Construction of (n+ 1) -dimensional dual-mode nonlinear equations: multiple shock wave solutions for (3 + 1) -dimensional dual-mode Gardner-type and KdV-type

The goal of this study is to offer an exclusive functional conversion to produce (n+ 1) -dimensional dual-mode nonlinear equations. This transformation has been implemented and new (3 + 1) -dimensional dual-mode Gradner-type and KdV-type have been established. Finally, the simplified bilinear method is used to tell the necessary conditions on these new models to have multiple singular-solitons. - 2019, The Author(s).This work is financially supported by UKM Grant: DIP-2017-011 and Ministry of Education Malaysia Grant FRGS/1/2017/STG06/UKM/01/1.Scopu

A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS FOR REDUCING TEST-ANXIETY AND IMPROVING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

This study examined the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and study skills training (SST) in reducing test-anxiety and improving academic performance. Eighty one high test-anxious male students in the tenth grade were randomly assigned to three groups: CBT, SST and waiting-list control (WLC). CBT aimed to help participants become aware of the anxiety-producing self-statements they emitted both before and during exams, and to train them to develop positive self-statements that would facilitate task attending; whereas SST aimed to teach participants the skills necessary for effective learning, namely SQ3R method of studying, techniques of time management, note-taking methods, test preparation techniques and test-taking techniques. All participants receiving treatment met for a total of six 50-minute treatment sessions spanning over six weeks. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and one way MANOVA. The results indicated that both treatment groups made significant improvements from pretest to posttest in test-anxiety when compared to the WLC group. However, only the CBT group was superior to the WLC group in improving academic performance. Overall, the results were interpreted as giving support to the interference model of the debilitating effect of anxiety on performance

An Instrument to Assess Individual Capacity for System Thinking

The purpose of this research was to develop and deploy a new systems thinking instrument to assess individual capacity for systems thinking using an inductive research design. While technology has been increasing exponentially, the corresponding methods to harness those technological advances, and the problems they have spawned, is lagging. While there is a broad collection of systems based methods, techniques, technologies, and tools that can be used in dealing with complex problems, these are predicated on an individual\u27s capacity for engaging a level of systems thinking commensurate with their effective, deployment. Research based methods to determine individual capacity for systems thinking were not found in the literature. This research addressed the literature gap by developing an instrument to determine the individual capacity for systems thinking. To establish the characteristics for systems thinking, over 1000 systems based articles were analyzed and coded. Following grounded theory, as articulated by Strauss and Corbin (1990), a rigorous methodology was executed to inductively build the framework for systems thinking characteristics. Specialized software to support grounded theory, Nvivo (QRS International, version 10, 2014) was used to navigate and manage the large amount of qualitative and quantitative data for the research. A mixed method approach was used to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data in the initial instrument development. After deriving the set of systems thinking characteristics, a non-domain specific systems thinking (Sc) instrument was constructed to capture and measure the state of systems thinking at the individual level. The instrument consists of 39 binary questions with fourteen scored scales to measure seven main systems skills preferences. Following a pilot study for application of the instrument, it was administered to 242 participants. To establish validity, multiple validity checks including face validity, internal validity, conclusion validity and content validity were performed. Reliability testing was also conducted, including Cronbach\u27s Alpha Test and Parallel Test, with excellent results. The results of the research show significant promise for the instrument to capture the capacity of individuals to engage in systems thinking. The document concludes with directions for future research and implications for practitioners related to the capacity of individuals for systems thinking

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BULLYING AND VICTIMIZATION AMONG EARLY ADOLESCENTS IN JORDAN

This study investigated gender differences in bullying and victimization among Jordanian early adolescents. The sample consisted of 330 students (162 males, 168 females) in the seventh and eighth grades. These students were randomly selected from six public schools. Two scales were used, one for bullying and the other for victimization, each of which composed of ten items. Results of independent samples t-tests indicated that males had significantly higher scores than females on each of the two scales. Furthermore, chi-square tests showed that males were more involved in bullying than females across bullying groups. There were also significant differences in terms of the locations of bullying. For boys, bullying most often occurs on the way home from school; while for girls, bullying often occurs in the classrooms. It was found that "hitting or pushing other students" is the most common form of bullying used by adolescent male bullies, and that "calling other students with bad names" is the most common form of bullying used by adolescent female bullies

Breeding Potential of Durum Wheat Landraces from Jordan IV. High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunit Variation.

