bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
There's more to statistics than computation—teaching students how to communicate statistical results
Authors:   California Polytechnic State University, Peck Roxy
Published: May 2022

Statistics is a discipline whose primary purpose is to provide analysts and researchers with methods for collecting data in a reasonable way and for making sense out of data. As such, the role of context is critical and the importance of context is among the things that distinguish statistics from mathematics. The importance of context is a primary reason that communication is such an important aspect of statistics problems. In statistics, meaning comes from context, and it is the interpretation of the analysis in context that is the ultimate desired outcome of analyzing data. Even though communication is an important part of interpreting and analyzing data, traditional statistics courses often focus on the computational aspects of data analysis and often neglect issues of effective communication. This paper considers ways to develop "communication basics" in the introductory statistics curriculum.
Teaching students to write about statistics
Authors:   The University of Auckland, Forster Mike , Smith David ,   The University of Auckland, Wild Christopher ,   The University of Auckland
Published: May 2022

To be effective in the real world, our students have to be able to take problems vaguely conceived in natural language terms through the statistical investigation and analysis cycle to arrive at conclusions that they can successfully communicate to others in natural language. Effective communication of statistical findings is one of the critically important legs on which this structure stands. In our second- year applied statistics course we decided some time ago that increasing the ability of our students to communicate their statistical findings was one of the things we most wanted to concentrate on and it now forms a very substantial part of almost all assessments. But assessing a skill you do not systematically teach and develop is not only ineffective but also unfair. In this paper we discuss two highly structured forms of writing which we have developed and call “Executive Summaries” and “Technical Notes”, the motivations for concentrating on these particular forms of writing, their strengths and weaknesses, the common scaffolding that stretches across many types of analysis, associated teaching and learning strategies, the challenges we face, and our successes and failures.
Grapharti
Authors:   Macquarie University, Green Hilary
Published: May 2022

In this paper, I introduce a graph which I call Grapharti. Grapharti is designed to display data obtained from surveys, opinion polls or evaluations. The data are retrieved from a database and displayed on a web page. The purpose of this paper is to show that grapharti can enable objective interpretation of the data; however, it also aims to invite subjective interpretation of the data.
From data to graphs to words - but where are the models?
Authors:   Simon Fraser University, Weldon Larry
Published: May 2022

The pioneers of statistics focused on parametric estimation and summary to communicate statistical findings. The tradition of basing inference on parametric fits is a central mode in statistics education, but in statistics applications, computer- based graphical summary is playing an increasingly important role. A parallel development has been the spread of statistics education to almost all disciplines, and thus the need to communicate statistical results to non-specialists has become more acute. These influences of more graphics and a wider distribution require adaptation in our statistics courses. This paper provides examples of, and arguments for, the use of simulation and graphical display, and the role of these techniques in enhancing the verbalization of analytical results. The immediate goal of the paper is to persuade those who design curricula for early statistics courses to provide a serious introduction to graphical data analysis, at the expense of some traditional parametric inference. The ultimate goal is to enable more students to communicate statistical findings effectively.
Statistics and the media
Authors:   Statistics Canada, Smith Wayne
Published: May 2022

As a rule, it's fair to say that journalists and statisticians have little in common. Yet, journalists and national statistical agencies are virtually inseparable. Why? Because the general public is an important audience for national statistical agencies and the news media are a powerful tool for reaching this audience. Most journalists are uncomfortable with numbers: many are unable to calculate a percentage increase; many more would find it difficult to explain the difference between a percentage decline and a percentage point decline. Most probably find data boring. A journalist with specialized knowledge of statistics is a rarity. Statistics Canada, like most national statistical agencies, places great importance on communicating with the media. Our challenge is twofold: to engage the interest of journalists in our data and surreptitiously raise the level of their statistical literacy and to engage the interest of our statisticians in presenting statistics in a manner which the journalist, as a layperson, can understand. The paper will outline the various approaches that Statistics Canada has taken to meet this twofold challenge and will discuss our experiences in educating both journalists and statisticians to tell the story behind the numbers.
Distance learning: new frontiers for solving old problems
Authors:   Dipartimento di Economia, Finanza e Statistica, Galmacci Gianfranco , Milito Anna Maria ,   Dipartimento di Metodi Quantitativi per le Scienze Umane
Published: May 2022

After a discussion on the use of technology for teaching purposes, the authors present an experiment carried out in Italy and based on the use of e-learning to face the problem of guiding large classes of students for lab activities in basic courses of Statistics. Even though this solution has been adopted to solve a local problem, it seems to have a wide range of potential applications.
Helping students to communicate statistics better
Authors:   Royal Statistical Society Centre for Statistical Education, Davies Neville , Connor Doreen ,   Royal Statistical Society Centre for Statistical Education
Published: May 2022

