Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online Policy-Gradient Reinforcement Learning using OLGARB for SpaceWar

The goal of this project is to explore the use of reinforcement learning techniques to address a difficult problem domain. The SpaceWar task is a competitive, continuousvalued, partially observable problem domain that provides a fun and interesting challenge for machine learning algorithms. This project focuses on the application of online policy-gradient reinforcement learning techniques to train a neural net controller for a ship. This paper shows that the OLGARB algorithm is effective for learning obstacle avoidance strategies for SpaceWar, and compares results across several values of the main tuning parameter for the algorithm.
The application of data origin authentication to video multicast communication

We apply a kind of data origin authentication algorithm that is robust against data packet loss and injection to the video multicast communication. In this algorithm, we combine the efficient packet-injection resistant multicast source authentication protocol (EPJRSA) with the Signature Amortization using Rabin's Information Dispersal Algorithm (SAIDA) to make sure that both the data and the authentication message cannot be maliciously deleted or forged by the adversary. To evaluate our technique's security, we use two different models to simulate the adversary's attack in multicast communication channel.
The PedsQL 4.0 as a school population health measure: feasibility, reliability, and validity.

BACKGROUND The application of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as a school population health measure may facilitate risk assessment and resource allocation, the tracking of student health at the school and district level, the identification of health disparities among schoolchildren, and the determination of health outcomes from interventions and policy decisions at the school, district, and county level. OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the 23-item PedsQL 4.0 (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) Generic Core Scales as a school population health measure for children and adolescents. DESIGN Survey conducted in 304 classes at 18 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools within a large metropolitan school district. METHODS The PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales (Physical, Emotional, Social, School Functioning) were completed by 2437 children ages 8-18 and 4227 parents of children ages 5-18. RESULTS The PedsQL 4.0 evidenced minimal missing responses, achieved excellent reliability for the Total Scale Score (alpha = 0.89 child, 0.92, parent report), and distinguished between healthy children and children with chronic health conditions. The PedsQL 4.0 was related to indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) at the school and district level. The PedsQL School Functioning Scale was significantly correlated with standardized achievement scores based on the Stanford 9. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate the feasibility, reliability and validity of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales as a school population health measure. The implications of measuring HRQOL in schoolchildren at the school, district, and county level for identifying and ameliorating health disparities are discussed.
CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROTOCOLS SPECIFICATION AND VERIFICATION TOOLS - A SURVEY

Cryptographic protocols cannot guarantee the secure operations by merely using state-of-the-art cryptographic mechanisms. Validation of such protocols is done by using formal methods. Various specialized tools have been developed for this purpose and are being used to validate real life cryptographic protocols. These tools give feedback to the designers of protocols in terms of loops and attacks in protocols to improve security. In this paper, we discuss the brief history of formal methods and tools that are useful for the formal verification of the cryptographic protocols
The Role of SOCS-3 in Leptin Signaling and Leptin Resistance*

We earlier demonstrated that leptin induces expression of SOCS-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, transfection data suggest that SOCS-3 is an inhibitor of leptin signaling. However, little is known about the regulation of SOCS-3 expression by leptin and the mechanism by which SOCS-3 inhibits leptin action. We here show that in CHO cells stably expressing the long form of the leptin receptor (CHO-OBRl), leptin induces transient expression of endogenous SOCS-3 mRNA but not of CIS, SOCS-1, or SOCS-2 mRNA. SOCS-3 protein levels were maximal after 2–3 h of leptin treatment and remained elevated at 20 h. Furthermore, in leptin-pretreated CHO-OBRl cells, proximal leptin signaling was blocked for more than 20 h after pretreatment, thus correlating with increased SOCS-3 expression. Leptin pretreatment did not affect cell surface expression of leptin receptors as measured by125I-leptin binding assays. In transfected COS cells, forced expression of SOCS-3 results in inhibition of leptin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2. Finally, JAK2 co-immunoprecipitates with SOCS-3 in lysates from leptin-treated COS cells. These results suggest that SOCS-3 is a leptin-regulated inhibitor of proximal leptin signaling in vivo. Excessive SOCS-3 activity in leptin-responsive cells is therefore a potential mechanism for leptin resistance, a characteristic feature in human obesity.
Electrical conductivity of tissue at frequencies below 1 MHz

