bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Word problems
Authors: Frandsen Gudmund Skovbjerg , Miltersen Peter Bro , Skyum Sven
Published: February 2016

Let M be a fixed finite monoid. We consider the problem of implementing a data type containing a vector x=(x_1, x_2, ..., x_n) in M^n, initially (1, 1, ..., 1) with two kinds of operations, for each i in {1, ..., n}, a in M, an operation change_{i,a} which changes x_i to a and a single operation  product returning ½_{i=1}^j x_i. This is the dynamic word problem. If we in addition for each j in {1, ..., n} have an operation prefix_j returning ½_{i=1}^j x_i, we talk about the dynamic prefix problem. We analyze the complexity of these problems in the cell probe or decision assignment tree model for two natural cell sizes, 1 bit and log n bits. We obtain a classification of the complexity based on algebraic properties of M. f
Performance of an Occam/transputer implementation of interval arithmetic
Authors: Caprani Ole , Madsen Kaj
Published: February 2016

Rounded interval arithmetic is very easy to implement by means of directed rounding arithmetic operators. Such operators are available in the IEEE floating point arithmetic of the transputer. When a few small pieces of assembly language code are used to access the directed rounding operators, the four basic rounded interval arithmetic operators can easily be expressed in the programming language Occam.

The performance of this implementation is assessed and it is shown that the time consuming part of the calculation are not the directed rounding floating point operations as one might have expected. Most of the time is spent with transport of operands to and from the on-chip floating point unit and the procedure call/parameter passing overhead. Based on this experience the implementation is improved. This implementation runs with 0.15 MIOPS (Million Interval Operations Per Second) or 0.30 MFLOPS on an example interval calculation proposed by Moore. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that an advanced interval language compiler may provide a performance of 0.30 MIOPS or 0.59 MFLOPS on this example calculation.
Sharing of Computations
Authors: Amtoft Torben
Published: February 2016

The main purpose of the thesis is to develop a model enabling one to reason about various techniques for program optimization, in particular wrt.\ speedup and correctness. Moreover, several methods to increase the amount of sharing are discussed, and a new one (to be termed ''ultimate sharing'') is treated in detail.

 

Concerning speedup, a main point is to factor out the reasons why a program transformation may yield more than a constant speedup.

 

Concerning correctness, the interesting part is preservation of termination properties. This issue is mainly addressed for a logic language, where previous results from the literature are generalized -- but also for a functional language some (more limited) results are presented.
Complexity Results for 1-safe Nets
Authors: Cheng Allan , Esparza Javier , Palsberg Jens
Published: February 2016

We study the complexity of several standard problems for 1-safe Petri nets and some of its subclasses. We prove that reachability, liveness, and deadlock are all PSPACE-complete for 1-safe nets. We also prove that deadlock is NP-complete for free-choice nets and for 1-safe free-choice nets. Finally, we prove that for arbitrary Petri nets, deadlock is equivalent to reachability and liveness.

 

This paper is to be presented at FST & TCS, Foundations of Software Technology & Theoretical Computer Science, to be held 15-17 December 1993, in Bombay, India.

A version of the paper with most proofs omitted is to appear in the proceedings.
Models for Concurrency
Authors: Winskel Glynn , Nielsen Mogens
Published: February 2016

Revised version of DAIMI PB-429

 

This is, we believe, the final version of a chapter for the Handbook of Logic and the Foundations of Computer Science, vol. IV, Oxford University Press.

It surveys a range of models for parallel computation to include interleaving models like transition systems, synchronisation trees and languages (often called Hoare traces in this context), and models like Petri nets, asynchronous transition systems, event structures, pomsets and Mazurkiewicz traces where concurrency is represented more explicitly by a form of causal independence.

The presentation is unified by casting the models in a category-theoretic framework. One aim is to use category theory to provide abstract characterisations of constructions like parallel composition valid throughout a range of different models and to provide formal means for translating between different models. A knowledge of basic category theory is assumed, up to an acquaintance with the notion of adjunction.
Efficient Training of Feed-Forward Neural Networks
Authors: Møller Martin F.
Published: February 2016

Since the discovery of the back-propagation method, many modified and new algorithms have been proposed for training of feed-forward neural networks. The problem with slow convergence rate has, however, not been solved when the training is on large scale problems. There is still a need for more efficient algorithms. This Ph.D. thesis describes different approaches to improve convergence. The main results of the thesis is the development of the Scaled Conjugate Gradient Algorithm and the stochastic version of this algorithm. Other important results are the development of methods that can derive and use Hessian information in an efficient way. The main part of this thesis is the 5 papers presented in appendices A-E. Chapters 1-6 give an overview of learning in feed-forward neural networks, put these papers in perspective and present the most important results. The conclusion of this thesis is:

 

* Conjugate gradient algorithms are very suitable for training of feed-forward networks.

