Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Impact of Competition and Incentives on Game Jam Participation and Behaviour

Competitive elements are a common feature of many game jams. However, there has been little research to date on the impact of competition on participants and their behaviours. To better understand how incentives and competition may affect the motivations and behaviour of game jam participants, we surveyed 47 game jam participants and analysed data from 4,564 online game jams. We found that incentives and competition were neither strong deterrents nor significant motivators for game jam participation. However, a significant percentage of the participants surveyed indicated that incentives and competition would affect their behaviour during a game jam. Our findings suggest this effect is dependent on the nature (or contingency) of the incentive. In addition to its practical implications for game jam organisation, this study highlights a largely untapped potential for further research into the complexities of game jams, incentives and competition.
BezelCursor: Bezel-Initiated Cursor for One-Handed Target Acquisition on Mobile Touch Screens

The authors present BezelCursor, a novel one-handed thumb interaction technique for target acquisition on mobile touch screens of various sizes. Their technique combines bezel-initiated interaction and pointing gesture to solve the problem of limited screen accessibility afforded by the thumb. With a fixed, comfortable grip of a mobile touch device, a user may employ the tool to easily and quickly access a target located anywhere on the screen, using a single fluid action. Unlike the existing technologies, the authors' technique requires no explicit mode switching to invoke and can be smoothly used together with commonly adopted interaction styles such as direct touch and dragging. Their user study shows that BezelCursor requires less grip adjustment, and is more accurate or faster than the state-of-the-art techniques when using a fixed secure grip.
BOOMERANGS OF BIODIVERSITY?: THE INTERCHANGE OF BIODIVERSITY BETWEEN MAINLAND NORTH AFRICA AND THE CANARY ISLANDS AS INFERRED FROM CPDNA RFLPS IN GENUS ANDROCYMBIUM.

SUMMARY Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site (RFLP) data for 29 populations representing the distribution of Androcymbium in the Northern quarter of Africa were used to discuss the probable phylogeographical relationships of the two Canarian species (A. psammophilum and A. hierrense) with their closest extant mainland congener A. wyssianum. Although the topology of relationships obtained clearly points out that the origin of A. psammophilum and A. hierrense is best explained by a single colonization from a mainland ancestor in the eastern islands, our data cannot resolve among a Canarian or a mainland origin of the continental A. wyssianum. While a strictly parsimonious interpretation of the topology would favour the scenario that A. wyssianum derives from a mainland ancestor that may have survived the glaciations in refugia, the alternative of a Canarian origin of A. wyssianum is bolstered by two pieces of evidence. First, divergence time estimates show that the Canarian circumscription of Androcymbium originated some 5.8 ± 0.2 mya, more than twofold earlier than the estimated origin of A. wyssianum (2.6 ± 0.5mya). Second, the topology of the clade of A. wyssianum places the Easternmost populations in a clearly derived position, thereby suggesting a settlement in a West-East sense. The hypothesis of a Canarian origin of the mainland A. wyssianum would entail a boomerang effect, whereby one lineage (the common mainland ancestor of the Canarian Androcymbium species) abandoned a climatically deteriorated area (Pliocene mainland North Africa) to found a population in a climatic refuge (the Canaries), from where a further founder event succeeded to settle in the mainland area of departure when its climatic conditions became more auspicious. Although we cannot decide between the two alternatives with the sampling and data available at present, this work has set forth the basic directions to address this problem in the future.
Ballerina

This work expresses the movements of a ballerina in a magnificent costume of organdy and lace. It is generated by a purely programmatic approach, without traditional drawing and painting. Beginning with a geometric concept based on a spiral, the process generates a great variety of unexpected forms through a sequence of parameters complicated by mapping affine transformations.
Do It Yourself Haptics: Part II [Tutorial]

This article is the second of a two-part series intended to be an introduction to haptic interfaces, their construction, and application design. Haptic interactions employ mechanical, programmed physical devices that can be used for human-computer communication via the sense of touch. In Part I of this series, we focused on the devices themselves: the classes of hardware schemes currently available or envisioned, the software components that drive them, and specific examples that can be built on the kitchen table. Here in Part II, we broach a topic that is coming into its own; between the vision of a particular utility that haptic feedback theoretically should enable and the hardware capable of delivering the required sensations is the problem of designing the interaction in a usable way.
Social Community Recommendation based on Large-scale Semantic Trajectory Analysis Using Deep Learning

