Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BIM: Integrating Cost Estimates at Initial/Design Stage

The accuracy of the cost estimates is very important in the initial stage because it will determine the viability of the project and provide the project budget. Therefore, Inaccuracy of the cost estimates beyond the acceptable range will cause the cost overrun in the later stage. This research aims to recommend BIM to be applied as a part of the cost management process and to improve the cost estimating at the initial/design stage. In addition, this research will investigate the factors influencing the accuracy, why BIM not been applied to reduce the inaccuracy and how BIM can be integrated into cost estimates at the initial / design stage. This research was carried out via literature review, questionnaire survey and semi-structured interview. It was indicated that insufficient information related to the project, poor communication between project team and complexity of design and construction are the three most factors influenced the accuracy of cost estimates. While collaborating and sharing information between the project team, and investment in software and training are the barriers in implementing BIM. The research also found out that BIM is an integrated multi-disciplinary tool that serves architecture, structural and M&E. In addition, the capability of BIM in assisting cost estimates allow QS to focus more value adding activities in estimating such as: identifying construction assemblies, pricing and factoring risks, which are essential for high quality estimates. In conclusion, with the capability of BIM and its integration will help to minimize the error and enhance the project cost estimates in the future. Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA AR-SA
Metabolic and enzymatic adaptations in northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, and Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba

The Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, is restricted to the Antarctic Ocean. The northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica , is extremely widely distributed from the arctic North Atlantic to the warm Mediterranean. Respiration measurements showed no seasonal differences in rates determined in krill from the thermally stable Clyde Sea (Scotland) and the cooler but variable Danish Kattegat. In the warm Ligurian Sea, where temperatures are stable, krill showed higher rates in April than in September, indicating reactions to the short but intensive productive season. Krill can passively benefit from enhancements of overall metabolism when ascending into upper, warmer water strata during their pronounced diel vertical migration. Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) of citrate synthase (CS) were com- pared. In terms of respiration and enzyme regulation, krill from the Ligurian Sea stand apart: temperature and nutrition appear to be of different influence, relatable to genetic differentiation in the species. In contrast, Km of CS in E. superba is temperature independent, highlighting the species' stenothermal physiology. A basal level of activity of digestive enzymes ensures immediate utilization of patchy food sources. Specific induction, including that of chitinases, indicating omnivory in both species, underlines krill's exceptional capacity to adapt to highly variable trophic environ - ments. Processes of moult, growth, and reproduction are locally and seasonally adjusted.
Motivations and Deterrents to Take Part in an HIV Vaccine Trial: Experiences from Study Participants in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: As HIV infection continues to be a public health problem, development of an effective preventive HIV vaccine is a priority. For the ultimate development of an AIDS vaccine, clinical trials are being conducted throughout the world. However, the process of developing the vaccine does not only depend on identification of suitable trial candidates, but also requires knowledge of incentives to participate in the community where the trial is being conducted. Therefore, the studies presented in this thesis are components of a HIV/AIDS and HIV vaccine trial project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to address motivations and deterrents of participating in an HIV vaccine trial. Aim: To examine the motivations and deterrents for participating in preventive HIV vaccine trials. Methods: Data were collected from participants and volunteers who were considered for participation or participated in a phase I/II HIV vaccine trial. Four studies with different designs were conducted. In Study I, a semi-structured interview administered questionnaire was used to assess willingness to volunteer for a phase I/II HIV vaccine trial. A convenience sample of 329 individuals from the police force cohort was recruited for the study in 2005-2006. In Study II, focus group discussions were conducted to explore factors that would influence participation in an HIV vaccine trial among members of the police force in 2006-2007. In Study III, face-to-face interviews were used to identify reasons for declining to enrol in an HIV vaccine trial among those who agreed to enrol at the start and were randomized for the trial in 2007-2009. In Study IV, we used focus group discussions to evaluate the experiences of those who participated in the phase I/II trial in 2009. Results: Willingness to volunteer for an HIV vaccine trial was associated with intention to tell others, positive outcome of the trial, personal decision and expectation of obtaining protection against HIV infection. Participation in an HIV vaccine trial would be negatively influenced by sexual partners, friends, family members, relatives or parents (significant others) and fear of vaccine side-effects. Personal fears and negative influences from significant others were the main reasons for declining to enrol in an HIV vaccine trial. Despite the negative comments from significant others, volunteers in the HIV vaccine trial managed to stay on until the end of the trial as a result of personal decision and trial-related interventions. Conclusion: Personal decision is both a motivation to participate in an HIV vaccine trial and a reason to stay on until the end of trial. On the contrary, significant others are the deterrents to participation in the HIV vaccine trial and the reason for declining to enrol in the HIV vaccine trial. Awareness of these issues before trial implementation may help to maximize resource use and enhance retention of those who volunteer in the HIV vaccine trials.
Nodule detection on chest helical CT scans by using a genetic algorithm

