Forecasting the Compressibility Parameters of Gypseous Soil using Artificial Neural Networks

To ensure safe design of structures against settlement, it is necessary to determine the compressibility parameters of the underneath soil especially compression and rebound indices. In this paper, an approach to forecast the compressibility parameters of gypseous soils based on index parameters was developed using Artificial Neural Networks technique. Two equations were developed to estimate compression and rebound indices using back propagation algorithm to train multi-layer perceptron, in which good agreements were achieved. The input parameters used were: the depth, gypsum content, liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, passing sieve No.200, dry unit weight, water content and initial void ratio. Two output parameters were determined including compression index and rebound index. A parametric study was also conducted to investigate the generalization and robustness of both models. The findings indicate that both models were reliable within the range of utilized data. It was found that gypsum content has the highest effect on the compressibility index followed by water content, plasticity index, dry unit weight and plastic limit, while other parameters have lower effect. The gypsum content has the highest effect again on the rebound index followed by passing sieve No.200, initial void ratio, plastic limit and plasticity index, while other parameters have lower effect.

Impact of Shyness on Self-Esteem: The Mediating Effect of Self-Presentation

Background: Although the relationship between shyness and self-esteem is well described in the psychological literature, far less is known about the potential mechanisms that underlie this association. The main goal of the current work is to verify whether self-presentation acts as a mediating variable between both constructs. Methods: The study was carried out among 198 adults. The Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Self-Presentation Style Questionnaire were applied. Results: A large and positive correlation coefficient was observed between the following variables: (1) self-esteem/self-promotion; (2) shyness/self-deprecation. All other variables correlated negatively: (1) shyness/self-esteem; (2) shyness/self-promotion; (3) self-esteem/self-deprecation; (4) self-promotion/self-deprecation. Moreover, both self-promotion and self-deprecation acted as mediators between life satisfaction and self-esteem. Conclusion: The outcomes of the present study show a new mediating aspect for the direct relationship between shyness and self-esteem in the form of two styles of self-presentation. The results indicate that the tendency of shy people to avoid others can have a lower effect on their overall sense of self-esteem when they try to present themselves in a clearly favorable light. By contrast, shyness may have a stronger impact on their sense of self-worth when they present themselves as helpless, unsure, and incompetent.

Altered HIV-1 mRNA Splicing Due to Drug-Resistance-Associated Mutations in Exon 2/2b

The underlying molecular mechanism and their general effect on the replication capacity of HIV 1 drug-resistance-associated mutations is often poorly understood. To elucidate the effect of two such mutations located in a region with a high density of spicing regulatory elements on the HIV-1-splicing outcome, bioinformatic predictions were combined with transfection and infection experiments. Results show that the previously described R263K drug-resistance-associated integrase mutation has additionally a severe effect on the ESE2b splicing regulatory element (SRE) in exon 2b, which causes loss of SD2b recognition. This was confirmed by an R263R silent mutation with a similar predicted effect on the exon 2b SRE. In contrast, a V260I mutation and its silent counterpart with a lower effect on ESS2b did not exhibit any differences in the splicing pattern. Since HIV-1 highly relies on a balanced splicing reaction, changes in the splicing outcome can contribute to changes in viral replication and might add to the effect of escape mutations toward antiviral drugs. Thus, a classification of mutations purely addressing proteins is insufficient.

The interaction of working memory capacity and engagement with recasts on different L2 outcome measures: A replication of Révész ()

We report on a conceptual replication of Révész (2012) in order to investigate the idea whether learners provided with recasts do engage in different kinds of behavioral engagement as a function of their working memory and if/how this engagement comes to bear on performance on different measures. Engagement with recasts was measured through a coding method categorizing responses to the recasts running the gamut from: (1) no opportunity, (2) opportunity, but did not repeat, (3) repeated the recasted form, (4) negotiated the response, to (5) used the recasted form later in the discourse. Consistent with Révész (2012), though with lower effect sizes, the results showed that recasts were most conducive to gains on an oral task and less so on a written description task, but non-effective on a grammaticality judgment task. Furthermore, it was revealed that learners with a high phonological short-term memory were more prone to recast-induced engagement on an oral production task, whereas those enjoying a higher reading span were considerably less so. We propose that learner engagement be deemed more important in future interaction research.

