Mixed H2/H∞H_2/H_\infty control in a stochastic framework

This paper deals with a mixture of H_2 and H_\infty. We have two inputs and one output. One input signal is a white noise stochastic process, and represents errors e.g. resulting from measurement noise. The other input has a more deterministic character. If one has a reference signal (e.g. a step) as input one can not model this as white noise, but it fits nicely into this new class of inputs. The objective is to minimize the effect of these exogenuous signals on the output ofthe system. We define a cost function which enables us to combine the structural difference between these two exogenuous inputs. The analysis of this function leads to a standard H_\infty Riccati equation. We will motivate this cost function by looking at two theoretical applications: the derivation of robust performance bounds and a tracking problem

HLA-E expression in cervical adenocarcinomas: association with improved long-term survival

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. The most common histopathological subtype is cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, 75-80%), followed by adenocarcinoma (AC) and adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC; together 15-20%). Rising incidence rates of AC have been observed relative and absolute to SCC and evidence is accumulating that cervical AC is a distinct clinical entity. Cervical SCC, ASC, and AC are caused by a persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and failed control of the immune system plays a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis of all three histopathological subtypes. Human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E), a non-classical HLA class Ib molecule, plays an important role in immune surveillance and immune escape of virally infected cells. In this study we investigated HLA-E expression in three well-defined cohorts of cervical AC, ASC, and SCC patients, and determined whether HLA-E expression was associated with histopathological parameters and patient survival.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>HLA-E expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 79 SCC, 38 ASC, and 75 AC patients. All patients included were International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stage I-II and underwent radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy as primary treatment. Significant differences between the histopathological subgroups were detected for age distribution, HPV positivity, HPV type distribution, tumour size, tumour infiltration depth, lymph-vascular space invasion, and adjuvant radiotherapy. High expression of HLA-E was found in 107/192 (56%) cervical carcinomas, with significantly more overexpression in cervical AC compared to SCC and ASC (37/79 SCC, 18/38 ASC, and 52/75 AC; <it>P</it> = 0.010). High HLA-E expression in cervical AC was associated with favourable long term disease-specific and recurrence-free survival (<it>P</it> = 0.005 and <it>P</it> = 0.001, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>High expression of HLA-E occurred in the majority of all histopathological subtypes of cervical cancer; especially in cervical AC. High HLA-E expression in cervical AC was associated with improved patient survival. This study also highlights the importance of careful evaluation of cervical carcinomas to distinguish histopathological subtypes. In the future, insight into the biological behaviour and distinct molecular carcinogenetic processes of the AC, ASC, and SCC subtypes may contribute to the development of more tumour-specific treatment strategies.</p

Growth performance, blood profile and nutrients digestibility of broiler chickens fed Enterolobium cyclocarpum seed based diets with or without supplemental exogenous enzyme

A 63-day study using 150, seven day old broiler chicks was conducted to evaluate the effect of Enterolobium cyclocarpum seed meal (ECSM) based diets on growth performance, blood profile and nutrient digestibility in six dietary treatments containing 0, 5 and 10% ECSM with or without enzyme supplementation using 2×3 factorial layout in a completely randomized design. Results showed that the main and interaction effects of enzyme supplementation and inclusion level of ECSM did not significantly (p&gt;0.05) influence the growth parameters studied. Enzyme supplementation significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased glucose concentration. Birds fed 5% ECSM based diet recorded the highest globulin value (1.96g/dL). The albumin, globulin and glucose concentration significantly influenced by the interaction effect of enzyme supplementation and ECSM inclusion levels. Birds fed 5% ECSM based diet supplemented with enzymes recorded the highest globulin value (2.02g/dL). Birds fed ECSM based diet supplemented with enzyme had lower (62.22%) lymphocytes value. Interactive effect of ECSM and enzyme supplementation had no influence (p&gt;0.05) on the haematological indices of broiler chicken except the white blood cell and lymphocytes values. The white blood cell and lymphocytes values increased across the dietary treatments as the ECSM supplemented with or without enzyme increased. Main and interactive effects of enzyme supplementation and ECSM inclusion levels significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected the nutrient digestibility. Birds fed diet supplemented with enzyme and those fed 5% ECSM based diet had better nutrient digestibility values. The study concluded that ECSM could be used up to 5% supplemented with enzymes in broiler chickens’ diet without any adverse effect on broiler’s performance. Keywords: Broiler, Serum biochemistry, haematological indices, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Nutrient digestibility, Enzyme

