Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement Learning with Unsupervised Auxiliary Tasks

Deep reinforcement learning agents have achieved state-of-the-art results by directly maximising cumulative reward. However, environments contain a much wider variety of possible training signals. In this paper, we introduce an agent that also maximises many other pseudo-reward functions simultaneously by reinforcement learning. All of these tasks share a common representation that, like unsupervised learning, continues to develop in the absence of extrinsic rewards. We also introduce a novel mechanism for focusing this representation upon extrinsic rewards, so that learning can rapidly adapt to the most relevant aspects of the actual task. Our agent significantly outperforms the previous state-of-the-art on Atari, averaging 880\% expert human performance, and a challenging suite of first-person, three-dimensional \emph{Labyrinth} tasks leading to a mean speedup in learning of 10$\times$ and averaging 87\% expert human performance on Labyrinth.
Molecular Gas Dynamics in NGC 6946: A Bar-driven Nuclear Starburst “Caught in the Act”

We present high angular resolution (~1'' and 0.″6) millimeter interferometric observations of the 12CO(1-0) and 12CO(2-1) line emission in the central 300 pc of the late-type spiral galaxy NGC 6946. The data, obtained with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI), allow the first detection of a molecular gas spiral in the inner ~10'' (270 pc) with a large concentration of molecular gas (M ~ 1.6 × 107 M☉) within the inner 60 pc. This nuclear clump shows evidence for a ringlike geometry with a radius of ~10 pc as inferred from the position-velocity diagrams. Both the distribution of the molecular gas and its kinematics can be well explained by the influence of an inner stellar bar of about 400 pc length. A qualitative model of the expected gas flow shows that streaming motions along the leading sides of this bar are a plausible explanation for the high nuclear gas density. Thus, NGC 6946 is a prime example of molecular gas kinematics being driven by a small-scale, secondary stellar bar.
Nonequilibrium Brownian Motion beyond the Effective Temperature

The condition of thermal equilibrium simplifies the theoretical treatment of fluctuations as found in the celebrated Einstein’s relation between mobility and diffusivity for Brownian motion. Several recent theories relax the hypothesis of thermal equilibrium resulting in at least two main scenarios. With well separated timescales, as in aging glassy systems, equilibrium Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem applies at each scale with its own “effective” temperature. With mixed timescales, as for example in active or granular fluids or in turbulence, temperature is no more well-defined, the dynamical nature of fluctuations fully emerges and a Generalized Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem (GFDT) applies. Here, we study experimentally the mixed timescale regime by studying fluctuations and linear response in the Brownian motion of a rotating intruder immersed in a vibro-fluidized granular medium. Increasing the packing fraction, the system is moved from a dilute single-timescale regime toward a denser multiple-timescale stage. Einstein’s relation holds in the former and is violated in the latter. The violation cannot be explained in terms of effective temperatures, while the GFDT is able to impute it to the emergence of a strong coupling between the intruder and the surrounding fluid. Direct experimental measurements confirm the development of spatial correlations in the system when the density is increased.
Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity in Italy: Evidence and Consequences

This paper uses administrative longitudinal micro-data from the Italian Social Security Institute (INPS) to estimate the extent of downward nominal wage rigidity. The determinants of wage changes are explicitly modelled, as is the measurement error deriving from the fact that earnings inclusive of benefits, not hourly wages, are available in the data. Estimates show that the degree of downward nominal wage rigidity is medium/high – between 51% and 68% of all notional wage cuts being prevented by the existence of proportional rigidity. The implications of the estimated nominal wage rigidity for the real side of the economy are also explored.
Privacy nudges as policy interventions: comparing US and German media users’ evaluation of information privacy nudges

ABSTRACT The protection of individuals’ online privacy is one of the main challenges for Internet policy. As the informed consent paradigm has largely failed to ensure privacy protection online, we examine nudging as a tool of soft paternalism as an alternative intervention to sensitize users towards online privacy. Building upon the criticism that nudging is considered being manipulative and reducing people’s autonomy in decision-making, we inquire how media users themselves evaluate nudges’ effectiveness and intrusiveness. In particular, we distinguish nudges either as targeting heuristic decision-making (system 1) or deliberate decision-making through education and information (system 2). Empirically, we carried out an interview study among German and US media users (N = 52) to address cross-cultural differences in the evaluation of privacy interventions. Our results point to a preference for system 2 nudges. Germans in particular perceive state interventions addressing privacy awareness as more acceptable and helpful than US participants.
Brain activity related to integrative processes in visual object recognition : bottom-up integration and the modulatory influence of stored knowledge

