Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Staying the Course: System-Driven Lapse Management for Supporting Behavior Change

The negative effect of lapses during a behavior-change program has been shown to increase the risk of repeated lapses and, ultimately, program abandonment. In this paper, we examine the potential of system-driven lapse management -- supporting users through lapses as part of a behavior-change tool. We first review lessons from domains such as dieting and addiction research and discuss the design space of lapse management. We then explore the value of one approach to lapse management -- the use of "cheat points" -- as a way to encourage sustained participation. In an online study, we first examine interpretations of progress that was reached through using cheat points. We then present findings from a deployment of lapse management in a two-week field study with 30 participants. Our results demonstrate the potential of this approach to motivate and change users' behavior. We discuss important open questions for the design of future technology-mediated behavior change programs.
Robustness of complex networks with implications for consensus and contagion

We study a graph-theoretic property known as robustness, which plays a key role in the behavior of certain classes of dynamics on networks (such as resilient consensus and contagion). This property is much stronger than other graph properties such as connectivity and minimum degree, in that one can construct graphs with high connectivity and minimum degree but low robustness. In this paper, we investigate the robustness of common random graph models for complex networks (Erdos-Rényi, geometric random, and preferential attachment graphs). We show that the notions of connectivity and robustness coincide on these random graph models: the properties share the same threshold function in the Erdos-Rényi model, cannot be very different in the geometric random graph model, and are equivalent in the preferential attachment model. This indicates that a variety of purely local diffusion dynamics will be effective at spreading information in such networks.
Reciprocity law failure with film/screen combinations for mammography.

In radiology the validity of the reciprocity law is usually assumed: the film density for a given X-ray spectrum depends only on the tube exposure (the mAs), and not on the exposure time. This reciprocity law holds for non-screen films (Morgan, 1944). For screen/film combinations, where most of the film density is due to exposure to light from the screen, reciprocity law failure may occur. However, for materials used nowadays in general radiology the effect is negligible for exposure times from 0.005 to 1 second. During the course of measurements on film/screen combinations used in mammography, exposure times of up to 20 minutes had to be used (Panzer, et al., 1978). Therefore reciprocity law failure of these materials had to be investigated. It was found that even at an exposure time of 5 seconds the system speed is reduced by some 30% due to reciprocity law failure. Reciprocity law failure is described in many textbooks, e.g. by Mees and James (1962) and Herz (1969). Photographic emulsions are most sens.
A mechanistic performance model for superscalar out-of-order processors

A mechanistic model for out-of-order superscalar processors is developed and then applied to the study of microarchitecture resource scaling. The model divides execution time into intervals separated by disruptive miss events such as branch mispredictions and cache misses. Each type of miss event results in characterizable performance behavior for the execution time interval. By considering an interval's type and length (measured in instructions), execution time can be predicted for the interval. Overall execution time is then determined by aggregating the execution time over all intervals. The mechanistic model provides several advantages over prior modeling approaches, and, when estimating performance, it differs from detailed simulation of a 4-wide out-of-order processor by an average of 7%. The mechanistic model is applied to the general problem of resource scaling in out-of-order superscalar processors. First, we use the model to determine size relationships among microarchitecture structures in a balanced processor design. Second, we use the mechanistic model to study scaling of both pipeline depth and width in balanced processor designs. We corroborate previous results in this area and provide new results. For example, we show that at optimal design points, the pipeline depth times the square root of the processor width is nearly constant. Finally, we consider the behavior of unbalanced, overprovisioned processor designs based on insight gained from the mechanistic model. We show that in certain situations an overprovisioned processor may lead to improved overall performance. Designs where a processor's dispatch width is wider than its issue width are of particular interest.
Ultrasound-mediated DNA transfer for bacteria

