Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RetroRenting: An Online Policy for Service Caching at the Edge

The rapid proliferation of shared edge computing platforms has enabled application service providers to deploy a wide variety of services with stringent latency and high bandwidth requirements. A key advantage of these platforms is that they provide pay-as-you-go flexibility by charging clients in proportion to their resource usage through short-term contracts. This affords the client significant cost-saving opportunities, by dynamically deciding when to host (cache) its service on the platform, depending on the changing intensity of requests. A natural caching policy for our setting is the Time-To-Live (TTL) policy. We show that TTL performs poorly both in the adversarial arrival setting, i.e., in terms of the competitive ratio, and for i.i. d. stochastic arrivals with low arrival rates, irrespective of the value of the TTL timer. We propose an online caching policy called RetroRenting (RR) and show that in the class of deterministic online policies, RR is order-optimal with respect to the competitive ratio. In addition, we provide performance guarantees for RR for i.i. d. stochastic arrival processes and prove that it compares well with the optimal online policy. Further, we conduct simulations using both synthetic and real world traces to compare the performance of RR and its variants with the optimal offline and online policies. The simulations show that the performance of RR is near optimal for all settings considered. Our results illustrate the universality of RR.
Covariant Density Functional Theory in Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics

How does subatomic matter organize itself? Neutron stars are cosmic laboratories uniquely poised to answer this fundamental question that lies at the heart of nuclear science. Newly commissioned rare isotope facilities, telescopes operating across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and ever more sensitive gravitational wave detectors will probe the properties of neutron-rich matter with unprecedented precision over an enormous range of densities. A coordinated effort between observation, experiment, and theoretical research is of paramount importance for realizing the full potential of these investments. Theoretical nuclear physics provides valuable insights into the properties of neutron-rich matter in regimes that are not presently accessible to experiment or observation. In particular, nuclear density functional theory is likely the only tractable framework that can bridge the entire nuclear landscape by connecting finite nuclei to neutron stars. This compelling connection is the main scope of the present review.
Addressing the Curse of Mobility in Massive MIMO With Prony-Based Angular-Delay Domain Channel Predictions

Massive MIMO is widely touted as an enabling technology for 5th generation (5G) mobile communications and beyond. On paper, the large excess of base station (BS) antennas promises unprecedented spectral efficiency gains. Unfortunately, during the initial phase of industrial testing, a practical challenge arose which threatens to undermine the actual deployment of massive MIMO: user mobility-induced channel Doppler. In fact, testing teams reported that in moderate-mobility scenarios, e.g., 30 km/h of user equipment (UE) speed, the performance drops up to 50% compared to the low-mobility scenario, a problem rooted in the acute sensitivity of massive MIMO to this channel Doppler, and not foreseen by many theoretical papers on the subject. In order to deal with this “curse of mobility”, we propose a novel form of channel prediction method, named Prony-based angular-delay domain (PAD) prediction, which is built on exploiting the specific angle-delay-Doppler structure of the multipath. In particular, our method relies on the high angular-delay resolution which arises in the context of 5G. Our theoretical analysis shows that when the number of base station antennas and the bandwidth are large, the prediction error of our PAD algorithm converges to zero for any UE velocity level, provided that only two accurate enough previous channel samples are available. Moreover, when the channel samples are inaccurate, we propose to combine the PAD algorithm with a denoising method for channel estimation phase based on the subspace structure and the long-term statistics of the channel observations. Simulation results show that under a realistic channel model of 3GPP in rich scattering environment, our proposed method is able to overcome this challenge and even approaches the performance of stationary scenarios where the channels do not vary at all.
Brane universe and holography in the spacetime of a charged AdS dilaton black hole

In the background of a charged AdS dilaton black hole, we investigate the movement of a self-graviting 3-brane and relevant holographic effects as the brane move close to the AdS boundary. The induced metric on brane corresponds to an exact FLRW geometry, while the evolution of brane is determined by Israel junction condition and the effective Einstein field equation on brane together. When the brane approaches the AdS boundary, AdS/CFT correspondence implies that a radiation dominated FLRW-universe ($P=\frac{1}{3}\rho$) should be given. According to the holographic renormalization procedure, we involve an appropriate surface counterterm into the gravitational action for achieving $P=\frac{1}{3}\rho$ on brane. This surface counterterm also plays a important role in caculating the mass of charged AdS dilaton black hole. Finally, we obtain the thermodynamic quantities and give an extend Cardy-Verlinde formula on brane.
Orientation dependence of the magnetic phase diagram of 
Yb2Ti2O7

