cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Counterexample-guided distributed permissive supervisor synthesis for probabilistic multi-agent systems through learning

Planning and decision making of multi-agent systems (MAS) under uncertainties has been a hot research area for decades as it finds a wide spectrum of applications in communication, control, robotics and so on. In recent years formal methods emerge in MAS problems due to its correct-by-design nature. Previously we considered the permissive supervisor synthesis for a single agent and this paper extends the result to consider multi-agent systems. The extension is not straightforward as the number of agents in the system grows. The state space explosion problem and local supervisor synthesis pose new challenges. We are therefore motivated to propose a novel automatic local supervisor synthesis framework based on learning and compositional model checking. With the recent advance in assume-guarantee reasoning verification for probabilistic systems, building the composed system can be avoided to alleviate the state space explosion and we propose a particular procedure to identify which subsystem is at fault when our system cannot meet the specification. Our approach is guaranteed to terminate in finite steps and to be correct.
Effect of Light and Various Concentrations of Oxygen on the Retina of the Newborn Pig

The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of visible light, (similar to that used in phototherapy of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia) upon the retinas of newborn piglets in atmospheres of varied oxygen concentration.
Parkinson’s Disease: A Webliography

ABSTRACTParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the brain. Current treatments aim to slow the progression of the disease, but there is no cure. Ongoing research and clinical trials are exploring the role that genetics, heredity, and environmental influences play in the causation of Parkinson’s. Still other research and clinical trials focus on improving treatments designed to slow or stop PD’s progression. Every year the number of PD diagnoses climbs as the population ages. This webliography contains links to organizations, associations, and governmental bodies that research, educate, advocate, treat, and provide support for health consumers affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Effects of early life stress on depression, cognitive performance and brain morphology.

Background Childhood early life stress (ELS) increases risk of adulthood major depressive disorder (MDD) and is associated with altered brain structure and function. It is unclear whether specific ELSs affect depression risk, cognitive function and brain structure. Method This cross-sectional study included 64 antidepressant-free depressed and 65 never-depressed individuals. Both groups reported a range of ELSs on the Early Life Stress Questionnaire, completed neuropsychological testing and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neuropsychological testing assessed domains of episodic memory, working memory, processing speed and executive function. MRI measures included cortical thickness and regional gray matter volumes, with a priori focus on the cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), amygdala, caudate and hippocampus. Results Of 19 ELSs, only emotional abuse, sexual abuse and severe family conflict independently predicted adulthood MDD diagnosis. The effect of total ELS score differed between groups. Greater ELS exposure was associated with slower processing speed and smaller OFC volumes in depressed subjects, but faster speed and larger volumes in non-depressed subjects. In contrast, exposure to ELSs predictive of depression had similar effects in both diagnostic groups. Individuals reporting predictive ELSs exhibited poorer processing speed and working memory performance, smaller volumes of the lateral OFC and caudate, and decreased cortical thickness in multiple areas including the insula bilaterally. Predictive ELS exposure was also associated with smaller left hippocampal volume in depressed subjects. Conclusions Findings suggest an association between childhood trauma exposure and adulthood cognitive function and brain structure. These relationships appear to differ between individuals who do and do not develop depression.
Hamster lymphoid cell responses in vitro.

Lymphoid cells localized to different areas within an animal appear to perform specific immune functions. Their reactivity in vivo is dependent on the microenvironment within a particular tissue as well as the ability of a tissue to attract and accumulate specific re-circulating elements. While in vitro culturing of lymphoid cells does not accurately approximate the in vivo situation, information regarding differences among lymphoid tissues in responsiveness to a variety of specific and non-specific stimulants can be useful in assessing the potential of different tissues. That is, the responsiveness of lymphoid tissues (lymph node, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, peripheral blood) to non-specific mitogens such as concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dextran sulfate (DxS), proteases, anti-immunoglobulin (anti-Ig) or mitogenic ions (Zn+2 and Hg+2) can yield information concerning the compartmentalization of subpopulations of lymphocytes or accessory cells. Similarly, characterization of antigen-driven responses in vitro can yield information concerning compartmentalization as well as information on the regulation of activation and differentiation of lymphoid cells which may differ from those employed for mitogen activation. In vitro culture of lymphoid cells also permits evaluation of agents that can modulate the activity of lymphoid cells.
Assessment of Stable Coronary Lesions

In recent years, concerns have been raised about the appropriateness of performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease.1 One objective measure that is used to assess the potential benefit of revascularization is fractional flow reserve (FFR). FFR measurements, which allow for accurate assessment of stenosis severity, are obtained during an interventional procedure, in which the drop in pressure is measured across the lesion at rest and again after pharmacologic induction of hyperemia to increase flow through the lesion. Multiple randomized trials have established that lesions with normal FFR measurements can be managed medically without an . . .
Monitoring and Control of Rugate Filter Fabrication Using the Orthogonal Functional Basis Neural Network

