cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic plan recognition in multiagent systems

We present a theoretical framework for online probabilistic plan recognition in cooperative multiagent systems. Our model extends the Abstract Hidden Markov Model (AHMM) (Bui, Venkatesh, & West 2002), and consists of a hierarchical dynamic Bayes network that allows reasoning about the interaction among multiple cooperating agents. We provide an in-depth analysis of two different policy termination schemes, Tall and Tany for concurrent action introduced in (Rohanimanesh & Mahadevan 2003). In the Tall scheme, a joint policy terminates only when all agents have terminated executing their individual policies. In the Tany scheme, a joint policy terminates as soon as any of the agents terminates executing its individual policy. Since exact inference is intractable, we describe an approximate algorithm using Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering. Our approximate inference procedure reduces the complexity from exponential time in N, the number of agents and K, the number of levels, to time linear in both N and K^ ≤ K (the lowest-level of plan coordination) for the Tall termination scheme and O(N log N) and linear in K^ for the Tany termination scheme.
Coupling between the solar wind and the magnetosphere during strong driving: MHD Simulations

We examine the simulation of the January 10, 1997, magnetic storm using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere. We explore the response of the energy coupling between the solar wind and the magnetosphere during the extreme solar wind conditions produced by magnetic cloud that hit the Earth's magnetosphere during the first half of January 10. During the early part of the event, the simulation produced substorm-like behavior marked by a loading and unloading of stored magnetic flux. However, during the period of strong, sustained solar wind energy input, the loading-unloading behavior essentially goes away and the simulation entered a directly driven phase. During this direct-driving phase the solar wind dynamic pressure controlled the ionospheric Joule heating in the simulation.
Reversing the code of a template-directed solid-state synthesis: a bipyridine template that directs a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2 + 2] photodimerisation of a dicarboxylic acid

A linear template in the form of a bipyridine has been developed and is shown to direct a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2 + 2] photodimerisation of a dicarboxylic acid.
Program WOOF:A numerical evaluator of loudspeaker systems

A Fortran language computer program is described that evaluates the absolute low-frequency response and electrical impedance functions of frequency for direct radiator electrodynamic loudspeakers mounted in vented, unvented, or infinite baffle enclosures. The program is intended to be used interactively, with the engineer serving to suggest modifications of a design and the program providing the modified response plots. The program listing, typical input data, and an example of the program's output are shown.
Effects of genetic variation in H3K79 methylation regulatory genes on clinical blood pressure and blood pressure response to hydrochlorothiazide

Background: Nearly one-third of the United States adult population suffers from hypertension. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), one of the most commonly used medications to treat hypertension, has variable efficacy. The renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) provides a mechanism for fine-tuning sodium excretion, and is a major regulator of blood pressure homeostasis. DOT1L, MLLT3, SIRT1, and SGK1 encode genes in a pathway that controls methylation of the histone H3 globular domain at lysine 79 (H3K79), thereby modulating expression of the ENaCa subunit. This study aimed to determine the role of variation in these regulatory genes on blood pressure response to HCTZ, and secondarily, untreated blood pressure. Methods: We investigated associations between genetic variations in this candidate pathway and HCTZ blood pressure response in two separate hypertensive cohorts (clinicaltrials.gov NCT00246519 and NCT00005520). In a secondary, exploratory analysis, we measured associations between these same genetic variations and untreated blood pressure. Associations were measured by linear regression, with only associations with P ≤ 0.01 in one cohort and replication by P ≤ 0.05 in the other cohort considered significant. Results: In one cohort, a polymorphism in DOT1L (rs2269879) was strongly associated with greater systolic (P = 0.0002) and diastolic (P = 0.0016) blood pressure response to hydrochlorothiazide in Caucasians. However, this association was not replicated in the other cohort. When untreated blood pressure levels were analyzed, we found directionally similar associations between a polymorphism in MLLT3 (rs12350051) and greater untreated systolic (P < 0.01 in both cohorts) and diastolic (P < 0.05 in both cohorts) blood pressure levels in both cohorts. However, when further replication was attempted in a third hypertensive cohort and in smaller, normotensive samples, significant associations were not observed. Conclusions: Our data suggest polymorphisms in DOT1L, MLLT3, SIRT1, and SGK1 are not likely associated with blood pressure response to HCTZ. However, a possibility exists that rs2269879 in DOT1L could be associated with HCTZ response in Caucasians. Additionally, exploratory analyses suggest rs12350051 in MLLT3 may be associated with untreated blood pressure in African-Americans. Replication efforts are needed to verify roles for these polymorphisms in human blood pressure regulation.
Architecture and evolution of the Paine channel complex, Cerro Toro Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Silla Syncline, Magallanes Basin, Chile

