Global Synchronization of Asynchronous Computing Systems

The MSU ERC UltraScope system consists of a distributed computing system, custom PCI cards, GPS receivers, and a re-radiation system. The UltraScope system allows precision timestamping of events in a distributed application on a system where the CPU and PCI clocks are phase-locked. The goal of this research is to expand the UltraScope system, using software routines and minimal hardware modifications, to allow precision timestamping of events on an asynchronous distributed system. The timestamp process is similar to the Network Time Protocol (NTP) in that it uses a series of timestamps to improve precision. As expected, the precision is less accurate on an asynchronous system than on a synchronous system. Results show that the precision is improved using this sequence of timestamps, and the major error component is due to operating system delays. The errors associated with this timestamping process are characterized using a synchronous system as a baseline

From Banners to YouTube: Using the Rear-View Mirror to Look at the Future of Internet Advertising

In twelve short years, Internet advertising has evolved from banners to experiential promotions. In the beginning advertisers viewed the Internet in similar ways as they considered traditional media (television, newspaper, magazines). The idea of using a new medium like an older one, was described by McLuhan\u27s concept of the rear view mirror. This article describes the history of Internet advertising from 1994 to 2006 by looking back to understand the future direction of Internet advertising

The Potential of Using the Africanisation Framework to Improve Outcomes in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Industry of Rustenburg, South Africa

Attempts to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) have failed in most areas where illegal ASM occurs. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Africanisation in promoting the formalisation of the ASM sector of South Africa. Due to the acute lack of employment and other challenges associated with ASM, it is essential to ensure that the sector is appropriately formalised to allow communities to benefit fully whilst minimising any negative impacts emerging from ASM. In this qualitative exploratory research, data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires from 15 participants and was analysed using thematic analysis. It was found that the over-reliance on capitalistic ideals in allocating mining opportunities is one of the main reasons why past formalisation attempts have failed to produce desired outcomes. This is probably because there is poor communication between the state and the mining communities, and this means the aspirations of the communities are not considered when creating mining policies. The researchers, therefore, proposed an alternative approach to govern the mining sector, and this approach takes advantage of the tendency of Africans to work as communities. This approach is based on the idea of Africanisation. Facilitating the exploitation of mineral resources by communities rather than individuals, as is the case in capitalistic societies, will help empower communities since the mining enterprises will benefit more individuals and proceeds from the mining enterprises will help stimulate local economic development

Peer learning leaders: developing employability through facilitating the learning of other students

Employability is a key theme in higher education and attitudes towards its development have shifted from a focus on technical skills development to a broader focus on values, intellect, social engagement and performance contributing to graduate identity (Hager and Hodkinson, 2009). Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) and Language Conversation Clubs are both examples of student-led peer learning schemes at Bournemouth University (BU), and are reviewed to explore the development of students employed to lead and facilitate group learning sessions. Data from four annual evaluation surveys (n=239) is reviewed in addition to qualitative comments and reflective writing. Peer leaders were found to have developed employability attributes including: leadership, time management and organisation, communication, and cultural awareness. Above all, peer leaders identified with developing confidence in their roles. Comments provided examples of student leaders who had actively selected peer learning as an opportunity to develop their confidence and were able to transfer this to other academic and employment contexts

Cosmic Texture from a Broken Global SU(3) Symmetry

We investigate the observable consequences of creating cosmic texture by breaking a global SU(3) symmetry, rather than the SU(2) case which is generally studied. To this end, we study the nonlinear sigma model for a totally broken SU(3) symmetry, and develop a technique for numerically solving the classical field equations. This technique is applied in a cosmological context: the energy of the collapsing SU(3) texture field is used as a gravitational source for the production of perturbations in the primordial fluids of the early universe. From these calculations, we make predictions about the appearance of the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) which would be present if the large scale structure of the universe was gravitationally seeded by the collapse of SU(3) textures.Comment: 28 pages, latex, 11 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Evaluation of a Frame-based Programming Editor

Frame-based editing is a novel way to edit programs, which claims to combine the benefits of textual and block-based programming. It combines structured ‘frames’ of preformatted code, designed to reduce the burden of syntax, with ‘slots’ that allow for efficient textual entry of expressions. We present an empirical evaluation of Stride, a frame-based language used in the Greenfoot IDE. We compare two groups of middle school students who worked on a short programming activity in Greenfoot, one using the original Java editor, and one using the Stride editor. We found that the two groups reported similarly low levels of frustration and high levels of satisfaction, but students using Stride progressed through the activity more quickly and completed more objectives. The Stride group also spent significantly less time making purely syntactic edits to their code and significantly less time with non-compilable code