Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Vertical and Horizontal Eye Movement Times in the Selection of Visual Targets by an Eye Input Device

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate how well eye movement times in visual target selection tasks by an eye input device follows the typical Fitts" Law and to compare vertical and horizontal eye movement times. Background: Typically manual pointing provides excellent fit to the Fitts" Law model. However, when an eye input device is used for the visual target selection tasks, there were some debates on whether the eye movement times in can be described by the Fitts" Law. More empirical studies should be added to resolve these debates. This study is an empirical study for resolving this debate. On the other hand, many researchers reported the direction of movement in typical manual pointing has some effects on the movement times. The other question in this study is whether the direction of eye movement also affects the eye movement times. Method: A cursor movement times in visual target selection tasks by both input devices were collected. The layout of visual targets was set up by two types. Cursor starting position for vertical movement times were in the top of the monitor and visual targets were located in the bottom, while cursor starting positions for horizontal movement times were in the right of the monitor and visual targets were located in the left. Results: Although eye movement time was described by the Fitts" Law, the error rate was high and correlation was relatively low (R² = 0.80 for horizontal movements and R² = 0.66 for vertical movements), compared to those of manual movement. According to the movement direction, manual movement times were not significantly different, but eye movement times were significantly different. Conclusion: Eye movement times in the selection of visual targets by an eye-gaze input device could be described and predicted by the Fitts" Law. Eye movement times were significantly different according to the direction of eye movement. Application: The results of this study might help to understand eye movement times in visual target selection tasks by the eye input devices.
Motivational Multimedia: Examining Students' Learning and Motivation as They Use a Multimedia Enriched Learning Environment

This study examines middle school students’ learning and motivation as they engaged in a multimedia enriched problem-based learning (PBL) environment for middle school science. Using a mixed-method design with both quantitative and qualitative data, we investigated the effect of a multimedia environment on sixth graders’ science learning, their levels of motivation, and the relationship between students’ motivation and their science learning. The analysis of the results showed that: Students significantly increased their science knowledge from pretest to posttest after using the PBL program, they were motivated and enjoyed the experience, and a significant positive relationship was found between students’ motivation scores and their postscience knowledge scores. Findings were discussed within the research framework.
Mapping the Literature of Food Science Revisited: 2003–2005

ABSTRACT After reviewing previously published literature in citation analysis and literature mapping, this study mapped the literature of food science and explored the relationships found within it. Using articles published in the Journal of Food Science from 2003 through 2005, a stratified random sample of citations was studied to yield a ranked list of the thirteen most frequently cited journals, which formed a core set for further analysis. Using the Science Citation Index and a standard statistical package (SPSS13), a two-dimensional map was created, relationships between the journals were studied, and the discipline of food science was explored. The study is an extension of previously published research covering the years 2000–2002 and attempts to analyze and compare the results across time frames.
Engineering geo‐engineering

This paper reviews the geo‐engineering approach to tackling climate change. The failure of the 15th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP15) to obtain a legally binding emissions reduction agreement makes the deployment of geo‐engineering solutions an increasingly attractive proposition. This review looks at a variety of global and local approaches to geo‐engineering covering solar radiation management and carbon cycle engineering and attempts to assess the feasibility of the technologies from an engineering perspective. However, despite the plethora of ideas generated by the science community, it still appears that much work remains to be done in the initial engineering assessment of these techniques and this is a major hurdle to overcome before any geo‐engineering scheme can be fully considered. Hence, the paper concludes by calling for the instigation of national and international programmes of research at the feasibility level, to inform discussions regarding future possible deployment of small scale, local geo‐engineering and adaptation measures. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
LITERATURE SURVEY FOR 3D RECONSTRUCTION OF BRAIN MRI IMAGES

