Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design-Related Causes of Rework and the Performance of Oil and Gas Projects in Nigeria

In recent times, the need to optimize project performance has been on the front burner of International Oil Companies, especially in developing countries. The quest for rework reduction to improve project performance underpins this research. This study assesses the frequency of occurrence of design-related causes of rework and its influence on project performance in terms of cost and time. A survey research design approach was adopted which involved a stratified random sample of 500 contractors and 385 consultants. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and analysed using Mean Item Score, Spearman Rank Correlation test, Kruskal Wallis test and One Sample T-test. The result shows that there is significant correlation between contractors and consultants’ perceptions of the frequency of occurrence of design-related causes of rework. It also shows that design-related causes of rework have significant influence on project time and cost performance. In addition, the project team members ranked errors and omission in design document, ineffective communication between project team members, design changes, lack of site verification by design team and lack of as-built documentation as the top five frequently occurring design-related causes of rework in oil and gas projects. Furthermore, project location does not influence the frequency of occurrence of design-related causes of rework and its impact on the performance of oil and gas projects. It is concluded that there is need for effective design and quality management practices to enhance oil and gas project delivery. It is therefore recommended that construction professional in the oil and gas industry should implement design management surveillance and constructability reviews during the design phase as these are effective strategies to reduce design-related causes of rework which will lead to improved project performance in the oil and gas sector.
A Performance Review of Ethanol-Diesel Blended Fuel Samples in Compression-Ignition Engine

The use of ethanol blended with diesel is receiving more attention by many researchers in recent times. It was shown that ethanol-diesel blends were technically acceptable for existing diesel engines. Ethanol as an attractive alternative fuel is a renewable bio-based resource and it is oxygenated, thereby providing the potential to reduce particulate emissions in compression-ignition engines. In this review the properties and specifications of ethanol blended with diesel fuel are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the factors critical to the potential commercial use of these blends. These factors include blend properties such as stability, viscosity and lubricity, safety and materials compatibility. The effect of the fuel on engine performance, durability and emissions is also considered. The formulation of additives to correct certain key properties and maintain blend stability is suggested as a critical factor in ensuring fuel compatibility with engines. However, maintaining vehicle safety with these blends may require special materials and modification of the fuel tank design. Further work is required in specifying acceptable fuel characteristics, confirming the long-term effects on engine durability, and ensuring safety in handling and storing ethanol-diesel blends
Traceability among Smallholders in the Organic Fresh Produce Value Chain : Case of Nairobi

Traceability enhances information sharing and disclosure thereby increasing trust among stakeholders along value chains. This research assessed information flow along organic fresh produce value chain using a participatory study of certified organic farmers and outlets around Nairobi in February, 2012. Traceability was limited since majority of stakeholders were smallholders who had no functional traceability system. There were two main drivers of traceability; organizational activities and personnel perception. Variables in the organizational activities were interrelated and included documentation, certification by other quality management standards, training on food safety and traceability and quality systems monitoring. In addition, group activities increased trust among value chain actors. Extension services emphasizing on documentation, quality management systems certification, employee training, group activities and system monitoring should be conducted to improve traceability.
Digital Skills for Elderly People: A Learning Experiment in Four European Countries

The problem of learning digital skills among the elderly addressed in this paper is focused on a methodology that tries to overcome the barriers in adoption of touchscreen digital technology faced by older adults, by using a game-based learning approach. The paper provides an overview of some early results and findings from an exploratory study among the elderly from four European countries based on the use of touchscreen tablets for playing games as a pre-course activity for learning how to use a smart phone. The learning was carried out with pre-selected games designed to enhance the motor skills of the players and improve the coordination between cognitive and motor skills capacity. The results presented in the paper were collected within the partners of the project GIRDA – Gameplay foR Inspiring Digital Adoption from the European ERASMUS+ programme. The paper describes the research setting, the experiments and the results accompanied by discussion and the conclusion.
A Multivariate Analysis of Savings, Investment and Growth in India

