Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Massive Open Online Course Completion Rates Revisited: Assessment, Length and Attrition

This analysis is based upon enrolment and completion data collected for a total of 221 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). It extends previously reported work (Jordan, 2014) with an expanded dataset; the original work is extended to include a multiple regression analysis of factors that affect completion rates and analysis of attrition rates during courses. Completion rates (defined as the percentage of enrolled students who completed the course) vary from 0.7% to 52.1%, with a median value of 12.6%. Since their inception, enrolments on MOOCs have fallen while completion rates have increased. Completion rates vary significantly according to course length (longer courses having lower completion rates), start date (more recent courses having higher percentage completion) and assessment type (courses using auto grading only having higher completion rates). For a sub-sample of courses where rates of active use and assessment submission across the course are available, the first and second weeks appear to be critical in achieving student engagement, after which the proportion of active students and those submitting assessments levels out, with less than 3% difference between them.
A Digital Humanities Approach to Film Colors

Film Colors Barbara Flueckiger And much of the data mining that leads to visualization . is based on a flawed method that conflates literal discourse and symbolic/interpreted reference. In an art-historical context, this would be the equivalent of counting instances of the color red across a collection of images without discriminating between symbolic and representational functions. The reds are not the same, and cannot be counted the same way, put into the same category, or re-represented as data for visualization in a graph or chart, without monstrous distortion. —Joanna Drucker, “Graphical Approaches to the Digital Humanities,” A New Companion to Digital Humanities
Radar image fusion by multiscale Kalman filtering

Proposes the application of a multi-scale Kalman filter (MKF) to the fusion of images of the same scene, acquired by different radars operating with different resolutions. The images have been spatially registered and they have been processed by an MKF processor to compute an output image with information improved over that carried by each input image. A fully-fledged MKF is described, and a basic model is tested to fuse AIRSAR (AIRborne Synthetic Aperture Radar) and SIR-C (Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C) images.
Density Estimation Techniques fro Global Illumination

In this thesis we present the density estimation framework for computing view-independent global illumination solutions. The framework consists of three phases: particle tracing, density estimation, and decimation. Monte Carlo particle tracing is used to accurately simulate the light transport under a general spectral geometric-optics based physical model. Next kernel density estimation is used to reconstruct perceptual illumination functions. Finally decimation is used to optimize the resulting mesh for compactness and rapid interactive display as Gouraud-shaded triangles. The three principal contributions of this work are the framework's separation of transport and function reconstruction computations, its ability to produce accurate solutions with precisely known error characteristics, and the techniques that we introduce to improve its eciency and accuracy. Particle tracing's generality allows us to eliminate or delay many common simplifying assumptions and improves our accuracy and error analysis. Delaying the density estimation until particle tracing is complete allows us to make better use of the expensive particle data. The separation of global transport and local representation computations also reduces the computational complexity of each phase, enhances the framework's scal-ability, and exposes abundant opportunities for parallelism. Another advantage is that we can solve directly for the radiant exitance without needing to estimate the more complicated spectral radiance function. Despite its advantages, if naively implemented the framework would be prohibitively expensive. Thus we also introduce several techniques that signicantly improve its accuracy and eciency. These include the separation of luminance and chromaticity band-widths, perceptually-motivated noise visibility predictors, statistical bias detection techniques to automatically enhance underresolved illumination features, a local polynomial density estimation method to eliminate boundary bias, and wavelength importance sampling to reduce the spectral noise. Results of the framework are shown for some complex environments and compared against measured data for a simple scene. The strength of our framework is that it can simulate a wider variety of lighting effects , with fewer simplifying assumptions, and more precise error analysis that current view-independent methods. Furthermore, because of its accuracy, our density estimation framework solutions are used as reference solutions for judging the quality and eective-ness of more approximate but faster rendering methods. Island and the scourge of its dreaded accent, he attended Williams College in western Massachusetts. While there, he completed a B _ A _ in 1991 with a double major in Physics and Computer Science thus causing even his physics advisor to complain that he wasn't taking enough liberal arts courses. …
Enabling Open Innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Dynamic Capabilities Approach

