Geometric techniques for implicit two-dimensional systems

Geometric tools are developed for two-dimensional (2-D) models in an implicitFornasini–Marchesini form. In particular, the structural properties of controlled and conditionedinvariance are defined and studied. These properties are investigated in terms ofquarter-plane causal solutions of the implicit model given compatible boundary conditions.The definitions of controlled and conditioned invariance introduced, along with the correspondingoutput-nulling and input-containing subspaces, are shown to be richer than theone-dimensional counterparts. The analysis carried out in this paper establishes necessaryand sufficient conditions for the solvability of 2-D disturbance decoupling problems andunknown-input observation problems. The conditions obtained are expressed in terms ofoutput-nulling and input-containing subspaces, which can be computed recursively in a finitenumber of steps

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

Machine Learning, Low-Rank Approximations and Reduced Order Modeling in Computational Mechanics

The use of machine learning in mechanics is booming. Algorithms inspired by developments in the field of artificial intelligence today cover increasingly varied fields of application. This book illustrates recent results on coupling machine learning with computational mechanics, particularly for the construction of surrogate models or reduced order models. The articles contained in this compilation were presented at the EUROMECH Colloquium 597, « Reduced Order Modeling in Mechanics of Materials », held in Bad Herrenalb, Germany, from August 28th to August 31th 2018. In this book, Artificial Neural Networks are coupled to physics-based models. The tensor format of simulation data is exploited in surrogate models or for data pruning. Various reduced order models are proposed via machine learning strategies applied to simulation data. Since reduced order models have specific approximation errors, error estimators are also proposed in this book. The proposed numerical examples are very close to engineering problems. The reader would find this book to be a useful reference in identifying progress in machine learning and reduced order modeling for computational mechanics

Physical activity and exercise in dementia : an umbrella review of intervention and observational studies

Background: Dementia is a common condition in older people. Among the potential risk factors, increasing attention has been focused on sedentary behaviour. However, synthesizing literature exploring whether physical activity/exercise can affect health outcomes in people with dementia or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is still limited. Therefore, the aim of this umbrella review, promoted by the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS), is to understand the importance of physical activity/exercise for improving cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in people with dementia/MCI. Methods: Umbrella review of systematic reviews (SR) (with or without meta-analyses) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational (prospective and case-control in people with MCI) studies based on a systematic literature search in several databases. The certainty of evidence of statistically significant outcomes attributable to physical activity/exercise interventions was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Among 1,160 articles initially evaluated, 27 systematic reviews (4 without meta-analysis) for a total of 28,205 participants with dementia/MCI were included. No observational study on physical activity/exercise in MCI for preventing dementia was included. In SRs with MAs, physical activity/exercise was effective in improving global cognition in Alzheimer’s disease and in all types of dementia (very low/low certainty of evidence). Moreover, physical activity/ exercise significantly improved global cognition, attention, executive function, and memory in MCI, with a certainty of evidence varying from low to moderate. Finally, physical activity/exercise improved non-cognitive outcomes in people with dementia including falls and neuropsychiatric symptoms. SRs, without meta-analysis, corroborated these results. Conclusions: Supported by very low to moderate certainty of evidence, physical activity/exercise has a positive effect on several cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in people with dementia and MCI, but RCTs, with low risk of bias/confounding, are still needed to confirm these findings

Association between number of medications and mortality in geriatric inpatients : a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study

Purpose: To explore the association between the number of medications and mortality in geriatric inpatients taking activities of daily living and comorbidities into account. Methods: A nationwide population-based cohort study was performed including all patients aged C65 years admitted to geriatric departments in Denmark during 2005-2014. The outcome of interest was mortality. Activities of daily living using Barthel-Index (BI) were measured at admission. National health registers were used to link data on an individual level extracting data on medications, and hospital diseases. Patients were followed to the end of study (31.12.2015), death, or emigration, which ever occurred first. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate crude survival proportions. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using Cox regression. The multivariable analysis adjusted for age, marital status, period of hospital admission, BMI, and BI (model 1), and further adding either number of diseases (model 2) or Charlson comorbidity index (model 3). Results: We included 74603 patients (62.8% women), with a median age of 83 (interquartile range [IQR] 77-88) years. Patients used a median of 6 (IQR 4-9) medications. Increasing number of medications was associated with increased overall, 30-days, and 1-year mortality in all 3 multivariable models for both men and women. For each extra medication the mortality increased by 3% in women and 4% in men in the fully adjusted model. Conclusion: Increasing number of medications was associated with mortality in this nationwide cohort of geriatric inpatients. Our findings highlight the importance of polypharmacy in older patients with comorbidities

