cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atlas of Atomic Absorption Spectral Lines

To date no general atlas of atomic spectral lines which are useful in atomic absorption spectroscopy has been published, although much experimental work has been done in this area. Even the rather numerous books which have been recently published list only a few spectral lines which are used in atomic absorption. Generally speaking, only the most sensitive atomic absorption line is used; however, many more papers are appearing in which the concern is for elements present in concentrations which are considerably greater than trace. This is especially true in the areas of geochemical and biological analyses. Advancements in instrument technology, in stability of hollow cathode discharge lamps, and in lamp intensity have permitted the analysis of major constitutents with much greater precision. It is often convenient to avoid excessive dilution by utilizing lines of less sensitivity. Furthermore, there are a number of elements for which the most sensitive line is in doubt.
Adam Smith's Marketplace of Life: Justifying Smithian Moral Standards

Adam Smith thinks that human beings are born with a large package of instincts, abilities, desires, and propensities that are channeled or influenced, but not created, by their environment. All of us, for example, have an innate capacity to experience anger, resentment, joy, happiness, sadness, hunger, thirst, and sexual attraction, among many other things. The peculiarities of one's environment determine and limit the range of which particular things will be the objects of one's desires and aversions, as well as under which particular circumstances one will feel or act on various motivations. But the desires, aversions, and motivations themselves are given by our nature. The characteristic of human nature that Smith thinks principally bears on moral standards and moral judgments is, as we have seen, the desire for mutual sympathy, though other characteristics—like one's natural partiality for oneself and the natural interest one has in the fortunes of others—play important roles as well. Smith argues that these characteristics operate within the context of a community to create a system of morality that includes “objective” moral standards and that forms the foundation of the moral judgments that people in the community make. A person's desire for mutual sympathy of sentiments will lead him to moderate the partiality he has for himself, because he finds that others do not have the same partiality for him, and to try to excite the sentiments of spectators, because he finds that others tend to be partial to themselves.
Temporal Lobe Syndromes

This is one of the few cortical regions that are larger in size in humans in comparison studies with apes. Overall there is a relative white matter increase but with a specific gyral white matter increase as opposed to core white matter which is not relatively increased. Gyral white matter increase as opposed to core white matter is thought to mediate much greater interconnectivity, enabled by the short association fibers [1]. In comparative analyses, amongst modern humans, relatively wider orbitofontal cortices, enlarged olfactory bulbs, and larger and more forwardly placed temporal lobe poles are evident, consistent with social brain development [2]. The amygdaloid complex is particularly concerned with the social brain development such as social cognition, coalitions, and emotional regulation. Another unique human development is the relative enlargement of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdaloid group of nuclei (lateral, basal, accessory nuclei). This is also consistent with the general surge in interconnectivity of the temporal lobe association cortices [3, 4].
Breast Cancer Cell Invasion into a Three Dimensional Tumor-Stroma Microenvironment

In this study, to model 3D chemotactic tumor-stroma invasion in vitro, we developed an innovative microfluidic chip allowing side-by-side positioning of 3D hydrogel-based matrices. We were able to (1) create a dual matrix architecture that extended in a continuous manner, thus allowing invasion from one 3D matrix to another, and (2) establish distinct regions of tumor and stroma cell/ECM compositions, with a clearly demarcated tumor invasion front, thus allowing us to quantitatively analyze progression of cancer cells into the stroma at a tissue or single-cell level. We showed significantly enhanced cancer cell invasion in response to a transient gradient of epidermal growth factor (EGF). 3D tracking at the single-cell level displayed increased migration speed and persistence. Subsequently, we analyzed changes in expression of EGF receptors, cell aspect ratio, and protrusive activity. These findings show the unique ability of our model to quantitatively analyze 3D chemotactic invasion, both globally by tracking the progression of the invasion front, and at the single-cell level by examining changes in cellular behavior and morphology using high-resolution imaging. Taken together, we have shown a novel model recapitulating 3D tumor-stroma interactions for studies of real-time cell invasion and morphological changes within a single platform.
Postclosing Integration: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Business Alliances

The integration phase is an important contributor to the ultimate success of the merger or acquisition, and ineffective integration is commonly given as one of the primary reasons mergers and acquisitions (M&As) sometimes fail to meet expectations. This chapter outlines a practical process for realizing successful integration. The critical success factors include careful premerger planning, candid and continuous communication, adopting the right pace for combining the businesses, appointing an integration manager and team with clearly defined goals and lines of authority, and making the difficult decisions early in the process. This chapter concludes with a discussion of how to overcome some of the unique obstacles encountered in integrating business alliances.
Development of GLUT4-selective antagonists for multiple myeloma therapy.

