Independent Variables Research Articles

Land Price Variability Assessment of a Transport Infrastructure Project in Pabna District, Bangladesh

Transport infrastructure development projects play a vital role in improving accessibility, which has dynamic effects on the regional economy as well as increases property values. This research aims to assess the land price variability in control and catchment areas before and after the Dasuria-to-Dhalarchar railway development project in Pabna district, Bangladesh. A set of independent variables was considered to measure the correlation between development project and land price through a questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. The impact of a railway project on land price was determined by the ordinary least squares method, after which the method was justified through Cook’s distance, P-P plot and scatter plot. The data analysis reveals a strong association between land price and distance to a central business district. The data shows that the land price increased significantly after implementation of the railway project with different intensities, as functional characteristics vary among selected stations.

Career Training and Employee Performance in Money Deposit Banks in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between career training and employee performance in money deposit banks in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The strategies of career training employed by Money Deposit Banks in equipping their employees were used as pre-determined factors in measuring career training. These strategies of On-the-job Training and Career Mentoring formed the independent variables for the study. The dependent variable was employee performance. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the population of the study consisted of 200 employees of Money Deposit Banks in Akwa Ibom State. A purposive sampling technique was adopted by the researchers. Data for the study were collected using structured copies of questionnaire from two hundred (200) employees. The research hypothesis were tested using the Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient (PMCC) analysis technique to establish the nature and degree of relationship between the critical variables of career training and the dependent variable, employee performance at a 5% level of significance. From the data analysis, findings revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between on-the-job training and career mentoring on employee’s performance in Money Deposit Banks in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. From the findings, it was concluded that there is a positive and significant relationship between the critical variables of career training (on-the-job training and career mentoring) and employees’ performance in Money Deposit Banks in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Based on this, it was recommended that the management of Money Deposit Banks in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria should recruit and train employees who are likely to become actively associated with the objectives of the organization to bring about adequate growth. Also, the banking industry should set aside a department, unit or set of individuals to check and encourage mentoring of staff and make recommendations to management in different years of operation.

From Clicks to Satisfaction: A Study on How Customer-Based Brand Equity Shapes Customer Satisfaction in Online Food Delivery Realm for Generation Z in Lampang Province, Thailand

Background and Aim: The rise of online platforms, especially in the food service industry, has significantly impacted Generation Z, enhanced brand preference and loyalty and potentially affecting customer satisfaction. This research explores the impact of customer-based brand equity on customer satisfaction with online food delivery applications for Generation Z in Lampang Province, Thailand. Materials and Methods: This study focuses on a quantitative approach to investigate the relationship between customer satisfaction and brand awareness among Generation Z users of online food delivery applications in Lampang Province, Thailand. A sample size of 400 users was chosen. Data was collected using accidental and convenient sampling techniques, with an online questionnaire as the most suitable instrument. The questionnaire was designed with five key variables and tested for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. A multiple regression analysis was performed to understand the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable, customer satisfaction. Results: The study uses enter method regression analysis to explore the relationships between four hypotheses on customer satisfaction in online food delivery applications for Generation Z in Lampang Province, Thailand. With these factors accounting for about 63.90% of the variance, the findings demonstrate a positive impact of brand awareness, association, loyalty, and perceived quality on customer satisfaction. Conclusion: The results show a positive impact of brand awareness, association, loyalty, and perceived quality on customer satisfaction. Implementing these suggestions can enhance customer satisfaction and competitiveness in the online food delivery market for Generation Z in Lampang Province, Thailand.

Tax System and Equity Investment in a Growing Economy

The purpose of the study is to identify the impact of the tax system on investment in equity capital by analyzing the six types of taxes that affect the activities of firms. The data for the independent variables (tax classes in Nigeria) are obtained from the Federal Internal Revenue Service, while the data for the dependent variable (equity investment) are obtained from the Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The necessary statistical methodologies are used to examine the impact of various tax classes on equity investment from 2011 to 2020. According to the research, capital gains tax and gas income tax have little effect on equity investment. The petroleum profit tax and corporate income tax have a considerable detrimental impact on equity investment. On the plus side, value added tax and education tax have a significant favorable impact on equity investment. These results are one-of-akind and precisely depict the genuine nature of the country’s tax system and its impact on investment. As a result, the research proposes a tax shift to lessen the tax burden on enterprises in order to stimulate equity investment, which will increase firms’ capital base for the purpose of business expansion and growth of the nation’s economic structure.

