Inefficient Tool Research Articles

Developing and Evaluating a University Recommender System.

A challenge for many young adults is to find the right institution to follow higher education. Global university rankings are a commonly used, but inefficient tool, for they do not consider a person's preferences and needs. For example, some persons pursue prestige in their higher education, while others prefer proximity. This paper develops and evaluates a university recommender system, eliciting user preferences as ratings to build predictive models and to generate personalized university ranking lists. In Study 1, we performed offline evaluation on a rating dataset to determine which recommender approaches had the highest predictive value. In Study 2, we selected three algorithms to produce different university recommendation lists in our online tool, asking our users to compare and evaluate them in terms of different metrics (Accuracy, Diversity, Perceived Personalization, Satisfaction, and Novelty). We show that a SVD algorithm scores high on accuracy and perceived personalization, while a KNN algorithm scores better on novelty. We also report findings on preferred university features.

Children do not distinguish efficient from inefficient actions during observation

Observation is a powerful way to learn efficient actions from others. However, the role of observers’ motor skill in assessing efficiency of others is unknown. Preschoolers are notoriously poor at performing multi-step actions like grasping the handle of a tool. Preschoolers (N = 22) and adults (N = 22) watched video-recorded actors perform efficient and inefficient tool use. Eye tracking showed that preschoolers and adults looked equally long at the videos, but adults looked longer than children at how actors grasped the tool. Deep learning analyses of participants’ eye gaze distinguished efficient from inefficient grasps for adults, but not for children. Moreover, only adults showed differential action-related pupil dilation and neural activity (suppressed oscillation power in the mu frequency) while observing efficient vs. inefficient grasps. Thus, children observe multi-step actions without “seeing” whether the initial step is efficient. Findings suggest that observer’s own motor efficiency determines whether they can perceive action efficiency in others.

P–009 A modified sperm chromatin dispersion test, LensHooke® R10, for quick and accurate determination of human sperm DNA fragmentation

Abstract Study question The performance and efficiency of the LensHooke® R10 test kit were evaluated by the clinical examination for precision, accuracy, and time. Summary answer The LensHooke® R10 based on sperm chromatin dispersion test offers not only quick testing for sperm DNA fragmentation but also reliable and accurate test results. What is known already Sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, one of the most commonly used testing for sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), can be conducted promptly and without the need for expensive laboratory instruments. However, the main disadvantage of the SCD test is inter-observer variability in categorizing the size of characteristics halos surrounding the core of sperm. Moreover, it takes more than one hour to accomplish whole assay procedures making this testing an inefficient diagnostic tool. These may hinder its broad availability among andrology laboratories or prevent it from being routinely used for the evaluation of male infertility. Study design, size, duration A total of 108 participants was included in this prospective study. Data was collected from the reproductive medicine center between June and December 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods This study included 108 consecutive male partners of couples attending for assisted reproductive treatment. SDF was simultaneously tested by using LensHooke® R10 (R10) and Halosperm® G2 (G2) respectively. We evaluated the correlation and agreement between two SCD-based test kits. The repeatability and reproducibility of the SCD kits were assessed by intra-and inter-observer agreement experiments. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value for the R10 was determined by receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Main results and the role of chance The R10 produced more clear sperm core and dispersed chromatin, therefore highly recognizable images can be easily and accurately categorized when scoring of SDF. It took 50% less time for SDF testing by the R10 compared to the G2 (38.26 ± 9.85 minutes vs. 76.52 ± 19.7 minutes, P < 0.0001). The SDF% results showed a strong correlation for the R10 and G2 with Spearman’s coefficients of rank correlation (rho) above 0.8 (P < 0.0001, N = 108). The R10 showed 89.8% accuracy with 87.9% sensitivity, 90.8% specificity, 82.9% PPV, and 93.7% NPV on the measurement of SDF% at the threshold value of 22%. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) >0.9 showed a strong agreement between two observers on the testing of SDF using the R10. ICC >0.9 showed a high intra-observer agreement within 4 repeated testing on SDF using the R10. The R10 showed an intra-observer’s precision of coefficient variation, CV < 10% for SDF%. In addition, SDF% test results obtained by the R10 for asthenospermic (31.8% ± 16.7%), teratospermic (22.9% ± 14.4%), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic samples (36.6% ± 14.4%) were significantly higher than that observed in normozoospermic samples (15.3% ± 10.2%, p < 0.05), was comparable with the G2. Limitations, reasons for caution The sample size of 4 semen specimens used to evaluate the intra-and inter-observer agreement was a limitation. Besides, evaluating the relationship between the SDF and clinical outcome of ART is necessary for further study. Wider implications of the findings: The new in vitro diagnostics reagent, LensHooke® R10, is a simple and quick test kit that offers reliable and accurate test results of sperm DNA fragmentation, can be routinely used in male infertility evaluation. Trial registration number CS2–20012