A two-pronged approach, review and measurement, has been adopted to characterize the conductivity of tissues at frequencies below 1 MHz. The review covers data published in the last decade and earlier data not included in recent reviews. The measurements were carried out on pig tissue, in vivo, and pig body fluids in vitro. Conductivity data have been obtained for skeletal and myocardial muscle, liver, skull, fat, lung and body fluids (blood, bile, CSF and urine). A critical analysis of the data highlights their usefulness and limitations and enables suggestions to be made for measuring the electrical properties of tissues.
RGS3 and RGS4 are GTPase activating proteins in the heart.

RGS family members are regulatory molecules that act as GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for G alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS proteins are able to deactivate G protein subunits of the Gi alpha, Go alpha and Gq alpha subtypes when tested in vitro and in vivo. Although the function of RGS proteins in cardiac physiology is unknown, their ability to deactivate Galpha subunits suggests that they may inhibit the action of muscarinic, alpha-adrenergic, endothelin, and other agonists. To evaluate the role of RGS family members in the regulation of cardiac physiology, we investigated the expression pattern of two RGS genes in normal and diseased rat heart tissue. RGS3 and RGS4 mRNAs and proteins were detected in adult myocardium. RGS3 and RGS4 gene expression was markedly enhanced in two model systems of cardiac hypertrophy: growth factor-stimulated cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and pulmonary artery-banded (PAB) mice. RGS3 and RGS4 mRNA levels were reduced in failing myocardium obtained from SHHF/Mcc-fa(cp) (SHHF) rats. These findings support the hypothesis that RGS gene expression is highly regulated in myocardium and imply that RGS family members play an important role in the regulation of cardiac function.
La syllabification de séquences VCV en irlandais : une étude de perception

Nous avons etudie la structure syllabique de l'irlandais, dont le caractere suppose exceptionnel est souvent evoque. Nous avons teste l'hypothese selon laquelle les locuteurs de l'irlandais syllabifieraient des consonnes intervocaliques comme des codas (par ex., poca 'poche' /po:k@/ CVC.V), malgre la preference universelle proposee par de nombreuses theories phonologiques pour des syllabes commencant par une consonne d'attaque. Nous nous sommes appuyees sur la tâche de repetition de syllabe, une tâche de syllabification explicite classique. Nos participants ont ecoute des items VCV consistant en des mots bisyllabiques qui variaient en fonction de la longueur phonologique de la premiere voyelle (V1 : longue ou courte) et du mode d'articulation de la consonne mediale (Cm : plosive, fricative, liquide ou nasale) (e.g., poca /po:k@/ 'poche', lofa /lof@/ 'pourri'), ainsi que des items VCCV (par ex., masla /masl@/ 'insulte', canta /ka:nt@/ 'morceau'). Nos resultats s'accordent en general avec les resultats des etudes anterieures sur d'autres langues. Par exemple, des consonnes plus sonantes (par ex., les nasales et les liquides) sont plus susceptibles que des obstruentes d'etre considerees comme des codas ou des consonnes ambisyllabiques, et des voyelles courtes ont tendance a attirer des consonnes. Ces resultats ont des implications pour toute recherche sur l'irlandais utilisant la syllabe, concept central dans la phonologie.
On the Jensen–Shannon Symmetrization of Distances Relying on Abstract Means

