Design of Dynamic Output Feedback Laws Based on Sums of Squares of Polynomials

We consider the stabilization of nonlinear polynomial systems and the design of dynamic output feedback laws based on the sums of squares (SOSs) decompositions. To design the dynamic output feedback laws, we show the design conditions in terms of the state-dependent linear matrix inequalities (SDLMIs). Because the feasible solutions of the SDLMIs are found by the SOS decomposition, we can obtain the dynamic output feedback laws by using numerical solvers. We show numerical examples of the design of dynamic output feedback laws

Timber industries and licensing system in Malaysia

This paper discusses the licensing system of Malaysia's sawmilling and plywood industries which has grown in tandem with the massive land development program begun in the 1960s. Since then, the industry has contributed a significant amount of government revenue, employment opportunities and foreign exchange. Progressive development of the sector has been underpinned by various governmental policies and regulations to nurture legal timber supplies for down-stream processing as well as developing secondary and tertiary processing industries. Policies provide various incentives to modernize the industries in order to upgrade processing efficiency, diversification into value-added and quality products and reduction of processing residues. This includes wider use of the under-utilized timber species as part of an effort to attain a rational balance between national processing capacity and resource availability. Various strategies have been targeted to enhance efficient utilization of all forms of forest products from legal sources. In addition, timber production and licensing are now closely monitored and regulated throughout the supply chain management

Force-detecting gripper and force feedback system for neurosurgery applications

Purpose For the application of less invasive robotic neurosurgery to the resection of deep-seated tumors, a prototype system of a force-detecting gripper with a flexible micromanipulator and force feedback to the operating unit will be developed. Methods Gripping force applied on the gripper is detected by strain gauges attached to the gripper clip. The signal is transmitted to the amplifier by wires running through the inner tube of the manipulator. Proportional force is applied on the finger lever of the operating unit by the surgeon using a bilateral control program. A pulling force experienced by the gripper is also detected at the gripper clip. The signal for the pulling force is transmitted in a manner identical to that mentioned previously, and the proportional torque is applied on the touching roller of the finger lever of the operating unit. The surgeon can feel the gripping force as the resistance of the operating force of the finger and can feel the pulling force as the friction at the finger surface. Results A basic operation test showed that both the gripping force and pulling force were clearly detected in the gripping of soft material and that the operator could feel the gripping force and pulling force at the finger lever of the operating unit. Conclusions A prototype of the force feedback in the microgripping manipulator system has been developed. The system will be useful for removing deep-seated brain tumors in future master-slave-type robotic neurosurgery. © 2013 CARS

Interaction between Leptospiral Lipopolysaccharide and Toll-like Receptor 2 in Pig Fibroblast Cell Line, and Inhibitory Effect of Antibody against Leptospiral Lipopolysaccharide on Interaction

Leptospiral lipopolysaccharide (L-LPS) has shown potency in activating toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in pig fibroblasts (PEFs_NCC1), and causes the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the stimulation by L-LPS was weak eliciting the function of TLR2 sufficiently in pig innate immunity responses during Leptospira infection. In this study, the immune response of pig embryonic fibroblast cell line (PEFs_SV40) was investigated and was found to be the high immune response, thus TLR2 is the predominate receptor of L-LPS in pig cells. Further, we found a strategy using the antibody against L-LPS, to prevent L-LPS interaction with TLR2 in pig cells which could impact on immune activation

Identification of a polyI:C-inducible membrane protein that participates in dendritic cell–mediated natural killer cell activation

The novel polyI:C-inducible membrane protein INAM triggers dendritic cell–mediated natural killer cell activation