Backward Vertical Integration Strategies and Competitiveness of Firms in EPZ Kenya

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to determine the influence of backward vertical integration strategies on the competitiveness of firms in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ), Kenya.
 Methodology: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in this study, meaning that both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed. Descriptive technique, specifically survey was used in the research design. The target population was all the 137 EPZ firms within Kenya and the sample was drawn from this population. The stratified random sampling technique was used. The EPZ firms are situated within the 74 gazetted zones, out of which 69 are privately owned and operated while 5 are public zones. The quantitative data that was collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists. Further, the significance level of each independent variable was tested against the dependent variable at 95% level of confidence using ANOVA, regression and correlation techniques. 
 Findings: The findings showed that backward vertical integration strategies had a positive and significant influence on the competitiveness of firms in EPZ, Kenya, at 0.151, p<0.05 and 0.432, p<0.05 when the moderating variable firm size is included.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study contributes to both the resource-based view and the theory of dynamic capabilities. It lays emphasis on the importance of resources in attaining competitiveness as suggested in these theories. Besides, the study emphasizes the need for firms to have policies aimed at ensuring raw materials supply stability, lower transaction costs and enhanced economies of scale. The findings of this study are significant because the Government of Kenya envisages that the EPZ program is expected to play a critical role in the manufacturing sector contributing 20% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. This will subsequently lead to an increase in employment opportunities, real-value added growth, and foreign direct investment (KNBS, 2022). The study recommends a review by the EPZ Authority in Kenya , of the underlying aim of using backward vertical integration strategies as means of gaining competitive advantage competitiveness and the inclusion of this strategy in the various EPZ firm’s policies and procedures.

IMPACTO DEL USO DE DOLOMITA Y OLIVINO EN EL PROCESO DE GASIFICACIÓN DE DESECHOS SÓLIDOS DE NARANJA. CONTRASTE CON LA GASIFICACIÓN SIN EL USO DE CATALIZADORES

The industry processing of the orange generates high volumes of solid waste. This waste has been used to complement animal feeding and biochemical processes, but the gasification process has not valued its energy use. Gasification studies were carried out with air in a catalytic fluidized bed (using dolomite and olivine as catalysts in a secondary reactor, also varying the temperature of the secondary reactor and the catalyst mass) of the solid waste of orange, and the results are compared with those obtained in the gasification with non-catalytic air. In the processes, we use a design of a complete factorial experiment of 2k, valuing the influence of the independent variables and their interactions in the answers, using the software Design-Expert® and a grade of the significance of 95 %. The results demonstrate the qualities of the solid waste of orange in the energy use through the gasification process for the treatment of these residuals, obtaining a gas of low heating value. The use of catalysts also diminishes the yield of tars obtained in the gasification process, making dolomite more active than olivine. The better results of fluidized bed catalytic gasification of RSNs, in terms of gas heating value, gas yield, and low tar yield, are obtained when the secondary reactor operates at a temperature of 800 ºC and using 60 g of dolomite as a catalyst. Keywords: Orange waste, catalytic gasification, fluidized bed, dolomite, olivine

Cocoa Producers’ Decision on Fermenting Beans in Jembrana Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia

Cocoa bean has an important role in the agricultural economy of Indonesia for its foreign earnings. Demand for high quality of cocoa beans is increasing fast due to the expansion of global cocoa and chocolate market. Bali Province also plays an important role in Indonesia’s cocoa production and export where the main cocoa plantation lies in Jembrana Regency cultivated by small-scale farmers. Chocolate industry requests for high quality cocoa beans from fermented cocoa for high prices, however farmers are still reluctant to do fermentation. This study aims at analyzing probability of farmer’s decision to ferment cocoa beans at Jembrana Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia. Logit regression was utilized where the dependent variable is in binary, which is the change in probability of a cocoa producer choosing to ferment their cocoa beans, given the independent variables included farm size, production and other occupation of farmers. The result from the average marginal effect shows that only production variable is significant to increase the probability of the cocoa farmers to ferment their cocoa beans. Result from the analysis indicates that on average for one kilogram increase in cocoa production per month, the probability of observing increases fermentation by approximately 0.26 percentage point. In other words, higher production volume increases the probability of the cocoa producers to ferment their cocoa beans. It is suggested to multi stakehonders in cocoa industry to further improve production through the implementation of good agricultural practices (GAP) and extending training for cocoa farmers.

What do you do or with whom? Understanding happiness with the tourism experience: an AI approach applied to Instagram

More and more tourists are sharing their experiences on their social media through a combination of photos, texts, and hashtags. But there is a scarcity of studies in literature on analyzing tourists’ visual content in relation to tourism destinations. To address this gap in literature, this study explores how and with whom users express the greatest happiness in holiday destinations, and how they share it with their community, through a mixed methods approach composed of analysis of images, text, and metadata. This approach allows us to address the objective of this research, which is the prediction of the happiness felt by tourists during their experience, using innovative techniques that allow the independent variables to be obtained. To predict tourist satisfaction, two sources of data, photos and texts, are analyzed: a novel approach and little explored in the literature, but necessary due to the interaction of both variables. This study applies various artificial intelligence analyses on visual content (deep learning), and textual and metadata content (machine learning) to 39,235 Instagram posts shared by tourists since the emergence of Instagram thirteen years ago, at a cultural and gastronomic tourist destination. The findings of the visual content analysis showed that socialization and company, that is, traveling and interacting with people, was a key aspect of a positive tourism experience. In addition, the gender of the people with whom they traveled, and the tourist’s narcissism were also key aspects in the generation and expression of positive emotions. Regarding the analysis of the textual content, the results showed that when tourists enjoyed a positive experience, they became more involved in the generation of content, that is, they showed their happiness through positive words.

Differentiating electrocardiographic indications of massive and submassive pulmonary embolism: A cross-sectional study in Southern Iran from 2015 to 2020.

Although using electrocardiogram (ECG) for pulmonary embolism (PE) risk stratification has shown mixed results, it is currently used as supplementary evidence in risk stratification. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess and compare ECG findings of massive and submassive PE versus segmental PE. This cross-sectional study included 250 hospitalized patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute PE from 2015 to 2020 in Southern Iran. Demographic variables, clinical data, troponin levels, on-admission ECG findings, echocardiography findings, and ECG findings 24 h after receiving anticoagulants or thrombolytics were extracted. Patients diagnosed with submassive or massive PE exhibited significantly higher rates of right axis deviation (p = .010), abnormal ST segment (p < .0001), S1Q3T3 pattern (p < .0001), inverted T wave in leads V1-V3 (p < .0001), inverted T wave in leads V4-V6 (p < .0001), and inverted T wave in leads V1-V6 (p < .0001). In a multivariable model, inverted T wave in leads V1-V3, inverted T wave in leads V4-V6, pulse rate, and positive troponin test were the statistically independent variables for predicting submassive or massive PE. Furthermore, inverted T wave in leads V1-V3 (sensitivity: 85%, specificity: 95%, accuracy: 93%, AUC: 0.902) and troponin levels (sensitivity: 72%, specificity: 86%, accuracy: 83%, AUC: 0.792) demonstrated the best diagnostic test performance for discriminating submassive or massive PE from segmental PE. In addition to clinical rules, ECG can serve as an ancillary tool for assessing more invasive testing and earlier aggressive treatments among patients with PE, as it can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and risk stratification of submassive or massive PE.

Factors related to stunting in children under 2 years old in the Papua, Indonesia: Does the type of residence matter?

