Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimize Neural Fictitious Self-Play in Regret Minimization Thinking

Optimization of deep learning algorithms to approach Nash Equilibrium remains a significant problem in imperfect information games, e.g. StarCraft and poker. Neural Fictitious Self-Play (NFSP) has provided an effective way to learn approximate Nash Equilibrium without prior domain knowledge in imperfect information games. However, optimality gap was left as an optimization problem of NFSP and by solving the problem, the performance of NFSP could be improved. In this study, focusing on the optimality gap of NFSP, we have proposed a new method replacing NFSP's best response computation with regret matching method. The new algorithm can make the optimality gap converge to zero as it iterates, thus converge faster than original NFSP. We have conduct experiments on three typical environments of perfect-information games and imperfect information games in OpenSpiel and all showed that our new algorithm performances better than original NFSP.
Synchronization of Tree Parity Machines Using Nonbinary Input Vectors

Neural cryptography is the application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in the subject of cryptography. The functionality of this solution is based on a tree parity machine (TPM). It uses ANNs to perform secure key exchange between network entities. This brief proposes improvements to the synchronization of two TPMs. The improvement is based on learning ANN using input vectors that have a wider range of values than binary ones. As a result, the duration of the synchronization process is reduced. Therefore, TPMs achieve common weights in a shorter time due to the reduction of necessary bit exchanges. This approach improves the security of neural cryptography.
Synthetic gauge potentials for the dark state polaritons in atomic media

The quest of utilizing neutral particles to simulate the behaviour of charged particles in a magnetic field makes the generation of artificial magnetic field of great interest. The previous and the only proposal for the production of synthetic magnetic field for the dark state polaritons in electromagnetically induced transparency invokes the mechanical rotation of a sample. Here, we put forward an optical scheme to generate effective gauge potentials for stationary-light polaritons. 5To demonstrate the capabilities of our approach, we present recipes for having dark state polaritons in degenerate Landau levels and in driven quantum harmonic oscillator. Our scheme paves a novel way towards the investigation of the bosonic analogue of the fractional quantum Hall effect by electromagnetically induced transparency.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Petroleum Demulsifiers of Multibranched Block Copolymers

A series of multibranched block copolymers was synthesized by means of anionic ring opening polymerization (AROP) techniques, using different alkoxide salts obtained from molecules that present different numbers of alcohol functions as initiators. Propylene oxide (PO) and ethylene oxide (EO) were polymerized in two steps, with the intent of obtaining multibranched block copolymers (PO/EO) with demulsifying activity in petroleum. The characterization of the polymers was done by means of size exclusion chromatography (SEC), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A theoretical study by semiempirical AM1/NDDO has been carried out in order to explain the growth of multiple branches from the initiators during the early stages of the anionic polymerization. These simulations revealed complex patterns of polymer growth and increasing polydispersities when initiators with a greater number of active sites were employed .
1 Widening the lens : joining multimodality , segmentation and prominence in speech

Speech and gestures meet at their departure point which is actionality. The same departing point keeps the two channels connected through their execution in the creation of meaning and interactivity. Both speech and gestures require segmentation in order to be studied and understood scientifically, as knowing what the units of analysis are is crucial to the scientific endeavor. Prominence is both a characteristic carried by prosody (be it defined functionally, physically or cognitively), as well as by several gestural acts, such as widening of the eyes, increased speed in hand motion, head tilting, among others. This link permits our joining multimodality, segmentation and prominence in speech as a topic for a scientific journal. As our knowledge about spoken language grows, thanks to empirically and experimentally based studies, the necessity for the never ending refining of methodologies is called into action, as well as the broadening of their boundaries. The understanding that gestuality actively interacts and partakes in communication is not a novel perception, as gesture forms a single system with speech and is an integral part of the communicative act (Kendon 1980; McNeil, 1992). However, the accurate pairing of how this interaction occurs is still not fully understood. Are gestures and speech additive, parallel, complementary? How are they linked in terms of the cognitive-neurological and motor routines involved? This issue of JoSS emerged from the topics proposed at the X LABLITA and XI LEEL International Workshop: Prosody and Gesture, an initiative of the Empirical and Experimental Language Research Lab (LEEL) that took place in 2019, at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The LEEL lab focuses a large part of its team efforts into the compilation and study of spoken corpora. By organizing this event, the lab team aimed at bringing the correlations between gesture and prosody to the front, as well as supporting discussions about multimodal corpora compilation.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Oxalis corniculata (L.)

