bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The VLA-COSMOS 3 GHz Large Project: Evolution of Specific Star Formation Rates out to z ∼ 5
Authors: Leslie Sarah K. , Schinnerer Eva , Liu Daizhong , Magnelli Benjamin , Algera Hiddo , Karim Alexander , Davidzon Iary , Gozaliasl Ghassem , Jiménez-Andrade Eric F. , Lang Philipp , Sargent Mark T. , Novak Mladen , Groves Brent , Smolčić Vernesa , Zamorani Giovanni , Vaccari Mattia , Battisti Andrew , Vardoulaki Eleni , Peng Yingjie , Kartaltepe Jeyhan
Published: August 2020

We provide a coherent, uniform measurement of the evolution of the logarithmic star formation rate (SFR)–stellar mass (M
*) relation, called the main sequence (MS) of star-forming galaxies , for star-forming and all galaxies out to

. We measure the MS using mean stacks of 3 GHz radio-continuum images to derive average SFRs for ∼ 200,000 mass-selected galaxies at z > 0.3 in the COSMOS field. We describe the MS relation by adopting a new model that incorporates a linear relation at low stellar mass (log(M
*/M
⊙) < 10) and a flattening at high stellar mass that becomes more prominent at low redshift (z < 1.5). We find that the SFR density peaks at 1.5 < z < 2, and at each epoch there is a characteristic stellar mass (M
* = 1–4 × 1010
M
⊙) that contributes the most to the overall SFR density. This characteristic mass increases with redshift, at least to z ∼ 2.5. We find no significant evidence for variations in the MS relation for galaxies in different environments traced by the galaxy number density at 0.3 < z < 3, nor for galaxies in X-ray groups at z ∼ 0.75. We confirm that massive bulge-dominated galaxies have lower SFRs than disk-dominated galaxies at a fixed stellar mass at z < 1.2. As a consequence, the increase in bulge-dominated galaxies in the local star-forming population leads to a flattening of the MS at high stellar masses. This indicates that “mass quenching” is linked with changes in the morphological composition of galaxies at a fixed stellar mass.
The Role of Clouds on the Depletion of Methane and Water Dominance in the Transmission Spectra of Irradiated Exoplanets
Authors: Molaverdikhani Karan , Henning Thomas , Mollière Paul
Published: August 2020

Observations suggest an abundance of water and a paucity of methane in the majority of observed exoplanetary atmospheres. We isolate the effect of atmospheric processes to investigate possible causes. Previously, we studied the effect of effective temperature, surface gravity, metallicity, carbon-to-oxygen ratio, and stellar type assuming cloud-free thermochemical equilibrium and disequilibrium chemistry. However, under these assumptions, methane remains a persisting spectral feature in the transmission spectra of exoplanets over a certain parameter space, the Methane Valley. In this work, we investigate the role of clouds on this domain and we find that clouds change the spectral appearance of methane in two direct ways: (1) by heating up the photosphere of colder planets and (2) by obscuring molecular features. The presence of clouds also affects methane features indirectly: (1) cloud heating results in more evaporation of condensates and hence releases additional oxygen, causing water-dominated spectra of colder carbon-poor exoplanets, and (2) HCN/CO production results in a suppression of depleted methane features by these molecules. The presence of HCN/CO and a lack of methane could be an indication of cloud formation on hot exoplanets. Cloud heating can also deplete ammonia. Therefore, a simultaneous depletion of methane and ammonia is not unique to photochemical processes. We propose that the best targets for methane detection are likely to be massive but smaller planets with a temperature around 1450 K orbiting colder stars. We also construct Spitzer synthetic color maps and find that clouds can explain some of the high-contrast observations by IRAC’s channel 1 and 2.
Challenges in Scientific Data Communication from Low-mass Interstellar Probes
Authors: Messerschmitt David G. , Lubin Philip , Morrison Ian
Published: August 2020

