Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented reality and image recognition based framework for treasure hunt games

The scavenger hunt and treasure hunt game categories are relatively well-known. The main idea of these games is to reach different checkpoints and execute specific tasks at these locations. There are many successful games based on this idea, like Geocaching. There are also some frameworks for building games, like Scvngr, but generally these frameworks have some disadvantages. The placement of real physical objects (“treasures”) could be expensive, GPS-based localization cannot be used inside buildings etc. The lack of generality could be a problem, as well. A general framework for the development of augmented reality-based, multiplayer adventure games is proposed. The framework can be used for creating online treasure hunt or scavenger hunt games for mobile devices. The “treasures” can be virtual 3D objects, appearing as a part of the augmented reality. The integrated image recognition support offers new possibilities in game creation and customization. GPS-based localization is combined with image recognition based localization, in this way the created applications can be used inside buildings, as well.
The prevalence of and variables associated with smoking in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of smoking and the presence of variables associated with the habit in children and adolescents of both sexes, aged 7 to 17 years, resident in the city of Maceió. METHODS A cross-sectional epidemiological study of the student population of the both private and public education systems at elementary and high school level. Sample size was calculated based on the minimum predicted prevalence of a large number of variables, including smoking itself. Cluster sampling was employed. A questionnaire on smoking habits was completed during individual interviews with each student. Children who admitted having smoked on 1 or more day during the previous 30 were defined as current smokers. The variables analyzed were related to: the students (age, sex, previous experimentation with cigarettes and paid employment), their educational status (public/private school, daytime/evening lessons, grade and repeated years) and their families (economic status, smoking parents and separated parents). RESULTS A total of 1,253 students were analyzed (547 were male, mean age was 12.4+/-2.9 years). Observed smoking prevalence was 2.4%. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated significant associations between smoking and: increased age (odds ratio: 1.31); previous experimentation with cigarettes (odds ratio: 33.96); studying during the evening (odds ratio: 5.43). It was observed that 286 students (22.8%) admitted having experimented with cigarettes (9% from 7 to 9 years; 21% from 10 to 14 years; 36% from 15 to 17 years). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of smoking among children and adolescents in the Maceió educational system is 2.4%, being most common among students aged 15 to 17 years, studying in the evening. Students who had experimented with cigarettes exhibited a 34 times greater chance of becoming smokers.
Short‐term melatonin consumption protects the heart of obese rats independent of body weight change and visceral adiposity

Chronic melatonin treatment has been shown to prevent the harmful effects of diet‐induced obesity and reduce myocardial susceptibility to ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). However, the exact mechanism whereby it exerts its beneficial actions on the heart in obesity/insulin resistance remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the effects of relatively short‐term melatonin treatment on the heart in a rat model of diet‐induced obesity. Control and diet‐induced obese Wistar rats (fed a high calorie diet for 20 wk) were each subdivided into three groups receiving drinking water with or without melatonin (4 mg/kg/day) for the last 6 or 3 wk of experimentation. A number of isolated hearts were perfused in the working mode, subjected to regional or global ischaemia‐reperfusion; others were nonperfused. Metabolic parameters, myocardial infarct sizes (IFS), baseline and postischaemic activation of PKB/Akt, ERK42/44, GSK‐3β and STAT‐3 were determined. Diet‐induced obesity caused increases in body weight gain, visceral adiposity, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and triglyceride (TG) levels with a concomitant cardiac hypertrophy, large postischaemic myocardial IFSs and a reduced cardiac output. Melatonin treatment (3 and 6 wk) decreased serum insulin levels and the HOMA index (P < 0.05) with no effect on weight gain (after 3 wk), visceral adiposity, serum TG and glucose levels. It increased serum adiponectin levels, reduced myocardial IFSs in both groups and activated baseline myocardial STAT‐3 and PKB/Akt, ERK42/44 and GSK‐3β during reperfusion. Overall, short‐term melatonin administration to obese/insulin resistant rats reduced insulin resistance and protected the heart against ex vivo myocardial IRI independently of body weight change and visceral adiposity.
The Statistical Analysis of Roll Call Data

We develop a Bayesian procedure for estimation and inference for spatial models of roll call voting. This approach is extremely flexible, applicable to any legislative setting, irrespective of size, the extremism of the legislators' voting histories, or the number of roll calls available for analysis. The model is easily extended to let other sources of information inform the analysis of roll call data, such as the number and nature of the underlying dimensions, the presence of party whipping, the determinants of legislator preferences, and the evolution of the legislative agenda; this is especially helpful since generally it is inappropriate to use estimates of extant methods (usually generated under assumptions of sincere voting) to test models embodying alternate assumptions (e.g., log-rolling, party discipline). A Bayesian approach also provides a coherent framework for estimation and inference with roll call data that eludes extant methods; moreover, via Bayesian simulation methods, it is straightforward to generate uncertainty assessments or hypothesis tests concerning any auxiliary quantity of interest or to formally compare models. In a series of examples we show how our method is easily extended to accommodate theoretically interesting models of legislative behavior. Our goal is to provide a statistical framework for combining the measurement of legislative preferences with tests of models of legislative behavior.
Ensembl Genomes: Extending Ensembl across the taxonomic space

