Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Orienting Toleranced Polygonal Parts Orienting Toleranced Polygonal Parts

Parts manufactured to tolerances have variations in shape. Most previous work in robotic manipulation assumes that parts do not have shape variations. Orienting devices such as bowl feeders often fail due to variations in part shape. We study the effects of uncertainty in part shape on orienting to develop systems that can orient toleranced polygonal parts. We present a tolerance model in which the part center of mass and vertices lie in circular uncertainty zones around their nominal positions. The variations in part shape are characterized by the tolerance model and the part’s nominal shape. We describe the nondeterminism that arises due to part shape uncertainty for a conveyor-based orienting system and show that sensor-based and sensorless orienting plans can exist for toleranced polygonal parts. We present implemented planners that generate orienting plans for the entire variational class of part shapes given a nominal part shape and tolerance bounds. These plans use both deterministic and nondeterministic actions to orient the parts, and we describe experiments to demonstrate them. KEY WORDS—parts orienting, tolerancing, flexible assembly, manufacturing
Cohort profile: the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) was planned in the 1990s partly by researchers at the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) 1 and partly by researchers at the National Institute of Public Health (from 2002 comprising MBRN as well as other institutions and renamed the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH). The study had a long planning phase involving many scientists who contributed ideas that helped to design questionnaires and to structure the biobank, which is described in detail elsewhere. 2 Collaboration was established with the Danish Birth Cohort Study, 3
Particulate Matter Sampler Errors Due to the Interaction of Particle Size and Sampler Performance Characteristics: Ambient PM2.5 Samplers

The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) in terms of PM2.5 are ambient air concentration limits set by the EPA to protect public health and well-being. Further, some state air pollution regulatory agencies (SAPRAs) utilize the NAAQS to regulate criteria pollutants emitted by industries by applying the NAAQS as property-line concentration limits. Prior to and since the inclusion of the PM2.5 standard, numerous journal articles and technical references have been written to discuss the epidemiological effects, trends, regulation, and methods of determining PM2.5. A common trend among many of these publications is the use of samplers to collect PM2.5 concentration data. Often, the sampler data are assumed to be accurate concentration measures of PM2.5. The fact is that issues such as sampler uncertainties, environmental conditions, and characteristics of the material that the sampler is measuring must be incorporated for accurate sampler measurements. The focus of this article is on the errors associated with particle size distribution (PSD) characteristics of the material in the air that is being sampled, the PM2.5 sampler performance characteristics, the interaction between these two characteristics, and the effect of this interaction on the regulatory process. Theoretical simulations were conducted to determine the range of errors associated with this interaction for the PM2.5 ambient air samplers. Results from the PM2.5 simulations indicated that a source emitting PM characterized by a mass median diameter (MMD) of 20 µm and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 1.5 could be forced to comply with a PM2.5 standard that is 14 times more stringent than that required for a source emitting PM characterized by an MMD of 10 µm and a GSD of 1.5, and 59 times more stringent than that required for a source emitting PM characterized by an MMD of 5.7 µm and a GSD of 1.5. Therefore, in order to achieve equal regulation among differing industries, PM2.5 measurements must be based on true concentration measurements.
School Principals and Special Education: Creating the Context for Academic Success

For almost 30 years, school leaders have been challenged to meet both the intent and the spirit of federal laws regarding the education of students with disabilities (DiPaola & Walther-Thomas, 2003), Special education has evolved from segregated classrooms characterized by low academic expectations, social isolation, and poor curriculum (Turnbull & Cilley, 1999) to widespread recognition that effective special education is not a "place" in a school building. Instead, special education is an integrated system of academic and social supports designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure that students with disabilities are appropriately educated (National Association of Elementary School Principals [NAESP] & ILIAD Project, 2001; National Commission on Teaching and America's Future [NCTAF], 1996; National Council on Disability [NCD], 1995; National Research Council [NRC], 1997; National Staff Development Council [NSDC], 2001), Over the same time period, the United States has embraced a sweeping series of school reforms designed to make public schools more rigorous leaming environments. These efforts accelerated dramatically over the past decade as virtually all states adopted comprehensive academic standards. In addition, many states implemented corresponding accountability systems to ensure that students, teachers, and administrators would all achieve performance accountability (Thuriow, 2000; Vernon, Baytops, McMahon, Holland, & Walther-Thomas, 2002). In many communities, critical school milestones such as grade promotion and high school graduation, as well as professional tenure and school accreditation, are being determined by "high-stakes" test results (Giacobbe, Livers, Thayer-Smith, & Walther-Thomas, 2001).
The Role of Ego Enhancement and Perceived Message Exposure in Third-Person Judgments Concerning Violent Video Games

