Thermodynamics of tubelike flexible polymers

In this work we present the general phase behavior of short tubelike flexible polymers. The geometric thickness constraint is implemented through the concept of the global radius of curvature. We use sophisticated Monte Carlo sampling methods to simulate small bead-stick polymer models with Lennard-Jones interaction among non-bonded monomers. We analyze energetic fluctuations and structural quantities to classify conformational pseudophases. We find that the tube thickness influences the thermodynamic behavior of simple tubelike polymers significantly, i.e., for given temperature, the formation of secondary structures strongly depends on the tube thickness

Immunization in children with chronic renal failure: a practical approach

The prevention of systemic viral and bacterial infections by effective vaccination represents an essential task of pediatric nephrologists caring for children with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing renal transplantation (RTPL) with life-long immunosuppression. This review addresses three issues: risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, safety, immunogenicity, and clinical efficacy of available vaccines, and implementation of immunization guidelines. Infections (including vaccine-preventable infections) represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children on dialysis and after RTPL. Vaccination in children with CRF and after RTPL is safe and does not cause reactivation of an immune-related renal disease or rejection after RTPL. Children with CRF generally produce protective serum antibodies to primary vaccinations with killed or component vaccines and live virus vaccines; some children on dialysis and after RTPL may not respond optimally, requiring repeated vaccination. Proof of vaccine efficacy is absence of disease, which can only be confirmed in large cohort studies. A few observational studies provide evidence that vaccination has contributed significantly, at least in the western hemisphere, to the low prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases among children with CRF. Close cooperation between the local pediatrician/practitioner and the pediatric nephrologist is essential for successful implementation of the vaccination schedul

Quantum Searches in a Hard 2SAT Ensemble

Using a recently constructed ensemble of hard 2SAT realizations, that has a unique ground-state we calculate for the quantized theory the median gap correlation length values $\xi_{GAP}$ along the direction of the quantum adiabatic control parameter $\lambda$. We use quantum annealing (QA) with transverse field and a linear time schedule in the adiabatic control parameter $\lambda$. The gap correlation length diverges exponentially $\xi_{\rm GAP} \propto {\rm exp} [+r_{\rm GAP}N]$ in the median with a rate constant $r_{\rm GAP}=0.553(6)$, while the run time diverges exponentially $\tau_{\rm QA} \propto {\rm exp} [+r_{\rm QA}N]$ with $r_{\rm QA}=1.184(16)$. Simulated classical annealing (SA) exhibits a run time rate constant $r_{\rm SA}=0.340(5)$ that is small and thus finds ground-states exponentially faster than QA. There are no quantum speedups in ground state searches on constant energy surfaces that have exponentially large volume. We also determine gap correlation length distribution functions $P(\xi_{\rm GAP})d\xi_{\rm GAP} \approx W_k$ over the ensemble that at $N=18$ are close to Weibull functions $W_k$ with $k \approx 1.2$ i.e., the problems show thin catastrophic tails in $\xi_{\rm GAP}$. The inferred success probability distribution functions of the quantum annealer turn out to be bimodal.Comment: non

Monte Carlo Search for Very Hard KSAT Realizations for Use in Quantum Annealing

Using powerful Multicanonical Ensemble Monte Carlo methods from statistical physics we explore the realization space of random K satisfiability (KSAT) in search for computational hard problems, most likely the 'hardest problems'. We search for realizations with unique satisfying assignments (USA) at ratio of clause to spin number $\alpha=M/N$ that is minimal. USA realizations are found for $\alpha$-values that approach $\alpha=1$ from above with increasing number of spins $N$. We consider small spin numbers in $2 \le N \le 18$. The ensemble mean exhibits very special properties. We find that the density of states of the first excited state with energy one $\Omega_1=g(E=1)$ is consistent with an exponential divergence in $N$: $\Omega_1 \propto {\rm exp} [+rN]$. The rate constants for $K=2,3,4,5$ and $K=6$ of KSAT with USA realizations at $\alpha=1$ are determined numerically to be in the interval $r=0.348$ at $K=2$ and $r=0.680$ at $K=6$. These approach the unstructured search value ${\rm ln}2$ with increasing $K$. Our ensemble of hard problems is expected to provide a test bed for studies of quantum searches with Hamiltonians that have the form of general Ising models.Comment: non

