The Perceptions of Teachers of Students with Autism Regarding Using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to Improve Social Skills in Saudi Arabia

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of teachers of autistic students in Riyadh and Jeddah regarding the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to improve social skills. Methodology: I used a qualitative method to analyze phenomena under inquiry from three different data points: surveys (n=51), interviews (n=6), and phenomenologically (n=2). Results: The findings indicated that some of the main factors affecting how teachers view and utilize evidence-based practice (EBP) in their scope of practice are refresher training, skills, knowledge, peer support, and institutional policies. Discussion and conclusion were discussed. Keywords: Special education, Saudi Arabia, Social skills, Autistic, Autis

The Impact of a Mobile Application (Dr. Electron) on Science Attitudes and Self-Efficacy among Eighth-Grade Students

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an enrichment mobile application based on the gamification approach (Dr. Electron) on the attitudes towards science and self-efficacy of eighth-grade students in the Sultanate of Oman amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing both pre-test and post-test control group designs. The study sample comprised 63 students, with 33 assigned to the experimental group and 30 to the control group. The study used Measurement instruments including a science attitude scale with a reliability coefficient of 0.86 and a self-efficacy scale with a reliability coefficient of 0.93. Results indicated statistically significant differences in the post-test application between the control and experimental groups, favoring the teaching method employed for the experimental group in both the science attitude and self-efficacy scales. The study found no statistically significant interaction effect between the teaching method and gender in the post-test application of the science attitude scale. However, a slight interaction was observed between the teaching method and gender in the self-efficacy scale. The study recommends that science educators emphasize the importance of designing and implementing enrichment applications based on gamification principles to foster positive attitudes towards science and enhance students\u27 self-efficacy. Keywords: Gamification Approach, Attitudes towards Science, Self-efficacy, COVID-19 Pandemic, Digital enrichment, Mobile application, (Dr. Electro

CFD ANALYSIS OF MULTI-STAGE PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL FOR LATENT THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE IN SOLAR POWER PLANTS

The integration of latent thermal energy storage into concentrated solar power plants represents a promising solution for efficiently harnessing excessive solar energy during daylight hours and subsequently utilizing it during the nighttime when solar energy generation is limited or non-existent, all while catering to consistent energy demands. The core objective of enhancing latent thermal energy storage revolves around elevating its thermal capacity and minimizing the melting time, thus making it a more effective energy storage solution. This is achieved by employing three distinct organic phase change materials: Octadecanoic (PCM1), RT58 (PCM2) and Dodecanoic (PCM3), each characterized by variations in their thermal properties, particularly their melting temperatures. The 3D modeling and simulation of latent thermal energy storage are carried out using Ansys Fluent, with the heat transfer fluid being air or water and the phase change material being housed within sealed containers. During the charging process, the hot fluid is used to elevate the temperature of the phase change material, storing thermal energy by transitioning its phase from a solid to a liquid state. Furthermore, the determination of the optimal thermal energy storage efficiency necessitates exploring how alterations in geometrical configurations and operational conditions, such as temperature and velocity, impact overall system efficiency. In this extensive investigation, the utilization of a combination of three distinct organic phase change materials in the latent thermal energy storage system has demonstrated a significant reduction in melting time by 15.5% and increases efficiency by 6.9% compared to a configuration with a single PCM in each container. Elevating the temperature of the incoming heat transfer fluid by half has proven to be a crucial factor, resulting in a reduction in the melting time by 56% and increases efficiency by 7.8%. However, it is essential to note that increasing the velocity of the HTF by 22.2% decreases melting time by 10% but lowers efficiency by 1.1%. The substitution of water for air as the HTF has shown remarkable improvements reduction in melting time by 67.6% and increases efficiency by 8.2%. Model 2 increases melting time by 10% and efficiency by 0.9%

EMULSION STABILITY, RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, AND COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER-JOJOBA BIOFUEL EMULSION