In this paper we present examples of improving student communication skills in statistics by using resources that are created from student and teacher involvement in data production. Collecting real data that the students and teachers can relate to, the creation of data-active worksheets, lessons and projects can help to bring statistics to life. This, in turn, can aid the development of thinking skills that enable students to communicate statistics better, both orally and in writing. We give examples that: • encourage students to learn statistical communication skills through collecting real data and using them to produce useful projects that can yield meaningful conclusions; • enable teachers to be confident and competent about the types of data that should be collected and used, and how they should be organised and presented; • show teachers how to support students in Data Handling and Statistics projects.
Statistical prevarication: telling half truths using statistics
Authors:   Augsburg College, Schield Milo
Published: May 2022

All too often statistics are characterized as lies. But statistics are more likely to be half truths than lies. This paper studies statistical prevarication – the art of strad- dling both sides of an issue or idea – involving a statistic. This paper studies statis- tical prevarications in everyday use and in statistics education. If statistics educa- tors are to avoid a charge of statistical negligence, they should focus more on iden- tifying and eliminating sources of statistical prevarication in their teaching and textbooks. And statistical educators should do more to help students become statis- tically literate in detecting statistical prevarication.
Let us do it in a different way? An alternative assessment proposal
Authors:   Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Da Silva Nascimento Maria , Dos Santos Vaz Martins José ,   Instituto Politécnico da Guarda
Published: May 2022

We believe that without the participation from students, effective learning will not be achieved. So, last year (2005/2006) we have tried to improve students learning in statistics using different assessment tools. Here we will present the proposal we have made to the students and we will discuss the results of one of the tasks we have proposed to them. Finally, we will also discuss the effect of our proposal to improve student's learning in statistics.
Designing open questions for the assessment of conceptual understanding
Authors:   Maastricht University, Broers Nick
Published: May 2022

The theory of statistics is composed of highly abstract propositions that are linked in multiple ways. Both the abstraction level and the cumulative nature of the subject make statistics a difficult subject. A diversity of didactic methods has been devised to aid the student in the effort to master statistics, one of which is the method of propositional manipulation (MPM). Based on this didactic method, a corresponding assessment method has been developed. Basically, in using MPM for assessment purposes, the student is instructed to construct arguments using subsets of elementary propositions. In effect, the assessment procedure demands the student to display knowledge of the interrelationships between the propositions in a particular subset. Analysis of the student responses allows for scoring purely propositional knowledge, as well as conceptual understanding. In this paper we discuss research on the effectiveness of this assessment method, relative to assessment of conceptual understanding using concept mapping.
Assessment at the program level: using assessment to improve undergraduate statistics programs
Authors:   Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Peck Roxy , Chance Beth ,   Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Published: May 2022

With the growing focus on assessment and accountability, programs at many universities are now expected to define learning goals and objectives at the program level (as opposed to the course level) and to devise strategies for assessing whether these goals and objectives are being met. This paper will look at the role of assessment at the program level and how the resulting information about student learning can be used to make informed decisions about curriculum.
Assessing student learning in first-year quantitative courses at Babson college: experimental design
Authors:   Babson College, Rybolt William , Mckenzie Jr. John ,   https://iase-web.org/documents/papers/sat2007/Rybolt_McKenzie.pdf?1402524994
Published: May 2022

From 2001-2006 we used a number of approaches to assess how well our first-year students learn statistics and mathematics when introduced to different teaching methods. The topics introduced in their two courses include those found in a standard applied probability and statistics course. For example, descriptive linear regression. Most of these assessments have been based upon analyses of opinions and examination results from the students. This paper reports on designing experiments to determine whether electronic quizzes enhance student learning. A second paper presents the implementation of these experiments and a preliminary analysis of the data from these experiments.
Assessing the inclusion of biostatistics in schools of dentistry in brazil
Authors:   São Paulo State University, Sundefeld Maria Lucia Marçal Mazza , Moreno Amália ,   São Paulo State University, Espírito Santo Márcia Regina ,   São Paulo State University
Published: May 2022

The National Institute of Study and Research of the Ministry of Education in Brazil states that there are 169 Schools of Dentistry in 2006. At the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, UNESP, Brazil, this Biostatistics discipline is included in the course with 90 credit hours a year. An interrelationship with other professors has been developed for some years using database of different dental fields. The aim of this research is to get acquainted with the teaching of Biostatics at schools of dentistry in Brazil. The methodology applied was to send the questionnaire to all the coordinators of the courses. As for the result of 76 questionnaires answered, 45 stated the inclusion of Biostatistics in their program studies. Only in 3 schools Biostatistics is taught all over the year in “61 to 90” hours. The conclusion is that the teaching of Biostatistics must be incentivated in all schools of dentistry in Brazil.
Assessing learning by student’s own examination tasks. Experiences from research courses in biostatistics
Authors:   Örebro University, Svensson Elisabeth
Published: May 2022

