Data filtering-based least squares iterative algorithm for Hammerstein nonlinear systems by using the model decomposition

This paper focuses on the iterative identification problems for a class of Hammerstein nonlinear systems. By decomposing the system into two fictitious subsystems, a decomposition-based least squares iterative algorithm is presented for estimating the parameter vector in each subsystem. Moreover, a data filtering-based decomposition least squares iterative algorithm is proposed. The simulation results indicate that the data filtering-based least squares iterative algorithm can generate more accurate parameter estimates than the least squares iterative algorithm

Combined state and parameter estimation for Hammerstein systems with time-delay using the Kalman filtering

This paper discusses the state and parameter estimation problem for a class of Hammerstein state space systems with time-delay. Both the process noise and the measurement noise are considered in the system. Based on the observable canonical state space form and the key term separation, a pseudo-linear regressive identification model is obtained. For the unknown states in the information vector, the Kalman filter is used to search for the optimal state estimates. A Kalman-filter based least squares iterative and a recursive least squares algorithms are proposed. Extending the information vector to include the latest information terms which are missed for the time-delay, the Kalman-filter based recursive extended least squares algorithm is derived to obtain the estimates of the unknown time-delay, parameters and states. The numerical simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms

Combination of Decitabine and a Modified Regimen of Cisplatin, Cytarabine and Dexamethasone: A Potential Salvage Regimen for Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma After Second-Line Treatment Failure

ObjectiveThe prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R-DLBCL) after second-line treatment failure is extremely poor. This study prospectively observed the efficacy and safety of decitabine with a modified cisplatin, cytarabine, and dexamethasone (DHAP) regimen in R/R-DLBCL patients who failed second-line treatment.MethodsTwenty-one R/R-DLBCL patients were enrolled and treated with decitabine and a modified DHAP regimen. The primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and safety. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsORR reached 50% (complete response rate, 35%), five patients (25%) had stable disease (SD) with disease control rate (DCR) of 75%. Subgroup analysis revealed patients over fifty years old had a higher complete response rate compared to younger patients (P = 0.005), and relapsed patients had a better complete response rate than refractory patients (P = 0.031). Median PFS was 7 months (95% confidence interval, 5.1-8.9 months). Median OS was not achieved. One-year OS was 59.0% (95% CI, 35.5%-82.5%), and two-year OS was 51.6% (95% confidence interval, 26.9%-76.3%). The main adverse events (AEs) were grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities such as neutropenia (90%), anemia (50%), and thrombocytopenia (70%). Other main non-hematologic AEs were grade 1/2 nausea/vomiting (40%) and infection (50%). No renal toxicity or treatment-related death occurred.ConclusionDecitabine with a modified DHAP regimen can improve the treatment response and prognosis of R/R-DLBCL patients with good tolerance to AEs, suggesting this regimen has potential as a possible new treatment option for R/R-DLBCL patients after second-line treatment failure.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03579082

Applicability and Advantage of Mitochondrial Metagenomics and Metabarcoding in Spider Biodiversity Survey

Spiders are an extraordinary animal group with extremely high diversity in species, morphology, and behavior. Accurate estimation of species diversity and community composition is essential in spider ecological studies as well as applications of biodiversity surveys and monitoring. However, spider biodiversity surveys still largely utilize the morphology-based approach, which is often time-consuming and highly dependent on taxonomic experts. In this study, we tested the applicability of mitochondrial metagenomic and metabarcoding methods in the biodiversity survey of spiders. Local mitogenome and barcode databases of 62 reference species were built using next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing technologies. The performances of mitochondrial metagenomics, metabarcoding, and morphological methods were compared for five plot samples of spiders. The results show that the molecular methods (mitochondrial metagenomics and metabarcoding) have a higher species detection rate compared with the traditional morphological biodiversity method, which is largely due to their capability of incorporating the large proportion of immature specimens in each plot into the biodiversity assessment. Our study demonstrates the great potential of molecular approaches in advancing spider biodiversity and community ecology studies and suggests that by combining both mitochondrial metagenomic and metabarcoding methods we could provide more accurate and reliable biodiversity assessment for spiders

Chemical effect of NO on CH4 oxidation during combustion in O-2/NO environments

The effect of NO on methane oxidation in O-2/NO combustion atmosphere was investigated using reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) calculations. It has been observed that, the conversion of NO could accelerate the oxidation of CH4. To provide a detailed description for this phenomenon, the corresponding kinetic behavior of nitrogen-containing compounds were systematically analyzed at atomistic level. It revealed that NO presented a two-fold impact with respect to CH4 oxidation, on one hand, the presence of NO enhanced CH4 consumption by converting HO2 into OH radical; on the other hand, the appearance of NO inhibited CH4 consumption by catalyzing chain-carrier recombination reaction

Effects of basic medical insurance integration on subjective wellbeing of residents in China: empirical evidence from a quasi-experiment

IntroductionEnhancing the wellbeing of residents through universal health coverage (UHC) is a long-term policy goal for China. In 2016, China integrated the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS) and the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) into the Urban and Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI) to address the problem of fragmentation.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate whether the integration of basic medical insurance had an impact on the subjective wellbeing of Chinese residents.MethodsUsing the China Household Finance Survey data of 2015 and 2019, we empirically estimated the influence of the integration of basic medical insurance on Chinese residents through the difference-in-difference method based on propensity score matching (PSM-DID).ResultsOur findings indicate that the integration of basic medical insurance improved the subjective wellbeing of the insured population. Additionally, through heterogeneity testing, we validated that the integration increased the subjective wellbeing of residents from less developed regions in West China and rural areas, as well as those with older adult dependents. However, the subjective wellbeing of low-income groups, who were expected to benefit more from the URRBMI, did not improve significantly, at least in the short term.ConclusionAccording to our research, the integration of basic medical insurance in China supports the country's objective of achieving equality and providing universal benefits for its residents. The introduction of the URRBMI has had a positive impact on the subjective wellbeing of insured individuals. This is particularly beneficial for disadvantaged groups in less developed regions, as well as for residents with older adult dependents. However, the subjective wellbeing of the middle-income group has improved significantly, whereas that of the low-income group, despite being the intended beneficiaries of the integration, did not show significant improvement.RecommendationsFrom a funding perspective, we recommend establishing a dynamic adjustment funding system that links residents' medical insurance funding standards with their disposable income. Regarding the utilization of the URRBMI, the benefit packages should be expanded, particularly by covering more outpatient services through risk pooling. We call for further research with additional data and continued efforts on improving wellbeing of residents, particularly for disadvantaged populations

The complete mitogenome of Plator insolens (Araneae: Trochanteriidae) with phylogenetic implication

Plator insolens Simon, 1880 belongs to the family Trochanteriidae and is distributed in China. Herein, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of P. insolens reconstructed from Illumina sequencing data, which is the first published mitochondrial genome for the family. The mitogenome is 14,519 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicates that P. insolens is clustered within the RTA clade of the infraorder Araneomorphae. This study provides useful genetic information for future studies on the taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of trochanteriid species