Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some do, some don't: student use of online writing resources

Background: Employers, governments and professional bodies have identified that engineering graduates frequently have inadequate communication skills, particularly in the written form. The current generation of students prefers to get resources online and operates with a just-in-time, needs-to-know perspective, so the provision of structured support to develop writing skills over the web is expected to both suit and help them. To that end, we developed first the WRiSE and then the iWrite websites. While the former is more generic, the latter specialises in engineering-based instructional materials. It includes authentic writing examples (including annotated student work) and e-learning feedback options for a wide range of genres authentic to the professional practice of an engineer. It was designed with the intent to supplement classroom teaching. Alas, these resources are not being exploited by students as we had hoped. Purpose: This paper primarily explores why students chose to use or not to use online resources for a variety of engineering writing tasks. The underlying purpose is to better understand how such resources should be used by teachers to help students. Design/Method: The two websites are used and have been evaluated at both of our institutions. Voluntary surveys and focus groups from several courses at both institutions were used to collect detailed information about students' perceptions of the online resources, including, unlike most surveys, from those who chose not to use our website. Detailed logs of the websites' usage provided information about how the students interact with the resources. At times, this has been matched with their prior and subsequent academic performances. Results: While results have been drawn from various surveys and focus groups, discussion is concentrated on responses from Stage 1 BE students. Answers indicate that students who most need to use supplementary resources are less likely to do so and that the most common explanations for failing to take advantage of them are (i) a lack of structured time and (ii) ignorance about what is available and what it offers. It is not that students do not see the need. Generally answers confirmed other findings about web-based resources, especially that students prefer them to be immediately relevant and easily accessed. Conclusions: Results confirm that online resources which develop communication skills are more effective when time is made to introduce them in the classroom and room is found for their use in the assessed curriculum, so that they are a prescribed part of the learning, not an optional extra. This becomes particularly important for those students who are more in need of using such resources.
Students’ Intentions to Use Distance Education Platforms: An Investigation into Expanding the Technology Acceptance Model through Social Cognitive Theory

The current study aims to investigate the crucial factors that influence the behavioral intentions of students to use distance education platforms (DEPs). The tested Davis Expanded Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied with Bandura’s social cognitive theory (SCT). This study included 453 university students using DEPs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A quantitative approach was adopted, and the results revealed that both perceived ease of use and usefulness have a strong influence on student intentions to use DEPs. Observational learning and computer self-efficacy also strongly influence perceived ease of use, and learner control with scaffolding was shown to significantly influence perceived usefulness. Moreover, the results confirmed the significant effect of perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness. Accordingly, the results provide valid support for an integrated framework including both TAM and SCT to understand how students may accept DEPs to improve their educational performance. This integration would help the decision-makers who are responsible for managing these platforms to assess the real needs of students at all higher education institutions.
Scheduling unbalanced cellular manufacturing systems with lot splitting

Recently, a large number of studies have addressed lot splitting as a means to reduce flow times as well as improve due date performance. Furthermore, a number of studies have examined scheduling policies in cellular manufacturing systems. These studies have been conducted under a variety of experimental factors, shop structures and operational assumptions. This study examines scheduling cellular manufacturing systems in the presence of lot splitting. In addition, we utilize various scheduling policies to test formally the underlying principles of the synchronous manufacturing philosophy. This is accomplished by utilizing exhaustive and non-exhaustive scheduling heuristics simultaneously at bottleneck and non-bottleneck workcentres. The results indicate that, under certain conditions, performing additional set-ups before the bottleneck can improve due date performance without an adverse effect on average flow time. Furthermore, we show that incurring additional set-ups after the bottleneck does not improve due date performance and may deteriorate flow time performance. These results conflict with some of the tenets of the synchronous manufacturing philosophy.
Accuracy of a Novel Scoring System for Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has become a widely accepted treatment option for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Furthermore, response to NAC is considered to be a predictor of favorable outcomes. It is known that some predictors are associated with NAC response. Objectives: To assess the accuracy of scoring system for prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in LABC. Methods: Medical record of 50 patients received NAC at Mohammad Hoesin Hospital were retrospectively analysed between July 2019 to July 2020. Response of NAC in LABC was determined with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST). Variables of the scoring system are risk factors of breast cancer, immunohistochemical subtype, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Results: A total of 50 patients with LABC received and completed NAC. The mean age was 48.2 ± 11.0 at the time of diagnosis. Good response to NAC was achieved in 38 patients (76.0%). This scoring system shows a sensitivity of 77.8%, a specificity of 83.3%, a positive predictive value of 18.4%, and a negative predictive value of 24.4% with the Youden index of 66.1. The combination between less than three parity and positive estrogen receptor demonstrated better accuracy with a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 77.7% and Youden index 74. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that this scoring system is potentially useful for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in LABC patients and warrants further investigation in a larger population to validate this finding.
Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges Relating to the Variances in Students’ Response to Dissatisfaction in Business Management Educational Services

