Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Adopting Lean Construction in the Construction Industry—The Case of Jordan

During the last few decades, there has been a greater understanding of the role of lean construction (LC) in achieving better management of construction projects and enabling the application of the fourth industrial revolution in the construction industry (Construction 4.0), which in turn, has the potential to improve the practices and outcomes in the construction industry. This paper aims to identify the barriers to adopt LC practices by taking a case of the Kingdom of Jordan. A questionnaire that included 30 barriers that were resulted from a comprehensive literature review was distributed and filled by 326 respondents from the Jordanian construction industry. The findings showed that the absence of support from the top management, low awareness toward LC, lack of training, and the absence of transparency are amongst the most serious factors that hinder the adoption of LC. The findings in this paper might be helpful to improve the knowledge about LC and support the adoption of new techniques that might improve the performance in the construction industry.
Engineering Comprehensive Model of Complex Wind Fields for Flight Simulation

A complex wind field refers to the typical atmospheric disturbance phenomena existing in nature that have a great influence on the flight of aircrafts. Aimed at the issues involving large volume of data, complex computations and a single model in the current wind field simulation approaches for flight environments, based on the essential principles of fluid mechanics, in this paper, wind field models for two kinds of wind shear such as micro-downburst and low-level jet plus three-dimensional atmospheric turbulence are established. The validity of the models is verified by comparing the simulation results from existing wind field models and the measured data. Based on the principle of vector superposition, three wind field models are combined in the ground coordinate system, and a comprehensive model of complex wind fields is established with spatial location as the input and wind velocity as the output. The model is applied to the simulated flight of a rocket projectile, and the change in the rocket projectile’s flight attitude and flight trajectory under different wind fields is analyzed. The results indicate that the comprehensive model established herein can reasonably and efficiently reflect the influence of various complex wind field environments on the flight process of aircrafts, and that the model is simple, extensible, and convenient to use.
Agrometeorological Conditions and Agroclimatic Trends for the Maize and Wheat Crops in the Balkan Region

The Balkan peninsula is a transitional zone, in terms of bioclimatic conditions, with an extended and dynamic agricultural sector. Its potential is in peril due to climate change and socioeconomic factors. To assess and evaluate the agrometeorological conditions and the related trends which affect the widely cultivated wheat and maize, a big dataset with high spatiotemporal analysis was utilized. The thermal indices of Growing Degree Days (GDD) and Heat Stress Index (HSI) along with the main frost parameters (frost days, last spring frost, first autumn frost, and free of frost days) were calculated over ten countries for 42 years on a daily basis over a grid of 25 × 25 km. The results indicate a clear cultivations’ expansion ability to northern areas, and higher altitudes and an increased risk of heat caused plants’ injuries. The thermal indices’ trends for maize and wheat cultivation are always positive (Maize: GDD 7.26–11.05 units/yr, HSI 0.52–3.51 units/yr Wheat: GDD 7.2–12.7 units/yr, HSI 0.22–1.77 units/yr). The free of frost (FFD) season is getting longer (trend −0.04 to 0.34 d/yr) because of earlier last spring frost and delayed first autumn frost. The results consist of spatial and temporal illustrations, along with summary statistics and probability density plots for the entire study area and per country.
Using a linked data-based knowledge navigation system to improve teaching effectiveness

ABSTRACT A linked data approach provides new opportunities for annotating, interlinking, sharing and enriching massive open online educational resources. However, it can be difficult for non-expert users to build and utilize the educational linked data in educational settings. Thus, flexible and user-friendly ways to represent, interlink, visualize and utilize the educational linked data become increasingly important. This paper proposes a linked data-based knowledge navigation system (LDKNS) for improving the teaching effectiveness. In the system, learning resource ontology was implemented to represent learning contents, and linked data visualization technologies were used in a formal curriculum structure. It presents a use case of building the educational linked data and creating interactive knowledge visualizations to support teachers and students in art design education. A contrast experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed system. The experiment involved 115 second year undergraduate students divided into experimental and control groups. It was found that there was a significant increase in the motivation of students who used the LDKNS. It was also found that students’ achievement in the experimental group performs better. Furthermore, the results of a survey on cognitive load revealed that using the system can decrease their cognitive load. Thus, we believe that art design education supplemented with the LDKNS yields a significant learning advantage for students by improving learning performance.
Correction factor of lumped parameter model for linearly tapered piezoelectric cantilever

