Multi-scale Population and Mobility Estimation with Geo-tagged Tweets

Recent outbreaks of Ebola and Dengue viruses have again elevated the significance of the capability to quickly predict disease spread in an emergent situation. However, existing approaches usually rely heavily on the time-consuming census processes, or the privacy-sensitive call logs, leading to their unresponsive nature when facing the abruptly changing dynamics in the event of an outbreak. In this paper we study the feasibility of using large-scale Twitter data as a proxy of human mobility to model and predict disease spread. We report that for Australia, Twitter users' distribution correlates well the census-based population distribution, and that the Twitter users' travel patterns appear to loosely follow the gravity law at multiple scales of geographic distances, i.e. national level, state level and metropolitan level. The radiation model is also evaluated on this dataset though it has shown inferior fitness as a result of Australia's sparse population and large landmass. The outcomes of the study form the cornerstones for future work towards a model-based, responsive prediction method from Twitter data for disease spread.Comment: 1st International Workshop on Big Data Analytics for Biosecurity (BioBAD2015), 4 page

The use of Flashcards in teaching EFL vocabulary in online learning

The outbreak of COVID-19 has altered the way of language instruction. Vocabulary learning is an essential aspect of the language learning and teaching process that needs careful attention and consideration. Teaching vocabulary becomes more critical when learners cannot attend physical classes. The present study explores the impact of flashcards in learning vocabulary in an online context. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design to gather the data. The study was carried on two performed intact groups of intermediate-level learners. A vocabulary test was used to collect the data as pre and posttests. The intervention of the flashcards was continued for seven weeks. All the learners were informed about the process of the research. The result implies that the incorporation of flashcards impacted learners' vocabulary learning during online instruction. The data analysis asserts that flashcards have helped the experimental group to develop their vocabulary. The results indicate that flashcards are beneficial in the virtual learning environment. Keywords: Flashcards, EFL, Online learning, Vocabular

TERA for Rotating Equipment Selection

This thesis looks at creating a multidisciplinary simulation tool for rotating plant equipment selection, specifically gas turbines, for the liquefaction of natural gas (LNG). This is a collaborative project between Shell Global Solutions and Cranfield University in the UK. The TERA LNG tool uses a Techno-economic, Environmental and Risk Analysis (TERA) approach in order to satisfy the multidisciplinary nature of the investigation. The benefits of the tool are to act as an aid to selection, operations and maintenance planning and it also acts as a sensitivity tool for assessing the impact of changes in performance, environmental and financial parameters to the overall economic impact of technology selection. The aim is to not only select technology on the basis of techno-economics but also on the basis of risk analysis. The LNG TERA tool is composed of a number of modules starting with the performance simulation which calculates the thermodynamic conditions in the core of the engine. Next, life estimates of the hot gas path components are made using a mixture of parametric and probabilistic lifing models for the turbine first stage blades, coatings, and combustor liner. This allows for a risk analysis to be conducted before maintenance and economics issues are dealt with. In parallel, emissions estimations are made based on empirical correlations. The modelling exemplifies a methodology which is uniquely applied to this application and there are no studies previous to this which look at so many aspects before making conclusions on plant machinery selection. Comparisons have been done between industrial frame engines based on the General Electric Frame 9E (130 MW) and Frame 7EA (87 MW) engines as well as more complex cycles involving aero-derivation and inter-cooling such as the LM 6000 (42 MW) and LMS 100 (100 MW). Work has also been carried out to integrate the tool to Shell based systems in order to utilise the database of information on failure and maintenance of machinery as well as its performance. The results of the integrated TERA show a clear favour for the aero-derivative engines and the main benefit is the fuel saving, though the life of the hot gas path components is deteriorated much faster. The risk results show that the industrial frame engines have a wider variation in expected life compared to aero-derivatives, though the industrial frames have longer component lives. In the context of maintenance and economics, the aero-derivative engines are better suited to LNG applications. The modular change out design of the aero- derivatives also meant that time to repair was lower, thus reducing lost production. Application of the LNG TERA tool was extended to power generation whereby a series of 6 engines were simulated. The changes required to the modelling were minimal and it shows the flexibility of the TERA philosophy. This study was carried out assuming a given ratio of load split between the engines and hence is sensitive to the way an operator demands power of the engine as opposed to LNG application where the operator tries to drive the engine as hard as possible to get the most production out of the train. The study was limited in the modes of failure which were investigated, a major further work would be to extend the methodology to more components and incorporate fatigue failure. Further, the blade creep and probabilistic coating models were very sensitive to changes in their respective control parameters such as coating thickness allowances and firing temperature. The contribution to the project from the MBA is the statistical techniques used to conduct the risk analysis and data handling as well as financial management techniques such as the Net Present Value (NPV) methodology for project evaluations

Comparing Traditional Teaching Method and Experiential Teaching Method using Experimental Research