* Use of second order information by calculations on the Hessian matrix can be used to improve convergence.
Tailorable Systems: Design, Support, Techniques, and Applications
Authors: Malhotra Jawahar
Published: February 2016

A tailorable system is one that can be tailored in its use-environment, without any changes to the source-code of the original system. Such a system must allow its users to make significant changes to its functionality, but without any modifications to its source-code. One way to accomplish this is to write the system in a manner such that changes to the system's functionality can be made by  extensions  to its source-code as opposed to  modifications  of its source-code. A system written in this manner is an  extensible  system.

 

The goal of this dissertation is to study the problems encountered in the process of developing highly extensible systems, and in the process of tailoring them. The study is logically divided into four major parts: (1) design deals with issues in the design of extensible systems, (2)  support  explores the language-level and compiler-level support necessary for developing extensible systems, (3)  techniques  illustrates some tested techniques for developing extensible systems, and (4)  applications  deals with the application of the other three parts to create tailorable applications in specific domains.
Computing Near-Optimal Solutions to the Steiner Problem in a Graph Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Esbensen Henrik
Published: February 2016

A new Genetic Algorithm (GA) for the Steiner Problem in a Graph (SPG) is presented. The algorithm is based on a bitstring encoding. A bitstring specifies selected Steiner vertices and the corresponding Steiner tree is computed using the Distance Network Heuristic. This scheme ensures that every bitstring correspond to a valid Steiner tree and thus eliminates the need for penalty terms in the cost function.

 

The GA is tested on all SPG instances from the OR-Library of which the largest graphs have 2,500 vertices and 62,500 edges. When executed 10 times on each of 58 graph examples, the GA finds the global optimum at least once for 55 graphs and every time for 43 graphs. In total the GA finds the global optimum in 77 % of all program executions and is within 1 % from the global optimum in more than 92 % of all executions.

 

The performance is compared to that of two branch-and-cut algorithms and one of the very best deterministic heuristics, an iterated version of the Shortest Path Heuristic (SPH-I). For all test examples but one, even the worst result ever found by the GA is equal to or better than the result of SPH-I and in many cases the average error ratio of the GA is an order of magnitude better than that of SPH-I. The runtime of the GA is moderate for all test examples. This is in contrast to SPH-I as well as the branch-and-cut algorithms, for which the runtime in some cases are extremely high.
Graphs and Decidable Transductions based on Edge Constraints: Extended abstract
Authors: Klarlund Nils , Schwartzbach Michael I.
Published: February 2016

We give examples to show that not even  c-edNCE , the most general known notion of context-free graph grammar, is suited for the specification of some common data structures.

 

To overcome this problem, we use monadic second-order logic and introduce  edge constraints as a new means of specifying a large class of graph families. Our notion stems from a natural dichotomy found in programming practice between ordinary pointers forming spanning trees and auxiliary pointers cutting across.

 

Our main result is that for certain transformations of graphs definable in monadic second-order logic, the question of whether a graph family given by a specification  A  is mapped to a family given by a specification  B  is decidable. Thus a decidable Hoare logic arises.
Verification of Pointers
Authors: Klarlund Nils , Schwartzbach Michael I.
Published: February 2016

Our recent work links type checking in programming languages to verification based on automata. In this survey, we give an overview of our methods and suggest directions for future research.

 

In our approach, we view data types as invariants and devise a logical and decidable framework for expressing global properties of a store consisting of records and pointers.

We can express common properties, for example about doubly-linked lists and their algorithms. Such properties seemed to have called for a full Hoare logic beyond the reach of type checking and decidability.

 

Our work is based on monadic second-order logic. Thus verification boils down to calculations on finite-state automata. This raises specific questions about combinatorial techniques for representing state spaces if these calculations are ever to be carried out on more than simple examples.
The BETA Project.
Authors: Jensen Peter , Nygaard Kristen
Published: February 2016

The BETA system programming language is being developed as a part of the Joint Language Project going on in Aarhus, Denmark and Oslo, Norway. The report proposes that the Norwegian Computing Center should start an associated project aimed at an implementation of the BETA language, to make it available as a tool in developing programs for computers based upon micro-computer technology.

Never published

This publication is not available as a full text PDF.
System Modelling: A methodology for describing the structure of complex Software, Firmware, and Hardware systems consisting of independent process components
Authors: Sørensen Ib Holm
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a modelling tool for analyzing, describing arid designing the structure of soft-, firm- and hardware systems, consisting of independent process components. The tool makes use of two notations: A language used for a detailed description of each process's internal operations; and a pictorial representation used to describe inter-process communication.