Abstract Oxalis corniculata L. is a perennial herb with a world-wide distribution. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of O. corniculata, which exhibited a circular genome of 155,182 bp in length with 37.5% GC content. The chloroplast genome contained a canonical quadripartite structure with a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,936 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,048 bp and a pair of 25,581 bp inverted repeats (IRs). A total of 108 unique genes, including 76 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 28 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes were found in this chloroplast genome. The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on O. corniculata and other 11 chloroplast genome sequences, which showed that O. corniculata was closely grouped with of O. corymbosa and O. drummondii.
Lung ultrasound may be a valuable aid in decision making for patients admitted with COVID-19 disease

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is associated with a risk of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring treatment at an intensive care unit (ICU). Since clinical deterioration may occur rapidly, a simple, fast, bedside, non-invasive method for assessment of lung changes is warranted. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether lung ultrasound (LUS) findings within 72 hours of admission were predictive of clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients with confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: Patients admitted to a dedicated COVID-19 unit were subject to daily LUS examinations. Number of present consolidations and pleural effusions were registered and a Mongodi score was calculated. These findings were correlated with initial chest x-ray and clinical deterioration, defined as ICU-admission, ARDS diagnosis, death. RESULTS: In total, 29 of 83 patients had LUS performed during admission, 18 within 72 h of admission. Of these, four patients died during admission, six were transferred to the ICU and 13 were diagnosed with ARDS. Initial Mongodi-score did not differ significantly between patients with and without clinical deterioration (p = 0.95). Agreement between initial LUS and chest x-ray findings were fair with Cohen’s Kappa at 0.21. CONCLUSION: LUS performed within 72 h in patients admitted to a dedicated COVID-19 unit could not predict ARDS, ICU admission or death. However, consecutive investigations may be of value, as sudden substantial changes may herald disease progression, enabling earlier supplementary diagnostics and treatment initiation.
Bovine subclinical mastitis-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, selective genotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates in Kurdistan province of Iran

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is frequently involved in bovine subclinical mastitis worldwide. Besides, the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) carrier state of animals is a matter of worrisome. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of MRSA, discriminatory geno-analysis and antibiotic resistance scheme of the strains isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis in Kurdistan province of Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 283 samples were collected and analyzed for S. aureus phenotypically and molecularly. SCCmec and coa types, and pvl gene were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of coa types and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates were assessed. Results: Among the 95 isolates of S. aureus, 11 (11.57%) strains were recognized as MRSA. Six, one, and four SCCmec types represented for IVa, IVc, and V were determined, respectively, among which an individual IVa and V determinant harboured pvl gene. Restriction digestion products of 490 bp, 680 bp, and 730 bp of coa bands were generated. Tobramycin, mupirocin, fusidic acid, clindamycin, and chloramphenicol were the most effective drugs against the MRSA isolates. Conclusion: The detrimental involvement of S. aureus in bovine subclinical mastitis is proved herein. Besides, the contribution of MRSA and potential contamination of milk and dairy products with the bacterium may impose a serious public health risk. This demands serious and long-lasting efforts to control the infection. The results may be effective in the implementation of accurate controlling strategies.
Association of Ligamentous Laxity, Male Sex, Chronicity, Meniscal Injury, and Posterior Tibial Slope With a High-Grade Preoperative Pivot Shift: A Post Hoc Analysis of the STABILITY Study

