ALBERT

Notes: Abstract The theory of complementary variational principles is used to obtain maximum and minimum principles for diffusion problems with Michaelis-Menten kinetics. In an illustrative calculation we obtain an extremely accurate variational solution in good agreement with the numerical solution of McElwain (1978).

Notes: Abstract Necessary and sufficient conditions for primitivity of a product of two Leslie matrices are given. Such a product could be used in modeling the growth of a population governed alternately by two different sets of fertility and survival parameters.

Notes: Abstract Zadeh's transfer function method for linear time-variable systems is used to apply frequency-domain analysis to a periodically time-varying elastance model of the left ventricle. Left ventricular pressure computed from the system function of the time-varying elastance and the phasors of aortic flow shows a typical waveform of the measured ventricular pressure.

Notes: Abstract The entropy budget of a white-tailed deer (50kg) on a maintenance diet and a full-feed diet in a standing posture in an open field under clear nocturnal skies with an air temperature of −20°C is investigated based on the energetics given by Moen. Entropy inflow into a white-tailed deer due to infra-red radiation and entropy outflows from a deer due to infra-red radiation, convection, evaporation of water and conduction to ingested food are calculated. Also the entropy production due to metabolic heat production is estimated. Net entropy flow into a deer from its environment becomes negative. On the assumption that a white-tailed deer is in a steady state in entropy, the total entropy production in a deer on a maintenance diet becomes +0.46 J/sec/K. Positiveness of the entropy production shows that the Second Law of Thermodynamics certainly holds in a white-tailed deer. The entropy production per effective radiating surface area of a deer on a maintenance diet is 0.32×10−4 J/cm2/sec/K. On the other hand, the entropy production in a deer on a full-feed diet is 0.59 J/sec/K and that per effective surface area is 0.41×10−4 J/cm2/sec/K. Uptake of 1 g of food produces 22 J/K of entropy within the body of a white-tailed deer. Comparison is made with the results for entropy production in a lizard and in plant leaves.

Notes: Abstract Biological adaptability has been proved to be analysable by means of the Maximum Entropy Formalism (MAXENT) in some cases of non-interacting systems. This formalism is extended to the biomass statistical structures of populations exhibiting internal interactions (i.e. predatorprey effects).

Notes: Abstract The temporal behaviours of the nonlinear substructure of a self-organized compartmental model of calcium metabolism were investigated. The order-two autocatalytic process included in this simple two-dimensional model is compared to some secondary nucleation mechanisms which should take place at the extracellular fluid-bone interface. The model gives rise to complex dynamic behaviours, and multistability properties, involving up to two stable periodic regimes (birhythmicity), were established in different topological configurations. The bifurcations occurring on the boundaries between regions of different qualitative behaviour have been determined. These properties are discussed in relation to the dynamical behaviour of other two-variable models, especially those including the same nonlinearity.

Notes: Abstract A linearized oscillation theorem due to Kulenović, Ladas and Meimaridou (1987,Quart. appl. Math. XLV, 155–164) and an extension of it are applied to obtain the oscillation of solutions of several equations which have appeared in population dynamics. They include the logistic equation with several delays, Nicholson's blowflies model as described by Gurney, Blythe and Nisbet (1980,Nature, Lond. 287, 17–21) and the Lasota-Wazewska model of the red blood cell supply in an animal. We also developed a linearized oscillation result for difference equations and applied it to several equations taken from the biological literature.

Notes: Abstract A theoretical approach to the explanation of the structural design of metabolic pathway is presented. It is based on the hypothesis that due to natural selection during evolution the cellular metabolism of present-day organisms may be characterized by optimal properties. Two cardinal terms enter the theory: (i) the efficiency of a metabolic pathway and (ii) the evolutionary effort for the change of the kinetic parameters of enzymes by mutations of the corresponding genes. For both quantities simple mathematical expressions are proposed. While the efficiency is related to the reaction rates of the enzymes constituting the metabolic pathway, the evolutionary effort is considered to be a monotonically increasing function of the parameter values. By maximizing the efficiency under the constraint of a fixed evolutionary effort the theory allows the calculation of the optimal parameter distribution as the outcome of evolution processes. The methods developed are applied to the following systems: (a) linear reaction sequences with very low affinities of the enzymes towards substrates, (b) linear sequences consisting of saturable enzymatic reactions, (c) branched metabolic pathways consisting of segments of linear chains and (d) glycolysis of erythrocytes. The conclusion is derived that the optimal distribution of kinetic constants depends strongly on the equilibrium constants of the reactions as well as on the total osmolarity of the metabolic intermediates. Without osmotic constraints the evolutionary effort is mainly spent on the enzymes at the beginning of the chain. Using Michaelis-Menten equations the optimal state is characterized by a decrease of the maximal activities of the enzymes towards the end of the chain. These results are modified if osmotic constraints are taken into account. At the investigation of branched pathways the following results were obtained: firstly, if a certain end product may be synthesized along different pathways those which are thermodynamically more unfavourable (e.g. characterized by a small change of free energy) are eliminated in the course of evolution; secondly, if a branched pathway leads to several important end products those reaction segments which are thermodynamically unfavourable are characterized by a higher evolutionary effort. The application of the theory to a realistic model of glycolysis of erythrocytes leads to a correct description of various functionally important properties of the system, such as the ratio between fluxes through different branches and the ATP/ADP ratio, whereas the theory cannot predict the strong separation of time constants observed in the real glycolytic system. It is concluded that the improvement of the predictive power of the theory necessitates the use of more complex functionals for the efficiency which take into account not only the fluxes but also other system properties such as the stability of the pathway or homoeostatic effects.

Notes: Abstract The chromosomal theory of inbreeding based on a gametic interaction system lead us to define a depression coefficientD. Comparison of random, sib and half-sib matings (with inbreeding coefficientF=0, 1/4 and 1/8) shows thatD depends on the structure of the starting population and on values of the model parameters. This result accounts for responses of lines whose depression does not depend directly on the inbreeding coefficient and which theories of inbreeding based on increasing homozygosity fail to explain.

Notes: Abstract An idealization of chemical combination is formulated as a model of computability, and it is shown that this model has universal computational power just in case assembly has at least two-dimensional space in which to occur. It is also shown that this model, under reinterpretation, corresponds to a cellular automaton in which growth occurs by differentiation only (i.e., the state into which any cell is born is thereadfter fixed). Hence this latter model of growth is also computationally universal.

Notes: Abstract Kinetics of biological light emission processes do not mean what they seem to mean, because measured light intensity is not proportional to reactant concentration but to reaction rate. Therefore, the differential equation for light decay is usually different from that of concentration decay, so that mass action interpretations cannot be applied directly to light intensity decay. An observed second order light decay for Chlorella at 6.5°C, implies Elovich solid state reaction kinetics, which agrees with other evidence for solid state processes in photosynthesis. An observed 1.5 order light decay for Cholorella at 28°C implies second order liquid or solid state reaction kinetics. First ordere light decay implies first order reaction kinetics.

