337 research outputs found
The effects of HIV self-testing on HIV incidence and awareness of status among men who have sex with men in the United States: Insights from a novel compartmental model
No full textBackground: The OraQuick In-Home HIV self-test represents a fast, inexpensive, and convenient method for users to assess their HIV status. If integrated thoughtfully into existing testing practices, accompanied by efficient pathways to formal diagnosis, self-testing could enhance both HIV awareness and reduce HIV incidence. However, currently available self-tests are less sensitive, particularly for recent infection, when compared to gold-standard laboratory tests. It is important to understand the impact if some portion of standard testing is replaced by self-tests. We used a compartmental model to evaluate the effects of self-testing in diverse scenarios among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States for the period 2020-2030, and to understand which scenarios maximize the advantages of self-testing. Methods: We introduced a novel 4-compartment model for HIV self-testing. We employed the model under different screening rates, self-test proportions, and delays to diagnosis for those identified through self-tests to determine the potential effects of self-testing on HIV incidence and awareness of status when applied to the US MSM population. We studied scenarios in which self-tests supplement laboratory-based tests, with no replacement, and scenarios in which some replacement occurs. We also examined how future improvements in self-test sensitivity may affect our results. Results: When HIV self-tests are supplemental rather than substitutes for laboratory-based testing, self-testing can decrease HIV incidence among MSM in the US by up to 10 % and increase awareness of status among MSM from 85 % to 91 % over a 10-year period, provided linkage to care and formal diagnosis occur promptly following a positive self-test (90 days or less). As self-tests replace a higher percentage laboratory-based testing algorithms, increases in overall testing rates were necessary to ensure reductions in HIV incidence. However, such needed increases were relatively small (under 10 % for prompt engagement in care and moderate levels of replacement). Improvements in self-test sensitivity and/or decreases in the detection period may further reduce any necessary increases in overall testing by up to 40 %. Conclusions: If properly utilized, self-testing can provide significant long-term reductions to HIV incidence and improve awareness of HIV status. Ensuring that self-testing increases overall testing and that formal diagnosis and engagement in care occur promptly following a positive self-test are necessary to maximize the benefits of self-testing. Future improvements in self-test sensitivity and reductions in the detection period would further reduce HIV incidence and the potential risks associated with replacing laboratory tests with self-tests
Secure integration of electric vehicles with the power grid
No full textA wide variety of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as pluggable electric vehicles (EVs), solar arrays, smart buildings, etc. are now being connected to the power grid. Malicious adversaries can use these as entry mechanisms to gain access to the grid with the intention of creating instability in the system. This work focuses on secure integration of DERs with the power grid. To this end, we propose techniques to detect malicious activity when either the DERs or the communication channels between the DERs and the smart grid components are compromised. We propose a cyber-physical anomaly detection engine to ensure that critical grid components remain secure, and hence, safe. Specifically, we have focused on the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system. In this system, aggregators are the critical components through which DERs such as EVs are connected to the grid. We have developed a prototype anomaly detection engine for aggregators that manage/communicate with the EVs. Since the V2G system is time-sensitive, the anomaly detection engine also monitors the timing requirements of the system by checking the frequency constraints on messages at the aggregator apart from monitoring the cyber and physical data constraints to ensure safety of the aggregator.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2020-05-01The student, Chaitra Niddodi, accepted the attached license on 2018-04-24 at 17:28.The student, Chaitra Niddodi, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2018-04-24 at 17:33.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2018-04-25 at 12:48.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #12462 on 2018-08-31 at 17:30:23Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-04T20:47:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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Previous issue date: 2018-04-25Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 107457
Lift date: 2020-09-04T20:47:38Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemEmbargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 107457
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Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemLimited Restriction Lifted for Item 107457 on 2020-09-05T09:15:20Z
integration of Web services in EPCs and RFID technology
No full textThesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-68).This thesis proposes a framework for user interface (UI) design in the Auto-ID world. The thesis includes the examination of issues related to visualizing data to the user from a top-down perspective in the Auto-ID World. Using the main application of supply chain management, the role and cognitive capabilities of the users of the system are analyzed in order to distill the key considerations for a user interface (UI) from the user's perspective. Data related to Auto-ID that is available in the supply chain are explored to provide a clearer picture of the required capabilities of the UI. Systems with different categories of Uls are also studied to provide a more comprehensive view of the options available. A model for a functional and useful UI for supply chain management in the Auto-ID world is proposed as a solution.by Chaitra Chandrasekhar.M.Eng
Job motivation in high-tech knowledge work- the unintended detrimental role of management
No full textTitle: Job motivation in high-tech knowledge work- the unintended detrimental role of management Seminar Date: 4th June 2015 Course: FEKH49 Author: Chaitra Harish Bhat Supervisor: Sverre Spoelstra Key Words: Knowledge Worker, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, Priority Task, Recognition. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to critically examine the role of intrinsic motivation in knowledge work. It intends to investigate the managerial attempt to motivate knowledge workers and examines the role of the management from the knowledge workers’ perspective. Methodology: This research has taken the interpretive viewpoint. It is a qualitative study with an abductive approach. Eight semi-structured interviews have been conducted and analyzed. Theoretical Perspectives: The theoretical framework is focused mainly on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the context of knowledge work. The knowledge worker’s work ambiguity is presented. And the equity theory of motivation is and analyzed as to how it affects motivation in knowledge work. Empirical foundation: The empirical foundation of this research consists of eight semi-structured interviews conducted in a knowledge intensive firm, Motiv AB. Conclusion: This research shows that even though intrinsic motivation is important, the role of extrinsic motivation is also found to be vital in knowledge workers. In this context, the role of the management can also be detrimental at times (though unintentional) in affecting the knowledge worker motivation