We report evidence from a PET activation study that the inferior occipital gyri (likely to include area V2) and the posterior parts of the fusiform and inferior temporal gyri are involved in the integration of visual elements into perceptual wholes (single objects). Of these areas, the fusiform and inferior temporal gyri were more activated by tasks with recognizable stimuli than by tasks with unrecognizable stimuli. We propose that the posterior parts of the fusiform and inferior temporal gyri, compared with the inferior occipital gyri, are involved in higher level integration, due to the involvement of re-entrant activation from stored structural knowledge. Evidence in favor of this interpretation comes from the additional finding that activation of the anterior part of the left fusiform gyrus and a more anterior part of the right inferior temporal gyrus, areas previously associated with access to stored structural knowledge, was found with recognizable stimuli, but not with unrecognizable stimuli. This latter finding also indicates: (i) that subjects may not refrain from (automatically) identifying objects even if they only have to attend to the objects’ global shape, and (ii) that perceptual and memorial processes can be dissociated on both functional and anatomical grounds. No evidence was obtained for the involvement of the parietal lobes in the integration of single objects. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Microfeature Based Approach Towards Metaphor Interpretation

This paper advocates a microfeature based approach towards developing computational models for metaphor interpretation. It is argued that the existing models based on semantic networks and mappings of complex symbolic structures are insufficient and inappropriate for modeling metaphors. A connectionist model of metaphor interpretation based on microfeatures is presented, which tries to take into account some important issues, such as accurate capturing of similarity, automatic formation of features, contextual effects, elimination of long paths in conceptual hierarchies, salience imbalance, and feature enhancement. Some of these issues have broad implications in cognitive modeling.
Tgf-β1 produced by activated CD4+ T Cells Antagonizes T Cell Surveillance of Tumor Development

TGFβ1 is a regulatory cytokine with a crucial function in the control of T cell tolerance to tumors. Our recent study revealed that T cell-produced TGFβ1 is essential for inhibiting cytotoxic T cell responses to tumors. However, the exact TGFβ1-producing T cell subset required for tumor immune evasion remains unknown. Here we showed that deletion of TGFβ1 from CD8+ T cells or Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells did not protect mice against transplanted tumors. However, absence of TGFβ1 produced by activated CD4+ T cells and Treg cells inhibited tumor growth, and protected mice from spontaneous prostate cancer. These findings suggest that TGFβ1 produced by activated CD4+ T cells is a necessary requirement for tumor evasion from immunosurveillance.
Optimizing The Use of Stream Buffers in Embedded Systems

In here we consider an overall approach to design the memory sub system of embedded systems. We focus on the use of stream buffers versus the use of caches. Stream buffers are useful to handle stream like memory access patterns (mainly array elements in loops) while caches are better suited to handle irregular accesses (e.g. traversing binary trees). Stream buffers are more efficient in terms of power and chip area than caches but may increase the memory bandwidth. In this work we study the tradeoff between these three elements (cache, stream buffers and memory configuration) presenting a system that determines an optimized combination of these three elements. The goal is to maximize the amount of load/store operations that are executed via stream buffers. We use compiler analysis to select and optimize large loops to work with stream buffers and then determine the minimal necessary memory configuration. This include choosing number of DRAM banks and the memory access mode, namely pipeline mode, parallel mode or sequential mode.
Identity Research and the Psychosocial Formation of One's Sense of Spiritual Self: Implications for Religious Educators and Christian Institutions of Higher Education

Utilizing Erikson's (1963) psychosocial ego identity development theory 28 qualitative interviews with religiously devout Americans are analyzed to determine different patterns of adult spiritual identity. Following an integrationist approach, we provide response to the question, “What types of identity development are accommodated, promoted, or prohibited by particular models of Christian education and the educational communities that embody them? ” Recognizing individual differences in (a) the social and contextual factors that affect identity formation, (b) the way religious doubts are resolved, and (c) what individuals seek from community, we offer important implications for religious educators and Christian institutions of higher education.
Creating a Recommendation Framework for Positive Psychology Exercises: The Netflix Model of Positive Psychology