The tool is applied to a Disk Channel Controller, developed at Aarhus University. This example demonstrates how the tool can be used to document the functionality of a complex system, leaving decisions concerning implementation details to the actual implementors.
Knowledge Representation in Travelling Texts: from Mirroring to Missing the Point!
Authors: Mousten Birthe , Locmele Gunta
Published: February 2016

Today, information travels fast. Texts travel, too. In a corporate context, the question is how to manage which knowledge elements should travel to a new language area or market and in which form? The decision to let knowledge elements travel or not travel highly depends on the limitation and the purpose of the text in a new context as well as on predefined parameters for text travel. For texts used in marketing and in technology, the question is whether culture-bound knowledge elements should be domesticated or kept as foreign elements, or should be mirrored or moulded—or should not travel at all! When should semantic and pragmatic elements in a text be replaced and by which other elements? The empirical basis of our work is marketing and technical texts in English, which travel into the Latvian and Danish markets, respectively.
Cross-disciplinary Science and the Structure of Scientific Perspectives
Authors: Alrøe Hugo Fjelsted , Noe Egon
Published: February 2016

Cross-disciplinary use of science is needed to solve complex, real-world problems, but carrying out scientific research with multiple very different disciplines is in itself a non-trivial problem. Perspectives matter. In this paper we carry out a philosophical analysis of the perspectival nature of science, focusing on the synchronic structure of scientific perspectives across disciplines and not on the diachronic, historical structure of shifting perspectives within single disciplines that has been widely discussed since Kuhn and Feyerabend. We show what kinds of cross-disciplinary disagreement to expect due to the perspectival structure of science, suggest how to handle different scientific perspectives in cross-disciplinary work through perspectives of a second order, and discuss some fundamental epistemic differences between different types of science.
The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Thinking in Higher Education
Authors: Cross Judie
Published: February 2016

The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Thinking in Higher Education, edited by Martin Davies and Ronald Barnett, USA: Palgrave Macmillan
Pratique réflexive et organisation communautaire : le point de vue de professionnels sur la stratégie de soutien au développement des communautés en santé publique
Authors: Parent André-Anne
Published: February 2016

Les organisateurs communautaires (OC) des Centres de santé et services sociaux du Québec1sont appelés à mettre en oeuvre la stratégie de soutien au développement des communautés afin d’améliorer la santé de la population. Quoiqu’elle soit inscrite dans les documents de santé publique depuis 2003, on sait peu de choses sur la stratégie. Afin de comprendre son effet sur la pratique des OC, les chercheurs ont mis en place un groupe de pratique réflexive. Quatre rencontres ont permis d’analyser les perceptions des participants quant à leur pratique et d’en dégager les principales composantes de la réflexivité selon Issitt (2003). Il fut démontré que la mise en place du groupe a favorisé l’émergence d’une réflexivité formative et critique qui s’est traduite par divers mécanismes de soutien à la pratique.
Le cycle de Kolb appliqué à un processus de supervision pédagogique classique : perceptions des supervisés à propos du dispositif d'accompagnement
Authors: Stoloff Sacha , Spallanzani Carlo , Brunelle Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2016

La mise en place de modalités de transformation de pratiques s’avère toujours un défi. Dans cette étude, un processus de supervision classique est implanté auprès d’intervenants afin de les aider à devenir formateurs auprès de leurs pairs. De façon à favoriser l’adoption d’une posture réflexive des supervisés, les auteurs se sont appuyés sur le modèle de l’apprentissage expérientiel de Kolb. La démarche d’accompagnement s’est déroulée sur trois mois et a jumelé des rencontres individuelles et collectives, pratiques et théoriques, respectant les besoins des supervisés et de l’organisme mandataire. L’objectif de l’étude est de décrire l’expérience des supervisés par rapport au dispositif d’accompagnement offert et l’impact perçu sur leur prestation. À ces fins, un entretien de groupe mené auprès de cinq formateurs a permis de recueillir leurs perceptions. Les résultats font ressortir les enjeux, les défis et les avantages d’un dispositif d’accompagnement enrichi d’une pratique réflexive structurée et soutenue.
Excitatory transmission onto AgRP neurons is regulated by cJun NH2-terminal kinase 3 in response to metabolic stress
Authors: Vernia Santiago , Morel Caroline , Madara Joseph C , Cavanagh-Kyros Julie , Barrett Tamera , Chase Kathryn , Kennedy Norman J , Jung Dae Young , Kim Jason K , Aronin Neil , Flavell Richard A , Lowell Bradford B , Davis Roger J
Published: February 2016

The cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is implicated in the response to metabolic stress. Indeed, it is established that the ubiquitously expressed JNK1 and JNK2 isoforms regulate energy expenditure and insulin resistance. However, the role of the neuron-specific isoform JNK3 is unclear. Here we demonstrate that JNK3 deficiency causes hyperphagia selectively in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. JNK3 deficiency in neurons that express the leptin receptor LEPRb was sufficient to cause HFD-dependent hyperphagia. Studies of sub-groups of leptin-responsive neurons demonstrated that JNK3 deficiency in AgRP neurons, but not POMC neurons, was sufficient to cause the hyperphagic response. These effects of JNK3 deficiency were associated with enhanced excitatory signaling by AgRP neurons in HFD-fed mice. JNK3 therefore provides a mechanism that contributes to homeostatic regulation of energy balance in response to metabolic stress.
The autophagy gene Atg16l1 differentially regulates Treg and TH2 cells to control intestinal inflammation
Authors: Kabat Agnieszka M , Harrison Oliver J , Riffelmacher Thomas , Moghaddam Amin E , Pearson Claire F , Laing Adam , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Forman Simon P , Grencis Richard K , Sattentau Quentin , Simon Anna Katharina , Pott Johanna , Maloy Kevin J
Published: February 2016

