Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An information-theoretic account of human-computer interaction

This thesis presents a theoretical framework for the study of interactive systems, using methods from information theory, machine learning and control theory. The framework builds on the information-theoretic capacities of empowerment, relevant information and mutual information, which I adapt and apply to the domain of human-computer interaction. Three user studies exploring dynamic interactive scenarios - one car-tracking and two collaborative target-acquisition experiments - provide empirical data for the development of probabilistic models, used in the characterisation of specific aspects of human performance, such as the level of control, the quality of decision-making, and the level of engagement in interpersonal coordination. Human control models are extended to accommodate for the inherent lags, characteristic for human-computer and human-human interaction, in a principled way. Optimal controllers, describing particular patterns of human behaviour, are built on these theoretical models, providing evidence for specific limits of human performance through simulations. The thesis describes the potential of empowerment, as a generic task-independent measure of control, to characterise the uncertainty in human-machine interfaces. This work builds an important bridge between theory and experiments, and suggests that the proposed information-theoretic concepts could provide analytical tools for supporting the design and evaluation of interactive systems, by elucidating novel aspects of human performance complementing standard measures. The thesis provides proof of concept examples for the application of such information-theoretic measures, and demonstrates how they can be treated naturally side-by-side along traditional metrics used in HCI research. It emphasises the acquisition cost of accurate theoretical models, necessary to ensure the reliability of such measures.
Shape of Small Prismatic Dislocation Loops in Tungsten and Iron

Small prismatic dislocation loops in BCC metals have Burgers vectors either ½<111> or <100> and are usually close to circular shape. In atomistic simulations constructing prismatic dislocation loops of different shapes is straightforward, however, it is difficult to compare their formation energies, since loops of different shapes or different Burgers vectors do not necessarily have exactly the same size. Here we develop a general method to correctly compare loops of similar size but different shapes and the Burgers vectors. This method is combined with molecular statics simulations to identify the most energetically favorable shapes of prismatic dislocation loops in elastically isotropic tungsten and anisotropic α-iron.
Oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance: bridging ecology and physiology

ABSTRACT Observations of climate impacts on ecosystems highlight the need for an understanding of organismal thermal ranges and their implications at the ecosystem level. Where changes in aquatic animal populations have been observed, the integrative concept of oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance (OCLTT) has successfully characterised the onset of thermal limits to performance and field abundance. The OCLTT concept addresses the molecular to whole-animal mechanisms that define thermal constraints on the capacity for oxygen supply to the organism in relation to oxygen demand. The resulting ‘total excess aerobic power budget’ supports an animal's performance (e.g. comprising motor activity, reproduction and growth) within an individual's thermal range. The aerobic power budget is often approximated through measurements of aerobic scope for activity (i.e. the maximum difference between resting and the highest exercise-induced rate of oxygen consumption), whereas most animals in the field rely on lower (i.e. routine) modes of activity. At thermal limits, OCLTT also integrates protective mechanisms that extend time-limited tolerance to temperature extremes – mechanisms such as chaperones, anaerobic metabolism and antioxidative defence. Here, we briefly summarise the OCLTT concept and update it by addressing the role of routine metabolism. We highlight potential pitfalls in applying the concept and discuss the variables measured that led to the development of OCLTT. We propose that OCLTT explains why thermal vulnerability is highest at the whole-animal level and lowest at the molecular level. We also discuss how OCLTT captures the thermal constraints on the evolution of aquatic animal life and supports an understanding of the benefits of transitioning from water to land. Summary: In light of progressive impacts of climate warming on ecosystems, a physiological understanding of organismal thermal ranges, responses and tolerances is critical. The concept of oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance develops such an understanding by integrating findings from whole-animal to molecular levels.
Analysis and Modeling of Internal State Variables for Dynamic Effects of Nonvolatile Memory Devices

Hybrid integration of CMOS and nonvolatile memory (NVM) devices has become the foundation for emerging nonvolatile memory-based computing. The primary challenge to validate hybrid memory system with both CMOS and NVM devices is to develop a SPICE-like simulator that can simulate the dynamic behavior accurately and efficiently. Since memristor, spin-transfer-toque magnetic-tunneling-junction (STT-MTJ) and phase-change-memory (PCM) devices are the most promising candidates of next generation of NVM devices, it is under great interest in including these new devices in the standard CMOS design flow. The previous approaches either ignore dynamic effect without consideration of internal states for dynamic behavior, or need complex equivalent circuits to represent those devices. This paper proposes a new modified nodal analysis for NVM devices with identified internal state variables for dynamic behavior. As such, compact SPICE-like implementation can be derived for all three new NVM devices in the design of large-scale memory circuits. As demonstrated by a number of examples on hybrid memory circuits with both CMOS and NVM devices, our newly developed SPICE-like simulator can capture dynamic behaviors of memristor, STT-MTJ and PCM devices, and can also reduce CPU runtime by 20-69 times when compared to the previous equivalent circuit based approaches.
A Decision-Making Case for Collaborative Enterprise Architecture Engineering

