Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Pattern of Morbidity and Use of Social Security Schemes among the Steel Plant Workers in an Industrial District of Odisha

Background: An occupational hazard is a growing concern for developing countries. The study aims to assess the pattern and the factors associated with morbidity of the steel plant workers and the usage of social security schemes among them. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in two steel plants of the Angul district of central Odisha from May to August 2019. The steel plant workers were assessed for occupational hazard using a structured questionnaire and a physical examination was conducted. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to find out the association. Results: Dust was the most common exposure followed by noise and heat. Myopia (26.7%), generalized weakness (19.0%), hearing impairment (19.0%), respiratory illness (15.9%), hypertension (11.0%), myalgia (10.2%), and peripheral neuropathy (9.1%) were the common morbidities among the steel plant workers. Exposure to dust, noise, vibration, chemicals, and year of exposure is the common determinants of morbidities. Only 63.5% of the study participants availed of different social-security schemes. Conclusions: Pre-placement examination, regular medical check-ups, and the use of proper safety measures during work can reduce the chance of morbidities. Authorities need to sensitize the workers to safety equipment and hazard-prone conditions and also regarding social-security schemes.
Age- and sex-related differences in baboon (Papio anubis) gray matter covariation

Age-related changes in cognition, brain morphology, and behavior are exhibited in several primate species. Baboons, like humans, naturally develop Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology and cognitive declines with age and are an underutilized model for studies of aging. To determine age-related differences in gray matter covariation of 89 olive baboons (Papio anubis), we used source-based morphometry (SBM) to analyze data from magnetic resonance images. We hypothesized that we would find significant age effects in one or more SBM components, particularly those which include regions influenced by age in humans and other nonhuman primates (NHPs). A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that individual weighted gray matter covariation scores differed across the age classes. Elderly baboons contributed significantly less to gray matter covariation components including the brainstem, superior parietal cortex, thalamus, and pallidum compared to juveniles, and middle and superior frontal cortex compared to juveniles and young adults (p<0.05). Future studies should examine the relationship between the changes in gray matter covariation reported here and age-related cognitive decline.
Adoption Drivers of Improved Open-Pollinated (OPVs) Maize Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

This study assesses the determinants of adoption drivers of improved open-pollinated (OPVs) maize varieties by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Cross-sectional data of multi-stage random sampling was used to randomly select 150 smallholder farmers in the province. Data collection was conducted through a well-structured questionnaire administered to 150 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were used for the analyses. The inferential results reveal that the majority of farmers in the study area were females (70%) with an average age of 45 years and had six people in the households. Smallholder maize farmers spent an average of 10 years in school. The results show that smallholder maize farmers had a farm size of 3 ha and a household income of R 3565.00, which contributes highly to household and farm operations. Farmers had access to extension services and were members of farm organizations. The results show that hybrid is the most used maize variety rather than OPVs. The main reason, among other things, for the poor use and adoption of OPVs is the lack of knowledge about the seeds. The results drawn from the estimations show that socio-economic and institutional factors influenced the adoption of OPVs by farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends strengthening the existing extension services to highlight the benefits of OPVs through training and farmers’ information days.
Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Medicane Ianos to Model Microphysics and Initial Conditions Using Satellite Measurements

Tropical-like cyclone (TLC or medicane) Ianos formed during mid-September 2020 over the Southern Mediterranean Sea, and, during its mature stage on days 17–18, it affected southern Italy and especially Greece and its Ionian islands, where it brought widespread disruption due to torrential rainfall, severe wind gusts, and landslides, causing casualties. This study performs a sensitivity analysis of the mature phase of TLC Ianos with the WRF model to different microphysics parameterization schemes and initial and boundary condition (IBC) datasets. Satellite measurements from the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission-Core Observatory (GPM-CO) dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) sea-surface wind field were used to verify the WRF model forecast quality. Results show that the model is most sensitive to the nature of the IBC dataset (spatial resolution and other dynamical and physical differences), which better defines the primary mesoscale features of Ianos (low-level vortex, eyewall, and main rainband structure) when using those at higher resolution (~25 km versus ~50 km) independently of the microphysics scheme, but with the downside of producing too much convection and excessively low minimum surface pressures. On the other hand, no significant differences emerged among their respective trajectories. All experiments overestimated the vertical extension of the main rainbands and display a tendency to shift the system to the west/northwest of the actual position. Especially among the experiments with the higher-resolution IBCs, the more complex WRF microphysics schemes (Thompson and Morrison) tended to outperform the others in terms of rain rate forecast and most of the other variables examined. Furthermore, WSM6 showed a good performance while WDM6 was generally the least accurate. Lastly, the calculation of the cyclone phase space diagram confirmed that all simulations triggered a warm-core storm, and all but one also exhibited axisymmetry at some point of the studied lifecycle.
Fermentation brines from Spanish style green table olives processing: treatment alternatives before recycling or recovery operations

