Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Technologies Into Teaching and Learning Mathematics at the Beginning of Secondary Education in Austria

Modern technologies have become an integral part in our society and are increasingly shaping the teaching of mathematics at every level of education. In Austria, the academic school year 2021/22 will undergo an extensive digitalisation; all students who start secondary school will be equipped with a digital device. Our paper reports on anticipated concerns and benefits of mathematics teachers who are required to integrate technologies into teaching mathematics at the first year of secondary education. We conducted an exploratory interview study with secondary mathematics teachers before schools received their digital devices. The data was analysed with techniques based on grounded theory approaches. We discovered that for teachers the anticipated concerns and benefits were: (A) discrimination of students by technologies, (B) by using technologies, students may lose basic mathematical knowledge and skills, (C) individual and playful acquisition of new technological competencies by teachers, and (D) using technologies to enhance differentiation and individualisation in mathematics teaching. One of the key findings of our study is that mathematics teachers in Austria feel capable enough to integrate technologies into the teaching and learning of mathematics at the beginning of secondary education and do not express the need for further technical training. This finding contradicts previous studies and provides a starting point for future investigations.
Typhoid fever and COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: a call for coordinated action

1 Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, NG, Nigeria. 2 Faculty of Life Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, BD, Bangladesh. 3 Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. 4 School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, GR, Greece. 5 Healthy Africans Platform, Research and Development, Ibadan, NG, Nigeria. 6 Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, CA, Canada. 7 Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, AF, Afghanistan. 8 Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, PK, Pakistan.
Direct ink write multi-material printing of PDMS-BTO composites with MWCNT electrodes for flexible force sensors

With recent advances of additive manufacturing technology, direct ink write (DIW) printing has allowed to incorporate multi-material printing of various materials with freedom of design and complex geometric shapes to complete functional sensors in a one-step fabrication. This paper introduces the use of DIW 3D printing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with barium titanate (BTO) filler as stretchable composites with tunable piezoelectric properties that can be used for force sensors applications. To improve the bonding between stretchable piezoelectric composites and electrodes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes was included in the fabrication of electrodes at a fixed ratio of 11 wt. %. The alignment of the BTO dipoles was achieved through corona poling method, which applies an electric charge on the surface layer of the functional material, aligning the dipoles in the desired direction and thus gaining the piezoelectricity. Different BTO mixing ratios (10–50 wt. %) were evaluated in order to obtain tunable piezoelectric properties and compare the sensitivity with respect their elastic properties. Tensile testing and piezoelectric testing were carried out to characterize mechanical and piezoelectric properties. Results showed that fabricated PDMS with 50 wt. % BTO gave the highest piezoelectric coefficient (d 33) of 11.5 pC N−1 and with an output voltage of 385 mV under compression loading of >200 lbF. This demonstrates feasibility of using multi-material DIW printing to fabricate piezoelectric force sensors with integrated electrodes in one-step without compromising the flexibility of the material.
Predictive Models for Work-Life Balance and Organizational Commitment of Women in the U.S. Construction Industry

AbstractThe ability to predict and develop policies, programs, and environments that enhance work-life balance (WLB) and promote organizational commitment is important for employers concerned with minimizing employee turnover. The aim of this study is to investigate elements that lead to enhanced organizational commitment and increase the likelihood that a female employee will stay with her employer in the U.S. construction industry. The specific contributions of this study are that it ascertains through a survey questionnaire the relative importance of different aspects of employer, job, employee benefits, and personal life satisfaction elements. The factor with the most pronounced influence on satisfaction with employer was whether the respondent had earned a college degree or trade certificate. Respondents with a college degree or a trade certification were more than four and a half times more likely to respond as satisfied with their current employer than those who did not have a degree or certificati.
The effect of ENSO / Anti ENSO on northeast monsoon rainfall

Northeast monsoon precipitation data of 5 meteorological sub-divisions in India, spanning the period 1901-97, were analysed to identify the effect of ENSO/Anti ENSO events on the rainfall over southern peninsular India. ENSO/Anti ENSO years were selected on the basis of seasonal Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). The analysis revealed that ENSO years were generally associated with enhanced northeast monsoon precipitation while there was reduced precipitation during Anti ENSO years, the reduction in Anti ENSO years being significant for Tamil Nadu (at 0.1% level), for Kerala (at 1% level) and for South Peninsular India (at 1% level). Of 22 ENSO years, 18 years were found to be either flood or wet years, while 11 years out of 15 Anti ENSO years were found to be either drought or dry years. During ENSO years, the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies both over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal were positive during the months October to December, while the reverse was the case during Anti ENSO years. A concurrent significant positive correlation was noted between SST over east central Arabian Sea and the north central Bay regions and northeast monsoon rainfall. The cyclonic systems were observed to form relatively at lower latitudes during ENSO years as compared to those during Anti ENSO years. These systems were also found to move in a more westerly direction, hit Tamil Nadu and south Andhra coast, thus giving more rain over peninsula during ENSO years. The ridge line at 200 hPa level during ENSO years was located 3° south as compared to its location during Anti ENSO years.
Litter decomposition rates across tropical montane and lowland forests are controlled foremost by climate

