State of the art of learning styles-based adaptive educational hypermedia systems (Ls-Baehss)

The notion that learning can be enhanced when a teaching approach matches a learner’s learning style has been widely accepted in classroom settings since the latter represents a predictor of student’s attitude and preferences. As such, the traditional approach of ‘one-size-fits-all’ as may be applied to teaching delivery in Educational Hypermedia Systems (EHSs) has to be changed with an approach that responds to users’ needs by exploiting their individual differences. However, establishing and implementing reliable approaches for matching the teaching delivery and modalities to learning styles still represents an innovation challenge which has to be tackled. In this paper, seventy six studies are objectively analysed for several goals. In order to reveal the value of integrating learning styles in EHSs, different perspectives in this context are discussed. Identifying the most effective learning style models as incorporated within AEHSs. Investigating the effectiveness of different approaches for modelling students’ individual learning traits is another goal of this study. Thus, the paper highlights a number of theoretical and technical issues of LS-BAEHSs to serve as a comprehensive guidance for researchers who interest in this area

Effect of Gymnarchus niloticus (Weer) Fish Body Weight on Total Body Length, Body Components and Fillet Meat Quality

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of Gymnarchus niloticus (Weer) body weights (1, 2 and 3 kg), on body length, body components and flesh quality. Twenty four fishes were used. Fish body measurements, weights of body components, proximate chemical composition, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, shrinkage, oxidative rancidity, total bacterial count and sensory evaluation were determined. Increasing G. niloticus body weight resulted in a significant (P≤0.05) increase of the fish total length and weights of body components but, the internal organs and fins percentage were significantly (P≤0.05) decreased and the skin and fillet percentage increased but not significantly (P>0.05). The light weight (1kg) gave a higher moisture percentage and slightly lower, protein, fat and ash percentages while the heavy groups (2 kg and 3 kg) gave the highest lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) colour values and protein, fat, ash percentages but lower moisture percentage and improved WHC. Cooking loss and shrinkage percentages were significantly decreased while oxidative rancidity and total bacteria count were significantly (P≤0.05) increased and the sensory evaluation was not significantly different The medium body weight (2 kg) gave the highest panel scores compared with the low and high weights. Gymnarchus niloticus has good processing characteristics and quality

Cross-Layer Resource Allocation and Scheduling in Bidirectional Cooperative Multichannel Relaying Networks

Efficient allocation of the scarce resource spectrum is a fundamental problem in mobile communications. Cooperative Relaying (CoR) and Network Coding (NC) are two promising techniques for improving the performance of next-generation wireless networks. In this thesis, cross-layer resource allocation is studied for relay-assisted bidirectional multichannel wireless networks. We model the network in which two nodes, User Equipment (UE) and eNodeB (eNB), exchange information with the assistance of a Relay Station (RS). The UEs and eNB can choose between different transmission schemes: direct transmission, pure CoR, or via the combination of NC and CoR (NC/CoR). Novel optimization frameworks are proposed for the resource allocation problem for such networks. First, the achievable rate regions are characterized, and the joint optimization problem of power allocation and transmission scheme selection for maximizing the bidirectional stability region is defined. A hybrid transmission scheme with adaptive resource allocation is proposed to dynamically select the best transmission strategy and the optimal resource allocation at each bidirectional transmission frame. The simulation results show that the hybrid scheme with joint power control and channel allocation improves the system performance considerably. Second, the joint resource allocation and relay selection problem is studied for bidirectional Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) relay networks. The problem of joint channel allocation/pairing, relay selection, and transmission scheme selection is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem. First, we adopt a graph-based approach by establishing an equivalent Maximum Weighted Clique Problem (MWCP). In addition, the joint problem is mapped into a three-dimensional assignment problem in which a metaheuristic algorithm based on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is employed to find the solution in polynomial time. The results confirm that while the proposed solutions provide similar results, the ACO algorithm is faster and more reliable due to its lower complexity

