Gender-Based Comparison of Students Personality Traits and Their Academic Achievement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Theoretical framework of this study based on Big Five Personality Trait Theory (Cattell’s & Eysenck’s 1973). Objectives of the study were: i) to compare different personality traits of male and female secondary school students. ii) to compare the academic achievement of male and female secondary school students. Descriptive survey design was used for this study. All the secondary school students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan constituted the population of the study. Out of 25 districts 2 districts were randomly selected (Bannu & Lakki Marwat). Out of 12009 students who were studying in 119 boys and 73 girls secondary schools of these districts 800 (400 male & 400 female) students of 10th class were selected through multistage random sampling method using proportional allocation technique as a sample of the study. A self developed questionnaire and result cards of the students were used as research instruments. Personally collected data was entered in SPSS-21. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi-square were applied as statistical tools to achieve the objectives of the study. Keywords: Personality, Traits, Extroversion, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness to Experienc

Theoretical characterization of graphene and other 2D materials

In this thesis, various aspects of graphene and other 2D materials were studied by means of first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Initially, we propose two types of doping models in graphene for efficient band gap opening. In addition, we study triple dopants in graphene for the first time which is useful for the designing of the electronic properties and increasing the chemical reactivity of graphene. We also design several mono-doped and dual-doped graphene as potential anode materials for alkali-based (lithium, sodium, and potassium) batteries. Moreover, it is found that hexagonal boron phosphide (hBP) and hexagonal boron arsenide (hBAs) possess excelent electrochemical properties that are desirable for efficient anode materials. All of these proposed systems offer large storage capacities in comparison with the other famous anode materials. In addition, we report monolayer BX (X=P, As) derivatives, monolayer beryllium-nitride (Be3N2), and 2D holey boroxine (B3O3). In detail, the structural, thermal, dynamical, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties were systematically investigated and carefully examined. These theoretical investigations considerably upgrade the family of 2D materials. We inspect the stability and the electronic and optical properties of various vdWheterostructures including (hBP), (hBAs), and their derivatives which offer tunable optoelectronic properties. Additionally, we consider SiC3-hBN (vdW-heterostructure, and encapsulated SiC3 in hBN) as a potential replacement for graphene in nanoelectronics. Furthermore, the external electric field provides a great tunability of the gaps which is somewhat missing (or weaker) in the graphene-hBN bilayer. Finally, we investigate the effect of substitutional doping in single layer hBN. The induced impurity level structure is quite exotic and strongly dependent on the sublattice position and its behavior as a donor or an acceptor. For example, for an acceptor replacing a nitrogen atom, a strong intervalley interaction is observed with a strong valley and spin splitting. Conversely, when a boron atom is replaced with an acceptor, a much weaker intervalley interaction is observed with near-valley-degenerate levels. The behavior of the donor impurities is found to be the same.Nesta tese, estudamos diversos aspectos do grafeno e outros materiais 2D por meio de cálculos de primeiros princípios baseados na Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT em inglês). Inicialmente, propomos dois modelos de dopagem em grafeno para a abertura de gaps de forma eficiente. Além disso, estudamos pela primeira vez dopantes triplos em grafeno, o que é útil para o desenho de propriedades eletrônicas e para o aumento de sua reatividade química. Em uma segunda frente, estudamos a possibilidade de se utilizar grafeno mono-dopado e bi-dopado como ânodo em baterias baseadas em metais alcalinos (lítio, sódio e potássio). Além disso, descobrimos que o fosteto de boro hexagonal (hBP) e o arseneto de boro hexagonal (hBAs) possuem excelentes propriedades eletroquímicas que são desejáveis em ânodos eficientes. Verificamos que todos os sistemas propostos apresentam uma ampla capacidade de armazenamento em comparação com outros ânodos conhecidos. Em outra frente, investigamos detalhadamente as propriedades estruturais, térmicas, dinâmicas, eletrônicas e ópticas de monocamadas de hBX (X = P, As), monocamada Be3N2, e o boroxino (B3O3), um material que apresenta buracos em sua estrutura cristalina. Tais investigações representam um enriquecimento importante à família de materiais 2D. Além disso, estudamos a estabilidade e as propriedades optoeletrônicas de diversas heteroestruturas de van-der-Walls (vdW), incluindo multicamadas de hBP, hBAs e combinações, onde verificamos uma grande tunabilidade. Consideramos ainda diferentes heteroestruturas baseadas em SiC3 e hBN de forma a investigar o potencial do SiC3 como um substituto para o grafeno em dispositivos nanoeletrônicos. Verificamos que a aplicação de um campo elétrico externo nessas heteroestruturas leva à abertura de um gap com maior magnitude e tunabilidade em comparação aos gaps encontrados em heteroestruturas baseadas em grafeno e hBN. Finalmente, investigamos os efeitos de uma dopagem substitucional na monocamada de hBN. Observamos que a estrutura de níveis de energia induzidos pela impureza dentro do gap é bem exótica, apresentando uma forte dependência com a posição de sub-rede ocupada pela impureza e com o seu comportamento como doadora ou aceitadora. Por exemplo, quando uma impureza aceitadora substitui um átomo de nitrogênio, observa-se uma forte interação entre os vales, resultando em um estado fundamental não-degenerado. Por outro lado, quando uma impureza aceitadora substitui um átomo de boro, verifica-se uma fraca interação entre vales e um estado fundamental quase duplamente degenerado. Observamos ainda que impurezas doadoras se comportam de forma similar.CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Organizational Learning, Quality Strategy and Perceived Firm Performance of Textile Firms

