AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF PRICE ON RESIDENTIAL WATER DEMAND: METROPOLITAN MIAMI, FLORIDA

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Estimation of Kalman filter model parameters from an ensemble of tests

A methodology for estimating initial mean and covariance parameters in a Kalman filter model from an ensemble of nonidentical tests is presented. In addition, the problem of estimating time constants and process noise levels is addressed. Practical problems such as developing and validating inertial instrument error models from laboratory test data or developing error models of individual phases of a test are generally considered

Convex Functions and Spacetime Geometry

Convexity and convex functions play an important role in theoretical physics. To initiate a study of the possible uses of convex functions in General Relativity, we discuss the consequences of a spacetime $(M,g_{\mu \nu})$ or an initial data set $(\Sigma, h_{ij}, K_{ij})$ admitting a suitably defined convex function. We show how the existence of a convex function on a spacetime places restrictions on the properties of the spacetime geometry.Comment: 26 pages, latex, 7 figures, improved version. some claims removed, references adde

Elastic Scattering of Pions From the Three-nucleon System

We examine the scattering of charged pions from the trinucleon system at a pion energy of 180 MeV. The motivation for this study is the structure seen in the experimental angular distribution of back-angle scattering for pi+ 3He and pi- 3H but for neither pi- 3He nor pi+ 3H. We consider the addition of a double spin flip term to an optical model treatment and find that, though the contribution of this term is non-negligible at large angles for pi+ 3He and pi- 3H, it does not reproduce the structure seen in the experiment.Comment: 15 pages + 5 figure

Predicting false lumen thrombosis in patient-specific models of aortic dissection

Aortic dissection causes splitting of the aortic wall layers, allowing blood to enter a ‘false lumen’ (FL). For type B dissection, a significant predictor of patient outcomes is patency or thrombosis of the FL. Yet, no methods are currently available to assess the chances of FL thrombosis. In this study, we present a new computational model that is capable of predicting thrombus formation, growth and its effects on blood flow under physiological conditions. Predictions of thrombus formation and growth are based on fluid shear rate, residence time and platelet distribution, which are evaluated through convection–diffusion–reaction transport equations. The model is applied to a patient-specific type B dissection for which multiple follow-up scans are available. The predicted thrombus formation and growth patterns are in good qualitative agreement with clinical data, demonstrating the potential applicability of the model in predicting FL thrombosis for individual patients. Our results show that the extent and location of thrombosis are strongly influenced by aortic dissection geometry that may change over time. The high computational efficiency of our model makes it feasible for clinical applications. By predicting which aortic dissection patient is more likely to develop FL thrombosis, the model has great potential to be used as part of a clinical decision-making tool to assess the need for early endovascular intervention for individual dissection patients

The relationship between cognitive variables and offending behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities : a systematic review

Background Interventions for offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID) have used cognitive variables as measures of treatment outcome. However, the relevance of cognitive variables to offending in people with intellectual disabilities is unclear. This review aimed to evaluate the evidence for a relationship between cognitive variables and offending in people with intellectual disabilities. Method A systematic search identified studies comparing offenders and non‐offenders with intellectual disabilities on an aspect of cognition. Seven cognitive variables were found and compared across 15 studies. These were appraised for their quality using an adapted quality appraisal checklist. The reliability and validity of cognitive measures were also considered. Results and conclusions Other than for cognitive distortions, the evidence for a relationship between cognitive variables and offending in people with intellectual disabilities is currently limited due to methodological weaknesses and the small number of studies assessing each variable. Clinicians are advised to focus on cognitive distortions until better evidence is available

Layer- and bulk roton excitations of 4He in porous media

We examine the energetics of bulk and layer-roton excitations of 4He in various porous medial such as aerogel, Geltech, or Vycor, in order to find out what conclusions can be drawn from experiments on the energetics about the physisorption mechanism. The energy of the layer-roton minimum depends sensitively on the substrate strength, thus providing a mechanism for a direct measurement of this quantity. On the other hand, bulk-like roton excitations are largely independent of the interaction between the medium and the helium atoms, but the dependence of their energy on the degree of filling reflects the internal structure of the matrix and can reveal features of 4He at negative pressures. While bulk-like rotons are very similar to their true bulk counterparts, the layer modes are not in close relation to two-dimensional rotons and should be regarded as a third, completely independent kind of excitation

Comment on "Failure of the work-Hamiltonian connection for free-energy calculations" by Jose M. G. Vilar and J. Miguel Rubi

I point out that the arguments raised by Vilar and Rubi against the work-Hamiltonian connection in free-energy calculations imply, if correct, the failure of the statistical mechanical expression of the thermodynamical free-energy via the logarithm of the partition function.Comment: To appear in Physical Review Letter

The location of re-entry tears affects false lumen thrombosis in aortic dissection following TEVAR

Purpose. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been shown to be an effective treatment method for acute type B aortic dissection. However, it remains unclear which factors determine false lumen thrombosis (FLT) after TEVAR. In this study we assess the influence of the distance between the distal end of the stent graft and first re-entry tear (SG-FET)on the progression of FLT.Methods.Three post-operative patient-specific models were reconstructed from computed tomography scans. Two additional models were created byartificially changing the SG-FET distance in patient 1 and 2. In all five models, computational fluid dynamics simulations coupled with thrombus formation modelling were performed at physiological flow conditions.Predicted FLT was compared with follow-up scans.Results.Ourresults showed reduced false lumen flow and low time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) inpatients withlarge SG-FET distances. Predicted thrombus formation and growth were consistent with follow-up scansfor all patients. Reducingthe SG-FET distanceby 30 mm in patient 1 increased flowandTAWSS in the upper abdominal false lumen, reducing the thrombus volume by 9.6%. Increasingthe SG-FET distance inpatient 2 resulted in fasterthoracic thrombosis and increased total thrombus volume.Conclusion.The location of re-entry tears can influencethe progression of FLT following TEVAR. The more distal the re-entry tear in the aorta the more likely FLTis. Hence, the distal landing zone of the stent graft should be chosen carefully to ensure a sufficient SG-FET distance