This paper considers per worker household, private corporate and public sector savings and investment, foreign capital inflows and economic growth for India in a multivariate setting for the period 1950-2001. The analysis, uses FIML to estimate the long run cointegrating equilibriums and short run Granger causing dynamics for the non-stationary time series data, which includes endogenously detected structural breaks in 1989 and 1993, consistent with the recent period of financial reforms in India. The estimates do not support the commonly accepted Solow and endogenous models of economic growth. The popular view that increases in savings are a necessary condition for economic growth is supported with the detected strong direct links from per worker household and private corporate savings to output in the long run and sectoral per worker savings to investment links in both the short and long run. This implies the need to encourage savings, which is being realised with the estimated significantly higher growth rates in household and private corporate per worker savings during deregulation in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, the link from investment to output is missing. Despite extensive analysis, per worker private corporate and household sector investment are not found to affect output in the short run or long run as required by the Solow and endogenous growth models. Indeed household investment, being the largest sector for gross domestic capital formation, does not appear to have any influence on other variables. Per worker public investment is found to adversely affect output per worker in the short and long run, contradicting Barro’s hypothesis of the benefits of the public provision of capital. These findings, plus the estimated reductions in the rates of growth in sectoral per worker investment during the 1990s, are worrying. The lack of empirical validation of commonly accepted growth theories is p roblematic for policy formulation and further research on the role of investment in the post-reform Indian economy is required.
Prevalence of Chronic Liver Diseases Caused by HBV and HCV in Nigeria in Comparison with European Countries

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C is on the increase globally and is a challenge for health care services worldwide. While there is no national program for hepatitis B and C in Nigeria, the prevalence is fast on the increase and there is the need for it be considered as a public health issue by policy makers. Some studies have suggested that hepatitis B prevalence is at 35 million in Nigeria, more so, vaccination against hepatitis B in Nigeria is lower than many sub Saharan African Countries . It was our aim to get detailed information on the prevalence of both hepatitis B and C in both scientific and grey literature.Methods: A systematic review was performed by searching both scientific and grey literature published between 2000 and 2015. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and the review process followed published recommendation.Results: The Literature review identified 500 publications; of these 69 scientific reports and 16 grey literatures met the inclusion criteria. Results show a high prevalence of chronic liver disease in Nigeria. Hepatitis B prevalence was within the range of 2 to 20%, hepatitis C prevalence was in the range of 0.5% to 15% depending on the geographical region.Conclusions: comprehensive and up-to-date data on the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in different parts of Nigeria are presented. They were found both in peer reviewed and grey literature. The grey literature, therefore, is an important source of information. Based on available data there is a need for a national program on hepatitis B and C so as to reduce the incidence rate and the total burden of liver disease in Nigeria.
Habitat requirements of the golden-cheeked warbler: Management implications.

Characteristics of nesting and wintering habitats of goldencheeked warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia) were studied from 1973-1978. Golden-cheeks are obligatively dependent on Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) for nesting materials and singing perches, but are equally dependent on scrub-oak (Quercus durandii breviloba) for foraging substrates. Golden-cheeks preferred to forage (73.6% of total observations) in hardwood species. Stepwise discriminant analysis suggested that quality nesting habitat differs from poor nesting habitat by having older (? 40 yrs.) Ashe juniper, lower juniper densities and higher densities of oak (juniper-oak ratio= 1.35 to 1). Structure of scrub-oak (mostly Q. oleoides) in the wintering habitat (La Esperanza, Intibuca Dept., Honduras) was structurally similar to that in the nesting habitat. Golden-cheeks were observed feeding in the shrubby understory. The golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) is a rare bird inhabiting the so-called "cedar brakes" in the Edwards Plateau region of west-central Texas. Golden-cheeks have been the center of controversy involving clearing of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) for range improvement and commercial harvesting for fence posts and aromatic oils; yet, no study to date has dealt quantitatively with habitat requirements of these birds. Pulich (1976) conducted an in-depth study on the natural history of golden-cheeks. He noted that the warblers are obligatively dependent on Ashe juniper for nesting habitat, and that golden-cheeks require large blocks of mature (? 50 years old) Ashe juniper. He further noted that: "Only older cedar brakes with some variation in age provide the necessary requisites of warbler habitat. " Previous studies by Johnston et al. (1952) and Huss (1954) characterized the vegetative composition of golden-cheek nesting habitat as juniper-oak; juniper composition ranged 14-50% (of stems per acre), while oaks made up 20-70%. My study was initiated to obtain quantitative data on nesting and wintering habitats of golden-cheeks, as well as, to develop a habitat management strategy for these rare birds.
Algebraic classification of higher dimensional spacetimes based on null alignment

