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International audience; We consider the first closed-loop separation control experiment on an Ahmed body using a robust, model-based strategy called "sliding mode control" (SMC). The goal is to reduce and further maintain the aerodynamic drag of the square-back Ahmed body flow at Re h = 9 × 10 4 (based on the body height). This study also investigates the practical feasibility of this approach which shows a great promise for industrial applications. The flow is manipulated by a slotted jet placed on the top trailing edge, combined with a predefined angle direction, and sensed by a drag balance. Base pressure and lift measurements are also obtained in real-time. The interaction between the air jet actuator and the mean near-wake flow are depicted by means of Particle Image Velocimetry. In order to compare this closed-loop strategy we first present two open-loop ones. Continuous blowing is initially used to directly influence the recirculation area and hence achieve a reduction in the drag. Approximately a drag reduction of 8% is accomplished making this approach the "optimal case" control strategy. However, because steady blowing mechanisms lead to the highest energy consumption scheme, this strategy will only serve as the first open-loop control reference. The second open-loop strategy involves three periodic forcing frequencies, St A = 0.0765, 0.135 & 0.405. The influence of these frequencies on the near-wake, and its further drag modification, will be further examined. The proposed sliding mode control (closed-loop strategy) is applied to the same Ahmed body configuration and compared to the open-loop cases. It will be designed on the basis of a simplified input-output model which was recently defined for another flow control application. Last, a second experiment is conducted so to show the disturbance rejection of the controller, corroborating the robustness and efficiency of this control approach. Its limitations and difficulties on an experimental setup are also discussed. SMC is able to reduce and maintain the drag to a desire set-point regardless external flow perturbations. Our control strategy was recently used in another context (flow reattachement on a wing) with the same robustness. These successes make guess it is applicable to multiple experimental and industrial contexts.

A new definition of homogeneity for discrete-time systems is introduced. As in the continuous-time case, the property can be verified algebraically in the transition map of the system, and it implies that a dilation of the initial conditions leads to a scaling of the trajectory. Stability properties and convergence rates of the system's solutions can be established by considering only the homogeneity degree. The existence of homogeneous Lyapunov and Lyapunov-like functions is proven.

Algorithms of implicit discretization for generalized homogeneous systems having discontinuity only at the origin are developed. They are based on the transformation of the original system to an equivalent one which admits an implicit or a semi-implicit discretization schemes preserving the stability properties of the continuous-time system. Namely, the discretized model remains finite-time stable (in the case of negative homogeneity degree), and practically fixed-time stable (in the case of positive homogeneity degree). The theoretical results are supported with numerical examples. 1. Introduction. Discretization issues are important for a digital implementation of estimation and control algorithms. Construction of a consistent stable discretization is complex for essentially non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which do not satisfy some classical regularity assumptions. For example, the sliding mode algorithms are known to be difficult in practical realization [1], [2], [3] due to discontinuous (set-valued) nature, which may invoke chattering caused by the discretization. The mentioned papers have discovered that the implicit discretization technique is useful for practical implementation of non-smooth and discontinuous control and estimation algorithms. In particular, chattering suppression in both input and output, as well as a good closed-loop performance has been confirmed experimentally in [1], [4], [5]. Finite-time stability is a desirable property for many control and estimation algorithms [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]. It means that system trajectories reach a stable equilibrium (or a set) in a finite time, in contrast to asymptotic stability allowing this only for the time tending to infinity. If the settling (reaching) time is globally bounded for all initial conditions then the origin is fixed-time stable (see, e.g. [12]). The corresponding ODE models do not satisfy Lipschitz condition (at least at the origin). In the general case, an application of the conventional implicit or explicit discretization schemes does not guarantee that finite-time or fixed-time stability properties will be preserved (see, e.g. [13], [14], [15]). The latter means that the discrete-time model may be inconsistent with the continuous-time one. However, the discretized systems may remain globally finite-time stable in some cases (see [1], [2], [16], [17]). The aim of this paper is to study systematically the problem of consistent discretization of the so-called generalized homogeneous non-linear systems. The discretized model is consistent if it preserves the stability property (e.g. exponential, finite-time or fixed-time stability) of the original continuous-time system. Homogeneity is a certain form of symmetry studied in systems and control theory [9], [18], [19], [20],[21], [22], [23]. The standard homogeneity (introduced originally by L. Euler in 17th century) is the symmetry of a mathematical object f (e.g. function, vector field, operator, etc) with respect to the uniform dilation of the argument x → λx, namely, f (λx) = λ 1+ν f (x), λ > 0

