Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing reworks occurrence in construction: a study of selected building projects in Nigeria

Rework has become a menace in Nigerian construction industry and it has not been given required attention, it contributes to time and cost overruns in project. Hence, to improve the performance of projects the research work evaluated rework in some selected building projects in Niger State. The work identified some factors contributing to rework which was categorized under three main headings; technical, quality and human resources factors to actually dig down into the casual of rework. A structure questionnaire was self administered on projects identified to have experienced rework amongst the selected projects and these were ranked according to their perceived degree of severity. Response was further condensed using factor analysis to group the variables into identifiable factors and thus analyzed. The study revealed that sub-standard services rendered by professionals and lack of commitment to quality in term of project delivery by stakeholders are the main source of rework. Therefore, it was recommended that an improvement and total commitment to quality of services render and assurance would lead to a reduction in the occurrence of reworks as revealed by the research.
Critical success factors of project management for Brunei construction projects : improving project performance

The problem of delays in the construction industry is a global phenomenon and the construction industry in Brunei Darussalam is no exception. The goal of all parties involved in construction projects – owners, contractors, engineers and consultants in either the public or private sector is to successfully complete the project on schedule, within planned budget, with the highest quality and in the safest manner. Construction projects are frequently influenced by either success factors that help project parties reach their goal as planned, or delay factors that stifle or postpone project completion. The purpose of this research is to identify success and delay factors which can help project parties reach their intended goals with greater efficiency. This research extracted seven of the most important success factors according to the literature and seven of the most important delay factors identified by project parties, and then examined correlations between them to determine which were the most influential in preventing project delays. This research uses a comprehensive literature review to design and conduct a survey to investigate success and delay factors and then obtain a consensus of expert opinion using the Delphi methodology to rank the most needed critical success factors for Brunei construction projects. A specific survey was distributed to owners, contractors and engineers to examine the most critical delay factors. A general survey was distributed to examine the correlation between the identified delay factors and the seven most important critical success factors selected. A consensus of expert opinion using the Delphi methodology was used to rank the most needed critical success factors for Brunei building construction. Data was collected and evaluated by statistical methods to identify the most significant causes of delay and to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between critical success factors and delay factors in order to examine project parties’ evaluation of projects’ critical success and delay factors, and to evaluate the influence of critical success factors on critical delay factors. A relative importance index has been used to determine the relative importance of the various causes of delays. A one and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to examine how the group or groups evaluated the influence of the critical success factors in avoiding or preventing each of the delay factors, and which success factors were perceived as most influential in avoiding or preventing critical delay factors. Finally the Delphi method, using consensus from an expert panel, was employed to identify the seven most critical success factors used to avoid the delay factors, and thereby improve project performance.
PAVEMENT ANALYSIS. DEVELOPMENTS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, 19

This book describes the analysis of pavement structures to determine their present and future condition. The book is designed to assist pavement engineers in answering questions related to bearing capacity, ride quality, pavement deterioration, pavement maintenance or rehabilitation, and the optimum level of investment in road maintenance. An important part of the book deals with the structural analysis of pavements using analytical (mechanistic) methods. An attempt is made to present a simple engineering method that should enable a highway engineer to carry out structural pavement analysis on a microcomputer. A more advanced method for computer simulation of pavement performance is also presented. A fully operational Pavement Management System, based on analytical models is described, which will be of interest to policy makers.
Political Legitimacy Under Epistemic Constraints

The aim of this chapter is to provide an epistemological argument for why public reasons matter for political legitimacy. A key feature of the public reason conception of legitimacy is that political decisions must be justified to the citizens. They must be justified in terms of reasons that are either shared qua reasons or that, while not shared qua reasons, support the same political decision. Call the relevant reasons public reasons. Critics of the public reason conception, by contrast, argue that political legitimacy requires justification simpliciter—political decisions must be justified in terms of the reasons that apply. Call the relevant reasons objective reasons. The debate between defenders and critics of a public reason conception of political legitimacy thus focuses on whether objective reasons or public reasons are the right basis for the justification of political decisions. I will grant to critics of a public reason conception that there are objective reasons and allow that such reasons can affect the legitimacy of political decisions. But I will show, focusing on the epistemic circumstances of political decision-making, that it does not follow that the justification of those decisions is necessarily in terms of those reasons.
THE EFFECTS OF MARKET ORIENTATION, PRODUCT INNOVATION AND MARKETING ETHICS ON FIRM PERFORMANCE: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

