Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Motor Skills in Early Childhood through Goal-Oriented Play Activity

Goal-oriented play activity encourages children to exercise and triggers the movement of body muscles. Active muscles are stronger, more agile, faster, and more powerful. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine that goal-oriented play activity in early childhood improves motor skills. Methods: Forty children aged 4.5–6 years old were recruited and took part in a set of training activities divided into Posts 1–5. To pass each post, a child had to run, walk on a balance beam, move sticks, throw and catch the ball, and arrange blocks. Training was given three times every week for 12 weeks. Data collected consisted of running 25 m, walking on the balance beam, throwing the ball as far as possible, locomotor movement, arranging cans, and bouncing the ball. Paired t and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for analysis. Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in the motor skills evaluated pre- and post-training with p < 0.05. Conclusion: All six training activities conducted for 12 weeks provided significant improvements in the motor skills areas in children aged 4.5–6 years old.
Comparing the performance of high‐resolution global precipitation products across topographic and climatic gradients of Central Asia

Accurate and reliable precipitation data with high spatial and temporal resolution are essential in studying climate variability, water resources management, and hydrological forecasting. A range of global precipitation data are available to this end, but how well these capture actual precipitation remains unknown, particularly for mountain regions where ground stations are sparse. We examined the performance of three global high‐resolution precipitation products for capturing precipitation over Central Asia, a hotspot of climate change, where reliable precipitation data are particularly scarce. Specifically, we evaluated MSWEP, CHIRPS, and GSMAP against independent gauging stations for the period 1985–2015. Our results show that MSWEP and CHIRPS outperformed GSMAP for wetter periods (i.e., winter and spring) and wetter locations (150–600 mm·year−1), lowlands, and mid‐altitudes (0–3,000 m), and regions dominated by winter and spring precipitation. MSWEP performed best in representing temporal precipitation dynamics and CHIRPS excelled in capturing the volume and distribution of precipitation. All precipitation products poorly estimated precipitation at higher elevations (>3,000 m), in drier areas (<150 mm), and in regions characterized by summer precipitation. All products accurately detected dry spells, but their performance decreased for wet spells with increasing precipitation intensity. In sum, we find that CHIRPS and MSWEP provide the most reliable high‐resolution precipitation estimates for Central Asia. However, the high spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the performance call for a careful selection of a suitable product for local applications considering the prevailing precipitation dynamics, climatic, and topographic conditions.
Driving Using Model Predictive Control

Driving as an incremental forming method can create almost any 2D and 3D sheet metal parts using universal tool sets. In this paper, stretching as an approach of the driving is modelled through the three phases that are the hybrid deformations, the material flows and the springback. In comparison with the experiment results, the stretching model is acceptable to be employed in the model predictive control that can supply the optimal control input through minimizing the objective function. The optimization problem is solved by the use of the discrete dynamic programming. The optimal control input results from the optimal path with minimal costs. The according parameters that can affect the control output are tuned to find out a reasonable combination of them that yields rational control outputs.
Design of a Robotic Arm Manipulator Camera Unit for Mini Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles

Underwater remotely operated vehicles are essential tools for marine researchers and workers. Their robust nature allows them to serve a wide range of purposes. For example, they can be used for remote visual inspection of pipelines and can manipulate tools such as screwdrivers and claws. Cameras are the main method for providing operator feedback to the surface as they enable an operator to accurately maneuver or handle objects from thousands of feet away. Although large ROVs have cameras attached to their robotic arms for closer inspection of objects, mini ROVs do not because no camera tool has been specifically designed to support the low-cost, lightweight design of a mini ROV. This thesis discusses the design considerations, component selection, and system prototype (including the use of image processing to improve the underwater image for the operatorʼs viewing) of an affordable camera unit for mini ROV robotic manipulators.
Stringent Response in Mycobacteria: From Biology to Therapeutic Potential

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a human pathogen that can thrive inside the host immune cells for several years and cause tuberculosis. This is due to the propensity of M. tuberculosis to synthesize a sturdy cell wall, shift metabolism and growth, secrete virulence factors to manipulate host immunity, and exhibit stringent response. These attributes help M. tuberculosis to manage the host response, and successfully establish and maintain an infection even under nutrient-deprived stress conditions for years. In this review, we will discuss the importance of mycobacterial stringent response under different stress conditions. The stringent response is mediated through small signaling molecules called alarmones “(pp)pGpp”. The synthesis and degradation of these alarmones in mycobacteria are mediated by Rel protein, which is both (p)ppGpp synthetase and hydrolase. Rel is important for all central dogma processes—DNA replication, transcription, and translation—in addition to regulating virulence, drug resistance, and biofilm formation. Rel also plays an important role in the latent infection of M. tuberculosis. Here, we have discussed the literature on alarmones and Rel proteins in mycobacteria and highlight that (p)ppGpp-analogs and Rel inhibitors could be designed and used as antimycobacterial compounds against M. tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections.
Fintech Predictive Modeling and Performance of Investment Firms in Kenya

