University Level Research Articles

Male Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Their Clinical Practice in Maternity Hospital at Sulaymaniyah Polytechnic University and University of Sulaymaniyah Colleges of Nursing

Background: The field of nursing remains dominated by women in many countries. Males joining the nursing and midwifery fields are becoming more numerous, and with that comes more problems during training. It is crucial to comprehend the experiences and difficulties faced by male nursing students during their nursing education, as these obstacles differ depending on the culture. Aims: The objectives of the study are to explore the perceptions of male nursing students at Sulaimani Polytechnic University and University of Sulaimani Colleges of Nursing about their clinical maternity hospital. Materials and Methods: A quantitative-descriptive design has been carried out in Sulaimani city. A non-probability, convenience sample size of (100) students was included in this study over a period of 1 month. Through an extensive review of relevant literature, a questionnaire was designed for data collection. Results: The results confirmed that male nursing students generally feel more comfortable performing procedures that do not involve exposure to private parts compared to those that do involve such exposure. The association between age groups, marital status, Residency College, and comfort level is not significant (P > 0.05). While, the P = 0.045, indicating that the association between class and comfort level is significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study indicated that while the participants regarded the maternity clinical practice to be difficult, they did not show any interest in doing the maternity course. It was believed that male nursing students’ experiences with maternity clinical practice would be enhanced by acceptance and more specialized training in the clinical setting.

Socio-Economic Status of Muslim Girl Students at College Level: A Study on Rural Murshidabad, West Bengal

Socio-Economic Status of Muslim Girl Students at College Level: A Study on Rural Murshidabad, West Bengal

Effectiveness of Forehand Near Net Short Ball Tactics in Table Tennis and The Performance of College Level Athletes in Hunan, China

This research the effectiveness of forehand short ball tactics near the net on the performance of Hunan college table tennis players and its relationship with coach evaluation. By analyzing background factors such as age, gender, and coaching years of coaches, their evaluation of athletes' frequency of tactical use, anticipatory reactions, ball control, and decision-making adaptations was explored. The study found that coaches generally believed that the tactic had a limited effect on improving core skills, and that gender had a significant impact in evaluating the effectiveness of tactics and athlete performance. Based on the research results, suggestions for improving tactical training for table tennis players are put forward in order to improve the actual application effect of tactics.

Menstrual Cycle Management and Period Tracker App Use in Millennial and Generation Z Individuals: Mixed Methods Study.

Menstruation is a physical symptom that occurs in women of reproductive age. It has a significant impact on the daily life and health of women when their academic and social activities are most active. Since many women experience difficulties in daily life because of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea, it is important to identify, prepare for, and manage the menstrual cycle in advance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between menstruation-related experiences and the use of mobile-based period tracker apps by millennial and generation Z (gen Z) individuals. The objectives of this study are to investigate (1) menstrual cycle management, (2) factors affecting app usage (3) factors affecting cycle management, and (4) motivators and barriers to using period tracker apps, in millennial and gen Z women. A mixed methods design was used for this study. The participants were young women aged 20-39 years and recruited via the Ovey application. Data were collected through surveys and focus group interviews. The survey was conducted among 700 women, and 8 of them participated in the focus group interviews. In total, 431 (62.3%) participants used period tracker apps primarily to predict their next menstrual cycle. Factors affecting app usage included childbirth experience (odds ratio [OR] 0.475, P<.05), number of dysmenorrhea symptoms (OR 1.136, P<.05), and cycle management level (OR 2.279, P<.001). Additionally, education level (OR 1.122, P<.05 [university level compared high school level]) and the number of dysmenorrhea symptoms (OR 1.024, P<.05) showed a positive association with the cycle management level. However, childbirth experience (OR 0.902, P<.05) and period irregularity (OR 0.929, P<.001) were negatively associated with the cycle management level. Period tracker apps are becoming the new normal among millennials and gen Z individuals for managing their menstrual cycles. The use of a period tracker app empowers women by helping them gain a better understanding of their bodies, ultimately enhancing their social, academic, and health-related lives. Improving the accuracy and literacy of the app is an ongoing task for period-tracking apps, and it is important to provide added value tailored to users' needs. Therefore, the findings of this study should be considered when designing or upgrading period tracker apps to facilitate the adoption of digital technology among young women, thereby promoting their overall well-being and reproductive health.

