Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First Amendment Opportunism

Suppose you have a wooden board, and you need to drive a nail into it. You have the nail, and you have the board, but you do not have a hammer. You do, however, have a pipe wrench. What do you do? Faced with this problem, some people would simply abandon the task. Not possessing the right tool for the job, they would take the position that it would be better that the task not be performed than that it be performed poorly. But most of us would react differently. Especially if the task is genuinely important, we will whack away at the nail with the pipe wrench. This will take longer than it would have taken with a hammer, the nail will still probably not go all the way into the board, and the wrench will likely be damaged in the process. But it would be better than nothing. In many respects, the culture of First Amendment discourse and argument, both in the courtroom and in the larger culture, exhibits many of the features of the story of the nail and the pipe wrench. With surprising frequency, people and organizations with a wide array of political goals find that society has not given them the doctrinally or rhetorically effective argumentative tools they need to advance their goals. The absence of these legally or culturally accepted arguments, like the absence of the hammer, disturbs them, but it also leads them, faced as they are with immediate goals that cannot wait until the world is reordered, to look for plausibly effective but ill-fitting tools. And in looking for these imperfect but usable tools, they often find that the leading candidate is the First Amendment. Like the pipe wrench, the First Amendment is frequently called upon to do a job for which it is poorly designed. The job frequently gets done, but, as with driving a nail with a pipe wrench, the job gets done poorly, and the tool is damaged in the process.
MODELING OF THE HUMAN CERVICAL SPINE USING FINITE ELEMENT TECHNIQUES

Efforts using finite element techniques to model the human cervical spine have illustrated viable techniques and approaches for simulating the three-dimensional (3D) motion of the human cervical spine. However, these studies also revealed difficulties because of insufficient geometric description for such a complex structure and the lack of experimental data for characterizing the mechanical behavior of the biological issues in this anatomical region. Recent advancement of computer technology has resulted in a large quantity of digital images of the human anatomical structure with high precision. In addition, new experimental techniques have also produced new test data on human biological tissue properties. This study developed a finite element representation of the human cervical spine using detailed 3D anatomical data. The model contains the important structural components of the cervical spine including the vertebrae, the disks, the ligaments, and the facets. Analytical/numerical schemes were developed to identify the viscoelastic material parameters from the quasistatic and dynamic test data of the soft tissues. Material models in the Dyna3D code were enhanced to simulate the mechanical behavior of these soft tissues. The motion segment models were then validated against the 3D global responses observed from the experiments.
A metafrontier model to assess regional efficiency differences

Purpose – The major aim of this paper is to model, estimate and compare the technical efficiency and technology gap ratios of health care foodservice operations that operate in different Australian regions.Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a metafrontier model to analyse the difference in health care food efficiency across the various Australian regions. The interesting feature of this model is that it allows for the estimation of firms' efficiency in of various groups that might differ in technology and other production environments. In testing the model, cross‐sectional input/output data were used reflecting on the operational characteristics of health care foodservice operations.Findings – The estimation process was initially supported by a hypothesis test which confirmed the validity of the metafrontier model in comparing the efficiency of the different outlined groups. Results showed that operations in the states of NSW and Victoria are producing on average 85.6 per cent of their potentia.
The greening of the chemical industry: past, present and challenges ahead

This chapter provides a review of the evolution of the process of greening the chemical industry. It explains the concept of greening industries, firms and technologies followed by a brief note on business strategy and its relation to “greening”. Next, a historical account on the relation between the chemical industry and the environment is presented. The core part of this chapter is about the different stages of corporate greening evolution in chemicals, ranging from pollution control and prevention, eco-efficiency and corporate environmental responsibility to more radical approaches of sustainable manufacturing and eco-innovation. Finally, a reflection is made upon the challenges this industry has in the view of the most pressing environmental issues of modern industries. A number of cases are used to illustrate the process of greening of this industry in the fields of end-of-pipe technologies, eco-effi ciency best practices, eco-design, and renewable chemicals. A comprehensive list of references of each of the tools and philosophies is also included.
A systems engineering approach to managing communication in globally dispersed teams