The widespread use of smart mobile devices has resulted in a massive accumulation of trajectory data by service providers. The analysis of human trajectories, particularly semantic location information, has opened up avenues for discovering common social behavior and enhancing social connections, leading to a range of applications such as friend recommendations and product suggestions. However, the exponential growth of trajectory information generated every day presents significant challenges for existing trajectory analysis algorithms, which are no longer capable of delivering timely analysis results. To address this issue, we propose a highly efficient algorithm that can recommend social communities for new users in real time by leveraging knowledge gained from large-scale semantic trajectories. Specifically, we develop a novel two-branch deep neural network model that extracts semantic meanings at different levels of granularity from human trajectories and uncovers the hidden relationship between trajectories and social communities. We then utilize this model to perform instant social community recommendations. Our experimental results have demonstrated that our approach is not only significantly faster than traditional trajectory analysis algorithms in terms of social community recommendation, but also preserves high prediction accuracy with F1-score above 97%.
Reference Gene U2 Enables Direct Comparison between Relative Gene Expression Levels of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Tissue and Culture Using Real-Time Quantitative PCR

In nearly every lab, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is used to quantify gene expression. However, a comparison of different samples requires the careful selection of suitable reference genes (RGs), sometimes referred to as housekeeping genes. In the case of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), it is important to know under which conditions gene expression in isolated and cultured vSMCs can be compared with vSMCs in a healthy blood vessel. We isolated the vSMC-containing layer of the rat aorta (tunica media) and used one (longitudinal) half for direct RNA extraction, while the other half served to isolate and culture vSMCs prior to RNA extraction. First, the expression of the routinely used RGs beta-actin (Actb) and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh) is investigated in intact media and corresponding cultured vSMCs. Significant differences in their Ct values show that these RGs could not be used for such direct comparisons; therefore, we select 15 different RGs. Only the gene expression of the small ribonuclear protein (snRNP) U2 shows no significant differences between the absolute Ct values of cultured vSMCs and the intact media; moreover, no differences were found between male and female rats in our experimental setup. In conclusion, U2 was shown to be an appropriate (sex-independent) RG to compare relative expression levels of vSMCs in culture to those vSMCs within their physiological tissue environment.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Number Plate Recognition system is a securitysystem. Image processing concept is used in Number Plate Recognition system. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) scheme is also applied in this for reading the image of vehicle number plate. Number Plate Recognition system is used for many purposes like tollway authorities uses this system for allowing the vehicle to enter the toll road by detecting their number plate automatically and provide them with pay-slip and then open the road for that particular car. Parking authorities also use this system for allowing the vehicle to park in their area. In this system, firstly we capture the image of number plate then process it and read each and every character present in the number plate for their perfect recognition. The mostsignificant phase is OCR, where the letterings on the image of number plate are changed into the texts which can be decoded later. In this given research paper, a full algorithm and network flow for ANPR and its efficient applications are shown. The concept of ANPR system is based on the matching of templates and exactness (result) of this system was established as 75-85% for Indian number plates.
Genetic Testing for Rett Syndrome

GENETICS NOMENCLATURE UPDATE The Human Genome Variation Society nomenclature is used to report information on variants found in DNA and serves as an international standard in DNA diagnostics. It is being implemented for genetic testing medical evidence review updates starting in 2017 (see Table PG1). The Society’s nomenclature is recommended by the Human Variome Project, the HUman Genome Organization, and by the Human Genome Variation Society itself.
Ownership Structure in Agrifood Chains: The Marketing Cooperative

Globalization, technological developments, and consumer concerns press farmers and food producers to enhance product innovation and to seek more efficient production and distribution structures. These changes in agrifood markets shift the relative importance of the investments by different chain partners. It may therefore be necessary to change the allocation of ownership of essential assets to induce agents to make those investments that generate the chain optimum. This article analyzes the impact of ownership structure on investments in a three-tier supply chain from an incomplete contracting perspective. Circumstances are determined in which a marketing cooperative is the unique first-best ownership structure.
The Bacillus secretion stress response is an indicator for α‐amylase production levels

Aims: Overproduced α‐amylases in Bacillus subtilis provoke a specific stress response involving the CssRS two‐component system, which controls expression of the HtrA and HtrB proteases. Previously, the B. subtilis TepA protein was implicated in high‐level α‐amylase secretion. Our present studies were aimed at investigating a possible role of TepA in secretion stress management, and characterizing the intensity of the secretion stress response in relation to α‐amylase production.
Modeling Contaminant Transport from Garage to Living Space in Residential Buildings Based on Single Tracer Gas Decay Measurements

