Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolving maps for match balancing in first person shooters

Match balancing is one of the most important design issues in the development of an adversarial multiplayer shooter. Therefore, matchmaking algorithms are generally used to build teams, such that players can have fun with each other and enjoy the game experience. In this work we approach this problem from a completely different angle: we show that the design of the game content has a large impact on the match balancing and that procedural content generation might be a promising approach to improve it. In particular, we present a methodology to evolve maps for Cube 2: Saubertran, an open source first person shooter, and to improve the game balancing for specific combinations of players skills and strategies. We tested our approach on three different scenarios that involve players with different skill levels as well as players using completely different weapons. Our results are very promising and show that, in all the scenarios considered, our approach is able to evolve maps that result in a balanced game experience.
Strategy and Business Models: What's the Difference?

This paper examines in detail the meaning of two frequently used—and misused—terms, namely, “business model” and “strategy”. It is argued that as used by leading thinkers these two terms might reasonably be interpreted as having roughly equivalent meanings. However, we argue that there is another distinct and potentially useful role for the term “business model”. In this role, strategies would be treated as grounded firmly in the real world, whereas business models would be treated as abstractions of firms’ real-world strategies. Such abstractions, it is argued, have attracted the attention of so many researchers because they are useful for evaluating alternative possible future ways of building profitable businesses.
Development of porcine embryos produced by IVM/IVF in a medium with or without protein supplementation: effects of extracellular glutathione

This study was designed to examine the effects of extracellular reduced glutathione on development of pig embryos, produced by in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF), in a chemically defined North Carolina State University (NCSU) 23 medium or in NCSU 23 medium with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Microfilament distribution, as a marker of embryo quality, was also examined by immunocytochemical staining and confocal microscopy. When the inseminated oocytes were cultured in the defined medium containing 0-0.5 mM glutathione, blastocyst formation as observed only in the media with glutathione (8.5-16.0%). Increased numbers of blastomeres were observed in the blastocysts as the concentration of glutathione was increased (18.8±7.2 to 31.0±8.6). In NCSU 23 medium with 4 mg BSA/ml, addition of glutathione at concentrations of 0.125-0.5 mM significantly increased the proportions of oocytes that developed to blastocysts (39.2-52.5%) compared with the control (29.5%). However, no difference was observed in the average cell number in the blastocysts (41.9±15.6 to 49.1±15.5). There were no significant differences in the microfilament distribution in the embryos produced in the defined medium and in the BSA-containing medium. These results indicate that pig embryos produced by IVM/IVF can develop to the blastocyst stage in a defined medium. BSA and glutathione have a synergistic effect on pig embryo development.
Fyn tyrosine kinase regulates oligodendroglial cell development but is not required for morphological differentiation of oligodendrocytes

The non‐receptor protein tyrosine kinase Fyn, which is a member of the Src family of kinases, has been shown to be essential for normal myelination and has been suggested to play a role in oligodendrocyte development. However, oligodendrocyte development has not been studied directly in cells lacking Fyn. Additionally, because Fyn is expressed in neurons as well as oligodendrocytes, it is possible that normal myelination requires Fyn expression in neurons but not in oligodendrocytes. To address these issues, we analyzed the development of oligodendrocytes in neuron‐free glial cell cultures from fyn−/− mice that express no Fyn protein. We observed that oligodendrocytes develop to the stage where they elaborate an extensive network of membranous processes and express the antigenic components of mature oligodendrocytes in the complete absence of Fyn. However, as compared with fyn+/+ controls, fewer oligodendroglia developed in fyn−/− cell cultures, and a smaller proportion of them matured to the stage characterized by a high degree of morphological complexity. In addition, we found that insulin‐like growth factor‐I, a potent stimulator of oligodendrocyte development, failed to stimulate morphological maturation of fyn−/− oligodendroglia. The pyrazolopyrimidine PP2, believed to be a selective inhibitor of Fyn, did not prevent the development of morphologically complex oligodendrocytes. Unexpectedly, however, it was toxic to both fyn+/+ and fyn−/− glial cells, indicating that this class of inhibitors can have significant effects that are independent of Fyn. J. Neurosci. Res. 63:303–312, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Important Factors for the Hearing Loss Caused by the Triple Semicircular Canal Occlusion in Guinea Pigs

