Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the (ir)relevance of direct supply-side effects of monetary policy

The relevance of direct supply-side effects of monetary policy in a New Keynesian DSGE model is studied. We extend a model with several nominal and real frictions by introducing a cost channel of monetary transmission and allowing for non-separability of money and consumption in the utility of the representative household. These fea- tures have important theoretical consequences for the output-inflation trade-off and indeterminacy of interest rate rules. The empirical evidence for these effects are then examined using a Bayesian maximum likelihood framework complemented with GMM single-equation estimation. Both estimation strategies point to weak evidence for the cost channel and non-separable utility.
Light-scattering technologies for field carcinogenesis detection: a modality for endoscopic prescreening.

Colonoscopy has revolutionized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening resulting in a decrease in both CRC mortality and incidence. Despite this, CRC still ranks as the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Americans underscoring the need to both increase availability and accuracy of colonoscopy. The latter considerations provide the impetus for much of the current research into adjunctive imaging technologies. Recent advances in improving detection of dysplasia that have translated into clinical practice include high-definition scopes, narrow-band imaging, and chromo-endoscopy. Another major direction of research into improving endoscopy is determining histology of lesions in situ (“optical biopsy”) with confocal endomicroscopy, fluorescence and elastic scattering spectroscopy. All these techniques are of great promise in improving delivery of endoscopy but, to date, have not addressed the potentially more important hurdle associated with logistic challenges of providing accurate CRC screening for the entire at-risk population.
A Polynomial Kernel-Oriented Coalition Algorithm for RationalInformation Agents

Information agents behave like active intelligent frontends of stand-alone information systems. The main purpose of such an agent is to gather intensionally relevant information in non-local domains. They may either work as individuals or efficiently cooperate in order to satisfy their own set of information search tasks given by their local customers. However, in paxticular the need to respect the database autonomy and to cope with semantic heterogeneity hinders such a cooperation. Inaddition, as the Internet becomcs increasingly commercialized, the agents will receive monetary rewards for their services and may negotiate with each other to maximize their expected utility. In this paper we present a new solution for such an utilitarian nformation-gathering by rational cooperation. For this purpose, a gazne-theoretic based algorithm for coalition formation among the information agents is used. "riLe local calculation of agent-utility bases on each agent’s productions, resulting from the execution finformation search tasks. These monetary utilities and respective coalition values are utilized by the proposed coalition algorithm. It enables decentralized cooperation viathe formation of Kerneloriented stable coalitions among rationally cooperating information agents in polynomial time.
Human Monoclonal Antibodies Potently Neutralize Zika Virus and Select for Escape Mutations on the Lateral Ridge of the Envelope Protein

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a global health threat causing severe disease in humans, including microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Here, we analyzed the human monoclonal antibody response to acute ZIKV infection and found that neutralizing antibodies could not elicit Fc-mediated immune effector functions but could potentiate antibody-dependent enhancement of disease. We further identified critical epitopes involved with neutralization by generating and characterizing escape variants by whole-genome sequencing. We demonstrate that the lateral ridge region, particularly the S368 amino acid site, is critical for neutralization by domain III-specific antibodies. ABSTRACT The mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) has been causing epidemic outbreaks on a global scale. Virus infection can result in severe disease in humans, including microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Here, we characterized monoclonal antibodies isolated from a patient with an active Zika virus infection that potently neutralized virus infection in Vero cells at the nanogram-per-milliliter range. In addition, these antibodies enhanced internalization of virions into human leukemia K562 cells in vitro, indicating their possible ability to cause antibody-dependent enhancement of disease. Escape variants of the ZIKV MR766 strain to a potently neutralizing antibody, AC10, exhibited an amino acid substitution at residue S368 in the lateral ridge region of the envelope protein. Analysis of publicly availably ZIKV sequences revealed the S368 site to be conserved among the vast majority (97.6%) of circulating strains. We validated the importance of this residue by engineering a recombinant virus with an S368R point mutation that was unable to be fully neutralized by AC10. Four out of the 12 monoclonal antibodies tested were also unable to neutralize the virus with the S368R mutation, suggesting this region to be an important immunogenic epitope during human infection. Last, a time-of-addition infection assay further validated the escape variant and showed that all monoclonal antibodies inhibited virus binding to the cell surface. Thus, the present study demonstrates that the lateral ridge region of the envelope protein is likely an immunodominant, neutralizing epitope. IMPORTANCE Zika virus (ZIKV) is a global health threat causing severe disease in humans, including microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Here, we analyzed the human monoclonal antibody response to acute ZIKV infection and found that neutralizing antibodies could not elicit Fc-mediated immune effector functions but could potentiate antibody-dependent enhancement of disease. We further identified critical epitopes involved with neutralization by generating and characterizing escape variants by whole-genome sequencing. We demonstrate that the lateral ridge region, particularly the S368 amino acid site, is critical for neutralization by domain III-specific antibodies.
Receding Horizon Temporal Logic Planning

