Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explanation Shift: Investigating Interactions between Models and Shifting Data Distributions

As input data distributions evolve, the predictive performance of machine learning models tends to deteriorate. In practice, new input data tend to come without target labels. Then, state-of-the-art techniques model input data distributions or model prediction distributions and try to understand issues regarding the interactions between learned models and shifting distributions. We suggest a novel approach that models how explanation characteristics shift when affected by distribution shifts. We ﬁnd that the modeling of explanation shifts can be a better indicator for detecting out-of-distribution model behaviour than state-of-the-art techniques. We analyze different types of distribution shifts using synthetic examples and real-world data sets. We provide an algorithmic method that allows us to inspect the interaction between data set features and learned models and compare them to the state-of-the-art. We release our methods in an open-source Python package, as well as the code used to reproduce our experiments.
Multi-Agent Attention Actor-Critic Algorithm for Load Balancing in Cellular Networks

In cellular networks, User Equipment (UE) handoff from one Base Station (BS) to another, giving rise to the load balancing problem among the BSs. To address this problem, BSs can work collaboratively to deliver a smooth migration (or handoff) and satisfy the UEs' service requirements. This paper formulates the load balancing problem as a Markov game and proposes a Robust Multi-agent Attention Actor-Critic (Robust-MA3C) algorithm that can facilitate collaboration among the BSs (i.e., agents). In particular, to solve the Markov game and find a Nash equilibrium policy, we embrace the idea of adopting a nature agent to model the system uncertainty. Moreover, we utilize the self-attention mechanism, which encourages high-performance BSs to assist low-performance BSs. In addition, we consider two types of schemes, which can facilitate load balancing for both active UEs and idle UEs. We carry out extensive evaluations by simulations, and simulation results illustrate that, compared to the state-of-the-art MARL methods, Robust-MA3C scheme can improve the overall performance by up to 45%.
Surface Studies of Solids by Total Reflection of X-Rays

Analysis of the shape of the curve of reflected x-ray intensity vs glancing angle in the region of total reflection provides a new method of studying certain structural properties of the mirror surface about 10 to several hundred angstroms deep. Dispersion theory, extended to treat any (small) number of stratified homogeneous media, is used as a basis of interpretation.
Trade‐offs in carbon‐degrading enzyme activities limit long‐term soil carbon sequestration with biochar addition

Biochar amendment is one of the most promising agricultural approaches to tackle climate change by enhancing soil carbon (C) sequestration. Microbial‐mediated decomposition processes are fundamental for the fate and persistence of sequestered C in soil, but the underlying mechanisms are uncertain. Here, we synthesise 923 observations regarding the effects of biochar addition (over periods ranging from several weeks to several years) on soil C‐degrading enzyme activities from 130 articles across five continents worldwide. Our results showed that biochar addition increased soil ligninase activity targeting complex phenolic macromolecules by 7.1%, but suppressed cellulase activity degrading simpler polysaccharides by 8.3%. These shifts in enzyme activities explained the most variation of changes in soil C sequestration across a wide range of climatic, edaphic and experimental conditions, with biochar‐induced shift in ligninase:cellulase ratio correlating negatively with soil C sequestration. Specifically, short‐term (<1 year) biochar addition significantly reduced cellulase activity by 4.6% and enhanced soil organic C sequestration by 87.5%, whereas no significant responses were observed for ligninase activity and ligninase:cellulase ratio. However, long‐term (≥1 year) biochar addition significantly enhanced ligninase activity by 5.2% and ligninase:cellulase ratio by 36.1%, leading to a smaller increase in soil organic C sequestration (25.1%). These results suggest that shifts in enzyme activities increased ligninase:cellulase ratio with time after biochar addition, limiting long‐term soil C sequestration with biochar addition. Our work provides novel evidence to explain the diminished soil C sequestration with long‐term biochar addition and suggests that earlier studies may have overestimated soil C sequestration with biochar addition by failing to consider the physiological acclimation of soil microorganisms over time.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging T1 and T2 Mapping in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Relation to Antimalarial Treatment

