Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A QuantCrit Analysis of Context, Discipline, Special Education, and Disproportionality

Using a dis/ability critical race theory (DisCrit) and critical quantitative (QuantCrit) lens, we examine disproportionate application of exclusionary discipline on multiply marginalized youth, foregrounding systemic injustice and institutionalized racism. In doing so, we examined temporal-, student-, and school-level factors that may result in exclusion and othering (i.e., placing into special education and punishing with out-of-school suspensions) within one school district. We frame this study in DisCrit and QuantCrit frameworks to connect data-based decision making to sociocultural understandings of the ways in which schools use both special education and discipline to simultaneously provide and limit opportunities for different student groups. Results showed a complex interconnectedness between student sociodemographic labels (e.g., gender, race, and socioeconomic status) and factors associated with both special education identification and exclusionary discipline. Our findings suggest that quantitative studies lacking in-depth theoretical justification may perpetuate deficit understandings of the racialization of disability and intersections with exclusionary discipline.
Ranking based RPL for Multipoint-to-Point Multi-modal Data Communication in IoT Network.

IPv6 Routing Protocol for low power and lossy networks (RPL) is a standardized and default routing protocol for low power lossy networks. However, this is basically designed for sensor networks with scalar data and not optimised for the networks with multi-modal sensors. The data rate of each multi-modal sensor varies based on various applications. RPL suffers from packet drops and re-transmissions which results in packet loss and energy consumption in case of multi-modal data transmission. Hence, the routing strategy implemented in RPL needs better scheduling strategy at parent node for forwarding packets based on various parameters. In this paper, relevant Objective Functions for multi-modal sensor data communication is proposed based on various parameters identified and a weighted ranking based scheduling strategy is proposed for multi-modal data communication called R-RPL. The goal of proposed ranking based RPL (R-RPL) is to increase the throughput and reduce the loss in terms of energy and delay based on proposed scheduling strategy for parent selection. The performance of the proposed R-RPL is evaluated in the contiki based Cooja simulator and compared with RPL protocol. The analysis shows that the R-RPL performs better compared to RPL with respect to packet delivery ratio and energy consumption.
Optimal Coordinated Frequency and Voltage Control of CCGT-Thermal Plants with TIDF Controller

This paper deals with unified method of voltage and frequency control of an interconnected three unequal-area systems with the Automatic Load Frequency Control (ALFC) and Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) loop. Every area comprises a reheat thermal and the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant. Concerning the pragmatic system, adequate governor dead band (GDB), boiler system, and generation rate constraint (GRC) are considered in all individual plants. The Tilt-Integral-Derivative with Filter (TIDF) controller is considered in the ancillary controller of the ALFC loops, core controller of the AVR loops, and air-flow, temperature controller of the CCGT Plants. The optimized controller gains are realized through the metaheuristic algorithm called Harris Hawks Optimization algorithm along with the integral square error as a performance index considering a 1% step load perturbation in Area-1. The critical analysis shows that the performance of the TIDF controller is superlative to the classical controllers, such as PI and PID, concerning all time-domain indices. With the TIDF controller, the impacts of the AVR loop, boiler system, and the CCGT plants are analyzed on the unified ALFC and AVR study separately. Sensitivity analysis unveils the sturdiness of the TIDF controller against the change in magnitude of the step load perturbation in Area-1. Finally, the proposed unified ALFC and AVR system of three unequal-area CCGT-thermal plants is analyzed with the OPAL-RT hardware set-up for its real-time validation.
Effect of Different Pretreatments on Sludge Solubilization and Estimation of Bioenergy Potential

Most of the conventional treatments of waste-activated sludge (WAS) are devoted to their minimization and destruction. On the other hand, the biomass contained in WAS can be utilized as a valuable source of renewable carbon. In this study, the influence of different pretreatments (ultrasonication, chemical, thermal, and combined pretreatments) was explored for sludge solubilization. Effects of the pretreatments were investigated as a function of the solubilization of total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Concentrations of soluble carbohydrates and total nitrogen were also measured. The most effective pretreatment to hydrolyze sludge was found to be the combined alkali–thermal (pH 12, 75 °C) pretreatment method, leading to TS and vs. solubilization of 9.6% and 17.2%, respectively. Soluble COD, carbohydrates, total nitrogen, and proteins estimated in the liquid phase were 5235 mg/L, 732 mg/L, 430 mg/L, and 2688 mg/L, respectively. Thus, the alkali–thermal method could be used for efficient valorization of WAS. Moreover, the solid fraction from all pretreated samples was further subjected to thermogravimetric analysis to estimate its potential for bioenergy from its higher heating value (HHV), which was found to be in the range of 10–11.82 MJ/kg. This study can provide better insight into the efficient valorization of liquid and solid phases of sludge after pretreatment.
Adapting to changing climatic conditions: perspectives and experiences of women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

