Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A semiclosed-loop algorithm for the control of blood glucose levels in diabetics

A theoretical analysis of the control of plasma glucose levels in diabetic individuals is undertaken using a simple mathematical model of the dynamics of glucose and insulin interaction in the blood system. Mathematical optimization techniques are applied to the mathematical model to derive insulin infusion programs for the control of blood levels in diabetic individuals. Based on the results of the mathematical optimization, a semiclosed-loop algorithm is proposed for continuous insulin delivery to diabetic patients. The algorithm is based on three hourly plasma glucose samples. A theoretical evaluation of the effectiveness of this algorithm shows that it is superior to two existing algorithms in controlling hyperglycemia. A glucose infusion term representing the effect of glucose intake resulting from a meal is introduced into the model equations. Various insulin programs for the control of plasma glucose levels following a meal are then assessed. The theoretical results suggest that the most effective short-term control is achieved by an insulin infusion program which incorporates an injection to coincide with the meal. <<ETX>>
Intellectual Impairment in Children with Blood Lead Concentrations below 10 μg per Deciliter

background Despite dramatic declines in children’s blood lead concentrations and a lowering of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s level of concern to 10 µg per deciliter (0.483 µmol per liter), little is known about children’s neurobehavioral functioning at lead concentrations below this level. methods We measured blood lead concentrations in 172 children at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age and administered the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale at the ages of 3 and 5 years. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated with the use of linear and nonlinear mixed models, with adjustment for maternal IQ, quality of the home environment, and other potential confounders. results The blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ. In the linear model, each increase of 10 µg per deciliter in the lifetime average blood lead concentration was associated with a 4.6-point decrease in IQ (P=0.004), whereas for the subsample of 101 children whose maximal lead concentrations remained below 10 µg per deciliter, the change in IQ associated with a given change in lead concentration was greater. When estimated in a nonlinear model with the full sample, IQ declined by 7.4 points as lifetime average blood lead concentrations increased from 1 to 10 µg per deciliter. conclusions Blood lead concentrations, even those below 10 µg per deciliter, are inversely associated with children’s IQ scores at three and five years of age, and associated declines in IQ are greater at these concentrations than at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that more U.S. children may be adversely affected by environmental lead than previously estimated.
Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines: Methodology to Design Grounding Electrodes to Ensure an Expected Outage Rate

A novel methodology to be applied in the design of tower-footing electrodes to ensure a defined outage rate of transmission lines is proposed. It uses the critical peak currents (obtained from a first stroke distribution and from the application of the Disruptive Effect model on the waveforms of first-stroke overvoltages of direct strikes to the line simulated using an electromagnetic model) to determine the minimum electrode length required to ensure the defined outage rate for any given electrode arrangement and soil resistivity. This methodology is applicable to lines and soils in general, including the 138- and 230-kV lines tested in this paper.
Assessment for Domestic Violence in Couples Requesting Conjoint Therapy: Current Practice of Assessment among Licensed Therapists

Marital therapy with couples is routinely provided by licensed professionals including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and licensed clinical social workers. Studying assessment practices provides information about how individuals, differing licensing categories, and the overall group assess for domestic violence in couples presenting for conjoint therapy. The present study utilized a survey consisting of both quantitative and qualitative items requesting responses to find out the frequency and methods of assessment for domestic violence when couples present for conjoint marital therapy. Respondents to the survey included 30 Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers, 19 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, five respondents indicating belonging to other categories. The results indicate not all therapists assess for domestic violence in a universal manner, leaving some couples unscreened for violence in the relationship. The methods used to screen for violence in relationships were not always consistent with recommendations from professional organizations and research based literature. Overall therapist responses to working with couples where domestic violence is disclosed indicate safety for the abused partner is considered a foremost concern. Training about assessment processes and the dynamics of violent relationships may increase therapist feelings of competence in their work. More evidence based research is needed to agree what the best methods are to assess and treat violent relationships. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSESSMENT ii Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge and extend my heartfelt gratitude to the following persons who have made the completion of this research project possible: My research committee: Jeong-Kyun Choi, MSW, LISW, PhD (Chair), Julianne Bulau, MSW, LICSW, Jeannie Jackson, BSW, LSW for endless encouragement and support. Faculty members and Staff of the School of Social Work, both University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine’s University for the foundation and preparation necessary to carry this project to completion. Most especially to my family and friends who have understood the importance of this project, offered their encouragement and allowed me the time and space I needed to complete it. Thank you all. Ilene Grosam
Models of Memory

