Student engagement in online and blended learning in a higher education institution in the Middle East: Challenges and solutions

This paper aims to identify challenges to students’ engagement in online learning at the Qatar branch campus of America’s Georgetown University, and to propose solutions. Specifically, it: 1) identifies challenges and solutions from students’ perspectives; 2) provides recommendations for developing instructional policies to maximise student engagement in synchronous learning contexts; and 3) aims to contribute to the literature on the engagement of Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) learners and Arabic Heritage Learners (AHLs) in online learning in higher education (HE) in the Middle East. It did so by collecting qualitative data, using an open-ended questionnaire from 13 Arabic as a Foreign Language and Arab Heritage learners. We investigate these learners’ perceptions and experiences of student engagement in online learning within the social presence dimension of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. In addition to presenting a set of challenges that our students experienced in their online learning, especially under the unprecedented health, social and mental constraints created by Covid-19, we highlight their solutions to these challenges. We conclude by offering a set of recommendations that we hope AFL and Arabic Heritage (AH) programmes and institutions will find useful

Reporting Adverse Reactions of Skin Whitening Products in Wad- Medani Dermatology Hospital, Sudan

Background: There is growing concern about skin whitening both worldwide and in Sudan where there is no specific reporting system for the adverse reactions to whitening products. Objective: To identify adverse reactions associated with whitening products use through implementing an adverse reactions reporting system at the dermatology hospital in Wad -Medani, Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study of patients presenting at the dermatology hospital in Wad-Medani, with adverse reactions (ARs) associated with the use of whitening products was done between October 2017 and September 2018.ARs reporting forms (containing socio-demographic characteristics, whitening products details and the detected ARs) were filled by the doctors attending both referral and out-patient clinics. Results: The study included 1000 patients aged 15- 48 years old, 98.5% of which were females. About 58% of patients had skin type VI, 32% skin type V and 10% skin type IV. More than 80% of the population used Hydroquinone and/or Clobetasol propionate or unlabeled mixtures of several whitening products bought from street vendors. Most patients (52%) used these products for more than 6 months. Acne, inflammation, ochronosis, hyperpigmentation, bacterial and fungal infections were the most reported ARs. The latter occurring in more than 42% of included patients. More than 68% of reported ARs were classified as severe by the treating doctors. Conclusion: Serious ARs of whitening products are prevalent and urgent measures are needed to address their irrational use. Vigilance ARs reporting systems are applicable and feasible which was evident since whitening products ARs reporting was continued even after the study was completed. The development and implementation of these systems should be adopted and encouraged by health authorities

Glycaemic index of selected staple carbohydrate-rich foods commonly consumed in Botswana

Objectives: Data on the glycaemic index (GI) of foods commonly consumed in Botswana are lacking. The present study aimed to evaluate the GI of some of the staple carbohydrate-rich foods eaten in Botswana.Design, setting and subjects: Fifty university student volunteers were divided into five groups. Members of each group consumed different test foods based on wheat, maize, sorghum, millet and morama beans to supply 50 g of available carbohydrate after 10-12 hours of overnight fasting. GI was determined using a standard method with white bread.Outcome measures: The GI values were calculated after measuring blood glucose levels before and after ingestion at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes.Results: The results showed a clear variation in the GI values for the same food when consumed by different individuals. In addition, variations were observed in the GI values of test foods based on the same material. On average, wheat-based foods exhibited the highest GI values (103.1), followed by millet-based foods (95.3), sorghum-based foods (92.5), maize-based foods (9.1) and morama-based foods (86.4). Of the tested food, mapakiwa (wheat-based) had the highest GI (110.6) whereas roasted morama had the lowest GI (82.8).Conclusion: These results could form the basis of dietary advice to consumers, and particularly patients with diabetes. Further studies are needed on more of the commonly consumed foods in Botswana.Keywords: glycaemic index, carbohydrate-rich foods, Botswan

Solving Ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients

ZZ transform, whose fundamental properties are presented in this paper, is still not widely known, nor used, ZZ transform  may be used to solve problems without resorting to a new frequency domain . In this paper, we use ZZ Transform to solve Ordinary Differential equations with variable coefficients. The result reveals that the proposed method is very efficient, simple and can be applied to linear and nonlinear differential equations