ABSTRACT Climate change manifesting in inconsistent rainfall has affected subsistence agriculture, posing a threat to food security in South Africa. Women are central in food production, hence this study explores their experiences of climate change, focusing on the challenges and adaptation strategies. The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, using a qualitative approach. The study found that women have been experiencing a reduction in harvests, owing to drought. Additionally, diversification of livelihoods through fishing has been affected, as water sources have also dried up. Interventions that capacitate and equip rural communities with technologies and resources to implement climate-smart agricultural solutions are recommended.
Exploring University Mexican Students’ Quality of Intra-Mathematical Connections When Solving Tasks About Derivative Concept

The quality of the intra-mathematical connections made by Mexican university students when solving tasks on the derivative was characterized. The typology of mathematical connections and the quality levels of mathematical connections were used. Interviews were conducted based on eight tasks applied to three case studies. The results showed that the quality of the intra-mathematical connections: different representations, procedural, implication, part-whole and meaning of the students, is found mostly at level 2 (consistent and argued mathematical connections) and only one student presented inconsistencies to find the correctness equation of the tangent line to the curve at a point (quality level 0 connection). Likewise, the metaphorical connection was identified when a student mentioned the metaphorical expression “the graph has no holes”, which suggests the conceptual metaphor “the graph is a path” referring to the continuity of a function. We believe that quality level 2 mathematical connections ensure understanding, and the quality level 0 mathematical connections are the reasons why students have difficulty understanding the derivative.
Long-term dynamics of stand structure and regeneration in high-stocked selection fir-beech forest stand: Croatian Dinarides case study

Abstract: In recent decades, changes in stand structure in Central European fir-beech forests, such as accumulation of large-diameter firs, fir dieback, and poor regeneration, have been well documented. Besides environmental factors, light harvesting was suggested as one of the main drivers of the negative structural dynamics of these forests in Croatia. This study applied the MOSES 3.0 stand simulator on permanent sample plot data to reconstruct stand development over the past 20 years and simulate long-term projections of selection stand structure and regeneration with respect to theoretical values, using three management regimes differing by the applied harvesting intensity (traditionally applied, theoretical intensity, and no management). Sample plot data from three sets of detailed measurements (1992, 2002, and 2012) were used for validation of the simulator, and eleven 10-year cycles of management were then simulated under the above management scenarios. Results showed a positive influence of harvest intensity on stand regeneration and the achievement of a targeted selection structure in the long term. Two management scenarios predicted a decrease in stand volume (34% and 40%, respectively), an increase in the initial percentage (28%) of beech and maple (58% and 75%, respectively), and the achievement of optimal stand regeneration of 11-13 recruited trees per hectare annually (60% firs). No management scenario could achieve old-growth structure (accumulation of standing stock, large trees, and deadwood). The theoretical intensity scenario was evaluated as the better approach to be applied in this type of forest stands in Croatia.
Effects of silica on mechanical and rheological properties of EPDM-based magnetorheological elastomers

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a kind of emerged smart material, where its responsive moduli in terms of mechanical and rheological properties are largely influenced by the presence of an external magnetic field. However, the incompatibility on the surface properties of its raw materials (fillers and matrix) may deteriorate the required properties of MREs. Therefore, in this study, the innovation of MRE by embedding silica nanoparticles as an additive has been experimentally investigated to strengthen the interactions between filler and matrix, thus resulted in enhancement of mechanical and rheological properties of MRE. The ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)-based MREs were fabricated by mixing the EPDM with carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) as the main filler and different contents of silica nanoparticles (0 wt%–11 wt%) as an additive. The microstructures, magnetic properties and tensile properties of isotropic EPDM-based MREs were observed by using field emission scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Meanwhile, the rheological properties were examined under oscillatory loadings in the absence and presence of magnetic field using rotational rheometer. The experimental results showed that the silica nanoparticles play a significant role in improving the properties of EPDM-based MREs. The adhesiveness of silica into CIPs has amended the interfacial interactions between CIPs and matrix by occupying the gaps between distributed CIPs within the MRE. Consequently, the addition of 11 wt% silica has not only improved the tensile properties (tensile strength and elongation at break), but also enhanced the MR effect compared to EPDM-based MREs without silica. Thus, incorporation of silica nanoparticles as an additive in EPDM-based MRE has the potential to be further explored and compromised to bring new innovation in real engineering applications.
Identification and Analysis of microRNA-Disease Associations with Kernelized Bayesian Matrix Factorization

