Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the effectiveness of prodira policy on improving human development index at Province of Gorontalo

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of an education program for the local people policy - Program Pendidikan untuk Rakyat (PRODIRA) in the improvement of Human Development Index (HDI) in the Province of Gorontalo. Through PRODIRA the local government has already issued the regional budget (APBD), which the impact of the budget allocation will be measured by the HDI. The research approach employed a qualitative method of semi-structured interview, observation, and focus group discussion on key informants, which involved in compilation and implementation of the PRODIRA in Gorontalo Province. The study result showed that the PRODIRA provided acceleration on educational equity for the population aged 16-18 years, which enrolled at the level of secondary education. PRODIRA has also significantly impact in increasing the Human Development Index of Gorontalo Province during 2012-2016, that it proved by the increasing the literacy rate from 95% to 99.81%, the average number of school years from 8 years to 12.88 years. The result also revealed that the PRODIRA is able to reduce levies in some schools and it increase acceleration of all education services to school age 16-18 years through accelerated national education service. The research recommended that the central government needs to encourage local governments to innovate in developing the PRODIRA in order to achieve the target of to ards the nation of Indonesia is independent and highly competitive in 2025.
The relationship between macroeconomic variables and foreign exchange rate: evidence from a sample of emerging (Brazil & South Africa) and advanced (Germany & the United Kingdom) economies

This study tries to determine the long-run relationship between macroeconomic variables such as interest rates, inflation, money supply, productivities, trade balances and exchange rate of Brazil, South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The study uses monthly data from January 1999 to December 2016. I use co-integration methods and Granger causality tests to examine the impact of the macroeconomic indicators on the exchange rate in the long-run. I find that in the long-run the differentials for interest rates, inflation, money supply, and trade balance have a significant adverse effect and the productivity differential has a significant positive impact on the Real/Dollar rate for Brazil. The study also reveals a significant negative relationship between money supply differential and the Rand/Dollar rate for South Africa, while trade balance has a significant positive effect on the Rand/Dollar exchange rate in the long-run. I find that trade balance has a negative significant impact on the Euro/Dollar in the long-run for Germany. In the long-run differentials for inflation and productivity have a significant negative impact, but differentials for the interest rates, money supply, and trade balance have a significant positive effect on the Pound/Dollar for the United Kingdom. Lastly, I find that the differentials for interest rates for Brazil and money supply for South Africa, significantly help to predict the future level of their exchange rates in the short-run. However, I do not find any evidence of a short-run relationship between the selected macroeconomic variables and the exchange rates for both Germany and the United Kingdom.
Algorithms for Analyzing Spatio-Temporal Data

In today’s age, huge data sets are becoming ubiquitous. In addition to their size, most of these data sets are often noisy, have outliers, and are incomplete. Hence, analyzing such data is challenging. We look at applying geometric techniques to tackle some of these challenges, with an emphasis on designing provably efficient algorithms. Our work takes two broad approaches – distributed algorithms, and concise descriptors for big data sets. With the massive amounts of data available today, it is common to store and process data using multiple machines. Parallel programming frameworks such as MapReduce and its variants are becoming popular for handling such large data. We present the first provably efficient algorithms to compute, store, and query data structures for range queries and approximate nearest neighbor queries in a popular parallel computing abstraction that captures the salient features of MapReduce and other massively parallel communication (MPC) models. Our algorithms are competitive in terms of running time and workload to their classical counterparts. We propose parallel algorithms in the MPC model for processing large terrain elevation data (represented as a 3D point cloud) that are too big to fit on one machine. In particular, we present a simple randomized algorithm to compute the Delaunay triangulation of the xy-projections of the input points. Next we describe an efficient algorithm to compute the contour tree (a topological descriptor that succinctly encodes the contours of a terrain) of the resulting triangulated terrain. We then look at comparing real-valued functions, by computing a distance function between their merge trees (a small-sized descriptor that succinctly captures the sublevel sets of a function). Merge trees are robust to noise in the data, and can be used effectively as proxies for the data sets themselves in some cases. We also use it give an algorithm to compute the Gromov-Hausdorff distance, a natural way to measure distance between two metric spaces. We give the first proof of hardness and the first non-trivial approximation algorithm for computing the Gromov-Hausdorff distance between metric spaces defined on trees, where the distance between two points is given by the length of the unique path between them in the tree. Finally we look at the problem of capturing shared portions between large number of input trajectories. We formulate it as a subtrajectory clustering problem the clustering of subsequences of trajectories. We propose a new model for clustering subtrajectories. Each cluster of subtrajectories is represented as a pathlet, a sequence
Do Food Image and Food Neophobia Affect Tourist Intention to Visit a Destination? The Case of Australia

