Data-driven modeling on anisotropic mechanical behavior of brain tissue with internal pressure

Brain tissue is one of the softest parts of the human body,composed of white matter and grey matter.The mechanical behavior of the brain tissue plays an essential role in regulating brain morphology and brain function.Besides,traumatic brain injury(TBI)and various brain diseases are also greatly influenced by the brain's mechanical properties.Whether white matter or grey matter,brain tissue contains multiscale structures composed of neurons,glial cells,fibers,blood vessels,etc.,each with different mechanical properties.As such,brain tissue exhibits complex mechanical behavior,usually with strong nonlinearity,heterogeneity,and directional dependence.Building a constitutive law for multiscale brain tissue using traditional function-based approaches can be very challenging.Instead,this paper proposes a data-driven approach to establish the desired mechanical model of brain tissue.We focus on blood vessels with internal pressure embedded in a white or grey matter matrix material to demonstrate our approach.The matrix is described by an isotropic or anisotropic nonlinear elastic model.A representative unit cell(RUC)with blood vessels is built,which is used to generate the stress-strain data under different internal blood pressure and various proportional displacement loading paths.The generated stress-strain data is then used to train a mechanical law using artificial neural networks to predict the macroscopic mechanical response of brain tissue under different internal pressures.Finally,the trained material model is implemented into finite element software to predict the mechanical behavior of a whole brain under intracranial pressure and distributed body forces.Compared with a direct numerical simulation that employs a reference material model,our proposed approach greatly reduces the computational cost and improves modeling efficiency.The predictions made by our trained model demonstrate sufficient accuracy.Specifically,we find that the level of internal blood pressure can greatly influence stress distribution and determine the possible related damage behaviors.

Development of vehicle-recognition method on water surfaces using LiDAR data:SPD^(2)(spherically stratified point projection with diameter and distance)

Swarm robot systems are an important application of autonomous unmanned surface vehicles on water surfaces.For monitoring natural environments and conducting security activities within a certain range using a surface vehicle,the swarm robot system is more efficient than the operation of a single object as the former can reduce cost and save time.It is necessary to detect adjacent surface obstacles robustly to operate a cluster of unmanned surface vehicles.For this purpose,a LiDAR(light detection and ranging)sensor is used as it can simultaneously obtain 3D information for all directions,relatively robustly and accurately,irrespective of the surrounding environmental conditions.Although the GPS(global-positioning-system)error range exists,obtaining measurements of the surface-vessel position can still ensure stability during platoon maneuvering.In this study,a three-layer convolutional neural network is applied to classify types of surface vehicles.The aim of this approach is to redefine the sparse 3D point cloud data as 2D image data with a connotative meaning and subsequently utilize this transformed data for object classification purposes.Hence,we have proposed a descriptor that converts the 3D point cloud data into 2D image data.To use this descriptor effectively,it is necessary to perform a clustering operation that separates the point clouds for each object.We developed voxel-based clustering for the point cloud clustering.Furthermore,using the descriptor,3D point cloud data can be converted into a 2D feature image,and the converted 2D image is provided as an input value to the network.We intend to verify the validity of the proposed 3D point cloud feature descriptor by using experimental data in the simulator.Furthermore,we explore the feasibility of real-time object classification within this framework.

Set Stabilization of Large-Scale Stochastic Boolean Networks:A Distributed Control Strategy

Dear Editor,This letter deals with the set stabilization of stochastic Boolean control networks(SBCNs)by the pinning control strategy,which is to realize the full control for systems by imposing control inputs on a fraction of agents.

H_∞ Consensus Control of Discrete-Time Multi-Agent Systems Under Network Imperfections and External Disturbance

This paper presents a distributed control protocol for consensus control of multi-agent systems(MASs) under external disturbances and network imperfections, including communication delay and random packet dropout. To comply with the discrete nature of networked systems, in contrast to most of the existing work for MASs under network imperfections,the agents are modeled by discrete-time dynamics. The communication network is considered to be undirected, its delay is considered to be time-varying but bounded, and its packet dropout is modeled by a Bernoulli distributed white sequence.Sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities(LMIs)for asymptotic mean-square consensus stability are derived under network imperfections without considering external disturbances.A desired disturbance attenuation level in the presence of both external disturbances and network imperfections is also provided.A simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach in coping with network imperfection and disturbances.

