Robust control of robot manipulators using hybrid H∞/adaptive controller

A robust hybrid control method for robot manipulators is proposed which integrates an H∞ controller and an adaptive controller. The H∞ controller is used to minimize the effect of parameter uncertainties of the robot model on the tracking performance, while the adaptive controller continuously adjusts the model parameters to reduce the model error. Simulations show that disturbances generated from the model error will be quickly compensated and so small tracking errors can be achieved.published_or_final_versio

Reliability and validity of the overactive bladder symptom score in Hong Kong Chinese

published_or_final_versio

Roles of endothelin-1 in beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in hippocampus: an implication for Alzheimer’s pathology

Poster F - Nervous System Disorders: abstract no. P3-F-012The British Neuroscience Association’s Festival of NeuroscienceAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder. Abnormal levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been demonstrated in parietal white matter(1), cerebral cortex and vessels of the AD brain(2). Neuronal death and accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) are prominent pathological features of AD. Significant neuronal death is found in Aβ-treated primary neurons and Aβ-overexpressing mouse models(3,4). ET-1 is a known vasoconstrictor and neuro-active peptide. ET-1 induces apoptosis in primary retinal neurons(5). In contrary, ET-receptor (ETR) type B agonist can rescue neurons from Aβ-induced apoptosis(6). These findings suggest ET-1 plays dual roles in neurodegeneration and neuroprotection, respectively. This study aims to investigate the effect of ET-1 on Aβ-induced cell death in hippocampal neurons. Primary hippocampal neurons were pretreated with or without ETR antagonists prior to the treatment of oligomeric form of Aβ1-42, ET-1 or both on 14 DIV. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Changes in protein expression in apoptotic and ET-1 signaling pathways were assessed by western-blot analysis. This study shed light on the roles of ET-1 in Aβ1-42-neurotoxicity, building upon which the ET-1 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for AD can be further investigated.published_or_final_versio

Continuous home cage monitoring of activity and sleep in mice during repeated paroxetine treatment and discontinuation

Rationale: Non-invasive home cage monitoring is emerging as a valuable tool to assess the effects of experimental interventions on mouse behaviour. A field in which these techniques may prove useful is the study of repeated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment and discontinuation. SSRI discontinuation syndrome is an under-researched condition that includes the emergence of sleep disturbances following treatment cessation. Objectives: We used passive infrared (PIR) monitoring to investigate changes in activity, sleep, and circadian rhythms during repeated treatment with the SSRI paroxetine and its discontinuation in mice. Methods: Male mice received paroxetine (10 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 12 days, then were swapped to saline injections for a 13 day discontinuation period and compared to mice that received saline injections throughout. Mice were continuously tracked using the Continuous Open Mouse Phenotyping of Activity and Sleep Status (COMPASS) system. Results Repeated paroxetine treatment reduced activity and increased behaviourally-defined sleep in the dark phase. These effects recovered to saline-control levels within 24 h of paroxetine cessation, yet there was also evidence of a lengthening of sleep bouts in the dark phase for up to a week following discontinuation. Conclusions: This study provides the first example of how continuous non-invasive home cage monitoring can be used to detect objective behavioural changes in activity and sleep during and after drug treatment in mice. These data suggest that effects of paroxetine administration reversed soon after its discontinuation but identified an emergent change in sleep bout duration, which could be used as a biomarker in future preclinical studies to prevent or minimise SSRI discontinuation symptoms

Fiber optics and photonics : emerging applications - introduction to the feature issue

Author name used in this publication: H. Y. TamVersion of RecordPublishe

Elucidating the aetiology of human Campylobacter coli infections

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Chinese patients with sporadic Hirschsprung's disease are predominantly represented by a single RET haplotype.

published_or_final_versio

Simple temperature insensitive fiber Bragg grating based tilt sensor with enhanced tunability

Author name used in this publication: H. Y. Tam2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Polarization-maintaining photonic-crystal-fiber-based all-optical polarimetric torsion sensor

Author name used in this publication: P. K. A. WaiAuthor name used in this publication: H. Y. TamAuthor name used in this publication: C. Lu2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe