Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Gradient-Based Learning in Continuous Games

We study the limiting behavior of competitive agents employing gradient-based learning algorithms through the lens of dynamical systems theory. Specifically, we introduce a general framework for competitive gradient-based learning that allows us to analyze a wide breadth of learning algorithms including policy gradient reinforcement learning, gradient based bandits, and certain online convex optimization algorithms. We show that for both potential games and general-sum games, when agents employ gradient-based learning algorithms, they will avoid a non-negligible subset of the local Nash equilibria. This is a strongly negative result for gradient-based learning in games. Our framework also sheds light on the issue of convergence to non-Nash strategies in general-sum and zero-sum games which have no relevance to the underlying game, and arise solely due to the choice of algorithm. The existence and frequency of strategies may explain some of the difficulties encountered when using gradient descent in zero-sum games (e.g. to train generative adversarial networks). Finally, we introduce a new class of games, Morse-Smale games, for which the gradient dynamics correspond to gradient-like flows. This class encompasses a large set of commonly encountered games. For Morse-Smale games, we show that competitive gradient-based learning converges to either limit cycles, Nash equilibria, or non-Nash fixed points almost surely. To reinforce our theoretical contributions, we provide empirical results that highlight the frequency of Nash equilibria that are almost surely avoided by policy gradient in linear quadratic games. Indeed, we present empirical results that show that policy gradient almost surely avoids the unique global Nash equilibrium in one out of five randomly sampled linear quadratic games.
International study of video review of concussion in professional sports

Background Video review has become an important tool in professional sporting codes to help sideline identification and management of players with a potential concussion. Aim To assess current practices related to video review of concussion in professional sports internationally, and compare protocols and diagnostic criteria used to identify and manage potential concussions. Methods Current concussion management guidelines from professional national and international sporting codes were reviewed. Specific criteria and definitions of video signs associated with concussion were compared between codes. Rules and regulations adopted across the codes for processes around video review were also assessed. Results Six sports with specific diagnostic criteria and definitions for signs of concussion identified on video review participated in this study (Australian football, American football, world rugby, cricket, rugby league and ice hockey). Video signs common to all sports include lying motionless/loss of responsiveness and motor incoordination. The video signs considered by the majority of sports as most predictive of a diagnosis of concussion include motor incoordination, impact seizure, tonic posturing and lying motionless. Regulatory requirements, sideline availability of video, medical expertise of video reviewers and use of spotters differ across sports and geographical boundaries. By and large, these differences reflect a pragmatic approach from each sport, with limited underlying research and development of the video review process in some instances. Conclusions The use of video analysis in assisting medical staff with the diagnosis or identification of potential concussion is well established across different sports internationally. The diagnostic criteria used and the expertise of the video review personnel are not clearly established, and research efforts would benefit from a collaborative harmonisation across sporting codes.
Association between urbanicity and physical activity in Mexican adolescents: The use of a composite urbanicity measure

Purpose In Mexico, 39.5% of adolescents do not meet the World Health Organisation’s physical activity guidelines. Urbanicity is a potential correlate of physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between different aspects of urbanicity and adolescents’ physical activity. Methods Participants were 4,079 Mexican adolescents aged 15–18 from Mexico City and Oaxaca, Mexico. Data was collected between February and June 2016. Multiple imputation of missing data was implemented after confirming values were missing at random. Multivariable regression models examined associations between five domains of self-reported physical activity: 1) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, 2) sports activities, 3) leisure time activities, 4) Physical Education class at school, 5) active commuting to school; and a composite measure of urbanicity and its seven sub-scores: 1) demographic, 2) economic activity, 3) built environment, 4) communication, 5) education, 6) diversity and 7) health services. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for parents’ education and participants’ age. Results Urbanicity was positively associated with activity spent in Physical Education class. The association between urbanicity and sport activities depended on state context. Communication-based urbanicity was negatively associated with leisure physical activity and active commuting. Population density was positively associated with active commuting. Conclusion Urbanicity is associated with adolescents’ physical activity in Mexico. Findings were largely consistent between Mexico City and Oaxaca and highlight the value of examining urbanicity as a multidimensional construct.
Inhibition of ferroptosis attenuates tissue damage and improves long‐term outcomes after traumatic brain injury in mice

Ferroptosis, a new form of iron‐dependent programmed cell death, has been shown to be involved in a range of diseases. However, the role of ferroptosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has yet to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate whether ferroptosis is induced after TBI and whether the inhibition of ferroptosis would protect against traumatic brain injury in a controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) mouse model.
Chinese adaptation of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test and prevalence estimate of Internet gaming disorder among adolescents in Taiwan

Background and aims Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an increasingly important topic and has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) research criteria. This study aims to validate the Chinese version of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10), a self-reported questionnaire based on DSM-5 IGD criteria, and to estimate the prevalence of IGD in adolescents. Methods The IGDT-10 was translated to Chinese as a 10-item questionnaire rated on a 3-point Likert scale to evaluate the symptoms of IGD. Overall, 8,110 students from grade four to senior high who played Internet games were administered the questionnaire. In addition, 76 senior high-school students were interviewed using DSM-5 criteria to determine the optimal cut-off point that ensures adequate sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. The cut-off point was determined using the Youden’s index and optimal diagnostic accuracy. Results The Chinese version of the IGDT-10 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .85) and adequate diagnostic efficiency (area under the curve = 0.810). Through interviews, the optimal cut-off point was determined to be five out of the nine criteria (Youden’s index: 42.1%, diagnostic accuracy: 86.8%, sensitivity: 43.8%, and specificity: 98.3%). In this study, the prevalence of IGD among adolescent gamers was 3.1%. Conclusion Findings evidence the validity and diagnostic accuracy of the IGDT-10 in the assessment of IGD.
From Organizational Justice Perceptions to Turnover Intentions: The Mediating Effects of Burnout and Job Satisfaction

Turnover intentions (TI) stand as an insidious problem that impacts on the functioning of organizations and the well-being of their members. Currently, there is a growing interest in identifying the explanatory mechanisms of TI, in order to strengthen and retain valued employees for organizations. In line with this trend, the aim of the present study was to test an integrative serial multiple mediation model that examined the possible mediating role of burnout and job satisfaction in the relationships between organizational justice and TI. To achieve this objective, a cross-sectional empirical study was carried out on a multi-occupational sample of 408 Argentine employees (219 women and 189 men). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire comprising previously validated measures for the target population. Structural equation modeling showed that perceptions of distributive, procedural, and interpersonal justice have negative indirect effects on TI through burnout and job satisfaction, while perceptions of informational justice exert such effects on TI only through job satisfaction. These results indicate that distributive, procedural, and interpersonal justice perceptions relate to lower levels of burnout, which in turn promote greater job satisfaction and lower TI among employees. In addition, informational justice perceptions are positively related to job satisfaction, leading to a decrease in employees’ TI. Findings are discussed in light of their theoretical and practical implications. Managers and human resource professionals could consider the research results in their attempts to design and implement talent retention strategies within organizations.
A tri-modal distribution of age-of-onset in female patients with myasthenia gravis is associated with the gender-related clinical differences

Abstract Background: A tri-modal distribution of age-at-onset emerged among females patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) in our database. This finding may be indicative of different gender-based disease mechanisms. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the files of 127 MG patients for the clinical, serology and thymus pathology according to their age at disease onset: ≤40 years (early-onset, EOMG), 40–70 years (intermediate-onset, IOMG) and >70 years (late-onset, LOMG). Results: EOMG was more common among females, and IOMG was more common among males. Ocular MG was more common among the male MG patients with an IOMG. Patients with EOMG had lower rates of positive anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR). IOMG females, but not IOMG males, had lower rates of positive anti-AChR. IOMG and EOMG females had high rates of thymic hyperplasia, while EOMG males had high rates of thymoma. Comorbidity with autoimmune diseases was common among females with IOMG and LOMG. Conclusions: The prevalence of IOMG was the reason for the trend reversal of MG prevalence between genders. The clinical features of patients with IOMG differed between genders in the rates of positive anti-AChR, follicular hyperplasia of the thymus and comorbidity with autoimmune diseases. This may suggest a different gender-based mechanism of immune intolerance towards AChR and other antigens.
Protective role of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase‐2 (JNK2) in ibuprofen‐induced acute liver injury

