On control laws for discrete linear repetitive processes with dynamic boundary conditions

Repetitive processes are characterized by a series of sweeps, termed passes, through a set of dynamics defined over a finite duration known as the pass length. On each pass an output, termed the pass profile, is produced which acts as a forcing function on, and hence contributes to, the dynamics of the next pass profile. This can lead to oscillations in the sequence of pass profiles produced which increase in amplitude in the pass-to-pass direction and cannot be controlled by application of standard control laws. Here we give new results on the design of physically based control laws for so-called discrete linear repetitive processes which arise in applications areas such as iterative learning control

Trends in U.S. Consumers’ Use of E-Health Services: Fine-Grained Results from a Longitudinal, Demographic Survey

Although growth in U.S. consumers’ overall use of e-health is strong, it is being driven by only a portion of the e-health services that are offered through online health portals. Fine-grained, longitudinal analysis of three representative e-health services shows that, while online communication with medical personnel has grown consistently between 2003 and 2012, the purchase of health supplies online plateaued by 2007, and participation in online support groups has been flat since 2003. Socio-economic factors of income and education level continue to have an impact on consumers’ use of e-health; however, differences based on age, sex, and race/ethnicity are trending lower during this period. The findings caution against the common practice of studying e-health adoption principally at the level of online health portals, which can mask substantial variation in adoption trends among the underlying e-health services, and suggest that it is important to update trend studies on a regular basis to maintain currency

Simulation Model for Assessing Transient Performance of Capacitive Voltage Transformers

In determining the correct operation of relays of a protection scheme, proper representation of instrument transformers and their behavior in conditions where there can be transient is very critical. This paper presents a simulation model for assessing the transient performance of capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs). In order to test the validity of the developed model, four CVT operational conditions are considered using field data collected from one of the Nigerian electric utility 330/132/33 kV substations. The model simulation results revealed various configuration performance responses that could affect relay protection schemes to different degrees. As expected, the CVT responses showed that faults initiated at zero voltage crossing, which is the worst transient condition, produced transient voltage magnitude up to 40% of the nominal voltage while faults initiated at the crest produced minimum transient voltage magnitude. It is shown that the model developed for the selected instrument transformer yielded satisfactory results

On demand multicast routing in wireless sensor networks

The wireless networking environment presents imposing challenges to the study of broadcasting and multicasting problems. Developing an algorithm to optimize communication amongst a group of spatially distributed sensor nodes in a WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) has been met with a number challenges due to the characterization of the sensor node device. These challenges include, but are not limited to: energy, memory, and throughput constraints. The traditional approach to overcome these challenges have emphasised the development of low power electronics, efficient modulation, coding, antenna design etc., it has been recognised that networking techniques can also have a strong impact on the energy efficiency of such systems. A variety of networking based approaches to energy efficiency are possible. One of the well-known approaches is to apply clustering techniques to effectively establish an ordered connection of sensor nodes whilst improving the overall network lifetime. This paper proposes an improved clustering based multicast approach that allows any cluster head to be a multicast source with an unlimited number of subscribers, to optimize group communication in WSNs whilst ensuring sensor nodes do not deprecate rapidly in energy levels. We review several clustering approaches and examine multicast versus broadcast communication in WSNs

The Effect of Metakaolin on Compressive Strength of Rice Husk Ash Concrete at Varying Temperatures

In the case where the concrete is exposed to high temperatures such as fire which undergo severe loss of compressive strength due to permeability interconnected durability. The use of metakaolin as a recent material in the construction industry, proves to be very useful to modify the properties of concrete. The study investigates the effect of Metakaolin on compressive strength of rice husk ash (RHA) concrete at varying temperatures. The plain and binary blended with 10%MK cement replacement and ternary MK-RHA blended concrete cube specimens were produced by incorporating 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%RHA as cement replacement levels while 10%MK addition was fixed. All the concrete specimens were cured for 28days inside water tank at room temperature, air dried for 24hours, thermally treated at 200°c, 400°c, 600°c, and 800°c for one hour and then allowed to cooled. Three specimens for each temperature including control sample of the same mix were tested for compressive strength at room temperature. The compressive strength were assessed before and after fired. The results show that the inclusion of 10% MK has improved the fire resistance beyond the maximum temperature of plain concrete. The 10%RHA replacement  gives better fire resistance than other replacement levels with 22% relative residual strength gain up to 600°c. Keywords: Concrete, Metakaolin (MK), Rice husk ash (RHA), Compressive strength, Temperature

Effects of oxytocin on attention to emotional faces in healthy volunteers and highly socially anxious males