This study examines the predictive power of cognitive and affective food image components on potential tourists’ behavioral intention. Using Chinese tourists’ perception of Australia as the context, the study adopted a multi-method approach incorporating desktop research, surveys of food tourism stakeholders, and quantitative testing of a model using survey data. Results confirmed that (1) cognitive food image is a formative construct, (2) cognitive food image is a stronger predictor of intention than affective image, and (3) the moderating effect of food neophobia highlights the need for a destination image-building strategy to be sensitive to tourists’ food-related personality traits. Study findings validate a structural model that integrates theories regarding food image and food neophobia to explain destination food image formation. Results also offer a comprehensive formative measurement model of cognitive food image for future research.
CEO Overconfidence, Real Earnings Management, and Future Performance: Evidence from Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to examine whether an overconfident CEO affects real earnings management and indirectly affects future performance. An overconfident CEO is measured using three metrics to obtain robust results. The sample utilized contains data from manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian stock exchange on from 2014 to 2016. The results of this study show that an overconfident CEO has no effect on real earnings management. The other results of this study also indicate that an overconfident CEO and real earnings management have a negative effect on future company performance. However, the results of testing in this study indicate that there is no mediating relationship between an overconfident CEO and future operational performance of a company through real earnings management. Keywords—overconfident CEO; CEO overconfidence; real earnings management; future performance
Men on the move and the wives left behind: the impact of migration on family planning in Nepal

Abstract Nepali migration is longstanding, and increased from 2.3% of the total population in 2001 to 7.2% in 2011. The estimated 1.92 million migrants are predominantly men. Consequently, 32% of married women have husbands working abroad. Social structures are complicated as many married women live with their in-laws who typically assume decision-making power, including access to health services. This study compares access to reproductive health services, fertility awareness, and decision-making power among a sample of married women aged 15–24 years (n = 1123) with migrant husbands (n = 485), and with resident husbands (n = 638). Predictably, women with migrant husbands had significantly lower contraceptive use than other married women (9.3% vs 30.3%, respectively), and expressed a higher intention to become pregnant in the next year. Despite their intentions, women with migrant husbands scored lower on a fertility awareness index, were less likely to discuss pregnancy planning with their spouse, and less likely to describe their relationships positively. Decision-making for both groups of married women was dominated by both husbands and in-laws in different ways. Yet, across multiple normative scales, fewer women with migrant husbands felt pressure to conform to existing social norms. Married women with migrant husbands reflect a subset of women, with unique fertility issues and desires. Interventions that increase knowledge of fertility among this subset of women, promote healthy preconception behaviours. Linking women for counselling opportunities throughout the pre and postnatal periods may help improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
Performance implications of store format diversification for international retailers

Abstract International retailers face formidable tasks in trying to replicate, or improve upon, their home country success abroad. Their market-seeking efforts sometimes require strategic diversifications of their store format portfolios capable of serving customers in different host countries. In this study, we examine whether the degree of store format diversification helps improve the performance of international retailers. We also assess the possible moderating effects of three factors—internationalization speed, political distance, and cultural distance—on this relationship. Utilizing 2001–2015 panel data for 19 retailers originating from several home countries and operating in multiple host countries, we employ a fixed effects model to examine the hypothesized relationships. Our results show that the performance of international retailers is influenced negatively by store format diversification. This relationship is moderated by internationalization speed and political distance, but not by cultural distance.
Survey of International Clinical Education in Physical Therapist Education

Background and Purpose. International opportunities, including international clinical education (ICE), appear to be increasingly offered in the education of physical therapist students. ICE encompasses experiences designed primarily for student learning at a site outside of the country where the physical therapist program is located. Little research exists regarding the use of ICE in physical therapist education. The specific purposes of this study were to (1) explore potential program differences between those with and without ICE; (2) discover the current use, locations, and durations of ICE opportunities; (3) gather general information about ICE models, including their development, implementation, and evaluation; and (4) examine faculty perceptions of barriers and benefits regarding ICE. Subjects. The participants were directors of clinical education/academic coordinators of clinical education (DCEs/ACCEs) from US‐based physical therapist education programs (n = 110). Methods. Direct mailing and listserv postings were used to recruit participants who then completed an Internet‐based survey. Results. Of the 110 respondents, 40.9% reported that they offered ICE. Of those programs that did not offer ICE, 18.8% (12 out of 64) planned to develop such opportunities in the subsequent 2 years. Most ICE programs were 6 to 8 weeks in length, and were located in high‐, upper‐, or middle‐income countries. The majority of ICE opportunities were in outpatient and hospital settings, and most clinical instructors were non‐US citizens whose education was commensurate with US‐level training. Commonly perceived barriers to ICE included expense, lack of faculty time and knowledge, and difficulty with site coordination. Perceived benefits were positive impact on cross‐cultural competency, student personal development, and global awareness. Discussion and Conclusion. This study was the first to explore the broad use of ICE in US‐based physical therapist education programs. Further research and professional dialogue are warranted to explore its present use and perhaps shape the future application of ICE.
The role of self-direction in Australian sonographers' professional development

