Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EyePlay: applications for gaze in games

What new challenges does the combination of games and eye-tracking present? The EyePlay workshop brings together researchers and industry specialists from the fields of eye-tracking and games to address this question. Eye-tracking been investigated extensively in a variety of domains in human-computer Interaction, but little attention has been given to its application for gaming. As eye-tracking technology is now an affordable commodity, its appeal as a sensing technology for games is set to become the driving force for novel methods of player-computer interaction and games evaluation. This workshop presents a forum for eye-based gaming research, with a focus on identifying the opportunities that eye-tracking brings to games design and research, on plotting the landscape of the work in this area, and on formalising a research agenda for EyePlay as a field. Possible topics are, but not limited to, novel interaction techniques and game mechanics, usability and evaluation, accessibility, learning, and serious games contexts.
Cluster-and-Connect: An algorithmic approach to generating synthetic electric power network graphs

Generating synthetic network graphs that capture key topological and electrical characteristics of real-world electric power systems is important in aiding widespread and accurate analysis of these systems. Classical statistical models of graphs, such as small-world networks or Erdös-Renyi graphs, are unable to generate synthetic graphs that accurately represent the topology of real electric power networks - they do not appropriately capture the highly dense local connectivity and clustering as well as sparse long-haul links observed in electric network graphs. This paper presents a model that parametrizes these unique topological properties of electrical power networks and introduces a new Cluster-and-Connect algorithm to generate synthetic networks using these parameters. Using a uniform set of metrics proposed in the literature, the accuracy of the proposed model is evaluated by comparing the synthetic models generated for specific real electric network graphs.
Identification of Human Plasma Metabolites Exhibiting Time-of-Day Variation Using an Untargeted Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Metabolomic Approach

Although daily rhythms regulate multiple aspects of human physiology, rhythmic control of the metabolome remains poorly understood. The primary objective of this proof-of-concept study was identification of metabolites in human plasma that exhibit significant 24-h variation. This was assessed via an untargeted metabolomic approach using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Eight lean, healthy, and unmedicated men, mean age 53.6 (SD ± 6.0) yrs, maintained a fixed sleep/wake schedule and dietary regime for 1 wk at home prior to an adaptation night and followed by a 25-h experimental session in the laboratory where the light/dark cycle, sleep/wake, posture, and calorific intake were strictly controlled. Plasma samples from each individual at selected time points were prepared using liquid-phase extraction followed by reverse-phase LC coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight MS analysis in positive ionization mode. Time-of-day variation in the metabolites was screened for using orthogonal partial least square discrimination between selected time points of 10:00 vs. 22:00 h, 16:00 vs. 04:00 h, and 07:00 (d 1) vs. 16:00 h, as well as repeated-measures analysis of variance with time as an independent variable. Subsequently, cosinor analysis was performed on all the sampled time points across the 24-h day to assess for significant daily variation. In this study, analytical variability, assessed using known internal standards, was low with coefficients of variation <10%. A total of 1069 metabolite features were detected and 203 (19%) showed significant time-of-day variation. Of these, 34 metabolites were identified using a combination of accurate mass, tandem MS, and online database searches. These metabolites include corticosteroids, bilirubin, amino acids, acylcarnitines, and phospholipids; of note, the magnitude of the 24-h variation of these identified metabolites was large, with the mean ratio of oscillation range over MESOR (24-h time series mean) of 65% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49–81%). Importantly, several of these human plasma metabolites, including specific acylcarnitines and phospholipids, were hitherto not known to be 24-h variant. These findings represent an important baseline and will be useful in guiding the design and interpretation of future metabolite-based studies. (Author correspondence: Jooern.Ang@icr.ac.uk or Florence.Raynaud@icr.ac.uk)
Non-adiabatic oscillations of red giants

Using our non-local time-dependent theory of convection, the linear non-adiabatic oscillations of 10 evolutionary model series with masses of 1-3 M-circle dot are calculated. The results show that there is a red giant instability strip in the lower temperature side of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram which goes along the sequences of the red giant branch and the asymptotic giant branch. For red giants of lower luminosities, pulsation instability is found at high order overtones; the lower order modes from the fundamental to the second overtone are stable. Towards higher luminosity and lower effective temperature, instability moves to lower order modes, and the amplitude growth rate of oscillations also grows. At the high luminosity end of the strip, the fundamental and the first overtone become unstable, while all the modes above the fourth order become stable. The excitation mechanisms have been studied in detail. It is found that turbulent pressure plays a key role for excitation of red variables. The frozen convection approximation is unavailable for the low temperature stars with extended convective envelopes. In any case, this approximation can explain neither the red edge of the Cepheid instability strip, nor the blue edge of the pulsating red giant instability strip. An analytic expression of a pulsation constant as a function of stellar mass, luminosity and effective temperature is presented from this work.
Impact of coronary artery calcium on coronary heart disease events in individuals at the extremes of traditional risk factor burden: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