Ensembl Genomes (http://www.ensemblgenomes.org) is a new portal offering integrated access to genome-scale data from non-vertebrate species of scientific interest, developed using the Ensembl genome annotation and visualisation platform. Ensembl Genomes consists of five sub-portals (for bacteria, protists, fungi, plants and invertebrate metazoa) designed to complement the availability of vertebrate genomes in Ensembl. Many of the databases supporting the portal have been built in close collaboration with the scientific community, which we consider as essential for maintaining the accuracy and usefulness of the resource. A common set of user interfaces (which include a graphical genome browser, FTP, BLAST search, a query optimised data warehouse, programmatic access, and a Perl API) is provided for all domains. Data types incorporated include annotation of (protein and non-protein coding) genes, cross references to external resources, and high throughput experimental data (e.g. data from large scale studies of gene expression and polymorphism visualised in their genomic context). Additionally, extensive comparative analysis has been performed, both within defined clades and across the wider taxonomy, and sequence alignments and gene trees resulting from this can be accessed through the site.
Procedural content generation and evolution within the EvoTanks domain

In this extended abstract we highlight ongoing work in developing procedural generation for the purposes of games. This research focusses on our recent development of a procedural generation framework developed in the EvoTanks domain, a re-imagining of the Atari 2600 title Combat . In addition, we highlight current work that utilises evolutionary algorithms not only to procedurally generate oﬀensive and defensive content for the game, but its use to ensure game-balance is retained.
CROSS-DEVICE INTERACTION BETWEEN MOBILE DEVICES

In this paper we explore collocated photo sharing with smartphones and tablets. We develop a cross-device cross-platform application, JuxtaPinch, that allows a group of collocated users to share photos ad-hoc, utilizing the screens of their smartphones and tablets as one big screen. The application allows users to add and remove devices during use, which grants them the opportunity to play with and explore photos in a new way. We evaluate the system both in a controlled laboratory setting and in the field. Our evaluations show that JuxtaPinch incite defamiliarization by isolating, scaling, and hiding the main objective of the photo. Author
Mechanized Formal Semantics and Verified Compilation for C++ Objects. (Les objets en C++ : sémantique formelle mécanisée et compilation vérifiée)

C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages in practice, including for embedded critical software. Thus, it becomes interesting to apply formal methods to programs written in C++. To this end, it is necessary to rely on a formal semantics of C++. Moreover, such a formal semantics can be validated as a basis to the specification and proof of a verified realistic compiler for C++ to gain confidence in the implementation techniques of mainstream C++ compilers. In this thesis, we focus on the C++ object model. We formally specify C++ multiple inheritance with C-style embedded structures, leading us to study the concrete representation of objects with empty base optimizations. We propose a set of sufficient layout conditions, and we show that they are sound with respect to field accesses and polymorphic operations. We then specify a realistic layout algorithm based on the Common Vendor ABI for Itanium, and an extension performing empty member optimizations, and we prove that they satisfy our conditions. We obtain a verified realistic compiler from a subset of C++ to a 3-address language with low-level memory accesses. Extending our semantics with object construction and destruction, we study their intrications with multiple inheritance. This leads us to formalize resource management, namely resource acquisition is initialization through the subobject construction and destruction order. We also study the impact on polymorphic operations such as virtual function dispatch during construction and destruction, by generalizing the notion of dynamic type. We obtain a verified compiler for our extended semantics, in particular by verifying the implementation of dynamic type changes. All our specifications and proofs are carried out with Coq.
Conceptual design of a lower limb motion assist robot with bodyweight support

In this paper, the concept of a new walking assist robot is proposed for helping elderlies and overweight people, as well as healthy users. Walking assistance in this robot is realized through weight support and reduction of user's Foot Reaction Force (FRF). The proposed robot has six degrees of freedom per leg that imposes no limits on human's natural gait. It has only two active joints that are prismatic and all other joints are passive. This results in reduction of power consumption for the robot. Consequently, this robot will require smaller power supplies. The special architecture of the designed robot permits its accommodation to users with different sizes and heights. Reduction of user's FRF is accomplished by applying a support force to the groin via the seat. The mechanism of robot is designed in the way that the applied support force is in the same direction of user's FRF. The validity of this matter is also discussed through the force analysis and simulation of the mechanism.
The N-terminal Domain of Drosophila Gram-negative Binding Protein 3 (GNBP3) Defines a Novel Family of Fungal Pattern Recognition Receptors*