Predictive analytics is concerned with the prediction of future trends and outcomes. The approaches used to conduct predictive analytics can be classified into machine learning techniques and regression techniques. This study dteremined the influence of fintech predictive modeling on performance of investment firms in Kenya. The study population was 57 investment firms. The study employed mixed method research design by incorporating descriptive and explanatory research designs. Data was collected using questionnaires and an in-depth interview guide. Coefficient of fintech predictive modeling has a positive and significant effect on performance of investment firms. The study concluded that fintech predictive modeling allows investment firms to forecast business growth and customer behaviour chnages. It is important for an investment firm to be able to understand business growth by accurately forecasting future growth and survival. Moreover, it is of vital necessity to understand changes in customer buying/consumption behavior so as to develop products and services that suit their needs and preferences. As a result, predictive modeling is required to project future business growth and changes in customer consumption pattern.
Review of Data Integrity Models in Multi-Level Security Environments

Abstract : As there is an increased reliance upon information in defence operations and in network centric warfare, ensuring the security of the information systems involved is becoming an increasingly important objective. Within the realm of national security, research and development has predominantly focused on ensuring the confidentiality of data within these systems. There has, however, been recent recognition of the role that integrity has in the overall security of a system. To facilitate a better understanding of data integrity as it relates to information security, this paper provides a review of the associated literature including the prevalent data integrity models, evaluation mechanisms and integrity centric implementations.
A Biofidelity Evaluation of the BioRID II, Hybrid III and RID2 for Use in Rear Impacts

Three types of dummies were evaluated in this study. They were evaluated as a whole and by components. To assess their biofidelity they were compared with embalmed post mortem human subject data and with data from available volunteers. The dummies were all subjected to rear collision impact sled tests. A static pull test was also utilized, to determine the static strength of their necks in extension and flexion. Dynamic characteristics of the dummy necks in extension and flexion were evaluated by pendulum tests.
AMIGO: Towards Social Robot based Motivation for Playful Multimodal Intervention in Dementia

The objective of the project AMIGO is to develop an innovative multisensory robot coach on the basis of the social robot Pepper and the playful training app amicasa for the entertaining motivation of people with dementia. The goal is to empower persons with dementia to perform daily stimulating activities in a concept of integrated multimodal intervention. The robot will additionally be capable to ask about the health status, remind important events or tasks, involve into dialogue, and provide entertainment like reading news from all over the world. A research objective is to adjust Pepper's dialogue and motivation style based on emotional feedback sensed in interaction. The system will motivate to perform personalized exercises, to stimulate cognitive processes and physical activities, and to maintain and extend social bonds. Sensors for eye tracking and motion analysis technologies will offer affordances for entertaining, sensorimotor sequences and for data capture and analysis of cognition and locomotion specific behavioral parameters. Easily usable interfaces enable planning and autonomous daily practice to formal as well as to the informal caregiver in a weekly rhythm so that people with dementia can stay longer at home and the progress of dementia is slowed down.
Study on Fractal Characteristics of Mineral Particles in Undisturbed Loess and Lime-Treated Loess

In order to explore the fractal characteristics of particle size distribution (PSD) of various minerals in loess and lime-treated loess, the Q4 undisturbed loess and lime-treated loess were studied. From the perspective of multi-scaled microstructure, the internal characteristics of loess were observed and the regularity statistics were carried out from a macroscopic view. Fractal theory was used to quantitatively study the distribution of mineral particles in undisturbed loess and lime-treated loess. It was found that the skeleton particles of undisturbed loess were obvious and the structure of soil was loose. While that of lime-treated loess decreased, the fine particles were connected with each other, and the structure of soil changed from loose to dense. The three mineral particles in the undisturbed loess and lime-treated loess did not accord with the single fractal distribution characteristics, but the total particles had fractal characteristics. The percentage content of the mineral particles in the soil varied greatly with the particle size. In addition, the non-uniform degrees of mineral particles in the two soils from large to small were carbonate minerals of lime-treated loess, carbonate minerals of undisturbed loess, quartz minerals of lime-treated loess, feldspar mineral of lime-treated loess, feldspar mineral of the undisturbed loess, and the quartz mineral of the undisturbed loess. This paper provided a basis for the future study of the different soil mechanical properties of undisturbed loess and lime-treated loess.
Development and Application of Individual and National Opportunity to the Experience of Intimate Partner Violence among Married Women in the Global South

