Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward evolving robust, deliberate motion planning with HyperNEAT

Previous works have used a novel hybrid network architecture to create deliberative behaviours to solve increasingly challenging tasks in two-dimensional and three-dimensional artificial worlds. At the foundation of each is a static hand-designed neural network for robust and deliberative motion planning. This paper presents results from replacing the hand-designed motion-planning subnetwork with HyperNEAT. Simulations are run on the original two-dimensional world with, and without, relative position inputs and a multievaluation fitness function, thus assessing the relative performance of each strategy. The focus of this work is on solutions adaptable to general environments; following evolution, each strategy's performance is evaluated on 10,000 world configurations. The results demonstrate that although HyperNEAT was not able to achieve as robust results as a hand-design approach, the best strategy was comparable, with just a 3–4% drop in performance. Relative position inputs and the multievaluation fitness function were both significant in achieving superior general performance, compared to those simulations without.
Protease‐activated receptor‐2 signalling by tissue factor on dendritic cells suppresses antigen‐specific CD4+ T‐cell priming

The precise function of tissue factor (TF) expressed by dendritic cells (DC) is uncertain. As well as initiating thrombin generation it can signal through protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR‐2) when complexed with factor VIIa. We investigated the expression and function of TF on mouse bone marrow (BM) ‐derived DC; 20% of BM‐derived DC expressed TF, which did not vary after incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or dexamethasone (DEX). However, the pro‐coagulant activity of DEX‐treated DC in recalcified plasma was 30‐fold less than LPS‐treated DC. In antigen‐specific and allogeneic T‐cell culture experiments, the TF on DEX‐treated DC provided a signal through PAR‐2, which contributed to the reduced ability of these cells to stimulate CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production. In vivo, an inhibitory anti‐TF antibody and a PAR‐2 antagonist enhanced antigen‐specific priming in two models where antigen was given without adjuvant, with an effect approximately 50% that seen with LPS, suggesting that a similar mechanism was operational physiologically. These data suggest a novel TF and PAR‐2‐dependent mechanism on DEX‐DC in vitro and unprimed DC in vivo that contributes to the low immunogenicity of these cells. Targeting this pathway has the potential to influence antigen‐specific CD4+ T‐cell activation.
An aberration in gamma-ray-enhanced reactivation of irradiated adenovirus in ataxia telangiectasia fibroblasts.

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a rare human genetic disorder, whose numerous clinical hallmarks include a predisposition to lymphoreticular cancers and a hypersensitivity to conventional radiotherapy. Furthermore, AT cells in vitro exhibit a hypersensitivity to ionising radiation that appears to be correlated with an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations, a resistance of de novo DNA synthesis to inhibition by radiation-induced DNA damage, a reduced mitotic delay and possible defects in DNA repair. In this study, a sensitive viral assay has been used to investigate the capacity of gamma-irradiated AT cells to support the replication of undamaged virus, as well as the extent to which the survival of radiation-damaged virus was affected by gamma-irradiation of these host cells prior to infection. The expression of such enhanced reactivation (ER) of both u.v. -irradiated (u.v. dose = 1.2 X 10(3) J/m2) and gamma-irradiated (dose = 2 Mrad) adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) was examined in a variety of normal and AT human fibroblast strains. Unirradiated and gamma-irradiated fibroblasts were infected with unirradiated or irradiated Ad2, either immediately or at different times after cell monolayer irradiation, and at 48 h after infection cultures were examined by indirect immunofluorescence to determine the number of cells in which Ad2 viral structural antigen (Vag) was expressed. For immediate infection of normal human fibroblasts, both a decrease in unirradiated virus expression and an increase in ER were observed with increasing gamma-ray dose to the cells. In contrast, AT fibroblasts were found to be deficient in gamma-ray ER of irradiated Ad2, and this defect appeared to be related to a marked relative radioresistance of unirradiated virus expression in AT compared to normal cells. The potential significance of these results is discussed in the context of mammalian ER, which is believed to be, at least in part, an expression of a mutagen-inducible (and possibly error-prone) DNA repair mechanism.
CORRELATION OF UVC AND UVB CYTOTOXICITY WITH THE INDUCTION OF SPECIFIC PHOTOPRODUCTS IN T‐LYMPHOCYTES AND FIBROBLASTS FROM NORMAL HUMAN DONORS

Abstract— By using specific monoclonal antibodies in situ and a computer‐assisted image analysis system we have determined the relative induction of cyclobutane dimers, (6–4) photoproducts and Dewar isomers in human mononuclear cells and fibroblasts following irradiation with UVC, broad‐spectrum UVB and narrow‐spectrum UVB. The lamps produced these lesions in different proportions, with broad‐spectrum UVB inducing a greater combined yield of (6–4) photoproducts and Dewar isomers per cyclobutane dimer than UVC or narrow‐spectrum UVB. The relative induction ratios of (6–4) photoproducts compared to cyclobutane dimers were 0.15, 0.21 and 0.10 following irradiation with UVC, broad‐ or narrow‐spectrum UVB, respectively. Although Dewar isomers were induced by UVC, their relative rate of formation compared to cyclobutane dimers was significantly greater after irradiation with either broad‐spectrum or narrow‐spectrum UVB. These values were 0.001, 0.07 and 0.07, respectively. With each lamp source, we have determined the survival of normal human T‐lymphocytes and fibroblasts at fiuences, which induce equivalent yields of cyclobutane dimers, (6–4) photoproducts or (6–4) photoproducts plus Dewar isomers. Killing of fibroblasts appears to be associated with (6–4) photoproduct formation, whereas killing of T‐lymphocytes seems to be mediated by combined (6–4) plus Dewar yields. These results emphasize the need to study the biological effects of UVB because cellular responses may be different from those following UVC irradiation.
Conditional Volatility Persistence

This study provides evidence on the common determinants for two prominent features of equity market volatility: its persistence over time and its asymmetric dependence on past returns. We show that daily volatility persistence increases with current returns, especially negative returns. It decreases with current volatility. The estimated volatility persistence from the observed variables is termed “conditional volatility persistence”. It provides a new economic link from return to future volatility, and a more robust explanation for their asymmetric relationship. By estimating the variations in the latent volatility persistence, our model significantly improves volatility forecasts relative to recent advances in volatility models.
Monetary policy operating procedures, lending frictions, and employment

This paper studies a channel system for implementing monetary policy when bank lending is subject to frictions. These frictions affect the spread between the interbank rate and the loan rate. We show how the width of the channel, the nature of random payment flows in the interbank market and the presence of frictions in the loan market affect the propagation of financial shocks that originate either in the interbank market or in the loan market. We study the transmission mechanism of two different financial shocks: 1) An increase in the volatility of the payment shock that banks face once the interbank market has closed and 2) An exogenous termination of loan contracts that directly affects the probability of continuation of credit relationships. Both financial shocks are propagated through the interaction of the marginal value of having excess reserves as collateral relative to other bank assets, the real marginal cost of labor for all active firms and the reservation productivity that selects the mass of producing firms. Our results suggest that financial shocks produce a reallocation of bank assets towards excess reserves as well as intensive and extensive margin effects over employment. The aggregation of those effects produce deep and prolonged recessions that are associated to fluctuations in the endogenous component of total factor productivity that appears as an additional input in the aggregate production function of the economy. We show that this wedge depends on aggregate credit conditions and on the mass of producing firms.
DNA substrate requirements for different activities of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase protein

The integrase protein (IN) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 removes two nucleotides from both 3' ends of the viral DNA (donor cleavage) and subsequently couples the newly generated 3' OH groups to phosphates in the target DNA (integration). The sequence requirements of IN for cleavage as well as for integration of viral DNA substrates have previously been studied by mutational analyses and by adduct interference assays. We extended these studies by analysis of heteroduplex oligonucleotide substrates and by missing-base analysis. We found for some base pairs that mutation of only one of the two bases and not the other affected IN activity. These base pairs center around the cleavage site. Besides donor cleavage and integration, IN can also perform "intermolecular disintegration," which has been described as the reversal of the integration reaction. We found that this reaction is independent of viral DNA sequences. In addition, the optimum spacing between the integration sites in intermolecular disintegration does not reflect the spacing found in vivo. These results indicate that this reaction is not the exact reversal of integration but rather is a sequence-independent phosphoryl transfer reaction between gapped DNA duplex molecules.
Haspin‐like proteins: A new family of evolutionarily conserved putative eukaryotic protein kinases

Haspin (haploid germ cell–specific nuclear protein kinase) is reported to be a serine/threonine kinase that may play a role in cell‐cycle cessation and differentiation of haploid germ cells. In addition, Haspin mRNA can be detected in diploid cell lines and tissues. Here, Haspin‐like proteins are identified in several major eukaryotic phyla—including yeasts, plants, flies, fish, and mammals—and an extended group in Caenorhabditis elegans. The Haspin‐like proteins have a complete but divergent eukaryotic protein kinase domain sequence. Although clearly related to one another and to other eukaryotic protein kinases, the Haspin‐related proteins lack conservation of a subset of residues that are almost invariant in known kinases and possess distinctive inserted regions. In fact, phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Haspin‐like proteins form a novel eukaryotic protein kinase family distinct from those previously defined. The identification of related proteins in model organisms provides some initial insight into their functional properties and will provide new experimental avenues by which to determine the function of the Haspin proteins in mammalian cells.
Twenty Years of Accounting and Finance Research on the Chinese Capital Market

