Mixed Gl2／GH2 multi-channel multi-objective control synthesis for discrete time systems

This paper proposes a new approach for multi-objective robust control. The approach extends the standard generalized l2 (Gl2) and generalized H2 (GH2) conditions to a set of new linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints based on a new stability condition. A technique for variable parameterization is introduced to the multi-objective control problem to preserve the linearity of the synthesis variables. Consequently, the multi-channel multi-objective mixed Gl2/GH2 control problem can be solved less conservatively using computationally tractable algorithms developed in the paper.

CH4 emission and recovery from Municipal Solid Waste in China

Methane (CH 4) is an important greenhouse gas and a major environmental pollutant, second only to carbon dioxide (CO 2) in its contribution to potential global warming. In many cases, methane emission from landfills otherwise emitted to the atmosphere can be removed and utilized, or significantly reduced in quantity by using cost effective management methods. The gas can also be used as a residential, commercial, or industrial fuel. Therefore, emission reduction strategies have the potential to become low cost, or even profitable. The annual growth rate of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) output in China is 6.24%, with the highest levels found in South China, Southwest China and East China. Cities and towns are developing quickly in these regions. MSW output was only 76.36 Mt in 1991 and increased to 109.82 Mt in 1997, registering an average increase of 43.8%. In China, methane emission from landfills also increased from 5.88 Mt in 1991 to 8.46 Mt in 1997; so the recovery of methane from landfills is a profitable project.

Reliability analysis of DOOF for Weibull distribution

Hierarchical Bayesian method for estimating the failure probability Pi under DOOF by taking the quasi-Beta distribution B(pi-1 , 1,1, b ) as the prior distribution is proposed in this paper. The weighted Least Squares Estimate method was used to obtain the formula for computing reliability distribution parameters and estimating the reliability characteristic values under DOOF. Taking one type of aerospace electrical connectoras an example, the correctness of the above method through statistical analysis of electrical connector acceler-ated life test data was verified.

Novel method for detection of anomalous structure characteristics of ID precision ultrathin monocrystalline silicon section cutting tool

The structure characteristics of ID precision ultrathin monocrystalline silicon section cutting machine tool spindle with force monitoring bearings functioning as force measuring sensors were detected with the new Hilbert theory based signal wave envelope detection method, presented to replace the conventional hardware device in order to ensure that the signal is measured online with high fidelity. According to the probability of anomalous incidents in the cutting process, a mathematical recognition model has been designed and verified on an STC 22ID machine.

Time domain system identification of unknown initial conditions

System identification is a method for using measured data to create or improve a mathematical model of the object being tested. From the measured data however, noise is noticed at the beginning of the response. One solution to avoid this noise problem is to skip the noisy data and then use the initial conditions as active parameters, to be found by using the system identification process. This paper describes the development of the equations for setting up the initial conditions as active parameters. The simulated data and response data from actual shear buildings were used to prove the accuracy of both the algorithm and the computer program, which include the initial conditions as active parameters. The numerical and experimental model analysis showed that the value of mass, stiffness and frequency were very reasonable and that the computed acceleration and measured acceleration matched very well.

Preliminary study on a gravity－insensitive rice mutant

A gravity-insensitive mutant was isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghua 11) transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The mutant's shoot growth (prostrate growth) was insensitive to gravity; whereas root growth displayed a normal positive gravitropism. Histological observation of root caps and leaf sheaths indicated that there was no significant difference in the number and size of amyloplasts in cells of the mutant and cells of the wild type.

Solving geometric constraints with genetic simulated annealing algorithm

This paper applies genetic simulated annealing algorithm (SAGA) to solving geometric constraint problems. This method makes full use of the advantages of SAGA and can handle under-/over- constraint problems naturally. It has advantages (due to its not being sensitive to the initial values) over the Newton-Raphson method, and its yielding of multiple solutions, is an advantage over other optimal methods for multi-solution constraint system. Our experiments have proved the robustness and efficiency of this method.

