bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Choice of Cross-Validation Techniques on the Results of Machine Learning-Based Diagnostic Applications
Authors: Tougui Ilias , Jilbab Abdelilah , Mhamdi Jamal El
Published: August 2021

Objectives: With advances in data availability and computing capabilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies have evolved rapidly in recent years. Researchers have taken advantage of these developments in healthcare informatics and created reliable tools to predict or classify diseases using machine learning-based algorithms. To correctly quantify the performance of those algorithms, the standard approach is to use cross-validation, where the algorithm is trained on a training set, and its performance is measured on a validation set. Both datasets should be subject-independent to simulate the expected behavior of a clinical study. This study compares two cross-validation strategies, the subject-wise and the record-wise techniques; the subject-wise strategy correctly mimics the process of a clinical study, while the record-wise strategy does not.Methods: We started by creating a dataset of smartphone audio recordings of subjects diagnosed with and without Parkinson’s disease. This dataset was then divided into training and holdout sets using subject-wise and the record-wise divisions. The training set was used to measure the performance of two classifiers (support vector machine and random forest) to compare six cross-validation techniques that simulated either the subject-wise process or the record-wise process. The holdout set was used to calculate the true error of the classifiers.Results: The record-wise division and the record-wise cross-validation techniques overestimated the performance of the classifiers and underestimated the classification error.Conclusions: In a diagnostic scenario, the subject-wise technique is the proper way of estimating a model’s performance, and record-wise techniques should be avoided.
Machine Learning for Antibiotic Resistance Prediction: A Prototype Using Off-the-Shelf Techniques and Entry-Level Data to Guide Empiric Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors: Feretzakis Georgios , Sakagianni Aikaterini , Loupelis Evangelos , Kalles Dimitris , Skarmoutsou Nikoletta , Martsoukou Maria , Christopoulos Constantinos , Lada Malvina , Petropoulou Stavroula , Velentza Aikaterini , Michelidou Sophia , Chatzikyriakou Rea , Dimitrellos Evangelos
Published: August 2021

Objectives: In the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, the need for early identification and prompt treatment of multi-drug-resistant infections is crucial for achieving favorable outcomes in critically ill patients. As traditional microbiological susceptibility testing requires at least 24 hours, automated machine learning (AutoML) techniques could be used as clinical decision support tools to predict antimicrobial resistance and select appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment.Methods: An antimicrobial susceptibility dataset of 11,496 instances from 499 patients admitted to the internal medicine wards of a public hospital in Greece was processed by using Microsoft Azure AutoML to evaluate antibiotic susceptibility predictions using patients’ simple demographic characteristics, as well as previous antibiotic susceptibility testing, without any concomitant clinical data. Furthermore, the balanced dataset was also processed using the same procedure. The datasets contained the attributes of sex, age, sample type, Gram stain, 44 antimicrobial substances, and the antibiotic susceptibility results.Results: The stack ensemble technique achieved the best results in the original and balanced dataset with an area under the curve-weighted metric of 0.822 and 0.850, respectively.Conclusions: Implementation of AutoML for antimicrobial susceptibility data can provide clinicians useful information regarding possible antibiotic resistance and aid them in selecting appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy by taking into consideration the local antimicrobial resistance ecosystem.
Comparison of characteristics, predictors and outcomes between the first and second COVID-19 waves in a tertiary care centre in Switzerland: an observational analysis
Authors: Wolfisberg Selina , Gregoriano Claudia , Struja Tristan , Kutz Alexander , Koch Daniel , Bernasconi Luca , Hammerer-Lercher Angelika , Mohr Christine , Haubitz Sebastian , Conen Anna , Fux Christoph A. , Mueller Beat , Schuetz Philipp
Published: August 2021

AIM OF THE STUDY
To compare admission characteristics, predictors and outcomes of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalised in a tertiary care hospital in Switzerland during the first and second waves of the pandemic.

METHODS
This retrospective observational analysis included adult patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection confirmed by a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or rapid antigen test and hospitalised at the Cantonal Hospital Aarau from 26 February to 30 April 2020 (first wave) and from 1 October to 31 December 2020 (second wave). The primary endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality. The secondary endpoints were transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) and length of hospital stay (LOS).

