful in monitoring progress in physical therapy, diets, or other attempts to attain healthier compositions. PMID:28346492

Density Control of Multi-Agent Systems with Safety Constraints: A Markov Chain Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demirer, Nazli

The control of systems with autonomous mobile agents has been a point of interest recently, with many applications like surveillance, coverage, searching over an area with probabilistic target locations or exploring an area. In all of these applications, the main goal of the swarm is to distribute itself over an operational space to achieve mission objectives specified by the density of swarm. This research focuses on the problem of controlling the distribution of multi-agent systems considering a hierarchical control structure where the whole swarm coordination is achieved at the high-level and individual vehicle/agent control is managed at the low-level. High-level coordination algorithms uses macroscopic models that describes the collective behavior of the whole swarm and specify the agent motion commands, whose execution will lead to the desired swarm behavior. The low-level control laws execute the motion to follow these commands at the agent level. The main objective of this research is to develop high-level decision control policies and algorithms to achieve physically realizable commanding of the agents by imposing mission constraints on the distribution. We also make some connections with decentralized low-level motion control. This dissertation proposes a Markov chain based method to control the density distribution of the whole system where the implementation can be achieved in a decentralized manner with no communication between agents since establishing communication with large number of agents is highly challenging. The ultimate goal is to guide the overall density distribution of the system to a prescribed steady-state desired distribution while satisfying desired transition and safety constraints. Here, the desired distribution is determined based on the mission requirements, for example in the application of area search, the desired distribution should match closely with the probabilistic target locations. The proposed method is applicable for both systems with a single agent and systems with large number of agents due to the probabilistic nature, where the probability distribution of each agent's state evolves according to a finite-state and discrete-time Markov chain (MC). Hence, designing proper decision control policies requires numerically tractable solution methods for the synthesis of Markov chains. The synthesis problem has the form of a Linear Matrix Inequality Problem (LMI), with LMI formulation of the constraints. To this end, we propose convex necessary and sufficient conditions for safety constraints in Markov chains, which is a novel result in the Markov chain literature. In addition to LMI-based, offline, Markov matrix synthesis method, we also propose a QP-based, online, method to compute a time-varying Markov matrix based on the real-time density feedback. Both problems are convex optimization problems that can be solved in a reliable and tractable way, utilizing existing tools in the literature. A Low Earth Orbit (LEO) swarm simulations are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. Another problem tackled as a part of this research is the generalization of the density control problem to autonomous mobile agents with two control modes: ON and OFF. Here, each mode consists of a (possibly overlapping) finite set of actions, that is, there exist a set of actions for the ON mode and another set for the OFF mode. We give formulation for a new Markov chain synthesis problem, with additional measurements for the state transitions, where a policy is designed to ensure desired safety and convergence properties for the underlying Markov chain.

Accuracy of Body Mass Index Versus Lean Mass Index for Prediction of Sarcopenia in Older Women.

PubMed

Benton, M J; Silva-Smith, A L

2018-01-01

We compared accuracy of body mass index (BMI) versus lean mass index (LMI) to predict sarcopenia in 58 community-dwelling women (74.1±0.9 years). Lean mass was measured with multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and strength was measured with Arm Curl test, Chair Stand test, and handgrip dynamometry. Sarcopenia was defined as low LMI. When categorized by BMI, normal women had less absolute lean mass (37.6±1.0 vs. 42.6±0.9 kg; P<0.001) and less relative lean mass (14.1±0.2 vs. 16.1±0.2 kg/m2; P<0.001) compared to overweight/obese women, but no differences in strength. When categorized by LMI, normal women had more absolute lean mass (44.0±0.7 vs. 35.7±0.7 kg; P<0.001), more relative lean mass (16.2±0.2 vs. 13.8±0.2 kg/m2; P<0.001), and greater upper body strength (16.7±0.9 vs. 14.2±0.6 arm curls; P<0.05) compared to women with low LMI. BMI failed to accurately predict low values of lean mass and strength. For clinical assessment, calculation of LMI rather than BMI is appropriate.

Robust master-slave synchronization for general uncertain delayed dynamical model based on adaptive control scheme.

PubMed

Wang, Tianbo; Zhou, Wuneng; Zhao, Shouwei; Yu, Weiqin

2014-03-01

In this paper, the robust exponential synchronization problem for a class of uncertain delayed master-slave dynamical system is investigated by using the adaptive control method. Different from some existing master-slave models, the considered master-slave system includes bounded unmodeled dynamics. In order to compensate the effect of unmodeled dynamics and effectively achieve synchronization, a novel adaptive controller with simple updated laws is proposed. Moreover, the results are given in terms of LMIs, which can be easily solved by LMI Toolbox in Matlab. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the method. Copyright © 2013 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radial Velocity Studies of Close Binary Stars. XI.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pribulla, Theodor; Rucinski, Slavek M.; Lu, Wenxian; Mochnacki, Stefan W.; Conidis, George; Blake, R. M.; DeBond, Heide; Thomson, J. R.; Pych, Wojtek; Ogłoza, Waldemar; Siwak, Michal

2006-08-01

Radial-velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to orbital radial velocity variations are presented for 10 close binary systems: DU Boo, ET Boo, TX Cnc, V1073 Cyg, HL Dra, AK Her, VW LMi, V566 Oph, TV UMi, and AG Vir. With this contribution, the David Dunlap Observatory program has reached the point of 100 published radial velocity orbits. The radial velocities have been determined using an improved fitting technique that uses rotational profiles to approximate individual peaks in broadening functions. Three systems, ET Boo, VW LMi, and TV UMi, are found to be quadruple, while AG Vir appears to be a spectroscopic triple. ET Boo, a member of a close visual binary with Pvis=113 yr, was previously known to be a multiple system, but we show that the second component is actually a close, noneclipsing binary. The new observations have enabled us to determine the spectroscopic orbits of the companion, noneclipsing pairs in ET Boo and VW LMi. A particularly interesting case is VW LMi, for which the period of the mutual revolution of the two spectroscopic binaries is only 355 days. While most of the studied eclipsing pairs are contact binaries, ET Boo is composed of two double-lined detached binaries, and HL Dra is a single-lined detached or semidetached system. Five systems of this group have been observed spectroscopically before: TX Cnc, V1073 Cyg, AK Her (as a single-lined binary), V566 Oph, and AG Vir, but our new data are of much higher quality than in the previous studies. Based on data obtained at the David Dunlap Observatory, University of Toronto, Canada.

Controlling Light to Make the Most Energy From the Sun

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Callahan, Dennis; Corcoran, Chris; Eisler, Carissa

Representing the Light-Material Interactions in Energy Conversion (LMI), this document is one of the entries in the Ten Hundred and One Word Challenge. As part of the challenge, the 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers were invited to represent their science in images, cartoons, photos, words and original paintings, but any descriptions or words could only use the 1000 most commonly used words in the English language, with the addition of one word important to each of the EFRCs and the mission of DOE energy. The mission of LMI to tailor the morphology, complex dielectric structure, and electronic properties of mattermore » so as to sculpt the flow of sunlight and heat, enabling light conversion to electrical and chemical energy with unprecedented efficiency.« less

LMI-based stability analysis of fuzzy-model-based control systems using approximated polynomial membership functions.

PubMed

Narimani, Mohammand; Lam, H K; Dilmaghani, R; Wolfe, Charles

2011-06-01

Relaxed linear-matrix-inequality-based stability conditions for fuzzy-model-based control systems with imperfect premise matching are proposed. First, the derivative of the Lyapunov function, containing the product terms of the fuzzy model and fuzzy controller membership functions, is derived. Then, in the partitioned operating domain of the membership functions, the relations between the state variables and the mentioned product terms are represented by approximated polynomials in each subregion. Next, the stability conditions containing the information of all subsystems and the approximated polynomials are derived. In addition, the concept of the S-procedure is utilized to release the conservativeness caused by considering the whole operating region for approximated polynomials. It is shown that the well-known stability conditions can be special cases of the proposed stability conditions. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the validity of the proposed approach.

Long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of high versus low-to-moderate intensity resistance and endurance exercise interventions among cancer survivors.

PubMed

Kampshoff, C S; van Dongen, J M; van Mechelen, W; Schep, G; Vreugdenhil, A; Twisk, J W R; Bosmans, J E; Brug, J; Chinapaw, M J M; Buffart, Laurien M

2018-06-01

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of high intensity (HI) versus low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise on physical fitness, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer survivors. Two hundred seventy-seven cancer survivors participated in the Resistance and Endurance exercise After ChemoTherapy (REACT) study and were randomized to 12 weeks of HI (n = 139) or LMI exercise (n = 138) that had similar exercise types, durations, and frequencies, but different intensities. Measurements were performed at baseline (4-6 weeks after primary treatment), and 12 (i.e., short term) and 64 (i.e., longer term) weeks later. Outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, self-reported fatigue, HRQoL, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and societal costs. Linear mixed models were conducted to study (a) differences in effects between HI and LMI exercise at longer term, (b) within-group changes from short term to longer term, and (c) the cost-effectiveness from a societal perspective. At longer term, intervention effects on role (β = 5.9, 95% CI = 0.5; 11.3) and social functioning (β = 5.7, 95%CI = 1.7; 9.6) were larger for HI compared to those for LMI exercise. No significant between-group differences were found for physical fitness and fatigue. Intervention-induced improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL were maintained between weeks 12 and 64, but not for fatigue. From a societal perspective, the probability that HI was cost-effective compared to LMI exercise was 0.91 at 20,000€/QALY and 0.95 at 52,000€/QALY gained, mostly due to significant lower healthcare costs in HI exrcise. At longer term, we found larger intervention effects on role and social functioning for HI than for LMI exercise. Furthermore, HI exercise was cost-effective with regard to QALYs compared to LMI exercise. This study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register [NTR2153 [ http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2153

Subcellular storage and release mode of the novel 18F-labeled sympathetic nerve PET tracer LMI1195.

PubMed

Chen, Xinyu; Werner, Rudolf A; Lapa, Constantin; Nose, Naoko; Hirano, Mitsuru; Javadi, Mehrbod S; Robinson, Simon; Higuchi, Takahiro

2018-02-06

18 F-N-[3-bromo-4-(3-fluoro-propoxy)-benzyl]-guanidine ( 18 F-LMI1195) is a new class of PET tracer designed for sympathetic nervous imaging of the heart. The favorable image quality with high and specific neural uptake has been previously demonstrated in animals and humans, but intracellular behavior is not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study is to verify whether it is taken up in storage vesicles and released in company with vesicle turnover. Both vesicle-rich (PC12) and vesicle-poor (SK-N-SH) norepinephrine-expressing cell lines were used for in vitro tracer uptake studies. After 2 h of 18 F-LMI1195 preloading into both cell lines, effects of stimulants for storage vesicle turnover (high concentration KCl (100 mM) or reserpine treatment) were measured at 10, 20, and 30 min. 131 I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine ( 131 I-MIBG) served as a reference. Both high concentration KCl and reserpine enhanced 18 F-LMI1195 washout from PC12 cells, while tracer retention remained stable in the SK-N-SH cells. After 30 min of treatment, 18 F-LMI1195 releasing index (percentage of tracer released from cells) from vesicle-rich PC12 cells achieved significant differences compared to cells without treatment condition. In contrast, such effect could not be observed using vesicle-poor SK-N-SH cell lines. Similar tracer kinetics after KCl or reserpine treatment were also observed using 131 I-MIBG. In case of KCl exposure, Ca 2 +-free buffer with the calcium chelator, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA), could suppress the tracer washout from PC12 cells. This finding is consistent with the tracer release being mediated by Ca 2 + influx resulting from membrane depolarization. Analogous to 131 I-MIBG, the current in vitro tracer uptake study confirmed that 18 F-LMI1195 is also stored in vesicles in PC12 cells and released along with vesicle turnover. Understanding the basic kinetics of 18 F-LMI1195 at a subcellular level is important for the design of clinical imaging protocols and imaging interpretation.

Fat and lean tissue accretion in relation to reward motivation in children.

PubMed

De Decker, Annelies; De Clercq, Bart; Verbeken, Sandra; Wells, Jonathan C K; Braet, Caroline; Michels, Nathalie; De Henauw, Stefaan; Sioen, Isabelle

2017-01-01

'Reward sensitivity' explains inter-individual differences in the motivation to obtain rewards when reward cues are perceived. This psychobiological trait has been linked to higher consumption of palatable food when exposed to palatable food cues. The current study aims to examine if reward sensitivity explains differences in patterns of fat and lean tissue accretion over time in children. A longitudinal observational study with measurement waves in 2011 (baseline), 2012, 2013, and 2015 was conducted. The sample was a population-based Flemish cohort of children (n = 446, 50% boys and 5.5-12 years at baseline; 38.8% of the baseline sample also participated in 2015). Baseline reward sensitivity of the children was assessed by parent ratings on the Drive subscale of the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System scales. Age- and sex-independent Fat and Lean Mass Index z-scores (zFMI and zLMI respectively) were computed for each study wave based on air-displacement plethysmography. In girls, but not boys, reward sensitivity was positively associated with the baseline zFMI and zLMI (95% confidence intervals of unstandardized estimates: 0.01 to 0.11 and 0.01 to 0.10 respectively, P values 0.01 and 0.02 respectively). Further, reward sensitivity explained 14.8% and 11.6% of the change in girls' zFMI and zLMI respectively over four years: the zFMI and zLMI increased and decreased respectively in high reward sensitive girls (95% confidence intervals of unstandardized estimates: 0.01 to 0.11 and -0.12 to -0.01 respectively, P values 0.01 and 0.02 respectively). Hence, girls high in reward sensitivity had significantly higher adiposity gain over four years parallel with lower increase in lean mass than was expected on the basis of their age and height. These results may help to identify appropriate targets for interventions for obesity prevention. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SU-E-J-112: Intensity-Based Pulmonary Image Registration: An Evaluation Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, F; Meyer, J; Sandison, G

2015-06-15

Purpose: Accurate alignment of thoracic CT images is essential for dose tracking and to safely implement adaptive radiotherapy in lung cancers. At the same time it is challenging given the highly elastic nature of lung tissue deformations. The objective of this study was to assess the performances of three state-of-art intensity-based algorithms in terms of their ability to register thoracic CT images subject to affine, barrel, and sinusoid transformation. Methods: Intensity similarity measures of the evaluated algorithms contained sum-of-squared difference (SSD), local mutual information (LMI), and residual complexity (RC). Five thoracic CT scans obtained from the EMPIRE10 challenge database weremore » included and served as reference images. Each CT dataset was distorted by realistic affine, barrel, and sinusoid transformations. Registration performances of the three algorithms were evaluated for each distortion type in terms of intensity root mean square error (IRMSE) between the reference and registered images in the lung regions. Results: For affine distortions, the three algorithms differed significantly in registration of thoracic images both visually and nominally in terms of IRMSE with a mean of 0.011 for SSD, 0.039 for RC, and 0.026 for LMI (p<0.01; Kruskal-Wallis test). For barrel distortion, the three algorithms showed nominally no significant difference in terms of IRMSE with a mean of 0.026 for SSD, 0.086 for RC, and 0.054 for LMI (p=0.16) . A significant difference was seen for sinusoid distorted thoracic CT data with mean lung IRMSE of 0.039 for SSD, 0.092 for RC, and 0.035 for LMI (p=0.02). Conclusion: Pulmonary deformations might vary to a large extent in nature in a daily clinical setting due to factors ranging from anatomy variations to respiratory motion to image quality. It can be appreciated from the results of the present study that the suitability of application of a particular algorithm for pulmonary image registration is deformation-dependent.« less

Muscle strength and body composition are clinical indicators of osteoporosis.

PubMed

Rikkonen, Toni; Sirola, Joonas; Salovaara, Kari; Tuppurainen, Marjo; Jurvelin, Jukka S; Honkanen, Risto; Kröger, Heikki

2012-08-01

We examined the role of muscle strength, lean tissue distribution, and overall body composition as indicators of osteoporosis (OP) in a pooled sample of 979 Finnish postmenopausal women (mean age 68.1 years) from the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention study. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck (FN) and total body composition were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. The women (n = 979) were divided into three groups according to WHO criteria, based on FN BMD T score: normal (n = 474), osteopenia (n = 468), and OP (n = 37). Soft tissue proportions, fat mass index (FMI, fat/height²), lean mass index (LMI, lean/height²), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM, (arms + legs)/height²) were calculated. Handgrip and knee extension strength measurements were made. OP subjects had significantly smaller LMI (p = 0.001), ASM (p = 0.001), grip strength (p < 0.0001), and knee extension strength (p < 0.05) but not FMI (p > 0.05) compared to other subjects. Grip and knee extension strength were 19 and 16 % weaker in OP women compared to others, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 69 % for grip and 71 % for knee extension strength. In tissue proportions only LMI showed predictive power (63 %, p = 0.016). An overall linear association of LMI (R² = 0.007, p = 0.01) and FMI (R² = 0.028, p < 0.001) with FN BMD remained significant. In the multivariate model, after adjusting for age, grip strength, leg extension strength, FMI, LMI, number of medications, alcohol consumption, current smoking, dietary calcium intake, and hormone therapy, grip strength (adjusted OR = 0.899, 95 % CI 0.84-0.97, p < 0.01), leg extension strength (OR = 0.998, 95 % CI 0.99-1, p < 0.05), and years of hormone therapy (OR = 0.905, 95 % CI 0.82-1, p < 0.05) remained as significant determinants of OP. Muscle strength tests, especially grip strength, serve as an independent and useful tool for postmenopausal OP risk assessment. In addition, lean mass contributes to OP in this age group. Muscle strength and lean mass should be considered separately since both are independently associated with postmenopausal BMD.

Adaptive Fading Memory H∞ Filter Design for Compensation of Delayed Components in Self Powered Flux Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamboli, Prakash Kumar; Duttagupta, Siddhartha P.; Roy, Kallol

2015-08-01

The paper deals with dynamic compensation of delayed Self Powered Flux Detectors (SPFDs) using discrete time H∞ filtering method for improving the response of SPFDs with significant delayed components such as Platinum and Vanadium SPFD. We also present a comparative study between the Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) based H∞ filtering and Algebraic Riccati Equation (ARE) based Kalman filtering methods with respect to their delay compensation capabilities. Finally an improved recursive H∞ filter based on the adaptive fading memory technique is proposed which provides an improved performance over existing methods. The existing delay compensation algorithms do not account for the rate of change in the signal for determining the filter gain and therefore add significant noise during the delay compensation process. The proposed adaptive fading memory H∞ filter minimizes the overall noise very effectively at the same time keeps the response time at minimum values. The recursive algorithm is easy to implement in real time as compared to the LMI (or ARE) based solutions.

Social Capital and Homeownership in Low- to Moderate-Income Neighborhoods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grinstein-Weiss, Michal; Yeo, Yeong Hun; Manturuk, Kim R.; Despard, Mathieu R.; Holub, Krista A.; Greeson, Johanna K. P.; Quercia, Roberto G.

2013-01-01

This study examined the relationship between homeownership and social capital among low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. Using data from the Community Advantage Panel Study, the authors used propensity score weighting and regression analyses to explore the relationship between LMI homeownership, neighborhood conditions, and social capital.…

Mixed H2/Hinfinity output-feedback control of second-order neutral systems with time-varying state and input delays.

PubMed

Karimi, Hamid Reza; Gao, Huijun

2008-07-01

A mixed H2/Hinfinity output-feedback control design methodology is presented in this paper for second-order neutral linear systems with time-varying state and input delays. Delay-dependent sufficient conditions for the design of a desired control are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). A controller, which guarantees asymptotic stability and a mixed H2/Hinfinity performance for the closed-loop system of the second-order neutral linear system, is then developed directly instead of coupling the model to a first-order neutral system. A Lyapunov-Krasovskii method underlies the LMI-based mixed H2/Hinfinity output-feedback control design using some free weighting matrices. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.

Parameterized LMI Based Diagonal Dominance Compensator Study for Polynomial Linear Parameter Varying System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Xiaobao; Li, Huacong; Jia, Qiusheng

2017-12-01

For dynamic decoupling of polynomial linear parameter varying(PLPV) system, a robust dominance pre-compensator design method is given. The parameterized precompensator design problem is converted into an optimal problem constrained with parameterized linear matrix inequalities(PLMI) by using the conception of parameterized Lyapunov function(PLF). To solve the PLMI constrained optimal problem, the precompensator design problem is reduced into a normal convex optimization problem with normal linear matrix inequalities (LMI) constraints on a new constructed convex polyhedron. Moreover, a parameter scheduling pre-compensator is achieved, which satisfies robust performance and decoupling performances. Finally, the feasibility and validity of the robust diagonal dominance pre-compensator design method are verified by the numerical simulation on a turbofan engine PLPV model.

Influence of the 6-month physical activity programs on renal function in obese boys.

PubMed

Lousa, Irina; Nascimento, Henrique; Rocha, Susana; Catarino, Cristina; Reis, Flávio; Rêgo, Carla; Santos-Silva, Alice; Seabra, André; Ribeiro, Sandra; Belo, Luís

2018-05-01

BackgroundWe intended to evaluate the effects of physical activity (PA) programs on renal function in obese boys.MethodsThirty-nine boys participated in one of the following three groups: soccer (SG, n=13), traditional PA (AG, n=13), and sedentary control (CG, n=13). SG and AG were involved in 6-month PA programs, involving three sessions/week for 60-90 min. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, creatinine and cystatin C plasmatic levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated.ResultsAt baseline (n=39), age and lean mass index (LMI) were positively correlated with creatinine levels. After 6 months, both intervention groups decreased the BMI z-score and waist circumference, while the CG increased the body fat percentage (BFP). LMI increased in all the groups. SG presented a small increment in plasma creatinine and a decrease in the eGFR values, using the Schwartz formula. Concerning the cystatin C levels and eGFR values using Filler (cystatin C-based) or Combined Zappitelli (creatinine/cystatin C-based) formulas, no significant changes were observed in any group.ConclusionThe combined Zappitelli formula showed no significant impact of PA on eGFR in obese boys. Although plasma creatinine is significantly influenced by lean body mass, cystatin C is likely to be a more accurate marker of renal function in this population.

Connecting CTE to Labor Market Information. Practice Application Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Bettina Lankard

The use of up-to-date labor market information (LMI) provided by a variety of state, federal, and local agencies and organizations can help program planners and policy makers design effective career and technical education (CTE) programs to prepare students for occupations and careers in demand. LMI includes information about labor market…

Comparison of dysphagia outcomes between rostral and caudal lateral medullary infarct patients.

PubMed

Chun, Min Ho; Kim, Daeha; Chang, Min Cheol

2017-11-01

A detailed knowledge of dysphagia outcomes in lateral medullary infarct (LMI) patients would enable proper establishment of swallowing therapy goals and strategies. However, little is known about the impact of infarct location on dysphagia outcomes in patients with LMI. Twenty patients with rostral LMI (rostral group) and 20 patients with caudal LMI (caudal group) participated in the study. All patients underwent swallowing therapy, which included compensatory treatments and strengthening exercises, for >3 months. Dysphagia evaluation was performed twice (during the subacute stage and six months after stroke onset) using videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. Dysphagia degree was assessed using the functional dysphagia scale (FDS), the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Outcome Measurement System (NOMS) swallowing scale. In the subacute stage, the rostral group had significantly higher FDS and PAS scores and a significantly lower ASHA NOMS score than the caudal group. Patients from both groups showed significant improvement from the initial evaluation to the six-month evaluation. There were no significant differences in these scale scores between the two groups at the six-month evaluation. In the subacute stage, patients in the rostral group had more severe dysphagia than those in the caudal group. Dysphagia improved in both groups after 3-6 months of swallowing therapy. At six months after onset, there were no significant differences in dysphagia severity between the two groups. Recovery from dysphagia after LMI was observed regardless of the infarct location.

Biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of LMI1195: first-in-human study of a novel 18F-labeled tracer for imaging myocardial innervation.

PubMed

Sinusas, Albert J; Lazewatsky, Joel; Brunetti, Jacqueline; Heller, Gary; Srivastava, Ajay; Liu, Yi-Hwa; Sparks, Richard; Puretskiy, Andrey; Lin, Shu-fei; Crane, Paul; Carson, Richard E; Lee, L Veronica

2014-09-01

A novel (18)F-labeled ligand for the norepinephrine transporter (N-[3-bromo-4-(3-(18)F-fluoro-propoxy)-benzyl]-guanidine [LMI1195]) is in clinical development for mapping cardiac nerve terminals in vivo using PET. Human safety, whole-organ biodistribution, and radiation dosimetry of LMI1195 were evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial. Twelve healthy subjects at 3 clinical sites were injected intravenously with 150-250 MBq of LMI1195. Dynamic PET images were obtained over the heart for 10 min, followed by sequential whole-body images for approximately 5 h. Blood samples were obtained, and heart rate, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure were monitored before and during imaging. Residence times were determined from multiexponential regression of organ region-of-interest data normalized by administered activity (AA). Radiation dose estimates were calculated using OLINDA/EXM. Myocardial, lung, liver, and blood-pool standardized uptake values were determined at different time intervals. No adverse events due to LMI1195 were seen. Blood radioactivity cleared quickly, whereas myocardial uptake remained stable and uniform throughout the heart over 4 h. Liver and lung activity cleared relatively rapidly, providing favorable target-to-background ratios for cardiac imaging. The urinary bladder demonstrated the largest peak uptake (18.3% AA), followed by the liver (15.5% AA). The mean effective dose was 0.026 ± 0.0012 mSv/MBq. Approximately 1.6% AA was seen in the myocardium initially, remaining above 1.5% AA (decay-corrected) through 4 h after injection. The myocardium-to-liver ratio was approximately unity initially, increasing to more than 2 at 4 h. These preliminary data suggest that LMI1195 is well tolerated and yields a radiation dose comparable to that of other commonly used PET radiopharmaceuticals. The kinetics of myocardial and adjacent organ activity suggest that cardiac imaging should be possible with acceptable patient radiation dose. © 2014 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Guidance for Improving Customer Satisfaction.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-04-01

Logistics Management Institute National Aeronautics and Space Administration Guidance for Improving Customer Satisfaction NS302RD1 Lawrence... Management Institute (LMI) has been engaged to provide a common approach for planning, conducting, and analyzing customer satisfaction surveys. LMI...groups and formal surveys) (2) Process definition provides the understanding for addressing customer concerns (3) Management and employee

Energy Efficiency Financing for Low- and Moderate-Income Households: Current State of the Market, Issues, and Opportunities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

Although the need is great, many LMI households may not be able to afford efficiency improvements or may be inhibited from adopting efficiency for other reasons. Decision-makers across the country are currently exploring the challenges and potential solutions to ramping up adoption of efficiency in LMI households, including the use of financing.

Photometric study of the W UMa eclipsing binaries VW LMi and BX Dra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Bajo, F.; García-Melendo, E.; Gómez-Forrellad, J. M.

2007-12-01

New ephemeris and the absolute parameters—masses, radii and luminosities—of the contact systems VW LMi and BX Dra have been obtained, by means of the analysis of the minima data available in the literature (for the determination of the ephemeris) and combining the previously published spectroscopic information and the results of the Wilson-Devinney method using photometric data (for the determination of the absolute parameters). The VW LMi O- C analysis confirms the multiplicity of the system detected previously from the spectroscopic data. Masses of the VW LMi contact system primary and secondary components are 1.67 ± 0.02 M ⊙ and 0.70 ± 0.02 M ⊙, respectively. The corresponding radii are 1.709 ± 0.007 R ⊙ and 1.208 ± 0.006 R ⊙, respectively. For the BX Dra contact system the masses are 2.19 ± 0.13 M ⊙ and 0.63 ± 0.06 M ⊙, and the radii, 2.13 ± 0.04 R ⊙ and 1.26 ± 0.03 R ⊙, for the primary and secondary, respectively. In both cases, the estimated luminosities seem to be slightly greater that the values derived from the Hipparcos distances.

Finite-time robust passive control for a class of switched reaction-diffusion stochastic complex dynamical networks with coupling delays and impulsive control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syed Ali, M.; Yogambigai, J.; Kwon, O. M.

2018-03-01

Finite-time boundedness and finite-time passivity for a class of switched stochastic complex dynamical networks (CDNs) with coupling delays, parameter uncertainties, reaction-diffusion term and impulsive control are studied. Novel finite-time synchronisation criteria are derived based on passivity theory. This paper proposes a CDN consisting of N linearly and diffusively coupled identical reaction- diffusion neural networks. By constructing of a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii's functional and utilisation of Jensen's inequality and Wirtinger's inequality, new finite-time passivity criteria for the networks are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be checked numerically using the effective LMI toolbox in MATLAB. Finally, two interesting numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

The mass and age of the first SONG target: the red giant 46 LMi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frandsen, S.; Fredslund Andersen, M.; Brogaard, K.; Jiang, C.; Arentoft, T.; Grundahl, F.; Kjeldsen, H.; Christensen-Dalsgaard, J.; Weiss, E.; Pallé, P.; Antoci, V.; Kjærgaard, P.; Sørensen, A. N.; Skottfelt, J.; Jørgensen, U. G.

2018-05-01

Context. The Stellar Observation Network Group (SONG) is an initiative to build a worldwide network of 1m telescopes with high-precision radial-velocity spectrographs. Here we analyse the first radial-velocity time series of a red-giant star measured by the SONG telescope at Tenerife. The asteroseismic results demonstrate a major increase in the achievable precision of the parameters for red-giant stars obtainable from ground-based observations. Reliable tests of the validity of these results are needed, however, before the accuracy of the parameters can be trusted. Aims: We analyse the first SONG time series for the star 46 LMi, which has a precise parallax and an angular diameter measured from interferometry, and therefore a good determination of the stellar radius. We use asteroseismic scaling relations to obtain an accurate mass, and modelling to determine the age. Methods: A 55-day time series of high-resolution, high S/N spectra were obtained with the first SONG telescope. We derive the asteroseismic parameters by analysing the power spectrum. To give a best guess on the large separation of modes in the power spectrum, we have applied a new method which uses the scaling of Kepler red-giant stars to 46 LMi. Results: Several methods have been applied: classical estimates, seismic methods using the observed time series, and model calculations to derive the fundamental parameters of 46 LMi. Parameters determined using the different methods are consistent within the uncertainties. We find the following values for the mass M (scaling), radius R (classical), age (modelling), and surface gravity (combining mass and radius): M = 1.09 ± 0.04M⊙, R = 7.95 ± 0.11R⊙ age t = 8.2 ± 1.9 Gy, and logg = 2.674 ± 0.013. Conclusions: The exciting possibilities for ground-based asteroseismology of solar-like oscillations with a fully robotic network have been illustrated with the results obtained from just a single site of the SONG network. The window function is still a severe problem which will be solved when there are more nodes in the network. Based on observations made with the Hertzsprung SONG telescope operated at the Spanish Observatorio del Teide on the island of Tenerife by the Aarhus and Copenhagen Universities and by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.

NASA's F-15B conducts a local Mach investigation flight over California's Mojave Desert.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-06-01

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft flew instrumentation in June 2004 called the Local Mach Investigation (LMI), designed to gather local airflow data for future research projects using the aircraft's Propulsion Flight Test Fixture (PFTF). The PFTF is the black rectangular fixture attached to the aircraft's belly. The LMI package was located in the orange device attached to the PFTF.

NASA's F-15B conducts a local Mach investigation flight over California's Mojave Desert.

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-06-04

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft flew instrumentation in June 2004 called the Local Mach Investigation (LMI), designed to gather local airflow data for future research projects using the aircraft's Propulsion Flight Test Fixture (PFTF). The PFTF is the black rectangular fixture attached to the aircraft's belly. The LMI package was located in the orange device attached to the PFTF.

Rumen metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses of low methane yield sheep reveals a Sharpea-enriched microbiome characterised by lactic acid formation and utilisation.

PubMed

Kamke, Janine; Kittelmann, Sandra; Soni, Priya; Li, Yang; Tavendale, Michael; Ganesh, Siva; Janssen, Peter H; Shi, Weibing; Froula, Jeff; Rubin, Edward M; Attwood, Graeme T

2016-10-19

Enteric fermentation by farmed ruminant animals is a major source of methane and constitutes the second largest anthropogenic contributor to global warming. Reducing methane emissions from ruminants is needed to ensure sustainable animal production in the future. Methane yield varies naturally in sheep and is a heritable trait that can be used to select animals that yield less methane per unit of feed eaten. We previously demonstrated elevated expression of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway genes of methanogenic archaea in the rumens of high methane yield (HMY) sheep compared to their low methane yield (LMY) counterparts. Methane production in the rumen is strongly connected to microbial hydrogen production through fermentation processes. In this study, we investigate the contribution that rumen bacteria make to methane yield phenotypes in sheep. Using deep sequence metagenome and metatranscriptome datasets in combination with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from HMY and LMY sheep, we show enrichment of lactate-producing Sharpea spp. in LMY sheep bacterial communities. Increased gene and transcript abundances for sugar import and utilisation and production of lactate, propionate and butyrate were also observed in LMY animals. Sharpea azabuensis and Megasphaera spp. act as important drivers of lactate production and utilisation according to phylogenetic analysis and read mappings. Our findings show that the rumen microbiome in LMY animals supports a rapid heterofermentative growth, leading to lactate production. We postulate that lactate is subsequently metabolised mainly to butyrate in LMY animals, producing 2 mol of hydrogen and 0.5 mol of methane per mol hexose, which represents 24 % less than the 0.66 mol of methane formed from the 2.66 mol of hydrogen produced if hexose fermentation was directly to acetate and butyrate. These findings are consistent with the theory that a smaller rumen size with a higher turnover rate, where rapid heterofermentative growth would be an advantage, results in lower hydrogen production and lower methane formation. Together with previous methanogen gene expression data, this builds a strong concept of how animal traits and microbial communities shape the methane phenotype in sheep.

Rumen metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses of low methane yield sheep reveals a Sharpea-enriched microbiome characterised by lactic acid formation and utilisation

DOE PAGES

Kamke, Janine; Kittelmann, Sandra; Soni, Priya; ...

2016-10-19

Enteric fermentation by farmed ruminant animals is a major source of methane and constitutes the second largest anthropogenic contributor to global warming. Reducing methane emissions from ruminants is needed to ensure sustainable animal production in the future. Methane yield varies naturally in sheep and is a heritable trait that can be used to select animals that yield less methane per unit of feed eaten. We previously demonstrated elevated expression of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway genes of methanogenic archaea in the rumens of high methane yield (HMY) sheep compared to their low methane yield (LMY) counterparts. Methane production in the rumen ismore » strongly connected to microbial hydrogen production through fermentation processes. In this study, we investigate the contribution that rumen bacteria make to methane yield phenotypes in sheep. Using deep sequence metagenome and metatranscriptome datasets in combination with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from HMY and LMY sheep, we show enrichment of lactate-producing Sharpea spp. in LMY sheep bacterial communities. Increased gene and transcript abundances for sugar import and utilisation and production of lactate, propionate and butyrate were also observed in LMY animals. Sharpea azabuensis and Megasphaera spp. act as important drivers of lactate production and utilisation according to phylogenetic analysis and read mappings. Our findings show that the rumen microbiome in LMY animals supports a rapid heterofermentative growth, leading to lactate production. We postulate that lactate is subsequently metabolised mainly to butyrate in LMY animals, producing 2 mol of hydrogen and 0.5 mol of methane per mol hexose, which represents 24 % less than the 0.66 mol of methane formed from the 2.66 mol of hydrogen produced if hexose fermentation was directly to acetate and butyrate. These findings are consistent with the theory that a smaller rumen size with a higher turnover rate, where rapid heterofermentative growth would be an advantage, results in lower hydrogen production and lower methane formation. Together with previous methanogen gene expression data, this builds a strong concept of how animal traits and microbial communities shape the methane phenotype in sheep.« less

Rumen metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses of low methane yield sheep reveals a Sharpea-enriched microbiome characterised by lactic acid formation and utilisation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kamke, Janine; Kittelmann, Sandra; Soni, Priya

Enteric fermentation by farmed ruminant animals is a major source of methane and constitutes the second largest anthropogenic contributor to global warming. Reducing methane emissions from ruminants is needed to ensure sustainable animal production in the future. Methane yield varies naturally in sheep and is a heritable trait that can be used to select animals that yield less methane per unit of feed eaten. We previously demonstrated elevated expression of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway genes of methanogenic archaea in the rumens of high methane yield (HMY) sheep compared to their low methane yield (LMY) counterparts. Methane production in the rumen ismore » strongly connected to microbial hydrogen production through fermentation processes. In this study, we investigate the contribution that rumen bacteria make to methane yield phenotypes in sheep. Using deep sequence metagenome and metatranscriptome datasets in combination with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from HMY and LMY sheep, we show enrichment of lactate-producing Sharpea spp. in LMY sheep bacterial communities. Increased gene and transcript abundances for sugar import and utilisation and production of lactate, propionate and butyrate were also observed in LMY animals. Sharpea azabuensis and Megasphaera spp. act as important drivers of lactate production and utilisation according to phylogenetic analysis and read mappings. Our findings show that the rumen microbiome in LMY animals supports a rapid heterofermentative growth, leading to lactate production. We postulate that lactate is subsequently metabolised mainly to butyrate in LMY animals, producing 2 mol of hydrogen and 0.5 mol of methane per mol hexose, which represents 24 % less than the 0.66 mol of methane formed from the 2.66 mol of hydrogen produced if hexose fermentation was directly to acetate and butyrate. These findings are consistent with the theory that a smaller rumen size with a higher turnover rate, where rapid heterofermentative growth would be an advantage, results in lower hydrogen production and lower methane formation. Together with previous methanogen gene expression data, this builds a strong concept of how animal traits and microbial communities shape the methane phenotype in sheep.« less

Characteristics of stroke mechanisms in patients with medullary infarction.

PubMed

Lee, M J; Park, Y G; Kim, S J; Lee, J J; Bang, O Y; Kim, J S

2012-11-01

Few studies have focused on the mechanisms underlying medullary infarctions. Our aim in this study was to investigate stroke mechanisms in patients with medullary infarctions and to determine the clinical, radiological and laboratory characteristics of these patients with different underlying stroke etiologies. Consecutive patients with medullary infarction were analysed. Stroke mechanisms were classified as large artery disease (LAD), cardiogenic embolism (CE), small vessel disease (SVD), arterial dissection or undetermined etiology. Clinical, radiological and laboratory factors were analysed according to the location of the lesion and stroke mechanisms. A total of 77 patients were enrolled in this study. Amongst them, 53 (68.8%) patients had lateral medullary infarction (LMI), 22 (28.6%) had medial medullary infarction (MMI), and the remaining 2 (2.6%) had hemimedullary infarction. In both LMI and MMI patients, LAD was the most frequently encountered stroke mechanism. Arterial dissection was the second most common cause followed by SVD and CE in patients with LMI, whereas SVD was more frequently observed (P < 0.001) and dissection and CE were less prevalent (P < 0.001 and P = 0.024, respectively) in MMI than in LMI. Regarding differences amongst stroke etiologies, patients with dissection were younger and had a significantly lower incidence of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.002 and P = 0.009, respectively) than patients with LAD and SVD. Patients in the LAD (19/34, 60%) and dissection groups (12/14, 75%) had abnormal perfusion-weighted MRI (PWI) findings, whereas all patients with SVD (9/9) had normal PWI findings (P < 0.001). Stroke mechanisms in medullary infarction differ between LMI and MMI. Clinical and radiological characteristics, especially PWI features, are helpful in discriminating the etiologies of stroke in these patients. © 2012 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2012 EFNS.

Low- and Moderate-Income Solar Policy Basics | State, Local, and Tribal

Science.gov Websites

scores, which can make attaining a loan for solar investments difficult. Even in cases where loans are translate into having less control over decisions about rooftop solar and utilities. Even in cases where LMI program) to increase local solar deployment. In other cases, CDFIs and CDEs can directly facilitate

Algorithms for sum-of-squares-based stability analysis and control design of uncertain nonlinear systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ataei-Esfahani, Armin

In this dissertation, we present algorithmic procedures for sum-of-squares based stability analysis and control design for uncertain nonlinear systems. In particular, we consider the case of robust aircraft control design for a hypersonic aircraft model subject to parametric uncertainties in its aerodynamic coefficients. In recent years, Sum-of-Squares (SOS) method has attracted increasing interest as a new approach for stability analysis and controller design of nonlinear dynamic systems. Through the application of SOS method, one can describe a stability analysis or control design problem as a convex optimization problem, which can efficiently be solved using Semidefinite Programming (SDP) solvers. For nominal systems, the SOS method can provide a reliable and fast approach for stability analysis and control design for low-order systems defined over the space of relatively low-degree polynomials. However, The SOS method is not well-suited for control problems relating to uncertain systems, specially those with relatively high number of uncertainties or those with non-affine uncertainty structure. In order to avoid issues relating to the increased complexity of the SOS problems for uncertain system, we present an algorithm that can be used to transform an SOS problem with uncertainties into a LMI problem with uncertainties. A new Probabilistic Ellipsoid Algorithm (PEA) is given to solve the robust LMI problem, which can guarantee the feasibility of a given solution candidate with an a-priori fixed probability of violation and with a fixed confidence level. We also introduce two approaches to approximate the robust region of attraction (RROA) for uncertain nonlinear systems with non-affine dependence on uncertainties. The first approach is based on a combination of PEA and SOS method and searches for a common Lyapunov function, while the second approach is based on the generalized Polynomial Chaos (gPC) expansion theorem combined with the SOS method and searches for parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions. The control design problem is investigated through a case study of a hypersonic aircraft model with parametric uncertainties. Through time-scale decomposition and a series of function approximations, the complexity of the aircraft model is reduced to fall within the capability of SDP solvers. The control design problem is then formulated as a convex problem using the dual of the Lyapunov theorem. A nonlinear robust controller is searched using the combined PEA/SOS method. The response of the uncertain aircraft model is evaluated for two sets of pilot commands. As the simulation results show, the aircraft remains stable under up to 50% uncertainty in aerodynamic coefficients and can follow the pilot commands.

A Stimulus-Independent Hybrid BCI Based on Motor Imagery and Somatosensory Attentional Orientation.

PubMed

Yao, Lin; Sheng, Xinjun; Zhang, Dingguo; Jiang, Ning; Mrachacz-Kersting, Natalie; Zhu, Xiangyang; Farina, Dario

2017-09-01

Distinctive EEG signals from the motor and somatosensory cortex are generated during mental tasks of motor imagery (MI) and somatosensory attentional orientation (SAO). In this paper, we hypothesize that a combination of these two signal modalities provides improvements in a brain-computer interface (BCI) performance with respect to using the two methods separately, and generate novel types of multi-class BCI systems. Thirty two subjects were randomly divided into a Control-Group and a Hybrid-Group. In the Control-Group, the subjects performed left and right hand motor imagery (i.e., L-MI and R-MI). In the Hybrid-Group, the subjects performed the four mental tasks (i.e., L-MI, R-MI, L-SAO, and R-SAO). The results indicate that combining two of the tasks in a hybrid manner (such as L-SAO and R-MI) resulted in a significantly greater classification accuracy than when using two MI tasks. The hybrid modality reached 86.1% classification accuracy on average, with a 7.70% increase with respect to MI ( ), and 7.21% to SAO ( ) alone. Moreover, all 16 subjects in the hybrid modality reached at least 70% accuracy, which is considered the threshold for BCI illiteracy. In addition to the two-class results, the classification accuracy was 68.1% and 54.1% for the three-class and four-class hybrid BCI. Combining the induced brain signals from motor and somatosensory cortex, the proposed stimulus-independent hybrid BCI has shown improved performance with respect to individual modalities, reducing the portion of BCI-illiterate subjects, and provided novel types of multi-class BCIs.

Effects of maximum intensity aerobic swimming exercise until exhaustion at different times of day on the hematological parameters in rats.

PubMed

Beck, W; Gobatto, Claudio Alexandre

2013-12-01

The aims of this study were: a) to analyze the time of day effect on the aerobic capacity and time to exhaustion at aerobic capacity intensity (TE), and b) to analyze the physiological impact of handling and exercise testing during the light and dark periods, based on hematological parameters. Eighty rats were randomly divided into two control groups (C12 and C20) and two exercise groups (E12 and E20), assessed at 12:00 h (C12 and E12) or 20:00 h (C20 and E20). The lactate minimum intensity (LMi) was measured and after 48 h the exercise groups were subjected to a bout of swimming until exhaustion at LMi (TE). The TE was 1.30 ± 0.51 h for the E12 group and 1.81 ± 0.77 h for the E20 group (p = 0.03). The time of day effect was significant for all white blood cell counts (12:00 h > 20:00 h). Chronic handling and performing exercise tests at 12:00 h (light period) resulted in an increased WBC counts and decreased exercise tolerance. The favorable time of day for aerobic capacity and performance assessment and hematological parameters was at 20:00 h (dark period), which is associated with the wakefulness period of the assessed animals.

A solid criterion based on strict LMI without invoking equality constraint for stabilization of continuous singular systems.

PubMed

Zhang, Xuefeng; Chen, YangQuan

2017-11-01

The paper considers the stabilization issue of linear continuous singular systems by dealing with strict linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) without invoking equality constraint and proposes a complete and effective solved LMIs formulation. The criterion is necessary and sufficient condition and can be directly solved the feasible solutions with LMI toolbox and is much more tractable and reliable in numerical simulation than existing results, which involve positive semi-definite LMIs with equality constraints. The most important property of the criterion proposed in the paper is that it can overcome the drawbacks of the invalidity caused by the singularity of Ω=PE T +SQ for stabilization of singular systems. Two counterexamples are presented to avoid the disadvantages of the existing condition of stabilization of continuous singular systems. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Period Variations of the Eclipsing Binary Systems T LMi and VX Lac

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yılmaz, M.; İzci, D. D.; Gümüş, D.; Özavci, İ.; Selam, S. O.

2015-07-01

We present a period analysis of the two Algol-type eclipsing binary systems T LMi and VX Lac using all available times of minimum in the literature, as well as new minima obtained at the Ankara University Kreiken Observatory. The period analysis of T LMi suggests mass transfer between the components and also a third body that is dynamically bound to the binary system. The analysis of VX Lac also suggests mass transfer between the components, and the presence of a third and a fourth body under the assumption of a Light-Time Effect. In addition, the periodic variation of VX Lac was examined under the hypothesis of magnetic activity, and the corresponding parameters were derived. We report here the orbital parameters for both systems, along with the ones related to mass transfer, and those for the third and fourth bodies.

H∞ output tracking control of uncertain and disturbed nonlinear systems based on neural network model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chengcheng; Li, Yuefeng; Wang, Guanglin

2017-07-01

The work presented in this paper seeks to address the tracking problem for uncertain continuous nonlinear systems with external disturbances. The objective is to obtain a model that uses a reference-based output feedback tracking control law. The control scheme is based on neural networks and a linear difference inclusion (LDI) model, and a PDC structure and H∞ performance criterion are used to attenuate external disturbances. The stability of the whole closed-loop model is investigated using the well-known quadratic Lyapunov function. The key principles of the proposed approach are as follows: neural networks are first used to approximate nonlinearities, to enable a nonlinear system to then be represented as a linearised LDI model. An LMI (linear matrix inequality) formula is obtained for uncertain and disturbed linear systems. This formula enables a solution to be obtained through an interior point optimisation method for some nonlinear output tracking control problems. Finally, simulations and comparisons are provided on two practical examples to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Appendicular and whole body lean mass outcomes are associated with finite element analysis-derived bone strength at the distal radius and tibia in adults aged 40years and older.

PubMed

Gibbs, Jenna C; Giangregorio, Lora M; Wong, Andy K O; Josse, Robert G; Cheung, Angela M

2017-10-01

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine how appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), and whole body lean (LMI) and fat mass indices (FMI) associate with estimated bone strength outcomes at the distal radius and tibia in adults aged 40 years and older. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed to determine body composition, including whole body lean and fat mass, and appendicular lean mass. ALMI (appendicular lean mass/height 2 ), LMI (lean tissue mass/height 2 ) and FMI (fat mass/height 2 ) were calculated. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) scans were performed to assess bone structural properties at the distal radius and tibia. Using finite element analysis, failure load (N), stiffness (N/mm), ultimate stress (MPa), and cortical-to-trabecular load ratio were estimated from HRpQCT scans. The associations between body composition (ALMI, LMI, FMI) and estimated bone strength were examined using bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, and other confounding variables. In 197 participants (127 women; mean±SD, age: 69.5±10.3y, body mass index: 27.95±4.95kg/m 2 , ALMI: 7.31±1.31kg/m 2 ), ALMI and LMI were significantly associated with failure load at the distal radius and tibia (explained 39%-48% of the variance) and remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables and multiple testing (R 2 =0.586-0.645, p<0.001). ALMI, LMI, and FMI did not have significant associations with ultimate stress in our multivariable models. FMI was significantly associated with cortical-to-trabecular load ratio at the distal radius and tibia (explained 6%-12% of the variance) and remained significant after adjusting for confounders and multiple testing (R 2 =0.208-0.243, p<0.001). FMI was no longer significantly associated with failure load after adjusting for confounders. These findings suggest that ALMI and LMI are important determinants of estimated bone strength, particularly failure load, at the distal radius and tibia, and may contribute to preservation of bone strength in middle-to-late adulthood. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stochastic Lanchester Air-to-Air Campaign Model: Model Description and Users Guides

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

STOCHASTIC LANCHESTER AIR-TO-AIR CAMPAIGN MODEL MODEL DESCRIPTION AND USERS GUIDES—2009 REPORT PA702T1 Rober t V. Hemm Jr. Dav id A . Lee...LMI © 2009. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Stochastic Lanchester Air-to-Air Campaign Model: Model Description and Users Guides—2009 PA702T1/JANUARY...2009 Executive Summary This report documents the latest version of the Stochastic Lanchester Air-to-Air Campaign Model (SLAACM), developed by LMI for

Latent Impulsivity Subtypes in Substance Use Disorders and Interactions with Internalizing and Externalizing Co-Occurring Disorders

PubMed Central

Marín-Navarrete, Rodrigo; Toledo-Fernández, Aldebarán; Villalobos-Gallegos, Luis; Roncero, Carlos; Szerman, Nestor; Medina-Mora, María Elena

2018-01-01

This study explored the clinical importance of latent impulsivity subtypes within a sample of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and high rates of co-occurring disorders (CODs) receiving residential treatment, aiming to assess the heterogeneity of the associations between SUDs and CODs across such impulsivity subtypes. The abbreviated Barratt impulsiveness scale was used to assess motor and cognitive (attentional and nonplanning) impulsivity, a structured interview for diagnosis of SUD and CODs, and other clinimetric measures for severity of substance use. Latent class analysis was conducted to extract subgroups of impulsivity subtypes and Poisson regression to analyze effects of interactions of classes by CODs on severity of substance use. 568 participants were evaluated. Results featured a four-class model as the best-fitted solution: overall high impulsivity (OHI); overall low impulsivity; high cognitive-low motor impulsivity; and moderate cognitive-low motor impulsivity (MC-LMI). OHI and MC-LMI concentrated on most of the individuals with CODs, and individuals within OHI and MC-LMI showed more severity of substance use. The expression of this severity relative to the impulsivity subtypes was modified by their interaction with internalizing and externalizing CODs in very heterogeneous ways. Our findings suggest that knowing either the presence of trait-based subtypes or CODs in individuals with SUDs is not enough to characterize clinical outcomes, and that the analysis of interactions between psychiatric categories and behavioral traits is necessary to better understand the expressions of psychiatric disorders. PMID:29479323

Lean mass and fat mass have differing associations with bone microarchitecture assessed by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in men and women from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.

PubMed

Edwards, Mark H; Ward, Kate A; Ntani, Georgia; Parsons, Camille; Thompson, Jennifer; Sayer, Avan A; Dennison, Elaine M; Cooper, Cyrus

2015-12-01

Understanding the effects of muscle and fat on bone is increasingly important in the optimisation of bone health. We explored relationships between bone microarchitecture and body composition in older men and women from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. 175 men and 167 women aged 72-81 years were studied. High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) images (voxel size 82 μm) were acquired from the non-dominant distal radius and tibia with a Scanco XtremeCT scanner. Standard morphological analysis was performed for assessment of macrostructure, densitometry, cortical porosity and trabecular microarchitecture. Body composition was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Lunar Prodigy Advanced). Lean mass index (LMI) was calculated as lean mass divided by height squared and fat mass index (FMI) as fat mass divided by height squared. The mean (standard deviation) age in men and women was 76 (3) years. In univariate analyses, tibial cortical area (p<0.01), cortical thickness (p<0.05) and trabecular number (p<0.01) were positively associated with LMI and FMI in both men and women. After mutual adjustment, relationships between cortical area and thickness were only maintained with LMI [tibial cortical area, β (95% confidence interval (CI)): men 6.99 (3.97,10.01), women 3.59 (1.81,5.38)] whereas trabecular number and density were associated with FMI. Interactions by sex were found, including for the relationships of LMI with cortical area and FMI with trabecular area in both the radius and tibia (p<0.05). In conclusion, LMI and FMI appeared to show independent relationships with bone microarchitecture. Further studies are required to confirm the direction of causality and explore the mechanisms underlying these tissue-specific associations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-Intensity Statin Therapy Is Associated With Improved Survival in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease.

PubMed

Foley, T Raymond; Singh, Gagan D; Kokkinidis, Damianos G; Choy, Ho-Hin K; Pham, Thai; Amsterdam, Ezra A; Rutledge, John C; Waldo, Stephen W; Armstrong, Ehrin J; Laird, John R

2017-07-15

The relative benefit of higher statin dosing in patients with peripheral artery disease has not been reported previously. We compared the effectiveness of low- or moderate-intensity (LMI) versus high-intensity (HI) statin dose on clinical outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease. We reviewed patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease who underwent peripheral angiography and/or endovascular intervention from 2006 to 2013 who were not taking other lipid-lowering medications. HI statin use was defined as atorvastatin 40-80 mg or rosuvastatin 20-40 mg. Baseline demographics, procedural data, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Among 909 patients, 629 (69%) were prescribed statins, and 124 (13.6%) were treated with HI statin therapy. Mean low-density lipoprotein level was similar in patients on LMI versus HI (80±30 versus 87±44 mg/dL, P =0.14). Demographics including age (68±12 versus 67±10 years, P =0.25), smoking history (76% versus 80%, P =0.42), diabetes mellitus (54% versus 48%, P =0.17), and hypertension (88% versus 89%, P =0.78) were similar between groups (LMI versus HI). There was a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (56% versus 75%, P =0.0001) among patients on HI statin (versus LMI). After propensity weighting, HI statin therapy was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio for mortality: 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.81; P =0.004) and decreased major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.92, P =0.02). In patients with peripheral artery disease who were referred for peripheral angiography or endovascular intervention, HI statin therapy was associated with improved survival and fewer major adverse cardiovascular events compared with LMI statin therapy. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

An LMI approach to design H(infinity) controllers for discrete-time nonlinear systems based on unified models.

PubMed

Liu, Meiqin; Zhang, Senlin

2008-10-01

A unified neural network model termed standard neural network model (SNNM) is advanced. Based on the robust L(2) gain (i.e. robust H(infinity) performance) analysis of the SNNM with external disturbances, a state-feedback control law is designed for the SNNM to stabilize the closed-loop system and eliminate the effect of external disturbances. The control design constraints are shown to be a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) which can be easily solved by various convex optimization algorithms (e.g. interior-point algorithms) to determine the control law. Most discrete-time recurrent neural network (RNNs) and discrete-time nonlinear systems modelled by neural networks or Takagi and Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models can be transformed into the SNNMs to be robust H(infinity) performance analyzed or robust H(infinity) controller synthesized in a unified SNNM's framework. Finally, some examples are presented to illustrate the wide application of the SNNMs to the nonlinear systems, and the proposed approach is compared with related methods reported in the literature.

Genetic parameters of mid-infrared methane predictions and their relationships with milk production traits in Holstein cattle.

PubMed

Kandel, P B; Vanrobays, M-L; Vanlierde, A; Dehareng, F; Froidmont, E; Gengler, N; Soyeurt, H

2017-07-01

Many countries have pledged to reduce greenhouse gases. In this context, the dairy sector is one of the identified sectors to adapt production circumstances to address socio-environmental constraints due to its large carbon footprint related to CH 4 emission. This study aimed mainly to estimate (1) the genetic parameters of 2 milk mid-infrared-based CH 4 proxies [predicted daily CH 4 emission (PME, g/d), and log-transformed predicted CH 4 intensity (LMI)] and (2) their genetic correlations with milk production traits [milk (MY), fat (FY), and protein (PY) yields] from first- and second-parity Holstein cows. A total of 336,126 and 231,400 mid-infrared CH 4 phenotypes were collected from 56,957 and 34,992 first- and second-parity cows, respectively. The PME increased from the first to the second lactation (433 vs. 453 g/d) and the LMI decreased (2.93 vs. 2.86). We used 20 bivariate random regression test-day models to estimate the variance components. Moderate heritability values were observed for both CH 4 traits, and those values decreased slightly from the first to the second lactation (0.25 ± 0.01 and 0.22 ± 0.01 for PME; 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.17 ± 0.02 for LMI). Lactation phenotypic and genetic correlations were negative between PME and MY in both first and second lactations (-0.07 vs. -0.07 and -0.19 vs. -0.24, respectively). More close scrutiny revealed that relative increase of PME was lower with high MY levels even reverting to decrease, and therefore explaining the negative correlations, indicating that higher producing cows could be a mitigation option for CH 4 emission. The PME phenotypic correlations were almost equal to 0 with FY and PY for both lactations. However, the genetic correlations between PME and FY were slightly positive (0.11 and 0.12), whereas with PY the correlations were slightly negative (-0.05 and -0.04). Both phenotypic and genetic correlations between LMI and MY or PY or FY were always relatively highly negative (from -0.21 to -0.88). As the genetic correlations between PME and LMI were strong (0.71 and 0.72 in first and second lactation), the selection of one trait would also strongly influence the other trait. However, in animal breeding context, PME, as a direct quantity CH 4 proxy, would be preferred to LMI, which is a ratio trait of PME with a trait already in the index. The range of PME sire estimated breeding values were 22.1 and 29.41 kg per lactation in first and second parity, respectively. Further studies must be conducted to evaluate the effect of the introduction of PME in a selection index on the other traits already included in this index, such as, for instance, fertility or longevity. The Authors. Published by the Federation of Animal Science Societies and Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).

On the development of HSCT tail sizing criteria using linear matrix inequalities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaminer, Isaac

1995-01-01

This report presents the results of a study to extend existing high speed civil transport (HSCT) tail sizing criteria using linear matrix inequalities (LMI). In particular, the effects of feedback specifications, such as MIL STD 1797 Level 1 and 2 flying qualities requirements, and actuator amplitude and rate constraints on the maximum allowable cg travel for a given set of tail sizes are considered. Results comparing previously developed industry criteria and the LMI methodology on an HSCT concept airplane are presented.

Dissipative stability analysis and control of two-dimensional Fornasini-Marchesini local state-space model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lanning; Chen, Weimin; Li, Lizhen

2017-06-01

This paper is concerned with the problems of dissipative stability analysis and control of the two-dimensional (2-D) Fornasini-Marchesini local state-space (FM LSS) model. Based on the characteristics of the system model, a novel definition of 2-D FM LSS (Q, S, R)-α-dissipativity is given first, and then a sufficient condition in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) is proposed to guarantee the asymptotical stability and 2-D (Q, S, R)-α-dissipativity of the systems. As its special cases, 2-D passivity performance and 2-D H∞ performance are also discussed. Furthermore, by use of this dissipative stability condition and projection lemma technique, 2-D (Q, S, R)-α-dissipative state-feedback control problem is solved as well. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Application of a repetitive process setting to design of monotonically convergent iterative learning control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boski, Marcin; Paszke, Wojciech

2015-11-01

This paper deals with the problem of designing an iterative learning control algorithm for discrete linear systems using repetitive process stability theory. The resulting design produces a stabilizing output feedback controller in the time domain and a feedforward controller that guarantees monotonic convergence in the trial-to-trial domain. The results are also extended to limited frequency range design specification. New design procedure is introduced in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) representations, which guarantee the prescribed performances of ILC scheme. A simulation example is given to illustrate the theoretical developments.

Robust synchronization control scheme of a population of nonlinear stochastic synthetic genetic oscillators under intrinsic and extrinsic molecular noise via quorum sensing.

