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This paper first investigates robust tracking problem of a high-order iterative learning control (HOILC) algorithm for two classes of two-dimensional linear discrete time-varying Fornasini–Marchesini systems (2-D LDTVFMS) and 2-D LDTVFMS with input delays with iteration-dependent reference trajectory described by a high-order internal model (HOIM) operator, boundary states and disturbances. An extended high-order linear discrete inequality is proposed to guarantee the ILC tracking error of 2-D LDTVFMS converge robustly to a bounded range, the bound of which is relied on iteration-dependent uncertainties from reference trajectory, boundary states and disturbances. A simulation example on a practical thermal process is used to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed HOILC law. Additionally, it is verified by theory analysis and simulation that no matter how the ILC controller gain is selected, the convergence condition in Theorem 2 of Wan and Li [(2021). High-order internal model based iterative learning control for 2-D linear FMMI systems with iteration-varying trajectory tracking. IEEE Transactions on Systems Man and Cybernetics: Systems, 51, 1462–1472] is not satisfied. Using the proposed HOILC law, perfect tracking result in Theorem 2 of Wan and Li (2021) can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, convergent property of a saturation-strategy-based iterative learning control (ILC) law is first investigated for a class of two-dimensional linear discrete first Fornasini–Marchesini model (2-D LDFFM) with input saturation. A three-dimensional dynamical process is transformed into a 2-D dynamical process by row scanning approach or column scanning approach. As a result, it is theoretical proved no matter which method is adopted, perfect tracking on the desired reference surface is accomplished by virtue of the 2-D linear inequality theory. Numerical simulation on a practical thermal process is used to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the designed ILC law. In addition, ILC convergence analysis for 2-D LDFFM with input delay and input saturation is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, oleiferasaponins D1-D5 (1-5), were isolated from the defatted seeds of Camellia oleifera Abel. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-5 were evaluated against five human tumor cell lines (HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, NCI-H1650, and A2780). Compounds 1-2 exhibited cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 3.31 to 10.23 μM. Compounds 3-5 showed moderate cytotoxic activities toward the tested cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristics of mineral elements in plants are often strongly influenced by species' abundance and heterogeneous habitats. Therefore, nutrient analysis, after excluding interference of habitat heterogeneity, would directly reflect genetic traits of species in the community. From another aspect, knowledge of responses of species to environmental variation would be helpful in the management of natural and man-made ecosystems, especially those containing rare and endangered plants conserved in gardens. We studied the characteristics of twelve nutrient elements in 90 species in Wuhan Botanical Garden (WBG) and provided explanations of their survival status. Concentrations of the 12 nutrients in the artificial garden were consistent with those in other natural communities in the subtropical zone of China. Features of nutrient-limited at the community level were also consistent with the regional characteristics (N:P ratio being 9.79 ± 3.22, as exhibiting N-limited). The Ca + Mg concentrations differed between evergreen and deciduous species. The 90 species were clustered into various functional nutrition groups. The artificial community of the garden was a “sick” one relative to natural ones with wholesome ecological functions. The proportion of element-pairs with significant correlations (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) to total element-pairs was only 24.2%, being lower than that of species in the natural community, This suggests that the harmonious relationship among nutrient elements in these species was yet to be achieved. Correlation analysis between survival status of the 90 species and their foliar nutrient ratios were positive for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and sodium (Na), but negative for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al). Cluster analysis suggested that, among 23 species with the poorest survival status, 21 species had higher Ca and Mg, but lower N and P concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the effectiveness of infrastructure investments toward sustainable development, a comprehensive evaluation system to support decision making is critically needed. This article takes Taiwan as the study area; a sustainability evaluation system is developed to support decision making in government funding allocation for different infrastructure investments. In addition to the system development, operation and application potentials of the proposed system are illustrated and discussed through the evaluation of a controversial freeway construction project in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable and efficient partial nitrification reaction and nitrite accumulation are essential for the operation of partial nitrification-anaerobic ammonia oxidation process. This paper investigated the changes in the performance of a partial nitrification bioreactor during the domestication process. After 40 days of domestication, the partial nitrification reaction remained stable, the nitrite accumulation rate (NAR) increased significantly to 85.7%, and the NO2--N/NH4+-N ratio stabilized at 1.25 ± 0.04. Both diversity indices (Simpson and Shannon) and richness indices (Ace and Chao1) tend to decrease with domestication. Nitrosomonas as a typical ammonia oxidizing bacterium it increased its relative abundance in the reactor from 0.02 ± 0.007% at P1 to 11.6 ± 2.2% at P2, and at P3 stage the denitrifying functional bacteria norank_f_AKYH76, Dokdonella and unclassified_f_Comamonadaceae reached 33.4 ± 12.5%, 18.8 ± 1.8%, and 10.1 ± 1.3%, respectively, and the increase in the relative abundance of these functional species was also consistent with the accumulation of nitrite nitrogen in the reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines a Gibbs sampling approach to modelling binary data. Estimation of the model parameters of a generalized linear model with random effects; Use of adaptive rejection sampling method proposed by Gilks and Wild; Adaptive rejection sampling algorithm.

Combining forecasts can be based on different data or different methods or both. In practice, many different datasets can be difficult to obtain. In this article, we propose a combining forecasts method that uses both simulated and observed time series. Several combining methods have been studied and the combined forecasts have been compared with those obtained from the model fitted to the observed time series only. Simulation studies and applications of the proposed method to real datasets show that on average the combined forecasts are more accurate than those obtained without combining. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The width tapered beam method for measuring fracture toughness has been contemplated for use in measuring the adhesion of photovoltaic materials, is promoted by it being a viable method for use directly on modules rather than to engineered test specimens. However, precise determination of crack length is often difficult as failure often involves tendril formation, cavitation voids, and other plastic deformation at the crack front in addition to obfuscation by opaque materials. Because fracture energy varies as the square of crack length, imprecise crack tip length results in large measurement uncertainties. In this work, we develop a method to estimate the crack tip length using the relationship between the applied force and the displacement of the load frame. The crack tip is determined for every data point and can be defined from a calibration curve related to the amount of energy put into the beam, or from a theoretically idealized estimation. Once a calibration curve is set up and the equations programmed, the fracture energy as a function of position on the newly formed crack interface can be accurately estimated. The test additionally provides much easier analysis and insight into the joint failure through more precise knowledge of fracture toughness at each de-bonded area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]