Effects of a Training Module on Omani Teachers' Awareness of Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the use of online and e-learning in Omani general and higher education institutions. Consequently, the pandemic imposed contemporary technological challenges when considering training programs for Omani teachers. This research seeks to record proactive steps, at the Omani and Arab levels, to examine the effectiveness of online, in-service teacher training programs. In addition, this research seeks to explore the effects of online training modules on teachers' knowledge of Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities (GSLD). In other words, the research aims to examine the effects of a training module on Omani teachers’ awareness of GSLD. According to a convenience sampling method, a total of 60 Omani teachers participated in the research. Participants were teachers of students with Learning Disabilities (LD) at the resource room program in the Muscat Governate, in the Sultanate of Oman. They were distributed equally into two groups: control (n=30), and experimental (n=30). Following the development of a Self-Awareness Scale (SAS) and the training program module, the SAS was administered to both groups as a pre-test and a post-test. The teachers in the experimental group received a two-week online training module to improve their awareness of GSLD. Results indicated that there were significant differences in the post-test of the SAS in favor of teachers in the experimental group

Comparative and comprehensive study of linear antenna arrays’ synthesis

In this paper, a comparative and comprehensive study of synthesizing linear antenna array (LAA) designs, is presented. Different desired objectives are considered in this paper; reducing the maximum sidelobe radiation pattern (i.e., pencil-beam pattern), controlling the first null beamwidth (FNBW), and imposing nulls at specific angles in some designs, which are accomplished by optimizing different array parameters (feed current amplitudes, feed current phase, and array elements positions). Three different optimization algorithms are proposed in order to achieve the wanted goals; grasshopper optimization algorithms (GOA), antlion optimization (ALO), and a new hybrid optimization algorithm based on GOA and ALO. The obtained results show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithms to achieve the wanted targets. In most experiments, the proposed algorithms outperform other well-known optimization methods, such as; Biogeography based optimization (BBO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), firefly algorithm (FA), cuckoo search (CS) algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA), Taguchi method, self-adaptive differential evolution (SADE), modified spider monkey optimization (MSMO), symbiotic organisms search (SOS), enhanced firefly algorithm (EFA), bat flower pollination (BFP) and tabu search (TS) algorithm

Synthesis of new antenna arrays with arbitrary geometries based on the superformula

The synthesis of antenna arrays with low sidelobe levels is needed to enhance the communication systems’ efficiency. In this paper, new arbitrary geometries that improve the ability of the antenna arrays to minimize the sidelobe level, are proposed. We employ the well-known superformula equation in the antenna arrays field by implementing the equation in the general array factor equation. Three metaheuristic optimization algorithms are used to synthesize the antenna arrays and their geometries; antlion optimization (ALO) algorithm, grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), and a new hybrid algorithm based on ALO and GOA. All the proposed algorithms are high-performance computational methods, which proved their efficiency for solving different real-world optimization problems. 15 design examples are presented and compared to prove validity with the most general standard geometry: elliptical antenna array (EAA). It is observed that the proposed geometries outperform EAA geometries by 4.5 dB and 10.9 dB in the worst and best scenarios, respectively, which proves the advantage and superiority of our approach

The optimal synthesis of scanned linear antenna arrays

In this paper, symmetric scanned linear antenna arrays are synthesized, in order to minimize the side lobe level of the radiation pattern. The feeding current amplitudes are considered as the optimization parameters. Newly proposed optimization algorithms are presented to achieve our target; Antlion Optimization (ALO) and a new hybrid algorithm. Three different examples are illustrated in this paper; 20, 26 and 30 elements scanned linear antenna array. The obtained results prove the effectiveness and the ability of the proposed algorithms to outperform and compete other algorithms like Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS) and Firefly Algorithm (FA)

The Extent of Including Geometric Thinking Levels in the Individualized Education Program from the Teachers' Perspective

ملخص: : هدفت هذه الدراسة الوصفية إلى الكشف عن مدى تضمين مستويات التفكير الهندسي في البرنامج التربوي الفردي من وجهة نظر معلمات برنامج صعوبات التعلم. وقد تكونت عينة الدراسة من 216 معلمة من مختلف المحافظات في سلطنة عُمان. حيث طُبق عليهنّ مقياس مستويات التفكير الهندسي الذي طُوّر وفق نموذج فان هيل. وقد تألف المقياس من 45 فقرة وزعت على خمسة مستويات (التصوري، والتحليلي، والاستدلالي غير الشكلي، والاستدلالي الشكلي، والتجريدي). وقد أشارت النتائج إلى أنّ مدى تضمين مستويات التفكير الهندسي في البرنامج التربوي الفردي جاء بمستوى متوسط على جميع مستويات المقياس. كما أشارت النتائج إلى وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في مستويات التفكير الهندسي الاستدلالي غير الشكلي، والاستدلالي الشكلي، والتجريدي وفق متغير المؤهل العلمي لصالح حملة البكالوريوس. كما أظهرت النتائج وجود فروق على جميع مستويات التفكير الهندسي وفق متغير الخبرة التدريسية لصالح فئة 10 سنوات فأقل. وقد أوصت الدراسة بتضمين موضوعات خاصة بالهندسة والتفكير الهندسي في البرنامج التربوي الفردي.Abstract: This descriptive study aimed at identifying the extent of including geometric thinking levels in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the teachers’ perspective of learning disabilities program. The sample of the study consisted of 216 female teachers from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. They responded on the scale of geometric thinking levels, which was developed according to Van Hiele Model. This scale consisted of 45 items distributed on 5 levels (visualization, analysis, informal deduction, formal deduction, and rigor). The results indicated that the extent of inclusion geometric thinking levels in IEP was on average. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in informal deduction, formal deduction, and rigor according to qualification in favor of the bachelor's degree. Moreover, the results also showed that there were differences at all levels of geometric thinking according to teaching experience in favor of 10 years or less. The study recommended that topics related to geometry and geometric thinking be included in IEP

