Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A single-layer slotted leaky waveguide array antenna for mobile reception of direct broadcast from satellite

This paper proposes a single-layer slotted leaky waveguide array antenna for mobile DBS reception. A single-layer feed structure is proposed, where the feed waveguide is in the same layer as the radiating waveguides. This results in the simple fabrication of slotted waveguide arrays, suitable for mass production. Short radiating leaky waveguides are used to get a large beam-tilting angle of about 50/spl deg/ for the horizontal installation of the antenna and a beamwidth broad enough to dispense with mechanical steering in the elevation plane. A prototype antenna sized 30 cm by 21 cm has a maximum of 74% efficiency and more than 69% efficiency within the DBS band. It also has a broad l-dB beamwidth of 7.5/spl deg/ in the elevation plane, which enables clear DBS reception by a picture tube display over about one-third the area of Japan without elevation tracking. >
Fast Super‐Resolution Algorithm Based on Dictionary Size Reduction Using k‐Means Clustering

This paper proposes a computationally efficient learning‐based super‐resolution algorithm using k‐means clustering. Conventional learning‐based super‐resolution requires a huge dictionary for reliable performance, which brings about a tremendous memory cost as well as a burdensome matching computation. In order to overcome this problem, the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the size of the trained dictionary by properly clustering similar patches at the learning phase. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides superior visual quality to the conventional algorithms, while needing much less computational complexity.
The impact of organisational culture and learning on innovation performance

The purpose of this empirical study is to develop a conceptual framework to understand how organisational culture and organisational learning contribute to innovation performance. The research was conducted in seven Taiwan's high-tech industries through distributing survey questionnaires, the results showed that there is a positive and significant association between organisational culture and innovation, and also between organisational learning and innovation performance as well. The findings also revealed that different types of organisational culture and learning have different levels of influence on innovation. This means that firms of efficient culture have the best process innovation, and firms of innovative culture have the best administrative and product innovation. As for organisational learning, the result proves that firms of high learning-oriented have better process, administrative and product innovation than those of low learning-oriented. The implications of this research are also discussed.
The Effects of Sensory Modality and Information Priority on In-Vehicle Signing and Information Systems

During this study, subjects drove an interactive driving simulator and were presented road sign information from a visual dash-mounted LCD display or from digitized auditory voice. Information priority was also manipulated in that subjects received all sign information typically present in the roadway environment, or only “filtered” high priority regulatory and notification information. The effects of display type and filtering on information recall, driver performance, and driver preferences were measured. The results indicate that presenting information in an auditory mode results in a higher level of road sign information recall, but also decreases the subjects' driving performance when compared to a visual display. Subjects were also able to recall more road sign information and drove at a higher level of performance during the filtered conditions. Subjects rated auditory information as more distracting than visual information.
Black swans don’t fly double loops: the limits of the learning organization?

States that in order to remain competitive, organizations must scan and analyse environmental turbulence, formulate appropriate strategic plans and implement these through a change management process. In short, the organization must routinely learn and relearn about its environment, and learn new ways to change and implement policy and process. Examines how this organizational learning would need to be carried out as scientifically as possible in order to verify that incoming knowledge is demonstrably superior to the old. Attempts to sight the limits of the learning organization by asking questions about what organizations are capable of knowing and understanding. Explains that this is not intended as a critique of the concept. Hopes that such discussion will help to prevent the degeneration of the helpful ideas developed in the literature so far, into another trite managerial fashion and language.
A fully non-blocking reliable multicast protocol with total ordering

We present an efficient protocol for reliable multicast in an asynchronous network subject to link and process failures. Our protocol preserves total ordering in the sense that as processes or communication links become faulty, each group of non-faulty processes that remain connected will agree on the same sequence of messages delivered. Even processes that get disconnected deliver messages in a consistent order, i.e. message delivery is globally consistent. Although protocols that achieve reliable multicast with total ordering are known in the literature, these protocols will block the delivery of certain messages when the processes or links become faulty until membership assent is reached with the non-faulty processes. In contrast, our protocol is fully non-blocking in the sense that all messages will continue to be delivered by non-faulty processes despite a process failure or a change in membership of the multicast group. Moreover, our protocol differs from prior works in that it does not assume the existence of an underlying layer that detects link or process failures.
Evolution MegaLab: a case study in citizen science methods