When interactions support quantum fluctuations in frustrated magnets, one may hope to realize a quantum spin liquid. Here, the authors report a detailed experimental and theoretical study of the low-temperature phase diagram of the pyrochlore quantum magnet Yb${}_{2}$Ti${}_{2}$O${}_{7}$. Despite the geometric frustration associated with this structure, the material exhibits anisotropic ferromagnetism at low temperatures. The reentrant phase diagram and the reversed anisotropy of the upper critical field reported here are, however, inconsistent with a classical description and indicate that the reentrant low-field regime is driven by quantum fluctuations.
The impact of advection on large-wavelength stability of stripes near planar Turing instabilities

It is well known that for reaction-diffusion systems with differential isotropic diffusions, a Turing instability yields striped solutions. In this paper we study the impact of weak anisotropy by directional advection on such solutions, and the role of quadratic terms. We focus on the generic form of planar reaction-diffusion systems with two components near such a bifurcation. Using Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction and Floquet-Bloch decomposition we derive a rigorous parameter expansion for existence and stability against large wavelength perturbations. This provides detailed formulae for the loci of bifurcations and so-called Eckhaus as well as zigzag stability boundaries under the influence of the advection and quadratic terms. In particular, while destabilisation of the background state is through modes perpendicular to the advection (Squire-theorem), we show that stripes can bifurcate zigzag unstably. We illustrate these results numerically by an example. Finally, we show numerical computations of these stability boundaries in the extended Klausmeier model for vegetation patterns and show stripes bifurcate stably in the presence of advection.
Evaluation of Zhizhukuanzhong capsule in treatment of functional dyspepsia in 403 patients:a phase II clinical trial

AIM: To observe the effects and safety of Zhizhukuanzhong capsule on functional dyspepsia(FD). METHODS: Four hundred and three patients with functional dyspepsia were randomly divided into three groups . One hundred and ninety-six patients in double-blind treatment group were treated with Zhizhukuanzhong capsule 1.29 g,po ,tid,and cisapride-simulated tablet B. One hundred and five patients in double-blind control group were treated with cisapride 5 mg, po , tid, and zhizhukuanzhong-simulated capsule A. One hundred and two patients in open treatment group were treated with Zhizhukuanzhong capsule 1.29 g,po ,tid . The course of treatment was 2 wk. The changes of symptom and gastric emptying (sixty patients in double-blind treatment group,thirty patients in double-blind control group )before and after oral administration of drugs were observed. Safety was evaluated by laboratory and physical examination. RESULTS: All the treatment and control groups had significantly improved the symptoms of FD. The effective rates of the drugs in double-blind treatment group,double-blind control group and open treatment group on the traditional Chinese medicine syndromes were 86.7 %,77.1 %,89.2 %,respectively. There were no statistical differences in the effective rate and the change of gastric emptying between double-blind treatment and control groups( P 0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: Zhizhukuanzhong capsule is effective and safe in the treatment of functional dyspepsia.
Genomic insights into Vibrio cholerae O1 responsible for cholera epidemics in Tanzania between 1993 and 2017

Background Tanzania is one of seven countries with the highest disease burden caused by cholera in Africa. We studied the evolution of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated in Tanzania during the past three decades. Methodology/Principal findings Genome-wide analysis was performed to characterize V. cholerae O1 responsible for the Tanzanian 2015–2017 outbreak along with strains causing outbreaks in the country for the past three decades. The genomes were further analyzed in a global context of 590 strains of the seventh cholera pandemic (7PET), as well as environmental isolates from Lake Victoria. All Tanzanian cholera outbreaks were caused by the 7PET lineage. The T5 sub-lineage (ctxB3) dominated outbreaks until 1997, followed by the T10 atypical El Tor (ctxB1) up to 2015, which were replaced by the T13 atypical El Tor of the current third wave (ctxB7) causing most cholera outbreaks until 2017 with T13 being phylogenetically related to strains from East African countries, Yemen and Lake Victoria. The strains were less drug resistant with approximate 10-kb deletions found in the SXT element, which encodes resistance to sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Nucleotide deletions were observed in the CTX prophage of some strains, which warrants further virulence studies. Outbreak strains share 90% of core genes with V. cholerae O1 from Lake Victoria with as low as three SNPs difference and a significantly similar accessory genome, composed of genomic islands namely the CTX prophage, Vibrio Pathogenicity Islands; toxin co-regulated pilus biosynthesis proteins and the SXT-ICE element. Conclusion/Significance Characterization of V. cholerae O1 from Tanzania reveals genetic diversity of the 7PET lineage composed of T5, T10 and T13 sub-lineages with introductions of new sequence types from neighboring countries. The presence of these sub-lineages in environmental isolates suggests that the African Great Lakes may serve as aquatic reservoirs for survival of V. cholerae O1 favoring continuous human exposure.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and sodium intake in Zhejiang Province, China: A cross-sectional survey in 2017

