LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Conditions for Worm-Robot Locomotion in a Flexible Environment: Theory and Experiments

Biological vessels are characterized by their substantial compliance and low friction that present a major challenge for crawling robots for minimally invasive medical procedures. Quite a number of studies considered the design and construction of crawling robots; however, very few focused on the interaction between the robots and the flexible environment. In a previous study, we derived the analytical efficiency of worm locomotion as a function of the number of cells, friction coefficients, normal forces, and local (contact) tangential compliance. In this paper, we introduce the structural effects of environment compliance, generalize our previous analysis to include dynamic and static coefficients of friction, determine the conditions of locomotion as function of the external resisting forces, and experimentally validate our previous and newly obtained theoretical results. Our experimental setup consists of worm robot prototypes, flexible interfaces with known compliance and a Vicon motion capture system to measure the robot positioning. Separate experiments were conducted to measure the tangential compliance of the contact interface that is required for computing the analytical efficiency. The validation experiments were performed for both types of compliant conditions, local and structural, and the results are shown to be in clear match with the theoretical predictions. Specifically, the convergence of the tangential deflections to an arithmetic series and the partial and overall loss of locomotion verify the theoretical predictions.
Selecting Locking Primitives for Parallel Programming

T HE only reason to parallelize a program is to gain performance. However, the synchronization primitives used by parallel programs can consume excessive memory bandwidth, can be subject to memory latencies, can consume excessive memory, and can result in unfair access or even starvation. These problems can outweigh the performance benefits of parallel execution. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the performance implications of synchronization primitives in addition to their correctness, liveness, and safety properties. This article presents a pattern language to assist you in selecting synchronization primitives for parallel programs. The pattern language assumes you have already chosen a locking design, perhaps by using a locking design pattern language [2].
Yawning as a behavioral marker of mild motion sickness and sopite syndrome.

INTRODUCTION
Severe motion sickness is easily identifiable with sufferers showing obvious behavioral signs, including emesis (vomiting). Mild motion sickness and sopite syndrome lack such clear and objective behavioral markers. We postulate that yawning may have the potential to be used in operational settings as such a marker. This study assesses the utility of yawning as a behavioral marker for the identification of soporific effects by investigating the association between yawning and mild motion sickness/sopite syndrome in a controlled environment.


METHODS
Using a randomized motion-counterbalanced design, we collected yawning and motion sickness data from 39 healthy individuals (34 men and 5 women, ages 27-59 yr) in static and motion conditions. Each individual participated in two 1-h sessions. Each session consisted of six 10-min blocks. Subjects performed a multitasking battery on a head mounted display while seated on the moving platform. The occurrence and severity of symptoms were assessed with the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ).


RESULTS
Yawning occurred predominantly in the motion condition. All yawners in motion (N = 5) were symptomatic. Compared to nonyawners (MSAQ indices: Total = 14.0, Sopite = 15.0), subjects who yawned in motion demonstrated increased severity of motion sickness and soporific symptoms (MSAQ indices: Total = 17.2, Sopite = 22.4), and reduced multitasking cognitive performance (Composite score: nonyawners = 1348; yawners = 1145).


DISCUSSION
These results provide evidence that yawning may be a viable behavioral marker to recognize the onset of soporific effects and their concomitant reduction in cognitive performance.
Latissimus dorsi and teres major tears in professional baseball pitchers: a case series.

BACKGROUND
Latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon tears are uncommon injuries. Only a few case reports exist, mainly in high-level athletes.


PURPOSE
To describe a series of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon tears in professional baseball pitchers.


STUDY DESIGN
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.


METHODS
Injury data from 3 Major League Baseball clubs were collected over a total of 10 seasons. Any baseball player who sustained an injury to either the latissimus dorsi or teres major identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was included. All injured players were treated nonoperatively with a goal of returning to full velocity throwing at 3 months from the time of injury.


RESULTS
Ten players sustained injuries to the latissimus dorsi and/or the teres major during pitching. The MRI findings documented 5 isolated latissimus dorsi tears, 4 isolated teres major tears, and 1 combined injury. All athletes returned to pitching, and all but 1 player returned to baseball at the same level of competition in the same season. Nine of 10 players returned at 3 months from the time of their injury. One recurrence was seen 6 months after returning to throwing; however, this healed with further nonoperative treatment, and the player returned to competition at the same level 6 weeks later. One player had continued shoulder symptoms and retired at the end of the season.


