Multiple Perspectives on Academic Service-Learning Partnerships at the American University in Cairo: A Mixed Method Study

This mixed method study aimed to redress the gap in the literature on academic service-learning partnerships, especially in Eastern settings. It utilized Enos and Morton\u27s (2003) theoretical framework to explore these partnerships at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Seventy-nine community partners, administrators, faculty members, and students from a diverse range of age, citizenship, racial, educational, and professional backgrounds participated in the study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with members of these four groups, and a survey with both close-ended and open-ended questions administered to students yielded 61 responses. Qualitative analyses revealed that the primary motivators for partners\u27 engagement in service-learning partnerships included contributing to the community, enhancing students\u27 learning and growth, and achieving the civic mission of the University. These partnerships were characterized by short-term relationships with partners\u27 aspiring to progress toward long-term commitments. The challenges to these partnerships included issues pertaining to the institution, partnering organizations, culture, politics, pedagogy, students, and faculty members. Key strategies for improving these partnerships included institutionalizing service-learning in the University and cultivating an institutional culture supportive of community engagement. Quantitative analyses showed statistically significant relationships between students\u27 scores on the Community Awareness and Interpersonal Effectiveness scales and their overall participation in community service activities inside and outside the classroom, as well as a statistically significant difference between their scores on the Community Awareness scale and department offering service-learning courses. The study\u27s outcomes underscore the role of the local culture in shaping service-learning partnerships, as well as the role of both curricular and extracurricular activities in boosting students\u27 awareness of their community and interpersonal effectiveness. Cultivating a culture of community engagement and building support mechanisms for engaged scholarship are among the critical steps required by public policy-makers in Egypt to promote service-learning in Egyptian higher education. Institutionalizing service-learning partnerships at AUC and enhancing the visibility of these partnerships on campus and in the community are essential to the future growth of these collaborations. Future studies should explore factors affecting community partners\u27 satisfaction with these partnerships, top-down and bottom-up support to service-learning, the value of reflection to faculty members, and the influence of students\u27 economic backgrounds on their involvement in service-learning partnerships

Integrating Service-Learning into Undergraduate Students\u27 Curricula: Recommendations for Best Practices

Several recent studies have revealed that there is increasing individualism and declining interest in politics and civic engagement among college students. Accordingly, many scholars called for reinvigorating the civic mission of higher education. This thesis study examines academic service-learning as an effective pedagogy for promoting students’ civic engagement. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the best ways of integrating service-learning into the curricula of undergraduate students. Using McCarthy’s (2003) conceptual framework, the “Concept of Triangles,” this study provides a comprehensive review of literature on the theoretical underpinnings, partners, and relationships of academic service-learning. The results of the study suggest that establishing clear connections between course content and the kind of service students do, and making meaningful placements of students to service sites are necessary for establishing effective service-learning courses. Additionally, the findings of the study reveal that promoting critical reflection, encouraging active participation from all partners, and meeting real community needs are essential to the success of service-learning programs. Finally, the findings of this study indicate that effective campus/community partnerships are characterized by reciprocal, collaborative, democratic, caring, trusting, and respectful relationships

Optimizing laser scanning positions in buildings exteriors: heritage building application

Digital documentation for heritage buildings is one of the methods of preserving them as it provides a current record for the buildings. Digital records of heritage buildings can be used for future building rehabilitation, or be presented to the public to raise the awareness, increase tourism and decrease vandalism. This paper focuses on scanning object geometry factor to increase the quality of heritage’s façade point cloud. It optimizes the scanner locations and the scanner field of view to increase the point cloud quality and shorten the scanning time while guaranteeing a set of quality constraints for the point cloud. The quality constraints are based on the incidence angle between the scanned surface and the laser beam, and the max spacing between points. Three different multi-objective optimization algorithms are utilized: 1) genetic algorithm, 2) Jaya algorithm, and 3) particle swarm optimization to increase the quality. Optimization performance measures are adopted to compare the outputs of the optimization algorithms. A multi-criteria decision-making technique (Weighed sum model) is used to choose the optimum solution between the Pareto frontier solutions. Optimization algorithms minimize point cloud density and scanning time while assuring a required point spacing and max incidence angle by changing distance between laser scanner and scanned Facade, horizontal and vertical scan repetitions, and scanner different resolutions. The Jaya algorithm generates the most diversifiable optimal solutions and it is the fastest of the three algorithms considered. This research focuses on vertical building façade and future research will include the all types of Heritage façade. Omar Tosson Palace in Egypt is considered as a case study to demonstrate the use of the developed methodology and to illustrate its essential features. First published online 25 February 202

Framework for assessing serviceability and socio-economic risk associated with PPPs projects in Libya