Notes: Abstract Analysis based on the integration of differential inequalities is employed to derive upper and lower bounds on the total populationN(t) = ∫ R θ(x 1,x 2,t) dx 1 dx 2 of a biological species with an area-density distribution function θ=θ(x 1,x 2,t) (≥0) governed by a reaction-diffusion equation of the form ∂θ/∂t =D∇2θ +fθ −gθ n+1 whereD (〉0),n (〉0),f andg are constant parameters, θ=0 at all points on the boundary ∂R of an (arbitrary) two-dimensional regionR, and the initial distribution (θ(x 1,x 2, 0) is such thatN(0) is finite. Forg≥0 withR the entire two-dimensional Euclidean space, a lower bound onN(t) is obtained, showing in particular thatN(∞) is bounded below by a finite positive quantity forf≥0 andn〉1. An upper bound onN(t) is obtained for arbitrary bounded or unbounded)R withn=1,f andg negative, and ∫ R θ(x 1,x 2, 0)2 dx 1 dx 2 sufficiently small in magnitude, implying that the population goes to extinction with increasing values of the time,N(∞)=0. Forg≥0 andR of finite area, the analysis yields upper bounds onN(t), predicting eventual extinction of the population if eitherf≤0 or if the area ofR is less than a certain grouping of the parameters in cases for whichf is positive. These results are directly applicable to biological species with distributions satisfying the Fisher equation in two spatial dimensions and to species governed by certain specialized population models.

Notes: Abstract The equilibrium probability distribution of the process level is studied for a general class of reversible stochastic reactions. A calculationally convenient approximation for equilibrium probabilities is derived and its accuracy is investigated over a range of values of the equilibrium constant. A method of approximating the equilibrium means and variance is developed and illustrated forQ th-order processes.

Notes: Abstract Beside the concept of material inputs and outputs of components of the representation of biological systems given to us by Rosen, the concept of energy is incorporated. The interaction of material and energy is represented by a cartesian product; and separate material and energetical mappings are considered as the new representation of components. These developments generate aMα category, and it is shown thatMα is isomorphic to theM category of previous developments.

Notes: Abstract This paper discusses the solution of a generaln-compartment system with time dependent transition probabilities utilizing the technique described by Cardenas and Matis (1975) (hereafter abbreviated (CM)). In addition, the cumulant generating function is derived for a special class of reversiblen-compartment systems where the time-dependent intensity coefficients corresponding to the migration and death rates are some multiple of each other. The immigration rates can be any integrable function of time. The moments are also obtained and the solution to the two-compartment system is presented explicitly. The solution is illustrated with a linear and a periodic function which forms have been widely reported in the literature.

Notes: Abstract The relations (inflow) = (dose)/(area under indicator curve), and (volume of distribution) = (throughflow) × (mean transit time) are derived by a matrix method for a system of interconnected subsystems, within which spatial indicator activity gradients may exist, and for compartments, within which the indicator activity is spatially uniform. The inflow theorem, is different from the outflow theorem. Equivalent labeling of multi-input systems reduces them formally to single input systems. Foreign indicator flow-volume kinetics are more general than, and include as a special case, tracer flux-mass (metabolic) kinetics. Volume of distribution in the indicator steady state may be different from the equilibrium volume of distribution.

Notes: Abstract Perturbation methods are applied to a differential equation predator-prey model to find the approximate amplitudes and period of limit cycle solutions. In the model the feeding rate per unit predator per unit prey decreases as the prey become scare. The rigorous applicability of the perturbation technique depends on the assumptions that the limit cycle amplitude is relatively small and that near the equilibrium point the growth rate of each species is most sensitive to changes in the density of the other species. The second assumption is usually roughly satisfied in practice and examples are considered which suggest that the first assumption can be greatly relaxed.

Notes: Abstract Signal Detection Theory can be used to provide a mathematical model describing the choice of a predator trying to distinguish between a model and a Batesian mimic. The mathematical model yields a number of a deductions, in particular that it may or may not assist the mimic population if mimics more closely resemble their models. The assumptions underlying the analysis are discussed in some detail.

Notes: Abstract A new type of physical transition, denotedS→S *, has been detected in irradiated organic molecules (λ=546 nm) through their interaction with specific biological macromolecules. In a specific enzyme-substrate interaction, a clear enhancement of the reaction rate is observed, when the substrate is irradiated with sharply well defined times. These “efficient irradiation times” are always of the 5k sec type (k=1, 2, 3, …). They have been consistently revealed in a great number of specific biological interactions. The present note demonstrates an important property, i.e. that forevery irradiation time aS→S * transition is induced in organic molecules. It is shown that for any irradiation times different from the 5k sec type (k=1, 2, 3, …) states of theS * type may occur, but the biological macromolecules may “detect” only theS * states induced by irradiations of the 5k sec type.

Notes: Abstract A semi-empirical model applicable to the flow of blood and other particulate suspensions through narrow tubes has been developed. It envisages a central core of blood surrounded by a wall layer of reduced hematocrit. With the help of this model the wall layer thickness and extent of plug flow may be calculated using pressure drop, flow rate and hematocrit reduction data. It has been found from the available data in the literature that for a given sample of blood the extent of plug flow increases with decreasing tube diameter. Also for a flow through a given tube it increases with hematocrit. The wall layer thickness is found to decrease with increase in blood hematocrit. A comparison between the results of rigid particulate suspensions and blood reveals that the thicker wall layer and smaller plug flow radius in the case of blood may be attributed to the deformability of the erythrocytes.

Notes: Abstract Three dimensional laminar, viscid flow is developed for Newtonian fluids which provides absolute values for axial, radial and tangential velocity fields everywhere if the dimensions of the vessel are known and two simultaneous axial velocities e.g. on and off the central axis in the same plane, and the central axis axial velocity gradient are measured. In addition, normal and shear stresses are determinable. The equation set satisfies geometric and other known flow limiting conditions such as no slip at surfaces etc. and are amenable for inclusion in general, dynamic flow expressions. Alternatively they may be used alone for certain problems involving gradients and secondary flows. A range of illustrations are shown for a distorting vessel with elliptic cross-section and small axial taper (analogous to the pulmonary trunk during ejection).

Notes: Abstract A regulated left ventricular dynamics model is presented which involves interaction of the dynamics of the left ventricular and circulatory systems and their regulation by the central nervous system. On-line human parametric simulation (parameter estimation) and consequential prognostic implications (based on parametric values) are demonstrated. Model responses to simulated physiologic stresses help delineate tolerances of subjects. In order to have an estimate of the reliability of the model, the sensitivity of the model's responses to changes in the values of its intrinsic parameters is assessed. Also determined is the extent to which errors in measuring the pressure affect the calculated values of the model's simulation parameters and subsequently influence the values of other diagnostically useful variables (such as contractility, oxygen consumption rate, heart rate), when the model is used to determine the limiting physiological stress sustainable by the subject. A comparison of the model's composition with those of other similar cardio-circulatory models is included.

Notes: Abstract Then-stage harvesting strategy of Elizarov and Svirezhev is examined. As a result, some important new features appear. A discussion is presented on whether or not one should harvest a species at one time stage or wait until a later time. The paper is concerned with contributions which are primarily mathematical formulations and results for continuous, as well as discrete time, logistic growth of a single species being harvested. Age class structure is ignored.