Simulation of Full HIV Cluster Networks in a Nationally Representative Model Indicates Intervention Opportunities
No full textBackground: Clusters of rapid HIV transmission in the United States are increasingly recognized through analysis of HIV molecular sequence data reported to the National HIV Surveillance System. Understanding the full extent of cluster networks is important to assess intervention opportunities. However, full cluster networks include undiagnosed and other infections that cannot be systematically observed in real life. Methods: We replicated HIV molecular cluster networks during 2015-2017 in the United States using a stochastic dynamic network simulation model of sexual transmission of HIV. Clusters were defined at the 0.5% genetic distance threshold. Ongoing priority clusters had growth of ≥3 diagnoses/year in multiple years; new priority clusters first had ≥3 diagnoses/year in 2017. We assessed the full extent, composition, and transmission rates of new and ongoing priority clusters. Results: Full clusters were 3-9 times larger than detected clusters, with median detected cluster sizes in new and ongoing priority clusters of 4 (range 3-9) and 11 (range 3-33), respectively, corresponding to full cluster sizes with a median of 14 (3-74) and 94 (7-318), respectively. A median of 36.3% (range 11.1%-72.6%) of infections in the full new priority clusters were undiagnosed. HIV transmission rates in these clusters were >4 times the overall rate observed in the entire simulation. Conclusions: Priority clusters reflect networks with rapid HIV transmission. The substantially larger full extent of these clusters, high proportion of undiagnosed infections, and high transmission rates indicate opportunities for public health intervention and impact
sj-pdf-1-bna-10.1177_23982128221086464 – Supplemental material for Reducing voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv3.4 levels ameliorates synapse loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
No full textSupplemental material, sj-pdf-1-bna-10.1177_23982128221086464 for Reducing voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv3.4 levels ameliorates synapse loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by Jie Yeap, Chaitra Sathyaprakash, Jamie Toombs, Jane Tulloch, Cristina Scutariu, Jamie Rose, Karen Burr, Caitlin Davies, Marti Colom-Cadena, Siddharthan Chandran, Charles H. Large, Matthew J. M. Rowan, Martin J. Gunthorpe and Tara L. Spires-Jones in Brain and Neuroscience Advances</p
Evaluation of CPT - based Correlation of Fines Content and Soil Behaviour Index for Groningen Soils
No full textEarthquakes in the past few decades has questioned the safety of people and infrastructure in Groningen region and its surroundings areas. The excessive gas extraction from the subsurface has led to human-induced earthquakes in this region. Liquefaction is a phenomenon that occurs as a result of earthquakes, reducing the soil shear strength to zero and the soil in turn behaving like a liquid. It has been observed in other parts of the world in case of natural and human-induced earthquakes alike. Thus, it is necessary to identify the liquefaction prone regions and taking steps towards creating better designs, equipped to handle earthquake loads along with precautionary measures, to save existing building and infrastructure. In order to do so, it is important to examine the existing the methods, various parameters and factors that influence the liquefaction potential analysis. In this project, the different factors that could influence Liquefaction Potential Analysis are studied based on the existing CPT-based correlations between Fines Content (FC) and Soil Behavior Index(IC). The previously proposed correlation by Boulanger and Idriss (2014) is examined for Groningen Soils to evaluate if it needs any modifications. Depth of the sample, Distance between CPT and borehole, Grain Size Distribution and Geology of the sample are main factors considered for the study. Each of these factors are analysed by collecting laboratory samples of Grain size analysis test from Groningen region. The strength of the correlation between FC and IC is evaluated based on the factors. This study would be beneficial for geo-technical software developers, construction and design engineers who highly depend on correlations and it gives insight of how different the onsite scenario can be from the predicted values using correlations. It contributes to the future research on creating a data base of the all samples in the Netherlands, to indicate high risk regions. It also helps in answering if IC is a good parameter to consider while evaluating liquefaction potential for Groningen Soils.Geo-Engineerin
DSLA 2023: Facing the dangers of data illiteracy
No full textThe Data Science and Literacy Act (DSLA) of 2023 aims to boost data literacy and data science education across the USA. Gregg M. Gascon, Katherine K. Wallman, Sridhar Ravula, Joseph Cappelleri, Julia Lee, Kristian Lum, Chaitra H. Nagaraja, Sudeshna Paul, Dooti Roy and Edward Wu explain why this opportunity demands our attentio
Using static objects for passive communication with sunlight
No full textThe idea of having a smart environment to automate day to day tasks appeals to us all. To enable this, we need objects with embedded electronics to communicate with each other in a network known as the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT communication infrastructure is built on top of existing Radio Frequency (RF) technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WiFi, and cellular protocols. The RF technology is bandlimited and power hungry, making it unfeasible to support the growing demand of IoT networks. The number of IoT devices in the year 2020 is expected to be around 20 billion, making it essential to explore other areas of sustainable communication technology. Visible light communication (VLC) in the optical domain is being explored to meet the surge in connected devices and to enable sustainability in the energy consumed. The idea behind a VLC system is to toggle a Light Emitting Diode (LED) at high speed to transmit information which ensures that users are not subjected to visual interruptions. Even sunlight - the biggest source of illumination - can be used to transmit information. However, it is not possible to toggle the sun like LEDs. Hence, the objective of this thesis is to use sunlight to setup a green communication channel. In the 1800s, sunlight was used to communicate over long distances by using mirrors to reflect light to send signals. Taking inspiration from this method, I propose using smart materials to toggle sunlight and use it for wireless communication. My aim in this thesis is to analyze the behavior of smart materials, develop a modulation scheme suitable to send information using sunlight, and evaluate the system's performance.Electrical Engineering | Embedded System
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