This paper is the third in a series focused on bridging the gap between secondary and higher education. Our primary objective is to develop a robust theoretical framework for an innovative e-business model called the Undergraduate Study Programme Search System (USPSS). This system considers multiple criteria to reduce the likelihood of exam failure or the need for multiple retakes, while maximizing the chances of successful program completion. Testing of the proposed algorithm demonstrated that the Stochastic Gradient Boosted Regression Trees method outperforms the current method used in Lithuania for admitting applicants to 47 educational programs. Specifically, it is more accurate than the Probabilistic Neural Network for 25 programs, the Ensemble of Regression Trees for 24 programs, the Single Regression Tree for 18 programs, the Random Forest Regression for 16 programs, the Bayesian Additive Regression Trees for 13 programs, and the Regression by Discretization for 10 programs.

The performance of Public Enterprises (PEs) in Namibia has been a long and contentious issue, clamored by continuous bailouts in the face of constant poor performance. The trend of financial bailouts to PEs in Namibia over the years has attracted increased attention into the dynamics of poor PE performance and their fiscal burden on the state. The Namibian government has taken active steps in cutting on PE bailouts and demanding improved performance or face closure. By looking at recent developments in the governance of PEs in Namibia, the purpose and objective of the current study is to analyze whether the current stance and trajectory of government decisions spells a post-honeymoon period in which poor performing PEs will ‘wither and survive or die’ if they do not improve their sustainability index by not relying on financial bailouts. This analysis is aided by the insights provided by the stakeholder, institutional and principal-agent theories. Through the qualitative research method, this study finds that the Namibian government has taken a new attitude and approach in which it will no longer blindly accept and tolerate the poor performance of PEs through continuous bailouts as seen in the past. PEs that are withering will now either survive (through reforms) or die (through liquidation or dissolution).

The Science and Technology Innovation Center holds a pivotal position in the national science and technology innovation system, and a scientific evaluation of the “Sci-tech Innovation Center” will guide its construction direction. This study found the advantages and disadvantages of the four cities through comparison; Hence improvement suggestions were proposed for the weaknesses of the four cities. There are two main paths for the government to drive technology innovation: STI (Science and Technology Innovation) mode and DUI (Doing, Using, Interacting) mode. With the aid of the evaluation index system of the Sci-tech Innovation Center, this article uses fuzzy sets, rough sets and fuzzy dynamic clustering methods to comprehensively evaluate the effects of driving technology innovation in the four cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The results found that Shenzhen has a significant effect in DUI, and Beijing has a significant effect in STI. The choice of path is related to the abundance of innovation resources.

As International Atomic Energy Agency has stated in its Handbook on Nuclear Law, “Even in situations for which the highest standard of safety has been achieved, the occurrence of nuclear accidents cannot be completely excluded.” Therefore, the international legal framework for nuclear damage compensation liability has been evolving since the establishment of Nuclear Energy Agency of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD NEA) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Over the years, various international treaties have been enacted to address the compensation of nuclear damage and to establish liability regimes for nuclear incidents. To date, these treaties have established a series of legal principles of nuclear damage liability, such as the sole liability principle, the strict liability principle, the financial guarantee principle etc., which have been developing since establishment. This paper offers an overview of the historical development of the principles of these international treaties for nuclear damage liability and thus draws upon both primary and secondary sources, including treaties, official documents, academic literature, and reports by international organizations. Including the legislation study methodology, comparative methodology is also adopted in this paper to analyze the changes and trend of these principles. The paper reveals that the Paris Convention, which was established in 1960, was the first attempt to establish a comprehensive legal regime for nuclear damage liability. Most of the principles of this Convention have been inherited by subsequent international treaties and domestic legislations. With the awareness of protecting public’s rights having been significantly strengthened, the range of compensation has been broader, the matters of immunity from liability for operators of nuclear power plants have been reduced, the limitation of the compensation amount has been higher etc. In conclusion, the international legal regime for nuclear damage liability has been showing a shift from protecting the development of the nuclear industry to a joint protection of both public health and rights and the nuclear industry, which should be paid attention to and deeply learnt by domestic legislators of all states for the establishment and perfection of their domestic legislation in this field.

