bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“After all the traumas my body has been through, I feel good that it is still working.” – Basic Body Awareness Therapy for traumatised refugees
Authors: Carlsson Jessica , Stade Kajsa , Skammeritz Signe , Hjortkjær Charlotte
Published: July 2019

Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) is a form of physiotherapy that is often used for psychiatric patients in Scandinavian countries. To our knowledge, there have not been any studies investigating BBAT as a treatment for traumatised refugees until now.

Objective: To explore the compliance, acceptability and treatment satisfaction using group BBAT in traumatised refugees. To study changes in psychiatric and somatic symptoms as well as the quality of life, level of functioning and quality of movement during treatment with BBAT.

Method: All Arabic speaking patients that previously had received treatment at the Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry in Copenhagen from April 2008 to June 2009 were invited to participate (N=29). Nine persons were included in a male (N=4) and female (N=5) group. All participants were traumatised refugees. The BBAT treatment consisted of 14 sessions over a period of 14 weeks. Before and after treatment the participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with a thematic approach. The participants also filled out self-administrated questionnaires and two physiotherapists tested the participants’ movement harmony using the Body Awareness Rating Scale-Movement Harmony (BARS-MH) test. At the end of the study, the participants filled out anonymous questionnaires about treatment satisfaction.

Results: The results showed that the participants had a high compliance, acceptability and treatment satisfaction with BBAT. The majority of participants showed improvements in symptoms from baseline to post-intervention on the self-administrated questionnaires and in the BARS-MH test.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to expand the scientific knowledge regarding the use of BBAT in traumatised refugees. If future research can confirm our positive findings it will have a considerable impact on future treatment designs and for the individual patient.
The DSM 5 and the Istanbul Protocol: Diagnosis of psychological sequels of torture
Authors: Wenzel Thomas , Frewer Andreas , Mirzaei Siroos
Published: July 2019

The Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, commonly known as the Istanbul Protocol, is an interdisciplinary standard supported by, among others, the United Nations and the World Medical Association. It aims at aiding the fight against torture by giving clear guidelines to ensure better and more effective assessment of physical and psychological sequels. Mental health is a key aspect of diagnostical assessment and documentation due to the severe and frequently long-lasting impact of torture that often lasts longer than physical sequels. The inclusion of psychological aspects and a psychiatric diagnosis is to be treated as an important obligatory. Care must be taken to avoid common pitfalls. The new and substantial revisions in the frequently used but also criticised Diagnostical and Statistical Manual (DSM) reflect challenges and opportunities in a comprehensive approach to the documentation of torture.
Statement on Virginity Testing
Authors: Alempijevic Djordje , Beriashvili Rusudan , Beynon Jonathan , Deutsch Ana , Duque Maximo , Duterte Pierre , Van Es Adriaan , Fernando Ravindra , Fincanci Sebnem Korur , Hansen Steen Holger , Hardi Lilla , Hougen Hans Petter , Iacopino Vincent , Leth Peter Mygind , Louahlia Said , Mendonça Maria Cristina , Modvig Jens , Mendez Maria-Dolores Morcillo , Özkalipci Önder , Payne-James Jason , Quiroga Jose , Rasmussen Ole Vedel , Reyes Hernán , Rogde Sidsel , Sajantila Antti , Somasundaram Daya , Thomsen Jørgen Lange , Tidball-Binz Morris , Treue Felicitas , Vanezis Peter , Viera Duarte Nuno
Published: July 2019

Virginity examinations are practiced in many countries, and often forcibly, in a number of contexts, including in detention places; on women who allege rape; on women who are accused by authorities of prostitution; and as part of public or social policies to control sexuality. In other states, the practice is illegal.

The purpose of this medico-legal statement is to provide legal experts, adjudicators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, among others, with an understanding of the physical and psychological effects of forcibly conducting virginity examinations on females and to assess whether, based on these effects, forcibly conducted virginity examinations constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or torture. This medico-legal statement also addresses the medical interpretation and relevance of such examinations and the ethical implications. This opinion considers an examination to be ‘forcibly conducted’ when it is “committed by force, or by threat of force or coercion, such as caused by fear of violence, duress, detention, psychological oppression or abuse of power, against such person incapable of giving genuine consent.”