1. Volunteers have helped in scientific surveys of birds and other organisms for decades, but more recently, the use of the Internet has enormously widened the opportunity for citizen science and greatly increased its practice. There is now a need to share experience of which methods work and which do not. Here, we describe how we planned and executed the Evolution MegaLab, one of the largest surveys of polymorphism in wild species so far undertaken.
Reliability Modelling and Analysis of Redundant Systems Connected to Supporting External Device for Operation Attended by a Repairman and Repairable Service Station

In this paper, probabilistic models for three redundant configurations have been developed to analyze and compare some reliability characteristics. Each system is connected to a repairable supporting external device for operation. Repairable service station is provided for immediate repair of failed unit. Explicit expressions for mean time to system failure and steady-state availability for the three configurations are developed. Furthermore, we compare the three configurations based on their reliability characteristics and found that configuration II is more reliable and efficient than the remaining configurations.
Magnetic ordering and dense Kondo behavior inEuFe2P2

Ternary iron phosphide EuFe$_2$P$_2$ with ThCr$_2$Si$_2$-type structure has been systematically studied by the measurements of crystal structure, magnetization, M\"{o}ssbauer effect, transport properties and specific heat. The structural refinement result confirms no direct P-P covalent bonding. The M\"{o}ssbauer spectra indicate no magnetic moment for the Fe atoms and, that the Eu ions are divalent in the whole temperatures, carrying local moments of $S$=7/2. The Eu$^{2+}$ spins order ferromagnetically at $T_C$=29.5 K, followed by a possible helimagnetic ordering below $T_{HM}$=26 K, where the Eu$^{2+}$ moments tilt a little from the c-axis. External magnetic field increases $T_C$ gradually, but suppresses $T_{HM}$ rapidly. (Magneto)resistivity data indicate characteristic dense Kondo behaviour above the Curie temperature. The result is discussed in terms of the interplay between intersite RKKY and intrasite Kondo interactions.
Guinness, Gosset, Fisher, and Small Samples

The environment in which W. S. Gosset (Student) worked as a brewer at Guinness' Brewery at the turn of the century is described fully enough to show how it forced himn to confront problems of small sample statistics, using the techniques he picked up from Karl Pearson. R. A. Fisher's interest in human genetics prompted biometrical applications of his mathematical training even as an undergraduate. As soon as he consid- ered Student's work, he perceived its importance and began to extend its applications. Consequently, when he started work at Rothamsted Experi- mental Station in 1919, he was ready to respond to the experimental problems by developing statistical theory along with appropriate methods of experimental analysis and design.
Computing process capability indices for non‐normal data: a review and comparative study

When the distribution of a process characteristic is non-normal, Cp and Cpk calculated using conventional methods often lead to erroneous interpretation of the process's capability. Though various methods have been proposed for computing surrogate process capability indices (PCIs) under non-normality, there is a lack of literature that covers a comprehensive evaluation and comparison of these methods. In particular, under mild and severe departures from normality, do these surrogate PCIs adequately capture process capability, and which is the best method(s) in reflecting the true capability under each of these circumstances? In this paper we review seven methods that are chosen for performance comparison in their ability to handle non-normality in PCIs. For illustration purposes the comparison is done through simulating Weibull and lognormal data, and the results are presented using box plots. Simulation results show that the performance of a method is dependent on its capability to capture the tail behaviour of the underlying distributions. Finally we give a practitioner's guide that suggests applicable methods for each defined range of skewness and kurtosis under mild and severe departures from normality. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Learner-Controlled Computing: A Description and Rationale

This paper discusses a use of technology in which the student controls the computer (e.g., computer programming) instead of it controlling the student (e.g., drill-and-practice). A description of the nature of this mode of computer use is provided, and some examples are given. A rationale for learner control is discussed in terms of cognitive and affective outcomes of computing. The cognitive outcomes include relatively specific learning and thinking skills and more general systematic methods of problem solving. Affective outcomes include self-confidence, curiosity and exploratory behaviors, and motivation.
On the capacity of low-density parity-check codes

We demonstrate that we can translate threshold values of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes between channels accurately using a simple mapping. We develop some models of density evolution from this observation, namely erasure-channel and reciprocal-channel approximations. The reciprocal-channel approximation, based on dualizing LDPC codes, provides a very accurate model of density evolution for the additive-white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel.
The utility of home computers and media use: Implications of multimedia and connectivity

