Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal-Difference Reinforcement Learning with Distributed Representations

Temporal-difference (TD) algorithms have been proposed as models of reinforcement learning (RL). We examine two issues of distributed representation in these TD algorithms: distributed representations of belief and distributed discounting factors. Distributed representation of belief allows the believed state of the world to distribute across sets of equivalent states. Distributed exponential discounting factors produce hyperbolic discounting in the behavior of the agent itself. We examine these issues in the context of a TD RL model in which state-belief is distributed over a set of exponentially-discounting “micro-Agents”, each of which has a separate discounting factor (γ). Each µAgent maintains an independent hypothesis about the state of the world, and a separate value-estimate of taking actions within that hypothesized state. The overall agent thus instantiates a flexible representation of an evolving world-state. As with other TD models, the value-error (δ) signal within the model matches dopamine signals recorded from animals in standard conditioning reward-paradigms. The distributed representation of belief provides an explanation for the decrease in dopamine at the conditioned stimulus seen in overtrained animals, for the differences between trace and delay conditioning, and for transient bursts of dopamine seen at movement initiation. Because each µAgent also includes its own exponential discounting factor, the overall agent shows hyperbolic discounting, consistent with behavioral experiments.
DeepGOPlus: improved protein function prediction from sequence

Protein function prediction is one of the major tasks of bioinformatics that can help in wide range of biological problems such as understanding disease mechanisms or finding drug targets. Many methods are available for predicting protein functions from sequence based features, protein–protein interaction networks, protein structure or literature. However, other than sequence, most of the features are difficult to obtain or not available for many proteins thereby limiting their scope. Furthermore, the performance of sequence-based function prediction methods is often lower than methods that incorporate multiple features and predicting protein functions may require a lot of time. We developed a novel method for predicting protein functions from sequence alone which combines deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model with sequence similarity based predictions. Our CNN model scans the sequence for motifs which are predictive for protein functions and combines this with functions of similar proteins. We evaluate the performance of DeepGOPlus on the CAFA3 dataset and significantly improve the performance of predictions of biological processes and cellular components with Fmax of 0.47 and 0.70, respectively, using only the amino acid sequence of proteins as input. DeepGOPlus can annotate around 40 protein sequences per second, thereby making fast and accurate function predictions available for a wide range of proteins.
Elementary School Teachers and Teaching with Technology.

This study aims to identify the relationship between elementary school teachers’ ICT engagement with their attitudes towards technology. To this end, one hundred elementary school students were asked to fill out questionnaires related to their ICT knowledge, usage, and attitude towards technology. The results show that teachers’ ICT knowledge and usage is very low. Also, their attitude toward technology is at medium level. Teachers’ ICT engagement predicts their attitude towards technology and self
Cisplatin improves antitumor activity of weekly nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Although nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is approved to be given every 3 weeks, weekly use of this drug is becoming a new standard of care in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This prospective Phase II study was conducted to improve the efficacy of weekly nab-paclitaxel with cisplatin in MBC patients. Seventy-three women with recurrent or MBC were eligible for participation. Nab-paclitaxel was administered weekly at a dose of 125 mg/m2 on day 1, day 8, and day 15, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, repeated every 28 days with a maximum of 6 cycles. The primary objective was investigator-assessed overall response rate (ORR). A high ORR of 67.1% was obtained, with rates of 80.6% for the first-line patients and 80% for patients not pretreated with taxanes. Among those who had objective responses, a large percentage of patients (83.7%) showed quickly remarkable tumor shrinkage during the first two cycles. The median progression-free and overall survival times were 9.8 and 26.9 months, respectively. For the patients receiving first-, second-, and third-line therapy or beyond, median progression-free survival was 11.7, 7.7, and 7.6 months, respectively (P=0.005). Molecular subtype was not significantly associated with ORR or disease progression. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 46 patients (63.0%), with febrile neutropenia found in 9 patients (12.3%). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy was an accumulated dose-limiting toxicity occurring in 19 patients (26.0%). Efficacy of weekly nab-paclitaxel can be improved by adding cisplatin. The doublet is highly effective, with quick response, manageable toxicity, and possible equivalence across molecular subtypes in MBC patients.
Recreational Music-making: An Integrative Group Intervention for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in First Year Associate Degree Nursing Students: Insights and Economic Impact