In modern times markets are very dynamic. This situation requires agile enterprises to have the ability to react fast on market influences. Thereby an enterprise’ IT is especially affected, because new or changed business models have to be realized. However, enterprise architectures (EA) are complex structures consisting of many artifacts and relationships between them. Thus analyzing an EA becomes to a complex task for stakeholders. In addition, many stakeholders are involved in decision-making processes, because Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM) targets providing a holistic view of the enterprise. In this article we use concepts of Adaptive Case Management (ACM) to design a decision-making case consisting of a combination of different analysis techniques to support stakeholders in decision-making. We exemplify the case with a scenario of a fictive enterprise.
Explaining European fungal fruiting phenology with climate variability.

Here we assess the impact of geographically dependent (latitude, longitude, and altitude) changes in bioclimatic (temperature, precipitation, and primary productivity) variability on fungal fruiting phenology across Europe. Two main nutritional guilds of fungi, saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal, were further separated into spring and autumn fruiters. We used a path analysis to investigate how biogeographic patterns in fungal fruiting phenology coincided with seasonal changes in climate and primary production. Across central to northern Europe, mean fruiting varied by approximately 25 d, primarily with latitude. Altitude affected fruiting by up to 30 d, with spring delays and autumnal accelerations. Fruiting was as much explained by the effects of bioclimatic variability as by their large-scale spatial patterns. Temperature drove fruiting of autumnal ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic groups as well as spring saprotrophic groups, while primary production and precipitation were major drivers for spring-fruiting ectomycorrhizal fungi. Species-specific phenology predictors were not stable, instead deviating from the overall mean. There is significant likelihood that further climatic change, especially in temperature, will impact fungal phenology patterns at large spatial scales. The ecological implications are diverse, potentially affecting food webs (asynchrony), nutrient cycling and the timing of nutrient availability in ecosystems.
Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Treatment for Vertebral Compression Fracture with Osteopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Surgical and non-surgical interventions are the two categories for treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). However, there is clinical uncertainty over optimal management. This study aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of surgical management for treatment of VCFs with osteopenia compared with non-surgical treatment. Methods We conducted a systematic search through electronic databases from inception to June 2014, with no limits on study data or language. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating surgical versus non-surgical interventions for treatment of patients with VCFs due to osteopenia were considered. Primary outcomes were pain and adverse effects. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled mean difference (MD) or risk ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Sixteen reports (11 studies) met the inclusion criteria, and provided data for the meta-analysis with a total of 1,401 participants. Compared with conservative treatment, surgical treatment was more effective in reducing pain (short-term: MD -2.05, 95% CI -3.55 to -0.56, P=0.007; mid-term: MD -1.70, 95% CI -2.78 to -0.62, P=0.002; long-term: MD -1.24, 95% CI -2.20 to -0.29, P=0.01) and disability on the Roland–Morris Disability score (short-term: MD -4.97, 95% CI -8.71 to -1.23, P=0.009), as well as improving quality of life on the Short-Form 36 Physical Component Summary score (short-term: MD 5.53, 95% CI 1.45 to 9.61, P=0.008) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis score (short-term: MD -5.01, 95% CI -8.11 to -1.91, P=0.002). Indirect comparisons between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty found no evidence that the treatment effect differed across the two interventions for any outcomes assessed. Compared with the sham procedure, surgical treatment showed no evidence of improvement in pain relief and physical function. Based on these two comparisons, no significant difference between groups was noted in the pooled results for adverse events. Conclusion Compared to conservative treatment, surgical treatment was more effective in decreasing pain in the short,mid and long terms. However, no significant mid- and long-term differences in physical function and quality of life was observed. Little good evidence is available for surgical treatment compared with that for sham procedure. PV and BK are currently used to treat VCFs with osteopenia, with little difference in treatment effects. Evidence of better quality and from a larger sample size is required before a recommendation can be made. Systematic Review Registration http://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO PROSPERO registration number: CRD42013005142.
Mental health literacy, folic acid and vitamin B12, and physical activity for the prevention of depression in older adults: randomised controlled trial