A polymorphism in the autophagy gene Atg16l1 is associated with susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, it remains unclear how autophagy contributes to intestinal immune homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate that autophagy is essential for maintenance of balanced CD4+ T cell responses in the intestine. Selective deletion of Atg16l1 in T cells in mice resulted in spontaneous intestinal inflammation that was characterized by aberrant type 2 responses to dietary and microbiota antigens, and by a loss of Foxp3+ Treg cells. Specific ablation of Atg16l1 in Foxp3+ Treg cells in mice demonstrated that autophagy directly promotes their survival and metabolic adaptation in the intestine. Moreover, we also identify an unexpected role for autophagy in directly limiting mucosal TH2 cell expansion. These findings provide new insights into the reciprocal control of distinct intestinal TH cell responses by autophagy, with important implications for understanding and treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders.
Fourfold rotationally symmetrically polarized laser beam for drilling a square hole
Authors: Kikuchi Hiroshi , Mizutani Akio , Kikuta Hisao
Published: February 2016

A method of laser processing with a space-variant polarized laser beam is discussed for drilling a square hole. Fourfold rotationally symmetrically polarized beams were proposed. The square-hole was formed by using the difference in the absorption of polarized light for oblique incidence. The feasibility of square hole drilling with the polarized beams was investigated by numerical simulations of laser processing. The calculated holes had square openings with sharp corners. Moreover, one of the square openings was about the same size as a circular hole drilled with a circularly polarized focused beam.
Improving the operational characteristic stability in Al/Au/ZnO/Al resistive random access memory devices
Authors: Wu Cheng-Yen , You Hsin-Chiang , Lin Gong-Kai , Yang Wen-Luh
Published: February 2016

Resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices are considered to be one of the most promising candidates for the next generation of nonvolatile memory devices because of their superior properties such as low power consumption, simple structure, high integration density, and fast operation speed. In this study, we used zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films to fabricate ReRAM devices comprising Au/ZnO/Al and Al/Au/ZnO/Al structures. We observed that the operating stability of the device containing the Al/Au/ZnO/Al structure improved. The devices displayed effective and stable operational characteristics. The operational voltage of the ZnO ReRAM devices was less than 3 V, and the reset operational voltage was less than −1.5 V.
Minimization of reverse recovery charge and forward voltage of silicon p–i–n diodes
Authors: Yamashita Yusuke , Machida Satoru
Published: February 2016

The forward voltage and reverse recovery charge of silicon p–i–n diodes are controlled on the basis of carrier lifetime or carrier injection efficiency to reduce power loss. In this study, the ideal carrier lifetime for minimizing power loss is calculated by theoretical analysis. The ideal carrier lifetime depends on the current density, forward voltage, and trap energy level in the intrinsic layer. A decrease in the current density leads to an increase in the ideal lifetime. In addition, a shallow trap level has similar current dependence on ideal lifetime. Using the appropriate lifetime is important for designing a p–i–n diode, and a shallow trap level can achieve greater ideal current density dependency.
Computational drug repositioning based on side-effects mined from social media
Authors: Nugent Timothy , Plachouras Vassilis , Leidner Jochen L.
Published: February 2016

Drug repositioning methods attempt to identify novel therapeutic indications for marketed drugs. Strategies include the use of side-effects to assign new disease indications, based on the premise that both therapeutic effects and side-effects are measurable physiological changes resulting from drug intervention. Drugs with similar side-effects might share a common mechanism of action linking side-effects with disease treatment, or may serve as a treatment by “rescuing” a disease phenotype on the basis of their side-effects; therefore it may be possible to infer new indications based on the similarity of side-effect profiles. While existing methods leverage side-effect data from clinical studies and drug labels, evidence suggests this information is often incomplete due to under-reporting. Here, we describe a novel computational method that uses side-effect data mined from social media to generate a sparse undirected graphical model using inverse covariance estimation with ℓ1-norm regularization. Results show that known indications are well recovered while current trial indications can also be identified, suggesting that sparse graphical models generated using side-effect data mined from social media may be useful for computational drug repositioning.
Scribal Hermeneutics and the Twelve Gates of Ludlul bēl nēmeqi
Authors: Lenzi Alan
Published: February 2016

In the final tablet of Ludlul bēl nēmeqi lines 42–53 Šubši-mešrê-Šakkan passes through twelve gates in or near the precincts of Marduk’s Esagila in Babylon. As the protagonist passes through these twelve gates he is symbolically rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, marking the end of his trials and the beginning of his Marduk-renewed life. One gate is named in each of the twelve lines. At each gate, identified in the first half of the line, the protagonist is granted something positive, which is described in the second half of the line. In the present study I argue that the author of Ludlul derived the substance of what the sufferer received at each gate—and therefore the textual substance of the second half of each of these poetic lines—from the names of the gates themselves via the same kinds of learned scribal interpretive methods used in commentary and explanatory texts. That is, the author of Ludlul connected the names of the gates and the descriptions of what the sufferer received at each by way of applied translations of the Sumerian gate names, sound plays on the words and syllables comprising the names of the gates (homonymy/etymology), graphic plays on the cuneiform signs with which the names are written (etymography), and in at least one case a mythological interpretation based on the gate’s name.
Settlement, Economy, and Demography under Assyrian Rule in the West
Authors: Faust Avraham
Published: February 2016

