E-Learning Readiness of Jordanian Universities

E-learning became very important to the universities success and it considered as one of the key success factors, in which it’s enhanced the competitive advantage and help in competing strongly in the market. Using Information technologies and sharing tools will add value to the educational process and by using these tools; the universities will have the power of innovation and creativity. E-learning helps in developing, managing and maintaining the students knowledge, on the other hand, it enhances the performance and learning capacity to remain innovation and competitive. This paper is measuring the readiness of the Jordanian universities for e-learning. It presents the main findings of a survey conducted to evaluate the e-learning readiness. The survey helped in analyzing three levels used for the measurement: ICT infrastructure, universities lecturers and students’ readiness, and the maturity of the external environment. Keywords: E-learning, IT infrastructure, Demand, External Environment, and HR readiness

Visual Perception of Biomechanical Characteristics of Walking, Jumping, and Landing

Visual perception of biological systems is one important aspect which has been considered by researchers in understanding human motion. The term «biological motion» was used by Johansson (1971, 1973) to distinguish human movement patterns from the motion of rigid inanimate objects previously utilized in visual motion perception. The emphasis, however, has been on the need for distinguishing three types of motion to describe perceived kinematic relations: the relative motion of elements to each other in the configuration, the common motion of the whole configuration relative to the observer, and the absolute motion of each element in dynamic display [Cutting and Proffitt (1982)]. Based on data collected using a video-recorder, reflective tape and high powered light for producingpoint-light displays, Cutting and Proffitt (1982) concluded that relative motion is automatically minimized by the visual system. Moreover, Johansson (1971, 1973) showed that all movement pattern of walking and running can be visually identified by observers without seeing the total picture. Using a similar technique, observers were able to visually recognize gender and friends by their walking patterns (Cutting and Kozlowzki, 1977; Cutting, 1978), ones' own identity (Beardsworth and Buckner, 1981), the weight of lifted objects (Runeson and Frykholm, 1983), and to the extent that evaluation of technical skill execution was sucessfully judged (Scully, 1986). Based on the principle that relative motion is automatically minimized by the visual system, Johansson (1973), concluded that previous learning of motion patterns do not determine the perception of walking. An important factor, however, is a highly mechanical, automatic type of visual data treatment. In addition, Runeson and Frykholm (1981) stated that the dynamic variable of the event (weight of the box), is well specified in the kinematic pattern and hence the visual system is efficient in picking up such information. Identifying cues by visual information may not be sufficient, however, to distinguish discrete skills (ie., jumping and landing) and/or continuous skills (ie., walking), especially, if the direction of the movement is reversed and if the total picture is seen as an absolute motion which includes the relative and common motion (Cutting and Proffitt, 1982). Therefore, this study was conducted to test the hypotheses that experience and familiarity are important factors in visual perception of kinematic patterns and that kinetics cannot be determined effectively by observation of kinematics. The purpose of this study is to determine: (1) the ability to visually perceive differences between a continuous skill (walking forward vs. backwards): (2) a discrete skill (jumping vs. landing); (3) the actual kinetic differences in the movement; and (4) whether individuals can distinguish between movement patterns, despite the kinetic differences, while the true pattern is reversed

THE MOST ECONOMICAL CONFIGURATION OF PUSHED BARGE CONVOY SYSTEM THROUGH CAIRO-ASWAN WATERWAY

In the recent years, as a result of the economical situation in Egypt, fuel price is rapidly increased. Consequently, the cost of cargo transport is also increased. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to check the feasibility of a pushed barge convoy system working through Cairo-Aswan waterway as an alternative mean of cargo transport in order to encourage the transport companies to transport their cargoes through river Nile which is considered the cheapest transport mode in Egypt. In this paper, the current situation of the river transport and the characteristics of the Egyptian inland waterways network are reviewed and investigated to identify the navigation problems and constraints which affect the navigation through Cairo-Aswan waterway. The basic concept of ship controllability is reviewed to clarify the maneuver characteristics of a pushed barge convoy system in shallow waterways. Also, different configurations for pushed barge convoy system are proposed and the required power of each configuration is calculated using a specially developed computer program. A technical and operational measure called transport efficiency is used as a criterion to get the most economical configuration of the desired pushed barge convoy system. Finally, a comparison between the pushed barge convoy system and the existing river transport means in Egypt is made to clarify the feasibility of using pushed barge convoy system through Cairo-Aswan waterway

PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS GENETIC COUNSELING AND CHILDHOOD GENETIC TESTING FOR CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN QATAR