Background In recent decades, hypertension has become a popular public health problem in China. In 2017, a cross-sectional survey about hypertension and sodium intake measured by 24-hour (24-h) urine was launched in Zhejiang Province, to provide the basis of the Chinese population to develop a salt reduction intervention and prevention of hypertension strategy. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from 7512 participants aged 18 to 69 years in Zhejiang Province of China by complex, multistage sampling methods. The survey included face-to-face questionnaires and physical examination among all participants. Blood pressures and the use of anti-hypertension medications were used to determine hypertension. One thousand five hundred participants of them were asked to collect 24-h urine to measure sodium and potassium levels to assess intake. All rates and means were weighted by sampling weight and population structure of the province. Results The weighted means of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 127.78 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], 127.21–128.36) and 79.40 mm Hg (95%CI, 79.04–79.76). The weighted hypertension prevalence was 30.41% (95%CI, 28.91–31.91). Among those classified as having hypertension, 43.55% (95%CI, 40.77–46.34) were aware of the fact that they were suffering from hypertension, 32.05% (95%CI, 29.49–34.61) of them reported taking anti-hypertension medications, only 14.48% (95%CI, 12.54–16.42) had their blood pressure controlled. The weighted means of 24-h urinary sodium was 165.52 mmol (standard deviation [SD], 2.92), representing that the mean intake of sodium chloride was 9.68g (SD, 0.17) through conversion. Conclusion These cross-sectional survey results show that hypertension and excessive sodium intake in adults are prevalent in Zhejiang Province, China. Salt reduction and prevention of hypertension is still an urgent public health work.
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Itch.

Itch is a topic to which everyone can relate. The physiologic roles of itch are increasingly understood and appreciated. The pathophysiologic consequences of itch impact quality of life as much as pain. These dynamics have led to increasingly deep dives into the mechanisms that underlie and contribute to the sensation of itch. When the prior review on the Physiology of Itching was published in this journal, in 1941, itch was a black box of interest to a small number of neuroscientists and dermatologists. Itch is now appreciated as a complex and colorful Rubik's cube. Acute and chronic itch are being carefully scratched apart and reassembled by puzzle solvers across the biomedical spectrum. Mediators are being identified. Mechanisms blur boundaries of the circuitry that blend neuroscience and immunology. Measures involve psychophysics and behavioral psychology. The efforts associated with these approaches is positively impacting the care of itchy patients. There is now the potential to markedly alleviate itch, a condition that does not end life, but often ruins it. We review the itch field and provide a current understanding of the pathophysiology of itch. Itch is a disease, not only a symptom of disease.
Predator-informed looming stimulus experiments reveal how large filter feeding whales capture highly maneuverable forage fish

Significance Rorqual whales include the largest predators of all time, yet some species capture forage fish at speeds that barely exceed their quarry, suggesting that highly maneuverable fish should easily escape. We found that humpback whales delay the expansion of their jaws until very close to schools of anchovies, and it is only at this point that the prey react, when it is too late for a substantial portion of them to escape. This suggests that escape responses of these schooling fish, which have evolved under pressure from single-prey feeding predators for millions of years before the advent of lunge feeding, are not tuned sufficiently to respond to predators that can engulf entire schools, allowing humpback whales flexibility in prey choice. The unique engulfment filtration strategy of microphagous rorqual whales has evolved relatively recently (<5 Ma) and exploits extreme predator/prey size ratios to overcome the maneuverability advantages of swarms of small prey, such as krill. Forage fish, in contrast, have been engaged in evolutionary arms races with their predators for more than 100 million years and have performance capabilities that suggest they should easily evade whale-sized predators, yet they are regularly hunted by some species of rorqual whales. To explore this phenomenon, we determined, in a laboratory setting, when individual anchovies initiated escape from virtually approaching whales, then used these results along with in situ humpback whale attack data to model how predator speed and engulfment timing affected capture rates. Anchovies were found to respond to approaching visual looming stimuli at expansion rates that give ample chance to escape from a sea lion-sized predator, but humpback whales could capture as much as 30–60% of a school at once because the increase in their apparent (visual) size does not cross their prey’s response threshold until after rapid jaw expansion. Humpback whales are, thus, incentivized to delay engulfment until they are very close to a prey school, even if this results in higher hydrodynamic drag. This potential exaptation of a microphagous filter feeding strategy for fish foraging enables humpback whales to achieve 7× the energetic efficiency (per lunge) of krill foraging, allowing for flexible foraging strategies that may underlie their ecological success in fluctuating oceanic conditions.
Infectious Keratitis Caused by Rare and Emerging Micro-Organisms

