Information model portal of scientific knowledge

Information model portal of scientific knowledge which should provide substantial access to scientific information resources is proposed. Information model combines the models of domain and problem fields of the portal, as well as describes the types of the presented information. On the base of this model, the internal portal data storage is constructed, its information content, navigation and search are organized

ARRANGEMENT AND MODULATION OF ETL PROCESS IN THE STORAGE

Data warehouse (DW) is the basis of systems for operational data analysis (OLAP-Online Analytical Processing). Data extracted from different sources transforms and load in DW. Proper organization of this process, which is called ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) has important significance in creation of DW and analytical data processing. Forms of organization, methods of realization and modeling of ETL processes are considered in this paper.Data warehouse (DW) is the basis of systems for operational data analysis (OLAP-Online Analytical Processing). Data extracted from different sources transforms and load in DW. Proper organization of this process, which is called ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) has important significance in creation of DW and analytical data processing. Forms of organization, methods of realization and modeling of ETL processes are considered in this paper

LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHERS’ STRESS DURING THE RECALL OF IN-PERSON CLASSES: BASIS FOR A PROPOSED STRESS COPING PLAN

The reintegration of in-person classes poses unique challenges for public-school teachers, whose experiences during this transitional period significantly contribute to the overall stress levels. Understanding the nuanced aspects of their lived experiences is crucial for developing an effective stress coping plan that addresses the specific needs and concerns arising from the recall of in-person classes. This study sought to determine the lived experiences of public-school teachers during the recall of in-person classes.  The study employed qualitative research design specifically the transcendental phenomenological approach and thematic analysis technique. The study found that public school teachers faced various challenges during in-person classes, including work overload problems, work struggles, students’ behavioral problems, and low literacy skill development. To cope with the stress caused by these challenges, teachers used differentiated instruction, and collaborative learning, and focused on their holistic wellness. A stress-coping plan has been proposed that involves developing effective teaching strategies, increasing parental engagement, and building personal and professional resilience. Promoting differentiated instruction and collaborative learning and supporting teachers’ personal and professional well-being will be taken into consideration to improve the educational experience of both teachers and students

An Examination of the Structure and Common Correlates of Three Domains of Contaminated Mindware in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Limited research has examined individual differences in the accumulation of misinformation and unwarranted beliefs, known as contaminated mindware. The three unwarranted beliefs examined in this dissertation are paranormal, conspiracy, and anti-science beliefs. These beliefs remain prevalent in the public despite their epistemically suspect or unsubstantiated nature. This dissertation focused on the psychometric properties of items measuring individual differences in unwarranted beliefs to address three research objectives: (1) examine the underlying dimensional structure of unwarranted belief items in adolescents and young adults, (2) examine individual differences predicting susceptibility to these beliefs, and (3) examine differences between adolescents and young adults with respect to these beliefs. Study One examined the underlying structure of individual differences in unwarranted belief scores and its correlates in a sample of young-adults. Study Two confirmed that the same structure and correlates are found in adolescents. Both studies demonstrate the multidimensional nature of unwarranted beliefs that form domains of contaminated mindware. Specifically, the optimal factor model among adolescents and young adults was a hierarchical factor model with three correlated general factors (paranormal, conspiracy, and anti-science beliefs) and four specific paranormal factors (i.e., psi, superstition, spiritualism, and precognition). Further, we observed unique effects of individual differences in thinking and reasoning on individual differences in unwarranted beliefs. In Study Three, we assessed the measurement invariance of these scales across the two developmental groups, to allow for cross-sectional comparisons and age associations. The paranormal and conspiracy scales were characterized by strict invariance and the anti-science scale was characterized by strong invariance. With respect to developmental comparisons, endorsement of the unwarranted beliefs did not differ across development, except for a small difference in paranormal belief. Further, the unwarranted beliefs total scores were not associated with age. We discuss the novelty of the results within the belief literature on contaminated mindware and focus on the utility of this scale for future research

Advanced Machine Learning Techniques for Alzheimer’s Disease Detection: A PCA and Improved XGBoost Approach