International audience; A nonlinear control law is designed for finite-time stabilization of a chain of integrators. The method is based on Implicit Lyapunov Function (ILF) technique and homogeneity properties. The scheme of control parameters selection is presented by a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI). The method is simple in implementation and does not assume on-line procedure for computation of the ILF value at the current state that is an improvement with respect to [9], [13]. The control law is presented in an explicit form and allows to find the values of all control parameters, that make the solution one of the most constructive. The theoretical results are supported by numerical example.

A solution to the problem of global fixed-time output stabilization and estimation of a chain of integrators is proposed. A nonlinear scheme comprising a state feedback controller and a dynamic observer are designed in order to guarantee both fixed-time estimation and fixed-time control. Robustness with respect to exogenous disturbances and measurement noises is established and a parameter optimization algorithm is provided. The performance of the obtained control and estimation algorithms are illustrated by numeric experiments.

The Mutnovsky geothermal area is part of the Eastern Kamchatka active volcano belt. Mutnovsky, 80 kY old and an aging strato-volcano (a complex of 4 composite volcanic cones), acts as a magma- and water-injector into the 25-km-long North Mutnovsky extension zone. Magmatic injection events (dykes) are associated with plane-oriented MEQ (Micro Earth Quakes) clusters, most of them occurring in the NE sector of the volcano (2 × 10 km2) at elevations from −4 to −2 km, while some magmatic injections occur at elevations from −6.0 to −4.0 km below the Mutnovsky production field. Water recharge of production reservoirs is from the Mutnovsky volcano crater glacier (+1500 to +1800 masl), which was confirmed by water isotopic data (δD, δ18O) of production wells at an earlier stage of development. The Mutnovsky (Dachny) 260–310 °C high-temperature production geothermal reservoir with a volume of 16 km3 is at the junction of NNE- and NE-striking normal faults, which coincides with the current dominant dyke injection orientation. TOUGH2-modeling estimates of the reservoir properties are as follows: the reservoir permeability is 90–600 e-15 m2, the deep upflow recharge is 80 kg/s and the enthalpy is 1420 kJ/kg. Modeling was used to reproduce the history of the Mutnovsky (Dachny) reservoir exploitation since 1983 with an effective power of 48 MWe by 2016. Modeling also showed that the reservoir is capable of yielding 65–83 MWe of sustainable production until 2055, if additional production drilling in the SE part of the field is performed. Moreover, this power value may increase to 87–105 MWe if binary technologies are applied. Modeling also shows that the predicted power is sensitive to local meteoric water influx during development. Conceptual iTOUGH2-EOS1sc thermal hydrodynamic modeling of the Mutnovsky magma-hydrothermal system as a whole reasonably explains its evolution over the last 1500–5000 years in terms of heat recharge (dyke injection from the Mutnovsky-4 funnel) and mass recharge (water injection through the Mutnovsky-2 and Mutnovsky-3 funnels) conditions as previously mentioned.

The problem of sliding mode control design for nonlinear plant is studied. Necessary and sufficient conditions of quadratic-like stability (stabi-lizability) for nonlinear homogeneous (control) system are obtained. Sufficient conditions of robust stability/stabilizability are deduced. The results are supported with academic examples of sliding mode control design.

