Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New method to evaluate the biaxial interaction exponent for RC columns

A simple and efficient method is presented in this paper to evaluate the interaction exponent for biaxial bending of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. This method avoids the use of tedious methods such as the use of design charts and tables. Results obtained with the proposed method have been compared with various methods utilised in practice. A method is also suggested to calculate the critical values of interaction exponent at a particular design load and an angle of eccentricity at which the adequacy of the section can be checked for design purposes. The method has been validated experimentally.
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of DDE_Tnp_4 Family Genes in Eriocheir sinensis

DDE transposase 4 (DDE_Tnp_4) family is a large endonuclease family involved in a wide variety of biological processes. However, little information is available about this family in crustaceans. In this study, we used HMMER to identify 39 DDE_Tnp_4 family genes in Eriocheir sinensis genome, and the genes were classified into four subfamilies according to phylogenetic analysis. Gene expansions occurred among E. sinensis genome, and synteny analysis revealed that some DDE_Tnp_4 family genes were caused by tandem duplication. In addition, the expression profiles of DDE_Tnp_4 family genes in E. sinensis indicated that subfamily I and II genes were up-regulated in response to acute high salinity and air exposure stress. E. sinensis is a kind of economical crustacean with strong tolerance to environmental stress. We confirmed the expansion of DDE_Tnp_4 family genes in E. sinensis and speculated that this expansion is associated with strong tolerance of E. sinensis. This study sheds light on characterizations and expression profiles of DDE_Tnp_4 family genes in E. sinensis and provides an integrated framework for further investigation on environmental adaptive functions of DDE_Tnp_4 family in crustaceans.
Problem-based engineering design and assessment in a digital systems program

Engineering design is being used to better prepare graduates for engineering practice by providing a balance between the theoretical and practical aspects of the engineering degree program. Capstone design courses have become increasingly popular, particularly with engineering educators in North America. However, there is some concern that the skills and experiences derived from design-based courses are occurring much too late in a students education and instead should be spread throughout the degree program. This paper describes a strategy for reaching digital systems which includes the integration of design and theory at all levels in the students' engineering education and which is particularly suitable for the early years of the engineering degree program. Student-based assessment is used in conjunction with open-ended design to develop problem-solving strategies and to encourage students to take more responsibility for their learning.
Student Expectations from an Environmental Professional Society

Environmental engineering and science is a multidisciplinary field, and as a result, environmental engineers and scientists have traditionally been served by a broad range of professional societies. It has been recognized, however, that the discipline is a fragmented one, lacking a unified organization to meet the needs of students, faculty, and practitioners. This paper presents the results of a survey aimed at identifying the needs and expectations of students from a North American environmental professional society. The survey targeted undergraduate and graduate students whose primary academic affiliation was to a North American environmental engineering or environmental science related program. Although students can identify several positive aspects of the organizations they are currently involved with, they do not seem generally satisfied with existing student groups available to them. A large majority of survey respondents (90%) are interested in joining a North American society for environmental en.
Evaluation and verification of the VHF/UHF propagation channel based on a 3-D-wave propagation model

This paper is intended to increase and improve the knowledge concerning the characterization of digital VHF/UHF communication channels. This characterization of the propagation channel is based on the field strength-delay-spectrum (FDS) of the three-dimensional (3-D) multipath wave propagation. A statistical superposition of the predicted multipath signals yields the probability density function of the narrowband signal and the averaged channel impulse response of the wideband propagation channel. Thereof, the relevant parameters, e.g., standard deviations, mean values, delay spread, and correlation coefficients, are derived both in time and frequency domain. The angles-of-arrival of the multipath signals are used to calculate the Doppler spectra of moving receivers for the characterization the time-variant properties of the propagation channel. In total, a rather complete summary of derivations, algorithms and characteristics of the VHF/UHF propagation channel is presented. Narrowband and wideband measurements are included for verification.
Large-scale migration to an open source office suite: An innovation adoption study in Finland