The Upper Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation in the Silla Syncline, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Magallanes Basin, Chile, includes over 1100 m of mainly thin-bedded mud-rich turbidites containing three thick divisions of coarse conglomerate and sandstone. Facies distributions, stacking patterns and lateral relationships indicate that the coarse-grained sandstone and conglomerate units represent the fill of a series of large south to south-east trending deep-water channels or channel complexes. The middle coarse division, informally named the Paine member, represents the fill of at least three discrete channels or channel complexes, termed Paine A, B and C. The uppermost of these, Paine C, represents a channel belt about 3·5 km wide and its fill displays explicit details of channel geometry, channel margins, and the processes of channel development and evolution. Along its northern margin, Paine C consists of stacked, laterally offset channels, each eroded into fine-grained mudstone and thin-bedded sandy turbidites. Along its southern margin, the Paine C complex was bounded by a single, deeply incised but stepped erosional surface. The evolution of the Paine C channel occurred through multiple cycles of activity, each involving: (i) an initial period of channel erosion into underlying fine-grained sediments; (ii) deposition of coarse-grained pebble to cobble conglomerate and sandstone within the channel; and (iii) waning of coarse sediment deposition and accumulation of a widespread sheet of fine-grained, thin-bedded turbidites inside and outside the channel. The thin-bedded turbidites deposited within, and adjacent to, the channel along the northern margin of the Paine C complex do not appear to represent levee deposits but, rather, a separate fine-grained turbidite system that impinged on the Paine C channel from the north. The Cerro Toro channel complex in the Silla Syncline may mark either an early axial zone of the Magallanes Basin or a local slope mini-basin developed behind a zone of slope faulting and folding now present immediately east of the syncline. If the latter, flows moving downslope toward the basin axis further east were diverted to the south by this developing structural high, deposited part of their coarse sediment loads, and exited the mini-basin at a point located near the south-eastern edge of the present Silla Syncline.
Cisplatin: mode of cytotoxic action and molecular basis of resistance

Cisplatin is one of the most potent antitumor agents known, displaying clinical activity against a wide variety of solid tumors. Its cytotoxic mode of action is mediated by its interaction with DNA to form DNA adducts, primarily intrastrand crosslink adducts, which activate several signal transduction pathways, including those involving ATR, p53, p73, and MAPK, and culminate in the activation of apoptosis. DNA damage-mediated apoptotic signals, however, can be attenuated, and the resistance that ensues is a major limitation of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The mechanisms responsible for cisplatin resistance are several, and contribute to the multifactorial nature of the problem. Resistance mechanisms that limit the extent of DNA damage include reduced drug uptake, increased drug inactivation, and increased DNA adduct repair. Origins of these pharmacologic-based mechanisms, however, are at the molecular level. Mechanisms that inhibit propagation of the DNA damage signal to the apoptotic machinery include loss of damage recognition, overexpression of HER-2/neu, activation of the PI3-K/Akt (also known as PI3-K/PKB) pathway, loss of p53 function, overexpression of antiapoptotic bcl-2, and interference in caspase activation. The molecular signature defining the resistant phenotype varies between tumors, and the number of resistance mechanisms activated in response to selection pressures dictates the overall extent of cisplatin resistance.
Where glaciers meet water: Subaqueous melt and its relevance to glaciers in various settings

Glacier change is ubiquitous, but the fastest and largest magnitude changes occur in glaciers that terminate in water. This includes the most rapidly retreating glaciers, and also several advancing ones, often in similar regional climate settings. Furthermore, water-terminating glaciers show a large range in morphology, particularly when ice flow into ocean water is compared to that into freshwater lakes. All water-terminating glaciers share the ability to lose significant volume of ice at the front, either through mechanical calving or direct melt from the water in contact. Here we present a review of the subaqueous melt process. We discuss the relevant physics and show how different physical settings can lead to different glacial responses. We find that subaqueous melt can be an important trigger for glacier change. It can explain many of the morphological differences, such as the existence or absence of floating tongues. Subaqueous melting is influenced by glacial runoff, which is largely a function of atmospheric conditions. This shows a tight connection between atmosphere, oceans and lakes, and glaciers. Subaqueous melt rates, even if shown to be large, should always be discussed in the context of ice supply to the glacier front to assess its overall relevance. We find that melt is often relevant to explain seasonal evolution, can be instrumental in shifting a glacier into a different dynamical regime, and often forms a large part of a glacier's mass loss. On the other hand, in some cases, melt is a small component of mass loss and does not significantly affect glacier response.
Theory of Spin-Flip Line Shape in Cds

