Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental and energy assessment of an aviary laying-hen housing system in the Midwestern United States

There has been an increased interest in alternative housing for laying hens in certain parts of the world, including the United States. Associated with the movement are many questions to be addressed concerning sustainability of such systems. This study continually quantifies concentrations and emissions of ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4,), nitrous oxide (N2O), and particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) for two side-by-side aviary barns each housing 50,000 Hy-Line brown laying hens, located in the Midwestern US. The gaseous concentrations were continually monitored using a photoacoustic multigas analyzer, while the PM concentrations were measured with tapered element oscillating microbalances (TEOMs). Barn ventilation rate was determined through monitoring the operation time of ventilation fans that had been calibrated in-situ. Nineteen consecutive months of monitored data (June 2010 – Dec 2011) are analyzed and presented. Daily indoor NH3, CO2, CH4, PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations (mean ±SD) were 8.7 (±8.4) ppm, 1,636 (±1,022) ppm, 10.0 (±6.8) ppm, 2.3 (±1.6) mg/m, and 0.25 (±0.26) mg/m, respectively. The aerial emissions are expressed as quantities per hen, per animal unit (AU, 500 kg body weight), and per kg of egg output. Daily emission rates were 0.15 (±0.08) NH3, 75 (±15) CO2, 0.09 (±0.08) CH4, 0.11 (±0.04) PM10, and 0.008 (±0.006) PM2.5 g/bird. The results are compared to reported emission values for conventional (high-rise and manure-belt) US laying-hen housing systems. Data from this study provide baseline concentration and emission values from the aviary housing system in the Midwestern US.
Effect of conventional bridges on deer-vehicle accidents

This study evaluated whether the density and design of conventional bridges affected the frequency of reported deer-vehicle collisions along a given road or railroad section. I used official accident data from roads for 2008-2010 and from railways for 2001-2010, data on bridges and infrastructure together with digital topographic information, and estimates of regional abundances of moose (Alces alces) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) to develop generalized linear models of the parameters influencing the occurrence of deer-vehicle collisions. Among the obtained models, the most parsimonious were distinguished using the Akaike’s Information Criterion. Single regressions revealed that the density of bridges was negatively related to the occurrence of accidents along railways but not on roads. Traffic volume on both the barrier infrastructure and inside the passage, as well as other bridge characteristics such as use, width, integrity type and shape had some but not consistent effect on the occurrence of wildlife-vehicle collisions. However, as expected, multiple regression analyses revealed that environmental variables were the main factors influencing the occurrence of accidents on railways and roads, with forest cover, the density of buildings, of infrastructure and other linear features such as watercourses as the most relevant parameters. I conclude that even conventional bridges, especially if widened and placed appropriately, can contribute to the safe crossing of barrier infrastructure by animals, reducing the occurrence of deer-vehicle collisions.
A Survey of Elementary and Intermediate Learners’ Attitudes towards the use of Vietnamese by Teachers in General English Classes

English has been considered one of the most popular languages used by different people in diverse countries to communicate, to transfer information, and to express their thoughts together. Therefore, studying English has become more and more popular, and a fashionable tendency in not only schools but also English centers in Vietnam. However, the problem of using L1 in teaching L2 classes has been a never-ending and argumentative issue among teachers, learners and linguists throughout the world from the past until now, and Vietnam has not been an exception. In the last few decades, most Vietnamese English teachers have employed a Grammar Translation Method as part of their English teaching processes. However, this method has been considered an ineffective one as the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach has gradually been adopted from Western countries and become more popular since the 1990's. Globally, a substantial body of linguistic experts have argued that CLT strongly focuses on the creation of a studying environment in which learners can interact with English as much as possible, with the complete elimination of L1 in L2 classes.
'HEDGING' AND GENDER IN PARTICIPATORY DESIGN

There has been much dispute over the role ‘hedging’ – equivocation in expressing opinions - plays in group conversation as well as the impact of gender on a range of processes including Participatory Design; (Holmes, 1986, Dixon and Foster, 1997, Stokoe and Smithson, 2001, Stokoe and Weatheral, 2002, Brulé, E. and Spiel, K. (2019),). This paper addresses these issues by analysing gender differences and hedging in an Innovation Participatory Design workshop focused around the creation and combination of ideas for app development. Discussions were transcribed and analysed; ‘hedging’ terms seemed an interesting theme for analysis, but no statistical significance was found to prove that ‘hedging’ was gender-biased. This initial, exploratory, short paper reflects on this finding; on the contrast with research that has found gender differences (Holmes, 1986); on the importance of supplementing statistical with contextual forms of analysis; and what effect or implications this may have on the process of Participatory Design, by acknowledging the importance of giving voice and parity, and trying to facilitate group dynamics that properly reflect the views of all participants.
Measured Two-Dimensional Damping Effectiveness of Fuel-Sloshing Baffles Applied to Ring Baffles in Cylindrical Tanks

Measured two-dimensional damping forces of baffles with various shapes and perforations are presented for fluid conditions representative of those in liquid-fuel rocket vehicles. The effect of amplitude and frequency of fuel sloshing, and surface proximity on baffle damping are shown. Application of the result sin the prediction of damping effectiveness of ring baffles in cylindrical tanks is demonstrated. Finally, some measurements of damping in a free-free cylindrical tank are presented which verify the predictions based on two-dimensional results. Measurements of certain three-dimensional baffles show that they provide greater damping than ring baffles.
Cold climate foundation insulation retrofit performance

The effectiveness of foundation insulation retrofits in 15 Minnesota houses was evaluated using a before-after experimental method. Nine houses received interior retrofits; six, exterior retrofits. Foundation air leaks were sealed before the preretrofit heating season to control for inadvertent sealing during retrofit. Basement heating supply and return registers were closed in most houses for the 21-month monitoring period, and for all houses the basement was an uncontrolled zone without a thermostat. Homeowners recorded gas and electricity meter readings and furnace and water heater on-times weekly. A load vs. outdoor temperature was used to evaluate changes in energy use. The average whole-house energy savings for the interior and exterior cases were 92 and 24 therm per year, or 7.9% (range - 0.6% to 17.8%) and 3.0% (range -2.9% to 8.3%), respectively. Minimum payback periods for the interior and exterior cases were 12 and 37 years, respectively. For all houses the basement temperature increased between the pre- and post-retrofit periods, and all homeowners reported increased comfort in their basements. Average measured savings were about one-third of those predicted. The results show that the application of insulation in an uncontrolled zone produces highly variable results and has the principal effect of increasing themore » temperature and comfort of the basement rather than producing cost-effective whole-house energy savings. « less
Point-to-point speed enforcement

This report reviews the use of point-to-point speed enforcement internationally in order to provide principles for better practice for its use in Australia and New Zealand. The major research activities were undertaken for the preparation of this report included: (1) an extensive review of the international literature; (2) stakeholder consultation with international and domestic organisations. Evidence from other countries has revealed a number of positive findings including: (i) reductions in average/mean speeds, 85th percentile speeds, the proportion of speeding vehicles and speed variability; (ii) reductions in all crash types, particularly fatal and serious injury crashes; (iii) more homogenised traffic flow and increased traffic capacity resulting from reduced vehicle speed variability and subsequent increased headway; (iv) some evidence of reductions in traffic noise and harmful vehicle emissions; (v) positive attitudes of motorists towards the use of the approach; and (vi) long-term net economic benefits. While methodological limitations are noted across the majority of the published evaluations, the consistency of positive findings is encouraging. Stakeholder consultations investigated the extent to which point-to-point speed enforcement has been used throughout the world, the technological characteristics of systems used, operational requirements, as well as legislative and broader speed management issues. Based on the findings reported from the stakeholder consultations and literature review, a number of recommendations for better practice are suggested in relation to the development and implementation of point-to-point speed enforcement systems in Australia and New Zealand relating to: (i) operational recommendations; (ii) technological recommendations; (iii) legislative recommendations; (iv) public education recommendations; (v) evaluation recommendations; and, (vi) privacy recommendations.
Probabilistic material modeling of iceberg for analysis of accidental impacts with ships and offshore structures

There has been an increasing interest of maritime and offshore operations in the arctic regions for some decades now. In arctic regions there are icebergs which can? t be neglected. The first part of this thesis is an introduction of the sea ice material and the material model developed by Zhenhui Liu. It will also be introduced some pressure relations, particularly the process pressure-area curve and the spatial pressure-area curve. Development of numerical models which can be used in design process instead of full-scale measurements or model experiments would be very cost-efficient, and is therefore a hot topic these days. Modeling of an iceberg is associated with substantial challenges, due to the complexity of the material sea ice. Zhenhui Liu has developed a material model that gives reasonable load and pressure levels. This model has been evaluated and a parametric study has been performed. Zhenhui Liu? s material model is homogenous. Earlier research has found that general icebergs are inhomogeneous with a mixture of hard and weak zones. Therefore Zhenhui Liu? s material model has been further improved during this master thesis by developing a method that produces a stochastic variation of the some specific material parameters. This should improve the model, and give the iceberg inhomogeneous material properties. This new modified model has been analyzed for both Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Accidental Limit State (ALS). ULS only allows that the structure can undergo small deformations with no to limited elasto-plastic behavior. For ULS design maximum forces and pressures from the ice as structure crushes the ice are highly relevant. Therefore MATLAB scripts have been developed where forces and pressure-area curves can be plotted. ALS design accepts that the structure can undergo substantial deformations. For such impact scenarios, pressure-area curves are meaningless; and the more important results are the relative strength between the colliding objects. The level of structural damage in form of deformation and dissipation of energy are highly relevant for such impacts, which has led to development of more MATLAB scripts that produces relevant curves for ALS design. The stochastic variation of the material parameters was a success. The new inhomogeneous iceberg model gave reasonable results, where especially local pressures and the location of occurrence of high pressure zones have been improved. From the ALS design analysis, the new inhomogeneous iceberg model gives considerable structural damage to the panel used. The new inhomogeneous iceberg model is stronger than the homogenous iceberg model, especially in the beginning phase of an impact scenario.
Nuclear-monitoring research at the Center for Seismic Studies. Rept. for 1 Oct 89-1 Oct 90

The research presented in this report covers activity by the research staff of the Center for Seismic Studies for the period between 1 October 1989 and 1 October 1990. The report is divided into five sections covering topics relevant to underground nuclear test monitoring of the Soviet Union. Data for these studies came from the Scandinavian arrays NORESS, ARCESS, and FINESA; the IRIS stations within the Soviet Union; and hand digitized records of Soviet underground nuclear explosions recorded at stations of the Soviet Seismic Network. A brief description of the contents of the report are given below. The first section is composed of two reports by Ryaboy that review Soviet literature focused on the seismic characteristics of the crust and upper-mantle near the IRIS stations in the Soviet Union. The first report discusses the crust and upper mantle velocity and Q structure beneath the stations, and the second discusses lateral heterogeneity of the upper mantle inferred from refraction data.
Software system defect content prediction from development process and product characteristics

Society has become increasingly dependent on software controlled systems (e.g., banking systems, nuclear power station control systems, and air traffic control systems). These systems have been growing in complexity--the number of lines of source code in the Space Shuttle, for instance, is estimated to be 10 million, and the number of lines of source code that will fly aboard Space Station Alpha has been estimated to be up to 100 million. As we become more dependent on software systems, and as they grow more complex, it becomes necessary to develop new methods to ensure that the systems perform reliably. One important aspect of ensuring reliability is being able to measure and predict the system's reliability accurately. The techniques currently being applied in the software industry are largely confined to the application of software reliability models during test. These are statistical models that take as their input failure history data (i.e., time since last failure, or number of failures discovered in an interval), and produce estimates of system reliability and failure intensity. To better control a system's quality, we need the ability to measure the system's reliability prior to test, when it is possible to influence the development process and change the system's structure. We develop a model for predicting the rate at which defects are inserted into a system, using measured changes in a system's structure and development process as predictors, and show how to: (1) Estimate the number of residual defects in any module at any time. (2) Determine whether additional resources should be allocated to finding and repairing defects in a module. In order to calibrate the model and estimate the number of remaining defects in a system, it is necessary to accurately identify and count the number of defects that have been introduced into a system. We develop a set of rules that can be used to count the number of defects that are present in the system, based on observed changes that have been made to the system as a result of repair actions.
Examination of Delay and Signal Integrity Metrics in Through Silicon Vias

This article discusses results from simulations of signaling in Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) with an emphasis on latency and signal integrity effects. Data from field solver simulations is used for TSV parasitics and employed in SPICE simulations. A reduced order electrical circuit is proposed for lone TSVs as well as bundled structures and switch-factor based delay models are derived to calculate rise times in a 3x3 bundle. Furthermore Signal Integrity (SI) issues in coupled TSVs are briefly discussed.
Modeling the Heber Geothermal Reservoir

In this paper we briefly describe the lithology, temperature, and pressure of the Heber Geothermal Reservoir. This we base on the extensive data gathered in the past few years through well drilling and testing. We then describe our three-dimensional, heterogeneous, single phase water flow simulator, including the equations solved, and the assumptions made. We present several applications of the numerical simulator, in predicting the reservoir behavior with time. Conclusions based on an analysis of simulator results are finally presented. 2 refs., 5 figs.
NON-CORROSIVE TIE REINFORCING AND DOWEL BARS FOR HIGHWAY PAVEMENT SLABS. FINAL REPORT