Treatment research typically examines what works for the average individual. In positive psychology, researchers have shown that diverse strategies such as expressing gratitude, savoring experiences, using strengths, increasing optimism, and practicing kindness all demonstrate the potential to boost an individual’s level of well-being. No research, however, aims to help an individual select which of these techniques would most likely benefit him or her. This dissertation addresses this question by creating and validating a system in order to recommend specific positive psychology exercises. I conducted a series of studies to develop and test a recommendation framework for six positive psychology exercises: active-constructive responding, blessings, gratitude visit, life summary, savoring and strengths. In Study 1, 792 participants received up to six positive psychology exercises. After each exercise, participants indicated their preference for each exercise and how often they engaged in it. A factor analysis of these scores revealed three groupings of subjective preferences: active-constructive responding and savoring; blessings and life summary; and gratitude visit and strengths. Individuals who had high preference for an exercise were more likely to complete the exercise. In Study 2, I used these groupings to create a recommendation framework. The sample consisted of 127 undergraduate students who participated in the study over a four-week period. All participants randomly received an initial positive psychology exercise for one week and rated their preference for the exercise. Participants were randomized to either a matched or control group: In the matched group, individuals received a second exercise based on a previously defined matching rule, whereas in the comparison group, individuals received a second exercise by random assignment. Individuals in the matched group preferred the second exercise significantly more and tended to report larger boosts in well-being following the second exercise than those in the control group. I discuss these findings and their implications for adopting idiographic methods to create packages of interventions. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Psychology First Advisor Martin Seligman Second Advisor Robert DeRubeis This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/392 Third Advisor Michael Kahana
Race Matters: Child Protection and the Communication Process

ABSTRACT It is well-known that, in the United States, African-American children are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system and that disparities in the provision of services exist. The debate over contributing factors to this overrepresentation and these disparities is ongoing as researchers seek explanations and practitioners pursue solutions. This qualitative inquiry finds that within the context of the child protection system and the juvenile court process, racial dynamics emerge between respondent parents and system representatives that may affect the process and, in turn, the outcomes for the thousands of children of color in the foster care system.
Effects of curcumin in pediatric epithelial liver tumors: inhibition of tumor growth and alpha-fetoprotein in vitro and in vivo involving the NFkappaB- and the beta-catenin pathways

In children with hepatocellular carcinoma (pHCC) the 5-year overall survival rate is poor. Effects of cytostatic therapies such as cisplatin and doxorubicin are limited due to chemoresistance and tumor relapse. In adult HCC, several antitumor properties are described for the use of curcumin. Curcumin is one of the best-investigated phytochemicals in complementary oncology without relevant side effects. Its use is limited by low bioavailability. Little is known about the influence of curcumin on pediatric epithelial hepatic malignancies. We investigated the effects of curcumin in combination with cisplatin on two pediatric epithelial liver tumor cell lines. As mechanisms of action inhibition of NFkappaB, beta-catenin, and decrease of cyclin D were identified. Using a mouse xenograft model we could show a significant decrease of alpha-fetoprotein after combination therapy of oral micellar curcumin and cisplatin. Significant concentrations of curcuminoids were found in blood samples, organ lysates, and tumor tissue after oral micellar curcumin administration. Micellar curcumin in combination with cisplatin can be a promising strategy for treatment of pediatric HCC.
Nancy Pollock Sensory integration : A review of the current state of the evidence

6 Sensory integration, sensory integrative dysfunction, sensory processing disorder, sensory modulation, sensory diets; all somewhat confusing terms for many occupational therapists, other health professionals, and educators. Imagine how most families must feel! In the 45 years since Jean Ayres presented her Eleanor Clark Slagle Lecture (Ayres, 1963) introducing her concept of sensory integration, the field of sensory integration research and practice has seen tremendous growth and continues to engender strong reactions within and outside the field of occupational therapy. The controversy has recently moved from the professional literature to the lay press. Time Magazine (December 10, 2007) featured an article entitled “Is this Disorder for Real? ” reporting on the controversy surrounding the move to have sensory processing disorder included in the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Given the controversial nature of sensory integration, it is important to ensure that practitioners are up to date on the current state of the literature and the evidence. Part of the mandate of the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research located at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, is to provide synthesized reviews to assist in translating knowledge from research to practice. Available on our website www.canchild. ca, these reviews are called Keeping Current and are written so that families, service providers, and researchers can access them. The Keeping Current in Sensory Integration, last updated in 2006, remains one of the most frequently accessed titles on the website, with an average of 650 hits per month. As it is now time to update it, we thought it could also be an important contribution to this special issue of OT Now. In this article, I will review the discussions and debates about terminology, identification and diagnosis, review the evidence for the effectiveness of sensory integration interventions, and provide some suggestions for clinicians and families.
Artistic paper-cut of human portraits