Ego enhancement has been offered as the psychological mechanism that drives differences in judgments about effects on self and others. This study employs a three-cell (ego threat, ego enhancement, and control) experimental design to test the validity of the ego-enhancement argument in explaining the third-person perception and related outcomes (e.g., support for government control). Findings indicate that although ego enhancement does not appear to directly influence either third-person perception or its relationship to support for government control, it does play a moderating role in regulating the relationship between perceived effects and support for controls, especially in the case of perceived effects on others. Specifically, the ego-enhancement condition effectively muted the relationship between estimates of effects and support for government control. Implications of these findings and directions for further research are also discussed.
Synchrony in Malaria Infections: How Intensifying Within-Host Competition Can Be Adaptive

Malaria parasites exhibit great diversity in the coordination of their asexual life cycle within the host, ranging from asynchronous growth to tightly synchronized cycles of invasion and emergence from red blood cells. Synchronized reproduction should come at a high cost—intensifying competition among offspring—so why would some Plasmodium species engage in such behavior and others not? We use a delayed differential equation model to show that synchronized infections can be favored when (1) there is limited interference among parasites competing for red blood cells, (2) transmission success is an accelerating function of sexual parasite abundance, (3) the target of saturating immunity is short-lived, and (4) coinfections with asynchronous parasites are rare. As a consequence, synchrony may be beneficial or costly, in line with the diverse patterns of synchronization observed in natural and lab infections. By allowing us to characterize diverse temporal dynamics, the model framework provides a basis for making predictions about disease severity and for projecting evolutionary responses to interventions.
The Vocational Situation and Country of Orientation of International Students

A culturally relevant career-development needs assessment survey was administered to 227 international college students. Factor analysis indicated that the participants' vocational needs centered on obtaining work experience, overcoming interview barriers, and developing job-search skills. Overall, the vocational needs of international students were oriented toward the American job market. Implications for cross-cultural counseling are discussed.
Nitrous oxide emission from a range of land uses across Europe

The results of a literature study examining quantitative estimates of N 2 O emission rates are presented for a range of land-uses across Europe. The analysis shows that the highest N 2 O emission rates are for agricultural lands compared to forests and grasslands. The main factors regulating these rates are available mineral nitrogen, soil temperature, soil water content and the available labile organic compounds. These controls operate across different time-scales, all must exceed a certain threshold for N 2 O emission to occur. The results support the need for an emission factor function of land-use and climate within models describing nitrogen dynamics in catchments. This would allow the assessment of the net N 2 O emission within catchments in terms of current levels and potential changes associated with climate variability, climate change and land use change. Keywords: nitrous oxide, soil water content, inorganic N, soil temperature, ecosystems, land-use management, soil type
Speeding up Latent Semantic Analysis - A Streamed Distributed Algorithm for SVD Updates

The purpose of Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) is to find hidden (latent) structure in a collection of texts represented in the Vector Space Model. LSA was introduced in~\cite{deerwester1990indexing} and has since become a standard tool in the field of Natural Language Processing and Information Retrieval. At the heart of LSA lies the \emph{Singular Value Decomposition} algorithm, which makes LSA (sometimes also called Latent Semantic Indexing, or LSI) really just another member of the broad family of applications that make use of SVD's robust and mathematically well-founded approximation capabilities, from Image Processing; or Signal Processing, where SVD is commonly used to separate signal from noise. SVD is also used in solving shift-invariant differential equations, in Geophysics, in Antenna Array Processing, \ldots}. In this way, although we will discuss our results in the perspective and terminology of LSA and Natural Language Processing, our results are in fact applicable to a wide range of problems and domains across much of the field of Computer Science.
Predicting the propagation loss through a tree canopy at millimeter frequencies — Forward scattering approximation — 3-D vector radiative transport theory

The vector radiative transport theory is used to compute the attenuation produced by a tree canopy containing random located lossy-dielectric leaves and branches at millimeter wave frequencies. Using this approach, the forward scattering approximation is used to simplify the radiative transport equation. The forward scattering approximation is used since at millimeter frequencies, the leaves and branches are large and thick compared to the wavelength; hence, a leaf or a branch scatter energy strongly in the forward direction and weakly in all other directions. The leaves are modeled as flat-circular lossy-dielectric discs and the branches as lossy-dielectric cylinders with prescribe orientation statistics.
One-Hour Glucose During an Oral Glucose Challenge Prospectively Predicts β-Cell Deterioration and Prediabetes in Obese Hispanic Youth

