Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The management and governance conundrum in South African public schools: principals’ perspectives

The introduction of school governing bodies (hereinafter SGBs) changed the roles and functions of principals dramatically when this new approach to school governance and professional management (referred to as a participatory decision-making approach) was activated when the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (hereinafter SASA) was implemented in January 1997. Consequently, the principal is no longer the only decision-maker in the school. The principal as the protagonist in school management and governance (implementing SGB policy) is the role-player most affected by the introduction of the participatory decision-making approach. In this article, we discuss principals’ perspectives regarding the shared participatory decision-making approach and the effects thereof on the relationship between the principal and the SGB. In this regard, it is important to note that the perceptions the two parties have of each other are established by the SGB’s encroachment on the professional management functions of the principal and vice versa. The research findings concluded that the relationship between the principal and the SGB is often a relationship characterised by tension, no trust and irrational actions by the SGB. The relationship is further influenced by the functionality or lack of functionality of SGBs as well as prevailing socio-economic conditions and SGB members’ levels of literacy. On the other hand, principals who do not adapt to participatory decision-making, and who still implement an assertive autocratic management approach, also contribute to a turbulent relationship.
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Bioactive Composition and Neuroprotective and Antimicrobial Properties of Vacuum-Dried Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Powder and Its Antioxidants

In this study, vacuum drying (VD) was employed as an approach to protect the bioactive components of and produce dried broccoli powders with a high biological activity. To achieve these goals, the effects of temperature (at the five levels of 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C) and constant vacuum pressure (10 kPa) were evaluated. The results show that, with the increasing temperature, the drying time decreased. Based on the statistical tests, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) model was found to fit well to sorption isotherms, whereas the Midilli and Kucuk model fit well to the drying kinetics. VD has a significant impact on several proximate composition values. As compared with the fresh sample, VD significantly reduced the total phenol, flavonoid and glucosinolate contents. However, it was shown that VD at higher temperatures (80 and 90 °C) contributed to a better antioxidant potential of broccoli powder. In contrast, 50 °C led to a better antimicrobial and neuroprotective effects, presumably due to the formation of isothiocyanate (ITC). Overall, this study demonstrates that VD is a promising technique for the development of extracts from broccoli powders that could be used as natural preservatives or as a neuroprotective agent.
How Diversity and Accessibility Affect Street Vitality in Historic Districts?

The loss of traditional features and place memory, and ultimately vibrancy in historic districts, has attracted substantial attention in today’s urban design. Most conventional theories are of the consensus that diversity and accessibility characteristics play important roles in creating street vitality, whereas how these characteristics influence street vitality in historic districts has not been thoroughly explored. Furthermore, it is less clear as to which characteristics exert greater influence. Taking the Drum Tower Muslim District, a historical neighborhood in Xi’an, China, as a case study, this paper employs geospatial data to examine how diversity and accessibility influence street vitality. This study identifies seven factors of diversity and accessibility, and incorporates them into a spatial multivariate regression model for analysis. The results indicate that accessibility makes a stronger impact on the street vitality than diversity does. Furthermore, the closeness of streets, the functional density, the intersection density, the location of public transportation and the density of public infrastructure are the top five factors influencing street vitality. The outcome of this study will shed light on what constitutes a vibrant historic district and will help to inform us as to where and how we can improve street vitality.
Strong Convergence of Averaged Approximants for Asymptotically Nonexpansive Mappings in Banach Spaces

LetCbe a closed, convex subset of a uniformly convex Banach space whose norm is uniformly Gâteaux differentiable and letTbe an asymptotically nonexpansive mapping fromCinto itself such that the setF(T) of fixed points ofTis nonempty. In this paper, we show thatF(T) is a sunny, nonexpansive retract ofC. Using this result, we discuss the strong convergence of the sequence {xn} defined byxn=anx+(1? an)1/(n+1)? nj=0Tjxnforn=0,1,2,? , wherex? Cand {an} is a real sequence in (0, 1].
Low-energy electron scattering from xenon

A detailed experimental and theoretical study of elastic electron-xenon scattering has been carried out for incident electron energies between 0.67 and 50 eV. The experimental measurements have been conducted using a crossed-beam apparatus and the relative flow technique, while the theoretical calculations are a fully relativistic treatment which also includes the effects of polarization and dynamic distortion. The experimental results (absolute differential cross sections) have been analysed with a relativistic version of a phase-shift analysis program in an effort to extract the low-order phase shifts, including the two spin-orbit components of the low-energy p-wave phase shift, and to derive the total elastic and elastic momentum transfer cross sections. Extensive comparisons between the present measurements and calculations and previous experiment and theory are provided.
Formation and Maintenance Mechanisms of the Stable Layer over the Po Valley during MAP IOP-8

