The SNS-Based E-Learning Model to Provide Smart Solution for E-Learning

We are in the era of social networking sites that gives platform to billions of individuals for offering and conveying to each other's. These social sites additionally give a worldwide platform to students and educators to satisfy their learning or instructing necessities. The incorporation of social networking sites (SNS) and online tools with e-learning, getting high fame, extraordinarily in instructive space. Learners are more comfortable with these SNS, they feel pleasure to join, participate and collaborate with peers or teachers in these sites. The smart integration of social sites and online tools with conventional e-learning platform could revolutionize the current e-learning model. Various e-learning issues including learner’s participation, association, motivation and engagement can be mitigated by this integration. Number of SNS and online tools have great components for learning, teaching or training however their balanced use and incorporation with e-learning model is as yet an exploration challenge. In this paper, we present a model that utilizes social networking sites and tools effectively with e-learning platform.  The basic idea of this model is to make e-learning simple and more compelling by using normal, easy to understand and generally free social sites and online tools. This paper also highlights some open research issues and challenges that might be faced SNS-based e-learning model. The idea, knowledge and open research issues that talk about in this paper may create another heading of research in the space of innovation bolstered learning

El modelo de e-learning basado en SNS para proporcionar una solución inteligente para el aprendizaje electrónico

URL del artículo en la web de la Revista: https://www.upo.es/revistas/index.php/IJERI/article/view/2764We are in the era of social networking sites that gives platform to billions of individuals for offering and conveying to each other's. These social sites additionally give a worldwide platform to students and educators to satisfy their learning or instructing necessities. The incorporation of social networking sites (SNS) and online tools with e-learning, getting high fame, extraordinarily in instructive space. Learners are more comfortable with these SNS, they feel pleasure to join, participate and collaborate with peers or teachers in these sites. The smart integration of social sites and online tools with conventional e-learning platform could revolutionize the current e-learning model. Various e-learning issues including learner's participation, association, motivation and engagement can be mitigated by this integration. Number of SNS and online tools have great components for learning, teaching or training however their balanced use and incorporation with e-learning model is as yet an exploration challenge. In this paper, we present a model that utilizes social networking sites and tools effectively with e-learning platform. The basic idea of this model is to make e-learning simple and more compelling by using normal, easy to understand and generally free social sites and online tools. This paper also highlights some open research issues and challenges that might be faced SNS-based e-learning model. The idea, knowledge and open research issues that talk about in this paper may create another heading of research in the space of innovation bolstered learning.Estamos en la era de los sitios de redes sociales que ofrece una plataforma a miles de millones de individuos para ofrecer y transmitir los unos a los otros. Estos sitios sociales, además, brindan una plataforma mundial a estudiantes y educadores para satisfacer sus necesidades de aprendizaje o instrucción. La incorporación de sitios de redes sociales (SNS) y herramientas en línea con e-learning, obteniendo una gran fama, extraordinariamente instructivo en el espacio. Los alumnos se sienten más cómodos con estos SNS, se sienten complacidos de unirse, participar y colaborar con compañeros o profesores en estos sitios. La integración inteligente de los sitios sociales y las herramientas en línea con la plataforma de e-learning convencional podría revolucionar el modelo actual de e-learning. Varias cuestiones de aprendizaje electrónico, incluida la participación, la asociación, la motivación y el compromiso de los alumnos pueden mitigarse con esta integración. El número de SNS y las herramientas en línea tienen grandes componentes para el aprendizaje, la enseñanza o la capacitación, sin embargo, su uso equilibrado e incorporación con el modelo de aprendizaje electrónico es aún un desafío de exploración. En este artículo, presentamos un modelo que utiliza sitios y herramientas de redes sociales de manera efectiva con la plataforma de aprendizaje electrónico. La idea básica de este modelo es hacer que el e-learning sea simple y más atractivo al usar sitios sociales y herramientas en línea, fáciles de comprender y, en general, gratuitos. Este documento también resalta algunos problemas y desafíos de investigación abiertos que podrían enfrentar el modelo de e-learning basado en SNS. La idea, el conocimiento y los temas de investigación abierta de los que se explicita en este artículo pueden crear otro rumbo de investigación en el espacio de aprendizaje orientado por la innovación.Universidad Pablo de Olavid

Corporate Governance, Firm Age, and Leverage: Empirical Evidence from China

This study aims to analyze the influence of corporate governance on firm leverage. It also investigates the moderating effect of firm age on the association between corporate governance and leverage. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms, it addresses several issues that have been identified in the prior literature regarding capital structure. This study provides novel findings which reveal that CEO duality and board commissions have a statistically significant role in determining the leverage levels for NSOEs, however, the positive effect of board commissions established on leverage decreases as the firm ages. Board size, board independence and supervisory boards influence the leverage levels for SOEs, however, the negative effects of board independence and supervisory boards on leverage reduce as the firm grows older. Keywords: Corporate governance, leverage, firm age, Chinese listed firms DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-2-0

