Identification of Hysteresis Functions Using a Multiple Model Approach

This paper considers the identification of static hysteresis functions which describe phenomena in mechanical systems, piezoelectric actuators and materials. A solution based on a model with a parallel structure of elementary models (with switching) and the Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) approach is proposed. For each elementary model a separate IMM estimator is implemented. The estimated parameters represent a fusion of values from preset grids, weighted by the IMM mode probabilities. The estimated state of each elementary model is a fusion of the estimated states (from the separate Kalman filters) weighted by the IMM probabilities. The nonlinear identification problem is reduced to a linear one. Results from simulation experiments are presented

Connectivity of Random 1-Dimensional Networks

An important problem in wireless sensor networks is to find the minimal number of randomly deployed sensors making a network connected with a given probability. In practice sensors are often deployed one by one along a trajectory of a vehicle, so it is natural to assume that arbitrary probability density functions of distances between successive sensors in a segment are given. The paper computes the probability of connectivity and coverage of 1-dimensional networks and gives estimates for a minimal number of sensors for important distributions

Overview of Environment Perception for Intelligent Vehicles

This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on environment perception for intelligent vehicles. The state-of-the-art algorithms and modeling methods for intelligent vehicles are given, with a summary of their pros and cons. A special attention is paid to methods for lane and road detection, traffic sign recognition, vehicle tracking, behavior analysis, and scene understanding. In addition, we provide information about datasets, common performance analysis, and perspectives on future research directions in this area

Molecular characterisation of congenital myasthenic syndromes in Southern Brazil

Objective To perform genetic testing of patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) from the Southern Brazilian state of Parana. Patients and methods Twenty-five CMS patients from 18 independent families were included in the study. Known CMS genes were sequenced and restriction digest for the mutation RAPSN p.N88K was performed in all patients. Results We identified recessive mutations of CHRNE in ten families, mutations in DOK7 in three families and mutations in COLQ, CHRNA1 and CHRNB1 in one family each. The mutation CHRNE c. 70insG was found in six families. We have repeatedly identified this mutation in patients from Spain and Portugal and haplotype studies indicate that CHRNE c. 70insG derives from a common ancestor. Conclusions Recessive mutations in CHRNE are the major cause of CMS in Southern Brazil with a common mutation introduced by Hispanic settlers. The second most common cause is mutations in DOK7. The minimum prevalence of CMS in Parana is 0.18/100 000

Molecular characterisation of congenital myasthenic syndromes in Southern Brazil

Objective To perform genetic testing of patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) from the Southern Brazilian state of Parana. Patients and methods Twenty-five CMS patients from 18 independent families were included in the study. Known CMS genes were sequenced and restriction digest for the mutation RAPSN p.N88K was performed in all patients. Results We identified recessive mutations of CHRNE in ten families, mutations in DOK7 in three families and mutations in COLQ, CHRNA1 and CHRNB1 in one family each. The mutation CHRNE c. 70insG was found in six families. We have repeatedly identified this mutation in patients from Spain and Portugal and haplotype studies indicate that CHRNE c. 70insG derives from a common ancestor. Conclusions Recessive mutations in CHRNE are the major cause of CMS in Southern Brazil with a common mutation introduced by Hispanic settlers. The second most common cause is mutations in DOK7. The minimum prevalence of CMS in Parana is 0.18/100 000

Autonomous crowds tracking with box particle filtering and convolution particle filtering

Autonomous systems such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) need to be able to recognise and track crowds of people, e.g. for rescuing and surveillance purposes. Large groups generate multiple measurements with uncertain origin. Additionally, often the sensor noise characteristics are unknown but measurements are bounded within certain intervals. In this work we propose two solutions to the crowds tracking problem— with a box particle filtering approach and with a convolution particle filtering approach. The developed filters can cope with the measurement origin uncertainty in an elegant way, i.e. resolve the data association problem. For the box particle filter (PF) we derive a theoretical expression of the generalised likelihood function in the presence of clutter. An adaptive convolution particle filter (CPF) is also developed and the performance of the two filters is compared with the standard sequential importance resampling (SIR) PF. The pros and cons of the two filters are illustrated over a realistic scenario (representing a crowd motion in a stadium) for a large crowd of pedestrians. Accurate estimation results are achieved

