Success Criteria Research Articles

Criteria of effectiveness of alumni associations: the case of Kazakhstani universities

In an era marked by rapid technological progress and social shifts, the pursuit of sustainable development has become an urgent necessity for the global community. Within the framework of the global agenda, universities have begun to play a key role, using their profound influence on the younger generation and the academic sphere as a whole to form a culture deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable development. In general, alumni associations serve as crucial channels bridging the gap between the academic world and society. It is for this reason that the authors have set out to assess the effectiveness of alumni associations through the perspective of two different generations of graduates: young graduates and representatives from the earliest cohorts. Using a qualitative research approach, which includes in-depth interviews and expert evaluations, this study aims to assess the key criteria for an effective alumni association. The resulting data, supported by mathematical analysis and stakeholder theory, not only shed light on the success criteria for alumni associations but also offer practical recommendations for enhancing their contribution to sustainable development. The research conducted within the context of a Kazakhstani university provides valuable insights and practical strategies for integrating sustainable development into the economic and managerial structure of the academic sphere, setting a precedent for universities worldwide.

Success factors and success criteria for research and R&D projects

The topic literature of the success in research and R&D projects, their success factors, or success criteria is not very extensive. Although a few items on this topic can be found, they often do not distinguish between types of projects in the research area between research projects and R&D projects. The aim of the paper is to present the success factors and success criteria of research and R&D projects and their importance for these types of projects. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the following research methods were used: a literature review and a survey analysis using correlations. The research was conducted on a sample of 200 organizations in Poland that run research and R&D projects. Based on the conducted quantitative research, the importance of individual success factors and success criteria of research projects and R&D projects was determined. The research results show that the importance of success factors and criteria for research and R&D projects varies.

Syllabus as argument in an era of politicized pedagogy

AbstractThe traditional character of higher education in the US is under assault. The broad, intellectual focus on the liberal arts and its concomitant values of academic freedom and academic governance are giving way to an over‐managed vocational institution that prioritizes ambience over integrity and credentialism over citizenship. In this milieu, sociologists should use the classroom as an opportunity to model the explanatory power of the discipline by structuring our syllabi to make a point. I refer to this approach as syllabus‐as‐argument, which I contrast with the traditional organizational logic of syllabus‐as‐survey—configuring a syllabus to provide an overview of a given topic, theme or field. Where the chief criterion of success for the syllabus as survey is comprehensiveness, the syllabus as argument strives for convincingness. I draw from two courses to exemplify this approach. The first is a senior seminar in environmental sociology, which I have reworked into a course explaining the intractability of the climate crisis. The second is a general education course in community sociology that I remade to explain the links between growing inequality and deteriorating democracy in the US.

Double-Arc Slow-Coagulation Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation Laser Protocol: One-Year Effectiveness and Safety Outcomes

To report the short-term efficacy and safety results of a new continuous laser protocol, double-arc slow-coagulation transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (DA-TSCPC). Multicenter retrospective study. Refractory glaucoma patients that had undergone DA-TSCPC between April 2019 and July 2022, with at least 12 months of postoperative follow-up, were consecutively enrolled. The technique was standardized (energy: 1400mW; duration: 4s; 28 applications). The applications were divided into 2 rows (upper and lower arcs). For each arc, 7 spots were applied over the ciliary body shadow and 7 spots 1.5mm behind, sparing the 3 and 9 o'clock meridians. Success was defined as postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 and 18 mmHg, and an IOP reduction of 30% (without oral acetazolamide). For eyes with no light perception (NLP), in which treatment goal was pain relief, success was defined as a 30% IOP reduction and no pain (without oral acetazolamide). Patients were divided according to visual acuity: ≥20/400 (group 1) and <20/400 (group 2). Ninety eyes of 90 patients (mean age: 61±15 years) were included. Glaucoma diagnosis frequency was: neovascular glaucoma (38%), open-angle glaucoma (28%), silicone oil secondary glaucoma (17%) and others (18%). Overall, the mean IOP was significantly reduced from 35±12 to 22±14 mmHg (p<0.01) at the last follow-up visit. The number of hypotensive eye drops (2.6±1 to 2.3±1; p=0.02) and the use of oral acetazolamide (61% to 11%; p<0.01) were also reduced. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a global success rate of 65.6% after 12 months. A higher success rate was found for group 1 (78.6%) compared to group 2 (59.6%; p=0.047; logrank test). The main complications observed were corneal ulcer (4.4%), macular edema (1.1%) and hyphema (1.1%). Among the 26 eyes with NLP, 65% achieved success criteria at 12 months and 2 (7.7%) developed phthisis. Based on these initial retrospective data, the DA-TSCPC protocol seems to be an alternative for refractory glaucoma management, presenting significant IOP reduction and a good safety profile after one year. Better outcomes were observed in eyes with less severe functional damage.