A Review on Joint Models in Biometrical Research

In some fields of biometrical research joint modelling of longitudinal measures and event time data has become very popular. This article reviews the work in that area of recent fruitful research by classifying approaches on joint models in three categories: approaches with focus on serial trends, approaches with focus on event time data and approaches with equal focus on both outcomes. Typically longitudinal measures and event time data are modelled jointly by introducing shared random effects or by considering conditional distributions together with marginal distributions. We present the approaches in an uniform nomenclature, comment on sub-models applied to longitudinal measures and event time data outcomes individually and exemplify applications in biometrical research

Reflections on a vision for school leadership

When I reflect upon my vision for leading a school, I see a holistic nature to the areas of climate, shared decision making, community collaboration, and educational programming. These areas overlap one another as they provide the foundation on which I will lead. Community collaboration involves shared decision making, and shared decision making impacts climate. Educational programming, as I have described it, involves all of these areas. I feel what connects everything are the principles of relationships, resources, and relevancy. I believe the keys to success as a leader will be dependent upon the ability to create and nurture relationships, identify and utilize resources, and establish and maintain relevancy in what we do as a school

Proactive Spatial Planning in Regard to a new Regional Mobility Hub – the case of Ebreichsdorf

The City of Ebreichsdorf is a fast growing municipality in the metropolitan region of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. Especially the southern suburbs of Vienna such as the region surrounding Ebreichsdorf are gaining from the growth of the Austrian Capital City Vienna. The expansion of the railroad track of „Pottendorfer Linie“ to a double track railroad and the thereby even better connexion from Ebreichsdorf to Vienna will strengthen its growth process even more. A new regional mobility hub is planned to be built, located on a greenfield site, between the city districts Ebreichsdorf and Unterwaltersdorf. The existing railway track is going to be abandoned. In spatial planning terms, its leading goal is to locate future growth in the area of the new train station. Unfortunately, Austrian planning practice tends to adopt reactive behaviour in the context of infrastructure and settlement development. Thus, simultaneous planning of high-level-infrastructure and surrounding station area is mostly missed. Especially small and medium-sized cities are often overwhelmed by this task. The results of this uncoordinated approach vary from non-development of suitable land to uncoordinated urban sprawl around the stations. Furthermore, only reactive actions can be taken to contain negative consequences and to enable an orderly, soil-saving settlement development. Therefore, in February 2016 the Smart City Ebreichsdorf project (SMCE) started as an exploratory study funded by the Klima- und Energiefonds (KLIEN 'climate and energy fund') with a duration of one year. The research focus was on creating a proactive planning community together with citizens by acting on four thematic topics: planning and process; railway station; district; and energy and resources, to. As a result, four scenarios have been developed for Ebreichsdorf including necessary dimensions of action. Criteria for an innovative implementation were defined and necessary actors for the continuing project were involved at an early stage of the development process. The Smart City concept obtains incresasing importance in the course of urban and regional development. Thereby, new technologies are used to create a sustainable environment and economy in order to ensure quality of life for further generations. Particular measures are: minimizing soil sealing, adopting technologies for future mobility, preventing urban sprawl, de-densification, as well as creating cities of short distances. The participation and awareness of the citizens are of fundamental importance. Using the example of the test bed Ebreichsdorf, the main aim of the SMCE project is to demonstrate proactive city development with an overall systemic, interdisciplinary approach to an area, and involving the population and the relevant stakeholders of the political, administrative and private sectors. This paper examines how this proactive planning-process of Smart City Ebreichsdorf is working. It shows the development process in the exploratory project and its results and explains the integrated dimensions of action. Building on this, it presents the current project and new planning approaches, e.g. to avoid soil sealing. With a focus on Ebreichsdorf, this paper demonstrates how such a proactive planning process can be used for a smart urban and regional development

A boy with congenital analbuminemia and steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: an experiment of nature

In this paper, a boy is reported with the association of congenital analbuminemia (CAA) and steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), two conditions resulting independently in reduced colloid oncotic pressure. The unique occurrence helps confirm earlier reports that albumin is not the exclusive factor responsible for maintaining colloid oncotic pressur