Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Curriculum-Based Sexual and Reproductive health intervention on the comprehensive knowledge and attitude to condom use among first-year students in Arba Minch University: a quasi-experimental study

Objective: To assess the effect of curriculum-based sexual and reproductive health intervention on the comprehensive knowledge and attitude to condom use among first-year students at Arba Minch University. Results: A total of 832 students participated at a baseline, and 820 students participated at posttest. This study found that there was a significant effect on changing students’ knowledge and attitude towards a condom. In the intervention group, the students’ average change of comprehensive condom knowledge score was 0.229 higher than the average score of student’ in the control group (ATE=0.229, 95% CI, 0.132 to 0.328; p < 0.001). The average change of attitude toward condom score of students’ in the intervention group was 1.834 higher than the average change score of students’ in control group (ATE=1.834, 95% CI, 1.195 to 2.772; p < 0.001). This study provides further evidence on the effect of the curriculum-based comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education effective in terms of knowledge and attitude towards a condom. Therefore, this education intervention should be strengthening the implementation of the control and prevent youths from HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy.
Numerical Bond Analysis Using Experimentally Derived Local Bond Laws: A Powerful Method for Evaluating the Bond Strength of Steel Bars

The transfer of forces across the interface between steel bars and concrete through bond is one of the most important aspects that control the behavior of reinforced concrete members. This paper summarizes the results of a series of experimental and analytical studies undertaken by the writer at the American University of Beirut for evaluating the bond characteristics of developed or spliced bars in tension under different design and strength variables. Particular emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the average bond strength that develops in steel bars at bond failure by integrating experimentally based local bond law(s) into a numerical analysis technique of the bond problem. A general experimentally derived local bond stress–slip relationship corresponding to the splitting mode of bond failure is presented. With simple modification of the characteristic parameters, the relationship is applicable for plain normal-strength concrete, high-strength concrete, concrete confined with transverse steel ties,.
GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor device and IC technology for high-performance analog and microwave applications

GaAs-AlGaAs n-p-n heterojunction bipolar transistor (GaAs HBT) technology and its application to analog and microwave functions for high-performance military and commercial systems are discussed. In many applications the GaAs HBT offers key advantages over the alternative advanced silicon bipolar and III-V compound field-effect-transistor (FET) approaches. TRW's GaAs HBT device and IC fabrication process, basic HBT DC and RF performance, examples of applications, and technology qualification work are presented and serve as a basis for addressing general capability issues. A related 3- mu m emitter-up, self-aligned HBT IC process provides excellent DC and RF performance, with simultaneous gain-bandwidth product, f/sub T/, and maximum frequency of oscillation, f/sub max/, of approximately 20-40 GHz and DC current gain beta approximately=50-100 at useful collector current densities approximately=3-10 kA/cm/sup 2/, early voltage approximately=500-1000 V, and MSI-LSI integration levels. These capabilities facilitate versatile DC-20-GHz analog/microwave as well as 3-6 Gb/s digital applications, 2-3 G sample/s A/D conversion, and single-chip multifunctions with producibility. >
Application of Topology-Free Optimization to Manage Cooled Turbine Tip Heat Load

The application of automated design optimization to real-world, complex geometry problems is a significant challenge—especially if the topology is not known a-priori like in turbine internal cooling. The long term goal of our work is to focus on an end-to-end integration of the whole CFD Process, from solid model through meshing, solving and post-processing to enable this type of design optimization to become viable & practical. In recent papers we have reported the integration of a Level Set based geometry kernel with an octree-based cut-Cartesian mesh generator, RANS flow solver, post-processing & geometry editing all within a single piece of software—and all implemented in parallel with commodity PC clusters as the target. The cut-cells which characterize the approach are eliminated by exporting a body-conformal mesh, with a viscous layer, guided by the underpinning Level Set. This paper develops this work further with a simple, generic study showing how the basic functionality can be scripted and then used as the infrastructure for automated optimization applied to an example in turbine cooling: managing blade tip heat lead. © 2009 ASME
A COMPARISON OF MOMENT OF INERTIA ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES FOR VEHICLE DYNAMICS SIMULATION

The moments of inertia, in yaw, pitch, and roll, as well as the center of gravity height are necessary to successfully model the three-dimensional (3D) dynamic behaviour of vehicles before, during and after collision. A number of vehicle parameter estimation techniques have been developed and are currently in use in North America and Europe. Many parameters have been measured by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and others. The estimation techniques are compared to the available measured values, and recommendations are made for best estimating the parameters when measured values are not available. The sensitivity of 3D vehicle collision dynamics and trajectory simulation to variance in the moment of inertia is demonstrated. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 899758.
Evaluación de la funcionalidad del miembro superior en personas adultas con daño cerebral adquirido realizada por los/as profesionales de la terapia ocupacional en España, estudio transversal

