Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Profitability and Technical Efficiency Analysis of Rice Production in Quan’ Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

This study investigated how profitable and technically effective rice farming was in Quan’ Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a multistage sample method, 120 respondents were drawn. The study’s findings proved that the farmers were 40 years old on average. The men were higher in numbers constituting 81.0% of the study population. 83% of the people were married and a greater number (81%) of them had at least some form of formal education with a typical household size of 9 persons. Findings from the study also showed that the farmers owned an average of 2.0 hectares of farmland and had acquired an average farming experience of 12 years. For the most of them (78.0%), farming was their primary occupation. The result also demonstrated that 78.0% never accessed credit or bank loans for farming as majority (63%) of the respondents acquired their farmlands through inheritance. The entire cost (total cost) of farming operation/ha incurred by the farmers was 139733 while the average output obtained per hectare was 699kg at a prevailing market/selling price of 285/kg. The total revenue (TR) measured in naira value of 199, 215 was realized. Gross margin (GM) and net farm income (NFI) stood at 70932 and 59482 respectively. The return on investment (ROI) was 0.42 meaning that for every naira spent on rice production, a profit of 0.42 is made. Age, educational level, farm size, farming experience and extension contact all had positive direct relationship with net income from rice production at 1%. The rice growers’ mean technical efficiency score was 0.659. Major constraints to rice production were high fertilizer prices (72%), inadequate capital (53%), lack of improved seeds (47%). The research suggests that government should subsidize farming inputs like recommended fertilizer and herbicides so as to reduce the over bearing cost burden of these inputs on farmers. Financial institutions should make credit facilities available and affordable to the farmers.
Frequency-reconfigurable and high-gain metamaterial microstrip-radiating structure

ABSTRACT In this manuscript, reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna loaded with switches is presented for gain enhancement. The patch antenna is loaded with three metamaterial Split Ring Resonators to improve the performance. Multiple switches are used for gain enhancement of microstrip patch antenna. The conventional microstrip patch antenna is compared with different switching cases (all switches on, all switches off, two switches on, metamaterial loaded patch with all switches on, all switches off, two switches on). The results of the proposed design are compared in form of reflection coefficient, gain, number of bands and bandwidth. The comparison of the proposed design is also made with previously published similar designs to show the proposed design enhancement. Gain enhancement is achieved by loading of metamaterial in patch for different switching states.
Regional boundary controllability of semi-linear parabolic systems with state constraints

This work focuses on the controllability of semi-linear parabolic systems with state constraints. Sub-differential techniques are used to compute the control u that steers the system (S) from the initial state y0 to a final one between two prescribed functions, only on a boundary subregion ᴦ of the system evolution domain Ω.
Validation of scenario-based virtual safety testing using low-cost sensor-based instrumented vehicle

Autonomous vehicle (AV) requires millions of miles on road to test the reliability of safety systems. It is also difficult to test the AV for critical scenarios which are rare but will endanger road users. Therefore, virtual safety testing simulation platforms are introduced to test the safety systems of the autonomous vehicles in critical scenarios. However, developing the virtual safety testing simulation platform requires information about the environment and driving data from the real world. Besides, it is challenging to build a system to collect driving data which is normally cost intensive especially in developing countries. Paradoxically, these developing countries have poor traffic environment which can provide valuable scenarios for safety testing test cases. Therefore, in this paper, a scenario-based testing using virtual simulation platform is developed using data captured by a low-cost sensor-based instrumented vehicle. The instrumented vehicle is built by low-cost off-the-shelf components for the testing purpose. The instrumented vehicle is used for validation process in IPG CarMaker’s vehicle model using SAE standards. Then, the validated vehicle model is used as an autonomous vehicle in IPG CarMaker for the virtual scenario-based safety testing. The whole validation process from data collection to data logging is carried out using various economic sensors instead of a single industrial system. This approach greatly reduce the cost of the instrumented vehicle and the result of the scenario-based testing shows that the virtual scenarios developed in IPG CarMaker can be used for validation purpose with actual scenarios using low-cost sensor based instrumented vehicle as low as 4% root mean square percentage error.
Initial Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Endothelial Activation Are Associated with Hemorrhagic Complications during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Studies on inflammatory markers, endothelial activation, and bleeding during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are lacking. Blood samples were prospectively collected after ECMO initiation from 150 adult patients who underwent ECMO for respiratory failure between 2018 and 2021. After excluding patients who died early (within 48 h), 132 patients were finally included. Their tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), tissue factor (TF), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and E-selectin levels were measured. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio for hemorrhagic complications during ECMO. The 132 patients were divided into hemorrhagic (n = 23, H group) and non-complication (n = 109, N group) groups. The sequential organ failure assessment score, hemoglobin level, and ECMO type were included as covariates in all Cox models to exclude the effects of clinical factors. After adjusting for these factors, initial TNF-α, TF, sTM, E-selectin, and activated protein C levels were significantly associated with hemorrhagic complications (all p < 0.001). TNF-α, TF, and E-selectin better predicted hemorrhagic complications than the model that included only the aforementioned clinical factors (clinical factors only (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.804), reference; TNF-α (AUC: 0.914); TF (AUC: 0.915); E-selectin (AUC: 0.869)). Conclusions: TNF-α levels were significantly predictive of hemorrhagic complications during ECMO.
Effect of Co-Articulation on One Third Octave Spectral Amplitudes of Vowel /I/

