Abstract:Moth and beetle communities sustain fruit set in some temperate cultivars yet are rarely monitored compared with diurnal bees. Volunteers using standardized UV-light traps and smartphone guides document visitation along a gradient of warm-white LED retrofits. Richness declines near high-intensity corridors, but amber-filtered fixtures on side streets retain assemblages similar to pre-retrofit reference blocks.
Abstract:Earthen housing remains vulnerable to microcracks that widen when seasonal humidity cycles weaken clay bridges. We embed short sisal fibers in laboratory blocks and drive a phase-field model with moisture-dependent fracture energy. Simulated coalescence paths match digital image correlation patterns, highlighting optimal fiber volume fractions that delay through-thickness cracking without raising thermal conductivity excessively.
Abstract:Multigrade schools combine age groups when teachers are scarce, complicating how confidence and home support translate into scores. Survey and test data from 38 schools are fit to a latent model with cluster-robust standard errors. Parental homework assistance mediates part of the self-efficacy pathway, while peer tutoring within mixed-age groups adds a direct effect not seen in single-grade comparisons.
Abstract:Tertiary disinfection is increasingly installed to limit environmental dissemination of resistance determinants. Shotgun sequencing of influent and effluent across four seasonal campaigns shows broad reductions in mobile genetic element abundance after medium-pressure UV, yet blaCTX-M-like reads rebound when hydraulic retention shortens during storm overflow events. Results support coupling UV with flow monitoring rather than capacity alone.
Abstract:Chronic fluorosis screening depends on laboratory capacity that outreach teams cannot carry. We prototype a printed electrode array calibrated against ion chromatography on 240 tubewell samples. Field trials with community health workers achieve median error below 0.15 mg L-1 across the WHO band relevant to enamel mottling, enabling same-day counseling without cold-chain reagents.
Abstract:Formal catalog varieties coexist with farmer-managed pools that move through kin and market ties. We map exchange networks in three districts after contrasting rainfall seasons and quantify how bridge households connect otherwise isolated clusters. Drought years increase reliance on reciprocal gifts rather than cash purchases, implying that conservation programs should strengthen trusted intermediaries instead of only subsidizing certified seed.
Abstract:Short-season vegetable rotations emit disproportionate nitrous oxide when nitrogen fertilizer is split across harvests. In a two-year field trial, hardwood biochar at 15 Mg ha-1 lowers cumulative fluxes during fertigation windows without reducing marketable yield. Isotope tracing suggests tighter coupling between nitrification and immobilization rather than simple aeration changes in the root zone.
Abstract:Early warning systems for arboviruses rarely fuse climate products with neighborhood-scale heat exposure. We assemble weekly case counts from municipal surveillance with MODIS vegetation health and land-surface temperature anomalies at 1 km resolution. Gradient boosted trees with SHAP summaries identify lagged humidity and impervious-surface warming as dominant predictors, outperforming univariate autoregressive baselines three weeks ahead in cross-city validation.
Abstract:The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online learning in higher education institutions globally, renewing interest in blended learning as a sustainable post-pandemic pedagogical approach. Guided by blended learning theory, which emphasises the integration of online and face-to-face modalities to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes, this qualitative study investigated the evolution of online learning practices at a selected University of Technology in Gauteng, South Africa. The methodology for this study was qualitative in nature and data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 42 students and 12 lecturers to capture diverse perspectives on learning design, engagement, and academic development. The survey instrument was adapted from validated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs, including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and behavioural intention. Findings revealed that students valued the flexibility and convenience of online learning, which supported participation and academic performance. However, challenges such as limited digital access and inconsistent technical support hindered effective engagement. Lecturers reported concerns about reduced opportunities for experiential learning and practical skills development. The study highlighted the importance of blended learning models that balance online flexibility with structured face-to-face interaction. These findings contribute to ongoing discourse on technology-enabled learning and provide practical insights for higher education institutions seeking to implement sustainable blended learning strategies.
Abstract:Universities increasingly issue digital transcripts, yet centralized registries create single points of failure. We outline a DID-based workflow where issuers sign JSON-LD credentials stored in student wallets and verifiers resolve minimal metadata. Threat modeling highlights recovery after device loss, issuer key compromise, and correlation via public ledgers. Pilot cost estimates suggest feasible rollout for mid-sized institutions using open stacks.