Spin-flip light scattering is a process in which an electron in a crystal (generally a semiconductor) scatters light with change of its spin direction. Usually such experiments are performed in a static magnetic field. The scattered frequency is then shifted from the incident frequency by the electron spin resonance frequency. The latter varies linearly with applied field—hence, spin-flip scattering is a magnetically tunable Raman process. This feature of spin-flip scattering was paramount in the minds of early workers in the field, and provided much of the impetus for subsequent research. An elegant device—the spin-flip laser— resulted from this work.
Richard Pearson Strong and the Iatrogenic Plague Disaster in Bilibid Prison, Manila, 1906

In November 1906, Richard Pearson Strong, then head of the Philippine Biological Laboratory, inoculated 24 men--inmates of Manila's Bilibid Prison--with a cholera vaccine that somehow had been contaminated with plague organisms; 13 men died. The governor-general of the Philippines appointed a general committee to investigate the affair, and the U.S. Senate demanded information about the episode. Although the Senate, the secretary of war, and even the president were kept informed of developments, no mainland investigations ensued. The general committee concluded that Strong was negligent for not having locks on his incubators and for leaving a visiting physician alone in the laboratory, where he might have mixed up the cholera and plague cultures on the fateful day. The committee's charge was referred to the attorney general, who found Strong innocent of criminal negligence, whereupon the governor-general exonerated Strong. Strong was despondent over Bilibid but recovered and developed a noteworthy career in American tropical medicine. In retrospect, the disaster at Bilibid presents an epitome of the problems surrounding the use of prisoner-subjects without authorization and without their voluntary consent. Far ahead of its time, the general committee recognized and condemned the shortcomings and urged reform, pleas the government ignored. The Bilibid episode remains, however, as a cautionary tale for those engaged in clinical research.
Characterisation and management of dermatologic adverse events to agents targeting the PD-1 receptor.

Abstract Background Dermatologic adverse events (AEs) are some of the most frequently observed toxicities of immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy, but they have received little attention. The drugs, pembrolizumab and nivolumab are recently approved inhibitors of the programmed death (PD)-1 receptor that have overlapping AE profiles however, the incidence, relative risk (RR), and clinico-morphological pattern of the associated dermatologic AEs are not known. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature, and performed a meta-analysis of dermatologic AEs observed with the use of pembrolizumab and nivolumab in cancer patients. An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed, and Web of Science, and on the American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Society for Medical Oncology meeting abstracts' libraries for potentially relevant oncology trials, that employed the drugs at Food and Drug Administration-approved doses and reported dermatologic AEs. The incidence, RR and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using either random- or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity of included studies. The clinical presentation, histology of affected skin areas, and management strategies (based on institutional experience), are also presented. Results Rash, pruritus and vitiligo were found to be the most frequently reported dermatologic AEs. The calculated incidence of all-grade rash with pembrolizumab and nivolumab was 16.7% (RR = 2.6) and 14.3% (RR = 2.5), respectively. Other significant all-grade AEs included pruritus (pembrolizumab: incidence, 20.2% [RR = 49.9]; nivolumab: incidence, 13.2% [RR = 34.5]) and vitiligo (pembrolizumab: incidence, 8.3% [RR = 17.5]; nivolumab: 7.5% [RR = 14.6]). Interestingly, all the vitiligo events were reported in trials investigating melanoma. The RR for developing dermatologic AEs in general, was 2.95 with pembrolizumab, and 2.3 with nivolumab. Conclusion We found that pembrolizumab and nivolumab are both associated with dermatologic AEs, primarily low-grade rash, pruritus, and vitiligo, which are reminiscent of those seen with ipilimumab. Knowledge of these findings is critical for optimal care, maintaining dose intensity, and health-related quality of life in cancer patients receiving PD-1 inhibitors.
Hygienic monitoring and analysis of public places in Yandu district of Yancheng city from 2006 to 2010

Objective:To understand hygienic quality in public places in Yancheng Yandu District,and provide scientific basis for further strengthening supervision and management.Methods: Excel2003 and spss11.5 software were used to analyzed the monitoring data of the public places in Yandu District from 2006 to 2010.Results: 8899 samples were detected in five years with the qualified rate of 56.0%,the pass rates were 50.5%,51.9%,60.7%,57.4%,54.4% from 2006 to 2010,after rising,the pass rate dropped again;In different kinds of places,the pass rate of hairdressing places(97.2%) was the highest,the pass rate of public transportation waiting room(37.5%) was the lowest,there was a significant difference between them(χ2=143.8,P0.001);In different kinds of samples,the pass rate of the towels(97.9%) was the highest,the pass rate of microclimate and air quality(45.1%) was the lowest,there was a significant difference between them(χ2=584.2,P0.001).Conclusion: The hygienic quality of different places and samples in Yancheng Yandu District was distinct,the environmental quality of public places was the worst.Supervision and monitoring should be strengthened on the weak links.
A Low Cost Test Method for UHF RFID Centralized CP

