Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Sequential Exploration: Bandits, Clairvoyants, and Wildcats

This paper was motivated by the problem of developing an optimal policy for exploring an oil and gas field in the North Sea. Where should we drill first? Where do we drill next? In this and many other problems, we face a trade-off between earning (e.g., drilling immediately at the sites with maximal expected values) and learning (e.g., drilling at sites that provide valuable information) that may lead to greater earnings in the future. These “sequential exploration problems” resemble a multiarmed bandit problem, but probabilistic dependence plays a key role: outcomes at drilled sites reveal information about neighboring targets. Good exploration policies will take advantage of this information as it is revealed. We develop heuristic policies for sequential exploration problems and complement these heuristics with upper bounds on the performance of an optimal policy. We begin by grouping the targets into clusters of manageable size. The heuristics are derived from a model that treats these clusters as independent. The upper bounds are given by assuming each cluster has perfect information about the results from all other clusters. The analysis relies heavily on results for bandit superprocesses, a generalization of the multiarmed bandit problem. We evaluate the heuristics and bounds using Monte Carlo simulation and, in the North Sea example, we find that the heuristic policies are nearly optimal.
Magnetic Modeling of Saliency Effect for Saturated Electrical Machines With a New Calculation Method

In this paper, a novel magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) is proposed to calculate magnetic flux of saturated electrical machines. The machine features double salient poles with high saturation. Emphases are made on modeling of air-gap permeance and magnetic saturation using a fitting method. The analyses are applied based on a 4-phase 8/6 switched reluctance machine (SRM) with high power density, which was designed for traction application. The air-gap reluctance in MEC that connects a tooth pair is studied, followed by distribution of magnetic saturation on teeth. The magnetic reluctance of circuit loop can be fitted as well as saturation quantity if the electrical steel is known. The proposed network offers a fast and accurate way of estimating flux characteristics of especially highly saturated machines with double slotting effect.
Compressive Deconvolution in Random Mask Imaging

We investigate the problem of reconstructing signals from a subsampled convolution of their modulated versions and a known filter. The problem is studied as applies to a specific imaging architecture that relies on spatial phase modulation by randomly coded “masks. ” The diversity induced by the random masks is deemed to improve the conditioning of the deconvolution problem while maintaining sampling efficiency. We analyze a linear model of the imaging system, where the joint effect of the spatial modulation, blurring, and spatial subsampling is represented concisely by a measurement matrix. We provide a bound on the conditioning of this measurement matrix in terms of the number of masks K, the dimension (i.e., the pixel count) of the scene image L, and certain characteristics of the blurring kernel and subsampling operator. The derived bound shows that the stable deconvolution is possible with high probability even if the number of masks (i.e., K) is as small as L log L /N , meaning that the total number of (scalar) measurements is within a logarithmic factor of the image size. Furthermore, beyond a critical number of masks determined by the extent of blurring and subsampling, use of every additional mask improves the conditioning of the measurement matrix. We also consider a more interesting scenario where the target image is known to be sparse. We show that under mild conditions on the blurring kernel, with high probability the measurement matrix is a restricted isometry when the number of masks is within a logarithmic factor of the sparsity of the scene image. Therefore, the scene image can be reconstructed using any of the well-known sparse recovery algorithms such as the basis pursuit. The bound on the required number of masks grows linearly in sparsity of the scene image but logarithmically in its ambient dimension. The bound provides a quantitative view of the effect of the blurring and subsampling on the required number of masks, which is critical for designing efficient imaging systems.
On parallel processing of aggregate and scalar functions in object-relational DBMS

Nowadays parallel object-relational DBMS are envisioned as the next great wave, but there is still a lack of efficient implementation concepts for some parts of the proposed functionality. Thus one of the current goals for parallel object-relational DBMS is to move towards higher performance. In this paper we develop a framework that allows to process user-defined functions with data parallelism. We will describe the class of partitionable functions that can be processed parallelly. We will also propose an extension which allows to speed up the processing of another large class of functions by means of parallel sorting. Functions that can be processed by means of our techniques are often used in decision support queries on large data volumes, for example. Hence a parallel execution is indispensable.
Enteric virulence associated protein VapC inhibits translation by cleavage of initiator tRNA