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Ferrer-Polonio, E. , Iborra-Clar, A. , Mendoza-Roca, J. A. and Pastor-Alcaniz, L. (2016), Fermentation brines from Spanish style green table olives processing: treatment alternatives before recycling or recovery operations. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. , 91: 131–137, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi. org/10.1002/jctb.4550. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
A parametric family of quartic Thue inequalities

Let c\neq 0,-1 be an integer. In this paper, we use the method of Tzanakis to transform the quartic Thue equation x^4 -(c^2+c+4) x^3y +(c^2+c+3) x^2 y^2 +2 xy^3 -y^4 = \mu into systems of Pell equations. Then, we determine all primitive solutions (x,y) with 0<|\mu|\leq |c+1|.
Bearing capacity of bucket foundations in silt-over-clay soil condition under combined V-H-M loading

Abstract The bearing capacity of bucket foundations subjected to combined vertical-horizontal-moment loadings (V-H-M) is an important issue for its design and application. This paper investigates the response of bucket foundations under V-H-M loadings in silt-over-clay using small strain finite element method. Model validation is carried out by comparing with previously testing data with good agreement obtained. Then parametric study is conducted to study the effect of embedded ratio, soil property and top layer thickness. It is found that the soil failure mechanism and corresponding bearing capacity of bucket foundations in silt-over-clay are significantly different to that in clay only condition. Approximating expressions are proposed to describe the unique trends of the normalized failure envelopes for bucket foundations in silt-over-clay soil deposits. The findings of this study could help to guide design application of bucket foundations.
Failed Femicides Among Migrant Survivors

Femicide—the killing of a female because of her gender—is becoming an increased object of sociological enquiry, rectifying years of invisibility. The article presents results from ethnographic interviews with three migrant women who survived “failed femicides. ” A “failed femicide” is defined as an attempted femicide where the medical examination of the victim confirmed a life-threatening event, the victim had been hospitalized in emergency, and she or the perpetrator had described the event as an attempted murder. It is argued that failed femicides should be added to the growing literature on domestic violence, on the one hand, and femicide, on the other. The article presents narratives from three survivors of failed femicide attempts among Ethiopian female migrants in Israel. They present an interesting contrast to large-scale, quantitative, ethnocentric, male-oriented studies of femicide focusing on Western women. Since few women actually survive femicide attempts, the nature of the small sample should not deter the scholar from the depth of migrant women’s plights. The survivor narratives were analyzed by means of thematic analysis. The analysis produced five key categories: village society in Ethiopia; cycle of domestic violence; motive; weapon; and recourse to authorities. The themes provided understanding into these migrant women’s subjective experiences and the ways they understood events. While no generalizations can be made, the article may encourage comparisons with other failed femicide survivor narratives from other migrant women originating and residing in different settings. With the increase of migrants the world over, non-Western survivor narratives may become an increasingly important tool for policy-makers and for academics to understand how femicides occur, how migrant women perceive them, and how they can be combated.
NIRS: Forage analysis and livestock feeding

This paper describes analysis by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and demonstrates the capacity of this technology to provide rapid, low cost and accurate estimates of feed composition. The need for an extensive database against which the instruments is calibrated and the importance of good wet chemistry backup to NIRS are emphasised, together with some of the diverse uses for NIRS in research and agriculture. Examples are given of contrasting analyses for quality of maize silage and pastures. NIRS prediction of pasture, silage and supplement composition can be used in conjunction with a ration balancing model developed for the New Zealand dairy industry, allowing farmers to formulate diets able to meet desired levels of production.
All-optical gain-clamped erbium-doped fiber amplifier with improved noise figure and freedom from relaxation oscillation