Avoimeen lahdekoodiin perustuvat ohjelmistot ovat nousseet kaupallisten ohjelmistojen rinnalle seka liiketaloudellisesti etta teknisesti merkittavina ratkaisuina. Avoimen lahdekoodin ominaisuuksiin sisaltyvat mm. ohjelmiston veloitukseton saatavuus ja laajat kayttooikeudet seka oikeus ohjelmiston kehittamiseen ja edelleen jakeluun. Organisaatioiden tietohallinnolle ominaisuudet avaavat mahdollisuuksia kustannussaastoihin, yhteisolliseen kehittamiseen seka toiminta- ja kilpailuttamismahdollisuuksien lisaamiseen. Tunnettuja avoimen lahdekoodin ohjelmistoja ovat esimerkiksi Linux-kayttojarjestelma, Firefox-selain seka OpenOffice.org -toimisto-ohjelmisto. Vaitoskirjatutkimus kohdistuu Suomen suurimpaan avoimen lahdekoodin toimisto-ohjelmiston ja asiakirjojen avoimen tallennusmuotostandardin kayttoonottoon. Tutkimuksen kohteena oleva OpenOffice.org -ohjelmiston kayttoonotto kasittaa yli 10 000 tyoaseman tietoteknisen ympariston oikeusministeriossa ja sen hallinnonalalla. Seitseman vuoden ajanjakson 2003-2010 kattavassa pitkittaistutkimuksessa sovelletaan suunnittelututkimuksen ja innovaatiotutkimuksen perusteita. Tutkimuksella on seka teoriaa etta kaytantoa palvelevia tuloksia. Tutkimuksen perusteella on perusteltua esittaa muutoksia tutkimuksessa testattuun innovaatioiden kayttoonoton yleiseen prosessimalliin. Avoin lahdekoodi alhaisine lisenssikustannuksineen vaikuttaa prosessimalliin tutkimuksen mukaan niin, etta vaiheiden ennalta maaratty jarjestys ja vaiheiden selkea erottelu ei ole aina perusteltua. Tutkimus on tuottanut avoimeen lahdekoodiin pohjautuvien innovaatioiden kayttoonottoon tarkoitetun taydennetyn prosessimallin ja siihen liittyvan dokumentointi- ja analysointikehyksen. Tutkimus vahvistaa useita aikaisempia tutkimustuloksia, jotka korostavat mm. organisaation johdon tukea, avoimen lahdekoodin omaksumiskyvyn kasvattamista ja organisaation sisaisen muutosagentin merkitysta avoimen lahdekoodin kayttoonotossa. Kaytannon tuloksena tutkimus osoittaa, etta avoimen lahdekoodin toimisto-ohjelmistoon siirtyminen on toteutettavissa myos suuressa organisaatiossa ja etta siirtymisella on saavutettavissa merkittavia etuja. Kustannusten pienentaminen on organisaatioiden useimmin esittama etu avoimen lahdekoodin kayttoonotosta. Strategisina etuina tuodaan usein esille tietohallinnon itsenaisen aseman vahvistuminen ja toimittajariippuvuuden vahentyminen avoimen lahdekoodin ratkaisuilla ja avoimilla standardeilla. Tutkimuksessa kasitellaan useita avoimen lahdekoodin kayttoonotossa tarkeita nakokohtia, kuten ohjelmiston toiminnallisuutta ja yhteentoimivuutta, kustannusvaikutuksia, ohjelmiston asennusta ja konfigurointia, monikielisyyden tukea, kayttoonottoa tukevia lisaosia, kayttajakoulutusta ja -tukea, teknista tukea ja ohjelmiston kayton seurantaa. Tutkimuksen tulosten mukaan kohdeorganisaatio saavuttaa merkittavia kustannussaastoja avoimen lahdekoodin toimisto-ohjelmistoon siirtymisella verrattuna kaupallisen toimisto-ohjelmiston kayttoon. Tutkimuksessa sovelletut kaytannon menetelmat ja monipuolinen toteutuksen ja…
RESEARCH ON THE FAUNA OF EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA, LUMBRICIDAE) IN ĐERDAP NATIONAL PARK