In environmental microbiology, the most commonly used methods of bacterial DNA transfer are conjugation and electroporation. However, conjugation requires physical contact and cell–pilus–cell interactions; electroporation requires low-ionic strength medium and high voltage. These limitations have hampered broad applications of bacterial DNA delivery. We have employed a standard low frequency 40 kHz ultrasound bath to successfully transfer plasmid pBBR1MCS2 into Pseudomonas putida UWC1, Escherichia coli DH5α and Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 with high efficiency. Under optimal conditions: ultrasound exposure time of 10 s, 50 mM CaCl2, temperature of 22°C, plasmid concentration of 0.8 ng/µl, P. putida UWC1 cell concentration of 2.5 × 109 CFU (colony forming unit)/ml and reaction volume of 500 µl, the efficiency of ultrasound DNA delivery (UDD) was 9.8 ± 2.3 × 10−6 transformants per cell, which was nine times more efficient than conjugation, and even four times greater than electroporation. We have also transferred pBBR1MCS2 into E. coli DH5α and P. fluorescens SBW25 with efficiencies of 1.16 ± 0.13 × 10−6 and 4.33 ± 0.78 × 10−6 transformants per cell, respectively. Low frequency UDD can be readily scaled up, allowing for the application of UDD not only in laboratory conditions but also on an industrial scale.
Bronchial reactivity and airflow obstruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES--To investigate the prevalence of airways obstruction and bronchial reactivity to inhaled methacholine in rheumatoid arthritis patients and unselected controls. The control population consisted of patients attending the rheumatology department for minor degenerative joint problems. METHODS--One hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [72 (72%) women, 28 (28%) men; mean (SD) age 58 (10) years] and fifty controls [30 (60%) women, 20 (40%) men; mean (SD) age 56 (9) years] were studied. Detailed medical, smoking and drug histories were taken; skin prick tests were performed to assess atopy and chest and hand radiographs were performed. Spirometry, flow volume loops and gas transfer factor measurement were performed to detect airflow obstruction and methacholine inhalation tests were carried out to assess bronchial reactivity. RESULTS--There was no significant difference between rheumatoid arthritis patients and the controls in age, sex, smoking status and atopy on skin prick testing (p < 0.05). A significantly higher number of patients with RA had a history of wheeze compared with the controls (18% v 4%, p < 0.05). FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%, FEF25%, FEF50% and FEF75% were all significantly lower in the rheumatoid arthritis group (p < 0.05). A significantly higher number of patients with RA compared with controls showed bronchial reactivity to inhaled methacholine [55 (55%) v 8 (16%), p < 0.05]. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%, FEF25%, FEF50% and FEF75% were all significantly lower among the patients with RA achieving PD20 FEV1 to inhaled methacholine (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION--In unselected rheumatoid arthritis patients both airflow obstruction and bronchial reactivity are significantly increased compared with controls.
Home‐based therapy with ready‐to‐use therapeutic food is of benefit to malnourished, HIV‐infected Malawian children

Aim: To determine if home‐based nutritional therapy will benefit a significant fraction of malnourished, HIV‐infected Malawian children, and to determine if ready‐to‐use therapeutic food (RUTF) is more effective in home‐based nutritional therapy than traditional foods. Methods: 93 HIV‐positive children >1 y old discharged from the nutrition unit in Blantyre, Malawi were systematically allocated to one of three dietary regimens: RUTF, RUTF supplement or blended maize/soy flour. RUTF and maize/soy flour provided 730 kJ·kg−1·d−1, while the RUTF supplement provided a fixed amount of energy, 2100 kJ/d. These children did not receive antiretroviral chemotherapy. Children were followed fortnightly. Children completed the study when they reached 100% weight‐for‐height, relapsed or died. Outcomes were compared using regression modeling to account for differences in the severity of malnutrition between the dietary groups. Results: 52/93 (56%) of all children reached 100% weight‐for‐height. Regression modeling found that the children receiving RUTF gained weight more rapidly and were more likely to reach 100% weight‐for‐height than the other two dietary groups (p<0.05).
Comparison of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide concentrations in the blood, ovarian follicular fluid and uterine fluid: a clinical case of bovine metritis