The man and the machine: Do children learn from and transmit tool-use knowledge acquired from a robot in ways that are comparable to a human model?

Robots are an increasingly prevalent presence in children’s lives. However, little is known about the ways in which children learn from robots and whether they do so in the same way as they learn from humans. To investigate this, we adapted a previously established imitation paradigm centered on inefficient tool use. Children (3- to 6-year-olds; N = 121) were measured on their acquisition and transmission of normative knowledge modeled by a human or a robot. Children were more likely to adopt use of a normative tool and to transmit this knowledge to another when shown how to do so by the human than when shown how to do so by the robot. Older children (5- and 6-year-olds) were less likely than younger children (3- and 4-year-olds) to select the normative tool. Our findings suggest that preschool children are capable of copying and transmitting normative techniques from both human and robot models, albeit at different rates and dependent on age.

A cross-cultural comparison: imitation of inefficient tool use in Australian and Malaysian preschool children

A cross-cultural comparison: imitation of inefficient tool use in Australian and Malaysian preschool children

When efficiency attenuates imitation in preschool children.

Children recognise the social value of imitation but do not opt for tools that are 'normative' if they are also dysfunctional. We investigated whether children would replicate a normative method in a tool-learning task if it was instrumentally functional but less efficient than an alternative. Four- to six-year-old children were presented with a sticker-retrieving task and two equally functional tool options that differed in efficiency. The inefficient tool was highlighted as the normative option. Verbal descriptors that established the normative value of the inefficient tool (e.g., 'everybody' uses this) did not motivate children to use it. The majority of children opted for instrumental efficiency over conformity.

The budgeting processes of Czech companies: the role of the ownership structure and foreign capital

Research background: The study investigates the initial phase of budgeting process conducted in corporations. The basic concept correlates with findings in scientific literature that describe budgeting as an inefficient tool, burdened by considerable regulation in the preparation and compilation stages. As a consequence, the majority of academics and practitioners have concluded that producing a budget is merely a formality that minimizes wrinkles on the faces of their initiators, while reaping debatable benefits for managerial control.
 Purpose of the article: This paper compares data from the literature with the actual budgetary practices of companies operating in the Czech Republic. The attention was paid to the detailed aspects of the budgeting process, factors affecting the time it takes to prepare a budget, and the impact of ownership structure, especially the role of foreign ownership and foreign capital, on the level of decentralization in the budgeting process.
 Methods: The authors examined these topics through a questionnaire completed by 136 respondents, primarily industrial companies based in the country. The subsequent hypotheses were assessed via application of the Z-test.
 Findings & Value added: The results presented show that the budgeting practices of the Czech firms are not only influenced by traditional factors (e.g. the size of the company and its given economic sector), but also certain other aspects. Essential facets comprise the ownership structure and the share of foreign capital involved, the latter affecting the extent of autonomy of the business as to the budgetary process. This submitted paper can extend the current theory with new findings on the specific nature of budgeting in post-socialist countries with an open economy and the significant influx of foreign capital.

