Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tilt and Multitouch Input for Tablet Play of Real-Time Strategy Games

Real-time strategy computer games are a popular form of participatory and spectator entertainment. Despite their wide popularity on desktop and laptop computers, few examples of this gameplay type exist that have been developed to run on handheld touchscreen devices (smartphones and tablet computers). Most of the examples discovered have extremely simplified gameplay compared to strategy games developed for traditional computers, presumably to simplify the controls that are required to take actions in the game. Given the popularity of the genre on previously conventional computer environments, I posit that adapting these games to this new computing space has been challenging because the commonly recognized control schemes rely heavily on forms of input that are absent or awkward on touchscreen devices (hotkey input with keyboard, a mouse with multiple buttons). I suggest that the input space of handheld touchscreen devices is deeper than these attempts have allowed for (adding detection of the device’s angle, as well as multiple simultaneous screen position inputs). I propose a layout of control and informative elements common to RTS gameplay designed to make use of the differing depth profile of this input space, and adapted to the observed ergonomics of handheld computer use. I describe a software project created to implement these designs, and present the results of a user study which captures feedback about this project and examines the effectiveness of different interaction modes in selecting commands and adding specifying metadata to them (e.g. destination points for orders to move across the map). I find that tilt can become an effective form of camera control if extended with additional refinements, and that the methods of touch interaction appear roughly comparable in effectiveness.
Adapting the RASP System for the CoNLL07 Domain-Adaptation Task

We describe our submission to the domain adaptation track of the CoNLL07 shared task in the open class for systems using external resources. Our main finding was that it was very difficult to map from the annotation scheme used to prepare training and development data to one that could be used to effectively train and adapt the RASP system unlexicalized parse ranking model. Nevertheless, we were able to demonstrate a significant improvement in performance utilizing bootstrapping over the PBIOTB data.
Normalized Mini-Mental State Examination for Assessing Cognitive Change in Population-Based Brain Aging Studies

Background: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used in population-based longitudinal studies to quantify cognitive change. However, its poor metrological properties, mainly ceiling/floor effects and varying sensitivity to change, have largely restricted its usefulness. We propose a normalizing transformation that corrects these properties, and makes possible the use of standard statistical methods to analyze change in MMSE scores. Methods: The normalizing transformation designed to correct at best the metrological properties of MMSE was estimated and validated on two population-based studies (n = 4,889, 20-year follow-up) by cross-validation. The transformation was also validated on two external studies with heterogeneous samples mixing normal and pathological aging, and samples including only demented subjects. Results: The normalizing transformation provided correct inference in contrast with models analyzing the change in crude MMSE that most often lead to biased estimates of risk factors and incorrect conclusions. Conclusions: Cognitive change can be easily and properly assessed with the normalized MMSE using standard statistical methods such as linear (mixed) models.
Diversity and Biosynthetic Potential of Culturable Actinomycetes Associated with Marine Sponges in the China Seas

The diversity and secondary metabolite potential of culturable actinomycetes associated with eight different marine sponges collected from the South China Sea and the Yellow sea were investigated. A total of 327 strains were isolated and 108 representative isolates were selected for phylogenetic analysis. Ten families and 13 genera of Actinomycetales were detected, among which five genera represent first records isolated from marine sponges. Oligotrophic medium M5 (water agar) proved to be efficient for selective isolation, and “Micromonospora–Streptomyces” was proposed as the major distribution group of sponge-associated actinomycetes from the China Seas. Ten isolates are likely to represent novel species. Sponge Hymeniacidon perleve was found to contain the highest genus diversity (seven genera) of actinomycetes. Housekeeping gene phylogenetic analyses of the isolates indicated one ubiquitous Micromonospora species, one unique Streptomyces species and one unique Verrucosispora phylogroup. Of the isolates, 27.5% displayed antimicrobial activity, and 91% contained polyketide synthase and/or nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes, indicating that these isolates had a high potential to produce secondary metabolites. The isolates from sponge Axinella sp. contained the highest presence of both antimicrobial activity and NRPS genes, while those from isolation medium DNBA showed the highest presence of antimicrobial activity and PKS I genes.
Differential Quaternary dynamics of evergreen broadleaved forests in subtropical China revealed by phylogeography of Lindera aggregata (Lauraceae)