 

For full details about the Independent Forensic Expert Group please visit http://www.irct.org/our-support/ medical-and-psychological-case-support/forensic-expertgroup.aspx.
Elusive retributive justice in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia: Challenges of using ECCC Victim Information Forms as a victim participatory rights mechanism
Authors: Nou Leakhena
Published: July 2019

This paper focuses on the procedural challenges of using the Victim Information Forms (VIFs) to analyze survivors’ experiences with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), commonly known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. The paper takes a systematic public/medical sociology approach to examining the VIF as a participatory rights mechanism for victims wishing to pursue justice for themselves and their loved ones who experienced the Khmer Rouge atrocities, torture, forced relocation, starvation, forced labor, rape, robbery, and other physical and psychological torment, firsthand. It provides the first comparative, critical analysis of both the original VIF and the revised form issued midway through the submission period; both forms appear as appendices to the paper. Conclusions are drawn and suggestions made by the researcher based on the firsthand collection and submission of the largest group of VIFs from any single source around the world (outside of Cambodia itself), as well as on support work with victims/survivors during the ECCC proceedings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2013.
Effect of counseling by paraprofessionals on depression, anxiety, somatization, and functioning in Indonesian torture survivors
Authors: Larson-Stoa Deborah , Jacobs Gerard A. , Jonathan Abraham , Poudyal Bhava
Published: July 2019

The Indonesian population has faced political violence, victimization, and torture throughout the last 70 years. Due to the scarcity of mental health professionals in many low and middle-income countries, counseling programs are increasingly utilizing paraprofessionals to provide support to the affected population as a strategy of task shifting. In this article, we would like to examine the effectiveness of counseling services provided by such trained paraprofessionals. This study was part of program evaluation to determine whether the participants (torture survivors) improved after counseling services provided by trained paraprofessionals in Indonesia. Local communities were invited to join the psychosocial program created and implemented by an NGO in 2005. The 178 participants were recruited from Jakarta, Papua, and Aceh, Indonesia for the program, which aimed to help survivors of violence suffering from “heavy hearts.” The intervention lasted three months, and the follow-up intake was conducted after four months. The results indicated the participants’ anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, somatic symptoms, and functioning improved from the intake to the follow-up. The program appeared to have been effective in reducing the participants’ symptoms and impairment in functioning. This indicates that in countries where there is a scarcity of mental health professionals, working with paraprofessionals has the potential to help survivors of torture and violence.
Geographical distribution of torture: An epidemiological study of torture reported by asylum applicants examined at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen
Authors: Busch Johannes Rødbro , Hansen Steen Holger , Hougen Hans Petter
Published: July 2019

Using reports from 154 examinations of alleged torture victims among asylum applicants to Denmark conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, between 2001 and 2013, we have categorized the victims into four geographical regions, as well as according to the conflict that caused them to flee. The torture incidents described by the victims were divided into 12 different categories defined by the Istanbul Protocol. These data were cross-referenced in order to identify any differences in the prevalence of the 12 forms of torture. The study showed that crush injuries were only reported by refugees from Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, and that incidents of electrical torture were reported twice as frequently by torture victims from Middle Eastern and North African countries, though it was lower among Iraqis, Iranians and ethnic Kurds. Sexual torture was reported by 78% of females and 25% of males.
Testimonial Therapy: Impact on social participation and emotional wellbeing among Indian survivors of torture and organized violence
Authors: Jørgensen Mia Myhre , Modvig Jens , Agger Inger , Raghuvanshi Lenin , Khan Shirin Shabana , Polatin Peter
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Traumatizing events, such as torture, cause considerable impairments in psycho-social functioning. In developing countries, where torture is often perpetrated, few resources exist for the provision of therapeutic or rehabilitating interventions. The current study investigated the effectiveness of Testimonial Therapy (TT) as a brief psycho-social intervention to ameliorate the distress of Indian survivors of torture and related violence.

Method: Three outcome measures (the WHO-5 Well-Being Scale, Social Participation-Scale and Pain and Anger Analogue) were compared before and after receiving TT, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with survivors who had previously received TT.

Findings: Participants showed significant improvements in emotional well-being, social participation, and self-perceived pain and anger. Furthermore, three qualitative interviewswith survivors indicated that TT had a positive impact at the community level.

Discussion: Although the study was conducted without a control group for comparison, TT appeared to be an effective method for improving well-being and ameliorating distress among survivors of torture. Furthermore, TT can potentially promote community empowerment. However, more research on this aspect is needed.
Descriptive, inferential, functional outcome data on 9,025 torture survivors over six years in the United States
Authors: NCTTP -
Published: July 2019

Background: The National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs conducted a large voluntary research project among torture rehabilitation centers in the United States (US). Its goal is to fill the void in the literature on demographic and diagnostic data of torture survivors across a large country.

Methods: Twenty-three centers across the US collaborated over six years, utilizing training and making decisions via conference calls and webinars. A data use agreement signed by all the participating centers governed plans and the use of the data.

Findings: This study reports on torture survivors from 125 countries, 109 of which signed the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT). Of the 9,025 torture survivors represented, most came from Africa and Asia and reported an average of 3.5 types of torture. Asylum seekers have different immigration experiences and show significantly higher rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than refugees. Torture survivors at high risk of PTSD and MDD in this sample reported three or more types of torture, reported rape and had the immigration status of asylum seeker. At one and two years after beginning treatment, both asylum seekers and refugees reported increased rates of employment and improvements in their immigration status.