PubMed

Chen, Bor-Sen; Hsu, Chih-Yuan

2012-10-26

Collective rhythms of gene regulatory networks have been a subject of considerable interest for biologists and theoreticians, in particular the synchronization of dynamic cells mediated by intercellular communication. Synchronization of a population of synthetic genetic oscillators is an important design in practical applications, because such a population distributed over different host cells needs to exploit molecular phenomena simultaneously in order to emerge a biological phenomenon. However, this synchronization may be corrupted by intrinsic kinetic parameter fluctuations and extrinsic environmental molecular noise. Therefore, robust synchronization is an important design topic in nonlinear stochastic coupled synthetic genetic oscillators with intrinsic kinetic parameter fluctuations and extrinsic molecular noise. Initially, the condition for robust synchronization of synthetic genetic oscillators was derived based on Hamilton Jacobi inequality (HJI). We found that if the synchronization robustness can confer enough intrinsic robustness to tolerate intrinsic parameter fluctuation and extrinsic robustness to filter the environmental noise, then robust synchronization of coupled synthetic genetic oscillators is guaranteed. If the synchronization robustness of a population of nonlinear stochastic coupled synthetic genetic oscillators distributed over different host cells could not be maintained, then robust synchronization could be enhanced by external control input through quorum sensing molecules. In order to simplify the analysis and design of robust synchronization of nonlinear stochastic synthetic genetic oscillators, the fuzzy interpolation method was employed to interpolate several local linear stochastic coupled systems to approximate the nonlinear stochastic coupled system so that the HJI-based synchronization design problem could be replaced by a simple linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based design problem, which could be solved with the help of LMI toolbox in MATLAB easily. If the synchronization robustness criterion, i.e. the synchronization robustness ≥ intrinsic robustness + extrinsic robustness, then the stochastic coupled synthetic oscillators can be robustly synchronized in spite of intrinsic parameter fluctuation and extrinsic noise. If the synchronization robustness criterion is violated, external control scheme by adding inducer can be designed to improve synchronization robustness of coupled synthetic genetic oscillators. The investigated robust synchronization criteria and proposed external control method are useful for a population of coupled synthetic networks with emergent synchronization behavior, especially for multi-cellular, engineered networks.

Robust synchronization control scheme of a population of nonlinear stochastic synthetic genetic oscillators under intrinsic and extrinsic molecular noise via quorum sensing

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Collective rhythms of gene regulatory networks have been a subject of considerable interest for biologists and theoreticians, in particular the synchronization of dynamic cells mediated by intercellular communication. Synchronization of a population of synthetic genetic oscillators is an important design in practical applications, because such a population distributed over different host cells needs to exploit molecular phenomena simultaneously in order to emerge a biological phenomenon. However, this synchronization may be corrupted by intrinsic kinetic parameter fluctuations and extrinsic environmental molecular noise. Therefore, robust synchronization is an important design topic in nonlinear stochastic coupled synthetic genetic oscillators with intrinsic kinetic parameter fluctuations and extrinsic molecular noise. Results Initially, the condition for robust synchronization of synthetic genetic oscillators was derived based on Hamilton Jacobi inequality (HJI). We found that if the synchronization robustness can confer enough intrinsic robustness to tolerate intrinsic parameter fluctuation and extrinsic robustness to filter the environmental noise, then robust synchronization of coupled synthetic genetic oscillators is guaranteed. If the synchronization robustness of a population of nonlinear stochastic coupled synthetic genetic oscillators distributed over different host cells could not be maintained, then robust synchronization could be enhanced by external control input through quorum sensing molecules. In order to simplify the analysis and design of robust synchronization of nonlinear stochastic synthetic genetic oscillators, the fuzzy interpolation method was employed to interpolate several local linear stochastic coupled systems to approximate the nonlinear stochastic coupled system so that the HJI-based synchronization design problem could be replaced by a simple linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based design problem, which could be solved with the help of LMI toolbox in MATLAB easily. Conclusion If the synchronization robustness criterion, i.e. the synchronization robustness ≥ intrinsic robustness + extrinsic robustness, then the stochastic coupled synthetic oscillators can be robustly synchronized in spite of intrinsic parameter fluctuation and extrinsic noise. If the synchronization robustness criterion is violated, external control scheme by adding inducer can be designed to improve synchronization robustness of coupled synthetic genetic oscillators. The investigated robust synchronization criteria and proposed external control method are useful for a population of coupled synthetic networks with emergent synchronization behavior, especially for multi-cellular, engineered networks. PMID:23101662

Synchronization of discrete-time neural networks with delays and Markov jump topologies based on tracker information.

PubMed

Yang, Xinsong; Feng, Zhiguo; Feng, Jianwen; Cao, Jinde

2017-01-01

In this paper, synchronization in an array of discrete-time neural networks (DTNNs) with time-varying delays coupled by Markov jump topologies is considered. It is assumed that the switching information can be collected by a tracker with a certain probability and transmitted from the tracker to controller precisely. Then the controller selects suitable control gains based on the received switching information to synchronize the network. This new control scheme makes full use of received information and overcomes the shortcomings of mode-dependent and mode-independent control schemes. Moreover, the proposed control method includes both the mode-dependent and mode-independent control techniques as special cases. By using linear matrix inequality (LMI) method and designing new Lyapunov functionals, delay-dependent conditions are derived to guarantee that the DTNNs with Markov jump topologies to be asymptotically synchronized. Compared with existing results on Markov systems which are obtained by separately using mode-dependent and mode-independent methods, our result has great flexibility in practical applications. Numerical simulations are finally given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tire Force Estimation using a Proportional Integral Observer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farhat, Ahmad; Koenig, Damien; Hernandez-Alcantara, Diana; Morales-Menendez, Ruben

2017-01-01

This paper addresses a method for detecting critical stability situations in the lateral vehicle dynamics by estimating the non-linear part of the tire forces. These forces indicate the road holding performance of the vehicle. The estimation method is based on a robust fault detection and estimation approach which minimize the disturbance and uncertainties to residual sensitivity. It consists in the design of a Proportional Integral Observer (PIO), while minimizing the well known H ∞ norm for the worst case uncertainties and disturbance attenuation, and combining a transient response specification. This multi-objective problem is formulated as a Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) feasibility problem where a cost function subject to LMI constraints is minimized. This approach is employed to generate a set of switched robust observers for uncertain switched systems, where the convergence of the observer is ensured using a Multiple Lyapunov Function (MLF). Whilst the forces to be estimated can not be physically measured, a simulation scenario with CarSimTM is presented to illustrate the developed method.

Body composition in males with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

PubMed

Wang, Weijun; Wang, Zhiwei; Zhu, Zezhang; Zhu, Feng; Qiu, Yong

2016-02-29

In contrast to the well-characterized body growth and development of females with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the pubertal growth pattern of male patients has not been well-documented. Recently, significantly lower body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) were reported in males with AIS, and were thought to be related to curve progression. A case-control study was carried out to characterize the body composition and bone status of males with AIS, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of lower BW among these patients. Forty-seven males with AIS and forty age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. Standing height (SH) and BW were measured. The SH of the males who had AIS was corrected using Bjure's equation, and then the BMI was calculated. Body composition, including subcranial fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) were analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The LM index (LMi) and the FM index (FMi) were calculated by dividing the FM and LM by the square of the SH. Logistic regression analysis was employed for comparison between AIS and controls. The AIS patients had comparable age and Tanner staging for pubic hair as the controls. After adjustment for age, the AIS patients showed comparable SH but significantly lower BW and BMI than that of the controls. The LM, LMi, BMC and BMD were also significantly lower in the AIS patients than in the controls. However, the difference in BMC between two groups was not significant by adjusting for age, FM and LM. The male AIS patients showed abnormal body composition, presenting as significantly lower LM than the controls. The lower BMC observed in the patients might due to the abnormal body composition.

RB-ARD: A proof of concept rule-based abort

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Richard; Marinuzzi, John

1987-01-01

The Abort Region Determinator (ARD) is a console program in the space shuttle mission control center. During shuttle ascent, the Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO) uses the ARD to determine the possible abort modes and make abort calls for the crew. The goal of the Rule-based Abort region Determinator (RB/ARD) project was to test the concept of providing an onboard ARD for the shuttle or an automated ARD for the mission control center (MCC). A proof of concept rule-based system was developed on a LMI Lambda computer using PICON, a knowdedge-based system shell. Knowdedge derived from documented flight rules and ARD operation procedures was coded in PICON rules. These rules, in conjunction with modules of conventional code, enable the RB-ARD to carry out key parts of the ARD task. Current capabilities of the RB-ARD include: continuous updating of the available abort mode, recognition of a limited number of main engine faults and recommendation of safing actions. Safing actions recommended by the RB-ARD concern the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) limit shutdown system and powerdown of the SSME Ac buses.

Pinning synchronization of delayed complex dynamical networks with nonlinear coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Ranran; Peng, Mingshu; Yu, Weibin

2014-11-01

In this paper, we find that complex networks with the Watts-Strogatz or scale-free BA random topological architecture can be synchronized more easily by pin-controlling fewer nodes than regular systems. Theoretical analysis is included by means of Lyapunov functions and linear matrix inequalities (LMI) to make all nodes reach complete synchronization. Numerical examples are also provided to illustrate the importance of our theoretical analysis, which implies that there exists a gap between the theoretical prediction and numerical results about the minimum number of pinning controlled nodes.

Quadcopter Path Following Control Design Using Output Feedback with Command Generator Tracker LOS Based At Square Path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nugraha, A. T.; Agustinah, T.

2018-01-01

Quadcopter an unstable system, underactuated and nonlinear in quadcopter control research developments become an important focus of attention. In this study, following the path control method for position on the X and Y axis, used structure-Generator Tracker Command (CGT) is tested. Attitude control and position feedback quadcopter is compared using the optimal output. The addition of the H∞ performance optimal output feedback control is used to maintain the stability and robustness of quadcopter. Iterative numerical techniques Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) is used to find the gain controller. The following path control problems is solved using the method of LQ regulators with output feedback. Simulations show that the control system can follow the paths that have been defined in the form of a reference signal square shape. The result of the simulation suggest that the method which used can bring the yaw angle at the expected value algorithm. Quadcopter can do automatically following path with cross track error mean X=0.5 m and Y=0.2 m.

A neural-network-based exponential H∞ synchronisation for chaotic secure communication via improved genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsiao, Feng-Hsiag

2016-10-01

In this study, a novel approach via improved genetic algorithm (IGA)-based fuzzy observer is proposed to realise exponential optimal H∞ synchronisation and secure communication in multiple time-delay chaotic (MTDC) systems. First, an original message is inserted into the MTDC system. Then, a neural-network (NN) model is employed to approximate the MTDC system. Next, a linear differential inclusion (LDI) state-space representation is established for the dynamics of the NN model. Based on this LDI state-space representation, this study proposes a delay-dependent exponential stability criterion derived in terms of Lyapunov's direct method, thus ensuring that the trajectories of the slave system approach those of the master system. Subsequently, the stability condition of this criterion is reformulated into a linear matrix inequality (LMI). Due to GA's random global optimisation search capabilities, the lower and upper bounds of the search space can be set so that the GA will seek better fuzzy observer feedback gains, accelerating feedback gain-based synchronisation via the LMI-based approach. IGA, which exhibits better performance than traditional GA, is used to synthesise a fuzzy observer to not only realise the exponential synchronisation, but also achieve optimal H∞ performance by minimizing the disturbance attenuation level and recovering the transmitted message. Finally, a numerical example with simulations is given in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.

Event-triggered output feedback control for distributed networked systems.

PubMed

Mahmoud, Magdi S; Sabih, Muhammad; Elshafei, Moustafa

2016-01-01

This paper addresses the problem of output-feedback communication and control with event-triggered framework in the context of distributed networked control systems. The design problem of the event-triggered output-feedback control is proposed as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) feasibility problem. The scheme is developed for the distributed system where only partial states are available. In this scheme, a subsystem uses local observers and share its information to its neighbors only when the subsystem's local error exceeds a specified threshold. The developed method is illustrated by using a coupled cart example from the literature. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Lyman-alpha Imager onboard Solar Polar Orbit Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Baoquan; Li, Haitao; Zhou, Sizhong; Jiang, Bo

2013-12-01

Solar Polar ORbit Telescope (SPORT) was originally proposed in 2004 by the National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, which is currently being under background engineering study phase in China. SPORT will carry a suite of remote-sensing and in-situ instruments to observe coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar high-latitude magnetism, and the fast solar wind from a polar orbit around the Sun. The Lyman-alpha Imager (LMI) is one of the key remotesensing instruments onboard SPORT with 45arcmin FOV, 2000mm effective focal length and 1.4arcsec/pixel spatial resolution . The size of LMI is φ150×1000mm, and the weight is less than10kg, including the 7kg telescope tube and 3kg electronic box. There are three 121.6nm filters used in the LMI optical path, so the 98% spectral purity image of 121.6nm can be achieved. The 121.6nm solar Lyman-alpha line is produced in the chromosphere and very sensitive to plasma temperature, plasma velocity and magnetism variation in the chromosphere. Solar Lyman-alpha disk image is an ideal tracker for corona magnetism variation.

The impact of inflammation on the obesity paradox in coronary heart disease.

PubMed

De Schutter, A; Kachur, S; Lavie, C J; Boddepalli, R S; Patel, D A; Milani, R V

2016-11-01

Despite the well-known adverse effects of obesity on almost all aspects of coronary heart disease, many studies of coronary heart disease cohorts have demonstrated an inverse relationship between obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI), and subsequent prognosis: the 'obesity paradox'. The etiology of this and the potential role of inflammation in this process remain unknown. We studied 519 patients with coronary heart disease before and after cardiac rehabilitation, dividing them into groups based on C-reactive protein ((CRP)⩾3 mg l -1 and CRP<3 mg l -1 after cardiac rehabilitation). BMI was calculated and body fat was measured using the skin-fold method. Lean mass index (LMI) was calculated as (1-%body fat) × BMI. The population was divided according to age- and gender-adjusted categories based on LMI and body fat and analyzed by total mortality over >3-year follow-up by National Death Index in both CRP groups. During >3-year follow-up, all-cause mortality was higher in the high inflammation and in the low BMI group. In proportional hazard analysis, even after adjusting for ejection fraction and peak O 2 consumption, higher BMI was associated with lower mortality in the entire population (hazard ratio (HR) 0.38; confidence interval 0.15-0.97) and a trend to lower mortality in both subgroups (HR 0.45 in low CRP, P=0.24 vs HR 0.32, P=0.06 in high CRP). High body fat, however, was associated with significantly lower mortality in the high CRP group (HR 0.22; P=0.03) but not in the low CRP group (HR 0.73; P=0.64). Conversely, high LMI was associated with markedly lower mortality in the low CRP group (HR 0.04; P=0.04). The obesity paradox has multiple underlying etiologies. Body composition has a different role in different populations with an obesity paradox by BMI. Especially in the subpopulation with persistently high CRP levels, body fat seems protective.

Sampled-data-based vibration control for structural systems with finite-time state constraint and sensor outage.

PubMed

Weng, Falu; Liu, Mingxin; Mao, Weijie; Ding, Yuanchun; Liu, Feifei

2018-05-10

The problem of sampled-data-based vibration control for structural systems with finite-time state constraint and sensor outage is investigated in this paper. The objective of designing controllers is to guarantee the stability and anti-disturbance performance of the closed-loop systems while some sensor outages happen. Firstly, based on matrix transformation, the state-space model of structural systems with sensor outages and uncertainties appearing in the mass, damping and stiffness matrices is established. Secondly, by considering most of those earthquakes or strong winds happen in a very short time, and it is often the peak values make the structures damaged, the finite-time stability analysis method is introduced to constrain the state responses in a given time interval, and the H-infinity stability is adopted in the controller design to make sure that the closed-loop system has a prescribed level of disturbance attenuation performance during the whole control process. Furthermore, all stabilization conditions are expressed in the forms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), whose feasibility can be easily checked by using the LMI Toolbox. Finally, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theorems. Copyright © 2018 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rooftop Energy Potential of Low Income Communities in America REPLICA

DOE Data Explorer

Mooney, Meghan (ORCID:0000000309406958); Sigrin, Ben

1970-01-01

The Rooftop Energy Potential of Low Income Communities in America REPLICA data set provides estimates of residential rooftop solar technical potential at the tract-level with emphasis on estimates for Low and Moderate Income LMI populations. In addition to technical potential REPLICA is comprised of 10 additional datasets at the tract-level to provide socio-demographic and market context. The model year vintage of REPLICA is 2015. The LMI solar potential estimates are made at the tract level grouped by Area Median Income AMI income tenure and building type. These estimates are based off of LiDAR data of 128 metropolitan areas statistical modeling and ACS 2011-2015 demographic data. The remaining datasets are supplemental datasets that can be used in conjunction with the technical potential data for general LMI solar analysis planning and policy making. The core dataset is a wide-format CSV file seeds_ii_replica.csv that can be tagged to a tract geometry using the GEOID or GISJOIN fields. In addition users can download geographic shapefiles for the main or supplemental datasets. This dataset was generated as part of the larger NREL-led SEEDSII Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies project and specifically for the NREL technical report titled Rooftop Solar Technical Potential for Low-to-Moderate Income Households in the United States by Sigrin and Mooney 2018. This dataset is intended to give researchers planners advocates and policy-makers access to credible data to analyze low-income solar issues and potentially perform cost-benefit analysis for program design. To explore the data in an interactive web mapping environment use the NREL SolarForAll app.

H∞ robust fault-tolerant controller design for an autonomous underwater vehicle's navigation control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Xiang-Qin; Qu, Jing-Yuan; Yan, Zhe-Ping; Bian, Xin-Qian

2010-03-01

In order to improve the security and reliability for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigation, an H∞ robust fault-tolerant controller was designed after analyzing variations in state-feedback gain. Operating conditions and the design method were then analyzed so that the control problem could be expressed as a mathematical optimization problem. This permitted the use of linear matrix inequalities (LMI) to solve for the H∞ controller for the system. When considering different actuator failures, these conditions were then also mathematically expressed, allowing the H∞ robust controller to solve for these events and thus be fault-tolerant. Finally, simulation results showed that the H∞ robust fault-tolerant controller could provide precise AUV navigation control with strong robustness.

Robust preview control for a class of uncertain discrete-time systems with time-varying delay.

PubMed

Li, Li; Liao, Fucheng

2018-02-01

This paper proposes a concept of robust preview tracking control for uncertain discrete-time systems with time-varying delay. Firstly, a model transformation is employed for an uncertain discrete system with time-varying delay. Then, the auxiliary variables related to the system state and input are introduced to derive an augmented error system that includes future information on the reference signal. This leads to the tracking problem being transformed into a regulator problem. Finally, for the augmented error system, a sufficient condition of asymptotic stability is derived and the preview controller design method is proposed based on the scaled small gain theorem and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique. The method proposed in this paper not only solves the difficulty problem of applying the difference operator to the time-varying matrices but also simplifies the structure of the augmented error system. The numerical simulation example also illustrates the effectiveness of the results presented in the paper. Copyright © 2018 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An H(∞) control approach to robust learning of feedforward neural networks.

PubMed

Jing, Xingjian

2011-09-01

A novel H(∞) robust control approach is proposed in this study to deal with the learning problems of feedforward neural networks (FNNs). The analysis and design of a desired weight update law for the FNN is transformed into a robust controller design problem for a discrete dynamic system in terms of the estimation error. The drawbacks of some existing learning algorithms can therefore be revealed, especially for the case that the output data is fast changing with respect to the input or the output data is corrupted by noise. Based on this approach, the optimal learning parameters can be found by utilizing the linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization techniques to achieve a predefined H(∞) "noise" attenuation level. Several existing BP-type algorithms are shown to be special cases of the new H(∞)-learning algorithm. Theoretical analysis and several examples are provided to show the advantages of the new method. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contributions of lean mass and fat mass to bone mineral density: a study in postmenopausal women.

PubMed

Ho-Pham, Lan T; Nguyen, Nguyen D; Lai, Thai Q; Nguyen, Tuan V

2010-03-26

The relative contribution of lean and fat to the determination of bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women is a contentious issue. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that lean mass is a better determinant of BMD than fat mass. This cross-sectional study involved 210 postmenopausal women of Vietnamese background, aged between 50 and 85 years, who were randomly sampled from various districts in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). Whole body scans, femoral neck, and lumbar spine BMD were measured by DXA (QDR 4500, Hologic Inc., Waltham, MA). Lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) were derived from the whole body scan. Furthermore, lean mass index (LMi) and fat mass index (FMi) were calculated as ratio of LM or FM to body height in metre squared (m2). In multiple linear regression analysis, both LM and FM were independent and significant predictors of BMD at the spine and femoral neck. Age, lean mass and fat mass collectively explained 33% variance of lumbar spine and 38% variance of femoral neck BMD. Replacing LM and FM by LMi and LMi did not alter the result. In both analyses, the influence of LM or LMi was greater than FM and FMi. Simulation analysis suggested that a study with 1000 individuals has a 78% chance of finding the significant effects of both LM and FM, and a 22% chance of finding LM alone significant, and zero chance of finding the effect of fat mass alone. These data suggest that both lean mass and fat mass are important determinants of BMD. For a given body size -- measured either by lean mass or height --women with greater fat mass have greater BMD.

Caloric restriction and aerobic exercise in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic obese women: an observational and retrospective study.

PubMed

Barbat-Artigas, Sébastien; Garnier, Sophie; Joffroy, Sandra; Riesco, Éléonor; Sanguignol, Frédéric; Vellas, Bruno; Rolland, Yves; Andrieu, Sandrine; Aubertin-Leheudre, Mylène; Mauriège, Pascale

2016-06-01

Sarcopenic obese (SO) individuals are a unique subset of subjects that combines obesity and sarcopenia. Traditional weight loss programmes including aerobic exercises may worsen their condition by further reducing their lean mass. The objective of this observational and retrospective study was to verify the effect of a mixed weight loss programme combining caloric restriction and exercise on body composition, and lipid-lipoprotein profile of obese women according to their sarcopenic status. One hundred and forty-six obese women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m(2) and fat mass ≥ 40%) participated to the 3 week usual and institutionalized weight-reducing programme combining a dietary plan (1400 ± 200 kcal/day) and aerobic exercise (1 h/day, 6 days/week) of a specialized medical institution. The lean body mass index (LMI; lean mass/height(2)) was calculated, and women in the lowest tertile of LMI were considered SO. At baseline, SO women were older, and their body weight and LMI were lower than non-sarcopenic obese (N-SO) women (p < 0.05). N-SO and SO women similarly lost fat mass and improved their lipid-lipoprotein profile (p < 0.05), while differences in LMI between groups persisted at the end of the weight-reducing programme. Indeed, N-SO women lost lean mass (p < 0.05) while SO did not. These findings suggest that a short weight loss programme combining caloric restriction and aerobic exercise may significantly reduce fat mass and improve lipid-lipoprotein profile in obese women, independently of their sarcopenic status. Such programmes may have deleterious effects on lean mass in N-SO subjects, only.

Syphilis in Drug Users in Low and Middle Income Countries

PubMed Central

Coffin, Lara S.; Newberry, Ashley; Hagan, Holly; Cleland, Charles M.; Des Jarlais, Don C.; Perlman, David C.

2009-01-01

Background Genital ulcer disease (GUD), including syphilis, is an important cause of morbidity in low and middle income (LMI) countries and syphilis transmission is associated with HIV transmission. Methods We conducted a literature review to evaluate syphilis infection among drug users in LMI countries for the period 1995–2007. Countries were categorized using the World Bank Atlas method (The World Bank, 2007) according to 2006 gross national income per capita. Results Thirty-two studies were included (N=13,848 subjects), mostly from Southeast Asia with some from Latin America, Eastern Europe, Central and East Asia, North Africa and the Middle East but none from regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. The median prevalence of overall lifetime syphilis (N=32 studies) was 11.1% (interquartile range: 6.3% to 15.3%) and of HIV (N=31 studies) was 1.1% (interquartile range: 0.22% to 5.50%). There was a modest relation (r=0.27) between HIV and syphilis prevalence. Median syphilis prevalence by gender was 4.0% (interquartile range: 3.4% to 6.6%) among males (N=11 studies) and 19.9% (interquartile range: 11.4% to 36.0%) among females (N=6 studies). There was a strong relation (r= 0.68) between syphilis prevalence and female gender that may be related to female sex work. Conclusion Drug users in LMI countries have a high prevalence of syphilis but data are limited and, in some regions, entirely lacking. Further data are needed, including studies targeting the risks of women. Interventions to promote safer sex, testing, counseling and education, as well as health care worker awareness, should be integrated in harm reduction programs and health care settings to prevent new syphilis infections and reduce HIV transmission among drug users and their partners in LMI countries. PMID:19361976

Lu-Hf isotopic memory of plume-lithosphere interaction in the source of layered mafic intrusions, Windimurra Igneous Complex, Yilgarn Craton, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nebel, O.; Arculus, R. J.; Ivanic, T. J.; Nebel-Jacobsen, Y. J.

2013-10-01

Most layered mafic intrusions (LMI) are formed via multiple magma injections into crustal magma chambers. These magmas are originally sourced from the mantle, likely via plume activity, but may interact with the overriding lithosphere during ascent and emplacement in the crust. The magma injections lead to the establishment of different layers and zones with complex macroscopic, microscopic and cryptic compositional layering through magmatic differentiation and associated cumulate formation, sometimes accompanied by crustal assimilation. These complex mineralogical and petrological processes obscure the nature of the mantle sources of LMI, and typically have limited the degree to which parental liquids can be fully characterised. Here, we present Lu-Hf isotope data for samples from distinct layers of the Upper Zone of the Windimurra Igneous Complex (WIC), an immense late-Archean LMI in the West Australian Yilgarn Craton. Lu-Hf isotope systematics of whole rocks are well correlated (MSWD=5.6, n=17) with an age of ˜3.05±0.05 Ga and initial ɛHf˜+8. This age, however, is older than whole rock Sm-Nd and zircon U-Pb ages of the intrusion, both of which are ca. 2.8 Ga. Stratigraphically-controlled initial Hf isotope variations (associated with multiple episodes of emplacement at ca. 2.8 Ga) indicate isotope mixing between a near-chondritic and an ultra-radiogenic component, the latter with ɛHf[2.8 Ga]>+15. This Hf isotope mixing creates a pseudochron-relationship at the time of intrusion of ˜250 Myr that is superimposed on subsequent radiogenic ingrowth after crystallisation, generating an age that predates the actual emplacement event. Mixing between late-stage crystallisation products (melt + crystals) from the Middle Zone and replenishing, plume-derived liquids was followed by crystal accumulation in a chemically evolving magma chamber. The ultra-radiogenic Hf isotope endmember in the WIC mantle source requires parent-daughter ratios consistent with very early formation in Earth history, akin to early Archean komatiitic plume sources. We propose that plume-derived melts that formed the Windimurra LMI reacted with ancient refractory lithospheric keels already underpinning ancient cratons, creating a melt with extremely high ɛHf[t]. Melting a refractory component with super-chondritic, time-integrated high Lu/Hf, in this case by plume-lithosphere interaction, simultaneously accounts for the extreme Hf isotope signals, Hf-Nd isotope decoupling, and difference in radiometric Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd ages.

Body fat mass and lean mass as predictors of survival in hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Kakiya, R; Shoji, T; Tsujimoto, Y; Tatsumi, N; Hatsuda, S; Shinohara, K; Kimoto, E; Tahara, H; Koyama, H; Emoto, M; Ishimura, E; Miki, T; Tabata, T; Nishizawa, Y

2006-08-01

A higher body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of better survival in hemodialysis patients, although the relative importance of body fat and lean mass has not been examined in the dialysis population. We performed an observational cohort study in 808 patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis. At baseline, fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and expressed as fat mass index (FMI; kg/m2). Lean mass index (LMI) was defined as BMI minus FMI. During the mean follow-up period of 53 months, 147 deaths, including 62 cardiovascular (CV) and 85 non-CV fatal events, were recorded. In univariate analysis, LMI was not significantly associated with CV or non-CV death, whereas a higher FMI was predictive of lower risk for non-CV death. Analyses with multivariate Cox models, which took other confounding variables as covariates, indicated the independent associations between a higher LMI and a lower risk of CV death, as well as between a higher FMI and a lower risk of non-CV death. These results indicate that increased fat mass and lean mass were both conditions associated with better outcomes in the dialysis population.

Breast Cancer Screening Programmes across the WHO European Region: Differences among Countries Based on National Income Level.

PubMed

Altobelli, Emma; Rapacchietta, Leonardo; Angeletti, Paolo Matteo; Barbante, Luca; Profeta, Filippo Valerio; Fagnano, Roberto

2017-04-23

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumour affecting women all over the world. In low- and middle-income countries, where its incidence is expected to rise further, BC seems set to become a public health emergency. The aim of the present study is to provide a systematic review of current BC screening programmes in WHO European Region to identify possible patterns. Multiple correspondence analysis was performed to evaluate the association among: measures of occurrence; GNI level; type of BC screening programme; organization of public information and awareness campaigns regarding primary prevention of modifiable risk factors; type of BC screening services; year of screening institution; screening coverage and data quality. A key difference between High Income (HI) and Low and Middle Income (LMI) States, emerging from the present data, is that in the former screening programmes are well organized, with approved screening centres, the presence of mobile units to increase coverage, the offer of screening tests free of charge; the fairly high quality of occurrence data based on high-quality sources, and the adoption of accurate methods to estimate incidence and mortality. In conclusion, the governments of LMI countries should allocate sufficient resources to increase screening participation and they should improve the accuracy of incidence and mortality rates.

Cardiovascular risk factor burden in Africa and the Middle East across country income categories: a post hoc analysis of the cross-sectional Africa Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study.

PubMed

Raal, Frederick J; Alsheikh-Ali, Alawi A; Omar, Mohamed I; Rashed, Wafa; Hamoui, Omar; Kane, Abdoul; Alami, Mohamed; Abreu, Paula; Mashhoud, Walid M

2018-01-01

A significant number of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths occur in developing countries. An increasing prevalence of CVD is associated with a change in the macro-economy of these countries. In this post hoc analysis, CVD risk factor (CVDRF) prevalence is evaluated across countries based on national income in the Africa and Middle East Region (AfME). Data from the Africa Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study were used; a cross-sectional study in 14 AfME countries (94 clinics) from July 2011-April 2012, which evaluated CVDRF prevalence in stable adult outpatients. World Bank definitions were used to classify countries as low-income (LI), lower-middle-income (LMI), upper-middle-income (UMI) or high-income (HI) countries. Four thousand three hundred seventy-eight subjects were recruited where 260 (6%), 1324 (30%), 1509 (35%) and 1285 (29%) were from LI, LMI, UMI, and HI countries, respectively. Of all the CVDRFs evaluated, almost two-thirds of the study population across the national income groups had abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia. Countries in the HI category were associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes (32%), obesity (44%) and smoking (16%). UMI and HI countries were associated with higher clustering of CVDRFs where at least one-third of subjects having four or more CVDRFs. Lower income countries had lower blood pressure control rates and lower percentages of outpatients achieving LDL-cholesterol targets. The burden of CVDRFs in stable outpatients is high across the national income categories in the AfME region, with HI countries showing a higher prevalence of CVDRFs. The high burden in lower income countries is associated with sub-optimal control of dyslipidemia and hypertension. Lowering the CVDRF burden would need specific public health actions in line with positive changes in the macro-economy of these countries. The ACE trial is registered under NCT01243138.

Reliable fuzzy H∞ control for active suspension of in-wheel motor driven electric vehicles with dynamic damping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Xinxin; Naghdy, Fazel; Du, Haiping

2017-03-01

A fault-tolerant fuzzy H∞ control design approach for active suspension of in-wheel motor driven electric vehicles in the presence of sprung mass variation, actuator faults and control input constraints is proposed. The controller is designed based on the quarter-car active suspension model with a dynamic-damping-in-wheel-motor-driven-system, in which the suspended motor is operated as a dynamic absorber. The Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model is used to model this suspension with possible sprung mass variation. The parallel-distributed compensation (PDC) scheme is deployed to derive a fault-tolerant fuzzy controller for the T-S fuzzy suspension model. In order to reduce the motor wear caused by the dynamic force transmitted to the in-wheel motor, the dynamic force is taken as an additional controlled output besides the traditional optimization objectives such as sprung mass acceleration, suspension deflection and actuator saturation. The H∞ performance of the proposed controller is derived as linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) comprising three equality constraints which are solved efficiently by means of MATLAB LMI Toolbox. The proposed controller is applied to an electric vehicle suspension and its effectiveness is demonstrated through computer simulation.

Robust stability for uncertain stochastic fuzzy BAM neural networks with time-varying delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syed Ali, M.; Balasubramaniam, P.

2008-07-01

In this Letter, by utilizing the Lyapunov functional and combining with the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, we analyze the global asymptotic stability of uncertain stochastic fuzzy Bidirectional Associative Memory (BAM) neural networks with time-varying delays which are represented by the Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy models. A new class of uncertain stochastic fuzzy BAM neural networks with time varying delays has been studied and sufficient conditions have been derived to obtain conservative result in stochastic settings. The developed results are more general than those reported in the earlier literatures. In addition, the numerical examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of the result using LMI toolbox in MATLAB.

Regional robust stabilisation and domain-of-attraction estimation for MIMO uncertain nonlinear systems with input saturation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azizi, S.; Torres, L. A. B.; Palhares, R. M.

2018-01-01

The regional robust stabilisation by means of linear time-invariant state feedback control for a class of uncertain MIMO nonlinear systems with parametric uncertainties and control input saturation is investigated. The nonlinear systems are described in a differential algebraic representation and the regional stability is handled considering the largest ellipsoidal domain-of-attraction (DOA) inside a given polytopic region in the state space. A novel set of sufficient Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) conditions with new auxiliary decision variables are developed aiming to design less conservative linear state feedback controllers with corresponding larger DOAs, by considering the polytopic description of the saturated inputs. A few examples are presented showing favourable comparisons with recently published similar control design methodologies.

Attitude Control for an Aero-Vehicle Using Vector Thrusting and Variable Speed Control Moment Gyros

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shin, Jong-Yeob; Lim, K. B.; Moerder, D. D.

2005-01-01

Stabilization of passively unstable thrust-levitated vehicles can require significant control inputs. Although thrust vectoring is a straightforward choice for realizing these inputs, this may lead to difficulties discussed in the paper. This paper examines supplementing thrust vectoring with Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes (VSCMGs). The paper describes how to allocate VSCMGs and the vectored thrust mechanism for attitude stabilization in frequency domain and also shows trade-off between vectored thrust and VSCMGs. Using an H2 control synthesis methodology in LMI optimization, a feedback control law is designed for a thrust-levitated research vehicle and is simulated with the full nonlinear model. It is demonstrated that VSCMGs can reduce the use of vectored thrust variation for stabilizing the hovering platform in the presence of strong wind gusts.

Disclosure of Their HIV Status to Infected Children: A Review of the Literature

PubMed Central

Pinzón-Iregui, María C.; Malow, Robert M.

2013-01-01

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 1996, HIV-infected children often survive beyond adolescence. To assess worldwide trends in disclosure since ART was introduced, we reviewed articles that refer to disclosure of their status to HIV-infected children, and which described patient, health care provider and/or caregiver opinions about disclosure and/or reported the proportion of children who knew their diagnosis. Most studies (17 [55%]) were performed in low- or middle-income (LMI) countries. In the 21 articles that included information on whether the children knew their status, the proportion who knew ranged from 1.2 to 75.0% and was lower in LMI (median = 20.4%) than industrialized countries (43%; p = 0.04). LMI country study participants who knew their status tended to have learned it at older ages (median = 9.6 years) than industrialized country participants (median = 8.3 years; p = 0.09). The most commonly reported anticipated risks (i.e. emotional trauma to child and child divulging status to others) and benefits (i.e. improved ART adherence) of disclosure did not vary by the country’s economic development. Only one article described and evaluated a disclosure process. Despite recommendations, most HIV-infected children worldwide do not know their status. Disclosure strategies addressing caregiver concerns are urgently needed. PMID:23070738

Speed synchronization control for integrated automotive motor-transmission powertrain system with random delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Xiaoyuan; Zhang, Hui; Fang, Zongde

2015-12-01

This paper presents a robust speed synchronization controller design for an integrated motor-transmission powertrain system in which the driving motor and multi-gearbox are directly coupled. As the controller area network (CAN) is commonly used in the vehicle powertrain system, the possible network-induced random delays in both feedback and forward channel are considered and modeled by using two Markov chains in the controller design process. For the application perspective, the control law adopted here is a generalized proportional-integral (PI) control. By employing the system-augmentation technique, a delay-free stochastic closed-loop system is obtained and the generalized PI controller design problem is converted to a static output feedback (SOF) controller design problem. Since there are external disturbances involved in the closed-loop system, the energy-to-peak performance is considered to guarantee the robustness of the controller. And the controlled output is chosen as the speed synchronization error. To further improve the transient response of the closed-loop system, the pole placement is also employed in the energy-to-peak performance based speed synchronization control. The mode-dependent control gains are obtained by using an iterative linear matrix inequality (LMI) algorithm. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.

The impact of low- and moderate-wealth homeownership on parental attitudes and behavior: Evidence from the community advantage panel.

PubMed

Grinstein-Weiss, Michal; Greeson, Johanna K P; Yeo, Yeong H; Birdsong, Susanna S; Despard, Mathieu R; Quercia, Roberto G

2009-01-01

Considerable research has suggested that homeownership imparts a variety of positive individual, family, neighborhood, and community effects. Yet, much of the research to date has failed to examine such effects by level of income [Dietz, R.D., & Haurin, D.R. (2003). The social and private micro-level consequences of homeownership. Journal of Urban Economics, 54(3), 401-450.]. This study adds to the limited research on the impact of assets on parental attitude and behavior among low- and moderate-income (LMI) families. Data used in this study are from the evaluation of Self-Help's Community Advantage Home Loan Secondary Market Program. Specifically, we focus on the differences in the demographic and financial backgrounds, and parental attitudes and behavior between LMI homeowners and a comparison group of renters ( n =815 owners; n =333 renters). Logistic regression analyses are used to model parental attitude and behavior outcomes on tenure, controlling for a variety of household characteristics. Results show that the overall differences between homeowners and renters on parental outcomes are statistically nonsignificant. This finding implies that tenure per se is not associated with parental attitudes and behavior. Explanations for the possible reasons for the lack of a tenure effect are discussed. Policy implications are forwarded.

Lactitol tolerance in healthy Thai adults.

PubMed

Soontornchai, S; Sirichakwal, P; Puwastien, P; Tontisirin, K; Krüger, D; Grossklaus, R

1999-10-01

The hydrogen breath analysis test was performed in healthy Thai adults to determine lactitol tolerance. The study was conducted in 39 individuals (11 males and 28 females) aged 18-41 years. All volunteers agreed to participate in this study after the risks and benefits had been fully explained. Subjects were requested not to consume milk, milk products, or high-vegetable diets for a day and to fast from 10 p.m. of the day preceding the test day. After consumption of the test diet (12 and 20 g of lactose or lactitol, respectively, in 250 mL water), the subjects recorded the severity of symptoms for 24 hours. Breath samples were collected after fasting and after consumption of the test diet at 30 min intervals over the 7-hour study period. Breath samples were analyzed for hydrogen using gas chromatography. After consumption of 12 g lactose, the prevalence of lactose malabsorbers was established. The increment of a peak breath hydrogen level of > or = 20 ppm above the baseline level was used as an indicator of lactose malabsorption. The lactose malabsorbers were further classified as lactose tolerance or lactose intolerance according to the gastrointestinal symptoms observed. All 39 healthy Thai adults could be classified into 3 groups as follows: 9 (23%) lactose absorbers (LA), 15 (38.5%) lactose mal-absorber/tolerance (LMT), and 15 (38.5%) lactose mal-absorber/intolerance (LMI). Using the hydrogen breath test, 67% of the subjects were identified as lactitol intolerance after the consumption of 12 g lactitol. The lactitol intolerance comprised 53.8% of LMI, 34.6% of LMT, and 11.5% of LA. Among all subjects, one third of LA (33%), two thirds of LMT (60%), and 93% of LMI were lactitol intolerant. In addition, gastrointestinal symptoms such as flatulence and abdominal pain were most pronounced in LMI. Diarrhea was also a prominent manifestation after consumption of 12 g lactitol. Therefore, it was finally decided that 20 g lactose or lactitol were not given to LMI because of the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms. After high doses (20 g) of lactose and lactitol consumption, most LMT developed more symptoms than did LA and the main symptom was diarrhea. Consumption of 20 g lactose resulted in fewer symptoms than 20 g lactitol in both LA and LMT. On the basis of the hydrogen breath test, most LA tolerated 12 g lactitol without gastrointestinal symptoms except some flatulence whereas most LMT and LMI did not. Twenty g lactitol was not tolerated by both LA and LMT because there was diarrhea among the subjects, especially in LMT. Although the hydrogen breath analysis test is the best method for identification of lactose malabsorption, it is not the best method to identify lactitol intolerance. A hydrogen concentration of 15 ppm above the baseline level was found to be the best cut-off point to indicate lactitol intolerance although sensitivity was 85% and specificity only 38% in this study. It was further concluded that there is a greater susceptibility to lactitol in human lactose malabsorbers than in lactose absorbers. Our findings might be relevant for the limited use of lactitol in Thailand.

H∞ output tracking control of discrete-time nonlinear systems via standard neural network models.

PubMed

Liu, Meiqin; Zhang, Senlin; Chen, Haiyang; Sheng, Weihua

2014-10-01

This brief proposes an output tracking control for a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems with disturbances. A standard neural network model is used to represent discrete-time nonlinear systems whose nonlinearity satisfies the sector conditions. H∞ control performance for the closed-loop system including the standard neural network model, the reference model, and state feedback controller is analyzed using Lyapunov-Krasovskii stability theorem and linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. The H∞ controller, of which the parameters are obtained by solving LMIs, guarantees that the output of the closed-loop system closely tracks the output of a given reference model well, and reduces the influence of disturbances on the tracking error. Three numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed H∞ output tracking design approach.

Aircraft/Air Traffic Management Functional Analysis Model. Version 2.0; User's Guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Etheridge, Melvin; Plugge, Joana; Retina, Nusrat

1998-01-01

The Aircraft/Air Traffic Management Functional Analysis Model, Version 2.0 (FAM 2.0), is a discrete event simulation model designed to support analysis of alternative concepts in air traffic management and control. FAM 2.0 was developed by the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contract. This document provides a guide for using the model in analysis. Those interested in making enhancements or modification to the model should consult the companion document, Aircraft/Air Traffic Management Functional Analysis Model, Version 2.0 Technical Description.

Robust stability for stochastic bidirectional associative memory neural networks with time delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, H. S.; Lv, Z. W.; Wei, G. L.

2008-02-01

In this paper, the asymptotic stability is considered for a class of uncertain stochastic bidirectional associative memory neural networks with time delays and parameter uncertainties. The delays are time-invariant and the uncertainties are norm-bounded that enter into all network parameters. The aim of this paper is to establish easily verifiable conditions under which the delayed neural network is robustly asymptotically stable in the mean square for all admissible parameter uncertainties. By employing a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and conducting the stochastic analysis, a linear matrix inequality matrix inequality (LMI) approach is developed to derive the stability criteria. The proposed criteria can be easily checked by the Matlab LMI toolbox. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed criteria.

Agent Based Modeling of Air Carrier Behavior for Evaluation of Technology Equipage and Adoption

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horio, Brant M.; DeCicco, Anthony H.; Stouffer, Virginia L.; Hasan, Shahab; Rosenbaum, Rebecca L.; Smith, Jeremy C.

2014-01-01

As part of ongoing research, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and LMI developed a research framework to assist policymakers in identifying impacts on the U.S. air transportation system (ATS) of potential policies and technology related to the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). This framework, called the Air Transportation System Evolutionary Simulation (ATS-EVOS), integrates multiple models into a single process flow to best simulate responses by U.S. commercial airlines and other ATS stakeholders to NextGen-related policies, and in turn, how those responses impact the ATS. Development of this framework required NASA and LMI to create an agent-based model of airline and passenger behavior. This Airline Evolutionary Simulation (AIRLINE-EVOS) models airline decisions about tactical airfare and schedule adjustments, and strategic decisions related to fleet assignments, market prices, and equipage. AIRLINE-EVOS models its own heterogeneous population of passenger agents that interact with airlines; this interaction allows the model to simulate the cycle of action-reaction as airlines compete with each other and engage passengers. We validated a baseline configuration of AIRLINE-EVOS against Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B) data and subject matter expert opinion, and we verified the ATS-EVOS framework and agent behavior logic through scenario-based experiments. These experiments demonstrated AIRLINE-EVOS's capabilities in responding to an input price shock in fuel prices, and to equipage challenges in a series of analyses based on potential incentive policies for best equipped best served, optimal-wind routing, and traffic management initiative exemption concepts..

Improved synchronization criteria for time-delayed chaotic Lur'e systems using sampled-data control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Wenyong; Li, Yan; Fu, Xiaorong; Du, Baozhu

2017-02-01

This paper is concerned with the synchronization for a class of time-delayed chaotic Lur’e systems using sampled-data control. Both of time-varying and time-invariant delays are considered. New criteria are proposed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) by employing a modified LKF combined with the delay-fraction theory and some novel terms. The criteria are less conservative than some previous ones and a longer sampling period is achieved under the new results. Furthermore, the derived conditions are employed to design a sampled-data controller. The desired controller gain matrix can be obtained by means of the LMI approach. Finally, a numerical examples and simulations on Chua’s circuit is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Robust non-fragile finite-frequency H∞ static output-feedback control for active suspension systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Gang; Chen, Changzheng; Yu, Shenbo

2017-07-01

This paper deals with the problem of non-fragile H∞ static output-feedback control of vehicle active suspension systems with finite-frequency constraint. The control objective is to improve ride comfort within the given frequency range and ensure the hard constraints in the time-domain. Moreover, in order to enhance the robustness of the controller, the control gain perturbation is also considered in controller synthesis. Firstly, a new non-fragile H∞ finite-frequency control condition is established by using generalized Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov (GKYP) lemma. Secondly, the static output-feedback control gain is directly derived by using a non-iteration algorithm. Different from the existing iteration LMI results, the static output-feedback design is simple and less conservative. Finally, the proposed control algorithm is applied to a quarter-car active suspension model with actuator dynamics, numerical results are made to show the effectiveness and merits of the proposed method.

Delay-Dependent Stability Criterion for Bidirectional Associative Memory Neural Networks with Interval Time-Varying Delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Ju H.; Kwon, O. M.

In the letter, the global asymptotic stability of bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with delays is investigated. The delay is assumed to be time-varying and belongs to a given interval. A novel stability criterion for the stability is presented based on the Lyapunov method. The criterion is represented in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI), which can be solved easily by various optimization algorithms. Two numerical examples are illustrated to show the effectiveness of our new result.

2005 8th Annual Systems Engineering Conference Volume 3 - Wednesday presentations

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-10-24

phasi s on s ystem s eng ineeri ng Imple menta tion o f SE P lans Requires PEO chief engineer Conduct of technical reviews SE Policy Addendum Signed by...in a Performance Based Logistics Environment, Denise Duncan, LMI Track 5 - Best Practices & Standardization: CMMI for Services, Mr. Juan Ceva...CMMI for Services Mr. Juan Ceva, Raytheon RIS TRACK 5 Logistics Session 3C5 TRACK 4 Net Centric Operations Session 3C4 TRACK 6 Modeling & Simulation

Defense Science Board 1988 Summer Study on the Defense Industrial and Technology Base. Volume 2. Subgroup Appendices

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

tion. Use of war reserves in support of very low levels of conflict further suggests that flexibility in production rate, probably coupled to inventory...data used and the input/output models have been agreed to by all industry sections in MITI and did not represent just one group’s view of their...study completed in July 1988, the Logistics Manage- ment Institute (LMI) modeled the combined effect of three of these policy changes: revised profit

Robust nonlinear control of vectored thrust aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doyle, John C.; Murray, Richard; Morris, John

1993-01-01

An interdisciplinary program in robust control for nonlinear systems with applications to a variety of engineering problems is outlined. Major emphasis will be placed on flight control, with both experimental and analytical studies. This program builds on recent new results in control theory for stability, stabilization, robust stability, robust performance, synthesis, and model reduction in a unified framework using Linear Fractional Transformations (LFT's), Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI's), and the structured singular value micron. Most of these new advances have been accomplished by the Caltech controls group independently or in collaboration with researchers in other institutions. These recent results offer a new and remarkably unified framework for all aspects of robust control, but what is particularly important for this program is that they also have important implications for system identification and control of nonlinear systems. This combines well with Caltech's expertise in nonlinear control theory, both in geometric methods and methods for systems with constraints and saturations.

Gain-Scheduled Fault Tolerance Control Under False Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shin, Jong-Yeob; Belcastro, Christine (Technical Monitor)

2006-01-01

An active fault tolerant control (FTC) law is generally sensitive to false identification since the control gain is reconfigured for fault occurrence. In the conventional FTC law design procedure, dynamic variations due to false identification are not considered. In this paper, an FTC synthesis method is developed in order to consider possible variations of closed-loop dynamics under false identification into the control design procedure. An active FTC synthesis problem is formulated into an LMI optimization problem to minimize the upper bound of the induced-L2 norm which can represent the worst-case performance degradation due to false identification. The developed synthesis method is applied for control of the longitudinal motions of FASER (Free-flying Airplane for Subscale Experimental Research). The designed FTC law of the airplane is simulated for pitch angle command tracking under a false identification case.

Robust stochastic stability of discrete-time fuzzy Markovian jump neural networks.

PubMed

Arunkumar, A; Sakthivel, R; Mathiyalagan, K; Park, Ju H

2014-07-01

This paper focuses the issue of robust stochastic stability for a class of uncertain fuzzy Markovian jumping discrete-time neural networks (FMJDNNs) with various activation functions and mixed time delay. By employing the Lyapunov technique and linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, a new set of delay-dependent sufficient conditions are established for the robust stochastic stability of uncertain FMJDNNs. More precisely, the parameter uncertainties are assumed to be time varying, unknown and norm bounded. The obtained stability conditions are established in terms of LMIs, which can be easily checked by using the efficient MATLAB-LMI toolbox. Finally, numerical examples with simulation result are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and less conservativeness of the obtained results. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Filtering of Discrete-Time Switched Neural Networks Ensuring Exponential Dissipative and $l_{2}$ - $l_{\\infty }$ Performances.

PubMed

Choi, Hyun Duck; Ahn, Choon Ki; Karimi, Hamid Reza; Lim, Myo Taeg

2017-10-01

This paper studies delay-dependent exponential dissipative and l 2 - l ∞ filtering problems for discrete-time switched neural networks (DSNNs) including time-delayed states. By introducing a novel discrete-time inequality, which is a discrete-time version of the continuous-time Wirtinger-type inequality, we establish new sets of linear matrix inequality (LMI) criteria such that discrete-time filtering error systems are exponentially stable with guaranteed performances in the exponential dissipative and l 2 - l ∞ senses. The design of the desired exponential dissipative and l 2 - l ∞ filters for DSNNs can be achieved by solving the proposed sets of LMI conditions. Via numerical simulation results, we show the validity of the desired discrete-time filter design approach.

A single dynamic observer-based module for design of simultaneous fault detection, isolation and tracking control scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davoodi, M.; Meskin, N.; Khorasani, K.

2018-03-01

The problem of simultaneous fault detection, isolation and tracking (SFDIT) control design for linear systems subject to both bounded energy and bounded peak disturbances is considered in this work. A dynamic observer is proposed and implemented by using the H∞/H-/L1 formulation of the SFDIT problem. A single dynamic observer module is designed that generates the residuals as well as the control signals. The objective of the SFDIT module is to ensure that simultaneously the effects of disturbances and control signals on the residual signals are minimised (in order to accomplish the fault detection goal) subject to the constraint that the transfer matrix from the faults to the residuals is equal to a pre-assigned diagonal transfer matrix (in order to accomplish the fault isolation goal), while the effects of disturbances, reference inputs and faults on the specified control outputs are minimised (in order to accomplish the fault-tolerant and tracking control goals). A set of linear matrix inequality (LMI) feasibility conditions are derived to ensure solvability of the problem. In order to illustrate and demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed design methodology, the developed and proposed schemes are applied to an autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (AUV).

A School and Its Money...Soon Parted.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Szabo, Joan

1995-01-01

Describes the potential perils of corporate tax incentives for communities. Discusses practices that drain funding from public schools--tax abatements, tax-increment financing, and industrial bonds. Three sidebars are included. (LMI)

As Big and As Good As It Gets: The Large Monolithic Imager for Lowell Observatory's 4.3-m Discovery Channel Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Massey, Philip; Dunham, E. W.; Bida, T. A.; Collins, P.; Hall, J. C.; Hunter, D. A.; Lauman, S.; Levine, S.; Neugent, K.; Nye, R.; Oliver, R.; Schleicher, D.; Zoonematkermani, S.

2013-01-01

The Large Monolithic Imager (LMI), a camera built at Lowell Observatory, is currently undergoing commissioning on Lowell's new 4.3-m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT). At the heart of the LMI is the largest charge-coupled device (CCD) that can be built using current fabrication techniques, and the first of its kind to be made by e2v. The active area of the chip is 92.2mmx92.4mm, and has 6144 by 6160 15-micron pixels. Our choice of a single chip over a mosaic of smaller ones was inspired by the success of USNO in deploying a similarly ginormous device made by Semiconductor Technology Associates, Inc. There are some significant advantages that a (very!) large single CCD has over a mosaic of smaller ones. With a mosaic, one has to dither to fill in the gaps between the chips for complete areal coverage. This is not only costly in overhead, but it also poses a limitation in faint surface brightness studies, as the sky brightness is constantly changing during the dithering process. In addition, differences in the wavelength dependence of the DQE can lead to differences in the color terms from chip to chip in mosaics, requiring one to deal with each chip as a separate instrument (see the Local Group Galaxy photometry of Massey et al. 2006, AJ, 131, 2478). The LMI avoids these problems. The Discovery Channel Telescope is being built by Lowell Observatory in partnership with Discovery Communications. First light took place in May 2012. Institutional DCT partners include Boston University (in perpetuity), the University of Maryland, and the University of Toledo. More about the DCT can be found in the adjacent poster by Hall et al. The LMI has been made possible thanks to a National Science Foundation grant (AST-1005313). We are currently doing on-sky evaluation of the camera, as commissioning of the DCT progresses, determining color terms, photometric zero-points, astrometric characteristics, etc. We will present these results, along with technical details and many pretty pictures (!), in our poster.

Gastroprotective effects and antimicrobial activity of Lithraea molleoides and isolated compounds against Helicobacter pylori.

PubMed

Garro, María Filomena; Salinas Ibáñez, Angel Gabriel; Vega, Alba Edith; Arismendi Sosa, Andrea Celeste; Pelzer, Lilian; Saad, José Roberto; Maria, Alejandra Olivia

2015-12-24

Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in South America to treat various ailments, including diseases of the digestive system. To evaluate the in vivo antiulcer and antimicrobial activities against Helicobacter pylori of L. molleoides and its isolated compounds. Methanolic extract 250 and 500 mg/kg, (LmE 250 and LmE 500, respectively) and infusions, 10 g and 20 g en 100mL (LmI 10 and LmI 20, respectively) of L. molleoides was evaluated for antiulcer activity against 0.6N HCl, 0.2N NaOH, 200mg/kg acetilsalicilic acid and absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The degree of erosion in the glandular part of the stomach was assessed from a scoring system. Acute toxicity in mice was also evaluated. The antiulcer effect of the isolated compounds (catechol, mannitol, rutin, gallic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid, 100mg/kg) was evaluated against absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of L. molleoides and isolated compounds was performed using broth dilution methods. The LmE 250, LmE 500, LmI 10 and LmI 20 produced significant inhibition on the ulcer index in 0.6N HCl, 0.2N NaOH, 200mg/kg acetilsalicilic acid and absolute ethanol- induced gastric ulcers in rats. The isolated compounds, catechol, mannitol, rutin, ferulic acid and caffeic acid were active in absolute ethanol- induced gastric ulcers in rats. L. molleoides and different compounds showed antimicrobial activity in all strains tested. The lowest MIC value (0. 5 μg/mL) was obtained with catechol in six of eleven strains assayed. No signs of toxicity were observed with doses up to 2g/kg in an acute toxicity assay. These findings indicate that L. molleoides displays potential antiulcerogenic and antimicrobial activities and the identification of active principles could support the use of this plant for the treatment of digestive affections. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The ability of video image analysis to predict lean meat yield and EUROP score of lamb carcasses.

PubMed

Einarsson, E; Eythórsdóttir, E; Smith, C R; Jónmundsson, J V

2014-07-01

A total of 862 lamb carcasses that were evaluated by both the VIAscan® and the current EUROP classification system were deboned and the actual yield was measured. Models were derived for predicting lean meat yield of the legs (Leg%), loin (Loin%) and shoulder (Shldr%) using the best VIAscan® variables selected by stepwise regression analysis of a calibration data set (n=603). The equations were tested on validation data set (n=259). The results showed that the VIAscan® predicted lean meat yield in the leg, loin and shoulder with an R 2 of 0.60, 0.31 and 0.47, respectively, whereas the current EUROP system predicted lean yield with an R 2 of 0.57, 0.32 and 0.37, respectively, for the three carcass parts. The VIAscan® also predicted the EUROP score of the trial carcasses, using a model derived from an earlier trial. The EUROP classification from VIAscan® and the current system were compared for their ability to explain the variation in lean yield of the whole carcass (LMY%) and trimmed fat (FAT%). The predicted EUROP scores from the VIAscan® explained 36% of the variation in LMY% and 60% of the variation in FAT%, compared with the current EUROP system that explained 49% and 72%, respectively. The EUROP classification obtained by the VIAscan® was tested against a panel of three expert classifiers (n=696). The VIAscan® classification agreed with 82% of conformation and 73% of the fat classes assigned by a panel of expert classifiers. It was concluded that VIAscan® provides a technology that can directly predict LMY% of lamb carcasses with more accuracy than the current EUROP classification system. The VIAscan® is also capable of classifying lamb carcasses into EUROP classes with an accuracy that fulfils minimum demands for the Icelandic sheep industry. Although the VIAscan® prediction of the Loin% is low, it is comparable to the current EUROP system, and should not hinder the adoption of the technology to estimate the yield of Icelandic lambs as it delivered a more accurate prediction for the Leg%, Shldr% and overall LMY% with negligible prediction bias.

A Pilot Study Validating Select Research-Grade and Consumer-Based Wearables Throughout a Range of Dynamic Exercise Intensities in Persons With and Without Type 1 Diabetes: A Novel Approach.

PubMed

Yavelberg, Loren; Zaharieva, Dessi; Cinar, Ali; Riddell, Michael C; Jamnik, Veronica

2018-05-01

The increasing popularity of wearable technology necessitates the evaluation of their accuracy to differentiate physical activity (PA) intensities. These devices may play an integral role in customizing PA interventions for primary prevention and secondary management of chronic diseases. For example, in persons with type 1 diabetes (T1D), PA greatly affects glucose concentrations depending on the intensity, mode (ie, aerobic, anaerobic, mixed), and duration. This variability in glucose responses underscores the importance of implementing dependable wearable technology in emerging avenues such as artificial pancreas systems. Participants completed three 40-minute, dynamic non-steady-state exercise sessions, while outfitted with multiple research (Fitmate, Metria, Bioharness) and consumer (Garmin, Fitbit) grade wearables. The data were extracted according to the devices' maximum sensitivity (eg, breath by breath, beat to beat, or minute time stamps) and averaged into minute-by-minute data. The variables of interest, heart rate (HR), breathing frequency, and energy expenditure (EE), were compared to validated criterion measures. Compared to deriving EE by laboratory indirect calorimetry standard, the Metria activity patch overestimates EE during light-to-moderate PA intensities (L-MI) and moderate-to-vigorous PA intensities (M-VI) (mean ± SD) (0.28 ± 1.62 kilocalories· minute -1 , P < .001, 0.64 ± 1.65 kilocalories· minute -1 , P < .001, respectively). The Metria underestimates EE during vigorous-to-maximal PA intensity (V-MI) (-1.78 ± 2.77 kilocalories · minute -1 , P < .001). Similarly, compared to Polar HR monitor, the Bioharness underestimates HR at L-MI (-1 ± 8 bpm, P < .001) and M-VI (5 ± 11 bpm, P < .001), respectively. A significant difference in EE was observed for the Garmin device, compared to the Fitmate ( P < .001) during continuous L-MI activity. Overall, our study demonstrates that current research-grade wearable technologies operate within a ~10% error for both HR and EE during a wide range of dynamic exercise intensities. This level of accuracy for emerging research-grade instruments is considered both clinically and practically acceptable for research-based or consumer use. In conclusion, research-grade wearable technology that uses EE kilocalories · minute -1 and HR reliably differentiates PA intensities.

Trauma of the upper cervical spine: focus on vertical atlantoaxial dislocation.

PubMed

Pissonnier, M L; Lazennec, J Y; Renoux, J; Rousseau, M A

2013-10-01

Traumatic ligament injuries of the craniovertebral junction, either isolated or associated with bone avulsion or fracture, often lead to death. These injuries are rare and underrated but are increasingly seen in emergency departments due to the improvement in initial on-scene management of accidents. Vertical atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) is a specific lesion that was barely reported. Based on our experience, our goal was to systematically investigate the prevalence and prognosis of traumatic vertical AAD and discuss its management. All cervical CT scans performed at our institution between 2006 and 2010 for cervical trauma in adults were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the measurement of lateral mass index (LMI), defined as the gap between C1 and C2 articular facets, we identified three cases of traumatic vertical AAD in 300 CT scans. Their medical records were investigated. The incidence of vertical AAD was 1% in the exposed population. One case was an isolated vertical AAD and two were associated with a type II odontoid fracture. We report the first case in the literature of unilateral vertical AAD. Two patients died rapidly; the survivor was treated with occipitocervical fixation. Specific maneuvers were used for immobilization and reduction. This study found a not insignificant incidence of vertical AAD and a high lethality rate. LMI appears to be a relevant radiological criterion for this diagnosis, for which traction is contraindicated. Associated neurological or vascular damage should be suspected and investigated. In our experience, spinal surgical fixation is required because of major instability.

