On the Acquisition of Derivational Suffixes by Kuwaiti EFL Learners

This study aims to test the extent to which 90 Kuwaiti EFL learners are aware of the correct use of derivational suffixes in English. It also identifies the mains reasons of the errors that Kuwaiti EFL learners may make. In addition, it investigates whether the English proficiency level of the participants plays a role in their answers on the test. To this end, the participants were tested twice in this study; a multiple-choice test was used to check their comprehension skills, whereas a fill-in the blank test was used to measure their ability to produce the correct derivational suffixes in English. Following data analysis, the results reveal that Kuwaiti EFL learners are fairly aware of the correct use of English derivational suffixes to a certain degree; the total mean on both tests (comprehension = 70% and production = 56%) is 63%. The participants obtained higher percentage of correct answers on the comprehension test (mean= 70%) compared to the production test (mean = 56%). Additionally, the t-test shows that the participants’ English proficiency level plays a central role in their comprehension and production of these suffixes. The performance of the Advanced Learners (ALs) (comprehension = 77% and production = 62%) is better than that of the Intermediate Learners (ILs) (comprehension = 64% and production = 48%) on the tests. In particular, there is a statistically significant difference between the answers of ALs and ILs on both tests. Regarding the types of error made by the participants, I argued that the most noticeable ones are due to: (1) the modification that non-neutral derivational suffixes cause when they are attached to the word (stems/roots); and (2) first language (L1) influence. Finally, the study concludes with some recommendations for further research

Is Your Student Fit For That College? A Study of the Factors That Contribute to Students’ Academic Performance in College

The purpose of this study was to expand the extent of available literature in regard to the factors that contribute to students’ academic performance in college. It focused on a neglected segment of the student population, which is Saudi Arabian students studying in the United States. This study utilized a nonexperimental quantitative research design in order to investigate the relationship between the independent variables (the characteristics of the student, the characteristics of the program, and the academic and social integration between the student and the program) and the dependent variables (degree GPA, ability to graduate within academic program time frame, or dropout). The data were collected from Saudi Arabian students who previously enrolled in the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) and had graduated or dropped out between the period of 2005 to 2016. A Web-based electronic survey was sent and made available for Saudi students who entered KASP via any of the entry methods in the United States. There were 1,020 students who participated in the survey, and only 543 of them fully completed the survey. Only completed surveys were considered for analysis. The results showed that some students’ characteristics, some program characteristics, and some academic and social integration attributes were strongly correlated with students’ academic performance in college. This study presented empirical evidence about which factors can impact students’ performance in college. It provided some answers to why some students succeed, while others fail. It also offered insights and recommendations for higher education policymakers as well as for scholars in the field of higher education policy, especially those concerned with admission policies of academic programs

Feeding Rate and Mortality Impact of Crystals and Endospores Versus Crystals - Producing Recombinants of Bacillus thuringiensis Against Cotton Leafworm

Two Bacillus strains belonging to two species; thuringiensis and subtilis were used in this study. These strains were genetically marking and to be used in conjugation process depending upon the opposite genetic markers to induce recombinants in both strains. This study aimed to evaluate two bioinsecticides induced from recombinants; crystals, crystals + endospores, which derived from two strains of Bacillus and four of their transconjugants resulted from conjugation between Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis, with respect to their toxicity against lepidopterous cotton pest. The results obtained in this study achieved that endospores were effective in reducing feed consumption at the late times of larval age, in contrast, crystals was more effective in reducing feed consumption at the early times of larval age. The results appeared that endospores play a major role in increasing insecticidal activity of bioinsecticides (crystals), this leading to use their in all bioinsecticides. Endospores were effective in reducing the average weight of surviving larvae more than crystals. This indicated that bioinsecticides containing endospores + crystals were more effective than that containing crystals alone. However, most bioinsecticides containing endospores were reduced the average weight of surviving larvae at 48, 72 and 96 hours from treatment. All bioinsecticides containing crystals + endospores were more effective in reducing survival percentage than that containing crystals alone. This achieved that bioinsecticides containing crystals + endospores were more toxic on S. littoralis larvae. The mean number of mortality larvae appeared in treatments with crystals + endospores was more than that caused by bioinsecticides containing crystals alone. In most treatments done in this study the insecticidal activity of crystals + endospores caused higher mortality larvae than that caused by bioinsecticides containing crystals alone

Statistical summability and approximation by de la Vallée-Poussin mean

AbstractIn this paper we define a new type of summability method via statistical convergence by using the density and (V,λ)-summability. We further apply our new summability method to prove a Korovkin type approximation theorem

Exploring the Demand and Supply Conditions of E-Commerce and E-Banking Services in Saudi Arabian Conventional and Islamic Banks

The extensive use of technology by banks and financial institutions aims to respond to customers’ demands by providing efficient, speedy and convenient financial services. After developing the e-banking services, banks have also expanded their online services into e-commerce. Developments of e-banking services and e-commerce have been the case with the majority of banks including Islamic banks in the GCC region. The main aim of this research is to explore the demand and supply conditions of e-commerce through e-banking services in Saudi Arabian conventional and Islamic banks. In doing so, this research aims to assess the level of customer awareness of e-commerce and to explore customers’ motivation in Saudi Arabian conventional and Islamic banks. In addition, this research further explores and evaluates customers’ use of e-commerce and e-channels banking services, and the obstacles faced including security issues. In an attempt to locate the supply side related issues, the study aims also to explore perceptions of the IT managers in the six banks. In the study, data were collected through a survey questionnaire to measure the opinions and perceptions of bank customers, and interview surveys were utilised for assessing the supply conditions. To achieve the aims of this research, firstly, this research presents the initial findings with the objective of developing a better understanding of customers’ preferences based on their opinions and perceptions, expressed through a questionnaire survey with a sample of 198 Islamic and conventional bank customers representing six banks in the country; secondly, to further the analysis of this research, an empirical study is presented by using a series of semi-structured interviews with IT managers at three different levels of the sampled banks in Saudi Arabia. The findings over five empirical chapters demonstrate that the majority of the respondents from both the banks appear to understand and have awareness of the importance of e-commerce especially and e-banking services in particular. The findings also indicate that the majority of the respondents from both banks tend to be equally motivated to deal with e-commerce using banking facilities available for them. In search of motivational factors, this research found that the benefits and the 24/7 availability of e-commerce and e-banking services were the main factors motivating participants to deal with e-commerce and use e-banking services. The findings also indicate that the customers of Islamic banks have a better understanding of using e-commerce and e-banking services. Furthermore, the findings show that customers experienced personal, institutional and macro level obstacles to using e-commerce in both the bank types. Moreover, the customers of Islamic and conventional banks appear to understand the importance of security issues in e-commerce through e-banking services as well as banks. The findings also show that the government of Saudi Arabia has played a key role to improve the environment of e-banking services in Saudi banks. Finally, the interviewees’ analysis indicates the weaknesses in the telecommunication infrastructure. Based on the findings this study suggests that e-commerce through e-banking services can play an important role in expanding business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, while they facilitate individual engagement with commercial activities. Since the technology is expanding and advancing rapidly, and to address the future challenges in IT especially in the e-banking services, it is essential that the necessary infrastructure should be developed to take advantage of the opportunity