In the contemporary business environment, market orientation has become a widely discussed topic in the business community and academics. Since the market environment has become more competitive, developing and improving one's internal resources is now an absolute necessity. Despite the influence these topics have on the performance of microenterprises, a significant number of market orientation studies haven't empirically connected them. According to this perspective, this study established a theoretical link between market orientation and SME performance via a literature review. Additionally, a new framework for experimental evidence was developed. This study makes significant contributions to the understanding of the relationship between market orientation and SME performance but also sheds light on the critical role of product innovation as a mediator. Furthermore, the conceptual model explains the impact of marketing ethics as a moderator on small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) performance.
Heterosis for seed yield and its components in jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)

Heterosis was determined in a population obtained from a 6 × 6 half diallel cross of jatropha genotypes for seed yield per plant and its components traits at the experimental station of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia during February 2010 to April, 2011. Results showed that variations for days to flowering, days to fruit maturity, number of primary branches per plant, seed yield per plant and its component characters was significant. Both positive and negative heterosis was found for seed yield per plant. High mid-parent heterosis (254.13%) and better parent heterosis (202.36%) were found for seed yield per plant in the cross P2 × P5 and P1 × P3, respectively. Small heterosis over mid-parent was also found for days to flowering and days to fruit maturity. The parents P1, P2, P3 and P5 were found to be superior for seed yield and its components when used in crosses. Considering earliness and seed yield per plant the hybrid combinations P1 × P2, P1 × P3, P2 × P5 and P4 × P6 were promising. These combinations could be selected for the development of hybrid varieties in Jatropha curcas.
Pretreatment of Rapeseed Meal Increases Its Recalcitrant Fibre Fermentation and Alters the Microbial Community in an in Vitro Model of Swine Large Intestine

Background: The aim of current study was to investigate whether degradation of rapeseed meal (RSM) which was modified by a cellulase, two pectinase, or alkaline treatment was improved by the swine gut microbiota compared to untreated RSM, and whether the microbiota composition was changed. Methods: An in vitro study was performed to assess how enzymatic and chemical pretreated rapeseed meal (RSM) influences the fibre fermentation and microbial community in the swine large intestine. RSM was processed enzymatically by a cellulase (CELL), two pectinases (PECT), or chemically by an alkaline (ALK) treatment. 16S rRNA gene sequencing data was performedto evaluate changes in the gut microbiota composition, whereas short chain fatty acid production (ion-chromatography) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) composition(using monoclonal antibodies; mAbs) were used to assess fibre degradation.Results: The results showed that ALK, CELL, PECT1, and PECT2changed microbial community composition, increased the abundance of microbial fibre-degrading enzymes and pathways,andincreased acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total SCFA production. The increased genera also positively correlated with SCFA production. The cell wall polysaccharide structuresof RSM shiftedafter ALK, CELL, PECT1, and PECT2 treatment. The degradation of NSPduring the fermentation period was dynamic, and not continuous based on the epitope recognition by mAbs.Conclusion: This study provides the first detailed analysis of changes in the swine intestinal microbiota due to RSM modified by ALK, CELL, PECT1 and PECT2. ALK, CELL, PECT1 and PECT2 altered microbial community structure, shifted the predicted functional metagenomic profile and subsequently increased total SCFA production. Our findings that ALK, CELL, PECT1 and PECT2increased fiber degradability in RSM could help guide feed additive strategies to improve efficiency and productivity in swine industry. The current study gave insight into how feed enzyme modulate microbial status, which provides good opportunity to develop novel carbohydrase, particularly in swine feed.
The effect of altered running form on overuse injury risk factors

Running is a popular sport with more competitive participants every year. This rise in popularity has contributed to a rise in prevalence of overuse injuries such as patellofemoral pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and tibial stress fractures. While it is widely believed by coaches and runners that running form, which includes core control and position, plays an important role in injury prevention, little quantitative data exists to support these claims. The impact of altering running form on biomechanical loadings, as well as the best method to achieve changes, is unknown. Previous studies have explored the association of biomechanical loadings with particular overuse injuries, but the impact of core stability and control on those loadings is unknown. Pelvic tilt is a factor in core control and can indicate weakness or abnormal muscle activation in the trunk, and so may also play a role in changing loadings during motion. To explore the association between pelvic tilt and biomechanical loadings associated with running overuse injuries, and to test the effects of one type of technique instruction for running biomechanics, human subjects performed running tasks. Via motion and force capture technology, the gait cycle and loadings of the subjects were collected as they performed normal running and altered pelvic tilt running tasks. Loadings were calculated and normalized by body mass. Subjects were found to have the ability to change pelvic tilt in the anterior or posterior direction. Hip adduction moment and impulse were reduced when subjects altered running form by increasing anterior tilt, and these reductions may correlate to a decreased risk for iliotibial band syndrome. Further study and confirmation of this data is recommended.
Pore pressure measurements in infrastructure embankments

