Design and Development of an Intelligent Tutoring System for C# Language

Learning programming is thought to be troublesome. One doable reason why students don’t do well in programming is expounded to the very fact that traditional way of learning within the lecture hall adds more stress on students in understanding the Material rather than applying the Material to a true application. For a few students, this teaching model might not catch their interest. As a result, they'll not offer their best effort to grasp the Material given. Seeing however the information is applied to real issues will increase student interest in learning. As a consequence, this may increase their effort to be taught. In the current paper, we try to help students learn C# programming language using Intelligent Tutoring System. This ITS was developed using ITSB authoring tool to be able to help the student learn programming efficiently and make the learning procedure very pleasing. A knowledge base using ITSB authoring tool style was used to represent the student's work and to give customized feedback and support to students

ENHANCEMENT OF THE RELEASE OF CURCUMIN BY THE FREEZE DRYING TECHNIQUE USING INULIN AND NEUSILIN AS CARRIERS

Objective: Curcumin (CUR), the active ingredient in turmeric has been proven to possess many therapeutic activities chiefly as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Unfortunately, CUR suffers from low bioavailability and dissolution due to its poor water solubility. The aim of this work was to enhance the dissolution of CUR by converting it into an amorphous form by freeze-drying and using different carriers. Methods: Different solid dispersions of CUR with Inulin and Neusilin US2 at different ratios using the freeze-drying technique were prepared. The various prepared formulas were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction studies, fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. Release studies, as well as stability studies of CUR from different formulas, were done. Results: Formulation containing CUR, Inulin and Neusilin US2 at a ratio of 1:5:1 showed the highest CUR release during dissolution testing. The percent CUR release was 98% in comparison with that of 2% from the reference raw material. Physical stability testing showed that CUR remained in the amorphous state for 3 mo. Conclusion: Inulin and Neusilin US2 combinations were found to be effective in enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of CUR, and stabilizing the amorphous form in the prepared solid dispersion

Safety of Traditional Arab Herbal Medicine

Herbal remedies are widely used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases and often contain highly active pharmacological compounds. Many medicinal herbs and pharmaceutical drugs are therapeutic at one dose and toxic at another. Toxicity related to traditional medicines is becoming more widely recognized as these remedies become popular in the Mediterranean region as well as worldwide. Most reports concerning the toxic effects of herbal medicines are associated with hepatotoxicity although reports of other toxic effects including kidney, nervous system, blood, cardiovascular and dermatologic effects, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity have also been published in the medical literature. This article presents a systematic review on safety of traditional Arab medicine and the contribution of Arab scholars to toxicology. Use of modern cell biological, biochemical, in vitro and in vivo techniques for the evaluation of medicinal plants safety is also discussed

Innovation barriers and risks for food processing SMEs in Malaysia: a logistic regression analysis

The food industry is facing a period of rapid change driven by globalization, trade liberalization, development of genetic, processing and information technology, intellectual property rights, changes in family structure and health and food safety concerns. Given that the food processing SMEs account for a large part of mainstream businesses in Malaysia, this study sought to examine the impact of barriers and risks on the innovation of new product, process and services of food processing SMEs in Malaysia. To achieve this objectives, the study analysed primary data gathered from 247 executives of food processing SMEs in Malaysia with statistical and econometric techniques. The multiple logistic regression models were employed to estimate how innovations were being affected by the existing barriers. The study revealed that the Malaysian SMEs were suffering from financial sourcing problems and beset with the barriers of human capital, business competitiveness, infrastructure, and government policy. Further multiple logistic regression model’s outputs showed significant impacts on innovations from financial barriers, especially in regard to financial assistance from the government or financial institutions, namely, high interest rates or profit charged, complicated loan application process and unable to enjoy promotional financial packages by financial institutions for food processing SMEs in Malaysia. The study recommended that the Malaysian SMEs’ challenges be considered seriously and that the industry be provided with sufficient financial assistance in developing new products, new market and new sources of supply so that they can be truly sustainable and globally competitive

A Influência da Cultura no Comportamento de Compra por Impulso: uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura

Culture plays a significant buying role in shaping different aspects of consumer behavior such as rational, impulse, and compulsive buying behavior. Impulse buying is one of the prevalent phenomena that significantly affect the sales revenue of companies. This study focuses on unveiling the interaction between cultural factors and impulse buying behavior. For this systematic literature review, 112 significant articles were examined to understand the relationship between various aspects of culture and impulse buying behavior in both online and offline contexts. Further investigation of impulse buying in cross-cultural context helps to understand and classify different theoretical perspectives to study impulse buying behavior and cultural factors. This study offers practical implications for retail professionals and e-commerce strategists to design and implement viable cross-cultural marketing campaigns. Academic researchers may also understand research gaps and contribute further to understanding cross-cultural impulse buying.A cultura desempenha um papel de compra significativo na formação de diferentes aspectos do comportamento do consumidor, como comportamento de compra racional, por impulso e compulsivo. A compra por impulso é um dos fenômenos predominantes que afetam significativamente a receita de vendas das empresas. Este estudo tem como objetivo desvendar a interação entre fatores culturais e o comportamento de compra por impulso. Para esta revisão sistemática da literatura, 112 artigos significativos foram examinados para entender a relação entre vários aspectos da cultura e o comportamento de compra por impulso em contextos online e offline. Uma investigação mais aprofundada da compra por impulso no contexto intercultural ajuda a entender e classificar diferentes perspectivas teóricas para estudar o comportamento de compra por impulso e os fatores culturais. Este estudo oferece implicações práticas para profissionais de varejo e estrategistas de comércio eletrônico para projetar e implementar campanhas de marketing interculturais viáveis. Pesquisadores acadêmicos também podem entender as lacunas de pesquisa e contribuir ainda mais para a compreensão da compra por impulso intercultural

Are Amman Stock Exchange Investors Overconfident?

This study highlights the factors that affect investors' overconfidence. Since the overconfidence is considered one of the major psychological traits that impact the investment decision in Amman stock exchange, the importance of this study emerge through the importance of the investment decision itself. Accordingly, this paper studies overconfidence and number of its originators through structured questionnaire. The six factors we focus on include experience, financial knowledge, academic qualifications, opinions of financial advisors, and past performance of the stock. We randomly manage to get 250 respondents' sample of ASE traders. The results indicate that the investor overconfident is significantly increased by experience and financial knowledge factors. Keywords: Overconfidence, Amman Stock Exchange (ASE), Behavioral finance, Experience, Financial knowledge. JEL Classification: E4

SUSTAINABILITY OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Background and Purpose: Microfinance is the most effective and widely acknowledged method of poverty alleviation across the globe but these days every so and often the MFIs are digressing from their primary mission in pretext of financial and operational sustainability of the organizations. The purpose of this research is to confirm the adherence of double bottom line sustainability of Microfinance institutions (MFIs) and further to identify the determinants of MFIs sustainability in the Philippines.   Methodology: The sample for the study was obtained from MIX- market for the period 1999-2018. Principal component analysis and KU model are used to measure the sustainability scores of MFIs. Later, a panel regression model is applied to identify the determinants of sustainability.   Findings: MFIs are not adhering to the double bottom line sustainability as majority of MFIs were unsustainable at different benchmarks set for the study. The sustainability can be achieved if MFIs start utilizing their assets, focus on improving their efficiency and portfolio quality. MFIs size also significantly influences the sustainability of MFIs.   Contributions: This study highlights the need for policy makers and regulators to develop a regulatory framework to reduce the operating cost and improve the portfolio quality of MFIs in the Philippines. They should also provide guidelines that would help MFIs in improving their asset utilization ratio as it would help them adhere to double bottom line sustainability.   Keywords: Sustainability, microfinance, double bottom line, outreach, financial sustainability.   Cite as: Bhuiyan, A. B., Saad, J., Md Kassim, A. A., Munir, A. N., & Ali, M. J. (2023). Sustainability of microfinance institutions in the Philippines.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 8(TI), 43-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol8issTIpp43-6

