Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Transformation of the Construction Industry

This paper is a reflection of the evolution of the engineering design and construction processes that have been shifting very quickly in the last few years, from the two Dimensional (2D) drawings to models in 3D, 4D and 5D. The advancement demonstrated that we have a fragmented engineering process and the construction industry is moving to a more integrated practice with many advantages for project management, not only during the design and construction but during the life span of the building. Keywords— BIM, Integrated Project Management, 3D, 4D, & 5D Modeling. Digital Object Identifier (DOI): http://dx.doi. org/10.18687/LACCEI2015.1. 1.179 ISBN: 13 978-0-9822896-8-6
Teaching and learning intercultural business communication through an authentic case study: an experience report

Deutsch) Der Erfahrungsbericht beschreibt, wie eine authentische Fallstudie eines norddeutschen Maschinenbau-Unternehmens an einer deutschen Hochschule eingesetzt wurde, um die Komplexitat grenzuberschreitender Unternehmungen den Studierenden internationaler Wirtschaft naher zu bringen. Ein mogliches Verfahren fur den Einsatz der Fallstudie in einem Trainingsszenario wird erlautert und eine mogliche Kategorisierung nach Bolten (2008 / 2012) vorgeschlagen. Am Ende wird der Ausgang der Fallstudie beschrieben und die Vorteile des Einsatzes einer solchen Fallstudie werden aufgezeigt. Stichworte: Fallstudie, interkulturell, Kommunikation, Offshoring, Lehren Teaching and learning intercultural business communication through an authentic case study: An experience report Lehren und Lernen der interkulturellen Wirtschaftskomunikation durch eine authentische Fallstudie: Ein Erfahrungsbericht
Challenges in Higher Education: Special reference to Pakistan and South Asian Developing Countries

Higher education has great importance in the development of a country. But unfortunately, its importance is yet to be realized in South Asian developing countries. For over a decade, countries have been working to uplift their educational standard by providing quality higher education to their citizens but there are many obstacles and hurdles that are emerging. These challenges (quantity, equity, quality, etc) are very common in nature but require proper procedure to address in the best manner.
Conservation potential of prescribed fire for maintaining habitats and populations of an endangered rattlesnake Sistrurus c. catenatus

Many endangered species rely on early successional habitats to complete parts of their life cycles. We examined whether prescribed fire can be used to aid in conservation of the endangered eastern massasauga rattlesnake Sistrurus catenatus catenatus Raf. by maintaining open-canopy early successional summer habitats that this species requires for thermoregulation (basking). Using a formal experimental design, we characterized vegetation, surface temperature, moisture, and snake occurrence in control and burned treatments before and after prescribed fire. Prescribed fire increased vegetative cover and thereby decreased ground temperature compared to pre-treatment and control conditions, whereas rattlesnake occurrence increased dramatically after the prescribed fire. A habitat suitability model indicated that snake presence was negatively affected by forb cover, which became more dominant relative to other vegetation in the absence of fire. Prescribed fire also increased the cover of legumes and maintained graminoid cover and high overall plant functional diversity — all of which decreased in the absence of fire. In conclu- sion, prescribed fire stimulated overall vegetation growth while promoting varied microhabitats that included greater proportions of graminoids and sufficient number of patches of bare ground, both locally associated with warmer temperatures and presence of this endangered species of rattlesnake.
A functional analysis of how frogs jump out of water

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis and E. hexadactylus are two common frog species from south-east Asia. Both species have the remarkable ability to leap from a floating position out of the water. Rana esculenta is a European species from the same family that barely manages to do so. The species' morphology, however, looks roughly the same. We studied the unique abilities of the Euphlyctis species by videotaping the three species mentioned above whilst they jumped out of the water. These recordings enabled us to study the hind leg movements and to test several hypotheses. Dif- ferences between the species only became apparent when details of the behaviour were analysed. The three species mainly differed in their slip factor at the start of the propulsive phase, resulting in a difference in slip distance. This difference could be traced back to the difference in web shape by means of a physical model. The Euphlyctis species can prevent their feet from slipping because of their rounded and convex webbing, resulting in a larger take-off veloc- ity and thereby a successful emergence out of the water. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 83 , 413-420. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: Anura - locomotion - movement analysis - physical model.
Statistical problems of time varying volatility in economic time series

