Fundamental Limits of Nonintrusive Load Monitoring

Provided an arbitrary nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM) algorithm, we seek bounds on the probability of distinguishing between scenarios, given an aggregate power consumption signal. We introduce a framework for studying a general NILM algorithm, and analyze the theory in the general case. Then, we specialize to the case where the error is Gaussian. In both cases, we are able to derive upper bounds on the probability of distinguishing scenarios. Finally, we apply the results to real data to derive bounds on the probability of distinguishing between scenarios as a function of the measurement noise, the sampling rate, and the device usage.Comment: Submitted to the 3rd ACM International Conference on High Confidence Networked Systems (HiCoNS

Low-temperature magnetism in the honeycomb systems SrLn2O4

Recent progress in the understanding of the complex magnetic properties of the family of rare-earth strontium oxides, SrLn2O4, is reviewed. These compounds consisting of hexagons and triangles are affected by geometrical frustration and therefore exhibit its characteristic features, such as a significant reduction of magnetic ordering temperatures and complex phase diagrams in an applied field. Some of the observed features appear to be rather remarkable even in the context of the unusual behavior associated with geometrically frustrated magnetic systems. Of particular interest is the coexistence at the lowest temperature of different magnetic structures (exhibiting either long or short-range order) characterized by different propagation vectors in materials without significant chemical or structural disorder.Comment: Review Articl

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of antiseptics for meatal cleaning in the prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infections

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections. Antiseptic cleaning of the meatal area before and during catheter use may reduce the risk of CAUTIs. Aim: To undertake a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effectiveness of antiseptic cleaning before urinary catheter insertion and during catheter use for prevention of CAUTIs. Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and compared across intervention and control groups using DerSimonian–Laird random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was estimated using the I2 statistic. Findings: In total, 2665 potential papers were identified; of these, 14 studies were eligible for inclusion. There was no difference in the incidence of CAUTIs when comparing antiseptic and non-antiseptic agents (pooled OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.73–1.10; P=0.31), or when comparing different agents: povidone-iodine vs routine care; povidone-iodine vs soap and water; chlorhexidine vs water; povidone-iodine vs saline; povidone-iodine vs water; and green soap and water vs routine care (P > 0.05 for all). Comparison of an antibacterial agent with routine care indicated near significance (P=0.06). There was no evidence of heterogeneity (I2=0%; P > 0.05). Subgroup analyses showed no difference in the incidence of CAUTIs in terms of country, setting, risk of bias, sex and frequency of administration. Conclusions: There were no differences in CAUTI rates, although methodological issues hamper generalizability of this finding. Antibacterial agents may prove to be significant in a well-conducted study. The present results provide good evidence to inform infection control guidelines in catheter management

Correlated patterns in non-monotonic graded-response perceptrons

The optimal capacity of graded-response perceptrons storing biased and spatially correlated patterns with non-monotonic input-output relations is studied. It is shown that only the structure of the output patterns is important for the overall performance of the perceptrons.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Aberrant CBFA2T3B gene promoter methylation in breast tumors

BACKGROUND: The CBFA2T3 locus located on the human chromosome region 16q24.3 is frequently deleted in breast tumors. CBFA2T3 gene expression levels are aberrant in breast tumor cell lines and the CBFA2T3B isoform is a potential tumor suppressor gene. In the absence of identified mutations to further support a role for this gene in tumorigenesis, we explored whether the CBFA2T3B promoter region is aberrantly methylated and whether this correlates with expression. RESULTS: Aberrant hypo and hypermethylation of the CBFA2T3B promoter was detected in breast tumor cell lines and primary breast tumor samples relative to methylation index interquartile ranges in normal breast counterpart and normal whole blood samples. A statistically significant inverse correlation between aberrant CBFA2T3B promoter methylation and gene expression was established. CONCLUSION: CBFA2T3B is a potential breast tumor suppressor gene affected by aberrant promoter methylation and gene expression. The methylation levels were quantitated using a second-round real-time methylation-specific PCR assay. The detection of both hypo and hypermethylation is a technicality regarding the methylation methodology.Anthony J Bais, Alison E Gardner, Olivia LD McKenzie, David F Callen, Grant R Sutherland, and Gabriel Kremmidioti

Stability and asymptotic behavior of periodic traveling wave solutions of viscous conservation laws in several dimensions

Under natural spectral stability assumptions motivated by previous investigations of the associated spectral stability problem, we determine sharp $L^p$ estimates on the linearized solution operator about a multidimensional planar periodic wave of a system of conservation laws with viscosity, yielding linearized $L^1\cap L^p\to L^p$ stability for all $p \ge 2$ and dimensions $d \ge 1$ and nonlinear $L^1\cap H^s\to L^p\cap H^s$ stability and $L^2$-asymptotic behavior for $p\ge 2$ and $d\ge 3$. The behavior can in general be rather complicated, involving both convective (i.e., wave-like) and diffusive effects

Nonresonant Contributions in B->rho pi Decay

We consider nonresonant contributions in the Dalitz plot analysis of B->rho pi->pi^+ pi^- pi^0 decay and their potential impact on the extraction of the CKM parameter alpha. In particular, we examine the role of the heavy mesons B^* and B_0, via the process B->pi (B^*, B_0)->pi^+ pi^- pi^0, and their interference with resonant contributions in the rho-mass region. We discuss the inherent uncertainties and suggest that the effects may be substantially smaller than previously indicated.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures; minor changes, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Ralph Lamar Webb - Scrapbook Resolutions from Fergus Lodge pg. 2

Scrapbook page created by Fay Webb Gardner documenting the death of her brother, Ralph Lamar Webb. Page includes a news clipping of the Resolution passed by the Fergus Lodge (Masonic) of Loganville, GA in honor of Ralph\u27s passing. Page includes a contemporary photograph of Ralph Lamar Webb. Page also includes a document in the upper right corner which has degraded over time and is illegible.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/fay-webb-gardner-ralph-lamar-webb/1002/thumbnail.jp

Ralph Lamar Webb - Scrapbook Resolutions from Fergus Lodge

Scrapbook page created by Fay Webb Gardner documenting the death of her brother, Ralph Lamar Webb. Page includes a Resolution passed by the Fergus Lodge (Masonic) of Loganville, GA in honor of Ralph\u27s passing. Page includes a lock of Ralph\u27s hair saved by Mrs. Gardner.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/fay-webb-gardner-ralph-lamar-webb/1001/thumbnail.jp

A scattering rate approach to the understanding of absorption line broadening in near-infrared AlGaN/GaN quantum wells

There has been much interest in the advancement of III-Nitride growth technology to fabricate AlGaN/GaN heterostructures for intersubband transitions (ISBTs). The large conduction band offset in these structures (up to 2 eV) allows transition energies in the near- to the far-infrared region, which have applications from telecommunications, such as in all-optical switches, to infra-red detectors for sensing and imaging. To date, ISBT electroluminescence has been elusive and absorption measurements remain an important method to verify band structure calculations. The growth quality can be inferred from the absorption spectrum, which will have line broadening with contributions that are both inhomogeneous (large-scale interface roughness, and non-parabolicity) and homogeneous (electron scattering related lifetime broadening). In the present work we calculated the contributions of various homogeneous broadening mechanisms (electron interaction with longitudinal-optical (LO) phonons, acoustic phonons, impurities and alloy disorder) to the full linewidth, and also the contribution of band non-parabolicity, which contributes to the inhomogeneous broadening. Calculations are then compared to the measured absorption spectra of several samples