Cancer cells consume more glucose to fuel metabolic programs fundamental to sustaining their survival, growth and proliferation. Among the fourteen SLC2A family members, GLUTs 1 and 4 are high-affinity glucose transporters. GLUT4 (SLC2A4) is highly expressed in muscle and adipose tissue. Basally retained within the cell, GLUT4 traffics to the plasma membrane (PM) in response to insulin and exercise-stimulation. The plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma (MM) exhibits increased constitutive expression of GLUT4 on the PM, co-opting use of GLUT4 for survival and proliferation. GLUT4 inhibition by knockdown or treatment with the FDA-approved HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir leads to cytostatic and/or cytotoxic and chemosensitizing effects in tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. We recently reported our generation of GLUT4 homology models and virtual high-throughput screening (vHTS) to identify multiple series of novel GLUT4 antagonists. In this report, we describe our initial hit-to-lead optimization to synthesize new analogs with improved potency and selectivity for GLUT4, and the biological characterization of these compounds in a variety of assays. We show that our lead compound (compound 20) decreases glucose uptake and cell proliferation as well as inhibits the expression of pro-survival MCL-1 in MM similar to the effect observed via knockdown of GLUT4 expression. Compound 20 is also effective at chemosensitizing multiple myeloma cell lines and patient samples to venetoclax, dexamethasone and melphalan. In sum, we report development of selective GLUT4 inhibitors lacking inhibitory activity against GLUT1 and GLUT8. We show that selective pharmacological inhibition of GLUT4 is feasible and this may represent a novel strategy for the treatment and chemosensitization of multiple myeloma to standard therapeutics.
Ultrasonic Cleaning of Surfaces: An Overview

Removal of submicron particles from silicon-wafers presents an enormous challenge to the semiconductor industry. Ultrasonic cleaning is an established method for removing micron-size microcontaminants or larger from hard surfaces. This paper presents an overview of the sonic cleaning research as applied to microcontamination control. The paper also presents new recent results on submicron particle removal.
Comprehensive drug utilization review in neonates: liposomal amphotericin B.

Objectives This drug utilization evaluation aims to review current evidence on safety and efficacy of using liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) in newborns with candidiasis, and compare it to the conventional preparation. Conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate (DAMB) is more commonly used in newborns, but dose-limiting adverse effects may compromise its efficacy. This review will examine the advantages and disadvantages of liposomal amphotericin B and define its place in current practice. Key findings The terms 'AmBisome' or 'liposomal amphotericin B' and 'neonatal candidiasis' were entered in both PubMed and Ovid; studies included focused on safety and efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B in newborns with candidiasis, as well as studies comparing the conventional and the liposomal formulations in newborns as monotherapy. Pertinent references obtained from this search were also included. Additionally, pharmacokinetic studies were reviewed to include available data on dosing. Single case reports were not included in the review due to the limited conclusions that can be drawn from such sample sizes and quality of data. Summary Although liposomal amphotericin B may be better tolerated and as efficacious as the conventional formulation based on the published literature, the weakness of the studies available on the subject cannot be overlooked. Additional randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the true benefits of this medication.
Oxidative Damage, Somatic Mutations and Cellular Aging

Many theories have been proposed to explain the aging process. One of the more widely accepted of these is the free radical theory of aging. First presented in 1954, it postulates that aging is caused by the accumulation of damage to the macromolecules of somatic cells by free radicals [1].
Use of naloxone challenge to predict sexual performance of young rams.

