39 research outputs found

    SMS Advertising in India: Is TAM a Robust Model for Explaining Intention?

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    This study examined mobile users’ intentions to receive SMS advertising in India using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as research framework. 242 respondents completed a structured questionnaire; measuring their responses for the TAM’s five constructs viz. perceived utility, perceived ease of use, perceived trust, attitude and intention. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) both measurement model and structural model testing was done to analyze the data. Findings indicated that specified TAM model contributed to 81.8% of variance in the intention to receive SMS advertising and was a valid model in explaining the intention to receive SMS advertising. Study further indicated that perceived utility was much better predictor of attitude towards SMS advertising than perceived ease of use and perceived trust. Study suggested marketers that to increase acceptance of SMS advertising they should focus more on increasing utility of SMS ads, so that users would develop positive attitudes towards SMS advertising

    BIBO stabilisation of continuous time takagi sugeno systems under persistent perturbations and input saturation

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    [EN] This paper presents a novel approach to the design of fuzzy state feedback controllers for continuous-time non-linear systems with input saturation under persistent perturbations. It is assumed that all the states of the Takagi¿Sugeno (TS) fuzzy model representing a non-linear system are measurable. Such controllers achieve bounded input bounded output (BIBO) stabilisation in closed loop based on the computation of inescapable ellipsoids. These ellipsoids are computed with linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) that guarantee stabilisation with input saturation and persistent perturbations. In particular, two kinds of inescapable ellipsoids are computed when solving a multiobjective optimization problem: the maximum volume inescapable ellipsoids contained inside the validity domain of the TS fuzzy model and the smallest inescapable ellipsoids which guarantee a minimum *-norm (upper bound of the 1-norm) of the perturbed system. For every initial point contained in the maximum volume ellipsoid, the closed loop will enter the minimum *-norm ellipsoid after a finite time, and it will remain inside afterwards. Consequently, the designed controllers have a large domain of validity and ensure a small value for the 1-norm of closed loop.The authors wish to thank the Editor-in-Chief and the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. This work has been funded by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Spain) through the research project DPI2015-71443-R and by Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia, Spain) through the research project GV/2017/029.Salcedo-Romero-De-Ávila, J.; Martínez Iranzo, MA.; Garcia-Nieto, S.; Hilario Caballero, A. (2018). BIBO stabilisation of continuous time takagi sugeno systems under persistent perturbations and input saturation. International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (Online). 28(3):457-472. https://doi.org/10.2478/amcs-2018-0035S45747228

    T-S Fuzzy Bibo Stabilisation of Non-Linear Systems Under Persistent Perturbations Using Fuzzy Lyapunov Functions and Non-PDC Control Laws

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    [EN] This paper develops an innovative approach for designing non-parallel distributed fuzzy controllers for continuous-time non-linear systems under persistent perturbations. Non-linear systems are represented using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models. These non-PDC controllers guarantee bounded input bounded output stabilisation in closed-loop throughout the computation of generalised inescapable ellipsoids. These controllers are computed with linear matrix inequalities using fuzzy Lyapunov functions and integral delayed Lyapunov functions. LMI conditions developed in this paper provide non-PDC controllers with a minimum *-norm (upper bound of the 1-norm) for the T-S fuzzy system under persistent perturbations. The results presented in this paper can be classified into two categories: local methods based on fuzzy Lyapunov functions with guaranteed bounds on the first derivatives of membership functions and global methods based on integral-delayed Lyapunov functions which are independent of the first derivatives of membership functions. The benefits of the proposed results are shown through some illustrative examples.This work has been funded by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain (research project RTI2018-096904-B-I00) and Conselleria de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte-Generalitat Valenciana, Spain (research project AICO/2019/055).Salcedo-Romero-De-Ávila, J.; Martínez Iranzo, MA.; Garcia-Nieto, S.; Hilario Caballero, A. (2020). T-S Fuzzy Bibo Stabilisation of Non-Linear Systems Under Persistent Perturbations Using Fuzzy Lyapunov Functions and Non-PDC Control Laws. International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (Online). 30(3):529-550. https://doi.org/10.34768/amcs-2020-0039S52955030

