Aspects of cooperating agents

An overview on aspects about cooperating agents is presented. As multiagent systems are various, we start with a classification of multiagent systems which is particularly influenced by an article from Decker, Durfee, and Lesser [Decker& 89]. In the following, the aspects of communication, planning, and negotiation are examined. On the occasion of communication, the discussion is split into: no communication - simple protocols - artificial languages. The planning aspect is broken into sections: from classical to multiagent planning - a general multiagent planning theory - intention - intention-directed multiagent planning. Finally, a summary of Brigitte and Hassan Lâasri and Victor Lesser\u27s negotiation theory will be presented

Visual Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Event Predictions: Investigating the Spread Dynamics of Invasive Species

Invasive species are a major cause of ecological damage and commercial losses. A current problem spreading in North America and Europe is the vinegar fly Drosophila suzukii. Unlike other Drosophila, it infests non-rotting and healthy fruits and is therefore of concern to fruit growers, such as vintners. Consequently, large amounts of data about infestations have been collected in recent years. However, there is a lack of interactive methods to investigate this data. We employ ensemble-based classification to predict areas susceptible to infestation by D. suzukii and bring them into a spatio-temporal context using maps and glyph-based visualizations. Following the information-seeking mantra, we provide a visual analysis system Drosophigator for spatio-temporal event prediction, enabling the investigation of the spread dynamics of invasive species. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach in two use cases

Association between neuropathy and B-vitamins: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common in patients with diseases that are in turn associated with deficiency of the B-vitamins, and vitamin treatment has shown mixed results. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis studied the association between PN/pain and B-vitamin biomarkers and investigated whether vitamin treatment can ameliorate the symptoms. PubMed and Web of Science were searched according to the study protocol. Results A total of 46 observational and seven interventional studies were identified and included in the data synthesis. The presence of PN was associated with lowered B12 levels (pooled estimate [95% CIs] = 1.51 [1.23–1.84], n = 34, Cochran Q Test I2 = 43.3%, p = 0.003) and elevated methylmalonic acid (2.53 [1.39–4.60], n = 9, I2 = 63.8%, p = 0.005) and homocysteine (3.48 [2.01–6.04], n = 15, I2 = 70.6%, p < 0.001). B12 treatment (vs. the comparators) showed a non-significant association with symptom improvement (1.36 (0.66–2.79), n = 4, I2 = 28.9%). Treatment with B1 was associated with a significant improvement in symptoms (5.34 [1.87–15.19], n = 3, I2 = 64.6%, p = 0.059). Analysis of seven trials combined showed a non-significant higher odds ratio for improvement under treatment with the B-vitamins (2.58 [0.98–6.79], I2 = 80.0%, p < 0.001). Conclusions PN is associated with lowered plasma vitamin B12 and elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. Overall, interventional studies have suggested that B-vitamins could improve symptoms of PN. Available trials have limitations and generally did not investigate vitamin status prior to treatment. Well-designed studies, especially in non-diabetes PN, are needed. This meta-analysis is registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020144917)

A tip-based source of femtosecond electron pulses at 30keV

We present a nano-scale photoelectron source, optimized towards ultrashort pulse durations and well-suited for time-resolved diffraction experiments. A tungsten tip, mounted in a suppressor-extractor electrode configuration, allows the generation of 30 keV electron pulses with an estimated pulse duration of 37 fs at the gun exit. We infer the pulse duration from particle tracking simulations, which are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements of the electron-optical properties of the source. We furthermore demonstrate femtosecond laser-triggered operation. Besides the short electron pulse duration, a tip-based source is expected to feature a large transverse coherence as well as a nanometric emittance.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Der Zusammenhang zwischen Vitamin B1, B6, B12 und peripheren Neuropathien und Schmerzen : Systematischer Review und Metaanalyse anhand von Beobachtungs- und Interventionsstudien