The possibility of developing a hormone-based test to predict libido was evaluated using the response of LH and testosterone to naloxone. This test has been used to identify sexually active and inactive mature rams during the breeding season. The objective of this study was to determine whether the blood test could be used to detect differences in sexual activity of early postpubertal (29 +/- 0.1 wk) rams during the breeding season in November and again at 70 +/- 0.1 wk of age in August before the next breeding season. Rams were classed as sexually active or inactive using serving capacity tests (8 30-min observation periods to record sexual behaviors [mounts and ejaculations] of each ram individually exposed to three ewes in estrus) after the naloxone challenges. Naloxone (0.75 mg/kg of BW) was injected i.v. into 38 white-faced crossbred, 16 Polypay, and 49 Targhee rams. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 1 h before and 2 h after naloxone to measure LH and testosterone. Separate mixed-model analyses for repeated measures were used to analyze data for the same rams at 29 and 70 wk of age. Logistic regression procedures were used to model probabilities that rams were correctly predicted to be sexually active. A breed-type x sexual activity x time interaction for LH was observed (P < 0.05) after naloxone injection in 29-wk-old rams. At 70 wk of age, a breed-type x time interaction was detected (P < 0.001) for LH response to naloxone, but LH did not differ by sexual activity. At 29 wk of age, a breed-type x time interaction for testosterone response after naloxone was detected (P < 0.001), and at 70 wk of age, a sexual activity x time interaction was detected (P < 0.05) for testosterone after naloxone. Sexually active and inactive rams were not predicted accurately at 29 wk of age and were predicted 69 and 29% of the time for sexually active and inactive rams, respectively, at 70 wk of age. In conclusion, breed type at 29 and 70 wk of age can influence the naloxone challenge test, but the test cannot be used to discriminate between sexually active and inactive rams at 29 wk of age during the breeding season or at 70 wk of age immediately before the breeding season.
FGF23 and syndromes of abnormal renal phosphate handling.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is part of a previously unrecognized hormonal bone-parathyroid-kidney axis, which is modulated by 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), dietary and circulating phosphate and possibly PTH. FGF23 was discovered as the humoral factor in tumors that causes hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia and through the identification of a mutant form of FGF23 that leads to autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR), a rare genetic disorder. FGF23 appears to be mainly secreted by osteocytes where its expression is up-regulated by 1,25(OH)2D and probably by increased serum phosphate levels. Its synthesis and secretion is reduced through yet unknown mechanisms that involve the phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases on the X chromosome (PHEX), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1). Consequently, loss-of-function mutations in these genes underlie hypophosphatemic disorders that are either X-linked or autosomal recessive. Impaired O-glycosylation of FGF23 due to the lack of UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase 3 (GALNT3) or due to certain homozygous FGF23 mutations results in reduced secretion of intact FGF23 and leads to familial hyperphosphatemic tumoral calcinosis. FGF23 acts through FGF-receptors and the coreceptor Klotho to reduce 1,25(OH)2D synthesis in the kidney and probably the synthesis of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the parathyroid glands. It furthermore synergizes with PTH to increase renal phosphate excretion by reducing expression of the sodium-phosphate cotransporters NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIc in the proximal tubules. Loss-of-function mutations in these two transporters lead to autosomal recessive Fanconi syndrome or to hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria, respectively.
Moisture Condensation in Walls

Condensation on windows frequently is a nuisance, though not particularly harmful; but on wall or ceiling surfaces or in attic spaces it may prove damaging to the structure or its contents. Condensation within the walls may result in paint blistering and in severe structural damage. A condition favorable to condensation is a high relative humidity within the building. As this is a usual condition in livestock structures and in fruit and vegetable storages, the problem is of particular interest.
A Change in Waist to Hip Ratio Inversely Correlates with a Change in Executive Function Abilities in Older Adults (P03.101)

OBJECTIVE: Vascular risk factors like obesity potentially impact cognition. The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal relationship of waist to hip ratio and executive functioning in older, non-demented adults. BACKGROUND: Past research suggests that a high waist to hip ratio (WHR) in midlife corresponds with a greater decline in total brain volume and executive function over time. Less is known about the impact of short-term changes in WHR. Our study investigates the association between longitudinal change in WHR and change in executive functioning (EF) in non-demented older adults. DESIGN/METHODS: We obtained WHRs and EF composite scores for 89 non-demented older adults at baseline (mean age = 77.3, sd=6.4) and again approximately one year later (mean interval = 14 months±3.1. The EF composite scores were generated using item response theory several measures of cognitive control, fluency, and working memory. A Pearson9s Partial Correlation controlling for age at first time point was used to assess the relationship between change in WHRs and change in EF. RESULTS: Change in WHR and change in EF abilities were inversely correlated (r=-.214; p=.046) independent of age. Follow-up regression analyses indicated that an increase in waist size predicted decline in EF, even after controlling for hip size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest WHR and EF are related over time independent of age. While causality cannot be inferred, these results are consistent with studies showing central adiposity as a risk factor for cognitive decline. Alternately, gluteofemoral fat might serve as a protective factor for EF, or declines in EF may predispose participants toward less healthy diets. Disclosure: Dr. Watson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bettcher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jastrzab has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mungas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reed has received personal compensation for activities with Decision Resources as a consultant. Dr. Mack has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chui has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Archives of Neurology. Dr. Kramer has nothing to disclose.
Methods and Performance Analyses for Design and Feedback Control of Efficient and Robust Planar Biped Walking

Practical bipedal robot locomotion needs to be both energy efficient and robust to variability and uncertainty. In this paper, we build upon recent works in trajectory optimization for robot locomotion with two primary goals. First, we wish to demonstrate the importance of (a) considering and quantifying not only energy efficiency but also robustness of gaits, and (b) optimization not only of nominal motion trajectories but also of robot design parameters and feedback control policies. As a second, complementary focus, we present results from optimization studies on a 5-link planar walking model, to provide preliminary data on particular trade-offs and general trends in improving efficiency versus robustness. In addressing important, open challenges, we focus in particular on discussions of the effects of choices made (a) in formulating what is always, necessarily only an approximate optimization, in choosing metrics for performance, and (b) in structuring and tuning feedback control.
Functional RNAi Screens Define Distinct Protein Kinase Vulnerabilities in EGFR-Dependent HNSCC Cell Lines