Over the past 50 years, models for human memory have developed from simple data descriptions for specific tasks to general frameworks that can and have been generalized to most of the major paradigms that are used in memory research. We argue that such a generalization across tasks becomes possible because the models specify basic mechanisms rather than simple equations that describe the data in a specific task. We illustrate this by a brief review of the developments since the 1950s, followed by a discussion of the major theoretical frameworks that have been developed over the past 25 years. The early models such as Estes’ Stimulus Sampling Theory focused on learning, but in the 1960s the emphasis gradually shifted to memory and especially the distinction between short-term and long-term memory. In the 1980s a number of global models were developed that dealt with data from a variety of memory tasks. Although these global memory models have been quite successful there remained some problems, most notably the explanation for the lack of list-strength effects in recognition. Recent developments show that models based on a Bayesian or rational approach (ACT-R, REM) may provide a unified framework for explicit as well as implicit memory. Keywords: associative networks; ACT; distributed memory models; global memory models; mathematical models; SAM; TODAM
P Matrix Properties, Injectivity, and Stability in Chemical Reaction Systems

In this paper we examine matrices which arise naturally as Jacobians in chemical dynamics. We are particularly interested in when these Jacobians are P matrices (up to a sign change), ensuring certain bounds on their eigenvalues, precluding certain behavior such as multiple equilibria, and sometimes implying stability. We first explore reaction systems and derive results which provide a deep connection between system structure and the P matrix property. We then examine a class of systems consisting of reactions coupled to an external rate-dependent negative feedback process and characterize conditions which ensure that the P matrix property survives the negative feedback. The techniques presented are applied to examples published in the mathematical and biological literature.
Overcoming the Phage Replication Threshold: a Mathematical Model with Implications for Phage Therapy

ABSTRACT Prior observations of phage-host systems in vitro have led to the conclusion that susceptible host cell populations must reach a critical density before phage replication can occur. Such a replication threshold density would have broad implications for the therapeutic use of phage. In this report, we demonstrate experimentally that no such replication threshold exists and explain the previous data used to support the existence of the threshold in terms of a classical model of the kinetics of colloidal particle interactions in solution. This result leads us to conclude that the frequently used measure of multiplicity of infection (MOI), computed as the ratio of the number of phage to the number of cells, is generally inappropriate for situations in which cell concentrations are less than 107/ml. In its place, we propose an alternative measure, MOIactual, that takes into account the cell concentration and adsorption time. Properties of this function are elucidated that explain the demonstrated usefulness of MOI at high cell densities, as well as some unexpected consequences at low concentrations. In addition, the concept of MOIactual allows us to write simple formulas for computing practical quantities, such as the number of phage sufficient to infect 99.99% of host cells at arbitrary concentrations.
Mass Media, Feelings of Attractiveness, Investment in Body-Image and Disordered Eating in Cyprus

The purpose of the current study was to assess f or possible relationships between the internalization of the thin ideal by the media, disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, f eelings of attractiveness and investment in one’s appearance in a Cypriot sample of university students. Two hundred and twenty six undergraduate and graduate-level university students answered the f our measures used in the study assessing the variables of interest. Results indicated that more internalization of the thin ideal was signif icantly related to more f eelings of unattractiveness, more investment in one’s appearance and higher incidents of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. In addition, results indicated that the internalization of the thin ideal, f eelings of unattractiveness and investment in one’s appearance were signif icant predictors of disordered eating attitudes and behavior. Possible explanations f or these results as well as implications f or the education and the health-related f ields are discussed. Suggestions f or f uture research around these topics are also suggested.
An algebraic theory of class specification

The notion of class (or object pattern) as defined in most object-oriented languages is formalized using known techniques from algebraic specifications. Inheritance can be viewed as a relation betweeen classes, which suggests how classes can be arranged in hierarchies. The hierarchies contain two kinds of information: on the one hand, they indicate how programs are structured and how code is shared among classes; on the other hand, they give information about compatible assignment rules, which are based on subtyping. In order to distinguish between code sharing, which is related to implementational aspects, and functional specialization, which is connected to the external behavior of objects, we introduce an algebraic specification-based formalism, by which one can specify the behavior of a class and state when a class inherits another one. It is shown that reusing inheritance can be reduced to specialization inheritance with respect to a virtual class. The class model and the two distinct aspects of inheritance allow the definition of clean interconnection mechanisms between classes leading to new classes which inherit from old classes their correctness and their semantics.
Minimizing server throughput for low-delay live streaming in content delivery networks