This thesis comprehensively investigates the stability, rheological properties, and engine performance implications of Water in Jojoba Biodiesel (WJBD) emulsion. The research delves into multiple aspects, including the influence of diverse surfactants and water concentrations on emulsion stability. It also yields valuable insights into the development of stable water in jojoba biodiesel emulsions, specifically tailored for diesel engines. These insights contribute significantly to the body of knowledge of positioning emulsion fuels as viable alternative to traditional diesel fuels. The anticipated benefits include notable reductions in emissions, improvement in combustion efficiency, and lower production cost. Importantly, this study underscores the critical importance of considering emulsion stability, both during storage and engine operation, as it holds substantial implications for their overall performance and commercial viability. These emulsions, formulated from jojoba biodiesel synthesized via transesterification of jojoba oil extract, their stability was tested via several tests, including gravitational test, and microscopy test. Furthermore, the investigation extends to the rheological properties of WJBD emulsions, focusing on their flow behavior and viscoelastic properties across varying water concentrations, results displayed noteworthy stability and rheological characteristics, where some of the samples stayed stable over 48 hours. Stable emulsions were tested on running a single cylinder diesel engine to study their performance characteristics, exhaust emissions, noise, and vibration levels. Notably, the utilization of WJBD emulsions demonstrated a maximum reduction of BP by 13%, and in NOx emissions compared to biodiesel by a minimum of approximately 15% reduction, offering compelling insights into the potential of this emulsion compared to jojoba biodiesel

ENZYMATIC PRODUCTION OF CYCLODEXTRIN USING CYCLODEXTRIN GLYCOSYLTRANSFERASE IMMOBILIZED IN METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFS)

Cyclodextrins (CDs) and their derivatives have attracted significant attention in the pharmaceutical, food, and textile industries, which has led to an increased demand for their production. CDs are typically produced by the action of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) on starch. Owing to the relatively high cost of enzymes, the economic feasibility of the entire process strongly depends on the effective retention and recycling of CGTase in the reaction system, while maintaining the enzyme’s activity and stability. Previous supports used for this purpose such as silica and hydrogels, have numerous drawbacks, including enzyme leaching, activity loss and significant mass transfer limitations. The aim of this dissertation was to improve performance of immobilized CGTase by using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), possessing better properties than conventional supports, as immobilization support. CGTase was immobilized on different synthesized MOFs, namely MIL-101, Cu-BTC, using either surface, covalent attachment or entrapment and compared to conventional support, namely Zeolite Y as well as Graphene nano-particles (GNP). The use of a calcium-based two-dimensional MOF, namely Ca-TMA, and modified Cu-BTC using N.N- dimethylcyclohexylamine to produce hierarchical H-Cu-BTC were also tested for enhanced enzyme capacity and reduced diffusional limitations of the large starch molecules. The adsorption capacity, the effect of immobilization on the secondary structures of CGTase and on the characterization of the support as well as the kinetic parameters of the free CGTase were assessed. The adsorption isotherms of CGTase on the tested MOFs were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm, with maximum adsorption capacities reaching 21, 30.6, 37.5, and 40 mg/g over Ca-TMA, Cu-BTC, microporous MIL-101 and GNP, respectively. The adsorption capacity was improved to 49.5 mg/g over H-Cu-BTC. These capacities were significantly higher than that observed using conventional Zeolite-Y, which did not exceed 6.1 mg/g, as well as other supports reported in previous literature. Characterization of the free supports using combination of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed that the structures of the MOFs remained intact post-CGTase immobilization. The deconvolution of the amide I band of the Fourier Transform Infrared spectra indicated that free CGTase molecules predominantly contain β-sheets (56% β-sheets, 38.5% α-helix and 5.5 % β-turns), with its composition changing over MIL-101 (84.1% β-sheets, no α-helix and 15.9 % β-turns), Ca-TMA (51.3% β-sheets, 37.5% α-helix and 11.2 % β-turns), and GNP (41.9% β-sheets, 18,1% α-helix and 40% β-turns. Lesser conformational changes were also observed using Cu-BTC (44% β-sheets, 37.5% α-helix and 11.2% β-turns) and H-Cu-BTC (76.1% β-sheets, 23.9% α-helix and no β-turns) supports. The immobilized CGTase on the different MOFs were tested for CDs production from starch, and the relative activity, reusability and mass-transfer limitations were investigated. The specific activity of the free CGTase used was 167 U/mg, which dropped upon immobilization to 28, 38, 65.2 and 98.5 U/mg protein on GNP, Ca-TMA, Cu-BTC, and H-CU-BTC, respectively. Reusability studies revealed that based on α-CD, MIL-101 showed 29% residual enzyme activity, which improved with covalent attachment via glutaraldehyde to 40%, Ca-TMA gave 33%, and GNP showed 74% relative activity after eight reaction cycles. Entrapment of CGTase within H-Cu-BTC led to residual CGTase activity of 87% after ten reaction cycles, compared to microporous Cu-BTC which gave 70% and presence of macropores and mesopores enhanced substrate mass transfer from 0.68 min-1 over microporous MOFs to 0.89 min-1 on macroporous H-Cu-BTC, thus, improved cyclodextrin production. This dissertation provides information on the effect of MOFs properties on immobilized CGTase performance, which can be used in developing robust CGTase-based biocatalysts for industrial application