Background: Understanding parental baseline knowledge of the implications of genetic counseling and genetic testing may unveil educational gaps or circumstantial fear and reluctance towards this important component in the management of children with congenital anomalies. This study was designed to investigate parental knowledge of and attitudes towards genetic counseling and genetic testing as it pertains specifically to pediatric plastic surgery practice in Qatar. Methods: The study employed a prospective face-to-face questionnaire that was administered online to parents who met inclusion criteria and attended the pediatric plastic surgery clinic at Sidra Medicine between October 2022 and February 2023. The questionnaire consisted of 38 questions, the questionnaire considered (i) demographics, (ii) knowledge, and (iii) attitudes (perceived benefits vs. perceived barriers) towards genetic counseling and genetic testing. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software v28.0. Results: A total of 160 participants filled out the questionnaire. Parents were from Asia 27%, North Africa 25%, Middle East 22%, and America/Europe 6%; only 22% were Qatari nationals. Consanguinity account for 22.9%. About 6% of children were presented with minor anomalies, 73% with major isolated anomalies, and 21% with major syndromic anomalies. 37% of children had undergone genetic testing in the past. American/European parents and all parents holding undergraduate and graduate degrees P=0.003; P=0.001 respectively) scored higher on genetic knowledge than did the rest of the cohort. Moreover, American/European parents (P=0.028) and all parents with a higher knowledge score (P=0.048) had a higher positive attitude score towards genetic counseling and genetic testing. Qataris (46%) n=35 demonstrated strong knowledge but lower positive attitudes score towards perceived benefits and higher perceived barriers score than other ethnicities. Parents who were consanguineous (P=0.003) or whose child had already been referred for counselling and genetic testing by a medical provider (P<0.001) had a higher positive attitude score regarding possible benefits of genetic counseling and genetic testing. In turn, parents whose child had not been previously underwent genetic testing tested (P<0.001) and parents who did not have another child with a genetic disorder (P=0.002) had a higher negative attitude score towards genetic counselling and genetic testing Conclusion: This study highlights the need for cultural sensitivity and tailored education about genetic counseling and genetic testing for parents of children with congenital anomalies. Healthcare providers should consider parental education levels and consanguinity when providing information about the benefits of and the barriers to genetic testing. By addressing barriers and providing accurate information, healthcare providers can help parents make informed decisions about genetic testing and counseling. Plastic surgery physicians play a crucial role in advocating for genetic testing for their patients. By recognizing the benefits of genetic testing and referring their patients to genetics professionals, plastic surgery physicians can help identify patients who may be at an increased risk for genetic conditions and provide them with personalized care. Through proactive screening and early intervention, plastic surgery physicians can improve patient outcomes and help reduce the burden of genetic conditions on individuals, families, and society as a whole. It is essential for plastic surgery physicians to stay informed about advances in genetics and genomics and to collaborate with genetics professionals to provide the best possible care for their patients, as genetic testing becomes more accessible and affordable

The Effectiveness of an Educational Program for Developing Tolerance Values and Resistance to Intellectual Extremism at Secondary Level in Jordan

This study aimed to establish an effective educational program based on the rights of non-Muslims in Islamic principles of the development of religious tolerance values and the intellectual resistance of extremism among high school students in Jordan. The study was conducted on a sample of 48 students in 11th grade from Al-Arqam Islamic School, during the second semester of the academic year 2017-2018. A descriptive method was used for gathering the principles of rights for non-Muslims. A semi-empirical method was also used to measure the effectiveness of the educational program on two dependent variables (religious tolerance values, resistance of intellectual extremism), measured with two tools prepared by the researchers: the measure of religious tolerance values, and the measure of resistance to intellectual extremism. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the average performance of both the experimental and control groups in the measures for religious tolerance and resistance to intellectual extremism due to the experimental method of teaching designed for this study

Osteolytic clear cell meningioma of the petrous bone occurring 36 years after posterior cranial fossa irradiation: Case report

Objective and importance While bone invasion and hyperostosis are frequent phenomena in meningiomas, primary intraosseous meningiomas are rare and their occurrence in the skull base is an extraordinary exception. Moreover, radiation-induced meningiomas represent a unique clinical dilemma given the fact that patients with these tumors had often received a prior full course of radiotherapy. Clinical presentation A 42-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of progressively worsening facial asymmetry. His medical history was consistent for a posterior cranial fossa irradiation at the age of 6 years for a non-confirmed brain stem tumor. On admission his Karnofsky performance status was graded as 50% and his neurological examination showed a complete right facial nerve paralysis and hearing impairment. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an osteolytic tumor invading the whole right petrous bone without intracranial involvement. Intervention As the tumor reached the external auditory canal, a tissue sample was obtained locally. Pathological examination of the lesion identified a grade II clear cell meningioma and the patient was consequently addressed for an intensity modulated radiation therapy. His condition remained unchanged till the most recent follow-up examination, 8 months later. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, a radiation induced osteolytic clear cell meningioma of the petrous bone has not been previously reported. As little literature exists regarding the use of adjuvant therapies for these tumors, intensity modulated radiation therapy remains an attractive treatment option in case of pervious irradiation and general status alteration