A homomorphism theorem and a Trotter product formula for quantum stochastic flows with unbounded coefficients

We give a new method for proving the homomorphic property of a quantum stochastic ow satisfying a quantum stochastic differential equation with unbounded coefficients, under some further hypotheses. As an application, we prove a Trotter product formula for quantum stochastic ows and obtain quantum stochastic dilations of a class of quantum dynamical semigroups generalizing results of [5

Normative and critical criteria for iliotibial band and iliopsoas muscle flexibility

Context: The Ober and Thomas tests are subjective and involve a "negative" or "positive" assessment, making them difficult to apply within the paradigm of evidence-based medicine. No authors have combined the subjective clinical assessment with an objective measurement for these special tests. Objective: To compare the subjective assessment of iliotibial band and iliopsoas flexibility with the objective measurement of a digital inclinometer, to establish normative values, and to provide an evidence-based critical criterion for determining tissue tightness. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Clinical research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Three hundred recreational athletes (125 men, 175 women; 250 in injured group, 50 in control group). Main Outcome Measure(s): Iliotibial band and iliopsoas muscle flexibility were determined subjectively using the modified Ober and Thomas tests, respectively. Using a digital inclinometer, we objectively measured limb position. lnterrater reliability for the subjective assessment was compared between 2 clinicians for a random sample of 100 injured participants, who were classified subjectively as either negative or positive for iliotibial band and iliopsoas tightness. Percentage of agreement indicated interrater reliability for the subjective assessment. Results: For iliotibial band flexibility, the average inclinometer angle was -24.59 degrees +/- 7.27 degrees. A total of 432 limbs were subjectively assessed as negative (-27.13 degrees +/- 5.53 degrees) and 168 as positive (-16.29 degrees +/- 6.87 degrees). For iliopsoas flexibility, the average inclinometer angle was -10.60 degrees +/- 9.61 degrees. A total of 392 limbs were subjectively assessed as negative (-15.51 degrees +/- 5.82 degrees) and 208 as positive (0.34 degrees +/- 7.00 degrees). The critical criteria for iliotibial band and iliopsoas flexibility were determined to be -23.16 degrees and -9.69 degrees, respectively. Between-clinicians agreement was very good, ranging from 95.0% to 97.6% for the Thomas and Ober tests, respectively. Conclusions: Subjective assessments and instrumented measurements were combined to establish normative values and critical criterions for tissue flexibility for the modified Ober and Thomas tests

Stochastic Synthetic Data Generation for Electric Net Load and Its Application

The increasing integration of renewable energy in electric power systems focuses attention on realistic representation of ”net load” because it aggregates the information from both demand and the renewable supply side; net load is the remaining demand that must be met by non-renewable resources. However, the net load data is not readily accessible because of cost, privacy, and security concerns. Furthermore, even if historical data is available, multiple stochastic scenarios are often needed for a wide range of power system applications. To address these issues, this paper proposes a stochastic synthetic net load profile generation approach. A seasonal detrending technique is combined with the modified Fractional Gaussian Noise method to deal with the complex multi-periodic seasonal trends in the net load profile. A thorough statistical validation and temporal correlation check are performed to show the quality of the synthetic data. The benefits of the synthetic data are demonstrated by a microgrid energy management problem

Don’t bug me…I’m taking a bath! A Case Study on Hot Tub Lung

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a unique form of interstitial lung disease that is diverse in its presentation and etiology. • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is mediated by an inflammatory reaction to inhalation of an environmental antigen. It is described as a mixed III/IV hypersensitivity reaction that is characterized by lymphocyte predominance and high CD4:CD8 ratio. • Hot tub lung is one etiology of hypersensitivity pneumonitis which can occur from exposure to mycobacterium antigens in water-related contamination, most notably hot tubs. • It most commonly presents with patients who have underlying lung disease or are immunocompromised. However, there has recently been an increase in hot tub lung in otherwise healthy individuals. 58-year old African American female with a history of hypertension and stage 3 breast cancer status post 3 cycles of cyclophosphamide/docetaxel presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with persistent dyspnea, dry cough, and fever. She was discharged earlier that day with a diagnosis of dyspnea with suspicion of pneumonitis after 2 day admission and extensive work-up. Upon discharge, she reported worsening dyspnea with exertion, dry cough, and fever, and returned. While the patient’s vague symptoms of dyspnea and fever did not point to a specific diagnosis, the additional history revealed possible exposure to mycobacterium antigen through “hot tub like” contamination. • Repeating the history to dig deeper into the patient\u27s daily activities revealed an essential piece of information that led to the diagnosis. • This case is one of the first cases to document hot tub lung in a bathtub