The “Assyrian Century,” the period of Assyrian rule in the Levant, is usually regarded as an era of prosperity and economic progress. As far as the southern Levant is concerned, this reconstruction more or less reflects the reality on the southern edge of the region—in the areas of Philistia, Judah, and Edom. But what was the situation in the northern part of the country, in the territories of the former kingdom of Israel and adjacent territories, regions that had become Assyrian provinces? It is the aim of this paper to scrutinize the archaeological data from these regions in order to shed light on the settlement and demographic reality in those provinces, and furthermore to reassess Assyrian policy in the west. After summarizing previous research, the article will present the available archaeological data, which will then be compared with that from the southern part of the country in order to enable a reexamination of the Assyrian empire’s policy in the west.
Method, Structure, and Development in al-Fārābī’s Cosmology. By Damien Janos
Authors: Netton Ian Richard
Published: February 2016

Method, Structure, and Development in al-Fārābī’s Cosmology. By Damien Janos. Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Science, vol. 85. Leiden: Brill, 2012. Pp. xiv + 433. $221, €166.
Text to Tradition: The Naiṣadhīyacarita and Literary Community in South Asia. By Deven M. Patel
Authors: Obrock Luther
Published: February 2016

Text to Tradition: The Naiṣadhīyacarita and Literary Community in South Asia. By Deven M. Patel. South Asia across the Disciplines. New York: Columbia University Press, 2014. Pp. xiv + 277. $50, £34.50.
Mipam on Buddha-Nature: The Ground of the Nying-ma Tradition. By Douglas S. Duckworth
Authors: Haskett Christian
Published: February 2016

Mipam on Buddha-Nature: The Ground of the Nying-ma Tradition. By Douglas S. Duckworth. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2008. Pp. xxxiv + 292. $80 (cloth); $27.95 (paper).
Rolf Stein’s Tibetica Antiqua, with Additional Materials. Translated and edited by Arthur P. Mckeon
Authors: Quintman Andrew
Published: February 2016

Rolf Stein’s Tibetica Antiqua, with Additional Materials. Translated and edited by Arthur P. Mckeon. Leiden: Brill, 2010. Pp. xxix + 384. $185 (cloth).
Introduction to Ugaritic. By John Huehnergard
Authors: Lam Joseph
Published: February 2016

An Introduction to Ugaritic. By John Huehnergard. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2012. Pp. xviii + 246, 51 plts. $69.95.
“Quando in alto i cieli . . .”: La spiritualità mesopotamica a confronto con quella biblica. By Giorgio Buccellati
Authors: Gadotti Alhena
Published: February 2016

“Quando in alto i cieli . . .”: La spiritualità mesopotamica a confronto con quella biblica. By Giorgio Buccellati. Il paese delle quattro rive, Corpus Mesopotamico, vol. 4. Milan: Jaca Book, 2012. Pp. xxv + 323. €28 (paper).
Rediscovery of Jewish Christianity: From Toland to Baur. Edited by F. Stanley Jones
Authors: Reynolds Benjamin E.
Published: February 2016

The Rediscovery of Jewish Christianity: From Toland to Baur. Edited by F. Stanley Jones. History of Biblical Studies, vol. 5. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2012. Pp. xii + 248. $33.95 (paper).
Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Treatment of Pericarditis
Authors: Cremer Paul C. , Klein Allan L. , Imazio Massimo
Published: September 2024

Importance

Pericarditis accounts for up to 5% of emergency department visits for nonischemic chest pain in North America and Western Europe. With appropriate treatment, 70% to 85% of these patients have a benign course. In acute pericarditis, the development of constrictive pericarditis (<0.5%) and pericardial tamponade (<3%) can be life-threatening.

Observations

Acute pericarditis is diagnosed with presence of 2 or more of the following: sharp, pleuritic chest pain that worsens when supine (≈90%); new widespread electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation and PR depression (≈25%-50%); a new or increased pericardial effusion that is most often small (≈60%); or a pericardial friction rub (<30%). In North America and Western Europe, the most common causes of acute pericarditis are idiopathic or viral, followed by pericarditis after cardiac procedures or operations. Tuberculosis is the most common cause in endemic areas and is treated with antituberculosis therapy, with corticosteroids considered for associated constrictive pericarditis. Treatment of acute idiopathic and pericarditis after cardiac procedures or operations involves use of high-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with doses tapered once chest pain has resolved and C-reactive protein level has normalized, typically over several weeks. These patients should receive a 3-month course of colchicine to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence (37.5% vs 16.7%; absolute risk reduction, 20.8%). With a first recurrence of pericarditis, colchicine should be continued for at least 6 months. Corticosteroids are often used if pericarditis does not improve with NSAIDs and colchicine. In certain patients with multiple recurrences, which can occur for several years, interleukin 1 (IL-1) blockers have demonstrated efficacy and may be preferred to corticosteroids.

