Given the increasing demand for sustainable energy sources and the challenges associated with the limited efficiency of solar cells, this review focuses on the application of gold quantum dots (AuQDs) in enhancing solar cell performance. Gold quantum dots, with their unique properties such as the ability to absorb ultraviolet light and convert it into visible light expand the utilization of the solar spectrum in solar cells. Additionally, these quantum dots, through plasmonic effects and the enhancement of localized electric fields, improve light absorption, charge carrier generation (electrons and holes), and their transfer. This study investigates the integration of quantum dots with gold plasmonic nanoparticles into the structure of solar cells. Experimental results demonstrate that using green quantum dots and gold plasmonic nanoparticles as intermediate layers leads to an increase in power conversion efficiency. This improvement highlights the significant impact of this technology on solar cell performance. Furthermore, the reduction in charge transfer resistance and the increase in short-circuit current are additional advantages of utilizing this technology. The findings of this research emphasize the high potential of gold quantum dots in advancing next-generation solar cell technology.

The importance of tourism to nations’ socioeconomic development cannot be overemphasised as it has proven to be a significant source of revenue for many countries globally. However, sub-Saharan nations like Nigeria have not tapped into the unlimited potential of tourism in their development drive, hence the continuous grappling with underdevelopment challenges. This study examines how tourism impacts socioeconomic growth in Nigeria, focusing on well-known tourist destinations in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopts quantitative and qualitative mixed-method research using survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews to elicit responses from visitors at the tourist centres and the tourists’ operations. Data were analysed using simple percentages of frequency distribution tables and thematic analysis. The Neo-liberal theory was adopted as a theoretical framework for the study. The findings highlight the need for better infrastructure, security measures, destination awareness, better housing, financial help, the development of a competent workforce, solid governmental policies, the conservation of cultural and natural assets, and encouragement of collaboration. Future studies may focus primarily on three areas: the evaluation of tourism’s economic impacts, the effectiveness of specific tourist development programs, and the role of tourism in community empowerment.

Objective: Standardizing image acquisition protocols and image quality across cameras is an important need in imaging, in particular in multi-center clinical trials and the use of image analysis and machine learning algorithms. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction parameters on the quantitative image quality of cardiac perfusion SPECT images in different typical SPECT cameras and therefore assess the need to change the parameter values across cameras. Methods: The analysis was carried out by comparing the defect contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) at 12 OSEM subset-iteration combinations. Eight frames were reconstructed using the SIMIND Monte Carlo Simulation package. An activity of 370 MBq (10mCi) and projection acquisition interval of 20 seconds per projection were used. Attenuation (AC) and scatter corrections (SC) were performed in this study for all images. Results: The 16-2 subset-iteration combination yielded the highest CNR and defect contrast values for both cameras. The difference between CNR values for two cameras was found to be close to 5%. Conclusions: Monte Carlo simulations can be useful to investigate how quantitative image quality behaves with respect to reconstruction parameters and correction algorithms in a controlled environment. In this study, the use of different camera brands did not seem to significantly affect the lesion detectability. Further simulations with more extended range of parameters and camera brands may be conducted in the future to quantify further the variability between different brands of cameras.

This research was conducted using a survey research method to investigate the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Nigerian students' academic performances in tertiary institutions. Nigerian tertiary institutions have an estimated population of about 2.5 million students across the universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education. A sample size of 509 was used. The researchers adopted an online questionnaire (Google Form) to administer questions to respondents across Nigeria to elicit responses from the respondents bordering on their awareness and the use of AI and its attendant impacts on their academic performance. Five research objectives were raised for the proper investigation of this study. From the findings of the study, the researchers found that the majority of Nigerian students use AI and that AI has positive impacts on the educational performance of Nigerian students. It was also found that Nigerian students have training on the use of AI for educational purposes and that they are more familiar with Snapchat AI and ChatGPT. Conclusively, AI is useful to students in the sense that it enhances their knowledge of their courses, improves their learning and speaking skills, and helps them to have a quick understanding of their course by way of simplifying technical aspects of their courses. The researchers therefore recommend as follows: Nigerian tertiary institutions should formally train students as well as teachers on the use of AI for academic purposes so that they can understand the ethical implications of the use of AI. Using AI for writing could be interpreted to mean examination malpractice, and this should not be condoned in the educational sector; however, at the moment, a small number of students used AI for examinations. Albeit, the appropriate use of AI should be fully integrated into Nigerian tertiary institutions' curricula.

The ongoing dissemination of globalization and digitalization may suggest that personal relationships are becoming less crucial in the context of retail banking and financial services. In Hungary, in addition to private banking, which is associated with high income levels, personal banking also plays an important role. The objective of this study is to develop a model that can identify the factors that determine customer satisfaction and their relative importance. Furthermore, the aim is to incorporate gender and age as moderator variables to identify demographic differences in satisfaction. The analysis was conducted via a questionnaire survey in October to November 2023 employing a purposive sampling approach in a university environment, as the respondents are likely to possess the highest level of existing financial knowledge within this population. The 214 valid responses were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, with the objective of contributing to the development of theory in this field of study. The results demonstrate that perception (β = 0.519) and reliability (β = 0.253) collectively explained 51.8% of the variance in satisfaction. Moreover, the results indicate that perception accounts for 49.2% of the variance in reliability, suggesting the existence of an indirect effect on satisfaction. Therefore, the findings suggest that, despite the advent of digital banking, face to face service remains a pertinent concern in Hungary, and financial institutions should prioritize the factors that shape customer satisfaction. The study contributes to the literature and to the development of customer loyalty strategies for banks based on these findings.