Background Few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have examined potential preventive agents in high-risk community populations. Aims To determine whether a mental health literacy intervention, the promotion of physical activity, or folic acid plus vitamin B12 reduce depression symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with elevated psychological distress. Method An RCT with a completely crossed 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design: (400 mcg/d folic acid + 100 mcg/d vitamin B12 v. placebo)×(physical activity v. nutrition promotion control) × (mental health literacy v. pain information control). The initial target sample size was 2000; however, only 909 adults (60–74 years) met the study criteria. Interventions were delivered by mail with telephone calls. The main outcome was depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ–9) at 6 weeks, 6, 12 and 24 months. The Clinicaltrials.gov registration number is NCT00214682. Results The drop-out rate was low (13.5%) from randomisation to 24-month assessment. Neither folic acid + B12 (F(3,856) = 0.83, P = 0.476) nor physical activity (F(3,856) = 1.65, P = 0.177) reduced depressive symptoms at any time point. At 6 weeks, depressive symptoms were lower for the mental health literacy intervention compared with its control condition (t(895) = 2.04, P = 0.042). Conclusions Mental health literacy had a transient effect on depressive symptoms. Other than this, none of the interventions significantly reduced symptoms relative to their comparator at 6 weeks or subsequently. Neither folic acid plus B12 nor physical activity were effective in reducing depressive symptoms.
Harmonic analysis and Hecke operators

We first construct new uniform pointwise bounds for the matrix coefficients of infinite dimensional unitary representations of a reductive algebraic group over a local field k with semisimple k-rank at least 2 [21]. We explain how this information on local harmonic analysis yields norm estimates for (global) Hecke operators on L(Γ\G) for a connected almost simple simply connected Q-group G and its congruence subgroup Γ [5]. With the tool of Hecke operators, we settle a question of Linnik raised in the early sixties on the distribution of integer points of Diophantine type varieties when the varieties are homogeneous spaces of a reductive algebraic group over Q [10]. Lastly we discuss how to obtain evenly distributed sequences on the spheres Sn (n ≥ 4) [22], generalizing the work of Lubotzky, Phillips and Sarnak on S and S ([18], [19]). 1 Uniform pointwise bounds ξS for matrix coefficients The aim of this section is to explain the construction of new uniform pointwise bounds for the matrix coefficients of infinite dimensional unitary representations of a reductive algebraic group over a local field [21]. Let k be a local field (char k 6= 2), that is, k = R, C, a finite extension of Qp, or a finite extension of Fq((t)) (q 6= 2). Let G be the group of k-rational points of a connected reductive algebraic group over k. Two main ingredients in the construction of the uniform pointwise bounds ξS are the Harish-Chandra function ΞPGL2(k) of PGL2(k) and the strongly orthogonal systems S of the root system of G. Roughly, there exists a (canonical for the split case) way of attaching to each root a closed subgroup of G locally isomorphic to PGL2(k). We will then define for each strongly orthogonal system S a spherical function ξS on G, which is essentially the product of the Harish-Chandra functions ΞPGL2(k) over all roots belonging to S. Our notation ξS is (hopefully) meant to stand for its origin in Ξ (the little Ξ being ξ) over various strongly orthogonal systems S. Recall the Cartan decomposition of G: G = KAΩK where K is a good maximal compact subgroup of G, A a closed positive Weyl chamber contained in a maximal k-split torus A of G and Ω a finite subset of the centralizer of A. That is, for each g ∈ G, there exist unique elements a ∈ A and d ∈ Ω such that g ∈ KadK. We remark that if k is archimedean or if G is k-split, Ω = {e}. A virtue of the Cartan decomposition which will be used ⋆ Partially sponsored by NSF grant DMS 0070544
Vegetation Succession on Degraded Sites in the Pomacochas Basin (Amazonas, N Peru)—Ecological Options for Forest Restoration

The Andes of northern Peru are still widely covered with forests, but increasingly suffer from habitat fragmentation. Subsequent soil degradation often leads to the abandonment of overused forests and pastures. Ecological knowledge on the restoration potential, e.g., on dependencies of soil conditions and altitude, is scarce. Therefore, we compared soil and vegetation patterns along nine transects within the upper Pomacochas Basin, which is an important biodiversity corridor along the Andes, between remaining forests, succession sites and pastures. Anthropogenic successional and disturbance levels, geological substrate, and altitude have the most important ecological impacts on vegetation and tree species composition. Species responded to sandstone versus calcareous substrates, but also to depths of the organic soil layer, and light conditions. The absence of organic layers under pastures contrasted with the accumulation of thick organic layers under forest cover. Vegetation composition at succession sites revealed certain starting points (herbal stage, bush stage, or secondary forest) for restoration that will determine the length of regeneration paths. Pre-forest patches of Alchornea sp. and Parathesis sp. may act as habitat stepping stones for expeditiously restoring biocorridors for wildlife. The key findings can contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in a fragile ecoregion.
Performance Analysis and Optimization in Downlink NOMA Systems With Cooperative Full-Duplex Relaying

