Predicate Control Research Articles

On the resilience of obligatory control in inflected infinitives under object control verbs

This study investigates the interpretation of inflected infinitives under object control verbs in European Portuguese. It contrasts the behaviour of two different types of control verbs, represented by obrigar ‘force’ and convencer ‘convince’, and belonging each to one of the two classes of control verbs established by Landau (2015). It is argued that inflected infinitives under different object control verbs show a different behaviour: whereas inflected infinitives under convencer ‘convince’ do not maintain obligatory control readings (as previously shown by Barbosa, 2021), under obrigar ‘force’ and similar verbs an obligatory control reading is maintained. This empirical observation is in agreement with the predictions of Landau (2015), to the extent that, in the set of verbs that Landau associates to predicative control, agreement inflection does not block control, even though some further questions are raised to Landau’s analysis. In the present study, a correlation is established between different types of object control verbs, their semantics, and the availability of non-controlled inflected infinitives.

Understanding the differences in wear testing method standards for total knee replacement

Preclinical evaluation of the wear of total knee replacements (TKR) is usually undertaken using International Standards Organization (ISO) test methods. Two international standards for the preclinical wear simulation of TKRs have been developed; using either force or displacement control. In addition, based on previously published measured kinematics of healthy subjects, a gait cycle (displacement control) was also developed at the University of Leeds, which pre-dates the ISO displacement control standard. Furthermore, different test methods have adopted different approaches to defining the centres of rotation and polarity (direction of application) of motions. However, the effects of using these different control regimes and input conditions on the kinematics, contact mechanics, and wear of any one TKR have not been fully investigated previously.The current study investigated the kinematics, contact mechanics, and wear performance of a TKR when running under ISO force and displacement control test methods as well as the Leeds gait cycle inputs using experimental and computational simulation methods, with the aim of understanding the mechanical and tribological outcomes predicted by the different test method standard conditions. Three ISO wear testing standards were investigated using a mid-size Sigma curved TKR (DePuy, UK), with moderately cross-linked UHMWPE curved inserts; ISO-14243-3-2004, ISO-14243-3-2014 and ISO-14243-1-2009. In addition, the Leeds displacement control gait cycle was also investigated.According to the computational simulation predictions, reversing the anterior-posterior (AP) displacement and tibial rotation polarities in the displacement control ISO-2014 standard compared to the ISO-2004 standard resulted in high stress, of more than 65 MPa, at the posterior edge of the inserts with more than 10% increase in wear rate for this TKR design. Although Leeds gait input kinematics produced femoral rollback, it did not result in high stress edge loading on the posterior lip of the insert. This was attributed to different test input kinematics and different centres of rotation of the femoral component adopted in the displacement control standard ISO-2014 and Leeds gait test methods. The predicted AP displacement and tibial rotation from the force control ISO-2009 had different polarities and magnitudes to the corresponding displacement control profiles. In addition, the predicted wear rate, from the computational model, under the force control ISO-2009 standard was more than double that predicted under displacement control ISO standards due to the increased AP displacement and tibial rotation motions predicted under the force control standard.These major differences, in the mechanics and wear, between different test methods imply that each standard must therefore be used with its own predicate control results from a device with proven clinical history and results across different standards should never be compared, as the choice of test method standard may well be dependent on the design solution for the knee. Clinically, the kinematics in the population are extremely variable, which results in highly variable wear rates. While a standard method is necessary, on its own it is not adequate and needs to be supported by tests under a portfolio of representative conditions with different kinematic conditions, different soft tissue constraints, as well as with different alignments, so that the variability and range of wear rates expected clinically might be determined. This study enables further progress towards the definition of such a portfolio of representative conditions, by deepening the understanding of the relationships between currently used input conditions and the resulting mechanical and wear outputs.

On the nature of arguments in event nominals

The present paper examines deverbal event nouns in Kaqchikel (Mayan) that consist of both nominal and verbal projections. Contrary to the recent proposal made by Imanishi (2020), who argues that nominalized verbs in Kaqchikel obligatorily lack an external argument projection, we demonstrate that intransitive unergative predicates maintain their external arguments under nominalization. We further propose that event -ik nouns in Kaqchikel are derived via predicative control with the verbal part being predicated of the possessor DP introduced in Spec,nP (in the spirit of Landau 2015). Additional support for this comes from the behavior of antipassive predicates under nominalization, which preserve the internal argument instead of the external one.

