Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Study Habits among Grade 12 Learners in Senior Secondary Schools in the Zambezi Region, Namibia

The study surveyed the self-study habits among Grade 12 learners in senior secondary schools in the Zambezi region, Namibia. Using the quantitative research approach, a structured survey questionnaire was used to collect data on wide issues related to learners’ self-study habits as observed from the re-searchers’ experiences in dealing with diverse learners and literature. A total of 750 Grade 12 learners (consisting of 420 males and 330 females) selected using the simple random sampling technique participated in the study. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the participants (48% male and female 46%) always set target for themselves on the marks and grades they wanted to score in their tasks. Setting an effective goal prompts higher commitment to study among learners and leads to higher academic achievements. In addition, most learners (33% male and 29% female) indicated that they study everyday following their personal reading timetables, and always consult their teachers for assistance when they did not understand any concepts. However, it is worrisome that majority of the participants preferred to do their personal studies in empty classrooms instead of the library, which is traditionally designed and equipped to facilitate effective private study. The majority of the participants also indicated that they were unable to find time to study after school and did not engage in peer study group. Thus, it is important to sensitize the learners on the importance of using library for private studies, setting dedicated study time, and engaging in peer study groups as such groups have elements of built-in tutoring sessions
A bibliometric study of carbon neutrality: 2001-2022

Carbon neutrality refers to a state of net-zero carbon emissions that can be achieved by balancing the discharge and removal of carbon compounds into and from the atmosphere. It is a crucial step to avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate change. This study aims to reveal the development of carbon neutrality research using a bibliometric approach. Using a keyword search of carbon neutrality (or carbon neutral), 8,071 publications including journal articles, review articles, conference papers, book chapters, and books were identified from 2001 to 2022 (up to 8 October) from Scopus. Data were analysed using Scopus bibliometric tools and VOSviewer. The results show that the number of carbon neutrality publications has increased exponentially in the past two years and Chinese researchers have produced most of the publications, followed by U.S. researchers. Co-occurrence of keywords analysis showed that four clusters of carbon neutrality research have emerged, namely carbon neutrals using biofuels and hydrogen; carbon neutralities focusing on energy efficiency, energy utilisation and renewable energies; carbon neutrality aiming to achieve sustainable development, and greenhouse gas emissions from coal. The findings of the study suggest that future research should focus on biomass and biofuels as they are key reservoirs of carbon.
Scalable Resource Optimized LUT-Based All-Digital Transmitter

In this paper, we present a low-resource look-up table (LUT) based solution for all-digital transmitters (ADTs) that addresses both the wide bandwidth and high carrier frequency flexibility. Traditional ADTs use real-time delta-sigma modulation (DSM) to convert a multiple-bit signal into a single-bit one, enabling the use of fast and inexpensive one-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in the transmission chain. However, real-time DSM requires significant computational power to provide wide bandwidths and high carrier frequency agility. Our LUT-based solution achieves carrier frequency agility from 0.1 GHz to 7.62 GHz and delivers wide bandwidths of up to 150 MHz. We also introduce a new technique called “Half LUT Implementation” that allows us to halve the size of the LUT without sacrificing performance. The focus on simplifying and reducing resources in the transmitter is intended to reduce energy consumption and enable ADTs to be used in massive multiple-input/multiple-output (Massive-MIMO) applications.
Applications Of Evolutionary Computing Techniques To Non Linear Systems

This dissertation presents an application of heuristic computational intelligence for the solution of non-linear systems in engineering.The design scheme is comprised of mathematical model based on feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN). The linear combination of these networks defines the unsupervised error for the system. The most suitable weights to minimize the error are obtained by training the networks employing stochastic solvers.These techniques are based on nature inspired heuristics including Pattern Search (PS), Simulated Annealing (SA), Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms. Rapid local convergent algorithms such as Interior Point (IP) and Active Set (AS) methods are hybridized with these global search techniques.To validate the scheme, a number of linear and non-linear initial and boundary value problems have been solved. The design methodology is also applied to a number of problems having special applications in engineering including, singular systems based on non-linear Lane Emden Fowler equation, non-linear van der Pol oscillator with stiff and non-stiff conditions and systems with high nonlinearity governed by Painlevi? ½ transcendent I. In addition to that, the scheme also provides an alternate solution for biomedical application like model of heart for low, high and normal blood pressure.It is found that the proposed results are in good agreement with available exact solution and numerical solvers like Adomian decomposition method, Homotopy Perturbation method, Homotopy analysis method and Optimal Homotopy asymptotic method, ODE15i and Runge Kutta method. The comparative studies of stochastic solvers are carried out under a stringent criterion of accuracy, effectiveness, reliability and robustness of the results based on Monte Carlo simulation and its analysis.The solvers based on SA, PS, GA, PSO, GA and PSO hybrid with IP or AS algorithms are used for optimization of neural network. It is found that the GA-IP, GA-AS, PSO-IP and PSO-AS algorithms are the best stochastic optimizers. The other perk up of the scheme have in its simplicity of the concept, ease in use, efficiency and unlike other numerical techniques, it provides the solution on continuous inputs with finite interval instead of predefine discrete grid of inputs.
Residents’ perception of tourism impacts and their support for tourism development: a study of a Bektashi faith destination in Türkiye

