Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Sample Complexity Bounds for (Natural) Actor-Critic Algorithms

The actor-critic (AC) algorithm is a popular method to find an optimal policy in reinforcement learning. In the infinite horizon scenario, the finite-sample convergence rate for the AC and natural actor-critic (NAC) algorithms has been established recently, but under independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) sampling and single-sample update at each iteration. In contrast, this paper characterizes the convergence rate and sample complexity of AC and NAC under Markovian sampling, with mini-batch data for each iteration, and with actor having general policy class approximation. We show that the overall sample complexity for a mini-batch AC to attain an $\epsilon$-accurate stationary point improves the best known sample complexity of AC by an order of $\mathcal{O}(\epsilon^{-1}\log(1/\epsilon))$, and the overall sample complexity for a mini-batch NAC to attain an $\epsilon$-accurate globally optimal point improves the existing sample complexity of NAC by an order of $\mathcal{O}(\epsilon^{-2}/\log(1/\epsilon))$. Moreover, the sample complexity of AC and NAC characterized in this work outperforms that of policy gradient (PG) and natural policy gradient (NPG) by a factor of $\mathcal{O}((1-\gamma)^{-3})$ and $\mathcal{O}((1-\gamma)^{-4}\epsilon^{-2}/\log(1/\epsilon))$, respectively. This is the first theoretical study establishing that AC and NAC attain orderwise performance improvement over PG and NPG under infinite horizon due to the incorporation of critic.
The fine structure of surprise in intuitive physics: when, why, and how much?

We are surprised when events violate our intuitive physical expectations. Even infants look longer when things seem to magically teleport or vanish. This important surprise signal has been used to probe what infants expect, in order to study the most basic representations of objects. But these studies rely on binary measures – an event is surprising, or not. Here, we study surprise in a more precise, quantitative way, using three distinct measures: we ask adults to judge how surprising a scene is, when that scene is surprising, and why it is surprising. We find good consistency in the level of surprise reported across these experiments, but also crucial differences in the implied explanations of those scenes. Beyond this, we show that the timing and degree of surprise can be explained by an object-based model of intuitive physics.
FITC - LECTIN BINDING PROFILES ON SPERM STRUCTURES OF FERTILE AND INFERTILE MEN WITH AND WITHOUT OBESITY

In this study the distribution of binding sites of Concanavaline A (Con A), Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) and Peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectins conjugated with fluorescence isothiocynate (FITC) with different specific carbohydrates were studied on cell surface of sperms of fertile and infertile men to determine whether the surface characters of the spermatozoa of fertile men differs from that of infertile men with or without obesity. A total of 255 infertile and 319 fertile men were involved in this study between Sep. 2006 and Dec. 2008. The body mass index (BMI) was measured in all fertile and infertile men. All semen parameters were assessed in both fertile and infertile men with or without obesity to identify the values that would distinguish fertile from infertile men. The results of this study showed that there is a clear significant difference between fertile and infertile men with or without obesity in regard to all semen parameters. On the other hand, all lectins used in this study were reacted differentially with the various components of the sperms of fertile and infertile men with or without obesity. This suggests that the obesity might alter the cell surface changes of sperms with increasing of BMI.
A Review on Various Techniques for Face Detection

- Face detection has been an intriguing area in the field of computer vision and machine learning, especially during the past several years. Face detection is the process of automatically locating human faces in digital images or videos. Faces are one of the most prevailing and very specific objects in visual media which can be tracked with the help of face detection algorithms. In spite of the inherent complexity of environment (illumination, pose, color coding, occlusion etc.), we have seen the development of some intelligent and accurate face detection algorithms. In this paper we have made an attempt to study the various methods namely Viola Jones, Genetic Algorithm, CNN, SVM, Hough transform with convolution neural network, MMX feature extraction, Min max with embedding for face detection.
Untersuchungen zur Beanspruchung des menschlichen Gesichtsschädels beim Kauen mittels der zweidimensionalen spannungsoptischen Methode

