Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Output Feedback Control of Infinite-dimensional Systems

﻿Diese Dissertation behandelt zeitinvariante, unendlichdimensionale, lineare Systeme, die ein Eingangssignal u in ein Ausgangssignal y umwandeln.In der Theorie der kompatiblen, wohlgestellten, linearen Systeme, werden solche Umwandlungen durch Differenzialgleichungen der Formx'(t)=Ax(t)+ Bu(t), y(t)=Cx(t)+Du(t) beschrieben, wobei A, B, C und D lineare Operatoren zwischen Hilbert-Raumen sind, die auch unstetig sein konnen. Um die Struktur solcher Systeme zu verstehen, werden verschiedene Arten von Zustandsraumtransformationen, die aus der endlichdimensionalen Theorie bekannt sind verallgemeintert: Fur Systeme mit kompaktem Hankel-Operator werden ausgangsnormalisierende sowie balancierende Transformationen konstruiert und fur die Modellreduktion eingesetzt. Fur Systeme mit naturlichzahligem Relativgrad werden Transformationen entwickelt um die Byrnes-Isidori-Form und eine verwandte, sogenannte Nulldynamikform zu verallgemeinern. Daruberhinaus wird die Nulldynamik fur unendlichdimensionaly Systeme erstmals rigoros definitiert und gezeigt, dass sie bei Systemen mit naturlichzahligem Relativgrad durch eine einzige stark stetige Operatorhalbgruppe charakterisiert werden kann. Dazu wird die Nulldynamikform verwendet. Ein analoges Resultat wird fur ein spezielles Randsteuerungsproblem bewiesen, dass durch eine Warmeleitungsgleichung beschrieben wird. Im Anschluss an diese theoretischen Uberlegungen wird bewiesen, dass zwei praktische einsetzbare Ausgangsruckfuhrungsmethode funktionieren: Die erste Methode ist die sogenannte Funnelregelung, ein sehr einfaches Regelgesetz, welches der Trajektorienverfolgung dient. Es wird gezeigt, dass diese Methode efolgreich einsetzbar ist sowohl bei Systemen mit Relativgrad eins und exponenziell stabiler Nulldynamik, als auch bei dem erwahnten speziellen Randsteuerungsproblem.Die zweite Ausgangsruckfuhrung, die untersucht wird dient der Storgrosenunterdruckung. Es ist eine spezielle Form der H-unendlich-Regelung und eng verknuoft mit linear-quadratischer Optimalsteuerung. Wahrend die klassische Losung dieses wohlbekannten Problems stets einen unendlichdimensionalen Beobachter benotigt, der nicht praktisch implementiert werden kann, wird hier ein endlichdimensionaler Regler konstruiert durch balanciertes Abschneiden. Daruberhinaus wird bewiesen, dass dieser praktisch einsetzbare Regler das Regelziel mit einer Regelgute erreicht, die vom Approxmationsfehler der Modellreduktion abhangt.
Sex and the renin angiotensin system: implications for gender differences in the progression of kidney disease.

Two recognized risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of progressive renal disease are overactivation of the renin angiotensin system and male gender. The peptide hormone, angiotensin II, produced by the renin angiotensin system cascade, plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. Medications that block the action of angiotensin II by either inhibiting its synthesis or by blocking its ability to bind its receptor are in wide clinical use because of their ability to significantly retard the progression of kidney disease. Analysis of data from national end-stage renal disease registries, clinical trials, and experimental animal models suggest that the progression of chronic kidney disease from several etiologies is more rapid in men than in women. In this review, we examine the data supporting the hypothesis that modulation of the activity of the renin angiotensin system by sex steroids markedly contributes to the gender differences observed in the pathophysiology of progressive kidney disease.
Highly Chemical Reactive Ion Etching of Silicon in CF4 Containing Plasmas