With the rapid development of electronic products,improving the quality of the product,while decreasing product prices is also attended by consumers. Array of electronic products for a low price,the core chip production costs need to be reduced firstly. In passive UHF RFID( Radio Frequency Identification) area,test cost is large percent of the total cost. Therefore a novel centralized CP test method is proposed. Compared with the current test method,which is testing parallel 8 chips every time,the test time of one group centralized CP test method can be optimized for more than 68%. If changing the number of chips existing in the single test group or adopting multi-groups centralized CP test,the test cost can be cut down substantially,and the market competitiveness of the chip products can be enhanced.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the male urethra: nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy studied by flow cytometry.

AbstractFlow cytometry analysis was performed on 30 primary male urethral squamous cell carcinoma specimens. Nuclei were extracted from paraffin-embedded archival material and isolated nuclei were stained with propidium iodide. Bulbomembranous urethral tumors had a higher incidence of abnormal deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy patterns than penile urethral tumors (69 and 29per cent, respectively). Of the tumors exhibiting a deoxyribonucleic acid diploid pattern and an abnormal (deoxyribonucleic acid tetraploid or aneuploid) histogram 18 and 93per cent, respectively, showed tumor progression (p less than 0.001). None (0per cent) of the low grade (grade 1 or 2) tumors with a deoxyribonucleic acid diploid pattern developed local recurrence or distant metastases, whereas 90per cent of the low grade tumors with an abnormal deoxyribonucleic acid pattern progressed (p less than 0.002). Patients with tumors exhibiting deoxyribonucleic acid diploid ploidy had 5 and 10-year rates free of disease of 85per cent. In contra...
A Hybrid Analytical/Numerical Computational Method for Supercritical Transonic Flow Fields

Shock-boundary layer interaction can significantly alter not only the local transonic flow on missiles, wings and turbine blades but its influence can also extend significantly downstream within the boundary layer and thereby alter the global aerodynamic properties of lift, drag and pitching moment. It is therefore important that these interactions and their Reynolds and Mach number scaling be included in analysis of practical aerodynamic flow fields. This paper describes the features of a non-asymptotic triple deck theory of shock-turbulent boundary layer interaction and its application as an element in the overall viscous-inviscid flow analysis of the body (Fig. 1).
Enzymatic Bioelectrosynthetic Ammonia Production: Recent Electrochemistry of Nitrogenase, Nitrate Reductase, and Nitrite Reductase.

As an essential component of amino acids and nucleic acids, N is a key element of life. In order for atmospheric (dinitrogen, N2) and environmental (nitrate and nitrite, NO3- and NO2 -) sources of N to be utilized in various forms of life, it must first be reduced to a more suitable form, such as ammonia (NH3). The Haber-Bosch process represents a major NH3 production process, which has greatly impacted the agricultural crop industry. This minireview discusses the recent electrochemistry of three key enzymes of the global biogeochemical N cycle (nitrogenase, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase), in light of moving towards creating alternative NH3 production technologies.
Using a Guided Journal Club as a Teaching Strategy to Enhance Learning Skills for Evidence-Based Practice