This paper presents measurements of pore water pressures (positive and negative) from an old railway embankment and a more recently constructed highway embankment. The results demonstrate the existence of seasonal variations, which it is argued could adversely affect the serviceability of these earth structures. Measurements of peak pore water pressures, from a large number of embankments, made during the exceptionally wet winter of 2000-2001 are also presented. For the covering abstract see ITRD E128041.
USE OF ANN TO ANALYZE AND MODEL LABORATORY HYDRAULIC DATA

In this paper, the measured laboratory data concerning the flow characteristics at asymmetric gradual contraction are analyzed and modeled using artificial neural networks (ANN). The experiments were conducted under subcritical flow upstream the contraction and a supercritical flow through the end portion of the contraction. The relative impact of all the flow and contraction parameters on the flow characteristics are determined using ANN. The flow characteristics were predicted via the use of two approaches, namely, the regression models and the artificial neural networks. The results of ANN prediction model are compared to those present and previously developed models. Comparable results are obtained. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to investigate the relative effects of different parameters on the flow characteristics.
Commitment to Coaching: Using the Sport Commitment Model as a Theoretical Framework with Soccer Coaches

Huckleberry, Sheri D. , Ph.D., June 2011, Curriculum and Instruction, Commitment to Coaching: Using the Sport Commitment Model as a Theoretical Framework with Soccer Coaches (pp. 193) Director of Dissertation: Dianne M. Gut Athletic coaches have the potential to be among the most influential people in a young person’s life and athletes often idolize their coaches. The impact a coach has on an athlete endures psychologically, physically, and emotionally. This study embraced the Sport Commitment Model (Scanlan, T. K., Carpenter, P. J., Schmidt, G. W., Simons, J. P., & Keeler, B., 1993a; Scanlan, T. K., Russell, D. G., Magyar, T. M., & Scanlan, L. A.,, 2009) as a theoretical framework to understand the antecedents of coaches’ commitment to coaching. The goal of this study was to examine the viability of the Coaches’ Commitment Model (CCM) with soccer coaches. The theoretical framework of the SCM provided a mechanism to understand the determinants of soccer coaches’ commitment to coaching, as the modified measurement model met satisfactory model fit (χ = 753.5 [df = 215], CFI = .954, NNFI = .946, RMSEA = .039, and SRMR = .0388). While the structural model failed to converge, this does not mean the SCM is not a viable theoretical framework for coaches. The theory behind the models (i.e., SCM and CCM) is that enjoyment, involvement alternatives/other priorities, personal investments, social constraints, involvement opportunities/valuable opportunities and social support predict coaches’ commitment. The soccer coaches in the study seem to express their lifelong involvement in sports, thus their commitment to coaching. Overall, they have been long 4 time athletic participants and consider themselves more than just novice coaches. Additionally, the opportunity to coach and work with athletes was the strongest predictor of coaches’ commitment. Furthermore, these coaches not only value the opportunities to work with their athletes, they enjoy coaching. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Dianne M. Gut Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Covert Chemicals, Tangible Trust: Risk Management of Chemicals in the Workplace

Abstract In Sweden, as in other industrialised nations, occupational exposure limits are considered to be an important tool for chemical risk management, although many other factors also play a role in occupational safety and health management. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of occupational exposure limits in relation to information about, and the risk perception of, chemicals. An interview study was performed at four Swedish process industry workplaces in order to investigate these issues. For each workplace, the range of informants covered at least one person who spent most of their working time in the production process; one person in a managerial position; one person in the site health, safety and environment department; the main safety ombudsman; and the site manager. The results show that informants’ understanding of occupational exposure limits and their use is quite poor, although they do understand that there is epistemic uncertainty in determining the toxicological effects of hazardous substances. The risk perception and safety behaviour of the informants were not affected by the occupational exposure limits, nor did occupational exposure limits have any role as sources of information. Nevertheless, almost all the informants expressed the view that occupational exposure limits are trusted and needed; safety engineers and main safety ombudsmen, generally, also added that occupational exposure limits are useful. What was found to be most important factor for the informants’ perception of risk and safety was trust in specific people, often established through long-term relationships.
Sanitary quality of soybean seeds treated with fungicides and insecticides before and after storage