International audience; This work deals with the problem of finite-time and fixed-time observation of linear multiple input multiple output (MIMO) control systems. The proposed nonlinear dynamic observers guarantee convergence of the observer states to the original system state in a finite and in a fixed (defined a priori) time. Algorithms for the observers parameters tuning are also provided and a robustness analysis against input disturbances and measurement noises is carried out. The theoretical results are illustrated by numerical examples that consider both noisy and noise-free measurements and a comparison with a high-gain observer is included.

Stabilization rates of power-integrator chains are easily regulated. It provides a framework for acceleration of uncertain multi-input multi-output (MIMO) dynamic systems of known relative degrees (RDs). The desired rate of the output stabilization (sliding-mode (SM) control) is ensured for an uncertain system, if its RD is known, and a rough approximation of the high-frequency gain matrix is available. The uniformly bounded convergence time (fixed-time stability) is obtained as a particular case. The control can be kept continuous everywhere accept the SM set, if the partial RDs are equal. Similarly uncertain smooth systems of complete MIMO RDs (i.e. lacking zero dynamics) are stabilized by continuous control at their equilibria in finite time and also accelerated. Output-feedback controllers are constructed. Computer simulation demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed approach.

The challenging problem of active control of separated flows is tackled in the present paper using model-based design principles, and applied to data issued from a two-dimensional separated flow experiment. First, a bilinear state and input delay model of the system has been obtained from experimental data by means of a modified identification procedure. Adequacy and precision of the obtained model are demonstrated and compared with existing results. Next, two control problems (setpoint tracking and optimal control) have been formulated and studied using sliding mode control methodology and averaging analysis. The theoretical control results are supported with numerical simulations.

This paper presents feedback sensitivity functions analysis of implicit Lyapunov function-based control system in case of finite-time stabilization problem. The Gang of Four is chosen as a feedback sensitivity tool. The results can be used for parametric tuning of control algorithms in order to guarantee desired closed-loop sensitivity specifications. The obtained results are supported by numerical examples.

This paper deals with the design of a robust control for linear systems with external disturbances using a homogeneous differentiator-based observer based on a implicit Lyapunov function approach. Sufficient conditions for stability of the closed-loop system in the presence of external disturbances are obtained and represented by linear matrix inequalities. The parameter tuning for both controller and observer is formulated as a semi-definite programming problem with linear matrix inequalities constraints. Simulation results illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach and some improvements with respect to the classic linear observer approach.

International audience; The problem of interval observer design is addressed for a class of descriptor linear systems with time delays. First, an interval observation for any input in the system is provided. Second, the control input is designed together with the observer gains in order to guarantee interval estimation and stabilization simultaneously. Efficiency of the proposed approach is illustrated by numerical experiments with Leontief delayed model.

International audience; SUMMARY The control design problem for finite-time and fixed-time stabilization of linear multi-input system with nonlinear uncertainties and disturbances is considered. The control design algorithm based on block decomposition and Implicit Lyapunov Function (ILF) technique is developed. The robustness properties of the obtained control laws with respect to matched and unmatched uncertainties and disturbances are studied. Procedures for tuning of control parameters are presented in the form of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI). Aspects of practical implementation of developed algorithms are discussed. Theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations.

International audience; Theorems on Implicit Lyapunov Functions (ILF) for finite-time and fixed-time stability analysis of nonlinear systems are presented. Based on these resutls, new nonlinear control laws are designed for robust stabilization of a chain of integrators. High order sliding mode (HOSM) algorithms are obtained as particular cases. Some aspects of digital implementations of the presented algorithms are studied, it is shown that they possess a chattering reduction ability. Theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations.

International audience; Several conditions are proposed to check different robustness properties (ISS, iISS, IOSS and OSS) for generic nonlinear systems applying the weighted homogeneity concept (global or local). The advantages of this result are that, under some mild conditions, the system robustness can be established as a function of the degree of homogeneity.