An optical downlink for the return of scientific data from space probes at interstellar distances is studied. The context is probes moving at relativistic speed using a terrestrial directed-energy beam for propulsion, necessitating very low mass probes. Achieving simultaneous communication from a swarm of probes launched at regular intervals to a target at the distance of Proxima Centauri is addressed. The analysis focuses on fundamental physical and statistical communication limitations on downlink performance rather than a concrete implementation. Transmission time/distance and probe mass are chosen to achieve the best data latency versus volume trade-off. Challenges in targeting multiple probe trajectories with a single receiver are addressed, including multiplexing, parallax, and target-star proper motion. Constraints on transmit aperture size make a compelling argument in favor of free-space optical communications, and this is the assumed approach for our baseline analysis. Relevant sources of background radiation, including cosmic, atmospheric, and receiver dark count, are identified and estimated. Direct detection enables high photon efficiency and incoherent aperture combining. A novel burst pulse-position modulation (BPPM) beneficially expands the optical bandwidth and ameliorates receiver dark counts. A canonical receive optical collector combines minimum transmit power with constrained swarm-probe coverage. Theoretical limits on reliable data recovery and sensitivity to the various BPPM model parameters are applied, including a wide range of total collector areas. Significant near-term technological obstacles are identified. Enabling innovations include a high peak-to-average power ratio, a large source extinguishing factor, the shortest atmosphere-transparent wavelength to minimize target-star interference, adaptive optics for atmospheric turbulence, very selective bandpass filtering (possibly with multiple passbands), very low dark count single-photon superconducting detectors, and very accurate attitude control and pointing mechanisms.
One-step nested RT-PCR for COVID-19 detection: A flexible, locally developed test for SARS-CoV2 nucleic acid detection
Authors: Meza-Robles Carmen , Barajas-Saucedo Carlos E , Tiburcio-Jimenez Daniel , Mokay-Ramírez Karen A , Melnikov Valery , Rodriguez-Sanchez Iram P , Martinez-Fierro Margarita L , Garza-Veloz Idalia , Zaizar-Fregoso Sergio A , Guzman-Esquivel José , Ramirez-Flores Mario , Newton-Sanchez Oscar A , Espinoza-Gómez Francisco , Delgado-Enciso Osiris G , Centeno-Ramirez Alba SH , Delgado-Enciso Ivan
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, identifying the infected individuals has become key to limiting its spread. Virus nucleic acid real-time RT-PCR testing has become the current standard diagnostic method but high demand could lead to shortages. Therefore, we propose a detection strategy using a one-step nested RT-PCR.

Methodology: The nucleotide region in the ORF1ab gene that has the greatest differences between the human coronavirus and the bat coronavirus was selected. Primers were designed after that sequence. All diagnostic primers are species-specific since the 3´ end of the sequence differs from that of other species. A primer set also creates a synthetic positive control. Amplified products were seen in a 2.5% agarose gel, as well as in an SYBR Green-Based Real-Time RT-PCR.

Results: Amplification was achieved for the positive control and specific regions in both techniques.

Conclusions: This new technique is flexible and easy to implement. It does not require a real-time thermocycler and can be interpreted in agarose gels, as well as adapted to quantify the viral genome. It has the advantage that if the coronavirus mutates in one of the key amplification nucleotides, at least one pair can still amplify, thanks to the four diagnostic primers.
Assessment of species gaps in DNA barcode libraries of non-indigenous species (NIS) occurring in European coastal regions
Authors: Duarte Sofia , Vieira Pedro E. , Costa Filipe O.
Published: August 2020

DNA metabarcoding has the capacity to bolster current biodiversity assessment techniques, including the early detection and monitoring of non-indigenous species (NIS). However, the success of this approach is greatly dependent on the availability, taxonomic coverage and reliability of reference sequences in genetic databases, whose deficiencies can potentially compromise species identifications at the taxonomic assignment step. In this study we assessed lacunae in availability of DNA sequence data from four barcodes (COI, 18S, rbcL and matK) for NIS occurring in European marine and coastal environments. NIS checklists were based on EASIN and AquaNIS databases. The highest coverage was found for COI for Animalia and rbcL for Plantae (up to 63%, for both) and 18S for Chromista (up to 51%), that greatly increased when only high impact species were taken into account (up to 82 to 89%). Results show that different markers have unbalanced representations in genetic databases, implying that the parallel use of more than one marker can act complimentarily and may greatly increase NIS identification rates through DNA-based tools. Furthermore, based on the COI marker, data for approximately 30% of the species had maximum intra-specific distances higher than 3%, suggesting that many NIS may have undescribed or cryptic diversity. Although completing the gaps in reference libraries is essential to make the most of the potential of the DNA-based tools, a careful compilation, verification and annotation of available sequences is fundamental to assemble large curated and reliable reference libraries that provide support for rigorous species identifications.
Scratching Past Lymphadenopathy: A Case of
Bartonella henselae
Encephalitis
Authors: James Lorraine , Keshwani Najiba , Haffner Darrah , Zahlanie Yorgo , Golla Sailaja , Agharokh Ladan
Published: August 2020