We review recent developments and applications of the classification of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensional Lorentzian geometries. First, we discuss the general setup, i.e. main definitions and methods for the classification, some refinements and the generalized Newman–Penrose and Geroch–Held–Penrose formalisms. Next, we summarize general results, such as a partial extension of the Goldberg–Sachs theorem, characterization of spacetimes with vanishing (or constant) curvature invariants and the peeling behaviour in asymptotically flat spacetimes. Finally, we discuss certain invariantly defined families of metrics and their relation with the Weyl tensor classification, including Kundt and Robinson–Trautman spacetimes; the Kerr–Schild ansatz in a constant-curvature background; purely electric and purely magnetic spacetimes; direct and (some) warped products; and geometries with certain symmetries. To conclude, some applications to quadratic gravity are also overviewed.
Integrated observations and modelling of greenhouse gas budgets at the ecosystem level in The Netherlands

In Nederland komt ongeveer 10% van alle emissies van de broeikasgassen uit land-gebonden bronnen en nog eens 5% uit aan het landgebruik verbonden activiteiten. Nederlandse onderzoekers hebben binnen het Bsik-onderzoeksprogramma Klimaat voor Ruimte (KvR) gewerkt aan het verbeteren en verfijnen van de emissieschattingen in tijd en ruimte, aan het terugdringen van de onzekerheid in de emissiedata, het ontwerpen van maatregelen om de emissies van het landgebruik te reduceren en innovatieve methoden om N2O en CH4 emissies te bepalen toegepast en verder ontwikkeld.
Regional differences in perceived corruption among Ukrainian firms

This paper investigates regional differences in the perception of corruption and informal practices among Ukrainian firms. Using two different data sets from Ukraine, we show that perceived corruption differs significantly across regions, even when taking into account the size, industry, workforce composition, and other characteristics of the firms based on propensity score matching. In particular, perceived corruption is highest in the Eastern oblasts and lowest in the West, which points to distinct business practices that may be rooted in the different histories of Ukrainian regions.
Evolution of brown carbon in wildfire plumes

Particulate brown carbon (BrC) in the atmosphere absorbs light at subvisible wavelengths and has poorly constrained but potentially large climate forcing impacts. BrC from biomass burning has virtually unknown lifecycle and atmospheric stability. Here, BrC emitted from intense wildfires was measured in plumes transported over 2 days from two main fires, during the 2013 NASA SEAC4RS mission. Concurrent measurements of organic aerosol (OA) and black carbon (BC) mass concentration, BC coating thickness, absorption Ångström exponent, and OA oxidation state reveal that the initial BrC emitted from the fires was largely unstable. Using back trajectories to estimate the transport time indicates that BrC aerosol light absorption decayed in the plumes with a half‐life of 9 to 15 h, measured over day and night. Although most BrC was lost within a day, possibly through chemical loss and/or evaporation, the remaining persistent fraction likely determines the background BrC levels most relevant for climate forcing.
A simplified isolation method for epithelial stem cells and its use for fabrication of the chitosan based skin substitute

U cord blood (UCB) stem cell therapy has become the choice of cell generation therapy of several disorders which otherwise are not curable. In India, private banking facilities have been established for future use of the UCB cells. As a measure of quality control, testing is carried out on infection status, Rh and blood group. Presently such banking is a very personalized approach where a legal contract is generated with banking organization and parents. Counseling is catered to families mostly on use of UCB stem cells and terms and condition of banking. It has been observed, UCB cells of Down syndrome is also being banked. Therefore, the question of risk of therapeutic failure due to engraftment of genetically compromised cells came into mind. Incidence of genetic abnormality at population level is known. However, literature survey has collected a little information about the approach of genetic testing before stem cells transplantation. Therefore, it is felt that the study of genetic abnormality in UCB stem cells before and through cryo-preservation would be essential. The measurement of genomic karyotyping, spontaneous aberrations, viability, proliferation rate, etc. in M1 and M2 cells of placenta would be useful. The result will establish the importance of genetic counseling and genetic testing as a prerequisite practice in commercial UCB stem cell banking. While information about necessity of genetic testing before banking and/or receiving transplantation will help public, this will also help banking organizations to maintain a genetic certificate and family profile of any banked UCB specimen. Bani B. Ganguly, J Cell Sci Ther 2013, 4:4 http://dx.doi. org/10.4172/2157-7013.S1. 026
Connection between Spring Conditions and Peak Summer Monsoon Rainfall in South America: Role of Soil Moisture, Surface Temperature, and Topography in Eastern Brazil

