Essential Areas Research Articles

Prediction of Heart Disease Using Different Classification Techniques

Data mining is one of the essential areas of research that is more popular in health organization. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world over the past 10 years. The healthcare industry gathers enormous amount of heart disease data which are not “mined” to discover hidden information for effective decision making. This research intends to provide a detailed description of Naïve Bayes, decision tree classifier and Selective Bayesian classifier that are applied in our research particularly in the prediction of Heart Disease. It is known that Naïve Bayesian classifier (NB) works very well on some domains, and poorly on some. The performance of NB suffers in domains that involve correlated features. C4.5 decision trees, on the other hand, typically perform better than the Naïve Bayesian algorithm on such domains. This paper describes a Selective Bayesian classifier (SBC) that simply uses only those features that C4.5 would use in its decision tree when learning a small example of a training set, a combination of the two different natures of classifiers. Experiments conducted on Cleveland datasets indicate that SBC performs reliably better than NB on all domains, and SBC outperforms C4.5 on this dataset of which C4.5 outperform NB. Some experiment has been conducted to compare the execution of predictive data mining technique on the same dataset, and the consequence reveals that Decision Tree outperforms over Bayesian classifier and experiment also reveals that selective Bayesian classifier has a better accuracy as compared to other classifiers.

The Relationship between Hotel Employees’ Backgrounds and Intercultural Communicative Competence Level: A Case Study of Hotel Front Office Personnel in Bangkok

This study examined the relationship between the educational and work experience backgrounds of frontline hotel workers in Bangkok and their level of intercultural communicative competence (ICC). The intercultural competence framework from Barrett et al. (2013), which included an exploration of the ICC domains — attitudes, knowledge and understanding, skills and actions — all essential areas for interculturally competent speakers, was adopted as a guideline in the study. Added to the ICC domains, Byram’s (1997) framework is an objective-based ICC approach to be operationalized as a guideline for the design of the ICC self-perception questionnaire. The participants for this study included 219 hotel front office employees randomly selected from three- and four-star hotels in Bangkok. The results of the study revealed that there was no relationship between participants’ backgrounds and their intercultural competency level. The outcomes may provide useful guidelines for hotel human resources management to inform the future content of intercultural communication training courses. Also, the findings can be valuable for educational institutions to help enhance the ICC development of their graduates. Finally, the outcomes are an informational base for future research.

Bridging urban planning knowledge into post-disaster response: Early Recovery Road Map within the International Humanitarian Cluster System

Given the scale and the complexity of urban disaster, significant efforts have been intensified by the International Humanitarian Community over the last decade to develop an effective operational mechanism in post-disaster and conflict response, to create synergies between short-term relief measures and long-term development, and to maximize the efficient use of limited resources. In spite of the positive impact of these efforts on humanitarian response, the historical separation between relief, recovery and development continues with significant practical implications on the effectiveness of humanitarian response programs, especially in urban disasters. This paper explores the viability of employing well-established planning knowledge to provide systematic ways to integrate the sectoral response activities, especially in complex urban settings, that help link the humanitarian response with recovery and development. A conceptual and operational framework named Early Recovery Road Map (ERRoMap) using urban planning knowledge is suggested as a new dimension to be added to the traditional role of the Global Cluster for Early Recovery (GCER) in the International Humanitarian Cluster System. The ERRoMap employs the three conceptualized terms of planning efforts: process, context, and outcome to re-organize the function of a ‘City’ under time-pressure. The process of making an ERRoMap is aimed to bridge the emergency response with recovery through organizing facts about disaster impacts in urban settings; identify essential areas for early recovery, join-up efforts of humanitarian actors and facilitate their communications with development actors.

