Measuring the moderating influence of gender on the acceptance of e-book amongst mathematics and statistics students at universities in Libya

The success of using any types of technology in education depends on a large extent of the acceptance of information technology (IT) by students. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the acceptance of electronic book (e-book) is essential for decision-makers and those interested in the e-book industry. Based on an extended technology acceptance model (TAM), this paper examines the impact of some factors on the students' behavioural intention (BI) toward adoption of the e-book in mathematics and statistics. This paper also investigates the effect of gender differences on the relationship between the factors affecting the acceptance of e-book. A self-administered survey was used to collect data from 392 mathematics and statistics undergraduate students. The research model has shown that the factors related to the social factor and users' characteristics are the critical factors that affect the acceptance of the e-book. The results also indicated that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and students' attitude (AU) have strongly affected students' BI. Self-efficacy (SE) has a significant impact on PEOU while social influence (SI) has a significant influence on students' AU. Moreover, the results confirmed that most of the TAM constructs were significant in both models (males and females), where there are no differences between males and females; however, only PEOU has been affected by the gender moderator. The results showed that the impact of the factor of SI on females was more than males. On the other hand, female students were more confident in the use of the e-book than males. In general, the female students' model was more powerful in explaining the variance than males' model

Release of K-, Cl- und S-Species during Co-Combustion of Coal and Straw

Straw as a renewable energy source can either be used alone or be used in existing coal-fired power plants (co-combustion). The objective of the present work was to investigate the influence of fuel composition and interactions between various types of straw and coal on the release of K, Cl, and S species during co-combustion of coal and straw at temperatures between 800 and 1100 degrees C. The amount of HCl released during co-combustion was higher than expected on the basis of the combustion results of the pure fuels because of the reaction of the straw KCl with the coal silica. However, the amount of potassium released in gaseous form is only slightly lower than expected. The relative amount of sulfur released during co-combustion in comparison to the expected amount depends upon the temperature and the biomass share of the blends. At higher temperatures or lower straw share, the release is increased because of the reaction of the straw K2SO4 with the coal clay minerals. At lower temperatures and high straw share, available straw potassium and calcium capture some coal sulfur

Management Options and Factors Affecting Control of a Common Waterhemp ( Amaranthus rudis

Repeated use of protox-inhibiting herbicides has resulted in a common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis Sauer) biotype that survived lactofen applied up to 10 times the labeled rate. Field and greenhouse research evaluated control options for this biotype of common waterhemp. In the field, PRE applications of flumioxazin at 72 g ai ha−1, sulfentrazone at 240 g ai ha−1, and isoxaflutole at 70 g ai ha−1 controlled common waterhemp >90% up to 6 weeks after treatment. POST applications of fomesafen at 330 g ai ha−1, lactofen at 220 g ai ha−1, and acifluorfen at 420 g ai ha−1 resulted in <60% visual control of common waterhemp, but differences were detected among herbicides. In the greenhouse, glyphosate was the only herbicide that controlled protox resistant waterhemp. The majority of herbicide activity from POST flumioxazin, fomesafen, acifluorfen, and lactofen was from foliar placement, but control was less than 40% regardless of placement. Control of common waterhemp seeded at weekly intervals after herbicide treatment with flumioxazin, fomesafen, sulfentrazone, atrazine, and isoxaflutole exceeded 85% at 0 weeks after herbicide application (WAHA), while control with isoxaflutole was greater than 60% 6 WAHA. PRE and POST options for protox-resistant common waterhemp are available to manage herbicide resistance

A thrips vector of tomato spotted wilt virus responds to tomato acylsugar chemical diversity with reduced oviposition and virus inoculation.

There is increasing evidence that acylsugars deter insect pests and plant virus vectors, including the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Acylsugars are sugar-polyesters composed of saturated, un-saturated, and variously branched short and long chain fatty acids (FAs) esterified to a glucose (acylglucose) or sucrose (acylsucrose) moiety. We sought to understand how acylsucrose amount and composition of associated FA profiles interacted to mediate resistance to WFT oviposition and TSWV inoculation on tomato leaves. Towards this goal, we examined WFT oviposition and TSWV inoculation behavior on tomato lines bred to exude varying amounts of acylsucrose in association with diverse FA profiles. Our data show that as acylsucrose amounts increased, WFT egg-laying (oviposition) decreased and TSWV inoculation was suppressed. Western flower thrips also responded to FA profiles that included iC4, iC11, nC12 and nC10 FA. These findings support improving acylsugar-mediated resistance against WFT by breeding tomatoes exuding greater amounts of acylsucrose associated with specific FA profiles. We show that increasing acylsucrose amount output by type IV trichomes and selecting for particular FA profiles through advanced breeding profoundly affects WFT behavior in ways that benefit management of WFT as direct pests and as TSWV vectors