Expression of a fusion protein of human ciliary neurotrophic factor and soluble CNTF-Receptor and identification of its activity

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has pleiotropic actions on many neuronal populations as well as on glia. Signal transduction by CNTF requires that it bind first to CNTF R, permitting the recruitment of gp130 and LIF R, forming a tripartite receptor complex. Cells that only express gp130 and LIF R, but not CNTF R are refractory to stimulation by CNTF. On many target cells CNTF only acts in the presence of its specific agonistic soluble receptors. We engineered a soluble fusion protein by linking the COOH terminus of sCNTF R to the NH 2 terminus of CNTF. Recombinant CNTF/sCNTF R fusion protein (Hyper CNTF) was successfully expressed in COS 7 cells. The apparent molecular mass of the Hyper CNTF protein was estimated from western blots to be 75 kDa. Proliferation assays of transfected BAF/3 cells in response to CNTF and Hyper CNTF were used to verify the activity of the cytokines. The proliferative results confirmed that CNTF required homodimerization of the gp130, CNTF R and LIF R receptor subunit whereas Hyper CNTF required heterodimerization of the gp130 and LIF R receptor subunit. We concluded that the fusion protein Hyper CNTF had superagonistic activity on target cells expressing gp130 and LIF R, but lacking membrane bound CNTF R.

A closed-loop algorithm to detect human face using color and reinforcement learning

A closed-loop algorithm to detect human face using color information and reinforcement learning is presented in this paper. By using a skin-color selector, the regions with color "like" that of human skin are selected as candidates for human face. In the next stage, the candidates are matched with a face model and given an evaluation of the match degree by the matching module. And if the evaluation of the match result is too low, a reinforcement learning stage will start to search the best parameters of the skin-color selector. It has been tested using many photos of various ethnic groups under various lighting conditions, such as different light source, high light and shadow. And the experiment result proved that this algorithm is robust to the vary-ing lighting conditions and personal conditions.

The Q theory of investment, the capital asset pricing model,and asset valuation： a synthesis

The paper combines Tobin's Q theory of real investment with the capital asset pricing model to produce a new and relatively simple procedure for the valuation of real assets using the income approach. Applications of the new method are provided.

Nonlinear dynamic buckling of stiffened plates under in-plane impact load

This paper presents a simple solution of the dynamic buckling of stiffened plates under in-plane impact loading. Based on large deflection theory, a discretely stiffened plate model has been used. The tangential stresses of stiffeners and in-plane displacement are neglected. Appling the Hamilton's principle, the motion equations of stiffened plates are obtained. The deflection of the plate is taken as Fourier series, and using Galerkin method the discrete equations can be deduced, which can be solved easily by Runge-Kutta method. The dynamic buckling loads of the stiffened plates are obtained form Budiansky-Roth criterion.

Influence of medium components on elastase production using crude sources by Bacillus sp.EL31410

A newly isolated strain EL31410, producing elastase (E.C3.4.4.7) with h igh elastolytic activity was identified as Bacillus sp. In the medium opt imizat ion, it was found that wheat bran and soybean flour hydrosate were the best crud e carbon and nitrogen source for enzyme production, respectively. Addition of co rn steep flour can affect the bacterium growth and elastase production. A fracti onal factorial design was applied to study the main factors that affect the enzy me production, and central composite experimental design and response surface me thodology were adopted to derive a statistical model for the effect of wheat bra n and soybean flour hydrosate on elastase production. The experimental results s howed that wheat bran had positive effect but soybean flour hydrosate had neg ative effect, on enzyme production. An initial concentration of 3.4%(w/v) wh eat b ran and 9.4%(v/v) soybean flour hydrosate were found to be optimal for enzyme pr oduction in batch culture. The time course of elastase production in the optimiz ed medium composition was also described.

Improved genetic operator for genetic algorithm

The mutation operator has been seldom improved because researchers hardly suspect its ability to prevent genetic algorithm (GA) from converging prematurely. Due to its importance to GA, the authors of this paper study its influence on the diversity of genes in the same locus, and point out that traditional mutation, to some extent, can result in premature convergence of genes (PCG) in the same locus. The above drawback of the traditional mutation operator causes the loss of critical alleles. Inspired by digital technique, we introduce two kinds of boolean operation into GA to develop a novel mutation operator and discuss its contribution to preventing the loss of critical alleles. The experimental results of function optimization show that the improved mutation operator can effectively prevent premature convergence, and can provide a wide selection range of control parameters for GA.

