Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age differences in associations of different indicators of socioeconomic status with social isolation: A cross-sectional study

Background Socioeconomic status is a crucial determinant of social isolation. However, little is known whether the associations between different indicators of socioeconomic status and social isolation vary across age groups. This study examined the association of individual socioeconomic status indicators with social isolation in three age groups: young (21-44 years), middle-aged (45-64 years), and older adults (≥65 years). Methods Cross-sectional data for 1,930 representative community-dwelling adults aged 21 and above in the Central region of Singapore was used. The 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale was used to assess social isolation. Socioeconomic status was measured using education level, employment status, personal income, housing type and self-perceived money sufficiency). Separate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between each SES indicator and social isolation in each age group. Results Each socioeconomic indicator showed a clear gradient with social isolation and significant age disparities were found in their relationship. Socioeconomic status indicators significantly associated with social isolation were income (R2 change=2.5%) and self-perceived money insufficiency (R2 change=1.5%) in young adults, education (R2 change=0.5%), employment status (R2 change=1.3%), income (R2 change=0.8%), housing type (R2 change=1.9%) and self-perceived money insufficiency (R2 change=2.0%) in middle-aged adults, and housing type (R2 change=1.3%) and self-perceived money insufficiency (R2 change=3.7%) in older adults when adjusting for demographics and other indicators. Conclusions The influence of individual socioeconomic status indicators on social isolation varied across age groups. This study provides a rationale for the choice of socioeconomic status indicator and specific interventions need to target different socioeconomic status groups for different age groups.
Use of cadavers and anthropometric test devices (ATDs) for assessing lower limb injury outcome from under-vehicle explosions

Lower extremities are particularly susceptible to injury in an under-vehicle explosion. Operational fitness of military vehicles is assessed through anthropometric test devices (ATDs) in full-scale blast tests. The aim of this study was to compare the response between the Hybrid-III ATD, the MiL-Lx ATD and cadavers in our traumatic injury simulator, which is able to replicate the response of the vehicle floor in an under-vehicle explosion. All specimens were fitted with a combat boot and tested on our traumatic injury simulator in a seated position. The load recorded in the ATDs was above the tolerance levels recommended by NATO in all tests; no injuries were observed in any of the 3 cadaveric specimens. The Hybrid-III produced higher peak forces than the MiL-Lx. The time to peak strain in the calcaneus of the cadavers was similar to the time to peak force in the ATDs. Maximum compression of the sole of the combat boot was similar for cadavers and MiL-Lx, but significantly greater for the Hybrid-III. These results suggest that the MiL-Lx has a more biofidelic response to under-vehicle explosive events compared to the Hybrid-III. Therefore, it is recommended that mitigation strategies are assessed using the MiL-Lx surrogate and not the Hybrid-III.
A Numerical Investigation of Turbulent Flow Over Single and Tandem Square Cylinders

This paper presents the three-dimensional flow investigations over the square cylinders placed in the tandem arrangement. Two different flow configurations were investigated in detail; one comprising of a single square cylinder and the other comprising of three square cylinders placed in a tandem arrangement with the spacing of six times the width (w) of each square cylinder. The Reynolds number based on the width of the square cylinder (w) and free stream velocity (Uo) is 22,000. The problem was solved numerically using an Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) based model and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) based model. Strouhal Number, lift, and drag coefficients were computed for each configuration. By comparing both the models using contour plots of pressure, velocity and vorticity it is found that the LES model is more accurate to capture the turbulence around single and tandem square cylinders. In the tandem arrangement, complex periodic vortex shedding was observed in the wake of each square cylinder. The production of turbulent kinetic energy was also investigated to understand the roles of stresses during flow over the cylinders. The analysis showed that the production of turbulence by normal stresses is higher than that of shear stresses. Furthermore, it was observed that the flow over the first cylinder arranged in tandem is quite identical to that of the single square cylinder. Moreover, the upstream cylinder experienced a higher lift in comparison to the downstream cylinders.
Noise Attenuation Characteristics of Different Road Surfaces During Power Tiller Transport