We show that structural changes in stochastic volatility models induce spurious persistence, as measured by the estimated parameters. In particular, whenever structural changes increase the empirical autocorrelations of the squares of the underlying time series, the persistence in volatility implied by the estimated model parameters follows suit. This explains why stochastic volatility often appears to be more persistent in a larger sample as then the likelihood increases that there might have been some structural changes in between. However, other than in GARCH-type models of conditional volatility, implied persistence does not tend to unity with given size of the structural change and increasing sample size. A shortened version of this chapter is published as Kramer and Messow (2013).
The Use of Aspect markers in Mandarin-speaking Children with Specific Language Impairment

Difficulties in grammatical morphology have been considered a hallmark for specific language impairment (SLI) in English-speaking children. Cross-linguistically, deficits in grammatical morphology are observed in languages like German and Swedish where inflectional morphology plays an important role. Stokes and Fletcher (2003) found that Cantonese-speaking children with SLI were less productive in using aspect markers and such deficit is interpreted as a consequence of their limited processing capacity. This study examined the use of aspect markers in Mandarin-speaking children with SLI by an elicitation task and a standardized picture comprehension test. Their memory spans were measured by a word span task and a non-word repetition task. Our results show that, on one hand, these children improved in their production of aspect marker within one year span and their performance is similar to that of the four-year-old controls. On the other hand, their comprehension of aspect remained inferior to the four years olds. The dissociation in the developmental growth in producing and comprehending aspect suggest that their problem with aspect marker is not simply a delay. Besides, SLI children’s memory spans were shorter than the two control groups but these scores were not correlated with their use of aspect. The capacity limitation account proposed by Stokes and Fletcher is not supported.
Parameter estimation of heart, valve and vasculature

SUMMARY The purpose of this project is to obtain clinically relevant patient specific information on valvular lesions by estimating the coefficients of a lumped model, which describes the heart, valves and arterial network, in an attempt to aid clinical diagnosis. A mathematical lumped model is proposed to investigate the entangled effects of valvular lesions in patients, using coefficients defining the heart, valve and vasculature. Patient data is characterised through the optimisation of the model coefficients. This is performed by minimising the error produced from the output of the governing equations when compared to patient specific input information, and so finding the coefficients that reproduce the original data best. This information is then used for understanding the interactions of combined valvular lesions. Past research has examined singularly the aspects involved in this project, however, the purpose here is to explore the combining of heart, valve and vasculature models, when subject to valvular diseases. From this viewpoint, pressures of the left ventricle and aorta are used as the outputs for the 0D lumped model proposed.
The Effect of High School Employment on Educational Attainment: A Conditional Difference-in-Differences Approach

Using American panel data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 ( NELS:88) this paper investigates the effect of working during grade 12 on attainment. We exploit the longitudinal nature of the NELS by employing, for the first time in the related literature, a semiparametric propensity score matching approach combined with difference-in- differences. This identification strategy allows us to address in a flexible way selection on both observables and unobservables associated with part-time work decisions. Once such factors are controlled for, insignificant effects on reading and math scores are found. We show that these results are robust to a matching approach combined with difference-in-difference-in-differences which allows differential time trends in attainment according to the working status in grade 12.
Exponentially available intelligence: Al, Data and the dramatic digitization of traditional industry

espanolEste articulo estudia la Inteligencia Artificial (IA) y sus efectos en el ambito empresarial y en la sociedad. Los objetivos del articulo son los siguientes. Primero, definir y explicar la IA. En segundo lugar, conectar la IA con otros desarrollos en tecnologia digital y en terminos mas generales. Tercero, presentar las implicaciones en el ambito empresarial. Por ultimo, se determinan las cuestiones clave que se derivan para la sociedad en general. EnglishThis paper is concerned with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its effect on business and society. The aims of the paper are as follow. First, to define and illustrate AI. Secondly, to connect AI to other developments in digital technology and more broadly to other innovations. Thirdly, to introduce the implications for business. Fourthly, to establish key questions for society in general.
Maturity model for the Structural Elements of Coordination Mechanisms on the collaborative planning process

Collaborative Planning (CP) can be defined as a joint decision making process for aligning plans of individual Supply Chains (SC) members with the aim of achieving a certain degree of coordination (Stadler, 2009). Coordination means identification and classification of existing interdependencies (Li et al., 2002). Different coordination processes manage different types of interdependencies. Coordination should be considered different from integration in that where coordination takes the target for granted, integration often involves determining this target simultaneously with the aligning of allocation decisions (Oliva and Watson, 2010). Typical features of supply chain coordination processes include demand planning (DP), supply planning (SP), available-to-promise/ capacity-to-promise (ATP/CTP), manufacturing planning, distribution planning (DP), etc. Generally, the execution of process depends on proper information management. Coordination mechanisms in supply chain should be tools by which, every member of a supply chain can achieve more benefits. Thus, organizations need to develop strategically aligned capabilities not only within the company itself, but also among the organizations that are part of its value-adding networks. Additionally, processes are now viewed as assets requiring investment and development as they mature. Thus the concept of process maturity is becoming increasingly important as firms adopt a process view of the organization (Lockamy and McCormack, 2004).
A Comparative Study of Unit Root Tests with Panel Data and a New Simple Test

