A Rewriting-Logic-Based Technique for Modeling Thermal Systems

This paper presents a rewriting-logic-based modeling and analysis technique for physical systems, with focus on thermal systems. The contributions of this paper can be summarized as follows: (i) providing a framework for modeling and executing physical systems, where both the physical components and their physical interactions are treated as first-class citizens; (ii) showing how heat transfer problems in thermal systems can be modeled in Real-Time Maude; (iii) giving the implementation in Real-Time Maude of a basic numerical technique for executing continuous behaviors in object-oriented hybrid systems; and (iv) illustrating these techniques with a set of incremental case studies using realistic physical parameters, with examples of simulation and model checking analyses.Comment: In Proceedings RTRTS 2010, arXiv:1009.398

Aspects of real-time digital spectral analysis

In the field of control engineering there is a need to study the dynamic behaviour of systems which are subjected to random disturbances. A technique which is of great practical use is to describe the dynamic properties as a function of frequency. This involves determining the frequency content, or spectrum, of the disturbances, and the frequency response function of the system. There are many analogue and digital techniques which are designed for this type of spectral analysis. However, digital computer techniques are often avoided because they are slow, and data must be collected 'off-line'. A recently discovered computational method, termed the fast- Fourier-transform (FFT), enables digital spectral analysis to be carried- out in a much shorter time than was previously possible. In view of this discovery it was decided to develop digital computer programmes which would overcome the disadvantages of conventional digital spectral analysis. Using these programmes a computer would be connected, via an analogue to digital interface, to the signal source, and would process the data as it entered the computer. In the jargon of computing, the computer would be 'on-line' and analyzing the spectra in 'real-time'. The first part of the project consisted of an investigation of the FFP when programmed for an on-line digital computer. The results of this investigation showed that a rapid, accurate, and compact FFT could be programmed by using fixed-point arithmetic, and coding in an assembly language. The speed of the transform was sufficient to allow spectral analysis over a frequency range useful in control applications. Two on-line computer programmes based upon the YPP were then written; one for 'real-time' spectral analysis of a single record, and another for the 'real-time' estimation of the frequency response function relating two signals. In order that the results of these programmes could be sensibly interpreted, a statistical study was made of the spectral estimators used in the programmes. Arising from this study, several contributions to the field of digital spectra. analysis were made. These were : - 1) A more general covariance relationship for cross-spectral estimators. 2) An examination of aliasing in digital spectral estimators. 3) Some theoretical results concerning spectral estimators for closed loop systems with random disturbances inside the loop, Some experimental work was conducted with the real-time' spectral analysis programmes, and it was concluded that the tec: inique is more powerful than conventional digital. methods because it is on- line, and can provide estimates with improved resolution and statistical stability. Real-time digital spectral analysis methods also have the advantage that they may be simply and quickly modified to suit specific applications

Properties of input-output Hammerstein-bilinear structure with application to an industrial air handling unit

When developing mathematical models, especially for control, the practical interest lies in relatively simple extensions of linear structures that offer improved modelling capabilities. In this paper a discrete-time input-output Hammerstein-bilinear structure is introduced and its properties are discussed in detail. It consists of a cascade connection of a static nonlinearity followed by a dynamic bilinear system. By combining advantages of constituent subsystems the Hammerstein-bilinear structure allows for both an input dependant dynamic behaviour (particular property of bilinear systems) and an increased flexibility of the steady-state characteristic (particular property of Hammerstein models) to be obtained simultaneously. Modelling capabilities of such structure are evaluated on an air-handling unit that is a part of an industrial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system

Computerised interpretation of fetal heart rate during labour (INFANT) : a randomised controlled trial

Background: Continuous electronic fetal heart-rate monitoring is widely used during labour, and computerised interpretation could increase its usefulness. We aimed to establish whether the addition of decision-support software to assist in the interpretation of cardiotocographs affected the number of poor neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this unmasked randomised controlled trial, we recruited women in labour aged 16 years or older having continuous electronic fetal monitoring, with a singleton or twin pregnancy, and at 35 weeks' gestation or more at 24 maternity units in the UK and Ireland. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to decision support with the INFANT system or no decision support via a computer-generated stratified block randomisation schedule. The primary outcomes were poor neonatal outcome (intrapartum stillbirth or early neonatal death excluding lethal congenital anomalies, or neonatal encephalopathy, admission to the neonatal unit within 24 h for >= 48 h with evidence of feeding difficulties, respiratory illness, or encephalopathy with evidence of compromise at birth), and developmental assessment at age 2 years in a subset of surviving children. Analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is completed and is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, number 98680152. Findings: Between Jan 6, 2010, and Aug 31, 2013, 47 062 women were randomly assigned (23 515 in the decision-support group and 23 547 in the no-decision-support group) and 46 042 were analysed (22 987 in the decision-support group and 23 055 in the no-decision-support group). We noted no difference in the incidence of poor neonatal outcome between the groups-172 (0.7%) babies in the decision-support group compared with 171 (0.7%) babies in the no-decision-support group (adjusted risk ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.82-1.25). At 2 years, no significant differences were noted in terms of developmental assessment. Interpretation: Use of computerised interpretation of cardiotocographs in women who have continuous electronic fetal monitoring in labour does not improve clinical outcomes for mothers or babies

