THE CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS FACED BY STUDENTS IN THE EARLY STAGE OF WRITING RESEARCH PROJECTS IN L2, UNIVERSITY OF BISHA, SAUDI ARABIA

Research, by its nature, is a critical challenging task requires in depth knowledge of the subject matter, planning, care, and hard work. From the students’ point of view, this paper attempts to explore the challenges that are faced by undergraduates when they are writing proposals and research projects at the early stages. The study target group comprised undergraduates in the final year in the College of Science and Arts, Al-Namas, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Around 60 subjects participated in this study and they were from Department of English and Department of Computer Science who conducted their research projects in English as Second Language (ESL). The Research tools of the study include questionnaire and informal interviews with students and teachers of the target groups. Clearly, the results from study showed that around 70 % of the participants who are writing research or conducting research projects in English is one of the predominant challenges for them. Around 50% prefer to conduct their research in L1. The study explored various and common challenges/difficulties during writing the research proposals and projects such as: difficulty in deciding the topic for research, lack of good knowledge of the methodology, inability of finding modern, specialized and related references, lack of interest in research, lack of understanding of the subject matter, lack of time, and research guiding. The study also attempts to give some suggestions/recommendations for developing the process of writing research proposals and research projects.  Article visualizations

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A HPLC METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, DEXTROMETHORPHAN, AND TRIPROLIDINE IN THEIR COMBINED COUGH AND COLD SYRUPS

A simple and efficient liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, and triprolidine in cough and cold syrup. The separation of the analytes was achieved within 10min, employing a mixture of 50% v/v methanol-water containing 35.07 mM/L ammonium acetate adjusted to pH 5.58 as isocratic mobile phase, pumped at 1.0 ml min-1 through a strong cation exchange column (10µm particle size). The analytes were detected at 265nm. Statistical experimental designs and graphic representations (response surface methodologies, Pareto charts) were used for optimizing the mobile phase composition. The linearity of the calibration (r>0.99, n =18) in the relevant ranges (up to 125% of the expected concentrations of the analytes in the formulation), method accuracy (RSD <2.0%), repeatability (RSD<2.0%) and intermediate precision, were verified. System suitability parameters were also determined. The validated method was successfully employed for the routine analysis of a syrup pharmaceutical preparation against cough and cold, showing satisfactory analytes recoveries and precsion

Optimized Load Balancing based Task Scheduling in Cloud Environment

The fundamental issue of Task scheduling is one important factor to load balance between the virtual machines in a Cloud Computing network. However, the optimal broadcast methods which have been proposed so far focus only on cluster or grid environment. In this paper, task scheduling strategy based on load balancing Quantum Particles Swarm algorithm (BLQPSO) was proposed. The fitness function based minimizing the makespan and data transmission cost. In addition, the salient feature of this algorithm is to optimize node available throughput dynamically using MatLab10A software. Furthermore, the performance of proposed algorithm had been compared with existing PSO and shows their effectiveness in balancing the load

Development of Colorimetric Method for the Assay of N-acetylcysteine in Dosage Forms using 2, 6-Dichloroquinone-4-Chlorimide

ABSTRACT A simple colorimetric method was developed for the determination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on the coupling N-acetylcysteine with 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chlorimide (DCQ) in dimethylsulphoxide to give a yellow colored product absorbing at 438 nm. The absorbance-concentration plot was rectilinear over the range of 10-50 μg/mL with minimum detection limit (LOD) of 0.769 μg/mL .The recovery results (100.90 ± 0.00%, n=3) reflected no interference by the formulation excipients. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the color were carefully studied and optimized. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of NAC in injection and capsule dosage forms. The results obtained were statistically compared with those of the official titrimetric methods. A pathway for the reaction of NAC with DCQ was suggested

Simultaneous Determination and Stability Studies on Diminazene Diaceturate and Phenazone Using Developed Derivative Spectrophotometric Method