Do outcomes reported in randomised controlled trials of joint replacement surgery fulfil the OMERACT 2.0 Filter? A review of the 2008 and 2013 literature

BackgroundIt is not known, whether outcome reporting in trials of total joint arthroplasty in the recent years is adequate or not. Our objective was to assess whether outcomes reported in total joint replacement (TJR) trials fulfil the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Filter 2.0.MethodsWe systematically reviewed all TJR trials in adults, published in English in 2008 or 2013. Searches were conducted in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Two authors independently applied the inclusion criteria for the studies, and any disagreement was resolved with a third review author. All outcome measures were abstracted using a pre-piloted standardised data extraction form and assessed for whether they mapped to one of the three OMERACT Filter 2.0 core areas: pathophysiological, life impact, and death.ResultsFrom 1635 trials identified, we included 70 trials (30 in 2008 and 40 in 2013) meeting the eligibility criteria. Twenty-two (31%) trials reported the three essential OMERACT core areas. Among the 27 hip replacement surgery trials and 39 knee replacement surgery trials included, 11 hip (41%) and nine knee (23%) trials reported all three essential OMERACT core areas. The most common outcome domains/measures were pain (20/27, 74%) and function (23/27, 85%) in hip trials and pain (26/39, 67%) and function (27/39, 69%) in knee trials. Results were similar for shoulder and hand joint replacement trials.ConclusionsWe identified significant gaps in the measurement of OMERACT core outcome areas in TJR trials, despite the majority reporting outcome domains of pain and function. An international consensus of key stakeholders is needed to develop a core domain set for reporting of TJR trials.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42014009216

Children's health in Europe - challenges for the next decades.

These reflections from a Child Public Health perspective underline the dramatic changes in children's conditions in Europe over this last century, including a considerable improvement in health. However, we still face problems, disturbing facts and alarming signs. There are important gaps in our knowledge about essential areas of children's health panorama and about particularly vulnerable sub-groups of children, which are less healthy, less well cared for and not enjoying the good conditions of life. We also see an evident lack of the child's perspective, implying acknowledgement and action on the views of the children themselves. Moreover, in spite of the generally improving standard, societal inequity in economy, education and health is increasing and the recent economic crises have struck hard on families with children. There are many good signs implying continuing progress for children and their conditions and also an improved respect for their rights. But with the increasing segregation in our societies, the risk is imminent that the health problems will increase, and that some groups get left far behind. Although actions on this field are primarily a political responsibility, people working with children can make a difference. There are also many examples of projects, particularly on local levels, where professionals act to promote children's health, prevent their ill-health and facilitate their health behaviour, rather than to repair their diseases. Children's particular needs and protection is now generally accepted, and the growing concern for their rights opens a window to the future for a more powerful child health advocacy.

The curriculum stocktake report: A philosophical critique

In the decade 1990-2000, the New Zealand curriculum underwent major revision. Out went the old syllabus documentswhich had been developed overthe previous thirty years; in theirplace appeared the New Zealand Curriculum Framework [NZCF] (Ministry of Education, 1993) and a raft of curriculum statements coveringthe seven essential learning areas(mathematics 1992, science 1993, English 1994, technology 1995, socialstudies 1997, health and physicaleducation 1999, the arts 2000). In 1997, an undertaking was given that upon publication of the full set of curriculum statements there would be a time for consolidation and reflection. To achieve this, a curriculum stocktake was established, the report of which was presented to the Minister of Education in September 2002.

Feasibility Studies and Important Aspect of Project Management

In this paper we want to describe stepwise, different studies are essential for design and layout of plants. In this paper we also described different benefit conducting the feasibility studies. The survey is also extended more detailed regarding different considerations. Here we also discussed different test parameters. We also try to measures different impact on the organizational characteristics; fulfill user requirements. Five essential areas of project feasibility are also discussed here. Benefits of conducting feasibility study and different aspects consider here for discussion.

Managerial Skills: Does Family Ownership Make a Difference?