Interpretation: This longitudinal project provides basic data on a large number of torture survivors who accessed services in the US, and provides a foundation for long-term follow up on immigration status, employment status, diagnostic status, medical diagnoses, and eventually, the effectiveness of treatment for torture survivors in the US. This article shares demographic and diagnostic findings useful for informing programmatic and policy decisions. However, these findings on refugees and asylum seekers in the US may not reflect the experience in other receiving countries. Collaboration with other researchers across continents is required to provide a much needed, more complete picture of torture survivors seeking rehabilitation across the world.
Editorial
Authors: Hárdi Lilla
Published: July 2019

This is the Editorial for Issue 1 2016 of the Torture Journal.
Reviewing outcomes of psychological interventions with torture survivors: Conceptual, methodological and ethical Issues
Authors: Patel Nimisha , Williams Amanda C de C , Kellezi Blerina
Published: July 2019

Background: Torture survivors face multiple problems, including psychological difficulties, whether they are refugees or remain in the country where they were tortured. Provision of rehabilitation varies not only with the needs of survivors and resources available but also with service models, service provider preferences and the local and country context. Despite increasing efforts in research on the effectiveness of psychological interventions with torture survivors, results are inconclusive.

Methods: We undertook a Cochrane systematic review of psychological, social and welfare provision, with meta-analysis to best estimate efficacy. The process raised conceptual, methodological and ethical issues of relevance to the wider field. Findings: We searched very widely, but rejected hundreds of papers which recommended treatment without providing evidence. We found nine randomized controlled trials, from developed and under-resourced settings. All conceptualized survivors’ problems in psychiatric terms, using outcomes of post-traumatic stress symptoms, distress, and quality of life, by self-report, with or without translation or unstandardized interpretation, and with little mention of cultural or language issues. None used social or welfare interventions. Four related studies used narrative exposure therapy (NET) in a brief form, and without ensuring a safe setting as recommended. Five used mixed methods, including exposure, cognitive behavioral therapy, and eye movement desensitization. Combined, the studies showed no immediate improvement in PTSD, distress, or quality of life; at six months follow-up, a minority showed some improvement in PTSD and distress, although participants remained severely affected.

Conclusions: While applauding researchers’ commitment in running these trials, we raise ethical issues about exposure in particular, and about the effects of shortcomings in methodology, particularly around assessment using unfamiliar cultural frameworks and language, and the lack of concern about dropout which may indicate harm. The issues addressed aid interpretation of existing research, and guide clinical practice as well as future studies evaluating its effectiveness.
Group treatment for survivors of torture and severe violence: A literature review
Authors: Bunn Mary , Goesel Charles , Kinet Mélodie , Ray Faith
Published: July 2019

Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of scholarly journals and manuscripts. The search was limited to articles published in English that focused on group treatment with torture survivors.

Findings: The authors identified 36 articles and chapters for review describing a variety of group interventions for survivors of torture, including:

Supportive Group Therapy

Empowerment Workshops

Group Treatment for Sleep Disorders

Den Bosch model

Wraparound approach

Stage-oriented model

The literature examined varied in approach and format: present-day and past-focused groups; structured, time-limited groups; and flexible, ongoing support groups.

The studies took place in diverse locations, including Denmark, Germany, Guinea, Namibia, the Netherlands, Palestine, Serbia, the U.S., the UK, and Zimbabwe, and, in conflict, post-conflict and/or humanitarian settings. The interventions were facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, paraprofessionals, and bilingual/bicultural staff – or a combination of the latter two. 

Interpretations: Group treatment is an approach which can be administered to larger groups of survivors to address a range of treatment issues. The authors examined key clinical practice issues for group treatment including group composition and content, facilitation and measurement strategies. While the literature does provide a compelling conceptual rationale for using group treatment, the empirical literature is in fact very limited at this time and needs to be strengthened in order to build confidence in outcomes across contexts and survivor communities.

Conclusions: This paper points to a growing interest in the topic of group treatment for survivors of torture and severe violence, providing a comprehensive picture of group-based interventions and highlighting the need for additional research and knowledge-building.
Comment and response to the commentary
Authors: Harlacher Uwe , Polatin Peter , Buhmann Caecilie Boeck , Nordentoft Merete , Ekstroem Morten , Lohmann Jessica Carlsson , Mortensen Erik Lykke
Published: July 2019

Comment and response to the commentary based on the two: ‘Follow-up study of the treatment outcomes at a psychiatric trauma clinic for refugees’ and ‘Cognitive-behavioral psycho-therapeutic treatment at a psychiatric trauma clinic for Refugees: description and evaluation’ by Buhman et al. (Volume 25, No 1, 2015)
Torture survivors’ symptom load compared to chronic pain and psychiatric in-patients
Authors: Harlacher Uwe , Nordin Linda , Polatin Peter Barth
Published: July 2019