This study applied the uses and gratifications perspective to home computer use. We explored how CD‐ROM ownership and Internet capability were linked to computer utility among a random national telephone survey of 1071 adults. Users found modest utility in home computers for entertainment, escape, habit, and to pass time. CD‐ROM ownership was linked to learning and escape utility. Higher levels of connectivity were reflected in using computers for entertainment and to pass time.
Connecting or dividing? Examining female learners’ information and communication technology access and use in open and distance learning

The role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in addressing global development agenda, including the key Millennium Development Goal of promoting gender equality and empowering women, is being increasingly recognised. ICTs, by themselves, however cannot be effective if they do not address the central issue of women’s access and control over technology, which relates to the opportunity available to them to use the resources in their own contexts. This paper examines the use of, attitudes towards and barriers to ICT access amongst female learners in a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Computer Application offered through distance mode by Indira Gandhi National Open University. The paper highlights the local contexts within which attitudes towards the use of technology are shaped and barriers to access are embedded. Finally, based on the discussion, the paper points to the need for ICT‐enabled learning to be cognisant of the above aspects and suggests interventions to increase female participation in open and distance learning to enable the move towards gender equality.
Titanium‐Mediated Carboxylation of Alkynes With Carbon Dioxide

The regioselective carboxylation of nonactivated internal alkynes can be performed with carbon dioxide under atmospheric pressure using a simple procedure based on the chemistry of Sato-type diisopropyloxytitanacyclopropenes. Various polysubstituted vinylcarboxylic acids and butenolides can be prepared in this way. In addition, this paper describes an experimental protocol for the preparation of solutions of (η2-cyclopentene)diisopropyloxytitanium. This complex also reacts with carbon dioxide, and mediates pinacol coupling of acetophenone. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
An Assessment of Research Supervision: A Leadership Model Enhancing Current Practices in Business and Management

Students enrolled in business and management assessed the research supervisory process less favorably when compared with their counterparts. In this article, the authors found that there was considerable dissatisfaction with the interaction and relationships that students had with their supervisors, especially within the business program. As a result of the findings, the authors developed an innovative leadership research model to enhance current faculty supervisory practice.
Mathematical models in the social sciences

As the need for more substantial mathematical training has increased among social science students, the lack of any adequate textbook between the very elementary and the very advanced levels has become crutial. The authors, long-time experts in this field, have answered the need with this volume, and the MIT Press has repsonded by bringing it into renewed circulation.Mathematical Models in the Social Sciences investigates and teaches the formation and analysis of mathematical models with detailed interpretations of the results. These models are self-contained, with the necessary mathematics included in each chapter. A vast range of topics in the social sciences and a wide variety of mathematical techniques are covered by the models. Ample opportunity is also provided for the students to form their own models. Republication of this book provides social science and mathematics students with a text that is the analogue of mathematical methods textbooks used in the study of the physical sciences and engineering. Prerequisites are kept to a minimum; a course in finite mathematics and a semester of calculus are all that is necessary.The chapters cover these main topics (and employ the mathematical approach parenthetically indicated): methodology; preference rankings (an axiomatic approach); ecology (two dynamic models); market stability (a dynamic model); a Markov chain model in sociology; stabilization of money flow (an application of discrete potential theory); branching processes; organization theory (applications of graph theory); and optimal scheduling (a problem in dynamic programming).
Assessment and realistic mathematics education

This book describes the consequences of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) for assessing students’ understanding of mathematics in primary school. RME is the Dutch answer to the worldwide need to reform mathematics education. Changed ideas about mathematics as a school subject, its goals, ideas about teaching and learning mathematics, require new forms of assessment. Within RME this means a preference for observation and individual interviews. However, written tests have not been abandoned within this approach. As this book makes clear, even written tests can give teachers valuable information concerning the learning processes of their students, if these tests are looked at in a new light. The book has two sections. Part I forms the core of the work. Chapter one retraces the early years of the reform of mathematics education in the Netherlands, and provides a survey of how assessment was regarded at that time. Chapter two concentrates on how the MORE research laid the foundation for further development of primary school mathematics assessment within RME. Originally, this research was a comparative study of the implementation and effects of different approaches to mathematics education. Chapter three provides a general orientation of the present state of affairs within RME and presents a further elaboration of the RME theory for assessment. In the second half of the chapter the RME views on assessment are held up to the mirror of international assessment reform. In chapter four, as a supplement to the general orientation, the focus is shifted to written tests. In particular, paper-and-pencil short-task problems and the potential enrichment of such problems through the application of RME theory are discussed. Part II describes three assessment studies in detail. Chapter five focuses on one of the tests that was developed for the MORE research, namely the test for beginning first grade. It provides background information on the development of the test and describes its unexpected results, including some international findings on the test. Chapter six gives an account of a study into the opportunities for RME in special education. The heart of this study is a written test on ratio, similar to MORE tests. Chapter seven covers a developmental research project on assessment that was conducted within the framework of the “Mathematics in Context” project, an American middle school project. The chapter focuses on one particular assessment problem on percentage. The main issue here is the tension between openness and certainty that one meets if one moves to more open-ended problems in assessment.
MEDIA-SPECIFIC RATE ALLOCATION IN MULTIPATH NETWORKS