Constrained ℋ∞ control for low bandwidth active suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasiwitono, Unggul; Sutantra, I. Nyoman

2017-08-01

Low Bandwidth Active Suspension (LBAS) is shown to be more competitive to High Bandwidth Active Suspension (HBAS) when energy and cost aspects are taken into account. In this paper, the constrained ℋ∞ control scheme is applied for LBAS system. The ℋ∞ performance is used to measure ride comfort while the concept of reachable set in a state-space ellipsoid defined by a quadratic storage function is used to capture the time domain constraint that representing the requirements for road holding, suspension deflection limitation and actuator saturation. Then, the control problem is derived in the framework of Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) optimization. The simulation is conducted considering the road disturbance as a stationary random process. The achievable performance of LBAS is analyzed for different values of bandwidth and damping ratio.

Development of a Test Facility for Air Revitalization Technology Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Sao-Dung; Lin, Amy; Campbell, Melissa; Smith, Frederick

2006-01-01

An active fault tolerant control (FTC) law is generally sensitive to false identification since the control gain is reconfigured for fault occurrence. In the conventional FTC law design procedure, dynamic variations due to false identification are not considered. In this paper, an FTC synthesis method is developed in order to consider possible variations of closed-loop dynamics under false identification into the control design procedure. An active FTC synthesis problem is formulated into an LMI optimization problem to minimize the upper bound of the induced-L2 norm which can represent the worst-case performance degradation due to false identification. The developed synthesis method is applied for control of the longitudinal motions of FASER (Free-flying Airplane for Subscale Experimental Research). The designed FTC law of the airplane is simulated for pitch angle command tracking under a false identification case.

78 FR 48198 - Comment Request for Information Collection for Workforce Information Grants to States, Extension...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-07

..., inform training and employment program design and investment decision- making, support consultations with strategic partners, and leverage limited labor market information-workforce information (LMI-WI) program...

Fire!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Rebecca

1996-01-01

The number of school fires is up nationwide. This article describes unsafe school conditions, problems with new fire codes, and the factors that contribute to school fires. Installation of sprinkler systems is recommended. A fire-safety checklist is included. (LMI)

Intraocular lenses in age-related macular degeneration.

PubMed

Grzybowski, Andrzej; Wasinska-Borowiec, Weronika; Alio, Jorge L; Amat-Peral, Pedro; Tabernero, Juan

2017-09-01

The aim of this work is to review the lenses, assessing their advantages and disadvantages. We describe a total of seven types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) recommended for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We used the PubMed web platform to search for implantable devices in various stages of AMD. We searched for both prospective and retrospective studies and also case reports. Clinical results in AMD patients have been described for a total of seven types of IOLs recommended for AMD: an implantable miniature telescope (IMT), IOL-VIP System, Lipshitz macular implant (LMI), sulcus-implanted Lipshitz macular implant, LMI-SI, Fresnel Prism Intraocular Lens, iolAMD and Scharioth Macula Lens. We conclude that to objectively ascertain the effectiveness and safety of these lenses, further independent clinical studies with longer follow-up data are necessary prior to the general use of these optical devices.

RZ Leonis Minoris bridging between ER Ursae Majoris-type dwarf nova and nova-like system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Taichi; Ishioka, Ryoko; Isogai, Keisuke; Kimura, Mariko; Imada, Akira; Miller, Ian; Masumoto, Kazunari; Nishino, Hirochika; Kojiguchi, Naoto; Kawabata, Miho; Sakai, Daisuke; Sugiura, Yuki; Furukawa, Hisami; Yamamura, Kenta; Kobayashi, Hiroshi; Matsumoto, Katsura; Wang, Shiang-Yu; Chou, Yi; Ngeow, Chow-Choong; Chen, Wen-Ping; Panwar, Neelam; Lin, Chi-Sheng; Hsiao, Hsiang-Yao; Guo, Jhen-Kuei; Lin, Chien-Cheng; Omarov, Chingis; Kusakin, Anatoly; Krugov, Maxim; Starkey, Donn R.; Pavlenko, Elena P.; Antonyuk, Kirill A.; Sosnjvskij, Aleksei A.; Antonyuk, Oksana I.; Pit, Nikolai V.; Baklanov, Alex V.; Babina, Julia V.; Itoh, Hiroshi; Padovan, Stefano; Akazawa, Hidehiko; Kafka, Stella; de Miguel, Enrique; Pickard, Roger D.; Kiyota, Seiichiro; Shugarov, Sergey Yu.; Chochol, Drahomir; Krushevska, Viktoriia; Sekeráš, Matej; Pikalova, Olga; Sabo, Richard; Dubovsky, Pavol A.; Kudzej, Igor; Ulowetz, Joseph; Dvorak, Shawn; Stone, Geoff; Tordai, Tamás; Dubois, Franky; Logie, Ludwig; Rau, Steve; Vanaverbeke, Siegfried; Vanmunster, Tonny; Oksanen, Arto; Maeda, Yutaka; Kasai, Kiyoshi; Katysheva, Natalia; Morelle, Etienne; Neustroev, Vitaly V.; Sjoberg, George

2016-12-01

We observed RZ LMi, which is renowned for its extremely short (˜19 d) supercycle and is a member of a small, unusual class of cataclysmic variables called ER UMa-type dwarf novae, in 2013 and 2016. In 2016, the supercycles of this object substantially lengthened in comparison to the previous measurements to 35, 32, and 60 d for three consecutive superoutbursts. We consider that the object virtually experienced a transition to the nova-like state (permanent superhumper). This observed behavior reproduced the prediction of the thermal-tidal instability model extremely well. We detected a precursor in the 2016 superoutburst and detected growing (stage A) superhumps with a mean period of 0.0602(1) d in 2016 and in 2013. Combined with the period of superhumps immediately after the superoutburst, the mass ratio is not as small as in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae, having orbital periods similar to RZ LMi. By using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) two-dimensional power spectra, we detected possible negative superhumps with a period of 0.05710(1) d. We estimated an orbital period of 0.05792 d, which suggests a mass ratio of 0.105(5). This relatively large mass ratio is even above that of ordinary SU UMa-type dwarf novae, and it is also possible that the exceptionally high mass-transfer rate in RZ LMi may be a result of a stripped secondary with an evolved core in a system evolving toward an AM CVn-type object.

State reference design and saturated control of doubly-fed induction generators under voltage dips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tilli, Andrea; Conficoni, Christian; Hashemi, Ahmad

2017-04-01

In this paper, the stator/rotor currents control problem of doubly-fed induction generator under faulty line voltage is carried out. Common grid faults cause a steep decline in the line voltage profile, commonly denoted as voltage dip. This point is critical for such kind of machines, having their stator windings directly connected to the grid. In this respect, solid methodological nonlinear control theory arguments are exploited and applied to design a novel controller, whose main goal is to improve the system behaviour during voltage dips, endowing it with low voltage ride through capability, a fundamental feature required by modern Grid Codes. The proposed solution exploits both feedforward and feedback actions. The feedforward part relies on suitable reference trajectories for the system internal dynamics, which are designed to prevent large oscillations in the rotor currents and command voltages, excited by line perturbations. The feedback part uses state measurements and is designed according to Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) based saturated control techniques to further reduce oscillations, while explicitly accounting for the system constraints. Numerical simulations verify the benefits of the internal dynamics trajectory planning, and the saturated state feedback action, in crucially improving the Doubly-Fed Induction Machine response under severe grid faults.

Discrete-time bidirectional associative memory neural networks with variable delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, variable delays [rapid communication] J.; Cao, J.; Ho, D. W. C.

2005-02-01

Based on the linear matrix inequality (LMI), some sufficient conditions are presented in this Letter for the existence, uniqueness and global exponential stability of the equilibrium point of discrete-time bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with variable delays. Some of the stability criteria obtained in this Letter are delay-dependent, and some of them are delay-independent, they are less conservative than the ones reported so far in the literature. Furthermore, the results provide one more set of easily verified criteria for determining the exponential stability of discrete-time BAM neural networks.

Finding the Funds for Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wodarz, Nan

1996-01-01

Describes strategies to meet the increasing demands for technological innovation in the face of increasingly severe budgetary constraints. Long-term planning is the key to a successful technological program. Describes the options of leasing, financing, and phased-in purchases. (LMI)

Constituency Input into Budget Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Norman E.

1995-01-01

Presents techniques for ensuring constituency involvement in district- and site-level budget management. Outlines four models for securing constituent input and focuses on strategies to orchestrate the more complex model for staff and community participation. Two figures are included. (LMI)

High Fill-out, Extreme Mass Ratio Overcontact Binary Systems. X. The Newly Discovered Binary XY Leonis Minoris

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, S.-B.; Liu, L.; Zhu, L.-Y.; He, J.-J.; Yang, Y.-G.; Bernasconi, L.

2011-05-01

The newly discovered short-period close binary star, XY LMi, has been monitored photometrically since 2006. Its light curves are typical EW-type light curves and show complete eclipses with durations of about 80 minutes. Photometric solutions were determined through an analysis of the complete B, V, R, and I light curves using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. XY LMi is a high fill-out, extreme mass ratio overcontact binary system with a mass ratio of q = 0.148 and a fill-out factor of f = 74.1%, suggesting that it is in the late evolutionary stage of late-type tidal-locked binary stars. As observed in other overcontact binary stars, evidence for the presence of two dark spots on both components is given. Based on our 19 epochs of eclipse times, we found that the orbital period of the overcontact binary is decreasing continuously at a rate of dP/dt = -1.67 × 10-7 days yr-1, which may be caused by mass transfer from the primary to the secondary and/or angular momentum loss via magnetic stellar wind. The decrease of the orbital period may result in the increase of the fill-out, and finally, it will evolve into a single rapid-rotation star when the fluid surface reaches the outer critical Roche lobe.

Wasting among Uganda men with pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with linear regain in lean tissue mass during and after treatment in contrast to women with wasting who regain fat tissue mass: prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Mupere, Ezekiel; Malone, LaShaunda; Zalwango, Sarah; Okwera, Alphonse; Nsereko, Mary; Tisch, Daniel J; Parraga, Isabel M; Stein, Catherine M; Mugerwa, Roy; Boom, W Henry; Mayanja, Harriet K; Whalen, Christopher C

2014-01-13

Nutritional changes during and after tuberculosis treatment have not been well described. We therefore determined the effect of wasting on rate of mean change in lean tissue and fat mass as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and mean change in body mass index (BMI) during and after tuberculosis treatment. In a prospective cohort study of 717 adult patients, BMI and height-normalized indices of lean tissue (LMI) and fat mass (FMI) as measured by BIA were assessed at baseline, 3, 12, and 24 months. Men with wasting at baseline regained LMI at a greater rate than FMI (4.55 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 7.83 versus 3.16 (95% CI: 0.80, 5.52)) per month, respectively during initial tuberculosis therapy. In contrast, women with wasting regained FMI at greater rate than LMI (3.55 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.40, 6.70) versus 2.07 (95% CI: -0.74, 4.88)), respectively. Men with wasting regained BMI at a rate of 6.45 kg/m2 (95% CI: 3.02, 9.87) in the first three months whereas women, had a rate of 3.30 kg/m2 (95% CI: -0.11, 6.72). There were minimal changes in body composition after month 3 and during months 12 to 24. Wasted tuberculosis patients regain weight with treatment but the type of gain differs by gender and patients may remain underweight after the initial phase of treatment.

Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies: 2017-2019 | Solar Research |

Science.gov Websites

data fro-m existing LMI adopters to investigate non-economic motivations and barriers for getting solar the design and implementation of an experimental referral market pilot that will be embedded into the

Linear Matrix Inequality Method for a Quadratic Performance Index Minimization Problem with a class of Bilinear Matrix Inequality Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanemura, M.; Chida, Y.

2016-09-01

There are a lot of design problems of control system which are expressed as a performance index minimization under BMI conditions. However, a minimization problem expressed as LMIs can be easily solved because of the convex property of LMIs. Therefore, many researchers have been studying transforming a variety of control design problems into convex minimization problems expressed as LMIs. This paper proposes an LMI method for a quadratic performance index minimization problem with a class of BMI conditions. The minimization problem treated in this paper includes design problems of state-feedback gain for switched system and so on. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through a state-feedback gain design for switched systems and a numerical simulation using the designed feedback gains.

Rocky Mountain Rift.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broderick, Christopher

1995-01-01

Describes the efforts of teachers and parents to open a charter school in Denver, which is being vigorously blocked by the school board. Discusses the pros (offer nontraditional teaching methods and institutional autonomy) and cons (drain public funds from poor schools) of charter schools. (LMI)

Accountability and Other CAUSES of Total Quality Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aamot, Karen; Piotrowski, Craig

1995-01-01

Describes Total Quality Management (TQM) techniques implemented at Waukesha County Technical College (Wisconsin). The CAUSES program focuses on customers, accountability, understanding, self-improvement, education, and searching. Describes application of TQM to the fixed-asset team project. Four figures are included. (LMI)

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS - MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED VERSUS ON HAND

DTIC Science & Technology

The purpose of the report is to describe the systems analysis required to produce information on ’Military Personnel, Authorized Versus On Hand,’ for LMI R1 during the period of manual operation of the USAREUR Logistics Management Information System.

20 CFR 634.1 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION PROGRAMS UNDER TITLE IV, PART E OF THE JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT Comprehensive Labor Market Information System... cooperation with the States, shall maintain a comprehensive system of Labor Market Information (LMI). This...

LMI-based approach to stability analysis for fractional-order neural networks with discrete and distributed delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hai; Ye, Renyu; Liu, Song; Cao, Jinde; Alsaedi, Ahmad; Li, Xiaodi

2018-02-01

This paper is concerned with the asymptotic stability of the Riemann-Liouville fractional-order neural networks with discrete and distributed delays. By constructing a suitable Lyapunov functional, two sufficient conditions are derived to ensure that the addressed neural network is asymptotically stable. The presented stability criteria are described in terms of the linear matrix inequalities. The advantage of the proposed method is that one may avoid calculating the fractional-order derivative of the Lyapunov functional. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the validity and feasibility of the theoretical results.

Swimming with the Sharks: A Lesson in Media Survival.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Les

1996-01-01

Offers guidelines for dealing with the media, which include creating a media plan and understanding the news media. Describes the three most frequently encountered media situations--the face-to-face interview, the unexpected encounter, and the press conference/news release. (LMI)

20 CFR 651.10 - Definitions of terms used in parts 651-658.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... territory within a reasonable commuting distance. Labor Market Information (LMI) means that body of... to place the plan into effect. (Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.; 5 U.S.C...

20 CFR 651.10 - Definitions of terms used in parts 651-658.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... territory within a reasonable commuting distance. Labor Market Information (LMI) means that body of... to place the plan into effect. (Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.; 5 U.S.C...

20 CFR 651.10 - Definitions of terms used in parts 651-658.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... territory within a reasonable commuting distance. Labor Market Information (LMI) means that body of... to place the plan into effect. (Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.; 5 U.S.C...

Wasting among Uganda men with pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with linear regain in lean tissue mass during and after treatment in contrast to women with wasting who regain fat tissue mass: prospective cohort study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Nutritional changes during and after tuberculosis treatment have not been well described. We therefore determined the effect of wasting on rate of mean change in lean tissue and fat mass as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and mean change in body mass index (BMI) during and after tuberculosis treatment. Methods In a prospective cohort study of 717 adult patients, BMI and height-normalized indices of lean tissue (LMI) and fat mass (FMI) as measured by BIA were assessed at baseline, 3, 12, and 24 months. Results Men with wasting at baseline regained LMI at a greater rate than FMI (4.55 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 7.83 versus 3.16 (95% CI: 0.80, 5.52)) per month, respectively during initial tuberculosis therapy. In contrast, women with wasting regained FMI at greater rate than LMI (3.55 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.40, 6.70) versus 2.07 (95% CI: -0.74, 4.88)), respectively. Men with wasting regained BMI at a rate of 6.45 kg/m2 (95% CI: 3.02, 9.87) in the first three months whereas women, had a rate of 3.30 kg/m2 (95% CI: -0.11, 6.72). There were minimal changes in body composition after month 3 and during months 12 to 24. Conclusion Wasted tuberculosis patients regain weight with treatment but the type of gain differs by gender and patients may remain underweight after the initial phase of treatment. PMID:24410970

Disentangling the associations between parental BMI and offspring body composition using the four‐component model

PubMed Central

Grijalva‐Eternod, Carlos; Cortina‐Borja, Mario; Williams, Jane; Fewtrell, Mary; Wells, Jonathan

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objectives This study sets out to investigate the intergenerational associations between the body mass index (BMI) of parents and the body composition of their offspring. Methods The cross‐sectional data were analyzed for 511 parent–offspring trios from London and south‐east England. The offspring were aged 5–21 years. Parental BMI was obtained by recall and offspring fat mass and lean mass were obtained using the four‐component model. Multivariable regression analysis, with multiple imputation for missing paternal values was used. Sensitivity analyses for levels of non‐paternity were conducted. Results A positive association was seen between parental BMI and offspring BMI, fat mass index (FMI), and lean mass index (LMI). The mother's BMI was positively associated with the BMI, FMI, and LMI z‐scores of both daughters and sons and of a similar magnitude for both sexes. The father's BMI showed similar associations to the mother's BMI, with his son's BMI, FMI, and LMI z‐scores, but no association with his daughter. Sensitivity tests for non‐paternity showed that maternal coefficients remained greater than paternal coefficients throughout but there was no statistical difference at greater levels of non‐paternity. Conclusions We found variable associations between parental BMI and offspring body composition. Associations were generally stronger for maternal than paternal BMI, and paternal associations appeared to differ between sons and daughters. In this cohort, the mother's BMI was statistically significantly associated with her child's body composition but the father's BMI was only associated with the body composition of his sons. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:524–533, 2016. © 2016 The Authors American Journal of Human Biology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:26848813

Muscle mass is associated with incident fracture in postmenopausal women: The OFELY study.

PubMed

Sornay-Rendu, E; Duboeuf, F; Boutroy, S; Chapurlat, R D

2017-01-01

The relationships between body composition and bone mineral density are well established but the contribution of body composition to the risk of fracture (Fx) has rarely been evaluated prospectively. We analyzed the risk of Fx by body composition in 595 postmenopausal women (mean age 66±8years) from a longitudinal cohort study (Os des Femmes de Lyon). We assessed the risk of the first incident fragility Fx according to body composition obtained from whole-body DXA: abdominal visceral (VFAT) and subcutaneous fat mass (SFAT), total body fat mass (FM), lean mass index (LMI) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI). During a median [IQ] follow-up of 13.1years [1.9], 138 women sustained a first incident Fx, including 85 women with a major osteoporotic Fx (MOP Fx: hip, clinical spine, humerus or wrist). After adjustment for age, women who sustained Fx had lower BMI (-4%, p=0.01), LMI (-6%, p=0.002) and ASMI (-3%, p=0.003), compared with women without Fx. After adjustment for age, prevalent Fx, physical activity, incident falls and FN BMD, each SD increase of baseline values of LMI and ASMI was associated with decreased Fx risk with adjusted hazard ratios of 0.76 for both of p≤0.02. Those associations were similar after accounting for the competing risk of death. VFAT and SFAT were associated with Fx risk in the multivariate model only for MOP Fx and the association did not persist after consideration of competing mortality. We conclude that lean mass and appendicular muscle mass indexes are associated with the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women independently of BMD and clinical risk factors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anthropometric Profiles of Elite Open-Water Swimmers.

PubMed

Shaw, Gregory; Mujika, Iñigo

2018-01-01

Reports detailing the physiques of open-water (OW) swimmers are limited. Data from anthropometric screening around competition provides a unique opportunity to describe the current physical attributes of elite OW swimmers peaking for international competition. Anthropometric screening was undertaken on a group of Australian and French OW swimmers as part of performance monitoring within 2 wk of the 2015 FINA World Championships. Height, mass, and sum of 7 skinfolds were measured using ISAK standardized measurement techniques by 2 trained anthropometrists. Data were collated and compared with previously published data on OW and pool swimmers. French swimmers had lower skinfolds (57.3 ± 6.1 vs 80.5 ± 21.3 mm, P = .0258), were lighter (64.7 ± 10.8 vs 74.6 ± 11.8 kg, P = .013), and had lower lean-mass index (LMI) (34.7 ± 7.3 vs 38.2 ± 8.8, P = .035) than Australian swimmers. Male and female OW swimmers had skinfolds similar to their contemporary OW swimmers but were lower than earlier reports of OW swimmers; however, they were higher than those of pool swimmers. Male and female OW swimmers had 9% and 6% lower LMI, respectively, than pool swimmers. Lower body mass and LMI were correlated with better World Championships finishing positions (R 2  = .46, P = .0151, and R 2  = .45, P = .0177, respectively). These data are a unique report of elite OW swimmers' physiques around international competition and demonstrate a potential morphological optimization in OW swimmers that warrants further investigation in larger populations.

Switching control of an R/C hovercraft: stabilization and smooth switching.

PubMed

Tanaka, K; Iwasaki, M; Wang, H O

2001-01-01

This paper presents stable switching control of an radio-controlled (R/C) hovercraft that is a nonholonomic (nonlinear) system. To exactly represent its nonlinear dynamics, more importantly, to maintain controllability of the system, we newly propose a switching fuzzy model that has locally Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models and switches them according to states, external variables, and/or time. A switching fuzzy controller is constructed by mirroring the rule structure of the switching fuzzy model of an R/C hovercraft. We derive linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions for ensuring the stability of the closed-loop system consisting of a switching fuzzy model and controller. Furthermore, to guarantee smooth switching of control input at switching boundaries, we also derive a smooth switching condition represented in terms of LMIs. A stable switching fuzzy controller satisfying the smooth switching condition is designed by simultaneously solving both of the LMIs. The simulation and experimental results for the trajectory control of an R/C hovercraft show the validity of the switching fuzzy model and controller design, particularly, the smooth switching condition.

Aircraft/Air Traffic Management Functional Analysis Model: Technical Description. 2.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Etheridge, Melvin; Plugge, Joana; Retina, Nusrat

1998-01-01

The Aircraft/Air Traffic Management Functional Analysis Model, Version 2.0 (FAM 2.0), is a discrete event simulation model designed to support analysis of alternative concepts in air traffic management and control. FAM 2.0 was developed by the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) under a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contract. This document provides a technical description of FAM 2.0 and its computer files to enable the modeler and programmer to make enhancements or modifications to the model. Those interested in a guide for using the model in analysis should consult the companion document, Aircraft/Air Traffic Management Functional Analysis Model, Version 2.0 Users Manual.

LOGISTIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM - MANUAL DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM.

DTIC Science & Technology

Logistics Management Information System . The procedures are applicable to manual storage and retrieval of all data used in the Logistics Management ... Information System (LMIS) and include the following: (1) Action Officer data source file. (2) Action Officer presentation format file. (3) LMI Coordination

Civil Tiltrotor Feasibility Study for the New York and Washington Terminal Areas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stouffer, Virginia; Johnson, Jesse; Gribko, Joana; Yackovetsky, Robert (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

NASA tasked LMI to assess the potential contributions of a yet-undeveloped Civil Tiltrotor aircraft (CTR) in improving capacity in the National Airspace System in all weather conditions. The CTRs studied have assumed operating parameters beyond current CTR capabilities. LMI analyzed CTRs three ways: in fast-time terminal area modeling simulations of New York and Washington to determine delay and throughput impacts; in the Integrated Noise Model, to determine local environmental impact; and with an economic model, to determine the price viability of a CTR. The fast-time models encompassed a 250 nmi range and included traffic interactions from local airports. Both the fast-time simulation and the noise model assessed impacts from traffic levels projected for 1999, 2007, and 2017. Results: CTRs can reduce terminal area delays due to concrete congestion in all time frames. The maximum effect, the ratio of CTRs to jets and turboprop aircraft at a subject airport should be optimized. The economic model considered US traffic only and forecasted CTR sales beginning in 2010.

Resilient guaranteed cost control of a power system.

PubMed

Soliman, Hisham M; Soliman, Mostafa H; Hassan, Mohammad F

2014-05-01

With the development of power system interconnection, the low-frequency oscillation is becoming more and more prominent which may cause system separation and loss of energy to consumers. This paper presents an innovative robust control for power systems in which the operating conditions are changing continuously due to load changes. However, practical implementation of robust control can be fragile due to controller inaccuracies (tolerance of resistors used with operational amplifiers). A new design of resilient (non-fragile) robust control is given that takes into consideration both model and controller uncertainties by an iterative solution of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMI). Both uncertainties are cast into a norm-bounded structure. A sufficient condition is derived to achieve the desired settling time for damping power system oscillations in face of plant and controller uncertainties. Furthermore, an improved controller design, resilient guaranteed cost controller, is derived to achieve oscillations damping in a guaranteed cost manner. The effectiveness of the algorithm is shown for a single machine infinite bus system, and then, it is extended to multi-area power system.

Timed Up and Go test, atrophy of medial temporal areas and cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Kose, Yujiro; Ikenaga, Masahiro; Yamada, Yosuke; Morimura, Kazuhiro; Takeda, Noriko; Ouma, Shinji; Tsuboi, Yoshio; Yamada, Tatsuo; Kimura, Misaka; Kiyonaga, Akira; Higaki, Yasuki; Tanaka, Hiroaki

2016-12-01

This study aimed to ascertain if performance on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is associated with indicators of brain volume and cognitive functions among community-dwelling older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. Participants were 80 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-89years (44 men, 36 women), including 20 with mild cognitive impairment. Participants completed the TUG and a battery of cognitive assessments, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Logical Memory I and II (LM-I, LM-II) subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised; and the Trail Making Test A and B (TMT-A, TMT-B). Bilateral, right- and left-side medial temporal area atrophy as well as whole gray and white matter indices were determined with the Voxel-based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer's Disease. We divided participants into three groups based on TUG performance: "better" (≤6.9s); "normal" (7-10s); and "poor" (≥10.1s). Worse TMT-A and TMT-B performance showed significant independent associations with worse TUG performance (P<0.05, P<0.01 for trend, respectively). After adjusting for covariates, severe atrophy of bilateral, right-, and left-side medial temporal areas were significantly independently associated with worse TUG performance (P<0.05 for trend). However, no significant associations were found between MMSE, LM-I, LM-II, whole gray and white matter indices, and TUG performance. Worse TUG performance is related to poor performance on TMT-A and TMT-B, and is independently associated with severe medial temporal area atrophy in community-dwelling older adults. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fault detection for discrete-time LPV systems using interval observers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhi-Hui; Yang, Guang-Hong

2017-10-01

This paper is concerned with the fault detection (FD) problem for discrete-time linear parameter-varying systems subject to bounded disturbances. A parameter-dependent FD interval observer is designed based on parameter-dependent Lyapunov and slack matrices. The design method is presented by translating the parameter-dependent linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) into finite ones. In contrast to the existing results based on parameter-independent and diagonal Lyapunov matrices, the derived disturbance attenuation, fault sensitivity and nonnegative conditions lead to less conservative LMI characterisations. Furthermore, without the need to design the residual evaluation functions and thresholds, the residual intervals generated by the interval observers are used directly for FD decision. Finally, simulation results are presented for showing the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.

Year in Review: ASBO's Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gatti, Bernard F.

1995-01-01

Describes the Association of School Business Officials' (ASBO's) Certificate of Excellence for Financial Reporting review process for school district accounting and financial reporting. Describes the Self-Evaluation Worksheet revision, the panel of review members' guide, and highlights of program year 1994. Two figures are included. (LMI)

GSC 02505-00411: A new delta Sct star in the field of RZ LMi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishioka, R.; Kokumbaeva, R.

2017-04-01

We present the time series analysis of CCD photometry from ``EAST'' Zeiss-1000 telescope at Tien-Shan Astronomical Observatory (Almaty, Kazakhstan) for GSC 02505-00411. GSC 02505-00411 is a new multi-frequency delta Scuti variable with a primary frequency of 43.84 c/d.

Activity of a crude extract formulation in experimental hepatic amoebiasis and in immunomodulation studies.

PubMed

Sohni, Y R; Bhatt, R M

1996-11-01

The activity of a crude extract formulation was evaluated in experimental amoebic liver abscess in golden hamsters and in immunomodulation studies. The formulation comprises the following five plants-Boerhavia diffusa, Tinospora cordifolia, Berberis aristata, Terminalia chebula and Zingiber officinale. The formulation had a maximum cure rate of 73% at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day in hepatic amoebiasis reducing the average degree of infection (ADI) to 1.3 as compared to 4.2 for sham-treated controls. In immunomodulation studies humoral immunity was enhanced as evidenced by the haemagglutination titre. The T-cell counts remained unaffected in the animals treated with the formulation but cell-mediated immune response was stimulated as observed in the leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) tests.

Golden Rays - October 2017 | Solar Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

generation of PV researchers. Boosting Solar in Low-Income Communities Most low-to-moderate income (LMI off-site solar purchasing in the United States. 2017 International PV Soiling Workshop Oct. 23-25 October 2017 Golden Rays - October 2017 The Solar Newsletter is an electronic newsletter that

Laboratory Management Institute: A Model for the Professional Development of Scientists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galland, John C.; McCutcheon, Jade R.; Chronister, Lynne U.

2008-01-01

The Laboratory Management Institute (LMI) at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) was an experiment designed to enhance the leadership and management skills of researchers and thereby enhance the overall quality of the academic research enterprise. The educational programs that resulted provide examples of how research administrators can…

Classroom Literacy Practices in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Interpretative Synthesis of Ethnographic Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nag, Sonali; Snowling, Margaret J.; Asfaha, Yonas Mesfun

2016-01-01

Surveys in low- and middle-income (LMI countries) reveal persistently low levels of learning among children in disadvantaged communities. Against this background, our synthesis of ethnographies aims at a fresh interpretation of classroom practices to clarify instruction-related barriers to literacy attainments. The review focuses on the period…

Rooftop Solar Technical Potential for Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Households

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sigrin, Benjamin O

This report presents a first-of-kind assessment of the technical potential of rooftop solar for low and moderate-income households, as well as providing insight on the distribution of solar potential by tenure, income, and other building characteristics. We find that a substantial fraction of the national rooftop solar potential is located on LMI buildings and, for all incomes, a substantial fraction on multi-family and renter-occupied buildings. We also find that rooftop solar can significantly contribute to long-term penetration targets established by the U.S. DOE, though to do so requires deployment on multi-family and renter-occupied buildings. Traditional deployment models have insufficiently enabledmore » access to solar for these income groups and building types. Without innovation either in regulatory, market, or policy factors, a large fraction of the U.S. potential is unlikely to be addressed, as well as leading to inequalities in solar access. Ironically, potential electric bill savings from rooftop solar would have the greatest material impact on the lives of low-income households as compared to their high-income counterparts.« less

MIND Demons: Symmetric Diffeomorphic Deformable Registration of MR and CT for Image-Guided Spine Surgery.

PubMed

Reaungamornrat, Sureerat; De Silva, Tharindu; Uneri, Ali; Vogt, Sebastian; Kleinszig, Gerhard; Khanna, Akhil J; Wolinsky, Jean-Paul; Prince, Jerry L; Siewerdsen, Jeffrey H

2016-11-01

Intraoperative localization of target anatomy and critical structures defined in preoperative MR/CT images can be achieved through the use of multimodality deformable registration. We propose a symmetric diffeomorphic deformable registration algorithm incorporating a modality-independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) and a robust Huber metric for MR-to-CT registration. The method, called MIND Demons, finds a deformation field between two images by optimizing an energy functional that incorporates both the forward and inverse deformations, smoothness on the integrated velocity fields, a modality-insensitive similarity function suitable to multimodality images, and smoothness on the diffeomorphisms themselves. Direct optimization without relying on the exponential map and stationary velocity field approximation used in conventional diffeomorphic Demons is carried out using a Gauss-Newton method for fast convergence. Registration performance and sensitivity to registration parameters were analyzed in simulation, phantom experiments, and clinical studies emulating application in image-guided spine surgery, and results were compared to mutual information (MI) free-form deformation (FFD), local MI (LMI) FFD, normalized MI (NMI) Demons, and MIND with a diffusion-based registration method (MIND-elastic). The method yielded sub-voxel invertibility (0.008 mm) and nonzero-positive Jacobian determinants. It also showed improved registration accuracy in comparison to the reference methods, with mean target registration error (TRE) of 1.7 mm compared to 11.3, 3.1, 5.6, and 2.4 mm for MI FFD, LMI FFD, NMI Demons, and MIND-elastic methods, respectively. Validation in clinical studies demonstrated realistic deformations with sub-voxel TRE in cases of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

MIND Demons: Symmetric Diffeomorphic Deformable Registration of MR and CT for Image-Guided Spine Surgery

PubMed Central

Reaungamornrat, Sureerat; De Silva, Tharindu; Uneri, Ali; Vogt, Sebastian; Kleinszig, Gerhard; Khanna, Akhil J; Wolinsky, Jean-Paul; Prince, Jerry L.

2016-01-01

Intraoperative localization of target anatomy and critical structures defined in preoperative MR/CT images can be achieved through the use of multimodality deformable registration. We propose a symmetric diffeomorphic deformable registration algorithm incorporating a modality-independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) and a robust Huber metric for MR-to-CT registration. The method, called MIND Demons, finds a deformation field between two images by optimizing an energy functional that incorporates both the forward and inverse deformations, smoothness on the integrated velocity fields, a modality-insensitive similarity function suitable to multimodality images, and smoothness on the diffeomorphisms themselves. Direct optimization without relying on the exponential map and stationary velocity field approximation used in conventional diffeomorphic Demons is carried out using a Gauss-Newton method for fast convergence. Registration performance and sensitivity to registration parameters were analyzed in simulation, phantom experiments, and clinical studies emulating application in image-guided spine surgery, and results were compared to mutual information (MI) free-form deformation (FFD), local MI (LMI) FFD, normalized MI (NMI) Demons, and MIND with a diffusion-based registration method (MIND-elastic). The method yielded sub-voxel invertibility (0.008 mm) and nonzero-positive Jacobian determinants. It also showed improved registration accuracy in comparison to the reference methods, with mean target registration error (TRE) of 1.7 mm compared to 11.3, 3.1, 5.6, and 2.4 mm for MI FFD, LMI FFD, NMI Demons, and MIND-elastic methods, respectively. Validation in clinical studies demonstrated realistic deformations with sub-voxel TRE in cases of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. PMID:27295656

Chaotic simulated annealing by a neural network with a variable delay: design and application.

PubMed

Chen, Shyan-Shiou

2011-10-01

In this paper, we have three goals: the first is to delineate the advantages of a variably delayed system, the second is to find a more intuitive Lyapunov function for a delayed neural network, and the third is to design a delayed neural network for a quadratic cost function. For delayed neural networks, most researchers construct a Lyapunov function based on the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. However, that approach is not intuitive. We provide a alternative candidate Lyapunov function for a delayed neural network. On the other hand, if we are first given a quadratic cost function, we can construct a delayed neural network by suitably dividing the second-order term into two parts: a self-feedback connection weight and a delayed connection weight. To demonstrate the advantage of a variably delayed neural network, we propose a transiently chaotic neural network with variable delay and show numerically that the model should possess a better searching ability than Chen-Aihara's model, Wang's model, and Zhao's model. We discuss both the chaotic and the convergent phases. During the chaotic phase, we simply present bifurcation diagrams for a single neuron with a constant delay and with a variable delay. We show that the variably delayed model possesses the stochastic property and chaotic wandering. During the convergent phase, we not only provide a novel Lyapunov function for neural networks with a delay (the Lyapunov function is independent of the LMI approach) but also establish a correlation between the Lyapunov function for a delayed neural network and an objective function for the traveling salesman problem. © 2011 IEEE

IntNetLncSim: an integrative network analysis method to infer human lncRNA functional similarity

PubMed Central

Hu, Yang; Yang, Haixiu; Zhou, Chen; Sun, Jie; Zhou, Meng

2016-01-01

Increasing evidence indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in various biological processes and complex diseases by communicating with mRNAs/miRNAs each other. Exploiting interactions between lncRNAs and mRNA/miRNAs to lncRNA functional similarity (LFS) is an effective method to explore function of lncRNAs and predict novel lncRNA-disease associations. In this article, we proposed an integrative framework, IntNetLncSim, to infer LFS by modeling the information flow in an integrated network that comprises both lncRNA-related transcriptional and post-transcriptional information. The performance of IntNetLncSim was evaluated by investigating the relationship of LFS with the similarity of lncRNA-related mRNA sets (LmRSets) and miRNA sets (LmiRSets). As a result, LFS by IntNetLncSim was significant positively correlated with the LmRSet (Pearson correlation γ2=0.8424) and LmiRSet (Pearson correlation γ2=0.2601). Particularly, the performance of IntNetLncSim is superior to several previous methods. In the case of applying the LFS to identify novel lncRNA-disease relationships, we achieved an area under the ROC curve (0.7300) in experimentally verified lncRNA-disease associations based on leave-one-out cross-validation. Furthermore, highly-ranked lncRNA-disease associations confirmed by literature mining demonstrated the excellent performance of IntNetLncSim. Finally, a web-accessible system was provided for querying LFS and potential lncRNA-disease relationships: http://www.bio-bigdata.com/IntNetLncSim. PMID:27323856

IntNetLncSim: an integrative network analysis method to infer human lncRNA functional similarity.

PubMed

Cheng, Liang; Shi, Hongbo; Wang, Zhenzhen; Hu, Yang; Yang, Haixiu; Zhou, Chen; Sun, Jie; Zhou, Meng

2016-07-26

Increasing evidence indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in various biological processes and complex diseases by communicating with mRNAs/miRNAs each other. Exploiting interactions between lncRNAs and mRNA/miRNAs to lncRNA functional similarity (LFS) is an effective method to explore function of lncRNAs and predict novel lncRNA-disease associations. In this article, we proposed an integrative framework, IntNetLncSim, to infer LFS by modeling the information flow in an integrated network that comprises both lncRNA-related transcriptional and post-transcriptional information. The performance of IntNetLncSim was evaluated by investigating the relationship of LFS with the similarity of lncRNA-related mRNA sets (LmRSets) and miRNA sets (LmiRSets). As a result, LFS by IntNetLncSim was significant positively correlated with the LmRSet (Pearson correlation γ2=0.8424) and LmiRSet (Pearson correlation γ2=0.2601). Particularly, the performance of IntNetLncSim is superior to several previous methods. In the case of applying the LFS to identify novel lncRNA-disease relationships, we achieved an area under the ROC curve (0.7300) in experimentally verified lncRNA-disease associations based on leave-one-out cross-validation. Furthermore, highly-ranked lncRNA-disease associations confirmed by literature mining demonstrated the excellent performance of IntNetLncSim. Finally, a web-accessible system was provided for querying LFS and potential lncRNA-disease relationships: http://www.bio-bigdata.com/IntNetLncSim.

Mixed H2/H∞ distributed robust model predictive control for polytopic uncertain systems subject to actuator saturation and missing measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yan; Fang, Xiaosheng; Diao, Qingda

2016-03-01

In this paper, we discuss the mixed H2/H∞ distributed robust model predictive control problem for polytopic uncertain systems subject to randomly occurring actuator saturation and packet loss. The global system is decomposed into several subsystems, and all the subsystems are connected by a fixed topology network, which is the definition for the packet loss among the subsystems. To better use the successfully transmitted information via Internet, both the phenomena of actuator saturation and packet loss resulting from the limitation of the communication bandwidth are taken into consideration. A novel distributed controller model is established to account for the actuator saturation and packet loss in a unified representation by using two sets of Bernoulli distributed white sequences with known conditional probabilities. With the nonlinear feedback control law represented by the convex hull of a group of linear feedback laws, the distributed controllers for subsystems are obtained by solving an linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimisation problem. Finally, numerical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.

Reference standards for lean mass measures using GE dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in Caucasian adults

PubMed Central

Imboden, Mary T.; Swartz, Ann M.; Finch, Holmes W.; Harber, Matthew P.; Kaminsky, Leonard A.

2017-01-01

Body composition assessments commonly focus predominantly on fat mass, however lean mass (LM) measurements also provide useful information regarding clinical and nutritional status. LM measurements help predict health outcomes and diagnose sarcopenia, which has been associated with frailty. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an established technique used in clinical and research settings to assess body composition including total and regional LM. Currently, there are no reference values available that were derived from GE-Healthcare DXA systems directly for US adults for LM, LM index (LMI), percent LM (%LM), and appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and it is known that whole-body and regional LM measures differ by DXA manufacturer. Objective To develop reference values by age and sex for LM measures using GE-Healthcare DXA systems. Methods A de-identified sample was obtained from Ball State University’s Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Physical Activity & Health Research Laboratory. DXA scans of 2,076 women and 1,251 men were completed using a GE Lunar Prodigy or iDXA. Percentiles (%ile) were calculated for all variables of interest (LM, LMI, %LM, and ALMI) and a factorial ANOVA was used to assess differences for each variable between 10-year age groups and sex, as well as the interaction between age and sex. Results Men had higher mean total LM, %LM, LMI, and ALMI than women (p<0.01), across all age groups. All LM variables decreased significantly over the 5 decades in men, however in women only total LM, %LM, and ALMI decreased from the youngest to oldest age groups (p<0.01). Conclusion These reference values provide for a more accurate interpretation of GE-Healthcare DXA-derived LM measurements offering clinicians and researchers with an initial resource to aid in the early detection and assessment of LM deficits. PMID:28426779

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henderson, Glenn; Coward, Doug

This is the Final Technical Report for DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, Award No. DE-EE0003813, submitted by St. Lucie County, FL (prime recipient) and the Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), the program's third-party administrator. SELF is a 501(c)(3) and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). SELF is a community-based lending organization that operates the Clean Energy Loan Program, which focuses on improving the overall quality of life of underserved populations in Florida with an emphasis on home energy improvements and cost-effective renewable energy alternatives. SELF was launched in 2010 through the creation of the non-profit organizationmore » and with a $2.9 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block (EECBG) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). SELF has its main office and headquarters in St. Lucie County, in the region known as the Treasure Coast in East-Central Florida. St. Lucie County received funding to create SELF as an independent non-profit institution, outside the control of local government. This was important for SELF to create its identity as an integral part of the business community and to help in its quest to become a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). This goal was accomplished in 2013, allowing SELF to focus on its mission to increase energy savings while serving markets that have struggled to find affordable financial assistance. These homeowners are most impacted by high energy costs. Energy costs are a disproportionate percentage of household expenses for low to moderate income (LMI) households. Electricity costs have been steadily rising in Florida by nearly 5% per year. Housing in LMI neighborhoods often includes older inefficient structures that further exacerbate the problem. Despite the many available clean energy solutions, most LMI property owners do not have the disposable income or equity in their homes necessary to afford the high upfront cost of energy retrofits. As a result, LMI property owners cannot achieve energy savings nor can they capture the assorted rebates and tax credits available for home energy improvements. Florida has one of the highest energy consumption rates in the country, in part due to high air conditioning use year-round, which has worsened with summer heat waves and record highs. Because the State has the 14th highest electricity rates nationwide, its residents greatly benefit from reducing their monthly energy costs. Reduced energy consumption by making energy-efficient improvements to buildings decreases the “carbon footprint” and provides environmental benefits and social good. Moreover, if Floridians save money on utilities, they can spend these savings on other things, boosting their local economy. Through its Clean Energy Loan Program, SELF is breaking down these barriers by helping LMI homeowners identify systemic solutions to their rising energy costs (through an energy audit performed by a state-certified energy rater) and then providing favorable financing to enable them to make these recommended home energy improvements. SELF’s clients are reducing their energy consumption by an average of 15-25%, depending on the types of improvements, and using the energy savings, rebates, and tax credits to help pay off the loans over time. Its clients are also enhancing their quality of life, making much-needed home improvements, and increasing the market value of their properties. The work performed for the program’s clients is also stimulating much-needed employment and economic development activity in the hardest hit job sector in Florida (i.e., the construction industry) and in geographic areas decimated by the recession and housing market collapse. SELF is a rare institution in that it joins social and financial missions, offering a helping hand to those without the means to find affordable financing. This supports the grant’s original project goal to become a leader and innovator in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives, such as solar technologies. SELF has been operational for more than 2 1/2 years and has completed 810 energy audits and closed 246 loans totaling more than $2 million. More than 70 percent of its loan activity has been in CDFI investment areas and 40 percent of SELF’s clients are women. Additionally, SELF clients have cumulatively reduced their carbon footprint by 950 metric tons, and are taking a small but important individual step toward energy independence. One of the primary goals of the Clean Energy Loan Problem was to increase the number of jobs in a market that has struggled significantly with unemployment, especially in the construction trades. This has been accomplished. Based on ARRA computations, SELF added 84 FTEs in the region during the period from September 2010-September 2013. This figure does not fully reflect the hundreds of individuals who received work through SELF projects – including full-time SELF staff members, vendors, and contractor employees. More than 38 contractors have been approved by SELF to provide services. Many have reported a substantial amount of business as a result. One local air-conditioning company congratulated SELF for increasing his business by an estimated 25 percent each year. Increasing the number of sustainable, quality jobs in the region has been one of the truly gratifying aspects of the Clean Energy Loan Program.« less

A novel anti-windup framework for cascade control systems: an application to underactuated mechanical systems.

PubMed

Mehdi, Niaz; Rehan, Muhammad; Malik, Fahad Mumtaz; Bhatti, Aamer Iqbal; Tufail, Muhammad

2014-05-01

This paper describes the anti-windup compensator (AWC) design methodologies for stable and unstable cascade plants with cascade controllers facing actuator saturation. Two novel full-order decoupling AWC architectures, based on equivalence of the overall closed-loop system, are developed to deal with windup effects. The decoupled architectures have been developed, to formulate the AWC synthesis problem, by assuring equivalence of the coupled and the decoupled architectures, instead of using an analogy, for cascade control systems. A comparison of both AWC architectures from application point of view is provided to consolidate their utilities. Mainly, one of the architecture is better in terms of computational complexity for implementation, while the other is suitable for unstable cascade systems. On the basis of the architectures for cascade systems facing stability and performance degradation problems in the event of actuator saturation, the global AWC design methodologies utilizing linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are developed. These LMIs are synthesized by application of the Lyapunov theory, the global sector condition and the ℒ2 gain reduction of the uncertain decoupled nonlinear component of the decoupled architecture. Further, an LMI-based local AWC design methodology is derived by utilizing a local sector condition by means of a quadratic Lyapunov function to resolve the windup problem for unstable cascade plants under saturation. To demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed AWC schemes, an underactuated mechanical system, the ball-and-beam system, is considered, and details of the simulation and practical implementation results are described. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

L∞-gain adaptive fuzzy fault accommodation control design for nonlinear time-delay systems.

PubMed

Wu, Huai-Ning; Qiang, Xiao-Hong; Guo, Lei

2011-06-01

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy fault accommodation (FA) control design with a guaranteed L(∞)-gain performance is developed for a class of nonlinear time-delay systems with persistent bounded disturbances. Using the Lyapunov technique and the Razumikhin-type lemma, the existence condition of the L(∞) -gain adaptive fuzzy FA controllers is provided in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). In the proposed FA scheme, a fuzzy logic system is employed to approximate the unknown term in the derivative of the Lyapunov function due to the unknown fault function; a continuous-state feedback control strategy is adopted for the control design to avoid the undesirable chattering phenomenon. The resulting FA controllers can ensure that every response of the closed-loop system is uniformly ultimately bounded with a guaranteed L(∞)-gain performance in the presence of a fault. Moreover, by the existing LMI optimization technique, a suboptimal controller is obtained in the sense of minimizing an upper bound of the L(∞)-gain. Finally, the achieved simulation results on the FA control of a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) show the effectiveness of the proposed design procedure.

Stability analysis for stochastic BAM nonlinear neural network with delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Z. W.; Shu, H. S.; Wei, G. L.

2008-02-01

In this paper, stochastic bidirectional associative memory neural networks with constant or time-varying delays is considered. Based on a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and the stochastic stability analysis theory, we derive several sufficient conditions in order to guarantee the global asymptotically stable in the mean square. Our investigation shows that the stochastic bidirectional associative memory neural networks are globally asymptotically stable in the mean square if there are solutions to some linear matrix inequalities(LMIs). Hence, the global asymptotic stability of the stochastic bidirectional associative memory neural networks can be easily checked by the Matlab LMI toolbox. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed global asymptotic stability criteria.

Unlocking Solar for Low- and Moderate-Income Residents: A Matrix of

Science.gov Websites

(PV) and community solar projects. However, low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers have been under are generally able to adopt either rooftop PV or community solar, while tenants may only be able to Promising Financing Options | State, Local, and Tribal Governments | NREL Unlocking Solar for

Contracting Out Government Procurement Functions: An Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-15

Services Council and the Logistics Management Institute (LMI); papers presented at the NPS Annual Acquisition Research Symposium; and student and...supported the funding of the research presented herein. Reproduction of all or part of this report is authorized. The report was prepared by...School of Business & Public Policy Released by: ________________________________ Dan C. Boger, Ph.D. Acting Dean of Research

Business Management Practices and Requirements for Colorado School Districts: An Overview of Selected Colorado Business Management Practices and Requirements.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver.

Guidelines to help school district supervisors and business management personnel implement state-required financial policies and procedures are presented in this report. Steps to comply with Colorado regulations for budgeting, accounting, reporting, and auditing processes are discussed. Figures illustrate the budgeting cycle and schedule. (LMI)

Rooftop Solar Technical Potential for Low-to-Moderate Income Households in

Science.gov Websites

communities. A map of the United States, divided by county, is color-coded by the total solar technical of LMI households in the U.S. (approximately 43 percent), this analysis reveals two other important city governments, though to do so requires deployment on multi-family and renter-occupied buildings

Assessment of impacts of climate change on gender in the context of Nepal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paudel, R.; Acharya, A.

2016-12-01

Climate change and its impact on gender in the context of Nepal has not been clearly understood due to lack of proper scientific research in terms of gender and climate change. Climate induced disasters such as droughts, floods, GLOFs, and landslides affect men and women differently. This study is conducted to analyze the scenario of gender equality, and impacts of climate change on gender in Nepal. This study also identifies gender based adaptation approaches through the use of observed climate data, and projected and modeled demographic data such as Adolescent Fertility Rate, Labor Force Participation Rate, and Maternal Mortality Ratio. The major tasks of this project include the calculation of Gender Inequality Index (GII), trend analysis and correlation between GII and temperature, that helps to evaluate the women vulnerability and identify the gender based adaptation interventions in Nepal. The required data on gender and temperature are obtained from World Bank and Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal. GII is calculated for almost 26 years starting from the year 1990 by utilizing a tool "Calculating the Indices using Excel" provided through the UNDP. The Reproductive Health Index (RHI), Empowerment Index (EI), and Labor Market Index (LMI) that are required to determine GII are also calculated through the use of same tool. The trend analysis shows that GII follows a decreasing trend indicating higher gender equality. The correlation analysis shows the temperature positively correlated with RHI (r=0.64), EI Female (r=0.61), and EI Male (r=0.73). In case of LMI, temperature is positively correlated with female (r=0.14) and negatively correlated with male (r=-0.57). The analysis depicts negative correlation (r=-0.68) between climate change and GII. This research will provide some valuable insights in the research relating to gender and climate change that could help gender advocates and policymakers in developing further plans for women empowerment.

Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition Assessed Using DXA and Surface Anthropometry Show Good Agreement in Elite Rugby Union Athletes.

PubMed

Zemski, Adam J; Keating, Shelley E; Broad, Elizabeth M; Slater, Gary J

2018-05-14

Rugby union athletes have divergent body composition based on the demands of their on-field playing position and ethnicity. With an established association between physique traits and positional requirements, body composition assessment is routinely undertaken. Surface anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are the most common assessment techniques utilised, often undertaken synchronously. This study aims to investigate the association between DXA and surface anthropometry when assessing longitudinal changes in fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in rugby union athletes. Thirty-nine elite male rugby union athletes (age 25.7 ± 3.1 years; stature 187.6 ± 7.7 cm; mass 104.1 ± 12.2 kg) underwent assessment via DXA and surface anthropometry multiple times over three consecutive international seasons. Changes in the lean mass index (LMI), an empirical measure to assess proportional variation in FFM, showed large agreement with changes in DXA FFM (r=0.54, SEE=1.5%, P<0.001); the strength of association stronger amongst forwards (r=0.63) compared with backs (r=0.38). Changes in the sum of 7 skinfolds (S7SF) showed very large agreement with changes in DXA FM (r=0.73, SEE=5.8%, P<0.001), with meaningful differences observed regardless of ethnicity (Caucasians r=0.75; Polynesians r=0.62). The LMI and S7SF were able to predict the direction of change in FFM and FM, respectively, 86% and 91% of the time when DXA change was >1kg. Surface anthropometry measures provide a robust indication of the direction of change in FFM and FM, although caution may need to be applied when interpreting magnitude of change, particularly with FM.

Connecting the Dots: The Labor Market Information View of Workforce Development. Essays for the Practitioner.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Froeschle, Richard, Ed.

This monograph is comprised of 12 essays related to the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), each of which serves as a generic primer on a topic relevant to work force development staff and researchers nationwide. The essays are "Learning the Language of LMI (Labor Market Information): Basic Labor Market Information Terms and…

Trouble Shooting Guide: Index to Problems and Solutions. Successful Schools: Guidebooks to Effective Educational Leadership. Volume 10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

English, Fenwick W., Ed.

An index to the problems and solutions discussed in the the first 9 volumes of the 10-volume series, Successful Schools: Guidebooks to Effective Educational Leadership, is provided in this handbook. This "troubleshooting guide" lists topics in alphabetical order, describes the issue, and lists the corresponding volume and page number. (LMI)

The Chemical Compositions of the SRD Variable Stars. III. KK Aquilae, AG Aurigae, Z Aurigae, W Leo Minoris, and WW Tauri

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giridhar, Sunetra; Lambert, David L.; Gonzalez, Guillermo

2000-12-01

Chemical compositions are derived from high-resolution spectra for five field SRd variables. These supergiants not previously analyzed are shown to be metal poor: KK Aql with [Fe/H]=-1.2, AG Aur with [Fe/H]=-1.8, Z Aur with [Fe/H]=-1.4, W LMi with [Fe/H]=-1.1, and WW Tau with [Fe/H]=-1.1. Their compositions are, except for two anomalies, identical to within the measurement errors to the compositions of subdwarfs, subgiants, and less evolved giants of the same [Fe/H]. One anomaly is an s-process enrichment for KK Aql, the first such enrichment reported for an SRd variable. The second and more remarkable anomaly is a strong lithium enrichment for W LMi, also a first for field SRd variables. The Li I λ6707 profile is not simply that of a photospheric line but includes strong absorption from redshifted gas, suggesting, perhaps, that lithium enrichment results from accretion of Li-rich gas. This potential clue to lithium enrichment is discussed in light of various proposals for lithium synthesis in evolved stars.

Superhump and outburst activity of the cataclysmic variable RZ LMi in the U- and optical passbands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shugarov, S. Y.; Katysheva, N. A.; Chochol, D.; Krushevska, V. N.; Vozyakova, O. V.

2018-05-01

An analysis of the new U,B,V,RC,IC-photometry of the cataclysmic variable RZ LMi obtained in 2016-17 showed the largest (U-B) colour excess in quiescence as well as during the decline of brightness, associated with the outbursts activity. The smallest (U-B) colour excess was found during the brightness increase from the quiescence. In contrast to the (U-B) colour index, the (B-V),(V-RC),(RC-IC) colour indices exhibits the largest colour excesses near the maximum of the outburst and the smallest during the quiescence. The (B-V) colour index showed also a large excess 1-2 days before a minimum. The detailed study of superhumps during the maximum of activity reveals the largest (U-B) colour excess at the time of the minimum brightness of superhumps. The (B-RC) colour index exhibits a similar behaviour, but with a phase shift of +0.1-{+}0.2 period of superhumps. The tracks in two-colour and colour-magnitude diagrams during superoutbursts are compared with the data for other cataclysmic variables during their outbursts as well as with published theoretical calculations.

Reference standards for lean mass measures using GE dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in Caucasian adults.

PubMed

Imboden, Mary T; Swartz, Ann M; Finch, Holmes W; Harber, Matthew P; Kaminsky, Leonard A

2017-01-01

To develop reference values by age and sex for LM measures using GE-Healthcare DXA systems. A de-identified sample was obtained from Ball State University's Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Physical Activity & Health Research Laboratory. DXA scans of 2,076 women and 1,251 men were completed using a GE Lunar Prodigy or iDXA. Percentiles (%ile) were calculated for all variables of interest (LM, LMI, %LM, and ALMI) and a factorial ANOVA was used to assess differences for each variable between 10-year age groups and sex, as well as the interaction between age and sex. Men had higher mean total LM, %LM, LMI, and ALMI than women (p<0.01), across all age groups. All LM variables decreased significantly over the 5 decades in men, however in women only total LM, %LM, and ALMI decreased from the youngest to oldest age groups (p<0.01). These reference values provide for a more accurate interpretation of GE-Healthcare DXA-derived LM measurements offering clinicians and researchers with an initial resource to aid in the early detection and assessment of LM deficits.

Aged-Related Changes in Body Composition and Association between Body Composition with Bone Mass Density by Body Mass Index in Chinese Han Men over 50-year-old

PubMed Central

Jin, Mengmeng; Gu, Zhaoyan; Pei, Yu; Meng, Ping

2015-01-01

Objectives Aging, body composition, and body mass index (BMI) are important factors in bone mineral density (BMD). Although several studies have investigated the various parameters and factors that differentially influence BMD, the results have been inconsistent. Thus, the primary goal of the present study was to further characterize the relationships of aging, body composition parameters, and BMI with BMD in Chinese Han males older than 50 years. Methods The present study was a retrospective analysis of the body composition, BMI, and BMD of 358 Chinese male outpatients between 50 and 89 years of age that were recruited from our hospital between 2009 and 2011. Qualified subjects were stratified according to age and BMI as follows: 50–59 (n = 35), 60–69 (n = 123), 70–79 (n = 93), and 80–89 (n = 107) years of age and low weight (BMI: < 20 kg/m2; n = 21), medium weight (20 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2; n = 118), overweight (24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2; n = 178), and obese (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2; n = 41). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to assess bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD, femoral neck BMD, and total hip BMD. Additionally, the FM index (FMI; FM/height2), LM index (LMI; LM/height2), FFM index (FFMI; [BMC+LM]/height2), percentage of BMC (%BMC; BMC/[BMC+FM+LM] × 100%), percentage of FM (%FM; FM/[BMC+FM+LM] × 100%), and percentage of LM (%LM; LM/(BMC+FM+LM) × 100%) were calculated. Osteopenia or osteoporosis was identified using the criteria and T-score of the World Health Organization. Results Although there were no significant differences in BMI among the age groups, there was a significant decline in height and weight according to age (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0002, respectively). The LMI and FFMI also declined with age (both p < 0.0001) whereas the FMI exhibited a significant increase that peaked in the 80-89-years group (p = 0.0145). Although the absolute values of BMC and LM declined with age (p = 0.0031 and p < 0.0001, respectively), there was no significant difference in FM. In terms of body composition, there were no significant differences in %BMC but there was an increase in %FM (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in %LM (p < 0.0001) with age. The femoral neck and total hip BMD significantly declined with age (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0027, respectively) but there were no differences in L1-L4. BMD increased at all sites (all p < 0.01) as BMI increased but there were declines in the detection rates of osteoporosis and osteopenia (both p < 0.001). A logistic regression revealed that when the medium weight group was given a BMI value of 1, a decline in BMI was an independent risk factor of osteoporosis or osteopenia, while an increase in BMI was a protective factor for BMD. At the same time, BMD in L1-L4 exhibited a significant positive association with FMI (p = 0.0003) and the femoral neck and total hip BMDs had significant positive associations with FFMI and LMI, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Conclusions These data indicate that LMI and FFMI exhibited significant negative associations with aging in Chinese Han males older than 50 years, whereas FMI had a positive association. BMD in the femoral neck and total hip declined with age but an increased BMI was protective for BMD. LMI and FFMI were protective for BMD in the femoral neck and total hip. PMID:26090818

The Spanish Version of the Empathy Questionnaire (EmQue): Evidence for Longitudinal Measurement Invariance and Relationship with Emotional Regulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lucas-Molina, Beatriz; Sarmento, Renata; Quintanilla, Laura; Giménez-Dasí, Marta

2018-01-01

Research Findings: Empathy, or the ability to understand what others are thinking or feeling, can be observed in early developmental stages. The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Empathy Questionnaire (EmQue) and examine its longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI) at 2 time points. Parents of 103 children completed…

The 1996 IDA Cost Research Symposium.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-08-01

5160 Christopher Deegan (703)602-6575 Performer: Naval Surface Warfare Center (211) Carderock Division, NSWC/CD Bethesda, Maryland 20084-5000...Moore (703) 602-0330, ext 208 Cost Engineering Research, Inc. 2011 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202-3717 Bill Hugo Bob Craig Classification...Director, Force and Infrastructure Cost Analysis Division OD (PA&E) Room 2D278, The Pentagon Washington, DC 20301 Dr. Craig College LMI John Wallace

Robust pinning control of heterogeneous complex networks with jointly connected topologies and time-varying parametric uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manfredi, Sabato

2018-05-01

The pinning/leader control problems provide the design of the leader or pinning controller in order to guide a complex network to a desired trajectory or target (synchronisation or consensus). Let a time-invariant complex network, pinning/leader control problems include the design of the leader or pinning controller gain and number of nodes to pin in order to guide a network to a desired trajectory (synchronization or consensus). Usually, lower is the number of pinned nodes larger is the pinning gain required to assess network synchronisation. On the other side, realistic application scenario of complex networks is characterised by switching topologies, time-varying node coupling strength and link weight that make hard to solve the pinning/leader control problem. Additionally, the system dynamics at nodes can be heterogeneous. In this paper, we derive robust stabilisation conditions of time-varying heterogeneous complex networks with jointly connected topologies when coupling strength and link weight interactions are affected by time-varying uncertainties. By employing Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, we formulate low computationally demanding stabilisability conditions to design a pinning/leader control gain for robust network synchronisation. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown by several design examples applied to a paradigmatic well-known complex network composed of heterogeneous Chua's circuits.

