Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Students’ Perceptions of Postgraduate Research Supervision at Botswana Open University

Research supervision in higher education is considered essential in promoting lifelong learning and the creation of knowledge. At Botswana Open University (BOU) research supervision is conducted at a distance. However, this mode of supervision is not without its challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students on research supervision in three master’s programmes namely: Master of Education (Educational Leadership), Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration and Commonwealth Executive Master in Public Administration. The problem was that despite graduate students being allocated supervisors there continued to be a significant number of students who fail to complete their research on time or even failed to complete their programme of study due to the incomplete dissertation. This study was situated within the theory of Transactional Distance by Moore (1991). The study adopted a qualitative approach to gather data and purposive sampling was preferred to gather data from students who were in their final year of the identified programmes. A thematic approach comprising students- supervisor relations, supervision models, and research support was adopted for analysing the data. Some of the key findings revealed that students encountered a series of challenges regarding supervision, indicating that their experiences were varied. There were variations in student supervisor relations and student research support for the different programmes. Education students had a positive supervision experience while Business students indicated having had challenges with their supervision. In conclusion, the study recommends possible strategies that could enhance graduate research supervision experience and student research completion.
Continuity or change? How the onset of COVID‐19 affected internal migration in Australia

Abstract Despite anecdotal evidence of a COVID‐19 induced decline in the intensity of interstate migration in Australia, population‐level evidence is limited. The recent release of the 2020 wave of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey provides a unique opportunity to robustly assess the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the level, direction, determinants, and reasons for migration in Australia. By applying a series of regression models to individual‐level longitudinal microdata, and measuring migration at a range of spatial scales, this paper shows that COVID‐19 has somewhat accelerated the long‐term decline in the intensity of internal migration—particularly for residential mobility, short‐distance migration, and migration due to employment and involuntary reasons. The socio‐demographic determinants of migration have remained broadly stable, despite a slight increase in the deterring effect of duration of residence and a reduction in the impact of education. Finally, we show that the increase in net migration gains in regional areas is underpinned by a decrease in outflows. Juxtaposing these results with aggregate‐level migration statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics from 2021, we conclude that the effect of COVID‐19 on internal migration to date has been minimal and is likely to be short‐lived. However, it may still be too soon to make a definitive judgement, as shifts in work patterns stemming from the pandemic may further transform the level, direction, and composition of internal migration.
Morphotropic phase boundary and piezoelectric properties of (Bi1∕2Na1∕2)TiO3–(Bi1∕2K1∕2)TiO3–KNbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

The crystal structure and piezoelectric properties of ternary ceramics x(Bi1∕2Na1∕2)TiO3–y(Bi1∕2K1∕2)TiO3–zKNbO3 (abbreviated as BNT-BKT-KN100x∕100y∕100z) system have been investigated. Effects of BKT and KN on the crystalline structure were examined. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) phase diagram of BNT-BKT-KN ternary system was determined by x-ray diffraction patterns from sintered specimens. Near the MPB, BNT-BKT-KN82∕16∕2 ceramics had good performances with piezoelectric constant d33=215pC∕N which reached a maximum value in this ternary system and planar electromechanical coupling factor kp=35%. Besides, BNT-BKT-KN87∕10∕3 ceramics had good performances with piezoelectric constant d33=138pC∕N and electromechanical coupling factor kp=38% which attained a maximum value in this ternary system.
First geometrical pathlengths probability density function derivation of the skylight from spectroscopically highly resolving oxygen A-band

First measurements of the probability density function of geometrical pathlengths (PDF-GP) for the skylight transmitted from clear and cloudy skies to the terrestrial surfacere reported. The measurements are performed using a novel technique, which includes spectroscopically resolving observations of the Oe A-band (760-780 nm) and a Laplacian back transformation of the intensity ratios measured for the set of individual Oe A-band rotational absorption lines. The technique provides a new and powerful tool to study the radiative transfer (RT) of the atmosphere for different kinds of atmospheric aerosol loadings and cloudiness. First measurements show, as expected, that the photons transmitted by clouds to ground generally experience longer geometrical pths inside the cloud than expected for a corresponding clear sky condition. The comparison of the measured oxygen A-band absorption system with plane-parallel discrete ordinate radiative transfer (DISORT) model calculations shows a reasonablegreement for direct Sun nd clear sky zenith obserwtions. For cloudy sky the sme comparison shows  goodgreement between the observednd the modeled weakbsorption lines but systemticMly larger observed than modeled optical densities for strong absorption lines. Our dtMso suggest that this significant discrepancy is most likely caused by shortcomings in the physical description of the RT by nonstatistical models, which do not properlyccount for the frctl nture of the terrestrial cloud cover. In prticulr our study reveMs that the photon pth statistics involved with the multiple Mie scattering inside clouds is not properly modeled using the DISORT code. Closing this gp in our understanding of the cloud sky RT my possibly provide much of the explanation for the frequently lower modeled thn measured cloudy skybsorption of the solar rdition.
The gravitational mass of Proxima Centauri measured with SPHERE from a microlensing event

