Author: admin_irjstem

Knowledge and awareness on cardiovascular diseases among the Iraqi population

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Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher, Shaymaa Abdul Lateef Alfadhul, Ammar Shimal Shwekh, Firas Turki Rashed Sarray   
Wasit University, Wasit, Iraq
University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital, Wasit Health Directorate, Wasit, Iraq
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge on cardiovascular diseases among the Iraqi population. The sample was convenient and included all populations aged between 18-80 years old. Data were collected during the period from 1st to 15th of August using a structured questionnaire which was distributed to the participants via Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp. All data were entered into the computer software program SPSS version 26 for statistical analysis. Association between variables was assessed by Chi-square test and independent-sample t-test accordingly. The 974 respondents were with a mean age of 37 years. Females represented 71% of them. Around 18% had an overall poor knowledge, whereas 49% and 33 % had moderate and good knowledge respectively. More than two-thirds of respondents (69.8%) identified coronary heart disease as a type of CVDs. Chest pain or discomfort was distinguished as a symptom of heart attack by 84%. Sudden confusion or disturbed consciousness was recognized by 73% as warning symptoms of stroke, whereas severe headache of unknown cause was recognized by only 48%. Most of the participants (91.2%) knew that obesity is a risk factor for this disease, but only 55% identified diabetes as its cause. Overall knowledge related to CVDs is acceptable. Unsatisfactory awareness about types and warning symptoms of CVDs although of good awareness about risk factors. Important determinants of knowledge on CVDs are gender, educational level, residence, monthly income, body mass index, family history of CVDs, perception of lifestyle, and personal history of diabetes or hypertension. The researchers recommend further studies including different educational and socioeconomic classes.

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Assessment of suitable industrial site using GIS and remote sensing: Case study in Assosa Town, Ethiopia

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Tarekegn Reta, Mekete Deresso
Assosa University, Ethiopia
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Industrial site selection is an important point in the process of starting, expanding, or changing the location of industrial systems of all kinds. In a site selection process, the analyst strives to determine the optimum location that would satisfy the selection criteria. GIS and remote sensing technologies would provide a variety of options during the site selection process. The overall aim of the study is to identify suitable industrial site locations by using Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing based MCA-analysis. In order to conduct this study, a multi-criteria evaluation system to identify factors that influence site selection was considered. The results show the feasibility of GIS-based MCA as a useful approach for decision-makers to propose the best site selection. Furthermore, it is an effective tool for public administration to create the essential databases to perform spatial analysis. Interestingly, a suitability map is used in this study to identify the most suitable locations for the industry. This in turn investigated possible sites that were divided into four categories; unsuitable, suitable, moderately suitable, high suitability. The important factors that can affect industrial site were analyzed which includes topographic-slope, land use land cover, proximity to the main road, distance from a residential area. The findings of this study showed that land use and land cover factors were highly determined in the selection of industrial sites, and elevation and slope determine minimum compared with other factors. The majority of the study area was suitable and a small portion was less suitable.

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Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies: A closer look

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Renas Rajab Asaad
Nawroz University, Kurdistan-Region, Iraq
[email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are based on the creation of a completely new scene that cannot be touched by the bare hand but is sensually perceived through a combination of artificial
visual and sound effects. Although the overall goal of these two technologies is similar, the artificial reality that can be created via VR or AR is not the same. VR is a computer-generated simulation of an alternate world or reality, primarily used in 3D movies and video games. Virtual reality creates a simulation that aims to close off the outside world or immerse the viewers, using computers and sensory equipment such as headphones and gloves. The HTC Vive, Samsung Gear VR glasses, and Google cardboard are some of the most popular devices used in VR. Virtual reality applications are not limited to entertainment and games only, but are also used in the field of education and medicine, for example, surgeons plan and train their operations, and it has also been used in the military field to simulate some military exercises under harsh conditions.

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Laya ug Sugakod (freedom and survival) holistic coping of older people behind bars: A phenomenological study

