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Two frameworks are proposed for extremum seeking of general nonlinear plants based on a sampled-data control law, within which a broad class of nonlinear programming methods is accommodated. It is established that under some generic assumptions, semi-global practical convergence to a global extremum can be achieved. In the case where the extremum seeking algorithm satisfies a stronger asymptotic s
In strategic management, the concept of organizational capabilities appears in two sets of related literatures: the resource-based view and the dynamic capabilities approach. The resource-based view treats organizational capabilities as unitary factors that explain cross-sectional industry performance differentials. The dynamic capabilities approach, on the other hand, treats organizational capabi
From a universal design perspective, products should attract both people with disabilities and other persons. Design of chairs has decisive importance for activity and independence of users with physical disabilities. In an experimental study aiming at an easy chair with universal design qualities, six able-bodied young adults were asked to position a wide range of photo-represented chairs, includ
The purpose of this work is the investigation of some constitutive and configurational aspects of phenomenological model formulations for a class of materials with history-dependent gradient microstructure. The assumption that the behavior of a material point is affected by history-dependent processes in a finite neighbor of this point yields an extended continuum characterized by non-simple mater
BACKGROUND: We report the surgical treatment of a consecutive series of scan negative patients with the intention of unilateral parathyroid exploration with the aid of intraoperative quick PTH (qPTH).MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 35 consecutive sestamibi scan negative patients (27 women, eight men) with sporadic pHPT subjected to first time surgery. Median age was 70 years and median p
This paper deals with a novel constitutive framework suitable for non-coherent interfaces, such as cracks, undergoing large deformations in a geometrically exact setting. For this type of interface, the displacement field shows a jump across the interface. Within the engineering community, so-called cohesive zone models are frequently applied in order to describe non-coherent interfaces. However,
The main limitation of operating sensor networks autonomously is the finite battery capacity of sensor nodes. Sensors are usually operated at low duty cycle; that is, they remain in active mode for short duration of time, in order to prolong the network lifetime. However, operating at low duty cycle may result in significant performance degradation in system operation. Hence, in this work, we quan
The purpose of this contribution is to present a survey of the recent developments in constructing composite science and technology (S&T) indicators on a national level as well as new evidence of the variability of such S&T indicators which opens the gateway to "country-tuning". It has become standard practice to combine several indicators for science, technology, and innovation to form co
The purpose of this qualitative 2-year follow-up study was to obtain a deeper understanding of motivation for change towards an active and independent life in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders and to explore and identify personal resources that might influence such improvements. Data collection and analysis were performed according to the qualitative case study design. An initial c
Since 2010, the Region South Fire and Rescue Service inSweden has conducted over 60 000 fire-prevention homevisits. On-duty fire fighters have gone door-to-door informing residents about general safety procedures in case of a fire. The aim of this ongoing education campaign is to reduce the number of residential structure fires and incidentswith fatal outcomes as well as to improve the level of ci
Propionic acid (PA) is a naturally occurring short chain fatty acid produced by microbial fermentation of the indigestible foods in the intestine, having a positive effect on the gastrointestinal health. PA inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria and molds; hence it is widely used as preservative for food, feed and grains. It is also used as a component in several industrial products like polym
Impairment of normal hematopoiesis and leukemia progression are 2 well-linked processes during leukemia development and are controlled by the bone marrow (BM) niche. Extracellular matrix proteins, including laminin, are important BM niche components. However, their role in hematopoiesis regeneration and leukemia is unknown. Laminin α4 (Lama4), a major receptor-binding chain of several laminins, is
Purpose: Accuracy investigation of volumetric navigators for motion correction, with emphasis on geometric EPI distortions at ultrahigh field. Methods: High-resolution Dixon images were collected in different head positions and reconstructed to water, fat, T2*, and B0 maps. Resolution reduction was performed, and the T2* and B0 maps were used to apply effects of TE and EPI distortions to simulate
