Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot trajectory optimization for relaxed effective tasks

Industrial robots are flexible machines that are currently involved in multiple production domains. Mainly their workflow consists of two alternating stages. The first stage is effective movements that are required to perform a task, e.g., welding a seam. The second stage is supporting movements that are needed to move from one effective task to another, e.g., movements between welding seams. Many effective tasks allow a certain freedom during their execution, e.g., the robot’s tool might have a certain deviation during welding. This freedom is often ignored and robots are programmed manually based on the programmer’s intuition. Nonetheless, this freedom can be used as an extra degree of freedom for robot trajectory optimization. In this thesis, we propose a formalization of this freedom for effective tasks. We refer to an effective task with a formalized freedom of execution as a relaxed effective task. Having an infinite number of ways to execute a task raises several research questions: (i) how to optimize a sequence of entry points for relaxed effective tasks? (ii) how to find starting robot configurations for these tasks? (iii) how to optimize a robot trajectory for a certain relaxed task? We propose a solution concept that decomposes a problem containing all three questions into three components that can be applied in combination with each other or with other state-of-the-art approaches. The first component considers the problem of finding a sequence of effective tasks and their entry points. This problem is modeled as the Traveling Salesman Problem with Neighborhoods (TSPN) where a tour has to be found through a set of areas. We propose a Constricting Insertion Heuristic for constructing a tour and a Constricting 3-Opt for improving the tour. In the second component, the problem of adapting a tour for a robot to execute and searching for starting robot configurations is modeled as a Touring-a-sequence-of-Polygons Problem (TPP) where a tour has to be found through a given sequence of areas. We propose a modification of the Rubber-Band Algorithm (RBA). We refer to this extension as a Nested RBA. Optimization of a robot trajectory in the third component is also represented as a TPP. However, in contrast to the classic RBA where areas are constricted with a polyline, we propose an extension of the RBA called Smoothed RBA where areas are constricted with a smooth curve which leads to a minimal cost robot trajectory.
How space affects emergent strategy : a study of the role physical space plays in the generation of social interactions in organisations

This thesis asks the research question: How does physical space influence emergent strategy? It is known from the strategy literature that emergent strategy is the unintended consequence of patterns of social interaction that vary with the internal contexts of organisations. It is also known from architectural literature that space has a powerful impact on the way people interact. Yet the impact of space on emergent strategy remains a gap in knowledge. To address this gap, Space Syntax theory from architecture was used to analyse how spatial arrangements affected unplanned interactions in a single organisation and an immersive period of observations was used to understand how patterns of interaction affected emergent strategy as it occurred. The findings showed that the patterns of interaction were complex and varied at individual, group and organisation levels and that these patterns affected the emergence of strategic matters of concern in the organisation studied. The complex profiles of interaction were explained by the concept of socio-spatial correspondence that describes the degree of overlap between an organisation’s spatial and social arrangements. A quantitative measure for correspondence was developed specifically as part of this research. A typology is proposed that describes how an organisation’s propensity for emergent strategy might vary with its socio-spatial structure based on the calculation of correspondence in four other organisations. A discussion challenges whether managers really understand the impact of their socio-spatial structures on strategy emergence and questions some prevailing architectural practices. Contributions are suggested to the strategy-as-practice literature, the measure of correspondence is suggested as a methodological contribution to strategy and architectural literature and the socio-spatial perspective is suggested as having real-world consequences that contribute to architectural and management practice.
Measuring Uncertainty for New Zealand Using Data‐Rich Approach

This paper develops two state&#8208;of&#8208;the&#8208;art uncertainty indices for New Zealand by exploiting two separate data&#8208;rich environments. The first index follows the methodology outlined in Jurado, Ludvigson and Ng (2015) to construct an estimate of uncertainty based on a large New Zealand macro dataset. The second index is constructed based on freely accessible and real time Google Trends data to provide a real&#8208;time and freely&#8208;accessible measure of uncertainty as in Castelnuovo and Tran (2017) and Shields and Tran (2018). Both indices do a reasonable job measuring uncertainty in New Zealand. VAR evidence documents significant impacts of uncertainty shocks on GDP in New Zealand.
Saving-Constrained Households

