Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utile Distinctions for Relational Reinforcement Learning

We introduce an approach to autonomously creating state space abstractions for an online reinforcement learning agent using a relational representation. Our approach uses a tree-based function approximation derived from McCallum's [1995] UTree algorithm. We have extended this approach to use a relational representation where relational observations are represented by attributed graphs [McGovern et al., 2003]. We address the challenges introduced by a relational representation by using stochastic sampling to manage the search space [Srinivasan, 1999] and temporal sampling to manage autocorrelation [Jensen and Neville, 2002]. Relational UTree incorporates Iterative Tree Induction [Utgoff et al., 1997] to allow it to adapt to changing environments. We empirically demonstrate that Relational UTree performs better than similar relational learning methods [Finney et al., 2002; Driessens et al., 2001] in a blocks world domain. We also demonstrate that Relational UTree can learn to play a sub-task of the game of Go called Tsume-Go [Ramon et al., 2001].
Methanol and other VOC fluxes from a Danish beech forest during springtime

In-canopy mixing ratio gradients and above-canopy fluxes of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured using a commercial proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) in a European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) forest in Denmark. Emission fluxes of methanol occurred dominantly late at night, which was supported by highest mixing ratios in the crown region, and is in line with recent controlled laboratory experiments. Also confirming previous measurements, monoterpene emissions showed a diurnal cycle consistent with light-dependent emissions, supported by highest mixing ratios in the canopy space during early afternoon. Also emitted was acetone, but only at ambient temperatures exceeding 20°C. Deposition dominated at lower temperatures. Deposition fluxes occurred also for methanol but seemingly as a result of high ambient methanol mixing ratios. Our in-canopy gradient measurements contrasted earlier results from tropical and pine forest ecosystems in that they did not show this beech ecosystem to be a strong sink for oxygenated VOCs. Instead, their gradients were flat and only small deposition velocities ( –1 ) were observed to the onsite soil. However, as soil uptake was consistent and appeared to be related to soil moisture, more measurements are needed to evaluate the soil sink strength. In turn, as canopy scale fluxes are net fluxes with emissions from photosynthesizing leaves affecting potential oxygenated VOC uptake, only independent, controlled laboratory experiments may be successful in separating stomatal from non-stomatal fluxes, and emission from deposition.
Building Trust On-Line: The Design of Reliable Reputation Reporting : Mechanisms for Online Trading Communities

Several properties of online interaction are challenging the accumulated wisdom of trading communities on how to produce and manage trust. Online reputation reporting systems have emerged as a promising trust management mechanism in such settings. The objective of this paper is to contribute to the construction of online reputation reporting systems that are robust in the presence of unfair and deceitful raters. The paper sets the stage by providing a critical overview of the current state of the art in this area. Following that, it identifies a number of important ways in which the reliability of the current generation of reputation reporting systems can be severely compromised by unfair buyers and sellers. The central contribution of the paper is a number of novel "immunization mechanisms" for effectively countering the undesirable effects of such fraudulent behavior. The paper describes the mechanisms, proves their properties and explains how various parameters of the marketplace microstructure, most notably the anonymity and authentication regimes, can influence their effectiveness. Finally, it concludes by discussing the implications of the findings for the managers and users of current and future electronic marketplaces and identifies some important open issues for future research.
A cytoskeletal-based perimeter fence selectively corrals a sub-population of cell surface Kv2.1 channels