Distributed parameter model (DPM) gives an accurate representation of the vibration response of piezoelectric cantilevers. Nevertheless, lumped parameter model (LPM) has been widely used because of its simple mathematical representation. However, researchers developed a correction factor for LPM because of its inaccurate power output prediction of the piezoelectric harvesters. The developed correction factors were limited to the rectangular and exponentially tapered piezoelectric beams because the DPM of other shaped beams are rather complicated to derive. This paper presents a correction factor for linearly tapered piezoelectric cantilever beam using a finite element model (FEM) approach. Validation of the developed FEM is accomplished using two analytical models from literature of rectangular and exponentially tapered shapes with tip mass. Results show an excellent agreement between the FEM and the related DPM. The FEM of a linearly tapered piezoelectric cantilever is then built and the error of using the uncorrected LPM for different tapered ratios is investigated. Correction factors of different taper ratios subjected to various tip masses are developed. Comparisons between the corrected LPM and the FEM verify the estimation of the correction factor. Results show that FEM approach can be used to enhance the accuracy of LPM of piezoelectric cantilever harvesters.
Do patient characteristics matter when calculating sample size for eczema clinical trials?

Abstract Background The Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) is the core outcome instrument recommended for measuring patient‐reported atopic eczema symptoms in clinical trials. To ensure that the statistical significance of clinical trial results is meaningful, trials are often designed by specifying the target difference in the primary outcome as part of the sample size calculation. One method used to specify the target difference is a score that corresponds to a standardized effect size. Objectives to assess how the standardized effect size of POEM scores vary across age, gender, ethnicity and disease severity. Methods This study combined data from five UK‐based randomized clinical trials of eczema treatments in order to assess differences in self‐reported eczema symptoms (POEM) corresponding to a standardized effect size (0.5 SD of baseline POEM scores) across age, gender, ethnicity and disease severity. Results POEM scores corresponding to 0.5 SD(baseline) were remarkably consistent across participants of varying ages, gender, ethnicity and disease severity from datasets of five UK trials in children (range 2.99–3.45). Conclusions This study provides information that can support those designing clinical trials to determine their sample size and can aid individuals interpreting trial results. Further exploration of differences in populations beyond the United Kingdom is needed.
Barriers to Career Progression in the Higher Education Sector: Perceptions of Australian Academics

There are multiple factors that can potentially impact the career progression of academics to professoriate level (referred to as levels D and E in Australia). This research provides a detailed understanding of critical factors (by gender) that negatively influence career progressions. Perceptions of factors that influence career progressions have been found to be more pronounced amongst female academics in STEMM and business disciplines. The conventional view of family commitments as being a hindrance to career progression has not been supported in our data. On the contrary, it is the organizational factors that would appear to be prevalent at an institutional level that seems to be significant barriers to the career progression. Particularly for female academics’ progression to levels D and E. The most prominent factors identified through confirmatory factor analysis conducted in the study are workloads and a lack of resources to undertake research and to generate research performance, which is a critical impacting factor for career progression to professoriate levels. These factors have been exacerbated by COVID-19.
Knowledge creation through collaboration: The role of shared institutional affiliations and physical proximity

This paper examines how shared affiliations within an institution (e.g., same primary appointment, same secondary appointment, same research center, same laboratory/facility) and physical proximity (e.g., walking distance between collaborator offices) shape knowledge creation through biomedical science collaboration in general, and interdisciplinary collaboration in particular. Using archival and publication data, we examine pairwise research collaborations among 1,138 faculty members over a 12‐year period at a medical school in the United States. Modeling at the dyadic level, we find that faculty members with more shared institutional affiliations are positively associated with knowledge creation and knowledge impact, and that this association is moderated by the physical proximity of collaborators. We further find that the positive influence of disciplinary diversity (e.g., collaborators from different fields) on knowledge impact is stronger among pairs that share more affiliations and is significantly reduced as the physical distance among collaborators increases. These results support the idea that shared institutional affiliations and physical proximity can increase interpersonal contact, providing more opportunities to develop trust and mutual understanding, and thus alleviating some of the coordination issues that can arise with higher disciplinary diversity. We discuss the implications for future research on scientific collaborations, managerial practice regarding office space allocation, and strategic planning of initiatives aimed at promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
Efficient Performance Bound for Channel Estimation in Massive MIMO Receiver

In this paper, we present a new performance bound for uplink channel estimation (CE) accuracy in the Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system. The proposed approach is based on noise power calculation after the CE unit in a multi-antenna receiver. We decompose a non-line of sight (NLOS) channel into separate taps and calculate the cross-covariance matrix between them. Then a linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) method is applied with these taps to estimate residual CE error value for each unique scenario, assuming Gaussian distribution of tap amplitudes and antenna noise. An artificial CE is calculated as a sum of the ideal noiseless channel (pre-defined Quadriga model) and the leftover noise after the optimal estimate. The artificial CE is then utilized in the MIMO detector and decoder units to calculate performance bound. Our method outperforms the accuracy of a well-known Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) due to considering more statistics (number of taps and correlation between them) since performance strongly depends on several channel taps and their power ratio. Additionally, we show that our bound can be obtained from the generalized Bayesian CRLB. Simulation results are presented for the 5G QuaDRiGa 2.0 NLOS channel.
Genetic and morphological relationships of fieldwrens (Calamanthus): implications for conservation status and management

