Tracking and controlling unstable steady states of dynamical systems

An adaptive controller for stabilization of unknown unstable steady states (spirals, nodes and saddles) of nonlinear dynamical systems is considered and its robustness under the changes of the location of the fixed point in the phase space is demonstrated. An analog electronic controller, based on a low-pass filter technique, is described. It can be easily switched between a stable and an unstable mode of operation for stabilizing either spirals/nodes or saddles, respectively. Numerical and experimental results for two autonomous systems, the damped Duffing–Holmes oscillator and the chaotic Lorenz system, are presented.     

Cost estimation algorithm and decision-making model for curriculum modification in educational organization

The decision about curriculum modification usually takes place at the knowledge level, mainly with consideration of individual academic staff competences and qualifications. However, traditional approaches to cost estimation of curriculum modification are focused on material resources only. In this paper we present a cost estimation method and decision model for curriculum modification in educational organizations. The proposed method works at the knowledge level and employs competence sets as knowledge representation models in educational organizations. Authors used the theory of hierarchical, multilevel systems in order to define the model of the decision-making process of curriculum modification and its dimension. Basing on this and also using a fuzzy competence model the cost estimation algorithm in the form of a group competences expansion algorithm is proposed. The algorithm focuses on the cost of staff competence expansion caused by the knowledge development process.     

变质量非完整系统Tzénoff方程的Lie 对称性与其导出的守恒量

航天器运行系统大都属于变质量力学系统, 变质量力学系统的对称性和守恒量隐含着航天系统更深刻的物理规律. 本文首先导出了变质量非完整力学系统的Tzénoff方程, 然后研究了变质量非完整力学系统Tzénoff方程的Lie对称性及其所导出的守恒量, 给出了这种守恒量的函数表达式和导出这种守恒量的判据方程. 该研究结果对进一步探究变质量系统所遵循的守恒规律具有一定的理论价值.     

一类分数阶混沌系统的自适应同步

针对一类分数阶混沌系统的同步问题,基于分数阶系统的类Lyapunov稳定性理论,设计了一种新的自适应同步控制器以及控制增益系数自适应律.与现有结果相比,该方法具有控制器结构简单、控制代价小以及通用性强等特点,可适用于大部分典型的分数阶混沌系统.最后,数值仿真结果验证了所提方法运用于分数阶混沌系统同步研究的有效性.     

Exponential networked synchronization of master-slave chaotic systems with time-varying communication topologies

The networked synchronization problem of a class of master-slave chaotic systems with time-varying communication topologies is investigated in this paper. Based on algebraic graph theory and matrix theory, a simple linear state feedback controller is designed to synchronize the master chaotic system and the slave chaotic systems with a time- varying communication topology connection. The exponential stability of the closed-loop networked synchronization error system is guaranteed by applying Lyapunov stability theory. The derived novel criteria are in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which are easy to examine and tremendously reduce the computation burden from the feedback matrices. This paper provides an alternative networked secure communication scheme which can be extended conveniently. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed networked synchronization method.     

Amine containing cationic methacrylate copolymers as efficient gene delivery vehicles to retinal epithelial cells

Non‐viral gene delivery vectors have emerged as potential alternatives in the field of gene therapy by replacing the biological viral vectors. DNA–cationic polymer complexes are one of the most promising systems to target many inborn or acquired diseases without the utilization of conventional drugs. Despite the excellent binding efficiency of cationic polymers, the gene transfection seems limited to date. In this work, a series of ammonium‐based block‐copolymers with different alkyl side chains (ethyl, butyl, and hexyl) and functionality (alcohol, amine, and alkyl) have been prepared to evaluate their capacity to deliver genetic material. First, different ionic liquid monomers with different pendent functional groups were prepared and characterized. Then, polyplexes elaborated with different polymers at several polymer DNA ratios (w/w) were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, and DNA binding, release, and protection capacity. Finally, the transfection efficiency and cell viability was evaluated in ARPE19 cells. We found that only the systems containing the amine pendent group were able to transfect ARPE19 cell and, that this amine containing polymer was less cytotoxic even at high polymer/DNA ratios (30:1). In conclusion, our studies suggested that the proper selection of the pendent group substantially impacts overall transfection efficiency of cationic polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 280–287     

