Bounded synchronization of a heterogeneous complex switched network

This paper investigates synchronization issues of a heterogeneous complex network with a general switching topology in the sense of boundedness, when no complete synchronization manifold exists. Several sufficient conditions are established with the Lyapunov method and the differential analysis of convergence to determine the existence and estimate the convergence domain for the local and global bounded synchronization of a heterogeneous complex network. By using the consensus convergence of a switched linear system associated with the switching topology, explicit bounds of the maximum deviation between nodes are obtained in the form of a scalar inequality involving the property of the consensus convergence, the homogeneous and heterogeneous dynamics of individual nodes for the local and global cases. These analytical results are simple yet generic, which can be used to explore synchronization issues of various complex networks. Finally, a numerical simulation illustrates their effectiveness.postprin

A new hybrid approach to human error probability quantification-applications in maritime operations

Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) has always been an essential research issue in safety critical systems. Cognitive Reliability Error Analysis Method (CREAM), as a well-known second generation HRA method is capable of conducting both retrospective and prospective analysis, thus being widely used in many sectors. However, the needs of addressing the use of a deterministic approach to configure common performance conditions (CPCs) and the assignment of the same importance to all the CPCs in a traditional CREAM method reveal a significant research gap to be fulfilled. This paper describes a modified CREAM methodology based on an Evidential Reasoning (ER) approach and a Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique for making human error probability quantification in CREAM rational. An illustrative case study associated with maritime operations is presented. The proposed method is validated by sensitivity analysis and the quantitative analysis result is verified through comparing the real data collected from Shanghai coastal waters. Its main contribution lies in that it for the first time addresses the data incompleteness in HEP, given that the previous relevant studies mainly focus on the fuzziness in data. The findings will provide useful insights for quantitative assessment of seafarers' errors to reduce maritime risks due to human errors

Recent advances in experimental testing and computational modelling for characterisation of mechanical properties of biomaterials and biological cells

Biomaterials and biological cells possess a number of different properties; amongst them, mechanical properties are extremely important in studies and applications about tissue engineering, design and development of implants, surgical tools and medical devices for treatments and diagnosis of diseases. Changes in mechanical properties such as a stiffness of cells are often the signs of changes in cell physiology or diseases in tissues; and studying these changes can lead to the development of devices for early disease detection and new drug delivery mechanisms. This paper presents advances in recent years in experimental testing and computational modelling for characterisation of mechanical properties of biomaterials and biological cells, in which the presented research projects and related studies were mainly implemented by research groups in the UK. The recent important findings as well as research directions and challenges are emphasised and discussed, to open channels for research collaborations in development of cost-effective medical diagnosis and treatment solutions

Antagonistic bioactivity of an endophytic bacterium H-6

An endophytic bacterium, H-6, was isolated from leaves of Huperzia serrata grown in the Lushan Mountain, China. The strain was identified as Burkholderia sp. H-6 based on morphological, physiological and biochemical methods as well as on 16S rDNA analysis. This strain inhibited mycelium growth in vitro of 6 plant pathogenic fungi, especially of Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium graminearumt and Sclerotinia libertiana. In greenhouse pot experiments, soil drenches with cell densities of 106, 108 and 1010 CFU ml-1 H-6 reduced significantly P. capsici, in pepper seedling by 51.7, 58.7 and 60.2%, respectively, compared to the inoculated control, 3 weeks after sowing. Growth parameters such as lengths and fresh weights of roots and shoots of P. capsici-inoculated control plants were significantly lower compared to P. capsici-inoculated and H-6-treated plants, which is an added advantage of the strain used as potential biocontrol agent in future.Key words: Endophytic bacterium, 16S rDNA gene, antagonistic activity, Huperzia serrata

An interval mixed-integer non-linear programming model to support regional electric power systems planning with CO2 capture and storage under uncertainty