This paper aims at exploring the critical dynamic capabilities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the innovation process and at identifying the dynamic capabilities that enable the implementation of open innovation practices. Building on qualitative data from the manufacturing industry deriving from an in-depth investigation of the capabilities of four innovative case firms, the patterns between the firm's portfolio of dynamic capabilities and the different types of open innovation processes are mapped. This study makes three primary contributions to the body of knowledge. This is the first attempt to link dynamic capabilities to an open innovation approach undertaken by SMEs. Second, the study extends existing work on innovation in SMEs by identifying key dynamic capabilities in this context. Finally, the case-based research provides empirical evidence of dynamic capabilities in practices, where analysis reveals that companies with strong sensing, seizing and reconfiguring capabilities are more inclined to develop open innovation approaches. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Word alignment and paradigm induction

The variety of morphological processes attested in and combinations thereof pose severe problems to unsupervised algorithms of morphology induction. The paper analyses morphological strategies for word recoding. Our model endorses the hypothesis that lexical forms are memorised as full units. At the same time, lexical units are paradigmatically organised. We show that the overall amount of redundant morphological structure emerging from paradigm-based self-organisation has a clear impact on generalisation. This supports the view that issues of word representation and issues of word processing are .
The performance of adaptive equalization for digital communication systems corrupted by interference

This paper analyzes the effects of interference on the steady-state performance of several popular adaptive equalization algorithms. It is shown that adaptive equalizers based on the linear equalizer structure have a built-in capability to reject narrowband interference, however the performance deteriorates as the bandwidth of the interference increases. The existence of a time-varying misadjustment component in the adaptive equalizer weight vector is shown to affect the interference cancellation properties. In addition, simultaneous multipath propagation and interference is investigated. These errors on the performance of the adaptive linear equalizer are especially important to applications where intentional or unintentional interferers may be encountered. <<ETX>>
Self-organizing control of stochastic systems

What do you do to start reading self organizing control of stochastic systems? Searching the book that you love to read first or find an interesting book that will make you want to read? Everybody has difference with their reason of reading a book. Actuary, reading habit must be from earlier. Many people may be love to read, but not a book. It's not fault. Someone will be bored to open the thick book with small words to read. In more, this is the real condition. So do happen probably with this self organizing control of stochastic systems.
Measuring Spatial Concentration: The Use of Threshold Profiles

The measurement of spatial pattern is often undertaken using one of a number of single-number indices, such as the Gini coefficient, which may not illuminate certain aspects of the pattern involved—especially the degree to which the members of the reference group are spatially concentrated. We suggest an alternative approach based on a concentration profile which shows the degree to which a group is spatially concentrated according to a range of thresholds. This is illustrated with data on male unemployment in England and Wales in 1991, which also shows the importance of spatial scale to the study of concentrations and, potentially, to the formulation of spatially focused public policies.
Internet browsing behavior: a case study of executive postgraduate students in Ghana

This paper examines the motivation for Internet browsing amongst Executive MBA (EMBA) students at the University of Ghana Business School. It underscores the importance of the environmental influences on the social, academic and professional use of the Internet by executive masters students in Ghana. This paper is executed via a qualitative research design. Data for the study was gathered through structured focus group interviews with 24 Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) students of the University of Ghana Business School. The study revealed that students browse the Internet for social, academic and professional purposes. The social use of the Internet includes sending and receiving email, socializing through Facebook, chatting, and making new friends. Professionally, students browse the Internet to obtain trade information, interact with clients, check on conference alerts, and access databases of clients. The academic motivations for browsing the Internet include research, getting access to academic journal databases, interacting with lecturers and supervisors, registering for professional courses and obtaining information on specific courses of study.
Gamified Pedagogy: From Gaming Theory to Creating a Self-Motivated Learning Environment in Studio Art

This research is an empirical study using gamified pedagogy in a 3-D animation course in a Visual Communication Design Department. By conducting this research, I hope to increase student interest in learning 3-D animation and to decrease student fears of learning professional 3-D software. Through this research, I have developed a theory of gamified pedagogy. Using gamification as pedagogy requires using a spiral curriculum for students to learn advanced tasks by starting with basic skills, setting clear short-term and long-term goals, rewarding students when they achieve each level, forming a learning community with a showcase for student work, and providing a safety net for students to explore and practice. With a gamified pedagogy, students may become self-motivated learners interested in learning more from the course content and from each other. Gamified pedagogy provides another approach for art education.
Direction of arrival estimation in uniform circular arrays composed of directional elements

We address the problem of estimating the azimuth and elevation angles of multiple far-field signals in uniform circular arrays (UCAs) composed of identical sensor elements. Unlike previous search-free approaches, which strongly rely on the omni-directional element assumption, the element pattern is modelled as direction dependent. We have developed the UCA-RARE algorithm, a new computationally efficient eigenstructure-based estimation method operating in beamspace. The algorithm allows estimation of the azimuth parameters of the source directions decoupled from the elevation parameters without employing exact knowledge of the element pattern in a search-free procedure. The corresponding elevation angles are estimated in a subsequent step using a closed-form algorithm.
The Potential of Micro-scale Chemistry Experimentation in enhancing teaching and learning of secondary chemistry : Experiences from Tanzania Classrooms

