Search

The problem of event‐triggered control (ETC) of stochastic nonlinear delayed systems with state quantization is investigated. In order to reduce the communication burden and computational cost, an ETC mechanism and state quantization are introduced in the control scheme. Two configurations are considered to investigate their interaction: quantization before event‐trigger (QE) and quantization after event‐trigger (EQ), respectively. Based on this, a static event‐triggered mechanism (ETM) is designed while avoiding the Zeno phenomenon. The system allows known input‐to‐state stability (ISS) control law, followed by utilizing the Halanay inequality to achieve stabilization. In both configurations, the stabilization of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed. We show that communication times can be reduced by adjusting parameters and selecting the suitable configuration. Moreover, to further enhance resource conservation, we illustrate the feasibility of dynamic ETMs in this framework. Numerical simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed ETC schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and adverse outcomes in women with spontaneous conception. Methods: A search strategy from the inception to March 3, 2023 was run in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The odds ratio (OR), and the 95% confidence interval (CI) or point estimation were used as the evaluation indexes. Each outcome measure tested was assessed for heterogeneity using the Cochran Q test. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the credibility of the meta‐analysis results. Results: Fifteen studies involving 1 475 389 pregnant women were included. A history of RSA was associated with gestational diabetes (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.70–2.87, p < 0.001), preeclampsia (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.49–2.86, p < 0.001), placenta previa (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.09–3.02, p = 0.021), placental abruption (OR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.36–2.06, p < 0.001), miscarriage (OR: 6.37, 95% CI: 3.83–10.57, p < 0.001), preterm birth (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.36–2.37, p < 0.001), cesarean section (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: (1.13–1.91, p = 0.004), perinatal death (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.39–3.60, p = 0.001), and neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01–1.92, p = 0.047). However, the associations of a history of RSA with gestational hypertension, small for gestational age, fetal anomalies, fetal growth restriction, and postpartum hemorrhage were not observed. Conclusion: This meta‐analysis indicates a history of RSA was associated with increased risks of several adverse outcomes in pregnant women with spontaneous conception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the limited success rate and considerable challenges associated with conventional ultrasonography (US) guidance for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in non-hydronephrotic kidneys, this study proposed a solution with ultrasound contrast agent to enhance the success rate and mitigate the difficulties. Materials and Methods: From January 2017 to August 2023, a total of thirteen patients diagnosed with non-hydronephrotic kidney were included in the study. Following routine ultrasonography examination, no significant dilatation of the renal collecting system was observed. US-guided percutaneous nephrostomy PCN was performed with the assistance of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA). The patients were subsequently monitored to assess the improvement of symptoms and postoperative recovery. Results: The success rate was found to be 100% for all patients (13/13) and kidneys (20/20). The average volume of UCA solution used was 19 ± 6.7 mL (range, 11–35 mL), while the mean duration of the operation was 18.92 ± 8.96 min (range, 7–36 min). A majority of the patients (12/13) underwent a single puncture procedure. Throughout the follow-up period, no serious complications were observed, and surgery resulted in significant alleviation of symptoms in all patients. Conclusion: The use of UCA-assisted US guidance PCN has been shown to be effective in achieving urinary diversion and alleviating associated clinical symptoms in non-hydronephrotic kidneys. In comparison to traditional methods, this approach demonstrates a high success rate and safety profile, while also offering a simplified operative procedure. Consequently, it presents a novel method and concept for managing non-hydronephrotic kidneys afflicted by urine leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping Co atoms into Ru lattices can tune the electronic structure of active sites, and the conductive MXene can adjust the electrical conductivity of catalysts, which are both favorable for improving the electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst for water splitting. Here, ruthenium‐cobalt bimetallic nanoalloys coupled with exfoliated Ti3C2Tx MXene (RuCo−Ti3C2Tx) have been constructed by ice‐templated and thermal activation. Due to the strong interaction between the RuCo nanoalloys and conductive MXene, RuCo−Ti3C2Tx not only exhibits an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with a low overpotential and Tafel slope (60 mV, 34.8 mV dec−1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 52 mV, 38.7 mV dec−1 in 1 M KOH), but also good oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in an alkaline electrolyte (266 mV, 111.1 mV dec−1 in 1 M KOH). The assembled RuCo−Ti3C2Tx||RuCo−Ti3C2Tx electrolyzer requires a lower potential (1.56 V) than does the Pt/C||RuO2 electrolyzer at 10 mA cm−2. A boosted catalytic HER activity from immobilizing the RuCo nanoalloys on MXene was unveiled by density functional theory calculations. This study provides a feasible and efficient strategy for developing MXene‐based catalysts for overall water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]