Before their entry into the rehabilitation program at the Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (‘RCT’) in Copenhagen, the degree of symptoms of a group of resettled traumatized refugees was assessed by means of two rating scales: the Disability Rating Index (DRI) (n=197), measuring pain-related functional disability, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (n=147). The results obtained were compared with other patient populations, which included (1) a large Swedish mixed pain group and (2) various groups of pain patients previously investigated in the validation study of the DRI scale. The DRI scores of the refugee group were comparable to, or higher than, those of the pain groups, except for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. The degree of anxiety and depression was found to be considerably greater in the refugee group than in the pain groups. Another recently published Danish study comparing traumatized refugees with psychiatric in-patients in terms of Health of Nation Outcome Scores (HoNOS) documented a higher degree of psychiatric disability for refugees. Based on the hypothesis that the observed differences in this study were underestimated due to the exclusion of refugees with psychotic symptoms and substance abuse, a partial re-analysis of the data was carried out by calculating effect sizes with and without the items measuring these symptoms. Controlling for the exclusion of the critical items resulted in a more pronounced difference between the refugees and psychiatric inpatients. Based on the data compared in this study, traumatized refugees are shown to suffer from multiple problems, including chronic pain, at a high symptom-level. This challenges prior clinical assumptions that single factors like PTSD can explain all symptoms.
Anal Examinations in Cases of Alleged Homosexuality
Authors: Alempijevic Djordje , Beriashvili Rusudan , Beynon Jonathan , Deutsch Ana , Duque Maximo , Duterte Pierre , Van Es Adriaan , Fernando Ravindra , Fincanci Sebnem Korur , Hansen Steen Holger , Hardi Lilla , Hougen Hans Petter , Iacopino Vincent , Louahlia Said , Modvig Jens , Mendez Maria-Dolores Morcillo , Özkalipci Önder , Payne-James Jason , Quiroga Jose , Rasmussen Ole Vedel , Reyes Hernán , Rogde Sidsel , Sajantila Antti , Thomsen Jørgen Lange , Tidball-Binz Morris , Treue Felicitas , Vanezis Peter , Vieira Duarte Nuno
Published: July 2019

Anal examinations are forcibly conducted in many countries where consensual anal intercourse is considered a criminal act. They are conducted almost exclusively on males in an effort to “prove” that they are “homosexuals” despite the fact that anal intercourse is not a necessary determinant of “homosexual activity.”

Forcibly conducted anal examinations are usually initiated at the request of law enforcement officials, the prosecutor, or the court and conducted in the absence of informed consent or in circumstances where individuals are not capable of giving genuine informed consent or where refusal to give consent would be interpreted as self-incrimination. This may be presumed to be the case when examinations are conducted on individuals in detention, subsequent to allegations of criminalised sexual acts by the authorities.

The purpose of this medico-legal statement is to provide legal experts, adjudicators, health care professionals, and policymakers, among others, with an understanding of: 1) the validity of forcibly conducted anal examinations as medical and scientific evidence of consensual anal intercourse; 2) the likely physical and psychological consequences of forcibly conducted anal examinations; and 3) whether, based on these effects, forcibly conducted anal examination constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or torture.
Incommunicado detention and torture in Spain, Part II: Enhanced credibility assessment based on the Istanbul Protocol
Authors: Hárdi Lilla , Pérez-Sales Pau , Morentin Benito , Barrenetxea Olatz , Navarro-Lashayas Miguel Angel
Published: July 2019

Background: The Istanbul Protocol (IP) is the key instrument in the documentation of allegations of torture. However, few scientific studies have evaluated its effectiveness as a tool to assess credibility of allegations of ill-treatment or torture.

Objective: Present data on the credibility of allegations of torture in a sample of 45 Basque people held in short-term incommunicado detention between 1980 and 2012, using a modified version of the Standard Evaluation Form for Credibility Assessment (SEC), a new tool to assess credibility based on the IP.

Method: Each case was evaluated by two psychiatrists, a psychologist and a physician through a layered system of simultaneous, independent assessments, blind audits, and peer-review processes. Clinical interviews following the IP were contrasted with psychometric tests and external documentary evidence by independent experts. All available data were structured using the SEC and cases were accordingly classified as having Maximum consistency, Highly Consistent, Consistent or Inconsistent.

Findings: According to the SEC, 53% of allegations of torture were considered to have Maximum Consistency, 31% Highly consistent, 15% Consistent and 0% Inconsistent. The items that most contributed to the overall credibility assessment came from the psychological evaluation, including the description of alleged torture, emotional reactions, objective functional changes, changes in identity and worldviews and clinical diagnosis. There was little contribution from previous medical reports.

