Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast reductions from RAMs to delegatable succinct constraint satisfaction problems: extended abstract

Succinct arguments for NP are proof systems that allow a weak verifier to retroactively check computation done by a powerful prover. Constructions of such protocols prove membership in languages consisting of very large yet succinctly-represented constraint satisfaction problems that, alas, are unnatural in the sense that the problems that arise in practice are not in such form. For general computation tasks, the most natural representation is typically as random-access machine (RAM) algorithms, because such a representation can be obtained very efficiently by applying a compiler to code written in a high-level programming language. Thus, understanding the efficiency of reductions from RAM computations to other NP-complete problem representations for which succinct arguments (or proofs) are known is a prerequisite to a more complete understanding of the applicability of these arguments. Existing succinct argument constructions rely either on circuit satisfiability or (in PCP-based constructions) on algebraic constraint satisfaction problems. In this paper, we present new and more efficient reductions from RAM (and parallel RAM) computations to both problems that (a) preserve succinctness (i.e., do not "unroll" the computation of a machine), (b) preserve zero-knowledge and proof-of-knowledge properties, and (c) enjoy fast and highly-parallelizable algorithms for transforming a witness for the RAM computation into a witness for the corresponding problem. These additional properties are typically not considered in "classical" complexity theory but are often required or very desirable in the application of succinct arguments. Fulfilling all these efficiency requirements poses significant technical challenges, and we develop a set of tools (both unconditional and leveraging computational assumptions) for generically and efficiently structuring and arithmetizing RAM computations for use in succinct arguments. More generally, our results can be applied to proof systems for NP relying on the aforementioned problem representations; these include various zero-knowledge proof constructions.
Reversible Image Watermarking Based on Histogram Modification

In this paper, a new reversible watermarking scheme resistant to geometrical attacks is presented. The proposed scheme does not need the original image for extracting the watermark, and induces not noticeable distortion during the watermarking procedure. The embedding algorithm has low computational complexity, can be applied to very small images (down to 16 x 16), and provides capabilities of multicasting. The watermarked images show robustness against geometrical attacks like rotation, flipping, translation, aspect ratio changes and resizing, warping, shifting, drawing, scattered tiles, shaking as well as their combinations.
Spatial Heterogeneity in Drug Concentrations Can Facilitate the Emergence of Resistance to Cancer Therapy

Acquired resistance is one of the major barriers to successful cancer therapy. The development of resistance is commonly attributed to genetic heterogeneity. However, heterogeneity of drug penetration of the tumor microenvironment both on the microscopic level within solid tumors as well as on the macroscopic level across metastases may also contribute to acquired drug resistance. Here we use mathematical models to investigate the effect of drug heterogeneity on the probability of escape from treatment and the time to resistance. Specifically we address scenarios with sufficiently potent therapies that suppress growth of all preexisting genetic variants in the compartment with the highest possible drug concentration. To study the joint effect of drug heterogeneity, growth rate, and evolution of resistance, we analyze a multi-type stochastic branching process describing growth of cancer cells in multiple compartments with different drug concentrations and limited migration between compartments. We show that resistance is likely to arise first in the sanctuary compartment with poor drug penetrations and from there populate non-sanctuary compartments with high drug concentrations. Moreover, we show that only below a threshold rate of cell migration does spatial heterogeneity accelerate resistance evolution, otherwise deterring drug resistance with excessively high migration rates. Our results provide new insights into understanding why cancers tend to quickly become resistant, and that cell migration and the presence of sanctuary sites with little drug exposure are essential to this end.
Real-Time Energy Storage Management for Renewable Integration in Microgrid: An Off-Line Optimization Approach

Microgrid is a key enabling solution to future smart grids by integrating distributed renewable generators and storage systems to efficiently serve the local demand. However, due to the random and intermittent characteristics of renewable energy, new challenges arise for the reliable operation of microgrids. To address this issue, we study in this paper the real-time energy management for a single microgrid system that constitutes a renewable generation system, an energy storage system, and an aggregated load. We model the renewable energy offset by the load over time, termed net energy profile, to be practically predictable, but with finite errors that can be arbitrarily distributed. We aim to minimize the total energy cost (modeled as sum of time-varying strictly convex functions) of the conventional energy drawn from the main grid over a finite horizon by jointly optimizing the energy charged/discharged to/from the storage system over time subject to practical load and storage constraints. To solve this problem in real time, we propose a new off-line optimization approach to devise the online algorithm. In this approach, we first assume that the net energy profile is perfectly predicted or known ahead of time, under which we derive the optimal off-line energy scheduling solution in closed-form. Next, inspired by the optimal off-line solution, we propose a sliding-window based online algorithm for real-time energy management under the practical setup of noisy predicted net energy profile with arbitrary errors. Finally, we conduct simulations based on the real wind generation data of the Ireland power system to evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithm, as compared with other heuristically designed algorithms, as well as the conventional dynamic programming based solution.
Vigabatrin as add-on therapy for adult complex partial seizures: a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study

