Universal design for learning in Saudi context Assessing faculty readiness

The absence of an inclusive learning environment raises concerns about the equitable educational outcomes for all learners. This study aims to assist educators in providing additional support to learners with disabilities attending public schools and accessing the standard curriculum. Consequently, the research will shed light on potential factors contributing to this deficiency within the context of Saudi Arabia. Assessing instructors' readiness to implement the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework may provide valuable insights into the state of educational institutions and their adoption of inclusive learning environments in higher education. The study's participants is faculty members from education colleges, drawn from 28 universities in Saudi Arabia. A survey was conducted involving 162 faculty members to collect data for analysis. This research design incorporates descriptive statistics, which enables the researcher to summarize data regarding instructors' familiarity with and use of the UDL framework in their classrooms. These statistics provide a quantitative description of the study's items. The online survey is the chosen research method for collecting data, well-suited for descriptive research. The results also indicated that more than half of the faculty members lack experience in teaching students with disabilities or have limited knowledge of UDL and creating accessible learning environments. There are calls for building redesigns to support disability accommodations and to enhance communication between faculty, students, and access centers. The study's findings underscore the significance of training in promoting more inclusive teaching practices, emphasizing the need for ongoing professional development. Many faculty members have limited experience in teaching students with disabilities, although some have had positive teaching experiences. Challenges include resource limitations, insufficient training, and inadequate infrastructure. Based on the study's findings, this research suggests implications for policy and practice, along with recommendations for improving UDL implementation involve training, accessible resources, and administrative support, and guiding future research

Does Foreign Aid Promote Growth? Evidence from Africa

Taking a panel of 54 African countries and employing pooled, GLS, and panel regression, this study investigates the impact of foreign aid, policies, and their interaction on economic growth. This study covers a period of 35 years from 1980 to 2015. The key variables of this study are aid, measured by the official amount of foreign aid as a percentage of GDP by the recipient countries and policy, measured by an index created using linear estimation of various policy variables associated with political, economic and fiscal freedom; the Sachs-Warner measure of openness and World bank\u27s Country Policy and Institution Assessment ratings. Several potential variables that can impact economic growth is controlled for to assess the aid-growth relationship. The findings of this study show that for African countries, foreign aid has positive, statistically significant but minimal effect on economic growth. The results also suggest that the aid-growth relationship is non-linear and foreign aid has diminishing returns as the volume of aid increases; African countries who have been aid-recipients for a long-time were hurt by the huge influx of aid. Also, the results confirm that better policies do not always result in aid effectiveness. Too much reliance on foreign aid creates moral hazards and the recipient countries suffer more when the governments and corrupted leaders used aid to satisfy their own best means. The reason behind the aid ineffectiveness is that most of the sampled African countries used foreign aid to service their debts so the aid never got into the proper channels so it failed to facilitate economic development. However, the findings of this study are not implying that aid can never be beneficial for the sampled countries. But it certainly proposes that for aid to be effective in driving economic development, the aid recipients need to rethink about how the aid apparatus can properly be employed to deter abuse of foreign aid

Applications of multivariate statistics in honey bee research, analysis of metabolomics data from samples of honey bee propolis