Abstract During intensive observation period 8 (IOP-8) of the Mesoscale Alpine Program, a strong stable layer formed over Italy’s Po Valley and the northern Ligurian Sea. This stable layer has been shown in previous research to be important for the formation of convection over the Ligurian Sea and the lack thereof over the Po Valley and southern slopes of the Alps. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms that acted to form and maintain the stable layer during IOP-8. This aim is accomplished through inspection of observed data as well as numerical simulations and sensitivity experiments. Observations and reanalysis data show that starting on 17 October 1999, a relatively cool, stable air mass was advected around the eastern side of the Alps into the lower atmosphere of the Po Valley. Both observational data and model output show this air mass as being blocked as it encountered the western Alps, thus resulting in an accumulation of cool, stable air at low levels in the Po Valley during th.
Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Population Study in a Healthcare District of North-West Italy

The burden of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is increasing worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and the changing in epidemiology of IBD in the Healthcare District Bra, an area of North-West Italy accounting for 57,615 inhabitants as of 31 December 2021. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from administrative databases and the medical records of general practitioners (n = 39) at Verduno Hospital. Prevalence and incidence rates were calculated for the time span 2016–2021 and compared to the 2001–2006 period. IBD prevalence was 321.2 per 100,000 population in 2021 and, compared with 2006 (200 per 100,000 population), the prevalence has increased at a rate of +46%. Similarly, the average incidence has increased from the period 2001–2006 (6.7 per 100,000 population/year) to the period 2016–2021 (18.0 per 100,000 population/year) at a rate of +169%; such an increase was greater for CD than UC. In the 2016–2021 period, the mean age at diagnosis was 42.0 ± 17.4 years and 30.9% required at least one hospitalization, while 10.9% of patients underwent at least one surgery. In conclusion, the prevalence and incidence of IBD distinctly increased over a two decade period in the Healthcare District Bra paralleling the results of previous surveys from other Italian regions. These data warrant specific interventions to improve patients’ management and resources’ allocation.
Effect of Tensile Strain on Gate Current of Strained-Si n-Channel Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

In this paper, we report the effect of tensile strain on the gate current of strained-Si n-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with an emphasis on the physical mechanism of the decrease in gate current due to strain. It is found that gate current decreases with an increase in strain and that a strain of 1.2% leads to a decrease in gate current by around one order of magnitude in a Fowler–Nordheim (F–N) tunneling current region. It is also found that this gate current decrease due to strain is attributed to an increase in barrier height for F–N tunneling current. This gate current decrease due to strain is quantitatively explained by the increase in barrier height due to a strain-induced decrease in conduction band edge energy, because of the good agreement between the increase in experimentally obtained barrier height and the reported energy change of the conduction band edge of Si.
Defects formation in automated fiber placement technology

In the frame of this work, a robotic Automated fiber placement - AFP in situ process was applied to obtain high quality thermoplastic composite structures. Automated fiber placement (AFP) with laser assisted heating (LAFP) is an attractive manufacturing technology for the development of lightweight and high performance components, primarily for the aerospace, automotive, military and many other dominant industries worldwide. For the samples laminate plates produced with the AFP procedure, the flexural strength was investigated, and optical images were analyzed for irregularities such as pore content and weaker interlaminar bonding between the layers.
A remark on transformation groups leaving fixed an end point

1. In a recent paper [2], Wallace asked, among other questions, the following one: Let G be a compact transformation group1 of a Peano continuum S leaving fixed an end point of S. Must G have some other fixed points? If G is assumed to be cyclic instead of compact, Wallace [l] proved that G must have another fixed point. It is the aim of the present remark to answer the above question in the affirmative under weaker condition. In fact, we prove the following results.
O circuito como atividade em grupo para prevenção de quedas em idosos hígidos

O envelhecimento pode ser conceituado como um processo gradual, universal e irreversível que está associado ao declínio progressivo da saúde física e mental proporcionando uma diminuição da reserva funcional dos órgãos e aparelhos, aumentando o risco da incapacidade e dependência, bem como ao aumento do número de comorbidades fisiológicas (respiratórias e circulatórias) e diminuindo suas capacidades motoras e cognitivas. Desta forma, este estudo buscou verificar a eficácia da atividade em grupo através de três escalas um grupo de 4 idosos que frequentaram no período de fevereiro a julho de 2022, um grupo para a redução de quedas no Centro de Atendimento Comunitário do CEUB na área de fisioterapia. Através deste, foi possível concluir que houve melhora não só na na parte funcional como também cognitiva, através de atividades de aquecimento, fortalecimento, atividades funcionais, treino cognitivo e educação em saúde.
Development of the simplified spring‐based nonlinear models for full‐connection cold‐formed steel‐framed gypsum partition walls

