We present a combined, experimental, and computational investigation of the growth mode and the valence-band structure of $\mathrm{Ag}∕\mathrm{Pd}(111)$, with the focus on the Ag $4d$ derived quantum well states. Low-energy electron diffraction and scanning-tunneling microscopy are used to determine epitaxial, layer-by-layer growth of silver on the palladium substrate. High-resolution (in both energy and angle) photoelectron spectra and ab initio density-functional band-structure calculations are compared for 1 and 2 ML silver films along the $\overline{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}\ensuremath{-}{\overline{M}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ high symmetry line of the surface Brillouin zone. The observed $d$-derived electronic states and their dispersion are explained in terms of quantum well states. The interaction of the silver $4d$ electronic states with the palladium substrate is discussed.

The aim of this study is to mathematically approximate the shape of the femoral articulating line and compare radiuses of condylar curves within and between males and females. Ten male and ten female participants were included in the study. Radiuses of medial and lateral condylar curves were calculated from the side view knee X-ray by original mathematical equation. Average radiuses of condylar curves were between 4.5 and 1.7 cm medially, and between 3.2 and 1.8 cm laterally, for 0 degrees and 90 degrees flexion contact point respectively. Males had longer curve radiuses of both condyles (p < 0.05). Differences turned out to be statistically insignificant after adjusting to body height. Even small changes in the joint geometry during lifetime could make a joint susceptible to osteoarthritis or injuries. Approximation of the radiuses of femoral condyle curves is a useful method in anthropometric, radiological and virtual calculations of the knee geometry, and other ellipsoidal structures in human body, like wrist, scull segments, dental arches, etc.

We propose a model predictive control (MPC) strategy for sampled-data implementation (with the zero order hold assumption) of continuous-time controllers for general nonlinear systems. We assume that a continuous-time controller has been designed so that the continuous-time closed-loop satisfies all performance requirements. Then, we use this control law indirectly to compute numerically a sampled-data controller via an MPC strategy that minimizes the mismatch between the solutions of the sampled-data model and the continuous-time closed-loop model. We present conditions under which stability and sub-optimality of the closed loop can be proved.