Reinforced Soft Soil by CSV with/without Polypropylene fibres: Experimental and Numerical analysis.

Columns of mixed soil-sand-cement (CSV), is one of the most unknown used methods for soft soil stabilization that has not been studied before. To this end, in this paper, consolidated drained (CD) triaxial compression tests after have been cured for 28 days, were carried out to investigate the effectiveness of CSV, which is mainly used to reinforce soft soil. Then, the influence of soft soil content (25%, 50%, 75%) on materials of CSV with/without polypropylene (PP) fibers is established. The percentages of soft soils (50%, 75%) are experimentally doable and the remaining percentage (25%) was not successfully experimented; for this exact reason, an empirical formula is established based on the design of experiments (DOE) for calculating the soft soil’s characteristics. Then a numerical study using PLAXIS 3D is developed for studying the embankment building on soil which is reinforced by CSV. It is found that the efficacy of the reinforcement of the soft soil by CSV with/without PP fibers provides with satisfying results. Moreover, the less amount of soft soil on CSV materials the better for deviatoric stress, axial strain, the effective cohesion, the effective friction angle and modulus of elasticity E50. Additionally, when PP fibers is added to CSV material, experimental results were strongly affected. As far as the numerical study, the embankment building on the soil that is reinforced by the CSV shows an improvement in the level of displacement in the three directions, the total displacement and security factor. The variation of materials of CSV content with/without PP fibers, a diverse combination with a relatively lower effect can be easily remarked on the achieved results.

Work Engagement: A meta-Analysis Using the Job Demands-Resources Model

Although the construct of work engagement has been extensively explored, a systematic meta-analysis based on a consistent categorization of engagement antecedents, outcomes, and well-being correlates is still lacking. The results of prior research reporting 533 correlations from 113 independent samples ( k = 94, n = 119,420) were coded using a meta-analytic approach. The effect size for development resources ( r = .45) and personal resources ( r = .48) was higher than for social resources ( r = .36) and for job resources ( r = .37). Among the outcomes and well-being correlates explored, the effect size was highest for job satisfaction ( r = .60) and commitment ( r = .63). Furthermore, moderation analysis showed that (a) concerning the occupational role, work engagement finds a low association with turnover intention among civil servants, volunteer workers, and educators; (b) collectivist cultural environments reported a greater association of feedback with engagement than individualistic environments; (c) the relationship between personal resources and engagement was stronger among workers with university degrees than workers with high school diplomas. Furthermore, the absorption dimension showed a lower effect with all variables under investigation than vigor and dedication.

Evaluation of the Radar Speed Cameras and Panels Indicating the Vehicles’ Speed as Traffic Calming Measures (TCM) in Short Length Urban Areas Located along Rural Roads

Traffic calming measures (TCMs) are implemented in urban areas to reduce vehicles’ speed and, generally speaking, results are obtained. However, speed is still a problem in rural roads crossing small villages without a bypass and with short-length urban areas, since drivers do not normally reduce their speed for that short segment. Hence, various TCM can be installed. It is necessary to maintain a calm area in these short segments to improve road safety, especially for pedestrian aiming to cross the road, and to save combustible by avoiding a constant increase-decrease of speed. Four villages were selected to evaluate the efficiency of radar speed cameras and panels indicating vehicle’s speed. Results showed that the presence of radar speed cameras reduces the speed in the direction they can fine, but with a lower effect in the non-fining direction. Additionally, a positive effect was observed in the fining direction in other points, such as pedestrian crossings. Nevertheless, the effect does not last long and speed cameras may be considered as punctual measures. If the TCMs are placed far from the start of the village they are not respected. Hence, it is recommended to place them near the real start of the build-up area. Lastly, it was verified that longer urban areas make overall speed decrease. However, when drivers feel that they are arriving to the end of the urban area, due to the inexistence of buildings, they start speeding up.

