Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing learner reliance on caption supports in second language listening comprehension multimedia environments

Abstract Listening comprehension in a second language (L2) is a complex and particularly challenging task for learners. Because of this, L2 learners and instructors alike employ different learning supports as assistance. Captions in multimedia instruction readily provide support and thus have been an ever-increasing focus of many studies. However, captions must eventually be removed, as the goal of language learning is participation in the target language where captions are not typically available. Consequently, this creates a dilemma particularly for language instructors as to the usage of captioning supports, as early removal may cause frustration, while late removal may create learning interference. Accordingly, the goal of the current study was to propose and employ a testing instrument, the Caption Reliance Test (CRT), which evaluates individual learners’ reliance on captioning in second language learning environments; giving a clear indication of the learners’ reliance on captioning, mirroring their support needs. Thus, the CRT was constructed comprised of an auditory track, accompanied by congruent textual captions, as well as particular incongruent textual words, to provide a means for testing. It was subsequently employed in an empirical study involving English as a Foreign Language (EFL) high school students. The results exhibited individual variances in the degree of reliance and, more importantly, exposed a negative correlation between caption reliance and L2 achievement. In other words, learners’ reliance on captions varies individually and lower-level achievers rely on captions for listening comprehension more than their high-level counterparts, indicating that learners at various comprehension levels require different degrees of caption support. Thus, through employment of the CRT, instructors are able to evaluate the degree to which learners rely on the caption supports and thus make informed decisions regarding learners’ requirements and utilization of captions as a multimedia learning support.
An efficient multicast routing in MANETs: A genetic algorithm approach

The characteristics of Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET) demands new set of network strategies in order to provide reliable group communication. Group communication is an essential requirement for MANET since nodes forming these temporary networks generally come together for common purposes and they need to collaborate. Multicast routing protocols plays a significant role in MANET to provide this communication. Multicast transmission allows the operator to drastically save network resources, it also makes the routing of the traffic flows more complex than in unicast transmissions. A huge amount of possible tress have to be considered and analyzed to and the appropriate routing paths. To address this problem, we propose the use of the genetic algorithms, which considerably reduce the number of solutions to be evaluated. Then we select a single path from the set of paths between each node-pair. The routes are computed using the on-demand source routing principle considering the reliability of the nodes. Simulations were conducted on the computed routes to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
The Essential Elements of Faceted Thesauri

ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to evaluate, compare, and contrast how facet analysis is used to construct the systematic or faceted displays of a selection of information retrieval thesauri. More specifically, the study seeks to examine which principles of facet analysis are used in the thesauri, and the extent to which different thesauri apply these principles in the same way. A measuring instrument was designed for the purpose of evaluating the structure of faceted thesauri. This instrument was applied to fourteen faceted information retrieval thesauri. The study reveals that the thesauri do not share a common definition of what constitutes a facet. In some cases, the thesauri apply both enumerative-style classification and facet analysis to arrange their indexing terms. A number of the facets used in the thesauri are not homogeneous or mutually exclusive. The principle of synthesis is used in only 50% of the thesauri, and no one citation order is used consistently by the thesauri.
Deadlock-free scheduling of flexible job shops with limited capacity buffers

In this paper, Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) formulations of the deadlock-free job shop scheduling problem are proposed. The presence of buffer space with limited capacity is considered. This research work also proposes a novel operations insertion algorithm based on the rank matrix (or Latin rectangle). In this algorithm, rank matrices are used to generate the schedules and to check for deadlock situations. Finally, an insertion algorithm is proposed to insert transportation operations in the obtained schedules. Performance evaluations of the proposed mathematical models and the proposed algorithm are conducted. The results show that the mathematical models outperform a model presented earlier in the literature. The results also show that the proposed algorithm obtains the same or better solutions when compared to other solution methodologies reported in the literature. [Submitted 31 July 2007; Revised 14 October 2007; Accepted 14 October 2007]
A Method of the Post-Processing of Printed Formula Extraction

