Public-Private Participation in Funding University Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Nigerian Case-Study for Sustainable Development

The developing countries in Africa still cannot withstand the pressure of the highly competitive global education market. Together with the large numbers of people who make a living in various innovative companies, these countries have solved key contemporary issues affecting global education. For this reason, it is necessary to actively respond to current technological innovation and educational challenges and to eliminate new technology graduates who can effectively interact with students through the responsive expansion of education and training. Expansion of education can produce effective expansion that promotes educational development, but due to budget constraints, most African governments cannot successfully and sustainably implement such educational programs. This is difficult. However, public-private partnership efforts provide a way out of this financial dilemma. The Sub-Saharan Africa initiative has achieved important educational objectives, such as: ensuring relevance for quality; secure funding for sustainability and establish resource mobilization partnerships and connections; and promote international cooperation. This discussion is relevant to the basic conditions for a successful public-private partnership with educational institutions and extended education and sheds light on the impact, lessons, and challenges. The public is increasingly concerned about the importance of higher education in the 21st century. This chapter explores some of the key functions of an innovative education system that supports the development of education in Nigeria and enhances people’s ability to use information. Nigeria’s education system re-emphasizes the importance of public and private universities, but the country does not have a sustainable education system and well-equipped educational institutions to support people’s ability to use information, learning, education, and research activities.

Adjustable positive and negative hygrothermal expansion metamaterial inspired by the Maltese cross

A metamaterial that can manifest both positive and negative coefficients of moisture and thermal expansion is presented herein, based on inspiration from the Maltese cross. Each unit of the metamaterial consists of a pair of equal-armed crosses pin-joined at their junctions to permit rotation, but elastically restrained by a bimaterial spiral spring, and four pairs of hinge rods to translate the relative rotational motion of the pair of equal-armed crosses into translational motion of the connecting rods. The effective coefficients of moisture and thermal expansion models were developed for small and large changes in the hygrothermal conditions using infinitesimal (approximate) and finite (exact) motion analyses, respectively, with the former giving constant effective coefficients with respect to environmental changes. Results indicate that the approximate method underestimates the magnitude of both the effective expansion coefficients under cooling and drying but overestimates magnitudes of both coefficients during heating and moistening, and that the change in both expansion coefficients is more drastic during cooling and drying than during heating and moistening. In addition to providing another micro-lattice geometry for effecting expansion coefficients of either signs, this metamaterial exhibits auxetic property.

Effects of mouse fetal liver cell culture density on hematopoietic cell expansion in three-dimensional cocultures with stromal cells

Objective: An effective ex vivo expansion system of primitive hematopoietic cells (HCs) is required for wider application of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we examined effects of culture density on mouse fetal liver cells (FLCs) used as an HC source for the expansion of primitive HCs in three-dimensional (3D) cocultures with two kinds of mouse stromal cell lines (OP9 or C3H10T1/2). Materials and methods: FLCs were seeded at different densities (1, 2, and 10 × 107 cells/cm3) into porous polymer scaffolds with or without stromal cell layers and HCs were expanded in the cultures for 2 weeks without exogenous cytokines. Results: Differential effects of culture density on HC expansion were observed between cocultures and solitary FLC controls. In stromal cell cocultures, high expansion of HCs was achieved when FLCs were seeded at low densities. In contrast, the expansion in the controls was enhanced with increasing culture densities. With respect to expansion of primitive HCs existing in the FLCs, cocultures with C3H10T1/2 cells were superior to those with OP9 cells with a 29.3-fold expansion for c-kit+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and 8.3-fold expansion for CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In the controls, HC expansion was lower than in any cocultures, demonstrating the advantages of coculturing for HC expansion. Conclusion: Stromal cell lines are useful in expanding primitive HCs derived from FLCs in 3D cocultures. Culture density is a pivotal factor for the effective expansion of primitive HCs and this effect differs by culture condition.

Institutionalization of Distance Learning Technologies in a Law School

The paper reveals the methodology of conducting a sociological study of the distance learning institutionalization in a law school, describes the main conclusions of an applied study on the effectiveness of implementing digital distance learning technologies in the educational process, traces the relationship between various educational strategies and the success of using digital technologies in new learning environments. The study reveals the factors of successful adaptation of technologies to the needs of students and teachers, analyzes the barriers to institutionalization, and provides recommendations for effective expansion of the use of distance learning technologies. The accuracy of the results of the sociological research is justified by a large sample of the survey, which included more than 1200 respondents, and the typology of respondents into three clusters: teachers, students, and support staff. In each cluster, a typology was carried out, which made it possible to identify different practices of using digital technologies during distance learning. The empirical material was collected in August 2020, which determines the relevance of the conclusions.

