Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
REMAX: Relational Representation for Multi-Agent Exploration

Training a multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) model is generally difficult because there are numerous combinations of complex interactions among agents that induce certain reward signals. Especially when there is a sparse reward signal, the training becomes more difficult. Previous studies have tried to resolve this issue by employing an intrinsic reward, which is a signal specifically designed for inducing the interactions among agents, to boost the MARL model training. However, this approach requires extensive prior knowledge to design an intrinsic reward. To optimize the training of an MARL model, we propose a learning-based exploration strategy to generate the initial states of a game. The proposed method adopts a variational graph autoencoder to represent a state of a game such that (1) the state can be compactly encoded to the latent representation by considering the relationship among agents, and (2) the latent representation can be used as an effective input to the surrogate model predicting the exploration score. The proposed method determines the latent representations that maximize the surrogate model and decodes these representations to generate the initial states from which the MARL model starts training. Empirically, we demonstrate that the generated states improve the training and performance of MARL more than the existing exploration methods.
Computing the eigenstate localisation length from Localisation Landscape Theory

While Anderson localisation is largely well-understood, its description has traditionally been rather cumbersome. A recently-developed theory -- Localisation Landscape Theory (LLT) -- has unparalleled strengths and advantages, both computational and conceptual, over alternative methods. To begin with, we demonstrate that the localisation length cannot be conveniently computed starting directly from the exact eigenstates, thus motivating the need for the LLT approach. Then, we reveal the physical significance of the effective potential of LLT, justifying the crucial role it plays in our new method. We proceed to use LLT to calculate the localisation length, as defined by the length-scale of exponential decay of the eigenstates, (manually) testing our findings against exact diagonalisation. We place our computational scheme in context by explaining the connection to the more general problem of multidimensional tunnelling and discussing the approximations involved. The conceptual approach behind our method is not restricted to a specific dimension or noise type and can be readily extended to other systems.
Vectorized Hankel Lift: A Convex Approach for Blind Super-Resolution of Point Sources

We consider the problem of resolving <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r$ </tex-math></inline-formula> point sources from <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> samples at the low end of the spectrum when point spread functions (PSFs) are not known. Assuming that the spectrum samples of the PSFs lie in low dimensional subspace (let <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$s$ </tex-math></inline-formula> denote the dimension), we can formulate it as a matrix recovery problem, followed by location estimation. By exploiting the low rank structure of the vectorized Hankel matrix associated with the target matrix, a convex approach called Vectorized Hankel Lift is proposed for the matrix recovery. It is shown that <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n\gtrsim rs\log ^{4} n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> samples are sufficient for Vectorized Hankel Lift to achieve the exact recovery. For the location retrieval from the matrix, applying the single snapshot MUSIC method within the vectorized Hankel lift framework corresponds to the spatial smoothing technique proposed to improve the performance of the MMV MUSIC for the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation.
Boosting Data Reduction for the Maximum Weight Independent Set Problem Using Increasing Transformations

Given a vertex-weighted graph, the maximum weight independent set problem asks for a pair-wise non-adjacent set of vertices such that the sum of their weights is maximum. The branch-and-reduce paradigm is the de facto standard approach to solve the problem to optimality in practice. In this paradigm, data reduction rules are applied to decrease the problem size. These data reduction rules ensure that given an optimum solution on the new (smaller) input, one can quickly construct an optimum solution on the original input. We introduce new generalized data reduction and transformation rules for the problem. A key feature of our work is that some transformation rules can increase the size of the input. Surprisingly, these so-called increasing transformations can simplify the problem and also open up the reduction space to yield even smaller irreducible graphs later throughout the algorithm. In experiments, our algorithm computes significantly smaller irreducible graphs on all except one instance, solves more instances to optimality than previously possible, is up to two orders of magnitude faster than the best state-of-the-art solver, and finds higher-quality solutions than heuristic solvers DynWVC and HILS on many instances. While the increasing transformations are only efficient enough for preprocessing at this time, we see this as a critical initial step towards a new branch-and-transform paradigm.
VI-Net: View-Invariant Quality of Human Movement Assessment

We propose a view-invariant method towards the assessment of the quality of human movements which does not rely on skeleton data. Our end-to-end convolutional neural network consists of two stages, where at first a view-invariant trajectory descriptor for each body joint is generated from RGB images, and then the collection of trajectories for all joints are processed by an adapted, pre-trained 2D CNN (e.g. VGG-19 or ResNeXt-50) to learn the relationship amongst the different body parts and deliver a score for the movement quality. We release the only publicly-available, multi-view, non-skeleton, non-mocap, rehabilitation movement dataset (QMAR), and provide results for both cross-subject and cross-view scenarios on this dataset. We show that VI-Net achieves average rank correlation of 0.66 on cross-subject and 0.65 on unseen views when trained on only two views. We also evaluate the proposed method on the single-view rehabilitation dataset KIMORE and obtain 0.66 rank correlation against a baseline of 0.62.
How Much Should I Trust You? Modeling Uncertainty of Black Box Explanations