Risk and Systems Analysis for Renewable Power Generation with Environmental and Other Stressors

AbstractThe effects of climate change and water scarcity threaten the stability of critical infrastructure systems in developing regions. In particular, the interconnectedness of energy systems, natural resources, economic growth, and social welfare requires a systems‐level framework to identify scenarios which most impact these systems. This paper evaluates and quantifies infrastructure system risk, defined as the influence of scenarios on system priorities. A scenario‐based multi‐criteria preferences model assesses system component priorities for a baseline scenario as well as climate and related scenarios. The shift in priorities between the baseline and other future scenarios define scenario disruptiveness, or level of risk. The methods are demonstrated for the case of the emerging renewable energy sector of Iraq. Twenty‐five renewable energy system assets are prioritized by an assessment of system success criteria, which include economic, social, political, and climate considerations. The system prioritization is reevaluated in the case of seven disruptive scenarios relating to water scarcity, climate volatility, and social and economic shifts. This paper advances methods of the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) Part 3: Engineering and Management, by defining system risk and proposing methods for risk identification and risk analysis.

Exploring Risk Aspects in Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

The risk aspect is a key component of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure scheme. The study employed bibliometric analysis to shed light on research trends concerning risk aspects in PPP. The author focused on publication trends, co-authorship networks, local citation patterns, cluster analysis, and co-occurrence of key terms. In addition, the authors compiled a list of studies on the risk aspects of PPP infrastructure. Using bibliometric data from 356 Scopus-indexed publications, this study identifies the leading authors, nations, institutions, publishers, influential papers, and research topics related PPP infrastructure risk over the past decade (2014-2023). The findings reveal that from 2014 to 2017, research predominantly focused on risk factors, success criteria, development projects, contracts, toll roads, water supply, and social infrastructure. Between 2018 and 2020, the emphasis shifted towards risk assessment, risk analysis, risk management, and risk allocation. Since 2021, the research trends have evolved to include urban growth, investment, the private sector, partnership models, internet protocols, and intelligent systems. Future research on PPP infrastructure risk should incorporate technological concepts and business entity perspectives. This study also contextualizes its findings within the broader landscape of emerging markets in Asia and globally and highlights these trends in the Indonesian context.

Project Success Criteria in Social Infrastructure

The main aim of this paper is to conceptualize success for social infrastructure projects, examining juxtapositions between project management- and overall project success , as well as prevalent definitions for success in the public realm. The text includes a review of relevant literature on the topic of project success frameworks, in combination with a case study illustrating the differences between several success criteria on the example of the Indiana Toll Road project. The findings of the case study suggest that despite the project resulting in the bankruptcy of the private entity, it could nonetheless be considered a public project success, due to its large approval ratings by Indiana’s citizens. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of safeguards against planning fallacy and optimism bias – issues which are amplified in social infrastructure procurement procedures. This topic discussed in this research paper concern qualifiers for success, in combination with a case study outlining the impact of improperly accounted for optimism bias. The obtained results may be of interest to representatives of science and practice, especially with regard to social infrastructure development.

