Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coevolutionary Genetic Algorithms for Establishing Nash Equilibrium in Symmetric Cournot Games

We use co-evolutionary genetic algorithms to model the players' learning process in several Cournot models, and evaluate them in terms of their convergence to the Nash Equilibrium. The \social-learning" versions of the two co-evolutionary algorithms we introduce, establish Nash Equilibrium in those models, in contrast to the \individual learning" versions which, as we see here, do not imply the convergence of the players' strategies to the Nash outcome. When players use \canonical co-evolutionary genetic algorithms" as learning algorithms, the process of the game is an ergodic Markov Chain, and therefore we analyze simulation results using the relevant methodology, to find that in the \social" case, states leading to NE play are highly frequent at the stationary distribution of the chain, in contrast to the \individual learning" case, when NE is not reached at all in our simulations; to ftnd that the expected Hamming distance of the states at the limiting distribution from the \NE state" is significantly smaller in the \social" than in the \individual learning case"; to estimate the expected time that the \social" algorithms need to get to the \NE state" and verify their robustness and finally to show that a large fraction of the games played are indeed at the Nash Equilibrium.
Grothendieck inequalities , nonlocal games and optimization

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Experimental study of a wave energy scavenging system onboard autonomous surface vessels (ASVs)

Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASV) have many potential applications in the maritime industry and ocean science. To subsist in the ocean space, an ASV must have the ability to scavenge energy from the surrounding environment. Waves are an abundant source of energy on the ocean surface and a suitable resource for an ASV to scavenge. Flapping foils have been shown to generate thrust in a wavy flow and power in a uniform flow. The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the relationship between flapping foil propulsion and power generation in the context of ASVs. Initial experiments incorporating fully passive flapping foils submerged at the bow and stern of a surface vessel in head waves were performed in a towing tank. The spring-loaded foils were located at the end of rigid pivot arms protruding at the bow and abaft of the vessel. The pivot arms were free to rotate about a location beneath the keel line and restrained by adjustable rotational dampers. In this free condition, wave energy is recovered in the form of work applied by the flapping foils through the rotary dampers which were used to simulate the damping effects of a power take-off device. Thrust was generated under conditions when the pivot arm was fixed. This system, referred to as the Flapping Energy Utilization and Recovery (FLEUR) system, could serve as a dual-purpose wave energy scavenging propulsor and power generator for long-endurance ASVs.
Automated Verification of Epistemic Properties for General Game Playing

Automatically deriving properties of new games is one of the fundamental challenges for general game-playing systems, whose task is to learn to play any previously unknown game solely by being given the rules of that game. A recently developed method uses Answer Set Programming for verifying finitely-bounded temporal invariance properties against a given game description by structural induction. Addressing the new challenge posed by the recent extension of the general Game Description Language to include games with imperfect information and randomness, we extend this method to epistemic properties about games. We formally prove this extension to be correct, and we report on experiments that show its practical applicability.
Covert attention increases spatial resolution with or without masks: support for signal enhancement.

Visual attention can increase spatial resolution even when it leads to a decrease in performance. Whether this effect is mediated by reduction of external noise or by signal enhancement is an unsettled question. Although we previously demonstrated that attention can improve speed and accuracy in an acuity task, those experiments made use of a local postmask, which could be considered a source of external noise. In this work, a peripheral cue improved observers' abilities to indicate which side of a Landolt-square target had a gap whether or not a local postmask was used and with both central- and spread-neutral cues. In addition, we documented the presence of visual field inhomogeneities in a resolution task. Given that these experiments presented the target alone with no external noise added (i.e., without distracters or masks), our results indicate that transient attention enhanced the quality of the stimulus representation. Furthermore, because performance in the Landolt-square task indexes resolution, this attentional benefit indicates that transient attention can produce signal enhancement through finer spatial resolution.
Differential requirements of BMP and Wnt signalling during gastrulation and neurulation define two steps in neural crest induction