As local explanations of black box models are increasingly being employed to establish model credibility in high stakes settings, it is important to ensure that these explanations are accurate and reliable. However, local explanations generated by existing techniques are often prone to high variance. Further, these techniques are computationally inefficient, require significant hyper-parameter tuning, and provide little insight into the quality of the resulting explanations. We identify lack of uncertainty modeling as a main cause of these challenges and develop a novel set of tools for analyzing explanation uncertainty in a Bayesian framework. In particular, we estimate credible intervals (CIs) that capture the uncertainty associated with each feature importance in local explanations. These credible intervals are tight when we have high confidence in the feature importances of a local explanation. The CIs are also informative both for estimating how many perturbations we need to sample -- sampling can proceed until the CIs are sufficiently narrow -- and where to sample -- sampling in regions with high predictive uncertainty leads to faster convergence. We instantiate this framework to generate Bayesian versions of LIME and KernelSHAP. Experimental evaluation with multiple real world datasets and user studies demonstrate the efficacy of our framework and the resulting explanations.
The Distribution and Evolution of Quasar Proximity Zone Sizes

In this paper, we study the sizes of quasar proximity zones with synthetic quasar absorption spectra obtained by postprocessing a Cosmic Reionization On Computers (CROC) simulation. CROC simulations have both relatively large box sizes and high spatial resolution, allowing us to resolve Lyman limit systems (LLSs), which are crucial for modeling the quasar absorption spectra. We find that before reionization, most quasar proximity zone sizes grow steadily for ∼10 Myr, while after reionization, they grow rapidly but only for ∼0.1 Myr. We also find a slow growth of R obs with decreasing turn-on redshift. In addition, we find that ∼1%–2% of old quasars (30 Myr old) display extremely small proximity zone sizes (<1 proper Mpc), the vast majority of which are due to the occurrence of a damped Lyα absorber (DLA) or an LLS along the line of sight. These DLAs and LLSs are contaminated with metal, which offers a way to distinguish them from the normal proximity zones of young quasars.
Open Set Recognition with Conditional Probabilistic Generative Models

Deep neural networks have made breakthroughs in a wide range of visual understanding tasks. A typical challenge that hinders their real-world applications is that unknown samples may be fed into the system during the testing phase, but traditional deep neural networks will wrongly recognize these unknown samples as one of the known classes. Open set recognition (OSR) is a potential solution to overcome this problem, where the open set classifier should have the flexibility to reject unknown samples and meanwhile maintain high classification accuracy in known classes. Probabilistic generative models, such as Variational Autoencoders (VAE) and Adversarial Autoencoders (AAE), are popular methods to detect unknowns, but they cannot provide discriminative representations for known classification. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, called Conditional Probabilistic Generative Models (CPGM), for open set recognition. The core insight of our work is to add discriminative information into the probabilistic generative models, such that the proposed models can not only detect unknown samples but also classify known classes by forcing different latent features to approximate conditional Gaussian distributions. We discuss many model variants and provide comprehensive experiments to study their characteristics. Experiment results on multiple benchmark datasets reveal that the proposed method significantly outperforms the baselines and achieves new state-of-the-art performance.
Effective theory of nuclear scattering for a WIMP of arbitrary spin

We introduce a systematic approach to characterize the most general non-relativistic WIMP-nucleus interaction allowed by Galilean invariance for a WIMP of arbitrary spin $j_\chi$ in the approximation of one-nucleon currents. Five nucleon currents arise from the nonrelativistic limit of the free nucleon Dirac bilinears. Our procedure consists in (1) organizing the WIMP currents according to the rank of the $2 j_\chi+1$ irreducible operator products of up to $2 j_\chi$ WIMP spin vectors, and (2) coupling each of the WIMP currents to each of the five nucleon currents. The transferred momentum $q$ appears to a power fixed by rotational invariance. For a WIMP of spin $j_\chi$ we find a basis of 4+20$j_\chi$ independent operators that exhaust all the possible operators that drive elastic WIMP-nucleus scattering in the approximation of one-nucleon currents. By comparing our operator basis, which is complete, to the operators already introduced in the literature we show that some of the latter for $j_\chi=1$ were not independent and some were missing. We provide explicit formulas for the squared scattering amplitudes in terms of the nuclear response functions, which are available in the literature for most of the targets used in WIMP direct detection experiments.
Molecular genetics in a modern poultry breeding organization