The market of academic texts in Russia (according to a qualitative survey)

In Russia, there exists a market where academic texts are sold and bought, from student qualification papers to scientific articles and dissertations. Although its existence violates the formal norms and values of the scientific community, it functions sustainably. The authors analyze the established practices of writing academic texts on demand (with an emphasis on the study of the social behavior of actors) as part of a specific organizational field, a kind of market. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with six direct actors, so-called scriptors (or ghostwriters) and four experts representing NGOs in the field of science and higher education. Destructive entrepreneurship in the system of higher education and science is characterized as a complex system, the actors of which are not only informally “self-employed” scriptors, but also formal organizations that provide contact between customers and performers of academic work. The stability of quasi-scientific texts market in Russia is associated at the macro level with the high demand for higher education and scientific degrees as a status attribute, as well as with a significant supply from scientific and pedagogical workers, thus compensating for the limited opportunities for legal academic entrepreneurship by informal destructive entrepreneurship. At the meso level, the institutional conditions are the rigidity of Russian universities, which continue to be primarily educational institutions, where legal academic entrepreneurship of an innovative type is developing very modestly, and low salaries of staff members. At the micro level, it is an attempt to impose publication activity as the main criterion of academic success in conditions where a significant part of university staff perceive themselves as teachers, not researchers, and do not seek (or do not have the opportunity) to change this situation.

Implementation of the Problem Based Learning Model Assisted with Google Sites to Improve Concept Understanding and Reduce Students' Mathematical Anxiety

This research explores the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) with Google Sites in improving concept comprehension and reducing math anxiety among 36 class X students at SMA N 1 Sewon. Following Kemmis and Mc Taggart's model, the study consisted of two cycles, each with two meetings. Data collection involved observation sheets, concept tests, and anxiety questionnaires. The success criteria were set at over 70% of students achieving high concept understanding and low anxiety. Results indicate significant improvements in both areas. Between pre-action and cycle I, students' understanding increased by 65.97%, with a further 40.28% increase between cycles I and II. The anxiety decreased by 7.73% and 9.03% between the respective periods. By cycle II, 83.33% of students demonstrated high concept understanding, and 80.56% reported low anxiety, meeting the success criteria. This suggests that PBL with Google Sites effectively enhances concept comprehension and reduces math anxiety among class X students.

Family expectations and demand for home-based videogaming therapy in children with cerebral palsy in Costa Rica: a mixed methods study

Purpose To understand the expectations and demand for a movement-tracking videogame (Bootle Blast) for home-based, upper limb (UL) rehabilitation among Costa Rican children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Data were collected via telephone screening (demand) and child-parent dyads Zoom interviews (expectations). Descriptive statistics and data transformation were used to report on demand success criteria (i.e., recruitment rate, having an appropriate screen and space to play, setting a weekly play time goal (PTG) ≥45 min, identifying one UL therapy goal). The DEPICT model for collaborative qualitative analysis was used in the thematic analysis of interview data. Results Fifteen dyads participated (1.6 ± 1 recruited/month). All had a flat-screen TV in a suitable location to play, were able to set a UL therapy goal, and established PTGs ranging from 45–120 min per week. Identified themes were: 1) Socio-cultural factors heighten demand, 2) Feelings of hope prevail for the intervention, and 3) Collaborative goal setting supports realistic expectations for Bootle Blast. Conclusions Dyads had positive and realistic expectations about implementing the proposed videogaming intervention. This study provides insights on tailoring a family-centered, therapy gaming intervention to improve access to motor rehabilitation for children with CP in rural/remote settings and low-middle income countries.

