FRM-Based FIR filters with minimum coefficient sensitivities

A method for optimizing FRM-based FIR filters with optimum coefficient sensitivity is presented. This technique can be used in conjunction with nonlinear optimization techniques to design very sharp filters that do not only have very sparse coefficient values but also very low coefficient sensitivity

Super-resolving multi-photon interferences with independent light sources

We propose to use multi-photon interferences from statistically independent light sources in combination with linear optical detection techniques to enhance the resolution in imaging. Experimental results with up to five independent thermal light sources confirm this approach to improve the spatial resolution. Since no involved quantum state preparation or detection is required the experiment can be considered an extension of the Hanbury Brown and Twiss experiment for spatial intensity correlations of order N>2

Preparing multi-partite entanglement of photons and matter qubits

We show how to make event-ready multi-partite entanglement between qubits which may be encoded on photons or matter systems. Entangled states of matter systems, which can also act as single photon sources, can be generated using the entangling operation presented in quant-ph/0408040. We show how to entangle such sources with photon qubits, which may be encoded in the dual rail, polarization or time-bin degrees of freedom. We subsequently demonstrate how projective measurements of the matter qubits can be used to create entangled states of the photons alone. The state of the matter qubits is inherited by the generated photons. Since the entangling operation can be used to generate cluster states of matter qubits for quantum computing, our procedure enables us to create any (entangled) photonic quantum state that can be written as the outcome of a quantum computer.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures; to appear in Journal of Optics

Disturbance Attraction Domain Estimation for Saturated Markov Jump Systems with Truncated Gaussian Process

This paper investigates the disturbance attraction domain estimation of saturated Markov jump systems with truncated Gaussian process. The aim is to estimate the disturbance domain of attraction so that the state is maintained in a neighbour around the origin by a state feedback controller regardless of bounded disturbance. The problem is formulated as parameter-dependent linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The optimal disturbance attraction domain is obtained through searching for most appropriate auxiliary parameters in the defined domain. A numerical example is presented to show the potential application of the results

Developing a design framework for laboratory videos in molecular biosciences

BACKGROUND Video-based learning has become increasingly integrated into higher education (Fadde & Vu, 2014). In particular, use of laboratory video expanded for students unable to attend in-person instruction during the pandemic (Delgado, Bhark, & Donahue, 2021; Slade et al., 2021). However, there remains a paucity of standardised guidelines for designing laboratory-training videos. AIMS This project aims to analyse student perceptions and engagement with laboratory video to inform future laboratory video design. METHODS Nine videos were produced to teach core microbiology laboratory skills (e.g. aseptic technique) for a microbiology course (876 students). Video analytics were collected from YouTube Creator Studio between 11/08/2020 to 29/11/2021, with student perceptions on helpfulness of various video design features collected through a survey (7% response rate) and follow-up interviews. RESULTS The percentage of students watching (audience retention) declined throughout a video, with sharp declines in initial and final 5% of video. Audience retention was significantly higher in scenes focused on technique demonstration or written explanations versus speaking instructor (“talking-head”) (p<0.001), and in presence of supplementary text (p<0.001) or illustrations (p<0.001). Similarly, students rated ‘demonstration’ and ‘writing’ as more helpful than ‘talking-head’ (p<0.001), however a variety of design features were rated as helpful. CONCLUSIONS We find a variety of design features are helpful, with student perceptions of helpfulness agreeing with differences in audience retention throughout laboratory-skill videos. REFERENCES Delgado, T., Bhark, S. J., & Donahue, J. (2021). Pandemic Teaching: Creating and teaching cell biology labs online during COVID-19. Biochemistry and Molecular Bioogyl Education, 49(1), 32-37. https://doi:10.1002/bmb.21482 Fadde, P. J., and Vu, P. (2014). Blended online learning: Benefits, challenges, and misconceptions. In Lowenthal, P. R., York, C. S., Richardson, J. C. (Eds.), Online Learning: Common    Misconceptions,    Benefits,    and    Challenges,    Nova    Science    Publishing, Hauppauge, 33-48. Slade, C., Lawrie, G., Taptamat, N., Browne, E., Sheppard, K., & Matthews, K. E. (2021). Insights into how academics reframed their assessment during a pandemic: disciplinary variation and assessment as afterthought. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 47(4), 588-605. https://doi:10.1080/02602938.2021.193337

Numerical method for a class of optimal control problems subject to nonsmooth functional constraints

AbstractIn this paper, we consider a class of optimal control problems which is governed by nonsmooth functional inequality constraints involving convolution. First, we transform it into an equivalent optimal control problem with smooth functional inequality constraints at the expense of doubling the dimension of the control variables. Then, using the Chebyshev polynomial approximation of the control variables, we obtain an semi-infinite quadratic programming problem. At last, we use the dual parametrization technique to solve the problem

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Chinese adolescents

Since national figures on the occurrence of metabolic syndrome among Chinese adolescents are lacking, this study aims to estimate its prevalence and distribution among Chinese youngsters. The 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey is a nationally representative cross-sectional study. Applying the criteria for US adolescents, we estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 2761 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Chinese adolescents overall was 3·7% (10% in US adolescents). It was 35·2 %, 23·4% and 2·3% among adolescents who were overweight (BMI $95th percentile), at risk of overweight (BMI between 85th and 95th percentile) and normal weight (BMI below the 85th percentile), respectively. Urban boys had the highest rate (5·8$85th percentile and one or two parent(s) with metabolic syndrome, the prevalence was 46·4 %. A total of 96% of overweight adolescents had at least one and 74·1% overweight adolescents had at least two abnormalities of metabolic syndrome. Based on these figures, it is estimated that more than three million Chinese adolescents have metabolic syndrome. Both overweight and metabolic syndrome prevalence among adolescents are still relatively low in China, but the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Chinese overweight adolescents is similar to those living in the USA

On boundedness and attractiveness of nonlinear switched delay systems

This paper is concerned with the boundedness and attractiveness of nonlinear switched delay systems whose subsystems have different equilibria. Some sufficient conditions which can guarantee the system’s boundedness are obtained. In addition, we work out the region where the solution will remain and furthermore the relationship between the initial function and the bounded region. Based on the new concept of attractor with switching laws, we show that the nonlinear switched delay system is attractive and then obtain the attractive region

Global exponential stability of impulsive discrete-time neural networks with time-varying delays

This paper studies the problem of global exponential stability and exponential convergence rate for a class of impulsive discrete-time neural networks with time-varying delays. Firstly, by means of the Lyapunov stability theory, some inequality analysis techniques and a discrete-time Halanay-type inequality technique, sufficient conditions for ensuring global exponential stability of discrete-time neural networks are derived, and the estimated exponential convergence rate is provided as well. The obtained results are then applied to derive global exponential stability criteria and exponential convergence rate of impulsive discrete-time neural networks with time-varying delays. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the obtained criteria

Absolute stability of impulsive control systems with time delay

Absolute stability is a basic and important problem in the design of automatic control systems. This paper initiate the study of absolute stability of impulsive control systems with time delay. Several absolute stability criteria are established by constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals. Some examples are also presented to illustrate the main results