Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Mediating Role of User Perception on the Relationship between Information Technology Integration and Performance of Selected Public Hospitals in Kenya

Kenya’s health sector is faced by shortage of resources, inefficiencies and ineffectiveness that deters the achievement of residents' goals of excellent health, fairness, cost effectiveness, acceptance and sustainable development. Therefore, this study analyzed the mediating effect of User Perception on the relationship between Information Technology Integration and Performance of selected Public Hospitals in Kenya. The study was anchored on Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovations Theory. The study was guided by the philosophy of positivism research. An explanatory and cross-sectional survey research design were utilized. The target population of the study included ninety-eight, public hospitals in Kenya which have integrated managed equipment services. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 294 respondents. The study used primary data collected using self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The study findings showed that user perception had a significant effect on the relationship between information technology integration and performance of public hospitals in Kenya. The study concluded that user perception mediated the relationship between information technology integration and performance. The study recommends that management of public hospitals should conduct awareness forums to enlighten users of the technologies and correct the misconceptions and wrong perceptions about technologies among the employees.
Learning to live with novelty: Implications of exotic earthworms and their interactions with seeds, mulch, and wood ash for ecological restoration

Recruitment limitation of surface-sown seeds can be a key limiting factor to restoration success and earthworms may play an underrecognized role in altering seedling recruitment through granivory and seed burial. I used the common and ecologically influential anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. and commercial grass seed mixes as model organisms in a series of experiments including: artificial burial of grass seeds at different depths to determine the sensitivity of recruitment to seed burial (Experiment 1); tracking the depth and position of seed buried by different densities of earthworms (Experiment 2); no-choice feeding trials to determine earthworm granivory preferences based on seed size category and the presence/absence of a water-absorbent seed coating (Experiment 3); germination experiments to determine the effects of earthworm ingestion-egestion on seed germination (Experiment 4); monitoring initial recruitment from seed mixes with different seed coatings (uncoated or coated) in the presence or absence of earthworms (Experiment 5); and field exclosures that controlled the access of earthworms and other granivores (e.g., birds, rodents) to determine the interactive effects of different taxa on seedling recruitment (Experiment 6). Earthworms reduced initial seedling recruitment by burying seed too deeply to germinate and reach the surface. Shallowly buried seed that could still germinate was spatially aggregated. Earthworms reduced recruitment from both seed mixes but caused stronger reductions for the mix with the preferred waterabsorbent seed coating. Earthworms also reduced seedling recruitment under field conditions, but their effects were only detectable when other granivores were excluded. Modifying seed mix composition on a case-by-case basis to take advantage of or compensate for earthworm seed preferences could help improve the efficiency of seed use in soils with abundant earthworm
Higher Education Financing Policy: Mechanisms and Effects

Over the past decades, there has seen a significant and consistent worldwide reform agenda for higher education financing policy. This paper is to analyze factors that keep driving these reform; to identify the reasons why governments and higher education keep searching for funding alternatives; to show the relationship among funding sources and paths; to discuss funding mechanisms and models adopted by some Asian and Western countries; and to discuss the effects of funding policy on student access, institute autonomy, competition, stability of institutes, quality and performance of education, responsiveness to market demands and fiscal burden.
Producers’ and consumers’ perceived benefits and barriers to the use of food assistance vouchers at farmers’ markets

This study explored perceived benefits and barriers to the use and acceptance of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) farmers’ market coupons by WIC participants and farmers’ market vendors. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used as a theoretical model to examine attitude, behavior control, and subjective norm as a prediction of intention to use WIC farmers’ market coupons. Questionnaires were used to identify perceived benefits and barriers of WIC participants to the use of WIC farmers’ market coupons and farmers’ market vendors to accepting WIC farmers’ market coupons. The WIC participant questionnaire was distributed in three county WIC offices in Illinois. The farmers’ market vendor questionnaire was distributed by farmers’ market directors to produce vendors from four farmers’ markets in the Midwest. Analysis was conducted on 333 usable WIC participant questionnaires. Of the participants, 58.3% indicated they received WIC farmers’ market benefits in 2017 and 76.1% indicated they would use WIC farmers’ market benefits in 2018 if they received them. Of the WIC participant respondents, 87.1% identified offering their family fresh fruits and vegetables as a perceived benefit to using farmers’ market WIC coupons. Analysis was conducted on 29 usable farmers’ market vendor questionnaires. Reponses indicated 65.5% of vendors accepted WIC farmers’ market coupons in 2017 and 90.9% of vendors plan to accept WIC farmers’ market coupons in 2018. A single benefit and multiple barriers were significantly different among the three counties included in the study. Regression analysis showed benefits [t (325) = 4.423, p < . 001] statistically significantly predicted intention to use WIC farmers’ market coupons and barriers [t (325) = -4.010, p < . 001] statistically significantly inversely predicted intention to use WIC farmers’ market coupons. Regression analysis indicated attitude [t (328) = 17.007, p < . 001], xi subjective norm [t (328) = 4.985, p < . 001], and behavior control [t (328) = 6.064, p < . 001] statistically significantly predicted intention to use WIC farmers’ market coupons. Research implications are discussed. Limitations and recommendations for further research are provided.
The effects of business model regulation on the value relevance of traditional performance measures. Some evidence from UK companies

