Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Dimensioning of Cloud Caches: A Restless Bandit Approach

We study the dynamic cache dimensioning problem, where the objective is to decide how much storage to place in the cache to minimize the total costs with respect to the storage and content delivery latency. We formulate this problem as a Markov decision process, which turns out to be a restless multi-armed bandit problem and is provably hard to solve. For given dimensioning decisions, it is possible to develop solutions based on the celebrated Whittle index policy. However, Whittle index policy has not been studied for dynamic cache dimensioning, mainly because cache dimensioning needs to be repeatedly solved and jointly optimized with content caching. To overcome this difficulty, we propose a low-complexity fluid Whittle index policy, which jointly determines dimensioning and content caching. We show that this policy is asymptotically optimal. We further develop a lightweight reinforcement learning augmented algorithm dubbed fW-UCB when the content request and delivery rates are unavailable. fW-UCB is shown to achieve a sub-linear regret as it fully exploits the structure of the near-optimal fluid Whittle index policy and hence can be easily implemented. Extensive simulations using real traces support our theoretical results.
Journal of Electrochemistry Journal of Electrochemistry

: Here, we report the performance of electro-oxidation and electro-Fenton with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode for the treatment of single and multicomponent solutions containing small amounts of pharmaceutical residues (i.e., 1 mg 窑 L -1 paracetamol and/or 1 mg 窑 L -1 salicylic acid) spiked into a real water matrix at pH 3.0. Electro-oxidation was performed in a BDD/Pt cell, whereas electro-Fenton was carried out in a BDD/air-diffusion cell to electrogenerate H 2 O 2 at the cathode, always operating at constant current density. It was found that the decay of both pharmaceuticals by electro-oxidation was more rapid in the real water matrix than in ultrapure water with 0.05 mol 窑 L -1 Na 2 SO 4 because of their additional reaction with active chlorine species produced at the bulk from the oxidation of Cl - ion. Such chlorinated oxidants exhibited even higher reactivity than hydroxyl radicals formed and confined at the anode. The increase in current density largely enhanced the removal of both pollutants. Similar results were found using the real water matrix at natural alkaline pH. When the mixture of both pharmaceuticals was treated by electro-oxidation, their abatement became slower owing to the competitive attack of generated oxidants over them. Only a slight acceleration of pharmaceutical decay was obtained for the real water matrix using electro-Fenton, since the accumulation of additional homogeneous hydroxyl radical formed from Fenton 爷 s reaction between generated H 2 O 2 and added Fe 2+ was inhibited by its reaction with Cl - to form much less reactive chlorinated radicals. For the real water matrix with added pharmaceuticals, a high degree of mineralization of the natural organic matter content (NOM) was reached at high current densities by electro-oxidation, which was even improved upon addition of 0.05 mol 窑 L -1 Na 2 SO 4 . Traces of oxidation by-products like p -benzoquinone, as well as NO 3-and NH 4+ ions, were detected during the electro-oxidation of paracetamol solutions, but the N-compounds contained in the real water matrix were not removed under the investigated conditions.
Estimates of effective stress beneath a modern West Antarctic ice stream from till preconsolidation and void ratio