Objectives: Building on the ecological model, multicontextual opportunity theory, and southern criminology, the study developed individual- and country-level indicators of opportunity to understand the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) among married women in the Global South. Opportunity-related indicators considered the impact of globalization and variability across nations categorized as part of the Global South. Methods: Relying on data from the Demographic and Health Surveys and open-source country indicators, mixed effects logistic regression examined opportunity-related indicators on a sample of married women (N = 239,554) from the Global South (N = 41). Results: Exposure to motivated offenders was associated with higher odds of IPV. Individual-level vulnerability was associated with higher odds of IPV. Isolation and interviews that were interrupted, indicators of guardianship, were associated with higher odds of IPV while the number of people in the household was associated with lower odds. More Parliamentary seats held by women was associated with higher odds of IPV. Nine cross-level interactions were significant. Conclusions: National-level factors moderated the influence of individual-level opportunity, reinforcing the Global South is not monolithic. The traveling of IPV programing from the Global North to the Global South is likely ineffective. Programs must consider how context shapes individual experiences.
Electronics in the Evolution of Flight

Electronics in the Evolution of Flight traces the paired history of modern aviation and electronics, or avionics, from its earliest years to the indispensable tool it is today. Albert Helfrick, who for twenty-five years has designed avionics for agencies and corporations such as NASA and Boeing, provides a thorough account of the roles played by the famous and the obscure, from Edwin Howard Armstrong to Nikola Tesla and David Sarnoff, in the successful creation of aviation technology. Helfrick focuses much of his work on the advancement of electronic systems. He explains the origins of technical definitions and acronyms such as Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) and the difference between short waves and microwaves. With an easy familiarity, he reviews topics as varied as the Morse code, the Radio Club of America, and the evolution of microprocessors. Helfrick covers the history of all of the engineering and electronic developments in a style that is accessible to lay readers, but also provides a valuable reference for specialists.
Recording History: The British Record Industry, 1888 – 1931

In Recording History, Peter Martland uses a range of archival sources to trace the genesis and early development of the British record industry from1888 to 1931. A work of economic and cultural history that draws on a vast range of quantitative data, it surveys the commercial and business activities of the British record industry like no other work of recording history has before.
The Development of Test Procedures for controlling the Quality of the Manufacture of Engineered Compression Stockings

A new technology platform known as ? Scan2Knit? was invented in the William Lee innovation Centre of the University of Manchester to engineer and manufacture compression stockings for the treatment of venous disease in a Welcome Trust funded research project. The intellectual property of the above technology has been licensed for commercial exploitation by the University.The graduated pressure profile that is necessary for the treatment of venous ulcers is generated with the engineered compression stocking, and will depend on the stitch length of the knitted fabric structure and an empirical pressure profile database. The ? Scan2Knit? technology was developed to produce an engineered compression stocking on a 18 gauge Stoll CMS computerised flat-bed knitting machine utilising a microprocessor controlled precision positive yarn delivery system to guarantee the delivery of a predetermined stitch length to the knitting needles. However, the licensee of the technology has decided to manufacture engineered compressions stockings by using 14 gauge Stoll CMS flat-bed knitting machines instead of gauge 18 machines due to commercial advantages. Therefore, the main aim of this work is to investigate the transfer of ? Scan2Knit? technology on to a coarse gauge manufacturing platform to produce engineered compression stockings. The investigation focuses on two vital requirements of ? Scan2Knit? technology; the analysis of the performance of the precision positive yarn delivery system on the new production platform and the evaluation of the functionality of the knitted structure produced with it. The objectives of the research are to develop test procedures for the evaluation of the three dimensional pressure characteristic of compression stockings manufactured on the new production platform, and the performance of the precision yarn delivery system. To produce the engineered compression stockings with the ? Scan2Knit? technology, it is essential to determine the interface pressure that the knitted structure would impart on a particular radius of curvature at a predetermined strain percentage which is attained with an empirical database. Hence, a key objective of this study is to develop a methodology, which is efficient and user friendly, for the generation of the empirical pressure profile database required to engineer the interface pressure profile of a compression stocking.It is envisioned that the manufacturer of the engineered compression stockings would benefit by the knowledge generated within this research, and develop their own quality assurance procedures to guarantee that the compression stockings are produced to deliver the graduated pressure profile prescribed by the clinician for the treatment of venous ulcers.
Taxonomic revision of the new spider genus Hortophora, the Australasian Garden Orb-weavers (Araneae, Araneidae)

