Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serious Games et SMA - Application à un supermarché virtuel

La pertinence des systemes multi-agents (SMA) a ete demontree a de nombreuses reprises dans la conception de simulations informatiques ou de jeux video ou un certain nombre d'entites autonomes evoluent dans un environnement complexe et dynamique. Les 'Serious Games' (SG) representent une discipline nouvelle, a la frontiere de la simulation et du jeu. Nous pensons qu'une categorie de SG, ayant pour vocation l'immersion de l'apprenant dans un environnement 3d, represente un banc de test particulierement interessant pour les SMA car ils introduisent des problematiques nouvelles et stimulantes pour la communaute. Dans cet article, nous explorons les defis lances a l'approche SMA par ces SG immersifs. Particulierement, nous demontrons que l'approche multi-agents orientee interactions IODA, dont l'aptitude a faciliter la conception de simulations a deja ete etablie, permet de repondre efficacement a ces nouvelles problematiques. Nous illustrons notre argumentaire en nous basant sur un projet de SG developpe dans notre equipe.
Improving public transit accessibility for blind riders: a train station navigation assistant

Blind people often depend on public transit for mobility. In interviews I learned that changing trains and orientation inside stations is a significant hindering reason for not being spontaneous. Since GPS-navigation typically cannot be used indoors, this paper focuses on building a tool for blind people to assist them in navigating inside train stations, designed for commodity hardware like the Apple iPhone.
Hidden Markov model for inferring user task using mouse movement

The assistive technology and e-learning have been widely used to improve web accessibility for disabled users. One of the issues of online web-based applications is to understand how a user interacts with online application and the strategy by which he reasons to perform a given activity. Know what the web user is doing can provide useful clues to better understand his behavior in order to guide him in his interaction process. This study proposes a methodology to analyze user mouse movement in order to infer the task performed by the user. To do this, a Hidden Markov Model is used for modeling the interaction of the learner with an e-learning application. The obtained results show the ability of our model to analyze the interaction in order to recognize the task performed by the learner.
The Mechanical Significance of the Temporal Fasciae in Macaca fascicularis: An Investigation Using Finite Element Analysis

Computational finite element analyses (FEAs) of the skull predict structural deformations under user specified loads and constraints, with results normally presented as stress and strain distributions over the skull's surface. The applied loads are generally a representation of the major adductor musculature, with the skull constrained at bite positions and at the articulating joints. However, virtually all analyses ignore potentially important anatomical structures, such as the fasciae that cover the temporalis muscle and attach onto the zygomatic arch. In vivo experimental studies have shown that removal of the temporal fasciae attachment onto the zygomatic arch in Cebus monkeys results in significant bone adaptation and remodeling in this region, suggesting the fasciae play an important role in stabilising the arch during biting. Here we investigate this potential stabilising role by carrying out FEAs of a macaque skull with and without temporal fasciae included. We explore the extent to which the zygomatic arch might be stabilized during biting by a synchronized tensioning of the temporal fasciae, acting to oppose masseteric contraction forces. According to our models, during temporalis muscle bulging the forces generated within the tensioned temporal fasciae are large enough to oppose the pull of the masseter. Further, a near bending‐free state of equilibrium within the arch can be reached, even under forceful biting. We show that it is possible to eliminate the high strain gradients in and around the zygomatic arch that are present in past computational studies, with strains being more uniform in magnitude than previously thought. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A UML tool for an automatic generation of simulation programs

For sometime now, Unified Modelling Language (UML) has been accepted as a standard for designing new systems. Its array of notations helps system designers to capture their ideas in a way that is expressive yet easy to understand. One thing that UML lacks though, is a means for predicting the system’s performance directly from its design. Performance prediction is a desirable feature that enables us to evaluate whether a particular design is worth implementing or not. This prediction can frequently be obtained by constructing a simulation program that mimics the characteristics of the new system. The information gathered from running the simulation will then allow us to estimate the performance. In this paper, we present a simulation framework that can be used to generate simulation programs straight from UML notations. We also present a tool has been built to demonstrate the feasibility of using this framework to perform such a transformation automatically.
A universal stability criterion of the foot contact of legged robots - adios ZMP

This paper proposes a universal stability criterion of the foot contact of legged robots. The proposed method checks if the sum of the gravity and the inertia wrench applied to the COG of the robot, which is proposed to be the stability criterion, is inside the polyhedral convex cone of the contact wrench between the feet of a robot and its environment. The criterion can be used to determine the strong stability of the foot contact when a robot walks on an arbitrary terrain and/or when the hands of the robot are in contact with it under the sufficient friction assumption. The determination is equivalent to check if the ZMP is inside the support polygon of the feet when the robot walks on a horizontal plane with sufficient friction. The criterion can also be used to determine if the foot contact is sufficiently weakly stable when the friction follows a physical law. Therefore, the proposed criterion can be used to judge what the ZMP can, and it can be used in more universal cases
Impaired Theory of Mind in Psychotic and Affective Disorders