Interpretation: When applied competently, the IP is an essential tool in the documentation of torture. Our study shows: (a) evidence that allegations of ill-treatment and torture in the Basque Country are consistent and credible, being ascertained beyond reasonable doubt and aside from any political debate; (b) the wider use of the IP as a tool to assess credibility of allegations of ill-treatment and torture; and, (c) the usefulness of the SEC as a tool. The SEC can help as a tool for documenting torture in contexts where there are political differences and figures are distorted as a result of polarized political debates, and where legal documentation is needed for judicial purposes. Forensic science can help by providing an objective assessment of the credibility of allegations.
Incommunicado detention and torture in Spain, Part III: 'Five days is enough’: the concept of torturing environments
Authors: Hárdi Lilla , Pérez-Sales Pau , Navarro-Lashayas Miguel Angel , Plaza Angeles , Morentin Benito , Salinas Oihana Barrios
Published: July 2019

Background: Torture is changing in western societies, evolving from pain-producing torture to more subtle mixed psychological methods that are harder to detect. Despite this, there is not an adequate understanding of the complexities of contemporary psychological techniques used in coercive interrogation and torture.

Methods: The interrogation and torture techniques used on 45 detainees held in short-term incommunicado detention in Spain during the period 1980-2012 were analyzed. The list of torture categories set out in the Istanbul Protocol (IP) were assessed quantitatively. Software-aided qualitative analysis of the testimonies was conducted, using both inferential and deductive approaches to deduce a classification of torture techniques from the point of view of the survivor.

Findings: The most frequent methods according to the IP categories used against detainees were isolation and manipulation of environment (100%), humiliation (93%), psychological techniques to break down the individual (91%), threats (89%) and forced positions and physical exercises until extenuation (80%). Additionally, with a frequency of between 51 and 70%, mild but constant blows, being forced to witness the torture of others, hooding (mainly dry asphyxia) and unacceptable undue conditions of detention were also frequent. Sexual torture was also widespread with sexual violence (42%), forced nudity (38%) and rape (7%). Qualitative analysis showed that most detainees were submitted to coercive interrogation using a wide array of deceptive techniques. This is often a central part of the torturing process, frequently used in conjunction with many other methods. It was found that giving false or misleading information or making false accusations was most frequently used, followed by maximization of responsibility or facts and giving false information regarding relatives or friends. Different patterns of harsh interrogation, ill-treatment and torture are described that appear to have been tailored to the profile of Basque detainees.

Interpretation: The study shows the need to improve the conceptualization of psychological torture suggested by the IP. Key to this view is the idea that we must not concern ourselves with 'torture methods' but with Torturing Environments. The concept of Torturing Environments is defined and proposed as a focus for future study.
Enhancing empathy among humanitarian workers through Project MIRACLE: Development and initial validation of the Helpful Responses to Refugees Questionnaire
Authors: Potocky Miriam , Guskovict Kristen L.
Published: July 2019

Background: Empathy is an important tool needed for service providers working with people who have experienced trauma, such as refugees and torture survivors. However, the high caseloads, rigorous deadlines, and overwhelming circumstances under which humanitarian workers typically operate often make it challenging to employ empathy. The Helpful Responses to Refugees Questionnaire (HRRQ) was developed to measure empathetic responsiveness, a core skill of Motivational Interviewing, among service providers working with refugees, including torture survivors.

Methods: The HRRQ was adapted specifically for measuring empathy in refugee contexts, including among asylum-seekers and torture survivors. Face validity and content validity were established by a panel of refugee resettlement experts prior to administration. The instrument was then administered via an online survey to a national sample of refugee service providers (valid N=90).

Findings: The HRRQ demonstrated good psychometric properties.

Interpretation: The HRRQ has several potential applications for work with refugees, including torture survivors. It could be used as a supervisory tool to assess service providers’ skills in this area and provide feedback for improvement if needed. It could also be used as a screening tool for hiring new staff as part of a comprehensive screening and selection process. Finally, it may be used as a pretest-posttest to evaluate the impact of staff training in motivational interviewing. Limitations of this study and implications for future research are discussed.
Comment I: Istanbul Protocol in lowincome countries – A reply
Authors: Beriashvili Rusudan , Iacopino Vincent
Published: July 2019

In an article in this issue by Kelly et al. on the use of the Istanbul Protocol amongst civil society organizations in low-income countries, the authors conclude that the significance of the Istanbul Protocol is “limited to a very small – albeit important - number of legal cases” and largely does not apply to low-income countries based on issues such as fear of reprisals, the lack of trained health professionals, and the duration and expense of comprehensive forensic medical evaluations. As clinicians who have participated in the development of the Istanbul Protocol and implementation of Istanbul Protocol standards in many contexts and countries, including low-income countries, we are concerned that the conclusions in the article are not well founded.
Comment II: Documentation of Torture and Justice ‘Bon pour L`Orient’i?
Authors: Özkalıpcı Önder
Published: July 2019

