15 research outputs found
On the Comparison of Run Orders of Unreplicated 2 k–p Designs in the Presence of a Time Trend
No full textActive contrasts, Probability of false rejection, Probability of effect detection,
On the Comparison of Run Orders of Unreplicated 2k-p-designs in the presence of a time-trend
No full textThe response from a factorial experiment carried out in a time sequence may be affected by uncontrollable variables that are highly correlated with the time in which they occur. In such a situation, one possibility is to randomize the run order of the experiment. Another possibility is to use a systematic run order that is robust against time-trends. Since randomized run orders make the time trend part of the error, it can be hoped that systematic run orders will be more effective to identify truly active factors. In this paper, a imulation study is used to compare the performances of the randomized and the systematic run orders. The response from an experiment where we have observed a strong time-trend is used to demonstrate the influence of a realistic time trend on the run orders under consideration. The performance of the run orders is then measured by taking the probabilities of false rejection and the probabilities of detection of active contrasts. Our results show that the randomized run order managed to keep the nominal level, while the systematic did not. Additionally, when there were active factors, then the systematic run orders did not achieve more power than did the randomized run order
Enhanced antioxidant capacity following selenium supplemented antimalarial therapy in Plasmodium berghei infected mice
No full textLeading the African agenda or following the African consensus? South Africa's implementation of the African agenda in the United Nations Security Council
No full textOn Performance of Two-Parameter Gompertz-Based X¯ Control Charts
No full textIn this paper, two methods of control chart were proposed to monitor the process based on the two-parameter Gompertz distribution. The proposed methods are the Gompertz Shewhart approach and Gompertz skewness correction method. A simulation study was conducted to compare the performance of the proposed chart with that of the skewness correction approach for various sample sizes. Furthermore, real-life data on thickness of paint on refrigerators which are nonnormal data that have attributes of a Gompertz distribution were used to illustrate the proposed control chart. The coverage probability (CP), control limit interval (CLI), and average run length (ARL) were used to measure the performance of the two methods. It was found that the Gompertz exact method where the control limits are calculated through the percentiles of the underline distribution has the highest coverage probability, while the Gompertz Shewhart approach and Gompertz skewness correction method have the least CLI and ARL. Hence, the two-parameter Gompertz-based methods would detect out-of-control faster for Gompertz-based X¯ charts
Demilitarisation Nigeria and South Africa compared
No full textIn sub-Saharan African countries that have made democratic transition from military
rule and military-backed authoritarian regimes, state elites have embarked upon
strategies aimed at demilitarising the new democratic political process. Demilitarisation
of the state and politics has become an imperative because it is decisive for
consolidating democratic politics and for ensuring improvements in public safety and
security. Yet the process of such demilitarisation in these countries has often generated
a paradox, whereby the reduction of the political influence of state institutions of
violence has been associatedw ith rising civil militarism and the prevalenceo f organised
violence in the wider society.
In these circumstances, taking cognisance of the dangers of civil militarism and other
forms of private violence is a priority for designing and implementing demilitarisation
strategies and other security reforms in post-authoritarian African states. Reformminded
political elites and external supporters need to be sensitive to these dangers or
risk perpetuating the shell of electoral democracy that cannot deliver the goal of human
security in the region. This dissertation explored how the current approach to
demilitarisation is related to the problem of civil militarism by examining the case
studies of Nigeria and South Africa. It explains that given the condition of the state in
Africa, demilitarisation of politics after transition from military or military-backed
authoritarianism contributes to the emergence of civil militarism. Based on this finding,
it argues for a comprehensive approach to demilitarisation as a strategy that caters to
both state and societal violence in order to mitigate the risks of civil militarism in the
process
Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development. Conference Proceedings – PCF11 Selected Papers
No full textThis book of proceedings presents selected papers from the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF11), co-hosted by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Government of Botswana in Gaborone from 10–12 September 2025. The purpose of this publication is to curate and disseminate high-quality, peer-reviewed contributions that reflect both scholarly insight and practical innovation. It serves as a resource for advancing policy, practice and research in open and distance learning (ODL) in support of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive, equitable quality education and lifelong learning.
The central theme of PCF11, also reflected in the title of this book—Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development—highlights the role of openness in building social resilience, widening access, reducing inequities and supporting sustainable economic growth. The book is organised around four interrelated sub-themes that structure the proceedings and frame contemporary debates in the field: (1) changing mindsets for inclusive open education; (2) gender, technology and innovation in open education; (3) skills development through lifelong open education; and (4) sustaining communities of learning and practice in innovative open education.
The volume includes a carefully selected set of papers identified through a rigorous two-phase blind peer review process, with sub-theme leaders nominating the highest-ranked contributions for publication. Together, these papers illustrate diverse experiences, evidence-based practices and policy-relevant insights from across the Commonwealth.
The primary target audience for this book comprises policymakers, development practitioners, academics, researchers, technology innovators, COL stakeholders and partner institutions engaged in open, online and flexible learning. As such, the proceedings aim to inform decision-making, inspire innovation and strengthen collaboration in pursuit of resilient, inclusive and sustainable education systems.