Consumers respond to their lack of satisfaction with service provision in a variety of ways. For instance, research findings indicates that consumers’ response options to service dissatisfaction is related to customer loyalty, which may impact their future repurchase intentions (Janjua, 2017). The current study investigates the impact of loyalty, and its cultural understanding, on dissatisfaction response styles of university students. In particular, it compares the variations in response options between Anglo-Saxon Australian students and international Middle Eastern students, attending Australian universities and other tertiary higher education Australian institutions, in an attempt to explore the impact of culture on dissatisfaction, and the resultant response options chosen by students, as guided by culturally defined perceptions and values (Newsome & Cooper, 2016). Findings indicate that there are significant variations in terms of the degree of ethnic loyalty and the response options that students engage in as a reaction to educational service dissatisfaction, mostly attributable to differences in cultural values. The contributions of this study are three-fold. First, the current research study further develops our understanding of cultural loyalty and its impact on students’ future repurchase intentions. Secondly, it provides an understanding of the dissatisfaction response styles of university students coming from different ethnic backgrounds. Finally, this study further contributes to our understanding of the relationship between students’ ethnic backgrounds and their respective repurchase decisions.
Skew and linear rise of MMF across slot modelling-winding function approach

A method of calculation of the inductances of an induction machine is proposed. The skewing of the rotor bars of the machine and the resultant linear rise of MMF across the slot, together with the nonsinusoidal distribution of the stator winding are taken into account. The method is based on the winding function approach, which allows for all harmonics of the MMF to be taken into account. The results obtained by the proposed method have been compared with those obtained by a conventional manner, which take into account the above phenomena by means of scale factors applied to the harmonics. A very good agreement between them is demonstrated.
A novel active power filter for harmonic suppression

In this paper, a novel active power filter is proposed and implemented by using a voltage-source power converter with a series connected inductor and capacitor set. The power converter is controlled to generate a compensating voltage that is converted into a compensating current via the series connected inductor and capacitor set. The compensating current flows into the power feeder in order to suppress the harmonic currents generated by nonlinear loads. The salient advantages of the proposed active power filter are lower voltage rating of dc capacitor and power switching devices, smaller filter inductor, smaller dimension, light weight, better filter performance and low electromagnetic interference (EMI). A three-phase 100 kVA active power filter is developed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed active power filter has the expected performance.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JOB INVOLVEMENT, ANDEMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN INCREASING ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Employee job involvement is critical in an organization, especially when it comes to increasing organizational effectiveness and improving organizational performance. Similarly, employee engagement involves a sense of emotional involvement from within the employee, which ultimately increases the organizations effectiveness. The objective of the research is to obtain information about the influence of job involvement and employee engagement on organizational effectiveness. In this study, the researcher attempt to study how this job involvement influences organizational effectiveness, how employee engagement influences organizational effectiveness, and how this job Involvement has indirect influence is mediated by employee engagement. The research was conducted on all employees of the Human Resource Development Agency of Indonesias Tourism Ministry of Indonesia by using a survey method with path analysis applied in testing the hypothesis. The number 86 employees as the sample was selected by using the Slovin formula. From the results structural equation modeling the researcher finds a significant influence of job involvement on organizational effectiveness, and significant influence of employee engagement on organizational effectiveness, and also the indirect influence of job Involvement on organizational effectiveness mediated by employee engagement of the employee of Human Resource Development Agency of Indonesias Tourism Ministry of Indonesia.
Modeling the gain degradation of high concentration erbium-doped fiber amplifiers by introducing inhomogeneous cooperative up-conversion

The gain degradation of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) with high erbium ion (Er/sup 3+/) concentration at 1.48- and 0.98- mu m pump wavelengths is modeled by introducing inhomogeneous cooperative up-conversion (IhCU). General formulas describing the gain degradation as a function of IhCU rate are obtained by solving rate equations for population probabilities in the relevant Er/sup 3+/ energy levels. The experimental results, such as low gain for high Er/sup 3+/ concentration, and higher saturated gain with counterpropagation than with copropagation pumping, which have not yet been explained theoretically, are qualitatively explained by this model. Good agreement between the measured and calculated gain is obtained. The gain degradation characteristics at 1.48- and 0.98- mu m pump wavelengths are analyzed with this model. The advantage of counterpropagation pumping is determined qualitatively. The noise figure degradation is also evaluated. >
Strength of steel fibre reinforced concrete ground slabs

