Factors affecting the deployment of learning analytics in developing countries: case of Egypt

The higher education institutions in developing countries such as Egypt are challenged with the high enrollment student rates, crowded classes and inability to track the progress of each student individually which increased the demand to find a solution that can redeem those problems. Although the usage of learning analytics is an expanding solution to support different educational challenges from performance tracking to detecting students at risks, learning analytics’ developments concentrated on addressing solutions for developed countries. Accordingly, the discipline still requires a broader and indepth interpretation of its contextual usage in developing countries especially Egypt. A research model has been constructed based on literature and tested for its validity and reliability. A questionnaire has been distributed on 148 university students. The study used smart-PLS to interpret and analyze the collected data. The study revealed that organizational culture, data accessibility, trustworthy, visualization has a positive effect on the awareness, while lack of ability has a negative effect on the awareness. Both infrastructure and awareness have significant positive effect on learning analytics impact. The research indicates high learning analytics awareness and high perceived impact on the Egyptian higher education. Evidence should be provided with the collection of more insights from students, faculty members and decision makers

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in bronchial asthma: can we rely on transmitral inflow velocity patterns?

Background: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been reported in bronchial asthma (BA), based on the finding of abnormal transmitral inflow velocities on Doppler echocardiography, and attributed to the use of long-term β2-adrenoceptor agonists. However, these indices of LV filling may be affected by other factors. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effect of acute severe asthma in children on Doppler-derived transmitral inflow velocities and determine the factors influencing them. Methods: 23 asthmatic children [14 males, 9 females; age 8.4±4.2 years] and 15 age- and sex-matched, healthy children [10 males, 5 females; age 9.8±4.3 years] were studied clinically, by spirometry and by echocardiography both during and after resolution of acute severe asthma. Pulsed Doppler-derived right ventricular (RV) systolic time intervals [RV pre-ejection period corrected for heart rate (RVEPc), RV ejection time corrected for heart rate (RVETc), acceleration time (AT)], transmitral inflow velocities [peak E velocity, peak A velocity, E/A ratio], and isvolumic relaxation time (IVRT) were measured. Results: During acute exacerbations of BA, patients had significantly shorter RVETc (p < 0.05) and AT (p < 0.05), significantly higher peak A velocity (p < 0.01), significantly lower E/A ratio (p < 0.01), and significantly higher IVRT (<0.05). A highly significant inverse correlation existed between AT and peak A velocity [r= -0.634 (p < 0.01)] during acute asthma exacerbation but disappeared after its resolution. Conclusion: Transmitral inflow velocity patterns during acute severe asthma in children are suggestive of altered LV preload due to an acute transient elevation in pulmonary artery pressure secondary to the altered lung mechanics, and are not reflective of intrinsic LV diastolic dysfunction. Keywords: Bronchial asthma, right ventricular systolic time intervals, left ventricular diastolic function, transmitral inflow velocity; echocardiography, childrenEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2006; 4(2): 61-6

Effect of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Improving Cognitive Function and Activities of Daily Living among Elderly Patients With Stroke at Assiut University Hospital

Cognitive impairment is a frequent consequence of stroke. The study aimed to measure the effect of cognitive rehabilitation of elderly patients with stroke on their cognitive function and activities of daily living. Quasi experimental research design were used in this study. This study was conducted at neuropsychiatric, physical medicine and rehabilitation departments at Assiut University hospital, their number were 70 elderly stroke patients aged 60 years and above, (study group, 35, control group, 35) . Six tools were utilized ,tool 1: Socio- demographic characteristics and questions about stroke tool II: Mini-Mental State Examination tool III: Digit Span tool IV: Logical memory tool V: Geriatric Depression Scale. Tool VI:  Barthel Index scale. The rehabilitation program: consist of five practical session about spatial memory, attention and concentration, visual attention, fish face task and N400 task and three theoretical session about health education for diabetes mellitus, hypertension and prevention of recurrent stroke. The main result of the present study revealed that a significant statistical difference was existed between both studied groups in relation to Min Mental State Examination  (P-value = 0.000*). Conclusion: Application of training program about cognitive impairment  of stroke elderly patients have significant therapeutic effect on cognitive function, and on activities of daily living. Recommendation: Routine use of screening assessment of cognitive impairment in every stroke patient for early detection, and Health education to the elderly patients and caregivers about the possible ways of prevention of recurrent stroke and ways for controlling of diabetes and hypertension Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation, Elderly, Stroke patient

Dynamics and control of quadcopter using linear model predictive control approach

