Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review Some Issues of Quality Assurance, Quality Accreditation for Higher Education Institutions and Reality of Vietnam

Currently, quality assurance and quality accreditation are the very important tasks and the top concern for higher education institutions, because universities can achieve the goal to meet the needs of learners, the community and society on the educational and training quality to enhance the position of the university through quality assurance activities. Standards of quality assurance & quality accreditation are the best measurement for the level of quality education services. Quality assurance can help detect limited issues to adjust and overcome before implementing. The application of quality assurance and quality accreditation is the secret behind the success of most higher education institutions in the world and therefore the quality assurance and quality accreditation are concerned by universities in Vietnam in general and local universities in particular, especially universities in the most disadvantaged regions of Vietnam. This study discusses some of the theoretical issues of quality assurance and quality accreditation, the relationship between quality assurance and quality accreditation with the objectives, quality level and application of higher education in Vietnam, and at the same time provides some recommendations to help increase the application of quality assurance and quality accreditation in higher education institutions in Vietnam.
Antecedents and Consequences of Private label brand attitude in the Egyptian Retailers

The importance of private label brands has increased; several factors have been affecting the attitude towards private label brands. This research examines the relationship between the antecedents and consequences of private label attitude. A structural model is developed using AMOS version 22, and tested providing indications for the factors affecting the attitude towards private label brands. The results from the structural equation model explained the relationships between store image, familiarity with private label brands, price consciousness, quality consciousness, national brand loyalty and store loyalty on private label attitude. The findings revealed that six hypotheses were accepted and only one had been rejected. The results were discussed in line with the extant literature, showing that familiarity with private label brand is the most important determinant for consumers’ attitude toward private label brands. Moreover, as we expected that the attitudes towards PLB products had a positive and significant influenced on private label brand loyalty rather than the store loyalty. Research limitations and Future researches were reported. Implications of these findings on Egyptian hypermarkets and supermarkets are discussed further.
A Loan-Level Analysis of Bank Lending in Mexico

We use loan-level data from the Mexican credit registry to study how bank-specific characteristics in influence credit supply. We explore how these characteristics affect the transmission of monetary policy and their role in building banks' resilience to external shocks. Then, we compare the response of the credit supply of foreign subsidiaries to that of domestic banks. Finally, we study the impact of other micro characteristics on the credit supply and their influence on the transmission of shocks. Our results highlight the importance of banks' strong balance sheets and stable sources of funding for the provision of credit in Mexico. In general, these characteristics shelter banks from shocks.
Where the Glass Ceiling Cracks: Features of U.S. Organizations Where Women Rise to the Top

Tracking a subset of firms with 20 percent or greater representation of women in top executive roles in the year 2000, we report that these firms continue to have a higher than average percentage of women in top executive roles in 2015. Gaps in the pipeline, even at these best practice firms, suggest more needs to be done to ensure a steady flow of future women leaders. Executives at these best practice firms report that sponsorship from top leadership has been key to their high levels of women in senior roles. We discuss the implications of these findings for the progress of women in the pipeline and argue that firm-level commitments to diversity by top corporate leaders are essential for further progress.
Unravelling technology-acceptance factors influencing farmer use of banana tissue culture planting materials in Central Uganda

Effective management of plant health is fundamental for food and income security to meet the growing demands of local and global markets. This however requires farmers’ adequate access to quality planting materials under the prevailing contextual and psycho-social factors. This study, anchored in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technologies, unravels technology-acceptance factors that influence farmers’ intentions to use banana tissue culture planting materials in the control of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt. Data were collected from 248 randomly sampled banana farmers using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modelling to examine hypothesized paths in the uptake of banana tissue culture planting materials. Results show that farmer intentions to use tissue culture planting materials are dependent on two constructs: social influence and farmer innovativeness. However, social influence is the main predictor of intentions to use tissue culture planting materials. In particular, farmer innovativeness mediates facilitating conditions and social influence in predicting intentions to use tissue culture planting materials. Thus, this study reveals two factors that influence farmer intentions to use tissue culture planting materials: social influence and farmer innovativeness. The findings imply that social influence and farmer innovativeness are critical in disseminating novel agricultural technologies in Uganda and elsewhere.
Nudging Bank Account Holders Towards More Secure PIN Management