RESULTS
Overall, 486 patients (mean age 65.9 years ± 14.7 SD, 65% male) were included. Ninety-two patients (19%) died during the hospital stay and 92 patients (19%) were transferred to the ICU. Admission characteristics, including comorbidities and frailty, were similar for patients of the first (n = 100) and second wave (n = 386). However, during the second wave the median time from symptom onset to presentation to the emergency department (ED) was shorter (7 days, interquartile range [IQR] 4–9 vs 8 days, IQR 4–11; p = 0.02). In the second wave, most patients received high-dose glucocorticoid treatment (0% vs 76%, p <0.01). In-hospital mortality was similar among COVID-19 patients in the first (19/100, 19%) and second wave (73/386, 19%); this finding persisted after full adjustment in multiple regression models (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49–2.80; p = 0.71). Risk for ICU admission was also similar (24% vs 18%; aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.46–2.06; p = 0.95). More patients were transferred to rehabilitation facilities in the second wave (18% vs 31%; aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.04–4.07; p = 0.04) and LOS was 2.5 days shorter (9.0 vs 6.5 days; adjusted difference −2.53 days, 95%-CI −4.51 to −0.54; p = 0.01). Main predictors for in-hospital death were patient age (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.11; p <0.01), male sex (aOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.05–5.55; p = 0.04) and the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09–1.48 p <0.01).

CONCLUSION
Despite differing treatment regimens, mortality and ICU admission remained largely unchanged for COVID-19 patients admitted during the second wave of the pandemic in our tertiary care hospital. However, discharge processes were optimised with patients leaving the hospital earlier and going to rehabilitation facilities more often.
Impacts of the side ratio of isolated buildings on airflows and pollutant dispersion under different temperature stratifications: Numerical investigations
Authors: Huang Xiaohui , Gao Lizhen
Published: August 2021

Based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method, the standard k-ε turbulence model was used to simulate the effects of the side ratio (SR: building depth/building width, SR = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0, respectively) of isolated buildings on the flow field and pollutant of ethylene dispersion under unstable temperature stratification and neutral conditions. The results showed that under unstable temperature stratification, the updraft on the leeward side of the building caused the high temperature gas to flow upward and the temperature gradient to drop. Compared with the neutral condition, the length of the recirculation zone was shorter, and with the decrease in SR, the vortex in the recirculation zone became larger and more stable. Because the pollution source was located on the leeward side of the building, the pollutant gas was concentrated in the area between the pollution source and the leeward side of the building. The near-ground concentration of pollutants under unstable temperature stratification was lower than that under neutral conditions, and with the decrease in SR, the near-ground axis concentration decreased while the width of the pollutant plumes increased.
Ekonomizersiz Bir Tav Fırın Bacasının Sayısal Olarak İncelenmesi
Authors: GÜZEL Aykut , HİLALİ İsmail , AKTACİR Mehmet Azmi
Published: August 2021

Sanayi kuruluşları enerji tüketiminin en yoğun olduğu yerlerdir. Sanayide enerji verimliliği enerji kayıplarının belirlenmesi ve buna bağlı olarak enerji kayıplarını azaltmaya yönelik çalışmalar yapılarak gerçekleştirilir. Bu çalışmada; ısı geri kazanımı uygulamalarına katkıda bulunmak amacıyla egzoz gazı atık ısı potansiyeli yüksek olan bir ekonomizersiz sıcak haddehane tav fırınının baca gazı iç akışı sayısal olarak incelenmiştir. Sayısal hesaplamalar bir Hesaplamalı Akışkanlar Dinamiği (HAD) Analizi programı olan Autodesk CFD kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Baca modeli 85m yükseklikte ve 3,62m giriş çapındadır. Modelde 2.48 m/s hız ve 650 (oC) sıcaklıkta egzoz gazı girişi sağlanmaktadır. Sayısal analizinin zamandan bağımsız olarak elde edildiği baca modelinin iç akışının her bölgesindeki sıcaklık ve hız dağılımları k-epsilon türbülans modeli ile incelenmiştir. Baca modelinin sıcaklık ve hız dağılımları dört farklı yükseklikteki yatay kesitten ve bir dikey kesitten elde edilmiştir. Sonuçlar incelendiğinde egzoz gazının tav fırın bacası içerisindeki sıcaklık profili, bacanın çıkışına doğru merkezinde sabit kalmakla birlikte bacanın merkezi ile duvarları arasındaki sıcaklık farkı azalma eğilimi göstermiştir. Tav fırın bacasının lokal hız profili incelendiğinde ise bacanın çıkışına doğru yaklaşık ilk 15m’de hızlı bir artış meydana geldiği ve sonrasında yaklaşık olarak sabit bir eğilimde olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Yapılan bu çalışmalar doğrultusunda tav fırın bacalarının ısı geri kazanımı uygulamalarının geliştirilmesine katkıda bulunulmaya çalışılmıştır.
Advanced Driver Assists and Safety Management System
Authors: Chavan Dipti , Kamble Aniket , Khadsare Aditya , Chougule Vaibhav , Chougule Vaibhav
Published: August 2021