The Jensen–Shannon divergence is a renowned bounded symmetrization of the unbounded Kullback–Leibler divergence which measures the total Kullback–Leibler divergence to the average mixture distribution. However, the Jensen–Shannon divergence between Gaussian distributions is not available in closed form. To bypass this problem, we present a generalization of the Jensen–Shannon (JS) divergence using abstract means which yields closed-form expressions when the mean is chosen according to the parametric family of distributions. More generally, we define the JS-symmetrizations of any distance using parameter mixtures derived from abstract means. In particular, we first show that the geometric mean is well-suited for exponential families, and report two closed-form formula for (i) the geometric Jensen–Shannon divergence between probability densities of the same exponential family; and (ii) the geometric JS-symmetrization of the reverse Kullback–Leibler divergence between probability densities of the same exponential family. As a second illustrating example, we show that the harmonic mean is well-suited for the scale Cauchy distributions, and report a closed-form formula for the harmonic Jensen–Shannon divergence between scale Cauchy distributions. Applications to clustering with respect to these novel Jensen–Shannon divergences are touched upon.
Remote Mentoring a Distributed Agile Team

We are running a distributed agile project across two locations - Bangalore, India and Shanghai, China. The challenge was the Bangalore team started earlier into the project and had a good understanding on the requirements and technologies involved. Subsequently the China team was added and had to be mentored on the project tools and technologies. An agile approach was taken towards this mentoring which had to be done remotely as travel and communication language both were constraints. This paper describes the experience and the lessons learnt.
Developing Meaningful Fear of Falling Measures for Community Dwelling Elderly

Velozo CA, Peterson EW: Developing meaningful fear of falling measures for community dwelling elderly. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001:80:662–673. Objective: The objective of this study is to demonstrate how a Rasch analytic approach can be used to create fear of falling measures that remain connected to the meaningful descriptions provided by the instrument items. Design: The University of Illinois at Chicago Fear of Falling Measure was developed using focus groups and consists of 19 common activities designed to represent an increasing level of concern about falling among older adults. Results: Rasch analysis of responses from 106 community dwelling elderly revealed that the two middle rating scale categories (a little worried and moderately worried) were not being used in the expected fashion. After modification of the rating scale, Rasch analysis showed that the three items causing the least worry (get dressed, get on/off toilet, and get in/out of bed) were statistically erratic. Conclusion: Final analysis demonstrated that the remaining 16 items represented a unidimensional construct that, in general, supported the original expected item difficulty hierarchy. Because person and item measures were calibrated on the same linear scale person measures are translatable to item descriptions. This connection provides meaning to the numeric values obtained from the instrument and provides a basis for setting clinically relevant criteria for interventions.
A Survey of Marine Natural Compounds and Their Derivatives with Anti-Cancer Activity Reported in 2011

Cancer continues to be a major public health problem despite the efforts that have been made in the search for novel drugs and treatments. The current sources sought for the discovery of new molecules are plants, animals and minerals. During the past decade, the search for anticancer agents of marine origin to fight chemo-resistance has increased greatly. Each year, several novel anticancer molecules are isolated from marine organisms and represent a renewed hope for cancer therapy. The study of structure-function relationships has allowed synthesis of analogues with increased efficacy and less toxicity. In this report, we aim to review 42 compounds of marine origin and their derivatives that were published in 2011 as promising anticancer compounds.
Natural history of branch duct intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas without mural nodules: long-term follow-up results

Background and aim: Although branch duct intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas without mural nodules are frequently observed in asymptomatic subjects, the natural history of these lesions has never been studied. The aim of this study was to elucidate the natural history of branch duct IPMNs without mural nodules. Methods: Eighty-two patients who had no apparent mural nodules on initial examination were selected for follow-up. All subjects underwent examinations by imaging modalities including endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, and were followed-up by regular examinations once or twice a year. Serial changes of the maximum cystic diameter and the appearance of mural nodules were studied during the observation periods ranging from 14 to 148 months (median, 61 months). Results: Nine (11.0%) of 82 patients exhibited obvious progression of cystic dilatation (median, 59 months). Of these nine patients with cystic enlargement, six continued with regular follow-up examinations. Three cases underwent surgical resection, and were pathologically diagnosed as adenoma in two and borderline in one. Four patients (4.9%) showed newly developed mural nodules in dilated branch ducts (median, 105 months). Histological analysis revealed three cases classified as adenoma and one as carcinoma in situ. None of the remaining 69 patients (84.1%) showed any changes in dilated branch ducts (median, 57 months). Conclusions: Most branch duct IPMNs without mural nodules remained unchanged during long-term follow-up. Although follow-up with careful examination is required to detect newly developed mural nodules in dilated branch ducts, branch duct IPMNs without mural nodules can be followed-up without surgery.
Impact de l’infection par le virus de l’immunodéficience humaine sur les populations de lymphocytes T folliculaires helper et les réponses B mémoires