Đerdap National Park is located in the southeastern part of Europe, in the northeastern part of Serbia, on the border with Romania. This paper presents the currently known records on the diversity of earthworm fauna in Đerdap National Park. The number of species from family Lumbricidae known to be occurring in the studied region is 29 species from 11 genera. The genera with the largest number of the registered taxa are Dendrobaena (8) and Aporrectodea (7). A third of all species are peregrines (37.93%). Trans-Aegean species take part with 13.8%, followed by endemic, Central European, Balkanic-Alpine (10.34%). Then follow Illyric (6.90%) and slightly less Moesian, Circum- Mediterranean, and Southern-Alpine (3.45%). Endemic species take a part with three taxa. Only one species (Allolobophora mehadiensis boscaiui (Pop, 1948)) is Dacian endemic. The obtained results indicate a diverse Lumbricidae fauna. It is certainly necessary to continue with intensive research in order to preserve the biological diversity of this area.
The Implementation of The Flipped Classroom for Early Grade Students in Elementary School

The educational paradigm in the 21st-century coronavirus pandemic requires a deeper research study. This study aims to improve the mathematics learning outcomes of grade 1 students using the flipped classroom model and to find out their responses to the use of this model. The subjects of this study were 7 students who were grade 1 student. The research design used classroom action research consisting of planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting. Data were analyzed descriptively with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results showed that the pre-cycle average value was 59, and an increase in cycle I became 77 and then 90 in cycle II. The minimum criteria are > 70 so that the cycle is stopped in the second cycle. Student responses in using this model, in general, can be said to be positive. Where most stated that the application of this model made it easier to learn mathematical material, increased self-confidence, learning flexibility, responsibility, active and free to choose learning styles. Although this model was not found to increase learning independence optimally, it can still be used to accommodate independent learning activities at home and train the learning independence of low-grade student.
Exploring the Interplay of Trait Emotional Intelligence and ESL Teacher Effectiveness: Is Self-Efficacy the Mechanism Linking Them?

This study investigated the influence of trait emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy (SE) on English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers’ effectiveness (TE). The study also explored the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy in augmenting the relationship between trait EI and teacher effectiveness. We adopted a quantitative survey design involving both public and private sector higher education institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. The participants (N = 243 ESL teachers) were selected via convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS3 software. Analysis through standard bootstrapping procedure resulted in direct and indirect (mediation analysis) path coefficients. Trait EI predicted ESL teachers’ effectiveness and self-efficacy. However, teacher self-efficacy was found to be more important as it revealed a larger effect on teacher effectiveness than trait EI and also mediated the relationship between trait EI and teacher effectiveness. The findings support previous research that positions emotional intelligence at the core of teaching effectiveness and has highlighted the predominant role that self-efficacy can play in strengthening this relationship. This study is significant as it underscored the importance of trait EI and self-efficacy in facilitating teacher effectiveness at the tertiary level. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FWAs

Flexibility has become a buzzword in organizations. However, flexibility is an overarching term that incorporates a number of different types of strategy. Flexible working time and place arrangements, which are the subject of this chapter, are only one strand along with functional, contractual, numerical, financial, and geographical flexibility. This chapter focuses on flexible working arrangements (FWAs), that is organizational policies and practices that enable employees to vary, at least to some extent, when and/or where they work or to otherwise diverge from traditional working hours. They include, for example, flexitime, term time working, part-time or reduced hours, job sharing, career breaks, family-related and other leaves, compressed workweeks and teleworking. These working arrangements are also often referred to as family-friendly, work–family, or more recently work–life policies. This implies an employee focus, but the extent to which these policies primarily benefit employees or employers, especially in the 24/7 economy (Presser, 1998), or contribute to mutually beneficial solutions, has been the subject of much debate (e.g., Barnett & Hall, 2001; Hill, Hawkins, Ferris, & Weitzman, 2001; Purcell, Hogarth, & Simm, 1999; Raabe, 1996; Shreibl & Dex, 1998). Other work-family policies such as dependent care support can be used to complement FWAs and much of the research addresses them simultaneously. The term FWAs will be used in this chapter except where the research under consideration explicitly addresses work–family issues. Non-traditional work arrangements such as shift work or weekend work which are ‘standard’ in certain jobs are not considered here.
Guided Inquiry Model Assisted with Interactive Multimedia Influences Science Literacy and Science Learning Outcomes