Degrees of Access: Factors Preventing Wide-Scope Coverage of the Iraq War by Embedded Reporters--From "Shock and Awe" to "Mission Accomplished" (March 21 - May 1, 2003)

Reporters "embedded" with U.S. military units during the first two months of the Iraq War (2003-) dealt with a number of impediments the combination of which was previously unseen in the history of war reporting. These included physical proximity, bonding, and shared peril with American soldiers, informal self-censorship based on "ground rules," and technological capacity for real-time visual transmission of reportage. These and other factors such as travel restrictions and post-9/11 editorial bias prevented "embeds" from seeing anything but a narrow slice of the war

Recombinant human epoetin beta in the treatment of chemotherapy-related anemia

Anemia is a common complication of systemic anti-cancer treatment. In this context epoetin beta, like other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), has demonstrable efficacy in raising Hb concentration and reducing the requirement for red cell transfusion. Consequently ESA therapy has gained increasing prominence in the management of chemotherapy-related anemia. However, recent trial data have suggested a higher rate of thromboembolic events, enhanced tumor progression and reduced survival in some patients with cancer who receive ESA therapy. In response, regulatory authorities have mandated increasingly restrictive label changes. In light of these new developments we consider the current role of epoetin beta in the management of chemotherapy-related anemia

Exploring a Direct Policy Search Framework for Multiobjective Optimization of a Microgrid Energy Management System

With an increasing focus on integration of distributed energy resources, it is likely that microgrids will proliferate globally. Microgrid systems will be expected to achieve multiple stakeholder objectives, motivating the study of microgrid operations using a multiobjective framework. A multiobjective perspective has the potential balance the trade-offs implicit to efficient use of available resources. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a simulation based parametric approach for multiobjective optimization for microgrid energy management. The methodology generates a Pareto-approximate set of control policies, to provide a microgrid controller with diverse alternative strategies for utilizing resources to balance competing objectives. The policies also help to illustrate the complex relationships between the objectives, and the consequences of compromises across performance. The methodology is implemented on a test microgrid and the potential benefits are demonstrated with a set of illustrative case studies

Quantifying the Impact of Public Perceptions on Vaccine Acceptance Using Behavioral Economics

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of public perceptions of vaccine safety and efficacy on intent to seek COVID-19 vaccination using hypothetical vaccine acceptance scenarios. The behavioral economic methodology could be used to inform future public health vaccination campaigns designed to influence public perceptions and improve public acceptance of the vaccine. In June 2020, 534 respondents completed online validated behavioral economic procedures adapted to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine demand in relation to a hypothetical development process and efficacy. An exponential demand function was used to describe the proportion of participants accepting the vaccine at each efficacy. Linear mixed effect models evaluated development process and individual characteristic effects on minimum required vaccine efficacy required for vaccine acceptance. The rapid development process scenario increased the rate of decline in acceptance with reductions in efficacy. At 50% efficacy, 68.8% of respondents would seek the standard vaccine, and 58.8% would seek the rapid developed vaccine. Rapid vaccine development increased the minimum required efficacy for vaccine acceptance by over 9 percentage points, γ = 9.36, p < 0.001. Past-3-year flu vaccination, γ = −23.00, p < 0.001, and male respondents, γ = −4.98, p = 0.037, accepted lower efficacy. Respondents reporting greater conspiracy beliefs, γ = 0.39, p < 0.001, and political conservatism, γ = 0.32, p < 0.001, required higher efficacy. Male, γ = −4.43, p = 0.013, and more conservative, γ = −0.09, p = 0.039, respondents showed smaller changes in minimum required efficacy by development process. Information on the vaccine development process, vaccine efficacy, and individual differences impact the proportion of respondents reporting COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Behavioral economics provides an empirical method to estimate vaccine demand to target subpopulations resistant to vaccination