The effectiveness of digital storytelling in the classrooms: a comprehensive study

In recent years the use of new technologies in educational systems has increased worldwide as digital cameras, personal computers, scanners, and easy-to-use software have become available to educators to harness the digital world. The impact of new technologies in educational contexts has been mostly positive as new technologies have given educators the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills, and therefore enhance the standard of education. Researchers have found that student engagement, achievement and motivation are enhanced through integration of such technologies. However, education systems still face many challenges: one of these challenges is how to enhance student engagement to provide better educational outcomes. It has become increasingly important to use innovative pedagogical models to engage learners. Digital storytelling is one of the innovative pedagogical approaches that can engage students in deep and meaningful learning. This research project aimed to create a constructivist learning environment with digital storytelling. The research investigated the pedagogical aspects of digital storytelling and the impact of digital storytelling on student learning when teachers and students use digital stories. A multi-site case study was conducted in one Australian school at primary and secondary levels. In selected classrooms, students and teachers had the opportunity to engage in innovative learning experiences based on digital storytelling. In order to enhance the reliability and validity of the research, multiple methods of data collection and analysis were used. Data was collected with qualitative and quantitative methods. An evaluation rubric was used to collect quantitative data, while interviews and observation were used to collect qualitative data. Data collection was guided by a mixed methods research design in order to evaluate if and how digital storytelling enhances teaching and learning outcomes. The findings from this study suggest that digital storytelling is a powerful tool to integrate instructional messages with learning activities to create more engaging and exciting learning environments. It is a meaningful approach for creating a constructivist learning environment based on novel principles of teaching and learning. Thus, this approach has the potential to enhance student engagement and provide better educational outcomes for learners

Investigations on the Influence of Additives for SO2 Reduction during High Alkaline Biomass Combustion

Straw and other biomasses can cause severe problems when used as fuel in combustion systems. Some of the major problems include high emission of alkalis, HCl, and especially SO2 to the gas phase. The development of low-cost primary measures for achieving a SO2 emission below the European Union (EU) emission limit of 200 mg/Nm(3) without the need for the installation of a flue gas desulfurization unit requires an increased understanding of the chemistry of biomass combustion. For this reason, laboratory combustion experiments with two different high alkaline (HIAL) biomasses doped with additives have been conducted in the temperature range of 800-1100 degrees C. The use of a high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS) sampling technique allows the on-line specification of combustion byproducts such as K, Na, S, and Cl species in the combustion flue gases. The results of the measurements show that the SO2 emission may be related to the K/S and K/Si ratios in the initial samples. The release of potassium is mostly dependent on the chlorine content of the samples. Calcium- and potassium-based additives are able to reduce the release of SO2 into the gas phase

Proposed framework of the adoption of e-book amongst mathematics and statistics students at universities in Libya

During the past two decades, many researchers study the adoption of technology as one of the important drivers in the development of education. Researchers are keen to recognize the status or factors that determine technology adoption and usage [1]. Several patterns are developed to aid in predicting technology acceptance. From these models, the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Theory of Planned Behaviours, and the Technology Acceptance Model are derived. These models are widely-used and most investigated. This research will be based on the Technology Acceptance Model. A number of external factors will be added to this model to examine their impact on the acceptance of e-book in Mathematics and Statistics students at universities in Libya

A structural equation modelling approach for adoption of e-book amongst mathematics and statistics (MAS) students at higher education institutions in Libya

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that may impact on the acceptance of the e-book amongst mathematics and statistics (MAS) students at higher education institutions in Libya. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model has been developed based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). The factors divided into three groups: intrinsic variables represent the first group of factors that are related to the user or the potential users itself, such as Self-Efficacy and Resistance to Change. Second, extrinsic variables include all the factors that reflect the characteristics of the e-book and the infrastructure for universities, which are Mobility (M), Facilities (F) and Library Service Quality (LS). TAM constructs from Perceived Ease Of Use (PEOU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), Attitude (AU) and Behaviour Intention (BI) represent the last group. Data relating to the constructs were collected through a self-administered survey in 2014. The developed model was measured and tested by structural equation modelling using AMOS (22.0). Findings The result confirmed that the structural model fits the data well. According to the results, TAM constructs have a significant impact on the acceptance of e-book among MAS students at universities in Libya. In addition, the intrinsic variables play the important role to predict students’ BI. Although the extrinsic variables were less important, Facilities was the strong factor in this group. Originality/value The adoption of e-book amongst higher education students in Libya is still quite low. Hence, identifying the factors that may contribute to e-book adoption is crucial. The contribution of this paper is to determine the factors that effect on the acceptance of e-book amongst MAS students at higher education institutions in Libya

n Personeelontwikkelingsprogram vir bybelonderrig in die sekondere skool

Werkstuk (M. Ed.) -- Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 1991.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record