Search Queries in an Information Retrieval System for Arabic-Language Texts

Information retrieval aims to extract from a large collection of data a subset of information that is relevant to user’s needs. In this study, we are interested in information retrieval in Arabic-Language text documents. We focus on the Arabic language, its morphological features that potentially impact the implementation and performance of an information retrieval system and its unique characters that are absent in the Latin alphabet and require specialized approaches. Specifically, we report on the design, implementation and evaluation of the search functionality using the Vector Space Model with several weighting schemes. Our implementation uses the ISRI stemming algorithms as the underlying stemming technique and the general Arabic stop word list for building inverted indices for Arabic-language documents. We evaluate our implementation on a corpus consisting of selected technical papers published in Arabic-language journals. We use the Open Journal Systems (OJS) from the Public Knowledge Project as a repository for the corpus used in the evaluation. We evaluate the performance of our implementation of the search using a classic recall/precision approach and compare it to one of the default multilingual search functions supported in the OJS. Our experimental analysis suggests that stemming is an effective technique for searches in Arabic-language texts that improves the quality of the information retrieval system

The Impact of Blended Learning on Writing Accuracy for Iraqi EFL Intermediate School Learners

هدف هذا البحث إلى معرفة كيف أثر التعلم المدمج على دقة الكتابة لمتعلمي اللغة الإنجليزية كلغة أجنبية لطلاب المدارس المتوسطة في العراق. لتحقيق هذا الهدف، شارك في هذه الدراسة 70 طالبا من طلاب المدارس المتوسطة في العراق اعتمادا على نتائج اختبار أكسفورد لتحديد المستوى. تراوحت أعمار الطلبة بين 18 و32 عامًا مع العلم ان اللغة العربية هي لغتهم الأولى، وكانوا يتمتعون بنفس مستوى إجادة اللغة الإنجليزية (OPT). كان تقسيمهم إلى المجموعة التجريبية (ن=35) والمجموعة الضابطة (ن=35) بشكل عشوائي. تلقت المجموعة الضابطة التعليمات المتطابقة باستخدام المنهج التقليدي الذي يركز على المعلم وجهاً لوجه بينما تلقته المجموعة التجريبية باستخدام منهج التعلم المدمج. وكان استخدام الاختبار القبلي والبعدي للحصول على البيانات، التي جرى تحليلها بعد ذلك باستخدام اختبارات t للعينة المزدوجة واختبارات T المستقلة للعينة. أظهرت النتائج في الاختبار القبلي أن متوسط المجموعة الضابطة كان أكثر من المجموعة التجريبية ولكن الفرق لم يكن معنوياً. ومع ذلك، تفوقت المجموعة التجريبية بشكل كبير على المجموعة الضابطة بعد استخدام إستراتيجية التعلم المدمج. أظهرت النتائج أن لها بعض الآثار المترتبة حيث يمكن لمعلمي اللغة الإنجليزية كلغة أجنبية ومطوري المواد وصانعي السياسات التعليمية من اتباعها.This research aimed to find out how blended learning affected the writing accuracy of intermediate Iraqi EFL learners. 70 intermediate EFL learners from Iraq took part in this study to achieve this goal. Based on the results of the Oxford Placement Test, they were between the ages of 18 and 32, had Arabic as their first language, and had the same level of English proficiency (OPT). They were divided into the experimental group (n=35) and the control group (n=35) at random. The control group received the identical instruction using a face-to-face, traditional teacher-centered approach while the experimental group received it using a blended learning approach. Pre- and post-testing was used to obtain the data, which was then analyzed using paired sample t-tests and independent sample T-tests. The results showed that, in the pre-test, the mean of the control group was more than the experimental group but the difference was not significant. The experimental group, nevertheless, significantly outperformed the control group after using the blended learning strategy. The findings have some implications for EFL teachers, materials developers, and policymakers

Panel Data Analysis of Institutional Quality and Population Health Outcomes

This study investigates the institutional quality effect on population health outcomes. Explanatory variables are government stability, corruption, law and order, democratic accountability and bureaucracy quality. Whereas for the population health proxies are infant mortality rate and life expectancy. The sample of this study consist of 105 countries. Five years’ average data from 1984 to 2012 is taken from the Political Risk Services Group and World Development Indicators 2015. This study considers econometric techniques like Fixed Effects, Random Effects and GMM. Study findings indicate that population health is positively affected by the institutional quality that is increasing life expectancy and dropping infant mortality rate. Furthermore, GDP per capita, physician, and population density display a positive influence on life expectancy. The results propose that to achieve population better health outcomes, authorities must cautiously contemplate the quality of institutions

Study of Absorbance and Emissivity Solar Radiation by Clouds, Aerosols and Some Atmospheric Gases

The atmosphere consists of a quantity of clouds, aerosols, and gases. The solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface depends on this quantity. The amounts of solar radiation at the earth's surface are lower than the amounts of solar radiation reaching the upper surface of the atmosphere. The aim of this research is the study of absorbance and emissivity solar radiation by cloud, aerosols and methane gas. Data were taken by Top Solar Radiation (TSR), Surface Solar Radiation (SSR), Surface Thermal Radiation (STR), Surface Thermal Radiation Downward (STRD), Top Thermal Radiation (TTR), Albedo (AL), Total Cloud Cover (TCC), Aerosols Optical Depth at wavelength550nm (AOD550nm) and Methane (CH4) from satellites recorded by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) the choice of year is 2016 in Baghdad city (33.375°N-44.375°E). Where we studied the short and long-wave solar radiation and its relationship with a cloud, aerosol and methane gas during the hourly mean at the times 00:00 am-12:00 pm and a cycle in temperature variation. The results showed that at the time 00:00 am was inverse correlation coefficient highest was -0.9 and their positive correlation coefficient highest was 0.6 with CH4. where represent very high correlation then followed and clouds and aerosols. Absorption, emission, and albedo by clouds, aerosols, and gases depend on the quantity, abundance, composition, location, distribution, meteorological parameters and wavelength of each air component, as well as on the strength of the solar and the thermal radiation at the times 00:00 am-12:00 pm