We investigated the concentration of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the blood, ovarian follicular fluid and uterine fluid of a clinical case of bovine metritis. A 2-year-old lactating Holstein cow exhibited continuous fever >39.5°C for more than 2 weeks after normal calving. The cow produced a fetid, watery, red-brown uterine discharge from the vagina and was diagnosed with metritis. The LPS concentrations in plasma and uterine fluid were 0.94 and 6.34 endotoxin units (EU)/ml, respectively. One of seven follicles showed an extremely high level of LPS (12.40 EU/ml) compared to the other follicles (0.62–0.97 EU/ml). These results might suggest the presence of high concentration of LPS in follicles in cows with postpartum metritis.
How much longer to go? The influence of waiting time and progress indicators on quality of experience for mobile visual search applied to print media

Practical use of image content-based mobile visual search (MVS) applied to print media is becoming increasingly popular. Typically, such applications process an image on a printed page taken from a digital camera to generate query information that is used to find relevant media content in a database, such as a related video or webpage. Such applications change the interaction between the users and media content from a click-based-application to a capture-based-application. The primary perception of the end user is the waiting time before receiving the desired content. Firstly, this paper studies the influence of linking two different media types, video and webpage, to the printed picture. Secondly, the results are compared to traditional click-based-applications. Thirdly, the influence of two different progress bars is examined to study the impact on users' Quality of Experience (QoE) associated with waiting time. Results show that the linked content has little influence on the resulting QoE, which is found to have a logarithmic function of waiting time, similar to other applications previously studied. In addition, the results illustrate that different progress bars have an effect on users' perception in term of waiting time and consequently arouse different QoE.
Low-frequency conductivity imaging using MRI gradient induced currents

LOW-FREQUENCY CONDUCTIVITY IMAGING USING MRI GRADIENT INDUCED CURRENTS Ömer Faruk Oran Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Advisor: Yusuf Ziya İder September 2016 Due to the switching of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) gradient fields, electric fields are induced in imaged subjects which give rise to ‘subject eddy currents’. The feasibility of low-frequency conductivity imaging based on measuring the magnetic field (subject eddy field) due to subject eddy currents is investigated within the frame of two main goals. First goal is to understand whether conductivity reconstruction is possible provided that subject eddy fields are accurately measured. Regarding this goal, the inverse problem of obtaining conductivity distribution from subject eddy fields is formulated as a convection-reaction equation and a conductivity reconstruction algorithm is developed. In the simulations, successful conductivity reconstructions are obtained pointing the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. The second goal is to understand the fidelity by which subject eddy fields must be measured for accurately reconstructing conductivity. For measuring subject eddy fields, a pulse sequence is developed by which the contribution of subject eddy fields to MR phase images is determined. It is found that this contribution cannot be measured with an uncertainty sufficiently low for accurate conductivity reconstruction. Furthermore, some artifacts other than random noise are observed in the measured phases which are modeled by considering the effects of magnetic fields due to MRI system imperfections during readout. For feasible subject eddy current based conductivity imaging, it is required that the span of the phase accumulated by subject eddy fields is increased, and the mentioned artifacts are eliminated from the phase measurements. For the first requirement, the state-of-the-art gradient systems are evaluated and also a multi-spin-echo pulse sequence is developed. This pulse sequence is analyzed by using the extended phase graph framework. For the second requirement, the possibility of using geometric distortion correction methods are evaluated. It is
The relative biological effectiveness of 22-Mevp x-rays, cobalt-60 gamma rays, and 200-Kvcp x-rays. VII. Summary of studies for five criteria of effect.