This thesis was previously held under moratorium from 20/04/2020 to 20/04/2022Honey bees play a significant role both ecologically and economically, through the pollination of flowering plants and crops. Additionally, honey is an ancient food source that is highly valued by different religions and cultures and has been shown to possess a wide range of beneficial uses, including cosmetic treatment, eye disease, bronchial asthma and hiccups. In addition to honey, honey bees also produce beeswax, pollen, royal jelly and propolis. In this thesis, data is studied which comes from samples of propolis from various geographical locations. Propolis is a resinous product, which consists of a combination of beeswax, saliva and resins that have been gathered by honey bees from the exudates of various surrounding plants. It is used by the bees to seal small gaps and maintain the hives, but is also an anti-microbial substance that may protect them against disease. The appearance and consistency of propolis changes depending on the temperature; it becomes elastic and sticky when warm, but hard and brittle when cold. Furthermore, its composition and colour varies from yellowish-green to dark brown, depending on its age and the sources of resin from the environment. Propolis is a highly biochemically active substance with many potential benefits in health care, which have attracted much attention. Biochemical analysis of propolis leads to highly multivariate metabolomics data. The main benefit of metabolomics is to generate a spectrum, in which peaks correspond to different chemical components, making possible the detection of multiple substances simultaneously. Relevant spectral features may be used for pattern recognition. The purpose of this research is to study methods used for statistical analysis of biochemical data arising from propolis samples. We investigate the use of different statistical methods for metabolomics data from chemical analysis of propolis samples using Mass Spectrometry (MS). Methods studied will include pre-treatment methods and multivariate analysis techniques including principal component analysis (PCA), multidimensional scaling (MDS), and clustering methods including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), k-means clustering and self organising maps (SOMs). Background material and results of data analysis will be presented from samples of propolis from beehives in Scotland, Libya and Europe. Conclusions are drawn in terms of the data sets themselves as well as the properties of the different methods studied for analysing such metabolomics data.Honey bees play a significant role both ecologically and economically, through the pollination of flowering plants and crops. Additionally, honey is an ancient food source that is highly valued by different religions and cultures and has been shown to possess a wide range of beneficial uses, including cosmetic treatment, eye disease, bronchial asthma and hiccups. In addition to honey, honey bees also produce beeswax, pollen, royal jelly and propolis. In this thesis, data is studied which comes from samples of propolis from various geographical locations. Propolis is a resinous product, which consists of a combination of beeswax, saliva and resins that have been gathered by honey bees from the exudates of various surrounding plants. It is used by the bees to seal small gaps and maintain the hives, but is also an anti-microbial substance that may protect them against disease. The appearance and consistency of propolis changes depending on the temperature; it becomes elastic and sticky when warm, but hard and brittle when cold. Furthermore, its composition and colour varies from yellowish-green to dark brown, depending on its age and the sources of resin from the environment. Propolis is a highly biochemically active substance with many potential benefits in health care, which have attracted much attention. Biochemical analysis of propolis leads to highly multivariate metabolomics data. The main benefit of metabolomics is to generate a spectrum, in which peaks correspond to different chemical components, making possible the detection of multiple substances simultaneously. Relevant spectral features may be used for pattern recognition. The purpose of this research is to study methods used for statistical analysis of biochemical data arising from propolis samples. We investigate the use of different statistical methods for metabolomics data from chemical analysis of propolis samples using Mass Spectrometry (MS). Methods studied will include pre-treatment methods and multivariate analysis techniques including principal component analysis (PCA), multidimensional scaling (MDS), and clustering methods including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), k-means clustering and self organising maps (SOMs). Background material and results of data analysis will be presented from samples of propolis from beehives in Scotland, Libya and Europe. Conclusions are drawn in terms of the data sets themselves as well as the properties of the different methods studied for analysing such metabolomics data

