University Professors Research Articles

25 years into research with the Méhes Scale, a comprehensive scale of modern dysmorphology

It has been recognized that subtle, cosmetically insignificant anomalies tend to occur cumulatively in diseases with neurodevelopmental origin. These visible signs of morphogenesis errors are called minor physical anomalies (MPAs), serving as sensitive external markers of abnormal neurodevelopment. After the introduction of the Waldrop Scale, the studies conducted on MPAs in diseases with neurodevelopmental origin gave conflicting results. It has been debated that this discrepancy can be – at least partly – attributed to the use of the Waldrop Scale. Understanding the need of a comprehensive scale of MPAs that also differentiates according to the time of development, Hungarian pediatrician professor of University of Pécs, Károly Méhes developed a scale with 57 items, the only scale differentiating minor malformations from phenogenetic variants. With the use of the Méhes Scale, our research group has been investigating the role of abnormal neurodevelopment in different neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders since 1997. 25 years into our research, in this review we summarize the results of our 18 research articles on MPAs in different diseases. We have found an increased number of MPAs, especially in the head and mouth region, in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome, autism and many epilepsy syndromes, fortifying the role of abnormal neurodevelopment in these diseases. Moreover, an increased number of MPAs was detected among the first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, supporting the hypothesis about MPAs being endophenotypic trait markers.

Identifying and Prioritizing the Educational Needs Professors of Medical Sciences in the Field of E-Learning with the Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach

Background: Professors in universities and educational institutions hold a crucial role in crafting educational approaches utilizing cutting-edge technologies. They need to possess significant expertise in e-learning and tackle the obstacles associated with delivering education and utilizing Information and communication technologies within higher education. To effectively navigate these challenges and adaptations, professors need to equip themselves with new educational techniques through training and readiness to adeptly incorporate emerging technologies into their teaching practices, thus enhancing the educational journey for students. By identifying, understanding, and ranking professors' requirements and preferences, effective and diverse educational initiatives can be tailored to meet their needs. Objectives: This research aimed to recognize the educational needs of medical science professors in the field of e-learning from the experts' point of view and prioritize these needs utilizing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Methods: This practical study was conducted in 2022 using a process-oriented approach and AHP. The main stages included the creation of a hierarchical structure, comparative judgment, and determining priorities. In the first step, 13 criteria were identified, which were derived from scientific articles and previous research. In the second step, the pairwise comparison matrix was used for comparative judgment, and the weight of each criterion was calculated. The third step involved determining priorities based on the weight of each criterion and the inconsistency ratio. The participants of this study included professors of basic and clinical sciences from different faculties. Results: The results of this study demonstrated that from the point of view of experts and participants, among the 13 criteria, the skills of virtual teaching (with weights of 0.146 and 0.148), electronic content production (with weights of 0.093 and 0.092), and holding online training courses (with the weights of 0.092 and 0.100) formed the three main needs of medical science professors in the field of e-learning and had the highest degree of importance and necessity compared to other criteria. Conclusions: Identifying the educational needs of medical science professors for organizing and designing necessary programs to enhance knowledge, skills, and empowerment will lead to improving the quality of e-learning, and eventually, reducing professors’ concerns in this area.

The Necessity and Importance of Research and its Role in Afghan Society

This research examines the necessity and importance of scientific research in Afghan society and its role in the economic, social, and cultural development of the country. Given the numerous challenges faced by Afghanistan, including war, poverty, and political instability, research is recognized as a vital tool for identifying and analyzing problems and providing data-driven and evidence-based solutions. The research employs a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with researchers, university professors, and policymakers. Findings indicate that scientific research can contribute to economic development by enhancing educational quality, improving infrastructure, and increasing innovation. Additionally, the results suggest that institutional, cultural, and financial resource barriers are among the main challenges to advancing research in Afghanistan. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the need for investment in research and the creation of suitable infrastructures to achieve sustainable development and improve the quality of life in Afghanistan.