Tests are reported on four full-scale concrete ground slabs. Two types of steel fibre have been used to reinforce the concrete, with fibre contents of 20 and 30 kg/m3, which is lower than the minimum recommended in the Chinese construction practice. It is found that flexural toughness has an effect on the load-carrying capacity of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) ground slabs. The ultimate load capacity of the ground slabs is assessed and compared with the test results from different sources. The load-carrying capacity of the SFRC ground floors with flexural toughness effect is assessed. The horizontal thrust induced by the friction between the slab and the subgrade is also analysed.
IMPROVING WATER PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH MICRO‐IRRIGATION IN ARID PUNJAB REGIONS

Inadequate water supply in a canal command area is a major limiting factor for sustainable crop production, as well as for adoption of crop diversification options. Shifting from conventional (surface) irrigation to micro‐irrigation in conjunction with an auxiliary reservoir is a possible alternative for managing irrigation water shortages. The auxiliary reservoir provides a reliable water supply for the micro‐irrigation system during the period when the canal system is not operational. To study the techno‐economic feasibility of a proposed technological package, an auxiliary reservoir of 1500 m3 capacity was constructed at the Research Farm of Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, Abohar, India, which received a canal supply from an outlet of the Panjawa minor of the Abohar distributory of the Sirhind canal system. Drip irrigation was used to irrigate kinnow (Citrus reticulata Blanco.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) and capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.). Drip and micro‐sprinkler both were used for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.). These crops were also grown with surface irrigation methods (border or furrow depending upon the crop) as control. Results of the study indicated that the interventions were able to save a substantial amount of irrigation water (3–46%) compared to surface methods, along with higher yields, a doubling of water productivity and more profits per mm of irrigation water. The study clearly showed that micro‐irrigation in conjunction with an auxiliary reservoir should be recommended in canal‐irrigated commands in order to improve water productivity and farmers' income in arid regions of Punjab. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel evolution of a hyper‐elongated tongue in a Cretaceous enantiornithine from China and the evolution of the hyolingual apparatus and feeding in birds

The globally distributed extinct clade Enantiornithes comprises the most diverse early radiation of birds in the Mesozoic with species exhibiting a wide range of body sizes, morphologies, and ecologies. The fossil of a new enantiornithine bird, Brevirostruavis macrohyoideus gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Liaoning Province, northeastern China, preserves a few important skeletal features previously unknown among early stem and extant birds, including an extremely elongate bony hyoid element (only slightly shorter than the skull), combined with a short cranial rostrum. The long hyoid provides direct evidence for the evolution of specialized feeding in this extinct species, and appears similar to the highly mobile tongue that is mobilized by the paired epibranchials present in living hummingbirds, honeyeaters, and woodpeckers. The likely linkage between food acquisition and tongue protrusion might have been a key factor in the independent evolution of particularly elongate hyobranchials in early birds.
SUSCEPTIBILITY OF WEST INDIAN AVOCADOS TO CHILLING INJURY AS RELATED TO RAPID COOLING WITH LOW TEMPERATURE AIR OR WATER 1

Removal of field heat from avocados before shipment reduces decay and retards the ripening process, thus extending market life. Some avocados, especially West Indian varieties, are subject to chilling injury when stored at temperatures lower than 55 °F. The use of low temperatures for the cooling medium can greatly reduce the time required for cooling. Such practice, however, raises the question of whether the fruit might suffer from chilling injury when cooled in this way. Studies were conducted, over a period of three seasons, on the rapid cooling of 12 West Indian varieties of avocados to determine whether this manner of cooling would cause chilling injury to the fruit. Air temps were as low as 17°F, and water temp used were as low as 33°F. Fruit were cooled to mass-average temps that generally ranged from 40° to 50°F but were as low as 33°F in one test, and were then allowed to ripen at 70°F. No definite evidence of chilling injury was found in any of the samples tested. Removal of field heat from avocados before shipment is desirable in order to lower the respiration rate and to reduce the activity of decay-causing organisms. In addition, cooling helps to retard the ripening process, thus extending the market life. Avocados, particularly West Indian varieties, are subject to low-temperature injury—commonly called "chilling injury. " Chilling injury in avocado fruits is characterized by abnormal ripening, darkening of the flesh, development of off flavors and odors, and pitting and darkening of the skin. Usually, chilling injury symptoms develop during ripening after storage at low temperatures. Detailed descriptions of chilling injury symptoms, and conditions under which chilling has occurred, have been given by a number of previous researchers (2,3,4,5 and 7). A time-temperature relationship appears to be associated with avocado chilling injury, and some varieties are more susceptible to chilling injury than others. In some varieties, chilling injury has occurred in as few as 4 days when fruit were stored at 50°F or in 3 days when stored at 40° or 45°F. Chilling injury has even been detected in some avocados after storage at 55°F for 14 days (3). Because chilling injury has occurred in avocados as a result of storage at temperatures lower than 55°F, use of 55°F air or water for cooling would seem a safe practice. Since cooling rate is a direct function of the difference between the temperature of the fruit
Low-Voltage Organic Field-Effect Transistor With PMMA/$ \hbox{ZrO}_{2}$ Bilayer Dielectric