Electronics and communication is the most important field. In this paper, we can describe how much safety is in the Automobile industry. In this paper, we are using uno-Arduino. The different types of sensors facilities are also provided using key points. The different sensors are provided to check visitor count. In this system, we can monitor and control all the safety precautions their one IoT web platform. This helps in the proper utilization of drivers and helps in avoiding accidents. This paper can be implemented in any two-wheelers, heavily loaded trucks, small SUVs, compact cars. In our paper, the electronics machine/components will be automatically working with using of Arduino program. The proposed wireless sensor platform is an attempt to develop more safety devices that can be used in multiple areas such as homes, schools, and public utilities to reduce accidents. This Advanced Driver Assists system will provide real-time accident detections and monitoring usage information that helps in real-time by using GSM, GPS, and sensors.
Reflexões sobre a produção escrita
Authors: Melo Lillian Gonçalves de , Lisbôa Leandro Ribeiro
Published: August 2021

Neste trabalho o objetivo é demonstrar algumas estratégias de produção escrita e as percepções de estudantes do ensino médio sobre as práticas de produção textual, realizadas durante aulas de Língua Portuguesa. Para isso, foram realizadas práticas de Letramento, com base nas competências exigidas para a redação do Enem. As práticas desenvolvidas neste estudo foram realizadas no decorrer de três meses, com produções mensais e oficinas de análises de redações produzidas tanto por alunos que tiraram nota mil no Enem, quanto produções dos alunos participantes. No decorrer dos meses os estudantes demonstraram avanços − tanto na desconstrução de estereótipos de que não eram capazes de produzir, quanto no aprimoramento de habilidades linguísticas, tais como: desenvolvimento de tese e argumentos, estratégias de ampliação do vocabulário e elementos gramaticais em nível de concordância, coerência e pontuação, além de percepções das competências exigidas no Enem. Ao final das práticas realizadas, os estudantes puderam perceber mudanças consideráveis nas notas das redações, visto que as competências linguísticas foram aprimoradas. Desse modo, acredita-se que práticas de Letramento como foco para análises, produções e percepções dos discentes, em relação aos avanços e desafios, indiciaram práticas necessárias nas aulas de Língua Portuguesa.
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT THROUGH P2P INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Authors: Dickinson Paul Gordon
Published: August 2021

In order to meet the needs of employers and to make students more employable Laurea University, Finland has developed an “experiential” educational model through project-based learning in English based around real business projects linking theory studied. The programme is a bachelors degree conducted with international exchange students from many different countries (including Turkey, Germany, Romania, Spain, China, Holland, Mexico, Japan, and Italy) within project teams. English is a second language to these students, but it is not known as to how and if their language develops during the programme. The study considers the “experiential” nature of both the programme and the language from a literature perspective then focusing particularly on the learning of English by the students without any formal teaching classes. The students participated within projects for one semester (via an exchange programme) during an academic period from August 2018 to May 2020. There is a quantitative empirical approach (using a written questionnaire) which was qualitative in nature (including open questions) which related to the assessment of the English language learning experience of 29 international exchange students. Their feedback via answers to written questions forms the basis of the study. Findings reveal that such an approach to language learning can be successful and was positive in the sense of flexibility, relevance and enjoyability as well as the easy access and help of technology. The students generally felt their language level had improved through informal discussions and by use of a language app connected to the project work. Also, some students felt that the “learning by doing” (through the projects) improved their language authenticity and application. However, some students felt their language learning would have further increased by the use of a “weekly relevant noun/adjective list” during the project meetings. The research overall shows that some language improvement can be achieved informally within an “experiential” educational model through project-based learning. Additionally, that can be within one semester and by students from different countries with different educational systems.

