Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rethinking Dropout in Online Higher Education: The Case of the Universitat Oberta De Catalunya.

In recent years, several studies have been carried out into the reasons why students drop out of online higher education, following the rise in the relative weight of this form of education. However, more effort has gone into analyzing the causes of this phenomenon than into trying to characterize students who drop out, that is defining what a dropout student is. But obtaining a proper definition of dropout is just as important as describing its causes. It also appears that the definition of dropout is very sensitive to context. As one of the main findings of this article, we reach a pure empirical definition, at a programme level, of students who drop out of an online higher education context with non-mandatory enrollment. This definition is based on the probability of students not continuing a specific academic programme following several consecutive semesters of “theoretical break”, and is highly adaptable to institutions offering distance education with no permanence requirements, that is ones offering the possibility of taking breaks. Our findings show that there are differences regarding the number of consecutive semesters that define dropout depending on whether the programme requires previous experience or not. Additionally, we observe significant differences in the dropout rate between specific programmes, as well as a higher level of dropout in the first semesters. Analyzing the reasons behind these facts should help higher education institutions to make more sound and efficient decisions.
Elliptic curve cryptography: Generation and validation of domain parameters in binary Galois Fields

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is an increasingly popular method for securing many forms of data and communication via public key encryption. The algorithm utilizes key parameters, referred to as the domain parameters. These parameters must adhere to specific characteristics in order to be valid for use in the algorithm. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), in ANSI X9.62, provides the process for generating and validating these parameters. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has identified fifteen sets of parameters; five for prime fields, five for binary fields, and five for Koblitz curves. The parameter generation and validation processes have several key issues. The first is the fast reduction within the proper modulus. The modulus chosen is an irreducible polynomial having degree greater than 160. Choosing irreducible polynomials of a particular order is less critical since they have isomorphic properties, mathematically. However, since there are differences in performance, there are standards that determine the specific polynomials chosen. The NIST standards are also based on word lengths of 32 bits. Processor architecture, primality, and validation of irreducibility are other important characteristics. The area of ECC that is researched is the generation and validation processes, as they are specified for binary Galois Fields F (2). The rationale for the parameters, as computed for 32 bit and 64 bit computer architectures, and the algorithms used for implementation, as specified by ANSI, NIST and others, are examined. The methods for fast reduction are also examined as a baseline for understanding these parameters. Another aspect of the research is to determine a set of parameters beyond the 571-bit length that meet the necessary criteria as determined by the standards.
Developing a Protocol for Creating Microfluidic Devices with a 3D Printer

Microfluidics devices have high importance in fields such as bioanalysis because these devices have the ability to manipulate small volumes of fluid, typically ranging from microliters to picoliters. Small samples of fluids can be quickly and easily tested using reactions performed with complex microfluidic devices. Many methods have been previously developed to create these devices, including traditional nanolithography techniques borrowed from the field of microelectronics. However, these traditional techniques are cost-prohibitive for many small-scale laboratories. This research explores a relatively low-cost technique using a 3D printed master, which is used as a template for the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices. The masters are designed using computer aided design (CAD) software and can be printed and modified relatively quickly. We have developed a protocol for creating simple microfluidic devices using a 3D printer and PDMS adhered to glass. We have also explored methods to overcome the size-limits of the 3D-printed master templates by using shrinkable polymers and modified channel geometries to create a flow-focusing channel. This relatively simple and lower-cost technique can now be scaled to more complicated device designs and
On the symmetric K-user linear deterministic interference channels with limited feedback

In this paper, we give an achievable scheme for a symmetric K-user linear deterministic interference channel with a rate-limited feedback from each receiver to its respective transmitter. For this model, the proposed scheme achieves a symmetric rate which is the minimum of symmetric capacity with infinite feedback, and the sum of the symmetric capacity without feedback and the symmetric amount of feedback.
Effect of 7 and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Different Number of Doses for Pneumonia Control in 2008 and 2010 Birth Cohort Children

