The effect of vocabulary learning strategies in enhancing vocabulary learning among secondary school students in Bani-Walid Libya

Studies have shown that vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) have an essential role in improving vocabulary knowledge among non-native learners of English.However in Libya, studies on the effect of using vocabulary learning strategies to enhance vocabulary knowledge are still lacking. Studies have also revealed that there is a weak performance in vocabulary learning and vocabulary knowledge among secondary school students. This study investigated the effect of vocabulary learning strategies in enhancing vocabulary knowledge among secondary school students in Bani-Walid, Libya. It also explored students’ feedback on types of vocabulary learning strategies the students used before and after the intervention. The instruments used were questionnaire, vocabulary test, semi-structured interviews and logbooks. The independent sample t-test, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis were employed to analyse the data. The VLS questionnaires were distributed to 280 secondary school students, and the pre-tests and post-tests of vocabulary were administered to 80 secondary school students in the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the treatment for eleven weeks using VLS, whereas the control group was taught using the traditional method. Meanwhile, the semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve students, and logbooks were distributed to six students. The findings showed a significant difference in vocabulary test scores between the experimental and control groups. The findings showed a positive influence on the vocabulary learning strategies in enhancing vocabulary knowledge among the learners in Libya. The results also indicated that the memory strategies had a significant effect in enhancing vocabulary learning among these learners. The findings propose that the curriculum include training Libyan teachers to integrate vocabulary learning strategies in the vocabulary teaching

A review on effect of different fiber types on fiber reinforced Concrete behavior

This paper aims at comparing the change in the behavior and properties of concrete after addition of fiber and the effect of type, shape and distribution of fibers in concrete mixture on compressive strength, tensile strength, bending strength, impact resistance, and minimization of cracks in concrete. And the influence of different kinds of fiber on the durability of concrete. For comparison, we relied on a set of previous studies and scientific research on the object of our research

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase:An Ubiquitous Signaling Pathway With Key Roles in the Cardiovascular System

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular and whole-body energy homeostasis, which acts to restore energy homoeostasis whenever cellular energy charge is depleted. Over the last 2 decades, it has become apparent that AMPK regulates several other cellular functions and has specific roles in cardiovascular tissues, acting to regulate cardiac metabolism and contractile function, as well as promoting anticontractile, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic actions in blood vessels. In this review, we discuss the role of AMPK in the cardiovascular system, including the molecular basis of mutations in AMPK that alter cardiac physiology and the proposed mechanisms by which AMPK regulates vascular function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions

The use of the fungus Ascochyta caulina as a biological control agent for the weed Chenopodium album. Evaluation of the bioherbicide formulation efficacy of Ascochyta caulina on different life stages of the weed plant Chenopodium album under laboratory and field conditions comparing Libyan and UK populations.

Chenopodium album is considered one of the most important weeds adversely affecting agricultural production due to its highly competitive influence on field crops. Chemical herbicides have increased the efficiency of farming, but recently problems of herbicideresistant weed populations and herbicide residues in soil, water, food products and effects on non-target organisms have increased, consequently, other methods of control of weeds by using specific fungi as herbicides have been suggested. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the biological control of the weed Chenopodium album by the fungus Ascochyta caulina. Some of the factors which control dormancy and germination of Chenopodium album seeds have been investigated to understand better the weed population dynamics. The results showed that seeds from two populations (UK and Libya) differ in their response to factors such as light, chilling, and burying in soil. This could have implications for effective control of the weed in different regions. Two formulations of mycoherbicides (Tween 80 and Gelatine based applications) were tested in the laboratory, and showed promise in reducing growth of the weed, especially the formula of Tween 80. There was extensive shoot fresh and dry weight reduction of inoculated Chenopodium album, as well as reduced root growth. Highest disease severity rates were observed on plants in the first three week of life. A field trial revealed similar results but less disease severity was observed, possibly because of dry weather. However, it was concluded that the fungus Ascochyta caulina is a potentially useful biological control agent but many factors still can be modified in relation to application of the mycoherbicide to increase its efficacy.Libyan Governmen

