Adaptive and Robust Fault-Tolerant Tracking Control of Contact force of Pantograph-Catenary for High-Speed Trains

Abstract This paper presents a modified multi-body dynamic model and a linear time-invariant model with actuator faults (loss of effectiveness faults, bias faults) and matched and unmatched uncertainties. Based on the fault model, a class of adaptive and robust tracking controllers are proposed which are adjusted online to tolerate the time-varying loss of effectiveness faults and bias faults, and compensate matched disturbances without the knowledge of bounds. For unmatched uncertainties, optimal control theory is added to the controller design processes. Simulations on a pantograph are shown to verify the efficiency of the proposed fault-tolerant design approach

Chinese older, middle-aged, and young participants' stereotypes of young adults

Permissions were not obtained for sharing the full text of this article.This study examined stereotype traits of Chinese young adults generated by 180 older, middle-aged, and young Chinese participants. Trait lists were compared across age groups and to Western traits reported in earlier research. Results indicated a considerable overlap between stereotype traits generated by the Chinese participants and those from earlier studies with Western participants (e.g., energetic, ambitious, and reckless). Unique Chinese traits (e.g., filial, hedonistic, and individualistic) associated with young adults were also identified. Whereas the middle-aged and older participants listed an equal number of positive and negative traits, the young participants generated significantly more negative traits than positive ones. Discussion focuses on the impact of modernization and cultural change on perceptions of young adults in the Chinese society

Cultural Values in Chinese Children's Animation: A Content Analysis of The Legend of Nezha

Permissions were not obtained for sharing the full text of this article.This study examined the dominant cultural value themes in The Legend of Nezha, a 52-episode Chinese award winning television animation series for children. Two contextual factors, the image and sex of the characters who endorsed the value themes in the scenes (N = 963), were also examined. Content analysis results showed that the traditional values (e.g., Hierarchy, Friendship, Wisdom, Perseverance, Collectivism, Humanitarianism, Family, and Nature) were more prevalent than the nontraditional themes (e.g., Self-interest, Pleasure, Equality, Beauty/youth, and Romanticism). In addition, the traditional values (except hierarchy) were more frequently associated with positive characters than with negative ones; the nontraditional value themes (except equality) were more frequently associated with negative characters than with positive ones. Furthermore, some values such as hierarchy, perseverance, harmony/collectivism and equality were more endorsed by male characters than by female characters; some values such as family, beauty/youth, and self-interest were endorsed more by female characters than by male characters. Altogether, these findings have indicated that some fundamental traditional Chinese values still dominate the mainstream culture albeit certain nontraditional values (e.g., self-interest, pleasure, and romanticism) are gaining their prominence in an age of modernization and globalization

Cultural values presented in U.S. television commercials featuring older adults

Permissions were not obtained for sharing the full text of this article.This study examined commercials (N = 341) featuring older adult(s) shown on four U.S. TV networks (i.e., ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) to uncover the dominant value themes. Seven value themes (Cheng & Schweitzer, 1996; Mueller, 1992; Pollay, 1983) were identified as applicable in the current sample. This study found that the most frequent value themes that emerged in these commercials were health, utilitarian values, and economy, followed by less frequent themes such as enjoyment/pleasure and family. Technology and success appeared least frequently. Results are compared with conceptualizations in previous research and discussed in the context of aging and television advertising

Television viewing and perceptions of traditional Chinese values among Chinese college students

Permissions were not obtained for sharing the full text of this article.This study examined television's cultivation effects on perceptions of traditional Chinese values (Le., values of interpersonal harmony and hierarchical relations) among a group of Chinese college students (N = 412). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that total viewing of imported programs negatively predicted viewers' endorsement of inter- personal harmony values. Chinese music performance programming, Chinese children's education programs, imported movies, and imported sports were negative predictors of interpersonal harmony value endorsement, whereas viewing Chinese sports was a positive predictor of hierarchical relations. The findings are discussed in the context of cultivation theory and the changing socio-economic, political, and media context in China

Regulation of Enzyme Activity through Interactions with Nanoparticles

The structure and function of an enzyme can be altered by nanoparticles (NPs). The interaction between enzyme and NPs is governed by the key properties of NPs, such as structure, size, surface chemistry, charge and surface shape. Recent representative studies on the NP-enzyme interactions and the regulation of enzyme activity by NPs with different size, composition and surface modification are reviewed

Initiating factors of Chinese intergenerational conflict: Young adults' written accounts

Author final draft The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com doi:10.1023/B:JCCG.0000044686.61485.94This study examined young adults’ written accounts of intergenerational communication in conflict situations in the People's Republic of China. Using a content analysis approach, this study identified five major types of initiating factors that precipitated intergenerational conflict. Old-to-young criticism was most frequent, followed by illegitimate demand and rebuff. The least frequent initiating factors included young-to-old criticism and disagreement/generation gap. In addition, results indicated that more rebuffs were from nonfamily elders than from family elders, whereas disagreement with family elders was more frequent than with non-family elders. Proportionally speaking, no differences emerged between family and non-family elders for criticism (both old-to-young and young-to-old) and illegitimate demand. Results are discussed with respect to research in intergenerational communication, interpersonal conflict, and the Chinese socio-cultural norm of hierarchy and filial piety

Asian Communication Modes

Author Final Draft doi: 10.1111/b.9781405131995.2008.x (broken)Communication in its simplest form refers to the ongoing process of sharing and understanding meaning ( Communication: Definitions and Concepts). Much of a problematic intercultural communication stems from different ways that message is composed, transmitted, and interpreted. Human beings depend on combinations of a variety of philosophical, social psychological and institutional standards or criteria of conduct to arrive at reasonable, appropriate, and meaningful modes of communication. Asia is very heterogeneous. Each Asian culture has its unique philosophical traditions, ethics, and morals for appropriate social behaviors and conducts, Confucianism, however, is one of the most prevalent practices in Asian cultures. Although communication is unique within each Asian culture, systematic similarities in communication (e.g., indirect, implicit, polite and formal communication) have been observed across the Asian cultures (Gao, Ting-Toomey, & Gudykunst 1996). Human communication modes (Communicator Style) can be understood from multiple perspectives. The purpose of this article is to explore this very phenomenon by examining the current literature from Asian perspectives ( Communication as an Academic Field: East Asia). Specifically, this entry discusses certain Asian communication modes, their underlying core concepts, and the overarching philosophical roots among Asian cultures