Developing a model of educational academic library websites: A case study of Iraqi state universities' library websites

With the advancement of Internet technology, establishing library websites has become an important issue. However, an Internet presence is not enough unless these websites are effective in achieving the objectives for which they were established. With respect to the Iraqi state university central libraries, a quick review of their websites shows that they have many shortcomings in providing the services and features that are expected by ordinary patrons. This study has two major goals: (1) to determine the current state of Iraqi university library websites and (2) to articulate a model to guide the development of these sites by examining the sources of the issues facing these library websites’ development. The study also considers the issues that face the development of an Iraqi-specific model for electronic educational resources and the ways in which these resources can be more useful. Measuring and evaluating Iraqi university libraries’ websites are the foci of this dissertation, in which the entire Iraqi national education system of state universities is considered as a single case study using a mixed-methods approach. The study sample includes the entire population of the library websites of the Iraqi state universities that are identified from the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research website. The study consists of three data-gathering exercises: a survey of library directors, interviews with library directors (or a representative of the administration), and a questionnaire for Iraqi LIS faculty members. This study analyzes and measures the Iraqi universities’ libraries’ websites by studying the services and features they currently offer and by comparing them with the core components of international academic library websites which have been identified in the professional literature. The list of core components was presented to the Iraqi library and information science (LIS) faculty members to determine what they believe fits the unique needs of Iraqi users. Then, these core components are compared with the components offered by each of the Iraqi university libraries’ websites to find out how many of the services and features are currently provided and what prevents these websites from offering the missing services and features. In general, the Iraqi state university library websites are surprisingly deficient in the services and features they provide. Some of these websites offer a fair number of services, according to the list of services and features collected from the literature. However, other libraries’ websites provide very limited services and features. These disparities are affected by several factors, such as whether the library directors have LIS credentials and whether the library staff has LIS credentials and computer skills. Other Iraqi state university library websites need improvement in terms of the quality of their services and features as well as the quantity of these services and features from the perspective of their patrons. The study concludes with a suggested model for the Iraqi academic library websites’ services and features. Study conclusions further suggest that the Ministry should verify the information offered through its website, correct some of the data about the state universities, and unify the official data provided for the public in all official channels. Finally, the study suggests a future research study of Iraqi state university libraries’ website usability

Perception of Menarche among Secondary Schools Students in Baghdad City

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study is to assess menarche impression and perception among secondary schools studentsMethodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted to select a sample purposely of fifty-five students in the first class of intermediate school in Baghdad city, and information was collected through a questionnaire form filled during the month of December 2012, descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data.Results: The results showed that the highest percentage (37%) of the study sample their menarche were at age (13) year and (66%) of the adolescents had previously information about menstruation and used of sanitary napkin from their mothers.Regarding impression about menstruation the highest percentage (47%) of the study sample, their impression was fear and more than a third of the study sample was fear and crying when they saw the blood at the first time. Recommendations: The results of this study indicated a need for accurate education program of the adolescent female, parents and grandparents on menstruation because some misconceptions exist in the adolescent population about menstruation through mass media, and adding a sex education curriculum in schools to provide detailed information about growth and development of puberty, with appropriate and menstrual health hygiene as well as management of the menstrual cycle and menarche.Conclusion: The study concluded that adolescent female their impression about menarche were fear and more than third of study sample their perception when they saw blood first time were crying and fear. The results of this study indicate a need for accurate education program of the adolescent female, parents and grandparents on menstruation because some misconceptions exist in the adolescent population about menstruation through mass media, and adding a sex education curriculum in schools to provide detailed information about growth and development of puberty, with appropriate and menstrual health hygiene as well as management of the menstrual cycle and menarche.Keywords: Perception, Menarche, Secondary Schools Student

Effect of Storage Temperatures on Color of Tomato Fruit (Solanum Lycopersicum Mill.) Cultivated under Moderate Water Stress Treatment

AbstractModerate water stress tomato cultivated hydroponically in the greenhouse contains high lycopene and very sensitive to storage temperatures. This study aimed to observe the effect of storage temperatures on the lycopene content and color quality parameters of tomato (both moderate water stress and no water stress tomato). The lycopene content of water stress tomato increased with the temperatures higher than 10°C while no water stress tomato relatively stable or increased slightly. The lightness (L*) value of water stress and no water stress tomato decreased during storage in 10, 15, 25 and 30°C temperatures. The redness (a*), yellowness (b*), a*/b*, hue (h), and chroma (C*) remained stable after 4 days storage in those temperatures. Storage with temperatures above 15°C increased the color parameters value of both water stress and no water stress tomato. Moderate water stress treatment increased the redness color and harvesting tomato in ripening stage will only shows lightness (L*) major change during storage

Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipepictureandpictureberbasis Projected Motion Untukmeningkatkanhasil Belajar Siswa pada Pembelajaran IPS Terpadu Kelas Vii-6 SMP Negeri 7 Banda Aceh

Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yaitu suatu pencermatan terhadap kegiatan belajar berupa tindakan, yang sengaja dimunculkan dan dalam kelas. Model pembelajaran Picture and Picture adalah suatu metode belajar yang menggunakan gambar dan dipasangkan atau diurutkan menjadi urutan logis. Pembelajaran Projected Motion yaitu sistem memutarkan vedio dan pengerakan media, Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: Peningkatan hasil belajar IPS Terpadu siswa kelas VII-6 SMP Negeri 7 Banda Aceh, aktivitas guru dan siswa dalam kegiatan pembelajaran mencerminkan keterlaksanaan model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion, keterampilan guru dalam mengelola pembelajaran dengan model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion dan respon siswa kelas VII-6 SMP Negeri 7 Banda Aceh. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VII-6 SMP Negeri7 Banda Aceh yang berjumlah 32 siswa. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan: Tes hasil belajar siswa, lembar pengamatan aktivitas guru dan siswa, lembar pengamatan keterampilan guru mengelola pembelajaran dan angket respon siswa menggunakan model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion. Analisis data menggunakan statistik sederhana yaitu persentase.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persentase ketuntasan secara individual meningkat dari 81,2% menjadi 100% siswa yang tuntas belajar, persentase ketuntasan klasikal pun meningkat dari 60% menjadi 90%. Aktivitas guru dan siswa antara siklus I sampai siklus III telah mencermin kan penerapan model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion. Keterampilan guru dalam mengelola pembelajaran dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion meningkat dari perolehan skor rata-rata 2,53 dengan katagori sedang menjadi3 dengan katagori baik dan respon siswa terhadap model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion dapat dikatakan baik. 90,6 persen dari 32 siswa berpendapat bahwa dengan belajar melalui model pembelajaran Picture and Picture berbasis Projected Motion dapat meningkatkan pemahaman mereka terhadap materi interaksi manusia dengan lingkungan

Strength predictions of multi-bolted joints in woven fabric kenaf composite plates with different configurations using xfem frameworks

Multi-bolted joints are designed as joining technique to provide efficiency in assembling different structure parts; however the ability of neighboring bolts to transfer by-pass stress susceptible to net-tension failure occurrence. More recently, strength prediction works in composite structures are carried out within finite element framework to utilize advantage of advanced computing technology. Current work implemented a three-dimensional Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) framework of multi-bolted joints configurations in variations lay-ups to determine failure load, validated against experimental datasets. Other testing parameters investigated comprised of different bolts configurations and plate geometries. Visual tracking from XFEM contour found that crack initiation and propagations are consistent with experimental observations. Better agreements were found in nonstaggered configurations with largest discrepancy of approximately 30%, mostly gives less than 15%. Besides, combination of cross-ply and thicker plates promotes better predictions due to larger repetitive plies as current work implemented smeared-out properties within its constitutive model

Effect of Phenobarbitone Treatment Against Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens) Toxicity in Sheep

The effect of phenobarbitone against signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) toxicity was studied in 26 male crossbred sheep. Grazing on signal grass significantly decreased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes, viz. aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline-4-hydroxylase, UDP- glucuronyltransferase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver and kidneys of affected sheep. Oral administration of phenobarbitone (30 mg/kg body weight) for five consecutive days before grazing on B. decumbens pasture, and thereafter, for three consecutive days every two weeks, resulted in significant increases in hepatic and renal activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. The induction of drug metabolizing activity in sheep grazing on signal grass group was found to be lower than in animals given phenobarbitone alone. Induction by phenobarbitone provided a degree of protection against the toxic effects of B. decumbens as indicated by the delay in the appearance of signs of toxicity. Furthermore, these were much milder compared to those in the sheep not treated with phenobarbitone. The present study suggests that phenobarbitone-type cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme-induction may increase resistance against signal grass (B. decumbens) toxicity in sheep

