Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Policy Design and Inverse Reward Learning with Iterative Reasoning in Bounded Risk-Sensitive Markov Games.

Classical game-theoretic approaches for multi-agent systems in both the forward policy design problem and the inverse reward learning problem often make strong rationality assumptions: agents perfectly maximize expected utilities under uncertainties. Such assumptions, however, substantially mismatch with observed humans' behaviors such as satisficing with sub-optimal, risk-seeking, and loss-aversion decisions. In this paper, we investigate the problem of bounded risk-sensitive Markov Game (BRSMG) and its inverse reward learning problem. {Drawing on iterative reasoning models and cumulative prospect theory, we embrace that humans have bounded intelligence and maximize risk-sensitive utilities in BRSMGs. } Convergence analysis for both the forward policy design and the inverse reward learning problems are established under the BRSMG framework. We also validate the proposed forward policy design and inverse reward learning algorithms in a navigation scenario. The results show that the behaviors of agents demonstrate both risk-averse and risk-seeking characteristics. Moreover, in the inverse reward learning task, the proposed bounded risk-sensitive inverse learning algorithm outperforms a baseline risk-neutral inverse learning algorithm by effectively recovering not only more accurate reward values but also the intelligence levels and the risk-measure parameters given demonstrations of agents' interactive behaviors.
Observation of Changes in Helicobacter pylori Antigen and Antibody Positivity According to Non-Invasive Tests Before and After Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy in Symptomatic Patients

Background Non-invasive tests can help with the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and in determining patient prognosis following H. pylori eradication therapy. The aim of the study was to detect H. pylori antigens in the stool in symptomatic patients and to observe changes in the antigen test results following H. pylori eradication therapy. Methods A prospective study was conducted. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected from 62 dyspeptic patients. Anti-H. pylori IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in the serum by ELISA, anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were detected in the urine by ICT and H. pylori antigens were detected in the stool by ELISA. Among the 62 patients, 39 (62.90%) were positive with all three methods. These 39 patients were asked to complete a 2-week course of medication and return after 6 weeks following completion of therapy to undergo repeated tests. In total, 3 dropped out of the study. Results Among the 62 dyspeptic patients, 41 (66.13%) were positive for serum IgG according to ELISA, 39 (62.90%) were positive for urine IgG according to ICT, 8 (12.90%) were positive for serum IgM according to ELISA, and 42 (67.74%) were positive for HpSA according to ELISA. After eradication therapy, 18 (50.00%) patients were positive for serum IgG, 19 (52.78%) were positive for urine IgG, 4 (11.11%) were positive for serum IgM and 5 (13.88%) were positive for HpSA. The difference in HpSA positivity before and after eradication therapy was statistically significant (P <0.05). Conclusion This study involved non-invasive procedures that can be used as first-line screening tools for the detection of active H. pylori infection to observe the role of HpSA test in diagnosis and assessment of prognosis following eradication therapy for H. pylori.
Low-Frequency versus High-Frequency Ultrasound-Mediated Transdermal Delivery of Agomelatine-Loaded Invasomes: Development, Optimization and in-vivo Pharmacokinetic Assessment

Aim Agomelatine (AGM) is the first melatonergic antidepressant. It suffers from low oral bioavailability (<5%) due to extensive hepatic metabolism. The current work aimed to develop an alternative AGM-loaded invasomes to enhance transdermal drug bioavailability. Methodology AGM-loaded invasomes were developed using two drug: lipid ratios (1:10 or 1:7.5), four terpene types (limonene, cineole, fenchone or citral) and two terpene concentrations (0.75% or 1.5%, w/v). They were characterized for drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP) and drug released percentages after 0.5h (Q0.5h) and 8h (Q8h). The optimum invasomes (I1, I2 and I4) were evaluated for morphology, drug-crystallinity, and ex-vivo drug flux. The variables influencing sonophoresis of the best achieved invasomal gel system (I2) were optimized including, ultrasound frequency (low, LFU or high, HFU), mode (pulsed or continuous), application period (10 min or 15 min) and duty cycle (50% or 100%). AGM pharmacokinetics were evaluated in rabbits following transdermal application of I2-LFU-C4 system, relative to AGM oral dispersion. Results The superiority of I2 invasomes [comprising AGM and phosphatidylcholine (1:10) and limonene (1.5% w/v)] was statistically revealed with respect to EE% (78.6%), PS (313 nm), ZP (−64 mV), Q0.5h (30.1%), Q8h (92%), flux (10.79 µg/cm2/h) and enhancement ratio (4.83). The optimum sonophoresis conditions involved application of LFU in the continuous mode for 15 min at a 100% duty cycle (I2-LFU-C4 system). The latter system showed significantly higher Cmax, and relative bioavailability (≈ 7.25 folds) and a similar Tmax (0.5 h). Conclusion I2-LFU-C4 is a promising transdermal system for AGM.
Adequacy and sufficiency evaluation of existing EFSA guidelines for the molecular characterisation, environmental risk assessment and post‐market environmental monitoring of genetically modified insects containing engineered gene drives

