Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimally Escaping a Room Using POMDPs

Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) are becoming more and more ubiquitous as technology continues to develop throughout the world. Examples include Professor Kochenderfer’s Aircraft Collision Avoidance algorithm [1], autonomous robots, marketing policies, and militaristic applications (moving target search, search and rescue, etc.)[2]. This paper focuses on documenting POMDP solving techniques applied to the following hypothetical scenario: A Roomba robot is placed in a room and has the goal of navigating its way to a goal wall (labelled green in the simulation). The robot knows the layout of the room (dimensions and spacing), but doesn’t know where it is placed. The robot is equipped with a bumper sensor that can tell when it hits a wall, but that is its only way to collect information on its location. A reward of -0.1 is given for every time step in the simulation and -1.0 for every time a wall is hit. The simulation continues until the robot either reaches a portion of the wall designated as the “stairs” (labelled in red in the simulation), resulting in a reward of -10, or reaches the goal, corresponding to a reward of +10. This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of ARDESPOT, QMDP, and continuous and discrete space Monte Carlo Tree Search solving techniques applied to the previously described POMDP scenario.
Fibroblast growth factor-23 regula tes parathyroid hormone and 1 a-hydroxylase expression in cultured bovine parathyroid cells

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a circulating factor that decreases serum levels of inorganic phosphate (Pi) as well as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Recent studies also suggest a correlation between serum levels of FGF23 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients with chronic kidney disease. It is, however, unknown whether FGF23 directly modulates PTH expression, or whether the correlation is secondary to abnormalities in Pi and vitamin D metabolism. The objective of the current study was therefore to elucidate possible direct effects of FGF23 on bovine parathyroid cells in vitro. Treatment of parathyroid cells with a stabilized form of recombinant FGF23 (FGF23(R176Q)) induced a rise in early response gene-1 mRNA transcripts, a marker of FGF23 signaling. FGF23(R176Q) potently and dose-dependently Journal of Endocrinology (2007) 195, 125–131 0022–0795/07/0195–125 q 2007 Society for Endocrinology Printed in Great decreased the PTH mRNA level within 12 h. In agreement, FGF23(R176Q) also decreased PTH secretion into conditioned media. In contrast, FGF23(R176Q) dose-dependently increased 1a-hydroxylase expression within 3 h. FGF23 (R176Q) did not affect cell viability nor induce apoptosis, whereas a small but significant increase in cell proliferation was found. We conclude that FGF23 is a negative regulator of PTH mRNA expression and secretion in vitro. Our data suggest that FGF23 may be a physiologically relevant regulator of PTH. This defines a novel function of FGF23 in addition to the previously established roles in controlling vitamin D and Pi metabolism. Journal of Endocrinology (2007) 195, 125–131
Balancing the bene fi ts and risks of blood transfusions in patients undergoing cardiac surgery : a propensity-matched analysis †

OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have found that cardiac surgery patients receiving blood transfusions are at risk for increased mortality and morbidity following surgery. It is not clear whether this increased risk occurs across all haematocrit (HCT) levels. The goal of this study was to compare operative mortality in propensity-matched cardiac surgery patients based on stratification of the preoperative HCT levels. METHODS: Between 1 August 2004 and 30 June 2011, 3516 patients had cardiac surgery. One thousand nine hundred and twenty-two (54.5%) required blood transfusion during or after surgery. A propensity score for transfusion was developed based on 22 baseline variables. One thousand seven hundred and fourteen patients were matched: 857 in the transfusion group (TG) and 857 in the nontransfused control group (CG). Univariate analyses demonstrated that, after propensity matching, the groups did not differ on any baseline factors included in the propensity model. Operative mortality was defined as death within 30 days of surgery. Preoperative HCT was stratified into four groups: <36, 36–39, 40–42 and ≥43. RESULTS: For HCT <36%, 30-day mortality was higher in the TG than that in the CG (3.0 vs 0.0%). For HCT 36–39, operative mortality was similar between TG (1.1%, N = 180) and CG (0.8%, N = 361; P = 0.748). For HCT 40–42, operative mortality was significantly higher in the TG compared with that in the CG (1.9 vs 0%, N = 108 and 218, respectively; P = 0.044). For HCT of ≥43, there was a trend towards higher operative mortality in the TG vs the CG (2.0 vs 0%, N = 102 and 152, respectively; P = 0.083). Other surgical complications followed the same pattern with higher rates found in the transfused group at higher presurgery HCT levels. HCT at discharge for the eight groups were similar, with an average of 29.1 ± 1.1% (P = 0.117). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that a broad application of blood products shows no discernible benefits. Furthermore, patients who receive blood at all HCT levels may be placed at an increased risk of operative mortality and/or other surgical complications. Paradoxically, even though patients with low HCTs theoretically should benefit the most, transfusion was still associated with a higher complication and mortality rate in these patients. Our results indicate that blood transfusion should be used judiciously in cardiac surgery patients.
Preliminary study of PAX9 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs8004560) in patients with Class II skeletal base malocclusion contributed by mandibular retrognatism