The panel data unit root test suggested by Levin and Lin (LL) has been widely used in several applications, notably in papers on tests of the purchasing power parity hypothesis. This test is based on a very restrictive hypothesis which is rarely ever of interest in practice. The Im-Pesaran-Shin (IPS) test relaxes the restrictive assumption of the LL test. This paper argues that although the IPS test has been offered as a generalization of the LL test, it is best viewed as a test for summarizing the evidence from a number of independent tests of the sample hypothesis. This problem has a long statistical history going back to R. A. Fisher. This paper suggests the Fisher test as a panel data unit root test, compares it with the LL and IPS tests, and the Bonferroni bounds test which is valid for correlated tests. Overall, the evidence points to the Fisher test with bootstrap-based critical values as the preferred choice. We also suggest the use of the Fisher test for testing stationarity as the null and also in testing for cointegration in panel data. Copyright 1999 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Ultra-Highly Diluted Homeopathic Remedy Arnica Montana 30C can Reduce UV-induced DNA Damage in Escherichia coli through its Regulatory Influence on Nucleotide Excision Repair Genes: A Commentary on our Published Research Finding

In homeopathy, ultra-highly diluted drugs are used with great benefits to treat various ailments in human and higher animals, but whether lower organisms (prokaryotes) with simple genetic system can also respond to homeopathic drugs was not known. To test if the homeopathic drug, Arnica Montana 30C (AM-30C), used against shock and injury, can modulate relevant gene expressions and oxidative stress, we exposed Escherichia coli (E. coli) to two doses of ultra-violet (UV) radiation and subsequently quantified its DNA damage and oxidative stress along with the expression of the nucleotide excision repair genes, uvr A, uvr B and uvr C in the drug-treated and placebo-treated (succussed alcohol, being “vehicle” of the drug) bacteria. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also estimated and the gene expression patterns in them were compared. Certain other relevant parameters of study like comet assay, gel electrophoresis for DNA ladder, intra-cellular ROS generation, and other toxicity biomarkers like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also conducted. Expressions of mRNA of the excision repair genes estimated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method were analyzed. AM-30C treated bacteria showed less DNA damage and diminished oxidative stress, along with decrease in ROS generation, and a corresponding increase in SOD, CAT and GSH activities. AM-30C upregulated the expression of the repair genes uvr A, B and C, validating prima facie the “gene regulatory hypothesis” that claims ultra-highly diluted homeopathic drugs to act through regulation of relevant gene expressions as the most plausible molecular mechanism.
Radiation Effects on Natural Convection MHD Flow in a Rotating Vertical Porous Channel Partially Filled with a Porous Medium

The unsteady natural convection MHD flow of a rotating viscous electrically conducting fluid in a vertical channel partially filled by a porous medium with high porosity in the presence of radiation effects, has been investigated. It is assumed that the conducting fluid is gray, emitting-absorbing radiation, and non-scattering medium. The two infinite vertical porous plates of the channel are subjected to a constant injection velocity at the one plate and the same constant suction velocity at the other plate. The entire system rotates about the axis normal to the plates with a uniform angular velocity. The analytic expressions for velocity and temperature field are obtained and effects of the radiation-conduction parameter (Stark number), Prandtl number, Grashof number, rotation parameter, magnetic field, and permeability of the porous medium on the velocity field, temperature field and Nusselt number have been discussed in the analysis.
A Web-Based Intervention for Postpartum Depression. An Assessment of User Acceptability and Information System Evaluation

Treating and preventing postpartum depression is related to a number of attitudinal and practical barriers. Addressing these barriers are web-interventions using persuasive technology, aiming to identify women at risk, prevent development of depressive symptoms, and increase subjective well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate persuasive features and acceptability among users of “Mamma Mia”; a web-intervention for perinatal depression. Based on mixed-model design, semi-structured interviews were conducted on ten perinatal well-educated, employed women with partners (age 28-41). The statements derived from the interviews were unitized and coded into two theoretical and methodological frameworks; SWOT and Persuasive Systems Design (PSD) Model. Results from content and thematic analyses show that the PSD-model and SWOT framework capture significant aspects and qualities of persuasive features in explaining information systems’ interaction with its users. Thematic analysis indicates that the “Mamma Mia” intervention is perceived as acceptable, and professional, which are qualities predicting adherence. The study contributes support for assessing persuasive features to develop successful persuasive systems, utilizing specific persuasive features that predict adherence, and qualities of features to enhance user satisfaction, and effectiveness of mental health interventions.
Diets of 3 cattle breeds on Chihuahuan Desert rangeland