We study a downlink non-orthogonal multiple access system with cooperative full-duplex relaying, where the near user in terms of the base station (BS) is enabled to act as a full-duplex relay for the far user. In particular, we first derive the outage probability and ergodic sum rate with closed-form expressions when the power allocations at the BS and relay (or the near user) are fixed. Then, we analytically obtain the optimal power allocations with closed-form expressions at the BS and relay to minimize the outage probability. Furthermore, by taking the fairness between the near user and far user into account, we characterize the optimal power allocations with closed-form expressions at the BS and relay to maximize the minimum achievable rate of users. Simulation results validate the correctness of the theoretical analysis and demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithms over the state of the art.
Depressive status explains a significant amount of the variance in COPD assessment test (CAT) scores

Background COPD assessment test (CAT) is a short, easy-to-complete health status tool that has been incorporated into the multidimensional assessment of COPD in order to guide therapy; therefore, it is important to understand the factors determining CAT scores. Methods This is a post hoc analysis of a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in respiratory medicine departments and primary care centers in Spain with the aim of identifying the factors determining CAT scores, focusing particularly on the cognitive status measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and levels of depression measured by the short Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results A total of 684 COPD patients were analyzed; 84.1% were men, the mean age of patients was 68.7 years, and the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%) was 55.1%. Mean CAT score was 21.8. CAT scores correlated with the MMSE score (Pearson’s coefficient r=−0.371) and the BDI (r=0.620), both p<0.001. In the multivariate analysis, the usual COPD severity variables (age, dyspnea, lung function, and comorbidity) together with MMSE and BDI scores were significantly associated with CAT scores and explained 45% of the variability. However, a model including only MMSE and BDI scores explained up to 40% and BDI alone explained 38% of the CAT variance. Conclusion CAT scores are associated with clinical variables of severity of COPD. However, cognitive status and, in particular, the level of depression explain a larger percentage of the variance in the CAT scores than the usual COPD clinical severity variables.
Microchannel Plate Detection Efficiency to Monoenergetic Photons Between 0.66 and 20 MeV

Southwest Research Institute investigated the response of a microchannel plate (MCP) detector to isotropic radioactive source emissions at photon energies of 0.662 and approximately 1.25 million electronvolts (MeV) and to a beam of monoenergetic photons (gamma rays) at 2.5, 5, 7, 10, 13, and 20 MeV in the Free Electron Laser Laboratory at Duke University. These measurements were performed to quantify anticipated noise levels of a mass spectrometer instrument for space exploration in a harsh radiation environment and included various incident angles of radiation on the MCP. Measured photon detection efficiencies at 0° incident angle to 0.662 and 1.25 MeV were approximately 0.3%–0.4% and are bracketed by previously published data. In the 2.5- to 20-MeV energy range for which comparable published data are not available, measured detection efficiencies were on the order of 0.02%–0.2%. Radiation transport simulations were compared to the experimental results and showed decent agreement. The measured detection efficiency increased as the incident photon angle was changed from being normal to the MCP surface (0°) to being aligned with the MCP edge (90°). At greater off-axis angles, photons were incident on the side of the detector cartridge and generated secondary radiation from photon interactions in the cartridge materials that subsequently registered MCP counts.
A Multi-Agent System for Information Sharing

This paper presents RAIS, a peer-to-peer multi-agent system supporting the sharing of information among a community of users connected through the internet. RAIS has been designed and implemented on the top of well known technologies and software tools for realizing multi-agent and peer-to-peer systems, for the searching of information and for the authentication and authorization of users. RAIS offers a similar search power of Web search engines, but avoids the burden of publishing the information on the Web and guaranties a controlled and dynamic access to the information. Moreover, the use of agent technologies simplifies the realization of three of the main features of the system: i) the filtering of the information coming from different users on the basis of the previous experience of the local user, ii) the pushing of the new information that can be of possible interest for a user, and iii) the delegation of access capabilities on the basis of a network of reputation built by the agents of the system on the community of its users.