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one of the main fields in clinical medicine that contributes to the existing difficulties in research. The presented work is dedicated to the Machine Learning approach to the identification and detection of the Alzheimer’s Disease, including the Image Enhancement techniques. The work of they also use Principal Component Analysis (PCA) together with the contemporary approach in improving the image quality of the brain images obtained from public databases. The focus of this research is the enhanced XGBoost classification model as applied with the help of two other classification methods to assure its effectiveness. A lot of tests were performed on the Alzheimer’s Disease dataset with an analytical feature extraction procedure to enhance the model results. These proposed methodologies are tested against conventional algorithms with an emphasis on accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score. The first estimates suggest an increase in the level of AD detection accuracy and its superiority over conventional approaches. Apart from showing a correlation between PCA and new pre-processing methodologies, this study also underscores the enhanced diagnostic aptitude of the improved XGBoost classifier

Landscape approaches for ecosystem management in Mediterranean Islands

This book presents a series of essays, drawing on the twm concepts of ecosystem management and landscape approaches, to elucidate and reflect on the present situation and future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This publication brings together contributions from Mediterranean individuals, non-Mediterranean individuals, islanders and non-islanders there is, after all, no geographical limit on who and what we can learn from. The essays presented here each contribute a specific perspective on the future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This book presents a series of essays, drawing on the twin concepts of ecosystem management and landscape approaches, to elucidate and reflect on the present situation and future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This publication brings together contributions from Mediterranean individuals, non-Mediterranean individuals, islanders and non-islanders; there is, after all, no geographical limit on who and what we can learn from. The essays presented here each contribute a specific perspective on the future evolution of Mediterranean islands. Following this introductory chapter, the first section of the book focuses on the contributions that can be made by the discipline of landscape ecology. loannis Vogiatzakis and Geoffrey Griffiths first explain the concepts and relevance of landscape ecology, also presenting and discussing a range of applied tools that can facilitate landscape planning in Mediterranean islands. Louis F. Cassar then reviews the 'offshoot' discipline of restoration ecology, making a strong case for offsetting the environmental damage inflicted on natural ecosystems over millennia of human occupation, with constructive efforts to effectively restore and/or rehabilitate ecosystems. The two following chapters bring the socio-economic dimension into the discussion. Godfrey Baldacchino first presents two contrasting paradigms for the development of island territories, reviewing the dual influences of ecological and economic factors, and exploring ways in which the two can be brought together in successful development strategies. Gordon Cordina and Nadia Farrugia then address the demographic dimension of development, presenting a model to explain the economic costs of high population densities on islands. The third block of chapters expands on the relevance of social and cultural dynamics to the management of Mediterranean Islands. Isil Cakcï, Nur Belkayali and Ilkden Tazebay explain the evolution of the concept of a 'cultural landscape', focusing on the challenges of managing change in landscapes with strong heritage values. The chapter concludes with a case study on the Turkish island of Gökçeada (lmbros), which is experiencing major challenges in balancing the conservation of a cultural landscape on the one hand, and the management of inevitable change, on the other. Elisabeth Conrad then discusses the role of social capital in managing the landscape resources of Mediterranean islands, reviewing the potential for this intangible social fabric to facilitate or impede the sustainable evolution of island territories. The fourth section includes four chapters, each of which addresses a different aspect relevant to policy development and implementation in Mediterranean islands. Salvino Busuttil presents an essay outlining the political influences on the management of coastal landscapes, the latter so relevant to Mediterranean island territories. The essay derives from the author's professional experience in various policy-related institutions for environmental management within the Mediterranean region. Maggie Roe then reflects on issues of landscape sustainability, focusing on the neglected aspect of intelligence. She discusses ways in which landscape research, knowledge and understanding can feed directly into frameworks for 'sustainable' landscape planning. In the subsequent chapter, Adrian Phillips takes from his substantial experience with international landscape policy, reviewing the gradual emergence of international and national landscape 'tools', to draw out lessons for application in Mediterranean islands. In the final chapter of this section, Riccardo Priore and Damiano Galla present a comprehensive discussion of the European Landscape Convention, the first international instrument to focus exclusively on landscape. The authors explain the innovative character of this convention, and discuss its potential implementation in Mediterranean islands. The publication concludes with a series of case studies, highlighting specific constraints, experiences and opportunities in different Mediterranean islands. Theano Terkenli explores the landscapes of tourism in Mediterranean islands - perhaps no other industry has played such a fundamental role in shaping the evolution of Mediterranean landscapes in recent years. The author reviews the theoretical relationship between landscape and tourism across Mediterranean islands, before focusing on the specific case of the Greek Cycladic islands. In the following chapter, Alex Camilleri, Isabella Colombini and Lorenzo Chelazzi present an in-depth review of the context and challenges being faced on a number of minor Mediterranean islands, namely those of the Tuscan archipelago (Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Gorgona and Giannutri), and Comino, the latter forming part of the Maltese archipelago. The comparison between these various islands enables an appreciation of both commonalities across these islands, as well as considerations that are specific to the context of each in dividual island. JeremyBoissevain then adopts an anthropological lens to review the cautionary tale of landscape change in Malta, exploring underlying causes of landscape destruction and limited civil engagement. In the subsequent chapter, Jala Makhzoumi outlines the richness of Mediterranean islands' rural landscapes, focusing on olive landscapes in Cyprus. Her research demonstrates the economic and ecological robustness of various olive cultivation practices, and whilst warning of several threats to such sustainable regimes, she outlines strategies for reconfiguring our approach to rural heritage, in order to integrate such assets into sustainable development strategies. Finally, Stephen Morse concludes the section with an evaluation of sustainable development indicators, and the contribution that these can make towards enhancing the management of Mediterranean island territories. He illustrates his arguments with reference to the two island states of Malta and Cyprus. To conclude, in the final chapter of this publication, we review key insights emerging from the various chapters, and summarize considerations for ecosystem management and sustainable development in Mediterranean Islands. We truly hope that this publication makes some contribution towards safeguarding the "magic' of Mediterranean islands, whilst embracing their dynamic characteristics.Published under the patronage of UNESCO and with the support of the Maltese National Commission for UNESCOpeer-reviewe

