Decentralized control and synchronization of time-varying complex dynamical network

summary:A new class of controlled time-varying complex dynamical networks with similarity is investigated and a decentralized holographic-structure controller is designed to stabilize the network asymptotically at its equilibrium states. The control design is based on the similarity assumption for isolated node dynamics and the topological structure of the overall network. Network synchronization problems, both locally and globally, are considered on the ground of decentralized control approach. Each sub-controller makes use of the information on the corresponding node's dynamics and the resulting overall controller is composed of those sub-controllers. The overall controller can be obtained by means of a combination of typical control designs and appropriate parametric tuning for each isolated node. Several numerical simulation examples are given to illustrate the feasibility and the efficiency of the proposed control design

Equine cheek tooth extraction: Comparison of outcomes for five extraction methods

BACKGROUND: Post-operative complications are reported for all methods of equine cheek tooth extraction but not all methods carry the same risks. An outcome comparison for commonly used methods is needed so that clinicians can make informed treatment decisions. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a side-by-side comparison of five cheek tooth extraction methods, comparing types and incidence of complications among oral extraction, tooth repulsion (three surgical approaches) and lateral buccotomy techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study using hospital medical records. METHODS: Medical records of all horses undergoing cheek tooth extraction between 1997 and 2013 were reviewed. Logistic regression was used to determine the likelihood of various post-operative complications, comparing oral extraction, tooth repulsion by maxillary and mandibular trephination or maxillary sinus bone flap, and lateral buccotomy. RESULTS: The study included 137 horses and 162 cheek teeth extractions. Oral extraction was successful in 71% of patients in which it was attempted. Oral extraction (n = 55) had the lowest incidence of complications (20%) and repulsion by sinus bone flap (n = 20) the highest (80%). Complication rates for repulsion by maxillary (n = 19) and mandibular trephination (n = 28), and extraction by lateral buccotomy (n = 15) were 42, 54 and 53%, respectively. Cheek tooth repulsion by sinus bone flap significantly increased the odds of damage to adjacent teeth, post-operative sinusitis, damage to alveolar bone, delayed alveolar granulation and orosinus fistulation. Repulsion by maxillary trephination significantly increased the odds of superficial incisional surgical site infection; and extraction by lateral buccotomy significantly increased the odds of facial nerve neuropraxia. Post-operative pyrexia was more common in all repulsion methods. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Some clinically relevant differences may have been missed due to small group numbers in several categories. CONCLUSIONS: Oral extraction was associated with fewer post-operative complications than any other methods. Standing oral extraction remains the preferred choice, and recent surgical advances promise to further improve its success rate

Exenatide Sensitizes Insulin-Mediated Whole-Body Glucose Disposal and Promotes Uptake of Exogenous Glucose by the Liver

OBJECTIVE— Recent progress suggests that exenatide, a mimetic of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), might lower glycemia independent of increased β-cell response or reduced gastrointestinal motility. We aimed to investigate whether exenatide stimulates glucose turnover directly in insulin-responsive tissues dependent or independent of insulinemia

Continuous digital hypothermia prevents lamellar failure in the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp model of equine laminitis

Continuous digital hypothermia can prevent the development and progression of laminitis associated with sepsis but its effects on laminitis due to hyperinsulinaemia are unknown.To determine the effects of continuous digital hypothermia on laminitis development in the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp model.Randomised, controlled (within subject), blinded, experiment.Eight clinically normal Standardbred horses underwent laminitis induction using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp model (EHC). At initiation of the EHC, one forelimb was continuously cooled (ICE), with the other maintained at ambient temperature (AMB). Dorsal lamellar sections (proximal, middle, distal) were harvested 48 h after initiation of the EHC and were analysed using histological scoring (0-3) and histomorphometry. Cellular proliferation was quantified by counting epidermal cell nuclei staining positive with an immunohistochemical proliferation marker (TPX2).Severe elongation and disruption of SEL with dermo-epidermal separation (score of 3) was observed in all AMB feet at one or more section locations, but was not observed in any ICE sections. Overall 92% of AMB sections received the most severe histological score (grade 3) and 8% were grade 2, whereas ICE sections were classified as either grade 1 (50%) or grade 2 (50%). Relative to AMB feet, ICE sections were 98% less likely to exhibit grades 2 or 3 (OR: 0.02, 95% CI 0.001, 0.365;

A phase II study evaluating neo-/adjuvant EIA chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiotherapy in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of chemotherapy in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma is controversial. Though many patients undergo initial curative resection, distant metastasis is a frequent event, resulting in 5-year overall survival rates of only 50-60%. Neo-adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (CTX) has been applied to achieve pre-operative cytoreduction, assess chemosensitivity, and to eliminate occult metastasis. Here we report on the results of our non-randomized phase II study on neo-adjuvant treatment for high-risk STS.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Patients with potentially curative high-risk STS (size ≥ 5 cm, deep/extracompartimental localization, tumor grades II-III [FNCLCC]) were included. The protocol comprised 4 cycles of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (EIA, etoposide 125 mg/m²iv days 1 and 4, ifosfamide 1500 mg/m²iv days 1 - 4, doxorubicin 50 mg/m²day 1, pegfilgrastim 6 mg sc day 5), definitive surgery with intra-operative radiotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy and 4 adjuvant cycles of EIA.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>Between 06/2005 and 03/2010 a total of 50 subjects (male = 33, female = 17, median age 50.1 years) were enrolled. Median follow-up was 30.5 months. The majority of primary tumors were located in the extremities or trunk (92%), 6% originated in the abdomen/retroperitoneum. Response by RECIST criteria to neo-adjuvant CTX was 6% CR (n = 3), 24% PR (n = 12), 62% SD (n = 31) and 8% PD (n = 4). Local recurrence occurred in 3 subjects (6%). Distant metastasis was observed in 12 patients (24%). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 2 years was 83% and 68%, respectively. Multivariate analysis failed to prove influence of resection status or grade of histological necrosis on OS or DFS. Severe toxicities included neutropenic fever (4/50), cardiac toxicity (2/50), and CNS toxicity (4/50) leading to CTX dose reductions in 4 subjects. No cases of secondary leukemias were observed so far.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The current protocol is feasible for achieving local control rates, as well as OS and DFS comparable to previously published data on neo-/adjuvant chemotherapy in this setting. However, the definitive role of chemotherapy remains unclear in the absence of large, randomized trials. Therefore, the current regimen can only be recommended within a clinical study, and a possibly increased risk of secondary leukemias has to be taken into account.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01382030">NCT01382030</a>, EudraCT 2004-002501-72</p