Size premium, value premium and market timing: evidence from an emerging economy

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the market timing strategy in different market conditions (i.e. up, down, normal and in-financial-crisis situation) in the emerging market of Pakistan over the period 1995 to 2015. Furthermore, this study tests the validity of the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and Fama and French model. Design/methodology/approach - This study considers monthly stock returns of 167 firms and constructs six different portfolios on the basis of different size and book to market ratio. The Treynor and Mazuy model is used to capture the market timing strategy. Findings - The results indicate evidence of the market timing in normal market conditions. However, there is less supportive evidence of market timing in up-market, down-market and in-financial-crisis situations. This study also confirms the validity of the capital asset pricing model and Fama and French three-factor model with strong support of value premium and size premium in the stock market. Practical implications - The findings of this study are helpful to companies in estimating the cost of issuing equity more accurately. The investors can use market timing to make their investment in a more better and profitable manner. Originality/value - Unlike other previous studies, this study considers an extended period to test the validity of the capital asset pricing model and Fama and French model. In addition, this study is novel in testing the marketing timing of the firms in the context of emerging economy of Pakistan.Objetivo - Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la estrategia de sincronización del mercado en diferentes condiciones de mercado (es decir, situación al alza, a la baja, normal y en situación de crisis financiera) en el mercado emergente de Pakistán durante el período 1995 a 2015. Además, este estudio prueba la validez de la modelo de valoración de activos de capital (CAPM) y modelo Fama y francés. Diseño / metodología / enfoque - Este estudio considera los rendimientos mensuales de las acciones de 167 empresas y construye seis carteras diferentes sobre la base de diferentes tamaños y relaciones entre libros y mercado. El modelo de Treynor y Mazuy se utiliza para capturar la estrategia de sincronización del mercado. Recomendaciones - Los resultados indican evidencia de la sincronización del mercado en condiciones normales de mercado. Sin embargo, hay menos evidencia de apoyo de la sincronización del mercado en situaciones de mercado al alza, a la baja y en situaciones de crisis financiera. Este estudio también confirma la validez del modelo de fijación de precios de los activos de capital y el modelo de tres factores de Fama y el francés con un fuerte apoyo de la prima de valor y la prima de tamaño en el mercado de valores. Implicaciones prácticas - Los hallazgos de este estudio son útiles para que las empresas estimen con mayor precisión el costo de emisión de acciones. Los inversores pueden utilizar la sincronización del mercado para hacer su inversión de una manera mejor y más rentable. Originalidad / valor - A diferencia de otros estudios anteriores, este estudio considera un período extendido para probar la validez del modelo de valoración de activos de capital y el modelo francés y de Fama. Además, este estudio es novedoso al probar el momento de comercialización de las empresas en el contexto de la economía emergente de Pakistán

Promoting female participation in professional development programmes

A recent publication of the Ministry of Education, Islamabad, shows that the province of Sindh has a population of over 30 million. The overall literacy rate in this province is 46.7 %, while the female literacy rate is 35.4%. However, in the rural areas of Sindh the female literacy rate is 13.11% against the male literacy rate of 52.1%. There are many social, cultural and economic factors that inhibit females from availing opportunities on an equal basis with the other segments of society. The literature also reveals that due to the above-mentioned factors females are confined to play a passive role in general and in the education sector in particular. According to a recent UNDP publication, there is considerable disparity between males and females in terms of professional development. Considering the importance of professional development of females in the education sector in Sindh, the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), under the Pakistan Non- Government Initiatives (PNI-II), took an initiative to launch a project titled ‘Strengthening the Capacity of NGOs/CBOs’. The project targeted to provide opportunities of professional development to 258 individuals, but the actual number of those who graduated was 388, considerably exceeding the planned target. Out of 388, 68 % (262) were females, which show the enthusiasm and commitment of the participants, collaborating NGOs/CBOs and AKU-IED towards the professional development of females. Through this initiative, females were trained as ‘agents of change’ to motivate their communities towards education of their children, in particular the girl child. This presentation unfolds the learning experiences of the USAID Project-III team in promoting female participation in professional development programmes at AKU-IED

A Novel Feature-Selection Algorithm in IoT Networks for Intrusion Detection

The Internet of Things (IoT) and network-enabled smart devices are crucial to the digitally interconnected society of the present day. However, the increased reliance on IoT devices increases their susceptibility to malicious activities within network traffic, posing significant challenges to cybersecurity. As a result, both system administrators and end users are negatively affected by these malevolent behaviours. Intrusion-detection systems (IDSs) are commonly deployed as a cyber attack defence mechanism to mitigate such risks. IDS plays a crucial role in identifying and preventing cyber hazards within IoT networks. However, the development of an efficient and rapid IDS system for the detection of cyber attacks remains a challenging area of research. Moreover, IDS datasets contain multiple features, so the implementation of feature selection (FS) is required to design an effective and timely IDS. The FS procedure seeks to eliminate irrelevant and redundant features from large IDS datasets, thereby improving the intrusion-detection system’s overall performance. In this paper, we propose a hybrid wrapper-based feature-selection algorithm that is based on the concepts of the Cellular Automata (CA) engine and Tabu Search (TS)-based aspiration criteria. We used a Random Forest (RF) ensemble learning classifier to evaluate the fitness of the selected features. The proposed algorithm, CAT-S, was tested on the TON_IoT dataset. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm, CAT-S, enhances classification accuracy while simultaneously reducing the number of features and the false positive rate.publishedVersio