Dual‐responsive supramolecular self‐assembly of inclusion complex of an azobenzene‐ended poly(ε‐caprolactone) with a water‐soluble pillar[6]arene and its application in controlled drug release

Dual photo‐ and pH‐responsive polymeric vesicles are constructed from a host–guest complex between a water‐soluble pillar[6]arene and an azobenzene ended functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone). Reversible morphological transitions between vesicles and solid aggregates are achieved upon repeated UV stimulus and pH stimulus. Moreover, the polymeric vesicles present excellent cytocompatibility toward HepG2 cells and can be further applied for controlled release of a hydrophilic model drug, DOX?HCl. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 2477–2482     

Comments on the use of loop reactors in sonochemical processes

For sonochemical processing on an industrial scale the traditional choice is either a batch or flow system. The former is straightforward in concept but it requires large scale powerful ultrasonic transducers capable of delivering high intensity ultrasound to large volumes of liquid. Unfortunately at the moment the cost and problems involved in building very large sonication devices for batch processes cannot justify the replacement of existing industrial processes. For this reason most sonochemists prefer some form of flow system where small quantities of reagents can be treated as they are pumped from a large vat of reagents through a smaller sonochemical reactor where high intensity ultrasound can be applied. In this short paper we draw attention to a problem which seems common in a number of papers dealing with such flow systems – a confusion between the terms continuous reactor and loop reactor. Further we emphasise the importance of calculating the actual amount of ultrasonic processing experienced by the reaction mixture within the sonication zone of a loop reactor during its operation. The parameters required for such a calculation are: ultrasonic processor volume (R_v in L), pump flow rate (F_r in L/min), stock solution volume in the reservoir (S_v in L) and the overall system operating time (S_o in min).     

A phenomenological and extended continuum approach for modelling non-equilibrium flows

This paper presents a new technique that combines Grad’s 13-moment equations (G13) with a phenomenological approach to rarefied gas flows. This combination and the proposed solution technique capture some important non-equilibrium phenomena that appear in the early continuum-transition flow regime. In contrast to the fully coupled 13-moment equation set, a significant advantage of the present solution technique is that it does not require extra boundary conditions explicitly; Grad’s equations for viscous stress and heat flux are used as constitutive relations for the conservation equations instead of being solved as equations of transport. The relative computational cost of this novel technique is low in comparison to other methods, such as fully coupled solutions involving many moments or discrete methods. In this study, the proposed numerical procedure is tested on a planar Couette flow case, and the results are compared to predictions obtained from the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. This test case highlights the presence of normal viscous stresses and tangential heat fluxes that arise from non-equilibrium phenomena, which cannot be captured by the Navier–Stokes–Fourier constitutive equations or phenomenological modifications.      

A DQ based approach to simulate the vibrations of buckled beams

In this paper, the nonlinear planar response of a hinged–hinged buckled beam to a primary-resonance excitation of its first vibration mode is computed by a new numerical scheme. The beam is subjected to an axial force beyond the critical load of the first buckling mode and to a transverse harmonic excitation. The nonlinear dynamical problem is solved by deducing directly the discretized equations governing the problem thanks to a new approach, here called DQ based approach, since it is based on the application of the quadrature rules of the DQM. As it will be shown, for the problem here considered, the minimum number of degrees of freedom to be retained to limit the numerical errors is four. Computer simulations of the dynamic behaviour of the discretized system are conducted by means of the IDQ method, a method proposed and recently generalized by the author. A sequence of supercritical period-doubling bifurcations leading to chaos, snapthrough motions and quasi-periodic motions can be observed, similarly to some cases existing in literature.