Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crowdsourced Fabrication

In recent years, extensive research in the HCI literature has explored interactive techniques for digital fabrication. However, little attention in this body of work has examined how to involve and guide human workers in fabricating larger-scale structures. We propose a novel model of crowdsourced fabrication, in which a large number of workers and volunteers are guided through the process of building a pre-designed structure. The process is facilitated by an intelligent construction space capable of guiding individual workers and coordinating the overall build process. More specifically, we explore the use of smartwatches, indoor location sensing, and instrumented construction materials to provide real-time guidance to workers, coordinated by a foreman engine that manages the overall build process. We report on a three day deployment of our system to construct a 12-tall bamboo pavilion with assistance from more than one hundred volunteer workers, and reflect on observations and feedback collected during the exhibit.
Interlaminar approach for epiduroscopy in patients with failed back surgery syndrome.

An 18-yr prospective study of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis: an approach to minimizing the risk of brain herniation during treatment. 7 McCarty MF. Acid – base balance may influence risk for insulin resistance syndrome by modulating cortisol output. Editor—We read with interest the article by Avellanal and Diaz-Reganon. 1 We acknowledge that they have demonstrated that the interlaminar approach for epiduroscopy is possible. However, we would argue with their conclusions that its diagnostic efficacy was clear, due to flaws in the design of the study and their high rate of complications. There were small numbers involved in this study, a short duration of follow-up for a chronic condition, wide variations in pre-procedure management, no blinding, and no attempt to provide control subjects. There appears to be no attempt made to adhere to the core outcome measures as detailed in the IMMPACT (Initiative on Methods, Measurement and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials) recommendations 2 making acceptance of the findings more difficult. We have reservations over a technique which offers a 31.6% chance of no improvement and a 10% chance of making symptoms worse. The group who showed improvement (7/13) only had a one to two point improvement in their VAS (visual analogue scale). Is such a small decrease in VAS clinically significant? Possibly if the authors could have demonstrated a reduction in other core outcome measures such as physical and emotional functioning or drug use reduction. Unfortunately, they did not. In addition, they describe what we feel is an unacceptably high rate of complications. The authors describe 4/19 (21%) patients suffered dural puncture. This does not compare favourably in comparison with Igarashi and colleagues 3 who had 1/58 (1.7%) patients suffer a dural puncture. A further 4/19 patients suffered transient neurological symptoms of headache or hypoacusia meaning that 8/19 (42%) patients had suffered a serious complication from the procedure. At no point in their study they mention other previously described complications which were felt to not be uncommon. This includes intravascular injection 4 and visual disturbance. 5 We have other reservations after reading the description of the technique. Using a solid 14 G Tuohy needle to introduce the epiduroscope raises two problems. First, how were they able to safely secure its position within the epidural space? Secondly, did they experience problems with shearing of the epiduroscope when they advanced and withdrew the catheter through the needle or when they rotated the Tuohy …
The Effect of a Music Program on Phonological Awareness in Preschoolers

The present experiment investigated the effect of a music program on phonological awareness in preschoolers. In particular, the effects of a music program and a phonological skills program on phonological awareness were compared. If language and music share basic processing mechanisms, the effect of both programs on enhancing phonological awareness should be similar. Forty-one preschoolers (22 boys) were randomly assigned to a phonological skills program, a music program, and a control group that received sports training (from which no effect was expected). Preschoolers were trained for 10 min on a daily basis over a period of 20 weeks. In a pretest, no differences were found between the three groups in regard to age, gender, intelligence, socioeconomic status, and phonological awareness. Children in the phonological skills group and the music group showed significant increases in phonological awareness from pre- to post-test. The children in the sports group did not show a significant increase from pre- to post-test. The enhancement of phonological awareness was basically driven by positive effects of the music program and the phonological skills program on phonological awareness for large phonological units. The data suggests that phonological awareness can be trained with a phonological skills program as well as a music program. These results can be interpreted as evidence of a shared sound category learning mechanism for language and music at preschool age.
Generating and Manipulating Quantized Vortices On-Demand in a Bose-Einstein Condensate: a Numerical Study

We numerically investigate an experimentally viable method for generating and manipulating on-demand several vortices in a highly oblate atomic Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in order to initialize complex vortex distributions for studies of vortex dynamics. The method utilizes moving laser beams to generate, capture, and transport vortices inside and outside the BEC. We examine in detail this methodology and show a wide parameter range of applicability for the prototypical two-vortex case, as well as case examples of producing and manipulating several vortices for which there is no net circulation, corresponding to equal numbers of positive and negative circulation vortices, and cases for which there is one net quantum of circulation. We find that the presence of dissipation can help stabilize the pinning of the vortices on their respective laser beam pinning sites. Finally, we illustrate how to utilize laser beams as repositories that hold large numbers of vortices and how to deposit individual vortices in a sequential fashion in the repositories in order to construct superfluid flows about the repository beams with several quanta of circulation.
Flexible DSP platform for various workload patterns