This work presents UV first derivative spectrophotometry as a precise, accurate, and feasible method for simultaneous determination of diminazene diaceturate and phenazone in bulk and dosage forms. The absorbance values of diminazene diaceturate and phenazone aqueous mixture were obtained at 398 nm and 273 nm, respectively. The developed method was proved to be linear over the concentration ranges (2–10) μg/mL and (2.496–12.48) μg/mL for diminazene diaceturate and phenazone, respectively, with good correlation coefficients (not less than 0.997). The detection and quantitation limits were found to be (LOD = 0.63 and 0.48 μg/mL; LOQ = 1.92 and 1.47 μg/mL, resp.). The developed method was employed for stability studies of both drugs under different stress conditions. Diminazene diaceturate was prone to degrade at acidic pH via first-order kinetics. The degradation process was found to be temperature dependent with an activation energy of 7.48 kcal/mole. Photo-stability was also investigated for this drug

Knowledge Regardıng Infectıon and Preventıon Modes of Hepatıtıs B Dısease and Assocıated Factors Among Fırst Class Students of Nyala Unıversıty in Sudan

ABSTRACT ELRASHEED, S.I.A., Knowledge Regarding Infection and Prevention Modes of Hepatitis B Disease and Associated Factors Among First Class Students of Nyala University in Sudan. Hacettepe University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Public Health Program, Master of Science Thesis, Ankara, 2018. In the present study, we aimed to assess the level of information regarding Hepatitis B (HB) disease among the first year students of the university, and to determine the factors affecting the level of information regarding HB disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted and the study group covered the first year students of the university (n = 1204). The data were analysed by using the SPSS 20.0 (Chicago IL, USA) version. Hepatitis B disease knowledge were collected by questions, which were used in similar studies and the total score was calculated by giving 1 point for each correct answer (higher scores indicating greater HB disease knowledge).. Descriptive statistics, binary analysis (chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test) and logistic regression analysis were used. The results was evaluated for a 95% confidence interval and the level of significance was determined as p <0.05. This study revealed that there was a general weakness in knowledge towards HB disease among students; the mean (±SD) knowledge score was 19.3 (±5.1) over a total of 41 points More than half (59.6%) of the respondents have never heard about the HB disease before. Out of all respondents, only 6.5% were vaccinated against HB disease. Being female (OR=1.4; 95% C.I. =1.1-1.9), not working in a paid job (OR=1.9; 95% C.I. =1.2 - 3.2) perceiving income status as good (OR=3.0; 95% C.I. =2.2-4.6) and as average (OR=1.5; 95% C.I. =1.2-2.1) and perceiving academic success as bad and average (OR=1.5; 95% C.I. =1.2-2.0) were associated with high level of knowledge about HB disease. From this study, it can be concluded that there was an inadequate knowledge level regarding HB among the participants. In order to minimise the risk of the infectious with HB among the university students, health education programmes should be conducted, and encourage the university students to receive vaccination against HB. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Knowledge, Students.CONTENTS THESIS APPROVAL iii YAYIMLAMA VE FİKRİ MÜLKİYET HAKLARI BEYANI iv ETHICAL DECLARATION v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi ÖZET vii ABSTRACT viii CONTENTS ix ABBREVIATIONS xii LIST OF FIGURES xiii LIST OF TABLES xiv 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Justification of the Study 3 1.2. Purpose and Assumption 3 1.2.1. Short-term Objectives 3 1.2.2. Long-term Objectives 3 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 4 2.1. Hepatitis B Virus 4 2.2. Types of Hepatitis B Disease 5 2.2.1. Acute Hepatitis B 5 2.2.2. Chronic Hepatitis B 6 2.3. Diagnosis of HBV 7 2.4.1. Perinatal Transmission 8 2.4.2. Horizontal Transmission 9 2.5. Preventıon and Control 10 2.5.1 Strategies for Control and Prevention of Hepatitis B Infection 10 2.5.2. Hepatitis B virus vaccine 10 2.5.3. Prevention of Perinatal Transmission 12 2.5.4. Prevention of Horizontal Transmission 12 2.5.5. The Global Vaccine Policy 14 2.5.6. Vaccination of Infants 14 2.5.7. Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) 15 x 2.5.8. Catch-up Vaccination 15 2.5.9. Adult Immunization 16 2.5.10. Vaccine Supply and Quality 16 2.5.11. Advocacy and Social Mobilization 16 2.6. Epidemiology of HBV 17 2.6.1. Global Hepatitis B Virus Burden 17 2.6.2. Hepatitis B - situation in Africa 18 2.6.3. Challenges and Strategies for Improving Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Dose Coverage in Africa 20 2.6.4. Immunization Coverage in Sudan 21 2.7. Knowledge Towards Hepatitis B and Vaccination 22 2.7.1. Responsibility of the Health Professionals 28 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 3.1. The Area of Study 30 3.2. Population of Study 31 3.3. The Sample of Study 31 3.4. The Type of Study 32 3.5. The Variables of Study 32 3.5.1. The Dependent Variables 32 3.5.2. The Independent Variables 33 3.6. The Data Collection Materials 33 3.7. The Data Collection Method 35 3.8. Data Evaluation 36 3.9. Permissions of Study 37 3.9.1. Ethics Committee 37 3.9.2. Nyala University 37 3.9.3. Participants 38 3.10. Strengths and Limitations of Study 38 3.11. Time Schedule 38 4. FINDINGS 40 4.1. Socio-demographic Characteristics of participants 40 4.2. Participants Responses to Hepatitis B Disease Knowledge Questions 43 xi 4.3. Relation Between Some Characteristics of Participants and Their Hepatitis B Knowledge 47 4.3.1. Relation Between Socio-demographic Characteristics of Participants and Their Responses to Hepatitis B Disease knowledge Questions 47 4.3.2. Relation Between Some Perceptions of the Participants According to Some Background Characteristics and Their Responses to Hepatitis B Disease knowledge Questions 66 4.3.3. Hepatitis B Knowledge Score of Participants and Some Affecting Factors 82 5. DISCUSSION 88 6. CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS 98 7. REFERENCES 101 8. APPENDICES 110 Appendix-1. Approval of the Ethics Commitee of Hacettepe University Appendix-2. Digital Receipt Appendix-3. The Originality Report of Thesis Appendix-4. The Questionnaire in English Appendix-5. The Questionnaire in Arabic Appendix-6. Binary Analysis Tables Appendix-7. Approval of the Nyala University 9. CURRICULUM VITAE 174ÖZET ELRASHEED, S.I.A., Sudan'da Nyala Üniversitesi Birinci Sınıf Öğrencileri Arasında Hepatit B Hastalığının Enfeksiyon ve Korunma Yolları ile İlgili Bilgi Düzeyi ve İlişkili Faktörler, Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Halk Sağlığı Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Ankara 2018. Bu çalışmada, üniversitenin birinci sınıf öğrencilerinin Hepatit B (HB) hastalığın bilgi düzeylerinin değerlendirilimesi ve HB hastalığına bilgi düzeyini etkileyen faktörleri belirlemeyi amaçlanmıştır. Kesitsel olarak planlanann çalışmada, çalışma grubu üniversitenin birinci sınıf öğrencilerinin tamamını kapsamaktadır (n = 1204). Veriler SPSS 20.0 (Chicago IL, ABD) versiyonu kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Hepatit B hastalığı bilgi soruları benzer çalışmalardan oluşturulmuş ve her bir doğru cevap için 1 puan verilerek toplam puan hesaplanmıştır (puan yüksekliği HB hastalığı bilgisinin fazlalığını göstermektedir). Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler, ikili analizler (ki-kare testi, Kruskal-Wallis testi, Mann-Whitney testi) ve lojistik regresyon analizi kulllanılmıştır. Sonuçlar %95 güven aralığında (GA) değerlendirilmiş ve anlamlılık düzeyi p<0.05 olarak belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışma, öğrencilerde HB hastalığına karşı bilgi konusunda genel bir zayıflık olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır; bilgi puanı ortalama (± SD) 41 puan üzerinden 19,3(±5,1) puan olarak hesaplanmıştır. Katılımcıların yarısından fazlası (%59,6) daha önce HB hastalığını hiç duymamıştır. Tüm katılımcılardan sadece %6,5'i HB hastalığına karşı aşılanmıştır. Kadın olmak (OR = 1,4; % 95 GA= 1,1-1,9), ücretli bir işte çalışmamak (OR=1.9; % 95 GA=1,2-3,2) gelir durumunu iyi (OR=3.0; %95 GA=2,2-4,6) ve ortalama (OR=1,5; %95 GA=1,2-2,1) olarak algılama ile akademik başarıyı kötü ve ortalama olarak algılama (OR=1,5; %95 GA=1,2-2,0) HB hastalığı hakkında yüksek düzeyde bilgi ile ilişkilidir. Bu çalışmada, katılımcılar arasında HB ile ilgili bir bilgi düzeyinin yetersiz olduğu sonucuna varılabilir. Üniversite öğrencileri arasında HB ile enfekte olma riskini en aza indirmek için sağlık eğitimi programları uygulanmalı ve üniversite öğrencilerine HB'ye karşı aşı alma konusunda teşvik edilmelidir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Hepatit B, Bilgi, Öğrencile