As an important step of printed formula recognition system, formula extraction locates the formula fields on the layout images of printed documents, which influences the performance of formula recognition to a great extent. However, the errors of automatic formula extraction occur inevitably because of the complexity of formulas themselves and the layouts which the formulas situated. To solve this problem, this paper designed a post-processing method to correct the errors existing in the results of formula extraction algorithm according to relative layout knowledge. First of all, the geometrical features of various layout fields were employed to correct the extraction errors. Then, the syntax rules were used to check the boundary components of different kinds of areas in layouts to identify which field it should belong to. Finally, the formula area was adjusted according to above mentioned information.
Cell-rate modelling for accelerated simulation of ATM at the burst level

The paper presents a new method for the accelerated simulation of ATM networks. The method uses queue and traffic models that manipulate cell-rate information rather than the arrival times of cells. The cell-rate queueing model described in the paper has been validated by comparison with fluid-flow analysis and discrete time queueing analysis with batch geometric arrivals. Results show that the method accurately models the burst-scale component of ATM queueing. Comparisons with cell-by-cell simulation show speed increases of up to five orders of magnitude. This enables the low cell loss probabilities required of ATM networks to be measured within reasonable computing times. The method focuses processing effort on the traffic behaviour which dominates the cell loss, i.e. when the total input rate temporarily exceeds the queue service rate. It produces better speed gains at lower utilisations, and hence at lower cell loss probabilities.
Novel iterative reconstruction method for optimal dose usage in redundant CT - acquisitions

In CT imaging, a variety of applications exist where reconstructions are SNR and/or resolution limited. However, if the measured data provide redundant information, composite image data with high SNR can be computed. Generally, these composite image volumes will compromise spectral information and/or spatial resolution and/or temporal resolution. This brings us to the idea of transferring the high SNR of the composite image data to low SNR (but high resolution) ‘source’ image data. It was shown that the SNR of CT image data can be improved using iterative reconstruction [1] . We present a novel iterative reconstruction method enabling optimal dose usage of redundant CT measurements of the same body region. The generalized update equation is formulated in image space without further referring to raw data after initial reconstruction of source and composite image data. The update equation consists of a linear combination of the previous update, a correction term constrained by the source data, and a regularization prior initialized by the composite data. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated for different applications: (i) Spectral imaging: we have analysed material decomposition data from dual energy data of our photon counting prototype scanner: the material images can be significantly improved transferring the good noise statistics of the 20 keV threshold image data to each of the material images. (ii) Multi-phase liver imaging: Reconstructions of multi-phase liver data can be optimized by utilizing the noise statistics of combined data from all measured phases (iii) Helical reconstruction with optimized temporal resolution: splitting up reconstruction of redundant helical acquisition data into a short scan reconstruction with Tam window optimizes the temporal resolution The reconstruction of full helical data is then used to optimize the SNR. (iv) Cardiac imaging: the optimal phase image (‘best phase’) can be improved by transferring all applied over radiation into that image. In all these cases, we show that - at constant patient dose - SNR can efficiently be transferred from the composite data to the source data while maintaining spatial, temporal and contrast resolution properties of the source data.
Impacts of Diversity on Communication Effectiveness

What impact will a greater increase in the diversity level of an organization's work force have on its productivity? Practicing managers' desire to have this question answered has been the stimulus for much of the diversity-related research currently in print. However, the narrow focus on providing an answer to this particular question appears to have diverted researchers' attention away from a number of perhaps more fundamental issues. A major issue that has been neglected in previous research studies is the impact that greater increases in work-force diversity might have on communication processes within organizations—specifically, communication processes that are associated with organizational productivity. As a contribution toward helping to fill in this research gap, this article proposes a typology of impacts that greater increases in work-force diversity might have on communication effectiveness in organizations.
Context aware sensornet

Advances in MEMS technology, wireless communications, and digital electronics have enabled the development of low-cost, low-power, multifunctional sensor nodes that integrating the ability of sensing, computing, and communication. The low per node cost will enable the development of densely distributed sensornet for a wide range of applications. Sensornet is usually deployed in remote and hostile area without human care. To achieve scalable, robust and long-lived goal, sensornet itself should execute adaptive adjustment and burn energy economically. In this paper we present the idea of context aware sensornet (CASN). Be context aware, sensor nodes are expected to use contexts available and adjust their behaviors correspondingly. Also, cooperative sensor nodes are expected to use context to promote their collaboration. The paper presents the motivation and research challenge of building CASN. It also briefly discusses the implementation issues of CASN middleware.
Visual Odometry for Planetary Exploration Rovers in Sandy Terrains

