Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-Objective POMDPs with Lexicographic Reward Preferences

We propose a model, Lexicographic Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (LPOMDP), which extends POMDPs with lexicographic preferences over multiple value functions. It allows for slack-slightly less-than-optimal values-for higher-priority preferences to facilitate improvement in lower-priority value functions. Many real life situations are naturally captured by LPOMDPs with slack. We consider a semi-autonomous driving scenario in which time spent on the road is minimized, while maximizing time spent driving autonomously. We propose two solutions to LPOMDPs-Lexicographic Value Iteration (LVI) and Lexicographic Point-Based Value Iteration (LPBVI), establishing convergence results and correctness within strong slack bounds. We test the algorithms using real-world road data provided by Open Street Map (OSM) within 10 major cities. Finally, we present GPU-based optimizations for point-based solvers, demonstrating that their application enables us to quickly solve vastly larger LPOMDPs and other variations of POMDPs.
Stroke Epidemiology and Stroke Care Services in India

Developing countries like India are facing a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. The estimated adjusted prevalence rate of stroke range, 84-262/100,000 in rural and 334-424/100,000 in urban areas. The incidence rate is 119-145/100,000 based on the recent population based studies. There is also a wide variation in case fatality rates with the highest being 42% in Kolkata. Stroke units are predominantly available in urban areas that too in private hospitals. Intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial thrombolysis (IA) are commonly used in India. In the on-going Indo USA National stroke registry the rate of IV thrombolysis is 11%. Stroke rehabilitation is not well developed in India due to lack of personnel. Organised rehabilitation services are available in the country but they are mainly in private hospitals of the cities. Even though India is a leading generic drugs producer still many people can't afford the commonly used secondary prevention drugs. As a first step the Government of India has started the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS). The government is focusing on early diagnosis, management, infrastructure, public awareness and capacity building at different levels of health care for all the non-communicable diseases including stroke. An organised effort from both the government and the private sector is needed to tackle the stroke epidemic in India.
Photodeposition of copper and chromia on gallium oxide: the role of co-catalysts in photocatalytic water splitting.

Split second: The photocatalytic activity of gallium oxide (β-Ga2 O3) depends strongly on the co-catalysts CuOx and chromia, which can be efficiently deposited in a stepwise manner by photoreduction of Cu(2+) and CrO4 (2-). The water-splitting activity can be tuned by varying the Cu loading in the range 0.025-1.5 wt %, whereas the Cr loading is not affecting the rate as long as small amounts (such as 0.05 wt %) are present. Chromia is identified as highly efficient co-catalyst in the presence of CuOx : it is essential for the oxidation of water.
Multitiered Cache Management and Acceleration for Database-Driven Websites

Response time is a key differentiation point among electronic commerce (e-commerce) applications. For many e-commerce applications, web pages are created dynamically based on the current state of a business stored in database systems. To improve the response time, many e-commerce websites deploy caching solutions for acceleration of content delivery. There are multiple tiers in the content delivery infrastructure where cache servers can be deployed, including (1) data caching (in data centers), (2) content page caching (in edge or front end caches), and (3) database query result set caching (between application servers and DBMS). The architecture of database-driven e-commerce websites is more complex than that of typical websites. It requires the integration of web servers, application servers, and back end database systems as well as dynamic content caching solutions. In this paper, the issues associated with the management of content page caching and database query result set caching tiers are studied. It is observed that caching management for these two tiers have their unique characteristics. It is because cached object types and information available for the caching management in the two tiers are different. Solutions are proposed for effective caching management for each tier and extensive evaluations are conducted. The experimental results show the usefulness of the technology in improving overall system performance.
Modeling hair using level-of-detail representations

