Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The (Under) Performance of Mega-projects: A Meta-organizational Perspective

This study links evolution in organizational structure to ambiguity in the definition of performance in the context of organizations formed to develop long-lived infrastructure: so-called ‘mega-projects’. Based on a longitudinal, inductive analysis of three mega-projects in London, we argue that a mega-project is a meta-organization with two symbiotically-related constituent structures. The core, led by a coalition, is a mutable collective that shares control over the goal of the project and corresponding high-level design choices. The periphery is a supply chain selected to design and build the infrastructure, but lacks the authority to change the high-level choices. As the mega-project structure evolves over time, we show that the founders and new comers renegotiate the high-level choices and slippages in performance targets ensue. The conflation of committals to different baselines, differing preferences for efficiency and effectiveness, and rivalry in high-level choices gives rise to competing performance narratives which cannot be reconciled. Thus, we argue, the disappointing and controversial (under) performance of mega-projects may be a result of how their organizational structure develops, rather than due to any agency or competence related failure per se.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on Human and Bovine Tuberculosis Among Cattle Owners in Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a re-emerging disease occurring worldwide and causing multi-billion-dollar loss and human death annually. The situation is worse in developing countries like Ethiopia, where lower knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the people is imminent. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 349 study participants were addressed through face to face interview. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-squares analysis were used to observe the data and the association between outcome (KAP) and predictor variables. Results: Out of the 349 respondents interviewed, 223 (63.9%) of them were males, while 126 (36.1%) were females. The KAP measuring interview indicated that almost all (97.4%) of the participants know human tuberculosis, while 84(24.1%) are aware of bovine tuberculosis cause and mode of transmission. Inhalation was reported as a common route of transmission for human TB (41.1%). In contrast, 50% of the respondent mentioned inhalation, contact, and ingestion of raw animal products as the main route of TB transmission from animal to human. Among those who have heard of bTB, only 56 (66.7%) of respondents consider bovine tuberculosis as a significant threat to public health. Conclusion: The study showed that there is a lower KAP on bovine TB among cattle owners. Therefore, community awareness promotion and health education on human and bovine TB should be operated under a “One Health” umbrella.
TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE MONITORING AND PREVENTION OF DRIVER FATIGUE

A series of driving simulation pilot studies on various technologies for alertness monitoring (head position sensor, eye-gaze system), fitness-for-duty testing (two pupil-based systems), and alertness promotion (in-seat vibration system) has been conducted in Circadian Technologies' Alertness Testbed. The results indicate that all tested technologies show promise for monitoring/testing or preventing driver fatigue, respectively. However, particularly for fatigue monitoring, no simple measure alone may be sensitive and reliable enough to quantify driver fatigue. Since alertness is a complex phenomenon, a multi-parametric approach needs to be used. Such a multi-sensor approach imposes challenges for online data interpretation. We suggest using a neural-fuzzy hybrid system for the automatic assessment of complex data streams for driver fatigue. The final system output can then be used to trigger the activation of alertness countermeasures.
Motivation in Foreign Language Learning among Malay Undergraduates in a Malaysian Public University

This study investigated the motivational orientations of undergraduates in learning Mandarin as a foreign language in a Malaysian public university. The subjects were four hundred and twenty-three Malay undergraduates who enrolled in a level three Mandarin course. A 30-item five-point Likert scale questionnaire which integrated Gardner’s socio-educational model and Dörnyei’s framework of second language (L2) motivation was used to gather data on the respondents’ integrative, instrumental and attitudinal motivations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that generally the students were highly motivated to learn Mandarin as a foreign language. They were both integratively and instrumentally motivated but were more oriented towards attitudinal motivation in learning Mandarin as a foreign language. Moreover, the students were more inclined towards the teacher-specific than the course-specific and group-specific sources of attitudinal motivation in learning Mandarin. These results offer useful practical instructional implications concerning the students’ motivational orientations in the Mandarin language classroom.
The principal as professional development leader

Foreword - Dennis Sparks Preface About the Authors 1. What It Means to Be a Professional Development Leader 2. The Principal as Builder: Building the Capacity of the Professional Learning Community 3. The Principal as Designer: Developing Focus, Plans, and Resources 4. The Principal as Implementer: Taking Action 5. The Principal as Reflective Leader: Evaluating Results 6. The Principal as Change Agent: The Challenge for the Future Resource A: Recommended Readings Resource B: Recommended Websites References Index
2010 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Marine Corps Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics

Abstract : This report presents results of a comprehensive anthropometric survey of U.S. Marines (MC-ANSUR), completed in 2010 by the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. Goals of the survey were to acquire a large body of data from comparably measured males and females to serve the Marine Corps' current design and engineering needs, as well as those anticipated well into the future. Ninety-four directly measured dimensions, 39 derived dimensions, and three-dimensional (3-D) head, foot, and full-body scans were obtained on each subject in this study. The sample consisted of 1301 men and 620 women. Results of the directly measured dimensions are given here in the form of summary statistics, percentile data, and frequency distributions. Also included are well-illustrated descriptions of the measurements and of the landmarks used to define them; an explanation of the manual and 3-D procedures used in the study; demographic data characterizing the sample in terms of its racial/ethnic, gender, age, geographic, and occupational distribution; comparative statistics showing changes in the body sizes of Marine personnel since the last large-scale survey in 1966; and, a detailed explanation of how observer error was calculated for this study to ensure optimum reliability. The sampling strategy (rationale and execution) is detailed in an appendix. Other appendices include information on the comparability of the measurement techniques used in this survey with those used in other large-scale military surveys, visual indices to help readers locate dimensions with unfamiliar names, and a cross-reference table to help readers accustomed to locating dimensions by number.
Pectinolytic enzymes of Aspergillus sojae ATCC 20235: The impact of bioprocessing strategy on solid-state production and downstream processing of polygalacturonase

The present study revealed the potential of Aspergillus sojae ATCC 20235 for pectinase production in solid-state fermentation (SSF). A microbial screening of various Aspergillus species for pectinase production in SSF identified A. sojae ATCC 20235 as potential production organism. Media design and optimization of solid-state process parameters traced the increase of polygalacturonase (PG) titers. Optimization was performed in several steps applying various statistical designs, which yielded with 909.5 ± 2.7 U/g PG activity in 10.9 times increased enzyme production after 8 days at 30 °C applying sugar beet pulp (30 %) in combination with wheat bran as medium, wetted at 160 % by 0.2 M HCl. Development and implementation of a classical mutation and selection strategy for the improved production of pectinases resulted in the generation of mutant M3 after three cycles of repeated treatment by UV irradiation. Mutant M3 yielded 1.7 times increased PG activity in SSF. Scale up of the optimized SSF process for PG enzyme production was successfully demonstrated without loss in the total amount of enzyme at a rotating drum type solid-state bioreactor with a scaling factor of 100. Additionally, focus was also set on the enzyme recovery and purification. Optimizing the enzyme leaching process resulted in efficient PG recovery. PG purification by combination of ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography yielded in the isolation of the enzyme by means of a single band on the SDS-polyacrylamide gel with a molecular weight of about 40 kDa. Commercial pectinase preparations are usually mixtures of various enzyme species. Mass spectrometric characterization of A. sojae proteins identified a broad spectrum of carbohydrate-active enzymes. The characterized enzyme extracts were tested in several application studies related to fruit juice production and winemaking, which indicated improved process performances by enzyme treatment.
Effects of Intermittent Air Velocity on Thermal and Draught Perception – A Field Study in a School Environment

Abstract Air movement in an indoor space may be experienced in very different ways. For persons feeling cool, air movement tends to be perceived as draught, whilst when feeling warm air movement may provide a desired cooling effect. In the transition zone it therefore seems difficult to use constant air velocity as a tool for cooling without creating draught problems. One possible way to use air movement as a method to improve thermal comfort, without resultant draught problems, could be to use intermittent air velocity instead of constant velocity. This new cooling method was implemented in a high school in Sweden and evaluated during spring (April) and autumn (September). The present paper reports results from two field experiments where subjects were exposed to velocity variations. The analysis shows significant effects of velocity condition on thermal comfort and air quality. In summary, people exposed to velocity variation perceived the air as cooler and fresher compared with those exposed to constant low velocity and very few classified the air movement as draught. A further conclusion is that even the pupils who were exposed to velocity variation wanted slightly more air movement.
Estimating the Geoelectric Field and Electric Power Transmission Line Voltage During a Geomagnetic Storm in Alberta, Canada Using Measured Magnetotelluric Impedance Data: The Influence of Three‐Dimensional Electrical Structures in the Lithosphere

Estimating the effect of geomagnetic disturbances on power grid infrastructure is an important problem since they can induce damaging currents in electric power transmission lines. In this study, an array of magnetotelluric (MT) impedance measurements in Alberta and southeastern British Columbia are used to estimate the geoelectric field resulting from a magnetic storm on September 8, 2017. The resulting geoelectric field is compared to the geoelectric field modeled using the more common method that uses a piecewise‐continuous 1‐D conductivity model. The 1‐D model assumes horizontal layers, which result in orthogonal induced electric fields while the measured MT impedance data can account for fully 3‐D conductivity structure. The geoelectric field derived from measured MT impedance data is partially polarized in southern Alberta, and the geoelectric field magnitude is largest in northeastern Alberta where the resistive Canadian Shield outcrops. The induced voltage in the Alberta transmission network is estimated to be ∼120 V larger in northeastern Alberta when using the measured MT impedances compared to the piecewise‐continuous 1‐D model. Estimated voltages on transmission lines oriented NW‐SE in southern Alberta are 10%–20% larger when using the MT impedances due to the polarized geoelectric field. As shown with forward modeling tests, the polarization is due to a feature in the lower crust (20–30 km depth) called the Southern Alberta British Columbia conductor that is associated with a Proterozoic tectonic suture zone. This forms an important link between ancient tectonic processes and modern‐day geoelectric hazards that cannot be modeled with a 1‐D analysis.
Management Systems, Conflict, and the Changing Roles of the Military

Military roles need to respond to the change demanded of them with the decline of the superpower standoff. There are perspectives from which conflicts can be evaluated in terms of the optimisation of incursion outcomes, and from which judgements can be made about whether they can be won or lost. However, a new view is emerging that conflicts are not so simple as to make the notions of optimisation, or decisive lose outcomes, useful. To respond to this view, senior military strategists should adopt new ways of thinking that encompasses the idea of complexity. Viable systems theory, concerned with the survivability of organisations, provides a graphic way of exploring this.
Trial-By-Fire in Information Assurance Education

Abstract : During the spring of 2001, the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Naval Postgraduate School participated in first ever Cyber Defense Exercise. Each school set up identical small networks running a typical suite of services. They then configured the network to be as secure as possible in advance of attacks by a NSA-led Red Team. After almost a week of attacks a winner was declared. This was the best educational experience any of the authors ever participated in and most students felt the same way. Although this exercise required a great deal of resources, the information assurance educational outcome was great. By following the principles of the exercise design we suggest here a less ambitious exercise could become a standard feature of information assurance programs.
Managing Fit between Organizational Functionality, Package Features and Stakeholder Needs During Enterprise Accounting Systems Implementation: A Process Analysis

Multiple stakeholder involvement in Enterprise System implementations makes it challenging. Using Fiedler’s (2005) contingency theory of leadership as an analytical lens, this study examines the Organization-Package-Stakeholder (OPS) fit, managing fit between organizational functionality, package features and stakeholder needs during ES implementations. We develop a framework on managing OPS fit in the implementation of Learning Environment Online (LEO) system at the Republic Polytechnic (RP) of Singapore. The leadership styles suited to each of the three system development phases of planning, development and post-implementation are moderated by situational contingency variables. The interplay between the contingency variables power (legitimizing, applying and reserving), knowledge (externalising, utilising, disseminating), identity (specialising, reinforcing, collaborating) and inter-relationship (connecting, augmenting, synergising) at each phase is demonstrated in the case. Our analysis suggests task oriented leadership styles and contingency variable power dominated during the planning phase; task oriented leadership style and contingency variable knowledge took precedence during the development phase while relationship leveraging leadership style and contingency variables identity and inter-relationship were applied during post-implementation.
Sports Message Boarding: Association with Sports Team Identification and Social Well-Being

Research indicates that participating in or volunteering for sports related activities may increase overall well-being. Additionally, identifying with, or being a fan of a particular sports team may contribute to positive psychological outcomes. However, no study to date has examined whether participation in sports team message boarding is associated with positive psychological outcomes. As a result, the current study sought to determine if positive relationships exist among message board usage, team identification, and positive psychology variables. Three hundred and four members of an online sports message board completed self-report surveys examining message board usage, team identification, and positive psychological traits. Results were inconsistent with existing research suggesting that participation in such forums may not be directly related to well-being. However, one usage variable, lurking, predicted variance in team identification status, suggesting that some message board variables may increase fanhood. Methodological, theoretical, and practical implications are explored. INDEX WORDS: Message Boards, Sport Team Identification, Social Well-Being
Spatio - Temporal Analysis of Land Use / Land Cover Changes in Cheha District, South - Central Ethiopia

