The Effects of Disability Labeling on Teachers’ Referrals of Twice-Exceptional Children to Gifted Programs in Saudi Arabia

The issue of biases associated with labeling students as gifted or as having a disability presents a significant challenge to educational professionals with regard to identification and the provision of services. In the presence of labels indicating giftedness, disability, and twice exceptionality, research consistently demonstrated biases on the part of parents, teachers, and even other students. These biases could prevent students from receiving the services they need to achieve their fullest potential (Bianco & Leech, 2010). The current study systematically replicated a study by Bianco and Leech (2010) and examined the influence of disability labels on teachers’ decisions to refer students to gifted programming. Further, this study investigated whether there were any differences in teachers’ responses based on the type of teaching certificate they held (i.e., gifted education, special education, general education). Three groups of in-service teachers (85 general, 59 special, and 43 gifted education teachers) from the Western region of Saudi Arabia participated in the study. A cross-sectional survey methodology was employed. Teachers were randomly assigned to one of three survey conditions that consisted of a vignette that described a student with both giftedness and high potential traits, differing only with respect to one of three labeling conditions (no label, learning disability [LD], autism spectrum disorder [ASD]). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the influence of teacher type and the labeling condition on the teachers’ ratings. Responses to an open-ended question that asked teachers to provide a reason for their referral decisions were analyzed qualitatively. The quantitative analysis showed neither teacher type nor the presence or absence of a disability label had a significant influence on the overall ratings, which was in sharp contrast to Bianco and Leech’s (2010) results. The interaction of the two variables was also nonsignificant. Most of the participants (94%) chose to agree or strongly agree with a referral. However, of the few nonreferrals, most were for students with ASD. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of the teachers’ rationales including (a) the student shows gifted traits, (b) the student’s skills could be cultivated with support, and (c) the student does not fit the definition for giftedness. Findings from this study provided insights into the issues of labeling students and the status of twice-exceptionality in Saudi Arabia. The results indicated limited, negative bias among different types of teachers with respect to students with disabilities. Also, the participants in this study showed a strong orientation toward supporting the growth and development of the student in all three vignette conditions. However, it remained clear that Saudi Arabia would still greatly benefit from establishing a clear policy on twice-exceptionality and providing training programs to educators with respect to defining, identifying, and educating students with giftedness and disabilities

On the Effective Finite Element Simplification of Bolted Joints: Static and Modal Analyses

In this paper, the finite element simplification of a standard bolted joint configuration is investigated. Static and modal analyses of a 3D model are used for benchmarking three different simplified finite element models using Siemens NX software. More specifically, the three simplified finite element models utilize beam elements, spring elements and a coupled shell-beamspring elements model. Four margin of safety criteria with respect to slipping, gapping, yield strength and ultimate strength were evaluated. Results show comparable values in the yield and ultimate margins of safety of all three simplified finite element models. Additionally, a parametric analysis relative to bolt size is performed to check the validity of the different simplifications with respect to bolt slenderness ratio. Results indicate minimal errors for larger slenderness ratio bolts. This is attributed to the minimal contribution of shear and out of plane stresses. For optimal results, it is recommended for the slenderness ratio to be at least 1.5 for an accurate 1D representation of the overall join behavior. Moreover, all three simplifies models are observed to accurately capture modal frequencies, with the exception of the torsional modes due to restricted degrees of freedom. Finally, effects of beam discretization and computational time is highlighted in the work presented in this manuscript

The Effect of Storage on Consumer Preference, Sugar Content, and Starch Content of Spiced Low-Fat Sweet Potato Flavored Yogurt.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if addition of pumpkin pie spice to sweet potato puree would enhance consumer acceptance of sweet potato flavored yogurt. In Phase I, the effect of fat percentage, spice percentage, and addition of sweet potato pre-fermentation and post-fermentation on consumer acceptance was examined to determine the optimum treatment preferred by consumers and the effect of each treatment variable on the fermentation process. Phase II focused on the effect of storage periods of 7, 14, and 21 days on the organoleptic qualities and chemical composition of sweet potato. Analyses showed that the percentage of spice in the treatment appeared to have an effect on pH during fermentation. Treatments containing higher percentages of spice exhibited a slower drop in pH during the fermentation process. The effect was more pronounced in treatments containing .4 percent spice. Addition of sweet potato pre-fermentation and post-fermentation impacted consumer acceptance, viscosity, and glucose and sucrose content. Consumers appeared to prefer treatments with higher percentages of spice content in which sweet potato was added pre-fermentation. In addition, treatments in which sweet potato was added pre-fermentation exhibited higher viscosity regardless of fat and spice percentage and were rated higher by consumers in evaluation of texture. Analyses of Phase II data showed that consumers preferred treatments containing 5 and 6 percent sugar and storage periods of 14 days. Percent added sugar impacted pH, titratable acidity, glucose and sucrose levels. Treatments with lower percentages of added sugar exhibited lower pH values and higher titratable acidity for all storage periods. Treatments with higher percentages of added sugar prefermentation exhibited higher glucose and sucrose levels across storage periods. Dry matter exhibited a storage effect with significant increases in dry matter after 21 days of storage. Viscosity and starch content were not impacted by sugar or storage. Future research should focus on refinement of the yogurt formula to improve the organoleptic properties of the product. Other flavor or textural enhancements such as spiced granola or pecans should be explored. Additional research to determine the nature of the spice on the fermentation process is needed