ABSTRACT Prior research has broadly addressed the link between residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts and their support for tourism development (STD) in different destination-based contexts. However, the literature on residents’ perceptions of the impacts of tourism on their faith and how these perceptions affect their STD in a faith tourism destination remains tenuous. This study seeks to fill this gap by investigating the link between residents’ perceptions of the economic, cultural, environmental, social and faith impacts of tourism and their STD in the Bektashi faith tourism destination. A total of 244 valid questionnaires were obtained from the inhabitants of Nevşehir, Türkiye. The authors applied fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and PLS-SEM as asymmetrical and symmetrical approaches, respectively. The symmetrical approach demonstrated that only perceived cultural, social and faith impacts positively and significantly affect residents’ STD. The asymmetrical results provided more complex compounds of tourism impacts, with six configurations sufficient to create a high level of STD. The fsQCA analysis confirmed that only perceived faith impact was a necessity in determining residents’ STD. The results of the study suggest that, in order for faith tourism destinations to thrive, responsible authorities should avoid diminishing the faith elements.
Electrical properties of MXene thin films prepared from non-aqueous polar aprotic solvents

For sustainable energy technologies, MXenes offer unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, excellent thermal stability, large interlayer spacing, easily tunable structure, high surface area, and microporous structure that facilitate faster ion transfer. To address limitations of aqueous MXene suspension, Ti3C2-type MXene thin films are prepared from non-aqueous suspensions in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) using solvent exchange method followed by spin coating or drop casting on gold interdigitated electrodes (IDE) and ceramic substrates and their electrical properties are compared. Electrical properties investigated by impedance spectroscopy (4 Hz to 8 MHz) and four-point probe (FPP) measurements show that DMF-MXene layers exhibit higher electrical conductivity than MXene deposited from NMP. The material technology and electrical properties of MXene thin films prepared from non-aqueous solvents may thus be promising for possible use of MXenes in hybrid photovoltaic devices as charge-transporting layers.
Research on strain testing based on binocular stereo vision

Binocular stereo vision technology has good application prospects and practical value in industrial production, autonomous driving, quality inspection, and many other aspects, and is an important research direction in computer vision. Strain measurement based on binocular stereo vision is different from traditional strain measurement methods, and has advantages such as convenient operation, high accuracy, and global dynamic measurement. This article focuses on the strain measurement technology of binocular stereo vision, and studies the camera calibration, stereo matching, 3D reconstruction, and SGBM algorithm in stereo matching of binocular cameras. By constructing a binocular camera strain testing system, the distance between the corresponding point AB before and after the strain of the target object is measured, thereby achieving the measurement of the strain of the target object. The strain of the target object obtained from the experimental test results is 47.53%, the theoretical tensile strain is 48.54%, and the relative error is controlled within ± 2%.
NEGLECTED AND MISALIGNED: A STUDY OF COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS, BELIEFS AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PRIMARY ICT

The present study attempts to explore aspects of teachers’ personal practical knowledge by investigating computer science teachers’ perceptions, beliefs, and practices towards Primary ICT just before a curriculum transition period and the replacement of the former program of studies with a “Computer Science” curriculum. For the needs of this investigation, an exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 computer science teachers, while 157 were surveyed by means of a questionnaire developed from the analysis of qualitative data. The findings of the study indicated that there is a misalignment between the policy rationale towards ICT, teachers’ understanding of ICT and the implementation of ICT in the primary classroom. Due to teachers’ lack of professional-pedagogical knowledge, contextual factors and policy decisions, which consistently neglect teachers’ needs and personal practical knowledge, CS teachers have developed their own ways of theorizing, conceptualizing and practicing education in ICT. These findings are discussed within the light of the corresponding literature and suggest that structural and curricular transformations in digital education are condemned to carry within them the seeds of their own dismissal when they are not ingrained in the reality of classroom practice and on teachers’ practical knowledge, which entails their involvement in the design and formulation of any intended changes. Article visualizations:
Drones Routing with Stochastic Demand