On a global scale, limited financing for the development and operation of infrastructure projects has pushed authorities to encourage private investors to enter public-private partnerships (PPPs). In this respect, procurement of infrastructure projects such as bridges, water plants, airports, and roads has been adopted through PPPs. This has also applied to the oil-rich country of Libya which experienced severe economic and political problems in the past decade. This paper presents a systematic framework for risk assessment and appraisal of PPPs infrastructure projects. This framework is capable of identifying probable adverse effects that represent key influential factors on the private sector in a socio-economic environment and related to key performance indicators (KPIs) in order to assess the operational efficiency in developing and financing infrastructure projects. This framework proposes a new integrated system that comprises of the following: fault tree, artificial neural networks, and analytical network process. The aim of this system is to ensure sustainable availability of finances that are considered essential for the development of PPPs infrastructure projects in Libya. considering different alternative funding models, it suggests a means of auditing PPPs structure to carry out improved performance for PPPs projects in Libya

Impact of kaolin-based particle film dusts on Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and C. chinenesis (L.) after different storage periods of treated broad bean seeds

Adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and C. chinenesis (L.) were exposed to broad been seeds treated with kaolin-based particle film dusts (powder) at different concentrations 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.025% w/w and untreated control. The effect of kaolin powder film was clearly effective in the first month of storage period of the treated seeds resulted a 100% protection of treated seeds at high concentrations from 1.0 to 0.2 w/w for both tested insects. After three months of storage of the treated seeds only the highest two concentrations 1.0 and 0.8 w/w gave a 100% protection for both tested insects. After six months of storage of the treated seeds, kaolin powder still could protect the broad bean seeds against C. maculatus and C. chinensis attacks although the efficacy of kaolin powder decreased with aging. Thus, residual effect of Kaolin powder film was reduced by prolongation of the storage period. A negative relationship was recorded between the kaolin concentration and the tested biological parameters (number of eggs laid, hatchability, developmental period, F1 adult emergence, and seeds weight loss%) for both tested insects C. maculatus and C. chinensis. The comparison of the kaolin application methods, kaolin powder was more effective than kaolin suspension which gave a better protection to the treated seeds. Broad bean seeds viability was slightly affected by kaolin powder application, the reduction of germination was most greatest at highest concentration. Keywords: Kaolin powder, Broad been seeds, Protection, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), C. chinenesis (F.)

Classification system for Egyptian heritage buildings

To create a classification system for heritage buildings, it is essential to delve into the architectural components of the buildings following a specific procedure. First, the different objects’ properties (including their architectural style, geometric characteristics and ratio, condition, construction method, cultural value, material, color, reflectance characteristics) are identified. Second, creating a systematic framework that identifies the lifestyle of each element, stating the grouping principle of heritage elements and the design composition of tables that identifies the geometrical form, material and functional features whether insulation or load tolerance. This paper presents the challenges in creating a unified classification system for an Egyptian heritage palace built in 1896 with different architectural styles; i.e Rocco, Baroque, Islamic and even architectural customized elements with Royal slogan; through different historical periods, where multiple elements and sections were detached and attached to the place during its lifetime. The formulated classification system can be generalized in similar heritage buildings built in the same era

Risk Reporting During a Crisis: Evidence from the Egyptian Capital Market

Research purpose: This paper examines corporate risk disclosure (CRD) practices and determinants in the annual reports of Egyptian listed companies during the 2011 political crisis (uprising) in Egypt. Design/Methodology/Approach: Content analysis of the annual reports of a sample of nonfinancial listed companies representing different industry sectors was conducted to investigate attributes and factors underlying their risk disclosures. Findings: The findings demonstrate that companies disclosed more monetary, future and good risk information. The results show a positive and significant relationship between company size and the level of CRD, a positive but insignificant relationship between the extent of CRD and some company-specific characteristics: industry type, profitability and cross-listing, and a negative and insignificant relationship between corporate reserves and the level of CRD. Research Limitations/Implications: A larger sample size would be needed for greater generalization of the findings. This study extends the literature on CRD by examining CRD practices at a time of current and ongoing crisis. However, more research is needed to examine variations in CRD practices before and after the 2011 political crisis. Practical Implications: The results could be used by information users, companies and the capital market authority to inform policy-making and tighten regulations to improve CRD. Recommendations are made for improving the quality and informativeness of risk information. Originality/Value: It is important to investigate CRD practices, considering the dearth of research, particularly in emerging capital markets and during crises, when companies are exposed to more, especially uncontrollable, risks. This study fills a void in literature by examining CRD practices during the 2011 political crisis in Egypt

Structural Features and Biological Properties of Ellagitannins in Some Plant Families of the Order Myrtales

Plant tannins, including hydrolysable and condensed varieties, are well known antioxidants in medicinal plants, foods, and edible fruits. Their diverse biological properties and potential for disease prevention have been demonstrated by various in vitro and in vivo assays. A number of ellagitannins, the largest group of hydrolysable tannins, have been isolated from dicotyledoneous angiosperms and characterized. This diverse class of tannins is sub-grouped into simple ellagitannins, C-glycosidic ellagitannins, complex tannins (condensates of C-glycosidic tannins with flavan-3-ol), and oligomers up to pentamers. This review outlines and describes the chemotaxonomic significance of structural features in various types of ellagitannins found in plants belonging to the Myrtaceae, Onagraceae, and Melastomataceae families, which are all included in the order Myrtales. Any biological activities that have been reported, including antitumor and antibacterial effects as well as enzyme inhibition, are also reviewed

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020