Constrained model predictive control, state estimation and coordination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Jun

In this dissertation, we study the interaction between the control performance and the quality of the state estimation in a constrained Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework for systems with stochastic disturbances. This consists of three parts: (i) the development of a constrained MPC formulation that adapts to the quality of the state estimation via constraints; (ii) the application of such a control law in a multi-vehicle formation coordinated control problem in which each vehicle operates subject to a no-collision constraint posed by others' imperfect prediction computed from finite bit-rate, communicated data; (iii) the design of the predictors and the communication resource assignment problem that satisfy the performance requirement from Part (ii). Model Predictive Control (MPC) is of interest because it is one of the few control design methods which preserves standard design variables and yet handles constraints. MPC is normally posed as a full-state feedback control and is implemented in a certainty-equivalence fashion with best estimates of the states being used in place of the exact state. However, if the state constraints were handled in the same certainty-equivalence fashion, the resulting control law could drive the real state to violate the constraints frequently. Part (i) focuses on exploring the inclusion of state estimates into the constraints. It does this by applying constrained MPC to a system with stochastic disturbances. The stochastic nature of the problem requires re-posing the constraints in a probabilistic form. In Part (ii), we consider applying constrained MPC as a local control law in a coordinated control problem of a group of distributed autonomous systems. Interactions between the systems are captured via constraints. First, we inspect the application of constrained MPC to a completely deterministic case. Formation stability theorems are derived for the subsystems and conditions on the local constraint set are derived in order to guarantee local stability or convergence to a target state. If these conditions are met for all subsystems, then this stability is inherited by the overall system. For the case when each subsystem suffers from disturbances in the dynamics, own self-measurement noises, and quantization errors on neighbors' information due to the finite-bit-rate channels, the constrained MPC strategy developed in Part (i) is appropriate to apply. In Part (iii), we discuss the local predictor design and bandwidth assignment problem in a coordinated vehicle formation context. The MPC controller used in Part (ii) relates the formation control performance and the information quality in the way that large standoff implies conservative performance. We first develop an LMI (Linear Matrix Inequality) formulation for cross-estimator design in a simple two-vehicle scenario with non-standard information: one vehicle does not have access to the other's exact control value applied at each sampling time, but to its known, pre-computed, coupling linear feedback control law. Then a similar LMI problem is formulated for the bandwidth assignment problem that minimizes the total number of bits by adjusting the prediction gain matrices and the number of bits assigned to each variable. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Augmentor Stability Management Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

spravring) to a low-pressure area (in the aIugmentor). This flow situation is analogous to the expansion valve process and is evaluated from knowledge...8217(;IV’ 70 where by definition: PF, IL - lM-I RF, TF1 = (-M,) 12 2 21*m 1 PF, I L- RF,= (1Mi IF, 1- M,1 1 +M + ~=(_1- Mj) 2 2 21I~ PG, 1 ~~-[1I1-? RG

Acquisition Logistics Guidelines for Improving the Argentine Air Force Weapon System Acquisition Process

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-03-01

these kinds of sources: Industry standards Other commercial or military customers LMI specification summaries Contractor’s in-house data Section...government and industry managers to achieve program objectives. • Putting in place for fielded systems additional incentives to reduce operating and...meaning clarifications; an explanation of the roles of Congress, the Executive Branch, and Industry in defense acquisition; and an overview on the

Developing High-Performance Lithium Metal Anode in Liquid Electrolytes: Challenges and Progress.

PubMed

Li, Sa; Jiang, Mengwen; Xie, Yong; Xu, Hui; Jia, Junyao; Li, Ju

2018-04-01

Lithium metal anodes are potentially key for next-generation energy-dense batteries because of the extremely high capacity and the ultralow redox potential. However, notorious safety concerns of Li metal in liquid electrolytes have significantly retarded its commercialization: on one hand, lithium metal morphological instabilities (LMI) can cause cell shorting and even explosion; on the other hand, breaking of the grown Li arms induces the so-called "dead Li"; furthermore, the continuous consumption of the liquid electrolyte and cycleable lithium also shortens cell life. The research community has been seeking new strategies to protect Li metal anodes and significant progress has been made in the last decade. Here, an overview of the fundamental understandings of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, conceptual models, and advanced real-time characterizations of LMI are presented. Instructed by the conceptual models, strategies including increasing the donatable fluorine concentration (DFC) in liquid to enrich LiF component in SEI, increasing salt concentration (ionic strength) and sacrificial electrolyte additives, building artificial SEI to boost self-healing of natural SEI, and 3D electrode frameworks to reduce current density and delay Sand's extinction are summarized. Practical challenges in competing with graphite and silicon anodes are outlined. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

First-generation instrumentation for the Discovery Channel Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bida, Thomas A.; Dunham, Edward W.; Massey, Philip; Roe, Henry G.

2014-07-01

The 4.3m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) has been conducting part-time science operations since January 2013. The f/6.1, 0.5° field-of-view at the RC focus is accessible through the Cassegrain instrument cube assembly, which can support 5 co-mounted instruments with rapid feed selection via deployable fold mirrors. Lowell Observatory has developed the Large Monolithic Imager (LMI), a 12.3' FOV 6K x 6K single CCD camera with a dual filter wheel, and installed at the straight-through, field-corrected RC focal station, which has served as the primary early science DCT instrument. Two low-resolution facility spectrographs are currently under development with first light for each anticipated by early 2015: the upgraded DeVeny Spectrograph, to be utilized for single object optical spectroscopy, and the unique Near-Infrared High-Throughput Spectrograph (NIHTS), optimized for single-shot JHK spectroscopy of faint solar system objects. These spectrographs will be mounted at folded RC ports, and the NIHTS installation will feature simultaneous optical imaging with LMI through use of a dichroic fold mirror. We report on the design, construction, commissioning, and progress of these 3 instruments in detail. We also discuss plans for installation of additional facility instrumentation on the DCT.

Design of robust reliable control for T-S fuzzy Markovian jumping delayed neutral type neural networks with probabilistic actuator faults and leakage delays: An event-triggered communication scheme.

PubMed

Syed Ali, M; Vadivel, R; Saravanakumar, R

2018-06-01

This study examines the problem of robust reliable control for Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy Markovian jumping delayed neural networks with probabilistic actuator faults and leakage terms. An event-triggered communication scheme. First, the randomly occurring actuator faults and their failures rates are governed by two sets of unrelated random variables satisfying certain probabilistic failures of every actuator, new type of distribution based event triggered fault model is proposed, which utilize the effect of transmission delay. Second, Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model is adopted for the neural networks and the randomness of actuators failures is modeled in a Markov jump model framework. Third, to guarantee the considered closed-loop system is exponential mean square stable with a prescribed reliable control performance, a Markov jump event-triggered scheme is designed in this paper, which is the main purpose of our study. Fourth, by constructing appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, employing Newton-Leibniz formulation and integral inequalities, several delay-dependent criteria for the solvability of the addressed problem are derived. The obtained stability criteria are stated in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be checked numerically using the effective LMI toolbox in MATLAB. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and reduced conservatism of the proposed results over the existing ones, among them one example was supported by real-life application of the benchmark problem. Copyright © 2018 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Separating Hype from Reality

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

faster than production using traditional manufacturing meth- ods. The actual printing of a part can be accomplished in hours or days, but that is...systems are being designed in 3D. But to utilize AM for production of legacy weapon system parts, the vast major- ity of parts in the DoD inventory will... Manufacturing Production Time Additive Manufacturing Days 23 Defense AT&L: November-December 2016 LMI has led efforts to standardize model formats DoD-wide

Additive Manufacturing: Which DLA-Managed Legacy Parts are Potential AM Candidates

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

R G ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING : WHICH DLA-MANAGED LEGACY PARTS ARE POTENTIAL AM CANDIDATES? REPORT DL501T1 J UL Y 2016...L Y 2 0 1 6 ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING : WHICH DLA-MANAGED LEGACY PARTS ARE POTENTIAL AM CANDIDATES? REPORT DL501T1 Thomas K . Pa rk s...DESIGNATED BY OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION. LMI © 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. iii Additive Manufacturing : Which DLA-Managed Legacy Parts Are

Improved result on stability analysis of discrete stochastic neural networks with time delay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhengguang; Su, Hongye; Chu, Jian; Zhou, Wuneng

2009-04-01

This Letter investigates the problem of exponential stability for discrete stochastic time-delay neural networks. By defining a novel Lyapunov functional, an improved delay-dependent exponential stability criterion is established in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Meanwhile, the computational complexity of the newly established stability condition is reduced because less variables are involved. Numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness and the benefits of the proposed method.

Meeting Customer Service Standards Under Executive Order 12862: NASA’s Space Science Grant Process.

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-07-01

Logistics Management Institute Meeting Customer Service Standards Under Executive Order 12862 NASA’s Space Science Grant Process NS302MR2...Logistics Management Institute to survey the customers — proposal writers and peer review panelists — of its science grant process. This effort benefited... Management Institute (LMI) to develop customer satisfac- tion surveys for both proposal writers and peer review panelists as well as to conduct those

The Sortie-Generation Model System. Volume 5. Maintenance Subsystem

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

Compuger RoanutI f and moidel 11, Computer operatinS system 17, Proorammino largualviso IS. Numlier of .ugic proltsm Hoewl -3 CSCobol 600 stuscomentm...THE SORTIE-GENERATION MODEL SYSTEM OC’ VOLUME V MAINTENANCE SUBSYSTEM September 1981 Robert S. Greenberg 05$ Prepared pursuant to Department of...Generation Model System Volume V Maintenance Subsystem 6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER LMI Task- L102 7. AUTHOR(a) 8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(a

Mechanical behaviors of multi-filament twist superconducting strand under tensile and cyclic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xu; Li, Yingxu; Gao, Yuanwen

2016-01-01

The superconducting strand, serving as the basic unit cell of the cable-in-conduit-conductors (CICCs), is a typical multi-filament twist composite which is always subjected to a cyclic loading under the operating condition. Meanwhile, the superconducting material Nb3Sn in the strand is sensitive to strain frequently relating to the performance degradation of the superconductivity. Therefore, a comprehensive study on the mechanical behavior of the strand helps understanding the superconducting performance of the strained Nb3Sn strands. To address this issue, taking the LMI (internal tin) strand as an example, a three-dimensional structural finite element model, named as the Multi-filament twist model, of the strand with the real configuration of the LMI strand is built to study the influences of the plasticity of the component materials, the twist of the filament bundle, the initial thermal residual stress and the breakage and its evolution of the filaments on the mechanical behaviors of the strand. The effective properties of superconducting filament bundle with random filament breakage and its evolution versus strain are obtained based on the damage theory of fiber-reinforced composite materials proposed by Curtin and Zhou. From the calculation results of this model, we find that the occurrence of the hysteresis loop in the cyclic loading curve is determined by the reverse yielding of the elastic-plastic materials in the strand. Both the initial thermal residual stress in the strand and the pitch length of the filaments have significant impacts on the axial and hysteretic behaviors of the strand. The damage of the filaments also affects the axial mechanical behavior of the strand remarkably at large axial strain. The critical current of the strand is calculated by the scaling law with the results of the Multi-filament twist model. The predicted results of the Multi-filament twist model show an acceptable agreement with the experiment.

Association between sleep duration, fat mass, lean mass and obesity in Korean adults: the fourth and fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

PubMed

Kim, Kyuwoong; Shin, Doosup; Jung, Go-Un; Lee, Donghoon; Park, Sang Min

2017-08-01

This study investigated the association between sleep duration, fat mass, lean mass and obesity. Participants of this cross-sectional study were 16 905 adults included into the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Sleep duration was assessed by self-reported survey and categorized into ≤ 5, 6, 7, 8 and ≥ 9 h per day. The group reporting 7 h of sleep per day (comprised of those sleeping 7-8 h per day) was used as the reference group. Body composition was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Obesity was defined based on the criteria from the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity. Least-squares means of fat mass index (FMI) and lean mass index (LMI) adjusted for age, employment status, comorbidities and physical activity were used to assess the relation between sleep duration and body composition. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of obesity according to sleep duration after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. After adjustment, FMI increased with fewer hours of sleep (P for trend: < 0.001) and LMI decreased with more hours of sleep (P for trend: 0.011). Compared to the reference group, sleep-deprived individuals were 1.22 times more likely to have general obesity (aOR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03-1.45) and 1.32 times more likely to have abdominal obesity (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.10-1.58). Our findings suggest that sleep deprivation might be related to an increase of fat mass and obesity, while oversleeping could be linked to a reduction of lean mass. © 2017 European Sleep Research Society.

Upper and lower limbs composition: a comparison between anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in healthy people.

PubMed

Diano, Danila; Ponti, Federico; Guerri, Sara; Mercatelli, Daniele; Amadori, Michele; Aparisi Gómez, Maria Pilar; Battista, Giuseppe; Guglielmi, Giuseppe; Bazzocchi, Alberto

2017-09-18

The detection of changes in lean mass (LM) distribution can help to prevent disability. This study assessed the degree of association between anthropometric measurements and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition (BC) parameters of the upper and lower limbs in a healthy general population and collected DXA age- and sex-specific values of BC that can be useful to build a reference standard. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of some widely available anthropometric measurements in the assessment of body composition (BC) at the limbs, especially in terms of muscle mass, in a large sample of healthy subjects of different age bands and sex, using fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) parameters derived by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the gold standard. The secondary aim was to collect DXA age- and sex-specific values of BC of left and right limbs (upper and lower) in a healthy Italian population to be used as reference standards. Two hundred fifty healthy volunteers were enrolled. Arm circumference (AC) and thigh circumference (ThC) were measured, and total and regional BC parameters were obtained by a whole-body DXA scan (Lunar iDXA, Madison, WI, USA; enCORE™ 2011 software version 13.6). FM/LM showed only fair correlation with AC and ThC in females (r = 0.649 and 0.532, respectively); in males and in the total population, the correlation was low (r = 0.360 or lower, and p non-statistically significant). AC and ThC were not well representative of arms LM in both genders (females r = 0.452, males r = 0.530) independently of age. In general, men of all age groups showed higher values of LM and lean mass index (LMI) in both total and segmental upper and lower limbs. In males, the maximum LM and LMI were achieved in the fifth decade in both upper and lower limbs and then started to decrease with aging. In females, no significant modification with aging was identified in LM and LMI. According to our results, anthropometry is not well representative of LM of arms in both genders, independently of age; therefore, a densitometric examination should be considered for a correct assessment of BC at limbs.

Robust passivity analysis for discrete-time recurrent neural networks with mixed delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chuan-Kuei; Shu, Yu-Jeng; Chang, Koan-Yuh; Shou, Ho-Nien; Lu, Chien-Yu

2015-02-01

This article considers the robust passivity analysis for a class of discrete-time recurrent neural networks (DRNNs) with mixed time-delays and uncertain parameters. The mixed time-delays that consist of both the discrete time-varying and distributed time-delays in a given range are presented, and the uncertain parameters are norm-bounded. The activation functions are assumed to be globally Lipschitz continuous. Based on new bounding technique and appropriate type of Lyapunov functional, a sufficient condition is investigated to guarantee the existence of the desired robust passivity condition for the DRNNs, which can be derived in terms of a family of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Some free-weighting matrices are introduced to reduce the conservatism of the criterion by using the bounding technique. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability.

Guaranteed cost control with poles assignment for a flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hongyi; Si, Yulin; Wu, Ligang; Hu, Xiaoxiang; Gao, Huijun

2011-05-01

This article investigates the problem of guaranteed cost control for a flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicle (FAHV). The FAHV includes intricate coupling between the engine and flight dynamics as well as complex interplay between flexible and rigid modes, which results in an intractable system for the control design. A longitudinal model is adopted for control design due to the complexity of the vehicle. First, for a highly nonlinear and coupled FAHV, a linearised model is established around the trim condition, which includes the state of altitude, velocity, angle of attack, pitch angle and pitch rate, etc. Secondly, by using the Lyapunov approach, performance analysis is carried out for the resulting closed-loop FAHV system, whose criterion with respect to guaranteed performance cost and poles assignment is expressed in the framework of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The established criterion exhibits a kind of decoupling between the Lyapunov positive-definite matrices to be determined and the FAHV system matrices, which is enabled by the introduction of additional slack matrix variables. Thirdly, a convex optimisation problem with LMI constraints is formulated for designing an admissible controller, which guarantees a prescribed performance cost with the simultaneous consideration of poles assignment for the resulting closed-loop system. Finally, some simulation results are provided to show that the guaranteed cost controller could assign the poles into the desired regional and achieve excellent reference altitude and velocity tracking performance.

Aviation System Analysis Capability Quick Response System Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Eileen; Villani, James A.; Ritter, Paul

1998-01-01

The purpose of this document is to present the additions and modifications made to the Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) Quick Response System (QRS) in FY 1997 in support of the ASAC ORS development effort. This document contains an overview of the project background and scope and defines the QRS. The document also presents an overview of the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) facility that supports the QRS, and it includes a summary of the planned additions to the QRS in FY 1998. The document has five appendices.

System Engineering Concept Demonstration, Process Model. Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-12-01

Process or Process Model The System Engineering process must be the enactment of the aforementioned definitions. Therefore, a process is an enactment of a...Prototype Tradeoff Scenario demonstrates six levels of abstraction in the Process Model. The Process Model symbology is explained within the "Help" icon ...dnofing no- ubeq t"vidi e /hn -am-a. lmi IzyuO ..pu Row _e._n au"c.ue-w’ ’- anuiildyidwile b ie htplup ?~imsav D symbo ,,ue,.dvu ,,dienl Flw s--..,fu..I

Development Cycle Time Simulation for Civil Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spitz, William; Berardino, Frank; Golaszewski, Richard; Johnson, Jesse

2001-01-01

Cycle Time Reduction (CTR) will be one of the major factors affecting the future of the civil aerospace industry. This focus is the end reflection of the level of competition in the commercial large carrier aircraft industry. Aircraft manufacturer must minimize costs and pass a portion of those savings onto buyers. CTR is one strategy used to move the manufacturing firm down the cost curve. The current NASA Airframe Development Cycle Time Reduction Goal is 50% by year 2022. This goal is not achievable based on the program analysis done by the LMI/GRA team. This may mean that the current roster of NASA CTR programs needs to be reexamined or that the program technology progress factors, as determined by the NASA experts, were understated. Programs that duplicate the reductions of others should be replaced with non-duplicative programs. In addition, new programs targeting a specific part of the cycle can be developed.

A Self-Calibrating Radar Sensor System for Measuring Vital Signs.

PubMed

Huang, Ming-Chun; Liu, Jason J; Xu, Wenyao; Gu, Changzhan; Li, Changzhi; Sarrafzadeh, Majid

2016-04-01

Vital signs (i.e., heartbeat and respiration) are crucial physiological signals that are useful in numerous medical applications. The process of measuring these signals should be simple, reliable, and comfortable for patients. In this paper, a noncontact self-calibrating vital signs monitoring system based on the Doppler radar is presented. The system hardware and software were designed with a four-tiered layer structure. To enable accurate vital signs measurement, baseband signals in the radar sensor were modeled and a framework for signal demodulation was proposed. Specifically, a signal model identification method was formulated into a quadratically constrained l1 minimization problem and solved using the upper bound and linear matrix inequality (LMI) relaxations. The performance of the proposed system was comprehensively evaluated using three experimental sets, and the results indicated that this system can be used to effectively measure human vital signs.

In vitro effects of Musa x paradisiaca extracts on four developmental stages of Haemonchus contortus.

PubMed

Marie-Magdeleine, C; Udino, L; Philibert, L; Bocage, B; Archimede, H

2014-02-01

This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro effect of Musa x paradisiaca stem and leaf against the parasitic nematode of small ruminants Haemonchus contortus. Three extracts (aqueous, methanolic and/or dichloromethane) of Musa x paradisiaca stem and leaf were tested in vitro on four developmental stages of H. contortus using egg hatch assay (EHA), larval development assay (LDA), L3 migration inhibition assay (LMI) and adult worm motility assay (AWM). The highly significant (P<0.0001) ability to stop larval development (inhibition >67% for each extract) and the negative effect of the dichloromethane extract of leaf on adult worm motility (43% of inhibition of motility after 24h of incubation) compared to the negative controls, suggest anthelmintic properties of Musa x paradisiaca stem and leaf against H. contortus. The active principles responsible for the activity could be secondary metabolites such as terpenoid and flavonoid compounds present in the leaf and stem of the plant. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Decentralized event-triggered synchronization of uncertain Markovian jumping neutral-type neural networks with mixed delays.

PubMed

Senan, Sibel; Syed Ali, M; Vadivel, R; Arik, Sabri

2017-02-01

In this study, we present an approach for the decentralized event-triggered synchronization of Markovian jumping neutral-type neural networks with mixed delays. We present a method for designing decentralized event-triggered synchronization, which only utilizes locally available information, in order to determine the time instants for transmission from sensors to a central controller. By applying a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, as well as using the reciprocal convex combination method and some inequality techniques such as Jensen's inequality, we obtain several sufficient conditions in terms of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) under which the delayed neural networks are stochastically stable in terms of the error systems. Finally, we conclude that the drive systems synchronize stochastically with the response systems. We show that the proposed stability criteria can be verified easily using the numerically efficient Matlab LMI toolbox. The effectiveness and feasibility of the results obtained are verified by numerical examples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coronae of Stars with Supersolar Elemental Abundances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peretz, Uria; Behar, Ehud; Drake, Stephen A.

2015-01-01

Coronal elemental abundances are known to deviate from the photospheric values of their parent star, with the degree of deviation depending on the first ionization potential (FIP). This study focuses on the coronal composition of stars with supersolar photospheric abundances. We present the coronal abundances of six such stars: 11 LMi, iota Hor, HR 7291, tau Boo, and alpha Cen A and B. These stars all have high-statistics X-ray spectra, three of which are presented for the first time. The abundances we measured were obtained using the line-resolved spectra of the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) in conjunction with the higher throughput EPIC-pn camera spectra onboard the XMM-Newton observatory. A collisionally ionized plasma model with two or three temperature components is found to represent the spectra well. All elements are found to be consistently depleted in the coronae compared to their respective photospheres. For 11 LMi and tau Boo no FIP effect is present, while iota Hor, HR 7291, and alpha Cen A and B show a clear FIP trend. These conclusions hold whether the comparison is made with solar abundances or the individual stellar abundances. Unlike the solar corona, where low-FIP elements are enriched, in these stars the FIP effect is consistently due to a depletion of high-FIP elements with respect to actual photospheric abundances. A comparison with solar (instead of stellar) abundances yields the same fractionation trend as on the Sun. In both cases, a similar FIP bias is inferred, but different fractionation mechanisms need to be invoked.

Delay-range-dependent chaos synchronization approach under varying time-lags and delayed nonlinear coupling.

PubMed

Zaheer, Muhammad Hamad; Rehan, Muhammad; Mustafa, Ghulam; Ashraf, Muhammad

2014-11-01

This paper proposes a novel state feedback delay-range-dependent control approach for chaos synchronization in coupled nonlinear time-delay systems. The coupling between two systems is esteemed to be nonlinear subject to time-lags. Time-varying nature of both the intrinsic and the coupling delays is incorporated to broad scope of the present study for a better-quality synchronization controller synthesis. Lyapunov-Krasovskii (LK) functional is employed to derive delay-range-dependent conditions that can be solved by means of the conventional linear matrix inequality (LMI)-tools. The resultant control approach for chaos synchronization of the master-slave time-delay systems considers non-zero lower bound of the intrinsic as well as the coupling time-delays. Further, the delay-dependent synchronization condition has been established as a special case of the proposed LK functional treatment. Furthermore, a delay-range-dependent condition, independent of the delay-rate, has been provided to address the situation when upper bound of the delay-derivative is unknown. A robust state feedback control methodology is formulated for synchronization of the time-delay chaotic networks against the L2 norm bounded perturbations by minimizing the L2 gain from the disturbance to the synchronization error. Numerical simulation results are provided for the time-delay chaotic networks to show effectiveness of the proposed delay-range-dependent chaos synchronization methodologies. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discrete-time BAM neural networks with variable delays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xin-Ge; Tang, Mei-Lan; Martin, Ralph; Liu, Xin-Bi

2007-07-01

This Letter deals with the global exponential stability of discrete-time bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with variable delays. Using a Lyapunov functional, and linear matrix inequality techniques (LMI), we derive a new delay-dependent exponential stability criterion for BAM neural networks with variable delays. As this criterion has no extra constraints on the variable delay functions, it can be applied to quite general BAM neural networks with a broad range of time delay functions. It is also easy to use in practice. An example is provided to illustrate the theoretical development.

The Role of Leadership in Navy Program Offices. Executive Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

1973-05-01

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT COURSE- SSTUDENT STUDY PROGRAM Fort Beivoir, Virginia, 22060 THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN NAVY PROGRAM OFFICES STUDY REPORT PMC 73-1...jLa I1 • 1. Men at the Top. Osborne kLliott 1 2. "Understanding Leadership ". W. 0. H. Prentice, HBR Sep- Oct 1966 j 3. "A Theory of Human Motivation...Drucker, IMI reprint 9. Technical Management Institute Thifnkpiece, " Leadership " 1 • 0. "The Effective Manager ". Peter Drucker, LMI r~print 11. Sur-ival In

An Electronic Commerce Strategy for MTMC’s Guaranteed Traffic Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-10-01

AD-A264 299 SELECTE October 1992 S MAY1 4 1993U C An Electronic Commerce Strategy for MTMC’s Guaranteed Traffic Program MT901R I N1. Augustine...NUMBERS An Electronic Commerce Strategy for MTMC’s Guaranteed Traffic Program C MDA903-85-C -0139 M DA903-90-C-0006 PE 0902198D 6. AUTHOR(S) M...239-1L 299-01 LMI Executive Summary AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE STRATEGY FOR MTMC’S GUARANTEED TRAFFIC PROGRAM In 1979, the Military Traffic Management

Robust sensor fault detection and isolation of gas turbine engines subjected to time-varying parameter uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pourbabaee, Bahareh; Meskin, Nader; Khorasani, Khashayar

2016-08-01

In this paper, a novel robust sensor fault detection and isolation (FDI) strategy using the multiple model-based (MM) approach is proposed that remains robust with respect to both time-varying parameter uncertainties and process and measurement noise in all the channels. The scheme is composed of robust Kalman filters (RKF) that are constructed for multiple piecewise linear (PWL) models that are constructed at various operating points of an uncertain nonlinear system. The parameter uncertainty is modeled by using a time-varying norm bounded admissible structure that affects all the PWL state space matrices. The robust Kalman filter gain matrices are designed by solving two algebraic Riccati equations (AREs) that are expressed as two linear matrix inequality (LMI) feasibility conditions. The proposed multiple RKF-based FDI scheme is simulated for a single spool gas turbine engine to diagnose various sensor faults despite the presence of parameter uncertainties, process and measurement noise. Our comparative studies confirm the superiority of our proposed FDI method when compared to the methods that are available in the literature.

Light Matters (A "Life at the Frontiers of Energy Research" contest entry from the 2011 Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) Summit and Forum)

ScienceCinema

Atwater, Harry (Director, Light-Material Interactions in Energy Conversion (LMI), California Institute of Technology); LMI Staff

2017-12-09

'Light Matters' was submitted by the Center for Light-Material Interactions in Energy Conversion (LMI) to the 'Life at the Frontiers of Energy Research' video contest at the 2011 Science for Our Nation's Energy Future: Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) Summit and Forum. Twenty-six EFRCs created short videos to highlight their mission and their work. This video was selected as one of five winners by a distinguished panel of judges for its 'striking photography and visual impact'. LMI, an EFRC directed by Harry Atwater at the California Institute of Technology is a partnership of scientists from three institutions: CalTech (lead), University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Office of Basic Energy Sciences in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science established the 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) in 2009. These collaboratively-organized centers conduct fundamental research focused on 'grand challenges' and use-inspired 'basic research needs' recently identified in major strategic planning efforts by the scientific community. The overall purpose is to accelerate scientific progress toward meeting the nation's critical energy challenges. The mission of Light-Material Interactions in Energy Conversion is 'to tailor the morphology, complex dielectric structure, and electronic properties of matter to sculpt the flow of sunlight, enabling light conversion to electrical and chemical energy with unprecedented efficiency.' Research topics are: catalysis (imines hydrocarbons), solar photovoltaic, solar fuels, photonic, solid state lighting, metamaterial, optics, phonons, thermal conductivity, solar electrodes, photsynthesis, CO{sub 2} (convert), greenhouse gas, and matter by design.

Intramuscular fat in lamb muscle and the impact of selection for improved carcass lean meat yield.

PubMed

Anderson, F; Pannier, L; Pethick, D W; Gardner, G E

2015-06-01

Intramuscular fat percentage (IMF%) has been shown to have a positive influence on the eating quality of red meat. Selection of Australian lambs for increased lean tissue and reduced carcass fatness using Australian Sheep Breeding Values has been shown to decrease IMF% of the Muscularis longissimus lumborum. The impact this selection has on the IMF% of other muscle depots is unknown. This study examined IMF% in five different muscles from 400 lambs (M. longissimus lumborum, Muscularis semimembranosus, Muscularis semitendinosus, Muscularis supraspinatus, Muscularis infraspinatus). The sires of these lambs had a broad range in carcass breeding values for post-weaning weight, eye muscle depth and fat depth over the 12th rib (c-site fat depth). Results showed IMF% to be highest in the M. supraspinatus (4.87 ± 0.1, P<0.01) and lowest in the M. semimembranosus (3.58 ± 0.1, P<0.01). Hot carcass weight was positively associated with IMF% of all muscles. Selection for decreasing c-site fat depth reduced IMF% in the M. longissimus lumborum, M. semimembranosus and M. semitendinosus. Higher breeding values for post-weaning weight and eye muscle depth increased and decreased IMF%, respectively, but only in the lambs born as multiples and raised as singles. For each per cent increase in lean meat yield percentage (LMY%), there was a reduction in IMF% of 0.16 in all five muscles examined. Given the drive within the lamb industry to improve LMY%, our results indicate the importance of continued monitoring of IMF% throughout the different carcass regions, given its importance for eating quality.

Non-resonant Nanoscale Extreme Light Confinement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Subramania, Ganapathi Subramanian; Huber, Dale L.

2014-09-01

A wide spectrum of photonics activities Sandia is engaged in such as solid state lighting, photovoltaics, infrared imaging and sensing, quantum sources, rely on nanoscale or ultrasubwavelength light-matter interactions (LMI). The fundamental understanding in confining electromagnetic power and enhancing electric fields into ever smaller volumes is key to creating next generation devices for these programs. The prevailing view is that a resonant interaction (e.g. in microcavities or surface-plasmon polaritions) is necessary to achieve the necessary light confinement for absorption or emission enhancement. Here we propose new paradigm that is non-resonant and therefore broadband and can achieve light confinement and fieldmore » enhancement in extremely small areas [~(λ/500)^2 ]. The proposal is based on a theoretical work[1] performed at Sandia. The paradigm structure consists of a periodic arrangement of connected small and large rectangular slits etched into a metal film named double-groove (DG) structure. The degree of electric field enhancement and power confinement can be controlled by the geometry of the structure. The key operational principle is attributed to quasistatic response of the metal electrons to the incoming electromagnetic field that enables non-resonant broadband behavior. For this exploratory LDRD we have fabricated some test double groove structures to enable verification of quasistatic electronic response in the mid IR through IR optical spectroscopy. We have addressed some processing challenges in DG structure fabrication to enable future design of complex sensor and detector geometries that can utilize its non-resonant field enhancement capabilities.].« less

The global impact of non-communicable diseases on healthcare spending and national income: a systematic review.

PubMed

Muka, Taulant; Imo, David; Jaspers, Loes; Colpani, Veronica; Chaker, Layal; van der Lee, Sven J; Mendis, Shanthi; Chowdhury, Rajiv; Bramer, Wichor M; Falla, Abby; Pazoki, Raha; Franco, Oscar H

2015-04-01

The impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in populations extends beyond ill-health and mortality with large financial consequences. To systematically review and meta-analyze studies evaluating the impact of NCDs (including coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer (lung, colon, cervical and breast), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease) at the macro-economic level: healthcare spending and national income. Medical databases (Medline, Embase and Google Scholar) up to November 6th 2014. For further identification of suitable studies, we searched reference lists of included studies and contacted experts in the field. We included randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, cohorts, case-control, cross-sectional, modeling and ecological studies carried out in adults assessing the economic consequences of NCDs on healthcare spending and national income without language restrictions. All abstracts and full text selection was done by two independent reviewers. Any disagreements were resolved through consensus or consultation of a third reviewer. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a pre-designed data collection form. Studies evaluating the impact of at least one of the selected NCDs on at least one of the following outcome measures: healthcare expenditure, national income, hospital spending, gross domestic product (GDP), gross national product, net national income, adjusted national income, total costs, direct costs, indirect costs, inpatient costs, outpatient costs, per capita healthcare spending, aggregate economic outcome, capital loss in production levels in a country, economic growth, GDP per capita (per capita income), percentage change in GDP, intensive growth, extensive growth, employment, direct governmental expenditure and non-governmental expenditure. From 4,364 references, 153 studies met our inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were focused on healthcare related costs of NCDs. 30 studies reported the economic impact of NCDs on healthcare budgets and 13 on national income. Healthcare expenditure for cardiovascular disease (12-16.5 %) was the highest; other NCDs ranged between 0.7 and 7.4 %. NCD-related health costs vary across the countries, regions, and according to type of NCD. Additionally, there is an increase in costs with increased severity and years lived with the disease. Low- and middle-income (LMI) countries were the focus of just 16 papers, which suggests an information shortage concerning the true economic burden of NCDs in these countries. NCDs pose a significant financial burden on healthcare budgets and nations' welfare, which is likely to increase over time. However further work is required to standardize more consistently the methods available to assess the economic impact of NCDs and to involve (hitherto under-addressed) LMI populations across the globe.

Body composition in paediatric intestinal failure patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.

PubMed

Pichler, Judith; Chomtho, Sirinuch; Fewtrell, Mary; Macdonald, Sarah; Hill, Susan

2014-02-01

Outcome of children with intestinal failure (IF) has improved on treatment with parenteral nutrition (PN). The effects of PN and IF on body composition (BC) are unknown. The aim was to review BC in PN-treated children and those weaned off and to compare with reference data. Children on long-term/home PN underwent measurement of regional fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Underlying diseases were intestinal enteropathy, n=15, short bowel syndrome (SBS), n=8 and intestinal dysmotility, n=11. PN duration was median 10 years. Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Lean Mass Index (LMI) were compared in children with and without intestinal inflammation, steroid treatment and according to PN dependency. 34 children aged 5-20 years were studied. They were short, mean height SD score (SDS) -1.8 (p<0.001) and light (mean weight SDS -0.86, p<0.001) with high body mass index (BMI) SDS: mean 0.4 (p=0.04) and low Limb LMI SDS -0.9 (p<0.001). Children with SBS had low FMI SDS -0.8 (p=0.01). BC did not significantly differ between diagnostic groups or with steroid treatment. Patients with intestinal inflammation (n=20) had higher BMI SDS than those without, p=0.007. Totally, PN-dependent children, n=11 had higher BMI SDS, p=0.004, total body FMI SDS, p=0.008 and trunk FMI SDS, p=0.001 compared with patients partially dependent and off PN. Significantly low limb LM was seen in all patient groups with high FM in children on total PN. Children with IF requiring PN treatment >27 days may benefit from BC monitoring and PN adjustment according to results in order to maximise linear growth and health in later life.

The Lactate Minimum Test: Concept, Methodological Aspects and Insights for Future Investigations in Human and Animal Models

PubMed Central

Messias, Leonardo H. D.; Gobatto, Claudio A.; Beck, Wladimir R.; Manchado-Gobatto, Fúlvia B.

2017-01-01

In 1993, Uwe Tegtbur proposed a useful physiological protocol named the lactate minimum test (LMT). This test consists of three distinct phases. Firstly, subjects must perform high intensity efforts to induce hyperlactatemia (phase 1). Subsequently, 8 min of recovery are allowed for transposition of lactate from myocytes (for instance) to the bloodstream (phase 2). Right after the recovery, subjects are submitted to an incremental test until exhaustion (phase 3). The blood lactate concentration is expected to fall during the first stages of the incremental test and as the intensity increases in subsequent stages, to rise again forming a “U” shaped blood lactate kinetic. The minimum point of this curve, named the lactate minimum intensity (LMI), provides an estimation of the intensity that represents the balance between the appearance and clearance of arterial blood lactate, known as the maximal lactate steady state intensity (iMLSS). Furthermore, in addition to the iMLSS estimation, studies have also determined anaerobic parameters (e.g., peak, mean, and minimum force/power) during phase 1 and also the maximum oxygen consumption in phase 3; therefore, the LMT is considered a robust physiological protocol. Although, encouraging reports have been published in both human and animal models, there are still some controversies regarding three main factors: (1) the influence of methodological aspects on the LMT parameters; (2) LMT effectiveness for monitoring training effects; and (3) the LMI as a valid iMLSS estimator. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a balanced discussion between scientific evidence of the aforementioned issues, and insights for future investigations are suggested. In summary, further analyses is necessary to determine whether these factors are worthy, since the LMT is relevant in several contexts of health sciences. PMID:28642717

Nutritional Status of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Relation to their Physical Performance.

PubMed

Matkovic, Zinka; Cvetko, Danijel; Rahelic, Dario; Esquinas, Cristina; Zarak, Marko; Miravitlles, Marc; Tudoric, Neven

2017-12-01

Nutritional abnormalities and physical inactivity are highly prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine the association between nutritional status/body composition and physical performance in patients with COPD. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in outpatients with clinically stable, moderate to very severe COPD. In the assessment of nutritional status, we used dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometry, serum biomarkers, and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. Physical performance was measured by the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), 4-metre gait speed (4MGS), and physical activity. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. In 111 patients (mean age 68 years, 69% men), the mean 6MWD was 376 ± 119 m, 4MGS 0.9 ± 0.2 m/s, and the average daily step count 8,059 ± 4,757. Patients with low exercise capacity (6MWD ≤ 350 m) had a significantly lower lean mass index (LMI) (p < 0.01), fat-free mass index (FFMI) (p < 0.01), bone mineral content (p < 0.01), bone mineral density (p < 0.01), T-score (p < 0.05), MNA score (p < 0.01), and serum albumin and prealbumin levels (p < 0.05). Patients with low physical activity (daily step count ≤ median) had lower LMI, FFMI, MNA score, serum prealbumin (for all comparisons p < 0.05) and vitamin D levels (p < 0.01). However, none of the nutritional variables showed an independent association with low physical performance in the multivariate models. In conclusion, patients with low physical performance have deficient nutritional status, but we could not demonstrate an independent relationship between nutritional parameters and physical performance.

[BODY ADIPOSITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP OF METABOLIC SYNDROME COMPONENTS IN COLOMBIAN ADULTS].

PubMed

González-Ruíz, Katherine; Correa-Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Ramírez-Vélez, Robinson

2015-10-01

recently, Bergman et al. have introduced a new index of adiposity, namely, body adiposity index (BAI), as a marker of obesity excess body fat in clinical practice. We aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to assess the predicting ability of BAI in various atherogenic indices, MetS and its components among adult from Bogota, Colombia. cross-sectional study in 690 male. MetS components (waist circumference ≥ 90 cm; fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL, blood pressure ≥ 135/85 mm Hg; triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL and HDL-c ≤ 40 mg/dL were measured. Atherogenic indices (cholesterol/HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c, triglycerides/HDL-c, lipid-metabolic index [LMI] and MetS score) were calculated. the prevalence of obesity by BAI (cut-point > 26.1%) and MetS was 50.1% and 19.1%, respectively. Subjects with MetS and obesity by BAI, show lower HDL-c levels and more frequently components of MetS (waist circumference, cholesterol and serum triglycerides). Predicting ability of BAI with a greater odds for atherogenic indices were 1.78 (95%CI 1.25 to 2.55), 1.46 (95%CI 1.01 to 2.14), 1.97 (95% 1.29 to 3.02), 2.04 (95%CI 1.23 to 3.39) and 1.47 (95%CI 1.03 to 2.11), elevation in LDL-c, LMI, MetS score and cholesterol/ HDL-c, and triglyceride/HDL-c, respectively (p < 0.05). subjects with higher levels of BAI show raised prevalence of obesity and positively associated with components of MetS. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Modifications to a LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1 gene are responsible for the major leaf shapes of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

PubMed

Andres, Ryan J; Coneva, Viktoriya; Frank, Margaret H; Tuttle, John R; Samayoa, Luis Fernando; Han, Sang-Won; Kaur, Baljinder; Zhu, Linglong; Fang, Hui; Bowman, Daryl T; Rojas-Pierce, Marcela; Haigler, Candace H; Jones, Don C; Holland, James B; Chitwood, Daniel H; Kuraparthy, Vasu

2017-01-03

Leaf shape varies spectacularly among plants. Leaves are the primary source of photoassimilate in crop plants, and understanding the genetic basis of variation in leaf morphology is critical to improving agricultural productivity. Leaf shape played a unique role in cotton improvement, as breeders have selected for entire and lobed leaf morphs resulting from a single locus, okra (l-D 1 ), which is responsible for the major leaf shapes in cotton. The l-D 1 locus is not only of agricultural importance in cotton, but through pioneering chimeric and morphometric studies, it has contributed to fundamental knowledge about leaf development. Here we show that an HD-Zip transcription factor homologous to the LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1 (LMI1) gene of Arabidopsis is the causal gene underlying the l-D 1 locus. The classical okra leaf shape allele has a 133-bp tandem duplication in the promoter, correlated with elevated expression, whereas an 8-bp deletion in the third exon of the presumed wild-type normal allele causes a frame-shifted and truncated coding sequence. Our results indicate that subokra is the ancestral leaf shape of tetraploid cotton that gave rise to the okra allele and that normal is a derived mutant allele that came to predominate and define the leaf shape of cultivated cotton. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the LMI1-like gene in an okra variety was sufficient to induce normal leaf formation. The developmental changes in leaves conferred by this gene are associated with a photosynthetic transcriptomic signature, substantiating its use by breeders to produce a superior cotton ideotype.

Modifications to a LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1 gene are responsible for the major leaf shapes of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

PubMed Central

Andres, Ryan J.; Coneva, Viktoriya; Frank, Margaret H.; Tuttle, John R.; Samayoa, Luis Fernando; Han, Sang-Won; Kaur, Baljinder; Zhu, Linglong; Fang, Hui; Bowman, Daryl T.; Rojas-Pierce, Marcela; Haigler, Candace H.; Jones, Don C.; Holland, James B.; Chitwood, Daniel H.; Kuraparthy, Vasu

2017-01-01

Leaf shape varies spectacularly among plants. Leaves are the primary source of photoassimilate in crop plants, and understanding the genetic basis of variation in leaf morphology is critical to improving agricultural productivity. Leaf shape played a unique role in cotton improvement, as breeders have selected for entire and lobed leaf morphs resulting from a single locus, okra (l-D1), which is responsible for the major leaf shapes in cotton. The l-D1 locus is not only of agricultural importance in cotton, but through pioneering chimeric and morphometric studies, it has contributed to fundamental knowledge about leaf development. Here we show that an HD-Zip transcription factor homologous to the LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1 (LMI1) gene of Arabidopsis is the causal gene underlying the l-D1 locus. The classical okra leaf shape allele has a 133-bp tandem duplication in the promoter, correlated with elevated expression, whereas an 8-bp deletion in the third exon of the presumed wild-type normal allele causes a frame-shifted and truncated coding sequence. Our results indicate that subokra is the ancestral leaf shape of tetraploid cotton that gave rise to the okra allele and that normal is a derived mutant allele that came to predominate and define the leaf shape of cultivated cotton. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the LMI1-like gene in an okra variety was sufficient to induce normal leaf formation. The developmental changes in leaves conferred by this gene are associated with a photosynthetic transcriptomic signature, substantiating its use by breeders to produce a superior cotton ideotype. PMID:27999177

Body adiposity index as marker of obesity and cardiovascular risk in adults from Bogotá, Colombia.

PubMed

García, Ana Isabel; Niño-Silva, Laura Andrea; González-Ruíz, Katherine; Ramírez-Vélez, Robinson

2015-03-01

To assess the value of body adiposity index (BAI) as a marker of obesity and predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A cross-sectional study in 527 volunteers from the education and automotive sector in Bogotá, Colombia. BAI was calculated using the Bergman et al. equation ([hip circumference in cm)/[height in m(2)](1,5)-18]). Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory data were collected, cholesterol/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C; triglycerides/HDL-C and lipid-metabolic index (LMI) ratios were calculated. Prevalence rates and means, according to tertiles (T), and multivariate analysis between the BAI and anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory markers were estimated. Obesity prevalence was 33.9% (BAI>27.5%). Subjects with lower BAI (T-1) had lower cholesterol, triglycerides/HDL-C, and cholesterol/HDL-C levels and better LMI; P<.001. The multivariate model showed in T-3 subjects an OR 3.33 (95% CI 2.16 to 5.13) for central obesity and an OR 3.39 (95% CI 2.34 to 4.90) for increased visceral fat. As regards lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, BAI was able to predict the risk OR 7.95 (95% CI 4.88 to 12.94), OR 1.60 (95% CI 1.03 to 2.41), OR 1.69 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.70) and OR 9.27 (95% CI 2.01 to 21.80), shows a significant association between cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and glucose respectively, P<0.001. A high prevalence of obesity by BAI was observed, and statistically positive associations with cardiovascular risk factors were shown. Copyright © 2014 SEEN. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Studying the consumption and health outcomes of fiscal interventions (taxes and subsidies) on food and beverages in countries of different income classifications; a systematic review.

PubMed

Alagiyawanna, Amaap; Townsend, Nick; Mytton, Oli; Scarborough, Pete; Roberts, Nia; Rayner, Mike

2015-09-14

Governments use fiscal interventions (FIs) on food and beverages to encourage healthy food behaviour and positive health outcomes. The objective of this review was to study the behavioural and health outcomes of implemented food and beverage FIs in the form of taxes and subsidies in countries of different income classifications. The present systematic review was conducted in accordance with Cochrane protocols. The search was carried out on academic and grey literature in English, for studies conducted in different countries on implemented FIs on food and non-alcoholic beverages and health outcomes, with a special focus on the income of those countries. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria and 14 were from peer- reviewed journals. Thirteen studies came from high-income (HI) countries, four from upper middle-income (UMI) countries and only one came from a lower middle-income (LMI) country. There were no studies from lower-income (LI) countries. Of these 18 studies; nine focused on taxes, all of which were from HI countries. Evidence suggests that FIs on foods can influence consumption of taxed and subsidized foods and consequently have the potential to improve health. Although this review supports previous findings that FIs can have an impact on healthy food consumption, it also highlights the lack of evidence available from UMI, LMI and LI countries on such interventions. Therefore, evidence from HI countries may not be directly applicable to middle-income and LI countries. Similar research conducted in middle and low income countries will be beneficial in advocating policy makers on the effectiveness of FIs in countering the growing issues of non-communicable diseases in these countries.

Astrometrically registered simultaneous observations of the 22 GHz H{sub 2}O and 43 GHz SiO masers toward R Leonis Minoris using KVN and source/frequency phase referencing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dodson, Richard; Rioja, María J.; Jung, Tae-Hyun

2014-11-01

Oxygen-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars can be intense emitters of SiO (v = 1 and 2, J = 1 → 0) and H{sub 2}O maser lines at 43 and 22 GHz, respectively. Very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the maser emission provide a unique tool to probe the innermost layers of the circumstellar envelopes in AGB stars. Nevertheless, the difficulties in achieving astrometrically aligned H{sub 2}O and v = 1 and v = 2 SiO maser maps have traditionally limited the physical constraints that can be placed on the SiO maser pumping mechanism. We present phase-referenced simultaneous spectral-linemore » VLBI images for the SiO v = 1 and v = 2, J = 1 → 0, and H{sub 2}O maser emission around the AGB star R LMi, obtained from the Korean VLBI Network (KVN). The simultaneous multi-channel receivers of the KVN offer great possibilities for astrometry in the frequency domain. With this facility, we have produced images with bona fide absolute astrometric registration between high-frequency maser transitions of different species to provide the positions of the H{sub 2}O maser emission and the center of the SiO maser emission, hence reducing the uncertainty in the proper motions for R LMi by an order of magnitude over that from Hipparcos. This is the first successful demonstration of source frequency phase referencing for millimeter VLBI spectral-line observations and also where the ratio between the frequencies is not an integer.« less

[work motivation -- assessment instruments and their relevance for medical care].

PubMed

Fiedler, Rolf G; Ranft, Andreas; Greitemann, Bernhard; Heuft, Gereon

2005-11-01

The relevance of work motivation for medical research and healthcare, in particular rehabilitation, is described. Four diagnostic instruments in the German language are introduced which can assess work motivation using a scale system: AVEM, JDS, LMI and FBTM. Their possible application and potential usage for the clinical area are discussed. Apart from the FBTM, none of these instruments can be directly used as a general instrument in a normal medical clinical setting. Finally, a current model for work motivation (compensatory model of work motivation and volition) is presented that contains basis concepts, which are judged as important for future research questions concerning the development of motivation diagnostic instruments.

Consensus Algorithms for Networks of Systems with Second- and Higher-Order Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fruhnert, Michael

This thesis considers homogeneous networks of linear systems. We consider linear feedback controllers and require that the directed graph associated with the network contains a spanning tree and systems are stabilizable. We show that, in continuous-time, consensus with a guaranteed rate of convergence can always be achieved using linear state feedback. For networks of continuous-time second-order systems, we provide a new and simple derivation of the conditions for a second-order polynomials with complex coefficients to be Hurwitz. We apply this result to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions to achieve consensus with networks whose graph Laplacian matrix may have complex eigenvalues. Based on the conditions found, methods to compute feedback gains are proposed. We show that gains can be chosen such that consensus is achieved robustly over a variety of communication structures and system dynamics. We also consider the use of static output feedback. For networks of discrete-time second-order systems, we provide a new and simple derivation of the conditions for a second-order polynomials with complex coefficients to be Schur. We apply this result to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions to achieve consensus with networks whose graph Laplacian matrix may have complex eigenvalues. We show that consensus can always be achieved for marginally stable systems and discretized systems. Simple conditions for consensus achieving controllers are obtained when the Laplacian eigenvalues are all real. For networks of continuous-time time-variant higher-order systems, we show that uniform consensus can always be achieved if systems are quadratically stabilizable. In this case, we provide a simple condition to obtain a linear feedback control. For networks of discrete-time higher-order systems, we show that constant gains can be chosen such that consensus is achieved for a variety of network topologies. First, we develop simple results for networks of time-invariant systems and networks of time-variant systems that are given in controllable canonical form. Second, we formulate the problem in terms of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The condition found simplifies the design process and avoids the parallel solution of multiple LMIs. The result yields a modified Algebraic Riccati Equation (ARE) for which we present an equivalent LMI condition.

Sliding Mode Observer-Based Current Sensor Fault Reconstruction and Unknown Load Disturbance Estimation for PMSM Driven System.

PubMed

Zhao, Kaihui; Li, Peng; Zhang, Changfan; Li, Xiangfei; He, Jing; Lin, Yuliang

2017-12-06

This paper proposes a new scheme of reconstructing current sensor faults and estimating unknown load disturbance for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)-driven system. First, the original PMSM system is transformed into two subsystems; the first subsystem has unknown system load disturbances, which are unrelated to sensor faults, and the second subsystem has sensor faults, but is free from unknown load disturbances. Introducing a new state variable, the augmented subsystem that has sensor faults can be transformed into having actuator faults. Second, two sliding mode observers (SMOs) are designed: the unknown load disturbance is estimated by the first SMO in the subsystem, which has unknown load disturbance, and the sensor faults can be reconstructed using the second SMO in the augmented subsystem, which has sensor faults. The gains of the proposed SMOs and their stability analysis are developed via the solution of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme was verified by simulations and experiments. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can reconstruct current sensor faults and estimate unknown load disturbance for the PMSM-driven system.

Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) Quick Response System (QRS) Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Eileen; Villani, James A.; Ritter, Paul

1997-01-01

This document is the Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) Quick Response System (QRS) Test Report. The purpose of this document is to present the results of the QRS unit and system tests in support of the ASAC QRS development effort. This document contains an overview of the project background and scope, defines the QRS system and presents the additions made to the QRS this year, explains the assumptions, constraints, and approach used to conduct QRS Unit and System Testing, and presents the schedule used to perform QRS Testing. The document also presents an overview of the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) Test Facility and testing environment and summarizes the QRS Unit and System Test effort and results.

Boundedness and global robust stability analysis of delayed complex-valued neural networks with interval parameter uncertainties.

PubMed

Song, Qiankun; Yu, Qinqin; Zhao, Zhenjiang; Liu, Yurong; Alsaadi, Fuad E

2018-07-01

In this paper, the boundedness and robust stability for a class of delayed complex-valued neural networks with interval parameter uncertainties are investigated. By using Homomorphic mapping theorem, Lyapunov method and inequality techniques, sufficient condition to guarantee the boundedness of networks and the existence, uniqueness and global robust stability of equilibrium point is derived for the considered uncertain neural networks. The obtained robust stability criterion is expressed in complex-valued LMI, which can be calculated numerically using YALMIP with solver of SDPT3 in MATLAB. An example with simulations is supplied to show the applicability and advantages of the acquired result. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MIND Demons for MR-to-CT Deformable Image Registration In Image-Guided Spine Surgery

PubMed Central

Reaungamornrat, S.; De Silva, T.; Uneri, A.; Wolinsky, J.-P.; Khanna, A. J.; Kleinszig, G.; Vogt, S.; Prince, J. L.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2016-01-01

Purpose Localization of target anatomy and critical structures defined in preoperative MR images can be achieved by means of multi-modality deformable registration to intraoperative CT. We propose a symmetric diffeomorphic deformable registration algorithm incorporating a modality independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) and a robust Huber metric for MR-to-CT registration. Method The method, called MIND Demons, solves for the deformation field between two images by optimizing an energy functional that incorporates both the forward and inverse deformations, smoothness on the velocity fields and the diffeomorphisms, a modality-insensitive similarity function suitable to multi-modality images, and constraints on geodesics in Lagrangian coordinates. Direct optimization (without relying on an exponential map of stationary velocity fields used in conventional diffeomorphic Demons) is carried out using a Gauss-Newton method for fast convergence. Registration performance and sensitivity to registration parameters were analyzed in simulation, in phantom experiments, and clinical studies emulating application in image-guided spine surgery, and results were compared to conventional mutual information (MI) free-form deformation (FFD), local MI (LMI) FFD, and normalized MI (NMI) Demons. Result The method yielded sub-voxel invertibility (0.006 mm) and nonsingular spatial Jacobians with capability to preserve local orientation and topology. It demonstrated improved registration accuracy in comparison to the reference methods, with mean target registration error (TRE) of 1.5 mm compared to 10.9, 2.3, and 4.6 mm for MI FFD, LMI FFD, and NMI Demons methods, respectively. Validation in clinical studies demonstrated realistic deformation with sub-voxel TRE in cases of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Conclusions A modality-independent deformable registration method has been developed to estimate a viscoelastic diffeomorphic map between preoperative MR and intraoperative CT. The method yields registration accuracy suitable to application in image-guided spine surgery across a broad range of anatomical sites and modes of deformation. PMID:27330239

MIND Demons for MR-to-CT deformable image registration in image-guided spine surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reaungamornrat, S.; De Silva, T.; Uneri, A.; Wolinsky, J.-P.; Khanna, A. J.; Kleinszig, G.; Vogt, S.; Prince, J. L.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2016-03-01

Purpose: Localization of target anatomy and critical structures defined in preoperative MR images can be achieved by means of multi-modality deformable registration to intraoperative CT. We propose a symmetric diffeomorphic deformable registration algorithm incorporating a modality independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) and a robust Huber metric for MR-to-CT registration. Method: The method, called MIND Demons, solves for the deformation field between two images by optimizing an energy functional that incorporates both the forward and inverse deformations, smoothness on the velocity fields and the diffeomorphisms, a modality-insensitive similarity function suitable to multi-modality images, and constraints on geodesics in Lagrangian coordinates. Direct optimization (without relying on an exponential map of stationary velocity fields used in conventional diffeomorphic Demons) is carried out using a Gauss-Newton method for fast convergence. Registration performance and sensitivity to registration parameters were analyzed in simulation, in phantom experiments, and clinical studies emulating application in image-guided spine surgery, and results were compared to conventional mutual information (MI) free-form deformation (FFD), local MI (LMI) FFD, and normalized MI (NMI) Demons. Result: The method yielded sub-voxel invertibility (0.006 mm) and nonsingular spatial Jacobians with capability to preserve local orientation and topology. It demonstrated improved registration accuracy in comparison to the reference methods, with mean target registration error (TRE) of 1.5 mm compared to 10.9, 2.3, and 4.6 mm for MI FFD, LMI FFD, and NMI Demons methods, respectively. Validation in clinical studies demonstrated realistic deformation with sub-voxel TRE in cases of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Conclusions: A modality-independent deformable registration method has been developed to estimate a viscoelastic diffeomorphic map between preoperative MR and intraoperative CT. The method yields registration accuracy suitable to application in image-guided spine surgery across a broad range of anatomical sites and modes of deformation.

Performance Evaluation of MIND Demons Deformable Registration of MR and CT Images in Spinal Interventions

PubMed Central

Reaungamornrat, S.; De Silva, T.; Uneri, A.; Goerres, J.; Jacobson, M.; Ketcha, M.; Vogt, S.; Kleinszig, G.; Khanna, A. J.; Wolinsky, J.-P.; Prince, J. L.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2016-01-01

Accurate intraoperative localization of target anatomy and adjacent nervous and vascular tissue is essential to safe, effective surgery, and multimodality deformable registration can be used to identify such anatomy by fusing preoperative CT or MR images with intraoperative images. A deformable image registration method has been developed to estimate viscoelastic diffeomorphisms between preoperative MR and intraoperative CT using modality-independent neighborhood descriptors (MIND) and a Huber metric for robust registration. The method, called MIND Demons, optimizes a constrained symmetric energy functional incorporating priors on smoothness, geodesics, and invertibility by alternating between Gauss-Newton optimization and Tikhonov regularization in a multiresolution scheme. Registration performance was evaluated for the MIND Demons method with a symmetric energy formulation in comparison to an asymmetric form, and sensitivity to anisotropic MR voxel-size was analyzed in phantom experiments emulating image-guided spine-surgery in comparison to a free-form deformation (FFD) method using local mutual information (LMI). Performance was validated in a clinical study involving 15 patients undergoing intervention of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The target registration error (TRE) for the symmetric MIND Demons formulation [1.3 ± 0.8 mm (median ± interquartile)] outperformed the asymmetric form [3.6 ± 4.4 mm]. The method demonstrated fairly minor sensitivity to anisotropic MR voxel size, with median TRE ranging 1.3 – 2.9 mm for MR slice thickness ranging 0.9 – 9.9 mm, compared to TRE = 3.2 – 4.1 mm for LMI FFD over the same range. Evaluation in clinical data demonstrated sub-voxel TRE (< 2 mm) in all fifteen cases with realistic deformations that preserved topology with sub-voxel invertibility (0.001 mm) and positive-determinant spatial Jacobians. The approach therefore appears robust against realistic anisotropic resolution characteristics in MR and yields registration accuracy suitable to application in image-guided spine-surgery. PMID:27811396

Performance evaluation of MIND demons deformable registration of MR and CT images in spinal interventions.