Power tillers are the agricultural machines which are fitted with small diesel engines. Besides their on-farm application in Iran, they are also engaged in transportation of agricultural products and human beings on the grassland, asphalt, and dirt rural roads. In spite of their adverse effects due to noise on operators and bystanders, limited information is available concerning the noise investigation of these machines. So the objectives of this research were to study the noise propagation trends as well as noise attenuation characteristics of power tillers on different surfaces in transportation conditions. The power tiller used in this study was fitted with a 13-hp diesel engine. During measurement and recording the sound pressure signals of the power tiller, the variables of engine speeds and gear ratios were varied to cover the most normal range of the power tiller operation in transportation conditions for the asphalt, dirt rural roads, and grassland. The test sites were prepared according to SAE noise measurement test procedures. The results show that the maximum attenuation effect of grass cover for bystander position is in the range of 350-700 Hz. The overall noise in this case is about 2.5 dB(A) lower than the asphalt and dirt rural roads. The maximum overall noise measured at driver ear’s position at different gear ratios in asphalt, dirt rural roads and grassland was about 92 dB(A) for 2200 rpm engine speed which is higher than allowable noise exposure prescribed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Pinnacle: Evaluation of the Graduate Teacher Training Program at the ANU.

Pinnacle is the ANU's teacher training programme for full time PhD students. The Pinnacle Teacher Training Program provides a mentoring system that aims to equip postgraduate students with the skills and theoretical background that they will need to become high quality lecturers. This article describes Pinnacle, and discusses the assessment of its effectiveness by past Pinnacle participants, using quantitative and qualitative feedback. There were differences in the perceived effectiveness of Pinnacle related to participants' sex and their academic discipline. Overall, the participants found that the opportunity to deliver lectures, to work closely with their mentor, and to reflect on their own teaching philosophy and practice gave them a sense of being confident and competent teachers by the end of the programme. Pinnacle provides an opportunity to reflect on the practice of teaching before habit and academic pressures permanently shape teaching practices.
Tarımsal artıklardan üretilen biyo-briketlerin CO2 emisyonları açısından çevresel etkisi

Makale tarihçesi / Article history: DOI: 10.37908/mkutbd.735750 Geliş tarihi /Received:11.05. 2020 Kabul tarihi/Accepted:27.05. 2020 Aims: This study examined the flue gas emissions of bio-briquettes produced from agricultural residues. Methods and Results: The briquettes were produced from residues of tea (Camellia sinensis) processing plants, pruning residues of persimmon (Diospyros kaki), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) stalk and pruning residues of peach (Prunus persica) tree. The residues were briquetted using a hydraulic briquetting machine with a horizontal course. Solid cylindrical briquettes were produced under different compression pressures ranging from 40 MPa to 240 MPa, with a moisture content of 10%-12% and having a particle size of 5 mm. Flue gas emissions of biobriquettes were measured. Conclusions: The results of the study showed that CO2 emissions increased with increase in the briquetting pressures. The lowest CO2 emission was (2.50%) obtained at 120 MPa pressure for the briquettes produced from tomato stalk residues, where the highest was (8.90%) at 240 MPa for the briquettes produced from peach tree pruning. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study deals with the CO2 emission of biomass resulted from residues/wastes from the intensive farming of tea (Camellia sinensis), persimmon (Diospyros kaki), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and peach (Prunus persica).
From ICT-Machine Determinism to a Socio- ICT Organic Design of Knowledge Sharing Systems

ABSTRACT The transfer of knowledge between individuals, groups, practices, communities or systems is regarded as Knowledge Sharing (KS) in organizations. Research suggests that understanding social interaction between different interest groups within an organization is a critical component of effective KS. The relevance of social interaction approach has been debated in areas such as systems design, organizational process redesign, process improvement and artificial intelligence. Organizational science literature also highlights that information and communications technology (ICT) network structures provide insight about the communication patterns of individuals working in an organization. Therefore, an understanding of the ICT networks at play needs to be viewed as an essential element of the design of KS systems in organizations. We posit Mechorganics in terms of ‘the synergistic combination of civil mechanical systems engineering, social network dynamics, ICT and the management of interconnected knowledge, information (and data) infrastructures in the designing and composing of adaptive (resilient and sustainable) organizations’. It is further suggested that organization structures have both a formal and informal structure that may be considered to be a coalition of individuals, with implications for methods of communication and collective decision-making and taking, In this paper, we provide a background to organization as a network of people.
Ecology and Behaviour of Free-Ranging Animals Studied by Advanced Data-Logging and Tracking Techniques