Purpose: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at risk of cardiac disease including antimalarial-induced cardiomyopathy (AMIC). The purpose of this study is to evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance imaging parametric mapping findings in SLE patients with AMIC and investigate the relationship of T1/T2 mapping to antimalarial (AM) treatment duration. Materials and Methods: All patients with SLE who had undergone cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with T1/T2 mapping for evaluation of suspected cardiac disease between 2018 and 2021 were evaluated and compared with healthy controls. To facilitate comparison between scanners, T1/T2 values were converted to a z-score using scanner-specific local reference values. Patients were classified into 3 groups: AMIC, myocarditis, and other (no AMIC or myocarditis). Results: Forty-five SLE patients (47±17 y, 80% female; 8 [18%] with AMIC and 7 [16%] with myocarditis) and 30 healthy controls (39±15 y, 60% female) were included. Patients with AMIC had higher T1 and T2 compared with controls (z-score 1.1±1.3 vs. 0±0.6, P=0.01 and 1.7±1.1 vs. 0±1.0, P<0.01, respectively) and lower values compared with those with myocarditis (3.7±1.6, P<0.01 and 4.0±2.0, P<0.01, respectively). T1 correlated negatively with AM treatment duration in patients without AMIC or myocarditis (r=−0.36, P=0.048) and positively in patients with AMIC (r=0.92, P=0.001). AM treatment duration did not correlate significantly with T1 in patients with myocarditis or with T2 in any group. Conclusions: The relationship between T1 and AM treatment duration differed between groups. Native T1 decreases with longer treatment in patients without AMIC or myocarditis, possibility due to glycosphingolipid accumulation. In patients with AMIC, increasing T1 with longer treatment could reflect fibrosis.
Network pharmacology and molecular modelling study of Enhydra fluctuans for the prediction of the molecular mechanisms involved in the amelioration of nephrolithiasis

Abstract In view of the ethno medicinal use of Enhydra fluctuans for the treatment of kidney stones; the present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the amelioration of nephrolithiasis through a network pharmacology approach. The phytoconstituents were queried in DIGEP-Pred to identify the regulated proteins. The modulated proteins were then enriched in the STRING to predict the protein-protein interactions and the probably regulated pathways were traced in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Further, the network was constructed using Cytoscape ver 3.5. 1. Results showed that β-carotene was found to be regulating maximum targets i.e. 26. In addition, 63 proteins were triggered by the components in which the vitamin D receptor was targeted by the maximum phytoconstituents i.e. 16. The enrichment analysis identified the regulation of 67 pathways in which fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis-associated pathways (KEGG entry hsa05418) regulated ten genes. Further, protein kinase C-α was traced in 23 different pathways. In addition, the majority of the regulated genes were identified from the extracellular space via the modulation of 43 genes. Also, nuclear receptor activity had the maximum molecular function via the regulation of 7 genes. Likewise, the response to organic substance was predicted to trigger the top genes i.e. 43. In contrast, Stigmasterol, Baicalein-7-o-glucoside, and Kauran-16-ol were found to have a high affinity to bind with the VDR receptor confirmed by the molecular modelling and the dynamics. Hence, the study elucidated the probable molecular mechanisms of E. fluctuans in managing nephrolithiasis and identified the lead molecules, their targets, and possible pathways. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Development of the Anaerobic Microbiome in the Infant Gut

Ninety-five percent of gut microbiota are anaerobes and vary according to age and diet. Complex carbohydrates in human milk enhance the growth of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in the first year. Complex carbohydrates in solid foods enhance the growth of Bacteroides and Clostridium in the second year. Short-chain fatty acids produced by Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium may reduce obesity, diabetes and IBD.
Hybrid genetic algorithms using quadratic local search operators