According to palaeo‐biome reconstructions, the subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLF) in East Asia contracted to a narrow belt south of 24° N during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Yet numerous phylogeographical studies of EBLF plants have inferred glacial refugia north of this area. Here, we aim to further elucidate the Quaternary dynamics of EBLFs using the widespread shrub Lindera aggregata as model.
PRIMA - Privilege Management and Authorization in Grid Computing Environments

Computational grids and other heterogeneous, large-scale distributed systems require more powerful and more flexible authorization mechanisms to realize fine-grained access-control of resources. Computational grids are increasingly used for collaborative problem-solving and advanced science and engineering applications. Usage scenarios for advanced grids require support for small, dynamic working groups, direct delegation of access privileges among users, procedures for establishing trust relationships without requiring organizational level agreements, precise management by individuals of their privileges, and retention of authority by resource providers. Existing systems fail to provide the necessary flexibility and granularity to support these scenarios. The reasons include the overhead imposed by required administrator intervention, coarse granularity that only allows for all-or-nothing access control decisions, and the inability to implement finer-grained access control without requiring trusted application code. PRIMA, the model and system developed in this research, focuses on management and enforcement of fine-grained privileges. The PRIMA model introduces novel approaches that can be used in place of, or in combination with existing access control mechanisms. PRIMA enables the users of a system to manage access to their own assets directly without the need for, and costs of intervention by technical personnel. System administrators benefit from more flexible and fine-grained definition of access privileges and policies. A novel access control decision and enforcement model with support for legacy applications has been developed. The model uses on-demand account leasing and implements expressive enforcement mechanisms built on existing low-overhead security primitives of the operating systems. The combination of the PRIMA components constitutes a comprehensive security model that facilitates highly dynamic authorization scenarios and increases security through least privilege access to resources. In summary, PRIMA mechanisms enable the use of fine-grained access rights, reduce administrative costs to resource providers, enable ad-hoc and dynamic collaboration scenarios, and provide improved security service to long-lived grid communities.
An Event-contrastive Connectome Network for Automatic Assessment of Individual Face Processing and Memory Ability

Human adapt their behaviors by continuously monitoring one another to function socially in our society. The ability to process face identity from memory is a crucial basic capability. In this work, we propose an event-contrastive connectome network (E-cCN) in representing brain’s functional connectivity with contrastive loss to handle layers of fMRI data variabilities exists under different controlled stimuli events to achieve improved automatic assessing of an individual’s face processing and memory ability. Our proposed connectome network achieves an overall recognition accuracy of 80.20% and 82.05% in binary classification of separating high versus low scoring subjects on tasks of Taiwanese Face Memory Test (TFMT) and component inverse efficiency score (cIE) respectively. Further, our network embedding representation demonstrate distinct connectivity patterns in key face processing brain regions (ROIs) when comparing between high and low face processing and memory ability.
Multiscale assessment of spatial precipitation variability over complex mountain terrain using a high‐resolution spatiotemporal wavelet reconstruction method

Studying precipitation variability in the Peruvian Andes is a challenge given the high topographic variability and the scarcity of weather stations. Yet previous research has shown that a near‐linear relationship exists between precipitation and vegetation in the semiarid central Andes. We exploit this relationship by developing a new, spatially highly resolved spatiotemporal precipitation reconstruction method, using daily precipitation time series from in situ weather stations, and dekadal (10 calendar days) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) fields. The two data sets are combined through a wavelet decomposition method. A 4° × 4° region around Quelccaya ice cap (QIC), the world's largest tropical ice cap located in the central Peruvian Andes, was selected as study area, due to its importance for climatic, glaciologic, and paleoclimatic research. The reconstructed end product, a ~1 km2 gridded precipitation data set at dekadal temporal resolution, was validated against independent rain gauge data and compared with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 version 7 product. This validation showed a better overall performance of our own reconstruction than the TRMM data. Additionally, a comparison of our precipitation product with snowfall measurements at the QIC summit (5670 m) shows a regionally coherent signal at the dekadal scale, suggesting that the precipitation falling at QIC is driven by regional‐ rather than local‐scale convective activity. We anticipate that this methodology and the type of data generated in this study will be useful for hydrological and glaciological studies, as well as for validation of high‐resolution downscaling products in mountain regions.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Migraine After Rausedyl Provocation