Silicon (Si) etching process with low temperature is used for initial processing of semiconductor field emitter array cathodes for vacuum microelectronics, for optical reflecting gratings, for opto- and micromechanical devices. Most of them are performed by dry etching process especially in reactive ion etching (RIE) method with fluorocarbon-gases such as CF4, CHF3 and C3F8. In this work, results are shown that reactive ion etching of silicon using CF4/H2 is capable at meeting the requirement (anisotropy, high etch rate and high selectivity, simultaneously) similar to that by using reactive ion etching with fluorine-containing plasma. We have investigated the etching rate dependency on the percentage of hydrogen in the gas mixture, the total pressure and flow gas and found that by using a gas mixture with 33% of H2, the optimum rate of Si is achieved. The etch rate are found to increase with voltage, attaining a maximum rate 1780 A/min at -482V. Surface morphology of the etched samples is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results revealed that the etched surface was anisotropic and the smoothness of the etched surface is comparable to that of polished wafer.
Contribuciones a la caracterización del cuerpo humano como medio de transmisión en las técnicas de comunicaciones intracorporales.

La necesidad de bio-dispositivos de reducido consumo, tamano y costo ha motivado la investigacion de nuevas tecnologias de comunicaciones inalambricas de corto alcance, entre las que se encuentran las tecnicas de comunicaciones intracorporales (IBC). Estas utilizan el cuerpo humano como medio de transmision de senales electricas para la conexion de dispositivos colocados sobre la superficie corporal, cercanos a esta e implantados. Las ventajas de esta tecnica residen en el uso de senales de baja frecuencia y amplitud que se acoplan mediante pequenos electrodos al cuerpo, favoreciendo la disminucion del consumo y la minimizacion de las interferencias con otros dispositivos. Sin embargo, aun existen importantes retos cientifico-tecnicos a solventar con el fin de obtener una metodologia de diseno de los sistemas IBC sistematica y precisa. Para ello es fundamental avanzar en el conocimiento de los verdaderos mecanismos de transmision del cuerpo humano como canal de comunicacion. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es profundizar en la caracterizacion del cuerpo humano como medio de transmision de senales tanto desde una perspectiva teorica como experimental. De esta forma, se han propuesto diferentes modelos de canal: un modelo de la piel como simil de linea de transmision, un modelo computacional 3D del brazo humano y un modelo fisico circuital phantom. Tambien se han implementado montajes de medida armonizados para la determinacion de la atenuacion corporal para ambos tipos de acoplamiento galvanico y capacitivo, asi como para analizar diferentes cuestiones tecnicas de interes como estrategias de aislamiento de tierras, influencia de la resistencia de carga y efectos de cables y conectores. Los resultados abarcan la simulacion y validacion de los modelos propuestos, incluyendo atenuacion, dispersion, tasa binaria y de error para diferentes esquemas de modulacion digitales. Se han simulado tambien variables electricas como bioimpedancia, campo electrico y corriente a traves de los tejidos. Por ultimo, se ha realizado un conjunto exhaustivo de medidas de atenuacion estudiandose variables como longitud de canal, distancia inter-electrodo, tipo de electrodo, diferentes partes del cuerpo, etc. Como principales conclusiones, se ha avanzado en el entendimiento de algunos de los mecanismos de transmision a traves del cuerpo humano y la piel, lo que a su vez nos ha permitido identificar el rango de operacion de cada uno de los tipos de acoplamiento, asi como definir un conjunto de especificaciones practicas para la implementacion de esquemas de medida IBC mas precisos.
The use of environmental DNA in invasive species surveillance of the Great Lakes commercial bait trade

