Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A proactive evaluation of a self-directed English language program for architecture students at Chulalongkorn University

This study focuses on the development of the English for Architecture Program for architecture students at Chulalongkorn University. The research is set in the context of significant of change being made to the English for Architecture Program at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. The study is based on a needs assessment within the Proactive Form of Evaluation as categorised by Owen, with Rogers (1999) and Owen (2006). The research was conducted in two phases: a research review and a needs assessment. Following an analysis of these phases, a policy for revised English for Architecture Program was developed. A research review was undertaken to determine current best practice in self-directed English language programs. The needs assessment, involving questionnaire surveys, consisted of three steps, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The first involved determining the perceived needs of students prior to undertaking the English for Architecture Program; the second involved determining the desired needs of students following their exposure to an introductory English for Architecture Program; the third involved identifying the desired needs of teachers who teach the English for Architecture Program. A comparison of the quantitative outcomes of the surveys, using descriptive statistics, was undertaken in order to make a comparison between the three sets of responses. The issues that emerged – the role of students, learning style, materials, and assessment – were further investigated, using qualitative methods, by a series of semi-structured interviews undertaken with representative samples of students, and with experienced staff teaching the English for Architecture Program. The three sets of responses to the questionnaire, together with the issues that were discussed in the interviews, were used to determine the needs of a revised program. Finally, the needs were matched with the outcomes of the research review in order to provide the basis for a complete course revision. The findings of this study were validated by means of triangulation of the outcomes of the research: the needs assessment and semi-structured interviews undertaken with architecture students and teachers; the outcomes of the research review. The findings in the study indicate that teachers and students agreed that self-directed learning is an appropriate alternative way of teaching that can change the teaching and learning situation in the Thai context, and that such a change might help improve the efficiency in learning. The research has three significant outcomes: the development of a policy for revised English for Architecture Program for architecture students; a demonstration of the effectiveness of Proactive Evaluation in developing such policy; identification of key elements that are required for change in organisations.
Etiological and predictive factors of Acute Meningitis in Mansoura fever hospital, Egypt

Meningitis is a public health concern. It is caused by several etiologic agents that vary by age group and geographical area. This study aims to highlight the etiological and predictive factors of acute meningitis in hospitalized febrile patients in Mansoura Fever Hospital, Egypt. This study includes cases admitted with suspected meningitis. The study is conducted in the period between April 2019 and March 2020. Lumbar puncture, CSF examination and blood culture and sensitivity were done. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed before lumbar puncture in some patients. Detailed analysis of epidemiologic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory findings, the causative organisms and predictors of patients with Bacterial Meningitis (BM) were studied. This study included 110 patients had BM with CSF leukocytosis > 100 cells/mm3. Out of 110 CSF samples, 95 cases (86.4%) pathogens were detected by direct Gram-stained smear. Gram positive cocci were the commonest microorganism isolated. 66.4% of patients had blood culture growth of the same organism as the CSF culture. Reagent strip CSF examinations showed a positive correlation compared with laboratory tests. BM had 22.7% mortality rate. Predictive factors of poor outcomes include CSF/serum glucose ratio >0.6, CSF protein >80 mg/dl and Tonsillitis. Prognostic factors that are associated with poor outcome include old age, late presentation, delayed antibiotics treatment, neurologic complications and Glasgo Coma Scale (GCS). BM remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality,so early diagnosis and treatment decrease both. Predictors of poor outcome of BM are CSF/serum glucose ratio >0.6, CSF protein >80 mg/dl and Tonsillitis.
Roller-Compacted Concrete Shoulder Construction on Interstate Highway in Georgia

In 2004, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) used roller-compacted concrete (RCC) for Interstate 285 shoulder reconstruction in Atlanta. This instance marks the first usage of RCC pavement in the Interstate highway system in the United States. The construction procedures are described, and the mix design data for the RCC material are presented. The results of a comprehensive field and laboratory investigation of the pertinent material properties are also presented. The 6- and 8-in. (150- and 200-mm) RCC shoulder was constructed with minimal disruption for the traveling public and has performed well to date. The RCC mix was designed for a 4,000-psi (27.6-MPa) compressive strength with 0.5-in. (12.5-mm) maximum size aggregate. More than 98% of the maximum wet density, as specified in the GDOT provision for average in-field density, was achieved in tests at random locations. The average compressive strength in the middle section showed close agreement with the design strength. Reasonably good density and strength values were achieved in the longitudinal joint area and right edge area. The strength from the field-manufactured cylinders did not adequately represent the core strength of RCC, but it was recommended to include the cylinder test in the specification to monitor mixture variability and strength development. A small increase in average density resulted in a larger increase in average compressive strength, but no strong linear relationship was established in individual data. The 8-in. RCC section demonstrated a higher average strength than the 6-in. section, but it also showed a greater propensity for shrinkage cracks.
Influences of Personality on the Adoption of Conflict-Handling Styles and Conflict Outcomes for Facility Managers

Although conflict can be both functional and dysfunctional, unresolved conflict results in dissatisfaction and stress, thus reducing efficiency and productivity. However, personality affects the ability to handle conflict. The relationships of personal traits (extraversion and agreeableness), conflict-handling styles, and functional/dysfunctional conflicts are examined from a sample of facility managers in Hong Kong by using Rahim’s conflict style model and the Big Five personality traits of extraversion and agreeableness. In this study, extraversion shows positive correlation with the integrating and compromising styles, which are conducive to functional conflict incidents. The integrating style is the most commonly adopted style among facility managers in Hong Kong. Dysfunctional conflict is associated with the three styles of obliging, dominating, and avoiding; in particular, the avoiding style is a significant predicting variable of dysfunctional conflict incidents. Although conflict is inevitable, it.
The prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment in two coagulation disorders

Coagulation disorders such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand’s disease are characterized by changes in inflammatory responses and tissue repair. Inflammatory responses could be involved in the destruction of the periradicular bone and/or interfere with repair mechanisms following endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluated the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment in two coagulation disorders. Panoramic radiographs (106 from the study and 106 from the control groups) were examined for the presence of AP lesions in untreated and root canal-treated teeth. The number of teeth and the prevalence of root canal treatments were also recorded. Two endodontists evaluated all items separately. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 21.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and the level of statistical significance was established at 5% (p < 0.05). The prevalence of AP was not significantly different between the study and control groups (p=0.574). However, the comparative analyses between them revealed statistically significant differences in variables such as the presence of endodontic treatment (p=0.007), adequate filling (p=0.014), Research, Society and Development, v. 10, n. 15, e58101522545, 2021 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.33448/rsd-v10i15.22545 2 endodontic treatment with AP (p<0.0001), and the presence of AP in well-filled and restored teeth (p=0.003). The coagulation disorders evaluated here did not influence the manifestation of AP, however, they affected the inflammatory responses and tissue repair mechanisms.
CENTRIFUGAL STRESS ANALYSIS ON SMALL CRYOGENIC TURBOEXPANDER

Aerodynamic shape of a blade is always desirable for any type of radial inflow turbine. The configuration of the cryogenic turboexpander is a radial inflow type operating at low temperature and at high speeds; therefore the design process is an interactive one between the aerodynamic requirements and the mechanical limitations. Unfortunately, an improvement in any one of these areas will often lead to detrimental effects in another area. Cryogenic turboexpander rotate at high speeds, leading to significant centrifugal stresses in the rotor. High speed centrifugal force imposing additional twisting and bending of turbine blades changing the inlet blade angle which can shift the efficiency characteristic, performance of turboexpander get lowered than the design value. This paper describes the modification of blade geometry in order to improve structural performance of the blade.
User-Led Design in the Urban/Domestic Environment

Urban spaces are pervaded by interpretive and reactive technologies that shape and are shaped by its inhabitants, with an increasingly active role for citizen technologists. Yet the role of domestic spaces in shaping lived experience within the urban environment, and subsequent technological interventions, is often overlooked. Homes are framed as closed-off environments which isolate their inhabitants from the city, despite being porous spaces that are also filled with ubiquitous computing. In this paper we draw on the participatory design and user innovation literatures to present the methodology for the “Homesense” research project that explored how users design and develop “smart” technologies within their own homes, based on the intersection of their concurrent urban/domestic lived experience. Kits of open-source hardware were used as cultural probes, and co-located “lead users” provided technical expertise. This methodology demonstrates the importance of physical space and location in user-led domestic activities, and of combinations of technical and “lived” expertise in developing these interventions.
Venting of Attics and Pitched, Insulated Roofs

