Observable modified Condition/Decision coverage

in ICSE (2013)

Observation and Control of Anaerobic Digestion Processes for Improved Biogas Production

Doctoral thesis (2017)

In this thesis, we propose a formal modelling framework for the anaerobic digestion process, where we add more degrees of freedom in the control of biogas production. Indeed, we add two additional control ... [more ▼]

In this thesis, we propose a formal modelling framework for the anaerobic digestion process, where we add more degrees of freedom in the control of biogas production. Indeed, we add two additional control inputs to the standardized AM2 (Acidogenesis Methanogenesis, 2 steps) model, re ecting addition of stimulating substrates which enhance the biogas quality and quantity. Then, we describe how the parameters of the resulted nonlinear model can be identi ed, and we analyse the positiveness and boundedness of its state variables. Based on the derived mathematical model and the analysis results, we design di erent software sensors to overcome the lack of reliable and cheap sensors. Indeed, we present a general class of systems to which the considered process model belongs. Then, we design an LMI-based invariant like observer as well as an LMI-based nonlinear observer of the same form as the generalized Arcak's observer. Furthermore, with the aim to render the observer design more robust to disturbances, we include the H1 criterion in its synthesis. Also, to promote the use of the proposed observers in real applications, we extend the methodology to the discrete time case and to the case of nonlinear systems with nonlinear outputs. For the di erent observers design, we use the di erential mean value theorem which allows the transformation of the nonlinear estimation error to a linear parameter varying system. Then, we use the Lipschitz conditions and the Lyapunov standard function to synthesize the stability conditions in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, we enhance the feasibility of the later conditions by using a judicious reformulation of the Young's inequality. In the thesis, we also deal with the process control where we propose a control strategy to track an admissible reference trajectory planned by the plant operator. Moreover, to account for the partial availability of the state vector measurements, we include an exponential nonlinear observer in the control synthesis. Thus, we design an observer based tracking control scheme. To perform the stability analysis of the closed loop system, composed of the system, the observer and the controller, we use the Barbalat's lemma conjointly with the techniques already mentioned for the observers design. Finally, we propose two different methods to compute the controller and the observer parameters. In the first one, we propose to compute them separately. While, in the second one we compute the parameters simultaneously. [less ▲]

An observation of circular RNAs in bacterial RNA-seq data

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of RNA with an important role in micro RNA (miRNA) regulation recently discovered in Human and various other eukaryotes as well as in archaea. Here, we have analyzed ... [more ▼]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of RNA with an important role in micro RNA (miRNA) regulation recently discovered in Human and various other eukaryotes as well as in archaea. Here, we have analyzed RNA-seq data obtained from Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli in a way similar to previous studies performed on eukaryotes. We report observations of circRNAs in RNA-seq data that are reproducible across multiple experiments performed with different protocols or growth conditions. [less ▲]

Observation of room-temperature polar skyrmions

in NATURE (2019), 568(7752), 368-

Observational learning of a new motor skill: The effect of observing different model demonstrations

in International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching (2016), 11(4), 514-522

A central question in observational learning is which information is picked-up by the observers from a demonstration. Visual perception perspective suggested that relative motion information, such as ... [more ▼]

A central question in observational learning is which information is picked-up by the observers from a demonstration. Visual perception perspective suggested that relative motion information, such as those are highlighted in point-light or stick-figure demonstrations, is extracted and used for reproducing the modeled action. This study was designed to examine this assumption by using a Baseball-pitch as to-be-learnt motor task. Forty one novice female and male adults were randomly assigned to three demonstration groups (video, stick-figure, and point-light) and a control group. Participants performed 5 trials in pretest, three blocks of 10 trial in acquisition phase, and two retention tests of 5 trials in 10 min and 7 days after last acquisition block. Intra- and inter-limb coordination patterns and movement time were measured at level of overall movement and individual movement phases as dependent variables. Results show that participants improved their coordination performance from pretest to acquisition blocks and retention tests, however, regardless of model observation. No significant difference was observed between groups in two retention tests. Analysis of movement phases showed a significant improvement in stride phase from pretest to acquisition blocks. Results are interpreted in terms of theoretical and methodological backgrounds. Further perspectives in research on observational learning are presented. [less ▲]

An Observational Study of the Effect of Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel on Activities of Daily Living and Quality of Life in Advanced Parkinson's Disease Patients.

in Advances in therapy (2017)

INTRODUCTION: Continuous delivery of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) by percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients reduces variability in ... [more ▼]

INTRODUCTION: Continuous delivery of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) by percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients reduces variability in plasma levels, providing better control of motor fluctuations ("on" and "off" states). The MONOTREAT study assessed the effect of LCIG on activities of daily living, motor and non-motor symptoms, and quality of life in advanced PD patients. METHODS: This prospective, observational study included patients with advanced, levodopa-responsive PD with either 2-4 h of "off" time or 2 h of dyskinesia daily. Patients received LCIG via PEG-J for 16 h continuously. Effectiveness was assessed using Unified PD Rating Scale parts II and III, the Non-Motor Symptom Scale, and the PD Questionnaire-8. RESULTS: The mean (SD) treatment duration was 275 (157) days. Patients experienced significant improvement from baseline in activities of daily living at final visit (p < 0.05) as well as at months 3 and 6 (p < 0.0001). Patients also experienced significant improvements from baseline in quality of life and non-motor symptoms at all time points (p < 0.001 for all). Specifically, patients manifested significant improvements in mean change from baseline at every study visit in five of nine non-motor symptom score domains: sleep/fatigue, mood/cognition, gastrointestinal tract, urinary, and miscellaneous. One-third of patients (32.8%) experienced an adverse event; 21.9% experienced a serious adverse event; 11.1% discontinued because of an adverse event. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated significant and clinically relevant improvements in measures of activities of daily living, quality of life, and a specific subset of non-motor symptoms after treatment with LCIG. FUNDING: AbbVie Inc. [less ▲]

Observations - A propos de la révocabilité ad nutum des administrateurs prévue par l'article 55, alinéa 3, des lois coordonnées sur les sociétés commerciales (n° 6639)

in Revue Pratique des Sociétés Civiles et Commerciales (1994), (2), 187-188

Observations - Les apparences dans le cadre d'une action intentée contre les membres d'une association de fait : de la manière de les sauver ou, au contraire, de l'invitation à s'en méfier ? Ou de l'incidence des mystères en droit (n° 6636)

in Revue Pratique des Sociétés Civiles et Commerciales (1994), (2), 133-167

Observations - Sanction, au profit de tiers, de l'application d'une clause d'agrément discrétionnaire sur la base des articles 1382 et 1383 du Code civil (note sous Bruxelles, 15 mars 1991) (n° 6610)

in Revue Pratique des Sociétés Civiles et Commerciales (1992), (4), 233-248

Observations from the Field: A Synthesis Report

Report (2012)