A two-level structure for advanced space power system automation

The tasks to be carried out during the three-year project period are: (1) performing extensive simulation using existing mathematical models to build a specific knowledge base of the operating characteristics of space power systems; (2) carrying out the necessary basic research on hierarchical control structures, real-time quantitative algorithms, and decision-theoretic procedures; (3) developing a two-level automation scheme for fault detection and diagnosis, maintenance and restoration scheduling, and load management; and (4) testing and demonstration. The outlines of the proposed system structure that served as a master plan for this project, work accomplished, concluding remarks, and ideas for future work are also addressed

Finite-State Channel Models for Signal Transduction in Neural Systems

Information theory provides powerful tools for understanding communication systems. This analysis can be applied to intercellular signal transduction, which is a means of chemical communication among cells and microbes. We discuss how to apply information-theoretic analysis to ligand-receptor systems, which form the signal carrier and receiver in intercellular signal transduction channels. We also discuss the applications of these results to neuroscience.Comment: Accepted for publication in 2016 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, Shanghai, Chin

The Effects of Hydrogen Bonding on the Spectral Properties of 2\u27-Acetonaphthone

The effects of hydrogen bonding on the luminescent properties of 2\u27-acetonaphthone (2-AN) have been studied. Solvents of varying hydrogen bond donor abilities such as perfluorohexane(PFH), cyclohexane, ethanol, methanol, water, trifluoroethanol(TFE), and hexafluoroisopropanol(HFIP) have been used. An attempt is made to find a relationship between solvent hydrogen bond donor ability, the energy and efficiency of fluorescence emission and changes in 2-AN electronic absorption in these solvents. The 2-AN spectral properties have also been studied in mixed solvent systems where the molecule is dissolved in a nonpolar solvent, either PFH of cyclohexane, and one of the fluorinated alcohols (TFE or HFIP) is added to see how the spectrum of the solution is altered. The addition of these hydrogen bonding alcohols results in the formation of a 2-AN/alcohol complex. This complex causes a new electronic absorption band to appear in these solutions. Using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation, equilibrium constants can be calculated for the complex formation in the ground state. The presence of weak hydrogen bonders such as ethanol or propanol are observed to quench the fluorescence emission of 2-AN in a polar solvent and blue shift the maximum

Intelligent Control Systems Research

Results of a three phase research program into intelligent control systems are presented. The first phase looked at implementing the lowest or direct level of a hierarchical control scheme using a reinforcement learning approach assuming no a priori information about the system under control. The second phase involved the design of an adaptive/optimizing level of the hierarchy and its interaction with the direct control level. The third and final phase of the research was aimed at combining the results of the previous phases with some a priori information about the controlled system

Visualizing Single-molecule DNA Replication with Fluorescence Microscopy

We describe a simple fluorescence microscopy-based real-time method for observing DNA replication at the single-molecule level. A circular, forked DNA template is attached to a functionalized glass coverslip and replicated extensively after introduction of replication proteins and nucleotides (Figure 1). The growing product double-strand DNA (dsDNA) is extended with laminar flow and visualized by using an intercalating dye. Measuring the position of the growing DNA end in real time allows precise determination of replication rate (Figure 2). Furthermore, the length of completed DNA products reports on the processivity of replication. This experiment can be performed very easily and rapidly and requires only a fluorescence microscope with a reasonably sensitive camera