The Chinese capital market has attracted increasing academic attention due to its rising global influence, ongoing regulatory reforms, and distinct institutional background. In this paper, we review scholarly accounting and finance research pertaining to the Chinese capital market in Mainland China published in Tier 1 and Asia‐Pacific regional journals during the 1999–2018 period. Our review is based along four dimensions: top‐cited articles, main research fields, frequently contributing authors, and emerging research trends. We find that the increasing presence of China in global capital markets, along with its ongoing economic reforms, provides academics with opportunities to investigate distinct institutional environments and utilize natural experiments. This has led to the formulation of novel accounting and finance research questions, greatly advancing our understanding of accounting and finance research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Are long-term hormone replacement therapy users different from short-term and never users?

The characteristics that differentiate long-term (> or = 10 years) hormone replacement therapy (HRT) users from short-term (<10 years) users and nonusers are not well documented. The epidemiology of long-term HRT use was investigated within a random sample survey of 703 women aged 50-80 years who were members of Group Health Cooperative (GHC) of Puget Sound. Women who had been menopausal for > or = 10 years comprised the study population. Long-term HRT users (29.4 percent) were compared with short-term (28.1 percent) and never users (42.5 percent). The authors examined the association between duration of HRT use and demographic characteristics, personal and family medical history, menopausal symptoms, information used in decision making, attitudes toward HRT, provider encouragement to use HRT, and GHC utilization. Compared with never users, the strongest correlates of long-term HRT use were having a hysterectomy before or after menopause, positive attitudes espousing the benefits of HRTs, and perceived provider encouragement to use HRT. Long-term HRT use was not associated with educational attainment, ethnicity, body mass index, health status, physical activity, or family medical history. Correlates commonly associated with HRT use, such as higher education, greater physical activity and functioning, and lower chronic disease comorbidity, did not significantly distinguish long-term from short-term users.
Crispld2 is required for neural crest cell migration and cell viability during zebrafish craniofacial development

The CAP superfamily member, CRISPLD2, has previously been shown to be associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) in human populations and to be essential for normal craniofacial development in the zebrafish. Additionally, in rodent models, CRISPLD2 has been shown to play a role in normal lung and kidney development. However, the specific role of CRISPLD2 during these developmental processes has yet to be determined. In this study, it was demonstrated that Crispld2 protein localizes to the orofacial region of the zebrafish embryo and knockdown of crispld2 resulted in abnormal migration of neural crest cells (NCCs) during both early and late time points. An increase in cell death after crispld2 knockdown as well as an increase in apoptotic marker genes was also shown. This data suggests that Crispld2 modulates the migration, differentiation, and/or survival of NCCs during early craniofacial development. These results indicate an important role for Crispld2 in NCC migration during craniofacial development and suggests involvement of Crispld2 in cell viability during formation of the orofacies. genesis 53:660–667, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clean Power for Africa: Overcoming the Main Constraints

Inadequate power supply in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) means that only 37 per cent of sub-Saharan Africans have access to electricity. Those with access are prone to experience problems with regular power outages. In many sub- SSA countries, electricity access rates are decreasing because electrification efforts are slower than population growth. In recent years, however, some SSA countries have demonstrated that with political will and opportunities for appropriate finance, access to electricity can be accelerated. Alongside increased awareness in the international development community of the importance of energy for human development, the requirement for energy to be ‘green’ means that calls for the provision of clean, renewable energy sources cannot be ignored. The authors of this IDS Bulletin provide insights from power systems engineering, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and political economy on how to overcome constraints to green electricity in Africa. One of the biggest contributions of this issue is that is allows a dialogue between academics and practitioners that would not normally be published in the same journal. What also emerges as an underlying thread is the essential role of donors to achieve sustainable energy for all in Africa. The contributions to the IDS Bulletin underline the enormity of the clean electrification challenge in Africa, and demonstrate the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach where technical, economic, and political perspectives are involved in the design of interventions.
Deinstitutionalization in intellectual disabilities