The “hierarchy of factors” hypothesis states that decomposition rates are controlled primarily by climatic, followed by biological and soil variables. Tropical montane forests (TMF) are globally important ecosystems, yet there have been limited efforts to provide a biome‐scale characterization of litter decomposition. We designed a common litter decomposition experiment replicated in 23 tropical montane sites across the Americas, Asia, and Africa and combined these results with a previous study of 23 sites in tropical lowland forests (TLF). Specifically, we investigated (1) spatial heterogeneity in decomposition, (2) the relative importance of biological factors that affect leaf and wood decomposition in TMF, and (3) the role of climate in determining leaf litter decomposition rates within and across the TMF and TLF biomes. Litterbags of two mesh sizes containing Laurus nobilis leaves or birchwood popsicle sticks were spatially dispersed and incubated in TMF sites, for 3 and 7 months on the soil surface and at 10–15 cm depth. The within‐site replication demonstrated spatial variability in mass loss. Within TMF, litter type was the predominant biological factor influencing decomposition (leaves > wood), with mesh and burial effects playing a minor role. When comparing across TMF and TLF, climate was the predominant control over decomposition, but the Yasso07 global model (based on mean annual temperature and precipitation) only modestly predicted decomposition rate. Differences in controlling factors between biomes suggest that TMF, with their high rates of carbon storage, must be explicitly considered when developing theory and models to elucidate carbon cycling rates in the tropics.
Dual promotional effect of CuxO clusters grown with atomic layer deposition on TiO2 for photocatalytic hydrogen production

The promotional effects on photocatalytic hydrogen production of CuxO clusters deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD) on P25 TiO2 are presented. The structural and surface chemistry study of CuxO/TiO2 samples, along with first principles density functional theory simulations, reveal the strong interaction of ALD deposited CuxO with TiO2, leading to the stabilization of CuxO clusters on the surface; it also demonstrated substantial reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ on the surface of CuxO/TiO2 samples after CuxO ALD. The CuxO/TiO2 photocatalysts showed remarkable improvement in hydrogen productivity, with 11 times greater hydrogen production for the optimum sample compared to unmodified P25. With the combination of the hydrogen production data and characterization of CuxO/TiO2 photocatalysts, we inferred that ALD deposited CuxO clusters have a dual promotional effect: increased charge carrier separation and improved light absorption, consistent with known copper promoted TiO2 photocatalysts and generation of a substantial amount of surface Ti3+ which results in self-doping of TiO2 and improves its photo-activity for hydrogen production. The obtained data were also employed to modify the previously proposed expanding photocatalytic area and overlap model to describe the effect of cocatalyst size and weight loading on photocatalyst activity. Comparing the trend of surface Ti3+ content increase and the photocatalytically promoted area, calculated with our model, suggests that the depletion zone formed around the heterojunction of CuxO–TiO2 is the main active area for hydrogen production, and the hydrogen productivity of the photocatalyst depends on the surface coverage by this active area. However, the overlap of these areas suppresses the activity of the photocatalyst.
The Effect of Book Value, Debt to Equity Ratio, Roa, Interest Rate and Exchange Rate at Jakarta Islamic Index (JII)

The Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) consists of 30 companies whose liquid assets have large capitalization compared to other companies. JII then becomes a measure of performance in choosing a halal stock portfolio. This study aims to determine the factors that affect the company's stock price in JII. This research uses quantitative methods with the study applied is panel data regression analysis method. The data used in this study is secondary data obtained from Bank Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority, the Indonesia Stock Exchange, and other literature. Secondary data or qualitative data used is panel data from 30 companies in JII. Findings. This research shows that Book Value, Debt Equity Ratio, Return on Assets (ROA), Interest Rate, and Exchange Rate simultaneously significantly affect the Stock Price. JII consists of 30 companies whose liquid assets have large capitalizations compared to other companies. Market capitalization is an indicator of stock development, if there is a decline in stock prices, the market capitalization will decrease.
A comparison of shielded and conventional on‐wafer test‐fixture forward coupling on silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) substrate

