Multi-level automated sub-zoning of water distribution systems

Water distribution systems (WDS) are complex pipe networks with looped and branching topologies that often comprise of thousands of links and nodes. This work presents a generic framework for improved analysis and management of WDS by partitioning the system into smaller (almost) independent sub-systems with balanced loads and minimal number of interconnections. This paper compares the performance of three classes of unsupervised learning algorithms from graph theory for practical sub-zoning of WDS: (1) Graph clustering – a bottom-up algorithm for clustering n objects with respect to a similarity function, (2) Community structure – a bottom-up algorithm based on network modularity property, which is a measure of the quality of network partition to clusters versus randomly generated graph with respect to the same nodal degree, and (3) Graph partitioning – a flat partitioning algorithm for dividing a network with n nodes into k clusters, such that the total weight of edges crossing between clusters is minimized and the loads of all the clusters are balanced. The algorithms are adapted to WDS to provide a decision support tool for water utilities. The proposed methods are applied and results are demonstrated for a large-scale water distribution system serving heavily populated areas in Singapore

Convergent Evolution of Escape from Hepaciviral Antagonism in Primates

Escape from antagonism by hepatitis C and related viruses has repeatedly evolved in antiviral factor MAVS via convergent evolution, revealing an ancient history of previous viral encounters in primates

Assumption without representation: the unacknowledged abstraction from communities and social goods

We have not clearly acknowledged the abstraction from unpriceable “social goods” (derived from communities) which, different from private and public goods, simply disappear if it is attempted to market them. Separability from markets and economics has not been argued, much less established. Acknowledging communities would reinforce rather than undermine them, and thus facilitate the production of social goods. But it would also help economics by facilitating our understanding of – and response to – financial crises as well as environmental destruction and many social problems, and by reducing the alienation from economics often felt by students and the public

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fentanyl pectin nasal spray in patients with breakthrough cancer pain

Objective: Assessment of analgesic effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of fentanyl pectin nasal spray (FPNS) in the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in routine clinical practice. Methods: A prospective, open-label, noninterventional study (4-week observation period, 3 month follow-up) of opioid-tolerant adults with BTcP in 41 pain and palliative care centers in Germany. Standardized BTcP questionnaires and patient diaries were used. Evaluation was made of patient-reported outcomes with respect to time to first effect, time to maximum effect, BTcP relief, as well as changes in BTcP-related impairment of daily life activities, quality-of-life restrictions, and health care resource utilization. Results: A total of 235 patients were recruited of whom 220 completed all questionnaires and reported on 1,569 BTcP episodes. Patients reported a significant reduction of maximum BTcP intensity (11-stage numerical rating scale [0= no pain, 10= worst pain conceivable]) with FPNS (mean +/- standard deviation = 2.8 +/- 2.3) compared with either that reported at baseline (8.5 +/- 1.5), experienced immediately before FPNS application (7.4 +/- 1.7), or that achieved with previous BTcP medication (6.0 +/- 2.0; P<0.001 for each comparison). In 12.3% of BTcP episodes, onset of pain relief occurred = 2 minutes and in 48.4% <= 5 minutes; maximum effects were reported within 10 minutes for 37.9% and within 15 minutes for 79.4%. By the end of the study, there had been significant improvements versus baseline in BTcP-related daily life activities (28.3 +/- 16.9 vs 53.1 +/- 11.9), physical (35.9 +/- 8.4 vs 26.8 +/- 6.5), and mental quality of life (38.7 +/- 8.5 vs 29.9 +/- 7.9) (P<0.001 for each comparison vs baseline); in addition, health care resource utilization requirements directly related to BTcP were reduced by 67.5%. FPNS was well tolerated; seven patients (3.2%) experienced eight treatment-emergent adverse events of which none was serious. There were no indicators of misuse or abuse. Conclusion: FPNS provided rapid and highly effective BTcP relief in opioid-tolerant cancer patients with substantial improvements in daily functioning and quality of life. FPNS was well tolerated and associated with significant reductions in health care resource utilization and nursing assistance