A Preliminary Study on Impacts of Accounting Software Utilization on Skills of Postgraduate International Accounting Students

As technology evolution continue to reduce the costs associated with hardware and software for classroom instructions, the instructional environment and teaching pedagogy of business faculty in accounting particularly also have evolved over time. While technology integration in accounting education has been a constant focal point of discussion in recent years, the extant and the usage pattern of various classroom technologies in accounting instructions is unclear. The purpose of this thesis was to encourage the use of computers for accounting purposes (accounting software utilization) and to know the attitudes towards the computer by accounting international postgraduate students in UUM. Questionnaires were distributed to 106 UUM accounting international postgraduate students in UUM in order to acquire their conception on the impact of studying a course in using computers for accounting purposes and on attitudes towards the computer skills perceived by accounting international postgraduate students. Five variables were involved in the regression analysis among which three independent variables (age, GPA and prior experience in using computers) related to demographic characteristics of respondents, an independent variables on attitude (attitudes toward using computer for accounting) and a dependent variable (perceived skills in using computers for accounting purposes). One of the major results emphasized that more or less 26.3% of the variance of students' perceptions was accounted for by its linear relationship with the variables known as GPA, prior experience and their attitudes toward using the computers

Ki67 expression in invasive breast cancer: the use of tissue microarrays compared with whole tissue sections.

BACKGROUND: Although the prognostic value of Ki67 in breast cancer is well documented, using optimal cut-points for patient stratification, reproducibility of the scoring and interpretation of the results remains a matter of debate particularly when using tissue microarrays (TMAs). This study aims to assess Ki67 expression assessed on TMAs and their matched whole tissue sections (WTS). Moreover, whether the cut-off used for WTS is reproducible on TMA in BC molecular classes and the association between Ki67 expression cut-off, assessed on TMAs and WTS, and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome were tested. METHOD: A large series (n = 707) of primary invasive breast tumours were immunostained for Ki67 using both TMA and WTS and assessed as percentage staining and correlated with each other, clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. In addition, MKI67 mRNA expression was correlated with Ki67 protein levels on WTS and TMAs in a subset of cases included in the METABRIC study. RESULTS: There was moderate concordance in Ki67 expression between WTS and TMA when analysed as a continuous variable (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.61) and low concordance when dichotomised (kappa value = 0.3). TMA showed low levels of Ki67 with mean percentage of expression of 35 and 22% on WTS and TMA, respectively. MKI67 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with protein expression determined on WTS (Spearman Correlation, r = 0.52) and to a lesser extent on TMA (r = 0.34) (p < 0.001). Regarding prediction of patient outcome, statistically significant differences were detected upon stratification of patients with tumours expressing Ki67 at 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30% in TMA. Using TMA, ≥20% Ki67 provided the best prognostic cut-off particularly in triple-negative and HER2-positive classes. CONCLUSION: Ki67 expression in breast cancer can be evaluated using TMA although different cut-points are required to emulate results from WTS. A cut-off of ≥20% for Ki67 expression in BC provides the best prognostic correlations when TMAs are used

The role of climatic-design-operational parameters on combined PV/T collector performance: a critical review

PV/T technology attracted numerous researchers and professionals during the last decades. There are many review papers in the literature evaluated the R&D aspects of PV/T collectors. In fact, there are abundant of case studies discussed the parameters of climate, design and operational conditions affected the PV/T collector performance. But, a comprehensive compilation of the information of those case studies is still a missing link in the literature. Hence, this paper intended to review thoroughly the information regarding the parameters affecting the PV/T collector performance mainly and PV module performance partially. The parameters are supported with the most available R&D to measure the accurate influence of each parameter on the performance. The outcomes from the study are highlighted in lessons learned section

High frequency detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in human neonatal tissue from Libya

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes significant disease in humans. Toxoplasmosis is normally asymptomatic, unless associated with congenital transmission, or in immunocompromised people. Congenital transmission generally occurs at low frequencies. In this study, we use PCR to investigate possible congenital transmission of T. gondii during pregnancy in a cohort of mothers from Libya. Methods: Two hundred and seventy two pregnant women (producing 276 neonates) were recruited to obtain umbilical cord tissue from their neonates at birth. DNA was extracted from umbilical cord tissue and tested for T. gondii DNA using two specific PCR protocols based on the sag 1 and sag 3 genes. Results: Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in the umbilical cord DNA from 27 of the 276 neonates giving a prevalence of 9.9% (95% CI: 6.8-13.9%). Compared with more commonly reported rates of congenital transmission of 0.1% of live births, this is high. There was no association of infection with unsuccessful pregnancy. Conclusions: This study shows a high frequency presence of T. gondii DNA associated with neonatal tissue at birth in this cohort of 276 neonates from Libya. Although PCR cannot detect living parasites, there is the possibility that this indicates a higher than usual frequency of congenital transmission

Oral health status of patients on hemodialysis in Zliten-Libya

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry. School of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Johannesburg, 2016Introduction Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an emerging health problem worldwide. Furthermore, 90% of CKD patients have been shown to have oral manifestations related to the disease. The prevalence of CKD in Libya is 624 per million population. There is a lack of literature on the oral health status of CKD patients in Libya, and oral health practitioners are increasingly likely to encounter these patients. Aims and objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the dental and periodontal health of CKD patients on hemodialysis at the Zliten dialysis centre in Libya. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of dental caries, the periodontal status and the treatment needs of the patients, and to compare the effect of hemodialysis duration on oral health status. Methodology Data was collected by means of a structured interview questionnaire focusing on demographic information, medical history and dental information of an adult cohort. This was followed by an oral examination using two indices: Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN). Results Seventy-two (N=72) adults consented to participate in the study. The prevalence of dental caries was 86%, and the mean DMFT was 5.96 (SD 5.41). The CPITN results showed that the majority of the participants (44.4%) had scored 3, indicating the presence of 4-5mm shallow pockets. There was no significant effect of hemodialysis duration on the DMFT (p=0.5) or the CPITN (p=0.8). Conclusion Though the oral health status of the patients was poor, the effect of duration of hemodialysis on the dental and periodontal status was not significant.MT201

Predicting transformer end of life using transformer thermal life simulation technique

Large power transformers are key components in power system networks and their correct functioning is vital to system operation. Transformer failures can have enormous impact on security and reliability of supply and cost. In addition, Power transformers ageing are one of the critical issues utilities are facing, since a large number of units are approaching or have exceeded their designed lifetime. Their replacement will involve a considerable amount of time and cost. Therefore, developing a replacement strategy for aged transformer populations is crucial. This theses presents simulation technique for life assessment of the insulation of the distribution transformer. Load and ambient temperatures are two important factors that influence the life of insulation in transformers. The estimated load factors and ambient temperatures are input to the IEC life consumption models to assess the consumed life of insulation. The simulation is based on IEC 60076-7 Revision 2005 thermal model. Sumer and winter load profiles and ambient temperatures of the transformer in Libya Electricity Company are used as the input for the simulation together with transformer parameters from the heat run test. Hottest spot temperature and loss-of-life are calculated. Besides the temperature, the moisture factor also has been introduced in loss of life calculation

Assessment Of Knowledge And Evaluation Of Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes Among General And Diseased Populations In North East Libya

Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a leading cause of adult mortality and morbidity with an estimated 9 million new cases detected around the globe annually. Libya has faced gradual increase in the prevalence of TB from 2000 to 2006 and this had posed considerable challenges for the healthcare providers to manage TB timely and effectively. Within this context, assessment of TB related knowledge among general and diseased population is necessary in order to plan effective public health curative and preventive programs