Purpose of review The process of deinstitutionalization for intellectual disability services is at different stages across the world, varying from complete closure in Sweden to a vague hope in Taiwan. This review explores recent literature on deinstitutionalization and intellectual disabilities and focuses on papers published in academic journals mainly during 2006. Recent findings Work on deinstitutionalization continues to show that outcomes are better in the community than in institutional care but recent papers highlight that there is more to deinstitutionalization than just hospital closure. Just moving people out of institutions into community settings does not bring about automatic improvement in quality of life in terms of choice and inclusion as well as self-identity and access to effective healthcare and treatment. This is especially true for people with more severe intellectual disabilities as well as complex needs such as challenging behaviour. Some of the current research illustrates that even offenders with intellectual disability can be successfully supported in the community. Summary Recent research provides further examples and lessons on how community care can and should work, which it would be hoped will help those countries just starting the process of institutional closure to move more quickly to full deinstitutionalization.
Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: treatment success as defined by histologic examination of the explanted liver.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using histologic examination of the explanted liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was approved by the medical center Institutional Review Board, with waiver of informed consent. Forty-seven HCC nodules in 24 patients (18 men, six women; age range, 33-71 years; mean age, 56 years) were treated with single or double RF ablation sessions prior to liver transplantation. Histologic data from hematoxylin-eosin staining of explanted liver specimens were retrospectively reviewed to determine treatment success, which was defined as the absence of residual or recurrent viable carcinoma cells at treatment site. Tumor size and the presence of large (> or =3 mm) abutting vessels that were observed during imaging were tested as potential predictors of treatment success or failure (Fisher exact test). In patients who underwent postablation computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging within 3 months prior to transplantation (21 patients with 44 tumors), imaging results were analyzed for sensitivity and specificity of residual or recurrent tumor by using histologic data as the reference standard. RESULTS Thirty-five (74%) of 47 ablated tumors, including 29 (83%) of 35 tumors less than 3 cm, were found to be successfully treated on the basis of histologic findings after a mean interval of 7.5 months between RF ablation and transplantation. Nodules that were successfully treated had mean maximal diameter of 2.0 cm, and nodules that were unsuccessfully treated had mean maximal diameter of 3.1 cm (P=.014). Seven (47%) of 15 perivascular lesions were successfully treated whereas 28 (88%) of 32 nonperivascular lesions were successfully treated (P <.01). Imaging correlation showed 100% (33 of 33) specificity and 36% (four of 11) sensitivity of postablation CT and MR imaging for the depiction of residual or recurrent tumor. CONCLUSION Histologic evidence directly validates RF ablation as an effective treatment of small (<3 cm) HCC.
The Long-Term Consequences of the Global 1918 Influenza Pandemic: A Systematic Analysis of 117 IPUMS International Census Data Sets

Several country-level studies, including a prominent one for the United States, have identified long-term effects of in-utero exposure to the 1918 influenza pandemic (also known as the Spanish Flu) on economic outcomes in adulthood. In-utero conditions are theoretically linked to adult health and socioeconomic status through the fetal origins or Barker hypothesis. Historical exposure to the Spanish Flu provides a natural experiment to test this hypothesis. Although the Spanish Flu was a global phenomenon, with around 500 million people infected worldwide, there exists no comprehensive global study on its long-term economic effects. We attempt to close this gap by systematically analyzing 117 Census data sets provided by IPUMS International. We do not find consistent global long-term effects of influenza exposure on education, employment and disability outcomes. A series of robustness checks does not alter this conclusion. Our findings indicate that the existing evidence on long-term economic effects of the Spanish Flu is likely a consequence of publication bias.
Topological and entanglement properties of resonating valence bond wave functions

We examine in details the connections between topological and entanglement properties of short-range resonating valence bond (RVB) wave functions using projected entangled pair states (PEPS) on kagome and square lattices on (quasi)infinite cylinders with generalized boundary conditions (and perimeters with up to 20 lattice spacings). By making use of disconnected topological sectors in the space of dimer lattice coverings, we explicitly derive (orthogonal) “minimally entangled” PEPS RVB states. For the kagome lattice, using the quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet as a reference model, we obtain the finite-size scaling with increasing cylinder perimeter of the vanishing energy separations between these states. In particular, we extract two separate (vanishing) energy scales corresponding (i) to insert a vison line between the two ends of the cylinder and (ii) to pull out and freeze a spin at either end. We also investigate the relations between bulk and boundary properties and show that, for a bipartition of the cylinder, the boundary Hamiltonian defined on the edge can be written as a product of a highly nonlocal projector, which fundamentally depends upon boundary conditions, with an emergent (local) SU(2)-invariant one-dimensional (superfluid) t -J Hamiltonian, which arises due to the symmetry properties of the auxiliary spins at the edge. This multiplicative structure, a consequence of the disconnected topological sectors in the space of dimer lattice coverings, is characteristic of the topological nature of the states. For minimally entangled RVB states, it is shown that the entanglement spectrum, which reflects the properties of the (gapless or gapped) edge modes, is a subset of the spectrum of the local Hamiltonian, e.g., half of it for the kagome RVB state, providing a simple argument on the origin of the topological entanglement entropy S_0 = −ln 2 of the Z_2 spin liquid. We propose to use these features to probe topological phases in microscopic Hamiltonians, and some results are compared to existing density matrix renormalization group data.