Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fifth International Workshop on Culturally-Aware Tutoring Systems ( CATS 2014 )

The design of educational technologies involves making decisions based in cultural assumptions and ideologies, and student learning may be improved when these design choices are made intentionally with the students’ own cultural context in mind. Despite this, the classroom systems in which these technologies are deployed have their own culturally-based contexts which are often at odds with the expectations from some culturally-underrepresented groups. We believe that educational technologies are uniquely positioned to be able to both leverage student culture to support learning, while also supporting students in applying the learned domain content across relevant cultural contexts, such as the classroom. In this paper, we present the motivation and design of a reflective gaming system within the multiple-cultures framework called CoDES which demonstrates one way educational technologies can be designed to help students and teachers mediate competing culturally-based expectations.
On the Uniform Distribution in Residue Classes of Dense Sets of Integers with Distinct Sums

Abstract A set A ⊆{1, …, N } is of the type B 2 if all sums a + b , with a ⩾ b , a , b ∈ A , are distinct. It is well known that the largest such set is of size asymptotic to N 1/2 . For a B 2 set A of this size we show that, under mild assumptions on the size of the modulus m and on the difference N 1/2 −| A | (these quantities should not be too large), the elements of A are uniformly distributed in the residue classes mod m . Quantitative estimates on how uniform the distribution is are also provided. This generalizes recent results of Lindstrom whose approach was combinatorial. Our main tool is an upper bound on the minimum of a cosine sum of k terms, ∑ k 1 cos λ j x , all of whose positive integer frequencies λ j are at most (2− e ) k in size.
The role of behavioural variation in the invasion of new areas B

Biological invasions are now widely considered to be a form of global change ( Vitousek et al. 1996 ). In addition to severe economic consequences ( Pimental et al. 2000 ), the introduction of species into new environments can have devastating ecological impacts ( Mack et al. 2000 ; Parker et al. 1999 ). It is something of a relief then that we don’t have a lot more invasive species, particularly given that every year probably hundreds to thousands of species are introduced outside their natural range. Luckily, very few of these go on to establish, spread, and have large ecological impacts. Why is this so? It turns out that the different stages of the invasion process—transportation across dispersal barriers, establishment of a population at the new location, and post-establishment spread—act as strong phenotypic fi lters, winnowing out the majority of species. Thus, a non-random subset of all taxa are transported, a non-random subset of these are then capable of establishment, and then a nonrandom subset of these become spreading invaders ( Blackburn and Duncan 2001 ; Simons 2003 ; Tingley et al. 2010 ). Very few species pass easily through all three fi lters. Importantly, the same fi ltering process that applies to taxa also applies to individuals within an invasive taxon (in fact, it applies to the individuals fi rst, and the taxon only as an after-effect). The individuals that are transported, that form established populations, and that become invasive are all potentially non-random subsets of the population from which they originated ( Phillips et al. 2010a ). Thus, population-level variation in traits associated with invasion success is a key determinant of the success, or otherwise, of a particular invasion. Invasive species do not, however, occur in a vacuum. As an invader spreads, its interactions with resident species become more widespread and the success of the invader, as well as that of the invaded, may well depend on these interactions. Variation is important here too. Introduced species often interact negatively with native species (either directly, as predators, competitors, and parasites; or indirectly, through habitat modifi cation). So the variation in CHAPTER 14
Collision-free and continuous-curvature path planning for car-like robots

This paper presents a set of paths, called bi-elementary paths. These paths are smooth and feasible for a car-like robot (i.e. their tangent direction is continuous and they respect a minimum turning radius constraint), and they can be followed by a real vehicle without stopping (i.e. they have a continuous curvature profile)-which is not the case of Dubins' curves. These paths are composed of arcs of a clothoid (a clothoid is a curve whose curvature is a linear function of its arc length), and are used to define a simplified, i.e. non-complete, planner. This simplified planner is, in turn, used in two global planning schemes, namely the Ariadne's Clew algorithm and probabilistic path planning. This paper proves an important property of the bi-elementary paths, from which the completeness of the two global planners is deduced.
Preface Healthcare Reform Models