Effect of Antiretroviral Drug (arved) on the Kidney in Albino Rat

African studies on effect of antiretroviral drugs on the kidney are limited resulting to scanty information on the safety of these drugs. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral drugs arved\uae , on creatinine, urea, potassium and sodium ions as well as histological effect on the kidney. A total of fifty two (52) albino rats were randomly divided into four groups labeled A, B, C and D and kept in a well ventilated room. All experimental groups shared the same environmental conditions. Group A served as the control and rats were treated with distil water. Rats in groups B, C and D were, respectively treated with three different doses of arved (1.07, 3.21, and 4.29 mg kg-1). The drug was administered orally daily for 2, 4, 6, and 8 consecutive weeks. Animals were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last treatment. Blood samples were collected into heparinized sample bottles for biochemical analyses. The result of this study revealed a significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in blood urea level in weeks 4 and 6 for treatment groups B and C when compared to control group. Mean creatinine values for all the treatment groups significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) over the period of treatment when compared to the control value. Sodium ion showed a non significant increase (p&gt;0.05) all through the period of treatment. Significant increase (of about 2 fold) (p&lt;0.05) of potassium ion was observed in all the treatment groups in weeks 6 and 8 of treatment. Histological examination of the kidney tissue of rats in group D treated with the drug for 8 weeks did not show any morphological change similar to that of the control group. In conclusion prolonged treatment of HIV/AIDS patients with arved could result to renal dysfunction

Effect of antiretroviral drug (arved) on hepatic enzymes in albino rats

In the rush to put as many patients as possible on a potent ART, with very little or no laboratory monitory, limited attention has been given to side effects. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral drugs arved\uae , on aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as histological effect on the liver tissue. A total of fifty two (52) albino rats were randomly divided into four groups labeled A, B, C and D and kept in a well ventilated room. All experimental groups shared the same environmental conditions. Group A served as the control and rats were treated with distil water. Rats in groups B, C and D were, respectively treated with three different doses of arved (1.07, 3.21, and 4.29 mg kg-1), The drug was administered orally daily for 2, 4, 6, and 8 consecutive weeks. Animals were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last treatment. Blood samples were collected into heparinized sample bottles for biochemical analysis. Result obtained in this study revealed that arved dose and time dependently, significantly (P&lt;0.05) showed higher AST activity with the highest activity observed in treatment group D in wk8, (149.50\ub11.91 IU/L) when compared to the control group. The mean value of ALT activity for the drug in dose dependent manner was observed to be significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher when compared to control value. The activity was highest in week 2 treatment group D (58.50\ub12.65). The drug dose dependently, produced significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher ALP activity when compared to the control ALP activity. The highest activity was observed in week 2 treatment group D (214.50\ub114.75) when compared to the control group A. The histopathological observation of liver tissues showed no morphological change in group D treated for 8 weeks as well as the control group. The rats had no morphologic evidence of hepatocellular necrosis or degeneration. In conclusion, treatment of HIV/AIDS patients with arved may likely result to liver damage possibly cholestatic liver injury at prolonged treatment

Optical cavity tests of Lorentz invariance for the electron

A hypothetical violation of Lorentz invariance in the electrons' equation of motion (expressed within the Lorentz-violating extension of the standard model) leads to a change of the geometry of crystals and thus shifts the resonance frequency of an electromagnetic cavity. This allows experimental tests of Lorentz invariance of the electron sector of the standard model. The material dependence of the effect allows to separate it from an additional shift caused by Lorentz violation in electrodynamics, and to place independent limits on both effects. From present experiments, upper limits on Lorentz violation in the electrons' kinetic energy term are deduced.Comment: 17 pages revte

Українська діаспора Кабардино-Балкарії

Кабардино-Балкарська республіка – суб’єкт Російської Федерації. За даними статистичного управління за 2000 рік, у республіці проживало близько 15 тисяч етнічних українців. З них в Нальчику - 5725 чоловік

Identification, distribution and prevalence of ecto-parasites associated with cultured fish in Ogun State, Nigeria

Public health issues can he considered as those of direct importance to both producers and consumers of fish and include broader issues of food production, processing and delivery systems. As aquaculture assumes an expanding role in meeting consumer demands for fish and fishery products, it is natural that they meet safety and quality standards. Aquaculture is a growing industry in Nigeria and it has assumed commercial importance activity. This study was part of the project on epizootiological survey of pathogenic diseases of cultured fish species and is aimed at identifying ecto-parasite associated with cultured fish in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study which was carried out in 2012 covered fifty fish farm, spread across the three senatorial zones. Five pieces of fish were randomly picked from each farm surveyed. Participants observation and structured questionnaires were administered to fish farmers in order to gather information on source of fries, fish feeding and feed type, use of manure and its type, pond type, stocking density, pond hygiene, water source, frequency of changing water and history of diseases and mortalities of fish. Before the fish samples were collected, pond size and physicochemical water quality were assessed. Water test kits were used to measure parameters like iron, nitrate, alkalinity and ammonia. All the procedures for physicochemical water quality parameter analysis was done according to the manufacturer's instructions. Water pH was measured using a probe while dissolved oxygen and both water as well as air temperature were measured by using Hanna kit. All types of farms are included in the survey such as hatcheries, brood stock farms as well as grow out farms. The study revealed the spread of parasites across the senatorial zones. The most common encountered parasites were Trichodina sp, Gyrodactylus sp, Dactylogyrus sp and trematodes. The intensity of the parasites differed markedly