Structural Analysis of AlAinSat-1 CubeSat

This paper presents the process of conducting the structural analysis of AlAinSat-1 CubeSat through a numerical solution using Siemens NX. AlAinSat-1 is a 3U remote-sensing CubeSat carrying two earth observation payloads. The CubeSat is scheduled for launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. To ensure the success of the mission and its ability to withstand the launch environment, several scenarios should be analyzed. For AlAinSat-1 model the finite element analysis (FEA) method is used, and four types of structural analyses are considered: modal, quasi-static, buckling, and random vibration analyses. The workflow cycle includes idealizing, meshing, assembling, applying connections and boundary conditions, and eventually running the simulation utilizing the Siemens Nastran solver. The simulation results of all analysis types indicate that the model can safely withstand the loads exerted during launch. Also, the numerical results of the Command and Data Handling Subsystem (CDHS) module of AlAinSat-1 are experimentally validated through a vibration test conducted using an LV8 shaker system. The module successfully passed the test based on the test success criteria provided by the launcher.

The current alternative for ocular surface and anophthalmic socket reconstruction, cryopreserved umbilical amniotic membrane (cUAM).

This report presents the results of using cryopreserved umbilical amniotic membrane (cUAM) as an alternative mucosal graft for ocular surface reconstruction in cases of anophthalmic socket contracture (ASC), cicatricial entropion (CE), and conjunctival-scleral defects. The study included patients who underwent non-commercial implantation of cUAM grafts (prepared by corneal banking methods) for ASC, CE, conjunctival defect, and scleral melting. The main success criteria for this study were the comfortable fitting of the ocular prosthesis in ASC patients, the natural eyelid position in CE patients, and the degree of conjunctivalisation in melting patients. cUAM transplantation was performed in 2 patients who could not use a prosthetic eye due to conjunctival contracture, 2 patients with CE, and 1 patient with conjunctival defect and 1 patient with conjunctival-scleral melting. The primary outcome was achieved in 83.3% (5/6) of patients. In one patient with CE, partial healing was achieved due to the persistence of CE in the medial upper eyelid. cUAM is a viable alternative to mucosal grafting for reconstructing the bulbar and palpebral conjunctival surface, fornix, and orbit, with reduced donor morbidity and shorter surgical time. Its regenerative ability allows for tissue defect healing and improves cosmetic appearance through epithelialization within weeks.

Estimation of rock core indices for development of underground infrastructure using non-invasive geophysical methods

Rock mass characterization offers the basis of the stability criterion for the planning and advancement of civil engineering projects. Rock core index (RCI) is one of the key geotechnical parameters adopted in rock mechanics and rock engineering. RCI provides risk assessment regarding the success criteria of engineering design. Consequently, an accurate estimate of such parameters is a challenging task in the context of credibility, budget, and time. However, the traditional estimation of geomechanical parameters needs lots of drilling tests at some selected points. The point-scale data often cause more ambiguity and less authenticity in engineering design. Besides, the conventional approaches are invasive, uneconomical, and laborious and cannot investigate the complete project site. We offer an indirect technique for the estimate of RCI using empirical relationships between drilling and geophysical data, which addresses the drawbacks of the conventional methods. Geophysical techniques offer the subsurface volumetric data and are faster, more affordable, and easier to use. In this study, we employ a non-invasive CSAMT (controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics) method for the first time to quickly assess 2D and 3D RCI models. The suggested approach assesses the intricate geological subsurface at a depth of 1 km in order to produce a more precise and complete image of the quality of the rock mass across a wide area. These findings are crucial for improving our understanding of the intricate geological conditions, estimating the likelihood of failure early on, and supporting the safe, stable, and cost-effective construction of deep underground engineering structures. In regions where there is a deficiency of mechanical drilling data, our approach decreases the gaps between an appropriate geotechnical model and insufficient data, yields more objective indices, and serves as a guide for more correct engineering structure design.

