Decentralized ellipsoidal state estimation for linear model predictive control of an irrigation canal

A centralized linear MPC is used to stabilize an irrigation system whose operation is represented by an integrator-delay model. Since not all the state variables can be measured, a decentralized ellipsoidal estimation strategy is proposed. This approach keeps the quality of a centralized estimation and reduces significantly the computation time for the systems considered. An adaptation of Test Canal 1, developed by the ASCE Task Committee on Canal Automation Algorithms, is used as a case study to show the performance of the proposed methodology.Fil: Rodriguez Aguilar, Leandro Pedro Faustino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Maestre, J. M.. Universidad de Sevilla. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería; EspañaFil: Camacho, E. F.. Universidad de Sevilla. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería; EspañaFil: Sanchez, Mabel Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain : a phenomenological inquiry

Sexual health is a multidimensional phenomenon constructed by personal, social, and cultural factors but continues to be studied with a biomedical approach. During the postpartum period, a woman transitions to mother, as well as partner-to-parent and couple-to-family. There are new realities in life in the postpartum period, including household changes and new responsibilities that can impact the quality of sexual health. This phenomenon is understudied especially in the context of Spain. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of postpartum sexual health among primiparous women giving birth in Catalonia (Spain). This was a phenomenological study with a purposive sample of primiparous women. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews until saturation. Analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step process with an eighth translation step added to limit cross-cultural threats to validity. Also, the four dimensions of trustworthiness were established through strategies and techniques during data collection and analysis. Ten women were interviewed from which five themes emerged, including: Not feeling ready, inhibiting factors, new reality at home, socio-cultural factors, and the clinician within the health system. Returning to sexual health led women to engage in experiential learning through trial and error. Most participants reported reduced libido, experienced altered body image, and recounted resumption of sexual activity before feeling ready. A common finding was fatigue and feeling overloaded by the demands of the newborn. Partner support was described as essential to returning to a meaningful relationship. Discussions about postpartum sexual health with clinicians were described as taboo, and largely absent from the care model. Evidence-based practices should incorporate the best evidence from research, consider the postpartum sexual health experiences and preferences of the woman, and use clinician expertise in discussions that include the topic of postpartum sexual health to make decisions. As such, human caring practices should be incorporated into clinical guidelines to recognize the preferences of women. Clinicians need to be authentically present, engage in active communication, and individualize their care. More qualitative studies are needed to understand postpartum sexual health in different contexts, cultures, and countries and to identify similarities and differences through meta-synthesis

Effects of Schizochytrium microalgae and sunflower oil as sources of unsaturated fatty acids for the sustainable mitigation of ruminal biogases methane and carbon dioxide

Biogases produced during ruminant production needs to be reduced. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated CH4 production from livestock to contribute about 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions, while carbon dioxide (CO2) accounted for about 9% of the emission (FAO, 2006). Besides, these gases including CH4, CO2, and H2 are produced during ruminal fermentation and cause losses amounting to 2e12% of dietary energy in ruminants (Johnson and Johnson, 1995). Furthermore, these emissions have been implicated in causing climate change. Yeast, organic acids salt, exogenous enzymes, and essential oils have been used as new strategies to mitigate the production of ruminal methane from ruminants (Elghandour et al., 2016, 2017; Hernandez et al., 2017).Mitigation of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as ruminal fermentation parameters of a total mixed ration in the presence of Schizochytrium microalgae (SA) and sunflower oil (SO) or their mixture (SASO) as unsaturated fatty acid sources was investigated. Rumen liquor from two rumen cannulated Holstein steers and two rumen cannulated Creole goats was used as inoculum. Interactions between inoculum source additive type, and inoculum source additive type dose were observed for gas, CH4 and CO2 production and fermentation parameters. Additives affected the fermentation parameters in a dose-dependent manner. With goats’ inoculum, the inclusion of SO (1, 2, 4, 5%), SA (2, 3, 5%) and SASO (1, 3%) increased gas production (GP) and decreased the rate of GP, while with the steer inoculum, SO at 1 and 4% increased GP and the rate of GP. All levels of SA and SASO decreased the asymptotic GP and increased the rate of GP. The goat inoculum decreased CH4 at different doses of SO, SA and SASO whereas the steer inoculum decreased CH4 production. At all doses, additives decreased fermentation pH, protozoal counts, and increased ammonia-N, DM degradability and total bacterial counts. Sunflower oil (i.e., SO) at 1e3%, SA at 1e2%, and SASO at 1e2% were the most efficacious in the nutrition of goats, compared with SO at 1 to 2 in steers. The results suggest that Schizochytrium microalgae and sunflower oil could be a valuable means of sustainably mitigating CH4 and CO2 emissions for improved environmental conditions