Deprescribing tool for STOPPFall (screening tool of older persons prescriptions in older adults with high fall risk) items

Background: Health care professionals are often reluctant to deprescribe fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs). Lack of knowledge and skills form a significant barrier. To support clinicians in the management of FRIDs and to facilitate the deprescribing process, a deprescribing tool was developed by a European expert group for STOPPFall (Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions in older adults with high fall risk) items. Methods: STOPPFall was created using an expert Delphi consensus process in 2019 and in 2020, 24 panellists from EuGMS SIG on Pharmacology and Task and Finish on FRIDs completed deprescribing tool questionnaire. To develop the questionnaire, a Medline literature search was performed. The panellists were asked to indicate for every medication class a possible need for stepwise withdrawal and strategy for withdrawal. They were asked in which situations withdrawal should be performed. Furthermore, panellists were requested to indicate those symptoms patients should be monitored for after deprescribing and a possible need for follow-ups. Results: Practical deprescribing guidance was developed for STOPPFall medication classes. For each medication class, a decision tree algorithm was developed including steps from medication review to symptom monitoring after medication withdrawal. Conclusion: STOPPFall was combined with a practical deprescribing tool designed to optimize medication review. This practical guide can help overcome current reluctance towards deprescribing in clinical practice by providing an up-to-date and straightforward source of expert knowledge

Advances in Hydrogen Energy

This book, which is a reprint of articles published in the Special Issue "Advances in Hydrogen Energy" in Energies, seeks to contribute to disseminating the most recent advancements in the field of hydrogen energy. It does so by presenting scientific works from around the world covering both modeling and experimental analysis. The focus is placed on research covering all aspects of the hydrogen energy, from production to storage and final use, including the development of other easy to transport and versatile hydrogen-based energy carriers via the power-to-x (PtX) route, such as ammonia and methanol.Hydrogen energy research and development has attracted growing attention as one of the key solutions for clean future energy systems. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, governments across the world are developing ambitious policies to support hydrogen technology, and an increasing level of funding has been allocated for projects of research, development, and demonstration of these technologies. At the same time, the private sector is capitalizing on the opportunity with larger investments in hydrogen technology solutions.While intense research activities have been dedicated to this field, several issues require further research prior to achieving full commercialization of hydrogen technology solutions. This book addresses some of these issues by presenting detailed models to optimize design strategies and operating conditions for the entire hydrogen value chain, covering production via electrolysis, storage and use in different types of fuel cells and in different forms of energy carriers

12th International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery

Since 1976, the Vibrations in Rotating Machinery conferences have successfully brought industry and academia together to advance state-of-the-art research in dynamics of rotating machinery. 12th International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery contains contributions presented at the 12th edition of the conference, from industrial and academic experts from different countries. The book discusses the challenges in rotor-dynamics, rub, whirl, instability and more. The topics addressed include: - Active, smart vibration control - Rotor balancing, dynamics, and smart rotors - Bearings and seals - Noise vibration and harshness - Active and passive damping - Applications: wind turbines, steam turbines, gas turbines, compressors - Joints and couplings - Challenging performance boundaries of rotating machines - High power density machines - Electrical machines for aerospace - Management of extreme events - Active machines - Electric supercharging - Blades and bladed assemblies (forced response, flutter, mistuning) - Fault detection and condition monitoring - Rub, whirl and instability - Torsional vibration Providing the latest research and useful guidance, 12th International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery aims at those from industry or academia that are involved in transport, power, process, medical engineering, manufacturing or construction