We present a novel approach for modeling hair using level-of-detail representations. The set of representations include individual strands, hair clusters, and hair strips. They are represented using subdivision curves or surfaces, and have the same underlying base skeleton to maintain consistent high-level physical behavior when a transition between different levels-of detail occurs. This framework supports automatic simplification of dynamic simulation, collision detection, and graphical rendering of animated hair. It also offers flexibility to balance between the overall performance and visual quality, and can be used to model and render different hairstyles. We have used these level-of-detail representations to animate various hairstyles and obtained noticeable performance improvement, with little loss in visual quality.
Sequential expression of antigens on sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum accessible to transmission-blocking antibodies in the mosquito

Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes contain specific antigens, some of which (Mr 230,000, 48,000, 45,000) are expressed on the surface of the newly emerged macrogamete. A different antigen (Mr 25,000) surrounds the surface of the ookinete and, although present to some extent in the developing gametocyte, is synthesized in high quantities by the macrogamete/zygote and expressed progressively on the transforming zygote surface. These antigens are targets of transmission blocking antibodies that are effective at two distinct points after gametogenesis: fertilization of the macrogamete and ookinete to oocyst development. The antigens involved in the fertilization blockade are the Mr 48 and 45 proteins, which are expressed on the macrogamete surface. The Mr 230 K coprecipitating protein probably plays no part in transmission block. mAb directed against the Mr 25 K ookinete surface protein blocked transmission without inhibiting ookinete formation, indicating that this protein has an important role in the transformation of ookinete into oocyst. A combination of mAb recognizing different epitopes on the same protein molecule acted synergistically in inhibiting oocyst formation. Using a mixture of two blocking mAb reacting against the Mr 48/45 and 25 K proteins, respectively, an additive blocking effect could be demonstrated.
A novel micropump design: Investigation of the voltage effect on the net flow rate

A low cost piezoelectric micropump was designed and fabricated to supply fluid flow rate in micro-sizes and for use in medical purposes. It was designed as disposable in order to prevent contamination and infection. The micropump was fabricated with the Objet260 Connex3 multi-material 3D printer, which was very precise and sensitive. The piezoelectric was selected as an actuator to drive the diaphragm of this micropump. The piezoelectric diameter was 14mm, the thickness was 200 µm and the operating voltages were between 5V-55V. According to the experiments results, the air in the chamber caused reduction of the net flow rate of the micropump. Therefore, we eliminated the air inside the chamber with ethanol before the experiments. In the proposed micropump, we obtained the highest net flow rate and the maximum displacement of diaphragm at 55V that were 40.3ml/min and 2. 64µm respectively.
Radio-to-γ-Ray, Broadband Variability Study of the Classical BL Lac Object PKS 0735+178

The power-law shape of the power spectral density (PSD) of blazar light curves— P ( ν k ) ∝ ν k − β , where ν k is the temporal frequency—indicates that blazar variability is, in general, of the colored-type noise ( β ≃ 1 − 3 ). A precise characterisation of PSD slopes, normalizations, or characteristic timescales (if any) manifesting as distinct features in the power spectra of blazars is important for constraining the physics of the emission and energy dissipation processes in relativistic jets. Here we present the results of the PSD analysis for the BL Lac object PKS 0735+178 at GeV (Fermi-LAT), optical (R-band), and radio (GHz band from UMRAO and OVRO programmes) frequencies, covering a broad range in variability timescales. The novelty of our approach is that in the optical regime, by combining the long-term and densely sampled R-band intra-night light curves, we constructed the PSD for time periods ranging from 23 years down to minutes. Our analysis reveals that: (1) the nature of processes generating flux variability at optical and radio frequencies is different from those operating at GeV photon energies ( β ∼ 2 and 1, respectively); (2) the main driver behind the optical variability is the same on timescales of years, months, days, and hours (a single power-law with β ∼ 2). We discuss our findings in the framework of a model where the overall blazar variability is generated by an underlying single stochastic process (radio and optical frequencies), or a linear superposition of such processes (γ-ray regime).
Registered report: Transcriptional amplification in tumor cells with elevated c-Myc

