Deviation Techniques Research Articles

Morphology of Nasal Septal Deviation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients and its Treatment Method.

Nasal septal deviation can cause nasal breathing issues, contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) development, and often hinders successful CPAP therapy. We hypothesized that although prevalent in the general population, nasal septal deviations differ structurally between OSA and non-OSA patients. This study evaluated nasal septal deviation morphology in OSA versus non-OSA patients using computed tomography (CT). We consecutively enrolled 128 adult patients undergoing septoplasty for nasal obstruction between April and September 2019. Seven with trauma/surgery history were excluded. Polysomnography was performed preoperatively for those with significant sleep complaints. Using identical preoperative sinus CTs routines, we measured anterior, superior, and posterior deviation angles, comparing OSA and non-OSA groups. We studied 121 septoplasty patients (37 females, 84 males, mean age 45.73 ± 1.29 years), with 34 OSA and 87 non-OSA. Anterior deviation angle was significantly greater in OSA (mean 9.1 ± 0.7°) versus non-OSA (mean 6.5 ± 0.5°) groups (p = 0.001). However, no significant superior or posterior deviation differences existed between groups (p = 0.266 and 0.231, respectively). Multiple logistic regression showed anterior deviation as the only significant independent OSA predictive factor. Among the nasal septal deviations, only the anterior deviation was associated with the presence of OSA. Thus, the selection of a surgical technique for anterior deviation is an important consideration in patients with OSA. 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Solar Vortex Tubes. III. Vorticity and Energy Transport

This study investigated the mechanisms of vorticity generation and the role of vortex tubes in plasma heating and energy transport. Vortex tubes were identified using the instantaneous vorticity deviation technique in the MURaM data set of a simulated solar plage region of the solar photosphere. Within 3D kinetic vortex tubes, the misalignment of the magnetic pressure and the inverse of the density gradient, rather than baroclinic effects, primarily drive vorticity within the tubes. During their lifetime, vortices become less dense as the Lorentz force pushes plasma outwards against pressure gradients. In the simulated upper photosphere, the Lorentz force contributes to adiabatic cooling and heating by expanding or compressing the plasma around the vortex tubes. In turn, vortex motion affects the magnetic field, enhancing current generation and intensifying the Lorentz force, which may further increase adiabatic cooling and heating. Moreover, our results confirm that vortices can significantly boost viscous and ohmic heating on intergranular scales in the photosphere. They generate more magnetic than kinetic energy, with energy transport by Poynting flux notably nonuniform and dominant at the vortex boundaries. This creates energy circulation in which the net upwards Poynting flux can enhance chromospheric plasma heating and support chromospheric temperatures.

Employee Perceptions and Intention to Leave Among Academic Staff in Public Universities in Kenya

Purpose: The specific objectives of the study included perceived organizational support, commitment, performance and perceived organizational support as predictors of intention to leave. Methodology: The descriptive survey research designs was adopted. The population consisted of all cadres of academic staff in the chosen three public universities in Western Kenya. Yamane’s (1967) formula was utilised in determining a sample size of 121 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was utilised in coming up with the sample. Questionnaires were used to obtain primary data for analysis. A pilot study was done on 5% of the sample and Cronbach’s alpha helped in testing reliability. Both face and content validity of the research instrument were checked. Descriptive and inferential statistics of frequencies, means and standard deviation and inferential technique were utilised to analyse quantitative data using SPSS. Findings: The results revealed that perceived organizational support had a negative significant relationship with intention to leave. Perceived commitment, performance and manager support were all positively related with intention to leave. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommends that universities should assess and improve employee perceptions if they want to influence them to stay longer with the firms.

Enhancing Entrepreneurship Education with Innovatively Designed YouTube Videos: Evaluating Student Learning and Effectiveness of Youtube Videos as Educational Tools

The use of video media, particularly YouTube videos, has emerged as highly popular and powerful educational tools in higher education due to its ability to provide rich and engaging content that enhances learners' understanding and retention of information throughout the learning process. Much of the current research highlights a need for more active learning strategies to maximize the educational potential of these videos because traditional Youtube videos tend to create passive learning experiences. However, when properly integrated with active learning strategies through innovative video design and development, Youtube videos can enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and satisfaction. Therefore, this research aims to innovatively design and develop YouTube videos as educational tools and evaluate students' perceptions of their learning and the effectiveness of the video design and development in higher education involving 20 graduate students in the entrepreneurship education program. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and content analysis techniques. The findings showed that the innovatively developed Youtube videos were perceived to be highly appropriate (Mean= 4.52, S.D. = 0.13). Students reported that they learned entrepreneurship more effectively from various scenarios filled with choices and challenges in entrepreneurial paths. They also perceived the effectiveness of Youtube videos as educational tools to be very high (Mean= 4.58, S.D. = 0.72), noting that these videos were effective tools that promotes active and experiential learning experiences. In conclusion, this study indicates that Youtube videos, when innovatively designed and developed as educational tools with active learning strategies, can be implemented as a powerful tool in teaching entrepreneurship.

