Predictor-based robust control of uncertain nonlinear systems subject to input delay

10th IFAC Workshop on Time Delay Systems, TDS-2012; Boston, MA; United States; 22 June 2012 through 24 June 2012In this paper, a tracking controller is developed for a class of nonlinear systems subject to time delay in the control input, uncertainties in the dynamic model, and additive disturbances. The control development is based on a novel predictor-like method to address the time delay in the control input. Lyapunov based stability analysis is used to prove semi-global asymptotic tracking. © 2012 IFAC

Endothelial dysfunction and glycocalyx shedding in heart failure:insights from patients receiving cardiac resynchronisation therapy

To determine (a) whether chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with increased glycocalyx shedding; (b) whether glycocalyx shedding in HFrEF with left ventricular dyssynchrony is related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and/or redox stress and is ameliorated by cardiac resynchronisation therapy. Glycocalyx shedding has been reported to be increased in heart failure and is a marker of increased mortality. Its role in dyssynchronous systolic heart failure and the effects of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) are largely unknown. Twenty-six patients with dyssynchronous HFrEF were evaluated before and 6 months after CRT insertion. Echocardiographic septal to posterior wall delay (SPWD) assessed intra-ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony, and quality of life, integrity of nitric oxide (NO) signalling, inflammatory and redox-related biomarkers were measured. Glycocalyx shedding was quantitated via plasma levels of the glycocalyx component, syndecan-1. Syndecan-1 levels pre-CRT were inversely correlated with LVEF (r = - 0.45, p = 0.02) and directly with SPWD (r = 0.44, p = 0.02), QOL (r = 0.39, p = 0.04), plasma NT-proBNP (r = 0.43, p = 0.02), and the inflammatory marker, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) (r = 0.54, p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, syndecan-1 levels were predicted by SPWD and SDMA (β = 0.42, p = 0.009 and β = 0.54, p = 0.001, respectively). No significant correlation was found between syndecan-1 levels and other markers of endothelial dysfunction/inflammatory activation. Following CRT there was no significant change in syndecan-1 levels. In patients with dyssynchronous HFrEF, markers of glycocalyx shedding are associated with the magnitude of mechanical dyssynchrony and elevation of SDMA levels and inversely with LVEF. However, CRT does not reverse this process

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Length-weight relationships of marine fishes off Yumurtalık coast (İskenderun Bay), Turkey [Yumurtalık (İskenderun Körfezi, Türkiye) açıklarındaki balıkların boy-agırlık ilişkileri]

In this study, length and weight data are presented for 33 fish species inhabiting littoral habitats off the Yumurtali{dotless}k coast. Samples were collected with combined gill and trammel nets. Parameters of the length-weight relationships were estimated for 14 species. The b values ranged between 2.35 and 3.53. For remained 19 species, the parameter a was estimated by setting b = 3.0. © TÜBITAK

Determination of size selectivity of traps for blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896) in the mediterranean sea [Akdenizde mavi yengeç (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896) Tuzaklarının boy seçiciliğinin Belirlenmesi]

This study investigates the effects of trap selectivity of various mesh size on escape success of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). The study was carried out Çamlık Lagoon of Yumurtalık Gulf in the Mediterranean Sea and total of 1051 blue crabs were caught by rectangular baited trap. Using traps constructed with 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 mm square mesh the proportion of crabs escaping through each mesh size was measured for each half centimetre carapace width (CW) class. A logistic model was fitted to the size frequency data of the retained and escaped blue crabs for each mesh size in the experiment. L50 and selection range (SR) for the 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 mm (bar length) square meshes tested in this study was 8.47 cm and 0.85 cm; 9.31 cm and 0.39 cm; 10.40 cm and 0.31 cm; 11.72 cm and 1.17 cm; 13.17 cm and 0.89 cm respectively. The 50 mm square mesh of the trap showed relatively better selectivity considering the size at 50% sexual maturity of blue crab Callinectes sapidus, and the high rate of immature escapers. © Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi

Occurrence of Heniochus intermedius Steindachner, 1893 in Iskenderun Bay, Turkey

[No abstract available

Size selectivity of square mesh barriers for Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura, Portunidae)

This study investigates the effects of square mesh barriers of various mesh size on escape success of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, under laboratory conditions. A total of 743 crabs was caught by beach seine and held in a shore-based aquarium, in circular tanks (Ø 4 m × 0.9 m) with 0.3 m water depth. Using barriers constructed with square mesh of known size (35, 40, and 45 mm bar length), the proportion of crabs escaping through each mesh size was measured for each half centimetre carapace width (CW) class. A logistic model was fitted to the size frequency data of the retained and escaped blue crabs for each mesh size in the experiment. L50 for the 35, 40, and 45 mm (bar length) square meshes tested in this study was 8.09 (s.e. 0.117), 9.32 (s.e. 0.088), and 10.56 (s.e. 0.114), respectively. This paper provides the first results for blue crab square mesh selectivity, which could be used as a reference point to indicate the most appropriate mesh sizes to be tested in crab traps during more comprehensive sea trials. © 2007 Brill Academic Publishers.Çukurova Üniversitesi: SÜF2005BAP9The authors would like to thank Prof. Dr. T. Tokai (Tokyo) for providing the program file used in selectivity analysis and also thank technician Erman Tekin and research assistant Og^uz Tas¸bozan for their efficient and enjoyable field work, as well as Dr. Mike Breen for commenting on an earlier version of the manuscript. This study was supported by the Çukurova University, Department of Scientific Research Projects, Project No.: SÜF2005BAP9