The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology seeks to address growing concerns about reproducibility in scientific research by conducting replications of 50 papers in the field of cancer biology published between 2010 and 2012. This Registered report describes the proposed replication plan of key experiments from ‘Transcriptional amplification in tumor cells with elevated c-Myc’ by Lin et al. (2012), published in Cell in 2012. The experiments that will be replicated are those reported in Figures 3E and 3F. In these experiments, elevated levels of c-Myc in the P493-6 cell model of Burkitt's lymphoma results in an increase of the total level of RNA using UV/VIS spectrophotometry (Figure 3E; Lin et al., 2012) and on the mRNA levels/cell for a large set of genes using digital gene expression technology (Figure 3F; Lin et al., 2012). The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology is a collaboration between the Center for Open Science and Science Exchange, and the results of the replications will be published in eLife. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.04024. 001
Arabidopsis bZIP Protein HY5 Directly Interacts with Light-Responsive Promoters in Mediating Light Control of Gene Expression

The Arabidopsis HY5 gene has been defined genetically as a positive regulator of photomorphogenesis and recently has been shown to encode a basic leucine zipper type of transcription factor. Here, we report that HY5 is constitutively nuclear localized and is involved in light regulation of transcriptional activity of the promoters containing the G-box, a well-characterized light-responsive element (LRE). In vitro DNA binding studies suggested that HY5 can bind specifically to the G-box DNA sequences but not to any of the other LREs present in the light-responsive promoters examined. High-irradiance light activation of two synthetic promoters containing either the consensus G-box alone or the G-box combined with the GATA motif (another LRE) and the native Arabidopsis ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene RBCS-1A promoter, which has an essential copy of the G-box, was significantly compromised in the hy5 mutant. The hy5 mutation's effect on the high-irradiance light activation of gene expression was observed in both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic tissues. Furthermore, the characteristic phytochrome-mediated red light– and farred light–reversible low-fluence induction of the G-box–containing promoters was diminished specifically in hy5 plants. These results suggest that HY5 may interact directly with the G-box in the promoters of light-inducible genes to mediate light-controlled transcriptional activity.
Granulin epithelin precursor: a bone morphogenic protein 2‐inducible growth factor that activates Erk1/2 signaling and JunB transcription factor in chondrogenesis

Granulin epithelin precursor (GEP) has been implicated in development, tissue regeneration, tumorigenesis, and inflammation. Herein we report that GEP stimulates chondrocyte differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and endochondral ossification ex vivo, and GEP‐knockdown mice display skeleton defects. Similar to bone morphogenic protein (BMP) 2, application of the recombinant GEP accelerates rabbit cartilage repair in vivo. GEP is a key downstream molecule of BMP2, and it is required for BMP2‐mediated chondrocyte differentiation. We also show that GEP activates chondrocyte differentiation through Erk1/2 signaling and that JunB transcription factor is one of key downstream molecules of GEP in chondrocyte differentiation. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel critical role of GEP growth factor in chondrocyte differentiation and the molecular events both in vivo and in vitro. —Feng, J. Q. , Guo, F. ‐J., Jiang, B. ‐C. , Zhang, Y. , Frenkel, S. , Wang, D. ‐W. , Tang, W. , Xie, Y. , Liu, C. ‐J. Granulin epithelin precursor: a bone morphogenic protein 2‐inducible growth factor that activates Erk1/2 signaling and JunB transcription factor in chondrogenesis. FASEB J. 24, 1879–1892 (2010). www.fasebj. org
A Phase I Study of Oral Topotecan and Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (Doxil) in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian and Peritoneal Cancer

