Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natursti i naturfag på videregående skole: En studie av postene og elevenes erfaringer fra en natursti om radioaktivitet og stråling

This article explores how a nature trail can be used as an approach in science education at an uppersecondarylevel in Norway. The topic of the trail is radioactivity and radiation. The article illuminatesobstacles and possibilities connected to the trail’s posts, how the students experience the posts, and whattakes place during the transport between posts. This inspires how the nature trail can be redesigned. Thefindings point to that the assignments given in the posts are typically closed questions that to a smalldegree are related to phenomena at the location. Video observations show that student groups meeteach other, and they help each other with the questions. The student group followed in this article, usesapproximately half of the time available for walking between posts. This is regarded as unused potentialfor learning. The redesign is based on didactical reconsiderations consisting of seven questions that canbe adapted to other contexts. The contributions of this article are knowledge and experiences concerninga nature trail in science, which is an unexplored area within the field of outdoor education pedagogy.
Comparison of Linear Controllers for Nonlinear, Open-loop Unstable Reactor

Many industrially important reactors are operated over a regime where they exhibit nonlinear behavior. Exothermal reactors are often open-loop unstable. For such reactors, safe operation with good performance requires good control. We have considered linear controllers and tested these on a simple chemical engineering non-linear, open loop unstable model and an extension of the model in order to do a basic test of model uncertainty. Specifically, a PI controller has been tuned and tested, the operation of an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF, KF) has been tuned and tested. Based on feedback from estimated states in the EKF, a linear quadratic controller with integral action (LQG+I) has been tuned and tested; the study has been carried out using MATLAB for KF and LQG+I tuning; the remaining study has been carried out in a Jupyter Notebook using Python in tandem with Modelica. The PI controller lead to negative cooling water temperature upon a step change in temperature reference. When constraining the input to liquid water with anti-windup, PI control gives considerable undesirable overshoot in the reactor temperature. The LQG+I controller performs much better wrt. temperature overshoot. Overall, the reported work has demonstrated how a modern simulation set-up (OpenModelica + Python) can be used for model based control analysis and design.
Solving combinatorial optimization problems by nonlinear neural dynamics

The new approach for combinatorial optimization problems using chaotic dynamics is discussed. We show effectiveness of chaotic neuro dynamics for solving combinatorial optimization problems by applying the chaotic neural network to traveling salesman problems. In this paper, we adopt the chaotic neural network model with two internal states, corresponding to mutual interactions which minimize an energy function and refractoriness which induce chaotic dynamics. We investigate relationships between solving abilities and different model parameters such as decay parameters of two internal states, Lyapunov exponents and first order statistics of firing patterns.
Distribution-Interpolation Trade off in Generative Models

We investigate the properties of multidimensional probability distributions in the context of latent space prior distributions of implicit generative models. Our work revolves around the phenomena arising while decoding linear interpolations be-tween two random latent vectors – regions of latent space in close proximity to the origin of the space are oversampled, which restricts the usability of linear in-terpolations as a tool to analyse the latent space. We show that the distribution mismatch can be eliminated completely by a proper choice of the latent probability distribution or using non-linear interpolations. We prove that there is a trade off between the interpolation being linear, and the latent distribution having even the most basic properties required for stable training, such as ﬁnite mean. We use the multidimensional Cauchy distribution as an example of the prior distribution, and also provide a general method of creating non-linear interpolations, that is easily applicable to a large family of commonly used latent distributions.
Immaturity of Oculomotor Capabilities During a Reading Task in Children Born Prematurely: An Eye Tracker Study

To our knowledge, there are no studies recording the reading eye movements of children born prematurely. We examined the oculomotor patterns during reading of 23 children born prematurely (M age = 7.8, SD = 0.2 years) to compare them with those from two groups of children born at full-term who were matched for chronological age or reading age, respectively. We found the oculomotor reading pattern in children who were preterm to be similar to that of children who were full-term and matched for reading age; this shared pattern was characterized by longer duration of fixations, frequent prosaccades of smaller amplitude and several backward saccades. In contrast, when these two groups were compared to full-term children matched for chronological age, the latter group showed significantly shorter duration of fixations, less frequent saccades and larger amplitude prosaccades. Thus, the oculomotor pattern we observed in 7-year-old children who were either preterm or reading-delayed, relative to their age-matched peers, reflected delayed development of brain areas involved in reading-related eye movements.
Comparative analysis of company performance evaluation methods