CONCLUSION
Although uncommon, tears of the latissimus dorsi and teres major occur in professional baseball players. Acute injuries are demonstrated on standard shoulder MRI, although larger field-of-view images are required to accurately assess the injury. Most heal successfully with nonoperative treatment, and most players are able to return to the same level of competition in 3 months.
Advanced and specialist nursing practice: attitudes of nurses and physicians in Israel.

BACKGROUND
With the introduction of new and advanced nursing roles, the nursing profession is undergoing dynamic change. Realizing changes will be easier to accomplish if the nursing community and other healthcare professionals welcome the process. Recently the nursing staff mix in Israel has been undergoing a transformation: encouraging registered nurses to enhance their status by acquiring academic degrees and advanced professional training, and initiating the adoption of new nursing roles.


OBJECTIVE
Our goal is to evaluate Israeli nurses' and physicians' attitudes to the introduction of new nursing roles and to expanding the scope of nursing practice.


METHODS
Two hundred and fifteen nurses and 110 physicians from three large general hospitals and 15 community clinics filled in a questionnaire.


FINDINGS
In general the majority of the nurses supported expansion of nursing practice, and such expansion did not cause significant opposition among physicians. However when the task affected patients' health, physicians were less willing to permit nurses to perform skills previously their responsibility alone. In addition, using multiple logistic regressions, support of the expansion of nursing practice was significantly higher among nurses in management or training positions, and among academically accredited nurses. Support for expanded roles was prominent among hospital physicians, graduates from Israeli schools of medicine, and less-tenured physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that confirmation by various groups of physicians and nurses of standardized definitions of the new boundaries in the scope of nursing practice roles could successfully promote development of new roles and facilitate integration of the Israeli healthcare system into the global context of change.


CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Inter- and intra-professional collaboration, agreement, and understanding regarding advanced nursing practice roles and their introduction into the healthcare system might improve the relationship between healthcare professions and ultimately increase quality of care and patient satisfaction.
Capital cost estimation of RO plants : GCC countries versus southern Europe

• Parameters affecting the direct capital costs of BWRO and SWRO plants were assessed. • Plants delivered through EPC contracts were considered. • Assessment was based on cost data from 950 RO plants in the GCC and southern Europe. • Plant capacity, type, award year, and region were found to affect RO CAPEX cost. • A model was also developed and verified for RO CAPEX estimation. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o The installation of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants has been on the rise throughout the world. Thus, the estimation of their capital cost (CAPEX) is of major importance for governments, potential investors and consulting engineers of the industry. In this paper, parameters potentially affecting the direct capital costs of brackish water RO (BWRO) and seawater RO (SWRO) desalination plants, delivered through Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contracts, were assessed. The assessment was conducted based on cost data from 950 RO desalination plants contracted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and in five southern European countries. The parameters assessed include plant capacity, location, award year, feed salinity, and the cumulative installed capacity within a region. Our results showed that plant capacity has the strongest correlation with the EPC cost. Plant type (SWRO or BWRO), plant award year and the region of the RO plant were also found to be statistically important. By utilizing multiple linear regression, a model was also developed to estimate the direct CAPEX (EPC cost) of RO desalination plants to be located either in the GCC countries or southern Europe, which was then verified using the k-fold test. In 2009, over 15,000 desalination plants were in operation worldwide with approximately half of them being reverse osmosis (RO) plants [1]. Although many countries have begun to utilize desalination to produce drinking water, no region of the world has implemented desalination as widely as the Middle East, where 50% of the world's production of desalinated water is installed [1]. Over the past 40 years, use of RO has been gradually gaining momentum in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, due to its lower cost, simplicity, novelties in the membrane fabrication, and the high salt rejection accomplished by RO membranes today [1–4]. It is foreseen that RO will play a key role in increasing fresh water availability globally in the future, but more so in …
The effectiveness of a homemade IMSI catcher build with YateBTS and a BladeRF