The first case in the world of a mandatory requirement to disclose business model (BM) in the annual report is represented by Companies Act 2013 issued in the UK. The BM offers a simplified representation of a company's key resources and of how these are combined to create value. For this reason, a systematic communication of BM should affect the way a company's book value and its capability to generate earnings are perceived. The purpose of this work is to investigate the impact of mandatory BM disclosure on the value relevance of traditional financial measures. Focusing on a sample of UK listed companies over a six-year period, Ohlson model is utilized to assess the value relevance of book value and net income and their interactions with a dummy variable that accounts for the introduction of mandatory disclosure of BM. In line with previous studies on non-financial disclosure regulations, results show that the introduction of the mandatory requirement to disclose BM has a negative moderating effect on book value of equity and a positive moderating effect on net income. As this is the first study to investigate the effects of a mandatory BM disclosure regime, it could be of interest for both academics and standard-setters.
Exploring factors influencing on students’ intention on institutional persistence

Article history: Received: June 3 2019 Received in revised format: July 9 2019 Accepted: July 17, 2019 Available online: July 17, 2019 Higher education always draws mounting concerns from students who are about to seek for reliable institution to study further after graduating from high school. Since the days of increasing establishment of a variety of universities, students have many choices to consider. Noticeably, the number of universities using foreign curriculum is on a progressive rise, creating an upward trend for students who desire to study in an international environment in Vietnam. More money saving than studying abroad and living near family are of common triggers attributed for the strong appeal of this trend. Nonetheless, regardless of its advantages, the challenges in terms of language, culture, or curriculum when studying in those universities are posing an inquiry about the rate of student retention. Finally, limitations and mistakes are definitely inevitable in this study. Subsequent studies concerning about this issue are wished to have better performance. May this paper be a source of reference for those interested. © 2019 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada
Application of Logistic Regression Model on Imbalanced Data in Personal Bankruptcy Prediction

This paper examines the usefulness of logistic regression in forecasting the consumer bankruptcy using an imbalanced dataset. It aims to build statistical models that help identify consumers in difficult financial situations that may lead to personal bankruptcy. With the current global pandemic crisis, the future of household finances is uncertain. The change in macroeconomic and microeconomic situation of households requires better and more precise methods. Data Mining (DM) can help to improve a consumer's financial well-being by identifying the main causes of personal bankruptcy, as well as predicting their incidence in the future. This study adopted the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) framework, based on samples from the Debt Management Program (DMP) conducted in Malaysia. The results show that the predictive performance of the logistic regression model based on a balanced sample is more effective compared to the one based on an original (imbalanced) sample. Furthermore, race, educational level, employment sector, personal loan, study loan, microfinance and total outstanding balance appear to be the key determinants of personal bankruptcy. These may increase the risk of bankruptcy for individuals in financial distress.
ANALISIS PENGARUH HARGA, PENDAPATAN, LOKASI, DAN FASILITAS TERHADAP PERMINTAAN RUMAH SUBSIDI

The nature of housing or residence does not only cover the house from the physical side of the building, but also covers all the supporting facilities both inside and outside. This study aims to analyze and find empirical evidence of the effect of prices, income, location, and facilities on the demand for housing houses of subsidies TAMBORA Lamongan The population used in this study was the Head of the Family (KK) who occupied a house of subsidies in Planet Green Housing TAMBORA Lamongan as many as 485 households. While the sample used in this research is 100 respondents The method used more precisely is to use Simple Random Sample. Using Multiple Regression Analysis Based on the results of the analysis, it shows that prices, revenues, location, and facilities influence the demand for houses on Planet Green TAMBORA. From the testing of the coefficient of determination, it is known that 77.2% of the variation that occurs in the home demand variable by customers is influenced by variables of price, income, location, and facilities. While the remaining 22.8% is influenced by other factors. Based on the results of this study, it was found that the facility factor had a significant influence on the demand for houses on Planet Green TAMBORA. It can be seen from the level of coefficients that affect the demand for housing facilities at 0.249; location of 0.231; income of 0.195; and the price is equal to 0.149.
Shortchanging complexity: Discourse, distortions, and diversity policy in the age of neoliberalism