This study employs organizational learning theory and quality strategy theory to formulate a new organizational learning-quality strategy- that can be used to enhance firm performance of the firms of textile sector listed at Pakistan Stock exchange. This research explores the moderating role of quality strategy in the relation between organizational learning and perceived firm performance. This article also explores the effect of organizational learning on quality strategy and perceived firm performance, as well as the impact of quality strategy on perceived firm performance. The model was tested using the experience of 300 Pakistani textile firms operating in a variety of host markets. To test the moderating role, process developed by Hayes was used. The empirical results indicate that perceived firm performance is significantly affected by organizational learning (explorative and exploitative learning) and quality strategy. Furthermore, the results confirm that the explorative, exploitative learning and quality strategy have a positive relationship with perceived firm performance and quality strategy moderates the relationship between organizational learning and perceived firm performance. The outcomes of this article provide a new direction for future research regarding organizational learning, quality strategy and perceived firm performance

UNVEILING DUALITIES: US RHETORIC AND REALITY IN GLOBAL NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION UNDER TRUMP AND BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONS

The image the United States has always projected of itself in the international community is that of a state that is nuclear responsible and bears the responsibility to keep nuclear proliferation in check. To this effect, it uses sanctions, international pressure, and harsh language with states it deems to be in violation of the obligations of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. On the other hand, however, there is doubt about the United States' own dedication to the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. This paper is an attempt to examine the role the US has played vis-à-vis nuclear proliferation. It deals with the question: what role US has played in promoting nuclear non-proliferation and what its probable effects are on the international nuclear non-proliferation landscape. It argues that the US has not only engaged in excessive nuclear proliferation since 1945 but has also damaged the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, thereby reduced restraints, and set dangerous precedence for other states. The paper recommends that US may lead the world towards nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament by example rather than unfair coercion.   Bibliography Entry Rashid, Asma and Aiman Saif Ullah. 2023. "Unveiling Dualities: US Rhetoric and Realty in Global Nuclear Non-Proliferation under Trump and Biden Administrations." Margalla Papers 27 (2): 60-70

An alternative derivation of a new Lanczos-type algorithm for systems of linear equations

Various recurrence relations between formal orthogonal polynomials can be used to derive Lanczos-type algorithms. In this paper, we consider recurrence relation $A_{12}$ for the choice $U_i(x)=P_i(x)$, where $U_i$ is an auxiliary family of polynomials of exact degree $i$. It leads to a Lanczos-type algorithm that shows superior stability when compared to existing Lanczos-type algorithms. The new algorithm is derived and described. It is then computationally compared to the most robust algorithms of this type, namely $A_{12}$, $A_5/B_{10}$ and $A_8/B_{10}$, on the same test problems. Numerical results are included