An IMSI-catcher, also known as a cell-sitesimulator, is a telephone eavesdropping device mainly used by law enforcement. By simulating a cell-site it can force mobile phones to connect with the fake cell-site and force unencrypted (A5/0) communication. IMSI-catchers used to be expensive and only available to law-enforcement. Nowadays an IMSI catcher can be set up cheaply using a software defined radio and open source software such as OpenBTS. Deloitte would like to find out if this technology can be used for gathering OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) for red-teams.To set up the IMSI catcher the BladeRF x40 was used running YateBTS. Then observations were made on how effective this IMSI catcher actually is in spoofing a modern phone. YateBTS is capable of simulating a 2.5G (GPRS) cell site and it was observed that phones always prefer the faster base station (regardless of signal strength). The general conclusion is that an IMSI catcher isn’t as effective nowadays against modern phones, and require specific conditions along with forcing the use of 2G for the IMSI catcher to work. Acknowledgements—I would like to thank the hacking team of Deloitte for enabling me to work and lending the necessary hardware to conduct the experiments. Also, I would like to thank Cedric van Bockhaven for helping with the initial setup of YateBTS, as well as pointing out the current status of A5/1. Keywords—IMSI catcher, fake base station, GSM, SDR, MITM, OSINT, BladeRF, YateBTS
[Efficacy of weekly epoetin Beta in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in solid tumors].

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of epoetin beta once-weekly in anemic patients with solid tumors treated with chemotherapy.


METHOD
Prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm study of epoetin beta 30 000 I.U. once-weekly in anemic patients with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy (n = 365).


RESULTS
Epoetin beta increased mean haemoglobin (Hb) levels from 10.3 +/- 0.9 g/dL at baseline to 12.3+/-2.0 g/dL at week 12. The response rate was achieved in 61% (CI 95%: 55-68) of the patients. The mean Hb level increased was 1.8 g/dL (CI 95%: 1.5-2,0); in lung cancer patients (n = 102) Hb increase was 2.7 g/dL. Treatment with epoetin beta was well tolerated; only 1.4 % patients had thrombotic events.


CONCLUSION
Epoetin beta (30 000 I.U. once weekly) increased Hb levels and was well-tolerated to correct anemia in patients with solid tumors treated with chemotherapy.
Cerebral Blood Flow and Glucose Metabolism in Appetite-Related Brain Regions in Type 1 Diabetic Patients After Treatment With Insulin Detemir and NPH Insulin

OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that insulin detemir, which is associated with less weight gain than other basal insulin formulations, exerts its weight-modulating effects by acting on brain regions involved in appetite regulation, as represented by altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) or cerebral glucose metabolism (CMRglu).


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Twenty-eight male type 1 diabetic patients (age 36.9 ± 9.7 years, BMI 24.9 ± 2.7 kg/m(2), A1C 7.5 ± 0.6%) successfully completed a randomized crossover study, consisting of two periods of 12-week treatment with either insulin detemir or NPH insulin, both in combination with prandial insulin aspart. After each treatment period, patients underwent positron emission tomography scans to measure regional CBF and CMRglu.


RESULTS
After 12 weeks, A1C, daily insulin doses, fasting insulin, and blood glucose levels were similar between treatments. Insulin detemir resulted in body weight loss, whereas NPH insulin induced weight gain (between-treatment difference 1.3 kg; P = 0.02). After treatment with insulin detemir relative to NPH insulin, CBF was higher in brain regions involved in appetite regulation, whereas no significant difference in CMRglu was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with insulin detemir versus NPH insulin resulted in weight loss, paralleled by increased CBF in appetite-related brain regions in the resting state, in men with well-controlled type 1 diabetes. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that a differential effect on the brain may contribute to the consistently observed weight-sparing effect of insulin detemir.
16th IHIW: a website for antibody-defined HLA epitope Registry.

The concept that HLA antibodies are specific for epitopes rather than HLA antigens is important not only for the determination of mismatch acceptability for sensitized patients but also for a better understanding of the antibody response to an HLA mismatch. Numerous publications describe epitope-specific antibodies, but there is no standardized information about the repertoire of clinically relevant HLA epitopes. Under auspices of the 16th IHIW, we have developed a website-based registry of antibody-verified HLA epitopes. Epitope notations are based on HLA molecular modelling of amino acid residues in polymorphic sequence positions. Informative epitope-specific antibodies had been induced by a transplant, transfusion or pregnancy and were monoclonal antibodies or eluates of sera absorbed with single HLA alleles. Antibody reactivity was determined in binding assays with single-allele panels. Antibody producer/immunizer HLA types enhanced the characterization of specific epitopes. The Registry also includes epitopes described in original research publications. Based on the extent of antibody reactivity information, we assigned epitope status as confirmed (well documented) or provisional (more data are needed). At present, the Registry has 69 HLA-ABC, 53 DRB1/3/4/5, 17 DQ, 8 DP and 22 MICA antibody-verified epitopes and will be updated on a quarterly basis. Laboratories worldwide continue to submit data about previously unreported antibody-specific epitopes. For each epitope, the website shows its amino acid composition and HLA alleles that share the epitope. Links show antibody reactivity patterns, sensitization information and references. Other links show molecular modelling of corresponding structural epitopes and polymorphic residue information for epitope-carrying alleles. The website will also have a link to epitope frequency information in different populations. Search functions will list mismatched epitopes on mismatched alleles for selected HLA types. The HLA Epitope Registry will become a valuable resource for researchers interested in HLA compatibility at the epitope level and investigating antibody responses to HLA mismatches.
Comprehensive disease control (CDC): what does achieving CDC mean for patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