Polymorphism in PAX9 (rs8004560), a gene responsible for craniofacial and tooth development, is often associated with Class II/Div2 malocclusion. This study aimed to detect the presence of PAX9 SNP (rs8004560) and to determine its genotype and allele distribution in Class II skeletal base malocclusion, contributed by retrognathic mandible, in the local Malaysian population. The association of PAX9 SNP (rs8004560) with Class II skeletal base malocclusion was also determined. A case control study was performed on 30 samples; 15 from Class II skeletal base malocclusion, and 15 from Class I skeletal base subject as control. Cephalometric measurements were performed prior to saliva samples collection. Genomic DNA was extracted from unstimulated saliva of all subjects, and the DNA was amplified using specific primers for marker rs8004560, followed by genotyping by sequencing. SHEsis online software was used to analyse Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) for cases and controls. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were compared between cases and controls. Significant difference in allele frequency was observed within the group whereby G allele was over-represented in the analysed population (p<0.05). However, when compared between cases and control; there was no significant association between PAX9 SNP (rs8004560) with Class II skeletal base malocclusion (p=0.56, OR=0.71; 95% CI=0.225-2.246). The distribution of genotype frequency in both groups were consistent with HWE (p>0.05). Although no genetic association between PAX9 SNP (rs8004560) with Class II skeletal base malocclusion was observed, significant difference in allele frequency observed might provide some indication in the involvement of PAX9 polymorphism in Class II skeletal base malocclusion contributed by retrognathic mandible. Further research utilising larger sample size will be required in order to determine the role of PAX9 gene in the aetiology of Class II skeletal base malocclusion observed in the local Malaysian population.
Certain fundamental congruences on a regular semigroup

In recent developments in the algebraic theory of semigroups attention has been focussing increasingly on the study of congruences, in particular on lattice-theoretic properties of the lattice of congruences. In most cases it has been found advantageous to impose some restriction on the type of semigroup considered, such as regularity, commutativity, or the property of being an inverse semigroup, and one of the principal tools has been the consideration of special congruences. For example, the minimum group congruence on an inverse semigroup has been studied by Vagner [21] and Munn [13], the maximum idempotent-separating congruence on a regular or inverse semigroup by the authors separately [9, 10] and by Munn [14], and the minimum semilattice congruence on a general or commutative semigroup by Tamura and Kimura [19], Yamada [22], Clifford [3] and Petrich [15]. In this paper we study regular semigroups and our primary concern is with the minimum group congruence, the minimum band congruence and the minimum semilattice congruence, which we shall consistently denote by α β and η respectively.
Why Do Electricity Policy and Competitive Markets Fail to Use Advanced PV Systems to Improve Distribution Power Quality

The increasing pressure for network operators to meet distribution network power quality standards with increasing peak loads, renewable energy targets, and advances in automated distributed power electronics and communications is forcing policy-makers to understand new means to distribute costs and benefits within electricity markets. Discussions surrounding how distributed generation (DG) exhibits active voltage regulation and power factor/reactive power control and other power quality capabilities are complicated by uncertainties of baseline local distribution network power quality and to whom and how costs and benefits of improved electricity infrastructure will be allocated. DG providing ancillary services that dynamically respond to the network characteristics could lead to major network improvements. With proper market structures renewable energy systems could greatly improve power quality on distribution systems with nearly no additional cost to the grid operators. Renewable DG does have variability challenges, though this issue can be overcome with energy storage, forecasting, and advanced inverter functionality. This paper presents real data from a large-scale grid-connected PV array with large-scale storage and explores effective mitigation measures for PV system variability. We discuss useful inverter technical knowledge for policy-makers to mitigate ongoing inflation of electricity network tariff components by new DG interconnection requirements or electricity markets which value power quality and control.
Generating a Functional Grammar for Architectural Design from Structural Hierarchy in Combination of Square and Equal Triangle