    Heterogeneous Infectivity and Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Beta, Delta and Omicron in Transgenic K18-hACE2 and Wildtype Mice

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    SARS-CoV-2; Viral load; Wildtype miceSARS-CoV-2; Carga viral; Ratones de tipo salvajeSARS-CoV-2; Càrrega viral; Ratolins de tipus salvatgeThe emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) may display enhanced transmissibility, more severity and/or immune evasion; however, the pathogenesis of these new VOCs in experimental SARS-CoV-2 models or the potential infection of other animal species is not completely understood. Here we infected K18-hACE2 transgenic mice with B.1, B.1.351/Beta, B.1.617.2/Delta and BA.1.1/Omicron isolates and demonstrated heterogeneous infectivity and pathogenesis. B.1.351/Beta variant was the most pathogenic, while BA.1.1/Omicron led to lower viral RNA in the absence of major visible clinical signs. In parallel, we infected wildtype (WT) mice and confirmed that, contrary to B.1 and B.1.617.2/Delta, B.1.351/Beta and BA.1.1/Omicron can infect them. Infection in WT mice coursed without major clinical signs and viral RNA was transient and undetectable in the lungs by day 7 post-infection. In silico modeling supported these findings by predicting B.1.351/Beta receptor binding domain (RBD) mutations result in an increased affinity for both human and murine ACE2 receptors, while BA.1/Omicron RBD mutations only show increased affinity for murine ACE2.The research of CBIG consortium (constituted by IRTA-CReSA, BSC & IrsiCaixa) is supported by Grifols. We thank Foundation Dormeur for financial support for the acquisition of the QuantStudio-5 real time PCR system. CÁ-N has a grant by Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya and Fons Social Europeu. EG-V is a research fellow from PERIS (SLT017/20/000090). This work was partially funded by grant PID2020-117145RB-I00 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (NI-U) the Departament de Salut of the Generalitat de Catalunya (grant SLD016 to JB and Grant SLD015 to JC), the Spanish Health Institute Carlos III (Grant PI17/01518. PI20/00093 to JB and PI18/01332 to JC), Fundació La Marató de TV3 (Project202126-30-21), CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya 2017 SGR 252, and the crowdfunding initiatives #joemcorono (https://www.yomecorono.com), BonPreu/Esclat and Correos. Funded in part by Fundació Glòria Soler (JB). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript

    Heterogeneous Infectivity and Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Beta, Delta and Omicron in Transgenic K18-hACE2 and Wildtype Mice

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    The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) may display enhanced transmissibility, more severity and/or immune evasion; however, the pathogenesis of these new VOCs in experimental SARS-CoV-2 models or the potential infection of other animal species is not completely understood. Here we infected K18-hACE2 transgenic mice with B.1, B.1.351/Beta, B.1.617.2/Delta and BA.1.1/Omicron isolates and demonstrated heterogeneous infectivity and pathogenesis. B.1.351/Beta variant was the most pathogenic, while BA.1.1/Omicron led to lower viral RNA in the absence of major visible clinical signs. In parallel, we infected wildtype (WT) mice and confirmed that, contrary to B.1 and B.1.617.2/Delta, B.1.351/Beta and BA.1.1/Omicron can infect them. Infection in WT mice coursed without major clinical signs and viral RNA was transient and undetectable in the lungs by day 7 post-infection. In silico modeling supported these findings by predicting B.1.351/Beta receptor binding domain (RBD) mutations result in an increased affinity for both human and murine ACE2 receptors, while BA.1/Omicron RBD mutations only show increased affinity for murine ACE2.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    5to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad. Memoria académica