The memorability of PINs is an enduring security issue. This is especially pertinent in the context of banking, where technical systems evolve more slowly than in other contexts (e.g. many mobile phone operating systems have adopted alternative authentication mechanisms). Banking customers who struggle to memorise all their PINs often record them, sometimes insecurely, flying in the face of advice from their banks. Banks respond to memorisation difficulties by permitting customers to change their PINs. The reality is that both recording and changing unwittingly weakens the mechanism by increasing predictability. Yet trying to forbid these coping strategies is futile. It is far better to acknowledge the prevalence of such behaviours and to try to nudge people towards more secure PIN management. In this paper, we suggest a way of achieving this.
The Casual Chain of Relationship Among the Antecedents of Brand Equity in
Pakistan's Higher Education Sector

The stud aims at investigating brand equity along with its relevant determinants specifically thestudents' preferences as proposed in earlier literature then institutes of higher studies will be not onlyattract a mass number of students' but be able to serve the society in a far better manner. In addition,the objective of this study is also to examine the causal chain of a relationship among the antecedentsof brand equity like students preferences, brand meaning, students' satisfaction, trust, andcommitment with the mediating role of attachment strength in the higher education sector ofPakistan. A survey questionnaire was used for the collection of data from graduate level students ofPakistani Universities from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and GilgitBaltistan. A sample of 255 students was analyzed using SmartPLS3.2. 7. The findings of the studyrevealed that there exists a causal chain of a relationship among the constructs of the conceptualmodel. Furthermore, attachment strength fully mediates between brand meaning and therelationship factors like Students' satisfaction, and trust while partially mediates amid brand imageon student commitment. This paper is an effort to provide ample guidelines to the policymakers inthe higher education sector. Keywords: Brand Meaning, Relationship Factors, Attachment Strength, Higher Education
ENHANCING LEARNING IN MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES THROUGH INTERACTIVE VIDEO

This paper discusses the current developments in interactive video and its implications for online learning, and particularly to the new educational concept of MOOC - Massive Open Online Courses. The authors present an interactive video platform that can be easily used for generation of interactive videos. Interactivity is added to videos by temporal and spatial interactive multimedia annotations using media fragments, as well as decisions at the end of a video, via a special interface. The same interactive video platform allows the dynamic generation of a graph-type multiple path linear story, with information dependent on previous decisions and choices, similar to an educational experience where later courses depend on prerequisite information. Information depth is ensured via various types of annotations. The authors consider two main types of content annotations - basic annotations explaining fundamental concepts, and advanced annotations providing in-depth specialized information about a given topic. The dynamic of user interaction with these two types of annotations is used to determine the users level of knowledge about the course topic. All these aspects are then put in perspective against a MOOC environment, showing how interactive video can be used to enhance the learning process and to enhance the user experience. We also discuss the cost-effective means of adding value and interactivity to the video content, whether generated purposely to be interactive, or simply adding interaction to existing video content to enhance it. As a conclusion, the article proposes a theoretical and practical approach supported by existing examples, and draws future directions and guidelines for developing educational projects and applications using interactive video in a MOOC context.
Revisiting Oil Prices, Producer Price Index (PPI), and the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Nexus: China and the USA

This study examines the lead-lag effect between the Chinese and US purchasing managers? index (PMI), and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices for the period from January 2007 to April 2017 by adopting the wavelet theory model. The results show that oil prices were affected by the Chinese PMI in the long term after 2013, when China became the largest crude oil importer worldwide, bur supplies were greater than demand. In contrast, while the US PMI affected oil prices between 2008 and 2012, its dependence on foreign crude oil supplies declined, and thus its imports, afterwards. These results reveal crucial policy implications for both China and the United States. It also shows a structural change in oil prices and its role in the market between China and the United States.
Multisensor multisite integration for composite tracking of maneuvering targets

The integration of multiple sensors for target tracking has been intensely investigated in recent years. The techniques for integrating multiple sensors are complex but have the potential to provide very accurate state estimates. For most systems, each sensor provides its information to a central location where the integration is performed. This approach is typically employed for a single platform and the resulting composite track can be very accurate when compared to the individual sensor tracks. Additional platforms can also contribute their information to improve this composite track. This composite track has the potential for enhanced system decisions and to provide targeting information not otherwise available. This paper presents algorithms for the composite tracking of maneuvering targets through the use of effective multisensor-multiplatform integration and simulation results illustrating the benefits of the proposed approach.
Environmental Disclosure Practices and Stock Market Return Volatility in The Nigerian Stock Market