Eukaryotic PIN (PilT N-terminal) domain proteins are ribonucleases involved in quality control, metabolism and maturation of mRNA and rRNA. The majority of prokaryotic PIN-domain proteins are encoded by the abundant vapBC toxin—antitoxin loci and inhibit translation by an unknown mechanism. Here we show that enteric VapCs are site-specific endonucleases that cleave tRNAfMet in the anticodon stem-loop between nucleotides +38 and +39 in vivo and in vitro. Consistently, VapC inhibited translation in vivo and in vitro. Translation-reactions could be reactivated by the addition of VapB and extra charged tRNAfMet. Similarly, ectopic production of tRNAfMet counteracted VapC in vivo. Thus, tRNAfMet is the only cellular target of VapC. Depletion of tRNAfMet by vapC induction was bacteriostatic and stimulated ectopic translation initiation at elongator codons. Moreover, addition of chloramphenicol to cells carrying vapBC induced VapC activity. Thus, by cleavage of tRNAfMet, VapC simultaneously may regulate global cellular translation and reprogram translation initiation.
Using the volumetric indices of telencephalic structures to distinguish Salamandridae and Plethodontidae: comparison of three statistical methods.

The aim of this study was to establish whether appropriate statistical analysis of 16 volumetric indices corresponding to 16 structures making up the entire telencephalon of Urodela could distinguish between two families, Salamandridae and Plethodontidae. We compared the efficiency of three statistical methods (stepwise discriminant analysis, artificial neural networks, correspondence factor analysis) and the information they provide. All three methods found the same species difficult to classify. However, only correspondence factor analysis could suggest explanations for "misclassifications" as it superimposes the two sets of variables, (sub)species and anatomical variables, thus revealing the correlations between them. The bulbus olfactorius accessorius and the caudal mitral cell layer of the bulbus olfactorius principalis were the most discriminatory structures in separating Salamandridae and Plethodontidae. The correspondence factor analysis mapped species very much in line with accepted taxonomy and highlighted several current controversies [e.g. positioning of certain newts (T. marmoratus, T. vulgaris, T. alpestris), of Salamandrina terdigitata, and of members of the genus Euproctus]. Mapping of Plethodontidae was less clear-cut than that of Salamandridae with more overlap among genera but was quite consistent with knowledge of brain structure complexification. We conclude that relationships derived from analyses of telencephalic structures provide valuable information that might help resolve ambiguities; we have coined the term "neurotaxonomy" for this approach.
Truncated Temporal Diierences with Function Approximation: Successful Examples Using Cmac

Combining reinforcement learning algorithms with function approximators in order to generalize over the state space has recently received particular interest and is widely believed to be one of the crucial issues for scaling reinforcement learning to practically interesting domains. This paper examines the combination of the TTD procedure , a computationally eecient approximate implementation of TD() methods, with CMAC, a function approximator especially suitable for reinforcement learning due to its computational eeciency and on-line learning capability. Most of previous studies have investigated the combination of CMAC with either TD(0)-based algorithms, which usually learn much slower than for > 0, or with the traditional implementation of TD() based on eligibility traces, associated with high computational costs. This study, by combining CMAC with TTD, attempts to reconcile fast learning with computational ef-ciency and generalization capabilities. The presented experimental results show the successful performance of the Q-learning algorithm implemented using the TTD procedure and CMAC in two tasks with continuous state spaces.
Coaching for performance improvement: the “COACH” model

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to offer a simple and usable framework for coaching. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on experience in Thailand. Findings – The model is a convenient approach. Practical implications – The model is a practical and usable framework. Originality/value – The paper will help those new to coaching.
Association of Elevated IGF-I Levels With Increased Retinopathy in Late-Onset Diabetes

Insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). We determined IGF-I levels in subjects in a large population-based study of 928 people with diabetes diagnosed at 30 yr of age or older. PDR was found in 15.7% of the insulin-using group (n = 517) and in 2.8% of those not using insulin (n = 397). The mean serum level of IGF-I was 208 μg/L in individuals using insulin and 222 μg/L in those not using insulin, both significantly lower than in a nondiabetic comparison group (278 μg/L, P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between IGF-I and PDR while controlling for other factors associated with the presence of PDR. After controlling for duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, presence of proteinuria, and age at diagnosis, higher levels of IGF-I were significantly associated with an increased frequency of PDR (P = 0.025) in the group using insulin. In individuals not using insulin, higher levels of IGF-I were associated with an increased frequency of PDR or moderate non-PDR (P = 0.08). These data suggest that higher IGF-I levels may be a risk factor for the development of severe retinopathy in people with diabetes diagnosed at 30 yr of age or older.
Consumer’s willingness to pay for green electricity: a meta-analysis of the literature.