Abstract Advances in molecular and synthetic biology are enabling the engineering of gene drives in insects for disease vector/pest control. Engineered gene drives (that bias their own inheritance) can be designed either to suppress interbreeding target populations or modify them with a new genotype. Depending on the engineered gene drive system, theoretically, a genetic modification of interest could spread through target populations and persist indefinitely, or be restricted in its spread or persistence. While research on engineered gene drives and their applications in insects is advancing at a fast pace, it will take several years for technological developments to move to practical applications for deliberate release into the environment. Some gene drive modified insects (GDMIs) have been tested experimentally in the laboratory, but none has been assessed in small‐scale confined field trials or in open release trials as yet. There is concern that the deliberate release of GDMIs in the environment may have possible irreversible and unintended consequences. As a proactive measure, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been requested by the European Commission to review whether its previously published guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically modified animals (EFSA, 2012 and 2013), including insects (GMIs), are adequate and sufficient for GDMIs, primarily disease vectors, agricultural pests and invasive species, for deliberate release into the environment. Under this mandate, EFSA was not requested to develop risk assessment guidelines for GDMIs. In this Scientific Opinion, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) concludes that EFSA's guidelines are adequate, but insufficient for the molecular characterisation (MC), environmental risk assessment (ERA) and post‐market environmental monitoring (PMEM) of GDMIs. While the MC,ERA and PMEM of GDMIs can build on the existing risk assessment framework for GMIs that do not contain engineered gene drives, there are specific areas where further guidance is needed for GDMIs.
Identification of Genetic Variants for Female Obesity and Evaluation of the Causal Role of Genetically Defined Obesity in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Purpose Observational studies have demonstrated an increased risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in obese women. This study aimed to identify genetic variants influencing obesity in females and to evaluate the causal association between genetically defined obesity and PCOS in Korean women. Methods Two-stage GWAS was conducted to identify genetic variants influencing obesity traits (such as body mass index [BMI], waist–hip ratio [WHR], and waist circumference [WC]) in Korean women. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to evaluate the causal effect of variants as genetic instruments for female obesity on PCOS. Results Meta-analysis of 9953 females combining discovery (N = 4658) and replication (N = 5295) stages detected four (rs11162584, rs6760543, rs828104, rs56137030), six (rs139702234, rs2341967, rs73059848, rs5020945, rs550532151, rs61971548), and two genetic variants (rs7722169, rs7206790) suggesting a highly significant association (P < 1×10−6) with BMI, WHR, and WC, respectively. Of these, an intron variant rs56137030 in FTO achieved genome-wide significant association (P = 3.39×10−8) with BMI in females. Using variants for female obesity, their effect on PCOS in 946 cases and 976 controls was evaluated by MR analysis. MR results indicated no significant association between genetically defined obesity and PCOS in Korean women. Conclusion This study, for the first time, revealed genetic variants for female obesity in the Korean population and reported no causal association between genetically defined obesity and PCOS in Korean women.
Evidence for functional and regulatory cross-talk between Wnt/β-catenin signalling and Mre11–Rad50–Nbs1 complex in the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA cross-links

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway plays a crucial role in a variety of functions including cell proliferation and differentiation, tumorigenic processes and radioresistance in cancer cells. The Mre11–Rad50–Nbs1 (MRN) complex has a pivotal role in sensing and repairing DNA damage. However, it remains unclear whether a connection exists between Wnt/β-catenin signalling and the MRN complex in the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs). Here, we report that (1) cisplatin exposure results in a significant increase in the levels of MRN complex subunits in human tumour cells; (2) cisplatin treatment stimulates Wnt/β-catenin signalling through increased β-catenin expression; (3) the functional perturbation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling results in aberrant cell cycle dynamics and the activation of DNA damage response and apoptosis; (4) a treatment with CHIR99021, a potent and selective GSK3β inhibitor, augments cisplatin-induced cell death in cancer cells. On the other hand, inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling with FH535 promotes cell survival. Consistently, the staining pattern of γH2AX-foci is significantly reduced in the cells exposed simultaneously to cisplatin and FH535; and (5) inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalling impedes cisplatin-induced phosphorylation of Chk1, abrogates the G2/M phase arrest and impairs recombination-based DNA repair. Our data further show that Wnt signalling positively regulates the expression of β-catenin, Mre11 and FANCD2 at early time points, but declining thereafter due to negative feedback regulation. These results support a model wherein Wnt/β-catenin signalling and MRN complex crosstalk during DNA ICL repair, thereby playing an important role in the maintenance of genome stability.
Personality Traits as Markers of Psychosis Risk in Kenya: Assessment of Temperament and Character