Journal clubs are used in both clinical and academic settings in order for clinicians and students to utilize current best-practices, become competent in evidence based practice and develop critical appraisal skills. Journal clubs encourage students to practice searching for relevant research, critically appraising articles, and contributing to open discussions with peers. Establishing the practice of reading and critiquing literature in the classroom can enable the creation of a habit of using current evidence when students enter practice. This article describes a strategy for delivering a structured academic journal club to support the learning of evidence based practice skills and students' perception of the journal club, including their overall satisfaction, knowledge base skills, and presentation skills. Students had an overall positive experience and perception of the guided journal club activity. From the instructor's perspective, this assignment was an excellent opportunity to engage students in learning the process of evidence based practice.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Adults: Updates in Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract Abstract 5037 Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rare potentially life-threatening disorder that must be recognized and treated early to improve clinical response rates and outcomes. We describe a 36 year-old male with a longstanding history of ulcerative colitis who presented with a one-week history of lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, fevers, and chills. Workup at an outside institution had been intensive - he had a long complicated hospital course that included hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, hyperbilirubinemia, pancytopenia, coagulopathy, hypofibrinogenemia, CMV viremia, and Clostridium difficile colitis for which he was treated. At our facility, the patient presented with a white blood count of 0.19 109/L (N: 5%, L: 95%, M: 0%, E: 0%, B: 0%), hemoglobin 9.0 mg/L, platelets 54 x109/L, ferritin 538 ng/dL, and triglycerides of 280 mg/dL. A bone marrow biopsy revealed CMV positivity by immunohistochemistry and marked hemophagocytic histiocytosis. The patient was treated with the HLH-2004 chemo-immunotherapy protocol with dexamethasone, etoposide (VP-16), and cyclosporine A. He responded well and is now eight months status-post initial treatment. HLH in adults is a disorder that little is known about. Acquired forms of HLH can occur in otherwise healthy adults, whereas in children, HLH often presents in its inherited (familial) form. In adults it is often associated with infections (i.e. Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus), rheumatologic diseases (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, adult onset systemic Still's disease), malignancy (i.e. natural killer cell leukemia, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, EBV in T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma, and a variety of other lymphomas). HLH in adults is characterized by cytokine dysfunction and results in the systemic accumulation of activated T-lymphocytes and activated histiocytes (macrophages). Natural killer (NK)-cell and cytotoxic T cell activity in HLH patients is commonly depressed. The standard chemo-immunotherapy protocol as recommended by the Histiocyte Society (HLH-2004) includes therapy with dexamethasone, etoposide (VP-16), cyclosporine A upfront and, in selected patients, cortiocosteriods and intrathecal methotrexate. Thus, early recognition and treatment of this disorder is essential to decrease associated morbidity/mortality. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults is a diagnosis that must be in the differential whenever a patient presents with fever, cytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypofibrinogenemia. Disclosures: Schiller: BMS: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Ambit: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding.
Seismic attenuation, time delays, and raypath bending of teleseisms beneath Uturuncu volcano, Bolivia

A set of 14 teleseismic earthquakes was studied to determine how wave propagation was affected by a presumed magma body beneath Uturuncu volcano, Bolivia. Teleseisms are suitable for study because they are relatively long period, contain purely P waves, and have near-vertical incidence angles. The number of events is small but the events have good signal-to-noise ratios and very similar waveforms for each event so that reliable measurements could be made of arrival times and amplitudes. Attenuation of amplitudes occurs in a NW-SE trend beneath the volcano, 14 by 34 km (long axis NW-SE). Calculated values of the quality factor Qp are an average of 12.4, with extreme values as low as 1.8. These calculations are based on the assumption that the highest amplitude observed is the “true” amplitude, and all others have been attenuated. The average thickness of the anomaly is 10.2 km, and the center is ∼20 km SE of the summit, within the area of surface uplift measured geodetically. Time delays of up to 0.8 s were also observed. The pattern of attenuation and relative time delays together showed four trends: fast and not attenuated (normal crust), slow and attenuated (partial melt), fast and attenuated (likely high fracture density), and slow but not attenuated (possible deep low Vp structure). Back azimuth differences of up to 60° were observed. In nearly all cases, azimuths were rotated into directions parallel to local rock fabric, suggesting that shallow crustal properties affected near-surface wave propagation. Overall results suggest partial melt as high as 10%–20% in a region of varying thickness, low Bouguer gravity and resistivity, high Vp/Vs, persistent seismicity, and overlapping a locus of recent uplift.
The Competency of Definitions of Competency

Each of the essays in this volume contributes to the literature on definitions and determinations of patient competency, and all demonstrate that there are essential and inherent interconnections among philosophical distinctions, patterns of ethical reasoning, legal traditions, and clinical decision-making. After noting how several of the authors of these essays define competency and after flagging some of the notable contributions of these authors, this paper will identify and briefly discuss two unexplored areas of concern. Namely, it will indicate how the world-views of patients and the temperaments of patients have a critical bearing on when they are considered competent, incompetent, or semi-competent.
Smartphone enabled telerehabilitative wearable glove for stroke patients

Stroke is one of the leading cause of deaths and physical disabilities worldwide, often renders its survivors with partial paralysis on one-side of the body. This paper describes the development of a low-cost wearable finger rehabilitation glove that connects to a smartphone powered motivational gaming environment. The developed prototype of the glove is based on the computed finger extension and flexion joint angles. The finger motion is quantified to drive a cart in the game, which can collect coins progressively increasing their engagement in rehabilitation therapy. Pilot tests conducted with the wearable glove on control subjects show that the developed smartphone applications facilitate natural and intuitive interaction with the device.
Effect of thermophysical properties of heat carriers on performance of a laboratory-scale auger pyrolyzer.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of thermophysical properties of heat carriers on the performance of a laboratory-scale auger reactor. Heat carriers tested included stainless steel shot, fine sand, coarse sand and silicon carbide. The results showed similar organic yield and composition of bio-oil among the heat carriers when pyrolyzing red oak. Significant differences in yields of reaction water, char and non-condensable gases were observed. It was also found that residual carbon contributed to as high as 20 wt% of total char yield and attrition of heat carrier as high as 7% on a mass basis were present after as little as 2 h of operation. Tradeoffs between physical performance, material cost, and product yields may exist when selecting heat carrier materials for pyrolysis of biomass in an auger reactor.
A Dirichlet's principle for the k-Hessian