A teaching module in research integrity and ethics for university students based on the IUPAC living-code approach

Abstract Through history, the relationship between science and society has changed, and today, science is almost totally integrated and an essential pillar in society. This development has changed the framework for scientific research and made it much more important to consider ethical issues related to both generation of knowledge and use of chemicals. However, such issues have barely been touched in traditional chemistry programs at university level until a few years ago, and there is therefore a need to introduce courses in these topics for university students. In this paper, the background for this need is outlined, and then a teaching module following the IUPAC layered approach is described. The module is based on a selection of key documents, dealing with research integrity and ethics, which are presented and discussed in lectures, workshops, and breakout groups. At the end, the course material is used by each student to write a code of conduct based on his or her working environment.

Active learning strategies in entrepreneurship. Perceptions and experiences of students at a Mexican University

The intention of the educational research was to explore the expressions of students after experiencing various active learning strategies to enhance entrepreneurship. In 2023, an educational research project was conducted at a public Mexican university with three groups and two teachers. At the beginning of the course, the students' initial perceptions of the strategies were obtained. Subsequently, during the teaching-learning period, these strategies were guided by the teaching team. At the end of the course, the same students were asked to narrate their experiences with these strategies, and a thematic content analysis of the written narratives was conducted. The results indicate that the students' expressions were mostly positive and encouraging, especially in the early stages, though they declined slightly by the end, with nearly nine out of ten students expressing the intention to start a business someday. Learning through projects, conducting laboratory practices, receiving feedback-mentorship and counseling, attending conferences and visiting companies, and presenting business plans were the strategies perceived as most successful. Meanwhile, collaborating among peers and with teachers from various disciplines was less well received, yet still above 80% in the final evaluation. The students expressed the need for teacher support and solid institutional organization. The findings suggest improvements for teaching entrepreneurship at the university level through active learning, highlighting the challenges of entrepreneurial education.

On experiencing learning in an (un)known space … Review of a book by Lidia Bielinis „Uczenie się w przestrzeniach cyfrowych Uniwersytetu”.

A book „Uczenie się w przestrzeniach cyfrowych uniwersytetu. Studium teoretyczno-empiryczne” by Lidia Bielinis deserves recommendation for at least two reasons. Firstly, it constitutes a rich collection of content on technological enhancement of the process of learning in educational models addressing the challenges of contemporary world dominated by digital and social media. Secondly, it is a source of valuable reflections and observations from an innovative research project completed during academic classes and devoted to students’ experience of learning using modern technologies. The contents and message of the book is an invitation to a discussion and reflection on methods of teaching which today can be provided with the use of digital space, not only on university level.

Future of Universities in the Face of Technological and Educational Challenges

In recent years, the situation of education has changed drastically and especially at the higher and university level. This factor is a consequence of technological development, the needs of the new generations and business demands. Thus, the research question that guides this study arises: How can universities adapt to provide an education that responds to these requirements? To this end, an exploratory documentary research is developed on the future of universities, and quantitative instruments are applied to know the perception of the future of universities by both teachers and students who belong to prominent universities in Ecuador. The results reflect that, in the coming decades, universities will be transformed, driven by advanced technologies, the demand for personalized and flexible education, and a greater link with the labor market and sustainability. This evolution will not only improve the quality and accessibility of higher education, but will also prepare students to meet the challenges of the future.

Teaching Listening Skills to EFL Students Using AI-Driven Technology-Based Media

The aim of this paper is to find how much AI can be useful or as an aid in developing listening skill. A review has been made to past studies as well as the recent developments and innovations made by linguists and teaching community, yielding relevant observations. The present writing is an attempt at exhibiting how much the latest technology is effective which has been tailor-made to suit determined purpose directed at developing the listening skills of EFL learners. It is well established being significant and continues to gain importance in serving needs of education, sparking interest among students and teachers, the latter for innovating delivery of lessons. Teaching EFL college level students uses English as the medium of instruction for language teaching subjects. It is, however, noticed that difficulties crop up at school, where the students use native language for learning syllabi-related subjects, and where it is noticed that there is low comprehension capacity in the learners that needs to be pushed up to learn second language with success. The present research effort has brought to light the difficulties experienced by students in English learning as they struggle to reach a reasonable level of learning with success. This is despite there being other materials to use where old/traditional system is otherwise thought adequate. Modern approaches were brought into use by which AI-powered tools have removed difficulties they used to experience learning the traditional way resorting to written prescribed books; they experienced that books were monotonous and boring. The researchers made quite a few studies in different educational institutions and recognized the ability of AI aided media to make listening skill learning and teaching of English interesting and easy. AI has enabled educators to develop material and make it user-friendly and student-oriented for facilitating language learning easy. Language Listening builds enhanced capacity enabling EFL students to hear sounds of words of English using AI-aided tools. The present paper has discovered the utility of modern virtual tools as significant in facilitating learners’ success in developed listening skill. Tools which are created using AI have proved very help as they extend tremendous help in increasing and developing practical listening skills of not only the teachers but also, and primarily, the EFL students.

Impact of Aerobic Training on Motor Ability in College Level Athletes

Impact of Aerobic Training on Motor Ability in College Level Athletes

Simulated Annealing Algorithm Use for Assessing Administrative Level in Colleges and Institutions

Higher education administration is crucial for future development but less evaluated. Faculty performance in colleges and universities plays a key role in administration. This paper is based on simulated annealing algorithm to optimize the administrative level of colleges and universities. The results show large differences between different groups, especially in the east, middle and west. Reforming the performance structure can reduce the differences. Regional differences are small and related to the economy, which need to be optimized. There are large differences between different disciplines, and improving the performance of science and engineering teachers needs administrators' attention. The simulated annealing algorithm improves the evaluation accuracy and provides a reference for improving the management level of universities.

Does major make a difference? Mental health literacy and its relation to college major in a diverse sample of undergraduate students

Examining a large number of specific college majors and their association with mental health literacy (MHL) is an important step towards identifying at-risk groups at the college level. Though prior research has investigated MHL across student demographics such as gender, age, ethnicity, and level of education, the present study was the first to compare the MHL of undergraduate students across 19 different college majors. A total of 617 demographically and ethnically diverse undergraduate students (62.1% female; 69.3% non-white; mean age = 22.2 years; mean year in college = 2.8) reported their demographics, college experience, and college major, and completed an MHL measure that assessed knowledge of more than 20 psychological disorders and the application of that knowledge to real life scenarios. After controlling for gender, data were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc comparisons to determine if differences in mental health literacy level were related to specific college majors. Results revealed that mental health literacy significantly differed across majors, F(18, 598) = 5.09, p < .001. Specifically, students majoring in accounting, nursing, business, biology, and those in a multidisciplinary category had significantly lower mental health literacy scores compared to the highest scoring major, psychology. We present empirical data about variations in mental health literacy across many different majors in higher education. Our findings provide a rationale for interventions for academic majors with lower MHL, as well as a rationale for training of college faculty and staff, for the purpose of improving psychological well-being in at-risk college students.

B-125 Laboratory Profiles for Diagnostic Workup of Acute Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department: A Comparative Study of University and Non-University Acute Care Hospitals in Germany and Switzerland

Abstract Background Laboratory medicine plays a fundamental role in patient care, especially in emergency departments where rapid diagnosis is critical to the efficient management of high patient volumes. With the aim of simplifying and standardizing laboratory requests, laboratory profiles have widely been established. This study uses the laboratory profile for “acute abdominal pain” as an example to illustrate the extent to which the laboratory profiles used in hospitals differ from each other and whether they are in line with current scientific recommendations. Methods Hospital data and laboratory profiles for “acute abdominal pain” from 18 hospitals, 9 from Germany and 9 from Switzerland, were analyzed and compared. The hospitals were distinguished by bed size, inpatient and outpatient case numbers, country affiliation and university level. In addition, an 'evidence-based laboratory profile' for acute abdominal pain was created based on current guidelines for the five most important causes of acute abdominal pain and compared with hospital laboratory profiles. Results German hospitals include significantly more laboratory parameters into acute abdominal pain profiles than Swiss hospitals (p = 0,0052). No significant differences in the number of laboratory parameters were found between university and non-university hospitals (p = 0,0507). There is a significant positive correlation between the hospital bed size and the number of laboratory parameters in the profiles (r = 0,5521). The number of inpatient cases in a hospital are also positively correlated with the number of laboratory parameters in the profiles (r = 0,4751). The number of outpatient cases ist not associated with the number of laboratory in the profiles parameters (r = 0,0599). The evidence-based laboratory profile for acute abdominal pain includes 21 laboratory parameters, but only two of them are collected by all investigated hospitals (bilirubin and ALAT).There were no significant differences in the fulfillment of the evidence-based laboratory profile between Germany and Switzerland, or between university or non-university status. Conclusions The study shows that there are quantitative and qualitative differences between the laboratory profiles for investigation of acute abdominal pain within the participating hospitals. In Germany and Switzerland there is no consensus on which analyses to include into a profile investigating acute abdominal pain. For increasing efficiency and accuracy of laboratory testing in in the diagnostic workup of acute abdominal pain it seems advisable to obtain consensus on what to reasonably include into a profile on a national or international level.