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced in Uruguay in March 2008. In April 2010, it was replaced by PCV13. Surveillance of both vaccines was performed on hospitalized children with consolidated pneumonia. The effect of different number of vaccine doses was evaluated in 2008 and 2010 birth cohorts vaccinated with PCV7 and PCV13 respectively. The study aims to estimate the effects of PCV7 and PCV13 different number of doses on consolidated pneumonia, through the study of hospitalized children from 2008 and 2010 birth cohorts. Vaccination records of every child were available providing precise vaccination data; therefore a new approach was used to estimate PCVs effect. Incidence rate was calculated for each year of the study and for the different number of vaccine doses used each year. Exposure was calculated as person per year and rate ratio values determined the decrease of consolidated pneumonias. This decrease in percentage was estimated as the difference between the incidence with no vaccine and the incidence of every one of the doses. Incidence rate ratio revealed significant values for the three vaccine doses of PCVs for both cohorts. Upon comparing incidences, significant reduction percentages of consolidated pneumonia admissions were found. The reduction percentage of consolidated pneumonia for fully vaccinated (3 doses) patients was 69.3% and 84.6 % for PCV7 and PCV13, respectively. These results confirm that PCV7 and PCV13 are highly effective for reducing pediatric hospitalizations due to consolidated pneumonia, as reported by other national publications and demonstrated by international researchers.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PERFROMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA SMALL BUSINESSES

Small and Medium-Size Enterprise (SME) growth is on the rise in some of the world’s wealthier economies, resulting from their role play in job creation and revenue generation, through tax for local and central governments. Many SME practitioners around the world, mostly from the low and middle income countries, are mounting pressures on their governments to increase their involvement and support for the SME sector to help maintain its pace. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Performance Measurement System implementation in SMEs; it was carried out with the purpose of assessing whether PM Systems contribute positively or otherwise in SME growth. The outcomes of the study are intended to increase understanding of the impact PM Systems have on SMEs. This study employed questionnaires as a primary method for data collection.
Auditor professional commitment and performance: An ethical issue role

This study explores to what extent the auditor’s idealism and relativism ethical orientation influences the professional commitment and the auditor’s performance. This study uses questionnaire’s survey from the auditors who work for Public Accountant Office in Indonesia. The data is analyzed by using the Structural Equation Model. The study reveals that the idealism and relativism ethical orientation have a significant influence to the professional commitment and the auditors’ performance.
Initial growth stages of epitaxial BaTiO3 films on vicinal SrTiO3 (001) substrate surfaces

The initial growth mechanism of epitaxial BaTiO3 films is studied by combined application of atomic force microscopy, cross sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Epitaxial BaTiO3 thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on vicinal Nb-doped SrTiO3 (SrTiO3:Nb) (001) substrates with well-defined terraces. X-ray diffraction and cross sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed well-defined epitaxial films and a sharp interface between BaTiO3 films and SrTiO3:Nb substrates. The layer-then-island (Stranski–Krastanov mode) growth mechanism observed by analyzing the morphology of a sequence of films with increasing amount of deposited material has been confirmed by microstructure investigations.
An Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm for Integrating GPS and Low Cost Dead Reckoning System Data for Vehicle Performance and Emissions Monitoring

This paper describes the features of an extended Kalman filter algorithm designed to support the navigational function of a real-time vehicle performance and emissions monitoring system currently under development. The Kalman filter is used to process global positioning system (GPS) data enhanced with dead reckoning (DR) in an integrated mode, to provide continuous positioning in built-up areas. The dynamic model and filter algorithms are discussed in detail, followed by the findings based on computer simulations and a limited field trial carried out in the Greater London area. The results demonstrate that use of the extended Kalman filter algorithm enables the integrated system employing GPS and low cost DR devices to meet the required navigation performance of the device under development.
Eco-Friendly and Integrated Approaches for Management of Early Blight Disease in Tomato

1 Plant Pathologist, AICRP on Groundnut, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India 2 Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India 3 Vegetable Specialist, AICVIP, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India 4 Horticulture, College Of Forestry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India 5 Agronomist, AICRP on Groundnut, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India 6 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India *Corresponding author
A numerical framework for simulating fluid-structure interaction phenomena