Most sonographers are in favour of professional development; however, in the presence of deterrents and de-motivators, the utilisation of self-direction in their learning may be adversely affected. The mandatory input only nature of CPD and the large number of activities presented to sonographers may also prevent full utilisation of self-direction.
Role of the lineage gene Phox2B in neuroblastoma development.

Amplification of the oncogene MYCN is a tumorigenic event in the development of a subset of neuroblastomas that commonly consist of undifferentiated or poorly differentiated neuroblasts with unfavorable clinical outcome. The cellular origin of the neuroblasts is unknown. Also, the cellular functions and target cells of MYCN in neuroblastoma development remain to be defined. Here we examine the cell types that drive neuroblastoma development in TH-MYCN transgenic mice, an animal model of the human disease. Neuroblastoma development in the mice begins with hyperplastic lesions in early postnatal sympathetic ganglia. We show that both hyperplasia and primary tumors are composed predominantly of highly proliferative Phox2B neuronal progenitors. MYCN induces the expansion of Phox2B progenitors by promoting their proliferation and by preventing their differentiation. We further identify a minor population of undifferentiated nestin cells in both hyperplastic lesions and primary tumors that may serve as precursors of Phox2B neuronal progenitors. These findings establish the identity of neuroblasts that characterize the tumor phenotype and suggest a cellular pathway for MYCN to promote neuroblastoma development.
Do Trust and Culture Matter for Public Service Motivation Development? Evidence From Public Sector Employees in Korea

Ethical values and performance have gained importance in the Korean public sector because of the new public management wave and social issues such as corruption. This study examines how the effects of types of organizational culture, such as performance-driven culture and ethics-driven culture, serve as the antecedents of public service motivation (PSM) among central government agencies, public enterprises, and executive agencies in Korea. Furthermore, it investigates how trust in top management affects PSM and how organizational culture moderates this relationship. A survey of 1,216 Korean public employees and seven focus group interviews show that trust in management strongly predicts PSM. Performance-driven culture is positively and significantly associated with norm-based PSM and affective PSM, and ethics-driven culture predicts rational PSM. The moderating effects of organizational culture differ by PSM dimension.
A study in retail sales person effectiveness

Strategic Management theory suggests the importance behavioural alignment of organisational actors with organisational objectives (Robbins, 1998, Hellriegel, et al . 2001). This study utilises Kelly’s Personal Construct theory to examine the similarity of constructs held by four groups of actors in a retailing operation, regional managers, store manageress, sales personnel and customers. The study also compares constructs in appropriate company documentation. The results suggest a lack of similarity between the groups and the groups with Company documentation, it is argued that this lack of alignment would have detrimental effects for the organisation.
Effect of carrier confinement on exchange coupling in dilute magnetic semiconductors with self-organized nanocolumns

The ``carrier-confinement'' model for phase-separated dilute magnetic semiconductors is proposed, in which the carrier scattering by ferromagnetic strings embedded into a semiconductor host leads to the appearance of quasi-one-dimensional spin-polarized states inside the energy gap of the three-dimensional spectrum. Quasiparticle excitations from these states to the band edge mediate an efficient interstring exchange even in the absence of free carriers in the host. The related exchange integral can switch between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic with varying both the interstring distance and the filling of the quasi-one-dimensional spin-polarized states. We discuss the applicability of our model for the description of the magnetic behavior of the array of Mn-rich nanocolumns inserted into a Mn-depleted host in phase-separated (Ge,Si):Mn alloys.
Organizational Justice a New Theoratical Perspective: A Study from Private Higher Educational Institutions of Pakistan

This study was based on human resource management (HRM) and performance linkages, and reviewed existing available HRM-Performance perspectives to identify an alternate perspective for HRM. The most suitable option in literature was organizational justice (OJ) and its major dimensions. The objective of this study was to identify the missing theories of OJ, which if included would further substantiate OJ and its major dimensions. Census method was used to collect data from faculty members and their respective head of department of private higher educational institutions operated in Pakistan. A 5-point Likert scale was used which provided data from both types of respondents. A total of 966 questionnaires were distributed amongst the faculty members and their respective head of department. Out of 966 questionnaires, 588 successful questionnaires were returned with a response rate of 60 percent. The reliability of measures were evaluated through Cronbach’s alphas; while, the validity were evaluated through expert opinion along with confirmatory factor analysis. One sample t-test and simultaneous equation models (three path mediated model) were used for testing of our eight hypotheses. The results reflect that the well identified missing theories in existing OJ scales include: external equity, equality, need, due process model, interaction with colleagues, interaction with top management, and upward communication. Further, majority of experts opinion on missing theories (our proposed additions) have appeared on positive side, that is, they were more inclined toward agreed side than disagreed. Moreover, the first five econometric models (4.1-4.5) used for testing of hypotheses, one each for each of the OJ dimension have been significant on the basis of F-value. Additionally, majority of our proposed additions and existing sub-dimensions turn out to be significant, in the first five econometric models. Similarly, the last four econometric models (4.6-4.9) used to test the mediating mechanism of overall justice and employees’ job satisfaction have also been found significant on the basis of F-value. The mediated effect of overall justice, and employees’ job satisfaction were also found statistically significant. Finally, the
The long-term effects of take-overs on the South African economy

Acquiring companies prefer growth through acquisitions and mergers rather than growth by direct investment in manufacturing resources. A justification for the large number of take-overs is the belief that abnormal gains are to be obtained so. There is substantial empirical evidence showing this untrue. Take-overs contribute immediate short-term gains, and are preferred to internal expansion where the benefits accrue over the long-term. Managers are usually evaluated on short-term performance criteria and therefore they have a bias for take-overs. Several investigators have studied the decline of the United States economy and the corresponding rise of Japan as industrial leader. The unrestrained take-over activity has been the chief reason for the decline of many industries in the United States. Acquiring companies have contributed to their own downfall by not investing sufficiently in up-to-date manufacturing resources. Take-overs lead to economic decline caused by lower productivity of acquired resources. South African companies are showing a strong preference for growth through take-overs. With the take-over process many local industries have come under the control of a few large conglomerates. South African acquiring companies could benefit by following the Japanese example of direct investments in technologically up-to-date manufacturing resources. More direct investment in manufacturing resources will lead to a more vigorous free-enterprise system and will raise the productivity of local industries. A more stringent Competition Act is necessary if South Africa is to avoid the harm to the economy caused by unrestrained take-over activity.
Psychosocial factors at work, musculoskeletal disorders, and the implementation of guidelines principles.

The burden placed on society as a result of musculoskeletal disorders is substantial, requiring effective management especially in an occupational context. Recent occupational health guidelines recommend addressing potentially detrimental psychosocial factors in the management of workers sick-listed with musculoskeletal disorders, but the specific influence on absence from occupational, as well as clinical, psychosocial risk factors (termed 'blue' and 'yellow' flags) remains ill understood. In addition, the related principles of contemporary occupational health guidelines recommendations, seeking to reduce return-to-work times and improve work retention, have not been formally tested. A four-year study was carried out in two phases: Phase 1 comprised a workforce survey of a large multi-site company in the UK (n=7,838). Data on clinical and occupational psychosocial factors were collected, along with data on self-reported symptoms. Absence data were collected, both retrospectively and prospectively. Phase 2 was a quasi-experimental, controlled trial of an occupational guidelines-based intervention for workers with musculoskeletal disorders. Occupational health advisors delivered the experimental intervention over a 12-month period at two sites (n=1,435), with three matched sites acting as controls, delivering management as usual (n=1,483). Absence data were collected for both experimental and control sites over a 12-month follow up period, and psychosocial data were collected from the experimental sites at baseline and follow-up. The results confirmed an association between the psychosocial work environment and musculoskeletal disorders. Psychosocial risk factors (blue and yellow flags) predicted the likelihood of future absence, but not its duration; routine psychosocial screening to predict return-to-work does not appear to be feasible. Organisational obstacles (black flags) were identified that compromised the experimental intervention, and this precluded reliable conclusions regarding the effects of its specific components. Nevertheless, from a pragmatic perspective, implementation of certain guidelines principles (generating a supportive network with 'all players onside') was a successful strategy for reducing absence due to musculoskeleta'l disorders.