AIMS We sought to evaluate the impact of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in individuals at the extremes of risk factor (RF) burden. METHODS AND RESULTS 6698 individuals from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) were followed for coronary heart disease (CHD) events over mean 7.1 ± 1 years. Annualized CHD event rates were compared among each RF category (0, 1, 2, or ≥3) after stratification by CAC score (0, 1-100, 101-300, and >300). The following traditional modifiable RFs were considered: cigarette smoking, LDL cholesterol ≥3.4 mmol/L, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. There were 1067 subjects (16%) with 0 RFs, whereas 1205 (18%) had ≥3 RFs. Among individuals with 0 RFs, 68% had CAC 0, whereas 12 and 5% had CAC >100 and >300, respectively. Among individuals with ≥3 RFs, 35% had CAC 0, whereas 34 and 19% had CAC >100 and >300, respectively. Overall, 339 (5.1%) CHD events occurred. Individuals with 0 RFs and CAC >300 had an event rate 3.5 times higher than individuals with ≥3 RFs and CAC 0 (10.9/1000 vs. 3.1/1000 person-years). Similar results were seen across categories of Framingham risk score. CONCLUSION Among individuals at the extremes of RF burden, the distribution of CAC is heterogeneous. The presence of a high CAC burden, even among individuals without RFs, is associated with an elevated event rate, whereas the absence of CAC, even among those with many RF, is associated with a low event rate. Coronary artery calcium has the potential to further risk stratify asymptomatic individuals at the extremes of RF burden.
A Method for Simulating Players in a Collaborative Multiplayer Serious Game

Multiplayer Serious Games are a promising concept to combine the features of Serious Games with the concept of collaborative learning. Multiplayer games, however, are hard to model, especially as interaction between players is often hard to predict. For the design of multiplayer Serious Games, especially considering adaptation algorithms for multiplayer Serious Games, exhaustive tests are desirable. As real players are often hard to obtain, simulation of players might be a solution. In this paper we propose an approach to simulate human player behavior in collaborative multiplayer Serious Games. Our approach considers behavior in terms of gaming (player model), learning (learner model), and collaboration and teamwork (interaction model). The aim of our model is to have a sound foundation of realistic player behavior as a basis for evaluation of adaptation mechanisms in collaborative multiplayer Serious Games. We implemented our approach as an extension of the collaborative multiplayer Serious Game 'Escape From Wilson Island' and carried out a first evaluation. The results are promising as they indicate that it is possible to soundly and reproducibly simulate player behavior based on a player model, player skills as well as on teamwork and communication.
Perfectionism and PERMA: The benefits of otheroriented perfectionism

The two-factor theory of perfectionism differentiates between positive and negative forms, yet some researchers still argue that perfectionism, as a whole, is detrimental to wellbeing. To this end, the present study investigated the relationship between the tripartite model of perfectionism and the PERMA model of wellbeing, with specific attention given to the relationship each form of perfectionism had with each element of wellbeing. Ninety-two participants ( M age = 24.99) completed online self-report measures of perfectionism (self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed) and PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment). Results showed that perfectionism accounted for a substantial amount of variance in all elements of wellbeing. A series of multiple regressions showed that socially prescribed perfectionism negatively predicted all PERMA elements. Self-oriented perfectionism positively predicted positive emotion, engagement, meaning and accomplishment. Other-oriented perfectionism positively predicted meaning and accomplishment. As for overall wellbeing, socially prescribed perfectionism was a negative predictor, whereas self-oriented and other-oriented perfectionism were positive predictors. The findings indicate that self-oriented perfectionism is an adaptive form of perfectionism conducive to flourishing, whereas socially prescribed perfectionism is a maladaptive form which undermines it. As for other-oriented perfectionism, the findings indicate it is an adaptive form and challenge the view that this “dark” form of perfectionism cannot enhance wellbeing.
OLFServ: an Opportunistic and Location-Aware Forwarding Protocol for Service Delivery in Disconnected MANETs

Handheld devices equipped with Wi-Fi interfaces are widespread nowadays. These devices can form disconnected mobile ad hoc networks (DMANETs) spontaneously. These net- works may allow service providers, such as local authorities, to deliver new kinds of services in a wide area (e.g. a city) without resorting to the infrastructure-based networks of mobile phone operators. This paper presents OLFServ, a new opportunistic and location-aware forwarding protocol for service discovery and delivery in DMANETs composed of numerous mobile devices. This protocol implements several self-pruning heuristics allowing mobile nodes to decide whether they efficiently contribute in the message delivery. The protocol has been implemented in a service- oriented middleware platform, and has been validated through simulations, which proved its efficiency.
Artificial Aurora Produced by HAARP