In this paper, a numerical tool able to solve fluid-structure interaction problems is proposed. The lattice Boltzmann method is used to compute fluid dynamics, while the corotational finite element formulation together with the Time Discontinuous Galerkin method are adopted to predict structure dynamics. The Immersed Boundary method is used to account for the presence of an immersed solid in the lattice fluid background and to handle fluid-structure interface conditions, while a Volume-of-Fluid-based method is adopted to take trace of the evolution of the free surface. These ingredients are combined through a partitioned staggered explicit strategy, according to an efficient and accurate algorithm recently developed by the authors. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is tested against two different cases. The former investigates the dam break phenomenon, involving the modeling of the free surface. The latter involves the vibration regime experienced by two highly deformable flapping flags obstructing a flow. A wide numerical campaign is carried out by computing the error in terms of interface energy artificially introduced at the fluid-solid interface. Moreover, the structure behavior is dissected by simulating scenarios characterized by different values of the Reynolds number. Present findings are compared to literature results, showing a very close agreement.
Interactive comment on “Factors promoting larch dominance in Eastern Siberia: fire versus growth performance and implications for carbon

dot 1) Given the low coverage of climate data and their low quality (e.g. maintenance and changes in instrumentation, EDSchulze did visit these stations) in this region, we decided to use longitude as a proxi for the climate gradient under study. Using climate data from the re-analysis does not alleviate the problem as the reliability of the interpolation depends strongly on the regional data coverage and data quality of the surrounding stations. We acknowledge that having better and more climate data would bring our study closer to the proposed mechanisms. As it stands, there is a tradeoff between using a well-defined proxy versus relatively uncertain measurements. We
Intellectual Capital and Corporate Performance of Technology-Intensive Companies: Malaysia Evidence

This paper examines the association between Intellectual Capital (IC)and corporate performance of technology-intensive companies(MESDAQ) listed on Bursa Malaysia by investigating whether valuecreation efficiency, as measured by Value Added Intellectual Capital(VAICTM), can be explained by market valuation, profitability, andproductivity. Correlation and regression models were used toexamine the relationship between corporate value creation efficiencyand firms’ market valuation, profitability and productivity. Thefindings from this study show that technology-intensive companiesstill depend very much on physical capital efficiency. The study alsosuggests that individually, each component of the VAIC commandsdifferent values compared to the aggregate measure, which impliesthat investors place different value on the three VAIC components.The results also indicate that physical capital efficiency is the mostsignificant variable related to profitability while human capitalefficiency is of great importance in enhancing the productivity of thecompany. This study concludes that VAIC can explain profitabilityand productivity but fails to explain market valuation.Keywords: Intellectual Capital; Market Valuation; Productivity;Profitability; Value Added Intellectual CoefficientJEL classification: G14, M41, O34
System Changeover Policy and Precautions

In this paper, different changeover policy is discussed. Conversion planning it is essential for system upgradation. Here different traditional up gradation process also discussed. For fast and efficient changeover process, concept of planning, scheduling, procurement process is also discussed in this paper. Different industry in emerging markets became more competitive during the last decade. We attribute the predominantly downward trend in competition to increase their size and the shift from traditional intermediation to off-balance sheet activities. Determination of changeover time is also important for tradeoffs between product quality and profit. Direct changed over, parallel changed over, pilot change over and distributed changeover briefly discussed in this paper.
Computed Tomography-based Modeling of Structured Polymers

A hybrid numerical-experimental approach is proposed to characterize the macroscopic mechanical behavior of structured polymers. The method is based on capturing the details of the material's microstructure using 3D X-ray Computed Tomography (CT). By employing segmentation and voxel-conversion, the reconstructed volume is automatically converted into a finite element model that is subsequently used for mechanical analyses. The approach is demonstrated on a 2D polycarbonate (PC) honeycomb. An ideal representative volume element (RVE), with a volume equivalent to the volume of the real X-ray CT-based model, is used to determine the dependence of the macroscopic response of the structure on intrinsic material behavior, strain rate, and cell wall thickness. A nonlinear elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model is used to describe the intrinsic behavior of the PC base material and a comparison with a hyperelastic material model reveals that local plastic deformation significantly influences the macroscopic behavior. A cubic relation between the stiffness of the structure and cell wall thickness is found, whereas the strain rate has a minor influence. The ideal RVE shows a different response compared to the real X-ray CT-based model due to local variations of the cell wall thickness in the latter, causing nonhomogeneous deformations. In addition to the geometric imperfections, jagged edges, as a consequence of voxel conversion, contribute to this local variation in cell wall thickness.
Social and Emotional Competence among Managers