Gram-negative binding protein 3 (GNBP3), a pattern recognition receptor that circulates in the hemolymph of Drosophila, is responsible for sensing fungal infection and triggering Toll pathway activation. Here, we report that GNBP3 N-terminal domain binds to fungi upon identifying long chains of β-1,3-glucans in the fungal cell wall as a major ligand. Interestingly, this domain fails to interact strongly with short oligosaccharides. The crystal structure of GNBP3-Nter reveals an immunoglobulin-like fold in which the glucan binding site is masked by a loop that is highly conserved among glucan-binding proteins identified in several insect orders. Structure-based mutagenesis experiments reveal an essential role for this occluding loop in discriminating between short and long polysaccharides. The displacement of the occluding loop is necessary for binding and could explain the specificity of the interaction with long chain structured polysaccharides. This represents a novel mechanism for β-glucan recognition.
Der Lebenszielfragebogen GOALS: Befunde zur internen und externen Validität auf der Basis einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsstichprobe und einer klinischen Stichprobe The Life Goal Questionnaire GOALS: Data on internal and external validity in a representative population survey and a clinical sample

The life goals questionnaire GOALS (Pohlmann & Brunstein, 1997) assesses the six life goal categories of intimacy, affiliation , altruism, achievement, power, and diversion. Each of the six categories contains four items which are rated according to the goal attributes of importance, attainability and current progress. This article presents three studies e xamining the internal and external validity of GOALS and the stability of life goals over a period of two years. Based on data of a representative population sample (N = 2396) the factor structure was confirmed separately for the i mportance as well as for the progress dimension in study 1. The psychometric quality of the items and scales was found to be good to very good. In study 2 the factor structure was replicated in a sample of mentally healthy individuals (N = 620) and in a clinical sample of patients suffering from depression (N = 464). In both samples the six life goal categories were identified as independent factors within each of the three life goal attribu tes of importance, attainability, and progress. Differences between healthy individuals and patients suffering from depression in the extent of commitment to life goals, their attainability and current progress in life goal attai nment provided evidence for the external validity of the questionnaire. In st udy 3 (N = 86) the stability of life goals was examined over a time period of two years. Commitment to life goals proved to be very stable while attainability and current progress in attainment were found to be less stable. The results of the three studies confirm that the life goal questionnaire GO ALS possesses high internal und external validity.
Adaptive interference admission control for layered partially nonorthogonal block diagonalization for base station cooperative MIMO

This paper proposes a method for adaptively controlling the admission of interference to users for our previously proposed layered partially non-orthogonal block diagonalization (BD) precoding method for downlink multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission that employs cooperation among multiple base stations (BS). The proposed method is applicable when some of the instantaneous channel state information (CSI) feedback between the user equipment and the respective BSs is missing if the path loss between the user equipment and BS is higher than a predetermined threshold. The proposed method alleviates the loss in the transmitter diversity (beam forming) gain caused by the perfect nulling of inter-user interference in BD. By allowing the inter-user interference from a link that has a high average path loss, the overall throughput performance of simple BD is enhanced. We show that the combination of layered transmission that restricts the set of BSs used for the signal transmission and adaptive control of interference admission significantly increases the throughput of BS cooperative multiuser MIMO with partial CSI feedback.
Using RNA-Seq to assemble a rose transcriptome with more than 13,000 full-length expressed genes and to develop the WagRhSNP 68k Axiom SNP array for rose (Rosa L.)

In order to develop a versatile and large SNP array for rose, we set out to mine ESTs from diverse sets of rose germplasm. For this RNA-Seq libraries containing about 700 million reads were generated from tetraploid cut and garden roses using Illumina paired-end sequencing, and from diploid Rosa multiflora using 454 sequencing. Separate de novo assemblies were performed in order to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within and between rose varieties. SNPs among tetraploid roses were selected for constructing a genotyping array that can be employed for genetic mapping and marker-trait association discovery in breeding programs based on tetraploid germplasm, both from cut roses and from garden roses. In total 68,893 SNPs were included on the WagRhSNP Axiom array. Next, an orthology-guided assembly was performed for the construction of a non-redundant rose transcriptome database. A total of 21,740 transcripts had significant hits with orthologous genes in the strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) genome. Of these 13,390 appeared to contain the full-length coding regions. This newly established transcriptome resource adds considerably to the currently available sequence resources for the Rosaceae family in general and the genus Rosa in particular.
Prostaglandin Endoperoxides and Thromboxane A2 Activate the same Receptor Isoforms in Human Platelets

