Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Principles of intention reconsideration

We present a framework that enables a belief-desire-intention (\acro{bdi}) agent to dynamically choose its intention reconsideration policy in order to perform optimally in accordance with the current state of the environment. Our framework integrates an abstract \acro{bdi} agent architecture with the decision theoretic model for discrete deliberation scheduling of Russell and Wefald. As intention reconsideration determines an agent's commitment to its plans, this work increases the level of autonomy in agents, as it pushes the choice of commitment level from design-time to run-time. This makes it possible for an agent to operate effectively in dynamic and open environments, whose behaviour is not known at design time. Following a precise formal definition of the framework, we present an empirical analysis that evaluates the run-time policy in comparison with design-time policies. We show that an agent utilising our framework outperforms agents with fixed policies.
Report from the Fourth Workshop on Algorithms andSystems for MapReduce and Beyond (BeyondMR '17)

This report summarizes the presentations and discussions of the fourth workshop on Algorithms and Systems for MapReduce and Beyond (BeyondMR '17). The BeyondMR workshop was held in conjunction with the 2017 SIGMOD/PODS conference in Chicago, Illinois, USA on Friday May 19, 2017. The goal of the workshop was to bring together researchers and practitioners to explore algorithms, computational models, languages and interfaces for systems that provide large-scale parallelization and fault tolerance. These include specialized programming and data-management systems based on MapReduce and extensions thereof, graph processing systems and data-intensive workflow systems. The program featured two well-attended invited talks, the first on current and future development in big data processing by Matei Zaharia from Databricks and the University of Stanford, and the second on computational models for the analysis and development of big data processing algorithms by Ke Yi from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Organic Acids and Zinc Bacitracin on Ileal Microflora, pH and Performance in Broilers

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an organic acid combination (Acid Lac Dry: lactic, fumaric, propionic, citric and formic acid) and/or zinc bacitracin on the body weight gain, feed efficiency, microflora and pH in the ileum content of broiler-type chicks. Ross PM3 broiler chicks were placed in an experimental design that consisted of four dietary treatments with 48 broilers in each group. One-day-old chicks were fed either a control diet or a similar diet supplemented with 3 g/kg Acid Lac Dry, 0.1 g/kg zinc bacitracin or both additives in combination during a 42-d feeding trial. Acid Lac Dry+zinc bacitracin supplemented diet, significantly (P
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and neurodevelopmental alterations

The developing brain is remarkably malleable as neural circuits are formed and these circuits are strongly dependent on hormones for their development. For those reasons, the brain is very vulnerable to the effects of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical periods of development. This review focuses on three ubiquitous endocrine disruptors that are known to disrupt the thyroid function and are associated with neurobehavioral deficits: polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and bisphenol A. The human and rodent data suggesting effects of those EDCs on memory, cognition, and social behavior are discussed. Their mechanisms of action go beyond relative hypothyroidism with effects on neurotransmitter release and calcium signaling.
Control method for boosting generated energy in vibration-based harvesting

In this paper, we propose a new control method to boost electrical energy. Vibration energy harvesting extracts electrical energy from structural vibrations. To boost the harvested energy, synchronized switching harvesting on inductor (SSHI) technique has been proposed and developed. With a harvesting circuit including an inductor and a switch, SSHI technique controls electric current by switching action. The technique effectively converts the mechanical energy of structural vibration to electrical energy, but at the same time, it suppresses the amplitude of mechanical vibration. Because the voltage generated by a piezoelectric transducer depends on the vibrational amplitude, the decrease in the vibrational amplitude leads to the reduction in the generated voltage. As a result, the harvested energy is decreased. We confirm that the vibrational amplitude and the harvested energy are decreased with SSHI. To solve this critical problem, we devise a new control strategy to boost the harvested energy. The original SSHI conducts switching action at every peaks of vibrational displacement. In order to avoid the suppression of vibration, our control strategy is designed to temporarily stop the switching action. The structure is excited to vibrate by a vibration exciter. While switching action is stopped, the vibrational amplitude will be recovered from the suppressed amplitude by the excitation force, which makes the vibrational amplitude as high as possible. Accordingly, the harvested energy will increase. We experimentally demonstrate that our control strategy holds back only 12.6% reduction of the vibrational amplitude, while the original SSHI causes as much as 76.4% reduction. The piezoelectric voltage is up to 2.9 times greater than that with the original SSHI. Experimental results show that the proposed control strategy can generate 8.4 times larger electrical energy than the original SSHI.
Feed-Forward Neural Network Prediction of the Mechanical Properties of Sandcrete Materials

