Component-based Segmentation of words from handwritten Arabic text

Efficient preprocessing is very essential for automatic recognition of handwritten documents. In this paper, techniques on segmenting words in handwritten Arabic text are presented. Firstly, connected components (ccs) are extracted, and distances among different components are analyzed. The statistical distribution of this distance is then obtained to determine an optimal threshold for words segmentation. Meanwhile, an improved projection based method is also employed for baseline detection. The proposed method has been successfully tested on IFN/ENIT database consisting of 26459 Arabic words handwritten by 411 different writers, and the results were promising and very encouraging in more accurate detection of the baseline and segmentation of words for further recognition

Analysing contemporary Shi'a political landscape in post-2003 Iraq: a Bourdieusian perspective on power dynamics

This dissertation investigates the evolving power dynamics within the Shi'a political landscape in post-2003 Iraq. The study employs Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical framework and conflict resolution theories to dissect the interplay of historical legacies, cultural, symbolic, and coercive capital among Shi'a factions. The research also highlights the significance of the hawza (Shi'a religious seminary) and religious authority in shaping political alignments and power relations, underscoring the complex and heterogeneous nature of the Shi'a community. Furthermore, the research examines the Muhāsasa system, a post-2003 political patronage system in Iraq, and its influence on intra-sect power dynamics and political divisions. Employing qualitative methodologies, including Political Discourse Analysis (PDA) and Thematic Analysis (TA), and drawing on semi-structured interviews, the study conceptualises the power dynamics and explores how cultural and symbolic capital are utilised to establish and maintain power relations. The study’s findings reveal that intra-Shi'a power conflicts manifest through elite discourse, with political actors strategically utilising religious symbolism and coercion to assert dominance. This strategic manipulation is exemplified by figures such as Muqtada al-Sadr, who leverages his symbolic capital and coercive power to navigate and influence the Shi'a political field, positioning himself as a nationalist and protector of Iraqi interests. The dissertation also examines the role of foreign intervention, particularly by Iran and the United States, in shaping Shi'a political dynamics. It highlights the challenges posed by the proliferation of paramilitary groups like the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which operate outside state control, undermining governance and stability. Furthermore, the study addresses the need for constitutional and political reforms to address the pervasive issues of corruption, sectarianism, and ineffective governance. It emphasises the importance of developing a more unified foreign policy and engaging in comprehensive security sector reforms to mitigate the influence of coercive capital and promote inclusive governance. By applying Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, field, and capital, this research offers a nuanced understanding of the power structures within the Shi'a political landscape in Iraq. The dissertation provides valuable insights into the socio-political complexities of post-2003 Iraq, contributing to the broader discourse on stability, state-building, and political development in the region

Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs of Palestinian Elementary Education Students

To assess elementary education students’ self-efficacy beliefs in science teaching, the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument developed by Enochs and Riggs was used. The instrument consisted of two scales, Personal Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Scale and the Outcome Expectancy Scale. It was administered to 90 undergraduate university students majoring in elementary education at a large public Palestinian university. Results indicated that students’ self-efficacy beliefs in science teaching were comparable to those reported in the original study by Enochs and Riggs. Overall, the participants presented moderate to high self-efficacy in science teaching

Truth against truth: American and Arab history school textbooks portrayal of the Arab–Israeli conflict

Textbooks reflect a national consensus regarding the knowledge, values and perspectives that a society wants conveyed to their students. Through textbooks, students are exposed to a dominant narrative that presents an official story that shapes contemporary patriotism (Hein and Selden, 2000). This paper centers on how the narratives of textbooks portray the Arab Israeli conflict and other relevant events. Textbooks from Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and the United States are examined to determine what knowledge is transmitted to students about the Arab Israeli conflict. Findings indicate that the conflict is oversimplified, important information is omitted and textbooks provide limited narratives of the conflict. The authors of this study suggest the implementation of a narrative-based approach to teaching history so that students are provided with opportunities to develop a critical analysis of textbook knowledge and to discover that historical events are composed of multiple narratives that should be examined

Common variants in FOXP1 are associated with generalized vitiligo

In a recent genome-wide association study of generalized vitiligo, we identified ten confirmed susceptibility loci. By testing additional loci that showed suggestive association in the genome-wide study, using two replication cohorts of European descent, we observed replicated association of generalized vitiligo with variants at 3p13 encompassing FOXP1 (rs17008723, combined P = 1.04 × 10−8) and with variants at 6q27 encompassing CCR6 (rs6902119, combined P = 3.94 × 10−7)

ROOTING OF DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) OFFSHOOTS BY ISOPROTHIOLANE (IPT)

The experiment was conducted at Alhassa Oasis (25° 22′ N' latitude; 49°34′ E longitude) and altitude is 179 m a.s.l , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Treatments included the following Isoprothiolane (IPT) concentrations incorporated at the bottom of offshoot hole: control (without IPT), 25g, 50g, 75g, 100g, 200g and 500g / offshoot hole. The offshoots weight ranged between 25 – 30 kg. The IPT concentrations of 75 and 100 g/ offshoot hole seemed to be quite optimal for improving rooting of date palm offshoots. The best rooting percentage, length of root, root fresh and dry weights were obtained under 75 and 100 g/ offshoot whole IPT concentrations. Offshoots under the control and the lowest and highest IPT treatments reflected poor rooting ability. The chlorophyll content data although looked relatively similar between treatments, a slight edge of 75 and 100 g/ offshoot hole was noticeable. This relative edge might have played a significant role in the photosynthetic ability of offshoots. The efficiency of rooting of offshoots under both concentrations might have resulted from their edged photosynthetic ability

ROOTING OF DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) OFFSHOOTS BY ISOPROTHIOLANE (IPT)

The experiment was conducted at Alhassa Oasis (25° 22′ N' latitude; 49°34′ E longitude) and altitude is 179 m a.s.l , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Treatments included the following Isoprothiolane (IPT) concentrations incorporated at the bottom of offshoot hole: control (without IPT), 25g, 50g, 75g, 100g, 200g and 500g / offshoot hole. The offshoots weight ranged between 25 – 30 kg. The IPT concentrations of 75 and 100 g/ offshoot hole seemed to be quite optimal for improving rooting of date palm offshoots. The best rooting percentage, length of root, root fresh and dry weights were obtained under 75 and 100 g/ offshoot whole IPT concentrations. Offshoots under the control and the lowest and highest IPT treatments reflected poor rooting ability. The chlorophyll content data although looked relatively similar between treatments, a slight edge of 75 and 100 g/ offshoot hole was noticeable. This relative edge might have played a significant role in the photosynthetic ability of offshoots. The efficiency of rooting of offshoots under both concentrations might have resulted from their edged photosynthetic ability

Functional mapping of stimulus colour in human subjects suffering a central visual defect

The multiple maps of the visual field found in the striate and the pre-striate cortex of the macaque exhibit selective responsiveness to different stimulus parameters (Zeki, 1978, 1980). Evidence for such organization in man is derived primarily from selective losses of visual function associated with disturbance of the central pathways. We present data for a single subject, M. W., who has normal achromatic vision but exhibits grossly abnormal responses to coloured and particularly red stumuli ..