The challenges of providing exemplary undergraduate nursing education cannot be underestimated in an era when burnout and negative mood states predictably lead to alarming rates of academic as well as career attrition. While the multi-dimensional nature of this complex issue has been extensively elucidated, few rational strategies exist to reverse a disheartening trend recognizable early in the educational process that subsequently threatens to undermine the future viability of quality healthcare. This controlled prospective crossover study examined the impact of a 6-session Recreational Music-making (RMM) protocol on burnout and mood dimensions as well as Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) in first year associate level nursing students. A total of 75 first year associate degree nursing students from Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) participated in a 6-session RMM protocol focusing on group support and stress reduction utilizing a specific group drumming protocol. Burnout and mood dimensions were assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Profile of Mood States respectively. Statistically significant reductions of multiple burnout and mood dimensions as well as TMD scores were noted. Potential annual cost savings for the typical associate degree nursing program ($16,800) and acute care hospital ($322,000) were projected by an independent economic analysis firm. A cost-effective 6-session RMM protocol reduces burnout and mood dimensions as well as TMD in associate degree nursing students.
Progesterone administration fails to protect albino male rats against photostress-induced retinal degeneration.

PURPOSE Female patients show better recovery after brain injury and lower incidence of vascular diseases before menopause. The aim of this study was to test the protective effect of female sexual hormones against photostress-induced photoreceptor apoptosis. METHODS Five week old male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with progesterone (60 mg/kg body weight) for 4 days. The control group was injected with the vehicle only (benzyl alcohol). Both groups were halved and one was stressed with light (2700 lux for 24 hours) and the other remained under the original dim cyclic light condition. For functional evaluation, baseline electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded 7 days before light stress, with follow-up ERGs 5 days after the cessation of light exposure. Animals were sacrificed and their eyes enucleated for histology. RESULTS Light exposure caused pronounced decrease in the ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes compared to controls. However, in the light-stressed group, the difference in retinal function between progesterone-treated and nontreated animals was not statistically significant. The thickness of the outer nuclear layer and the length of rod outer and inner segments were significantly reduced in the light-stressed group, indicating loss of rod photoreceptor cells. Progesterone had no neuroprotective effect on rod cell structure. CONCLUSIONS The administration of progesterone did not prove to be protective against excessive light-caused retinal degeneration on male albino rats. The role of other sexual steroids and their interaction need to be clarified. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: #-14).
The timing of menstruation‐related symptoms assessed by a daily symptom rating scale

A daily symptom rating scale (DSRS) was constructed from items previously used in questionnaires and rating scales measuring menstrual symptoms. The DSRS was found to have adequate reliability and validity. The profiles of symptom intensity of 65 women, mainly hospital staff, median age 19, during one menstrual cycle, with particular emphasis on the premenstrual week and menstruation are reported. Significant differences in ratings during the cycle were found. Ratings increased during the premenstrual week and were maximal on the days immediately preceding and following the onset of menstruation. No abrupt decline in ratings was found when menstruation commenced. Results were compared with answers to a menstrual distress questionnaire, previously administered to the same women and the questionnaire results were in good agreement with DSRS results on the day of maximum symptom intensity (the day immediately before or the day immediately after the onset of menstruation).
Pharmacological characterization of the nociceptin / orphanin FQ receptor antagonist SB-612111: in vivo studies

Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Center (A.R., E.C.G., G.M., B.S., S.Z., D.R., G.C.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Biotechnology Center (C.T.) University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health (R.C.) University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy. JPET Fast Forward. Published on February 28, 2007 as DOI:10.1124/jpet.106. 116780
On Leakage Issues of Sucker Rod Pumping Systems

The issues of leakage with respect to the clearance between the pump plunger outer diameter and the pump barrel inner diameter and other operation conditions have been revisited in this paper. Both Poiseuille flow rate due to the pressure difference and Couette flow rate due to the plunger motion have been considered. The purpose of this study is to better understand the nature of the leakage with respect to pressure difference, eccentricity, and motion related to the plunger of typical sucker rod pump systems. More specifically, based on the newly derived relaxation time scales for transient solutions of the governing Navier–Stokes equations, the quasi-static nature of relevant measurement techniques is confirmed for the current production systems. This key observation is also demonstrated with a computational model using the experimentally measured pressure difference and the plunger movement.
Quality of life, depression and anxiety among pregnant women with previous adverse pregnancy outcomes.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Previous adverse pregnancy outcomes (recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death) can affect the quality of life of pregnant women. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life and the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women with and without these antecedents. DESIGN AND SETTING An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in four settings (two high-risk and two low-risk prenatal clinics) in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS A total of 240 women were interviewed by a single investigator between the 18th and 24th weeks of gestation: 120 women with prior adverse pregnancy outcomes (group 1) and 120 women with no such history (group 2), matched according to their numbers of living children. Sociodemographic variables were collected and two questionnaires were used: the Short Form-36 quality-of-life questionnaire and the Depression and Anxiety Scale. RESULTS The women in group 1 had lower scores in all the items on the quality-of-life questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were more frequent in group 1 (P < 0.0001). An inverse correlation was found between the Short Form-36 domains and anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS Women with histories of recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death seem to have poorer quality of life and more symptoms of anxiety and depression during their subsequent pregnancy, compared with those without such antecedents.
A Short Duration Co-vibration Protocol of Antagonist Ankle Muscles to Induce Compensatory Postural Adjustments in Quiet Standing