HEAT SINK INTEGRATING PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS (PCMs) FOR COOLING HIGH POWER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

This research explores the numerical analysis of phase change materials (PCMs) heat sinks, focusing on high heat flux dissipation applications, e.g. electronics cooling. Both 2D and 3D numerical models using gallium and paraffin RT31 as PCMs are considered within a heat sink design framework featuring a rectangular cavity and dual opposing vertical copper walls serving as fins to dissipate heat from the hot sink base that receives heat from the heat source. The inclusion of a Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) ‘Primitive’ structure as an in-fill thermal conductivity enhancer (TCE) in the case of the gallium heat sink, and a ‘Primitive’ TPMS structure combined with high thermal conductivity metal foam in the case of the RT31 heat sink, aims to enhance the heat dissipation efficiency within the sink cavity. To further enhance the thermal performance, the study fosters a temperature differential across the sink cavity, initiating buoyancy-driven circulations within the melted PCM to augment cooling of the hot sink base by natural convection. This temperature differential is achieved by subjecting one of the two opposing sink walls to external forced convection cooling with the ambient surroundings and insulating the other wall. Investigations extend to varying sink-base placements on top of the heating source surface area, sink cavity aspect ratios while maintaining PCM volume, and the impact of using metal foam and TPMS structures for improved heat transfer. A range of cavity heights from 14 mm to 20 mm, corresponding to aspect ratios (height/width) from 0.65 to 1.3, respectively, are considered. Two heat flux levels are applied at the sink base, 15 W/cm², and 6 W/cm², across a 15 mm span. However, for the paraffine sink cases, only 6 W/cm² heat flux was applied, as paraffin failed to withstand such a high heat flux value of 15 W/cm², even when the TPMS structure and the metal foam were utilized. Results indicate that the most effective thermal management occurs at an aspect ratio of 0.963, with the sink optimally positioned at the heat source\u27s edge. This configuration ensures minimal peak temperatures and restricted spreading of the hottest spots on top of the sink base. For the gallium heat sink cases, gallium alone as PCM (without the inclusion of TPMS structure or metal foam) stands out for its superior heat dissipation performance. When gallium is integrated within the TPMS structures it shows markedly enhanced heat dissipation features in the sink, resulting in a peak temperature reduction of approximately 10°C compared to the baseline case without TPMS structures. Furthermore, for the paraffine sink cases, the integration of the metal foam within the TPMS configurations demonstrates efficient heat dissipation, achieving a steady-state peak temperature decrease by about 5°C, compared to the baseline case. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of PCM material selection, structural and design configurations, and the synergistic effects of paraffin, metal foam, and TPMS structures in achieving optimal thermal management for high heat flux generating devises such as electronics