This paper investigates the dynamics and control of a quadcopter using the Model Predictive Control (MPC) approach. The dynamic model is of high fidelity and nonlinear, with six degrees of freedom that include disturbances and model uncertainties. The control approach is developed based on MPC to track different reference trajectories ranging from simple ones such as circular to complex helical trajectories. In this control technique, a linearized model is derived and the receding horizon method is applied to generate the optimal control sequence. Although MPC is computer expensive, it is highly effective to deal with the different types of nonlinearities and constraints such as actuators’ saturation and model uncertainties. The MPC parameters (control and prediction horizons) are selected by trial-and-error approach. Several simulation scenarios are performed to examine and evaluate the performance of the proposed control approach using MATLAB and Simulink environment. Simulation results show that this control approach is highly effective to track a given reference trajectory

Experimental Evaluation of Steel–Concrete bond Strength in Low-cost Self-compacting Concrete

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the potentials of self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes to develop bond strength. The investigated mixes incorporated relatively high contents of dolomite powder replacing Portland cement. Either silica fume or fly ash was used along with the dolomite powder in some mixes. Seven mixes were proportioned and cast without vibration in long beams with 10 mm and 16 mm steel dowels fixed vertically along the concrete flow path. The beams were then broken into discrete test specimens. A push-out configuration was adopted for conducting the bond test. The variation of the bond strength along the flowing path for the different mixes was evaluated. The steel-concrete bond adequacy was evaluated based on normalized bond strength. The results showed that the bond strength was reduced due to Portland cement replacement with dolomite powder. The addition of either silica fume or fly ash positively hindered further degradation as the dolomite powder content increased. However, all SCC mixes containing up to 30% dolomite powder still yielded bond strengths that were adequate for design purpose. The test results demonstrated inconsistent normalized bond strength in the case of the larger bar diameter compared to the smaller one

Immunohistochemical Expression of “L1 cell Adhesion Molecule†in Endometrial Carcinomas

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female genital tract. No effective biomarkers currently exist to allow for an efficient risk classification of endometrial carcinoma or to direct treatment (adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy) or to triage pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) a transmembrane protein of the immunoglobulin family that has been implicated in promoting tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis became an attractive candidate as a potential biomarker in endometrial carcinoma and potential therapeutic target in high-risk groups. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of L1CAM expression in endometrial carcinoma and correlation of this expression with various pathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for L1CAM was performed on paraffin-embedded sections of 80 cases of endometrial carcinomas that underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Expression of L1CAM in >10% of tumor cells was interpreted as positive. RESULTS: L1CAM expression was detected in 22.5% of cases and showed statistically significant correlation with non-endometrioid histological type, high grade, high FIGO stage, high pathological (T) stage, cervical involvement, nodal metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion, and high-risk tumor according to the European Society for Medical Oncology system for risk stratification (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high rate of L1CAM expression in high-risk endometrial carcinomas suggests that L1CAM represents a potential marker for the identification of patients needing closer follow-up and aggressive treatment. In addition, its potential role as a therapeutic target for high-risk endometrial cancer seems promising

PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER FIBROSIS

Objective: Liver plays a pivotal role in regulating various physiological processes in the body such as metabolism, secretion, and storage. It has a great capacity to detoxify toxic substances and synthesize useful principles. The current study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats.Methods: The animals were divided into four groups with eight rats in each. To induce liver fibrosis, Wistar albino rats received CCl4 (2 ml/kg diluted in corn oil) twice weekly for eight weeks. Rats were concurrently treated with Z. officinale extract at two different doses (300 and 600 mg/kg/day).Results: CCl4 ­­induced liver injury characterized by fibrotic changes, degenerated hepatocytes and focal accumulation of inflammatory cells. In addition, CCl4 administration produced a significant increase in serum aminotransferases, lipids, liver lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. The hepatoprotective effects of Z. officinale extract were evidenced by the significant decrease in serum aminotransferases and liver lipid peroxidation. Further, concurrent treatment with either dose of Z. officinale enhanced liver glutathione and enzymatic antioxidant defenses.Conclusion: Z. officinale showed a marked hepatoprotective effect against CCl4–induced liver fibrosis and injury through the abolishment of oxidative stress and potentiation of the antioxidant defense system.Keywords: Antioxidant, Ginger, Fibrosis, Oxidative stres

Knowledge and practice related to compliance with mass drug administration during the Egyptian national filariasis elimination program

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been targeted for global elimination by 2020. The primary tool for the program is mass drug administration (MDA) with antifilarial medications to reduce the source of microfilariae required for mosquito transmission of the parasite. This strategy requires high MDA compliance rates. Egypt initiated a national filariasis elimination program in 2000 that targeted approximately 2.7 million persons in 181 disease-endemic localities. This study assessed factors associated with MDA compliance in year three of the Egyptian LF elimination program. 2,859 subjects were interviewed in six villages. The surveyed compliance rate for MDA in these villages was 85.3% (95% confidence interval = 83.9–86.5%). Compliance with MDA was positively associated with LF knowledge scores, male sex, and older age. Adverse events reported by 18.4% of participants were mild and more common in females. This study has provided new information on factors associated with MDA compliance during Egypt's successful LF elimination program