Proxima Centauri, our closest stellar neighbour, is a low-mass M5 dwarf orbiting in a triple system. An Earth-mass planet with an 11 day period has been discovered around this star. The star's mass has been estimated only indirectly using a mass-luminosity relation, meaning that large uncertainties affect our knowledge of its properties. To refine the mass estimate, an independent method has been proposed: gravitational microlensing. By taking advantage of the close passage of Proxima Cen in front of two background stars, it is possible to measure the astrometric shift caused by the microlensing effect due to these close encounters and estimate the gravitational mass of the lens (Proxima Cen). Microlensing events occurred in 2014 and 2016 with impact parameters, the closest approach of Proxima Cen to the background star, of 1\farcs6 $\pm$ 0\farcs1 and 0\farcs5 $\pm$ 0\farcs1, respectively. Accurate measurements of the positions of the background stars during the last two years have been obtained with HST/WFC3, and with VLT/SPHERE from the ground. The SPHERE campaign started on March 2015, and continued for more than two years, covering 9 epochs. The parameters of Proxima Centauri's motion on the sky, along with the pixel scale, true North, and centering of the instrument detector were readjusted for each epoch using the background stars visible in the IRDIS field of view. The experiment has been successful and the astrometric shift caused by the microlensing effect has been measured for the second event in 2016. We used this measurement to derive a mass of 0.150$^{\textrm{+}0.062}_{-0.051}$ (an error of $\sim$ 40\%) \MSun for Proxima Centauri acting as a lens. This is the first and the only currently possible measurement of the gravitational mass of Proxima Centauri.
Thermodynamics of precision in quantum nonequilibrium steady states

Autonomous engines operating at the nano-scale can be prone to deleterious fluctuations in the heat and particle currents which increase, for fixed power output, the more reversible the operation regime is. This fundamental trade-off between current fluctuations and entropy production forms the basis of the recently formulated thermodynamic uncertainty relations (TURs). However, these relations have so far only been derived for classical Markovian systems and can be violated in the quantum regime. In this paper we show that the geometry of quantum non-equilibrium steady-states alone, already directly implies the existence of a TUR, but with a looser bound. The geometrical nature of this result makes it extremely general, establishing a fundamental limit for the thermodynamics of precision. Our proof is based on the McLennan-Zubarev ensemble, which provides an exact description of non-equilibrium steady-states. We first prove that the entropy production of this ensemble can be expressed as a quantum relative entropy. The TURs are then shown to be a direct consequence of the quantum Cramer-Rao bound, a fundamental result from parameter estimation theory. By combining techniques from many-body physics and information sciences, our approach also helps to shed light on the delicate relationship between quantum effects and current fluctuations in autonomous machines.
Why join the navy when you can be a pirate? A study of Chinese audience’s willingness to pay for the live streaming of the premier league

Abstract This research aims to investigate the way in which the Chinese audience decides to pay for the live streaming of the English Premier League when there are also other choices from both legal and illegal sites. Following a Critical Realist position, Glaserian Grounded Theory is employed to analyse qualitative data collected through 24 semi-structured interviews to scrutinise how a willingness to pay is influenced. 15 influential factors emerged following the data analysis and were subsequently grouped into four core categories, two of which relate to external factors and the other two are specific to the interviewees. In addition, four attributes of perception are also identified through consistent comparative analysis. Our findings prompt a discussion concerning the essential role of audience interpretation, rather than other factors per se, in shaping their WTP, which has implications for promotional campaigns and points to areas in which further research could be conducted.
DISPATCH: a numerical simulation framework for the exa-scale era - I. Fundamentals

We introduce a high-performance simulation framework that permits the semi-independent, task-based solution of sets of partial differential equations, typically manifesting as updates to a collection of `patches' in space-time. A hybrid MPI/OpenMP execution model is adopted, where work tasks are controlled by a rank-local `dispatcher' which selects, from a set of tasks generally much larger than the number of physical cores (or hardware threads), tasks that are ready for updating. The definition of a task can vary, for example, with some solving the equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), others non-ideal MHD, radiative transfer, or particle motion, and yet others applying particle-in-cell (PIC) methods. Tasks do not have to be grid-based, while tasks that are, may use either Cartesian or orthogonal curvilinear meshes. Patches may be stationary or moving. Mesh refinement can be static or dynamic. A feature of decisive importance for the overall performance of the framework is that time steps are determined and applied locally; this allows potentially large reductions in the total number of updates required in cases when the signal speed varies greatly across the computational domain, and therefore a corresponding reduction in computing time. Another feature is a load balancing algorithm that operates `locally' and aims to simultaneously minimise load and communication imbalance. The framework generally relies on already existing solvers, whose performance is augmented when run under the framework, due to more efficient cache usage, vectorisation, local time-stepping, plus near-linear and, in principle, unlimited OpenMP and MPI scaling.
Effect of uniaxial strain on the optical Drude scattering in graphene