Influence of High Impact Teaching Skills on the Teaching - Learning Process in Engineering Education

Teaching in higher education institutions is becoming more and more critical and intricate with each new generation of students entering the portals of higher education. Academic Staff College at VIT University, from time to time, has been organizing a range of training programmes and faculty empowerment workshops for its faculty, newly recruited and faculty who are already serving. During the training sessions, it has been observed that there are some specific soft skills desired to be possessed by engineering teachers, in addition to their disciplinary knowledge and subject matter expertise. These skills are: creating a positive impression, simplifying complex information, use of analogies, communicating with greater impact, responding to difficult class room situations and inspiring peers and students to embrace change. In addition, generic communication skills such as use of appropriate body language and gestures, confidence, presentation of information in a logical and methodical manner, showing empathy and concern and listening skills are also required for engineering teachers. The authors have designed and implemented a model in a training environment to impart these soft skills and training in a comprehensive manner. The training methodology adopted, analysis of the observations made, the key learnings and the challenges that lie ahead for the successful development of soft skills amongst the engineering educators and teacher trainers are presented in this paper. Keywords: engineering education, training, soft skills, communication skills, using analogies, class room situations, inspiring to embrace change

Changing Relations Among Cognitive Abilities Across Development: Implications for Measurement and Research

The constructs of intelligence and executive function are critical concepts of ability in neuropsychological research, cognitive research, developmental research, and clinical assessment. Yet, we have limited understanding of the changing age-related associations among these cognitive constructs. To better understand the development of these abilities, we compared a child sample and a young-adult sample on several measures of intelligence and executive functions. We used confirmatory factor analysis to estimate models for each developmental period. In addition, the association with ratings of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, a dispositional measure of cognitive and behavioural regulation, was examined. The results indicated that cognitive abilities are more dependent on age in children than in young adults and that these abilities are more highly associated with ratings of cognitive and behavioural regulation in children than in young adults. The results support the integral relationship between intelligence and executive function throughout development, but especially in children