Conclusions

Acute pericarditis is a common cause of nonischemic chest pain. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of pericarditis in endemic areas and is treated with antitubercular therapy. In North America and Western Europe, pericarditis is typically idiopathic, develops after a viral infection, or develops following cardiac procedures or surgery. Treatment with NSAIDs and colchicine leads to a favorable prognosis in most patients, although 15% to 30% of patients develop recurrence. Patients with multiple recurrent pericarditis can have a disease duration of several years or more, are often treated with corticosteroids, and IL-1 blockers may be used for selected patients as steroid-sparing therapy.
Seeking a Better Paper Trail of Federal Research Funding
Authors: Bendicksen Liam , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Feldman William B.
Published: September 2024

This work discusses initiatives designed to capture the value of public investment that will result in an accurate, comprehensive, and transparent paper trail of public funding.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Authors: Voelker Rebecca
Published: September 2024

This JAMA Patient Page describes the condition of plantar fasciitis and its diagnosis and treatment.
Upper Gastrointestinal Mucosal Damage and Subsequent Risk of Parkinson Disease
Authors: Chang Jocelyn J. , Kulkarni Subhash , Pasricha Trisha S.
Published: September 2024

Importance

The gut-first hypothesis of Parkinson disease (PD) has gained traction, yet potential inciting events triggering Parkinson pathology from gut-related factors remain unclear. While Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to mucosal damage (MD) and PD, it is unknown how upper gastrointestinal MD from any source increases PD risk.

Objective

To evaluate any association between upper endoscopy findings of MD and subsequent clinical PD diagnosis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with no PD history undergoing upper endoscopy with biopsy between January 2000 and December 2005, with final follow-up assessments completed July 31, 2023. The study was conducted within the Mass General Brigham system, a multicenter network in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Patients with MD were matched 1:3 to patients without MD based on age, sex, and date of initial endoscopy.

Exposure

MD, defined as erosions, esophagitis, ulcers, or peptic injury, observed on upper endoscopy or pathology reports.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The relative risk of PD given a history of MD, estimated using incident rate ratio (IRR) and multivariate Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

Of 9350 patients, participants had a mean (SD) age of 52.3 (20.3) years; 5177 (55.4%) were male; and 269 (2.9%) were Asian, 737 (7.9%) Black, and 6888 (73.7%) White. Most participants underwent endoscopy between the ages of 50 and 64 years (2842 [30.4%]). At baseline, patients with MD were more likely to have a history of H pylori infection, proton-pump inhibitor use, chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, gastroesophageal reflux disease, smoking, constipation, and dysphagia. The mean (SD) follow-up time was 14.9 (6.9) years for the whole cohort, during which patients with MD were more likely to develop PD (IRR, 4.15; 95% CI, 2.89-5.97; P < .001) than those without MD, even after covariate adjustment (HR, 1.76; 95% CI 1.11-2.51; P = .01). Constipation, dysphagia, older age, and higher Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index were also associated with higher PD risk.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, a history of upper gastrointestinal MD was associated with elevated risk of developing a clinical PD diagnosis. Increased vigilance among patients with MD for future PD risk may be warranted.
A method to quantitatively characterize the formation and dissociation of tumor cell clusters using light transmission aggregometry
Authors: Kottana Regina Komal , Schnoor Brian , Papa Anne‐Laure
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we have modified the workflow of the traditional light transmission aggregometry (LTA) protocol to characterize tumor cell clusters in vitro in a quantifiable and multifaceted manner. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters have high metastatic potential compared to single tumor cells traveling in the bloodstream. Thus, engineering new therapeutic strategies that specifically target this CTC population is essential. To accomplish this, quantifiable methods to characterize their therapeutic effect on tumor cell clusters is a prerequisite. The method presented here enables the user to precisely quantify the dissociation of cancer cell clusters in the presence of clinically relevant fibrinolytic agents, such as alteplase and tenecteplase. The efficacy of the fibrinolytic agents can be quantified using this in vitro assay, prior to conducting preclinical studies. Here, we have obtained the fibrinolytic activity data in terms of lag time to the initiation of tumor cell dissociation, time to 25% dissociation, and trend of dissociation over time. To validate the assay, cell counts and phase‐contrast microscopy images were recorded over time. Further, we explored an LTA‐assisted preparation of platelet–tumor‐cell clusters of calibrated size for potential downstream testing/applications. To assess whether the assay is applicable to characterize the dissociation of cancer cell clusters in the presence of platelets, we added low (50 000 platelets·μL−1), normal (200 000 platelets·μL−1) and high (450 000 platelets·μL−1) concentrations of platelets to the tumor cell clusters. In addition to dissociation parameters, microcopy images were recorded over time to validate the assay and enabled the enumeration of clusters and single cells. The correlative light electron microscopy (CLEM) technique was utilized to visualize the morphology and composition of platelet–tumor cell clusters.
Ultrafast Hybrid Computing Systems Enabled by Memristor‐Based Quadratic Programming Circuits
Authors: Liu Zerui , Cheng Hsiang‐Chun , Hossain Sushmit , Meng Deming , Bena Ryan , Shi Yudi , Chen Buyun , Yang Daniel W. , Su Shiyu , Wang Yunxiang , Hu Pan , Palaria Mayank , Yang Hao , Zhang Qiaochu , Song Boxiang , Ou Tse‐Hsien , Ye Jiacheng , Hiramony Nishat Tasnim , Zhang Hongming , Hsu Ting‐Hao , Tang Zhexiang , Cai Zhi , Barnell Mark , Wu Qing , Yang Ce , Cronin Stephen , Nguyen Quan , Chen Mike Shuo‐Wei , Wu Wei
Published: September 2024

