Standardized test data indicate that student achievement in science is a problem both nationally and locally. At the study site, only a small percentage of fifth-grade students score at the advanced level on the Maryland state science assessment (MSA). In addition, the performance of African American, economically disadvantaged, and special education students is well below that of the general student population. Some studies have shown that teacher self-efficacy affects student achievement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between fifth-grade teacher inquiry science instruction self-efficacy scores and the scores of their students on the MSA. Bandura's work on the effect of self-efficacy on human behavior provided the theoretical basis for this study. The research questions examined the relationship between teacher inquiry science instructional self-efficacy scores and students' science MSA scores as well as the relationship by student subgroups. A correlational research design was used. The Teaching Science as Inquiry survey instrument was used to quantify teacher self-efficacy, and archival MSA data were the source for student scores. The study included data from 22 teachers and 1,625 of their students. A 2-tailed Pearson coefficient analysis revealed significant, positive relationships with regard to overall student achievement (r20 = .724, p < .01) and the achievement of each of the subgroups (African American: r20 = .549, p < .01; economically disadvantaged: r20 = .655, p < .01; and special education: r18 = .532, p < .05). The results of this study present an opportunity for positive social change because the local school system can provide professional development that may increase teacher inquiry science instruction self-efficacy as a possible means to improve overall science achievement and to reduce achievement gaps.

No description available.

Information classification is a prerequisite for carrying out risk management in information security, as the assets worth protecting are identified and the need for protection is determined by the classification categories. The information classification thus has a major impact on the security architecture of systems and organizations. Nevertheless, information classification leads a shadowy existence in the scientific literature, which is reflected in a limited number of scientific publications. This discrepancy between the relevance of information classification in risk management and its low scientific attention was the motivation to take a closer look at the topic. This thesis created an overview of the current state of research in information classification and shed some light on potential problems to stimulate new research questions. The results of the work include a current overview of the status of research on information classification in risk management of information security and its context to other academic disciplines and practical needs, particularly research on bias and systems engineering. This thesis also summarized a total of 109 individual research gaps in information classification research, derived from the evaluation of the scientific literature and on the conclusions of identified open questions. From the gaps identified, some suggestions for future research in the field of information classification could be made.

Semilocal density functionals up to the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) level cannot accurately describe band gaps of bulk solids. Meta-GGA density functionals with a dependence on the kinetic energy density ingredient (τ) can potentially give wider band gaps compared with GGAs. The recently developed TASK meta-GGA functional yields excellent band gaps of bulk solids. The accuracy of the TASK functional for band gaps of bulk solids cannot be straightforwardly transferred to low-dimensional materials due to reduced screening in low-dimensional materials. We have developed mTASK from TASK by changing (a) the tight upper-bound for one or two-electron systems (h0X) from 1.174 to 1.29 and (b) the limit of the interpolation function fX(α → ∞) of the TASK functional that interpolates the exchange enhancement factor FX(s,α) from α = 0 to 1, so that mTASK has the screening appropriate for low-dimensional materials. These two conditions guarantee the increased nonlocality within the generalized Kohn-Sham scheme in the mTASK functional and yield a better description of band gaps of low-dimensional materials. We computed the band gaps of bulk solids from mTASK having a wide range of gaps such as Ge, CdO, ZnS, MgO, NiF, Ar. The improvement in the band gaps from mTASK is more consistent than TASK for the large-gaps crystals. We have studied the band structures in two forms of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers, i.e., monolayer hexagonal (1H) and monolayer trigonal (1T) and their nanoribbons. The mTASK functional systematically improves the band gaps and is in close agreement with the experiments or the hybrid level HSE06 density functional for 2D single-layer and nanoribbon systems. In the second part of this assessment, we explore the large tunability of band gaps and optical absorption of phosphorene nanoribbons under mechanical bending from first-principles. Bending can induce an unoccupied edge state in armchair phosphorene nanoribbons. The electronic and optical properties of nanoribbons drastically change because of this edge state. GW-Bethe–Salpeter equation calculations for armchair phosphorene nanoribbons at different bending curvatures show that the absorption peaks generally shift toward the high energy direction with increasing curvature. Our study suggests that bright excitons can also be formed from the transition from the valence bands to the edge state when the edge state completely separates out from the continuum conduction bands. We systematically study the role of the edge state to form bound excitons at large curvatures. Our analysis suggests that the optical absorption peaks of zigzag phosphorene nanoribbons shift toward the low-energy region, and the height of the absorption peaks increases while increasingthe bending curvature. In the third part of this assessment, we extend our study of phosphorene nanoribbons to MoS2 nanoribbons under bending from GW and Bethe-Salpeter equation approaches. We find three critical bending curvatures for armchair MoS2 nanoribbons, and the edge and non-edge band gaps show a non-monotonic trend with bending. The edge band gap shows an oscillating feature with ribbon width n, with a period of ∆n=3. The binding energy and the lowest exciton energy decrease with the curvature. The large tunability of optical properties of bent MoS2 nanoribbon is applicable in tunable optoelectronic nanodevices. / Physics

Recent technological advances are radically changing the industrial landscape and driving a digital transformation of industry. This transformation presents several challenges for industrial companies, notably the urgent need to bridge a widening skill gap. In order to address the skill gaps, industrial companies are exploring the potential of the Metaverse as a tool for workforce training.  The Metaverse is a unique, 3D multi-user environment, blending physical and digital elements, thereby facilitating interaction between objects and individuals. Given these features, it possesses the capacity to facilitate immersive learning within industrial firms, offering realistic and interactive training experiences. However, there is a lack of research and understanding regarding the application of the Metaverse for workforce training in these contexts.  Thus, the objective of this study is to explore how the Metaverse can be used by industrial companies and identify the driving factors behind its adoption. To fulfill this purpose, an exploratory qualitative study was conducted, employing semi-structured in-depth interviews that are analyzed thematically.  The study’s primary contribution is a practice-oriented framework detailing the interplay between technology, management, and people; explaining how they combine to support immersive learning. The framework offers unique insights and practical implications for industrial practitioners. Critically, the study emphasizes the importance of effective change management for aligning these three elements, emphasizing that successful implementation goes beyond mere adoption of technology. The study finds that the Metaverse is best viewed as a complement to traditional physical training in industrial companies, identifying specific practical use-cases where the Metaverse can be utilized effectively.

