Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decentralized social‐optimal solution of finite number of average field linear quadratic control

This paper studies the decentralized solution to the linear quadratic social‐optimal mean field control problem, when a finite number subsystems is considered. We use the term average field, to distinguish this case from the one with infinite subsystems. The goal of each subsystem is to design its input to optimize a common cost of social type. To this end, each subsystem use only real‐time information which can be either its local state, or a linear measurement noisy measurement of it. Our result generalizes previous ones in three senses. First, it permits designing controls when there are a finite number of subsystems. Second, it permits considering heterogeneous subsystems, that is, having different structural parameters. Third, it permits designing not only state feedback controls but also output feedback ones. In particular, we show that the separation principle holds in the latter case.
A Review on Energy and Renewable Energy Policies in Iran

Iran, endowed with abundant renewable and non-renewable energy resources, particularly non-renewable resources, faces challenges such as air pollution, climate change and energy security. As a leading exporter and consumer of fossil fuels, it is also attempting to use renewable energy as part of its energy mix toward energy security and sustainability. Due to its favorable geographic characteristics, Iran has diverse and accessible renewable sources, which provide appropriate substitutes to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, this study aims to examine trends in energy demand, policies and development of renewable energies and the causal relationship between renewable and non-renewable energies and economic growth using two methodologies. This study first reviews the current state of energy and energy policies and then employs Granger causality analysis to test the relationships between the variables considered. Results showed that renewable energy technologies currently do not have a significant and adequate role in the energy supply of Iran. To encourage the use of renewable energy, especially in electricity production, fuel diversification policies and development program goals were introduced in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Diversifying energy resources is a key pillar of Iran’s new plan. In addition to solar and hydropower, biomass from the municipal waste from large cities and other agricultural products, including fruits, can be used to generate energy and renewable sources. While present policies indicate the incorporation of sustainable energy sources, further efforts are needed to offset the use of fossil fuels. Moreover, the study predicts that with the production capacity of agricultural products in 2018, approximately 4.8 billion liters of bioethanol can be obtained from crop residues and about 526 thousand tons of biodiesel from oilseeds annually. Granger’s causality analysis also shows that there is a unidirectional causal relationship between economic growth to renewable and non-renewable energy use. Labor force and gross fixed capital formation cause renewable energy consumption, and nonrenewable energy consumption causes renewable energy consumption.
Instructional Supervision and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From Principals

Six questions that instructional supervisors have been faced with and had to respond to during the COVID-19 crisis include: (a) How do we support teachers in the transition from face-to-face to virtual classes and meetings; (b) How do we focus on addressing the needs of teachers while engaged in remote or online learning; (c) How do we maintain communication, contact, and relationships with teachers; (d) How do we celebrate successes as teachers work with students in the virtual world; (e) How do we assess the quality of the teaching–learning process; and (f) How do we plan for the next steps? Within the scholar–practitioner theoretical model, this study narrates how two principals in Texas addressed each of these six questions. The case studies presented could be used as historical accounts, meaning that leaders could learn from their successes and their mistakes as they move to the next phase of reopening schools.
Physiological quality of seeds from traditional and new recommended groups of Arabic coffee cultivars to highland regions

— The quality of a seed lot is an essential factor in the planning and implementation of any agricultural production program. Quality seeds provide strong and uniform plant growth. This study aims to analyze the physiological quality of seeds from different groups of Arabica coffee cultivars recommended for planting in the Brazilian highland regions. The seeds were picked from an Arabica coffee seed production field, experimental four replications, 50 seeds per plot. Catucaí: Catucaí-785/15, the the Icatu Catuaí) Sumatra of
Experiencing the Peer Feedback Activities with Teacher’s Intervention through Face-to-Face and Asynchronous Online Interaction: The Impact on Students’ Writing Development and Perceptions