Mechanical characterisation of novel polyethylene-based nanocomposites

Polymer-based nanocomposites are of significant current research interest owing to their outstanding mechanical properties, light weight, processability and low cost. They are also increasingly being considered for a range of industrial applications, including packaging, fuel tanks, gas barriers and high performance films. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is already used in various applications, such as lightweight body armour because of its high impact resistance with light weight and total joint replacement due to its high wear resistance. However, a broader use of UHMWPE is limited by the complexity and cost of the manufacturing process, which can be attributed to its high viscosity at processing temperatures. The processability of UHMWPE can be improved by blending with a compatible, lower molecular weight polymer, however, this inevitably results in a reduction in some of the useful properties, such as impact resistance. In this work the potential of adding nano-fillers to such blends to create a range of nanocomposite polymers with the advantages of easy processability and enhanced properties is investigated. The overall aim of this research was to investigate the effect of processing method, strain rate, nanoparticle type and content on the morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of a family of novel polyethylene-based nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites of blended UHMWPE and high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or inorganic clay were prepared using conventional processing techniques. After initial experiments into the effects of processing parameters, two sets of processing parameters were selected that gave different blend morphology in order to investigate the effect of this on the blend properties and nanofiller dispersion. Characterization of the pure, blended and nanocomposite materials was achieved by the application of combination of experimental techniques. Tensile testing was carried out to characterise the effect of processing method, strain rate, ambient temperature, nanoparticle type and content on the stress-strain behaviour and also to study heat generation during plastic deformation at high strain rates. Depth sensing indentation (DSI) tests were carried out to characterise the effect of processing method, ambient temperature, nanoparticle type and content on the near-surface properties of the materials at a micro-scale under a more complex state of stress that more closely approximates that seen in impact applications. The creep behaviour of the materials was investigated at macro and micro scales at various ambient temperatures. This is important as a weakness of UHMWPE is poor creep resistance and it would be extremely useful if blending or the addition of nanofillers could improve this. A phenomenological model was used to analyse the creep data as this can be usefully used to predict creep performance in service and to aid understanding of the creep phenomena in these materials. The results included in this work are summarised below. Firstly, it was seen that processing parameters had a significant effect on the morphology of the blends, which in turn affected the blend properties and the dispersion of nanoparticles in the blend. Secondly, it was seen that heat generation during plastic deformation of the polyethylene blends and nanocomposites was significantly dependent on morphology, strain rate, nanoparticle type and content. Furthermore, this temperature increase strongly affected the material properties at high strain rates, which is an important consideration if these materials are to be used in high strain rate applications, e.g. as replacement for UHMWPE in helmets and body armour. Thirdly, the macro and micro viscoelastic behaviour of the materials was strongly dependent on the morphology, nanoparticle type and content. A significant increase in creep resistance compared with UHMWPE could be engineered by a careful selection of blend and nanoparticle type and weight fraction. It can be seen, therefore, that a new class of cheap and easy processable polymer nanocomposites have been characterised that can give a range of property sets dependent on the blend processing and nanofiller type and weight fraction. Although certain compromises in property sets are unavoidable, e.g. it is difficult to engineer maximum creep and impact resistance in the same material, this ability to tailor properties could potentially increase the range of applications for these materials and enable better product design

Hydrodesulphurization of Light Gas Oil using Hydrogen from the Water Gas Shift Reaction

The production of clean fuel faces the challenges of high production cost and complying with stricter environmental regulations. In this research, the ability of using a novel technology of upgrading heavy oil to treat Light Gas Oil (LGO) will be investigated. The target of this project is to produce cleaner transportation fuel with much lower cost of production. Recently, a novel process for upgrading of heavy oil has been developed at University of Waterloo. It is combining the two essential processes in bitumen upgrading; emulsion breaking and hydroprocessing into one process. The water in the emulsion is used to generate in situ hydrogen from the Water Gas Shift Reaction (WGSR). This hydrogen can be used for the hydrogenation and hydrotreating reaction which includes sulfur removal instead of the expensive molecular hydrogen. This process can be carried out for the upgrading of the bitumen emulsion which would improve its quality. In this study, the hydrodesulphurization (HDS) of LGO was conducted using in situ hydrogen produced via the Water Gas Shift Reaction (WGSR). The main objective of this experimental study is to evaluate the possibility of producing clean LGO over dispersed molybdenum sulphide catalyst and to evaluate the effect of different promoters and syn-gas on the activity of the dispersed Mo catalyst. Experiments were carried out in a 300 ml Autoclave batch reactor under 600 psi (initially) at 391oC for 1 to 3 hours and different amounts of water. After the hydrotreating reaction, the gas samples were collected and the conversion of carbon monoxide to hydrogen via WGSR was determined using a refinery gas analyzer. The sulphur content in liquid sample was analyzed via X-Ray Fluorescence. Experimental results showed that using more water will enhance WGSR but at the same time inhibits the HDS reaction. It was also shown that the amount of sulfur removed depends on the reaction time. The plan is to investigate the effect of synthesis gas (syngas) molar ratio by varying CO to H2 ratio. It is also planned to use different catalysts promoters and compare them with the un-promoted Mo based catalysts to achieve the optimum reaction conditions for treating LGO. The results of this study showed that Ni and Co have a promoting effect over un-promoted Mo catalysts for both HDS and WGSR. Ni was found to be the best promoter for both reactions. Fe showed no significant effect for both WGSR and HDS. V and K have a good promoting effect in WGSR but they inhibited the HDS reaction. Potassium was found to be the strongest inhibitor for the HDS reaction since no sulfur was removed during the reactio

