Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Habitat Segregation Among the Four Species of Cervids in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Abstract Study of habitat segregation among the four species of cervids was conducted in the Chitwan National park of lowland Nepal. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms of habitat partitioning among the four cervids - chital, sambar deer, hog deer and northern red muntjac using discriminant analysis and canonical correlation analysis. Present study considered four major niche dimensions - habitat, human disturbance, presence of predators and seasons. The data were collected by walking along the line transects that encompasses the different habitats, varying degree of human disturbances and frequency of predator’s presence. Results showed the significant effect of season on the habitat segregation among these cervids. There was higher niche overlap during summer season as compared to winter season. Habitat overlap between chital and muntjac was higher and unstable than others, which showed that they were the competitors of the same resources as enlightened by their generalist nature. Therefore, maintaining habitat heterogeneity and minimizing human disturbances will be better solutions for the coexistence of herbivores in the Chitwan National Park and can be an example for similar areas of lowland Nepal.
Staying the course: retention and participation in on-line learning in Singapore and the UK

In 2001 the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) in collaboration with the British Open University (OU) ran a successful presentation of the Level 1 Technology Course 'You, Your Computer and the Net'. The 30 point foundation level course was delivered to 9,000 students in 13 UK regions and simultaneously to a cohort of 200 students in Singapore. One of the striking factors about the results of this course was the difference in retention and ultimately the final pass rates of the two cohorts of students. This paper will describe the course and its delivery in the two countries, attempting to offer some explanations for this discrepancy in drop out rates using a cross cultural perspective.
Parameters of Time Headway Distribution as Performance Indicators of Motorway Traffic and Driver Behavior

Understanding traffic characteristics and the behavior of drivers is crucial for motorway traffic managers and roadway operators. Time headway provides the comprehensive image of traffic stability and driver behavior under a wide range of traffic contexts. This paper discusses how traffic stability and driver behavior are affected by precipitation of several intensities. Mathematical modeling and comparison of time headway distributions under dry weather, light rain, medium rain, and heavy rain intensities were conducted with a gamma-generalized queuing model (gamma-GQM), and the trend of variations of the gamma-GQM parameters was analyzed. Relationships between the model parameters, traffic stability, and driver behavior were established when the parameters were plotted against hourly traffic volumes and average densities. The trend of variations of the four model parameters had a consistent distribution pattern under dry weather conditions. The variations of gamma-GQM parameters were slightly disturbed during light and heavy rainfall intensities. During medium rain conditions, the variation of gamma-GQM parameters was exceedingly disturbed. The results indicated that traffic characteristics and driver behavior were more inconsistent under medium rain than with all other intensities. The willingness of drivers to accept any kind of risk in following a vehicle largely varied during medium rain conditions. Speed variability provided an extra insight into the drivers' perception at different levels of rainfall intensities.
Research on Condition Monitoring of Bearing Health Using Vibration Data

A reliable condition monitoring system is very useful in a wide range of industries to detect the occurrence of incipient defects so as to prevent machinery performance degradation, malfunction and sudden failure. Among the rotating machinery, many mechanical problems are attributed due to bearing failures. So implementing condition monitoring for bearing is critically needed. Considering that most research for condition monitoring only focus on detecting the existing fault, this paper add degradation tendency prognostics into the condition monitoring process. The kernel of bearing condition monitoring method presented in this paper is related to condition features extraction and remaining useful life prediction. The former is realized by the comprehensive vibration analysis for specific fault frequencies. The latter is achieved by adaptive neuron-fuzzy inference system based on extracted degradation signal. For illustration purpose, a bearing case from NASA data repository is used to validate the feasibility of the proposed method. The result indicates that the performance degradation of bearing can be effectively monitored and the predicted remaining useful life with 5.6% relative error can be the important reference for maintenance decision making.
The Impact of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on The DNA Yield of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis MTB

The objective of this research study whether nanoparticles of gold (Au NP) and nanoparticles silver (Ag NP) have an effect on the yield of DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in this experiment when it was extracted DNA from MTB using gold and silver nanoparticles at different concentrations (l0μl, 50μl and 100μl) then showed a significant impact on the yield of DNA, especially gold nanoparticles compared with DNA extracted without any of the nanoparticles.by Using a graph obtained from the REALTIME qPCR, which became very clear when the control sample (MTB without any nanoparticles) showed a high value for the Ct (cycle threshold), which meant that low quantities of DNA. While samples containing nanoparticles were low in Ct which meant a high yield of DNA was shown. Ct values also decreased when the concentration of nanoparticles increased, eventually we conclude from the above experiment that nanoparticles showed high yield of MTB DNA. These results are likely due the interaction of the nanoparticles utilized with the cell wall and cell membrane of bacterium, which has facilitated the yield of DNA. Further refinement can be to the above said method and the nanoparticles could possibly use as an effective component of Nucleic acid extraction kits for molecular diagnosis and research so that a superior yield is obtaine.
Investigating the Cost-Effectiveness of Nutrient Credit Use As an Option for VDOT Stormwater Permitting Requirements