Seit langem wird die Kausalitát zwischen der Form des Gesichtsschadels und der KautAtigkeit beriicksichtigt. Die Beanspruchung des Gesichtsschadels sei namlich die beides zusammenkniipfende Erscheinung und ist wichtig fur die Erforschung theses Zusammenhangs. Schon viele, wie GOrke (1904), Benninghoff (1925) and Tappen (1953 und 1954), diskutierten dartiber. Solche Besprechungen waren aber auf der Morphologie von den Spongiosastrukturen bzw. von den Kortikalisspaltlinien begriindet und zwar soll die Beanspruchung solch eines komplizierten KOrper wie des GesichtsschAdels mit Recht mittels des mechanischen Experiments klar gemacht werden. Wie allgemein bekannt, spielen die TAtigkeiten von M. temporalis und M. masseter beim Kauen des Menschen die Hauptrolle. Das mag an ihrer relativen GrOBe und ihrem aufmerksamen Aktionspotential leicht erkennbar sein. Deshalb ist die von den Wirkungen dieser Muskeln verursachte Beanspruchung des Gesichtsschadels von wesentlicher Bedeutung. Die funktionelle Gestattung des menschlichen Gesichtsschadels im Bezug auf die Kautatigkeit soll auf derselben Beanspruchung beruhend erklArt werden. Hiermit muB es sich zuallererst urn die Erklarung und die Analyse dieser Beanspruchung handeln. Es gibt heutzutage verschiedene experimentelle Methoden fiir die Ermittlung der Beanspruchung. Jede Methode hat aber ihren Vorteil sowie Nachteil. Es muB daher wiinschenswert sein, die verschiedenen Methoden ftir die Untersuchung zu benutzen. Endo (1965, 66a, 66b, 70a und 70b) hat schon die Experimente von der nachgeahmten Kauen mit dem trocknen Schadel durchgefiihrt und
Pentraxin 3 (PTX-3) Levels in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid as a Lung Cancer Biomarker

In this study, we investigated the utility of pentraxin 3 (PTX-3) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as lung cancer (LCa) diagnostic. A total of 89 LCa patients and 84 non-LCa patients who received bronchoscopy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from December 2014 to February 2015 were enrolled. LCa was subdivided according to pathological type (scale, gland, and small cell lung cancer). BALF samples were obtained during bronchoscopy and PTX-3 levels assayed by ELISA. t-tests, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed for the comparison of PTX-3 levels between the different groups. Correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to analyze clinical data. The levels of PTX-3 increased in the LCa groups. PTX-3 levels were higher in the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) compared to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) groups. In LCa patients, obstructive pneumonia could upregulate the expression of PTX-3 in BALF. The area under the ROC curve of PTX-3 in BALF during LCa diagnosis, SCLC, and LCa with obstructive pneumonia was 0.949 (p ≤ 0.001), 0.672 (p < 0.05), and 0.838 (p < 0.01), respectively. In conclusion, PTX-3 in BALF has a potential value as an LCa biomarker, particularly in cases of SCLC and LCa with obstructive pneumonia.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENT GOALS WITH ACADEMIC SELF-EFFICACY IN STUDENTS

The purpose of this research was to specify the relationship between executive functions and achievement goals and academic self-efficacy in students. The sample studied in the research consisted of 147 female studying in high schools in Tehran using the random method. For data analysis, Pearson’s correlation method and simultaneous multiple regression method were used in SPSS statistic software along with methods of descriptive statistics. The results of the research demonstrated that the number of stages component is positively correlated with academic self-efficacy, and the preservative error and specific error are negatively and significantly correlated with it. Furthermore, the regression analysis results demonstrated that the number of stages (β=0.385) and the mastery style of achievement goals (β=0.371) positively predict academic self-efficacy.
The EEG-Based Attention Analysis in Multimedia m-Learning