Wireless Technology to Handle Marketing Risks

Wireless market is the selling and buying of goods or services over the Internet, Therefore E-commerce is a modern business methodology that addresses the needs of organizations, merchants, and consumers to cut costs while improving the quality of goods and services and increasing the speed of service delivery. The technology, the business models, and the value chain relationships are new and in many ways different from traditional business environments. The uncertainty concerns the character and degree of those differences. In this paper we will address these risks and address based on three points: first, types of risks which are presented in e-commerce. Second, similarities and differences between e-commerce risks and the risks in other business environments. Finally, methodologies that can be used to control these risks. The proposed framework provides an overview of what is happening in the wireless domain to provide marketers, managers and market researchers with a realistic view of using and predicting the wireless technology market. The proposed methodology can develop a security and risk management policy, which identifies and analyses risks, and the potential impact that they will have on the operations

Report: Interactions and conflicts of interests between prescribers and medical sales representatives (MSRs) regarding prescribing and drug promotion practices in Karachi, Pakistan.

Pharmaceutical drug promotion practices are found to have potentially controversial ethical standards. They may compromise on patient's wellbeing especially when it inordinately affects the clinical care and patient's interests by influencing the prescribing behavior of physicians. There is no proper system to keep a watch on the drug marketing and promotion strategies by the pharmaceuticals in Pakistan. A cross sectional study using a specially designed questionnaire and convenience sampling was conducted in Karachi for 6 months targeting prescribers and medical sales representative (MSRs). A total of 600 MSRs and prescribers consented to participate. 66% of MSRs highlighted that prescribers follow ethical prescribing but only (58%) seek evidence base behind promoted drug. This was contradictory to prescribers' response to same, which was 87%. Only (10%) of prescribers acknowledged demanding expensive gifts such as laptops, ACs, furniture and renovation of the clinic which was about 40% according to MSRs. This study offered intricate insights into the MSR and physicians interactions. It highlighted various aspects of these relationships from both MSRs' and prescribers' point of view. Although majority of the physicians negated the notion of expecting expensive favors from the sales representatives, responses by MSRs suggest that anticipation of gifts and incentives exists on part of the physicians. This has the potential to indulge in unethical promotion and irrational prescribing on part of MSRs and prescribers respectively that may further contribute to untoward patient outcomes such as increased treatment costs and adverse drug reactions

Developing prevention model of acute lung injury: Validity of lung injury prediction score and risk panel

AbstractBackgroundAcute lung injury (ALI) is an example of a critical care syndrome with few therapeutic modalities once the syndrome is fully established, and little has been done on the prevention of ALI.Aim of the workThe aim of this work was to early identify the onset of acute lung injury (ALI) on admission and to prospectively evaluate the lung injury prediction score (LIPS).Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 100 patients who aged >18years, patients who had one or more of the acute lung injury (ALI) predisposing conditions on admission or within 6h after were subjected to lung injury prediction score (LIPS).ResultsAcute lung injury developed in 15 patients, 11 patients (73.3%) had LIPS >3, while 4 patients (26.7%) had LIPS ⩽3 and only 4.70% of those who didn’t develop ALI had LIPS >3, with a statistically significant relationship between patients above and below LIPS value of 3 (P=0.000), LIPS cutoff value of ⩾3.5 on admission had a 73% sensitivity and 95% specificity with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.883 (95% CI 0.782 to 0.984). Sepsis and pneumonia were the most frequent risk factors (60%).ConclusionsLung injury predictive score (LIPS) could early predict patients at risk to develop ALI on admission, Hyperbilirubinemia, high blood urea level and abnormal chest X-ray on admission were not included in the original LIPS but had significant association with development of ALI

Perceptions and Attitudes of Medical Sales Representatives (MSRs) and Prescribers Regarding Pharmaceutical Sales Promotion and Prescribing Practices in Pakistan