Over 180 non‐native species have been introduced in the Laurentian Great Lakes region, many posing threats to native species and ecosystem functioning. One potential pathway for introductions is the commercial bait trade; unknowing or unconcerned anglers commonly release unused bait into aquatic systems. Previous surveillance efforts of this pathway relied on visual inspection of bait stocks in retail shops, which can be time and cost prohibitive and requires a trained individual that can rapidly and accurately identify cryptic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance, a molecular tool that has been used for surveillance in aquatic environments, can be used to efficiently detect species at low abundances. We collected and analyzed 576 eDNA samples from 525 retail bait shops throughout the Laurentian Great Lake states. We used eDNA techniques to screen samples for multiple aquatic invasive species (AIS) that could be transported in the bait trade, including bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus), Eurasian rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), and goldfish (Carassius auratus). Twenty‐seven samples were positive for at least one target species (4.7% of samples), and all target species were found at least once, except bighead carp. Despite current regulations, the bait trade remains a potential pathway for invasive species introductions in the Great Lakes region. Alterations to existing management strategies regarding the collection, transportation, and use of live bait are warranted, including new and updated regulations, to prevent future introductions of invasive species in the Great Lakes via the bait trade.
Working with Parents to Reduce Juvenile Sex Offender Recidivism

SUMMARY Although there is very little research in the area of including parents in juvenile sex offender treatment, one of the factors that might be worth exploring is how the parental relationship may aid in successful relapse prevention. Since the family environment is a potential risk factor for adolescent sex offenders, integration of relapse prevention into daily family life may be a significant part of these youths' success or failure in the community. This article focuses on the concept of including parents in juvenile sex offender treatment. Issues addressed include what treatment providers can do to involve parents in relapse prevention, treatment providers' misconceptions about the inclusion of parents in treatment, a rationale for including parents in treatment, and research regarding different parenting styles.
Measuring injury risk factors: question reliability in a statewide sample

Background—Recently (1996–98), Colorado added 15 questions pertaining to injury related risks and behaviors to the behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS). Questions addressed bicycle helmet use, traffic crashes, exposure to violence, suicidal behavior, and gun storage. Objective—To measure the test-retest reliability of these injury related questions. Methods—Of 330 BRFSS participants, 229 (69%) were called a second time and reasked nine selected injury questions. Retests were completed 7–28 days after the original interview. Results—Test-retest agreement was very high (κ >0.80) for bicycle helmet use, domestic police visits, and gun ownership. All other injury risk questions had substantial agreement (κ >0.60). Conclusions—The injury related questions added to the Colorado BRFSS have high test-retest reliability.
Electron opaque structures in human platelets: Which are or are not dense bodies?

The dense bodies, also referred to as delta (δ) granules, present in human platelets are the storage sites for adenine nucleotides and serotonin. Stored products released following activation are important for platelet aggregation during hemostasis. Dense bodies are easily detected in thin sections of properly fixed platelets and in unfixed, unstained whole mount preparations. It is important to determine their presence and frequency with accuracy because they are absent or markedly reduced in platelet storage pool deficiency disorders. The present study has demonstrated that identification of dense bodies as not a simple matter. There are electron dense structures, including dense rings, glycosomes, “fuzzy” balls, chains, clusters and other dense elements, that may confuse the determination of true dense bodies. Even some α granules are sufficiently electron dense to be confused with δ granules when using densitometric techniques. The present work may prevent investigators from making diagnostic errors.
Drug interactions in at-risk emergency department patients.