The Kv2.1 delayed-rectifier channel trafficks to 1-3 μm2 clusters on the surface of neurons and transfected HEK cells. Single quantum dot (Qdot) tracking and FRAP approaches were used to quantify the diffusion of GFP-labeled Kv2.1 channels on the cell surface and address the mechanisms underlying the formation of these unique membrane structures. Mean square displacement analysis of single Kv2.1 channel tracks inside or outside the surface clusters yielded mean diffusion coefficients of 0.03±0.02 μm2/second and 0.06±0.05 μm2/second, respectively. Kv2.1 channels outside the clusters effectively ignore the cluster boundary, readily diffusing through these microdomains. However, in 5% of the tracks analyzed, single, non-clustered channels were observed to cross into a cluster and become corralled within the cluster perimeter. Alexa Fluor 594-labelled phalloidin staining and mCherry-Kv2.1 co-expression with GFP-actin indicated that the Kv2.1 surface clusters form where the cortical actin cytoskeleton is reduced. Kv2.1 channels lacking the C-terminus do not form clusters, freely diffusing over the cell surface with a mean diffusion coefficient of 0.07±0.04 μm2/second. These data support a model whereby the Kv2.1 clusters are formed by sub-membrane cytoskeletal structures that limit the lateral diffusion of only the sub-population of Kv2.1 channels carrying the appropriate modifications on the Kv2.1 C-terminus.
Prostaglandin endoperoxide-H synthase (PGHS) activity and immunoreactive PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 levels in human amnion throughout gestation, at term, and during labor.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are of primary importance in the initiation and maintenance of labor in women. A major intrauterine source of prostaglandins is the amnion, which synthesizes increased amounts of PGE2 at term labor. Because PG endoperoxide-H synthase (PGHS) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of PG synthesis from arachidonic acid, we investigated the changes in amniotic PGHS specific activity during gestation and at term and preterm labor. Also, we determined the level of immunoreactive PGHS protein in the amnion to evaluate the mechanisms by which PGHS activity may be regulated. PGHS specific activity, measured at the amount of PGE2 produced by amnion microsomes under optimal conditions, was 18.2 +/- 3.7 pg PGE2/micrograms protein.min (mean +/- SE; n = 19) at term (37-42 weeks gestation) before the spontaneous onset of labor. PGHS specific activity was significantly higher after spontaneous term labor (38.9 +/- 6.0 pg PGE2/micrograms protein.min; n = 19; P < 0.05). Amnion samples from preterm (< 36 weeks gestation) nonlaboring patients contained low levels of PGHS specific activity (5.9 +/- 1.8 pg PGE2/micrograms protein.min; n = 9), which increased significantly with spontaneous preterm labor (28.3 +/- 6.8 pg PGE2/micrograms protein.min; n = 10; P < 0.05). Longitudinal analysis of the data showed that PGHS specific activity was low in the first and second trimesters of gestation, but increased dramatically before labor onset at term. We detected PGHS protein in all microsomal samples, with an antiovine PGHS antibody recognizing both PGHS-1 and -2 isoforms of the enzyme. However, there was no correlation between PGHS specific activity and the amount of immunoreactive PGHS protein. Using an antibody specific for PGHS-2, we detected immunoreactive protein in only 9 of the 25 tissues examined and found no correlation between PGHS specific activity and the amount of PGHS-2 protein. These results suggest that 1) PGHS specific activity in the amnion increases sharply before the onset of labor at term; 2) further increases in specific activity occur during term and preterm labor; and 3) the specific activity of PGHS in the amnion is not related directly to the amount of immunoreactive enzyme protein.
Contribution of Coalescence to Microfibril Formation in Polymer Blends during Cold Drawing

The main goal of this study is to obtain a morphological confirmation of the contribution of coalescence to the fibril formation mechanism in microfibril reinforced composites (MFC) and in this way to explain the large differences in sizes of the starting spheres and the resulting long microfibrils, at rather modest draw ratios (between 6 and 12). For this purpose, the peculiar property of compatibilizers has been exploited, namely coating the dispersed particles and thus preventing them from eventual coalescing after coming in contact. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on samples at various stages of the cold drawing of polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends with and without a compatibilizer, the assumed mechanism has been established: the MFC from compatibilized blends show much shorter microfibrils because the compatibilizer inhibits the coalescence process. A qualitative model illustrating the transformation of the dispersed spheres into microfibrils due to coalescence during the cold drawing is also discussed. In Commemoration of the Contributions of Professor Valery P. Privalko to Polymer Science.
Development of an optimized synthetic Notch receptor as an in vivo cell–cell contact sensor