We present a methodology for automatic synthesis of embedded control software that incorporates a class of linear temporal logic (LTL) specifications sufficient to describe a wide range of properties including safety, stability, progress, obligation, response and guarantee. To alleviate the associated computational complexity of LTL synthesis, we propose a receding horizon framework that effectively reduces the synthesis problem into a set of smaller problems. The proposed control structure consists of a goal generator, a trajectory planner, and a continuous controller. The goal generator reduces the trajectory generation problem into a sequence of smaller problems of short horizon while preserving the desired system-level temporal properties. Subsequently, in each iteration, the trajectory planner solves the corresponding short-horizon problem with the currently observed state as the initial state and generates a feasible trajectory to be implemented by the continuous controller. Based on the simulation property, we show that the composition of the goal generator, trajectory planner and continuous controller and the corresponding receding horizon framework guarantee the correctness of the system with respect to its specification regardless of the environment in which the system operates. In addition, we present a response mechanism to handle failures that may occur due to a mismatch between the actual system and its model. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated through an example of an autonomous vehicle navigating an urban environment. This example also illustrates that the system is not only robust with respect to exogenous disturbances but is also capable of properly handling violation of the environment assumption that is explicitly stated as part of the system specification.
Enhanced Pavlovian Aversive Conditioning to Positive Emotional Stimuli

Pavlovian aversive conditioning is an evolutionarily well-conserved adaptation enabling organisms to learn to associate environmental stimuli with biologically aversive events. However, mechanisms underlying preferential (or enhanced) Pavlovian aversive conditioning remain unclear. Previous research has suggested that only specific stimuli that have threatened survival across evolution (e.g., snakes and angry faces) are preferentially conditioned to threat. Here, we challenge this view by showing that positive stimuli with biological relevance (baby faces and erotic stimuli) are likewise readily associated with an aversive event (electric stimulation) during Pavlovian aversive conditioning, thereby reflecting a learning bias to these stimuli. Across three experiments, our results reveal an enhanced persistence of the conditioned response to both threat-relevant and positive relevant stimuli compared with the conditioned response to neutral stimuli. These findings support the existence of a general mechanism underlying preferential Pavlovian aversive conditioning that is shared across negative and positive stimuli with high relevance to the organism and provide new insights into the basic mechanisms underlying emotional learning in humans.
Alcohol use and coping in a cross-sectional study of African American homicide survivors

Abstract The loss of a loved one to homicide is associated with considerable distress, often in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief (CG), and alcohol misuse. Yet alcohol-related problems and loss from a homicide are issues that disproportionally affect African Americans. The present study investigated alcohol use in a sample of 54 African American homicide survivors. Although there was a low prevalence of hazardous drinking, alcohol use was associated with higher levels of PTSD, complicated grief, and depression severity. In addition, scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were correlated with active emotional coping and avoidant emotional coping. In analyses of PTSD symptom clusters, emotional numbing and hyperarousal symptoms were significantly correlated with AUDIT total score.
Colorectal metastasis to the gallbladder mimicking a primary gallbladder malignancy: histopathological and molecular characteristics

Outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment and survival have steadily improved during the past decades, accompanied by an increased risk of developing second primary tumours and metastatic tumours at unusual sites. Metastatic CRC can show mucosal colonisation, thereby mimicking a second primary tumour. This potential confusion could lead to incorrect diagnosis and consequently inadequate treatment of the patient. The aim of this study was to differentiate between metastatic CRC and a second primary (gallbladder cancer, GBC) using a combination of standard histopathology and molecular techniques.
Defense Mechanism or Socialization Tactic? Improving