This paper reports on the views and experiences of the teachers and students participating in the summative evaluation phase of a micro-scale chemistry instruction scenario via developed examplary curriculum materials (the MSCE approach) to support teachers with implementation of practical work in A-level chemistry classes in Tanzania.The evaluation involved field testing of the materials to investigate the effectiveness of the MSCE approach when compared to “traditional” teaching approaches, on Form 5 (13th grade) students’ learning of solubility and precipitation. A total of 195 science students and their teachers from four classes in four different high schools participated in the study. Two teachers taught solubility and precipitation topic with micro-scale practical activities to an experimental group (N=88) and the other two teachers taught the same content topic using regular teaching approaches to a control group (N=107). The research design made use of triangulation procedures, involving student achievement test, observation of the use of MSCE approach in context by teachers and students, interviews and questionnaires. The results of the study indicate that the overall teachers’ and students’ reactions to the MSCE approach were vastly positive.Teachers reported that their participation in the MSCE study had been a professionally developing experience. They had become aware of the opportunities of using a new approach to conduct practical work with minimum resources to support student learning. Similary, the findings indicate that most students’ were excited with the micro-scale experiments experience and they it easy, more interactive and enjoyable, allowing them to carry out experiments for themselves, collaborate with peers, and communicate with their teachers freely. Besides the affective outcomes, students exposed to this approach appeared to develop better scientific reasoning skills by engaging in small group discussions and reflections during micro-scale hands-on/minds-on practical activities. This paper concludes that the MSCE approach developed in this study with exemplary lesson materials, containing adequate procedural specifications, are feasible for use in A-level chemistry classes and are effective in providing positive learning experiences for students.
Information Literacy Research: the consolidation of a theme

Bruce (2000) suggests that the territory of information literacy research may be described in term of five dimensions: 1) the sectoral location of the research, 2) ways of seeing information literacy, 3) what is being investigated – the research object 4) how the object is being investigated – the research approach 5) disciplinary influences. She also suggests likely trajectories for future information literacy research: • Growth beyond the educational sector • Attention to a wider variety of cultural settings • A firmer more consolidated research agenda • Greater collaboration between researchers • An agenda driven by funding priorities.
Correlation analysis of ultrasonic speckle for motion estimation

Synthetic aperture techniques permit low-cost ultrasonic imaging systems, but are susceptible to motion artifacts. Motion compensation is crucial in imaging of non-stationary structures. In this study, correlation analysis of ultrasonic speckle signals for correlation based motion estimation is presented. Correlation measurements with different system parameters, such as the subaperture size, inter-firing distance and kernel size, are performed using experimental data acquired from a diffuse scattering phantom. The efficiency of the correlation based motion estimation is tested qualitatively on the phantom image.
A Modular Control Scheme for Hyper-Redundant Robots

Hyper-redundant robots, robots with many degrees of freedom, are considered to be advantageous in many tasks, such as minimally invasive surgery, surveillance and inspection. However, due to their hyper degrees of freedom, the control of hyper-redundant robots is always challenging. Several fitting algorithms, which iteratively fit a hyper-redundant robot into a continuous curve, have been proposed to control the configuration of hyper-redundant robots. However, these algorithms require heavy computation, preventing them from being used in practice. In this study, we propose a novel modular control scheme for a hyper-redundant robot to reduce the computational load by dividing the robot into smaller modules and fitting each module separately. A Jacobian-based position control algorithm is also used to utilize the redundancy of each module to ensure that the overall configuration of the robot resembles the given desired curve. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can be used to control hyper-redundant robots effectively.
Circularity of the pitch of complex tones and its application

Paired comparison experiments were performed for the pitch of complex tones composing the endless scale as proposed by Shepard and those of two kinds of complex tones which are obtained by modifying the spectrum structure of the former complex tones. The results were analyzed by the multidimensional scaling program by Kruskal. As a result, it is shown that the pitch of the one, which is one of the three fundamental psychological attributes of the tone, has the mixed one- and two-dimensional property in the case of the above complex tones. The tendency in the pitch comparison greatly differed by individuals, which can be accounted for by considering that the emphasis of the two elements of the pitch, which are tone height and tonality, differs by individuals. Using complex tones composing endless scale over 7 intervals, a melody over 10 intervals could be composed in a natural way.
Semi-supervised learning from unbalanced labeled data: An improvement