The number of studies published focusing on people's preferences for green electricity has increased steadily, making it more and more difficult to identify key explanatory factors that determine people's willingness-to-pay (WTP). Based on results of a meta-regression our results indicate e.g. that hydropower is the least preferred technology. Variables such as information on the type of power plant that will be replaced by renewables, which are often omitted from primary valuation studies, are important in explaining differences in values as well. When assessing the predictive power of our results for out-of-sample value transfers we find median errors of approximately 30%, depending on model specification.
Airflow obstruction and metabolic syndrome: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

There is some evidence that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome may be related, perhaps through systemic inflammation, which is common to both. However, the association between the two conditions has not yet been clearly shown. The present study involved 7,358 adults aged ≥50 yrs from a population-based survey who underwent spirometry, a structured interview and measurement of fasting metabolic marker levels. Airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio of less than the lower limit of normal) was present in 6.7%, and the International Diabetes Federation metabolic syndrome criteria were met by 20.0%. The risk of metabolic syndrome was higher in those with airflow obstruction than in those without (odds ratio (OR) 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.92), after controlling for potential confounders. Of the five components of metabolic syndrome, only central obesity was significantly associated with airflow obstruction (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.09–1.88) after adjusting for body mass index. A similar association was observed in both never and current smokers. In this Chinese sample, airflow obstruction was associated with metabolic syndrome, and, in particular, its central obesity component. This may help explain the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in COPD, and so could guide future clinical practice.
Antigenic relationship of human foamy virus to the simian foamy viruses

A foamy virus isolated by Achong et al. from a human nasopharyngeal carcinoma was studied to determine its antigenic relationship to the eight known simiam foamy viruses (SFV). Using reciprocal cross-immunofluorescent and cross-neutralization techniques, we found the human isolate to be closely related to SFV type 6. In a seroepidemiological survey, neutralizing antibody to the human foamy virus was not detected in the sera of animal caretakers or laboratory personnel who routinely handled a wide variety of nonhuman primates. We conclude that the human isolate most probably represents a variant strain of SFV type 6.
Modulación emocional de los reflejos defensivos mediante visualización de imágenes afectivas

Emotional modulation of defensive reflexes by viewing affective pictures. We present the results of a study aimed to e xamine the modulation of the car diac defense response and the startle reflex (e yeblink), elicited b y acoustic stimuli, by simultaneous visualization of affective pictures selected from the Spanish adapta tion of the International Affective Picture System. 60 volunteer student women participated in the study. The psychophysiolog ical test consisted of 9 tr ials in whic h 3 pleasant, 3 unpleasant and 3 neutral pictur es were presented, in counterbalanced or der, during 6 seconds, with an inter trial interval between 95 and 120 seconds. Each visualization trial was accompanied by the presentation, through headphones, of a w hite noise of 105 dB intensity, 500 ms duration and instantaneous ri setime. The noise was initiated 3.5 s after initia tion of the picture. Dependent variables were secondby-second heart r ate and integrated electr omyography of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Results sho w a potentiation of both the cardiac defense response and the startle r eflex by visualization of unpleasant pictures. Visualization of pleasant pictur es showed inhibition, as compared to neutral pictur es, only of the startle reflex. These results g ive support to the motivational priming theory of defensive reflexes proposed by Lang and confirm the dynamic and sequential character of the car diac defense response.
A dynamic birthmark for java

Code theft is a threat for companies that consider code asa core asset. A birthmark can help them to prove codetheft by identifying intrinsic properties of a program. Twoprograms with the same birthmark are likely to share a com-mon origin. Birthmarking works in particular for code thatwas not protected by tamper-resistant copyright notices thatotherwise could prove ownership.We propose a dynamic birthmark for Java that observes howa program uses objects provided by the Java Standard API.Such a birthmark is difficult to foil because it captures the observable semantics of a program. In an evaluation, ourAPI Birthmark reliably identified XML parsers and PNGreaders before and after obfuscating them with state-of-the-art obfuscation tools. These rendered existing birthmarksineffective, such as the Whole-Program-Path Birthmark byMyles and Collberg
Channel Equalization of MIMO OFDM System Using RLS Algorithm

This paper proposes a simple and efficient method for channel equalization of MIMO-OFDM system with channel estimation. Channel equalization of multiple inputs multiple outputs orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) for Rayleigh fading and AWGN channel is simulated. Temporal variations in channel are due to the Doppler spread, a sign of relative motion between transmitter and receiver. This paper evaluates performance of a MIMO OFDM system with different number of transmit and receive antennas, using different modulation schemes and at different values of signal to noise ratio (SNR). Decision feed back equalizer (DFE) is used for equalization.
Investigation of adhesion features of bonded interfaces