This paper presents a method to render artistic paper-cut of human portraits. Rendering paper-cut images from photographs can be considered as an inhomogeneous image binarization problem, to which ideal solutions should reproduce vivid image details with sparse cuts. Especially for portrait paper-cut, good artworks should capture impressive facial features. To achieve this goal, our approach integrates bottom-up and top-down cues to better determine the binary values. In the bottom-up phase, facial components are localized on the input photograph, and their draft binary versions are proposed. In the top-down phase, we use pre-collected representative paper-cut templates, with which we synthesize the final paper-cut image by matching them with the bottom-up proposals. Experimental results show that our approach can produce visually satisfactory results.
Preparation of Spatially and Temporally Defined Movements 1 1 Running head : Preparation of Spatially and Temporally Defined Movements 2 3 4 Motor Preparation of Spatially and Temporally Defined Movements : Evidence from 5 Startle 6 7

24 Previous research has shown that the preparation of a spatially-targeted movement 25 performed at maximal speed is different to that of a temporally-constrained movement 26 (Gottlieb et al., 1989b). In the current study, we directly examined preparation 27 differences in temporally versus spatially defined movements through the use of a 28 startling stimulus and manipulation of the task goals. Participants performed arm 29 extension movements to one of three spatial targets (20°, 40°, 60°), and an arm extension 30 movement of 20° at three movement speeds (slow, moderate, fast). All movements were 31 performed in a blocked, simple reaction time paradigm, with trials involving a startling 32 stimulus (124dB) interspersed randomly with control trials. As predicted, spatial 33 movements were modulated by agonist duration and timed movements were modulated 34 by agonist rise time. The startling stimulus triggered all movements at short latencies 35 with a compression of the kinematic and EMG profile such that they were performed 36 faster than control trials. However, temporally-constrained movements showed a 37 differential effect of movement compression on startle trials such that the slowest 38 movement showed the greatest temporal compression. The startling stimulus also 39 decreased the relative timing between EMG bursts more for the 20° movement when it 40 was defined by a temporal rather than spatial goal, which we attributed to the disruption 41 of an internal timekeeper for the timed movements. These results confirmed that 42 temporally defined movements were prepared in a different manner than spatially defined 43 movements, and provided new information pertaining to these preparation differences. 44
Supporting children with 'Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulty (SEBD)' in mainstream: teachers' perspectives

In this small-scale, qualitative study, the experiences of nine teachers who support learners identified with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) in mainstream primary schools are considered. A narrative approach enabled teachers to share their complex portrayals of practices and feelings about their roles. Perspectives on models of disability and disability rights, performativity, professional identity for teachers, and SEBD, have informed analysis and understanding of the stories teachers told. The study explores how the relationship between teachers' professional identity and well-being and the expectations imposed upon them in a neoliberal influenced education system brings about pressures and concerns. Attempts by the teachers to achieve a balance between what they feel they ought to do (to meet policy expectations) and what they feel they should do (to meet the entitlements of children) has led to excessive workloads and complex emotional responses. Reflections on the way these teachers constructed discourses about why some children exhibit disruptive and challenging behaviours provide an understanding of how their negotiation of this challenging context impacts on the relationships they form with the children. The findings suggest that teachers experience confusion due to the complexities and contradictions they are faced with when trying to support learners identified with SEBD in an education system which incorporates policies guided by different models of disability. The study concludes by suggesting that teachers' critical reflection on the discourses they have constructed in relation to models of disability could bring about a new way of shaping their practice. It is argued that a rights-based approach to teaching children who exhibit challenging, disruptive and concerning behaviours would emancipate children from the restrictive views and beliefs teachers seem to have developed. Approaches which focus on children's rights to inclusive learning opportunities, which reflect their entitlement to an education, would go some way to addressing the confusion, contradiction and pressures these teachers described.
An Improved Trust Model in P2P

Based on the Bayesian network trust model, an improved trust model is proposed in this paper. It includes two parts: one is the improved searching resource peers algorithm, which can reduce the redundancy packages received by peers and enhance the reliability of system; the other is the improved trust computing and updating method, which applies logarithm for evaluation and the number of services to compute and update the trust, so that it can prevent malicious peers from attacking normal peers efficiently, meanwhile restrain malicious peers from increasing their trust respectively by collusion in its clique. The sketch maps of trust value illustrate that the new model controls the behavior of malicious peer in P2P more efficiently