U-Model-Based Two-Degree-of-Freedom Internal Model Control of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems.

This paper proposes a U-Model-Based Two-Degree-of-Freedom Internal Model Control (UTDF-IMC) structure with strength in nonlinear dynamic inversion, and separation of tracking design and robustness design. This approach can effectively accommodate modeling error and disturbance while removing those widely used linearization techniques for nonlinear plants/processes. To assure the expansion and applications, it analyses the key properties associated with the UTDF-IMC. For initial benchmark testing, computational experiments are conducted using MATLAB/Simulink for two mismatched linear and nonlinear plants. Further tests consider an industrial system, in which the IMC of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) is simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the design procedure for potential industrial applications.

Discovery of Bisubstrate Inhibitors of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT).

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the N-methylation of pyridine-containing compounds using the cofactor S-5'-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) as the methyl group donor. Through the regulation of the levels of its substrates, cofactor, and products, NNMT plays an important role in physiology and pathophysiology. Overexpression of NNMT has been implicated in various human diseases. Potent and selective small-molecule NNMT inhibitors are valuable chemical tools for testing biological and therapeutic hypotheses. However, very few NNMT inhibitors have been reported. Here, we describe the discovery of a bisubstrate NNMT inhibitor MS2734 (6) and characterization of this inhibitor in biochemical, biophysical, kinetic, and structural studies. Importantly, we obtained the first crystal structure of human NNMT in complex with a small-molecule inhibitor. The structure of the NNMT-6 complex has unambiguously demonstrated that 6 occupied both substrate and cofactor binding sites. The findings paved the way for developing more potent and selective NNMT inhibitors in the future.

Effect of age and gender on energy expenditure in common activities of daily living in a Chinese population.

PURPOSE: It is important to quantify the amount of energy expended in various common household tasks to provide objective information regarding physical activity recommendations in health promotion, weight management, or rehabilitation programs for older people with chronic diseases. These activities may be age/gender sensitive and culturally specific, and not included in current Compendium of Metabolic Equivalent (MET) values. This study measures the energy expenditure of commonly performed activities of daily living tasks in a Chinese population, examining age and gender differences. METHOD: Thirty younger adults (15 M, 15 F) and 78 older adults (26 M, 52 F) were recruited and energy expenditure was measured at rest and during activities using indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: Energy expenditure (O2 consumption/min/Kg) was lower in subjects aged >or=60 years compared with those <60 years but they also spend more time completing the task. No gender differences were observed. CONCLUSION: New MET values are derived for these two populations. These values would be useful in planning rehabilitation programmes for Chinese subjects with chronic diseases.