A previously healthy 6-year-old boy presented with new onset seizure activity and altered mental status. His prehospital course included prolonged fever, vague abdominal complaints, and unusual behavior. Neurological testing was unrevealing, and his symptoms slowly improved without intervention. His primary pediatrician had ordered serum antibody titers to
Bartonella henselae
for testing of prolonged fever in the setting of exposure to a kitten; these were found to be positive for both immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M. Further examination for organ involvement revealed splenic and liver micro-abscesses. After completion of his antibiotic course, the patient returned to his cognitive and neurologic baseline with resolution of his abdominal abscesses. This case emphasizes the importance of obtaining a thorough exposure history when evaluating for infectious causes of encephalitis.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2020;49(8):e359–e362.]
A Diagnostic Approach to Conditions that Mimic Sexual Abuse
Authors: Ali-Panzarella Andrea Z.
Published: August 2020

Primary care providers are often the first point of contact when there are concerns of child sexual abuse. The history is the key factor in making the diagnosis as most children who have experienced child sexual abuse do not have an abnormal anogenital examination. When anogenital symptoms precipitate concerns for sexual abuse, especially in the absence of a history of sexual abuse, it is important to be aware of conditions that mimic sexual abuse. Being familiar with such conditions allows the provider to determine appropriate management, differentiate an anatomical variant or medical condition from abuse, and provide reassurance to the patient and family. Unnecessarily reporting these cases can have detrimental effects on the patient and family. If any doubt arises, patients can be referred for further evaluation by an expert in child abuse. This article presents many common medical conditions that can mimic sexual abuse, with a focus on history, examination findings, and management.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2020;49(8):e334–e340.]
Persons and Address Terms in Melanesia
Authors: Nose Masahiko
Published: August 2020

This chapter deals with vocative and address terms of the several Melanesian languages and tries to investigate the grammatical and sociolinguistic characteristics of them. This study is a contrastive study of the six languages which are spoken in Papua New Guinea (Amele, Bel, and Tok Pisin) and Vanuatu (South Efate, Nguna, and Bislama). This study tries to clarify the characteristics of their lexicon (mainly kinship and address terms) and usages of personal pronouns and their verb inflections. Generally, the sample languages are rich in usages of these terms (kinship, personal pronouns, vocatives) whereas creole languages have limited usages and borrowed from English lexicon. Finally, this study claims that there are several rules of defining social relations and their grammatical forms.
Selective Language Maintenance in Multilingual Malaysia
Authors: Ong Teresa Wai See , Ben Said Selim
Published: August 2020

Aiming to understand the phenomena of language maintenance and shift in Malaysia, this chapter focuses on efforts by Penang's Chinese community to maintain Penang Hokkien alongside other Chinese community languages. The Malaysian Government has explicitly allowed the teaching of Mandarin Chinese in Chinese-medium schools, which resulted in the reduced use of Penang Hokkien and other Chinese community languages among the Malaysian Chinese community. Such a situation has caused sociolinguistic realignment in many Malaysian Chinese families, including in Penang, and raised questions about the survival of these languages in Malaysian society. Based on interviews with participants from Penang's Chinese community, the findings reveal that although past studies have demonstrated a decline in the use of Chinese community languages, the participants expressed their willingness to regularly use them in their daily life in various domains. Despite the announced desuetude of these languages, participants consistently used them and indicated their determination to pass on to the next generation.
Language Shift and Maintenance in Uttarakhand, a Hilly State of India
Authors: Rastogi Kavita , Kakoti Madri
Published: August 2020

Several lesser known and tribal languages of India are rapidly choosing to shift to local and official languages in educational, social, and even personal domains. This preference of the ‘other' language is aided by social, political, and economic factors that often devise the ‘other' as dominant. This chapter looks at the extent of language shift with respect to two communities living in the state of Uttarakhand in India and speaking respectively named endangered languages, Jad and Raji, in the light of these factors. The authors examine how language contact that is causal in language shift is changing their linguistic make up. In the Jad community, Hindi and Garhwali are the major dominating languages, and their presence can be seen in all the domains (100% in education, 35% in religious activities, and even 25% at home). In the Raji community, the usurping languages are Kumaoni and Hindi, and their presence in education is 100%, in religious activities is 45%, and 35% at the home front.
An Overview of International Fintech Instruments Using Innovation Diffusion Theory Adoption Strategies
Authors: Saygili Ebru E. , Ercan Tuncay
Published: August 2020