Molecular genetics is providing the tool box of the 21st century for the modern poultry breeding company. These tools allow for rapid and accurate identification and selection at the gene level of those individuals with better performance traits. Genetic selection can be done before traits are expressed, molecular genetics testing can be applied to males for female limited traits, and it can be done on chicks shortly after hatch. They also allow for rapid diagnosis of genetic deficiencies and pathogen contamination, and allow excellent quality control and brand identification methods. This tool box will continue to improve as new methods and more rapid and less expensive methodologies are developed.
Grant Report on the Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Neurocircuitry in Adolescent Depression

This report describes the protocol for an ongoing project funded by the National Institutes of Health (R01MH108155) that is focused on effects of childhood maltreatment (MALTX) on neurocircuitry changes associated with adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD). Extant clinical and neuroimaging literature on MDD is reviewed, which has relied on heterogeneous samples that do not parse out the unique contribution of MALTX on neurobiological changes in MDD. Employing a 2 × 2 study design (controls with no MALTX or MDD, MALTX only, MDD only, and MDD + MALTX), and based on a cohesive theoretical model that incorporates behavioral, cognitive and neurobiological domains, we describe the multi-modal neuroimaging techniques used to test whether structural and functional alterations in the fronto-limbic and fronto-striatal circuits associated with adolescent MDD are moderated by MALTX. We hypothesize that MDD + MALTX youth will show alterations in the fronto-limbic circuit, with reduced connectivity between the amygdala (AMG) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), as the AMG is sensitive to stress/threat during development. Participants with MDD will exhibit increased functional connectivity between the AMG and PFC due to self-referential negative emotions. Lastly, MDD + MALTX will only show changes in motivational/anticipatory aspects of the fronto-striatal circuit, and MDD will exhibit changes in motivational and consummatory/outcome aspects of reward-processing. Our goal is to identify distinct neural substrates associated with MDD due to MALTX compared to other causes, as these markers could be used to more effectively predict treatment outcome, index treatment response, and facilitate alternative treatments for adolescents who do not respond well to traditional approaches.
Conservation of Glomerular Organization in the Main Olfactory Bulb of Anuran Larvae

The glomerular array in the olfactory bulb of many vertebrates is segregated into molecularly and anatomically distinct clusters linked to different olfactory functions. In anurans, glomerular clustering is so far only described in Xenopus laevis. We traced olfactory projections to the bulb in tadpoles belonging to six distantly related anuran species in four families (Pipidae, Hylidae, Bufonidae, Dendrobatidae) and found that glomerular clustering is remarkably conserved. The general bauplan consists of four unequally sized glomerular clusters with minor inter-species variation. During metamorphosis, the olfactory system undergoes extensive remodeling. Tracings in metamorphotic and juvenile Dendrobates tinctorius and Xenopus tropicalis suggest a higher degree of variation in the glomerular organization after metamorphosis is complete. Our study highlights, that the anatomical organization of glomeruli in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) is highly conserved, despite an extensive ecomorphological diversification among anuran tadpoles, which suggests underlying developmental constraints.
Readmissions and Mortality During the First Year After Stroke—Data From a Population-Based Incidence Study