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v DEDICATION vi LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 7 Overview of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder 7 Overview of Social Cognition 11 Theory of Mind 14 Summary and Hypotheses 31 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 36 Participants 36 Procedure 42 Measures 43 Data Analysis 54 Primary Analyses 55 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 61 Demographic and Clinical Variables 61 Data Screening 66 Primary Analyses 70 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS 107 Addressing the Hypotheses 110 Limitations and Future Directions 118 APPENDIX A: SCREENING, EXCLUSION, AND INCLUSION PROCEDURES.121 APPENDIX B: PHONE SCREENING FORM 122 APPENDIX C: INFORMED CONSENTS 129 APPENDIX D: DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONNAIRE 135 APPENDIX E: REGRESSION EQUATIONS TO ESTIMATE PREMORBID AND CURRENT IQ 138 REFERENCES 139 CURRICULUM VITAE 173
Arterial distensibility in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypical autoimmune disease that is atherogenic. Decreased arterial distensibility (AD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and this precursor may be associated with SLE. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that patients with SLE will have significantly (p < 0.05) decreased AD when compared to normal, healthy age, and gender matched controls. Noninvasive, high resolution ultrasound was performed on 30 patients with chronic SLE and 16 age and gender matched controls. All were female. Maximum systolic and minimum diastolic diameters (mm) and intima-media thickness (IMT, mm) in the right common carotid artery were measured from M-mode images. In vitro arterial models were used for quality control. With a single, blinded observer, the 95% confidence levels for accuracy and precision for noninvasive systolic and diastolic tonometric arm blood pressures (SBP, DBP) and carotid sonographic diameters were ~5 mmHg and ~0.10 mm, respectively. Derived measurements for strain (%), stiffness (units), and AD (units) were determined by published arterial mechanical models and algorithms. Results (mean/standard deviation) were as follows: (patients/controls; # =p<0.05) Age 39/11, 35/11 years; SBP 130/20, 117/8# mmHg; DBP 82/11, 74/9# mmHg; strain 11/4, 11/4 %); stiffness 19/10, 17/11 units; IMT 0.44/0.08, 0.41/0.06 mm; AD 3.10/1.49, 3.30/1.63 units. There were no statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in measurements of AD and IMT in the common carotid artery between relatively young SLE patients and well matched controls.
InterTwine: creating interapplication information scent to support coordinated use of software

Users often make continued and sustained use of online resources to complement use of a desktop application. For example, users may reference online tutorials to recall how to perform a particular task. While often used in a coordinated fashion, the browser and desktop application provide separate, independent mechanisms for helping users find and re-find task-relevant information. In this paper, we describe InterTwine, a system that links information in the web browser with relevant elements in the desktop application to create interapplication information scent. This explicit link produces a shared interapplication history to assist in re-finding information in both applications. As an example, InterTwine marks all menu items in the desktop application that are currently mentioned in the front-most web page. This paper introduces the notion of interapplication information scent, demonstrates the concept in InterTwine, and describes results from a formative study suggesting the utility of the concept.
Transmission network optimal planning using the particle swarm optimization method

In this paper, power system transmission network planning is formulated as a multi-objective mathematical optimization problem. In this context, three objectives: investment cost, reliability and environmental impact are considered in the optimization. To overcome the drawbacks of conventional mathematical optimization method in arriving at local optimum and dimension disasters, etc., we introduced the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique into transmission network optimal planning for the first time, from which the optimal scheme is generated. A case on transmission network planning problem is presented to show the methodology's feasibility and efficiency, compared with the existing optimal planning methods, the search time of the particle swarm optimization method is shorter and the result is close to the ideal solution, simultaneously.
Adaptive Repetitive Control for a Class of Nonlinearly Parametrized Systems

In this note, Lyapunov-based adaptive repetitive control is presented for a class of nonlinearly parametrized systems. Through the use of an integral Lyapunov function, the controller singularity problem is elegantly solved as it avoids the nonlinear parametrization from entering into the adaptive control and repetitive control. Global stability of the adaptive system and asymptotic convergence of the tracking error are established, and tracking error bounds are provided to quantify the control performance. Both partially and fully saturated learning laws are analyzed in detail, and compared analytically
DSL Classification

In model-driven engineering, a Domain-Specific Language (DSL) is a specialized language, which, combined to a transformation function, serves to raise the abstraction level of software and ease software development. However, in practice, beyond this general definition, DSLs adopt multiple forms of representation and implementation. Actually, the issue is projects, and mainly large-scale projects, have to deal with DSL and DSL tool variants. The purpose of this paper is to propose a DSL feature model in order to identify DSL and DSL tool variability.
High diversity of group A Streptococcal emm types in an Indian community: the need to tailor multivalent vaccines.