La reponse humorale est alteree lors de l’infection par le virus de l’immunodeficience humaine (VIH). Les lymphocytes T CD4+ folliculaires helper (Tfh) sont impliques dans la maturation des lymphocytes B (LB) dans les organes lymphoides secondaires. Mon travail de these s’est articule autour de deux axes complementaires visant a etudier les Tfh et les reponses B memoires lors de l’infection par le VIH. J’ai d’abord etudie les Tfh spleniques lors de la phase chronique de l’infection par le VIH. J’ai mis en evidence une augmentation des populations de Tfh dans les rates de patients VIH+. D’autre part l’infection par le VIH a un impact sur le profil transcriptionnel des Tfh de la rate et la production de cytokines impliquees dans la differenciation des LB, suggerant un defaut fonctionnel des Tfh. Parallelement, la maturation des LB est alteree dans les rates VIH+. Dans le second axe de ma these, j’ai etudie les reponses B memoires anti-VIH dans differentes cohortes de patients VIH+ : Elite controller (EC) controlant l’infection sans traitements et des patients VIH+ traites. J’ai mis en evidence que les EC preservent naturellement leurs compartiments B memoires et que les reponses B memoires specifiques du VIH sont maintenues dans le sang de ces patients. Les reponses B memoires IgG1+ anti-VIH sont majoritaires chez les EC, tandis que les reponses IgG2+ et IgG3+ sont plus rares. Ces travaux permettent une meilleure comprehension de la physiopathologie de l’infection par le VIH en apportant de nouveaux elements sur la fonctionnalite des Tfh et les reponses B memoires anti-VIH.
One Port Laparoscopic Technique for Interval Placement of Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Port Under Direct Visualization

Purpose: In an effort to minimize catheter-related complications we present a 1-port laparoscopic procedure for interval placement of an intraperitoneal chemotherapy catheter under direct visualization. Methods: A single 5-mm laparoscopic port is placed in the umbilicus. A 5-cm incision is made in the midaxillary line and a pocket is created to hold the intraperitoneal chemotherapy port. The introducer is then tunneled from the pocket towards the umbilicus and is used to pierce the fascia under direct visualization. It is then tunneled towards the camera and removed through the umbilical port. The catheter is cut and allowed to fall back into the abdomen under direct visualization. Results: No patient had their chemotherapy regimen altered because of catheter-related complications. Specifically, there were no other infections, leakage, blockage, or access problems. Conclusions: In selected patients, this may be considered as a new minimally invasive option.
ADMA is independently related to flow‐mediated vasodilation in subjects at low cardiovascular risk

Background Increased plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) contribute to impair endothelial function in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or individuals with clinical syndromes known to increase CVD. However, the impact of ADMA on endothelial function in apparently healthy individuals has not been determined.
Real-time detection of intermittent misfiring in a voltage-fed PWM inverter induction-motor drive

This paper develops a real-time condition-monitoring algorithm for pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter induction-motor drives. It is designed to detect the intermittent loss of firing pulses of an individual switching device within the inverter. The mathematical model of the induction machine is linearized in the field-torque coordinates, and the misfiring of the inverter is represented by pulse functions, which have effects in both the field and torque directions. Since the fault considered is of an intermittent nature, the time-domain response of the magnetizing and the torque-producing components of the motor stator current is used to form the condition-monitoring signal. The method is adaptive to changes in the operating point during variable-speed operation. Digital simulation and laboratory experiment are utilized to illustrate the method and to evaluate the computational effort required.
Differential effects of high-fat and high-carbohydrate content isoenergetic meals on plasma active ghrelin concentrations in lean and obese women.

