Experiential versus attitudinal topic types and task performance in EFL monologues

With the aim of contributing to the existing ‎literature on the relationships between task ‎and topic facets, discourse features, topic ‎familiarity, and task performance in speaking, this study used EFL monologues to examine how two different sets of ‎topics―experiences/preferences versus opinions/attitudes―relate to task performance. The ‎task performance was measured using discourse features, including how language ‎elicited was complex, fluent, and lexically diverse. The study also explores how discourse ‎features themselves relate to one another across the two sets of topics. The data for the study ‎came from monologues performed by 63 adult EFL learners at the intermediate level of an ‎intensive English program in Saudi Arabia. The learners produced the monologues in response ‎to two summative tests (i.e., Test 1: experiences preferences and Test 2: opinions ‎attitudes). Using parametric statistical analyses (incl., the paired samples T-test and the ‎Pearson correlation), it was found that while experiences and preferences evoked more fluent ‎language than did opinions and attitudes, the latter elicited more complex and lexically ‎diverse language. Also, a significant, positive correlation existed between fluency and complexity for experiences and preferences, whereas lexical diversity was significantly positively correlated with complexity for opinions and attitudes. The study report concludes ‎with practical implications for enhancing task performance of monologues in the areas of ‎complexity, fluency, and lexical diversity.

Incorporating intelligence into exit choice model for typical evacuation

Integrating an exit choice model into a microscopic crowd dynamics model is an essential approach for obtaining more efficient evacuation model. We describe various aspects of decision-making capability of an existing rule-based exit choice model for evacuation processes. In simulations, however, the simulated evacuees clogging at exits have behaved non-intelligently, namely they do not give up their exits for better ones for safer egress. We refine the model to endow the individuals with the ability to leave their exits due to dynamic changes by modifying the model of their excitement resulted from the source of panic. This facilitates the approximately equal crowd size at exits for being until the end of the evacuation process, and thereby the model accomplishes more optimal evacuation. For further intelligence, we introduce the prediction factor that enables higher probability of equally distributing evacuees at exits. A simulation to validate the contribution is performed, and the results are analyzed and compared with the original model

Development of a microscopic crowd dynamic model: incorporating decision making capability Into the social force model.

Model daya sosial adalah salah satu model pejalan kaki mikroskopik yang paling berjaya yang mewakili fenomena dirancang dengan baik bagi aliran pejalan kaki. Bagaimanapun, keupayaan pejalan-pejalan kaki untuk membuat keputusan dalam situasi-situasi kecemasan dan normal tidak digabungkan dengan betul ke dalam model. The Social Force Model is one of the most successful microscopic pedestrian models that represent the well-organized phenomena of the pedestrian flow. However, the pedestrians‟ abilities to make decisions in normal and emergency situations have not been incorporated properly into the model

Impact of Foreign Aid on the Economic Development of Nigeria: 1986 - 2016

The study researched into the impact of Foreign Aid (FA) on the Economic Development of Nigeria since the literature is yet to reach an agreement on the role of FA in economic development. The study made use of secondary data and reviewed past works done in the area for knowledge gathering. We employed vector error correction model (VECM), after unit root test and Johansen cointegration test of the series were carried out. The study found out that foreign aid flow (FAF) in Nigeria is positively related to gross domestic product (GDP), but however insignificant. That is, it does not create impact on the economy to be felt by the people. The study recommended that government should ensure that foreign aid received are invested in productive ventures and create institutions to monitor its usage, as well block diversion to non-authorised purposes. Keywords: Foreign Aid, Economic Development, GDP, Nigeri

The Analysis of the Impact of the Capital Market Performance on Economic Growth in Nigeria: 1986 – 2017

The capital market is one sub-sector that is currently considered to drive production through its unique role as a channel of funds to investment that will impact positively on economic growth and development. The issuance of equity securities enables companies to acquire perpetual funds for development and to avoid the over-reliance on debt financing from the money market; thus, equity finance remains the cheapest and flexible source of finance. In view of this, this study addresses the impact of capital market performance on economic growth in Nigeria. It uses time-series secondary sourced data that cover the period 1986 to 2017 and relies on Ordinary Least Square method to analyse the long-run relationship. It also uses Pairwise Granger Causality test to examine the direction of causation between explanatory variables and dependent variable. Empirically, the results show relationship between economic growth (Y) and market capitalization (MCP) and degree of openness (OPN), while a negative relationship exists between Y and value of share traded (STV) and Portfolio Investment (POI). MCP significantly impact on Y at 5 percent level of significance and depicts a unidirectional causal relationship with Y. The coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.913680, suggesting 91 percent variation in economic growth as accounted for by the explanatory variables. The study recommends government should liberalize the economy to encourage foreign investors and deepen the equity market, as well as contribute fund injection into the economy, as well as create policies that would encourage large participation of stock investors and quick access to securities trading. Keywords: Capital Market Performance, Economic Growth, Nigeria