The learning model during the pandemic is still teacher-centered so that most students experience problems in learning science. The purpose of this study was to measure the implementation of guided inquiry assisted by interactive multimedia on scientific literacy skills, learning outcomes of fifth-grade elementary school students. This research is a quasi-study with a non-randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The population of this study amounted to 60 students—the use of samples taken using non-randomized sampling. The experimental class has 30 students, and the control class has 30 students. The method used for data collection is an objective test. The results showed that: first, the scientific literacy ability of the experimental class was better than the control class based on statistical tests of 84.79 (very good) and 76.83 in the control class. Second, student learning outcomes in the experimental class were better than in the control class. It was concluded that the guided inquiry strategy using interactive multimedia had a significant impact on scientific literacy and student learning outcomes used in online science learning for elementary school students during the covid 19 pandemic. The research implication is that the inquiry learning model can be applied in the learning process because it can improve students' understanding.
Soil Freezing and Soil Water Retention Characteristics: Connection and Solute Effects

AbstractThe relation between the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) is investigated based on the similarity between the freezing/thawing and drying/wetting behaviors of soils. The SWCCs of clay and silt are obtained by the pressure plate extractor and vapor pressure method, while the SFCCs are determined from the unfrozen water content measurement using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and temperature measurement. The pore water potential of the frozen soil is derived from a generalized Clapeyron equation, which addresses the effects of capillarity, sorption, and osmosis, and compared to that of unsaturated soils. Our experimental results show that at low water content the matric potential in the soil saturated with pore water and pore ice is generally different from that in the soil saturated with pore water and pore gas. A series of experiments on the soil samples saturated by NaCl solutions of different concentrations were performed to determine.
Teachers' Use of Scaffolds Within Conversations During Shared Book Reading.

PURPOSE We studied conversations initiated through teacher questions during shared book reading in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms as these conversations provide opportunities for the teacher to scaffold emerging language skills. This study provides detailed analysis of scaffolding strategies used by teachers after children answered teachers' questions. METHOD Participants included 93 prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers who read aloud a standard narrative text to their class of students. All the sessions were video-recorded, transcribed, and then coded for conversational turns and teacher scaffolding strategies. RESULTS Descriptive findings showed great variability in the length of conversations and the extent to which teachers used scaffolding strategies. Most teacher scaffolds matched children's accuracy of response such that they provided support after incorrect responses and provided additional challenge after correct responses. Significant sequential associations were observed between the level of children's response and multiple types of scaffolds (e.g., corrective feedback scaffold after incorrect response; discussing factual questions after a correct response). CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that during shared reading, teachers are responsive to children's answers and are able to provide challenge or support as needed. However, teachers infrequently used scaffolding strategies like causal effects, predictions, and recasts. Given evidence that strategies such as recasts support early language skills, professional development experiences could encourage early childhood teachers to incorporate this and other key scaffolding strategies.
Experimental Study of Pool Boiling on Heaters with Nanomodified Surfaces under Saturation