The effectiveness of Co60 GAMMA rays and 22-Mevp x rays was found to be the same for five separate biological criteria (yeast LD50, mouse LD50, rat LD50, Fe59 uptake in rats, and chick embryo LD50) within the limits of experimental error. Thus there is presumably no difference in effect due to the pulse rate of the betatron productng the 22-Mevp x rays (except in the unlikely event that a possible energy effect and pulse effect cancel). When all doses are expressed in terms of the absorbed dose to soft tissue the RBE for Co60 gamma rays and 22-Mevp x rays relative to 200- kvcp x rays has an average value of about 0.87, but appears to range between 0.82 and 0.93, depending on the end point. (The mammalian end points studied here appear to have lower RBE values than do the nonmammalian end points.) If the dose in the mammalian cases is expressed as the absorbed dose to bone marrow, the RBE of the supervoltage radiations relative to 200-kvcp x rays for these end points is increased and the sgreement between the RBE values for all the end points becomes very good. Co60 gamma rays and 22-Mevp x rays canmore » then be represented as less effective by a factor of 0.90 plus or minus 0.02 than 200- kvcp x rays for all the biological criteria studied. Co60 gamma rays are to be preferred to x rays in the 200 to 250-kwp region as a standard of comparison , for Rbe experiments. With Co60 Egg rays as the standard, 22- Mewp x rays have an RBE of 1.00, and 200kvcp x rays (absorbed dose to bone marrow) have an RBE of 1.10. No qualitative differences between the three radiations were evident. « less
Information Theoretic approach to Synchronization: The OFDM Carrier Frequency Offset Example

In practical mobile communication systems, data-aided synchronization is performed before actual data exchanges, and synchronization methods are tailored to the pilot sequence. In this paper, we propose a framework for initial synchronization that works independently of the pilot sequence. We show that classical data-aided and blind techniques are particular cases of this general framework. We thoroughly study the specific problem of OFDM data-aided carrier frequency offset estimation. For the latter, we provide theoretical expressions of performance upper-bounds. Also, a practical thin CFO estimator for OFDM is provided under the form of a novel algorithm which is shown by simulations to perform better than classical pilot based methods.
State Taxes and Spatial Misallocation

We study state taxes as a potential source of spatial misallocation in the United States. We build a spatial general-equilibrium framework that incorporates salient features of the U.S. state tax system, and use changes in state tax rates between 1980 and 2010 to estimate the model parameters that determine how worker and rm location responds to changes in state taxes. We nd that tax dispersion leads to aggregate losses and the potential losses from even greater tax dispersion can be large. A government-spending-constant elimination of spatial dispersion in state taxes (which account for 4% of GDP) would increase worker welfare by 0.2%, while doubling spatial tax dispersion would reduce worker welfare by 0.4%.
Vitamin E, Vitamin C, or Losartan Is Not Nephroprotectant against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Presence of Estrogen in Ovariectomized Rat Model

Background. The nephroprotective effect of vitamins E and C or losartan against cisplatin (CP)- induced nephrotoxicity when they are accompanied by estrogen was investigated. Methods. The ovariectomized rats received estradiol valerate for two weeks. At the end of the first week, a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg, IP) was also administered, and they received placebo (group 1), vitamin E (group 2), vitamin C (group 3), or losartan (group 4) every day during the second week, and they were compared with another three control groups. Results. CP alone increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), and kidney tissue damage score (KTDS), significantly (P < 0.05), however at the presence of estradiol and CP, vitamin C, vitamin E, or losartan not only did not decrease these parameters, but also increased them significantly (P < 0.05). The serum level of superoxidase dismutase (SOD) was reduced by CP (P < 0.05), but it was increased when estradiol or estradiol plus vitamin C or losartan were added (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The particular pharmacological dose of estrogen used in this study abolish the nephroprotective effects vitamins C and E or losartan against CP-induced nephrotoxicity.
Free-Carrier Electrorefraction and Electroabsorption Modulation Predictions for Silicon Over the 1–14- $\mu\hbox{m}$ Infrared Wavelength Range