The inhibitory epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody, cetuximab, is an approved therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite tumor response observed in some HNSCC patients, cetuximab alone or combined with radio- or chemotherapy fails to yield long-term control or cures. We hypothesize that a flexible receptor tyrosine kinase co-activation signaling network supports HNSCC survival in the setting of EGFR blockade and that drugs disrupting this network will provide superior tumor control when combined with EGFR inhibitors. Herein, we submitted EGFR-dependent HNSCC cell lines to RNAi-based functional genomics screens to identify, in an unbiased fashion, essential protein kinases for growth and survival as well as synthetic lethal targets for combined inhibition with EGFR inhibitors. MTOR and ERBB3 were identified as high-ranking essential kinase hits in the HNSCC cell lines. MTOR dependency was confirmed by distinct shRNAs and high sensitivity of the cell lines to AZD8055 while ERBB3 dependency was validated by shRNA-mediated silencing. Further, a synthetic lethal kinome shRNA screen with a pan-ERBB inhibitor, AZD8931, identified multiple components of the ERK MAPK pathway, consistent with ERK reactivation and/or incomplete ERK pathway inhibition in response to EGFR inhibitor monotherapy. As validation, distinct MEK inhibitors yielded synergistic growth inhibition when combined with the EGFR inhibitors, gefitinib and AZD8931. The findings identify ERBB3 and MTOR as important pharmacological vulnerabilities in HNSCC and support combining MEK and EGFR inhibitors to enhance clinical efficacy in HNSCC. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Many cancers are driven by non-mutated receptor tyrosine kinase co-activation networks that defy full inhibition with single targeted drugs. This study identifies ERBB3 as an essential protein kinase in EGFR-dependent HNSCC cell lines and a synthetic lethal interaction with the ERK MAPK pathway that provides a rationale for combining pan-ERBB and MAPK inhibitors as a therapeutic approach in subsets of HNSCC.
Contested Resource Inputs to Science: How Institutional Provisions on the Access and Use of Materials and Data Affect Research Collaboration Structures and Outcomes

GenNet investigates how institutional controls on biological resource inputs – data and material – affect collaboration structures and science production among US based academic scientists. These material and data inputs are subject to policy and organized efforts to govern their availability and use. With respect to biological materials, global and national policies have sought to establish increasing levels of monitoring and control over their access, exchange, and use. Policy rationales vary widely but institutional controls have been established to address fairness and equity in response to biopiracy concerns, safety and security in the face of bioterrorism, health and safety, and intellectual property rights. These policies respond to important stakeholder demands but also control domestic and international flows and uses of biological materials. With respect to data, global and national policies have sought to encourage greater data exchange and sharing. The 2012 G-8 Summit set out to “promote policies and invest in projects that open access to publicly funded, global agriculturally relevant data streams, making such data readily accessible to users [farmers, researchers and policy makers]... world-wide”. The Obama presidency announced its open data policy and open data executive order in the spring of 2013 establishing new domestic open data policies. These higher-level national and international policies over data and biological materials demonstrate opposing policy end points along a continuum of the openness of science. This research project investigates scientists’ perceptions of these controls and their behavioral approaches to dealing with this ever-changing regulatory environment. We systematically explore how scientists navigate the increasingly complex institutional environment that, to different degrees, facilitates or restricts access, exchange, and use of data and material inputs to research. The primary research question is: How do institutional controls over material and data resource inputs to research affect scientific collaboration structures, resource flows and research outcomes over time? The study examines: 1. How science collaboration structures (networks) adapt to institutional controls and constraints either as exploratory or exploitative strategies; 2. How individual, dyadic, network and resource factors are associated with data and material flows in scientists’ networks; 3. How institutions that dictate resource availability, exchange and use result in structural and relational changes over time; 4. How restrictions on materials are mediated by network structures, relationships, attitudes and resource characteristics; and 5. How structural change, particularly exploratory and exploitative strategies, are associated with the quantity and quality of research production.
Challenges in Quantifying an Adversary’s Cyber Access to Critical Infrastructures

We consider the problem of quantifying the potential for an adversary to move through the computer/communication network controlling a critical infrastructure. Quantification is needed to describe the risk to the critical infrastructure of cyber penetration in terms understandable to the owners/operators of the critical infrastructure. We identify several specific challenges, and conclude without having solved the problem, but having pointed the way towards some possible solutions.
A benchmark suite for control algorithms of retractable wind-energy harvesters

