Models and Algorithms for Understanding and Supporting Learning Goals in Information Retrieval

While search technology is widely used for learning-oriented information needs, the results provided by popular services such as Web search engines are optimized primarily for generic relevance, not effective learning outcomes. As a result, the typical information trail that a user must follow while searching to achieve a learning goal may be an inefficient one, possibly involving unnecessarily difficult content, or material that is irrelevant to actual learning progress relative to a user's existing knowledge. My work addresses these problems through multiple studies where various models and frameworks are developed and tested to support particular dimensions of search as learning. Empirical analysis of these studies through user studies demonstrate promising results and provide a solid foundation for further work. The earliest work we focused on centered on developing a framework and algorithms to support vocabulary learning objectives in a Web document context. The proposed framework incorporates user information, topic information and effort constraints to provide a desirable combination of personalized and efficient (by word length) learning experience. Our user studies demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework against a strong commercial baseline's (Google search) results in both short- and long-term assessment. While topic-specific content features (such as frequency of subtopic occurrences) naturally play a role in influencing learning outcomes, stylistic and structural features of the documents themselves may also play a role. Using such features we construct robust regression models that show strong predictive strength for multiple measures of learning outcomes. We also show early evidence that regression models trained on one dataset of search as learning can show strong test-set predictions on an independent dataset of search as learning, suggesting a certain degree of generalizability of stylistic content features. The models developed in my work are designed to be as generalizable, scalable and efficient as possible to make it easier for practitioners in the field to improve how people use search engines for learning. Finally, we investigate how gaze-tracking and automatic question generation could be used to scale a form of active learning to arbitrary text material. Our results show promising potential for incorporating interactive learning experiences in arbitrary text documents on the Web. A major theme in these studies centers on understanding and improving how people learn when using Web search engines. We also put specific emphasis on long-term learning outcomes and demonstrate that our models and frameworks actually yield sustainable knowledge gains, both for passive and interactive learning. Taken together, these research studies provide a solid foundation for multiple promising directions in exploring search as learning.PHDInformationUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155065/1/rmsyed_1.pd

Assessing learning outcomes in web searching: A comparison of tasks and query strategies

Users make frequent use of Web search for learning-related tasks, but little is known about how different Web search interaction strategies affect outcomes for learning-oriented tasks, or what implicit or explicit indicators could reliably be used to assess search-related learning on the Web. We describe a lab-based user study in which we investigated potential indicators of learning in web searching, effective query strategies for learning, and the relationship between search behavior and learning outcomes. Using questionnaires, analysis of written responses to knowledge prompts, and search log data, we found that searchers’ perceived learning outcomes closely matched their actual learning outcomes; that the amount searchers wrote in post-search questionnaire responses was highly correlated with their cognitive learning scores; and that the time searchers spent per document while searching was also highly and consistently correlated with higher-level cognitive learning scores. We also found that of the three query interaction conditions we applied, an intrinsically diverse presentation of results was associated with the highest percentage of users achieving combined factual and conceptual knowledge gains. Our study provides deeper insight into which aspects of search interaction are most effective for supporting superior learning outcomes, and the difficult problem of how learning may be assessed effectively during Web search.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145733/1/Collins-Thompson Rieh CHIIR 2016.pd

Stress, job satisfaction and work hours in medical and surgical residency programmes in private sector teaching hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To assess stress levels, job satisfaction and working hours of the residents in Medicine and Surgery and to explore a correlation among the three factors.Methods: The questionnaire-based. Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 at two tertiary level teaching hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan (Ziauddin University Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan). The study population comprised 176 residents, General Health Questionnaire-12 was used to assess the mental health of the residents and a standardised Job Satisfaction Survey tool was used to assess their work satisfaction.Results: A total of 176 residents participated in the study; 115 (65%) from Medicine, and 61 (35%) from surgery. Of the total residents, 99 (56.3%) were under stress, and there was no significant difference in stress between Medicine and Surgery residents. Besides, 133 (75.6%) residents reported to be satisfied with their jobs. There was a statistically significant difference in job satisfaction between Medicine and Surgery residents (p \u3c 0.001). Mean number of working hours per week reported by Medicine and Surgery residents were 74.82 +/- 15.95 and 92.07 +/- 15.91 respectively (p \u3c 0.001). A positive correlation of mean working hours with both stress (p = 0.009) and job satisfaction (p = 0.029) was found.CONCLUSIONS: Medicine and Surgery residents tend to differ on mean working hours and job satisfaction. The greater mean working hours of the residents could be a possible reason for increased stress and decreased job satisfaction among the residents