Preconsolidation stress recorded in subglacial sediments provides important information about subglacial effective stresses. It is commonly used to reconstruct past effective stresses from sediments left after ice retreat. In this article, we use properties of sub‐ice‐stream till samples to estimate effective stresses beneath a modern West Antarctic ice stream. Two previous estimates of sub‐ice‐stream effective stress were derived for the Upstream B (UpB) area of Ice Stream B from shear wave velocities (50 ± 40 kPa, Blankenship et al 1987) and borehole water level measurements (63 ± 24 kPa, Engelhardt & Kamb 1997). However, geotechnical tests performed on samples of the UpB till have shown that if subjected to effective stress of 50–63 kPa this till would have significantly lower porosity (˜0.32–0.35) and higher strength (˜‐22–28 kPa) than it apparently has in situ (˜0.4 and ˜2kPa). We derive new estimates of sub‐ice‐stream effective stress using: (1) Casagrande's construction applied to the results of six confined uniaxial tests, and (2) a combination of void‐ratio data for 51 till samples and 3 experimentally constrained equations describing compressibility of the UpB till under normal consolidation, overconsolidation and in the critical state. Casagrande's method yields an upper bound on effective stress of 25 kPa for four till samples and values of 13, and 4.4kPa for two other samples. The void‐ratio approach gives 11.7 ± 2.6 (normal consolidation), 18.3 ± 4.4 (overconsolidation) and 2.0 ± 0.8 kPa (critical state). These new, lower estimates of effective stress are consistent with the low till strength that has been independently measured and inferred from recent theoretical ice‐stream models. Our interpretation of data on till void ratio in terms of sub‐ice‐stream effective stress means that we can qualitatively evaluate the nature of the vertical distribution of this stress in the UpB till layer. We infer that in the sampled top 3 m of till the effective‐stress distribution is non‐hydrostatic, probably close to lithostatic. The results may be useful in future modeling of ice‐stream behavior and may aid efforts to delineate paleo‐ice streams based on their geologic record.
HAPPY CANYON: A NEW TYPE OF ENSTATITE ACHONDRITE

Happy Canyon [found: 1971, 34° 46.5′N, 101° 33.6′W, Texas] consists of about 85 vol. % enstatite (Fs 0.4%), 5 to 10 vol % plagioclase (An 26%), and 5 vol % diopside (Fs 0.9%). In addition, there are minor remnants of metal (Ni 6.35 wt %, Si-free) and troilite (with 5.10 wt % Cr and 1.15 wt % Ti) that have survived extensive terrestrial weathering. The meteorite has a cumulate texture, uniform-size euhedral, prismatic crystals of enstatite (0.3 to 0.4 mm long) with interstitial plagioclase, diopside, troilite, and metal. The enstatite crystals are dominantly disordered and occur in alignments that suggest flow. There are no chondrules or remnants of chondrules. The enstatite crystals contain internal negative crystal voids, which are charactieristic of enstatite achondrites, as well as internal branching submicron rivulet dislocations. The bulk composition is that of an E6 enstatite chondrite, however, it has the texture of a crystal cumulate; achondritic, but unlike that of enstatite achondrites. Glass of a granitic composition occurs mainly in the mesostasis and is compositionally like the glass found inside pyroxene crystals in the Cumberland Falls enstatite achondrite. Happy Canyon is most simply explained as an E6 composition that has melted and reprecipitated at a slightly higher oxidation state, at some depth (> 7 km), possibly in the core volume of a small, asteroidal-size parent body. In terms of classification, it occupies the gap between the recrystallized enstatite chondrites and the igneous, crystalline, unbrecciated enstatite achondrites like Shallowater. Happy Canyon is a new type of enstatite achondrite
Composition and Sticking of Hot Chondritic Dust in a Protoplanetary Hydrogen Atmosphere

The sticking properties of dust in early phases of planet formation depend on the thermal history and ambient atmosphere. Therefore, dust will change its ability to build larger aggregates in collisions, depending on its location in protoplanetary disks. We aim at quantifying the change in sticking properties as chondritic dust is heated under various atmospheric conditions. In laboratory experiments, we milled two different meteorites (Sayh al Uhaymir 001 and Allende) to dust and formed millimeter-size cylinders. These cylindrical aggregates were sequentially heated from 600 to 1400 K in vacuum and in a hydrogen atmosphere, with compositional changes being tracked via Mössbauer spectroscopy. Using a Brazilian splitting test, the splitting tensile strength was determined. At higher temperatures, iron in silicates is reduced to metallic Fe(Ni) within the hydrogen atmosphere. In any case, adhesive forces are strongly increased by orders of magnitude from 1000 to 1400 K with minimum variations, depending on the atmospheric conditions. The dust in protoplanetary disks becomes ever more sticky, approaching a sublimation line upon exposure to temperatures of about 1400 K.
Fitting Thermal Evolution Models to the Chronological Record of Erg Chech 002 and Modeling the Ejection Conditions of the Meteorite

