A set-theoretic generalization of dissipativity with applications in Tube MPC

This paper introduces a framework for analyzing a general class of uncertain nonlinear discrete-time systems with given state-, control-, and disturbance constraints. In particular, we propose a set-theoretic generalization of the concept of dissipativity of systems that are affected by external disturbances. The corresponding theoretical developments build upon set based analysis methods and lay a general theoretical foundation for a rigorous stability analysis of economic tube model predictive controllers. Besides, we discuss practical prodecures for verifying set-dissipativity of constrained linear control systems with convex stage costs.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

Transmission of Beauveria bassiana from male to female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resistance to chemical insecticides plus high morbidity rates have lead to rising interest in fungi as candidates for biocontrol agents of mosquito vectors. In most studies fungal infections have been induced by exposure of mosquitoes to various surfaces treated with conidia. In the present study eight Mexican strains of <it>Beauveria bassiana </it>were assessed against <it>Aedes aegypti </it>by direct exposure of females to 6 × 10⁸conidia ml ^-1on a filter paper, afterwards, the transmission of the least and most virulent isolates was evaluated by mating behavior from virgin, fungus-contaminated male to females, to examine this ethological pattern as a new approach to deliver conidia against the dengue vector.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In an exposure chamber with a filter paper impregnated with 6 × 10⁸conidia ml ^-1of the least and most virulent strains of <it>B. bassiana</it>, 6-8 day old males of <it>A. aegypti </it>were exposed for 48 hours, and then transferred individually (each one was a replicate) to another chamber and confined with twenty healthy females of the same age. Clean males were used in controls. Survival, infection by true mating (insemination) or by mating attempts (no insemination) and fecundity were daily registered until the death of last female. Data analysis was conducted with proc glm for unbalanced experiments and means were separated with the Ryan test with SAS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All strains were highly virulent with LT₅₀ranging from 2.70 (± 0.29) to 5.33 (± 0.53) days. However the most (Bb-CBG2) and least virulent (Bb-CBG4) isolates were also transmitted by mating behavior; both killed 78-90% of females in 15 days after being confined with males that had previously been exposed for 48 hours to fungi. Of these mortality rates, 23 and 38% respectively, were infections acquired by copulations where insemination occurred. The LT₅₀for sexually-infected females were 7.92 (± 0.46) and 8.82 (± 0.45) days for both strains, while the one in control was 13.92 (± 0.58). Likewise, fecundity decreased by 95% and 60% for both Bb-CBG2 and Bb-CBG4 isolates in comparison with control. The role of mating attempts in this delivery procedure of <it>B. bassiana </it>is discussed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first report about transmission of <it>B. bassiana </it>by mating behavior from virgin, fungus-contaminated males to females in <it>A. aegypti</it>. Fungal infections acquired by this route (autodissemination) infringed high mortality rates (90%) in mated or approached females. However, prior to releasing virgin, fungus-contaminated males to spread <it>B. basasiana </it>among females of <it>A. aegypti</it>, this novel alternative needs further investigations.</p

Multiregional, not multiple origins

Multiregional evolution is a model to account for the pattern of human evolution in the Pleistocene. The underlying hypothesis is that a worldwide network of genic exchanges, between evolving human populations that continually divide and reticulate, provides a frame of population interconnections that allows both species-wide evolutionary change and local distinctions and differentiation. “Multiregional” does not mean independent multiple origins, ancient divergence of modern populations, simultaneous appearance of adaptive characters in different regions, or parallel evolution. A valid understanding of multiregional evolution would go a long way toward reducing the modern human origins controversy. Am J Phys Anthropol 112:129–136, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34270/1/11_ftp.pd

Estudo para avaliação e gerenciamento da disponibilidade hídrica da bacia da Lagoa Mirim

A Lagoa Mirim é um dos principais sistemas naturais existentes no Rio Grande do Sul. O desenvolvimento da região é baseado fundamentalmente na disponibilidade de recursos hídricos e a sua interação com as demandas, existentes e de futuros cenários previstos. O principal recurso hídrico desta região, a Lagoa Mirim, é compartilhada com o Uruguai, desta forma envolve uma Gestão dos Recursos Hídricos baseada na administração do Estado, Federação e na estratégia do Brasil neste contexto. Os condicionantes ambientais regionais envolvem a conservação da estação ecológica do Taim, administrada pelo IBAMA - Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente, que está sujeita a ações antrópicas, já que na sua bacia hidrográfica existe uma grande retirada de água para irrigação. Este estudo é voltado fundamentalmente para uma avaliação global dos condicionantes de disponibilidade e demanda de recursos hídricos nesta região. O estudo foi contratado pelo estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Especificamente os objetivos são os seguintes: Caracterização do comportamento da Lagoa Mirim e do sistema do Taim; Estabelecer o balanço hídrico da Lagoa Mirim através da avaliação da sua disponibilidade hídrica, face as demandas de água existentes na região

Persistent pain management in an oncology population through pain neuroscience education, a multimodal program: PaiNEd randomized clinical trial protocol

Pain is one of the most persistent symptoms after cancer treatment. The central nervous system can erroneously stay in its alarm phase, altering the pain experience of patients who have cancer. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) with multimodal approaches may benefit these patients.“Subvenciones para la Financiación de la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+I) Biomédica y en Ciencias de la Salud, Consejería de Salud y Familias”, of the Andalusian Regional Government (PI-0171-2020