Diet botanical composition, fecal nitrogen percent, and fecal phosphorus percent were determined seasonally during 1991 and 1992 for 3 cattle breeds (Barzona, Brangus, Beefmaster) grazing late-seral Chihuahuan Desert rangeland in southcentral New Mexico. These 3 cattle breeds are considered to be well adapted to harsh environments. Cattle breed main effect was non-significant (P > 0.05) for diet botanical composition. However, season main effects (P < 0.05) did occur for some diet botanical composition components. Total grasses in cattle diets were highest in January and lowest in June. Dropseeds (Sporobolus sp.), black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda Torr.), and threeawns (Aristida sp.) were the primary grasses consumed by cattle. Forb consumption was highest in June lowest in January. Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) consumption by cattle was highest in August and lowest in January. It was the primary shrub in cattle diets. Breed X season interactions (P < 0.05) occurred for a few diet botanical composition components, but the small magnitude of the values and lack of consistency prevented drawing definite management implications. Fecal nitrogen values showed differences (P < 0.05) among breeds in some seasons. However due to lack of consistency no definite conclusions could be drawn regarding superiority of 1 breed compared to another in diet nutritional quality. Both fecal nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations showed cattle diets to be lowest in quality in winter and highest in summer. From a practical standpoint, this study showed no definite advantage of any breed studied in diet botanical composition or in diet quality.
Measurement of Field-Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity by Using Guelph and Velocity Permeameters

ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of two recently developed in situ techniques to measure saturated hydraulic conductivity (K). These two techniques are (1) the constant-head well permeameter method using the Guelph permeameter, and (2) the falling-head permeameter method using the velocity permeameter. K was measured on a silt loam soil at eight sites and for four different depths (150, 300, 450, 600 mm) at each site by using these two techniques. K determinations were also made in the laboratory by using a constant-head permeameter on undisturbed soil columns collected from all test sites and depths. Measurements of K for the selected test sites and conditions indicate that Guelph and velocity permeameters provided reasonably similar values. Both methods are simple to use and easily portable, and both produce results in a relatively short time (usually 15 min to 20 min for the velocity permeameter and 60 min to 90 min for the Guelph permeameter for a single measurement). Field-measured K values tended to be much lower than laboratory values.
Features for instrument recognition in polyphonic mixes by Santor Warmerdam

Automated instrument recognition is necessary to efficiently obtain instrumentation information for the existing large collections of digital music. While automated instrument recognition is possible with very high accuracy for monophonic fragments, the problem has not yet been solved for polyphonic mixes. In this work a system is designed for instrument recognition. This system is based on the popular melfrequency cepstral coefficients(MFCC) features and a Gaussian mixture model(GMM) classifier. The primary contribution of this thesis is an extension to the standard MFCC based features. While it’s known that system performance is strongly dependent on the window size used in the calculation of the MFCCs, we pose that limiting the feature extraction to a single window size limits performance. In this work we examine simultaneously using MFCC features obtained from different window sizes. Using this method we show a significant increase in performance over a baseline system using the standard MFCC features. Besides this we introduce features based on the self-similarity matrix. While these measures are normally primarily used for visualization and structure detection we show significant differences in the distributions of obtained similarity values and attempt to use this for classification. While the obtained performance doesn’t show a significant increase compared to the baseline system the class based feature distribution differences suggest the method warrants further study. Finally we examine methods of adapting GMM classifiers for the instrument recognition task along the lines of different learning strategies. Here we examine the problem as a case of multiple instance learning, semi-supervised learning and learning in the presence of label noise. Finally we give suggestions for further examination of the MFCC extension, improvements of the selfsimilarity features and instrument recognition dataset creation.
MONTE CARLO TYPE INVESTIGATIONS ON THE NUCLEATION PROCESSES IN SOFT MATTER SYSTEMS

Using Monte Carlo simulations, we investigated the sporadic nucleation of polymers and the results were compared with those obtained from the Avrami equation. From the simulation data, we calculated the overall crystallization rate constants and the Avrami indices. We considered isotropic growth of the nuclei in 1,2 and 3 dimension, the obtained results for the Avrami indices being in excellent agreement with theory and experiments. We also investigated the dependence of the overall crystallization rate constant on the crystallization velocity.