Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solution Reuse in Dynamic Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Many AI problems can be modeled as constraint satisfaction problems (CSP), but many of them are actually dynamic: the set of constraints to consider evolves because of the environment, the user or other agents in the framework of a distributed system. In this context, computing a new solution from scratch after each problem change is possible, but has two important drawbacks: inefficiency and instability of the successive solutions. In this paper, we propose a method for reusing any previous solution and producing a new one by local changes on the previous one. First we give the key idea and the corresponding algorithm. Then we establish its properties: termination, correctness and completeness. We show how it can be used to produce a solution, either from an empty assignment, or from any previous assignment and how it can be improved using filtering or learning methods, such as forward-checking or nogood-recording. Experimental results related to efficiency and stability are given, with comparisons with well known algorithms such as backtrack, heuristic repair or dynamic backtracking.
Effects of different methods of decontamination for successful cultivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background & objectives: There has been an extensive invasion of tuberculosis at the global level by multidrug resistant as well as extensively drug resistant organisms. Attempts to recover the pathogen in pure culture have frequently failed since the specimens are often highly contaminated and also due to use of insufficient or over-active decontamination procedures. Hence in the present study different methods of decontamination were tested to evaluate their independent efficacies for culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: A total of 359 samples (241 sputum, 59 urine, 50 endometrium biopsy, 9 pus samples) from clinically suspected cases of tuberculosis were subjected to four different methods of decontamination followed by inoculation in Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJM), and bilayered medium (BLM) and Kirchner's liquid medium (KLM) to determine the influence of differential decontamination processes. Sputum scanty and positive specimens were graded and each sample was subjected to decontamination by four different techniques. Results: Treatment of specimens with 4 per cent NaOH yielded minimum recovery of pure cultures, while use of 2 per cent NaOH produced higher number of contaminants compared to other methods of decontamination. Addition of N-acetyl L-cystein (NALC) coupled with 2 per cent NaOH to the samples for decontamination provided fairly reasonable recovery, but the highest number of M. tuberculosis cultures could be obtained when the specimens were treated with tri-sodium phosphate and benzalkonium (TSPB). Among the sputum positive cases recovery of growth of M. tuberculosis was higher with greater number of bacilli present in the specimens. Regarding the influence of culture media, BLM produced not only rapid growth, but reasonably higher rate of isolation of M. tuberculosis. Interpretation & conclusions: Although use of TSPB was found to be an efficient method of decontamination for successful isolation of M. tuberculosis from contaminated samples, both NALC+ 2 per cent NaOH and TSPB also showed significant recovery of M. tuberculosis cultures in BLM that can facilitate early diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
Polyaniline/LiNi0.5La0.08Fe1.92O4 Nanocomposite: A Study of Dielectric and Electric Modulus Spectroscopy

Polyaniline(PANI)/LiNi0.5La0. 08Fe1.92O4 nanocomposite was synthesized by an in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of LiNi0.5La0. 08Fe1.92O4 nanoparticles. The dielectric properties of a PANI/LiNi0.5La0. 08Fe1.92O4 (10 wt% weight ratio of LiNi0.5La0.08Fe1.92O4 to aniline monomer) nanocomposite were investigated in the frequency range of 106–109 Hz. The dielectric constant (ϵ′) and dielectric loss (ϵ″) were frequency dependent, having relatively high values at low frequency and decreasing with increasing frequency. The values of ϵ′ and ϵ″ of PANI/LiNi0.5La0. 08Fe1.92O4 nanocomposite were found to be lower than those of the pristine PANI. Electric modulus analysis was carried out to understand the electrical relaxation process.
RESPONSE PROPERTIES OF THE HUMAN FUSIFORM F A

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the response properties of the human fusiform face area (FFA: Kanwisher, McDermott, & Chun, 1997) to a variety of face like stimuli in order to clarify the functional role of this region. FFA responses were found to be (1) equally strong for cat, cartoon and human faces despite very different image properties, (2) equally strong for entire human faces and faces with eyes occluded but weaker for eyes shown alone, (3) equal for front and profile views of human heads, but declining in strength as faces rotated away from view, and (4) weakest for nonface objects and houses. These results indicate that generalisation of the FFA response across very different face types cannot be explained in terms of a specific response to a salient facial feature such as the eyes or a more general response to heads. Instead, the FFA appears to be optimally tuned to the broad category of faces.
Internal stability of dynamically quantised control for stochastic scalar plants