BACKGROUND Concern about the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains and about morbidity and/or mortality related to rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease has been a continuous impetus for the development of a safe, effective vaccine against group A Streptococcus (GAS). To date, >120 GAS M types are known, as identified by serological typing. In general, serum immunoglobulin G directed to the hypervariable NH2 terminal portion of M protein leads to complement fixation and opsonophagocytosis of the homologous streptococcal serotype by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and the protection is type specific. The sequence variation at the N terminus ultimately affects the binding of opsonic antibodies. Because of hypervariability in these opsonic sequences from different M types, it was relevant to use epitopes derived from these multiple sequences in a "multivalent vaccine" design for evaluation of protection against these M types of GAS. Thus, any attempts to design vaccines for a given community will require information on N terminal-sequence typing and variation. METHODS In the present study, we performed molecular characterization of isolates recovered from patients in northern India--to our knowledge, for the first time--in an attempt to study the circulating M types and their N terminal sequence variability. RESULTS We report tremendous diversity in GAS strains recovered from symptomatic patients, with implications on the design of appropriate vaccines. Fifty-nine isolates represented 33 different sequence types. Very few novel types and no predominant clones were found. CONCLUSIONS The high diversity of emm types encountered in a single year suggests that any M protein-based multivalent vaccine would have to be specifically tailored for this region.
CARBON AND CARBONATE METABOLISM IN COASTAL AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

The coastal zone is where land, ocean, and atmosphere interact. It exhibits a wide diversity of geomorphological types and ecosystems, each one displaying great variability in terms of physical and biogeochemical forcings. Despite its relatively modest surface area, the coastal zone plays a considerable role in the biogeochemical cycles because it receives massive inputs of terrestrial organic matter and nutrients, is among the most geochemically and biologically active areas of the biosphere, and exchanges large amounts of matter and energy with the open ocean. Coastal ecosystems have therefore attracted much attention recently and are the focus of several current national and international research programs (e.g. LOICZ, ELOISE). The primary production, respiration, calcification, carbon burial and exchange with adjacent systems, including the atmosphere, are reviewed for the major coastal ecosystems (estuaries, macrophyte communities, mangroves, coral reefs, and the remaining continental shelf ). All ecosystems
Correlation between Heart-type Fatty Acid-binding Protein Gene Polymorphism and mRNA Expression with Intramuscular Fat in Baicheng-oil Chicken

This study aims to determine the polymorphism and mRNA expression pattern of the heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) gene and their association with intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the breast and leg muscles of Baicheng oil chicken (BOC). A total of 720 chickens, including 240 black Baicheng oil chicken (BBOC), 240 silky Baicheng oil chicken (SBOC), and 240 white Baicheng oil chicken (WBOC) were raised. Three genotypes of H-FABP gene second extron following AA, AB, and BB were detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) strategy. The G939A site created AA genotype and G956A site created BB genotype. The content of IMF in AA genotype in breast muscle of BBOC was significantly higher than that of AB (p = 0.0176) and the genotype in leg muscle of WBOC was significantly higher than that of AB (p = 0.0145). The G939A site could be taken as genetic marker for higher IMF content selecting for breast muscle of BBOC and leg muscle of WBOC. The relative mRNA expression of H-FABP was measured by real-time PCR at 30, 60, 90, and 120 d. The IMF content significantly increased with age in both muscles. The mRNA expression level of H-FABP significantly decreased with age in both muscles of the three types of chickens. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between H-FABP abundance and IMF content in the leg muscles of WBOC (p = 0.035) was observed. The mRNA expression of H-FABP negatively correlated with the IMF content in both breast and leg muscles of BOC sat slaughter time.
Effect of wing inertia on hovering performance of flexible flapping wings

Insect wings in flight typically deform under the combined aerodynamic force and wing inertia; whichever is dominant depends on the mass ratio defined as m∗=ρsh/(ρfc), where ρsh is the surface density of the wing, ρf is the density of the air, and c is the characteristic length of the wing. To study the differences that the wing inertia makes in the aerodynamic performance of the deformable wing, a two-dimensional numerical study is applied to simulate the flow-structure interaction of a flapping wing during hovering flight. The wing section is modeled as an elastic plate, which may experience nonlinear deformations while flapping. The effect of the wing inertia on lift production, drag resistance, and power consumption is studied for a range of wing rigidity. It is found that both inertia-induced deformation and flow-induced deformation can enhance lift of the wing. However, the flow-induced deformation, which corresponds to the low-mass wing, produces less drag and leads to higher aerodynamic power effi.
Substantia Nigra Activity Level Predicts Trial-to-Trial Adjustments in Cognitive Control

