The Effects of Disability Labeling on Teachers’ Referrals of Twice-Exceptional Children to Gifted Programs in Saudi Arabia

The issue of biases associated with labeling students as gifted or as having a disability presents a significant challenge to educational professionals with regard to identification and the provision of services. In the presence of labels indicating giftedness, disability, and twice exceptionality, research consistently demonstrated biases on the part of parents, teachers, and even other students. These biases could prevent students from receiving the services they need to achieve their fullest potential (Bianco & Leech, 2010). The current study systematically replicated a study by Bianco and Leech (2010) and examined the influence of disability labels on teachers’ decisions to refer students to gifted programming. Further, this study investigated whether there were any differences in teachers’ responses based on the type of teaching certificate they held (i.e., gifted education, special education, general education). Three groups of in-service teachers (85 general, 59 special, and 43 gifted education teachers) from the Western region of Saudi Arabia participated in the study. A cross-sectional survey methodology was employed. Teachers were randomly assigned to one of three survey conditions that consisted of a vignette that described a student with both giftedness and high potential traits, differing only with respect to one of three labeling conditions (no label, learning disability [LD], autism spectrum disorder [ASD]). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the influence of teacher type and the labeling condition on the teachers’ ratings. Responses to an open-ended question that asked teachers to provide a reason for their referral decisions were analyzed qualitatively. The quantitative analysis showed neither teacher type nor the presence or absence of a disability label had a significant influence on the overall ratings, which was in sharp contrast to Bianco and Leech’s (2010) results. The interaction of the two variables was also nonsignificant. Most of the participants (94%) chose to agree or strongly agree with a referral. However, of the few nonreferrals, most were for students with ASD. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of the teachers’ rationales including (a) the student shows gifted traits, (b) the student’s skills could be cultivated with support, and (c) the student does not fit the definition for giftedness. Findings from this study provided insights into the issues of labeling students and the status of twice-exceptionality in Saudi Arabia. The results indicated limited, negative bias among different types of teachers with respect to students with disabilities. Also, the participants in this study showed a strong orientation toward supporting the growth and development of the student in all three vignette conditions. However, it remained clear that Saudi Arabia would still greatly benefit from establishing a clear policy on twice-exceptionality and providing training programs to educators with respect to defining, identifying, and educating students with giftedness and disabilities

INVESTIGATION OF CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR SWING-UP MANEUVER OF A DOUBLE INVERTED PENDULUM ON ROTATING LINK

This thesis is concerned with investigation of the swing-up control problem of underactuated mechanical systems namely the double rotary inverted pendulum using the optimal control theory. The research aims to develop a robust controller to achieve the swing-up and stabilization of the pendulum in the upright unstable equilibrium position while regulating the angular displacement of the rotating arm and the two pendulum angles. The performance of the designed controller was evaluated through numerical simulations in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted and the challenges that researchers face in the control of underactuated mechanical systems were discussed and identified. Kinematic and kinetic analysis were then performed to derive the equations of motion of the system, which were represented in a standard input-output form suitable for controller design. A swing-up control scheme was then developed and employed in the form of a feedforward controller derived from solving a two-point boundary value optimization problem across the pendulum equilibrium points for a fixed swing-up time. The feedforward controller was then paired with a time-varying feedback controller based on a linear-quadratic regulator method in which the double rotary inverted pendulum system tracks the pre-calculated desired trajectories for the angular displacements and velocities for all pendulum joints. This was achieved through linearizing the equations of motion around the entirety of the input and output desired trajectories yielding the time-varying feedback gains which were used in the gain scheduling. The simulation results obtained in MATLAB/Simulink were shown to be indicative of the capability of the designed controller to perform a successful swing-up and stabilizing maneuver for the double rotary inverted pendulum, while exhibiting excellent trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection during the swing-up and steady state phases respectively. The simulation study also showed that the methods adopted in this research produced results that are matching results of attempts presented in the literature for swinging up double inverted pendulum systems such as the double inverted pendulum on a cart. This was attributed to the accurate modelling of the system and the successful implementation of the feedforward control and the optimization of the feedback control gain scheduling. In addition, a virtual model of the system was constructed in MATLAB/Simscape to validate the controller performance in a semi-empirical environment where the link parameters and mechanical properties were inherited from the three-dimensional model directly without approximation. The results obtained from the virtual model validation showed good agreement with the results obtained from numerical simulations but with slightly higher torque values as measured at the rotating arm’s joint. The work presented in this thesis not only served to verify the controller’s effectiveness in achieving the complex swing-up maneuver but also provided valuable insights into potential challenges to be addressed in order to bridge between theory, simulations, and real-world implementations. With limited number of experimental validations performed for this system, a prototype of an experimental setup is currently under development at the United Arab Emirates University, which is planned to be used as a future continuation of the current work to experimentally validate the results presented here