ABSTRACT Sound taxonomy is important for providing a scientific basis for the listing of threatened taxa and allowing informed decisions for conservation management. The Australian fieldwrens (Acanthizidae: Calamanthus spp.), small passerines of shrublands across mesic to arid southern Australia, have been challenging in this respect. Difficulties in interpreting the variation in morphology and colouration across their geographic range have resulted in taxonomic controversy for a century; multiple arrangements of species and subspecies have been proposed, including a prevailing view that there are two species and seven subspecies in the Rufous Fieldwren, Calamanthus campestris complex. Two island subspecies (C. campestris hartogi and C. c. dorrie) are currently listed as Vulnerable. We hypothesised that C. campestris is monotypic (including C. montanellus) and that variation is clinal across mainland populations. Results of our genetic, morphological and colour pattern analyses are largely consistent with this hypothesis. However, we did find evidence of genetic divergence between eastern and western populations and some genetic support for recognition of C. c. hartogi (Dirk Hartog Island) based on divergence in nuclear allele frequencies. Together, our results provide a strong case for the hypotheses that C. montanellus is a synonym of C. campestris, and that rather than consisting of seven subspecies, C. campestris comprises two mainland subspecies C. c. campestris and C. c. rubiginosus east and west, respectively, of 133 degrees longitude, and only one island subspecies, C. c. hartogi. In this regard, the currently recognised C. c. dorrie is nominated for removal from threatened species lists.
Surprising Causes: Propensity-adjusted Treatment Scores for Multimethod Case Selection

Scholarship on multimethod case selection in the social sciences has developed rapidly in recent years, but many possibilities remain unexplored. This essay introduces an attractive and advantageous new alternative, involving the selection of extreme cases on the treatment variable, net of the statistical influence of the set of known control variables. Cases that are extreme in this way are those in which the value of the main causal variable is as surprising as possible, and thus, this approach can be referred to as seeking “surprising causes. ” There are practical advantages to selecting on surprising causes, and there are also advantages in terms of statistical efficiency in facilitating case-study discovery. We first argue for these advantages in general terms and then demonstrate them in an application regarding the dynamics of U.S. labor legislation.
Bicortical Screw and Needle Welded Together as Effective Implant Technique for Immediate Load of SINGLE Tooth in Aesthetic Zone Characterized by Severe Bony Reabsorption: Cases Report

After a long period of time in which submerged implants were used just with delayed load, scientific evidence has led to immediate loading, finally re-evaluating the long lasting experience gotten with one-piece implants. In aesthetic area, if bone is deep and wide, immediate load can be performed with any type of implants, with scarce risk of failure. Situations in which bone is scarce are frequent and impose to choose between performing a suitable technique compatible with immediate loading or renouncing to immediate loading. In our experience, implant technique based on the welding-in-mouth of a titanium needle to main implant is regularly destined to success, because the needle implant, deeply anchored to bone, compensates the lateral forces that normally push the tooth forward. The long lasting experience accrued since over 30 years in our professional offices leads us to suggest this technique as a standard solution while dealing with bone reabsorption in the aesthetic area. We are certain that further studies will confirm our conclusions.
ACO3-bearing member of the hydroxylapatite– hydroxylellestadite series from Tadano, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan: CO3-SO4 substitution in the apatite–ellestadite series

Abstract A CO3-bearing member of the hydroxylapatite-hydroxylellestadite series occurs as a Si-rich part of a hydroxylapatite-hydroxylellestadite series mineral (hydroxylapatitess) in a skarn xenolith from Tadano, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Hydroxylapatitess is composed of Si-poor and Si-rich parts. The Si-poor part is F-rich hydroxylapatite. The infrared spectrum of the Si-rich part demonstrates the presence of B-type CO3. A representative analysis of the Si-rich part yielded the empirical formula Ca4.989[(PO4)1.315(SiO4)0.848(SO4)0.368(CO2.943)0.480]Σ3. 011(OH0.629Cl0.264F0.107)Σ1. 000 on the basis of 8 cations, assuming Si = S + C. There is a very strong inverse correlation between Si and P in both the Si-poor and Si-rich parts. These data indicate that the substitution mechanism (SO4,CO3)2- + (SiO4)4- = 2(PO4)3- probably occurs in hydroxylapatitess. Therefore, it was concluded that the Si-rich part corresponds to a CO3-bearing hydroxylapatite-hydroxylellestadite series mineral with CO3 partially replacing SO4. Most of the Si-rich part shows CO3 > SO4 and its composition approaches Ca5(SiO4)1.5(CO3,SO4)1.5(OH,Cl,F).
Thermally Stable Amine-Grafted Adsorbent Prepared by Impregnating 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane on Mesoporous Silica for CO2 Capture