Large-scale live streaming systems can experience bottlenecks within the infrastructure of the underlying Content Delivery Network. In particular, the "equipment bottleneck" occurs when the fan-out of a machine does not enable the concurrent transmission of a stream to multiple other equipments. In this paper, we aim to deliver a live stream to a set of destination nodes with minimum throughput at the source and limited increase of the streaming delay. We leverage on rateless codes and cooperation among destination nodes. With rateless codes, a node is able to decode a video block of k information symbols after receiving slightly more than k encoded symbols. To deliver the encoded symbols, we use multiple trees where inner nodes forward all received symbols. Our goal is to build a diffusion forest that minimizes the transmission rate at the source while guaranteeing on-time delivery and reliability at the nodes. When the network is assumed to be lossless and the constraint on delivery delay is relaxed, we give an algorithm that computes a diffusion forest resulting in the minimum source transmission rate. We also propose an effective heuristic algorithm for the general case where packet loss occurs and the delivery delay is bounded. Simulation results for realistic settings show that with our solution the source requires only slightly more than the video bit rate to reliably feed all nodes.
Effects of Botulinum Toxin on Reducing the Co-contraction of Antagonists in Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy

Birth brachial plexus palsy (BBPP) is usually caused by plexus traction during difficult delivery. Although the possibility of complete recovery is relatively high, 5% to 25% of BBPP cases result in prolonged and persistent disability. In particular, muscle imbalance and co-contraction around the shoulder and elbow cause abnormal motor performance, osseous deformities, and joint contracture. Physical and occupational therapies have most commonly been used, but these conventional therapeutic strategies have often been inadequate, in managing the residual muscle imbalance and muscle co-contraction. Therefore, we attempted to improve the functional movements, by using botulinum toxin type A, to reduce the abnormal co-contraction of the antagonist muscles.
Connexin40 controls endothelial activation by dampening NFkB activation.

Connexins are proteins forming gap junction channels for intercellular communication. Connexin40 (Cx40) is highly expressed by endothelial cells (ECs) of healthy arteries but this expression is lost in ECs overlying atherosclerotic plaques. Low/oscillatory shear stress observed in bends and bifurcations of arteries is atherogenic partly through activation of the pro-inflammatory NFκB pathway in ECs. In this study, we investigated the relation between shear stress, Cx40 and NFκB. Shear stress-modifying casts were placed around carotid arteries of mice expressing eGFP under the Cx40 promoter (Cx40+/eGFP). We found that Cx40 expression is decreased in carotid regions of oscillatory shear stress but conserved in high and low laminar shear stress regions. These results were confirmed in vitro. Using phage display, we retrieved a binding motif for the intracellular regulatory Cx40 C-terminus (Cx40CT), i.e. HS[I, L, V][K, R]. One of the retrieved peptides (HSLRPEWRMPGP) showed a 58.3% homology with amino acids 5-to-16 of IκBα, a member of the protein complex inhibiting NFκB activation. Binding of IκBα (peptide) and Cx40 was confirmed by crosslinking and en face proximity ligation assay on carotid arteries. TNFα-induced nuclear translocation of NFκB in ECs was enhanced after reducing Cx40 with siRNA. Transfection of HeLa cells with either full-length Cx40 or Cx40CT demonstrated that Cx40CT was sufficient for inhibition of TNFα-induced NFκB phosphorylation. Finally, Tie2CreTgCx40fl/flApoe-/- mice showed exaggerated shear stress-induced atherosclerosis and enhanced NFκB nuclear translocation. Our data show a novel functional IκBα-Cx40 interaction that may be relevant for the control of NFκB activation by shear stress in atherogenesis.
Peptide immunotherapy in allergic asthma generates IL-10–dependent immunological tolerance associated with linked epitope suppression

Treatment of patients with allergic asthma using low doses of peptides containing T cell epitopes from Fel d 1, the major cat allergen, reduces allergic sensitization and improves surrogate markers of disease. Here, we demonstrate a key immunological mechanism, linked epitope suppression, associated with this therapeutic effect. Treatment with selected epitopes from a single allergen resulted in suppression of responses to other (“linked”) epitopes within the same molecule. This phenomenon was induced after peptide immunotherapy in human asthmatic subjects and in a novel HLA-DR1 transgenic mouse model of asthma. Tracking of allergen-specific T cells using DR1 tetramers determined that suppression was associated with the induction of interleukin (IL)-10+ T cells that were more abundant than T cells specific for the single-treatment peptide and was reversed by anti–IL-10 receptor administration. Resolution of airway pathophysiology in this model was associated with reduced recruitment, proliferation, and effector function of allergen-specific Th2 cells. Our results provide, for the first time, in vivo evidence of linked epitope suppression and IL-10 induction in both human allergic disease and a mouse model designed to closely mimic peptide therapy in humans.
Radio Irregularity Model in OMNeT++