The neural crest is induced by a combination of secreted signals. Although previous models of neural crest induction have proposed a step-wise activation of these signals, the actual spatial and temporal requirement has not been analysed. Through analysing the role of the mesoderm we show for the first time that specification of neural crest requires two temporally and chemically different steps: first, an induction at the gastrula stage dependent on signals arising from the dorsolateral mesoderm; and second, a maintenance step at the neurula stage dependent on signals from tissues adjacent to the neural crest. By performing tissue recombination experiments and using specific inhibitors of different inductive signals, we show that the first inductive step requires Wnt activation and BMP inhibition, whereas the later maintenance step requires activation of both pathways. This change in BMP necessity from BMP inhibition at gastrula to BMP activation at neurula stages is further supported by the dynamic expression of BMP4 and its antagonists, and is confirmed by direct measurements of BMP activity in the neural crest cells. The differential requirements of BMP activity allow us to propose an explanation for apparently discrepant results between chick and frog experiments. The demonstration that Wnt signals are required for neural crest induction by mesoderm solves an additional long-standing controversy. Finally, our results emphasise the importance of considering the order of exposure to signals during an inductive event.
Chitin and Chitosan as Direct Compression Excipients in Pharmaceutical Applications

Despite the numerous uses of chitin and chitosan as new functional materials of high potential in various fields, they are still behind several directly compressible excipients already dominating pharmaceutical applications. There are, however, new attempts to exploit chitin and chitosan in co-processing techniques that provide a product with potential to act as a direct compression (DC) excipient. This review outlines the compression properties of chitin and chitosan in the context of DC pharmaceutical applications.
Characterization of the human multidrug resistance protein isoform MRP3 localized to the basolateral hepatocyte membrane

Several members of the multidrug resistance protein (MRP) family are expressed in the liver. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–dependent transport of glutathione and glucuronoside conjugates across the hepatocyte canalicular membrane is mediated by the apical MRP isoform, MRP2 (APMRP), also known as canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). We have cloned an additional MRP isoform, MRP3, from human liver and localized it to the basolateral membrane domain of hepatocytes. Basolateral MRP (BLMRP) is composed of 1,527 amino acids and encoded by 4,581 base pairs of complementary DNA. Northern blotting of various human tissues indicated an expression of MRP3 in the liver, colon, pancreas, and, at a lower level, in the kidney. The amino acid identity of MRP3 with MRP1 and MRP2 is 58% and 48%, respectively. These three isoforms, encoded by genes on different chromosomes, have a similar predicted topology of transmembrane segments and ATP‐binding domains. Antibodies raised against two peptide sequences of MRP3 that are not shared by other MRP family members detected recombinant MRP3 expressed in polarized MDCK cells. Both antibodies served to localize MRP3 to the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes. Double‐label immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed that MRP3 was not detectable in the canalicular membrane domain. A particularly strong expression of the MRP3 protein was observed in the basolateral hepatocyte membrane of two patients with Dubin‐Johnson syndrome who are deficient in MRP2. These results indicate that the basolateral MRP isoform, MRP3, may be upregulated when the canalicular secretion of anionic conjugates by MRP2 is impaired
Cellular Phone Enabled Non-Invasive Tissue Classifier

Cellular phone technology is emerging as an important tool in the effort to provide advanced medical care to the majority of the world population currently without access to such care. In this study, we show that non-invasive electrical measurements and the use of classifier software can be combined with cellular phone technology to produce inexpensive tissue characterization. This concept was demonstrated by the use of a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier to distinguish through the cellular phone between heart and kidney tissue via the non-invasive multi-frequency electrical measurements acquired around the tissues. After the measurements were performed at a remote site, the raw data were transmitted through the cellular phone to a central computational site and the classifier was applied to the raw data. The results of the tissue analysis were returned to the remote data measurement site. The classifiers correctly determined the tissue type with a specificity of over 90%. When used for the detection of malignant tumors, classifiers can be designed to produce false positives in order to ensure that no tumors will be missed. This mode of operation has applications in remote non-invasive tissue diagnostics in situ in the body, in combination with medical imaging, as well as in remote diagnostics of biopsy samples in vitro.
A novel design of a portable otoacoustic emissions detecting system based on DSP

Most traditional designs of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) detecting system adopt the model of ldquoSensor + Sound Signal Sampler / Generator + Personal Computerrdquo. This kind of model has shortcomings that it is apt to introduce exterior noises and lacks system integration, which often brings much inconvenience into the process of measuring. Different from the forementioned kind of control unit, digital signal processor (DSP) is a kind of elegant new design, with a complete set of common system peripherals, to provide hand-held devices with low-cost and high-performance microcontroller solution in small size. In this article, a novel design of a highly integrated and printed portable otoacoustic emissions detecting system based on DSP (mainly for TEOAE) is presented. The ratio of detecting is 100%.
Application of flow cytometry in diagnosing lymphomas in dogs and cats

