Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collision detection for articulated deformable characters

In this paper, we present an efficient method for detecting collisions and self-collisions on articulated models deformed by Position Based Skinning. Position Based Skinning is a real-time skinning method, which produces believable skin deformations, and avoids artifacts such as the well-known "candy-wrapper" effect and joint-bulging. The proposed method employs spatial hashing with a uniform grid to detect collisions and self collisions. All the mesh primitives are mapped to a hash table, where only primitives mapped to the same hash index indicate a possible collision and need to be tested for intersections. Being based on spatial hashing, our method requires neither expensive set-up nor complex data structures and is hence suitable for articulated characters with deformable soft tissues. We exploit the skeletal nature of the deformation to only update the hash table when required. The resulting algorithm is simple to implement and fast enough for real-time applications. We demonstrate the efficiency of our method on various animation examples. A quantitative experiment is also presented to evaluate our method.
Multidimensional measure of display clutter and pilot performance for advanced head-up display.

INTRODUCTION This study was conducted to: develop a multidimensional measure of display clutter for advanced head-up displays (HUDs) incorporating enhanced and synthetic vision; assess the influence of HUD configuration on perceptions of display clutter, workload, and flight performance; model clutter scores in terms of visual display properties; and model flight performance in terms of subjective and objective clutter indices. METHODS In a flight simulator, 18 pilots with different levels of flight experience flew approaches divided into three segments. Three HUD configuration sets were presented under two levels of flight workload. Pilot ratings of overall display clutter, its underlying dimensions, and mental workload were recorded along with flight performance measures. Display image analysis software was used to measure visual properties of the HUDs. RESULTS The multidimensional measure of clutter showed internal consistency with overall perceived clutter. Calculated clutter scores were sensitive to HUD configurations and in agreement with a priori display classifications. There was a trend for the extremes of display clutter to cause higher workload and less stable performance due to cognitive complexity and a lack of information for high and low clutter displays, respectively. Multiple linear regression models of perceived clutter were developed based on HUD visual properties with predictive utility. Models of flight performance based on the clutter score and workload ratings were also developed, but with less predictive power. DISCUSSION Measures and models of display clutter are expected to be applicable to the evaluation of a range of display concepts.
Identity, legitimacy and “making sense” of police use of force

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which police legitimacy and social identity explain variation in public acceptance of police use of force. The authors assess whether there is an association between legitimacy and public acceptance of apparently illegal or unethical police action; and the extent to which identification with a particular social group predicts judgments of police behavior. Design/methodology/approach The study draws upon cross-sectional data from a 2015 survey of a representative sample of adults in England and Wales. Structural equation modeling is used to model conditional correlations between latent constructs. Findings There are two main findings. First, identifying more strongly with a social group that the police may be seen to represent was consistently associated with greater acceptance of police use of force, whether or not that force seemed to be justified. Second, beliefs about the legitimacy of the police were also associated with acceptance, but primarily only in relation to the use of force in situations where it appeared prima facie justifiable. Social implications Results suggest one possible set of reasons why police retain public support in the face of scandals concerning excessive use of force. Originality/value This is one of only very few studies that have used survey data to explore lay justifications for police use of force.
Methylphenidate Administration Alters Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 Function in Cytoplasmic and Membrane-Associated Vesicles

In vivo methylphenidate (MPD) administration increases vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) immunoreactivity, VMAT-2-mediated dopamine (DA) transport, and DA content in a nonmembrane-associated (referred to herein as cytoplasmic) vesicular subcellular fraction purified from rat striatum: a phenomenon attributed to a redistribution of VMAT-2-associated vesicles within nerve terminals. In contrast, the present study elucidated the nature of, and the impact of MPD on, VMAT-2-associated vesicles that cofractionate with synaptosomal membranes after osmotic lysis (referred to herein as membrane-associated vesicles). Results revealed that, in striking contrast to the cytoplasmic vesicles, DA transport velocity versus substrate concentration curves in the membrane-associated vesicles were sigmoidal, suggesting positive cooperativity with respect to DA transport. Additionally, DA transport into membrane-associated vesicles was greater in total capacity in the presence of high DA concentrations than transport into cytoplasmic vesicles. Of potential therapeutic relevance, MPD increased DA transport into the membrane-associated vesicles despite rapidly decreasing (presumably by redistributing) VMAT-2 immunoreactivity in this fraction. Functional relevance was suggested by findings that MPD treatment increased both the DA content of the membrane-associated vesicle fraction and K+-stimulated DA release from striatal suspensions. In summary, the present data demonstrate the existence of a previously uncharacterized pool of membrane-associated VMAT-2-containing vesicles that displays novel transport kinetics, has a large sequestration capacity, and responds to in vivo pharmacological manipulation. These findings provide insight into both the regulation of vesicular DA sequestration and the mechanism of action of MPD, and they may have implications regarding treatment of disorders involving abnormal DA disposition, including Parkinson's disease and substance abuse.
Altered Levels of Acetylcholinesterase in Alzheimer Plasma

