The problem of robust output tracking control is considered for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with full state constraints. Such a class of uncertain nonlinear systems have a similar structure to uncertain strict-feedback nonlinear systems with virtual control coefficients, and is called quasi-strict-feedback nonlinear systems. Moreover, the system uncertainties are not required to satisfy strict triangularity condition or any other matching conditions, and are only assumed to mathematically guarantee the existence of solutions to differential equations which describe some actual systems, and to not destroy the stabilisability of any uncertain systems. In this paper, such a class of uncertainties is called universal uncertainties. For such a class of uncertain nonlinear systems, based on an integral inequality approach, instead of Lyapunov stability theory, by combining the self-compensating and self-tuning approach with the nonlinear transformed functions (NTFs), a class of output tracking control schemes with a rather simple structure is proposed such that (i) all the system states satisfy the state constraints; and (ii) the output tracking error is uniformly exponentially bounded. Finally, a numerical example similar to those that have been considered in control literature are given to demonstrate the simplicity of the proposed design approach.
General movements (GMs) refer to infants’ spontaneous motor activities before the emergence of voluntary motor activity. Abnormal GMs in neonates have been regarded as a marker of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, with preliminary findings in autism. To examine the relation between abnormal GMs in neonates and autism risk, videos of neonates (n = 76) extracted from a Japanese birth cohort were retrospectively exploited. A manual assessment of GMs was completed using the General Movement Assessment Optimality Score (GMOS-R) rated by professionals blinded from all clinical information. An automated assessment of several features of neonates’ motor activity was also conducted using videos of neonates. Outcome measures were the M-CHAT score at 18 months to document autistic risk status and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at four years to measure non-autistic general psychopathology. The GMOS-R total score and subscores significantly predicted the autistic risk status according to M-CHAT, but not any SDQ scales or the Total Difficulties score. In the manual assessment of GM, “Global poorness of motion” was the most informative feature in predicting ASD risk. The classification performance systematically increased with the addition of automatically extracted features, as indicated by the Loglikelihood tests. In contrast, the DeLong tests for comparison of AUC failed to reach statistical significance. Such improvement came mainly from incorporating information about the imbalance in motion strength between the upper and lower limbs, and was more marked for awake babies. This finding confirms the relevance of considering abnormal motor patterns in neonates as an early marker of autistic risk.
This study investigates the impact of low-pressure cold plasma (LPCP) on the properties of dried chili pods (Capsicum annuum L.). LPCPs were applied at 0, 10, and 20 W for 5, 10, and 15 min, including a control group (P5M0W-P15M0W), with plasma energy inputs of 3.0-18.0 kJ, and all analyses were completed within 48h after treatment. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of power, time, and their interaction (p < 0.001). LPCP reduced moisture (9.3 to 5.9%), volatile oil (2.2 to 1.0%), and hardness (20.6 to 3.9N). Capsanthin declined from 8.75 to 1.24g kg(-1)DW. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin decreased from 1.75 and 0.70-1.18 and 0.47 mg g(-1)DW, respectively, reducing pungency from 3923 to 2649 SHU. Total phenolics decreased from 194 to 144 mgGAE 100g(-1)DW, whereas flavonoids increased up to 14.8 mgQE 100g(-1)DW. Ascorbic acid declined (2.38 to 1.42 mg g(-1)DW), but antioxidant activity (DPPH) remained stable (46.7%-49.7%). Microbial load was reduced by >2.5 log (4.54 to 1.93 log(CFU g(-1))). Regression confirmed strong dose-response relationships for bioactive degradation and microbial inactivation (R-2 = 0.725-0.988). LPCP improved microbial safety of dried chili pods, but caused significant losses in color and pungency. Further optimization is needed to balance microbial inactivation with quality retention.
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after esophageal cancer surgery remain a major concern. Preoperative exercise capacity has emerged as an important predictor. This study examined the clinical use of practical predictors—the 30-s chair stand test (CS-30) and the 6-min walk test (6MWT). We retrospectively analyzed patients with esophageal cancer from three institutions who underwent preoperative physical therapy between July 2021 and June 2023. Data completeness for the CS-30 and 6MWT was compared using McNemar’s test. Three logistic regression models predicting PPCs were developed: Model 1 (established risk factors), Model 2 (risk factors plus CS-30), and Model 3 (risk factors plus 6MWT). PPCs were defined as pneumonia or sputum retention requiring intervention (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ 2). Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), and incremental predictive value was assessed using net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Among 213 patients (median age 68 years; 83
This study was conducted to clarify the practical characteristics of decision-making support in the form of advance care planning provided by care managers to clients with heart disease and dementia and to examine the impact of perceptions of multidisciplinary collaboration on such practices. A survey was conducted of care managers working for home-based care support agencies in Japan. Measures included advance care planning practice scales that were specific to each condition and a scale measuring collaboration with medical professionals. Factor analysis revealed that the content of advance care planning practice varies in relation to the characteristics of the given condition. For heart disease, the elements were emotional support and the understanding of values, while for dementia, the elements were information sharing with families and respect for each individual's strengths. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that perceptions regarding overall collaboration with healthcare professionals and predictions of future changes were common factors that promoted advance care planning practice in both disease groups. These findings indicated that promoting effective advance care planning requires an approach that is tailored to the characteristics of each disease and that strengthening interprofessional collaboration is key to supporting care managers' practice.