Abstract Visual odometry provides planetary exploration rovers with accurate knowledge of their position and orientation, which needs effective feature tracking results, especially in barren sandy terrains. In this paper, a stereovision based odometry algorithm is proposed for a lunar rover, which is composed of corner extraction, feature tracking and motion estimation. First, a morphology based image enhancement method is studied to guarantee enough corners are extracted. Second, a Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm is proposed to make a robust estimation of the fundamental matrix, which is the basic and critical part of feature matching and tracking. Then, the 6 degrees of freedom rover position and orientation is estimated by the RANSAC algorithm. Finally, experiments are performed in a simulated lunar surface environment using a prototype rover, which have confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Research and Implementation of XBRL Data Service Platform

As there is no convenient and custom XBRL data service in the present market, in this article we designed the XBRL Data Service Platform in the perspective that a computer application can get the needed XBRL data conveniently. The platform parses the XBRL taxonomy and instance first, and then store the XBRL data in the combination of relational database and file system. The platform is designed in 3-tier architecture to provide data service. The work of Data Access Tier and Model Tier is to query and encapsulate the XBRL data; the Business Logical Tier is to complete the main logical work, to invoke the Data Access Tier to get the data, and then assembly and serialize the data, and return the result to the View Tier at last; View Tier opens the API list to public as web service, users may invoke the interface with an application. The test work shows that XBRL Data Service Platforms interface is simple and definite, and its function to get XBRL data is powerful. With the platform users can get both the specific XBRL data segments and the complete XBRL files as their needs. Furthermore, all the data requests are completed in a short response time.
Part identification in robotic assembly using vision system

Machine vision system acts an important role in making robotic assembly system autonomous. Identification of the correct part is an important task which needs to be carefully done by a vision system to feed the robot with correct information for further processing. This process consists of many sub-processes wherein, the image capturing, digitizing and enhancing, etc. do account for reconstructive the part for subsequent operations. Interest point detection of the grabbed image, therefore, plays an important role in the entire image processing activity. Thus it needs to choose the correct tool for the process with respect to the given environment. In this paper analysis of three major corner detection algorithms is performed on the basis of their accuracy, speed and robustness to noise. The work is performed on the Matlab R2012a. An attempt has been made to find the best algorithm for the problem.
Adaptive-loop method for non-deterministic design optimization

In the last two decades, significant attention has been paid to developing nondeterministic design optimization methodologies: reliability-based design optimization (RBDO), possibility-based design optimization (PBDO), and evidence-based design optimization (EBDO). As a result, numerous methods for non-deterministic design optimization have been proposed. They are categorized as: parallel-loop method, serial-loop method, and single-loop method. It has been reported that each method has its own strong and weak points. The current paper attempts to understand better the various methods, and proposes to develop an integrated framework for non-deterministic design optimization. In short, the integrated design framework adaptively involves different loop methods (deterministic design optimization, parallel-loop method, single-loop method) to maximize numerical efficiency and stability without losing numerical accuracy in the non-deterministic design optimization process. While deterministic design optimization and the single-loop method will improve numerical efficiency at the beginning and end of non-deterministic design optimization, the parallel-loop method maintains good numerical stability in the middle. Thus, the proposed method is referred to as the adaptive-loop method. It will be shown that the adaptive-loop method is applicable for nondeterministic design optimization, such as RBDO, PBDO. Examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the adaptive-loop method in terms of numerical efficiency and stability.
Supercomputing And Storage

