The Effectiveness of Using E-learning, Blended Learning and Traditional Learning on Students' Achievement and Attitudes in a Course on Islamic Culture: an Experimental study

This study is mainly concerned with establishing the benefits of e-learning (studying through an asynchronous classroom only) and blended learning (studying through an asynchronous virtual classroom in addition to a traditional learning) as compared to traditional learning (attending classroom lectures) in terms of their effects on students’ attitudes and achievement featuring the Islamic Culture course (101) at Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia. However, to reach that end the researcher had to find out as to whether there is a statistically significant difference between the above three methods of teaching. For this purpose an ethics unit drawn from an Islamic culture course (101) has been electronically designed using a learning and content management system programme known as Moodle, based on the ADDIE model. Two experimental groups together with a control group have been involved. The three groups have been randomly selected and assigned with the first and second experimental groups consisting of 43 and 55 participants respectively, and the control group consisting of 50 participants. After verifying their reliability and validity pre-achievement and post-achievement tests as well as attitude scale supported by interviews have been used as instruments for assessing students’ achievement and attitudes in the different groups. The results of the study have revealed that there is a statistically significant difference (at the 0.05 level) between the three methods in terms of students’ achievement favouring blended learning method, while no statistically significant differences exist (at the 0.05 level) between e-learning and traditional learning in terms of students’ achievement. Yet, in terms of attitude, the results of this study have indicated that there is a statistically significant difference (at the 0.05 level) between the two experimental groups on the one hand and control group on the other hand favouring the former, while no statistically significant difference (at the 0.05 level) exist between blended learning and e-learning in terms of students’ attitude. However, based on these results the researcher has managed to put forward a number of recommendations and suggestions

Chapter 2: Aerospace Materials Characteristics

No abstract availabl

Anticholinesterase activity of endemic plant extracts from Soqotra

A total of 30 chloroform and methanol extracts from the following endemic Soqotran plants Acridocarpus socotranus Olive, Boswellia socotranao Balf.fil, Boswellia elongata Balf. fil., Caralluma socotrana N. Br, Cephalocroton socotranus Balf.f, Croton socotranus Balf. fil.., Dendrosicycos socotrana Balf.f., Dorstenia gigas Schweinf. ex Balf. fil., Eureiandra balfourii Cogn. & Balf. fil., Kalanchoe farinaceae Balf.f, Limonium sokotranum (Vierh) Radcl. Sm), Oldenlandia pulvinata, Pulicaria diversifolia( Balf. and Pulicaria stephanocarpa Balf. were screened for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity by using in vitro Ellman method at 50 and 200 μg/ml concentrations. Chloroform extracts of Croton socotranus, Boswellia socotrana, Dorstenia gigas, and Pulicaria stephanocarpa as well as methanol extracts of Eureiandra balfourii exhibited inhibitory activities higher than 50 % at concentration of 200 μg. At a concentrations of 50 μg, the chloroform extract of Croton socotranus exhibited an inhibition of 40.6 %.Key words: plant extracts, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, Soqotra, Alzheimer’s diseas

Protein Conformantional Search Using Bees Algorithm

Proteins perform many biological functions in the human body. The structure of the protein determines its function. In order to predict the protein structure computationally, protein must be represented in a proper representation. To this end, an energy function is used to calculate its energy and a conformational search algorithm is used to search the conformational search space to find the lowest free energy corformation

Investigating the Effects of Alternative Fuels with Different Aromatic Species on Compression Ignition Engine Emissions and Performance

Harmful emissions are the major challenge for combustion systems and continuously increasing with the use of fossil-based feedstock around the globe. Compression ignition engine (CI) is one of the main emitters of harmful pollutants. As compared to spark ignition (SI) engine, CI engine produces high particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. The need for the improvement of engine performance; fuel consumption and thermal efficiency is another challenge. Investigating the effect of fuel components is one of the approaches that can be used to reduce exhaust emissions and improve performance. knowledge gaps need to be completed in how different aromatic species of the same type impact the engine performance and emissions. The contributions of the present study are in the detailed investigations reporting and analyzing the role of different alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatics in surrogate fuels on emissions and engine performance. This knowledge would help the future fuel industry to produce future fuels with appropriate alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatics for lower emissions and improved performance. In addition, the study provides more details about the influence of different aromatic concentrations in the fuel on emissions and performance. To attain the aims of the current study, different alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatics were blended with surrogate fuel at three different contents. The blended fuels were tested experimentally using a direct injection (DI) CI engine at two different load conditions. Appropriate sampling line, particulate and gaseous species measurement instrumentation were integrated with the engine rig in order to take measurements accurately. Impact of different properties of aromatic species on PM, NOx UHC’s, CO and engine performance has also been investigated and forms a part of contribution to knowledge. The overall results show that increasing aromatic content in fuel contributes to high levels of exhaust emissions and impacts engine performance. Comparison among alkylbenzenes surrogate blends presents that blends containing ethylbenzene produce low exhaust emissions and better performance because of its properties; high calorific value, cetane number, low density and hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) ratio. While, indane surrogate blends have better results as compared to other polycyclic aromatics. Finally, optimum surrogate blend is formed with appropriate aromatics (ethylbenzene and indane). Operating the engine with optimum blend results in significant reduction of PM, smoke, unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) as compared to commercial diesel fuel. However, increase of brake thermal efficiency (BTE), reduction of NOx and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) are insignificant. NOx and PM correlations are developed as a function of significant impacted fuel properties. The prediction models developed are highly agreeing with experimental results. Overall, this work would provide basis for selection of aromatic species in future fuels, as not all aromatic species lead to higher PM, NOx or give the optimal engine performance

