The Effectiveness of Professional Training Programs in Developing the Digital Skills of Arabic Language Teachers from the Perspective of Principals and Academic Supervisors

The researcher of the present study aimed to explore the effectiveness of professional training programs in developing the digital skills of Arabic language teachers in the public schools in Zarqa. The sample consists from 108 female and male principals and academic supervisors. She used a questionnaire that consists from 41 items. This questionnaire sheds a light on 4 digital skills-related areas. It was found that the digital skill level of Arabic language teachers in the four areas jointly is moderate. It was found that there are differences between the respondents’ attitudes towards the effectiveness of the aforementioned program in developing (intermediate and advanced skills). Keywords:Digital skills, professional training, Arabic language teachers. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-36-07 Publication date: December 31st 2020

Enjeux de l’enseignement du français aux arabophones : le cas de l’Université de Jordanie à Amman

This study examines the teaching of French to Jordanian Arabic-speaking people at the French department in the University of Jordan in Amman. The new technological tools used recently in the department offer promising perspectives and they prepare the department to offer some better targeted courses for French language students in Jordan. These innovating practices of teaching included in the project of the University of Jordan are dedicated to cultural and international openness. Still, assessing the needs of learners in academia is difficult to establish and to be clearly expressed once and for all. The questions that arise in this context are: Does technology limit the teacher’s role in the classroom? And how do affective factors influence the learning of a foreign language in the presence of technological tools and hybrid and distance learning? How to create with these new tools classes designed to arouse in the Arabic-speaking student a certain behaviour or activity? It is in this sense that we speak in general pedagogy of active methods, which designate all that a teacher can do to create and maintain in his students the maximum of interest and participation in class. Thus, this study will show that in the background, despite all the technological development in the field of language pedagogy, the affective dimension and the communicative approach must necessarily be added to the teaching materials of the teacher to make it more effective for language acquisition of the learner of French, especially the Arab native student. The teacher plays an essential emotional and human role in this learning process, whatever the teaching approach or tool used

Neighborhoods and Social Interactions: The Case of Al-Najada Area in Doha

Cities provide places for people to live, work, learn and socialize. As urban environments, cities nowadays are typically characterized by urban sprawl in which open public spaces (1) are neglected and/or (2) social interactions are discouraged. In fact, the encouragement of social interactions among neighbors is a vital factor implementing livability among city dwellers. Recent evidence suggests that social interactions occur infrequently in contemporary urban neighborhoods. Therefore, it is worth investigating how communities can be designed in the future with the aim to increase social interactions. Al-Najada area in Doha provides a useful case study because it is a traditional area, built based on formal social structures aiming to the formation of social interaction in old neighborhoods (which is called Fereej in Arabic). This paper investigated how the urban fabric of Al-Najada area can be implemented in order to enhance social interactions and become an effective sample of sustainable development. Also, this paper examined the factors that contribute to socially sustainable development in the regeneration of Al-Najada as a traditional asset in the heart of Doha. Literature review is conducted on topics of sustainable urbanism, urban sociology, and built heritage to learn about design implementation in order to enhance social interactions within the urban fabric of neighborhoods. Therefore, content analysis, site observations, and walking tour assessments are adopted as the main research methods in order to investigate how social interactions at Al-Najada area can be encouraged, namely how the spatial form can be implemented in order to enhance social interactions. The research study findings led to the definition of a set of recommendations for a design approach, based on smart planning and design guidelines, aiming at implementing Al-Najada neighborhood in order to facilitate social interactions. The recommendations are genuinely plan-led, empowering local people to shape their surroundings, with concise neighborhood plans setting out a positive vision for the future of Al-Najada area