The aim of this chapter is to evaluate and predict the future of international fintech instruments in the domain of innovation diffusion theory (IDT) adoption strategies. Further, the consequences of the new payments system directive (PSD2) in Europe and blockchain applications are discussed. For instance, money transfer and payments have the highest rate of adoption (ROA) while insurance services have the highest speed of growing ROA due to relative advantages, high compatibility and trialability levels, and low level of complexity and uncertainty. Cross country comparisons include descriptive statistics about fintech deal value and volume, innovation rank, B2C commerce market, ROA and internet penetration. Germany is the only country listed in all of the top 10 ranking lists, followed by the U.S., the U.K., and France. Also, China, India, and Canada have distinguished success in terms of fintech indicators while the growth in Japan is expected to be slow. Accordingly, ROA in five emerging markets is much higher than some of the developed countries which can be explained by the Cancian Theory.
Regulating FinTech Through Sandboxes
Authors: Khalid Maryam , Kunhibava Sherin
Published: August 2020

Fintech emergence post-Global Financial Crisis puts a threat to the banking industry. One of the strategies for the banks to stay afloat and relevant in the current digital era is through regulatory sandbox. A regulatory sandbox is one of the tools opted by financial regulators in certain jurisdictions to regulate the rapid growth of fintech products within their financial sphere. The pioneer of which was the UK's market and conduct regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) was also one of the first jurisdictions that followed suit. One of the basic structures in a sandbox is the eligibility criteria that the regulators draw for the financial service provider to participate in the sandbox. This chapter shall address the entry requirements in both jurisdictions as the structure of the regulatory sandboxes differs from one jurisdiction to another. This topic is crucial to the banks as they need to understand further how regulatory sandbox may help them offer innovative financial products to level the competition with the fintech players in the market.
The Impact of FinTech on Financial Services in India
Authors: Kukreja Gagan , Bahl Divij , Gupta Ruchika
Published: August 2020

Fintech is a new buzz word in the fourth industrial revolution environment. No financial services across the globe are left unaffected by the new technologies. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and data analytics have immensely influenced many aspects of financial services such as deposits, transactions, billings, remittances, credits (B2B and P2P), underwriting, insurance, and so on. Fintech companies are enabling larger financial inclusion, improvement of lives of humans, better decision-making, and lots more. This chapter covers the development, opportunities, and challenges of financial sectors because of new technologies in India. This chapter throws the light on opportunities that emerged because of demographic dividend, high penetration, and access to the latest and affordable technology, affordable cost of smartphones, and government policies such as Digital India, Startup India, Make in India, and so on. Lastly, this chapter portrays the untapped potentials of Fintech in India.
Adoption of FinTech by Students in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Traif Sakeena Ebrahim , Alshihabi Ibrahim Ehsan , Ajlan Abdulrahman , Bubshait Abdulqader , Razzaque Anjum
Published: August 2020

Financial technology is encouraging various new practices, such as diminishing of the use of cash in different countries, increasing the rate of use of mobile payments, introducing new algorithms for high-frequency trading across national boundaries, etc., hence attracting significant attention. However, the continues use of fintech is still doubted by scholars. As a result, this chapter aims to comprehend whether, and why, higher education students, who are future entrepreneurs, would be willing, or hesitate to utilize fintech. Data was collected from 350 higher education students from universities in Bahrain. Only those students who had prior experience with cashless online payment systems were the selected target population for this study's online survey. The findings confirmed that risk negatively effects the intent for the continence of using fintech, and convenience baring the strongest positive effect. This study contributes to theoretical and practical implications for future and budding entrepreneurs graduating from the higher education sector of Bahrain.
Mitigation of Climate Change Through Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Naik Alkesha , Roy Koushik Singha
Published: August 2020

Climate change is considered one of the burning issues and threats to the globe. One of the most important drivers of climate change is the increasing concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases that trigger the altered climate patterns. Therefore, researchers are now tackling the adverse impact of climate change as well in minimizing the concentration and emissions of atmospheric greenhouse gases (i.e., carbon sequestration seems to be one of the most attractive choices for the researchers that could be useful for mitigating climate change conditions). The process deals with the capturing of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in various segments of natural ecosystems like soil, biological systems, oceans, thereby offsetting the adverse impact of climate change. In this review, the author examines the current scenario of carbon sequestration in the biosphere.
Understanding Water-Food-Energy Nexus in the Climate Change Era and the Roadmap to Implementation in South Africa
Authors: Nyika Joan Mwihaki
Published: August 2020

WFE nexus is an important aspect in building sustainable economies. Water is used in food production while water supply and food processing require energy. Understanding the interrelationships of the nexus components is a growing interest for researchers and policymakers towards sustainable development. This chapter analyses the in-depth meaning of the WFE nexus, its importance, and its involved processes. The chapter also evaluates the effects of climate change on the nexus using case examples in South Africa. It also proposes a road map to facilitate better management of the nexus by recommending useful action plans. These action plans prioritize on baseline data collection, optimization of WFE nexus processes and cooperative management of resources, and climate change adaptation.
Assessing Gender Equality in Climate Change Advocacy Campaign for Sustainable Agricultural Food Security in Uganda
Authors: Okaka Wilson
Published: August 2020

