Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalization Analysis for Game-Theoretic Machine Learning

For Internet applications like sponsored search, cautions need to be taken when using machine learning to optimize their mechanisms (e.g., auction) since self-interested agents in these applications may change their behaviors (and thus the data distribution) in response to the mechanisms. To tackle this problem, a framework called game-theoretic machine learning (GTML) was recently proposed, which first learns a Markov behavior model to characterize agents' behaviors, and then learns the optimal mechanism by simulating agents' behavior changes in response to the mechanism. While GTML has demonstrated practical success, its generalization analysis is challenging because the behavior data are non-i.i. d. and dependent on the mechanism. To address this challenge, first, we decompose the generalization error for GTML into the behavior learning error and the mechanism learning error; second, for the behavior learning error, we obtain novel non-asymptotic error bounds for both parametric and non-parametric behavior learning methods; third, for the mechanism learning error, we derive a uniform convergence bound based on a new concept called \emph{nested covering number} of the mechanism space and the generalization analysis techniques developed for mixing sequences.
Neuropsychological Performance and Subjective Symptom Reporting in Military Service Members With a History of Multiple Concussions: Comparison With a Single Concussion, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Orthopedic Trauma

Objective: To examine differences in objective neurocognitive performance and subjective cognitive symptoms in individuals with a history of a single concussion, multiple concussions, orthopedic injuries, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: Participants included 116 military service members who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) during combat deployment. Subjects were subdivided into groups based on concussion frequency: a single concussion (n = 42), 2 concussions (n = 21), and 3 or more concussions (n = 53). Eighty-one subjects sustained an orthopedic injury (n = 60) during deployment or were diagnosed with PTSD (n = 21), but had no history of mTBI. Subjects completed a battery of neuropsychological tests and self-report measures of postconcussive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and psychopathology. Results: No differences were found among the concussion groups on a composite neuropsychological measure. The PTSD group had the highest number of symptom complaints, with the 2-concussion and 3-plus-concussion groups being most similar to the PTSD group. The concussion groups showed a nonsignificant pattern of increasing distress with increasing number of concussions. Conclusions: The current findings are consistent with meta-analytic results showing no differential effect on neuropsychological functioning due to multiple concussions. Results also support the burden of adversity hypothesis suggesting increasing symptom levels with increasing psychological or physically traumatic exposures.
Nuclei Detection Based on Secant Normal Voting with Skipping Ranges in Stained Histopathological Images

SUMMARY Seed detection or sometimes known as nuclei detection is a prerequisite step of nuclei segmentation which plays a critical role in quantitative cell analysis. The detection result is considered as accurate if each detected seed lies only in one nucleus and is close to the nucleus center. In previous works, voting methods are employed to detect nucleus center by extracting the nucleus saliency features. However, these methods still encounter the risk of false seeding, especially for the heterogeneous intensity images. To overcome the drawbacks of previous works, a novel detection method is proposed, which is called secant normal voting. Se-cant normal voting achieves good performance with the proposed skipping range. Skipping range avoids over-segmentation by preventing false seeding on the occlusion regions. Nucleus centers are obtained by mean-shift clustering from clouds of voting points. In the experiments, we show that our proposed method outperforms the comparison methods by achieving high detection accuracy without sacriﬁcing the computational e ﬃ ciency.
Mission Aware Contact Plan Design in Resource-Limited Small Satellite Networks

Small satellite networks (SSNs) are playing an increasing role in nowadays earth observation due to their less development cost and energy consumption. In SSNs, it is pivotal to transmit a huge amount of data for differentiated missions to ground stations. Nevertheless, due to limited transponders and energy budget, not all contacts, i.e., potential available communication links, are feasible in data delivery. Besides, satellite downlink channel conditions are indeed time-varying due to atmospheric precipitation. Therefore, one daunting challenge is searching for feasible contacts termed as contact plan design with consideration of the differentiation for missions. In this paper, we exploit an extended time-evolving graph to characterize network resources. Based on the graph, we formulate the design of mission-aware contact plan, aiming at maximizing network profit in terms of sum weighted data volume as a mixed-integer linear programming. Due to its NP-hardness, we propose a primal decomposition method to efficiently solve the formulated problem by exploiting its special structure. To further reduce the complexity, we propose a link metric considering the issues of residual energy of satellites, time-varying satellite downlink contact capacity, and the differentiation for missions in the conflict graph. Based on the conflict graph, we devise a heuristic algorithm to design contact plan. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms and necessitate the consideration of the time-varying downlinks and the differentiation of missions for contact plan design.
KOF Working Papers