Abstract—Islamic culture was accountable for a plethora of development in astronomy and science in the medieval term, and in geometry likewise. Geometric patterns are reputable in a considerable number of cultures, but in the Islamic culture the patterns have specific features that connect the Islamic faith to mathematics. In Islamic art, three fundamental shapes are generated from the circle shape: triangle, square and hexagon. Originating from their quiddity, each of these geometric shapes has its own specific structure. Even though the geometric patterns were generated from such simple forms as the circle and the square, they can be combined, duplicated, interlaced, and arranged in intricate combinations. So in order to explain geometrical interaction principles between square and equal triangle, in the first definition step, all types of their linear forces individually and in the second step, between them, would be illustrated. In this analysis, some angles will be created from intersection of their directions. All angles are categorized to some groups and the mathematical expressions among them are analyzed. Since the most geometric patterns in Islamic art and architecture are based on the repetition of a single motif, the evaluation results which are obtained from a small portion, is attributable to a large-scale domain while the development of infinitely repeating patterns can represent the unchanging laws. Geometric ornamentation in Islamic art offers the possibility of infinite growth and can accommodate the incorporation of other types of architectural layout as well, so the logic and mathematical relationships which have been obtained from this analysis are applicable in designing some architecture layers and developing the plan design.
Fostering Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation in Cities

The aim of this study is to develop a new tool to foster entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation in cities. The tool consists of transformative dimensions, able to synthesize, assemble and embrace the notions of entrepreneurial city, creative and innovative. Then it seeks to illustrate the operation of the city model proposed taking into account 51 Cities Master Plans in Brazil. The study is exploratory and adopts a reflexive methodology. The main innovative result is the entrepreneurial city model tool which meets five essential transformative dimensions: value proposition, customers, value configurations, strategic partnerships and revenue model. The entrepreneurial city model tool proposed aims to increase the dynamics understanding of the procedural flow in the city context, from the entrepreneurial activity perspective. This process flows dynamics can be expressed in the city, for example, in the planning, implementation and actions monitoring, programs, projects and public policies directed to notions of entrepreneurial city, creative and innovative. The innovative results of this research have several practical implications, among which are: (1) public management in the city; (2) public policy makers; (3) researchers and scholars; (4) human resource professionals.
Synchronization of Hyperchaotic Memristor-Based Chua’s Circuits

This paper further investigates the problem of synchronization of hyperchaotic memristor-based Chua’s circuits. An active control method is employed to design a controller to achieve the global synchronization of two identical memristor-based systems. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, a sufficient condition is given to guarantee the stability of the synchronization error system.
Research on a kind of energy interconnection communication network architecture based on the technology of SDN

In this paper, we make use of the software defined network (SDN) technology's characteristic of separating the function of forwarding and control to concentrate control function in the control layer (comprised by SDN controllers), and design a kind of communication network architecture for energy interconnection. Firstly, we give the concept of Intelligent Energy Controller (IEC), and make it as the device to arrange information from underlying network and implement commands from upper layer. Then, we describe the architecture and running process of the system, by introducing in detail the design of the architecture and the flow of information flowing in the network and how to process them. At the end, we analyze the benefits and hidden dangers of the architecture, to reveal the advantages and disadvantages of the architecture, as a reference to related researches.
Influence Factors of Users Satisfaction of Mobile Commerce -An Empirical Research in China

This study establishes a structural model to measure user satisfaction toward mobile commerce (m-commerce) from the perspective of m-commerce participants by analyzing factors influencing user satisfaction. A questionnaire survey on 428 m-commerce users is conducted. The model is verified by regression analysis and other analytical methods, and factors influencing the user satisfaction are determined. The features of m-commerce applications, performances of mobile intelligent terminals, and service quality of m-commerce are key factors influencing user satisfaction.This study proposes suggestions and recommendations to enhance user satisfaction and improve the vitality of m-commerce ecosystem. It further promotes mcommerce among customers, and thus increasing efficiency in learning, living, and working.The conclusions explain the factors influencing user satisfaction and provide recommendations and references for mobile network service providers, smart phone manufacturers, mobile application service providers, and other m-commerce participants to increase their market shares.
Junctionless multigate field-effect transistor

This paper describes a metal-oxide-semiconductor MOS transistor concept in which there are no junctions. The channel doping is equal in concentration and type to the source and drain extension doping. The proposed device is a thin and narrow multigate field-effect transistor, which can be fully depleted and turned off by the gate. Since this device has no junctions, it has simpler fabrication process, less variability, and better electrical properties than classical MOS devices with source and drain PN junctions.
Unraveling Flooding Dynamics and Nutrients’ Controls upon Phytoplankton Functional Dynamics in Amazonian Floodplain Lakes