The study by Kelly et al. on the Istanbul Protocol (IP) was made in three low-income countries. It is based on eighty interviews of human rights practitioners who in “many cases… were lawyers, but clinicians and other human rights professionals were also included.” (p63) The study does not provide a breakdown of the individuals interviewed, their professions, or their experience in documentation and specifically medico-legal or IP documentation. The study does not assume interviewees had any prior knowledge of the IP. In addition, health professionals – a key group that implements the IP – do not appear to be well represented among the interview group.
Effect of Chitosan Coating on Physiological Responses and Nutritional Qualities of Tomato Fruits during Postharvest Storage
Authors: Sultana Naznin , Zakir H. M. , Parvin M. A. , Sharmin S. , Seal H. P.
Published: July 2019

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of chitosan coating on physiological responses and nutritional qualities of tomato fruits at postharvest storage. There were four treatments of chitosan viz. T0 (control), T1 (0.10%), T2 (0.20%) and T3 (0.30%), and two storage conditions viz. in refrigerator (4°C) and room temperature (≈23-25°C). The matured light yellow tomato fruit samples were collected at 10, 20, 30 and 50 days after postharvest storage to assess physiological parameters viz. shelf life and weight loss as well as to determine lycopene and mineral constituents viz. Ca, Mg, P, S, Na and K. The mean weight loss of tomato fruits were 0.64, 1.28, 1.59 and 2.28% at 4°C, while it was 0.88, 1.84, 2.60 and 4.80% at room temperature at 10, 20, 30 and 50 days after postharvest storage, respectively. The shelf life of tomato fruits ranged between 58.3-100.0, 50.0-100.0, 33.3-75.0 and 16.7-66.8% at 4°C, while the ranges were 66.8-100.0, 50.0-100.0, 33.3-75.0 and 0.0-41.8% at room temperature at 10, 20, 30 and 50 days after postharvest storage, respectively. As regards to weight loss and shelf life, the study results inferred that chitosan coating with 0.2% solution is useful at postharvest storage of fruits. The study results revealed that storage temperatures (4°C and ≈23-25°C) had no effect on the total contents of different mineral element of tomato fruits but lycopene content reduced almost twice at refrigerated condition. On the other hand, the effect of chitosan coating on Ca, Mg, P, S, Na and K contents of tomato fruits at different days after postharvest storage were highly significant at both conditions. Finally, the study results concluded that 0.2% chitosan based coatings in tomato fruits proved to extend the shelf life by decreasing the decay incidence and weight loss, and refrigerated condition is better than that of room temperature.
Creative Game Approach and Academic Achievements in the Teaching of SS1 Geometry in Port Harcourt Local Government Area
Authors: Ann Ejiofor-Chima Ngozi , Blessing Nwakodo Ogechi
Published: July 2019

This study examines the effect of Creative Game Approach on Academic Achievement in the teaching of SS1 Geometry in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of River state. A sample size of 160 SS1 students was used for the study. Three research questions were asked while three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Geometry Achievement Test (GAT), a 40-item instrument was developed by the researcher. The instrument was validated by experts in Mathematics education, and measurement and evaluation department of University of Port Harcourt, while the reliability was established using test-retest and co-efficient index of 0.86 was determined using Pearson product moment correlation. Mean and Standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses formulated at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed a significant difference in the achievement mean scores of students taught geometry using creative game approach and those taught using conventional method. It equally showed a significant difference in the Mathematics ability of students taught using creative game approach, also showed no significant difference in the achievement mean scores of male and female students. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Mathematics teachers be effectively trained to use different educational creative activities, like games and so on when teaching Mathematics concepts for problem-solving, communication, reasoning and connection skills which are necessary for the attainment of better academic achievement in the subject.
Enhancing Class IX Students Participants in Group Work in Chemistry
Authors: Penjor Dorji , Wangchuk Galay , Dorji Lam , Dorji Sangay , Wangmo Choki
Published: July 2019

This action research has investigated ways to enhance students’ participation in group work in chemistry. It is observed that Bhutanese students participate minimally in group activities especially in science. Most   Bhutanese students shy away from participating or interacting in the classroom. To enhance participation and interaction, the curriculum experts developed the curriculum considering the need of every students in Bhutan in science. Research in Bhutan found out that heterogeneous grouping is an effective way to maximize students’ success and collaborative learning is effective for meaningful learning and in solving problems. Some researchers found that in Bhutan science subjects are seen as difficult for both students and teachers. Through our experience of being science student, we saw that many students do not like to study Chemistry because they believe it is a difficult subject.