Abstract A technology has been developed for the synthesis of arrays of oriented microropes and cocoon-like microstructures consisting of silicon oxide nanowires on a copper substrate with barrier layers of silicon dioxide, molybdenum, and tungsten. In experiments, a copper surface coated with a tungsten layer showed the best stability and technological applicability. Experiments were performed to study pool boiling heat transfer on copper heaters with nanomodified surfaces under saturation conditions. A comparison of the data on heat transfer enhancement on smooth and nanomodified hydrophilic and hydrophobic copper surfaces was made. Relatively high heat transfer coefficients were observed on copper surfaces with a tungsten barrier layer initially coated with microropes and micrococoons. The experiments showed that microropes from nanowires were not resistant to boiling; micrococoons from nanowires were more stable. Superhydrophobic surfaces were produced by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) of fluoropolymer coatings on micrococoons. In the boiling experiments, the greatest heat transfer enhancement was obtained on such surfaces. The fluoropolymer coating was shown to lose its continuity. As a result, a random biphilic coating was formed and intense bubble boiling occurred in local hydrophobic areas of the fluoropolymer, resulting in heat transfer enhancement.
Preliminary Study on Minor Actinide Incineration in RSG-GAS without Isotope Separation

Minor actinides (MA) resulted from nuclear power plants is often considered as nuisance in spent fuel management due to its considerably long half-life. One of available strategies to deal with MA is to incinerate it, in order to reduce its radioactivity. This paper presents a study on MA incineration in RSG-GAS research reactor. Unlike previous study, this work did not separate the MA into individual isotopes, but incinerated as a whole. ORIGEN2.1 code is employed to calculate MA incineration within RSG-GAS core. MA composition used in this study consists of Np, Am, and Cm isotopes. The Central Irradiation Position (CIP) of RSG-GAS is loaded by 6 kg of MA and irradiated for two years. The result shows that about 1 kg of MA were incinerated after two years of irradiation, or 18,87% of the initial concentration. However, the increase of Cm-242 isotope, along with newly-formed Pu isotopes, were found to be significantly increasing short-term radioactivity compared to un-irradiated MA. Thus, two years-worth of MA incineration cannot be considered as effective, and other strategies must be pursued.
Social capital in disaster risk management; a case study of social capital mobilization following the 1934 Kathmandu Valley earthquake in Nepal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how social capital operated in the lives of 15 respondents from Lalitpur following the massive 1934 Kathmandu Valley earthquake. Based on experiences of the survivors, it attempts to understand how individuals and families utilized their social capital in the aftermath of the earthquake, and rebuild their lives and communities. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study based on non-structured interviews and discussions with disaster victims on their own locality. Following Padgett's (2008) grounded theory approach, flexible method of data collection is adopted through interactions with respondents and following up on important cues or patterns as additional data emerged. Findings – Participants described a process through which they relied on bonding, bridging and linking social capital in different stages of earthquake response and recovery. Close ties or bonding social capital were important for immediate support, but bridging and linking.
Estimate of Fatigue Shift Factors between Laboratory Tests and Field Performance

Mechanistic–empirical pavement design relies on empirical transfer functions to convert stresses and strains (from mechanistic analyses) to an allowable number of load repetitions until an acceptable limit of damage occurs. One method of determining transfer function for bottom-up fatigue cracking is to perform laboratory fatigue tests on the mixture or a range of potential mixtures intended for the pavement. Previous research estimated that shift factors on the order of 4 to 100 are needed to relate laboratory and field performance. There are a number of potential explanations for these shift factors, such as rest periods and healing. The structural test sections at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track provided an opportunity to determine shift factors between transfer functions developed from laboratory beam fatigue tests and from the Guide for Mechanistic–Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures (MEPDG) and field performance. Strains input into the beam fatigue transfer function were measured using embedded pavement strain gauges and calculated using layered-elastic theory (PerRoad). The MEPDG was used to calculate strains for its transfer function. Fatigue shift factors were calculated for four of the structural sections from the 2003 NCAT Test Track. The fatigue shift factors determined using the measured strains ranged from 4.2 to 75.8. The fatigue shift factors determined with PerRoad ranged from 6.7 to 19.2. The fatigue equations developed from the laboratory testing were not used in the MEPDG; the NCHRP 1-37A-calibrated fatigue models were used. On the basis of these analyses, the MEPDG fatigue model reasonably predicts observed cracking.