Abstract The k-Hessian operator σ k is the k-th elementary symmetric function of the eigenvalues of the Hessian. It is known that the k-Hessian equation σ k ( D 2 u ) = f with Dirichlet boundary condition u = 0 is variational; indeed, this problem can be studied by means of the k-Hessian energy − ∫ u σ k ( D 2 u ) . We construct a natural boundary functional which, when added to the k-Hessian energy, yields as its critical points solutions of k-Hessian equations with general non-vanishing boundary data. As a consequence, we establish a Dirichlet's principle for k-admissible functions with prescribed Dirichlet boundary data.
Identification of symptom clusters by occurrence and severity in lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

e21657Background: Lung cancer patients experience a high prevalence and severity of symptoms, which often co-occur to form symptom clusters. Symptom clusters can be identified using different measu...
Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke in young children

Background Mechanical thrombectomy has emerged as a standard of care for acute stroke from large vessel occlusion in adults but remains controversial in children. Cerebral vessels are nearly adult size by 5 years of age but the technical feasibility of achieving recanalization in younger and smaller children with current endovascular tools remains unclear. Objective To systematically review the literature on mechanical thrombectomy for stroke in children less than 5 years of age. Results Mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke has been reported in 11 children under the age of 5 years (range 9 months to 4 years). The mean time from symptom onset to groin puncture was 12 hours (range 4–50 hours). Complete recanalization was achieved in 7/12 (58%) vessels attempted, and partial recanalization in 4/12 (33%). Two procedure related complications were reported, with small vessel size felt to be contributory to basilar vasospasm in one case. Favorable neurological outcomes were reported in 7 cases (64%). Conclusions Our review of the literature demonstrates that mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke may be feasible in carefully selected infants and young children less than 5 years of age using currently available devices. Efficacy in promoting better neurologic outcomes remains unproven, and other questions persist, including whether complications such as vasospasm occur more frequently in young children compared with adults. Further study is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of pediatric mechanical thrombectomy. These data suggest that young children should not be excluded from future studies or clinical treatment on the basis of age alone.
Thermal Conductivity of Metal-Coated Tri-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Presence of Vacancies-Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Variation in the thermal conductivity of a metal-coated tri-walled carbon nanotube (3WCNT), in the presence of vacancies, was studied using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. A Two-Temperature model was used to account for electronic contribution to heat transfer. For 3WCNT with 0.5% and 1% random vacancies, there was 76%, and 86% decrease in the thermal conductivity, respectively. In that order, an overall ~66% and ~140% increase in the thermal conductivity was recorded when 3 nm thick coating of metal (nickel) was deposited around the defective models. We have also explored the effects of tube specific and random vacancies on thermal conductivity of the 3WCNT. The changes in thermal conductivity have also been justified by the changes in vibrational density of states of the 3WCNT and the individual tubes. The results obtained can prove to be useful for countering the detrimental effects of vacancies in carbon nanotubes.
Trace Minerals, Heavy Metals, and Preeclampsia: Findings from the Boston Birth Cohort.

Background Preeclampsia is a leading contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. In mice experiments, manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) are protective whereas cadmium (Cd) is prom...
Low Power Design through Frequency-Optimized Runtime Micro-Architectural Adaptation

This paper presents a method to generate a variety of micro-architectures for a given hardware accelerator mapped onto reconfigurable fabric optimized for different operating frequencies. The most optimal micro-architecture is then loaded onto the fabric for a given operating frequency in order to minimize the power consumption. State-of-the-art FPGAs are runtime reconfigurable and provide multiple clock domains. This enables these devices to reconfigure any accelerator mapped on them and their frequencies at runtime. At the same time, FPGA vendors have embraced High-Level Synthesis (HLS) to increase the design productivity and help designers with limited hardware development skills to program these devices. One of the advantages of HLS over traditional RT-level hardware design is that HLS allows to automatically generate micro-architectures with unique area, performance and power trade-offs by setting different synthesis options, which is impractical or very time consuming at the RT-level. This work leverages these two features and investigates the benefit of adapting the micro-architecture of hardware accelerators mapped onto a reconfigurable fabric at runtime when the operating frequency changes to reduce the power consumption, while maximizing the throughput. To enable the frequency-aware micro-architectural adaptation we also propose a simple micro-architectural resource manager and show that the overhead in terms of area and delay is negligible. We conduct two sets of experiments. The first shows that our proposed approach leads to faster circuits which consume less power than just statically scaling the frequency of the fastest micro-architecture for a variety of different test cases. The second case, presents case study of a face detection application mapped onto a battery-operated wireless camera sensor node powered by solar cells.
how it feels to be BLACK ME: Black Masculinities and Sexualities in Black Visual Culture

