Non-fragile control for nonlinear networked control systems with long time-delay

AbstractThis paper considers the non-fragile control problem for uncertain nonlinear networked control systems (NCSs) with long time-delay and controller gain perturbations. Firstly, the NCS model with random long time-delay is transformed into a discrete-time system model with uncertain parameters. Then, the Lyapunov stability theory and the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach are applied to design a non-fragile controller, which results in the closed-loop system being asymptotically stable and the system’s cost function value being less than a determinate upper bound. At the same time, the existence condition and the design approach of a non-fragile controller are presented. Finally, simulation examples are employed to verify the validity of the proposed control algorithm

Synergistic Effect of Trehalose and Saccharose Pretreatment on Maintenance of Lyophilized Human Red Blood Cell Quality

Purpose: To investigate the synergistic effect of trehalose and saccharose pretreatment on maintenance of lyophilized human red blood cell (RBC) quality.Methods: RBCs were pre-treated with trehalose and saccharose, and then lyophilized and re-hydrated. Prior to lyophilization and after re hydration, RBC parameters, RBC counts, total hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), comprehensive deformation index, hemolysis ratio and phosphatidylserine (PS) expression, were determined using a hematology analyzer, an RBC deformation instrument, a spectrophotometer and a flow cytometer, respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities were determined using kits for SOD, ATPase, and G-6- PD assay, respectively.Results: After lyophilization-rehydration, RBC counts and total hemoglobin recovery rates, deformability, and RBC SOD, ATPase, and G-6-PD activities were significantly decreased by 47.24 – 74.65 % (p < 0.01), compared with the normal group. RBC osmotic fragility and PS expression on the outer surface of the RBC membrane were significantly increased by 168.53 and 629.30 % (p < 0.01), respectively, compared with the normal group. RBC MCH and MCV values were not significantly affected by lyophilization rehydration (p > 0.05). Trehalose and saccharose pretreatment significantly reversed the effects of lyophilization-rehydration on these RBC parameters by approximately 13.16 – 211.11 % (p < 0.01), compared with the control group. The combined effects were synergistic.Conclusion: Trehalose and saccharose pretreatment synergistically enhances maintenance of lyophilized RBC quality.Keywords: Trehalose, Saccharose, Lyophilization, Red blood cell, Hematological parameter

Implementation of Grover search algorithm with Josephson charge qubits

A scheme of implementing the Grover search algorithm based on Josephson charge qubits has been proposed, which would be a key step to scale more complex quantum algorithms and very important for constructing a real quantum computer via Josephson charge qubits. The present scheme is simple but fairly efficient, and easily manipulated because any two-charge-qubit can be selectively and effectively coupled by a common inductance. More manipulations can be carried out before decoherence sets in. Our scheme can be realized within the current technology.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

NADPH Oxidase 1 and Its Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Mediated Tissue Injury and Repair

Reactive oxygen species are mostly viewed to cause oxidative damage to various cells and induce organ dysfunction after ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, they are also considered as crucial molecules for cellular signal transduction in biology. NADPH oxidase, whose only function is reactive oxygen species production, has been extensively investigated in many cell types especially phagocytes. The deficiency of NADPH oxidase extends the process of inflammation and delays tissue repair, which causes chronic granulomatous disease in patients. NADPH oxidase 1, one member of the NADPH oxidase family, is not only constitutively expressed in a variety of tissues, but also induced to increase expression in both mRNA and protein levels under many circumstances. NADPH oxidase 1 and its derived reactive oxygen species are suggested to be able to regulate inflammation reaction, cell proliferation and migration, and extracellular matrix synthesis, which contribute to the processes of tissue injury and repair

An efficient electrochemical biosensor for silver ion detection using hydrogen peroxide as a redox indicator

Conference Name:2014 International Conference on Materials Science and Computational Engineering, ICMSCE 2014. Conference Address: Qingdao, China. Time:May 20, 2014 - May 21, 2014.Engineering of Qingdao University; et al; Institute for Computational Science and; Laboratory of Qingdao University; New fiber materials and modern textile State KeyThe strong and specific binding of two DNA cytosine bases by silver ion (C-Ag+-C) was applied to develop an efficient electrochemical biosensor for the detection of silver ion in aqueous solution. As a redox indicator, the hydrogen peroxide worked to generate a readable electrochemical signal. Thiolated short oligonucleotide strands containing 5 cytosine bases served as probe and self-assembled via Au-S bonding on gold electrode. In the presence of Ag+, the specific coordination between Ag+ and cytosine bases resulted in more stable and porous arrangement of oligonucleotide strands. Hydrogen peroxide could adsorb onto the surface of gold electrode and produce an electrochemical signal. The cyclic voltammetry shows a linear correlation between the signal and the concentration of Ag+ over the range 0-0.2 μM (R2 = 0.9955) with a detection limit of 30 nM. The length of probe DNA has no significant impact on the sensor performance. This biosensor is simple, economical and reusable with good sensitivity and selectivity. We also validated the practicality for the determination of Ag+ in real water samples. ? (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland

Zhihuang Tongfeng decoction ameliorates gouty arthritis via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in rats

Purpose: To investigate the effect and mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine, Zhihuang Tongfeng decoction (ZTD), on gouty arthritis in rats. Methods: Monosodium urate (MSU) crystal was injected into the ankle joint of rats to establish an animal model of gouty arthritis. ZTD (4.8, 9.6 and 19.2 g/kg) was administered to the rats. The walking behavior of the rats was observed daily and the gait score computed. Histopathologic severity was scored using three parameters, viz, synovial inflammation, synovial hyperplasia and cartilage surface erosion. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in lavage fluid of articular cavities were measured by ELISA. The synovial tissues of the joint of all the rats were obtained and NLRP3 inflammasome analysed by Western blot. Results: The results revealed that compared with control rats, 19.2 g/kg dose of ZTD lowered the owestry disability index of the rats significantly from 2.3 ± 0.4 to 0.9 ± 0.3 (p < 0.05). Pathomorphology analysis showed that ZTD attenuated the swelling of toes and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in synovium significantly (p < 0.05). Further, ZTD decreased the IL-1β (p < 0.05) and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05) at all doses, and inhibited NLRP3 (p < 0.01), caspase-1 (p < 0.01), ASC (p < 0.01), IL-1β (p < 0.01) and IL-18 (p < 0.01) protein expressions in the lavage fluid of articular cavities in MSU crystaltreated rats. Conclusion: The results indicate that ZTD ameliorates gouty arthritis in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome, and thus can potentially be developed into a new drug for the treatment of gouty arthritis

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake and the Willingness to Receive the HPV Vaccination among Female College Students in China: A Multicenter Study

Background: This study aimed to determine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake and willingness to receive HPV vaccination among female college students, in China, and its associated factors. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of female college students across the eastern, central, and western regions of China was undertaken between April and September 2019. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine factors associated with the HPV vaccine uptake and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Results: Among the total 4220 students who participated in this study, 11.0% reported having been vaccinated against HPV. There are direct effects of indicators of higher socioeconomic status, older age (β = 0.084 and p = 0.006), and geographical region (residing in Eastern China, β = 0.033, and p = 0.024) on HPV vaccine uptake. Higher knowledge (β = 0.062 and p < 0.000) and perceived susceptibility (β = 0.043 and p = 0.002) were also predictors of HPV vaccine uptake. Of those who had not received the HPV vaccine, 53.5% expressed a willingness to do so. Likewise, social economic status indicators were associated with the willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Total knowledge score (β = 0.138 and p < 0.001), both perceived susceptibility (β = 0.092 and p < 0.001) and perceived benefit (β = 0.088 and p < 0.001), and sexual experience (β = 0.041 and p = 0.007) had a positive and significant direct effect on the willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, while perceived barriers (β = −0.071 and p < 0.001) had a negative effect on the willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: Geographical region and socioeconomic disparities in the HPV vaccination uptake rate and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine provide valuable information for public health planning that aims to improve vaccination rates in underserved areas in China. The influence of knowledge and perceptions of HPV vaccination suggests the importance of communication for HPV immunization

Developmentally Programmed Division of Labor in the Aquatic Invader Alternanthera philoxeroides Under Homogeneous Soil Nutrients

Clonal traits can contribute to plant invasiveness, but little is known about the roles of division of labor (a key clonal trait) in homogeneous habitats. The hypothesis tested is that clonal integration allows division of labor and increases the overall performance of an invasive clonal plant, especially under higher soil nutrients. Clonal fragment pairs of aquatic invader Alternanthera philoxeroides (each with four ramets and a stolon apex) were grown in two homogenous habitats with high or low soil nutrient supply, and with stolon connections being either severed (clonal integration prevented) or kept intact (clonal integration allowed). Results showed that stolon connection allowed the division of labor within the clonal fragment, with basal ramets specializing in acquisition of belowground resources and apical ramets specializing in acquisition of aboveground expansion. Moreover, the capacity for division of labor was greater, which brought the clonal fragments of A. philoxeroides stronger clonal propagation and better performance in high nutrient habitats than in low nutrient habitats. The results supported our hypotheses that the developmentally programmed division of labor may facilitate the clonal expansion of this aggressive invader in some homogeneous habitats with high resource availability