Volatility of stock market return is of great concern to providers of funds as it increases the uncertainty of their future wealth. Many studies have address of environmental disclosure and the Nigerian stock market but few considered the effect of environmental disclosure on the volatility in the stock market. This study investigated the combined effects of environmental pollution and control policy (EPC), energy policy (ENP), impact of biodiversity (IB), waste management cost (WMC), environmental research and development cost (ERD), cost of compliance to environmental laws (CCEL), firm size (FSZ), and firm age (FA) on stock market return volatility. The study adopted ex post facto research design. The target population for the study comprised 48 companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, under the consumer goods and industrial goods sectors, as at December 31, 2016. A sample size of 17 companies was determined using Cochran’s formula. Stratified proportionate sampling was adopted to select the number of companies studied from each stratum and samples from each stratum were purposively selected based on companies with higher total asset as at December 31, 2016. The results revealed that EPC, ENP, IB, WMC, ERD, CCEL, FSZ and FAG jointly had significant effect on Stock Market Return Volatility (SMRV). The individually ENP, IB, FSZ and FAG had significant negative effect on SMRV (β = -.053, -.131, -.026, -.006; t(253) = -2.28, -5.00, -5.82, -8.67; p < . 05); while WMC had significant positive effect on SMRV (β = .113, t(253) = 2.43. p < . 05). The study concluded that environmental disclosure practices were important factors in determining the stability of the Nigerian stock market. The study recommended that financial reporting council of Nigeria and other regulatory agencies should establish and implement environmental disclosure standards to mandate consistent disclosure of environmental information.
Modelling Risks for Physical Security Assets Development and Operation in High-Value Retailer Projects in the UAE

As the drive towards efficiency and effectiveness in infrastructure spending intensifies, the topic of WLCC (Whole Lifecycle Costing) has taken added importance, aligned with the general mandate of providing the best value for money. The domain of spending on PSA (Physical Security Assets) thereby requires assessment not just regarding the cost but also in various dimensions of risk management, to fulfill the needs and requirements of the users. In addition to that, all elements connected with the PSA need to be analyzed and assessed with a holistic cost-benefit analysis framework. The research aims at undertaking a stochastic analysis of the whole ambit of costs associated with PSA (physical security assets) from feasibility to disposal, with the aim of generating output regarding economic and non-economic indicators. This exercise would generate thus a model which can be deployed by both the private and the public sectors for making better decisions regarding PSA investments, and obtaining best value. Data collection has been done through a survey and other sources, with probabilistic distributions derived for the relevant WLCC cost centers along with validation of the same through statistical tools. Monte Carlo simulation techniques have been used to provide the users with pre-defined parameters. Various sensitivity analysis measures have been incorporated to gauge the variability through changes to crucial inputs. The proposed WLCC model would enable the users to assess the factual overall running costs of investment in PSA, along with risk management parameters, thereby facilitating investment policy implementation. As opposed to deterministic forecasts, it would enable the users to quantify the associated risks with a relative level of certainty. It would, therefore, contribute towards the more efficient use of budgets, equipping the users with statistical results to confidently make the judgment calls regarding various options of investment in PSA.
Profil Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Dalam Menyelesaikan Permasalahan Pemrograman Linear Ditinjau Dari Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis Mahasiswa

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to describe the profile of math problem solving based on mathematic communication. This research was conducted at Mathematic department IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro. Selection of subjects using a questionnaire mathematic communication is classified as high, medium, and low. Analysis of data over the troubleshooting tests, questionnaires and interviews, as well as the validity of test data using triangulation of data sources and triangulation techniques. Based on the results of the research: 1) Students who have high levels of mathematic comunication high differ in solving a mathematical problem that is at the stage of understanding the issue and re-examine the final answer, 2) Students are who have medium levels of mathematic communication having the difference in solving a mathematical problem that is at the stage of planning completion, implementation settlement plan, and phase re-examine the final answer, 3) students are who have low levels of mathematic communication having the difference in solving a mathematical problem that is at the stage of understanding the problem and students were less confident when solving problems.
Higher education institutions, private sector and government collaboration for innovation within the framework of the Triple Helix Model