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were recorded in 34 migraine patients (21 F and 13 M, mean age 37.4 ± 8.1 years) after Rausedyl (2.5 mg reserpine) provocation. Intramuscular injection of reserpine induces a typical headache in migrainous controls. The findings were compared with those of 40 healthy controls (25 F and 15 M with a mean age of 40 ± 8.9 years). We evaluated I, III, V and I-III, III-V, I-V peak and interpeak latencies. We did not find significant differences after provocation in the control group. In the migraine group, V waves were delayed significantly and consecutively I-V interpeak latencies were increased. Our results indicate an impairment of the rostral brainstem function after reserpine provocation in migraine patients.
Modulation of Synaptic Plasticity in the Cortex Needs to Understand All the Players

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in cognitive tasks such as working memory, decision making, risk assessment and regulation of attention. These functions performed by the PFC are supposed to rely on rhythmic electrical activity generated by neuronal network oscillations determined by a precise balance between excitation and inhibition balance (E/I balance) resulting from the coordinated activities of recurrent excitation and feedback and feedforward inhibition. Functional alterations in PFC functions have been associated with cognitive deficits in several pathologies such as major depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. These pathological situations are correlated with alterations of different neurotransmitter systems (i.e., serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), acetylcholine…) that result in alterations of the E/I balance. The aim of this review article is to cover the basic aspects of the regulation of the E/I balance as well as to highlight the importance of the complementarity role of several neurotransmitters in the modulation of the plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. We illustrate our purpose by recent findings that demonstrate that 5-HT and DA cooperate to regulate the plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses targeting layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5PyNs) of the PFC and to fine tune the E/I balance. Using a method based on the decomposition of the synaptic conductance into its excitatory and inhibitory components, we show that concomitant activation of D1-like receptors (D1Rs) and 5-HT1ARs, through a modulation of NMDA receptors, favors long term potentiation (LTP) of both excitation and inhibition and consequently does not modify the E/I balance. We also demonstrate that activation of D2-receptors requires functional 5-HT1ARs to shift the E-I balance towards more inhibition and to favor long term depression (LTD) of excitatory synapses through the activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). This cooperation between different neurotransmitters is particularly relevant in view of pathological situations in which alterations of one neurotransmitter system will also have consequences on the regulation of synaptic efficacy by other neurotransmitters. This opens up new perspectives in the development of therapeutic strategies for the pharmacological treatment of neuronal disorders.
Induction of an anti‐Fab, anti‐DNA and anti‐RNA polymerase I autoantibody response net work in rabbits immunized with SLE anti‐DNA antibody

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like anti-IgG Fab autoantibodies (autoAb) were induced in rabbits by immunization with either human, mouse or rabbit anti-DNA Ab. In direct-binding radioimmunoassay (RIA), affinity-purified anti-normal rabbit (NR) Fab autoAb cross-reacted with normal mouse (NM) Fab, ssDNA (but not dsDNA), poly(dA,dT), and RNA polymerase I (RPI). Affinity-purified anti-NM IgG Ab isolated from the same antisera cross-reacted with NR Fab, ssDNA and RPI. In inhibition RIA, soluble NR Fab inhibited anti-NR Fab binding to NR Fab and ssDNA, but enhanced binding to RPI. In contrast, ssDNA or RPI inhibitors had no effect upon autoAb binding to NR Fab. Anti-DNA, anti-RPI and anti-RPI 190 kD subunit autoAb, induced by immunization with lupus mouse anti-DNA Ab, also reacted with NM Fab, but were idiotypically specific for lupus mouse anti-DNA Fab. Further, rabbit anti-DNA and anti-RPI IgG autoAb, induced by immunization with rabbit anti-DNA IgG, were each idiotypically specific for homologous and autologous rabbit anti-ssDNA Fab. Together, these data provide evidence that anti-DNA, anti-RPI and anti-Fab autoAb are linked in a complex, multiple-specific and perhaps regulatory, immune response idiotype network in SLE.
Caractérisation et impact de la pollution dans les rejets urbains par temps de pluie (RUTP) sur des bassins versants de l'agglomération Orléanaise.