Hypernasality is one of the core speech characteristics observed in the speech of children with repaired cleft lip and palate. One-third-octave analysis has been considered as a potential tool to measure acoustic correlates of hypernasality in the speech of individuals with RCLP. However, the acoustic characteristics of speech are influenced by the contextual effects. Hence, the present study aimed to find out the difference in one third octave spectral amplitudes of vowel /i/ across various contexts in children with RCLP and typically developing children. A total of 24 participants (12-RCLP, 12-TDC) in the age range of 4-12 years were considered for the study. The speech sample recorded included repetition of isolated vowel /i/ and vowel /i/ in the phonetic context of /pit/ and /tip/. The one third octave spectral amplitudes were measured for all the stimuli and compared across the groups using MATLAB. The results indicated that energy concentration over one third octave spectrum was more in RCLP group for stimulus /i/, /pit/, & /tip/ as compared to control group. The spectral energy at low frequencies (97Hz, 125Hz and 157.5 Hz) of the isolated vowel /i/ demonstrated a significant increase in spectral energy in RCLP than the control group. The study also reported higher spectral amplitudes for vowel /i/ in the context of /pit/ and /tip/ across frequencies as compared to the spectral amplitudes of isolated vowel /I/ across the groups. The differences were attributed to the influence of phonetic context on the spectral amplitude of vowel /i/.
Understanding the degrees of freedom of sample variance by using Microsoft Excel

In this article, the degrees of freedom of the sample variance are simulated by using the Visual Basic for Applications of Microsoft Excel 2010. The simulation file dynamically displays why the sample variance should be calculated by dividing the sum of squared deviations by n‐1 rather than n, which is helpful for students to grasp the meaning of degrees of freedom.
Gender differences in mental rotation tests: a geometry-teaching perspective

According to reports in the literature, males score higher on certain mental rotation tests and complex problem-solving exercises than females. This study analyzes the types of errors made in the Primary Mental Abilities (PMA) space relations sub-test test by 328 secondary school students (ages 13 to 16), 143 of whom, having exhibited complex mathematical problem-solving abilities, were participating in a mathematical talent enhancement programme. The error types detected are defined in terms of angle of rotation of the object and the presence of symmetries in the items of the test. The findings show significantly higher performance in the more mathematically gifted students. Gender differences are only evidenced in the total score of the test and the number of non-answered items, where boys got higher scores than girls. Moreover, there is no significant interaction between the independent variables gender and complex mathematical problem-solving abilities. The conclusions drawn from those findings introduce nuances in the understanding of the gender difference traditionally identified in visualisation, particularly in connection with geometric properties in mental rotation tests. It is stressed that educational research focuses on other aspects, like emotional or behavioural ones that can impact test execution, like speed or the use of less efficient strategies.
Establishing Reliability and Validity of a High Leverage Practice Rubric for Assessment (HLPR-A)

The purpose of the current research study was to establish reliability and validity of an assessment high-leverage practice rubric (HLPR-A). Five raters scored 33 participants’ instructional videos two times using the HLPR-A. Interrater and intrarater reliability was established using an intraclass correlation coefficient. Content validity was established through expert review. Construct validity was presented using a nomological network. Internal validity was confirmed using principal axis factor analysis. The results revealed the HLPR-A to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing preservice teachers’ performance when interpreting and communicating assessment information to a parent during a parent-teacher conference using mixed reality virtual simulations. Future research could explore using the HLPR-A on other populations, with a variety of raters, in other environments, and programs.
Ultrasmall Bismuth Quantum Dots: Facile Liquid-Phase Exfoliation, Characterization, and Application in High-Performance UV–Vis Photodetector