Dynamic recording of the auditory brainstem response is helpful in verifying harmful procedure(s) to hearing during triple semicircular canal occlusion (TSCO) surgery. The damage to the membranous semicircular labyrinth is the single major contributor to hearing loss caused by TSCO. Background: Posterior semicircular canal occlusion has been recognized as an efficient method of eliminating vertigo without causing a significant hearing impairment. Recently, TSCO has also been explored for its potential to treat vertigo of various causes. In limited animal studies, varied hearing impairments have been documented after TSCO. However, the major factor(s) causing hearing loss in TSCO is/are unclear. Methods: Triple semicircular canal occlusion was performed on 36 guinea pigs in total. The cochlear function of the guinea pigs was monitored by observing the auditory brainstem response. The impact of membranous labyrinth damage on hearing was verified by a between-group comparison. Results: Hearing loss during TSCO was accumulated in every step of semicircular canal manipulation. Generally, perilymph leak was found to cause a slight hearing loss that was predominately recovered during surgery. However, transaction of the membranous labyrinth usually caused a more significant hearing loss that was not recovered during the surgery. In addition, the magnitude of hearing loss seemed to be increased with the elongation of the surgery. However, the hearing can be largely recovered after the surgery even in animals with transaction of the membranous labyrinth. Conclusion: Hearing loss caused by TSCO can be greatly reduced by avoiding damage to the membranous labyrinth and by shortening the operation time.
Postoperative Use of Anti-TNF-&agr; Agents in Patients with Crohn's Disease and Risk of Reoperation—A Nationwide Cohort Study

Background:Approximately 80% of patients with Crohn's disease will require surgery. Surgery for Crohn's disease is not curative, and recurrence is typical. In this cohort study, based on nationwide Danish registries, we examined the association between postoperative treatment with anti–tumor necrosis factor &agr; (anti-TNF-&agr;) agents and reoperation. Methods:The association was examined in cohort 1 = patients not treated with anti-TNF-&agr; agents within 6 months before operation, cohort 2 = patients treated with anti-TNF-&agr; agents within 6 months before operation. Within both cohorts, we defined postoperative exposure to anti-TNF-&agr; agents as at least 1 treatment within 6 months after the first operation and the reference cohorts were those not treated. Patients were followed from 6 months after operation and until 5 years. We used Cox proportional-hazards regression to compute adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results:In cohort 1, 31 (1.3%) were treated with anti-TNF-&agr; agents within 6 months after operation and compared with those not treated, the adjusted hazard ratio of reoperation among those treated with anti-TNF-&agr; agents was 3.53 (95% confidence interval: 1.61–7.72). In cohort 2, 63 (16.3%) were treated with anti-TNF-&agr; agents within 6 months after operation, and the corresponding adjusted hazard ratio of reoperation was 2.16 (95% confidence interval: 1.11–4.18). Conclusions:Our data suggest that anti-TNF-&agr; treatment within 6 months after the first operation is not associated with a reduction in the need for subsequent operation. Uncontrolled confounding might have influenced our results, and, furthermore, future studies are warranted to clarify whether our study population is different from populations most often associated with postoperative anti-TNF-&agr; treatment.
Etiology, Risk Factors and Sex Differences in Ischemic Stroke in the Ludwigshafen Stroke Study, a Population-Based Stroke Registry

Background: Stroke etiology in ischemic stroke guides preventive measures and etiological stroke subgroups may show considerable differences between both sexes. In a population-based stroke registry we analyzed etiological subgroups of ischemic stroke and calculated sex-specific incidence and mortality rates. Methods: The Ludwigshafen Stroke Study is a prospective ongoing population-based stroke registry. Multiple overlapping methods of case ascertainment were used to identify all patients with incident stroke or transient ischemic attack. Modified TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria were applied for subgroup analysis in ischemic stroke. Results: Out of 626 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke in 2006 and 2007, women (n = 327) were older (73.5 ± 12.6 years) than men (n = 299; 69.7 ± 11.5 years; p < 0.001). The age-adjusted incidence rate of ischemic stroke was significantly higher in men (1.37; 95% CI 1.20–1.56) than in women (1.12; 95% CI 0.97–1.29; p = 0.04). Cardioembolism (n = 219; 35.0%), small-artery occlusion (n = 164; 26.2%), large-artery atherosclerosis (n = 98; 15.7%) and ‘probable atherothrombotic stroke’ (n = 84; 13.4%) were common subgroups of ischemic stroke. Stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis (p = 0.025), current smoking (p = 0.008), history of smoking (p < 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.0015) and peripheral artery disease (p = 0.024) was significantly more common in men than in women. Overall, 1-year survival was not different between both sexes; however, a significant age-sex interaction with higher mortality in elderly women (>85 years) was detected. Conclusions: Cardioembolism is the main source for ischemic stroke in our population. Etiology of ischemic stroke differs between sexes, with large-artery atherosclerotic stroke and associated diseases (coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease) being more common in men.
Parenteral Adjuvant Effects of an Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Natural Heat-Labile Toxin Variant