Objectives:The feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a second-line combination therapy for oral topotecan and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or tubal carcinoma were investigated in this phase I trial. Methods:A fixed dose of oral topotecan 2.3 or 1.53 mg/m2 on days 1 through 5 and escalating doses of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin on day 1 of a 28-day cycle were administered. Dose-limiting toxicities and maximum tolerated doses were recorded. Safety was assessed by adverse event monitoring, and complete and partial responses were recorded. Results:Twenty-two patients received a total of 61 courses of therapy. The maximum tolerated dose of combination therapy was 1.53 mg/m2 of topotecan on days 1 through 5 and 40 mg/m2 of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin on day 1 of a 28-day cycle. Because of cumulative thrombocytopenia, the dose of topotecan was decreased by one-third from 2.3 to 1.53 mg/m2 in an effort to increase the dose of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Only 5 patients completed >4 cycles of therapy. The most common grade 4 adverse events at dose level 4 were neutropenia (5/9 patients) and leukopenia (2/9 patients). Overall responses were observed in 2 of 22 patients. Conclusions:Oral topotecan and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin can be combined at doses that are active as monotherapies. However, the overall response rates after monotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer are comparable to or higher than those observed in this phase I study of combination therapy.
The Structure and Outcomes of a HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Program in a High HIV Prevalence Setup in Western Kenya

Background:In 2001, HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was initiated in western Kenya. Methods:Design, implementation, and evolution of the PEP program are described. Patient data were analyzed for reasons, time to initiation, and PEP outcome. Results:Occupational PEP was initiated first followed by nonoccupational PEP (nPEP). Antiretroviral regimens were based upon national PEP guidelines, affordability and availability, and prevailing HIV prevalence. Emerging side effects data and cost improvements influenced regimen changes. Between November 2001 and December 2006, 446 patients sought PEP. Occupational exposure: 91 patients: 51 males; 72 accepted HIV testing; 48 of 52 source patients were HIV infected; median exposure-PEP time 3 hours (range: 0.3-96 hours). Of 72 HIV-negative patients receiving PEP, 3 discontinued, 69 completed, and 23 performed post-PEP HIV RNA polymerase chain reaction (all negative). Eleven follow-up HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests have all turned negative. Nonoccupational exposure: 355 patients; 285 females; 90 children; 300 accepted HIV testing; median exposure-nPEP time 19 hours (range: 1-672 hours). Of 296 HIV-negative patients on nPEP, 1 died, 15 discontinued, 104 are on record having completed PEP, and 129 returned for 6-week HIV RNA polymerase chain reaction (1 patient tested positive). Eighty-seven follow-up HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests have all turned negative. Conclusions:It is feasible to provide PEP and nPEP in resource-constrained settings.
A Novel Mechanism Is Involved in Cationic Lipid-Mediated Functional siRNA Delivery

A key challenge for therapeutic application of RNA interference is to efficiently deliver synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into target cells that will lead to the knockdown of the target transcript (functional siRNA delivery). To facilitate rational development of nonviral carriers, we have investigated by imaging, pharmacological and genetic approaches the mechanisms by which a cationic lipid carrier mediates siRNA delivery into mammalian cells. We show that ∼95% of siRNA lipoplexes enter the cells through endocytosis and persist in endolysosomes for a prolonged period of time. However, inhibition of clathrin-, caveolin-, or lipid-raft-mediated endocytosis or macropinocytosis fails to inhibit the knockdown of the target transcript. In contrast, depletion of cholesterol from the plasma membrane has little effect on the cellular uptake of siRNA lipoplexes, but it abolishes the target transcript knockdown. Furthermore, functional siRNA delivery occurs within a few hours and is gradually inhibited by lowering temperatures. These results demonstrate that although endocytosis is responsible for the majority of cellular uptake of siRNA lipoplexes, a minor pathway, probably mediated by fusion between siRNA lipoplexes and the plasma membrane, is responsible for the functional siRNA delivery. Our findings suggest possible directions for improving functional siRNA delivery by cationic lipids.
Plant secretome proteomics