«BIG DATA» IN EDUCATION: INTERNATIONAL AND RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE

Big data analysis and their free circulation can serve as a basis for qualitative changes, the formation of a new modern and dynamically developing education system. The article analyzes data on the educational process, which will make it possible to better assess teachers and, if necessary, make changes to the content of their training. As data for the analysis, information about the traits of the student's character, his success in learning, and previous work experience are used. One of the significant points in terms of collecting and structuring big data in Russian education is the creation and implementation of the Moscow Electronic School project. Big data collection and analysis technologies open up great prospects for creating new positive learning experiences and highly effective expansion of lifelong learning competencies.

How post-merger integration duration affects merger outcomes

Purpose This study aims to confirm earlier findings that differences between merger and acquisition (M&A) participant firms are a hurdle for successful mergers and shows that merger outcomes can also be affected by the post-merger integration duration (PMID). Design/methodology/approach Experimental research on distinct cultures developed within experimental pre-merger subject groups is used to compare pre- and post-integration performances. Findings This study finds that firm distance (i.e. inherent differences between pre-merger firms) negatively influences merger success; no significant relationship between firm distance and PMID exists and PMID is positively related to merger success. Specifically, a slower integration minimizes conflicts between merger partners, enhances trust-building and reduces the disruption of existing resources and processes in both firms, which may benefit M&As. By contrast, a fast integration that shortens the overall integration process may discourage the combined entity from recognizing the intended synergy quickly. Research limitations/implications The new finding that PMID can affect merger outcomes invites empirical validation. This study presents experimental evidence that prolonged, well-structured post-merger integration may compensate for the negative time-variant issues associated with PMID. Practical implications Organizational support for collaborative learning between professional members should be a strategic consideration for firms so that acquiring business capabilities can be more natural and cost-efficient than building internal capabilities despite possibly slowing down the integration process. Encouraging a transfer of technical and client knowledge between the combined members can create value and understand differences in both the form and content of each firm’s knowledge base and the pre-existing mechanisms for sharing knowledge. It may lower the level of resistance in knowledge transfer. Originality/value While M&As may better facilitate the cost-effective expansion of business offerings than building capabilities internally, they can require considerable time, preventing many firms from realizing their intended outcomes. Nevertheless, less attention has been focused on PMID and its influence on M&As. This study is the first to use experimental research to examine the effects of PMID on merger success.

INFORMATION MODELING OF CONSTRUCTION OBJECTS: FEATURES OF APPLICATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The concept of database creation (modeling) of a building object (Building Information Model further – BIM) – an approach to erection, equipment, support, operation and repair of a building, which includes collection and complex processing during the design process of architectural, technological, economic and other information about the building under construction has been considered. The main advantages of BIM in construction have been highlighted. Advantages and practice of application of informational modeling of construction objects have been studied. Proposals to solve the problems that determine the further effective expansion of the practice of using information modeling of construction facilities have been formulated. In particular, these are modernization of existing and development of domestic software; transition to BIM technologies to public-private partnership facilities; consideration of the BIM model as the main data source for the partner relationship management system, expertise in architectural and urban planning decisions and the project declaration; development and application of intermediate (transitional) period procedure for application of BIM technologies - stages of assessment of readiness of participants of investment and construction complex for application of BIM technologies, application of mechanism of interaction between participants of investment and construction complex and active creation of new digital system of construction facility management.

Effect of Pore Structure and Ion Concentration of Solution on the Formation of Ettringite in Composite Cement Paste

Under the background of shrinkage cracking of cement and concrete, ettringite is regarded as the most effective expansion source because of its outstanding expansion characteristics. In order to study the expansion mechanism of ettringite, the growth process and formation conditions of ettringite in composite cement system were studied by means of SEM, MIP and ICP. The effects of pore structure and ion concentration of pore solution on the morphology and expansion properties of ettringite were also analysed in this paper. The results show that the pore structure of cement paste directly affects the expansion properties of ettringite. It is verified that there is no obvious linear relationship between the expansion rate of ettringite and its quantity. The concentration of SO42- and Al(OH)4- in pore solution is the determinant of ettringite formation rate and quantity in composite cement system at the initial stage of hydration reaction. The change of crystallinity of ettringite will be directly caused by pH.