A book that combines healthcare and information and communication technology (ICT) usually turns out to be like viewing an old subject from a slightly different angle. The good thing about that is one or two new ideas often emerge and old ideas are seen in a new light. Most of the new ideas in this book and the new approach to old ideas are outlined in the Preface. The rest of the book might seem nonsensical at times if the Preface is not thoroughly read. From chapter 1 through Chapter 20, the reader is given different healthcare delivery reform initiatives, evidenced by all these contributions from around the globe. Although healthcare reform models came into existence in the early 1940s, their use did not become widespread until the middle of 1970s. The advent of computer-based healthcare reform models was in direct response to a series of very serious problems encountered by healthcare organizations, throughout the world, in the late 1990s—including increasing cost of maintaining an aging population by most western countries, double-digit inflation in various countries, increasing insurance bills, and increased government regulation (Teperi et al, 2009). These problems have placed enormous pressure on the administrators of healthcare organizations—and governments alike (Clegg & Shepherd, 2007). As it became increasingly apparent that manual reform strategies were not adequate to meet the increasing healthcare demands for future generation, ICT was considered for its extremely powerful tools, enabling healthcare administrators to cope more effectively with the many uncertainties (Wilson & Lankton, 2004). After attending the AAA (American Accounting Association) annual meeting and AMCIS (Ameri-can Conference on IS), I had the privilege of spending three weeks in the US—mainly visiting friends and family members—in Texas, PA, NJ and NY. Like most visitors to the US in the month of August 2009, I was fascinated by the healthcare reform debate as President Obama and his team tried to push through the 'Healthcare Reform Bill'. While this book is not particularly dedicated to the happenings around healthcare reform in the US, it is worth mentioning my observation here. Despite many waves of debate and piecemeal reforms, including millions spent on technology infrastructure, the U.S. health care system remains largely the same as it was decades ago. Critiques claim there is no convincing approach to changing the unsustainable trajectory of the system, much less to offsetting the rising costs of an aging population and new medical advances …
On The Possibility that American College Students Are Not Human Capitalists

We assess the likelihood that earnings premiums influence college students' behavior as human capital theory suggests. We highlight several key observable patterns of earnings by age, sex, and for numerous college majors in recent decades, and propose a model of heterogeneous human capital to explain the data. Next, we formulate and test the hypothesis that greater expected average annual earnings by college major will induce greater proportions of college students to select higher-paying majors. The evidence implies that - at least for the observed range of earnings premiums - monetary incentives are insufficient to fully explain behavior.
Fuzzy logic-assisted geographical routing over vehicular ad hoc networks

Vehiculiu: Ad Hoc Network" (VANET,,) i" a type of ad hoc network that allows vehicles to communicate with each other in the absence of ji'J:ed infrastruct'ure. Inter-vehicle geographic ro'uting has been proven to perform well in high speed vehic'ular environments. In connected and reliable cehicular scenarios, greedy based geographical toutuu; protocol" could forward data packet" efficiently and q'uiekly toward" the de"tination. However, e'J:tremely dynamic cehicular euoironmcnts and 'uneven distrib'ution of vehicles could create 'unreliable wireless charmels between vehicles and disconnected cehicular partitions. On the one hand, in connected uehiculur networks, an intelligent multi-metric ro'uting protocol must be e'J:ploited in consideration of the 'unreliable nature of wireless channcls between vehicles and vehic'ular mobility characteristics. On the other hand, a mechanism must be 'utilized to create a tnrtuu! bridge between vehicles in disconnected cehicular scenurios. To thi" end, we fir"tly propose a novel Stability and Reliability aware Routinq (SRR) protocol that forward" packet" with a high degree of reliability and "tability toward" the destination. That is, the SRR protocol incorporate" fuzzy loou: with geographical ro'uting when making packet forwarding decisions. Ro'uting metric», sucl: as direction and distance, are considered as inp'uts of the fuzzy decision making system so that the best preferable neighbo'ur annuul a "mart vehiele i" "elected. We then 'utilize a mechanism to cache data packets once the network is disconnected and then switch back to SRR in a connected vehic'ular scenario. Traffic density is considered as an inp'ut when estimating network dis-connectivity. After devcloping an analytical modcl of our protocol, we implemented it and compared it with standard protocols. In a realistic highway uchicular scetuirio, the results "how that the propo"ed protocol perform" better than Greedy Perimeter Coordinator RO'uting (GPCR) with increases of 'up to 21.12 %, 2.9. ,14 % and //. 98 %in packet dcliver;1J ratio in high lossy clumnel, sparse, and dense traffic conditions respectivcly. In terms of average packet dclay, SRR performs better with performance increases of 'up to 2,1.92 % in deus« traffic condition". But, GPCR perform" better in sparse traffic condition" by 'up to ,16. ,10 %. Finally, SRR ha" Ie"" control overhead than the "tate of the art protocol".
Fuzzy evolutionary programming for hidden Markov modelling in speaker identification

Gibbs distribution is used to represent fuzzy codebooks of individual speakers. The method of fuzzy evolutionary programming is employed to create the fuzzy codebooks and also to train hidden Markov models of speakers. This method increases the chance of attaining global maxima in the Baum-Welch algorithm for hidden Markov model re-estimation. The experiments show the results of speaker identification are very encouraging.
Spheroid Culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Compared with traditional 2D adherent cell culture, 3D spheroidal cell aggregates, or spheroids, are regarded as more physiological, and this technique has been exploited in the field of oncology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in spheroids have enhanced anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, and tissue reparative/regenerative effects with improved cell survival after transplantation. Cytoskeletal reorganization and drastic changes in cell morphology in MSC spheroids indicate a major difference in mechanophysical properties compared with 2D culture. Enhanced multidifferentiation potential, upregulated expression of pluripotency marker genes, and delayed replicative senescence indicate enhanced stemness in MSC spheroids. Furthermore, spheroid formation causes drastic changes in the gene expression profile of MSC in microarray analyses. In spite of these significant changes, underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways triggering and sustaining these changes are largely unknown.
Label-Controlled Optical Packet Routing—Technologies and Applications