Significance Direct cell–cell contacts are critical to diverse biological processes in multicellular organisms, including stem cell differentiation, tissue morphogenesis, neurotransmission, tumorigenesis, and immunological responses. However, identifying interacting cells in vivo is still a challenging task in complex tissues. Here, we introduce a new genetic tool, synthetic Notch receptor (synNQ), for efficient visualization and genetic manipulation of neighboring cells in vivo. This tool is functional in most fly tissues and can be easily applied using the widely adapted UAS/Gal4 system. Using both randomly generated clones and tissue-specific Gal4 lines, we demonstrate the applications of the synNQ system. Detection and manipulation of direct cell–cell contact in complex tissues is a fundamental and challenging problem in many biological studies. Here, we report an optimized Notch-based synthetic receptor (synNQ) useful to study direct cell–cell interactions in Drosophila. With the synNQ system, cells expressing a synthetic receptor, which contains Notch activation machinery and a downstream transcriptional activator, QF, are activated by a synthetic GFP ligand expressed by contacting neighbor cells. To avoid cis-inhibition, mutually exclusive expression of the synthetic ligand and receptor is achieved using the “flippase-out” system. Expression of the synthetic GFP ligand is controlled by the Gal4/UAS system for easy and broad applications. Using synNQ, we successfully visualized cell–cell interactions within and between most fly tissues, revealing previously undocumented cell–cell contacts. Importantly, in addition to detection of cells in contact with one another, synNQ allows for genetic manipulation in all cells in contact with a targeted cell population, which we demonstrate in the context of cell competition in developing wing disks. Altogether, the synNQ genetic system will enable a broad range of studies of cell contact in developmental biology.
Angiotensin II Blockade Reverses Myocardial Fibrosis in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Human Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background —Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in the young, is characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, and interstitial fibrosis. We propose that hypertrophy and fibrosis are secondary to the activation of trophic and mitotic factors and, thus, potentially reversible. We determined whether the blockade of angiotensin II, a known cardiotrophic factor, could reverse or attenuate interstitial fibrosis in a transgenic mouse model of human HCM. Methods and Results —We randomized 24 adult cardiac troponin T (cTnT-Q92) mice, which exhibit myocyte disarray and interstitial fibrosis, to treatment with losartan or placebo and included 12 nontransgenic mice as controls. The mean dose of losartan and the mean duration of therapy were 14.2±5.3 mg · kg–1 · d–1 and 42±9.6 days, respectively. Mean age, number of males and females, and heart/body weight ratio were similar in the groups. Collagen volume fraction and extent of myocyte disarray were increased in the cTnT-Q92 mice (placebo group) compared with nontransgenic mice (9.9±6.8% versus 4.5±2.2%, P =0.01, and 27.6±10.6% versus 3.9±2.3%, P <0.001, respectively). Treatment with losartan reduced collagen volume fraction by 49% to 4.9±2.9%. The expression of collagen 1&agr; (I) and transforming growth factor-&bgr;1, a mediator of angiotensin II profibrotic effect, were also reduced by 50%. Losartan had no effect on myocyte disarray. Conclusions —Treatment with losartan reversed interstitial fibrosis and the expression of collagen 1&agr; (I) and transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 in the hearts of cTnT-Q92 mice. These findings suggest that losartan has the potential to reverse or attenuate interstitial fibrosis, a major predictor of sudden cardiac death, in human patients with HCM.
Public Capital and Economic Growth: A Critical Survey

Abstract This article provides an overview of both theoretical and empirical literature on the link between public investment (capital) and economic growth (national income). We first survey the channels through which public capital can conceivably affect growth.We then turn to reviewing the existing empirical literature, and we conclude that although not all studies find a growth-enhancing effect of public capital, there is now more consensus than in the past that public capital furthers economic growth. However, the impact reported by recent studies is not as big as some earlier studies suggested. We conclude with an overview of what is known about the optimality of public capital stocks. 52
Cronkhite–Canada syndrome six decades on: the many faces of an enigmatic disease