Ibuprofen is a worldwide used non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug which may cause acute liver injury (ALI) requiring liver transplantation. We aimed to unveil the molecular pathways involved in triggering ibuprofen‐induced ALI, which, at present, remain elusive. First, we investigated activation of essential pathways in human liver sections of ibuprofen‐induced ALI. Next, we assessed the cytotoxicity of ibuprofen in vitro and developed a novel murine model of ibuprofen intoxication. To assess the role of JNK, we used animals carrying constitutive deletion of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 1 (Jnk1−/−) or Jnk2 (Jnk2−/−) expression and included investigations using animals with hepatocyte‐specific Jnk deletion either genetically (Jnk1Δhepa) or by siRNA (siJnk2Δhepa). We found in human and murine samples of ibuprofen‐induced acute liver failure that JNK phosphorylation was increased in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and other non‐liver parenchymal cells (non‐LPCs) compared with healthy tissue. In mice, ibuprofen intoxication resulted in a significantly stronger degree of liver injury compared with vehicle‐treated controls as evidenced by serum transaminases, and hepatic histopathology. Next, we investigated molecular pathways. PKCα, AKT, JNK and RIPK1 were significantly increased 8 h after ibuprofen intoxication. Constitutive Jnk1−/− and Jnk2−/− deficient mice exhibited increased liver dysfunction compared to wild‐type (WT) animals. Furthermore, siJnk2Δhepa animals showed a dramatic increase in biochemical markers of liver function, which correlated with significantly higher serum liver enzymes and worsened liver histology, and MAPK activation compared to Jnk1Δhepa or WT animals. In our study, cytoplasmic JNK activation in hepatocytes and other non‐LPCs is a hallmark of human and murine ibuprofen‐induced ALI. Functional in vivo analysis demonstrated a protective role of hepatocyte‐specific Jnk2 during ibuprofen ALI. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large regional shortwave forcing by anthropogenic methane informed by Jovian observations

Methane also heats the climate system by absorbing sunlight, and the absorption is maximized over bright clouds and deserts. Recently, it was recognized that widely used calculations of methane radiative forcing systematically underestimated its global value by 15% by omitting its shortwave effects. We show that shortwave forcing by methane can be accurately calculated despite considerable uncertainty and large gaps in its shortwave spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the forcing is insensitive, even when confronted with much more complete methane absorption spectra extending to violet light wavelengths derived from observations of methane-rich Jovian planets. We undertake the first spatially resolved global calculations of this forcing and find that it is dependent on bright surface features and clouds. Localized annual mean forcing from preindustrial to present-day methane increases approaches +0.25 W/m2, 10 times the global annualized shortwave forcing and 43% of the total direct CH4 forcing. Shortwave forcing by anthropogenic methane is sufficiently large and accurate to warrant its inclusion in historical analyses, projections, and mitigation strategies for climate change.
Solving Statistical Mechanics using Variational Autoregressive Networks

We propose a general framework for solving statistical mechanics of systems with finite size. The approach extends the celebrated variational mean-field approaches using autoregressive neural networks, which support direct sampling and exact calculation of normalized probability of configurations. It computes variational free energy, estimates physical quantities such as entropy, magnetizations and correlations, and generates uncorrelated samples all at once. Training of the network employs the policy gradient approach in reinforcement learning, which unbiasedly estimates the gradient of variational parameters. We apply our approach to several classic systems, including 2D Ising models, the Hopfield model, the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, and the inverse Ising model, for demonstrating its advantages over existing variational mean-field methods. Our approach sheds light on solving statistical physics problems using modern deep generative neural networks.
Comparing Genome-Wide Association Study Results from Different Measurements of an Underlying Phenotype

Increasing popularity of high-throughput phenotyping technologies, such as image-based phenotyping, offer novel ways for quantifying plant growth and morphology. These new methods can be more or less accurate and precise than traditional, manual measurements. Many large-scale phenotyping efforts are conducted to enable genome-wide association studies (GWAS), but it is unclear exactly how alternative methods of phenotyping will affect GWAS results. In this study we simulate phenotypes that are controlled by the same set of causal loci but have differing heritability, similar to two different measurements of the same morphological character. We then perform GWAS with the simulated traits and create receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves from the results. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) provide a metric that allows direct comparisons of GWAS results from different simulated traits. We use this framework to evaluate the effects of heritability and the number of causative loci on the AUCs of simulated traits; we also test the differences between AUCs of traits with differing heritability. We find that both increasing the number of causative loci and decreasing the heritability reduce a trait’s AUC. We also find that when two traits are controlled by a greater number of causative loci, they are more likely to have significantly different AUCs as the difference between their heritabilities increases. When simulation results are applied to measures of tassel morphology, we find no significant difference between AUCs from GWAS using manual and image-based measurements of typical maize tassel characters. This finding indicates that both measurement methods have similar ability to identify genetic associations. These results provide a framework for deciding between competing phenotyping strategies when the ultimate goal is to generate and use phenotype-genotype associations from GWAS.
Molecular Biomarkers for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health problem worldwide. The condition is associated with perinatal complications and an increased risk for future metabolic disease in both mothers and their offspring. In recent years, molecular biomarkers received considerable interest as screening tools for GDM. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), DNA methylation, and microRNAs as biomarkers for GDM. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 1990 and August 2018. The search terms included “gestational diabetes mellitus”, “blood”, “single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)”, “DNA methylation”, and “microRNAs”, including corresponding synonyms and associated terms for each word. This review updates current knowledge of the candidacy of these molecular biomarkers for GDM with recommendations for future research avenues.
Albuminuria, Lung Function Decline, and Risk of Incident Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study

