On output feedback nonlinear model predictive control using high gain observers for a class of systems

In recent years, nonlinear model predictive control schemes have been derived that guarantee stability of the closed loop under the assumption of full state information. However, only limited advances have been made with respect to output feedback in connection to nonlinear predictive control. Most of the existing approaches for output feedback nonlinear model predictive control do only guarantee local stability. Here we consider the combination of stabilizing instantaneous NMPC schemes with high gain observers. For a special MIMO system class we show that the closed loop is asymptotically stable, and that the output feedback NMPC scheme recovers the performance of the state feedback in the sense that the region of attraction and the trajectories of the state feedback scheme are recovered for a high gain observer with large enough gain and thus leading to semi-global/non-local results

Changes in Cardiovascular Condition Resulting from an Eight Week Training Program as Shown by the Cameron Heartometer

The effect of different activities and conditioning exercises on the cardiovascular system has been the basis for many recent studies by physical educators and physiologists. No doubt much of this research has been prompted by statements such as that by Reidman, “An athlete is only as good as his heart.” Reidman reasoned that the ability of the athlete to perform work was dependent in large measure on the ability of the heart to supply oxygen to the muscles. This, in turn, was dependent upon two factors: (1) the capacity of exertion, and (2) the ability of the heart to return to its resting pulse state. Other students of physiology have indicated that there is a great need for methods by which people may be motivated to maintain sound cardiovascular fitness. The number of deaths attributed to diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system have certainly emphasized the truth and importance of such statements. It should be the obligation of physical educators and physiologists to determine which activities best serve to condition the heart and circulatory system and to develop within their students a feeling of “need” for cardiovascular fitness. It was with these thoughts in mind that the author decided to pursue further the problem of cardiovascular condition resulting from certain types of exercise. Weight training has recently been widely accepted by coaches and physical educators as a means to improve the strength and physiological condition of their athletes and students. Since cardiovascular fitness is an important part of total physiological fitness and has a direct bearing on individual motor performance there seemed to be a need for a study of relationship between weight training and cardiovascular condition. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze changes in cardiovascular condition resulting from an eight week progressive weight training program. Subjects were 37 South Dakota State College freshmen male students who were enrolled in weight training classes. Steps in the solution of this problem were: (1) To graphically record, both before and after the period of training, the heart action at rest and after a brief exertive exercise. (2) To determine, both before and after the period of training, the pulse rate, the systolic pulse wave amplitude, the diastolic pulse wave amplitude, the dicrotic notch amplitude and the diastolic surge of each subject at rest and following a brief exertive exercise. (3) TO measure the body weight of each subject before and after the training period. (4) To compute the fatigue ratio, recovery indices, and weight indices of the subjects before and after the training period. (5) To calculate the difference and the significance of the differences between the means of the subjects’ test data before they began weight training and the means of their data after the training. (6) To determine by correlative techniques any significant relationships between several of the test variables in this study

Design and Development of a SNAP-8 Mercury Pump Motor Assembly

Design and performance of mercury pump motor for SNAP 8 electrical generato

Effects of nonlinear aerodynamics and static aeroelasticity on mission performance calculations for a fighter aircraft

During conceptual design studies of advanced aircraft, the usual practice is to use linear theory to calculate the aerodynamic characteristics of candidate rigid (nonflexible) geometric external shapes. Recent developments and improvements in computational methods, especially computational fluid dynamics (CFD), provide significantly improved capability to generate detailed analysis data for the use of all disciplines involved in the evaluation of a proposed aircraft design. A multidisciplinary application of such analysis methods to calculate the effects of nonlinear aerodynamics and static aeroelasticity on the mission performance of a fighter aircraft concept is described. The aircraft configuration selected for study was defined in a previous study using linear aerodynamics and rigid geometry. The results from the previous study are used as a basis of comparison for the data generated herein. Aerodynamic characteristics are calculated using two different nonlinear theories, potential flow and rotational (Euler) flow. The aerodynamic calculations are performed in an iterative procedure with an equivalent plate structural analysis method to obtain lift and drag data for a flexible (nonrigid) aircraft. These static aeroelastic data are then used in calculating the combat and mission performance characteristics of the aircraft

Exploring the Physics of Sound with STEAM-azing Third Graders

This practical article was based on a lesson conducted with third graders from an elementary school in the Midwest who were studying concepts about sound. The lesson activities address Next Generation Science Standards that include engineering concepts, along with integrating activities that support National Core Arts Standards. The students created instruments that made music but that were not the standard string, percussion or wind orchestral instruments that they had previously studied: string, percussion, or wind. Their instruments made of recycled materials included drum and shaker combinations, animal-shaped instruments, and instruments that combined three or more instruments

New Limits on Local Lorentz Invariance in Mercury and Cesium

We report new bounds on Local Lorentz Invariance (LLI) violation in Cs and Hg. The limits are obtained through the observation of the the spin- precession frequencies of 199Hg and 133Cs atoms in their ground states as a function of the orientation of an applied magnetic field with respect to the fixed stars. We measure the amplitudes of the dipole couplings to a preferred direction in the equatorial plane to be 19(11) nHz for Hg and 9(5) microHz for Cs. The upper bounds established here improve upon previous bounds by about a factor of four. The improvement is primarily due to mounting the apparatus on a rotating table. New bounds are established on several terms in the standard model extension including the first bounds on the spin-couplings of the neutron and proton to the z direction, <7e-30 GeV and <7e-29 GeV, respectively.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure