Designing a reading literacy curriculum for secondary school students in Egypt

The key contribution of this research is to produce a proposal for a reading literacy curriculum design (RLCD) for secondary school students (15-17 year-old) in Egypt. This proposal includes four major components: targets, assessment, instruction, and content. Two complementary dimensions are investigated: the theoretical analysis (the researcher’s perspective based upon analysis of reading literacy research) and the fieldwork (the empirical study using a questionnaire for teachers and supervisors and a semi-structured interview for other professionals). Those two dimensions are charted through seven chapters and introduction to and conclusion of these chapters. Following an introduction to the research problem, purposes, questions, structure, rationale, and parameters, the successive focus of these chapters is on: - Clarifying the Egyptian context in terms of education system, culture of learning, critical analysis of the actual reading situation and how all of these elements reveal the gap between 'what is' and 'what ought to be' in RLCD in the secondary school in Egypt (Chapter one);- Reading literacy theory: the concept of reading literacy, dimensions, and models and how these can be used a baseline for RLCD (Chapter two);- Theoretical analysis of reading literacy targets and assessment, the first two components of RLCD (Chapter three);- Theoretical analysis of reading literacy instruction and content, the other two components of RLCD (Chapter four);- Research methodology, where survey design was employed and mixed methods were used: a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The major aim was to collect data to find out if the practitioners (i.e. secondary school teachers and supervisors) and other professionals (i.e. specialists in curriculum and instruction) in Egypt agree with the reading literacy research (chapter five);- Data analysis, where a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted for data provided by the questionnaire and a cross-sectional or code and retrieve analysis strategy was applied for data provided by the semi-structured interview. Results indicated that the practitioners' perceptions on the questionnaire and the professionals' answers in the semi-structured interview supported what was revealed by the theoretical analysis regarding RLCD. This suggests that the proposed RLCD is a practical proposition and it is timely to do it. It also raises the confidence in RLCD by triangulation of data by using the questionnaire for the practitioners and the semi-structured interview for other professionals and relating all of this to literature analysis (Chapter six);-Developing the proposal (RLCD): its scope, framework, and components: targets, assessment, instruction, and content. The researcher combines all sources of data: the theoretical analysis, the questionnaire data, and the semi-structured interview data (Chapter seven).The conclusion of the research is introduced. It presents a summary of the research and most importantly, it provides a summary of the contribution of the present research to reading literacy curriculum in theory and practice. Deriving from its results, some recommendations for practice and further research are made and a closing reflective epilogue on the research and the researcher is provided

Kisspeptin Hormone: Revolution in Reproductive System Physiology

The control of reproduction has been attributed to the actions and feedforward of the sex steroids gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). However, recent findings, including the identification of kisspeptin neurons and a kisspeptin-GnRH-LH/FSH axis, have prompted a reevaluation of reproductive regulation. At first, the KISS1 gene encoding kisspeptin was thought to belong to a group of genes called metastasis suppressors. Vertebrate and mammalian genomes have been enriched with Kiss and KissR gene variations during the last two decades. In 2003, kisspeptins and their receptor, KISS1R, and their role in the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis were discovered. This finding radically altered our understanding of reproductive physiology. These discoveries support the role of kisspeptins and their receptor as gatekeepers of sexual maturity at the outset of puberty and as key processors in the adult-life dynamic control of the gonadotropic axis. The significance of kisspeptin signaling in spermatogenesis and sperm quality is still debatable, even though Kiss1 and Kiss1R are expressed peripherally in the testes. Numerous processes, including steroidogenesis, follicular maturation, ovulation, and ovarian senescence, are affected by kisspeptin activity. Therefore, kisspeptin analogs (both agonists and antagonists) may be useful as therapies for those with disorders affecting the reproductive system. This overview focuses on the evolution, localization, and reproductive importance of the Kiss–KissR pair

TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF USING PV CURTAIN WALLS IN HOT ARID ENVIRONMENTCASE STUDY; MIXED-USE BUILDING, JEDDAH, KSA