Notes: Abstract In order to evaluate the effect of anatomic asymmetries on the gas concentration distribution in the pulmonary airways, a Monte Carlo simulation of combined bulk flow and molecular diffusion was carried out in a realistic distal airway model (Parkeret al., 1971). This airway model, composed of branches distal to the 0.5-ram diameter airways, contained an upper symmetric segment consisting of four generations of conducting airways and a lower asymmetric segment of alveolar ducts and sacs arranged in five transport paths of varying lengths. In accounting for the volume increases of these ducts and sacs occurring during normal respiration, uniform alveolar filling rates and a fixed length-to-diameter ratio of all airways were assumed. For a pulse injection of inert tracer gas, the simulation was employed to determine the longitudinal concentration profiles in the conducting airways. In the alveolated airways, not only were the longitudinal profiles determined along each path, but radial transport from the core to the periphery of the airways was considered. The results of the simulations indicate that geometric asymmetries alone contribute substantially to regional concentration variations in the distal airways. For example, when a gas bolus is injected at mid*inspiration, there are concentration differences as great as 40% between two points along different transport paths located equi-distant from the proximal end of the model. As viewed from the terminal end of the model (acinus), average concentration differences as large as 6-to-1 exist between the longest and shortest transport paths respectively for gas boli introduced near the end of inspiration. The results further indicate because of large radial diffusion rates, no significant concentration differences exist between the periphery a-ld the central core of alveolated airways. Simulation of the expired concentration profiles indicate that boll injected very late during inspiration exhibit a sloping tail, unlike the earlier injected boll whose tails are virtually horizontal. Through the use of superposition teehniqnes, it was found that these sloping tails correspond to an alveolar slope of 1.5 vol% between 750 and 1250 ml expired for a continuous washing of tracer. This result is in disagreement with other transport analyses which did not directly account for the effect of geometric asymmetries.

Notes: Abstract Assuming a spherical geometry for the left ventricle, passive elastic stiffness-stress relations have been obtained on the basis of linear elasticity theory and large deformation theory. Employing pressure-volume aata taken from rat hearts of various age groups, it is shown that young rat heart muscle (1 month) is stiffer than either adult (7 months) or old rat heart muscle (17 months). Although the qualitative results are similar for both elasticity theories, the large deformation theory gave results in closer agreement with those obtained from papillary muscle studies. These results imply that stiffness of muscleper se can be assessed from left ventricular pressure-volume data.

Notes: Abstract Deliberate evaluation of the quantum theory of nerve excitation is made by comparing it with Hill's theory in fitting the experimental data on threshold-frequency relation, optimum frequency (v0) for nerve excitation and strength-duration relation. Decrease of v0 and increase of all the time constants (Hill's λ andk, Wei'sT 2 and spike durationw) with decreasing temperature are interpreted on the basis of the dipole relaxation timeT 2 but inexplicable from Hill's theory or any other existing theory. The closeness ofk,T 2 andw values is explained. A variety of experimental results obtained by others is discussed. Finally, a comparison is made between the Hodgkin-Huxley equations and the quantum theory. Most of the facts (electrical and non-electrical) tend to support the thesis that nerve excitation is a macroscopic expression of quantum transitions of dipoles between energy states.

Notes: Abstract In the periodic Leslie model the asymptotic period of total population is a divisor of the asymptotic period of the population vector. Under reasonable circumstances these periods are identical.

Notes: Abstract A number of biological branching systems, such as the bronchial and pulmonary arterial trees, are being investigated in an ongoing study in order to define their physiological properties. The technique involves the description of branching trees by the use of hierarchical systems of ordering, especially those described by Horsfield and by Strahler. During this work some mathematical properties of branching trees were demonstrated and these are described in this paper.

Notes: Abstract Luteinizing hormone (LH) is secreted continuously from the anterior pituitary gland. The concentration in the blood of this gonadotropic hormone plays a regulatory role in the development of puberty in both sexes, in the induction of ovulation in females, and in the production of testosterone in males. The secretion of LH is in turn controlled by luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) secreted by the hypothalamus. LH and LHRH are removed from the blood by degradation and excretion. This hormonal system is modelled by a system of ordinary differential equations based upon specific physiological and biochemical assumptions current among experimentalists in this field. The one exception is the assumption that LHRH may bind reversibly to a serum protein; an analysis of the data shows that this or a similar mechanism is a crucial specification. Data on the serum levels of LH and LHRH in two human subjects were fitted using the model. The data consist of the transients and subsequent decays created by a bolus intravenous injection of LHRH.

Notes: Abstract A thick-wall incompressible, elastic sphere was used as a model for the diastolic rat left ventricle. A model for myocardial nonhomogeneity was derived assuming that fiber (circumferential) stress was independent of position in the ventricular wall. The theoretical implications of the resulting constitutive relations together with the spherical model were analyzed in the context of large deformation elasticity theory. It was found that muscle stiffness at a given level of uniaxial stress increased monotonically from the endocardium to the epicardium. In addition, fiber stress was found to be essentially a linear function of transmural pressure above a pressure of 6 g/cm2. It was also shown theoretically that neglecting the nonhomogeneity of the myocardium resulted in a state of stress which differed significantly from that predicted by the nonhomogeneous model. For example, at a transmural pressure of 14 g/cm2, fiber stress in the nonhomogenous model was equal to 17 g/cm2 while fiber stress in the homogeneous model varied between 100 g/cm2 at the endocardial surface and 2 g/cm2 at the epicardial surface. The change in muscle stiffness with position which characterized the nonhomogeneous model also tended to linearize the highly curvilinear radial stress distribution predicted by the homogeneous model at a given transmural pressure.

Notes: Abstract The phenomenon of axonal transport has been well documented (Ochs, 971; Lasek, 1970; and Grafstein, 1967). In a previous paper, we showed how diffusion alone could not account for this process. In this report we show that convection or convection with diffusion can account for the observed build-up of material. By including a first-order catabolic sequestration term, we are able to offer an understanding of the several apparent rates of transport with the same underlying velocity and variable sequestration.

Notes: Abstract It is known that the Lotka-Volterra coupled nonlinear differential equations for a two-species prey-predator ecosystem possess a periodic solution, although its exact form is not yet obtained analytically. The conventional linearization approximation for solving these nonlinear equations leads to a harmonic oscillator whose frequency depends only on the intraspecific coefficients. We propose here a prescription for obtaining nonlinear correction to the linear frequency by using the Hamilton-Jacobi canonical formalism of classical mechanics. It is found that the first-order correction, which also involves interspecific parameters, exhibits the basic qualitative features of the nonlinearity.

Notes: Abstract Environmental safety testing typically requires procedures for extrapolating from the relatively high experimental to the very low use doses of potentially harmful substances. In the present paper, a stochastic mammillary compartmental model for environmental safety testing is proposed and extrapolation procedures based on its dose-response relationship are developed. The proposed model is a direct generalization of one of the basic safety models, the one-hit model, in that a harmful reaction is assumed to occur if at any time any of the peripheral compartments attains a specified threshold of particles. Consideration of a closed model yields an upper bound on the probability of attaining a certain threshold level, thus providing a conservative procedure for extrapolating to a low dose, while a lower bound obtained from a related open model provides a useful monitoring device as to the sharpness of the upper, bound. The extrapolation procedure is illustrated with simulated data and approximations for initial values are developed.