Genetic Study of TORCH Infections in Women with Bad Obstetric History: Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Common Pathogens and Agents of Congenital Infections

To revealed the incidence of TORCH infections among pregnancy wastage in women which had bad obstetric history (BOH). METHODS: The study included 132 women with bad obstetric history. Genetic evaluation for TORCH infections was carried out by specific primers designed for that purpose using PCR method. RESULT: Toxoplasma was 36.36%, rubella 20.45%, cytomegalovirus 29.55% and herpes simplex virus 13.64%. Maximum number of cases of abortion 52 (39.39%), preterm labor 29 (21.96%) was associated with toxoplasma infection, early neonatal deaths 19 (14.39%) were maximally associated with toxoplasma and CMV infections. while congenital malformations 14 (10.6%) were evident maximally with toxoplasma infection and intrauterine death 8 (6.06%). CONCLUSIONS: Women with BOH are significantly higher in infection compared with that in control. A previous history of pregnancy wastage, genetic infestation using specific primers for TORCH agent’s detection and the serological reaction for TORCH infections during current pregnancy must be considered while managing BOH cases so as to reduce the adverse fetal outcome

The effect of graphite and carbon black ratios on conductive ink performance

Conductive inks based on graphite and carbon black are used in a host of applications including energy storage, energy harvesting, electrochemical sensors and printed heaters. This requires accurate control of electrical properties tailored to the application; ink formulation is a fundamental element of this. Data on how formulation relates to properties have tended to apply to only single types of conductor at any time, with data on mixed types of carbon only empirical thus far. Therefore, screen printable carbon inks with differing graphite, carbon black and vinyl polymer content were formulated and printed to establish the effect on rheology, deposition and conductivity. The study found that at a higher total carbon loading ink of 29.4% by mass, optimal conductivity (0.029 Ω cm) was achieved at a graphite to carbon black ratio of 2.6 to 1. For a lower total carbon loading (21.7 mass %), this ratio was reduced to 1.8 to 1. Formulation affected viscosity and hence ink transfer and also surface roughness due to retention of features from the screen printing mesh and the inherent roughness of the carbon components, as well as the ability of features to be reproduced consistently

The Relationship between Perceived Safety Culture, Nursing Leadership and Medication Errors Reporting (by nurses) in a Saudi Arabian Context: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Method Design