Der Vitamin B-Komplex spielt eine wichtige Rolle für die Funktionalität des Nervensystems. Ein Mangel an Vitaminen dieser wasserlöslichen Gruppe wird mit dem Auftreten verschiedener neurologischer Krankheiten assoziiert. Bei vielen dieser Krankheiten kann unter Substitution der entsprechenden Vitamine eine Verbesserung der Symptomatik beobachtet werden (Heinrich et al. 2014). Periphere Neuropathien und andere Schmerzzustände werden häufig mit einem Mangel an Vitamin B1, B6 oder B12 in Verbindung gebracht (Calderón-Ospina et al. 2020). Die Anwendung dieser Vitamine in der allgemeinen Therapie von peripheren Neuropathien und nicht-neuropathischen Schmerzzuständen ergab bisher keine eindeutigen Ergebnisse (Ang et al. 2008; Gazoni et al. 2016). Ein systematischer Review mit anschließender Metaanalyse wurde durchgeführt, um anhand von Beobachtungsstudien den Zusammenhang zwischen einem niedrigen Vitaminstatus (B1, B6 oder B12) und peripheren Neuropathien oder anderen nicht-neuropathischen Schmerzzuständen zu überprüfen. Zudem wurde anhand von Interventionsstudien untersucht, ob durch eine Behandlung mit den genannten Vitaminen eine Verbesserung der Symptome erzielt werden kann. Für die Literaturrecherche wurden die Online-Suchportale „PubMed“ und „World of Science“ durchsucht. 46 Beobachtungs- und 7 Interventionsstudien wurden für die Metaanalyse identifiziert. Es zeigte sich ein signifikanter positiver Zusammenhang zwischen peripheren Neuropathien und niedrigen Vitamin B12-Werten [geschätzte Gesamteffektgröße (95% Konfidenzintervall) = 1,51 (1,23-1,84); Cochran Q-Test I2 = 43,3%, p = 0,004; 34 Studien] sowie erhöhten Konzentrationen von Methylmalonsäure [2,53 (1,39-4,60); I2 = 63,8%, p = 0,005; 9 Studien] und Homocystein [3,48 (2,01-6,04); I2 = 70,6%, p < 0,001; 15 Studien]. Für Vitamin B1 und B6 konnten ebenfalls positive Zusammenhänge nachgewiesen werden, diese waren jedoch statistisch nicht signifikant. Unter der Behandlung mit Vitamin B1 als Mono- oder Kombinationstherapie konnte eine signifikante Verbesserung der Neuropathie-Symptome nachgewiesen werden [5,34 (1,87-15,19); I2 = 64,6%, p = 0,059; 3 Studien]. Auch die Behandlung mit Vitamin B6, B12 oder einer Kombination aller drei Vitamine ergab Verbesserungen für die Patienten, jedoch ohne statistische Signifikanz zu erreichen. Aufgrund der geringen Anzahl von nicht-neuropathischen Schmerzstudien konnten keine Aussagen für diese Fragestellung getroffen werden. Zusammenfassend zeigt die vorliegende Arbeit, dass Patienten mit peripherer Neuropathie unabhängig von der jeweiligen Grunderkrankung eine erhöhte Wahrscheinlichkeit für einen niedrigen Vitamin B12-Status aufweisen (anhand von Vitamin B12, Methylmalonsäure oder Homocystein). Die geringe Anzahl an verfügbaren Interventionsstudien deutet zudem auf einen positiven Effekt der genannten Vitamine in der Behandlung von peripheren Neuropathien hin. Die Erkennung und Behandlung von Vitaminmangelzuständen bei Patienten mit peripheren Neuropathien und allen weiteren Erkrankungen, die mit einem erhöhten Risiko für Neuropathien einhergehen, stellt somit einen potenziellen Ansatz in der Prävention und Behandlung von peripheren Neuropathien dar.B vitamins are essential for the functionality of the nervous system. A vitamin deficiency of this water-soluble group is associated with various neurological diseases. Symptom improvement can be observed in many of these diseases when the deficient vitamins are substituted (Heinrich et al. 2014). Peripheral neuropathies and other pain conditions are often associated with deficiencies of vitamin B1, B6 or B12 (Calderón-Ospina et al. 2020). Using these vitamins in the general treatment of peripheral neuropathies and non-neuropathic pain conditions has shown mixed results (Ang et al. 2008; Gazoni et al. 2016). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to verify the associations between low vitamin status (B1, B6 or B12) and peripheral neuropathies or other non-neuropathic pain conditions using observational studies. In addition, we used interventional studies to investigate whether treatment with the above-mentioned vitamins can improve symptoms. Online databases "PubMed" and "World of Science" were searched for literature. 46 observational and 7 intervention studies were identified for the meta-analysis. A significant positive association was found between peripheral neuropathies and low vitamin B12 levels [estimated total effect size (95% confidence interval) = 1.51 (1.23-1.84); Cochran Q-Test I2 = 43.3%, p = 0.004; 34 studies] and elevated concentrations of methylmalonic acid [2.53 (1.39-4.60); I2 = 63.8%, p = 0.005; 9 studies] and homocysteine [3.48 (2.01-6.04); I2 = 70.6%, p < 0.001; 15 studies]. Positive associations were also found for vitamin B1 and B6, but these were not statistically significant. Treatment with vitamin B1 as monotherapy or combination therapy showed a significant improvement in neuropathic symptoms [5.34 (1.87-15.19); I2 = 64.6%, p = 0.059; 3 studies]. Treatment with vitamin B6, B12 or a combination of all three vitamins also showed improvements for patients, but without statistical significance. Due to the small number of studies no conclusions could be drawn for non-neuropathic pain conditions. In summary, the present study shows that patients with peripheral neuropathy are more likely to have a low vitamin B12 status (based on vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid or homocysteine) regardless of the underlying disease. The small number of available interventional studies also indicates a positive effect of the above-mentioned vitamins in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. The detection and treatment of vitamin deficiencies in patients with peripheral neuropathies and all other diseases associated with an increased risk of neuropathies represent a potential approach in the prevention and treatment of peripheral neuropathies