On the Effective Finite Element Simplification of Bolted Joints: Static and Modal Analyses

In this paper, the finite element simplification of a standard bolted joint configuration is investigated. Static and modal analyses of a 3D model are used for benchmarking three different simplified finite element models using Siemens NX software. More specifically, the three simplified finite element models utilize beam elements, spring elements and a coupled shell-beamspring elements model. Four margin of safety criteria with respect to slipping, gapping, yield strength and ultimate strength were evaluated. Results show comparable values in the yield and ultimate margins of safety of all three simplified finite element models. Additionally, a parametric analysis relative to bolt size is performed to check the validity of the different simplifications with respect to bolt slenderness ratio. Results indicate minimal errors for larger slenderness ratio bolts. This is attributed to the minimal contribution of shear and out of plane stresses. For optimal results, it is recommended for the slenderness ratio to be at least 1.5 for an accurate 1D representation of the overall join behavior. Moreover, all three simplifies models are observed to accurately capture modal frequencies, with the exception of the torsional modes due to restricted degrees of freedom. Finally, effects of beam discretization and computational time is highlighted in the work presented in this manuscript

The Effect of Storage on Consumer Preference, Sugar Content, and Starch Content of Spiced Low-Fat Sweet Potato Flavored Yogurt.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if addition of pumpkin pie spice to sweet potato puree would enhance consumer acceptance of sweet potato flavored yogurt. In Phase I, the effect of fat percentage, spice percentage, and addition of sweet potato pre-fermentation and post-fermentation on consumer acceptance was examined to determine the optimum treatment preferred by consumers and the effect of each treatment variable on the fermentation process. Phase II focused on the effect of storage periods of 7, 14, and 21 days on the organoleptic qualities and chemical composition of sweet potato. Analyses showed that the percentage of spice in the treatment appeared to have an effect on pH during fermentation. Treatments containing higher percentages of spice exhibited a slower drop in pH during the fermentation process. The effect was more pronounced in treatments containing .4 percent spice. Addition of sweet potato pre-fermentation and post-fermentation impacted consumer acceptance, viscosity, and glucose and sucrose content. Consumers appeared to prefer treatments with higher percentages of spice content in which sweet potato was added pre-fermentation. In addition, treatments in which sweet potato was added pre-fermentation exhibited higher viscosity regardless of fat and spice percentage and were rated higher by consumers in evaluation of texture. Analyses of Phase II data showed that consumers preferred treatments containing 5 and 6 percent sugar and storage periods of 14 days. Percent added sugar impacted pH, titratable acidity, glucose and sucrose levels. Treatments with lower percentages of added sugar exhibited lower pH values and higher titratable acidity for all storage periods. Treatments with higher percentages of added sugar prefermentation exhibited higher glucose and sucrose levels across storage periods. Dry matter exhibited a storage effect with significant increases in dry matter after 21 days of storage. Viscosity and starch content were not impacted by sugar or storage. Future research should focus on refinement of the yogurt formula to improve the organoleptic properties of the product. Other flavor or textural enhancements such as spiced granola or pecans should be explored. Additional research to determine the nature of the spice on the fermentation process is needed

Efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration of Solanum lycopersicum and assessment genetic uniformity using flow cytometry and SPAR methods

