Effect of external and internal cues on core muscle activation during the Sahrmann five-level core stability test

BACKGROUND Pain in the back or pelvis or fear of back pain may affect the timing or cocontraction of the core muscles.In both static and dynamic movements,the Sahrmann core stability test provides an assessment of core muscle activation and a person's ability to stabilize the lumbopelvic complex.Preparatory cues and images can be used to increase the activation of these muscles.To attain optimal movement patterns,it will be necessary to determine what cueing will give the most effective results for core stability.AIM To investigate the effects of external and internal cues on core muscle activation during the Sahrmann five-level core stability test.METHODS Total 68 participants(21.83±3.47 years)were randomly allocated to an external(n=35)or internal cue group(n=33).Participants performed the Sahrmann fivelevel core stability test without a cue as baseline and the five-level stability exercises with an internal or external cue.External cue group received a pressure biofeedback unit(PBU),and the internal cue group received an audio cue.A Delsys Trigno^(TM)surface electromyography unit was used for muscle activation from the rectus abdominis,external oblique,and transverse abdominis/internal oblique muscles.RESULTS Linear mixed effects model analysis showed that cueing had a significant effect on core muscle activation(P=0.001);however,there was no significant difference between cue types(internal or external)(P=0.130).CONCLUSION Both external and internal cueing have significant effects on core muscle activation during the Sahrmann five-level core stability test and the PBU does not create higher muscle activation than internal cueing.

Adaptive Robust Servo Control for Vertical Electric Stabilization System of Tank and Experimental Validation

A tracking stability control problem for the vertical electric stabilization system of moving tank based on adaptive robust servo control is addressed.This paper mainly focuses on two types of possibly fast timevarying but bounded uncertainty within the vertical electric stabilization system:model parameter uncertainty and uncertain nonlinearity.First,the vertical electric stabilization system is constructed as an uncertain nonlinear dynamic system that can reflect the practical mechanics transfer process of the system.Second,the dynamical equation in the form of state space is established by designing the angular tracking error.Third,the comprehensive parameter of system uncertainty is designed to estimate the most conservative effects of uncertainty.Finally,an adaptive robust servo control which can effectively handle the combined effects of complex nonlinearity and uncertainty is proposed.The feasibility of the proposed control strategy under the practical physical condition is validated through the tests on the experimental platform.This paper pioneers the introduction of the internal nonlinearity and uncertainty of the vertical electric stabilization system into the settlement of the tracking stability control problem,and validates the advanced servo control strategy through experiment for the first time.

Nonlinear robust adaptive control for bidirectional stabilization system of all-electric tank with unknown actuator backlash compensation and disturbance estimation

Since backlash nonlinearity is inevitably existing in actuators for bidirectional stabilization system of allelectric tank,it behaves more drastically in high maneuvering environments.In this work,the accurate tracking control for bidirectional stabilization system of moving all-electric tank with actuator backlash and unmodeled disturbance is solved.By utilizing the smooth adaptive backlash inverse model,a nonlinear robust adaptive feedback control scheme is presented.The unknown parameters and unmodelled disturbance are addressed separately through the derived parametric adaptive function and the continuous nonlinear robust term.Because the unknown backlash parameters are updated via adaptive function and the backlash effect can be suppressed successfully by inverse operation,which ensures the system stability.Meanwhile,the system disturbance in the high maneuverable environment can be estimated with the constructed adaptive law online improving the engineering practicality.Finally,Lyapunov-based analysis proves that the developed controller can ensure the tracking error asymptotically converges to zero even with unmodeled disturbance and unknown actuator backlash.Contrast co-simulations and experiments illustrate the advantages of the proposed approach.

Nonlinear Robust Stabilization of Ship Roll by Convex Optimization

Dear Editor,This letter presents a nonlinear robust controller design method for ship roll stabilization by combining the dual of Lyapunov's stability theorem with the sum of squares(SOS) technique. Varying initial metacentric height and ship speed are regarded as uncertainties, sea waves are considered as external disturbances, and then the robust nonlinear controller is designed. Taking a container ship as an example, simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme.