Native type I heat-labile toxins (LTs) produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains exert strong adjuvant effects on both antibody and T cell responses to soluble and particulate antigens following co-administration via mucosal routes. However, inherent enterotoxicity and neurotoxicity (following intra-nasal delivery) had reduced the interest in the use of these toxins as mucosal adjuvants. LTs can also behave as powerful and safe adjuvants following delivery via parenteral routes, particularly for activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. In the present study, we evaluated the adjuvant effects of a new natural LT polymorphic form (LT2), after delivery via intradermal (i.d.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes, with regard to both antibody and T cell responses. A recombinant HIV-1 p24 protein was employed as a model antigen for determination of antigen-specific immune responses while the reference LT (LT1), produced by the ETEC H10407 strain, and a non-toxigenic LT form (LTK63) were employed as previously characterized LT types. LT-treated mice submitted to a four dose-base immunization regimen elicited similar p24-specific serum IgG responses and CD4+ T cell activation. Nonetheless, mice immunized with LT1 or LT2 induced higher numbers of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and in vivo cytotoxic responses compared to mice immunized with the non-toxic LT derivative. These effects were correlated with stronger activation of local dendritic cell populations. In addition, mice immunized with LT1 and LT2, but not with LTK63, via s.c. or i.d. routes developed local inflammatory reactions. Altogether, the present results confirmed that the two most prevalent natural polymorphic LT variants (LT1 or LT2) display similar and strong adjuvant effects for subunit vaccines administered via i.d. or s.c. routes.
Functionally Oriented Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Fibromyalgia: Preliminary Results

Wennemer HK, Borg-Stein J, Gomba L, Delaney B, Rothmund A, Barlow D, Breeze G, Thompson A: Functionally oriented rehabilitation program for patients with fibromyalgia: Preliminary results. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2006;85:659–666. Objective:To evaluate function and disability in patients with fibromyalgia before and after participation in a functionally oriented, multidisciplinary, 8-wk treatment program. Design:A total of 23 patients who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia were enrolled in the study. Outcome measures included: range of motion, 6-min walk test, a modified Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, a modified SF-36 Physical Functioning Scale, and the Fibromyalgia Health Assessment Questionnaire. Pretreatment and posttreatment scores were analyzed using paired t tests. Results:All subjects completed the program, and there were no reported injuries. Three subjects failed to complete the survey instruments at the conclusion of the study. Intention to treat analysis including these subjects was carried out but did not significantly change results. For the remaining subjects (n = 20), a significant improvement was found on the Physical Functioning Scale (P = 0.01). Trends toward improvement on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (P = 0.40) and Fibromyalgia Health Assessment Questionnaire (P = 0.14) were seen but did not achieve statistical significance. Range of motion testing revealed significant improvements in lumbar spine extension (P < 0.001), straight-leg raise (P < 0.001), cervical spine flexion (P < 0.01), cervical spine rotation (P < 0.05), and cervical spine side bending (P < 0.05). Distance traveled during the 6-min walk test increased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas perceived exertion as measured by the Borg scale did not change. There were no injuries or other adverse consequences of the program. Conclusions:This study utilized multiple functional outcome measures to demonstrate improved function and decreased disability in patients with fibromyalgia. Our patients reported significantly improved physical function after participation in the 8-wk intensive multidisciplinary treatment program. This progressive, functionally based exercise training program was well tolerated by all participants and outlines an effective exercise prescription for patients with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients in this study responded favorably to a treatment program that focused on function instead of pain.
Diagnosis of multiple cancer types by shrunken centroids of gene expression

We have devised an approach to cancer class prediction from gene expression profiling, based on an enhancement of the simple nearest prototype (centroid) classifier. We shrink the prototypes and hence obtain a classifier that is often more accurate than competing methods. Our method of “nearest shrunken centroids” identifies subsets of genes that best characterize each class. The technique is general and can be used in many other classification problems. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we show that the method was highly efficient in finding genes for classifying small round blue cell tumors and leukemias.
A meta-analysis of predictors of continued drug use during and after treatment for opiate addiction.