Since Doctors had only the 2D Image Data to visuali ze the tumors in the MRI images, which never gave tfeel of how the tumor would exactly look like . The doctors were de prived from the exact visualization of the tumor th e amount of the tumor to be removed by operation was not known, which caused a lot of deformation in the faces and structure of th e patients face or skull. The diversity and complexity of tumor cells makes it ve ry challenging to visualize tumor present in magnet ic resonance image (MRI) data. Hence to visualize the tumor properly 2D MRI image has to be converted to 3D image. With the developme nt of computer image processing technology, three-dimensional (3D) visua lization has become an important method of the medi cal diagnose, it offers abundant and accurate information for medical exper ts. Three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of medic al images is widely applied to tumor localization; surgical planning and brain electromagnetic field computation etc. The brain MR images have unique characteristics, i.e., very complicated changes of the gray-scales and highly irregular boundaries. Tr aditional 3-D reconstruction algorithms are challenged in solving this problem. Many reconstruction algorithms, such as marching cu bes and dividing cubes, need to establish the topological relationship between t he slices of images. The results of these tradition al approaches vary depending on the number of input sections, their positions, the shape of the original body and the applied interpol ation technique. These make the task tedious and time-consuming. Moreover, satisfie d reconstruction result may not even be obtained wh en the highly irregular objects such as the encephalic tissues are consider ed. Due to complexity and irregularity of each ence phalic tissue boundary, threedimensional (3D) reconstruction for MRI image is ne cessary. A Literature survey is done to study diffe rent methods of 3D reconstruction of brain images from MRI images.
Strategies for Motivating Higher Education Faculty to Use Technology

This paper describes a framework that higher education administrators can use to increase the utilization of technology on their campuses. The framework is designed to increase technology usage in higher education by increasing the motivation of individual faculty members to use technology. The paper begins by describing how college administrators have come to view technology as a necessary tool for addressing many of the problems in higher education. The authors then describe a number of categories of technological innovations that can be used in higher education, including both ‘product’ technologies, such as computer-assisted instruction and ‘idea’ technologies, such as constructivism. The authors conclude by discussing strategies that can be used to increase faculty motivation to use technology. These strategies are based on Keller’s (1983) ARCS Model and are divided into attention gaining strategies, relevance strategies, confidence building strategies, and satisfaction strategies.
Spatial domain entertainment audio decompression/compression

The ARM7 NEON processor with 128bit SIMD hardware accelerator requires a peak performance of 13.99 Mega Cycles per Second for MP3 stereo entertainment quality decoding. For similar compression bit rate, OGG and AAC is preferred over MP3. The Patent Cooperation Treaty Application dated 28/August/2012 describes an audio decompression scheme producing a sequence of interleaving “min to Max” and “Max to min” rising and falling segments. The number of interior audio samples bound by “min to Max” or “Max to min” can be {0|1|…|N} audio samples. The magnitudes of samples, including the bounding min and Max, are distributed as normalized constants within the 0 and 1 of the bounding magnitudes. The decompressed audio is then a “sequence of static segments” on a frame by frame basis. Some of these frames needed to be post processed to elevate high frequency. The post processing is compression efficiency neutral and the additional decoding complexity is only a small fraction of the overall decoding complexity without the need of extra hardware. Compression efficiency can be speculated as very high as source audio had been decimated and converted to a set of data with only "segment length and corresponding segment magnitude" attributes. The PCT describes how these two attributes are efficiently coded by the PCT innovative coding scheme. The PCT decoding efficiency is obviously very high and decoding latency is basically zero. Both hardware requirement and run time is at least an order of magnitude better than MP3 variants. The side benefit is ultra low power consumption on mobile device. The acid test on how such a simplistic waveform representation can indeed reproduce authentic decompressed quality is benchmarked versus OGG(aoTuv Beta 6.03) by three pair of stereo audio frames and one broadcast like voice audio frame with each frame consisting 2,028 samples at 44,100KHz sampling frequency.
On the density of rational and integral points on algebraic varieties

Abstract Let X ⊂ ℙ n be a projective geometrically integral variety over of dimension r and degree d ≧ 4. Suppose that there are only finitely many (r − 1)-planes over on X. The main result of this paper is a proof of the fact that the number N(X;B) of rational points on X which have height at most B satisfies for any ɛ > 0. The implied constant depends at most on d, n and ɛ.
Reliability and reproducibility of leaching procedures to estimate the modes of occurrence of trace elements in coal

The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act have renewed interest in chemical forms or modes of occurrence of trace elements for potentially toxic trace elements in coal. Selective solvent leaching has been useful in estimating these modes of occurrence. This technique is much faster than previous attempts to determine the modes of occurrence of trace elements in coal, such as scanning electron microscopy, analysis of density separates of coal and low-temperature ash. However, relatively little has been published about the reproducibility and reliability of the solvent leaching procedure. For this paper, three previously analyzed coal samples were leached individually and (or) sequentially using procedures described previously. The concentrations of 45 elements were determined by analyzing the leachate by inductively coupled argon plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICAP-AES) and (or) the residue by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).
Location-based communication techniques in parallel learning between the classroom and the field