The purpose of the study is to apply a genetic algorithm (GA) template matching method to detect lung nodules in chest helical X ray CT (computed tomography) images. We combined GA and template matching to search the positions of nodules and to calculate adaptation scales of individuals on GA, respectively. We used four simulated nodules created by Gaussian distribution, whose sizes were different to each other, as reference patterns in the GA template matching. The GA selected an adequate reference image from four images and searched adequate positions to template matching. We used cross correlation as similarity of template matching and as adaptation scales of individuals on GA. It was possible to detect 23 nodules from 45 that did not touch the lung walls, without consideration of their sizes. It was also possible to detect all nodules that touched the lung walls by using conventional template matching along lung walls. The total detection rate was approximately 67%. The number of false positives per slice was over 10. To improve the detection performance and to decrease the number of false positives, we are now working on considering operators and their parameters of GA.
Relationships between relative abundance of resident bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and habitat characteristics in Central Idaho mountain streams

approved: William J. Liss Resident bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) may be particularly vulnerable to human related disturbance, however very few studies have focused on resident bull trout populations. The abundance of bull trout is one measure of the strength and potential for persistence of a population. Habitat characteristics may influence resident bull trout abundance to differing degrees and by varying means at multiple spatial scales. We used day and night snorkel counts to assess relative bull trout abundance. A modification of the Forest Service Rl/R4 Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory was used to assess habitat characteristics associated with resident bull trout. Logistic and multiple linear regression were used to assess the relationships between resident bull trout abundance and habitat characteristics at the patch (1 to 5 km), reach (0.5 to 1 km) and habitat unit (1 to 100 m) scales. Site categorical variables were used along with quantitative habitat variables to explain among-site and across-site variation in the data. The significance of both quantitative habitat variables and categorical site variables at various spatial scales suggest that relationships between bull trout abundance and habitat characteristics are complex and in part dependent on scale. The characteristics of individual habitat units explained little of the variation in bull trout presence/absence (logistic regression; Somers' D = 0.44) and density (multiple linear regression; adjusted le = 0.08) in habitat units, however there were habitat characteristics that were significantly (P 0.05) correlated to bull trout presence/absence and density in habitat units. The relationships Redacted for Privacy between habitat characteristics and bull trout presence/absence and density varied between habitat unit types. There was a strong quadratic relationship between bull trout abundance and mean summer water temperature at the reach (P = 0.004) and patch scales (P = 0.001). The mean temperature of patches appears to explain some of the variation in bull trout density at smaller spatial scales, such as reaches and habitat units. An appreciation of the complex nature of scale dependent interactions between bull trout abundance and habitat characteristics may help resource managers make wiser decisions regarding conservation of resident bull trout populations. Relationships Between Relative Abundance of Resident Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and Habitat Characteristics in Central Idaho Mountain Streams by Caleb Frederick Zurstadt
COGNITIVE-MAP FORMATION OF BLIND PERSONS IN A VIRTUAL SOUND ENVIRONMENT

This paper describes a new assistive technology for sightless persons based on a virtual auditory display (VAD). This system is intendedto encourage its usersto improve their map-forming skills and use them more efficiently while providing a safe virtual sound environment to virtually walk and navigate through. The VAD is a middle-ware software program called SiFASo (Simulative environment for acoustic 3D software), whichis implementedon Windows XP (Microsoft Corp.). The system virtually realizes a sound maze through which a user navigates using a game controller instead of traveling physically. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the practical effectivenessof this newly developed system. Firstly, it wasexaminedwhetherparticipants wereable to create corresponding tactile maps after walking through virtual sound mazes. Evaluation using bi-dimensional regression analyses and bi-dimensional correlation coefficients indicated that most participants were able to produce accurate cognitive maps. Secondly, an experiment to investigate whether the participants, after navigating through a virtual sound environment of an actual but unfamiliar building, could find their way on a real passage upon which the virtual environment was based. Results showed that three out of four participants were capable of completing the given tasks. This system is effective to promote the forming of cognitive maps or survey maps of users. For those reasons, it might be a useful tool for effectively training blind persons, thereby improving their orientation and mobility.
The Role of Pedagogical Beliefs in Emerging Technology Integration: An Exploratory Case Study of Faculty Perspectives

