Minimal set of generators of controllability space for singular linear dynamical systems

Due to the significant role played by singular systems in the form E ¿ x ( t ) = Ax ( t ) , on mathematical modeling of science and engineering problems; in the last years recent years its interest in the descriptive analysis of its structural and dynamic properties. However, much less effort has been devoted to studying the exact con- trollability by measuring the minimum set of controls needed to direct the entire system E ¿ x ( t ) = Ax ( t ) to any desired state. In this work, we focus the study on obtaining the set of all matrices B with a minimal number of columns, by making the singular system E ¿ x ( t ) = Ax ( t ) + Bu ( t ) controllable.Postprint (author's final draft

Bilinear softening parameters and equivalent LEFM R-curve in quasibrittle failure

For composites and adhesive joints, the determination of the cohesive zone parameters from Double Cantilever Beam specimens loaded with pure moments is now well established and documented. However, for quasibrittle materials used in Civil Engineering such as concrete or wood, the difficulty to apply a pure bending moment lies inappropriated the method used for composites. Nevertheless, the one-to-one correspondence which exists between the R-curve and the softening curve is here revisited and adapted for any kind of specimen geometry and for the bilinear approximation of the softening function, well-known to successfully describe the failure of a wide group of quasibrittle materials. It is shown that even though the connections between the cohesive parameters and the ‘equivalent LEFM’ R-curve are geometry and material dependent, their trends are preserved whatever the specimen geometry and the material are. The outline of a general estimation procedure of the cohesive zone parameters funded on the equivalent LEFM R-curve is proposed

Efficacy of standard and low drift nozzles for insecticide applications against Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) in citrus

Drift is especially critical when spraying fruit, vine and citrus orchards where pesticides are intensively used. In this context, cone low drift nozzles (LDN) intended for spraying tree crops, have been evaluated relating to cone standard nozzles (STN) in laboratory and deciduous fruit orchards (Van de Zande et al. 2012); (Planas et al., 2013)

Aged lipid-laden microglia display impaired responses to stroke

Microglial cells of the aged brain manifest signs of dysfunction that could contribute to the worse neurological outcome of stroke in the elderly. Treatment with colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor antagonists enables transient microglia depletion that is followed by microglia repopulation after treatment interruption, causing no known harm to mice. We tested whether this strategy restored microglia function and ameliorated stroke outcome in old mice. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induced innate immune responses in microglia highlighted by type I interferon and metabolic changes involving lipid droplet biogenesis. Old microglia accumulated lipids under steady state and displayed exacerbated innate immune responses to stroke. Microglia repopulation in old mice reduced lipid-laden microglia, and the cells exhibited reduced inflammatory responses to ischemia. Moreover, old mice with renewed microglia showed improved motor function 2 weeks after stroke. We conclude that lipid deposits in aged microglia impair the cellular responses to ischemia and worsen functional recovery in old mice.© 2022 The Authors. Published under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license

Practical Guidelines for Perioperative Hypersensitivity Reactions

Perioperative hypersensitivity reactions constitute a first-line problem for anesthesiologists and allergists. Therefore, hospitals should have a consensus protocol for the diagnosis and management of these reactions. However, this kind of protocol is not present in many hospitals, leading to problems with treatment, reporting of incidents, and subsequent etiological diagnosis. In this document, we present a systematic review of the available scientific evidence and provide general guidelines for the management of acute episodes and for referral of patients with perioperative hypersensitivity reactions to allergy units. Members of the Drug Allergy Committee of the Spanish Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) have created this document in collaboration with members of the Spanish Anesthesia Society (SEDAR). A practical algorithm is proposed for the etiologic diagnosis, and recommendations are provided for the management of hypersensitive patients

A record-linkage study of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in persons with hepatitis C infection in Scotland

We investigated trends in first time hospital admissions and deaths attributable to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a large population based cohort of 22 073 individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection through laboratory testing in Scotland in 1991 2006. We identified new cases of HCC through record linkage to the national inpatient hospital discharge database and deaths registry. A total of 172 persons diagnosed with HCV were admitted to hospital or died with first time mention of HCC. Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence increased between 1996 and 2006 (average annual change of 6.1, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.9 11.6%, P¼0.021). The adjusted relative risk of HCC was greater for males (hazard ratio¼2.7, 95% CI: 1.7 4.2), for those aged 60 years or older (hazard ratio ¼2.7, 95% CI: 1.9 4.1) compared with 50 59 years, and for those with a previous alcohol related hospital admission (hazard ratio¼2.5, 95% CI: 1.7 3.7). The risk of individuals diagnosed with HCV developing HCC was greatlyincreased compared with the general Scottish population (standardised incidence ratio¼127, 95% CI: 102 156). Owing to the advancing age of the Scottish HCV diagnosed population, the annual number of HCC cases is projected to increase, with a consequent increasing burden on the public healthcare system