Investigation of PV module performance for solar racing vehicle

This item is only available electronically.Thesis (MMechE) -- University of Adelaide, School of Mechanical Engineering, 201

Investigation of Transient Overvoltages on GIS Busbars and External Enclosures

Fast Front Transient Overvoltages and Very Fast Transient Overvoltages in a 380kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) located in Jeddah City have been studied and analyzed using PSCAD Software. The Gas insulated substation (GIS) components and equipment's inside substation have been modeled using their equivalent circuits and distributed parameter lines that take into account during transients. Two Lighting events leading to the generation of possible Fast Transient Overvoltages are analyzed and discussed: i) Direct Strike, ii) Back Flashover. One switching operation event leading to the generation of possible Very Fast Transient Overvoltages inside GIS is analyzed and discussed: i) disconnector switching of outgoing diameter. Transient ground potential raise has also been investigated. Keywords: Fast Transient Overvoltages, Very Fast Transient Overvoltages, PSCAD softwar

Mechanical characterisation of novel polyethylene-based nanocomposites

Polymer-based nanocomposites are of significant current research interest owing to their outstanding mechanical properties, light weight, processability and low cost. They are also increasingly being considered for a range of industrial applications, including packaging, fuel tanks, gas barriers and high performance films. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is already used in various applications, such as lightweight body armour because of its high impact resistance with light weight and total joint replacement due to its high wear resistance. However, a broader use of UHMWPE is limited by the complexity and cost of the manufacturing process, which can be attributed to its high viscosity at processing temperatures. The processability of UHMWPE can be improved by blending with a compatible, lower molecular weight polymer, however, this inevitably results in a reduction in some of the useful properties, such as impact resistance. In this work the potential of adding nano-fillers to such blends to create a range of nanocomposite polymers with the advantages of easy processability and enhanced properties is investigated. The overall aim of this research was to investigate the effect of processing method, strain rate, nanoparticle type and content on the morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of a family of novel polyethylene-based nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites of blended UHMWPE and high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or inorganic clay were prepared using conventional processing techniques. After initial experiments into the effects of processing parameters, two sets of processing parameters were selected that gave different blend morphology in order to investigate the effect of this on the blend properties and nanofiller dispersion. Characterization of the pure, blended and nanocomposite materials was achieved by the application of combination of experimental techniques. Tensile testing was carried out to characterise the effect of processing method, strain rate, ambient temperature, nanoparticle type and content on the stress-strain behaviour and also to study heat generation during plastic deformation at high strain rates. Depth sensing indentation (DSI) tests were carried out to characterise the effect of processing method, ambient temperature, nanoparticle type and content on the near-surface properties of the materials at a micro-scale under a more complex state of stress that more closely approximates that seen in impact applications. The creep behaviour of the materials was investigated at macro and micro scales at various ambient temperatures. This is important as a weakness of UHMWPE is poor creep resistance and it would be extremely useful if blending or the addition of nanofillers could improve this. A phenomenological model was used to analyse the creep data as this can be usefully used to predict creep performance in service and to aid understanding of the creep phenomena in these materials. The results included in this work are summarised below. Firstly, it was seen that processing parameters had a significant effect on the morphology of the blends, which in turn affected the blend properties and the dispersion of nanoparticles in the blend. Secondly, it was seen that heat generation during plastic deformation of the polyethylene blends and nanocomposites was significantly dependent on morphology, strain rate, nanoparticle type and content. Furthermore, this temperature increase strongly affected the material properties at high strain rates, which is an important consideration if these materials are to be used in high strain rate applications, e.g. as replacement for UHMWPE in helmets and body armour. Thirdly, the macro and micro viscoelastic behaviour of the materials was strongly dependent on the morphology, nanoparticle type and content. A significant increase in creep resistance compared with UHMWPE could be engineered by a careful selection of blend and nanoparticle type and weight fraction. It can be seen, therefore, that a new class of cheap and easy processable polymer nanocomposites have been characterised that can give a range of property sets dependent on the blend processing and nanofiller type and weight fraction. Although certain compromises in property sets are unavoidable, e.g. it is difficult to engineer maximum creep and impact resistance in the same material, this ability to tailor properties could potentially increase the range of applications for these materials and enable better product design

