Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue: Preparation of TiO2/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites by direct sol-gel and hydrothermal methods

In this study, two different preparation methods of titanium dioxide nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites were investigated using direct sol-gel method followed by hydrothermal treatment or simple hydrothermal route. A different amount of graphene (1- 20%) was mixed with TiO2 for both series of samples in order to improve the photocatalytic activity. The influence of the preparation method on the physico-chemical properties was established by different characterization methods and the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation was used as test reaction. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed for the nanocomposites containing 10 wt% of graphene. The elimination of MB can reach 93% and 82% for the nanocomposites with 10 wt% graphene prepared by the sol-gel and hydrothermal methods, respectively. These photocatalysts are promising for practical application in nanotechnology.Postprint (author's final draft

Changing teachers conceptions of autism spectrum disorder : a training to increase knowledge, improve self-efficacy, and assess attitudes toward inclusion -

Thesis. M.A. American University of Beirut. Department of Psychology, 2016. T:6413Advisor : Dr. Nidal Daou, Assistant Professor, Psychology ; Committee members : Dr. Alaa Hijazi, Assistant Professor, Psychology ; Dr. Tima El Jamil, Assistant Professor,Psychology .Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-78)The literature shows that training presentations and workshops increase knowledge of teachers about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), make the process of inclusion more successful, lead to more favorable attitudes toward inclusion, decrease stigma toward ASD and consequently lead to greater feelings of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy of teachers pertains to the certainty they feel towards having an impact on student learning. The literature also shows that self-efficacy of teachers affects their performance when working with students with ASD. Some studies attended to the knowledge factor, specifying that increased knowledge about ASD enhanced self-efficacy of teachers. Other studies have focused on attitudes toward inclusion in mainstream settings, which impact self-efficacy as well. The present study was divided into two parts. The primary aim of Study 1 was to assess the effects of a training presentation about autism on increasing knowledge about ASD, making attitudes toward inclusion more favorable, decreasing stigma toward ASD and improving self-efficacy of teachers. The secondary aim of Study 1 was to assess the maintenance of acquired knowledge about ASD, changes in attitudes toward inclusion, stigma toward ASD, and levels of self-efficacy four weeks following the training. The aim of Study 2 was to systematically replicate and expand upon the literature concerning factors that impact self-efficacy. Specifically, the aim was to examine the effects of these factors taken together, knowledge about ASD, attitudes toward inclusion, stigma toward ASD and demographic characteristics on the self-efficacy of teachers working with students on the spectrum. A total of 92 general, special and shadow teachers were recruited from different schools in Lebanon. The main findings of Study 1 were that the training had a positive impact on knowledge and self-efficacy of teachers. The training, however, could not impact attitudes toward inclusion and stigma of teachers toward ASD, as the pretest results obtained prior to the t

Gravity Research on Plants: Use of Single-Cell Experimental Models

Future space missions and implementation of permanent bases on Moon and Mars will greatly depend on the availability of ambient air and sustainable food supply. Therefore, understanding the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant metabolism and growth is vital for space missions and extra-terrestrial human existence. In this mini-review we summarize how plant cells are thought to perceive changes in magnitude and orientation of the gravity vector. The particular advantages of several single-celled model systems for gravity research are explored and an overview over recent advancements and potential use of these systems is provided

PI Stabilization for Congestion Control of AQM Routers with Tuning Parameter Optimization

In this paper, we consider the problem of stabilizing network using a new proportional- integral (PI) based congestion controller in active queue management (AQM) router; with appropriate model approximation in the first order delay systems, we seek a stability region of the controller by using the Hermite- Biehler theorem, which isapplicable to quasipolynomials. A Genetic Algorithm technique is employed to derive optimal or near optimal PI controller parameters

Using computer tablets to assess preference for videos in children with autism

Using computer tablets, we assessed preference for videos in five children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Then, we provided access to most preferred and less preferred videos contingent on sitting on one of two chairs within a concurrent schedule design. All participants spent consistently more time sitting on the chair associated with the video selected the most often during the preference assessment, indicating that practitioners may use the tablet-based assessment procedure to identify potential video reinforcers for children with ASD in applied settings