The objectives of this study were to compare the impact of peer feedback implementation with teacher involvement through training in the classroom and asynchronous online communication on the quality of students' writing revisions, as well as to investigate students' perceptions of peer feedback activities. Twenty-five students participated in the experimental study. Eleven students were willingly to be interviewed. Inferential statistical analysis was used to interpret the quantitative data collected from students’ essay writing scores. Meanwhile, the data obtained through observations and interviews was interpreted using qualitative coding analysis. The results of the inferential statistical analysis revealed that peer feedback activities conducted through asynchronous online interactions had more significant effects compared to those conducted face to face on students’ writing revision. Further, after conducting a thematic analysis, six themes emerged: 1) peer feedback activities could increase students’ autonomy in learning, 2) the teacher's involvement in peer feedback activities was beneficial in terms of improving the consistency of feedback and revision, 3) peer feedback through asynchronous online interactions gave extra time to produce more beneficial comments, 4) peer feedback activities through asynchronous online interactions gave more chances to become a writing audience, 5) communicating via Facebook made the students feel awkward, and 6) recorded feedback via Facebook comments was more beneficial for students’ revision. The implication of the research is that teachers of English needs to consider asynchronous online interactions for students’ writing revision when teaching writing.
The Influence of Structure, Resources, Disposition and Communication on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Empowerment Policy Implementation in Indonesia

For more than a decade, the government has implemented several policies by allocating resources and providing program assistances for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. However, the results have not reached the expected goals. This study aims at investigating the influence and contribution of bureaucratic structure, resources, disposition, and communication toward the small- and medium-sized enterprises’ empowerment policy implementation in Indonesia. This study is an explanatory research. The population of this study is all food-sector SMEs owned and managed directly by their owners and registered with KOPERINDAG Agency of Gorontalo province; based on several criteria, 96 SMEs were selected as samples. The data were collected in one short study cross-sectionally through questionnaire and selected by purposive sampling . The data were analyzed using Second Order Partial Least Square (PLS) to test the model. The results showed that four variables influence the implementation of the empowerment policy of micro, small and medium businesses in Indonesia. Based on the empirical facts, a ground-breaking finding pointed out to nine important aspects which determine government policy. Those nine aspects are creating conducive business climate, capital assistances, business protection, partnership development, training, establishment of a specific institution, strengthening the association, developing promotion, and developing equal cooperation.
Simulations of High Non-Uniform Electric Field in Dielectric Barrier Electrode System

An electric field in the dielectric barrier electrode system is necessary for ozone production because ozone is produced by the electric discharge of O2 under a high-intensity electric field. The gas discharge plasmas contain energetic particles, such as electrons, ions, atoms, and radicals. The recombination of the O atom and O2 in the plasma will form O3. In this paper, the dependence of DC electric field formation on electrode geometry and the gap between electrodes and dielectric materials were examined by using computational modeling. Thus, a set of electrode geometry, gap distance, and dielectric material were obtained for high-intensity and uniform electric field generation. The COMSOL Multiphysics software was used for the modeling. Among the electrode geometries of plate-plate, pin-plate and mesh-plate, the mesh-plate generated high-intensity and uniform electric field. In the modeling, dielectric materials, including quartz, mica, alumina, and water, were compared. The highest intensity of electric field occurred on the water surface. HIGHLIGHTS When the gap distance between two parallel electrodes is less than 100 mm, the electric field in the gap is constant, independent of the space A high-intensity and uniform electric field is generated in the gap between the dielectric and grounded electrodes when a fine mesh high-voltage electrode is utilized With the fine mesh electrode, the electric field is about two times higher than the conventional plate electrodes, whereas the electric field uniformity was about 90 %. Therefore the barrier discharge will be initiated with lower high voltage GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Context-based teaching and learning practices in upper primary science classrooms in East Gojjam administrative Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ self-perceived practices of context-based science teaching and learning in science classrooms. To achieve this purpose, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. The data were collected from 360 upper primary science teachers in East Gojjam Administrative Zone, Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the participants. A Context-Based Learning Environment in Science (CBLES) instrument was adapted and validated to measure teachers’ self-perceived practices of context-based approach in science classes. Factor analysis unveiled the confirmation of the four-factor structure of the instrument with good reliability coefficients ranging from 0.891 to 0.945 and the constructs had adequate discriminant validity as the mean correlation coefficient (r) values were less than 0.80. Results revealed that the components of context-based teaching and learning were moderately implemented in upper primary school science classrooms as perceived by teachers. In comparison, biology teachers in the emphasis component, urban teachers in the re-designing component, and experienced teachers (those who taught above 20 years) in the re-designing component were comparatively found in a better way than their counterparts. The findings have important implications for school science teachers and science curriculum developers to have a better understanding of how upper primary teachers implement components of the context-based approach in science classrooms. The primary teacher education institutions will also benefit from this study in order to examine their efforts of preparing prospective science teachers using various educational innovations including context-based science teaching and learning.
Individuals practicing meditation have enhanced subcortical auditory processing of speech