Abstract The Orthogonal Functional Basis Neural Network (OFBNN) is applied to the problem of monitoring and control of the rugate filter fabrication process. Rugate filters are thin film optical filters that are fabricated using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). During the deposition process, optical monitoring is used to generate spectral patterns which correspond to increasing thickness values of the film. The OFBNN is trained to predict the film thickness value associated with each spectral pattern. The results of this theoretical study demonstrate that the OFBNN can achieve significantly higher prediction accuracies than the simple curve fitting technique currently in use.
Sliding Mode Control with Nonlinear Sliding Surfaces

Abstract Traditional sliding mode controllers use linear sliding surfaces, which might not fit the global dynamic property of nonlinear plants. As a result, sliding may not take place due to actuator saturation and even instability may be induced when the error is large. Furthermore, linear sliding surfaces may cause large chattering in digital implementation. These problems may be solved by replacing linear sliding surfaces with nonlinear sliding surfaces. Two methods for designing nonlinear sliding surfaces are suggested in this paper. The advantages of nonlinear sliding surfaces and their approximation by fuzzy logic are examined in details for a rotational inverted pendulum.
Impact of broadband and out-of-band radio frequency interference (RFI) noise on WiFi performance

Impact of broadband and out-of-band RFI noise on WiFi performance is quantitatively characterized in comparison to narrowband and in-band noise. Broadband RFI noise starts to decrease throughput at the level of −117 dBm/100kHz, while narrowband noise impacts throughput at level of −106 dBm/100kHz. Broadband noise causes throughput degradation at higher rate than narrowband noise. Regarding out-of-channel RFI noise, WiFi throughput is decreased depending on out-of-channel noise amplitude and frequency spacing between noise and WiFi subcarrier. It is found that WiFi radio gains higher immunity to RFI noise with increasing the frequency spacing. When RFI noise is located at the edge or out of the channel, WiFi radio can sustain noise higher than −80 dBm/100kHz. This study can help understand RFI noise characteristics and quantitative RFI impact on WiFi performance. It can provide good insights for designers to design low RFI-risk platforms.
Creep Of Shallow Plate Anchor In Soft Clay

Plate anchors are used on many occasions for various types of offshore construction and maintenance works. When the plates are embedded in a soft clay and are subjected to sustained allowable loads, they may undergo creep. This paper pre· sents some laboratory model test results designed to study the creep effect with time for a shallow circular anchor subjected to sustained net loads that were less than the net ultimate uplift capacity. Based on the model test results, relationships between the net load, rate of strain, and time have been developed.
Comparison of Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty to Hemiarthroplasty for Geriatric Hip Fractures: A Literature Review of Large Database Studies

The objective of this article is to review large database comparisons of total hip arthroplasty (THA) to hemiarthroplasty (HA) for geriatric hip fracture patients. This article followed a systematic review of the literature using published studies identified via PubMed as the data source. A literature search was done iteratively with a systematic use of variations of key search terms. The initial search identified 490 references. Of the 490, 15 full-text papers were reviewed. Ultimately, nine papers were included in the review. Five of the included studies utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, one utilized Hospital Episode Statistics, one utilized The National Hospital Discharge Survey, one utilized Swedish Nation Hip Fracture/Arthroplasty Register, and the last utilized the ENCLAVE system of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These all included data ranging from 2005 to 2013 and included at least 1,000 patients. Clinical postoperative outcomes of THA and HA were grouped and compared among the nine studies. The studies used multivariable analysis to make comparisons, and it is of note that HA is much more common than THA in this patient population. Primary outcome variables evaluated included major/minor complications, mortality, length of stay, postoperative transfusion, readmission, dislocation, and revision. Overall, major and minor adverse events (or a combination of the two) were lower for THA than for HA patients, and postoperative transfusions were more common for THA patients. Mortality was significantly less for THA patients by 3% to 4%. Length of stay was lower for THA patients. Dislocation rates were higher for THA patients at 30 days, 18 months, 24 months, and 4 years by odds ratios of three to five times. One study found THA patients more likely to undergo reoperation. In select geriatric patients with femoral neck fractures, THA and HA may be appropriately considered. For those patients, studies suggest that THA may be associated with fewer postoperative challenges than HA; however, postoperative transfusion and dislocation rates were noted to be higher for THA patients.
Effects of Essential Oil from Thymus vulgaris on Viability and Inflammation in Zebrafish Embryos

Innate immunity provides the initial response against pathogens and includes the inflammatory response. Regulation of the initiation and duration of neutrophil and mononuclear cell influx during inflammation determines both the successfulness of pathogen elimination and the level of resulting tissue damage. Zebrafish embryos provide excellent opportunities to visualize the inflammatory response. Neutrophil granules may be stained with Sudan black, and variation in neutrophil counts may be used to monitor the level of the response. Inflammation may be triggered by injuring the caudal fin, providing an opportunity for testing possible anti-inflammatory compounds in a whole-animal system. The use of homeopathic compounds as anti-inflammatory treatments is common in alternative medicine. Effects of unfractionated essential oil from Thymus vulgaris and its specific component, carvacrol, have been examined in cells in culture and in rodents. Our work extends this research to zebrafish, and includes toxicity and morphological studies as well as examination of anti-inflammatory effects following tail fin injury. Our results show that zebrafish are more sensitive to thyme oil compared to cells in culture, that cardiac defects arise due to thyme oil treatment, and that thyme oil reduces neutrophil infiltration during an inflammatory response.
Effect of grain sorghum hybrid on in vitro rate of starch disappearance and finishing performance of ruminants.

