31 research outputs found

    Performance Efficiency of University Education from Students Perspective

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    The study aims to identify the efficiency of the university education performance from the perspective of postgraduate and undergraduate students in international and Palestinian universities. The analytical descriptive approach was used for this purpose and the questionnaire was used as a main tool for data collection. The study community consists of: post graduate students, (23850) graduate students and (146355) undergraduate students. The sample of the study was 378 graduate students and 383 undergraduate students. The random stratified sample was used. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was also used for data analysis. The study reached a number of results, the most important of which are: The level of efficiency of educational performance in Palestinian and international universities from the point of view of postgraduate and undergraduate students was high. And that there are significant differences between the average views of the sample of the study on the efficiency of educational performance in Palestinian and international universities attributed to the University and to the benefit of international universities. The study concluded many recommendations, the most important of which is the necessity of continuing to develop e-learning strategies that affect the efficiency of educational performance and research commensurate with the university's position in the local and international community, which puts it on the best classification between local and international universities through e-learning

    Preparation, Characterization of A New Cis – Iodoplatin and Cis - Carboplatin Complexes and Study There Spectral, Physical and Pharmaceutical Properties

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    يتضمن هذا البحث تحضير معقد جديد للسز – بلاتين بصيغة الآيودين (  Cis – Iodoplatin )  وكذلك معقدين جديدين للسز – كاربوبلاتين وهما :   cis [Pt(aminosalicylicacid)(NH3)2] I  و  cis  [ Pt (4-   aminoantipyrine) (NH3)2]I2   واللذان يمكن ان يستخدما كعقاقير ضد السرطان، وقد حضرا باستخدام الليكاندات العضوية : 4-amino salicylic acid و4-amino antipyrine . شخصت هذه المعقدات باستخدام التقنيات الطيفية :  UV–Visو  FTIRو  XRD و 1HNMR . وقد درست تأثير التركيز ودرجة الحرارة على التوصيلية الكهربائية لمحاليل هذه المعقدات. وقد حدد تاريخ انتهاء الصلاحية (عمر النصف) لمحاليل هذه المعقدات في ظروف درجة الحرارة 35 و20 درجة مئوية.This search includes preparation of new cis–platin, in the form of iodin, and new two cis - carboplatin complexes {cis  [Pt(4-aminoantipyrine) (NH3)2]I2 and cis[Pt (aminosalicylicacid) (NH3)2]I},   which used as anti - cancer drugs, they are prepared by using the organic ligands 4-amino salicylic acid and 4-amino anti pyrine. These complexes were characterized by using UV–Vis., FTIR, XRD and 1HNMR spectroscopic techniques . The effect of the concentration and the temperature on the molar electrical conductivity of its solutions were studied. The expiry date (half-life) for the solutions of the complexes in the circumstances at the degrees (350C) and (20 0C) was determine

    Extraction and characterization of Nanocellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse as agro-waste

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    This study aimed to characterize nanocellulose extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by acid hydrolysis 60% (w/w) H2SO4 at 45 â—¦C. The effect of hydrolysis time (20, 30 and 40 min) on the structure and properties of the nanofibers was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the hemicellulose and lignin were removed extensively in the cellulose whiskers. The morphology and dimensions of the fibers and acid-released cellulose nanowhisker (CNW) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that SCB could be used as source to obtain cellulose whiskers and they had needle-like structures. Longer hydrolysis time produced a lower yield of nanofibers; whereas the degree of crystallinity increased from 38.22% to 65.37% with increasing hydrolysis time due to removal of amorphous cellulose

    Credibility assessment of financial stock tweets

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    © 2020 The Authors Social media plays an important role in facilitating conversations and news dissemination. Specifically, Twitter has recently seen use by investors to facilitate discussions surrounding stock exchange-listed companies. Investors depend on timely, credible information being made available in order to make well-informed investment decisions, with credibility being defined as the believability of information. Much work has been done on assessing credibility on Twitter in domains such as politics and natural disaster events, but the work on assessing the credibility of financial statements is scant within the literature. Investments made on apocryphal information could hamper efforts of social media's aim of providing a transparent arena for sharing news and encouraging discussion of stock market events. This paper presents a novel methodology to assess the credibility of financial stock market tweets, which is evaluated by conducting an experiment using tweets pertaining to companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Three sets of traditional machine learning classifiers (using three different feature sets) are trained using an annotated dataset. We highlight the importance of considering features specific to the domain in which credibility needs to be assessed for – in the case of this paper, financial features. In total, after discarding non-informative features, 34 general features are combined with over 15 novel financial features for training classifiers. Results show that classifiers trained on both general and financial features can yield improved performance than classifiers trained on general features alone, with Random Forest being the top performer, although the Random Forest model requires more features (37) than that of other classifiers (such as K-Nearest Neighbours − 9) to achieve such performance