On the Efficient Calculation of a Linear Combination of Chi-Square Random Variables with an Application in Counting String Vacua

Linear combinations of chi square random variables occur in a wide range of fields. Unfortunately, a closed, analytic expression for the pdf is not yet known. As a first result of this work, an explicit analytic expression for the density of the sum of two gamma random variables is derived. Then a computationally efficient algorithm to numerically calculate the linear combination of chi square random variables is developed. An explicit expression for the error bound is obtained. The proposed technique is shown to be computationally efficient, i.e. only polynomial in growth in the number of terms compared to the exponential growth of most other methods. It provides a vast improvement in accuracy and shows only logarithmic growth in the required precision. In addition, it is applicable to a much greater number of terms and currently the only way of computing the distribution for hundreds of terms. As an application, the exponential dependence of the eigenvalue fluctuation probability of a random matrix model for 4d supergravity with N scalar fields is found to be of the asymptotic form exp(-0.35N).Comment: 21 pages, 19 figures. 3rd versio

Die Bedeutung von Säumen im großflächigen Ökologischen Landbau

Establishing a system of field margins for enhancing the floristic and faunistic biodiversity on a Demeter farm in north-east Germany is part of the project “Nature conservation farm Brodowin”, which analyses potential conflicts between nature conservation demands and large-scale organic agriculture. In cooperation with the Demeter farm Ökodorf Brodowin several possibilities for the special management of field margins are tested, which meet the demands of target species as well as fit in the agricultural process. Field margins from 3 to 20m are excluded from ploughing, partly set aside and partly mown once or twice a year. First results show that these field margins serve as habitat and source-area for a large variety of species. For example, density and reproduction of grasshoppers is high, especially on margins with poor soils. From the agricultural point of view, unploughed field margins can facilitate farming procedures. Depending on the quantity and quality of the fodder, it can be integrated into animal nutrition

The Infinite Index: Information Retrieval on Generative Text-To-Image Models

Conditional generative models such as DALL-E and Stable Diffusion generate images based on a user-defined text, the prompt. Finding and refining prompts that produce a desired image has become the art of prompt engineering. Generative models do not provide a built-in retrieval model for a user's information need expressed through prompts. In light of an extensive literature review, we reframe prompt engineering for generative models as interactive text-based retrieval on a novel kind of "infinite index". We apply these insights for the first time in a case study on image generation for game design with an expert. Finally, we envision how active learning may help to guide the retrieval of generated images.Comment: Final version for CHIIR 202