The evaluation of a company’s performance is an integral part of the management of every company, which allows determining the impact of business management decisions on the performance results, as well as the direction of the results and the decisions that need to be made to improve them. Traditionally, a company’s performance is evaluated on the basis of an analysis of financial performance indicators, but it is noted that in today’s dynamic business environment the timely control of the performance is crucial, thus, there is an increasing attention on non-financial performance indicators. The aim of the article is to investigate and compare the modern methods for company performance evaluation that are based on the analysis of financial and non-financial performance indicators. The research is carried out using systematic analysis of scientific literature, comparison, and aggregation methods. First of all, the article unfolds the essence of the concept of the company performance evaluation and highlights the differences between traditional and modern performance evaluation systems. Moreover, the advantages of non-financial performance indicators are compared with financial indicators. Furthermore, a classification scheme for performance evaluation methods is provided; by identifying their main advantages and disadvantages the most popular and widely used modern performance evaluation methods are overviewed: economic value added method, balanced scorecard, performance prism, performance pyramid, six-sigma model and multi-criteria company performance evaluation method. Finally, according to certain criteria, a comparative analysis of the latter methods is performed. The comparative analysis confirms that non-financial performance indicators complement financial indicators; therefore, in the process of a company’s performance evaluation, modern performance evaluation methods, combining financial and non-financial performance indicators and allowing the performance to be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively, should be used. However, there is no single method that would be appropriate for all companies, so further work can be targeted at establishing a multi-criteria performance evaluation method that would satisfy the needs of a particular business’ activity and targets for evaluation.
Conceptual model for analysing domino effect among concepts affecting supply chain resilience

ABSTRACT This work aims at developing a method for analysing the domino effect among concepts affecting Supply Chain Resilience. The proposed method allows connecting concepts at many different levels (e.g. sources of risk, disruptions, supply chain management practices and other aspects). A case study for an electrical appliance supply chain has been used to illustrate the application of the proposed method in an operating context. The proposed method, based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, allows the players of the supply chain to evaluate indirect and total causal effect among different concepts affecting the supply chain resilience. The analysis conducted in this study unveiled several paths which form a sequence of concepts towards the top event (i.e. Supply Chain Resilience). The research approach proposed in this work can be applied to different industrial sectors and company managers can identify the capabilities and strategies that can make a firm more resilient and define supply chain design strategies to increase system resilience.
Graph-Based Compression for Distributed Particle Filters

A key challenge in designing distributed particle filters is to minimize the communication overhead without compromising tracking performance. In this paper, we present two distributed particle filters that achieve robust performance with low communication overhead. The two filters construct a graph of the particles and exploit the graph Laplacian matrix in different manners to encode the particle log-likelihoods using a minimum number of coefficients. We validate their performance via simulations with very low communication overhead and provide a theoretical error bound for the presented filters.
Jordanian EFL Teachers’ Attitudes towards Dictionaries and their Use in EFL Classrooms

The present study is an attempt to investigate EFL university teachers' attitudes about the importance of the dictionary as an effective learning tool. It also aims at identifying the type of dictionaries preferred by teachers and the types of skills that EFL learners can be improved by the use of the dictionary. Forty EFL teachers responded to a written questionnaire, which included 22 statements. The findings generally revealed that participants do have positive attitudes towards the dictionary as a learning aid. Moreover, the findings revealed that electronic dictionaries are preferred over paper-based ones. However, contrary to our expectations, the findings revealed that although EFL university teachers appreciate the importance of the dictionary, they do not pass this positivity to their students and that they believe using a dictionary is the students' responsibility. The study concluded that by incorporating dictionary usage into classroom practice regularly, EFL teachers will raise their students' awareness of the type of information they can find in the dictionary, how they can use it to serve academic purposes, and become more autonomous learners.
Performance Degradation in Parallel-Server Systems

