Creativity Evaluation Method for Procedural Content Generated Game Items via Machine Learning

Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning (PCGML) refers to methods that apply machine learning algorithms to generate game content. In particular, the generation of game item descriptions requires techniques to evaluate the similarity between items, and consequently their creativity. This paper improves the BLEU2vec text similarity evaluation technique by integrating it with Byte Pair Encoding (BPE) to capture the relevance of compound words in generated game item descriptions. This novel technique, called Split BLEU2vec, splits compound words into sub-words enabling their similarity evaluation. Our results show that when compared to BLEU2vec baseline, Split BLEu2vec is able to account for semantic embedding of compound words in item descriptions of the game Legend of Zelda.</p

Creativity Evaluation Method for Procedural Content Generated Game Items via Machine Learning

Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning (PCGML) refers to methods that apply machine learning algorithms to generate game content. In particular, the generation of game item descriptions requires techniques to evaluate the similarity between items, and consequently their creativity. This paper improves the BLEU2vec text similarity evaluation technique by integrating it with Byte Pair Encoding (BPE) to capture the relevance of compound words in generated game item descriptions. This novel technique, called Split BLEU2vec, splits compound words into sub-words enabling their similarity evaluation. Our results show that when compared to BLEU2vec baseline, Split BLEu2vec is able to account for semantic embedding of compound words in item descriptions of the game Legend of Zelda.</p

A comparison of RS4-type resistant starch to RS2-type resistant starch in suppressing oxidative stress in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats

The anti-obesity effects of two types of resistant starch (RS) in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats were investigated. The serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly reduced, and the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase levels and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased by RS2 and RS4 consumption compared to the obesity group. A significant reduction in the serum glucose level and elevations in hepatic lipid metabolic enzyme activities were observed only for RS4 administration. Moreover, the expression levels of the fatty acid synthesis associated genes ACC and Fads1, the triglyceride synthesis and metabolism-related gene SREBP-1, the adipocyte differentiation gene PPARγ, the cholesterol synthesis associated gene HMGCR, and the gluconeogenesis associated gene GAPDH were all significantly down-regulated, whilst the lipid oxidation gene Acox1 and the liver function genes Gsta2, Nqo1, and Gclm were up-regulated in both administered groups. Additionally, RS4 performed well in up-regulating the expressions of Gsta2, Gsta3, Nqo1, and Egfr, and down-regulating LXRα, Igfbp1, and PML. RS4 exhibited great advantages in reducing oxidative stress compared with RS2

Transcending the qualitative-quantitative divide in is research using QCA as a configurational, comparative approach

In August 2021, we issued a call for papers (CfP) with the aim of bringing together information systems (IS) research that transcends the qualitative-quantitative divide using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) as a configurational, comparative approach. We received 35 submissions and eventually selected six papers for publication in the special issue (SI). We want to thank the anonymous Reviewers and the SI Associate Editors for their insightful and constructive feedback to the authors and the Scientific Advisors for their invaluable help throughout the peer-reviewing process.QCA is a burgeoning methodology in IS. A cursory look at the number of publications in the basket of 11 shows that the number of QCA papers is on the rise.1 With the rising number of QCA papers, it is important to see how the articles published in this SI can contribute to this evolving discourse. Broadly speaking, the studies published in the SI can be categorised along three dimensions:Mode of reasoning: inductive, abductive or deductive (cf. Thomann & Maggetti, 2020);Theoretical approach: theory building, theory extension or theory testing (cf. Zhou et al., 2023);Methodological approach: single method, mixed-methods or multi-methods (cf. Venkatesh et al., 2013; Venkatesh et al., 2016).</p

Integrating major ion geochemistry, stable isotopes (¹⁸O, ²H) and radioactive isotopes (²²²Rn, ¹⁴C, ³⁶Cl, ³H) to understand the interaction between catchment waters and an intermittent river