Globalization has caused firms to redefine regional strategies for distributed design and manufacturing into one of worldwide coordination and integration of resources in order to compete in the world market. This need to address customers and markets worldwide and to achieve a customer focus has led to restructuring of the organization, functions, activities and teams into globally dispersed entities. Globally dispersed teams are attractive because they promise benefits such as increased flexibility, responsiveness and lower costs factors critical to succeeding in this dynamic business environment. The major challenge facing product development and manufacturing organizations is to achieve high performing teams so that all the mentioned benefits can be realized. Globally dispersed teams not only face the challenges of traditional teams; their situation is usually further aggravated by a lack of personal contact, culture and language differences as a result of dispersion in space and time. These factors make communication both within and outside the team boundaries difficult and can negatively impact team performance. This thesis proposes that communication technology and multi-media capabilities can greatly enhance communication and organizational learning in the context of a globally dispersed team. Understanding which technologies and media solutions to apply in the face of culture, language and distance barriers in order to provide the most effective knowledge-sharing environment to support such a team is critical. By studying and analyzing the communication needs and media choices of dispersed product development teams and the impact of culture, language and distance differences on needs and choices, a method is proposed to design a communication environment and management strategies that reduce the effect of barriers and improve communications in globally dispersed teams.
Sounds in space: the potential uses for acoustics in the exploration of other worlds

This paper examines the past and future uses for acoustics in space research. Whilst on the larger scales in some topic areas, acoustical models have proved to be useful in extraterrestrial research, in other areas there has been not so much use made of acoustical techniques. One particular area where greater use might be made of acoustical sensors is in the deployment of acoustical sensors on probes sent out to other moons and planets. This is surprising given that acoustical sensors deliver benefits that are particularly useful for planetary probes, in terms of weight, bandwidth, ruggedness and cost. Whilst geoacoustical data could be obtained from many bodies, those which contain a dense atmosphere or an ocean offer intriguing additional possibilities. Examples from Mars, Venus, Titan, Enceladus and Europa will be discussed.
Netting Process in MRP

The material requirements planning (MRP) netting process is the way Material Requirements Planning carries out calculations on a level-by-level basis down through a Bill of Materials, which converts the Master Production Schedule of finished products into suggested or planned orders for all the subassemblies, components, and raw materials. Keywords: netting process in MRP
Control strategy of an interleaved boost power factor correction converter

Power factor correction interleaved boost converters provide a reduction of the inductor volume and weight when compared with the conventional PFC boost converter. However, to achieve these benefits, proper current sharing and current ripple minimization must be ensured. This paper proposes a controller based on the Lyapunov-likelihood control technique for interleaved boost converters (IBC) that ensures output voltage regulation and proper current share for each boost cell. In addition, a switching logic scheme for the IBC is developed to guarantee the input current ripple minimization. Extensive simulations are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed control and switching logic scheme.
Educational Technology by Design: Results from a Survey Assessing its Effectiveness

We introduce Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) as framework for thinking about what teachers need to know about technology, and argue for the role of authentic design-based activities in the development of this knowledge. We report data from a faculty development design seminar in which faculty members worked together with masters students to develop online courses. We developed and administered a survey that assessed the evolution of participants’ learning, perceptions, and opinions about theoretical and practical knowledge about technology, and the growth of TPCK. Analyses of the changes between the beginning and end of the course indicate that the learning by design approach appears to be an effective instructional technique to develop deeper understandings of relationships between content, pedagogy and technology and the contexts in which they function.
APPLYING BACTERIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS TO RECREATIONAL WATER QUALITY

fall, contamination that might be associated with vegetation could enter surface waters by way of stormwater drainage.5 The few fecal coliforms that have been detected on vegetation are derived from animal manure or night soil used as fertilizers, or by contact with contaminated insect pollinators and agricultural pests.6 Insects that spend part of their life cycle associated with animal dung may be expected to transmit variable numbers of fecal coliforms in low densities. Conversely, fish, vegetation, and soil in remote regions rarely contain any fecal coliforms and the few occurrences are probably related to random contamination from wild life. Typical fecal coliform densities that would be expected to be present in soil and on insects and vegetation are shown in Fig. 3. Nonaerogenic Growths at 44.5 °C
Computer Models of the Human Body Signature for Sensing Through the Wall Radar Applications

Abstract : This technical report presents numerical simulations of the human body radar signature, with application to sensing through the wall (STTW) scenarios. We utilize the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) modeling technique to compute the electromagnetic scattering from realistic human body models. We analyze the radar cross section (RCS) of the human body in different configurations as a function of aspect angle, frequency, and polarization, drawing important conclusions in terms of the magnitude, variability, and statistics of the human radar signature. We also use the modeling data in order to simulate the operation of a low frequency, ultra-wideband (UWB) synthetic aperture radar (SAR), by creating SAR images of the human body in various configurations. The results obtained in this study can be used as guidance by radar system designers in order to optimize performance in the context of a STTW scenario.
A sub-1µW, 16kHz Current-Mode SAR-ADC for Neural Spike Recording