The use of non-metallic load transfer and reinforcement devices for concrete highway pavements is a possible alternative to avoid corrosion problems related to the current practice of steel materials. Laboratory and field testing of highway pavement dowel bars, made of both steel and fiber composite materials, and fiber composite tie rods were carried out in this research investigation. Fatigue, static, and dynamic testing was performed on full-scale concrete pavement slabs which were supported by a simulated subgrade and which included a single transverse joint. The bahavior of the full-scale specimens with both steel and fiber composite dowels placed in the test joints was monitored during several million load cycles which simulated truck traffic at a transverse joint. Static bond tests were conducted on fiber composite tie rods to determine the required embedment length. These tests took the form of bending tests which included curvature and shear in the embedment zone and pullout tests which subjected the test specimen to axial tension only. Fiber composite dowel bars were placed at two transverse joints during construction of a new concrete highway pavement in order to evaluate their performance under actual field conditions. Fiber composite tie rods were also placed in the longitudinal joint between the two fiber composite doweled transverse joints.
Prostate Cancer: Community Education and Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment

Prostate cancer remains the leading diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among American men. Despite improvements in screening modalities, diagnostics, and treatment, disparities exist among Black men in this country. The primary objective of this systematic review is to describe the reported disparities in screening, diagnostics, and treatments as well as efforts to alleviate these disparities through community and educational outreach efforts. Critical review took place of retrospective, prospective, and socially descriptive data of English language publications in the PubMed database. Despite more advanced presentation, lower rates of screening and diagnostic procedures, and low rates of trial inclusion, subanalyses have shown that various modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Moreover, patients treated on prospective clinical trials and within equal-access care environments have shown similar outcomes regardless of race. Additional prospective studies and enhanced participation in screening, diagnostic and genetic testing, clinical trials, and community-based educational endeavors are important to ensure equitable progress in prostate cancer for all patients. The Oncologist 2021;26:537–548 Implications for Practice: Notable progress has been made with therapeutic advances for prostate cancer, but racial disparities continue to exist. Differing rates in screening and utility in diagnostic procedures play a role in these disparities. Black patients often present with more advanced disease, higher prostate-specific antigen, and other adverse factors, but outcomes can be attenuated in trials or in equal-access care environments. Recent data have shown that multiple modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Novel and bold hypotheses to increase inclusion in clinical trial, enhance decentralized trial efforts, and enact successful models of patient navigation and community partnership are vital to ensure continued progress in prostate cancer disparities.
A Practical Approach to Temporary Housing for Disaster Victims

Abstract The purpose of this study is to reveal the residential environment of temporary housing for disaster victims and propose supporting measures, taking a practical approach to temporary housing for victims of two disasters, the 7.13 flood and the Chuetsu earthquake, both of which occurred in 2004 in Chuetsu, the middle area of Niigata Prefecture in Japan. By means of on-site investigation and a "temporary open café" project providing practical support for residents in temporary housing, this study arrived at the following conclusions. (1) Knowledge of how to improve temporary residential units was shared with neighbors, but it was not spread among the temporary sites. (2) The communities in temporary housing were based on former neighborhood communities. It was useful that people who used to be neighbors were housed at the same temporary site and a common room was built at each temporary site. (3) The community in temporary housing was exclusive. However, in the second stage of recovery, the temporary cafés became useful as places where residents could escape the bonds of these communities. (4) During the one and half years after the earthquake, special places providing opportunities for communication and refreshment were produced by residents in the temporary sites.
Undergraduate medical students in India are underprepared to be the young-taskforce against Covid-19 amid prevalent fears

The healthcare system in India faces an acute shortage of front-line doctors to fight the Covid-19. Thus, the recruitment of undergraduate medical students into the health care force is being considered by many state governments. A survey was conducted amongst undergraduate medical students to understand their knowledge, attitude, and preparedness towards the ongoing pandemic.An anonymized survey on a cloud-based website (Survey Monkey®) comprising 33 questions was served to medical students.Of 616 (24.6%) respondents among 2500 invitees across six medical schools in India, most (54.1%) were in the final year of their undergraduate training program. Knowledge regarding viral transmission, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, and drugs being tried out in Covid-19 was adequate among most students. However, understanding of the incubation period 123 (20%) and time to symptoms 30 (4.8%) was less than satisfactory. Three-fourths (75%) were unaware of the treatment guidelines for Covid-19, and one-quarter (155, 25.1%) were unaware of the required precautions during management. Moreover, 179 (29.1%) were unaware that Covid-19 causes an asymptomatic or minor illness in young individuals. Nearly 70% were reluctant to attend clinics from fear of getting infected or passing on to others. Besides, 250 (40.6%) were not updated on Covid-19, and most (486, 78.9%) resorted to social media for information on Covid-19.Prevalent fears and inadequate understanding of Covid-19 suggest that undergraduate medical students are not prepared to be the front-line taskforce in the current pandemic.