A new root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne moensi n. sp. (Nematoda : Meloidogynidae), parasitizing Robusta coffee from Western Highlands, Vietnam

A new root-knot nematode, parasitizing Robusta coffee in Dak Lak Province, Western Highlands of Vietnam, is described as Meloidogyne moensi n. sp. Morphological and molecular analyses demonstrated that this species differs clearly from other previously described root-knot nematodes. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a swollen body of females with a small posterior protuberance that elongated from ovoid to saccate; perineal patterns with smooth striae, continuous and low dorsal arch; lateral lines marked as a faint space or linear depression at junction of the dorsal and ventral striate; distinct phasmids; perivulval region free of striae; visible and wide tail terminus surrounding by concentric circles of striae; medial lips of females in dumbbell-shaped and slightly raised above lateral lips; female stylet is normally straight with posteriorly sloping stylet knobs; lip region of second stage juvenile (J2) is not annulated; medial lips and labial disc of J2 formed dumbbell shape; lateral lips are large and triangular; tail of J2 is conoid with rounded unstriated tail tip; distinct phasmids and hyaline; dilated rectum. Meloidogyne moensi n. sp. is most similar to M. africana, M. ottersoni by prominent posterior protuberance. Results of molecular analysis of rDNA sequences including the D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S rDNA, COI, and partial COII/16S rRNA of mitochondrial DNA support for the new species status

Dynamic output feedback sliding-mode control using pole placement and linear functional observers

This paper presents a methodological approach to design dynamic output feedback sliding-mode control for a class of uncertain dynamical systems. The control action consists of the equivalent control and robust control components. The design of the equivalent control and the sliding function are based on the pole-placement technique. Linear functional observers are developed to implement the sliding function and the equivalent control. Stability of the resulting system under the proposed control scheme is guaranteed. A numerical example is given to demonstrate its efficacy.<br /

Observer-based decentralized approach to robotic formation control

Control of a group of mobile robots in a formation requires not only environmental sensing but also communication among vehicles. Enlarging the size of the platoon of vehicles causes difficulties due to communications bandwidth limitations. Decentralized control may be an appropriate approach in those cases when the states of all vehicles cannot be obtained in a centralized manner. This paper presents a solution to the problem of decentralized implementation of a global state-feedback controller for N mobile robots in a formation. The proposed solution is based on the design of functional observers to estimate asymptotically the global state-feedback control signals by using the corresponding local output information and some exogenous global functions. The proposed technique is tested through simulation and experiments for the control of groups of Pinoneer-based non-holonomic mobile robots.<br /

A Low-Cost Dual-Band RF Power Amplifier for Wireless Communication Systems

This paper presents a design of a low-cost concurrent dual-band power amplifier operating at 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The design combines the signal splitting and second harmonic suppression techniques. The power amplifier aims at achieving the high-efficiency while rejecting unwanted output mixing products when operating in the dual-band mode. These advantages are obtained by using a harmonic termination technique combining with a signal splitting method. The designed amplifier is tested at both small- and large-signal performance through simulations and measurements. The designed amplifier delivers 10.2 dB Gain, 41.2 dBm Pout, and PAE of 40.2 % at 1.8 GHz and 10.1 dB Gain, 41.1 dBm Pout, and PAE of 38.7 % at 2.6 GHz. The second harmonic suppression for 1.8 GHz band is 49 dBc while the second harmonic for the 2.6 GHz is nearly total suppression. In addition, by using the proposed circuit, the unwanted mixing products can be significantly reduced improving linearity performance

A Low-Cost Dual-Band RF Power Amplifier for Wireless Communication Systems

This paper presents a design of a low-cost concurrent dual-band power amplifier operating at 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The design combines the signal splitting and second harmonic suppression techniques. The power amplifier aims at achieving the high-efficiency while rejecting unwanted output mixing products when operating in the dual-band mode. These advantages are obtained by using a harmonic termination technique combining with a signal splitting method. The designed amplifier is tested at both small- and large-signal performance through simulations and measurements. The designed amplifier delivers 10.2 dB Gain, 41.2 dBm Pout, and PAE of 40.2 % at 1.8 GHz and 10.1 dB Gain, 41.1 dBm Pout, and PAE of 38.7 % at 2.6 GHz. The second harmonic suppression for 1.8 GHz band is 49 dBc while the second harmonic for the 2.6 GHz is nearly total suppression. In addition, by using the proposed circuit, the unwanted mixing products can be significantly reduced improving linearity performance