Notes: Abstract By using chromosome images as a framework, algorithms for finding most dissimilar images are presented and illustrated by examples. In terms of angles, a chromosome image consists of two exterior biangles and two interior biangles. Biangles are defined and classified into 180° biangles, 〉180° biangles and 〈180° biangles. The dissimilarity of biangles and its geometric interpretation together with various properties of biangles are also presented. The results may have useful applications in pattern recognition, scene analysis, information storage and retrieval, artificial intelligence and fuzzy set theory.

Notes: Abstract The Volterra equations which represent competitions between two species are utilized to examine the phenomenon of boundary formation between two species of plants. The set of stable stationary points for these equations is determined and is illustrated in a product space of parameters and dynamical variables. The stages of boundary appearance and succession are visualized by considering slow changes of the parameters as functions of time and space.

Notes: Abstract Bayesian image processing formalisms which incorporatea priori information about valued-uncorrelated and valued-correlated (patterned) source distributions are introduced and the corresponding iterative algorithms are derived using the EM technique. Striking improvement in image processing is demonstrated when applying these algorithms to Poisson and Gaussian randomized data in one-dimensional cases.

Notes: Abstract In the framework of the neural network theory effects similar to hypnotic displays are constructed. They are based on the associative paradigm involving non-linear interaction of excitatory and inhibitory channels with synaptic memory. The non-linearity of long-term memorizing processes may cause effects exhibited by blind spots, which are interpreted as the first stage of hypnosis. More complicated phenomena are discussed in terms of a two-layer network.

Notes: Abstract Mutation is introduced into autocatalytic reaction networks. The differential equations obtained are neither of repliator-type nor can they be transformed straightway into a linear equation. Examples of low dimensional dynamical systems —n=2, 3 and 4 — are discussed and complete qualitative analysis is presented. Error thresholds known from simple replication-mutation kinetics with frequency independent replication rates occur here as well. Instead of cooperative transitions or higher order phase transitions the thresholds appear here as supercritical or subcritical bifurcations being analogous to first-order phase transitions.

Notes: Abstract The non-linear behavior of a differential equations-based predator-prey model, incorporating a spatial refuge protecting a consant proportion of prey and with temperature-dependent parameters chosen appropriately for a mite interaction on fruit trees, is examined using the numerical bifurcation code AUTO 86. The most significant result of this analysis is the existence of a temperature interval in which increasing the amount of refuge dynamically destabilizes the system; and on part of this interval the interaction is less likely to persist in that predator and prey minimum population densities are lower than when no refuge is available. It is also shown that increasing the amount of refuge can lead to population outbreaks due to the presence of multiple stable states. The ecological implications of a refuge are discussed with respect to the biological control of mite pests.

Notes: Abstract In many applications of control theory on plant growth models biomass maximization is postulated to avoid analytically unsolvable problems while fruit maximization is commonly considered to be a more realistic criterion. In a special case, we are able to compare these criteria. Iwasa and Roughgarden (1984,Theor. Pop. Biol. 25, 78–105) have investigated a certain class of plant growth models using a fruit maximization criterion. They proved that, in the vegetative growth period, the organs follow a certain path of balanced growth. We show that this path remains optimal when biomass maximization is postulated. This underlines the importance of the balanced growth path found by Iwasa and Roughgarden. Furthermore, our result suggests that in the vegetative growth period the biomass maximization criterion is a good approximation of fruit maximization. In another theoretical control investigation, Schultzeet al. (1983,Oecologia 58, 169–177) derived a different type of balanced growth path. We apply the theory of Iwasa and Roughgarden to an improved version of the model of Schulzeet al. This leads to a new description of balanced growth between root and shoot that reflects non-linearities in the water uptake process and constitutes an interesting hypothesis for further experimental testing.

Notes: Abstract In this paper the effects of changing the ion concentration in and around a sample of soft tissue are investigated. The triphasic theory developed by Laiet al. (1990,Biomechanics of Diarthrodial Joints, Vol. 1, Berlin, Springer-Verlag) is reduced to two coupled partial differential equations involving fluid ion concentration and tissue solid deformation. These equations are given in general form for Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical geometries. After solving the two equations quantities such as fluid velocity, fluid pressure, chemical potentials and chemical expansion stress may be easily calculated. In the Cartesian geometry comparison is made with the experimental and theoretical work of Myerset al. (1984,ASME J. biomech. Engng,106, 151–158). This dealt with changing the ion concentration of a salt shower on a strip of bovine articular cartilage. Results were obtained in both free swelling and isometric tension states, using an empirical formula to acount for ion induced deformation. The present theory predicts lower ion concentrations inside the tissue than this earlier work. A spherical sample of tissue subjected to a change in salt bath ion concentration is also considered. Numerical results are obtained for both hypertonic and hypotonic bathing solutions. Of particular interest is the finding that tissue may contract internally before reaching a final swollen equilibrium state or swell internally before finally contracting. By considering the relative magnitude, and also variation throughout the time course of terms in the governing equations, an even simpler system is deduced. As well as being linear the concentration equation in the new system is uncoupled. Results obtained from the linear system compare well with those from the spherical section. Thus, biological swelling situations may be modelled by a simple system of equations with the possibility, of approximate analytic solutions in certain cases.

Notes: Abstract Many models of immune networks have been proposed since the original work of Jerne [1974,Ann. Immun. (Inst. Pasteur) 125C, 373–389]. Recently, a limited class of models (Weisbuchet al., 1990,J. theor. Biol. 146, 483–499) have been shown to maintain immunological memory by idiotypic network interactions. We examine generalizations of these models when the networks are both large and highly connected to study their memory capacity, i.e. their ability to account for immunization to a large number of random antigens. Our calculations show that in these minimal models, random connectivities with continuously distributed affinities reduce the memory capacity to essentially nil.

Notes: Abstract A kinetic model is proposed to delineate the factors that determine the coronary reactive hyperemic response (RHR) to transient ischemia. The model comprises of myocardial-interstitial (M) and vascular (V) compartments. Vasodilator metabolites (VM) are produced in the M compartment during the interval of coronary occlusion. The rate of VM production is dependent on the flow rate during the ischemic period, the ratio of excess flow above the control level (R) to the loss of flow during occlusion period (D), the amount of oxygen stored and the degree of vasodilation in the V compartment prior to occlusion. Following a complete release of occlusion, VM are transported from the M to V compartment and are washed out or degraded with time. The time course of RHR is determined by the coronary patency which is proportional to VM concentration in the V compartment. Based on a set of numerical constants, the model is tested by simulating RHR to the various occlusion manoeuvres: a pair of 10 sec occlusions separated by brief release, a 15 sec release followed by a second brief occlusion, a brief release of an occlusion followed by restriced inflow and a period of restricted inflow after occlusion. The simulated results fit the experimental R/D and RH durations data of canine hearts. Factors that determine the impairment of RH capacity in coronary stenosis are suggested in terms of the model scheme.