Influential academic factors in the integration of ICT in higher education after the COVID-19 pandemic

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the need to move educational processes to virtual environments and increase the use of digital tools for different teaching uses. This led to a change in the habits of using information and communication technologies (ICT), especially in higher education. This work analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of use of different ICT tools in a sample of 950 Latin American university professors while focusing on the area of knowledge of the participating professors. To this end, a validated questionnaire has been used, the responses of which have been statistically analyzed. As a result, it has been proven that participants give high ratings to ICT but show insufficient digital competences for its use. The use of ICT tools has increased in all areas after the pandemic but in a diverse way. Differences have been identified in the areas of knowledge regarding the use of ICT for different uses before the pandemic. In this sense, the results suggest that Humanities professors are the ones who least use ICT for didactic purposes. On the other hand, after the pandemic, the use of ICT for communication purposes has been homogenized among the different knowledge areas.

Addressing Opportunity Gaps in Higher Education in Prison Programs

ABSTRACT In this article, we draw from our collaboration across a diverse cadre of colleagues who have focused on different aspects of teaching, higher education, and carcerality. In particular, our research team, known as STEM-OPS (STEM Opportunities in Prison Settings), studied higher education in prison with a specific focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and incarceration. We present interrelated findings from interviews across four people who are formerly incarcerated. Most Higher Education in Prison (HEP) programs are taught by university professors who are experts in content areas (such as science, chemistry, and math) and not pedagogy. As such, we believe teacher educators have an opportunity and an obligation to build professional learning opportunities related to pedagogy to support these instructors’ practices.

Impact of increased screen-time on ocular health of professional college students during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

Background: Digital Eye Strain (DES) or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a group of eye and vision related problems that result from prolonged use of digital devices. The usage of digital devices has gone up across the globe, since the declaration of the lockdown due to COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of digital eye strain (DES) due to increased screen time and to determine the factors associated with it, among undergraduate medical students during COVID-19. Methods: The study analyzed over 280 responses from undergraduate medical students having exposure to digital devices daily for a period more than 6 months during COVID 19 pandemic. A pre-validated questionnaire Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) which contains 16 symptoms associated with Digital Eye Strain (DES) was used to calculate the DES score. The frequency and intensity of these symptoms adds up to give a total score. A score ≥6 indicated the presence of DES. Data analysis was done using MS Excel and SPSS software. Results: Digital eye strain was found to be prevalent among 61% of the total respondents. It was seen that daily digital device usage increased to above 5 hours after commencement of pandemic (p=0·001). Headache was the most common symptom (83.92). DES has a female gender predominance (p=0.024). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of digital eye strain among undergraduate medical students during pandemic. Awareness should be created among students about impact of DES on ocular health. Measures to reduce DES are recommended.

Culture on organ and tissue donation in the community of Medical School, Veracruz Region

Abstract Introduction Organ donation is a life-saving activity, yet there is a disparity between the high number of recipients and the minimal number of donors. Objetives To determine the level of organ and tissue donation culture for transplant purposes among faculty members and undergraduate medical interns at a Medical School Methods A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted from January 2023 to 2024, including faculty members and undergraduate medical interns from the Medical School at the University of Veracruz - Veracruz Region. The main study variable was the culture of organ and tissue donation for transplant purposes, quantified through three dimensions: knowledge, attitude, and training, assessed using a validated instrument (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.6). The entire described population was included, and they were approached in different areas to invite them to participate in this research. Results 225 subjects (55 faculty members) agreed to participate. 97% of participants expressed support for organ donation. Among those not in favor of donation, 33% feared receiving poor medical care as donors, and 17% viewed donation as a business. Organ donation culture was deemed sufficient in 10.98% and outstanding in 71.76% of participants. The most common level of knowledge was outstanding (52%), 70% of the studied population showed a ‘very positive’ attitude towards organ and tissue donation. Training history was evaluated as an associated factor with knowledge about organ donation (OR/CI95%), identifying an association between lack of training and levels of sufficient knowledge (2.5/1.2-4.9) and outstanding knowledge (0.3/0.1-0.7), as well as with sufficient culture (9.6/1.2-73.0) and outstanding culture (0.1/0.04-0.4) (p < 0.05) Conclusions It is imperative to strengthen training programs for faculty and undergraduate personnel, as quality training enhances knowledge and culture within this essential area of healthcare personnel formation. Key messages • University professors should have accurate information on organ donation and sensitize future physicians on the subject, as this could be a crucial step for future interactions in favor of donation. • It is necessary to eradicate misinformation about organ donation in teachers and students of medical schools, since they are the basis for education and awareness on this issue in the population.