This paper discusses venting of roof constructions in single-family houses. In Norway, roof venting is considered to be crucial in order to prevent ice formation at the eaves and remove excess moisture. This paper is based on temperature and moisture measurements in a test roof with 12 segments, each with a different roof construction. Additional measurements are made in two attics in inhabited dwellings. A computer program has been developed to simulate the temperature conditions in the test roof. The paper concludes that venting of roof constructions should not be neglected in modern roofing systems in Norway. However, the paper points out that thermal insulation and continuous wind/vapour barriers in the roof are key factors in preventing ice formation.
CPW feed circularly polarised microstrip antenna using asymmetric coupling slot

Design of a coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed square microstrip antenna with circular polarisation (CP) radiation is described. This CP design is achieved by using an asymmetric inductively coupling slot in the ground plane of the CPW feed line. Results show that the proposed antenna can have a CP bandwidth of 2.4%, whereas a simple inclined coupling slot case has 1.6% CP bandwidth at a fixed square patch size. Typical experimental results are presented and discussed
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MANGROVE PLANT EXTRACTS ON AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA

Mangrove plant seeds, bark, leaves and roots have pharmacologic activities that function as antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral compounds. They are rich source of bioactive compounds. Five species of mangrove plants such as Acanthus ilicifolius, Avicennia officinalis, Clerodendrum inerme, Bruguiera cylindrica, Rhizopora apiculata were collected from Chettuva mangrove ecosystem of Thrissur District, Kerala. The antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of these plants on Aeromonas hydrophila was analysed. The mangrove plant leaf extracts treatment showed inhibitory effect on the growth of A.hydrophila in the medium.
A unified current-voltage model for long-channel nMOSFETs

A unified current-voltage model is developed for long-channel nMOSFETs. This model is based on the unified charge control model (UCCM), which agrees very well with quantum-mechanical calculation results assuming two-dimensional electron gas, as well as with experimental capacitance-voltage measurements for the inversion layer formed at the Si-SiO/sub 2/ interface on
Making Software Measurement Work: Building an Effective Measurement Program

From the Publisher: The author defines measurement concepts and reinforces the importance of systematically designing and engineering an effective measurement program around particular needs and engineering fundamentals. Surveys practitioner-based measurement techniques and uses case studies to illustrate practical measurements for each major activity in the software life cycle. Demonstrates how the bottom-up measurement engineering approach supports the needs of management to drive process improvement.
Agronomic and physiological characteristics of soybean cultivars and their seeds according to plant population

Soybean (Glycine max) yield can be influenced by the choice of genetic material along with the use of an adequate plant population and selection of high-quality seeds. This study aimed to evaluate agronomic and physiological characteristics of soybean cultivars and their seeds, according to different plant populations. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted during the 2017/2018 harvest, under field conditions, in a randomized block design in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement with four replicates. The treatments consisted of three soybean cultivars, TMG2181 IPRO, M 7739 IPRO, and BMX Power IPRO, at four population densities: 180,000; 220,000; 280,000 and 320,000 plants ha-1. The agronomic characteristics of the plants (plant height, stem diameter, number of branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of a 100 seeds and seed yield) and physiological quality (germination, first count of germination, seedling length, dry mass of the shoot and root and accelerated aging test) of these seeds were evaluated. The experiment showed that the agronomic characteristics of soybean cultivars and their seeds varied according to the genotypes, and that these phenotypic expressions can be altered according to the plant population. The indeterminate cultivar BMX Power IPRO obtained higher seed yield compared to the semi-determinate and determinate cultivars M 7739 IPRO and TMG2181 IPRO, mainly due to their field conformation and size. The indeterminate cultivar BMX Power IPRO showed higher average germination and seed hardiness and produced normal seedlings with good initial growth rate and dry weight. The yield and quality of soybean seeds were not affected by plant population.
POOLING RESOURCES IN INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRIES – AN EFFICIENCY EVALUATION