Notes: Abstract In the present paper a kinetic study is made of the behaviour of a Michaelis-Menten enzyme-catalysed reaction in the presence of irreversible inhibitors rendered unstable in the medium by their reaction with the product of enzymatic catalysis. A general mechanism involving competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive and mixed irreversible inhibition with one or two steps has been analysed. The differential equation that describes the kinetics of the reaction is non-linear and computer simulations of its dynamic behaviour are presented. The results obtained show that the systems studied here present kinetic co-operativity for a target enzyme that follows the simple Michaelis-Menten mechanism in its action on the substrate, except in the case of an uncompetitive-type inhibitor.

Notes: Abstract The relative contributions of mitochondrial β-oxidation and peroxisomal β-oxidation and peroxisomal ω-oxidation to the oxidation of a given fatty acidin vivo can be quantitated by an isotopic method. The approach requires infusion of a fatty acid labelled on two specific carbon atoms (e.g. [1-14C] and [11-14C] palmitate) to an isotopic steady state, with subsequent isolation and degradation of an acetylated conjugate as a product of the liver cytosolic acetyl CoA pool and of ketone bodies as a product of the liver mitochondrial acetyl CoA pool.

Notes: Abstract Pancreatic β-cells in intact islets of Langerhans perfused with various glucose concentrations exhibit periodic bursting electrical activity (BEA) consisting of active and silent phases. The fraction of the time spent in the active phase is called the plateau fraction and appears to be strongly correlated with the rate of release of insulin from islets as glucose concentration is varied. Here this correlation is quantified and a theoretical development is presented in detail. Experimental rates of insulin release are correlated with “effective” plateau fractions over a range of glucose concentrations. There are a number of different models for BEA in pancreatic β-cells and a method is developed here to quantify the dependence of a glucose dependent parameter on glucose concentration. As an example, the plateau fractions computed from the Sherman-Rinzel-Keizer model are matched with experimental plateau fractions to obtain a relationship between the model's glucose-dependent parameter, β, and glucose concentration. Knowledge of the relationships between β and glucose concentration and between experimental measurements of rates of insulin release and plateau fractions permits the determination of theoretical rates of insulin release from the model.

Notes: Abstract When a suspension of bacterial cells of the speciesBacillus subtilis is placed in a chamber with its upper surface open to the atmosphere complex bioconvection patterns are observed. These arise because the cells: (1) are denser than water; and (2) usually swim upwards, so that the density of an initially uniform suspension becomes greater at the top than the bottom. When the vertical density gradient becomes large enough, an overturning instability occurs which ultimately evolves into the observed patterns. The reason that the cells swim upwards is that they are aerotactic, i.e. they swim up gradients of oxygen, and they consume oxygen. These properties are incorporated in conservation equations for the cell (N) and oxygen (C) concentrations, and these are solved in the pre-instability phase of development whenN andC depend only on the vertical coordinate and time. Numerical results are obtained for both shallow- and deep-layer chambers, which are intrinsically different and require different mathematical and numerical treatments. It is found that, for both shallow and deep chambers, a thin boundary layer, densely packed with cells, forms near the surface. Beneath this layer the suspension becomes severely depleted of cells. Furthermore, in the deep chamber cases, a discontinuity in the cell concentration arises between this cell-depleted region and a cell-rich region further below, where no significant oxygen concentration gradients develop before the oxygen is fully consumed. The results obtained from the model are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.

Notes: Abstract We describe a classification scheme for bursting oscillations which encompasses many of those found in the literature on bursting in excitable media. This is an extension of the scheme of Rinzel (inMathematical Topics in Population Biology, Springer, Berlin, 1987), put in the context of a sequence of horizontal cuts through a two-parameter bifurcation diagram. We use this to describe the phenomenological character of different types of bursting, addressing the issue of how well the bursting can be characterized given the limited amount of information often available in experimental settings.

Notes: Abstract To ensure its sustained growth, a tumour may secrete chemical compounds which cause neighbouring capillaries to form sprouts which then migrate towards it, furnishing the tumour with an increased supply of nutrients. In this paper a mathematical model is presented which describes the migration of capillary sprouts in response to a chemoattractant field set up by a tumour-released angiogenic factor, sometimes termed a tumour angiogenesis factor (TAF). The resulting model admits travelling wave solutions which correspond either to successful neovascularization of the tumour or failure of the tumour to secure a vascular network, and which exhibit many of the characteristic features of angiogenesis. For example, the increasing speed of the vascular front, and the evolution of an increasingly developed vascular network behind the leading capillary tip front (the brush-border effect) are both discernible from the numerical simulations. Through the development and analysis of a simplified caricature model, valuable insight is gained into how the balance between chemotaxis, tip proliferation and tip death affects the tumour's ability to induce a vascular response from neighbouring blood vessels. In particular, it is possible to define the success of angiogenesis in terms of known parameters, thereby providing a potential framework for assessing the viability of tumour neovascularization in terms of measurable quantities.

Notes: Abstract The paper presents a simple method for solving the optimal (LQG) control problem on an infinite time horizon for linear plants described by proper rational transfer function matrices. Since the class of proper plants discussed in the paper is more general than the one commonly used, additional properties of solutions are presented. Two numerical examples illustrate the theoretical considerations. The examples have been performed on an IBM PC using the proposed algorithm. This algorithm is a part of a public ASMCS package developed by the author for analysis, synthesis, and simulations of multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) control systems.

Notes: Abstract We study the behavior of a Hilbert network (i.e., a finite or countably infinite network whose variables are in a Hilbert space and in which the associated total energy is finite) whose elements are affected by perturbations. More specifically, we will give estimates for a change of the current distribution caused by (a) perturbations of the elements of the nominal network when the voltage sources are fixed, and (b) a change of voltage sources in a network whose elements are perturbed. The conditions given in our theorems imply insensitivity and robust stability of the nominal network. The applications of the results are illustrated by an example of an infinite network.

Notes: Abstract A new lattice filter structure to model two-dimensional (2-D) autoregressive (AR) fields is proposed. The proposed structure utilizes and extracts the information contained in the backward prediction error fields and their delayed versions. The main idea is to use two sets of reflection coefficients corresponding to two quadrant filters and to increase the number of reflection coefficients with the order of the lattice filter. Increasing the number of reflection coefficients at each stage produces a sufficient number of independent parameters to model AR fields up to order three, which is an improvement over the existing 2-D lattice filter structures. The improvement is confirmed by computer simulations. In addition, a relationship between the reflection coefficients and the AR coefficients is derived. It is also shown that the entropy contained in the backward prediction error field vector of the proposed structure is closer to the input entropy when compared to those contained in existing 2-D lattice filters.

Notes: Abstract This paper addresses the problem of global asymptotic stability in recursive first hyperquadrant causalm-D digital filters. A set of simple-to-check 1-D conditions necessary for stability of them-D system is given. Generalizations tov-dimensional (v〈m) subsystems are also provided. These derived conditions are useful in determining asymptotic convergence ofm-D digital filters implemented in fixed or floating point arithmetic. The set of 1-D conditions can be considered the analogous result to practical bounded input bounded output (BIBO) stability for linearm-D systems.