Accompanying popular organizations through grassroots planning in Argentina: A conversation with El Taller Libre de Proyecto Social (TLPS)

In this conversation, Beatriz Pedro, a professor of El Taller Libre de Proyecto Social (TLPS) shares her insights on grassroots planning accompanying popular organizations in Argentina. Beginning with Argentina’s 2001 economic crisis, Pedro describes how university students and professors mobilized to collaborate with popular organizations to address inadequate housing and urban abandonment. This collaboration evolved into a social approach to designing habitat, integrating various disciplines and respecting community proposals. Beatriz highlights the transformation from traditional architectural practices to a more collaborative, community-focused approach. This shift, which she terms a ‘meeting of knowledges,’ led to the establishment of a Catedra Libre at the University of Buenos Aires, formalizing their grassroots methodology. This conversation addresses the importance of university autonomy, the impact of fluctuating government support, and the role of international networks in sharing knowledge and strategies.

Vilnius University professor Michał Pełka-Poliński: research of scientific work and book marks

The article examines the books of Vilnius University professor Michał Pełki-Poliński from the collection of the library of St. Volodymyr University, the collection "Library of the Volyn Lyceum", from the collection of literature in Polish of the department of library collections and historical collections of the Institute of Bibliography of the Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine. The results of the research of Ukrainian, Polish, and Lithuanian researchers, which contain materials about the scientific activity of Michał Pełka-Poliński, are analyzed and his important role in the development of mathematical science in Lithuania and Poland is emphasized, the influence of his works on the teaching of mathematics in educational institutions of Galicia and Volyn. Information about the scientist's scientific work is provided, his scientific connections with Ukraine are noted. Bibliographical information about books authored by Polinsky from the funds of the Vasyl Stefanyk National Scientific Library of Ukraine in Lviv. His printed and handwritten works are indicated, his library work, his bibliophile preferences, and collecting achievements are highlighted. Bibliographical and historical information about books from his private library is provided and infor­mation about its history is presented. Bibliographical materials on the study and attribution of book marks on the books of Michał Pełka-Poliński are represented.

Sappho Scientific Evidence Platform on Gender: Narratives of Academics and Non-Academics about a Community Science Case

Modern society's digitization has led to the creation of online science platforms. Research shows that academic-oriented platforms boost active research teams, enhance scientific collaboration, and encourage manuscript reviews. However, there is limited research on platforms for citizen participation in science. This study examines the Sappho Scientific Evidence Platform, which aims to provide a science-based participatory tool with a focus on gender-related issues. Using a qualitative communicative approach, 10 users (6 primary school teachers, 2 researchers, and 2 university professors) were interviewed about their platform usage, impacts encountered, and the dialogues between citizens and scientists. The findings reveal that both academics and non-academics can contribute to science on Sappho. Participants reported improved scientific literacy, enhanced conversations about scientific evidence, and the use of this evidence in their personal and professional lives. The platform empowers users to critically engage with gender issues. These results highlight Sappho's positive impact and its potential as a valuable tool for promoting scientific evidence among its users.

Eiji Nagasawa: The Journey of Academic Excellence and Achievement

Eiji Nagasawa is a prominent Japanese scientist in the fields of technology and engineering. He grew up in Japan in an environment that encouraged academic achievement and innovation. Since childhood, he showed remarkable excellence in scientific subjects such as mathematics and physics, which led him to enroll in a prestigious Japanese university to study electrical engineering. He continued his education, obtaining both a master's and a Ph.D., specializing in the development of electrical power systems and communication technologies. After completing his studies, Nagasawa became a university professor and conducted numerous innovative research projects that were published in prestigious scientific journals. His academic contributions have helped improve modern technology, making him an influential figure in his field.