Wind power is well known for being variable. Our main insight is that one can take advantage of variability by appropriately building wind-energy harvesters that may be stowed/retracted when winds are calm. We refer to harvesters that can be deployed and retracted on command as retractable wind-energy harvesters (RWEHs). Among other advantages, stowed harvesters do not block views, do not constrain avian life, and do not make noise, and thus can increase the neighborliness of harvesting wind near or within a residential community.RWEH control algorithms help owners to achieve the neighborliness that might be required by an RWEH-hosting community while helping RWEHs’ efficiency. The stowing requirements, or operation limitation agreements (OLAs) specify conditions when the retractable harvesters should be stowed (e.g., when it is not windy).In this work, we contribute a suite of benchmarks to compare RWEH control algorithms. The benchmark suite provides workloads formed from the following workload components: 1. specifications of a harvester to be controlled, 2. a set of historical windspeeds from 30 weather stations, and 3. a variety of stowing requirements.We derived OLAs from a survey of 304 respondents in which survey-takers were asked whether they would support RWEHs viewable from where they live and when the RWEHs should be hidden or stowed.
Association of Serum Folate Levels With Cardiovascular Mortality Among Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Importance Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at high risk for cardiovascular (CV) mortality, attributed to chronic inflammation coupled with elevated circulatory homocysteine levels. Increasing the serum folate level reduces homocysteine, but the association of serum folate concentration with CV mortality in patients with RA has not been previously examined. Objective To examine the association of serum folate concentration and CV mortality risk among patients with RA. Design, Setting, and Participants A cohort study of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) and 2011 Linked Mortality File was performed. Adults aged 18 years or older with self-reported physician-diagnosed RA were included. Data analysis was performed between April 2019 and June 2019. Exposure Serum folate level. Main Outcomes and Measures All-cause and CV mortality risk estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for the complex survey design and patient characteristics, including demographic characteristics, body mass index, C-reactive protein level, smoking, RA medication use, and comorbid conditions. Results A total of 683 patients with RA (mean [SE] age, 55.9 [1.0] years; 225 [30.2%] men; 478 [87.0%] white) were classified into tertiles based on serum folate levels, as follows: tertile 1, folate levels less than 4.3 ng/mL (n = 239); tertile 2, folate levels 4.3 ng/mL to 8.2 ng/mL (n = 234); and tertile 3, folate levels greater than 8.2 ng/mL (n = 210). During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 17.4 (10.0-19.4) years, a total of 392 all-cause deaths and 258 CV deaths occurred. Compared with tertile 1, patients in tertile 2 had lower all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.47-0.85). The risk of CV mortality was lower among patients in tertile 2 (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.92) and tertile 3 (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.75) compared with those in tertile 1 (Pfor trend = .01). Findings for CV mortality were consistent in a sensitivity analysis that estimated 10-year risk; patients in tertile 2 (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17-0.57) and tertile 3 (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.22-0.69) had lower CV mortality risk compared with those in tertile 1 (Pfor trend = .04). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with RA, a serum folate level of at least 4.3 ng/mL was associated with lower CV mortality risk. Further research is needed to examine whether a causal relationship exists between serum folate and CV risk among patients with RA.
Effects of Yuan–Dollar Exchange Rate Changes on World Cotton Markets

From April 2018 to August 2019, the Yuan has declined in value relative to the US dollar by 12.6%, and the effects of this decline have not been studied. This study analyzes the effects of this fall in Yuan value, in isolation of tariffs, on US, Chinese, and world cotton markets. The results show that the adverse effects of the decline in Yuan value reverberate throughout world cotton markets and exacerbate the detrimental effects of the Chinese cotton tariff.
Metallurgical and Electrochemical Properties of Super Duplex Stainless Steel Clads on Low Carbon Steel Substrate produced with Laser Powder Bed Fusion.

This study aims to improve the corrosion resistance of the low carbon steel by cladding it with super duplex stainless steel using laser powder bed fusion process. Critical process parameters such as laser power, laser scan speed, hatch spacing, and powder layer thickness were optimized to achieve the best possible metallurgical bonding between the clad and the substrate. The evaporative losses experienced during the laser melting process resulted in clad layers with lower chromium content (12–25 wt. %) as compared to 26 wt. % of the feedstock powder. A clad thickness of 65.8 µm was achieved after melting ten 50 µm thick powder layers. The higher cooling rates associated with laser powder bed fusion resulted in fine high aspect ratio columnar grain structures with predominantly ferrite grains; however, widmanstatten austenite needles were observed with increasing laser scan speeds. Increasing scan speed had a negative impact on the thickness, corrosion resistance, and the pitting potential of the clads exposed to 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution. Clads produced at the lowest scan speeds showed comparable corrosion resistance to rolled and annealed super duplex stainless steel.
HALO: Hardware-Aware Learning to Optimize.

