A multilevel control system for the large space telescope

A multilevel scheme was proposed for control of Large Space Telescope (LST) modeled by a three-axis-six-order nonlinear equation. Local controllers were used on the subsystem level to stabilize motions corresponding to the three axes. Global controllers were applied to reduce (and sometimes nullify) the interactions among the subsystems. A multilevel optimization method was developed whereby local quadratic optimizations were performed on the subsystem level, and global control was again used to reduce (nullify) the effect of interactions. The multilevel stabilization and optimization methods are presented as general tools for design and then used in the design of the LST Control System. The methods are entirely computerized, so that they can accommodate higher order LST models with both conceptual and numerical advantages over standard straightforward design techniques

Alkali-Activated Red Mud and Construction and Demolition Waste-Based Components: Characterization and Environmental Assessment

The aluminum Bayer production process is the most diffused process in the world, but it creates a high amount of basic waste material known as red mud (RM). The use of RM as a precursor of alkali-activated materials is one of the best opportunities for both the ecosystem and the economy. In the present work, mortar samples were obtained by alkali activation of RM with various percentages of blast-furnace slag (BFS) and inert construction and demolition sands. This process creates samples that have a low environmental impact and that can be used as an alternative in the construction industry to cement materials or ceramic ones. The development of these new materials could also represent a way to reduce the CO2 emissions linked to cement and ceramic brick production. In the present study, cubic 40 mm samples reported very interesting values in compressive strength, with a maximum of about 70 MPa for low environmental impact mortars. With such a material, it is possible to create solid bricks for structural use and concrete tiles for road paving or use it for other purposes. Mortar specimens were prepared and characterized, and an LCA analysis with a “cradle-to-gate” approach was carried out for a comparison of the environmental impact of the studied mortars with other materials currently marketed

Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with concomitant severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease. A closer look to the unresolved perplexity

Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases in developed countries, and they coexist in up to 50% of patients. The pathophysiological rationale behind concomitant AS and CAD is discussed in detail in this review, together with prognostic implications. Detecting CAD in patients with AS may be challenging, as AS may mask the existence and symptoms of CAD. The safety and reliability of invasive and non-invasive physiological assessment for epicardial coronary disease are also a matter of debate. Finally, the selection and timing of optimal treatment of CAD in patients with severe AS are still unclear. Given the aging of the population, the increase in the prevalence of AS, and the ongoing paradigm shift in its treatment, controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of CAD in the setting of AS are deemed to grow in importance. In this paper, we present contemporary issues in the diagnosis and management of CAD in patients with severe AS who are transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) candidates and provide perspective on the treatment approach

Percutaneous Ventricular Restoration (PVR) Therapy Using the Parachute Device in 100 Subjects with Ischaemic Dilated Heart Failure: One-Year Primary Endpoint Results of PARACHUTE III, a European Trial

AIMS: This prospective, non-randomised, observational study conducted in Europe was designed in order to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the Parachute device in ischaemic heart failure subjects as a result of left ventricle remodelling after anterior wall myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred subjects with New York Heart Association Class II-IV ischaemic heart failure (HF), ejection fraction (EF) between 15% and 40%, and dilated akinetic or dyskinetic anterior-apical wall without the need to be revascularised were enrolled. The primary safety endpoint was procedural- or device-related major adverse cardiac cerebral events (MACCE). The secondary safety endpoint was the composite of mortality and morbidity. Secondary efficacy endpoints included haemodynamic measurements determined by echocardiography, LV volume indices, and assessment of functional improvement measured by a standardised six-minute walk test. Of the 100 subjects enrolled, device implantation was successful in 97 (97%) subjects. The one-year rates of the primary and secondary safety endpoints were 7% and 32.3%, respectively. The secondary endpoints, LV volume reduction (p<0.0001) and six-minute walk distance improvement (p<0.01), were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The favourable outcomes observed in this high-risk population provide reassuring safety and efficacy data to support adoption of this technology as a therapeutic option for HF subjects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

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Quantitative Flow Ratio to Predict Nontarget Vessel-Related Events at 5 Years in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Angiography-Guided Revascularization.

