Levitation-guidance stabilization of superconducting maglev through LSM currents
This paper presents a modeling and simulation of a superconducting maglev vehicle with a levitation and guidance assist method we have proposed. The assist system stabilizes and assists the vehicle operation so that the vehicle does not need to depend on the mechanical wheels as much as possible at low speeds. By controlling the LSM armature currents, the auxiliary levitation and guidance forces are provided. The results show that the assist system produces appropriate levitation and guidance forces, establishing the reference levitation height and a sufficient guidance at low speeds even against the disturbance force of lateral wind.
Robust uncertainty compensation in MagLev by using extended state observer
The magnetic levitation (MagLev) system control is one of the most complex problems due to open-loop instability, nonlinear dynamics and uncertain parameters. The 3rd order differential model of MagLev is linearized by using input-output linearization. The control law is designed using feedback linearization (FL) augmented by uncertainty estimates. The states and uncertainties are estimated using extended state observer (ESO). This paper addresses the issue of robustification of FL control law against the uncertainty and nonlinear perturbation by using ESO. The stability of overall system is assured and is dependent on the pole placement. The results demonstrate the efficacy of extended state observer for estimating wide range of uncertainty in a highly nonlinear plant, when maximum information of MagLev system is unknown.
The Alzheimer's Disease Home Hospice Knowledge Scale: development, validity and reliability.
BACKGROUND
Several instruments are available to assess knowledge about hospice care, but none specifically address knowledge about home hospice for persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD).


AIM
To develop and validate the Alzheimer's Disease Home Hospice Knowledge Scale (AD-HHK-S).


METHODS
A total of 107 Israeli family caregivers of persons with dementia (mean age=71.2; 73% female) participated in the study.


RESULTS
The AD-HHK-S included 28 true/false items assessing 3 areas of knowledge: knowledge about hospice, knowledge about home hospice, and knowledge about home hospice for AD. Good internal reliability was found, with Cronbach alpha ranging from 0.72 to 0.85. Good face, construct and predictive validity were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The AD-HHK-S proved to be a valid and reliable tool to assess knowledge about hospice care in the area of AD. It might provide an effective tool for palliative care nurses to communicate with family caregivers of persons with AD at the end of life.