PhD students and others from all kinds of disciplines have the need for statistical learning and understanding in common. For that reason, research courses in research method and biostatistics are open for all kinds of participants, which mean that a large variety of applied topics are represented in each course. The participants are commonly involved in the research process on different stages, some of them having only a research topic, others have collected all data. Furthermore there is also a variation in opinion about statistics, not regarding the need for statistics but the concerns about the demand for mathematical skills etc. The heterogeneity of the participants’ research fields and experience in research is a real challenge in teaching but also in assessment of learning. However, a common issue is that all participants are highly motivated as they need knowledge and understanding in statistical thinking and literacy. The aim of this paper is to present the experiences of an examination approach in which the participants get the opportunity to formulating their own examination tasks based on own research problems and to solve them. This approach not only improved the participants’ learning and understanding, but good statistical practice was also implemented the research group as a whole.
Assessing students’ statistical competence by means of written reports and project work
Authors:   University of Kassel, Biehler Rolf
Published: May 2022

As part of the assessment after an introductory statistics course, students had to do a small pro- ject and submit a written report describing their methods, results and conclusions. We supported the report writing and the project work by several means. Among others, we devel- oped an „exemplary project report” they were introduced to. This project report was written in two columns. In the first column the report about a question concerning a data set is with our best knowledge, in the accompanying second column, we reflect on the choices and options to be made in the respective stages of the report. The aim is to stimulate meta-cognitive activity and to help the students seeing the general in the particular of the exemplary report. We got several dozens of project reports and analyzed them carefully. We developed a grading scheme with several dimensions, including the quality of introductory and concluding sections, the quality of method choice and the quality of analysis and conclusions. We did not only pay at- tention to statistical quality but also to questions of style of writing such as whether the project question is introduced in a motivating manner and whether clear and convincing conclusions are presented to the reader with good communicative means including adequate graphs. The grading scheme was used to provide feed-back to the students. On the other hand we used this scheme for a systematic analysis of the available project reports. Weaknesses and strengths, most difficult areas for our students were identified and we were able to reflect on the adequacy and the shortcomings of our guiding “exemplary report” and our grading scheme.
Comprehensive writing assessments in introductory statistics
Authors:   Bowling Green State University, Earley Mark
Published: May 2022

Creating assessments for introductory statistics courses is not easy, particularly when the goal is to evaluate students’ conceptual understanding of statistical concepts. “Understanding” is difficult to measure, but we do know it involves more than just memorization of facts or blindly carrying out mechanical data analysis procedures. This paper presents a framework for developing an assessment system in introductory statistics culminating in a series of comprehensive writing assessments that evaluate students’ understandings of larger statistical concepts such as distribution and variability. The purpose of this paper is to help current and future instructors evaluate the assessment systems of their courses, where students are typically most concerned. I will discuss essays on two topics (distribution and variability) from my own introductory statistics course. In these essays, students reflect upon what they have learned, explain it to someone else, and generate examples to support their explanations. This discussion includes how I developed the assessment, how I incorporate it into the overall course structure, and student reactions to the assessment. Excerpts from over 300 student essays highlight (a) how the students reveal their conceptual understandings through writing, (b) common misunderstandings that emerge, and (c) ways I have adapted my course to better develop students’ understandings of these concepts.
Empowering students to be the judges of their own performance through peer assessment
Authors:   Macquarie University, Bilgin Ayse , Fraser Sharon ,   Macquarie University
Published: May 2022

Alternative assessment methods are becoming increasingly common in higher education with the aim of increasing the potential learning of students. This paper presents an application of an alternative assessment method: peer assessment of oral presentations for postgraduate students within a statistics department. Even though the assessment of peers is a valuable workplace skill, such an activity is rarely an integrated part of university education. With a new emphasis in universities on the development of generic skills, it is appropriate to explore means of assessment that are valued in the marketplace. The aim of the peer assessment intervention reported here was to increase the critical thinking skills of students and enable them to develop their ability as independent decision makers. The advantages and disadvantages of the intervention and peer assessment in general are discussed and suggestions are made for possible improvements.
Toward the development and validation of the reasoning about p-values and statistical significance scale
Authors:   University of Minnesota, Lane-Getaz Sharon
Published: May 2022