Purpose – The paper aims to present a new methodology for hybrid genetic algorithms (GA) in the solution of electromagnetic optimization problems.Design/methodology/approach – This methodology can be seen as a local search operator which uses local quadratic approximations for each objective and constraint function in the problem. In the local search phase, these approximations define an associated local search problem that is efficiently solved using a formulation based on linear matrix inequalities.Findings – The paper illustrates the proposed methodology comparing the performance of the hybrid GA against the basic GA in two analytical problems and in the well‐known TEAM benchmark Problem 22. For the analytical problems, 30 independent runs for each algorithm were considered whereas for Problem 22, ten independent runs for each algorithm were taken.Research limitations/implications – For the analytical problems, the hybrid GA enhanced both the convergence speed, in terms of the number of function evalua.
Paclitaxel-loaded ROS-responsive nanoparticles for head and neck cancer therapy

Abstract High intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level is characteristic of cancer cells and could act as a target for the efficient targeted drug delivery for cancer treatment. Consequently, biomaterials that react to excessive levels of ROS are essential for biomedical applications. In this study, a novel ROS-responsive polymer based on D-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and poly (β-thioester) (TPGS-PBTE) was synthesized for targeted delivery of the first-line antineoplastic drug, paclitaxel (PTX). The resultant TPGS-PBTE NPs showed good ROS-responsive capability in size change and drug release. Compared to PTX, PTX-loaded nanoparticles (PTX@TPGS-PBTE NPs) showed enhanced cytotoxicity and higher level of apoptosis toward squamous cell carcinoma (SCC-7) cells. Tumor-targeted delivery of the NPs was also observed, especially after being modified with a tumor-targeting peptide, cRGD. Enhanced tumor growth inhibition was also observed in head and neck cancer SCC-7 murine models. In summary, PTX@TPGS-PBTE NPs can achieve good therapeutic effects of PTX against head and neck cancer both in vitro and in vivo, especially when modified by cRGD for active targeting, which enriched the application of ROS responsive system utilized in the delivery of anticancer drugs.
Effect of moderate exercise on osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease, which can cause a series of symptoms including pain and functional limitation, thus severely decreasing quality of life. OA pathogenesis can be categorized into four levels, including risk factors, potential mechanisms, intraarticular degeneration phenotype, and substantive histological changes. Moderate exercise can alleviate OA at all levels of pathogenesis, while excessive exercise may have adverse effects. Based on rat-related original research, the parameters of moderate exercise and the effect of improving osteoarthritis have been comprehensively summarized. Based on the extensive randomized controlled trial studies, results show various moderate exercises can improve the symptom and prognosis of OA in clinical settings. This review gives an overview of the pathogenesis of OA and the mechanisms as well as clinical examples of moderate exercise treatment, aimed at providing rationale and evidence for moderate exercise in the treatment of OA to facilitate the provision of appropriate exercise therapy for OA patients.
Mental Health in Adults With ADHD: Examining the Relationship With Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Objective: The mental health of adults with ADHD was compared to neurotypical controls, and associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and mental health were examined. Method: Seventy-two participants (n = 36 with ADHD) completed demographic questions assessing ADHD and mental health symptoms. CRF was estimated using the 6-Minute Walk Test and a self-perception question. Results: Those with ADHD had significantly poorer mental health outcomes than controls (p < .001), with 50% of adults with ADHD reporting severe to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Critically, lower CRF was associated with worse depression, anxiety, and stress (all p ≤ .03) across both groups. Within the ADHD group, those with higher estimated CRF had significantly lower stress. Among participants with less severe ADHD symptoms, those with higher perceived CRF had significantly lower depressive symptoms. Conclusion: In our cross-sectional study, participants with ADHD had poorer mental health than neurotypical controls, and higher fitness was associated with better mental health.
Ordering of fullerene and carbon nanotube thin films under energetic ion impact