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    El V Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS 2019, realizado del 6 al 8 de febrero de 2019 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, ofreció a la comunidad académica nacional e internacional una plataforma de comunicación unificada, dirigida a cubrir los problemas teóricos y prácticos de mayor impacto en la sociedad moderna desde la ingeniería. En esta edición, dedicada a los 25 años de vida de la UPS, los ejes temáticos estuvieron relacionados con la aplicación de la ciencia, el desarrollo tecnológico y la innovación en cinco pilares fundamentales de nuestra sociedad: la industria, la movilidad, la sostenibilidad ambiental, la información y las telecomunicaciones. El comité científico estuvo conformado formado por 48 investigadores procedentes de diez países: España, Reino Unido, Italia, Bélgica, México, Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Estados Unidos y Ecuador. Fueron recibidas un centenar de contribuciones, de las cuales 39 fueron aprobadas en forma de ponencias y 15 en formato poster. Estas contribuciones fueron presentadas de forma oral ante toda la comunidad académica que se dio cita en el Congreso, quienes desde el aula magna, el auditorio y la sala de usos múltiples de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, cumplieron respetuosamente la responsabilidad de representar a toda la sociedad en la revisión, aceptación y validación del conocimiento nuevo que fue presentado en cada exposición por los investigadores. Paralelo a las sesiones técnicas, el Congreso contó con espacios de presentación de posters científicos y cinco workshops en temáticas de vanguardia que cautivaron la atención de nuestros docentes y estudiantes. También en el marco del evento se impartieron un total de ocho conferencias magistrales en temas tan actuales como la gestión del conocimiento en la universidad-ecosistema, los retos y oportunidades de la industria 4.0, los avances de la investigación básica y aplicada en mecatrónica para el estudio de robots de nueva generación, la optimización en ingeniería con técnicas multi-objetivo, el desarrollo de las redes avanzadas en Latinoamérica y los mundos, la contaminación del aire debido al tránsito vehicular, el radón y los riesgos que representa este gas radiactivo para la salud humana, entre otros

    VIII Encuentro de Docentes e Investigadores en Historia del Diseño, la Arquitectura y la Ciudad

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    Acta de congresoLa conmemoración de los cien años de la Reforma Universitaria de 1918 se presentó como una ocasión propicia para debatir el rol de la historia, la teoría y la crítica en la formación y en la práctica profesional de diseñadores, arquitectos y urbanistas. En ese marco el VIII Encuentro de Docentes e Investigadores en Historia del Diseño, la Arquitectura y la Ciudad constituyó un espacio de intercambio y reflexión cuya realización ha sido posible gracias a la colaboración entre Facultades de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño de la Universidad Nacional y la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba, contando además con la activa participación de mayoría de las Facultades, Centros e Institutos de Historia de la Arquitectura del país y la región. Orientado en su convocatoria tanto a docentes como a estudiantes de Arquitectura y Diseño Industrial de todos los niveles de la FAUD-UNC promovió el debate de ideas a partir de experiencias concretas en instancias tales como mesas temáticas de carácter interdisciplinario, que adoptaron la modalidad de presentación de ponencias, entre otras actividades. En el ámbito de VIII Encuentro, desarrollado en la sede Ciudad Universitaria de Córdoba, se desplegaron numerosas posiciones sobre la enseñanza, la investigación y la formación en historia, teoría y crítica del diseño, la arquitectura y la ciudad; sumándose el aporte realizado a través de sus respectivas conferencias de Ana Clarisa Agüero, Bibiana Cicutti, Fernando Aliata y Alberto Petrina. El conjunto de ponencias que se publican en este Repositorio de la UNC son el resultado de dos intensas jornadas de exposiciones, cuyos contenidos han posibilitado actualizar viejos dilemas y promover nuevos debates. El evento recibió el apoyo de las autoridades de la FAUD-UNC, en especial de la Secretaría de Investigación y de la Biblioteca de nuestra casa, como así también de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la UCC; va para todos ellos un especial agradecimiento

    Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

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    Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries
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