This chapter examines climate change and variability emergency disaster risks on agricultural food security of the local communities in Africa with a focus on gender equality lens in Uganda. Ugandan women contribute up to 75% of domestic food production and yet they are often overburdened with reproduction, household management, gender-specific discrimination, and adverse climate change effects like agricultural droughts, flash flooding, violent windstorms, or water stress. To ensure sustainable food security in the face of climate change vulnerability risks, the role of women is vital. Communication strategy to promote local climate information service (CIS) delivery system has been developed by the local government district planners in the park areas, but there is a lack of capacity to raise public awareness of the gender equality for the empowerment of women and girls for sustainable food security through agriculture production in Uganda for enhanced livelihood assets.
Effects of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on Algivorous Cichlid Fish in Lake Tanganyika
Authors: Munubi Renalda N. , Lamtane Hieromin A.
Published: August 2020

Over the last century, water temperatures in Lake Tanganyika have risen due to climate change, which increased thermal stratification and reduced the magnitude of nutrient availability. A rise in temperature increases the C:N:P ratio resulting in a poor algal diet. In addition, lake littoral habitat is experiencing increased sediment load due to deforestation of the watershed caused by anthropogenic activities. Sediments cover benthic algae and reduce its nutritional value, consequently affecting the foraging behavior, distribution, and growth performance of algivorous fish. Algae and algivorous fish are an important link in the lake food chain; therefore, if the rise in temperature will continue as predicted, then this may have a cascading effect for the rest of the community in the food chain including human being. This, in turn, may contribute to food insecurity at local and regional levels. To counteract this adaptation and mitigation measures such as environmental monitoring systems and creating new opportunities should be considered.
Summary, Initial Observations, and Getting to a Tentative Theory of Public Investment Behavior
Authors: Srithongrung Arwiphawee , Yusuf Juita-Elena (Wie)
Published: August 2020

This chapter evaluates the 12 countries' capital management practices according to the systematic public capital management and budgeting process described in Chapter 1. The chapter characterizes and classifies the management practices of the twelve countries based on the authors' evaluation using the case study descriptions. The authors offer some initial observations based on comparisons across the case study countries and analysis of relationships between capital management and budgeting practices and political, economic, and public sector variables. The chapter proposes a tentative theory of public investment behavior and offers five propositions regarding the factors driving different practices across the case study countries and the consequences of a systematic capital management and budgeting process.
School Culture, Effectiveness and Low SES in Trinidad
Authors: Lee-Piggott Rinnelle
Published: August 2020

This chapter presents a cultural diagnosis of three schools of differing effectiveness states – ‘excelling', ‘mostly effective' and ‘under academic watch' within Trinidad, which face socio-economic challenges. It utilizes a multi-method, multiple case study approach and presents an adapted conceptualization of school culture, which is used as an analytical framework to diagnose the professional orientation of teachers within the cultures of the participating schools. Findings reveal that teachers' professional orientation, particularly their dispositions and psychological states, are critically important to many aspects of schooling, including students' orientations and their academic performance and achievement.
A School Model for Developing Access to Higher Education for African American
Authors: Eakins Sheldon Lewis
Published: August 2020

This chapter discusses the social inequalities in school choice and the racial disparities of college access. Utilizing the theories of social capital and social inclusion, the author provides a conceptual framework for developing a college-going school culture in charter schools. Through this lens, the author considers that the level of school support needs to be equitable to the varying stages of self-efficacy, academic behaviors, and post-secondary aspirations that students enter school with. The author suggests the importance of the RECIPE (rigorous curriculum, expectations, collegiality, interconnection, parental engagement, and exposure) to prepare African American students for college.
Design of Crowd Creative Collaborative Education Model Based on PBL
Authors: Sun Xinbo
Published: August 2020

The global information technology revolution puts forward the following requirements for higher education: education mode transforms from experience education to overall education; education mechanism transforms from traditional management to comprehensive governance; the educational goal transfers from the traditional knowledge to the ability training. In such a macro educational background, the structural contradictions in China's higher education have triggered the supply-side reform of education. The implementation of this reform to Northeastern University requires us to vigorously promote the excellent education action plan in view of the current teaching reality and local difficulties in Northeastern University to change the logic of unilateral teaching into the logic of co-creating education. Based on comprehensive learning of PBL education paradigm, the author of this chapter, based on his own teaching practice and reflection of educational philosophy, puts forward the collaborative education mode of crowd innovation and gives the basic framework of this model. On this basis, specific cases and suggestions are given.
Are Teachers Prepared to Educate in Citizenship?
Authors: García-Pérez Francisco F.
Published: August 2020

