Impulsive consensus for complex dynamical networks with nonidentical nodes and coupling time-delays

This paper investigates the problem of global consensus between a complex dynamical network (CDN) and a known goal signal by designing an impulsive consensus control scheme. The dynamical network is complex with respect to the uncertainties, nonidentical nodes, and coupling time-delays. The goal signal can be a measurable vector function or a solution of a dynamical system. By utilizing the Lyapunov function and Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional methods, robust global exponential stability criteria are derived for the error system, under which global exponential impulsive consensus is achieved for the CDN. These criteria are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and algebraic inequalities. Thus, the impulsive controller can be easily designed by solving the derived inequalities. Meanwhile, the estimations of the consensus rate for global exponential consensus are also obtained. Two examples with numerical simulations are worked out for illustration. © 2011 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.published_or_final_versio

Transgenic Overexpression of LARGE Induces alpha-Dystroglycan Hyperglycosylation in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle

Background: LARGE is one of seven putative or demonstrated glycosyltransferase enzymes defective in a common group of muscular dystrophies with reduced glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan. Overexpression of LARGE induces hyperglycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan in both wild type and in cells from dystroglycanopathy patients, irrespective of their primary gene defect, restoring functional glycosylation. Viral delivery of LARGE to skeletal muscle in animal models of dystroglycanopathy has identical effects in vivo, suggesting that the restoration of functional glycosylation could have therapeutic applications in these disorders. Pharmacological strategies to upregulate Large expression are also being explored.Methodology/Principal Findings: In order to asses the safety and efficacy of long term LARGE over-expression in vivo, we have generated four mouse lines expressing a human LARGE transgene. On observation, LARGE transgenic mice were indistinguishable from the wild type littermates. Tissue analysis from young mice of all four lines showed a variable pattern of transgene expression: highest in skeletal and cardiac muscles, and lower in brain, kidney and liver. Transgene expression in striated muscles correlated with alpha-dystroglycan hyperglycosylation, as determined by immunoreactivity to antibody IIH6 and increased laminin binding on an overlay assay. Other components of the dystroglycan complex and extracellular matrix ligands were normally expressed, and general muscle histology was indistinguishable from wild type controls. Further detailed muscle physiological analysis demonstrated a loss of force in response to eccentric exercise in the older, but not in the younger mice, suggesting this deficit developed over time. However this remained a subclinical feature as no pathology was observed in older mice in any muscles including the diaphragm, which is sensitive to mechanical load-induced damage.Conclusions/Significance: This work shows that potential therapies in the dystroglycanopathies based on LARGE upregulation and alpha-dystroglycan hyperglycosylation in muscle should be safe

Exponential Synchronization of Complex Delayed Dynamical Networks With Switching Topology

This paper studies the local and global exponential synchronization of a complex dynamical network with switching topology and time-varying coupling delays. By using stability theory of switched systems and the network topology, the synchronization of such a network under some special switching signals is investigated. Firstly, under the assumption that all subnetworks are self-synchronizing, a delay-dependent sufficient condition is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which guarantees the solvability of the local synchronization problem under an average dwell time scheme. Then this result is extended to the situation that not all subnetworks are self-synchronizing. For the latter case, in addition to average dwell time, an extra condition on the ratio of the total activation time of self-synchronizing and nonsynchronizing subnetworks is needed to achieve synchronization of the entire switched network. The global synchronization of a network whose isolate dynamics is of a particular form is also studied. Three different examples of delayed dynamical networks with switching topology are given, which demonstrate the effectiveness of obtained results. © 2006 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Distributed load-side frequency regulation for power systems

This paper studies frequency control of power systems by coordinating generation-side control and load-side control with nonlinear network-preserving models. A distributed consensus-based controller is designed for each bus in the transmission network. The total power imbalance of the system is discovered periodically by a distributed consensus mechanism, and then compensated by both generators and controllable loads accordingly. It is shown in simulation studies that the proposed method can achieve frequency regulation more effectively than the traditional automatic generation control (AGC) and reduce the needed system spinning reserve significantly. The impact of renewables on the system frequency under the designed control method is also discussed systematically in this paper.postprin