This paper describes the development and validation of the Reasoning about P-values and Statistical Significance (RPASS) scale. The RPASS was designed to support future research on students’ conceptual understanding and misunderstanding of statistical significance and the effects of instructional approaches on this understanding. After expert content validation and testing, the 27-item RPASS-4 was administered across five introductory courses at California Polytechnic State University (N = 224). Respondents answered 16 of 27 items correctly, on average. This paper reports evidence of construct validity, both convergent and discriminant validity evidence (n = 56). However, internal consistency reliability was low (α = .42, N = 224). A subset of 15 items was identified with expected coefficient alpha of .66 by removing items with low corrected item-total correlations. Implications for future development and research are discussed.
A study of discrepancies in the assessment of probabilistic tasks: why might teachers grade and evaluate inconsistently a given answer?
Authors:   Institut Libanais d’Educateurs -FSédu -Université Saint Joseph, Nabbout Marie
Published: May 2022

In this paper we present part of a study carried out to identify Lebanese teachers’ representations of probability as well as their teaching practices. We compare grades and judgments that teachers attribute to fictitious students. Our result show inconsistencies in grading on the same teacher: discrepancy between the quantitative judgment (grade) and the qualitative judgment that he attributes to the same answer. The comparison between the quantitative judgments (grades) and the qualitative judgments reveals a great diversity among teachers: a convergence in grading can hide very different qualitative judgments. This comparison contributed largely to the study of certain representations and practices of teachers, in particular those concerning the concept of independence of events.
Using concept maps to assess pre-service teachers’ understanding of connections between statistical concepts
Authors:   University of New England, Afamasaga-Fuata’i Karoline , Reading Chris ,   University of New England
Published: May 2022

Concept maps are powerful tools for representing understanding of a concept. After designing a teaching sequence for the statistics content of a senior secondary mathematics syllabus, pre- service teachers were asked to prepare a concept map to demonstrate their understanding of the connection between the different concepts that had been included in the sequence. The concept maps prepared by the pre-service teachers were analysed in relation to what connections were made and the quality of the connecting statements. Results showed that these pre-service teachers had very different perceptions of the connections between the basic statistical concepts. Drawing the concept maps assisted the pre-service teachers to consider the concepts at a meta-level. How the concepts maps might be used as a tool for aiding the planning of learning sequences is worthy of investigation.
The Use of Self-Assembling Peptides (PuraStat™) in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Haemostasis and Reducing Adhesion Formation. A Case Series of 94 Patients
Authors:   Otolaryngology Fiona Stanley Hospital Perth, Australia, Friedland Yael , Bagot d’Arc Maurice ,   BluePharm Consulting Paris, France, HA Jennifer ,   SJOG Hospital Murdoch Wexford Medical Center  Murdoch, Australia, Delin Claudia ,   BluePharm Consulting Paris, France
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a treatment option for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Bleeding and adhesions are common complications postoperatively. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of PuraStat™ (3-D Matrix Medical Technology Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia) for use in FESS to achieve haemostasis and reduce adhesion formation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review over four years was performed on 94 patients undergoing FESS by a single surgeon, using PuraStat™ in absence of nasal packing. Results: Twenty-eight patients underwent complete FESS and 66 cases limited FESS most often combined with nasal surgery. Six patients had bleeding postoperatively, of which only four required additional treatment (4.25%). Twenty-three patients (24.47%) required debridement during the follow up, simply performed by suction for 13 or by scissors for 10. No patient required revision surgery for adhesion. Conclusion: PuraStat™ used for the first time in context of FESS seems to be effective in achieving haemostasis, reducing adhesion formation, and avoiding nasal packing in most patients.
IMPACT OF INTERFERON-CONTAINING DRUGS ON PRO- AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN NEWBORN PIGLETS
Authors: Shakhov A.G. , Sashnina L.Yu. , Vostroilova G.A. , Ermolova T.G. , Vladimirova Yu.Yu.
Published: May 2022

The article presents the results of studies on the impact of biferon-S, containing recombinant porcine interferons alpha and gamma, and prostimul, which contains a recombinant type I cytokine and vitamins A, E and C, on the pro- and antioxidant status of piglets under conditions of an industrial pig breeding complex. It has been found that the use of drugs for the newborn piglets helps to reduce the lipid peroxidation and endogenous intoxication, manifested by a decrease in the number of malondialdehyde, peptides of medium molecular weight and indicators of endogenous intoxication. This also contributes to a decrease in the number of stable nitric oxide metabolites involved into the oxidative stress reactions and an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. A more essential positive effect on the LPO-AOD system in piglets has been exerted by prostimul, which, in addition to the type I cytokine, contains vitamins A, E and C. They increase the antioxidant status of the body, enhancing the antioxidant activity of the blood plasma, protecting the cells of the immune system from oxygen-dependent types of apoptosis, they potentiate the efficacy of interferons as well.
COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF VETERINARY DRUGS"ENDOCOL-BIO" AND "ENDOMETROMAG-BIO"
Authors: Kovzov V.V. , Garbuzov A.A. , Yatsyna V.V. , Kovzov I.V.
Published: May 2022