Vibration protocols classically used to alter kinesthetic information are limited for studying quick compensatory postural responses normally induced by external balance perturbations. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a co-vibration protocol of ankle antagonist muscles: from a co-vibration baseline at 40 Hz a switch at 80 Hz is applied for 1 second but on the agonists only. This protocol induced both quick illusions and quick compensatory postural adjustments coherent with previous literature. This technical solution will be useful to build future protocols investigating the role of kinesthetic sensory information in quick compensatory postural responses.
Stimulated Respiration and Net Photosynthesis in Cassiopeia sp. during Glucose Enrichment Suggests in hospite CO2 Limitation of Algal Endosymbionts

The endosymbiosis between cnidarians and dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium is key to the high productivity of tropical coral reefs. In this endosymbiosis, Symbiodinium translocate most of their photosynthates to their animal host in exchange for inorganic nutrients. Among these, carbon dioxide (CO2) derived from host respiration helps to meet the carbon requirements to sustain photosynthesis of the dinoflagellates. Nonetheless, recent studies suggest that productivity in symbiotic cnidarians such as corals is CO2-limited. Here we show that glucose enrichment stimulates respiration and gross photosynthesis rates by 80 and 140 %, respectively, in the symbiotic upside-down jellyfish Cassiopeia sp. from the Central Red Sea. Our findings show that glucose was rapidly consumed and respired within the Cassiopeia sp. holobiont. The resulting increase of CO2 availability in hospite in turn likely stimulated photosynthesis in Symbiodinium. Hence, the increase of photosynthesis under these conditions suggests that CO2 limitation of Symbiodinium is a common feature of stable cnidarian holobionts and that the stimulation of holobiont metabolism may attenuate this CO2 limitation.
Tag Recommendation for Folksonomies Oriented towards Individual Users

Tagging has become a standard way of organizing information on the Web, particularly in folksonomies – data repositories freely created by communities of users. A few tags attached to each resource create a bridge between heterogeneous data and users accustomed to keyword-based search and browsing. To establish this connection, tagging requires users to manually define tags for each resource they enter to the system. This potentially time-consuming step can be eased by tag recommender systems, which propose terms that users may choose to use as tags. This paper suggests and evaluates potential sources of recommended tags, focusing on folksonomies oriented towards individual users. These suggestions are used to propose a three-step tag recommendation system. Basic tags are extracted from the resource title. In the next step, the set of potential recommendations is extended by related tags proposed by a lexicon based on co-occurrences of tags within resource’s posts. Finally, tags are filtered by the user’s personomy – a set of tags previously used by the user.
The Effects of Urban Contaminants on Neutrophils of Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including personal care products, pharmaceuticals, industrial agents and agricultural runoff, have shown adverse effects on reproduction and behavior in aquatic species, such as fathead minnow. Since the reproductive system and the immune system are tightly linked, it is critical to investigate effects of CECs on the immune system. An innate immunity, which is characterized by a specific cell type, neutrophils, represents an important branch of fish immune system. A decrease in innate immune functions could lead to an increase of infections, with a consequent impact on fish survival. We developed a neutrophil functional assay (myeloperoxidase degranulation assay, MPO), and a quantitative measurement of neutrophil-specific mRNA abundance (myeloid-specific peroxidase, elastase 2 and NADPH oxidase) by the reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Anterior kidneys, as a main source of fish neutrophils, were analyzed by the MPO assay and the qPCR after a 96-hour flow-through exposure of male adult fathead minnows containing 8 individual compounds, which are commonly detected urban CECs, and their mixture. Chemical concentrations were based on those found in over 500 water samples collected by the United States Geological Survey as a part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A significant increase in degranulation was found in the preliminary experiments using estrogenic compounds, estrone and bisphenol A in particular concentrations. Urban CECs, such as ibuprofen, sulfamethoxazole and the urban mixture, increased the degranulation of neutrophils. Fexofenadine showed a significant increase in both degranulation and mpo mRNA abundance. 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole was the only CEC to show a decrease in degranulation. Observed impact of studied CECs on the innate immune system might provide a novel insight in the ecotoxicology and expand our knowledge of CECs’ influence on the innate immune system of aquatic species.
Adaptive Compressed Image Sensing Using Dictionaries