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) participating in water quality trading (WQT) in lieu of constructing onsite structural best management practices (BMPs) to achieve compliance with Virginia water quality standards for stormwater runoff for linear development projects. The objectives of the study were (1) to assess the potential credit demand for VDOT projects, focusing on the James River watershed as a case study; and (2) to compare the costs to VDOT of constructing BMPs and participating in WQT. Data, including a database of existing BMPs, construction plans, and detailed cost estimates, were provided by VDOT. To assess the potential credit demand, details of existing BMPs were reviewed for eligibility to participate in WQT. For the cost comparison, a cost estimate for select linear development projects with BMPs was calculated and then compared to credit costs. Based on 19 years of historical data, VDOT could have used between 1 and 63 pounds of phosphorous credits per year and a median of 11 pounds of phosphorous credits per year for the James River watershed if current WQT guidelines had been in place over this period of time. In the hypothetical scenario where VDOT’s participation in the WQT program was allowed in lieu of VDOT’s construction of nine BMPs, VDOT would have realized a cost savings of 5% to 75%, with an average cost savings of 51%. These results suggest that participating in WQT at current market rates in lieu of constructing onsite structural BMPs is an economically feasible solution for VDOT to manage stormwater quality. It should be noted that market rates for phosphorus credits may change in the future. VDOT’s Location and Design Division should continue purchasing stormwater credits for those projects that are eligible for WQT.
FODEL(R) photoimageable technology in microwave applications

New circuit technologies capable of delivering high volume production, low cost microwave hybrids are still being sought. Advanced thick film technology offers new solutions suitable for microwave performance: the etching of fired thick films and the photoimaging of photosensitive thick films. Both techniques, using novel thick film materials and photopatterning gives a performance comparable with thin film techniques at significantly lower cost.
The effect of conscious disorder on the 30-day mortality of sepsis

Background Conscious impairment is related to worse prognosis in patients with sepsis. we aimed to evaluate the impact of conscious disorder on the 30-day mortality of patients with sepsis and identify the remediable risk factors for it. Methods Data were retrospectively retrieved from a prospective intensive care database. Conscious disorder was assessed by the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS). The impact of conscious dysfunction on the 30-day mortality of sepsis and its potentially modifiable risk factors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression and logistic regression, respectively. Results A total of 4446 patients with sepsis were included in the study and conscious disorder (GCS < 15) was observed in 2126 (47.8%) patients. The results of Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that GCS ≤ 12 contributed to the increased 30-day mortality of patients with sepsis and was an independent risk factor for it. Considering the clinical risks and benefits, the results of logistic regression showed that hypertension (systolic pressure ≥ 140 mmHg), hypernatremia (serum sodium ≥ 145 K/uL), the utility of cephalosporin and urinary infection are the potentially remediable risk factors for patients with sepsis characterized by GCS ≤ 12. Conclusion Moderate impairment of consciousness (GCS 9–12) and coma (GCS 3–8) were independently related to the 30-day mortality of sepsis. Potentially remediable risk factors for patients with sepsis characterized by GCS ≤ 12 at ICU admission were hypertension, hypernatremia, cephalosporin adoption and urinary infection. Further studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship between medical interventions towards these risk factors and the incidence of moderate impairment of consciousness and coma in patients with sepsis.
The MEDiATE Approach for the collaboration of Heterogeneous Elderly Platforms: First Results

This paper presents an overview of the first outcomes of the European research project MEDiATE. The main objective of MEDiATE is to allow better interoperability of platforms dedicated to the elderly people. Each existing elderly platform provides a set of services, such as communication between helpers and elderlies, organization and scheduling of activities. However, each platform has its own data model with specific interface to call services. One believes that collaboration between such heterogeneous platforms should enhance the quality of services by providing more features to satisfy needs of an elderly at home. The MEDiATE targeted solutions will be built, deployed and interfaced to existing elderly platforms: Touchscreen VisAge and Internet-connected TV application e-Lio, and the EGLU platform. The scientific contribution of MEDiATE consists of providing a clear architecture of the whole system and to propose the specification of a knowledge model to address the heterogeneity of the local models of data.
CURRICULUM 2013 AND THE FUTURE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION IN INDONESIA