El sistema electoral italiano y su reforma: el desafío de la consolidación

En los veintiséis años que caracterizan a las seis últimas legislaturas italianas (1994-2020) ha habido una intensa actividad político-institucional, acompañada de una fuerte modificación del sistema de los partidos políticos. En este contexto, el sistema electoral y sus continuas modificaciones con nuevas leyes electorales ha influido fuertemente en la forma de gobierno, marcando su dinámica, tanto directa como indirectamente. Sin embargo, el rápido cambio de los diferentes sistemas electorales en los últimos años no ha estado acompañado de reformas parejas en el texto constitucional, produciéndose una asimetría en el funcionamiento de los nuevos sistemas electorales que se iban adoptando gradualmente, que los hacía sustancialmente incompletos, incoherentes y, en definitiva, frágiles. Todo ello ha terminado degradando el sistema a ojos de la ciudadanía. Las presentes notas tienen por objeto poner de relieve las transformaciones que se han producido sobre el sistema electoral, tratando de subrayar las dificultades de su consolidación, en el marco de la llamada Segunda República (1994-2020) y de su nuevo sistema de partidos políticos.In the twenty-six years that characterize the last six Italian legislatures (1994-2020) Italy has seen, from the political-institutional point of view, an intense activity that was accompanied by a very similar vitality of the political party system. In this context, the electoral system and its continuous modifications with new electoral laws has strongly influenced the form of government, marking, by the decisive conditioning factor that represents the party system, its dynamics, both directly and indirectly. However, the rapid change of the different electoral systems in recent years has not been accompanied by an equal change in the constitutional text, so there has been an asymmetry in the functioning of the new electoral systems that were being adopted gradually, making them substantially incomplete, inconsistent and ultimately fragile. Faced with an immutability of the constitutional system, this continuous mutability in the electoral system has not only made the whole political-institutional system very weak, but also degraded it in its function in the eyes of the voters, as it seemed a clearly inefficient tool with respect to the needs of the constitutional system. Therefore, the present contribution aims to highlight the transformations that have taken place on the electoral system, trying to underline the difficulties of its consolidation, within the framework of the so-called Second Republic (1994-2020) and its new system of political parties.

Promoting PT. Woodone Integra Indonesia Using a Company Profile

The company where I did my internship is PT. Woodone Integra Indonesia or WII. WIIwas established in 2015 as a manufacturer of engineered wooden doors and other wood related products. The main problem WII is facing is their current ineffective company profile to promote its business to potential customers.It fails to communicate the Unique Selling Proposition or USPs of WII in a persuasive way. Additionally, the contents are not up to date and the design is not interesting enough to attract potential customers. This problem led to the inefficient tool usage for the marketing staff on events such as exhibition and clients visit. Thus, the solution to this problem is to replace the current company profile with a newer version. The content of the new tool will be better in terms of content and design as it will highlight the company’s USP. The reason it will be a good solution for the company’s issue is because the new company profile can be used to attract more potential customers by the marketing staff during said overseas exhibitions and clients visit. Furthermore, it will also benefit WII as it can help the company to introduce and promote not just their company but also their strengths, uniqueness, and credibility to ensure WII stands out from its competitors.