Forty-eight commercial grain sorghum hybrids were ranked on the basis of in vitro starch disappearance (IVSD) and starch content. Starch content ranged from 64.3 to 70.3% (P less than .01) and IVSD ranged from 5.2 to 6.3%/h (P less than .01). In the next year, 20 experimental grain sorghum hybrids consisting of 17 hybrids being developed for livestock diets and three for human diets were ranked according to IVSD, starch content, and CP content. In these samples, IVSD varied from 6.0 to 9.1%/h (P less than .05). Starch content and CP were not related to IVSD. Starch content was not correlated to CP content. Four of the original 48 grain sorghum hybrids, selected on the basis of IVSD (two fast and two slow), that differed in IVSD by 7.0% (6.5 to 7.0%/h), were fed for 133 d to steers (mean initial BW of 326 kg). The ADG of steers fed Hybrid A (fastest IVSD) was 9.0% faster than that of steers fed Hybrid D (slowest IVSD; 1.33 vs 1.22 kg, P = .06). Gain:feed ratio was positively correlated with IVSD across all treatments (R2 = .94). Hybrids A and D, another Hybrid, A1, and a bird-resistant hybrid (BR) were fed for 85 d to finishing lambs (mean initial BW of 28 kg). Lambs fed Hybrid A gained more efficiently (gain:feed) than those fed BR or A1 (.210 vs .188 and .184, P less than .05), and those fed D were intermediate (.200). Performance of sheep fed A1, with the fastest IVSD, and those fed BR, with the lowest IVSD, were similar, suggesting that factors other than IVSD affected lamb performance. Our data indicate that rate of grain sorghum starch digestion may influence feeding value of grain sorghum fed to cattle.
On the dynamics of coupled grain size evolution and shear heating in lithospheric shear zones

Abstract The formation of weak, localized shear zones in the lithosphere via tectonic forces is a requirement for the operation of plate tectonics on Earth. However, how shear zones form is not well understood. Shear heating and grain size reduction are two commonly cited mechanisms, and both processes are likely to be active in lithospheric shear zones. However, shear heating and grain size reduction can potentially act against each other, as elevated temperatures increase grain growth rates, and fast grain growth can eliminate weak shear zones formed via grain size reduction. Here, an effectively one-dimensional simple shear model that considers shear heating and grain size evolution is used to determine how grain size reduction and shear heating interact. The results indicate that for constant velocity boundary conditions at typical tectonic strain rates and mid- to lower-lithosphere temperatures, grain size reduction suppresses shear heating by weakening the shear zone. As a result shear heating at these conditions is small (∼10 K or less), unless grain size reduction via damage is significantly less effective than the models assume. For constant stress boundary conditions, grain size reduction enhances shear heating and lowers the stress threshold required to trigger thermal runaway instabilities, as previous studies have found. Finally, combining shear heating and grain size reduction allows weak shear zones to form over a wider range of conditions than would result from either mechanism acting in isolation; coupling between shear heating and grain size reduction does not impede weak shear zone formation.
A Vital Maritime Pinch Point: China, the Bab al-Mandeb, and the Middle East

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the proposal of a “New Maritime Silk Road” in conjunction with China’s “Silk Road Economic Belt” project or “One Belt and One Road” (OBOR) initiative...
All About Wave Equations

The fundamental definition of the terminology that is known to us as wave consists of a series of examples of different situations, which we are referring to as waves. However, the one feature that is a common denominator for the type of waves is that they propagate in one or other directions, and they create some kind of “disturbance” in their path of their propagations; for example in case of water waves, we observe the elevation of water surface and in case of sound wave we experience pressure variations in its path of traveling, with a velocity characteristic of the medium the wave goes through. However, for us to be able to describe a wave we need a more definitive of describing the wave with the use of mathematics, and primarily the concept of partial differential equation-type scenarios, which goes beyond the level of most of any basic textbook. Thus, in this chapter we try to establish first of all what the wave is in general, and secondly describe each form or shape that these waves are produced both from classical and relativistic mechanics, as well as electrodynamics point of views. This approach allows us to identify mechanical wave, electromagnetic waves, and finally the quantum mechanical waves as well. Within each of these categories then we can establish types of wave and classify them such as soliton wave, scalar wave, plasma wave, and shock waves.
Robotic Skins That Learn to Control Passive Structures