OBJECTIVE In adults, 1-h glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) predicts the development of type 2 diabetes independent of fasting and 2-h glucose concentrations. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the utility of elevated 1-h glucose levels to prospectively predict deterioration in β-cell function and the development of prediabetes in high-risk youth. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Obese Latino youth with a family history of type 2 diabetes (133 male and 100 female; age 11.1 ± 1.7 years) completed a baseline OGTT and were divided into two groups based upon a 1-h glucose threshold of 155 mg/dL (<155 mg/dL, n = 151, or ≥155 mg/dL, n = 82). Youth were followed annually for up to 8 years for assessment of glucose tolerance, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and the disposition index by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. RESULTS Over time, the ≥155 mg/dL group exhibited a significantly greater decline in β-cell function compared with youth with a 1-h glucose <155 mg/dL (β = −327.8 ± 126.2, P = 0.01). Moreover, this decline was independent of fasting or 2-h glucose and body composition. When the data were restricted to only participants with normal glucose tolerance at baseline, a 1-h glucose ≥155 mg/dL was independently associated with a 2.5 times greater likelihood of developing prediabetes during follow-up (95% CI 1.6–4.1, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that a 1-h glucose ≥155 mg/dL during an OGTT is an independent predictor of β-cell deterioration and progression to prediabetes among obese Latino youth.
The Dynamics of Societal Transition: Modeling Nonlinear Change in the Polish Economic System

Social influence plays an important role in social transitions. The model of dynamic social influence is used to model social transitions. We assume that individuals communicate with a certain number of others to find out how much support each of the possible opinions has. Opinions of others located nearby and of those who are most influential are given the most consideration. Individuals adopt the opinions that they find most influential in the process. During social transitions the spatial clusters of social reality of the "new" coexist with the reality of the "old. " Computer simulations show that social transitions occur as clusters of the "new" grow and connect to each other at the expense of the "old. " Analysis of regional economic as well as voting data support this scenario. In a society composed of clusters, global indicators might be misleading, since they may average the thriving clusters of new and decaying clusters of old. Effective facilitation of the transition should capitalize on natural properties of social change processes. It should be concentrated on the creation and growth of the clusters of the "new. "
Social Studies of Science and Technology in Latin America: A Field in the Process of Consolidation

THE SOCIAL STUDIES of science and technology are relatively new in Latin America. The first reflections, in the 1960s and 1970s, were very promissory and they even gave place to the idea of a ‘Latin American thought of science, technology and society’. Those works, written mainly by scientists and engineers, had a main political concern to find ways and instruments to develop scientific and technological knowledge locally, so that it could be suitable for the needs of the region. The objective of that generation, which was partially reached, consisted in making science and technology an object of public study, as a topic bound to a social and economic development strategy. Besides, there was an emphasis on the fact that science and technology are not neutral and universal, but that are processes with specific features according to the context in which they are introduced. Thus, as it was then said, there was a paradox: while the lesser developed countries try to produce scientific knowledge
Adults Advising Youth: Leading While Getting Out of the Way

Drawing on 3 years of qualitative data, this article broadens the concept of distributed leadership to include “student voice” in school decision making. Specifically, the article focuses on how adults can foster youth participation and leadership in school reform efforts. In this research, adults needed to work in partnership with youth conscientiously and continuously to develop patterns of interaction that aligned with the values of equitable relations. When adults did not strike a balance between support and letting go, the youth and adults often fell back into traditional teacher-student roles. The article identifies ways in which adults helped youth to move from the periphery to the core of group interactions, especially through a collective focus on developing shared norms, language, and skills.
On the Salience of Identity in Civilizational and Sectarian Conflict

This paper models two forms of low intensity conflict based on identity: civilizational conflict between Muslim migrants and the 'West’ in European countries, and sectarian violence between religious groups in certain developing countries. Both historical grievances and current material inequalities can motivate individuals to join or refrain from violence in aid of a group cause. With civilizational conflict, hatred of the West arises because of economic disadvantage among Muslims, historical grievances and contemporary foreign policy deemed to be against Muslims. Fear of Muslim minorities among the European population may result from strident propaganda. Without tackling inequalities of opportunity, policies of assimilating migrants are doomed to failure. Sectarian conflict in developing countries like India is driven both by prospect of loot and hatred of the other. Localized conditions are salient in this regard. Poverty and inequality reduction and positive local social capital are key to addressing this type of conflict. Historical factors that shape the myths placing certain minorities adversely within society also need addressing.
International Alliances in the Power Cycle Theory of State Behavior

This study proposes that critical points are causally related to the formation of alliances, and that the relationship between alliances and war can be better understood as a relationship between critical points and war, with alliances as an intermediate variable. At these points of structural change in the system, states will seek protection against the uncertainty of massive alterations in their future foreign policy roles and security positions by forming alliances. Statistical analyses of empirical data and historical case-study material support this link between power cycle theory and alliance theory.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I): Assessment of disease severity, therapeutic options and early diagnosis