We present results from the ionospheric heating experiment conducted at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility, Alaska, on 12 March 2013. During the experiment, HAARP transmitted in the direction of the magnetic zenith X‐mode 4.57‐MHz wave. The transmitted power was modulated with the frequency of 0.9 mHz, and it was pointed on a 20‐km spot at the altitude of 120 km. The heating (1) generates disturbances in the magnetic field detected with the fluxgate magnetometer on the ground and (2) produces bright luminous spots in the ionosphere, observed with the HAARP telescope. Numerical simulations of the 3‐D reduced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model reveal that these effects can be related to the magnetic field‐aligned currents, excited in the ionosphere by changing the conductivity in the E region when the large‐scale electric field exists in the heating region.
A Novel Dynamic Data Collection Paradigm for Wireless Sensor Networks ( WSNs ) by Mobile Users

A novel dynamic data collection paradigm enables the mobile users to access the network wide data from anywhere and anytime along their walks. In this paper, we propose a new and powerful protocol for mobile users to collect their dynamic data in a ubiquitous way. As the mobile user moves, the routing structure of data collection (tree) is additively updated. Here, a little modification is done to the existing routing structure while the routing performance is confined and assured with regard to the optimal value. The proposed protocol is easy to carry out. We provide strong analysis and extensive simulations to evaluate the efficiency and scalability of our protocol. The results showed that our protocol can scale absolutely well with the addition of mobile users, delivers the correct data continuously during the user movement and performs efficiently in the routing performance.
Low complexity AOA based codebook beamforming for 60 GHz wireless communications

This paper considers a beamforming (BF) system for 60 GHz wireless communications. A low complexity codebook-based BF scheme that uses the signal angle-of-arrival (AOA) is proposed. This exploits the ability of a millimeter-wave (MMW) antenna array to provide the signal AOA. The effective power beam width (EPBW) is defined to obtain beams that are approximately orthogonal. A reduced transmit beam subset is generated using the AOA and EPBW. Training signals are used to find the best beam pair for communications. This leads to a significant reduction in BF setup time. Numerical results are presented which show that this low complexity solution can provide a BF gain approaching the theoretical maximum.
Improved fmax and breakdown voltage in AlGaN/GaN HEMT with plasma treatment

A combination of high maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) and breakdown voltage (Vbr) was achieved in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with N2O plasma treatment on the access region. Compared with the non-treated HEMTs, the gate leakage current is nearly reduced three orders of magnitude due to the formation of oxide layer in the gate region. A suppressed current collapse and effective gate length extension is obtained due to plasma treatment on the gate-source and gate-drain regions. The passivation effect is closely matched with the conventional SiN passivation method, meanwhile it can avoid introducing additional parasitic capacitance due to thinner thickness. The small signal measurement shows that 90-nm gate length HEMT can yield fT and fmax of 98 and 322GHz, respectively. The HEMT with plasma treatment can simultaneously obtain high fmax and breakdown voltage, and exhibits a record fmax·Vbr of 25THz·V.
Overlapped Discrete Multitone Modulation for High Speed Copper Wire Communication

Multicarrier modulation possesses several properties which make it an attractive approach for high speed copper wire communication networks. Among these properties are the ability to efficiently access and distribute multiplexed data streams, and a reduced susceptibility to impulsive, as well as to narrowband channel disturbances. In digital implementations of multicarrier modulation, subcarrier generation and data modulation are accomplished digitally using orthogonal transformations of data blocks. These implementations are particularly efficient with regard to bandwidth utilization and transceiver complexity. In this paper, we present a form of digital multicarrier modulation which we refer to as overlapped discrete multitone, or discrete wavelet multitone (DWMT), modulation. For DWMT modulation, which is based on the application of M-band wavelet filters, the pulses for different data blocks overlap in time, and are designed to achieve a combination of subchannel spectral containment and bandwidth efficiency that is fundamentally better than with other forms of multicarrier modulation. We show that, as a result of the spectral containment feature, DWMT gives a high level of robustness with regard to noise environments and channel variations that are encountered in practice
Know Your Enemy: Compromising Adversaries in Protocol Analysis

We present a symbolic framework, based on a modular operational semantics, for formalizing different notions of compromise relevant for the design and analysis of cryptographic protocols. The framework’s rules can be combined to specify different adversary capabilities, capturing different practically-relevant notions of key and state compromise. The resulting adversary models generalize the models currently used in different domains, such as security models for authenticated key exchange. We extend an existing security-protocol analysis tool, Scyther, with our adversary models. This extension systematically supports notions such as weak perfect forward secrecy, key compromise impersonation, and adversaries capable of state-reveal queries. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of a protocol-security hierarchy, which classifies the relative strength of protocols against different adversaries. In case studies, we use Scyther to analyse protocols and automatically construct protocol-security hierarchies in the context of our adversary models. Our analysis confirms known results and uncovers new attacks. Additionally, our hierarchies refine and correct relationships between protocols previously reported in the cryptographic literature.
Chitosan-containing hydrogel and method of cosmetic skin care with it use