In the current paper, we report a study on parallel collaborative learning between students in the classroom using a desktop computer and students in the field using a mobile device. The students were provided with location-based communication techniques including route tracking, chat messaging, photo transmission, information points and a drawing tool. The experimental system was evaluated by 12 students, who participated both in the classroom and in the field. The students rated the communication support, learning support and usability of the developed techniques. The results showed that the techniques supported the students' interaction and learning well, and were highly usable. The results also suggest that the students' theoretical knowledge provided by classroom teaching can be extended by facilitating practical understanding with parallel learning using mobile communications. We suggest that the current approach is a fruitful combination of many contemporary learning paradigms such as collaborative learning, situated learning and problem-based learning.
The Tailored Practice of Hobbies and Its Implication for the Design of Interest-Driven Learning Environments

This article seeks to sharpen current conceptualizations of interests and engaged participation, and to derive lessons for the design of interest-driven science learning environments (formal and informal). The empirical basis of the research is a set of ethnographic records of two communities of amateur astronomers, as well as the details of astronomers' instantiations of the hobby. Hobbies are paradigmatic examples of interest-driven practices and thus they offer an excellent window into truly interest-related phenomena and processes. The analysis and data collection followed a grounded theoretical process, which I describe in two parts. First, I comb through the data iteratively and present a theory of persistent engagement in a hobby practice. Based on this theoretical sketch, I then explain how individuals' persistent, interest-based pursuit of amateur astronomy is made possible by 4 structural and process features of the practice, which together afford individuals the ability to continuously tailor the hobby: (a) an extensive and varied material infrastructure; (b) participating simultaneously across multiple communities/sites of astronomy practice; (c) activity structural resources that function as templates for short- and long-term activities; and (d) processes of collaboration and idea sharing. Lessons for the design of science learning environments that are truly interest-driven follow.
The role of semantic transparency in the processing and representation of Dutch compounds

Abstract The processing and representation of Dutch compound words was investigated as a function of their semantic transparency. The first experiment, with immediate partial repetition of the constituents of the compounds, provided clear evidence for the sensitivity of the lexical processing system to morphological complexity, independent of semantic transparency. This was confirmed in a second experiment, with semantic priming of the meaning of the constituents. Unlike compounds that are semantically fully or partially transparent, completely opaque compounds did not prime the associates of their constituents. The results for completely opaque compounds were the same as for monomorphemic words that accidentally contain two existing morphemes of the language. It is concluded that completely opaque compounds are not connected with their constituents at the level of semantic representations.
Long Term Distributed File Reference Tracing: Implementation and Experience" Technical Report CMU-CS

DFSTrace is a system to collect and analyze long-term file reference data in a distributed UNIX workstation environment. The design of DFSTrace is unique in that it pays particular attention to efficiency, extensibility, and the logistics of long-term trace data collection in a distributed environment. The components of DFSTrace are a set of kernel hooks, a kernel buffer mechanism, a data extraction agent, a set of collection servers, and post-processing tools. Our experience with DFSTrace has been highly positive. Tracing has been virtually unnoticeable, degrading performance 3-7%, depending on the level of detail of tracing. We have collected file reference traces from approximately 30 workstations continuously for over two years. We have implemented a post-processing library to provide a convenient programmer interface to the traces, and have created an on-line database of results from a suite of analysis programs to aid trace selection. Our data has been used for a wide variety of purposes, including file system studies, performance measurement and tuning, and debugging. Extensions of DFSTrace have enabled its use in applications such as field reliability testing and determining disk geometry. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of DFSTrace and associated tools, and describes how they have been used.
Optimization of lentil-supplemented salad dressings as affected by type and level of hydrocolloids by response surface methodology

Background: Studies on the nutritional and health benefits of pulses have stimulated interest in using whole pulses and pulse fractions in novel value-added food products. In this study the effects of using different types and concentrations of gums (including xanthan gum [XG], mixtures of XG and gum arabic [GA], XG and propylene glycol alginate [PGA], XG and pectin [PE], and XG and guar gum [GG]) on the physical properties (i.e., rheology, texture, color and particle size distribution) of lentil flour-supplemented (3.5 w/w%) salad dressings were systematically examined. Response surface methodology was used to study the main effect of the two independent variables (x1, oil concentration; x2, gum concentration) on the generated responses and to optimize emulsion composition using commercial salad dressing parameters as reference. Results: An increase in both gum and oil concentrations enhanced emulsion firmness and viscosity by contributing to a more compact networked structure in the emulsion. Large droplets formed in the presence of higher gum concentrations at lower oil content. Color characteristics were affected to different extents depending on type and concentration of gum. Conclusion: The validation test showed overall adequacy of the final response surface models employed to predict properties of the lentil-supplemented salad dressing formulations.
Videoconferencing as a Mode of Communication

