Lost in Draft: Investigating Game Balance in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Drafting

Master´s thesis in Information and Communication Technology (IKT590) University of Agder, GrimstadThis thesis explores modern machine learning solutions to turn-basedstrategy games. In particular, we explore the possibilities of equalizing the playing field for both teams in the draft phase of Defense of the Ancients 2 (Dota 2) and League of Legends (LoL), with both games being giants in the multi-million dollar esports industry. The thesis covers the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena video game genre and the draft phase the games use. We also discuss the tech-nology used to address the problem, as well as the basic concepts of modern machine learning that allowed this technology to arise. We then introduce the Win Rate Predictor, which is our implementation of the reward function in the Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithm used to predict the win rate of each team given different parameters in the draft phase. The results show clear and quantifiable differences in differentparts of the draft phase. This includes reordering the pick order, the impact of including banning in the draft phase, and the balance ofdifferent draft schemes. Specifically, first pick has a higher win rate than last pick for the majority of the draft schemes, suggesting that strong initial picks aremore valuable than reactive response picks. Additionally, bans can bea way to influence the balance of a draft phase. Our simulations also suggest that the southwestern locations on the map have a higher win rate in both Dota 2 and LoL. And finally, according to our simulations,the games’ respective implementation of a draft scheme is the most evenly balanced draft scheme for their game

Different Rule-based Control Schemes for a Series Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicle

In a hybrid hydraulic vehicle, the hydraulic accumulator is used as the secondary power source in addition to the engine to propel the vehicle. Since the accumulator is a passive power source, it will be only used to compensate the difference between the power demand and the power delivery by the engine. Obviously, the main energy consumption is the engine. Hence a straightforward strategy to improve the fuel economy is to reduce the engine operating period. In contrast, because of the low energy density characteristic, the accumulator can only afford the required power in a short period. As a consequence, the hydraulic hybrid vehicle has been concluded only suitable for start-stop-and-go driving pattern. This paper present different rule-based control schemes for a 3.5- ton series hydraulic hybrid truck. The simulation results indicate that by applying suitable control scheme, the proposed series hydraulic hybrid system offers improvements of fuel economy for both urban and highway driving condition. The improvement is of 42.67% and 36.56% for urban and highway driving conditions, respectively in comparison with the corresponding conventional vehicle

Multilayer phosphor-in-glass packaging for the development in WLED color uniformity

When mentioning the remote phosphor structure, the most noticeable advantage is its higher luminous flux than any other structure’s. However, there are existing flaws in their color uniformity and color rendering index (CRI). Thus, the improvements in these two optic factors must be improved for the better usage of remote phosphor geometry in modern WLED devices. Many researchers have drawn their attention to this idea, and then it has become the primary objective for their studies. In this paper, we also try to accomplish the same result by adjusting the distances between the phosphor layers and through that enhance the optical properties of WLEDs. The mie-scattering theory is applied in our calculations to ensure the reliability and accuracy of experimental results. In our research, with distance d = 0.64 mm, the luminous flux grew 9.7% in comparison to the original value. At 0.84 mm, the distance d enhanced the color uniformity by two times. In the meantime, the CRI remained static during the course of experiment. With suitable application, these results can bring valuable contributions to the development of next WELDs generation

Using flat phosphor layer in dual-layer remote phosphor configuration to improve luminous efficacy

The phosphor layer shape and components distances are the subjects proposed to advance the quality of WLEDs in this article. The two distances, between phosphor layers (d1) and between the phosphor layer and the LED chip (d2) in Flat dual-remote phosphor (FDRP) and Concave dual-remote phosphor (CDRP) were examined by experiments to determine their impacts on WLEDs lighting performances. The results suggest that FDRP is a better option than CDRP for lighting performance. In each respective structure, the distances influence the lighting capacity and color output whenever they fluctuate. Therefore, to effectively control and study this phenomenon, the correlated color temperature is maintained at 8500 K, and the concentration of phosphor material is altered while the distances are changing. When d1 and d2 are at the starting value of 0, the recorded lumen output and chromatic performance of lighting devices are the lowest and begin to increase as d1 and d2 expand. Bigger d1 and d2 mean bigger scattering area and better chromatic light integration, which leads to higher color quality. Detailed results present that optimal values of d1 or d2 for the highest lumen output of 1020 lm are 0.08 mm or 0.63 mm, respectively. Meanwhile the lowest color deviation is accomplished with d1=0.64 mm or d2=1.35 mm