ed accelerometer transmissions against outputs from established processing procedures, and (2) assess the validity of previously developed dive foraging indices, calculated solely from time-depth measurements. We found transmitted estimates of PrCA behaviors were generally comparable to those obtained from archival processing, although a small but consistent over-estimation was noted. Following this, dive foraging segments were identified either from (1) sinuosity in the trajectories of high-resolution depth archives, or (2) vertical speeds between low resolution transmissions of key depth inflection points along a dive profile. In both cases, more than 93% of the estimated PrCA behaviors (from either abstracted transmissions or archival processing) fell into inferred dive foraging segments (i.e., “hunting” segments), suggesting the two methods provide a reliable indicator of foraging effort. The validation of transmitted acceleration data and
Diazotrophic bacteria in the growth of micropropagated ornamental pineapple

Ornamental pineapple is a hardy plant with significant landscaping value. Tissue culture of plants is viable for producing plants with a high phytosanitary quality. However, one of the difficulties with this cultivar is the acclimatization process, which is slow and can cause losses. The objective of the present study was to verify the potential of inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria for in vitro and ex vivo growth of ornamental pineapple. A group of diazotrophic bacterial strains selected at the Universidade José do Rosário Vellano (UNIFENAS) was prioritized in this study, and the treatments included bacterial strains UNIFENAS (100-13, 100-60, 100-68, 100-153, 100-167 and 100-198). These strains were evaluated in terms of their capacity to produce indole 3-acetic acid. Subsequently, plants were cultivated in a medium composed of MS medium salts (1/4), adding 1 mL of the bacterial strain. In the control treatment, the plants were maintained in 2 mL of MS medium. 7 days after inoculation, the plants were transplanted into the MS, where they were maintained for 30 days. After in vitro cultivation, the plants were transferred to pots containing commercial Plantmax® substrate and maintained under these conditions for 60 days. The diazotrophic bacteria were able to synthesize auxins, and their inoculation promoted greater growth in vitro and ex vitro in the plants. In the acclimatization phase, the plants inoculated with UNIFENAS strains (100-60, 100-68 and 100-153) promoted a higher shoot growth, chlorophyll content and nitrate reductase enzyme activity.
The Calculator in the Elementary Classroom: Making a Useful Tool Out of an Ineffective Crutch

In the early 1980’s the hand-held calculator began to appear in elementary classrooms, and with its introduction came controversy. Would the use of the calculator take away from students’ ability to think and reason through problems? The purpose of this paper is to review research that addresses both the positive and negative effects of calculator use in the primary grades. The author will specifically address research findings that both support and challenge the use of calculators in primary grades. It is important to note that most research that supports the use of calculators, but also cautions that responsibility must lie with the teacher. One study showed a direct correlation between teacher training and calculator use. “Teachers who had received no training in the use of calculators were evenly divided between whether their students used calculators or did not. Teachers who had more training were likely to have students use calculators in their classroom. ” (Porter, 1990) This paper will also address teachers’ attitudes toward calculator use, and will conclude with a summary of how the existence of calculators in the primary grades demands curriculum modification, and consequently, a reformation in teacher education.
Experimental and calculated characteristics of three wings of NACA 64-210 and 65-210 airfoil sections with and without 2 degree washout

Report presents the results of an investigation conducted to determine some of the effects of airfoil section and washout on the experimental and calculated characteristics of 10-percent-thick wings. Three wings of aspect ratio 9 and ratio of root chord to tip chord 2.5 were tested. One wing had NACA 64-210 sections and 2 degree washout, the second had NACA 65-210 sections and 2 degree washout, and the third had NACA 65-210 sections and 0 degree washout. It was found that the experimental characteristics of the wings could be satisfactorily predicted from calculations based upon two-dimensional data when the airfoil contours of the wings conformed to the true airfoil sections with the same high degree of accuracy as the two-dimensional models.
Nonlinear modelling of high-speed catenary based on analytical expressions of cable and truss elements