Implementing algorithms purely on digital computing platforms dramatically halts the performance of conventional computing systems. Revolutionary computing systems with extreme energy efficiency and high accuracy are demanded to handle the growing computing tasks. Here, the research on hybrid analog–digital computing platforms enabled by memristor‐based optimization solvers for achieving ultrafast computations is presented. By utilizing tunable memristors as parameters to solve linear programming (LP) and quadratic programming (QP) problems, a real‐time control algorithm for micro air vehicles (MAVs) and a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm for cancer diagnosis are implemented. These experiments demonstrate over 2000x speed‐up compared to conventional digital platforms, with negligible energy consumption, using a memristor‐based system consisting of six memristors. These findings underscore the vast potential of memristor‐based optimization solvers not only in hybrid analog–digital computing platforms but also as a transformative solution for a wide range of modern computing challenges. This approach promises significant advancements in energy efficiency and ultrafast speed, positioning it as a leading contender for next‐generation computing paradigms.
Oxygen Vacancy Controlled Hyperbolic Metamaterial Based on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) Nanotubes with Switchable Optical Properties
Authors: Herzog Thomas , Habibpourmoghadam Atefeh , Locmelis Sonja , Calà Lesina Antonio , Polarz Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Nanostructured metamaterials can offer optical properties beyond what is achievable in conventional media, such as negative refraction or sub‐wavelength imaging. Due to their structural anisotropy, the class of high aspect ratio metamaterials is of interest for the possibility of achieving hyperbolic optical properties, i.e., both metallic and dielectric behavior based on the excitation direction. Although investigated numerically, the fabrication of tailor‐made metamaterials is complex or often beyond the reach of current technology. For wire metamaterials composed of aligned metallic nanowires in a dielectric matrix, since the free carrier concentration in metals is fixed, light‐matter interaction cannot be adjusted after fabrication. Here, metamaterials based on plasmonic ITO nanotubes with controllable hyperbolic response are introduced. The synthesis is achieved by a template‐based liquid‐phase technique. The tuning mechanism is based on controlling the carrier density in ITO via oxygen vacancy concentration. The process is reversible, the photonic features are activated by creating oxygen vacancies and can be switched off by filling them up again. Further, it is shown that the carrier concentration can also be controlled via a static electric field. Optical simulations support the experimental findings and highlight the parameters that determine the optical response of the metamaterial.
Mono‐Exponential Current Attenuation with Distance Across 16 nm Thick Bacteriorhodopsin Multilayers
Authors: Chryssikos Domenikos , Fereiro Jerry A. , Rojas Jonathan , Bera Sudipta , Tüzün Defne , Kounoupioti Evanthia , Pereira Rui N. , Pfeiffer Christian , Khoshouei Ali , Dietz Hendrik , Sheves Mordechai , Cahen David , Tornow Marc
Published: September 2024

The remarkable ability of natural proteins to conduct electricity in the dry state over long distances remains largely inexplicable despite intensive research. In some cases, a (weakly) exponential length‐attenuation, as in off‐resonant tunneling transport, extends to thicknesses even beyond 10 nm. This report deals with such charge transport characteristics observed in self‐assembled multilayers of the protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR). ≈7.5 to 15.5 nm thick bR layers are prepared on conductive titanium nitride (TiN) substrates using aminohexylphosphonic acid and poly‐diallyl‐dimethylammonium electrostatic linkers. Using conical eutectic gallium‐indium top contacts, an intriguing, mono‐exponential conductance attenuation as a function of the bR layer thickness with a small attenuation coefficient β ≈ 0.8 nm−1 is measured at zero bias. Variable‐temperature measurements using evaporated Ti/Au top contacts yield effective energy barriers of ≈100 meV from fitting the data to tunneling, hopping, and carrier cascade transport models. The observed temperature‐dependence is assigned to the protein‐electrode interfaces. The transport length and temperature dependence of the current densities are consistent with tunneling through the protein–protein, and protein‐electrode interfaces, respectively. Importantly, the results call for new theoretical approaches to find the microscopic mechanism behind the remarkably efficient, long‐range electron transport within bR.
Interpretable Machine Learning for Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms Governing the Transparency of Colorless Transparent Polyimide for OLED Cover Windows
Authors: Zhang Songyang , He Xiaojie , Xiao Peng , Xia Xuejian , Zheng Feng , Xiang Shuangfei , Lu Qinghua
Published: September 2024