Major DAC donors are widely criticized for weak targeting of aid, selfish aid motives and insufficient coordination. The emergence of an increasing number of new donors may further complicate the coordination of international aid efforts. On the other hand, new donors (many of which were aid recipients until recently) may have competitive advantages in allocating aid according to need and merit. Project-level data on aid by new donors, as collected by the PLAID initiative, allow for empirical analyses comparing the allocation behavior of new versus old donors. We employ Probit and Tobit models and test for significant differences in the distribution of aid by new and old donors across recipient countries. We find that new donors (i) focus on closer neighbors, (ii) care less for recipient need, (iii) exhibit a weaker bias towards badly governed countries, (iv) respond to disasters, but with fewer resources than old donors, and (v) do not pursue commercial self interest. JEL code: F35
Polycationic Derivatives of p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arene in 1,3-alternate Stereoisomeric Form: New DNA Condensing Agents

Синтезированы новые водорастворимые амфифильные производные п-трет-бутилтиакаликс[4]арена в стереоизомерной форме 1,3-альтернат с разной длиной алкильных заместителей (С4, С8 и С14), содержащие в своем составе поликатионные фрагменты на основе диэтилентриамина. Данные макроциклы образуют устойчивые агрегаты в водных растворах с размерами 50–150 нм. С помощью флуоресцентного зонда – пирена получены значения критической концентрации агрегации, равные 24, 25 и 9 мкмоль/л для макроциклов с О-алкильными группами С4, С8 и С14, соответственно. Методом динамического и электрофоретического рассеяния света, а также люминесцентной спектроскопии с использованием интеркалятора – бромистого этидия – показано, что полученные макроциклы эффективно взаимодействуют с ДНК тимуса теленка. Причем интеркалятор эффективнее вытесняется из комплекса с ДНК более липофильным макроциклом: 28, 54 и 79 % в случае дибутил-, диоктили дитетрадецилпроизводных соответственно, что может быть обусловлено гидрофобными взаимодействиями между планарными ароматическими кольцами этидий катиона и алкильными заместителями макроцикла. Установлено, что синтезированные макроциклы приводят к конденсации ДНК и уменьшению его гидродинамического размера в воде до 5 раз, причем увеличение липофильности макроцикла ведет к более значительному уменьшению размера липоплекса с ДНК. Методами энергодисперсионной рентгеновской спектроскопии и ТЭМ установлены качественный элементный состав и дендримеро-подобная морфология агрегатов, перенесенных из водных растворов на углеродную подложку.
All You Need to Know about Scheduling Deep Learning Jobs

With the recent breakthrough in deep neural network, there is an emerging class of data center with accelerated hardware to support efficient training on neural network model [1, 2]. The accelerated hardware (e.g. GPU, FPGA, TPU [9], Cambricon [11]), interconnected with high speed network (e.g. infiniband) and coupled with large training data [7], provides orders of magnitude training speedup. In this paper, we study the new challenge of resource management derived from the characteristic of deep learning workload in a cluster with accelerated hardware. The first challenge is to find an extensible resource abstraction to represent the diversified and fast evolving accelerated devices. Deep learning job should be able to learn the resource type and its usage, and be able to request for a certain type of devices with specific topology requirement. In Section 2, we introduce detailed hardware configuration in a typical data center for deep learning and propose a resource abstraction to address this challenge. The second challenge results from a tension in deep learning job scheduling. For multiple deep learning jobs, we find the system should “spread” them away to avoid mutual interference. While for a large deep learning job that requires multiple accelerated devices, the system should “pack” it to the devices that are close to each other to avoid significant loss of training speed. The spreading will lead to the fragmented usage of the accelerated devices, while the packing would require the consecutive slots in the devices. In Section 3, we quantify the effects of job interference and demonstrate the significant performance difference for a large job with different locality setting. We then discuss some possible way to resolve the tension introduced by job spreading and packing.
Morphogen interpretation: concentration, time, competence, and signaling dynamics

Tissue patterning during animal development is orchestrated by a handful of inductive signals. Most of these developmental cues act as morphogens, meaning they are locally produced secreted molecules that act at a distance to govern tissue patterning. The iterative use of the same signaling molecules in different developmental contexts demands that signal interpretation occurs in a highly context‐dependent manner. Hence the interpretation of signal depends on the specific competence of the receiving cells. Moreover, it has become clear that the differential interpretation of morphogens depends not only on the level of signaling but also the signaling dynamics, particularly the duration of signaling. In this review, we outline molecular mechanisms proposed in recent studies that explain how the response to morphogens is determined by differential competence, pathway intrinsic feedback, and the interpretation of signaling dynamics by gene regulatory networks. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e271. doi: 10.1002/wdev.271
Genomic diversity guides conservation strategies among rare terrestrial orchid species when taxonomy remains uncertain

