Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modular fuzzy-reinforcement learning approach with internal model capabilities for multiagent systems

To date, many researchers have proposed various methods to improve the learning ability in multiagent systems. However, most of these studies are not appropriate to more complex multiagent learning problems because the state space of each learning agent grows exponentially in terms of the number of partners present in the environment. Modeling other learning agents present in the domain as part of the state of the environment is not a realistic approach. In this paper, we combine the advantages of the modular approach, fuzzy logic and the internal model in a single novel multiagent system architecture. The architecture is based on a fuzzy modular approach whose rule base is partitioned into several different modules. Each module deals with a particular agent in the environment and maps the input fuzzy sets to the action Q-values; these represent the state space of each learning module and the action space, respectively. Each module also uses an internal model table to estimate actions of the other agents. Finally, we investigate the integration of a parallel update method with the proposed architecture. Experimental results obtained on two different environments of a well-known pursuit domain show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed multiagent architecture and learning approach.
On the merits of helical tendon routing in continuum robots

Tendon-driven continuum robots possess versatile application capabilities and have a robust design. The actuation of such robots with non-straight tendons that wrap around the backbone, described by a variable function, offers a lot of untapped potentials. While it has been shown that these continuum robots are able to take up complex shapes using only one actuated segment, the merits of non-straight tendon routing have not been quantified in terms of workspace and motion. In this paper, we show that one additional helically routed tendon can greatly benefit the robot's reachable workspace. For instance, the reachable workspace of a one-segment robot with 3 conventional straight tendons increases by 400 % by adding one helically routed tendon. Furthermore, the dexterity of such a continuum robot is improved, i.e. motion sequences to avoid obstacles or to twine an object for grasping. For the first time, the potential of tendon-driven continuum robots with two segments and helically routed tendons is investigated. The general findings on the merits of helical tendon routing are supported with both simulation and experimental results.
Group C rotavirus associated with fatal enteritis in a family outbreak

A family outbreak of gastroenteritis involving three adults and three children is described in which diarrhoea and vomiting were the main clinical features. One infant died in whom no pathogens could be detected in either small or large intestinal postmortem samples. Stool samples from two symptomatic siblings contained rotaviruses as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Both of these faecal samples were negative when assayed in a group A specific rotavirus enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and subsequent genomic analysis of these rotaviruses was suggestive of group C rotavirus. Serological evidence showed that these atypical rotaviruses were members of serogroup C. Other atypical rotaviruses in faecal samples from sporadic cases in symptomatic children were detected over a similar time period and location. These had electrophoretic RNA profiles similar to those in the family outbreak. Furthermore, seroepidemiological studies detected group C rotavirus antibody in blood donors resident in the location of the family outbreak.
Interobserver variability in determining enhancement of renal masses on helical CT.

OBJECTIVE Because enhancing renal masses are often surgically excised, we assessed interobserver variability in determining enhancement of renal masses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-nine complicated cysts or solid lesions were imaged with helical CT. Simple cysts (n = 20) were included, for a total of 69 lesions. Three radiologists obtained three region-of-interest measurements for each lesion in the unenhanced and nephrographic phases. Enhancement was defined as an attenuation increase of 15 H or more, provided that partial volume effects were not the cause. Observer concordance was defined as agreement among all three observers on whether a lesion was enhancing or nonenhancing. Measurement-interpretation agreement was defined as an observer's measuring an attenuation increase of less than 15 H and interpreting the lesion as nonenhancing or measuring an increase of 15 H or greater and interpreting the lesion as enhancing. RESULTS For the 20 simple cysts, observer concordance was 100% and measurement-interpretation agreement was 100%. For the 49 complicated lesions, observer concordance was 90% and measurement-interpretation agreement was 84% (41/49). Of the five discordant lesions, three were 1.1 or 1.0 cm in size and were interpreted as being of high attenuation on the unenhanced scans, with enhancement, versus a high-attenuation mass with increasing attenuation attributed to volume averaging. The remaining two discordant observations were due to differing interpretations of normally enhancing renal parenchyma versus cyst wall or tumor nodularity. CONCLUSION For most renal lesions, the observers agreed on whether enhancement was present or absent. Observers were prone to disagree about enhancement for small lesions (1.0-1.5 cm). Occasional disagreements on classification of larger lesions were due to differing interpretations of enhancing normal parenchyma versus abnormal tissue. Discrepancies between an observer's opinion on enhancement and the results of region-of-interest measurements suggest the possibility of disagreement among multiple observers.
Isolation of Neosartorya pseudofischeri from Blood: First Hint of Pulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT We report a case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Neosartorya pseudofischeri S. W. Peterson [anamorph Aspergillus thermomutatus (Paden) S. W. Peterson]. The diagnosis was initially based on a positive blood culture for a strain isolated from a neutropenic patient by means of a BACTEC 9050 blood culture system. The final diagnosis was established based on X-ray and computer tomography scan results as well as the detection of Aspergillus antigen in the patient's serum.
Experimental measurements of multi-carrier based Doppler heartrate tracker