We develop a theory of saving-constrained households to explain the following facts that are difficult to reconcile with existing theories: 1) Consumption is excessively volatile relative to income (established fact), 2) a large fraction of high-debt households exhibit marginal propensities to consume near zero, 3) lagged high expenditure is associated with low contemporaneous spending propensities. Our proposed interpretation of these facts is that household expenditure depends on time-varying minimum consumption thresholds that, if violated, yield substantial utility costs. We demonstrate that such a model can match many features of the joint dynamics of income and consumption. Our theory has implications for the propagation of macroeconomic shocks.
The Mutual Domestication of Users and Algorithmic Recommendations on Netflix

This article examines the mutual domestication of users and recommendation algorithms on Netflix. Based on 25 interviews with users and an inductive analysis of their practices and profiles on the platform, we discuss five dynamics through which this mutual domestication occurs: personalization, or the ways in which individualized relationships between users and the platform are built; how algorithmic recommendations are integrated into a matrix of cultural codes; the rituals through which they are incorporated into spatial and temporal processes in daily life; the resistance to various aspects of Netflix as a form to enact agency; and the conversion or transformation of the private consumption of the platform into a public issue. The conclusion elaborates on the theoretical and analytical implications of this approach, to rethink the relationship between algorithms and culture.
High-performance Work Practices, Affective Commitment of Employees and Organizational Performance: A Multi-level Modelling Using 2-1-2 Mediation Analysis

Abstract The link between high-performance work practices (HPWP) and organizational performance has often been oversimplified, and our understanding as to the mechanisms linking the two is inconclusive, and this study offers some insights by taking HPWP as perceived by employees rather than that reported by managers and proximal employee-level outcomes as intervening explanations. The study examines the influence of employee perceptions towards HPWP use on organizational performance through the mediating variable ‘affective commitment of employee (ACE)’. Data for the study were collected from employees of 30 business units administering pre-existing questionnaires. The model was tested using 2-1-2 mediation analysis (‘bathtub’) as proposed by Croon and van Veldhoven (2007) and it fits well with data. It has important theoretical contributions that perceptions of employees towards HPWP use play an important role and HPWP result in organizational performance through employee-level outcomes such as ACE, the knowledge of which may help practicing managers for getting the best from employees. However, findings of the study are subject to the limitations in that the research suffers in terms of establishing causality, namely, use of cross-sectional data and lack of experimental research design.
Natural Character Recognition Using Image Processing Techniques

If we examine our environment we will recognize symbols that we commonly use in both language and numerical systems. Based on this simple observation it has been claimed that there exists a relationship between how often a symbol occurs in nature and how often it occurs in language systems, which we will call the Natural Symbol Hypothesis. Additionally it has been demonstrated that many language and numeric systems use no more than three line segments to represent symbols resulting in 36 different visually unique symbols. To determine the validity of the Natural Symbol Hypothesis,we use image processing techniques, a new classification algorithm based on graph theory and singular value decomposition, to autonomously identify and classify symbols based on geometric and algebraic characteristics. We will demonstrate that although there may be 36 visually unique symbols these symbols can be geometrically characterized into 27 groups consisting of 20 unique symbols and 7 groups made up of the remaining 16 symbols. We will then use edge detection and our classification algorithm to classify over 100 nature scene images from three major categories: National Geographic images, building images, and ancestral images. Finally, we will demonstrate that simpler symbols like ‘L’, ‘T’, ‘X’, and ‘Z’ are the most commonly identified symbols regardless of what category an image belongs to or what edge detection threshold is used to analyze it.
Gendered trends in young people’s participation in active lifestyles: The need for a gender-neutral narrative

Gendered differences in participation in active lifestyles (encompassing sport, physical activity, and physical education) are well established, with young men typically participating in more activities than young women. This paper uses a theoretical approach inspired by Bourdieu’s notions of habitus, field and capital to explore the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of these differences. Drawing on mixed-methods data obtained from questionnaires (n = 332) and semi-structured interviews with 33 young men and 37 young women aged 15–16, we present two gendered trends which explain gendered differences in active lifestyle participation. Firstly, in this research, young men participated in more activities than young women, viewing their participation as integral to their identity, their sense of self. Young women, in contrast, viewed sport as an ‘optional’ extra, something they could do, if they wished. Secondly, in relation to the differences in the type of activities participated in, young men were more likely to participate in traditional team sports, whereas young women chose to engage in gym/fitness activities to promote appearance and feminine attractiveness. We argue that the gendered norms which dictate ‘appropriate’ gendered active identities are damaging to both young men and women who may wish to deviate from these norms. Social capital is allocated to gendered bodies in accordance with these norms, influencing how young people are viewed in their social hierarchies. A gender-neutral narrative which destabilises gendered sporting norms whilst simultaneously celebrating diversity is needed to promote a safe and inclusive environment where all young men and women can engage in sufficient physical activity.
PARENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD THE PRACTICE OF PERSONAL NAMING: A MIXED METHOD COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL SOCIETIES IN NORTHERN JORDAN