Rationale: Chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRDs), including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are the fourth leading cause of death. Prior studies suggest that albuminuria, a biomarker of endothelial injury, is increased in patients with COPD. Objectives: To test whether albuminuria was associated with lung function decline and incident CLRDs. Methods: Six U.S. population‐based cohorts were harmonized and pooled. Participants with prevalent clinical lung disease were excluded. Albuminuria (urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio) was measured in spot samples. Lung function was assessed by spirometry. Incident CLRD‐related hospitalizations and deaths were classified via adjudication and/or administrative criteria. Mixed and proportional hazards models were used to test individual‐level associations adjusted for age, height, weight, sex, race/ethnicity, education, birth year, cohort, smoking status, pack‐years of smoking, renal function, hypertension, diabetes, and medications. Measurements and Main Results: Among 10,961 participants with preserved lung function, mean age at albuminuria measurement was 60 years, 51% were never‐smokers, median albuminuria was 5.6 mg/g, and mean FEV1 decline was 31.5 ml/yr. For each SD increase in log‐transformed albuminuria, there was 2.81% greater FEV1 decline (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86‐4.76%; P = 0.0047), 11.02% greater FEV1/FVC decline (95% CI, 4.43‐17.62%; P = 0.0011), and 15% increased hazard of incident spirometry‐defined moderate‐to‐severe COPD (95% CI, 2‐31%, P = 0.0021). Each SD log‐transformed albuminuria increased hazards of incident COPD‐related hospitalization/mortality by 26% (95% CI, 18‐34%, P < 0.0001) among 14,213 participants followed for events. Asthma events were not significantly associated. Associations persisted in participants without current smoking, diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: Albuminuria was associated with greater lung function decline, incident spirometry‐defined COPD, and incident COPD‐related events in a U.S. population‐based sample.
Internet gaming disorder in adolescence: Psychological characteristics of a clinical sample

Background and aims Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has become a topic of increasing research interest since its inclusion in Section 3 of the DSM-5. Given the lack of clinical studies concerning IGD, exploring the characteristics of clinical samples with IGD will help to delineate the gaming disorder construct and inform future treatment studies. Methods Data collection consisted of clinical interviews comprising 31 male adolescents diagnosed with IGD. Alongside the clinical interviews, the participants were administered a battery of psychometric tests assessing the following: IGD, personality traits, comorbid symptomatology, emotional intelligence (EI), and family environment characteristics. Results The results showed that the adolescents with IGD and their relatives reported a high number of hours per week and high presence of stressful life events in the majority of the sample. High scores on scales assessing depression, anxiety, and somatic disorders were found. However, the findings indicate the presence of several other comorbid disorders meaning that some of the adolescent sample with IGD had different clinical profiles. Several personality traits were found to be highly associated with IGD including introversion, inhibition, submissiveness, self-devaluation, interpersonal sensibility, obsessive–compulsive tendencies, phobic anxiety, and hostility, as well as paranoid and borderline personality traits. Other negative characteristics found in the present sample included a high level of social problems, low EI, and dysfunctional family relationships. Discussion and conclusions The findings suggest a more global pattern of key psychological characteristics associated with Internet gaming disorder in adolescence. This may help in understanding the complexity of this proposed disorder and it may also help in designing more specialized interventions for adolescents with IGD. The findings have important implications for clinical practice and interventions.
Mobile Technology and Business Process Performance: The Mediating Role of Collaborative Supply–Chain Capabilities

ABSTRACT The model developed in this paper aims to explain how mobile technology enables collaborative capabilities that enhance business process performance (BPP). The proposed model is tested using survey data gathered from managers in six European countries. The results suggest that, while mobile technology is positively associated with both external and internal collaborative capabilities, BPP improves to the utmost when the development of internal capabilities precedes the development of external ones.