Background Many studies have been conducted in an extensive effort to identify alterations in blood cholinesterase levels as a consequence of disease, including the analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in plasma. Conventional assays using selective cholinesterase inhibitors have not been particularly successful as excess amounts of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) pose a major problem. Principal Findings Here we have estimated the levels of AChE activity in human plasma by first immunoprecipitating BuChE and measuring AChE activity in the immunodepleted plasma. Human plasma AChE activity levels were ∼20 nmol/min/mL, about 160 times lower than BuChE. The majority of AChE species are the light G1+G2 forms and not G4 tetramers. The levels and pattern of the molecular forms are similar to that observed in individuals with silent BuChE. We have also compared plasma AChE with the enzyme pattern obtained from human liver, red blood cells, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain, by sedimentation analysis, Western blotting and lectin-binding analysis. Finally, a selective increase of AChE activity was detected in plasma from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients compared to age and gender-matched controls. This increase correlates with an increase in the G1+G2 forms, the subset of AChE species which are increased in Alzheimer's brain. Western blot analysis demonstrated that a 78 kDa immunoreactive AChE protein band was also increased in Alzheimer's plasma, attributed in part to AChE-T subunits common in brain and CSF. Conclusion Plasma AChE might have potential as an indicator of disease progress and prognosis in AD and warrants further investigation.
Goal Propensity: Proposal and Initial Validation of a Compound Personality Trait

In the study of the nexus between personality and motivation, the exact nature and role of individual differences in personality as they affect motivated cognition and behavior remains elusive. Although researchers have noted the need for a conceptual integration point between comprehensive theories of motivation and recent developments in the area of personality theory, the lack of clarity in respect to this integration remains. Recently, motivation scholars have converged around theories of self-regulation as a broad conceptual framework. At the same time, personality research has experienced surgency due to the widespread use of the Five Factor Model. These developments present the opportunity to use advances in personality scholarship to enhance existing models of self-regulation. In order to achieve this benefit, a compound personality trait termed goal propensity is proposed. This trait is based on key criteria of interest that are embedded in the self-regulation cycle. The conceptual details regarding the assembly of this trait are discussed in this document, and hypothesized relationships between this trait and various goal-related outcomes are proposed. In addition, relationships between hypothesized components and outcomes of goal propensity are investigated in this research through online questionnaires and a computerbased decision task. Study results indicate support for a number of presumed goal
Behind the Web Store: The Organisational and Spatial Evolution of Multichannel Retailing in Toronto

In this paper I address two issues of general relevance to contemporary debates in economic geography: first, the organisational and spatial implications of new information technologies for the economic landscape; and, second, the enduring role of place to digital capitalism. Specifically, I examine the organisational evolution of multichannel retailing in Toronto from a geographical perspective. Bricks-and-mortar retailers are increasingly pursuing a multichannel strategy by operating an Internet-based web store alongside the existing network of physical retail outlets. I therefore evaluate the organisational implications of the adoption of business-to-consumer e-commerce (e-tailing) technology for six Canadian bricks-and-mortar retailers based in Toronto and assess how the associated changes in business structure have been inscribed upon the urban landscape. The argument is developed in three sections. First, I discuss how the formula for competitive advantage in the new (r)etail markets of the developed world has shifted from a pure play to a multichannel organisational paradigm. Second, I provide a background to the development of Canadian e-commerce and an overview of the empirical methodologies employed during the research. Third, the focus of the paper moves ‘behind the web store’ to spatialise the physical places that constitute the fulfilment infrastructure of e-tailing as sequentially linked stages in Internet commodity chains. I evaluate the impact of the Internet commodity chain upon the geographical organisation of each retailer, and, in particular, consider whether the unique logistical requirements of e-tailing have stimulated spatial processes of disintermediation and reintermediation. It is argued that, when read through the lens of Toronto, e-tailing has incurred limited organisational disruption and is characterised by a distinctive geography of integration between online and offline retailing services within the urban space of the city. I conclude the paper by contextualising the findings within themes for conceptual debate in economic geography.
Sleep assessments in healthy school‐aged children using actigraphy: concordance with polysomnography