Notes: Abstract A new efficient algorithm for calculating the weighting coefficients of maximally linear, FIR digital differentiators is presented. Simple closed-form explicit and recursive formulas are derived in a very straightforward manner. Moreover, a simple recursive equation is established, relating coefficients of two digital differentiators of adjacent ranks.

Notes: Abstract This paper presents a sequence of pseudorandom arrays with triangular symmetry. The sequence of arrays is also pseudorandom in nature, so it can be called a pseudorandom sequence of arrays, or PRSA. A circuit for the PRSA generator is given and some interesting properties of this type of PRSA are discussed. Also, some of the concepts presented in this paper are clarified with an example.

Notes: Abstract We investigate the $L_p$ -error of approximation to a function $f\in L_p({\Bbb T}^d)$ by a linear combination $\sum_{k}c_ke_k$ of $n$ exponentials $e_k(x):= e^{i\langle k,x\rangle}=e^{i(k_1x_1+\cdots+k_dx_d)}$ on ${\Bbb T}^d,$ where the frequencies $k\in {\Bbb Z}^d$ are allowed to depend on $f.$ We bound this error in terms of the smoothness and other properties of $f$ and show that our bounds are best possible in the sense of approximation of certain classes of functions.

Notes: Abstract Let $L[\,\cdot\,]$ be a nondivergent linear second-order uniformly elliptic partial differential operator defined on functions with domain $\Omega.$ Consider the question, "When is a function u a solution of $L[u] = 0$ on $\Omega$ ?" The naive answer, "u is a solution of $L[u] = 0$ on $\Omega$ if $u\in C^2(\Omega)$ and $L[u](x) = 0$ for all $x\in\Omega,$ " is clearly too limited. Indeed, if the coefficients of L are in $W^{1,2}\cap L^{\infty},$ then L can be rewritten in divergence form for which the notion of a "weak" solution can be applied. In this case there could be infinitely many functions that are "weak" but not classical solutions. More importantly, even if the coefficients of L are just bounded and measurable, the recent results of Krylov permit us to construct "solutions" of $L[u] = 0$ on $\Omega,$ and these "solutions" are generally no better than continuous; the "weak" solutions previously mentioned can be obtained by this construction, too. The preceding discussion provides us with an adequate extrinsic definition of solution (i.e., given a function u we either prove that it is or is not the result of such a construction) that has been used by several authors, but one that is not particularly satisfying or illuminating. Our major contribution in this paper is to show the following. I. There is an intrinsic definition of solution that is equivalent to the extrinsic one. II. Furthermore, the intrinsic definition is just the (now) well-known Crandall-Lions viscosity solution, modified in a natural way to accommodate measurable coefficients.

Notes: Abstract We prove a Tauberian theorem of the form $\phi * g (x)\sim p(x)w(x)$ as $x \to \infty,$ where p(x) is a bounded periodic function and w(x) is a weighted function of power growth. It can be used to study the weighted average of the form $(T^\alpha (\hbox {ln }T)^\beta)^{-1}\int _0^T h(t) \, dt.$

Notes: Abstract In this paper, we present a new class of two-dimensional FIR-median hybrid (FMH) filters, which we call separable FMH filters, for image noise smoothing. In a separable FMH filter, a one-dimensional FMH filter is applied to the rows and the columns of an image successively. The deterministic properties of separable and cross window FMH filters are discussed. Under certain assumptions, it is proved that a root of a separable FMH filter is a root of the corresponding cross window FMH filter. The noise attenuating properties of a separable FMH filter are studied and compared with those of the separable median filter, the two-dimensional median filter with a square window, and the cross window FMH filter.

Notes: Abstract The Chinese remainder theorem is a fundamental technique widely employed in digital signal processing for designing fast algorithms for computing convolutions. Classically, it has two versions. One is over a ring of integers and the second is over a ring of polynomials with coefficients defined over a field. In our previous papers, we developed an extension to this well-known theorem for the case of a ring of polynomials with coefficients defined over a finite ring of integers. The objective was to generalize number-theoretictransforms, which turn out to be a special case of this extension. This paper focuses on the extension of the Chinese remainder theorem for processing complex-valued integer sequences. Once again, the present work generalizes the complex-number-theoretic transforms. The impetus for this work is provided by the occurrence of complex integer sequences in digital signal processing and the desire to process them using exact arithmetic.

Notes: Abstract A method to improve the stability of the forced response of a recursive digital filter with nonlinearities due to finite wordlength is presented. An analysis of applying a stability criterion on the nonlinear filter is performed by transforming the problem into a mathematical problem of finding a zero set. As a result of the mathematical analysis, one can find a maximal sector size that bounds an equivalent nonlinearity, so that stability is ensured. This sector size is influenced by the choice of the desired nonlinearity characteristic appropriate to the problem, and the amount of the input scaling needed. Another improvement of the filter's stability is obtained by adding a feedback gain, the value of which is determined by using the zero set-finding method. Simulation results showing the improved stability properties of a filter designed by this method are presented.

Notes: Abstract In this paper a fully systolic, bit level, three-port unconstrained adaptor, which constitutes the main nontrivial building block of ladder wave digital filters, is generated. The one-dimensional binary convolution is used as the underlying algorithm for the implementation of a multiplication. The Isb-first input data organization approach is adopted and thecanonical mapping methodology is used to fully systolize the unconstrained parallel three-port adaptor at the bit level with piplining period a=1. The technique is based on a transformation of the adaptor's signal-flow graph, so that unidirectional data flow takes place. A ring-systolic scheme is proposed for implementing communications among adaptors.

Notes: Abstract We consider the problem of robust stochastic adaptive control of not necessarily minimum phase systems in the presence of unmodelled dynamics. Stochastic gradient algorithms with parameter projection and modified gain sequence are used for the estimation of the unknown controller parameters. Global stability of the adaptive system is achieved without requiring the strictly positive real condition and the persistency exciting condition to be satisfied.

Notes: Abstract A theoretical framework for the investigation of the qualitative behavior of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) near an equilibrium point is established. The key notion of our approach is the notion of regularity. A DAE is called regular locally around an equilibrium point if there is a unique vector field such that the solutions of the DAE and the vector field are in one-to-one correspondence in a neighborhood of this equilibrium point. Sufficient conditions for the regularity of an equilibrium point are stated. This in turn allows us to translate several local results, as formulated for vector fields, to DAEs that are regular locally around a given equilibrium point (e.g. Local Stable and Unstable Manifold Theorem, Hopf theorem). It is important that these theorems are stated in terms of the given problem and not in terms of the corresponding vector field.

