Computational algorithms for predictive health assessments

Rapid aging of the population in the US requires increased attention from health care providers and from the entire society as a whole. While the elderly population (aged over 65) will increase by 8% until 2050 in the developed countries, the working-age population (age between 15 and 64 years) will decrease and its ratio to the elderly population will decline from 4.3 to 2.3. A possible solution to prevent unreported health problems in independently living older adults is through automatic health monitoring systems. The aim of this dissertation is to use sensor network technology to detect changes in health status of elderly living alone, alert health care providers, and augment traditional health care. In this dissertation, we address three topics. First, we discuss the problem of measuring the temporal similarity of two multidimensional time series. The second topic of this work is predicting health patterns using time series similarities. Third, we also propose three methods for identification of deviations in patterns of activities of daily livings (ADL) of older adults and use them to generate alerts for the healthcare providers. ADLs such as bathroom visits can be monitored by automated in-home sensor systems. Our proposed methods find periodicity in sensor time series data using clustering, item set mining, and statistical approaches

Comparison and Evaluation of Displacement-based Methods and Modeling Assumptions for Design of Ordinary Bridges in High Seismic Regions Using Various Computer Software

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of three different displacement-based methods for seismic design of ordinary standard bridges. Two bridges previously designed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) engineersfollowing the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design are selected and investigated in this study. Two different support conditions are considered, one employing seat-type abutments with rigid bent foundations; and the second employing stub wallabutment with flexible bent foundations (Nonlinear Spring Support Configuration). In addition to the AASHTO Specifications, the analysis methods include the capacity-demand-diagram method, as an inelastic demand Capacity Demand Method (CSM), andFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 440 Procedure C as an equivalent linearization CSM. Pushover analysis methods are used to construct the capacity diagram of the system. Furthermore, the usability of the three most widely used software programs(SAP2000, ADINA, and OpenSees) for performing the displacement-based seismic analysis is studied.This research will provide TDOT engineers with the necessary information on which procedure is the best approach to use for design of highway bridges. Also, it provides information on how well previously designed bridges response when analyzed with the new displacement-based procedures. And finally, it will provide the TDOT engineers with information on capabilities and limitations of various software packages

The effect of polyethylene glycol-induced oxidative stress on photosynthesis, carbohydrates and cell membrane in Stevia rebaudiana grown in greenhouse

Drought stress is one of the major environmental stresses that limit crop production in arid regions. A greenhouse culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of an agronomically and economically important sweet medical herb (Stevia rebaudiana) to polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000)-induced drought stress (5, 10, and 15% (w/v) PEG, equivalent to leaf water potentials of − 0.49, − 1.40 and − 2.93 MPa, respectively) for 1 month. Plant mass, a major determinant of Stevia yield, showed a reduction after PEG treatments. PEG-reduced photosynthesis traits included the maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), efficiency of photosystems I and II (PIabs), intercellular CO2, net photosynthesis, chlorophylls, carotenoids and water use efficiency, followed by the reduction of carbohydrates. Under PEG treatment, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation occurred and plants exhibited an increase in H2O2 generation. Consequently, an increase in malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage was evident in PEG treatment, indicating membrane lipid peroxidation. In PEG-treated plants, the ROS accumulation was accompanied by an increase in activity of some enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Leaf extracts of PEG-treated plants showed lower superoxide anion, hydroxyl and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity than control plants. Drought stress also caused the accumulation of the compatible solutes proline and glycine betaine. Collectively, the results demonstrated that PEG-induced oxidative stress, due to insufficient antioxidant mechanisms, provoked damages to cell membrane and photosynthetic apparatus, with consequently reduced carbohydrates and plant growth. These results are of basic importance as vegetative growth is the major determining criterion for Stevia crops and adequate irrigation is crucial for obtaining higher yield