Introducción: La evaluación de las actividades y la participación son dos elementos claves en la funcionalidad del miembro superior (MS) para el proceso de neurorrehabilitación. Conocer la evaluación que realizan los/as profesionales de la terapia ocupacional puede ser de utilidad para la rehabilitación. Por tanto, el objetivo principal del estudio fue describir el proceso de evaluación del MS en adultos con daño cerebral adquirido (DCA), realizado por terapeutas ocupacionales en España. Métodos: Se diseñó un estudio transversal con terapeutas ocupacionales españoles que trataban el MS en pacientes con DCA mediante una encuesta online, entre marzo y mayo del 2020. En ella, se recogió información sobre variables sociodemográficas, formativas, laborales y sobre el proceso de evaluación. Resultados: Un total de 47 terapeutas ocupacionales de una edad mediana de 31 años y mayoritariamente mujeres participaron en el estudio. El 57% reportó dedicar menos del 25% de su jornada a la tarea de evaluación. Se identificaron 110 escalas de evaluación, de las cuales el 62% se dedicaban a evaluar funciones y estructuras, el 19% actividades y 19% a participación. Las herramientas más utilizadas fueron Fulg Meyer Assessment, Nine Hole Peg Test y Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand. Conclusiones: El tiempo dedicado a la evaluación fue escaso y un pequeño porcentaje de terapeutas ocupacionales evaluaron las actividades y participación.
Polyethersulfone/Polyvinyl Acetate Blend Membrane for CO2/CH4 Gas Separation

The synthesis of polyethersulfone (PES)/polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) blend membrane was successfully developed by dry phase inversion method. The membrane morphology characterized using Field Emission Electron Microscope (FESEM) showed both polymers were homogeneously mixed and a dense structure was formed. A shift in characteristic peak for most chemical groups was observed in blend membrane as analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis which suggests the presence of molecular interaction between the blend polymers. The permeability of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) gases was recorded at a constant pressure of 10 bars and room temperature. The permeability across polymer blend membrane showed better performance as compared with native polymer membrane.
Top management support and IT adoption in the Taiwanese small and medium enterprises: a strategic view

This study presents qualitative research that investigates the top managers' perceptions of a variety of components affecting their intended support for the strategic adoption of Information Technology (IT) for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan. Interview letters were sent to 40 selected top managers (owners) of SMEs and 28 usable comments were returned. The results suggest that the perceived strategic importance of IT-based resources is key in the top managers' decision to adopt IT. Five internal strategic factors are found to be inhibitors of top management support in IT adoption. The implications of the results are then discussed.
Turbocharger motor-generator for improvement of transient performance in an internal combustion engine

Abstract Turbocharging of internal combustion engines is an established technology used for the purpose of increasing both power density and in some cases the cycle efficiency of diesel engines relative to naturally aspirated engines. However, one significant drawback is the inability to match the characteristics of the turbocharger to the engine under full load and also to provide sufficiently good transient response. Under many conditions this results in reduced efficiency and leads to higher exhaust emissions. The design of turbocharger components must be compromised in order to minimize these drawbacks throughout the entire operating range. However, when shaft power can be either added to or subtracted from the turbocharger shaft by means of a direct drive motor-generator, an additional degree of freedom is available to the designer to achieve a better turbocharger-engine matching. Both engine efficiency and transient response can be significantly improved by means of this method, normally described as hybrid turbocharging. This paper describes the results of a theoretical study of the benefits of hybrid turbocharging over a basic turbocharged engine in both steady state and transient operation. The new system and its benefits are described and four different engine-turbocharger systems are analysed in addition to the baseline engine. The main conclusion of the paper is that a significant increase in design point cycle efficiency can be afforded by re-matching the turbocharger components under steady state conditions while at the same time improving full throttle transient performance. Emissions are not considered in this paper.
Loan Recovery Procedures in Tanzania: A Case of Selected Microfinance Institutions in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

