Identification of MIMO non-linear systems using a forward-regression orthogonal estimator

An orthogonal least squares estimator, which was originally derived for single-input single-output systems, is extended to multi-input multi-output non-linear systems. The estimator can provide information about the structure, or which terms to include in the model, and final parameter estimates in a very simple and efficient manner. Multivariable non-linear model validity tests are also discussed and the results of applying the orthogonal estimator to both simulated and real data are included.     

New bound characteristics of NARX model in the frequency domain

New results about the bound characteristics of both the generalized frequency response functions (GFRFs) and the output frequency response for the NARX (Non-linear AutoRegressive model with eXogenous input) model are established. It is shown that the magnitudes of the GFRFs and the system output spectrum can all be bounded by a polynomial function of the magnitude bound of the first order GFRF, and the coefficients of the polynomial are functions of the NARX model parameters. These new bound characteristics of the NARX model provide an important insight into the relationship between the model parameters and the magnitudes of the system frequency response functions, reveal the effect of the model parameters on the stability of the NARX model to a certain extent, and provide a useful technique for the magnitude based analysis of nonlinear systems in the frequency domain, for example, evaluation of the truncation error in a volterra series expression of non-linear systems and the highest order needed in the volterra series approximation. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.     

Spatial gradients of cytosolic calcium concentration in neurones during paradoxical activation by calcium

PURPOSE: To assess long-term survival following cladribine salvage treatment for previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients aged 39-84 years with previously treated CLL received cladribine 0.12 mg/kg/day in 2-hour infusions for 5 days in monthly courses. Two-thirds were refractory to previous therapy, and 8 had prior fludarabine. RESULTS: Sixteen (31%) patients achieved complete response (CR) and 14 (27%) partial remission (PR) according to consensus criteria. Response correlated with clinical stage, number of previous treatment regimes, blood lymphocyte count, and lymphocyte halflife following the first cladribine course. Toxicity included pneumonia (n = 9), herpes zoster (n = 7), and septicemia (n = 2). Four patients in CR underwent high-dose chemotherapy with autologous blood stem cell support, and 2 remain in CR 48 and 60 months from start of cladribine, and 2 had relapse at 42 and 48 months, respectively. Median progression-free survival (Kaplan-Meier analysis) for CR patients was 23 months from start of cladribine treatment, and for PR patients 16 months. The projected overall survival was 80% at 3 years for CR patients, and the median survival 28 months for PR patients and 4 months for non-responding patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our previous finding of durable CRs from cladribine in advanced CLL is thus confirmed in a larger patient material, and follow-up indicate that long-term survival may be achieved.