This work presents a soft-sensor approach for estimating critical mechanical properties of sandcrete materials. Feed-forward (FF) artificial neural network (ANN) models are employed for building soft-sensors able to predict the 28-day compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity of sandcrete materials. To this end, a new normalization technique for the pre-processing of data is proposed. The comparison of the derived results with the available experimental data demonstrates the capability of FF ANNs to predict with pinpoint accuracy the mechanical properties of sandcrete materials. Furthermore, the proposed normalization technique has been proven effective and robust compared to other normalization techniques available in the literature.
PUC5 inverter - a promising topology for single-phase and three-phase applications

The newly emerged packed U-cell (PUC5) inverter topology is investigated in this paper considering the design criteria, switching technique, voltage balancing of DC capacitor and switches voltages ratings. Afterwards, It is compared with other popular multilevel inverter topologies such as 3-level full-bridge (FB), 5-level cascaded H-bridge (CHB), neutral point clamped (NPC) and T3, in terms of components count, voltage balancing complexity, voltage rating, switching frequency, etc. in continue, the 3-phase configuration of the PUC5 inverter is presented and its proper application would be discussed. Some experimental results are shown to accredit the performance of the 3-phase PUC5 inverter in 3-wire and 4-wire systems to supply 1-phase and 3-phase AC loads.
The bHLH Transcription Factor NeuroD Governs Photoreceptor Genesis and Regeneration Through Delta-Notch Signaling.

PURPOSE Photoreceptor genesis in the retina requires precise regulation of progenitor cell competence, cell cycle exit, and differentiation, although information around the mechanisms that govern these events currently is lacking. In zebrafish, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor NeuroD governs photoreceptor genesis, but the signaling pathways through which NeuroD functions are unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify these pathways, and during photoreceptor genesis, Notch signaling was investigated as the putative mediator of NeuroD function. METHODS In embryos, genetic mosaic analysis was used to determine if NeuroD functions is cell- or non-cell-autonomous. Morpholino-induced NeuroD knockdown, CRISPR/Cas9 mutation, and pharmacologic and transgenic approaches were used, followed by in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), to identify mechanisms through which NeuroD functions. In adults, following photoreceptor ablation and NeuroD knockdown, similar methods as above were used to identify NeuroD function during photoreceptor regeneration. RESULTS In embryos, NeuroD function is non-cell-autonomous, NeuroD knockdown increases Notch pathway gene expression, Notch inhibition rescues the NeuroD knockdown-induced deficiency in cell cycle exit but not photoreceptor maturation, and Notch activation and CRISPR/Cas9 mutation of neurod recapitulate NeuroD knockdown. In adults, NeuroD knockdown prevents cell cycle exit and photoreceptor regeneration and increases Notch pathway gene expression, and Notch inhibition rescues this phenotype. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that during embryonic development, NeuroD governs photoreceptor genesis via non-cell-autonomous mechanisms and that, during photoreceptor development and regeneration, Notch signaling is a mechanistic link between NeuroD and cell cycle exit. In contrast, during embryonic development, NeuroD governs photoreceptor maturation via mechanisms that are independent of Notch signaling.
Calciphylaxis in a Patient With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Calciphylaxis is a well-known entity in end-stage kidney disease and after renal transplant. Cases of nonuremic calciphylaxis (NUC) have also been reported, but data on this rare condition are mainly empirical. Objective: We discuss a case of NUC secondary to spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome in a patient who had chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and present a review of the literature to better characterize malignancy-associated NUC. Methods: We identified 12 published cases of malignancy-associated NUC. Results: This systematic review of malignancy-associated NUC did not show a relationship between the type of malignancy, the distribution of skin lesions, or mortality. However, distal more than proximal involvement seems to be more frequently associated with calcium phosphate imbalance. Conclusion: Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for calciphylaxis when evaluating patients with cutaneous lesions developed in the setting of malignancy.
Flexible key exchange negotiation for wireless sensor networks

Despite recent improvements of the capabilities of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) nodes, network protocol support for key management is still lagging behind. While in traditional networks well known protocol suites (e.g., IPsec IKE and the TLS handshake), are commonly used for flexible negotiation of the cryptographic and key exchange protocols, to the best of our knowledge no similar support has been provided for the same operation in WSNs. The goal of this paper is therefore threefold. We discuss the design of a flexible security negotiation protocol for WSNs, and we suggest to adapt TLS handshake ideas to obtain maximum flexibility. We design and implement a security association set up protocol, tailored to the resource constraints and limits of WSN nodes. Finally, we run an experimental assessment of this protocol operations in support of RSA key transport, Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman key agreement, and Identity Based Encryption key agreement.
International Validity of the HOSPITAL Score to Predict 30-Day Potentially Avoidable Hospital Readmissions.

