Development of an expert system to assist in Resource Management

© 2014 IEEE. This paper aims to demonstrate an idea of utilizing Kohonen Maps as a tool to portray and study resource allocations when constructing an expert system to assist in Resource Management. The context of work encompasses resource allocation and management tasks related to design of courses, as well as, various teaching and learning projects. The key aspect is to show the design of an expert system for resource allocation with the use of Kohonen Maps as an alternative way to visualise the demand and availability of project resources

Inhibition of the platelet glycoprotein VI receptor as a potential treatment for acute coronary syndromes

Aspirin and a P2Y$_{12}$ inhibitor, such as ticagrelor, are routine treatments for myocardial infarction. However, these drugs are not always sufficient for heavy coronary thrombus burden during ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). More potent antiplatelet drugs (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors) may help in this setting but are limited by excessive bleeding. As glycoprotein VI (GPVI) plays major roles in thrombosis, this thesis aimed to investigate whether a novel platelet GPVI inhibitor, glenzocimab (Acticor Biotech), provides additional antithrombotic effects when combined with aspirin and ticagrelor. Glenzocimab showed an amplified antiplatelet effect on collagen and atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation without showing off-target effects on platelet activation mediated by non-GPVI agonists. Glenzocimab and eptifibatide (a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist) both exhibited similar inhibitory effects on collagen- and atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation when used in combination with aspirin and ticagrelor. Glenzocimab also reduced fibrin-stimulated platelet aggregation more than aspirin and ticagrelor. Glenzocimab provided additional antiplatelet effects on platelet aggregation and adhesion and thrombus formation in blood sampled from patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with aspirin and ticagrelor. Glenzocimab blocked platelet procoagulant activity and reduced tissue factor-mediated peak thrombin generation. Glenzocimab did not affect early phases of coagulation (initiation, formation, and strength), which were greatly affected by eptifibatide, but it exerted some effects on clot lysis (late phases of coagulation) as assessed by ROTEM. This is the first work to show that the addition of a novel GPVI inhibitor, glenzocimab, to aspirin and ticagrelor provides greater inhibition of multiple critical mechanisms of arterial thrombosis. This is a promising strategy for the further development of treatment for STEMI due to the minimal role of GPVI in haemostasis

Thematic Roles in Somali: A Principles and Parameters Approach

This study describes the thematic roles of Somali; a language that manifests unorthodox grammatical structures due to the use of the focus particle. A mapping of some language features related to the semantic-syntactic interface is carried out. The effect of the meaning of the lexical items is tested to whether it affects the syntactic structures of the sentences. It was found that the word order of Somali is determined by pragmatic and sociolinguistics factors. The focus particle of Somali plays a key-role in the Surface structure of the sentences. However; the thematic roles of the language appear not to be influenced by the grammatical manifestation of the language at the surface structure. Rather, they are determined at the deep structure level. Somali, being a pro-drop language, shows that predicates require obligatory external arguments while internal arguments are determined by the verb class and kind. Some structures show that certain verbs require PPs as obligatory arguments.       Keywords: Somali, Theta Theory, Thematic Role

Investigating the Progress of Female Academics to Upper Leadership Positions in the Saudi Higher Education Sector