Physical Safety and Cyber Security Analysis of Multi-Agent Systems:A Survey of Recent Advances

Multi-agent systems(MASs)are typically composed of multiple smart entities with independent sensing,communication,computing,and decision-making capabilities.Nowadays,MASs have a wide range of applications in smart grids,smart manufacturing,sensor networks,and intelligent transportation systems.Control of the MASs are often coordinated through information interaction among agents,which is one of the most important factors affecting coordination and cooperation performance.However,unexpected physical faults and cyber attacks on a single agent may spread to other agents via information interaction very quickly,and thus could lead to severe degradation of the whole system performance and even destruction of MASs.This paper is concerned with the safety/security analysis and synthesis of MASs arising from physical faults and cyber attacks,and our goal is to present a comprehensive survey on recent results on fault estimation,detection,diagnosis and fault-tolerant control of MASs,and cyber attack detection and secure control of MASs subject to two typical cyber attacks.Finally,the paper concludes with some potential future research topics on the security issues of MASs.

Geometrical-Analysis-Based Algorithm for Stereo Matching of Single-Lens Binocular and Multi-Ocular Stereovision System

A geometrical analysis based algorithm is proposed to achieve the stereo matching of a single-lens prism based stereovision system. By setting the multi- face prism in frontal position of the static CCD （CM-140MCL） camera, equivalent stereo images with different orientations are captured synchronously by virtual cameras which are defined by two boundary lines： the optical axis and CCD camera field of view boundary. Subsequently, the geometrical relationship between the 2D stereo images and corresponding 3D scene is established by employing two fundamentals： ray sketching in which all the pertinent points, lines, and planes are expressed in the 3D camera coordinates and the rule of refraction. Landing on this relationship, the epipolar geometry is thus obtained by fitting a set of corresponding candidate points and thereafter, stereo matching of the prism based stereovision system is obtained. Moreover, the unique geometrical properties of the imaging system allow the proposed method free from the complicated camera calibration procedures and to be easily generalized from binocular and tri-oeular to multi-ocular stereovision systems. The performance of the algorithm is presented through the experiments on the binocular imaging system and the comparison with a conventional projection method demonstrates the efficient assessment of our novel contributions.

Integral Event-Triggered Attack-Resilient Control of Aircraft-on-Ground Synergistic Turning System With Uncertain Tire Cornering Stiffness

This article proposes an integral-based event-triggered attack-resilient control method for the aircraft-on-ground(AoG) synergistic turning system with uncertain tire cornering stiffness under stochastic deception attacks. First, a novel AoG synergistic turning model is established with synergistic reverse steering of the front and main wheels to decrease the steering angle of the AoG fuselage, thus reducing the steady-state error when it follows a path with some large curvature. Considering that the tire cornering stiffness of the front and main wheels vary during steering, a dynamical observer is designed to adaptively identify them and estimate the system state at the same time.Then, an integral-based event-triggered mechanism(I-ETM) is synthesized to reduce the transmission frequency at the observerto-controller end, where stochastic deception attacks may occur at any time with a stochastic probability. Moreover, an attackresilient controller is designed to guarantee that the closed-loop system is robust L2-stable under stochastic attacks and external disturbances. A co-design method is provided to get feasible solutions for the observer, controller, and I-ETM simultaneously. An optimization program is further presented to make a tradeoff between the robustness of the control scheme and the saving of communication resources. Finally, the low-and high-probability stochastic deception attacks are considered in the simulations. The results have illustrated that the AoG synergistic turning system with the proposed control method follows a path with some large curvature well under stochastic deception attacks. Furthermore,compared with the static event-triggered mechanisms, the proposed I-ETM has demonstrated its superiority in saving communication resources.