Bepaalde stoffen in bloed en urine, zogeheten biomarkers, kunnen gebruikt worden voor het stellen van de diagnose van de stofwisselingsziekte Mucopolysaccharidose type I (MPS I) op basis van bloed afgenomen bij de hielprikscreening. Dit blijkt uit het onderzoek van Minke de Ru dat zich richtte op het bereiken van overeenstemming tussen behandelaars over de twee behandelingsvormen van MPS I, het beter onderscheiden van de verschillende varianten van de ziekte en het vroegtijdig diagnosticeren ervan. Opname van MPS I in nationale hielprikscreeningsprogramma’s kent meerdere voordelen, maar ook ethische dilemma’s. De Ru toont tevens aan dat de biomarkers ook een rol kunnen spelen in het beoordelen van het effect van behandeling en het beter onderscheiden van de verschillende varianten van de ziekte. MPS I is een zeldzame stofwisselingsziekte, waarbij het lichaam niet in staat is bepaalde suikerketens af te breken. Door toenemende stapeling hiervan in het lichaam ontstaat een grote verscheidenheid aan ziekteverschijnselen. De ziekte is soms ernstig (ziekte van Hurler), soms relatief mild (ziekte van Scheie). Het vroeg stellen van een diagnose is vaak lastig, maar essentieel voor het behalen van een zo optimaal mogelijk behandelingsresultaat.
Retrospective survival analysis of 110 lithium disilicate crowns with feather-edge marginal preparation.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical performance of lithium disilicate (LiDiSi) crowns with a feather-edge finish line margin over a 9-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS In total, 110 lithium disilicate crowns, 40 anterior (36.3%) and 70 posterior (63.7%), were cemented with resin cement after fluoridric acid and silane surface treatment and observed by a different clinician. The data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The clinical evaluation used the California Dental Association (CDA) modified criteria after recalling all patients between January and April 2013. RESULTS Two crowns had failed and were replaced due to core fractures. One chipping occurred on a first molar and the ceramic surface was polished. The overall survival probability was 96.1% up to 9 years, with a failure rate of 1.8%. CONCLUSION In this retrospective analysis, lithium disilicate with a vertical finish line used in single-crown restorations had a low clinical failure rate up to 9 years.
Disjoint crossings, positive speed and deviation estimates for first passage percolation

Consider bond percolation on the square lattice \(\mathbb{Z}^2\) where each edge is independently open with probability \(p.\) For some positive constants \(p_0 \in (0,1), \epsilon_1\) and \(\epsilon_2,\) the following holds: if \(p > p_0,\) then with probability at least \(1-\frac{\epsilon_1}{n^{4}}\) there are at least \(\frac{\epsilon_2 n}{\log{n}}\) disjoint open left-right crossings in \(B_n := [0,n]^2\) each having length at most \(2n,\) for all \(n \geq 2.\) Using the proof of the above, we obtain positive speed for first passage percolation with independent and identically distributed edge passage times \(\{t(e_i)\}_i\) satisfying \(\mathbb{E}\left(\log{t(e_1)}\right)^+ \frac{1}{2}. \)
A relational approach to zoom tracking for digital still cameras

Zoom tracking is becoming an integral part of any digital still camera. Zoom tracking involves the automatic adjustment of the focus motor in response to the zoom motor movements for the purpose of keeping an object of interest in focus. In this paper, we have introduced a new zoom tracking approach, named relational zoom tracking, where an estimate of a trace curve is obtained by using so called relational curves. A trace curve denotes focus motor positions versus zoom motor positions for a given object distance, whereas a relational curve denotes focus motor positions versus object distances for a given zoom motor position. The hardware implementation of this algorithm on a digital still camera is also provided in this paper. The obtained results show that the developed zoom tracking approach provides higher tracking accuracies as compared to the conventional zoom tracking methods while generating comparable or better tracking speeds.
A Novel Carrier-Based Hybrid PWM Technique for Minimization of Line Current Ripple in Two Parallel Interleaved Two-Level VSIs

A novel hybrid pulse width modulation (PWM) technique is proposed in this paper for two parallel interleaved, two-level, three-phase voltage source inverters (VSIs). The two parallel interleaved VSIs are analyzed as a three-level (3L) inverter. A 3L inverter provides minimum line current ripple when nearest three voltage vectors are applied. In this paper, a novel carrier-based PWM technique is developed that ensures the application of nearest voltage vectors, keeping average circulating current to zero over a switching period. For carrier-based implementation of the proposed PWM, generalized common-mode (CM) offsets are derived in terms of maximum and minimum values of reference signals. Each 3L space-vector sector is divided into seven subsectors. For each subsector, a CM offset is calculated, addition of which to reference signals ensures the minimum line current ripple and zero average circulating current. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the proposed technique.