Unlike traditional firms, open collaborative systems rely on volunteers to operate, and many communities struggle to maintain enough contributors to ensure the quality and quantity of content. However, Wikipedia has historically faced the exact opposite problem: too much participation, particularly from users who, knowingly or not, do not share the same norms as veteran Wikipedians. During its period of exponential growth, the Wikipedian community developed specialized socio technical defense mechanisms to protect itself from the negatives of massive participation: spam, vandalism, falsehoods, and other damage. Yet recently, Wikipedia has faced a number of high profile issues with recruiting and retaining new contributors. In this paper, we first illustrate and describe the various de fense mechanisms at work in Wikipedia, which we hypothe size are inhibiting newcomer retention. Next, we present re sults from an experiment aimed at increasing both the quan tity and quality of editors by altering various elements of these defense mechanisms, specifically pre scripted warn ings and notifications that are sent to new editors upon re verting or rejecting contributions. Using regression models of new user activity, we show which tactics work best for different populations of users based on their motivations when joining Wikipedia. In particular, we found that per sonalized messages in which Wikipedians identified them selves in active voice and took direct responsibility for re jecting an editor’s contributions were much more successful across a variety of outcome metrics than the current mes sages, which typically use an institutional and passive voice.
Volar Plate Fixation Versus Plaster Immobilization in Acceptably Reduced Extra-Articular Distal Radial Fractures: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: There is no consensus as to whether displaced extra-articular distal radial fractures should be treated operatively or nonoperatively. We compared the outcomes of open reduction and volar plate fixation with closed reduction and plaster immobilization in adults with an acceptably reduced extra-articular distal radial fracture. Methods: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients 18 to 75 years old with an acceptably reduced extra-articular distal radial fracture were randomly assigned to open reduction and volar plate fixation or plaster immobilization. The primary outcome was function as measured with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire after 12 months. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 3, and 6 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results: Ninety-two patients were randomized, 48 to open reduction and volar plate fixation and 44 to plaster immobilization; 1 patient in each group was excluded for withdrawing informed consent. At all follow-up time points, operatively treated patients had significantly better functional outcomes, as indicated by significantly lower DASH scores, than patients treated nonoperatively (all p values < 0.05). Twelve nonoperatively managed patients (28%) had fracture redisplacement within 6 weeks and underwent subsequent open reduction and internal fixation, and 6 patients (14%) had a symptomatic malunion treated with corrective osteotomy. Conclusions: Patients with an acceptably reduced extra-articular distal radial fracture treated with open reduction and volar plate fixation have better functional outcomes after 12 months compared with nonoperatively managed patients. Additionally, 42% of nonoperatively managed patients had a subsequent surgical procedure. Open reduction and volar plate fixation should be considered for patients who experience this common injury. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
TFE3 Xp11.2 Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model Reveals Novel Therapeutic Targets and Identifies GPNMB as a Diagnostic Marker for Human Disease

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associated with Xp11.2 translocation (TFE3-RCC) has been recently defined as a distinct subset of RCC classified by characteristic morphology and clinical presentation. The Xp11 translocations involve the TFE3 transcription factor and produce chimeric TFE3 proteins retaining the basic helix–loop–helix leucine zipper structure for dimerization and DNA binding suggesting that chimeric TFE3 proteins function as oncogenic transcription factors. Diagnostic biomarkers and effective forms of therapy for advanced cases of TFE3-RCC are as yet unavailable. To facilitate the development of molecular based diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for this aggressive kidney cancer, we generated a translocation RCC mouse model, in which the PRCC-TFE3 transgene is expressed specifically in kidneys leading to the development of RCC with characteristic histology. Expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Ret was elevated in the kidneys of the TFE3-RCC mice, and treatment with RET inhibitor, vandetanib, significantly suppressed RCC growth. Moreover, we found that Gpnmb (Glycoprotein nonmetastatic B) expression was notably elevated in the TFE3-RCC mouse kidneys as seen in human TFE3-RCC tumors, and confirmed that GPNMB is the direct transcriptional target of TFE3 fusions. While GPNMB IHC staining was positive in 9/9 cases of TFE3-RCC, Cathepsin K, a conventional marker for TFE3-RCC, was positive in only 67% of cases. These data support RET as a potential target and GPNMB as a diagnostic marker for TFE3-RCC. The TFE3-RCC mouse provides a preclinical in vivo model for the development of new biomarkers and targeted therapeutics for patients affected with this aggressive form of RCC. Implications: Key findings from studies with this preclinical mouse model of TFE3-RCC underscore the potential for RET as a therapeutic target for treatment of patients with TFE3-RCC, and suggest that GPNMB may serve as diagnostic biomarker for TFE3 fusion RCC.
Potassium management for brown midrib Sorghum x sudangrass as replacement for corn silage in the north-eastern USA