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THE EXAMINATION OF PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS' SELF PERCEPTIONS AND SUCCESS-ORIENTED MOTIVATIONS / TÜRKÇE ADI: ÖĞRETMEN ADAYLARININ KENDİLİK ALGILARI İLE BAŞARI ODAKLI MOTİVASYONLARININ İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Işık Damla , Aydın Rafet
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the self-perceptions and success-oriented motivations of prospective teachers studying at the Education Faculty of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. As the research model, the correlational survey model was used as basic. The population of the study consists of 3650 prospective teachers studying at the Education Faculty of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. The sample of the study consists of 982 prospective teachers who are 692 women and 290 men studying in 9 different departments of the education faculty. In this study, to examine prospective teachers' perceptions of themselves and their success-oriented motivations, "Personal Information Form" which was developed by the researcher, "Social Comparison Scale" and "Success Oriented Motivation Scale" were used as data collection tools. The necessary statistical analyzes of the data collected for the research questions and sub-research questions of the research were made with the help of a computer package program. The frequency and percentage values of the responses of the prospective teachers to the scales were calculated. In the study, prospective teachers’ self-perceptions differ significantly according to the variables of gender, grade level, the department they study, whether they see themselves as democrats, and department satisfaction. In the study, there was no significant difference in the self-perception of the prospective teachers according to the variables of the high school they graduated from and the reasons for choosing the department. In the study, when the success-oriented motivations of the prospective teachers were examined according to the variables of class level, the department they studied, the type of high school they graduated from, the level of democracy, and the department satisfaction variables, there was a significant difference but according to the gender variable, there was no significant difference. Finally, it was concluded that there is a positive relationship between prospective teachers’ self-perceptions and success-oriented motivations.

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TEACHERS' LEVELS OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT CONCERN AND PUPIL CONTROL IDEOLOGIES
Authors: Özkul Ramazan , Dönmez Burhanettin
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between teachers' classroom management concern and pupil control ideologies. In this context, research design, general survey model and relational model were preferred. The universe of the research consists of 8957 teachers working in official schools in the Malatya province. The sample of the study, on the other hand, consists of 546 teachers who were determined using the stratified sampling method. The data of the research were collected from the teachers after obtaining the necessary permissions by the researcher. In this context, a questionnaire form consisting of two parts was used. The first part is based on demographic information (gender, years of service and school level), the second part is from the "Classroom Management Concern Scale” and "Pupil Control Ideologies Scale. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that teachers' pupil control ideologies average scores differed significantly.

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QUEER LEARNER IDENTITY AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING IN A THAI CONTEXT
Authors: Suebkinnon Tinnawat , Sukying Apisak
Published: August 2021

This study examined the identity construction of queer learners in English language learning and its influences on English language learning. The four participants were male, queer and studied in English majors and English language teaching in a Thai university. Two of the participants were known to the researcher. Semi-structured interviews, field notes, and a digital sound recorder were used for data collection and qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that queer characteristics and marginalized and unequal positions based on gender identity and sexual orientation were two main factors constituting queer learner identity in English language learning. The majority of the participants shared that their queer characteristics were conducive to their speaking skills. Additionally, it was shown that the heteronormative Thai context motivated the participants to pursue English language proficiency. The participants reported that English language proficiency was advantageous for their future success and helped them gain parental and societal acceptance. Moreover, the participants stated that learning the English language would allow them to migrate to English-speaking countries that are welcoming to queer people. The results also indicated that some participants who desire a Western partner viewed English as beneficial to finding a Western man, whom they thought would be more open to gender diversity than Thai men. These findings provide a better understanding of the identity construction of queer learners and its influences on English language learning.

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TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SCAFFOLDING EFL STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION AT HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM
Authors: Tran Chau Ngoc , Nguyen Huan Buu
Published: August 2021

Scaffolding has held great appeal for teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) and scholars in helping students take greater responsibility or ownership in their language learning and reach academic success. However, little is known about how teachers perceived this type of support as improving students’ reading comprehension in English within the teaching and learning context in Vietnam high schools. This paper therefore reports a descriptive study that explored teachers’ perceptions of scaffolding EFL students’ reading comprehension at high schools in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data from seventy-nine high school teachers. The findings provide insightful views into teachers’ perceptions about scaffolding students’ reading comprehension. The findings also reveal how teachers experienced varying degrees of their perceptions of scaffolding and challenges while delivering their scaffolding practices in reading instruction.

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THE IRF EXCHANGE AS A PEDAGOGICAL TOOL: A STUDY OF ESL CLASSROOMS IN POKUASE TOWNSHIP, GHANA
Authors: Lomotey Charlotte Fofo , Gyima-Aboagye Gifty Emma
Published: August 2021