The Use of Dynamic Navigation for the Placement of Zygoma Implants. A Cadaver Study to Compare Accuracy.

This study aimed to compare the angular, platform, and apical deviation of zygoma implants placed with the aid of a dynamic navigation device compared to the implants placed freehand. Eight cadaver heads were used for the study. Pre-operative CBCT scans were made for the heads, and an implant planning software was used to plan zygoma implants bilaterally in each scanned head. A total of 16 zygoma implants were placed using each surgical technique. Post-implant CBCT scans were merged with the pre-operative plan to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the implants using each technique. Angular and linear deviations of the implants were measured and compared. The effect of implant length and position on the deviation was also investigated. The results showed a mean angular deviation of 2.44 ± 1.10 degrees for implants placed using DN compared to 6.63 ± 4.81degrees for implants placed freehand. The mean apical deviation for implants placed using DN and for implants placed freehand was 2.14 ± 1.02 mm and 3.80 ± 2.49 mm, respectively. Finally, the mean platform deviation for implants placed using DN and for implants placed freehand was 1.66 ± 0.9 mm and 2.81 ± 2.1 mm, respectively. The analysis showed a significant difference between the two angular and apical deviation techniques. ( p=0.001 and 0.029 respectively). Zygoma implants placed with a dynamic navigation device resulted in less apical and angular deviation than implants placed freehand..

Role of Institutional Factors in Shaping Student Performance at Secondary School Level

Education is vital to meeting the demands and expectations of society today and preparing the next generation to do the same. It plays a significant role in developing the next generation of responsible citizens by providing them with the necessary human capital. The current study has two objectives: to determine the institutional influence on students' performance at the secondary school level and to analyze the impact of institutional and physical facilities on secondary school students' performance. The researchers used descriptive survey research to execute the objectives of the study. All the secondary school teachers in district Sialkot constituted the population of the study. The sample of the study was one hundred and eighty secondary school teachers and data were collected through a questionnaire as research tool. After collecting data, the statistical techniques of percentage, mean score and standard deviation used. The study found that nearly 90% of respondents believe that a good classroom environment helps students learn and is also important to students' achievement. More than 6% disagreed or did not need to be sure. The study concluded that most institutional characteristics substantially affected students' grades. Most respondents (99%) said that a classroom setting affects kids' ability to learn, and approximately 84% of respondents said that a safe and secure school climate improves students' ability to study.

NaBa12(BO3)7F4 (NBBF) dichroic crystals: optical properties and dielectric permittivity.

Three NaBa12(BO3)7F4 crystals were grown in the BaO-BaF2-B2O3-Na2O system from three different compositions of high-temperature solution. With the use of optical spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the Schering bridge method it was found that the crystals revealed sharp differences in their optical and dielectric properties. The relative permittivity of the crystals in direction perpendicular to the optical axis reached 319(5). The minimum deviation technique was used for refractive index measurements.

Implementation of Allan Standard Deviation Technique in Stability Analysis of 4C31.61 Quasar Position

Implementation of Allan Standard Deviation Technique in Stability Analysis of 4C31.61 Quasar Position

Learners’ Grit, Self-Regulation, and Classroom Engagement

The complex interaction of personal characteristics and the learning environment has a substantial impact on learners’ educational experiences. This study aimed to determine how grit and self-regulation are associated with the learners' classroom engagement. It sought to find out the learners’ level of grit in terms of consistency of interest and perseverance of effort, self-regulation, and classroom engagement in terms of learner-learner, learner-teacher, and learner-class, and its significant relationships. The respondents were the 134 Grade 6 learners of the North-II District of Gingoog City. It utilized a questionnaire adapted from Duckworth’s Grit Scale survey and Moilanen’s Self-Regulation combined with a self-made questionnaire for engagement. The study made use of a descriptive correlational design utilizing a universal sampling among respondents. Moreover, it used Mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) statistical techniques to treat the data of the study. Results revealed that learners' grit is Very High in terms of consistency of interest and High in perseverance of effort, and Very High in self-regulation. Moreover, the study concluded a significant relationship between learners’ grit and classroom engagement, and learners’ self-regulation and classroom engagement. Further, it recommended integrating learning activities in school programs such as homeroom guidance, Gender and Development, and Catch-up Fridays, as well as several learning areas that will enable the fostering of grit and self-regulation among learners.

Can Pulse Rate Variability be Used to Monitor Compliance with a Breath Pacer?