Abstract A link between peak summer monsoon rainfall in central-east Brazil, composing part of the South American monsoon core region, and antecedent conditions in spring is disclosed. Rainfall in this region during part of spring holds a significant inverse correlation with rainfall in peak summer, especially during ENSO years. A surface–atmosphere feedback hypothesis is proposed to explain this relationship: low spring precipitation leads to low spring soil moisture and high late spring surface temperature; this induces a topographically enhanced low-level anomalous convergence and cyclonic circulation over southeast Brazil that enhances the moisture flux from northern and central South America into central-east Brazil, setting up favorable conditions for excess rainfall. Antecedent wet conditions in spring lead to opposite anomalies. The main links in this hypothesis are confirmed through correlation analysis of observed data: spring precipitation is negatively correlated to late spring surface tempera.
Boys who dare don’t care: unwanted men, the performing artsand perplexing disruptions to the male teacher discourse

The question of boys’ achievement and behaviour has occupied a dominant position in the discourses of schooling and teacher education for the last two decades. A commonly expressed view is that schools have become “feminised” and that more male teachers are needed as “role models” in order to solve a supposed “problem with boys”. Previous work by the author concluded that primary school boys were commonly content with their female teachers and did not generally share the anxiety of government or the Training and Development Agency for schools (TDA) to recruit more male teachers. The present paper thus seeks to explore further the question of whether there are any differences in boys’ perceptions of male teachers as role models for boys’ participation in “feminised” areas of the curriculum. It draws on data from three funded projects by the author in which boys’ participation in the arts has been closely observed. There is little evidence that boys’ participation in the performing arts is enhanced by the presence of male teachers acting as role models. Indeed, it emerges as even more robustly the case that boys do not seem to require male teachers in the urgent way suggested by TDA recruitment rhetoric. Whilst there might be agreement that it is desirable to include male teachers to model the adult workforce, even if they do not improve boys’ performance, the evidence of this study presents the disturbing possibility that male teachers may actually in certain circumstances have a counterproductive or negative effect on boys’ participation
Chapter VI Nous : Cognitive Models of Working Memory

The path to the study of cognition has to take into account working memory, as it is a key process of thinking operations in the human cognitive system. Naturally, this also holds for cognitive operations in the Web. The chapter introduces readers to current trends regarding models of working memory. The major models proposed in the literature are discussed here: Baddeley and Hitch’s multi-component model, Daneman and Carpenter’s account, Cowan’s embedded-process model, Kane and Engle’s executive attention model and long-term working memory model by Ericsson and Kintsch. The chapter focuses on the Baddeley and Hitch model, and the author argues that this specific model offers a more theoretically sound account of working memory operations. Unresolved issues and inefficiencies are also discussed and research directions are proposed.
A Case Presentation and Literature Review of Successful Ketamine Administration in a Patient with Refractory Status Asthmaticus

Treatment options for Status Asthmaticus remain limited despite current advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and medical management of this condition. Several anecdotal case reports and investigational studies demonstrate rapid recovery from Status Asthmaticus after infusion of ketamine hydrochloride. In this paper, the authors describe a
Prevalence of anaemia among young girls and pregnant women of Birgunj, Nepal

Background. The prevalence of anaemia is a major health problem worldwide and is high particularly among young girls and pregnant women. A perusal of the literature on anaemia prevalence in semi urban areas of Nepal is very alarming and its magnitude increases day to day. Methods: All the patients with illness attending at OPD of NMC Hospital were included in the study. Social demographic profile, morbidity data were recorded on a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and BMI were recorded on the basis of National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. Hb was estimated by Sahli’s method and pregnancies were verified with urine specimen using on HCG testing kit. Results. In the sample of 552 patients, 54-64.2 % were anaemic . Out of which, 26.9 % of pregnant women were moderately anaemic and 3.1 % subject were severe anaemic. Conclusions. Higher prevalence of anaemia among young in Birgunj was alarming looking due to either lesser consumption of green leafy vegetable or habit of post meal tea/coffee drinking or smaller intake of citrus fruits. These findings suggest that guideline for screening for anaemia may need to further study in relation to the dietary level of iron, iron and ferritin level in blood. Key words: Anaemia, young girls, pregnant women, semi urban areas The full text of this paper is available at Journal of Institute of Medicine website
Physiologying ” study group using active methods : the student ’ s perception about the use of this strategy in human Physiology teaching-learning

The creation of strategies that modify the classic model of teaching and facilitate the learning is a challenge for professors. Physiology, as a basic science, requires approaches that allow the construction of knowledge that are essential to health professionals and that stimulate the interest of students in the contents worked in classes. Therefore, we created the "Physiologying": a study group on human physiology. Our proposal included weekly meetings of students enrolled in the Human Physiology courses and students previously selected that acted as tutors. In the meetings different active methodologies were used to discuss the physiology contents. From the students' opinion, we verified that a weekly study group using active methods represents an important strategy to facilitate the learning process of physiology contents previously worked in class.