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Marc Ryan V. Portuguez
Cebu Normal University, Philippines
[email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Most research on prison life is concentrated on younger generations yet older prisoners are increasing in number in our provincial jails. This phenomenological investigation aimed to explore the lived experiences of older inmates and how they cope with aging behind bars. A purposive sample of elder offenders who are 50 years old and above and have been incarcerated for more than two years was utilized in this study. Data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews of nine key informants were analyzed using the Colaizzi’s technique. Three major themes emerged: (1) issues surrounding self; (2) threats to physiological integrity and (3) social structures. Despite being deprived of liberty, older prisoners’ feelings towards their families remain the same. Sub themes such as the acceptance of their aging bodies, their fear of rejection, the sense of being a burden, self-pity as a consequence of envy and fear of dying in prison add to their psychological struggles. Although still yearning for freedom, being productive is perceived as a vital requirement for reentering society. Spirituality was a means to cope. Restrictions in daily activities, environmental barriers, needs for intimacy, and their predispositions to diseases were considered as threats to their physiological integrity. The dilemma of role preservation versus discontinuance, convenience versus discomfort, and the critical role of discipline reflected how the social structures within the prison system affect the lives of older inmates. The current socioeconomic patterns within the penitentiary still regarded the older “mayor” as a source of wisdom. Findings suggest that the phenomenon of aging behind bars is multidimensional with two major goals: freedom or “laya” and survival or “sugakod.” The family is the central concept in between and acts as the motivating force to attain freedom and survival. A holistic approach is recommended to improve the social conditions within the prison system.

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Brand preference on selected fast moving consumer goods in rural markets

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Ankit Sen
Tinsukia College Tinsukia, Assam, India
[email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Rural market potential has higher income and competes with their urban counterparts today who lead to higher demand The growing developments in rail and road commuting for the passengers have added mobility to rural consumers of neighboring locations of Dibrugarh as well to reside in rural/suburban areas and travel to/from workplaces. The research work has been carried out by taking samples in one of the seven villages under the Barbaruah Development Block of Dibrugarh District. This paper aims at creating awareness programs, to provide information about the brand, the range of products, prices for such products, and the utility that would be derived from the same should be organized at regular intervals in rural areas. The researchers took to the use of a schedule to collect primary data directly related to the concerned area of the study. The researchers decided to take the sample size as 102 consumers of the village. This was done by keeping the confidence level at 90%, with a margin of error of 4%. The samples have been selected based on the multistage sampling technique of probability sampling. A greater percentage of the respondents, taken into consideration for this study, are more concerned about having a means of livelihood rather than learning and education. Awareness programs, to provide information about the brand, the range of products, prices for such products, and the utility that would be derived from the same should be organized at regular intervals in rural areas.

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The impact of Jhum cultivation on hilly area (Rangamati, Khagrachari)

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A.B.M. Kamal Pasha1, Sagar Mozumder2, Kornia Chakma3
Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
In our research work, we surveyed Jhum cultivation of Langadu Upazila, Rangamati, and Babuchara, Dighinala in Khagrachari and collected data based on interviews. This survey was conducted from August 2020 to December 2020. The objectives of this survey were to understand the impact of Jhum cultivation on environmental degradation, and we also reviewed the existing crops production system in that hilly area which gave us an idea about the current situation of Jhum cultivation. Data was collected in three parts, we collected general information from Jhum landowners by a survey questionnaire, demonstrate the study area with photographs, and direct field observation was used to get the idea of the current situation. People with different age groups and different educational qualifications took part in our survey. Most of the respondents were < 50 years but very few of those respondents were uneducated and it is observed that 10 persons out of 30 were educated. From the survey, we got to know that about 67% of the framers are practicing Jhum for more than 6 years. And we found out that about 30 types of yields are filled with Jhum Chas whereas previously they used to cultivate only 15 to 20 types of yields that means the soil is being used more than the previous time. But surprisingly about 86% of our local respondents think that because of Jhum cultivation they are facing deforestation and about 60% of them think that they lose different types of bird and animal species because of Jhum cultivation, also about 40% of them think that they are facing environmental issues because of Jhum. Most importantly we found out that overall, 94% of people think that population growth is the main culprit for the overly practiced Jhum cultivation which is currently practicing on the perpetual territory. So, from this research, we can identify that the local people are aware of the adverse effect of Jhum cultivation but they don’t have alternatives that is why they are still relying on this cultivation process.

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Dialectical behavior therapy for problematic behavior of the 21st century youth: Input to development of online counseling program

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Ma. Fe B. Espineli1, Annalyn A. Delfino2
Laguna State Polytechnic University, San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Suicide is a prominent cause of death among the youth. Recent evidence supports the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in lowering suicide risks. Nevertheless, existing approaches do not assist all youth. Identifying therapy response predictors can help guide therapy selection and maximize benefits. A sample of 14 Registered Guidance Counselors (RGC) was randomly selected from public and private institutions in the province of Batangas, all of which are members of the organization Philippine Guidance Counselors Association’s Batangas Chapter (PGCA-BC), and administered a self-made Likert scale questionnaire through google form due to the current situation in the country. The non-experimental descriptive correlational research design was used to look for specific relationships between three counseling techniques under DBT, namely: distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness, and our youth’s problematic behavior such as self-harm and suicide ideation. Test of correlation reveals that distress tolerance technique and suicidal ideation have a high correlation. The same goes for emotion regulation and suicidal ideation. Moreover, hitting oneself was the most recurring manifestation of self-harm, and showing signs of anxiety, anger, or hostility was highly observed among clients with suicidal ideation. Exploring and characterizing pre-existing familial and isolated weaknesses that contribute to the youth’s heightened threat of self-destructive ideas and behaviors is necessary to provide a better understanding of such cases, to further strengthen contemporary conceptualizations, and to usher in the progress of more effectual prevention and intervention strategies in youth.