L’objectif de cette these est de caracteriser les Rejets Urbains par Temps de Pluie (RUTP) et leur flux au niveau des exutoires d’eaux pluviales de trois sous-bassins majeurs de l'agglomeration orleanaise. Pour cela des prelevements ponctuels d’eau ont ete effectues et un modele conceptuel a ete utilise. Les trois sous-bassins : La Corne (463 ha), l'Egoutier (2080 ha) et Ormes (2256 ha) ont des occupations du sol differentes.D’une maniere generale, la conductivite, la demande chimique en oxygene (DCO), la demande biochimique en oxygene (DBO5 et la DBO28), le carbone organique dissout (COD), l'azote total(NT), et les concentrations en anions et cations majeurs etaient plus eleves par temps sec que par temps de pluie indiquant un effet de dilution par les precipitations. Il a ete mis en evidence un melange des eaux pluviales avec des eaux usees dans le sous bassin d’Ormes. L’occupation des sols et les activites anthropiques influencent de maniere significative la qualite du ruissellement. Par exemple, dans le sous-bassin de l’Egoutier, la presence d’une zone impermeable (industries et habitations) importante (40% de la surface) est responsable d’une augmentation des parametresDBO5, DBO28, COD et NT.Les flux aux exutoires des differents parametres de qualite de l’eau ont ete evalues et compares a ceux issus des quatre principales stations d’epuration (STEP) et a ceux de la Loire. La charge destrois sous-bassins urbains represente environ 166,61% de la charge des quatre STEP. Les trois sous bassins ont un faible impact sur la Loire en termes de flux annuels (environ 1,62% pour les MES par temps de pluie). Deux versions d’un modele conceptuel dit d'accumulation/lavage-transport ont ete evaluees pour estimer les flux de ruissellement des polluants ; la version classique et une version modifiee dans laquelle le parametre accumulation des polluants a une forme logarithmique. Les performances des modeles etaient acceptables pour les MES et la DCO. Les coefficients de correlation etaient superieurs a 90% pour le sous bassin de l’Egoutier, par exemple. Pour les elements traces metalliques en phase particulaire, la correlation avec l’experience etait bonne egalement. D’une maniere generale, lorsqu'un flux mesure etait inferieur a 1 kg.ha-1, les modeles n’etaient plus applicables.Des premiers essais de simulation de la qualite et la quantite de RUTP ont ete effectues a partir de MIKE URBAN, qui equipe les deux logiciels de modelisation MOUSE et SWMM. Les hydrogrammes ont indique que le debit maximum obtenu avec SWMM etait toujours inferieur a celui obtenu avec MOUSE. La qualite de l’eau (masse de MES) etait toujours plus fortement impactee par le lessivage des MES dans le modele MOUSE que dans SWMM.Ce travail constitue la premiere etape du travail d'evaluation de RUTP pour l'Agglomeration orleanaise. Il constitue une base solide pour un futur programme de surveillance continue.
Functional properties and pharmacological regulation of two-pore domain potassium channels associated with pulmonary disorders

