HJ Inequalities Involving Lie Brackets and Feedback Stabilizability with Cost Regulation

With reference to an optimal control problem where the state has to approach asymptotically a closed target while paying a non-negative integral cost, we propose a generalization of the classical dissipative relation that defines a Control Lyapunov Function to a weaker differential inequality. The latter involves both the cost and the iterated Lie brackets of the vector fields in the dynamics up to a certain degree k = 1, and we call any of its (suitably defined) solutions a degree -k Minimum Restraint Function. We prove that the existence of a degree -k Minimum Restraint Function allows us to build a Lie-bracket-based feedback which sample stabilizes the system to the target while regulating (i.e., uniformly bounding) the cost

Erectile dysfunction in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) seems to be a widespread sexual issue in men affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Multiple causes appear to be involved such as hormonal imbalance, smoking habit, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, chronic hypoxia, psychiatric disorders (depression and anxiety), and medications. ED can have a significant impact on COPD men and consequently on their quality of life, which is usually already compromised. Given this situation, however, pneumologists usually do not properly care for the sexuality of COPD patients especially because men can be reluctant to talk about their intimate issues. The aim of this narrative review is to briefly summarize the evidence emerging from literature and to provide a wide point of view about sexual dysfunction in COPD men

Preferential use of the perchlorate over the nitrate in the respiratory processes mediated by the Bacterium Azospira sp. OGA 24

Here we report the results obtained for a strain isolated from a polluted site and classified as Azospira sp. OGA 24. The capability of OGA 24 to utilize perchlorate and nitrate and the regulation of pathways were investigated by growth kinetic studies and analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of the genes of perchlorate reductase alpha subunit (pcrA), chlorite dismutase (cld), and periplasmic nitrate reductase large subunit (napA). In aerobic conditions and in a minimal medium containing 10 mM acetate as carbon source, 5.6 ± 0.34 mmol L-1 perchlorate or 9.7 ± 0.22 mmol L-1 nitrate were efficiently reduced during the growth with 10 mM of either perchlorate or nitrate. In anaerobiosis, napA was completely inhibited in the presence of perchlorate as the only electron acceptor, pcrA was barely detectable in nitrate-reducing conditions. The cell growth kinetics were in accordance with expression data, indicating a separation of nitrate and perchlorate respiration pathways. In the presence of both compounds, anaerobic nitrate consumption was reduced to 50% (4.9 ± 0.4 vs. 9.8 ± 0.15 mmol L-1 without perchlorate), while that of perchlorate was not affected (7.2 ± 0.5 vs. 6.9 ± 0.6 mmol L-1 without nitrate). Expression analysis confirmed the negative effect of perchlorate on nitrate respiration. Based on sequence analysis of the considered genes and 16S ribosomal gene (rDNA), the taxonomic position of Azospira sp. OGA 24 in the perchlorate respiring bacteria (PRB) group was further defined by classifying it in the oryzae species. The respiratory characteristics of OGA 24 strain make it very attractive in terms of potential applications in the bioremediation of environments exposed to perchlorate salts

Oxygen transfer in the solid-state cultivation of D. Monoceras on polyurethane foam as an inert support

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest concerning solid-state cultivation processes due to a number of advantages over submerged cultivation. However, studies on oxygen transfer and the performance of bioreactors are lacking. Processes that use inert supports loaded with chemically-defined liquid media have several potential applications and offer numerous advantages, such as improved process control and monitoring and enhanced process consistency compared with cultivation on natural solid substrates. The aim of this research was to study the oxygen transfer for the production of allergenic proteins from a biomass of Drechslera (Helminthosporium) monoceras cultured in a packed-bed reactor filled with polyurethane foam. The results show that a high protein concentration can be produced on an inert support with a high overall oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa) during cultivation334793799CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESsem informaçã