X‐Reality and the Microsoft HoloLens: A Hollow Tool for Anatomical Education

Recent technological advancements in X‐Reality (XR) seem to create remarkably realistic models for anatomical education. Despite a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of XR in this context, several institutions have adopted these technologies as primary educational tools in anatomy as an alternative to traditional cadaveric laboratories. In our earliest study, we evaluated a 3D, interactive projection on a 2D screen against a physical model of a female pelvis. This data demonstrated that those who learnt on the physical model performed significantly better during testing. Subsequently, we explored the efficacy of more intricate XR systems. Thus, we compared the efficacy of the Microsoft HoloLens, a mixed‐reality (MR) device, to a physical model in anatomy education. We recruited 20 McMaster University students and ran a preliminary study to gather qualitative data regarding the optimal MR environment. We gathered participant preference based on their experience observing several virtual objects against different coloured backgrounds and various lighting combinations. We used this data to build the testing environment for the MR model, such as adding black curtains and floor tiles to the room, and using a single light over the projection. These conditions were also used for the physical model, thus placing it at a slight disadvantage. We then recruited 40 McMaster University students with no prior anatomical education, and randomized them into two groups: one learning on a physical model of a female pelvis and one learning on the MR model of a female pelvis. We measured two possible covariates, spatial and stereoscopic ability, through two pretest assessments: a Mental Rotations Test (MRT) and a Titmus Fly Test, respectively. Our participants were then given 10 minutes to learn 20 structures using their respective models, and were tested on a female cadaveric pelvis on the basis of a 25‐question test with no time limit. This test included 15 nominal questions, which asked participants to name the indicated structure, and 10 functional questions, which asked participants to determine the function of a structure based on its location and form. We hypothesized that due to the realistic model that the MR system created, it should perform at least equivalent to the physical model in the context of anatomical education. Our assessments found that participants learning on the physical model performed significantly better in comparison to their MR counterparts on both nominal (65% vs 41%, respectively; p = 0.0051) and functional measures (42% vs. 31%, respectively; p = 0.0134). Additionally, when controlling for the aforementioned covariates, we found these results to remain consistent. Ultimately, our results indicate that the MR device is an inefficient tool for anatomical education when compared to traditional physical models. Our future directions involve exploring possible determinants influencing the superiority of the physical model, such as stereoscopic vision, as well as the assessment of other XR systems, such as virtual reality headsets, in the context of anatomy education.Support or Funding InformationSelf‐funded.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Application of Sentiment Analysis to Language Learning

Emotion vocabulary has been studied in various disciplines, such as psychology, linguistics, and computational linguistics. Recently, it plays a requisite role in sentiment analysis or opinion mining. However, emotion vocabulary has not received considerable attention in second or foreign language learning. The insufficient pedagogical materials and inefficient tool support seem to provide little help for learners to master emotion words. The current study considers the application of sentiment analysis to language learning. To achieve this goal, we developed RESOLVE, a context-aware emotion synonym suggestion system, for educational purposes. Utilizing machine-learning techniques, the system is capable of suggesting synonymous emotion words appropriate to learners’ contexts. Importantly, the usage information of each emotion word, including scenario descriptions, definitions, and example sentences, is provided in order to help develop language learners’ vocabulary knowledge as well as help facilitate their word use. A pedagogical evaluation of the system’s effectiveness was conducted using a writing task and a survey questionnaire. The results indicate that the participants achieved substantial progress on emotion word use with the help of the proposed system. In particular, less proficient participants demonstrated greater improvements. Meanwhile, participants showed positive attitudes toward the tool support, as it helps them to have a better command of emotion words in their writings.

Mechanical design of rotors for permanent magnet high‐speed electric motors for turbocharger applications

Realisation of electrically boosted turbochargers requires electric motors capable of operating at very high speeds. These motors often use a permanent magnet rotor with the magnets retained within an interference fit external sleeve. Whilst it is possible to model such systems numerically, these models are an inefficient tool for design optimisation. Current analytical models of rotors typically consider the stresses induced by the shrink fit of the sleeve separately from the stresses generated by centripetal forces due to rotation. However, such an approach ignores the frictional interaction between the components in the axial direction. This paper presents an analytical model that simultaneously accounts for interaction between the magnet and outer sleeve in both the radial and axial directions at designed interference and with the assembly subjected to centripetal and thermal loads. Numerical models presented show that with only moderate coefficients of friction and rotor lengths; axial load transfer between magnet and sleeve takes place over a short distance at the ends of the assembly. This paper then demonstrates how the analytical model aids definition of a feasible set of rotor designs and selection of an optimum design.