Education for active citizenship is a fundamental dimension of education, especially in the context of today's world. This is proclaimed by educational institutions and authorities, and has been incorporated into official curricula. But the reality of school is frequently incoherent with those statements. Indeed, the predominant school culture is a factor that conditions the activity of teachers as educators for citizenship. Research carried out in Andalusia (Spain) shows the difficulties teachers have in incorporating any education for citizenship into their subjects. Likewise, projects and initiatives coming from non-formal education are insufficiently exploited. These investigations also indicate that educational proposals organized around social and environmental problems facilitate the integration of education for citizenship into the school curriculum and the training of teachers as educators of citizens by getting them involved in these innovative experiences.
An Assessment Study of Quality Model for Medical Schools in Mexico
Authors: Olivares Silvia Lizett Olivares , Cruz Alejandra Garza , Cabrera Mildred Vanessa López , Regalado Alex Iván Suárez , García Jorge Eugenio Valdez
Published: August 2020

Excellence in healthcare delivery is only possible by addressing the quality issues in medical education. The authors in this paper assess the development of medical schools in Mexico considering a proposed Quality Model for Medical Schools (QMMS) having five levels of the Incremental Quality Model (IQM). An exploratory descriptive approach was applied in this study wherein 46 authorities from medical schools self-assessed their processes (strategic, core, support and evaluation) included on the QMMS to determine their development in the five levels of the IQM i.e. Start, Development, Standardization, Innovation and Sustainability. The results of the study show the average were: 3.09 strategic processes, 2.96 core processes, 3.19 support processes and 3.00 in evaluation process. The overall mean obtained was 3.07 which correspond to Standardization level. The authors consider that the proposed quality model may serve as a guide to improve their performance to advance to innovation and sustainability.
Promoting Active and Meaningful Learning for Digital Learners
Authors: Ossiannilsson Ebba
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on learners and the transformation of education for UNESCO SDG4 to ensure inclusive, affordable and quality education for all to support lifelong learning, based on access, equity, diversity, and quality. It addresses the current need for open, innovative, and collaborative education. The first theme concerns the next generation of learners, and includes lifelong learning, ethics, inclusion, and modernization of higher education. The second theme focuses on 21st century skills and digital learners. The third theme examines the ways in which learners take the lead in and own their learning, including self-determined learning. The last theme considers models of quality learning for the next generation of learners, as well as learning, and teaching in unbundling scenarios. A model on systemic transformation through a smart framework is also presented.
Design of a University Learning Environment for SMART Education
Authors: Morze Nataliia V. , Smyrnova-Trybulska Eugenia , Glazunova Olena
Published: August 2020

This chapter discusses theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of a design of a university learning environment for SMART education. Smart technology is analyzed against university background. The authors consider a process of transformation from e-learning to smart education, in particular the VLE objective according to the concept of smart education, formation of individual learning trajectories in a smart environment and a quality university educational environment for smart education. In the second part of chapter, the authors look at the development of teacher ICT competence of teachers in the system of smart education and present their conclusions. The references include more than thirty items: articles, books, chapters, conference proceedings on SMART education, university learning environment, virtual learning environment (VLE).
A Learning Outcome Inspired Survey Instrument for Assessing the Quality of Continuous Improvement Cycle
Authors: Namoun Abdallah , Taleb Ahmad , Al-Shargabi Mohammed , Benaida Mohamed
Published: August 2020

Measuring the effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement cycle in education is a cumbersome and sophisticated process. This article contributes a comprehensive self-assessment instrument for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of all phases of a continuous quality improvement cycle, including planning, data collection, analysis and reporting, and implementation of improvements. To this end, a four round Delphi study soliciting a total of 23 program quality experts from four universities was conducted. The produced survey instrument contains a total of 50 questions. The instrument may be used by quality experts in education to judge the quality of their continuous quality improvement cycle that endeavours to assess the attainment of learning outcomes in various undergraduate educational programs. Moreover, the instrument could be exploited to infer relevant user and system requirements and guide the development of an automated self-assessment tool aimed at identifying the shortcomings in educational continuous quality improvement cycles.
Relationships Between Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Style, and School Culture
Authors: Segredo Mirta R. , Cistone Peter J. , Reio Thomas G.
Published: August 2020