Vigabatrin (VGB) is a novel antiepileptic drug effective as adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures. In this study, the efficacy and tolerability of VGB as adjunctive therapy were evaluated in patients with refractory epilepsy. Adult patients with a definite diagnosis of complex partial seizures and/or partial seizures secondarily generalized were recruited from 10 Canadian centres. Patients were randomized to receive either active medication or placebo in a double- blind fashion and entered a 36-week titration and maintenance phase with regularly scheduled visits. Both efficacy parameters and safety assessments were monitored. Clinical laboratory, evoked potential studies, MRI, and neuropsychological tests were also performed. Forty-eight percent of VGB-treated patients vs. 26 percent of placebo-treated patients had a 50 percent or greater reduction in the frequency of complex partial seizures and partial seizures secondarily generalized. Vigabatrin was well tolerated by the majority of patients. Minor neurological side effects were observed in a number of patients in both treatment groups. No serious systemic toxicity was observed. No changes in evoked potential studies or MRI findings were noted. Vigabatrin was found to be an effective and well-tolerated antiepileptic drug when used as adjunctive therapy in patients with difficult to control complex partial seizures and for partial seizures secondarily generalized. Vigabatrin is a selective irreversible inhibitor of the GABA- degradating enzyme GABA transaminase and has shown efficacy in a number of clinical trials in patients with difficult to control partial seizures. Vigabatrin has been found most effective against complex partial and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures in both adults and children. Vigabatrin has also been shown to reduce infantile spasms secondary to various aetiologies and is most effective in spasms associated with tuberous sclerosis. The aim of this study was to further extend the clinical experience with VGB as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of adult patients with difficult to control complex partial seizures and/or partial seizures secondarily generalized. In addition to the assessments of efficacy and tolerability to VGB, neuropsychological evaluations were also carried out.
Predicting the Effects of Woody Encroachment on Mammal Communities, Grazing Biomass and Fire Frequency in African Savannas

With grasslands and savannas covering 20% of the world’s land surface, accounting for 30–35% of worldwide Net Primary Productivity and supporting hundreds of millions of people, predicting changes in tree/grass systems is priority. Inappropriate land management and rising atmospheric CO2 levels result in increased woody cover in savannas. Although woody encroachment occurs world-wide, Africa’s tourism and livestock grazing industries may be particularly vulnerable. Forecasts of responses of African wildlife and available grazing biomass to increases in woody cover are thus urgently needed. These predictions are hard to make due to non-linear responses and poorly understood feedback mechanisms between woody cover and other ecological responders, problems further amplified by the lack of long-term and large-scale datasets. We propose that a space-for-time analysis along an existing woody cover gradient overcomes some of these forecasting problems. Here we show, using an existing woody cover gradient (0–65%) across the Kruger National Park, South Africa, that increased woody cover is associated with (i) changed herbivore assemblage composition, (ii) reduced grass biomass, and (iii) reduced fire frequency. Furthermore, although increased woody cover is associated with reduced livestock production, we found indigenous herbivore biomass (excluding elephants) remains unchanged between 20–65% woody cover. This is due to a significant reorganization in the herbivore assemblage composition, mostly as a result of meso-grazers being substituted by browsers at increasing woody cover. Our results suggest that woody encroachment will have cascading consequences for Africa’s grazing systems, fire regimes and iconic wildlife. These effects will pose challenges and require adaptation of livelihoods and industries dependent on conditions currently prevailing.
The importance of growth kinetic analysis in determining bacterial susceptibility against antibiotics and silver nanoparticles

Routine antibiotics susceptibility testing still relies on standardized cultivation-based analyses, including measurement of inhibition zones in conventional agar diffusion tests and endpoint turbidity-based measurements. Here, we demonstrate that common off-line monitoring and endpoint determination after 18–24 h could be insufficient for reliable growth-dependent evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility. Different minimal inhibitory concentrations were obtained in 20- and 48 h microdilution plate tests using an Enterococcus faecium clinical isolate (strain UKI-MB07) as a model organism. Hence, we used an on-line kinetic assay for simultaneous cultivation and time-resolved growth analysis in a 96-well format instead of off-line susceptibility testing. Growth of the Enterococcus test organism was delayed up to 30 h in the presence of 0.25 μg mL-1 of vancomycin and 8 μg mL-1 of fosfomycin, after which pronounced growth was observed. Despite the delayed onset of growth, treatment with fosfomycin, daptomycin, fusidic acid, cefoxitin, or gentamicin resulted in higher maximum growth rates and/or higher final optical density values compared with antibiotic-free controls, indicating that growth stimulation and hormetic effects may occur with extended exposure to sublethal antibiotic concentrations. Whereas neither maximum growth rate nor final cell density correlated with antibiotic concentration, the lag phase duration for some antibiotics was a more meaningful indicator of dose-dependent growth inhibition. Our results also reveal that non-temporal growth profiles are only of limited value for cultivation-based antimicrobial silver nanoparticle susceptibility testing. The exposure to Ag(0) nanoparticles led to plasma membrane damage in a concentration-dependent manner and induced oxidative stress in Enterococcus faecium UKI-MB07, as shown by intracellular ROS accumulation.
Effect of Organic Diet Intervention on Pesticide Exposures in Young Children Living in Low-Income Urban and Agricultural Communities