All-optical gain clamping scheme of erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) based on partial reflection of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) into the EDFA is proposed and successfully demonstrated by using a coarse wavelength division multiplexing coupler with a mirror as an ASE reflector. The proposed gain-clamped EDFA (GC-EDFA) has good gain clamping characteristics up to -12 dBm of input signal power with 1-dB gain reduction from a clamped gain of 21 dB. Thanks to noncavity structure of the proposed GC-EDFA the amplifier is free from relaxation oscillation and has 1-dB improved noise figure, compared to a previous GC-EDFA based on a ring-type optical cavity.
A hybrid method for the calculation of the resistance and inductance of transmission lines with arbitrary cross sections

The frequency-dependent resistance and inductance of uniform transmission lines are calculated with a hybrid technique that combines a cross-section coupled circuit method with a surface integral equation approach. The coupled circuit approach is most applicable for low-frequency calculations, while the integral equation approach is best for high frequencies. The low-frequency method consists in subdividing the cross section of each conductor into triangular filaments, each with an assumed uniform current distribution. The high-frequency method expresses the resistance and inductance of each conductor in terms of the current normal to the surface. An interpolation between the results of these two methods gives very good results over the entire frequency range, even when few basis functions are used. Results for a variety of configurations are shown and are compared with experimental data and other numerical techniques. >
Building Information Modeling in Graduate Construction Engineering and Management Education

With the growing use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and allied technologies such as energy modeling, laser scanning and surveying, graduates of construction engineering and management (CEM) programs need an increasing number of computer technology concepts and skills. CEM programs across the country are updating their curriculum offerings to include computing generally and Building Information Modeling (BIM) specifically. In this paper, we focus on the question of Building Information Modeling in the context of graduate education and specifically ask in what ways should software generally and BIM specifically be incorporated into CEM graduate education? In this paper we present a review of CEM graduate programs and discuss ways that computer technology generally and BIM specifically can be incorporated into the curriculum. This paper will include the results of a survey of industry professionals to determine if, how and in what ways BIM education is valued by the industry. A majority of BIM managers surveyed thought that graduate education is important for BIM professionals. From this survey, we see a coupled need: technological education in the context of CEM topics. Our review of current graduate coursework in CEM aligns with the survey findings in that BIM courses focus on the CEM uses of technology and some are application specific (e.g., estimating) while others are project focused (e.g. design team coordination). This findings suggests that BIM workflow could be incorporated into many of the CEM topic coursework as BIM become more prevalent in the industry.
The attitude of top UK multinationals towards translation exposure

The objective of this paper is to investigate the behavior of top UK multinational corporations toward hedging translation exposure. According to the results, a very notable variation exists among the surveyed corporations as to the degree of importance they place on hedging this type of exposure. While translation exposure is principal currency risk with a few of them, a number of the said corporations are of the view that such an exposure is immaterial and need not be hedged. Likewise, while in case of the latter corporations no hedging technique is being utilised, as far as the former corporations are concerned, some of them are resorting to a package of corporate internal and market external hedging instruments to manage translation exposure. Furthermore, those firms that employ solely the internal techniques are widely using matching technique (natural hedge), an indication that they are more concerned with their net asset translation risk exposure than earnings exposure. The results also indicate that there exist differing practices toward managing and hedging translation exposure among the surveyed corporations in the same classes of business, an indication which might lead to a suggestion that firms as such might adopt their policy in this regard according to their discretion and their own specific position.
Multi-task Learning and Ensemble Approach to Predict Cognitive Scores for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

During its chronic degenerative course, Alzheimer’s Disease severely harms the patients’ cognitive abilities. Assessment of current and future cognition is an integral component of a diagnosis of dementia, and therefore an important clinical and scientific goal. Unfortunately, subjective, time-consuming and operator-sensitive clinical surveys or neuropyschiatric batteries remain the only viable methods of assessing cognition. Given that MRI is the most prevalent, cost-effective, and clinically important imaging modality, it may be considered a suitable predictor of cognition. Yet, it has hitherto proved very challenging to predict one from the other. We propose that an image-based Deep Learning model can be custom-built to achieve this goal. We designed a novel multi-task UNet model to predict the subjects’ current and future cognition (via ADAS-Cog scores), taking as input baseline T1-weighted MRI and demographic risk factors. The key innovation in the model is that it seeks to solve two adjacent but relevant tasks: image segmentation into tissue types; and prediction of cognition. The first task gives a high-accuracy brain segmentation, comparable to other cutting edge methods. The features trained from the segmentation task are used in the cognition task. This combination is far superior to stand-alone single-shot cognition models. We achieved excellent accuracy in both baseline and time-series forecast of ADAS-Cog scores. Through further feature map analysis made on the receptive fields, we managed to impart much-needed model interpretability, critical for real-world clinical practice. This study constitutes the best-reported performance of any comparable approach, and opens the door towards machine-based tracking of AD progression.
Dispersion compensating fibre with a high figure of merit of 250ps/nm/dB