Research regarding the association between emotional intelligence, leadership style and organizational culture has been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to explore these relationships in elementary school settings. A non-experimental ex post facto research design was utilized to investigate four research hypotheses. Fifty-seven principals and 850 teachers within a large urban school district in southeast Florida were surveyed. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed positive associations between school culture and both transformational and transactional leadership, and negative associations between school culture and passive-avoidant leadership. Significant positive associations were found also between school culture and the principals' emotional intelligence after controlling for leadership style. The hierarchical linear regressions revealed significant associations between leadership style and school culture after controlling for school grade as well. The results suggest that emotional intelligence merits consideration in the development of leadership theory. Practical implications include suggestions that principals employ both transformational and transactional leadership strategies, and focus on developing their level of emotional intelligence. The associations between emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, contingent reward and school culture found in this study validate the role of the principal as the leader of school reform.
Service Quality and Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Authors: Huq Sheikh Md. Monzurul , Huque Sheikh Mohammed Rafiul , Banik Arindam
Published: August 2020

Quality higher education is considered as one of the major elements that promises sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries of the world. The higher education in Bangladesh has experienced remarkable transformations in the recent years. There are two types of universities in Bangladesh. One is public and other is private university. The present study, by reviewing and analyzing the current structure and situation of quality of the higher educational institutions of the country, attempts to examine the service quality of both public and private universities and further attempts to scrutinize quality assurance questions of higher education. The findings of the study indicate that there is a need for improving service quality in both private and public universities. This study further stresses that effective learning environment, rules and regulations for improving service quality and quality assurance in both private and public universities of the country is very much necessary.
New Principals' School Culture Awareness and School Change
Authors: Lee-Piggott Rinnelle
Published: August 2020

An influx of new principals having improved base-entry qualifications has raised some concerns about principal-school ‘fit' in Trinidad and Tobago. This chapter encompasses findings on three new principals' professional judgment in relation to their leadership and its impact on their schools, focusing on their school culture awareness. A multi-method case study approach is adopted. Findings suggest that the new principals' school culture awareness is indirectly associated with school change, having informed both what they attended to (their improvement foci) and how they did that (leadership practice and strategies).
Analysis of Factors Influencing Chinese Undergraduate Students' Choice of Foreign Postgraduate Education
Authors: Lu Genshu , Tian Mei , Lai Man Hong
Published: August 2020

This questionnaire study, involving 4,903 final year undergraduate students in China, investigated Chinese students' intention to seek foreign postgraduate education. Drawing on college choice models and “push-pull” models, this research presented a comprehensive model to explain Chinese college students' choices of foreign education. Logistic regression analysis showed that personal academic performance, foreign language proficiency, family socio-economic status, institutional factors, and quality of foreign education had significant impact on the intention to study abroad. The students' outward mobility was also driven by their dissatisfaction with domestic postgraduate education. The participants' perception of the academic quality of postgraduate education in the USA was the most positive, followed respectively by the UK, Hong Kong, and Australia. Theoretically, the research indicated that it was the “push-pull” pairs, as exemplified by dissatisfaction with domestic postgraduate education and perceived positive images of foreign postgraduate education, that led to Chinese students' decision to study abroad and their selection of specific study destinations. This study has implications for recruitment and retention of Chinese students in higher education institutions both in and outside China.
University Governance and Academic Leadership Capacity Building
Authors: Zhu Chang , Zayim-Kurtay Merve
Published: August 2020

Challenges of modern society require universities to be able to respond to the new challenges and offer innovative teaching and learning for the new generations. The changes and modernization of universities require competences of academic leaders for sound university governance as well as comprehensive leadership skills. The literature and practices show that capacity building for academic leaders is highly needed as academic leaders often operate based on experience or contextual norms while showing a lack of a broad understanding of university governance and the necessary skills for their roles. This chapter investigates the perspectives of both European and Chinese university staff members regarding the areas of capacity building that are needed for middle-level and top-level academic leaders. The results provide us with a deeper understanding regarding the priorities for capacity building in order to enhance academic leadership. The findings also offer an understanding of capacity building of academic leadership in both the European and Chinese higher education contexts.
Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development Through Mobile Learning
Authors: Shah Shachi , Ramanan V. Venkat
Published: August 2020

Growing planetary challenges demand environmental consciousness and energetic workforce. The environmental education and education for sustainable development are essential for the knowledge workers so as to intellectually empower them with cognitive skills, analytical abilities and problem solving capabilities leading to the efficient development and implementation of sustainable development policies and programmes. Increasing Access through Mobile Learning for EE and ESD is the need of the hour, especially for developing countries where the use of mobile technology is increasing at a phenomenal rate. Mobile learning will augment the efficacy of participatory teaching and learning methods that motivate and empower learners to change their behaviour and take action for environment and sustainable development. M-Learning enables learners to merge their learning experiences in a shared collaborative environment. This paper shows how mobile learning can transform the delivery of EE and ESD.
Preparing and Training Higher Education Faculty to Ensure Quality Online Learning and Teaching
Authors: Seipel Ben , Ferrari Chiara Francesca
Published: August 2020