Gender equality has been a constant subject of heated debate in general and in the higher education sector (HES) in particular across the world. However, the precise situation differs from country to country and culture to culture. The aim of the current research is to examine the existing patterns of under-representation of female faculty in the upper echelons of the leadership hierarchy in the HES in Saudi Arabia. In doing so, it intends to answer the following questions: 1. What major individual-, cultural-, structural-, or institutional-level constraints do female faculty encounter regarding their advancement to upper senior leadership positions? 2. To what extent are the obstacles that Saudi female academics face within the university a reflection of the influence of wider social discourses, religion, and/or traditions on the role of Saudi female academics in work settings? 3. What factors can promote women‘s advancement to upper leadership positions in academia, at the individual, cultural, structural, or institutional levels? The research methodology utilised a qualitative approach in the form of one single case study regarding the issue of Saudi female faculty members‘ advancement to senior leadership positions. The study was conducted at five sites and performed from a feminist standpoint. The research sample comprised 25 participants, all female academics from five state universities, selected purposively for this research, who had either been promoted to leadership positions or not. Additionally, there were five male participants who were considered key informants, closely connected with the formulation and implementation of policies in HE institutions in Saudi Arabia. The data collection involved both face-to-face and telephone-based semi-structured interviews as well as documentary analysis. A thematic analytical approach was employed to analyse the qualitative data gathered. The research findings attempt to offer a clear picture of the target phenomena and the manner in which sex-segregated work and Saudi culture impact how gender is constructed in Saudi Arabia, shape educational leadership in higher education, and perpetuate gender inequality. The findings establish that the barriers Saudi female academics encounter within university settings reflect the influence of religion, culture, social discourses, and traditions on their professional roles and career progress, especially to top posts. Next, the study provides insights and recommendations to help overcome these challenges and promote Saudi female faculty members‘ advancement to senior leadership positions at individual, cultural, structural, and institutional levels. The recommendations have the potential to contribute towards reformulating future policy and practice to actively promote equality and justice for female academics in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world in general and stimulate them to pursue top leadership positions in the higher education sector

Consanguinity-related hyperdontia: An orthopantomographic study

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the distribution of the non-syndromal supernumerary teeth (NSST) in a population of patients who attended the clinics of Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study reviewed 1521 panoramic radiographs of Saudi and non-Saudi subjects who attended RCsDP clinic from November 2009 to November 2010. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, utilizing Chi-square. Results: Eighteen (1.2%) patients were found to have NSST, comprising twelve males (66.7%), and six females (33.3%). The most common supernumerary teeth (ST) were the pre-molars six cases (33.3%), followed by the mesiodens, five cases (27.8%). The canines and distomolars three cases (16.6%) each respectively, while the least were the lateral incisors and paramolars of the two cases (11.1%) each. Conclusion: Consanguinity appeared to have a role in the development of hyperdontia in Saudi population because 13 cases (72.2%) out of 18 cases had consanguineous parents, while all patients having consanguineous parents had eumorphic ST

Thematic Roles in Somali: A Principles and Parameters Approach

This study describes the thematic roles of Somali; a language that manifests unorthodox grammatical structures due to the use of the focus particle. A mapping of some language features related to the semantic-syntactic interface is carried out. The effect of the meaning of the lexical items is tested to whether it affects the syntactic structures of the sentences. It was found that the word order of Somali is determined by pragmatic and sociolinguistics factors. The focus particle of Somali plays a key-role in the Surface structure of the sentences. However; the thematic roles of the language appear not to be influenced by the grammatical manifestation of the language at the surface structure. Rather, they are determined at the deep structure level. Somali, being a pro-drop language, shows that predicates require obligatory external arguments while internal arguments are determined by the verb class and kind. Some structures show that certain verbs require PPs as obligatory arguments.       Keywords: Somali, Theta Theory, Thematic Role

Anaphylaxis in the 21st century: phenotypes, endotypes, and biomarkers

Teodorikez Wilfox Jimenez-Rodriguez,1–3 Marlene Garcia-Neuer,1 Leila A Alenazy,1,4 Mariana Castells1 1Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 2Allergy Section, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain; 3PhD Program in Public Health, Medical and Surgical Sciences, Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain; 4Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Abstract: Anaphylaxis is the most serious of all allergic reactions and can be fatal. The diagnosis is frequently delayed, and misdiagnosis often occurs with asthma or urticaria. Biomarkers such as tryptase are not routinely checked, and appropriate treatment with epinephrine is not administered in a majority of cases, increasing the risk of poor outcomes. The objective of this review is to provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis with a description of phenotypes, endotypes, and biomarkers available in both the clinical and research settings. Expanding knowledge with regard to the presentation, causes, and triggers for anaphylaxis among health care providers will improve its diagnosis and management, increase patient safety, and decrease morbidity and mortality. Keywords: anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions, tryptase, autoimmune progesterone dermatitis, epinephrine, precision medicin