No description available.

According to UNESCO (2021) 43% of museums faced closure in the first quarter of 2021 due to an ongoing pandemic. Those that could, offered digital experiences to maintain links with their visitors, and for those institutions without the skills or resources to reach out to their visitors, their very existence remained in a state of flux. The situation in Sweden was no different and, prior to UNESCO’s published figures of 2021, the Swedish Government (2020) instigated an inquiry to establish the necessary interventions required to reignite the heritage sector post pandemic. The inquiry found a history of challenging problems for the sector. One problem recognised was the need for a digitalised sector to sustain heritage, and secondly, the motivation for this research, the lack of skills and resources in the sector. The aims of this research therefore were twofold. Firstly, to identify what digital skills andeducation are needed in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums, (GLAM) and secondly, to test the hypothesis that Higher Education curricula in Sweden requires a programme of analysis and restructure. Notwithstanding a review of past literature review to reflect on previous research of skills and education in the sector, an in-depth analysis of the Governmental inquiry also took place. As a secondary research activity, a sample of respondents were selected to represent small and large institutions across the sector. Comments, experiences, and opinions regarding lack of resources and skills, were extrapolated from recorded interviews, surveys and responses to the Governmental Inquiry which were noted and logged. Secondly, an analysis of skills required in current job vacancies in the sector took place. Additionally, perspectives from sector unions were sought, and finally, a limited survey of employee thoughts on current skills and what skills they believed they needed for the future was completed. The results indicated that discourse of skills and the digital vision in the sector have been ongoing for many years and that a global pandemic had to be the instigator for governmental intervention. There is also a traditional approach to the education of graduates in galleries, archives, and museums, unlike those educated to work inlibraries. archives and researchers via digital humanities programs. For those entering the profession in museums and galleries, there is little, if any exposure to digital practices. Barriers to change included financing, infrastructures, and a lack of leadership development in the sector. Digital transformations it was felt, requires a top-down approach and leadership is currently not in situ.

In our thesis we seek the answer to if trade openness has an effect on income gaps within countries. Since different trade flows can have different effects based on who the trading partners are, we disaggregate the trade flows based on these criteria. Using a dynamic two-ways fixed-effects model (LSDV) based on unbalanced panel data we follow 160 countries (of which 155 contribute to the variance since they have more than one observation) over the time-period 1970-2019 and a gini-coefficient that measures disponible household income. Furthermore, we also include a measurement of absolute poverty, measured as the share of the population living on less than 3,2 USD a day, where we have data for 130 countries (of which 111 with more than one observation, and the earliest observation is 1974). We divide our sample in low-, middle- and high-income countries and control for the effects on the gini-coefficient and absolute poverty stemming from both exports as well as imports. Our results indicate that when low-income countries exports to other low-income countries it decreases the income gaps within the exporting country. Low-income countries trade flows with middle- and high-income countries however seem to have a positive relationship with their income gaps, which we argue provides support for skill-enhancing trade (SET) and skill-biased technological change (SBTC). For high- and middle-income countries we don’t find any support for a relationship between income gaps and trade openness. Regarding absolute poverty we mostly see significant results for high-income countries, where export to other high-income countries decreases poverty while import from other high-income countries increases poverty. / I vår uppsats söker vi svar på om handelsöppenhet har en påverkan på inkomstklyftor inom länder. Då olika handelsflöden kan ha olika påverkan disaggregerar vi även handelsflödena med hänsyn till ursprungsland och handelspartner. Med hjälp av en dynamisk two-ways fixed effects modell (LSDV) baserad på obalanserad paneldata följer vi 160 länder (varav 155 bidrar till variansen då de har mer än en observation) över tidsperioden 1970-2019 och en gini-koefficient som mäter disponibel hushållsinkomst. Utöver detta inkluderar vi även ett mått på absolut fattigdom, mätt som andel av befolkningen som lever på mindre än 3,2 USD om dagen där vi har data för 130 länder (varav 111 med mer än en observation). Vi delar upp vårt sampel i låg-, medel- och höginkomstländer och kontrollerar för både exportens och importens påverkan på gini-koefficienten och absolut fattigdom. Våra resultat indikerar att när låginkomstländer exporterar till andra låginkomstländer minskar inkomstklyftorna i det exporterande landet. Låginkomstländers handelsflöden med medel- och höginkomstländer har däremot ett positivt samband med deras inkomstklyftor, något vi argumenterar för antyder ett stöd för skill-enhancing trade (SET) och skill-biased technological change (SBTC). För medel- och höginkomstländer finner vi inga belägg för ett samband mellan inkomstklyftor och handelsöppenhet. Gällande absolut fattigdom ser vi framförallt signifikanta resultat för höginkomstländer, där export till andra höginkomstländer minskar absolut fattigdom medan import från höginkomstländer ökar absolut fattigdom.

No description available.

No description available.