With this paper we explore the practical materialization of select diversity policies in the United States via an analysis of their implementation at different institutional levels. Specifically, using a cultural studies framework that is guided by Stuart Hall’s (1993) concept of distortions, we investigate how discursive conceptualizations of diversity have been translated into educational policy at the federal and state levels. We contend that the complexity of diversity is often inconsistent with existing neoliberal reform trends that embrace standardization and accountability, making meaningful practical applications exponentially more challenging (Manna, 2011; Wong, 2008). Finally, we look to how these analyses might inform future iterations of diversity policy in a time where rapid changes in education policy and characteristically partisan political agendas have become the norm.
Tackling Open Defecation and Improved Sanitation in Developing Countries: A Toilet Talk from the State of Bihar, India

Open defecation is a major blot on India’s overall reputation as an emerging economy as it still remains stubbornly widespread across rural India. The present paper outlines the economic and psychological aspects of toilets construction and their sustainable usage in two districts of the state of Biharviz. Gopalganj& Bhagalpur. Bihar’s performance is not up to the mark with respect to the sanitation figures among other states of India. It was found that households owning a government constructed latrine,still defecate in the open. Study evidences support a preference for open defecation; many survey respondents reported that open defecation was more comfortable and desirable than latrine use. Old people prefer going outside as they are used to this routineand do not mind defecating in the open for the rest of their lives.The study was conducted with an objective to better understand and assess the issues and strategies of behavioural change, policies present in the system and suggesting suitable recommendations to address the issue of sustenance of open defecation free status in the state.
RFID-based Respiration Monitoring using Temperature Sensing

Abnormal breathing can be a symptom of unhealthy status, but conventional diagnostic exams involve cumbersome and intrusive instrumentation. Wireless wearable technologies may hence provide an attractive alternative, but state-of-the-art solutions are generally bulky, include complex electronics, and require a local power source to communicate by using a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) interface. Epidermal battery-less devices enabled by Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology are instead gaining increasing interest. Indeed, data sensing and transmission become fully wireless, and the electronic complexity can be kept small thanks to new generation RFID Integrated Circuits (ICs) that are provided with built-in sensors. In particular, this paper will focus on the latest advancements in the field of RFID breath sensor-devices that wirelessly monitor respiration by measuring the temperature gradients of the air flowing through the airways. The main innovations span from improvements in the lightweight design of the devices and materials, the enhancement of the sensing capabilities by doubling the embedded sensors on the same device, and, most importantly, the thorough experimentation performed to assess the clinical meaningfulness of temperature breathing waveforms with respect to conventional clinical-grade flow-based methods.
Bank Failure Model for Asian Financial Crisis and Subprime Mortgage Crisis : A Comparison

This paper is to examine the determinants of bank failure/merger timing in 10 East Asian countries during 1999-2007, using a multivariate logit model and a split population duration analysis, as well as 6 North American & West European countries during July 2008-September 2009. It shows that capital adequacy, asset quality, earnings, sensitivity to market risk and private sector credit/GDP ratio significantly affected the financial institutions failure probability during both crises. The deposit growth and the liquidity had weekly significant effect on due to the government bailouts and the unconventional Quantity Easing (QE) Monetary Policies during the Global Financial Crisis. However, liquidity and asset scale variables are two important factors to lower the failure probability during the Asian Financial Crisis.
Sentiment Analysis for Chinese Dataset with Tsetlin Machine

With the increasing popularity of deep learning, researchers and practitioners seem to prefer deep neural networks (DNN) in Natural Language Processing (NLP) owing to the superior performance compared with classical machine learning techniques. However, the black box nature of deep learning poses transparency and explainability barriers and reduces their trustworthiness. Recently, a newly mentioned model, Tsetlin Machine (TM), offered reliable performance and human-level interpretability in many natural language processing (NLP) tasks. However, the related work is concentrated on English language, while the research on Chinese datasets is still open. In this paper, we employ the TM model for sentiment analysis for Chinese datasets, where the learning process is transparent and easily-understandable. More specifically, the clauses of TM make it capable of learning semantic information of Chinese vocabulary. Experiment results have shown that TM can provide similar or even higher accuracy and F1 score than more complex but non-transparent deep learning models.
Manipulation of Single DNA Molecules through Nano-fludic Devices: Simulation and Theory