We address the problem of joint path selection and rate allocation in multipath streaming in order to optimize a media specific quality of service. An optimization problem is proposed, which aims at minimizing a video distortion metric based on sequence-dependent parameters, and transmission channel characteristics, for a given network infrastructure. Even if in general, optimal path selection and rate allocation is an NP complete problem, an in-depth analysis of the media distortion evolution allows to define a low complexity algorithm for an optimal streaming strategy. In particular, we show that a greedy allocation of rate along paths with increasing error probability leads to an optimal solution. We argue that a network path shall not be chosen for transmission, unless all other available paths with lower error probability have been chosen. Moreover, the chosen paths should be used at their maximum available end-to-end bandwidth. Simulation results show that the optimal rate allocation carefully trades off total encoding/transmission rate, with the end-to-end transmission error probability and the number of chosen paths. In many cases, the optimal rate allocation provides more than 20% improvement in received video quality, compared to heuristic-based algorithms. This motivates its use in multipath networks, where it optimizes media specific quality of service, and simultaneously saves network resources, with very low computational complexity.
Psychomotor Efficiency in Users of Notebook Input Devices: Confirmation and Restrictions of Fitts' Law as an Evaluative Tool for User-Friendly Design

On the basis of Fitts' law the present study examined the psychomotor efficiency for 20 experienced users of force- (trackpoint) and motion-input (touchpad) devices in clicking and dragging tasks. Beyond task difficulty the impact of input modality, practice, and task type was investigated. On the one hand, the results support Fitts' law since performance data of both input devices fitted satisfyingly with Fitts' predictions. Motion-input was found to be very robust towards task difficulty, especially in dragging tasks. On the other hand, the results were incompatible to Fitts' assumptions as target size and distance did not equally contribute to task difficulty but rather target size was a stronger contributor. Thus, the effective task difficulty in small targets was notably underestimated. For user-friendly interfaces, button widths of over 0.5 cm should be provided, especially when distances farther than 7.5 cm are inevitable.
Synthesis and Characterization of Three New Layered Phosphates, Na2MnP2O7, NaCsMnP2O7, and NaCsMn0.35Cu0.65P2O7

Three new layered phosphates were isolated by employing high-temperature, solid-state reactions. These compounds belong to the AI2BIIP2O7 family. Na2MnP2O7, 1, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 5.316(2) A, b = 6.580(2) A, c = 9.409(3) A, α = 109.65(3)°, β = 95.25(3)°, γ = 106.38(3)°, and Z = 2; NaCsMnP2O7, 2, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmc21 (No. 36) with a = 5.332(2) A, b = 15.009(2) A, c = 9.808(2) A, and Z = 4; NaCsMn0.35Cs0. 65P2O7, 3, also crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmc21 (No. 36) with a = 5.208(2) A, b = 15.073(5) A, c = 9.708(3) A, and Z = 4. 1 possesses a new structure type composed of slabs of fused Mn4P4O26 cages, and 2 and 3 are isostructural with K2CuP2O7. The unique cage structure found in 1 is made of two edge-sharing Mn2O10 dimers and two P2O7 pyrophosphate groups. These units, arranged in parallel with respect to Mn−Mn and P−P vectors, are linked in an alternating fashion through corner-sharing oxygen atoms. Incorporation of l.
The Task-Based Syllabus: Promoting L2 Acquisition and Learner Empowerment in an EFL Classroom

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the Task-Based Syllabus (TBS) can be used to promote L2 acquisition and learner empowerment in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. The paper begins by reviewing definitions of the Task-Based Syllabus as well as the term “task” in relation to the syllabus. It then examines influential theories, which have helped shape the Task-Based Syllabus before identifying its strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. The author then identifies ideal teaching situations for implementing a Task-Based Syllabus in order to encourage L2 acquisition and facilitate learner motivation and empowerment by promoting language learning strategy awareness.