The history of accretion and differentiation processes in the planetesimals is provided by various groups of meteorites. Sampling different parent body layers, they reveal the circumstances of the metal–silicate segregation and the internal structures of the protoplanets. The ungrouped achondrite Erg Chech 002 (EC 002) added to the suite of samples from primitive igneous crusts. Here we present models that utilize thermochronological data for EC 002 and fit the accretion time and size of its parent body to these data. The U-corrected Pb–Pb pyroxene, Pb–Pb phosphate, and Ar–Ar ages used imply a best-fit planetesimal with a radius of 20–30 km that formed at 0.1 Ma after calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions. Its interior melted early and differentiated by 0.5 Ma, allowing core and mantle formation with a transient lower mantle magma ocean and a melt fraction of <25% at the meteorite layering depth. EC 002 formed from this melt at a depth of 0.8 km in a partially differentiated region covered by an undifferentiated crust. By simulating collisions with impactors of different sizes and velocities, we analyzed the minimum ejection conditions of EC 002 from its original parent body and the surface composition of the impact site. The magma ocean region distinct from the layering depth of EC 002 implies that it was not involved in the EC 002 genesis. Our models estimate closure temperatures for the Al–Mg ages as 1030–1200 K. A fast parent body cooling attributes the late Ar–Ar age to a local reheating by another, late impact.
The contagion effect of heterogeneous investor groups

This paper suggests an alternative approach to measuring systemic risk in financial markets by examining the interconnectedness among heterogeneous investors. Utilizing variance decomposition and a trading database from the Korea Stock Exchange spanning 2002-2018, we find that systemic risk, as quantified by total connectedness based on microlevel investor activity, intensifies during both domestic and global financial crises. In addition, our analysis indicates that retail investors, often termed noise traders, are pivotal contributors to the propagation of financial shocks. We also find that portfolios constructed by the sensitivity of total connectedness yield additional returns. This study could enhance our understanding of the contagion effect by incorporating the investor perspective, and the findings could offer valuable insights for policy-makers and regulators.
Influence of intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation on cognitive abilities among adolescent girls in northwestern Tanzania

Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation to reduce anemia is key for improving substantial lost disability adjusted life years (DALYs) for adolescent girls. This study assessed the impact of weekly IFA supplementation (WIFAS) on cognitive ability among adolescent girls in the Simiyu Region in northernwestern Tanzania. This cross-sectional comparative evaluation study of 770 adolescent girls (396 –WIFAS supplemented; 374 –not supplemented) evaluated the association between WIFAS and cognitive ability through a face-to-face survey and cognitive ability assessment using standardized tests (Span-forward Test, Span-backward Test and Maze Test). Using a modified Poisson regression, we controlled for the geographic setting (urban vs rural), availability of potable water and feeding programs in schools, age and school level of adolescent girls, parental status, main parental economic activities, and the number of teachers. Participants were between the ages of 11 and 19 years, with more than half (57%) between 12–15 years of age. Those with WIFAS had higher cognitive ability (Span-forward scores, χ2 = 46.34% p <0.001; Span-forward, χ2 = 46.34% p <0.001; and Global Composite Cognitive Performance (GCCP), χ2 = 32.52% p<0.001). Among the IFA supplemented adolescent girls, secondary school level had a significantly higher score with respect to Span-backward (aPR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.06–1.62); Span-forward ability (aPR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.04–1.53) and Maze Test ability (aPR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01–1.25) as compared to their counterpart in primary school level. Individual adolescent girls with WIFAS and living with both parents performed much better on the Span-backward Test (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07–1.68) as compared to those living with relatives and/or orphans. The presence of potable water program among the WIFAS schools resulted in a higher Span-backward ability (aPR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.03–1.89); and GCCP (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.03–1.75). Adolescent girls from WIFAS schools with feeding program had higher Span-forward (aPR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.63) ability as well as a higher Maze Test (aPR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.07–1.26) score. The present study provides compelling evidence that WIFAS is positively associated with higher cognitive ability among adolescent girls. Nevertheless, IFA interventions are still rare in communities across Tanzania.
Competitive strategy, development zone policy and firm growth: Empirical evidence from China

Competitive strategy plays an important role in achieving superior profits, but there is still much to be explored in terms of the effect on firm growth. This study focuses on exploring the relationship between competitive strategy and firm growth in emerging economies. We focus on how the development zone policies moderate this relationship. This study uses a two-way fixed-effect model to analyze data for 527 manufacturing firms listed in China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2012-2021. Our empirical analysis showed that there is a significant positive relationship between low-cost strategy and firm growth and a significant negative relationship between differentiation strategy and firm growth. Compared with national development zones, firms in provincial development zones choose low-cost strategies that are more conducive to growth. Compared with provincial development zones, firms in national development zones choose differentiation strategies that are more conducive to growth. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which competitive strategy affects firm growth in different regional institutional contexts in emerging economies. The results of the study also have reference value for the government to optimize the development zone policies.
How inhaled corticosteroids target inflammation in COPD

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of COPD. COPD has been previously described as a “corticosteroid-resistant” condition, but current clinical trial evidence shows that selected COPD patients, namely those with increased exacerbation risk plus higher blood eosinophil count (BEC), can benefit from ICS treatment. This review describes the components of inflammation modulated by ICS in COPD and the reasons for the variation in response to ICS between individuals. There are corticosteroid-insensitive inflammatory pathways in COPD, such as bacteria-induced macrophage interleukin-8 production and resultant neutrophil recruitment, but also corticosteroid-sensitive pathways including the reduction of type 2 markers and mast cell numbers. The review also describes the mechanisms whereby ICS can skew the lung microbiome, with reduced diversity and increased relative abundance, towards an excess of proteobacteria. BEC is a biomarker used to enable the selective use of ICS in COPD, but the clinical outcome in an individual is decided by a complex interacting network involving the microbiome and airway inflammation. Tweetable abstract While blood eosinophil count is the biomarker used in clinical practice to enable selective use of ICS in COPD, there is a complex interacting network involving the microbiome, airway inflammation and ICS that decides the clinical outcome in individuals https://bit.ly/3P1Jmjx
LncRNA MALAT1/microRNA-30b axis regulates macrophage polarization and function

Macrophages (Mφ) are long-lived myeloid cells that can polarize towards the proinflammatory M1 or proresolving M2 phenotype to control diverse biological processes such as inflammation, tissue damage, and regeneration. Noncoding RNA are a class of nonprotein-coding transcriptome with numerous interdependent biological roles; however, their functional interaction in the regulation of Mφ polarization and immune responses remain unclear. Here, we show antagonistic relationship between lncRNA (MALAT1) and microRNA (miR-30b) in shaping macrophage polarization and immune functions. MALAT1 expression displays a time-dependent induction during Mφ differentiation and, upon challenge with TLR4 agonist (E. coli LPS). MALAT1 knockdown promoted the expression of M2Mφ markers without affecting M1Mφ markers, suggesting that MALAT1 favors the M1 phenotype by suppressing M2 differentiation. Compared to the control, MALAT1 knockdown resulted in reduced antigen uptake and processing, bacterial phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity, strongly supporting its critical role in regulating innate immune functions in Mφ. Consistent with this, MALAT1 knockdown showed impaired cytokine secretion upon challenge with LPS. Importantly, MALAT1 exhibit an antagonistic expression pattern with all five members of the miR-30 family during M2 Mφ differentiation. Dual-luciferase assays validated a novel sequence on MALAT1 that interacts with miR-30b, a microRNA that promotes the M2 phenotype. Phagocytosis and antigen processing assays unequivocally demonstrated that MALAT1 and miR-30b are functionally antagonistic. Concurrent MALAT1 knockdown and miR-30b overexpression exhibited the most significant attenuation in both assays. In human subjects with periodontal disease and murine model of ligature-induced periodontitis, we observed higher levels of MALAT1, M1Mφ markers and downregulation of miR-30b expression in gingival tissues suggesting a pro-inflammatory function of MALAT1 in vivo. Overall, we unraveled the role of MALAT1 in Mφ polarization and delineated the underlying mechanism of its regulation by involving MALAT-1-driven miR-30b sequestration.
An upper-crust lid over the Long Valley magma chamber