Title: Recognition of Prior Learning and Micro-credentials for Enhancing Inclusion, Access and Success in the UCT Postgraduate Diploma in Blended and Online Learning Design: A Social Justice Lens
Author(s): Tabisa Mayisela; Shanali Govender; Daniela Gachago Pages: 11–22
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.001
Title: Changing Mindset for Open and Distance Learning System: University of The Gambia Experience
Author(s): Kayode S. Adekeye; Ousainou Sarr; Raphael K. Ayeni; Mbemba Hydara; Jane-Frances Agbu; Francisca U. Ezike
Pages: 23–42
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.002
Title: Unlocking the Potential of Open Educational Practices in Bangladesh — Why Mindset Shift Matters
Author(s): Mostafa Azad Kamal; Jane-Frances Agbu; Md. Mahfuzur Rahman
Pages: 43–54
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.003
Title: Pedagogy of Care in a Blended Teaching and Learning Distance Teacher Education Programme
Author(s): F. R. Aluko; M. A. Ooko
Pages: 55–64
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.004
Title: Enhancing Teacher–Student Interaction through Open Education in Hybrid Learning in Cameroonian Universities
Author(s): Shaibou Abdoulai Haji; Jane-Frances Agbu
Pages: 65–77
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.005
Title: Leveraging Technology-Enabled Learning and Open Educational Resources for Educational Equity: A Case Study in a Small Island State
Author(s): Romeela Mohee; Anjusha Durbarry
Pages: 79–88
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.006
Title: Empowering Future Teachers: Skills Development and Training Needs for AI Integration in ODL Teacher Education
Author(s): Geesje van den Berg
Pages: 89–99
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.007
Title: Leveraging AI-Driven Chatbots to Enhance First-Year Student Support: The USP SEM ZERO-GPT Initiative
Author(s): Raveena Goundar; Rajni Chand; Mohammed Hussein Pages: 100–110
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.008
Title: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teacher Education Students’ Assessment Practices in Open Distance E-learning
Author(s): Patience Kelebogile Mudau
Pages: 111–124
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.009
Title: Gender and Disability-related Influences on Teachers’ Access to Technology-Mediated Professional Learning in Tanzania
Author(s): Sara Hennessy; Kristeen Chachage; Saalim Koomar; Calvin Swai; Taskeen Adam; Fika Mwakabungu; Winston Massam; Jonathan H. Paskali; Nidhi Singal
Pages: 125–139
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.010
Title: The Vocational Training Development Institute: An Investigation into the Utilisation of Digital Learning Strategies in TVET to Facilitate Accessibility, Flexibility, Engagement and Skills Development
Author(s): Jacqueline Solomon-Wallder; Mark McKnight; Roxanne Hinds
Pages: 141–164
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.011
Title: Implementing Blended Delivery in TEVET: Insights from a Preparatory (PBDT) Course in Zambia
Author(s): Twaambo Chiinza; Alice P. Shemi
Pages: 165–178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.012
Title: Engaging NEET Youths through Vocational Education: A Case of the Open School of Bangladesh Open University
Author(s): Md. Mizanoor Rahman; Santosh Panda
Pages: 179–187
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.013
Title: Open Schooling in Southern Africa: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities
Author(s): Ephraim Mhlanga
Pages: 188–197
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.014
Title: Building Resilient Graduates: Moi University’s Model for Enhancing Employability and Lifelong Learning in a Dynamic Labour Market
Author(s): Lumala Masibo; Jako Olivier
Pages: 198–208
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.015
Title: Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Adoption of E-apprenticeship Programmes in Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Nigeria
Author(s): Michael Shittu; Robert Okinda; Anthony C. Achuenu; Alabi M. Olowo
Pages: 209–223
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.016
Title: Towards a Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework for Micro-Credentials: Advancing Education for a More Resilient Workforce Author(s): Jako Olivier; Jane-Frances Agbu; Schontal Moore; Sanjaya Mishra; Betty Ogange; Evode Mukama; Robert Okinda Pages: 225–236
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.017
Title: Collaborative Approaches in Open Education: Leveraging OER Creation, Adaptation and use for Sustainable Development Author(s): Shepherd Mlambo; Nokulunga Sithabile Ndlovu; Thabo Gina
Pages: 237–248
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.018
Title: Empowering Voices in Open Education: Reflections and Future Directions from the Global OER Graduate Network’s 10th Anniversary Author(s): Robert Farrow; Carina Bossu; Beck Pitt
Pages: 249–257
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.019
Title: Collaborative Peer Learning for International Course Development in the Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) Project: Challenges and Lessons Learned Through this Case Study
Author(s): Philip Uys
Pages: 258–268
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.020
Title: Building Sustainable Communities of Practice Through Mentor-Supported OER Development: An Iterative Approach in Pacific STEM Education
Author(s): Amanda Grey; Betty Ogange; Rajni Chand; Ashish Agrawal
Pages: 269–282
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.02
Performance of median absolute deviation and some alternatives to median absolute deviation control charts for skewed and heavily tailed process
No full textOn logistic regression versus support vectors machine using vaccination dataset
No full textThe performance of two classification techniques, logistic regression and Support Vector Machines (SVMs), in assessing vaccination data is investigated in this study. The model was trained based on leave-out-one cross validation to obtain an accurate result. Simulated with ten thousand replications, a life data set was used to establish a better model. The findings from the simulation revealed that the logistic regression model slightly outperformed the SVM while the life data shows that the tuned SVM outperformed both the logistic and the SVM. This demonstrates the practical utility of advanced approaches such as SVMs in difficult categorization scenarios such as vaccination prediction. The study emphasizes the superiority of the customized SVM model in this setting, as well as the potential of machine learning approaches to increase comprehension of complicated healthcare scenarios and guide data-driven decision-making for influencing vaccination plans and public health. The study recommends the use of logistic regression if the data point is high