We report the ordering of carbon nanostructures under energetic ion irradiation at low fluence (<5×1011ions∕cm2). Fullerene thin films and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films were irradiated with 200MeV Au and 60MeV Ni ions at different ion fluences, respectively. The changes in the irradiated films have been investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy show the improvement of vibration strength in low fluence irradiated fullerene and MWCNT films. X-ray diffraction analysis on low fluence irradiated fullerene films revealed the structural order along the (220) atomic planes.
Genome Sequence Resource of Bacillus velezensis Strain ML61, a Potential Biocontrol Bacterium Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Bok Choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis)

Bacillus velezensis is widely known as a biocontrol agent against various plant diseases. Here, we report on the genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis strain ML61, which was isolated from the rhizosphere of bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) in Hangzhou, China, in 2020. ABSTRACT Bacillus velezensis is widely known as a biocontrol agent against various plant diseases. Here, we report on the genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis strain ML61, which was isolated from the rhizosphere of bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) in Hangzhou, China, in 2020.
Understanding Capacity and Optimizing Meaningful Engagement among Persons Living with Dementia

Meaningful engagement is a key dimension of quality of life among persons living with dementia, yet little is known about how to best to promote it. Guided by grounded theory methods, we present analysis of data collected over a 1-year period in four diverse assisted living (AL) communities as part of the study, “Meaningful Engagement and Quality of Life among Assisted Living Residents with Dementia. ” Our aims are to: (a) learn how meaningful engagement is negotiated among AL residents with dementia and their care partners; and (b) identify how to create these positive encounters. Researchers followed 33 residents and 100 care partners (formal and informal) and used participant observation, resident record review, and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis identified “engagement capacity” as central to the negotiation of meaningful engagement. We conclude that understanding and optimizing the engagement capacities of residents, care partners, care convoys, and settings, are essential to creating and enhancing meaningful engagement among persons living with dementia.
Development and validation of a Bayesian network predicting neurosurgical intervention after injury in children and adolescents

We present a Bayesian network that predicts the probability of neurosurgical intervention after injury in children and adolescents using immediately available data upon hospital arrival. #tbi #pedsurgbestsurg @peditraumasoc @docsulli92; @childrensnatl; @vcugensurgres; @vcu_surgery; @childrenscolo BACKGROUND Timely surgical decompression improves functional outcomes and survival among children with traumatic brain injury and increased intracranial pressure. Previous scoring systems for identifying the need for surgical decompression after traumatic brain injury in children and adults have had several barriers to use. These barriers include the inability to generate a score with missing data, a requirement for radiographic imaging that may not be immediately available, and limited accuracy. To address these limitations, we developed a Bayesian network to predict the probability of neurosurgical intervention among injured children and adolescents (aged 1–18 years) using physical examination findings and injury characteristics observable at hospital arrival. METHODS We obtained patient, injury, transportation, resuscitation, and procedure characteristics from the 2017 to 2019 Trauma Quality Improvement Project database. We trained and validated a Bayesian network to predict the probability of a neurosurgical intervention, defined as undergoing a craniotomy, craniectomy, or intracranial pressure monitor placement. We evaluated model performance using the area under the receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves. We evaluated the percentage of contribution of each input for predicting neurosurgical intervention using relative mutual information (RMI). RESULTS The final model included four predictor variables, including the Glasgow Coma Scale score (RMI, 31.9%), pupillary response (RMI, 11.6%), mechanism of injury (RMI, 5.8%), and presence of prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (RMI, 0.8%). The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–0.91) and had a calibration slope of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.29–1.26) with a y intercept of 0.05 (95% CI, −0.14 to 0.25). CONCLUSION We developed a Bayesian network that predicts neurosurgical intervention for all injured children using four factors immediately available on arrival. Compared with a binary threshold model, this probabilistic model may allow clinicians to stratify management strategies based on risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.
Extension of the Kubelka-Munk theory for fluorescent turbid media to a nonopaque layer on a background