More than ever before, success or a failure of a modern company is the result of managers’ ability to adopt his/her way of managing everyday changing circumstances. The organizational environment demands effective managers with the ability to make effective decisions which will shape business performance. So, it could be acknowledged that among several different factors that can determine a company’s progress, the key factors are managers - their qualities and skills. This paper considers similarities and differences among managers in two companies in Croatia - family owned and nonfamily owned - analyzing eight essential skill areas where they should focus their efforts: understanding team dynamics, selecting and developing the right people, delegating, motivating, managing conflict, communicating, decision making and problem solving, and avoiding common managerial mistakes. Qualitative research was conducted and interesting and somewhat puzzling results were found. Results indicated that ownership made a difference concerning managerial skills. Based on the overall findings, the research offers foundation for future research in this area. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of value for managers and their companies due to the improvement and development of all essential areas of managing.

Feasibility Studies and Important Aspect of Project Management

In this paper we want to describe stepwise, different studies are essential for design and layout of plants. In this paper we also described different benefit conducting the feasibility studies. The survey is also extended more detailed regarding different considerations. Here we also discussed different test parameters. We also try to measures different impact on the organizational characteristics; fulfill user requirements. Five essential areas of project feasibility are also discussed here. Benefits of conducting feasibility study and different aspects consider here for discussion.

Connections between Family Centered Care and Medical Homes of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Experiences of Diverse Families

Cultural issues tied to race/ethnicity are important aspects in delivering medical home services to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. To better understand family satisfaction with family centered care (FCC) in medical homes of children with disabilities, this study investigated whether family race/ethnicity, in addition to parent and child characteristics, significantly influenced family perceptions of FCC in three areas: family-provider partnership, care setting practices and policies, and community coordination and follow-up. Based on the life course theory for optimizing children's developmental trajectories, examining connections between family race/ethnicity and satisfaction with health care allows for identification of strengths and weaknesses in medical home services delivery, and offers opportunities for family support and improvement in outcomes for children with disabilities. This study developed an original empirical survey using a structured questionnaire developed by Family Voices, a national advocacy organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of children with disabilities and their families. The study collected data for 122 families in a large urban area in the northeastern United States. Multivariate analyses revealed that family race/ethnicity significantly contributed to the prediction of parental satisfaction with medical homes of children with disabilities, and to families' perceptions of FCC in care setting practices and policies, and community coordination and followup, but not to family provider partnership. Non-White families reported significantly lower satisfaction. Discussion emphasizes that health care providers need to become more vigilant in providing culturally sensitive care. To enhance FCC practices and policies, the study advances a checklist of ten essential areas that promote culturally sensitive interactions between families of children with disabilities and their medical and non-medical health care providers.

Development of an implementation guide to facilitate the roll-out of early intervention services for psychosis.

Our aim was to develop an implementation guide that was informed by an analysis of context-specific barriers and enablers, behaviour change theory, as well as evidence about the effects of implementation interventions, for the establishment and scaling up of an early intervention model for psychosis (called Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC)). We used a systematic approach involving four steps. First, the target behaviours of the EPPIC model for implementation were specified. Second, a consultation was undertaken to explore the barriers and enablers to undertaking these priority minimum standard clinical behaviours. Third, an implementation strategy that included a range of behaviour change techniques tailored to address the identified barriers was developed. Finally, a tool to assess whether those implementing the EPPIC model maintained fidelity to the implementation strategy was designed. We identified a range of barriers that could act to dilute the core components of the EPPIC model and compromise its implementation. An implementation strategy using theory and evidence-based strategies for behaviour change was designed to address these barriers. The process we used in the development of the implementation strategy provided a unique opportunity to consider the essential areas to cover, how to make information easily understandable and accessible while noting the complexity of issues involved in not only implementation, but also the scaling up of the EPPIC model for services.