A systematic review of international students’ experiences transitioning from non-Anglophone high schools to universities in Anglophone settings

ABSTRACT This systematic review explores the extent and nature of research on the experiences of international students transitioning from non-anglophone high schools to universities in anglophone settings and then curates and synthesises the empirical evidence on their experiences. An extensive and systematic search of the literature revealed 1247 potentially eligible papers. After screening, eleven empirical studies were deemed suitable for data extraction for narrative synthesis focusing on students’ transitional experiences. The university destinations in the included studies were the USA (n = 8), Canada (n = 2) and a variety of English-speaking university destinations (n = 1). Seven of the included studies were cross-sectional, and four studies were longitudinal. Results showed that previous studies have explored students’ decision-making processes, university and international readiness, and language and identity development. Five studies suggested the need for longitudinal perspectives to better understand student participants’ transition. Four studies proposed to incorporate the perspectives and impact of relevant stakeholders in investigating students’ transitional experiences, including students’ families, teachers, peers, and university professors. This review calls for more targeted, rigorous, and longitudinal studies to better understand and enhance international students’ experiences studying abroad.

Exploring the Link between Transformational Leadership and Teacher Innovation

Transformational leadership is a shared belief between academic leaders and their followers. Studies support the significant and progressive influence of transformational leadership behavior on academic followers, especially teachers. The close relationship between transformational leadership in the university and teachers’ organizational commitment paved the way for a proposed theoretical analytical model to understand how university leadership affected teachers’ organizational commitment. The technological demand, the innovation of teachers, and transformative leadership in the educational system are also faced in China. In the university context, Chinese university professors’ innovative work behavior is found to be directly linked to their transformational leadership and trust. For this reason, the study on transformational leadership and innovation was conducted for its influence on the university teachers’ enhancement plan in China. Through quantitative descriptive comparative design, the evaluation, experiences, and behaviors of university teachers across different areas of specialization were compared between transformational leadership and teacher innovation. This study was anchored on the elements of transformational leadership theory specifically the intellectual stimulation element of transformational leadership theory which was focused on innovation. Results revealed that teachers’ assessments regarding perceptions of transformational leadership “expects excellence” was more evident than “respect others.” While teachers’ innovative work behavior was generally average, teaching content was viewed as most favorable, and challenges/issues were the least. Since transformational leadership was positively correlated with the assessment of the innovative work behavior of teachers, recommendations were noted in designing the enhancement plan for university teachers to strengthen the link.

The level of sportsmanship of pupils of the sports profile lyceum

The article examines the level of sportsmanship of 10th-grade pupils of sport’s professional college lyceum. The aim of the study is to determine the level of sportsmanship of 10th grade students of the lyceum and to investigate its dynamics over three years. The research was conducted during 2020-2022 on the basis of the general education lyceum of the Kharkiv Professional College of Sports. The number of participants was 210 people, the average age of the representatives was 15.46 years. To analyze the level of sports skills of lyceum entrants, we analyzed the percentage ratio of their sports qualifications. The results of the study showed that the percentage of the level of sportsmanship of the entrants to the general education lyceum of the Kharkiv Professional College of Sports in 2020-2022 years has a negative dynamic of the studied indicators: a decrease in the percentage of pupils with the title Candidates for Master of Sports of Ukraine from 10.7% in 2020 to 4 .7% in 2022; decrease in the percentage of pupils with the 1st sports category from 12.3% in 2020 to 9.4% in 2022; decrease in the percentage of pupils with II sports category from 43% in 2020 to 31.2% in 2022. There is a regular positive trend in the increase in the percentage of athletes with the III sports category from 24.6% in 2020 to 45.3% in 2022. The percentage of pupils with the 1st youth sports category who entered the lyceum of a specialized sports education institution in 2020, 2021 and 2022 did not actually change. Conclusion. The analysis of the study results of the level of sports skills of 10th-grade pupils of the specialized sports profile educational lyceum the during 2020-2022 showed a gradual deterioration of the level of their sports qualifications.