To analyze factors related to stunting in Papua region. Secondary data from the 2021 Indonesian National Nutrition Status Survey were used in this study. Samples of 2,937 Papuan children under the age of two were gathered for the study. This study analyzed independent variables (type of residence, mother's age, marriage, mother's education, employment, wealth, child's age, gender, and early breastfeeding initiation (EBFI) with stunting. The relationship was analyzed using logistic regression tests. Stunting is more common among children in Papua's rural areas than in urban (AOR 1.168, 95% CI, 1.128-1.209). Stunting is more common in children who mother do not work than in mothers who do (AOR 1.174, 95% CI, 1.142- 1.207). Stunting is more common in children aged 12-23 months compared to children <12 months (AOR 3.381, 95% CI, 3.291-3.474). Compared to girls, boys are more likely to become stunted (AOR 1.348, 95% CI, 1,314-1,383). Children under the age of two who do not experience EBFI are at higher risk than those who have (AOR 1.078, 95% CI, 1.050-1.106). There are eight variables associated with stunting, namely residence, age of mother, mother's education, mother's occupation, economic status, child's age, gender, and EBFI. Prioritization of stunting interventions in Papua should be targeted at mothers who living in rural, having low education, and not doing early breastfeeding initiation.

The Determinants of Manufacturer Firm Value in the Indonesia Stock Exchange During Pandemic: Signalling Theory Perspective

The importance of a company's value cannot be overstated as it directly correlates with the prosperity of shareholders. Elevated company value translates to increased shareholder wealth, primarily manifested through higher stock prices. This research endeavors to empirically assess the impact of liquidity, leverage, and profitability – independent variables – on firm value within the food and beverage manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2019 to 2021. Employing a quantitative approach, secondary data from the official website (www.idx.co.id) was utilized, encompassing companies within this subsector. The research employed purposive sampling, selecting 28 companies from a total population of 84. Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 23 facilitated data analysis using multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that liquidity (X1) exhibited a significance value of 0.511, surpassing the 0.05 significance level (0.511 &gt; 0.05), with a negative t value of -0.663. This implies that liquidity (X1) does not exert a significant influence on firm value (Y). Likewise, leverage (X2) yielded a significance value of 0.326, exceeding the 0.05 level (0.326 &gt; 0.05), accompanied by a positive t value of 0.993

A Perspective of Theory Technology-To-Performance Chain (TPC): Accounting Information Systems, Internal Control and Work Motivation on Employee Performance

The advancement of technology is a reflection of the contemporary era, continually evolving to address the changing needs of humanity. Beyond the widespread demand for accounting information systems, it is crucial to recognize the substantial influence that internal control and work motivation wield over employee performance. This research endeavors to examine the impact of accounting information systems, internal control, and work motivation on the performance of PT Arfia Megah's employees. The study employs a saturated sampling method, encompassing the entire population of 40 employees at PT Arfia Megah. The independent variables under scrutiny include accounting information systems, internal controls, and work motivation, while employee performance serves as the dependent variable. Utilizing a quantitative approach, primary data is collected through a questionnaire, and the analysis is conducted using the multiple regression method. The findings affirm a positive correlation between accounting information systems, internal control, work motivation, and enhanced employee performance

Research on Problems and Countermeasures of Online Home Office of Enterprise Employees under the COVID-19 Epidemic

Online home office refers to a new type of office model in which the public uses a network system to perform and process work tasks at home in specific circumstances. During the COVID-19, employees’ online home office work provided guidance for enterprises’ resumption of work and production. This mode can provide more time for production work, balance employees’ work and life, and improve work efficiency to a certain extent, but still exposed some problems. On the basis of introducing the concept of online home work for enterprise employees and the literature review, this paper mainly adopts the questionnaire survey and video interview method, and distributes questionnaires to employees of small and medium-sized enterprises in Jiangsu Province of China from November 8, 2022 to March 8, 2023. 304 effective questionnaires and descriptive responses from three interviewees were returned. With processing the data, independent variables, such as difficult to achieve physical management, immature enterprise security technology, reduced communication among employees, reduced enterprise cohesion, and imperfect legal system and dependent variables worked from home online are significantly correlated at the 0.01 level. The paper analyzes the problems existing in online home work for enterprise employees, and proposes management suggestions and countermeasures to solve the problems in online home work practice for enterprise employees.