SCAFFOLDINGAND REINFORCEMENT: USING DIGITAL LOGBOOKS IN LEARNING VOCABULARY

Reinforcement and scaffolding are tested approaches to enhance learning achievements. Keeping a record of the learning process as well as the new learned words functions as scaffolding to help learners build a comprehensive vocabulary. Similarly, repetitive learning of new words reinforces permanent learning for long-term memory. Paper-based logbooks may prove to be good records of the learning process, but if learners use digital logbooks, the results may be even better. Digital logbooks with an extended page with hyperlinked information on word-knowledge may work both ways – as scaffolding to learning as well as reinforcement to the learning process. In the present paper the researcher has suggested for the development of a software called ‘Vocabulary log book,’ which combines the features of Microsoft Word, online dictionary and online grammar books, so that the information needed by learners of a foreign language to learn its lexicon is available on a single page. The researcher believes that such a page will help learners master the new words quickly and efficiently

The beneficial of wetland Tanjung Piai to community

Wetlands are one of the natural resources that can be seen are suffering for the past few years from human activities. The destruction of wetlands not only came from human activities but also from natural event such as continuous erosion that occurs at Tanjung Piai. The destruction of wetlands not only occurs in Malaysia but also in other country. The study was carried out at wetlands located in Tanjung Piai to identify the beneficial of wetland Tanjung Piai to community and wildlife. For the past few years, problem related to water such as flooding and water pollution worsen but wetlands seems to be one of the method to reduce these events. Wetland becomes storage area that accepts rainwater that cannot be accepted by river. Water that went through as groundwater recharge will go through filtration first thus, reducing the unwanted material in the water. Other than that wetland also acts as habitat for animals and measures to reduce erosion. Despite of the benefit of wetlands to community, wetland suffers from pollution, extinction of the mangrove and climate change. The study was carried out through observation and interview on the person in charge of the Tanjung Piai wetland. The objectives of the study are to identify the benefit of the wetland, problems that was suffered by wetland and measures to make sure wetland are in good condition

Applying Bootstrap Robust Regression Method on Data with Outliers

Identification and assessment of outliers have a key role in Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. This paper presents a robust two-stage procedure to identify outlying observations in regression analysis. The exploratory stage identifies leverage points and vertical outliers through a robust distance estimator based on Minimum Covariance Determinant (MCD). After deletion of these points, the confirmatory stage carries out an OLS analysis on the remaining subset of data and investigates the effect of adding back in the previously deleted observations. Cut-off points pertinent to different diagnostics are generated by bootstrapping and the cases are definitely labeled as good-leverage, bad leverage, vertical outliers and typical cases. This procedure is applied to four examples taken from the literature and it is effective in rightly pinpointing outlying observations, even in the presence of substantial masking. This procedure is able to identify and correctly classify vertical outliers, good and bad leverage points, through the use of jackknife-after-bootstrap robust cut-off points. Moreover its two stage structure makes it interactive and this enables the user to reach a deeper understanding of the dataset main features than resorting to an automatic procedure

Exploring the Determinants of Influence of Information System on Accounting Firms: A Case of ABR Al Remal of Libya

The main focus of this study is to explore the determinants of influence accounting information system on accounting firms in Libya. More specifically, the research intended to investigate the factors influence the effectiveness of accounting information system for firms in Libya. To achieve this objective, data from one of the large Libyan firms (Abr A1 Remal Company) was collected by using self-conduct questionnaire. The sample of this study contains the whole staffs in this firm which is 100 employees. Many types of statistical analysis were conducted to provide more insight on the study variables. One of the most statistical analyses used in this study to provide evidence which variables have significant impact on accounting information system was multiple regression analysis. This analysis provides evidence suggesting that accounting information system is significantly influenced by education, motivation, and training program variable. Moreover, the result revealed that IT knowledge has significant impact of accounting information system. The other two interested variables (company size and IT expertise) were found to be insignificant have little influence on accounting information system. This study would have an important contribution to the literature of accounting information especially in Libya which has considerably paid more attention to move and adopt new information system, technologies. Also, this study can provide police maker in Libyan firms with more insight which factors contribute to make accounting information system more effective