IMPORTANCE Identification of patients at a high risk of potentially avoidable readmission allows hospitals to efficiently direct additional care transitions services to the patients most likely to benefit. OBJECTIVE To externally validate the HOSPITAL score in an international multicenter study to assess its generalizability. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS International retrospective cohort study of 117 065 adult patients consecutively discharged alive from the medical department of 9 large hospitals across 4 different countries between January 2011 and December 2011. Patients transferred to another acute care facility were excluded. EXPOSURES The HOSPITAL score includes the following predictors at discharge: hemoglobin, discharge from an oncology service, sodium level, procedure during the index admission, index type of admission (urgent), number of admissions during the last 12 months, and length of stay. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES 30-day potentially avoidable readmission to the index hospital using the SQLape algorithm. RESULTS Overall, 117 065 adults consecutively discharged alive from a medical department between January 2011 and December 2011 were studied. Of all medical discharges, 16 992 of 117 065 (14.5%) were followed by a 30-day readmission, and 11 307 (9.7%) were followed by a 30-day potentially avoidable readmission. The discriminatory power of the HOSPITAL score to predict potentially avoidable readmission was good, with a C statistic of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.72-0.72). As in the derivation study, patients were classified into 3 risk categories: low (n = 73 031 [62.4%]), intermediate (n = 27 612 [23.6%]), and high risk (n = 16 422 [14.0%]). The estimated proportions of potentially avoidable readmission for each risk category matched the observed proportion, resulting in an excellent calibration (Pearson χ2 test P = .89). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The HOSPITAL score identified patients at high risk of 30-day potentially avoidable readmission with moderately high discrimination and excellent calibration when applied to a large international multicenter cohort of medical patients. This score has the potential to easily identify patients in need of more intensive transitional care interventions to prevent avoidable hospital readmissions.
Dose-related mucositis with hydroxyurea for cytoreduction in acute myeloid leukemia

Hyperleukocytosis occurs in 15–20% of all newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients and requires emergent treatment with leukapheresis or hydroxyurea when accompanied by signs or symptoms of leukostasis. Currently, there is no standardized hydroxyurea dosing strategy, although usual dosing ranges from 50 to 150 mg/kg/day, and prescribing patterns vary significantly among oncologists and institutions. In addition to other hematologic and dermatologic toxicities, the use of hydroxyurea may be associated with significant mucositis and mucositis-related pain. The purpose of this study was to compare mucositis-related pain between two different hydroxyurea dosing strategies in patients who received hydroxyurea for cytoreduction during induction. A retrospective chart review of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with chemotherapy at UNC Medical Center from April 2014 to April 2016 who received at least one dose of hydroxyurea for cytoreduction was conducted. This study compared the safety and toxicity profiles of hydroxyurea in patients who received high-dose hydroxyurea (≥75 mg/kg/day) versus low-dose hydroxyurea (<75 mg/kg/day). Safety and toxicity were evaluated based on indicators of mucositis and cumulative intravenous narcotic requirements following induction chemotherapy. Data collection included baseline demographics, mucositis risk factors, baseline laboratory values, hydroxyurea dosing, mucositis indicators, and pain indicators. A total of 55 patients were included in the study, 21 patients (38.2%) received the high-dose hydroxyurea dosing strategy. The high-dose hydroxyurea dosing strategy had a significantly higher white blood cell count at diagnosis, increased duration of hydroxyurea, and received a higher cumulative dose of hydroxyurea. Additionally, the high-dose hydroxyurea dosing strategy patients were associated with significantly more grade 3 or 4 mucositis requiring a formulation change (0% versus 28.6%, p = 0.002) and significantly higher cumulative intravenous narcotic requirements during induction (p = 0.019). No significant differences in baseline demographics or mucositis risk factors between dosing strategies were identified. The high-dose hydroxyurea dosing strategy patients had a significant increase in cumulative intravenous narcotic requirements and formulation changes, both common interventions made for the treatment of mucositis. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate the safety and toxicity profiles of hydroxyurea dosing strategies and to explore the correlation between total cumulative hydroxyurea dose and total cumulative narcotic requirements.
Visualising and debugging distributed multi-agent systems