The classroom is a place where teachers and their pupils or students engage in interaction in order to promote effective learning. Such interactions can follow different patterns, and one such pattern is the IRF (initiation-response-feedback) exchange structure, developed by Sinclair and Coulthard (1975, 1992). This study examines the use of the IRF exchange pattern as a pedagogical tool in the English language classrooms of some Basic Schools in Pokuase, a town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It investigates the way teachers and pupils initiate, respond to, and provide feedback for effective language acquisition. In order to achieve this objective, a qualitative case study was adopted to analyze 11 hours and 40 minutes of classroom recordings and 100 minutes of interview data. Results regarding the IRF structure show that the various acts within the initiation move included nomination, directing, and prompting; the acts in the response move were replying and reacting, while the acts within the feedback move were acceptance, praise, criticism, and expansion. This result is an indication that there were more initiation and feedback acts than response acts, suggesting the teachers dominated the use of the exchange pattern, leaving the pupils to only provide responses. Results of the teachers’ role indicate that they are engaging in teacher talk as a way of providing explanation, organizing the lesson, and redirecting learners in the interaction. The teachers also provided prompt guidelines by creating conducive environment for the learners to be able to write, read, also provided specific and individual feedback to either correct learners’ language input or to encourage them to learn more. Based on the results, it is argued that teachers, especially at the basic level, should endeavour to employ the use of the IRF pattern because it has the potential to contribute a great deal to ESL teaching and learning.

 

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THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS’ SELF-CONFIDENCE AND THEIR ENGLISH-SPEAKING PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF ENGLISH-MAJORED STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN VIETNAM
Authors: Pham Anh Tuan , Hong Hieu Trung , Chau Tien Thuy , Le Nhi Vo Anh , Tran Phuc Thuy Thy , Nguyen My Ngoc Nhat
Published: August 2021

This research aimed to discover the relationships between students' self-confidence and their English-speaking performance. In our research, self-confidence was divided into three components which are affective confidence, behavioral confidence, and cognitive confidence. In addition, speaking performance included eight components which are vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, fluency, coherence, comprehension, task, and content. A sample of 150 English-majored students at a university in Vietnam was surveyed in this study by using a convenience sampling technique, and then conducting semi-structured interviews to seek for qualitative information from 10 participants out of 150. The result from our study showed that there are significant relationships between the two variables. The more confident the students are, the more accomplished they would be in the presenting procedure since they have superior cognition and understand how to modify their learning methods to build a comprehensive individual in learning English language. We expect that these findings can help students adjust their learning methods to improve their self-confidence as well as English speaking performance and by that way, universities can add more speaking-related subjects so that students can have more opportunities to speak and learn more speaking skills.

 

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RISKY SEXUAL AND HEALTH BEHAVIOURS AND IMPACT ON PSYCHO-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Okeke Nkechi Uzochukwu , Anierobi Elizabeth Ifeoma , Oparaugo Ursula Ifeoma
Published: August 2021

Adolescents due to the experimentation and exploration drive that characterize the period often engage in risky sexual and health behaviours being ignorant of the consequences on their health and psychological well-being. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design to find out risky sexual and health behaviours and impact on psycho-social development of adolescents in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. Four research questions guided the study. A total of 300 students in 300 and 400 levels in three selected higher institutions in Enugu state formed the sample of the study. Data were collected through questionnaire of 40 items to elicit information on the impact of risky sexual and health behaviours on psycho-social development of adolescents. The instrument was validated by experts in education. Reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha and an alpha coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Research questions were answered using frequencies, percentages and mean. Result revealed the prevalence of risky sexual and health behaviours among adolescents in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. It also revealed that risky sexual and health behaviours are associated with frustration, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, sense of regret, abandonment by parents/siblings and loss of self-respect among others. The researchers recommend family interventions (good parental training and monitoring), counseling and rehabilitation services, emotional regulation skills and self-management skills training.

 

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CAN CONFERENCES AND MODELLING STRATEGIES IMPROVE STUDENTS’ INTEREST AND ACHIEVEMENT IN ESSAY WRITING?
Authors: Udu Titus Terver , Gwang Naomi James
Published: August 2021

The study reported here was on the effects of writing conference and teacher modelling strategies on Senior School Two (SS2) students' interest and achievement in essay writing. The study used quasi experimental design of the non equivalent pre-test/post-test experimental-control group subtype. From a population of 9,244 senior secondary students in 5 Local Government (LGAs) of Central Education Zone of Plateau State, a sample of 95 students was selected from two intact classes using a multi-stage sampling technique. One of the sampled classes formed Experimental Group One while the other formed Experimental Group Two for an experiment that lasted for a duration of six weeks. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. Two instruments namely Writing Achievement Test (WAT) and Questionnaire on Students’ Interest in Essay writing (QSIEW) were used for data collection.. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that both strategies enhanced students’ achievement in essay writing. However, students taught essay writing using writing conference strategy outperformed their counterparts taught using teachers’ modelling in assigned writing tasks and tested in the writing achievement test. The finding further indicated that students taught via conference strategy gained significantly higher mean interest rating than those taught using teacher modelling strategy. Based on the findings, the study recommended that combining writing conferencing and modelling strategies in the teaching of essay writing could bring about increased interest in writing and better writing outcomes among secondary school students.