Nowadays investors are measuring the performances of a business organization not only based on their operating efficiency but also fulfilling their social responsibility. At least the investors need to know whether the activities of the business have any adverse impact on the society and environment. This study explores the accountability of the business from the social and environmental context. This empirical study tends to investigate the nature of the ownership structure that influences the environmental disclosure of a business entity. Based on the sample of fifty-five DSE-listed textile companies, this study used multiple regression to assess the causal relationship between the ownership structure and corporate environmental disclosure. Moreover, this cross-sectional study also considers the agency theory and stakeholder theory to explain the relationship between the ownership structure and environmental disclosure. The findings indicate that corporate environmental disclosure is positively influenced by foreign ownership and institutional ownership whereas director ownership and public ownership have no significant association with the environmental disclosure. These insightful results challenge conventional assumptions and highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors that drive environmental reporting practices in the context of an emerging economy. The main contribution of this article lies in its provision of empirical evidence from an emerging economy, Bangladesh, which helps in understanding sustainable practices in a global context. Additionally, it aids in developing effective corporate governance policies and strategies tailored to similar emerging economies by recognizing the role of ownership structures in influencing environmental accountability. These findings further assist policymakers, managers, and other sustainability advocates in understanding how different ownership structures affect corporate environmental disclosure.

Encouraging the social empowerment of persons with disabilities—also known as “people of determination” is a crucial step toward advancing equality and inclusion in our communities. Consequently, the current study aimed to identify the mechanisms for activating social empowerment for people of determination from the deaf category. Identify the most prominent mechanisms and proposals from the point of view of the deaf. The study used a social survey approach based on a questionnaire on a sample of (30) deaf males in the Kuwaiti Sports Club for the Deaf, and it is the full sample size. The study reached several results, the most important of which are: integrating deaf people with disabilities into jobs integrated into society, raising the level of cultural awareness of sign language, in addition to spreading awareness of how to deal with deaf people. The study presented some recommendations and proposals, including media focus on the deaf group, and working to hold conferences and workshops targeting the community to spread awareness about the deaf group.

This study delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of aerobics through SWOT analysis. Aerobics offers a comprehensive workout, enhancing students’ physical fitness and promoting overall well-being. Nevertheless, challenges include a lack of awareness among students and potential issues such as insufficient sports skills. Opportunities arise in college physical education courses, serving as an excellent platform for fostering students’ holistic development. However, aerobics faces threats in teaching, such as time constraints and varying student interests. Addressing the actual teaching scenario, corresponding strategies are proposed. Firstly, there is a need to strengthen the promotion and education of aerobics. Secondly, employing a hierarchical, step-by-step teaching approach can elevate students’ motor skills. Additionally, designing engaging and challenging aerobics courses aligned with the characteristics of college physical education helps ignite students’ enthusiasm. Lastly, teachers should flexibly adjust content and methods to ensure effective calisthenics teaching. Through SWOT analysis and the discussion of teaching strategies, this paper aims to offer valuable insights for the aerobics teaching in college physical education classrooms. The goal is to promote students’ all-round development and enhance the overall quality of physical education.

The current examines the influence of Islamic values on smoking behaviors among undergraduate students at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan (N: 334). Tobacco use, in religious and cultural terms, is viewed as abhorrent; it is a significant concern for this population group. The study intends to identify how Islamic values affect the perception of students on smoking and, consequently, their smoking behavior. A self-administered questionnaire assessed sociodemographic data and the past 30 days of cigarette use. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, midpoint and standard deviation, and inferential statistics, such as chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression, were used to analyze smoking behaviors, Islamic values, and demographic attributes. The study shows that Islamic values have a strong negative attitude towards smoking; students attributed smoking to religion, family and social expectations and perceptions, health and economic implications. Further, the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that cigarette use, hookah and e-cigarette, gender, and attitude towards Islamic values were suitable predictors for cigarette use. This study advances knowledge regarding smoking behaviors from the cultural-religious perspective. It highlights the importance of historically and culturally informed gender-sensitive prevention programs that address smoking-related beliefs, attitudes, and practices. Collaboration with the Ministry of Health and media outlets to integrate Islamic values into public health campaigns can reduce smoking among university students by aligning cultural and religious beliefs with health messaging.