Stages of teaching law students to draft international legal documents in English based on artificial intelligence tools

Importance. At the present time, the technologies of artificial intelligence are gradually finding their way into a wide variety of different fields of professional activity, including education. Over the past years, there has appeared a great corpus of research in pedagogical and methodical literature dedicated to the didactic and methodological potential of artificial intelligence. This study represents how the use of artificial intelligence technologies can diversify the learning and professional practice of learners, as well as take over some of the routine functions of a teacher. Genie AI, LegalAI, AI Legal Document Generator – these are all new artificial intelligence tools that allow international law students to draft international legal documents according to the characteristics of the legal systems of foreign authorities. At the same time, their linguodidactic potential is insufficiently revealed, which requires the development of a step-by-step methodology for teaching students to draft international legal documents in a foreign language based on these artificial intelligence tools. The aim of the research is to develop a step-by-step methodology for teaching law students to draft international legal documents based on artificial intelligence tools.Materials and Methods. The study is conducted on the basis of an expert approach. The materials are scientific articles considered with pedagogy and teaching foreign language methodology published in Higher Attestation Commission scientific journals and journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Scientific literature analysis, methods of observation, and survey of university professors who deliver profile disciplines to students of the ‘Jurisprudence’ major, are used.Results and Discussion. A step-by-step methodology of teaching law students to draft international legal documents based on Genie AI, LegalAI, AI Legal Document Generator artificial intelligence tools is developed. The methodology consists of the following series of steps: 1) students study the structure of an international legal document taking into account the specificities of the legal systems of the participating countries in a regular class as part of an integrated course;2) students study or repeat an active vocabulary and grammar that are used in the process of drafting an international legal document; 3) explanation of the goals of drafting international legal documents on the basis of Genie AI learning practice, defining it’s stages and period to the students;4) discussion about information security and author ethics and the inadmissibility of unauthorised borrowing of generative AI material; 5) extracurricular independent educational practice on drafting international legal documents by students with the artificial intelligence tool; 6) mutual evaluation and discussion in small groups of students regarding international legal documents drafted with artificial intelligence tools; 7) selective evaluation by the instructor of legal documents drafted by students on the basis of practice with the artificial intelligence tool; 8) students’ reflection on the usefulness of using the artificial intelligence tool for drafting international legal documents.Conclusion. The novelty of the research lies in the development of a step-by-step methodology for teaching law students to draft international legal documents based on Genie AI, LegalAI, AI Legal Document Generator artificial intelligence tools. Prospects for further works are studying the linguodidactic potential of other artificial intelligence tools created for lawyers, and developing methods of teaching language aspects, types of speech activity, and specialised disciplines on their basis.

The dynamics of indicators of power abilities development in 16-17-year-old boys

The purpose of the research: to reveal changes in indicators of power abilities development in 16-17-year-old boys. Material and methods of the research. The research was carried out based on “Housing and Municipal Professional College of O.M. Beketov Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy”. There were examined 26 students of the 1st and 2nd courses. The level of strength development was determined by three indicators: strength of the shoulder girdle muscles, strength of the abdominal muscles and strength of the hip flexors. The level of development of muscle strength of a shoulder girdle was investigated by means of the motor test “Flexion and extension of arms in a lying down support” (number of times); the level of development of strength of abdominal muscles was investigated by means of the test “Lifting a trunk sitting from a starting position lying on a back for 30 s” (number of times); strength of muscles-flexors of a hip joint and muscles of an abdominal press by means of the test “Holding of legs in a lying position” (s). Results of the research. The initial level of strength development was determined, changes of the obtained indicators were traced, and the analysis in the age aspect was carried out. Conclusions. Boys’ strength development was found to be below average at the beginning of the year. It was determined that the indicators of 17-year-old boys are significantly higher than those of 16-year-old boys. At the end of the year, the level of 16-year-old boys increased from below average to average, while 17-year-old boys showed no significant changes. By age, the trend of differences didn’t change significantly, with a more significant increase in results among boys aged 17.