    Experiment for Analysing the Impact of Financial Events on Twitter

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    Twitter, as the heart of publicly accessible Social Media, is one of the currently used platforms to share financial information and is a valuable source of information for different roles in the financial market. For all these roles, the quality analysis of Twitter as a source of financial information is essential to take decisions. The work in this paper is aligned with the ongoing work of the authors to a solution for irregularity monitoring in the financial market by harnessing data in online social media. To do so, the permeability of a variety of social media data feeders to financial irregularities should be analysed. That is the case of the experiment in this paper by putting the focus on Twitter microblogging platform and checking if this general purpose social media is permeable to a specific financial event. For this, we detail the analysis of Twitter permeability to a specific event in the past few months: the announcement about the merge of Tesco and Booker to create a UK’s Leading Food Business on the 27th January 2017. Both companies Tesco PLC and Booking Group PLC are listed in the main market of LSE (London Stock Exchange). Our findings provide promising evidences to address the problem of real-time detection of irregularities in the financial market via Twitter according to the volume (as a sign of the importance of the irregularity) and to other features (as signs of the potential origin causing the irregularity)

    The Palestinian Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Preserved at the Biology Exhibitions of the Universities of the Gaza Strip

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    The Gaza Strip (365 km2 ) of Palestine (27,000 km2 ) is home to a wealth of terrestrial vertebrate fauna. Some of these faunistic species find their ways to preservation at the local universities. Hence, the current study comes to document the Palestinian terrestrial vertebrate fauna acquired by the biology exhibitions (BEs) of Al-Azhar University, Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Aqsa University that are located at the Gaza City of the Gaza Strip. The amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals preserved at BEs of the universities in question were surveyed and scientifically classified during a three-month period extending from January to March, 2012. The study showed that all BEs of local universities are underdeveloped, lacking attention and suffer from specimen scarcity and good preservation. The BE at Al-Azhar University is the best in the arrangement and preservation of bird specimens. A total number of 200 specimens belonging to 54 terrestrial vertebrate fauna species, 39 families and 17 orders was recorded at BEs. Reptiles constituted 40.7% of the total species recorded, followed by birds (38.9%), mammals (14.8%) and amphibians (5.6%). The Islamic University of Gaza was considered the best in terms of the number of preserved species (39.8%), followed by Al-Azhar University (36.3%) and Al-Aqsa University (23.9%). The Common Toad (Bufo viridis) was the most preserved among the amphibian species recorded. Squamata was the biggest reptilian order, comprising 20 species (8 lizards and 12 snakes), with the Syrian Black Snake (Coluber jugularis asianus) was the commonest. The Palestine Viper (Vipera palaestinae) is endemic to Palestine and most venomous and dangerous to human health. The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was the largest Palestinian bird preserved at BE of Al-Azhar University. The Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) and the Common Badger (Meles meles) were the biggest mammalian specimens preserved, while the Palestine Mole-rat (Spalax leucodon ehrenbergi) was the only Palestine endemic species encountered among the preserved mammals. Finally, the improvement of BEs of local universities and the construction of a Central Museum of Natural History is highly recommended in order to change the Palestinians’ attitudes toward a sustainable ecological conservation in the Gaza Strip

    Comparison of total parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation and without thymectomy versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and with thymectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism: TOPAR PILOT-Trial

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is common in patients with chronic renal failure. Despite the initiation of new therapeutic agents, several patients will require parathyroidectomy (PTX). Total PTX with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue (TPTX+AT) and subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) are currently considered as standard surgical procedures in the treatment of sHPT. Recurrencerates after TPTX+AT or SPTX are between 10% and 12% (median follow up: 36 months).</p> <p>Recent retrospective studies demonstrated a lower rate of recurrent sHPT of 0–4% after PTX without autotransplantation and thymectomy (TPTX) with no higher morbidity when compared to the standard procedures. The observed superiority of TPTX is flawed due to different definitions of outcomes, varying follow up periods and different surgical treatment strategies (with and without thymectomy).</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Patients with sHPT (intact parathyroid hormone > 10 times above the upper limit of normal) on long term dialysis (>12 months) will be randomized either to TPTX or TPTX+AT and followed for 36 months. Outcome parameters are recurrence rates of sHPT, frequencies of reoperations due to refractory hypoparathyroidism or recurrent/persistent hyperparathyroidism, postoperative morbidity and mortality and quality of life. 50 patients per group will be randomized in order to obtain relevant frequencies of outcome parameters that will form the basis for a large scale confirmatory multicentred randomized controlled trial.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>sHPT is a disease with a high incidence in patients with chronic renal failure. Even a small difference in outcomes will be of clinical relevance. To assess sufficient data about the rate of recurrent sHPT after both methods, a multicentred, randomized controlled trial (MRCT) under standardized conditions is mandatory.</p> <p>Due to the existing uncertainties the calculated number of patients necessary in each treatment arm (n > 4000) makes it impossible to perform this study as a confirmatory trial. Therefore estimates of different outcomes are performed using a pilot MRCT comparing 50 versus 50 randomized patients in order to establish a hypothesis that can be tested thereafter.</p> <p>If TPTX proves to have a lower rate of recurrent sHPT, no relevant disadvantages and no higher morbidity than TPTX+AT, current surgical practice may be changed.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registration (ISRCTN86202793)</p