Variation in high molecular weight glutenin subunit composition among 177 durum wheat genotypes, derived from a collection of durum wheat landraces from Jordan, was investigated using one-dimensional sqdium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 22 alleles, in addition to the null allele, Glu-A I c, were identified; three and seven novel variants were identified at the Glu-A I and Glu-B I loci, respectively. The null allele, Glu-A I c, had the highest (7 6. I%) frequency, followed by Glu-B I b (34. 7% ). Two loci at the Glu-B I locus were lacking, these were Glu-B I c and Glu-B I i. Glu-A I b was present with low (6.7%) frequency in this collection, however, it might have a positive effect on gluten strength of the end products of durum wheat. Polymorphism (He) at the Glu-A I and Glu-B I loci averaged 0.261 0.04 and 0.7330.02, respectively. He for Glu-A I was negatively (r=-0.467; P) correlated, while He for Glu-B I was positively (r=0.615; P), correlated with altitude of collection site. However, both He estimates were positively and significantly correlated with rainfall quotient

Breeding Potential of Durum Wheat Landraces from Jordan Ill. Rate and Duration of Grain Fill

Grain fill of durum wheat coincides with terminal drought and high temperature stress in the Mediterranean region. Genotypic variation for rate and duration of grain fill was studies in 250 landrace durum wheat genotypes collected in Jordan. A quadratic polynomial was used to describe the relationship between kernel weight and accumulated growing-degree-days from anthesis to maturity. Fitted curves were employed to estimate rate and duration of grain fill. Genotypic differences were found for both traits. Genotypes with high grain filling rate and high kernel weight were identified. Based on grain yield per spike, spikelet fertility, 1000-kernel weight, rate and duration of grain fill, four clusters were identified in this germplasm collection. Correlations between these traits were inconsistent across these clusters, however, rate and duration of grain fill were not correlated across clusters, suggesting that high rate and short duration of grain fill can be combined in one genotype. Canonical discriminant analysis confirmed univariate analysis of variance and resulted in 95% correct classification of genotypes

Development of an Instrument to Assess Capacity for Systems Thinking

With the rapid growth and integration in technology and information, the behavior and structure of complex systems presents escalating challenges. Complex systems are marked by high level of ambiguity, uncertainty, and emergence. These conditions impose challenges and difficulties for practitioners responsible to successfully manage and design complex systems. There is a fundamental need to have a cadre of individuals who are capable of dealing with increasingly complex systems and their problems. One response is Systems Thinking, which can provide a holistic thinking paradigm that opens new channels and opportunities to think differently about complex systems as a whole unit. This paradigm will enable individuals to avoid solving the wrong problems. The emphasis of this paper is to explore possible applications of a research-based instrument developed to capture the level of systems thinking for individuals who engage and design complex systems. The Systems Thinking Profiles produced by the instrument represent individual inclination to adapt a systemic perspective for engaging and solving complex system problems, and reflects a state that can be enhanced through training and/or education to improve capacity for systems thinking

Fixed point results of F-rational cyclic contractive mappings on 0-complete partial metric spaces

© 2018 Forum-Editrice Universitaria Udinese SRL. All rights reserved. Wardowski [19] introduced a new concept of contraction which called F-contraction and proved a fixed point theorem on complete metric space. Following this direction of research, in this paper, we introduce an F-rational cyclic contraction on partial metric spaces and we present new fixed point results for such cyclic contraction in 0-complete partial metric spaces. An example is given to illustrate the main result, also an application to integral equation is given to show the usability of our results

C-class functions with new approach on coincidence point results for generalized (ψ,φ)-weakly contractions in ordered b-metric spaces

In this paper, by using the C-class functions and a new approach we present some coincidence point results for four mappings satisfying generalized (ψ,φ) -weakly contractive condition in the setting of ordered b-metric spaces. Also, an application and example are given to support our results.Scopu

Characterization of surface proteins of Cronobacter muytjensii using monoclonal antibodies and MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Cronobacter </it>spp. is a newly emerging pathogen that causes meningitis in infants and other diseases in elderly and immunocompromised individuals. This study was undertaken to investigate surface antigenic determinants in <it>Cronobacter </it>spp. using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Spleenocytes from mice that were immunized with heat-killed (20 min, 80°C) <it>Cronobacter </it>cells were fused with SP2 myeloma cells. Five desirable MAbs (A1, B5, 2C2, C5 and A4) were selected. MAbs A1, B5, 2C2 and C5 were of IgG2a isotype while A4 was an IgM. Specificity of the MAbs was determined by using immunoblotting with outer membrane protein preparations (OMPs) extracted from 12 <it>Cronobacter </it>and 6 non-<it>Cronobacter </it>bacteria. All MAbs recognized proteins with molecular weight ranging between 36 and 49 kDa except for one isolate (44) in which no OMPs were detected. In addition, MAbs recognized two bands (38-41 kDa) in four of the non-<it>Cronobacter </it>bacteria. Most of the proteins recognized by the MAbs were identified by MALDI-TOF peptide sequencing and appeared to be heterogeneous with the identities of some of them are still unknown. All MAbs recognized the same epitope as determined by an additive Index ELISA with their epitopes appeared to be conformational rather than sequential. Further, none of the MAbs recognized purified LPS from <it>Cronobacter </it>spp. Specificity of the MAbs toward OMPs was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results obtained in this study highlight the immunological cross-reactivity among <it>Cronobacter </it>OMPs and their <it>Enterobacteriaceae </it>counterparts. Nevertheless, the identity of the identified proteins appeared to be different as inferred from the MALDI-TOF sequencing and identification.</p