In recent years, research on brain-computer interfaces has been increasing in the field of education, and mobile learning has become a very important way of learning. In this study, EEG experiment of a group of iPad-based mobile learners was conducted through algorithm optimization on the TGAM chip. Under the three learning media (text, text + graphic, and video), the researchers analyzed the difference in learners' attention. The study found no significant difference in attention in different media, but learners using text media had the highest attention value. Later, the researchers studied the attention of learners with different learning styles and found that active and reflective learners' attention exhibited significant differences when using video media to learn.
Chemically Induced Skin Cancer

Epithelial tissues in which carcinomas develop often contain systemically derived T cell receptor (TCR) �� � cells and resident intraepithelial lymphocytes that are commonly enriched in TCR �� � cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that �� cells protect the host against chemically induced cutaneous malignancy, but the role of �� T cells has been enigmatic, with both protective and tumor-enhancing contributions being reported in different systems. This study aims to clarify the contributions of each T cell type to the regulation of squamous cell carcinoma induced in FVB mice by a two-stage regimen of 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene initiation followed by repetitive application of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. This protocol permits one to monitor the induction of papillomas and the progression of those papillomas to carcinomas. The results show that whereas �� cells are strongly protective, the nonredundant contributions of �� T cells to the host’s protection against papillomas are more modest. Furthermore, at both high and low doses of carcinogens, �� T cells can contribute to rather than inhibit the progression of papillomas to carcinomas. As is likely to be the case in humans, this study also shows that the contribution of T cells to tumor immunosurveillance is regulated by modifier genes.
Daily Feeding Rates of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) Determined by a Refined Radioisotope Method

The daily values of 137Cs intake by bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) from a small impoundment receiving low-level radioactive effluents were used to calculate the daily feeding rates of the fish. The calculations of 137Cs intake, for a nonequilibrium state, were based on fish growth, the seasonal fluctuation of 137Cs concentration in fish, and the temperature-elimination rate relationship. The feeding rates were obtained by dividing the daily intake of 137Cs by the concentration of 137Cs in the diet. The daily meal of bluegill varied from 0.8% of body weight in February to 3.2% in June with an annual mean of 1.75%. There was a positive correlation (r2 = 0.805) between the daily meal and the daily temperature. The ecological growth efficiency was 4.2% during the period from April to October.
OP0050 Gene polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor and 11Β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 affect relevant clinical outcomes in anca associated vasculitis

Background High doses of exogenous glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisolone) are a standard part of treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis.1 Efficacy and toxicity of glucocorticoid treatment differ widely between individuals.2 We hypothesised that this can be partly explained by genetic polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) that influence glucocorticoid sensitivity. Objectives To investigate whether five haplotypes of the Glucocorticoid Receptor gene (NR3C1) and a single nucleotide polymorphism of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) are associated with treatment efficacy and toxicity in ANCA associated vasculitis. Methods A total of 241 ANCA associated vasculitis patients were genotyped for five polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor gene and one polymorphism of the HSD11B1 gene. Glucocorticoid receptor gene haplotypes were predicted based on genotyping results. Relapse free survival, mortality, renal survival, metabolic adverse events and infections were compared between carriers and non-carriers of glucocorticoid receptor haplotypes and the HSD11B1 genotype. Results Carriers of the ER22/23EK haplotype of the glucocorticoid receptor had a significantly higher risk of 10 year mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.0, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.2 to 7.3), more frequently required plasmapheresis treatment (p=0.04) and had a higher risk of developing end-stage renal disease (HR 7.4, 95% CI: 1.9 to 28.7). Carriers of a minor variant of HSD11B1 more frequently experienced relapse (HR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.1), except if they also carried the BclI haplotype of the glucocorticoid receptor. Homozygous carriers of the BclI haplotype had a higher risk of developing hypertension (HR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.7) and dyslipidemia (HR 4.1, 95% CI: 1.8 to 9.6). Occurrence of infections neither differed between GR haplotypes, nor between HSD11B1 genotypes. Conclusions The ER22/23EK and BclI haplotype of the glucocorticoid receptor and a polymorphism of the gene for HSD11B1 are associated with clinically relevant inflammatory and metabolic outcomes in ANCA associated vasculitis. References [1] Yates M, Watts RA, Bajema IM, Cid MC, Crestani B, Hauser T, et al. EULAR/ERA-EDTA recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Ann Rheum Dis2016Sep;75(9):1583–1594. [2] Quax RA, Manenschijn L, Koper JW, Hazes JM, Lamberts SW, van Rossum EF, et al. Glucocorticoid sensitivity in health and disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol2013Nov;9(11):670–686. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Towards a Modeling Method for Business Process Oriented Organizational Life Cycle Assessment