Nowadays the world no longer has a choice to reduce the dependency of non-renewable energy resources, especially in buildings. This type of energy like fossil fuel is responsible for global warming and the climate change phenomenon. The construction industry has to depend on renewable energy to improve environmental impacts while operating the buildings. The most promising technologies for buildings are photovoltaic panels system which converts solar radiation into electricity without harming the environment. PV system is not only used as top-roof panels but also it can play an important role in the exterior building cladding and in curtain wall system as well. Building-integrated PV (BIPV) system has two functions the first is used as a façade cladding and the second is power generation for building operation. This research studies the PV curtain wall as a BIPV system and explains why this system is better than the traditional curtain wall through its environmental performance and initial, and operation costs. Based on the analysed tabulated feasibility study considering energy savings outcome and system cost, PV curtain walls proved technical, environmental and economic viability. The paper’s case study in Jeddah-KSA provides a real example of how PV curtain wall application plays a fundamental role in achieving high energy performance standards as well as maximize the financial return of investment

Pramipexole protective effect on rotenone induced neurotoxicity in mice

Introduction: 
Pramipexole is a new dopaminergic drug which has been approved for PD treatment. However, we tried to find a new capacity for this drug rather than symptomatic effect. 

Materials and Methods: 
A chronic rotenone model with daily oral dose of 30mg/kg was induced in mice. Pramipexole was tried in a new approach where the treatment began in the middle of rotenone course with oral dose 1mg/kg/day of pramipexole. 

Results: 
Further analysis of behavioral tests and immunohistochemistry revealed success of pramipexole in improving the rotenone intoxicated mice. 

Conclusion: 
These results showed possible beneficial effects of pramipexole against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity

Biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease in pepper plant by plant growth promoting Penicillium expansum and Trichoderma harzianum

Plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) were employed in the present study to biocontrol Fusarium wilt disease in pepper plants. Two of the five fungal isolates were chosen based on biochemical characteristics such as their production of hydrocyanic acid, siderophores, and IAA, phosphate solubilization, and in vitro antifungal activities. The most potent fungal isolates were identified as Penicillium expansum (P. expansum) and Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum). Using GC-MS, it was found that PGPF extracts contain compounds with antifungal activity, antioxidants, and plant growth stimulators. The combined effect of T. harzianum and P. expansum increased the protection against fusarial wilt by (76.74%), followed by T. harzianum by (50%), then P. expansum by (17.64%). Significant improvement because of using the mixture (T. harzianum and P. expansum) showed an increase in shoot length (59.4%), root length (129%), and number of leaves (52.6%). Chlorophyll A and B levels in infected plants were consistently raised by 28.71% and 67.58%, respectively; as a result of application the mixture (T. harzianum and P. expansum). Also, there was an increase in soluble proteins and carbohydrates in infected plants treated with (T. harzianum) by 25.42% and 31.78% over untreated infected plants, respectively. It could be recommended that the use of targeted PGPF strains, especially a mixture of T. harzianum and P. expansum could be commercially used as therapeutic nutrients against Fusarium wilt of pepper plants

Enhancing the evaporative cooling performance of fan-pad system using alternative pad materials and water film over the greenhouse roof

Greenhouse technology is a viable option for sustainable crop production in the regions of adverse climatic conditions.  During hot seasons the heat input to a greenhouse causes the internal temperature to exceed its optimal value.  The present study was devoted to construct an evaporative cooling system to reduce heat stress inside a greenhouse.  Two identical small-scale greenhouses were designed, constructed, and installed on an open roof of a domestic house.  The two greenhouses were cooled using fan-pad system.  In addition, a thin water film was applied on the roof of one greenhouse to study the effect of roof water film and fan-pad (combined system) on the cooling performance.  The two cooling systems were compared under the same condition.  Three new evaporative cooling pads represented by Cryperus Alopecuroides Rottb (Samar), Cyerus Alternifolius (Purdy) and Cyperus Rotundus l (Nut-grass or Se'd) were adapted and evaluated.  Three pad face air velocities ranged between 0.45 and 1.01 m s-1 and two thicknesses of 10 and 15 cm were used in the investigation of the cooling performance criteria.  Results showed that the proposed cooling pads in the suggested evaporative cooling systems were able to maintain acceptable microclimatic conditions for greenhouse models.  Se'd pad material proved more efficiency in temperature reduction.  It was revealed that the temperature inside the greenhouse operated under the combination of roof water flow and fan-pad system was less than that for fan-pad greenhouse by about 1.1 to 5.44° C in the morning and afternoon respectively.  The air relative humidity was increased due to humid effect provided by cooling system which protects crops from excessive transpiration and crop damage.  The daily average cooling efficiencies of 88.4, 83.1 and 79.6% were obtained for Se'd, Purdy and Samar, respectively during testing days inside the combined system at 15 cm pad thickness and 0.45 m s-1 pad face air velocity.  The Se'd pad material showed the highest efficiency as compared to other pad materials and could be used as an alternative pad material.   Keywords: greenhouse, evaporative cooling, fan-pad system, pad material, roof water flo