Abstract In this paper we study conditions under which an unstable stochastic scalar linear plant with unbounded noise can be internally stabilised using ‘zooming'-like coding and control schemes having dynamic, finite-dimensional internal states. Such structures are known to be needed in communication-constrained control when no bound on the plant noise is available. However, previous schemes were based on coders and controllers starting with identical internal states. In this paper, we remove this assumption and explicitly construct a finite-dimensional coding and control policy that yields mean square stability of all state variables, for a random initial plant state and arbitrary initial encoder and controller states. This holds for any bit rate down to the universal minimum of the Data Rate Theorem. Furthermore, we show that despite the unbounded noise, the error and proportional errors between the scaling factors of the encoder and controller tend to zero in mean square and almost sure senses respectively. This suggests that the policy will still maintain mean square internal stability in the presence of channel bit errors, provided the bit error rate is sufficiently low. We support these conclusions with simulations.
Country-Level Determinants of E-Government Maturity

This paper presents a model of the drivers of e-government maturity. We differentiate “maturity” from “readiness” on the basis that the former refers to demonstrated behavior, while the latter provides an idea of a country’s potential to achieve e-government, and argue that maturity is a more accurate measure of a country’s realized progress. We investigate the prevalence of affluent countries in many e-government rankings using a model where the relationship between GDP and e-government maturity is mediated by ICT infrastructure, human capital, and governance. Using data from authoritative sources, we find that most of the positive influence of GDP on e-government maturity occurs through ICT infrastructure. More mature e-government, however, does not necessarily reflect better governance; in fact our data show a weak but significant negative relationship between e-government maturity and the quality of governance. We suggest plausible explanations for these findings and how the future evolution of egovernment might change the observed relationships.
Towards a formal framework for multi-objective multiagent planning

Multi-Objective Multiagent Planning (MOMAP) addresses the problem of resolving conflicts between individual agent interests and the group interests. In this paper, we address this problem by presenting a formal framework to represent objective relationships, a decision model using a Vector-Valued Decentralized Markov Decision Process (2V-DEC-MDP) and an algorithm to solve the resulting 2V-DEC-MDP. The formal framework of a Vector-Valued MDP considered uses the value function which returns a vector representing the individual and the group interests. An optimal policy in such contexts is not clear but in this approach we develop a regret-based technique to find a good tradeoff between the group and individual interests. To do that, the approach we present uses Egalitarian Social Welfare orderings that allow an agent to consider during its local optimization the satisfaction of all criteria and reducing their differences. The obtained result is a good balance between individual and group satisfactions where the local policies can lead to more global satisfying behaviors in some settings. This result is illustrated in many examples and compared to alternate local policies.
Repair of Acute Superficial Deltoid Complex Avulsion During Ankle Fracture Fixation in National Football League Players

Background: Infolding and retraction of an avulsed deltoid complex after ankle fracture can be a source of persistent increased medial clear space, malreduction, and postoperative pain and medial instability. The purpose of this descriptive case series was to analyze the preliminary outcomes of acute superficial deltoid complex avulsion repair during ankle fracture fixation in a cohort of National Football League (NFL) players. We found that there is often complete avulsion of the superficial deltoid complex off the proximal aspect of the medial malleolus during high-energy ankle fractures in athletes. Methods: Between 2004 and 2014, the cases of 14 NFL players who underwent ankle fracture fixation with open deltoid complex repair were reviewed. Patients with chronic deltoid ligament injuries or ankle fractures more than 2 months old were excluded. Average age for all patients was 25 years and body mass index 34.4. Player positions included 1 wide receiver, 1 tight end, 1 safety, 1 running back, 1 linebacker, and 9 offensive linemen. Average time from injury to surgery was 7.5 days. Surgical treatment for all patients consisted of ankle arthroscopy and debridement, followed by fibula fixation with plate and screws, syndesmotic fixation with suture-button devices, and open deltoid complex repair with suture anchors. Patient demographics were recorded with position played, time from injury to surgery, games played before and after surgery, ability to return to play, and postoperative complications. Return to play was defined as the ability to successfully participate in at least 1 full regular-season NFL game after surgery. Results: All NFL players were able to return to running and cutting maneuvers by 6 months after surgery. There were no significant differences in playing experience before surgery versus after surgery. Average playing experience before surgery was 3.3 seasons, 39 games played, and 22 games started. Average playing experience after surgery was 1.6 seasons, 16 games played, and 15 games started. Return to play was 86% for all players. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications noted, and no players had clinical evidence of medial pain or instability at final follow-up with radiographic maintenance of anatomic mortise alignment. Conclusion: Superficial deltoid complex avulsion during high-energy ankle fractures in athletes is a distinct injury pattern that should be recognized and may benefit from primary open repair. The majority of NFL players treated surgically for this injury pattern are able to return to play after surgery with no reported complications or persistent medial ankle pain or instability. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Evidence for linkage between regulatory enzymes in glycolysis and schizophrenia in a multiplex sample