OPEN FOR DISCUSSION: РАЗВИТИЕ НАВЫКОВ РАЗГОВОРНОЙ РЕЧИ НА ЗАНЯТИЯХ ПО АНГЛИЙСКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ СО СТУДЕНТАМИ ХИМИЧЕСКОГО ФАКУЛЬТЕТА

In the context of studying foreign languages, speaking skills are generally viewed as the key criteria of success yet the most challenging aspect of language learning. This requires special approach and efforts on the side of the teacher who should be able to create proper conditions and apply certain methods to encourage students to speak. Open for Discussion is a language course specifically developed to support chemistry students in practising real-world speaking skills within the framework of problem-solving teaching strategy and provocation in teaching. The present article gives an overview of the course, its underlying concepts and practical application. At that, special focus is made on cooperative learning strategies and collaborative discussion as the most effective ways to enhance the communicative competence and boost English speaking skills. The described course may be used to strengthen methodological support for foreign-language teachers at nonlanguage faculties.

Role Playing to Improve English Vocabulary Ability in Speaking Skill

In this study, initially scoring at 2.15, the objective was to enhance students’ English vocabulary for speaking through a role-playing learning strategy, using a Collaborative Classroom Action Research approach. The methodology involved stages of planning, action, observation, and reflection in distinct cycles, each comprising two meetings. Data were collected using methods like speaking skill evaluations, questionnaires on role-playing practice, and field notes. The participants were fourth-semester students of the D3 English Study Program at Madiun State Polytechnic. Notably, student scores in speaking vocabulary improved across cycles, from 2.42 in the first to 3.15 in the third, meeting the success criterion of 3.01 and demonstrating the effectiveness of the role-playing strategy in the learning process.

Enhancing Gross Motor Skills in Children Aged 5-6 Through Outbound Games

Gross motor skills are the ability to carry out activities with large muscles. This study aims to determine the effect of outbound games on the gross motor skills of children aged 5-6 years . This research used a PTK type of research carried out in 2 cycles with research subjects of 10 children aged 5-6 years. The success criterion is 80% as the basis for whether the research carried out was successful or not. The results of the research show that in the pre-cycle, children's abilities on average develop very well with indicators that children can carry out balance movements, control and agility, children can play games with rules, children can coordinate eyes, hands and feet, children can walk according to directions. with an average percentage obtained of 20%, in cycle I it increased to a percentage of 48% with very well developed criteria (BSB) and in cycle II it was obtained at 81.4%, an increase because it had reached 80%, so this research was.

The goals for successful development of treatment in gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a motility disorder of the stomach characterized by cardinal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying of solid food in the absence of mechanical obstruction. There is significant unmet need in its management, and essentially there are no medications approved for its treatment over four decades. The objectives of this review are to develop an understanding of the goals of treatment, the evidence-based criteria for treatment success based on the current scientific understanding of gastroparesis as well as patient response outcomes, and to propose evidence-based principles for the successful development of treatments for gastroparesis. Specifically, we discuss the pathophysiologic targets in gastroparesis, eligibility criteria for clinical trial participation based on validated gastric emptying studies, and the patient response outcome measures that have been validated to appraise effects of treatment on clinically relevant outcomes. These considerations lead to recommendations regarding eligibility, design, and duration of proof-of-efficacy studies, and to endorsing the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index Daily Diary as a validated patient response outcome and to justification of the shortening of proof-of-efficacy, placebo-controlled clinical trials to 4 weeks treatment duration after a baseline period. We believe that such approaches will increase the likelihood of successful assessment of efficacy of novel approaches to treating patients with gastroparesis.

Exploring laser-induced acute and chronic retinal vein occlusion mouse models: Development, temporal in vivo imaging, and application perspectives.