Summary Arachidonic acid (AA) is a potent inducer of platelet aggregation in vitro; this activity is due to its conversion to biologically active metabolites, prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides and thromboxane A2 (TxA2). PG endoperoxides and TxA2 are thought to act on the same receptor; however, at least two isoforms of this receptor have been identified. The aim of our work was to clarify whether endoperoxides and TxA2 activate the same or different receptor subtypes to induce aggregation and calcium movements in human platelets. AA-induced aggregation and calcium rises were still detectable in platelets preincubated with thromboxane synthase inhibitors, which suppress TxA2 formation and induce PGH2 accumulation, suggesting that PG endoperoxides can activate platelets. Exogenously added PGH2 was able to induce aggregation and calcium rises. Pretreatment of platelets with GR32191B or platelet activating factor, which desensitize one of the two receptor subtypes identified in platelets, did not prevent calcium rises induced by endogenously generated or by exogenouly added PGH2, indicating that TxA2 and PG endoperoxides share the same receptor subtype(s) to activate platelets. HEK-293 cells overexpressing either of the two thromboxane receptor isoforms cloned to date (TPα and TPβ) and identified in human platelets, stimulated with PGH2, or with the stable endoperoxide analog U46619, formed inositol phosphates. These data show that endoperoxides and TXA2 mediate their effects on platelets acting on both, and the same, receptor isoform(s). Abbreviations: AA: arachidonic acid; PAF: platelet activating factor; PG: prostaglandin; TP: thromboxane receptor; Tx: thromboxane.
Maternal Modulation of Natal Dispersal in a Passerine Bird: An Adaptive Strategy to Cope with Parasitism?

The decision of how far to disperse from the natal territory has profound and long‐lasting consequences for young animals, yet the optimal dispersal behavior often depends on environmental factors that are difficult or impossible to assess by inexperienced juveniles. Natural selection thus favors mechanisms that allow the adaptive and flexible adjustment of the offspring’s dispersal behavior by their parents via either paternal or maternal effects. Here we show that different dispersal strategies maximize the reproductive success of young great tits (Parus major) originating from a parasite‐infested or a parasite‐free nest and demonstrate that differential transfer of maternal yolk androgens in response to parasitism can result in a modification of the offspring’s dispersal behavior that appears adaptive. It demonstrates that prenatal maternal effects are an important yet so far neglected determinant of natal dispersal and highlights the potential importance of maternal effects in mediating coevolutionary processes in host‐parasite systems.
Measure for Measure-Determination of Infarct Size in Murine Models of Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion: A Systematic Review

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/R) is one of the most prominent topics of contemporary research. The frequent failure of potential therapeutic drugs and interventions to transfer to clinical practice demonstrates the limitations in using experimental animal models. Because a variety of transgenic animals are readily available in mice, researchers in recent years have made use of murine models rather than of larger animal models for experimental MI/R. This review focuses on in vivo and ex vivo murine models of MI/R and aims to characterize the source of our mechanistic understanding in mice. A systematic review of the literature demonstrated that there is great diversity among ex vivo (Langendorff) and in vivo models of MI/R.
A region inference algorithm

Region Inference is a program analysis which infers lifetimes of values. It is targeted at a runtime model in which the store consists of a stack of regions and memory management predominantly consists of pushing and popping regions, rather than performing garbage collection. Region Inference has previously been specified by a set of inference rules which formalize when regions may be allocated and deallocated. This article presents an algorithm which implements the specification. We prove that the algorithm is sound with respect to the region inference rules and that it always terminates even though the region inference rules permit polymorphic recursion in regions. The algorithm is the result of several years of experiments with region inference algorithms in the ML Kit, a compiler from Standard ML to assembly language. We report on practical experience with the algorithm and give hints on how to implement it.
XML Labels Compression using Prefix-encodings

XML is the de-facto standard for data representation and communication over the web, and so there is a lot of interest in querying XML data and most approaches require the data to be labelled to indicate structural relationships between elements. This is simple when the data does not change but complex when it does. In the day-to-day management of XML databases over the web, it is usual that more information is inserted over time than deleted. Frequent insertions can lead to large labels which have a detrimental impact on query performance and can cause overflow problems. Many researchers have shown that prefix encoding usually gives the highest compression ratio in comparison to other encoding schemes. Nonetheless, none of the existing prefix encoding methods has been applied to XML labels. This research investigates compressing XML labels via different prefix-encoding methods in order to reduce the occurrence of any overflow problems and improve query performance. The paper also pre sents a comparison between the performances of several prefix-encodings in terms of encoding/decoding time and compressed code size.