Hospital survey on patient safety culture (HSOPSC) : a multi-method approach for target-language instrument translation, adaptation, and validation to improve the equivalence of meaning for cross-cultural research

Altres ajuts: This research project was partially funded through a research dissemination grant from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia received by Dr. Doriam E. Camacho-Rodríguez.The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) is widely utilized in multiple languages across the world. Despite culture and language variations, research studies from Latin America use the Spanish language HSOPSC validated for Spain and the United States. Yet, these studies fail to report the translation method, cultural adaptation process, and the equivalence assessment strategy. As such, the psychometric properties of the HSOPSC are not well demonstrated for cross-cultural research in Latin America, including Peru. The purpose of this study was to develop a target-language HSOPSC for cross-cultural research in Peru that asks the same questions, in the same manner, with the same intended meaning, as the source instrument. This study used a mixed-methods approach adapted from the translation guideline recommended by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The 3-phase, 7-step process incorporated translation techniques, pilot testing, cognitive interviews, clinical participant review, and subject matter expert evaluation. The instrument was translated and evaluated in 3 rounds of cognitive interview (CI). There were 37 problem items identified in round 1 (14 clarity, 12 cultural, 11 mixed); and resolved to 4 problems by round 3. The pilot-testing language clarity inter-rater reliability was S-CVI/Avg = 0.97 and S-CVI/UA = 0.86; and S-CVI/Avg = 0.96 and S-CVI/UA = 0.83 for cultural relevance. Subject matter expert agreement in matching items to the correct dimensions was substantially equivalent (Kappa = 0.72). Only 1 of 12 dimensions had a low Kappa (0.39), borderline fair to moderate. The remaining dimensions performed well (7 = almost perfect, 2 = substantial, and 2 = moderate). The HSOPSC instrument developed for Peru was markedly different from the other Spanish-language versions. The resulting items were equivalent in meaning to the source, despite the new language and different cultural context. The analysis identified negatively worded items were problematic for target-language translation. With the limited literature about negatively worded items in the context of cross-cultural research, further research is necessary to evaluate this finding and the recommendation to include negatively worded items in instruments. This study demonstrates cross-cultural research with translated instruments should adhere to established guidelines, with cognitive interviews, based on evidence-based strategies

Influence of oral administration of Salix babylonica extract on milk production and composition in dairy cows