The role of nonstructural components in performance‐based earthquake engineering is undeniable because of their significant contribution to the total investments in buildings. Gypsum partition walls are one of the main sources of seismic damage among other nonstructural components. As a result, researchers developed various detailed numerical modeling techniques for simulating the seismic performance of these walls. Although detailed characteristics of the walls are considered in these models by means of different nonlinear elements, these micro‐models are not appropriate to be incorporated into their parent building models due to their extensive computational cost. Therefore, this study proposes a simplified spring‐based modeling technique to facilitate the simulation of gypsum partition walls in macro building models. For this purpose, the hysteresis behavior of full‐connection gypsum partition walls is modeled using a nonlinear springs element with a parametric material model designated in the “ Opensees$Opensees$ ” platform as the “ Pinching4$Pinching4$ ” constitutive model. The proposed spring‐based models are then validated through the hysteresis behavior of the micro‐finite element models available in the literature. These spring models are developed to consider several construction and geometric variations such as the stud/track thickness, the distance from the center of screws to the edge of the gypsum board, the distance from the center of screws to the edge of the stud/track flanges, construction quality, and the aspect ratio of the walls. Results from this study prove that the proposed technique shows a promising accuracy besides its simplicity and effective computational cost.
Should concept maps be scored numerically

After reviewing the uses made of concept maps in research, as an aid to instruction and as a form of assessment, the problems of scoring maps objectively are discussed. Maps created de novo by 15‐16 year‐old pupils, before and after their introduction to Mendelian genetics, are used to investigate the properties of a scoring system based on that developed by Novak et al. (1983). The maps have been scored separately for a number of features ('branching’, ‘general to specific’, ‘closed units’, ‘terminology’, ‘relationships’ and ‘ hierarchy ‘) and compared with performance on genetics examination‐type questions. The components are not all independent, and do not have strong relationships with performance. The limitations of analytic methods of scoring concept maps are discussed.
Generalized multifractal analysis of the mixing rate across turbulent jet scalar interfaces using the multiscale-minima meshless (M3) method

This work demonstrates generalized multifractal analysis on scalar conditional dissipation rate fields using the multiscale-minima meshless (M3) method. We investigate how the generalized multifractal dimension varies as a function of scale in order to characterize the geometrical structure of the scalar dissipation regions. We also examine how the generalized multifractal dimension varies with the multifractal exponent. The investigation is carried out using a high-resolution experimental two-dimensional image database of fully developed turbulent scalar fields in jets. The conditional dissipation field on scalar interfaces, which represents the mixing rate across the interfaces, is calculated for the outer interface with Taylor's hypothesis in the jet similarity plane. Isosets of multifractal exponents of the dissipation field are identified. Examination of the generalized multifractal dimension of the isosets using the M3 method shows strong dependence on scale. This indicates the presence of scalar conditional dissipation regions whose geometrical structure varies from point-like at the smallest resolved scales, to effectively tube-like at intermediate scales, to effectively space-filling at the largest scales. Since spatially two-dimensional scalar slices of the spatially three-dimensional scalar field were used, this suggests that the scalar conditional dissipation structures in three-dimensional space would be such that they are tube-like at the smallest resolved scales, effectively sheet-like at intermediate scales and effectively space-filling at the largest scales. This suggests the presence of geometrically scale-dependent spiral-like structures and this is consistent with previous observations that the conditional signatures of such structures consist of striation patterns of the dissipation across scalar interfaces. The scale dependence of the generalized multifractal dimension is found to be steepest for the multifractal exponent corresponding to the peak of the probability density function of the multifractal exponents, i.e. for the most probable multifractal exponent. The present findings show that generalized multifractal analysis with the M3 method provides a tool for quantifying the geometrical structure across various scales, including large scales, as well as for capturing scale-dependent aspects of the conditional dissipation rate which are useful capabilities for modeling the mixing rate across turbulent interfaces.
Calibrated analytical model for magnetic localization of wireless capsule endoscope based on onboard sensing