The new genus Hortophora in the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae Clerck, 1757 is established to include 13 species from the Australasian-Pacific region, with ten species known from Australia (five of which new to science): Hortophora biapicata (L. Koch, 1871), comb. nov. (type species) (= Araneus biapicatifera Strand, 1907, syn. nov.; = Epeira frosti Hogg, 1896, syn. nov.); H. cucullussp. nov.; H. lodicula (Keyserling, 1887), comb. nov. (= Epeira scutigerens Hogg, 1900, syn. nov.); H. megacanthasp. nov.; H. porongurupsp. nov.; H. tatianeaesp. nov.; H. transmarina (Keyserling, 1865), comb. nov.) (also known from Papua New Guinea); H. urbana (Keyserling, 1887), comb. nov.; H. walesiana (Karsch, 1878), comb. nov. (= Epeira rhombocephalaThorell 1881, syn. nov.; = Epeira lutulenta Keyserling, 1886, syn. nov.); and H. yesabahsp. nov. The following species of Hortophoragen. nov. are recognised from the Pacific region but not revised in detail due to a lack of material, specifically mature males: Hortophora capitalis (L. Koch, 1871), comb. nov. (removed from synonymy with H. transmarinacomb. nov.) from Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu; H. flavicoma (Simon, 1880), comb. nov. from New Caledonia (incl. Loyalty Islands) and H. viridis (Keyserling, 1865), comb. nov. (removed from synonymy with H. transmarinacomb. nov.) from Samoa. Epeira thyridota Thorell, 1870 is here removed from synonymy with H. transmarinacomb. nov. and transferred to Backobourkia Framenau, Dupérré, Blackledge & Vink, 2010, B. thyridota (Thorell, 1870), comb. nov.Hortophoragen. nov. includes medium-sized to large, nocturnal orb-weaving spiders typically with subtriangular to ovoid abdomen bearing humeral humps. The tibiae of the second leg in males is usually enlarged with numerous strong spines and an apico-ventral megaspur carrying a large spine in some species. Male pedipalps generally have an elongated, transverse median apophysis ending in a bifid tip in most species, a sinuous to straight embolus and a bubble-shaped terminal apophysis. The female epigyne scape is highly elongated and does not have a terminal pocket. Genital mutilation, i.e. breaking off the epigyne scape during copulation, is common in some species. Hortophoragen. nov. include the most frequently collected nocturnal orb-weaving spiders in Australia.
SHALL WE DANCE? ENCOUNTERS FOR ENERGY RENOVATION OF SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES

In the strive for climate change mitigation and transition the building stock is a major issue to acknowledge as its energy consumption and production of carbon dioxide is significant, around 30% of the total in Sweden. Government policies, subsidies and more have therefore been applied to deal with this issue. However the bulk of efforts have focused on dwellings, office buildings, public buildings and other major installations, whereas the single family house areas have received less attention and presently even enjoy a public regulation regime which leaves up to ten years of room for manoeuver before private house owners are obliged to react. This leaves the arena for more voluntary types of renovation. Studies shows that house owners doing such renovations are prone to contact and use their local SME craftsman. The encounters between house owners and craftsmen come to impede the degree and quality of the energy renovation referring to costs, unstable and/or ineffective technologies, lack of understanding of subsidies and financial options and even general insecurity. This paper reports a local study of three craftsmen contractors and their interaction with house owners as potential customers which is part of a project with a group of participating SMEs. Through interviewing, participant observations and shadowing, the sales processes and negotiations were followed on site inside the customers house. Theoretically the study draws on Goffman's concepts of presentation of self in everyday life, performance, staging and "front". The results show a complex interactive pattern, like a dance, where limited local knowledge play a role as does subtle assumptions about cost and economic capacity. Thus rather than placing the responsibility for conservative renovation actions on either the craftsmen or the house owners, it is claimed here that the two parties are acting in a routinized play they cannot easily escape.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FLEXOR DIGITORUM SUPERFICIALIS AS A PREDICTOR OF GRASPING STRENGTH

A thesis submitted to the Graduate School – New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering written under the direction of William Craelius And approved by __________________________ __________________________ __________________________
The Searching Mechanism of Artificial Neural Networks in Case-Based Building Design

A Case-based reasoning (CBR) system generally includes three parts: case recall, case adaptation, and a case library. The objective of this research is to develop a searching mechanism for the case recall of a CBR system in the context of building design. Our work focuses on developing the similarity relationship among building design cases. The similarity relationship serves as a searching mechanism in retrieving relevant design cases. In this paper, we present an approach to applying artificial neural networks (ANN) to serve as a searching mechanism of a CBR system. The results of this research include: 1) to present suitable knowledge representations of various design cases; and 2) to develop a searching mechanism of a CBR system.