Robust fault detection and diagnosis for uncertain nonlinear systems

This paper considers robust fault detection and diagnosis for input uncertain nonlinear systems. It proposes a multi-objective fault detection criterion so that the fault residual is sensitive to the fault but insensitive to the uncertainty as much as possible. Then the paper solves the proposed criterion by maximizing the smallest singular value of the transformation from faults to fault detection residuals while minimizing the largest singular value of the transformation from input uncertainty to the fault detection residuals. This method is applied to an aircraft which has a fault in the left elevator or rudder. The simulation results show the proposed method can detect the control surface failures rapidly and efficiently.     

Development of Composite Textile Structures for Wound Dressing Applications

The main objective of this research work was the development of novel and responsive nonwoven composite structures containing gelling materials for wound management. The development of novel all inclusive collagen booster(CB) therapeutic nonwoven wound dressings was mainly focused on. It provides essential functional properties such as high absorption,vertical and lateral wicking,and antibacterial and acidic pH properties. The developed composite wound dressing consisted of carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) fibre and also it was reinforced with polylactic acid( PLA) fibre. The produced composite wound dressings were treated with two different CBs at 4% by using the spray method. The details of the CBs have not been disclosed in this paper due to the Intellectual Property Rights( IPR) issues. The important benefit of using CB treatment is that it allows the maintenance of an acidic pH environment at the wound area. It is well known that acidic pH reduces the wound healing time and enhances the wound healing process. Furthermore,one of the CBs not only promotes the proliferation of the epithelial cells in wounds but also can provide antibacterial action. The PLA fibre reinforced CMC composite dressing has enhanced wicking properties which help to minimise the pooling of exudate on the wound bed and as a result maceration is prevented. The CBs treated dressings maintain the wound bed in an acidic pH condition which also improves the wound healing process. In addition to the above-mentioned properties,the CB treatment imparts antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,thus resulting in the reduction in the propensity for wound infection. Ultimately,the research has proved that the 4% CB treatment enhances the antimicrobial activity and the acidic pH characteristics of the developed CMC /PLA composite wound dressings.     

Structural basis for transcription elongation by bacterial RNA polymerase

The RNA polymerase elongation complex (EC) is both highly stable and processive, rapidly extending RNA chains for thousands of nucleotides. Understanding the mechanisms of elongation and its regulation requires detailed information about the structural organization of the EC. Here we report the 2.5-A resolution structure of the Thermus thermophilus EC; the structure reveals the post-translocated intermediate with the DNA template in the active site available for pairing with the substrate. DNA strand separation occurs one position downstream of the active site, implying that only one substrate at a time can specifically bind to the EC. The upstream edge of the RNA/DNA hybrid stacks on the beta'-subunit 'lid' loop, whereas the first displaced RNA base is trapped within a protein pocket, suggesting a mechanism for RNA displacement. The RNA is threaded through the RNA exit channel, where it adopts a conformation mimicking that of a single strand within a double helix, providing insight into a mechanism for hairpin-dependent pausing and termination.     

Phase analysis of AlFe2B2 by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, magnetic and Mössbauer studies

The structural and magnetic properties of essentially phase pure AlFe_2B_2 prepared by arc melting were compared with a sample containing impurities. Analysis was carried out by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The analysis of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data confirmed the orthorhombic structure of space group Cmmm for AlFe_2B_2 with Al_(13)Fe_4 as main impurity phase. The magnetic measurements revealed an unsaturated ferromagnetic state in AlFe_2B_2 with a transition temperature(T_c) of 286 K. Isothermal magnetization measurment at 5 K gave a saturation magnetization of 0.7 μB per Fe atom while Arrott plots establish the second order nature of ferromagnetic transition. The thermal evolution of M?ssbauer spectra confirmed the ferromagnetic nature of this material revealing an hyperfine field of 73 kOe and an isomer shift of 0.46 mm/s at 100 K. The M?ssbauer spectra of a phase pure sample was compared with the one containing impurity phases. It is suggested that the low temperature paramagnetic contribution in M?ssbauer spectra of phase pure material may have its origin in some intrinsic phenomena arising from defects or inhomogeneities in crystal structure.     

An inhibitor of Bcl-2 family proteins induces regression of solid tumours

Proteins in the Bcl-2 family are central regulators of programmed cell death, and members that inhibit apoptosis, such as Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-2, are overexpressed in many cancers and contribute to tumour initiation, progression and resistance to therapy. Bcl-X(L) expression correlates with chemo-resistance of tumour cell lines, and reductions in Bcl-2 increase sensitivity to anticancer drugs and enhance in vivo survival. The development of inhibitors of these proteins as potential anti-cancer therapeutics has been previously explored, but obtaining potent small-molecule inhibitors has proved difficult owing to the necessity of targeting a protein-protein interaction. Here, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based screening, parallel synthesis and structure-based design, we have discovered ABT-737, a small-molecule inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-w, with an affinity two to three orders of magnitude more potent than previously reported compounds. Mechanistic studies reveal that ABT-737 does not directly initiate the apoptotic process, but enhances the effects of death signals, displaying synergistic cytotoxicity with chemotherapeutics and radiation. ABT-737 exhibits single-agent-mechanism-based killing of cells from lymphoma and small-cell lung carcinoma lines, as well as primary patient-derived cells, and in animal models, ABT-737 improves survival, causes regression of established tumours, and produces cures in a high percentage of the mice.     

藏东地区发现罕见的恐龙足迹群和古大象足迹群

西藏昌都市卡若区发现罕见的蜥脚类、兽脚类、鸟脚类频密共生的恐龙足迹化石群,产于中侏罗世达布卡组滨湖相沉积中;昌都市江达县雪集拉山发现古近纪大象足迹化石群,产于贡觉组湖相、三角洲相地层中.这两个化石群是青藏高原中新生代地质演化的重要历史见证,对研究青藏高原隆升和恐龙、古大象的迁徙、演化、古生态有着极其重要的意义.     

硅和蓝宝石基底上的高Tc薄膜

使用多层沉积和大块沉积两种技术,在硅和蓝宝石的单晶基底上沉积了Yba2XCu3O7高Tc薄膜,实验显示：在硅基底上得到了转变温度为80K的期待结果．