Aim of this study is to identify effectiveness strategies that teacher can use to enhance students’ participation in group work in Chemistry. This study was carried out with class IX students of Taktse Central School. We collected our data through observation and questionnaire. A tally was used to record their participation in the group such as the frequency volunteering to do presentation and taking initiatives in the group work. The data collection also involved survey questionnaire which consist of open ended questions.  Baseline data was collected and analyzed after which intervention strategies, such as allocation of group members and cooperative-learning methods was applied. After two months of the intervention process, post-intervention data was collected, analyzed and compared with the baseline data. The findings from this two sources reveal that students are more open for discussion and participation after the intervention process, and their initiative, contribution and understanding of contents increased. We were impressed by some student, who were usually quiet, shy and unsociable themselves to the teacher, became so close with us toward the end of our academic session.
Relationship between Personality Traits and Academic Underachievement among Students in Ekeremor and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Amadi Glory N. , Taiwo Demaro E.
Published: July 2019

The study examined the relationship between selected personality traits and academic underachievement among secondary school students in Bayelsa State. The population of the study consisted of 3,610 SSII students in the two local government areas. Two research questions and two hypotheses were answered and tested respectively using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Instruments used to gather data were; the Bakare’s Progressive Matrices (BPM), used to identify students’ mental abilities, Teachers Made Achievement Test (TMAT) on four subjects and Students’ Personality Descriptive Scale (SPTDS) adopted from the Costa and McCrae [1] Five NEO FFI scale. The study used 200 students identified as underachievers. Pearson products moment correlation was used to answer the research questions and probability level with chosen alpha level of 0.05 used to test the hypotheses. The study found a significant negative relationship between agreeableness and academic underachievement while a significant positive relationship exists between neuroticism and academic underachievement among the senior secondary school students used in the study. Based on these outcomes, it was recommended among others that taking students’ personality inventory in secondary school should be made a regular exercise across the academic levels and school-based reinforcement programme should be designed by education administrators to encourage high ability students to maintain and improve their academic performance as well as monitor cases of underachievement.
Mathematical Programming for Statistical Inference
Authors: M. M. Elrefaey Abeer , Hamid Ramadan , A. Ismail Elham , M. Ezzat Safia
Published: July 2019

The study is concerned with the transforming theoretical Mathematical models into applied Mathematical programming models that are easy to handle and use. These Mathematical programming models can be applied and used in statistical inference, which used in many applied fields, for example, quality control and its application. The aim of this paper is to suggest two mathematical programming models for hypotheses tests, which make a balance between the high power (1-β), and the probability of a type I error, significance (), of the test. The paper introduces a simulation study to evaluate the performance of the two suggested mathematical programming models for tests hypotheses. The two suggested mathematical programming models solved with different sample sizes and different level of significance. The suggested models calculate the critical values which determine the rejection region exactly and the results are easy to interpret clearly. Then the conclusion for the suggested mathematical programming models makes balance between the power and the significance.
Some Characterizations of Transmuted Modified Burr III Distribution
Authors: Ahmad Bhatti Fiaz , G. Hamedani G. , Ali Azeem , Ahmad Munir
Published: July 2019

In this paper, Transmuted Modified Burr III (TMBIII) distribution (Ali and Ahmad; 2015) is characterized through  (i) ratio of truncated moments; (ii) doubly truncated moments; (iii) hazard rate function; (iv) reverse hazard rate function and (v) elasticity function. The applications of characterizations of TMBIII distribution will be beneficial for scientists in different areas of science.
Measuring the Cost for Some Single Channel Waiting Line Models
Authors: A. Ali Doaa , A. Ismail Elham , E. AL-Tayeb Lobna
Published: July 2019

Queuing models applications are centered on the question of finding the ideal level of services, waiting times and queue lengths. The aim of this study is to measure the cost for three models and compare the cost for the three single channel waiting line models instead of finding the ideal level of services, waiting times and queue lengths which calculated in many studies.  Each model depends on two important parameters arrival rate (λ) and service rate (μ) which followed different distributions.  The cost for the three single channel waiting line models is calculated when arrival rate (λ) is followed Poisson distribution and service rate (μ) is followed different distributions. The objective for the waiting line models is to minimize total expected costs by minimize the sum of service costs and waiting costs. Therefore, the study concerned with changing the distribution of the service rate (μ) and examining its impact on cost. This choice was made to emphasize the basic idea of the study (there is a relationship between the service rate distribution and the cost). The study results showed that there is a relationship between the service rate   distribution and the cost.
Spectrum of Sex Ratios in Denmark
Authors: Fellman Johan
Published: July 2019