Ruminal fermentation is accompanied by losses of the energy and protein consumed by dairy cows (Tamminga, 1992; Busquet et al., 2006) which may limit productive performance and contribute to release of pollutants to the environment (Calsamiglia et al., 2007). Ionophores have been used to reduce these losses (McGuffey et al., 2001), but the use of antibiotics in animal feeds has been banned in the European Union since January 2006 (Jiménez-Peralta et al., 2012) due to potential appearance of residues in milk (Russell and Houlihan, 2003). For this reason, there is substantial interest in evaluating the potential of using natural antimicrobials, such as plant extracts generally recognized as safe for human consumption (Busquet et al., 2006; Fandiño et al., 2008), to modify rumen microbial fermentation. Extract of Salix babylonica (SB) have been evaluated for their anti-microbial effects and for their potential to modulate ruminal fermentation and improve nutrient utilization in ruminants (Mejía-Hernández et al., 2013; Salem, 2012; Salem et al., 2010, 2011).The antimicrobial activity of SB extracts has been attributed to a number of plant secondary metabolites (PSM) such as alkaloids, saponins and phenolics (Jiménez-Peralta et al., 2011). Rumen microorganisms have the ability to degrade low concentrations of PSM without negative effects on rumen fermentation. Rumen microorganisms can also degrade alkaloids (Lanigan, 1970; Wachenheim et al., 1992), saponins (Lu and Jorgensen, 1987; Hu et al., 2005; Hart et al., 2008) and phenolics (Varel and Jung, 1986; Varel et al., 1991) and utilize them as an energy source. Some PSM can enhance protein metabolism and decrease methane production (Benchaar et al., 2007), and have the ability to suppress or stimulate microbial growth, increase binding of ammonia during urea ammoniation of straw and reduce odours from cattle manure in dairy barns (Makkar et al., 1998; Salem et al., 2012). In addition, some PSM reduce nutritional stress such as bloat and/or improve animal health and productivity (Patra et al., 2006; Benchaar et al., 2007, Xhomfulana et al., 2009; Salem et al., 2010). Positive effects on daily gain, voluntary feed intake and milk production (Salem et al., 2011) have been demonstrated, as well as a protective effect on dietary protein in the rumen in order to promote duodenal absorption, minimize excretion of nitrogen, modify the acetate to propionate ratio in rumen fluid and decrease the parasitic load (Salem et al., 2010; Jiménez- Peralta et al., 2011). Use of plant extracts could be limited by their secondary compound concentrations as consumption of large amounts of tannins or saponins may have a direct haemolytic effect and may even cause death (Athanasiadou and Kyriazakis, 2004). Moreover, long term feeding of plants rich in secondary compounds may have detrimental effects on animal health (Mahgoub et al., 2008). This experiment was conducted to determine effects of SB extract mixed in the diet on milk production and composition in Brown Swiss cows in addition to in vitro gas production of the diet fed to the cows with different doses of SB.A 3×3 Latin Square design was used to evaluate effects of 0, 150 and 300 mL of Salix babylonica (SB) extract mixed into the diet on daily milk production and composition in cows. Three Brown Swiss dairy cows (420±30.3 kg body weight), at late lactation (220±25.1 d in milk), were fed a diet with a restricted amount of concentrate and oat hay ad libitum twice daily in equal amounts. The SB extract was mixed daily with a small amount of concentrate and fed to the cows. In vitro gas production of the diet fed to the cows was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation with 0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mL SB/g DM

In Vitro Fermentative Capacity of Equine Fecal Inocula of 9 fibrous Forages in the Presence of Different Doses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

There is increasing interest in feeding fiber-based feeds as an alternative to high-starch cereal grains to horses as a means of meeting the energy demands and reduce various pathologies, such as gastric ulceration, hind-gut acidosis, laminitis, and colic [2,3], associated with feeding high levels of cereal grains. Depending on the forage type and time of harvest, forages of moderate to high nutritive value may meet the energy and crude protein (CP) requirements of horses [4]. Horses naturally use forage as a primary component of their diet, and forage is a basic necessity for normal function of the equine digestive system. High forage rations are desirable because they contain low levels of starch and sugar. Feeding a minimum 1% of body weight as fiber is very important to minimize the incidence of hindgut acidosis [5], colic [6], gastric ulcers [7], and stereotypical behaviors [8]. In tropical areas such as Mexico, forages used as feeds are generally low in digestibility and low in true protein [9]. Therefore, there is a need to develop feeding strategies which meet the requirements of performance horses while maintaining gut health and integrity.This experimentwas conducted to evaluate in vitro effects of equine fecal inocula fermentative capacity on 9 fibrous forages in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fibrous feeds were corn stover (Zeamays), oat straw(Avena sativa), sugarcane bagasseandleaves (Saccharum officinarum), llanero grass leaves (Andropogon gayanus), Taiwan grass leaves (Pennisetum purpureum), sorghum straw (Sorghum vulgare), and steria grass leaves (Cynodon plectostachyus). Fibrous feed samples were incubated with several doses of S. cerevisiae; 0 (control), 1.25 (low), 2.5 (medium) and 5 (high) mg/g dry matter (DM) of a commercial yeast product containing 1 1010/g. Fecal inoculumwas collected from4 adult horseswere fed onanamount of commercial concentrate and oat hay ad libitum. Gas production (GP)was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, and 48 hours post inoculation. An interaction occurred between feeds and yeast dose for fecalpH(P<.01), asymptoticGP (b, ml/gDM); rate ofGP (c, /hr); initial delay beforeGP began (L, hours),GPat 4 hours and48 hours (P<.01), andGPat 8 hours (P<.01) andat 24 hours (P<.01). Differences in fecal fermentation capacity between the tropical and template grass (P < .05) occurred for fecal pH, c, and GP during first 12 hours, whereas differences occurred (P< .05) between the agriculture byproducts and the grasses for fecal pH, b, and GP from 8 to 48 hours. Fermentation capacity between straws versus not straws (P <.05) differed for fecal pH, b, and GP after 12 hours between straws versus not straws. Addition of S. cerevisiae to Z. mays stover reduced (P <.01) fecal pH and the c fraction with a higher (P <.01) b fraction versus the other feeds. From4 to 24 hours, S. officinarumbagasse improvedGP tothe highest values versus S. officinarum leaves. After 24 hours, Z. mays stover had the highest GP, whereas C. plectostachyus leaves had the lowest. There were no differences among the yeast doses for all measured parameters with the exception of L values (linear effect; P <.01). The Z. mays stover hadthe highestnutritive comparedtothe otherfibrous feeds.However, additionof S. cerevisiae at 2.5 to 5.0 g/kg DM improved fecal fermentation capacity of low-quality forage