Mapping the service recovery research landscape: a bibliometric‐based systematic review

With businesses under increasing pressure to provide excellent customer service, postfailure recovery strategies have become critical for long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty. The domain of service recovery has extensively been examined in academia; however, systematic studies that provide a consolidated overview remains scant. To this end, we provide a systematic review and synthesis of service recovery literature by conducting a bibliometric-based cocitation analysis of 24,741 cited references from 1020 articles from across disciplines. The study identifies 10 major research clusters that represent different research streams of service recovery and explores their intellectual foundations. In addition, the research presents a conceptual framework to serve as a parsimonious guide for both practitioners and researchers. Furthermore, the study reveals a number of gaps in the existing literature and suggests promising directions for further investigation, including but not limited to: expanding methodological horizons in service recovery research, understanding service recovery mechanisms in Metaverse and synthetic environments, globalizing service recovery research, revitalizing service recovery processes in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics, investigating service recovery as an investment, and exploring service recovery in shared economies. Notably, this study serves managers, firstly, by providing them with a parsimonious structure of service recovery field that could help identify areas of improvement in their own service recovery systems and, secondly, by highlighting areas where academic knowledge base could inform industry solutions

EFFECTS OF HOLMICH PROTOCOL AND MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON GROIN PAIN IN TENNIS PLAYERS

Introduction: Tennis with a normal 17.9 million players is one of the most renowned games with a colossal addition in young tennis players as of late. The prevalence of groin injury increases rapidly in tennis players due to demand of rapid change in direction. Material & Methods: Once ethical approval was taken from Institutional review Board (REC/Letter-00722), a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) was conducted on 22 players through nonprobability purposive sampling in Pakistan Tennis Federation, Islamabad. Players were randomly divided into two groups by sealed and envelop method. Group A received Holmich protocol while group B received myofascial release technique. Other than demographics, functional tests like hip range of motion, visual analogue scale, t-test, Edgren sidestep test and triple hop test were conducted to assess the techniques given to groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Trial is registered in US clinical trial registry (NCT04642300). Results: The results of the study show that there was no significant difference between Myofascial release technique and holmich protocol in athletes with groin pain (P value˃0.05). Mean age of the tennis players was 23.14±4.5 in years. Pre and post comparison of both interventions shows significant effect in Range of motion, Pain, Agility and hop test. (P value˂0.01). Conclusion: From the results it can be seen that there was no significance between the two techniques. So in conclusion both techniques can be used to treat groin pain and get successful results

Student’s Perception of Their Academics and Clinical Practice on Graduation from Dental Colleges of Peshawar

OBJECTIVE:The objective of the current study was to know the perception of students regarding dental curriculum in clinical practice and academics after their graduation in three dental colleges of Peshawar.MATERIAL AND METHODS:It was a cross-sectional study design, carried out at three dental colleges of Peshawar namely Khyber College of Dentistry, Sardar Begum Dental College and Peshawar Dental College. A total number of 193 house officers were there out of which93 participated in the study. A pilot study was conducted to assess the reliability of questionnaire. The study was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted questions about academics and clinical practice.RESULTS:Our sample consisted of 93 subjects. There were 79% females and 21% males. The results revealed an overall positive learning experience in undergraduate academics and clinical practice. Over 86% of the graduates were satisfied with their academics and about 69% were satisfied with clinical practice. Almost 90% of the subjects were confident in carrying out specific clinical procedures.CONCLUSION:The major conclusions were that academics and clinical practice was satisfactory to the majority of subjects, although some areas of concern were identified that need improvement