We present a great improvement while performing semi-supervised learning tasks from training data sets when only a small fraction of the data pairs is labeled. In particular, we propose a novel decision strategy based on normalized model outputs. We give the explanation why the normalization step helps. The paper compares performances of two popular semi-supervised approaches (Consistency Method and Harmonic Gaussian Model) on the unbalanced and balanced labeled data by using normalization of the models' outputs and without it. Experiments on text categorization problems suggest significant improvements in classification performances for models that use normalized outputs as a basis for final decision.
Current trends in cataloguing and the challenges of a cataloguer in the digital age

The paper explains the challenges faced by cataloguers in this age of Information explosion and Information Communication Technology (ICT) and the attendant innovations and trends that are required to cope in this new environment. Cataloguing is not just building a catalogue, but about providing users with timely access to information relevant to their needs. The task of identifying resources collected by libraries, results in rich metadata that can be used for many purposes. It involves describing resources and showing their relationships to persons, families, corporate bodies and other resources, thereby enabling users to navigate through libraries to quickly get information they need. The metadata constructed throughout the life cycle of a resource is especially valuable to many types of users, from creators of resources to publishers, subscription agents, book vendors, resource aggregators, system vendors, libraries and other institutions, and end users. The new international cataloguing code, RDA (resource description and access) is discussed in this paper, with a view to meet fundamental user tasks in a way that produces wellformed, interconnected metadata for the digital environment. Keywords: cataloguing, RDA, digital environment, metadata, resources description
Sex-Role Identity, Gender Identity, and Self-Schemata

Forty females and 40 males were shown slides of masculine and feminine phrases controlled for social desirability, sex-linked content, syllable length, and negative semantic construction to evaluate schematic processing on the dimensions of masculinity and femininity. Their responses to the phrases were timed. The BSRI, PAQ, and SSRIQ administered subsequent to the slide presentation were used to categorize subjects into groups of masculine, feminine, androgynous, and undifferentiated. Comparisons between the groups evaluated by the different scales indicated that the PAQ was the best predictor of schematic processing and that the SSRIQ and gender were not predictors of schematic processing. Correlations between the SSRIQ and the masculine and feminine scales of the BSRI and PAQ provided evidence partially supportive of Storms's (1979) theory that sex-role identity influences the development of same-sex-typed attributes but does not influence opposite-sex-typed attributes.
Introducing Transformational Grammar : From Principles and Parameters to Minimalism

Language and linguistics theory phrase structure grammar the lexicon transformations X-bar theory theta theory case theory binding theory and control movement theory language variation and parameters the pro-drop parameter and null arguments some word order parameters incorporating phenomena clitics and clitic-placement raising versus lowering - the spilt infintive hypothesis the Minimalist Programme.
Brain signal analysis in space-time-frequency domain: an application to brain computer interfacing

In this dissertation, advanced methods for electroencephalogram (EEG) signal analysis in the space-time-frequency (STF) domain with applications to eye-blink (EB) artifact removal and brain computer interfacing (BCI) are developed. The two methods for EB artifact removal from EEGs are presented which respectively include the estimated spatial signatures of the EB artifacts into the signal extraction and the robust beamforming frameworks. In the developed signal extraction algorithm, the EB artifacts are extracted as uncorrelated signals from EEGs. The algorithm utilizes the spatial signatures of the EB artifacts as priori knowledge in the signal extraction stage. The spatial distributions are identified using the STF model of EEGs. In the robust beamforming approach, first a novel space-time-frequency/time-segment (STF-TS) model for EEGs is introduced. The estimated spatial signatures of the EBs are then taken into account in order to restore the artifact contaminated EEG measurements. Both algorithms are evaluated by using the simulated and real EEGs and shown to produce comparable results to that of conventional approaches. Finally, an effective paradigm for BCI is introduced. In this approach prior physiological knowledge of spectrally band limited steady-state movement related potentials is exploited. The results consolidate the method.
A compact charge-based MOSFET model for circuit simulation

This paper presents a physically based model for the MOS transistors suitable for design and simulation of integrated circuits. The static and dynamic characteristics of the MOSFET are accurately described by single-piece functions of the inversion charge densities at source and drain. A new compact and physical approach to short-channel effects is presented. We have run some tests to compare the performances of our model and widely used MOSFET models.