The modern time is shaping a world of opportunities that has glorified the roleand functions of multinational organizations across the globe. An individual hasbecome a global citizen, who explores employment opportunities in differentcountries of the world. This has signified the importance of interpersonal skills that allow individuals to connect with people from different cultures. As a result, the role of business communication instructors has become vital because they impart the skills of communication among their students. For this, instructors’ sensitivity towards the teaching methods used in classrooms are of prime significance. These methods determine the interest level and motivation of students towards learning and acquisition of communication skills. Therefore, this study aims to compare experiential learning method and traditional learning method to explore which method inculcates and improves the communication skills of business administration students of a private sector university. The study was conducted in a quantitative paradigm using an experimental research design. The sample size comprised 60 BBA students from two different sections of business communication courses. The data were collected using a pretest and posttest. For the pretest, communication skills were imparted to both the groups using the traditional teaching method that heavily employed lecturing. For the posttest, the controlled group was taught using the same traditional teaching method while the treatment group was taught using the experiential learning method. Mean scores 20.46 & 19.90 with a significant value of 0.375 for the pretest established identical nature of both groups. Mean scores 27.80 & 30.36 with a significant value of .002 of posttest showed that the two groups under study had different identities in scores, which proved that experiential learning method improves students’ communication skills better than traditional communication skills.Keywords: business communication, experiential learning, experimental research, traditional learnin

Positive Stereotyping Could Be Reasoned to Workplace Intergenerational Retention: A Study of Three Generations in the Health Sector of Pakistan

Purpose: The research on intergenerational work environment has attracted researchers in past decades variously and seems valuable in the present time era. The purpose of the present research is to examine the effect of positive stereotyping on intergenerational retention while organizational commitment plays mediating role in this relationship. Methodology: The sample consisted of 206 nurses from hospitals operating under the Punjab health department and the convenience sampling technique was used based on the cross-sectional design. The quantitative survey was conducted to assess the role of organizational commitment between positive stereotypes and workplace inter-generational retention. Findings: The results of the current study were analyzed on SMART PLS 3.2.2 software to predict reliability, assess the structural model, and hypothesized relationships between variables. Obtained results show that positive stereotyping has a significant direct effect on intergenerational retentions. Further organizational commitment significant positively mediates this relationship. Conclusion: Drawing upon generational cohort theory the research highlights the positive role of stereotyping among various generations at the workplace and recommends to the retention of educators is more positive stereotyping among various age group employee

Investigating Reading Challenges Faced by EFL Learners at Elementary Level

It is hard to ignore the importance of reading skills for desired proficiency in foreign languages. Reading can be beneficial for learners to immerse themselves in the target language and learn it efficiently. In EFL contexts like Saudi Arabia, learners face many challenges in reading skills. The main purpose of this research was to explore reading problems of elementary level students and causes of the readings skills inabilities. Following random and convenience sampling techniques; this mixed-method research obtained quantitative data from 290 elementary level students and qualitative data from nine teachers and supervisors. The analysis of quantitative data from the reading test and checklist and qualitative data retrieved from interviews suggests that students considerably perform relatively low in reading skills, and the main reasons are poor vocabulary, incorrect pronunciation, wrong spellings, slow reading pace, and flawed grammar. These five areas account for more than 90% of the challenges faced by learners in reading skills. Based on evidence from this research, we suggest that policymakers, teachers, and students should focus on these five areas for solving the issues related to reading skills. Although other avenues are essential, these items demand special attention to develop the reading skills of EFL learners in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the world.Keywords: Reading skill, Elementary level, Reading Pace, EFL  

Correlating CT Chest with RT-PCR in Diagnosing COVID-19: Experience at a Tertiary Health Care Hospital in Pakistan

Objective: To establish the accuracy of computed tomography(CT) chest in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia by taking reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) as a reference standard and to analyze discordant CT chest and RT-PCR results. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of patients presented to a tertiary health care hospital in Punjab, Pakistan for CT examination with suspicion of COVID-19 from April 1, to June 30, 2020. Each CT chest was categorized as positive/negative for COVID-19 pneumonia and the results were compared with the RT-PCR test. Discordant CT chest and PCR results were also investigated. Results: The study population had a mean age of 48 years ± 6.6 years with 54.5% males and 45.4% females. Sensitivity(Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of CT in diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia taking RT- PCR as the gold standard was 92.5%, 46.6%%, 82.2%, 70%, and 80% respectively. Conclusion: CT chest has high sensitivity but modest specificity in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. It can be employed as an adjunctive screening and diagnostic test for early diagnosis of disease in places where disease prevalence is high

EFL LEARNERS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE ACTIVE READING SOFTWARE AS A LEARNING TOOL TO ENHANCE READING COMPREHENSION

The present study endeavored to explore EFL students' perceptions regarding the acceptance and intervention of ARS in enhancing reading comprehension ability at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. The study engaged 30 male undergraduates of English major B.A program. For data collection, the study utilized a qualitative technique using semi-structured interviews and the interview questions were constructed based on the principles of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis (1989). Active Reading Software (ARS) was employed as a technological tool for teaching reading comprehension. The treatment group received intervention from ARS for the duration of four weeks in the computer lab. Qualitative data obtained from the students' interviews were evaluated by means of thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework. The results of the thematic analysis pointed out five major themes considered to be the factors that influenced participants’ perceptions towards ARS as a learning tool for improving reading comprehension at the tertiary level. Findings of the present study offer essential implications for language instructors and educational institutions providing technology-integrated courses. Understanding the factors influencing the learners’ perceptions towards the adoption of technological tools in learning is significant for its success. Article visualizations