Photodynamic venous occlusion is a commonly accepted method for establishing mouse models of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). However, existing model parameters do not distinguish between acute and chronic RVO subtypes. Large variations in laser energy seem to correlate with fluctuating retinopathy severity and high rates of venous recanalization during the acute phase, along with the variable levels of retinal perfusion during the chronic phase. After optimizing the modeling procedure and defining success and exclusion criteria, laser energy groups of 80mW, 100mW, and 120mW were established. Multimodal imaging confirmed that higher energy levels increased the incidence of retinal cystoid edema and intraretinal hemorrhage, exacerbated the severity of exudative retinal detachment, and reduced the venous recanalization rate. For the acute model, 100mW was considered an appropriate parameter for balancing moderate retinopathy and venous recanalization. Continuous imaging follow-up revealed that day 1 after RVO was the optimal observation point for peaking of retinal thickness and intensive occurrence of retinal cystic edema and intraretinal hemorrhage. After excluding the influence of venous recanalization on retinal thickness, acute retinal edema demonstrated a positive response to standard anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, validating the clinical relevance of the acute RVO model for further study in pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy. For the chronic model, the 120mW parameter with the lowest venous recanalization rate was applied, accompanied by an increase in both photocoagulation shots and range to ensure sustained vein occlusion. Imaging follow-up clarified non-ischemic retinopathy characterized by tortuosity and dilation of the distal end, branches, and adjacent veins of the occluded vein. These morphological changes are quantifiable and could be combined with electrophysiological functional assessment for treatment effectiveness evaluation. Moreover, the stable state of venous occlusion may facilitate investigations into response and compensation mechanisms under conditions of chronic retinal hypoperfusion.

Underwater Wavelength Attack on Discrete Modulated Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution.

The wavelength attack utilizes the dependence of beam splitters (BSs) on wavelength to cause legitimate users Alice and Bob to underestimate their excess noise so that Eve can steal more secret keys without being detected. Recently, the wavelength attack on Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) has been researched in both fiber and atmospheric channels. However, the wavelength attack may also pose a threat to the case of ocean turbulent channels, which are vital for the secure communication of both ocean sensor networks and submarines. In this work, we propose two wavelength attack schemes on underwater discrete modulated (DM) CV-QKD protocol, which is effective for the case with and without local oscillator (LO) intensity monitor, respectively. In terms of the transmittance properties of the fused biconical taper (FBT) BS, two sets of wavelengths are determined for Eve's pulse manipulation, which are all located in the so-called blue-green band. The derived successful criterion shows that both attack schemes can control the estimated excess noise of Alice and Bob close to zero by selecting the corresponding condition parameters based on channel transmittance. Additionally, our numerical analysis shows that Eve can steal more bits when the wavelength attack controls the value of the estimated excess noise closer to zero.

Additive Manufacturing Titanium Dental Implants Placed in Sinuses Grafted with 70HA:30-TCP: A One-Year Retrospective Study for Evaluation of Survival Rate.

The present short-term retrospective study evaluated the implant survival rate and peri-implant bone loss around additive-manufactured titanium implants placed in sinuses grafted with Plenum Osshp (Plenum Bioengenharia, Jundia, SP, Brazil) (70HA:30β-TCP) material. A total of 39 implants were inserted after 23 sinus floor elevation procedures in 16 consecutive patients. Prosthetic rehabilitation included fixed partial prostheses (three units), single crowns (eleven units), and fixed full arches (three units). Clinical and radiographic parameters of implant-supported restorations were evaluated after at least one year of occlusal loading. The implant-crown success criteria included the absence of pain, suppuration, and clinical mobility, an average distance between the implant shoulder and the first visible bone contact (DIB) < 1.0 mm from the initial surgery, and the absence of prosthetic complications at the implant-abutment interface. The overall cumulative implant survival rate was 97.43%. No prosthetic complications at the implant-abutment interface were reported. After one year, the mean DIB was 0.23 mm ± 0.14. Within the limits of this retrospective study, it can be concluded that 70 HA:30 β-TCP allowed stable and reliable bone support to maintain healthy conditions around titanium dental implants produced by additive manufacturing.