Motivated by the increasing number of drones used for package delivery, we first study the problem of Multiple drOne collaborative Routing dEsign (MORE) in this article. That is, given a fixed number of drones and customers, determining the delivery trip for drones under capacity constraint with stochastic demand for customers such that the overall expected traveling cost is minimized. To address the MORE problem, we first prove that MORE falls into the realm of the classical vehicle routing problem with stochastic demand and then propose an effective algorithm for MORE. Next, we have a scheme of resplitting customers into different individual delivery trips while the stochastic demands are determined. Moreover, we consider a variety of MORE, MORE-TW, and design an effective algorithm to address it. We conduct simulation experiments for MORE to verify our theoretical findings. The results show that our algorithm outperforms other comparison algorithms by at least 79.60%.
Preparation and Performance of a PU/PAN Lithium-Ion Battery Separator Based on a Centrifugal Spinning Method

The diaphragm is a key component of the lithium-ion battery and largely determines its performance. Currently, commercial diaphragms suffer from poor thermal stability, low porosity, and low liquid absorption rate. In this study, we prepared a polyurethane/polyacrylonitrile (PU/PAN) lithium-ion battery diaphragm using a centrifugal spinning method with PU as the main substrate and PAN as the additive. The results showed that the PU/PAN nanofiber diaphragm prepared by centrifugal spinning had a 3D porous structure, and when using 18% PU:PAN = 7:3, the porosity of the fiber diaphragm was 83.9%, the liquid absorption rate was 493%, and the ionic conductivity was 1.79 mS/cm. The battery system had good electrochemical performance and thermal stability, with an electrochemical stability window of 5.2 V. The diaphragm did not shrink when heated at 160 °C. In a lithium-ion battery system with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the cathode material, the capacity remained at 147.1 mAh/g after 50 cycles at a 0.2 C rate, with a capacity retention rate of 95.8%. This indicated excellent cycle stability and a multiplicative performance with good application potential.
The Role of Green Finance in Green Innovation: Global Perspective from 75 Developing Countries

ABSTRACT Green finance provides an important impetus to green innovation and sustainable development. This study investigates the connection between green finance and green innovation using cross-country panel data that cover 75 developing countries from 2000 to 2019. First, we find that green finance significantly boosts the number of green patent applications in developing countries, which is crucial for promoting green development. Second, we divide countries according to whether they are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or the Belt and Road Initiative, and their environmental performance. Heterogeneity results show in countries with poor environmental performance, non-RCEP member countries, and non-BRI member countries that the contribution of green funding is more obvious and significant. Furthermore, we consider several cross-items to explore how green finance influences green innovation differently depending on the circumstance, such as the degree of corruption, political stability, and government effectiveness. Overall, our findings highlight the key role that green finance plays in advancing green innovation, particularly for emerging economies that urgently need a policy foundation for green innovation and sustainable development.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Qista Baited Traps in Capturing Mosquito Vectors of Diseases in the Camargue Region (France) and Investigating Their Diversity

Simple Summary Mosquitoes are responsible for causing various disturbances, such as nuisance, allergies, and acting as the vectors of deadly diseases for humans and animals. To combat this confirmed vector, various strategies are implemented. One such strategy is the use of the Qista trap (also known as the Borne-Anti-Moustique: BAM), which employs a CO2 and lure emitting mechanism to bait mosquitoes. In this study, six BAMs were deployed to assess their effectiveness in reducing the nuisance rate caused by mosquitoes. The traps were able to capture 84,461 mosquitoes from eleven different species over a period of six months. The average capture rate per trap was 76.92 mosquitoes per day. The survey indicated a significant reduction in nuisance rates in the protected area compared to the control area. The Qista BAM trap appears to be a promising tool for mosquito control and to update the biodiversity of mosquito seeking species in the south of France. Abstract Nuisance, allergy, and vector role: mosquitoes are responsible for numerous inconveniences. Several strategies have been employed to fight against this confirmed vector. To record the diversity of mosquito vectors in Camargue (France) and assess the effectiveness of the Qista trap, six BAMs were deployed as a belt barrier to protect the Espeyran Castle (Saint-Gilles, Camargue). Prior to evaluating the reduction in the nuisance rate, recovery nets from the traps and human landing catches (HLC) were utilized twice a week in the treated and control areas. Overall, 85,600 mosquitoes were captured, belonging to eleven species, namely Aedes albopictus, Aedes caspius, Aedes detritus, Aedes dorsalis, Aedes rossicus, Aedes vexans, Anopheles maculipennis, Culex pipiens, Culex modestus, Culiseta annulata and Culiseta longiareolata. The six BAM devices trapped 84,461 mosquitoes. The average capture rate per BAM is 76.92 mosquitoes per day. The rate of nuisance has decreased from 4.33 ± 2.88 before the deployment to 1.59 ± 2.77 after BAM implantation. The Qista BAM trap seems to be an excellent tool for reducing the nuisance rate and may help researchers to optimize trapping methods by obtaining more significant sample sizes. It may also allow the updating of the host-seeking mosquito species’ reported biodiversity in the south of France.
Prediction of Soil Organic Carbon Content Using Sentinel-1/2 and Machine Learning Algorithms in Swamp Wetlands in Northeast China

