An exponential expansion method and its application to the strain wave equation in microstructured solids

AbstractThe modeling of wave propagation in microstructured materials should be able to account for various scales of microstructure. Based on the proposed new exponential expansion method, we obtained the multiple explicit and exact traveling wave solutions of the strain wave equation for describing different types of wave propagation in microstructured solids. The solutions obtained in this paper include the solitary wave solutions of topological kink, singular kink, non-topological bell type solutions, solitons, compacton, cuspon, periodic solutions, and solitary wave solutions of rational functions. It is shown that the new exponential method, with the help of symbolic computation, provides an effective and straightforward mathematical tool for solving nonlinear evolution equations arising in mathematical physics and engineering

An investigation into the current utilisation and prospective of renewable energy resources and technologies in Libya

With the increase in energy demand and the international drive to reduce carbon emission from fossil fuel, there has been a drive in many oil-rich countries to diversify their energy portfolio and resources. Libya is currently interested in utilising its renewable energy resources in order to reduce the financial and energy dependency on oil reserves. This paper investigates the current utilisation and the future of renewable energy in Libya. Interviews have been conducted with managers, consultants and decision makers from different government organisations including energy policy makers, energy generation companies and major energy consumers. The results indicate that Libya is rich in renewable energy resources but in urgent need of a more comprehensive energy strategy and detailed implementation including reasonable financial and educational investment in the renewable energy sector

The impact of gamification intention to use in e-learning through student attitude: evidence from Egyptian Private Higher Education Institutions (HIEs)

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many universities to move to online learning to sustain students’ education. Today’s Students are digital natives. They grew up with digital technologies and have different learning styles, new attitude to the learning process and higher requirements for teaching and learning. Indeed, there is a need to develop new e-learning models that transform education to sustain goals and achieve education’s objectives. Modern pedagogical paradigms and trends in education, reinforced by the use of ICT, create prerequisites for use of new approaches and techniques in order to implement active learning. Gamification is one of these trends as applying gamification in a non-gaming environment motivates students and also keeps them engaged in learning. The purpose of this research is to empirically investigate gamification intention to use in E-learning through student attitude in the Egyptian Private Higher Education Institutions (HIEs). This study proposes to integrate the personal characteristics including the dimensions (computer anxiety, enjoyment, self-efficacy) which extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) including dimensions (Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use). The objectives of this research are: to examine how gamification affects intention to use in E-learning, to identify how gamification affects student’s attitude, to investigate how student’s attitude affects intention to use gamification. Data in this study came from a survey of 4.3 acceptable responses. the results were analysed employing by Structural Equation Modeling technique (SEM) using Analysis Moment of Structures (AMOS) software. The main conclusions drawn from this study are: the direct effect between gamifications and intention to use gamification in E-learning is statistically significant, the direct effect between gamification and student’s attitude towards gamification is statistically significant, the direct effect between student’s attitude towards gamification and intention to use gamification in E-learning is statistically significant, and finally, student’s attitude mediates the relationship between gamification and intention to use Egyptian higher education institutions

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population

Root‐lesion nematodes of potato: current status of diagnostics, pathogenicity and management

Root‐lesion nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus are migratory endoparasites with worldwide economic impact on several important crops including potato, where certain species like P. penetrans, P. neglectus and P. scribneri reduce the yield and quality of potato tubers. Morphological identification of Pratylenchus spp. is challenging, and recent advancements in molecular techniques provide robust and rapid diagnostics to differentiate species without need of specialist skills. However, the fact that molecular diagnostics are not available for all Pratylenchus species means that there are limitations in worldwide application. In general, root‐lesion nematodes are difficult to manage once introduced into agricultural land and damage can be related to pathogenicity and population densities. In addition, root‐lesion nematodes interact with fungi such as V. dahliae, resulting in disease complexes that enhance the damage inflicted on the potato crop. Management interventions are often focused on limiting nematode reproduction before planting crops and include the application of nematicides, and cultural practices such as crop rotation, cover crops, biofumigation, and biological control. Understanding the limitations of the available crop protection strategies is important and there are many gaps for further study. This review discusses the status of the diagnosis, distribution, pathogenicity and management of the main species of root‐lesion nematodes, reported to infect potatoes worldwide, and highlights areas for potential future research