Abstract:The need to embrace e-learning programs in institutions of higher learning was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of learning institutions and the need to use a variety of different digital platforms and technologies to ensure continuity of learning. Consequently, in many universities, there is increasing pressure to adapt to the teaching of online or blended programs, leading to heightened digital anxiety in both students and faculty. While there is general consensus on the inevitability of e-learning, the need to implement tangible usersupport systemsto address the resultant digital anxiety in both staff and faculty, and ensure quality in e-learning programs, has not been emphasized. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) proposed by Davis (1989), as cited by Lin & Yu (2023), underscores user acceptance and support as a critical component for success in the acceptance to use any technology. Thus, students and faculty must be adequately supported to embrace the paradigm shift to the digital classroom; without which there will be continuous resistance to e-learning programs in institutions of higher learning. This resistance will result in ineffective e-learning programs with the release of graduates who are not adequately trained and skilled for the labor market. This paper will present the practical implementation of user support in key areas of e-learning aimed at addressing digital anxiety for both staff and students in Mount Kenya University, Kenya. Specific reference will be made to user support in online content design and development; user support in online teaching and learning; and user support in online assessment and examinations. The information on the implemented user support systems is presented based on an analysis of the actual support mechanisms adopted by the university, from an administrative point of view; and empirical data from students and faculty on their perception of the effectiveness of the implemented user support mechanisms. The empirical data from students and faculty was collected using a concurrent mixed method design; based on quantitative and qualitative responses from an end-user survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with the sampled students and faculty at the university. The discussion of findings and recommendations presented should aid other higher learning institutions in conceptualizing the implementation of user support systems for effective elearning; with the ultimate aim of addressing the digital anxiety in staff and students that may impact on the quality of e-learning programs. The data presented can also form a baseline for more extensive studies on user support mechanisms adopted by other higher learning institutions; for comparative analysis and adoption of best practices in e-learning.
Abstract:The biological activity in soil is important to ensure plant growth and prevent leaching. However, soils that have been exposed to inorganic minerals and acidic chemicals have a depleted microbiome. Replacing this using specialised probiotics can reverse these problems. In this trial, lysimeters to collect ground water leachate were set up to measure the effect of microbial-based soil and plant products (MagnifyNZ Ltd) on nitrate leaching on a dairy farm in Canterbury (2.5 cows/ha). MagnifyNZ fermentation products establish an effective soil microbiome, creating opportunity for high output-low input agriculture/horticulture. The soils were stony shallow silt loams (400 mm deep), classified as Ruapuna and Darnley (medium and high leaching). Fertiliser was applied monthly to provide 190 kg of N/ha/yr. Two treatments were used (soil conditioner and plant biostimulant) in September 2022, January and August 2023 using Magni-Life (2 l/ha) and Magni-Grow (7 l/ha), with and without stored urine, to mimic cow N contributions (600 kg N/ha). The untreated control was Ruapuna soil using the same applications. Lysimeters generated 3-4 drainage collections monthly. Non-urine soil leaching averaged 0.77 mg NO3-N/l for the MagnifyNZ samples compared to 3.98 mg NO3-N/l (P<0.0001) for the control. There was no significant difference in drainage volumes between treatments, which was 325 mm from 901 mm rainfall plus irrigation over 12 months. Urine patch N lasted 40 d in MagnifyNZ soil versus 215 d for the control. Total nitrate loss was 1.18 and 15.04 mg NO3-N/l for the MagnifyNZ treatment and control, respectively (P<0.0001). For the year starting September 2022, estimated total leaching was 3.1 kg N/ha for the treated soils versus 48.99 kg N/ha for the control, compared to 17.15 kg N/ha for the calculated dicyandiamide (DCD) response (Di and Cameron, 2007). There was a 91% reduction in total nitrate leaching from the MagnifyNZ treatment, due to a more stable microbiome which affected absorption of available N by pasture and soil microbes. Modelling the results for DCD (Di and Cameron, 2007) using 600 kg N/ha urine, DCD’s would have given 20-65% reduction in leaching.
Abstract:A comprehensive examination of mandatory gender quotas for corporate boards reveals the complexities surrounding the promotion of gender equality in leadership positions. The urgency for increased representation of women in boardrooms is underscored by the pervasive issue of gender discrimination against women in leadership roles across various sectors. Based on the Institutional theory, this study aimed to analyse the implications of implementing gender quotas through a systematic literature review, which identified 126 relevant studies for final consideration. The findings categorised the arguments for gender quotas into three main frameworks: democratic, deontological, and business case. While supporters argue that these quotas effectively improve talent distribution in the workforce, critics assert that such measures undermine the principles of meritocracy. However, the findings emphasised that it is crucial to cultivate an environment that acknowledges and champions women's leadership potential, thereby fostering a more inclusive and equitable landscape in public management. Furthermore, it is recommended that governments provide transparency regarding companies that achieve their gender representation targets, thereby fostering a peer-pressure dynamic to ensure compliance.
Abstract:This study investigates the role of personnel management strategies and welfare policies in enhancing work-life balance (WLB) among teachers. Through a literature review, the research explores key theories such as the Job Demands Resources (JD-R) Model, Boundary Theory, and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, alongside empirical studies addressing challenges like excessive workloads and blurred work-life boundaries. Findings reveal that effective WLB strategies improve teacher well-being, job satisfaction, and classroom performance while reducing stress and turnover rates. Social and economic benefits, including stronger community relationships and cost savings for institutions, further underscore the importance of WLB. The study concludes that integrating flexible work arrangements, professional development, and mental health support into educational policies is critical for sustainable teacher well-being and organizational success. Future research should examine culturally adaptive strategies and the long term impacts of WLB policies in diverse educational settings. These insights offer actionable guidance for educational leaders and policymakers to create supportive environments that empower teachers and enhance educational quality.