Effectiveness of interactive teaching intervention on medical students' knowledge and attitudes toward stem cells, their therapeutic uses, and potential research applications

Background: Stem cell science is rapidly developing with the potential to alleviate many non-treatable diseases. Medical students, as future physicians, should be equipped with the proper knowledge and attitude regarding this hopeful field. Interactive teaching, whereby the teachers actively involve the students in the learning process, is a promising approach to improve their interest, knowledge, and team spirit. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive teaching intervention on medical students' knowledge and attitudes about stem cell research and therapy. Methods: A pre-post test study design was employed. A six-session interactive teaching course was conducted for a duration of six weeks as an intervention. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were used. The differences in the mean scores of students' knowledge and attitudes were examined using paired t-test, while gender differences were examined using an independent t-test. Results: Out of 71 sixth-year medical students from different nationalities invited to participate in this study, the interactive teaching course was initiated by 58 students resulting in a participation rate of 81.7%. Out of 58 students, 48 (82.8%) completed the entire course. The mean age (standard deviation) of students was 24 (1.2) years, and 32 (66.7%) were males. The results showed poor knowledge about stem cells among the medical students in the pre-intervention phase. Total scores of stem cell-related knowledge and attitudes significantly improved post-intervention. Gender differences in knowledge and attitudes scores were not statistically significant post-intervention. Conclusions: Integrating stem cell science into medical curricula coupled with interactive learning approaches effectively increased students' knowledge about recent advances in stem cell research and therapy and improved attitudes toward stem cell research and applications. Keywords: Arab; Attitudes; Education; Interactive teaching; Jordan; Knowledge; Medical curriculum; Stem cells; Students

Alloy Steel: Properties and Use First-Principles Quantum Mechanical Approach to Stainless Steel Alloys

Accurate description of materials requires the most advanced atomic-scale techniques from both experimental and theoretical areas. In spite of the vast number of available techniques, however, the experimental study of the atomic-scale properties and phenomena even in simple solids is rather difficult. In steels the challenges become more complex due to the interplay between the structural, chemical and magnetic effects. On the other hand, advanced computational methods based on density functional theory ensure a proper platform for studying the fundamental properties of steel materials from first-principles. In 1980’s the first-principles description of the thermodynamic properties of elemental iron was still on the borderline of atomistic simulations. Today the numerous application- oriented activities at the industrial and academic sectors are paired by a rapidly increasing scientific interest. This is reflected by the number of publications on ab initio steel research, which has increased from null to about one thousand within the last two decades. Our research group has a well established position in developing and applying computational codes for steel related applications. Using our ab initio tools, we have presented an insight to the electronic and magnetic structure, and micromechanical properties of austenite and ferrite stainless steel alloys. In the present contribution, we review the most important developments within the ab initio quantum mechanics aided steel design with special emphasis on the role of magnetism on the fundamental properties of alloy steels

Seismic imaging of deep low-velocity zone beneath the Dead Sea basin and transform fault : implications for strain localization and crustal rigidity

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2006. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geophysical Research Letters 33 (2006): L24314, doi:10.1029/2006GL027890.New seismic observations from the Dead Sea basin (DSB), a large pull-apart basin along the Dead Sea transform (DST) plate boundary, show a low velocity zone extending to a depth of 18 km under the basin. The lower crust and Moho are not perturbed. These observations are incompatible with the current view of mid-crustal strength at low temperatures and with support of the basin's negative load by a rigid elastic plate. Strain softening in the middle crust is invoked to explain the isostatic compensation and the rapid subsidence of the basin during the Pleistocene. Whether the deformation is influenced by the presence of fluids and by a long history of seismic activity on the DST, and what the exact softening mechanism is, remain open questions. The uplift surrounding the DST also appears to be an upper crustal phenomenon but its relationship to a mid-crustal strength minimum is less clear. The shear deformation associated with the transform plate boundary motion appears, on the other hand, to cut throughout the entire crust.Funded by USAID Middle Eastern Regional Cooperation Program grant M21-012, with matching funds by the participating institutions

Assessment of Maximum Bite Force in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients: A Preliminary Study

Objective: To determine the maximum bite force (MBF) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients and to compare them with that of healthy subjects. Material and Methods: Twenty patients who were clinically confirmed, as OSMF and 20 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and number of intact functional teeth were included in this study. For each subject, age, gender, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The MBF registration was carried out by the two evaluators, who were previously calibrated. Bite force was measured in the first molar region using a force transducer occlusal force meter for each subject seated at the upright position, with Frankfort's plane nearly parallel to the floor, and no head support. The Student’s independent t-test was used to determine the statistical significance in relation to mean height, weight, BMI and the presence of number of intact teeth and MBF between the healthy subjects and OSMF individuals. A comparison of grades of OSMF with all variables was carried out by one-way ANOVA test. Results: No significant difference was found in mean age, mean height, weight, BMI and the presence of the number of intact teeth between healthy individuals and OSMF patients. The mean MBF in healthy subjects was 628.23 ± 24.39 N and 635.47 ± 31.22 N in OSMF patients. Even though the healthy subjects reported a higher MBF than OSMF patients did, the difference was statistically non-significant. With regards to sides, no significant difference was observed in mean MBF in healthy subjects and OSMF patients on the right (p=0.7818) and left side (p=0.6154). Conclusion: The healthy subjects reported higher MBF values than OSMF patients did and the difference was statistically non-significant