Virtual Reality Technology and Speech Analysis for People Who Stutter

Virtual reality (VR) technology provides an interactive computer-generated experience that artificially simulates real-life situations by creating a virtual environment that looks real and stimulates the user’s feelings. During the past few years, the use of VR technology in clinical interventions for assessment, rehabilitation and treatment have received increased attention. Accordingly, many clinical studies and applications have been proposed in the field of mental health, including anxiety disorders. Stuttering is a speech disorder in which affected individuals have a problem with the flow of speech. This can manifest in the repetition and prolongation of words or phrases, as well as in involuntary silent pauses or blocks during which the individual is unable to produce sounds. Stuttering is often accompanied by a social anxiety disorder as a secondary symptom, which requires separate treatment. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of using a VR environment as a medium for presenting speech training tasks. In addition, we evaluated the accuracy of a speech analyzer module in detecting stuttering events

Rehabilitation of waste materials near lead and zinc mining sites in Galena, Kansas

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of AgronomyDeAnn R. PresleyThe abandoned lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) mines in the Tri-State Mining District of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma have left a legacy of environmental contamination. The waste materials are highly polluted, not only with Pb and Zn, but also cadmium (Cd), which often co-occurs geologically with Zn. The District includes Galena, Kansas, where mines operated between 1876 and 1970. Because limited information exists concerning these mines, three studies were done to characterize them and to investigate a way to remediate the mine waste materials. In the first study, the physical characteristics of the mine waste materials were determined. Plots at Galena that had been established by researchers in May 2006 were sampled in November 2014, 8.5 years after they had received amendments (combinations of compost, lime, and bentonite). Water content, bulk density, infiltration rate, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability, and particle size distribution were determined. The physical characteristics were highly variable, and the amendments added 8.5 years earlier had no effect on them, except the wind erodible fraction (fraction <0.84 mm in diameter) which was low on treatments that contained bentonite. Because biosolids had never been applied to the mine waste materials at Galena for remediation, an experiment was done to see their effect on plant growth and availability of heavy metals. In 2014 the plots established in 2006 were sampled and a greenhouse study was set up with sudex [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x S. Sudanese (P.) Staph]. Plants grew in the mine waste materials with and without biosolids, and 110-111 days after planting the roots, shoots, and heads with grain were harvested and analyzed for heavy metals. At the same time, the mine waste materials were analyzed for heavy metals, organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). Plants grew better with biosolids than without biosolids, and only the plants grown with biosolids produced heads . Plants grown without biosolids were stunted and showed severe heavy metal toxicity. Organic C and P were increased in the mine waste materials after the addition of biosolids. Thus, the biosolids increased organic C and P, and they apparently made the heavy metals less available for plant uptake. Many studies have shown the importance of attic dust in documenting metal pollution from a mine. Attic dust in Galena had never been studied, so in a third experiment, 14 dust samples in Galena were collected from interiors (attics and one basement) of nine different buildings using two methods: sweeping with a brush and vacuuming. Dust samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), mineralogy using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and particle size. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn in the dust were higher than in the mine waste materials. The results from XRD agreed with those from the SEM-EDX analysis. About 10% of each dust sample contained particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 10 μm (PM₁₀), which is a health concern