Attached garages can pose a threat to a home’s indoor air quality because the garage air, which often contains some contaminants such as particula te matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, can migrate into living spaces. In this paper, a model is developed to characterize the transport of contaminants from a garage to a living space based on a measurement of single tracer gas decays without limiting the numbers of zones in the building. Unlike conventional multi-tracer gas methods, this model considers time delays of contaminant transport, and is much simpler, less costly and less time-consuming. It interprets the test results with clear physical meanings of the coefficients in the model equations, and is helpful for understanding the transport process of contam inants. An example of the model’s applications shows the goodness of fit of the model to test data and its effectiveness at interpreting results of tracer gas decay expirements.
Feedback in Galaxy Clusters and Brightest Cluster Galaxy Star Formation

My main thesis work is to understand the relationship between star formation in the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) and the thermodynamical state of the intracluster medium (ICM) of cool core galaxy clusters. Detailed photometry of BCGs in galaxy clusters observed in the Cluster Lensing and Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH) reveal ultraviolet and Hα emitting knot and filamentary structures extending several tens of kpc. I initially focus on these structures, which harbor starbursts forming stars at rates between < 1 M yr−1 and ∼ 250 M yr−1. I perform ultraviolet through far-infrared Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) fitting on combined Hubble, Spitzer, and Herschel photometry of CLASH BCGs, and measure star formation rates (SFRs), dust contents, and constrain the duration of starburst activity. Using X-ray data from Chandra, I find a tight relationship between CLASH BCG SFRs and the cooling-to-freefall time ratio in the ICM. I propose treating the cooling-to-freefall time ratio as a proxy for the mass condensation efficiency of the ICM in the core of cool-core clusters, an interpretation which is motivated by recent theoretical work deii
Comparison of median indicator kriging with full indicator kriging in the analysis of spatial data

In the earth sciences, and particularly in the mining of precious metals, data distributions are often strongly positively skewed. When making decisions on the potential profitability of a gold mine. for example, the high values of the distribution are of particular imponance. Indicator kriging provides estimates of cumulative distribution functions from which grade tonnage curves may be calculated. Multiple or full indicalor kriging requires a semivariogram to be modelled and a kriging system of equations to be soh·ed for each cur off. This can be time consuming and modelling indic:ator scmi\'ariogmms at high cut-offs may be difficult because of the low number of dala above the cut off. One way to avoid these problems is to use median indicator kriging. Median indicator kriging uses the same semivariogram model ar each cur off and may not perform ao; well a. ~ full indicalor kriging. This thesis presents comparisons of median indicator kriging and full indicator kriging in the analysis of three suites of data for which the assumptions of median indicator kriging are only approximately satisfied. The distributions of the sample data selo; have different degrees of skewness and sparseness. Two of the data suites represent highly skewed gold mineralisations and gr.tde tonnage curves are obtained from the results of both indicator kriging methods. The third suite consilits of approximately nonnally distributed air permeability data. The results from the two methods are compared with reality and show that n1edian indicator kriging performs as well as full indicator kriging in each case.
Comparison of Acoustic and Aerial Photographic Methods for Quantifying the Distribution of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Sagamore Creek, NH