The processes in tropical floodplain lakes enable maintaining phytoplankton nutrient requirements over a hydrological year. The nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon compounds play an essential role in phytoplankton growth. However, the way that nutrients and phytoplankton interact and how this relationship varies seasonally in tropical freshwater ecosystems is not clear. In this study, we evaluate the relationship between phytoplankton–nutrients over the hydrological cycle in Amazonian floodplain lakes and verify if this relationship influences the biomass of cyanobacteria. We also check what factors linked to nutrients act in structuring phytoplankton community. Using the phytoplankton functional approach, we verified how their ability to respond to hydrological and environmental variations reflects the ecological conditions and investigated how these interactions work. The results show that the Amazonian floodplain lakes could maintain long-term nutrient enrichment status. The nutrients input conduces to cyanobacteria dominance, that allied to other factors, play an essential role in supporting the stability of the phytoplankton–nutrients relationship over the hydrological cycle.
Three-dimensional Path Planning for Underwater Vehicles Based on an Improved Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm

Three-dimensional path planning for underwater vehicles is an important problem that focuses on optimizing the route with consideration of various constraints in a complex underwater environment. In this paper, an improved ant colony optimization (IACO) algorithm based on pheromone exclusion is proposed to solve the underwater vehicle 3D path planning problem. The IACO algorithm can balance the tasks of exploration and development in the ant search path, and enable the ants in the search process to explore initially and develop subsequently. Then, the underwater vehicle can find the safe path by connecting the chosen nodes of the 3D mesh while avoiding the threat area. This new approach can overcome common disadvantages of the basic ant colony algorithm, such as falling into local extremum, poor quality, and low accuracy. Experimental comparative results demonstrate that this proposed IACO method is more effective and feasible in underwater vehicle 3D path planning than the basic ACO model.
Household Production, Services and Monetary Policy

A distinctive feature of market-provided services is that some of them have close substitutes at home. Households may therefore switch between consuming home and market services in response to changes in the real wage - the opportunity cost of working at home - and changes in the price of market services. In order to analyze and quantify the implications of this trade-off for monetary policy, I embed a household sector into an otherwise standard sticky price DSGE model, which I calibrate to the U.S. economy. The results of the model are twofold. At the sectoral level, household production augments the service sector's New Keynesian Phillips curve with a sizable extra component that co-moves negatively with the output gap term, lowering the incentive of service sector firms to change their prices. This mechanism endogenously amplifies the real effects of a monetary shock in that sector, unlike in the nondurable goods sector for which households cannot manufacture substitutes at home. At the aggregate level, household production also implies more sluggish prices and a stronger response of real macroeconomic variables to a monetary shock. Some empirical support for this theory is provided.
A tutoring system using an emotion-focused strategy to support learners

Many tutoring systems have employed problem-focused strategies for helping students regulate their emotional states. This paper describes an affective tutoring system that added an emotion-focused strategy (a relaxation exercise) to a standard problemfocused strategy (programming advice and feedback) in order to help students better regulate their emotional states when learning about data structure manipulation. The evaluation indicated that this additional strategy improved learning outcomes and was helpful in emotionally supporting students with both good and poor performance.
Audio-Visual based Emotion Recognition with the Balance of Dominances

Emotion recognition has been one of the most important issues in human computer interaction (HCI). In this paper, we propose a novel bimodal emotion recognition approach by using the boosting-based framework, in which we can automatically determine the adaptive weights for audio and visual features. In this way, we balance the dominances of audio and visual features dynamically in feature-level to obtain better performance. To ensure the tracking accuracy of facial feature points, the traditional KLT algorithm is integrated with Point Distribution Model (PDM) to guide the deformation of facial features. Experiments show the validity and effectiveness of our method.
Expressive Musical Timing

Timing is crucial for the quality of expressive music performances. It is a means to mediate musical form and largely effects the emotive and motor characterization of a piece. Different epochs of music history do not only differ in their compositional styles but also caused change processes in performance practise. To facilitate musicological investigations in historically informed performances and their changes, especially in the late baroque period, we had to create a software tool—less an autonomous performance system, rather a high-level performance editing system. Flexible formal models for performative features should allow to explore the parameter spaces and to simulate and evaluate a broad variety of styles: reserved baroque, affective romantic, unprecise beginners, and so on. This paper focusses on the timing aspects of musical performances. We identified four general feature classes, namely tempo, rubato, constant asynchrony and human imprecision. To explore their degrees of freedom we ran a number of evaluations of professional recordings, live performances, and experimental recordings. On this basis we elaborate adequate formal models and describe their implementation within a MIDI-based performance system.