Pakistan is the 6th most populous country in the world and has an enormous potential for an ever increasing drug market. The health care system is highly prone to unethical drug prescribing practices. In addition, there is a huge tendency of pharmaceutical firms to indulge in unethical drug promotional practices by means of inducements and other benefits through their medical sales representatives (MSRs). On the other hand, the prescribers are also reported to be demanding inducements from these companies in return to write higher number of prescription. This study investigated the ground realities of drug promotion and prescribing practices in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted for a period of 8 months in which 472 physicians and 609 medical sales representatives of Pakistan selected through prospective sampling were interviewed on a validated, structured questionnaire. The responses of the target groups were then analyzed for association between variables by Chi–square test (p<0.05) and cross tabulation through SPSS, version 20. Results: Majority of practitioners (83.2%) expected both, good communication skills and knowledge from MSRs and at the same time nearly half (53%) of prescribers demanded CME and almost a third proportion (36%) demanded gifts, incentives and inducements from MSRs. Replying to same question, MSRs disagreed with prescribers and believed that around (~70%) of prescribers ask for inducements with a high percentage i.e. (~64%) among them demanding unethical inducements like excessive free samples, gifts, leisure trips and cars. Majority of physicians (92%) have consensus that the multinational pharmaceutical firms have defined promotional practices while the national pharmaceutical companies (~73%) are mainly involved in unethical practices of drug marketing. Conclusion: Majority of national pharmaceuticals as well as prescribers were involved in unethical drug promotion and prescribing respectively. There is a need of curbing the unethical drug promotion and prescribing and formidable policies governing this issue are required to be implemented by the concerned regulatory authorities to avoid unnecessary harm to the patient’s life and pocket. Strength and weakness of study: The study explored the drug promotion and prescribing practices for the first time in a developing country however, due to sensitivity of the topic a number of respondents hesitated to participate

Socio-economic Status of Transferred and Non-transferred Urban Slums: A Case Study from Faisalabad

The rapid urbanisation has become a burning challenge across the developing countries of the world for the last four decades. The population pressure on the cities has caused many problems like environmental pollution, sanitation, education, health, traffic level and housing etc. In this context, housing is one of the most important issues related to urbanisation. Slums are reflected as the carbuncle in cities and looked extemporaneously and arbitrarily [Shafqaat, et al. (2013). The share of world urban population was 32 percent in 1950, it rose up to 39 percent in 1980 and 48 percent in 2000, which reflects that 3 out of 10 people were living in cities in 1950. In 2011, about half of the world population was living in the big cities and at the end of the third decade of this century; that make up the formation as 6 out of 10 people [World Bank (1999)]. Pakistan‘s town populace is fixed to become identical to its rural population in the year 2030. This needs for an effective urban planning instrument to confirm universal distribution of simple municipal amenities, regulator of the spread of slums, reducing of effluence and the control of crime and political might [Khan, et al. (2012)

The Use of Gamification in Language Teaching and Education: A Content Analysis Study

In recent times, technological innovations have revolutionized the educational process. New teaching methods have emerged, and educators are encountering a shift in teaching approaches. The present study is a detailed examination of the incorporation of gamification in education, a rapidly changing domain driven by technological progress. Employing a content analysis approach, the study aims to scrutinize 59 articles from 2018 to 2023, gathered from Google Scholar. The temporal analysis discloses a steady rise in research output, reaching its peak in 2022, underscoring the increasing importance of gamification in education. Authorship patterns explain distinctions between individual and collaborative researchers, emphasizing the significance of individual contributions in the field of language learning. Methodological exploration underscores a varied array of research approaches, with a noteworthy high rate utilizing quantitative methods, contributing to a robust comprehension of how gamification is applied in learning settings. The thematic analysis highlights language learning as a predominant focus, particularly within English language education, displaying the adaptability of gamification across diverse educational spheres. This comprehensive incorporation of findings serves as a valuable reference for academics, educators, and policymakers navigating the dynamic landscape of gamification in education