Yanqian Wang: Manipulation of Single DNA Molecules through Nano-fludic Devices: Simulation and Theory (Under the direction of Michael Rubinstein) Nanofludic platforms such as solid-state nanopores and nanochannels enable the manipulation of DNA molecules and have the potential to be a low-cost and high-efficiency DNA sequencing device. DNA nanopore translocation is a process where DNA moves from one chamber to another through a nanopore. To get into the pore, the molecule entropy decreases and free energy increases. In order to thread the DNA throughout the pore, an electric bias is applied to overcome the entropic energy barrier. The occupation of DNA impedes the ion transport and creates a blockage current of which the amplitude and duration provide the information on the DNA sequence since different bases (or base pairs) can be discriminated through different magnitude of blockage. Mining DNA sequence from the electric current profile requires an accurate knowledge of the passage time of a given base along the molecule. Our model assumes that the translocation process at high fields proceeds too fast for the chain to relax, and thus the distribution of translocation times of a given monomer are controlled by the initial conformation of the chain (the distribution of its loops). The model predicts the translocation time distribution is determined by the distribution of initial conformation as well as by the thermal fluctuations to the conformation during the translocation process. Narrow nanochannels require high threshold electric fields to achieve DNA translocation, leading to short dwell times of DNA in these channels. Nano-funnels integrated with nano-channels reduce the free energy barrier and lower the threshold electric field required for DNA translocation. A focused electric field within the funnel increases the electric force on the DNA, compresses the molecule, and increases the osmotic pressure at the nano-channel entrance which facilitates the entry at lower electric fields. Besides controlling the speed of the molecule’s movement, appropriately designed nano-funnels such as parabolic shaped ones can also function as tweezers that allow the trapping and stable control of the position of the DNA molecule. A combination of a series of nano-funnels devices enable a wider range of location and speed manipulation and can assist genome mapping and sequencing when equipped with base detector.
The Impact of Total Hip Replacement

THE IMPACT OF TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT ON QUALITY OF LIFE A REPLICATION By Teri L. Holwerda This descriptive, correlational study replicated an investigation by Selman (1989) exploring the effects of Total Hip Replacement (THR) on quality of life to identify adaptation level in the four effector modes of Roy's Adaptation Model: physiologic function, self-concept, role function and interdependence. The convenience sample consisted of 43 subjects with a mean age of 67 electing to undergo primary THR at one 410-bed midwestern medical center July, 1994 through December, 1994. Subjects were tested prior to undergoing THR and four months postoperatively. The instrument used was the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS) an arthritis-specific, self-administered questionnaire. Analysis of data revealed a significant improvement postoperatively in the self-concept, physiologic function and role function subscales, which was consistent with the original study. There was also significant postoperative improvement in pain and arthritis activity scores. Married subjects reported significantly greater improvement on the arthritis visual analog scale than subjects without spouses.
Determinant Factors of Farmers’ Performance Regarding Fertilizer Application: An Overview from Bangladesh

Aims: Farmers of Bangladesh use a less amount of urea fertilizer compared to the nutrient requirement and soil fertility status. Hence, a significant gap between actual and recommended doses of fertilizers used by farmers have been reported in many instances. Therefore, this study assessed farmers’ performance towards fertilizer application, and explored the contribution of selected characteristics on that performance. Study Design: This study employed a cross-sectional survey method using a correlational and descriptive research design. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in twenty-one villages of Gaibandha district in Bangladesh during 17 July, 2017 to 20 September, 2017. Methodology: A total of 355 farmers were selected as sample using multistage random sampling. Data, collected using structured questionnaire, were subjected to descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression for describing the level of selected variables, their relationships and their contributions on farmers’ performance, respectively. Results: Most (45.9%) of the farmers had high level of performance regarding fertilizer application. Farmers’ age, household size, educational level, farm size, training received, extension media contact, knowledge and attitudes of farmers had positive and significant relationship with their fertilizer application performance. Regression model explained 45.3% of variance of farmers’ performance where age, household size, farm size, training received, extension media contact, knowledge and attitudes of farmers were found significant predictors of farmers’ fertilizer application performance. Knowledge was found to be the most contributing factor followed by age and training received. Conclusion: The study concludes with recommendations that are expected to improving fertilizers application scenario of Bangladesh.