This study presents experimental results of multi-carrier based Doppler radar signal processing for vital signs tracking. When small motion-transients exist, it is expected that a disturbance at a carrier frequency is different from other carrier frequencies. The multi-carrier based Doppler radar shows the possibility to overcome the motion-transient effect in some situations. Six tests are performed to measure multi-carrier Doppler signals. Their heartrate tracking results show that the mean values of the tracked heartrates are within plus/minus 3% of the ground truth R-R interval frequency of their electrocardiogram measurements. It is also shown that the variance values of the tracked heartrates are all within 0.0062 Hz. The proposed signal processing scheme seems to have potential to track vital signs while small motion-transients exist.
A Comprehensive Study of the Impacts of PHEVs on Residential Distribution Networks

This paper presents the development of a probabilistic benchmark for assessing the impacts of the uncontrolled charging of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on residential distribution networks. Unlike the previous research, which adopted several assumptions and approximations, this paper analyzes the available load and transportation data to extract probability distribution functions describing different uncertainties characterizing the charging process. Monte Carlo simulation is utilized to handle these uncertainties and to predict the anticipated impacts of PHEVs on a representative test network. Finally, conclusions are drawn to assist utilities in integrating PHEVs into their networks.
Contribution of FACTS devices for VSC-OPF problem using Non- Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm -II

Voltage Stability has become an important issue in both planning and opearation of power systems. Contingencies such as unexpected line outages may often result in voltage instability which may lead to voltage collapse. This work presents the application of Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) technique to find the optimal location of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device with the objective of minimizing operating cost of the system , installation of FACTS device and to improve the voltage stability of the system. The location and sizing of FACTS controllers for voltage stability enhancement is an important consideration for practical power systems. The placement methodology considers simulataneously the cost of generated active and reactive powers and cost of selected FACTS for a range of operating conditions. FACTS devices -Static VAR Compensator (SVC) is considered. The optimizations are performed on the parameters namely the location of FACTS devices are done by modal analysis and sizing and installation cost of FACTS devices are determined by the proposed algorithm. The Optimal Power Flow (OPF) and NSGA-II based optimization procedure are employed to solve the allocation task. Simulations are performed on IEEE-30 bus test system.
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

In what case do you like reading so much? What about the type of the museum of science and industry chicago book? The needs to read? Well, everybody has their own reason why should read some books. Mostly, it will relate to their necessity to get knowledge from the book and want to read just to get entertainment. Novels, story book, and other entertaining books become so popular this day. Besides, the scientific books will also be the best reason to choose, especially for the students, teachers, doctors, businessman, and other professions who are fond of reading.
Dysregulation of l-arginine metabolism and bioavailability associated to free plasma heme

Severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria is associated with hypoargininemia, which contributes to impaired systemic and pulmonary nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial dysfunction. Since intravascular hemolysis is an intrinsic feature of severe malaria, we investigated whether and by which mechanisms free heme [Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX (FP)] might contribute to the dysregulation of l-arginine (l-Arg) metabolism and bioavailability. Carrier systems “y+” [or cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)] and “y+L” transport l-Arg into red blood cells (RBC), where it is hydrolyzed to ornithine and urea by arginase (isoform I) or converted to NO· and citrulline by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Our results show a significant and dose-dependent impairment of l-Arg transport into RBC pretreated with FP, with a strong inhibition of the system carrier y+L. Despite the impaired l-Arg influx, higher amounts of l-Arg-derived urea are produced by RBC preexposed to FP caused by activation of RBC arginase I. This activation appeared not to be mediated by oxidative modifications of the enzyme. We conclude that l-Arg transport across RBC membrane is impaired and arginase-mediated l-Arg consumption enhanced by free heme. This could contribute to reduced NO production in severe malaria.
Poor sleep is associated with poorer physical performance and greater functional limitations in older women.