The sex ratio (SR) is usually defined as the number of males per 100 females within an area or, as in this study, the proportion of males among all births (PM). It has been observed that among newborns, there is typically a slight excess number for boys compared to girls. Consequently, the SR becomes greater than 100, which is around 106 in number, and the chance of new born males is around 0.515. Attempts have been made to identify the factors those are influencing the level of the PM. Previous researches stated that where prenatal losses are low, as in the Western countries, the SRs are also become high around 105 to 106, but in areas where the frequencies of prenatal losses are relatively high then the SRs are found to be low around 102. Later on several researches have focused on temporal, regional and seasonal fluctuations of SR. In general, factors that affect the SR within the families remain poorly understood. Attempts to identify such factors in national birth registers are also remained to be unsuccessful. Recently, SR studies have mainly concentrated on the identification of general but occasional factors. In this study, we tried to identify the effects of issues like maternal age and type of delivery (live- and stillborn, singletons and multiples) to identify the controlling parameters of sex ratio during birth. Post experimental outcome showed that there is no significant difference between live- and stillborn and maternal age had as no significant effect for controlling sex ratio. The SR is higher among singletons than that of multiples, but there is no significant difference obtained in SR between twins and triplets. Among singletons the temporal differences are non-significant, but for twins and triplets, significant temporal differences were obtained.
Comparison of Goodness of Fit Tests for Normal Distribution
Authors: Agu, Friday I. , Francis, Runyi E.
Published: July 2019

Goodness of fit test is a test that has attracted researchers’ interest over the decades. This study is on goodness of fit test for normal distribution only. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-St) and Pearson’s Chi-square (χ² test) goodness of fit test were used to determine the normality of a given data.  The result revealed that the data is normal under the two tests and that the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S test) were preferred to Pearson’s Chi-square (χ² test). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test of goodness of fit is the most suitable in terms of the p-value.
A Mathematical Model that Analyzes the Differences between the Cost of Maintaining the Desired Permanent Workforce (Academic Staff) and that of Maintaining the Entire Outsourcing Policy for Private Universities in Nigeria
Authors: Enagbonma O. , A. Osagiede A.
Published: July 2019

The difference between the cost of maintaining the desired permanent workforce (academic staff) and that of maintaining the entire outsourcing policy is a useful index that allows management of private universities to know the financial task before them, well ahead of time for a possible solution. However, in the available literature, there are no adequate mathematical models that address such issues. The idea of linear algebra was used to develop a mathematical model that can address such real-life problem.
Group Divisible Variance – Sum Third Order Rotatable Design through Balanced Incomplete Block Designs in Four Dimensions
Authors: Chebet N. , Kosgei M. , Kerich G.
Published: July 2019

In the study of rotatable designs, the variance of the estimated response at a point is a function of the distance of that point from a particular origin. Group divisible Rotatable Designs have been evolved by imposing conditions on the levels of factors in a rotatable design. In Group Divisible Third Order Rotatable Designs (GDTORD), the v-factors are split into two groups of p and (v-p) factors such that the variance of a response estimated at a point equidistant from the centre of the designs is a function of the distances  and from a suitable origin for each group respectively. Where  and   denotes the distances of the projection of the points in each of the group from a suitable origin respectively. In this paper, a four dimensional Group Divisible Variance-Sum Third Order Rotatable Design is constructed using a balanced incomplete block design.
Generalized Euclidean Least Square Approximation
Authors: S. Oke A. , M. Akintewe S. , G. Akinbande A.
Published: July 2019

A Generalised Euclidean Least Square Approximation (ELS) is derived in this paper. The Generalised Euclidean Least Square Approximation is derived by generalizing the interpolation of n arbitrary data set to approximate functions. Existence and uniqueness of the ELS schemes are shown by establishing the invertibility of the coefficient matrix using condensation method to reduce the matrix. The method is illustrated for exponential function and the results are compared to the classical Maclaurin’s series.
Analysis of Rainfall Pattern in the Western Region of Ghana
Authors: B. K. Twenefour Frank , Techie Quaicoe Michael , M. Baah Emmanuel
Published: July 2019

The primary aim for this paper is to examine the pattern of rainfall in the western region of Ghana. Data was obtained from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. The sample include January to September pattern of the amount of rainfall, for the years 2006 to 2016. That is nominal daily rainfall recorded (1485) aggregated into monthly rainfall value (99 data point). The analysis includes fitting an auto regression moving average model (ARMA) model for the data. The series was found to be non-stationary which resulted from the presence of a unit root in it. The series became stationary after eliminating the unit root by finding the first difference in the amount of rainfall. The time series component found in the model were a trend and random variation. ARMA (1, 1) which has all parameters significant was fitted for the data and found to be the most               suitable model for the conditional mean. A Ljung Box test statistic of 47.207 with a normalised                BIC of 6.420 and a Root Mean Square error of 24.16 supported by a probability value                               of 0.001 show that the fitted model is appropriate for the data. An = 0.532 indicates that about 53% of the variations seen in the pattern of rainfall recorded for the period is being explained by the fitted model. The 18-month forecast for the mean actual rainfall and mean returns could show that the fitted model is appropriate for the data and an increasing trend of rainfall for the forecasted period.