12,221 research outputs found
An In Depth Study into Using EMI Signatures for Appliance Identification
Energy conservation is a key factor towards long term energy sustainability.
Real-time end user energy feedback, using disaggregated electric load
composition, can play a pivotal role in motivating consumers towards energy
conservation. Recent works have explored using high frequency conducted
electromagnetic interference (EMI) on power lines as a single point sensing
parameter for monitoring common home appliances. However, key questions
regarding the reliability and feasibility of using EMI signatures for
non-intrusive load monitoring over multiple appliances across different sensing
paradigms remain unanswered. This work presents some of the key challenges
towards using EMI as a unique and time invariant feature for load
disaggregation. In-depth empirical evaluations of a large number of appliances
in different sensing configurations are carried out, in both laboratory and
real world settings. Insights into the effects of external parameters such as
line impedance, background noise and appliance coupling on the EMI behavior of
an appliance are realized through simulations and measurements. A generic
approach for simulating the EMI behavior of an appliance that can then be used
to do a detailed analysis of real world phenomenology is presented. The
simulation approach is validated with EMI data from a router. Our EMI dataset -
High Frequency EMI Dataset (HFED) is also released
Exclusion process for particles of arbitrary extension: Hydrodynamic limit and algebraic properties
The behaviour of extended particles with exclusion interaction on a
one-dimensional lattice is investigated. The basic model is called -ASEP
as a generalization of the asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP) to particles of
arbitrary length . Stationary and dynamical properties of the -ASEP
with periodic boundary conditions are derived in the hydrodynamic limit from
microscopic properties of the underlying stochastic many-body system. In
particular, the hydrodynamic equation for the local density evolution and the
time-dependent diffusion constant of a tracer particle are calculated. As a
fundamental algebraic property of the symmetric exclusion process (SEP) the
SU(2)-symmetry is generalized to the case of extended particles
Rotational quenching rate coefficients for H_2 in collisions with H_2 from 2 to 10,000 K
Rate coefficients for rotational transitions in H_2 induced by H_2 impact are
presented. Extensive quantum mechanical coupled-channel calculations based on a
recently published (H_2)_2 potential energy surface were performed. The
potential energy surface used here is presumed to be more reliable than
surfaces used in previous work. Rotational transition cross sections with
initial levels J <= 8 were computed for collision energies ranging between
0.0001 and 2.5 eV, and the corresponding rate coefficients were calculated for
the temperature range 2 < T <10,000 K. In general, agreement with earlier
calculations, which were limited to 100-6000 K, is good though discrepancies
are found at the lowest and highest temperatures. Low-density-limit cooling
functions due to para- and ortho-H_2 collisions are obtained from the
collisional rate coefficients. Implications of the new results for non-thermal
H_2 rotational distributions in molecular regions are also investigated
Identification of a novel retroviral gene unique to human immunodeficiency virus type 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus SIVMAC
Human and simian immunodeficiency-associated retroviruses are extraordinarily complex, containing at least five genes, tat, art, sor, R, and 3' orf, in addition to the structural genes gag, pol, and env. Recently, nucleotide sequence analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus SIVMAC revealed the existence of still another open reading frame, termed X, which is highly conserved between these two viruses but absent from HIV-1. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time that the X open reading frame represents a functional retroviral gene in both HIV-2 and SIVMAC and that it encodes a virion-associated protein of 14 and 12 kilodaltons, respectively. We also describe the production of recombinant TrpE/X fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and show that sera from some HIV-2-infected individuals specifically recognize these proteins
Local Inhomogeneity in Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Processes with Extended Objects
Totally asymmetric simple exclusion processes (TASEP) with particles which
occupy more than one lattice site and with a local inhomogeneity far away from
the boundaries are investigated. These non-equilibrium processes are relevant
for the understanding of many biological and chemical phenomena. The
steady-state phase diagrams, currents, and bulk densities are calculated using
a simple approximate theory and extensive Monte Carlo computer simulations. It
is found that the phase diagram for TASEP with a local inhomogeneity is
qualitatively similar to homogeneous models, although the phase boundaries are
significantly shifted. The complex dynamics is discussed in terms of
domain-wall theory for driven lattice systems.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Dilemmas in doing insider research in professional education