Notes: Abstract The classical notion of the λ-generalized nullspace, defined on a matrixA εR n×n,where λ is an eigenvalue, is extended to the case of ordered pairs of matrices(F, G), F, G ε R m×nwhere the associated pencilsF − G is right regular. It is shown that for every α εC ∪ {∞} generalized eigenvalue of (F, G), an ascending nested sequence of spaces {P α i ,i=1, 2,...} and a descending nested sequence of spaces {ie495-02 i=1, 2,...} are defined from the α-Toeplitz matrices of (F, G); the first sequence has a maximal elementM α * , the α-generalized nullspace of (F, G), which is the element of the sequence corresponding to the index τα, the α-index of annihilation of (F, G), whereas the second sequence has the first elementP α * as its maximal element, the α-prime space of (F, G). The geometric properties of the {M α i ,i=1, 2,...,τα and {P α i ,i=1, 2,...sets, as well as their interrelations are investigated and are shown to be intimately related to the existence of nested basis matrices of the nullspaces of the α-Toeplitz matrices of (F, G). These nested basis matrices characterize completely the geometry ofM α * and provide a systematic procedure for the selection of maximal length linearly independent vector chains characterizing theα-Segre characteristic of (F, G).

Notes: Abstract The robustness problem of stability for large-scale uncertain systems with a class of multiple time delays is addressed in this paper. By applying the complex Lyapunov stability theorem, the matrix measure techniques, and norm inequalities, a new approach for solving a general case of the above problem is proposed. Several robust stability conditions, delay-dependent or delay-independent, are derived to guarantee the asymptotic stability and exponential stability of the uncertain large-scale time-delay systems. Moreover, these obtained results can also be applied to the stabilization design.

Notes: Abstract Successful speech recognition is highly dependent on appropriate speech segmentation. The poor efficiency of the sequential detection of abrupt changes in the signals with relatively short stationary intervals, as is the case with speech signals, can be improved by the off-line maximum likelihood segmentation algorithm. In this paper the new segmentation algorithm is presented. For the a priori known number of segments, the algorithm determines such signal partitions for which the sum of segment distortion is minimal. The generalized maximum likelihood distortion measure has been introduced, and has proven to be particularly efficient on short signal segments. In the case of an unknown number of segments, its estimate is obtained comparing the reduction of the distortion. The asymptotic properties of the distortion sequence have been analyzed, which led to the definition of the presented segmentation algorithm. The introduced measure can be applied both to the AR and ARMA models. The segmentation algorithm is verified on test signals as well as on the natural speech signal, for which the pitch synchronous framing scheme is applied. The experimental results also include a comparison of the AR and ARMA model-based segmentations. The first results show that ARMA model-based segmentation gives somewhat better results than the AR model algorithm.

Notes: Abstract A new bit-serial architecture for implementation of high order FIR filters is introduced, as well as example FPGA and CMOS realizations. This structure exploits the simplicity of coefficients that consist of two power-of-two terms to yield efficient implementations. Quantization effects are discussed and a simple block scaling method for reducing rounding and truncation noise in high order filters is also presented.

Notes: Abstract This paper describes an implementation of 2-D FIR and IIR linear digital filters via VLSI array processors. The underlying realization structures are based on the matrix decomposition approach. The 2-D concurrent processing is used in order to implement the row and column delays within the cycle time. A high degree of concurrency is achieved by exploiting the pipelining of the array processors with the inherent parallelism of the matrix decomposition structure. The resulting structures are modular, and regular, use only local communication and internal local feedback loops, and achieve high throughput and sampling rates.

Notes: Abstract This article studies dynamical systems under perturbations. We prove an Equilibrium Equivalence Theorem that guarantees that the dynamics of the system remains unchanged under perturbations with certain fairly general assumptions. We also prove that a power system is robust with respect to parameter changes in generic situations. Concepts of equilibrium equivalence and equilibrium equivalence structural stability are developed and are applied to studies of bifurcations of vector fields on noncompact manifolds. A constructive approach to equilibrium equivalence structural stability verification is emphasized. General results on structural stability of vector fields on differential manifolds are established and important applications of this theory to stability analysis are considered.

Notes: Abstract The problem of designing a stabilizing compensator for a control system to achieve prescribed initial value constraintsυ (i)(0+)=yi is considered. Indeed, modulo certain technical conditions, such a compensator exists if and only if yi=0;i= 0,1,...,r〈p〉 +r〈t〉 −2; wherer〈p〉 is the relative degree of the plant andr〈t〉 is the relative degree of the system input. This theorem is derived and a complete parameterization of the set of compensators that achieve the prescribed design constraints is formulated.

Notes: Abstract Wideband source location in array signal processing has received much attention in the literature lately. Methods such as the Coherent Signal Subspace (CSS) method proposed by Wang and Kaveh [12], and the signal subspace method used by Cadzow [3], are typical of the approaches used to tackle the multiple wideband source location problem. Most of these methods are variations of the narrowband high-resolution methods. Grenier [5], on the other hand, has applied the idea of time-dependent Auto-Regressive (AR) modeling [7] for a nonstationary process to the frequency domain AR modeling of the sensor outputs in a linear array and has been able to produce good results for a wideband signal. The AR coefficients in the model are expanded in a set of frequency-dependent basis functions. The choice of the basis functions was deemed immaterial and the method works even when only one snapshot of the array output is available. In this paper, we re-examine this method and present an extension of the frequency-dependent AR modeling approach to a planar array. It is shown that the use of a set of sinc functions for representing the frequency-dependent AR coefficients accurately tracks their evolution in the frequency domain, and gives superior performance compared to that when power or Legendre functions are used. We also propose two methods for smoothing the spatial spectra, from which the source locations are determined. Comparison with the CSS method are also presented.

Notes: Abstract Centralized methods for source location using sensor arrays have computational and communication burdens that increase significantly with the number of sensors in the array. Therefore, these methods may not be usable in the applications involving very large arrays. In such applications, the data processing may need to be decentralized. This paper introduces two methods for decentralized array processing, based on the recently proposed MODE algorithm. For prescribed nonoverlapping subarrays, both methods are shown to be statistically optimal in the sense that asymptotically they provide the most accurate decentralized estimates of source location parameters. The problem of subarray selection to further optimize the estimation accuracy is only briefly addressed. The two methods are intended for different types of applications: the first should be preferred when there exist significant possibilities for local processing or for parallel computation in the central processor; otherwise the second method should be preferred. The accuracy of the two decentralized methods is compared to the centralized Cramér-Rao bound, both analytically and numerically, in order to provide indications about the loss of accuracy associated with decentralized processing.

Notes: Abstract We present in this paper a recursive-in-order least-squares (LS) algorithm to compute efficiently the parameters of a 2-D Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) model. The algorithm is based on the fact that the least-squares estimation of the parameters of a 2-D noncausal GMRF model is consistent and the coefficient matrix in the normal equation has near-to-block-Toeplitz structure. Hence, it has a Levinson-like form for the updating of model parameters by introducing auxiliary variables. Moreover, this paper proposes the concept ofrecursive path for 2-D recursive-in-order algorithms, and points out that there exists a tradeoff between fast computation of the parameters and accurate choice of model support; a compromise recursive path is then suggested where the orders change alternately in two directions. The computational complexity of the developed algorithm is analyzed, and the results show that the algorithm is more efficient when either the image size or the model support is larger. It is found that the total number of multiplications (mps) involved in the new algorithm is only about 14% of that in the conventional LS method when the image size is 512 × 512 and the neighbor set of the model is a 17 × 17 window. Computer simulation results using the recursive-in-order algorithm developed in this paper and the conventional LS method are given to verify the correctness of the new algorithm.