Due to the intrinsic nonlinear characteristics and complex structure of the high-speed catenary system, a modelling method is proposed based on the analytical expressions of nonlinear cable and truss elements. The calculation procedure for solving the initial equilibrium state is proposed based on the Newton–Raphson iteration method. The deformed configuration of the catenary system as well as the initial length of each wire can be calculated. Its accuracy and validity of computing the initial equilibrium state are verified by comparison with the separate model method, absolute nodal coordinate formulation and other methods in the previous literatures. Then, the proposed model is combined with a lumped pantograph model and a dynamic simulation procedure is proposed. The accuracy is guaranteed by the multiple iterative calculations in each time step. The dynamic performance of the proposed model is validated by comparison with EN 50318, the results of the finite element method software and SIEMENS simulation report, respectively. At last, the influence of the catenary design parameters (such as the reserved sag and pre-tension) on the dynamic performance is preliminarily analysed by using the proposed model.
Ocular biometry and power of intra ocular lens among cataract patients in rural Eastern Ethiopia

Background : The main objective of the study was to report on the main parameters of ocular biometry and Intra ocular lens power of patients attending a cataract surgical program in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods : The study was a cross sectional study on 765 eyes which were legible for cataract surgery during a mass eye camp conducted from April 04 to April 10, 2018 at Bisidimo Hospital,Eastern Ethiopia.Ocular biometric parameters such as axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), mean corneal curvature (MCC) were measured using automated keratorefractometer(Retinomax) and Sonomed A - Scan. Analysis of variance and multivariate analysis were done to determine association of ocular biometry components with socio demography of the study subjects. Results : A total of 765 eyes were enrolled in this study. The mean corneal curvature and the mean anterior chamber depth were found to be 7.61 mm and 2.88mm respectively. The mean axial length was estimated to be 22.98 mm. The mean refractive power of Intra ocular lenses was calculated to be 19.34D. The mean axial length in females was shorter than that of males by 0.24 and this was statistically significant ( P - value = 0.01). Under multiple linear regression model gender had a statistically significant impact on the axial length. The mean Anterior chamber depth in males was also larger than that of females by nearly 0.1 and this was statistically significant (P - value = 0.001). Under multiple linear regression model both age and gender had a statistically significant impact on the anterior chamber depth. There was no a statistically significant difference on the mean Intra ocular lens power required for male and female patients.Conclusion : This study is the first of its kind to provide a larger population based normative data on the most important parameters of ocular biometry in Ethiopia.The female sex was a strong predictor of small axial length and shallow anterior chamber. Increasing age had no effect on the axial length but was found to be a stronger predictor of shallow anterior chamber. Key words : Axial length, Anterior chamber depth, Corneal curvature, Intra ocular lens.
A Shunt Power Conditioner Operated by a Simplified Version of the Gauss-Newton Algorithm

This paper introduces a developed simplified version for the recursive Gauss-Newton algorithm for extraction and mitigation of the stationary current quality problems such as current harmonics and current fluctuation. Adaptive notch filters are newly utilized for supplying the Gauss-Newton algorithm with the required values of frequencies for current disturbances such as non-characteristic harmonics, inter-harmonics and sub-harmonics. Also, this paper exhibits the mitigation results for current harmonics and fluctuation problems by using a shunt power conditioner. Moreover, in this paper the ramp-comparison current controller, linear current controller, is employed to operate the mitigation device. The effectiveness of the developed extraction technique associated with the employed current controller for the shunt power conditioner is verified by simulation results using MATLAB/SIMULINK.
Biological control in Nicaragua.

Abstract Biological control started in Nicaragua in 1957 with a study of parasitoids of the fall armyworm and augmentative releases of parasitoids and predators against pests in cotton. In the 1970s, cotton production was no longer profitable due to the high costs of frequent pesticide sprays. With assistance from FAO, an IPM programme for cotton pests was developed, which included biocontrol. Universities started to teach fundamentals of pest ecology and initiated prospecting for native natural enemies. Among others, a native strain of Trichogramma pretiosum was found and a mass rearing system was developed. The parasitoid has since been released in several crops. The predator Chrysoperla carnea was also mass produced and applied in the field. At the end of the 1980s, prospecting for entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi and viruses started, resulting in the production of several of these biocontrol agents, in particular five virus products for control of lepidopterans in various crops. In the mid 1990s, augmentative biocontrol of diamondback moth was developed by releasing native and exotic parasitoids. Currently there are several biofactories in Nicaragua that produce parasitoids, predators, entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi and viruses, and phytopathogenic fungi.