Abstract:This study examined the Hall current effects and thermal radiation on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow over a vertical accelerated plate. The effects of Hall current and thermal radiation are studied in a vertical plate. The nondimensional partial differential equations of the model are solved analytically using the Laplace transform method with the help of the error function (Erf); thus, the expressions for the velocity field, temperature field, concentration field, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are obtained. The impact of physical parameters such as R (radiation parameter), m (Hall parameter), and λ (exponential parameter) on these studies are discussed graphically in detail.
Abstract:Addiction to illegal drugs or substances by male teenagers has been a worldwide problem thatmay impact the health of the reproductive system and cause a decline in fertility levels. Thus,this review was undertaken to elucidate how illicit drugs may affect male fertility. A thoroughsearch was carried out in several databases in recent years. Studies that looked into how drugslike methamphetamine, codeine, heroin, marijuana, or cocaine affected male fertility wereincluded. Experimental and observational studies on both animal models and human subjectswere considered. Standardised forms were used to compile the data on research design,subject characteristics, drug and substance exposure, and fertility implications from a subsetof studies. Thematic analysis synthesised the retrieved data and found common patterns andtrends in these studies. The results imply that marijuana can potentially reduce testosteronelevels and normal sperm morphology. Opioid substances such as heroin and codeine cancause a reduction in sperm quality, increased sperm DNA fragmentation, and decreasedtestosterone levels. Methamphetamine and cocaine may reduce the viability, motility, andsperm count. In conclusion, the results hold significant findings that illicit drugs have adetrimental impact on male fertility and may be raising awareness for targeted initiatives inpublic health. However, small sample sizes and possible biases in self-reporting drug usageare limitations of the studies.
Abstract:As industries and corporate sectors are making a switch to cloud computation frameworks, it is of importance that such models be viewed through the prism of economics, maintaining at the same time the scientific rigour in order to have the analysis stand the test of realistic situations. In such situations, factors such as reneging cannot be ignored and must be incorporated in the analysis of the revenue-cost model. The following work searches for an optimal value of the reneging factor which would result in the maximum profitability of the service provider. Queuing theory as well as principles of economics are used to model and verify the revenue-cost model.
Abstract:Last two decades have witnessed significant approaches that are centered around the application of distributed semantic vectors for evaluating word-pair similarity in English language, with or without lexicographic definitions. Recent trends in Hindi language evaluations rely on pre-trained embedding models and reported state-of-arts. Due to the paucity of research on lexicographic-based techniques for Hindi word-pairs, this article suggests an innovative hybrid methodology that begins with the generation of unigram vectors inspired by morphologically equipped subwording. The integration of lexicographic definitions and generated unigram vectors significantly enhances word-pair similarity. IndoWordNet is a prominent Hindi knowledge-based corpus including synonyms, gloss, and hypernyms or hyponyms. By utilizing the built-in features, we generated unigram vectors that are meticulously integrated with various feature combinations while considering indirect synsets and/or direct gloss-hypernyms/hyponyms. In the presence of direct gloss-based hyponym paths, the performance of the distinguishing feature has ultimately reached the state-of-art.
Abstract:This This article proposes a revolutionary idea that seamlessly blends algebraic structures and machine learning techniques. The primary goal is to explore the pseudo-metric free semigroup\'s structure because it has been potential to be used in more intriguing ways in the future. One of these applications is the algebraic structure of genome. DNA and RNA are the hereditary material that play a vital role in the metabolism process of living things, especially the protein synthesis. In this context, we demonstrate that the complexity of genetic codes is examined by defining pseudo-metric free semigroup over DNA basis. Additionally, we proposed two numerical mappings for DNA bases in relation to the pseudo-metric free semigroup representation. These mappings show that there is an isomorphism between the suggested algebraic structure and another algebraic structure defined in a different numerical set. The suggested study is implemented using customized machine learning models, including multilayer perceptron, recurrent neural networks, and convolutional neural networks, to identify changes between the DNA sequences. Experimental results show that Multilayer Perceptron with proposed numerical values for DNA bases offers 99.06% accuracy on testing data. This novel technique effectively figures out gene mutations that will aid in the prognosis of complex diseases.
Abstract:This experimental study explores the impact of Magnetic Activation of Water (MAW) on the fresh and hardened properties of Reused Crumb-Rubber Mortar (RCRM). Eight different mortar formulations were produced, comprising four variants using potable water (DW) and four utilizing MAW, with varying percentages of Reused Crumb Rubber Sand (RCRS) substituted for natural sand at rates of 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%. The analyses of fresh properties indicated that MAW effectively reduced entrapped air and improved the consistency of the RCRM mixtures. In terms of hardened properties, MAW demonstrated a significant enhancement in compressive strength and hydration kinetics of RCRM compared to those made with DW. This innovative approach of employing magnetic activation not only addresses compatibility and heterogeneity challenges typically associated with rubber-cement mixtures but also offers a viable solution for incorporating waste rubber into cement composites. Ultimately, this research presents a promising avenue for improving the mechanical and physical characteristics of recycled materials in sustainable construction practices.