Educational Technology Implementation in Private Universities in Erbil City

These days technologies have become in many parts of life more than ever before. One of the major challenges in dealing with various technologies is to implement them in a useful way to improve life quality. Since educational technologies can play a big role in developing both the teaching and learning process, that’s why the author chose this field for this research. The purpose of this paper is to explore the status of educational technology in a few selected private universities inside Erbil city to get a perception of development areas and to develop a survey for that purpose. To fulfil the objective of this paper, the author presented these study findings based on the developed survey, observations, interviews, and related work to develop an educational technology investment in universities. The result shows that the majority of private universities still have no Learning Management System (LMS) to manage classroom activities. In addition, many instructors are using some LMSs to incorporate technology in classrooms. The result of this paper also shows that classroom technology should be developed and extended beyond using projectors and emails

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Mobile Banking Service among Cihan Bank Customers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Few banks ofIraq’s Kurdistan Regionhave started providing banking services over smartphones. In addition, not many papers find the factors that influence users’ intention to adopt mobile banking services among bank customers in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. The main focus of this research is to fill the gap also, analyzes various variables impact of mobile banking adoption.The theories of Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) have been chosen by the researchers as the baseline theories.It is discovered that relative advantage, trust, and subjective norms have a constructive impact on adoption. Conflicting to the unearthing in the extant writings, compatibility and perceived value have no critical impact on adoption. Complexitynegatively affects appropriation. The discoveries of this examination will have viable ramifications for the financial business in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region

The Influences of Human-Made Disasters on the State of Government to Citizens ICT Services: Users’ Perspectives

The recent human-made disasters in middle-east harmed the governments’ functionality which caused difficulties on various aspects of life for citizens. These affected governments' functions include government to citizens (G2C) ICT services. There is an absence of empirical study to clarify the real situation of the government to citizens ICT services among citizens during a human-made disaster. Where government to citizens ICT services could fit and serve the affected people due to the difficulties and risks that hinder their access to the government sites. This paper attempts to fill this gap in the literature by empirically investigating these services in Iraq as a war-torn country. In this paper, the literature review has been conducted; the investigated issue is recognised by conducting a self-administered survey. Results point out that there is a lack of flexibility when using ICT services, and there is a notable ignorance about the availability of G2C ICT services among IDPs

Coordinated oscillations in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and protein phosphorylation in clonal pancreatic beta-cells: exploring metabolic control of exocytosis

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus affects 415 million people worldwide. It causes hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin production or action. It has been known for a long time that insulin secretion oscillates in vivo and in vitro. These oscillations in insulin release are impaired in diabetic patients. Oscillations in insulin secretion are driven by oscillations in metabolic coupling factors including the ATP/ADP ratio and intracellular Ca2+. The Aim of this thesis is to determine whether phosphorylation of proteins regulating beta-cell lipid metabolism correlates with oscillations in insulin secretion. METHODS: INS-1 cells were cultured in 4 and 11 mM glucose in 48-well plates. Insulin secretion was initiated with 12 mM glucose at timed intervals to generate an oscillation profile over 22 min. Media was collected and insulin was assayed by fluorescence based HTRF insulin assay. Cell protein was extracted with SDS-PAGE sample buffer, separated by electrophoresis and transferred to PVDF membrane for western blotting after SDS PAGE electophoresis. Phosphorylated and unphosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were detected with specific rabbit antibodies (Cell Signaling). Protein bands were detected on a GE LAS-4000 gel imager using enhanced chemiluminescence. Bands were analyzed using ImageJ software (Schneider, Rasband and Eliceiri 2012). RESULTS: Insulin oscillations were detected over the 22 min time course with at least three resolved peaks of insulin secretion for cells cultured in either 4 or 11 mM glucose. The oscillations were of a 5 min period under both culture conditions while the amplitude was 10-20 fold higher in 4 mM glucose cells. The amplitude was dependent on the insulin content of the cells such that when normalized to insulin content the average insulin secretion was well matched between the high and low glucose conditions. Oscillations in pACC/ACC and pAMPK/AMPK ratios were detected in cells cultured in both 4 mM and 11 mM glucose. In cells cultured at 4 mM glucose the pACC/ACC ratio oscillated with a similar period to insulin but was slightly left shifted such that pACC peaked before insulin. This correlation was not as strictly adhered to in cells cultured at high glucose. Oscillations in pAMPK/AMPK tracked well with those of pACC/ACC in cells cultured at both 4 and 11 mM. pAMPK/AMPK peaks were left-shifted relative to peaks in insulin secretion in cells cultured at 4 mM glucose while they seemed to be coincident with insulin peaks in cells cultured at 11 mM glucose. CONCLUSION: Oscillations in insulin secretion are accompanied by oscillations in ACC and AMPK phosphorylation to regulate lipid signals that amplify normal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Chronic excess nutrients may alter changes in ACC and AMPK phosphorylation resulting in impaired oscillations in insulin secretion. Regulation of lipid signals in the pancreatic beta-cell may provide therapeutic benefit in the treatment of hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes

Inhibiting sulphate attack on concrete by hydrophobic green plant extract

Organic base (Amine) and inorganic base (Nitrite) have been known for protection of concrete structures but are not commercially indigenous to most developing economies due to manufacturing difficulties and are toxic to the environment. Also inhibitors are not known to stop sulphate attack in concrete. Hence, the objective of the present investigation was to study a novel, eco-friendly and hydrophobic green plant extracts inhibitor and compares its effectiveness with established calcium nitrite and ethanolamine inhibitors. Bambusa Arundinacea (Green plant extracts), calcium nitrite and ethanolamine corrosion inhibitors were selected for the present investigation. Compressive strength of 100×100×100mm concrete cubes after 7, 28 and 90 days of curing test was used. The results of the inhibitors studied showed that Bambusa Arundinacea has superior compressive strength compared to calcium nitrite and ethanolamine. Bambusa Arundinacea may be considered a better substitute for nitrite and amine- based corrosion inhibiting admixtures for durable concrete structures due its pore blocking effects