Multiple local solutions to nonlinear control processes

We use the topological tool of Nielsen fixed-point theory to study the controllability of perturbed linear control processes whose control space can be reduced to a finite-dimensional one. These methods produce a lower bound on the number of controls that achieve a given target. We concentrate particularly on the case where the perturbation has sublinear growth, and we exhibit examples of multiple controls of various types that are detected by the Nielsen theory method.This research was partly supported by the Research Grant Teoria del Controllo dei Sistemi Dinamici, Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, Roma, Italy.     

Optimal intensity control of a multi-class queue

We study a mixed problem of optimal scheduling and input and output control of a single server queue with multi-classes of customers. The model extends the classical optimal scheduling problem by allowing the general point processes as the arrival and departure processes and the control of the arrival and departure intensities. The objective of our scheduling and control problem is to minimize the expected discounted inventory cost over an infinite horizon, and the problem is formulated as an intensity control. We find the well-knownc is the optimal solution to our problem.Supported in part by NSF under grant ECS-8658157, by ONR under contract N00014-84-K-0465, and by a grant from AT&T Bell Laboratories.The work was done while the author was a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138.     

Stabilizing an uncertain production system

Consider a production system that consists ofm machines each of which can produce parts ofn types. When machinek is used, it produces a part of typei with probabilityp _ki . Requests arrive for parts, one at a time. With probability _i an arriving request is for a part of typei. The requests must be served without waiting. Thus, if a requested part is not available, it must be produced. We find necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a strategy (a choice of the machines to be used) which makes the inventory of parts stable and we provide such a strategy.Two variations of this model are also considered: the case of batch arrivals of requests, and that of a system where the requests can be queued.     

Solution of a class of stochastic linear-convex control problems using deterministic equivalents

In this paper, we identify a new class of stochastic linearconvex optimal control problems, whose solution can be obtained by solving appropriate equivalent deterministic optimal control problems. The term linear-convex is meant to imply that the dynamics is linear and the cost function is convex in the state variables, linear in the control variables, and separable. Moreover, some of the coefficients in the dynamics are allowed to be random and the expectations of the control variables are allowed to be constrained. For any stochastic linear-convex problem, the equivalent deterministic problem is obtained. Furthermore, it is shown that the optimal feedback policy of the stochastic problem is affine in its current state, where the affine transformation depends explicitly on the optimal solution of the equivalent deterministic problem in a simple way. The result is illustrated by its application to a simple stochastic inventory control problem.This research was supported in part by NSERC Grant A4617, by SSHRC Grant 410-83-0888, and by an INRIA Post-Doctoral Fellowship.     

Hereditary optimal control problems: Numerical method based upon a padé approximation

In this paper, we consider a particular approximation scheme which can be used to solve hereditary optimal control problems. These problems are characterized by variables with a time-delayed argumentx(t – ). In our approximation scheme, we first replace the variable with an augmented statey(t) x(t - ). The two-sided Laplace transform ofy(t) is a product of the Laplace transform ofx(t) and an exponential factor. This factor is approximated by a first-order Padé approximation, and a differential relation fory(t) can be found. The transformed problem, without any time-delayed argument, can then be solved using a gradient algorithm in the usual way. Four problems are solved to illustrate the validity and usefulness of this technique.This research was supported in part by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under NASA Grant NCC-2-106.     

Conformation control of bilatrienes by peptides: A survey

Summary A variety of bilipeptides has been synthesized and investigated by UV-VIS and CD spectroscopy to explore the conformational influence of peptide ligands on the covalently bound tetrapyrrol moiety. The results obtained are complemented by those reported previously. From the comprehensive data thus available several features of the peptidic chain regulating interactions with the bilatriene moiety have been elucidated. Accordingly, the presence of three amide linkages at the ligand is prerequiste for induction of pronounced conformational changes consisting either in a complete transition ofM intoP helical bilatriene species by inversion of all torsional angles, or in a stretching of the chromophore. The kind of conformational influence can be controlled by varying the position of the prolyl entity within a given peptide.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Kurt Schaffner on occasion of his 60th birthday     

Detection of processed genetically modified food using CIM monolithic columns for DNA isolation

The availability of sufficient quantities of DNA of adequate quality is crucial in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for genetically modified food detection. In this work, the suitability of anion-exchange CIM (Convective Interaction Media; BIA Separations, Ljubljana, Slovenia) monolithic columns for isolation of DNA from food was studied. Maize and its derivates corn meal and thermally pretreated corn meal were chosen as model food. Two commercially available CIM disk columns were tested: DEAE (diethylaminoethyl) and QA (quaternary amine). Preliminary separations were performed with standard solution of salmon DNA at different pH values and different NaCl concentrations in mobile phase. DEAE groups and pH 8 were chosen for further isolations of DNA from a complex matrix-food extract. The quality and quantity of isolated DNA were tested on agarose gel electrophoresis, with UV-scanning spectrophotometry, and by amplification with real-time PCR. DNA isolated in this way was of suitable quality for further PCR analyses. The described method is also applicable for DNA isolation from processed foods with decreased DNA content. Furthermore, it is more effective and less time-consuming in comparison with the existing proposed methods for isolation of DNA from plant-derived foods.     

SARS CoV内对照RNA病毒样颗粒的构建和表达

在SARS-CoV的核酸检测方法中,由于普遍缺乏安全、稳定、特异的内对照,而不能对样品处理、反转录、扩增以及定量检测实施全程监控。构建的病毒样核蛋白颗粒内对照,能够对SARS-CoV临床检测实施监控。本文通过克隆1.7Kb大肠杆菌噬菌体MS2的装配蛋白和壳蛋白基因以及SARS冠状病毒经过突变产生的270bp内对照片断,并将这些基因连接到载体pTrc99a上表达,进行纯化、定量分析、RT-PCR检测和稳定性试验。获得SARS内对照病毒样核蛋白颗粒,在人血清和SM缓冲液中37℃稳定性可达到30天,能抵抗核糖核酸酶降解。将内对照颗粒加入临床样本中一同检测,能够对检测的全过程(样品处理、反转录和PCR)有效进行监控,与SARS-CoV没有交叉反应。研究表明制备的该病毒样核蛋白颗粒稳定、安全、可靠,可作为SARS冠状病毒RT-PCR检测、定量分析的有效内对照参考品。     

亚运会兴奋剂检测

本文建立了检查IOC禁用的五大类100种药物的筛选和确证方法。对药物检查机构及资格认可,药物检验的一般步骤,第十一届亚运会兴奋剂的检测均作了简要的介绍。     

Characterisation of Sol-Gel TiO2 Films by Etching

This article describes the SmartKom Companion, one of three demonstrators developed within the SmartKom project whose goal has been to provide an intuitive and intelligent interface for non-expert users to everyday computer-based applications in different scenarios of use. Conceived for the SmartKom Mobile scenario, the Companion allows intuitive multimodal interaction for drivers and pedestrians. The development of the SmartKom prototypes was constantly accompanied by Wizard-of-Oz experiments as well as system evaluations at different stages of the project. Some usability evaluation results relative to the SmartKom Companion will also be presented.