This thesis presents an ultra-low-power 8-bit asynchronous current-mode successive approximation (SAR) ADC for single channel neuron spike recording. The novel design exploits current mode operating in weak inversion for high power efficiency and is designed to operate at a 1.8V supply. The ADC is running at a 16kHz sampling frequency using under 1uW of power, though is adjustable using the featured calibration registers. A finished layout is presented, occupying less than 0.078mm2. Linear operation through mismatch and process variations is obtained using a current calibration circuit connected to both the current mode DAC and all the biases. This ensures INL < 0.5 and DNL < 1, yielding no missing codes and a 3sigma production yield. Calibration is needed because of the relatively large mismatch caused by sub-threshold operation of the current mirrors. The design also offers a newly developed current comparator with high resolution and fast settling relative to the current level and is completable with other state-of-the-art solutions, though still feature some voltage scaling issues left for future work.
Can Design Thinking Enhance Experiential Heritage Tourism In Pakistan?

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore prospects for the growth of experiential heritage tourism in Pakistan. This conceptual study is motivated by the recent focus towards tourism as an economic savior; depending upon experiential values for domestic and foreign travelers in Pakistan. The main purpose of the paper is to explore the potential of experiential heritage tourism in Pakistan and analyze its mapping with the design thinking process. The examined secondary data was based on tourism and innovation literature, media reports and government statistics. The data triangulation through conceptual comparison of various secondary resources delivered findings for this original study, classifying authenticity, memorability, satisfaction, and engagement as key elements for effective experiential heritage tourism. The discussion in this paper presented the synthesis of findings with the design thinking process to enhance and grow experiential heritage tourism in Pakistan.
Measurement and Interpretation of Driver/Vehicle System Dynamic Response

This paper summarizes applicable theory and data from simulation experiments on the directional control of automobiles subjected to crosswind gust disturbances. Measured driver/vehicle describing functions for several subjects and replications are presented and interpreted. It is shown that the driver's steering outputs can be explained as functions of lateral position and heading, although alternate interpretations involving path-angle and path-rate feedbacks are considered. The results demonstrate that driver/vehicle response properties can be modeled and measured for a class of important closed-loop driving tasks. They provide further direct experimental verification of the applicability of driver/vehicle theory to situations where the driver obtains his information from a real-world visual simulation.
Inter-Rater Agreement and Test-Retest Reliability of the Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) Test Battery for Children: A Test for Motor Skill Related Fitness.

Background: The Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) test battery for children is a recently developed, valid assessment tool for measuring motor skill-related physical fitness in 5 to 12-year-old children living in low-income settings. The aim of this study was to determine: (1) inter-rater agreement and (2) test-retest reliability of the PERF-FIT in children from 3 different countries (Ghana, South Africa and the Netherlands). Method: For inter-rater reliability 29 children, (16 boys and 13 girls, 6-10 years) were scored by 2 raters simultaneously. For test–retest reliability 72 children, (33 boys and 39 girls, 5-12 years) performed the test twice, minimally one week and maximally two weeks apart. Relative and absolute reliability indices were calculated. ANOVA was used to examine differences between the three assessor teams in the three countries.Results: The PERF-FIT demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC, 0.99) and good test-retest reliability (ICC, ≥ 0.80) for 11 of the 12 tasks. a poor ICC was found for the Jumping item only, due to low spread in values. Overall, measurement error, Limits of Agreement and Coefficient of Variation had acceptable levels to support clinical use. No systematic differences were found between first and second measurement between the three countries but for one item (Overhead throw). Conclusions: The PERF-FIT can reliably measure motor skill related fitness in 5 to 12-year-old children in different settings and help clinicians monitor levels of power and agility, and fundamental motor skills (throwing, bouncing, catching, jumping, hopping and balance).
Multiple motor-unit muscle models for the design of FES systems