CleanM

Data cleaning has become an indispensable part of data analysis due to the increasing amount of dirty data. Data scientists spend most of their time preparing dirty data before it can be used for data analysis. At the same time, the existing tools that attempt to automate the data cleaning procedure typically focus on a specific use case and operation. Still, even such specialized tools exhibit long running times or fail to process large datasets. Therefore, from a user's perspective, one is forced to use a different, potentially inefficient tool for each category of errors. This paper addresses the coverage and efficiency problems of data cleaning. It introduces CleanM ( pronounced clean'em ), a language which can express multiple types of cleaning operations. CleanM goes through a three-level translation process for optimization purposes; a different family of optimizations is applied in each abstraction level. Thus, CleanM can express complex data cleaning tasks, optimize them in a unified way, and deploy them in a scaleout fashion. We validate the applicability of CleanM by using it on top of CleanDB, a newly designed and implemented framework which can query heterogeneous data. When compared to existing data cleaning solutions, CleanDB a) covers more data corruption cases, b) scales better, and can handle cases for which its competitors are unable to terminate, and c) uses a single interface for querying and for data cleaning.

Cultural differences in the imitation and transmission of inefficient actions

Across two studies, we explored cultural differences in children’s imitation and transmission of inefficient actions. Chinese American and Caucasian American preschoolers (N=115) viewed either one or three models using two inefficient tools to perform two different tasks. In the video, when the model(s) performed the task, only the inefficient tool was available; thus, their choice to use that tool could be considered rational. Next, children were invited to complete the task with either the inefficient tool or an efficient alternative. Whereas the two cultural groups imitated a single model at similar rates, Chinese American children imitated significantly more than Caucasian American children after viewing a consensus. Similar results were found when exploring differences in information transmission. The Chinese American children were significantly more likely than their Caucasian American peers to instruct using an inefficient tool when they had initially viewed a consensus demonstrate it. We discuss these findings with respect to differences in children’s use of social versus task-specific cues for learning and teaching.

The Negotiability of Debt in Islamic Finance: An Analytical and Critical Study

The challenges posed by the non-liquidity and non-diversity of the Islamic debts market make the market an inefficient tool on contributing to Muslim economic growth. Islamic scholars and experts created sukuk as an Islamic debt instrument to avoid riba (usury), but the sukuk market (especially in the Gulf) still struggles with the prohibition of the trade of debt due to the prohibition of the two Fiqh Academies.Trading and securitizing debts should be permitted in Islamic law, with one condition, that the debt should be considered low risk. This new rule, the permissibility of trading debts, is supported by three Islamic legal bases, istishab, qiyas, and maslaha, which are recognized by all four Islamic schools of legal thought. Furthermore, permitting the trading of debts is more consistent with the principles and theories of Islamic law than is forbidding it. It is consistent with the obligations theory that debt is a personal right. It is consistent with the mal (property) theory that debt may be sold according to the three Islamic schools of legal thought, all of which consider debt as property. It is consistent with other modern Islamic financial transactions that are permitted by the two Fiqh Academies, such as tawarruq and murabaha.

Inefficacy of Language:A study in Beckett's Play –Waiting for Godot

Language is what determines the regulated world, the signification of which provides the foundation of our culture, our activities and our relations. It defines our identity as a form of reassurance. It deals not only with the impossibilities of knowing the motivation of human beings, but also presents the problem of communication between human beings. Speech is, undoubtedly, the proof of existence as well as a manner of contending silence, solitude and death, and it is man’s unique heritage. Absurd dramatists’ use of language probes the limitations of language both as a means of communication and as an instrument of thought as there can be no definite meanings in a world deprived of values, principles and virtues. They have chosen to write in a language devoid of content to become the adequate representation of stagnant life; they present language as an inefficient tool to express one’s thought, to comprehend the world, or to define one’s self. So Samuel Beckett metalized the absurdity of modern life and human condition in his play. He displayed that with the advent of the twentieth century and its idiosyncrasies, the already taken-for-granted defined character has turn to the most passive of all, bewildered, disillusioned, alienated, dislocated, and purposeless. This creature may provide a new language, new ideas, new approaches, and a new vitalized philosophy to transform the modes of thought and feeling of the public at large in a not too distant future. The present paper aims to reveal the labyrinth of language since it is the symbol of human existence. So it is used here as a symbol of absurdity. Key words: absurdity, existence, communication, inefficient, deterioration, gestures