Abstract : Maintenance dredging in the Black Channel portion of the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscatiqua River Federal Navigation Project in Portsmouth (commonly referred to as Sagamore Creek) occurs in close proximity to submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV). Species, density, and spatial distribution are of concern to resource agencies given the potential impacts associated with dredging activities including the physical removal of vegetation as well as increases in turbidity and/or siltation. A variety of techniques are available for determining these attributes, including manual sampling, aerial photographic surveys, and acoustic-based surveys. Aerial photography is a standard technique for characterizing SAV distribution and, under some conditions, distinguishing species. It may underestimate SAV coverage if water clarity is low or there is poor contrast between SAV and adjoining bottom material. Acoustic surveys employ the acoustic reflectivity of the SAV for detection and for determining canopy geometric characteristics. Although acoustic techniques are not limited by water clarity, they are typically unable to distinguish species. Both photographic and acoustic techniques require some physical ground-truth sampling to verify interpretation and output. In preparation for scheduled maintenance dredging in Sagamore Creek, near Little Harbor, NH, SAV surveys were scheduled. During coordination meetings to plan these surveys, the validity of the height-based rule for distinguishing eelgrass from marine macroalgae was questioned. Accordingly, a study was planned to compare an acoustic-based estimate of eelgrass distribution with that from aerial photography. In particular, the effect of the acoustic-based plant height discriminant for estimating eelgrass coverage was to be evaluated in this study.
Evaluation of FAPI PET imaging in gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: Recent studies suggest that 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrated superiority over 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of various cancer types, especially in gastric cancer (GC). By comprehensively reviewing and analysing the differences between 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG in GC, some evidence is provided to foster the broader clinical application of FAPI PET imaging. Methods: In this review, studies published up to July 3, 2023, that employed radionuclide labelled FAPI as a diagnostic radiotracer for PET in GC were analysed. These studies were sourced from both the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Our statistical analysis involved a bivariate meta-analysis of the diagnostic data and a meta-analysis of the quantitative metrics. These were performed using R language. Results: The meta-analysis included 14 studies, with 527 patients, of which 358 were diagnosed with GC. Overall, 68Ga-FAPI showed higher pooled sensitivity (0.84 [95% CI 0.67-0.94] vs. 0.46 [95% CI 0.32-0.60]), specificity (0.91 [95% CI 0.76-0.98] vs. 0.88 [95% CI 0.74-0.96]) and area under the curve (AUC) (0.92 [95% CI 0.77-0.98] vs. 0.52 [95% CI 0.38-0.86]) than 18F-FDG. The evidence showed superior pooled sensitivities of 68Ga-FAPI PET over 18F-FDG for primary tumours, local recurrence, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, and peritoneal metastases. Furthermore, 68Ga-FAPI PET provided higher maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumour-to-background ratios (TBR). For bone metastases, while 68Ga-FAPI PET demonstrated slightly lower patient-based pooled sensitivity (0.93 vs. 1.00), it significantly outperformed 18F-FDG in the lesion-based analysis (0.95 vs. 0.65). However, SUVmax (mean difference [MD] 1.79 [95% CI -3.87-7.45]) and TBR (MD 5.01 [95% CI -0.78-10.80]) of bone metastases showed no significant difference between 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Conclusion: Compared with 18F-FDG, 68Ga-FAPI PET imaging showed improved diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of GC. It can be effectively applied to the early diagnosis, initial staging, and detection of recurrence/metastases of GC. 68Ga-FAPI may have the potential of replacing 18F-FDG in GC in future applications.
Comparison of a Conceptual Model and Objective Indicators of Extratropical Transition in the Western North Pacific

Abstract : The primary purpose of this research is to provide guidance to forecasters from the Joint (Air Force/Navy) Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) in Pearl Harbor to use in differentiating between the stages of extratropical transition (ET) of tropical cyclones (TCs). Not only is ET relevant to the Department of Defense, since JTWC stops providing TC warnings once they have undergone ET, but it is also applicable to the meteorological community since there currently "is no commonly accepted definition of ET" (Jones et al 2003). This research compares the results of a conceptual model of ET using subjective satellite analysis with the results of objective indicators based on Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) model analyses. The ultimate goal is to find a way to reduce the negative impact of incorrect TC forecasting by providing tools which are more objective in defining stages of ET. This work discusses the birth, growth, and death of TCs by describing what energy sources are necessary for their growth and dissipation. Recent studies provide a conceptual model of ET with definitions of two stages and ways to use satellite analysis to identify them (Klein et al. 2000). While this conceptual model was being analyzed with data from the western North Pacific Ocean, TCs were also being analyzed using data from the Atlantic Ocean (Hart and Evans 2001). The research from the Atlantic led to the exploitation of objective indicators in a hodograph-like display (Evans and Hart 2003).
On Spatial Crowdsourcing Query under Pandemics

Recent pandemics, such as H1N1 and COVID-19, have had extensive negative effects on the social and economic well-being of communities. Despite efforts to prevent and control their spread, governments have turned to a strategy of Living With the Virus to manage, rather than eliminate, the impact of these pandemics. However, group activities such as collaborative spatial crowdsourcing can still lead to the significant spread of infection due to the correlation between individuals’ mobility, interactions, and infection spread. In this paper, we address the problem of spatial crowdsourcing-induced infection spread and propose Epidemic-aware Maximum Task Assignment (EMTA). EMTA aims to form and assign collaborative worker groups to spatial crowdsourcing tasks while taking into consideration the control of epidemic spread. We prove that EMTA is NP-hard and inapproximable. We then propose the Epidemic-aware Task Assignment Algorithm (ETAA) that leverages epidemic characteristics to fully address EMTA. The experimental results from real LBSN and real epidemic datasets demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.