Detection and prevention of Denial-of-Service in cloud-based smart grid

Smart Grid (SG), components with historical set of security challenges, becomes more vulnerable because Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has its own share of problems while Cloud infrastructure adds yet another unpredicted layer of threats. Scalability and availability, which are strong aspects of the cloud platform making it attractive to users, also attracts security threats for the same reasons. The malware installed on single host offers very limited scope compared to attack magnitude that compromised Cloud platform can offer. Therefore, the strongest aspect of Cloud itself becomes a nightmare in Cloud-Based SG. A breach in such a delicate system can cause severe consequences including interruption of electricity, equipment damage, data breach, complete blackouts, or even life-threatening consequences. We mimic Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks to demonstrate interruption of electricity in SG with open-source solution to co-simulate power and communication systems

Impact of a community-based perinatal and newborn preventive care package on perinatal and neonatal mortality in a remote mountainous district in Northern Pakistan

Background: There is limited evidence from community-based interventions to guide the development of effective maternal, perinatal and newborn care practices and services in developing countries. We evaluated the impact of a low-cost package of community-based interventions implemented through government sector lady health workers (LHWs) and community health workers (CHWs) of a NGO namely Aga Khan Health Services on perinatal and neonatal outcomes in a sub-population of the remote mountainous district of Gilgit, Northern Pakistan. Methods: The package was evaluated using quasi experimental design included promotion of antenatal care, adequate nutrition, skilled delivery and healthy newborn care practices. Control areas continued to receive the routine standard health services. The intervention areas received intervention package in addition to the routine standard health services. Outcome measures included changes in maternal and newborn-care practices and perinatal and neonatal mortality rates between the intervention and control areas. Results: The intervention was implemented in a population of 283324 over a 18 months period. 3200 pregnant women received the intervention. Significant improvements in antenatal care (92% vs 76%, p \u3c .001), TT vaccination (67% vs 47%, p \u3c .001), institutional delivery (85% vs 71%, p \u3c .001), cord application (51% vs 71%, p \u3c .001), delayed bathing (15% vs 43%, p \u3c .001), colostrum administration (83% vs 64%, p \u3c .001), and initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth (55% vs 40%, p \u3c .001) were seen in intervention areas compared with control areas. Our results indicate significant reductions in mortality rates in intervention areas as compared to control areas from baseline in perinatal mortality rate (from 47.1 to 35.3 per 1000 births, OR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.56-0.69; P 0.02) and neonatal mortality rates (from 26.0 to 22.8 per 1000 live births, 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48-0.68; P 0.03). Conclusions: The implementation of a set of low cost community-based intervention package within the health system settings in a mountainous region of Pakistan was found to be both feasible and beneficial. The interventions had a significant impact in reduction of the burden of perinatal and neonatal mortality

Demand Side Management Techniques for Home Energy Management Systems for Smart Cities

In this paper, three distinct distributed energy resources (DERs) modules have been built based on demand side management (DSM), and their use in power management of dwelling in future smart cities has been investigated. The investigated modules for DERs system are: incorporation of load shedding, reduction of grid penetration with renewable energy systems (RES), and implementation of home energy management systems (HEMS). The suggested approaches offer new potential for improving demand side efficiency and helping to minimize energy demand during peak hours. The main aim of this work was to investigate and explore how a specific DSM strategy for DER may assist in reducing energy usage while increasing efficiency by utilizing new developing technology. The Electrical Power System Analysis (ETAP) software was used to model and assess the integration of distributed generation, such as RES, in order to use local power storage. An energy management system has been used to evaluate a PV system with an individual household load, which proved beneficial when evaluating its potential to generate about 20–25% of the total domestic load. In this study, we have investigated how smart home appliances’ energy consumption may be minimized and explained why a management system is required to optimally utilize a PV system. Furthermore, the effect of integration of wind turbines to power networks to reduce the load on the main power grid has also been studied. The study revealed that smart grids improve energy efficiency, security, and management whilst creating environmental awareness for consumers with regards to power usage

Adaptation of Grid Tied Photovoltaic (GT-PV) System as Retrofit Renewable Energy Model for Single-Family House in UAE

Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) governments are encouraging advances in renewable energy and its deployment to reform domestic energy market policy. GCC countries including United Arab Emirates (UAE) all have begun to explore renewable energy technologies. This research intended to develop a framework model to use Grid Tied photovoltaic renewable energy (GT-PV) in the housing design of the GCC region particularly in UAE. In this regard, research has analyzed the various types of housing plans and worked out the possibilities of retrofit design to adapt renewable energy model to implement (GT-PV) in existing housing for their energy needs.  This study has determined the total energy need of each type of house, data of energy need was statically analyzed, and renewable energy output was calculated. The end result of research has surfaced a comprehensive model to design a grid-tied photovoltaic renewable energy system to cater the need for private housing in UAE