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TOWARDS THE AUTOMATISATION OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: SENSORIMOTOR DRILLING, THE STRUCTURATION OF LINGUISTIC INPUT ON THE BASIS OF PROCESSING DEMANDS AND SENSORY CHUNKING
Authors: Mendoza Fernández Verónica
Published: August 2021

The current study presents the results of a treatment that sought to improve the 3rd person singular -s of the present simple tense. Sixty-four EFL learners from three different primary schools participated in the experiment. Learners were divided into a control group and two experimental groups. Whereas the control group followed its own school instruction, the two experimental groups followed a treatment that was based on neuroscience and psychology and that integrated innovative pedagogical techniques (©2018, 2019, Verónica Mendoza Fernández): sensorimotor drilling, the structuration of linguistic input on the basis of processing demands and sensory chunking. Learners carried out four pretest-postest tasks. Here are presented the results of one of the tasks: oral sentence transformation. The findings of the study indicated that statistical significance was reached by the two experimental groups only.

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SPEECH TRANSFER PATTERNS IN FORMAL CLASSROOM
Authors: Werdiningsih Endang , Suryaningsih S.
Published: August 2021

This study aims to explain the patterns of formal conversation speech transfer in the Law Studies program at Wisnuwardhana University of Malang. This study is a descriptive qualitative one-site study. The results of the study include transaction patterns in the initial, core, and final activities of learning. Conversation patterns are divided into (a) transaction patterns, (b) speech transfer patterns, and (c) movement patterns informal conversations. The conversation strategy is divided into initiation, negotiation, and an elicitation strategy. The function of conversation is divided into the function of declaring, asking, ordering, and expressing feelings. The use of negotiation strategies, speech expressing apologies, and expressions of gratitude are new phenomena informal conversations.

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THE KEY FACTORS INFLUENCING BANK EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE DURING PANDEMIC COVID-19: AN INVESTIGATION ON SELECTED BANKS IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Sija Andrew
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic could be the most serious challenge to financial institutions and impacts on bank employee’s performance. While the full impacts are yet to be determined. The aims of this study are to identify and justify the three key factors (compensation and benefits, employee recognition, training and development) used were significant contributor towards banking employee performance of all selected banks in Malaysia. This study used survey questionnaires which systematically conducted through online Google survey form to obtain data and information from the respondents of all selected banks. There were about 100 banking employees from the selected banks, and only 82 completely responded to the survey. The study identified four (4) hypotheses which are tested using statistical technique SPSS version 26. The quantitative research system is embraced, and it was more proper. It is considering a few variables incorporates comfort, timing and costs related during pandemic time. Based on rigorous reviewing of the literature, instrument designing and subsequent pilot testing, the outcome revealed that training, recognition and compensation have significant relationships with employee performance. The finding further showed employee recognition is the most closely associated stronger predictor in banking employee performance with unstandardized coefficients Beta value of 0.409 absolute larger than the other two variables, which were 0.308 and 0.128 for compensation and benefits, and training development respectively. The most significant contribution of this study is that it explores for the first time the investigation of key factors influencing banking employee performance during pandemic Covid-19. The study also contributes both on theoretical and empirical value to the banks in gaining competitiveness, retain employee talent and adjusting performance review process for more flexible goal setting in future.

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RE-WRITING THE PARADIGMS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
Authors: Bakare K. A.
Published: August 2021

From eutaxy to entropy. In recent times, it has become a consistent phenomenon not to expect to see a Nigerian University feature in the first one thousand position in the world ranking of universities. This is a red flag that should bother all stakeholders in the Nigeria’s education sector. History has it that in the 1960’s, through to early 80’s Nigerian universities were among the trailblazers in the world. It is a known fact that universities in this part of the world had exhibited unrivalled merits and scholarship at inception and had occupied the top echelon of academic practice in Africa and the world, producing world-class scholars and professionals. Our universities today struggle for recognition in Africa, especially in the public purview where they once excelled with seamless efforts. Could this be as a result of epistemic impasse caused by abject disregard for excellence which had suddenly set in on the part of those who were supposed to teach knowledge, research knowledge and market knowledge? Or as a result of other factors extrinsic to the universities that had wrought this pestilence and had brought about a pernicious decline both in academic and administrative activities? Whatever the case may be, it is obvious that urgent measures should be introduced to reverse this obnoxious trend.