Robotic skins incorporate sensors and actuators into stretchable and flexible planar substrates. Wrapping a robotic skin around a passive, deformable structure imparts controllable motion onto that structure, rendering it an active robotic system. Robotic skins can be applied to the surface of a structure, then removed and re-applied to the surface of another structure. This reconfigurability enables use of the same robotic skin to achieve multiple motions, which depend on the interaction between the skin and its host structure. Considering the broad range of use cases for robotic skins in resource-limited environments, it may not be possible to pre-characterize this skin-structure interaction for all potential systems. Therefore, it is advantageous to have systems that can learn their models in situ, which saves considerable time in realizing a functional system. Previously, we have shown that robotic skins can be used to estimate state and stiffness of the underlying passive structure they are attached to. In this letter, we demonstrate how this ability to measure state and stiffness can be used to learn model parameters in situ for feedforward control, and show how feedback control can be implemented simultaneously with the same system. We further show how this learning is expandable to multi-segment systems and will compensate for gravitational effects by adjusting model parameters.
14-3-3ζ-A Novel Immunogen Promotes Inflammatory Cytokine Production

The presence of autoantibodies against 14-3-3ζ in human autoimmune diseases indicates its antigenic function. However, neither the cause nor the consequence of this newly-identified antigenic function of 14-3-3ζ protein is known. To address this, we investigated the immunological functions of 14-3-3ζ by studying ex vivo effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation, polarization, and cytokine production. Exogenous 14-3-3ζ promoted PBMC proliferation and T cell polarization toward Th1 and Th17 populations. Significant increases in IFN-γ and IL-17 levels were observed in the presence of 14-3-3ζ. A specific increase in Th1 cells and IFN-γ production provided strong evidence for MHC class II presentation of 14-3-3ζ antigen. Particularly HLA-DRB1*0401 allele strongly promoted 14-3-3ζ-induced IFN-γ producing cells. In contrast, prednisolone treatment suppressed both 14-3-3ζ-induced T cell polarization and cytokine production. Overall, we show that MHC presentation and the adaptor functions of 14-3-3ζ participate in promoting IFN-γ and IL-17 production, two of the cytokines commonly associated with autoimmune diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the ex vivo antigenic function of 14-3-3ζ with human PBMC, thereby providing the basis of its immunological role in human diseases.
Could ecological release buffer suppression efforts for non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, USA, has the longest ongoing suppression program for non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the western USA. Harvest data from the suppressio...
Egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: three large prospective US cohort studies, systematic review, and updated meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between egg intake and cardiovascular disease risk among women and men in the United States, and to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Design Prospective cohort study, and a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Setting Nurses’ Health Study (NHS, 1980-2012), NHS II (1991-2013), Health Professionals’ Follow-Up Study (HPFS, 1986-2012). Participants Cohort analyses included 83 349 women from NHS, 90 214 women from NHS II, and 42 055 men from HPFS who were free of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer at baseline. Main outcome measures Incident cardiovascular disease, which included non-fatal myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease, and stroke. Results Over up to 32 years of follow-up (>5.54 million person years), 14 806 participants with incident cardiovascular disease were identified in the three cohorts. Participants with a higher egg intake had a higher body mass index, were less likely to be treated with statins, and consumed more red meats. Most people consumed between one and less than five eggs per week. In the pooled multivariable analysis, consumption of at least one egg per day was not associated with incident cardiovascular disease risk after adjustment for updated lifestyle and dietary factors associated with egg intake (hazard ratio for at least one egg per day v less than one egg per month 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.82 to 1.05). In the updated meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies (33 risk estimates, 1 720 108 participants, 139 195 cardiovascular disease events), an increase of one egg per day was not associated with cardiovascular disease risk (pooled relative risk 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.03, I2=62.3%). Results were similar for coronary heart disease (21 risk estimates, 1 411 261 participants, 59 713 coronary heart disease events; 0.96, 0.91 to 1.03, I2=38.2%), and stroke (22 risk estimates, 1 059 315 participants, 53 617 stroke events; 0.99, 0.91 to 1.07, I2=71.5%). In analyses stratified by geographical location (P for interaction=0.07), no association was found between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease risk among US cohorts (1.01, 0.96 to 1.06, I2=30.8%) or European cohorts (1.05, 0.92 to 1.19, I2=64.7%), but an inverse association was seen in Asian cohorts (0.92, 0.85 to 0.99, I2=44.8%). Conclusions Results from the three cohorts and from the updated meta-analysis show that moderate egg consumption (up to one egg per day) is not associated with cardiovascular disease risk overall, and is associated with potentially lower cardiovascular disease risk in Asian populations. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019129650.
DYNAMIC EFFECTS DURING VIBROTHERMOGRAPHIC NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF COMPOSITES