Slow paced breathing has been demonstrated to provide significant health benefits for a person’s health, and, during breathing sessions, it is desirable to monitor that a person is actually compliant with the breath pacer. We explore the potential use of pulse rate variability to monitor compliance with a breath pacer during meditation sessions. The study involved 6 human subjects each participating in 2–3 trials, where they are asked to follow or not to follow the breath pacer, where we collected data on how the magnitude of pulse rate variability changed. Two methods, logistic regression and a running standard deviation technique, were developed to detect non-compliance with the breath pacer based on pulse rate variability metrics. Results indicate that using pulse rate variability alone may not reliably detect non-compliance with the breath pacer. Both models exhibited limitations in terms of false positives and false negatives, with accuracy ranging from 67 to 65%. Existing methods involving visual, audio, and motion signals currently perform better for monitoring compliance with the breath pacer.

EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT UNDER COVID-19) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMEs IN NIGERIA’S FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

The study examined the effects of economic environment under Covid-19) on the performance of SMEs having observed that businesses including SMEs are struggling to adapt to the new normal imposed by the novel disease. Thus, the study hinged on the dynamic capability theory examined the effects of economic environment under Covid-19) on the performance of sachet water production businesses in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The study employed the convenience and simple random technique to select and administer copies of questionnaire on 180 respondents. With a response rate of 77.22%, the collated data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques including simple percentage (%); the Mean; Standard Deviation (SD), the ANOVA and Multiple Regression techniques via the SPSS. Overall, the results indicated that economic environment under Covid-19) significantly affected the production outputs and the sales volumes of SMEs in the FCT. Most specifically, the results indicated that the different inflation had the most effects on the volumes of outputs and sales by the selected businesses while the decline in personal savings had the least. Consequently, the study recommended that SMEs should continually adapt and adjust to the changes in the external environments in order to survive, compete, grow and expand.

Porosity Type Determination Using the Velocity Deviation Technique for The Sheikh Allas Formation in The Kirkuk Oil Field, Northeastern Iraq

Porosity Type Determination Using the Velocity Deviation Technique for The Sheikh Allas Formation in The Kirkuk Oil Field, Northeastern Iraq

A dynamic goniometer-spectrometer with angle-to-time conversion

We present a dynamic goniometer–spectrometer for measuring the refractive index (RI) of transparent triangular prisms by converting the beam deviation angles into time intervals. The proposed measuring scheme allows the automatic determination of the RI simultaneously for several different wavelengths by measuring the time intervals between the moments of autocollimation of the reference and refracted rays reflected from a mirror continuously rotating around the object with constant angular speed. This makes it possible to avoid the use of an expensive ring laser or encoder for angle measurements and to use relatively inexpensive instruments for time measurements, which reduces the cost of measuring equipment. To calculate the RI value, we used the minimum deviation technique. A functional diagram of the measuring equipment is given. A reference prism made of NBK-7 Schott optical glass was experimentally studied and the measurement errors were estimated. The proposed measuring scheme can be used for automated RI measurement and to study the dispersion characteristics of triangular prisms made of optically transparent materials and liquid optically transparent substances filling a hollow triangular prism.

GOVERNMENT POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES IN DELTA STATE

The study examined government policy and social empowerment programme implementation in Delta State. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument of data collection. A sample of four hundred (400) was drawn for the study using simple random and convenience sampling technique. The method of data analysis included the use of mean and standard deviation and Student T-Test statistical techniques. The study found out that there is a significant difference between government policy and social empowerment programmes in Delta state. It was recommended that the government should make concerted efforts to ensure that social empowerment programmes benefit the masses for which they were designed. This is through ensuring that they are handled in ways that make it difficult for elites to access them. Also, it was recommended amongst others that there should be a policy framework to tackle issues of pro-rich approach in order to make sure that wealthy people do not use their influence to circumvent due process and hijack these programmes. This is by making the process transparent and simple enough to make it easy for the common man to participate. Also, there should be specific targets and means of accessing these targets so that the programmes can be void of corruption. If the programmes are designed for youths, the categories should be spelt and to get such categories should be devised.
 Keywords: Government Policy, Social Empowerment Programme, Implementation.

Half-space depth of log-concave probability measures

Given a probability measure mu on {{mathbb {R}}}^n, Tukey’s half-space depth is defined for any xin {{mathbb {R}}}^n by varphi _{mu }(x)=inf {mu (H):Hin {{{mathcal {H}}}}(x)}, where mathcal{H}(x) is the set of all half-spaces H of {{mathbb {R}}}^n containing x. We show that if mu is a non-degenerate log-concave probability measure on {{mathbb {R}}}^n then e-c1n⩽∫Rnφμ(x)dμ(x)⩽e-c2n/Lμ2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\begin{aligned} e^{-c_1n}\\leqslant \\int _{{\\mathbb {R}}^n}\\varphi _{\\mu }(x)\\,d\\mu (x) \\leqslant e^{-c_2n/L_{\\mu }^2} \\end{aligned}$$\\end{document}where L_{mu } is the isotropic constant of mu and c_1,c_2>0 are absolute constants. The proofs combine large deviations techniques with a number of facts from the theory of L_q-centroid bodies of log-concave probability measures. The same ideas lead to general estimates for the expected measure of random polytopes whose vertices have a log-concave distribution.

Robust estimation for function-on-scalar regression models

For the functional linear models in which the dependent variable is functional and the predictors are scalar, robust regularization for simultaneous variable selection and regression parameter estimation is an important yet challenging issue. In this paper, we propose two types of regularized robust estimation methods. The first estimator adopts the ideas of reproducing kernel Hilbert space, least absolute deviation and group Lasso techniques. Based on the first method, the second estimator applies the pre-whitening technique and estimates the error covariance function by using functional principal component analysis. Simulation studies are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed methods in small sample sizes. The method is also applied to the Canadian weather data set, which consists of the daily average temperature and precipitation observed by 35 meteorological stations across Canada from 1960 to 1994. Numerical simulations and real data analysis show a good performance of the proposed robust methods for function-on-scalar models.

The modified minimum deviation method for measuring the refractive index

We present a modified method for measuring the refractive index (RI) based on the minimum deviation technique, which allows us to determine the RI of transparent triangular prisms with unknown apex angles. In the proposed method, the angles of light deviation are measured on three faces of the prism, and RI of the material and prism angles are determined from the solution of a system of equations. A high precision dynamic goniometer was used to implement the proposed method. A set of reference prisms made of optical glass were experimentally studied and the measurement errors were estimated. It is shown that the modified method can be used for high-precision measurements of the RI in cases when the prism angles are unknown, or their measurement is associated with technical difficulties. The method of measuring RI proposed in the article was implemented using the State Primary Standard of the Refractive Index Unit GET 138–2021 of the All-Russian Research Institute for Optical and Physical Measurements. This standard is intended for storing, reproducing, and transmitting the unit size of the RI of solid and liquid substances.

The Relationship Between Work-Life Balance and Academic Burnout Levels of Academic Staff

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the perceptions of burnout and the work-life balance of academic staff. This research is a quantitative study using the correlational survey model. The study group consists of academic staff working in two state and two foundation universities in Istanbul, and the sampling consists of 352 academic staff. Data were collected through the Academic Burnout Scale developed by Tümkaya (2000) and the Work-Life Balance Scale developed by Apaydın (2011). Academic burnout and work-life balance levels among academic staff were analyzed according to gender and marital status variables. The arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t-test, regression analysis, and correlation analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study indicate that the participants experienced high levels of burnout and were able to achieve a moderate work-life balance. Academics think they can achieve work-life balance at a moderate level. There is a negative and significant relationship between academics' academic burnout and their perceptions of work-life balance in all sub-dimensions. Academics' perceptions of academic burnout are a significant predictor of their perceptions of work-life balance.

SPATIO-TEMPORAL DIFFERENTIATION AND FUTURE TRENDS ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN HATHRAS DISTRICT, UTTAR PRADESH

The agriculture sector has gone through different phases of growth, embracing a wide variety of institutional interventions, technology and policy regimes in India. It is important to assess whether the past, present and future trends of agricultural productivity are compatible with the growing demand of people. This paper analyzes the spatiotemporal differentiation and future trends of agricultural productivity in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. This study is based on secondary sources of data for the period 2000-01 and 2014-15. Yang’s Crop Yield Index (CYI), Standard Deviation (SD) and Data Projection techniques have been used in this work. The study reveals that the whole district has made reasonable enhancements in their agricultural productivity from 2000-01 to 2014-15 which are varied over space and time. The future trends of agricultural productivity for the year 2030-31 indicate that the study area has continuously boosted its productivity since 2000-01. It concludes that the problems which are needed to address are accessibility, invention, and equal delivery mechanism of government-sponsored schemes, programs, policies and projects like irrigation, capacity building programs, farmer sensitization issues and others.

Person Perception of Students on Reservation in Higher Education in India

The present study aimed to determine the person perception of students on reservation in higher education. The respondents of the study were from three districts of Kerala. The data were collected using a Person Perception Scale. The brief profile of the total respondents ( N = 490) shows 195 boys and 295 girls; 305 rural and 185 urban; 320 government and 170 private; 338 Above Poverty Line (APL) and 152 Below Poverty Line (BPL)), respectively. The study adopted a random sampling technique. The data collected were analysed for mean, standard deviation and t-test techniques. The result of the study revealed that boys have a higher person perception than girls; rural students have a higher person perception than urban students; government school students have a higher person perception than private school students; students who belong to the APL category have a higher person perception than BPL category; regarding reservation in higher education. And in total, students possess an average level (60%) of person perception on reservation in higher education.