Social and emotional competence is a vital part of leadership, it is therefore important to understand how variables such as gender, age and education can influence a manager’s social and emotional competence. This study analyse self-rating, other-rating and predicted-rating of managers belonging to different social groups using multi source feedback assessment, where both the managers and their subordinates answer a survey rating the managers social and emotional competence. Findings suggest that managers in general tend to underestimate the ratings from their subordinates. In addition, male and female managers rate themselves similar but the subordinates rate the female leaders higher. Education was also investigated but the sample was too small to draw any conclusions. The findings also suggest that all three ratings decrease in relation to the age of the manager. Further discussions about the implications of the findings as well as possibilities for future studies are presented in the end.
An Antenna Integrated Low-Noise Receiver for mm-Wave Wideband, High-Datarate Communication

The continued growth in mobile network data traffic, forecast to increase at a compound rate of 54% annually, has created the need for wireless networks which can handle data rates orders of magnitude greater than is possible with current systems. This growth in data traffic necessitates the use of advanced techniques such as carrier-aggregation and MIMO in order to increase the capacity of wireless networks. In spite of these techniques, current wireless networks are insufficient to handle the predicted future levels of data traffic as their capacity is inherently limited by their narrow bandwidth. This dilemma has led to a surge in interest in the creation of wireless links at carrier frequencies far higher than currently used, where wide swathes of continuous bandwidth are readily available. One such band of frequencies, known as the H-band, lying between 200-325 GHz, has recently been allocated for use in wireless communication links by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States of America. The development of compound semiconductor materials, such as Indium Phosphide (InP), and advances in fabrication and processing techniques over the course of the past decade has enabled the creation of solid-state circuits at such frequencies. To date, many front-end low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) targeting H-band frequencies have reported noise figures of the order of 10 dB, with only moderate values of gain, thereby limiting the potential capacity of receiver systems. In light of this, this thesis presents the design of a mixer-first receiver for use at H-band frequencies which contains no front-end RF amplifier. Instead, the proposed receiver utilises a single-balanced topology consisting of an input RF quadrature hybrid, a single-balanced transconductance mixer, a pair of IF amplifiers and an active IF balun to perform down-conversion and amplification. An antenna is also integrated on chip to provide the input RF signal. The proposed receiver has IF and RF bandwidths of 42 and 138 GHz respectively and requires only 0 dBm of LO drive power to operate. Careful co-design of the transconductance mixer and IF amplifier ensures wideband IF operation of the receiver. The total conversion gain of the receiver is 23 dB and the simulated noise figure is between 13-15 dB over the entire IF bandwidth. The theoretical capacity of the receiver is somewhat greater than previously reported H-band receiver designs as a result of its wide IF bandwidth. The receiver is implemented using the TSC 250 InP double-heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) process from Teledyne Scientific Corporation and consumes an area of 0.9x1. 19 mm2. The design of each component of the receiver is presented, as well as a discussion of the trade-offs made in the design of the complete receiver, followed by a characterisation of the complete receiver and discussion of its performance.
Food Consumption in Pakistan: Application of Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System

Being a developing country, Pakistan is ranked as sixth most populous country of the world with the population growth rate of 1.92 percent. The estimated population is 191.71 million of which 116.52 million (60.78%) reside in rural and 75.19 million (39.22%) in urban areas [1]. Statistics of daily income outlined by World Bank analysis reported that $ 1.25 per adult/day, which alarmed that 21.04 % of the whole population living below the poverty line. In the prevailing circumstances, in almost all the fundamental necessities food security top the list of immediate concerns. Government of Pakistan kept the food security policy from last several years as a dominant component of national agenda although the performance of agricultural sector has been encouraging with a growth of 2.1 percent during 2014-15 [1]. Food is a crucial need to bear life and to meet a successful growth. The world has progressed through hunter gatherer, agricultural and industrial stages to provider of goods and services. However, many of the today’s world have limited access to food, causing food insecurity, particularly in the developing countries. Food and nutritional insecurity in Pakistan is on the rise. Despite being an agrarian economy, more than half of the Pakistani population go hungry to bed, while 40% of children below the age of 5 are stunted [2].