OBJECTIVES Many emergency department (ED) patients are at risk for drug interactions (DIs) because they are elders, and/or they have chronic illnesses requiring treatment with multiple medications. In the ED, medications may be added to complex treatment regimens without the benefit of screening for DIs. Emergency physicians may therefore cause DIs, or miss the opportunity to intervene against a pre-existing DI. Prior studies are contradictory regarding whether DIs are more likely to be due to medications administered or prescribed in the ED or medications prescribed elsewhere. Screening for DIs using computer software, such as that done by retail pharmacies, is now a standard of practice, and is done more frequently than when these other DI studies were reported during the previous decade. The authors monitored DIs among a focused, at-risk outpatient ED population, to test the hypothesis that ED-induced DIs have become the most common DIs in this population-at-risk. METHODS A retrospective convenience sample of 200 at-risk patients seen at a tertiary teaching hospital on selected dates of service was analyzed. Eligible patients were ED outpatients aged 60 years or more taking three or more medications, or any age taking five or more medications. Micromedex Drug-Reax software identified DIs. DIs had to represent "major" or "minor" severity, and have "excellent" or "good" literature documentation, to be scored as positive. Pre-existing versus ED-induced DIs were compared by chi-square. DIs were stratified by patient age and by number and type of medications taken. RESULTS The 200 outpatients (125 female, 75 male) had a mean age (+/-SD) of 64.5 (+/-17.6) years and were taking an average of 7.2 medications. Seventy-nine pre-existing DIs were noted, occurring in 50 of the 200 patients studied. One hundred forty patients received a new medication during their ED visit. Seven new DIs (one in each of seven patients) occurred among these 140 patients. DIs were less frequently caused by medications added during the ED visit (chi(2) = 22.2, p < 0.001). Digoxin and warfarin were the sources of the greatest number of DIs. CONCLUSIONS ED outpatients in the at-risk group frequently present with pre-existing DIs. Medications initiated in the ED are a less frequent cause of DI in this group. Medication screening during an ED visit could complement the role of outpatient pharmacies and potentially improve ED patient safety. DIs are most frequently due to digoxin and warfarin in these patients.
Stratégie de suivi de creux de tension pour convertisseur Flyback active-clamp

Cet article presente les limites de la commutation douce sur la topologie Flyback active–clamp dans le cadre d'une utilisation sur une large gamme de tension d'entree. Nous avons mis au point une strategie de suivi de commutation en creux de tension permettant le maintien d'une commutation en creux de tension permettant un gain de 2% a 4% par rapport a une commande classique sur la moitie haute de la plage de tension d'alimentation. Cette strategie a ete testee sur un convertisseur 30 W-12 V alimente entre 20 V et 120 V.
New graduates’ readiness for practice in Swaziland: An exploration of stakeholders’ perspectives

Background : Employers and educators of nurse s expect that, upon graduation, they will have acquired a basic set of scientific knowledge, clinical skills and professional attitudes. In Swaziland, however, these expectations remain unmet. Methods : We explored the perceptions of stakeholders in nurs ing education of how new graduates cope and perform at service entry and the factors influencing their clinical competence. From 31 purposively recruited participants, audio-recorded focus group discussions were held with registered nurses and semi-structured interviews with lecturers and nurse managers. Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Results showed that although the graduates indicated their willingness to learn and become autonomous in their practice, stakeholders felt that most new graduates were not ready for practice upon graduation. Factors contributing to this discrepancy were associated with inadequate preparation and lack of support upon service entry. Conclusions: Stakeholders’ perceptions of the new graduates not being ready for practice call for the collaboration of academia, service and the regulatory body in establishing quality assurance mechanisms for clinical education and in providing structured support for new graduates at service entry to enhance easier and safer transition.
Quality Assurance in Education Emerald Article : Quality in accounting education : what say the academics ?

Purpose – To provide a view of quality in accounting education from the perspective of a critical stakeholder group – academic accountants. The identification of this view adds to the growing discussions around quality, and how it is assured in higher education. Design/methodology/approach – Applying a framework for defining quality in higher education to an accounting context, a postal survey questionnaire was sent to academic accountants at 39 Australian universities to gather data about their views of quality in accounting education. Findings – Academic accountants view quality, as currently defined and promoted in their immediate working environment, differently to their views about how quality should be defined and promoted. As a consequence, quality assurance and improvement systems may be currently designed to assure quality that is promoted in accounting education, rather than quality that ought to be promoted. Research limitations/implications – Using a postal survey to gather data on the complex issue of “quality” might not always provide the richness of data that may be collected during face-to-face survey interviews. Practical implications – The findings of this study provide valuable input into the discussion around the design of quality assurance and improvement systems in higher education generally, and for accounting education specifically. Originality/value – In the absence of any previous empirical research that has sought to identify these perceptions, the findings fill the gap in the literature by clearly identifying the views of quality in accounting education from a key stakeholder group – academic accountants.
Detection of HIV‐1 proviral DNA in sperm from HIV‐1-infected men