We consider a parallel-server system with homogeneous servers where incoming tasks, arriving at rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, are dispatched by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dispatchers, each of them balancing a fraction <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of the load to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K/n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> servers. Servers are first-come-first-served (FCFS) queues and dispatchers implement size interval task assignment policy with equal load (SITA-E), a size-based policy such that the servers are equally loaded. We compare the performance of a system with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n>1$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dispatchers and a single dispatcher. We show that the performance of a system with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dispatchers, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> servers, and arrival rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda $ </tex-math></inline-formula> coincides with that of a system with one dispatcher, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K/n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> servers, and arrival rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda /n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We define the degradation factor as the ratio between the performance of a system with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> servers and arrival rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and the performance of a system with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K/n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> servers and arrival rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda /n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We establish a partial monotonicity on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for the degradation factor and, therefore, the degradation factor is lower bounded by one. We then investigate the upper bound of the degradation factor for particular distributions. We consider two continuous service time distributions: uniform and bounded Pareto and a discrete distribution with two values, which is the distribution that maximizes the variance for a given mean. We show that the performance degradation is small for uniformly distributed job sizes but that for Bounded Pareto and two points distributions it can be unbounded. We have investigated the degradation using the distribution obtained from real traces.
Hubungan Motivasi Belajar dan Persepsi Siswa terhadap Gaya Mengajar Guru dengan Prestasi Belajar Matematika

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui seberapa besar hubungan motivasi belajar dan persepsi siswa terhadap gaya mengajar guru dengan prestasi belajar matematika siswa MA.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif . Teknik pengambilan data digunakan metode tes untuk mengetahui prestasi belajar matematika siswa dan metode angket untuk mengetahui motivasi belajar dan persepsi siswa terhadap gaya mengajar guru. Analisis data menggunakan analisis regresi linear ganda.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ada hubungan yang positif dan signifikan antara motivasi belajar terhadap prestasi belajar matematika. Ada hubungan yang positif dan signifikan antara persepsi siswa terhadap gaya mengajar guru terhadap prestasi belajar matematika. Dan ada hubungan positif dan signifikan antara motivasi belajar dan persepsi siswa terhadapa gaya mengajar guru secara bersama-sama dengan prestasi belajar matematika siswa MA
Rprop and improved Rprop+ based constant modulus type (RCMT) blind channel equalization algorithm for QAM signal

Abstract The aim of paper is to address the issues such as poor convergence, moderate BER, residual ISI associated with unsupervised (blind) weight adaptation technique employed for channel equalization. Two noble algorithms based on resilient back propagation framework have been proposed as solution for QAM signal. The widely accepted gradient descent based Constant Modulus algorithm suffers from poor convergence issues, high residual ISI and Moderate BER. Proposed solution assimilate Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) like error function into a general Rprop algorithm having two distinctive approaches of with/ without weight backtracking capability, taking into consideration of frequency selective nature of channels and additive gaussian noise. The algorithms exploit the advantage of Rprop mechanism, thus improving the convergence rate and have better ISI (inter symbol interference) suppression capability. Simulation of the proposed Rprop and improved Rprop+ based CM type (RCMT) algorithm proves their advantageously enhanced capabilities in terms of convergence, complexity, and residual ISI in comparison to the CMA and its variants. Proposed algorithm can also been used for M-PSK signal for which it shows similar performance.
How does income inequality affect the support for populist parties?

ABSTRACT Recent studies provide evidence that income inequality is a relevant driver for the electoral success of populist parties all over Europe. In this article, we aim to understand how exactly increasing income inequality can lead to support for populist parties. More specifically, we discuss four different attitudinal mechanisms from previous research: economic insecurities, trust in political elites, social integration, and national identity. We rely on eight waves of the European Social Survey and find that economic insecurities, trust in political elites, and national identity are linked to rising income inequality and populist support as expected. However, a causal mediation analysis shows that these mechanisms are not sufficient to fully understand the impact of income inequality on support for populists. This finding raises questions regarding the empirical support of existing theories to explain how macroeconomic changes in inequality became a pre-condition for the rise of populist parties.
Total flavonoids of Chinese herb Rhizoma Drynariae alleviates bone loss in caged laying hens