In recent years, the theory of compressed sensing has emerged as an alternative for the Shannon sampling theorem, suggesting that compressible signals can be reconstructed from far fewer samples than required by the Shannon sampling theorem. In fact the theory advocates that nonadaptive, “random” functionals are in some sense optimal for this task. However, in practice, compressed sensing is very difficult to implement for large data sets, particularly because the recovery algorithms require significant computational resources. In this work, we present a new alternative method for simultaneous image acquisition and compression called adaptive compressed sampling. We exploit wavelet tree structures found in natural images to replace the “universal” acquisition of incoherent measurements with a direct and fast method for adaptive wavelet tree acquisition. The main advantages of this direct approach are that no complex recovery algorithm is in fact needed and that it allows more control over the compressed image quality, in particular, the sharpness of edges. Our experimental results show, by way of software simulations, that our adaptive algorithms perform better than existing nonadaptive methods in terms of image quality and speed.
Growth rate and egg production of Creole and Rhode Island red x Creole fowls.

In Guyana 3 experiments were conducted using 1,440 chicks and 640 pullets and the same number of hens in a randomised block design to determine the growth rate, egg production, and egg fertility and hatchability of 1/2 Creole x 1/2 Rhode Island Red (CR) and 3/4 Rhode Island Red x 1/4 Creole (CRR) fowls compared with the parental strains of Creole (C) and Rhode Island Red (R) fowls. The growth rate of CR and CRR was higher than C, but lower (P < 0.05) than R. Total egg production per hen housed during the pullet year was 59.5, 106.8, 130.7 and 171.8 for C, CR, CRR and R respectively and they were all significantly (P < 0.05) different. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the 4 strains for fertility and hatchability percentages of the eggs which averaged 87.8 and 88.9 respectively. The level of production was comparatively high and mortality low enough for the crossbreds to be recommended for small holder poultry development, although the feed cost of production would be higher for CRR than for CR.
An Entropy-Based Approach to Assessing Object-Oriented Software Maintainability and Degradation - A Method and Case Study

Abstract –The term ‘software entropy’ has been anecdotally defined to mean that software declines in quality, maintainability and understandability though its lifetime. While there are numerous software metrics that assess “snapshots” of software maintainability, few assess software degradation at multiple, discrete points in the life cycle. Assessing object-oriented (OO) software degradation is more art than science. Recently studies have shown that OO software degradation may be assessed by measuring the increase in the number of “links”, or coupling, within an abstraction model and between abstraction models f the software. We believe that software degradation may also be measured using cyclomatic complexity since it has been shown to be highly correlated with faultproneness of OO classes. We take the approach of defining software decay in terms of Shannon entropy and McCabe cyclomatic complexity using industry-established complexity threshold criteria. We use the Rosenberg WMC risk threshold criteria and the McCabe risk interpretation threshold criteria in our experiment. We applied this metric retrospectively to Mozilla Rhino, an open-source implementation of JavaScript written in Java. Our initial findings were inconclusive since the number of software revisions was limited. However, we conducted further analyses and showed that components with high cyclomatic complexities were associated with more maintenance activities than those components with lower cyclomatic complexities. Entropy scores showed the collection of OO classes requiring changes between software versions had a higher composite entropy score than those classes that did not undergo changes between software versions. Additionally, a pattern of repeated component modification was detected in our secondary analysis, indicating that possibly decision tree analysis may be more effective in analyzing software degradation.
A Measurement Study of the Content Security Policy on Real-World Applications

Content Security Policy (CSP) is a browser security mechanism that aims to protect websites from content injection attacks. To adopt CSP, website developers need to manually compile a list of allowed content sources. Nearly all websites require modifications to comply with CSP's de- fault behavior, which blocks inline scripts and the use of the ＂eval()＂ function. Alternatively, websites could adopt a policy that allows the use of this unsafe functionality, but this opens up potential attack vectors. In this paper, our measurements on a large corpus of web applications pro-vide a key insight on the amount of efforts web developers required to adapt to CSP. Our results also identified errors in CSP policies that are set by website developers on their websites. To address these issues and make adoption of CSP easier and error free, we implemented UserCSP a tool as a Firefox extension. The UserCSP uses dynamic analysis to automatically infer CSP policies, facilitates testing, and gives savvy users the authority to enforce client-side policies on websites.