There has been an explosive demand for bringing machine learning (ML) powered intelligence into numerous Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. However, the effectiveness of such intelligent functionality requires in-situ continuous model adaptation for adapting to new data and environments, while the on-device computing and energy resources are usually extremely constrained. Neither traditional hand-crafted (e.g., SGD, Adagrad, and Adam) nor existing meta optimizers are specifically designed to meet those challenges, as the former requires tedious hyper-parameter tuning while the latter are often costly due to the meta algorithms’ own overhead. To this end, we propose hardware-aware learning to optimize (HALO), a practical meta optimizer dedicated to resource-efficient on-device adaptation. Our HALO optimizer features the following highlights: (1) faster adaptation speed (i.e., taking fewer data or iterations to reach a specified accuracy) by introducing a new regularizer to promote empirical generalization; and (2) lower per-iteration complexity, thanks to a stochastic structural sparsity regularizer being enforced. Furthermore, the optimizer itself is designed as a very light-weight RNN and thus incurs negligible overhead. Ablation studies and experiments on five datasets, six optimizees, and two state-of-the-art (SOTA) edge AI devices validate that, while always achieving a better accuracy (\(\uparrow \)0.46% - \(\uparrow \)20.28%), HALO can greatly trim down the energy cost (up to \(\downarrow \)60%) in adaptation, quantified using an IoT device or SOTA simulator. Codes and pre-trained models are at https://github.com/RICE-EIC/HALO.
Burned out or engaged at work? The role of self-regulatory personality profiles.

Employees' responses to work demands are crucially related to their occupational well-being. The present study aimed to identify Big Five personality profiles of working adults and examine their connection to two central responses to work stress: work engagement and burnout. Four latent personality profiles emerged (i.e., overcontroller, undercontroller, reserved and resilient) and, in line with Block (2002) self-regulation theory, related differently to burnout and engagement. Specifically, both under- and overcontrollers experienced higher burnout and lower engagement, whereas resilient experienced higher engagement and lower burnout. Reserved profile members were low in both. The results suggest that management of healthy, engaged workers may be aided by consideration of personality profiles and that Block's self-regulation theory may be a useful framework for connecting personality to occupational well-being.
Isolating cloud induced noise to improve generation of synthetic surface solar irradiances

Abstract Variable cloud cover causes fluctuations in photovoltaic output that are hard to predict. As solar penetration increases optimizing the mix of back up generation and energy storage will become increasingly important. In these situations where sufficient historical data is not available, synthetic data with the correct statistical properties can be of great value. Fourier detrending, autoregressive moving average, and machine learning techniques have been used for this purpose. Here we investigate several methods for implementing generating synthetic solar signals. Additionally, this work introduces a method which isolates the cloud induced noise using the clear sky irradiance. By applying seasonal and daily detrending methods to clear sky irradiance noise signal to account for seasonal and daily oscillations the performance of autoregressive movement average methods can be improved in representative statistical measures
Many Agent Reinforcement Learning Under Partial Observability.

Recent renewed interest in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) has generated an impressive array of techniques that leverage deep reinforcement learning, primarily actor-critic architectures, and can be applied to a limited range of settings in terms of observability and communication. However, a continuing limitation of much of this work is the curse of dimensionality when it comes to representations based on joint actions, which grow exponentially with the number of agents. In this paper, we squarely focus on this challenge of scalability. We apply the key insight of action anonymity, which leads to permutation invariance of joint actions, to two recently presented deep MARL algorithms, MADDPG and IA2C, and compare these instantiations to another recent technique that leverages action anonymity, viz., mean-field MARL. We show that our instantiations can learn the optimal behavior in a broader class of agent networks than the mean-field method, using a recently introduced pragmatic domain.
Social Network Structure Is Related to Functional Improvement From Home-Based Telerehabilitation After Stroke

Objective: Telerehabilitation (TR) is now, in the context of COVID-19, more clinically relevant than ever as a major source of outpatient care. The social network of a patient is a critical yet understudied factor in the success of TR that may influence both engagement in therapy programs and post-stroke outcomes. We designed a 12-week home-based TR program for stroke patients and evaluated which social factors might be related to motor gains and reduced depressive symptoms. Methods: Stroke patients (n = 13) with arm motor deficits underwent supervised home-based TR for 12 weeks with routine assessments of motor function and mood. At the 6-week midpoint, we mapped each patient's personal social network and evaluated relationships between social network metrics and functional improvements from TR. Finally, we compared social networks of TR patients with a historical cohort of 176 stroke patients who did not receive any TR to identify social network differences. Results: Both network size and network density were related to walk time improvement (p = 0.025; p = 0.003). Social network density was related to arm motor gains (p = 0.003). Social network size was related to reduced depressive symptoms (p = 0.015). TR patient networks were larger (p = 0.012) and less dense (p = 0.046) than historical stroke control networks. Conclusions: Social network structure is positively related to improvement in motor status and mood from TR. TR patients had larger and more open social networks than stroke patients who did not receive TR. Understanding how social networks intersect with TR outcomes is crucial to maximize effects of virtual rehabilitation.
The James A. Rand Young Investigator's Award: Are Intraoperative Cultures Necessary If the Aspiration Culture Is Positive? A Concordance Study in Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