A multi-systems approach to human movement after ACL reconstruction: the musculoskeletal system

Several negative adaptations to the musculoskeletal system occur following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and ACL reconstruction (ACLR) such as arthrogenic muscle inhibition, decreased lower extremity muscle size, strength, power, as well as alterations to bone and cartilage. These changes have been associated with worse functional outcomes, altered biomechanics, and increased risk for re-injury and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. After ACL injury and subsequent ACLR, examination and evaluation of the musculoskeletal system is paramount to guiding clinical decision making during the rehabilitation and the return to sport process. The lack of access many clinicians have to devices necessary for gold standard assessment of muscle capacities and force profiles is often perceived as a significant barrier to best practices. Fortunately, testing for deficits can be accomplished with methods available to the clinician without access to costly equipment or time-intensive procedures. Interventions to address musculoskeletal system deficits can be implemented with a periodized program. This allows for restoration of physical capacities by adequately developing and emphasizing physical qualities beginning with mobility and movement, and progressing to work capacity and neuromuscular re-education, strength, explosive strength, and elastic or reactive strength. Additional considerations to aid in addressing strength deficits will be discussed such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, volume and intensity, eccentric training, training to failure, cross-education, and biomechanical considerations. The American Physical Therapy Association adopted a new vision statement in 2013 which supported further development of the profession's identity by promoting the movement system, yet validation of the movement system has remained a challenge. Application of a multi-physiologic systems approach may offer a unique understanding of the musculoskeletal system and its integration with other body systems after ACLR. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to highlight important musculoskeletal system considerations within a multi-physiologic system approach to human movement following ACLR. Level of evidence: 5

Asymptotic periodic solutions of differential equations with infinite delay

In this paper, by using the spectral theory of functions and properties of evolution semigroups, we establish conditions on the existence, and uniqueness of asymptotic 1-periodic solutions to a class of abstract differential equations with infinite delay of the form \begin{equation*} \frac{d u(t)}{d t}=A u(t)+L(u_t)+f(t) \end{equation*} where $A$ is the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup of linear operators, $L$ is a bounded linear operator from a phase space $\mathscr{B}$ to a Banach space $X$, $u_t$ is an element of $\mathscr{B}$ which is defined as $u_t(\theta)=u(t+\theta)$ for $\theta \leq 0$ and $f$ is asymptotic 1-periodic in the sense that $\lim\limits_{t \rightarrow \infty}(f(t+1)-$ $f(t))=0$. A Lotka-Volterra model with diffusion and infinite delay is considered to illustrate our results.Comment: 13 page

On asymptotic periodic solutions of fractional differential equations and applications

In this paper we study the asymptotic behavior of solutions of fractional differential equations of the form $D^{\alpha}_Cu(t)=Au(t)+f(t), u(0)=x, 0<\alpha\le1, ( *)$ where $D^{\alpha}_Cu(t)$ is the derivative of the function $u$ in the Caputo's sense, $A$ is a linear operator in a Banach space \X that may be unbounded and $f$ satisfies the property that $\lim_{t\to \infty} (f(t+1)-f(t))=0$ which we will call asymptotic $1$-periodicity. By using the spectral theory of functions on the half line we derive analogs of Katznelson-Tzafriri and Massera Theorems. Namely, we give sufficient conditions in terms of spectral properties of the operator $A$ for all asymptotic mild solutions of Eq. (*) to be asymptotic $1$-periodic, or there exists an asymptotic mild solution that is asymptotic $1$-periodic.Comment: 13 pages. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1910.0860

Using SiO2 nano-particles for better color uniformity and lumen output in 8500 K conformal and in-cup white LEDs