Background: Caged layer osteoporosis (CLO) is a common bone metabolic disease and is threatening the modern poultry industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD), a Chinese herbal extract, on bone health, egg quality and production performance in caged laying hens. Totals of 144 Lohmann pink-shell laying hens of 32-wk-old were randomly allocated to 4 groups. The control (CON) group was fed a basal diet, the low calcium diet (LCD) group was fed a low calcium diet, and the TFRD1 and TFRD2 groups were fed LCD supplemented with 0.5 and 2.0 g/kg TFRD, respectively. The experiment lasted 9 wks. Results: Supplying 2.0 g/kg TFRD produced protective effects on calcium deficiency-induced bone loss in caged laying hens, including enhanced femur bone mineral density (P < 0.05), improved bone microarchitecture deterioration, reduced serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activities (both P < 0.05) and osteocalcin content (P < 0.05), down-regulated mRNA expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) (P < 0.01) and up-regulated runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels (both P < 0.01). Furthermore, compared to LCD group, 2.0 g/kg TFRD treatment had lower malondialdehyd levels (P < 0.01), and higher total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05) activities, which contributed to the protective effects of bone loss. TFRD supplementation did not affect egg quality while 2.0 g/kg TFRD treatment improved laying rate (P < 0.05) and decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested that TFRD has beneficial effects on bone health and production performance in caged laying hens, which can be used for the prevention of CLO.
Passive Friction Compensation Using a Nonlinear Disturbance Observer for Flexible Joint Robots with Joint Torque Measurements

The friction and ripple effects from motor and drive cause a major problem for the robot position accuracy, especially for robots with high gear ratio and for high-speed applications. In this paper we introduce a simple, effective, and practical method to compensate for joint friction of flexible joint robots with joint torque sensing, which is based on a nonlinear disturbance observer. This friction observer can increase the performance of the controlled robot system both in terms of the position accuracy and the dynamic behavior. The friction observer needs no friction model and its output corresponds to the low-pass filtered friction torque. Due to the link torque feedback the friction observer can compensate for both friction moment and external moment effects acting on the link. So it can be used not only for position control but also for interaction control, e.g., torque control or impedance control which have low control bandwidth and therefore are sensitive to ripple effects from motor and drive. In addition, its parameter design and parameter optimization are independent of the controller design so that it can be used for friction compensation in conjunction with different controllers designed for flexible joint robots. Furthermore, a passivity analysis is done for this observer-based friction compensation in consideration of Coulomb, viscose and Stribeck friction effects, which is independent of the regulation controller. In combining this friction observer with the state feedback controller \cite{Albu-Schaeffer2}, global asymptotic stability of the controlled system can be shown by using Lyapunov based convergence analysis. Experimental results with robots of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) validate the practical efficiency of the approach.
Curso de nivelación algebraica para incrementar el rendimiento académico en estudiantes de ingeniería en un ambiente virtual de aprendizaje / Algebraic Leveling Course to Increase Academic Performance in Engineering Students in a Virtual Learning Environment

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la influencia que tuvo el desarrollo de un entorno virtual de aprendizaje con contenidos básicos de álgebra en estudiantes de la materia de Matemáticas II en el tema de diferenciación. La investigación fue cuasi experimental con pretest y postest; la muestra se integró de estudiantes de primer semestre de la carrera de Ingeniería Petrolera de la Universidad Autónoma del Carmen en el periodo de agosto-diciembre del 2017. Esta muestra fue subdividida en dos grupos: el primero con 24 estudiantes correspondientes al grupo experimental y el segundo con 41 estudiantes para el grupo control. La realización del pretest consistió en una prueba objetiva de opción múltiple, con la cual se determinó que ambos grupos fueron homogéneos al inicio del experimento. Se desarrolló un entorno virtual de aprendizaje tomando como modelo de diseño instruccional la estructura Análisis, Diseño, Desarrollo, Implantación y Evaluación (ADDIE). Tras la implementación del entorno virtual se aplicó una prueba postest, con reactivos similares a los establecidos en la primera prueba.Como parte de los resultados se registró que ambos grupos dejaron de ser homogéneos; el grupo experimental resultó favorecido. Además, se aplicó una prueba departamental correspondiente al tema de diferenciación en ambos grupos, se correlacionaron los resultados de la prueba con los obtenidos en el curso virtual y se obtuvo una correlación positiva moderada. De igual forma, al realizar la comparación de ambos grupos, se pudo establecer que el grupo experimental tuvo un mejor rendimiento académico que el grupo control. En relación con la apreciación que los estudiantes tuvieron con respecto al uso de los entornos virtuales de aprendizaje, manifestaron una apreciación positiva e indicaron que el entorno virtual había apoyado su aprendizaje.