Effective adaptation to the demands of a changing environment requires flexible cognitive control. The medial and the lateral frontal cortices are involved in such control processes, putatively in close interplay with the BG. In particular, dopaminergic projections from the midbrain (i.e., from the substantia nigra [SN] and the ventral tegmental area) have been proposed to play a pivotal role in modulating the activity in these areas for cognitive control purposes. In that dopaminergic involvement has been strongly implicated in reinforcement learning, these ideas suggest functional links between reinforcement learning, where the outcome of actions shapes behavior over time, and cognitive control in a more general context, where no direct reward is involved. Here, we provide evidence from functional MRI in humans that activity in the SN predicts systematic subsequent trial-to-trial RT prolongations that are thought to reflect cognitive control in a stop-signal paradigm. In particular, variations in the activity level of the SN in one trial predicted the degree of RT prolongation on the subsequent trial, consistent with a modulating output signal from the SN being involved in enhancing cognitive control. This link between SN activity and subsequent behavioral adjustments lends support to theoretical accounts that propose dopaminergic control signals that shape behavior both in the presence and in the absence of direct reward. This SN-based modulatory mechanism is presumably mediated via a wider network that determines response speed in this task, including frontal and parietal control regions, along with the BG and the associated subthalamic nucleus.
Precondition Inference for Peephole Optimizations in LLVM

Peephole optimizations are a common source of compiler bugs. Compiler developers typically transform an incorrect peephole optimization into a valid one by strengthening the precondition. This process is challenging and tedious. This paper proposes ALIVE-INFER, a data-driven approach that infers preconditions for peephole optimizations expressed in Alive. ALIVE-INFER generates positive and negative examples for an optimization, enumerates predicates on-demand, and learns a set of predicates that separate the positive and negative examples. ALIVE-INFER repeats this process until it finds a precondition that ensures the validity of the optimization. ALIVE-INFER reports both a weakest precondition and a set of succinct partial preconditions to the developer. Our prototype generates preconditions that are weaker than LLVM's preconditions for 73 optimizations in the Alive suite. We also demonstrate the applicability of this technique to generalize 54 optimization patterns generated by Souper, an LLVM~IR--based superoptimizer.
Short-Term Trading for a Wind Power Producer

This paper presents a technique to derive the best offering strategy for a wind power producer in an electricity market that includes various trading floors. Uncertainty pertaining to wind availability, market prices at the different trading stages, and balancing energy needs are properly taken into account. Risk on profit variability is suitably controlled at the cost of a small reduction in expected profit. The proposed technique translates into a linear programming problem of moderate size, which is readily solvable using commercially available software. A variety of numerical case studies demonstrate the interest and effectiveness of the proposed technique. Appropriate conclusions are duly drawn.
Integral and rxte observations of accreting millisecond pulsar igr j00291+5934 in outburst

Simultaneous observations of the accretion-powered millisecond pulsar IGR J00291+5934 by the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory and Rossi X-ray Timins Explorer during the 2004 December outburst are analysed. The average spectrum is well described by thermal Comptonization with an electron temperature of 50 keV and Thomson optical depth τ T ∼ 1 in a slab geometry. The spectra] shape is almost constant during the outburst. For the first time we detect a spin-up, ν = 8.4 x 10 -13 Hz s -1 , of an accreting millisecond pulsar. The ISGRI data reveal the pulsation of X-rays at a period of 1.67 milliseconds up to -150 keV. The pulsed fraction is shown to increase from 6 per cent al 6 keV to 12-20 per cent at 100 keV. This is naturally explained by the action of the Doppler effect on the exponentially cutoff Comptonization spectrum from the hot spot. The nearly sinusoidal pulses show soft lags with a complex energy dependence, increasing up to 7 keV, then decreasing to 15 keV, and seemingly saturating at higher energies.
Extending Video Playback Time With Limited Residual Battery

In this letter, the performance of battery-aware-based rate adaptation for video streaming on mobile devices is evaluated. Complementary to conventional channel-aware-based rate adaptation, the proposed scheme jointly adapts, to address the effects of time-varying wireless network conditions as well as, the residual battery on mobile devices. Numerical analysis and simulations conducted under various network conditions and residual battery levels show the potential of the proposed adaptation scheme to extend video playback time by 40% in comparison with the conventional adaptation scheme.