Potassium (K+) channels have been found to regulate the background 'leak' current maintaining resting membrane potential and therefore controlling the excitability of mammalian cells. The two-pore domain K+ channel (K2P) family has been suggested to underlie the K+ channels responsible for this leak current and can be regulated by a variety of stimuli. This study investigated multiple K2P channels and their role within pulmonary disorders using a combination of electrophysiological, imaging and biochemical approaches. Carotid bodies are responsible for oxygen sensing within the carotid artery. TASK channels (TASK-1 and TASK-3) are highly expressed in the carotid body and are sensitive to changes in the chemical composition of the blood, stimulating ventilatory responses. This study shows that doxapram, a ventilatory stimulant, is a highly potent inhibitor of both human TASK-1 and TASK-3 channels, despite being a more selective inhibitor of rodent TASK-1 channels. I provide further evidence of the importance of key amino acids, previously identified in rodents, involved in the effect of doxapram on TASK-3. I also show that the M1P1 loop of the channel is important for doxapram inhibition. TASK-1 channels have been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). I characterised homozygous mutations of TASK-1, G106R and L214R, found in patients diagnosed with an aggressive form of PAH. I show that whilst the mutated TASK-1 channels are expressed and trafficked to the membrane, they appear to be non-functional. Riociguat and sildenafil, used in the treatment of PAH, enhanced current through WT TASK-1 channels but were unable to restore function through the mutated TASK-1 channels. TREK-1 and TREK-2 channels have been shown to play a role in neuronal pain signalling. The majority of patients undergoing treprostinil therapy, as part of their treatment, experience severe pain at the site of infusion. This study shows that treprostinil rapidly inhibits TREK-1 and TREK-2 channels, suggesting they may play a role in the site pain experienced by patients. I also show that the N-terminus of TREK-1 is not important for treprostinil effect. K2P channels play a key role within the pulmonary system and their ability to be regulated by a variety of stimuli makes them a key therapeutic target when treating pulmonary disorders.
G CSF association with prolonged survival in HIV infected patients with disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection

Summary: Clarithromycin can ameliorate symptoms and improve survival in disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex DMAC infection. Optimal combina tions of this drug with other agents remain unknown. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor G CSF is a cytokine that can improve phagocytosis of M. avium complex in vitro . We aim to determine if G CSF administration is associated with improved survival in patients with DMAC in a retrospective, cohort study. Case records from 1991 to 1995 of 91 patients with DMAC at Parkland Memorial Hospital were reviewed for date of initial DMAC diagnosis, baseline CD4 count, race, sex, antiretroviral use, G CSF use, therapy for DMAC clarithromycin, ethambutol, ciprofloxacin and rifabutin and date of death. Of 91 cases identified, 25 were treated with G CSF and 66 never received this drug. Baseline characteristics were similar in each group including CD4 count 40 cells mm 3 vs 33 cells mm 3, P =0.68 , clarithromycin use 18 patients vs 52 patients, P =0.90 , and antiretroviral use 20 patients vs 42 patients, P =0.21 . Subjects treated with G CSF lived longer than those who did not receive this drug 355 days vs 211 days, P 0.01 . In the subgroup treated with clarithromycin, G CSF was also associated with increased survival 377 days vs 252 days, P 0.01 . Cox proportional hazards model showed a decreased risk of death in patients treated with G CSF RH=0.22, P 0.01 , clarithromycin RH=0.13, P 0.01 and ethambutol RH=0.51, P =0.02 . Ciprofloxacin and rifabutin use did not influence survival. These data support the use of clarithromycin and ethambutol in the treatment of DMAC. Addition of G CSF to a regimen of clarithromycin and ethambutol may increase survival in DMAC and should be studied prospectively.
Coherent reconstruction of a textile and a hidden object with terahertz radiation

Imaging through scattering materials is of utmost importance, especially for security and biomedical imaging. Unlike the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum, terahertz radiation is a non-ionizing probe and allows imaging deep through non-conducting materials with sub-millimeter resolution. Here, we propose a coherent imaging technique reconstructing two objects, hidden one behind the other, from relative shifts between them. Experimental reconstructions at λ=96.5 μm of amplitude and phase objects hidden behind a glass fabric sample are presented. The hidden objects are retrieved with a lateral resolution of ≈1. 5λ and a depth resolution of ≈λ/10. Besides envisioning its use in non-invasive imaging, we anticipate that, in selected applications, the suggested approach can replace a similar phase retrieval technique, namely ptychography.