Influencia de la concentración de oxígeno en el agua de riego en la producción de tomate de industria

Póster presentado al XXXVII Congreso Nacional de Riegos, celebrado en Don Benito del 4 al 6 de Junio de 2019 y organizada por la Asociación Española de Riegos y Drenajes y la Universidad de ExtremaduraObjetivo: Análisis de la influencia de la concentración de oxígeno disuelto en agua (ODA) de riego en la producción y en la calidad del fruto en plantaciones de tomate de industria inyectado mediante dispositivos venturi en redes de riego por goteo

Quantitative Modeling of Currents from a Voltage Gated Ion Channel Undergoing Fast Inactivation

Ion channels play a central role in setting gradients of ion concentration and electrostatic potentials, which in turn regulate sensory systems and other functions. Based on the structure of the open configuration of the Kv1.2 channel and the suggestion that the two ends of the N-terminal inactivating peptide form a bivalent complex that simultaneously blocks the channel pore and binds to the cytoplasmic T1 domain, we propose a six state kinetic model that for the first time reproduces the kinetics of recovery of the Drosophila Shaker over the full range of time scales and hyperpolarization potentials, including tail currents. The model is motivated by a normal mode analysis of the inactivated channel that suggests that a displacement consistent with models of the closed state propagates to the T1 domain via the S1-T1 linker. This motion stretches the bound (inactivating) peptide, hastening the unblocking of the pore. This pulling force is incorporated into the rates of the open to blocked states, capturing the fast recovery phase of the current for repolarization events shorter than 1 ms. If the membrane potential is hyperpolarized, essential dynamics further suggests that the T1 domain returns to a configuration where the peptide is unstretched and the S1-T1 linker is extended. Coupling this novel hyperpolarized substate to the closed, open and blocked pore states is enough to quantitatively estimate the number of open channels as a function of time and membrane potential. A straightforward prediction of the model is that a slow ramping of the potential leads to very small currents

Insulin Resistance and Obesity in Mexican Youth

Purpose: Although research shows that prevalence rates of insulin resistance (IR) is increasing in children, little is known about the impact of obesity in IR in Mexican youth. This study investigated the association between overweight, obesity, and insulin resistance in Mexican adolescents. Methods: Data were collected from 448 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years from a random sample of a high school student population in Durango, Mexico. After fasting overnight, blood samples were obtained from participants. Glucose, insulin, lipid profile, leptin, insulin growth factor, growth hormone, cortisol, TNF-alpha, and C-reactive protein were determined in serum. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using CDC parameters. Fat mass was determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. THE HOMA index was used to calculate IR and a Keskin diagnosis value of 3.1 was considered. Statistical analyses were conducted. Results: The mean age of the sample was 15.44 years and a majority was female (61.4%). Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.9%. The BMI mean was slightly higher in females (65.5) than in males (61.1) (p \u3e0.05). Females had a greater mean of body fat percentage (31.9) than males (20.2) (p\u3c 0.05). Prevalence of resistance to insulin by HOMA-IR was 14.4% with no statistically significant gender differences. The IR mean was higher in adolescents with greater BMI (≥85th percentile) than those with low and normal BMI (\u3c85th percentile) (p \u3c0.05). Adolescents with high IR levels (≥3.1) had higher mean values of corporal fat (37.69%) and BMI (89.76) than those with lower IR levels (\u3c3.1) and lower corporal fat and BMI values (26.4%3 and 61.67, respectively). Conclusions: The significant association found between obesity and insulin resistance in Mexican adolescents suggests a greater risk for the development of degenerative disease in this young population during adulthood. Public health programs among Mexican adolescents are essential to prevent obesity and IR related consequences