Determining the locations and sources of baseflow and the transit times of water is important for understanding catchment behaviour and functioning. Major ion geochemistry, stable isotopes (18O and 2H), and radioisotopes (222Rn, 3H, 14C, and 36Cl) were used to investigate the sources and transit times of water in the upper catchment of the intermittent Avoca River in southeast Australia. 222Rn activities and Cl concentrations implied the presence of baseflow inputs and the distribution was mainly controlled by local topography. Fluctuation of Cl concentrations implied that low-salinity near-river water was an important component of baseflow. The 3H activities of laterally disconnected pool waters during the summer months were 1.64 to 5.11 TU. The higher of these values exceed those of average annual rainfall (2.8–3.2 TU), probably due to the input of later winter to spring rainfall. The stream water had 3H activities ranging from 2.21 to 2.40 TU in July and 2.39 to 2.77 TU in August, which yield mean transit times of 4.0 to 7.0 years and 1.4 to 4.8 years respectively. These 3H activities were significantly higher than those of regional groundwater (3H activities <0.1 TU), implying that the river is largely sustained by young near-river stores at all flow conditions. Regional groundwater had 14C activities of 34.0 to 98.1 pMC, which yield mean residence times of up to 12,900 years. R36Cl values of regional groundwater (50.9–61.9 × 10−15) were higher than those of modern rainfall, probably reflecting the R36Cl values of recharge. Similar R36Cl values of the pool and stream water (33.3–58.7 × 10−15) implied that some Cl is derived from the regional groundwater influx. As with other intermittent streams in southeast Australia, the upper Avoca River was mainly sustained by relatively small water stores, and it will be vulnerable to short-term changes in climate and land use

Enhanced anti-obesity effects of complex of resistant starch and chitosan in high fat diet fed rats

This study investigated the interventional effect of resistant starch (RS), chitosan (CS) and chitosan-starch complexes (CL) on blood glucose, lipid composition and oxidative stress in high-fat diet fed rats. Compared with RS or CS alone, CL administration performed more efficiently in controlling body weight and adipose tissue mass, together with an increase in HDL-C concentration, oxidative stress suppression by increasing body antioxidant capacity. Gene expression analysis demonstrated the fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis and metabolism gene SREBP-1, adipocyte differentiation gene PPARγ, cholesterol synthesis gene HMGCR, gluconeogenesis gene GAPDH, were significantly down-regulated, whilst lipid oxidation gene Acox1 and liver functional genes Gstm2, Gclc were up-regulated following CL consumption compared with single RS or CS treatment. Hypolipidemic effects were observed by CL administration and oxidative stress suppression by CL appeared to be associated with elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, increased lipid oxidation, as well as improved fatty acid and cholesterol homeostasis

Optimization Search Strategy for Task Offloading from Collaborative Edge Computing

Optimization Search Strategy for Task Offloading from Collaborative Edge Computin

An Enhanced DV-Hop Localization Algorithm Based on Variable Scene Applications in the IoT

An Enhanced DV-Hop Localization Algorithm Based on Variable Scene Applications in the Io

The ageing mechanism of stored rice: A concept model from the past to the present

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.Rice ageing is a complicated process. Ageing is unique in rice: no other grains show such behaviors. More recent years, novel techniques, such as HS-SPME-GC-MS and e-nose system were used to monitor rice ageing process. Storage conditions were also investigated for minimizing rice ageing process, and the literature indicated hermetic storage could significantly improve overall paddy quality, with providing a more practical and useful method for maintaining rice quality and controlling insect mortality during rice storage. Although there were no significant differences in the gross contents of starch, cell wall remnants, proteins and lipids, the ageing process did cause a shift in the components of a number of chemical groupings. Studies also showed that the interactions among macro- and micro-compositions in rice grains during storage would play key roles on the changes of rice overall physicochemical and cooking properties. Based on recent years' studies, a conceptual model for interpreting rice ageing mechanism is proposed