Neighborhoods and Social Interactions: The Case of Al-Najada Area in Doha

Cities provide places for people to live, work, learn and socialize. As urban environments, cities nowadays are typically characterized by urban sprawl in which open public spaces (1) are neglected and/or (2) social interactions are discouraged. In fact, the encouragement of social interactions among neighbors is a vital factor implementing livability among city dwellers. Recent evidence suggests that social interactions occur infrequently in contemporary urban neighborhoods. Therefore, it is worth investigating how communities can be designed in the future with the aim to increase social interactions. Al-Najada area in Doha provides a useful case study because it is a traditional area, built based on formal social structures aiming to the formation of social interaction in old neighborhoods (Fereej). The research investigates how the urban fabric of Al-Najada area can be studied and investigated in order to enhance social interactions and become an effective sample of sustainable development. Also, it examines the factors that contribute to socially sustainable development in the regeneration of Al-Najada as a traditional asset in the heart of Doha. Literature review is conducted on topics of sustainable urbanism, urban sociology, and built heritage to learn about design implementation in order to enhance social interactions within the urban fabric of neighborhoods. Therefore, content analysis, site observations, and walking tour assessments are adopted as the main research methods in order to investigate how social interactions at Al-Najada area can be encouraged, namely how the spatial form can be implemented in order to enhance social interactions. As understood from the reviewed literature, environment-behavior studies depend on experimental investigations. Sustainable urban development that constitutes a major part of environment-behavior studies is tested and measured through site observations, semi-structured interviews, and walking tour assessments. Also, illustrative sketches are used as common and intuitive method for communicating spatial information and knowledge. In this study, observations and walking tour assessments are the main methods to collect data. Also, morphological analysis of Al-Najada area is considered to understand its spatial configuration and the physical elements that define it. Collectively, these methods help in gathering relevant personal, behavioral, cognitive, and spatial data to achieve the research objectives. The main technique of data presentation and analysis is illustrative images of a 3D massing model developed for Al-Najada area.qscienc

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of anti-hyperlipidaemic effect for ethanolic leaf extract of Equisetum ramosissimum L.: in vivo study on rats’ models

This study aims to investigate the anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Equisetum ramosissimum. 2,2-Diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl assay for antioxidants, Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl3, and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, focusing on phenols and flavonoid content were performed. Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the extract on lipid profile and body weight was evaluated alone or in combination with Atorvastatin in rats. The extract was shown to contain phenols (0.032±0.001 µg/g, equivalent to gallic acid), flavonoids (0.044±0.003 mg/g, equivalent to quercetin), and antioxidant IC50 value of (1000.00±0.78 µg/mL). UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of 8 different phenols and flavonoids. An in vivo study on healthy standard diet-fed animals and an induced hyperlipidaemic model showed a significant (P < 0.05) reducing effect of the extract alone and in combination with Atorvastatin on serum lipid profile. These findings revealed the potential advantages of the extract alone and in combination with statins for preventing or treating hyperlipidaemia, but need to be further explored

Dietary intake and lifestyle practices of eastern mediterranean postpartum women before and during COVID-19 pandemic: An internet-based cross-sectional survey

Background: During the lockdown period, a substantial group of these women reported lifestyle changes. Aim: The aim of the study is to characterize the dietary patterns, intake and the adherence to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) pregnancy guidelines before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Mediterranean postartum women. Methods: An internet-based cross-sectional survey was used to collect the data. The survey was carried out among 1,939 postpartum women from five countries from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Change in dietary intake from the five food groups and the adherence to USDA's daily recommendations were assessed. Findings: There was a significant increase in the mean (SD) consumption of all the food groups, including bread, rice, and other cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products, white and red meat, and nuts during the pandemic. Around 84% of participants reported no/low adherence (0–2) to USDA guidelines, whereas only 15% reported moderate or high adherence (3–5) to the guidelines before the pandemic. However, there was an increase in the proportion of subjects reporting moderate/high adherence (22%) during the pandemic. Discussion and conclusions: A substantial proportion of our study participants reported a lower dietary intake than the recommended amounts, and low adherence to the five food groups. Reasonable and applicable actions should be taken to protect postpartum women and their children from the effects of low dietary intake, particularly during pandemics and lockdowns. More researches are needed to identify the modifiable factors which could improve the nutritional status of the postpartum women during the pandemic

Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: Results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries' societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. Findings: This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household's food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p < 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p < 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household's dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p < 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p < 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p < 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p < 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p < 0.001), Brazil (p < 0.001), Mexico (p < 0.0001) and Peru (p < 0.001). Middle and older ages [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.125–1.426] [OR = 2.5; 95 % CI = [1.951–3.064], being a woman [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.117–1.367], having a high education (p < 0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR = 1.4; 95 % CI = [1.292–1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. Conclusion: The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings.Revisión por pare

Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: Results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries\u27 societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. Findings: This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household\u27s food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p \u3c 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p \u3c 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household\u27s dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p \u3c 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p \u3c 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p \u3c 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p \u3c 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p \u3c 0.001), Brazil (p \u3c 0.001), Mexico (p \u3c 0.0001) and Peru (p \u3c 0.001). Middle and older ages [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.125–1.426] [OR = 2.5; 95 % CI = [1.951–3.064], being a woman [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.117–1.367], having a high education (p \u3c 0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR = 1.4; 95 % CI = [1.292–1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. Conclusion: The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings

Quantification of Total Phenols and Antioxidants in Coffee Samples of Different Origins and Evaluation of the Effect of Degree of Roasting on Their Levels

Phenolic and antioxidant compounds have received considerable attention due to their beneficial effects on human health. The aim of this study is to determine the content of total phenols and antioxidants in fifty-two coffee samples of different origins, purchased from the Jordanian local market, and investigate the effect of the degree of roasting on the levels of these compounds. The coffee samples were extracted using the hot water extraction method, while Folin&ndash;Ciocalteu (FC) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay methods were used to analyze these compounds. The results showed that the highest content of total phenol (16.55 mg/g equivalent to GAE) was found in the medium roasted coffee, and the highest content of antioxidants (1.07 mg/g equivalent to TEAC) content was found in the green coffee. Only light and medium roasted coffee showed a significant correlation (p &lt; 0.05, R2 &gt; 0.95) between the average of total phenolic and antioxidant content. A negative correlation between the antioxidant content and the degree of roasting (p &lt; 0.05, R2 &gt; 0.95) were shown, while it did not correlate with phenolic contents. Previously, a positive correlation between antioxidant and chlorogenic acids content was observed, with no correlation between the origin of coffee samples nor heavy metal content, which was previously determined for the same coffee samples. These findings suggest that the antioxidant content for coffee extracts is largely determined by its chlorogenic acid content, rather than the coffee origin or total phenolic and heavy metals content

Quantification of Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid in Green and Roasted Coffee Samples Using HPLC-DAD and Evaluation of the Effect of Degree of Roasting on Their Levels

Chlorogenic acid and caffeine are among the important components in coffee beans, determining the taste and aroma. In addition, phenols and antioxidants content possess vital health values. The main aim of this study is to determine the levels of caffeine and chlorogenic acid in several coffee samples of different origins and degrees of roasting. The coffee samples were extracted using hot water. The levels of caffeine and chlorogenic acid were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a diode array detector, a reverse phase system, and an ODS column (C18). Total phenol and antioxidant contents were previously determined for the same samples. The results showed that the highest content of caffeine was found in the medium roasted coffee (203.63 mg/L), and the highest content of chlorogenic acid content was found in the green coffee (543.23 mg/L). The results demonstrated a negative correlation between the chlorogenic acid levels with the degree of roasting, while it showed a positive correlation between the caffeine levels with the degree of roasting till a certain point where the levels dropped in the dark roasted coffee. The origin of coffee samples did not show any effect on any of the measured variables. Antioxidant effects of coffee samples were largely determined by chlorogenic acid content