Abstract Background The concordance between preoperative synovial fluid culture and multiple intraoperative tissue cultures for identifying pathogenic microorganisms in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains unknown. Our aim is to determine the diagnostic performance of synovial fluid culture for early organism identification. Methods A total of 363 patients who met Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria for PJI following primary total joint arthroplasty were identified from a retrospective joint infection database. Inclusion criteria required a positive preoperative intra-articular synovial fluid sample within 90 days of intraoperative tissue culture(s) at revision surgery. Concordance was defined as matching organism(s) in aspirate and intraoperative specimens. Results Concordance was identified in 279 (76.8%) patients with similar rates among total hip arthroplasties (77.2%) and total knee arthroplasties (76.4%, P = .86). Culture discordance occurred in 84 (23.1%) patients; 37 (10.2%) had no intraoperative culture growth and 33 (90.1%) were polymicrobial. Monomicrobial Staphylococcal PJI cases had high sensitivity (0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-0.98) and specificity (0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.90). Polymicrobial infections had the lowest sensitivity (0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.19). Conclusion Aspiration culture has favorable sensitivity and specificity when compared to tissue culture for identifying the majority of PJI organisms. Clinicians can guide surgical treatment and postoperative antibiotics based on monomicrobial aspiration results, but they should strongly consider collecting multiple tissue cultures to maximize the chance of identifying an underlying polymicrobial PJI. Level of Evidence Level III.
Time-based fairness improves performance in multi-rate WLANs

The performance seen by individual clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) is heavily influenced by the manner in which wireless channel capacity is allocated. The popular MAC protocol DCF (Distributed Coordination Function) used in 802.11 networks provides equal long-term transmission opportunities to competing nodes when all nodes experience similar channel conditions. When similar-sized packets are also used, DCF leads to equal achieved throughputs (throughput-based fairness) among contending nodes. Because of varying indoor channel conditions, the 802.11 standard supports multiple data transmission rates to exploit the trade-off between data rate and bit error rate. This leads to considerable rate diversity, particularly when the network is congested. Under such conditions, throughput-based fairness can lead to drastically reduced aggregate throughput. In this paper, we argue the advantages of time-based fairness, in which each competing node receives an equal share of the wireless channel occupancy time. We demonstrate that this notion of fairness can lead to significant improvements in aggregate performance while still guaranteeing that no node receives worse channel access than it would in a single-rate WLAN. We also describe our algorithm, TBR (Time-based Regulator), which runs on the AP and works with any MAC protocol to provide time-based fairness by regulating packets. Through experiments, we show that our practical and backward compatible implementation of TBR in conjunction with an existing implementation of DCF achieves time-based fairness.
2010 Sandra Leiblum Presidential Address.

The Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM) as the official publication of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) is pleased to publish this special and passionate report, the 2010 Sandra Leiblum Presidential Address, given by Dr. Sheryl A. Kingsberg, as President of ISSWSH. Dr. Sandra Leiblum was the first ISSWSH President, former JSM Board member, frequent JSM reviewer, and regular JSM author on key significant sexual medicine contributions. Subsequent ISSWSH presidents have also been board members and contributors to the JSM. In honoring such special sexual medicine investigators and JSM contributors, your JSM disseminates the critical, essential, and emotionally relevant information that YOU need to know about the field of sexual medicine. Irwin Goldstein, MD
A Review of: “Africa: Unity, Sovereignty, and Sorrow. By Pierre Englebert.”

This is something of a jubilee year for Africa, marking half a century from that annus mirabilis of 1960 when no fewer than eighteen colonial territories across the continent were given their indep...
Effect of dietary carnosine on plasma and tissue antioxidant concentrations and on lipid oxidation in rat skeletal muscle.