Classification of types of lymphomas is done by interpreting cell morphology results obtained in cytological and/or histological examinations. In recent years, additional methods like immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunophenotyping by flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for antigen receptor rearrangements (PARR), have been used to diagnose and classify lymphomas. Unfortunately, none of these methods is completely specific and sensitive. Thus, a combination of several diagnostic methods or use of all available techniques allows for evaluation of morphological properties of cells like their maturity and diversification. Owing to the use of sets of antibodies it is possible to identify the phenotype of hyperplastic cells as well as their origin. Combination of results obtained through phenotypical analysis with flow cytometry examination with morphological, histological and genetic testing enables a detailed analysis of, in this case, lymphoproliferative diseases including reaction changes, primary and secondary immunological deficits as well as autoimmune diseases.
To Hedge or Not to Hedge: Managing Demographic Risk in Life Insurance Companies

Demographic risk, i.e., the risk that life tables change in a nondeterministic way, is a serious threat to the financial stability of an insurance company having underwritten life insurance and annuity business. The inverse influence of changes in mortality laws on the market value of life insurance and annuity liabilities creates natural hedging opportunities. Within a realistically calibrated shareholder value (SHV) maximization framework, we analyze the implications of demographic risk on the optimal risk management mix (equity capital, asset allocation, and product policy) for a limited liability insurance company operating in a market with insolvency-averse insurance buyers. Our results show that the utilization of natural hedging is optimal only if equity is scarce. Otherwise, hedging can even destroy SHV. A sensitivity analysis shows that a misspecification of demographic risk has severe consequences for both the insurer and the insured. This result highlights the importance of further research in the field of demographic risk.
On the Effectiveness of Patenting Strategies in Innovation Races

Which, if any, of a firm's inventions should it patent? Should it patent at all? Many companies engaged in an innovation race seek a patenting strategy that balances protection of their intellectual property against the knowledge spillovers resulting from disclosure requirements. Not much is known about factors that determine the patenting strategy best able to resolve this trade-off. Although scholars in various management, economics, and engineering disciplines have researched patents and patenting regimes, little work has addressed the normative issues that pertain to forming an appropriate firm-level patenting strategy. We develop an inventory of real-life patenting strategies and integrate them into a coherent framework. Our simulation model characterizes the optimal patenting choices for different environmental and firm-level contingencies while capturing the dynamics between competing firms. We identify the firm's research and development strategy as the most salient determinant of its optimal patenting strategy. Our research contributes to establishing a contingency theory of patenting strategies. This paper was accepted by David Hsu, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Interaction Design as a Bricolage Practice

With this paper we propose bricolage as an interaction design practice. We make the case that bricolage promotes design qualities that are specifically tuned to tangible and material computing practices in that it is highly sensible towards the unstable physical world and proposes a non-hierarchical negotiation of forms. We further show how bricolage can aid design results with strong and rich cultural and material grounding. Finally, we argue how bricolage and mythical thinking can be proponents for new ways of thinking and using technology.
Relationships of Childhood Adverse Experiences With Mental Health and Quality of Life at Treatment Start for Adult Refugees Traumatized by Pre-Flight Experiences of War and Human Rights Violations

Abstract Adverse and potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) in childhood were examined among 54 adult refugee patients with pre-flight PTEs of war and human rights violations (HRVs) and related to mental health and quality of life at treatment start. Extent of childhood PTEs was more strongly related to mental health and quality of life than the extent of war and HRV experiences. Childhood PTEs were significantly related to arousal and avoidance symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to quality of life, whereas pre-flight war and HRV experiences were significantly related to reexperiencing symptoms of PTSD only. Within childhood adversities, experiences of family violence and external violence, but not of loss and illness, were significantly related to increased mental health symptoms and reduced quality of life. These results point to the importance of taking childhood adverse experiences into account in research and treatment planning for adult refugees with war and HRVs trauma.
An Advanced Metal Deposition Technique-Kinetic Metallization