An overview is given of various optical packet labeling techniques. The architecture and technologies are discussed for optical packet routing nodes using orthogonal labeling with opto-electronic label processing, and for nodes using time-serial labeling with all-optical time-serial label processing. An example of a near-term application is given, and a comparison of routing technologies is made regarding their cost and reliability aspects.
Neural network-assisted reconstruction of full polarimetric SAR information

This paper describes a novel approach to the reconstruction of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) fully polarimetric data from compact polarimetry (CP) π/4 mode. A method is developed which utilises a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) based neural network, to perform reconstruction of scenes with various ground-cover types. In particular, the approach shows potential for the reconstruction of full polarimetry for built-up areas as a complement to existing techniques which are more suitable for natural land cover areas. Performance assessment is presented, using both L-band and C-band data, involving comparison with existing techniques using mean-squared and mean-squared-log measures.
Synchrony, scale and temporal dynamics of rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis) populations in the Dolomites

1. Harvesting records of rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis) were examined first to identify the presence of cycles in a species with a southern European distribution and then to examine synchrony between populations at a range of scales. 2. Hunting records from 1965 to 1994 were obtained from 210 hunting areas and analysed at three spatial scales: subpopulation, population and metapopulation. Rock partridge exhibited cyclic fluctuations in about 40% of the time series with a period of 4–7 years. The results did not change with spatial scale. The density-dependent structure of the populations showed that most populations exhibited damped oscillations. 3. The proportion of populations that were in synchrony increased with scale from the population to metapopulation level. There was no decline in synchrony with distance but a large variation between populations irrespective of distance. 4. The populations clustered into dry and wet habitats, with those in the dry habitat being more cyclic. We suggest the lack of spatial synchrony with distance but greater synchrony within habitats may reflect the influence of stochastic events operating on populations with different density dependence structures.
Characterizing tight-link bandwidth of multi-hop paths using probing response curves

Bandwidth estimation plays an important role in characterizing Internet paths. Existing approaches can be classified into measurement tools [3], [6], [9], [10], [16], [17], [23], [29], which usually have extensive simulations, but no convergence analysis for general cross-traffic, and theoretical models [5], [14], [19], [20], [22], which usually have provable convergence, but no practical implementation. Another issue in related work is the unknown performance of certain proposed algorithms in real networks where delay measurements are not perfect due to various OS and hardware-related timing irregularities [26]. We address the former issue by developing a measurement tool PRC-MT that not only achieves asymptotic accuracy in multi-path networks with arbitrary cross-traffic, but also simultaneously measures the capacity and available bandwidth of the tight link. We address the latter issue by performing a comparison study of existing tools in Emulab and assessing their susceptibility to timing irregularities of end-hosts. Our results show that PRC-MT outperforms all existing tools in terms of accuracy, achieves similar convergence delay, and does not require any manual configuration. We also find that interrupt moderation may cause existing tools (such as Pathload [10], Pathchirp [27], and CapProbe [16]) to become quite inaccurate in certain network configurations and exhibit behavior completely different from that in ns2 [28].
Formal Semantics and Anaphora, Lecture 15 Lecture 15. Null Anaphora, Ellipsis, and Fragments 1. Null Anaphora and Bound Variables