Actigraphic (ACT) recordings are used widely in schoolchildren as a less intrusive and more extended approach to evaluation of sleep problems. However, critical assessment of the validity and reliability of ACT against overnight polysomnography (NPSG) are unavailable. Thus, we explored the degree of concordance between NPSG and ACT in school‐aged children to delineate potential ACT boundaries when interpreting pediatric sleep. Non‐dominant wrist ACT was recorded simultaneously with NPSG in 149 healthy school‐aged children (aged 4.1–8.8 years, 41.7% boys, 80.4% Caucasian) recruited from the community. Analyses were limited to the Actiware (MiniMitter‐64) calculated parameters originating from 1‐min epoch sampling and medium sensitivity threshold value of 40; i.e. sleep period time (SPT), total sleep time (TST) and wake after sleep onset (WASO). SPT was not significantly different between ACT and NPSG. However, ACT underestimated TST significantly by 32.2 ± 33.4 min and overestimated WASO by 26.3 ± 34.4 min. The decreased precision of ACT was also evident from moderate to small concordance correlation coefficients (0.47 for TST and 0.09 for WASO). ACT in school‐aged children provides reliable assessment of sleep quantity, but is relatively inaccurate during determination of sleep quality. Thus, caution is advocated in drawing definitive conclusions from ACT during evaluation of the sleep‐disturbed child.
1. Place of Meta-analysis among Other Methods of Research Synthesis

in the moSt general terms, meta-analysis is one method of research synthesis. Research synthesis may be defined as a review of primary research on a given topic with the purpose of integrating the findings (e.g., for creating generalizations or resolving conflicts). Research synthesis is central to the scientific enterprise. Without it, the evidence for various alternative hypotheses cannot be properly evaluated and generalizations cannot be reached, thus the advance of the scientific field as well as any potential practical applications are inhibited. Research synthesis can be performed either qualitatively, in the form of a narrative review, or quantitatively, by employing various statistical methods for the integration of results from individual studies. Research reviews in ecology and evolutionary biology have traditionally been carried out either in the form of narrative reviews, or by " vote counting, " where the number of statistically significant results for and against a hypothesis are counted and weighed against each other (see below). In other fields, it has been widely recognized that neither of the above methods is adequate to address current needs for quantitative research synthesis, and we believe that this is also true in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. Narrative reviewing offers expert interpretation and perspective, but it is inherently subjective and nonquantitative. Vote counting has very poor properties as a statistical procedure, as discussed below. Neither procedure is able to provide critically important information on the magnitude of the effects or the sources of variation in outcomes among studies. The lack of training in formal, rigorous protocols for research synthesis in ecology and evolutionary biology contrasts markedly with the standard quantitative training that scientists in these fields receive for primary research, including training in experimental design and analysis. Fortunately, this asymmetry in the tools employed for primary versus synthetic investigations began to change dramatically in the past two decades as meta-analytic methods have started to be introduced and incorporated into standard practice. The summarization and integration of research results across studies is increasingly viewed as a scientific research process in its own right in ecology and evolutionary biology, as it has come to be recognized in other disciplines. Like primary research, research synthesis follows the scientific method and is held to scientific standards. Meta-analysis employs specialized techniques for data gathering and analysis developed specifically for the purposes of research synthesis. Below, we briefly review the variety of approaches to research synthesis and discuss …
Game Theoretical Issues in Optical Networks

In this paper we focus on the problem in optical networks in which selfish or non-cooperative users can configure their communications so as to minimize the cost paid for the service. Such a cost depends on the personal configuration and on the one of the other users. During a series of time steps, at each of which only one user can move to a better configuration, a Nash equilibrium is eventually reached, that is a situation in which no user can select an improved solution and thus is interested in further modifications. In such a setting, the network provider must determine suitable payment functions covering the network costs that induce Nash equilibria with the best possible global performances. We first present results in the classical scenario in which we are interested in optimizing the optical spectrum, that is in minimizing the total number of used wavelengths. We then outline possible settings in which the approach can be eventually applied to minimize the cost of optical routing due to specific hardware components such as ADMs or filters, that are typical examples of expensive elements whose price can be shared among different lightpaths under specific constraints
Recognition algorithm of landmark for quadrotors aircraft based on image feature of corner points

To solve the problem of lateral navigation control of quadrotors aircraft, a new recognition algorithm of landmark with multi angle observations is proposed. According to the characteristics of landmark, the image is divided into two parts with circle and character H. The analysis reveals a geometric correlation exits between corner points of character H. The correlation has a low sensitivity to rotation post and environment. The results show that recognition algorithm based on corner points not only keeps the real time performance but also detects landmarks at any degree of rotation in the 2D image plane from the air, and outperforms linear feature algorithms. In the end, results of recognition experiments verify the effectiveness of the approach. And the algorithms meets the demands of lateral navigation control of quadrotors aircraft with such advantages as high accuracy, good reliability.
Conditions on transfer in phonology