Graphene is a mechanically robust 2D material promising for flexible optoelectronic applications. However, its electromagnetic properties under strain are experimentally poorly understood. Here we present the far-infrared transmission spectra of large-area chemical-vapor deposited monolayer graphene on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate subjected to uniaxial strain. The effective strain value is calibrated using the Raman spectroscopy and corrected for a relaxation of wrinkles and folds seen directly by atomic-force microscopy. We find that while the Drude weight and the Fermi level remain constant, the scattering rate increases by more than 10% per 1% of applied strain, showing a high level of reproducibility during strain cycling. As a result, the electronic mobility and optical absorption of graphene at terahertz and lower frequencies appear to also be sensitive to strain, which opens pathways to control these key parameters mechanically. We suggest that such a functionality can be potentially used in flexible optoelectronic and microelectromechanical systems based on graphene. By combining our findings with existing theoretical models, we discuss the possible mechanisms of strain-controlled Drude scattering.
Performance evaluation of Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 variants assay kit series for SARS-CoV-2 detection using single nucleotide polymorphisms

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have received increasing attention globally because of their increased transmissibility and potential to escape immunity. Although whole-genome sequencing is the gold standard method for SARS-CoV-2 mutation detection and lineage determination, it is costly and time-consuming. However, SARS-CoV-2 variants can be identified based on select variant-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the spike protein-encoding gene (S). This study validated and compared the limit of detection (LOD) of L452R, N501Y, HV69/70 del and E484K as variant-specific SNPs of the S gene and RdRP as a SARS-CoV-2-specific gene, using the Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 variants assay kit series. For three SARS-CoV-2 lineages (B.1.617.2, B.1.1.7 and R.1), one strain per lineage was used. Variant-specific SNPs of the S gene were analysed using the Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 variants I assay and Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 variants II assay kits. Validation confirmed the LODs of the variant kits. The LOD for each target variant-specific SNP and RdRP was five RNA copies per reaction. The Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 variants assay kit series performs well and the LOD for SARS-CoV-2 detection and variant-specific SNP detection are consistent. The kits are suitable for use as routine laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 and variant-specific SNP detection in a single step, saving time and labour.
Impact of grid spacing, convective parameterization and cloud microphysics in ICON simulations of a warm conveyor belt

Abstract. Warm conveyor belts are important features of extratropical cyclones and are characterized by active diabatic processes. Previous studies reported that simulations of extratropical cyclones can be strongly impacted by the horizontal grid spacing. Here, we study to what extent and in which manner simulations of warm conveyor belts are impacted by the grid spacing. To this end, we investigate the warm conveyor belt (WCB) of the North Atlantic cyclone Vladiana that occurred around 23 September 2016 and was observed as part of the North Atlantic Waveguide and Downstream Impact Experiment. We analyze a total of 18 limited-area simulations with the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic (ICON) model run over the North Atlantic that cover grid spacings from 80 to 2.5 km, including those of current coarse-resolution global climate models with parameterized convection, as well as those of future storm-resolving climate models with explicit convection. The simulations also test the sensitivity with respect to the representation of convection and cloud microphysics. As the grid spacing is decreased, the number of WCB trajectories increases systematically, WCB trajectories ascend faster and higher, and a new class of anticyclonic trajectories emerges that is absent at 80 km. We also diagnose the impact of grid spacing on the ascent velocity and vorticity of WCB air parcels and the diabatic heating that these parcels experience. Ascent velocity increases at all pressure levels by a factor of 3 between the 80 and 2.5 km simulations, and vorticity increases by a factor of 2 in the lower and middle troposphere. We find a corresponding increase in diabatic heating as the grid spacing is decreased, arising mainly from cloud-associated phase changes in water. The treatment of convection has a much stronger impact than the treatment of cloud microphysics. When convection is resolved for grid spacings of 10, 5 and 2.5 km, the above changes to the WCB are amplified but become largely independent of the grid spacing. We find no clear connection across the different grid spacings between the strength of diabatic heating within the WCB and the deepening of cyclone Vladiana measured by its central pressure. An analysis of the pressure tendency equation shows that this is because diabatic heating plays a minor role in the deepening of Vladiana, which is dominated by temperature advection.
The Nexus of Economic Growth with Macroeconomic Variables and Corruption: Fresh Evidence from Vietnam