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a sensitive indicator of climate change, and small changes in the soil carbon pool will affect the carbon balance. Accurate and robust SOC quantitative prediction is of great significance to studying the carbon budget of swamp wetlands and its response to climate change. In this study, a new framework was proposed and assessed for predicting the SOC content based on Sentinel-2 (S2), Sentinel-1 (S1), and the digital elevation model (DEM) together with the extreme gradient boosting with random forest (XGBRF) model. The determination coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (LCCC) were applied to assess the performances of the models. The results revealed that the prediction performance of the XGBRF regression model was much better than that of extreme gradient boosting and random forest regression models. Compared with single sensor data, using multisensor data to predict the SOC content yielded more accurate results. The XGBRF model based on S1, S2, and DEM fusion yielded the highest prediction accuracy (R2_testing = 0.6639, RMSE = 1.3236 g/kg, MAE = 1.2546 g/kg, LCCC = 0.7621). Regarding the importance of the variables, the S1 and S2 features were major contributors to the SOC content prediction (41% and 52%, respectively), followed by the topographic variables extracted from the DEM (7%). The proposed framework can be used for SOC prediction based on a small sample dataset, and it provides a method for long-term and rapid monitoring of the SOC contents in wetlands.
The truncated and supplemented Pascal matrix and applications

In this paper, we introduce the $k\times n$ (with $k\leq n$) truncated, supplemented Pascal matrix which has the property that any $k$ columns form a linearly independent set. This property is also present in Reed-Solomon codes; however, Reed-Solomon codes are completely dense, whereas the truncated, supplemented Pascal matrix has multiple zeros. If the maximal-distance separable code conjecture is correct, then our matrix has the maximal number of columns (with the aformentioned property) that the conjecture allows. This matrix has applications in coding, network coding, and matroid theory.
A Probabilistic Method for Reconstructing the Foreign Direct Investments Network in Search of Ultimate Host Economies

The Ultimate Host Economies (UHEs) of a given country are defined as the ultimate destinations of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) originating in that country. Bilateral FDI statistics struggle to identify them due to the non-negligible presence of conduit jurisdictions, which provide attractive intermediate destinations for pass-through investments due to favorable tax regimes. At the same time, determining UHEs is crucial for understanding the actual paths followed by FDI among increasingly interdependent economies. In this paper, we first reconstruct the global FDI network through mirroring and clustering techniques, starting from data collected by the International Monetary Fund. Then we provide a method for computing an (approximate) distribution of the UHEs of a country by using a probabilistic approach to this network, based on Markov chains. More specifically, we analyze the Italian case. JEL Classification: C51, C60, F23, G15.
The dual Loomis–Whitney inequality

We establish a dual version of the Loomis–Whitney inequality for isotropic measures with complete equality conditions, where the sharp lower bound is given in terms of the volumes of hyperplane sections. For the special case of cross measures, we can drop the condition that the underlying body has centroid at the origin, yielding an independent proof of a result of Meyer's [‘A volume inequality concerning sections of convex sets’, Bull. London Math. Soc. 20 (1988) 151–155].
Tissue Clock Beyond Time Clock: Endovascular Thrombectomy for Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Beyond 24 Hours

Background and Purpose Randomized trials proved the benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for select patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) within 24 hours of last-known-well (LKW). Recent data suggest that LVO patients may benefit from MT beyond 24 hours. This study reports the safety and outcomes of MT beyond 24 hours of LKW compared to standard medical therapy (SMT). Methods This is a retrospective analysis of LVO patients presented to 11 comprehensive stroke centers in the United States beyond 24 hours from LKW between January 2015 and December 2021. We assessed 90-day outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results Of 334 patients presented with LVO beyond 24 hours, 64% received MT and 36% received SMT only. Patients who received MT were older (67±15 vs. 64±15 years, P=0.047) and had a higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; 16±7 vs.10±9, P<0.001). Successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b-3) was achieved in 83%, and 5.6% had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage compared to 2.5% in the SMT group (P=0.19). MT was associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.73, P=0.026), less mortality (34% vs. 63%, P<0.001), and better discharge NIHSS (P<0.001) compared to SMT in patients with baseline NIHSS ≥6. This treatment benefit remained after matching both groups. Age (aOR 0.94, P<0.001), baseline NIHSS (aOR 0.91, P=0.017), Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography (ASPECTS) score ≥8 (aOR 3.06, P=0.041), and collaterals scores (aOR 1.41, P=0.027) were associated with 90-day functional independence. Conclusion In patients with salvageable brain tissue, MT for LVO beyond 24 hours appears to improve outcomes compared to SMT, especially in patients with severe strokes. Patients’ age, ASPECTS, collaterals, and baseline NIHSS score should be considered before discounting MT merely based on LKW.