With the increasing application of flip-chip technology in the microelectronics industry, the adhesion strength of interfaces in the flip-chip microelectronic structures has become an important issue for manufacturing and operation. The existence of defects in the corresponding interfaces can gradually degrade the interfacial adhesion when the package is exposed to the high temperature and humidity. First, the effects of the temperature and relative humidity on the warpage of PBGA package were studied by using shadow Moire method. Then, the effects of IC package with different solder mask thickness under different temperature and humidity environment conditions on the adhesion strength were studied. The control parameters are environmental temperature, environmental humidity, soaking time and solder mask thickness. The interfacial adhesion strength was obtained by using a dynamic material testing system (MTS 810) with a set of special testing jig. By Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) regression analysis, the relative equation of the interfacial adhesion strength to the humidity weight and humidity weight to the other parameters (i.e. temperature, soaking time and solder mask thickness) can be determined.
Work Interrupted: A Questionnaire Assessing the Relationship Between Work-Related Distress and Psychological Adjustment to Cancer

Cancer is an increasingly survivable disease that significantly impacts the ability of individuals to negotiate successfully the developmental task most distinctly affiliated with middle adulthood: creating meaning through achievement, creativity, and service. For many adults, these goals are accomplished through employment. When cancer intrudes, patients may be deprived of the ability to participate fully in the “generativity” that developmental psychologist Erik Erikson deemed essential to a healthy adulthood. In qualitative studies, patients’ narratives speak of many work-related losses — of routine, normality, economic stability, social connection, purpose, and identity. While psychosocial issues and quality of life are viewed with increasing importance within the literature on cancer, there appears to be a paucity of quantitative data on the work-related distress alluded to in these studies. Building on themes from qualitative literature and personal therapeutic encounters, a work distress survey was developed and administered to 74 adult patients treated for cancer at a community cancer center. A strong association was found between work-related distress and negative — but not positive — psychological adjustment to cancer. A cluster of items related to diminution of the structural functions of work — a means of organizing the day, staving off boredom, and providing individuals with a sense of
Phytopathogenic fungus hosts a plant virus: A naturally occurring cross-kingdom viral infection

Significance Virus cross-infection is an important topic in understanding the course of virus dissemination and evolution. Viruses may spread between the same host species or into taxonomically distinct organisms. The occurrences of cross-kingdom viral infection for certain virus groups are suggested by the current virus taxonomic data. In particular, several plants and fungal viruses show close phylogenetic relationships, but productive transmission of virus between plant and fungal hosts in nature has not been directly demonstrated. Here, we describe the natural infection of Rhizoctonia solani fungus by a plant virus, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). We further demonstrate that R. solani can acquire and transmit CMV during plant infection. Our findings are evidence of cross-kingdom virus transmission from the plant to fungus. The transmission of viral infections between plant and fungal hosts has been suspected to occur, based on phylogenetic and other findings, but has not been directly observed in nature. Here, we report the discovery of a natural infection of the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani by a plant virus, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). The CMV-infected R. solani strain was obtained from a potato plant growing in Inner Mongolia Province of China, and CMV infection was stable when this fungal strain was cultured in the laboratory. CMV was horizontally transmitted through hyphal anastomosis but not vertically through basidiospores. By inoculation via protoplast transfection with virions, a reference isolate of CMV replicated in R. solani and another phytopathogenic fungus, suggesting that some fungi can serve as alternative hosts to CMV. Importantly, in fungal inoculation experiments under laboratory conditions, R. solani could acquire CMV from an infected plant, as well as transmit the virus to an uninfected plant. This study presents evidence of the transfer of a virus between plant and fungus, and it further expands our understanding of plant–fungus interactions and the spread of plant viruses.
Analysis of actin filament network organization in lamellipodia by comparing experimental and simulated images

Protrusion of lamellipodia during cell migration depends on the assembly of actin network. The assembly mechanism, based on dendritic filament branching, has been investigated in reconstituted in vitro systems, but little is known about the dynamical and structural properties of the actin network in the lamellipodia of migrating cells. The length and orientation of filaments are difficult to measure directly in either optical or electron microscopy images because of the high filament density and overlapping of individual filaments. Here, we use the non-uniformity of optical images of the lamellipodia to extract information about the structural and dynamical properties of the underlying actin network. To determine the relationship between the image features and the properties of the network, we performed simulations of actin network assembly, based on the hypothesis of stochastic branching and capping of filaments, and produced computed `fluorescence' and `electron microscopy' images of the simulated network. By varying simulation parameters, in particular the actin filament density, length and orientation, we closely reproduced the contrast and the characteristic diagonal criss-cross pattern observed in the experimental optical images. Thus, matching the images of the simulated network to the experimental images allowed us to estimate parameters of actin filament network in lamellipodia.