Synchronous MDADT-Based Fuzzy Adaptive Tracking Control for Switched Multiagent Systems via Modified Self-Triggered Mechanism

In this paper, a self-triggered fuzzy adaptive switched control strategy is proposed to address the synchronous tracking issue in switched stochastic multiagent systems (MASs) based on mode-dependent average dwell-time (MDADT) method. Firstly, a synchronous slow switching mechanism is considered in switched stochastic MASs and realized through a class of designed switching signals under MDADT property. By utilizing the information of both specific agents under switching dynamics and observers with switching features, the synchronous switching signals are designed, which reduces the design complexity. Then, a switched state observer via a switching-related output mask is proposed. The information of agents and their preserved neighbors is utilized to construct the observer and the observation performance of states is improved. Moreover, a modified self- triggered mechanism is designed to improve control performance via proposing auxiliary function. Finally, by analysing the re- lationship between the synchronous switching problem and the different switching features of the followers, the synchronous slow switching mechanism based on MDADT is obtained. Meanwhile, the designed self-triggered controller can guarantee that all signals of the closed-loop system are ultimately bounded under the switching signals. The effectiveness of the designed control method can be verified by some simulation results

A Facile Synthesis of ZnCo\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e Nanocluster Particles and the Performance as Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

ZnCo2O4 nanocluster particles (NCPs) were prepared through a designed hydrothermal method, with the assistance of a surfactant, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of ZnCo2O4 were investigated by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and BET analyses. The results of SEM and TEM suggest a clear nanocluster particle structure of cubic ZnCo2O4 (~100 nm in diameter), which consists of aggregated primary nanoparticles (~10 nm in diameter), is achieved. The electrochemical behavior of synthesized ZnCo2O4 NCPs was investigated by galvanostatic discharge/charge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The ZnCo2O4 NCPs exhibit a high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g−1 over 100 cycles under a current density of 100 mA g−1 with an excellent coulombic efficiency of 98.9% and a considerable cycling stability. This work demonstrates a facile technique designed to synthesize ZnCo2O4 NCPs which show great potential as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Homozygous p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 is associated with a new type of hypercholanemia and implications for personalized medicine.

SLC10A1 codes for the sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), which is a hepatocellular transporter for bile acids (BAs) and the receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses. NTCP is also a target of multiple drugs. We aimed to evaluate the medical consequences of the loss of function mutation p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1. We identified eight individuals with homozygous p.Ser267Phe mutation in SLC10A1 and followed up for 8-90 months. We compared their total serum BAs and 6 species of BAs with 170 wild-type and 107 heterozygous healthy individuals. We performed in-depth medical examinations and exome sequencing in the homozygous individuals. All homozygous individuals had persistent hypercholanemia (P = 5.8 × 10-29). Exome sequencing excluded the involvement of other BA metabolism-associated genes in the hypercholanemia. Although asymptomatic, all individuals had low vitamin D levels. Of six adults that were subjected to bone mineral density analysis, three presented with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Sex hormones and blood lipids were deviated in all subjects. Homozygosity of p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 is associated with asymptomatic hypercholanemia. Individuals with homozygous p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 are prone to vitamin D deficiency, deviated sex hormones and blood lipids. Surveillance of these parameters may also be needed in patients treated with drugs targeting NTCP.This project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31471193, 81570539, 81370535, 91331204 and 31525014). S.X. acknowledges financial support from the Strategic Priority Research Program (XDB13040100) and Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences (QYZDJ-SSW-SYS009) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Discovery of Raphidioptera (Insecta: Neuropterida) in Xizang, China, with description of a new species of Inocellia Schneider

Shen, Rongrong, He, Yingnan, Pan, Zhaohui, Liu, Xingyue (2019): Discovery of Raphidioptera (Insecta: Neuropterida) in Xizang, China, with description of a new species of Inocellia Schneider. Zootaxa 4712 (3): 403-412, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4712.3.