An approach to inverse nonlinear control using neural networks

Mechatronics26595-611MECH

Stability of strain gradient elastic bars in tension (vol 1, pg 407, 2007)

Honey is a widely available natural sweetener containing sugars, and small quantities ofvitamins and minerals, proteins, amino acids and fatty acids. Owing to its nutritious components,commercial honeys are sold in bulk blends or as trendy and premium products. Meanwhile, honeybees are considered as environmental monitors and have the potential to transfer environmentalcontaminants, if present, to honey. In high density urban and industrial environments polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals can be prevalent, whilst pesticides and mineraland trace elements are ubiquitous. Honey hives are traditionally located in rural and forested areas,but there is a growing trend to locate hives in urban areas. This project has investigated the presenceof environmental contaminants in honey samples from high density urban, peri-urban as well asrural areas. Australian honey samples (n = 211) were purchased between 2016 and 2018, including52 honeys claiming to be of urban origin purchased online. Stingless bee honeys (n = 36) fromQueensland and Malaysia were compared. Processed samples were analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS(herbicides), GC-MS/MS (pesticides and PAHs) and ICP-MS and ICP-OES (elemental analyses). Theresults showed low or negligible pesticide, herbicide, and PAH contamination, and that these lowresults were similar regardless of urban or rural origins. Wide variations of essential trace element(Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, Co, Mn, Cr) and mineral levels (K, Na, P, Mg, Ca) were found in honey products,which are a good dietary source of K and Zn. Relatively low levels of toxic heavy metals were foundin honeys

Resolved versus confirmed ARDS after 24 h: insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Purpose: To evaluate patients with resolved versus confirmed ARDS, identify subgroups with substantial mortality risk, and to determine the utility of day 2 ARDS reclassification. Methods: Our primary objective, in this secondary LUNG SAFE analysis, was to compare outcome in patients with resolved versus confirmed ARDS after 24\ua0h. Secondary objectives included identifying factors associated with ARDS persistence and mortality, and the utility of day 2 ARDS reclassification. Results: Of 2377 patients fulfilling the ARDS definition on the first day of ARDS (day 1) and receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, 503 (24%) no longer fulfilled the ARDS definition the next day, 52% of whom initially had moderate or severe ARDS. Higher tidal volume on day 1 of ARDS was associated with confirmed ARDS [OR 1.07 (CI 1.01\u20131.13), P = 0.035]. Hospital mortality was 38% overall, ranging from 31% in resolved ARDS to 41% in confirmed ARDS, and 57% in confirmed severe ARDS at day 2. In both\ua0resolved and confirmed\ua0ARDS, age, non-respiratory SOFA score, lower PEEP and P/F ratio, higher peak pressure and respiratory rate were each\ua0associated with mortality. In confirmed ARDS, pH and the presence of immunosuppression or neoplasm were also associated\ua0with mortality. The increase in area under the receiver operating curve for ARDS reclassification on day 2 was marginal. Conclusions: ARDS, whether resolved or confirmed at day 2, has a high mortality rate. ARDS reclassification at day 2 has limited predictive value for mortality. The substantial mortality risk in severe confirmed ARDS suggests that complex interventions might best be tested in this population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02010073. \ua9 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature and ESICM