In this article, I build on previous scholarship about Black identities, masculinities, and sexualities within Black visual culture and how their content and concepts reverberate within a larger wh...
Indigenous farming transitions, sociocultural hybridity and sustainability in rural Senegal

Abstract For many centuries, the indigenous agricultural and cultural systems of the Serer people of Senegambia ensured soil fertility, crop rotation, tree preservation, mixed farming and herding, yielding one of the highest population densities in the pre-colonial Sahel. In the 20th century, as population grew, soil fertility declined and climate change produced regular droughts, Serer farming systems changed to creatively combine many indigenous techniques with some modern practices. The Serer hybrid farming system that emerged especially after the late 1960s is demonstrably more productive than modern or indigenous techniques practiced in pure form ( Faye et al., 2020 ). Given the productivity of hybrid farming techniques, this article asks: Who adopts them? And under what circumstances? Building on years of participant observation supplemented with a survey of 742 Serer farmers, I tested several competing explanations from neo-liberal, feminist, and cultural ecological approaches to understand why and among whom hybrid farming occurs. Multiple regression analysis shows a strong relationship between cultural syncretism and hybrid farming. Farming techniques are not just a matter of isolated, individual choice, but also work through the social and cultural systems that support agriculture. The more these systems reflect established patterns of mixing cultural elements, borrowing from outside and blending into and transforming Serer tradition, the greater the likelihood that farmers will use hybrid techniques. These findings have implications both for agricultural sustainability and for recognizing the sociocultural embeddedness of seemingly individual choices.
A Hermaphrodite Electromechanical Connector for Self-reconfigurable Robot Modules

Connectors that realize connections between modules are an indispensable component of modular self-reconfigurable robots. In this paper, a hermaphrodite connector coupled with electromechanical connection capability is proposed, called HerCel. The specially designed connection mechanism and electrical interface of HerCel can realize both mechanical and electrical connections simultaneously at four orientations to achieve power transmission, communication, and orientation detection between modules, except for the basic functions required for connectors, such as symmetry, high misalignment tolerance, self-locking, and sensing. A detailed design of HerCel is presented, including the connection mechanism, sensor layout, and electrical interface. A series of experiments with HerCel prototypes testing electromechanical connection, misalignment tolerance, and load capability were carried out to illustrate the design feasibility. Furthermore, a self-reconfiguration motion test of a module was conducted to verify the performance of HerCel.
Implementing Hypertension Management Interventions in Immigrant Communities in the U.S.: a Narrative Review of Recent Developments and Suggestions for Programmatic Efforts.

To outline intervention efforts focused on reducing hypertension disparities in immigrant communities in the U.S. and to identify areas in the design, implementation, and evaluation of these interventions that warrant further exploration guided by an implementation science framework. Studies examined (n = 11) included immigrant populations of African, Hispanic, and Asian origin. Men were underrepresented in most studies. Culturally tailored group-based educational sessions in religious or community spaces were common. Intervention agents included research assistants, registered nurses, community health workers, and faith-based organization volunteers. Community stakeholders were engaged in most studies, although most commonly for recruitment efforts. Surveys/interviews were used for intervention evaluation, and documentation of intervention activities and trainings was used to assess fidelity. Identified pathways for further intervention innovation included gender or migration-status–based targeting, diversifying intervention agents, enhancing mixed-method process evaluations, and tailoring to emerging needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johne's Disease (Paratuberculosis) in 1976

The purpose in presenting this paper is to review recent developments in research on paratuberculosis. Some of the more recent findings that should be of interest to the bovine practitioner are discussed. Here are two maps showing the results of two surveys on distribution of the disease in the United States, one in 1949 and one in 1971 (Figure 1). Thirty-three states reported presence of the disease in 1949 while 46 states reported it in 1971 (3). Preliminary examination of the maps might indicate that the disease is spreading in the United States. However, this is only a partial explanation. During this period existing diagnostic laboratories have been improved and new laboratories have been built. Culturing techniques have also been improved. Veterinarians are more aware of the disease and are making greater efforts to determine the cause of chronic diarrhea. Therefore, states with widespread distribution may indicate they are showing a greater awareness of the disease rather than more diseased herds than their neighbors.
Evaluation of Community-Level Vulnerability and Racial Disparities in Living Donor Kidney Transplant.

