Deep reinforcement learning for the olfactory search POMDP: a quantitative benchmark.

The olfactory search POMDP (partially observable Markov decision process) is a sequential decision-making problem designed to mimic the task faced by insects searching for a source of odor in turbulence, and its solutions have applications to sniffer robots. As exact solutions are out of reach, the challenge consists in finding the best possible approximate solutions while keeping the computational cost reasonable. We provide a quantitative benchmarking of a solver based on deep reinforcement learning against traditional POMDP approximate solvers.

Generation of momentum transport in weakly turbulent β-plane magnetohydrodynamics.

Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence on a β plane with an in-plane mean field, a system which serves as a simple model for the solar tachocline, is investigated analytically and computationally. We first derive two useful analytic constraints: We express the mean turbulent cross-helicity in terms of the mean turbulent magnetic energy, and then show that (for weak turbulence) the time-averaged momentum transport in the system can be expressed in terms of the cross-helicity spectrum. We then complete a closure of the system using weak turbulence theory, appropriately extended to a system with multiple interacting eigenmodes.

Turbulence model reduction by deep learning.

A central problem of turbulence theory is to produce a predictive model for turbulent fluxes. These have profound implications for virtually all aspects of the turbulence dynamics. In magnetic confinement devices, drift-wave turbulence produces anomalous fluxes via cross-correlations between fluctuations.

Ion-ion dynamic structure factor of warm dense mixtures.

The ion-ion dynamic structure factor of warm dense matter is determined using the recently developed pseudoatom molecular dynamics method [Starrett et al., Phys. Rev.

Sleep quality and aerobic training among menopausal women--a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Menopause is associated with poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, which may lead to impaired quality of life and impaired functioning in daily activities.

Objective: To study whether exercise training improves sleep quality or decreases the amount of night time hot flushes among menopausal women with vasomotor symptoms.

Study Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Effect of aerobic training on menopausal symptoms--a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether aerobic training affects menopausal symptoms in recently postmenopausal sedentary women.

Methods: Symptomatic women aged 45 to 63 years (N = 176; 3-36 months since last menstruation) were randomly assigned to an aerobic training or a control group. The intervention included unsupervised aerobic training for 50 minutes four times weekly for 24 weeks, whereas the control group attended health lectures twice a month.

Usability and feasibility of mobile phone diaries in an experimental physical exercise study.

Objectives: Wireless and mobile phone technology as a method of data collection will increase alongside conventional methods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of a mobile phone application for recording symptoms and physical activity exertion during an experimental physical exercise study.

Materials And Methods: An experimental study on the effects of physical exercise on the well-being of menopausal women included 158 subjects between 44 and 63 years of age.

Effect of aerobic training on hot flushes and quality of life--a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: To estimate whether aerobic training has an effect on frequency of hot flushes or quality of life.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Participants And Setting: Symptomatic, sedentary women (n = 176), 43-63 years, no current use of hormone therapy.

The impact of tick control on the productivity of indigenous cattle under ranch conditions in Uganda.

The impact of tick control on the productivity of indigenous cattle was investigated in three herds of East African shorthorn Zebu and Zebu x Ankole (Nganda) breeds, maintained under three tick management systems practised under ranch conditions: twice-a-week dipping, once-a-month dipping, and no tick control. The milk production and the growth rates of pre-weaned and post-weaned calves were monitored once a month over a period of 34 months. Milk offtake was 23% higher during the heavy rainy seasons than in the long dry seasons.

Wildlife and pastoral society--shifting paradigms in disease control.

The dramatic changes in the human and animal populations in Africa over the last century demand the re-examination of priorities and policies. The introduction of developed medical and other human technologies into the continent has contributed to increases in population and a rapid, unsustainable increase in the utilization of resources. This in turn has led to the destruction of flora and fauna on an unprecedented scale with little real improvement in the human condition.

Infant massage compared with crib vibrator in the treatment of colicky infants.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of infant massage compared with that of a crib vibrator in the treatment of infantile colic.

Methods: Infants <7 weeks of age and perceived as colicky by their parents were randomly assigned to an infant massage group (n = 28) or a crib vibrator group (n = 30). Three daily intervention periods were recommended in both groups.

Population dynamics of ticks on indigenous cattle in a pastoral dry to semi-arid rangeland zone of Uganda.

Studies on seasonality and population dynamics of ticks on indigenous cattle and their crosses (calves) were carried out in Buruli Ranching Scheme, Nabiswera, Luwero district of Uganda on three treatment groups of animals: group 1 (twice a week dipping), group 2 (once a month dipping) and group 3 (no tick control). During this study, four major species of ticks of economic importance were recorded in decreasing order of abundance: Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Amblyomma variegatum and Boophilus decoloratus. Of these ticks, a seasonal pattern of activity was only observed in R.

