Reinforcement Learning for SBM Graphon Games with Re-Sampling

The Mean-Field approximation is a tractable approach for studying large population dynamics. However, its assumption on homogeneity and universal connections among all agents limits its applicability in many real-world scenarios. Multi-Population Mean-Field Game (MP-MFG) models have been introduced in the literature to address these limitations. When the underlying Stochastic Block Model is known, we show that a Policy Mirror Ascent algorithm finds the MP-MFG Nash Equilibrium. In more realistic scenarios where the block model is unknown, we propose a re-sampling scheme from a graphon integrated with the finite N-player MP-MFG model. We develop a novel learning framework based on a Graphon Game with Re-Sampling (GGR-S) model, which captures the complex network structures of agents' connections. We analyze GGR-S dynamics and establish the convergence to dynamics of MP-MFG. Leveraging this result, we propose an efficient sample-based N-player Reinforcement Learning algorithm for GGR-S without population manipulation, and provide a rigorous convergence analysis with finite sample guarantee

Updatable Private Set Intersection

Private set intersection (PSI) allows two mutually distrusting parties each with a set as input, to learn the intersection of both their sets without revealing anything more about their respective input sets. Traditionally, PSI studies the static setting where the computation is performed only once on both parties\u27 input sets. We initiate the study of updatable private set intersection (UPSI), which allows parties to compute the intersection of their private sets on a regular basis with sets that also constantly get updated. We consider two specific settings. In the first setting called UPSI with addition, parties can add new elements to their old sets. We construct two protocols in this setting, one allowing both parties to learn the output and the other only allowing one party to learn the output. In the second setting called UPSI with weak deletion, parties can additionally delete their old elements every $t$ days. We present a protocol for this setting allowing both parties to learn the output. All our protocols are secure against semi-honest adversaries and have the guarantee that both the computational and communication complexity only grow with the set updates instead of the entire sets. Finally, we implement our UPSI with addition protocols and compare with the state-of-the-art PSI protocols. Our protocols compare favorably when the total set size is sufficiently large, the new updates are sufficiently small, or in networks with low bandwidth

Genome and pan-genome assembly of asparagus bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedialis) reveal the genetic basis of cold adaptation

Asparagus bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedialis) is an important cowpea subspecies. We assembled the genomes of Ningjiang 3 (NJ, 550.31 Mb) and Dubai bean (DB, 564.12 Mb) for comparative genomics analysis. The whole-genome duplication events of DB and NJ occurred at 64.55 and 64.81 Mya, respectively, while the divergence between soybean and Vigna occurred in the Paleogene period. NJ genes underwent positive selection and amplification in response to temperature and abiotic stress. In species-specific gene families, NJ is mainly enriched in response to abiotic stress, while DB is primarily enriched in respiration and photosynthesis. We established the pan-genomes of four accessions (NJ, DB, IT97K-499-35 and Xiabao II) and identified 20,336 (70.5%) core genes present in all the accessions, 6,507 (55.56%) variable genes in two individuals, and 2,004 (6.95%) unique genes. The final pan genome is 616.35 Mb, and the core genome is 399.78 Mb. The variable genes are manifested mainly in stress response functions, ABC transporters, seed storage, and dormancy control. In the pan-genome sequence variation analysis, genes affected by presence/absence variants were enriched in biological processes associated with defense responses, immune system processes, signal transduction, and agronomic traits. The results of the present study provide genetic data that could facilitate efficient asparagus bean genetic improvement, especially in producing cold-adapted asparagus bean

Characterization and coagulation-flocculation performance of a composite flocculant in high-turbidity drinking water treatment

Klebsiella variicola B16, a microbial bioflocculant (MBF-B16)-producing bacteria, was isolated and identified by its 16S rRNA sequence, biochemical properties, and physiological characteristics. The effects of culture conditions on MBF-B16 production, including carbon source, nitrogen source, C/N ratio, initial pH, and culture temperature, were investigated in this study. Results showed that 6.96 g of MBF-B16 could be extracted from a 1-L culture broth under optimized conditions. Chemical analysis showed that polysaccharide and protein were the main components. The neutral sugar consisted of galactose only, which was proposed in Klebsiella genus for the first time. In addition, a composite flocculant (CF) that contains polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) and MBF-B16 for the removal of turbidity and SS in drinking water was optimized by response surface methodology. CF could reduce PAFC dosage by about 56.2-72%. Charge neutralization and adsorption bridging effect were the primary flocculation mechanisms. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Changes in Cardiovascular Health during Young Adulthood and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Middle Age: The CARDIA Study

Background and aims: The benefits of reaching ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) are well known, but it is unclear whether positive CVH changes from young adulthood to middle age reduce subclinical atherosclerosis risk. This study examined associations of changes in CVH from young adulthood to middle age and CVH in young adulthood with subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods: Data was analyzed from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. CVH was examined at years 0 and 20 using Life Simple 7 metrics from AHA guideline. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) was identified at years 20 and 25. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was identified at year 20. Results: Among 2,935 participants (56.2% women, 46.7% black), the change of CVH score was –1.26 (2.13). For per 1-unit increase in CVH at baseline, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of presence of CAC and IMT were 0.81 (95% CI 0.78, 0.86) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.76, 0.94), respectively. For per 1-unit increase in CVH changes, the adjusted ORs of CAC and IMT were 0.86 (95% CI 0.82, 0.90) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.73, 0.90). Compared with stable moderate CVH, improvement from moderate to high was associated with a lower risk of CAC (0.64 [95% CI 0.43, 0.96]), while retrogression from moderate to low was associated with a higher risk of CAC (1.45 [95% CI 1.19, 1.76]). Conclusions: Positive changes of CVH during young adulthood are associated with negative subclinical atherosclerosis risk in middle age, indicating the importance of reaching an ideal cardiovascular health status through young adulthood

Genome-Wide Identification of Polyamine Oxidase (PAO) Family Genes: Roles of <i>CaPAO2</i> and <i>CaPAO4</i> in the Cold Tolerance of Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.)

Polyamine oxidases (PAOs), which are flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent enzymes, catalyze polyamine (PA) catabolism, producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Several PAO family members have been identified in plants, but their expression in pepper plants remains unclear. Here, six PAO genes were identified in the ‘Zunla-1’ pepper genome (named CaPAO1–CaPAO6 according to their chromosomal positions). The PAO proteins were divided into four subfamilies according to phylogenetics: CaPAO1 belongs to subfamily I; CaPAO3 and CaPAO5 belong to subfamily III; and CaPAO2, CaPAO4, and CaPAO6 belong to subfamily IV (none belong to subfamily II). CaPAO2, CaPAO4, and CaPAO6 were ubiquitously and highly expressed in all tissues, CaPAO1 was mainly expressed in flowers, whereas CaPAO3 and CaPAO5 were expressed at very low levels in all tissues. RNA-seq analysis revealed that CaPAO2 and CaPAO4 were notably upregulated by cold stress. CaPAO2 and CaPAO4 were localized in the peroxisome, and spermine was the preferred substrate for PA catabolism. CaPAO2 and CaPAO4 overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhanced freezing-stress tolerance by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and decreasing malondialdehyde, H2O2, and superoxide accumulation, accompanied by the upregulation of cold-responsive genes (AtCOR15A, AtRD29A, AtCOR47, and AtKIN1). Thus, we identified candidate PAO genes for breeding cold-stress-tolerant transgenic pepper cultivars