STUDY OBJECTIVES This study examined the association between disturbed sleep and poorer daytime function in older women. DESIGN Observational study. PARTICIPANTS 2,889 women, mean age 83.5 years, participating in the 2002-2004 examination of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Participants wore actigraphs for an average +/- SD of 4.1 +/- 0.83 24-hour periods. Actigraphy measured sleep variables were total sleep time and hours awake after sleep onset during the night and daytime napping behavior. Neuromuscular performance measurements included gait speed, chair stands, and grip strength. Functional limitations were assessed as self-reported difficulty with one or more of 6 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). In fully adjusted, multivariable models, women who slept <6 hours per night walked 3.5% slower than those who slept 6.0-6.8 hours. Those who slept > or =7.5 hours took 4.1% longer to complete 5 chair stands than those who slept 6.8-7.5 hours. With higher wake after sleep onset (> or =1.6 hours compared to <0.7 hours) gait speed was 9.1% slower; it took 7.6% longer to complete 5 chair stands, and odds of functional limitation were 1.8 (95% CI: 1.4, 2.4) higher. Women with 1.0-1.8 hours of daytime sleep had higher odds (1.4 [95% CI: 1.1, 1.8]) of a functional limitation than those with <0.5 hours. Sleep variables did not appear to be associated with grip strength. CONCLUSIONS Objectively measured poorer sleep was associated with worse physical function. Future research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms for the association between poor sleep and functional decline.
Isopycnic centrifugation of free and membrane-bound polysomes from rat liver.

Rat-liver polysomes have been studied in CsCl buoyant density gradients. 1 Membrane-bound polysomes band at a density of about 1.53 g/cm3, whereas free polysomes are recovered from the gradients at two higher densities (about 1.56 and 1.545 g/cm3, called, respectively, type I and II). Both types of free polysomes appear heterogeneous on sedimentation. They are found in all regions of the polysomal gradient. 2 Monoribosomes obtained after mild ribonuclease digestion of either free or membrane-bound polysomes band at a unique density (1.55 g/cm3). 3 The two types of free polysomes have quite different sedimentation behaviors in the preparative discontinuous sucrose gradient. After 6 h of centrifugation at 113000 ×gav the polysomal pellet is mainly composed of the type I. Type II remains with rough membranes at the lower interphase and is recovered in the pellet only after a 20-h centrifugation. 4 During starvation, it appears that the proportion of type I polysomes increases, while the proportion of type II decreases. Possible interaction with membranes of the type II polysomes is discussed.
Spring temperature change and its implication in the change of vegetation growth in North America from 1982 to 2006

Understanding how vegetation growth responds to climate change is a critical requirement for projecting future ecosystem dynamics. Parts of North America (NA) have experienced a spring cooling trend over the last three decades, but little is known about the response of vegetation growth to this change. Using observed climate data and satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 1982 to 2006, we investigated changes in spring (April–May) temperature trends and their impact on vegetation growth in NA. A piecewise linear regression approach shows that the trend in spring temperature is not continuous through the 25-year period. In the northwestern region of NA, spring temperature increased until the late 1980s or early 1990s, and stalled or decreased afterwards. In response, a spring vegetation greening trend, which was evident in this region during the 1980s, stalled or reversed recently. Conversely, an opposite phenomenon occurred in the northeastern region of NA due to different spring temperature trends. Additionally, the trends of summer vegetation growth vary between the periods before and after the turning point (TP) of spring temperature trends. This change cannot be fully explained by summer drought stress change alone and is partly explained by changes in the trends of spring temperature as well as those of summer temperature. As reported in previous studies, summer vegetation browning trends have occurred in the northwestern region of NA since the early 1990s, which is consistent with the spring and summer cooling trends in this region during this period.
Risk Factors for Progression of Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis : An Analysis Based on Fluoroscopically Standardized Knee Radiography ( Extended Report )

Supported in part by NIH grants R01 AR43370, R01 AR43348 and P60 AR20582. Steven A. Mazzuca, PhD, Barry P. Katz, PhD, Yan Ding, MS, Kathleen A. Lane, MS; Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Indianapolis, IN USA; Kenneth D. Brandt, MD; Department of Medicine and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, IUSM; Kenneth A. Buckwalter, MD, Department of Radiology, IUSM. Corresponding author: Steven A. Mazzuca, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, Long Hospital Room 545, 1110 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5100. E-mail: smazzuca@iupui.edu.
Change in self-efficacy, autonomous and controlled motivation predicting smoking

Although motivational interviewing (MI) has been shown to be effective in changing health behaviors, its effects on smoking cessation have been mixed. The purpose of the present study is to assess factors of motivation and self-efficacy as they mediate the relationship between MI and smoking cessation. This is a secondary analysis of an MI based smoking cessation randomized trial. MI counseling was associated with change in smoking behaviors during a 12 months intervention but was not related to autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, or self-efficacy at baseline and 6 months, the hypothesized mediators. This study confirmed the pathway to quit smoking through increase in self-efficacy.
Preservation of a Pseudogene by Gene Conversion and Diversifying Selection