The study aimed to determine the procedures employed by MFIs, specifically in loan recovery in Tanzania. Loan recovery has been a difficult task for many financial institutions but becomes more challenging to microfinance institutions due to the nature and processes they employ. The study examined the loan recovery procedures at NFBS, SMF and AML found in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. The researcher employed a mixed- case study design, which involved 50 credit officer respondents obtained under the purposive sampling. The study used semi-structured questionnaires to gather primary data and also secondary data from documents available at NFBS, SMF and AML. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics with percentages and frequencies for quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The study found that NFBS, SMF and AML used loan recovery procedures such as direct contact, friendly reminder, and issuance of final demand notice. Another procedure is to inform the local government on property selling and using a debt collection agency. The study recommends for MFIs to establish and prefer formal procedures that can be used for loan recovery because the use of informal procedures creates room for conflict and leads to ineffectiveness of recovering loans.
Animating to Build Higher Cognitive Understanding: A Model for Studying Multimedia Effectiveness in Education *

This paper presents a model for designing experiments to test the effectiveness of multimedia and other technological enhancements in education. It is based upon a discussion of an experimental study that examined the impact of one specific multimedia enhancement—animation—on a very specific aspect of learning—the ability to apply knowledge, for a well‐defined population—adult, continuing education students, in a highly specified knowledge domain–Boolean algebra.
Design and development of a 3D scanning MEMS OCT probe using a novel SiOB package assembly

A MEMS optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe prototype was developed using a unique assembly based on silicon optical bench (SiOB) methodology. The probe is formed by integrating a three-dimensional (3D) scanning micromirror, gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens and optical fiber on SiOB substrates having prefabricated self-aligned slots. The two-axis scanning micromirror is based on electrothermal actuation with required voltage less than 2 V for mechanical deflections up to 17°. The optical probe was enclosed within a biocompatible, transparent and waterproof polycarbonate tube with a view of in vivo diagnostic applications. The diameter of the miniature probe is less than 4 mm and the length of its rigid part is about 25 mm. The probe engineering and proof of concept of the probe were demonstrated by obtaining en face and three-dimensional OCT images of an IR card used as a standard sample.
A Screening Procedure for Seismic Risk Assessment in Urban Building Stocks

An effective step for seismic risk mitigation in large urban areas under high seismic risk is to identify the most vulnerable buildings that may sustain significant damage during a future earthquake. Once they are identified properly, existing seismic risks may be reduced either by retrofitting such buildings, or by replacing them with new buildings in view of a particular risk-mitigation planning strategy. A fast and simple seismic risk-assessment procedure for vulnerable urban building stocks is proposed in this study. It is basically a sidewalk survey procedure based on observing selected building parameters from the street side, and calculating a performance score for determining the risk priorities for buildings. Statistical correlations have been obtained for measuring the sensitivity of damage to the assigned performance score by employing a database consisting of 454 damaged buildings surveyed after the 1999 Düzce earthquake in Turkey. The results revealed that the proposed screening procedure provides a simple but effective tool for selecting those buildings that have significant damage risk. These buildings have to be subjected to a more detailed assessment for a final decision on their seismic risk level.
Vitamin D status in dogs with babesiosis

Canine babesiosis is a virulent infection of dogs in South Africa caused principally by Babesia rossi. Hypovitaminosis D has been reported in a wide range of infectious diseases in humans and dogs, and low vitamin D status has been associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between vitamin D status and canine babesiosis has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the presence and severity of B. rossi infection and vitamin D status of infected dogs. Owners with dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of B. rossi infection and of healthy control dogs were invited to enrol onto the study. Vitamin D status was assessed by measurement of serum concentrations of the major circulating vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D). Dogs with babesiosis (n = 34) had significantly lower mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations than healthy dogs (n = 24) (37.76 ± 21.25 vs. 74.2 ± 20.28 nmol/L). The effect of babesiosis on serum 25(OH)D concentrations was still significant after adjusting for any effect of age, body weight and sex. There was a negative relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and disease severity in dogs with babesiosis. Serum concentrations of creatinine and alanine aminotransferase and time to last meal were not associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs with babesiosis. In conclusion, dogs with Babesia rossi infections had lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations than healthy dogs. The inverse correlation between 25(OH)D concentrations and the clinical severity score indicate that hypovitaminosis D might be a helpful additional indicator of disease severity. Keywords vitamin D; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; babesiosis; dog; Babesia rossi.
Characteristics of Freshman Engineering Students: Models for Determining Student Attrition in Engineering

Nationwide, less than half the freshman who start in engineering graduate in engineering, and at least half of this attrition occurs during the freshman year. Clearly, the freshman year is critical for both academic success and retention of engineering students. Such success depends not only on the knowledge and skills learned during this first year, but also on the attitudes individual students bring with them to college. Hence, if these attitudes can be measured before beginning college, we can develop more targeted programs for reducing attrition and improving academic success. Further, by measuring changes in student attitude over the course of the freshman year, we can develop better methods to evaluate engineering education programs.
Analog Circuits for Sound Animation