Radio irregularity is a non-negligible phenomenon that has an impact on protocol performances. For instance, irregularity in radio range leads to asymmetric links that cause the loss of packets in different directions. In order to investigate its effect, the Radio Irregularity Model (RIM) is proposed that takes into account the irregularity of a radio range and estimates path losses in an anisotropic environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide details of the RIM model developed in the INET Framework of the OMNeT++ simulator that can be used to investigate the impact of radio irregularity on protocol performance.
Effect of smoke-free policies on the behaviour of social smokers

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that proposed amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act making all enclosed workplaces in Western Australia smoke free would result in a decrease in cigarette consumption by patrons at nightclubs, pubs, and restaurants without adversely affecting attendance. DESIGN Cross sectional structured interview survey. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Patrons of several inner city pubs and nightclubs in Perth were interviewed while queuing for admission to these venues. OUTCOME MEASURES Current social habits, smoking habits, and how these might be affected by the proposed regulations. Persons who did not smoke daily were classified as “social smokers. ” RESULTS Half (50%) of the 374 patrons interviewed were male, 51% currently did not smoke at all, 34.3% smoked every day, and the remaining 15.7% smoked, but not every day. A clear majority (62.5%) of all 374 respondents anticipated no change to the frequency of their patronage of hospitality venues if smoke-free policies became mandatory. One in five (19.3%) indicated that they would go out more often, and 18.2% said they would go out less often. Half (52%) of daily smokers anticipated no change to their cigarette consumption, while 44.5% of daily smokers anticipated a reduction in consumption. A majority of social smokers (54%) predicted a reduction in their cigarette consumption, with 42% of these anticipating quitting. CONCLUSIONS One in nine (11.5%) of smokers say that adoption of smoke-free policies would prompt them to quit smoking entirely without a significant decrease in attendance at pubs and nightclubs. There can be few other initiatives as simple, cheap, and popular that would achieve so much for public health.
Analyzing the Influence of Gender upon High–Technology Venturing within the Context of Business Incubation

We explore the influence of sex role attribution and associated gendered ascriptions upon the entrepreneurial experiences of a female high–technology business owner operating within the context of business incubation. Our literature analysis and empirical evidence suggest that stereotypical gendered expectations surrounding incubated high–technology venturing reproduce masculine norms of entrepreneurial behavior. The adoption of a gendered perspective to explore the experience of business incubation responds to contemporary calls to embed feminist analyses within the entrepreneurial field of enquiry. Furthermore, we draw upon evidence from a detailed case study informed by a life history narrative to explore a female entrepreneur's experience of incubated high–technology entrepreneurship.
Uncertainty-based localization in a topological robot navigation system

Localization is the process of knowing and updating continuously a robot position with regards to its environment based on sensor information. Localization strategies are required for accurate mobile robot navigation and they should be adapted to the new tendencies and tools. The main purpose of this work is to develop a localization system that allows a mobile robot to know its position at each moment as well as to identify when it has gotten lost.
A functional density-based nonparametric approach for statistical calibration

In this paper a new nonparametric functional method is introduced for predicting a scalar random variable Y from a functional random variable X. The resulting prediction has the form of a weighted average of the training data set, where the weights are determined by the conditional probability density of X given Y , which is assumed to be Gaussian. In this way such a conditional probability density is incorporated as a key information into the estimator. Contrary to some previous approaches, no assumption about the dimensionality of E(X|Y = y) is required. The new proposal is computationally simple and easy to implement. Its performance is shown through its application to both simulated and real data.
On the Extension of the Continuous Class-F Mode Power Amplifier

The extended continuous class-F mode RF power amplifier (PA) is presented for the first time. The introduction and experimental validation of this novel PA mode demonstrates a new design space over a wide band of frequencies. This paper will show that high output power and drain efficiency, equivalent to the class-F mode, can be maintained by varying the reactive components of fundamental and second harmonic impedances in accordance with the new formulation of the voltage waveform. Additionally it will be shown that, by varying both phase and magnitude of the fundamental and second harmonic impedances, a yet wider design space can be achieved, where the efficiency is maintained at a level greater than a certain target value. For the validation of this new theory, an experimental investigation was carried out on GaAs pseudomorphic HEMT devices and demonstrates that high output power and drain efficiency between 75%-83% can be achieved over a wide range of fundamental and second harmonic loads.