Re-visiting Meltsner: Policy Advice Systems and the Multi-Dimensional Nature of Professional Policy Analysis

10.2139/ssrn.15462511-2

Antibody in breastmilk following Pertussis vaccination in three-time windows in pregnancy

Background: Pertussis-containing vaccines are routinely offered in the UK at 16-32 weeks of gestation and have been shown to be safe and effective, but there remains debate about the best timing for vaccination. Most research into this has focused on serologic immunity, but breastmilk is also important in infant immunity, and the amount of IgA in breastmilk may impact mucosal immunity. It is important to understand if the timing of vaccination in pregnancy affects the concentration of IgA in breastmilk. Methods: Participants recruited as part of the MAMA (Maternal Antibody in Milk After Vaccination) and OpTIMUM (Optimizing the Timing of Whooping Cough Immunisations in Mums) trials received a pertussis-containing vaccine during pregnancy, either before 24 weeks, between 24 and 27+6 weeks or between 28 and 31+6 weeks. Samples of colostrum within 24 hours of delivery and breastmilk at 14 days were collected. Pertussis toxin, pertactin, tetanus toxoid and diphtheria toxoid specific-IgA levels were measured using a multiplex immunoassay. Results: There was no difference in specific IgA levels against pertussis toxin, pertactin, tetanus toxoid and diphtheria toxoid between the groups vaccinated within different time periods. For all antigens, there was decay in antigen-specific IgA levels between colostrum and breastmilk at 14 days. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the timing of administration of a pertussis-containing vaccine in pregnancy does not impact on antigen-specific IgA concentration in colostrum or breastmilk at 14 days

Quality standards for the management of alcohol-related liver disease: consensus recommendations from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology ARLD special interest group

Objective Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the most common cause of liver-related ill health and liver-related deaths in the UK, and deaths from ALD have doubled in the last decade. The management of ALD requires treatment of both liver disease and alcohol use; this necessitates effective and constructive multidisciplinary working. To support this, we have developed quality standard recommendations for the management of ALD, based on evidence and consensus expert opinion, with the aim of improving patient care. Design A multidisciplinary group of experts from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology ALD Special Interest Group developed the quality standards, with input from the British Liver Trust and patient representatives. Results The standards cover three broad themes: the recognition and diagnosis of people with ALD in primary care and the liver outpatient clinic; the management of acutely decompensated ALD including acute alcoholrelated hepatitis and the posthospital care of people with advanced liver disease due to ALD. Draft quality standards were initially developed by smaller working groups and then an anonymous modified Delphi voting process was conducted by the entire group to assess the level of agreement with each statement. Statements were included when agreement was 85% or greater. Twenty-four quality standards were produced from this process which support best practice. From the final list of statements, a smaller number of auditable key performance indicators were selected to allow services to benchmark their practice and an audit tool provided. Conclusion It is hoped that services will review their practice against these recommendations and key performance indicators and institute service development where needed to improve the care of patients with ALD

Quality standards for the management of alcohol-related liver disease: consensus recommendations from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology ARLD special interest group

Objective Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the most common cause of liver-related ill health and liver-related deaths in the UK, and deaths from ALD have doubled in the last decade. The management of ALD requires treatment of both liver disease and alcohol use; this necessitates effective and constructive multidisciplinary working. To support this, we have developed quality standard recommendations for the management of ALD, based on evidence and consensus expert opinion, with the aim of improving patient care. Design A multidisciplinary group of experts from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology ALD Special Interest Group developed the quality standards, with input from the British Liver Trust and patient representatives. Results The standards cover three broad themes: the recognition and diagnosis of people with ALD in primary care and the liver outpatient clinic; the management of acutely decompensated ALD including acute alcoholrelated hepatitis and the posthospital care of people with advanced liver disease due to ALD. Draft quality standards were initially developed by smaller working groups and then an anonymous modified Delphi voting process was conducted by the entire group to assess the level of agreement with each statement. Statements were included when agreement was 85% or greater. Twenty-four quality standards were produced from this process which support best practice. From the final list of statements, a smaller number of auditable key performance indicators were selected to allow services to benchmark their practice and an audit tool provided. Conclusion It is hoped that services will review their practice against these recommendations and key performance indicators and institute service development where needed to improve the care of patients with ALD

Parkinson’s disease mouse models in translational research

Animal models with high predictive power are a prerequisite for translational research. The closer the similarity of a model to Parkinson’s disease (PD), the higher is the predictive value for clinical trials. An ideal PD model should present behavioral signs and pathology that resemble the human disease. The increasing understanding of PD stratification and etiology, however, complicates the choice of adequate animal models for preclinical studies. An ultimate mouse model, relevant to address all PD-related questions, is yet to be developed. However, many of the existing models are useful in answering specific questions. An appropriate model should be chosen after considering both the context of the research and the model properties. This review addresses the validity, strengths, and limitations of current PD mouse models for translational research