Characteristics Analysis of Glamping Visitors in The Covid-19 Pandemic (Case Study on Glamping Lakeside Rancabali)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the analysis of the characteristics of glamping visitors during the covid-19 pandemic at Glamping Lakeside Rancabali. Research metods: In obtaining the desired research results, this study used descriptive research methods with a quantitative approach, and purposive sampling through questionnaires. Result and discussion: The results of this study indicate that in general the analysis of the characteristics of glamping visitors is seen from positive environmental, personal, and social factors on a trip or vacation to Glamping Lakeside Rancabali. Implication: In this study, it can be concluded that the gender of the respondents, both male and female, is 42 (male) and 33 (female), the age characteristics of Glamping Lakeside Rancabali visitors are dominated by young adults, namely 21-30 years, from the province and domiciled in DKI Jakarta, the most recent education attained by the most respondents is the respondent with a high school education level, the income or income of the most respondents is the respondent with an income of IDR 2,500,000 – IDR 3,500,000. The results of the CHAID analysis obtained by researchers are the dependent variable used in this study, namely public transportation, while for the independent variables (free) used are 10 other indicators. The conclusion obtained is that the chi-square test is h0 rejected, which means that the dependent and independent variables have a relationship. Keywords: Glamorous Camping, Guest Characteristics, Covid-19 Pandemic

Quest on Determinants of Stock Price in Nepal: Evidence of Microfinance Sector Share Listed in NEPSE

Stock markets are crucial for economic prosperity, capital formation, and sustainable economic growth. It facilitates resource flow, investment opportunities, pooling funds, sharing risk, and wealth transfer between savers and users. This paper investigates the determinants of stock price traded in Nepal's secondary market through NEPSE, focusing on the microfinance sector. The study uses descriptive, analytical, and inferential research to analyze the determinants of microfinance companies' market prices. The econometric model's coefficient of variation value is 0.90, indicating that 90 per cent change in the market price of the microfinance company is defined by the explanatory variables included in the model. Market price per share is positively correlated with earnings per share, return on equity, price-earnings ratio, and book value, while inversely correlated with floating share size. Independent variables like earnings per share, price-to-earnings ratio, and floating shares are statistically significant. However, other fundamental aspects of equity, such as book value per share and return on equity, are not statistically significant. This highlights the importance of considering company-specific factors in investment decisions in Nepalese capital markets. In conclusion, there is serious gap of financial literacy from the part of vast majority of market participant lacking investment optimization.

Advances in AI and machine learning for predictive medicine.

The field of omics, driven by advances in high-throughput sequencing, faces a data explosion. This abundance of data offers unprecedented opportunities for predictive modeling in precision medicine, but also presents formidable challenges in data analysis and interpretation. Traditional machine learning (ML) techniques have been partly successful in generating predictive models for omics analysis but exhibit limitations in handling potential relationships within the data for more accurate prediction. This review explores a revolutionary shift in predictive modeling through the application of deep learning (DL), specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Using transformation methods such as DeepInsight, omics data with independent variables in tabular (table-like, including vector) form can be turned into image-like representations, enabling CNNs to capture latent features effectively. This approach not only enhances predictive power but also leverages transfer learning, reducing computational time, and improving performance. However, integrating CNNs in predictive omics data analysis is not without challenges, including issues related to model interpretability, data heterogeneity, and data size. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaborations between ML experts, bioinformatics researchers, biologists, and medical doctors. This review illuminates these complexities and charts a course for future research to unlock the full predictive potential of CNNs in omics data analysis and related fields.

Sanitation and public health: space-temporal analysis of morbidity and mortality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of waterborne and foodborne diseases in the health regions of Rio Grande do Sul and its correlation with sanitary and socioeconomic characteristics. It is an ecological study with multiple groups, using statewide secondary data from 2018 to 2021, considering the average hospitalization and mortality rates as dependent variables, and sanitary and socioeconomic indicators as independent variables. Spatial dependence was observed for morbidity and mortality, with lower values in the more developed regions of the state. Negative associations between hospitalization and mortality rates were common with total water supply, sewage, and coverage of household solid waste collection services. A positive association was found between hospitalization rates and the Gini coefficient. The high morbidity and mortality in specific regions, in conjunction with sanitary and socioeconomic indicators, highlight priority areas for public policies ensuring the right to water and sanitation for the people of Rio Grande do Sul.