Abstract The integration of social media, mobile/wireless and Web 2.0 technologies in higher education supports student engagement locally and globally to create new knowledge using innovative strategies. However, there remains a disconnect between the positive perceptions of faculty regarding the value of integrating technology and its adoption in online contexts. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to investigate the factors that influence faculty to integrate innovative and emerging technologies, and to consider whether pedagogical beliefs influence choice and adoption of technology. Participants included graduate and undergraduate faculty members who had experience teaching online; were representative of diverse disciplines and courses and were familiar with using technology in the classroom. Using qualitative content analysis, the data from in-depth interviews, questionnaires and researcher reflective journal entries were analyzed. The findings indicate that faculty are convinced of the benefits of technology and its potential impact on student success. However, their choices are influenced by those tools that align with their pedagogical beliefs and have a foundation in learning theory, that are easy to learn, and that demonstrate increased student engagement and motivation. This study contributes to the current gap in research related to low technology adoption rates by faculty, and highlights the complexity of selecting innovative technology for online global environments
NEXUS BETWEEN LEADERSHIP STYLES, EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND PERFORMANCE IN ORGANIZATIONS IN NIGERIA

The study sought to examine the nexus between leadership styles and employees’ retention in organizations with a view to ascertaining how leadership styles influence employees’ retention and performance, and consequently enhance productivity in organizations in Nigeria. The paper is a literary work; hence it derived its data from secondary sources of data. The objectives that guided the study were: to overview the concept of leadership, identify the various types of leadership, and their impact on employees’ retention and performance in organizations. The paper identifies the following leadership styles that are prevalent in organizations; autocratic, democratic, bureaucratic amongst others. The paper argued that effective leadership style is crucial for achieving organizational goals. Thus, the study reveals that when management styles are considered repugnant by the subordinates, they undermine employees’ performance and instigate their propensity to quit the organization, and vice versa. The paper further argued that employees’ retention and performance can be achieved through the adoption of appropriate leadership styles that will align business strategies with employees’ motivation and morale. Hence, it therefore, proposes that managers adopt leadership styles that will corroborate the behavioral patterns within the expectation levels of employees. This will propel employees to perform at maximum levels of contribution and not only spur but concretize their retention in organizations.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF VOCABULARY MASTERY AND SELF-ESTEEM TOWARDS STUDENTS ’ WRITING SKILL AND ITS IMPLICATION IN DEVELOPING LESSON PLAN

The objectives of this research are to find out the correlation between (1) vocabulary mastery and writing skill; (2) self-esteem and writing skill; and (3) vocabulary mastery, self-esteem, and writing skill. This research used quantitative method, that is, correlational study. The results show that in the level of significance of α = 0.05 there is a positive and significant correlation between (1) vocabulary mastery and writing skill ( =0.6766 > rt=0.423); (2) self-esteem and writing skill ( =0.9874 > rt=0.423); and (3) vocabulary mastery, selfesteem, and writing skill ( =0.85964 and =26.89 > =4.35). Both vocabulary mastery and self-esteem give 73.89% effective contribution to writing skill. Therefore, it is suggested that teachers must create innovation in arranging any interesting activity and develop lesson plan which enable students to acquire vocabulary mastery easily and increase their self-esteem.
Nanoporous silicon as drug delivery systems for cancer therapies

Porous silicon nanoparticles have been established as excellent candidates for medical applications as drug delivery devices, due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high surface area. The simple fabrication method by electrochemical anodization of silicon and its photoluminescent properties are some of the merits that have contributed to the increasing interest given to porous silicon. This paper presents the methods of fabrication, which can be customized to control the pore size, various chemical treatments used for the modification of silicon surfaces, and the characterization and pore morphology of silicon structures. Different approaches used for drug loading and the variety of coatings used for the controlled released are revised. The monitoring of the toxicity of silicon degradation products and the in vivo release of a drug in a specific site are described taking into account its significance on medical applications, specifically on cancer therapy.
A Parallel Multiblock Mesh Movement Scheme For Complex Aeroelastic Applications

A scheme has been developed for the movement of multiblock, structured grids due to surface deformation arising from aeroelastics, control surface movement, or design optimization. Elements of the method include a blending of a surface spline approximation and nearest surface point movement for block boundaries. Transfinite interpolation is employed for volume grid deformation. The scheme is demonstrated on a range of simple and complex aeroelastic aircraft applications using Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics and modal structural analyses on parallel processors. Results are robust and accurate, requiring only minimal user input specification.
Histological and ultrastructure changes in Medicago sativa in response to lead stress