Robust Stability and Stabilization of Discrete Singular Systems with Interval Time-varying Delay and Linear Fractional Uncertainty

The robust stability and robust stabilization problems for discrete singular systems with interval time-varying delay and linear fractional uncertainty are discussed. A new delay-dependent criterion is established for the nominal discrete singular delay systems to be regular, causal and stable by employing the linear matrix inequality （LMI） approach. It is shown that the newly proposed criterion can provide less conservative results than some existing ones. Then, with this criterion, the problems of robust stability and robust stabilization for uncertain discrete singular delay systems are solved, and the delay-dependent LMI conditions are obtained. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

An improved robust stability and robust stabilization method for linear discrete-time uncertain systems

This paper addresses the problems of the robust stability and robust stabilization of a discrete-time system with polytopic uncertainties. A new and simple method is presented to directly decouple the Lyapunov matrix and the system dynamic matrix. Combining this method with the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function approach yields new criteria that include some existing ones as special cases. A numerical example illustrates the improvement over the existing ones.

Input-output approach to robust stability and stabilization for uncertain singular systems with time-varying discrete and distributed delays

Based on input-output approach, the robust stability and stabilization problems for uncertain singular systems with time-varying delays are investigated. The parameter uncertainties are assumed to be norm-bounded and the time-varying delays include both discrete delay and distributed delay. By introducing a new input-output model, the time-delay system is embedded in a family of systems with a forward system without time delay and a dynamical feedback uncertainty. A sufficient and necessary condition, which guarantees the system regular, impulse-free and stable for all admissible uncertainties, is obtained. Based on the strict linear matrix inequality, the desired robust state feedback controller is also obtained. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.

New delay-dependent robust stability and stabilization for uncertain T-S fuzzy time-delay systems under imperfect premise matching

To alleviate the conservativeness of the stability criterion for Takagi-Sugeno （T-S） fuzzy time-delay systems, a new delay-dependent stability criterion was proposed by introducing a new augmented Lyapunov function with an additional triple-integral term, which was firstly u3ed to derive the stability criterion for T-S fuzzy time-delay systems. By the same approach, the robust stability issue for fuzzy time-delay systems with uncertain parameters was also considered. On the other hand, in order to enhance the design flexibility, a new design approach for uncertain fuzzy time-delay systems under imperfect premise matching was also proposed, which allows the fuzzy controller to employ different membership functions from the fuzzy time-delay model. By the numerical examples, the proposed stability conditions are less conservative in the sense of getting larger allowable time-delay and obtaining smaller feedback control gains. For instance, when the allowable time-delay increases from 7.3 s to 12 s for an uncertain T-S fuzzy control system with time-delay, the norm of the feedback gains decreases from （34.299 2, 38.560 3） to （10.073 3, 11.349 0）, respectively. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the proposed design method was illustrated by the last example with the robustly stable curves of system state under the initial condition of x（0） = [3 -1].

Robust stability and stabilization for uncertain discrete-time switched singular systems with time-varying delays

The problems of robust stability and stabilization via memoryless state feedback for a class of discrete-time switched singular systems with time-varying delays and linear fractional uncertainties are investigated.By constructing a novel switched Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional,a delay-dependent criterion for the unforced system to be regular,causal and uniformly asymptotically stable is established in terms of linear matrix inequalities（LMIs）.An explicit expression for the desired memoryless state feedback stabilization controller is also given.The merits of the proposed criteria lie in their less conservativeness and relative simplicity,which are achieved by considering additionally useful terms（ignored in previous methods） when estimating the upper bound of the forward difference of the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and by avoiding utilizing any model augmentation transformation.Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the validity of the proposed methods.

Delay-dependent Robust Stability and Stabilization Criteria for Uncertain Neutral Systems

This paper concerns problem of the delay-dependent robust stability and stabilizationfor uncertain neutral systems. Some new delay-dependent stability criteria are derived by takingthe relationship between the terms in the Leibniz-Newton formula into account. Free weightingmatrices are given to express the relationship between the terms in the Leibniz-Newton formula andthe new criteria are based on linear matrix inequalities such that the free weighting matrices can beeasily obtained. Moreover, the stability criteria are also used to design the state-feedback controller.Numerical examples demonstrates that the proposed criteria are e?ective and are an improvementover the previous papers.

Robust exponential stability and stabilization of linear uncertain polytopic time-delay systems

This paper proposes new sufficient conditions for the exponential stability and stabilization.of linear uncertain polytopic time-delay systems. The conditions for exponential stability are expressed in terms of Kharitonov-type linear matrix inequalities （LMIs） and we develop control design methods based on LMIs for solving stabilization problem. Our method consists of a combination of the LMI approach and the use of parameter-dependent Lyapunov functionals, which allows to compute simultaneously the two bounds that characterize the exponetial stability rate of the solution. Numerical examples illustrating the conditions are given.