Economic growth is the best indicator of whether or not initiatives to reduce poverty and enhance living standards are having the desired effect, specifically in developing countries. Academicians have traditionally considered the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be an important question. Poverty rates, rates of development in health, education, and security, and economic growth all suffer when a country's GDP per capita stagnates. Stability in society is aided by a growing economy, another reason of why GDP growth is crucial. Therefore, this study aims to examine the nexus between the economic growth of Vietnam with four selected macroeconomic variables and corruption index over the 24-year period from 1997 to 2020 using annual time series data. The economic growth, as the dependent variable is measured by the GDP growth whilst the four macroeconomic variables, namely Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Inflation (INF), Exports (EXP), Gross Domestic Investment (GDI) and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) act as the independent variables (IVs). The descriptive statistics, correlation test and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression based on economic model using the eViews 11 software are applied to analyze the relationships and impacts of IVs on the economic growth. The empirical results indicate that there is no significant relationship between the IVs with the economic growth of Vietnam. However, FDI, EXP and GDI are found to pose positive impacts on the economic growth of the country whilst INF and CPI negatively affect the economic growth. In particular, the findings show FDI, EXP, and GDI support Vietnam economy by 2.67%, of corruption Vietnam economy, the policy makers must take heed on the ethics and transparency practices specifically in the public sector so that investors have more confidence on the country. For further research, we propose to test the economic growth with other macroeconomic variables such as industrial production index, money supply and foreign exchange rate together with available indices like human development index and global peace index using other methodologies. To be more meaningful, we propose to make comparisons with other countries in the same region or other continents, developing or developed nations.
Statistics and structure of spanwise rotating turbulent channel flow at moderate Reynolds numbers

A study of fully developed plane turbulent channel flow subject to spanwise system rotation through direct numerical simulations is presented. In order to study both the influence of the Reynolds number and spanwise rotation on channel flow, the Reynolds number $Re=U_{b}h/\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}$ is varied from a low 3000 to a moderate 31 600 and the rotation number $Ro=2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}h/U_{b}$ is varied from 0 to 2.7, where $U_{b}$ is the mean bulk velocity, $h$ the channel half-gap, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}$ the viscosity and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$ the system rotation rate. The mean streamwise velocity profile displays also at higher $Re$ a characteristic linear part with a slope near to $2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$ , and a corresponding linear part in the profiles of the production and dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy appears. With increasing $Ro$ , a distinct unstable side with large spanwise and wall-normal Reynolds stresses and a stable side with much weaker turbulence develops in the channel. The flow starts to relaminarize on the stable side of the channel and persisting turbulent–laminar patterns appear at higher $Re$ . If $Ro$ is further increased, the flow on the stable side becomes laminar-like while at yet higher $Ro$ the whole flow relaminarizes, although the calm periods might be disrupted by repeating bursts of turbulence, as explained by Brethouwer (Phys. Rev. Fluids, vol. 1, 2016, 054404). The influence of the Reynolds number is considerable, in particular on the stable side of the channel where velocity fluctuations are stronger and the flow relaminarizes less quickly at higher $Re$ . Visualizations and statistics show that, at $Ro=0.15$ and 0.45, large-scale structures and large counter-rotating streamwise roll cells develop on the unstable side. These become less noticeable and eventually vanish when $Ro$ rises, especially at higher $Re$ . At high $Ro$ , the largest energetic structures are larger at lower $Re$ .
The Theta System: Argument Structure at the Interface

1. Introduction: The Theta System 2. The Linguistic Expression of Causation 3. The Content of Semantic Roles: Predicate-argument structure in language and cognition 4. Combine 5. In the Event of a Nominal 6. Lexicon Uniformity and the Causative Alternation 7. In Defense of the Non-causative Analysis of Anticausatives 8. Hidden Entries: A psycholinguistic study of derivational gaps 9. To Have the Empty Theta-role 10. Emission Verbs 11. Verbal Passives in English and Hebrew: A comparative study 12. An Event Semantics for the Theta System 13. Children Acquire Unaccusative and A-movement Very Early on
Long-term Study of the Double Pulsar J0737-3039 with XMM-Newton: Spectral Analysis

We present a long-term spectral monitoring of the unique double pulsar binary PSR J0737-3039 corresponding to two “Large Programs” performed by XMM-Newton in 2006 and 2011. Spectral variability of pulsar emission in soft X-rays is not evident over 5 years, despite the significant relativistic spin precession in the considered time span ( ). We provide, for the first time, evidence of hard X-ray emission from the system in the 5–8 keV energy band. The standard spectral analysis was coupled to the energy dependent spatial analysis to confirm this excess, most likely ascribed to iron line emission. The Fe Kα emission line at 6.4–6.97 keV was previously unheard of in non-accreting binary systems and could testify to the presence of a relic disk that survived the supernova explosions that terminated the lives of the double pulsar’s stellar progenitors. The existence of a relic disk in this system reinforces speculation about the presence of similar structures around other peculiar classes of isolated neutron stars.