ABSTRACT Purpose To provide a comprehensive review of rare and emerging micro-organisms causing infectious keratitis. Material and Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed Medline, Cochrane Library Database, EMBASE and Scopus (1960 onwards), using the terms: keratitis caused by rare pathogens; mycotic keratitis; fungal keratitis; bacterial keratitis; infectious keratitis; infective keratitis; atypical fungal keratitis; fungal keratitis caused by rare organisms; fungal keratitis caused by rare ocular pathogen; atypical bacterial keratitis; bacterial keratitis caused by rare organisms; bacterial keratitis caused by rare ocular pathogen. All relevant articles were included in this review. Results A total of 1232 articles matched our search strategy of which 124 articles were included in this mini-review. The rare and emerging bacteria causing keratitis include atypical mycobacteria, Nocardia spp. , Chrysebacterium spp. , Delftia acidovorans, Kocuria spp. , Enterococcus spp. , Bartonella henslae, Achromobacter spp. and others. The rare and emerging fungi causing keratitis include Pythium spp. , Alternaria spp. , Acremonium spp. , Cladosporium spp. , Curvularia spp. , Bipolaris spp. , Microsporidia spp. , Pseudallescheria spp. , Colletotrichum spp. , and others. The clinical presentation of these cases is variable. While a few organisms produce characteristic clinical features, rest present similar to bacterial or fungal keratitis with variable response to routine treatment. A strong degree of suspicion is therefore essential for its diagnosis. Special investigations like polymerase chain reaction, gene sequencing, mass spectroscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are required for accurate identification of these organisms. Culture-sensitivity is extremely useful as drug resistance to routinely used anti-microbial drugs is common. Prognosis is usually poor for keratitis with Pythium spp. , Pseudallescheria spp. , Arthrographis spp. , Purpureocillium spp. , Kociria spp. and Achromobacter spp. Conclusion Keratitis caused by rare and emerging micro-organisms must be suspected in cases where the infection runs an unusual course or shows a poor response to standard anti-microbial drugs. Early diagnosis and timely treatment hold the key for a good outcome.
Self-efficacy and Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Adults Participating in a Worksite Weight Loss Intervention: Multistate Modeling of Wearable Device Data

Background: Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of numerous types of cancer and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight. Wearable physical activity trackers may supplement behavioral intervention and enable researchers to study how determinants like self-efficacy predict physical activity patterns over time. Methods: We used multistate models to evaluate how self-efficacy predicted physical activity states among overweight and obese individuals participating in a 26-week weight loss program (N = 96). We specified five states to capture physical activity patterns: (i) active (i.e., meeting recommendations for 2 weeks), (ii) insufficiently active, (iii) nonvalid wear, (iv) favorable transition (i.e., improvement in physical activity over 2 weeks), and (v) unfavorable transition. We calculated HRs of transition probabilities by self-efficacy, body mass index, age, and time. Results: The average prevalence of individuals in the active, insufficiently active, and nonvalid wear states was 13%, 44%, and 16%, respectively. Low self-efficacy negatively predicted entering an active state [HR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–0.88]. Obesity negatively predicted making a favorable transition out of an insufficiently active state (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.91). Older participants were less likely to transition to the nonvalid wear state (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30–0.93). Device nonwear increased in the second half of the intervention (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.07–2.81). Conclusions: Self-efficacy is an important predictor for clinically relevant physical activity change in overweight and obese individuals. Multistate modeling is useful for analyzing longitudinal physical activity data. Impact: Multistate modeling can be used for statistical inference of covariates and allow for explicit modeling of nonvalid wear. See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “Modernizing Population Science. ”
Delayed afterdepolarization‐induced triggered activity in cardiac purkinje cells mediated through cytosolic calcium diffusion waves

Cardiac Purkinje cells (PCs) are more susceptible to action potential abnormalities as compared to ventricular myocytes (VMs), which could be associated with their distinct intracellular calcium handling. We developed a detailed biophysical model of a mouse cardiac PC, which importantly reproduces the experimentally observed biphasic cytosolic calcium waves. The model includes a stochastic gating formulation for the opening and closing of ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels, simulated with a Monte Carlo method, to accurately reproduce cytosolic calcium wave propagation and the effects of spontaneous calcium release events. Simulations predict that during an action potential, smaller cytosolic calcium wavelets propagated from the sarcolemma towards the center of the cell and initiated larger magnitude cell‐wide calcium waves via a calcium‐induced‐calcium release mechanism. In the presence of RyR mutations, frequent spontaneous calcium leaks from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) initiated calcium waves, which upon reaching the cell periphery produced delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) via sodium‐calcium exchanger (NCX) and T‐type calcium (ICaT) channel activation. In the presence of isoproterenol‐mediated effects, DADs induced triggered activity by reactivation of fast sodium channels. Based on our model, we found that the activation of either L‐type calcium channels (ICaL), ICaT, sodium‐potassium exchanger (INaK) or NCX is sufficient for occurrence of triggered activity; however, a partial blockade of ICaT or INaK is essential for its successful termination. Our modeling study highlights valuable insights into the mechanisms of DAD‐induced triggered activity mediated via cytosolic calcium waves in cardiac PCs and may elucidate the increased arrhythmogeneity in PCs.