Organizations need to analyze and understand the social, environmental and economic impacts of their operations. Sustainable Business Process Management techniques may provide the necessary visibility of organizational operations and impact hot-spots. However, existing approaches lack a rigorous and comprehensive understanding of sustainability. This paper describes a doctoral research project with the goal to develop a modeling method for Sustainable Business Process Management, that is based on life cycle thinking and integrates Organizational Life Cycle Assessment concepts. A research agenda is described, as well as current intermediary results and next steps.
Solubilization and transformation of insoluble inorganic metal compounds to insoluble metal oxalates by Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger, a fungus capable of citric and oxalic acid production, was grown on solid medium amended with selected insoluble metal compounds (ZnO, Zn3(PO4)2 and Co3(PO4)2). While A. niger was able to grow on and solubilize all three metal compounds, a crystalline precipitate was observed to form eventually in the clear zone of solubilization under and around the colony. These crystals were extracted from the agar, examined by SEM and X-ray micro-analysis and identified as metal oxalates by performance hplc and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The ability of A. niger to precipitate other metal oxalates was investigated with cadmium, copper and manganese phosphates and strontium nitrate. Metal oxalates were again produced and it was found that the different metals resulted in different and characteristic crystal morphologies. A. niger is therefore capable of transforming inorganic insoluble metal compounds into organic insoluble metal compounds. The significance of this process as a means of toxic metal immobilization is discussed.
Filtered-OFDM for 5G Wireless Communication Narrow-band IoT Systems

: The emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technology, devices will make the next generation 5G systems enable to support in diversify demands with greater efficiency in social, technical and economic dimensions. The era of 5G communication has empowered us with higher data transmission rate, user-friendly environment and better resource utilization capabilities equipped within it. In order to achieve these 5G technology attribute, we need to have small data packets and narrow bands with low power consumption. Hence, narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT) devices may play very vital and important role to fulfil these goals. The standard or conventional Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) suffers with high peak to average ratio (PAPR), high side lobes causing undesired spectral leakage and channel interference. However, spectrally-localized waveform is achieved by using filtered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (F-OFDM) by setting the filter length larger than the cyclic prefix (CP) length of an OFDM system. In proposed F-OFDM waveform, we can achieve localized frequency spectrum for narrow bandwidths and maintaining the inter-symbol interference/inter-carrier interference (ISI/ICI), BER and PAPR within an acceptable range. The key contribution in this paper is the filtered OFDM (F-OFDM) system performance has been analysed for narrow band IoT with Cyclic Prefix OFDM (CP-OFDM). Analysing the results, it is found that the F-OFDM system has achieved better PAPR than conventional OFDM system with least Bit Error Rate (BER) in the range of 20-40 dB of SNR for 5G supporting IoT systems
Challenges for Biological Weed Control Using Genetic Diversity of Rice -QTL and Candidate Compounds Associated with Allelopathic Effect-