Background: A spectrum of anterolateral rotatory laxity exists in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–injured knees. Understanding of the factors contributing to a high-grade pivot shift continues to be refined. Purpose: To investigate factors associated with a high-grade preoperative pivot shift and to evaluate the relationship between this condition and baseline patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A post hoc analysis was performed of 618 patients with ACL deficiency deemed high risk for reinjury. A binary logistic regression model was developed, with high-grade pivot shift as the dependent variable. Age, sex, Beighton score, chronicity of the ACL injury, posterior third medial or lateral meniscal injury, and tibial slope were selected as independent variables. The importance of knee hyperextension as a component of the Beighton score was assessed using receiver operator characteristic curves. Baseline PROMs were compared between patients with and without a high-grade pivot. Results: Six factors were associated with a high-grade pivot shift: Beighton score (each additional point; odds ratio [OR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.30; P = .002), male sex (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.28-4.13; P = .005), presence of a posterior third medial (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.11-5.84; P = .03) or lateral (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.01-3.08; P = .048) meniscal injury, tibial slope >9° (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.09-5.07; P = .03), and chronicity >6 months (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.00-2.88; P = .049). The presence of knee hyperextension improved the diagnostic utility of the Beighton score as a predictor of a high-grade pivot shift. Tibial slope <9° was associated with only a high-grade pivot in the presence of a posterior third medial meniscal injury. Patients with a high-grade pivot shift had higher baseline 4-Item Pain Intensity Measure scores than did those without a high-grade pivot shift (mean ± SD, 11 ± 13 vs 8 ± 14; P = .04); however, there was no difference between groups in baseline International Knee Documentation Committee, ACL Quality of Life, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, or Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscale scores. Conclusion: Ligamentous laxity, male sex, posterior third medial or lateral meniscal injury, increased posterior tibial slope, and chronicity were associated with a high-grade pivot shift in this population deemed high risk for repeat ACL injury. The effect of tibial slope may be accentuated by the presence of meniscal injury, supporting the need for meniscal preservation. Baseline PROMs were similar between patients with and without a high-grade pivot shift.
Social Support and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Frailty

Purpose Population ageing is posing an unprecedented challenge globally, necessitating a better understanding of modifiable factors and underlying pathways that could contribute to health and longevity in older age. We thus aim to investigate how the modifiable social support (and its various sources) is related to mortality among older adults, as well as whether and to what extent geriatric frailty plays a role in mediating the relationship. Methods We included 11,934 community-dwelling adults (≥65) from four waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2008–2018). Frailty was constructed by 44 health deficits, following a validated frailty index scale. Social support was measured using a sum score of three dimensions (family support, social service and social security) with 22 items. The outcome was all-cause mortality. Multivariate logistic or linear regression models were employed when appropriate to assess the associations among social support, frailty and mortality. Mediation analysis was applied to examine the role of frailty underlying the pathway between social support and mortality risk. Results A higher sum score of social support at baseline reduced mortality risk during the 10-year follow-up period (AOR=0.947, 95% CI=0.917~0.977). Amongst three sources of social support, family support and social security availability showed significantly protective effect against mortality, while social service revealed only non-significant effect. A higher level in the overall social support (β=−0.066, 95% CI=−0.113~-0.020) or family support (β=−0.121, 95% CI=−0.202~-0.039) was also significantly associated with decreased frailty. Meanwhile, frailty partially mediated the relationship of mortality with the overall social support and family support, where the proportion of mediation equaled to 17.1% and 20.5%, respectively. Conclusion Social support could be associated with reduced risks for frailty and mortality, and such protective influences are especially manifested in its family support component among Chinese older adults. Frailty functions as potential mediator underlying the association of mortality with social support and family support. Our findings indicate the importance of social support as an integral part of geriatric care and underline the potential benefits of frailty assessment and intervention.
Highly sensitive ion-sensitive field-effect transistor sensor using fully transparent amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin-film transistors

In this study, a highly sensitive ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensor was developed using fully transparent amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin-film transistors fabricated on a glass substrate. To overcome the issues associated with conventional ISFETs, such as low sensitivity and poor reliability, a dual-gate (DG) operating mode was employed, which is able to significantly amplify the sensitivity through capacitive coupling between the front and back gate dielectrics. As a result, when compared to the sensitivity in the single-gate mode, the DG mode exhibited a high sensitivity of 269.3 mV/pH, which is beyond the Nernst response limit.
The complete mitochondrial genome and the phylogenetic position of Alauda gulgula (Aves: Passeriformes)

Abstract The Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula) is a small songbird in the Alaudidae. Here we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of Alauda gulgula which is 17,055 bp in length and consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA, and 2 extensive heteroplasmic control regions. The overall A + T content of the mitogenome is 52.3%The maximum-likelihood (ML) tree based on the complete mitochondrial genome of A. gulgula revealed the close genetic relationship between A. gulgula and A. arvensis, but separate from A. cheleensis.
Presence of a dominant native shrub is associated with minor shifts in the function and composition of grassland communities in a northern savannah