The Impact of AI on Enhancing Students’ Intercultural Communication Competence at the University Level: A Review Study

This systematic review explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in enhancing intercultural communication competence (ICC) at the university level. As AI increasingly integrates into educational settings, its potential to revolutionize student learning and cultural interactions is profound. The review synthesizes findings from 11 empirical studies conducted globally, assessing the impact of AI-driven tools, such as chatbots and virtual reality simulations, on students' ability to handle cultural differences. While AI offers significant benefits in personalizing learning and fostering immersive cultural experiences, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring cultural sensitivity and addressing inequalities in technology access. The review stresses the need for careful integration of AI in education, cautioning the audience about potential pitfalls and emphasizing the importance of human oversight to reduce biases and enhance cultural understanding. The pedagogical implications stress the importance of blending AI with traditional teaching methods to create inclusive learning environments that prepare students for globalized society's demands. The review also identifies areas for future research, including the long-term impact of AI on ICC and the ethical considerations surrounding AI use in education. In the end, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on AI's role in shaping the future of intercultural education.

A Personalized Teaching System for College English Based on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence

In the ultra-modern digital age, the schooling sector is experiencing a transformative shift driven by the convergence of massive records and artificial Intelligence (AI). This paper offers a singular initiative—a ”personalised teaching machine for university English” that harnesses the electricity of these technologies to revolutionise how English language practice is delivered at the college level. The system is designed to address the various ways of gaining knowledge of the desires of students and adapting dynamically to their talent degrees, styles, and possibilities. The centre of this device lies in its capability to collect, technique, and analyse extensive amounts of records associated with students’ language acquisition journey. By leveraging massive statistics techniques, the machine captures and interprets college students’ interactions with direct materials, assignments, exams, and peer interactions. Concurrently, the latest AI algorithms, which include herbal Language Processing (NLP) and gadget learning (ML), are employed to create a responsive and smart learning environment. The system tailors mastering pathways for personal college students, ensuring they get hold of content material and sporting events aligned with their cutting-edge scalability stages. Ordinary formative checks are performed to gauge college students’ progress, taking into consideration timely interventions and changes in teaching techniques. This progressive customised coaching device for university English now not only enhances language proficiency but additionally promotes self-directed getting-to-know and empowers educators with information-pushed insights. The amalgamation of large facts and AI promises to reshape English language education’s panorama, paving the way for an extra personalised, green, and effective pedagogical method in university settings. In conclusion, this study illuminates the transformative ability of harnessing massive records and AI in schooling, with precise relevance to language instruction. The machine is a pioneering model for personalised, adaptive, and information-centric teaching methodologies in higher training.

The Implementation of Case Based Learning in Physics Learning at The Collage: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract Physics learning at the college level using the Case-Based Learning approach offers an interactive method through the analysis of real cases or situations relevant by integrating theory with practical applications and enhancing a deep understanding of concepts. The objective of this research is to analyze literature studies on Case-Based Learning in physics education at the university level. This study employs the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method. Data collection was carried out by documenting and reviewing related articles published between 2014-2024. Based on the search results, a total of 80 relevant articles were obtained, which were then filtered based on inclusion criteria to yield 10 articles used as primary studies. Each article was coded, and then analyzed based on the skills developed from the research findings. The results of the systematic literature review indicate that Case-Based Learning in physics education effectively enhances students’ analytical and problem-solving skills. This approach facilitates the integration of theory and practical applications through real-life case studies, enabling students to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills.

