Practical advantages of inverted decoupling

This paper presents a study of the main advantages of inverted decoupling in 2x2 processes. Two simulation examples and an experimental process are used to show these advantages in comparison with simplified decoupling. The study is focused on the following practical advantages: the apparent process is the same as that obtained if one loop changes to manual, bumpless transfer and anti-windup are achieved easily using a feedforward input in the controllers, and abnormalities of secondary loops do not affect the opposite loop. Thanks to them, inverted decoupling may be a good and easy way to improve the performance of industrial TITO processes with interaction problems (when it can be applied)

Characteristics of children with hip displacement in cerebral palsy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a common and severe problem. The dislocation can be avoided, by screening and preventive treatment of children with hips at risk. The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of children with CP who develop hip displacement, in order to optimise a hip surveillance programme.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a total population of children with CP a standardised clinical and radiological follow-up of the hips was carried out as a part of a hip prevention programme. The present study is based on 212 children followed until 9–16 years of age.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 212 children, 38 (18%) developed displacement with Migration Percentage (MP) >40% and further 19 (9%) MP between 33 and 39%. Mean age at first registration of hip displacement was 4 years, but some hips showed MP > 40% already at two years of age. The passive range of hip motion at the time of first registration of hip displacement did not differ significantly from the findings in hips without displacement.</p> <p>The risk of hip displacement varied according to CP-subtype, from 0% in children with pure ataxia to 79% in children with spastic tetraplegia. The risk of displacement (MP > 40%) was directly related to the level of gross motor function, classified according to the gross motor function classification system, GMFCS, from 0% in children in GMFCS level I to 64% in GMFCS level V.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hip displacement in CP often occurs already at 2–3 years of age. Range of motion is a poor indicator of hips at risk. Thus early identification and early radiographic examination of children at risk is of great importance. The risk of hip displacement varies according to both CP-subtype and GMFCS. It is sometimes not possible to determine subtype before 4 years of age, and at present several definitions and classification systems are used. GMFCS is valid and reliable from 2 years of age, and it is internationally accepted.</p> <p>We recommend a hip surveillance programme for children with CP with radiographic examinations based on the child's age and GMFCS level.</p

When Is a Principal Charged With an Agent’s Knowledge?

Question: Detecting species presence in vegetation and making visual assessment of abundances involve a certain amount of skill, and therefore subjectivity. We evaluated the magnitude of the error in data, and its consequences for evaluating temporal trends. Location: Swedish forest vegetation. Methods: Vegetation data were collected independently by two observers in 342 permanent 100-m2 plots in mature boreal forests. Each plot was visited by one observer from a group of 36 and one of two quality assessment observers. The cover class of 29 taxa was recorded, and presence/absence for an additional 50. Results: Overall, one third of each occurrence was missed by one of the two observers, but with large differences among species. There were more missed occurrences at low abundances. Species occurring at low abundance when present tended to be frequently overlooked. Variance component analyses indicated that cover data on 5 of 17 species had a significant observer bias. Observer-explained variance was &lt; 10% in 15 of 17 species. Conclusion: The substantial number of missed occurrences suggests poor power in detecting changes based on presence/absence data. The magnitude of observer bias in cover estimates was relatively small, compared with random error, and therefore potentially analytically tractable. Data in this monitoring system could be improved by a more structured working model during field work.Original publication: Milberg, P., Bergstedt, J., Fridman, J., Odell, G & Westerberg, L., Systematic and random variation in vegetation monitoring data, 2008, Journal of Vegetation Science, (19), 633-644. http://dx.doi.org/10.3170/2008-8-18423. Copyright: Opulus Press, http://www.opuluspress.se/index.ph

Evaluating the potential of whole-genome sequencing for tracing transmission routes in experimental infections and natural outbreaks of bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in cattle. Genomic sequencing can resolve phylogenetic relationships between virus populations, which can be used to infer transmission routes and potentially inform the design of biosecurity measures. Sequencing of short

Influence of radial depth of cut on entry conditions and dynamics in face milling application

In this study, acceleration of the workpiece is measured for different radial depths of cut and cutting edge geometries. The influence of the radial depth of cut on the dynamical behavior is evaluated in time and frequency domains. The results for different radial depths of cut and cutting geometries are quantified using the root mean square value of acceleration. The outcome of this research study can be used both for the better cutting data recommendations and improved tool design.У даному дослідженні прискорення оброблюваної деталі вимірювали для різних радіальних глибин різання і геометрії ріжучої кромки фрези. Вплив радіальної глибини різання на динамічну поведінку оцінювали в часових і частотних інтервалах. Отримано кількісні результати для різних радіальних глибин і геометрії різання з використанням середньоквадратичного значення прискорення. Результати цього дослідження можуть бути використані для рекомендацій як покращення процесу різання, так і конструкції інструменту.В данном исследовании ускорение перемещения заготовки измеряли для разных радиальных глубин резания и геометрии режущей кромки фрезы. Влияние радиальной глубины резания на динамическое поведение оценивали во временных и частотных интервалах. Получены количественные результаты для различных радиальных глубин и геометрии резания с использованием среднеквадратичного значения ускорения. Результаты этого исследования могут быть использованы для рекомендаций по улучшению как процесса резания, так конструкции инструмента

The head shaft angle is associated with hip displacement in children at GMFCS levels III-V - a population based study

Background:  An increased Head Shaft Angle (HSA) has been reported as a risk factor for hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP) but opinions differ in the literature. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the relationship between HSA and hip displacement in a different population of children with CP. Methods:  The Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway Scotland surveillance programme includes 95% of all children with CP in Scotland. The pelvic radiographs from 640 children in GMFCS levels III-V were chosen. The most displaced hip was analysed and the radiographs used were those taken at the child’s first registration in the database to avoid the potential effects of surveillance on subsequent hip centration. A logistic regression model was used with hip displacement (migration percentage [MP] ≥40%) as outcome and HSA, GMFCS, age and sex as covariates. Results: The MP was ≥40% in 118 hips with a mean HSA of 164° (range 121–180°) and < 40% in 522 hips with a mean HSA of 160° (range 111–180°). The logistic regression analysis showed no significant influence of age and sex on MP in this population but a high GMFCS level was strongly associated with hip displacement. An increased HSA was also associated with hip displacement, a 10° difference in HSA for children adjusted for age, sex, and GMFCS gave an odds ratio of 1.26 for hip displacement equal or above 40% (p = 0.009) and hips with HSA above 164.5 degrees had an odds ratio of 1.96 compared with hips with HSA below 164.5 degrees (p = 0.002). Conclusion:  These findings confirm that HSA is associated with hip displacement in children in GMFCS levels III-V.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe