Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian Approach to Learning Bandit Structure in Markov Decision Processes

In the reinforcement learning literature, there are many algorithms developed for either Contextual Bandit (CB) or Markov Decision Processes (MDP) environments. However, when deploying reinforcement learning algorithms in the real world, even with domain expertise, it is often difﬁcult to know whether it is appropriate to treat a sequential decision making problem as a CB or an MDP. In other words, do actions affect future states, or only the immediate rewards? Making the wrong assumption regarding the nature of the environment can lead to inefﬁcient learning, or even prevent the algorithm from ever learning an optimal policy, even with inﬁnite data. In this work we develop an online algorithm that uses a Bayesian hypothesis testing approach to learn the nature of the environment. Our algorithm allows practitioners to incorporate prior knowledge about whether the environment is that of a CB or an MDP, and effectively interpolate between classical CB and MDP-based algorithms to mitigate against the effects of misspecifying the environment. We perform simulations and demonstrate that in CB settings our algorithm achieves lower regret than MDP-based algorithms, while in non-bandit MDP settings our algorithm is able to learn the optimal policy, often achieving comparable regret to MDP-based algorithms.
Molecular scale description of interfacial mass transfer in phase separated aqueous secondary organic aerosol

Abstract. Liquid-liquid phase separated (LLPS) aerosol particles are known to exhibit increased cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity compared to well mixed ones due to a complex effect of low surface tension and non-ideal mixing. The relation between the two contributions as well as the molecular scale mechanism of water uptake in the presence of an internal interface within the particle is to date not fully understood. Here we present steered molecular dynamics simulation studies of water uptake by a vapor/hydroxi-cis-pinonic acid/water double interfacial system at 200 K and 300 K. Simulated free energy profiles are used to map the water uptake mechanism and are decomposed into energetic and entropic contributions to highlight its main thermodynamic driving forces. Atmospheric implications are discussed in terms of gas/particle partitioning, intraparticle water redistribution timescales, and equilibrium saturation ratios of water vapor. Our simulations reveal a strongly temperature-dependent water uptake mechanism, whose most prominent features are determined by local extrema in conformational and orientational entropies near the organic/water interface which result in a reduced core uptake coefficient (ko/w = 0.05) and a concentration gradient of water in the organic shell at the higher temperature, while their effect is negligible at 200 K due to the explicit temperature dependence of entropic terms in the free energy profiles. The concentration gradient, which is a molecular level manifestation of non-ideal mixing – suspected to be a major factor to increase LLPS CCN activity – is responsible for maintaining LLPS and low surface tension even at very high relative humidities, thus reducing critical supersaturations. Thermodynamic driving forces are rationalised to be generalizable across different compositions. The conditions under which single uptake coefficients can be used to to describe growth kinetics as a function of temperature in LLPS particles are described.
Pregnant Women with Trichomoniasis in a West African State: A Review

Introduction: Trichomonas vaginalis has been a key common treatable transmitted infection sexually. In spite of the countless severe health implications to include aiding the acquisition and spread of viral infections, PID and serious consequences of pregnancy, it is still under-diagnosed. This review aims to update the reader on the prevalence of T. vaginalis among pregnant women in Nigeria, and to also buttress the risk posed by this infection on pregnancy as well as the symptoms/factors that promote transmission. Methodology: Google search engine was used to access the information on web from 2005 2020 and used in this study. Result: An average national prevalence of 10.4% was observed from this study among pregnant women. Conclusion: Sexual promiscuity, age and socio-economics, remain valuable indices in understanding the distribution of infection within evaluated data space. Complications such as low-birth weight and premature delivery are prevalent with Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Therefore, it will be important to encourage people not to have more than one sex partner, as well as avoiding unhealthy sex habits. Also, improvement on personal care and hygiene.
Common Ingredients and Orographic Rain Index (ORI) for Heavy Precipitation Associated with Tropical Cyclones Passing Over the Appalachian Mountains

Relative contributions of common ingredients to heavy orographic rainfall associated with the passage of Hurricanes Hugo (1989) and Isabel (2003) over the Appalachian Mountains are examined using a numerical weather prediction model. It is found that the key ingredients for producing local heavy orographic rainfall were: high precipitation efficiency, strong low-level flow, strong orographically forced upward motion associated with strong low-level flow over relatively gentle upslope, concave geometry providing local areas of convergence, high moist flow upstream, a relatively large convective system associated with both tropical cyclones (TCs), and relatively slower movement. In addition, neither conditional instability nor potential (convective) instability is found to play essential roles in producing strong upward motion leading to heavy orographic TC rain. A modified Orographic Rain Index (ORI) is proposed as a predictor for heavy orographic TC precipitation, which includes the upstream incoming horizontal wind speed normal to the local orography, the steepness of the mountain, the relative humidity, the TC moving speed, and the horizontal scale of the TC. It is found that the ORI estimated in regions of local maximum rainfall by using fine-resolution numerically simulated results correlate well with rainfall rates for both hurricanes, indicating that it may serve as a predictor for heavy orographic TC rainfall.
Hierarchical distance sampling reveals increased population size and broader habitat use in the endangered Bahama Oriole

This project was primarily funded by grants from American Bird Conservancy, Birds Caribbean, and Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Kevin Omland, Colin Studds and Matt Fagan are funded by an NSF International Research Experience for Students Grant (IRES – OISE-1827110). In addition, UMBC Undergraduate Research Awards and Explorers Club Youth Activity Fund grants supported Michael Rowley, Jennifer Christhilf and Daniel Stonko, and an anonymous donation to the UMBC Foundation supported student research on Andros. Matthew Jeffery from Audubon’s International Alliance Program and Melissa Price provided advice to help start the project. We thank The Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST) for permits to conduct this research. UMBC students Alexis Scarseletta, Matthew Kane, Briana Yancy and Cierra McKoy helped with fieldwork; Breanna Byrd helped with figures. Bahamas National Trust personnel including Lehron Rolle, Latia Smith and Leslie Brace helped with our work on Andros; we also thank Zeko McKenzie. Finally, we thank Carleen and Doral Woods, Samuel Nelson, Tarran Simms, Diane Knoll, Karan and Norm Byers, Karin and Dave Barton and many other residents of North Andros.
The Impact of Blended Learning on the Twelfth Grade Students’ English Language Proficiency

The blended learning approach utilizes modern technologies and electronic media in teaching to create a technology-based environment. However, it is not an exclusive online environment because the teacher and the students have to be present in a traditional face-to-face classroom. It is widely believed that adopting a blended learning approach will enable learners to have quality educational opportunities and improve their performance. The incentive for conducting the research is to evaluate the effect of the blended learning approach on high school students’ English proficiency. Specifically, the study aimed at answering the question: is there a significant difference in the Twelfth-Grade students’ English language proficiency as measured by IELTS due to the model of delivery (Blended learning model and the traditional delivery model)? To achieve the study’s goal, the researcher applied the experimental method and used IELTS to measure language proficiency. The study sample selected purposively consisted of 63 male twelfth-grade students in one of the private schools in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study sample was assigned to two groups: the experimental group taught using blended learning consisted of 31 students, and the control group led by the traditional method consisted of 32 students. The results showed statistically significant differences at the level of (a<0.01) between the means of the results of the two groups on the post achievement test in favor of the experimental group. These results illustrated the impact of adopting the blended learning approach in an English Foreign Language (EFL) setting on students’ achievement in standardized tests. However, the successful implementation of blended learning largely depends on how responsible and committed students are towards active learning.
Domestic Violence and the Male Victim

Over the past few decades, 'domestic violence' has been defined as violence by men against women and children, and women's violence against their male partners has been considered to be either non-existent, or the fault of men, or has been trivialised and justified in a variety of ways. This paper challenges this notion of abuse against males and, using data from a study of men abused by their female partners, argues that domestic violence against males exists, that their voices are not heard; and that the refusal to acknowledge the existence of this form of abuse is part of a fundamental disempowerment of men which has arisen from a tacit acceptance in society of the radical feminist agenda. The paper concludes that domestic violence is not an issue of gender, and that official policy should be directed to providing the kind of help for abused men which up until now has been available only to women. Author’s contact and affiliation Correspondence to Dr Sotirios Sarantakos Associate Prof. of Sociology School of Humanities and Social Sciences Charles Sturt University Locked Bag 678 Wagga Wagga NSW 2678 Phone: 0269 332260 Fax 0269 332792 E-mail: ssarantakos@csu.edu. au
Superplastic Flow and Deformation Mechanism of the Rolled Al-Mg-Li-Sc-Zr Alloy with Banded Microstructure

A hot rolled Al-5Mg-2Li-0.2Sc-0.12Zr alloy sheet with an initial banded microstructure was subjected to high-temperature tensile tests in the temperature range of 450–550 ◦C, at strain rates ranging from 3 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−2 s−1. The microstructural evolution of the present non-ideal superplastic microstructure (banded morphology) was characterized by electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the hot rolled non-ideal superplastic microstructure exhibited excellent superplasticity. The optimal superplastic forming temperature appeared at 500 ◦C and the largest elongation of 1180% was achieved at 500 ◦C and 1 × 10−3 s−1. As far as we know, this is the largest elongation for Al-Mg-Li-Sc-Zr alloys. The superplastic deformation of the present hot rolled banded microstructure can be divided into two stages: (i) dynamic globularization due to the dislocation movement and continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX), which is responsible for the plastic deformation in the low strain range; (ii) superplastic flow of the spheroidized equiaxed grains with a high ratio of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) and random grain orientation in the high strain range, during which grain boundary sliding (GBS) plays the dominant role in influencing the superplastic deformation.
Revealing Fanaticism of Football Supporters: Mass Psychology Perspective

Introduction: Football has been transformed into a "new religion," which has implications beyond the mere physical exercise. The behavior of football supporters is a crucial study conducted because supporters have an essential role in the achievements and existence of a football club. Objective: This study aims to determine the level of fanaticism of football supporters in the BARLINGMASCAKEB region (Banjarnegara, Purbalingga, Banyumas, Cilacap, and Kebumen); secondly, analyzing the behavior of football supporters using the perspective of mass psychology. Method: The research method used is a combination of quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative research was conducted to measure the level of fanaticism and aggressiveness of football s upporters by using a questionnaire. The respondents were supporters of football clubs in the BARLINGMASCAKEB region with an age range of 17-30 years using the Random Sampling technique. The research instrument used a questionnaire about fanaticism and aggressiveness in sports provided online to research respondents—data analysis using correlation techniques with the guidance of SPSS applications. Qualitative research was conducted to analyze football supporters' behavior by using a literature review with mass psychology as a theoretical framework. : Results: The results showed that football supporters in the BARLINGMASCAKEB region had a high level of fanaticism and aggressiveness. A person's personality can change when in a crowd because of group conformity and adrenaline-triggered biological factors. This condition triggers aggressive actions and involvement in destructive anarchist actions. The aggressive behavior of football supporters also impacted the high level of unrest and the potential for disunity among football supporters.
Self-Consistent Hartree–Fock Approach to Electronic Structure of Endohedral Fullerene Ar@C60

Results of the first self-consistent calculation of electronic structure of endohedral fullerenes within the Hartree-Fock approximation are presented. The case study is Ar@C60. A phenomenon of the significant hybridization of the valent shell of the confined atom due to the presence of the fullerene core is observed. It is shown that the exchange interaction between all electrons of the endohedral compound plays a significant role in the process of hybridization. It is also shown that the hybridization of the atomic valent shell leads to the significant charge redistribution inside the endohedral compound.
Unexpected Effects of Bank Bailouts: Depositors Need Not Apply and Need Not Run

A key policy issue is whether bank bailouts weaken or strengthen market discipline. We address this by analyzing how bank bailouts influence deposit quantities and prices of recipients versus other banks. Using TARP bailouts, we find both deposit quantities and prices decline, consistent with substantially reduced demand for deposits by bailed-out banks that dominate market discipline supply effects. Main findings are robust to numerous checks and endogeneity tests. However, a deeper dive into depositor heterogeneity suggests nuance. Increases in uninsured deposits, transactions deposits, and deposits in banks that repaid bailout funds early suggest some limited support for weakened market discipline.
Epoxidation of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Organocatalytic Oxidation

Even though many functionalization methodologies for covalent modification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed, mild but effective approaches are still needed. Here we describe the epoxidation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with dioxirane for an environmentally friendly oxidation process with an organocatalyst. Thank to the choice of dioxiranes (accessible and easy to handle and to store), multiple oxidation cycles could be performed on the same sample, thus allowing for a final improvement in the degree of oxidation at the CNT sidewall. The obtained derivatives were then used as electrophilic platforms for successive modification with an amine, with a high degree of functionalization (about 750 μmol g–1 from TGA analysis) being obtained.
SOIL LOSSES FROM TYPIC CAMBISOLS AND RED LATOSOL AS RELATED TO THREE EROSIVE RAINFALL PATTERNS

SUMMARY Rainfall erosivity is one of the main factors related to water erosion in the tropics. This work focused on relating soil loss from a typic dystrophic Tb Haplic Cambisol (CXbd) and a typic dystrophic Red Latosol (LVdf) to different patterns of natural erosive rainfall. The experimental plots of approximately 26 m 2 (3 x 8.67 m) consisted of a CXbd area with a 0.15 m m-1 slope and a LVdf area with 0.12 m m -1 slope, both delimited by galvanized plates. Drainpipes were installed at the lower part of these plots to collect runoff, interconnected with a Geib or multislot divisor. To calculate erosivity (EI30), rainfall data, recorded continuously at a weather station in Lavras, were used. The data of erosive rainfall events were measured (10 mm precipitation intervals, accuracy 0.2 mm, 24 h period, 20 min intervals), characterized as rainfall events with more than 10 mm precipitation, maximum intensity > 24 mm h -1 within 15 min, or kinetic energy > 3.6 MJ, which were used in this study to calculate the rainfall erosivity parameter, were classified according to the moment of peak precipitation intensity in advanced, intermediate and delayed patterns. Among the 139 erosive rainfall events with CXbd soil loss, 60 % were attributed to the advanced pattern, with a loss of 415.9 Mg ha -1 , and total losses of 776.0 Mg ha -1 . As for the LVdf, of the 93 erosive rainfall events with soil loss, 58 % were listed in the advanced pattern, with 37.8 Mg ha -1 soil loss and 50.9 Mg ha -1 of total soil loss. The greatest soil losses were observed in the advanced rain pattern, especially for the CXbd. From the Cambisol, the soil loss per rainfall event was greatest for the advanced pattern, being influenced by the low soil permeability.
Dissecting disease tolerance in Plasmodium vivax malaria using the systemic degree of inflammatory perturbation

Homeostatic perturbation caused by infection fosters two major defense stratagems, resistance and tolerance, which promote the survival of the infected host. Resistance relates to the ability of the host to restrict the pathogen load. Tolerance minimizes collateral tissue damage without directly affecting pathogen fitness. These concepts have been explored mechanistically in murine models of malaria but only superficially in human disease. Indeed, individuals infected with Plasmodium vivax may present with asymptomatic malaria, only mild symptoms, or be severely ill. We and others have reported a diverse repertoire of immunopathological events that potentially underly susceptibility to disease severity in vivax malaria. Nevertheless, the combined epidemiologic, clinical, parasitological, and immunologic features associated with defining the disease outcomes are still not fully understood. In the present study, we perform an extensive outlining of cytokines and inflammatory proteins in plasma samples from a cohort of individuals from the Brazilian Amazon infected with P. vivax and presenting with asymptomatic (n=108) or symptomatic (n=134) disease (106 with mild presentation and 28 with severe malaria), as well as from uninfected endemic controls (n=128) to elucidate these gaps further. We employ highly multidimensional Systems Immunology analyses using the molecular degree of perturbation to reveal nuances of a unique profile of systemic inflammation and imbalanced immune activation directly linked to disease severity as well as with other clinical and epidemiologic characteristics. The findings mapped the relationships between the systemic degree of inflammatory perturbation and parasitemia values to define the disease tolerance in vivax malaria.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 induces fibrin(ogen) resistant to fibrinolysis: implications for microclot formation in COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) -induced infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is characterized by unprecedented clinical pathologies. One of the most important pathologies, is hypercoagulation and microclots in the lungs of patients. Here we study the effect of isolated SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 subunit as potential inflammagen sui generis. Using scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy as well as mass spectrometry, we investigate the potential of this inflammagen to interact with platelets and fibrin(ogen) directly to cause blood hypercoagulation. Using platelet poor plasma (PPP), we show that spike protein may interfere with blood flow. Mass spectrometry also showed that when spike protein S1 is added to healthy PPP, it results in structural changes to {beta} and {gamma} fibrin(ogen), complement 3, and prothrombin. These proteins were substantially resistant to trypsinization, in the presence of spike protein S1. Here we suggest that, in part, the presence of spike protein in circulation may contribute to the hypercoagulation in COVID-19 positive patients and may cause substantial impairment of fibrinolysis. Such lytic impairment may result in the persistent large microclots we have noted here and previously in plasma samples of COVID-19 patients. This observation may have important clinical relevance in the treatment of hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients.
The Chemical and Structural Nature of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Properties

The chemical and structural (morphological) features of proton exchange membranes are directly tied to their fuel cell relevant transport properties. A large body of research has focused on characterizing the structure or investigating the properties of Nafion® and other proton exchange membranes, but few studies have linked chemical composition to membrane morphology, and resulting transport properties. This paper systematically discusses the key chemical and structural features of proton exchange membranes that impact properties critical for fuel cell applications. We focus our discussion on the fuel cell relevant transport properties of proton conductivity, methanol permeability, water diffusion coefficient, and electro‐osmotic drag coefficient, using evidence from our work and from the literature to illustrate the connection between structure and properties in these materials. It is hoped that this document will serve as a guide to the rational, systematic design of new proton exchange membrane materials with improved properties.
Examination of Trace Amounts of Some Heavy Metals in Bottom Sediments of Selected Lakes of South-Eastern Poland

Concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediments of three selected reservoirs from South-Eastern Poland are presented. Masluchowskie and Piaseczno lakes are located at the Pojezierze Łeczynsko-Wlodawskie region and the artificial reservoir Zalew Zemborzycki is located at the Lublin town border. The metal concentrations were measured by XRF method.