Role of AMP-protein kinase (AMPK) in regulation of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) function

This thesis, entitled: ‘Role of AMP-protein kinase (AMPK) in regulation of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) function’, has been submitted by author Tarek Ali Mohamed Almabrouk for a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow, October 2016. Apart from the cerebral circulation, all vasculature is surrounded by layers of adipose tissue known as perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). In health, PVAT can function as an endocrine organ to produce a wide range of adipocytokines which can attenuate vascular contraction. The exact mechanism of this anti-contractile effect is still ill-defined, although much evidence suggests that PVAT-released adipocytokines may activate K+ channels on VSMCs or eNOS on endothelial layer possibly via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, obesity results in oxidative stress and inflammation of the PVAT leading to abnormal adipocytokine release and PVAT dysfunction. AMPK is a serine/threonine kinase with many potential physiological functions, including regulation of energy heamostasis. AMPK is expressed in the three layers of the blood vessel: smooth muscle (VSM), the endothelium and PVAT and it is known that activation of AMPK leads to vascular dilatation via both endothelium- and non-endothelium-dependent mechanisms. Although it is known that AMPK can modulate VSM and endothelial function, it is unknown whether AMPK can influence the anti-contractile activity of PVAT. Therefore, this project aimed to investigate the mechanism of the anticontractile effect of PVAT by determining the functions of AMPK within adipocytes, as well as to assess the importance of vascular AMPK to the PVAT anti-contractile function. Experiments were conducted using wild type (WT) and global AMPKα1 knockout (KO) mice aortae. The phenotypic features of the PVAT were assessed by both histological, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent methods. Secretory function of the PVAT was tested using an immunoblotting array and ELISA, whereas the anti-contractile effect of PVAT was studied using wire myography. Immunoblotting methods were used to test AMPK activity in the PVAT and VSMCs. Aortic rings from WT and KO mice were denuded of endothelium and mounted on a wire myograph in the presence and absence of PVAT. The responses to an AMPK activator (AICAR) and the AMPK-independent vasodilator cromakalim were subsequently assessed. Relaxation responses to AICAR or cromakalim in the Sv129 (wild type) mouse were significantly enhanced in the presence of endogenous attached or unattached PVAT, an effect that was absent in vessels from KO mice. Furthermore, enhanced relaxation was observed in vessels from KO mice incubated with PVAT from Sv129 mice, whereas PVAT from KO mice had no effect on relaxation of vessels from Sv129 mice. Furthermore, conditioned medium (CM) transfer experiments demonstrated the presence of an anticontractile factor released from PVAT that was absent in KO mice. Adiponectin secretion was reduced in PVAT from KO mice and PVAT-enhanced relaxation was attenuated in the presence of adiponectin blocking peptide. Adipokine array and ELISA demonstrated that adiponectin release is significantly reduced in the KO conditioned media in comparison with wild type CM. Globular adiponectin restores the relaxation response in both wild type aortae without PVAT and in KO aortae with and without PVAT. High fat diet (HFD) fed mice showed a reduction in the relaxation response to cromakalim in wild type vessels with intact PVAT in comparison with animals fed a normal chow diet (ND). HFD animals had increased inflammatory infiltrates in the PVAT which were associated with reduced AMPK activity and adiponectin release in comparison with ND fed WT mice. In KO mice, AMPK activity was also reduced and increased inflammatory infiltration was observed in both ND and HFD mice. In conclusion, the current project demonstrates that AMPKα1 has a critical role in maintaining PVAT’s anti-contractile effect; likely mediated through altered adiponectin secretion or sensitivity, and through protection of PVAT against inflammation. Marked reduction in AMPK activity in WT PVAT, accompanied with the reduction in the release of adiponectin in HFD and KO animal may explain the impaired vascular function observed in obesity