Background: Evidence suggests that individuals with social anxiety demonstrate vigilance to social threat, whilst the peptide hormone oxytocin is widely accepted as supporting affiliative behaviour in humans. Methods: This study investigated whether oxytocin can affect attentional bias in social anxiety. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, within-group study design, 26 healthy and 16 highly socially anxious (HSA) male volunteers (within the HSA group, 10 were diagnosed with generalized social anxiety disorder) were administered 24 IU of oxytocin or placebo to investigate attentional processing in social anxiety. Attentional bias was assessed using the dot-probe paradigm with angry, fearful, happy and neutral face stimuli. Results: In the baseline placebo condition, the HSA group showed greater attentional bias for emotional faces than healthy individuals. Oxytocin reduced the difference between HSA and non-socially anxious individuals in attentional bias for emotional faces. Moreover, it appeared to normalize attentional bias in HSA individuals to levels seen in the healthy population in the baseline condition. The biological mechanisms by which oxytocin may be exerting these effects are discussed. Conclusions: These results, coupled with previous research, could indicate a potential therapeutic use of this hormone in treatment for social anxiety

Everything you always wanted to know about dictionaries (but were afraid to ask): A Massive Open Online Course

© Lexicography in Global Contexts. We have created a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) about dictionaries and dictionary-making, to be hosted by FutureLearn. This paper discusses the design and development of this course, which is pitched at high school and undergraduate level participants as well as language enthusiasts around the world. The MOOC will answer questions such as: how dictionaries are made and how this process has changed over time; what goes into a dictionary and who decides; and what kinds of language evidence underpin the information which dictionaries provide. Participants will be encouraged to compare the quantity and quality of information in different types of dictionary, and will investigate corpus-based and computational lexicographic methods. It will also consider dictionary users' attitudes and common misconceptions, taking into account the requirements and habits of English language learners as well as fluent speakers. By the end of the course, participants will know about some of the latest trends in lexicographic research, the roles of language technology, corpora and crowdsourcing in the dictionary compilation process, the range of possible dictionary entry components, lexicographical choices and computational methods surrounding the selection and ordering of word meanings, and the content and wording of definitions

Vaginal Candida infection in pregnancy and its implications for fetal well-being

Vaginal Candida infection is one of the most common genital tract infections reported in pregnant women. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of vaginal Candida infection and pattern of Candida species isolates in the genital tract of pregnant women during antenatal period and in early labour; and the associated fetal outcome. The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic and labor ward of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. High vaginal swabs were collected from 408 pregnant women at the antenatal clinic and repeated in early labour. The samples were processed to isolate Candida species. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) windows version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Prevalence of Candida infection was significantly higher in early labour (46%) than during antenatal period (38%) (P=0.02). Candida albicans was the predominant isolate, followed by Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. Candida infection was associated with increased likelihood of low birth weight babies (AOR 2.8, CI: 1.1-6.8; P= 0.03). However there was no statistically significant effect of Candida infection on the likelihood of preterm delivery (AOR 1.4, CI: 0.7-2.6; P= 0.35). Routine screening and prompt treatment of women at risk of delivering low birth weight babies is advocated. Keywords: Candida; Pregnancy; Preterm birth; Prevalence   L'infection vaginale à Candida est l'une des infections des voies génitales les plus courantes signalées chez les femmes enceintes. Cette étude a été conçue pour déterminer la prévalence de l'infection vaginale à Candida et le profil des isolats d'espèces de Candida dans le tractus génital des femmes enceintes pendant la période prénatale et au début du travail; et l'issue foetale associée. L'étude a été menée à la clinique prénatale et au service d'accouchement de l'hôpital universitaire Olabisi Onabanjo de Sagamu, dans l'État d'Ogun, au Nigéria. Des écouvillons vaginaux élevés ont été prélevés sur 408 femmes enceintes à la clinique prénatale et répétés au début du travail. Les échantillons ont été traités pour isoler les espèces de Candida. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de la version 21.0 de Windows Package for Social Science (SPSS) (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). La prévalence de l'infection à Candida était significativement plus élevée au début du travail (46%) qu'au cours de la période prénatale (38%) (P = 0,02). Candida albicans était l'isolat prédominant, suivi de Candida glabrata et Candida tropicalis. L'infection à Candida était associée à une probabilité accrue de bébés de faible poids à la naissance (AOR 2,8, IC: 1,1-6,8; P = 0,03). Cependant, il n'y avait aucun effet statistiquement significatif de l'infection à Candida sur la probabilité d'accouchement prématuré (AOR 1,4, IC: 0,7-2,6; P = 0,35). Le dépistage systématique et le traitement rapide des femmes à risque d'accoucher de bébés de faible poids à la naissance sont recommandés. Mots-clés: Candidose; Grossesse; Naissance prématurée; Prévalenc