MicroRNA (miRNA) molecules, which are effective on the initiation and progression of many different diseases, are a type of noncoding RNA with a length of about 22 nucleotides. Scientists have reported the importance of miRNAs in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complex human diseases. Therefore, in the last decade, researchers have been working hard to find potential miRNAdisease associations. Many computational techniques have been developed because of the experimental techniques are time-consuming and expensive used to find new relationships between miRNAs and diseases. In this study, we suggested Kernelized Bayesian matrix factorization (KBMF) technique to predict new miRNA-disease relationships. We applied 5-fold cross validation technique and obtained an average value AUC of 0.9450. Also, we applied case studies based on breast, lung, and colon neoplasms to prove the performance of KBMF technique. The results showed that KBMF can be used as a reliable computational model to reveal possible miRNA-disease relationships.
Initial Training of Primary School Teachers: Development of Competencies for Inclusion and Attention to Diversity

Teachers need to be prepared to attend to all learners regardless of their abilities or needs. This implies that future teachers must develop, throughout their initial training, the necessary competencies to provide inclusive education to all students. The aim of this research was to analyze the level of development of competencies related to inclusion and attention to diversity among university students of a degree in primary education. Based on the project developed by the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education (EADSNE) on the profile of the inclusive teacher, an ad hoc survey was prepared based on the four fundamental competencies proposed: valuing student diversity, supporting all students, working as part of a team, and developing one’s professional and personal qualities. This survey was administered to 440 students of the degree in primary education from the University of La Laguna (San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain). The results showed a positive development of the four competencies, with a higher development of the competencies of continuing professional development. It was also found that the students had the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for promoting inclusion and encouraging attention to diversity in their classrooms.
Same Degree, Same Opportunities? Educational and Social Background Effects on Overeducation in Germany

Overeducation is indicative of a suboptimal education–job match and is related to several negative consequences for workers. Despite extensive research explaining the overeducation phenomenon, previous studies have not simultaneously analyzed educational background (i.e., educational degrees) and social background effects, or have failed to consider both the vertical and horizontal dimension that educational degrees entail (i.e., level and field). This article seeks to overcome these limitations by examining whether overeducation varies (1) across educational background (considering both level and field of educational degrees), (2) across social background, and (3) by social background among workers with the same degree. Based on the German BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey 2018, results suggest that highly educated workers are more likely to be overeducated for the jobs they hold, implying the supply of this workforce exceeds the available adequate jobs on the German labor market. The field of education determines the risk of overeducation as well, with some occupationally specific fields of education (IT, natural sciences, and health) making for lower overeducation risk for both vocational and academic education. The results also indicate social background directly influences education–job matches (controlling for level and field of education), i.e., a social gap in overeducation. This evidence suggests an effect of social background on job allocation processes, beyond the effect of education, so that the offspring of privileged classes (i.e., high salariat) use the same degrees on the labor market more profitably than the offspring of less privileged classes. Given the low attention paid to education–job matches in social stratification analyses, the present article makes a noteworthy contribution to the literature on social stratification and inequality. In addition, the present research will serve as a base for future studies on overeducation including both the vertical and horizontal dimension of educational degrees.
One-year impact of bariatric surgery on left ventricular mechanics: results from the prospective FatWest study