The role of consensus and culture in children’s imitation of inefficient actions

A significant body of work has demonstrated children’s imitative abilities when learning novel actions. Although some research has examined the role of cultural background in children’s imitation of inefficient actions, to our knowledge no research has explored how culture and conformity interact when engaging in imitation. In Study 1, 87 Caucasian American and Chinese American preschoolers were presented with either one model or three models performing an inefficient action. Whereas there were no cultural differences in imitation in the Single Model condition, Chinese Americans were significantly more likely to copy the model’s preference for an inefficient tool in the Consensus condition. Children’s tool choice was associated with their justification for their choice as well as their memory for the model’s action. Study 2 explored the impact of immigration status on the cultural differences in children’s tool choice by including 16 first-generation Caucasian American children. When comparing the findings with the rates from Study 1, both groups of Caucasian American preschoolers imitated at rates significantly lower than the Chinese American preschoolers. We suggest that the tool choices of Caucasian American children relate to a tendency to engage in a perceptually driven mode of learning, whereas the choices of the Chinese American children reflect a greater likelihood to use a socially driven mode.

Inefficacy Of Language :, A Study In Beckett's Play –Waiting For Godot

Language is what determines the regulated world, the signification of which provides the foundation of our culture, our activities and our relations. It defines our identity as a form of reassurance. It deals not only with the impossibilities of knowing the motivation of human beings, but also presents the problem of communication between human beings. Speech is, undoubtedly, the proof of existence as well as a manner of contending silence, solitude and death, and it is man’s unique heritage. Absurd dramatists’ use of language probes the limitations of language both as a means of communication and as an instrument of thought as there can be no definite meanings in a world deprived of values, principles and virtues. They have chosen to write in a language devoid of content to become the adequate representation of stagnant life; they present language as an inefficient tool to express one’s thought, to comprehend the world, or to define one’s self. So Samuel Beckett metalized the absurdity of modern life and human condition in his play. He displayed that with the advent of the twentieth century and its idiosyncrasies, the already taken-for-granted defined character has turn to the most passive of all, bewildered, disillusioned, alienated, dislocated, and purposeless. This creature may provide a new language, new ideas, new approaches, and a new vitalized philosophy to transform the modes of thought and feeling of the public at large in a not too distant future. The present paper aims to reveal the labyrinth of language since it is the symbol of human existence. So it is used here as a symbol of absurdity. Key words: absurdity, existence, communication, inefficient, deterioration, gestures

Developing resilience to England's future droughts: Time for cap and trade?

Much of England is seriously water stressed and future droughts will present major challenges to the water industry if socially and economically damaging supply restrictions are to be avoided. Demand management is seen as a key mechanism for alleviating water stress, yet there are no truly effective incentives to encourage widespread adoption of the behavioural and technological demand management practices available. Water pricing could promote conservation, but on its own it is an inefficient tool for dealing with short term restriction in water supply. Raising prices over the short term in response to a drought is likely to be ineffectual in lowering demand sufficiently; conversely, maintaining high prices over the long term implies costs to the consumer which are needlessly high most of the time. We propose a system for developing resilience to drought in highly water stressed areas, based on a cap and trade (C&T) model. The system would represent a significant innovation in England's water market. However, international experience shows that C&T is successful in other sectors, and need not be overly complex. Here, we open the debate on how a C&T system might work in England.

Language in Waiting for Godot

Language is what determines the regulated world, the signification of which provides the foundation of our culture, our activities and our relations. It defines our identity as a form of reassurance. It deals not only with the impossibilities of knowing the motivation of human beings, but also presents the problem of communication between human beings. Speech is, undoubtedly, the proof of existence as well as a manner of contending silence, solitude and death, and it is man’s unique heritage.Absurd dramatists’ use of language probes the limitations of language both as a means of communication and as an instrument of thought as there can be no definite meanings in a world deprived of values, principles and virtues. They have chosen to write in a language devoid of content to become the adequate representation of stagnant life; they present language as an inefficient tool to express one’s thought, to comprehend the world, or to define one’s self. So, Becket materialized the absurdity of modern life and human condition in his play.