SPARC: Wireless Fecobionics Device in dogs

ObjectiveWe developed a novel wireless device (Fecobionics) for mapping colonic and anorectal neuromuscular function. Fecobionics measures pressures, cross‐sectional areas and bending of the device and transmits data wireless to a receiver unit outside the body (figure 1). This study evaluated the safety of the device in dogs relative to the predicate THD SensyProbe device for biofeedback. Furthermore, physiological data were obtained with Fecobionics.MethodsTwelve male Mongrel dogs with 25kg body weight were assigned into two groups: Fecobionics group and predicate control group (N=6 of each). Fecobionics and the predicate device were transanally inserted into rectum. Further, each group was divided into two sub‐groups: The acute group in which the animals were euthanized immediately after the evacuation of the device, and the chronic group in which the animals were terminated after 2 weeks. The animals were monitored daily. Tissue from different colon segments and anorectum were collected after the dogs were euthanized. HE staining and immunofluorescence staining were performed.ResultsAll procedures were performed successfully without complications. All chronic animals showed normal food intake and behavior after the procedure. Wireless transmission of Fecobionics data were without significant data loss or data error. Fecobionics studies demonstrated defecation pressures in the range 60–100cmH2O. The bending of the device, representative of the anorectal angle, was less than 30 degrees. The shape of the bag was obtained from the serial cross‐sectional area measurements. The shape of Fecobionics was cylindrical in rectum and changed to hourglass shape when it passed through the anal canal. No signs of inflammation were identified in the tissue sections examined histologically or immunohistochemically (macrophages and caspase‐3) in both Fecobionics and control groups.ConclusionsWireless Fecobionics is as safe as the predicate device, without inducing macro‐ or microscopic changes or inflammatory status of anorectal muscle. Novel physiological data were obtained. Dogs seems not to have an anorectal angle like humans, which makes defecatory efficacy more dependent on intrarectal pressure and anal sphincter relaxation compared to humans.Support or Funding InformationFundingNIH SPARC OT2OD025308The Fecobionics device (left), the wireless receiver (middle) and the data collection device (right).Figure 1

Experimental implementation of a Quality-by-Control (QbC) framework using a mechanistic PBM-based nonlinear model predictive control involving chord length distribution measurement for the batch cooling crystallization of l-ascorbic acid

l-ascorbic acid is synthetized in large industrial scale from glucose and marketed as an immune system strengthening agent and anti-oxidant ingredient. The overall yield of conversion of the precursor glucose to l-ascorbic acid is limited, therefore the crystallization is a critically important step of the l-ascorbic acid production from economic point of view. It is widely accepted that the crystal size distribution (CSD) influences numerous relevant macroscopic properties of the final crystalline product and it also significantly affects the downstream operations. The present paper discusses the chord length distribution (CLD, which is directly related to the CSD) control, during the crystallization of l-ascorbic acid from aqueous solution. Batch crystallization process is employed, which is the classical, and still dominant, operation in fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. A comparative experimental study of two state-of-the-art Quality-by-Control (QbC) based crystallization design approaches are presented: (1) a model-free QbC based on direct nucleation control (DNC) and (2) a model-based QbC using a novel nonlinear model predicative control (NMPC) framework. In the first investigation, the DNC, a process analytical technology based state-of-the-art model free control strategy, is applied. Although, DNC requires minimal preliminary system information and often provides robust process control, due to the unusual crystallization behavior of l-ascorbic acid, it leads to long batch times and oscillatory operation. In a second study the benefits of model-based QbC approach are demonstrated, based on using a NMPC approach. A population balance based crystallization process model is built and calibrated by estimating the nucleation and growth kinetics from concentration and CLD measurements. A projection based CSD to CLD forward transformation is used in the estimation of nucleation and growth kinetics. For robustness and adaptive behavior, the NMPC is coupled with a growing horizon state estimator, which is aimed to continuously improve the model by re-adjusting the kinetic constants. The study demonstrates that the model-based QbC framework can lead to rapid and robust crystallization process development with the NMPC system presenting good control behavior under significant plant model mismatch (PMM) conditions.

GEKKO Optimization Suite

This paper introduces GEKKO as an optimization suite for Python. GEKKO specializes in dynamic optimization problems for mixed-integer, nonlinear, and differential algebraic equations (DAE) problems. By blending the approaches of typical algebraic modeling languages (AML) and optimal control packages, GEKKO greatly facilitates the development and application of tools such as nonlinear model predicative control (NMPC), real-time optimization (RTO), moving horizon estimation (MHE), and dynamic simulation. GEKKO is an object-oriented Python library that offers model construction, analysis tools, and visualization of simulation and optimization. In a single package, GEKKO provides model reduction, an object-oriented library for data reconciliation/model predictive control, and integrated problem construction/solution/visualization. This paper introduces the GEKKO Optimization Suite, presents GEKKO’s approach and unique place among AMLs and optimal control packages, and cites several examples of problems that are enabled by the GEKKO library.