ObjectiveSexual transmission is a major mode of the spread of HIV-1, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. In this study, we sought to assess the cellular reservoirs of HIV-1 proviral DNA in the semen of HIV-1-infected men. Design and methodsAn in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR), which amplifies specific genes within intact cells, was used to evaluate levels of HIV-1 provirus in seminal cells from HIV-1-infected men in various stages of clinical disease. ResultsInitial studies demonstated HIV-1 provirus in relatively low numbers (1:100 to 1:6000) of both the seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infected men. To extend these findings, 94 seminal samples from HIV-1-infected men were evaluated. HIV-1 proviral DNA was detected in seminal cells of a significant percentage of HIV-1-infected men (45%) at all stages of clinical immunodeficiency. Both seminal mononuclear cells and sperm (35 and 33% of samples studied, respectively) harbored HIV-1 proviral sequences. HIV-1-harboring sperm are shown to stain positively for HIV-1 in the mid-pieces of these cells, with rarer staining of the sperm heads. ConclusionsHIV-1 proviral DNA can be demonstrated by IS-PCR in seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infected men. The role played by proviral DNA in these cells in the sexual transmission of this retroviral agent will require further study.
Adenocarcinoid, a mucin‐producing carcinoid tumor of the appendix. A study of 39 cases

Adenocarcinoid is a form of appendiceal carcinoid possessing features of both carcinoid and adenocarcinoma. There are two histologic types. Thirty patients had the goblet cell type, characterized by nests of large mucin‐distended cells. Nine patients had the tubular type, characterized by small glandular structures lined by uniform cells. Despite abundant mucin and a goblet cell or acinar‐like arrangement, a closer relationship to carcinoid than to adenocarcinoma is suggested by a concentration of tumor elements below the crypts of Lieberkuhn, a lack of evidence of neoplastic transformation of the appendiceal mucosa, and the demonstration of argentaffin or argyrophil granules in 88% of the lesions. Six tumors, all of the goblet cell type, metastasized and resulted in the death of the patients. One of the tumors that metastasized had a prominent tubular component. Most adenocarcinoids can be adequately treated by appendectomy, but hemicolectomy is recommended for those tumors showing atypical foci, a high mitotic count, or spread beyond the appendix. Cancer 42:2781–2793, 1978.
Palliative care in the hinterlands: a description of existing services and doctors' attitudes.

OBJECTIVE To describe palliative care services as they exist in the hinterlands (towns away from regional centres) of Midwest New South Wales, including an estimation of the numbers of cases treated by local doctors, and the service they provide to their patients. Generalist doctors' attitudes to palliative care are also explored, as this information is lacking in the literature but is important for service provision. DESIGN Descriptive survey. SETTING Rural primary care and district hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Generalist doctors in hinterland areas. RESULTS In total, 38% (19/50) of surveys were returned. "Visiting rights" to the district hospital were held by 78.9% of local doctors, and patients are admitted under the care of their own doctor for symptom control and terminal care, 94.1% and 76.5% of the time, respectively. All doctors surveyed perform home visits for terminally ill patients, and 68.4% make themselves routinely available after hours. Doctors surveyed estimated that they managed a mean of 8.4 deaths due to chronic illness in the past 12 months. Most (78.9%) said that they would continue to manage dying patients even if they had a choice, and they feel between moderately and very satisfied that they provide quality care. However, only 21.1% considered their undergraduate training in palliative medicine to be adequate, and all said that they would refer to a specialist service if it were available. CONCLUSIONS Generalist rural doctors not only treat many dying patients, but also provide a continuity of care that is rarely seen in other settings. Proposals of models for "rural" palliative care should, therefore, take this unique setting into account. One such suggestion is given in this article.