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Artificial intelligence in recruitment: Assessing flipside

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Hema Mirji
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India
[email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Artificial Intelligence is used for various business processes including hiring employees. The purpose of this article is to assess the flip-side of Artificial Intelligence applied in recruitment software. Its insufficiency of delivering the expected results in terms of the right match for the hiring, difficulty in language processing. The paper reviews the literature available to understand the principles of Socio-technical systems design requirements and on Artificial Intelligence’s usage in the recruitment process. The research is qualitative, has followed the phenomenology approach, and uses the interview technique for understanding the opinions of the users. The results reveal that, though AI in recruitment provides ease in searching the candidate’s barriers in language and recognition, low turn-in ratio, incorrect recommendations due to Data inadequacy, skepticism among HR professionals due to lack of human intelligence, need for budgets for acquiring and training are issues. It is proposed to incorporate the guidelines of Socio-Technical System Design and Human-machine teaming for designing the Artificial Intelligence tools. Further studies could be conducted to understand the limitations of the frameworks available for designing such tools.

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Private and public bank consumers’ preference in Kathmandu Valley: Evidence from customers’ satisfaction index

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Udbodh Bhandari1, Sanjeet Yadav1, Niranjan Devkota1, Udaya Raj Paudel1,
Sharad Rajbhandari1, Dipendra Karki2
1Quest International College, Pokhara University, Gwarko, Lalitpur, Nepal
2Nepal Commerce Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
Free and open market competition has enhanced both public and private sectors to compete with each other. Rather than sentimental, these days’ sectors are getting popularity as per their performance and customers’ satisfaction. Although banks are divided into private and public as per their establishment, both are targeting the public. Customers’ preferences derived their success. This paper aims to identify customers’ preferences among public and private banks in Kathmandu valley. To identify their preferences, 302 respondents, mainly adults aged 20-40, from the Kathmandu valley are selected as a sample. The study is based on a descriptive cross-designed where Customers’ Satisfaction Index has been developed to classify their preference of private and public banks. SERVQUAL model has been adopted to see the factors affecting customers’ preference of private and public banks. This study finds that 86.4% of customers compare between the banks, and 85% consider primarily interest rate while deciding to open a bank account. The result from the overall satisfaction index indicates that those customers having an account in private banks are more satisfied than the public bank customers in various dimensions. Customers using both the banks are facing several problems mainly from employees and managers time and again, but such problems are more with public banks customers compared to private banks customers. Interestingly, 91.75% (95.25% from public banks and 90.79% from private banks) respondents mentioned that those challenges that customers were facing in the bank are solvable. Embracing new technologies, personalizing the customer experience, employee motivation and relationship-based pricing are the main strategies that both – private and public banks can adopt to satisfy their customers.

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Computer-assisted English language learning technology for undergraduate university students

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Sehar Naveed Rajput1, Syed Hyder Raza Shah2
1ELDC, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan
2Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sanghar Campus, Pakistan
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T
The study purposes at examining the computer-assisted English language learning technology for undergraduate university students. Computer-Assisted English Language Learning (CAELL) is an emerging trend that has highly impacted traditional theories of learning and teaching foreign languages. This new trend has introduced innovative techniques and the latest pedagogies for teachers and students of all levels. This is an attempt to look at teaching and learning practices through CAELL. The study is conducted in the mixed method in which sequential exploratory design is employed. A random sampling technique is used to select the population for this research. Data is collected from both teachers and students. 10 English language teachers are requested for semi-structured interviews to explore the CAELL teaching practices. Furthermore, a questionnaire is adapted for 146 undergraduate students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU) Shaheed Benazirabad and its campuses. Qualitative data is thematically analyzed and Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) 20th version is used to analyzed quantitative data. The findings indicate that there is a positive effect of CAELL technology among university students and teachers. Among four skills of language, students effectively improve their listening skills by using CAELL. This new trend increases students’ motivation and eases them to learn English without pen and paper. Students prefer to use CAELL but most of the participants are unaware of using CAELL because of lack of facilities. Teachers are of the view that effective English language teaching demands CAELL knowledge. Last but not least limitations and delimitations are identified and areas for further studies are recommended.

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