Abstract: Infrastructure industries over a period of time become specialized in execution of different infrastructure projects viz. Highways, Railways, Aviation, Power Generation, Transmissions, Tunnels, Dams, Buildings and other mega projects. Organizations traditionally segregate resources (machineries, tools and plants) into centralized functional divisions as mentioned above. This organizational model is structured based on the fact of specific nature of jobs performed with a view of higher quality of work and efficiency. Since the human resources employed to these divisions do perform their specific jobs and can contribute to higher efficiency because of job specialization, but same is not the case with mechanical resources i.e. machineries, tools and plants which are dedicated to specific divisions, since mechanical resources perform similar kind of jobs irrespective of the divisions under which they are deployed. A question of whether to become more centralized to achieve economies of scale or more decentralized to achieve economies of focus always arises. Using Queuing Theory and Simulation models, we examine the service and work load characteristics to determine the conditions where a centralized model is more efficient and conversely where a decentralized model is more efficient. The result from the model measures the trade-offs between economies of scale and economies of focus from which administrative guidelines are derived. Infrastructure industries over a period of time become specialized in execution of different infrastructure projects viz. Highways, Railways, Aviation, Power Generation, Transmissions, Tunnels, Dams, Buildings and other mega projects. Organizations traditionally segregate resources (machineries, tools and plants) into centralized functional divisions as mentioned above. This organizational model is structured based on the fact of specific nature of jobs performed with a view of higher quality of work and efficiency. Since the human resources employed to these divisions do perform their specific jobs and can contribute to higher efficiency because of job specialization, but same is not the case with mechanical resources i.e. machineries, tools and plants which are dedicated to specific divisions, since mechanical resources perform similar kind of jobs irrespective of the divisions under which they are deployed. A question of whether to become more centralized to achieve economies of scale or more decentralized to achieve economies of focus always arises. Using Queuing Theory and Simulation models, we examine the service and work load characteristics to determine the conditions where a centralized model is more efficient and conversely where a decentralized model is more efficient. The result from the model measures the trade-offs between economies of scale and economies of focus from which administrative guidelines are derived. Index Terms – Infrastructure Industries, Mechanical Resources, Resource Pooling, Queuing Theory, Simulation Models
Treatment Effects and the Measurement of Skills in an Influential Home Visiting Program*

This paper evaluates the causal impacts of an early childhood home visiting program for which treatment is randomly assigned. We estimate multivariate latent skill profiles for individual children and compare treatments and controls. We identify average treatment effects of skills on performance in a variety of tasks. The program substantially improves child language and cognitive, fine motor, and social-emotional skills development. Impacts are especially strong in the most disadvantaged communities. We go beyond reporting treatment effects as unweighted sums of item scores. Instead, we examine how the program affects the latent skills generating item scores and how the program affects the mapping between skills and item scores. We find that enhancements in latent skills explain at least 80% of conventional unweighted treatment effects on language and cognitive tasks. The program enhances some components of the function mapping latent skills into item scores. This can be interpreted as a measure of enhanced productivity in using given bundles of skills to perform tasks. This source explains at most 20% of the average estimated treatment effects. JEL Codes: J13, Z18
Evaluation of testing procedures for ROPS fitted on self-propelled agricultural machinery

Fatalities and serious injuries resulting from rollover accidents involving tractors and selfpropelled agricultural machinery often occur in the field. Since 1974 tractors have been fitted with Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) according to the requirements of the EC directive 74/150 EEC. On the contrary rollover protection of the driver was not required for selfpropelled agricultural machinery until recently. The recognized potential risk of rollover for these machines, currently considered by the EC Directive 2006/42/EC, has led to manufactures implementing ROPS on new or existing self-propelled agricultural machinery, such as grape harvesters and sprayers. Consequently there is a need to develop standard strength tests for these applications. Nowadays ROPS tests involving agricultural machinery are carried out according to the ROPS testing procedure studied for tractors and/or earth-moving machinery. An evaluation of the applicability of the tractor OECD ROPS Codes 4 and 8 to rollover protective structures retrofitted on in-use grape harvester was performed and the strength test results are presented and discussed. The results showed that the Code 8 procedure was more suitable for evaluating the strength performance of the ROPS retrofitted on the tested grape harvesters. However the results demonstrated also some points where the testing procedures need to be modified in order to match the specific characteristics of the machinery considered.