PubMed

Reaungamornrat, S; De Silva, T; Uneri, A; Goerres, J; Jacobson, M; Ketcha, M; Vogt, S; Kleinszig, G; Khanna, A J; Wolinsky, J-P; Prince, J L; Siewerdsen, J H

2016-12-07

Accurate intraoperative localization of target anatomy and adjacent nervous and vascular tissue is essential to safe, effective surgery, and multimodality deformable registration can be used to identify such anatomy by fusing preoperative CT or MR images with intraoperative images. A deformable image registration method has been developed to estimate viscoelastic diffeomorphisms between preoperative MR and intraoperative CT using modality-independent neighborhood descriptors (MIND) and a Huber metric for robust registration. The method, called MIND Demons, optimizes a constrained symmetric energy functional incorporating priors on smoothness, geodesics, and invertibility by alternating between Gauss-Newton optimization and Tikhonov regularization in a multiresolution scheme. Registration performance was evaluated for the MIND Demons method with a symmetric energy formulation in comparison to an asymmetric form, and sensitivity to anisotropic MR voxel-size was analyzed in phantom experiments emulating image-guided spine-surgery in comparison to a free-form deformation (FFD) method using local mutual information (LMI). Performance was validated in a clinical study involving 15 patients undergoing intervention of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The target registration error (TRE) for the symmetric MIND Demons formulation (1.3  ±  0.8 mm (median  ±  interquartile)) outperformed the asymmetric form (3.6  ±  4.4 mm). The method demonstrated fairly minor sensitivity to anisotropic MR voxel size, with median TRE ranging 1.3-2.9 mm for MR slice thickness ranging 0.9-9.9 mm, compared to TRE  =  3.2-4.1 mm for LMI FFD over the same range. Evaluation in clinical data demonstrated sub-voxel TRE (<2 mm) in all fifteen cases with realistic deformations that preserved topology with sub-voxel invertibility (0.001 mm) and positive-determinant spatial Jacobians. The approach therefore appears robust against realistic anisotropic resolution characteristics in MR and yields registration accuracy suitable to application in image-guided spine-surgery.

Performance evaluation of MIND demons deformable registration of MR and CT images in spinal interventions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reaungamornrat, S.; De Silva, T.; Uneri, A.; Goerres, J.; Jacobson, M.; Ketcha, M.; Vogt, S.; Kleinszig, G.; Khanna, A. J.; Wolinsky, J.-P.; Prince, J. L.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2016-12-01

Accurate intraoperative localization of target anatomy and adjacent nervous and vascular tissue is essential to safe, effective surgery, and multimodality deformable registration can be used to identify such anatomy by fusing preoperative CT or MR images with intraoperative images. A deformable image registration method has been developed to estimate viscoelastic diffeomorphisms between preoperative MR and intraoperative CT using modality-independent neighborhood descriptors (MIND) and a Huber metric for robust registration. The method, called MIND Demons, optimizes a constrained symmetric energy functional incorporating priors on smoothness, geodesics, and invertibility by alternating between Gauss-Newton optimization and Tikhonov regularization in a multiresolution scheme. Registration performance was evaluated for the MIND Demons method with a symmetric energy formulation in comparison to an asymmetric form, and sensitivity to anisotropic MR voxel-size was analyzed in phantom experiments emulating image-guided spine-surgery in comparison to a free-form deformation (FFD) method using local mutual information (LMI). Performance was validated in a clinical study involving 15 patients undergoing intervention of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The target registration error (TRE) for the symmetric MIND Demons formulation (1.3  ±  0.8 mm (median  ±  interquartile)) outperformed the asymmetric form (3.6  ±  4.4 mm). The method demonstrated fairly minor sensitivity to anisotropic MR voxel size, with median TRE ranging 1.3-2.9 mm for MR slice thickness ranging 0.9-9.9 mm, compared to TRE  =  3.2-4.1 mm for LMI FFD over the same range. Evaluation in clinical data demonstrated sub-voxel TRE (<2 mm) in all fifteen cases with realistic deformations that preserved topology with sub-voxel invertibility (0.001 mm) and positive-determinant spatial Jacobians. The approach therefore appears robust against realistic anisotropic resolution characteristics in MR and yields registration accuracy suitable to application in image-guided spine-surgery.

MIND Demons for MR-to-CT Deformable Image Registration In Image-Guided Spine Surgery.

PubMed

Reaungamornrat, S; De Silva, T; Uneri, A; Wolinsky, J-P; Khanna, A J; Kleinszig, G; Vogt, S; Prince, J L; Siewerdsen, J H

2016-02-27

Localization of target anatomy and critical structures defined in preoperative MR images can be achieved by means of multi-modality deformable registration to intraoperative CT. We propose a symmetric diffeomorphic deformable registration algorithm incorporating a modality independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) and a robust Huber metric for MR-to-CT registration. The method, called MIND Demons, solves for the deformation field between two images by optimizing an energy functional that incorporates both the forward and inverse deformations, smoothness on the velocity fields and the diffeomorphisms, a modality-insensitive similarity function suitable to multi-modality images, and constraints on geodesics in Lagrangian coordinates. Direct optimization (without relying on an exponential map of stationary velocity fields used in conventional diffeomorphic Demons) is carried out using a Gauss-Newton method for fast convergence. Registration performance and sensitivity to registration parameters were analyzed in simulation, in phantom experiments, and clinical studies emulating application in image-guided spine surgery, and results were compared to conventional mutual information (MI) free-form deformation (FFD), local MI (LMI) FFD, and normalized MI (NMI) Demons. The method yielded sub-voxel invertibility (0.006 mm) and nonsingular spatial Jacobians with capability to preserve local orientation and topology. It demonstrated improved registration accuracy in comparison to the reference methods, with mean target registration error (TRE) of 1.5 mm compared to 10.9, 2.3, and 4.6 mm for MI FFD, LMI FFD, and NMI Demons methods, respectively. Validation in clinical studies demonstrated realistic deformation with sub-voxel TRE in cases of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. A modality-independent deformable registration method has been developed to estimate a viscoelastic diffeomorphic map between preoperative MR and intraoperative CT. The method yields registration accuracy suitable to application in image-guided spine surgery across a broad range of anatomical sites and modes of deformation.

Anthropometrical, physiological, and tracked power profiles of elite taekwondo athletes 9 weeks before the Olympic competition phase.

PubMed

Ball, Nick; Nolan, Emily; Wheeler, Keane

2011-10-01

Physiological, anthropometric, and power profiling data were retrospectively analyzed from 4 elite taekwondo athletes from the Australian National Olympic team 9 weeks from Olympic departure. Power profiling data were collected weekly throughout the 9-week period. Anthropometric skinfolds generated a lean mass index (LMI). Physiological tests included a squat jump and bench throw power profile, bleep test, 20-m sprint test, running VO2max test, and bench press and squat 3 repetition maximum (3RM) strength tests. After this, the athletes power, velocity, and acceleration profile during unweighted squat jumps and single-leg jumps were tracked using a linear position transducer. Increases in power, velocity, and acceleration between weeks and bilateral comparisons were analyzed. Athletes had an LMI of 37.1 ± 0.4 and were 173.9 ± 0.2 m and 67 ± 1.1 kg. Relatively weaker upper body (56 ± 11.97 kg 3RM bench press) compared to lower body strength (88 ± 2.89 kg 3RM squat) was shown alongside a VO2max of 53.29 ml(-1)·min(-1)·kg, and a 20-m sprint time of 3.37 seconds. Increases in all power variables for single-leg squat and squat jumps were found from the first session to the last. Absolute peak power in single-leg squat jumps increased by 13.4-16% for the left and right legs with a 12.9% increase in squat jump peak power. Allometrically scaled peak power showed greater increases for single-leg (right leg: 18.55%; left: 23.49%) and squat jump (14.49%). The athlete's weight did not change significantly throughout the 9-week mesocycle. Progressions in power increases throughout the weeks were undulating and can be related to the intensity of the prior week's training and athlete injury. This analysis has shown that a 9-week mesocycle before Olympic departure that focuses on core lifts has the ability to improve power considerably.

Production of verbs related to body movement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's Disease (PD).

PubMed

Cousins, Katheryn A Q; Ash, Sharon; Grossman, Murray

2018-03-01

Theories of grounded cognition propose that action verb knowledge relies in part on motor processing regions, including premotor cortex. Accordingly, impaired action verb knowledge in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) is thought to be due to motor system degeneration. Upper motor neuron disease in ALS degrades the motor cortex and related pyramidal motor system, while disease in PD is centered in the basal ganglia and can spread to frontostriatal areas that are important to language functioning. These anatomical distinctions in disease may yield subtle differences in the action verb impairment between patient groups. Here we compare verbs where the body is the agent of the action to verbs where the body is the theme. To examine the role of motor functioning in body verb production, we split patient groups into patients with high motor impairment (HMI) and those with low motor impairment (LMI), using disease-specific measures of motor impairment. Regression analyses assessed how verb production in ALS and PD was related to motor system atrophy. We find a dissociation between agent- and theme-body verbs in ALS: ALS HMI were impaired for agent body verbs but not theme verbs, compared to ALS LMI. This dissociation was not present in PD patients, who instead show depressed production for all body verbs. Although patients with cognitive impairment were excluded from this study, cognitive performance significantly correlated with the production of theme verbs in ALS and cognitive/stative verbs in PD. Finally, regression analyses related the agent-theme dissociation in ALS to grey matter atrophy of premotor cortex. These findings support the view that motor dysfunction and disease in premotor cortex contributes to the agent body verb deficit in ALS, and begin to identify some distinct characteristics of impairment for verbs in ALS and PD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Delay Duration on the WMS Logical Memory Performance of Older Adults with Probable Alzheimer's Disease, Probable Vascular Dementia, and Normal Cognition.

PubMed

Montgomery, Valencia; Harris, Katie; Stabler, Anthony; Lu, Lisa H

2017-05-01

To examine how the duration of time delay between Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) Logical Memory I and Logical Memory II (LM) affected participants' recall performance. There are 46,146 total Logical Memory administrations to participants diagnosed with either Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or normal cognition in the National Alzheimer's Disease Coordinating Center's Uniform Data Set. Only 50% of the sample was administered the standard 20-35 min of delay as specified by WMS-R and WMS-III. We found a significant effect of delay time duration on proportion of information retained for the VaD group compared to its control group, which remained after adding LMI raw score as a covariate. There was poorer retention of information with longer delay for this group. This association was not as strong for the AD and cognitively normal groups. A 24.5-min delay was most optimal for differentiating AD from VaD participants (47.7% classification accuracy), an 18.5-min delay was most optimal for differentiating AD versus normal participants (51.7% classification accuracy), and a 22.5-min delay was most optimal for differentiating VaD versus normal participants (52.9% classification accuracy). Considering diagnostic implications, our findings suggest that test administration should incorporate precise tracking of delay periods. We recommend a 20-min delay with 18-25-min range. Poor classification accuracy based on LM data alone is a reminder that story memory performance is only one piece of data that contributes to complex clinical decisions. However, strict adherence to the recommended range yields optimal data for diagnostic decisions. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Solar in Your Community Challenge Fact Sheet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

The SunShot Prize: Solar in Your Community Challenge is a $5 million prize competition funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative that aims to expand solar electricity access to low-and moderate-income (LMI) households and community organizations that haven’t been able to take advantage of the booming solar market. Because of rooftop limitations, lack of a strong credit history, or inability to utilize tax incentives, over 50% of Americans don’t have access to solar electricity. Offering $5 million in cash prizes and technical assistance over 18 months, the challenge supports teams across the country as they develop and demonstratemore » replicable projects or programs that expand solar access to underserved groups.« less

Global exponential stability of neutral high-order stochastic Hopfield neural networks with Markovian jump parameters and mixed time delays.

PubMed

Huang, Haiying; Du, Qiaosheng; Kang, Xibing

2013-11-01

In this paper, a class of neutral high-order stochastic Hopfield neural networks with Markovian jump parameters and mixed time delays is investigated. The jumping parameters are modeled as a continuous-time finite-state Markov chain. At first, the existence of equilibrium point for the addressed neural networks is studied. By utilizing the Lyapunov stability theory, stochastic analysis theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, new delay-dependent stability criteria are presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities to guarantee the neural networks to be globally exponentially stable in the mean square. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main results. © 2013 ISA. Published by ISA. All rights reserved.

Decentralized state estimation for a large-scale spatially interconnected system.

PubMed

Liu, Huabo; Yu, Haisheng

2018-03-01

A decentralized state estimator is derived for the spatially interconnected systems composed of many subsystems with arbitrary connection relations. An optimization problem on the basis of linear matrix inequality (LMI) is constructed for the computations of improved subsystem parameter matrices. Several computationally effective approaches are derived which efficiently utilize the block-diagonal characteristic of system parameter matrices and the sparseness of subsystem connection matrix. Moreover, this decentralized state estimator is proved to converge to a stable system and obtain a bounded covariance matrix of estimation errors under certain conditions. Numerical simulations show that the obtained decentralized state estimator is attractive in the synthesis of a large-scale networked system. Copyright © 2018 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Robust synthetic biology design: stochastic game theory approach.

PubMed

Chen, Bor-Sen; Chang, Chia-Hung; Lee, Hsiao-Ching

2009-07-15

Synthetic biology is to engineer artificial biological systems to investigate natural biological phenomena and for a variety of applications. However, the development of synthetic gene networks is still difficult and most newly created gene networks are non-functioning due to uncertain initial conditions and disturbances of extra-cellular environments on the host cell. At present, how to design a robust synthetic gene network to work properly under these uncertain factors is the most important topic of synthetic biology. A robust regulation design is proposed for a stochastic synthetic gene network to achieve the prescribed steady states under these uncertain factors from the minimax regulation perspective. This minimax regulation design problem can be transformed to an equivalent stochastic game problem. Since it is not easy to solve the robust regulation design problem of synthetic gene networks by non-linear stochastic game method directly, the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model is proposed to approximate the non-linear synthetic gene network via the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique through the Robust Control Toolbox in Matlab. Finally, an in silico example is given to illustrate the design procedure and to confirm the efficiency and efficacy of the proposed robust gene design method. http://www.ee.nthu.edu.tw/bschen/SyntheticBioDesign_supplement.pdf.

Integrated Analysis of Airport Capacity and Environmental Constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hasan, Shahab; Long, Dou; Hart, George; Eckhause, Jeremy; Hemm, Robert; Busick, Andrew; Graham, Michael; Thompson, Terry; Murphy, Charles; Poage, James

2010-01-01

LMI conducted an integrated analysis of airport capacity and environmental constraints. identifying and ranking the key factors limiting achievement of NextGen capacity goals. The primary metric used was projected throughput, which was estimated for the years 2015 and 2025 based on the unconstrained demand forecast from the Federal Aviation Administration, and planned improvements including those proposed in the NextGen plan. A set of 310 critical airports was identified.. collectively accounting for more than 99 percent of domestic air traffic volume; a one-off analytical approach was used to isolate the constraint being assessed. The study considered three capacity constraints (runway.. taxiway, and gate) and three environmental constraints (fuel, NO(x) emissions, and noise). For the ten busiest airports, runway and noise are the primary and secondary constraints in both 2015 and 2025. For the OEP 35 airports and overall for the remaining airports, the most binding constraint is noise. Six of the 10 busiest airports, will face runway constraints in 2025, and 95 will face gate constraints. Nearly every airport will be subject to constraints due to emissions and NOx. Runway and taxi constraints are more concentrated in the large airports: environmental constraints are present at almost every airport regardless of size.

Sliding Mode Observer-Based Current Sensor Fault Reconstruction and Unknown Load Disturbance Estimation for PMSM Driven System

PubMed Central

Li, Xiangfei; Lin, Yuliang

2017-01-01

This paper proposes a new scheme of reconstructing current sensor faults and estimating unknown load disturbance for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)-driven system. First, the original PMSM system is transformed into two subsystems; the first subsystem has unknown system load disturbances, which are unrelated to sensor faults, and the second subsystem has sensor faults, but is free from unknown load disturbances. Introducing a new state variable, the augmented subsystem that has sensor faults can be transformed into having actuator faults. Second, two sliding mode observers (SMOs) are designed: the unknown load disturbance is estimated by the first SMO in the subsystem, which has unknown load disturbance, and the sensor faults can be reconstructed using the second SMO in the augmented subsystem, which has sensor faults. The gains of the proposed SMOs and their stability analysis are developed via the solution of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme was verified by simulations and experiments. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can reconstruct current sensor faults and estimate unknown load disturbance for the PMSM-driven system. PMID:29211017

First Light from the 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope At Lowell Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Jeffrey C.; Levine, S.

2013-01-01

Seven years after groundbreaking on July 12, 2005, the 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) is now complete and into commissioning. We obtained first light images in mid 2012 with a 4K x 4K CCD and have recently obtained our first images with the DCT's main camera, the 6K x 6K Large Monolithic Imager (LMI, see adjacent poster by Massey). We held a celebratory gala on July 21, 2012, in Flagstaff. The DCT's delivered image quality is regularly subarcsecond with near-uniform image quality across the FOV from zenith to >2 airmasses, although we have not fully commissioned the active optics system. We attribute this to the outstanding quality of the mirror figures, performed by the University of Arizona's College of Optical Sciences (for M1) and L3 Brashear (for M2). The instrument cube at the RC focus can accommodate four instruments plus the LMI. Designed and built at Lowell Observatory, the cube also contains the DCT's autoguider and wavefront sensor. First light instruments include the 4000 DeVeny spectrograph (the former KPNO White Spectrograph), a low-resolution, high-throughput IR spectrograph, and a higher-resolution IR spectrograph/imager being built by Goddard Space Flight Center in collaboration with the University of Maryland. We are seeking funding for long-slit and fiber-fed echelle spectrographs for higher resolution optical spectroscopy. The DCT can also be configured to host Nasmyth and prime focus instruments. Discovery Communications and its founder John Hendricks contributed $16M to the $53M cost of the telescope, in return for naming rights and first rights to public, educational use of images in their programming. Analysis of data and publication by astronomers in professional journals follows the same procedure as for any other major telescope facility. Discovery's first DCT feature, "Scanning the Skies," aired on September 9, 2012. Future outreach plans include initiating webcasts to classrooms via the Discovery Education networks, reaching 30-40M schoolchildren across the USA. The DCT partner consortium includes Boston University (in perpetuity), the University of Maryland, and the University of Toledo, all of whom have ongoing, long term access to the facility.

UV-photodegradation of desipramine: Impact of concentration, pH and temperature on formation of products including their biodegradability and toxicity.

PubMed

Khaleel, Nareman D H; Mahmoud, Waleed M M; Olsson, Oliver; Kümmerer, Klaus

2016-10-01

Desipramine (DMI) is a widely used tricyclic antidepressant, and it is the major metabolite of imipramine (IMI) and lofepramine (LMI); IMI and LMI are two of the most commonly used tricyclic antidepressants. If DMI enters the aquatic environment, it can be transformed by the environmental bacteria or UV radiation. Therefore, photolysis of DMI in water was performed using a simulated sunlight Xenon-lamp and a UV-lamp. Subsequently, the biodegradability of DMI and its photo-transformation products (PTPs) formed during its UV photolysis was studied. The influence of variable conditions, such as initial DMI concentration, solution pH, and temperature, on DMI UV photolysis behavior was also studied. The degree of mineralization of DMI and its PTPs was monitored. A Shimadzu HPLC-UV apparatus was used to follow the kinetic profile of DMI during UV-irradiation; after that, ion-trap and high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with chromatography were used to monitor and identify the possible PTPs. The environmentally relevant properties and selected toxicity properties of DMI and the non-biodegradable PTPs were predicted using different QSAR models. DMI underwent UV photolysis with first-order kinetics. Quantum yields were very low. DOC values indicated that DMI formed new PTPs and was not completely mineralized. Analysis by means of high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the photolysis of DMI followed three main photolysis pathways: isomerization, hydroxylation, and ring opening. The photolysis rate was inversely proportional to initial DMI concentration. The pH showed a significant impact on the photolysis rate of DMI, and on the PTPs in terms of both formation kinetics and mechanisms. Although temperature was expected to increase the photolysis rate, it showed a non-significant impact in this study. Results from biodegradation tests and QSAR analysis revealed that DMI and its PTPs are not readily biodegradable and that some PTPs may be human and/or eco-toxic, so they may pose a risk to the environment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Observed Evolution of the Upper-level Thermal Structure in Tropical Cyclones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivoire, L.; Birner, T.; Knaff, J. A.

2016-12-01

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are associated with tropopause-level cooling above the well-known tropospheric warm core. While the investigation of tropopause-level structures started as early as 1951, there is no clear consensus on the mechanisms involved. In addition, the large-scale average vertical and radial structure of the tropopause-level cooling is yet to be examined. Tropopause-level cooling destabilizes the upper atmosphere to convection, which potentially allows existing convection to reach higher altitudes. This is of particular importance during the early stages of tropical cyclogenesis. Other important characteristics of the tropopause-level cooling include its amplitude, its position relative to that of the warm core, its radial extent, and its evolution during the lifetime of TCs. These potentially influence TC structure, surface pressure gradients and maximum winds, intensity evolution, and outflow entropy. We use the 322 hurricane-strength TCs from the best-track archive in 2007-2014, along with high vertical resolution temperature measurements from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC). These measurements are composited about the Lifetime Maximum Intensity (LMI) to examine the evolution of the fine-scale upper-level thermal structure inside TCs. We find that the tropopause-cooling has an amplitude similar to that of the warm core. Relative to the far-field structure (the area average between 1300-1500 km radii), tropopause-level cooling is found to occur several days before the warm core is established. Cold anomalies extend up to 1000 km away from the storm center, and may take part in a large-scale poleward transport of cold, dry air in the UTLS. Lastly, cold air masses move away from the storm center (and warm core) after LMI, and their remains lie around the 400-700 km radius -essentially inward of the radius of maximum tangential anticyclonic winds in the outflow layer. We discuss these results in the light of the previously cited TC characteristics, and highlight the importance of an improved description of the upper-level thermal structure in TCs. We also discuss the likely mechanisms involved in TC-induced tropopause-level cooling.

Estimation of genetic parameters of the productive and reproductive traits in Ethiopian Holstein using multi-trait models.

PubMed

Ayalew, Wondossen; Aliy, Mohammed; Negussie, Enyew

2017-11-01

This study estimated the genetic parameters for productive and reproductive traits. The data included production and reproduction records of animals that have calved between 1979 and 2013. The genetic parameters were estimated using multivariate mixed models (DMU) package, fitting univariate and multivariate mixed models with average information restricted maximum likelihood algorithm. The estimates of heritability for milk production traits from the first three lactation records were 0.03±0.03 for lactation length (LL), 0.17±0.04 for lactation milk yield (LMY), and 0.15±0.04 for 305 days milk yield (305-d MY). For reproductive traits the heritability estimates were, 0.09±0.03 for days open (DO), 0.11±0.04 for calving interval (CI), and 0.47±0.06 for age at first calving (AFC). The repeatability estimates for production traits were 0.12±0.02, for LL, 0.39±0.02 for LMY, and 0.25±0.02 for 305-d MY. For reproductive traits the estimates of repeatability were 0.19±0.02 for DO, and to 0.23±0.02 for CI. The phenotypic correlations between production and reproduction traits ranged from 0.08±0.04 for LL and AFC to 0.42±0.02 for LL and DO. The genetic correlation among production traits were generally high (>0.7) and between reproductive traits the estimates ranged from 0.06±0.13 for AFC and DO to 0.99±0.01 between CI and DO. Genetic correlations of productive traits with reproductive traits were ranged from -0.02 to 0.99. The high heritability estimates observed for AFC indicated that reasonable genetic improvement for this trait might be possible through selection. The h2 and r estimates for reproductive traits were slightly different from single versus multi-trait analyses of reproductive traits with production traits. As single-trait method is biased due to selection on milk yield, a multi-trait evaluation of fertility with milk yield is recommended.

Modeling Air Traffic Management Technologies with a Queuing Network Model of the National Airspace System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, Dou; Lee, David; Johnson, Jesse; Gaier, Eric; Kostiuk, Peter

1999-01-01

This report describes an integrated model of air traffic management (ATM) tools under development in two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) programs -Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) and Advanced Air Transport Technologies (AATT). The model is made by adjusting parameters of LMINET, a queuing network model of the National Airspace System (NAS), which the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) developed for NASA. Operating LMINET with models of various combinations of TAP and AATT will give quantitative information about the effects of the tools on operations of the NAS. The costs of delays under different scenarios are calculated. An extension of Air Carrier Investment Model (ACIM) under ASAC developed by the Institute for NASA maps the technologies' impacts on NASA operations into cross-comparable benefits estimates for technologies and sets of technologies.

Conditions for Stabilizability of Linear Switched Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minh, Vu Trieu

2011-06-01

This paper investigates some conditions that can provide stabilizability for linear switched systems with polytopic uncertainties via their closed loop linear quadratic state feedback regulator. The closed loop switched systems can stabilize unstable open loop systems or stable open loop systems but in which there is no solution for a common Lyapunov matrix. For continuous time switched linear systems, we show that if there exists solution in an associated Riccati equation for the closed loop systems sharing one common Lyapunov matrix, the switched linear systems are stable. For the discrete time switched systems, we derive a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) to calculate a common Lyapunov matrix and solution for the stable closed loop feedback systems. These closed loop linear quadratic state feedback regulators guarantee the global asymptotical stability for any switched linear systems with any switching signal sequence.

Identification of Pulmonary Edema in Forensic Autopsy Cases of Sudden Cardiac Death Using Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Lin, Hancheng; Luo, Yiwen; Sun, Qiran; Zhang, Ji; Tuo, Ya; Zhang, Zhong; Wang, Lei; Deng, Kaifei; Chen, Yijiu; Huang, Ping; Wang, Zhenyuan

2018-02-20

Many studies have proven the usefulness of biofluid-based infrared spectroscopy in the clinical domain for diagnosis and monitoring the progression of diseases. Here we present a state-of-the-art study in the forensic field that employed Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy for postmortem diagnosis of sudden cardiac death (SCD) by in situ biochemical investigation of alveolar edema fluid in lung tissue sections. The results of amide-related spectral absorbance analysis demonstrated that the pulmonary edema fluid of the SCD group was richer in protein components than that of the neurologic catastrophe (NC) and lethal multiple injuries (LMI) groups. The complementary results of unsupervised principle component analysis (PCA) and genetic algorithm-guided partial least-squares discriminant analysis (GA-PLS-DA) further indicated different global spectral band patterns of pulmonary edema fluids between these three groups. Ultimately, a random forest (RF) classification model for postmortem diagnosis of SCD was built and achieved good sensitivity and specificity scores of 97.3% and 95.5%, respectively. Classification predictions of unknown pulmonary edema fluid collected from 16 cases were also performed by the model, resulting in 100% correct discrimination. This pilot study demonstrates that FTIR microspectroscopy in combination with chemometrics has the potential to be an effective aid for postmortem diagnosis of SCD.

Experiments with microcomputer-based artificial intelligence environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Summers, E.G.; MacDonald, R.A.

1988-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been experimenting with the use of relatively inexpensive microcomputers as artificial intelligence (AI) development environments. Several AI languages are available that perform fairly well on desk-top personal computers, as are low-to-medium cost expert system packages. Although performance of these systems is respectable, their speed and capacity limitations are questionable for serious earth science applications foreseen by the USGS. The most capable artificial intelligence applications currently are concentrated on what is known as the "artificial intelligence computer," and include Xerox D-series, Tektronix 4400 series, Symbolics 3600, VAX, LMI, and Texas Instruments Explorer. The artificial intelligence computer runs expert system shells and Lisp, Prolog, and Smalltalk programming languages. However, these AI environments are expensive. Recently, inexpensive 32-bit hardware has become available for the IBM/AT microcomputer. USGS has acquired and recently completed Beta-testing of the Gold Hill Systems 80386 Hummingboard, which runs Common Lisp on an IBM/AT microcomputer. Hummingboard appears to have the potential to overcome many of the speed/capacity limitations observed with AI-applications on standard personal computers. USGS is a Beta-test site for the Gold Hill Systems GoldWorks expert system. GoldWorks combines some high-end expert system shell capabilities in a medium-cost package. This shell is developed in Common Lisp, runs on the 80386 Hummingboard, and provides some expert system features formerly available only on AI-computers including frame and rule-based reasoning, on-line tutorial, multiple inheritance, and object-programming. ?? 1988 International Association for Mathematical Geology.

A uniform LMI formulation for tuning PID, multi-term fractional-order PID, and Tilt-Integral-Derivative (TID) for integer and fractional-order processes.

PubMed

Merrikh-Bayat, Farshad

2017-05-01

In this paper first the Multi-term Fractional-Order PID (MFOPID) whose transfer function is equal to [Formula: see text] , where k j and α j are unknown and known real parameters respectively, is introduced. Without any loss of generality, a special form of MFOPID with transfer function k p +k i /s+k d1 s+k d2 s μ where k p , k i , k d1 , and k d2 are unknown real and μ is a known positive real parameter, is considered. Similar to PID and TID, MFOPID is also linear in its parameters which makes it possible to study all of them in a same framework. Tuning the parameters of PID, TID, and MFOPID based on loop shaping using Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) is discussed. For this purpose separate LMIs for closed-loop stability (of sufficient type) and adjusting different aspects of the open-loop frequency response are developed. The proposed LMIs for stability are obtained based on the Nyquist stability theorem and can be applied to both integer and fractional-order (not necessarily commensurate) processes which are either stable or have one unstable pole. Numerical simulations show that the performance of the four-variable MFOPID can compete the trivial five-variable FOPID and often excels PID and TID. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Instruments at the Lowell Observatory Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacoby, George H.; Bida, Thomas A.; Fischer, Debra; Horch, Elliott; Kutyrev, Alexander; Mace, Gregory N.; Massey, Philip; Roe, Henry G.; Prato, Lisa A.

2017-01-01

The Lowell Observatory Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) has been in full science operation for 2 years (2015 and 2016). Five instruments have been commissioned during that period, and two additional instruments are planned for 2017. These include:+ Large Monolithic Imager (LMI) - a CCD imager (12.6 arcmin FoV)+ DeVeny - a general purpose optical spectrograph (2 arcmin slit length, 10 grating choices)+ NIHTS - a low resolution (R=160) YJHK spectrograph (1.3 arcmin slit)+ DSSI - a two-channel optical speckle imager (5 arcsec FoV)+ IGRINS - a high resolution (45,000) HK spectrograph, on loan from the University of Texas.In the upcoming year, instruments will be delivered from the University of Maryland (RIMAS - a YJHK imager/spectrograph) and from Yale University (EXPRES - a very high resolution stabilized optical echelle for PRV).Each of these instruments will be described, along with their primary science goals.

Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in AM Herculis - Repeat for HOPR#87/95

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chanmugam, G.

1991-07-01

AM Her variables are close-binary systems in which a white dwarf with a magnetic field of 20--70 MG accretes matter from a companion star. Theoretical studies of magnetically channeled accretion flows in such systems predict that the shock formed near the white dwarf should oscillate with periods of order 0.1--1 s. Optical high-speed photometry has indeed shown the existence of such rapid, quasi-periodic oscillations in some AM Her binaries, but not in others. We will use HST to obtain ultraviolet high-speed photometry of several AM Her systems, in order to explore further the nature of the oscillations, and to extend the search into the UV. HSP observations of two systems (VV Pup and ST LMi, in which the accreting magnetic pole periodically passes behind the limb of the white dwarf) will allow detailed eclipse mapping of the accretion column and the shock oscillations to be carried out.

Elastase-Induced Parenchymal Disruption and Airway Hyper Responsiveness in Mouse Precision Cut Lung Slices: Toward an Ex vivo COPD Model.

PubMed

Van Dijk, Eline M; Culha, Sule; Menzen, Mark H; Bidan, Cécile M; Gosens, Reinoud

2016-01-01

Background: COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by emphysema and enhanced bronchoconstriction. Current treatments focused on bronchodilation can delay disease progression to some extent, but recovery or normalization of loss of lung function is impossible. Therefore, novel therapeutic targets are needed. The importance of the parenchyma in airway narrowing is increasingly recognized. In COPD, the parenchyma and extracellular matrix are altered, possibly affecting airway mechanics and enhancing bronchoconstriction. Our aim was to set up a comprehensive ex vivo Precision Cut Lung Slice (PCLS) model with a pathophysiology resembling that of COPD and integrate multiple readouts in order to study the relationship between parenchyma, airway functionality, and lung repair processes. Methods: Lungs of C57Bl/6J mice were sliced and treated ex vivo with elastase (2.5 μg/ml) or H 2 O 2 (200 μM) for 16 h. Following treatment, parenchymal structure, airway narrowing, and gene expression levels of alveolar Type I and II cell repair were assessed. Results: Following elastase, but not H 2 O 2 treatment, slices showed a significant increase in mean linear intercept (Lmi), reflective of emphysema. Only elastase-treated slices showed disorganization of elastin and collagen fibers. In addition, elastase treatment lowered both alveolar Type I and II marker expression, whereas H 2 O 2 stimulation lowered alveolar Type I marker expression only. Furthermore, elastase-treated slices showed enhanced methacholine-induced airway narrowing as reflected by increased pEC50 (5.87 at basal vs. 6.50 after elastase treatment) and Emax values (47.96 vs. 67.30%), and impaired chloroquine-induced airway opening. The increase in pEC50 correlated with an increase in mean Lmi. Conclusion: Using this model, we show that structural disruption of elastin fibers leads to impaired alveolar repair, disruption of the parenchymal compartment, and altered airway biomechanics, enhancing airway contraction. This finding may have implications for COPD, as the amount of elastin fiber and parenchymal tissue disruption is associated with disease severity. Therefore, we suggest that PCLS can be used to model certain aspects of COPD pathophysiology and that the parenchymal tissue damage observed in COPD contributes to lung function decline by disrupting airway biomechanics. Targeting the parenchymal compartment may therefore be a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of COPD.

The in vitro anthelmintic effects of plumbagin on newly excysted and 4-weeks-old juvenile parasites of Fasciola gigantica.

PubMed

Lorsuwannarat, Natcha; Piedrafita, David; Chantree, Pathanin; Sansri, Veerawat; Songkoomkrong, Sineenart; Bantuchai, Sirasate; Sangpairot, Kant; Kueakhai, Pornanan; Changklungmoa, Narin; Chaichanasak, Pannigan; Chansela, Piyachat; Sobhon, Prasert

2014-01-01

The effect of plumbagin (PB, 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) against newly excysted juveniles (NEJs) and 4-weeks-old immature parasites of Fasciola gigantica were compared with triclabendazole (TCZ). The anthelmintic efficacy of 1, 10 and 100μg/ml of PB or TCZ following incubation in vitro for 1-24h was compared using a combination of relative motility (RM), survival index (SI) and larval migration inhibition (LMI) assays for parasite viability. The RM and SI values of the PB-treated group decreased at a more rapid rate than the TCZ-treated group. For NEJs, the decreased RM values were first observed at 1h incubation with 1μg/ml PB, and 90% of flukes were killed at 24h. In contrast, in TCZ-treated groups a 10-fold higher concentration of TCZ (10μg/ml) resulted in only 9% dead parasites after 24h incubation. In 4-weeks-old juvenile parasites, PB reduced the RM value at 10μg/ml with 100% of flukes dead after 3h, while TCZ decreased RM values at the concentration of 100μg/ml but with only 5% of flukes killed at 24h. NEJs treated with PB exhibited 88%, 99% and 100% of LMIs at the concentrations of 1, 10 and 100μg/ml, respectively. NEJs incubated with TCZ have an LMI of only 32% at the highest concentration of 100μg/ml. Similarly PB had a significantly greater killing of immature 4weeks juvenile stages than TCZ at all concentrations; however, 4-weeks-old juvenile parasites were more resistant to killing by PB or TCZ at all concentrations when compared to NEJs. Further studies were carried out to investigate the alterations of the parasite tegument by scanning electron microscope (SEM). PB caused similar tegumental alterations in 4-weeks-old juveniles as those observed in TCZ treatment but with greater damage at comparative time points, comprising of swelling, blebbing and rupture of the tegument, loss of spines, and eventual erosion, lesion and desquamation of the total tegument. These data indicate that PB had a greater fasciolicidal effect against immature stages of F. gigantica parasites than TCZ and warrant further studies for use as a potential new anthelmintic against Fasciola infections. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Self-Paced, Web-Based, Positive Emotion Skills Intervention for Reducing Symptoms of Depression: Protocol for Development and Pilot Testing of MARIGOLD.

PubMed

Cheung, Elaine O; Addington, Elizabeth L; Bassett, Sarah M; Schuette, Stephanie A; Shiu, Eva W; Cohn, Michael A; Leykin, Yan; Saslow, Laura R; Moskowitz, Judith T

2018-06-05

Living with elevated symptoms of depression can have debilitating consequences for an individual's psychosocial and physical functioning, quality of life, and health care utilization. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that skills for increasing positive emotion can be helpful to individuals with depression. Although Web-based interventions to reduce negative emotion in individuals with depression are available, these interventions frequently suffer from poor retention and adherence and do not capitalize on the potential benefits of increasing positive emotion. The aim of this study was to develop and test a Web-based positive emotion skills intervention tailored for individuals living with elevated depressive symptoms, as well as to develop and test enhancement strategies for increasing retention and adherence to that intervention. This study protocol describes the development and testing for Mobile Affect Regulation Intervention with the Goal of Lowering Depression (MARIGOLD), a Web-based positive emotion skills intervention, adapted for individuals with elevated depressive symptomatology. The intervention development is taking place in three phases. In phase 1, we are tailoring an existing positive emotion skills intervention for individuals with elevated symptoms of depression and are pilot testing the tailored version of the intervention in a randomized controlled trial with two control conditions (N=60). In phase 2, we are developing and testing three enhancements aimed at boosting retention and adherence to the Web-based intervention (N=75): facilitator contact, an online discussion board, and virtual badges. In phase 3, we are conducting a multifactorial, nine-arm pilot trial (N=600) to systematically test these enhancement strategies, individually and in combination. The primary outcome is depressive symptom severity. Secondary outcomes include positive and negative emotion, psychological well-being, and coping resources. The project was funded in August 2014, and data collection was completed in May 2018. Data analysis is currently under way, and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2018. Findings from this investigation will enable us to develop an optimal package of intervention content and enhancement strategies for individuals with elevated symptoms of depression. If this intervention proves to be effective, it will provide a cost-effective, anonymous, appealing, and flexible approach for reducing symptoms of depression and improving psychological adjustment through increasing positive emotion. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01964820 (Phase 1); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01964820 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zpmKBcyX). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02861755 (Phase 2); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02861755 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zpmLmy8k). RR1-10.2196/10494. ©Elaine O Cheung, Elizabeth L Addington, Sarah M Bassett, Stephanie A Schuette, Eva W Shiu, Michael A Cohn, Yan Leykin, Laura R Saslow, Judith T Moskowitz. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 05.06.2018.

Characteristics of the Lightning Activities in Southwest China from Low-Earth Orbiting and Geostationary Satellites-, and Ground-based Lightning Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hui, W.; Huang, F.; Guo, Q.; Li, D.; Yao, Z.; Zou, W.

2017-12-01

The development of lightning detection technology accumulates a large amount of long-term data for investigating the lightning activities. Ground-based lightning networks provide continuous lightning location but offer limited spatial coverage because of the complex underlying surface conditions. Space-based optical sensors can detect lightning with global homogeneity. However, observing from satellites in low-earth orbit has fixed locations at the ground very shortly during its overpasses. The latest launched geostationary satellite-based lightning imagers can detect lightning in real time, and provide complete life-cycle coverage of each observed thunderstorm. In this study, based on multi-source lightning data, the lightning activities in southwest China, which with complex terrain and prone to appear lightning, are researched. Firstly, the climatological characteristics of lightning activities in this region from 1998 to 2013 are analyzed by using very-high resolution (0.1°) Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS)-derived data. The results indicate that the lightning activity is more intense in eastern and southern regions of southwest China than in western and northern regions; the monthly and hourly flash densities also show its obvious seasonal and diurnal variation respectively, which is consistent with the development of the convective systems in the region. The results show that the spatial and temporal distribution of lightning activities in southwest China is related to its topography, water vapor, and atmospheric conditions. Meanwhile, by comparing with the analysis derived data from Chinese Ground-based Lightning Location System, the LIS-based detection results are confirmed. Furthermore, the process of a thunderstorm in southwest China from 29 to 30 March 2017 is investigated by using the new-generation monitoring data of Chinese Fengyun-4 geostationary satellite-based Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) and the rainfall data. The results tell us more about the behavior of lightning while the thunderstorm traverses through the region, and also demonstrate the correlation between the rainfall amounts and the storm track. This study will contribute to applications of lightning data to improve monitoring and forecasting of severe weather.

Supply support of NASA tracking networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The extent which supply support for Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Deep Space Network and Goddard Space Flight Center's Space Flight Tracking and Data Network should be consolidated is considered along with the Identification of opportunities for improvements in each of the supply systems without regard to consolidation. There is a considerable amount of commonality between the items in the stock catalogs at the two network depots, 58% for federal stock number items and 30% overall. The workload at the DSIF Supply Depot (DSD) is small (less than 20%) compared to the Network Logistics Depot (NLD). A number of important benefits in supply support would result from a consolidation of DSD into NLD. LMI found that a consolidation as is, without any changes in inventory management techniques, would reduce annual operating costs by from $208,000 to $358,000. However, if the consolidation were coupled with a change to use of economic order quantities, the annual operating cost reduction would range from $930,000 to $1,078,000.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Imaging observations of iPTF 13ajg (Vreeswijk+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vreeswijk, P. M.; Savaglio, S.; Gal-Yam, A.; De Cia, A.; Quimby, R. M.; Sullivan, M.; Cenko, S. B.; Perley, D. A.; Filippenko, A. V.; Clubb, K. I.; Taddia, F.; Sollerman, J.; Leloudas, G.; Arcavi, I.; Rubin, A.; Kasliwal, M. M.; Cao, Y.; Yaron, O.; Tal, D.; Ofek, E. O.; Capone, J.; Kutyrev, A. S.; Toy, V.; Nugent, P. E.; Laher, R.; Surace, J.; Kulkarni, S. R.

2017-08-01

iPTF 13ajg was imaged with the Palomar 48 inch (P48) Oschin iPTF survey telescope equipped with a 12kx8k CCD mosaic camera (Rahmer et al. 2008SPIE.7014E..4YR) in the Mould R filter, the Palomar 60 inch and CCD camera (Cenko et al. 2006PASP..118.1396C) in Johnson B and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) gri, the 2.56 m Nordic Optical Telescope (on La Palma, Canary Islands) with the Andalucia Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (ALFOSC) in SDSS ugriz, the 4.3 m Discovery Channel Telescope (at Lowell Observatory, Arizona) with the Large Monolithic Imager (LMI) in SDSS r, and with LRIS (Oke et al. 1995PASP..107..375O) and the Multi-Object Spectrometer for Infrared Exploration (MOSFIRE; McLean et al. 2012SPIE.8446E..0JM), both mounted on the 10 m Keck-I telescope (on Mauna Kea, Hawaii), in g and Rs with LRIS and J and Ks with MOSFIRE. (1 data file).

Prevalence of ciguatoxins in lionfish (Pterois spp.) from Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélmy Islands (Caribbean).

PubMed

Soliño, Lucía; Widgy, Saha; Pautonnier, Anthony; Turquet, Jean; Loeffler, Christopher R; Flores Quintana, Harold A; Diogène, Jorge

2015-08-01

Lionfish (Pterois spp.) are invasive species that have recently spread throughout the Caribbean. Lionfish are available for purchase in local markets for human consumption in several islands of the region. We examined the prevalence of ciguatoxins (CTXs) in lionfish from the French Antilles, a ciguatera-endemic region. The neuroblastoma-2a (N2a) cell assay was used to assess composite cytotoxicity in 120 fish samples collected from the surrounding waters of Guadeloupe (n = 60), Saint Barthélemy Islands (n = 55) and Saint Martin (n = 5). Twenty-seven of these samples exhibited CTX-like activity by the N2a assay. Ciguatoxin (CTX) was confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in multiple samples that presented highest composite toxicity levels by N2a. Those fish found to contain CTXs were all from Saint Barthélemy. Lionfish from Guadeloupe and Saint Martin did not exhibit toxin activity, although the sample size from Saint Martin was insufficient to draw any conclusions as to the incidence of CTXs. In this study, we provide information about the potential hazard of ciguatera associated with the consumption of lionfish from known endemic areas. We also demonstrate the utility of the cell-based assay combined with LC-MS/MS to assess activity and to provide structural confirmation of CTXs respectively. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

FOOD ACQUISITION AND INTRA-HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: A STUDY OF LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN DELHI, INDIA.

PubMed

Pradhan, Mr; Taylor, Fc; Agrawal, S; Prabhakaran, D; Ebrahim, S

2013-12-01

Food habits and choices in India are shifting due to many factors: changing food markets, fast urbanization, food price inflation, uncertain food production and unequal distribution during the past decade. This study aims to explore food acquisition and intra-household consumption patterns in urban low and middle income (LMI) households in Delhi. Twenty households were randomly selected from the Center for Cardio-metabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) surveillance study. Data were derived from 20 questionnaires administered to women responsible for food preparation, four key-informant-interviews, and 20 in-depth interviews with household heads during September-November 2011. STATA and ATLAS.ti software were used for data analysis. Half of the households spent at least two-thirds of their income on food. The major expenditures were on vegetables (22% of total food expenditure), milk and milk products (16%), and cereal and related products (15%). Income, food prices, food preferences, and seasonal variation influenced food expenditure. Adults usually ate two to three times a day while children ate more frequently. Eating sequence was based on the work pattern within the household and cultural beliefs. Contrary to previous evidence, there was no gender bias in intra-household food distribution. Women considered food acquisition, preparation and distribution part of their self-worth and played a major role in food related issues in the household. Women's key roles in food acquisition, preparation and intra household food consumption should be considered in formulating food policies and programs.

Genetic correlations between wool traits and carcass traits in Merino sheep.

PubMed

Mortimer, S I; Hatcher, S; Fogarty, N M; van der Werf, J H J; Brown, D J; Swan, A A; Jacob, R H; Geesink, G H; Hopkins, D L; Edwards, J E Hocking; Ponnampalam, E N; Pearce, K L; Pethick, D W

2017-06-01

Genetic correlations between 29 wool production and quality traits and 14 whole carcass measures and carcass component traits were estimated from the Information Nucleus of 8 flocks managed across a range of Australian sheep production environments and genetically linked. Wool data were from over 5,000 Merino progeny born over 5 yr, whereas carcass data were from over 1,200 wether progeny of over 176 sires, slaughtered at about 21 kg carcass weight, on average. Wool traits included yearling and adult records for wool weight, fiber diameter, fiber diameter variation, staple strength, scoured color, and visual scores for breech and body wrinkle. Whole carcass measures included HCW, dressing percentage (DP), and various measures of fat depth and eye muscle dimensions. Carcass components were obtained by dissection, and lean meat yield (LMY) was predicted. Heritability estimates for whole carcass measures ranged from 0.12 ± 0.08 to 0.35 ± 0.10 and ranged from 0.17 ± 0.10 to 0.46 ± 0.10 for carcass dissection traits, with no evidence of important genotype × environment interactions. Genetic correlations indicated that selection for increased clean wool weight will result in reduced carcass fat (-0.17 to -0.34) and DP (-0.48 ± 0.15), with little effect on carcass muscle. Selection for lower fiber diameter will reduce HCW (-0.48 ± 0.15) as well as carcass fat (0.14 to 0.27) and muscle (0.21 to 0.50). There were high genetic correlations between live animal measures of fat and muscle depth and the carcass traits (generally greater than 0.5 in size). Selection to increase HCW (and DP) will result in sheep with fewer wrinkles on the body (-0.57 ± 0.10) and barer breeches (-0.74 ± 0.12, favorable), with minor deterioration in scoured wool color (reduced brightness and increased yellowness). Selection for reduced fat will also result in sheep with fewer body wrinkles (-0.42 to -0.79). Increasing LMY in Merinos through selection would result in a large reduction in carcass fat and DP (-0.66 to -0.84), with a smaller increase in carcass muscle and some increase in wool weight and wrinkles. Although no major antagonisms are apparent between the wool and carcass traits, developing selection indexes for dual-purpose wool and meat breeding objectives will require accurate estimates of genetic parameters to ensure that unfavorable relationships are suitably considered. The findings will aid development of dual-purpose wool and meat breeding objectives.

Assessment of trace metal levels in size-resolved particulate matter in the area of Leipzig

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fomba, Khanneh Wadinga; van Pinxteren, Dominik; Müller, Konrad; Spindler, Gerald; Herrmann, Hartmut

2018-03-01

Size-resolved trace metal concentrations at four sites in Leipzig (Germany) and its surrounding were assessed between the winter of 2013 and the summer of 2015. The measurements were performed in parallel at; traffic dominated (Leipzig - Mitte, LMI), traffic and residential dominated (Eisenbahnstrasse, EIB), urban background (TROPOS, TRO) and regional background (Melpitz, MEL) sites. In total, 19 trace metals, i.e. K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ba, V, Pb, Ni, Cr, Sr, Sn, Sb, Co and Rb were analysed using total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The major metals were Fe, K and Ca with concentrations ranging between; 31-440 ng/m3, 42-153 ng/m3 and 24-322 ng/m3, respectively, while the trace metals with the lowest concentrations were Co, Rb and Se with concentrations of; < 0.3 ng/m3, <0.5 ng/m3 and 0.5-0.7 ng/m3, respectively. PM10 trace metal concentrations during easterly air mass inflow especially at the background sites were in average 70% higher in the winter and 30% higher in the summer in comparison to westerly air mass inflow. Traffic at LMI contributed to about 75% of Cr, Ba, Cu, Sb, Sn, Ca, Co, Mn, Fe and Ti concentrations while regional activities contributed to more than 70% of K, Rb, Pb, Se, As and V concentrations. Traffic dominated trace metals were often observed in the coarse mode while the regional background dominated trace metals were often observed in the fine mode. Trace metal sources were related to crustal matter and road dust re-suspension for metals such as Ca, Fe, Co, Sr, and Ti, brake and tire wear (Cu, Sb, Ba, Fe, Zn, Pb), biomass burning (K, Rb), oil and coal combustion (V, Zn, As, Pb). Crustal matter contributed 5-12% in winter and 8-19% in summer of the PM10 mass. Using Cu and Zn as markers for brake and tire wear, respectively, the estimated brake and tire wear contributions to the PM10 mass were 0.1-0.8% and 1.7-2.9%, respectively. The higher contributions were observed at the traffic sites while the lower contributions were observed at the regional background site. In total, non-exhaust emissions could account for about 10-22% of the PM10 mass in the summer and about 7-15% of the PM10 mass in the winter.

Rooftop Solar Technical Potential for Low-to-Moderate Income Households in the United States

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sigrin, Benjamin O; Mooney, Meghan E

This report presents a first-of-kind assessment of the technical potential of rooftop solar for low and moderate-income households, as well as providing insight on the distribution of solar potential by tenure, income, and other building characteristics. We find that a substantial fraction of the national rooftop solar potential is located on LMI buildings and, for all incomes, a substantial fraction on multi-family and renter-occupied buildings. We also find that rooftop solar can significantly contribute to long-term penetration targets established by the U.S. DOE, though to do so requires deployment on multi-family and renter-occupied buildings. Traditional deployment models have insufficiently enabledmore » access to solar for these income groups and building types. Without innovation either in regulatory, market, or policy factors, a large fraction of the U.S. potential is unlikely to be addressed, as well as leading to inequalities in solar access. Ironically, potential electric bill savings from rooftop solar would have the greatest material impact on the lives of low-income households as compared to their high-income counterparts.« less

[Integral indices of peripheral blood leukogram in the estimation of non-specific immunological reactivity in patients with ischemic heart disease].

PubMed

Zhukhorov, L S; Voronaia, Iu L

2002-12-01

With the help of differential blood count analysis and velocity of erythrocyte sedimentation (VES), 30 healthy persons (donors), 30 patients with chronic ischemic hearty disease (IHD) and 34 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) underwent the procedure of calculation for leukocyte index (LI), leukocyte intoxication index (LII), leukocyte shift index (LSI), leukocyte and VES ratio (LVESR), leukocytic and granulocytic index (LGI), general index (GI), neurophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neurophil-monocyte ratio (NMR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and lymphocyte-eosinophil ratio (LER). Unlike healthy people, patients with chronic IHD had higher indices of LVESR, GI and LER while patients with AMI had increasing indices of LII, LSI, NLR, LER and decreasing indices of LI, LGI, GI, LMI. In case of AMI compared with chronic IHD, average indices of LII, LSI, NLR were higher and indices of LI, LGI, LVESR, GI, LMR were lower. The obtained results show expansion of possibilities to get information about the state of non-specific immunologic reactivity in patients with various IHD forms with the help of integral indices in blood leukogram.

A Synthetic Vision Preliminary Integrated Safety Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemm, Robert; Houser, Scott

2001-01-01

This report documents efforts to analyze a sample of aviation safety programs, using the LMI-developed integrated safety analysis tool to determine the change in system risk resulting from Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) technology implementation. Specifically, we have worked to modify existing system safety tools to address the safety impact of synthetic vision (SV) technology. Safety metrics include reliability, availability, and resultant hazard. This analysis of SV technology is intended to be part of a larger effort to develop a model that is capable of "providing further support to the product design and development team as additional information becomes available". The reliability analysis portion of the effort is complete and is fully documented in this report. The simulation analysis is still underway; it will be documented in a subsequent report. The specific goal of this effort is to apply the integrated safety analysis to SV technology. This report also contains a brief discussion of data necessary to expand the human performance capability of the model, as well as a discussion of human behavior and its implications for system risk assessment in this modeling environment.

Variable Circumstellar Disks of Classical Be Stars in Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerhartz, C.; Bjorkman, K. S.; Bjorkman, J. E.; Wisniewski, J. P.

2016-11-01

Circumstellar disks are common among many stars, at most spectral types, and at different stages of their lifetimes. Among the near-main-sequence classical Be stars, there is growing evidence that these disks form, dissipate, and reform on timescales that differ from star to star. Using data obtained with the Large Monolithic Imager (LMI) at the Lowell Observatory Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT), along with additional complementary data obtained at the University of Toledo Ritter Observatory (RO), we have begun a long-term monitoring project of a well-studied set of galactic star clusters that are known to contain Be stars. Our goal is to develop a statistically significant sample of variable circumstellar disk systems over multiple timescales. With a robust multi-epoch study we can determine the relative fraction of Be stars that exhibit disk-loss or disk-renewal phases, and investigate the range of timescales over which these events occur. A larger sample will improve our understanding of the prevalence and nature of the disk variability, and may provide insight about underlying physical mechanisms.

The changing face of cardiovascular disease 2000-2012: An analysis of the world health organisation global health estimates data.

PubMed

McAloon, Christopher J; Boylan, Luke M; Hamborg, Thomas; Stallard, Nigel; Osman, Faizel; Lim, Phang B; Hayat, Sajad A

2016-12-01

The pattern and global burden of disease has evolved considerably over the last two decades, from primarily communicable, maternal, and perinatal causes to non-communicable disease (NCD). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the single most important and largest cause of NCD deaths worldwide at over 50%. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 17.6 million people died of CVD worldwide in 2012. Proportionally, this accounts for an estimated 31.43% of global mortality, with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) accounting for approximately 7.4 million deaths, 13.2% of the total. IHD was also the greatest single cause of death in 2000, accounting for an estimated 6.0 million deaths. The global burden of CVD falls, principally, on the low and middle-income (LMI) countries, accounting for over 80% of CVD deaths. Individual populations face differing challenges and each population has unique health burdens, however, CVD remains one of the greatest health challenges both nationally and worldwide. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

SiO Masers in Asymmetric Miras. IV. χ Cygni, R Aquilae, R Leo Minoris, Ru Herculis, U Herculis, and U Orionis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cotton, W. D.; Ragland, S.; Pluzhnik, E. A.; Danchi, W. C.; Traub, W. A.; Willson, L. A.; Lacasse, M. G.

2010-06-01

This is the fourth paper in a series of multi-epoch observations at 7 mm wavelength of the SiO masers in several asymptotic giant branch stars from a sample of Mira variable stars showing evidence of asymmetric structure in the infrared. These stars have been observed interferometrically in the infrared by IOTA and with VLBA measurements of the SiO masers. In this paper, we present the observations of χ Cygni (χ Cyg), R Aquilae (R Aql), R Leo Minoris (R LMi), RU Herculis (RU Her), U Herculis (U Her), and U Orionis (U Ori). Several radial features with velocity gradients were observed, all with velocities close to systemic furthest from the star and redshifted closer to the stellar surface. Systemic velocities are estimated for several of the stars. No compelling evidence of asymmetry is seen in the maser distributions. All maser rings are approximately twice the near-IR uniform disk diameter and are comparable in size to the extended molecular envelope when such measurements are available.

FOOD ACQUISITION AND INTRA-HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: A STUDY OF LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN DELHI, INDIA

PubMed Central

Pradhan, MR; Taylor, FC; Agrawal, S; Prabhakaran, D; Ebrahim, S

2014-01-01

Background Food habits and choices in India are shifting due to many factors: changing food markets, fast urbanization, food price inflation, uncertain food production and unequal distribution during the past decade. This study aims to explore food acquisition and intra-household consumption patterns in urban low and middle income (LMI) households in Delhi. Methods Twenty households were randomly selected from the Center for Cardio-metabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) surveillance study. Data were derived from 20 questionnaires administered to women responsible for food preparation, four key-informant-interviews, and 20 in-depth interviews with household heads during September-November 2011. STATA and ATLAS.ti software were used for data analysis. Results Half of the households spent at least two-thirds of their income on food. The major expenditures were on vegetables (22% of total food expenditure), milk and milk products (16%), and cereal and related products (15%). Income, food prices, food preferences, and seasonal variation influenced food expenditure. Adults usually ate two to three times a day while children ate more frequently. Eating sequence was based on the work pattern within the household and cultural beliefs. Contrary to previous evidence, there was no gender bias in intra-household food distribution. Women considered food acquisition, preparation and distribution part of their self-worth and played a major role in food related issues in the household. Conclusion Women’s key roles in food acquisition, preparation and intra household food consumption should be considered in formulating food policies and programs. PMID:25473147

Mapping and genomic targeting of the major leaf shape gene (L) in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

PubMed

Andres, Ryan J; Bowman, Daryl T; Kaur, Baljinder; Kuraparthy, Vasu

2014-01-01

A major leaf shape locus (L) was mapped with molecular markers and genomically targeted to a small region in the D-genome of cotton. By using expression analysis and candidate gene mapping, two LMI1 -like genes are identified as possible candidates for leaf shape trait in cotton. Leaf shape in cotton is an important trait that influences yield, flowering rates, disease resistance, lint trash, and the efficacy of foliar chemical application. The leaves of okra leaf cotton display a significantly enhanced lobing pattern, as well as ectopic outgrowths along the lobe margins when compared with normal leaf cotton. These phenotypes are the hallmark characteristics of mutations in various known modifiers of leaf shape that culminate in the mis/over-expression of Class I KNOX genes. To better understand the molecular and genetic processes underlying leaf shape in cotton, a normal leaf accession (PI607650) was crossed to an okra leaf breeding line (NC05AZ21). An F2 population of 236 individuals confirmed the incompletely dominant single gene nature of the okra leaf shape trait in Gossypium hirsutum L. Molecular mapping with simple sequence repeat markers localized the leaf shape gene to 5.4 cM interval in the distal region of the short arm of chromosome 15. Orthologous mapping of the closely linked markers with the sequenced diploid D-genome (Gossypium raimondii) tentatively resolved the leaf shape locus to a small genomic region. RT-PCR-based expression analysis and candidate gene mapping indicated that the okra leaf shape gene (L (o) ) in cotton might be an upstream regulator of Class I KNOX genes. The linked molecular markers and delineated genomic region in the sequenced diploid D-genome will assist in the future high-resolution mapping and map-based cloning of the leaf shape gene in cotton.

An Integrated Framework for Modeling Air Carrier Behavior, Policy, and Impacts in the U.S. Air Transportation System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horio, Brant M.; Kumar, Vivek; DeCicco, Anthony H.; Hasan, Shahab; Stouffer, Virginia L.; Smith, Jeremy C.; Guerreiro, Nelson M.

2015-01-01

The implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in the United States is an ongoing challenge for policymakers due to the complexity of the air transportation system (ATS) with its broad array of stakeholders and dynamic interdependencies between them. The successful implementation of NextGen has a hard dependency on the active participation of U.S. commercial airlines. To assist policymakers in identifying potential policy designs that facilitate the implementation of NextGen, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and LMI developed a research framework called the Air Transportation System Evolutionary Simulation (ATS-EVOS). This framework integrates large empirical data sets with multiple specialized models to simulate the evolution of the airline response to potential future policies and explore consequential impacts on ATS performance and market dynamics. In the ATS-EVOS configuration presented here, we leverage the Transportation Systems Analysis Model (TSAM), the Airline Evolutionary Simulation (AIRLINE-EVOS), the Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES), and the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), all of which enable this research to comprehensively represent the complex facets of the ATS and its participants. We validated this baseline configuration of ATS-EVOS against Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B) data and subject matter expert opinion, and we verified the ATS-EVOS framework and agent behavior logic through scenario-based experiments that explored potential implementations of a carbon tax, congestion pricing policy, and the dynamics for equipage of new technology by airlines. These experiments demonstrated ATS-EVOS's capabilities in responding to a wide range of potential NextGen-related policies and utility for decision makers to gain insights for effective policy design.

JACIE accreditation for blood and marrow transplantation: past, present and future directions of an international model for healthcare quality improvement

PubMed Central

Snowden, J A; McGrath, E; Duarte, R F; Saccardi, R; Orchard, K; Worel, N; Kuball, J; Chabannon, C; Mohty, M

2017-01-01

Blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) is a complex and evolving medical speciality that makes substantial demands on healthcare resources. To meet a professional responsibility to both patients and public health services, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) initiated and developed the Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy and EBMT—better known by the acronym, JACIE. Since its inception, JACIE has performed over 530 voluntary accreditation inspections (62% first time; 38% reaccreditation) in 25 countries, representing 40% of transplant centres in Europe. As well as widespread professional acceptance, JACIE has become incorporated into the regulatory framework for delivery of BMT and other haematopoietic cellular therapies in several countries. In recent years, JACIE has been validated using the EBMT registry as an effective means of quality improvement with a substantial positive impact on survival outcomes. Future directions include development of Europe-wide risk-adjusted outcome benchmarking through the EBMT registry and further extension beyond Europe, including goals to faciliate access for BMT programmes in in low- and middle-income economies (LMIEs) via a ‘first-step’ process. PMID:28346416

Design, development, and testing of the DCT Cassegrain instrument support assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bida, Thomas A.; Dunham, Edward W.; Nye, Ralph A.; Chylek, Tomas; Oliver, Richard C.