Abstract Background Electric generating capacity expansion has been always an essential way to handle the electricity shortage, meanwhile, greenhouse-gas (GHG) emission, especially CO2, from electric power systems becomes crucial considerations in recent years for the related planners. Therefore, effective approach to dealing with the tradeoff between capacity expansion and carbon emission reduction is much desired. Results In this study, an interval mixed-integer non-linear programming (IMINLP) model was developed to assist regional electric power systems planning under uncertainty. CO2 capture and storage (CCS) technologies had been introduced to the IMINLP model to help reduce carbon emission. The developed IMINLP model could be disassembled into a number of ILP models, then two-step method (TSM) was used to obtain the optimal solutions. A case study was provided for demonstrating applicability of the developed method. Conclusions The results indicated that the developed model was capable of providing alternative decisions based on scenario analysis for electricity planning with consideration of CCS technologies. The IMINLP model could provide an effective linkage between carbon sequestration and electric generating capacity expansion with the aim of minimizing system costs. </jats:sec

The effects of monochromatic LED light from one to 14 days of age on the growth, muscle development, and blood parameters of goslings

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of monochromatic light on the growth performance, muscle development, and blood parameters of goslings from one to 14 days of age. A total of 192 male Sichuan White goslings were randomly assigned at hatching to four treatment groups of 48 birds, with six replications per group. These treatment groups were exposed to white light, red light, green light, or blue light in four environmentally controlled chambers. At 14 days of age, body weight and feed intake were determined on a per-pen basis, and one gosling per pen was selected for the collection of blood and muscle samples. All data were subjected to an analysis of variance. The results showed that the blue and green light groups had lower average daily feed intake and feed/gain ratios than the red and white light groups, but no differences in average daily gain and final body weight were found. Moreover, the leg muscle weight and leg muscle fibre diameter and density were unaffected by exposure to monochromatic light. Similarly, the goslings from the four treatment groups exhibited comparable plasma levels of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, immunoglobulin Y, and immunoglobulin M. Our study indicates that short-term exposure to different light colours does not affect the growth of goslings, but light with short wavelengths decreases feed intake and improves feed conversion efficiency. Submitted 12 October 2024; Accepted 19 February 2025; Published March 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Significance of research to South African science The article contributes to the growing body of poultry science relevant to South Africa’s expanding interest in sustainable and efficient animal production systems. Although conducted in China, the study has significance for South African science by offering valuable insights into how controlled lighting environments - specifically the use of different monochromatic LED light colours - affect feed efficiency in goslings. The findings that blue and green lights improve feed conversion without compromising growth or health indicators can inform local producers and researchers exploring cost-effective technologies to enhance productivity in the early growth stages of geese and potentially other poultry species. This aligns with the country’s broader goals of advancing precision agriculture and improving animal welfare in intensive production settings

Genetic diversity of Escherichia coli isolated from commercial swine farms revealed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) and repetitive extragenic palindrome PCR (REP-PCR)

The objective of this study was to use enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) and repetitive extragenic palindrome PCR (REP-PCR) for the analysis of genetic diversity among Escherichia coli strains isolated from commercial swine farms in Sichuan province of China. Thirty four strains of E. coli were selected by selective medium and conventional biochemical test from fresh stool samples of swines in five farms in Sichuan province. The isolates were identified by 160 kinds of E. coli O serums. The results show that 30 strains were determined among 34 E. coli isolates, 12 kinds of O serogroups were obtained on the basis of the agglutination test. The predominant types are O23, O113 and O120, representing 35.4%. Furthermore, the genotypes and phylogenetic relationship of all isolates were analysed by Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) and repetitive extragenic palindrome PCR (REP-PCR), 34 E. coli isolates were clustered to 19 ERIC-PCR genotypes and 13 REP-PCR genotypes. The isolates from the same farm or sharing the same serotyping showed different genotype. And the isolates which could not be serotyped were genotyped by ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR. The analysis of genetic type and original source revealed that isolates from different farms had different genetic types. The subtypes of E. coli are also different within a single farm. Genetic variability with E. coli strains isolated from swine farms in China has been demonstrated. The presence of ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR sequences in the genome of E. coli was confirmed. ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR techniques are more rapid methods for molecular typing of E. coli strain. They are also useful methods for diversity survey of E. coli and the two methods analyzes genetic diversity of E. coli isolated in Sichuan of China.Key words: Escherichia coli, serotype, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR), repetitive extragenic palindrome PCR (REP-PCR)

The effect of mycelial morphology on lycopene fermentaton

2003-2004 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe