High gain observer for structured multi-output nonlinear systems

In this note, we present two system structures that characterize classes of multi-input multi-output uniformly observable systems. The first structure is decomposable into a linear and a nonlinear part while the second takes a more general form. It is shown that the second system structure, being more general, contains several system structures that are available in the literature. Two high gain observer design methodologies are presented for both structures and their distinct features are highlighted

KDM5B as a potential epigenetic regulator of cardiomyocyte regeneration and cell cycle activation.

The limited regenerative capacity of adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) is manifested in prevalent morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic heart disease. We previously demonstrated that a combination of four cell cycle factors (4F) promotes efficient cell division in differentiated CMs. The temporal transcriptional reprogramming in the 4F-transduced CMs indicates that epigenetic modifications mediate the cell cycle progression. Through small molecule screening, we evaluated the epigenetic impact on CM’s response in the 4F-transduced CMs. We identified the histone demethylase 5B (KDM5B), which through in vitro and ex vivo genetic knockdown and overexpression studies, exhibited a modulative effect on CM’s cell cycle plasticity along with transcriptional alteration in the cell cycle-related genes. Whereas KDM5B depletion impaired CM’s replicative capacity, its overexpression induced and augmented CM’s proliferation in a context-dependent manner. Our data indicate that KDM5B is essential for CM’s regeneration and cell cycle activation and is a potential target for myocardial repair

Factors associated with self-care behavior in persons with heart failure.

Introduction: Heart failure is a serious illness that mostly affects the elderly. It is characterized by progressive deterioration of the heart muscle and affects the quality of life of those living with it. The progression of the illness has been shown to be slower with appropriate self-care. Several studies examined predictors of self-care extensively. The results were inconsistent and usually explained a small fraction of the variance in self-care in persons with heart failure, and they usually overlooked some potential predictors that could be related to self-care in person with heart failure. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore impulsivity, perceived control, and perceived stress as predictors of self-care behavior in person with heart failure using the Hot/Cool System Model. This study examined the mechanism by which these variables interact to affect self-care behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted with 100 persons with heart failure from a heart failure clinic affiliated with Norton Healthcare using self-report questionnaires. Inclusion criteria were: a diagnosis of heart failure with no terminal illness or memory problems, at least 18 years of age, and able to read and speak English. Participants received a $10 gift card as compensation for their participation. SPSS macros were used to investigate the proposed relationships among study variables. Results: Perceived control mediated the effect of impulsivity on self-care maintenance only at low levels of stress. Backward regression showed that the best fit model for predicting self-care maintenance included impulsivity, perceived control, and functional status. A follow up mediation analysis showed that perceived control partially mediated the relationship between impulsivity and self-care maintenance. However, the results did not show any significant effect of those potential predictors on self-care management. Conclusion: The current study added new insights and filled a gap in the literature. Further research is needed since this study is the first to introduce impulsivity and Hot Cool System Model to the nursing literature, and it is the first to study this combination of variables in persons with heart failure Keyword: Heart failure, self-care, impulsivity, perceived control, perceived stress, Hot/Cool System Model, moderated mediatio

Large-scale classification based on support vector machine

Esta tese propón o fast support vector classifier, unha versión eficiente da máquina de vectores de soporte (SVM) con cerne gausiano para problemas de clasificación grandes. Este clasificador acada un acerto cercano aos mellores métodos dispoñíbeis, sendo moito máis rápido que aqueles en conxuntos de ata 31 millóns de datos, 30.000 entradas e 131 clases. Tamén axusta os requerimentos de memoria, permitindo a súa execución en datos de tamano case arbitrariamente grande. Esta tese tamén propón o algoritmo ideal kernel tuning, un método de sintonización eficiente da anchura do cerne gausiano para a SVM, método que é o máis rápido comparado con outras 5 alternativas da literatura, cun acerto moi perto do mellor dispoñíbel actualmente e cun reducido consumo de memoria