Notes: Abstract Cross terms are an inherent consequence of the second order nature of Cohen's class TFDs (Time-Frequency Distributions) [5], [6]. They are manifest in a TFD of multicomponent signals as spurious artifacts arising from interactions between the various signal components, and they can often appear at times and/or frequencies inconsistent with the underlying physical nature of the signal, causing misinterpretation [2], [3], [4]. There are many time frequency distributions that avoid the cross term effect; the best are the Choi-Williams ED (Exponential Distribution) [1] and Levin's IPS (Instantaneous Power Spectrum) [9]. In this paper we combine the cross term reducing philosophy of the ED and IPS to obtain a new TFD that most effectively reduces the cross term effect. Surprisingly, the new TFD also satisfies most desired TFD properties.

Notes: Abstract For a broad class of interconnected nonlinear systems, this paper develops a complete design methodology for decentralized variable structure control. Specifically, the paper sets forth design schemes for local switching surfaces and the related local switched feedback gains which together force the original nonlinear interconnected system to behave as a reduced order interconnected equivalent system having a desired response such as stability, tracking, or prespecified eigenvalues. Also developed is a numerical algorithm for constructing the switched local feedback gains. A simple nonlinear example illustrates the control strategy.

Notes: Abstract A new stabilization method of a large-scale dynamic system, consisting of a set of interconnected subsystems, is presented in this paper. The topology of the interconnected subsystems is given as a network containing nodes with only one ingoing link, and none, one, or more outgoing links. Here, when the notion “node” is used a subsystem is assumed, and the links stand for the subsystem interconnections. The stabilization method is made only by the use of local linear state feedback around each subsystem, in order to satisfy constraints given in the problem. The interconnections among the subsystems are assumed to be nonlinear, time-varying. According to the topology of the large-scale system, the method of stabilization is hierarchic, one proceeds from node to node, and is applicable from a computer standpoint. A design algorithm follows directly, and can be made using the Generate and Test method for each subsystem independently, thus enabling designers to use a computer which has a video terminal as a peripheral unit and providing a possibility for interactive applications.

Notes: Abstract The estimation of covariance matrices which are structured, for example, of Toeplitz type, from measurement data is considered. The problem is considered in the context of array beamforming, and various methods of estimation are derived and compared, such comparison including consideration of the behavior of the estimate in beamforming applications.

Notes: Abstract The planar least-squares inverse (PLSI) polynomials are used for stabilization of two-dimensional unstable recursive filters. In order to obtain the PLSI polynomials, the main work involved consists in forming a set of linear equations and then solving them. In this paper we present an efficient and simple method to form the necessary set of linear equations (i.e., the required coefficient matrix) for a chosen pattern and order of the desired PLSI polynomial, starting from the denominator polynomial of a two-dimensional unstable recursive filter.

Notes: Abstract This paper shows how to use orthogonal functions to invert singular (i.e., generalized state-space) systems. The approach is to express the inverse system itself as a singular system, and then to apply the theory of orthogonal functions to convert that differential-algebraic system to a purely algebraicgeneralized Lyapunov equation whose solution yields the input of the original system given its output. Both left and right inversion are treated. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the generalized Lyapunov equation are derived, and a generalizedQZ algorithm is given for its efficient solution. It is also shown that the coefficients in the Walsh function expansion may be approximately found using an FFT-type butterfly network. These results provide both an extension in theory, by investigating the properties of a new Lyapunov equation, and an extension in the implementation of system inversion, by providing a scheme which applies to generalized state-space systems and uses an unconventional approach which may prove to be a useful contribution.

Notes: Abstract In digital communication networks, a special class of complex biquad recursive digital filters called orthogonal filters is increasingly being used. The separate effects of the overflow and quantization nonlinearities on these orthogonal filters' responses have been investigated [5], [6]. In this paper we examine the zero-input stability properties of the actual orthogonal filter having both overflow and quantization nonlinearities. The overflow nonlinearities considered include saturation, bit-by-bit inversion, zeroing, and modulo 2 arithmetic. The quantization techniques used may be roundoff, magnitude, or value truncation. An example demonstrates the adverse coupling effect between the overflow and quantization nonlinearities. Two criteria are therefore derived to ensure asymptotic overflowstability of the filter in the presence of quantization. These criteria have been translated to the coefficient plane; various regions corresponding to different minimum wordlengths required to ensure decoupling of the overflow and quantization phenomena have been derived.

Notes: Abstract The identification problem for electromagnetic objects excited by transients is discussed. Several classes of models are reviewed, and an output error model is selected. An algorithm for solving the transient identification problem using this model is presented, and some of the issues connected with its use are considered. Examples of the application of this algorithm to electromagnetic data are given.

Notes: Abstract A number of apparently different lines of inquiry into fundamental biological processes point to the central role played by the notion of observation in the theory of biological systems. Not only do we use the results of our own observations to obtain the system descriptions which are the starting-points for an understanding of biological processes, but it is a basic postulate of physics that the interactions between biological systems themselves can be regarded as observations. On this basis, it is clear that we cannot properly understand biological interactions unless the observables we employ for system description are the same as those involved in the interactions we are describing. To do this requires a general theory of observables and system description, establishing the relationship between different modes of description. A sketch of such a theory is developed in the present paper, using only two postulates: (a) that all interactions are determined by the values of observables of a system evaluated on specific states, and (b) that real-valued observables suffice. As an application, a specific test is proposed whereby it can be determined whether the observables employed to describe interacting systems are sufficient to specify the observables involved in the interaction itself.

Notes: Abstract Differential equations are derived whose solution gives the cross-sectional shape of a flexible tube as a function of the transmural pressure. These equations are solved digitally to produce a series of closed curves, each curve representing the shape of a cross section for a particular set of conditions. These are then applied to the case of systemic arteries, pulmonary arteries, and large veins. The results predict that systemic arteries must always be circular, even when the internal and external pressures are equal. In veins, a small positive internal pressure causes them to become circular, regardless of their initial state, with negligible stretching. Further increases in internal pressure cause the area of the cross section to increase due only to stretching, the shape remaining essentially circular. With pulmonary arteries, known to be noncircular, changes in the cross-sectional area result from a combination of stretching and changes of shape.

Notes: Abstract Stochastic models of human reproduction are beginning to play significant roles in the evaluation of family planning programs. A class of stochastic processes called absorbing, agedependent, semi-Markov processes frequently arises in the construction of such models. The paper begins with a discussion of some technicalities regarding absorbing, age-dependent, semi-Markov processes. Then, an algorithm due to Littman, which makes possible the computerization of this class of stochastic processes, is presented. Briefly, Littman’s algorithm provides an efficient method for numerically solving systems of renewal type integral equations, provided the system does not contain a large number of equations. After setting down a concrete model for a large clinical trial of intrauterine devices conducted in Taiwan, the paper concludes with a discussion of a method for validating the model based on the data collected in the clinical trial.