Prostate Cancer Disparities in Risk Group at Presentation and Access to Treatment for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders: A Study With Disaggregated Ethnic Groups

PURPOSE: We identified (1) differences in localized prostate cancer (PCa) risk group at presentation and (2) disparities in access to initial treatment for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) men with PCa after controlling for sociodemographic factors. METHODS: We assessed all patients in the National Cancer Database with localized PCa with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk disease who identified as Thai, White, Asian Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Laotian, Pakistani, Kampuchean, and Hmong. Multivariable logistic regression defined adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% CI of (1) presenting at progressively higher risk group and (2) receiving treatment or active surveillance with intermediate- or high-risk disease, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Among 980,889 men (median age 66 years), all AANHPI subgroups with the exception of Thai (AOR = 0.84 [95% CI, 0.58 to 1.21], P > .05), Asian Indian (AOR = 1.12 [95% CI, 1.00 to 1.25], P > .05), and Pakistani (AOR = 1.34 [95% CI, 0.98 to 1.83], P > .05) men had greater odds of presenting at a progressively higher PCa risk group compared with White patients (Chinese AOR = 1.18 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.25], P < .001; Japanese AOR = 1.36 [95% CI, 1.26 to 1.47], P < .001; Filipino AOR = 1.37 [95% CI, 1.29 to 1.46], P < .001; Korean AOR = 1.32 [95% CI, 1.18 to 1.48], P < .001; Vietnamese AOR = 1.20 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.35], P = .002; Laotian AOR = 1.60 [95% CI, 1.08 to 2.36], P = .018; Hmong AOR = 4.07 [95% CI, 1.54 to 10.81], P = .005; Kampuchean AOR = 1.55 [95% CI, 1.03 to 2.34], P = .036; Asian Indian or Pakistani AOR = 1.15 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.24], P < .001; Native Hawaiians AOR = 1.58 [95% CI, 1.38 to 1.80], P < .001; and Pacific Islanders AOR = 1.58 [95% CI, 1.37 to 1.82], P < .001). Additionally, Japanese Americans (AOR = 1.46 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.97], P = .013) were more likely to receive treatment compared with White patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that there are differences in PCa risk group at presentation by race or ethnicity among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander subgroups and that there exist disparities in treatment patterns. Although AANHPI are often studied as a homogenous group, heterogeneity upon subgroup disaggregation underscores the importance of further study to assess and address barriers to PCa care

Delayed blood transfusion is associated with mortality following radical cystectomy

Objectives: To examine the temporal association between blood transfusion and 90-day mortality in patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy. / Methods: This represents a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with radical cystectomy within the Premier Hospital network between 2003 and 2015. Patients outcomes were stratified those who received early blood transfusion (day of surgery) vs delayed blood transfusion (postoperative day ≥1) during the index admission. Primary end point was 90-day mortality following surgery. / Results: The median age of 12,056 patients identified was 70 years. A total of 7,201 (59.7%) patients received blood transfusion. Within 90 days following surgery, 57 (2.2%), 162 (5.9%) and 123 (6.7%) patients in the early, delayed and both early and delayed transfused patients died respectively. Following multivariate logistic regression to account for patient (age and Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]) and hospital (surgeon volume, surgical approach and academic status) factors, delayed blood transfusion was independently associated with 90-day mortality (Odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.98–3.53; p < 0.001). A sensitivity analysis defining early blood transfusion as <2 days postoperatively, increased 90-day mortality persisted in patients receiving delayed transfusion (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.63-3.00; p < 0.001). Older patients (≥77 years) with the highest CCI (≥2) had a 7% absolute increase in the predicted probability of 90-day mortality if they were transfused late compared to patients transfused early. / Conclusion: Patient undergoing cystectomy may benefit from expedited transfusion to prevent subsequent clinical deterioration which may lead to patient mortality. Future work is needed to elucidate the optimal timing of blood transfusion