ASSESSMENT OF AN ASSUMED STRAIN-BASED TRIANGULAR MEMBRANE ELEMENT

This paper presents a novel triangular strain-based element designed to address plane stress and strain, axisymmetric, and dynamic problems. The proposed element has four nodes, three of which are located at the vertices and one of which is located at the midpoint of the diagonal. The corner nodes have three essential external degrees of freedom (u, v, θ), while the central node has two degrees of freedom (u, v) on one of the triangle edges. A static condensation-based treatment of the central node is employed to streamline the model and reduce computational overhead. This triangular element is applicable to both linear and dynamic analyses. Its performance is evaluated using a suite of membrane and axisymmetric problems. The obtained results demonstrate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed element

CONSUMER\u27S RIGHT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE ELECTRONIC CONTRACT

Among the effects of technological development is that it has brought about important changes in the processes of communication between people, especially in the field of concluding contracts, as sales contracts are among the most contracts concluded through modern means of communication and Internet networks, due to their speed, which made the consumer accept to conclude the contract with The supplier (or seller) without thinking in order to acquire the good or service sold, and the consumer may rely - only - on photographs and the description of the good by the supplier, because such contracts are carried out remotely without a physical connection, and therefore the description of the good or The service is accurate, or the consumer may be deceived by the false advertising and advertising promoted by the provider to attract the consumer As the consumer is considered one of the basic pillars of the entire economic process, cases that represent an attack on consumer rights have increased, especially in consumption contracts that are concluded by electronic means and methods, which requires research into the protection of the consumer from all attacks that fall on him. Many have sought Legislation to provide all types of protection necessary for this consumer during his consumer and contractual transactions. In order to provide protection for the consumer, comparative legislation sought to organize a legal mechanism that protects the consumer in the event that he rushes into concluding such contracts or if the subject of the contract does not match the description or his personal requirements, by regulating the right of withdrawal, which is defined as a tool that allows the consumer to return Regardless of his decision to abide by the concluded contract, and restore the situation to what it was before concluding the contract, without referring to the will of the other party, within a specific period

Practical Guidelines to Legal Writing for Young Researchers and Professionals

Research about the law requires a degree of mastery of both the existing knowledge about the topic of research and the necessary methodological tool-kit to communicate the analysis and the findings to the targeted audience. This paper aims to provide young researchers and professionals in law with a step-by-step guide to write different types of legal writings. This research starts from the assumption that well situating the topic of the research within an appropriate context and adopting an adapted analysis condition a cogent structure that reflects the degree of consistency between the research gap and the aim of the research, on the one hand, and the findings and the recommendations, on the other. Keywords: Legal Writing, Context, Baseline, Method, Structur

Create an Educational Programme Based on the Entrance of STEAM and Assess its Effectiveness in Improving Programming Skills and Computing Thinking

The aim of the study is to create an educational program based on STEAM” and assess its effectiveness to improve programming skills and computing thinking in middle female school. The research adopted a semi-experimental design, with two groups, control and experimental, and several tools have been created for that research: - A test to assess the cognitive aspect of programming skills. - A note card to assess the performance aspect of programming skills. - A scale to assess computer thinking skills. The study sample consisted of forty-six female students, and the study found that: There are statistically significant variations between score average in the two groups (experimental and control) in applying the testing the cognitive aspect of programming skills, in favor of the experimental group. There are statistically significant variations between score average in the two groups (experimental and control) in using the computer thinking skills scale, in favor of the experimental group. There is a significant impact for the development of programming abilities and computer thinking in the educational program based on the STEAM entrance. The study made of recommendations, including using the educational design model to create learning environments based on the STEAM approach. Keywords: educational programme, STEAM entrance, skills, programming, computer thinkin