Ultrasound Irradiated High-Speed Classical Synthesis and Biological Studies of Various N-Substituted Phthaloyl Derivatives

Ultrasound irradiation high-speed and classical synthesis of various N-substituted phthaloyl derivatives as potent bactericidal agents are described. All compound show antibacterial activities when compared with standard drugs.A series of various N-substituted phthaloyl derivatives have been synthesized in a very good yield under irradiation conditions (ultrasound irradiation high-speed) and conventional heat. All compound show antibacterial activities when compared with standard drugs. All compounds have been characterized by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Keywords: phthalymide, phthalimido dimer, phthalic anhydride, ultrasound irradiation, high-speed synthesis

Study the Photodegradation of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose in Presence and Absence of Benzophenone and Eosine Dye

The induced photodegradation of poly hydroxypropyl cellulose films  in air was investigated (for 350 hrs.) in presence and absence of benzophenone and eosine dye (photosensitizer) by accelerated weathering tester. The addition of (0.1wt %) of benzophenone and eosine dye to poly hydroxypropyl cellulose films (25µm in thickness) enhanced the photodegradation of the polymer films. The photodegradation rate was followed by increase in carbonyl absorbance of polymers using infrared (I.R.) and UV-visible. spectra respectively and viscosity. The concluded from this work the eosine dye enhance degradation of polymer more than benzophenone. According to the spectra results, the induced photodegradation mechanisms of polymer films were suggested under the experimental conditions employed using UV-radiation at ? = 313 nm , light intensity 3.49*10-5 einsteins.dm-3.S-1 at temperature 45 oC. Key words: photodegradation, hydroxypropyl cellulos

Lipoma at Conus Medullaris without Spinal Dysraphism causing Neurological Deficit: A Rare Occurrence

It's uncommon to have an intradural lipoma without spinal dysraphism. The majority are asymptomatic, however, neurological impairments might occur. For the past six months, a 35-year-old man had been experiencing growing weakening in both lower limbs. The L1 intradural space-occupying lesion was detected during a clinical examination and radiological workup. The patient underwent surgery to address a worsening neurological impairment. The patient had fully recovered neurologically after a six-month follow-up. If the neurological damage is progressive, intradural lipomas should be surgically removed. The surgical treatment produces positive results

Synthesis and Study Properties Physical and Biological of Some Dihydrazone Derivatives

Synthesis a number of some new of Dihydrazones compounds through condensation of thiocarbohydrozid with substituted aromatic aldehyde by Microwave method. The Microwave methods were unique in being very fast with high yield. Experimental values of viscosity are presented for the mixtures of Dihydrazones compounds with water over the whole mole fraction range at 298.15, 308.15, 318.15 and 328.15 K. The data were used to calculate excess viscosity, ?ln?. The results have been discussed in terms of the nature of solvent-solut interaction in the mixture. The microbial inhibitory effect of the new agents has been assessed in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria activity. All Dihydrazones have been characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectra. Keywords: Dihydrazones, microwave irradiation, antibacterial activity, viscosity

Toxicological Pathology of Contraceptive in Rat by Oral Intubation for Six Months

The study was done on laboratory white rats(Sprague dawelly) in 2groups, 8 male and female as untreated control and 8 male and female as treated with contraceptive pills. The study showed that untreated animals were normal in breeding respect while treated animals showed no evidence of breeding at all and histopathologically untreated controls showed normal ovaries and testis while treated animals showed atrophy of ovaries and marked suppression of spermatogenesis. Other histopathological changes were also seen in liver and kidney. Keywords: contraceptive, ovary, testis and ra

Predictors of Surgical Outcome Following Cerebral Contusion in Severe Head Injuries

Objective:  There are controversies regarding the management of Cerebral Contusion. The study sought to identify parameters influencing the surgical outcome of individuals suffering from a brain contusion. Methods:  A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Hospital Lahore, and 37 patients were included. The information on the mode/mechanism of injury, time of presentation, clinical presentation, and contusion type/location was collected. GCS (at 1st, 2nd and 6th weeks) and GOS were used for the neurological assessment of pre-operative and post-operative status. Results:  The average age of presentation was 42.57 years. There were 21.6% female and 78.4% male patients. 64.9% presented with road traffic accidents. 4% of patients presented to the hospital within 12 hours of injury, 16.2% between 12 to 24 hours, and 5.4% between 24 to 48 hours. 29% had seizures and upgoing plantar. 18% had hemiparesis or hemiplegia. Light reflex was absent in 40.5% of patients. The GCS kept improving postoperatively. GCS at admission was averaging 8 which improved to 10, 12, and 13 after surgery. The presenting mean GCS at 1st-week, 2nd-week, 6th-week, and mean GOS at 30th PAD. Counter coup injury improved to 15/15 right in 1st week. Mean GOS was 5 at 30th PAD. The most improvement was seen in the frontoparietal, temporoparietal, and fronto-temporo-parietal locations. The mean GOS at 30th PAD was 4. Conclusion:  The outcome following cerebral contusion depends upon the initial presenting GCS and GOS. Therefore, the better the presenting GCS and GOS better is the prognosis of the patient