Comparison of the effects of two presumptive test reagents on the ability to obtain STR profiles from minute bloodstains

Background: Bloodstains often constitute the major physical evidence in criminal investi-gations. In many cases, the bloodstains found by the crime scene examiner are minute, possibly because of dissimulation efforts by the perpetrator to eliminate evidence that reveals his identity. In such cases, short tandem repeat (STR) detection procedures must be performed using the same minute bloodstain evidence on which presumptive tests had been performed earlier. In the present study, two of the most often used presumptive test reagents, phenolphthalein and leucomalachite green, were tested to determine their effects on the ability to obtain STR profiles from minute bloodstains. Methods: Dried minute bloodstains obtained from 10 donors were treated with phenolphthalein and leucomalachite green. After various times, genomic DNA was extracted from the treated samples using a QIAamp DNA Micro Kit. DNA was quantified with real-time PCR using a Quantifiler Kit. STR loci were amplified using an AmpFLSTR Identifiler Plus Kit, and the amplified products were separated via capillary electrophoresis in a 3130 Genetic Analyzer. Results: Full DNA profiles were obtained from all minute bloodstain samples treated with phenolph-thalein when extracted after intervals ranging from 1 h to 1 week. In contrast, the DNA in minute bloodstain samples treated with leucomalachite green was severely degraded, especially after relatively long intervals, leading to poor partial DNA profiles. Conclusion: Phenolphthalein is recommended as a safe presumptive test reagent for the detection of blood evidence recovered from crime scenes that might subsequently undergo DNA profiling analysis

Validation of TAM Model on Social Media Use for Collaborative Learning to Enhance Collaborative Authoring

Increased impact of technology leads numerous studies to conduct research on the effect of social media on performance. Very limited of such studies have tried to observe and record the use of social media for collaborative learning as a way to improve collaborative authoring. This paper tries to the validation of the technology acceptance model (TAM) on social media use for collaborative learning to enhance collaborative authoring among research students. To achieve the study objective, this paper employed a questionnaire as the main data collection method and distributed it to 1118 responses of various researchers from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all of whom use social media. The findings were obtained via a quantitative research method, structural equation modeling (SEM-AMOS). The findings from our empirical study indicate that all the hypotheses were supported; we demonstrate that the use of social media positively and significantly related to collaborative authoring through collaborative learning between researchers in higher education. Therefore, the proposed model will help academic and decision-makers formulate the strategies that can encourage students and researchers to use social media to improving collaborative authoring through collaborative learning

Treatment with electrical stimulation of sensory nerves improves motor function and disability status in persons with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study

Declines in motor function are closely associated with decreases in sensory function in multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of our study was to assess the changes in motor function and disability status elicited by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to limb muscles of individuals with MS. Fifteen persons with MS and 11 age-matched healthy controls were evaluated before and after receiving 9 treatment sessions during which TENS was applied over the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscles of each leg, and over the median nerve and the thenar eminence of each hand. Each evaluation session involved completing two questionnaires (fatigue and walking limitations) and assessing walking performance (2-min test and 25-ft test), dynamic balance (chair-rise test), manual dexterity (grooved pegboard test), and muscle function of hands and legs (strength and force steadiness tests). The MS group exhibited improvements in the 25-ft test (P = 0.001), 2-min test (P = 0.002), chair-rise test (P = 0.008), grooved pegboard test (P = 0.008), and reductions in the self-reported levels of fatigue and walking limitation scores (P = 0.02, d = 0.52; P = 0.008, r = 0.50 respectively). In contrast, there were no statistically significant changes in the Control group. There were no significant changes in either muscle strength or force steadiness for either group. TENS elicited significant improvements in motor function and self-reported disability status in persons with MS. Some improvements reached clinically meaningful levels