The temperature dependence of diffusion length, lifetime, and diffusivity of the free exciton is measured in a commercial ZnO-substrate as well as in an epitaxial ZnO quantum well using nm-spatially and ps-time-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. The characteristic temperature dependence of the exciton mobility gives information of the underlying excitonic scattering processes. Since excitons are neutral particles, scattering at ionized impurities should be not effective. On both samples, with decreasing temperature, the diffusion lengths, lifetimes, and diffusivity give rise to a monotonic increase of the excitonic mobility. Two different methods will be discussed and are used for determining the excitonic transport parameters. On the one hand, we are able to perform completely pulsed excitation experiments, and on the other hand, a combination of cw excitation and pulsed excitation in two independent measurements is used.

A new sliding mode control design algorithm for a linear and a class of nonlinear quasi-Lipschitz disturbed system is presented. It is based on the appropriate selection of the sliding surface via invariant ellipsoid method. The designed control guarantees minimization of unmatched disturbances effects to system motions in a sliding mode. The obtained theoretical results are approved by numerical simulations.

Apoptosis of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) is a fundamental mechanism to halt inflammation. It limits the lifespan of PMNs and thereby decreases tissue injury. In PMNs, unlike in other cells, hypoxia profoundly inhibits apoptosis. However, most studies investigating hypoxic effects on the functioning of PMN focus on acute or chronic sustained hypoxia. Thus, the mechanisms by which intermittent hypoxia (IH) affects PMN apoptosis are not known. Flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to evaluate mechanisms of constitutive and TNF-α-mediated PMN apoptosis in IH. The levels of NF-κB, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), TNF receptor-2 (TNFR-2), intracellular IL-8 and its surface receptor CXCR2, were determined. Specific NF-κB (gliotoxin and parthenolide) and p38MAPK (SB202190) inhibitors were also used. TNF-α-mediated PMN apoptosis was concentration-dependent; low concentration increased PMN survival, whereas higher concentrations accelerated apoptosis. However, at all TNF-α concentrations, PMN survival was higher after four IH cycles than in normoxia. However, increasing the IH cycles to six abolished the pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic effects of TNF-α. Also, IH increased TNRF2 expression, nuclear NF-κB translocation, p38MAPK phosphorylation, and expression of IL-8 and CXCR2. The NF-κB inhibitors gliotoxin and parthenolide increased apoptosis and decreased IL-8 and CXCR2 expression. Also, the p38MAPK inhibitor SB202190 increased apoptosis and decreased IL-8 expression but had no effect on CXCR2 expression. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the mechanisms that prolong PMN survival after IH exposure and demonstrate the essential role played by NF-κB, the p38MAPK signaling pathway, and downstream genes in this process.

For the control systems with higher-order sliding modes, a method was proposed to construct the Lyapunov functions on the basis of the method of characteristics for solution of a special first-order partial derivative equation. Its successful solution enables one to generate the Lyapunov function which proves that the convergence time is finite and estimates explicitly the time of reaching the sliding mode.

Consideration was given to the problem of robust output stabilization of the nonlinear system using the method of invariant ellipsoids on assumption that the system satisfies a Lipschitz-like condition and the system output is subjected to bounded external disturbances. It was reduced to a special optimization problem with solution based on the theory of linear matrix inequalities. The proposed approach was illustrated by an example of stabilization of a spacecraft with elastic dynamic elements. The designed control represents a combination of the "accelerate-decelerate" algorithm and a linear feedback obtained using the method of invariant ellipsoids.

Consideration was given to the problems of local and semiglobal practical stabilization of the linear plants under uncertainty using the relay control with indeterminate delay. The necessary and sufficient existence conditions, as well as the algorithms to design the stabilizing control, were given. The problem of stabilization of the wheel-controlled flipped pendulum was considered by way of a numerical example.

For a sufficiently wide class of the linear hybrid systems, an algorithm of optimal feedback control was proposed. Consideration was given to the hybrid control systems with autonomous switching, as well as the corresponding problems of the hybrid linear-quadratic optimal control based on the recently suggested principle of maximum. Interrelations between the hybrid principle of maximum and the method of dynamic programming for the systems of this class were discussed. The classical formalism was extended, the corresponding Riccati equations were obtained, and discontinuity of the "hybrid" Riccati matrix was proved. The computational aspects of the established theoretical results were considered.

