How Fast Can You Escape a Compact Polytope?

The Continuous Polytope Escape Problem (CPEP) asks whether every trajectory of a linear differential equation initialised within a convex polytope eventually escapes the polytope. We provide a polynomial-time algorithm to decide CPEP for compact polytopes. We also establish a quantitative uniform upper bound on the time required for every trajectory to escape the given polytope. In addition, we establish iteration bounds for termination of discrete linear loops via reduction to the continuous case

Hazardous Waste in The Netherlands: Dutch Policies from a Local Perspective

This paper is about risk management and environmental policy. Conventional approaches to risk management (Wynne et al., IIASA Working Papers on Hazardous Waste Management) tend to assume that risk is a technical phenomenon, and that successful risk management involves the elaboration and use of precise technical analytic models and regulatory instruments. The aim of this work is to show that this general approach is unrealistic. Firstly, it is shown that different perceptions and definitions of policy issues shape legislative and regulatory agendas in ways which mean that environmental management and specific definitions of risk problems are only a (varying) part of the broader agendas and concerns of interacting groups. Secondly, it is shown that even after apparently precise regulations have been established, the process of implementation effectively continues the negotiation of the basic agenda of issues as defined by different interests. This is shown to be the case at national and local levels. The family of Dutch case studies presented supports the argument of the IIASA hazardous waste papers, that effective regulatory instruments can only be identified in the context of interaction between the institutional realities of regulatory decision making and appropriate forms of technical knowledge. These vary from one regulatory system to another, making technical harmonization extremely problematic

Energy End-Use : Industry

The industrial sector accounts for about 30% of the global final energy use and accounts for about 115 EJ of final energy use in 2005. 1Cement, iron and steel, chemicals, pulp and paper and aluminum are key energy intensive materials that account for more than half the global industrial use. There is a shift in the primary materials production with developing countries accounting for the majority of the production capacity. China and India have high growth rates in the production of energy intensive materials like cement, fertilizers and steel (12–20%/yr). In different economies materials demand is seen to grow initially with income and then stabilize. For instance in industrialized countries consumption of steel seems to saturate at about 500 kg/capita and 400–500 kg/capita for cement. The aggregate energy intensities in the industrial sectors in different countries have shown steady declines – due to an improvement in energy efficiency and a change in the structure of the industrial output. As an example for the EU-27 the final energy use by industry has remained almost constant (13.4 EJ) at 1990 levels. Structural changes in the economies explain 30% of the reduction in energy intensity with the remaining due to energy efficiency improvements. In different industrial sectors adopting the best achievable technology can result in a saving of 10–30% below the current average. An analysis of cost cutting measures for motors and steam systems in 2005 indicates energy savings potentials of 2.2 EJ for motors and 3.3 EJ for steam. The payback period for these measures range from less than 9 months to 4 years. A systematic analysis of materials and energy flows indicates significant potential for process integration, heat pumps and cogeneration for example savings of 30% are seen in kraft, sulfite, dairy, chocolate, ammonia, and vinyl chloride. An exergy analysis (second law of thermodynamics) reveals that the overall global industry efficiency is only 30%. It is clear that there are major energy efficiency improvements possible through research and development (R&D) in next generation processes. A comparison of energy management policies in different countries and a summary of country experiences, program impacts for Brazil, China, India, South Africa shows the features of successful policies. Energy management International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards are likely to be effective in facilitating industrial end use efficiency. The effective use of demand side management can be facilitated by combination of mandated measures and market strategies. A frozen efficiency scenario is constructed for industry in 2030. This implies a demand of final energy of 225 EJ in 2030. This involves an increase of the industrial energy output (in terms of Manufacturing Value Added (MVA)) by 95% over its 2005 value. Due to normal efficiency improvements the Business as Usual scenario results in a final energy demand of 175 EJ. The savings possibilities in motors and steam systems, process improvements, pinch, heat pumping and cogeneration have been computed for the existing industrial stock and for the new industries. An energy efficient scenario for 2030 has been constructed with a 95% increase in the industrial output with only a 17% increase in the final energy demand (total final energy demand for industry (135 EJ)). The total direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions from the industry sector in 2005 is about 9.9 GtCO 2 . Assuming a constant carbon intensity of energy use, the business as usual scenario results in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions increasing to 17.8 GtCO 2 annually in 2030. In the energy efficient scenario this reduces to 11.6 GtCO 2 . Renewables account for 9% of the final energy of industry (10 EJ in 2005). If an aggressive renewables strategy resulting in an increase in renewable energy supply to 23% in 2030 is targeted (23 EJ), it is possible to have a scenario of constant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the industrial sector (at 2005 levels) with a 95% increase in the industrial output. Several interventions will be required to achieve the energy efficient or constant GHG emission scenario. For the existing industry measures include developing capacity for systems assessment for motors, steam systems and pinch analysis, sharing and documentation of best practices, benchmarks and roadmaps for different industry segments, access to low interest finance etc. A new energy management standard has been developed by ISO for energy management in companies. Its adoption will enable industries to systematically monitor and track energy efficiency improvements. In order to level the playing field for energy efficiency a paradigm shift is required with the focus on energy services not on energy supply per se. This requires a re-orientation of energy supply, distribution companies and energy equipment manufacturing companies. Planning for next generation processes and systems needs the development of long term research agenda and strategic collaborations between industry, academic and research institutions and governments

Ripple oscillations in the left temporal neocortex are associated with impaired verbal episodic memory encoding