Predication control for indoor temperature time-delay using Elman neural network in variable air volume system

Aiming at the prediction control for indoor temperature time-delay in variable air volume (VAV) air conditioning system, this paper presents an indoor temperature prediction control method based on Elman neural network multi-step prediction model. Firstly, this paper introduces basic control principles of pressure-dependent and pressure-independent VAV terminal through comparable analysis and points out significance of indoor temperature prediction control based on pressure-dependent VAV terminal. Then, Elman neural network multi-step prediction model and corresponding indoor temperature prediction control method for pressure-dependent VAV terminal are proposed based on the fundamental principle of periodic prediction control for time-delay system. Finally, the effect of proposed prediction control method is validated by the experimental study according to the test data of supply air volume regulating process, provided that the supply air volume control loop adopts constant static pressure control method. Experimental results indicate the proposed indoor temperature prediction control method based on pressure-dependent VAV terminal could change the conventional regulating mode of the VAV air conditioning system, which will be benefit for improving the control stability of indoor temperature control loop and other corresponding control loops.

A Review of Modern Control Strategies for Clinical Evaluation of Propofol Anesthesia Administration Employing Hypnosis Level Regulation.

Regulating the depth of hypnosis during surgery is one of the major objectives of an anesthesia infusion system. Continuous administration of Propofol infusion during surgical procedures is essential but it unduly increases the load of an anesthetist working in a multitasking scenario in the operation theatre. Manual and target controlled infusion systems are not appropriate to handle instabilities like blood pressure and heart rate changes arising due to interpatient and intrapatient variability. Patient safety, large interindividual variability, and less postoperative effects are the main factors motivating automation in anesthesia administration. The idea of automated system for Propofol infusion excites control engineers to come up with more sophisticated systems that can handle optimum delivery of anesthetic drugs during surgery and avoid postoperative effects. A linear control technique is applied initially using three compartmental pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models. Later on, sliding mode control and model predicative control achieve considerable results with nonlinear sigmoid model. Chattering and uncertainties are further improved by employing adaptive fuzzy control and H∞ control. The proposed sliding mode control scheme can easily handle the nonlinearities and achieve an optimum hypnosis level as compared to linear control schemes, hence preventing mishaps such as underdosing and overdosing of anesthesia.

Linear Parameter-Varying Control of a Copolymerization Reactor

This paper demonstrates the application of the linear parameter-varying (LPV) framework to control a copolymerization reactor. An LPV model representation is first developed for a nonlinear model of the process. The LPV model complexity in terms of the model order and the number of scheduling variables is then reduced by truncating those system states that have insignificant direct influence on the input-output behavior of the system and do not directly appear in the output equations of the model. It is important to note that these truncated states are still preserved in the reduced model by affecting the scheduling parameters and hence enabling the representation of the input-output map. Using the derived model, a linear fractional transformation (LFT) based LPV controller synthesis approach is used to synthesize a controller for the process. Simulation based studies of the closed-loop behavior of the system regulated by the designed LPV controller demonstrate that the LPV controller solution outperforms a model predicative control designed previously for this system in terms of the achieved control performance and the online computational effort.

Identification of Multi-Input Multi-Output Systems Using Combined Direct and Indirect Methods

Successful deployment of cooperative decentralized model predicative control needs reasonably accurate subsystem interactions models. Processes in which open-loop tests are not permitted, closed-loop identification of subsystems interactions is crucial. An approach that combines the direct and indirect methods of closed-loop identification is proposed in this paper. It is shown that full dynamics of MIMO systems can be determined following a two-steps identification procedure. A representative case study is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Noninterference in a predicative polymorphic calculus for access control

Polymorphic programming languages have been adapted for constructing distributed access control systems, where a program represents a proof of eligibility according to a given policy. As a security requirement, it is typically stated that the programs of such languages should satisfy noninterference. However, this property has not been defined and proven semantically. In this paper, we first propose a semantics based on Henkin models for a predicative polymorphic access control language based on lambda-calculus. A formal semantic definition of noninterference is then proposed through logical relations. We prove a type soundness theorem which states that any well-typed program of our language meets the noninterference property defined in this paper. In this way, it is guaranteed that access requests from an entity do not interfere with those from unrelated or more trusted entities.

Neural Predictive Control of Broiler Chicken Growth

Active control of the growth of broiler chickens has potential benefits for farmers in terms of improved production efficiency, as well as for animal welfare in terms of improved leg health. In this work, a differential recurrent neural network (DRNN) was identified from experimental data to represent broiler chicken growth using a recently developed nonlinear system identification algorithm. The DRNN model was then used as the internal model for nonlinear model predicative control (NMPC) to achieve a group of desired growth curves. The experimental results demonstrated that the DRNN model captured the underlying dynamics of the broiler growth process reasonably well. The DRNN based NMPC was able to specify feed intakes in real time so that the broiler weights accurately followed the desired growth curves ranging from -12% to +12% of the standard curve. The overall mean relative error between the desired and achieved broiler weight was 1.8% for the period from day 12 to day 51.