As a result of the studies, it was found that the veterinary drug "Endokol-Bio", intended for the treatment of animals with pathology in parturition and the postpartum period, has a high therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy. This made 83 % in the treatment of cows with catarrhal-purulent endometritis, and with the inclusion of the drug into the therapeutic regimen for the treatment of cows with the retention of placenta – 100 %. The veterinary drug "Endometromag-Bio" also has a high therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy, which made 75 % in the treatment of cows with catarrhal-purulent endometritis, and with the inclusion of the drug into the therapeutic regimen for the treatment of cows with the retention of placenta – 90 %.
E-Learning- Accessibility of Students with Visual Impairment in Higher Education
Authors: Ravichandran G. , Sujathamalini Dr. J. , Gunasekaran Dr. K.
Published: May 2022

This paper explores the e-learning accessibility of students with visual impairment to begin as a current learning method in the education system. Even in training, the significance of e-studying has improved appreciably. Although a maximum of the technically triggered accessibility management education structures and e-learning contents are conquered all accessibility there are still barriers to be considered. As a matter of current pandemic, it still seems that the subject of accessibility is still exclusively discussed on a technical level. Important aspects like target group-oriented learning methodology and course administration had improved to meet the needs of students with visual impairment. However, e-learning is as important for the accessibility for student with print disabilities and the technical adaptations of the various education structures are used in an e-learning environment of students with visual impairment. The present qualitative study explored the accessibility of e-learning of students with visual impairment. The study implied the need for training students with visual impairment to overcome the learning barriers through implementation of technological advancements such as e-learning and online learning at higher education.

Keywords: E-Learning, Accessibility, Visual Impairment.
An Analytical Review on Feature Reduction for Big Data Analytics using Machine Learning
Authors:   Department of CSE, RNTU, Bhopal (M.P), India, Kulhare Rachna , Veenadhari S. , Sharma Neha
Published: May 2022

There is an explosive growth of data due to advancements in computer methods. With ML techniques, working on a really massive quantity of data is a big problem. As a result, handling and computing on a very vast, varied, and diverse dataset seems a difficult undertaking. The purpose of this study is to provide a quick overview of several dimensionality reduction/feature selection techniques. A summary of the contributions of scholars to the development of feature selection methods for huge datasets is provided. This study is driven to create a hybrid, resilient, adjustable, as well as dynamical feature selection approach to classify huge datasets by examining current challenges.
Model of an Open-source Web GIS Application for Observation in case of Wildland Fires
Authors:   Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria, Stefanov Stefan
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to present a net-based GIS application that was created via open-source software and toolkits. It shows data taken in real time and recorded in a SQL database from a personal meteorological station in Kresna, Blagoevgrad, Republic of Bulgaria. The software visualizes open weather data from Open Weather Maps (OWS) and Copernicus Emergency Management Service to provide more detailed information on the present situation (CEMS). OWS provides customers with access to a wide range of weather information. CEMS offers rapid and reliable geospatial data to all players involved in natural disaster management. The article includes the concept as well as the software system implementation of the Web GIS application for surveillance in the case of wildland fires. The app was built using QGIS and other open-source applications and technologies.
Comparing the Quality Assessment of Image Dehazing Using Different Techniques
Authors:   Instrumentation Department, Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology, Nerul, Mumbai, India, P. Singh Sarika , Sameer Phadke Gargi
Published: May 2022

There is serious image degradation in the images taken in the noisy environment such as haze or fog. Our quality assessment of image dehazing using the traditional and modern approach, actively prescribes a solution for the evergreen problem. Our proposed approach tries to throw some light and find a solution to this problem. We are first using the more traditional approach used in Image Processing. The algorithm we use is the Richardson Lucy algorithm. The Richardson Lucy algorithm, also known as Lucy–Richardson deconvolution, is an iterative procedure for recovering an underlying image that has been blurred by a known point spread function. With an ideal point source not present as a point but on the contrary being spread out into what is known as the point spread function. Our subsequent approach is a modern approach of Deep Learning. We are using Single Image Haze removal using DCP methodology to enhance the dehazing performance and flexibility. This modern approach takes into consideration the estimated transmission, refined transmission, atmospheric light to give us the output dehazed images. We are using a dark channel prior Single Image Dehazing method. Finally, we are doing a quality assessment. Here we are performing a comparative analysis by comparing the quality parameters of output images received from dark channel prior and the LR approach respectively.
An Approach to Incorporate Textual Reviews in Book Recommender System
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, G.G.D.S.D. College, Hariana, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India, Kumar Anil , Chawla Sonal
Published: May 2022