Elements, Contexts, and Attributes of Teacher Leadership Identified by College Professors in southeastern Mexico

Teacher leadership has its beginnings in Western countries as a response to fast changes that have taken place in the social, political, and economic environments. Currently in the Latin American context it has become a focus of interest for educational researchers particularly because the incipient research on the topic in these contexts. This study focused on knowing the elements, contexts, and attributes identified by college teachers about teacher leadership southeastern Mexico. All full-time faculty from a college at a public university (50) participated in this study, 20% of whom have formal administrative functions in addition to their teaching. The main findings show that: the main elements that are related to the concept of teacher leadership are behaviors focused on interpersonal relationships and school innovation. Regarding the contexts, the development of teacher leadership is often based on institutional context and collaborative work. Regarding the attributes, special emphasis is placed on interpersonal relationships, change, and individual development and recognition. No significant differences were found in the perceptions of participants who have an administrative appointment and those who do not, regarding the contexts and attributes of teacher leadership, except for the elements of the concept of teacher leadership between men and women.

Assessing the Contribution of Mobile Management Information Systems to Work-Life Balance and Job Satisfaction Among University Teachers in China: A Focus on System Accessibility and Efficiency

Mobile management information systems, job satisfaction, and work-life balance affect Chinese university teachers, examined in the study. The quantitative study surveyed 516 university teachers on a 5-point Likert scale. The research included instructors with diverse mobile management information systems backgrounds due to this systematic approach. Work-life balance, system accessibility, and teaching experience increased university professors' job satisfaction and balance, the study found. Regression analyses showed that teaching experience, system accessibility, and technology proficiency significantly affect outcomes. Teaching experience and system accessibility improve university professors' job satisfaction and work-life balance. Mobile management information systems and teaching experience boost teacher job satisfaction and work-life balance. We must integrate advanced technology and make systems user-friendly and accessible to all educators, regardless of technology background. The study found that teachers need ongoing technological training to use these systems effectively, improving job satisfaction and work-life balance. Working-life balance, mobile management information system accessibility, and comprehensive teacher technological training are recommended by the study. These factors improve work-life balance and job satisfaction by integrating mobile management information systems into education. Policymakers and administrators should consider cultural and contextual factors and provide personalized support to educators. This study shows how mobile management information systems, work-life balance, and job satisfaction can help administrators, educators, and policymakers understand Chinese educators' technology use. Technology in instruction, culture and personality affect Chinese university professors' well-being.

Academic child health comes of age: lessons from the first 100 years of the first University Chair of Child Health in the UK

Academic child health comes of age: lessons from the first 100 years of the first University Chair of Child Health in the UK

Teaching Pronunciation to EFL Learners at the Tertiary Level: Perspectives of Professors at Saudi Universities

This study aimed to provide a novel, focused program for instructing English pronunciation to Saudi EFL university students, grounded upon identified mistake patterns. In addition, to execute the customized curriculum in pronunciation instruction for a group of Saudi EFL students. Furthermore, to evaluate the efficacy of the tailored curriculum by measuring enhancements in pronunciation accuracy. Additionally, to investigate the attitudes and experiences of EFL professors at various Saudi universities regarding the designated pronunciation curriculum using surveys. The researchers adopted the analytical-descriptive research method, utilizing the questionnaire as a tool for collecting data from thirty-three EFL university professors who teach English at different Saudi universities. The main findings of this study were: excessive focus on instructing individual phonemes, prioritization of suprasegmentals; overdependence on standardized evaluations. The significant levels of disagreement suggest that these techniques may not adequately meet the pronunciation requirements of Arabic EFL learners. Allocating time for pronunciation may possess some merit, while its execution necessitates additional investigation. The consensus on communicative instruction suggests potential for this methodology if effectively employed. Technological tools were regarded as beneficial instruments, consistent with studies on computer-assisted pronunciation instruction. The efficacy of customizing curriculum to address faults made by Arabic learners; Emphasis on pronunciation instruction within educational institutions. The main recommendations were adopting communicative instructional methodologies for teaching pronunciation enhances the growth of EFL learners, employing technological equipment acts as advantageous tools in enhancing pronunciation education, and additional comparison investigations and lectures must be undertaken to establish a correlation between the phonological systems of learners' native language and the target language.