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Tetrapolar, whole-body (hand-foot) bioelectrical impedance (Zwb) is utilized in body composition analysis for direct assessment of soft tissue hydration (Vector BIA) and indirect assessment of lean and fat soft tissue mass (BIA prediction equations). Limbs and trunk contribute to Zwb by 90% and 10%, respectively. We determined the effect on Zwb of local edema localized in one leg. Resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) components of Z vector was measured at 50 kHz (BIA-101, RJL Systems-Akern, Italy) in 20 adult male patients without edema, before and three days after a surgical procedure on vessels of one leg (femoro-popliteal bypass) that induced pitting edema in that leg. Zwb were measured from hand and foot of the right and left side. Z from the leg (Zleg) was measured from the pair of electrodes on foot and the other pair on the trochanter. Data were analyzed with Vector BIA (Piccoli's RXc graph method, 95% confidence ellipses) that considers Zwb and Zleg as bivariate gaussian random vectors (expressed in Ohm/meter of conductor). Baseline mean vector from legs of either side, Zleg was significantly shorter than Zwb on the R-Xc plane (separate 95% confidence ellipses). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finite plans proved to be an efficient method to steer complex control systems via feedback quantization. Such finite plans can be encoded by finite-length words constructed on suitable alphabets, thus permitting transmission on limited capacity channels. In particular flat systems can be steered computing arbitrarily close approximations of a desired equilibrium in polynomial time. The paper investigates how the efficiency of planning is affected by the choice of inputs, and provides some results as to optimal performance in terms of accuracy and range. Efficiency is here measured in terms of computational complexity and description length (in number of bits) of finite plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 5 of the book "The International Hospitality Industry" is presented. It focuses on information technology (IT) whose use has turned it into a critical competitive weapon for the industry. IT developments are presented as to their effects on hospitality management and operations. Key issues are analyzed including their implications for the industry. Challenges limiting the use of technology are also evaluated.