Readings: (1) (Hoji ms. 2003) Sloppy Identity in Surface and Deep Anaphora (a handout with a nice concise summary of issues; omits the Japanese data and Japanese-specific issues found in the longer paper (Hoji 2003). (2) (Dalrymple et al. 1991) Ellipsis and higher-order unification. Anaphora and ellipsis in type logical grammar – parts of it are impossible to read without background in type-logical grammar, but it's short and has great examples that illustrate important issues. Four classics that I don't think are downloadable online: (18) (Keenan 1971) Names, quantifiers, and a solution to the sloppy identity problem. (19) (Williams 1977) Discourse and logical form (20) (Sag 1976) Deletion and logical form (you can read this online at an MIT site) (21) (Hankamer and Sag 1976) Deep and surface anaphora (You can read it online using Google Scholar. Just do a search on the two words Hankamer Sag.) Issue: Is there a special connection between null anaphora (anaphora expressed by a zero element, or " by deletion " of some kind) and bound variable anaphora? I will draw in part on the good handout (Hoji ms. 2003), which includes good background material as well as his own recent research. (The handout does not include his work on Japanese, but the longer paper (Hoji 2003) does. ) But since he gets into some difficult issues and controversial judgments, I won't follow his handout to the end. A: I'm going to [ VP* stuff this ball through this hoop] B: It's not clear that you'll be able to [ VP* ]. B' It's not clear that you'll be able to [ VP* do it ]. Observation: The three instances of VP* in (1) seem to " mean " the same thing. Question: Does this mean that the forms in (2) can have the same LF representation 1 ? (2) a. You'll be able to. b. You'll be able to do it. c. You'll be able to stuff this ball through this hoop. Answer: No. (2a) and (2c) can have the same LF representation (i.e. " VP ellipsis " (VPE) can be thought of as involving a silent VP pro-form interpreted as a copy of the antecedent VP, for instance), but (2a) and (2b) do not. The " null VP " (VPE) and do it in English are different. The initial difference: " Surface anaphora " (including VPE) requires a linguistic antecedent, while " deep …
Tail Behavior of Credit Loss Distributions

We derive the exact loss distribution for portfolios of bonds or cor-porate loans when the number of risks grows indefinitely. We show that in many cases this distribution lies in the maximal domain of attraction of the Weibull (Type III) limit law. Knowledge of the dis-tribution and its tail behavior is important for risk management in order not to over- or underestimate the likelihood of extreme credit losses for the portfolio as a whole. Conform to the credit risk literature, we assume that bond (or loan) defaults are triggered by a latent variable model involving two stochastic variables: systematic and idiosyncratic risk of the bond. It is shown that the tail behavior of these two variables translates into the tail behavior of the whole credit loss distribution. Surprisingly, even if both variables are thin-tailed, the credit loss distribution can have a finite tail index. Moreover, if idiosyncratic risk exhibits heavier tails than the systematic risk factor the tail index of the credit loss distribution can become extremely high, giving rise to a non-conventional shape of the credit loss distribution.
POUPANÇA E TAXA DE CÂMBIO: ANÁLISETEÓRICA E EVIDÊNCIAS EMPÍRICAS PARA O CASO BRASILEIRO

This paper provides theoretical and empirical elements to analyze the relationship between real exchange rates and domestic savings. We show from a theoretical perspective how a competitive exchange rate may stimulate domestic savings by avoiding consumption booms based on currency overvaluation and by increasing profits in the tradable sector. Our baseline model shows from a short run perspective how a competitive exchange rate may stimulate investment, exports, profits and thus domestic savings. We also present econometric evidence for the Brazilian case which shows a robust connection between real exchange rates and domestic savings as a share of GDP. The econometric analysis carried out for the Brazilian economy between indicates that there is a stable relationship between long-term exchange rate and domestic savings, and depreciation on the real exchange rate have positive and significant impact on domestic savings in this period. Furthermore, the results confirm that foreign savings has a degree of displacement in domestic savings.
A Bayesian Estimation and Testing of STUR Models with Application to Polish Financial Time Series

One of the basic assumptions in the (theoretical) finance is that the logarithmic prices of financial series of assets or exchange rates, display random walk-type behavior. Econometric tradition has been to incorporate ARIMA models to capture the dynamics of economic time series. However, recent empirical test results for finance series suggest that they are often processes that have a root that is not constant, but is stochastic. These processes are known as stochastic unit root process (STUR). One of their important property is that they have a root that is time-varying around unity, therefore they can be stationary or explosive. Many empirical results on the identification of STUR processes are encountered in Leybourne, McCabe and Tremayne (1996), Granger and Swanson (1997), Jones and Marriott (1999), Sollis, Leybourne and Newbold (2000), Kwiatkowski and Osińska (2004), Kwiatkowski (2005a and 2005b). The aim of this paper is to present with the Bayesian estimation and testing of STUR processes, where the random parameter follows first-order stationary autoregressive process. Probably the first attempt to employ the Bayesian inference was presented in Jones and Marriott (1999). In their paper they have used Granger and Swanson (1997) model to derive posterior marginals and summary statistics. This paper is concerned with the STUR model introduced by Leybourne, McCabe and Tremayne (1996), which is computationally less
Adaptive bit partitioning strategy for cell-edge users in multi-antenna multicell networks

In this paper, we improve the performance of cell-edge users by applying adaptive bit partitioning for intercell interference cancelation in cooperative downlink multicell systems. The strategy for partitioning quantization bits between serving and interfering base stations affects the performance of the cooperative networks which is quite sensitive to the quality of the channel state information. The existing transmission strategies are based on the maximization of average cell rate which results in a reduced rate for the users in the cell-edge regions. We propose an adaptive bit partitioning strategy to improve the rate of cell-edge users at the same average feedback link rate. We show the performance of the cell-edge users is significantly increased while keeping the same average cell rate.