Background In ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, angiography-based complete revascularization is superior to culprit-lesion-only percutaneous coronary intervention. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a novel, noninvasive, vasodilator-free method used to assess the hemodynamic significance of coronary stenoses. We aimed to investigate the incremental value of QFR over angiography in nonculprit lesions in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing angiography-guided complete revascularization. Methods and Results This was a retrospective post hoc QFR analysis of untreated nontarget vessels (any degree of diameter stenosis [DS]) from the randomized multicenter COMFORTABLE AMI (Comparison of Biolimus Eluted From an Erodible Stent Coating With Bare Metal Stents in Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial by assessors blinded for clinical outcomes. The primary end point was cardiac death, spontaneous nontarget vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically indicated nontarget vessel revascularization (ie, ≥70% DS by 2-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography or ≥50% DS and ischemia) at 5 years. Of 1161 patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, 946 vessels in 617 patients were analyzable by QFR. At 5 years, the rate of the primary end point was significantly higher in patients with QFR ≤0.80 (n=35 patients, n=36 vessels) versus QFR >0.80 (n=582 patients, n=910 vessels) (62.9% versus 12.5%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 7.33 [95% CI, 4.54-11.83], P30% DS by 3-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography. Conclusions Our study suggests incremental value of QFR over angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention for nonculprit lesions among patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

The correlation between reading and mathematics ability at age twelve has a substantial genetic component

Dissecting how genetic and environmental influences impact on learning is helpful for maximizing numeracy and literacy. Here we show, using twin and genome-wide analysis, that there is a substantial genetic component to children’s ability in reading and mathematics, and estimate that around one half of the observed correlation in these traits is due to shared genetic effects (so-called Generalist Genes). Thus, our results highlight the potential role of the learning environment in contributing to differences in a child’s cognitive abilities at age twelve

A Blind Comparative Study of Focused Wave Interactions with a Fixed FPSO-like Structure (CCP-WSI Blind Test Series 1)

Results from Blind Test Series 1, part of the Collaborative ComputationalProject in Wave Structure Interaction (CCP-WSI), are presented. Partici-pants, with a range of numerical methods, simulate blindly the interactionbetween a fixed structure and focused waves ranging in steepness and di-rection. Numerical results are compared against corresponding physicaldata. The predictive capability of each method is assessed based on pres-sure and run-up measurements. In general, all methods perform well inthe cases considered, however, there is notable variation in the results(even between similar methods). Recommendations are made for appro-priate considerations and analysis in future comparative studies

Polymorphism in a lincRNA Associates with a Doubled Risk of Pneumococcal Bacteremia in Kenyan Children.

Bacteremia (bacterial bloodstream infection) is a major cause of illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa but little is known about the role of human genetics in susceptibility. We conducted a genome-wide association study of bacteremia susceptibility in more than 5,000 Kenyan children as part of the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium 2 (WTCCC2). Both the blood-culture-proven bacteremia case subjects and healthy infants as controls were recruited from Kilifi, on the east coast of Kenya. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacteremia in Kilifi and was thus the focus of this study. We identified an association between polymorphisms in a long intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA) gene (AC011288.2) and pneumococcal bacteremia and replicated the results in the same population (p combined = 1.69 × 10(-9); OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.84-3.31). The susceptibility allele is African specific, derived rather than ancestral, and occurs at low frequency (2.7% in control subjects and 6.4% in case subjects). Our further studies showed AC011288.2 expression only in neutrophils, a cell type that is known to play a major role in pneumococcal clearance. Identification of this novel association will further focus research on the role of lincRNAs in human infectious disease.Wellcome Trust (Grant ID: 084716/Z/08/Z)This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Cell Press/Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.03.02

Genome-wide association study of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis reveals genomic loci stratified by ANCA status

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown cause. 30% of patients have anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) specific for myeloperoxidase (MPO). Here, we describe a genome-wide association study in 676 EGPA cases and 6,809 controls, that identifies 4 EGPA-associated loci through conventional case-control analysis, and 4 additional associations through a conditional false discovery rate approach. Many variants are also associated with asthma and six are associated with eosinophil count in the general population. Through Mendelian randomisation, we show that a primary tendency to eosinophilia contributes to EGPA susceptibility. Stratification by ANCA reveals that EGPA comprises two genetically and clinically distinct syndromes. MPO+ ANCA EGPA is an eosinophilic autoimmune disease sharing certain clinical features and an HLA-DQ association with MPO+ ANCA-associated vasculitis, while ANCA-negative EGPA may instead have a mucosal/barrier dysfunction origin. Four candidate genes are targets of therapies in development, supporting their exploration in EGPA