Using the bioassay to assess the allelopathic effect of rice, we analyzed QTL conferring allelopathic effect of rice using F2 plants of the cross between PI312777 (allelopathic) and Rexmont (non-allelopathic) and RFLP markers mapped on 12 rice chromosomes. Seven QTLs for allelopathic effect were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12. Major QTLs are on the chromosome 5, 6 and 7, explaining 13-16% of total phenotypic variation. A single QTL on chromosome 7 showed a positive effect on allelopathic effect without QTLs on chromosomes 5 and 6. We concluded that the QTL on chromosome 7 is responsible for inhibition of root growth and necrosis on root tips of lettuce. Among 20 phenolic compounds identified in rice, at least 7 phenolic compounds might act as key compounds for allelopathic effect, camphor, pyrogallic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, m-hydroxybenzoic acid and salicyclic acid.
A retrospective cross-sectional study of the associated factors of hyperuricemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective To investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients at different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with several clinical factors in a retrospective cross-sectional study of non-dialysis CKD patients at two hospitals in Shanghai, China. Methods The prevalence of hyperuricemia in CKD patients and the association of SUA with other clinical factors were examined using analysis of variance, chi-squared test, multivariate analysis, and other statistical methods. Results A total of 663 CKD patients were enrolled, of which approximately 52% had hyperuricemia. CKD patients with hyperuricemia had lower hemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels but higher blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum phosphate levels than those without hyperuricemia. Serum uric acid level was positively associated with age, blood urea nitrogen , serum creatinine, cystatin C, and serum phosphate and negatively associated with hemoglobin and eGFR. In addition, CKD patients with anemia and hyperphosphatemia had a higher prevalence of hyperuricemia than those without anemia or hyperphosphatemia. Conclusions The prevalence of hyperuricemia increased with CKD progression supporting the use of urate-lowering treatment for patients with CKD stage 1 to 4.
Magnetic resonance imaging aspects after surgical repair of knee cartilage: pictorial essay

Radiologists should be familiar with the main techniques of knee cartilage repair and the imaging methods available for its evaluation, in order to optimize the postoperative follow-up of patients. The objective of this study was to present a series of clinical cases seen at our facility, illustrating the main techniques necessary for the repair of knee cartilage, as well as the magnetic resonance imaging techniques used in the postoperative evaluation and the relevant radiological findings.
AN IDENTIFICATION PROBLEM FROM INPUT-OUTPUT DATA

This paper discusses the identification problem of the time-varying properties of a hysteretic system, associated with a given motion equation. The motion equation describes the behavior of a shear-beam building with N degree of freedom. The restoring force is portraying by a Bouc-Wen model. The relationship between input and output data is represented by using the cnoidal method.
Dexmedetomidine reduces inflammation in mice with acute pancreatitis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and sympathetic nerve activity

Purpose: To study the anti-inflammatory influence of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in mice with acute pancreatitis (AP), and to determine the underlying mechanism.Methods: A total of 75 healthy ICR male mice were randomly divided into control, mild acute pancreatitis (MAP), MAP+DEX, severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and SAP+DEX groups, with 15 mice/group. Blood levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-1β) and norepinephrine were assayed ineach group. Western blotting was used to assay the protein expressions of NLRP3 and norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the pancreatic tissue of each group.Results: The levels of inflammatory factors in the MAP+DEX group were markedly lower than those in the MAP group after 10 h of MAP induction (p < 0.01). Mice in MAP+DEX group had significantly lower expression of NLRP3 in pancreatic tissue, and significantly higher NET protein level, relative to the MAP mice. Following 10 h of SAP, concentrations of the inflammatory factors and the pancreatic expression of NLRP3 were lower in SAP+DEX-treated mice than in SAP mice, while NET protein was significantly higher in SAP mice (p < 0.01). Conclusion: DEX reduces the expressions of inflammation-related factors TNF-α and IL-1β, and inhibits inflammatory response in mice with AP via downregulation of NET protein expression via inhibition of NLRP3 and early sympathetic events. Keywords: Dexmedetomidine, NLRP3 inflammasome, Sympathetic nerve, Acute pancreatitis, Inflammatory response