Optimal Synchronization Control of Heterogeneous Asymmetric Input-Constrained Unknown Nonlinear MASs via Reinforcement Learning

The asymmetric input-constrained optimal synchronization problem of heterogeneous unknown nonlinear multiagent systems(MASs)is considered in the paper.Intuitively,a state-space transformation is performed such that satisfaction of symmetric input constraints for the transformed system guarantees satisfaction of asymmetric input constraints for the original system.Then,considering that the leader’s information is not available to every follower,a novel distributed observer is designed to estimate the leader’s state using only exchange of information among neighboring followers.After that,a network of augmented systems is constructed by combining observers and followers dynamics.A nonquadratic cost function is then leveraged for each augmented system(agent)for which its optimization satisfies input constraints and its corresponding constrained Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman(HJB)equation is solved in a data-based fashion.More specifically,a data-based off-policy reinforcement learning(RL)algorithm is presented to learn the solution to the constrained HJB equation without requiring the complete knowledge of the agents’dynamics.Convergence of the improved RL algorithm to the solution to the constrained HJB equation is also demonstrated.Finally,the correctness and validity of the theoretical results are demonstrated by a simulation example.

Virtual Epipolar Line Construction of Single-Lens Bi-Prism Stereovision System

This paper proposes a simple geometrical ray based approach to solve the stereo correspondence problem for the single-lens bi-prism stereovision system. Each image captured using this system can be divided into two sub-images on the left and right and these sub-images are generated by two virtual cameras which are produced by the bi-prism. This stereovision system is equivalent to the conventional two camera system and the two sub-images captured have disparities which can be used to reconstruct back the 3-dimensional （3D） scene. The stereo correspondence problem of this system will be solved geometrically by applying the epipolar geometry constraint on the generated virtual cameras instead of the real CCD camera. Experiments are conducted to validate the proposed method and the results are compared to the calibration based approach to confirm its accuracy and effectiveness.

Inverse Optimal Control of Evolution Systems and Its Application to Extensible and Shearable Slender Beams

An optimal(practical) stabilization problem is formulated in an inverse approach and solved for nonlinear evolution systems in Hilbert spaces. The optimal control design ensures global well-posedness and global practical K∞-exponential stability of the closed-loop system, minimizes a cost functional,which appropriately penalizes both state and control in the sense that it is positive definite(and radially unbounded) in the state and control, without having to solve a Hamilton-Jacobi-Belman equation(HJBE). The Lyapunov functional used in the control design explicitly solves a family of HJBEs. The results are applied to design inverse optimal boundary stabilization control laws for extensible and shearable slender beams governed by fully nonlinear partial differential equations.

Adaptive Control of a Two-Link Robot Using Batch Least-Square Identifier

We design a regulation-triggered adaptive controller for robot manipulators to efficiently estimate unknown parameters and to achieve asymptotic stability in the presence of coupled uncertainties.Robot manipulators are widely used in telemanipulation systems where they are subject to model and environmental uncertainties.Using conventional control algorithms on such systems can cause not only poor control performance,but also expensive computational costs and catastrophic instabilities.Therefore,system uncertainties need to be estimated through designing a computationally efficient adaptive control law.We focus on robot manipulators as an example of a highly nonlinear system.As a case study,a 2-DOF manipulator subject to four parametric uncertainties is investigated.First,the dynamic equations of the manipulator are derived,and the corresponding regressor matrix is constructed for the unknown parameters.For a general nonlinear system,a theorem is presented to guarantee the asymptotic stability of the system and the convergence of parameters'estimations.Finally,simulation results are discussed for a two-link manipulator,and the performance of the proposed scheme is thoroughly evaluated.

Enhancing Design of Visual-Servo Delayed System

A robust adaptive predictor is proposed to solve the time-varying and delay control problem of an overhead crane system with a stereo-vision servo. The predictor is based on the use of a recurrent neural network(RNN) with tapped delays, and is used to supply the real-time signal of the swing angle. There are two types of discrete-time controllers under investigation, i.e., the proportional-integral-derivative(PID) controller and the sliding controller. Firstly, a design principle of the neural predictor is developed to guarantee the convergence of its swing angle estimation. Then, an improved version of the particle swarm optimization algorithm, the parallel particle swarm optimization(PPSO) method is used to optimize the control parameters of these two types of controllers. Finally, a homemade overhead crane system equipped with the Kinect sensor for the visual servo is used to verify the proposed scheme. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, which also show the parameter convergence in the predictor.

DETECTION OF INCIPIENT DEFECTS IN A GEARBOX BY DEMODULATION OF MESHING VIBRATION SIGNATURE

This paper presents an investigation into the detection of incipient fatigue cracks in a gearbox.On the basis of modulation theory,a signal processing technique is proposed in the paper to isolate irregular signals from complex vibration signals,and to obtain the amplitude and phase modulation functions without use of any tachometers or frequency multiplier.It has been shown that this signal processing method is useful for enhancement of the signal containing the fault features and effective in the detection of incipient defects in the gearbox.

An Approximate High Gain Observer for Speed-sensorless Estimation of Induction Motors

Rotor speed estimation for induction motors is a key problem in speed-sensorless motor drives. This paper performs nonlinear high gain observer design based on the full-order model of the induction motor. Such an effort appears nontrivial due to the fact that the full-model at best admits locally a non-triangular observable form(NTOF), and its analytical representation in the NTOF can not be obtained. This paper proposes an approximate high gain estimation algorithm, which enjoys a constructive design, ease of tuning, and improved speed estimation and tracking performance. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Cutting Characteristics of Duplex Stainless Cast Steel X2CrNiMoN25-7-3

X2CrNiMoN25-7-3 duplex stainless steel is suitable for chloride-containing environments such as seawater because it has excellent pitting corrosion resistance. Duplex stainless cast steel is often used to accommodate the complexity of part geometry at joints. However, machining after casting is indispensable. This study evaluated the cutting characteristics of stainless cast steel. Adhesion of the cutting edge was weak at high cutting speeds, but tool wear was large. Diffusion and reactions between the work-pieces and the tool edge were investigated. Slight inter-diffusion and a reaction phase were observed, but the bond-ability was low.

Optimization of Heat Spreader Design for Electronic Cooling

The continuing increase in IC （Integrated Circuit） power levels and microelectronics packaging densities has resulted in the need for detailed considerations of the heat sink design for integrated circuits. One of the major components in the heat sink is the heat spreader which must be designed to effectively conduct the heat dissipated from the chip to a system of fins or extended surfaces for convective heat transfer to a flow of coolant. The heat spreader design must provide the capability to dissipate the thermal energy generated by the chip. However, the design of the heat spreader is also dependent on the convection characteristics of the fins within the heat sink, as well the material and geometry of the heat spreader. This paper focuses on the optimization of heat spreaders in a heat sink for safe and efficient performance of electronic circuits. The results of the study show that, for air-cooled electronics, the convective effects may dominate the thermal transport performance of the heat spreader in the heat sink.

Innovative Proof for Elastic Flexure Formulas

The basic problem in teaching mechanics of materials is that some subjects discussed in the reference books are not easy to understand for most of the students. Using experience of many years teaching mechanics of materials, we have been continuously trying to find easier methods to help the students get a better understanding of fundamental concepts. This effort and investigation has led to innovative and simple approaches to prove the equations much easier than the existing ones and also to clarify complicated concept. In this paper, we are offering our innovative proof for elastic flexure formulas as well as an interesting model for the moment sign convention in the cross section of a beam. In this method, considering a portion of a beam under pure bending and obtaining the stress distribution in the cross section and applying the balance of the considered portion, we prove the Elastic Flexure Formulas much easier than the existing methods. Emphasizing on deeper understanding, some notes and a new model are offered during this proof.