Factors associated with continuing emergence of β-thalassemia major despite prenatal testing: A cross-sectional survey

© 2017 Al Sabbah et al. Purpose: Health care initiatives focusing on prenatal testing and premarital genetic screening aiming to reduce the incidence of β-thalassemia have emerged during the last decade. In Palestine, 4% of the population are known thalassemia carriers with new cases continuing to appear despite the availability of prenatal testing. This study aims to identify factors that influence the decision to retain or abort fetuses affected by β-thalassemia in Palestine. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to select 32 women (72 fetuses) who were at risk of having a baby with β-thalassemia. A questionnaire on prenatal testing, test results, pregnancy outcomes, and factors influencing the decision to terminate the pregnancy were used for this cross-sectional study. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: Among the fetuses screened, 36 (50%) were thalassemia carriers and 20 (28%) had β-thalassemia; 17 (85%) affected fetuses were aborted. Religious beliefs were the most cited reason for opposing abortion while prior experience with β-thalassemia patients and awareness programs promoted abortions. Mothers who opted to retain an affected fetus had modest educational attainment. Higher educational level was significantly associated with the decision to abort an affected fetus (p,0.05). Conclusion: A religious consensus is needed on the abortion of fetuses affected by β-thalassemia. Improving female education and increasing awareness on thalassemia could help reduce the incidence of β-thalassemia in Palestine and around the world

Factors associated with continuing emergence of β-thalassemia major despite prenatal testing: a cross-sectional survey.

Purpose Health care initiatives focusing on prenatal testing and premarital genetic screening aiming to reduce the incidence of β-thalassemia have emerged during the last decade. In Palestine, 4% of the population are known thalassemia carriers with new cases continuing to appear despite the availability of prenatal testing. This study aims to identify factors that influence the decision to retain or abort fetuses affected by β-thalassemia in Palestine. Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 32 women (72 fetuses) who were at risk of having a baby with β-thalassemia. A questionnaire on prenatal testing, test results, pregnancy outcomes, and factors influencing the decision to terminate the pregnancy were used for this cross-sectional study. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results Among the fetuses screened, 36 (50%) were thalassemia carriers and 20 (28%) had β-thalassemia; 17 (85%) affected fetuses were aborted. Religious beliefs were the most cited reason for opposing abortion while prior experience with β-thalassemia patients and awareness programs promoted abortions. Mothers who opted to retain an affected fetus had modest educational attainment. Higher educational level was significantly associated with the decision to abort an affected fetus (p Conclusion A religious consensus is needed on the abortion of fetuses affected by β-thalassemia. Improving female education and increasing awareness on thalassemia could help reduce the incidence of β-thalassemia in Palestine and around the world

Evaluation of Medicinal Plant Hepatotoxicity in Co-cultures of Hepatocytes and Monocytes

Non-parenchymal cells might play an important role in the modulation of xenobiotic metabolism in liver and its pharmacological and toxicological consequences. Therefore, the role of cell-to-cell interactions in herbal induced liver toxicity was investigated in monocultures of cells from the human hepatocyte cell line (HepG2) and in co-cultures of cells from the HepG2 cell line and cells from the human monocyte cell line (THP1). Cells were treated with various concentrations (1–500 µg ml(−1)) of extracts of Pistacia palaestina, Juglans regia and Quercus ithaburensis for 24 h. Extracts from Cleome droserifolia, a known toxic plant, were taken as positive control. In the co-culture system, toxic effects were observed after exposure to extracts of Pistacia palestina and C. droserifolia. These two extracts significantly reduced by cell viability as measured the MTT test and the LDH assay. Whereas in hepatocyte cultures, only extracts of C. droserifolia were found to affect the cell viability. The production levels of albumin from hepatocytes were not affected by treatment with plant extracts in both culture systems. It seems that the observed reduction in cell viability after exposure to extracts of P. palestina in co-cultures but not in monocultures is a result of monocyte-derived factors. The use of liver cell co-cultures is therefore a useful approach to investigate the influence of intercellular communication on xenobiotic metabolism in liver