Cronkhite–Canada syndrome is a rare gastro-entero-colopathy of uncertain aetiology first described almost 60 years ago. It is characterised by diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis sparing only the oesophagus, ectodermal abnormalities and an unpredictable but often fatal clinical course. The disease may demonstrate extremely diverse clinical and endoscopic features, which often leads to a delay in diagnosis. A high index of suspicion and recognition of the characteristic histological findings frequently facilitate a correct diagnosis, but the distribution of the gastrointestinal pathology and its microscopic features may be atypical. The pathologist thus requires a thorough knowledge of both the typical and many atypical faces of this disease, for which various documented therapies often still prove ineffective. Close correlation with clinical findings, including any pertinent ectodermal abnormalities, and careful examination of biopsies derived from polypoid and endoscopically spared mucosa will ensure a timely and correct diagnosis in patients with this enigmatic syndrome.
Fingerprint Classification Based on Support Vector Machine

A fingerprint classification method using the fingerprint orientation information and Support Vector Machine (SVM) was proposed. Firstly, the reference point of fingerprint image was acquired, and fingerprint pattern area was located. Then the orientation features were extracted by using Gabor filter. Finally multiclass classifiers were constructed based on SVM and a new three stage classification approach was put forward. NIST-4 database is used to assess the proposed algorithms. The experimental results show our method can get good classification results.
Potential antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition of Phyllanthus acidus leaf extract in minced pork

Objective This study investigated the effect of extraction solvents on antioxidant bio-active compounds as well as potential antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition of Phyllanthus acidus (P. acidus) leaf extract in minced pork. Methods The effect of various solvent systems of water, 25%, 50%, 75% (v/v) ethanol in water and absolute ethanol on the extraction crude yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and in vitro antioxidant activities of P. acidus leaves was determined. In addition, antioxidant activities of the addition of crude extract from P. aciuds leaves at 2.5 and 5 g/kg in minced pork on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical cation decolorization, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS) were determined. Moreover, sensory evaluation of the samples was undertaken by using a 7-point hedonic scale. Results The results showed that the highest crude yield (2.8 g/100 g dry weight) was obtained from water which also had the highest recovery yield for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and the strongest antioxidant activity. The addition of crude water extract from P. acidus leaves was more effective in retarding lipid peroxidation and higher antioxidant activity than control and butylated hydroxytoluene in minced pork. In particular, the samples containing P. acidus extract had no significant effect on the sensory scores of overall appearance, color, odor, texture, flavor, and overall acceptability compared to the control. Conclusion Water solvent was an optimally appropriate solvent for P. acidus leaf extraction because of its ability to yield the highest amount of bio-active compounds and in vitro antioxidant property. Particularly, P. acidus crude water extract also strongly expressed the capacity to retard lipid oxidation, radical scavenging, radical cation decolorization and reducing power in minced pork. The results of this study indicated that P. acidus leaf extract could be used as natural antioxidant in the pork industry.
TNF-α Gene Expression in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Associated with HOMA in Asian Indian Postmenopausal Women

Abstract The present study determines the fat depot-specific expression of leptin and TNF-α and its association with biochemical parameters in postmenopausal women. A total of 108 postmenopausal women were recruited prospectively; 54 were with metabolic syndrome (cases) and 54 were without metabolic syndrome (controls). Leptin and TNF-α mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were done by Real Time-RT PCR. In cases, the mean (±SD) serum estrogen was significantly lower (41.33±24.90 vs. 23.95±14.45, p<0.001) while leptin (12.85±4.51 vs. 10.34±3.89, p=0.002) and TNF-α (13.81±7.13 vs. 8.00±4.38, p<0.001) were significantly higher as compared to controls. Further, the mean relative VAT mRNA expression of both leptin (0.33±0.29 vs. 0.05±0.09, p<0.001) and TNF-α (0.32±0.31 vs. 0.13±0.09, p<0.001) and expression of SAT leptin (4.91±4.01 vs. 0.50±0.92, p<0.001) also lowered significantly in cases as compared to controls. Further, the relative VAT expression of both leptin (r=−0.32, p<0.001) and TNF-α (r=−0.23, p<0.01) showed significant and negative correlation with glucose; expression of SAT leptin showed significant and positive correlation with HDL (r=0.20, p<0.05) and serum estrogen (r=0.30, p<0.01) while negative correlation with glucose (r=−0.26, p<0.01) and serum TNF-α (r=−0.29, p<0.01); and expression of SAT TNF-α showed significant and positive correlation with insulin (r=0.21, p<0.05) and HOMA (r=0.20, p<0.05). In conclusion, the VAT and SAT leptin mRNA expressions may have a modulatory role in metabolic syndrome.
Tree-like breakdown phenomena of dielectric window under X-band high power microwave in vacuum