Refractive index profiles of dispersion compensating fibres (DCFs) with fluorine-doped cladding were explored to realise a high figure of merit. By optimising the refractive indexes of the core and cladding materials, a DCF with a figure of merit of 250 ps/nm/dB was successfully fabricated.
Related Diversification Using Core Competencies in South Korean Dairy Industry

This study aims to examine how unrelated diversification facilitate firm’s growth and innovation. To achieve this goal, we investigate how Maeil Dairies has diversified through open innovation as the Korean dairy market struggles to maintain its size. Maeil Dairies, one of the top three conglomerates in the Korean dairy industry, has gone through different forms of diversification both related and unrelated to its core competencies. This study presents what the overlapping competencies are in its diversified products and businesses, analyzes the effectiveness of diversification in terms of relatedness, and examines the need for unrelated diversification. By analyzing the four diversification categories of the Maeil Dairies case and applying diversification theory, this study shows that although related diversification is more recommendable in most circumstances, unrelated diversification may present new opportunities and is necessary in order to avoid stagnation and falling behind.
Position estimation in solenoid actuators

This paper describes a novel method of estimating the position of a plunger inside a solenoid. The solenoid is a single phase variable reluctance actuator, with a highly nonlinear magnetic circuit. For the proposed method, position is estimated indirectly through the solenoid's incremental inductance in the high current region. It exploits the advantage that motional e.m. f. is negligible under normal operating conditions. The incremental inductance is obtained from the rate of current rise of the PWM waveform, which in turn, is measured by a dedicated current rise measurement circuit. Position is estimated from a two dimensional look up table of incremental inductance and current. The method is simulated and then implemented on a typical industrial solenoid valve. Factors which affect the accuracy of the estimation and methods of overcoming them are also described in the paper.
Travel behaviours following the 2007 Gisborne earthquake: evidence for the use of simulation in earthquake research

Travel behaviours were examined following the earthquake of 6.8 magnitude in Gisborne, New Zealand, on 20 December 2007. Surveys were returned from 438 households detailing their travel and information-seeking immediately after the earthquake. Although 85% of people experienced the earthquake at home, a volume of traffic that approximated peak weekday conditions was generated within an hour of the event. Within three hours of the event 37% of people had travelled. People away from their home were five times more likely to travel than those at home. Nearly all trips were undertaken in motor vehicles. Official warning not to travel long trip distances, dangerous conditions and the possibility of traffic jams did not decrease the likelihood of travel. People stayed at home only if they had no reason to travel. People initially travelled to meet other people and assess property damage. The findings support the use of simulation in disaster research.
Low- and High-Attenuation Lung Volume in Quantitative Chest CT in Children without Lung Disease

In contrast to studies of adults with emphysema, application of fixed thresholds to determine low- and high-attenuation areas (air-trapping and parenchymal lung disease) in pediatric quantitative chest CT is problematic. We aimed to assess age effects on: (i) mean lung attenuation (full inspiration); and (ii) low and high attenuation thresholds (LAT and HAT) defined as mean attenuation and 1 SD below and above mean, respectively. Chest CTs from children aged 6–17 years without abnormalities were retrieved, and histograms of attenuation coefficients were analyzed. Eighty examinations were included. Inverse functions described relationships between age and mean lung attenuation, LAT or HAT (p < 0.0001). Predicted value for LAT decreased from −846 HU in 6-year-old to −950 HU in 13- to 17-year-old subjects (cut-off value for assessing emphysema in adults). %TLCCT with low attenuation correlated with age (rs = −0.31; p = 0.005) and was <5% for 9–17-year-old subjects. Inverse associations were demonstrated between: (i) %TLCCT with high attenuation and age (r2 = 0.49; p < 0.0001); (ii) %TLCCT with low attenuation and TLCCT (r2 = 0.47; p < 0.0001); (iii) %TLCCT with high attenuation and TLCCT (r2 = 0.76; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, quantitative analysis of chest CTs from children without lung disease can be used to define age-specific LAT and HAT for evaluation of pediatric lung disease severity.