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. ) · sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (SxS) as a replacement for silage corn (Zea mays L.) in the north-eastern USA. Recent studies suggest it is suitable for both rotational grazing and as a hay crop and could compete with corn harvested for silage in years when wet spring conditions prevent the timely planting of corn. However, little is known about its suitability as forage for nonlactating cows that require low potassium (K) forages to prevent health problems. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of K fertilizer management (0, 112 or 224 kg K2O ha )1 cut )1 ) under optimum N management (112–168 kg N ha )1 cut )1 ) on yield, quality and K concentrations of BMR SxS over a 2-year period. Field trials were established on a fine loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aeric Fragiaquepts with medium K-supplying capacity and characteristic of a large region in New York. Potassium application did not affect dry matter yields in either of the 2 years. Averaged over 2 years, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) significantly increased with K addition with similar but non-significant trends observed in each of the years individually. The digestibility of NDF was unaffected by K application. Crude protein (CP) concentrations showed a significant decrease with K application in 2002 and similar trends were observed in 2003, although differences were not significant at P £ 0.05. The changes in NDF and CP did not significantly impact forage quality expressed as milk production per megagram of silage. Potassium application increased forage K concentration up to 13 mg K kg )1 dry matter (in the first cut in 2003). Forage Ca and Mg concentrations decreased with K addition except for the first cut in 2002 where differences between 112 and 224 kg K2 Oh a )1 treatments were not significant. Without K addition in the 2-year period, K concentrations in the forage decreased from 23 g kg )1 for the first cutting in 2002 to 15 g kg )1 for the second cut in 2003. Low K forage was obtained for all second-cut forage unless 224 kg K2 Oh a )1 cut )1 had been added. First-cut forage was suitable only when no additional K had been applied. These results suggest low K BMR SxS forage can be harvested from initially high K soils without loss in dry matter yield as long as no additional K is added.
Evaluation of the Relationship Development Intervention Program

This study is the second in a series evaluating the effectiveness of Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) to address unique deficits inherent in autism spectrum disorders. RDI is a parent-based, cognitive-developmental approach, in which primary caregivers are trained to provide daily opportunities for successful functioning in increasingly challenging dynamic systems. This study reviewed the progress of 16 children who participated in RDI between 2000 and 2005. Changes in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised (ADI—R), flexibility, and school placement were compared prior to treatment and at a minimum 30 month follow-up period. While all children met ADOS/ADI—R criteria for autism prior to treatment, no child met criteria at follow-up. Similar positive results were found in relation to flexibility and educational placement. Generalizability of current findings is limited by the lack of a control or comparison group, constraints on age and IQ of treated children, parent self-selection, and parent education conducted through a single clinic setting.
A lytic transglycosylase homologue, PleA, is required for the assembly of pili and the flagellum at the Caulobacter crescentus cell pole

Two distinct protein complexes, the flagellum and the pilus biogenesis machinery, are asymmetrically assembled at one pole of the Caulobacter predivisional cell. Cell division yields dissimilar daughter cells: a stalked cell and a swarmer cell that assembles several pili at the flagellated cell pole. Strains bearing mutations in the pleA gene are pililess and non‐flagellated. The PleA protein contains a region that is similar to a peptidoglycan‐hydrolytic active site, and a point mutation at this site in PleA results in the loss of flagellum and pili biogenesis. PleA was found to be required for the insertion of the outer membrane pilus secretion channel at the cell pole and for the accumulation of the PilA pilin subunit. PleA is also required for the assembly of substructures of the flagellar basal body hook complex that are located in or traverse the peptidoglycan layer. These results argue that PleA facilitates the assembly of envelope‐spanning structures at the cell pole. In support of this, PleA was found to be present only during a short interval in the cell cycle that coincides with the assembly of the flagellum and the pilus secretion apparatus.
Adversarial Models of Reality ( AMoRe )

The World Models paper [1] proposed a novel technique to train a game-playing agent by building a compressed representation of the world, learning how that representation evolves with a long short-term memory (LSTM) network, and then using the representation and the LSTMs memory as input to the agent’s policy. We extended the algorithm in several ways to improve performance on more complex games, by updating the representation of the world with new trials, applying the existing model to anticipate future events in real-time, encourage exploration, and (for CS236) adversarially improving the quality of generated future frames. Our starting model, as evaluated on Sonic, using the code for Retro World Models [2] in Pytorch [3], performed poorly, earning scores around 1,000 on most levels (with 3,000 considered complete) since we avoided using human examples. Our improved model performed better but not incredibly well, coming to an average performance of 3,600 across a number of levels.
Animating and Interacting with Ancient Chinese Painting - Qingming Festival by the Riverside

In this paper, we introduce a novel method to display a famous Chinese ancient painting for the purpose of cultural heritage preservation. In order to animate the painting, some objects are extracted from the repainted painting and redrawn with three dimensional figures. Consequently the computer animation and Image-based rendering techniques are used to drive these objects animated. Furthermore, the users can interact with displayed painting, they can wave their hand to the virtual avatars in the ancient painting, and can get interactive responses. In addition, the avatars can be customized with the new algorithm we developed. In our algorithm, only one photo is required, and it can be captured on site. After the capturing, the 3D virtual character, or we called avatars, are created and integrated in the virtual environment.