Abstract Specific personality traits have been proposed as a schizophrenia-related endophenotype and confirmed in siblings at risk for psychosis. The relationship of temperament and character with psychosis has not been previously investigated in Africa. The study was conducted in Kenya, and involved participants at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis (n = 268) and controls (n = 251), aged 15–25 years. CHR status was estimated using the Structured Interview of Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS) and the Washington Early Psychosis Center Affectivity and Psychosis (WERCAP) Screen. Student’s t-tests were used to assess group differences on the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Neurocognitive functioning, stress severity, and substance use were correlated with the TCI, correcting for psychosis severity. CHR participants were more impulsive (ie, higher novelty seeking [NS]) and asocial (ie, lower reward dependence) than controls. They were also more schizotypal (ie, high self-transcendence [ST] and lower self-directedness [SD] and cooperativeness [CO] than controls). CO was related to logical reasoning, abstraction, and verbal memory. Stress severity correlated with high HA and schizotypal character traits. Lifetime tobacco use was related to NS, and lifetime marijuana use to high NS, low SD and high ST. Temperament and character of Kenyan CHR youth is similar to that observed in schizophrenia. Psychosis risk in Kenya is associated with impulsive, asocial, and schizotypal traits. CHR adolescents and young adults with schizophrenia-specific personality traits may be most at risk for developing a psychotic disorder and to require early intervention to improve outcomes.
Copper(II) Inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

In an analysis of the structural stability of the coronavirus main protease (Mpro), we identified regions of the protein that could be disabled by cobalt(III)-cation binding to histidines and cysteines [1]. Here we have extended our work to include copper(II) chelates, which we have docked to HIS 41 and CYS 145 in the Mpro active-site region. We have found stable docked structures where Cu(II) could readily bond to the CYS 145 thiolate, which would be lethal to the enzyme.
Low-dose X-ray irradiation induces morphological changes and cytoskeleton reorganization in osteoblasts

Recently, research into the biological effects of low dose X-ray irradiation (LDI) has been a focus of interest. Numerous studies have suggested that cells exhibit different responses and biological effects to LDI compared with high doses. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that LDI may promote osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro, thereby accelerating fracture healing in mice. However, the exact mechanism of action by which LDI exerts its effects remains unclear. Previous studies using microarrays revealed that LDI promoted the expression of genes associated with the cytoskeleton. In the current study, the effect of X-ray irradiation (0.5 and 5 Gy) on the morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells and fiber actin organization was investigated. Osteoblasts were treated with 0, 0.5 and 5 Gy X- ray irradiation, following which changes in the actin cytoskeleton were observed. The levels of RhoA, ROCK, cofilin and phosphorylated-cofilin were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Subsequently, osteoblasts were pretreated with ROCK specific inhibitor Y27632 to observe the changes of actin skeleton after X-ray irradiation. The results demonstrated that the cellular morphological changes were closely associated with radiation dose and exposure time. Furthermore, the gene expression levels of small GTPase RhoA and its effectors were increased following LDI. These results indicated that the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase pathway may serve a significant role in regulating LDI-induced osteoblast cytoskeleton reorganization.
Global Convergence and Generalization Bound of Gradient-Based Meta-Learning with Deep Neural Nets

Gradient-based meta-learning (GBML) with deep neural nets (DNNs) has become a popular approach for few-shot learning. However, due to the non-convexity of DNNs and the bi-level optimization in GBML, the theoretical properties of GBML with DNNs remain largely unknown. In this paper, we first aim to answer the following question: Does GBML with DNNs have global convergence guarantees? We provide a positive answer to this question by proving that GBML with over-parameterized DNNs is guaranteed to converge to global optima at a linear rate. The second question we aim to address is: How does GBML achieve fast adaption to new tasks with prior experience on past tasks? To answer it, we theoretically show that GBML is equivalent to a functional gradient descent operation that explicitly propagates experience from the past tasks to new ones, and then we prove a generalization error bound of GBML with over-parameterized DNNs.
Online Label Aggregation: A Variational Bayesian Approach