Association between the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine and under-nutrition in children aged 10 to 59 months in Siaya County, Kenya

Background: Under-nutrition is a global problem associated with infectious diseases including malaria. In this study, we explored the association between the newly introduced malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01 and measles vaccine with under-nutrition in children. Methods: We conducted a case-control study using anthropometric data for children aged between 10 and 59 months in Siaya County, Kenya collected from September to December 2021. Malaria and measles vaccines were the exposure variables, and under-nutrition, which is a composite variable including stunting and/or underweight was the outcome. Chi-square was used to test association between under-nutrition and the two vaccines. Further, a binary logistic regression was used to assess association between the vaccines, and independent variables with a confidence interval set at 95%. Results: From a total of 1,701 children, 185 (16.8%) were undernourished. Among the undernourished children, 121 (11.0%) were stunted and 64 (5.81%) were underweight. The undernourished children were matched with children of normal nutritional status at a ratio of 1:1 giving a total of 370. Malaria vaccine coverage was low at 21.1% (39/370) and 17.3% (32/370) among undernourished and children with normal nutritional status respectively. Similarly, the measles vaccine coverage was 30.8% (57/370) and 36.2% (67/370) among cases and controls respectively. Neither exposure to malaria nor measles vaccines showed a statistically significant difference between the cases and controls. Conclusions: We found no statistically significant association between malaria vaccine and under-nutrition in children. While malaria vaccine is important in protecting children from the malaria disease effects, it is not a proxy intervention for under-nutrition.

Hubungan Sarapan Pagi Dengan Status Gizi Dan Prestasi Akademik Mahasiswa

Breakfast contributes 25% of the total daily nutritional intake. The benefits of breakfast can improve learning achievement. The long-term effects of nutritional intake and status can influence cognitive. This research aimed to determine the relationship between breakfast and the nutritional status and academic achievement of students. This research is an observational analytic with a cross-sectional study approach carried out on nutrition students at the Maluku Ministry of Health Polytechnic. The population was 176 people and the sample was 71 people who were willing to be involved in the research until completion. The research location was carried out at the Maluku Ministry of Health Polytechnic. The dependent variables used are nutritional status and academic achievement, while the independent variable is breakfast. Analysis of the relationship between variables was carried out using a chi-square. The results of the study showed a correlation between breakfast and nutritional status, p-value (0.002) and breakfast with achievement, p-value (0.205). In conclusion, there is a relationship between breakfast and students' nutritional status, but it has no relationship with academic achievement. It is recommended that there be similar research with a diversity of variables that can show factors that influence the nutritional status and academic achievement.

The Role of Probiotics in Children with Diarrhea or Constipation

Probiotics are non-pathogenic living microorganisms and can encourage the growth of other microbes that can benefit the host's health when consumed in sufficient quantities. The aim of this study was to explore the role of probiotics in the management of diarrhea or constipation in children by clarifying their effectiveness, safety and mechanism of action. The type and design of this research is observational analysis with a literature review method. Data was collected from national and international journal publications via scientificdirect.com and pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov which met the inclusion criteria, namely research examining the role of giving probiotics to children suffering from diarrhea or constipation, research that has been published in the last ten years using data primary and secondary data as well as cross-sectional and cohort research designs. The dependent variable in this study is the outcome of diarrhea or constipation, and the independent variable is probiotics. Data analysis was carried out narratively. This research found that in children suffering from diarrhea, giving probiotics can shorten the duration of diarrhea, especially that caused by rotavirus. On the other hand, in children with constipation, probiotics can increase intestinal motility and shorten transit time so that stool consistency changes and the frequency of defecation increases. There is a relationship between giving probiotics to children and diarrhea or constipation.