Spectrophotometric Determination of Tranexamic Acid in Bulk and Dosage Forms Using Ascorbic Acid

A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of tranexamic acid (TA) in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations was developed.  The method is based on coupling tranexamic acid with ascorbic acid (AA) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to produce a colored product which absorbs maximally at two wavelengths (λmax) 390nm &amp; 530nm. The molar ratio of tranexamic acid: ascorbic acid is 1:2. Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration range 10-25µg/ml of tranexamic acid with molar absorbtivity of 2.4×103 L mol-1cm-1(λmax390nm) and 0.73×103 L mol-1cm-1 (λmax530nm). Different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the color were   studied and optimized. The proposed method was validated against an adopted B.P formal titration method.  The mean percentage recovery obtained for the assay of commercial capsules was found to be 99.77±1.02 (λmax390nm) and 101.01±0.97 (λmax530nm)

أثر الإدارة المعرفية كوسيط بين التوجه التنافسي والأداء الإداري (دراسة تطبيقية على شركات الاتصالات في السودان)

تناولت الدراسة الدور الوسيط لإدارة المعرفة في العلاقة بين التوجه التنافسي والأداء الإداري بشركات الاتصالات السودانية، تمثلت مشكلة الدراسة في الإجابة عن أثر الإدارة المعرفية كوسيط بين التوجه التنافسي والأداء الإداري بشركات الاتصالات السودانية. هدفت الدراسة إلى قياس أثر التوجه التنافسي على الأداء الإداري بشركات الاتصالات، قياس أثر التوجه التنافسي على إدارة المعرفة لشركات الاتصالات. اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي كأسلوب أمثل لهذه الدراسة. توصلت الدراسة لنتائج عديدة، منها: أن هنالك علاقة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين التوجه التنافسي والأداء الإداري، وأظهرت نتائج الدراسة على أن هنالك علاقة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين إدارة المعرفة والأداء الإداري. أوصت الدراسة بتوصيات عديدة، أهمها: ضرورة إعطاء شركات الاتصالات أهمية كبرى للتوجه التنافسي باعتباره مصدرًا للميزة التنافسية مقارنة بالشركات الأخرى، مواكبة التطورات المتلاحقة في إدارة المعرفة وتقانتها وربط العاملين في الشركة بالجديد فيها، وتمكينهم من تسخيرها في تعزيز كفاءة الأداء بالشركة

Chemical and Photochemical Stability Studies on Diloxanide Furoate in Carbohydrates and Polyols Solutions

The effects of aqueous solutions containing sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose and sorbitol on the chemical stability of diloxanide furoate (DF) were investigated in acid and alkaline media at 40˚C and room temperature (25˚C ± 1, adjusted through thermostatically controlled central-cooling system). All above compounds accelerated the rate of hydrolysis of DF in alkaline medium at 40˚C. At room temperature, different brands of sucrose and glucose had adverse effects on the stability of DF. On the other hand, DF was relatively stable in fructose, lactose and sorbitol, as well as in a commercially available Tang® preparation containing sugar, buffers, stabilizers and artificial colours. The optimum pH range of stability of DF in solutions containing these carbohydrates lies below pH 4.5. The influence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) on the chemical and photochemical stability of DF was also investigated. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), ascorbic acid and the Tang® preparation showed good photo-protective effect on DF solutions irradiated at 254 nm in quartz cell. The observed accelerated rate of hydrolysis of DF by carbohydrates in alkaline medium is proposed to be due to a nucleophilic reaction mechanism while the photostabilization of DF solutions in the presence of PABA, ascorbic acid and the Tang® preparation is proposed to be due to a spectral overlay effect. All above studies were conducted using a stability-indicating HPLC method.