Recent years have witnessed revived interest in aspects of transfer in second language acquisition (SLA), manifested in an increasing number of articles, and in books bearing titles such as Language transfer in language learning (Gass-Selinker 1983/1992), Crosslinguistic influence in second language acquisition (Kellerman-Sharwood Smith 1986), and The role of the first language in foreign language learning (Ringbom 1987). A modern textbook on language transfer has appeared (Odlin 1989). However, relatively few researchers have attempted to re-explore transfer in the context of phonology acquisition. This may seem strange, considering (a) the strong interest in phonology in earlier contrast! ve linguistics, and (b) the fact that those pioneers of interlanguage study in the 1970s who considered transfer to be unimportant in L2 morphology and syntax acquisition, generally acknowledged its predominant role in the domain of L2 phonology. At the same time it is clear that the workings of transfer in phonology, as in morpho-syntax, lexis, discourse etc., are subject to certain constraints, and that these must be understood and assessed if we are to account properly for the role of transfer in the development of interlanguage phonologies. Several such constraining factors have been suggested. What I will attempt to do here is to review and discuss a number of factors which give rise to, condition and constrain transfer in L2 phonology acquisition, and to consider how they work together in specific cases. For illustration I will use data mainly from Hammarberg (1988), which is an investigation of the acquisition of Swedish phonology by adult German speakers at early stages. The general theoretical view on language transfer I am adopting here comes close to that outlined by Fasrch and Kasper (1980, 1986,1987). They define transfer within an information-processing model as "a psycholinguistic procedure by means of which L2 learners activate their Ll/Ln knowledge in developing or using their interlanguage" (1987: 112). It is the "developing" (or acquisitional) aspect more than the "using" (or communicational) aspect that will be focused on in this paper. In practice, SLA researchers often seem to glide between the perspectives of transfer as a procedure and transfer as a product. This is not necessarily
Robust Spectral Inference for Joint Stochastic Matrix Factorization

Spectral inference provides fast algorithms and provable optimality for latent topic analysis. But for real data these algorithms require additional ad-hoc heuristics, and even then often produce unusable results. We explain this poor performance by casting the problem of topic inference in the framework of Joint Stochastic Matrix Factorization (JSMF) and showing that previous methods violate the theoretical conditions necessary for a good solution to exist. We then propose a novel rectification method that learns high quality topics and their interactions even on small, noisy data. This method achieves results comparable to probabilistic techniques in several domains while maintaining scalability and provable optimality.
The Impact of Variable Degrees of Freedom and Scale Parameters in Bayesian Methods for Genomic Prediction in Chinese Simmental Beef Cattle

Three conventional Bayesian approaches (BayesA, BayesB and BayesCπ) have been demonstrated to be powerful in predicting genomic merit for complex traits in livestock. A priori, these Bayesian models assume that the non-zero SNP effects (marginally) follow a t-distribution depending on two fixed hyperparameters, degrees of freedom and scale parameters. In this study, we performed genomic prediction in Chinese Simmental beef cattle and treated degrees of freedom and scale parameters as unknown with inappropriate priors. Furthermore, we compared the modified methods (BayesFA, BayesFB and BayesFCπ) with their corresponding counterparts using simulation datasets. We found that the modified methods with distribution assumed to the two hyperparameters were beneficial for improving the predictive accuracy. Our results showed that the predictive accuracies of the modified methods were slightly higher than those of their counterparts especially for traits with low heritability and a small number of QTLs. Moreover, cross-validation analysis for three traits, namely carcass weight, live weight and tenderloin weight, in 1136 Simmental beef cattle suggested that predictive accuracy of BayesFCπ noticeably outperformed BayesCπ with the highest increase (3.8%) for live weight using the cohort masking cross-validation.
Development of professional commitment among students in social work education

Abstract This study seeks to expand empirical knowledge of commitment to social work using a sample of 212 Norwegian students. The first aim is to investigate the development of students’ commitment to social work from the start of education (first year) to its end (third year). The second aim is to investigate how theoretical and relational knowledge contribute to commitment to social work. The third aim is to examine how compatibility between students’ abilities and the vocational demands of social work contribute to professional commitment. A paired samples t-test and an ordinary least squares regression were conducted to test the aims of the study. The results document that students experience weaker professional commitment at the end of education compared to the beginning. It also seems that theoretical and relational knowledge contribute to professional commitment. The findings also indicate that students whose abilities are compatible with the vocational demands of social work experience stronger professional commitment than those for whom a discrepancy exists.