Abstract Ecosystems are spatially heterogenous in plant community composition and function. Shrub occurrence in grasslands is a visually striking example of this, and much research has been conducted to understand the functional implications of this pattern. Within savannah ecosystems, the presence of tree and shrub overstories can have significant impacts on the understory herbaceous community. The exact outcomes, however, are likely a function of the spatial arrangement and traits of the overstory species. Here we test whether there are functional linkages between the spatial patterning of a native shrub and the standing biomass, community composition, and overall nutrient cycling of a neighbouring grassland understory communities within the Aspen Parkland of central Alberta, Canada. In a paired grassland-shrub stand study, we found the native shrub, Elaeagnus commutata, has relatively few stand-level impacts on the composition and standing biomass of the ecosystem. One factor contributing to these limited effects may be the overdispersion of shrub stems at fine spatial scales, preventing areas of deep shade. When we looked across a shrub density gradient and incorporated shrub architecture into our analyses, we found these shrub traits had significant associations with species abundance and root biomass in the understory community. These results suggest that stem dispersion patterns, as well as local stand architecture, are influential in determining how shrubs may affect their herbaceous plant understory. Thus, it is important to incorporate shrub spatial and architectural traits when assessing shrub-understory interactions.
Functional Connectivity During Visuospatial Processing in Schizophrenia: A Classification Study Using Lasso Regression

Background Robust evidence shows that schizophrenia is associated with significant cognitive impairments, including deficits in visuospatial abilities. While other cognitive domains have sparked several functional neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia, only a few brain activation studies have examined the neural correlates of visuospatial abilities in schizophrenia. Purpose Here, we propose to perform a functional connectivity study on visuospatial processing in schizophrenia, and to determine the classification accuracy of the observed alterations. Methods Thirty-nine schizophrenia patients and 42 healthy controls were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a mental rotation task. Task-based functional connectivity was examined using a region-of-interest (ROI) to ROI approach, as implemented in the CONN Toolbox. ROIs were selected from a previous meta-analysis on mental rotation. Logistic regression with Lasso regularization was performed, using train-test cross-validation. Results Schizophrenia was associated with a complex pattern of dysconnectivity between the superior, middle and inferior frontal gyrus, the precentral gyrus, the superior parietal lobule (SPL) and the inferior lateral occipital cortex. The classification accuracy was 86.1%. Mental rotation performance was predicted by the dysconnectivity between the right and left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), as well as between the left SFG and left SPL. Conclusion The results of the current study highlight that visuospatial processing is useful for examining the widespread dysconnectivity between executive, motor and visual brain regions in schizophrenia. We also demonstrate that very good classification accuracy can be achieved using visuospatial-related functional connectivity data.
Solasodine, Isolated from Solanum sisymbriifolium Fruits, Has a Potent Anti-Tumor Activity Against Pancreatic Cancer

Background Increasing evidences have revealed that solasodine, isolated from Solanum sisymbriifolium fruits, has multiple functions such as anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and anti-infection. However, its role in pancreatic cancer has not been well studied. Methods To explore the role of solasodine in pancreatic cancer, human pancreatic cell lines including SW1990 and PANC1 were treated with different concentrations of solasodine for 48 h, and cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assay. The effect of solasodine on the apoptosis of SW1990 and PANC1 cells was detected by flow cytometry. To further explore the antitumor effect of solasodine in vivo, an SW1990 tumor-bearing mouse model was constructed. The effects of solasodine on cytokines in the serum of SW1990 tumor-bearing mice were also evaluated by ELISA assay. Results Specifically, in vitro, solasodine could significantly inhibit the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990 and PANC1 cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that solasodine could induce apoptosis of SW1990 and PANC1 cells. Western blot assay indicated that solasodine could significantly inhibit the activation of Cox-2/Akt/GSK3β signal pathway. Meanwhile, the release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm which can raise the caspases cascade (C-caspase 3 and C-caspase 9) was significantly enhanced by solasodine. In vivo, the results showed that solasodine had potent anti-tumor activities with a lower cytotoxicity. In addition, the serum TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in SW1990 tumor-bearing mice after the treatment of solasodine was significantly increased. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggested that the solasodine could prevent the progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis, as well as stimulating immunity, suggesting that solasodine might be a potential therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.