Recommender systems are widely accepted by internet users to find suitable products in various domains. In the academic domain, the book recommender system provides personalized books to the learner to retain his interest in the learning environment. It also helps in reducing cognitive stress faced by learners due to non-personalized recommendations and information overload. The existing recommender systems recommend books to the learner based on the learner’s preferences yet the learner struggles in retrieving tailored recommendations. This leads to an increase in learner’s stress and anxiety. To relieve stress and anxiety, appropriate recommendations can be provided to the learner by considering the textual reviews of books given by peer learners. Sentiments of the textual reviews can be used to complement the explicit ratings of books to achieve higher recommendation reliability. So the objective of this paper is to propose and elaborate the framework for a book recommender system that integrates sentiment analysis with collaborative filtering to improve the predicted ratings. The proposed recommendation system is based on KNN and lexicon-based sentiment analysis. The results of the evaluation and testing of the proposed framework show that there is a significant improvement in the performance of the recommender system.
Investigation on Substrate Integrated Waveguide Antenna Technology
Authors:   Department of Electronics and Communication, Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India, Tomar Vishakha
Published: May 2022

Substrate integrated waveguide is the most prominent technology to be used for mm-wave region operating components and circuits. SIW manufacturing is accomplished by connecting two parallel metal plates with two rows of conducting cylinders or slots inserted in a dielectric substrate. This provides a compact, reduced loss, flexible, and cost-effective result. This study introduces an overview of the modern research on SIW technology and advances made in modeling, numerical techniques, and designing SIW components and structures.
Erich Heller’s Disinherited Mind: A Bohemian Jewish Germanist in Anglo-American Exile
Authors: Kerlova Martina
Published: May 2022

This article examines the life and thought of Erich Heller, a prolific scholar of Austrian and German literature and philosophy. Born into a German Jewish family in the borderland of Habsburg Bohemia, Heller graduated from Prague’s German University, only to be forced to flee the Nazi invasion. He found refuge in Britain before moving ultimately to the United States where he taught for two decades at Northwestern University. Erich Heller’s physical and intellectual journey highlights both moments of conflict and cultural transmittance between German-speaking Central Europe and the Anglophone world. Heller was only half at home in the new world where he helped rehabilitated German and Austrian literature and thought abroad. The article explores Heller’s intellectual development throughout his voluntary and forced migrations and traces changes in his political and philosophical identity. Heller’s life, thought, and success are considered in two main contexts: that of his generation of Bohemian-born émigrés and of the postwar atmosphere in American higher education, in particular, the role of German-speaking scholars within it. It analyzes the way in which Heller understood his own transcendence within the national frames and its implication. The article answers two questions: What were the main contributing factors to Heller’s success in the postwar academic discipline German and Austrian Studies and what is the relevance of his teaching today?
Restoring Fish and Wildlife Habitat in U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern
Authors: Hartig John H. , Perrecone John , Clement Thomas
Published: May 2022

Beginning in 1985, remedial action plans were developed to restore any of 14 beneficial use impairments in Great Lakes areas of concern (AOCs). The designation of “loss of fish and wildlife habitat” as a beneficial use impairment helped elevate the priority for habitat restoration and helped focus AOC stakeholders on habitat restoration options and priorities. Funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been the critical factor in realizing habitat restoration in U.S. AOCs, with over $280 million allocated since the beginning of the GLRI in 2011. Together, habitat restoration and contaminated sediment remediation have been a springboard for local communities to convert areas that were once a detriment to economic growth into valuable waterfront economic assets (e.g., Buffalo River AOC, River Raisin AOC, Sheboygan River AOC). These communities are transforming formerly polluted rivers in the Rust Belt into healthier and more attractive waterfront destinations for businesses, recreation, and tourism.
Relationship between Workplace Related Violence and Job Satisfaction among Nurses Staff
Authors: Sabbar Duaa Kadhim , Kassim Wissam Jabbar
Published: May 2022