With the rapid development of flexible displays and wearable electronics, there are a substantial demand for colorless transparent polyimide (CPI) films with different properties. Traditional trial‐and‐error experimental methods are time‐consuming and costly, and density functional theory based prediction of HOMO‐LUMO gap energy also takes time and is prone to varying degrees of error. Inspired by machine learning (ML) applications in molecular and materials science, this paper proposed a data‐driven ML strategy to study the correlation between microscopic molecular mechanisms and macroscopic optical properties. Based on varying degrees of impact of various molecular features on the cutoff wavelength (λcutoff), the ML algorithm is first used to quickly and accurately predict the λcutoff of CPI. Several new CPI films are then designed and prepared based on the key molecular features, and the predicted values of their λcutoff are effectively verified within the experimental error range. The interpretability provided by the model allows to establish correlations between the nine key descriptors identified and their physicochemical meanings. The contributions are also analyzed to the transparency of polyimide films, thereby giving insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying transparency modulation for CPIs.
Minimize the Electrode Concentration Polarization for High‐Power Lithium Batteries
Authors: Chen Weibin , Wang Kai , Li Yonglong , Chen Jing , Wang Hongbin , Li Liewu , Li Hao , Ren Xiangzhong , Ouyang Xiaoping , Liu Jianhong , Pan Feng , Xiao Biwei , Zhang Qianling , Hu Jiangtao
Published: September 2024

High‐loading electrode is a prerequisite for achieving high energy density in industrial applications of lithium‐ion batteries. However, an increased loading leads to elevated battery polarization and reduced battery power density, which presents a significant technical bottleneck in the industry. The present study focuses on designing a rapid electrolyte diffusion pathway to diminish lithium concentration polarization for the high‐loading LiNi0.83Mn0.12Co0.05O2 (NMC83) electrode by employing two layers of NMC83 materials with different sizes. This innovative architecture demonstrates exceptional rate performance even under challenging conditions with high‐loading and high‐rate. Additionally, the interrelationships between electrode structure, process route, porosity, and optimal thickness ratio between layers are discussed, providing valuable guidance for industrial promotion and application. The designed L‐Dry‐S electrode structure (coating large particles first and then small particles) effectively mitigates concentration polarization in the thick electrode, which is attributed to the fast electrolyte diffusion channel and the differential reaction speeds of NMC83 particles with varying sizes. The knowledge from this work is broadly applicable to other material systems.
Ultrathin ZIF‐8 Coating‐Reinforced Enzyme Nanoformulation Avoids Lysosomal Degradation for Senile Osteoporosis Therapy
Authors: Liang Shiyuan , Chen Liyuan , Liu Cong , Guo Bowen , Fan Yijie , Li Zhou , Liu Yan , Luo Dan
Published: September 2024

Antioxidant enzymes are considered to be the most direct and safe candidates to effectively resist oxidative stress and treat senile osteoporosis. However, due to their size, existing enzyme delivery carriers are inevitably endocytosed by cells and subsequently enter endosomes/lysosomes with low pH and rich in acid hydrolase, resulting in the limited therapeutic effects. In this work, an ultrasmall superoxide dismutase (SOD) nanoformulation reinforced with ultrathin ZIF‐8 coating (utZIF‐SOD) via in situ coordination‐mediated self‐assembly strategy is constructed. Notably, utZIF‐SOD achieves direct, efficient cellular uptake mediated by small size effect, thereby avoiding lysosomal degradation. In particular, ultrathin ZIF‐8 coating strengthened the stability of enzyme. Even in aged cells with high oxidative stress levels, utZIF‐SOD maintained excellent stability, and its efficiency in scavenging excess intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) is ≈1.5 times that of native SOD, better promoting the osteogenic differentiation of aged bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. In a senile osteoporosis mouse model, the bone mineral density increment after treatment with utZIF‐SOD is ≈2 times that of native SOD, achieving the reversal of senile osteoporosis. This work demonstrates the great promise in the synthesis of ultrasmall nanoformulations with ultrathin metal‐organic framework coating and opens new avenues for efficient enzyme delivery.
Recent Progress in Advanced Conjugated Coordination Polymers for Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Gong Hao , Yue Min , Xue Fei , Zhang Songtao , Ma Mengtao , Mu Xiaowei , Xue Hairong , Ma Renzhi
Published: September 2024

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been extensively studied and applied as promising active materials in the field of energy storage and conversion. Recently, conductive π‐d conjugated coordination polymers (CCPs) have garnered significant attention due to their high conductivity, high porosity, tunable components, and adjustable pore sizes. These CCPs typically consist of transition metal ions and organic ligands, forming an in‐plane π‐d conjugated system. In this review, a concise summary of the design principles are provided, synthesis methods, and reaction mechanisms of CCPs as electrodes for energy storage systems, including metal‐ion batteries and supercapacitors. In addition, several novel energy storage applications are highlighted, such as metal‐air batteries and photo‐enhanced batteries. Finally, the challenges that need to be addressed is discussed urgently and offer perspectives on the further application of CCPs in more advanced energy storage and conversion systems.