Future multimedia communication products require system chips that provide sufficient computing capacity and configuration flexibility for achieving interoperability between different communication systems and support for various multimedia signal processing standards. A flexible DSP platform that utilises pre-designed IP cores, such as DSP and RISC processors, advanced coprocessors for critical functions and configurable memory organisation is presented. ADSL, HiperLAN2 subset and MPEG2 decoding algorithms have been analysed as a basis of IHIP architecture design. The initial performance results look promising and it seems that the IP block based configurable architecture could provide satisfactory performance for various types of workloads.
A Survey of Open Clusters in the u′g′r′i′z′ Filter System. I. Results for NGC 2548 (M48)

We present initial results of a photometric survey of open star clusters, primarily in the southern hemisphere, taken in the u′g′r′i′z′ filter system. While our entire observed sample covers more than 100 clusters, here we present data for NGC 2548 (M48), which is a cluster characterized in the UBV and DDO photometric systems. We compare our results to the published values from other observers and to the Padova theoretical isochrones and metallicity curves. These observations demonstrate that the u′g′r′i′z′ filters can play an important role in determining the metallicity of stars and clusters. We begin this series of papers with a study of NGC 2548 because we have obtained data on this cluster not only with our main program telescope, the CTIO Curtis Schmidt, but also with the US Naval Observatory (USNO) 1.0 m telescope (the telescope used to define the u′g′r′i′z′ system), and with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) 0.5 m Photometric Telescope (the photometric monitoring telescope used to calibrate the SDSS 2.5 m telescope imaging data). We have used the data from this study to validate our ability to transform measurements obtained on other telescopes to the standard USNO 1.0 m u′g′r′i′z′ system. This validation is particularly important for very red stars, for which the original u′g′r′i′z′ standard star network is poorly constrained.
Self‐regulated homoclinic chaos in neural networks activity

We compare the recorded activity of cultured neuronal networks with hybridized model simulations, in which the model neurons are driven by the recorded activity of special neurons. The latter, named ‘spiker’ neurons, that exhibit fast firing with homoclinic chaos like characteristics, are expected to play an important role in the networks’ self regulation. The cultured networks are grown from dissociated mixtures of cortical neurons and glia cells. Despite the artificial manner of their construction, the spontaneous activity of these networks exhibits rich dynamical behavior, marked by the formation of temporal sequences of synchronized bursting events (SBEs), and additional features which seemingly reflect the action of underlying regulating mechanism, rather than arbitrary causes and effects. Our model neurons are composed of soma described by the two Morris‐Lecar dynamical variables (voltage and fraction of open potassium channels), with dynamical synapses described by the Tsodyks‐Markram three variabl.
Physical telepresence: Growth trends of Tangible User Interface and its future

Tangible User Interface (TUI) started with the invention of mouse and keyboard. Since the last two decades, TUI has experienced tremendous growth and has provided us with a link between the physical and the digital world. Even though, MIT Tangible Lab develops several tangible interface models every year, the research work in TUI is still in its infancy and extensive work is required to fully understand the potential of Tangible User Interfaces. This paper describes a brief history and some landmark Tangible User Interface models. It first acknowledges the existing work in TUI. Then, it is followed by the comparison between several TUI models. The paper brings out methods and technologies which are used in building TUI. It also aims at finding the advantages, disadvantages and applications of some TUI models. The paper concludes with finding those factors which are responsible for the growth of TUI.
Position Paper: Using a "Codelet" Program Execution Model for Exascale Machines

As computing has moved relentlessly through giga-, tera-, and peta-scale systems, exa-scale (a million trillion operations/sec.) computing is currently under active research. DARPA has recently sponsored the \UHPC" [1] | ubiquitous high-performance computing | program, encouraging partnership with academia and industry to explore such systems. Among the requirements are the development of novel techniques in \self-awareness" 1 in support of performance, energy-eciency, and resiliency. Trends in processor and system architecture, driven by power and complexity, point us toward very high-core-count designs and extreme software parallelism to solve exascaleclass problems. Our research is exploring a ne-grain, eventdriven model in support of adaptive operation of these machines. We are developing a Codelet Program Execution Model which breaks applications into codelets (small bits of functionality) and dependencies (control and data) between these objects. It then uses this decomposition to accomplish advanced scheduling, to accommodate code and data motion within the system, and to permit exible exploitation of parallelism in support of goals for performance and power.
Estimates of Lost Material Stock of Buildings and Roads Due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