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EFFECT OF ECONOMIC DEPRESSION ON GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES: A STUDY OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Akamobi Obiageli Gloria , Ezudike Chioma Peace
Published: August 2021

This research work studied the effect of economic depression on the growth of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State and their contribution to economic growth. This research focuses on the extent to which economic hardship affects the operations and activities of SMEs in Awka South. The study was conducted in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. Data for the study were collected from a representative sample of one hundred (100) SMEs entrepreneurs in the area. A systematic sampling technique would be used to select the respondents. The result of the analyses showed that economic depression impairs the growth of SMEs in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. There should be adequate provision of infrastructures, government should give special consideration to SMEs by patronizing SMEs output, government should attract international financial institutions towards the growth and development of small scale industries in Awka South and Nigeria at large etc.

JEL: L20; L23; L53

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HIGHER EDUCATION AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF HUMAN RESOURCES TODAY
Authors: Dung Bui Xuan
Published: August 2021

Today, higher education is developing in a context of lots of changes and challenges. First, the fourth industrial revolution is having a huge impact on changing the operating model of higher education and higher education governance. Second, changes in the labor market and economic structure require workers to have lots of knowledge and skills to keep up with practical issues caused by social changes. Third, enterprises today are more and more interested in education and are heavily investing in this field. They also have higher and higher standards for human resources to meet business demands. Fourth, universities are increasingly being invested in to strengthen their competitiveness as well as to level up in international rankings. Fifth, Vietnamese education is also under pressure to compete with regional and Asian schools. So is the cross-border labor market, which also affects Vietnamese labor market and human resources.

JEL: I20; I23; J24; O15

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THE IMPACT OF TRAINING AND INNOVATION ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA: JOB SATISFACTION AS MEDIATOR
Authors: Kanapathipillaii Kumaran
Published: August 2021

The present research explores the impact of training and innovation on organisational performance. Additionally, this research scrutinises how job satisfaction partially mediates the impact of training and innovation on organisational performance. Therefore, in order to achieve the objective of this research, the survey procedure using single-stage cluster sampling method is used to develop an in-depth profile, which is gathered from 653 out of 800 formal standardised questionnaires sent to employees who are in the managerial or supervisory level and above at 400 hotels in West Malaysia. For this research, only two questionnaires were distributed to the managers of each hotel. This research employed quantitative methods to produce empirical results and shreds of evidence that fulfil the research questions. The literature scrutinised training, innovation, job satisfaction, and organisational performance to fill the gap and to uncover the significance of training programs and innovation on organisational performance with job satisfaction as the mediator. The analysis shows that training and innovation are statistically significant and has a strong relationship with job satisfaction and organisational performance. Conclusively, the hypothesis depicted that job satisfaction mediates the relationship between training and innovation on organisational performance in the hospitality industry. Thus, the findings of this study could aid as an example to other hoteliers in Malaysia to not presume the impact of training and innovativeness on organisational performance. By embarking on training and being innovative, hotels could rise against all odds, remain productive, and maintain competitiveness.

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UTILIZATION OF E-LEARNING RESOURCES AMONG LECTURERS IN NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDY CENTERS IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA
Authors: Ikwuka Obiageli Ifeoma , Ofodile Chidinma Nkem , Igbokwe Innocent Chiawa , Udenwa Victoria Chidiebele , Okoye Chinyere Celina , Oguejiofor Chidumebi Ngozi
Published: August 2021

Despite the effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria to enhance the quality of the learning process in Nigerian universities by introducing the use of ICT resources in schools through which lecturers will acquire knowledge and skills that would enable them source the internet and utilize e-learning resources for qualitative teaching, the attainment of the e-learning objectives in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) appears elusive. The study investigated the utilization of e-learning resources among lecturers in National Open University study centers in South East Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study, while survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all the 724 facilitators in National Open University study centers, South East Nigeria. The sample size comprised 84 lecturers obtained through simple random sampling and accidental sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used to collect data. The reliabilities of the clusters in the instrument which were ascertained with Cronbach alpha method were found to be 0.71, 0.80 and 0.77. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The findings of the study revealed that many of the lecturers utilized e-learning resources for instructional delivery, research purposes and evaluation purposes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that University administrators should promote the use of e learning among lecturers by providing technologically enhanced libraries in order to support the use of e learning for the tripartite purposes of instructional delivery, research and evaluation.