Emotional and Financial Stress in Doctors Working in the COVID-19 Crisis

Background and Objective: &nbsp;COVID-19 took the world by a storm and impacted not only the general population but the doctors as well. This study was done in order to determine the financial and economic burden faced by the doctors working in COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Methods: &nbsp;This longitudinal study was carried out from May 9th to May 23rd, 2020 in Pakistan. A self-designed validated Questionnaire was distributed to doctors working in different hospitals of Pakistan through online Google form. Questions regarding emotional and financial stress in Pakistani doctors dealing with COVID-19 patients were included. Results: &nbsp;One hundred and twenty doctors responded to the current study. Majority of them 97 (80.6%) reported stress during duty hours. Stress level was high among 78 (65.3%) doctors to the extent they thought of leaving the job because of risk of getting infected. Less salaries and family pressure were the other demotivating factors. Most of the doctors 71 (59.2%)] were younger than 30 years of age. Eighty-five (71%) doctors reported being pressurized by the families to leave the job. Shortage of protective gears was also the challenge. A total of 65 (54.2%) doctors got their gears from their institutes, 27 (22.2%) bought their own gears, 23 (19.4%) worked without gears, and 5 (4.8%) got gears from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Conclusion: &nbsp;Majority of the doctors reported stress during duty hours regardless of level or experience in that job; the contributing factors included risk of getting infected, lesser salaries and family pressure. During COVID-19 pandemic, doctors feel that they are not only emotionally exhausted but also tried to cope financial challenges while endangering themselves to save the lives of patients.</p

The Long-Run Impact of Information Security Breach Announcements on Investors’ Confidence: The Context of Efficient Market Hypothesis

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are the cornerstone for sustainable development, but if they are not appropriately managed, they will impede progress towards the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals. Among undesirable impacts, emphasis must be put on the risk of information security (ISec) breaches, as they pose a potential threat to businesses there. Especially for publicly traded firms, they could create a long-lasting influence on their financial performance and, thus, stock investors’ confidence. Following the efficient market hypothesis’s footsteps, previous studies have examined only the short-run impact on investors’ confidence ensuing to ISec breach announcements. Therefore, this study investigates the long-run impact of ISec breach announcements on investors’ confidence. Based on a sample of 73 ISec breach announcements during 2011–2019, this paper examines the impact on investors’ confidence, as demonstrated by long-run abnormal returns and equity risk of those firms. Using a one-to-one matched sampling approach, each firm’s performance is analyzed with its control firm over eighteen months, starting six months before the announcement, through twelve months after the announcement. Firms experienced a significant negative abnormal return of 15% to 18% during the twelve months following the breach announcement. In comparison, equity risk increased by 11% within six months before and after an announcement. This study can help investors, managers, and researchers better understand a long-term relationship between ISec breaches and investor confidence in the context of efficient market hypothesis

The Long-Run Impact of Information Security Breach Announcements on Investors’ Confidence: The Context of Efficient Market Hypothesis

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are the cornerstone for sustainable development, but if they are not appropriately managed, they will impede progress towards the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals. Among undesirable impacts, emphasis must be put on the risk of information security (ISec) breaches, as they pose a potential threat to businesses there. Especially for publicly traded firms, they could create a long-lasting influence on their financial performance and, thus, stock investors&rsquo; confidence. Following the efficient market hypothesis&rsquo;s footsteps, previous studies have examined only the short-run impact on investors&rsquo; confidence ensuing to ISec breach announcements. Therefore, this study investigates the long-run impact of ISec breach announcements on investors&rsquo; confidence. Based on a sample of 73 ISec breach announcements during 2011&ndash;2019, this paper examines the impact on investors&rsquo; confidence, as demonstrated by long-run abnormal returns and equity risk of those firms. Using a one-to-one matched sampling approach, each firm&rsquo;s performance is analyzed with its control firm over eighteen months, starting six months before the announcement, through twelve months after the announcement. Firms experienced a significant negative abnormal return of 15% to 18% during the twelve months following the breach announcement. In comparison, equity risk increased by 11% within six months before and after an announcement. This study can help investors, managers, and researchers better understand a long-term relationship between ISec breaches and investor confidence in the context of efficient market hypothesis