This article explores the dilemmas I encountered when researching social work education in England as an insider researcher who was simultaneously employed as an educator in the host institution. This was an ethnographic project deploying multiple methods and generating rich case study material which informed the student textbook Becoming a Social Worker the four-year period of the project. First, ethical dilemmas emerged around informed consent and confidentiality when conducting surveys of students and reading their portfolios. Second, professional dilemmas stemmed from the ways in which my roles as a researcher, academic tutor, social worker and former practice educator converged and collided. Third, political dilemmas pertained to the potential for the project to crystallize and convey conflicts among stakeholders in the university and community. Since the majority of research in social work education is conducted by insiders, we have a vital interest in making sense of such complexity
Rotationally Warm Molecular Hydrogen in the Orion Bar
The Orion Bar is one of the nearest and best-studied photodissociation or
photon-dominated regions (PDRs). Observations reveal the presence of H2 lines
from vibrationally or rotationally excited upper levels that suggest warm gas
temperatures (400 to 700 K). However, standard models of PDRs are unable to
reproduce such warm rotational temperatures. In this paper we attempt to
explain these observations with new comprehensive models which extend from the
H+ region through the Bar and include the magnetic field in the equation of
state. We adopt the model parameters from our previous paper which successfully
reproduced a wide variety of spectral observations across the Bar. In this
model the local cosmic-ray density is enhanced above the galactic background,
as is the magnetic field, and which increases the cosmic-ray heating elevating
the temperature in the molecular region. The pressure is further enhanced above
the gas pressure in the H+ region by the momentum transferred from the absorbed
starlight. Here we investigate whether the observed H2 lines can be reproduced
with standard assumptions concerning the grain photoelectric emission. We also
explore the effects due to the inclusion of recently computed H2 + H2, H2 + H
and H2 + He collisional rate coefficients.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ (34 pages, including 16 figures
Inhibition of the \u3cem\u3edapE\u3c/em\u3e-Encoded \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-Succinyl- ʟ, ʟ-diaminopimelic Acid Desuccinylase from \u3cem\u3eNeisseria meningitidis\u3c/em\u3e by ʟ-Captopril
Binding of the competitive inhibitor ʟ-captopril to the dapE-encoded N-succinyl-ʟ, ʟ-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase from Neisseria meningitidis (NmDapE) was examined by kinetic, spectroscopic, and crystallographic methods. ʟ-Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, was previously shown to be a potent inhibitor of the DapE from Haemophilus influenzae (HiDapE) with an IC50 of 3.3 μM and a measured Ki of 1.8 μM and displayed a dose-responsive antibiotic activity toward Escherichia coli. ʟ-Captopril is also a competitive inhibitor of NmDapE with a Ki of 2.8 μM. To examine the nature of the interaction of ʟ-captopril with the dinuclear active site of DapE, we have obtained electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) data for the enzymatically hyperactive Co(II)-substituted forms of both HiDapE and NmDapE. EPR and MCD data indicate that the two Co(II) ions in DapE are antiferromagnetically coupled, yielding an S = 0 ground state, and suggest a thiolate bridge between the two metal ions. Verification of a thiolate-bridged dinuclear complex was obtained by determining the three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure of NmDapE in complex with ʟ-captopril at 1.8 Å resolution. Combination of these data provides new insights into binding of ʟ-captopril to the active site of DapE enzymes as well as important inhibitor–active site residue interaction’s. Such information is critical for the design of new, potent inhibitors of DapE enzymes
High prevalence of penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae at a community hospital in Oklahoma.
During 1997, Oklahoma City's Hospital A reported penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae in almost 67% of isolates. To confirm this finding, all Hospital A S. pneumoniae isolates from October 23, 1997, through February 19, 1998, were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and repeat-tested at two other hospital laboratories. Medical records of Hospital A patients with invasive S. pneumoniae infections during 1994 through 1997 were also reviewed. These data were compared with 1998 statewide sentinel hospital surveillance data for invasive S. pneumoniae. Of 48 S. pneumoniae isolates from Hospital A during October 23, 1997, through February 19, 1998, 31 (65%) were penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae, and 23 (48%) were highly penicillin resistant. Similar prevalences were confirmed at the other hospital laboratories; however, significant interlaboratory differences were noted in the determination of third-generation cephalosporin susceptibility. During 1994 through 1997, a trend toward increasing penicillin nonsusceptibility (p <0.05) was noted among S. pneumoniae isolates from nursing home patients. During 1998, 85 (30%) of 282 invasive isolates reported to the state surveillance system were penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae; 33 (12%) were highly resistant. The increase in resistance observed is notable; the interlaboratory discrepancies are unexplained. To respond, a vaccination program was implemented at Hospital A, and vaccination efforts were initiated at nursing homes
- …