Extraction Optimization and Valorization of the Cornelian Cherry Fruits Extracts: Evidence on Antioxidant Activity and Food Applications

In this work, the optimization of two extraction methods, conventional CE and ultrasound-assisted UAE, to obtain extracts from cornelian cherry fruit with high antioxidant activity, which can be used to produce healthier jelly candies, is presented. In the CE process, the effects of temperature (30–50 °C), time (15–45 min), and hydroalcoholic mixtures (60–100% ethanol, v/v) were studied. The highest antioxidant activity (29.83 ± 0.85 mg TE/g dw) was found in the extracts obtained using 60% ethanol at 40 °C for 15 min. The UAE process led to comparable values of 26.60 ± 0.53 mg TE/g dw at 40% amplitude and pulsed sonication (5 s on and 5 s off) for 12.5 min. Under these experimental conditions, the specific energy consumed was 1.91 kJ/g. The vitamin C content and its inhibitory activity against metabolic enzymes were evaluated in extracts with different antioxidant activity. A significant inhibitory effect against carbohydrate-metabolism-associated enzymes was identified for all the tested extracts, with an inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase higher than 75%, but with a lower effect against α-amylase. The extract obtained by CE (60% ethanol, 40 °C, 15 min) provided the highest vitamin C content of 39.9 ± 1.2 mg ascorbic acid/100 g dw. Four variants of the healthier jelly candies were formulated, with a vitamin C content of 0.34 mg ascorbic acid/100 g dw in samples with agar-agar and 0.70 mg ascorbic acid/100 g dw in samples with gelatin.

Factors motivating governmental employees in the United Arab Emirates

To enhance the performance of organizations, the motivation of employees is a critical factor. The challenge is that motivation can be dependent on the culture and time of analysis. The timely studies are needed for different regions. The purpose of this study is to perform the motivation factors analysis of government employees to enhance their performance. Herzberg’s two-factor motivation theory was used, where the focus is on motivators, which were compared with financial rewards. Another classification of motivators and movers that contributes to ideas was extracted from the literature and included in the questionnaire survey. A survey was designed and 64 employees working in governmental service sectors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) responded to the questionnaire. Statistical analysis methods such as two proportion z-test, Chi-square, and Fisher tests, were used. Results showed that recognition, which was selected by 44% of employees, is the only source of satisfaction that has a higher effect than financial rewards. In addition, a sense of achievement, the opportunity to take responsibility, work itself, as well as advancement prospects have the same or lower effect than financial rewards. Moreover, results showed that, generally, factors associated with motivators are more important for ideas’ contribution than movers, except for the desire to overcome frustration at work. The practical value of the results is obvious since motivation can significantly enhance the performance of organizations in the UAE.

Effect of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Soil Properties and Growth and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa) in Tropical Ethiopia

Biochar is a carbon-rich product, which is processed by pyrolyzing biomass to improve soil properties and maintain environmental sustainability. This study aim was to investigate the effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties, growth, and yield. Four treatments and four replications have been used for the experimental plots using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Soil physiochemical properties have been investigated based on soil samples within 0–30 cm depth in each plot. The two types of biochar (grass and chat waste) have been used for the treatments. The pyrolyzing temperature required for grass and chat waste is 250°C and 1100°C, respectively. The plant height, total yield, and the marketable and nonmarketable yield of onion have been examined. The analysis showed that treatment with grass biochar and inorganic fertilizer had a similar effect on soil properties but chat (Catha edulis) biochar had a lower effect on soil properties. The total yield and days to 70% maturity have been increased due to the cumulative treatment of grass biochar and inorganic fertilizer. The biochar of grass and inorganic fertilizer have been significantly increased in marketable bulb yield, but unmarketable yield becomes decreased. The chat waste and controlled treatments shown an increased unmarketable yield and declined marketable bulb yield. Overall, biochar can substitute the inorganic fertilizer, which can help to improve the w soil fertility and environmental sustainability. Therefore, biochar has a win-win solution.