The Analysis of the Impact of the Capital Market Performance on Economic Growth in Nigeria: 1986 – 2017

The capital market is one sub-sector that is currently considered to drive production through its unique role as a channel of funds to investment that will impact positively on economic growth and development. The issuance of equity securities enables companies to acquire perpetual funds for development and to avoid the over-reliance on debt financing from the money market; thus, equity finance remains the cheapest and flexible source of finance. In view of this, this study addresses the impact of capital market performance on economic growth in Nigeria. It uses time-series secondary sourced data that cover the period 1986 to 2017 and relies on Ordinary Least Square method to analyse the long-run relationship. It also uses Pairwise Granger Causality test to examine the direction of causation between explanatory variables and dependent variable. Empirically, the results show relationship between economic growth (Y) and market capitalization (MCP) and degree of openness (OPN), while a negative relationship exists between Y and value of share traded (STV) and Portfolio Investment (POI). MCP significantly impact on Y at 5 percent level of significance and depicts a unidirectional causal relationship with Y. The coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.913680, suggesting 91 percent variation in economic growth as accounted for by the explanatory variables. The study recommends government should liberalize the economy to encourage foreign investors and deepen the equity market, as well as contribute fund injection into the economy, as well as create policies that would encourage large participation of stock investors and quick access to securities trading. Keywords: Capital Market Performance, Economic Growth, Nigeria

Blockchain-based electronic health record system for efficient Covid-19 pandemic management

Electronic Health Record (EHR) is being used in most healthcare institutions to preserve and share health records instead of a paper-based method. Data records must be exchanged amongst various parties and users' privileges to manage access to their records should also be provided. In addition to the basic standards of secrecy, confidentiality and integrity of information, these facts further demonstrate the need for interoperability and consumer control to access their personal data. Electronic Health Record (EHR) system faces issues of protection of data, trust and management issues. In recent Covid-19 pandemic, various applications, tools and websites were launched that stores records. Also, many personal records related to health need to be shared among different parties for early detection, contact tracing, monitoring and the future prediction that requires accurate and reliable data. Simultaneously, the citizens will be hesitant in providing their personal details due to privacy concerns and social stigma. Blockchain technology has arisen as a powerful technology that can offer the immutability, confidentiality and user access properties of stored information and provided distributed storage. This paper analyses the blockchain suitability in EHR and its further applications in efficient Covid-19 pandemic management

Blockchain-based framework for secure and reliable land registry system

The land registry system is one of the very important department in any governance system that stores the records of land ownership. There are various issues and loopholes in the existing system that give rise to corruption and disputes. This requires a significant chunk of valuable government resources from judiciary and law enforcement agencies in settling these issues. Blockchain technology has the potential to counter these loopholes and sort out the issues related with land registry system like tempering of records, trading of the same piece of land to more than one buyer. In this paper, a secure and reliable framework for land registry system using Blockchain has been proposed. The proposed framework uses the concept of smart contract at various stages of the land registry and gives an algorithm for pre-agreement. First, we describe the conventional land registry system and reviews the issues in it. Then, we outline the potential benefits of employing Blockchain technology in the land registry system and presented a framework. Finally, a number of case studies are presented

Review: A critical overview of limitations CFD Modeling in nasal airflow.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of nasal airflow has been carried out by several researchers. Virtual surgical treatment and aerosol deposition studies have also been conducted. However, the appropriateness of such modeling practices with regards to modeling and medical constraints needs careful consideration. The current numerical models for the study of nasal airflow, developed from the scanned images obtained from computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, are influenced by postural changes. These models neglect the mucous layer, other vital anatomical features, and nasal cycle effects, CFD studies make numerous assumptions that seriously limit their usefulness. Unless these constraints can be addressed, the interpretation of results from a CFD output cannot be considered as an appropriate definition of the flow behavior. This review provides a critical overview of the limit actions of the CFD mode ling of nasal air-low. Some of the limitations and constraints associated with CFD modeling are reviewed and possible studies that could be carried out in the future to ascertain the effect of neglecting these parameters are discussed. This study also proposes a standard station of the computational modeling procedure, which is necessary for studying airflow inside the nasal cavity