Quality indicators for bladder cancer services : a collaborative review

Context There is a lack of accepted consensus on what should constitute appropriate quality-of-care indicators for bladder cancer. Objective To evaluate the optimal management of bladder cancer and propose quality indicators (QIs). Evidence acquisition A systematic review was performed to identify literature on current optimal management and potential quality indicators for both non–muscle-invasive (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive (MIBC) bladder cancer. A panel of experts was convened to select a recommended list of QIs. Evidence synthesis For NMIBC, preoperative QIs include tobacco cessation counselling and appropriate imaging before initial transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). Intraoperative QIs include administration of antibiotics, proper safe conduct of TURBT using a checklist, and performing restaging TURBT with biopsy of the prostatic urethra in appropriate cases. Postoperative QIs include appropriate receipt of perioperative adjuvant therapy, risk-stratified surveillance, and appropriate decision to change therapy when indicated (eg, unresponsive to bacillus Calmette-Guerin). For MIBC, preoperative QIs include multidisciplinary care, selection for candidates for continent urinary diversion, receipt of neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy, time to commencing radical treatment, consideration of trimodal therapy as a bladder-sparing alternative in select patients, preoperative counselling with stoma marking, surgical volume of radical cystectomy, and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. Intraoperative QIs include adequacy of lymphadenectomy, blood loss, and operative time. Postoperative QIs include prospective standardised monitoring of morbidity and mortality, negative surgical margins for pT2 disease, appropriate surveillance after primary treatment, and adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in appropriate cases. Participation in clinical trials was highlighted as an important component indicating high quality of care. Conclusions We propose a set of QIs for both NMIBC and MIBC based on established clinical guidelines and the available literature. Measurement of these QIs could aid in improvement and benchmarking of optimal care of bladder cancer. Patient summary After a systematic review of existing guidelines and literature, a panel of experts has recommended a set of quality indicators that can help providers and patients measure and strive towards optimal outcomes for bladder cancer care

National trends in hospital-acquired preventable adverse events after major cancer surgery in the USA

Objectives: While multiple studies have demonstrated variations in the quality of cancer care in the USA, payers are increasingly assessing structure-level and process-level measures to promote quality improvement. Hospital-acquired adverse events are one such measure and we examine their national trends after major cancer surgery. Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of a weighted-national estimate from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) undergoing major oncological procedures (colectomy, cystectomy, oesophagectomy, gastrectomy, hysterectomy, lung resection, pancreatectomy and prostatectomy). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) were utilised to identify trends in hospital-acquired adverse events. Setting: Secondary and tertiary care, US hospitals in NIS Participants: A weighted-national estimate of 2 508 917 patients (>18 years, 1999–2009) from NIS. Primary outcome measures Hospital-acquired adverse events. Results: 324 852 patients experienced ≥1-PSI event (12.9%). Patients with ≥1-PSI experienced higher rates of in-hospital mortality (OR 19.38, 95% CI 18.44 to 20.37), prolonged length of stay (OR 4.43, 95% CI 4.31 to 4.54) and excessive hospital-charges (OR 5.21, 95% CI 5.10 to 5.32). Patients treated at lower volume hospitals experienced both higher PSI events and failure-to-rescue rates. While a steady increase in the frequency of PSI events after major cancer surgery has occurred over the last 10 years (estimated annual % change (EAPC): 3.5%, p<0.001), a concomitant decrease in failure-to-rescue rates (EAPC −3.01%) and overall mortality (EAPC −2.30%) was noted (all p<0.001). Conclusions: Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in the national frequency of potentially avoidable adverse events after major cancer surgery, with a detrimental effect on numerous outcome-level measures. However, there was a concomitant reduction in failure-to-rescue rates and overall mortality rates. Policy changes to improve the increasing burden of specific adverse events, such as postoperative sepsis, pressure ulcers and respiratory failure, are required

Measurement of the circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers confirms emission mechanisms

We report here on a novel analysis of the complete set of four Stokes parameters that uniquely determine the linear and/or circular polarization of the radio signal for an extensive air shower. The observed dependency of the circular polarization on azimuth angle and distance to the shower axis is a clear signature of the interfering contributions from two different radiation mechanisms, a main contribution due to a geomagnetically-induced transverse current and a secondary component due to the build-up of excess charge at the shower front. The data, as measured at LOFAR, agree very well with a calculation from first principles. This opens the possibility to use circular polarization as an investigative tool in the analysis of air shower structure, such as for the determination of atmospheric electric fields.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.