Background: Violence in the workplace is a global public health problem and has caused a serious threat to the physical and mental health of health care workers. Furthermore, workplace violence also has a negative impact on the behavior of health care workers in the workplace. Aims: The purpose of study is to investigate the relationship between workplace related violence and job satisfaction among nurses’ staff. Methods: A descriptive correlational study conducted in Nasiriya Province/ Iraq, by simple random sample of 209 nurses is selected through the use a probability sampling approach. The reliability of the questionnaire was achieved through a pilot study and then presented to experts to prove its validity. The total number of items included in the questionnaire was 30-items for work related violence and 17-tiems for job satisfaction. The data was collected by using the self-report method and analyzed by the application of descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis approach. Results: The results of the study indicated that (50.2%) of the nurses exhibited a moderate workplace related violence and (69.4%) moderate job satisfaction. There were negative significant correlation between workplace related violence and job satisfaction (r= -0.401; p=0.001). Conclusion: Job satisfaction among nurses was found to be inversely connected with workplace violence "high work-related violence reduced job satisfaction". Workplace policies and procedures that focus on environmental security reporting and monitoring, as well as instructional seminars for nurses, are reducing violence and increasing job satisfaction. Keywords: Workplace, Violence, Job Satisfaction, Nurses.
Effectiveness of an Educational Program on High School Females Students’ Knowledge about Coronavirus Disease in Al-Diwanyia City
Authors: Agmoush Sarra M. , Noori Aysin K.
Published: May 2022

Objective(s): A quasi-experimental design, using one group, test-retest approach, is employed to determine the effectiveness of education program on high school female students’ knowledge about coronavirus disease in Al-Diwanyia City from October10th 2021 to April 2nd 2022. Methodology: A non-probability, purposive sample of (30) high school female student, is selected for the purpose of the study. All subjects have signed consent form to present their agreement for participation in the study. The confidentiality of the data is also safeguard and they will be securely maintained during and after conducting the study. An education program and self-report questionnaire are constructed for the purpose of the study through review of related literature. The program is comprised of (4) lectures and the questionnaire is consisted of (2) main parts; the high school female students’ demographic characteristics and high school female students’ knowledge about coronavirus disease questionnaire. Content validity is determined for the education program and the study instrument through panel of experts and test-retest reliability is obtained for the study instrument in a pilot study. Data are gathered through the use of the study instrument as mean of data collection and analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical data analysis and inferential statistical data analysis approaches. Results: The study results depict that all high school female students’ knowledge about coronavirus disease has been improved as being exposed to the education program. Conclusion: The study concludes that the education program is confirmed to be an effective mean for improving high school female students’ knowledge about coronavirus disease. Recommendation: The study recommends that the education program can be utilized as an educational mean for enhancing the high school female students’ knowledge about coronavirus disease and further and a nation-wide research can be conducted with large sample size and wide-range scale of variables. Keywords: Evaluation, Knowledge, High school female students, Coronavirus, Disease.
Effectiveness of Educational Program on Nurse's Knowledge and Practices Regarding Management of Pregnancy with Danger Signs
Authors: Mohammed Asala Riyadh , Ghafel Hawraa Hussein
Published: May 2022