In this paper, ground‐shielded and conventional on‐wafer test‐fixture properties on a silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) substrate are studied in microwave measurements. The ground‐shielded fixture exhibits over 60% lower forward‐coupling than the corresponding conventional fixture. Reduced forward‐coupling improves the test‐fixture scalability. Shielded in‐fixtures provide the correct parasitics needed for successful de‐embedding. This is validated by measurements. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 70–75, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20727
OVERCOMING INDIGENOUS DISADVANTAGE

The basis upon which reconciliation can be said to have been achieved, remains a somewhat vexed issue. It is taken as an absolute given, however, that the overcoming of Indigenous disadvantage is fundamental. Reconciliation simply can not be achieved, or even viewed to be heading in the right direction, unless there is clear evidence that the extent of the disadvantage that Indigenous peoples experience compared with other Australians is being positively addressed. The need to overcome Indigenous peoples’ current socio-economic circumstances is driven by a certain morality that exists in Australian society that justifiably sees as wrong the extent of Indigenous peoples’ disadvantage compared with other Australians. It is this morality that must continue to drive the collective desire for outcomes. Achieving meaningful and lasting outcomes for Indigenous Australians will be a significant contribution to the achievement of reconciliation, but equally important is for meaningful and respectful engagement of Indigenous peoples in the process. While the overcoming of Indigenous disadvantage is a, if not the, core issue for the achievement of reconciliation, it is reasonable to consider that Australians are going to be engaged in the process for many, many years. Can the process be sustained within the length of time that will be required to overcome disadvantage? If so, how best can it be sustained? This paper argues the need for greater clarity with respect to the relationship between overcoming Indigenous disadvantage and the achievement of reconciliation. By this I mean we need to have a better appreciation of how achievements, or a lack of achievements, inform the reconciliation process. Mindful of the need for a long-term outlook this paper poses the question of how the reconciliation process can add value to strategies for overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, rather than simply being subject to such outcomes.
Analytical Models for Dimensioning of OFDMA-based Cellular Networks Carrying VoIP and Best-Effort Traffic

The last years have seen an exponentially growing interest for mobile telecommunication services. As a consequence, a great diversity of applications is expected to be supported by cellular networks. To answer this ever increasing demand, the ITU-R defined the requirements that the fourth generation (4G) of mobile standards must fulfill. Today, two especially promising candidates for 4G stand out: WiMAX and LTE. However, 4G cellular networks are still far from being implemented, and the high deployment costs render over-provisioning out of question. We thus propose in this paper accurate and convenient analytical models well-suited for the complex dimensioning of these promising access networks. Our main interest is WiMAX, yet, we show how our models can be easily used to consider LTE cells since both technologies are based on OFDMA. Generic Markovian models are developed specifically for three service classes defined in the WiMAX standard: UGS, ertPS and BE, respectively corresponding to VoIP, VoIP with silence suppression and best-effort traffic. First, we consider cells carrying either UGS, ertPS or BE traffic. Three methods to combine the previous models are then proposed to assume both UGS and BE traffic in the studied cell. Finally, we provide a way to easily integrate the ertPS traffic and obtain a UGS/ertPS/BE model able to account for multiple traffic profiles in each service class while keeping an instantaneous resolution. The proposed models are compared in depth with realistic simulations that show their accuracy. Lastly, we demonstrate through different examples how our models can be used to answer dimensioning issues which would be intractable with simulations.
Understanding the Importance of Thinking Styles in Arabic Language Learning

Students of the Ittihadul Muslim Islamic Boarding School in Pangkalan Pisang Village, Koto District, Siak Regency, Riau Province were asked to participate in this study to determine the association between their thinking style and their Arabic learning achievement. A total of 146 Madrasyah Aliyah 2nd grade students will be selected to participate in the survey. This study (1997) employed the Inventory Thinking Style Sternberg-Wagner research tool. Descriptive statistical analysis is used to determine the mean and standard deviations of a group of respondents in order to explain their profile and answer the research questions. His profile reveals that mean women score better on the thinking style scale than legislators, judges, anarchists, internal, liberal, and conservative candidates. It is more common for men to have Executive Thinking Styles such as Monarchy, Hirachy, Oligarchy, Local and External. This research also reveals the dominant thinking styles used by students in the Arabic learning class, including executive, judicial, monarchy, hirachy, oligarchy, anarchy, external, and conservative, as well as the dominating thinking styles used by students in the Arabic learning class. In every dominating Thinking Style, mean female students outperform mean male students by a significant margin. Legislative (Mean: 3.55 and SD: 0.649), Judicial (Mean: 3.80 and SD: 0.634), Anarchy (Mean: 3.71 and SD: 0.746), Internal (Mean: 3.58 and SD: 0.658), Liberal (Mean: 3.78 and SD: 0.624), and Conservative (Mean: 3.57 & SD: 0.606). Because students and teachers have not fully grasped the sternberg thinking style, the comprehension that can be achieved in the classroom is still suboptimal when applying it.
Bandwidth enhancement of planar inverted‐F antenna for implantable biotelemetry