The results are presented of a new program of radiocarbon dating undertaken on 88 human skeletons. The individuals derived from Eneolithic to Early Iron Age sites—Afanasievo, Okunevo, Andronovo (Fedorovo), Karasuk, and Tagar cultures—in the Minusinsk Basin of Southern Siberia. All the new dates have been acquired from human bone, which is in contrast to some of the previous dates for this region obtained from wood and thus possibly unreliable due to old-wood effects or re-use of the timber. The new data are compared with the existing14C chronology for the region, thereby enabling a clearer understanding to be gained concerning the chronology of these cultures and their place within the prehistory of the Eurasian steppes.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a highly prevalent breathing disorder in sleep, characterized by intermittent and recurrent pauses in respiration, has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Accumulated evidence implicates Leukocyte-endothelial cell activation and adhesion as critical components that induce inflammation and injury to the vasculature resulting in the development of cardiovascular complications. Similar cellular interactions were described in conditions of ischemia/reperfusion, and various components of the metabolic syndrome as hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. The hallmark of sleep apnea ‐ the multiple cycles of hypoxia/reoxygenation ‐ promote oxidative stress and inflammation. These facilitate increased interactions of blood cells with endothelial cells, resulting in endothelial cell injury and dysfunction. Such events can promote atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular morbidities in OSA. However, inter-individual differences in response to intermittent hypoxia and activation of anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles in T lymphocytes can serve as protective mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To study, in humans, the effects of sound source azimuth and elevation on primary auditory cortex binaural activity associated with sound localization. DESIGN: Middle Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (MLAEPs) were recorded from three channels, in response to alternating polarity clicks, presented at a rate of 5/sec, at nine virtual spatial locations with different azimuths and elevations. Equivalent dipoles of Binaural Interaction Components (BICs) of MLAEPs were derived from 15 normally and symmetrically hearing adults by subtracting the response to binaural clicks at each spatial location from the algebraic sum of responses to stimulation of each ear alone. The amplified potentials were averaged over 4000 repetitions using a dwell time of 78 micro sec/address/channel. Variations in magnitudes, latencies and orientations of the dipole equivalents of cortical activity were noted in response to the nine spatial locations. RESULTS: Middle-latency BICs included six major components corresponding in latency to the vertex-neck recorded components of MLAEP. A significant decrease of equivalent dipole magnitude was observed for two of the components: Pa2 in response to clicks in the backward positions (medium and no elevation); and Nb in response to clicks in the back and front positions (medium and no elevation) in the midsagittal plane. In the coronal plane, Pa2 equivalent dipole magnitude significantly decreased in response to right-horizontal (no elevation) clicks. Significant effects on equivalent dipole latencies of Pa2 were found for backward positions (no elevation) in the midsagittal plane. No significant effects on Pa2 and Nb equivalent dipole orientations were found across stimulus conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in equivalent dipole magnitudes and latencies of MLAEP BICs across stimulus conditions may reflect spectral tuning in binaural primary auditory cortex neurons processing the frequency cues for sound localization.

Time delay does not allow realizing an ideal sliding mode, but implies oscillations in the state space. It is shown that relay delay controllers allow us to achieve stabilization for amplitude of oscillations suppressing uncertainties in a time delay even in the case when the time delay is variable. Sufficient conditions for a relay delay stabilization are found. The obtained results are illustrated in the example of the relay delay stabilization for the inverted pendulum.

Karyotype of the trematode Opisthorchis felineus from two populations of the Ob and the Tom’ rivers basins in the southeast of the West Siberian plain was investigated. Comparative analysis of the relative length and centromere indices of seven chromosomes showed that they are identical to literature data on the chromosome sets of this trematode species from the lower and upper courses of the Irtysh River. The quality of chromosome spreads improved the former knowledge of the karyotype structure of this species, in particular, the 6th and 7th chromosomes.