2012-09-01

The 4.3m Discovery Channel Telescope delivers an f/6.1 unvignetted 0.5° field to its RC focal plane. In order to support guiding, wavefront sensing, and instrument installations, a Cassegrain instrument support assembly has been developed which includes a facility guider and wavefront sensor package (GWAVES) and multiple interfaces for instrumentation. A 2-element, all-spherical, fused-silica corrector compensates for field curvature and astigmatism over the 0.5° FOV, while reducing ghost pupil reflections to minimal levels. Dual roving GWAVES camera probes pick off stars in the outer annulus of the corrected field, providing simultaneous guiding and wavefront sensing for telescope operations. The instrument cube supports 5 co-mounted instruments with rapid feed selection via deployable fold mirrors. The corrected beam passes through a dual filter wheel before imaging with the 6K x 6K single CCD of the Large Monolithic Imager (LMI). We describe key development strategies for the DCT Cassegrain instrument assembly and GWAVES, including construction of a prime focus test assembly with wavefront sensor utilized in fall 2011 to begin characterization of the DCT primary mirror support. We also report on 2012 on-sky test results of wavefront sensing, guiding, and imaging with the integrated Cassegrain cube.

Income Trends of Residential PV Adopters: An analysis of household-level income estimates [PowerPoint presentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barbose, Galen L.; Darghouth, Naim R.; Hoen, Ben

The residential photovoltaic (PV) market has expanded rapidly over the past decade, but questions exist about how equitably that growth has occurred across income groups. Prior studies have investigated this question but are often limited by narrow geographic study regions, now-dated analysis timeframes, or coarse estimates of PV-adopter incomes. At the same time, a spate of new programs and initiatives, as well as innovations in business models and product design, have emerged in recent years with the aim of making solar more accessible and affordable to broader segments of the population. Yet, many of those efforts are proceeding without robustmore » underlying information about the income characteristics of recent residential PV adopters. This work aims to establish basic factual information about income trends among U.S. residential solar adopters, with some emphasis on low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. The analysis is unique in its relatively extensive coverage of the U.S. solar market, relying on Berkeley Lab’s Tracking the Sun dataset, which contains project-level data for the vast majority of all residential PV systems in the country (a subset of which are ultimately included in the analysis sample). This analysis is also unique in its use of household-level income estimates that provide a more-precise characterization of PV-adopter incomes than in most prior studies.« less

In vitro effects of aqueous extract from Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell stem bark on egg hatching, larval migration and adult worms of Haemonchus contortus.

PubMed

Zangueu, Calvin Bogning; Olounlade, Abiodoun Pascal; Ossokomack, Marlyse; Djouatsa, Yolande Noelle Nangue; Alowanou, Goue Géorcelin; Azebaze, Anatole Guy Blaise; Llorent-Martínez, Eulogio José; de Córdova, Maria Luisa Fernández; Dongmo, Alain Bertrand; Hounzangbe-Adote, Mawulé Sylvie

2018-05-02

Maytenus senegalensis is a common shrub which is scattered in tropical Africa. Different parts of this plant have been reported to be useful in traditional medicine against gastrointestinal disorders and intestinal worms. This study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of the aqueous stem bark extract of M. senegalensis using egg hatch assay (EHA), larval migration inhibition assay (LMIA) and adult worms' motility inhibition assay (AMIA). On EHA, the extract concentrations tested resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) inhibition of egg hatching in concentration-dependent manner and ranged between 31.86% at 75 μg.mL - 1 to 54.92% at 2400 μg.mL - 1 after a 48 h post-exposure with eggs. For the LMI assays, the aqueous extract of M. senegalensis showed a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of larval migration in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest concentration used (2400 μg.mL - 1 ) showed a 37.77% inhibition. The use of polyvinyl polypyrrolidone (PVPP) indicated that tannins and flavonoids were partly involved in the effect since the larval migration was inhibited by 15.5%, but other biochemical compounds were also implicated. On AMIA, M. senegalensis was associated with a reduced worm motility after a 24 h post exposure compared to phosphate buffered saline as control (p < 0.05). By this time 66.66% of the worms' were found immotile or dead in the wells containing plant extract at 2400 μg.mL - 1 . The Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract of M. senegalensis by HPLC-ESI-MS n detected the presence of proanthocyanidins (20%) and flavonoids (> 50%). These in vitro results suggest the presence of some anthelmintic properties in M. senegalensis extract, which is traditionally used by small farmers in west and central Africa. These effects may be due to the flavonoids and proanthocyanidins present in the extract and need to be studied under in vivo conditions.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Impulses Improve Microvascular Flow in Patients With STEMI Receiving Intravenous Microbubbles.

PubMed

Mathias, Wilson; Tsutsui, Jeane M; Tavares, Bruno G; Xie, Feng; Aguiar, Miguel O D; Garcia, Diego R; Oliveira, Mucio T; Soeiro, Alexandre; Nicolau, Jose C; Lemos, Pedro A; Rochitte, Carlos E; Ramires, José A F; Kalil, Roberto; Porter, Thomas R

2016-05-31

Pre-clinical trials have demonstrated that, during intravenous microbubble infusion, high mechanical index (HMI) impulses from a diagnostic ultrasound (DUS) transducer might restore epicardial and microvascular flow in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of this adjunctive approach in humans. From May 2014 through September 2015, patients arriving with their first STEMI were randomized to either DUS intermittent HMI impulses (n = 20) just prior to emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and for an additional 30 min post-PCI (HMI + PCI), or low mechanical index (LMI) imaging only (n = 10) for perfusion assessments before and after PCI (LMI + PCI). All studies were conducted during an intravenous perflutren lipid microsphere infusion. A control reference group (n = 70) arrived outside of the time window of ultrasound availability and received emergent PCI alone (PCI only). Initial epicardial recanalization rates prior to emergent PCI and improvements in microvascular flow were compared between ultrasound-treated groups. Median door-to-dilation times were 82 ± 26 min in the LMI + PCI group, 72 ± 15 min in the HMI + PCI group, and 103 ± 42 min in the PCI-only group (p = NS). Angiographic recanalization prior to PCI was seen in 12 of 20 HMI + PCI patients (60%) compared with 10% of LMI + PCI and 23% of PCI-only patients (p = 0.002). There were no differences in microvascular obstructed segments prior to treatment, but there were significantly smaller proportions of obstructed segments in the HMI + PCI group at 1 month (p = 0.001) and significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.005). HMI impulses from a diagnostic transducer, combined with a commercial microbubble infusion, can prevent microvascular obstruction and improve functional outcome when added to the contemporary PCI management of acute STEMI. (Therapeutic Use of Ultrasound in Acute Coronary Artery Disease; NCT02410330). Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Metabolic parameters and blood leukocyte profiles in cows from herds with high or low mastitis incidence.

PubMed

Holtenius, K; Persson Waller, K; Essén-Gustavsson, B; Holtenius, P; Hallén Sandgren, C

2004-07-01

The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in metabolic parameters and blood leukocyte profiles between cows in herds with high or low yearly mastitis incidence. In this study, 271 cows from 20 high yielding dairy herds were examined. According to the selection criteria, all herds had low somatic cell counts. Ten of the selected herds represented low mastitis treatment incidence (LMI) and ten herds had high mastitis treatment incidence (HMI). The farms were visited once and blood samples were taken from each cow that was in the interval from three weeks before to 15 weeks after parturition. The eosinophil count was significantly lower among cows from the HMI herds in the period from four weeks to 15 weeks after parturition. The plasma concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, insulin and urea did not differ between groups, but the concentration of nonesterified fatty acids was significantly higher among HMI cows during the period three weeks after parturition. The concentration of the amino acid tryptophan in plasma was significantly lower among the HMI cows prior to parturition. Glutamine was significantly lower in cows from HMI herds during the first three weeks after parturition. Arginine was consistently lower in HMI cows, although the decrease was only significant during the period from four to fifteen weeks after parturition. The results suggest that there were differences in the metabolism and immune status between herds with high or low yearly mastitis treatment incidence indicating an increased metabolic stress in HMI cows.

An Almost Complete Radio Survey of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dieck, Christopher A.; Everett Barrett, Paul; Beasley, Anthony J.; Pal Singh, Kulinder; Boboltz, David A.; Godon, Patrick; Mason, Paul A.

2016-01-01

This poster presents the results of a radio survey using the Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) of 129 Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables (MCVs) north of declination -35 deg. 103 hours of observations were performed during the JVLA observing sessions 2013B and 2015A, when the array was mostly in its highest spatial-resolution configurations (i.e., A and B). Most targets were observed twice for 2-5 minutes at each of three frequencies (C, X, and K-bands), although a few targets were also observed at a fourth frequency (Q-band). 22 of the 129 MCVS were detected at one or more frequencies. Of these 22 detections, 15 are new. This number nearly triples the number of MCVs that are known radio sources. Most detections are at the C and X-band frequencies, although three sources were detected at the K-band frequency. One of the K-band frequency detections is the known rapidly-rotating radio source AE Aqr, while the other two are the polars, AI Tri and ST LMi. Of the 22 detected sources, two-thirds are polars (15) and all are believed to be nearby (<200 pc). Except for a few stronger sources, most detections are in the range of 100-200 µJy, which at a distance of 150 pc corresponds roughly to a luminosity of 2x1024 erg/s at the X-band frequency. The results of this survey are encouraging in that more MCVs are likely to be detected as the time on-source increases, since the flux from MCVs is highly variable.

Model Based Optimal Sensor Network Design for Condition Monitoring in an IGCC Plant

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Rajeeva; Kumar, Aditya; Dai, Dan

2012-12-31

This report summarizes the achievements and final results of this program. The objective of this program is to develop a general model-based sensor network design methodology and tools to address key issues in the design of an optimal sensor network configuration: the type, location and number of sensors used in a network, for online condition monitoring. In particular, the focus in this work is to develop software tools for optimal sensor placement (OSP) and use these tools to design optimal sensor network configuration for online condition monitoring of gasifier refractory wear and radiant syngas cooler (RSC) fouling. The methodology developedmore » will be applicable to sensing system design for online condition monitoring for broad range of applications. The overall approach consists of (i) defining condition monitoring requirement in terms of OSP and mapping these requirements in mathematical terms for OSP algorithm, (ii) analyzing trade-off of alternate OSP algorithms, down selecting the most relevant ones and developing them for IGCC applications (iii) enhancing the gasifier and RSC models as required by OSP algorithms, (iv) applying the developed OSP algorithm to design the optimal sensor network required for the condition monitoring of an IGCC gasifier refractory and RSC fouling. Two key requirements for OSP for condition monitoring are desired precision for the monitoring variables (e.g. refractory wear) and reliability of the proposed sensor network in the presence of expected sensor failures. The OSP problem is naturally posed within a Kalman filtering approach as an integer programming problem where the key requirements of precision and reliability are imposed as constraints. The optimization is performed over the overall network cost. Based on extensive literature survey two formulations were identified as being relevant to OSP for condition monitoring; one based on LMI formulation and the other being standard INLP formulation. Various algorithms to solve these two formulations were developed and validated. For a given OSP problem the computation efficiency largely depends on the “size” of the problem. Initially a simplified 1-D gasifier model assuming axial and azimuthal symmetry was used to test out various OSP algorithms. Finally these algorithms were used to design the optimal sensor network for condition monitoring of IGCC gasifier refractory wear and RSC fouling. The sensors type and locations obtained as solution to the OSP problem were validated using model based sensing approach. The OSP algorithm has been developed in a modular form and has been packaged as a software tool for OSP design where a designer can explore various OSP design algorithm is a user friendly way. The OSP software tool is implemented in Matlab/Simulink© in-house. The tool also uses few optimization routines that are freely available on World Wide Web. In addition a modular Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) block has also been developed in Matlab/Simulink© which can be utilized for model based sensing of important process variables that are not directly measured through combining the online sensors with model based estimation once the hardware sensor and their locations has been finalized. The OSP algorithm details and the results of applying these algorithms to obtain optimal sensor location for condition monitoring of gasifier refractory wear and RSC fouling profile are summarized in this final report.« less

Reference Values of Total Lean Mass, Appendicular Lean Mass, and Fat Mass Measured with Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in a Healthy Mexican Population.

PubMed

Clark, Patricia; Denova-Gutiérrez, Edgar; Ambrosi, Regina; Szulc, Pawel; Rivas-Ruiz, Rodolfo; Salmerón, Jorge

2016-11-01

The aim of this study was to develop age- and gender-specific reference values of total lean body mass (LBM), appendicular lean body mass (ALBM), and fat mass (FM) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data in a healthy Mexican population. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 9518 healthy subjects 7-89 years of age participating in the baseline measurement of the Health Workers Cohort Study. Using DXA, LBM, ALBM, and FM were measured. Using these data, LBM index (LBMI), ALBM index (ALBMI), and fat mass index (FMI) were calculated. LMI, ALMI, and FMI were calculated as the LBM, ALBM, and FM kg divided by the height in meters squared. Males and females were analyzed separately; sex-specific means and standard deviations for LBM, ALBM, FM, LBMI, ALBMI, and FMI were calculated. A total of 2829 males and 6694 females were included in the final analysis. Strong sex gaps were observed after 12 years in LBM, ALBM, LBMI, and ALBMI (P < 0.01). LBM and ALBM values continue to increase for males up to age 20; females plateaued approximately after age 15. Significant sex differences were also observed for FM and FMI. Significant sex- and age-related differences exist in LBM, ALBM, and FM in the Mexican population. In addition, given the null data available in this area, these reference values may be useful in the evaluation of a variety of childhood and adult abnormalities involving lean body mass deficits, mainly in the assessment of muscle wasting, with important medical and epidemiological uses.

Methylation of microRNA genes regulates gene expression in bisexual flower development in andromonoecious poplar.

PubMed

Song, Yuepeng; Tian, Min; Ci, Dong; Zhang, Deqiang

2015-04-01

Previous studies showed sex-specific DNA methylation and expression of candidate genes in bisexual flowers of andromonoecious poplar, but the regulatory relationship between methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs) remains unclear. To investigate whether the methylation of miRNA genes regulates gene expression in bisexual flower development, the methylome, microRNA, and transcriptome were examined in female and male flowers of andromonoecious poplar. 27 636 methylated coding genes and 113 methylated miRNA genes were identified. In the coding genes, 64.5% of the methylated reads mapped to the gene body region; by contrast, 60.7% of methylated reads in miRNA genes mainly mapped in the 5' and 3' flanking regions. CHH methylation showed the highest methylation levels and CHG showed the lowest methylation levels. Correlation analysis showed a significant, negative, strand-specific correlation of methylation and miRNA gene expression (r=0.79, P <0.05). The methylated miRNA genes included eight long miRNAs (lmiRNAs) of 24 nucleotides and 11 miRNAs related to flower development. miRNA172b might play an important role in the regulation of bisexual flower development-related gene expression in andromonoecious poplar, via modification of methylation. Gynomonoecious, female, and male poplars were used to validate the methylation patterns of the miRNA172b gene, implying that hyper-methylation in andromonoecious and gynomonoecious poplar might function as an important regulator in bisexual flower development. Our data provide a useful resource for the study of flower development in poplar and improve our understanding of the effect of epigenetic regulation on genes other than protein-coding genes. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Methylation of microRNA genes regulates gene expression in bisexual flower development in andromonoecious poplar

PubMed Central

Song, Yuepeng; Tian, Min; Ci, Dong; Zhang, Deqiang

2015-01-01

Previous studies showed sex-specific DNA methylation and expression of candidate genes in bisexual flowers of andromonoecious poplar, but the regulatory relationship between methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs) remains unclear. To investigate whether the methylation of miRNA genes regulates gene expression in bisexual flower development, the methylome, microRNA, and transcriptome were examined in female and male flowers of andromonoecious poplar. 27 636 methylated coding genes and 113 methylated miRNA genes were identified. In the coding genes, 64.5% of the methylated reads mapped to the gene body region; by contrast, 60.7% of methylated reads in miRNA genes mainly mapped in the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions. CHH methylation showed the highest methylation levels and CHG showed the lowest methylation levels. Correlation analysis showed a significant, negative, strand-specific correlation of methylation and miRNA gene expression (r=0.79, P <0.05). The methylated miRNA genes included eight long miRNAs (lmiRNAs) of 24 nucleotides and 11 miRNAs related to flower development. miRNA172b might play an important role in the regulation of bisexual flower development-related gene expression in andromonoecious poplar, via modification of methylation. Gynomonoecious, female, and male poplars were used to validate the methylation patterns of the miRNA172b gene, implying that hyper-methylation in andromonoecious and gynomonoecious poplar might function as an important regulator in bisexual flower development. Our data provide a useful resource for the study of flower development in poplar and improve our understanding of the effect of epigenetic regulation on genes other than protein-coding genes. PMID:25617468

Differential association of left and right hippocampal volumes with verbal episodic and spatial memory in older adults.

PubMed

Ezzati, Ali; Katz, Mindy J; Zammit, Andrea R; Lipton, Michael L; Zimmerman, Molly E; Sliwinski, Martin J; Lipton, Richard B

2016-12-01

The hippocampus plays a critical role in verbal and spatial memory, thus any pathological damage to this formation may lead to cognitive impairment. It is suggested that right and left hippocampi are affected differentially in healthy or pathologic aging. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that verbal episodic memory performance is associated with left hippocampal volume (HV) while spatial memory is associated with right HV. 115 non-demented adults over age 70 were drawn from the Einstein Aging Study. Verbal memory was measured using the free recall score from the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test - immediate recall (FCSRT-IR), logical memory immediate and delayed subtests (LM-I and LM-II) from the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). Spatial Memory was measured using a computerized dot memory paradigm that has been validated for use in older adults. All participants underwent 3T MRI with subsequent automatized measurement of the volume of each hippocampus. The sample had a mean age of 78.7 years (SD=5.0); 57% were women, and 52% were white. Participants had a mean of 14.3 years (SD=3.5) of education. In regression models, two tests of verbal memory (FCSRT-IR free recall and LM-II) were positively associated with left HV, but not with right HV. Performance on the spatial memory task was associated with right HV, but not left HV. Our findings support the hypothesis that the left hippocampus plays a critical role in episodic verbal memory, while right hippocampus might be more important for spatial memory processing among non-demented older adults. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: PTF 12dam & iPTF 13dcc follow-up (Vreeswijk+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vreeswijk, P. M.; Leloudas, G.; Gal-Yam, A.; De Cia, A.; Perley, D. A.; Quimby, R. M.; Waldman, R.; Sullivan, M.; Yan, L.; Ofek, E. O.; Fremling, C.; Taddia, F.; Sollerman, J.; Valenti, S.; Arcavi, I.; Howell, D. A.; Filippenko, A. V.; Cenko, S. B.; Yaron, O.; Kasliwal, M. M.; Cao, Y.; Ben-Ami, S.; Horesh, A.; Rubin, A.; Lunnan, R.; Nugent, P. E.; Laher, R.; Rebbapragada, U. D.; Wozniak, P.; Kulkarni, S. R.

2017-08-01

Spectroscopic follow-up observations of PTF 12dam were performed with the Kast Spectrograph at the Lick 3m Shane telescope, and the Low Resolution Imaging Spectrograph (LRIS) at the Keck-I 10m telescope (on Mauna Kea, Hawaii) on 2012 May 20, 21, and 22. The full spectroscopic sequence of PTF 12dam will be presented by R. M. Quimby et al. (2016, in preparation). PTF 12dam was imaged with the Palomar Oschin 48 inch (P48) (i)PTF survey telescope in the Mould R filter, the Palomar 60 inch (P60) and CCD camera in Johnson B and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) gri, the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT) in SDSS r, and LRIS mounted on the 10m Keck-I telescope in Rs. iPTF 13dcc has not had any exposure in the literature yet. It was flagged as a transient source on 2013 August 29. Spectroscopic follow-up observations spanning 2013 Nov 26 to 2014 Jan 16 were performed with the Double Spectrograph (DBSP) at the Palomar 200 inch (P200), LRIS at Keck-I, and the Inamori-Magellan Areal Camera & Spectrograph (IMACS) at the Magellan Baade telescope, showing iPTF 13dcc to be an SLSN at z=0.4305. iPTF 13dcc was imaged with the P48 Oschin (i)PTF survey telescope in the Mould R filter, the P60 in SDSS gri, the 4.3m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT, at Lowell Observatory, Arizona) with the Large Monolithic Imager (LMI) in SDSS ri, and finally with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Wide-Field Camera using filter F625W (under program GO-13858; P.I. A. De Cia). (3 data files).

From scheme to system: social health insurance funds and the transformation of health financing in Kyrgyzstan and Moldova.

PubMed

Kutzin, Joseph; Jakab, Melitta; Shishkin, Sergey

2009-01-01

The aim of the paper is to bring evidence and lessons from two low- and middle-income countries (LMIs) of the former USSR into the global debate on health financing in poor countries. In particular, we analyze the introduction of social health insurance (SHI) in Kyrgyzstan and Moldova. To some extent, the intent of SHI introduction in these countries was similar to that in LMIs elsewhere: increase prepaid revenues for health and incorporate the entire population into the new system. But the approach taken to universality was different. In particular, the SHI fund in each country was used as the key instrument in a comprehensive reform of the health financing system, with the new revenues from payroll taxation used in an explicitly complementary manner to general budget revenues. From a functional perspective, the reforms in these countries involved not only the introduction of a new source of funds, but also the centralization of pooling, a shift from input- to output-based provider payment methods, specification of a benefit package, and greater autonomy for public sector health care providers. Hence, their reforms were not simply the introduction of an SHI scheme, but rather the use of an SHI fund as an instrument to transform the entire system of health financing. The study uses administrative and household data to demonstrate the impact of the reforms on regional inequality and household financial burden. The approach used in these two countries led to improved equity in the geographic distribution of government health spending, improved financial protection, and reduced informal payments. The comprehensive approach taken to reform in these two countries, and particularly the redirection of general budget revenues to the new SHI funds, explain much of the success that was achieved. This experience offers potentially useful lessons for LMIs elsewhere in the world, and for shifting the global debate away from what we see as a false dichotomy between SHI and general revenue-funded systems. By demonstrating that sources are not systems, these cases illustrate how, in particular by careful design of pooling and coverage arrangements, the introduction of SHI in an LMI context can avoid the fragmentation problem often associated with this reform instrument.

WE-A-16A-01: International Medical Physics Symposium: Increasing Access to Medical Physics Education/Training and Research Excellence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bortfeld, T; Ngoma, T; Odedina, F

In response to a world in which cancer is a growing global health challenge, there is now a greater need for US Medical Physicists and other Radiation Oncology professionals across institutions to work together and be more globally engaged in the fight against cancer. There are currently many opportunities for Medical Physicists to contribute to alleviating this pressing need, especially in helping enhance access to Medical Physics Education/training and Research Excellence across international boundaries, particularly for low and middle-income countries (LMIC), which suffer from a drastic shortage of accessible knowledge and quality training programs in radiotherapy. Many Medical Physicists aremore » not aware of the range of opportunities that even with small effort could have a high impact. Faculty at the two CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics Programs in New England: the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Harvard Medical School have developed a growing alliance to increase Access to Medical Physics Education/training and Research Excellence (AMPERE), and facilitate greater active involvement of U.S. Medical Physicists in helping the global fight against cancer and cancer disparities. In this symposium, AMPERE Alliance members and partners from Europe and Africa will present and discuss the growing global cancer challenge, the dearth of knowledge, research, and other barriers to providing life-saving radiotherapy in LMIC, mechanisms for meeting these challenges, the different opportunities for participation by Medical Physicists, including students and residents, and how participation can be facilitated to increase AMPERE for global health. Learning Objectives: To learn about the growing global cancer challenge, areas of greatest need and limitations to accessing knowledge and quality radiotherapy training programs, especially in LMIC; To learn about the range of opportunities for Medical Physicists, including students and residents, to work together in global health to help increase AMPERE and alleviate the growing global burden of cancer; To present and discuss a new model for harmonizing Medical Physics Training across countries and how this model (UMass and Heidelberg) could be extended to LMIC in collaboration with the IAEA; To highlight a new platform and program for facilitating contributions by Medical Physicists to increase AMPERE towards the elimination of global cancer disparities. Challenges in Cancer Control in Africa Twalib A. Ngoma, MD, Professor, Executive Director, Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Cancer care in Africa is beset by lack of attention, political will, cancer registries, cancer plans, human resources, financial resources and treatment facilities.. As a result of this, cancer patients in Africa are far more likely to die of their disease than those in developed countries. According to data from the WHO 750,000 new cancer cases occur in Africa every year and this number is predicted to rise by 70% by 2020. To make matters worse, an estimated 75% of cancer patients in Africa have advanced or incurable cancers at diagnosis making palliative care the most realistic approach to their management. Furthermore, Cancer prevention is nearly nonexistent, cancer detection is rare and treatment usually comes too late and is inefficient. The overall mortality-to-incidence ratio for men with cancer in the Africa is 0.75 compared with 0.54 in the developed world while the ratios for women in Africa, is 0.65 compared with 0.45 for women in the developed world. There is also limited access to radiotherapy. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whilst developed countries usually have one radiotherapy machine per 250,000 people, most African nations have only one machine per ten million people. The above numbers are alarming and speak for themselves. The only solution to improve this alarming situation is to address the major challenges which African countries face in provision of cancer services which include but not limited to lack of cancer registries, lack of funding, lack of human resources, lack of radiotherapy machines, lack of cancer drugs and lack of accessible and affordable cancer screening, early diagnosis, treatment or palliative care services. Since there are considerable differences among African countries, in my presentation I will share with the audience how we address cancer control challenges in Tanzania in general and specifically in radiation oncology. The African continent cancer plan 2013 2017 Folakemi Odedina, PhD, Professor and Director of Health Disparities, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida The burden of cancer is rising in Africa, in addition to current heavy burden of communicable, and other non-cancer related non—communicable diseases. Conquering cancer in Africa will require a comprehensive collaborative approach with cancer clinicians, scientists, patients, advocates, policy makers and community leaders working hand-in-hand at the local, state, national, and continent levels with the primary mission: To reduce the number of deaths from cancer and improve the quality of life of cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Unfortunately, less than 40% of African countries have a credible cancer control policy and program. The African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) decided to create an African Cancer Plan to provide cost-effective strategies that can be employed throughout the continent to fight cancer. Based on the African proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child”, the Cancer Plan provides specific strategies that can be used by individuals, employers, organizations and policy-makers to fight cancer. In addition, we have provided overarching strategies to address cancer in Africa and targeted 5-year plan for prostate, breast, cervix, lung and liver cancers. In developing this Cancer Plan, our primary goal is to decrease cancer incidence and mortality in Africa. This goal can only be achieved by stakeholders and dedicated individuals to lead and implement the strategies outlined in this plan. If you are interested in partnering with AORTIC to reduce the burden of cancer in Africa, please send an email to info@aortic-africa.org. Synergies in research and clinical care through international collaboration Thomas Bortfeld and David Gierga, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA Medical Physics relies on high technology that is not distributed equally. The whole spectrum of Medical Physics technologies is not available at every hospital or research institute, and not even in every high income country. One example is heavy ion therapy equipment which is currently only available in Japan, Germany and Italy. There is also a large global variation in terms of research infrastructure and focus. A student of Medical physics cannot gain broad experience, certainly not hands-on experience, by staying at one place only. While it is debatable what a good trade-off between breadth and depth in Medical Physics education is, it is generally agreed upon that some breadth is necessary. Researchers in Medical Physics have to cross borders if they need specific technologies for their projects. Therefore it is self-evident that international programs in Medical Physics education and research make sense. Yet, very few programs of this type exist. In this presentation we will report on our own experience of pursuing an international career in Medical Physics, with international student programs, and with the international exchange of researchers. We will present new or planned opportunities such as the medical beamline at CERN in Geneva. We will also report on the synergies in clinical care through international collaborations between partners in high and low income countries. One example is the partnership of the MGH/Harvard Medical School community with the oncology community and government of Botswana to form the BOTSOGO (BOTSwana Oncology Global Outreach) initiative. This collaborative effort in oncology care was spurred by existing relationships in HIV/AIDS research and care delivery developed within the Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP). The initial efforts of the BOTSOGO initiative have been organized as follows: 1) on-site visits to share expertise in clinical cancer care for capacity building purposes (e.g. cervical brachytherapy), 2) developing a forum for multi-disciplinary case discussions and education and 3) relationship building with local stakeholders for long-term sustainability and growth. An international system for the certification of medical physicists Raymond K. Wu, Chairman, IOMP Professional Relations Committee; Chairman, AAPM Exchange Scientist Program Subcommittee An international system for the certification of medical physicists is an important issue. The International Organization for Medical Physicists (IOMP) has in collaboration with a number of member countries established the International Medical Physics Certification Board (IMPCB) to address this issue, and to provide a mechanism to mark the milestone for the professional development of clinical medical physicists. Raymond Wu, PhD, is the CEO of IMPCB and the Chairman of the IOMP Professional Relations Committee. He is the invited speaker recommended by IOMP to give a talk on this important subject. He will give the latest update of the work of IMPCB, its near term goals, and pathways to the goals. He will also discuss the importance of such an International System of certification in the training/education of next generation Medical Physicists, including those in low and middle income countries (LMIC) where such training is crucial in the fight against cancer. Learning Objectives: Understand the certification program as described in the IOMP Policy Statements. Understand the plan of the IMPCB to establish the accreditation process of national certification programs. Understand the goals of this international collaborative effort and the potential impacts to the quality of clinical medical physics practice. Medical Physics Education Across Continents: The UMass Lowell and Heidelberg University Joint Coordination Effort Erno Sajo, Director of Medical Physics, University of Massachusetts at Lowell Medical Physics education has unique flavors across institutions within the US and shows significant differences across continents. In the latter, even the definition of Medical Physics may differ. Not only is there a difference in topical coverage, but often what is considered a cohesive topic in one institution, and taught as a single course, is fragmented among several other courses in the other institution due to a different philosophy. Because of the regulatory and certification requirements, these differences impact the mobility of medical physicists across continents. As a result, physicists who wish to practice in the US or Canada but have completed their education elsewhere often find that they have to take remedial courses or even obtain a new degree in Medical Physics despite the fact that they already have one. Outreach to developing countries, therefore, is even more difficult. The University of Massachusetts Lowell and Heidelberg University recently completed a joint coordination effort, in which they identified topics that are common versus complementary in their medical physics curricula. A student exchange program was developed that permits students to take any of the common topics at the other institution while taking complementary courses as electives, which count towards their degree requirements at their home institution. Thesis research is also mutually accepted. When properly documented, in this way CAMPEP recommendations can be met across the institutions. Therefore, students participating in this program satisfy both the American Board of Radiology (ABR) requirements and the European regulatory requirements. The framework on which this collaboration rests and the cross-comparison methods developed therein may be implemented in other exchange programs and thus a similar approach can be adopted in outreach programs with developing countries. IAEA PACT Program and opportunities for support and collaboration Susan Morgan, Program Coordinator, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria In response to the developing world's cancer crisis, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established the Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) in 2004 to fully realize the public health impact obtained through global partnerships in cancer control and technology transfer in radiation medicine. PACT's vision strives for global partnerships to confront the cancer crisis in developing countries, notably with our sister United Nations agency, the World Health Organization (WHO), and our Joint Programme on Cancer Control established in 2009. The IAEA, through PACT, the WHO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and other cancer-related organizations work together to make a coordinated global response in supporting low and middle income (LMI) IAEA Member States in the implementation of comprehensive national cancer control programmes. PACT's goals are: To build global partnerships of cancer-related organizations committed to addressing the challenge of cancer in LMI Member States in all its aspects; To mobilize resources from charitable trusts, foundations, and others in public and private sectors sources to assist LMI Member States to develop and implement their radiation medicine capacities within a national cancer control programme (NCCP); and, To ensure the effective and sustainable transfer of radiation medicine technologies or knowledge to all LMI Member States where unmet needs exist. PACT work focuses on: imPACT: Assessing Cancer Burden PMDS: Developing Global Partnerships VUCCnet: Promoting Cancer Control Training AGaRT: Making Radiotherapy Accessible Facilitating increased participation and professional development of Medical Physicists and other Radiation Oncology professionals in global health Wilfred Ngwa, Harvard Medical School, University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA The 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) Cancer report highlights an alarming increase in the global burden of cancer. It also highlights what it terms “the cancer divide”, or disparities, evinced by a substantially higher cancer burden in low and middle income countries (LMIC) in Asia, Central/South America and Africa. The WHO even predicts a potential African cancer epidemic by 2020 if significant progress is not made in global cancer control efforts. Evidence that collaborative global health approaches have led to major progress in controlling infectious diseases including in LMIC suggests that similar approaches will be useful for non-communicable diseases like cancer. In consonance with this, leaders in cancer policy from the USA and 14 economically diverse countries recently concluded that successful campaigns to control cancers with existing methods and to improve current strategies will increasingly depend onconcerted multinational collaborations (Sci Transl Med 5, p. 175, 2013). Hence there is growing urgency for increasing collaborative global cancer Care Research and Education (CaRE), as well as support for greater effectiveness of already existing initiatives involving partners from different nations, diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. The good news is that there is a growing awareness of the importance of global health and growing interest including amongst Medical Physicists and other Radiation oncology (RadOnc) professionals to participate in global health. However, many are unaware of currently existing opportunities for participation that even with small effort could have a high impact. Over 50% of cancer patients in the developed world depend on RadOnc professionals for their treatment, and hence participation of RadOnc professionals in global health efforts in the global fight against cancer is crucial. It is also important that the next generation of RadOnc professionals (students, and residents) be trained with a global perspective, to be global health leaders in cancer CaRE. This presentation will highlight a novel platform for enhancing participation and professional development of Medical Physicists and other RadOnc professionals in global health. Ways in which this platform can facilitate contributions by Medical Physicists and other RadOnc Professionals, students and residents in global health towards the elimination of global cancer disparities will be discussed. This will be followed by a panel discussion by some of the pioneers/leaders in collaborative global cancer CaRE on the growing cancer burden, challenges and opportunities for greater active involvement and professional development.« less

Nutritional and Hormonal Status of Premature Infants Born with Intrauterine Growth Restriction at the Term Corrected Age.

PubMed

Belyaeva, I A; Namazova-Baranova, L S; Bombardirova, E P; Okuneva, M V

Inadequate nutrition supply during the period of intrauterine growth and the first year of life leads to persistent metabolic changes and provokes development of various diseases. Тo compare physical development, body composition, and hormonal status (insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), somatotropic hormone (STH), C-Peptide, cortisol) indices in premature infants born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at the term corrected age with the same indices in mature infants with IUGR and premature infants with weight appropriate for their gestational age (GA). А crossover study of anthropometric measures, body composition and growth hormones changes assessment was carried out. It included 140 premature infants with weight appropriate for their GA, 58 premature infants with IUGR and 64 mature infants with IUGR. Anthropometric measures were assessed with Fenton and Anthro growth charts (WHO, 2009); body composition was studied with the air plethysmography method (РЕA POD, LMi, USA). Level of hormones in blood serum was assessed with biochemical methods. It is found that anthropometric measures in premature infants with weight appropriate for their GA and premature infants with IUGR at the term corrected age did not have any significant differences while premature infants with IUGR tended to have lower weight. Studying body composition we found that both groups of premature infants had slightly higher level of fat mass in comparison with mature infants. High concentration of insulin, cortisol, IGF-1, and C-peptide was found in premature and mature infants with IUGR. Instead, lower levels of STH was found in infants with IUGR. Formula fed premature infants (comparing to breastfed ones) had higher levels of fat mass, insulin, IGF-1, and C-peptide. Mature infants with IUGR did not tend to have the correlation between levels of fat mass, insulin, IGF-1, C-peptide, and type of feeding. Not only insufficient intrauterine growth but also nutrition pattern plays important role in development of body composition disbalance and hormonal shifts in premature infants.

15 Years Of Ecuadorian-French Research Along The Ecuadorian Subduction Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charvis, P.

2015-12-01

The Ecuadorian segment of the Nazca/South America subduction zone is an outstanding laboratory to study the seismic cycle. Central Ecuador where the Carnegie ridge enters the subduction marks a transition between a highly coupled segment that hosted one of the largest seismic sequence during the 20thcentury and a ~1200-km long weakly coupled segment encompassing southern Ecuador and northern Peru. A shallow dipping subduction interface and a short trench-coast line distance ranging from 45 to 80 km, together with La Plata Island located only 33 km from the trench axis, allow to document subduction processes in the near field with an exceptional resolution. Since 2000, a close cooperation between the Institute of Geophysics (Quito), INOCAR (Oceanographic Institute of the Ecuadorian Navy) with French groups allowed us to conduct up to 6 marine geophysics cruises to survey the convergent margin and jointly develop dense GPS and seismological networks. This fruitful collaboration now takes place in the framework of an International Joint Laboratory "Earthquakes and Volcanoes in the Northern Andes" (LMI SVAN), which eases coordinating research projects and exchanges of Ecuadorian and French scientists and students. This long-term investigation has already provided a unique view on the structure of the margin, which exhibits a highly variable subduction channel along strike. It allowed us to evidence the contrast between creeping and coupled segments of subduction at various scale, and the existence of large continental slivers whose motion accommodates the obliquity of the Nazca/South America convergence. Finally, we could evidence the first Slow Slip Events (SSE) that oppositely to most SSE documented so far, are accompanied with intense micro-seismicity. The recent support of the French National Research Agency and the Ecuadorian Agency for Sciences and Technology (Senescyt) will enable us to integrate the already obtained results, in an attempt to develop an earthquake forecast model for Ecuador.

UDE-based control of variable-speed wind turbine systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Beibei; Wang, Yeqin; Zhong, Qing-Chang

2017-01-01

In this paper, the control of a PMSG (permanent magnet synchronous generator)-based variable-speed wind turbine system with a back-to-back converter is considered. The uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE)-based control approach is applied to the regulation of the DC-link voltage and the control of the RSC (rotor-side converter) and the GSC (grid-side converter). For the rotor-side controller, the UDE-based vector control is developed for the RSC with PMSG control to facilitate the application of the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) algorithm for the maximum wind energy capture. For the grid-side controller, the UDE-based vector control is developed to control the GSC with the power reference generated by a UDE-based DC-link voltage controller. Compared with the conventional vector control, the UDE-based vector control can achieve reliable current decoupling control with fast response. Moreover, the UDE-based DC-link voltage regulation can achieve stable DC-link voltage under model uncertainties and external disturbances, e.g. wind speed variations. The effectiveness of the proposed UDE-based control approach is demonstrated through extensive simulation studies in the presence of coupled dynamics, model uncertainties and external disturbances under varying wind speeds. The UDE-based control is able to generate more energy, e.g. by 5% for the wind profile tested.

Catalogue of Main Characteristics of Pulsations of 173 Semi-Regular Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chinarova, L. L.; Andronov, I. L.

2000-12-01

The characteristics of brightness variations of 173 semi-regular stars are tabulated: the moments and brightness of the extrema; the effective periods, amplitudes and significance obtained by using different methods: a) the periodogram analysis (harmonic least squares t) with prewhitening to determine characteristics and significance of waves with 3 periods; b) the wavelet analysis to determine characteristics of statistically significant waves; ) the "running parabola" scalegram analysis to determine the optimal filter half - width for smoothing. The characteristics may be used for more precise classification of semi-regular variables. Characteristics of the 6509 extrema of 147 stars are listed. The electronic version is available via http://ila.webjump.om. The observations for the analysis have been taken from the AFOEV and VSOLJ databases (with a duration up to 94 years) for the stars: AQ, EH, EK, RS, RU, RV, ST, TV, TY, TZ, UX, VX And; GY, PX, S, V, V844 Aql; V, Z Aqr; T Ari; AG, RS, S, UU, Z Aur; RV, RW, RX, RZ, U, V, WY Boo; T Cae; RR, RS, RY, S, ST, U Cam; RT Cap; PZ, SV, UX, V393, V465, WZ Cas; T, Y Cen; AR, RU, RW, RX, SS, TY, W Cep; T Cet; RS, RT, T, X Cnc; RR, RS, TT CrB; V, Y Cvn; AA, AF, AI, AV, AW, BC, RS, RU, RV, RW, RZ, TT, V460, W Cyg; EU, U Del; RS, RY, S, TX, UX, WZ Dra; SY, Z Eri; IS, NQ, RS, SW, TU, TV, Y Gem; DE, MZ, RR, ST, SX, UU, X Her; FF, RT, U, V, W, Y Hya; RS Lac; RY, SX Leo; RX, S Lep; U, W LMi; Y, EG, R, SZ Lyr; RV, SW, X Mon; V759 Oph; BQ, FX, GT, RT, W Ori; AF, AK, SV, TX Peg; AD, BU, DY, FZ, RS, RU, S, SU, SY, T, UZ, W, XX Per; R Pic; RT, RW, Z Psc; BM Sco; S Sct; FG Ser; X Sge; AB, TT, W, Y Tau; W Tri; RX, RY, RZ, ST,SV, V, Y, Z UMa; R, V UMi; RT, SS, SW Vir; RU Vul.

The volatile OH Mainline Masers of R Leo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, B. M.

2004-12-01

R Leo was observed soon after the Arecibo upgrade, in mid-1999, when its principal 1665 & 1667 MHz masers respectively had intensities of 2.2 & 3.2 Jy: these had completely disappeared by mid-2002. The 1665 MHz maser has never exceeded 10 mJy since, while the 1667 has never exceeded 70 mJy. Moreover the initial decline of both, by factors of ≥ 25, occurred in 10 months. Though both masers recovered by a factor of ≥ 3 soon after, this was immediately followed by a sharp decline from which they have never rallied. The 1667 MHz maser declined from 1000 to 27 mJy over the first 9 months of 2001, and even more quickly, from 60 to 24 mJy, in 36 days through September 2004. This behaviour contrasts sharply with that of 1612 MHz masers of normal OH/IR stars, which commonly vary by a factor of three around the pulsation cycle, and which have on occasion been observed to disappear with an e-folding time of ˜ 1 yr (ApJ 548, L77). Nor is this difference simply the usual pulsational variation of OH mainlines, as those of R LMi only vary in intensity by a factor of three. We conclude that the mainline masers of R Leo are unusually volatile, and prone to an order of magnitude more variability than most such masers. The NIR colors of OH/IR stars follow a well-defined locus, whose entire extent is traversed ≤ 60 yr after the cessation of mass-loss. Lewis (BAAS 35, 1358) therefore argues that the rapid loss of 1612 MHz masers is set by changes in the maser pump following on changes in the reprocessing of stellar radiation by dust in the inner environs of its circumstellar shell. But the pumping of OH mainline masers is even more sensitive to the details of IR-line overlap than the 1612. The amplitude and brevity of changes in the OH mainline masers of R Leo therefore suggest that these are generated by small changes in IR line overlap.

On the Application of Different Event-Based Sampling Strategies to the Control of a Simple Industrial Process

PubMed Central

Sánchez, José; Guarnes, Miguel Ángel; Dormido, Sebastián

2009-01-01

This paper is an experimental study of the utilization of different event-based strategies for the automatic control of a simple but very representative industrial process: the level control of a tank. In an event-based control approach it is the triggering of a specific event, and not the time, that instructs the sensor to send the current state of the process to the controller, and the controller to compute a new control action and send it to the actuator. In the document, five control strategies based on different event-based sampling techniques are described, compared, and contrasted with a classical time-based control approach and a hybrid one. The common denominator in the time, the hybrid, and the event-based control approaches is the controller: a proportional-integral algorithm with adaptations depending on the selected control approach. To compare and contrast each one of the hybrid and the pure event-based control algorithms with the time-based counterpart, the two tasks that a control strategy must achieve (set-point following and disturbance rejection) are independently analyzed. The experimental study provides new proof concerning the ability of event-based control strategies to minimize the data exchange among the control agents (sensors, controllers, actuators) when an error-free control of the process is not a hard requirement. PMID:22399975

Control algorithms and applications of the wavefront sensorless adaptive optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Liang; Wang, Bin; Zhou, Yuanshen; Yang, Huizhen

2017-10-01

Compared with the conventional adaptive optics (AO) system, the wavefront sensorless (WFSless) AO system need not to measure the wavefront and reconstruct it. It is simpler than the conventional AO in system architecture and can be applied to the complex conditions. Based on the analysis of principle and system model of the WFSless AO system, wavefront correction methods of the WFSless AO system were divided into two categories: model-free-based and model-based control algorithms. The WFSless AO system based on model-free-based control algorithms commonly considers the performance metric as a function of the control parameters and then uses certain control algorithm to improve the performance metric. The model-based control algorithms include modal control algorithms, nonlinear control algorithms and control algorithms based on geometrical optics. Based on the brief description of above typical control algorithms, hybrid methods combining the model-free-based control algorithm with the model-based control algorithm were generalized. Additionally, characteristics of various control algorithms were compared and analyzed. We also discussed the extensive applications of WFSless AO system in free space optical communication (FSO), retinal imaging in the human eye, confocal microscope, coherent beam combination (CBC) techniques and extended objects.

Design of static synchronous series compensator based damping controller employing invasive weed optimization algorithm.

PubMed

Ahmed, Ashik; Al-Amin, Rasheduzzaman; Amin, Ruhul

2014-01-01

This paper proposes designing of Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) based damping controller to enhance the stability of a Single Machine Infinite Bus (SMIB) system by means of Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) technique. Conventional PI controller is used as the SSSC damping controller which takes rotor speed deviation as the input. The damping controller parameters are tuned based on time integral of absolute error based cost function using IWO. Performance of IWO based controller is compared to that of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based controller. Time domain based simulation results are presented and performance of the controllers under different loading conditions and fault scenarios is studied in order to illustrate the effectiveness of the IWO based design approach.

Access control mechanism of wireless gateway based on open flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Rong; Ding, Lei

2017-08-01

In order to realize the access control of wireless gateway and improve the access control of wireless gateway devices, an access control mechanism of SDN architecture which is based on Open vSwitch is proposed. The mechanism utilizes the features of the controller--centralized control and programmable. Controller send access control flow table based on the business logic. Open vSwitch helps achieve a specific access control strategy based on the flow table.

Robust Operation of Tendon-Driven Robot Fingers Using Force and Position-Based Control Laws

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hargrave, Brian (Inventor); Abdallah, Muhammad E (Inventor); Reiland, Matthew J (Inventor); Diftler, Myron A (Inventor); Strawser, Philip A (Inventor); Platt, Jr., Robert J. (Inventor); Ihrke, Chris A. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A robotic system includes a tendon-driven finger and a control system. The system controls the finger via a force-based control law when a tension sensor is available, and via a position-based control law when a sensor is not available. Multiple tendons may each have a corresponding sensor. The system selectively injects a compliance value into the position-based control law when only some sensors are available. A control system includes a host machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a control process, which is executed by the host machine to control the finger via the force- or position-based control law. A method for controlling the finger includes determining the availability of a tension sensor(s), and selectively controlling the finger, using the control system, via the force or position-based control law. The position control law allows the control system to resist disturbances while nominally maintaining the initial state of internal tendon tensions.

Comparison of conventional rule based flow control with control processes based on fuzzy logic in a combined sewer system.

PubMed

Klepiszewski, K; Schmitt, T G

2002-01-01

While conventional rule based, real time flow control of sewer systems is in common use, control systems based on fuzzy logic have been used only rarely, but successfully. The intention of this study is to compare a conventional rule based control of a combined sewer system with a fuzzy logic control by using hydrodynamic simulation. The objective of both control strategies is to reduce the combined sewer overflow volume by an optimization of the utilized storage capacities of four combined sewer overflow tanks. The control systems affect the outflow of four combined sewer overflow tanks depending on the water levels inside the structures. Both systems use an identical rule base. The developed control systems are tested and optimized for a single storm event which affects heterogeneously hydraulic load conditions and local discharge. Finally the efficiencies of the two different control systems are compared for two more storm events. The results indicate that the conventional rule based control and the fuzzy control similarly reach the objective of the control strategy. In spite of the higher expense to design the fuzzy control system its use provides no advantages in this case.

Model-based Acceleration Control of Turbofan Engines with a Hammerstein-Wiener Representation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jiqiang; Ye, Zhifeng; Hu, Zhongzhi; Wu, Xin; Dimirovsky, Georgi; Yue, Hong

2017-05-01

Acceleration control of turbofan engines is conventionally designed through either schedule-based or acceleration-based approach. With the widespread acceptance of model-based design in aviation industry, it becomes necessary to investigate the issues associated with model-based design for acceleration control. In this paper, the challenges for implementing model-based acceleration control are explained; a novel Hammerstein-Wiener representation of engine models is introduced; based on the Hammerstein-Wiener model, a nonlinear generalized minimum variance type of optimal control law is derived; the feature of the proposed approach is that it does not require the inversion operation that usually upsets those nonlinear control techniques. The effectiveness of the proposed control design method is validated through a detailed numerical study.

Neural network-based sliding mode control for atmospheric-actuated spacecraft formation using switching strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Ran; Wang, Jihe; Zhang, Dexin; Shao, Xiaowei

2018-02-01

This paper presents an adaptive neural networks-based control method for spacecraft formation with coupled translational and rotational dynamics using only aerodynamic forces. It is assumed that each spacecraft is equipped with several large flat plates. A coupled orbit-attitude dynamic model is considered based on the specific configuration of atmospheric-based actuators. For this model, a neural network-based adaptive sliding mode controller is implemented, accounting for system uncertainties and external perturbations. To avoid invalidation of the neural networks destroying stability of the system, a switching control strategy is proposed which combines an adaptive neural networks controller dominating in its active region and an adaptive sliding mode controller outside the neural active region. An optimal process is developed to determine the control commands for the plates system. The stability of the closed-loop system is proved by a Lyapunov-based method. Comparative results through numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of executing attitude control while maintaining the relative motion, and higher control accuracy can be achieved by using the proposed neural-based switching control scheme than using only adaptive sliding mode controller.

Control Theory Perspective of Effects-Based Thinking and Operations: Modelling Operations as a Feedback Control System

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

Control Theory Perspective of Effects-Based Thinking and Operations Modelling “Operations” as a Feedback Control System Philip S. E... Theory Perspective of Effects-Based Thinking and Operations Modelling “Operations” as a Feedback Control System Philip S. E. Farrell...Abstract This paper explores operations that involve effects-based thinking (EBT) using Control Theory techniques in order to highlight the concept’s

Adaptive control of a Stewart platform-based manipulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Charles C.; Antrazi, Sami S.; Zhou, Zhen-Lei; Campbell, Charles E., Jr.

1993-01-01

A joint-space adaptive control scheme for controlling noncompliant motion of a Stewart platform-based manipulator (SPBM) was implemented in the Hardware Real-Time Emulator at Goddard Space Flight Center. The six-degrees of freedom SPBM uses two platforms and six linear actuators driven by dc motors. The adaptive control scheme is based on proportional-derivative controllers whose gains are adjusted by an adaptation law based on model reference adaptive control and Liapunov direct method. It is concluded that the adaptive control scheme provides superior tracking capability as compared to fixed-gain controllers.

On Decision-Making Among Multiple Rule-Bases in Fuzzy Control Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tunstel, Edward; Jamshidi, Mo

1997-01-01

Intelligent control of complex multi-variable systems can be a challenge for single fuzzy rule-based controllers. This class of problems cam often be managed with less difficulty by distributing intelligent decision-making amongst a collection of rule-bases. Such an approach requires that a mechanism be chosen to ensure goal-oriented interaction between the multiple rule-bases. In this paper, a hierarchical rule-based approach is described. Decision-making mechanisms based on generalized concepts from single-rule-based fuzzy control are described. Finally, the effects of different aggregation operators on multi-rule-base decision-making are examined in a navigation control problem for mobile robots.

Event-Based Robust Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Systems Using Adaptive Dynamic Programming.

PubMed

Zhang, Qichao; Zhao, Dongbin; Wang, Ding

2018-01-01

In this paper, the robust control problem for a class of continuous-time nonlinear system with unmatched uncertainties is investigated using an event-based control method. First, the robust control problem is transformed into a corresponding optimal control problem with an augmented control and an appropriate cost function. Under the event-based mechanism, we prove that the solution of the optimal control problem can asymptotically stabilize the uncertain system with an adaptive triggering condition. That is, the designed event-based controller is robust to the original uncertain system. Note that the event-based controller is updated only when the triggering condition is satisfied, which can save the communication resources between the plant and the controller. Then, a single network adaptive dynamic programming structure with experience replay technique is constructed to approach the optimal control policies. The stability of the closed-loop system with the event-based control policy and the augmented control policy is analyzed using the Lyapunov approach. Furthermore, we prove that the minimal intersample time is bounded by a nonzero positive constant, which excludes Zeno behavior during the learning process. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

75 FR 54540 - Effects of Foreign Policy-Based Export Controls

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

.... 100719301-0303-02] Effects of Foreign Policy-Based Export Controls AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security... foreign policy-based export controls in the Export Administration Regulations to determine whether they... comments on how existing foreign policy-based export controls have affected exporters and the general...

A neuro-inspired spike-based PID motor controller for multi-motor robots with low cost FPGAs.

PubMed

Jimenez-Fernandez, Angel; Jimenez-Moreno, Gabriel; Linares-Barranco, Alejandro; Dominguez-Morales, Manuel J; Paz-Vicente, Rafael; Civit-Balcells, Anton

2012-01-01

In this paper we present a neuro-inspired spike-based close-loop controller written in VHDL and implemented for FPGAs. This controller has been focused on controlling a DC motor speed, but only using spikes for information representation, processing and DC motor driving. It could be applied to other motors with proper driver adaptation. This controller architecture represents one of the latest layers in a Spiking Neural Network (SNN), which implements a bridge between robotics actuators and spike-based processing layers and sensors. The presented control system fuses actuation and sensors information as spikes streams, processing these spikes in hard real-time, implementing a massively parallel information processing system, through specialized spike-based circuits. This spike-based close-loop controller has been implemented into an AER platform, designed in our labs, that allows direct control of DC motors: the AER-Robot. Experimental results evidence the viability of the implementation of spike-based controllers, and hardware synthesis denotes low hardware requirements that allow replicating this controller in a high number of parallel controllers working together to allow a real-time robot control.

A Neuro-Inspired Spike-Based PID Motor Controller for Multi-Motor Robots with Low Cost FPGAs

PubMed Central

Jimenez-Fernandez, Angel; Jimenez-Moreno, Gabriel; Linares-Barranco, Alejandro; Dominguez-Morales, Manuel J.; Paz-Vicente, Rafael; Civit-Balcells, Anton

2012-01-01

In this paper we present a neuro-inspired spike-based close-loop controller written in VHDL and implemented for FPGAs. This controller has been focused on controlling a DC motor speed, but only using spikes for information representation, processing and DC motor driving. It could be applied to other motors with proper driver adaptation. This controller architecture represents one of the latest layers in a Spiking Neural Network (SNN), which implements a bridge between robotics actuators and spike-based processing layers and sensors. The presented control system fuses actuation and sensors information as spikes streams, processing these spikes in hard real-time, implementing a massively parallel information processing system, through specialized spike-based circuits. This spike-based close-loop controller has been implemented into an AER platform, designed in our labs, that allows direct control of DC motors: the AER-Robot. Experimental results evidence the viability of the implementation of spike-based controllers, and hardware synthesis denotes low hardware requirements that allow replicating this controller in a high number of parallel controllers working together to allow a real-time robot control. PMID:22666004

Semi-active control of magnetorheological elastomer base isolation system utilising learning-based inverse model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Xiaoyu; Yu, Yang; Li, Jianchun; Li, Yancheng

2017-10-01

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) base isolations have attracted considerable attention over the last two decades thanks to its self-adaptability and high-authority controllability in semi-active control realm. Due to the inherent nonlinearity and hysteresis of the devices, it is challenging to obtain a reasonably complicated mathematical model to describe the inverse dynamics of MRE base isolators and hence to realise control synthesis of the MRE base isolation system. Two aims have been achieved in this paper: i) development of an inverse model for MRE base isolator based on optimal general regression neural network (GRNN); ii) numerical and experimental validation of a real-time semi-active controlled MRE base isolation system utilising LQR controller and GRNN inverse model. The superiority of GRNN inverse model lays in fewer input variables requirement, faster training process and prompt calculation response, which makes it suitable for online training and real-time control. The control system is integrated with a three-storey shear building model and control performance of the MRE base isolation system is compared with bare building, passive-on isolation system and passive-off isolation system. Testing results show that the proposed GRNN inverse model is able to reproduce desired control force accurately and the MRE base isolation system can effectively suppress the structural responses when compared to the passive isolation system.

Robust high-performance control for robotic manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun (Inventor)

1991-01-01

Model-based and performance-based control techniques are combined for an electrical robotic control system. Thus, two distinct and separate design philosophies have been merged into a single control system having a control law formulation including two distinct and separate components, each of which yields a respective signal component that is combined into a total command signal for the system. Those two separate system components include a feedforward controller and a feedback controller. The feedforward controller is model-based and contains any known part of the manipulator dynamics that can be used for on-line control to produce a nominal feedforward component of the system's control signal. The feedback controller is performance-based and consists of a simple adaptive PID controller which generates an adaptive control signal to complement the nominal feedforward signal.

Robust high-performance control for robotic manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun (Inventor)

1989-01-01

Model-based and performance-based control techniques are combined for an electrical robotic control system. Thus, two distinct and separate design philosophies were merged into a single control system having a control law formulation including two distinct and separate components, each of which yields a respective signal componet that is combined into a total command signal for the system. Those two separate system components include a feedforward controller and feedback controller. The feedforward controller is model-based and contains any known part of the manipulator dynamics that can be used for on-line control to produce a nominal feedforward component of the system's control signal. The feedback controller is performance-based and consists of a simple adaptive PID controller which generates an adaptive control signal to complement the nomical feedforward signal.

Stabilisation of perturbed chains of integrators using Lyapunov-based homogeneous controllers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harmouche, Mohamed; Laghrouche, Salah; Chitour, Yacine; Hamerlain, Mustapha

2017-12-01

In this paper, we present a Lyapunov-based homogeneous controller for the stabilisation of a perturbed chain of integrators of arbitrary order r ≥ 1. The proposed controller is based on homogeneous controller for stabilisation of pure chain of integrators. The control of homogeneity degree is also introduced and various controllers are designed using this concept, namely a bounded-controller with minimum amplitude of discontinuous control and a controller with globally fixed-time convergence. The performance of the controller is validated through simulations.

Rule-based navigation control design for autonomous flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contreras, Hugo; Bassi, Danilo

2008-04-01

This article depicts a navigation control system design that is based on a set of rules in order to follow a desired trajectory. The full control of the aircraft considered here comprises: a low level stability control loop, based on classic PID controller and the higher level navigation whose main job is to exercise lateral control (course) and altitude control, trying to follow a desired trajectory. The rules and PID gains were adjusted systematically according to the result of flight simulation. In spite of its simplicity, the rule-based navigation control proved to be robust, even with big perturbation, like crossing winds.

An Assessment of Vulnerabilities for Ship-based Control Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

VULNERABILITIES FOR SHIP- BASED CONTROL SYSTEMS by Richard Bensing September 2009 Thesis Advisor: Karen Burke Co-Advisor: George Dinolt...COVERED Master’s Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE: An Assessment of Vulnerabilities for Ship- based Control Systems 6. AUTHOR(S) Richard Bensing 5...soft underbelly. Computer- based control systems form the heart of the critical infrastructure, and these control systems are riddled with rampant

Scheduler for monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

DOEpatents

Olivier, Scot S; Pertica, Alexander J; Riot, Vincent J; De Vries, Willem H; Bauman, Brian J; Nikolaev, Sergei; Henderson, John R; Phillion, Donald W

2015-04-28

An ephemeris refinement system includes satellites with imaging devices in earth orbit to make observations of space-based objects ("target objects") and a ground-based controller that controls the scheduling of the satellites to make the observations of the target objects and refines orbital models of the target objects. The ground-based controller determines when the target objects of interest will be near enough to a satellite for that satellite to collect an image of the target object based on an initial orbital model for the target objects. The ground-based controller directs the schedules to be uploaded to the satellites, and the satellites make observations as scheduled and download the observations to the ground-based controller. The ground-based controller then refines the initial orbital models of the target objects based on the locations of the target objects that are derived from the observations.

Monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

DOEpatents

Olivier, Scot S.; Pertica, Alexander J.; Riot, Vincent J.; De Vries, Willem H.; Bauman, Brian J.; Nikolaev, Sergei; Henderson, John R.; Phillion, Donald W.

2015-06-30

An ephemeris refinement system includes satellites with imaging devices in earth orbit to make observations of space-based objects ("target objects") and a ground-based controller that controls the scheduling of the satellites to make the observations of the target objects and refines orbital models of the target objects. The ground-based controller determines when the target objects of interest will be near enough to a satellite for that satellite to collect an image of the target object based on an initial orbital model for the target objects. The ground-based controller directs the schedules to be uploaded to the satellites, and the satellites make observations as scheduled and download the observations to the ground-based controller. The ground-based controller then refines the initial orbital models of the target objects based on the locations of the target objects that are derived from the observations.

