This paper presents a square root and division free Givens rotation (SDFG) to be applied to the QR-decomposition (QRD) for solving linear least squares problems on systolic arrays. The SDFG is based on a special kind of number description of the matrix elements and can be executed by mere application of multiplications and additions. Therefore, it is highly suited for the VLSI-implementation of the QRD on systolic arrays. Roundofi error and stability analyses indicate that the SDFG is numerically as stable as known Givens rotation methods.

As operation of electrical transmission systems faces new challenges due to liberalization and integration of renewable energies, novel solutions for power system management are needed. At the same time, the development of smart grids also pushes high performance communication and information technology that contribute decisively in enabling a dynamic monitoring, protection and control of large-scale and wide-spread power systems. The potential offered by smart grids and new fast controllable power systems equipment needs to be exploited by development of valuable applications for power system operation. Moreover, first experiences with selected dedicated applications call for the design of an integrated wide-area monitoring, protection and control (WAMPAC) system. This paper presents recent progress of research unit FOR1511 in the development of WAMPAC applications for stability monitoring, protection schemes based on wide-area information, and real-time congestion management. The research unit aims at developing a coherentWAMPAC system taking into account interdependencies and synergies of newly developed applications and conventional local systems in place.

Background: In this study we tested the hypothesis that in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) respiratory rate (RR) is associated with antibiotic treatment, exacerbation status, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: Between June 2018 and May 2019, we consecutively enrolled pwCF who were referred to our hospital. We determined RR and heart rate (HR) by using the minimal-impact system VitaLog during the hospital stay. Furthermore, we performed spirometry and evaluated CRP. Results: We included 47 patients: 20 with pulmonary exacerbation and 27 without. RR decreased in patients with exacerbation (27.5/min (6.0/min) vs. 24.4/min (6.0/min), p = 0.004) and in patients with non-exacerbation (22.5/min (5.0/min) vs. 20.9/min (3.5/min), p = 0.024). Patients with exacerbation showed higher RR than patients with non-exacerbation both at the beginning (p = 0.004) and at the end of their hospital stay (p = 0.023). During the hospital stay, HR did not change in the total cohort (66.8/min (11.0/min) vs. 66.6/min (12.0/min), p = 0.440). Furthermore, we did not find significant differences between patients with exacerbation and patients with non-exacerbation (67.0/min (12.5/min) vs. 66.5/min (10.8/min), p = 0.658). We observed a correlation of ρ = -0.36 between RR and FEV1. Moreover, we found a correlation of ρ = 0.52 between RR and CRP. Conclusion: In pwCF requiring intravenous therapy, respiratory rate is higher at their hospital admittance and decreased by the time of discharge; it is also associated with C-reactive protein. Monitoring RR could provide important information about the overall clinical conditions of pwCF.

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based power system applications increases continually which poses new engineering challenges regarding the development, validation and management of both - the applications and the intertwined infrastructures. In this paper the need for a joint analysis of power and ICT systems for evaluating smart grid applications is discussed and a systematic validation approach is proposed. After reviewing state of the art validation techniques, a newly developed Wide-Area Monitoring, Protection and Control (WAMPAC) system is introduced. Its extensive use of wide-area communication and the combination of centralized and decentralized decision making stress the complexity of such a cyber-physical system, where the interdependency between the power system and the ICT domains are challenging to validate. Deduced from these requirements, a validation concept is proposed that comprises (i) the usage of a comprehensive smart grid reference model, (ii) a systematic and objectively verifiable generation of scenarios, and (iii) a single and multi-domain validation process using analytical, simulative and experimental techniques. For the latter, a composition of analyses using co-simulation, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulations and an empirical test bed is outlined.