This study outlines the results of an explanatory sequential mixed method survey which is carried out to identify differences in parents’ attitudes toward the selection of their children personal names. The study investigates parents’ attitudes in terms of the factors influencing their choice of a name according to Senif’s (2006) and Bramwell’s (2012) works. The study sample consists of 384 respondents stratified according to two-age groups and place of residence as rural and urban areas in the northern Jordanian Irbid province. A questionnaire and semi-structured interview are used for data collection. Data obtained from the questionnaire are firstly analysed to get initial view and to help constructing the second qualitative instrument in line with the study design. Findings show that young parents of the first age-group are varied in term of religious impact on naming and the inclination to a more fashionable personal names. Urban parents express a favour to media figures on the expense of religious personal names, while rural counterpart emphasises their attachment to personal names stemmed from religious background against the names of public media figures. However, elder parents of the second age-group show different factors influencing their choice which are mainly concentrated on popular names of their surrounding area, the existence of a story that tells about the name’s given, and the impact of peoples’ cultural background. At this group, urban parents demonstrate more positive and constant attitudes to these factors than that expressed by their rural parents. It is quite obvious that young urban parents are shifting to recent names’ trends which are totally opposite to rural parents who still connected to theological beliefs in naming practice. For the elder parents the domain of variation has taken a profound focus on cultural issues which is normally corresponding to interest at this age-stage.
EFFECT GENERIC STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE ON ENTERPRISE SUSTAINABILITY WITH INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY AS INTERVENING VARIABLE (EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF COMPANIES LISTED ON IDX, MYX, PSE, SGX AND SET)

This study isto analyze the causes of how a company can be sustainable. Companies that can not survive are due to internal problems, such as the lack of proper generic strategy and value added enterprises do not perform well. External factors could is expected to affect the company's ongoing global economic crisis. Design / methodology, using quantitative methods, and testing hypotheses by using Partial Least Square method with Smart PLS. The data source is a public company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), Jakarta, Bursa Malaysia (MYX), Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) and The Stock Exchange Of Thailand (SET) which were obtained from the data base OSIRIS and global web site reporting. Samples were taken of the manufacturing companies listing on the Stock Exchange and has issued a sustainability report and annual report of the year 2009 – 2013. Method of company selection of the sample used in this research is purposive sampling, the samples taken from certain considerations based on the objective (sekaran 2011). The findings, generic strategy and value-added enterprise significantly has an indirect effect on the sustainability of the company through investment opportunities. While the direct impact of generic strategy and investment opportunities for the sustainability of the company. The implication, companies needs to implement the strategy and value-added generic companies that can be useful in decision making and optimal best in making an investment decision at the end into a company's sustainability.
Impact of Ownership Structure on Level of Voluntary Disclosure in Annual Reports: Comparison Between Listed Family-controlled and Nonfamily-controlled Companies in Malaysia

This paper aims to investigate the level of voluntary disclosure in annual reports among listed companies in Malaysia by examining the impact of ownership structure. Both primary and secondary data were collected. A mixed methods approach was adopted to analyze the content and level of information disclosed voluntarily in companies’ annual report. This paper is developed within a voluntary disclosure framework and established through a Delphi technique approach. Detailed content analysis of voluntary disclosure in annual reports of 30 listed companies in Malaysia was employed. The secondary analysis investigated voluntary disclosure through interview sessions with annual report users. In general, family-controlled companies tend to voluntarily disclose in relation to external factors and global conditions. Often, most family-controlled companies provide financial warnings in their disclosure. This information is an indication to stakeholders that the company’s current performance is tacitly affected due to implications of external factors. Furthermore, disclosure within general corporate and strategic information, financial information, and corporate social responsibility are among information categories often provided by family-controlled companies. Besides that, stakeholders agreed that family-controlled companies in Malaysia are progressing toward better voluntary disclosure practices. This is regardless of the current level practised by those companies, which falls below the stakeholders’ expectations. Drawing from the interview analysis, characteristics of family-controlled companies can influence voluntary disclosure practices. This paper is limited to only 30 top listed companies in Malaysia. Nevertheless, this research provides avenues for policy makers, regulators, and public listed companies to collaborate for the improvement of corporate reporting and development of voluntary disclosure practice guidelines applicable in Malaysian family business context. Studies that examine voluntary disclosure practice by family-controlled companies in Malaysia is limited. As such, little is known about the effect of ownership structure on the level of voluntary disclosure. This paper contributes in filling this gap by examining companies’ annual report. Aus. Aca. Acc & Fin. Rev Vol 3(3), Jul 2017, P 140-155
Beyond Knowledge Integration Barriers in ERP Implementations: An Institutional Approach