Education curriculum change in a country is an absoluteness. Curriculum change in Indonesia. The effort of education improvement at school is a part of curriculum innovation adjusted with era development, including Islamic Education. PAI curriculum determines types and quality of education and experience that enables graduates to have global insight and curriculum development is a continuous process which is performed. Efforts, as performed in Indonesia, is by current Curriculum 2013, which is expected to become the future of Islamic Education in Indonesia. The problem arises when PAI teacher does not comprehend curriculum 2013, which becomes a reference in implementing the education. Ironically, the incomprehension occurs in a school which almost becomes a K13 pilot project. A teacher is supposed to understand and comprehend K13 start from planning, implementation, evaluation, and learning of PAI. The innovation of scientific approach in PAI learning and authentic assessment has not performed as expected.This research is aimed to know the implementation of Curriculum 2013 in PAI lessons at school. It is done because K13 is expected to be the future of PAI development in Indonesia. This research is conducted at school as an observation place (field research) using qualitative approach by explaining in descriptive analysis. The data collected using observation, interview, and document study which is furthermore processed and analyzed. The research result indicates that: (1) Curriculum 2013 that should be understood by PAI teacher as a reference of learning implementation has not fully understood. (2) the implementation reference of planning, implementation, and evaluation of K13 on PAI lesson has not fully implemented. (3) Scientific approach and authentic assessment have not been understood and implemented by PAI teacher. This research also provides suggestion to (1) Relevant agency to perform accompaniment and monitoring towards the implementation of K13 on PAI lesson at school. (2) Teacher of PAI should understand and implement K13 as the implementation reference, planning, and evaluation that have been determined so that K13 becomes the future of Islamic Education in Indonesia.
Determining soil water content variation along the TDR probe with inverse modeling: theory, practice and challenges

Recent studies have shown that inverse modelling of TDR waveforms allows the determination of detailed soil water content variation along the wires of the TDR probe. Before inverse modelling can successfully be applied for soil water profile reconstruction under field conditions, the following requirements need to be fulfilled: valid TDR wave propagation model, appropriate reference level for the input signal, appropriate choices of optimisation strategy, measurement device and probe type. In this review paper, we will first describe a commonly used TDR wave propagation model. Second, we will review the merits and limitations of different choices for the input signal reference levels. Such practical issues as input signal variation due to temperature changes will also be discussed. Then, we will review different optimisation strategies. The discussion on optimisation strategies will deal with appropriate optimisation algorithms, strategies to constrain the optimization problem, and frequency versus time domain optimisation approaches. Finally, we will review different measurement devices and probe types. We hope that this review provides an overview of current practice and challenges in determining the water content profile from a single TDR measurement made in the field.
Use of information technology in exam revision

Using an IT based portable group support system such as Teamworker can transform a revision session from a place where a teacher delivers information to a place where students engage with one another to solve problems, discuss a topic and actively engage in the learning and revision process. The Teamworker system consists of a set of individual wireless handsets: each with numeric keypad, 2 line LCD display and radio transmitter. The other part of the system comprises a radio receiver linked to a PC, connected to a video projector. The handsets enable students to respond to the questions displayed by the video projector. Individual responses can be recorded and the group responses displayed back to the class in the form of an anonymous bar or pie chart. One study in the University of Portsmouth Business School used the system to help prepare students for an end of unit examination in Business Information Systems for a cohort of 300 students. The students, working in small groups answered a number of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). A question was displayed, the students discussed and agreed their answer, and then transmitted the numerical value representing the answer. The group responses were then displayed. Where the student groups returned a range of answers, or the majority returned a wrong answer, a group discussion followed as to what was the right answer. When the lecturer considered it appropriate the correct answer was displayed and the reason explained, generating further discussion. At each Teamworker session the performance of individual groups could be monitored and poorly performing groups could be identified for additional tutorial support. Students reported, via a questionnaire, that they had enjoyed the revision session and found it useful. They particularly liked the instant feedback of answers and the chance to discuss straight away those things they did not understand. Other students identified that the session helped them recognise those areas that they needed to concentrate on in terms of their revision. As one student said 'It made learning and revision more fun – when people enjoy learning, they will learn more'.
- Relationship of path coefficient analysis and different genetic components in diverse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) germplasm