Background Recent organic diet intervention studies suggest that diet is a significant source of pesticide exposure in young children. These studies have focused on children living in suburban communities. Objectives We aimed to determine whether consuming an organic diet reduced urinary pesticide metabolite concentrations in 40 Mexican-American children, 3–6 years of age, living in California urban and agricultural communities. Methods In 2006, we collected urine samples over 16 consecutive days from children who consumed conventionally grown food for 4 days, organic food for 7 days, and then conventionally grown food for 5 days. We measured 23 metabolites, reflecting potential exposure to organophosphorous (OP), pyrethroid, and other pesticides used in homes and agriculture. We used linear mixed-effects models to evaluate the effects of diet on urinary metabolite concentrations. Results For six metabolites with detection frequencies > 50%, adjusted geometric mean concentrations during the organic phase were generally lower for all children, and were significant for total dialkylphosphates (DAPs) and dimethyl DAPs (DMs; metabolites of OP insecticides) and 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a herbicide), with reductions of 40%, 49%, and 25%, respectively (p < 0.01). Chemical-specific metabolite concentrations for several OP pesticides, pyrethroids, and herbicides were either infrequently detected and/or not significantly affected by diet. Concentrations for most of the frequently detected metabolites were generally higher in Salinas compared with Oakland children, with DMs and metolachlor at or near significance (p = 0.06 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion An organic diet was significantly associated with reduced urinary concentrations of nonspecific dimethyl OP insecticide metabolites and the herbicide 2,4-D in children. Additional research is needed to clarify the relative importance of dietary and non-dietary sources of pesticide exposures to young children. Citation Bradman A, Quirós-Alcalá L, Castorina R, Aguilar Schall R, Camacho J, Holland NT, Barr DB, Eskenazi B. 2015. Effect of organic diet intervention on pesticide exposures in young children living in low-income urban and agricultural communities. Environ Health Perspect 123:1086–1093; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1408660
Modulation of voltage-dependent sodium and potassium currents by charged amphiphiles in cardiac ventricular myocytes. Effects via modification of surface potential

Modulation of voltage-dependent sodium and potassium currents by charged amphiphiles was investigated in cardiac ventricular myocytes using the patch-clamp technique. Negatively charged sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) increased amplitude of INa, whereas positively charged dodecyltrimethylammonium (DDTMA) decreased INa. Furthermore, SDS shifted the steady-state activation and inactivation of INa in the negative direction, whereas DDTMA shifted the curves in the opposite direction. These shifts provided an explanation for the changes in current amplitude. Activation and inactivation kinetics of INa were accelerated by SDS but slowed by DDTMA. These changes in both steady- state gating and kinetics of INa are consistent with a decrease of the intramembrane field by SDS and an increase of the field by DDTMA due to an alteration of surface potential after their insertion into the outer monolayer of the sarcolemma. The effect of SDS on the steady-state inactivation of INa was concentration dependent and partially reversed by screening surface charges with increased extracellular [Ca2+]. These amphiphiles also altered the activation of the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK,del), producing a shift in the negative direction by SDS but in the positive direction by DDTMA. These results suggest that the insertion of charged amphiphiles into the cell membrane alters the behavior of voltage-dependent INa and IK,del by changing the surface charge density, and consequently the surface potential and implies, although indirectly, that the lipid surface charges are important to the voltage-dependent gating of these channels.
The retrieval effectiveness of search engines on navigational queries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test major web search engines on their performance on navigational queries, i.e. searches for homepages.Design/methodology/approach – In total, 100 user queries are posed to six search engines (Google, Yahoo! , MSN, Ask, Seekport, and Exalead). Users described the desired pages, and the results position of these was recorded. Measured success and mean reciprocal rank are calculated.Findings – The performance of the major search engines Google, Yahoo! , and MSN was found to be the best, with around 90 per cent of queries answered correctly. Ask and Exalead performed worse but received good scores as well.Research limitations/implications – All queries were in German, and the German‐language interfaces of the search engines were used. Therefore, the results are only valid for German queries.Practical implications – When designing a search engine to compete with the major search engines, care should be taken on the performance on navigational queries. Users can be infl.
Australasian impact crater buried under the Bolaven volcanic field, Southern Laos