Network-Based Analysis of Small-Disturbance Angle Stability of Power Systems

This paper investigates small-disturbance angle stability of power systems with emphasis on the role of power network topology, which sheds new light on the instability mechanism. We introduce the concepts of active power flow graph and critical lines. It is shown that the inertia of the Laplacian matrix of this graph provides information on the stability and type of an equilibrium point. Then, the instability mechanism is elaborated from the impact of critical lines on the inertia of the Laplacian matrix. A stability criterion in terms of a critical line-based matrix is established. This criterion is a necessary and sufficient condition to judge the stability and type of an equilibrium point. It includes the existing results in the literature and applies to the unsolved cases where the critical lines exist but do not form cutsets. Moreover, we introduce the concept of equivalent weight between a pair of buses. Another stability criterion in terms of the equivalent weight is developed, from which the small-disturbance instability can be interpreted as the “electrical antagonism” between some buses in the power network resulting from the critical lines. The equivalent weight can also be used as a stability index and provides guidance for system operation. The obtained results are illustrated by numerical simulations.postprin

Synchronization of dynamical networks with nonidentical nodes: Criteria and control

This paper presents a framework for global synchronization of dynamical networks with nonidentical nodes. Several criteria for synchronization are given using free matrices for both cases of synchronizing to a common equilibrium solution of all isolated nodes and synchronizing to the average state trajectory. These criteria can be viewed as generalizations of the master stability function method for local synchronization of networks with identical nodes to the case of nonidentical nodes. The controlled synchronization problem is also studied. The control action, which is subject to certain constraints, is viewed as reorganization of the connection topology of the network. Synchronizability conditions via control are put forward. The synchronizing controllers can be obtained by solving an optimization problem.published_or_final_versio

Incremental-dissipativity-based output synchronization of dynamical networks with switching topology

This paper studies asymptotic output synchronization for a class of dynamical networks with switching topology whose node dynamics are characterized by a quadratic form of incremental-dissipativity. The output synchronization problem of the switched network is first converted into a set stability analysis of a nonlinear dissipative system with a particular selection of input-output pair, which is related to special features of interconnected incremental-dissipative systems. Then, synchronization by designing switching among subnetworks, where none of them is self-synchronizing, is investigated by using the single Lyapunov function method. Algebraic synchronization criteria are established, and the results are applied to investigate synchronization of coupled biochemical oscillators. © 2014 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Passivity-based output synchronization of dynamical networks with non-identical nodes

Article no. 5717720Output synchronization of dynamical networks with non-identical nodes is studied using the passivity property. A synchronization criterion is developed for networks with general outer coupling topologies which need to be neither symmetric nor have the zero-row-sum property. When the passivity property cannot give synchronization for a single outer coupling topology, the problem of how to achieve synchronization by switching among several outer coupling topologies is studied. Synchronization conditions by switching among these topologies are presented and an output-dependent switching law is designed. In particular, it is shown that synchronizability can be checked by verifying if a certain nonlinear programming problem has no feasible solution or has a negative maximum. ©2010 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Smart grids as distributed learning control

The topic of smart grids has received a lot of attention but from a scientific point of view it is a highly imprecise concept. This paper attempts to describe what could ultimately work as a control process to fulfill the aims usually stated for such grids without throwing away some important principles established by the pioneers in power system control. In modern terms, we need distributed (or multi-agent) learning control which is suggested to work with a certain consensus mechanism which appears to leave room for achieving cyber-physical security, robustness and performance goals. © 2012 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Safety effects of the London cycle superhighways on cycle collisions

This paper evaluates the effects of the London Cycle Superhighways (CS) on cycle collisions. A total of 45 CS segments and 375 control segments are observed for a period of 8 years in London. Variables such as road characteristics, crash history and socio-economic in formation are included in the data set. Traffic characteristics Including traffic volume, cycle volume and traffic speed are obtained from Department for Transport. We first estimate the safety effects on the CS routes using Empirical Bayes methods. Then propensity score matching methods are also applied for comparison. The introduction of cycle superhighways caused cycling traffic volumes to increase dramatically along CS routes with no significant impacts on collision rates. Our models find that the increase in traffic was associated with a rise in annual total cycle collisions of around 2.6 per km (38% in percentage). However, when we re-estimate the effects based on cycle collision rates rather than levels, our results also show that the CS routes are not more dangerous or safer than the control roads. Among the four CS routes, CS3 performs the best in protecting cyclists with a large proportion of segregated lanes whilst the cyclists have to share the lanes with motorists on other routes. It is recommended that consistent safety designs should be applied on all CS routes for a safer cycling environment