Latent variable based model predictive control: Ensuring validity of predictions

This paper presents a methodology to constrain the optimisation problem in LV-MPC so that validity of predictions can be ascertained. LV-MPC is a model-based predictive control methodology implemented in the space of the latent variables and is based on a linear predictor. Provided real processes are non-linear, there is model-process mismatch, and under tight control, the predictor can be used for extrapolation. Extrapolation leads to bad predictions which deteriorates control performance, hence the interest in validity of predictions. In the proposed approach first two validity indicators on predictions are defined. The novelty in the two indicators proposed is they neglect past data, and so validity of predictions is ascertained in terms of future moves which are actually the degrees of freedom in the optimisation. Second, the indicators are introduced in the optimisation as constraints. Provided the indicators are quadratic, recursive optimisation with linearised constraints is implemented. A MIMO example shows how ensuring validity of predictions neglecting past data can improve closed-loop performance, specially under tight control outside the identification region. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The first author is recipient of a fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (FPU AP2007-04549). This paper is partially funded by projects DPI2008-02133/DPI, TIN2011-28082 and PROMETEO/2012/028. The authors gratefully acknowledge reviewers' comments.Laurí Pla, D.; Sanchís Saez, J.; Martínez Iranzo, MA.; Hilario Caballero, A. (2013). Latent variable based model predictive control: Ensuring validity of predictions. Journal of Process Control. 23(1):12-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprocont.2012.11.001S122223

An assessment of animal welfare impacts in wild Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) management

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are considered one of the most significant vertebrate pests globally, because of their impacts on human and animal health. There are legal and moral obligations to minimise the impacts of wildlife management on animal welfare, yet there are few data on the relative welfare impacts of rat trapping and baiting methods used in the UK with which to inform management decisions. Two stakeholder workshops were facilitated to assess the relative welfare impacts of six lethal rat management methods using a welfare assessment model. Fifteen stakeholders including experts in wildlife management, rodent management, rodent biology, animal welfare science, and veterinary science and medicine, participated. The greatest welfare impacts were associated with three baiting methods, anticoagulants, cholecalciferol and non-toxic cellulose baits (severe to extreme impact for days), and with capture on a glue trap (extreme for hours) with concussive killing (mild to moderate for seconds to minutes); these methods should be considered last resorts from a welfare perspective. Lower impacts were associated with cage trapping (moderate to severe for hours) with concussive killing (moderate for minutes). The impact of snap trapping was highly variable (no impact to extreme for seconds to minutes). Snap traps should be regulated and tested to identify those that cause rapid unconsciousness; such traps might represent the most welfare-friendly option assessed for killing rats. Our results can be used to integrate consideration of rat welfare alongside other factors, including cost, efficacy, safety, non-target animal welfare and public acceptability when selecting management methods. We also highlight ways of reducing welfare impacts and areas where more data are needed

Delineation of Culicoides species by morphology and barcode exemplified by three new species of the subgenus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Scandinavia

BACKGROUND: Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) cause biting nuisance to livestock and humans and are vectors of a range of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Despite their economic significance, the delineation and identification of species where only morphology is considered, as well as the evolutionary relationships between species within this genus remains problematic. In recent years molecular barcoding has assisted substantially in the identification of biting midges in the multiple entomological survey projects which were initiated in many European countries following the bluetongue outbreak in 2006–2009. These studies revealed potentially new species and “species-complexes” with large genetic and morphological variability. Here we use molecular barcoding, together with morphological analysis, to study subgenus Culicoides Latreille from Scandinavia with focus on three potentially new species. METHODS: Biting midges were collected at various sites in Denmark and Sweden. Culicoides specimens were described by variation of a fragment of their cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequence and wing, palp and antennal characters. RESULTS: It is shown that three new species initially separated by DNA barcoding with mitochondrial COI can be distinguished by morphological characters. In this context a key to Scandinavian subgenus Culicoides using wing and maxillary palp characters is presented. The key is including the three new species Culicoides boyi, Culicoides selandicus and Culicoides kalix. CONCLUSION: Three new species of Culicoides biting midges were identified and could be identified by both molecular and morphological differences. Evaluation of differences between and within taxa of biting midges using COI barcode yielded a rough estimate of species delineation; interspecies differences across Culicoides subgenera approaches 20%, whereas intraspecies differences are below 4% and in most cases below 1%. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0750-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

An assessment of animal welfare impacts in wild Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) management

Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus, are considered one of the most significant vertebrate pests globally, because of their impacts on human and animal health. There are legal and moral obligations to minimise the impacts of wildlife management on animal welfare, yet there are few data on the relative welfare impacts of rat trapping and baiting methods used in the UK with which to inform management decisions. Two stakeholder workshops were facilitated to assess the relative welfare impacts of six lethal rat management methods using a welfare assessment model. Fifteen stakeholders including experts in wildlife management, rodent management, rodent biology, animal welfare science, and veterinary science and medicine, participated. The greatest welfare impacts were associated with three baiting methods, anticoagulants, cholecalciferol and non-toxic cellulose baits (severe-extreme impact for days), and with capture on a glue trap (extreme for hours) with concussive killing (mild-moderate for seconds to minutes); these methods should be considered last resorts from a welfare perspective. Lower impacts were associated with cage trapping (moderate-severe for hours) with concussive killing (moderate for minutes). The impact of snap trapping was highly variable (no impact-extreme for seconds-minutes). Snap traps should be regulated and tested to identify those that cause rapid unconsciousness; such traps might represent the most welfare-friendly option assessed for killing rats. Our results can be used to integrate consideration of rat welfare alongside other factors, including cost, efficacy, safety, non-target animal welfare and public acceptability when selecting management methods. We also highlight ways of reducing welfare impacts and areas where more data are needed

Pediatric Graves' orbitopathy: a multicentre study

PURPOSE: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a rare condition in children often considered to be a less severe condition than at an older age. The aim of our study was to analyse if there are any factors that distinguish paediatric from adult GO in order to provide guidelines for assessing and managing paediatric GO. METHODS: Study design is a multicentre retrospective observational case series; 115 paediatric patients diagnosed with GO who visited our university medical centres in the Netherlands and Iran between 2003 and 2019 were submitted for complete ophthalmological examinations, serological testing and/or orbital imaging. Main outcome measures focussed on the natural course and clinical picture as well as medical and surgical treatment in paediatric GO. RESULTS: Clinical findings included proptosis (n = 97; 84.3%), eyelid retraction (n = 77; 67%) and diplopia (n = 13; 11.3%). Ninety-two patients (80%) presented with mild disease, 21 (18.3%) with moderate-severe disease and two (1.7%) with severe GO. Five patients (4.3%) underwent intravenous glucocorticoids and 25 patients underwent orbital decompression surgery. Strabismus surgery due to primary involvement of extraocular muscles was performed in two patients (1.7%). Overall, rehabilitative surgical treatment was planned in 31 patients (26.9%) with inactive disease. Two patients experienced reactivation of the disease. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that paediatric and adult GO are considered two separate entities, they might be the same disease with two different clinical phenotypes. Paediatric GO population presents with a comparable clinical picture regarding both soft tissue involvement and proptosis, which may require surgical intervention. Proptosis was present in the majority of paediatric GO patients. Orbital decompression was performed in 21.7% of patients