Abstract Background: Medication errors have significant implications for patient safety and can cause serious harm and even death. Error discovery through an effective leadership and active reporting system uncovers medication errors and encourages safe practices. A positive safety culture and effective leadership likely plays an essential role in improving medication error reporting systems. A review of literature highlighted that no study had previously investigated the effect of safety culture and nursing leadership styles on medication error reporting. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived safety culture, nursing leadership and medication errors reporting (by nurses) in adult medical-surgical wards in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The methodological design adopted for this study was an explanatory sequential mixed methods design; quantitative followed by qualitative in two phases. The first phase began with the collection and examination of quantitative data from four hospitals in the Qassim region using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) (n=218) and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X) (n=186), along with a prospective audit of type and rates of reported medication errors on these wards. The second, qualitative phase involved face-to-face semi-structured interviews with nurses (n=8) and nurse managers (n=8). Results: The literature review highlighted a lack of studies exploring the relationship between perceived safety culture and nursing leadership styles and medication errors reporting. The findings from surveys showed that 50% of nurses in this study have not made an incident report in the last 12 months. Moreover, less than 10% of nurses report errors in two participant hospitals in the last two years. The qualitative findings revealed that fear was a key causal factor for underreporting of medication errors. Nurses feared punishment and legal action or losing their jobs. In addition, lack of feedback from quality or patient safety offices when nurses did make reports discouraged them from reporting future errors. Further barriers to reporting were personal characteristics, workload or shortage of staff, nursing leadership problems, blame, lack of knowledge or skills, unclear, or noncompliance with policy and safety culture. Conclusion: This is the first study to explore the relationship between perceived safety cultures and nursing leadership styles on medication errors reporting in Saudi Arabia. The findings of the research presented in this thesis contribute new knowledge to the Yorkshire Contributory Factors Framework by evidencing the relationship between nursing leadership and safety culture through statistical methods. Also, the main methodological contribution of the research field has been the first mixed methods study to investigate these relationships. The results of this study offer guidance and present understanding of both the multicultural nurses’ and their managers’ opinions of improving the medication errors reporting system in Saudi Arabia. In addition, provide valuable local evidence that can be built into appropriate professional education and procedures for encouraging both Saudi and international nurses employed in Saudi Arabian hospitals to report errors. Finally the findings will assist policy makers and hospital managements to develop suitable medication safety education and procedures for encouraging nurses to report errors

ZikaPLAN: addressing the knowledge gaps and working towards a research preparedness network in the Americas.

Zika Preparedness Latin American Network (ZikaPLAN) is a research consortium funded by the European Commission to address the research gaps in combating Zika and to establish a sustainable network with research capacity building in the Americas. Here we present a report on ZikaPLAN`s mid-term achievements since its initiation in October 2016 to June 2019, illustrating the research objectives of the 15 work packages ranging from virology, diagnostics, entomology and vector control, modelling to clinical cohort studies in pregnant women and neonates, as well as studies on the neurological complications of Zika infections in adolescents and adults. For example, the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study (NEAS) has set up more than 10 clinical sites in Colombia. Through the Butantan Phase 3 dengue vaccine trial, we have access to samples of 17,000 subjects in 14 different geographic locations in Brazil. To address the lack of access to clinical samples for diagnostic evaluation, ZikaPLAN set up a network of quality sites with access to well-characterized clinical specimens and capacity for independent evaluations. The International Committee for Congenital Anomaly Surveillance Tools was formed with global representation from regional networks conducting birth defects surveillance. We have collated a comprehensive inventory of resources and tools for birth defects surveillance, and developed an App for low resource regions facilitating the coding and description of all major externally visible congenital anomalies including congenital Zika syndrome. Research Capacity Network (REDe) is a shared and open resource centre where researchers and health workers can access tools, resources and support, enabling better and more research in the region. Addressing the gap in research capacity in LMICs is pivotal in ensuring broad-based systems to be prepared for the next outbreak. Our shared and open research space through REDe will be used to maximize the transfer of research into practice by summarizing the research output and by hosting the tools, resources, guidance and recommendations generated by these studies. Leveraging on the research from this consortium, we are working towards a research preparedness network

Antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase, anti-α-glucosidase and prebiotic properties of beta-glucan extracted from Algerian barley

Beta-glucan, such as barley-derived beta-glucan (BBG), are homopolysaccharides that have attracted attention by their nutritional and therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant power of BBG extracted from local Algerian variety of barley (SAIDA 183), and its acetylcholinesterase, alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity as well as its prebiotic potential by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria isolated from camel’s milk, namely lactococcuslactisssplactis (Lc.l.l) and leuconostocmesenteroidesspmesenteroides (Ln.m.m). The results revealed that BBG exhibited low activity against DPPH and ferric-reducing power (IC50 4018.61 ± 656.69 and A0.5 at 359.88 ±63.64 µg/mL respectively), in contrast to other antioxidant tests (ABTS, Beta-carotene and CUPRAC) where BBG demonstrated a moderate activity (IC50 529.91 ±26.37, IC50 161.013±13.322, A0.5 529.79 ± 48.65 µg/mL). The scavenging ability of hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical by BBG with an IC50 at 2268.38±101.57 µg/mL and IC50 345.26± 62.32 µg/mL, respectively, while enzymatic inhibition by BBG exhibited for AChE at IC50 859.164 ±64.46 μg/mL , BChE at IC50 at 725.470 ±30.95 , α-Amylase inhibitory activity at IC50 2986.785 ± 37.046 . The bacterial growth of the two strains used in this study is favorably affected by the use of BBG as the only carbon source, in comparison with glucose as a control. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that BBG have shown moderate antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities and can be used as a prebiotic by acting synergistically with probiotics in functional food matrices