AIM To study the effect of two different isoenergetic meals, one rich in carbohydrates and one rich in fat, on plasma active ghrelin levels in lean or obese subjects. METHODS Eight obese and eight lean women, strictly matched for age, were fed two isoenergetic meals of different composition, one rich in fat and one rich in carbohydrates (CHO), on separate days. Plasma active ghrelin levels were measured just before and at 1, 2 and 3 hours after meal consumption. RESULTS Overall, plasma active ghrelin levels were significantly lower in the obese compared to the lean women (71.7 +/- 29.7 vs. 222.2 +/- 127.2 pmol/liter respectively, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, ghrelin levels decreased significantly by 30 % from baseline values in the lean subjects in the first hour after the CHO-rich meal (mean difference +/- SD): -66.2 +/- 49.0 pmol/liter (p = 0.03), returning to near-baseline levels by 2 hours, while no significant change was observed in the obese subjects. After the fat-rich meal, active ghrelin levels did not change significantly in either group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS A fat-rich meal does not suppress plasma active ghrelin levels in either lean or obese women. Moreover, in obese, unlike lean women, a high carbohydrate meal also fails to suppress plasma ghrelin levels, which are already quite low. This suggests that ghrelin-induced satiety mechanisms may be compromised in these subjects.
Diabetes Mellitus and Ramadan Fasting: The Need for a Critical Appraisal

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam and the true Moslem holds it as an article of faith. I ts time of observance varies each year because of the Muslim calendar based on lunar months. During the approximately 15 h of fasting which is from dawn to sunset, the individual must abstain from taking not only food or drinks but oral medicinal preparations as well. ' However, Islam does allow the breaking of fast in Ramadan by certain categories of people such as travellers, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, young children, menstruating women, and people with serious illness. These exemptions notwithstanding, most Moslems sti l l choose to fast, including those with a chronic metabolic disease like diabetes mellitus. Within the last decade or so, diabetes mellitus has emerged as a major health problem among the Moslem populations of the rapidly developing Gulf countries. Consequently, health practitioners who are treating Moslem diabetic patients must be able to counsel them on how to fulfil their religious and spiritual obligations without danger to their health. A search of the Englishspeaking literature has turned up only a few anecdotal accounts in the form of letters to the editor'-3 and abstracts from symposia on diabetes held in Saudi Arabia'5 on the subject of diabetes mellitus and Ramadan fasting. The disparate views expressed in these brief reports and the paucity of information emphasizes the need to give the subject greater attention. It is now generally accepted that optimum control of blood glucose concentrations is a desirable goal in diabetes' and it involves a proper mix of a satisfactory diet with or without exercise, oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAS) or insulin. In this article, we review briefly the metabolic changes during fasting in healthy individuals, assess the potential risks of fasting to a diabetic patient, and finally offer a few suggestions for the counselling of
Is New Keynesian Investment Theory Really “Keynesian”? Reflections on Fazzari and Variato

Second, though New Keynesian theory is based on the standard ergodic stochastic assumption of Neoclassicism while Post Keynesian theory posits a nonergodic world of fundamental uncertainty (FU), Fazzari and Variato argue that the New Keynesian assumption of asymmetric information (AI) makes the two theories complements rather than substitutes. While their effort at cross-paradigm fertilization is admirable, the arguments they present in support of the complementarity thesis are not convincing.
On the Design of Error Cancellation Network for MASH ΣΔ-Frequency discriminators

This paper presents a proposal for the design of error cancellation networks of multistage ΣΔ-frequency discriminators (ΣΔ-FD). Analysis and simulation, based on z-domain models in Matlab, address the effect of using a frequency divider in the 1<sup>st</sup> stage on the output noise of MASH ΣΔ-FDs and so proposing the suitable error cancellation network. At the end, we compare our work to previously done work.