Technology-enabled Learning (TEL): YouTube as a Ubiquitous Learning Aid.

The use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube in the society has become ubiquitous. The advent of communication technologies alongside other unification trends and notions such as media convergence and digital content allow the users of the social network to integrate these networks in their everyday life. There have been several attempts in the literature to investigate and explain the use of social networks such as Facebook and WhatsApp by university students in the Arab region. However, little research has been done on how university students utilise online audiovisual materials in their academic activities in the UAE. This research aims to elucidate the use of YouTube as a learning aid for university students in the UAE. We adopt the technology acceptance model (TAM) as the theoretical framework for this investigation. A quantitative methodology is employed to answer the research question. Primary data consisting of 221 correspondents were analysed, covering patterns of using YouTube as an academic audiovisual learning aid. Statistical techniques including descriptive, correlations, regression tests were used to analyse the data. The study concluded that students use YouTube as a learning tool for their academic studies and enriching their general knowledge; and there is a positive relationship between the use of YouTube videos in academic settings and the students’ overall performance. This study can shed light for teachers, curriculum designers, government entities, and other stakeholders on how to best utilise and integrate the online technology — YouTube — as a learning aid

Absorption and Desorption of Hydrogen in Metal Hydrides

The purpose of this project is to study the reaction rate during the absorption process of hydrogen in metal hydrides. Magnesium Hydride (MgH2) was chosen to be the metal hydride material for the storage medium. A car was modelled to calculate the theoretical consumption of hydrogen fuel during an hour drive at a constant cruising speed. The reaction equilibrium constant was derived from Vant Hoff equation with variable values of operating conditions. Then, the rate equation role was to determine the reaction rate of the absorption process of hydrogen by magnesium. This report contains new aspects, which show the conditions of obtaining hydrogenation rates and represents new approach of improvement of hydrogen absorption process in light metals, such as magnesium, that can provide promising results for the hydrogen storage applications

Modification of phosphoric acid with polyphenol-rich plant extracts: assessment of bond strength to non-eroded and eroded dentine

This study aimed at developing phosphoric acids modified with different polyphenol-rich plant extracts and to verify their effect on the 24h shear bond strength (SBS) to non-eroded and eroded dentine. In this view, the groups contained experimental phosphoric acid (PA), either plain or modified with polyphenol-rich plant extracts, and a commercially available phosphoric acid was used as positive control. The groups were: 1) LabPA (37% phosphoric acid prepared in the laboratory); 2) PA-GSE (LabPA+2% Grape seed extract); 3) PA-Blueberry (LabPA+2% Blueberry extract); 4) PA-Cranberry (LabPA+2% Cranberry extract); 5) PA-GT (LabPA+2% Green tea extract); 6) CommPA (commercial PA, Kerr Gel Etchant, 37.5% phosphoric acid). For SBS, a total of 192 dentine specimens were prepared from sound extracted permanent human molars, by grounding the teeth until the mid-coronal dentine. All specimens underwent a standard smear layer, half of them were straight restored (non-eroded dentine, n=96) and the other half underwent erosion challenge (eroded dentine, n=96; 10 cycles of 1h exposure to human saliva followed by 5 min immersion in 1% citric acid). Consequently, 96 non-eroded and 96 eroded specimens were etched (15s) with the PAs, according to the experimental groups (n=16 specimens/group) and subjected to an etch-and-rinse adhesive system, followed by standardized restoration with a composite resin. After 24 h incubation in humid chamber, the specimens were subjected to SBS using a universal testing machine. The failure mode of each specimen was determined under a stereomicroscope and described qualitatively. Data was analysed with Q-Q plots, Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s tests for normality and equality of variances, and General Linear Model (GLM) with SBScalc as outcome variable, and “Acid Group” and “Presence of Erosion” as factors. Both factors individually caused an effect to the outcome (p<0.001), but there was no interaction between the factors (p=0.818). All LabPAs (modified or not with plant extracts) had higher SBS than CommPA, and the presence of extract did not influence the results. Non-eroded dentine had significantly higher SBS than eroded specimens. In conclusion, erosion decreases SBS, and the addition of plant extracts did not influence SBS after 24h of restoration

Genetic comparisons of Egyptian date palm cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by RAPD-PCR

Random amplified polymorphic DNA technique was used to compare genetic material from four females date palm and four unknown male trees of Egyptian date palm. The genetic similarity between the four females date palm (Zaghloul, Amhat, Samany and Siwi) ranged from 87.5 to 98.9%. The banding profiles obtained suggested that both males 3 and 4 are genetically related to the four female cultivars. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(4): 86

Routine versus selective plasma exchange before thymectomy in myasthenia gravis

Background: Prethymectomy plasma exchange may improve the outcome of surgery; however, the technique is associated with an increased risk of complications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare selective versus routine plasma exchange before thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis. Method: We conducted a prospective multi-center cohort study to compare two protocols for plasma exchange before thymectomy. We compared the routine plasma exchange in all patients undergoing thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (group I; n= 30) versus selective exchange (Group II; n= 30). Endpoints were the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, plasma exchange, and operative complications. Results: There was no difference in age between both groups (30± 10.1 vs. 29± 9.2 years in Group I and II, respectively; p= 0.69). There were 17 females in Group I (56.67%) vs. 16 in group II (53.33%) (p= 0.8). Comorbidities are comparable between groups. All patients preoperative pyridostigmine, and 27 patients (90%) in Group I and 26 patients (87%) in Group II received glucocorticoids. There was no difference in pulmonary function tests between groups. Plasma exchange related complications were not different between groups. Immediate extubation was achieved in 29 patients (97%) in Group II, and after 6 hours in one patient (3.33%). In Group I, 28 patients (93%) extubated immediately, and two patients were ventilated for 7-12 hours. The mean ICU stay was 1.5 days in Group I and 1.4 days in group II (p= 0.615). The mean hospital stay was 8.5 days in Group I and 9.2 days in group II (p= 0.118). There was no significant difference in pathology between groups (p= 0.137). Conclusion: Selective plasma exchange is feasible before thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Selective plasma exchange may decrease exchange related complications without affecting the operative outcomes

Designs of Boiler Burner Management System

Boilers are used in many industrial facilities to generate electricity or produce heat, steam and hot water. Many hazards are occurring on the boiler affecting boiler operation. Within unsafe conditions, boiler hazards might cause explosions, property implosions, injuries and death. This project outlines changes on piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID controller) of boiler pipelines improving smooth operation and boiler efficiency following control requirements of international standards and safety regulations such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to be checked on Boiler Burner Management System and all safety requirements to be developed. Moreover, the project presents the safe arrangement of boiler components in P&ID designs for each part of the boiler to achieve functional safety requirements and comply with the original approach for Burner Management Systems

A Requirement Model for Online Dental Reservation System for University Health Center

The rapid growth with the using of the online services becomes more necessary in the various fields. With A Requirement Model for Online Dental Reservation System for university health center the student will be able to make their reservation for the dentist appointment by online, the proposed system save the time and the effort on the student to make their reservation. A Requirement Model for Online Dental Reservation System for university health center can be obtained easy way to access the inquire information about the dentist appointment. This research introduces an online dentist application which provides the student the new technology to simplify the reservation process and to manage the appointment schedule by the dentist officer