In this paper, an amino-functionalized adsorbent for CO2 capture was synthesized by impregnating 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on mesoporous silica. Amino functional groups were chemically bonded to silica support. Because of chemical bonds, the thermal stability of this adsorbent (205 °C) was greater than that of an adsorbent prepared by impregnating polyethylenimine on the same mesoporous silica (160 °C). The cyclic CO2 loading capacity was improved by increasing adsorption temperature, reaching a maximum of 89.3 mg CO2/g at 100 °C and then reduced at temperatures above 100 °C. Optimum regeneration temperature was determined at 120 °C. The adsorbent was stable for multiple adsorption–regeneration cycles operating at adsorption temperature of 100 °C in pure CO2 and regeneration temperature of 120 °C in atmosphere, respectively. The amino-functionalized mesoporous silica is a thermally stable adsorbent with relatively high CO2 loading capacity and high optimum adsorption and regeneration temperatur.
Morphological evaluation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells treated with DMEM extract of Turkish propolis

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of DMEM extract of Turkish propolis (TP) on the morphology of metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods: The cells were incubated with DMEM extract of TP (collected from Trabzon in Turkey) at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL for 72 h. The effect of DMEM extract on proliferation and cytotoxicity of the cells was determined using 3-[4,5-dimethyltiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion assay. MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with or without extracts were randomly photographed with a camera-coupled inverted microscope. Treated and control MDA-MB-231 cells were classified as monopolar, bipolar or multipolar, and their dimensions measured with an electronic caliper. Results: Although the extract reduced the proliferation of the cells, the effect was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, no cytotoxic effect was observed. Field diameters, process length and cell body diameters of the treated cells were increased by DMEM extract treatment in bipolar and multipolar cell types, but these parameters were decreased in monopolar cell type, although insignificantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the process thickness of treated MDA-MB-231 cells increased insignificantly in all cell types (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that DMEM extract of TP at a dose of 2.5 mg/mL morphologically suppresses monopolar MDA-MB-231 cells. Future studies would examine the morphological effects of different concentrations of the propolis extract in anti-proliferation, cytotoxicity and morphological investigations in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Occurrence and cycle of dimethyl sulfide in the western Pacific Ocean

Oceanic production and occurrence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and its subsequent ventilation to the atmosphere significantly contribute to the global sulfur cycle and impact the climate regulation. Spatial distributions of DMS, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP, precursor of DMS), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, oxidation product of DMS), production and removal processes of DMS (including biological production, microbial consumption, photo‐degradation, and sea‐to‐air exchange), and biogenic contributions to the atmospheric sulfate burden were simultaneously studied in the western Pacific Ocean during winter. Sea surface DMS, DMSP, and DMSO were strongly correlated and had similar distribution patterns. The DMS photo‐degradation efficiency ratio (normalized using incident photon flux density) for ultraviolet B radiation (UVB): ultraviolet A radiation (UVA): photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was 391: 36: 1. However, considering the solar spectral composition, the actual contributions of UVB, UVA, and PAR to DMS photo‐degradation in surface waters were 40.6% ± 10.7%, 41.2% ± 15.6%, and 18.2% ± 7.2%, respectively. When integrated across the entire mixed layer, UVA and PAR became the dominant drivers, accounting for 45.2% ± 18.0% and 38.0% ± 17.3% of DMS photo‐degradation, respectively, as UVB was significantly attenuated in seawater. The DMS budget of the entire mixed layer indicated that microbial consumption, photo‐degradation, and ventilation accounted for about 74.3% ± 11.9%, 19.3% ± 9.3%, and 6.5% ± 4.0% of total DMS removal, respectively. Even if ventilation was a minor DMS removal pathway, DMS emissions still contributed approximately 45.2% ± 25.6% of the atmospheric non‐sea‐salt sulfate burden over the western Pacific Ocean.
Document Analysis of English Language Course Outlines in Pakistani Universities: Exploring the Needs of Undergraduates in the EFL Context

Being proficient in English opens several doors of opportunities all over the globe and this ability is especially important for students who are about to enter their professional lives. The main objective of this qualitative research was to analyze the Basic English course outlines of private Pakistani universities to examine the inclusion of skills-based strategies for the effective teaching and learning of English language skills at the undergraduate level which was conducted through document analysis. Another purpose of this study was to explore the needs of undergraduate English language students regarding their English language course for which a questionnaire was administered. The findings of the document analysis showed that the content of the English language outlines mostly included grammar and focused very little on language skills necessary for the development of proficiency. The responses of the undergraduates in the questionnaire clearly expressed their weaknesses in English skills and the need for developing proficiency. Based on the findings, this study recommends developing an effective skills-based English language course outline for the undergraduate level.