Kinetic metallization (KM) is a sonic cold spray metal deposition technique, which offers promise as a way to produce coatings with a wild range of thickness. It is a solid-state process, from which the obtained coating is oxide free, high compactness (the porosity ratio may less than 0.1%), and has a strong bonding with the matrix. KM now is extensively applied in many fields, such as part/structure dimensional repair, solar battery manufacture, corrosion resistance and protection, wear resistance, oxidation resistance, and polymer spray. The present work presented the elements and advantages of KM, related it with high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and common cold spray (CS), and reviewed the progress of KM over the two decades. Finally, the further development of the KM was discussed.
Variable block-size based fractal coding for multi-view video coding

Multi-view video consists of a set of multiple video sequences from multiple viewpoints or view directions in the same scene. It contains extremely a large amount of data and some extra information to be stored or transmitted to the user and computational complexity of processing. This paper proposes fast disparity and motion estimation for reduce complexity, to solve the redundancy reduction problem by considering the information of regions, and set up priority among region based on information in the pre-processing. The proposed method makes some changes to the conventional fractal-based video coding method which vary block partition depends on priory region. Experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the encoding time, so that the encoder complexity can be reduced but achieves almost the same compression quality. The encoding time is reduced up to 25.4%.
Smart Healthcare Digitalization: Using ICT to Effectively Balance Exploration and Exploitation within Hospitals

Most of the literature on healthcare digitalization is focused on the benefits, the barriers and the determinants of the adoption of ICT-based solutions within hospitals. Little is understood about how hospital digitalization can be accomplished or how this digitalization fosters an increase in hospital performance — both in terms of quality improvement and cost rationalization — by ambidextrously combining the exploration and exploitation of hospital assets. This paper sheds a preliminary light on the topic, identifying a set of action-oriented propositions for smart healthcare digitalization within hospitals.
Systemic bioavailability of inhaled corticosteroids: appropriate and comparable methodology.

To the Editor: We wish to respond to a recent discussion of systemic bioavailability of inhaled corticosteroids that appeared as a letter to the editor 1. The authors contend that an estimate of the true systemic bioavailability of inhaled mometasone furoate (MF) cannot be made based on incomplete data and an insensitive assay, and that comparisons with other inhaled steroids certainly cannot be made. The authors then proceed to make those very comparisons versus fluticasone propionate (FP) using a number of assumptions, extrapolations, and data normalization, even …
Saliency Weighted Convolutional Features for Instance Search

This work explores attention models to weight the contribution of local convolutional representations for the instance search task. We present a retrieval framework based on bags of local convolutional features (BLCF) that benefits from saliency weighting to build an efficient image representation. The use of human visual attention models (saliency) allows significant improvements in retrieval performance without the need to conduct region analysis or spatial verification, and without requiring any feature fine tuning. We investigate the impact of different saliency models, finding that higher performance on saliency benchmarks does not necessarily equate to improved performance when used in instance search tasks. The proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art on the challenging INSTRE benchmark by a large margin, and provides similar performance on the Oxford and Paris benchmarks compared to more complex methods that use off-the-shelf representations. Source code is publicly available at https:llgithub.com/imatge-upc/salbow.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in G Protein Signaling Pathway Genes in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder and a risk factor for later cardiovascular disease. The cause and detailed pathophysiology remains unknown. G protein signaling is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including blood pressure regulation. We assessed whether distributions of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes coding for components of G protein signaling pathways that have been associated with hypertension differ between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women; the G protein &bgr;3 subunit gene (GNB3) C825T polymorphism (rs5443), the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) 3′UTR A1166C polymorphism (rs5186), and the regulator of G protein signaling 2 gene (RGS2) 3′UTR C1114G polymorphism (rs4606). Two separate Norwegian study populations were used; a large population based study and a smaller, but clinically well-described pregnancy biobank. A descriptive study of 43 women with eclampsia was additionally included. In the population-based study, an increased odds of preeclampsia (odds ratio, 1.21; [95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.40]; P=0.009) and recurrent preeclampsia (odds ratio, 1.43; [95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.92];, P=0.017) was found in women carrying the rs4606 CG or GG genotype. In early-onset preeclamptic patients with decidual spiral artery biopsies available (n=24), the rs4606 CG or GG genotype was more frequent in those with acute atherosis (resembling early stage of atherosclerosis) compared with those without: odds ratio, 15.0; (95% confidence interval, 2.02–111.2); P=0.004. No association was found between preeclampsia and the rs5443 or the rs5186. The genotype distribution in eclamptic women was not different from preeclamptic women. In conclusion, RGS2 rs4606 may affect the risk and progression of preeclampsia.