This paper reports on the application of a bilayer polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/ZrO2 dielectric in copper ph-thalocyanine (CuPc) organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). By depositing a PMMA layer on ZrO2, the leakage of the dielectric is reduced by one order of magnitude compared to single- layer ZrO2. A high-quality interface is obtained between the organic semiconductor and the combined insulators. By integrating the advantages of polymer and high-fe dielectrics, the device achieves both high mobility and low threshold voltage. The typical field-effect mobility, threshold voltage, on/off current ratio, and subthreshold slope of OFETs with bilayer dielectric are 5.6 times 10-2 cm2/V ldr s, 0.8 V, 1.2 times 103, and 2.1 V/dec, respectively. By using the bilayer dielectrics, the hysteresis observed in the devices with single-layer ZrO2 is no longer present.
Earthquake Performance of Porcelain Transformer Bushings

The earthquake performance of 196-kV, 230-kV, and 550-kV porcelain transformer bushings was studied by earthquake-simulator experimentation and analysis. The fundamental frequencies of the 196-kV, 230-kV, and 550-kV bushings were identified to be approximately 15 Hz, 18 Hz, and 8 Hz, respectively, using resonance-search testing on the simulator. The corresponding damping ratios were between 2 and 4 percent of critical. The 196-kV and 230-kV bushings survived severe earthquake shaking and were qualified to the High Level per the IEEE 693-1997 standard. The discrepancy between excellent behavior in the laboratory and poor behavior in the field of these types of bushings calls into question the procedures used for qualification of substation equipment. The 550-kV bushing survived shaking at the moderate performance level with limited damage and minor oil leakage. Current procedures for fragility testing of transformer bushings were evaluated and found to be neither appropriate nor conservative.
Altered Heart Rate Variability Early in ICU Admission Differentiates Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 and All-Cause Sepsis Patients

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. IMPORTANCE: Altered heart rate variability has been associated with autonomic dysfunction in a number of disease profiles, in this work we elucidate differences in the biomarker among patients with all-cause sepsis and coronavirus disease 2019. OBJECTIVES: To measure heart rate variability metrics in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients with comparison to all-cause critically ill sepsis patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective analysis of coronavirus disease 2019 patients admitted to an ICU for at least 24 hours at any of Emory Healthcare ICUs between March 2020 and April 2020 up to 5 days of ICU stay. The comparison group was a cohort of all-cause sepsis patients prior to coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Continuous waveforms were captured from the patient monitor. The electrocardiogram was then analyzed for each patient over a 300 seconds observational window that was shifted by 30 seconds in each iteration from admission till discharge. A total of 23 heart rate variability metrics were extracted in each iteration. We use the Kruskal-Wallis and Steel-Dwass tests (p < 0.05) for statistical analysis and interpretations of heart rate variability multiple measures. RESULTS: A total of 141 critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients met inclusion criteria, who were compared with 208 patients with all-cause sepsis. Three nonlinear markers, including the ratio of standard deviation derived from the Poincaré plot, sample entropy, and approximate entropy and four linear features, including mode of beat-to-beat interval, acceleration capacity, deceleration capacity, and the proportion of consecutive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 ms, were all statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the coronavirus disease 2019 and all-cause sepsis cohorts. The three nonlinear features and acceleration capacity, deceleration capacity, and beat-to-beat interval (mode) were statistically significant (p < 0.05) when comparing pairwise analysis among the combinations of survivors and nonsurvivors between the coronavirus disease 2019 and sepsis cohorts. Temporal analysis of the main markers showed low variability across the 5 days of analysis compared with sepsis patients. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this descriptive statistical study, heart rate variability measures were found to be statistically different across critically ill patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and distinct from bacterial sepsis.