Early and delayed suture adjustments after adjustable suture strabismus surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Adjustable sutures increase the success rate of strabismus surgery. However, the optimal timing of postoperative suture adjustment remains controversial. This trial was aimed at comparing the surgical outcomes and pain scores of early or 2 – 4 h and delayed or 24 h postoperative suture adjustment in adult patients undergoing strabismus surgery. Methods: An open-label, prospective, randomized, comparative interventional study was performed in consecutive adult patients scheduled for eye muscle surgery. Patients were randomized into two groups: the early group, with suture adjustment 2 – 4 h postoperatively, and the delayed group, with suture adjustment 24 h postoperatively. Subjective pain scores during the adjustment were also analyzed. The angles of misalignment at 1 and 3 months and the success rate at 3 months postoperatively were compared. Results: Forty-five (90%) patients completed the follow-up, including 23 (92%) in the early adjustment group and 22 (88%) in the delayed adjustment group, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 25.6 (9.5) years and a male-to-female ratio of 46.7:53.3. Thirty patients (66.7%) had exotropia, and 15 (33.3%) patients had esotropia. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics (all P > 0.05). The mean pain scores during adjustment did not differ significantly between groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative angles of alignment were comparable between the groups before suture adjustment and at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups (all P > 0.05). The success rate in the early adjustment group was slightly higher (87.0% versus 63.6%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The success rate was comparable between the groups in patients with esotropia or exotropia (both P > 0.05). Conclusions: Although the early adjustment group had a slightly higher success rate, the difference was not significant. Both groups had comparable subjective pain scores during adjustment. Future clinical trials should be performed different time intervals for postoperative suture adjustment, and subjective and objective outcomes, such as diplopia and stereopsis, should be compared between patients with a first strabismus surgery and those who underwent reoperation. This could better resolve the persistent controversy related to the optimal time for suture adjustment

The serum thyroid hormone profile in mechanically ventilated children: Does euthyroid sick syndrome exist?

Background: The term "euthyroid sick syndrome" refers to alterations in thyroid function testing during critical illness. Mechanically ventilated children's thyroid hormone levels may be altered, although the reason for this remains a mystery.Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate thyroid hormone profile in mechanically ventilated children and their correlation with mortality.Patients and Methods: Thirty-four mechanically ventilated children were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. On the first and third days of mechanical ventilation, serum TSH, FT3, FT4 and reverse T3 were measured.Results: The mean age of the studied patients was of 31.06 ± 35.94 months. After three days of mechanical ventilation, the serum levels of FT3 and FT4 in the blood were significantly lower than the serum levels on the first day. The serum reverse T3 levels increased significantly on the third day of mechanical ventilation compared to the first day. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of patients with low FT3 and FT4 serum levels on the third day compared to the first day. Twenty-two patients (64.7%) died, and the frequency of low FT3 among dead patients was signiisignificantlycantly higher than among surviving patients.Conclusions: It could be concluded that the mechanically ventilated children had signs of euthyroid sick syndrome, shown by low levels of FT3 and FT4 and a rise in rT3 without a compensatory rise in TSH. Serum FT3 and FT4 decreased, but reverse T3 increased, on the third day of mechanical ventilation compared to the first day. Patients who had low FT3 levels died at a higher rate