Background and Aims Species are often used as the unit for conservation, but may not be suitable for species complexes where taxa are difficult to distinguish. Under such circumstances, it may be more appropriate to consider species groups or populations as evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). A population genomic approach was employed to investigate the diversity within and among closely related species to create a more robust, lineage‐specific conservation strategy for a nationally endangered terrestrial orchid and its relatives from south‐eastern Australia. Methods Four putative species were sampled from a total of 16 populations in the Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP) bioregion and one population of a sub‐alpine outgroup in south‐eastern Australia. Morphological measurements were taken in situ along with leaf material for genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and microsatellite analyses. Key Results Species could not be differentiated using morphological measurements. Microsatellite and GBS markers confirmed the outgroup as distinct, but only GBS markers provided resolution of population genetic structure. The nationally endangered Diuris basaltica was indistinguishable from two related species (D. chryseopsis and D. behrii), while the state‐protected D. gregaria showed genomic differentiation. Conclusions Genomic diversity identified among the four Diuris species suggests that conservation of this taxonomically complex group will be best served by considering them as one ESU rather than separately aligned with species as currently recognized. This approach will maximize evolutionary potential among all species during increased isolation and environmental change. The methods used here can be applied generally to conserve evolutionary processes for groups where taxonomic uncertainty hinders the use of species as conservation units.
Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α Promotes Pulmonary Inflammation and Systemic Disease during Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection

ABSTRACT Pulmonary infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae is characterized by a robust alveolar infiltration of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear cells [PMNs]) that can promote systemic spread of the infection if not resolved. We previously showed that 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), which is required to generate the PMN chemoattractant hepoxilin A3 (HXA3) from arachidonic acid (AA), promotes acute pulmonary inflammation and systemic infection after lung challenge with S. pneumoniae. As phospholipase A2 (PLA2) promotes the release of AA, we investigated the role of PLA2 in local and systemic disease during S. pneumoniae infection. The group IVA cytosolic isoform of PLA2 (cPLA2α) was activated upon S. pneumoniae infection of cultured lung epithelial cells and was critical for AA release from membrane phospholipids. Pharmacological inhibition of this enzyme blocked S. pneumoniae-induced PMN transepithelial migration in vitro. Genetic ablation of the cPLA2 isoform cPLA2α dramatically reduced lung inflammation in mice upon high-dose pulmonary challenge with S. pneumoniae. The cPLA2α-deficient mice also suffered no bacteremia and survived a pulmonary challenge that was lethal to wild-type mice. Our data suggest that cPLA2α plays a crucial role in eliciting pulmonary inflammation during pneumococcal infection and is required for lethal systemic infection following S. pneumoniae lung challenge.
Application of κ free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid as a biomarker in multiple sclerosis diagnosis: development of a diagnosis algorithm

Abstract Background: The determination of κ free light chains (KFLC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by nephelometry is a feasible alternative to immunoglobulin G oligoclonal bands (OCB) in the evaluation of intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of KFLC and its inclusion in a procedure algorithm along with OCB interpretation. Methods: A cross-sectional study, which included 123 patients with a CSF OCB request, was carried out. Isoelectric focusing followed by immunofixation was used to detect OCB, and nephelometry was used to analyze KFLC. The KFLC index was calculated using CSF/serum quotient of KFLC and albumin. The KFLC index was compared with MS diagnosis to find the optimal cutoff. It was obtained from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Youden method. Results: The CSF KFLC median was 1.66 mg/L in the MS group, whereas in other central nervous system diseases, KFLC showed generally no or only moderate increase in CSF (median 0.10 mg/L). KFLC index showed a significant difference between groups. ROC analysis for CSF KFLC concentration, and KFLC indexes were 91.88% and 93.94%, respectively. The best cutoff for the KFLC index was 2.91 for MS diagnosis (sensitivity: 83.78%; specificity: 85.88%). The proposed algorithm showed high sensitivity (89.19%) and specificity (84.71%). Conclusions: KFLC determination is rapid and automatized, but it has no higher sensitivity and specificity than OCB in MS diagnosis. Nevertheless, when used in screening, it could reduce the number of manual OCB tests.
Commonly Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations in Reverse-Transcriptase and Protease in Antiretroviral Treatment–Naive Patients and Response to Regimens Containing Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate or Tenofovir Alafenamide