BACKGROUND
This study assessed the impact of simultaneous achievement of clinical, functional and structural efficacy, herein referred to as comprehensive disease control (CDC), on short-term and long-term work-related outcomes, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pain and fatigue.


METHODS
Data were pooled from three randomised trials of adalimumab plus methotrexate for treatment of early-stage or late-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CDC was defined as 28-joint Disease Activity Score using C reactive protein <2.6, Health Assessment Questionnaire <0.5 and change from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score ≤0.5. Changes in scores at weeks 26 and 52 for work-related outcomes, Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS), a Visual Analogue Scale measuring pain (VAS-Pain) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) were compared between patient groups defined by achievement of CDC at week 26 using linear regression with adjustment for baseline scores.


RESULTS
Patients with RA who achieved CDC at week 26 (n=200) had significantly greater improvements in VAS-Pain (46.9 vs 26.9; p<0.0001), FACIT-F (13.3 vs 7.5; p<0.0001), SF-36 PCS (19.7 vs 8.9; p<0.0001) and SF-36 MCS (8.1 vs 5.0; p=0.0004) than those who did not (n=1267). Results were consistent at week 52 and among methotrexate-naive patients with early RA, methotrexate-experienced patients with late-stage RA and patients with inadequate response to methotrexate.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with RA who achieved CDC at week 26 had improved short-term and long-term HRQoL, pain, fatigue and work-related outcomes compared with patients who do not. These results demonstrate that the joint achievement of all CDC components provides meaningful benefits to patients.


TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS
DE019: NCT00195702, PREMIER: NCT00195702, OPTIMA: NCT00195702.
Peer support in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial in primary care with parallel economic and qualitative analyses: pilot study and protocol

BACKGROUND
Diabetes is a chronic illness, which requires the individual to assume responsibility for their own care with the aim of maintaining glucose and blood pressure levels as close to normal as possible. Traditionally self-management training for diabetes has been delivered in a didactic manner. In recent times alternatives to the traditional delivery of diabetes care have been investigated, for example, the concept of peer support which emphasises patient rather than professional domination. This paper describes the pilot study and protocol for a study that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer support intervention for people with type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting.


METHODS/DESIGN
A pilot study was conducted to access the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of a peer support intervention. We used the MRC Framework for the evaluation of complex interventions. Elements of the intervention were defined and the study protocol was finalized. In this cluster randomised controlled trial twenty general practices are assigned to control and intervention groups. Each practice compiles a diabetes register and randomly selects 21 patients. All practices implement a standardised diabetes care system. In the intervention group all practices recruit three peer supporters. The peer supporters are trained to conduct nine group meetings in their general practice over a period of two years. Each meeting has a structured component. The primary outcomes are blood pressure, total cholesterol, HBA1c and the Diabetes Well-being score. In addition to biophysical, psychosocial, economic and health service utilization data peer supporter activity and qualitative data are collected.


DISCUSSION
Peer support is a complex intervention and evaluating such an intervention presents challenges to researchers. This study will evaluate whether a peer support programme for patients with type 2 diabetes improves biophysical and psychosocial outcomes and whether it is an acceptable, cost effective intervention in the primary care setting.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN42541690.
TOROIDAL SOLUTIONS IN HOŘAVA GRAVITY

Recently a new four-dimensional nonrelativistic renormalizable theory of gravity was proposed by Hořava. This gravity reduces to Einstein gravity at large distances. In this paper we present different toroidal solutions to the equations of motion using the new action for gravity. Our solutions describe the near horizon geometry with slow rotating parameter.
Transmission of IPv6 Packets over IEEE 802.15.4 Networks

This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Abstract This document describes the frame format for transmission of IPv6 packets and the method of forming IPv6 link-local addresses and statelessly autoconfigured addresses on IEEE 802.15.4 networks. Additional specifications include a simple header compression scheme using shared context and provisions for packet delivery in IEEE 802.15.4 meshes.
Markov Chain Monte Carlo and Variational Inference: Bridging the Gap

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