A compact planar inverted‐F antenna (PIFA) consisted of two meandered strips with bandwidth enhancement technique is proposed for implantable biotelemetry in MICS band. The antenna occupies a volume of only 791 mm3 (22.5 mm by 18.5 mm by 1.9 mm) operating at 402 MHz. PIFA with two meandered strips can excite dual‐resonate frequencies that control the resonant frequencies at 380 and 440 MHz, respectively, to obtain the broad bandwidth of 120 MHz (353–473 MHz) at a return loss of 10 dB. To verify the performance of implantable antenna, the test tissue is adopted as implanting environment by grinding the pork of front‐leg. Furthermore, the property of this antenna can remain consistency against the varying and complex human tissue. Thus, this letter provides a miniature, broadband implantable PIFA for biotelemetry of medical devices. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 749–752, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24189
Effects of residential energy-saving lamps on the attraction of nocturnal insects

Many species of insects display a disposition to move towards light. As a consequence, nocturnal artificial lighting often contributes to an increase in insect population among humans. We tested the hypothesis that residential white lamps can evoke significantly different attraction to insects even when their light outputs are nearly indistinguishable to humans. In a two-choice experiment using insect traps equipped with either a compact fluorescent or a LED light source with similar photometric specifications, about three times more insects were captured in the trap with a compact fluorescent lamp than in the LED trap. The results suggest that LED lamps are preferable to compact fluorescent lamps when the objective is to avoid attracting nocturnal insects to households.
Characterization of the pseudoelastic damping behavior of shape memory alloy wires using complex modulus

The pseudoelastic stress/strain hysteresis behavior observed in nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) shape memory alloys (SMAs) above the austenite finish temperature can be exploited to provide passive structural damping in a variety of applications. The present study characterizes the damping behavior of Ni-Ti SMAs using the complex modulus approach, commonly used in structural dynamics for the characterization of damping materials. Results indicate that as excitation frequency increases, the loss modulus (a measure of the damping) undergoes a rapid initial decrease. The value of loss modulus (and available damping) at 6-10 Hz is approximately 50% of that at low frequencies, but does not show significant reduction thereafter. As the cyclic strain amplitude increases, the storage modulus (a measure of the stiffness) initially undergoes a rapid decrease, implying that the material softens with increasing motion amplitude. As the static strain offset increases, the loss modulus decreases, and the storage modulus increases. The loss modulus decreases at temperatures above , while the storage modulus shows a significant increase above associated with the SMA operating outside its ideal pseudoelastic temperature window. The experimental stress/strain hysteresis loops and the idealized loops based on complex modulus characterization compare very well for small cyclic strain amplitudes, but may differ for higher amplitudes. However, the energy dissipation estimates from the idealized and experimental hysteresis loops compare very well over the entire range of cyclic strain amplitudes, indicating that complex modulus characterization is well suited for estimating the damping capability of SMAs.
A BEHAVIORAL THEORY OF TECHNOLOGY SEARCH: EVIDENCE FROM THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

We build on the behavioral theory of the firm to shed light on the conditions under which firms are more likely to pursue exploratory or exploitative technology search strategies. Drawing on a well-known argument in the performance feedback literature, we predict that firms are more likely to adopt an explorative (exploitative) technology search strategy when their performance is low (high) relative to their peers? Augmenting existing models, furthermore, we argue that performance feedback consists of cues which need to be interpreted and hence may be more or less ambiguous. Building on this argument, we derive a number of hypotheses explaining how firms? intensity of response to performance feedback varies depending on two distinct kinds of ambiguity - feedback incongruence and feedback
Perception and Attitudes of Residents Towards Green Spaces in Croatia – an Exploratory Study

Green spaces are important parts of urban infrastructure. COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown periods around the world have confirmed benefits that people derive from using green spaces for their physical and mental health. Green spaces need to meet the needs of users so that people can use them and benefit over time. It is important to consider users' perceptions and attitudes. User input proves beneficial in improving management practices. We investigated the differences in attitudes and perceptions of respondents from different large settlements in Croatia towards green spaces. Data on the use and perception of green spaces were collected in the first lockdown period in Europe and processed the part of the questionnaire on attitudes and perceptions towards green spaces. People have similar, mostly positive perceptions of green spaces regardless of the size of the settlement. Differences were found in the perception of disadvantages and needs related to the management of green spaces. This is the first study of the attitudes and perceptions on a large spatial scale in Croatia, so the results are exploratory and important. This study contributes to research on the social aspects of green spaces by investigating the influence of environmental context on perceptions and attitudes.