Design of Robust Digital Pole Placer for Car Active Suspension with Input Constraint

This chapter deals with the problem of state feedback control for an active quarter-car suspension system with control input constraint. The dynamics of the suspension system is first formed in terms of the control objectives: ride comfort, suspension deflection, and maximum actuator control force. The control task is formulated as robustly placing the closed poles in a desired region against different passenger load. Since digital computers are widely used in the vehicle industry, a new saturated controller design method is presented for regional pole-placement of uncertain discrete time systems. The constraint of control input saturation is considered in the design phase. The desired dynamic performance for uncertain discrete-time systems is represented by the settling time and damping ratio. A sufficient condition is derived to place the poles in a desired region. The design is formulated in terms of linear matrix inequality optimization. The effectiveness of the proposed design is illustrated by applying it to a quarter?car active suspension system. Different road tests for the proposed controller are carried out: step and bump disturbances. The proposed design achieves the desired oscillation damping due to road disturbances in addition to passenger comfort. The results are compared with the passive suspension system

Central-to-peripheral systolic blood pressure different phenotypes and relation to accuracy of daily used cuff devices

Background. Cuff blood pressure (BP) measurement has been the standard method for taking BP in routine daily practice for more than a century. However, some concerns were raised about the accuracy of this method which could lead to misclassification of BP in many situations. We aimed primarily to confirm a recent major discovery that distinct BP phenotypes based on central-to-peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBP) amplification do exist, and whether application of a validated cuff BP method (e.g. oscillometric) could accurately discriminate these differences. Material and methods. Among 106 participants (mean age 62 ± 11; 58% males) undergoing coronary angiography, intra-arterial BP was measured at 3 points (ascending aorta, brachial and radial arteries). Central-to-peripheral SBP amplification (SBPamp) was defined as ≥ 5 mm Hg SBP increased from aorta-to-brachial and/or from brachial-to-radial arteries. A validated cuff BP device (oscillometric) was used to measure BP at 4 different time points. Results. Four different BP phenotypes were confirmed based on the magnitude of SBPamp; phenotype-I, both aortic-to brachial and brachial-to radial SBPamp; phenotype-II, only aortic-to-brachial SBPamp; phenotype-III, only brachial-to-radial SBPamp; and phenotype-IV, no SBPamp at all. Aortic SBP was significantly higher in phenotypes-III and IV compared to phenotypes-I and II (p = 0.001). This was not discriminated using a validated cuff BP device measurement (p = 0.996). Results for the pulse pressure (PP) followed the same pattern. Conclusion. Distinct BP phenotypes do exist based on SBPamp. A validated cuff BP method failed to discriminate this. Improving quality of BP measurements in daily practice is a priority

Anterior inferior iliac spine fracture: another component of selt belt syndrome?

Seat belt syndrome occurs when seat belts are used improperly, and it is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The spectrum of seat belt syndrome includes spinal, intra-abdominal and vascular injury. Here, we report the case of anterior inferior iliac spine avulsion fracture in association with seat belt injuries in a 24-year old man involved in a head on motor vehicle collision

Application of matlab-based interface for the control of microbioreactor operation

This work presents the use of Arduino-based embedded system interfaced to MATLAB software packages as an alternative cost-effective solution for the control of the microbioreactor operation. In the presented work, a microbioreactor platform with a working volume of approximately 1.5 mL have been fabricated using a low-cost poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymers. The reactor have been integrated with stirring control, fuzzy logic temperature control, and aeration feature via a miniature air compressor. Control program of the microbioreactor system was established using Simulink, MATLAB software were executed by interfacing the program with Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller for input and output of signals. Numbers of experimentation were performed to validate and demonstrate the potential of the proposed method. Satisfactorily degree of control and supervision was achieved (± 1-3% of the set-point values). The entire microbioreactor system can be operated stably for a least 48 hours. The work demonstrated the usefulness of MATLAB software in establishing a microbioreactor operating interface that consisted merely few Simulink program block sets and executed on a low-cost Arduino board

THE DETERMINANTS OF VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURES IN MALAYSIA: THE CASE OF INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING

ABSTRACT Previous research suggests that there is a rather heterogeneous use of the Internet as an instrument for investor relations strategies and corporate reporting among Malaysian firms [i

Development of slope monitoring device using accelerometer

There are many types of instruments that have been used for monitoring the high risk slopes as a precaution to prevent the loss of lives. Unfortunately, there is no such works of installation slope monitoring instrumentation as detectors and preventive actions before the slope failure. Automatic Wireless Accelerometer Monitoring System (AWAM) is a new device of monitoring system using accelerometer, introduced in this research. It is more efficient than conventional techniques and less expensive. The application and operation of this system does not interrupted by physical obstacles, different climate conditions, and the construction works at site. In addition, no contact is required since the accelerometers are installed on the slope. Consequently, geomorphology limitations are not considered as limitations of the system operation. This paper discusses the sensor database system by AWAM and shows the effectiveness of the device to monitor slope failures and act as a warning sign. It was presented in two parts; the first part consisted of the physical modelling calibration test from sensor database system (AWAM device) and from load cell test while the second part discussed on the numerical model simulated by using software (Slope/W and LimitState) and the data from vane shear test. The AWAM device can be used as a monitoring system to detect soil movements. However, accelerometer was able to give AWAM’s readings if the device is moving in tilting modes

Homeopathy in Malaysia / Mohamad Arif Aizuddin Mohd Ramli…[et.al]

Advancement of technologies throughout the year have produce different kind of medicine. Despite that people seeks homeopathy as source of medication, especially in Malaysia. Debate for the best form of medicine has been going around between homeopathy and conventional medicine. This study is conduct to identify the level of awareness between the effectiveness of homeopathy and modern medicine. The study indicated that the public are more aware that effectiveness of modern medicine is more high (M= 3.309) and homeopathy were (M= 2.81)

Drug utilisation evaluation study on patients with diabetes mellitus among Rohingya refugees in IMARET mobile clinic

Introduction: Since 1978, Rohingya refugees have fled from their native nation, Myanmar to escape ethnic prosecution. They comprise of the Muslim minority ethnic group originating from the Rakhine state in Myanmar. In many host countries, they may have difficulty to access health care services. The Islamic Association of Malaysia (IMAM) Response and Relief Team (IMARET) have taken many initiatives to provide healthcare services to the refugees through their volunteer-led mobile clinics. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the utilisation of drugs among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients visiting this clinic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among Rohingya refugees with T2DM that visited the IMARET mobile clinics from August until November 2017. Convenient sampling method was used. Data were collected through patient’s interview, review of the patient’s prescriptions and their HbA1c readings. Results: A total of 29 T2DM patients were included in this study. The majority were female (75.9%) and aged below 65 years old (75.9%). The most commonly prescribed anti-diabetic agent was metformin (72.2%), followed by glibenclamide (22.2%) and gliclazide (5.6%). Metformin as a monotherapy (31%) was the most frequent treatment prescribed. More patients had controlled T2DM (62.1%) compared to those with uncontrolled DM. We found 90.9% of patients who were treated according to the recommended DM guidelines achieved a good blood glucose control (p=0.02). Conclusion: In Rohingya refugees having T2DM who were treated in the IMARET mobile clinic, the percentage having good control DM status is higher in those whose treatment regimen adheres to the clinical practice guidelines