Abstract Background Meditation is a compound mental task that leads to several changes, both physiologically and psychologically. These physiological changes can occur in the auditory system as well, and this can change the way the stimulus gets coded in the auditory system at both the brainstem as well as cortical level. The present study aimed to investigate the encoding of speech at the brainstem in the individuals who practice meditation. Method Two groups of 10 male individuals participated in the study. The first group included ten individuals who practiced meditation for a minimum period of 6 months, and the other group consisted of 10 age-matched individuals who never practiced meditation. Speech evoked ABR was recorded for the right ears for all the individuals. FFT analysis of the waveforms was done, and the latency of wave V and amplitude of F0, F1, and F2 were noted. Results Results of the present study revealed a significantly higher amplitude of F1 and F2 individuals who practiced meditation. However, there was no such significant difference in the latency of wave V and amplitude of F0. Conclusion The present study reveals that meditation can alter the functioning of the encoding of speech sounds in individuals who practice meditation.
Examination of effects of radiation awareness on protection from radiation via structural equation modeling

This study aims to determine the radiation awareness levels and radiation protection information of university students and to model the effects of radiation awareness levels on radiation protection information. For this purpose, a questionnaire both including the demographic features and the scale is applied to 580 university students to obtain the data set. The data set is analyzed by Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). As the results of EFA, while four dimensions for Radiation awareness are determined and they are named; Physics Knowledge, Technical Device Knowledge, Professional Knowledge and Radiation Security Knowledge respectively, Radiation protection knowledge determined in a single dimension. As well as the Physics Knowledge has the greatest effect, Radiation Security Knowledge and Technical Device Knowledge have statistically significant effects on radiation protection information of the students. Improving Physics Knowledge, Radiation Security Knowledge and Technical Device Knowledge via some extra seminars, giving theoretical and applied educations should improve radiation protection information of these students. Even if the results indicate that Professional Knowledge does not have statistically significant effect on radiation protection information, it has an indirect effect. Some improvements about this sub-factor may also improve the radiation protection information. As "entering to radiation areas needs attention" has a direct and significant effect on radiation protection information, the importance of this situation must keep its priority and theoretical and applied educations must be in progress.
Adsorptive Removal of Vat Yellow 4 on Activated Mucuna pruriens (Velvet Bean) Seed Shells Carbon

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author CAI performed the experiments, did the data analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author ODO supervised the work. Author JTN improved the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. ABSTRACT Aim: To study the removal of vat yellow 4 from wastewater on activated carbon produced from Mucuna pruriens seed shells (MPS). Methodology: The seed sample was activated using two methods and carbonized at 500°C for 2 hours to produce two different adsorbents. The physicochemical properties of the adsorbents were determined. Their structural elucidation were established using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) spectral techniques. The effect of process variables such as particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, dye concentration and solution temperature on the process of adsorption were studied using batch operation. Three isotherm and four kinetic models were used to study the adsorption process. The linear regression method of analysis was used to model the experimental data. The adequacy of the models was tested using the correlation coefficient (R 2 ). The thermodynamic parameters, changes in standard free energy (∆G 0 ), entropy (∆S 0 ) and enthalpy (∆H 0 ) were also evaluated. Results: The results showed that adsorption is influenced by particle size, adsorbent dose, contact time, initial pH of solution, solution temperature and dye concentration. Maximum adsorption capacity for vat yellow 4 on the adsorbents was observed at pH of 2. The equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmiur, Freundlich and Temkin models. The Langmuir isotherm was found to have the best fit to the experimental data suggesting monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. The pseudo second-order kinetic model was found to best describe the experimental data and the adsorption process was controlled by film diffusion. The adsorption process has been found to be feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The spontaneity of the process increased with increase in the solution temperature. Conclusion: This study has shown that Mucuna pruriens seed shells, an agro waste, can be used for the removal of vat yellow 4 from wastewater. The phosphoric acid treated adsorbent performed better than the sodium chloride treated adsorbent.
ANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AMLODIPINE IN HUMAN PLASMA USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY/MASS SPECTROMETRY

Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to develop a novel, simple, and economic method for the estimation of amlodipine in positive ion mode in human plasma using amlodipine maleate d4 as an internal standard.Methods: The chromatographic separation was performed on Zorbax SB, C18, 50 mm*4.6 mm, and 3.5 mm. The mobile phase was prepared with a mixture of 5 mm ammonium acetate in 0.1% formic acid: High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) grade methanol:HPLC grade acetonitrile (40:30:30) that run isocratically at the flow rate of 0.700 ml/min and run time at 2.50 min.Results: The analytical method is valid for the estimation of amlodipine, in human plasma over a range of 0.100 ng/ml–9.990 ng/ml with the detection of amlodipine m/z - 409.10 (parent) and 238.00 (product), and internal standard Amlodipine Maleate d4 m/z - 413.20 (parent), and 238.00 (product) in positive ion mode. The results of carryover test, matrix effect, linearity, precision and accuracy, stabilities, dilution integrity, and run size evaluation test presented in this report are within the acceptance range.Conclusion: A sensitive method for the separation and determination of amlodipine in plasma has been developed based on solid-phase extraction with disposable extraction cartridges in combination with LC and mass spectrophotometers (MS/MS).
Objective Functions for the Optimization of an Ultra Wideband Antenna

This work proposes an objective function to optimize an ultra wideband antenna for adjusting the bandwidth and coupling with other elements, based on the performance comparison of several objective functions from the literature. The optimal dimensions of a printed rectangular monopole antenna were obtained with the Particle Swarm Optimization method to compare such functions. In the results of the comparison, the linear functions had a mean value of S11 magnitude near the threshold, but they presented a smaller standard deviation than the rest of the functions. The logarithmic and cubic functions showed a mean value of S11 magnitude higher than the double of the threshold, but they had superior standard deviation values, which did not happen with the quadratic function. Hence, the proposed function is the mean of a logarithmic expression with the quadratic argument. With this function, a bandwidth adjustment of 130%, a mean S11 magnitude of -22.1 dB and a standard deviation equal to 6.7 dB were obtained on the resonant band for the designed antenna. In this way, the proposed function can be used to avoid interference with other wireless systems and to obtain a uniform coupling of the antenna.
RESEARCH TRENDS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN ISLAMIC EDUCATION

Quality Assurance (QA) has an important role in improving the quality of Islamic Education. This study aims to reveal the trend of QA research in Islamic Education based on the research results of the last 20 years (2000-2021) from the Scopus database and the last 5 years from the Google Scholar (GS) database. The research method used was bibliometric analysis. Search articles using Publish or Perish (PoP) software using the keywords “Quality Assurance in Education” from the Scopus database and “Quality Assurance” AND “Islamic Education” from the GS database. The number of papers collected from the Scopus database was 68, which the paper selected to 28. From the GS database, 981 papers were selected to be 39, so that the total number of papers analyzed was 67. The analysis process used the Mendeley reference management software, which was visualized by the VOSviewer software. Overall, this study shows the most influential authors in the QA field, research trends, and research opportunities in the field of Quality Assurance in Islamic Education
Elevating Food Perceptions Through Luxury Verbal Cues: An Eye-Tracking and Electrodermal Activity Experiment

Many brands, including food brands, draw on connotations of luxury to elevate the favorability of consumer perceptions. This is often undertaken using cues in marketing communications; however, no research has examined the psychophysiological effect of luxury cues on consumer attention. Evidently, this study is the first experiment to use eye-tracking and skin conductance analysis to investigate how luxury cues in marketing communications can influence consumer perceptions of a food product. Our findings demonstrate that the use of luxury verbal cues can significantly enhance the attention to hedonic processing and elevate food brand perceptions. Specifically, consumers pay greater attention to the imagery of marketing communications when exposed to luxury verbal cues, which, in turn, enhance arousal and positive brand evaluations. Our research provides valuable theoretical and managerial implications for food brands using communications such as content marketing and advertising to build favorable brand connotations and elevate brand positioning.
An investigation into the role of course satisfaction on students’ engagement and motivation in a mobile‐assisted learning management system flipped classroom

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of student satisfaction on students’ engagement and motivation in a mobile-based flipped classroom. A total of 222 university students taking the Computing I course designed as a mobile-based flipped classroom were recruited. Data were collected through three self-report instruments: the Satisfaction Scale, Students’ Engagement Scale and Motivation Scale. Path analyses with structural equation modelling further verified that students’ satisfaction was related to their engagement and motivation while performing academic tasks in the mobile-based flipped classroom. Results suggest that students’ satisfaction and its sub-dimensions ‘communication and usability’, ‘teaching process’, ‘instructional content’, as well as ‘interaction and evaluation’, are significant predictors of students’ engagement and motivation in the mobile-based flipped classroom. Based on the findings, recommendations are proposed for instructors, instructional designers and researchers in terms of increasing students’ engagement and motivation in a mobile-based flipped classroom.