Observations of impaired glucose regulation in schizophrenia are long‐standing, although their pathological and etiological significance is uncertain. One approach to the issue that minimizes environmental variables (e.g., medication and diet) is to determine whether genes related to glucose regulation show genetic linkage to schizophrenia. We examined the potential role of glucose metabolism in schizophrenia through a genome scan of affection status in schizophrenia and an empirical method for deriving P‐values. Data were utilized from the NIMH Genetics Initiative for Schizophrenia dataset, which comprises a total sample consisting of 71 pedigrees containing 218 nuclear families and 987 individuals. A genome scan with 459 markers spaced at an average of 10 cM intervals was conducted using the linkage analysis program Genehunter separately for European‐ and African‐American groups. Enzymes that regulate glycolysis were identified and the genes regulating these enzymes were located through the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) website. The focus in this study was on genes located near previously reported schizophrenia susceptibility regions. The genome‐wide significance of these genes to schizophrenia was assessed using permutation testing. When results were adjusted for multiple testing within and across ethnic groups, 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2; chromosome 1q32.2) achieved genome‐wide significance (P = 0.04). In addition, hexokinase 3 (HK3; chromosome 5q35.3) was also suggestive of linkage (P = 0.09). For the European‐American sample, PFKFB2 (1q32.2), hexokinase 3 (HK3; 5q35.3), and pyruvate kinase 3 (PK3; chromosome 15q23) achieved significance at the 0.05 level. None of the genes showed significance in the African‐American sample. Our results provide further support for the view that genes that regulate glucose metabolism may also influence susceptibility to schizophrenia. More generally, they support the view that relationships between glucose dysregulation and schizophrenia are inherent to the disorder, and are not merely epiphenomena related to medication or other treatment factors. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional sympatholysis and sympathetic escape in a theoretical model for blood flow regulation

A mathematical simulation of flow regulation in vascular networks is used to investigate the interaction between arteriolar vasoconstriction due to sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and vasodilation due to increased oxygen demand. A network with 13 vessel segments in series is used, each segment representing a different size range of arterioles or venules. The network includes five actively regulating arteriolar segments with time-dependent diameters influenced by shear stress, wall tension, metabolic regulation, and SNA. Metabolic signals are assumed to be propagated upstream along vessel walls via a conducted response. The model exhibits functional sympatholysis, in which sympathetic vasoconstriction is partially abrogated by increases in metabolic demand, and sympathetic escape, in which SNA elicits an initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation. In accordance with experimental observations, these phenomena are more prominent in small arterioles than in larger arterioles when SNA is assumed to act equally on arterioles of all sizes. The results imply that a mechanism based on the competing effects on arteriolar tone of SNA and conducted metabolic signals can account for several observed characteristics of functional sympatholysis, including the different responses of large and small arterioles.
Prevention of Heart Failure in Patients in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) Study

Background—Previous trials in the prevention of heart failure have been restricted to patients with low ejection fraction or hypertension. We assessed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, ramipril, to prevent the development of heart failure in high-risk patients without known low ejection fraction or heart failure. Methods and Results—We randomly assigned 9297 patients to receive double-blind ramipril (10 mg daily) or matching placebo for 4.5 years. Death attributable to heart failure, hospitalization for heart failure, initiation of open-label ACE inhibitor for heart failure, or development of typical signs or symptoms of heart failure developed in 951 patients and was associated with a 4.01-fold increase in the risk of death (P <0.0001). The rate of developing heart failure was significantly increased with coronary disease (risk ratio, 2.17), microalbuminuria (1.82), left ventricular hypertrophy (1.47), increasing age (by decade, 1.37), and diabetes (1.36). Ramipril reduced new-onset heart failure rate from 11.5% to 9.0% (relative risk, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68 to 0.87;P <0.0001). Ramipril consistently reduced heart failure rate both in those with (relative risk, 0.87) and those without an interim myocardial infarction (relative risk, 0.78). Ramipril also reduced the heart failure rate more in patients with baseline systolic pressure above the median (139 mm Hg) (relative risk, 0.67) compared with those below the median (relative risk, 0.91;P =0.024 for interaction of group by treatment). Conclusion—Ramipril significantly reduces the rate of development of heart failure in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events.
Model-Based Comparison of Deep Brain Stimulation Array Functionality with Varying Number of Radial Electrodes and Machine Learning Feature Sets