Noisy labeled data is more a norm than a rarity for crowd sourced contents. It is effective to distill noise and infer correct labels through aggregating results from crowd workers. To ensure the time relevance and overcome slow responses of workers, online label aggregation is increasingly requested, calling for solutions that can incrementally infer true label distribution via subsets of data items. In this paper, we propose a novel online label aggregation framework, BiLA , which employs variational Bayesian inference method and designs a novel stochastic optimization scheme for incremental training. BiLA is flexible to accommodate any generating distribution of labels by the exact computation of its posterior distribution. We also derive the convergence bound of the proposed optimizer. We compare BiLA with the state of the art based on minimax entropy, neural networks and expectation maximization algorithms, on synthetic and real-world data sets. Our evaluation results on various online scenarios show that BiLA can effectively infer the true labels, with an error rate reduction of at least 10 to 1.5 percent points for synthetic and real-world datasets, respectively.
Anti-Diabetic Activity Of Aqueous Extract Of Pithecellobium Dulce Benth Fruit Peel On Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The decoction of the Pithecellobium dulce fruit peel has been used for the control of diabetes mellitus in the traditional method adopted by the local people of northwest region of Tamil Nadu, India. The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-diabetic potential of aqueous extract of Pithecellobium dulce fruit peel by its oral administration (200 mg/kg) to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The levels of blood glucose, urine sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and reducedÂ glutathione were increased significantly whereas the levels of plasma insulin, hexokinase, protein, liver glycogen, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and it was normalized after treatment of aqueous extract. Glibenclamide was used as the standard drug. These outcomes suggest that the aqueous extract possesses anti-diabetic activity and supports the traditional use of the Pithecellobium dulce fruit peel decoction as hypoglycemic agent.
Recent advances of intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy in cervical cancer

To illustrate the kinds of applicator, indication, side effects, long term follow-up results, clinical experience and the latest developments of intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy (IC/IS-BT), more than 50 research articles concerning IC/IS-BT about cervical cancer were reviewed. Key words: Cervical neoplasms; Brachytherapy; Intracavitary/interstitial; Research development
Self Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization Based Global Maximum Point Tracking Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems

The generated output power of photovoltaic (PV) array reduces drastically due to partial shading (PS). This reduction in output power mainly depends on the type of shading, shading area and array configurations. This performance can be improved by the bypass diode. These bypass diode exhibit multiple peaks in electrical characteristics (P-V & I-V curves). Because of these peaks, the global maximum power point (GMPP) tracking becomes difficult. Hence, conventional algorithms are unable to give a satisfactory result. Although particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm can track the GMPP, its dynamic performance is poor. Therefore in this paper, Self Adaptive PSO based GMPP tracking algorithm has been proposed. Simulations are performed under two different shading conditions and compared with PSO based optimization algorithm. The result shows the advantages of the algorithm in terms of tracking time and number of oscillations and tracking efficiency.
Pyridine and its derivatives/ edited by George R. Newkome

Synthetic and Natural Sources of the Pyridine Ring (T. Bailey, et al.). Carbocyclic Annelated Pyridines (R. Thummel). Macrocyclic Pyridines (G. Newkome, et al.). The Reviews of Pyridine Chemistry--1968-1982 (G. Newkome). Author and Subject Index.
TRENDS IN NUTRIENT APPLICATIONS IN THE HERBERT RIVER DISTRICT FROM 1996 TO 2006 By

NUTRIENT RECOMMENDATIONS have been suggesting for a number of years that growers should be reducing their applications of nitrogen and phosphorus and increasing the amount of potassium and sulphur that they use. Data on fertiliser application rates, collected by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd. from growers as part of their annual data collection for each cane farm in the district, were used to examine long term trends in nutrient applications in the Herbert. Another dataset from Incitec Pivot for the same time period, based on fertiliser sales, was used for comparison. These data indicate a steady reduction in nitrogen usage and suggest a recent reduction in phosphorus usage for the period 1996–2006 in the Herbert. Little change in potassium and sulphur use occurred during the same time period. The impact of current nutrient management recommendations, movements in sugar and fertiliser prices and environmental pressures on the industry are discussed as possible contributing influences on these trends.