Geophysical characterization of calderas is fundamental in assessing their potential for future catastrophic volcanic eruptions. The mechanism behind the unrest of Long Valley Caldera in California remains highly debated, with recent periods of uplift and seismicity driven either by the release of aqueous fluids from the magma chamber or by the intrusion of magma into the upper crust. We use distributed acoustic sensing data recorded along a 100-kilometer fiber-optic cable traversing the caldera to image its subsurface structure. Our images highlight a definite separation between the shallow hydrothermal system and the large magma chamber located at ~12-kilometer depth. The combination of the geological evidence with our results shows how fluids exsolved through second boiling provide the source of the observed uplift and seismicity.
In vivo neuromodulation of animal behavior with organic semiconducting oligomers

Modulating neural activity with electrical or chemical stimulus can be used for fundamental and applied research. Typically, neuronal stimulation is performed with intracellular and extracellular electrodes that deliver brief electrical pulses to neurons. However, alternative wireless methodologies based on functional materials may allow clinical translation of technologies to modulate neuronal function. Here, we show that the organic semiconducting oligomer 4-[2-{2,5-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)thiophen-3-yl}ethoxy]butane-1-sulfonate (ETE-S) induces precise behaviors in the small invertebrate Hydra, which were dissected through pharmacological and electrophysiological approaches. ETE-S–induced behavioral response relies on the presence of head neurons and calcium ions and is prevented by drugs targeting ionotropic channels and muscle contraction. Moreover, ETE-S affects Hydra’s electrical activity enhancing the contraction burst frequency. The unexpected neuromodulatory function played by this conjugated oligomer on a simple nerve net opens intriguing research possibilities on fundamental chemical and physical phenomena behind organic bioelectronic interfaces for neuromodulation and on alternative methods that could catalyze a wide expansion of this rising technology for clinical applications.
The Impact of Social Isolation and Environmental Deprivation on Blood Pressure and Depression-Like Behavior in Young Male and Female Mice

Background: Social isolation (SI) and loneliness are major adult and adolescent health concerns, particularly in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. Recent prospective cohort studies indicate that older women who experienced both SI and loneliness had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension, a well-established risk factor for CVD, is more prevalent in elderly women than men. Furthermore, a lack of social relationships is strongly associated with an increased risk of hypertension in middle-aged and elderly women compared to men. Although this has not been extensively studied, adolescents and young adults who experience loneliness or SI may also be at risk for CVD and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of SI on blood pressure and depression-like behavior in young male and female mice. Methods: Weaned C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned (n = 6/group/sex) to either group housing (GH) or SI. Animals in the SI group were housed in individual cages for 8 weeks with no view of other animals. The cages were kept in ventilated racks to prevent pheromone exposure and socially isolated animals had no cage enrichment. Results: SI increased systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in females and elevated heart rate in both sexes. Body weight gain was dramatically increased in socially isolated females but tended to decrease in socially isolated males. In the forced swim test, which detects depression-like behavior, there was no difference between groups in total immobility time. The latency to immobility, however, was significantly decreased in socially isolated females. Serum concentrations of corticosterone and metanephrine did not differ between socially isolated and group-housed females, but corticosterone levels were significantly reduced in socially isolated males. Conclusions: Our results indicate that 8 weeks of SI leads to significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate and mild changes in depression-like behavior in young mice, with females affected more than males.