One important practice of analog music synthesis is the achievement of a harmonically rich and dynamical ly changing sound, the so-called "fat sound. " This sound is inherently more interesting to the ear than are standard periodic waveforms, and as a consequence, use of an animated sound instead of a periodic waveform enhances any final result, often qui te dramatical ly. A standard practice is to achieve animation through the use of several voltage-controlled oscillators in parallel, with small tuning errors resulting in a rich, slow beating effect. This method is very expensive, however. This report is concerned with devices which use less hardware, and which produce eifects similar to those achieved with parallel oscillators. In addition, new types of animation are discussed.
Heat transfer from supercritical carbon dioxide in tube flow: A critical review

Since the discovery that CFCs and HCFCs destroy the ozone layer and cause global warming, the need to regulate their use has been critical. In the ensuing research for new environmentally benign refrigerants, carbon dioxide has been considered due to its excellent thermophysical properties. This paper gives a review of the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of supercritical carbon dioxide in tube flow. This information is necessary for designing the gas cooler of a carbon dioxide refrigeration system. A comparison of the different heat transfer correlations applicable to cooling of supercritical carbon dioxide has also been made.
California's 1995 Water Bank Program: Purchasing Water Supply Options

In anticipation of a second consecutive critically dry year, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) organized the 1995 Drought Water Bank Program. For the first time, DWR purchased water supply options from willing sellers as insurance against a possible water-short year. These options could be used by Water Bank members if needed to meet critical needs. If the options were not needed, sellers kept the option payment. This paper provides a program manager's view of the planning, management, operations, and financing of the 1995 Drought Water Bank Program and shares the writer's experiences in securing options to provide water supply certainty to California water agencies.
Étude de l'activité biologique et du mécanisme d'action de dérivés stéroïdiens à potentiel anticancéreux

New 5a-androstane-3ot,17p-diol derivatives have been synthesized in our laboratory and a primary in vitro screening revealed that a number of these aminosteroids inhibited significantly the proliferation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. We next evaluated the toxicity of a series of selected aminosteroids on nine different cancerous cell lines (HL-60, K-562, LNCaP, PC-3, Shionogi, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, BT-20 and OVCAR-3) and two normal cell lines (normal peripheral blood lymphocytes and WI-38). The selected compounds efficiently inhibited cell growth of seven cancer cell lines with average IC50 values ranging between 0.3 and 6.4 ^M and showed weak toxicity on normal cell lines. These results encouraged us to further investigate the mechanisms underlying their selective-cytotoxicity. Two representative compounds were thus tested and found to induce a GO/G1 cell cycle block in HL-60 treated cells but not terminal myeloid differentiation. Interestingly, typical apoptotic morphological changes were exhibited by treated HL-60 cells. The information gathered suggests that this family of aminosteroids induced growth inhibition of HL-60 cells through arresting the cell cycle and triggering apoptosis.
ESTIMATING CO 2 FOOTPRINTS OF CONTAINER TERMINAL PORT-OPERATIONS

At present there is increasing pressure on governments and industries to come forward with initiatives to reduce CO 2 emissions. This is particularly relevant for the transport sector, as the share of transportation is still increasing, while other sectors are reducing their CO 2 footprints. The main purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to analyze the CO 2 emissions from container terminals and gain a better understanding of the CO 2 emissions by container terminals in port areas. With a better understanding of the CO 2 emissions, more effective solutions to reduce CO 2 emissions by container terminals can be identifi ed. The study provides insight into the processes of container handling and transshipment at the terminals and calculates the contribution of these processes to the CO 2 emissions (or carbon footprint) of the container terminals. The model was validated by application on 95% of all sea and inland container terminals in the Netherlands.
State transition probabilities in bridge deterioration based on Weibull sojourn times

This paper presents an investigation of the Markov property underlying the stochastic deterioration models for highway bridges, including transition probabilities between the condition states. Using historical data of sojourn times for the ‘decay’ (no improvement intervention) deterioration, hazard functions were developed and ‘instantaneous’ 1 year transition probabilities estimated for the sojourn times in the condition states, for various bridge categories, by type of material and roadway carried. The rate of transition out of each state was found to be not constant relative to time, as assumed for Markov chain models, but rather, increasing with the time spent in the state. Best-fit distributions of the sojourn times were determined to not be exponential (Markov chain), but Weibull, with the parameters established using the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) method. A semi-Markov model of the bridge deterioration process was formulated and developed, including kernels of transition probabilities and time-based matrices of multi-step transition probability functions.