This paper presents a four-stage algorithm for the realization of multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) switched linear systems (SLSs) from Markov parameters. In the first stage, a linear time-varying (LTV) realization that is topologically equivalent to the true SLS is derived from the Markov parameters assuming that the discrete states have a common MacMillan degree and a mild condition on their dwell

The high brilliance and coherent beams resulting from recent upgraded synchrotron radiation facilities open the way for a large range of experiments, where detectors play a key role in the techniques and methods developed to fully exploit the upgraded synchrotron. For instance, one of the major limitations of XAFS experiment is the performance of the detectors. In order to be able to measure more

Deep in the mountains near the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, USA lay the twisted ruins of the Kinzua Bridge, once an important transportation link and landmark for the region’s identity and heritage. Once the bridge fell out of use in the late 1950s, the Kinzua Bridge State Park was created to promote tourism and highlight the region’s history and exceptional natural landscapes. Yet,

An innovative design of microbial electrolytic reactor (MER) coupled with Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. plant microbial fuel cell (IAF-PMFC) was developed for azo dye wastewater treatment and electricity generation. This study aims to assess the sequential degradation of azo dye and the feasibility of energy self-sufficiency in the MER/IAF-PMFC system. The decomposition of azo dye into aromatic amines a

Minimizing the fiber property distribution would have the potential to improve the pulp properties and the process efficiency of chemimechanical pulp. To achieve this, it is essential to improve the level of knowledge of how evenly distributed the sulfonate concentration is between the individual chemimechanical pulp fibers. Due to the variation in quality between pulpwood and sawmill chips, as we

Recent research has revealed that interdisciplinary work combining archaeological and heritage practice continues to be limited by enduring assumptions separating the two fields. Traditional structures and institutional barriers make it difficult to break away from what is expected in order to explore what is possible in what archaeologists and heritage practitioners ‘do’. Though archaeologists pl

In this article we analyse the actions of Royal Dutch/Shell (since 2021, Shell) considering the campaign against them and their operations in Nigeria in the mid-1990s. Using the concept counter-frames we analyse Shell's internal documentation of the campaign to understand how a multinational extractive industry engaged in disputes of legitimacy and against critiques of their operations. Focusing o

Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) has positive influence on health. However, research is scarce regarding how people with mental health problems experience EAT and if it influences occupational engagement. Eleven people with mental health problems were interviewed regarding this issue. Data was analyzed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Results showed that EAT had a positive influence on

Background: The physical risks involved in donating hematopoietic stem cells have been thoroughly studied, but little is known about the psychological risks potential donors might face before donation. The aim of this study was to describe potential the pre-donation worries and psychological well-being of hematopoietic stem cell donors and investigate possible associations between donor characteri

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the design and implantation of a branched stent-graft during endovascular aortic repair incorporating double-cuff bidirectional inner branch. Technique: A new double-cuff bidirectional antegrade and retrograde inner branched stent-graft with large diamond-shaped fenestration was designed for incorporation of a splenic artery. The inner cuffs of the

Introduction: Patients with substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring mental disorders (COD) within forensic psychiatric care often suffer poor treatment outcomes and high rates of criminal recidivism, substance use, and psychiatric problems. This study aimed to describe the conditions for, and mental health care staff's experiences with, implementing integrated SUD-focused clinical guideline

In this study, a synthesis process based on the microemulsion method (ME) was developed with the aim to produce controlled-size starch nanoparticles (SNPs). Several formulations were tested for the preparation of the W/O microemulsions varying the organic/aqueous phase ratios and co-stabilizers concentrations. SNPs were characterized in terms of size, morphology, monodispersity and crystallinity.

The preservation of labile biomolecules presents a major challenge in chemistry, and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as suitable environments for this purpose. However, how the hydration of DESs impacts the behavior of proteins is often neglected. Here, we demonstrate that the amino acid environment and secondary structure of two proteins (bovine serum albumin and lysozyme) and an antib

This work explores the use of reinforcement learning to design a proactive cloud resource auto-scaler that is able to predict usage across a distributed microservice application. The focus is on serving time-sensitive workloads, e.g., industrial automation, connected XR/VR (eXtended Reality/Virtual Reality), etc., where each job has a deadline and there is some cost associated with missing a deadl

Mitt avhandlingsarbete är ett teoretiskt utforskande av den mellanmänskliga förståelsens tvetydiga roll i praktiskt socialt arbete. Avhandlingen är en sammanläggningsavhandling vilket betyder att den är uppbyggd av flera delstudier och en introducerande tillika sammanfattande kappa. I mina fyra delstudier om ämnena empati, stigmatisering och kamratstöd undersöker jag olika aspekter av mellanmänsklThis thesis aims to explore how phenomenological philosophy may contribute to the conception of interpersonal understanding in the context of social work practice. The thesis consists of an extended introduction and four original papers, investigating modalities of interpersonal understanding in relation to three different subjects, namely empathy, stigmatization, and peer-support. The thesis sets

Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare bleeding disorder caused by acquired antibodies against coagulation factor VIII. In the Nordic countries, treatment and outcomes have not been studied in recent times. To collect retrospective data on patients diagnosed with AHA in the Nordic countries between 2006 and 2018 and compare demographic data and clinical outcomes with previously published reports,

This chapter describes a preliminary study of sustainable social progress in the Kingdom of Tonga conducted following the 2009 report and recommendations of the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress (CMEPSP). Tonga appears to be making reasonable social progress according to GDP, the Human Development Index and Millennium Development Goals metrics. However, clos

Purpose: To investigate the surgical and pharmacological management and outcomes of patients with cataract and concurrent uveitis. Methods: Data from the Swedish National Cataract Register, 2018–2019, were collected and analysed. Uveitic eyes were identified and eyes without uveitis were used as controls. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for intra-individual correlation. Result

In the debate on sustainability many scholars are advocating for wider use of social learning models in order to successfully address complex challenges. Waste management is one example of complexity that our societies need to deal with and that increasingly calls for a broader approach, rather than focusing on narrow technical solutions only. This chapter is part of a broader study of limitations

Joint consideration of inventory and shipment decisions is an important aspect of obtaining economically and environmentally sustainable distribution systems. We consider this issue in the context of a one-warehouse-multiple-retailer inventory system with quantity-based shipment consolidation to groups of nonidentical retailers facing Poisson demand. The system is centralized, with free informatio