FIELD: medicine; cosmetology.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of aesthetic medicine and cosmetology and is a chitosan-containing hydrogel for cosmetic skin care containing low molecular weight chitosan, lactic acid, water, characterized in that it additionally contains glycolic acid and aminocaproic acid, the components in the hydrogel being in a certain ratio, in wt. %. EFFECT: invention provides instant increase in skin moisture, reduces wrinkles, and also implements lifting effect.3 cl, 14 ex, 2 dwg
Simulation-Based Estimates of the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in France

Background The medico-economic impact of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is poorly documented. Objective To estimate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in a hypothetical cohort of COPD patients. Methods We used a multi-state Markov model, adopting society’s perspective. Simulated cohorts of French GOLD stage 2 to 4 COPD patients with and without pulmonary rehabilitation were compared in terms of life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), disease-related costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Sensitivity analyses included variations of key model parameters. Principal Findings At the horizon of a COPD patient’s remaining lifetime, pulmonary rehabilitation would result in mean gain of 0.8 QALY, with an over disease-related costs of 14 102 € per patient. The ICER was 17 583 €/QALY. Sensitivity analysis showed that pulmonary rehabilitation was cost-effective in every scenario (ICER <50 000 €/QALY). Conclusions These results should provide a useful basis for COPD pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
Applet-Based Multimedia Telecollaboration: A Network-Centric Approach

Real-time collaboration systems, in which participants share multimedia documents and applications in real time, have been a subject of interest for many years. Although computer supported cooperative work systems have been around for a long time, recent advancements in Internet-related technologies have lead to the emergence of numerous Web-based collaboration tools, such as Microsoft NetMeeting or Vocaltec’s Internet Conference. Among these innovative technologies, Java applets seem to have introduced a very exciting notion: platform-independent applications provided by the network. From a network-centric computing point of view, the next logical step towards collaborative environments would be the real-time sharing of these applications. In this article, we examine the essential requirements of such systems, with focus on the multimedia aspect of collaboration. We will also present practical design and implementation issues encountered during our experimentation with the JETS system: a generic multimedia telecollaboration framework which enables sharing of Java applets through the Internet.
New Breed of Network Fault-Tolerant Voltage-Source-Converter HVDC Transmission System

This paper proposes a new breed of high-voltage dc (HVDC) transmission systems based on a hybrid multilevel voltage source converter (VSC) with ac-side cascaded H-bridge cells. The proposed HVDC system offers the operational flexibility of VSC-based systems in terms of active and reactive power control, black-start capability, in addition to improved ac fault ride-through capability and the unique feature of current-limiting capability during dc side faults. Additionally, it offers features such as smaller footprint and a larger active and reactive power capability curve than existing VSC-based HVDC systems, including those using modular multilevel converters. To illustrate the feasibility of the proposed HVDC system, this paper assesses its dynamic performance during steady-state and network alterations, including its response to ac and dc side faults.
Some Remarks on the Effectiveness of Primary Education Interventions

In this paper I survey the recent economics of education literature in order to identify which education policies can effectively improve the quality of primary schooling, as measured by pupil test-based achievements. Particular attention is devoted to the experience of England, a country which has made substantial investments over the past decade aimed at improving its primary education. Evidence suggests that broadly scoped resource-based programmes deliver less than more targeted policies. Additionally, a growing body of research shows that interventions that enhance choice and competition among education-service providers, and motivate teachers through pecuniary rewards, have some scope in raising education standards. I conclude my survey by discussing some broad concerns with modes of education provision centred on choice and competition, mainly pupil segregation along the lines of ability and family background.
Charge-Steering Flip-Flop for Ultra-High-Speed Wireline Applications

Flip-Flops (FFs) are the main building block in all of the digital circuits. FFs are required to operate at high frequency while having low power consumption. Charge-Steering (CS) FFs have superiority over both rail-to-rail and current-mode-logic FFs. However, CS FFs suffer from at least one of the following issues; inter-symbol interference (ISI), require quadrature clocking system, provide no gain, and/or output isn’t valid for the entire clock cycle. This paper presents a CS FF that solves all of the above-mentioned issues. The proposed CS FF, implemented in a 65-nm CMOS technology, is able to work at data rates beyond 25-Gb/s that can be used in 50-Gb/s wireline transceivers employing half-rate architectures. The proposed CS FF consumes only 520 μW from a 1-V supply at 25-Gb/s data rate.