Surface breakdown of dielectric window seriously limits the transmission of high power microwave (HPM), which blocks the development of microwave technology. Under X-band HPM with the power level of 1 GW at 9.4 GHz, dielectric breakdown experiments were conducted with several dielectric window materials including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in vacuum. The influence of different surface treatments for PTFE with notching and polishing on its breakdown characteristics is also studied. After breakdown, the photographs of damaged dielectric samples are analyzed with macroscopic and microcosmic observations. There are obvious tree-like breakdown phenomena occurred on the upstream face of the dielectric window along the direction of microwave electric field. The damage is significantly affected by the different surface treatments. It is considered that the treelike breakdown channels are closely related to the applied microwave field. Based on in-depth observation on the tree failure inside the transparent PMMA sample, it was found that, the tree developed along the surface and also inside of the material. A physical model is proposed to describe the dielectric window breakdown under HPM. It is suggested that the electric field results in the tree developing along the material surface. Possible reason for the tree invading into the material is analyzed. Moreover, several kinds of possible manners are presented to describe the tree initiation and development inside the dielectric window.
Finite Element Analysis on Non-Isothermal Glass Molding

Glass molding is a high-volume fabrication method for producing optical components. Non-isothermal glass molding press (NGM) was proposed to fabricate optical glass, and its characteristics were studied by finite element method (FEM) simulation. The coupled thermo-mechanical analysis was carried out to analyze the key factors such as temperature distribution, stress distribution and strain distribution. The non-isothermal and isothermal glass molding (IGM) was studied, and optimal temperature match between glass and mold was obtained.
The effect of swimming on oral health status: competitive versus non-competitive athletes

ABSTRACT Young swimmers are particularly susceptible to the onset of oral diseases. Objective To evaluate the oral health status in young competitive and non-competitive swimmers, involving an assessment of salivary cariogenic bacteria and secretory IgA (S-IgA) concentration. Material and Methods Before training sessions (T1), 54 competitive and 69 non-competitive swimmers had the following parameters assessed: decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), Plaque Index (PlI), and Gingival Index (GI). At T1 and after training sessions (T2), stimulated saliva was collected and microbiological and immunological analyses were performed. Results Competitive swimmers trained 2.02±0.09 hours 5 times a week, while non-competitive swimmers trained 2.03±0.18 hours a week. A total of 14.7% of competitive swimmers suffered dental trauma related to sports. Only 11.76% of the competitive swimmers took a daily dose of fluoride, against 32.65% of non-competitive swimmers (p=0.029). Neither group followed an established diet or presented statistically significant differences in terms of nutritional supplement drink and chocolate intake. There were statistically significant differences in terms of oral hygiene. No significant difference in clinical indexes (DMFT, PlI, and GI) was present. S. mutans was harbored by 18.6% of competitive and the 32.2% of non-competitive swimmers. S. sobrinus was detected in 22.03% of competitive and 91.6% of non-competitive swimmers (p<0.05). S. sanguinis was found only in the saliva of competitive swimmers. The average S-IgA of competitive swimmers decreased significantly at T2 (p<0.05). The pool water had a daily average pH of 7.22. Conclusions Microbial markers, immune status and sporting characteristics are important for establishing guidelines for management of training load in order to minimize physical stress and the risk of oral infection.