This article describes research conducted for the Japanese government in the wake of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan on March 11, 2011. In this study, material stock analysis (MSA) is used to examine the losses of building and infrastructure materials after this disaster. Estimates of the magnitude of material stock that has lost its social function as a result of a disaster can indicate the quantities required for reconstruction, help garner a better understanding of the volumes of waste flows generated by that disaster, and also help in the course of policy deliberations in the recovery of disaster‐stricken areas. Calculations of the lost building and road materials in the five prefectures most affected were undertaken. Analysis in this study is based on the use of geographical information systems (GIS) databases and statistics; it aims to (1) describe in spatial terms what construction materials were lost, (2) estimate the amount of infrastructure material needed to rehabilitate disaster areas, and (3) indicate the amount of lost material stock that should be taken into consideration during government policy deliberations. Our analysis concludes that the material stock losses of buildings and road infrastructure are 31.8 and 2.1 million tonnes, respectively. This research approach and the use of spatial MSA can be useful for urban planners and may also convey more appropriate information about disposal based on the work of municipalities in disaster‐afflicted areas.
Moment Methods for Exotic Volatility Derivatives

The latest generation of volatility derivatives goes beyond variance and volatility swaps and probes our ability to price realized variance and sojourn times along bridges for the underlying stock price process. In this paper, we give an operator algebraic treatment of this problem based on Dyson expansions and moment methods and discuss applications to exotic volatility derivatives. The methods are quite flexible and allow for a specification of the underlying process which is semi-parametric or even non-parametric, including state-dependent local volatility, jumps, stochastic volatility and regime switching. We find that volatility derivatives are particularly well suited to be treated with moment methods, whereby one extrapolates the distribution of the relevant path functionals on the basis of a few moments. We consider a number of exotics such as variance knockouts, conditional corridor variance swaps, gamma swaps and variance swaptions and give valuation formulas in detail.
Forming a Complex with MHC Class I Molecules Interferes with Mouse CD1d Functional Expression

CD1d molecules are structurally similar to MHC class I, but present lipid antigens as opposed to peptides. Here, we show that MHC class I molecules physically associate with (and regulate the functional expression of) mouse CD1d on the surface of cells. Low pH (3.0) acid stripping of MHC class I molecules resulted in increased surface expression of murine CD1d on antigen presenting cells as well as augmented CD1d-mediated antigen presentation to NKT cells. Consistent with the above results, TAP1-/- mice were found to have a higher percentage of type I NKT cells as compared to wild type mice. Moreover, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from TAP1-/- mice showed increased antigen presentation by CD1d compared to wild type mice. Together, these results suggest that MHC class I molecules can regulate NKT cell function, in part, by masking CD1d.
2009 Estimates of Fundamental Equilibrium Exchange Rates

Cline and Williamson update their estimates of fundamental equilibrium exchange rates (FEERs) for leading advanced and emerging-market economies. This policy brief is a sequel to Policy Brief 08-7, published last July, and is based on the latest developments in the world economy. The authors, refining their methodology from last year, estimate a set of current account targets for 34 countries. On the basis of these estimates, they calculate the bilateral exchange rates against the dollar needed to meet these targets, using Cline's symmetric matrix inversion method (SMIM) first presented in Working Paper 08-6. The authors find significant changes in calculated FEERs from their estimates last year. These changes are due in part to the world financial crisis, which created a significant safe-haven effect for the dollar and led to sharp declines in oil prices. As a result of these developments, the dollar has returned to significant overvaluation of about 17 percent: Every currency examined needs to appreciate against the dollar. While some imbalances with Europe have reemerged since last year, the major imbalance remains vis-a-vis certain Asian currencies, particularly the Chinese renminbi, which needs to rise by about 20 percent on a trade-weighted average basis and by about 40 percent against the dollar. Finally, the authors compare their 2009 FEERs estimates with their estimates from last year in order to assess the accuracy and validity of FEERs estimation.
Methodological approach for Face Recognition Using Artificial Neural Networks