We present relationships for the free-carrier-induced electrorefraction and electroabsorption in crystalline silicon over the 1-14-μm wavelength range. Electroabsorption modulation is calculated from impurity-doping spectra taken from the literature, and a Kramers-Kronig analysis of these spectra is used to predict electrorefraction modulation. More recent experimental results for terahertz absorption of silicon are also used to improve the commonly used 1.3- and 1.55-μm equations. We examine the wavelength dependence of electrorefraction and electroabsorption, finding that the predictions suggest longer wave modulator designs will, in many cases, be different from those used in the telecom range.
WWW; THE WILD, WILD WEB: INTERNET USAGE IN PATIENTS WITH UROLOGICAL CANCER

4 6 4 J O U R N A L C O M P I L A T I O N © 2 0 0 7 B J U I N T E R N A T I O N A L | 9 9 , 4 6 4 – 4 6 6 | doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2007. 06746.x and almost half of patients were aged > 65 years. Poor renal function has been a contraindication for platinum-based combination chemotherapy and thus these patients were obviously not included. (iv) There is no information on toxicity. How high is the price to pay? How much is lost in terms of quality of life and toxicity? The toxicity data were reported in the separate trials, e.g. “There was no unexpected morbidity and no mortality related to chemotherapy administration” in our second trial. Qualityof-life issues were not commonly analysed in trials at that time. (v) Are the results with single-agent cisplatin relevant, as combined therapy is superior and considered as standard; I agree that the latter is standard, but as single-agent administration had been evaluated in several trials it was of interest to also show these results. (iv) Newer chemotherapeutic agents are not included; I do not understand how they could be evaluated when these drugs were not available when the trials began.
Monte Carlo EM for Generalized Linear Mixed Models using Randomized Spherical Radial Integration

The expectation-maximization algorithm has been advocated recently by a number of authors for fitting generalized linear mixed models. Since the E-step typically inv olves analytically intractable integrals, one approach is to approximate them by Monte Carlo methods. However, in practice, the Monte Carlo sample sizes required for convergence are often prohibitive. In this paper we show how randomized spherical-radial integration (Genz and Monahan, 1997) can be implemented in such cases, and can dramatically reduce the computational burden of implementing EM. After a standardizing transformation, a change to polar coordinates results in a double integral consisting of a one dimension al integral on the real line and a multivariate integral on the surface of a unit sphere. Randomized quadratures are used to approximate both of them. An attractive feature of the randomized spherical-radial rule is that its implementation only involves generating fro m standard probability distributions. The resulting approximation at the E-step has the for m of a fixed effects generalized linear model likelihood and so a standard iteratively re weighted least squares procedure may be utilized for the M-step. We illustrate the method by fi tting models to two well-known data sets, and compare our results with those of other authors.
Chronobiology of exercise: the influence of scheduling upon glycemic responses of control and of subjects with diabetes mellitus.

Exercise programs contribute significantly to: a) improve cardiovascular fitness; b) lower blood pressure in hypertension; and c) facilitate glycemic control in subjects with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The mechanisms involved in promoting the above responses remain undetermined. Circadian phases at which exercise is applied could play a major role in optimizing the individual's physiological responses to exercise. In a pilot study, controls and a subject with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) were exercised at 0800 and 2000 hours: pedaling on an exercycle for 30 minutes at rates that maintained tachycardia at 70% of maximum reserve heart rates (Karvomen et al., 1957). All subjects were on "standard" rest-activity schedules (rest 2300-2400 to 0600-0700) and were allowed a single 360 ml Sustacal meal either at 2400 hours or at 1200 hours; i.e., 8 hours preceding the exercise program. Blood samples were obtained for determinations of glucose (finger tip) just before exercise (0 time) and at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes of exercise/post exercise periods. The results suggest that non-diabetics experience a rapid decrease in blood glucose levels which does not recover during the 60 minute sampling time when exercise was in the morning. However, when these individuals exercised during the evening, glucose levels did not fall as much on a percentage basis and full recovery was obtained within 40-60 minutes. In the case of the diabetic patient, after morning exercise, glucose levels did not decline and after 40 minutes had risen above resting glucose levels. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)