Drought Assessment Using GIS and Remote Sensing in Amman-Zarqa Basin, Jordan

This study aims at assessing drought for Amman-Zarqa basin, north Jordan. This basin is one of the important basins in Jordan where most of the agricultural and hydrological activates are located. During the last decades, Amman-Zarqa basin had faced a high variability of the rainy season which starts every year in October and ends in April. The main objective of this research is to find out if this basin is currently facing drought conditions. Two different drought indices were used in this study; these are the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to evaluate drought using rainfall data and satellite images. Geographical information systems (GIS) software were used in this study to; 1) Create spatial digital database to hold meteorological information for the study area, 2) Generate thematic layers representing spatial distribution of drought for both SPI and NDVI and 3) Delineate areas with high drought risk using SPI and NDVI and compare the results of both models . The results obtained from this study show that Amman-Zarqa basin is currently facing drought conditions. Furthermore, it was concluded that the combination of various indices offer better understanding and better monitoring of drought conditions for semi-arid basins like Amman-Zarqa Basin

Impact of social media on violence reduction in sports stadiums

This study aimed to identify the role of sports media based on social media in reducing the phenomenon of violence in stadiums from the viewpoint of Sports Science Faculty students at the University of Jordan. A descriptive method was employed, and a sample of 190 students (120 males and 70 females) participated. A comprehensive review of relevant research and collection of pertinent information led to the development of a tailored questionnaire. The instrument consisted of four axes and 24 items, answered using a five-point Likert scale. Statistical data processing was conducted using the SPSS program. The results indicated that, from the students' perspective, the role of sports media based on social media in reducing violence was moderate. Additionally, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found according to gender across all study axes, where males achieved higher arithmetic averages. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed according to academic year in the axis of professional commitment to sports media, with second-year students showing higher arithmetic averages. The researchers recommend that sports media based on social media adopt a balanced language when describing matches

A nonlinear canonical form for reduced order observer design

International audienceThis paper presents a nonlinear canonical form which is used for the design of a reduced order observer. Sufficient and necessary geometric conditions are given in order to transform a special class of nonlinear systems to the proposed nonlinear canonical form and the corresponding reduced order observer is analyzed

Large calculi within malpositioned and malformed kidneys, is percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) feasible? A Single Center’s Experience over 10 Years

Background and Purpose: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for large calculi within malpositioned and malformed kidneys is a challenging problem for urologist because of the abnormal anatomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to review our experience with PCNLin malpositioned and malformed kidneys with large calculi.Patients and Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2009, we performed PCNL in 36 patients with large calculi in malpositioned and malformed kidneys, including 16 patients with horseshoe kidneys, 11 patients with rotational anomalous, three patients with transplanted kidneyand six patients with ectopic pelvic kidneys. After appropriate preoperative evaluation, the procedure was performed by choosing anterior,posterior or laparoscopic assisted approaches under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. PCNL access was made in the upper pole of the kidney in 21 (58.3%) patients, in the midpole in 14 (38.9%) patients, and in the lower pole in one patient (2.8%).Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.5 years (range 21- 57) with male: female ratio 2.7: 1, the mean stone size was 2.9 cm (range 2.1- 4.9). Complete stone removal was achieved in 26 (72.2%) patients. A second-look procedure for residual stone removal was required in nine patients (25%), five of them via the same tract and three patients required another access, four of them became stone free, four patients required adjuvant ESWL sessions for the residual stones, and onepatient converted to open surgery due to difficulty in creating an access.The mean operating time for PCNL was 95 minutes (range 45-120), and the mean hospital stay was 3.7 days (range 3-8 days). Blood transfusion was required for three (8.3%) patients, transient postoperativepyrexia encountered in six (16.7%) patients and one patient had persistent urine leak (2.8%). Serious complications were encountered, small bowel perforation was occurred in two (5.6%) patients, and both were treated by laparatomy with primary repair of injury with uneventfuloutcome.Conclusion: Patients with malposition and malformed kidneys and large calculi can be managed safely and effectively with PCNL when they are properly selected and appropriately assessed before operation. Stone management in malformed and malposition kidneys is challenging, andestablishing percutaneous renal access is the most crucial step in the procedure