Delay-dependent robust stabilization for a class ofneutral systems with nonlinear perturbations

This note deals with the problem of stabilization/stability for neutral systems with nonlinear perturbations. A new stabilization/stability scheme is presented. Using improved Lyapunov functionals, less conservative stabilization/stability conditions are derived for such systems based on linear matrix inequalities （LMI）. Numerical examples are provided to show that the proposed results significantly improve the allowed upper bounds of the delay size over some existing ones in the literature.

Solvability Condition for Robust Stabilization Problem of Control Systems with Parameter Uncertainties

Aim The solvability condition for robust stabilization problem associated with a plant family P(s,δ) having parameter uncertainty δ was considered. Methods Using Youla parameterization of the stabilizers this problem was transformed into a strong stabilization problem associated with a related plant family G (s, δ). Results A necessary solvability condition was established in terms of the parity interlacing property of each element in G(s,δ). Another apparently necessary solvability condition is that every element in P(s,δ) must be stabilizable. Conclusion The two conditions will be compared with each other and it will be shown that every element in G(s,δ) possesses parity interlacing property if P(s,δ) is stabilizable.

Robust Stability Analysis of Edge Polynomials with Variable Length

The concept of edge polynomials with variable length is introduced. Stability of such polynomials is analyzed. Under the condition that one extreme of the edge is stable, the stability radius of edge polynomials with variable length is characterized in terms of the real spectral radius of the matrix H -1 ( f 0) H (g) , where both H (f 0) and H (g) are Hurwitz like matrices. Based on this result, stability radius of control systems with interval type plants and first order controllers are determined.

Insights into ionic association boosting water oxidation activity and dynamic stability

There have been reports about Fe ions boosting oxygen evolution reaction(OER)activity of Ni-based catalysts in alkaline conditions,while the origin and reason for the enhancement remains elusive.Herein,we attempt to identify the activity improvement and discover that Ni sites act as a host to attract Fe(Ⅲ)to form Fe(Ni)(Ⅲ)binary centres,which serve as the dynamic sites to promote OER activity and stability by cyclical formation of intermediates(Fe(Ⅲ)→Fe(Ni)(Ⅲ)→Fe(Ni)-OH→Fe(Ni)-O→Fe(Ni)OOH→Fe(Ⅲ))at the electrode/electrolyte interface to emit O_(2).Additionally,some ions(Co(Ⅱ),Ni(Ⅱ),and Cr(Ⅲ))can also be the active sites to catalyze the OER process on a variety of electrodes.The Fe(Ⅲ)-catalyzed overall water-splitting electrolyzer comprising bare Ni foam as the anode and Pt/Ni-Mo as the cathode demonstrates robust stability for 1600 h at 1000 mA cm^(-2)@~1.75 V.The results provide insights into the ioncatalyzed effects boosting OER performance.

Enhanced High-Temperature Cycling Stability of Garnet-Based All Solid-State Lithium Battery Using a Multi-Functional Catholyte Buffer Layer

The pursuit of safer and high-performance lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)has triggered extensive research activities on solid-state batteries,while challenges related to the unstable electrode-electrolyte interface hinder their practical implementation.Polymer has been used extensively to improve the cathode-electrolyte interface in garnet-based all-solid-state LIBs(ASSLBs),while it introduces new concerns about thermal stability.In this study,we propose the incorporation of a multi-functional flame-retardant triphenyl phos-phate additive into poly(ethylene oxide),acting as a thin buffer layer between LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathode and garnet electro-lyte.Through electrochemical stability tests,cycling performance evaluations,interfacial thermal stability analysis and flammability tests,improved thermal stability(capacity retention of 98.5%after 100 cycles at 60℃,and 89.6%after 50 cycles at 80℃)and safety characteristics(safe and stable cycling up to 100℃)are demonstrated.Based on various materials characterizations,the mechanism for the improved thermal stability of the interface is proposed.The results highlight the potential of multi-functional flame-retardant additives to address the challenges associated with the electrode-electrolyte interface in ASSLBs at high temperature.Efficient thermal modification in ASSLBs operating at elevated temperatures is also essential for enabling large-scale energy storage with safety being the primary concern.