In the late 1990's supercomputers will have computational performance approaching one trillion floating point operations per second. These high performance systems will contain tens to hundreds of giga bytes of internal high speed memory either distributed, centralized or combined to provide the required bandwidth for efficient computation. The impact on the on-line storage and mass storage archive subsystems is estimated from actual user experience with current supercomputers. The on-line portion of the storage subsystem must satisfy the dual constraint of high capacity and very high transfer rates, while the mass storage portion may have greater capacity with a lower transfer rate requirement. The actual 1990's storage subsystem will be composed of both magnetic and optical disk and tape units. Some of the factors critical to design of the total storage subsystem are examined.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN EOG BASED ROBOT MANIPULATOR AND END POINT DIRECTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1 Electro-oculograph (EOG) is one of the biosignal that can be used to improve life quality in human machine interface area. EOG occurring as the eye activities changes the magnitude of potential between cornea and retina. This signal was used to control robot manipulator in four directions (up, down, left and right). To record this phenomenon we used NF Instrument with head box to amplify the signal and processor box to process digital filters. Combination of 3 digital filters, 1.6 Hz High Pass Filter, 60 Hz Low Pass Filter and 60 Hz Ham Filter and finalized by 6 Hz Low Pass Filter gave neat signal until the difference among the eye movements could be distinguished. This is a real time system since it could detect when a signal comes and send it to the robot manipulator system through Arduino micro-controller. The determination of the signal emersion was successfully calculated by the combination of wavelet transform with scale = 1 and translation = 0.31 and garbor filter with 1 �� . Since the average accuracy of the system is more than 90% so we can use this method for some extend applications later.
Conceptual exploration package for data fusion

In this paper, we present a software package designed to explore data fusion area applied to different contexts. This tool, called CEPfuse (Conceptual Exploration Package for Data Fusion) provides a good support to become familiar with all concepts and vocabulary linked to data fusion. Developed with Matlab 5.2, it's also a good tool to test, compare and analyze algorithms. Although the core of this package is evidential reasoning and identity information fusion, it has been conceived to develop all the interesting part of the Multi-Sensor Data Fusion system. Actually, because we concentrate our research work on identity information fusion, the principal included algorithms are Dempster- Shafer rules of combination, Shafer-Logan algorithms for hierarchical structures, and several decision rules.
XVPI: a portable hardware/software interface for Virtex

XVPI, the Xilinx Virtex Portable Interface, is a hardware / software interface and specification to assist in the design and implementation of Xilinx Virtex (tm) based systems. XVPI specifies a software accessible register to be defined in the hardware. This register contains all of the control and data signals necessary to drive the Virtex device. The software supplied with XVPI uses this register to read and write control and data signals to perform various device level functions. These functions combine to produce an Application Program Interface (API) which provides access to the Virtex device from software. The XVPI API supports all of the device level operations including partial configuration download, partial configuration readback, clock control and reset. Once the system is operational, designers may replace the software routines in the XVPI API with hardware assisted routines. This increases the system performance incrementally, without affecting the functionality. Though specified for the Virtex based system, this technique to perform the device level functions from software can be applied to any FPGA device. Additionally, XVPI is also supplied with an interface supporting Xilinx's JBits toolkit. Once XVPI is implemented, JBits and its associated applications, including the BoardScope debug tool, are fully operational on that Virtex based system.
Linear Random Model and its Application to Data Recovery

Recently, systems with a large amount of data have received a lot of attention. But the reality is that information may not be complete, in other words, people may have missing data. In order to solve this problem, a lot of models have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a new approach, which is based on linear random model. We test our model using real-world data and show that this new approach is good for incomplete data recovery and can get us desirable results.
The Equivalence of Paper-and-Pencil and Computer-Based Testing.

AbstractIn recent years, there has been increased interest in converting from paper-and-pencil to computer-based tests. As more and more organizations consider converting from paper-and-pencil tests to computer-administered ones, the importance of such research increases dramatically. This article examines the research showing the equivalence of paper-and-pencil–administered tests and computer-administered tests, especially when the computer-administered test is exactly the same as the paper-and-pencil test. Four different categories of research on testing by computer are examined: previous reviews of research, standards and guidelines for computerized testing, individual research studies, and studies about computerized testing over time. From this review, a number of general conclusions about testing by computer are reached: (a) it can be equivalent to a paper-and-pencil test, but it is the responsibility of the test developer to prove that it is; (b) this equivalence is established by meeting stringent .
A rule merging technique for handling noise in inductive learning

Abstract Inductive learning algorithms are used for extracting IF-THEN rules from examples. The main weakness of most existing algorithms is their poor ability to handle data containing noise. This problem is even more severe when inductive learning techniques are applied to real engineering data. The paper presents a new pruning technique that improves significantly the performance of the RULES family of inductive learning algorithms. The technique is designed for RULES-5, the latest algorithm in the family, but could readily be applied to rule sets created by other algorithms.