Vibrothermography refers to an NDE technique whereby a structure is excited with mechanical vibrations and the temperature profile on the surface is mapped by real-time video-thermography. Damage in the structure frequently is more efficient at converting the input mechanical energy to heat than undamaged regions of the structure. Hence damage appears on the thermal map as warmer regions. While using this technique to investigate manufacturing defects in tensile coupons made from sheet molding compound and panels of graphite epoxy damaged by impact loadings, a dependence of the temperature patterns upon the frequency of the mechanical excitation was observed. This work seeks to model this frequency dependent behavior and to verify the model by experimentation.
Retrospective study on the potential of albumin/globulin ratio as a prognostic biomarker for oral cavity cancer patients

Although the serum albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) is recognized as a valuable prognostic biomarker in various cancers, its clinical value in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still unclear. We aimed to probe the prognostic value of AGR in patients with OSCC undergoing curative surgery. This retrospective study analyzed 306 patients who were newly diagnosed as having OSCC and receiving curative surgery between 2008 and 2017. The correlation of AGR with survival outcomes was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier analysis. A nomogram based on AGR was established, and its accuracy was assessed according to the concordance index. The log rank test and Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that patients who had low AGR had significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) as well as 5-year overall survival (OS) than those with high AGR. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that low AGR was an independent predictor of poor OS and DFS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.812; 95% CI 1.729–4.573; p < 0.001, and aHR = 1.743; 95% CI 1.201–2.530; p = 0.003, respectively). The concordance index of the nomogram model based on TNM staging alone was 0.656 and could increase to 0.783 with the inclusion of AGR and other prognostic variables in the calculation. Preoperative AGR may represent an accessible, valuable prognostic biomarker in patients with OSCC. The nomogram model incorporating AGR and clinicopathological prognostic variables may improve the accuracy of prognostic predictions in these patients.
The Natural History of Information

Currently there exists no general theory for what life is. This makes it challenging to anticipate how a more fundamental understanding of life could inform the design (or evolution) of artificial ...
Development of a Web-Based Nonoperative Small Bowel Obstruction Treatment Pathway App.

Objective An electronic pathway for the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) was built and implemented on top of the electronic health record. The aims of this study are to describe the development of the electronic pathway and to report early outcomes. Methods The electronic SBO pathway was designed and implemented at a single institution. All patients admitted to a surgical service with a diagnosis of adhesive SBO were enrolled. Outcomes were compared across three time periods: (1) patients not placed on either pathway from September 2013 through December 2014, (2) patients enrolled in the paper pathway from January 2017 through January 2018, and (3) patients enrolled in the electronic pathway from March through October 2018. The electronic SBO pathway pulls real-time data from the electronic health record to prepopulate the evidence-based algorithm. Outcomes measured included length of stay (LOS), time to surgery, readmission, surgery, and need for bowel resection. Comparative analyses were completed with Pearson's chi-squared, analysis of variance, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results There were 46 patients enrolled in the electronic pathway compared with 93 patients on the paper pathway, and 101 nonpathway patients. Median LOS was lower in both pathway cohorts compared with those not on either pathway (3 days [range 1–11] vs. 3 days [range 1–27] vs. 4 days [range 1–13], p = 0.04). Rates of readmission, surgery, time to surgery, and bowel resection were not significantly different across the three groups. Conclusion It is feasible to implement and utilize an electronic, evidence-based clinical pathway for adhesive SBOs. Use of the electronic and paper pathways was associated with decreased hospital LOS for patients with adhesive SBOs.
Development and usability of a Spanish/English smoking cessation website: lessons learned

Background Smoking cessation Internet interventions have been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to the nicotine patch. The aim of this study was to develop a Spanish/English smoking cessation web app using input from low-income smokers, and to evaluate modifications to the online intervention in terms of its ability to engage smokers. Methods Three versions of a smoking cessation web app were developed and tested. Measures of engagement, such as completion of study registration, utilization of cigarette, mood, and craving trackers, and completion of follow-up assessments, were collected to determine whether changes in the website resulted in increased engagement. Results The third version of the website, which featured improved look-and-feel and fewer barriers to engagement, markedly increased tracker engagement from the first two versions. However, follow-up rates remained low across all three versions. Conclusions The increase in engagement was attributed to the following modifications: A more inviting landing page with key intervention elements available immediately; an easily accessible dashboard with users' data; and tracking tools that were more user friendly. We conclude that in addition to adequate and functional elements, design principles are key factors in increasing engagement in online interventions.
Perfusion-MRI is a Poor Indicator of Hemodynamic Compromise in Vertebrobasilar Disease in the VERiTAS Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Dynamic susceptibility perfusion MR imaging (DSC MRP) has been used to assess changes in cerebral perfusion attributable to vascular stenosis or occlusion that may predict stroke risk. However, DSC MRP is not validated for identifying hemodynamic compromise in the posterior circulation. We investigated the clinical utility of DSC MRP in vertebrobasilar (VB) atherosclerotic disease in the observational VERiTAS study. METHODS VERiTAS enrolled patients with symptomatic ≥50% VB stenosis/occlusion. Posterior circulation hemodynamic status was designated as low or normal based on large vessel flow measured using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA) and was predictive of future stroke risk. In this study, DSC MRP conducted concurrently with QMRA was used to evaluate posterior circulation perfusion. The primary outcome was the mean transit time (MTT) and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in the posterior circulation normalized to the anterior circulation, compared between patients with low and normal blood flow as determined on QMRA. RESULTS Twenty-six subjects had 47 DSC MRP studies for review. There was no statistically or clinically significant difference in the rCBV ratio (1.02 vs. .96 P = .89), or MTT ratio (1.04 vs. 1.04 P = .96) relative to normal or low VB territory flow. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we did not find that DSC MRP adequately distinguished between patients with low or normal flow status based on large-vessel flow measurements.
Total Body and Extracellular Water Measures Are Unrelated to Cramp Sensitivity in Euhydrated Cramp-Prone Individuals.