CLINICAL AND HISTOLOGIC FEATURES OF UTERINE MYOMA IN REPRODUCTIVE-AGE WOMEN UNDER THE TREATMENT BY SELECTIVE PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR MODULATORS

Aim of the study was to investigate the clinical features of reproductive age women with uterine body myoma and the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the dominant myoma node and perifocal myometrium under the preoperative use of ulipristal acetate (UA). Material and methods. 140 samples of 35 women surgical material were studied, VEGF content in the incubation medium of samples of myoma and myometrium was measured using enzymelinked  immunosorbent assay.Results and discussion. The treatment by UA before myoma surgery according to the standard regimen per 5 mg daily for 13 weeks deals with significantly reduced production of VEGF in the dominant myoma node compared to perifocal myometrium (p < 0.001), which is similar to patients of the control group. However, when comparing tumor nodes, a significantly lower content of VEGF was revealed in the UA-group (p = 0.026); unlike the perifocal myometrium samples. Conclusion. The use of a selective modulator of progesterone receptors downregulates the production of VEGF by the cells of the myoma nodes and doesn’t impact on the perifocal myometrium

Structure and sedimentation environment of the Silurian and Devonian boundary deposits in the west of Zeravshan-Gissar mountain region (Obi-Safit section, Kitab State Geological Reserve, Uzbekistan)

Continuous sequence of the boundary carbonate sediments of the Silurian and Devonian in the Ludford - Lochkov interval (Kupruk and lower part of Madmon Formation) have been studied in the Zeravshan-Gissars mountainous region of southern Tian-Shan, Kitab State Geological Reserve, Uzbekistan. The data comes from the stratotype section and some additional small sections in the Obi-Safit Gorge.The Kupruk Formation (Ludford-Pridolian) is composed of limestone and irregularly spotted dolomitic limestone containing numerous dilapidated bioherms, intraformational breccias, dolomite interlayers, siliceous connections. The lower part of the Madmon Formation (Lochkov) is represented by massive micritic and micritic-clotted limestones with coral and amphiporous biorstroms and rare carbonate breccias. Despite the abundance of organic remains, in the section there are no finds of biostratigraphic frames established for the standard boundary of the Silurian and Devonian due to zonal species of graptolites and conodonts which absents here in the border interval. The Obi-Safit section was analyzed from sedimentary, cyclostratigraphic and event-paleogeographic positions. Structural-genetic types of rocks have been established, their typification has been carried out, and the features of the Kupruk and Madmon biota have been studied. The characteristic of paleogeographic environments of precipitation formation is given. According to the intensity of the hydrodynamic effect on bottom, sedimentation rate and salinity of the bottom waters, complexes corresponding to the energy zones of the M. Irwin profile are distinguished: Y (predominantly high-dynamic, shallow water) and Z (mostly low-dynamic shallow water). In the section of Obi-Safit there are 12 transgress-regressive cyclothems 10 to 50 m thick. For the Kupruk Formation, an ideal cyclotema consisting of seven structural-genetic types of layers was reconstructed and paleogeographic model of their distribution was made. For the first time determinations and images of foraminifera and algae from this section are given. The Kupruk strata were formed in a basin with increased magnesium content and a frequent change in the hydrodynamic regime. Sedimentation took place with pauses, which were accompanied by exposure and drying of the bottom or its partial dissolution. The Madmon sequences accumulated under more stable environment with a relatively higher sea level standing in conditions of shallow normal marine sedimentation environments located below the base of the wave destruction. The maximum of the transgression within one cycle is determined by the presence of organogenic buildings, and the regression maximum is due to the appearance of carbonate conglomerate-breccias, dolomites and dolomitic limestones. The currently used Silurian and Devonian boundary in the Obi-Safit section is lolocated near 335 meters from the base of the section, but it has no a biostratigraphic and facies evidence. Due to the lack of biostratigraphic standard for this boundary, it is proposed to use the paleogeographic event traced in the west of the Zeravshan Range, although its accuracy is not of high grade. It is caused by the disappearance of isolation of this territory, the subsequent penetration of waters of an open sea basin and fixed by the presence of the numerous crinoid fragments in the upper part of the IX cyclotema. The first appearance of abundant fragments of crinoid stems is located on the 295 meter of the section