Background: Proper knowledge about danger signs, emergency measures to be taken, and a well-equipped obstetrics unit can reduce maternal mortality. As the nurses being the primary health care providers, their preparedness for obstetrics emergencies attains paramount importance. Objective: the study aimed to determine impact of educational program on nurses’ knowledge and practice about management of pregnancy with danger signs and to find out relationship between educational program efficacy and these nurses’ specific demographic characteristics Methodology: To identify the effectiveness of the educational program on nurses' knowledge and practice, a quasi-experimental study design was used. A non-probability (purposive sample) consist of (50) nurses who used the words "emergency," "labor room," and "maternal wards." The questionnaire is consist of three main parts: demographic information about the nurses, as well as knowledge and practice in managing danger signs in pregnant women. Results: The study shows that the overall assessment of nurses’ knowledge about management of pregnancy with danger signs; the findings reveal that nurses are showing fair level of knowledge during the pre-test time (36.56±2.771) among 84%, their level of knowledge is increased to good level during the post-test 1 (90%) and post-test 2 (82%) evidenced by mean scores and standard deviation (post 1= 45.98±2.470, post 2= 45.20±3.188) and the overall assessment of nurses’ practices about management of pregnancy with danger signs; the findings reveal that nurses are showing fair level of practices during the pre-test time (78.14±5.047) among 96%, and they show improvement in their practices’ level as show good during the post-test 1 (78%) and post-test 2 (76%) evidenced by mean scores and standard deviation (post 1= 104.86± 10.791, post 2= 104.10 ± 10.873) Conclusions: the educational program about management of pregnancy with danger signs was highly effective on nurses' knowledge and practice. So, the study recommends the need to prepare and present continuous educational programs to improve the knowledge and practices of nurses and midwives. Keywords: Educational Program, Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices, Pregnancy with Danger Signs
Conservative Management Techniques for Ideal Grooming and Upbringing of Downs Syndrome Children
Authors: Fajar Ibtesam-E- , Sheikh Taimur Khalil , Janjua Huma Bashir , Ahmed Daniyal , Baig Iman , Baig Sundus Asghar , Khokhar Aamna
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Down syndrome are slow learners having mild to moderate intellectual disability with co-morbidities, we need to pay special attention on conservative management techniques like early intervention programs, speech therapies, physiotherapies, exercises, sports, schooling and education etc. to make these children intellectual, groomed and compatible for a normal life. Objective: To identify the conservative management techniques for improving the quality of life for down syndromes. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey (designed after literature search) was conducted from the parents of Down Syndromes at special children’s schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi according to inclusion criteria i.e., School going down syndromes and residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, in an interactive counselling session conducted by authors in collaboration with pediatrician, keeping the questionnaire anonymous. After data collection it was entered in SPSS v25 for statistical analysis in terms of frequencies and percentages. Results: For the management of Down Syndromes, out of 44 parents, 81.8% (n=36) agreed on home based teaching, 77.3% (n=34) agreed on exercise, gym and sports for down syndromes. Around 86.4% (n=38) agreed on speech therapy and social interactions, 70.5% (n=31) parents agreed on controlled and healthy diet and 77.3% (n=34) parents said brain storming and learning new things should be in practice for down syndromes. Conclusion: Down syndrome is a complex condition requiring a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to manage the myriad of problems faced by the patients. Aside from these, a vital role is played by parents, teachers & the community itself in taking care of these special individuals. Also, Down syndrome is characterized by learning disabilities as its hallmark feature but their learning abilities can be improved through certain conservative management techniques. If these techniques are adopted, individuals with Down syndrome can learn certain skills and become a useful member of the society. Keywords: Down Syndrome, School, Exercise
Assessment of Diabetes-Specific Routine for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Yasir Reyam Abass , Aziz Afifa Rida
Published: May 2022

Aims: to assess diabetes-specific routine for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and to find out the relationship between adolescents’ diabetes-specific routine and their sociodemographic characteristics. Methodology: descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out for the Assessment of Diabetes-Specific Routine for Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 in Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Al- Nasiriya City from January 9th, to March 23, 2022. The sample consist of (110) adolescents was selected and they were attending Diabetes and Endocrinology Center for treatment and follow-up. The information was gathered through the use of self-administered instruments which are the diabetes-specific routine scale. Results: the adolescents expressed a moderate response regards specific diabetic routine of T1DM at all studied items of the scale except, the items number (1, 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24) the responses were poor as indicated by low mean scores, as well as, the items number (8, 9 and 14) the responses were good as indicated by higher mean scores. Conclusion: (48.2%) of adolescents exhibited that they follow a routine on a moderate level and there is a significant difference between (diabetic-specific routines for adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1) and some sociodemographic and clinical variables. Keyword: adolescent, diabetes mellitus type 1, specific routine.
Study of Lung Function Tests and ECG Changes in Subclinical Hypothyroid Female Subjects
Authors: Bhatti Kanwal Abbas , Siyal Noor Nabi , Memon Altaf Hussain , Phull Ghulam Muhammad , Hassan Hanozia , Abro Mukhtiar Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Objectives: To study changes in electrocardiogram AND pulmonary function tests in a group of women with newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism. Methodology: The study was conducted on 30 women between the ages of 20 and 40 with subclinical hypothyroidism and compared to 30 age and gender-matched controls. The student's test was used to do statistical analysis in SPSS version 23. Results: A total of 30 women who had subclinical hypothyroidism and 30 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls were included. The mean±SD height of the controls was 152.9 ± 3.7 cm and that of SCH patients was 153.1 ± 4.08 cm. Height differences between the two groups were insignificant. The mean±SD weight of the controls was 51.9 ± 4.5 kg and that of SCH subjects was 53.2 ± 4.3 kg. Weight differences between the two groups were insignificant. The mean±SD BMI of the controls was 22.16 ± 1.64 kg/m2 and that of SCH subjects was 22.71 ± 1.99 kg/m2. BMI differences between the two groups were insignificant. Conclusion: Results have suggested that the changes will occur in spirometry and electrocardiogram, even in the subclinical state of hypothyroidism. Precautions can be taken at this stage to prevent progression to overt hypothyroidism. Keywords: Subclinical hypothyroidism; TSH; spirometry; ECG; muscle strength; QTc; females; early treatment