International audienceAn adaptive observer is a recursive algorithm for joint state-parameter estimation of parameterized state-space systems. Previous works on globally convergent adaptive observers consider unknown parameters either in state equations or in output equations, but not in both of them. In this paper, a new adaptive observer is designed for linear time-varying systems with unknown parameters in both state and output equations. Its global convergence for simultaneous estimation of states and parameters is formally established under appropriate assumptions. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the performance of this adaptive observer

Numerous traditional adhesives have good adhesion in dry environments. However, non-environmental-friendliness and poor water resistance largely limit their practical applications. To prepare biocompatible adhesives with strong water resistance and adhesion strength, in this paper, catechol-functionalized cellulose-based adhesive polymers are synthesized by grafting N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)methacrylamide and methyl methacrylate onto cellulose chain through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The successful synthesis of the catechol-functionalized cellulose-based adhesive polymers is confirmed by FTIR and 1 H NMR. The different characteristics of the adhesive polymers, such as thermal stability, swelling ratio, biocompatibility, and adhesion strength are investigated. Strong water resistance on various substrates is realized in underwater environment for the catechol-functionalized cellulose-based adhesive with addition of Fe 3+ . The adhesion strength and thermal stability are enhanced when the catechol content is increased. The adhesive with catechol content of 25.4% shows the adhesion strength of 0.45 MPa for iron substrate in underwater environment. In addition, the adhesive with addition of Fe 3+ exhibits excellent adhesion in dry environment, with maximum adhesion strength of 3.50 MPa for iron substrate. The cell culture test shows that the adhesive polymers have excellent biocompatibility. The biocompatible adhesives with strong water resistance have potential application in electronic, wood, and building fields.

No abstract

SummaryRelationship between intestinal flora and obesity has aroused great interest. The probiotic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Lactobacillus fermentum (LF) have been documented extensively. This study aimed to explore the effects of LP and LF alone or in combination on lipid-lowering effects of the highfat diet rat via intestinal flora modulation and systemic immunity. The rats in high-fat diet plus LP (LP 10 8 cfu day À1 ) showed significantly lower IL-6 and endotoxin (ET) content, increased the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and decreased the liver steatosis and fat vehicle sizes. The Lactobacillus LP and LF in combination can regulate intestinal flora and systemic immune function in rats with high-fat diet. It provides the foundation for the further development and application of multiple Lactobacillus strain in controlling obesity-related syndrome.

No abstract

A digital dual-mode linear quadratic regulator (LQR) with feedforward optimal controller is presented, which allows voltage control of a boost converter for wide-load-range condition, whether in continuous conduction mode (CCM) or in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Based on the conventional LQR method, the proposed controller is designed and makes the following two improvements. First, in order to eliminate the phase error caused by right-half-phase zero emerged in non-minimum phase boost converter, a feedforward controller is implemented by zero phase error tracking control technique because the inverse of non-minimum phase system is unstable. Second, since the models of DC-DC converter in CCM or DCM are different, the proposed control strategy allows boost converter to autonomously operate in CCM or DCM controller by utilising a mode detector. The proposed mode detector greatly enhances the control performance in both operating modes. Finally, the proposed controller has been implemented for voltage control of a boost converter. The simulation and experimental results show the proposed controller offers better performance in both transient response and frequency response than the conventional LQR controller.

Upper back pain originating from the cervical disk itself is defined as cervical discogenic upper back pain. Coblation procedures can provide therapeutic effects for neck and radicular pain related to contained cervical disk herniation. However, no studies have reported the performance of coblation procedures, particularly for treating cervical discogenic upper back pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of coblation procedures in treating cervical discogenic upper back pain.In a prospective, clinical, observational study, 28 consecutive patients with discogenic upper back pain underwent coblation procedures on the cervical disk with a percutaneous anterior approach. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, patient responses stating significant (≥50%) pain relief, significant (≥50%) reduction in pain medicine intake and Modified MacNab criteria were adopted to evaluate the pain intensity, degree of pain relief, and functional status after 12 months of follow-up.The preoperative pain VAS score was 6.5 ± 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.085–6.915), and the pain VAS score significantly decreased to 2.4 ± 1.3 (95% CI 1.929–2.928), 2.5 ± 1.5 (95% CI 1.963–3.109), 2.7 ± 1.4 (95% CI 2.157–3.271), 3.1 ± 1.6 (95% CI 2.457–3.686), and 3.1 ± 1.6 (95% CI 2.471–3.743) at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.05). Twenty-two (78.6%), 21 (75.0%), 20 (71.4%), 19 (67.9%), and 18 (64.3%) of the patients expressed significant pain relief at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. 24 (85.7%), 23 (82.1%), 23 (82.1%), and 22 (78.6%) reported significant reduction in pain medication intake at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. According to the Modified MacNab criteria, the numbers of patients with “excellent” or “good” ratings were 22 (78.6%), 21 (75.0%), 20 (71.4%), and 18 (64.3%) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. No serious complications were observed.The findings of this study showed that coblation is an effective, safe, minimally invasive, and less uncomfortable procedure for the treatment of discogenic upper back pain.

BackgroundIntraoperative Cell Salvage (ICS), hereby referred to ‘mechanical red cell salvage’, has been widely used in adult elective major surgeries to reduce requirement for homologous red blood cell transfusion and its associated complications. However, amount of free haemoglobin (fHb) from ICS has been shown related to incidence of renal failure. fHb is the most important indicator of quality control of cell salvaged blood, thus monitoring the fHb concentration is imperative to minimise renal injury. However, currently there has been lacking quick biochemical markers to monitor the levels of fHb during ICS. The aim of this study was to screen quick biochemical markers for evaluating the amount of fHb during use of intraoperative cell salvage.MethodsTwenty patients undergoing elective cardiovascular surgery were enrolled. Blood was collected and processed using a Fresenius continuous auto-transfusion system device. The concentration of fHb, albumin (Alb), and calcium (Ca) in three washing modes were measured, and their clearance rates were calculated. The correlations among the clearances and concentrations of fHb, albumin, and calcium were analysed.ResultsIn three washing modes, concentrations of albumin and calcium are significantly associated with amount of fHb:fHb(g/L) = 0.111Alb(g/L) –0.108, R = 0.638, p = 0.000; fHb(g/L) = 1.721Ca(mmol/L) +0.091, R = 0.514, p = 0.000. Furthermore, the clearance rates of albumin and calcium significantly predict clearance of fHb, CRfHb = 0.310CRALB + 0.686, R = 0.753, p = 0.000, CRfHb = 0.073 CR Ca + 0.913, R = 0.497, p = 0.000.ConclusionsIn clinic practice, clearance rates of albumin, or calcium can be used to evaluate the quality of salvaged blood, fHb. Bed-side measurement of calcium could offer a more feasible means for clinicians to undertake a real-time assessment of fHb.