Review： Perspectives on the metallic interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells

The various stages and progress in the development of interconnect materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs )over the last two decades are reviewed. The criteria for the application of materials as interconnects are highlighted. Interconnects based on lanthanum chromite ceramics demonstrate many inherent drawbacks and therefore are only useful for SOFCs operating around 1000℃. The advance in the research of anode-supported flat SOFCs facilitates the replacement of ceramic interconnects with metallic ones due to their significantly lowered working temperature. Besides, interconnects made of metals or alloys offer many advantages as compared to their ceramic counterpart. The oxidation response and thermal expansion behaviors of various prospective metallic interconnects are examined and evaluated. The minimization of contact resistance to achieve desired and reliable stack performance during their projected lifetime still remains a highly challenging issue with metallic interconnects. Inexpensive coating materials and techniques may play a key role in promoting the commercialization of SOFC stack whose interconnects are constructed of some current commercially available alloys. Alternatively, development of new metallic materials that are capable of forming stable oxide scales with sluggish growth rate and sufficient electrical conductivity is called for.

Sensitivity analyses of cables to suspen-dome structural system

The construction of the cables is a key step for erecting suspen-dome structures. In practical engineering, it is difficult to ensure that the designed pre-stresses of cables have been exactly introduced into the structures in the site; so it is necessary to evaluate the influence of the variation of the pre-stresses on the structural behavior. In the present work, an orthogonal design method was employed to investigate the pre-stressed cables' sensitivity to the suspen-dome system. The investigation was concentrated on a Kiewitt suspen-dome. Parametric studies were carried out to study the sensitivity of the structure's static behavior, dynamic behavior, and buckling loads when the pre-stresses in the cables varied. The investigation indicated that suspen-dome structures are sensitive to the pre-stresses in all cables; and that the sensitivity depended on the location of the cables and the kind of structural behavior. Useful suggestions are given at the end of the paper.

Study on pig growth hormone gene polymorphisms in western meat-type breeds and Chinese local breeds

Chinese Meishan and Jiangquhai pigs are two of the most prolific pigs in the world, but their growth rate is lower than that of Duroc, Landrace and Pietrain pigs. It is suggested that growth rate is regulated by growth hormone. The objective of the current study was to analyze the porcine growth hormone (p GH ) gene polymorphisms based on the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR RFLP) for three western meat type breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Pietrain) and two local Chinese pigs (Meishan and Jiangquhai). Five polymorphic restriction sites were detected with the Apa I, Msp I, Bsp I and Hha I restriction enzymes in two amplified fragments (605 bp, -119 to +486; 506 bp, +206 to +711). Breed difference was found only in the 506 bp fragment. There was no difference in allelic frequencies of Bsp I and Hha I restriction sites among the five breeds ( P >0.05). Landrace and Meishan pigs lacked allele G 3 of Msp I site. The allele G 3 frequency of restriction Msp I site of the 506 bp fragment in Pietrain pigs was higher than that in Duroc and Jianquhai pigs ( P <0.001). For Apa I site, the Meishan pigs lacked allele G1 ; no difference was found in allelic frequencies among Pietrain, Duroc, Landrace and Jiangquhai pigs ( P > 0.05 ). This new and rapid PCR RFLP typing method is an attractive tool for analysis of porcine growth hormone gene restriction sites. The differences in Msp I and Apa I restriction sites may explain the growth difference between the foreign meat type breeds above mentioned and local Chinese pigs.

Numerical investigation of cavitating flow behind the cone of a poppet valve in water hydraulic system

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of cavitating flow through water hydraulic poppet valves were performed using advanced RNG k-epsilon turbulence model. The flow was turbulent, incompressible and unsteady, for Reynolds numbers greater than 43 000. The working fluid was water, and the structure of the valve was simplified as a two dimensional axisymmetric geometrical model. Flow field visualization was numerically achieved. The effects of inlet velocity, outlet pressure, opening size as well as poppet angle on cavitation intensity in the poppet valve were numerically investigated. Experimental flow visualization was conducted to capture cavitation images near the orifice in the poppet valve with 30° poppet angle using high speed video camera. The binary cavitating flow field distribution obtained from digital processing of the original cavitation image showed a good agreement with the numerical result.