This research aims at contributing to a broader comprehension of the nature of the Triple Helix Model within the National System of Innovation. The research hence undertakes an exploration and explanation of the nature of existing or absence thereof of the collaboration among higher education institutions (HEIs), the industrial sector and the government in stimulating innovation. The literature review provides a landscape of the Model, which is crucial in comprehending the relationship of Triple Helix network actors, as a basis for formulating a new framework for strengthening the Model. Therefore, this article explores the current state of the Triple Helix Model and its potential weaknesses and proposes corrective action for the legitimatization of a new framework in an authentic environment. The pragmatic research design provides the basis for undertaking a desktop literature review followed by a mixed-research approach comprising questionnaires followed by interviews. The research methodology provided an overview on the research design, types of data collected, sampling issues, and relevant and ethical considerations. This research recommends that the government’s role within the Model should be defined. The research also highlights that collaboration between HEIs and the private sector should be strengthened by applying the proposed new framework. The recommendations inter alia propose that improving research commercialization should be high on the Triple Helix policy agenda as well as the consistent re-aligning and repositioning of the Model’s strategy to meet the changing needs and patterns of network actors. However, this can only occur among knowledgeable network actors.
Definitions and Attributes of Smart Home Appliances

The status of Smart Home Appliances (SHAs) in the smart home industry has been raised as major components of a smart home. To design a good SHA, diverse stakeholders in the smart home ecosystem need to have a common understanding of smart homes and SHAs. However, the studies on what they are, especially those reflecting practitioners’ point of view, have been scarce.In this research, we conducted systematic literature reviews and practitioner interviews using the concept mapping method to identify the attributes of SHAs depending both on academia and industry. In addition, we suggest a framework of the smart home ecosystem which describes how those attributes are revealed in the relationships among SHAs, users, and external stakeholders.Since all of the interviewees are Korean SHA development professionals, the findings from this research could have been limited to the current status of the Korean SHA industry. Nonetheless, we expect that this research would contribute to building a consensus on what smart homes and SHAs are and provide the designers and developers of SHAs with systematic perspectives on smart homes.
Mathematical models provide insight into the role of interneurons in hippocampal CA1 network theta rhythm generation

Mathematical models provide insight into the role of interneurons in hippocampal CA1 network theta rhythm generation Katie A Ferguson Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Physiology University of Toronto 2015 The theta rhythm, a network rhythm oscillating between 3 − 12 Hz, is one of the most prominent clocking mechanisms detected in the mammalian brain. These rhythms are recorded in the hippocampus during exploratory behaviour and R.E. M. sleep, and are associated with episodic memory and spatial navigation (Buzsáki, 2002). A ”classic” theta model predicts that pacemaker neurons in the medial septum drive the hippocampal rhythm. However, Goutagny et al. (2009) recently showed that the hippocampal formation possesses the necessary and sufficient circuitry to generate its own theta rhythm, implying that different subregions of the hippocampus can perform separate computational tasks simultaneously. Mathematical models have been used to investigate the possibility of independent hippocampal theta generators, but in general rely on a population of pacemaking interneurons to drive the system (Wulff et al., 2009; Rotstein et al., 2005; Tort et al., 2007), a mechanism that may not be physiologically relevant (Kispersky et al., 2012). In an attempt to understand the underlying dynamics of this rhythm, a number of experimentally constrained mathematical network models are developed with a focus on the CA1 hippocampus. We first describe the development of simple models of individual CA1 parvalbuminpositive (PV+) interneurons, oriens-lacunosum-moleculare (OLM) interneurons, and pyramidal cells (PYR), as derived from an intact, whole hippocampus preparation in vitro expressing population oscillations. These single cell models are used to construct thousands of network models, and we investigate the role of these different cell types in
Applying E-learning and persuasive design : teaching new users of an online accounting tool the basics of online bookkeeping

This research study addresses the use of e-learning and persuasive technology to design an online bookkeeping training for entrepreneurs. The research takes place at Moneybird, web-based bookkeeping software with over 150.000 users. The goal of the study is to apply existing techniques of e-learning and persuasive technology in order to improve the bookkeeping proficiency of the target audience: recently signed up users of Moneybird. The developed learning environment is evaluated in two experiments: a usability test and an A/B test. The findings of the usability test were positive, resulting in several minor improvements. No critical issues were encountered. In the final experiment, the A/B test, users were randomly split in two groups. The test group was provided access to the learning environment. We hypothesized that users in the test group would be more active in the main application as a result of a better understanding of bookkeeping. However, the collected data showed this to not be the case. We theorize this is explained by the fixed amount of time new users might be willing to invest. The thesis ends with a number of recommendations for future work, emphasizing the value of qualitative research through surveys and user interviews.