In the recent years, human activities such industry and agriculture promote heavy metal release into the environment. Lead is the most contaminant metals in environment which adversely affects both plant and human life. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of Pb on structural characteristics in Medicago sativa L. 30 days plants treated with Pb in 5 treatments (0,120, 240, 500, 1000μM Pb) with 3 repeat in per treatment for 10 days. Histochemical method of lead detection revealed significant accumulation of this metal in cortex and xylem tissues in roots and in stems lead deposits on cell wall of collenchymas tissues. The analysis of scanning electron micrographs of the leaf surface of M. sativa grown on hydroponic culture treated with Pb showed an increase in the size of guard cells in adaxial surface and decrease in abaxial surface, decrease in size of stomata aperture and closure of stomata in 1000 μM Pb in medium. Alternation of epicuticular waxes is one of the most important of pollution symptoms, in our study, alteration in structure and deposition of epicuticular waxes were observed. Also anatomical characteristics of stem and root affected by Pb contamination. Under Pb toxicity, anatomical symptoms including increase the diameter of stems and root as well as amplified vascular bundles and pith area were obsreved. Keyword: Lead , stomata, epicuticular waxes, anatomical changes, Medicago sativa L.
'The power to heal us with a smile and a song': Senior well-being, music-based participatory arts and the value of qualitative evidence

Tonic is a singing-based participatory arts initiative based in the south- west of Sydney, Australia. This paper reports on a qualitative evaluation of the thirty-week workshop series. It provides qualitative evidence of the outcomes of the programme, linking these to recent debates about 'evidence-based policy' approaches. It argues that, although Sweet Tonic is undoubtedly a beneficiary of the instrumentalist turn in arts policy, this framing also traps the programme into defining its success or failure in instrumentalist terms. It is suggested that, although such accounts are often dismissed as 'anecdotal', in fact the most power- ful evidence of the impact of a programme like Sweet Tonic is contained in the accounts of personal experience of participants in the programme. It is therefore necessary to understand the complexities of evidence in cultural policy, and to develop new language to talk about evidence that doesn't unnecessarily privilege quantitative or statistical forms at the expense of qualitative evidence.
A study of correlation between iron deficiency anaemia and serum lipid profile in Indian adults in BRIMS, Bidar

Background: Both iron deficiency anemia and dyslipidaemia are widely prevalent public health problems, especially in the Indian population. Some link has been suggested between the two potentially morbid conditions but a sufficient Indian study could not be found in this regard. Methods: This study was planned to find the changes in serum lipid profile in adult Indian patients with iron deficiency anemia and the effect of oral iron therapy on them. 100 iron deficiency anemia and 70 age and sex matched healthy controls, in the age group 18-35 years were investigated for any possible changes in serum lipid profile i.e., triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The patients were followed up after 3 months of oral iron therapy. Results: The results are shown as mean± standard deviation. Triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be significantly (P <0.001) elevated in the iron deficiency anemia group (151.87 ± 48.06 mg/dl and 30.40 ± 9.71 mg/dl) as compared to controls (109.99 ± 30.81 mg/dl and 21.96 ± 6.69 mg/dl), whereas level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol were found to be significantly (P = 0.02) lower in patients (90.96 ± 41.55 mg/dl) as compared to controls (105.24 ± 26.45 mg/dl). However, after treatment (in 43 patients) there was significant (P <0.001) reduction in the levels of triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (111.56 ± 26.87 mg/dl and 22.30 ± 5.36 mg/dl) when compared to their pretreatment level (154.70 ± 53.89 mg/dl and 30.93 ± 10.84 mg/dl), whereas low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels did not show any significant change. Conclusion: These findings indicate that iron deficiency anemia in Indian adults is attended by abnormal serum lipid profile, which responds significantly to iron therapy.
The determining factors of broadband use in Africa: inhibitors and enablers of the use of mobile broadband

This study extends Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to study inhibitors and enablers of the use of mobile broadband in Africa. The conceptual model tested incorporates two key constructs into TAM: Perceived price and energy —are also analyzed. Results from online survey, of 114 mobile internet consumers supported the model. The study identified the factors that can influence their decision-making and the various obstacles they face in the use of mobile-broadband. The theoretical and managerial implications of these results are discussed. Key words: Mobile-broadband usage, TAM, Sub-Saharan Africa, structural equation.