In this chapter, the authors discuss the nature of quality online instruction from the perspectives of equity, quality preparation, professional development, and evaluation. Specifically, the authors describe the need for faculty preparation in pedagogical and andragogical practices in general by defining “quality” and qualified professionals. The authors provide initial support for instructors by describing the lesson planning cycle as a useful framework. The authors also delve into the importance of considering one's personal teaching philosophy as a grounding for quality instruction. Then, the authors apply these concepts to online andragogy and the need for continuing professional development opportunities. Next, the authors describe three evaluation tools/opportunities, rubric for online instruction, the quality online learning and teaching instrument, and quality matters, that have been useful to faculty at their institution. Finally, the authors conclude with future research directions regarding quality online instruction.
Parental/Guardian Subsidization of Extra Tuition and the Marginalization of the Poor in Zimbabwe
Authors: Makwerere David , Dube Donwell
Published: August 2020

This chapter focused on the issues of social exclusion in the education sector in Zimbabwe. The primary focus was on the primary and secondary school education systems in the country. Using the lenses of the social exclusion concepts, the chapter looked at how the inequalities are informed by a chain of historical developments including colonialism, the effects of the Structural Adjustment Programmes of the 1990s, and the effects of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme, as well as the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment acts. The chapter submits that the children in urban high-density areas, farming, and rural areas are victims of structural inequalities that have led to social exclusion in the education sector. There is the need for the Government of Zimbabwe to address these inequalities as a matter of urgency.
High Quality Online Programs
Authors: Norris Sharon E.
Published: August 2020

The development of high quality online programs requires ongoing commitment and dedication at all levels of colleges and universities. The availability of online programs and courses benefits working adults by making access to graduate education possible. Online education is also advantageous to the growth of colleges and universities by expanding market reach without requiring major capital expenditures for buildings and operational support staff in new locations. Even though there is ease of entry into new markets with online courses and programs, college and university leaders cannot ignore the need for integrating online programs with the entire institution and providing necessary support services to students and faculty. To ensure high quality in online program offerings, support for online programs must be embedded throughout the various departments within the institution. The role of leadership and teamwork is vital to developing high quality online programming and student-centered support for graduate education.
The Impact of Knowledge and Attitude of SGB Members Toward Adoption of Social Justice and Democracy
Authors: Musundire Austin , Lumadi Rudzani Israel
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this literature study was to investigate the impact of the knowledge and attitude of School Governing Board (SGB) members towards adoption of social justice and democratic practices for quality education in South African public schools with special reference to the language policy. Findings indicated that that bias is still a challenge in the institutions of learning in South Africa in terms of the implementation of the language policy by the members of the SGB. It was also found that increasing the level knowledge of the members; SGB members regarding social justice and democratic principles and practices with special reference to the South African language policy will change their attitude and behavior geared towards improved implementation of the same policy. It is also concluded that effective implementation of change management models can also coordinate the link between knowledge development, change of attitude and behavior towards effective implementation strategies of the language policy.
Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources
Authors: Platis Magdalena
Published: August 2020

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.
Logistics Providers in Syria Humanitarian Operations
Authors: Mahfod Jomana , Khoury Bashar , Canel-Depitre Beatrice , Taghipour Atour
Published: August 2020

Logistics providers have become an important element in completing humanitarian relief work in countries experiencing armed conflict. Delivery aid assistances need to build logistics capacity and critical supply chain functions that help to meet the unconfirmed requirements of beneficiaries at right place, on right date, and with right fees. To reach the research goal, the authors will determine the weights of customer requirements (CRs) using the DEMATEL method, which considers the influences of inconformity and the causal relationship between CRs. This chapter employs quality function deployment (QFD) to integrate the voice of CRs and supplier criteria TRs using house of quality charts. This chapter focuses on case of humanitarian organizations collaborate with logistics service providers (LSPs) to maintain and enhance their performance by identify the crucial factors that effect on LSPs selection and their specified from the perspective of humanitarian relief organizations activated in Syrian humanitarian operation.
Digital Economy and Cloud
Authors: Rolo Ana , Alves Rui Carlos
Published: August 2020

This chapter aims to present the trends and challenges healthcare organizations will face as a result of the digital revolution. In particular, the healthcare industry needs to look for a new strategic focus, acquiring new specialties, and establishing new ways of working, defined in new business models in which cloud computing technology will be increasingly present. Understanding what cloud computing is is the first step to better understand the challenges and trends ahead.