Search results for " predictive"
showing 10 items of 163 documents
Rare cardiomyopathies: Diagnostic features
2013
Cardiomyopathies (CM) are an important and heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the myocardium. They can induce mechanical and/or electrical disorders and are due to a variety of causes, they frequently are genetic. However, since their high number and their clinical complexity, the identification is still a challenge. Echocardiography is a very useful tool in the assessment of CM. In this review we aim to define the typical clinical features and to discuss the main diagnostic tool, above all echocardiography that can help physicians in the correct assessment of CM.
High plasma levels of endothelin-1 enhance the predictive value of preclinical atherosclerosis for future cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events: …
2014
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that endothelin-1 (Et-1) plays a role in cardiac and vascular disease. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic significance of Et-1 for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular outcome, in a 20-year follow-up. METHODS: We studied 82 originally healthy individuals, referred to our Unit of Cardiovascular Prevention, to evaluate the presence of asymptomatic carotid lesions. We subdivided these individuals into two groups, according to the plasma values of Et-1 (respectively ≤ or >2.7 pg/ml). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were investigated, and by carotid ultrasound examination, we distinguished between normal …
Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and non valvular atrial fibrillation type.
2015
OBJECTIVE: Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and it is able to predict both coronary and cerebral vascular events. No data exist on the association between cIMT and non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) type. We conduct this study with the aim to analyze the association between abnormal cIMT and NVAF type. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of the "Atrial fibrillation Registry for Ankle-brachial index Prevalence Assessment-Collaborative Italian Study (ARAPACIS)" has been performed. Among 2027 patients enrolled in the ARAPACIS, 673 patients, who underwent carotid ultrasound examination to assess cIMT, were included in the study. RESULT…
Diagnostic algorithm for familial chylomicronemia syndrome
2016
International audience; Background: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disease that leads to severe hypertriglyceridemia often associated with recurrent episodes of pancreatitis. The recognition and correct diagnosis of the disease is challenging due to its rarity, and to the lack of specificity of signs and symptoms. Lipid experts, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, pancreatologists, and general practitioners may encounter patients who potentially have FCS. Therefore, cooperation between experts and improved knowledge of FCS is essential in improving the diagnosis. Currently, a consensus on best practice for the diagnosis of FCS is lacking. Methods: Aiming to def…
Toll-quality digital secraphone
2002
This paper describes the design and performance of a secraphone that, when plugged between any conventional telephone set and the public telephone network, protects the speech information travelling through the PSTN. The device has a transparent operating mode that does not alter the signal and a secure mode, accessed upon request of any of the speakers, that encrypts the speech with digital techniques, assuring privacy against unwanted listeners. At the transmission branch, voice is sampled, coded with a CELP scheme at 9600 bps (with a slow mode at 7200 bps), encrypted with a proprietary algorithm and interfaced to the line with a V.32 modem chip set. The keys for encryption are establishe…
A Synchronous Reference Frame Robust Predictive Current Control for Three-Phase Grid-Connected Inverters
2010
This paper presents a new predictive current control for three-phase grid-connected inverters in the synchronous reference frame. The control combines a deadbeat control law with a diagonal Luenberger observer to estimate the future value of the grid currents. It provides a decoupled control of the active and reactive power and offers robustness against the computational delay inherent in the digital implementation and against filter and grid-impedance uncertainties. This control exhibits a very fast current response while widely improving the gain and phase margins of the traditional predictive controllers.
Application of Model Predictive Control in Discrete Displacement Cylinders to Drive a Knuckle Boom Crane
2018
In this paper, two Discrete Displacement Cylinders (DDCs) are used to drive the boom of a knuckle boom crane. DDCs operate by connecting one of several available pressure levels to each chamber in order to produce different forces. A trade-off exists with such systems, between the accuracy of tracking and energy dissipation due to switching. A popular way to approach this problem is a Force Shifting Algorithm (FSA). However, in this paper, the trade-off is managed by use of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm. The tracking accuracy and energy efficiency of the MPC and FSA strategies for DDCs are compared to a PID strategy for standard cylinders. The comparison is obtained by use of a…
Italian multicenter, prospective study to evaluate the negative predictive value of 16- and 64-slice MDCT imaging in patients scheduled for coronary …
2009
This was a prospective, multicenter study designed to evaluate the utility of MDCT in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography (CA) using different MDCT systems from different manufacturers. Twenty national sites prospectively enrolled 367 patients between July 2004 and June 2006. Computed tomography (CT) was performed using a standardized/optimized scan protocol for each type of MDCT system (> or =16 slices) and compared with quantitative CA performed within 2 weeks of MDCT. A total of 284 patients (81%) were studied by 16-slice MDCT systems, while 66 patients (19%) by 64-slice MDCT scanners. The primary analysis was on-site/off…
Model predictive control for continuous lactide ring‐opening polymerization processes
2020
International audience; Polylactic acid (PLA) is an attractive environment-friendly thermoplastic that is bio-sourced and biodegradable. PLA is industrially produced by the ring-opening polymerization of Lactide. This reaction is sensitive to drifts in the operating conditions and impurities in the raw materials that may affect the reaction rate as well as the polymer properties, which can be very costly in continuous processes. It is therefore crucial to employ a control strategy that allows recovering the nominal conditions and maintaining the desired properties and conversion level in case of drift. Three control strategies are discussed in this paper: Proportional-Integral controller (P…
Non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness in children with allergic rhinitis: relationship with the atopic status
2003
An increased prevalence of bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) has been demonstrated in children from a general population, and in non-asthmatic adults with allergic rhinitis. Thus, also children with allergic rhinitis are expected to be at higher risk of BHR. We evaluated the prevalence of BHR in a sample of non-asthmatic children with allergic rhinitis by means of the methacholine (Mch) bronchial challenge, and by monitorizing the airway patency using the daily peak expiratory flow variability (PEFv). Fifty-one children (ranged 6-15 years of age) with allergic rhinitis, ascertained by skin prick test to inhalant allergens, underwent a 14-day peak expiratory flow monitoring, and a Mch bro…