Two-dimensional (2D) monoelemental bismuth (Bi) crystal, one of the pnictogens (group VA), has recently attracted increasing interest because of its intriguing characteristics. Here, uniformly sized 2D Bi quantum dots (BiQDs) with an average diameter (thickness) of 4.9 ± 1.0 nm (2.6 ± 0.7 nm) were fabricated through a facile liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) method, and the corresponding photoresponse was evaluated using photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements. The as-fabricated BiQDs-based photodetector not only exhibits an appropriate capacity for self-driven broadband photoresponse but also shows high-performance photoresponse under low bias potentials ranging from UV to visible light in association with long-term stability of the ON/OFF switching behavior. In terms of these findings, it is further anticipated that the resultant BiQDs possess promising potential in UV–visible photodetection as well as in liquid optoelectronics. Our work may open a new avenue for delivering high-quality monoelemental pnict.
Frequency Stop Band in an Air-Voided ZnO Photonic Crystal: A Dispersion Diagram Based Design

to catch a glimpse of the action inside of the small space, can aid better thin film designs. In the non-linear anisotropic regime the results of such interactions provide important insights into the bulk level behavior of matter. Using this approach, a zinc oxide (ZnO) based photonic crystal is designed with spherical air voids. A Gaussian continuous wave excitation of the refractive index contrast (ZnO=1.9 and Air =1) photon waveguide generated thus, is characterized for the redistribution of electromagnetic field. When, centered at a specific wavelength (1.9 m), the graph of the frequencies that can exist inside the crystal, is plotted against the limited k-space vector. The dispersion diagram that emerges shows a band of frequency states that cannot exist inside such a design. Physically this constitutes a k-space which is devoid of any detectable disturbances. Crystallographically, the reduced Brilluoin zone can be used to make a thin layer of ZnO that can act as a frequency stop layer, in a real multilayered photoelectric device.
Tracking Displacement of a Worm-Like Robot With Multiple Sensor Configurations

Worm-like robots that mimic the peristaltic locomotion of earthworms have high robustness to complex environments. These robots’ movements are driven by the deformation of the body, but this compliance in the body brings challenges for tracking and control. This work compares three sensing methods to track a worm-like robot’s displacement: the actuator forward modeling method (AFMM), the stretch and pressure sensor method (SPSM), and the inertial measurement unit method (IMUM). Each of these methods is compared against a true displacement determined by vision tracking. Based on experimental results, SPSM yields the lowest average error (underestimating the true value by 17% on average), AFMM is slightly higher (20% underestimation), and the IMU result has a comparatively large average error (77% overestimation). AFMM failed to track the robot’s backward slip, while both SPSM and IMUM showed the ability of slip detection.
Mediating Role of Internet Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Social Networking Sites’ Usage and Performance in Physics: Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Social networking sites are online applications that were developed for communication and to have access to information. These sites can be accessed via phones, tabs, and other ICT gadgets through an internet connection. The study searched pre-service teachers’ usage of social networking sites and their relationship with their performance in physics with internet self-efficacy as the mediating variable. The study sampled three hundred and five (305) pre-service physics teachers across all teacher-producing colleges and universities in Kwara state, Nigeria using a convenient sampling technique. Adapted and researchers-designed instruments titled “Social Networking Sites Usage Questionnaire” which was divided into four sub-dimensions, “Physics Performance Test” and “Internet Self-Efficacy Scale” were used to elicit data from the respondents. A partial least square structural equation modeling approach was used and the data collected were analyzed via Smart PLS software version 4.0. 9.2. The results of the study revealed that all four sub-dimensions of social networking sites’ usage were significantly related to student’s performance in physics. The study also found out that internet self-efficacy mediates the social networking site usage’s sub-dimensions relationship with students’ performance in physics significantly. The study concluded that proper usage of social networking sites aids students’ performance positively
Uncertainty analysis of continuum phase field modeling in 180° degree domain wall structures

The evolution and formation of domain structures in ferroelectric materials is modeled using a continuum phase field approach and compared with density functional theory (DFT) using Bayesian uncertainty analysis. These simulations are carried out on the ferroelectric, lead titanate. Self-consistency between DFT and the continuum approach is advantageous when computing polydomain structures and domain wall dynamics. There is uncertainty in the phenomenological parameters related to the Landau energy, electrostriction, and twinned domain wall energy in single and polydomain ferroelectric crystals. To quantify the model parameter uncertainty associated with the phase field model, Bayesian statistics were used. Specifically, we will focus on estimating the value of the exchange parameters associated with polarization gradients. The phase field model predictions for the 180° domain wall energy are calibrated based upon DFT calculations. Model predictions of domain wall size are found to be on the same order as DFT calculations.
Evaluation of the Anticorrosion Properties of Passivation Solution Containing Different Metal Ions Coated on a Steel Surface