A study was conducted to estimate heritability, genetic advance correlation between yield and yield components and fruit quality parameters in 50 tomato genotypes to establish the selection criteria in 2015-16 at Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB). Analysis of variance showed significant mean square for all that traits indicating scope of improvement in tested genotypes. High heritability and high genetic advance was observed in cluster per plant, plant height, fruit weight, vitamin C and protein contents proposed additive the gene action and early improvement of those traits via selection. Yield per plant was significantly and positively correlated with plant height, fruit weight, fruit width and fruit length suggesting improvement in yield via those traits. Flowers per cluster had highest direct positive effect on yield followed by fruit width, fruit length, plant height, fruit firmness and total carotenoids. So, keeping in view the results of heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path analysis yield can be increased by number of flowers, plant height, fruit width and length, fruit firmness, total carotenoids and vitamin C.
A Membrane-Bound Cytochrome Enables Methanosarcina acetivorans to Conserve Energy to Support Growth from Extracellular Electron Transfer

Conservation of energy to support growth solely from extracellular electron transfer was demonstrated for the first time in a methanogen. Methanosarcina acetivorans grew with methanol as the sole electron donor and the extracellular electron acceptor anthraquione-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) as the sole electron acceptor when methane production was inhibited with bromoethanesulfonate. Transcriptomics revealed that transcripts for the gene for the transmembrane, multi-heme, c-type cytochrome MmcA were 4-fold higher in AQDS-respiring cells versus methanogenic cells. A strain in which the gene for MmcA was deleted failed to grow via AQDS reduction whereas strains in which other cytochrome genes were deleted grew as well as the wild-type strain. The MmcA-deficient strain grew with the conversion of methanol or acetate to methane, suggesting that MmcA has a specialized role as a conduit for extracellular electron transfer. Enhanced expression of genes for methanol conversion to methyl-coenzyme M and components of the Rnf complex suggested that methanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide in AQDS-respiring cells through a pathway that is similar to methyl-coenezyme M oxidation in methanogenic cells. However, during AQDS respiration the Rnf complex and reduced methanophenazine probably transfer electrons to MmcA, which functions as the terminal reductase for AQDS reduction. Extracellular electron transfer may enable survival of methanogens in dynamic environments in which oxidized humic substances and Fe(III) oxides are intermittently available. The availability of tools for genetic manipulation of M. acetivorans makes it an excellent model microbe for evaluating c-type cytochrome-dependent extracellular electron transfer in Archaea. Importance Extracellular electron exchange in Methanosarcina species and closely related Archaea plays an important role in the global carbon cycle and can enhance the speed and stability of anaerobic digestion, an important bioenergy strategy. The potential importance of c-type cytochromes for extracellular electron transfer to syntrophic bacterial partners and/or Fe(III) minerals in some Archaea has been suspected for some time, but the studies with Methanosarcina acetivorans reported here provide the first genetic evidence supporting this hypothesis. The results suggest parallels with Gram-negative bacteria, such as Shewanella and Geobacter species, in which outer-surface c-type cytochromes are an essential component for electrical communication with the extracellular environment. M. acetivorans offers an unprecedented opportunity to study mechanisms for energy conservation from the anaerobic oxidation of one-carbon organic compounds coupled to extracellular electron transfer in Archaea with implications not only for methanogens, but possibly also for anaerobic methane oxidation.
Confidence intervals for prediction intervals

Abstract When working with a single random variable, the simplest and most obvious approach when estimating a 1 − γ prediction interval, is to estimate the γ/2 and 1 − γ/2 quantiles. The paper compares the small-sample properties of several methods aimed at estimating an interval that contains the 1 − γ prediction interval with probability 1 − α. In effect, the goal is to compute a 1 − α confidence interval for the true 1 − γ prediction interval. The only successful method when the sample size is small is based in part on an adaptive kernel estimate of the underlying density. Some simulation results are reported on how an extension to non-parametric regression performs, based on a so-called running interval smoother.
Using social media to facilitate knowledge transfer in complex engineering environments: a primer for educators

While highly cohesive groups are potentially advantageous they are also often correlated with the emergence of knowledge and information silos based around those same functional or occupational clusters. Consequently, an essential challenge for engineering organisations wishing to overcome informational silos is to implement mechanisms that facilitate, encourage and sustain interactions between otherwise disconnected groups. This paper acts as a primer for those seeking to gain an understanding of the design, functionality and utility of a suite of software tools generically termed social media technologies in the context of optimising the management of tacit engineering knowledge. Underpinned by knowledge management theory and using detailed case examples, this paper explores how social media technologies achieve such goals, allowing for the transfer of knowledge by tapping into the tacit and explicit knowledge of disparate groups in complex engineering environments.