Significance A field of black glassy blobs, strewn across about 20% of Earth’s Eastern Hemisphere, resulted from the impact of a large meteorite about 790,000 y ago. The large crater from which these tektites originated has eluded discovery for over a century, although evidence has long pointed to a location somewhere within Indochina, near the northern limit of the strewn field. We present stratigraphic, geochemical, geophysical, and geochronological evidence that the ∼15-km diameter crater lies buried beneath a large, young volcanic field in Southern Laos. The crater and proximal effects of the largest known young meteorite impact on Earth have eluded discovery for nearly a century. We present 4 lines of evidence that the 0.79-Ma impact crater of the Australasian tektites lies buried beneath lavas of a long-lived, 910-km3 volcanic field in Southern Laos: 1) Tektite geochemistry implies the presence of young, weathered basalts at the site at the time of the impact. 2) Geologic mapping and 40Ar-39Ar dates confirm that both pre- and postimpact basaltic lavas exist at the proposed impact site and that postimpact basalts wholly cover it. 3) A gravity anomaly there may also reflect the presence of a buried ∼17 × 13-km crater. 4) The nature of an outcrop of thick, crudely layered, bouldery sandstone and mudstone breccia 10–20 km from the center of the impact and fractured quartz grains within its boulder clasts support its being part of the proximal ejecta blanket.
UNDERWATER SOURCE DETECTION AND LOCALIZATION WITH INCOHERENT DATA

We consider the problem of imaging the location of one or more sources in a waveguide with random sound speed fluctuations. Our data is the acoustic pressure field measured at an array of hydrophones. Randomness is used to model the effect of internal waves on the sound channel and although the strength of the fluctuations is small, the transmitted signal is significantly affected from the multiple scattering of the waves with the random inhomogeneities, especially since we consider large propagation distances between the source and the receiver array. In such regimes, traditional coherent imaging fails. In an ideal acoustic waveguide sound propagates through guided modes that do not interact with each other. This is no longer true, however, in a random acoustic waveguide for which, under the assumptions of the diffusion and the forward scattering approximations, a stochastic system of differential equations for the mode amplitudes can be derived. This system describes how mode coupling and transfer of energy between modes occurs in a random waveguide. Taking into account this random model, an incoherent method of inversion based on a system of transport equations has been derive in Borcea et al., 2010. In this work we apply such an incoherent method for determining the location of multiple sources. We use a numerical model for a waveguide with a rigid bottom and a mean sound speed profile coming from the YELLOW SHARK ’94 experiment to which we add depth and range dependent random fluctuations. We show with simulated data that the inversion method is very accurate, and stable with respect to the realization of the random medium, for estimating the distance between the receiver array and the detected source, even in the case of only two receivers.
PROPERTY-LIABILITY INSURER FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS: DIFFERENCES ACROSS RATING AGENCIES

Regulators, investors, consumers, and insurance brokers use insurer financial strength ratings to evaluate the insolvency risk of insurers. This article investigates the factors influencing the decision to obtain a rating or multiple ratings, the determinants of ratings for the three major insurer rating agencies, and reasons for differences in ratings across agencies. This study indicates that insurers obtain ratings to reduce ex ante uncertainty about insolvency risk. It also provides evidence that specific rating determinants and their weights differ across agencies. Evidence of sample selection bias is found only in relation to Best's ratings.
A New Southern North Atlantic Isochron Map: Insights Into the Drift of the Iberian Plate Since the Late Cretaceous

This paper presents a new southern North Atlantic plate model from Late Cretaceous to present, with the aim of constraining the kinematics of the Iberian plate during the last 83.5 Myr. This model is presented along with a detailed isochron map generated through the analysis of 3 aeromagnetic tracks and ~400 ship tracks from the National Centers for Environmental Information database. We present a new technique to obtain well‐constrained estimates of the Iberia‐North America plate motions from magnetic anomalies, overcoming the scarcity of large‐offset fracture zones and transform faults. We build an integrated kinematic model for NW Africa, Morocco, Iberia, Europe, and North America, which shows that the deformation is partitioned between Pyrenees and Betic‐Rif orogenic domain during the Late Cretaceous‐Oligocene time interval. In the Eastern Betics domain, the calculated amount of NW Africa‐Iberia convergence is ~80 km between 83.5 and 34 Ma, followed by ~150 km since the Oligocene. The motion of Iberia relative to Europe in the Central Pyrenees is characterized by overall NE directed transpressional motion during the Campanian and the Paleocene, followed by NW directed transpressional movement until the Lutetian and overall NNW directed convergence from Bartonian to Chattian. This motion occurs along the axis of the Bay of Biscay from the Santonian–Campanian boundary to the middle Priabonian, subsequently jumping to King's Trough at Anomaly 17 (36.62 Ma).