Autonomous Vehicle Platoons In Urban Road Networks:A Joint Distributed Reinforcement Learning and Model Predictive Control Approach

In this paper, platoons of autonomous vehicles operating in urban road networks are considered. From a methodological point of view, the problem of interest consists of formally characterizing vehicle state trajectory tubes by means of routing decisions complying with traffic congestion criteria. To this end, a novel distributed control architecture is conceived by taking advantage of two methodologies: deep reinforcement learning and model predictive control. On one hand, the routing decisions are obtained by using a distributed reinforcement learning algorithm that exploits available traffic data at each road junction. On the other hand, a bank of model predictive controllers is in charge of computing the more adequate control action for each involved vehicle. Such tasks are here combined into a single framework:the deep reinforcement learning output(action) is translated into a set-point to be tracked by the model predictive controller;conversely, the current vehicle position, resulting from the application of the control move, is exploited by the deep reinforcement learning unit for improving its reliability. The main novelty of the proposed solution lies in its hybrid nature: on one hand it fully exploits deep reinforcement learning capabilities for decisionmaking purposes;on the other hand, time-varying hard constraints are always satisfied during the dynamical platoon evolution imposed by the computed routing decisions. To efficiently evaluate the performance of the proposed control architecture, a co-design procedure, involving the SUMO and MATLAB platforms, is implemented so that complex operating environments can be used, and the information coming from road maps(links,junctions, obstacles, semaphores, etc.) and vehicle state trajectories can be shared and exchanged. Finally by considering as operating scenario a real entire city block and a platoon of eleven vehicles described by double-integrator models, several simulations have been performed with the aim to put in light the main f eatures of the proposed approach. Moreover, it is important to underline that in different operating scenarios the proposed reinforcement learning scheme is capable of significantly reducing traffic congestion phenomena when compared with well-reputed competitors.

曲率半径系数优化下弹性推力球轴承减摩特性研究

为研究弹性推力球轴承的减摩特性,建立了球—槽点接触应力仿真优化模型。基于优化的曲率半径系数结果,研究了滚珠直径、数量对推力球轴承接触特性的影响;并基于此,进一步研究了工况参数对轴承摩擦学性能的影响。研究结果表明,曲率半径系数为0.54时,接触应力最大为3.61×109N/m2,同时体积应变也为最大占0.44%,且在0.56~0.58范围内选取曲率半径系数效果最佳;接触区弹性变形量和最大接触压力随滚珠直径及数量增大而减小,其中滚珠数量影响较大;推力球轴承的摩擦系数先随载荷增大而减小,当载荷增加到一定量时,摩擦系数趋于稳定;轴承摩擦力矩和发热量在较低载荷(<160N)时随载荷变化较小,但载荷大于160N后随载荷增大而增大;转速对轴承的摩擦系数影响不大,但轴承发热量会随转速增大而增大。

TRIZ理论与人机工程学原理在多功能助老装置设计中的应用

针对现有助老装置操作相对复杂、功能单一而难以辅助老龄人户外安全出行,人性化和舒适性低等问题,首先基于TRIZ理论确定助老装置的主要技术矛盾,提出了在解决技术创新设计过程中相应的发明原理,并具体创新出可分离单双拐机构、坐便机构、辅助起身机构等功能模块;然后运用人机工程学原理提升老人多功能助老装置的舒适性,参考国家标准以及老年人身高体态变化趋势,优化座椅尺寸参数为高度460 mm、宽度510 mm、深度480 mm;最后基于建立的多功能助老装置三维机械结构模型,运用SolidWorks Simulation对坐便板和主骨架材料进行了强度和刚度可行性的应力应变分析;施加老人半身体重为588 N力时坐便板和主骨架承受的最大应力分别为32.13 MPa和40.27 MPa,最大位移变形量分别为0.15 mm和0.02 mm,由仿真结果和实物制造可知本文助老装置的创新设计符合要求。