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads with radially distributed electrodes have potential to improve clinical outcomes through more selective targeting of pathways and networks within the brain. However, increasing the number of electrodes on clinical DBS leads by replacing conventional cylindrical shell electrodes with radially distributed electrodes raises practical design and stimulation programming challenges. We used computational modeling to investigate: (1) how the number of radial electrodes impact the ability to steer, shift, and sculpt a region of neural activation (RoA), and (2) which RoA features are best used in combination with machine learning classifiers to predict programming settings to target a particular area near the lead. Stimulation configurations were modeled using 27 lead designs with one to nine radially distributed electrodes. The computational modeling framework consisted of a three-dimensional finite element tissue conductance model in combination with a multi-compartment biophysical axon model. For each lead design, two-dimensional threshold-dependent RoAs were calculated from the computational modeling results. The models showed more radial electrodes enabled finer resolution RoA steering; however, stimulation amplitude, and therefore spatial extent of the RoA, was limited by charge injection and charge storage capacity constraints due to the small electrode surface area for leads with more than four radially distributed electrodes. RoA shifting resolution was improved by the addition of radial electrodes when using uniform multi-cathode stimulation, but non-uniform multi-cathode stimulation produced equivalent or better resolution shifting without increasing the number of radial electrodes. Robust machine learning classification of 15 monopolar stimulation configurations was achieved using as few as three geometric features describing a RoA. The results of this study indicate that, for a clinical-scale DBS lead, more than four radial electrodes minimally improved in the ability to steer, shift, and sculpt axonal activation around a DBS lead and a simple feature set consisting of the RoA center of mass and orientation enabled robust machine learning classification. These results provide important design constraints for future development of high-density DBS arrays.
Simulation Study of Single-Event Burnout in Power Trench ACCUFETs

This paper presents 2-D numerical simulation results of single-event burnout (SEB) in power trench accumulation mode field effect transistor (ACCUFET) for the first time. In this device, a p+ base region is used to deplete the n- base region to achieve a low leakage current density, and the blocking voltage is supported by the n- drift region. We find that the depth of the p+ base region determines both the leakage current density and SEB performance, as a result, there is a tradeoff relationship between the two characteristics. The 60 V hardened power ACCUFET shown in this paper could demonstrate much better SEB performance without sacrificing the current handling capability compared with the standard UMOSFET. The hardened structure mentioned in this paper indicates that an n buffer layer is added between the epitaxial layer and substrate layer based on a basic power device. As a result, the safe operating area (SOA) of the 60 V, 80 V and 100 V hardened ACCUFET discussed in this paper could reach the value of breakdown voltage when the buffer layer is over a certain value, that can realize safety operation throughout entire LET range.
Effect of dietary nucleotide supplementation on diarrhoeal disease in infants

The effects of a nucleotide‐supplemented formula on diarrhoeal disease was studied in 141 infants (group 1) who belonged to the low socioeconomic stratum; 148 controls (group 2) received the same formula but unsupplemented. Group 1 experienced less episodes of diarrhoea (109 versus 140), including less first episodes (74 versus 102; chi‐square = 8.19, p < 0.004; odds ratio 2.01) and for a lesser number of days (807 versus 996 days); 45.0% and 31.1% of infants in groups 1 and 2, respectively, never developed episodes of diarrhoea. There were no differences in the clinical characteristics of the episodes or in the enteropathogens isolated from symptomatic or asymptomatic infants. The mechanisms through which nucleotides decrease the incidence of diarrhoeal disease in infants remain unclear.
A theory-driven testing methodology for developing scientific software

Computer implementations of theoretical concepts play an ever-increasing role in the development and application of scientific ideas. As the scale of such implementations increases from relatively small models and empirical setups to overarching frameworks from which many kinds of results may be obtained, it is important to consider the methodology by which these implementations are developed. Using cognitive architectures as an example, we discuss the relation between an implementation of an architecture and its underlying theory, a relation between a computer program and its description. We argue for the use of an agile development methodology, based around a three-layer scientific test harness and continuous refactoring, as most suitable for developing scientific software. The ideas are illustrated with extended examples of implementing unified theories of human learning, taken from the chunking and template theories.
Stop minding your p's and q's: a simplified O(n) planar embedding algorithm

A graph is planar if it can be drawn on the plane with no crossing edges. There are several linear time planar embedding algorithms but ah are considered by many to be quite complicated. This paper presents a new method for performing linear time planar graph embedding which avoids some of the complexities of previous approaches (including the need to first st-number the vertices). Our new algorithm easily permits the extraction of a planar obstruction (a subgraph homeomorphic to Ks,s or Ks) in O(n) time if the graph is not planar. Our algorithm is similar to the algorithm of Booth and Lueker which uses a data structure called a PQ-tree. The Pnodes in a P&-tree represent parts of the partially embedded graph that can be permuted, and the Q-nodes represent parts that can be flipped. We avoid the use of P-nodes by not connecting pieces together until they become biconnected. We avoid Q nodes by using a data structure which allows biconnected components to be fiipped in O(1) time.