Transcription elongation factors stimulate the activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases by increasing the overall elongation rate and the completion of RNA chains. One group of such factors, which includes Escherichia coli GreA, GreB and eukaryotic SII (TFIIS), acts by inducing hydrolytic cleavage of the transcript within the RNA polymerase, followed by release of the 3'-terminal fragment. Here we report the crystal structure of GreA at 2.2 A resolution. The structure contains an amino-terminal domain consisting of an antiparallel alpha-helical coiled-coil dimer which extends into solution, reminiscent of the coiled coil in seryl-tRNA synthetases. A site near the tip of the coiled-coil 'finger' plays a direct role in the transcript cleavage reaction by contacting the 3'-end of the transcript. The structure exhibits an unusual asymmetric charge distribution which indicates the manner in which GreA interacts with the RNA polymerase elongation complex.

Three-channel Lissajous trajectories (3-CLTs) of the binaural interaction components of the auditory brainstem-evoked potentials were recorded from 17 adult subjects in response to rarefaction, condensation and alternating polarity clicks. All 3-CLTs included 3 planar segments (named Bd, Be and Bf) whose latencies, amplitudes, orientations, sizes and shapes were not affected by click polarity. A significant increase was found in the duration of planar segment Be to alternating polarity clicks. This effect may be explained by limitations of spatiotemporal resolution of the method, which did not allow distinction of contributions from temporally overlapping generators participating in binaural processing.

Our objective was to study the effects of sound source direction and elevation on human brainstem electrical activity associated with sound localization. The subjects comprised 15 normal-hearing and symmetrically hearing adults Auditory brainstem evoked potentials (ABEPs) were recorded from three channels, in response to alternating-polarity clicks, presented at a rate of 21.1/s, at nine virtual spatial locations with different direction and elevation attributes Equivalent dipoles of the binaural interaction components (BICs) of ABEPs were derived by subtracting the response to binaural clicks at each spatial location from the algebraic sum of monaural responses to stimulation of each ear in turn. The BICs included two major components corresponding in latency to the vertex-neck-recorded components V and VI of ABEP. A significant decrease of the first BIC's equivalent dipole magnitude was observed for clicks in the horizontal-frontal position (no elevation) in the midsagittal plane, and for clicks in the left-horizontal (no elevation) and right diagonally above the head (medium elevation) positions in the coronal plane, compared to clicks positioned directly above the head. Significant effects on equivalent dipole latencies of this component were found for front-back positions in the midsagittal plane and left-right positions in the coronal plane, compared to clicks positioned directly above the head. The most remarkable finding was a significant change in equivalent dipole orientations across stimulus conditions. We conclude that the changes in BIC equivalent dipole latency, amplitude and orientation across stimulus conditions reflect differences in the distribution of binaural pontine activity evoked by sounds in different spatial locations.

The binaural interaction components (BIC) of the human auditory brainstem responses have been associated with sound lateralization which involves analyzing correlated inputs from the two ears. To test the hypothesis that BIC generators are specifically sensitive to binaural, correlated sounds, the effects of monaural and binaural correlated and uncorrelated masking on BIC to clicks were compared. Analysis included peak-to-prestimulus baseline amplitudes and latencies of BIC peaks from the vertex-mastoid ('A') and vertex-neck ('Z') channels, as well as the three-channel Lissajous trajectory (3-CLT) measures. Trajectory amplitudes of BIC BdIII, BeI and BeII were significantly suppressed by correlated (but not by uncorrelated) binaural noise, when compared with the unmasked condition. Moreover, component BdIII was more affected by masking with correlated than with uncorrelated binaural noise. Overall, binaural noise was more effective in suppressing BIC then monaural noise, and interaurally correlated binaural noise was more effective than uncorrelated binaural noise. These results are compatible with BIC generation by a binaurally activated subset of central auditory neurones which is sensitive to interaurally correlated sounds. Such a subset has been associated with the superior olivary complex and is assumed to be involved in sound lateralization.