The plant secretome refers to the set of proteins secreted out of the plant cell into the surrounding extracellular space commonly referred to as the apoplast. Secreted proteins maintain cell structure and acts in signaling and are crucial for stress responses where they can interact with pathogen effectors and control the extracellular environment. Typically, secreted proteins contain an N-terminal signal peptide and are directed through the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi pathway. However, in plants many proteins found in the secretome lack such a signature and might follow alternative ways of secretion. This review covers techniques to isolate plant secretomes and how to identify and quantify their constituent proteins. Furthermore, bioinformatical tools to predict secretion signals and define the putative secretome are presented. Findings from proteomic studies and important protein families of plant secretomes, such as proteases and hydrolases, are highlighted.
The Decision to Continue Sharing Knowledge in Virtual Communities: The Moderating Role of Knowledge-Sharing Experience and Knowledge Self-Efficacy

Virtual communities have become increasingly popular in recent years. Despite significant growth in the number of virtual communities, few communities have been successful retaining members and motivating members to continue sharing knowledge. This study focuses on how knowledge-contributor characteristics impact the relationship between individuals’ community-involvement motivation and continued knowledge-sharing intention. According to the study’s online survey of 292 knowledge contributors in two professional virtual communities (PVCs), knowledge-sharing experience and knowledge self-efficacy – two contributor characteristics – moderate the relationship between motivational factors and continued knowledge sharing. Specifically, reputation and enjoyment in helping others had a stronger influence on knowledge contributors with high knowledge self-efficacy, whereas reciprocity had a stronger influence on knowledge contributors with low knowledge selfefficacy. Furthermore, reciprocity and moral obligation had a stronger influence on knowledge contributors with high knowledge-sharing experience. The results of this study provide important implications for research and practice.
The Influence of Production Parameters on Pozzolanic Reactivity of Calcined Clays

Abstract Calcined clays are gaining increasing interest as future supplementary cementitious materials for the production of blended cements. Besides the mineralogy, the right production conditions can affect the pozzolanic activity of calcined clays. In this paper, the pozzolanic reactivity of two calcined natural clays in dependence of burning temperature, residence time in the furnace, cooling conditions and particle size of the final product is investigated. The highest pozzolanic reactivity was found at calcination temperatures between 600 and 800°C. While different cooling conditions had no identified effect on reactivity, decreased particle size and residence time increased the reactivity.
Influence of ambient temperature on the heterogeneity of ambient fine particle chemical composition and disease prevalence

Abstract In this study, we present the associations of fine particle nitrate, sulfate, and four organic carbon fractions with ambient temperature in urban and background monitoring sites in the United States for the 2011–2012 period. Nitrate concentrations increased for decreasing temperatures, while sulfate levels increased for temperatures higher than 14 °C. The profiles of organic carbon fractions for different temperatures were comparable to that observed for elemental carbon, a thermally stable and non-reactive component emitted from combustion-related sources. The trends for all parameters were comparable for the nine regions and independent to emission estimates of fine particles and their precursors. These patterns demonstrated that ambient temperature may manipulate fine particulate composition. These differences may be augmented by rising temperatures due to changing climate. Considering the causal associations between particulate pollution and pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, changes in the composition of particulate pollution may imply adjustments on the human health impacts.
A new architecture for minimum mean square error sorted QR decomposition for MIMO wireless communication systems

Multiantenna telecommunication systems represent channels with multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) by matrices. QR decomposition (QRD) of the channel matrix is a crucial part of MIMO detection algorithms, such as successive interference cancellation or sphere detection. Modern standards like Long Term Evolution (LTE) require the processing of millions of matrices per second, in order to compensate channel changes that occur due to the mobility of the detector and Doppler spread. We introduce a new architecture for minimum mean square error (MMSE) sorted QR decomposition based on Givens rotations. The architecture is derived from classical systolic array approach but includes modifications to allow sorting and MMSE preprocessing. It balances throughput against area and fulfills the real-time requirements of 1.763 μs and 0.881 μs derived from the LTE MIMO standard when synthesized on ALTERA Stratix III and Stratix V family FPGAs. Moreover, it can trade speed for area and is suitable for tighter time constraints.