Background: After a first-ever-in-a-lifetime stroke (FELS), hospital readmissions are common and associated with increased mortality and morbidity of stroke survivors, thus, raising the overall health burden of stroke. Population-based stroke studies on hospital readmissions are scarce despite it being an important healthcare service quality indicator. We evaluated unplanned readmissions or death during the first year after a FELS and their potential factors, based on a Portuguese community register. Methods: Data were retrieved from a population-based prospective register undertaken in Northern Portugal (ACIN2) in 2009–2011. Retrospective information about unplanned hospital readmissions and case fatality within 1 year after FELS index hospitalization (FELS-IH) was evaluated. Readmission/death-free survival 1 year after discharge was estimated using the Kaplan–Meyer method. Independent risk factors for readmission/death were identified using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Unplanned readmission/death within 1 year occurred in 120 (31.6%) of the 389 hospitalized FELS survivors. In 31.2% and 33.5% of the cases, it occurred after ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage, respectively. Infections and cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases were the main causes of readmission. Of the readmissions, 65.3% and 52.5% were potentially avoidable or stroke related, respectively. The main cause of potentially avoidable readmissions was the continuation/recurrence of the event responsible for the initial admission or a closely related condition (71.2%). Male sex, age, previous and post-stroke functional status, and FELS-IH length of stay were independent factors of readmission/death within 1 year. Conclusions: Almost one-third of FELS survivors were readmitted/dead 1 year after their FELS-IH. This outcome persisted after the first months after stroke hospitalization in all stroke subtypes. More than half of readmissions were considered potentially avoidable or stroke related.
Biomechanical Comparison of Graft Preparation Techniques for All-Inside Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: All-inside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is an emerging technique used to treat ACL injuries. The all-inside technique uses a 4-stranded graft made from a single tendon that is looped on itself. The 4 strands of the graft must be secured to each other to become a closed-loop structure. Various suture configurations exist to secure the graft to adjustable loop devices, and there is a lack of data to support one technique over another. In addition to the primary sutures used to fasten the graft together, accessory sutures can be tied over the button as secondary fixation. Purpose: To evaluate biomechanical properties of 4-stranded grafts prepared in 5 different configurations. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Porcine flexor tendons (N = 25) were prepared in 5 different configurations (n = 5 tendons per group): simple-interrupted sutures (unsecured fixation), side-to-side fixation with and without secondary fixation, and end-to-end fixation with and without secondary fixation. The grafts were put through the same mechanical testing protocol (cyclic loading, pull to failure) to measure average load at graft failure, average displacement at failure, average stiffness, and average elongation rate. Differences between graft preparation techniques were investigated using 1-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) with post hoc t tests (P < .05). Results: Significant 1-way ANOVAs for each biomechanical property were found. Unsecured fixation was the weakest graft preparation with the lowest stiffness (167 ± 12 N/mm), lowest ultimate failure load (637 ± 99 N), and highest elongation rate (0.0033 ± 0.0007 mm/s). End-to-end fixation without secondary fixation showed the highest ultimate failure load (846 ± 26 N), highest stiffness (212 ± 10 N/mm), and lowest rate of elongation (0.0025 ± 0.0001 mm/s). End-to-end fixation, both with and without secondary fixation, as well as side-to-side fixation with secondary fixation showed significantly higher ultimate failure loads than grafts with unsecured fixation. End-to-end fixation performed better than side-to-side fixation; however, for most variables, the difference was not statistically significant. Secondary fixation did not provide significant improvement. Conclusion: The all-inside ACL graft with simple-interrupted sutures is biomechanically inferior to a graft that has its free ends secured to the adjustable tibial loop. Adding secondary fixation to the tibial button does not significantly change the biomechanical properties. Further clinical studies are required to determine whether these findings translate into differences in clinical outcome. Clinical Relevance: All-inside ACLR is gaining popularity in hamstring ACL reconstructive techniques. These results provide surgeons with guidance on the best graft preparation method when using a single quadrupled hamstring tendon graft.
Odorant Binding Proteins and Chemosensory Proteins in Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae): Molecular Cloning, Expression Profiling, and Gene Evolution

Abstract Aphidophagous syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae) are important insects in agroecosystems for pollination and biological control. Insect chemoreception is essential for these processes and for insect survival and reproduction; however, molecular determinants is not well understood for these beneficial insects. Here, we used recent transcriptome data for the common hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus, to characterize key molecular components of chemoreception: odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs). Six EbalCSPs and 44 EbalOBPs were cloned from this species, and sequence analysis showed that most share the characteristic hallmarks of their protein family, including a signal peptide and conserved cysteine signature. Some regular patterns and key conserved motifs of OBPs and CSPs in Diptera were identified using the online tool MEME. Motifs were also compared among the three OBP subgroups. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that most of these chemosensory genes were expressed in chemosensory organs, suggesting these genes have chemoreceptive functions. An overall comparison of the Ka/Ks values of orthologous genes in E. balteatus and another predatory hoverfly species to analyze the evolution of these olfactory genes showed that OBPs and CSPs are under strong purifying selection. Overall, our results provide a molecular basis for further exploring the chemosensory mechanisms of E. balteatus, and consequently, may help us to understand the tritrophic interactions among plants, herbivorous insects, and natural enemies.
The Optimal Pyloric Procedure: A Collective Review

Vagal damage and subsequent pyloric denervation inevitably occur during esophagectomy, potentially leading to delayed gastric emptying (DGE). The choice of an optimal pyloric procedure to overcome DGE is important, as such procedures can lead to prolonged surgery, shortening of the conduit, disruption of the blood supply, and gastric dumping/bile reflux. This study investigated various pyloric methods and analyzed comparative studies in order to determine the optimal pyloric procedure. Surgical procedures for the pylorus include pyloromyotomy, pyloroplasty, or digital fracture. Botulinum toxin injection, endoscopic balloon dilatation, and erythromycin are non-surgical procedures. The scope, technique, and effects of these procedures are changing due to advances in minimally invasive surgery and postoperative interventions. Some comparative studies have shown that pyloric procedures are helpful for DGE, while others have argued that it is difficult to reach an objective conclusion because of the variety of definitions of DGE and evaluation methods. In conclusion, recent advances in interventional technology and minimally invasive surgery have led to questions regarding the practice of pyloric procedures. However, many clinicians still perform them and they are at least somewhat effective. To provide guidance on the optimal pyloric procedure, DGE should first be defined clearly, and a large-scale study with an objective evaluation method will then be required.