Importance Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is the ideal treatment for end-stage kidney disease, but racial disparities in LDKT have increased over the last 2 decades. Recipient clinical and social factors do not account for LDKT racial inequities, although comprehensive measures of community-level vulnerability have not been assessed. Objective To determine if racial disparities persist in LDKT independent of community-level vulnerability. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study included data from 19 287 adult kidney-only transplant recipients in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. The study included individuals who underwent transplant between January 1 and December 31, 2018. Exposures Recipient race and the 2018 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Census tract-level SVI data were linked to census tracts within each recipient zip code. The median SVI measure among the census tracts within a zip code was used to describe community-level vulnerability. Main Outcomes and Measures Kidney transplant donor type (deceased vs living). Modified Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between SVI and LDKT, and to estimate LDKT likelihood among races, independent of community-level vulnerability and recipient-level characteristics. Results Among 19 287 kidney transplant recipients, 6080 (32%) received LDKT. A total of 11 582 (60%) were male, and the median (interquartile range) age was 54 (43-63) years. There were 760 Black LDKT recipients (13%), 4865 White LDKT recipients (80%), and 455 LDKT recipients of other races (7%; American Indian, Asian, multiracial, and Pacific Islander). Recipients who lived in communities with higher SVI (ie, more vulnerable) had lower likelihood of LDKT compared with recipients who lived in communities with lower SVI (ie, less vulnerable) (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.98; P < .001). Independent of community-level vulnerability, compared with White recipients, Black recipients had 37% lower likelihood (aRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.59-0.67; P < .001) and recipients of other races had 24% lower likelihood (aRR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70-0.82; P < .001) of LDKT. The interaction between SVI and race was significant among Black recipients, such that the disparity in LDKT between Black and White recipients increased with greater community-level vulnerability (ratio of aRRs, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.87; P = .003). Conclusions and Relevance Community-level vulnerability is associated with access to LDKT but only partially explains LDKT racial disparities. The adverse effects of living in more vulnerable communities were worse for Black recipients. The interaction of these constructs is worrisome and suggests evaluation of other health system factors that may contribute to LDKT racial disparities is needed.
New advances in automatic shearer cutting technology for thin seams in Chinese underground coal mines

Automatic mining technology is the ideal path and the inevitable way to improve production efficiency, reduce labour intensity and ensure safety for thin coal seam. Recently, while automatic mining...
Honest Abe Was a Co-Op Dude: How the G.O.P. Can Save America from Despotism

Abraham Lincoln was a co-op dude. He had a hip neck beard, sure. Everyone knows that. But few have bothered to notice that the first Republican President of the United States was an economic democrat who put labor above capital. Labor is prior to and independent of capital, Lincoln believed, and “deserves much the higher consideration”, he told Congress in his first annual address of 1861. Capital despotism is on the rise again, threatening the stability of the economy and union. The biggest problem of democracy now is not the failure to fully extend political rights, however important. The bigger problem is economic in nature. The threat today is from a lack of economic democracy — a lack of ownership, of self-reliance, of autonomy, and of justice in the distribution of rewards and punishments at work. From the appropriation of company revenue to lack of protection against pension raids, capital despotism is rife. “The road to serfdom” has many paths to choose from, Hayek warned in his important book of 1944. But too many Americans — including economists and policymakers — are neglecting the economic path, the road to serfdom caused by a lack of economic democracy. Cooperative banks and firms can help.
Regulation of growth and differentiation in B cell clones and hybrids.

Analysis of the molecular events which occur during specific B cell activation or inactivation has been hampered by the rare frequency of antigen-specific B cells, as well as by the heterogeneity of B cell subpopulations and stages of differentiation. An initial approach to the solution of this dilemma is to enrich for antigen-specific lymphocytes. The purification of B cells of a single hapten-specificity has, indeed, been possible for a number of years (1). However, such enrichment procedures do not overcome the heterogeneity which exists in B cells of a single specificity. The ability to clone hapten-specific B cells and/or hybridize them to an appropriate tumor cell would resolve many of these difficulties, assuming that the “normal” B cell phenotype can be retained. In analogy to the technology of T cell cloning, which is abundantly apparent at the present meeting, clones of hapten specific B cells are now being prepared. In contrast to T cell cloning, however, it is not yet possible to repeatedly stimulate B cells with specific antigen in the absence of terminal differentiation to antibody secreting cells. The present report describes the current state of the art with regard to B cell cloning technology to yield functional short-term hapten-specific clones as well as long-term hapten-specific inducible hybrids. We will focus on the kinds of B cell clones which we are able to grow and detect in terms of differential function and will begin an analysis of the regulation of the growth and/or differentiation of such clones by antigen, mitogenic growth potentiators, and cellderived factors. Finally, the use of cell hybridization technology will be described. This yielded several B cell tumor hybrids, one of which has been studied in detail. The regulation of the growth of such a hybrid by T cell products will be introduced.