Earp, JE, Stearns, RL, Agostinucci, J, Lepley, AS, and Ward-Ritacco, CL. Total body and extracellular water measures are unrelated to cramp sensitivity in euhydrated cramp-prone individuals. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Spectral bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a valid and noninvasive tool for measuring total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW). As altered hydration and electrolyte imbalance have been proposed as one of 2 etiologies for exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC), the purpose of this study was to determine if distribution of body water is related to cramp sensitivity in similarly hydrated cramp-prone individuals. To this end, 11 euhydrated subjects who regularly experience EAMC had their relative TBW, ICW, and ECW assessed using 8-pole spectral BIA. Subjects' cramp sensitivity was then assessed by electrically stimulating the tibial nerve at increasing frequencies until a muscle cramp occurred, allowing for the determination of the threshold frequency (TF) at which the cramp occurred. It was observed that TF was not significantly related to TBW (r = 0.087, p = 0.368), ICW (r = 0.105, p = 0.338), ECW (r = 0.087, p = 0.368), or ECW:TBW (r = 0.147, p = 0.280). As cramp etiology is poorly understood, these results add to a growing body of literature questioning the role of hydration and electrolyte imbalance in EAMC. Although fluid distribution may be unrelated to TF in those who commonly experience EAMC, additional research is needed to compare those who commonly experience cramps (athletes as well as individuals with specific neuropathies or pharmacologically induced cramps) with those who do not experience cramps and to determine if acute shifts in body water compartmentalization are related to changes in cramp sensitivity.
Nitrogen fixation in mesoscale eddies of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre: patterns and mechanisms

Abstract Recent studies suggest that mesoscale eddies may support elevated dinitrogen (N2) fixation rates (NFRs) and abundances of N2-fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs), yet the strength and mechanistic underpinnings of this trend are not fully understood. We explored the relationships among NFRs, cyanobacterial diazotroph abundances, and environmental conditions of mesoscale eddies by sampling three pairs of eddies of opposite polarity in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Using the Hawaii Ocean Time-series for historical context, we found that NFRs were anomalously high (up to 18.6 nmol N L−1 d−1) in the centers of two anticyclones. The highest NFR was linked to a positive anomaly in Crocosphaera abundance. To unravel the main processes and players, we used high-resolution abundance data, metatranscriptomes, deck-board incubations, and population models to evaluate three mechanisms for each diazotroph population: bottom-up control, top-down control, and physical control. Based on cell division and grazing rate estimates, Crocosphaera anomalies appeared to be partially driven by both bottom-up control (due to elevated surface phosphate concentration promoting high growth rates) and top-down control (reduced grazing pressure from putative predators). In contrast, although large, buoyant Trichodesmium and symbionts of diatoms (Richelia) appeared to have accumulated at the fronts between cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, they had lower growth rates and contributed less to bulk NFRs. Together, the interplay of these three complex mechanisms may explain reports of elevated diazotroph abundances and NFRs associated with anticyclones and eddy fronts.
Notch Signaling at Later Stages of NK Cell Development Enhances KIR Expression and Functional Maturation

The Notch signaling pathway plays a substantial role in human NK cell development. However, the role of Notch on killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) upregulation and acquisition of effector function has not been explored. To evaluate how Notch influences terminal differentiation, cord blood-derived NK cells or sorted peripheral blood NK cells were cultured with IL-15 for 7 d with inhibitory or activating Notch signals. Inhibition of Notch signaling significantly decreased KIR expression, whereas activation enhanced it. Overexpression of activated Notch on cord blood-derived NK cells resulted in a 2-fold increase in KIR expression, indicating that Notch signaling plays a direct, cell-intrinsic role in KIR regulation. Moreover, Notch-mediated KIR expression on NK cells is regulated through cis inhibition by delta-like ligand 1. Notch signaling also enhances CD16 upregulation that precedes KIR expression. Concomitant with the upregulation of KIR and CD16, Notch signaling induces increased cytolytic effector capacity and cytokine secretion, even in posttransplant samples in which NK cell function is inherently defective. Given these attributes of Notch signaling, we propose that Notch agonists may enhance NK cell maturation and tumor killing in a posttransplant setting.
On the simultaneous binding of eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II to a pair of double-stranded DNA helices