Abstract: Fungi are considered as the most important among pathogens due to the higher number of species and to the damage caused both in yield and in seed quality. Thus, aimed to verify the effect of fungicide and insecticide treatment on sanitary quality and physiological performance of soybean seeds before and after storage. Seeds from cultivars NS 7494, NS 8693 and NS 7338 IPRO were used, which were analyzed separately by a completely randomized design in a 3 x 6 factorial design, being three chemical treatment applications: 1) treated and evaluated; 2) treated, stored and evaluated; 3) stored, treated and evaluated; and six mixtures of fungicides and insecticides: (Imidacloprido + Tiocarbe) + (Carbendazim + Tiram), (Imidacloprido + Tiocarbe) + (Metalaxil-M + Fludioxonil), Thiamethoxam + (Carbendazim + Tiram), Thiamethoxam + (Metalaxil-M + Fludioxonil), (Fipronil + Piraclostrobina + Metil-tiofanato) and the control, which was added only water. The healthy test, germination, cold and accelerated aging tests were evaluated. Seed treatment products require at least two months to be effective in controlling Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. The mixtures containing Carbendazim + Tiram in its composition are efficient in the control of pathogens regardless of the application time of products.
Diffusional fractionation of helium isotopes in silicate melts

Estimating Helium (He) concentration and isotope composition of the mantle requires quantifying He loss during magma degassing. The knowledge of diffusional He isotope fractionation in silicate melts may be essential to constrain the He loss. Isotopic mass dependence of He diffusion can be empirically expressed as D 3 He/ D 4 He = (4/3) β , where D is the diffusivity of a He isotope. However, no studies have reported any β values for He in silicate melts due to technical challenges in both experiments and computations. Here, molecular dynamics simulations based on deep neural network potentials trained by ab initio data show that β for He in albite melt decreases from 0.355 ± 0.012 at 3000 K to 0.322 ± 0.019 at 1700 K. β in model basalt melt takes a smaller value from 0.322 ± 0.025 to 0.274 ± 0.027 over the same temperature range. Based on our results, we suggest using D 3 He/ D 4 He values of 1.097 ± 0.006 and 1.082 ± 0.008 in natural rhyolite and basalt melt, respectively, to interpret measured He concentration and isotope composition of natural samples.
Analysis of the dam-foundation joint through the cohesive frictional crack model

The mechanical behaviour of joints plays a key role in concrete dam engineering since the joint is the weakest point in the structure and therefore the evolutionary crack process occurring along this line determines the global load bearing capacity. The reference volume involved in the above mentioned process is so large that it cannot be tested in a laboratory: a numerical model is needed. The use of the asymptotic expansions proposed by Karihaloo and Xiao 2008 at the tip of a crack with normal cohesion and Coulomb friction can overcome the numerical difficulties that appear in large scale problems when the Newton-Raphson procedure is applied to a set of equilibrium equations based on ordinary shape functions (Standard Finite Element Method). In this way it is possible to analyse problems with friction and crack propagation under the constant load induced by hydromechanical coupling. For each position of the fictitious crack tip, the condition K1 = K2 = 0 allows us to obtain the external load level and the tangential stress at the tip. If the joint strength is larger than the value obtained, the solution is acceptable, because the tensile strength is assumed negligible and the condition K1 = 0 is sufficient to cause the crack growth. Otherwise the load level obtained can be considered as an overestimation of the critical value and a special form of contact problem has to be solved along the fictitious process zone. For the boundary condition analysed (ICOLD benchmark on gravity dam model), after an initial increasing phase, the water lag remains almost constant and the maximum value of load carrying capacity is achieved when the water lag reaches its constant value
Resilience of Students in Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya University whom had Character Building Program in Facing Covid-19 Pandemic

Since March 2020, Indonesia has been fighting Covid-19 pandemic that effects people’s live in almost all aspects. Difficulties are inevitable and to survive, human must have to ability to bounce back from adversity, frustration, and misfortune. In Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya University, every students learn about character building which contains several themes such as problem solving and empathy. Thus themes were aimed to help them shaping good quality within. This study aimed to find out the level of resilience of students in this pandemic situation. Method of this research was descriptive statistic to analyze information about the level of students’ resilience. Online questionare were given (N=127) in order to collect data needed for this research. Based on data analysis, 81,1% students were able to bounce back and handle difficulties they met during this pandemic. Character Building as a subject on college helped students develop resilience within.