In this article, we consider the output feedback eigenvalue assignment problem for

continuous and discrete–time control systems. This problem is formulated as unconstrained matrix optimization problems and tackled by the Nelder–Mead simplex

method and particle swarm optimization method. The two methods are extended to

compute the approximate solutions of the eigenvalue assignment problem for the particular cases of decentralized and periodic control systems. The performance of the

methods is demonstrated numerically on several test problems from the benchmark

collection [22] as well as other test examples from the system and control literature.

Diversity has been the subject of study in various disciplines from biology to social science and computing. Respecting and utilising the diversity of the population is increasingly important to broadening knowledge. This paper describes a pipeline for diversity profiling of a pool of text in order to understand its coverage of an underpinning domain. The application is illustrated by using a domain ontology on presentation skills in a case study with 38 postgraduates who made comments while learning pitch presentations with the Active Video Watching system (AVW-Space). The outcome shows different patterns of coverage on the domain by the comments in each of the eight videos.

Abstract: In this paper a new method for Full Reference Image Quality Assessment is presented. In current work the edge of the image is analyzed and the best scenario about the color is found. In first step the RGB, HSI and YCbCr color aretested. For each color the wavelet transform is applied and the edge of the images are extracted. With edge intensity specification the image quality assessment is tested. As result shown in this paper the PSNR, SROCC and Pearson is calculated. 

Structural changes affecting cardiomyocyte function may contribute to the pathophysiological

remodeling underlying cardiac function impairment. Recent reports have shown that

endogenous nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in this process. In order to examine the role

of NO in cardiomyocyte remodeling, male rats were acclimated to room temperature (22± 1
C) or

cold (4 ± 1
C) and treated with 2.25% L-arginine
HCl or 0.01% L-NAME (Nx-nitro-L-arginine

methyl ester)
HCl for 45 days. Untreated groups served as controls. Right heart ventricles were routinely

prepared for light microscopic examination. Stereological estimations of volume densities of

cardiomyocytes, surrounding blood vessels and connective tissue, as well as the morphometric measurements

of cardiomyocyte diameters were performed. Tissue sections were also analyzed for

structural alterations. We observed that both L-arginine and L-NAME supplementation induced

cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, regardless of ambient temperature. However, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

was associated with fibrosis and extra collagen deposition only in the L-NAME treated group.

Taken together, our results suggest that NO has a modulatory role in right heart ventricle remodeling

by coordinating hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and fibrous tissue preventing cardiac fibrosis.

Purpose: The first aim of this study was to analyse the presence of circulating Claudin 4 (CLDN4) mRNA in serum and to evaluate whether the rate of CLDN4 mRNA can be used as a tumor marker to discriminate breast cancer patients and healthy women. The second aim was to compare CLDN4 mRNA measured using real-time quantitative RT-PCR with CA 15-3 measured using immunoassay as biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Experimental Design: The present study collected serum samples

from 118 patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer and 30 matched healthy women. The number of copies of CLDN4 mRNA and the CA-15-3 rate were analysed and the percentage of patients with increased marker level were compared.

Results: The quality and the stability of mRNA which were evaluated

using the housekeeping RPLPO gene in all studied serum samples were confirmed (p>0.05). The expression level of CLDN4 mRNA was found significantly increased in serum of 64% patients with breast cancer from the threshold calculated in healthy women (p<0.001) versus 6% for CA 15-3. The expression of claudin4 was not correlated with histological type, tumour size, nodal status, tumor grade, and status of ER, PR and Her2 but only with age.

Conclusions:

Our results showed that the expression of CLDN4 mRNA by real-time quantitative PCR give the opportunity to predict breast cancer before pathological diagnosis in a large majority of patients.

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Veterinary antibiotics, bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance determinants located on mobile genetic elements and nutrients are spread on agricultural soil using manure as fertilizer. However, systematic quantitative studies linking antibiotic concentrations and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in manure and the environment are scarce but needed to assess environmental risks. In this microcosm study, a sandy and a loamy soil were mixed with manure spiked with streptomycin or doxycycline at five concentrations. Total-community DNA was extracted on days 28 and 92, and the abundances of ARGs (aadA, strA, tet(A), tet(M), tet(W), tet(Q), sul1, qacE/qacEΔ1) and class 1 and 2 integron integrase genes (intI1 and intI2) were determined by qPCR relative to 16S rRNA genes. Effects on the bacterial community composition were evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Manure application to the soils strongly increased the relative abundance of most tested genes. Antibiotics caused further enrichments which decreased over time and were mostly seen at high concentrations. Strikingly, the effects on relative gene abundances and soil bacterial community composition were more pronounced in sandy soil. The concept of defining antibiotic threshold concentrations for environmental risk assessments remains challenging due to the various influencing factors.