The effect of dietary carnosine supplementation on plasma and tissue carnosine and α-tocopherol concentrations and on the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in rat skeletal muscle homo-genates was evaluated. Plasma, heart, liver and hind leg muscle was obtained from rats fed basal semipurified diets or basal diets containing carnosine (0.0875%), α-tocopheryl acetate (50 ppm), or carnosine (0.0875%) plusα-tocopheryl acetate (50 ppm). Dietary carnosine supplementation did not increase carnosine concentrations in heart, liver and skeletal muscle. Dietary supplementation with both carnosine and α-tocopherol increased carnosine concentrations in liver 1.56-, 1.51- and 1.51-fold as compared with diets lacking carnosine, α-tocopherol or both carnosine and α-tocopherol, respectively. Dietary supplementation with both carnosine and α-tocopherol also increased α-tocopherol concentrations in heart and liver 1.38-fold and 1.68-fold, respectively, as compared to supplementation with α-tocopherol alone. Dietary supplementation with carnosine, α-tocopherol or both car-nosine and α-tocopherol was effective in decreasing the formation of TBARS in rat skeletal muscle homogenate, with dietary α-tocopherol and α-tocopherol plus carnosine being more effective than dietary carnosine alone. The data suggest that dietary supplementation with carnosine and α-tocopherol modulates some tissue carnosine and α-tocopherol concentrations and the formation of TBARS in rat skeletal muscle homogenates.
Propagating Skewness and Kurtosis Through Engineering Models for Low-Cost, Meaningful, Nondeterministic Design

System models help designers predict actual system output. Generally, variation in system inputs creates variation in system outputs. Designers often propagate variance through a system model by taking a derivative-based weighted sum of each input’s variance. This method is based on a Taylor-series expansion. Having an output mean and variance, designers typically assume the outputs are Gaussian. This paper demonstrates that outputs are rarely Gaussian for nonlinear functions, even with Gaussian inputs. This paper also presents a solution for system designers to more meaningfully describe the system output distribution. This solution consists of using equations derived from a second-order Taylor series that propagate skewness and kurtosis through a system model. If a second-order Taylor series is used to propagate variance, these higher-order statistics can also be propagated with minimal additional computational cost. These higherorder statistics allow the system designer to more accurately describe the distribution of possible outputs. The benefits of including higher-order statistics in error propagation are clearly illustrated in the example of a flat-rolling metalworking process used to manufacture metal plates. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4007389]
Continuity of Care: A Reconceptualization

Although continuity of care is considered an essential feature of good health care, researchers have used and measured continuity in many different ways, and no clear conceptual framework links continuity to outcomes. This article of offers a reconceptualization and definition of continuity based on agency theory. It posits that the value of continuity is to reduce agency loss by decreasing information asymmetry and increasing goal alignment. Three decades of empirical literature on continuity were examined to assess whether this model would provide greater clarity about continuity. Some authors measured improved information transfer, but more appeared to assume that continuity would lead to better information. Most authors appeared to have assumed that goal alignment was present and did not measure it. The model of continuity based on agency theory appears to provide a useful conceptual tool for health services research and policy.
On vibrations of a system with an eigenfrequency identical to that of one of its subsystems

The problem of free vibration ofa complex system with a natural frequency identical to that of one of its subsystems is further discussed. Such eigenvibrations need special consideration in many modal synthesis methods, as the Green's operator of the resonating subsystem does not exist at subsystem natural frequencies. A general treatment of this problem has been given by the authors in a companion paper. In this supplement, the previous work is extended to include the case of interaction forces applied to the resonating subsystem at points where the corresponding eigenfunction of the subsystem has maxima. Examples of such eigenvibrations are presented for two simple systems. The differences between these examples and those of the previous paper are noted and discussed.
Partial characterization of allatinhibin, a neurohormone of Manduca sexta

During the last larval stage, corpora allata (CA) of Manduca sexta are inactivated by a factor from the brain. Apparently the same factor (allatinhibin, Al) is secreted by day 4 Vth instar brains kept overnight in Grace's medium. Al is rapidly inactivated by heat or acid but withstands exposure to alkali and can be recovered after freezing and lyophilization. Exposure to pronase, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidases-A and-Y, as well as leucine aminopeptidase eliminated Al activity completely, whereas after exposure to trypsin and protease XVII-S, some residual activity remained. Inactivation by pyroglutamate aminopeptidase is interprefed as being due to prolinase activity of this enzyme. Incubation of CA with gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, affects neither their ability to produce JH in vitro nor their viability in implantation assays. However, Al did not inactivate CA in the presence of low concentrations of gentamicin. This effect was used to guard against false positive assay results possibly produced by allatotoxic contamination. Al was purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-25. All activity recovered emerged from the columns in intermediate fractions with an apparent Mr of 1,000–2,000. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Distal airway bronchomalacia resulting in severe obstructive airway physiology.

A 24-year-old woman, referred for treatment of presumed severe steroid-dependent asthma, was found to have generalized bronchomalacia. The diagnosis was based on an abnormal collapsibility of the bronchi on bronchoscopic examination and a lack of bronchial reversibility with aggressive bronchodilator therapy. (Chest 1990; 97:489–91)