Improved sensitivity RF photonics doppler frequency measurement system

An improved sensitivity Doppler frequency measurement system based on microwave photonics technology was demonstrated practically. The system employs a four-wave mixing effect to achieve broad radio-frequency (RF) frequency measurement. In addition, a lock-in amplification technique was utilized to achieve high-measurement sensitivity. The system is, thus, capable of Doppler frequency estimation of radar echoes with a carrier frequency up to 40 GHz and a power level as low as $-$35 dBm. © 2009-2012 IEEE

A User-Friendly Wrapper for DSIDES (Decision Support in the Design of Engineering Systems)

When dealing with complex systems, we need to consider that these systems have behaviors that are hard to predict or control, and uncertainties are always present since computational models are abstracts of reality. It is recognized that in many situations, it may not be possible to simultaneously optimize all objectives due to inherent conflicts, resource limitations, or uncertainty. As George E.P. Box said: "All models are wrong, but some are useful." The consequences of these observations are significant. We need to accept that our models might not capture everything and that uncertainties are a part of the picture. Hence, we must accept and deal with uncertainty instead of ignoring it and find solutions that are relatively insensitive to the uncertainties. When choosing a method to work with, we need to consider the quality of our data. To make this all work, we need a method to find solutions that achieve a reasonable compromise or balance among the objectives and identify a set of solutions that are relatively insensitive to uncertainties. Also, be able to facilitate the exploration of solution space to support human decision-making. This ties into the problems we face in supporting decisions for complex systems. These problems involve choosing between options and making compromises. The compromise Decision Support Problem (cDSP) construct and the Adaptive Linear Programming algorithm has been developed as a result, which was first introduced by Mistree and co-authors (1993). It is a domain-independent, multiobjective decision model based on mathematical and goal programming. They effectively deal with multiobjective problems involving bounds, linear and nonlinear constraints, goals, and consisting of Boolean and continuous variables. The requirements for this construct are: 1) Identify a set of solutions that are relatively insensitive to uncertainties 2) Facilitate the exploration of solution space to support human decision-making Mistree and co-authors also designed a computer program to implement cDSP construct. It has been written in FORTRAN to identify robust satisficing solutions to design problems when the models are abstractions of reality. It is called DSIDES (Decision Support in the Design of Engineering Systems). DSIDES is a software tool developed to help engineers and designers make better decisions in the design of complex engineering systems and provides decision support for the design of complex engineering systems. In this thesis, our primary objective is to enhance the accessibility and user-friendliness of DSIDES by designing a user-friendly wrapper. Three key areas of focus are included in this thesis: 1) Exploration of cDSP Construct: In this part, the examination of the cDSP (Compromise Decision Support Problem) construct, including its structural components and the formulation of problem statements within the cDSP framework, has been discussed. 2) Comprehensive Analysis of the DSIDES Wrapper: A detailed exploration of the DSIDES wrapper and a step-by-step walkthrough of the wrapper's functionalities are covered. 3) DSIDES Software Program Manuals: Program manuals for the DSIDES software has been created. These manuals are helpful resources for individuals seeking to enhance, expand, or modify the software. Based on these key areas of focus, there are three different parts to this thesis: 1) Part One: DSIDES Software and cDSP Construct: An Introduction. 2) Part Two: Designing the User-Friendly Wrapper for DSIDES. 3) Part Three: Program Manuals and Improvement of DSIDES. In the following sections, all three parts and their related details are discussed, respectively

Autologous Plasma rich platelet versus Low Molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis: a Non-placebo Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of autologous plasma rich platelet (PRP) versus Low molecular weight Hyaluronic acid (HA) on pain, function and stiffness in knee osteoarthritis during six months follow-up. Design: Through a non-placebo blocked randomized controlled trial with parallel design on 77 patients with knee osteoarthritis; 50 in intervention group, treated by PRP; 27 in control group, treated by HA.  They received three injections and assessed before, after two and six months. Pain, stiffness and function were assessed using WOMAC and VAS. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and ANOVA were used when appropriate. Results: Pain reduced in both groups compared to their respective baseline (P<0.007); the reduction rates were similar in both groups (P>0.1). WOMAC and VAS scores were different between before injection and both two and six months follow-ups in both groups (P<0.001); although increasing of VAS score between two and six months follow-ups was more considerable in PRP but not statistically significant (P=0.08). Considering Kellgren-lawrence classification of knee osteoarthritis, WOMAC scores were different in patients with grade 2 and 3 in both groups (P<0.01); but VAS scores were different with grade 3 only in PRP group (P=0.009). Conclusions: There was no difference between PRP and HA in reducing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis compare to their baseline but sustainability of the effect may be more with HA