Background: We sought to determine if ripple oscillations (80-120Hz), detected in intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings of epilepsy patients, correlate with an enhancement or disruption of verbal episodic memory encoding. Methods: We defined ripple and spike events in depth iEEG recordings during list learning in 107 patients with focal epilepsy. We used logistic regression models (LRMs) to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of ripple and spike events during word presentation and the odds of successful word recall following a distractor epoch, and included the seizure onset zone (SOZ) as a covariate in the LRMs. Results: We detected events during 58,312 word presentation trials from 7,630 unique electrode sites. The probability of ripple on spike (RonS) events was increased in the seizure onset zone (SOZ, p<0.04). In the left temporal neocortex RonS events during word presentation corresponded with a decrease in the odds ratio (OR) of successful recall, however this effect only met significance in the SOZ (OR of word recall 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.85, n=158 events, adaptive Hochberg p<0.01). Ripple on oscillation events (RonO) that occurred in the left temporal neocortex non-SOZ also correlated with decreased odds of successful recall (OR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34-0.80, n=140, adaptive Hochberg , p<0.01). Spikes and RonS that occurred during word presentation in the left middle temporal gyrus during word presentation correlated with the most significant decrease in the odds of successful recall, irrespective of the location of the SOZ (adaptive Hochberg, p<0.01). Conclusion: Ripples and spikes generated in left temporal neocortex are associated with impaired verbal episodic memory encoding

2014 Epilepsy Benchmarks Area III: Improve Treatment Options for Controlling Seizures and Epilepsy-Related Conditions Without Side Effects

The Epilepsy Benchmark goals in Area III focus on making progress in understanding and controlling seizures and related conditions as well as on developing biomarkers and new therapies that will reduce seizures and improve outcomes for individuals with epilepsy. Area III emphasizes a need to better understand the ways in which seizures start, propagate, and terminate and whether those network processes are common or unique in different forms of epilepsy. The application of that knowledge to improved seizure prediction and detection will also play a role in improving patient outcomes. Animal models of treatment-resistant epilepsy that are aligned with etiologies and clinical features of human epilepsies are especially encouraged as necessary tools to understand mechanisms and test potential therapies. Antiseizure therapies that target (either alone or in combination) novel or multiple seizure mechanisms are prioritized in this section of the Benchmarks. Area III goals also highlight validation of biomarkers of treatment response and safety risk, effective self-management, and patient-centered outcome measures as important areas of emphasis for the next five to ten years

The History of Nebraska Public School Reorganization Over the Past 30 Years and How This History Might be Used to Predict Nebraska School Reorganization in the Future: A Mixed Methods Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the history of reorganization in public schools in Nebraska over the past 30 years and how we can use this history to make predictions for the future of reorganization in public schools in Nebraska. The researcher used a mixed method approach. For the quantitative research 199 Nebraska superintendents were surveyed to determine the reasons for their school districts reorganization over the past 30 years. For the qualitative research, eight individuals were interviewed to gauge their perceptions of public school reorganization in Nebraska. These eight individuals were experts in public school education in Nebraska. The survey results showed that reorganization impacted school enrollment and school finances did not seem to be a major factor as to why districts reorganized. Additionally, results showed the legislature does not really have an impact on reorganization as well. There was a minimal effect from reorganization upon improving student opportunities, however, it did not take away opportunities from students. Reorganization has a positive effect on staffing as districts usually gain teachers and they do not normally lose their jobs. For the most part, reorganization was positive for the community. Based on the interview results Nebraska will continue to see a de-population of rural areas, which may negatively impact enrollment in schools. There will continue to be less need for more workers in agriculture, which will impact enrollment in rural areas. Rural communities and school districts prefer local control and that the legislature not be involved in reorganization in the future. However, there may be a need for a reorganization study to be conducted so the legislature better understands the needs of school districts rather than basing decisions on emotion. Advisor: Jody Isernhage

Liquid State Anomalies for the Stell-Hemmer Core-Softened Potential

We study the Stell-Hemmer potential using both analytic (exact $1d$ and approximate $2d$) solutions and numerical $2d$ simulations. We observe in the liquid phase an anomalous decrease in specific volume and isothermal compressibility upon heating, and an anomalous increase in the diffusion coefficient with pressure. We relate the anomalies to the existence of two different local structures in the liquid phase. Our results are consistent with the possibility of a low temperature/high pressure liquid-liquid phase transition.Comment: 4 pages in one gzipped ps file including 11 figures; One RevTex and 11 gzipped eps figure

An Integrated TCGA Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource to Drive High-Quality Survival Outcome Analytics

For a decade, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program collected clinicopathologic annotation data along with multi-platform molecular profiles of more than 11,000 human tumors across 33 different cancer types. TCGA clinical data contain key features representing the democratized nature of the data collection process. To ensure proper use of this large clinical dataset associated with genomic features, we developed a standardized dataset named the TCGA Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource (TCGA-CDR), which includes four major clinical outcome endpoints. In addition to detailing major challenges and statistical limitations encountered during the effort of integrating the acquired clinical data, we present a summary that includes endpoint usage recommendations for each cancer type. These TCGA-CDR findings appear to be consistent with cancer genomics studies independent of the TCGA effort and provide opportunities for investigating cancer biology using clinical correlates at an unprecedented scale. Analysis of clinicopathologic annotations for over 11,000 cancer patients in the TCGA program leads to the generation of TCGA Clinical Data Resource, which provides recommendations of clinical outcome endpoint usage for 33 cancer types

Genomic, Pathway Network, and Immunologic Features Distinguishing Squamous Carcinomas

This integrated, multiplatform PanCancer Atlas study co-mapped and identified distinguishing molecular features of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from five sites associated with smokin