An Application of New Transform " Mahgoub Transform" to Partial Differential Equations

In this paper .The Mahgoub Transform of partial derivatives is derived, and its applicability demonstrated using five different partial differential equations. In this paper we find the particular solutions of these equations. The result reveals that the proposed method is very efficient, simple and can be applied to linear and nonlinear problems. Keywords: Mahgoub Transform-Partial Differential Equations- wave equation- heat equatio

Promoting EFL learning towards peaceful global citizenship

This paper addresses SDG target 4.7 through the lens of Nancy Fraser’s (2008) conceptualisation of parity-of-participation. Her three-pillar conceptualisation includes the equitable distribution of material wealth, egalitarian status among all people, and equal access to representation. This paper attempts to apply her three pillars of participation to the primary classroom which has rarely been attempted before and never in the context of a middle income country. Drawing on interviews, surveys and drawingswith nearly 400 primary-school children in Egypt, we explore how they perceive participation within their classrooms and how participation may influence learning and future life. We conclude by noting that there is an irony in some children’s responses, whereby they display a strong ambition to speak English well, yet believe that they will learn to speak by being passive and silent in the classroom. Other children, however, critique the status quo and suggest more participatory approaches to learning English that will both improve their English mastery and model parity-of-participation in ways that may support their development into adults who strive to live peacefully together as global citizens

Acanthamoeba keratitis in Sudan: outcome of ketoconazole treatment in six patients

In an exploration of the acanthamoebic aetiology of chronic keratitis cases (not responding to antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal therapy), 138 Sudanese patients were seen over a 2-year period at two teaching eye hospitals in Khartoum State. Six (4.3%) of these patients were found to be suffering from Acanthamoeba keratitis. The present study focuses on the good outcome of oral ketoconazole in four patients at 18 months follow up period. The drug oral route, convenient frequency of doses, minimal side effects and availability at reasonable price favour ketoconazole therapy. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2006: 34-3

On The Relationship Between Aboodh Transform and New Integral Transform " ZZ Transform"

In this paper we discusses some relationship between Aboodh transform and the new integral transform called ZZ transform, we solve first and second order ordinary differential equations with constant and non-constant coefficients , using both transforms ,and showing ZZ transform is closely connected with Aboodh transform. Keywords: Aboodh Transform, ZZ Transform, Differential equation

Analytical robustness of quantitative NIR chemical imaging for Islamic paper characterization

Recently, spectral imaging techniques such as Multispectral (MSI) and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) have gained importance in the field of heritage conservation. This paper explores the analytical robustness of quantitative chemical imaging for Islamic paper characterization by focusing on the effect of different measurement and processing parameters, i.e. acquisition conditions and calibration on the accuracy of the collected spectral data. This will provide a better understanding of the technique that can provide a measure of change in collections through imaging. For the quantitative model, special calibration target was devised using 105 samples from a well-characterized reference Islamic paper collection. Two material properties were of interest: starch sizing and cellulose degree of polymerization (DP). Multivariate data analysis methods were used to develop discrimination and regression models which were used as an evaluation methodology for the metrology of quantitative NIR chemical imaging. Spectral data were collected using a pushbroom HSI scanner (Gilden Photonics Ltd) in the 1000-2500 nm range with a spectral resolution of 6.3 nm using a mirror scanning setup and halogen illumination. Data were acquired at different measurement conditions and acquisition parameters. Preliminary results showed the potential of the evaluation methodology to show that measurement parameters such as the use of different lenses and different scanning backgrounds may not have a great influence on the quantitative results. Moreover, the evaluation methodology allowed for the selection of the best pre-treatment method to be applied to the data. © (2017) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only

Aboodh Transform Homotopy Perturbation Method For Solving System Of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations

In this paper, we apply a new method called Aboodh transform homotopy perturbation method (ATHPM) to solve nonlinear systems of partial differential equations. This method is a combination of the new integral transform “Aboodh transform” and the homotopy perturbation method. This method was found to be more effective and easy to solve linear and nonlinear differential equations. Key word:Aboodh  transform Homotopy  perturbation  method Nonlinear  systems  of  partial differential equation