In the effort of improving the performance of white light LEDs devices (WLEDs), the SiO2 nano-particles were applied and have shown a significant impact on the optical properties. Specifically, the light output of the lighting devices is enhanced when a mixture of SiO2 particles and silicone gel is diffused on the encapsulation layer surface. This enhancement is the result of light scattering from SiO2 that strengthens the emitted blue light at further angles and reduces the color discrepancy. The evidence is that CCT deviation in SiO2-doped structure decline from 1000 K to 420 K in -70° to 70°. In addition, the SiO2 with refractive index in between the phosphor material and outside environment allows light to be emitted outward more effectively. This lighting enhancement of SiO2-doped structure increases the lumen output by 2.25% at 120 mA power source in comparison to structure without SiO2. These experimental outcomes suggest that SiO2 is an effective material to add in WLEDs structure for better lighting efficiency

Deep Learning-Aided Multicarrier Systems

This paper proposes a deep learning (DL)-aided multicarrier (MC) system operating on fading channels, where both modulation and demodulation blocks are modeled by deep neural networks (DNNs), regarded as the encoder and decoder of an autoencoder (AE) architecture, respectively. Unlike existing AE-based systems, which incorporate domain knowledge of a channel equalizer to suppress the effects of wireless channels, the proposed scheme, termed as MC-AE, directly feeds the decoder with the channel state information and received signal, which are then processed in a fully data-driven manner. This new approach enables MC-AE to jointly learn the encoder and decoder to optimize the diversity and coding gains over fading channels. In particular, the block error rate of MC-AE is analyzed to show its higher performance gains than existing hand-crafted baselines, such as various recent index modulation-based MC schemes. We then extend MC-AE to multiuser scenarios, wherein the resultant system is termed as MU-MC-AE. Accordingly, two novel DNN structures for uplink and downlink MU-MC-AE transmissions are proposed, along with a novel cost function that ensures a fast training convergence and fairness among users. Finally, simulation results are provided to show the superiority of the proposed DL-based schemes over current baselines, in terms of both the error performance and receiver complexity

A Phase 2/3 double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study in healthy adult participants in Vietnam to examine the safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated whole virion, alum adjuvanted, A(H5N1) influenza vaccine (IVACFLU-A/H5N1)

Abstract Background A global shortfall of vaccines for avian influenza A(H5N1) would occur, especially in low- and-middle income countries, if a pandemic were to occur. To address this issue, development of a pre-pandemic influenza vaccine was initiated in 2012, leveraging a recently established influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity in Vietnam. Methods This was a Phase 2/3, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study to test the safety and immunogenicity of IVACFLU-A/H5N1 vaccine in healthy adults. Phase 2 was a dose selection study, in which 300 participants were randomized to one of the three groups (15 mcg, 30 mcg, or placebo). Safety and immunogenicity were assessed in all participants. In Phase 3, 630 participants were randomized to receive the IVACFLU-A/H5N1 vaccine dose selected in Phase 2 (15 mcg, n = 525) or placebo (n = 105). Safety was assessed in all Phase 3 participants and immunogenicity was measured in a subset of participants. Results The vaccine was well tolerated and most of the adverse events were mild and of short duration. Mild pain at the injection site was the most common adverse event seen in 60 percent of participants in the vaccine group in Phase 3. In Phase 2, both 15 mcg and 30 mcg doses were immunogenic, so the lower dose was selected for further testing in Phase 3. In Phase 3 overall seroconversion rates were 68 percent for hemagglutination inhibition (HI), 51 percent for microneutralization (MN) and 56 percent for single radial hemolysis (SRH). The seroprotection rates were 44 percent for HI, 41 percent for MN and 55 percent for SRH. The GMT ratio was 5.31 and 3.7 for HI and MN respectively; GMA was 4.75 for the SRH. Conclusion The IVACFLU A/H5N1 was safe and immunogenic. Development of this pandemic avian influenza vaccine is a welcome addition to the limited global pool of these vaccines. ClinicalTrials.gov register NCT02612909