Evaluation de la tenue du partogramme dans une maternité universitaire

Introduction: La mortalité maternelle est un problème majeur de santé mondiale. Une grande proportion de ces décès serait évitable par des soins adéquats, une aide à l'accouchement, la disponibilité des soins d'urgence et l'utilisation des outils d'aide à la décision tels que le partogramme. L'objectif était d'évaluer l'écart entre ce qui est censé être fait et ce qui est fait réellement pour les différents paramètres situés dans le partogramme au sein d'une maternité de 3ème niveau et élaborer des recommandations pour la mise en place d'un plan d'action. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude descriptive rétrospective par audit clinique, effectuée sur un échantillon de 400 dossiers obstétricaux des parturientes ayant accouchées dans la maternité du CHU Farhat Hached durant l'année 2011. Le référentiel utilisé est celui réalisé par l'Agence Nationale d'Accréditation et d'Evaluation en Santé en l'an 2000, concernant la qualité de la tenue du partogramme. Résultats: La majorité des critères d'évaluation portant sur la présentation du partogramme était conforme. Deux critères concernant la variété de la présentation et le rythme cardiaque foetal étaient non conformes parmi ceux portant sur la surveillance du foetus. Plusieurs critères en rapport avec la surveillance de la mère étaient non conformes. Aucun des critères portant sur les traitements administrés et les marqueurs d'évènements n'est conforme. Les critères portant sur la naissance et la surveillance immédiate qui étaient non conformes sont : le début des efforts expulsifs, le mode d'accouchement, l'état du périnée, la délivrance et la révision utérine. Conclusion: La véritable démarche de l'audit clinique se doit d'aller au-delà du recueil et de l'analyse des données, le but final étant l'amélioration des pratiques

Automated external defibrillator (AED) use among paramedics in the Emergency Department – what are the obstacles in using the automated external defibrillator in the pre-hospital care settings?

This study determined factors that influence usage of automated external defibrillation (AED) on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among paramedics in Emergency Department of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). It was a cross sectional prospective study conducted between December 2013 and January 2014. Paramedics from Emergency Department were enrolled and assessed using the self-filled questionnaire consisting of multiple sections including knowledge assessment, training and practice. In total, 53 paramedics participated in this study. Only 62% participants used AEDs previously. Not more than 83% participants admitted that they would use it if required. A positive correlation was observed between age and work experience with knowledge on AED usage (p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). Government’s institute graduates possess better knowledge and higher confidence level than private institutions graduates (p<0.001). Positive correlation existed between working experience and confidence level in deciding to use (p=0.006), application (p=0.019) and troubleshooting in regards of AED use (p=0.002). The main factor for low confidence level of AED use was lack of training (73.6%) which resulted in reduced confidence to initiate use (45.3%). Eighty eight percent agreed that training is essential before any AED use. Forty one percent felt that Malaysian public is not ready for AEDs use. As a conclusion, AED usage and knowledge among paramedics is still poor and further training is crucial for the improvement of pre-hospital care in Malaysia

Solvent dependence of the rheological properties in hydrogel magnetorheological plastomer

Chemically crosslinked hydrogel magnetorheological (MR) plastomer (MRP) embedded with carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) exhibits excellent magnetic performance (MR effect) in the presence of external stimuli especially magnetic field. However, oxidation and desiccation in hydrogel MRP due to a large amount of water content as a dispersing phase would limit its usage for long‐term applications, especially in industrial engineering. In this study, different solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are also used to prepare polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel MRP. Thus, to understand the dynamic viscoelastic properties of hydrogel MRP, three different samples with different solvents: water, DMSO, and their binary mixtures (DMSO/water) were prepared and systematically carried out using the oscillatory shear. The outcomes demonstrate that the PVA hydrogel MRP prepared from precursor gel with water shows the highest MR effect of 15,544% among the PVA hydrogel MRPs. However, the samples exhibit less stability and tend to oxidise after a month. Meanwhile, the samples with binary mixtures (DMSO/water) show an acceptable MR effect of 11,024% with good stability and no CIPs oxidation. Otherwise, the sample with DMSO has the lowest MR effect of 7049% and less stable compared to the binary solvent samples. This confirms that the utilisation of DMSO as a new solvent affects the rheological properties and stability of the samples

Functional properties of composite flour: A review

Incorporation of composite flour into wheat flour for bakery goods production is expected to produce an effect in the functional properties of the blended samples. Functional properties of composite flour have been studied in most of the developing countries which used and imported a large amount of wheat flour to fulfil the increasing number of consumers as the higher demand in the development of bakery and pastry products. In this review paper, the characteristics of composite flours were reviewed to determine the suitability of the raw materials to be used in the production of food products. The functional properties such as water and oil absorption capability, foam ability, emulsion capability, least gelation concentration, and particle size distribution might indicate the capability of the composite flour before proceeding to the development of food products were reviewed. The functionality of composite flour was found to be beneficial to enhance the variety of food products with acceptable appearance, organoleptic, nutrition, and low cost to fulfil consumer demands