Abstract Wireless capsule endoscopes (WCEs) are pill-sized camera-embedded devices that can provide visualization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by capturing and transmitting images to an external receiver. Determination of the exact location of the WCE is crucial for the accurate navigation of the WCE through external guidance, tracking of the GI abnormality, and the treatment of the detected disease. Despite the enormous progress in the real-time tracking of the WCE, a well-calibrated analytical model is still missing for the accurate localization of WCEs by the measurements from different onboard sensing units. In this paper, a well-calibrated analytical model for the magnetic localization of the WCE was established by optimizing the magnetic moment in the magnetic dipole model. The Jacobian-based iterative method was employed to solve the position of the WCE. An error model was established and experimentally verified for the analysis and prediction of the localization errors caused by inaccurate measurements from the magnetic field sensor. The assessment of the real-time localization of the WCE was performed via experimental trials using an external permanent magnet (EPM) mounted on a robotic manipulator and a WCE equipped with a 3-axis magnetic field sensor and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The localization errors were measured under different translational and rotational motion modes and working spaces. The results showed that the selection of workspace (distance relative to the EPM) could lead to different positioning errors. The proposed magnetic localization method holds great potential for the real-time localization of WCEs when performing complex motions during GI diagnosis.
The temperature and energy distribution of photoexcited hot electrons

Abstract The concept of electron temperature T e is widely used in the description of photoexcited electrons in semiconductors. Nevertheless the photoexcited hot-electron energy distribution appears to be a Maxwell or Fermi distribution only in the case in which the electron density is very high, n ⪆ 1018 cm-3. Usually the energy distribution may only be adequately described by temperature T e below the threshold of the optical-phonon emission e = ħΩ0 (passive region e ħΩ0) the distribution critically depends on the photon energy and pumping level. In the review we study how the distribution depends on the influence of the lattice and inter-electron scatterings. The electron temperature T e is determined by the balance between the energy imparted to the electron system from the excitation source and the energy lost to the lattice owing to the phonon scattering. As a rule a minority of the electrons are in the active region rather than in the passive one but i.
Analytical Performances of the Novel i-STAT Alinity Point-of-Care Analyzer

Many Point-of-Care devices have been released over the past decade. However, data regarding their analytical performances in real-world situations remains scarce. Herein, we aimed to assess the analytical performances of the i-STAT Alinity system. We conducted an analytical performances study with the i-STAT Alinity device using cartridges CG4+ (pH, Pco2, Po2, lactate, bicarbonate and base excess); CHEM8+ (Na, K, Cl, ionized Ca, urea, creatinine, glucose, hematocrit and hemoglobin) and PT/INR (prothrombin time and international normalized ratio). We assessed the imprecision and compared the results to those obtained on existing instruments in the central laboratory. We found that the within-lab coefficients of variation (CV) were very low (<2%) or low (2–5%), except for creatinine and PT (CV = 5.2% and CV = 6.3%, respectively). For almost all the parameters, the results were strongly (R2 = 90–95%) or very strongly (R2 > 95%) correlated with those of the existing laboratory instruments, and the biases were very low (<2%) or low (2–5%). However, correlations of the PT and INR measurements with existing instruments were lower (R2 = 86.0% and 89.7%), and biases in the Po2 (7.9%), creatinine (5.4%) and PT (−6.6%) measurements were higher. The i-STAT Alinity appeared as a convenient device for measurements of numerous parameters. However, clinicians should interpret Po2, creatinine and PT results with caution.
A Contextual Multimodal System for Increasing Situation Awareness and Takeover Quality in Conditionally Automated Driving

Advanced driver assistances are becoming increasingly common in commercial cars, not only to assist but also to free drivers from manual driving whenever possible. Soon, drivers should be allowed to engage in non-driving-related tasks. The fact that responsibility for driving is shifting from humans to machines must be considered in the development of these assistances in order to guarantee safety and trust. In this article, we introduce AdVitam (for Advanced Driver-Vehicle Interaction to Make future driving safer), an autonomous system aiming at maintaining driver’s situation awareness and optimizing takeover quality during conditionally automated driving. The information conveyed to drivers is dynamically adapted to achieve these goals, depending on the driving environment and the driver’s physiological state. This system consists of three connected modules. The first module (Driver State) predicts the driver’s state with machine learning and physiological signals as inputs. The second module (Supervision) uses different interfaces (a haptic seat, a personal device, and ambient lights) to maintain the drivers’ situation awareness during the autonomous driving phases. The third module (Intervention) is a machine learning model that chooses the most appropriate combination among haptic, auditory, and visual modalities to request the driver to take over control and thus optimize takeover quality. To evaluate the system and each module independently, a preliminary user study with 35 drivers was conducted in a fixed-base driving simulator. All participants drove in two different environments (rural and urban). In addition, the activation of the Supervision and Intervention modules were manipulated as two between-subject factors. Results show that conveying information on the driving environment status through multimodal interfaces increases drivers’ situation awareness (i.e., better identification of potential problems in the environment) and trust in the automated vehicle. However, the system does not show positive outcomes on takeover quality. Besides, the Driver State module provided consistent predictions with the experimental manipulation. The system proposed in this paper could lead to better acceptance and safety when conditionally automated vehicles will be released by increasing drivers’ trust during phases of automated driving.