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of four Moroccan aromatic plant methanolic extracts and essential oils

This work aimed to evaluate and to compare the antioxidant potential between essential oils (EOs) and methanolic extracts (MEs) of Anthemis tenuisecta, Cladanthus arabicus Cass., Ismelia carinata Schousb., and Thymus broussonetii Boiss subsp. broussonetii collected from Morocco. The EOs used in this study were isolated by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The MEs were obtained by methanol maceration. The main compounds of EOs were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The MEs of the four plant species were tested for total phenolics and total flavonoids. The in vitro antioxidant activity of EOs and MEs was carried out using diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The antioxidant activity of MEs showed high correlations with phenolic compounds. For both fractions, the best IC50 values were given by T. broussonetii. The MEs revealed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) better antioxidant activity than EOs. The results suggest that A. tenuisecta, C. arabicus, I. carinata, and T. broussonetii may be potential sources of natural antioxidants

Evaluacija svojstava vezanja sluzi sjemenki biljke Plantago psyllium

Mucilage extracted from Plantago psyllium seeds was evaluated for inertness and safety parameters. The suitability of psyllium mucilage for a pharmaceutical binder was assessed in paracetamol tablets. Properties of the granules prepared using different concentrations of psyllium mucilage was compared with PVP and tragacanth. Psyllium mucilage at 5 % (m⁄m) level was found to be comparable with 3 % (m⁄m) of PVP. Investigated paracetamol tablets indicated that psyllium mucilage can retard the drug release.U radu je ispitivana neškodljivost i sigurnost uporabe sluzi ekstrahirane iz sjemenki biljke Plantago psyllium. Primjenjivost te sluzi kao veziva u farmaceutskim pripravcima ispitana je na tabletama paracetamola. Granule pripravljene s različitim koncentracijama sluzi uspoređene su s granulama s PVP-om i tragakantom. Sluz s udjelom 5 % (m/m) usporediva je s otopinom PVP-a masenog udjela 3 %. Pripravljene tablete paracetamola ukazuju na to da ispitivana sluz može usporiti oslobađanje lijeka

Bridging cultural sensitivity and ethical practice:Expert narratives on child and adolescent mental health in Kuwait

AimsThis study examines the influence of cultural factors on mental health perceptions and practices in Kuwait, with a specific focus on mental health professionals working with children and adolescents. Employing the ETHICA-4P toolkit, the study aims to evaluate and promote ethical and culturally sensitive approaches in research and clinical interventions.MethodsA qualitative research design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with mental health professionals to explore their experiences and approaches to culturally sensitive practice.ResultsFindings indicate that cultural factors, such as family dynamics, religious beliefs, and societal stigma, strongly influence help-seeking behaviours and therapeutic outcomes. Despite available mental health services, cultural stigma and fear of social repercussions remain significant barriers in Kuwait, including concerns about family reputation, judgment from the community, and potential impacts on marriage prospects or social standing.ConclusionETHICA-4P can act as a model to integrate cultural competence into clinical practice and improve mental health outcomes for children and youth. Findings also highlight the urgent need for education campaigns directed at therapists, parents, educators, and the general public to reduce stigma and increase mental health awareness

Prevalence of stereotypy in individuals with developmental disabilities: a systematic review

Although many researchers have examined the prevalence of stereotypy in individuals with developmental disabilities, the results of previous studies have not been aggregated and analyzed methodically. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the prevalence of stereotypy in individuals with developmental disabilities. Our results indicated that the average prevalence of stereotypy across studies was 61 % and that individuals with autism spectrum disorders had the highest reported prevalence (i.e., 88 %) across specific diagnoses. Children and adults generally had similar overall prevalence measures, but the specific forms varied with age and diagnosis. Studies using the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Schedule-Revised generally reported higher estimates of prevalence of specific forms of stereotypy when compared to the Behavior Problem Inventory. However, the latter seemed more sensitive than the Aberrant Behavior Checklist for overall prevalence. Studies with a low risk of bias found a lower prevalence of stereotypy than those with a high risk of bias. Our systematic review underlines the importance of continuing research efforts to improve the assessment and treatment of stereotypy in individuals with developmental disabilities