Cooperative learning in organic chemistry increases student assessment of learning gains in key transferable skills

Science and engineering educators and employers agree that students should graduate from college with expertise in their major subject area as well as the skills and competencies necessary for productive participation in diverse work environments. These competencies include problem-solving, communication, leadership, and collaboration, among others. Using a pseudo-experimental design, and employing a variety of data from exam scores, course evaluations, and student assessment of learning gains (SALG) surveys of key competencies, we compared the development of both chemistry content knowledge and transferable or generic skills among students enrolled in two types of large classes: a lecture-based formatversusan interactive, constructive, cooperative learning (flipped classroom) format. Controlling for instructor, as well as laboratory and recitation content, students enrolled in the cooperative learning format reported higher learning gains than the control group in essential transferable skills and competency areas at the end of the term, and more growth in these areas over the course of the term. As a result of their work in the class, the two groups of students reported the most significant differences in their gains in the following areas: “interacting productively to solve problems with a diverse group of classmates,” “behaving as an effective leader,” “behaving as an effective teammate,” and “comfort level working with complex ideas.” Our findings clearly show that cooperative learning course designs allow students to practice and develop the transferable skills valued by employers.

University of the Third Age – a Place of Social Participationand Active Aging

The importance of universities of the third age in the lives of older people is determined by the fields of interest and activities they are offered there. U3As constitute essential and valuable areas of activation and socio-cultural animation of the elderly. The variety of activities realized by U3As, among others from the area of education, culture, and health prevention, perfectly underlines the fact that they are institutions, which include in the scope of their activities not only education, but also social support, social participation and socio-cultural animation.

Book Review: Keys to Educational Success: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities

Keys to Educational Success: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities, by Sharon Z. Sacks and Mary C. Zatta, Editors. New York: AFB Press, 2016,604 pp. Paperback, $64.95; e-book (ePub or Kindle), $45.95; online, $38.95. Keys to Educational Success: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities, edited by Sharon Z. Sacks and Mary C. Zatta, is a comprehensive reference for teachers of visually impaired students, special education teachers, related service professionals, administrators, and parents who want to provide appropriate educational programs for children with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. Practical information for instructing students with multiple disabilities including visual impairment is limited in the general special education literature, and this book provides, in one volume, many resources regarding the practical aspects of teaching students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. The book demonstrates that with current best practices and strategies to develop an appropriate educational program, a student with multiple disabilities will be successful. Individualized strategies for a range of impairments The book is divided into five sections that provide readers background information on students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities, assessment, instructional planning, essential areas of instruction, and preparing for life before and after school. The students profiled in the book have mild to severe disabilities in addition to blindness or low vision. This range of impairments in the featured students allows readers to understand the learning needs of a variety of children. Each chapter starts by presenting a student's profile and his or her educational needs. This arrangement helps readers apply the strategies for instruction to their own students. In many of the sidebar references, the reader is guided step-by-step on how to develop and implement each instructional strategy. Throughout the book's chapters, ready-to-use checklists and forms are included that are designed to be used in assessment, data collection, and curriculum development. The forms and checklists are particularly helpful for new teachers and teachers who may be unfamiliar with the needs of students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. Readers would benefit, however, from being able to access and download the checklists and forms electronically through a website. …

The Strives, Struggles, and Successes of Women Diagnosed With ADHD as Adults

The objective of the study was to aid an understanding of women’s experiences of living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with special consideration of the role of stigma and gender-specific issues. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with five women aged 32 to 50 years, all diagnosed with ADHD as adults. The interviews were analyzed in accordance with thematic analysis. The data analyses were centered around five core themes: (a) from unidentified childhood ADHD to adult diagnosis, (b) present main symptoms and challenges, (c) conflict between ADHD symptoms and gender norms and expectations, (d) stigma of ADHD: “People think it’s a fake disease,” and (e) managing ADHD symptoms and identifying strengths. Despite their difficulties, all participants are highly educated and employed, and differ from common portrayals of individuals with ADHD as observably hyperactive, disruptive, or globally impaired. The participants are reluctant about disclosure of their diagnosis, due to fear of negative judgment and lack of understanding from others. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing and targeting ADHD as a serious disorder that yields continuing, and even increasing, impairment in multiple areas into adulthood. Gender-specific issues of ADHD need to be examined further, particularly challenges associated with motherhood. Stigma and the conflict between ADHD symptoms and gender norms complicate women’s experiences of living with ADHD, and should be essential areas of focus in research, educational settings, and the media.

Le Conte, un Outil au Service de l’Enseignement/Apprentissage du Français Langue Étrangère

The Storytelling as a Tool for Teaching/Learning French as a Foreign Language
 The tale in classroom can propose different avenues of pedagogical exploitation, namely, activities reinforcing the mastery of the French language such as grammar, syntax, etc. It is for many teachers of French as a foreign language, an essentially written medium that offers the possibility of developing a competence in writing among learners. As a real teaching tool, the tale provides teachers and learners with a wide range of educational opportunities. This paper reveals that storytelling is a very relevant teaching aid for primary school learners and in particular in foreign language classes, such as French. The tale is really useful as a didactic tool, it allows to get closer in a very simple and easy way to aquire expressions, structures and notions to speak, tell and communicate. In short, storytelling is a matter of awakening. It gives the learner additional means to overcome his difficulties and shortcomings in the essential areas of listening, reading and writing. Storytelling helps develop various skills among primary school learners. It improves imagination, memory, self-confidence, while enriching vocabulary, expressiveness by promoting speaking.

Location study of the essential language functional areas and participating language functional areas

Objectives To investigate the effects of the navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging in the cortical localization of Chinese language function and to describe the distributions of the essential language functional areas and participating language functional areas at group level and individual level. Methods Twenty healthy volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging of brain function by selecting the covert pictures to name task. All participating language functional areas were identified after obtaining the brain activation maps. The picture naming tasks were selected. Under the navigation of the neuronavigation system, the synchronous repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was conducted. The essential language functional areas of the participants were identified, and the characteristics of the essential language functional areas and participating language functional areas were analyzed on the group level and individual level. Results At the individual level, there was greater difference in the distribution of Chinese language functional areas; at the group level, the range of activation was wider in the participating language functional areas than the essential language functional areas, but the overall distribution trend of the language functional areas was united, including the ventral precentral gyrus of the left dominant hemisphere, classic Broca’s area, and pars opercularis of the right non-dominant hemisphere. Conclusions The combined application of transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging is able to locate the essential language functional areas and participating language functional areas, it can either analyze the language function distribution trend at the group level or precisely plan the language functional areas at the individual level. It contributes to guide surgical treatment of language functional areas. Key words: Brain mapping; Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Neuronavigation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Language area

THE ROLE OF MILITARY LEADERSHIP IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION (STRATCOM)

The aim of the paper is to present the role of military leadership in Strategic Communication (StratCom). The contents of the paper include the major shift in understanding military operations and their environment, the main idea of StratCom and its evolution, and the essential StratCom functional areas. Having the background established, the paper discusses the principle of the key leaders’ involvement (engagement). The principle is a fundamental prerequisite for effective StratCom, which proves the importance of military leadership in this field. The paper also includes the practical and theoretical implications referring to the assumptions of the positive management concept.

Political Participation of Rural Women in Decision-Making at the Local Government Level in Zimbabwe

The participation of women in local governance can be enhanced in all three essential areas: as voters, policy-makers and as members of decision-making bodies. There is need for policies that involve empowering local authorities and communities to develop strategies that combine the empowerment of communities and rural women. In order to be able to identify the needs of the community and to best promote social and economic development, local authorities need the input of their constituents to be able to best identify those areas that need addressing. Local authorities must encourage the involvement of the community and community organisations in local governance. The representation and participation of women in local governance is directly linked to the advancement of women and is a basic requirement in the journey towards gender equality. To ensure that the decisions that affect women’s lives are taken seriously, women should not be passive bystanders in their own development but should be proactively involved to ensure that the socio-economic patterns that marginalise and keep them dependent are changed.

Quality in provision of maternity services: the missing link in health-care investments in LMICs?

Overall this important area of quality of care will clearly require more research to be fully understood. Better quality monitoring tools also need to be developed with a focus on labour and labour outcome prediction. Meanwhile to complement Kruk and colleagues’ research efforts smaller facilities need to be better equipped with both the requisite and trained human resources for health care as well as with other inputs that are essential to quality provision of EmONC services. (Excerpt) Copyright © The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open Access.