Abstract Aims Patients with severe obesity are predisposed to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, increased myocardial oxygen demand, and impaired myocardial mechanics. Bariatric surgery leads to rapid weight loss and improves cardiovascular risk profile. The present prospective study assesses whether LV wall mechanics improve 1 year after bariatric surgery. Methods and results Ninety-four severely obese patients [43 ± 10 years, 71% women, body mass index (BMI) 41.8 ± 4.9 kg/m2, 57% with hypertension] underwent echocardiography before, 6 months and 1 year after gastric bypass surgery in the FatWest (Bariatric Surgery on the West Coast of Norway) study. We assessed LV mechanics by midwall shortening (MWS) and global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV power/mass as 0.222 × cardiac output × mean blood pressure (BP)/LV mass, and myocardial oxygen demand as the LV mass-wall stress-heart rate product. Surgery induced a significant reduction in BMI, heart rate, and BP (P < 0.001). Prevalence of LV hypertrophy fell from 35% to 19% 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001). The absolute value of GLS improved by—4.6% (i.e. 29% increase in GLS) while LV ejection fraction, MWS, and LV power/mass remained unchanged. In multivariate regression analyses, 1 year improvement in GLS was predicted by lower preoperative GLS, larger mean BP, and BMI reduction (all P < 0.05). Low 1-year MWS was associated with female sex, preoperative hypertension, and higher 1-year LV relative wall thickness and myocardial oxygen demand (all P < 0.001). Conclusion In severely obese patients, LV longitudinal function is largely recovered one year after bariatric surgery due to reduced afterload. LV midwall mechanics does not improve, particularly in women and patients with persistent LV geometric abnormalities. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01533142, 15 February 2012.
What I do or how I do it - the effect of accountability focus on individual exploration

ABSTRACT Because accountability is a central feature of many management practices, feeling accountable is a fact of life in modern organizations. Accountability has been found to have many beneficial outcomes, yet it may also increase certain cognitive biases. Building on the social contingency model of accountability, we examine the effect of accountability on manager’s individual decision making about exploration vs. exploitation. We distinguish between outcome and process accountability and examine them as independent predictors of exploration behaviour. Although previous work suggests that outcome accountability may lead managers to quickly switch to old ways of working (i.e., exploitation), we propose that process accountability will increase individual exploration. Furthermore, employing the concept of disfluency, we propose that this positive effect of process accountability will be especially strong when outcome accountability is also high. Combining two survey studies (n = 361, n = 438) with employees and a lab experiment (n = 211), we find overall support for our hypotheses. Specifically, we find that process accountability increases exploration while outcome accountability decreases it (and increases exploitation). We also find partial support for a positive interaction of process and outcome accountability.
Willingness of the Senior High School Teachers to be Vaccinated against COVID-19

The SARS-Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major threat to public health and has a significant impact on all aspects of life. An effective vaccine is the most anticipated solution for controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus and reducing this disease's cases. The study aims to determine the willingness of public senior high school teachers to the COVID-19 vaccine. The researchers conducted a study on the willingness of the public senior high school teachers on April 2021 submitted to the faculty of the College of Nursing of Isabela State University (Echague, Main Campus). The researchers used a descriptive research design method, convenient sampling technique, and adopted a tool for the data gathering of the study. The findings indicated that although most respondents are willing to be vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, some refused; the primary reasons for rejection are the vaccine's side effects and efficacy. The study results suggest that the participants have a high acceptance level of the COVID 19-vaccine. The researchers recommend government agencies responsible for the COVID-19 vaccine campaign to take into consideration the findings of this study regarding the reasons of refusal of the respondents for the improvement of the campaign about COVID-19 vaccine. Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; vaccination program; willingness to be vaccinated
Rice straw biochar and different urea rates on rice yield and CH4 and CO2 gases emissions

The application of biochar using inorganic fertilizer has been reported as being more efficient for the effective growth of soil microbes. However, there is no evidence that rice straw biochar (9 t ha-1) and different urea rates have had any effect on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in tropical soils. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of urea and the application of rice straw biochar (9 t ha-1) on yield and GHG emissions. Treatments were 150 kg N ha-1 (T1 control) and rice straw biochar (9 t ha-1) combined with 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha-1 (T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6, respectively). The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Grain yield increased 20.7% in plants grown in T3, T4, and T5 compared with the control. Although all biochar treatments had increased cumulative CO2-C emissions compared with the control (5.0% to 7.6%), the cumulative CH4 emissions significantly decreased compared with the control (20% to 27%). Therefore, it could be suggested that T3 and T4 (9 t ha-1 rice straw biochar with 60 and 90 kg N ha-1) increase yield and reduce CH4 emissions relative to the control. Although this study was limited to a pot experiment with no nutrient leaching, the synergetic effect of rice straw biochar (9 t ha-1) and reduced urea rate is worth mentioning for acidic paddy soil; a field experiment is suggested to determine the long-term effect of biochar.