Stabilization of crossings of pairs of DNA helices by binding of eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II was studied by two types of experiments. In one, mixtures of yeast DNA topoisomerase II and supercoiled DNA were incubated with vaccinia virus topoisomerase, and the linking numbers of the DNA products were measured to quantitate supercoils that were constrained by the stoichiometrically bound yeast enzyme molecules; in parallel, the same yeast enzyme-supercoiled DNA mixtures were incubated with a nonhydrolyzable ATP analog AMPPNP (adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate) instead of the vaccinia enzyme, and DNA linking number changes following the addition of AMPPNP were measured to monitor DNA transport mediated by the yeast enzyme and AMPPNP. In the second type of experiments, formation of knotted DNA rings by the addition of AMPPNP to mixtures of yeast DNA topoisomerase II and different topological forms of DNA rings was studied. These experiments indicate that binding of yeast DNA topoisomerase II to DNA crossings is significant, especially in low salt media containing Mg(II), and that this mode of binding strongly affects DNA knotting. It appears, however, that stabilization of DNA crossovers by the eukaryotic type II enzyme is not directly related to its DNA transport activity.
Erratum: area under the precision-recall curve: point estimates and confidence intervals

The right hand side of the equation for interpolated area under the PR curve at the bottom of page 455 inadvertently transposes a and b. This typo does not affect the validity of the proof.
Lightweight Distributed Execution Engine for Large-Scale Spatial Join Query Processing

Existing Big Data systems are mostly designed for relational data. They are either incapable or inefficient in processing large-scale semi-structured data efficiently due to the inherent limitations on data abstraction, indexing support and exposure to native parallel programming tools. In this study, we report our work in developing a lightweight distributed execution engine for spatial join query processing on large-scale geospatial data. By integrating data parallel designs for single computing nodes, our execution engine is able to automatically dispatch data partitions to distributed computing nodes for efficient local execution on multi-core CPUs and GPUs. The execution engine supports asynchronous data transfer over network, asynchronous disk I/O and asynchronous computing. It also directly accesses distributed file systems to support creating and using indices conveniently and efficiently. In addition to be lightweight by design, which has less than 1,000 Lines Of Code (LOC), experiments using a real world application have demonstrated significant efficiency improvement over our previous works on extending a leading in-memory Big Data system (Impala) for spatial join query processing.
Limiting weak–type behavior for singular integral and maximal operators

The following limit result holds for the weak-type (1,1) constant of dilation-commuting singular integral operator T in R n : for f ∈ L 1 (R n ), f ≥ 0, lim λ m{x ∈ R n : λ→0 |Tf(x)| > λ} = 1 n √S n-1 |Ω(x)|dσ(x)∥f∥2. For the maximal operator M, the corresponding result is lim > =.
Use of Intermittent vs Continuous Pulse Oximetry for Nonhypoxemic Infants and Young Children Hospitalized for Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Clinical practice guidelines for managing infants and children hospitalized for bronchiolitis recommend only obtaining intermittent or “spot check” pulse oximetry readings for those who show clinical improvement. The effect of such monitoring is currently unknown. Objective To determine the effect of intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry monitoring on hospital length of stay among nonhypoxemic infants and young children hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Design, Setting, and Participants Randomized, parallel-group, superiority clinical trial of otherwise healthy infants and children 2 years of age or younger hospitalized for bronchiolitis during the period from 2009 to 2014 at 1 of 4 children’s hospitals in the United States. Parents or guardians were blinded to allocation assignment until informed consent was obtained; study personnel and outcome assessors were not. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to undergo continuous or intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring (ie, pulse oximetry measurements were obtained along with a scheduled check of vital signs or for clinical suspicion of deterioration) during hospitalization when oxygen saturation levels were 90% or higher. Main Outcomes and Measures Length of hospital stay was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures included duration of supplemental oxygen use and rate of escalation of care (defined as transfer to an intensive care unit). Results A total of 449 infants and young children were screened for inclusion; 288 infants and young children were excluded, resulting in 161 patients who were enrolled in the study (80 patients underwent continuous monitoring, and 81 patients intermittent). The mean length of stay did not differ based on pulse oximetry monitoring strategy (48.9 hours [95% CI, 41.3-56.5 hours] for continuous monitoring vs 46.2 hours [95% CI, 39.1-53.3 hours] for intermittent monitoring; P = .77). The rates of escalation of care and duration of supplemental oxygen use did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Relevance Intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring of nonhypoxemic patients with bronchiolitis did not shorten hospital length of stay and was not associated with any difference in rate of escalation of care or use of diagnostic or therapeutic measures. Our results suggest that intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring can be routinely considered in the management of infants and children hospitalized for bronchiolitis who show clinical improvement. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01014910
Simultaneous Enhancement of Electrical Conductivity and Thermopower of Bi 2 Te 3 by Multifunctionality of Native Defects