Integration of domain and resource-based reasoning for real-time control in dynamic environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morgan, Keith; Whitebread, Kenneth R.; Kendus, Michael; Cromarty, Andrew S.

1993-01-01

A real-time software controller that successfully integrates domain-based and resource-based control reasoning to perform task execution in a dynamically changing environment is described. The design of the controller is based on the concept of partitioning the process to be controlled into a set of tasks, each of which achieves some process goal. It is assumed that, in general, there are multiple ways (tasks) to achieve a goal. The controller dynamically determines current goals and their current criticality, choosing and scheduling tasks to achieve those goals in the time available. It incorporates rule-based goal reasoning, a TMS-based criticality propagation mechanism, and a real-time scheduler. The controller has been used to build a knowledge-based situation assessment system that formed a major component of a real-time, distributed, cooperative problem solving system built under DARPA contract. It is also being employed in other applications now in progress.

Research on the man in the loop control system of the robot arm based on gesture control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Lifeng; Peng, Jinbao

2017-03-01

The Man in the loop control system of the robot arm based on gesture control research complex real-world environment, which requires the operator to continuously control and adjust the remote manipulator, as the background, completes the specific mission human in the loop entire system as the research object. This paper puts forward a kind of robot arm control system of Man in the loop based on gesture control, by robot arm control system based on gesture control and Virtual reality scene feedback to enhance immersion and integration of operator, to make operator really become a part of the whole control loop. This paper expounds how to construct a man in the loop control system of the robot arm based on gesture control. The system is a complex system of human computer cooperative control, but also people in the loop control problem areas. The new system solves the problems that the traditional method has no immersion feeling and the operation lever is unnatural, the adjustment time is long, and the data glove mode wears uncomfortable and the price is expensive.

78 FR 11611 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

... Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk- Based Preventive Controls for Human Food; Extension of... Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Domini Bean... Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food'' with a 120-day comment...

78 FR 69604 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-20

... Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk- Based Preventive Controls for Human Food; Extension of... Hazard Analysis and Risk- Based Preventive Controls for Human Food'' and its information collection... Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food.'' IV. How To...

A tyre slip-based integrated chassis control of front/rear traction distribution and four-wheel independent brake from moderate driving to limit handling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joa, Eunhyek; Park, Kwanwoo; Koh, Youngil; Yi, Kyongsu; Kim, Kilsoo

2018-04-01

This paper presents a tyre slip-based integrated chassis control of front/rear traction distribution and four-wheel braking for enhanced performance from moderate driving to limit handling. The proposed algorithm adopted hierarchical structure: supervisor - desired motion tracking controller - optimisation-based control allocation. In the supervisor, by considering transient cornering characteristics, desired vehicle motion is calculated. In the desired motion tracking controller, in order to track desired vehicle motion, virtual control input is determined in the manner of sliding mode control. In the control allocation, virtual control input is allocated to minimise cost function. The cost function consists of two major parts. First part is a slip-based tyre friction utilisation quantification, which does not need a tyre force estimation. Second part is an allocation guideline, which guides optimally allocated inputs to predefined solution. The proposed algorithm has been investigated via simulation from moderate driving to limit handling scenario. Compared to Base and direct yaw moment control system, the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce tyre dissipation energy in the moderate driving situation. Moreover, the proposed algorithm enhances limit handling performance compared to Base and direct yaw moment control system. In addition to comparison with Base and direct yaw moment control, comparison the proposed algorithm with the control algorithm based on the known tyre force information has been conducted. The results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is similar with that of the control algorithm with the known tyre force information.

Research on Environmental Adjustment of Cloud Ranch Based on BP Neural Network PID Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Jinzhi; Xiang, Wei; Zhao, Lin; Wu, Jianbo; Huang, Lianzhen; Tu, Qinggang; Zhao, Heming

2018-01-01

In order to make the intelligent ranch management mode replace the traditional artificial one gradually, this paper proposes a pasture environment control system based on cloud server, and puts forward the PID control algorithm based on BP neural network to control temperature and humidity better in the pasture environment. First, to model the temperature and humidity (controlled object) of the pasture, we can get the transfer function. Then the traditional PID control algorithm and the PID one based on BP neural network are applied to the transfer function. The obtained step tracking curves can be seen that the PID controller based on BP neural network has obvious superiority in adjusting time and error, etc. This algorithm, calculating reasonable control parameters of the temperature and humidity to control environment, can be better used in the cloud service platform.

Adaptive Data-based Predictive Control for Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barlow, Jonathan Spencer; Acosta, Diana Michelle; Phan, Minh Q.

2010-01-01

Data-based Predictive Control is an emerging control method that stems from Model Predictive Control (MPC). MPC computes current control action based on a prediction of the system output a number of time steps into the future and is generally derived from a known model of the system. Data-based predictive control has the advantage of deriving predictive models and controller gains from input-output data. Thus, a controller can be designed from the outputs of complex simulation code or a physical system where no explicit model exists. If the output data happens to be corrupted by periodic disturbances, the designed controller will also have the built-in ability to reject these disturbances without the need to know them. When data-based predictive control is implemented online, it becomes a version of adaptive control. The characteristics of adaptive data-based predictive control are particularly appropriate for the control of nonlinear and time-varying systems, such as Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. STOL is a capability of interest to NASA because conceptual Cruise Efficient Short Take-off and Landing (CESTOL) transport aircraft offer the ability to reduce congestion in the terminal area by utilizing existing shorter runways at airports, as well as to lower community noise by flying steep approach and climb-out patterns that reduce the noise footprint of the aircraft. In this study, adaptive data-based predictive control is implemented as an integrated flight-propulsion controller for the outer-loop control of a CESTOL-type aircraft. Results show that the controller successfully tracks velocity while attempting to maintain a constant flight path angle, using longitudinal command, thrust and flap setting as the control inputs.

Delay-based virtual congestion control in multi-tenant datacenters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yuxin; Zhu, Danhong; Zhang, Dong

2018-03-01

With the evolution of cloud computing and virtualization, the congestion control of virtual datacenters has become the basic issue for multi-tenant datacenters transmission. Regarding to the friendly conflict of heterogeneous congestion control among multi-tenant, this paper proposes a delay-based virtual congestion control, which translates the multi-tenant heterogeneous congestion control into delay-based feedback uniformly by setting the hypervisor translation layer, modifying three-way handshake of explicit feedback and packet loss feedback and throttling receive window. The simulation results show that the delay-based virtual congestion control can effectively solve the unfairness of heterogeneous feedback congestion control algorithms.

DEVS representation of dynamical systems - Event-based intelligent control. [Discrete Event System Specification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zeigler, Bernard P.

1989-01-01

It is shown how systems can be advantageously represented as discrete-event models by using DEVS (discrete-event system specification), a set-theoretic formalism. Such DEVS models provide a basis for the design of event-based logic control. In this control paradigm, the controller expects to receive confirming sensor responses to its control commands within definite time windows determined by its DEVS model of the system under control. The event-based contral paradigm is applied in advanced robotic and intelligent automation, showing how classical process control can be readily interfaced with rule-based symbolic reasoning systems.

Methods of Si based ceramic components volatilization control in a gas turbine engine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garcia-Crespo, Andres Jose; Delvaux, John; Dion Ouellet, Noemie

A method of controlling volatilization of silicon based components in a gas turbine engine includes measuring, estimating and/or predicting a variable related to operation of the gas turbine engine; correlating the variable to determine an amount of silicon to control volatilization of the silicon based components in the gas turbine engine; and injecting silicon into the gas turbine engine to control volatilization of the silicon based components. A gas turbine with a compressor, combustion system, turbine section and silicon injection system may be controlled by a controller that implements the control method.

Centralized, decentralized, and independent control of a flexible manipulator on a flexible base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Feiyue; Bainum, Peter M.; Xu, Jianke

1991-01-01

The dynamics and control of a flexible manipulator arm with payload mass on a flexible base in space are considered. The controllers are provided by one torquer at the center of the base and one torquer at the connection joint of the robot and the base. The nonlinear dynamics of the system is modeled by applying the finite element method and Lagrangian formula. Three control strategies are considered and compared, i.e., centralized control, decentralized control, and independent control. All these control designs are based on the linear quadratic regulator theory. A mathematical decomposition is used in the decentralization process so that the coupling between the subsystems is weak, while a physical decomposition is used in the independent control design process. For both the decentralized and the independent controls, the stability of the overall linear system is checked before a numerical simulations is initiated. Two numerical examples show that the response of the independent control system are close to those of the centralized control system, while the responses of the decentralized control system are not.

78 FR 24691 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-26

... Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk- Based Preventive Controls for Human Food; Extension of... Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food'' that appeared in... Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food'' with a 120-day...

78 FR 38730 - Announcement of Funding Awards for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control, and Lead Hazard Reduction...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-27

... Awards for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control, and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Programs for... (OHHLHC) Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control, and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program Notices of... Grants.gov on December 3, 2012, and amended on January 18, 2013, for the Lead Based Paint Hazard Control...

A new RISE-based adaptive control of PKMs: design, stability analysis and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennehar, M.; Chemori, A.; Bouri, M.; Jenni, L. F.; Pierrot, F.

2018-03-01

This paper deals with the development of a new adaptive control scheme for parallel kinematic manipulators (PKMs) based on Rrbust integral of the sign of the error (RISE) control theory. Original RISE control law is only based on state feedback and does not take advantage of the modelled dynamics of the manipulator. Consequently, the overall performance of the resulting closed-loop system may be poor compared to modern advanced model-based control strategies. We propose in this work to extend RISE by including the nonlinear dynamics of the PKM in the control loop to improve its overall performance. More precisely, we augment original RISE control scheme with a model-based adaptive control term to account for the inherent nonlinearities in the closed-loop system. To demonstrate the relevance of the proposed controller, real-time experiments are conducted on the Delta robot, a three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) PKM.

Model based design introduction: modeling game controllers to microprocessor architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jungwirth, Patrick; Badawy, Abdel-Hameed

2017-04-01

We present an introduction to model based design. Model based design is a visual representation, generally a block diagram, to model and incrementally develop a complex system. Model based design is a commonly used design methodology for digital signal processing, control systems, and embedded systems. Model based design's philosophy is: to solve a problem - a step at a time. The approach can be compared to a series of steps to converge to a solution. A block diagram simulation tool allows a design to be simulated with real world measurement data. For example, if an analog control system is being upgraded to a digital control system, the analog sensor input signals can be recorded. The digital control algorithm can be simulated with the real world sensor data. The output from the simulated digital control system can then be compared to the old analog based control system. Model based design can compared to Agile software develop. The Agile software development goal is to develop working software in incremental steps. Progress is measured in completed and tested code units. Progress is measured in model based design by completed and tested blocks. We present a concept for a video game controller and then use model based design to iterate the design towards a working system. We will also describe a model based design effort to develop an OS Friendly Microprocessor Architecture based on the RISC-V.

Biomechanics and energetics of walking in powered ankle exoskeletons using myoelectric control versus mechanically intrinsic control.

PubMed

Koller, Jeffrey R; Remy, C David; Ferris, Daniel P

2018-05-25

Controllers for assistive robotic devices can be divided into two main categories: controllers using neural signals and controllers using mechanically intrinsic signals. Both approaches are prevalent in research devices, but a direct comparison between the two could provide insight into their relative advantages and disadvantages. We studied subjects walking with robotic ankle exoskeletons using two different control modes: dynamic gain proportional myoelectric control based on soleus muscle activity (neural signal), and timing-based mechanically intrinsic control based on gait events (mechanically intrinsic signal). We hypothesized that subjects would have different measures of metabolic work rate between the two controllers as we predicted subjects would use each controller in a unique manner due to one being dependent on muscle recruitment and the other not. The two controllers had the same average actuation signal as we used the control signals from walking with the myoelectric controller to shape the mechanically intrinsic control signal. The difference being the myoelectric controller allowed step-to-step variation in the actuation signals controlled by the user's soleus muscle recruitment while the timing-based controller had the same actuation signal with each step regardless of muscle recruitment. We observed no statistically significant difference in metabolic work rate between the two controllers. Subjects walked with 11% less soleus activity during mid and late stance and significantly less peak soleus recruitment when using the timing-based controller than when using the myoelectric controller. While walking with the myoelectric controller, subjects walked with significantly higher average positive and negative total ankle power compared to walking with the timing-based controller. We interpret the reduced ankle power and muscle activity with the timing-based controller relative to the myoelectric controller to result from greater slacking effects. Subjects were able to be less engaged on a muscle level when using a controller driven by mechanically intrinsic signals than when using a controller driven by neural signals, but this had no affect on their metabolic work rate. These results suggest that the type of controller (neural vs. mechanical) is likely to affect how individuals use robotic exoskeletons for therapeutic rehabilitation or human performance augmentation.

Attitude control of the space construction base: A modular approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oconnor, D. A.

1982-01-01

A planar model of a space base and one module is considered. For this simplified system, a feedback controller which is compatible with the modular construction method is described. The systems dynamics are decomposed into two parts corresponding to base and module. The information structure of the problem is non-classical in that not all system information is supplied to each controller. The base controller is designed to accommodate structural changes that occur as the module is added and the module controller is designed to regulate its own states and follow commands from the base. Overall stability of the system is checked by Liapunov analysis and controller effectiveness is verified by computer simulation.

In Silico Testing of an Artificial-Intelligence-Based Artificial Pancreas Designed for Use in the Intensive Care Unit Setting

PubMed Central

DeJournett, Leon; DeJournett, Jeremy

2016-01-01

Background: Effective glucose control in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting has the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality rates which should in turn lead to decreased health care expenditures. Current ICU-based glucose controllers are mathematically derived, and tend to be based on proportional integral derivative (PID) or model predictive control (MPC). Artificial intelligence (AI)–based closed loop glucose controllers may have the ability to achieve control that improves on the results achieved by either PID or MPC controllers. Method: We conducted an in silico analysis of an AI-based glucose controller designed for use in the ICU setting. This controller was tested using a mathematical model of the ICU patient’s glucose-insulin system. A total of 126 000 unique 5-day simulations were carried out, resulting in 107 million glucose values for analysis. Results: For the 7 control ranges tested, with a sensor error of ±10%, the following average results were achieved: (1) time in control range, 94.2%, (2) time in range 70-140 mg/dl, 97.8%, (3) time in hyperglycemic range (>140 mg/dl), 2.1%, and (4) time in hypoglycemic range (<70 mg/dl), 0.09%. In addition, the average coefficient of variation (CV) was 11.1%. Conclusions: This in silico study of an AI-based closed loop glucose controller shows that it may be able to improve on the results achieved by currently existing ICU-based PID/MPC controllers. If these results are confirmed in clinical testing, this AI-based controller could be used to create an artificial pancreas system for use in the ICU setting. PMID:27301982

In Silico Testing of an Artificial-Intelligence-Based Artificial Pancreas Designed for Use in the Intensive Care Unit Setting.

PubMed

DeJournett, Leon; DeJournett, Jeremy

2016-11-01

Effective glucose control in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting has the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality rates which should in turn lead to decreased health care expenditures. Current ICU-based glucose controllers are mathematically derived, and tend to be based on proportional integral derivative (PID) or model predictive control (MPC). Artificial intelligence (AI)-based closed loop glucose controllers may have the ability to achieve control that improves on the results achieved by either PID or MPC controllers. We conducted an in silico analysis of an AI-based glucose controller designed for use in the ICU setting. This controller was tested using a mathematical model of the ICU patient's glucose-insulin system. A total of 126 000 unique 5-day simulations were carried out, resulting in 107 million glucose values for analysis. For the 7 control ranges tested, with a sensor error of ±10%, the following average results were achieved: (1) time in control range, 94.2%, (2) time in range 70-140 mg/dl, 97.8%, (3) time in hyperglycemic range (>140 mg/dl), 2.1%, and (4) time in hypoglycemic range (<70 mg/dl), 0.09%. In addition, the average coefficient of variation (CV) was 11.1%. This in silico study of an AI-based closed loop glucose controller shows that it may be able to improve on the results achieved by currently existing ICU-based PID/MPC controllers. If these results are confirmed in clinical testing, this AI-based controller could be used to create an artificial pancreas system for use in the ICU setting. © 2016 Diabetes Technology Society.

Systematic methods for the design of a class of fuzzy logic controllers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasin, Saad Yaser

2002-09-01

Fuzzy logic control, a relatively new branch of control, can be used effectively whenever conventional control techniques become inapplicable or impractical. Various attempts have been made to create a generalized fuzzy control system and to formulate an analytically based fuzzy control law. In this study, two methods, the left and right parameterization method and the normalized spline-base membership function method, were utilized for formulating analytical fuzzy control laws in important practical control applications. The first model was used to design an idle speed controller, while the second was used to control an inverted control problem. The results of both showed that a fuzzy logic control system based on the developed models could be used effectively to control highly nonlinear and complex systems. This study also investigated the application of fuzzy control in areas not fully utilizing fuzzy logic control. Three important practical applications pertaining to the automotive industries were studied. The first automotive-related application was the idle speed of spark ignition engines, using two fuzzy control methods: (1) left and right parameterization, and (2) fuzzy clustering techniques and experimental data. The simulation and experimental results showed that a conventional controller-like performance fuzzy controller could be designed based only on experimental data and intuitive knowledge of the system. In the second application, the automotive cruise control problem, a fuzzy control model was developed using parameters adaptive Proportional plus Integral plus Derivative (PID)-type fuzzy logic controller. Results were comparable to those using linearized conventional PID and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controllers and, in certain cases and conditions, the developed controller outperformed the conventional PID and LQR controllers. The third application involved the air/fuel ratio control problem, using fuzzy clustering techniques, experimental data, and a conversion algorithm, to develop a fuzzy-based control algorithm. Results were similar to those obtained by recently published conventional control based studies. The influence of the fuzzy inference operators and parameters on performance and stability of the fuzzy logic controller was studied Results indicated that, the selections of certain parameters or combinations of parameters, affect greatly the performance and stability of the fuzzy controller. Diagnostic guidelines used to tune or change certain factors or parameters to improve controller performance were developed based on knowledge gained from conventional control methods and knowledge gained from the experimental and the simulation results of this study.

Pilot Evaluation of Adaptive Control in Motion-Based Flight Simulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaneshige, John T.; Campbell, Stefan Forrest

2009-01-01

The objective of this work is to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and robustness characteristics of several MRAC (Model-Reference Adaptive Control) based adaptive control technologies garnering interest from the community as a whole. To facilitate this, a control study using piloted and unpiloted simulations to evaluate sensitivities and handling qualities was conducted. The adaptive control technologies under consideration were ALR (Adaptive Loop Recovery), BLS (Bounded Linear Stability), Hybrid Adaptive Control, L1, OCM (Optimal Control Modification), PMRAC (Predictor-based MRAC), and traditional MRAC

Real time simulation of nonlinear generalized predictive control for wind energy conversion system with nonlinear observer.

PubMed

Ouari, Kamel; Rekioua, Toufik; Ouhrouche, Mohand

2014-01-01

In order to make a wind power generation truly cost-effective and reliable, an advanced control techniques must be used. In this paper, we develop a new control strategy, using nonlinear generalized predictive control (NGPC) approach, for DFIG-based wind turbine. The proposed control law is based on two points: NGPC-based torque-current control loop generating the rotor reference voltage and NGPC-based speed control loop that provides the torque reference. In order to enhance the robustness of the controller, a disturbance observer is designed to estimate the aerodynamic torque which is considered as an unknown perturbation. Finally, a real-time simulation is carried out to illustrate the performance of the proposed controller. Copyright © 2013 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Model-based rational feedback controller design for closed-loop deep brain stimulation of Parkinson's disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorzelic, P.; Schiff, S. J.; Sinha, A.

2013-04-01

Objective. To explore the use of classical feedback control methods to achieve an improved deep brain stimulation (DBS) algorithm for application to Parkinson's disease (PD). Approach. A computational model of PD dynamics was employed to develop model-based rational feedback controller design. The restoration of thalamocortical relay capabilities to patients suffering from PD is formulated as a feedback control problem with the DBS waveform serving as the control input. Two high-level control strategies are tested: one that is driven by an online estimate of thalamic reliability, and another that acts to eliminate substantial decreases in the inhibition from the globus pallidus interna (GPi) to the thalamus. Control laws inspired by traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) methodology are prescribed for each strategy and simulated on this computational model of the basal ganglia network. Main Results. For control based upon thalamic reliability, a strategy of frequency proportional control with proportional bias delivered the optimal control achieved for a given energy expenditure. In comparison, control based upon synaptic inhibitory output from the GPi performed very well in comparison with those of reliability-based control, with considerable further reduction in energy expenditure relative to that of open-loop DBS. The best controller performance was amplitude proportional with derivative control and integral bias, which is full PID control. We demonstrated how optimizing the three components of PID control is feasible in this setting, although the complexity of these optimization functions argues for adaptive methods in implementation. Significance. Our findings point to the potential value of model-based rational design of feedback controllers for Parkinson's disease.

Model-based rational feedback controller design for closed-loop deep brain stimulation of Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Gorzelic, P; Schiff, S J; Sinha, A

2013-04-01

To explore the use of classical feedback control methods to achieve an improved deep brain stimulation (DBS) algorithm for application to Parkinson's disease (PD). A computational model of PD dynamics was employed to develop model-based rational feedback controller design. The restoration of thalamocortical relay capabilities to patients suffering from PD is formulated as a feedback control problem with the DBS waveform serving as the control input. Two high-level control strategies are tested: one that is driven by an online estimate of thalamic reliability, and another that acts to eliminate substantial decreases in the inhibition from the globus pallidus interna (GPi) to the thalamus. Control laws inspired by traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) methodology are prescribed for each strategy and simulated on this computational model of the basal ganglia network. For control based upon thalamic reliability, a strategy of frequency proportional control with proportional bias delivered the optimal control achieved for a given energy expenditure. In comparison, control based upon synaptic inhibitory output from the GPi performed very well in comparison with those of reliability-based control, with considerable further reduction in energy expenditure relative to that of open-loop DBS. The best controller performance was amplitude proportional with derivative control and integral bias, which is full PID control. We demonstrated how optimizing the three components of PID control is feasible in this setting, although the complexity of these optimization functions argues for adaptive methods in implementation. Our findings point to the potential value of model-based rational design of feedback controllers for Parkinson's disease.

47 CFR 95.139 - Adding a small base station or a small control station.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Adding a small base station or a small control... base station or a small control station. (a) Except for a GMRS system licensed to a non-individual, one or more small base stations or a small control station may be added to a GMRS system at any point...

Rule-based mechanisms of learning for intelligent adaptive flight control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Handelman, David A.; Stengel, Robert F.

1990-01-01

How certain aspects of human learning can be used to characterize learning in intelligent adaptive control systems is investigated. Reflexive and declarative memory and learning are described. It is shown that model-based systems-theoretic adaptive control methods exhibit attributes of reflexive learning, whereas the problem-solving capabilities of knowledge-based systems of artificial intelligence are naturally suited for implementing declarative learning. Issues related to learning in knowledge-based control systems are addressed, with particular attention given to rule-based systems. A mechanism for real-time rule-based knowledge acquisition is suggested, and utilization of this mechanism within the context of failure diagnosis for fault-tolerant flight control is demonstrated.

Applications of aerospace technology in industry, a technology transfer profile: Contamination control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The strong influence NASA-sponsored research has had on the development of solutions to difficult contamination problems is considered. The contamination control field is comprised of an industrial base, supplying the tools of control; a user base, adopting control techniques; and a technical base, expanding the concepts of control. Both formal and informal mechanisms used by NASA to communicate a variety of technical advances are reviewed and certain examples of the expansion of the user base through technology transfer are given. Issues related to transfer of NASA-generated contamination control technology are emphasized.

Platinum and Palladium Exsolution Textures in Quenched Sulfide Melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reo, G.; Frank, M. R.; Loocke, M. P.; Macey, C. J.

2017-12-01

Magmatic sulfide ore deposits account for over 80% of the world's platinum group element (PGE) reserves. Layered mafic intrusions (LMIs), a type of magmatic sulfide ore deposit, contain alternating layers of silicate and sulfide mineralization that are thought to have coexisted as an immiscible silicate + sulfide melt pair. Platinum and palladium, the most common PGEs found in LMIs, heavily favor the sulfide melt. Nernst partition coefficients for Pt (D = wt% of Pt in sulfide/wt% of Pt in silicate) range from 102 to 109. This study examined the Pt- and Pd-bearing phases that formed from the quenched sulfide melts to better constrain the PGE-rich sulfide layers of LMIs system. Experiments were conducted with a basalt melt, sulfide melt, and Pt-Pd metal in a vertical tube furnace at 1100°C and 1 atm and with oxygen fugacity buffered to QFM (quartz-fayalite-magnetite). Following the experiments, run products containing both sulfide and silicate glasses (quenched melts) were analyzed by a Shimadzu EPMA-1720HT Electron Probe Microanalyzer. The focus here is on the quenched Fe-rich sulfides whereas data on the partitioning of Pt and Pd between the coexisting silicate and sulfide melts will be presented in the future. The sulfide samples were imaged in back-scattering mode and major and trace element concentrations of separate metal-rich phases in the sulfide matrix were ascertained through wavelength-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Three discernable PGE-rich phases were found to have exsolved from the sulfide matrix upon quenching of the sulfide melt. All of these phases had Fe and S of 21-24 and 16-22 wt.%, respectively. An irregularly shaped Pd- and Cu-rich sulfide phase ( 36 and 14 wt.%, respectively) makes up the majority of the exsolution product. A separate Pd- and Ni-rich phase ( 22 and 14 wt%, respectively) can be found as grains or rims adjacent to the exsolved Pd- and Cu-rich phase. A third Pd- and Pt-rich phase ( 26 and 18 wt.%, respectively) exhibits a dendritic quench texture and is usually surrounded by the sulfide matrix. These data indicate that multiple phases, each with a different Pt:Pd ratio can form upon quench of a homogenous sulfide melt. Thus, the analysis of PGE-rich sulfide domains within LMI may be best considered as a single phase when conducting exploration efforts.

Phase-resolved cyclotron spectroscopy of polars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Ryan

In this thesis we use phase-resolved cyclotron spectroscopy to study polars. Polars are a subset of cataclysmic variables where the primary WD is highly magnetic. In this case, the accretion flow is constrained along the magnetic field lines and eventually deposited on the WD, where the accreting material interacts with the atmosphere, forming a standing hydrodynamic shock at a location termed the accretion region, and emitting cyclotron radiation. Due to its field strength, cyclotron radiation from polars falls at either UV, optical or NIR wavelengths. While a substantial amount of optical cyclotron spectra have been published on polars, the NIR remains relatively unstudied. In this thesis, we present NIR spectroscopy for fifteen polars. Additionally, while a single cyclotron spectrum is needed to constrain the shock parameters, phase- resolved spectroscopy allows for a more in-depth analysis of the shock structure and the geometry of the accretion region. Of the fifteen polars observed, eight yielded spectra of adequate quality to be modeled in this manner: EF Eri, EQ Cet, AN UMa, VV Pup, AM Her, ST LMi, MR Ser, and MQ Dra. Initially, we used the industry standard "Constant Lambda (CL)" code to model each object. The code is fast, but produces only globally averaged values of the salient shock parameters: B - the magnetic field strength, kT - the plasma temperature, logL - the "size parameter" of the accretion column, and TH- the viewing angle between the observer and the magnetic field. For each object we present CL models for our NIR phase-resolved cyclotron spectra. Subsequently, we use a more advanced "Structured-Shock" code built by Fischer & Beuermann (2001)("F&B") to remodel three objects: EQ Cet, MQ Dra, and EF Eri. The F&B code allows for input of more physical parameters and most importantly does ray tracing through a simulated one-dimensional accretion column. To determine the outgoing spectrum, temperature and velocity profiles are needed to reconstruct the characteristics of the plasma at each location. A substantial effort was made to accurately construct these profiles. Finally, we compare the results of the CL and F&B codes to determine when the extra complexity and significantly longer computational times of F&B modeling are necessary to understand these systems.

Listeria-vectored vaccine expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 30 kDa major secretory protein via the constitutively active prfA* regulon boosts BCG efficacy against tuberculosis.

PubMed

Jia, Qingmei; Dillon, Barbara Jane; Masleša-Galić, Saša; Horwitz, Marcus A

2017-06-19

A potent vaccine against tuberculosis, one of the world's deadliest diseases, is needed to enhance the immunity of people worldwide, most of whom have been vaccinated with the partially effective BCG vaccine. Here we investigate novel live attenuated recombinant Listeria monocytogenes (rLm) vaccines expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) 30 kDa major secretory protein (r30/Ag85B) (rLm30) as heterologous booster vaccines in animals primed with BCG. Using three attenuated Lm vectors, rLm Δ actA (LmI), rLm Δ actA Δ inlB (LmII), and rLm Δ actA Δ inlB prfA * (LmIII), we constructed five rLm30 vaccine candidates expressing the r30 linked in-frame to the Lm Listeriolycin O signal sequence and driven by the hly promoter (h30) or linked in-frame to the ActA N-terminus and driven by the actA promoter (a30). All five rLm30 vaccines secreted r30 in broth and macrophages; while rLm expressing r30 via a constitutively active prfA * regulon (rLmIII/a30) expressed the greatest amount of r30 in broth culture, all five rLm vaccines expressed equivalent amounts of r30 in infected macrophages. In comparative studies, boosting BCG-immunized mice with rLmIII/a30 induced the strongest antigen-specific T-cell responses, including splenic and lung polyfunctional CD4+ T-cells expressing the three cytokines of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) ( P < 0.001) and splenic and lung CD8+ T-cells expressing IFN-γ ( P < 0.0001). In mice and guinea pigs, rLmIII/a30 and rLmI/h30 vaccines were generally more potent booster vaccines than r30 in adjuvant and a recombinant adenovirus vaccine expressing r30. In a setting in which BCG alone was highly immunoprotective, boosting mice with rLmIII/a30, the most potent of the vaccines, significantly enhanced protection against aerosolized Mtb ( P <0.01). Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

A dual-loop adaptive control for minimizing time response delay in real-time structural vibration control with magnetorheological (MR) devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Li, Yancheng; Li, Jianchun; Gu, Xiaoyu

2018-01-01

Time delay is a challenge issue faced by the real-time control application of the magnetorheological (MR) devices. Not to deal with it properly may jeopardize the effectiveness of the control, even lead to instability of the control system or catastrophic failure. This paper proposes a dual-loop adaptive control to address the response time delay associated with MR devices. In the proposed dual-loop control, the inner loop is designed to compensate the time delay of MR device induced by the PWM current driver. While the outer loop control can be any structural control algorithm with aims to reducing structural responses of a building during extreme loadings. Here an adaptive control strategy is adopted. To verify the proposed dual-loop control, a smart base isolation system employing magnetorheological elastomer base isolators is used as an example to illustrate the control effect. Numerical study is then conducted using a 5 -storey shear building model equipped with smart base isolation system. The result shows that with the implementation of the inner loop, the control current can instantly follow the control command which reduce the possibility of instability caused by the time delay. Comparative studies are conducted between three control strategies, i.e. dual-loop control, Lyapunov’s direct method based control and optimal passive base isolation control. The results of the study have demonstrated that the proposed dual-loop control strategy can achieve much better performance than the other two control strategies.

Microprocessor-based control systems application in nuclear power plant critical systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shah, M.R.; Nowak, J.B.

Microprocessor-based control systems have been used in fossil power plants and are receiving greater acceptance for application in nuclear plants. This technology is not new but it does require unique considerations when applied to nuclear power plants. Sargent and Lundy (S and L) has used a microprocessor-based component logic control system (interposing Logic System) for safety- and non-safety-related components in nuclear power plants under construction overseas. Currently, S and L is in the design stage to replace an existing analog control system with a microprocessor-based control system in the U.S. The trend in the industry is to replace systems inmore » existing plants or design new power plants with microprocessor-based control systems.« less

Wireless sensing and vibration control with increased redundancy and robustness design.

PubMed

Li, Peng; Li, Luyu; Song, Gangbing; Yu, Yan

2014-11-01

Control systems with long distance sensor and actuator wiring have the problem of high system cost and increased sensor noise. Wireless sensor network (WSN)-based control systems are an alternative solution involving lower setup and maintenance costs and reduced sensor noise. However, WSN-based control systems also encounter problems such as possible data loss, irregular sampling periods (due to the uncertainty of the wireless channel), and the possibility of sensor breakdown (due to the increased complexity of the overall control system). In this paper, a wireless microcontroller-based control system is designed and implemented to wirelessly perform vibration control. The wireless microcontroller-based system is quite different from regular control systems due to its limited speed and computational power. Hardware, software, and control algorithm design are described in detail to demonstrate this prototype. Model and system state compensation is used in the wireless control system to solve the problems of data loss and sensor breakdown. A positive position feedback controller is used as the control law for the task of active vibration suppression. Both wired and wireless controllers are implemented. The results show that the WSN-based control system can be successfully used to suppress the vibration and produces resilient results in the presence of sensor failure.

Ammonia-based feedforward and feedback aeration control in activated sludge processes.

PubMed

Rieger, Leiv; Jones, Richard M; Dold, Peter L; Bott, Charles B

2014-01-01

Aeration control at wastewater treatment plants based on ammonia as the controlled variable is applied for one of two reasons: (1) to reduce aeration costs, or (2) to reduce peaks in effluent ammonia. Aeration limitation has proven to result in significant energy savings, may reduce external carbon addition, and can improve denitrification and biological phosphorus (bio-P) performance. Ammonia control for limiting aeration has been based mainly on feedback control to constrain complete nitrification by maintaining approximately one to two milligrams of nitrogen per liter of ammonia in the effluent. Increased attention has been given to feedforward ammonia control, where aeration control is based on monitoring influent ammonia load. Typically, the intent is to anticipate the impact of sudden load changes, and thereby reduce effluent ammonia peaks. This paper evaluates the fundamentals of ammonia control with a primary focus on feedforward control concepts. A case study discussion is presented that reviews different ammonia-based control approaches. In most instances, feedback control meets the objectives for both aeration limitation and containment of effluent ammonia peaks. Feedforward control, applied specifically for switching aeration on or off in swing zones, can be beneficial when the plant encounters particularly unusual influent disturbances.

Community-wide interventions for tobacco control.

PubMed

Cummings, K M

1999-01-01

This article describes the rationale and evidence supporting community-wide interventions for tobacco control. Data were collected from published evaluation studies, government reports, and commentaries that describe the use of community-based approaches to tobacco control. Community-wide interventions attempt to change tobacco use in populations--not just individuals--and have increasingly begun to focus on influencing policies that promote and/or tolerate tobacco use. Examples of community-based tobacco-control activities include organizing community groups to advocate adoption of tobacco-control ordinances (e.g., smoke-free restaurants, ban on self-service tobacco displays); media advocacy to raise public awareness about illegal tobacco sales to minors; paid counter-advertising; and sponsorship of community-wide stop-smoking events such as a quit-and-win contest. Evidence in support of the effectiveness of community-based interventions to reduce smoking is found in the consistently sharper decline in tobacco consumption observed in states that have invested in comprehensive tobacco-prevention and control programs compared to those that have not. However, the results from several randomized controlled trials of community-based tobacco-control interventions have been disappointing in demonstrating large-scale changes in tobacco use. Although there appears to be a wide consensus that community-based approaches to tobacco control are an important part of a comprehensive program to reduce tobacco use, the essential elements and methods of implementation of some community-based tobacco-control efforts are less well defined. Also, given the dynamic nature of community tobacco-control interventions, the traditional randomized controlled trial model probably is not applicable for evaluation purposes. It is more likely that research models based on time-series designs will be most applicable for evaluating the impact of community-based interventions.

Association between glioma and history of allergies, asthma, and eczema: a case-control study with three groups of controls

PubMed Central

Il’yasova, Dora; McCarthy, Bridget; Marcello, Jennifer; Schildkraut, Joellen M.; Moorman, Patricia G.; Krishnamachari, Bhuma; Ali-Osman, Francis; Bigner, Darell D.; Davis, Faith

2009-01-01

Because glioma etiology is largely unknown, the inverse association of glioma risk with atopic conditions is promising and deserves close scrutiny. We examined the association between a history of allergies, asthma, and eczema and glioma risk using sibling, friend, and clinic-based controls. This analysis included 388 incident glioma cases and 80 sibling, 191 friend, and 177 clinic-based controls. Each subject’s medical history was assessed via a web-based or telephone survey. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals for the associations with allergies, asthma, eczema, and the overall number of these conditions were calculated from conditional (for sibling and friend controls) and unconditional (for clinic-based controls) logistic models. Allergies were consistently inversely associated with the glioma: ORs were 0.53 (95% CI, 0.15–1.84), 0.54 (95% CI, 0.28–1.07), and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.23–0.50) with sibling, friend, and clinic-based controls, respectively. Asthma showed an inverse association only in the comparison with sibling controls (OR=0.43; 95% CI, 0.19–1.00). Eczema showed an inverse association only in the comparison with friend controls (OR=0.42; 95% CI, 0.15–1.18). The overall number of these conditions (ordinal score 0, 1, 2, 3) was inversely associated with glioma: The risk decreased 31–45% with each addition of an atopic condition. These estimates were the most stable when different control groups were considered. Comparing the prevalence of these conditions in the three control groups with published data, we note that clinic-based controls generally better approximate the prevalence data for population-based groups. These controls appear to present a reasonable choice for clinic-centered case-control studies. PMID:19336556

Design and implementation of self-balancing coaxial two wheel robot based on HSIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Tianlian; Zhang, Hua; Dai, Xin; Xia, Xianfeng; Liu, Ran; Qiu, Bo

2007-12-01

This thesis has studied the control problem concerning position and orientation control of self-balancing coaxial two wheel robot based on the human simulated intelligent control (HSIC) theory. Adopting Lagrange equation, the dynamic model of self-balancing coaxial two-wheel Robot is built up, and the Sensory-motor Intelligent Schemas (SMIS) of HSIC controller for the robot is designed by analyzing its movement and simulating the human controller. In robot's motion process, by perceiving position and orientation of the robot and using multi-mode control strategy based on characteristic identification, the HSIC controller enables the robot to control posture. Utilizing Matlab/Simulink, a simulation platform is established and a motion controller is designed and realized based on RT-Linux real-time operating system, employing high speed ARM9 processor S3C2440 as kernel of the motion controller. The effectiveness of the new design is testified by the experiment.

Experimental verification of a real-time tuning method of a model-based controller by perturbations to its poles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajiwara, Itsuro; Furuya, Keiichiro; Ishizuka, Shinichi

2018-07-01

Model-based controllers with adaptive design variables are often used to control an object with time-dependent characteristics. However, the controller's performance is influenced by many factors such as modeling accuracy and fluctuations in the object's characteristics. One method to overcome these negative factors is to tune model-based controllers. Herein we propose an online tuning method to maintain control performance for an object that exhibits time-dependent variations. The proposed method employs the poles of the controller as design variables because the poles significantly impact performance. Specifically, we use the simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA) to optimize a model-based controller with multiple design variables. Moreover, a vibration control experiment of an object with time-dependent characteristics as the temperature is varied demonstrates that the proposed method allows adaptive control and stably maintains the closed-loop characteristics.

Adaptive PIF Control for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors Based on GPC

PubMed Central

Lu, Shaowu; Tang, Xiaoqi; Song, Bao

2013-01-01

To enhance the control performance of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), a generalized predictive control (GPC)-based proportional integral feedforward (PIF) controller is proposed for the speed control system. In this new approach, firstly, based on the online identification of controlled model parameters, a simplified GPC law supplies the PIF controller with suitable control parameters according to the uncertainties in the operating conditions. Secondly, the speed reference curve for PMSMs is usually required to be continuous and continuously differentiable according to the general servo system design requirements, so the adaptation of the speed reference is discussed in details in this paper. Hence, the performance of the speed control system using a GPC-based PIF controller is improved for tracking some specified signals. The main motivation of this paper is the extension of GPC law to replace the traditional PI or PIF controllers in industrial applications. The efficacy and usefulness of the proposed controller are verified through experimental results. PMID:23262481

Adaptive PIF control for permanent magnet synchronous motors based on GPC.

PubMed

Lu, Shaowu; Tang, Xiaoqi; Song, Bao

2012-12-24

To enhance the control performance of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), a generalized predictive control (GPC)-based proportional integral feedforward (PIF) controller is proposed for the speed control system. In this new approach, firstly, based on the online identification of controlled model parameters, a simplified GPC law supplies the PIF controller with suitable control parameters according to the uncertainties in the operating conditions. Secondly, the speed reference curve for PMSMs is usually required to be continuous and continuously differentiable according to the general servo system design requirements, so the adaptation of the speed reference is discussed in details in this paper. Hence, the performance of the speed control system using a GPC-based PIF controller is improved for tracking some specified signals. The main motivation of this paper is the extension of GPC law to replace the traditional PI or PIF controllers in industrial applications. The efficacy and usefulness of the proposed controller are verified through experimental results.

Stabilization of nonlinear systems using sampled-data output-feedback fuzzy controller based on polynomial-fuzzy-model-based control approach.

PubMed

Lam, H K

2012-02-01

This paper investigates the stability of sampled-data output-feedback (SDOF) polynomial-fuzzy-model-based control systems. Representing the nonlinear plant using a polynomial fuzzy model, an SDOF fuzzy controller is proposed to perform the control process using the system output information. As only the system output is available for feedback compensation, it is more challenging for the controller design and system analysis compared to the full-state-feedback case. Furthermore, because of the sampling activity, the control signal is kept constant by the zero-order hold during the sampling period, which complicates the system dynamics and makes the stability analysis more difficult. In this paper, two cases of SDOF fuzzy controllers, which either share the same number of fuzzy rules or not, are considered. The system stability is investigated based on the Lyapunov stability theory using the sum-of-squares (SOS) approach. SOS-based stability conditions are obtained to guarantee the system stability and synthesize the SDOF fuzzy controller. Simulation examples are given to demonstrate the merits of the proposed SDOF fuzzy control approach.

CONTROL BUILDING, WEST FRONT SHOWING ENTRANCE Edwards Air Force ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

CONTROL BUILDING, WEST FRONT SHOWING ENTRANCE - Edwards Air Force Base, X-15 Engine Test Complex, Firing Control Building, Rogers Dry Lake, east of runway between North Base & South Base, Boron, Kern County, CA

Wireless Control of Miniaturized Mobile Vehicle for Indoor Surveillance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taha Saquib, Syed M.; Hameed, Sarmad; Usman Ali, Syed M.; Jafri, Raza; Amin, Imran

2013-12-01

This work is based upon electronic automation and Smart Control techniques, which constitute the basis of Control Area Network (CAN) and Personal Area Network (PAN). Bluetooth technology has been interfaced with a programmable controller to provide multi-dimensional vehicle control. A network is proposed which contains a remote, mobile host controller and an android operating system based mobile set (Client). The client communicates with a host controller through a Bluetooth device. The system incorporates duplex communication after successful confirmation between the host and the client; the android based mobile unit controls the vehicle through the Bluetooth module.

Toward Inverse Control of Physics-Based Sound Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfalz, A.; Berdahl, E.

2017-05-01

Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTMs) can be trained to realize inverse control of physics-based sound synthesizers. Physics-based sound synthesizers simulate the laws of physics to produce output sound according to input gesture signals. When a user's gestures are measured in real time, she or he can use them to control physics-based sound synthesizers, thereby creating simulated virtual instruments. An intriguing question is how to program a computer to learn to play such physics-based models. This work demonstrates that LSTMs can be trained to accomplish this inverse control task with four physics-based sound synthesizers.

Wireless power charging using point of load controlled high frequency power converters

DOEpatents

Miller, John M.; Campbell, Steven L.; Chambon, Paul H.; Seiber, Larry E.; White, Clifford P.

2015-10-13

An apparatus for wirelessly charging a battery of an electric vehicle is provided with a point of load control. The apparatus includes a base unit for generating a direct current (DC) voltage. The base unit is regulated by a power level controller. One or more point of load converters can be connected to the base unit by a conductor, with each point of load converter comprising a control signal generator that transmits a signal to the power level controller. The output power level of the DC voltage provided by the base unit is controlled by power level controller such that the power level is sufficient to power all active load converters when commanded to do so by any of the active controllers, without generating excessive power that may be otherwise wasted.

Fuzzy PID control algorithm based on PSO and application in BLDC motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Sen; Wang, Guanglong

2017-06-01

A fuzzy PID control algorithm is studied based on improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) to perform Brushless DC (BLDC) motor control which has high accuracy, good anti-jamming capability and steady state accuracy compared with traditional PID control. The mathematical and simulation model is established for BLDC motor by simulink software, and the speed loop of the fuzzy PID controller is designed. The simulation results show that the fuzzy PID control algorithm based on PSO has higher stability, high control precision and faster dynamic response speed.

Passivity-Based Control for Two-Wheeled Robot Stabilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uddin, Nur; Aryo Nugroho, Teguh; Agung Pramudito, Wahyu

2018-04-01

A passivity-based control system design for two-wheeled robot (TWR) stabilization is presented. A TWR is a statically-unstable non-linear system. A control system is applied to actively stabilize the TWR. Passivity-based control method is applied to design the control system. The design results in a state feedback control law that makes the TWR closed loop system globally asymptotically stable (GAS). The GAS is proven mathematically. The TWR stabilization is demonstrated through computer simulation. The simulation results show that the designed control system is able to stabilize the TWR.

Peer-based control in self-managing teams: linking rational and normative influence with individual and group performance.

PubMed

Stewart, Greg L; Courtright, Stephen H; Barrick, Murray R

2012-03-01

The authors use a multilevel framework to introduce peer-based control as a motivational state that emerges in self-managing teams. The authors specifically describe how peer-based rational control, which is defined as team members perceiving the distribution of economic rewards as dependent on input from teammates, extends and interacts with the more commonly studied normative control force of group cohesion to explain both individual and collective performance in teams. On the basis of data from 587 factory workers in 45 self-managing teams at 3 organizations, peer-based rational control corresponded with higher performance for both individuals and collective teams. Results further demonstrated that the rational and normative mechanism of peer-based control interacted to explain performance at both the individual and team levels. Increased peer-based rational control corresponded with higher individual and collective performance in teams with low cohesion, but the positive effects on performance were attenuated in cohesive teams.

Multirate sampled-data yaw-damper and modal suppression system design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berg, Martin C.; Mason, Gregory S.

1990-01-01

A multirate control law synthesized algorithm based on an infinite-time quadratic cost function, was developed along with a method for analyzing the robustness of multirate systems. A generalized multirate sampled-data control law structure (GMCLS) was introduced. A new infinite-time-based parameter optimization multirate sampled-data control law synthesis method and solution algorithm were developed. A singular-value-based method for determining gain and phase margins for multirate systems was also developed. The finite-time-based parameter optimization multirate sampled-data control law synthesis algorithm originally intended to be applied to the aircraft problem was instead demonstrated by application to a simpler problem involving the control of the tip position of a two-link robot arm. The GMCLS, the infinite-time-based parameter optimization multirate control law synthesis method and solution algorithm, and the singular-value based method for determining gain and phase margins were all demonstrated by application to the aircraft control problem originally proposed for this project.

Pressure-Aware Control Layer Optimization for Flow-Based Microfluidic Biochips.

PubMed

Wang, Qin; Xu, Yue; Zuo, Shiliang; Yao, Hailong; Ho, Tsung-Yi; Li, Bing; Schlichtmann, Ulf; Cai, Yici

2017-12-01

Flow-based microfluidic biochips are attracting increasing attention with successful biomedical applications. One critical issue with flow-based microfluidic biochips is the large number of microvalves that require peripheral control pins. Even using the broadcasting addressing scheme, i.e., one control pin controls multiple microvalves simultaneously, thousands of microvalves would still require hundreds of control prins, which is unrealistic. To address this critical challenge in control scalability, the control-layer multiplexer is introduced to effectively reduce the number of control pins into log scale of the number of microvalves. There are two practical design issues with the control-layer multiplexer: (1) the reliability issue caused by the frequent control-valve switching, and (2) the pressure degradation problem caused by the control-valve switching without pressure refreshing from the pressure source. This paper addresses these two design issues by the proposed Hamming-distance-based switching sequence optimization method and the XOR-based pressure refreshing method. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methods with an average 77.2% (maximum 89.6%) improvement in total pressure refreshing cost, and an average 88.5% (maximum 90.0%) improvement in pressure deviation.

Current Source Based on H-Bridge Inverter with Output LCL Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blahnik, Vojtech; Talla, Jakub; Peroutka, Zdenek

2015-09-01

The paper deals with a control of current source with an LCL output filter. The controlled current source is realized as a single-phase inverter and output LCL filter provides low ripple of output current. However, systems incorporating LCL filters require more complex control strategies and there are several interesting approaches to the control of this type of converter. This paper presents the inverter control algorithm, which combines model based control with a direct current control based on resonant controllers and single-phase vector control. The primary goal is to reduce the current ripple and distortion under required limits and provides fast and precise control of output current. The proposed control technique is verified by measurements on the laboratory model.

Advanced Shock Position Control for Mode Transition in a Turbine Based Combined Cycle Engine Inlet Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Csank, Jeffrey T.; Stueber, Thomas J.

2013-01-01

A dual flow-path inlet system is being tested to evaluate methodologies for a Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) propulsion system to perform a controlled inlet mode transition. Prior to experimental testing, simulation models are used to test, debug, and validate potential control algorithms. One simulation package being used for testing is the High Mach Transient Engine Cycle Code simulation, known as HiTECC. This paper discusses the closed loop control system, which utilizes a shock location sensor to improve inlet performance and operability. Even though the shock location feedback has a coarse resolution, the feedback allows for a reduction in steady state error and, in some cases, better performance than with previous proposed pressure ratio based methods. This paper demonstrates the design and benefit with the implementation of a proportional-integral controller, an H-Infinity based controller, and a disturbance observer based controller.

Method and system for fault accommodation of machines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goebel, Kai Frank (Inventor); Subbu, Rajesh Venkat (Inventor); Rausch, Randal Thomas (Inventor); Frederick, Dean Kimball (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A method for multi-objective fault accommodation using predictive modeling is disclosed. The method includes using a simulated machine that simulates a faulted actual machine, and using a simulated controller that simulates an actual controller. A multi-objective optimization process is performed, based on specified control settings for the simulated controller and specified operational scenarios for the simulated machine controlled by the simulated controller, to generate a Pareto frontier-based solution space relating performance of the simulated machine to settings of the simulated controller, including adjustment to the operational scenarios to represent a fault condition of the simulated machine. Control settings of the actual controller are adjusted, represented by the simulated controller, for controlling the actual machine, represented by the simulated machine, in response to a fault condition of the actual machine, based on the Pareto frontier-based solution space, to maximize desirable operational conditions and minimize undesirable operational conditions while operating the actual machine in a region of the solution space defined by the Pareto frontier.

Frequency-Specific Fractal Analysis of Postural Control Accounts for Control Strategies

PubMed Central

Gilfriche, Pierre; Deschodt-Arsac, Véronique; Blons, Estelle; Arsac, Laurent M.

2018-01-01

Diverse indicators of postural control in Humans have been explored for decades, mostly based on the trajectory of the center-of-pressure. Classical approaches focus on variability, based on the notion that if a posture is too variable, the subject is not stable. Going deeper, an improved understanding of underlying physiology has been gained from studying variability in different frequency ranges, pointing to specific short-loops (proprioception), and long-loops (visuo-vestibular) in neural control. More recently, fractal analyses have proliferated and become useful additional metrics of postural control. They allowed identifying two scaling phenomena, respectively in short and long timescales. Here, we show that one of the most widely used methods for fractal analysis, Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, could be enhanced to account for scalings on specific frequency ranges. By computing and filtering a bank of synthetic fractal signals, we established how scaling analysis can be focused on specific frequency components. We called the obtained method Frequency-specific Fractal Analysis (FsFA) and used it to associate the two scaling phenomena of postural control to proprioceptive-based control loop and visuo-vestibular based control loop. After that, convincing arguments of method validity came from an application on the study of unaltered vs. altered postural control in athletes. Overall, the analysis suggests that at least two timescales contribute to postural control: a velocity-based control in short timescales relying on proprioceptive sensors, and a position-based control in longer timescales with visuo-vestibular sensors, which is a brand-new vision of postural control. Frequency-specific scaling exponents are promising markers of control strategies in Humans. PMID:29643816

Diffusion control for a tempered anomalous diffusion system using fractional-order PI controllers.

PubMed

Juan Chen; Zhuang, Bo; Chen, YangQuan; Cui, Baotong

2017-05-09

This paper is concerned with diffusion control problem of a tempered anomalous diffusion system based on fractional-order PI controllers. The contribution of this paper is to introduce fractional-order PI controllers into the tempered anomalous diffusion system for mobile actuators motion and spraying control. For the proposed control force, convergence analysis of the system described by mobile actuator dynamical equations is presented based on Lyapunov stability arguments. Moreover, a new Centroidal Voronoi Tessellation (CVT) algorithm based on fractional-order PI controllers, henceforth called FOPI-based CVT algorithm, is provided together with a modified simulation platform called Fractional-Order Diffusion Mobile Actuator-Sensor 2-Dimension Fractional-Order Proportional Integral (FO-Diff-MAS2D-FOPI). Finally, extensive numerical simulations for the tempered anomalous diffusion process are presented to verify the effectiveness of our proposed fractional-order PI controllers. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison between sEMG and force as control interfaces to support planar arm movements in adults with Duchenne: a feasibility study.

PubMed

Lobo-Prat, Joan; Nizamis, Kostas; Janssen, Mariska M H P; Keemink, Arvid Q L; Veltink, Peter H; Koopman, Bart F J M; Stienen, Arno H A

2017-07-12

Adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can benefit from devices that actively support their arm function. A critical component of such devices is the control interface as it is responsible for the human-machine interaction. Our previous work indicated that surface electromyography (sEMG) and force-based control with active gravity and joint-stiffness compensation were feasible solutions for the support of elbow movements (one degree of freedom). In this paper, we extend the evaluation of sEMG- and force-based control interfaces to simultaneous and proportional control of planar arm movements (two degrees of freedom). Three men with DMD (18-23 years-old) with different levels of arm function (i.e. Brooke scores of 4, 5 and 6) performed a series of line-tracing tasks over a tabletop surface using an experimental active arm support. The arm movements were controlled using three control methods: sEMG-based control, force-based control with stiffness compensation (FSC), and force-based control with no compensation (FNC). The movement performance was evaluated in terms of percentage of task completion, tracing error, smoothness and speed. For subject S1 (Brooke 4) FNC was the preferred method and performed better than FSC and sEMG. FNC was not usable for subject S2 (Brooke 5) and S3 (Brooke 6). Subject S2 presented significantly lower movement speed with sEMG than with FSC, yet he preferred sEMG since FSC was perceived to be too fatiguing. Subject S3 could not successfully use neither of the two force-based control methods, while with sEMG he could reach almost his entire workspace. Movement performance and subjective preference of the three control methods differed with the level of arm function of the participants. Our results indicate that all three control methods have to be considered in real applications, as they present complementary advantages and disadvantages. The fact that the two weaker subjects (S2 and S3) experienced the force-based control interfaces as fatiguing suggests that sEMG-based control interfaces could be a better solution for adults with DMD. Yet force-based control interfaces can be a better alternative for those cases in which voluntary forces are higher than the stiffness forces of the arms.

76 FR 27743 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Airport Traffic Control...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-12

... Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Airport Traffic Control Tower and Base Building, University of Illinois... Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Airport Traffic Control Tower and Base Building...) proposes to fund, construct, and operate a new Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Base Building at...

Effects of Locus of Control and Learner-Control on Web-Based Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Mei-Mei; Ho, Chiung-Mei

2009-01-01

The study explored the effects of students' locus of control and types of control over instruction on their self-efficacy and performance in a web-based language learning environment. A web-based interactive instructional program focusing on the comprehension of news articles for English language learners was developed in two versions: learner-…

Development of a multisensor-based bio-botanic robot and its implementation using a self-designed embedded board.

PubMed

Chang, Chung-Liang; Sie, Ming-Fong; Shie, Jin-Long

2011-01-01

This paper presents the design concept of a bio-botanic robot which demonstrates its behavior based on plant growth. Besides, it can reflect the different phases of plant growth depending on the proportional amounts of light, temperature and water. The mechanism design is made up of a processed aluminum base, spring, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and actuator to constitute the plant base and plant body. The control system consists of two micro-controllers and a self-designed embedded development board where the main controller transmits the values of the environmental sensing module within the embedded board to a sub-controller. The sub-controller determines the growth stage, growth height, and time and transmits its decision value to the main controller. Finally, based on the data transmitted by the sub-controller, the main controller controls the growth phase of the bio-botanic robot using a servo motor and leaf actuator. The research result not only helps children realize the variation of plant growth but also is entertainment-educational through its demonstration of the growth process of the bio-botanic robot in a short time.

Implementation of EPICS based vacuum control system for variable energy cyclotron centre, Kolkata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Anindya; Bhole, R. B.; Nandy, Partha P.; Yadav, R. C.; Pal, Sarbajit; Roy, Amitava

2015-03-01

The vacuum system of the Room Temperature (K = 130) Cyclotron of Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre is comprised of vacuum systems of main machine and Beam Transport System. The vacuum control system is upgraded to a PLC based Automated system from the initial relay based Manual system. The supervisory control of the vacuum system is implemented in Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). An EPICS embedded ARM based vacuum gauge controller is developed to mitigate the requirement of vendor specific gauge controller for gauges and also for seamless integration of the gauge controllers with the control system. A set of MS-Windows ActiveX components with embedded EPICS Channel Access interface are developed to build operator interfaces with less complex programming and to incorporate typical Windows feature, e.g., user authentication, file handling, better fonts, colors, mouse actions etc. into the operator interfaces. The control parameters, monitoring parameters, and system interlocks of the system are archived in MySQL based EPICS MySQL Archiver developed indigenously. In this paper, we describe the architecture, the implementation details, and the performance of the system.

Implementation of EPICS based vacuum control system for variable energy cyclotron centre, Kolkata.

PubMed

Roy, Anindya; Bhole, R B; Nandy, Partha P; Yadav, R C; Pal, Sarbajit; Roy, Amitava

2015-03-01

The vacuum system of the Room Temperature (K = 130) Cyclotron of Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre is comprised of vacuum systems of main machine and Beam Transport System. The vacuum control system is upgraded to a PLC based Automated system from the initial relay based Manual system. The supervisory control of the vacuum system is implemented in Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). An EPICS embedded ARM based vacuum gauge controller is developed to mitigate the requirement of vendor specific gauge controller for gauges and also for seamless integration of the gauge controllers with the control system. A set of MS-Windows ActiveX components with embedded EPICS Channel Access interface are developed to build operator interfaces with less complex programming and to incorporate typical Windows feature, e.g., user authentication, file handling, better fonts, colors, mouse actions etc. into the operator interfaces. The control parameters, monitoring parameters, and system interlocks of the system are archived in MySQL based EPICS MySQL Archiver developed indigenously. In this paper, we describe the architecture, the implementation details, and the performance of the system.

Model based control of dynamic atomic force microscope.

PubMed

Lee, Chibum; Salapaka, Srinivasa M

2015-04-01

A model-based robust control approach is proposed that significantly improves imaging bandwidth for the dynamic mode atomic force microscopy. A model for cantilever oscillation amplitude and phase dynamics is derived and used for the control design. In particular, the control design is based on a linearized model and robust H(∞) control theory. This design yields a significant improvement when compared to the conventional proportional-integral designs and verified by experiments.

Vector control of wind turbine on the basis of the fuzzy selective neural net*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engel, E. A.; Kovalev, I. V.; Engel, N. E.

2016-04-01

An article describes vector control of wind turbine based on fuzzy selective neural net. Based on the wind turbine system’s state, the fuzzy selective neural net tracks an maximum power point under random perturbations. Numerical simulations are accomplished to clarify the applicability and advantages of the proposed vector wind turbine’s control on the basis of the fuzzy selective neuronet. The simulation results show that the proposed intelligent control of wind turbine achieves real-time control speed and competitive performance, as compared to a classical control model with PID controllers based on traditional maximum torque control strategy.

Design of a microprocessor-based Control, Interface and Monitoring (CIM unit for turbine engine controls research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delaat, J. C.; Soeder, J. F.

1983-01-01

High speed minicomputers were used in the past to implement advanced digital control algorithms for turbine engines. These minicomputers are typically large and expensive. It is desirable for a number of reasons to use microprocessor-based systems for future controls research. They are relatively compact, inexpensive, and are representative of the hardware that would be used for actual engine-mounted controls. The Control, Interface, and Monitoring Unit (CIM) contains a microprocessor-based controls computer, necessary interface hardware and a system to monitor while it is running an engine. It is presently being used to evaluate an advanced turbofan engine control algorithm.

Control Strategy of Active Power Filter Based on Modular Multilevel Converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Xifeng

2018-03-01

To improve the capacity, pressure resistance and the equivalent switching frequency of active power filter (APF), a control strategy of APF based on Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is presented. In this Control Strategy, the indirect current control method is used to achieve active current and reactive current decoupling control; Voltage Balance Control Strategy is to stabilize sub-module capacitor voltage, the predictive current control method is used to Track and control of harmonic currents. As a result, the harmonic current is restrained, and power quality is improved. Finally, the simulation model of active power filter controller based on MMC is established in Matlab/Simulink, the simulation proves that the proposed strategy is feasible and correct.

