Abstract:The authors investigate a class of observer-based discrete-time networked control systems (NCSs) with multiple-packet transmission where random packet dropouts occur independently in both the sensor-to-controller (S/C) and controller-to-actuator (C/A) channels. The authors first propose and prove the separation principle for the NCSs where packet dropouts in the C/A and S/C channels are governed by two independent Markov chains, respectively. Secondly, the authors derive a sufficient condition, in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), for stabilisation control of the Markov chain-driven NCSs. The authors also derive the necessary and sufficient condition for stabilisation control of the memoryless process-driven NCSs as a special case. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our method.

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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become standard treatments for lung cancer patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) was the leading cause of death among ICIs-related adverse events (irAEs). Recurrent episodes of CIP without rechallenge of ICIs were reported in several cases and maybe a unique feature of CIP. Knowledge gaps remain regarding the rate and risk factors associated to CIP's recurrence.Methods: Data from 1,102 lung cancer patients receiving ICIs treatment between January 2016 and January 2021 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. CIP was diagnosed according to typical clinical features and/or new typical imaging changes. Recurrence of CIP (CIP-R) was defined as recurrent CIP after initial CIP improved after proper treatment. Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors associated with CIP recurrence.Results: Eighty out of 1,102 (7.26%) patients were diagnosed with CIP. Twenty of those 78 (25.64%) patients suffered CIP-R, 2 patients died and were therefore excluded from the denominator. The median onset of initial pneumonitis for patients without and with recurrence was 3.49 months [interquartile range (IQR), 0.26-31.93 months] and 2.78 months (IQR, 1.22-20.93 months), respectively (P=0.48). The median interval duration between initial CIP and CIP-R was 1.54 months (IQR, 0.98-16.70 months). Recurrence of CIP was more common in males (P=0.03), squamous histology (P=0.016), and in patients who received chest radiotherapy (P=0.049). The duration of prednisolone equivalent dose ≥15 mg/day in CIP-R was significantly shorter, at 3.71 weeks (2.86-6.57 weeks) compared with 6.36 weeks in those without recurrence (IQR, 3.12-9.86 weeks) (P=0.001). Non-squamous histology [odds ratio (OR), 0.182; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.038-0.860; P=0.031] and prolonged administration of prednisolone equivalent dose ≥15 mg/day for more than 4 weeks (OR, 0.082; 95% CI: 0.02-0.342; P=0.001) were independently associated with a decreased odds of CIP-R development.Conclusions: CIP-R in a real-world lung cancer cohort is not uncommon, both in patients with and without rechallenge of ICIs. A duration of prednisolone equivalent dose ≥15 mg/day of at least 4 weeks during the tapering process of corticosteroids were recommend in patients with CIP.

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Abstract-This paper considers analysis and synthesis of discrete-time networked control systems (NCSs), where the plant has additive uncertainty and the controller is updated with the sensor information at stochastic time intervals. It is shown that the problem is linked to robust control of linear discrete-time stochastic systems and a new small gain theorem is established. Based on this result, sufficient conditions are given for ensuring mean square stability of the NCS, and the genetic algorithm is utilised to design the controller of the NCS based on a linear matrix inequality technique.