    Survey of CT radiation doses and iodinated contrast medium administration: an international multicentric study

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    ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between intravenous iodinated contrast media (ICM) administration usage and radiation doses for contrast-enhanced (CE) CT of head, chest, and abdomen-pelvis (AP) in international, multicenter settings. MethodsOur international (n = 16 countries), multicenter (n = 43 sites), and cross-sectional (ConRad) study had two parts. Part 1: Redcap survey with questions on information related to CT and ICM manufacturer/brand and respective protocols. Part 2: Information on 3,258 patients (18-96 years; M:F 1654:1604) who underwent CECT for a routine head (n = 456), chest (n = 528), AP (n = 599), head CT angiography (n = 539), pulmonary embolism (n = 599), and liver CT examinations (n = 537) at 43 sites across five continents. The following information was recorded: hospital name, patient age, gender, body mass index [BMI], clinical indications, scan parameters (number of scan phases, kV), IV-contrast information (concentration, volume, flow rate, and delay), and dose indices (CTDIvol and DLP). ResultsMost routine chest (58.4%) and AP (68.7%) CECT exams were performed with 2-4 scan phases with fixed scan delay (chest 71.4%; AP 79.8%, liver CECT 50.7%) following ICM administration. Most sites did not change kV across different patients and scan phases; most CECT protocols were performed at 120-140 kV (83%, 1979/2685). There were no significant differences between radiation doses for non-contrast (CTDIvol 24 [16-30] mGy; DLP 633 [414-702] mGycm) and post-contrast phases (22 [19-27] mGy; 648 [392-694] mGycm) (p = 0.142). Sites that used bolus tracking for chest and AP CECT had lower CTDIvol than sites with fixed scan delays (p &lt; 0.001). There was no correlation between BMI and CTDIvol (r2 &lt;= - 0.1 to 0.1, p = 0.931). ConclusionOur study demonstrates up to ten-fold variability in ICM injection protocols and radiation doses across different CT protocols. The study emphasizes the need for optimizing CT scanning and contrast protocols to reduce unnecessary contrast and radiation exposure to patients. Clinical relevance statementThe wide variability and lack of standardization of ICM media and radiation doses in CT protocols suggest the need for education and optimization of contrast usage and scan factors for optimizing image quality in CECT

    Twitter permeability to financial events: an experiment towards a model for sensing irregularities

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    There is a general consensus of the good sensing and novelty character- istics of Twitter as an information media for the complex fi nancial market. This paper investigates the permeability of Twitter sphere, the total universe of Twitter users and their habits, towards relevant events in the financial market. Analysis shows that a general purpose social media is permeable to fi nancial-specifi c events and establishes Twitter as a relevant feeder for taking decisions regarding the fi nancial market and event fraudulent activities in that market. However, the provenance of contributions, their diferent levels of credibility and quality and even the purpose or intention behind them should to be considered and carefully contemplated if Twitter is used as a single source for decision taking. With the overall aim of this research, to deploy an architecture for real-time monitoring of irregularities in the financial market, this paper conducts a series of experiments on the level of permeability and the permeable features of Twitter in the event of one of these irregularities. To be precise, Twitter data is collected concerning an event comprising of a specifi c financial action on the 27th January 2017: the announcement about the merge of two companies Tesco PLC and Booker Group PLC, listed in the main market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), to create the UK's Leading Food Business. The experiment attempts to answer two research questions which aim to characterize the features of Twitter permeability to the fi nancial market. The experimental results con rm that a far-impacting financial event, such as the merger considered, caused apparent disturbances in all the features considered, that is, information volume, content and sentiment as well as geographical provenance. Analysis shows that despite, Twitter not being a specifi c fi nancial forum, it is permeable to financial events

    The Reality of Decision Making in NGOs in Gaza Strip

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    The study aimed to identify the reality of decision-making in the local NGOs in Gaza Strip. In order to achieve the objectives of the study and to test its hypotheses, the analytical descriptive method was used, relying on the questionnaire as a main tool for data collection. The study society was one of the decision makers in the local NGOs in Gaza Strip. The study population reached 78 local NGOs in Gaza Strip. A Census Method of the possible study community was adopted, and the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was mainly based on the analysis and analysis of the data obtained through the survey tool. The study reached a set of results, the most important of which are: NGOs follow a decision-making mechanism. NGOs examine the problems and causes of the organization. Organizations are less concerned with stakeholder participation. Make decision. The main recommendations of the study are: To promote systematic methods of decision-making in NGOs in Gaza Strip: Local NGOs in Gaza Strip should continue to develop their competencies in order to make sound and correct decisions and encourage them to follow the scientific methodologies in the mechanism of taking Decisions
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