Many functional electrical stimulation (FES) controllers have been developed using a simulation approach, the performance of these controllers depends on the muscle model accuracy. Realistic models of neuro-musculoskeletal systems can provide a safe and convenient environment for the design and evaluation of FES controllers. A typical FES system consists of FES controller, an electrical stimulator, electrodes and sensors. During FES, the stimulation level can change in a continuous fashion such that different motor-units are recruited at different muscle lengths and at different times. Furthermore, it is also not accurate to use the instantaneous length as input to the force-length relationship in dynamic (non-isometric) situations. Although instantaneous CE length is commonly used in FES control studies, empirical data from the literature were reviewed and it was concluded that the CE length at initial recruitment is a key parameter influencing total muscle force. The author presents a new multiple motor-unit Hill-type muscle model that accounts for different motor units being recruited at different CE lengths and different times. Hence the model can account for a continuously changing recruitment level whilst using the individual motor unit lengths at initial recruitment as input to the force-length relationship. Moreover, the model is capable of modelling fatigue and force enhancement & depression for the individual motor-units (i.e. the recruitment and time history effects). The model can also take account of the different force-length and force-velocity relationships for different fibre types by modelling these properties for the individual motor-units. The new multiple motor-unit model is described in detail, implemented and tested in Matlab. Open-loop simulation protocols are made on single/multiple motor-unit models using different CE lengths for the force-length relationship; on single/multiple motor-unit fatigue sub-models; and on single/ multiple motor-unit force enhancement & depression sub-models. A general model that can be used to represent all relevant models from the literature was developed. This model can also be used to build new models at different levels of complexity. Such a “General Model” could be used to study the effect of model complexity on FES controller design so that appropriate trade-offs between model complexity and accuracy could be determined. Results, limitations and possible future work are discussed.
OPTIMIZATION OF TRANSIT NETWORK TO MINIMIZE TRANSFERS

This report presents mathematical methodologies for transit route network optimization. The goal is to provide an effective computational tool for the optimization of a large-scale transit route network. The objectives are to minimize transfers and optimize route directness while maximizing service coverage. The formulation of the method consists of three parts: representation of transit route network solution search spaces, representation of transit route and network constraints, and a search scheme capable of finding the expected global optimal result. The search methods included greedy search, fast hill climbing, and an integrated simulated annealing, tabu and greedy search algorithm. The methodologies have been implemented as a computer program, and have been tested with several benchmark problems. They were also applied to a large-scale realistic network optimization problem in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The test results showed that the methodologies developed in this study were capable of improving a given network solution in terms of average transfers and transit service coverage. A prototype application for transit network optimization has been implemented with TransCAD as the user interface.
Using Otoacoustic Emissions to Measure the Transmission Matrix of the Middle-ear

Transmission Matrix of the Middle-ear by Antonio John Miller B.S., Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Colorado School of Mines (1997) M.S., Acoustics, Pennsylvania State University (1999) Submitted to the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Health Sciences and Technology at the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY September 2006 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2006. All rights reserved.
A novel simultaneous tracking and direction of arrival estimation algorithm for beam-switched base station antennas in millimeter-wave wireless broadband access networks

In this paper, a novel simultaneous tracking and direction of arrival estimation algorithm for TDD/TDMA broadband wireless access networks employing beam-switched base station antennas is presented. Direction of arrival estimation could be useful, for example, to generate occasional user dedicated beams to overcome temporary channel impairments or to develop advanced network management strategies such as system handover based on direction of arrival knowledge. The algorithm has been studied theoretically and by means of simulations achieving high efficiency and very good performance results.
Frequency Diverse Array Receiver Architectures

Abstract : Typical radar systems are limited to energy distribution characteristics that are range independent. However, operators are generally interested in obtaining information at particular ranges and discarding elsewhere. It seems appropriate then to attempt to put energy solely at the range(s) of interest, thus minimizing exposure to clutter, jammers and other range-dependent interferences sources. The frequency diverse array (FDA) can provide a mechanism to achieve range-dependent beamforming and the spatial energy distribution properties are investigated on transmit and receive for different architectures herein. While simplified FDA receive architectures have been explored, they exclude the return signals from transmitters that are not frequency matched. This practice neglects practical consideration in receiver implementation and has motivated research to formulate a design that includes all frequencies. We present several receiver architectures for a uniform linear FDA, and compare the processing chain and spatial patterns in order to formulate an argument for the most efficient design to maximize gain on target.
Load management DSM: past, present and future

Load management has grown in acceptance over the past several decades as a reliable means to provide a demand-side resource of dispatchable capacity. This paper first reviews the significant break-throughs of load management technology, in particular load control switches, then sets the stage for a discussion of the cutting edge applications and their place in the upcoming information revolution. <<ETX>>