Based on a quantitative survey of Norwegian business travelers, this study compares their use of face-to-face (FTF) meetings and videoconferences (VCs). The study finds that access and use of VCs are determined mainly by industry and the geographical structure of the enterprise. It also finds that VCs and FTF meetings differ along several dimensions, suggesting that these two modes of communication fulfill slightly different needs. Based on the survey results, the authors propose a framework to understand the emerging role of VCs. This framework would address both relational and task-based dimensions.
Adaptive Test for RF/Analog Circuit Using Higher Order Correlations among Measurements

As process variations increase and devices get more diverse in their behavior, using the same test list for all devices is increasingly inefficient. Methodologies that adapt the test sequence with respect to lot, wafer, or even a device's own behavior help contain the test cost while maintaining test quality. In adaptive test selection approaches, the initial test list, a set of tests that are applied to all devices to learn information, plays a crucial role in the quality outcome. Most adaptive test approaches select this initial list based on fail probability of each test individually. Such a selection approach does not take into account the correlations that exist among various measurements and potentially will lead to the selection of correlated tests. In this work, we propose a new adaptive test algorithm that includes a mathematical model for initial test ordering that takes correlations among measurements into account. The proposed method can be integrated within an existing test flow running in the background to improve not only the test quality but also the test time. Experimental results using four distinct industry circuits and large amounts of measurement data show that the proposed technique outperforms prior approaches considerably.
PuppetMaster

We present a computational framework for robotic animation of real-world string puppets. Also known as marionettes, these articulated figures are typically brought to life by human puppeteers. The puppeteer manipulates rigid handles that are attached to the puppet from above via strings. The motions of the marionette are therefore governed largely by gravity, the pull forces exerted by the strings, and the internal forces arising from mechanical articulation constraints. This seemingly simple setup conceals a very challenging and nuanced control problem, as marionettes are, in fact, complex coupled pendulum systems. Despite this, in the hands of a master puppeteer, marionette animation can be nothing short of mesmerizing. Our goal is to enable autonomous robots to animate marionettes with a level of skill that approaches that of human puppeteers. To this end, we devise a predictive control model that accounts for the dynamics of the marionette and kinematics of the robot puppeteer. The input to our system consists of a string puppet design and a target motion, and our trajectory planning algorithm computes robot control actions that lead to the marionette moving as desired. We validate our methodology through a series of experiments conducted on an array of marionette designs and target motions. These experiments are performed both in simulation and using a physical robot, the human-sized, dual arm ABB YuMi® IRB 14000.
Atlas refinement with bounded packing efficiency

We present a novel algorithm to refine an input atlas with bounded packing efficiency. Central to this method is the use of the axis-aligned structure that converts the general polygon packing problem to a rectangle packing problem, which is easier to achieve high packing efficiency. Given a parameterized mesh with no flipped triangles, we propose a new angle-driven deformation strategy to transform it into a set of axis-aligned charts, which can be decomposed into rectangles by the motorcycle graph algorithm. Since motorcycle graphs are not unique, we select the one balancing the trade-off between the packing efficiency and chart boundary length, while maintaining bounded packing efficiency. The axis-aligned chart often contains greater distortion than the input, so we try to reduce the distortion while bounding the packing efficiency and retaining bijection. We demonstrate the efficacy of our method on a data set containing over five thousand complex models. For all models, our method is able to produce packed atlases with bounded packing efficiency; for example, when the packing efficiency bound is set to 80%, we elongate the boundary length by an average of 78.7% and increase the distortion by an average of 0.0533%. Compared to state-of-the-art methods, our method is much faster and achieves greater packing efficiency.
An index of melodic activity

Abstract Melodic activity is defined in terms of the relative frequencies and magnitudes of the combinations of durations of notes and pitch‐leaps between adjacent notes of a melody. An index which is a combination of both of the above influences, and which reflects lesser and greater states of melodic activity, is developed at the microscopic level of note‐to‐note succession. The index is extended to encompass larger melodic units, allowing for the comparison of the melodic activity of one melody with another. The analysis of the two ingredients, and the rankings provided by the index, document stylistic characteristics associated with J. S. Bach: the preponderance of conjunct motion and its association with notes of short duration, different levels of melodic activity with respect to major and minor tonalities, and so forth. The suggestion is made that melodic activity is a parameter of psychological perception within the Western tradition, along with pitch, loudness, duration and dissonance.