Simultaneous increases in electrical conductivity (up to 200%) and thermopower (up to 70%) are demonstrated by introducing native defects in Bi2 Te3 films, leading to a high power factor of 3.4 × 10(-3) W m(-1) K(-2). The maximum enhancement of the power factor occurs when the native defects act beneficially both as electron donors and energy filters to mobile electrons. They also act as effective phonon scatterers.
Economic Stagnation in Europe in the Interwar Period

It would not seem to be stretching matters unduly to assert that widespread agreement could be found on the following related propositions: (1) that the social crises and upheavals in Europe between the two World Wars, and the wars themselves, were not aberrations but are, rather, susceptible of a systematic, coherent explanation; (2) that such an explanation, though it would rest on a myriad of social relationships and processes, would place economic affairs at or near the center of Europe's troubles; and (3) that an understanding of European economic difficulties in the period might be efficiently achieved through an analysis of the factors stimulating and retarding the rate of economic growth of interwar Europe—or, that any thorough explanation would have to include such an analysis.
High energy QCD from Planckian scattering in AdS space and the Froissart bound

We reanalyze high-energy QCD scattering regimes from scattering in cutoff AdS space via gravity-gauge dualities (a la Polchinski-Strassler). We look at 't Hooft scattering, Regge behavior, and black hole creation in AdS space. Black hole creation in the gravity dual is analyzed via gravitational shockwave collisions. We prove the saturation of the QCD Froissart unitarity bound, corresponding to the creation of black holes of AdS size, as suggested by Giddings.
Zéro de conduite: Jeunes diables au collège (Zero for Conduct)

Refused a certificate by the French Comite national du cinema (Film Control Board) on the grounds that its satirical attack on the education system was seditious, Jean Vigo's Zero de Conduite (1933...
HEAT KERNELS FOR PERTURBED DIRAC OPERATORS ON EVEN-DIMENSIONAL MANIFOLDS WITH BOUNDED GEOMETRY

This paper establishes conditions under which one can use integrals of locally defined differential forms to give an asymptotic expansion of the supertrace of the heat operator associated with a perturbed Dirac operator on a complete noncompact even-dimensional manifold with bounded geometry.
Boundary conditions for magnetization in magnetic nanoelements

Abstract : We show that the dynamic magnetization at the edges of a thin magnetic element with a finite lateral size can be described by new effective boundary conditions that take into account inhomogeneous demagnetizing fields near the element edges. These fields play a dominant role in the effective pinning of the dynamic magnetization at the boundaries of mesoscopic and nanosized magnetic elements. The derived effective boundary conditions generalize well-known Rado-Weertman boundary conditions and are reduced to them in the limiting case of a very thin magnetic element.
New Ternary Lanthanide Transition-Metal Tellurides: Dy6MTe2, M=Fe, Co, Ni

Abstract The isotypic title compounds together with R6CoTe2 for R=Y, La have been synthesized in Ta containers at high temperature and their lattice parameters refined from Guinier X-ray powder diffraction data. The structure of this family has been detailed in space group P 6 2m (Z=1) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the case of Dy6FeTe2 (a=8.236(3) A, c=4.0107(2) A, 23°C, R(F)/Rw=3.6/3.8%). The overall structure is of the Zr6CoAl2 type, an ordered derivative of the Fe2P type. Extended Huckel calculations help to interpret the stabilization of this structure by iron or electron-richer elements. Strong Dy–Fe interactions in more 1D chains are a noteworthy feature.
Damage Tolerance of Thick-Section S-2 Glass Fabric Composites Subjected to Ballistic Impact Loading

The damage tolerance of thick S-2 glass-fabric reinforced polyester, vinylester, and epoxy matrix composite panels subjected to ballistic impact loading has been examined. The damage shape and size was examined using ultrasonic NDE. After inspection of the damage, residual compression strength of the impacted panels was measured. The hand laid-up glass-polyester composite suffered from a large damage size, and low strength in compression after ballistic impact (CABI). The glass-vinylester and glass-epoxy panels manufactured using the SCRIMP process showed small damage sizes and high residual strengths. Through-thickness stitching of glass-vinylester and glass-epoxy panels was found to reduce the impact damage size, but the difference was quite small and did not translate into a substantial strength increase. The performance of panels with a ceramic tile bonded at the impact site was also examined. Model predictions of the CABI strength based on compression failure at the net section are compared to measur...