Photoluminescence is one of the processes by which photons are emitted after the absorption of incoming photons at a higher energy. But the yield and spectral band shape of the emission can be altered by the optical properties of the luminophore environment through scattering and absorption. To understand these effects on a photoluminescent turbid layer, the Kubelka–Munk model, which is a two-flux approximation of the radiative transfer equation, can be used. Compared to previous works, this translucent layer can be applied on a colored opaque background. The model takes into account the absorption, scattering, and luminescent properties of the layer and the reflection by the background, for both the light excitation and the light emission. The competition between these different optical interactions is studied; e.g., the model can predict the presence of an emission maximum by increasing the thickness of the luminescent layer on a light background. Moreover, the model is extended to two important cases: the presence of a photoluminescent background and the effect of a refractive index discontinuity.
Poincaré Transversality for Double Covers

Let π: X’ —” X be a double cover of 2n-dimensional Poincaré duality (PD) spaces. The double cover is a fibering so it is classified by a map f: X → RP1+1(l ≫ n). If the homotopy class of f contains a representative which is Poincaré transverse [5] to RPl ⊂ RPl+1, we say that w is Poincaré split-table.
Unbiasedness of Prediction under Linex Loss Function in Autoregressive Moving Average Models

Yang, Jin-Rong. Unbiasedness of Prediction under Linex Loss Function in Autoregressive Moving Average Models Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2016. The asymmetric loss function is used in a situation where a positive error may be more serious than a negative error of the same magnitude or vice versa. One of the most commonly used asymmetric loss functions is the linex loss. The linex unbiased predictor has been developed and applied to real world applications. This study investigated how the linex unbiased prediction behaves when time series processes, AR(p), MA(q) and ARMA(p,q), parameters are unknown and being estimated, with different levels of variance, forecast step, shape parameter and series length. It started with deriving the predictor for each time series process, computing this predictor, and then discussing its properties. Empirical studies of the behavior of this predictor were investigated by using the Monte Carlo simulation. The results of this study showed that, a simpler time series model produced values that were closer to the condition of linex unbiasedness than a complex model. The condition of linex unbiasedness was affected by the variance but not the sign of the linex loss function shape parameter. For any time series model and any condition, as series length increased, the condition of linex unbiasedness values approached zero. When the time series parameters are unknown, the prediction is asymptotically linex unbiased.
Relationship between serum CHIP levels with cardiovascular disease in maintenance haemodialysis patients

Many preclinical studies reported that the carboxyl terminus of Hsp70‐interacting protein (CHIP) has cardiovascular protective effects. This study was designed to explore whether CHIP is related with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in maintanence haemodialysis (MHD) patients. 217 MHD patients and 150 healthy controls were recruited, serum CHIP concentration and clinical characteristics were measured. MHD patients were followed‐up for 36 months and their cardiovascular events (CVEs) and survival conditions were recorded. Here, the data shows that serum CHIP concentrations in MHD patients were lower than those in healthy controls (31.69 ± 18.2 pg/mL vs 84.53 ± 22.1 pg/mL, p < 0.05). CHIP negatively correlated with age, C‐reactive protein, B‐type brain natriuretic peptide, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and left ventricular septal thickness (LVSTd), whereas it positively associated with albumin, haemoglobin, creatinine, Kt/V and ejection fraction (p < 0.05, respectively). Partial correlation and multiple linear regression analysis verified the negative relationship between CHIP with CIMT or LVSTd (p < 0.05, respectively). Using quartile method and Kaplan–Meier survival function, it indetified that the lower serum CHIP concentration predicted risk of CVEs, CVD and all‐cause death (p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis manifested CHIP was negatively associated with CVEs (HR = 0.914, 95%CI 0.880–0.950, p < 0.001), CVD mortality (HR = 0.747, 95%CI 0.651–0.857, p < 0.001) and all‐cause death (HR = 0.769, 95%CI 0.696–0.850, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the data of this study revealed that serum CHIP level is significantly correlated with multiple risk factors of CVD and may be one of the predictors of CVD risk and death in MHD patients.