Automatic Facial Feature Detection is becoming a very important task in applications such as Model Based Video coding, Facial Image Animation, Face Recognition, Facial Emotion Recognition, Intelligent Human Computer Interaction. Most of the approaches for facial feature detection have been proposed which use independent facial feature detectors relying on hand designed filters that aim at segmenting using image properties such as edges, intensity, color, motion. In this paper, A Hierarchical neural based facial feature detection scheme is proposed for robustly and automatically detect a set of user-selected facial features in images that is designed to precisely locate fine features in faces of variable size and appearance. The proposed system comprises two successive stages: Generalized Rapid Transformation (GRT) and Normalization.
The Beneficial Effect of Melatonin in Brain Endothelial Cells against Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation Followed by Reperfusion-Induced Injury

Melatonin has a cellular protective effect in cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Protection of brain endothelial cells against hypoxia and oxidative stress is important for treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, since brain endothelial cells constitute the blood brain barrier (BBB). In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of melatonin against oxygen-glucose deprivation, followed by reperfusion- (OGD/R-) induced injury, in bEnd.3 cells. The effect of melatonin was examined by western blot analysis, cell viability assays, measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Our results showed that treatment with melatonin prevents cell death and degradation of tight junction protein in the setting of OGD/R-induced injury. In response to OGD/R injury of bEnd.3 cells, melatonin activates Akt, which promotes cell survival, and attenuates phosphorylation of JNK, which triggers apoptosis. Thus, melatonin protects bEnd.3 cells against OGD/R-induced injury.
Support or Oppose? Classifying Positions in Online Debates from Reply Activities and Opinion Expressions

We propose a method for the task of identifying the general positions of users in online debates, i.e., support or oppose the main topic of an online debate, by exploiting local information in their remarks within the debate. An online debate is a forum where each user post an opinion on a particular topic while other users state their positions by posting their remarks within the debate. The supporting or opposing remarks are made by directly replying to the opinion, or indirectly to other remarks (to express local agreement or disagreement), which makes the task of identifying users' general positions difficult. A prior study has shown that a link-based method, which completely ignores the content of the remarks, can achieve higher accuracy for the identification task than methods based solely on the contents of the remarks. In this paper, we show that utilizing the textual content of the remarks into the link-based method can yield higher accuracy in the identification task.
Interdisciplinary Journal of E-learning and Learning Objects Soaf: Semantic Indexing System Based on Collaborative Tagging

The creation of Learning Objects and learning assets for e-Learning, as well as the development of more and more extensive repositories, is actually a generalized practice in all educational organizations. However, automatic tools for searching and locating learning content in these repositories based on semantic tags are not yet effective. This article proposes a system architecture called SOAF for the semantic indexing of Learning Objects from a repository. It combines automatic techniques of information retrieval with col-laborative tagging of documents made by users. In this way, the metadata of the Learning Objects provides real meaning derived from the learning practice in user communities able to share their experiences through specific annotation of the learning content, which will identify each Learning Object and will improve its reusability in new learning contexts.
Bridging the asymmetric divide: background to, and strategies for bridging the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies in northern Australia

[Extract] This first part of this chapter describes an input-output model that was built to analyse the economic interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies in northern Australia. Focused on two river catchments, it uses the custom-built models to 'simulate' different types of development (e.g. an increase in demand for agricultural products), making predictions about the likely changes to Indigenous and non-Indigenous incomes that would subsequently occur. The simulations suggest that Indigenous and non-Indigenous economic systems are divided. This divide is both profound and asymmetric: an increase in Indigenous incomes will also increase the incomes of non-Indigenous householders, yet very little money that is injected into the non-Indigenous economic system ever finds its way into the Indigenous one. The policy implication of this is that strategies which increase the quantity of goods and services that are produced in Australia's north (without changing the way in which these goods are produced) will, most likely, merely serve to benefit non-Indigenous householders. To improve the incomes of Indigenous people living in this part of the country may require structural change—altering the way in which goods and services are produced. The chapter suggests structural changes for the northern Australian economies that have the potential to benefit Indigenous householders. These include the development of new enterprises that are either horizontally or vertically integrated with other viable businesses, the encouragement of co-owned businesses, and positive discrimination in the labour market.
Wasta: The Hidden Force in Middle Eastern Society

Introduction The Practice of Wasta Logic, Theory, and Method Tradition and Transition Family The Customs Department A Transition Stalled Wasta in Jordanian Society Palestinians Christians and Circassians Seeking Employment Wasta Pressures From the Close Family Wasta in the University Faculty Students Wasta and Political Theory Arena Theory Victimless Wasta Wasta And Development The Bureaucratic Solution The Structural Solution The Privatization Solution The Cultural Solution Conclusion Bibliography Index