The objective of the article is to go beyond the knowledge integration barriers in ERP implementations by analyzing structural, technological, intellectual and socioemotional barriers that appear during an ERP implementation project. Using an action research methodology, the article provides some hints highlighting the knowledge integration process, and proposing an Institutional Model of ERP Knowledge Integration where ERP “best-practices” affect and are affected by institutional logics through legitimacy and isomorphism mechanisms, showing two processes of institutionalization: (1) processes that challenge knowledge integration barriers by embedding ERP “best-practices” in the expected formal functioning of the organization as well as in the routines and habits of employees; and (2) processes that operate as drivers of evolution and change by embedding the institutional logics and new requirements within ERP “best-practices”.
Reappraisal and savoring as mediators of the effect of informal mindfulness practice on well-being

Although extensive research has been conducted on the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), the processes through which MBIs affects well-being are still unclear. Furthermore, most of the current mindfulness research has focused on formal mindfulness practice. I aim to contribute to the field by studying the effects of informal mindfulness practice delivered through a mobile application in a two-week experience sampling study. Well-being was examined at three levels: immediately after completing an informal mindfulness exercise, at the end-of-the-day, and retrospective assessments of the two-week intervention period. I examined two possible mediators of the effect of the MBI on well-being: reappraisal and savoring. I also tested optimism as a moderator that may explain why people may benefit in varying degrees from mindfulness practice. The MBI did not have an effect on immediate and retrospective well-being but did affect end-of-day wellbeing. The MBI had no effect on end-of-day and retrospective reappraisal and savoring. Optimism did not moderate the relationship between MBI and emotion regulation. Exploratory analyses showed that the MBI only increased state mindfulness for those with prior meditation experience, and that state mindfulness had effects on immediate and end-of-day well-being. At the retrospective level, reappraisal and savoring were found to mediate the relationship between the state mindfulness and mood, meaning, and stress.
Light Field Editing and Rendering

By imaging a scene from different viewpoints, a light field allows capturing a lot of information about the scene geometry. Thanks to the recent development of its acquisition devices (plenoptic camera and camera arrays mainly), light field imaging is becoming a serious alternative for 3D content capture and other related problems. The goal of this thesis is twofold. One of the main application for light field imaging is its ability to produce new views from a single capture. In a first part, we propose new image rendering techniques in two cases that deviate from the mainstream light field image rendering. We first propose a full pipeline for focused plenoptic cameras, addressing calibration, depth estimation, and image rendering. We then move to the problem of view synthesis, we seek to generate intermediates views given a set of only 4 corner views of a light field. Image editing is a common step of media production. For 2D images and videos, a lot of commercial tools exist. However, the problem is rather unexplored for light fields. In a second part, we propose new and efficient light field editing techniques. We first propose a new graph-based pixel-wise segmentation method that, from a sparse set of user input, segments simultaneously all the views of a light field in interactive time. Then we propose an automatic light field over-segmenting approach that makes use of GPUs computational power. This approach further decreases the computational requirement for light field segmentation and we extend the approach for light field video segmentation.
Evaluating the Quality of Changes in Voter Registration Databases

The administration of elections depends crucially upon the quality and integrity of voter registration databases. In addition, political scientists are increasingly using these databases in their research. However, these databases are dynamic and may be subject to external manipulation and unintentional errors. In this article, using data from Orange County, California, we develop two methods for evaluating the quality of voter registration data as it changes over time: (a) generating audit data by repeated record linkage across periodic snapshots of a given database and monitoring it for sudden anomalous changes and (b) identifying duplicates via an efficient, automated duplicate detection, and tracking new duplicates and deduplication efforts over time. We show that the generated data can serve not only to evaluate voter file quality and election integrity but also as a novel source of data on election administration practices.