Financial analysis of dipping strategies for indigenous cattle under ranch conditions in Uganda.

A financial analysis was performed to assess the performance of three acaricide-treatment groups of indigenous breeds (Zebu and Nganda) of cattle on a ranch in Luwero District, Uganda. The treatments were based on different frequencies: twice-a-week dipping, once-a-month dipping and no tick control. The objective was to evaluate the economic justification for intensive acaricide application for tick and tick-borne disease control in Uganda.

Height changes among chronic low back pain patients during intense physical exercise.

The possible effects of intense physical exercise on the total body stature of low back pain patients were monitored by circadian total body height measurements. The height was measured with a statiometer, and the change in height was correlated with the changes in the range of motion, pain and subjective disability and degree of disc degeneration seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pictures. The stature of 24 low back pain patients was measured during a 3-week period.

Control of tsetse flies in Uganda by dipping cattle in deltamethrin.

The effect of treating cattle with deltamethrin to control tsetse flies and ticks was investigated on 2 ranches 8 km apart in central Uganda where there is a high risk of trypanosomosis. This area had a moderate challenge of Glossina pallidipes. The cattle had very low challenge of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decolaratus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, due to regular treatment with dioxathion.

Outcome of a multimodal treatment including intensive physical training of patients with chronic low back pain.

A comprehensive 4-week inpatient treatment including intensive physical training was evaluated in 194 chronic low back pain patients of whom 101 were working and 79 were on sick leave. Physical performance was assessed by measurements of spinal mobility, isometric trunk flexion and extension strength, and isokinetic lifting strength. Outcome was evaluated by a functional capacity index and work status changes reported at a 12-month follow-up.

Outcome of two multimodal back treatment programs with and without intensive physical training.

We compared the results of two multimodal back treatment programs (program A: n = 134; program B: n = 175) using pain, functional capacity, sickness absence, subjective state of health, depression, and work status as outcome variables. Whereas in program A exercise was guided by pain, in program B a "no pain, no gain" rationale was used as a basis for intensive physical training. Neither of the programs included direct attempts to influence the patient's environment (i.

Yersiniosis as a gastrointestinal disease.

Anti-yersinia antibodies were assessed in sera from 630 patients admitted to a department of surgery for acute abdominal disease, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In 21 patients a high concentration of yersinia antibodies confirmed recent yersinia infection. Eight patients had an appendicectomy performed; in all patients with antibodies against Y.

Immediate enteral feeding after abdominal surgery.

Enteral feeding by nasoenteral tube was begun immediately after surgery of the alimentary tract in 120 patients. In 37 cases the feeding was delivered proximally to a fresh anastomosis or enterotomy. Immediate enteral feeding was well tolerated even after major elective surgery of the gastrointestinal tract.

Canine gastric glycoprotein antigens in early carcinogenesis.

The effect of one single dose of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on the antigenic structures of gastric juice glycoproteins, was studied in dogs. Antisera to glycoproteins of the fetal alimentary canal were raised. Histologic mucosal specimens and glycoprotein fractions of gastric juice which were taken from four dogs during a 15.

Besnoitia sp. from goats in Kenya.

The eyelids of goats in Kenya contained several, conspicuous white cysts which were up to 1.5 mm in size. By histological and electron microscopical studies it was confirmed that these cysts belong to the genus Besnoitia.

Prolonged impairment of cell-mediated immunity after major abdominal surgery in malnourished patients.

The effect of the nutritional status on postoperative impairment of the immune response was studied in adults undergoing major abdominal surgery. The immune function was evaluated by measuring in vitro the lymphocytic response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and the purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) in whole blood cultures, and in vivo delayed skin hypersensitivity to candida, mumps, streptokinase-streptodornase and PPD. Nutritional assessment was carried out by evaluating recent weight loss, the weight for height index and by measuring the arm muscle circumference (AMC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), the creatinine-height index (CHI) and the serum concentration of albumin and prealbumin.

Human acute pancreatitis: a light and electron microscopic study.

The histology and ultrastructure of resected pancreas from seven patients suffering from acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis were studied. Special attention was paid to necrotic acini and zymogen granules. Acinar cells in the border of necrotic and non-necrotic parenchyma contained lipid droplets, autophagic vacuoles, bundles of intermediate filaments and degenerated cell organelles, including zymogen granules, PAS-positive material derived from secretory proteins was situated in dilated acinar lumina and in the interstitium, and proved to be fibrillar in fine structure.