AIMS Many people treated for opiate addiction continue to use drugs during and after treatment. It may be possible to improve outcomes by addressing patient characteristics that predict continued drug use. This review uses meta-analytic techniques to identify risk factors for continued drug use in patients treated for opiate abuse. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS A thorough search of the published literature yielded 69 studies that reported information on the bivariate association between one or more independent variables and continued use of illicit drugs during and after treatment for opiate addiction. FINDINGS Most of the patient variables summarized have weak longitudinal relationships with continued drug use, although several variables display moderate longitudinal associations. Ten variables show statistically significant and longitudinally predictive relationships (average r > 0.1) with continued use, including: high level of pretreatment opiate/drug use, prior treatment for opiate addiction, no prior abstinence from opiates, abstinence from/light use of alcohol, depression, high stress, unemployment/employment problems, association with substance abusing peers, short length of treatment, and leaving treatment prior to completion. Several other variables may be potentially longitudinally predictive. CONCLUSIONS To prevent relapse, treatment interventions should address multiple variables because no single variable strongly predicts continued drug use.
Erratum: (1) Radio spectral index variations of the SNR HB3. (2) Radio spectral index study of the SNRs OA184 and VRO42.05.01

For both above papers, there were mistakes in calculation of the spectral index errors in Tables 3 which have been corrected in the following replacement tables respectively. Therefore the integrated flux density based spectral index error cited in the text changes to $0.34\pm0.25$ (not $0.34\pm0.15$) for HB3, $0.25\pm0.08$ (not $0.25\pm0.03$) for OA184 and $0.36\pm0.10$ (not $0.36\pm0.06$) for VRO42.05. 01. The correct beamwidth for the 2695 MHz effelsberg 100-m in Table 4 (for the both papers) and 5 (only for the second paper) is $4.3 \times 4.3$ arcmin not $3.4 \times 3.4$ arcmin. None of the above corrections affect our discussions and conclusions in the two papers.
Effects of dietary salt level during gestation and lactation on reproductive performance of sows: a cooperative study.

Two experiments involving 1,020 litters were conducted at eight research stations to determine the effects of dietary NaCl (salt) concentration during gestation and lactation on reproductive performance of sows. Primiparous and multiparous sows were fed fortified corn- or grain sorghum-soybean meal diets at 1.82 kg/d during gestation. During the winter months (December, January, February) the feeding level was increased to 2.27 kg/d. Sows had ad libitum access to diets during lactation. Dietary concentrations of added salt were . 50 and . 25% in Exp. 1 and . 25 and . 125% in Exp. 2. When more feed was fed during gestation, the salt concentrations were reduced to . 40, . 20, . 20 and . 10%, respectively, in order to maintain a constant daily intake of Na and Cl during gestation. Gestation weight gain and lactation (21-d) weight loss of the sows were not affected by dietary salt level in either experiment. In Exp. 1, lowering the salt concentration did not influence the number of pigs farrowed, but it resulted in a . 05 kg/pig reduction (P less than .01) in average birth weight. Average 21-d pig weights also tended (P less than .19) to be lower in the low-salt group. There was a decrease in litter size from the first to the second farrowing for sows fed low salt, but not for sows fed the higher salt concentration. In Exp. 2, reducing the salt content from . 25 to . 125% did not alter reproductive performance. The overall ratio of males to females at birth in the population of greater than 10(4) pigs was 52.3:47.7. Lower salt intakes tended to reduce the percentage of males born in both experiments, although the differences were not significant (P greater than .3). The results indicate that reducing the salt concentration in sows diets from . 50 to . 25 or . 125% reduces birth weight in newborn pigs. When continued for more than one reproductive cycle, feeding less than . 5% salt appears to reduce litter size at birth and weaning.
Hepatotoxicity Associated with Herbal Tea Containing Kelp

A 40-yr-old Sri Lankan female presented to the gastroenterology clinic with jaundice. Further work-up revealed extrahepatic cholestasis with a hepatocellular component; however, subsequent work-up revealed no significant findings. Hospitalization revealed hepatotoxicity associated with ingestion of a homemade herbal tea containing kelp (Laminaria), which was confirmed with further history. Hepatotoxicity associated with herbal tea ingestion is rare, but should be a consideration in patients with unexplained jaundice. Inquiries into dietary or herbal supplements should always be made during routine history taking, as it may be useful in achieving the diagnosis.
Behaviour model elaboration using partial labelled transition systems

State machine based formalisms such as labelled transition systems (LTS) are generally assumed to be complete descriptions of system behaviour at some level of abstraction: if a labelled transition system cannot exhibit a certain sequence of actions, it is assumed that the system or component it models cannot or should not exhibit that sequence. This assumption is a valid one at the end of the modelling effort when reasoning about properties of the completed model. However, it is not a valid assumption when behaviour models are in the process of being developed. In this setting, the distinction between proscribed behaviour and behaviour that has not yet been defined is an important one. Knowing where the gaps are in a behaviour model permits the presentation of meaningful questions to stakeholders, which in turn can lead to model exploration and thus more comprehensive descriptions of the system behaviour. In this paper we propose using partial labelled transition systems (PLTS) to capture what remains to be defined of the system behaviour. In the context of scenario synthesis, we show that PLTSs can be used to support the iterative incremental elaboration of behaviour models.