A Gamified Learning Environment (Moodle) to Enhance English Language Learning at University Level

This paper explores the use of gamification in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) within Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The aim is to investigate the effects of a gamified learning environment, specifically Moodle, on psychobehavioural factors and English learning achievement, and to discuss the affordances of gamification based on empirical findings, contributed both by the present study and previous research. For this purpose, a case study was conducted at the University of Andorra, where a treatment group completed a gamified English course on Moodle, and a control group did the same tasks without gamification. A mixed methodology was used to measure both affective and cognitive variables as well as students’ perceptions on their gamified learning experience. The results show that the treatment group outperformed the control group in Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) and in Academic Motivation (AM). As for the effects on speaking fluency, they are inconclusive, which is consistent with previous literature. Consequently, the authors advocate for further research to explore the effects of gamification on actual learning in different learning disciplines, beyond students’ mere perceptions.

Personal Information of Medical Learners in Canada: A Review of Policies and Expectations

ABSTRACTThis paper explores whether the Canadian medical universities' policies on personal information to protect and provide access meet the expectations of their learners. An overview of the current legislation is presented in the order of federal, provincial/territorial, and university level. This is followed by a process of reviewing a paper published by the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and conducting thematic analysis on pertinent court judgements to understand Canadian medical learners' expectations of personal information handling practices. Through this process, we develop a list of nominal variables that represents learner expectations. For analysis, we conduct descriptive research to review medical universities' policies and utilize a matrix to cross‐check the policies against the list of variables. The resulting matrix presents a visualization that highlights areas where the policies and medical learners' expectations converge and diverge. Our findings indicate that most universities acknowledge the importance of responsibly handling personal information but did not touch on certain variables, such as oversight of third‐party data stewards and information transfer processes within the medical education community. Insights from our findings may contribute to the development of policies and participation from professional regulatory authorities.

Critical Threshold of Average Weekly Weight Gain in Overweight Pregnant Women During the Second and Third Trimesters: A Strategy to Prevent Macrosomia.

The study aimed to obtain more evidence on the association of gestational weight gain and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) with macrosomia. The data on 5409 live births delivered at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2020 to June 2022 were collected. Group analyses were performed according to the presence or absence of macrosomia. Multivariable binary logistic regression and incidence heatmaps was used to analyze the related factors of macrosomia. The following variables were significantly associated with macrosomia: overweight (odds ratio [OR]: 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-3.10), obesity (OR: 4.56, 95% CI: 2.93-6.98), excessive gestational weight gain (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.67-3.43), gestational age at delivery at 39-41weeks (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 2.56-5.95), gestational age at delivery over 41weeks (OR: 7.88, 95% CI: 4.37-14.19), education level of junior college or below (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.19-3.09), and multipara (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.09-2.42). "v" represents the mean weekly weight gain during the second and third trimesters. A higher v value increased the risk of macrosomia by 2.6-fold (95% CI: 1.37-4.89, P = 0.003). Compared to normal weight women, after adjustment for different pre-pregnancy BMI subgroups, overweight pregnant women had higher weekly weight gain in the second and third trimesters (OR: 4.57, 95% CI: 2.27-9.10, P < 0.001). Obese pregnant women had higher average weekly weight gain during the second and third trimesters, and the OR value for macrosomia was 11.33 (95% CI: 4.95-25.18, P < 0.001). To reduce the incidence of macrosomia in overweight pregnant women, v = 0.32 could be considered the critical threshold of average weekly weight gain in these women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy are closely related to macrosomia. The introduction of average weekly weight gain values in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy probably help pregnant women minimizing adverse pregnancy-related outcomes.

Targeted feedback for Indonesian-speaking classrooms in higher education context: A perspective from educators’ lens

In today's interconnected world, excellent communication is essential to develop relationships and cooperate with people from various cultural backgrounds. Therefore, individuals with strong speaking abilities can explain their views clearly, negotiate successfully, and develop rapport across borders. However, many students are still facing difficulties and anxiety in producing spoken context in English classrooms. In terms of speaking skills in the EFL context, targeted feedback is a sort of instruction that is particular and focused, given to an individual based on their performance, activities, or habits. In educational settings, it is intended to specifically address specific parts of an individual's work or skill development in a precise manner. This qualitative study that involved 10 lecturers at college levels aimed to reveal their perspectives on the targeted feedback for speaking proficiency. The multiple-case study was applied here to identify and analyze the issue in speaking classrooms. Focus Group Discussion was conducted as a research instrument and analyzed using verbatim techniques. Findings revealed teachers are still facing challenges, yet they are exploring good chances to nurture students’ speaking skills at the same time. Additionally, the perspectives also figured out the principles of targeted feedback practised by the lecturers in speaking classes.