Evaluation of slope stability through rock mass classification and kinematic analysis of some major slopes along NH-1A from Ramban to Banihal, North Western Himalayas

The network of Himalayan roadways and highways connects some remote regions of valleys or hill slopes,which is vital for India’s socio-economic growth.Due to natural and artificial factors,frequency of slope instabilities along the networks has been increasing over last few decades.Assessment of stability of natural and artificial slopes due to construction of these connecting road networks is significant in safely executing these roads throughout the year.Several rock mass classification methods are generally used to assess the strength and deformability of rock mass.This study assesses slope stability along the NH-1A of Ramban district of North Western Himalayas.Various structurally and non-structurally controlled rock mass classification systems have been applied to assess the stability conditions of 14 slopes.For evaluating the stability of these slopes,kinematic analysis was performed along with geological strength index(GSI),rock mass rating(RMR),continuous slope mass rating(CoSMR),slope mass rating(SMR),and Q-slope in the present study.The SMR gives three slopes as completely unstable while CoSMR suggests four slopes as completely unstable.The stability of all slopes was also analyzed using a design chart under dynamic and static conditions by slope stability rating(SSR)for the factor of safety(FoS)of 1.2 and 1 respectively.Q-slope with probability of failure(PoF)1%gives two slopes as stable slopes.Stable slope angle has been determined based on the Q-slope safe angle equation and SSR design chart based on the FoS.The value ranges given by different empirical classifications were RMR(37-74),GSI(27.3-58.5),SMR(11-59),and CoSMR(3.39-74.56).Good relationship was found among RMR&SSR and RMR&GSI with correlation coefficient(R 2)value of 0.815 and 0.6866,respectively.Lastly,a comparative stability of all these slopes based on the above classification has been performed to identify the most critical slope along this road.

Enhanced mechanical stability and corrosion resistance ofsuperhydrophobic coating reinforced with inorganic binder

The development of superhydrophobic materials has demonstrated significant potential in the realm ofcorrosion protection for aluminum alloy(Al alloy)surfaces.However,the limited mechanical stability ofsuperhydrophobic surfaces has impeded the rapid advancement in this field.In this research,we synthesized analuminum phosphate(AP)inorganic binder and combined it with hydrophobic fumed SiO_(2)(HF-SiO_(2))nanoparticles andpolydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)to develop a HF-SiO_(2)@PDMS@AP superhydrophobic composite coating with improvedmechanical stability on Al alloy substrates using a simple spray-coating technique.The findings indicate that the additionof the AP inorganic binder significantly enhanced the coating’s resistance to abrasion,maintaining its superhydrophobicproperties and micro-nano hierarchical structure even after being subjected to a sandpaper abrasion distance of 2000 cm.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)testing showed that the low-frequency modulus(|Z|0.01Hz)of theHF-SiO_(2)@PDMS@AP superhydrophobic coating increased by four orders of magnitude compared to the initial Al alloysubstrate,resulting in a substantial improvement in corrosion protection capacity.The impressive corrosion resistanceand mechanical stability exhibited by this coating have the potential to greatly expand the practical applications of suchmaterials for surface functional protection in marine and industrial environments.

Probabilistic analysis of tunnel face seismic stability in layered rock masses using Polynomial Chaos Kriging metamodel

Face stability is an essential issue in tunnel design and construction.Layered rock masses are typical and ubiquitous;uncertainties in rock properties always exist.In view of this,a comprehensive method,which combines the Upper bound Limit analysis of Tunnel face stability,the Polynomial Chaos Kriging,the Monte-Carlo Simulation and Analysis of Covariance method(ULT-PCK-MA),is proposed to investigate the seismic stability of tunnel faces.A two-dimensional analytical model of ULT is developed to evaluate the virtual support force based on the upper bound limit analysis.An efficient probabilistic analysis method PCK-MA based on the adaptive Polynomial Chaos Kriging metamodel is then implemented to investigate the parameter uncertainty effects.Ten input parameters,including geological strength indices,uniaxial compressive strengths and constants for three rock formations,and the horizontal seismic coefficients,are treated as random variables.The effects of these parameter uncertainties on the failure probability and sensitivity indices are discussed.In addition,the effects of weak layer position,the middle layer thickness and quality,the tunnel diameter,the parameters correlation,and the seismic loadings are investigated,respectively.The results show that the layer distributions significantly influence the tunnel face probabilistic stability,particularly when the weak rock is present in the bottom layer.The efficiency of the proposed ULT-PCK-MA is validated,which is expected to facilitate the engineering design and construction.

基于COMPASS iStability的浮船坞稳性计算

为比对分段建模与整体建模工作量及稳性计算结果,选取某浮船坞,采用命令流方法,对坞墙无开口,做5分段建模和整体建模稳性计算,对坞墙有开口,做7分段建模和借助体过渡整体建模稳性计算,结果表明,无论坞墙有无开口,整体建模比分段建模节省约一半工作量,两种建模方式稳性计算精度相同,建模过程表明,命令流方法整体建模计算稳性,高效快捷。