ISHN Ion Source Control System. First Steps Toward an EPICS Based ESS-Bilbao Accelerator Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eguiraun, M.; Jugo, J.; Arredondo, I.; del Campo, M.; Feuchtwanger, J.; Etxebarria, V.; Bermejo, F. J.

2013-04-01

ISHN (Ion Source Hydrogen Negative) consists of a Penning type ion source in operation at ESS-Bilbao facilities. From the control point of view, this source is representative of the first steps and decisions taken towards the general control architecture of the whole accelerator to be built. The ISHN main control system is based on a PXI architecture, under a real-time controller which is programmed using LabVIEW. This system, with additional elements, is connected to the general control system. The whole system is based on EPICS for the control network, and the modularization of the communication layers of the accelerator plays an important role in the proposed control architecture.

Algorithms for adaptive stochastic control for a class of linear systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toda, M.; Patel, R. V.

1977-01-01

Control of linear, discrete time, stochastic systems with unknown control gain parameters is discussed. Two suboptimal adaptive control schemes are derived: one is based on underestimating future control and the other is based on overestimating future control. Both schemes require little on-line computation and incorporate in their control laws some information on estimation errors. The performance of these laws is studied by Monte Carlo simulations on a computer. Two single input, third order systems are considered, one stable and the other unstable, and the performance of the two adaptive control schemes is compared with that of the scheme based on enforced certainty equivalence and the scheme where the control gain parameters are known.

A reinforcement learning-based architecture for fuzzy logic control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berenji, Hamid R.

1992-01-01

This paper introduces a new method for learning to refine a rule-based fuzzy logic controller. A reinforcement learning technique is used in conjunction with a multilayer neural network model of a fuzzy controller. The approximate reasoning based intelligent control (ARIC) architecture proposed here learns by updating its prediction of the physical system's behavior and fine tunes a control knowledge base. Its theory is related to Sutton's temporal difference (TD) method. Because ARIC has the advantage of using the control knowledge of an experienced operator and fine tuning it through the process of learning, it learns faster than systems that train networks from scratch. The approach is applied to a cart-pole balancing system.

Content and structure of knowledge base used for virtual control of android arm motion in specified environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pritykin, F. N.; Nebritov, V. I.

2018-01-01

The paper presents the configuration of knowledge base necessary for intelligent control of android arm mechanism motion with different positions of certain forbidden regions taken into account. The present structure of the knowledge base characterizes the past experience of arm motion synthesis in the vector of velocities with due regard for the known obstacles. This structure also specifies its intrinsic properties. Knowledge base generation is based on the study of the arm mechanism instantaneous states implementations. Computational experiments connected with the virtual control of android arm motion with known forbidden regions using the developed knowledge base are introduced. Using the developed knowledge base to control virtually the arm motion reduces the time of test assignments calculation. The results of the research can be used in developing control systems of autonomous android robots in the known in advance environment.

Rate-Based Model Predictive Control of Turbofan Engine Clearance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeCastro, Jonathan A.

2006-01-01

An innovative model predictive control strategy is developed for control of nonlinear aircraft propulsion systems and sub-systems. At the heart of the controller is a rate-based linear parameter-varying model that propagates the state derivatives across the prediction horizon, extending prediction fidelity to transient regimes where conventional models begin to lose validity. The new control law is applied to a demanding active clearance control application, where the objectives are to tightly regulate blade tip clearances and also anticipate and avoid detrimental blade-shroud rub occurrences by optimally maintaining a predefined minimum clearance. Simulation results verify that the rate-based controller is capable of satisfying the objectives during realistic flight scenarios where both a conventional Jacobian-based model predictive control law and an unconstrained linear-quadratic optimal controller are incapable of doing so. The controller is evaluated using a variety of different actuators, illustrating the efficacy and versatility of the control approach. It is concluded that the new strategy has promise for this and other nonlinear aerospace applications that place high importance on the attainment of control objectives during transient regimes.

Web-based interactive drone control using hand gesture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zhenfei; Luo, Hao; Song, Guang-Hua; Chen, Zhou; Lu, Zhe-Ming; Wu, Xiaofeng

2018-01-01

This paper develops a drone control prototype based on web technology with the aid of hand gesture. The uplink control command and downlink data (e.g., video) are transmitted by WiFi communication, and all the information exchange is realized on web. The control command is translated from various predetermined hand gestures. Specifically, the hardware of this friendly interactive control system is composed by a quadrotor drone, a computer vision-based hand gesture sensor, and a cost-effective computer. The software is simplified as a web-based user interface program. Aided by natural hand gestures, this system significantly reduces the complexity of traditional human-computer interaction, making remote drone operation more intuitive. Meanwhile, a web-based automatic control mode is provided in addition to the hand gesture control mode. For both operation modes, no extra application program is needed to be installed on the computer. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system, including control accuracy, operation latency, etc. This system can be used in many applications such as controlling a drone in global positioning system denied environment or by handlers without professional drone control knowledge since it is easy to get started.

Predictive control strategies for wind turbine system based on permanent magnet synchronous generator.

PubMed

Maaoui-Ben Hassine, Ikram; Naouar, Mohamed Wissem; Mrabet-Bellaaj, Najiba

2016-05-01

In this paper, Model Predictive Control and Dead-beat predictive control strategies are proposed for the control of a PMSG based wind energy system. The proposed MPC considers the model of the converter-based system to forecast the possible future behavior of the controlled variables. It allows selecting the voltage vector to be applied that leads to a minimum error by minimizing a predefined cost function. The main features of the MPC are low current THD and robustness against parameters variations. The Dead-beat predictive control is based on the system model to compute the optimum voltage vector that ensures zero-steady state error. The optimum voltage vector is then applied through Space Vector Modulation (SVM) technique. The main advantages of the Dead-beat predictive control are low current THD and constant switching frequency. The proposed control techniques are presented and detailed for the control of back-to-back converter in a wind turbine system based on PMSG. Simulation results (under Matlab-Simulink software environment tool) and experimental results (under developed prototyping platform) are presented in order to show the performances of the considered control strategies. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Web-based interactive drone control using hand gesture.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhenfei; Luo, Hao; Song, Guang-Hua; Chen, Zhou; Lu, Zhe-Ming; Wu, Xiaofeng

2018-01-01

This paper develops a drone control prototype based on web technology with the aid of hand gesture. The uplink control command and downlink data (e.g., video) are transmitted by WiFi communication, and all the information exchange is realized on web. The control command is translated from various predetermined hand gestures. Specifically, the hardware of this friendly interactive control system is composed by a quadrotor drone, a computer vision-based hand gesture sensor, and a cost-effective computer. The software is simplified as a web-based user interface program. Aided by natural hand gestures, this system significantly reduces the complexity of traditional human-computer interaction, making remote drone operation more intuitive. Meanwhile, a web-based automatic control mode is provided in addition to the hand gesture control mode. For both operation modes, no extra application program is needed to be installed on the computer. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system, including control accuracy, operation latency, etc. This system can be used in many applications such as controlling a drone in global positioning system denied environment or by handlers without professional drone control knowledge since it is easy to get started.

Internet-based self-management offers an opportunity to achieve better asthma control in adolescents.

PubMed

van der Meer, Victor; van Stel, Henk F; Detmar, Symone B; Otten, Wilma; Sterk, Peter J; Sont, Jacob K

2007-07-01

Internet and short message service are emerging tools for chronic disease management in adolescents, but few data exist on the barriers to and benefits of internet-based asthma self-management. Our objective was to reveal the barriers and benefits perceived by adolescents with well-controlled and poorly controlled asthma to current and internet-based asthma management. Ninety-seven adolescents with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma monitored their asthma control on a designated Web site. After 4 weeks, 35 adolescents participated in eight focus groups. Participants were stratified in terms of age, gender, and asthma control level. We used qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the written focus group transcripts. Limited self-efficacy to control asthma was a significant barrier to current asthma management in adolescents with poor asthma control (65%) compared to adolescents with good asthma control (17%; p < 0.01). The former group revealed the following several benefits from internet-based asthma self-management: feasible electronic monitoring; easily accessible information; e-mail communication; and use of an electronic action plan. Personal benefits included the ability to react to change and to optimize asthma control. Patients with poor asthma control were able and ready to incorporate internet-based asthma self-management for a long period of time (65%), whereas patients with good control were not (11%; p < 0.01). Our findings reveal a need for the support of self-management in adolescents with poorly controlled asthma that can be met by the application of novel information and communication technologies. Internet-based self-management should therefore target adolescents with poor asthma control.

Experiment-Based Teaching in Advanced Control Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Precup, R.-E.; Preitl, S.; Radac, M.-B.; Petriu, E. M.; Dragos, C.-A.; Tar, J. K.

2011-01-01

This paper discusses an experiment-based approach to teaching an advanced control engineering syllabus involving controlled plant analysis and modeling, control structures and algorithms, real-time laboratory experiments, and their assessment. These experiments are structured around the representative case of the longitudinal slip control of an…

Design and application of discrete wavelet packet transform based multiresolution controller for liquid level system.

PubMed

Paul, Rimi; Sengupta, Anindita

2017-11-01

A new controller based on discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT) for liquid level system (LLS) has been presented here. This controller generates control signal using node coefficients of the error signal which interprets many implicit phenomena such as process dynamics, measurement noise and effect of external disturbances. Through simulation results on LLS problem, this controller is shown to perform faster than both the discrete wavelet transform based controller and conventional proportional integral controller. Also, it is more efficient in terms of its ability to provide better noise rejection. To overcome the wind up phenomenon by considering the saturation due to presence of actuator, anti-wind up technique is applied to the conventional PI controller and compared to the wavelet packet transform based controller. In this case also, packet controller is found better than the other ones. This similar work has been extended for analogous first order RC plant as well as second order plant also. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Network congestion control algorithm based on Actor-Critic reinforcement learning model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Tao; Gong, Lina; Zhang, Wei; Li, Xuhong; Wang, Xia; Pan, Wenwen

2018-04-01

Aiming at the network congestion control problem, a congestion control algorithm based on Actor-Critic reinforcement learning model is designed. Through the genetic algorithm in the congestion control strategy, the network congestion problems can be better found and prevented. According to Actor-Critic reinforcement learning, the simulation experiment of network congestion control algorithm is designed. The simulation experiments verify that the AQM controller can predict the dynamic characteristics of the network system. Moreover, the learning strategy is adopted to optimize the network performance, and the dropping probability of packets is adaptively adjusted so as to improve the network performance and avoid congestion. Based on the above finding, it is concluded that the network congestion control algorithm based on Actor-Critic reinforcement learning model can effectively avoid the occurrence of TCP network congestion.

Control of parallel manipulators using force feedback

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nanua, Prabjot

1994-01-01

Two control schemes are compared for parallel robotic mechanisms actuated by hydraulic cylinders. One scheme, the 'rate based scheme', uses the position and rate information only for feedback. The second scheme, the 'force based scheme' feeds back the force information also. The force control scheme is shown to improve the response over the rate control one. It is a simple constant gain control scheme better suited to parallel mechanisms. The force control scheme can be easily modified for the dynamic forces on the end effector. This paper presents the results of a computer simulation of both the rate and force control schemes. The gains in the force based scheme can be individually adjusted in all three directions, whereas the adjustment in just one direction of the rate based scheme directly affects the other two directions.

Magnetic Nanomaterials for Hyperthermia-based Therapy and Controlled Drug Delivery

PubMed Central

Kumar, Challa S. S. R.; Mohammad, Faruq

2011-01-01

Previous attempts to review the literature on magnetic nanomaterials for hyperthermia-based therapy focused primarily on magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) using mono metallic/metal oxide nanoparticles. The term “Hyperthermia” in the literature was also confined only to include use of heat for therapeutic applications. Recently, there have been a number of publications demonstrating magnetic nanoparticle-based hyperthermia to generate local heat resulting in the release of drugs either bound to the magnetic nanoparticle or encapsulated within polymeric matrices. In this review article, we present a case for broadening the meaning of the term “hyperthermia” by including thermotherapy as well as magnetically modulated controlled drug delivery. We provide a classification for controlled drug delivery using hyperthermia: Hyperthermia-based controlled Drug delivery through Bond Breaking (DBB) and Hyperthermia-based controlled Drug delivery through Enhanced Permeability (DEP). The review also covers, for the first time, core-shell type magnetic nanomaterials, especially nanoshells prepared using layer-by-layer self-assembly, for the application of hyperthermia-based therapy and controlled drug delivery. The highlight of the review article is to portray potential opportunities in the combination of hyperthermia-based therapy and controlled drug release paradigms for successful application in personalized medicine. PMID:21447363

Optimization-Based Robust Nonlinear Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

ABSTRACT New control algorithms were developed for robust stabilization of nonlinear dynamical systems . Novel, linear matrix inequality-based synthesis...was to further advance optimization-based robust nonlinear control design, for general nonlinear systems (especially in discrete time ), for linear...Teel, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, vol. 14, no. 3, p. 398-407, May 2006. 3. "A unified framework for input-to-state stability in

Data-Based Predictive Control with Multirate Prediction Step

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barlow, Jonathan S.

2010-01-01

Data-based predictive control is an emerging control method that stems from Model Predictive Control (MPC). MPC computes current control action based on a prediction of the system output a number of time steps into the future and is generally derived from a known model of the system. Data-based predictive control has the advantage of deriving predictive models and controller gains from input-output data. Thus, a controller can be designed from the outputs of complex simulation code or a physical system where no explicit model exists. If the output data happens to be corrupted by periodic disturbances, the designed controller will also have the built-in ability to reject these disturbances without the need to know them. When data-based predictive control is implemented online, it becomes a version of adaptive control. One challenge of MPC is computational requirements increasing with prediction horizon length. This paper develops a closed-loop dynamic output feedback controller that minimizes a multi-step-ahead receding-horizon cost function with multirate prediction step. One result is a reduced influence of prediction horizon and the number of system outputs on the computational requirements of the controller. Another result is an emphasis on portions of the prediction window that are sampled more frequently. A third result is the ability to include more outputs in the feedback path than in the cost function.

Fiber-based coherent polarization beam combining with cascaded phase-locking and polarization-transforming controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yan; Geng, Chao; Li, Feng; Huang, Guan; Li, Xinyang

2018-05-01

In this paper, the fiber-based coherent polarization beam combining (CPBC) with cascaded phase-locking (PL) and polarization-transforming (PT) controls was proposed to combine imbalanced input beams where the number of the input beams is not binary, in which the PL control was performed using the piezoelectric-ring fiber-optic phase compensator, and the PT control was realized by the dynamic polarization controller, simultaneously. The principle of the proposed CPBC was introduced. The performance of the proposed CPBC was analyzed in comparison with the CPBC based on PL control and the CPBC based on PT control. The basic experiment of CPBC of three laser beams was carried out to validate the feasibility of the proposed CPBC, where cascaded controls of PL and PT were implemented based on stochastic parallel gradient descent algorithm. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed CPBC incorporates the advantages of the two previous CPBC schemes and performs well in the closed loop. Moreover, the expansibility and the application of the proposed CPBC were validated by scaling the CPBC to combine seven laser beams. We believe that the proposed fiber-based CPBC with cascaded PL and PT controls has great potential in free space optical communications employing the multi-aperture receiver with asymmetric structure.

Assessment of Energy Efficient and Model Based Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-15

ARL-TR-8042 ● JUNE 2017 US Army Research Laboratory Assessment of Energy -Efficient and Model- Based Control by Craig Lennon...originator. ARL-TR-8042 ● JUNE 2017 US Army Research Laboratory Assessment of Energy -Efficient and Model- Based Control by Craig...

Data-Driven Based Asynchronous Motor Control for Printing Servo Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, Min; Guo, Qingyun

Modern digital printing equipment aims to the environmental-friendly industry with high dynamic performances and control precision and low vibration and abrasion. High performance motion control system of printing servo systems was required. Control system of asynchronous motor based on data acquisition was proposed. Iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm was studied. PID control was widely used in the motion control. However, it was sensitive to the disturbances and model parameters variation. The ILC applied the history error data and present control signals to approximate the control signal directly in order to fully track the expect trajectory without the system models and structures. The motor control algorithm based on the ILC and PID was constructed and simulation results were given. The results show that data-driven control method is effective dealing with bounded disturbances for the motion control of printing servo systems.

A Modelica-based Model Library for Building Energy and Control Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wetter, Michael

2009-04-07

This paper describes an open-source library with component models for building energy and control systems that is based on Modelica, an equation-based objectoriented language that is well positioned to become the standard for modeling of dynamic systems in various industrial sectors. The library is currently developed to support computational science and engineering for innovative building energy and control systems. Early applications will include controls design and analysis, rapid prototyping to support innovation of new building systems and the use of models during operation for controls, fault detection and diagnostics. This paper discusses the motivation for selecting an equation-based object-oriented language.more » It presents the architecture of the library and explains how base models can be used to rapidly implement new models. To demonstrate the capability of analyzing novel energy and control systems, the paper closes with an example where we compare the dynamic performance of a conventional hydronic heating system with thermostatic radiator valves to an innovative heating system. In the new system, instead of a centralized circulation pump, each of the 18 radiators has a pump whose speed is controlled using a room temperature feedback loop, and the temperature of the boiler is controlled based on the speed of the radiator pump. All flows are computed by solving for the pressure distribution in the piping network, and the controls include continuous and discrete time controls.« less

Nonlinear adaptive control based on fuzzy sliding mode technique and fuzzy-based compensator.

PubMed

Nguyen, Sy Dzung; Vo, Hoang Duy; Seo, Tae-Il

2017-09-01

It is difficult to efficiently control nonlinear systems in the presence of uncertainty and disturbance (UAD). One of the main reasons derives from the negative impact of the unknown features of UAD as well as the response delay of the control system on the accuracy rate in the real time of the control signal. In order to deal with this, we propose a new controller named CO-FSMC for a class of nonlinear control systems subjected to UAD, which is constituted of a fuzzy sliding mode controller (FSMC) and a fuzzy-based compensator (CO). Firstly, the FSMC and CO are designed independently, and then an adaptive fuzzy structure is discovered to combine them. Solutions for avoiding the singular cases of the fuzzy-based function approximation and reducing the calculating cost are proposed. Based on the solutions, fuzzy sliding mode technique, lumped disturbance observer and Lyapunov stability analysis, a closed-loop adaptive control law is formulated. Simulations along with a real application based on a semi-active train-car suspension are performed to fully evaluate the method. The obtained results reflected that vibration of the chassis mass is insensitive to UAD. Compared with the other fuzzy sliding mode control strategies, the CO-FSMC can provide the best control ability to reduce unwanted vibrations. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new eddy current model for magnetic bearing control system design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feeley, Joseph J.; Ahlstrom, Daniel J.

1992-01-01

This paper describes a new VLSI-based controller for the implementation of a Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) theory-based control system. Use of the controller is demonstrated by design of a controller for a magnetic bearing and its performance is evaluated by computer simulation.

MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL OF ROTOGRAVURE AIRFLOWS

EPA Science Inventory

The report discusses the technical and economic viability of using micro-processor-based control technology to collect volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from a paper coating operation. The microprocessor-based control system monitors and controls both the airflow rate and...

Air-condition Control System of Weaving Workshop Based on LabVIEW

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Jian

The project of air-condition measurement and control system based on LabVIEW is put forward for the sake of controlling effectively the environmental targets in the weaving workshop. In this project, which is based on the virtual instrument technology and in which LabVIEW development platform by NI is adopted, the system is constructed on the basis of the virtual instrument technology. It is composed of the upper PC, central control nodes based on CC2530, sensor nodes, sensor modules and executive device. Fuzzy control algorithm is employed to achieve the accuracy control of the temperature and humidity. A user-friendly man-machine interaction interface is designed with virtual instrument technology at the core of the software. It is shown by experiments that the measurement and control system can run stably and reliably and meet the functional requirements for controlling the weaving workshop.

Automated Cryocooler Monitor and Control System Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britchcliffe, Michael J.; Conroy, Bruce L.; Anderson, Paul E.; Wilson, Ahmad

2011-01-01

This software is used in an automated cryogenic control system developed to monitor and control the operation of small-scale cryocoolers. The system was designed to automate the cryogenically cooled low-noise amplifier system described in "Automated Cryocooler Monitor and Control System" (NPO-47246), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 35, No. 5 (May 2011), page 7a. The software contains algorithms necessary to convert non-linear output voltages from the cryogenic diode-type thermometers and vacuum pressure and helium pressure sensors, to temperature and pressure units. The control function algorithms use the monitor data to control the cooler power, vacuum solenoid, vacuum pump, and electrical warm-up heaters. The control algorithms are based on a rule-based system that activates the required device based on the operating mode. The external interface is Web-based. It acts as a Web server, providing pages for monitor, control, and configuration. No client software from the external user is required.

High pressure common rail injection system modeling and control.

PubMed

Wang, H P; Zheng, D; Tian, Y

2016-07-01

In this paper modeling and common-rail pressure control of high pressure common rail injection system (HPCRIS) is presented. The proposed mathematical model of high pressure common rail injection system which contains three sub-systems: high pressure pump sub-model, common rail sub-model and injector sub-model is a relative complicated nonlinear system. The mathematical model is validated by the software Matlab and a virtual detailed simulation environment. For the considered HPCRIS, an effective model free controller which is called Extended State Observer - based intelligent Proportional Integral (ESO-based iPI) controller is designed. And this proposed method is composed mainly of the referred ESO observer, and a time delay estimation based iPI controller. Finally, to demonstrate the performances of the proposed controller, the proposed ESO-based iPI controller is compared with a conventional PID controller and ADRC. Copyright © 2016 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progress in multirate digital control system design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berg, Martin C.; Mason, Gregory S.

1991-01-01

A new methodology for multirate sampled-data control design based on a new generalized control law structure, two new parameter-optimization-based control law synthesis methods, and a new singular-value-based robustness analysis method are described. The control law structure can represent multirate sampled-data control laws of arbitrary structure and dynamic order, with arbitrarily prescribed sampling rates for all sensors and update rates for all processor states and actuators. The two control law synthesis methods employ numerical optimization to determine values for the control law parameters. The robustness analysis method is based on the multivariable Nyquist criterion applied to the loop transfer function for the sampling period equal to the period of repetition of the system's complete sampling/update schedule. The complete methodology is demonstrated by application to the design of a combination yaw damper and modal suppression system for a commercial aircraft.

Independent Blade Pitch Controller Design for a Three-Bladed Turbine Using Disturbance Accommodating Control

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Na; Wright, Alan D.; Johnson, Kathryn E.

Two independent pitch controllers (IPCs) based on the disturbance accommodating control (DAC) algorithm are designed for the three-bladed Controls Advanced Research Turbine to regulate rotor speed and to mitigate blade root flapwise bending loads in above-rated wind speed. One of the DAC-based IPCs is designed based on a transformed symmetrical-asymmetrical (TSA) turbine model, with wind disturbances being modeled as a collective horizontal component and an asymmetrical linear shear component. Another DAC-based IPC is designed based on a multiblade coordinate (MBC) transformed turbine model, with a horizontal component and a vertical shear component being modeled as step waveform disturbance. Both ofmore » the DAC-based IPCs are found via a regulation equation solved by Kronecker product. Actuator dynamics are considered in the design processes to compensate for actuator phase delay. The simulation study shows the effectiveness of the proposed DAC-based IPCs compared to a proportional-integral (PI) collective pitch controller (CPC). Improvement on rotor speed regulation and once-per-revolution and twice-per-revolution load reductions has been observed in the proposed IPC designs.« less

Independent Blade Pitch Controller Design for a Three-Bladed Turbine Using Disturbance Accommodating Control: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Na; Wright, Alan D.; Johnson, Kathryn E.

Two independent pitch controllers (IPCs) based on the disturbance accommodating control (DAC) algorithm are designed for the three-bladed Controls Advanced Research Turbine to regulate rotor speed and to mitigate blade root flapwise bending loads in above-rated wind speed. One of the DAC-based IPCs is designed based on a transformed symmetrical-asymmetrical (TSA) turbine model, with wind disturbances being modeled as a collective horizontal component and an asymmetrical linear shear component. Another DAC-based IPC is designed based on a multiblade coordinate (MBC) transformed turbine model, with a horizontal component and a vertical shear component being modeled as step waveform disturbance. Both ofmore » the DAC-based IPCs are found via a regulation equation solved by Kronecker product. Actuator dynamics are considered in the design processes to compensate for actuator phase delay. The simulation study shows the effectiveness of the proposed DAC-based IPCs compared to a proportional-integral (PI) collective pitch controller (CPC). Improvement on rotor speed regulation and once-per-revolution and twice-per-revolution load reductions has been observed in the proposed IPC designs.« less

Region based Brain Computer Interface for a home control application.

PubMed

Akman Aydin, Eda; Bay, Omer Faruk; Guler, Inan

2015-08-01

Environment control is one of the important challenges for disabled people who suffer from neuromuscular diseases. Brain Computer Interface (BCI) provides a communication channel between the human brain and the environment without requiring any muscular activation. The most important expectation for a home control application is high accuracy and reliable control. Region-based paradigm is a stimulus paradigm based on oddball principle and requires selection of a target at two levels. This paper presents an application of region based paradigm for a smart home control application for people with neuromuscular diseases. In this study, a region based stimulus interface containing 49 commands was designed. Five non-disabled subjects were attended to the experiments. Offline analysis results of the experiments yielded 95% accuracy for five flashes. This result showed that region based paradigm can be used to select commands of a smart home control application with high accuracy in the low number of repetitions successfully. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was not observed between the level accuracies.

Attitude and vibration control of a large flexible space-based antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joshi, S. M.

1982-01-01

Control systems synthesis is considered for controlling the rigid body attitude and elastic motion of a large deployable space-based antenna. Two methods for control systems synthesis are considered. The first method utilizes the stability and robustness properties of the controller consisting of torque actuators and collocated attitude and rate sensors. The second method is based on the linear-quadratic-Gaussian control theory. A combination of the two methods, which results in a two level hierarchical control system, is also briefly discussed. The performance of the controllers is analyzed by computing the variances of pointing errors, feed misalignment errors and surface contour errors in the presence of sensor and actuator noise.

Direct adaptive control of wind energy conversion systems using Gaussian networks.

PubMed

Mayosky, M A; Cancelo, I E

1999-01-01

Grid connected wind energy conversion systems (WECS) present interesting control demands, due to the intrinsic nonlinear characteristics of windmills and electric generators. In this paper a direct adaptive control strategy for WECS control is proposed. It is based on the combination of two control actions: a radial basis zfunction network-based adaptive controller, which drives the tracking error to zero with user specified dynamics, and a supervisory controller, based on crude bounds of the system's nonlinearities. The supervisory controller fires when the finite neural-network approximation properties cannot be guaranteed. The form of the supervisor control and the adaptation law for the neural controller are derived from a Lyapunov analysis of stability. The results are applied to a typical turbine/generator pair, showing the feasibility of the proposed solution.

Postural Control in Children: Implications for Pediatric Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Westcott, Sarah L.; Burtner, Patricia

2004-01-01

Based on a systems theory of motor control, reactive postural control (RPA) and anticipatory postural control (APA) in children are reviewed from several perspectives in order to develop an evidence-based intervention strategy for improving postural control in children with limitations in motor function. Research on development of postural…

Simple measurement-based admission control for DiffServ access networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lakkakorpi, Jani

2002-07-01

In order to provide good Quality of Service (QoS) in a Differentiated Services (DiffServ) network, a dynamic admission control scheme is definitely needed as an alternative to overprovisioning. In this paper, we present a simple measurement-based admission control (MBAC) mechanism for DiffServ-based access networks. Instead of using active measurements only or doing purely static bookkeeping with parameter-based admission control (PBAC), the admission control decisions are based on bandwidth reservations and periodically measured & exponentially averaged link loads. If any link load on the path between two endpoints is over the applicable threshold, access is denied. Link loads are periodically sent to Bandwidth Broker (BB) of the routing domain, which makes the admission control decisions. The information needed in calculating the link loads is retrieved from the router statistics. The proposed admission control mechanism is verified through simulations. Our results prove that it is possible to achieve very high bottleneck link utilization levels and still maintain good QoS.

A Thermal Expert System (TEXSYS) development overview - AI-based control of a Space Station prototype thermal bus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glass, B. J.; Hack, E. C.

1990-01-01

A knowledge-based control system for real-time control and fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR) of a prototype two-phase Space Station Freedom external thermal control system (TCS) is discussed in this paper. The Thermal Expert System (TEXSYS) has been demonstrated in recent tests to be capable of both fault anticipation and detection and real-time control of the thermal bus. Performance requirements were achieved by using a symbolic control approach, layering model-based expert system software on a conventional numerical data acquisition and control system. The model-based capabilities of TEXSYS were shown to be advantageous during software development and testing. One representative example is given from on-line TCS tests of TEXSYS. The integration and testing of TEXSYS with a live TCS testbed provides some insight on the use of formal software design, development and documentation methodologies to qualify knowledge-based systems for on-line or flight applications.

77 FR 19306 - Announcement of Funding Awards: Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-30

... Federal Register notice published on May 18, 2011 for Lead Based Paint Hazard Control and Lead Hazard... Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program A total of $43,206,000 was awarded to 22 grantees for the Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program and an additional $1,999,971 was awarded to 20 out of the 29...

77 FR 19305 - Announcement of Funding Awards: Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-30

... Federal Register notice published on September 9, 2010 for Lead Based Paint Hazard Control and Lead Hazard... follows: 1. Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program A total of $69,700,000 was awarded to 29 grantees for the Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program and an additional $2,388,637 was awarded to...

A controlled trial of web-based diabetes disease management: the MGH diabetes primary care improvement project.

PubMed

Meigs, James B; Cagliero, Enrico; Dubey, Anil; Murphy-Sheehy, Patricia; Gildesgame, Catharyn; Chueh, Henry; Barry, Michael J; Singer, Daniel E; Nathan, David M

2003-03-01

To test effects of a web-based decision support tool, the diabetes Disease Management Application (DMA), developed to improve evidence-based management of type 2 diabetes. We conducted a group randomized controlled trial of 12 intervention and 14 control staff providers and 307 intervention and 291 control patients with type 2 diabetes in a hospital-based internal medicine clinic. Providers were randomly assigned from May 1998 through April 1999 to have access to the DMA (intervention) or not to have access (control). The DMA displays interactive patient-specific clinical data, treatment advice, and links to other web-based care resources. We compared patients in the intervention and control groups for changes in processes and outcomes of care from the year preceding the study through the year of the study by intention-to-treat analysis. The DMA was used for 42% of scheduled patient visits. The number of HbA(1c) tests obtained per year increased significantly in the intervention group (+0.3 tests/year) compared with the control group (-0.04 tests/year, P = 0.008), as did the number of LDL cholesterol tests (intervention, +0.2 tests/year; control, +0.01 tests/year; P = 0.02) and the proportions of patients undergoing at least one foot examination per year (intervention, +9.8%; control, -0.7%; P = 0.003). Levels of HbA(1c) decreased by 0.2 in the intervention group and increased by 0.1 in the control group (P = 0.09); proportions of patients with LDL cholesterol levels <130 mg/dl increased by 20.3% in the intervention group and 10.5% in the control group (P = 0.5). Web-based patient-specific decision support has the potential to improve evidence-based parameters of diabetes care.

Toward brain-actuated car applications: Self-paced control with a motor imagery-based brain-computer interface.

PubMed

Yu, Yang; Zhou, Zongtan; Yin, Erwei; Jiang, Jun; Tang, Jingsheng; Liu, Yadong; Hu, Dewen

2016-10-01

This study presented a paradigm for controlling a car using an asynchronous electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) and presented the experimental results of a simulation performed in an experimental environment outside the laboratory. This paradigm uses two distinct MI tasks, imaginary left- and right-hand movements, to generate a multi-task car control strategy consisting of starting the engine, moving forward, turning left, turning right, moving backward, and stopping the engine. Five healthy subjects participated in the online car control experiment, and all successfully controlled the car by following a previously outlined route. Subject S1 exhibited the most satisfactory BCI-based performance, which was comparable to the manual control-based performance. We hypothesize that the proposed self-paced car control paradigm based on EEG signals could potentially be used in car control applications, and we provide a complementary or alternative way for individuals with locked-in disorders to achieve more mobility in the future, as well as providing a supplementary car-driving strategy to assist healthy people in driving a car. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cognitive control predicts use of model-based reinforcement learning.

PubMed

Otto, A Ross; Skatova, Anya; Madlon-Kay, Seth; Daw, Nathaniel D

2015-02-01

Accounts of decision-making and its neural substrates have long posited the operation of separate, competing valuation systems in the control of choice behavior. Recent theoretical and experimental work suggest that this classic distinction between behaviorally and neurally dissociable systems for habitual and goal-directed (or more generally, automatic and controlled) choice may arise from two computational strategies for reinforcement learning (RL), called model-free and model-based RL, but the cognitive or computational processes by which one system may dominate over the other in the control of behavior is a matter of ongoing investigation. To elucidate this question, we leverage the theoretical framework of cognitive control, demonstrating that individual differences in utilization of goal-related contextual information--in the service of overcoming habitual, stimulus-driven responses--in established cognitive control paradigms predict model-based behavior in a separate, sequential choice task. The behavioral correspondence between cognitive control and model-based RL compellingly suggests that a common set of processes may underpin the two behaviors. In particular, computational mechanisms originally proposed to underlie controlled behavior may be applicable to understanding the interactions between model-based and model-free choice behavior.

Counter Clockwise Rotation of Cylinder with Variable Position to Control Base Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asadullah, Mohammed; Khan, S. A.; Asrar, Waqar; Sulaeman, E.

2018-05-01

Experimental study of supersonic base flow at Mach 2 has been carried out to see the effect of cylinder when rotated counter clockwise inside the dead zone at variable locations near its base to control base pressure for different level of expansion for area ratio 9. Active cylinder of 2 mm diameter rotating counter clockwise when seen from top, is mounted as a controller. Three locations are chosen from the side wall of square duct namely at 2, 4, 6 mm respectively and 8 mm from square nozzle exit in the base region to mount the controller. Base pressure in recirculation zone and wall pressure along the square duct length has been measured with and without control. The experiments were carried out for NPR 2, 3, 6, 7.8 and 8.5. Cylinder when rotated counter clockwise as an active controller were found to reduce the base drag as high as 62 percent at NPR 8.5 when located near to duct wall and 50 percent when located away from duct wall for the same NPR. For perfectly expanded flows at NPR 7.8 the reduction in base drag was 53 percent near duct wall and 44 percent near duct wall. The active controller was up to 19 percentage effective for over expanded flows near to duct wall and up to 12 percent when located away from duct wall. Also, the control did not adversely affect the flow field.

Parametric synthesis of a robust controller on a base of mathematical programming method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khozhaev, I. V.; Gayvoronskiy, S. A.; Ezangina, T. A.

2018-05-01

Considered paper is dedicated to deriving sufficient conditions, linking root indices of robust control quality with coefficients of interval characteristic polynomial, on the base of mathematical programming method. On the base of these conditions, a method of PI- and PID-controllers, providing aperiodic transient process with acceptable stability degree and, subsequently, acceptable setting time, synthesis was developed. The method was applied to a problem of synthesizing a controller for a depth control system of an unmanned underwater vehicle.

Space construction base control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Aspects of an attitude control system were studied and developed for a large space base that is structurally flexible and whose mass properties change rather dramatically during its orbital lifetime. Topics of discussion include the following: (1) space base orbital pointing and maneuvering; (2) angular momentum sizing of actuators; (3) momentum desaturation selection and sizing; (4) multilevel control technique applied to configuration one; (5) one-dimensional model simulation; (6) N-body discrete coordinate simulation; (7) structural analysis math model formulation; and (8) discussion of control problems and control methods.

Telescope Array Control System Based on Wireless Touch Screen Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, X. N.; Huang, L.; Wei, J. Y.

2016-07-01

GWAC (Ground-based Wide Angle Cameras) are the ground-based observational instruments of the Sino-French cooperation SVOM (Space Variable Objects Monitor) astronomical satellite, and Mini-GWAC is a pathfinder and supplement of GWAC. In the context of the Mini-GWAC telescope array, this paper introduces the design and implementation of a kind of telescope array control system, which is based on wireless serial interface module to communicate. We describe the development and implementation of the system in detail in terms of control system principle, system hardware structure, software design, experiment, and test. The system uses the touch-control PC which is based on the Windows CE system as the upper-computer, the wireless transceiver module and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as the core. It has the advantages of low cost, reliable data transmission, and simple operation. So far, the control system has been applied to Mini-GWAC successfully.

Telescope Array Control System Based on Wireless Touch Screen Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Xia-nan; Huang, Lei; Wei, Jian-yan

2017-10-01

Ground-based Wide Angle Cameras (GMAC) are the ground-based observational facility for the SVOM (Space Variable Object Monitor) astronomical satellite of Sino-French cooperation, and Mini-GWAC is the pathfinder and supplement of GWAC. In the context of the Mini-GWAC telescope array, this paper introduces the design and implementation of a kind of telescope array control system based on the wireless touch screen platform. We describe the development and implementation of the system in detail in terms of control system principle, system hardware structure, software design, experiment, and test etc. The system uses a touch-control PC which is based on the Windows CE system as the upper computer, while the wireless transceiver module and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) are taken as the system kernel. It has the advantages of low cost, reliable data transmission, and simple operation. And the control system has been applied to the Mini-GWAC successfully.

A dynamic access control method based on QoS requirement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chunquan; Wang, Yanwei; Yang, Baoye; Hu, Chunyang

2013-03-01

A dynamic access control method is put forward to ensure the security of the sharing service in Cloud Manufacturing, according to the application characteristics of cloud manufacturing collaborative task. The role-based access control (RBAC) model is extended according to the characteristics of cloud manufacturing in this method. The constraints are considered, which are from QoS requirement of the task context to access control, based on the traditional static authorization. The fuzzy policy rules are established about the weighted interval value of permissions. The access control authorities of executable service by users are dynamically adjusted through the fuzzy reasoning based on the QoS requirement of task. The main elements of the model are described. The fuzzy reasoning algorithm of weighted interval value based QoS requirement is studied. An effective method is provided to resolve the access control of cloud manufacturing.

Effects of iterative learning based signal control strategies on macroscopic fundamental diagrams of urban road networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Fei; Tian, Fuli; Shi, Zhongke

2016-10-01

Urban traffic flows are inherently repeated on a daily or weekly basis. This repeatability can help improve the traffic conditions if it is used properly by the control system. In this paper, we propose a novel iterative learning control (ILC) strategy for traffic signals of urban road networks using the repeatability feature of traffic flow. To improve the control robustness, the ILC strategy is further integrated with an error feedback control law in a complementary manner. Theoretical analysis indicates that the ILC-based traffic signal control methods can guarantee the asymptotic learning convergence, despite the presence of modeling uncertainties and exogenous disturbances. Finally, the impacts of the ILC-based signal control strategies on the network macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) are examined. The results show that the proposed ILC-based control strategies can homogenously distribute the network accumulation by controlling the vehicle numbers in each link to the desired levels under different traffic demands, which can result in the network with high capacity and mobility.

A Control Framework for Anthropomorphic Biped Walking Based on Stabilizing Feedforward Trajectories.

PubMed

Rezazadeh, Siavash; Gregg, Robert D

2016-10-01

Although dynamic walking methods have had notable successes in control of bipedal robots in the recent years, still most of the humanoid robots rely on quasi-static Zero Moment Point controllers. This work is an attempt to design a highly stable controller for dynamic walking of a human-like model which can be used both for control of humanoid robots and prosthetic legs. The method is based on using time-based trajectories that can induce a highly stable limit cycle to the bipedal robot. The time-based nature of the controller motivates its use to entrain a model of an amputee walking, which can potentially lead to a better coordination of the interaction between the prosthesis and the human. The simulations demonstrate the stability of the controller and its robustness against external perturbations.

Development of a Multisensor-Based Bio-Botanic Robot and Its Implementation Using a Self-Designed Embedded Board

PubMed Central

Chang, Chung-Liang; Sie, Ming-Fong; Shie, Jin-Long

2011-01-01

This paper presents the design concept of a bio-botanic robot which demonstrates its behavior based on plant growth. Besides, it can reflect the different phases of plant growth depending on the proportional amounts of light, temperature and water. The mechanism design is made up of a processed aluminum base, spring, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and actuator to constitute the plant base and plant body. The control system consists of two micro-controllers and a self-designed embedded development board where the main controller transmits the values of the environmental sensing module within the embedded board to a sub-controller. The sub-controller determines the growth stage, growth height, and time and transmits its decision value to the main controller. Finally, based on the data transmitted by the sub-controller, the main controller controls the growth phase of the bio-botanic robot using a servo motor and leaf actuator. The research result not only helps children realize the variation of plant growth but also is entertainment-educational through its demonstration of the growth process of the bio-botanic robot in a short time. PMID:22247684

Implementation of EPICS based vacuum control system for variable energy cyclotron centre, Kolkata

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roy, Anindya, E-mail: r-ani@vecc.gov.in; Bhole, R. B.; Nandy, Partha P.

2015-03-15

The vacuum system of the Room Temperature (K = 130) Cyclotron of Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre is comprised of vacuum systems of main machine and Beam Transport System. The vacuum control system is upgraded to a PLC based Automated system from the initial relay based Manual system. The supervisory control of the vacuum system is implemented in Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). An EPICS embedded ARM based vacuum gauge controller is developed to mitigate the requirement of vendor specific gauge controller for gauges and also for seamless integration of the gauge controllers with the control system. A setmore » of MS-Windows ActiveX components with embedded EPICS Channel Access interface are developed to build operator interfaces with less complex programming and to incorporate typical Windows feature, e.g., user authentication, file handling, better fonts, colors, mouse actions etc. into the operator interfaces. The control parameters, monitoring parameters, and system interlocks of the system are archived in MySQL based EPICS MySQL Archiver developed indigenously. In this paper, we describe the architecture, the implementation details, and the performance of the system.« less

Direct energy balance based active disturbance rejection control for coal-fired power plant.

PubMed

Sun, Li; Hua, Qingsong; Li, Donghai; Pan, Lei; Xue, Yali; Lee, Kwang Y

2017-09-01

The conventional direct energy balance (DEB) based PI control can fulfill the fundamental tracking requirements of the coal-fired power plant. However, it is challenging to deal with the cases when the coal quality variation is present. To this end, this paper introduces the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) to the DEB structure, where the coal quality variation is deemed as a kind of unknown disturbance that can be estimated and mitigated promptly. Firstly, the nonlinearity of a recent power plant model is analyzed based on the gap metric, which provides guidance on how to set the pressure set-point in line with the power demand. Secondly, the approximate decoupling effect of the DEB structure is analyzed based on the relative gain analysis in frequency domain. Finally, the synthesis of the DEB based ADRC control system is carried out based on multi-objective optimization. The optimized ADRC results show that the integrated absolute error (IAE) indices of the tracking performances in both loops can be simultaneously improved, in comparison with the DEB based PI control and H ∞ control system. The regulation performance in the presence of the coal quality variation is significantly improved under the ADRC control scheme. Moreover, the robustness of the proposed strategy is shown comparable with the H ∞ control. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A sham case-control study of effectiveness of DTP-Hib-hepatitis B vaccine against rotavirus acute gastroenteritis in Kenya

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background In many GAVI-eligible countries, effectiveness of new vaccines will be evaluated by case-control methodology. To inform the design and assess selection bias of a future case-control study of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) in western Kenya, we performed a sham case-control study evaluating VE of pentavalent vaccine (DTP-Hib-HepB) against rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Methods From ongoing rotavirus surveillance, we defined cases as children 12 weeks to 23 months old with EIA-confirmed rotavirus AGE. We enrolled one community-based and two hospital-based control groups. We collected vaccination status from cards at enrollment, or later in homes, and evaluated VE by logistic regression. Results We enrolled 91 cases (64 inpatient, 27 outpatient), 252 non-rotavirus AGE facility-based controls (unmatched), 203 non-AGE facility-based controls (age-matched) and 271 community controls (age-matched). Documented receipt of 3 pentavalent doses was 77% among cases and ranged from 81-86% among controls. One percent of cases and 0-2% of controls had no pentavalent doses. The adjusted odds ratio of three versus zero doses for being a case was 3.27 (95% CI 0.01-1010) for community controls and 0.69 (95% CI 0.06-7.75) for non-rotavirus hospital-based AGE controls, translating to VE of -227% and 31%, respectively, with wide confidence intervals. (No facility-based non-AGE controls were unvaccinated.) Similar results were found for ≥2 pentavalent doses and for severe rotavirus AGE. Conclusions The study showed that it is feasible to carry out a real case control in the study area, but this needs to be done as soon as the vaccine is introduced to capture the real impact. Sham case-control or pilot studies before vaccine introduction can be useful in designing case-control VE studies. PMID:24517198

A sham case-control study of effectiveness of DTP-Hib-hepatitis B vaccine against rotavirus acute gastroenteritis in Kenya.

PubMed

Khagayi, Sammy; Tate, Jacqueline E; Onkoba, Reuben; Parashar, Umesh; Odhiambo, Frank; Burton, Deron; Laserson, Kayla; Feikin, Daniel R

2014-02-11

In many GAVI-eligible countries, effectiveness of new vaccines will be evaluated by case-control methodology. To inform the design and assess selection bias of a future case-control study of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) in western Kenya, we performed a sham case-control study evaluating VE of pentavalent vaccine (DTP-Hib-HepB) against rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE). From ongoing rotavirus surveillance, we defined cases as children 12 weeks to 23 months old with EIA-confirmed rotavirus AGE. We enrolled one community-based and two hospital-based control groups. We collected vaccination status from cards at enrollment, or later in homes, and evaluated VE by logistic regression. We enrolled 91 cases (64 inpatient, 27 outpatient), 252 non-rotavirus AGE facility-based controls (unmatched), 203 non-AGE facility-based controls (age-matched) and 271 community controls (age-matched). Documented receipt of 3 pentavalent doses was 77% among cases and ranged from 81-86% among controls. One percent of cases and 0-2% of controls had no pentavalent doses. The adjusted odds ratio of three versus zero doses for being a case was 3.27 (95% CI 0.01-1010) for community controls and 0.69 (95% CI 0.06-7.75) for non-rotavirus hospital-based AGE controls, translating to VE of -227% and 31%, respectively, with wide confidence intervals. (No facility-based non-AGE controls were unvaccinated.) Similar results were found for ≥2 pentavalent doses and for severe rotavirus AGE. The study showed that it is feasible to carry out a real case control in the study area, but this needs to be done as soon as the vaccine is introduced to capture the real impact. Sham case-control or pilot studies before vaccine introduction can be useful in designing case-control VE studies.

Performance-based maintenance of gas turbines for reliable control of degraded power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, Huadong; Sansavini, Giovanni; Xie, Min

2018-03-01

Maintenance actions are necessary for ensuring proper operations of control systems under component degradation. However, current condition-based maintenance (CBM) models based on component health indices are not suitable for degraded control systems. Indeed, failures of control systems are only determined by the controller outputs, and the feedback mechanism compensates the control performance loss caused by the component deterioration. Thus, control systems may still operate normally even if the component health indices exceed failure thresholds. This work investigates the CBM model of control systems and employs the reduced control performance as a direct degradation measure for deciding maintenance activities. The reduced control performance depends on the underlying component degradation modelled as a Wiener process and the feedback mechanism. To this aim, the controller features are quantified by developing a dynamic and stochastic control block diagram-based simulation model, consisting of the degraded components and the control mechanism. At each inspection, the system receives a maintenance action if the control performance deterioration exceeds its preventive-maintenance or failure thresholds. Inspired by realistic cases, the component degradation model considers random start time and unit-to-unit variability. The cost analysis of maintenance model is conducted via Monte Carlo simulation. Optimal maintenance strategies are investigated to minimize the expected maintenance costs, which is a direct consequence of the control performance. The proposed framework is able to design preventive maintenance actions on a gas power plant, to ensuring required load frequency control performance against a sudden load increase. The optimization results identify the trade-off between system downtime and maintenance costs as a function of preventive maintenance thresholds and inspection frequency. Finally, the control performance-based maintenance model can reduce maintenance costs as compared to CBM and pre-scheduled maintenance.

An experiment-based comparative study of fuzzy logic control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berenji, Hamid R.; Chen, Yung-Yaw; Lee, Chuen-Chein; Murugesan, S.; Jang, Jyh-Shing

1989-01-01

An approach is presented to the control of a dynamic physical system through the use of approximate reasoning. The approach has been implemented in a program named POLE, and the authors have successfully built a prototype hardware system to solve the cartpole balancing problem in real-time. The approach provides a complementary alternative to the conventional analytical control methodology and is of substantial use when a precise mathematical model of the process being controlled is not available. A set of criteria for comparing controllers based on approximate reasoning and those based on conventional control schemes is furnished.

Network Influences on Dissemination of Evidence-Based Guidelines in State Tobacco Control Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luke, Douglas A.; Wald, Lana M.; Carothers, Bobbi J.; Bach, Laura E.; Harris, Jenine K.

2013-01-01

Little is known regarding the social network relationships that influence dissemination of evidence-based public health practices and policies. In public health, it is critical that evidence-based guidelines, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs," are…

Reaction temperature sensing (RTS)-based control for Li-ion battery safety

PubMed Central

Zhang, Guangsheng; Cao, Lei; Ge, Shanhai; Wang, Chao-Yang; Shaffer, Christian E.; Rahn, Christopher D.

2015-01-01

We report reaction temperature sensing (RTS)-based control to fundamentally enhance Li-ion battery safety. RTS placed at the electrochemical interface inside a Li-ion cell is shown to detect temperature rise much faster and more accurately than external measurement of cell surface temperature. We demonstrate, for the first time, that RTS-based control shuts down a dangerous short-circuit event 3 times earlier than surface temperature- based control and prevents cell overheating by 50 °C and the resultant cell damage. PMID:26658957

FPGA based control system for space instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Giorgio, Anna M.; Cerulli Irelli, Pasquale; Nuzzolo, Francesco; Orfei, Renato; Spinoglio, Luigi; Liu, Giovanni S.; Saraceno, Paolo

2008-07-01

The prototype for a general purpose FPGA based control system for space instrumentation is presented, with particular attention to the instrument control application software. The system HW is based on the LEON3FT processor, which gives the flexibility to configure the chip with only the necessary HW functionalities, from simple logic up to small dedicated processors. The instrument control SW is developed in ANSI C and for time critical (<10μs) commanding sequences implements an internal instructions sequencer, triggered via an interrupt service routine based on a HW high priority interrupt.

Fan-out Estimation in Spin-based Quantum Computer Scale-up.

PubMed

Nguyen, Thien; Hill, Charles D; Hollenberg, Lloyd C L; James, Matthew R

2017-10-17

Solid-state spin-based qubits offer good prospects for scaling based on their long coherence times and nexus to large-scale electronic scale-up technologies. However, high-threshold quantum error correction requires a two-dimensional qubit array operating in parallel, posing significant challenges in fabrication and control. While architectures incorporating distributed quantum control meet this challenge head-on, most designs rely on individual control and readout of all qubits with high gate densities. We analysed the fan-out routing overhead of a dedicated control line architecture, basing the analysis on a generalised solid-state spin qubit platform parameterised to encompass Coulomb confined (e.g. donor based spin qubits) or electrostatically confined (e.g. quantum dot based spin qubits) implementations. The spatial scalability under this model is estimated using standard electronic routing methods and present-day fabrication constraints. Based on reasonable assumptions for qubit control and readout we estimate 10 2 -10 5 physical qubits, depending on the quantum interconnect implementation, can be integrated and fanned-out independently. Assuming relatively long control-free interconnects the scalability can be extended. Ultimately, the universal quantum computation may necessitate a much higher number of integrated qubits, indicating that higher dimensional electronics fabrication and/or multiplexed distributed control and readout schemes may be the preferredstrategy for large-scale implementation.

Intelligent control of non-linear dynamical system based on the adaptive neurocontroller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engel, E.; Kovalev, I. V.; Kobezhicov, V.

2015-10-01

This paper presents an adaptive neuro-controller for intelligent control of non-linear dynamical system. The formed as the fuzzy selective neural net the adaptive neuro-controller on the base of system's state, creates the effective control signal under random perturbations. The validity and advantages of the proposed adaptive neuro-controller are demonstrated by numerical simulations. The simulation results show that the proposed controller scheme achieves real-time control speed and the competitive performance, as compared to PID, fuzzy logic controllers.

A composite self tuning strategy for fuzzy control of dynamic systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shieh, C.-Y.; Nair, Satish S.

1992-01-01

The feature of self learning makes fuzzy logic controllers attractive in control applications. This paper proposes a strategy to tune the fuzzy logic controller on-line by tuning the data base as well as the rule base. The structure of the controller is outlined and preliminary results are presented using simulation studies.

Coping with Pain in the Motivational Context of Values: Comparison between an Acceptance-Based and a Cognitive Control-Based Protocol

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paez-Blarrina, Marisa; Luciano, Carmen; Gutierrez-Martinez, Olga; Valdivia, Sonsoles; Rodriguez-Valverde, Miguel; Ortega, Jose

2008-01-01

This study compares the effect of an acceptance-based protocol (ACT) and a cognitive control-based (CONT) protocol on three measures of pain coping: tolerance, self-report, and believability. Specific methodological controls were employed to further isolate the role of the value of participating in a pain task, compared to previous investigations…

Multi-Core Processors: An Enabling Technology for Embedded Distributed Model-Based Control (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

generation of process partitioning, a thread pipelining becomes possible. In this paper we briefly summarize the requirements and trends for FADEC based... FADEC environment, presenting a hypothetical realization of an example application. Finally we discuss the application of Time-Triggered...based control applications of the future. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Gas turbine, FADEC , Multi-core processing technology, disturbed based control

IMPLICIT DUAL CONTROL BASED ON PARTICLE FILTERING AND FORWARD DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING.

PubMed

Bayard, David S; Schumitzky, Alan

2010-03-01

This paper develops a sampling-based approach to implicit dual control. Implicit dual control methods synthesize stochastic control policies by systematically approximating the stochastic dynamic programming equations of Bellman, in contrast to explicit dual control methods that artificially induce probing into the control law by modifying the cost function to include a term that rewards learning. The proposed implicit dual control approach is novel in that it combines a particle filter with a policy-iteration method for forward dynamic programming. The integration of the two methods provides a complete sampling-based approach to the problem. Implementation of the approach is simplified by making use of a specific architecture denoted as an H-block. Practical suggestions are given for reducing computational loads within the H-block for real-time applications. As an example, the method is applied to the control of a stochastic pendulum model having unknown mass, length, initial position and velocity, and unknown sign of its dc gain. Simulation results indicate that active controllers based on the described method can systematically improve closed-loop performance with respect to other more common stochastic control approaches.

Model Predictive Control Based on System Re-Identification (MPC-SRI) to Control Bio-H2 Production from Biomass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahid, A.; Taqwallah, H. M. H.

2018-03-01

Compressors and a steam reformer are the important units in biohydrogen from biomass plant. The compressors are useful for achieving high-pressure operating conditions while the steam reformer is the main process to produce H2 gas. To control them, in this research used a model predictive control (MPC) expected to have better controller performance than conventional controllers. Because of the explicit model empowerment in MPC, obtaining a better model is the main objective before employing MPC. The common way to get the empirical model is through the identification system, so that obtained a first-order plus dead-time (FOPDT) model. This study has already improved that way since used the system re-identification (SRI) based on closed loop mode. Based on this method the results of the compressor pressure control and temperature control of steam reformer were that MPC based on system re-identification (MPC-SRI) has better performance than MPC without system re-identification (MPCWSRI) and the proportional-integral (PI) controller, by % improvement of 73% against MPCWSRI and 75% against the PI controller.

Predicting Loss-of-Control Boundaries Toward a Piloting Aid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barlow, Jonathan; Stepanyan, Vahram; Krishnakumar, Kalmanje

2012-01-01

This work presents an approach to predicting loss-of-control with the goal of providing the pilot a decision aid focused on maintaining the pilot's control action within predicted loss-of-control boundaries. The predictive architecture combines quantitative loss-of-control boundaries, a data-based predictive control boundary estimation algorithm and an adaptive prediction method to estimate Markov model parameters in real-time. The data-based loss-of-control boundary estimation algorithm estimates the boundary of a safe set of control inputs that will keep the aircraft within the loss-of-control boundaries for a specified time horizon. The adaptive prediction model generates estimates of the system Markov Parameters, which are used by the data-based loss-of-control boundary estimation algorithm. The combined algorithm is applied to a nonlinear generic transport aircraft to illustrate the features of the architecture.

Active control strategy for the running attitude of high-speed train under strong crosswind condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Decang; Meng, Jianjun; Bai, Huan; Xu, Ruxun

2018-07-01

This paper focuses on the safety of high-speed trains under strong crosswind conditions. A new active control strategy is proposed based on the adaptive predictive control theory. The new control strategy aims at adjusting the attitudes of a train by controlling the new-type intelligent giant magnetostrictive actuator (GMA). It combined adaptive control with dynamic matrix control; parameters of predictive controller was real-time adjusted by online distinguishing to enhance the robustness of the control algorithm. On this basis, a correction control algorithm is also designed to regulate the parameters of predictive controller based on the step response of a controlled objective. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed control strategy can adjust the running attitudes of high-speed trains under strong crosswind conditions; they also indicate that the new active control strategy is effective and applicable in improving the safety performance of a train based on a host-target computer technology provided by Matlab/Simulink.

Anfis Approach for Sssc Controller Design for the Improvement of Transient Stability Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khuntia, Swasti R.; Panda, Sidhartha

2011-06-01

In this paper, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) method based on the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is applied to design a Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC)-based controller for improvement of transient stability. The proposed ANFIS controller combines the advantages of fuzzy controller and quick response and adaptability nature of ANN. The ANFIS structures were trained using the generated database by fuzzy controller of SSSC. It is observed that the proposed SSSC controller improves greatly the voltage profile of the system under severe disturbances. The results prove that the proposed SSSC-based ANFIS controller is found to be robust to fault location and change in operating conditions. Further, the results obtained are compared with the conventional lead-lag controllers for SSSC.

The Temperature Fuzzy Control System of Barleythe Malt Drying Based on Microcontroller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xiaoyang; Bi, Yang; Zhang, Lili; Chen, Jingjing; Yun, Jianmin

The control strategy of temperature and humidity in the beer barley malt drying chamber based on fuzzy logic control was implemented.Expounded in this paper was the selection of parameters for the structure of the regulatory device, as well as the essential design from control rules based on the existing experience. A temperature fuzzy controller was thus constructed using relevantfuzzy logic, and humidity control was achieved by relay, ensured the situation of the humidity to control the temperature. The temperature's fuzzy control and the humidity real-time control were all processed by single chip microcomputer with assembly program. The experimental results showed that the temperature control performance of this fuzzy regulatory system,especially in the ways of working stability and responding speed and so on,was better than normal used PID control. The cost of real-time system was inquite competitive position. It was demonstrated that the system have a promising prospect of extensive application.

Design and control of active vision based mechanisms for intelligent robots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Liwei; Marefat, Michael M.

1994-01-01

In this paper, we propose a design of an active vision system for intelligent robot application purposes. The system has the degrees of freedom of pan, tilt, vergence, camera height adjustment, and baseline adjustment with a hierarchical control system structure. Based on this vision system, we discuss two problems involved in the binocular gaze stabilization process: fixation point selection and vergence disparity extraction. A hierarchical approach to determining point of fixation from potential gaze targets using evaluation function representing human visual behavior to outside stimuli is suggested. We also characterize different visual tasks in two cameras for vergence control purposes, and a phase-based method based on binarized images to extract vergence disparity for vergence control is presented. A control algorithm for vergence control is discussed.

Policy Gradient Adaptive Dynamic Programming for Data-Based Optimal Control.

PubMed

Luo, Biao; Liu, Derong; Wu, Huai-Ning; Wang, Ding; Lewis, Frank L

2017-10-01

The model-free optimal control problem of general discrete-time nonlinear systems is considered in this paper, and a data-based policy gradient adaptive dynamic programming (PGADP) algorithm is developed to design an adaptive optimal controller method. By using offline and online data rather than the mathematical system model, the PGADP algorithm improves control policy with a gradient descent scheme. The convergence of the PGADP algorithm is proved by demonstrating that the constructed Q -function sequence converges to the optimal Q -function. Based on the PGADP algorithm, the adaptive control method is developed with an actor-critic structure and the method of weighted residuals. Its convergence properties are analyzed, where the approximate Q -function converges to its optimum. Computer simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the PGADP-based adaptive control method.

Design control system of telescope force actuators based on WLAN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shuai, Xiaoying; Zhang, Zhenchao

2010-05-01

With the development of the technology of autocontrol, telescope, computer, network and communication, the control system of the modern large and extra lager telescope become more and more complicated, especially application of active optics. Large telescope based on active optics maybe contain enormous force actuators. This is a challenge to traditional control system based on wired networks, which result in difficult-to-manage, occupy signification space and lack of system flexibility. Wireless network can resolve these disadvantages of wired network. Presented control system of telescope force actuators based on WLAN (WFCS), designed the control system framework of WFCS. To improve the performance of real-time, we developed software of force actuators control system in Linux. Finally, this paper discussed improvement of WFCS real-time, conceived maybe improvement in the future.