24 p.-4 fig.-6 tab.In the present study, we develop an efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration system for two cultivars viz., Jamila and Tomaland of Solanum lycopersicum L., an economically important vegetable crop throughout the world. Sterilization of seeds with 2.5 % (v/v) NaOCl was found to be most effective, about 97 % of seeds germinated on cotton in magenta box moistened with sterile half strength (½)Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Regeneration efficiency of cotyledonary leaf (CL) and cotyledonary node (CN) explants derived from 08 days old aseptic seedling were assessed on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins and cytokinin. CL explants were found more responsive in comparison to CN in both the cultivars. Types of basal media were also assessed and found to have a significant effect on shoot regeneration. Highest regeneration frequency and maximum number of shoots were standardized from CL explants on MS medium supplied with 6- benzyl adenine (BA; 5.0 µM), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 2.5 µM) and Kinetin (Kin; 10.0 µM). In vitro regenerated microshoots were rooted on ½MS medium containing 0.5 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Regenerated plantlets with well-developed roots and shoot system were successfully acclimated to ex vitro condition. Genetic uniformity of tissue culture raised plantlets was first time evaluated using flow cytometry and single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) methods viz., DAMD and ISSR. No significant changes in ploidy level and nuclear DNA content profile were observed between in vitro propagated plants and normal plants of both the cultivars. Similarly, the SPAR analysis also revealed monomorphic banding patterns in regenerated plantlets of S. lycopersicum verifying their genetic uniformity and clonal fidelity. This efficient regeneration system can be used as a fast and reproducible method for genetic transformation of this important vegetable crop.This project was funded by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH), King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Award Number 12-BIO2919-02.Peer reviewe

Effect of two nanoparticles and bacteria spores on some biological aspects of waxworm Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera;Pyralidae)

The aim of this study is to control the major Waxworm Galleria mellonella, pests that, cause damage to honeybee colonies due to feeding their larvae on wax combs using safe alternatives such as nanomaterials and biological control using spores of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria and the use of concentrations, , and cells/ml of D.W on the egg stage, and the efficiency of zinc oxide nanoparticles and titanium dioxide in controlling the insect was tested using concentrations (5000,1000,500,100) ppm ,The practical study was conducted in the insect lab /Department of Biology/College of Education for Pure Sciences at Mosul University. The nanomaterials and bacterial spores used showed a significant effect in the incubation period, as the longest period was 17.667 days in zinc oxide at a concentration of 100 ppm, and the percentage of hatching was as low as 26,000% in bacterial spores at a concentration cells/ml and duration The larval and pupal stages and the mortality rate in them, where the longest period in the larval stage was 39.333 days in TiO2treatment at concentration 5000ppm, and the highest percentage of mortality was 82.1% in bacterial spores at concentration cells/ml in addition to the number of emerging insects and sexual ratio, as significant differences were shown between the treatments. &nbsp

Measuring Lateral Erosion and Deposition Upper Owens River, eastern California

This research investigates the relationship between lateral erosion and deposition along the riverbanks of the Upper Owens River, eastern California. National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) and Erdas Imagine were used to determine geomorphic change along the riverbank from 2005 to 2012. Remote sensing analysis technique shows that the relationship between these two processes- erosion and deposition- can be classified into two categories: wet periods, where the relationship between the two was strongly correlated, and dry periods, where no apparent relationship exists. A normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) method was used to delineate the areas of the channel and adjacent floodplain. From there, differences between paired images were quantified to demonstrate the magnitude of erosion and deposition. The results demonstrate total lateral erosion during wet periods was higher than the amount of deposition within meanders. By contrast, during dry periods deposition along the meanders was greater than erosion. Further, the results show that the direction of river migration changed. During wet periods the direction of migration eastwards, while during dry periods meanders shifted westwards.California State University, Northridge. Department of Geography.Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-38

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Mobile Banking Service among Cihan Bank Customers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Few banks ofIraq’s Kurdistan Regionhave started providing banking services over smartphones. In addition, not many papers find the factors that influence users’ intention to adopt mobile banking services among bank customers in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. The main focus of this research is to fill the gap also, analyzes various variables impact of mobile banking adoption.The theories of Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) have been chosen by the researchers as the baseline theories.It is discovered that relative advantage, trust, and subjective norms have a constructive impact on adoption. Conflicting to the unearthing in the extant writings, compatibility and perceived value have no critical impact on adoption. Complexitynegatively affects appropriation. The discoveries of this examination will have viable ramifications for the financial business in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region