Visualising the behaviour of systems with distributed data, control and process is a notoriously difficult task. Each component in the distributed system has only a local view of the whole set-up, and the onus is on the user to integrate, into a coherent whole, the large amounts of limited information they provide. In this paper, we describe an architecture and an implemented system for visualising and controlling distributed multi-agent applications. The system comprises a suite of tools, with each tool providing a different perspective of the application being visualised. Each tool interrogates the components of the distributed application, collates the returned information and presents this information to users in an appropriate manner. This in essence shifts the burden of inference from the user to the visualiser. Our visualiser has been evaluated on four distributed multi-agent systems: a travel management application, a telecommunications network management application, a business process management demonstrator, and an electronic commerce application. Lastly, we briefly show how the suite of tools can be used together for debugging multi-agent applications an approach we refer to as debugging via corroboration.
The use of and adherence to CTCAE v3.0 in cancer clinical trial publications

Background The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 3.0 (CTCAE v3.0) was released in 2003, and has been widely used as the predominant set of toxicity criteria for cancer clinical trials and scientific meetings. However, the degree to which the elements of CTCAE v3.0 are followed in oncology publications has not been comprehensively evaluated. Methods We reviewed phase III randomized clinical trials evaluating systemic cancer therapies, published between Jan 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013, to identify eligible studies that explicitly mentioned using CTCAE v3.0 as the toxicity criteria. A 10-point score based on adherence to CTCAE v3.0 was used to assess the studies. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify features associated with improved adherence. Results In total, 104 publications reporting data on 86,957 patients were included in this analysis. The mean total score for adherence to all four elements of CTCAE v3.0 was 4.03 on a 10-point scale (range, 1 to 9), with 16 publications (15%) having total scores ≤2. Highly heterogeneous and unstandardized adverse event terms were frequently used. In addition, Supra-ordinate terms, terms using ‘Other, specify’, and Grades were often used incorrectly. The multivariate regression model revealed that the absence of a placebo (P=0.003) and a higher total number of AE terms in the table (P<0.001) were independent predictors of a lower total score. Conclusion Given the importance of understanding the toxicity of new treatments, better adherence to CTCAE v3.0 should be encouraged to ensure the consistency and comparability of toxicity data across different studies.
Applications of network analysis to routinely collected health care data: a systematic review

Objective To survey network analyses of datasets collected in the course of routine operations in health care settings and identify driving questions, methods, needs, and potential for future research. Materials and Methods A search strategy was designed to find studies that applied network analysis to routinely collected health care datasets and was adapted to 3 bibliographic databases. The results were grouped according to a thematic analysis of their settings, objectives, data, and methods. Each group received a methodological synthesis. Results The search found 189 distinct studies reported before August 2016. We manually partitioned the sample into 4 groups, which investigated institutional exchange, physician collaboration, clinical co-occurrence, and workplace interaction networks. Several robust and ongoing research programs were discerned within (and sometimes across) the groups. Little interaction was observed between these programs, despite conceptual and methodological similarities. Discussion We use the literature sample to inform a discussion of good practice at this methodological interface, including the concordance of motivations, study design, data, and tools and the validation and standardization of techniques. We then highlight instances of positive feedback between methodological development and knowledge domains and assess the overall cohesion of the sample.
Incorporating uncertainty in a layered HMM architecture for human activity recognition

In this study, conditioned HMM (CHMM), which inherit the structure from the latent-dynamic conditional random field(LDCRF) proposed by Morency et al. but is also based on a Bayesian network [1, 2]. Within the model a sequence of class labels is influencing a Markov chain of hidden states which are able to emit observations. The structure allows that several classes make use of the same hidden state.
An Exact Model-Based Method for Near-Field Sources Localization with Bistatic MIMO System

In this paper, we propose an exact model-based method for near-field sources localization with a bistatic multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) radar system, and compare it with an approximated model-based method. The aim of this paper is to propose an efficient way to use the exact model of the received signals of near-field sources in order to eliminate the systematic error introduced by the use of approximated model in most existing near-field sources localization techniques. The proposed method uses parallel factor (PARAFAC) decomposition to deal with the exact model. Thanks to the exact model, the proposed method has better precision and resolution than the compared approximated model-based method. The simulation results show the performance of the proposed method.
Spoken language systems for human/machine interfaces

A lug nut is held and guided by a plastic cage formed by a flanged bush, whose cylindrical part has longitudinal apertures in which the lugs slide axially and bosses at right angles to the apertures adjacent the flange. This assembly can be inserted from one side of a sheet into a corresponding slotted hole in the sheet, and on turning through 90 DEG is locked angularly by seating the bosses in the slots. The bush is of nylon and has an annular rib on a surface of the flange to seal the device against the sheet. The bush can have a radial protuberance and ramps on the bosses to prevent inadvertent extraction from the hole. The flange can overlap the cylindrical wall of the bush radially inwardly to form a guiding and sealing hole for the bolt to be engaged in the lug nut.