Scientific production of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Scopus between 2011-2014

Background: Scientometric evaluations are important part of research assessment which can help universities to visualize the effect of their achievements and assess the effect of policy changes and investments in the field knowledge development. Current study aimed to evaluate the scientific production of the faculty members affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Scopus database between 2011- 2014.Methods: Faculty members of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences participated in this cross sectional study. We had the names and affiliation of all faculty members based on university's Human Resources Management database. All the faculty members were recruited in the study. Total number of the articles, total article’s’ citations and H Index between 2011-2014 were used for evaluation of faculty members. Scopus online webpage was the source of extracting the indices.Results: there had been 1299 faculty members working at the university. Of all participants, 165 (12.7%) were professors, other academic degrees were associate professors 335 (25.8%), assistant professors 656 (50.5%), associate professors 335 (25.8%) and instructors 112 (8.7%)., respectively. The findings of current study showed that each faculty member was contributed in in a mean of 14 person- articles and there had been 95 citations to the articles in average. The mean H index for the university was 3.2 .Conclusion: Current study has illustrated a general image of the articles affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences which were indexed at Scopus database from 2011-2014. Results showed the universities scientific production had significant growth during these years.

Scientific production of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Web of Science between 2011-2014

Background: Along with the prospers of scientific production there is a need for measuring and evaluation of university’ s scientific productions by means of accepted international indices to make comparison between academic institutions. This study aims to evaluate the scientific production of faculty members affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMUS) in Web of Science from 2011 to 2014.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Faculty members of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences from last updated list of faculty members based on human source management of the university was evaluated. The evaluation criteria was total number of the articles, total number of the articles between 2011-2014, total article’s citations, total article’s citations between 2011-2014 and H Index was extracted from the Web of Science webpage. Results:Totally 1300 faculty members had been evaluated in the study. Scientific productions had an increasing trend from 2011 to 2014. There had been 6445 articles and 41120 citations with a Mean (SD) of 4.96 (1.22) and 31.63 (122.5) respectively. Mean H Index of the university was 2.2. School of Pharmacy had the highest H Index score (4.9).Conclusion:There has been an increasing trend in scientific production of SBMUS in Web of Science data base. As Iran is between the first three high ranked countries in the Middle East in based scientometric indices, monitoring of scientific production by yearly intervals seems necessary.Keywords: Cross-Sectional Studies; Faculty; Universitie

The effect of video games on teenagers’ behavior and performance: A cross-sectional study in Tehran

Background: The novelty of the present study was to interpret the relation of the videogame usage in teenagers’ behaviors and their performance in schools and distinctive environments.Methods: A total of 508 male and female teenage students were randomly selected from secondary schools of Tehran, the Capital of Iran. The designed questionnaire was completed by student’s parents at the end of school year. School performance and students’ behavior and pattern of using videogames were asked. Descriptive statistics, Contingency coefficient and chi-squared tests were used for data analysis.Results: According to the results, almost all the teenagers were interested in video games and 76.8% of students played video games once in a while. Female students whose mothers were older used video games more often than teenagers whose mothers were younger. Also, male students, whose mothers were housewives and had handheld devices in their rooms, were observed to spend more time playing games. The male students who spent more time playing video games showed more aggression than the others. In addition, female students who played video games quite often, showed abnormal behavior and strange mental status. Both genders showed high percentage of shouting and overeating, when they spent more time playing video games. Conclusion: Playing videogames has a significant effect on teenagers’ behaviors but not on their school performance. Social determinants of health also have significant effect on playing videogames.Keywords: Adolescent; Educational Status; Students; Video Game