Interlocus gene conversion is considered a crucial mechanism for generating novel combinations of polymorphisms in duplicated genes. The importance of gene conversion between duplicated genes has been recognized in the major histocompatibility complex and self-incompatibility genes, which are likely subject to diversifying selection. To theoretically understand the potential role of gene conversion in such situations, forward simulations are performed in various two-locus models. The results show that gene conversion could significantly increase the number of haplotypes when diversifying selection works on both loci. We find that the tract length of gene conversion is an important factor to determine the efficacy of gene conversion: shorter tract lengths can more effectively generate novel haplotypes given the gene conversion rate per site is the same. Similar results are also obtained when one of the duplicated genes is assumed to be a pseudogene. It is suggested that a duplicated gene, even after being silenced, will contribute to increasing the variability in the other locus through gene conversion. Consequently, the fixation probability and longevity of duplicated genes increase under the presence of gene conversion. On the basis of these findings, we propose a new scenario for the preservation of a duplicated gene: when the original donor gene is under diversifying selection, a duplicated copy can be preserved by gene conversion even after it is pseudogenized.
Phytoplankton dynamics and structure, and ecological status estimation by the Q assemblage index: a comparative analysis in two shallow Mediterranean lakes

The aim of this research was to compare the phytoplankton structure on the basis of environmental variables and test the Q assemblage index based on phytoplankton functional groups in two shallow Mediterranean lakes [Lake Taskisigi (LT) and Lake Little Akgol (LLA)] in the north of Turkey. Variations in the phytoplankton structure and environmental parameters were analyzed monthly at two stations of each lake between January 2013 and December 2013. We showed that total phosphorus (TP) values were vital in shaping phytoplankton biomass in eutrophic LLA. Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), TP, zmix/zeu, and macrophyte coverage are important in shaping the differences in dominant phytoplankton functional groups between two lakes. Generally, diversity values were similar between the two lakes and environmental parameters had no effect on diversities to constitute significant differences. The assessment using the Q index gave compatible results for determining the ecological status of LT and LLA.
Effect of temperature on growth and activity of Aeromonas spp. and mixed bacterial populations in the Anacostia River

During the winter months, total bacterial counts in the water column and in the sediment in the Anacostia River were two- to eightfold higher than at other times of the year, whereas Aeromonas spp. decreased in number of several orders of magnitude. This significant decrease in number in the Anacostia River during the cold months of the year can be explained by the low metabolic activity of Aeromonas at low temperatures.
Chemically Defined Parallel Pathways in the Monkey Auditory System

Abstract: The pathways ascending through the brain stem to the medial geniculate complex of the thalamus can be distinguished by immunostaining for the calcium binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin and by the properties of the neurons in the subdivisions of the medial geniculate complex in which they terminate. The parvalbumin pathway, ascending from the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, is the more direct and terminates in the ventral nucleus. The calbindin pathway is more diffuse in its origins and terminates in the dorsal and medial nuclei. Ventral nucleus neurons are sharply tuned, tonotopically organized and consistent in their responses. They project to core areas of the auditory cortex characterized by high parvalbumin immunoreactivity and by similar neuronal properties. Neurons in the dorsal and medial nuclei are not frequency specific or tonotopic and are labile in their responses. They project more diffusely to belt areas of the auditory cortex in which parvalbumin immunoreactivity is reduced and in which neuronal responses are less specific than in the core. The belt areas are the origins of streams of corticocortical connections leading into the temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes. These routes can be differentially engaged in functional imaging studies of monkeys responding to biologically significant sounds.
EL AFRONTAMIENTO DE ADOLESCENTES TOTONACAS MEDIDO POR EL CRI-Y. EVALUACIÓN PSICOMÉTRICA

Ante la carencia de instrumentos que permitan una evaluacion formal y sistematizada de los niveles de bienestar psicologico de las diferentes etnias de nuestro pais y particularmente de los totonacas, esta investigacion busco analizar el funcionamiento psicometrico del Coping Response Inventory for youth CRI-Y que evaluo las estrategias de afrontamiento en adolescentes totonacas. La muestra se conformo por 456 adolescentes en edades de 12 a 18 anos, 187 mujeres y 269 hombres, estudiantes de telesecundarias y telebachilleratos de comunidades rurales del municipio de Papantla, Veracruz. Para este estudio se utilizo la adaptacion mexicana del CRI-Y (Vallejo, Osorno, Mazadiego y Segura, 2007) . Los resultados indicaron una buena consistencia interna del instrumento tanto en la escala global como en las generales. El analisis factorial arrojo los mismos factores senalados por Moos, contrario a lo reportado en investigaciones realizadas en Espana, Estados Unidos y Mexico. Es importante senalar que el instrumento mostro un mejor funcionamiento con adolescentes indigenas que con urbanos, esto puede indicar la importancia de considerar condiciones culturales especificas de cada poblacion que generalmente se pasan por alto. El contar con instrumentos de evaluacion psicologica para estos grupos etnicos puede ser de gran utilidad para el diseno de programas que apoyen su bienestar general.