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ÉTICA, DEONTOLOGIA E QUALIDADE DA INFORMAÇÃO FINANCEIRA / ETHICS, DEONTOLOGY AND QUALITY IN FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Authors: Rodrigues Jorge
Published: August 2021

A reputação, garante do bom nome e da confiança nos indivíduos e nas instituições, é condição necessária do negócio fiduciário. Este tem por base a informação, em especial, a informação derivada dos sistemas de contabilidade financeira. Esta é produzida, auditada e analisada por diferentes atores do mercado, os quais têm os seus próprios valores e interesses. Com a finalidade de incrementar a confiança e credibilidade dessa informação, apresenta-se, ainda em estádio embrionário, uma proposta de abordagem transdisciplinar à ética e deontologia dos profissionais do mercado de informação financeira, assente nos conceitos de ética, confiança, corporate governance e responsabilidade social das organizações. Procura-se contribuir para a formação de analistas responsáveis, do ponto de vista ético e deontológico, que garantam a legalidade dos procedimentos e manifestem claramente oposição às decisões ilegais.

The reputation as a guarantee of the good name and confidence in individuals and institutions is a necessary condition of the trust business. This is based on the information, particularly, information derived from financial accounting systems. This is produced, audited and analyzed by different market players, which have their own values and interests. In order to build trust and credibility of this information is presented, still in embryonic stage, a proposal for a transdisciplinar approach to ethics and deontology of professionals in the financial information market, based on the concepts of ethics, trust, corporate governance and social responsibility organizations. We hope to contribute to the formation of responsible analysts, the ethical and deontological point of view, to ensure the legality of procedures, clearly expressing opposition to illegal decisions.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IPAD USE IN PROMOTING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SAUDI ARABIA
Authors: Aldossry Badi
Published: August 2021

The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia has used technology to support teaching and learning in Saudi's school system to meet the requirements of the National Transformation Program under Vision 2030. There are different kinds of technology which can enhance the effectiveness of the teaching and learning of mathematics, such as the iPad. This paper presents results of primary research investigating the effect of using iPads in enhancing student achievement in a Saudi secondary school. A quasi-experimental design was used to determine the effect of using an iPad on students' achievement in mathematics across two tenth grade classes (A and B) for two months. In the first month, students of group A used the iPad as a learning tool (treatment group), while students of group B used traditional methods as learning tools (control group). In the second month of the quasi-experimental period, group A became the control group using traditional methods, while group B became the treatment group using the iPad to learn mathematics. At the start of the experiment, a pre-test was completed, and the first post-test occurred one month later, then the treatment was switched. After two months at the end of the quasi-experimental period, both groups had taken the second post-test. Cronbach's alpha coefficient measured the reliability of these tests, with the first test at 0.784 and the second test at 0.792, regarded as very high (close to 1.00). Thus, the tests' reliability and credibility were confirmed. Nine comparisons of the means were used to see if a significant statistical difference between the mean of the two groups or within a group existed, by using the SPSS t-test. After comparing the mean of ‘within-group A’, ‘within group B’, and ‘group A and group B’, it was seen that using the iPad made a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in students' achievements compared to traditional methods. The study summarises the main results and specific recommendations are provided.

 

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PROMOTING INTERACTIVITY IN ONLINE LEARNING – TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF HIGH-QUALITY ONLINE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Authors: Rugube Talent , Mthethwa-Kunene Khetsiwe Eunice , Maphosa Cosmas
Published: August 2021

Online learning is different from face-to-face contact learning. The former is technology-mediated and often accused of lacking the interaction the learners would have when learning together in contact sessions. However, the richness of online learning is flexibility, which allows learning to take place anytime from anywhere. Online learning through the utilisation of digital learning platforms may provide rich learning experiences. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted most institutions of higher learning to move to online learning due to restrictions on gathering. Some of the institutions were not prepared for this move and this resulted in challenges in implementing online learning effectively. When online learning is not implemented properly, students will be pedagogically distanced from the course instructor and the learning process. Moore’s (1989) transactional distance theory notes the importance of pedagogical distance to ensure effective distance learning. In this discussion, we unpack the transactional distance theory and suggest ways of promoting interactivity in online learning in different ways. Conclusions are drawn from the discussion and recommendations are made.

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INTRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL DATA MINING BY USING A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL FROM THE MOODLE LMS
Authors: Akhtar Ali , Serajuddin Mohammad , Zafrul Hasan
Published: August 2021

Different works relating to this specialty have been done in recent years and several data extraction approaches have been used to solve numerous educational problems. This analysis compares the Felder-Silverman Learning Style Model component of student activity in Moddle class with three data mining algorithms for the identification of knowledge presentation dimension (visual/verbal) learning style. This study analyzes Moodle LMS student log data using data mining strategies to identify their learning styles that rely on one aspect of the learning style of Feld-Silverman: visual/verbal. The WEKA compares various classification algorithms as classified J48 Decision Tree, Naive Bayes and Portion. The selected classifiers were evaluated using a 10-fold cross validation. The tests revealed that at 71.18 percent the Naive Bays achieve the strongest score.

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