Land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics pose negative impacts to land resources. Evaluation of the rate and extent of change is, therefore, indispensable for managing the environment and its implications on sustainable land resource management of the study area. The study was aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of LULC of Cheha district during 1973 to 2017 periods and assess the implications in LULC changes. All acquired imageries of the study area were geo-referenced and re-projected. A supervised classification with maximum likelihood technique was employed to extract multispectral satellite data from Landsat using GIS and ERDAS imagine software. The Landsat imageries were monitored for (1973, 1987, 2000 and 2017) period. Seven thematic maps of land classes were identified and generated using remote sensing techniques and field verification. The study results showed the areal extent of shrub, bare and forest lands decreased by (29.6%), (19.4%) and (7.5%), respectively during 1973 to 1987 interval. However, built-up area was increased considerably by (57.3%) and agriculture land (18.9%) in the same span. The area coverage of built-up, agriculture and forest lands, during the entire study period (1973 2017) increased by (67.1%), (31.6%) and (59.7%), respectively. Conversely, the respective yearly change of grazing, shrub and bare land classes over the study period was (-194.4 ha), (-114.7 ha) and (-60.3 ha). The LULC dynamics pretended a serious threat to land resources in the study area over the past 44 years. Therefore, better understanding of its underlying causes and associated driving forces could support in developing sustainable land resource management in the area.
Physarum Machines: Computers from Slime Mould

A Physarum machine is a programmable amorphous biological computer experimentally implemented in the vegetative state of true slime mould Physarum polycephalum. It comprises an amorphous yellowish mass with networks of protoplasmic veins, programmed by spatial configurations of attracting and repelling gradients. This book demonstrates how to create experimental Physarum machines for computational geometry and optimization, distributed manipulation and transportation, and general-purpose computation. Being very cheap to make and easy to maintain, the machine also functions on a wide range of substrates and in a broad scope of environmental conditions. As such a Physarum machine is a ‘green’ and environmentally friendly unconventional computer. The book is readily accessible to a nonprofessional reader, and is a priceless source of experimental tips and inventive theoretical ideas for anyone who is inspired by novel and emerging non-silicon computers and robots.
The use of supply chain management to reduce delays: Malaysian public sector construction projects

Construction delays are a critical problem for Malaysian public sector projects. These delays have been blamed mainly on inefficient traditional construction practices that continue to dominate the current industry. This paper reports the progress to date of a Ph.D. research project aimed at developing a framework to utilize Supply Chain Management (SCM) tools to improve the time performance of Malaysian Government projects. The potential of SCM has been identified for public sector governance and its use in Malaysia is now being considered within the strategy of the Malaysian Construction Industry Master Plan (2006-2015). Encouraged by success in the UK, there is a cautious optimism concerning the successful application of SCM in Malaysia. This paper considers delay as a problem in Malaysian public sector projects, establishes the need to embrace SCM and then elucidates the need and strategies for the development of a delay reduction framework. A literature review, survey mechanism and structured interview schedule will be undertaken to achieve the research objectives. The final research outcome will be a framework that addresses root delay contributors (“pathogens”) and applies SCM tools for their mitigation.
Figural-Response Assessment: System Development and Pilot Research in Cell and Molecular Biology. GRE Board Professional Report No. 89-02P.

The purpose of the GRE figural-response project was to design a prototype assessment system for delivering and scoring figural-response items in the domain of cell and molecular biology, and to begin to investigate properties of the item format This report describes progress to date in an effort that is intended to be continuous and lead to program implementation. We first describe features of the delivery system and give sample items; ancillary developments, such as a tutorial, are also noted. Then, findings from a pilot research study are described. The essence of the pilot study was to examine the relationships between two item types (figural-response and open-ended verbal questions) and measures of figural and verbal ability. The data hint that whereas verbal items draw from verbal ability, figural-response items draw from figural and verbal ability. The report concludes with a discussion of possible new directions for research, development, and eventual program use of the item format.
Sterility Protocols During Regional Anaesthesia: An AORA Initiative

The frequency of infection following peripheral nerve block (PNB) is not very clear. The major reason for the paucity of literature is under-reporting of infectious complications. Though rare, the infectious complications associated with peripheral nerve blocks can be devastating and occasionally fatal [1]. A case of necrotising fasciitis following an axillary approach to brachial plexus blockade for carpal tunnel release has been reported where the PNB was directly attributed to the infection. With the increase in the number of peripheral nerve block procedures being performed (both single injection and continuous techniques), it is expected that the infectious complication rate may also increase. There is no uniform consensus amongst anaesthesiologists across the globe regarding the appropriate sterile technique that should be practised during administration of regional anaesthesia. In a UK and Ireland based survey of obstetric anaesthesiologists, only half of the responders wore a face mask for both neuraxial (spinal and epidural) techniques. One-third of those who did not wear a mask believed that the mask actually increased the risk of infection [2]. It can be easily assumed that a similar attitude is present while performing peripheral nerve blocks. The aseptic chain starts right from hand washing and ends after the block needle has been taken out from the patient's body (in a single injection technique) or till the perineural catheter is completely removed (in a continuous technique). Any breach in this chain may increase the chances of introducing infection.