The corroded metals in the world account for about 1/3 of the total every year. How to prevent metal corrosion has become a major research topic in the scientific community. Although traditional chromate passivation, phosphate conversion and other technologies can solve the corrosion problem of metals, they pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. It is urgent to develop new green metal surface treatment technology. The unique chemical structure of silane can form a good protective layer on the metal surface and play an anti-corrosion effect, so the metal surface silanization technology is considered to be the most ideal alternative technology to prevent metal corrosion. Silane passivation solution prepared by organosilicone resin and polyurethane resin mixed with a small amount of metal ions has been used in corrosion prevention of many metals and metal alloys. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of metal ions on the anticorrosion properties of a passivation solution, which contains polyurethane resin and amino silicone resin. Zn 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Ni 2+ were separately added to the passivation solution. This solution was coated on a steel surface using a dip-coating method, and the coated samples were then exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions for several days. Scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform–infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were conducted to investigate the morphological properties and corrosion resistance of the coatings. The results showed that the types of metal ions were important parameters that affected the corrosion resistance of the coatings. The passivation solution mixed with Zn 2+ showed better corrosion resistance than that mixed with Cu 2+ and Ni 2+ .
Application of BP Neural Network Improved by Fireworks Algorithm on Suspender Damage Prediction of Long-Span Half-Through Arch Bridge

In recent decades, with the large-scale construction and rapid development of half-through arch bridges, as well as the increase of bridge service time, the suspender damage of arch bridge has become increasingly prominent. Therefore, real-time monitoring and regular detection of the health of arch bridge suspenders and timely detection and accurate judgment of the damage location and extent of suspenders are of great engineering significance for evaluating the reliability and residual life of arch bridge structures. By analyzing the main difficulties and existing problems of suspender damage identification, this paper takes the change rate of modal curvature as the damage index, introduces fireworks algorithm into the neural network model, optimizes the optimization process of neural network weight and threshold, and proposes a prediction model based on improved BP neural network by fireworks algorithm. According to the measured data of the damage degree of a long-span arch bridge in daily monitoring and on-site inspection, the proposed prediction method is applied to verify the effectiveness and accuracy in engineering health detection. On this basis, the improved BP neural network by fireworks algorithm is used to predict the suspender damage of a certain long-span half-through arch bridge, which provides an important basis for the actual bridge safety assessment.
The EUPEMEN (EUropean PErioperative MEdical Networking) Protocol for Bowel Obstruction: Recommendations for Perioperative Care

Mechanical bowel obstruction is a common symptom for admission to emergency services, diagnosed annually in more than 300,000 patients in the States, from whom 51% will undergo emergency laparotomy. This condition is associated with serious morbidity and mortality, but it also causes a high financial burden due to long hospital stay. The EUPEMEN project aims to incorporate the expertise and clinical experience of national clinical specialists into development of perioperative rehabilitation protocols. Providing special recommendations for all aspects of patient perioperative care and the participation of diverse specialists, the EUPEMEN protocol for bowel obstruction, as presented in the current paper, aims to provide faster postoperative recovery and reduce length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and mortality rate.
Digital Tools for Language Learning: Exploring Teachers’ Innovative and Engaging Practices

: This paper reports on the case study conducted with a group of secondary school language teachers and their practices of using digital tools from the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak onward. It investigates which tools the respondents used when they conducted classes exclusively online, and which ones they use when organising in-person teaching. The study aims at determining whether, how and to what extent the habit of using digital tools has improved over time. Quantitative research, in the form of an online survey, was conducted at the beginning of 2023 in order to analyse teachers’ overall perceptions of digital tools in language teaching and learning before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-eight respondents did the online questionnaire. The findings showed that teachers held critical viewpoints on the use of technology in language teaching. The findings also suggest that teachers adopted digital technologies to address their and students’ needs. Teachers reported that they found it difficult to deal with the challenges of online learning, especially regarding the lack of effective communication, staying up to date with modern technology and time-consuming administrative work. Furthermore, the results reveal that using digital tools helps students engage with the language in diverse ways, enhances their motivation to learn, develops their language learning skills, and improves their intercultural communicative competence