Background The presence of transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDRMs) in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive patients can adversely affect the outcome of ART. Methods Resistance testing was conducted in 6704 ART-naive subjects predominantly from the United States and Europe in 9 clinical studies conducted by Gilead Sciences from 2000 to 2013. Results The presence of TDRMs increased during this period (from 5.2% to 11.4%), primarily driven by an increase in nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance mutations (from 0.3% to 7.1%), particularly K103N/S (increase from 0.3% to 5.3%). Nucleoside/nucleotide RT inhibitor mutations were found in 3.1% of patients. Only 1 patient had K65R (0.01%) and 7 had M184V/I (0.1%), despite high use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), emtricitabine, and lamivudine and potential transmission of resistance to these drugs. At least 1 thymidine-analogue mutations was present in 2.7% of patients with 0.07% harboring T215Y/F and 2.7% harboring T215 revertant mutations (T215rev). Patients with the combination of M41L + L210W + T215rev showed full human immunodeficiency virus RNA suppression while receiving a TDF- or tenofovir alafenamide-containing regimen. Conclusions There was an overall increase of TDRMs among patients enrolling in clinical trials from 2000 through 2013, driven primarily by an increase in NNRTI resistance. However, the presence of common TDRMs, including thymidine-analogue mutations/T215rev, showed no impact on response to TDF- or tenofovir alafenamide-containing regimens.
Privacy issues in social networks and analysis: a comprehensive survey

Social networks have become part of today's life; however, they also create numerous privacy problems for their users as they reveal sensitive information. Thus, the privacy preservation has become a big problem in social networks and there are several researches related to this topic. However, the current research achievements for this issue are only ad hoc solutions and the broad picture of the problem is not clear. This paper surveys a wide range of related researches and realises that the topic includes many sub-areas; for example, the privacy in publishing social network data for the use of third-party consumers or the privacy of users in the leakage of individuals' information to unexpected people in their social circle. The study also analyses the advantages as well as limitations of proposed solutions. On the basis of that the research outlines key outstanding issues and recommends directions for the future research. Moreover, the research also investigates common privacy metrics and popular privacy-preserving techniques to provide readers some basic tools to resolve open problems in the topic. The ultimate purpose of this research is to pave a solid background for people, who are interested in the topic, to do research further.
Peroxiredoxin Involvement in the Initiation and Progression of Human Cancer.

SIGNIFICANCE It has been proposed that cancer cells are heavily dependent on their antioxidant defenses for survival and growth. Peroxiredoxins are a family of abundant thiol-dependent peroxidases that break down hydrogen peroxide, and they have a central role in the maintenance and response of cells to alterations in redox homeostasis. As such, they are potential targets for disrupting tumor growth. Recent Advances: Genetic disruption of peroxiredoxin expression in mice leads to an increased incidence of neoplastic disease, consistent with a role for peroxiredoxins in protecting genomic integrity. In contrast, many human tumors display increased levels of peroxiredoxin expression, suggesting that strengthened antioxidant defenses provide a survival advantage for tumor progression. Peroxiredoxin inhibitors are being developed and explored as therapeutic agents in different cancer models. CRITICAL ISSUES It is important to complement peroxiredoxin knockout and expression studies with an improved understanding of the biological function of the peroxiredoxins. Although current results can be interpreted within the context that peroxiredoxins scavenge hydroperoxides, some peroxiredoxin family members appear to have more complex roles in regulating the response of cells to oxidative stress through protein interactions with constituents of other signaling pathways. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Further mechanistic information is required for understanding the role of oxidative stress in cancer, the function of peroxiredoxins in normal versus cancer cells, and for the design and testing of specific peroxiredoxin inhibitors that display selectivity to malignant cells. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 591-608.
Optical Surface Management System for Patient Positioning in Interfractional Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

Background The Optical Surface Management System (OSMS) is a simple, fast, reproducible, and accurate solution for patient set-up and can minimize random day-to-day set-up errors. However, studies in breast cancer patients are rare. Objective To analyze 200 patient set-ups in 20 patients with breast cancer by comparing the OSMS with the conventional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method Displacements from concurrent OSMS and CBCT registrations were compared in a total of 200 setups of 20 patients to analyze the interfractional displacement and positioning displacement in three dimensions (lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions). Results The interfractional displacement on the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions for OSMS versus CBCT was 0.049 ± 0.254 versus 0.041 ± 0.244 centimeters (cm); 0.018 ± 0.261 versus 0.040 ± 0.242 cm; 0.062 ± 0.254 versus 0.065 ± 0.240 cm, respectively, without any significant difference (all P > 0.05). The duration for CBCT scan was about 60 seconds (s), while that for image processing, matching, and couch displacement was at least 5 minutes (min). The average scanning time with OSMS was less than 20 s, and the total duration for positioning was less than 1 min. Conclusion OSMS is an efficient tool to improve the accuracy and increase the speed for verifying the patient positioning in radiotherapy for breast cancer.