On Visser's Generalization

In this paper, Visser's Generalization, which states that subject-control verbs cannot undergo passivization, is explained from a different perspective that has not been considered before. Previous analyses of the phenomenon based on transitivity, predication, c-command relation, functional vs. anaphoric control, and thematic control are reviewed. What has been given relatively less attention so far when discussing Visser's Generalization is the semantic or pragmatic presupposition that different infinitive complements assume. It is argued that Visser's Generalization holds only when benefit clash occurs between the controller and the infinitive complement, and that counterexamples to Visser's Generalization are possible when benefit relation is satisfied.

Syntax-based synthesis for temporal-safety supervision

This paper presents a supremal-control generalization of a temporal version of supervisory control for temporal-safety in discrete-event systems. The generalization is an outcome of the development of a temporal logic equations approach formulated using unary transformer concepts borrowed mainly from the predicate and predicate transform theory of Dijkstra and Scholten. The proposed syntax-based approach has not hitherto been formally augmented to the temporal logic framework, and is shown to parallel and to generalize the boolean equations approach proposed in the existing predicate control theory of Kumar, Garg and Marcus. A detailed example, which cannot be handled by the existing predicate control theory, demonstrates how the natural language basis of temporal logic for requirement specification and syntax-based control synthesis can be unified in a common logic framework.

Finding missing synchronization in a distributed computation using controlled re-execution

Correct distributed programs are hard to write. Not surprisingly, distributed systems are especially vulnerable to software faults. Testing and debugging is an important way to improve the reliability of distributed systems. A distributed debugger equipped with the mechanism to re-execute the traced computation in a controlled fashion can greatly facilitate the detection and localization of bugs. This approach gives rise to a general problem of predicate control, which takes a computation and a safety property specified on the computation as inputs, and produces a controlled computation, with added synchronization, that maintains the given safety property as output. We devise efficient control algorithms for two classes of useful predicates, namely region predicates and disjunctive predicates. For the former, we prove that the control algorithm is optimal in the sense that it guarantees maximum concurrency possible in the controlled computation. For the latter, we prove that our control algorithm generates the least number of synchronization dependencies and therefore has optimal message-complexity. Furthermore, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition under which it is possible to efficiently compute a minimal controlling synchronization for a general predicate. We also give an algorithm to compute such a synchronization under the condition provided.

Predicate control: synchronization in distributed computations with look-ahead

The predicate control problem involves synchronizing a distributed computation to maintain a given global predicate. In contrast with many popular distributed synchronization problems such as mutual exclusion, readers writers, and dining philosophers, predicate control assumes a look-ahead, so that the computation is an off-line rather than an on-line input. Predicate control is targeted towards applications such as rollback recovery, debugging, and optimistic computing, in which such computation look-ahead is natural. We define predicate control formally and show that, in its full generality, the problem is NP-complete. We find efficient solutions for some important classes of predicates including “disjunctive predicates”, “mutual exclusion predicates”, and “readers writers predicates”. For each class of predicates, we determine the necessary and sufficient conditions for solving predicate control and describe an efficient algorithm for determining a synchronization strategy. In the case of “independent mutual exclusion predicates”, we determine that predicate control is NP-complete and describe an efficient algorithm that finds a solution under certain constraints.

Model Predictive Control of a Combined Heat and Power Plant Using Local Linear Models

Model predictive control has been applied to control of a combined heat and power plant. One of the main features of this plant is that it exhibits nonlinear process behavior due to large throughput swings. In this application, the operating window of the plant has been divided into a number of smaller windows in which the nonlinear process behavior has been approximated by linear behavior. For each operating window, linear step weight models were developed from a detailed nonlinear first principles model, and the model prediction is calculated based on interpolation between these linear models. The model output at each operating point can then subsequently be calculated from four basic linear models, and the required control action can subsequently be calculated with the standard model predicative control approach using quadratic programming.

Predicates and predicate transformers for supervisory control of discrete event dynamical systems

Discrete-event systems are studied, treating the state space as the fundamental modeling concept. The control of discrete-event systems using predicates and predicate transformers is treated. Predicates have the advantage that they can concisely characterize an infinite state space. The notion of controllability of a predicate is defined, and the supervisory predicate control problem is solved. A closed-form expression for the weakest controllable predicate is obtained. The problem of controlling discrete event systems under incomplete state observation is also considered, and observability of predicates is defined. Techniques for finding extremal solutions of Boolean equations are used to derive minimally restrictive supervisors.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>