Language Skills Needs, Language Competence, and Readiness for Self-Directed Learning Among Nonnative Speaking Teachers Of Arabic Language

The present study aims at: (a) determining Arabic teachers' extent of needs for language skills, (b) perceived competence in using language skills, and (c) readiness for self-directed learning. Two groups of Arabic teachers, namely, non-native government religious schoolteachers (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama SMKA) and non-native speaking teachers of Arabic of the Matriculation Center International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), were involved in the study. Approximately, 160 respondents were involved in the study, 70% were religious schoolteachers and 30% were teachers of the Matriculation Center IIUM. A questionnaire was employed to gather data. The results of data analysis indicated that both schoolteachers and the Matriculation teachers showed high level of needs for language skills, their perceived language competence was also high, but they showed moderate level of readiness for self-directed learning. They perceived lower in benefiting from external learning factors such as learning resources and learning strategies. Schoolteachers showed higher level of need in language skills, language competence and readiness for SDL compared to Matriculation teachers. Benefiting from external learning factors however, was lower for schoolteachers compared to Matriculation. The results of t-test and ANOVA indicated no significant difference between Arabic teachers' needs for language skills and language competence in terms of their training, majors and qualifications. However, there is a significant difference in readiness for selfdirected learning in terms of training, but no significant difference in terms of majors and qualifications. The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation of three independent variables namely, learning strategies, language competence and teaching experience, with the dependent variable readiness for SDL. The findings of the study suggest that any effort by the educational authority to assist Arabic teachers for their self development has to take into account their needs, ways to enhance their language competence and ways to improve their readiness for SDL

Fully right pure group rings

In this paper, we study the pure right ideal in rings, and then the fully right pure rings. The necessary and sufficient conditions for a rin

ANTIFUNGAL AND AUXIN-LIKE ACTIVITY OF CARBENDAZIM IN MICROPROPAGATION AND ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS DEHNH

An investigation on Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. was carried out using samples from matured field grown trees in Malaysia. Surface sterilization and callus induction protocols have been described intended for in vitro plant regeneration using leaf and stem explants. A multi-option surface sterilization protocol has been established using three common sterilizing agents such as Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2), Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethanol which were tested by varying their combinations and their time of exposure. Combined treatments with two and three of sterilizing agents proved efficient in getting higher rates of clean, especially, when 70% alcohol was included. Using of 2.63% NaOCl for 10 min, 0.1% HgCl2 for 2.0 min and 70% ethanol for 1.0 min was the most effective sterilizing method for E. camaldulensis leaf explants and could obtain low contamination and damage rates, which can be applied to other plants with the same rigidity. Callus induction was successfully obtained on MS medium from leaf and stem explants using different auxins and cytokinins i.e. 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA), Kinetin (Kn), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in the concentration range of 0.5 - 3.0 mg/l. IBA and 2, 4-D were shown to be the best hormones for callus induction in leaves and stems, respectively. Combination of BA and NAA showed a better callus induction response, than individual hormones. Embryogenic callus was produced in leaf explants using IBA and the globular and heart stages were observed. The effects of the potent fungicide Carbendazim (MBC) were evaluated in in vitro cultures of E. camaldulensis. It showed significant reduction in fungal contamination, especially at ≥25 mg/l and low phytotoxic effects. Callus induced by NAA and BA from leaf and stem explants were not highly sensitive to MBC at low and moderate concentrations (≤15 and <50 mg/l, respectively). At higher MBC concentrations, callus iv induction and organogenesis were decreased. The highest MBC concentrations (200 and 300 mg/l), inhibited callus induction in leaf and callus development in stem. In addition to its cytokinin-like effect, the compound showed auxin-like effect by enhancement of callus induction in stem explants. The remarkable callus induction increment was observed when 3 mg/l MBC was combined with 3 mg/l 2,4-D or 0.1 mg/l BA and 3.0 mg/l NAA. Stem callus derived from MBC grown cultures could be efficient, regenerated into complete plants and established in field conditions. Direct shoot formation using plant nodal segments was also not sensitive to the fungicide concentrations (≥50 mg/l). Increasing concentrations of MBC in media caused some ultrastructural and anatomical alterations. Thus, these findings may have significance towards the understanding of the roles of the fungicide in plants. The essential oils compositions of E. camaldulensis various organs were investigated. Fifteen (15) is major compounds were identified represented 98.8, 97.5 and 99.5% of the compounds in the leaves, stems and immature flowers, respectively. Monoterpenes hydrocarbons were predominant in the three oil samples. The flower oil had the highest oxygenated monoterpenes content (19.6%). The most abundant compound in the three essential oils was γ-terpinene, as a principal oil component (57.4–72.5%) followed by o-cymene (14.6–26.3%) and terpinen-4-ol (6.6–16.2%). The regenerated plants from callus induced in stem using 3.0 mg/l NAA and 0.1 mg/l BA and 3.0 mg/l MBC, rooted on MS half strength medium fortified with 1.0 mg/l IBA and successively established under the field environment. They showed the same essential oil major components as those of the field-grown plants. In addition, E. camaldulensis leaf oils demonstrated cytotoxic effects in four cell lines; WEHI-3, HT-29, HL-60 and RAW 264.7 with WEHI-3 was the most sensitive to the essential oils with IC50 16.1

Recognition of Correct Pronunciation for Arabic Letters Using Artificial Neural Networks

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) plays an important role in taking technology to the people. There are numerous applications of speech recognition such as direct voice input in aircraft, data entry and speech-to-text processing. The aim of this paper was to develop a voice-learning model for correct Arabic letter pronunciation using machine learning algorithms. The system was designed and implemented through three different phases: signal preprocessing, feature extraction and feature classification. MATLAB platform was used for feature extraction of voice using Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (MFCC). Matrix of MFCC features was applied to back propagation neural networks for Arabic letter features classification. The overall accuracy obtained from this classification was 65% with an error of 35% for one consonant letter, 87% accuracy and an error of 13% for 10 isolated different letters and 6 vowels each and finally 95% accuracy and an error of 5% for 66 different examples of one letter (vowels, words and sentences) stored in one voice file

A conceptual framework for internal auditing : an empirical examination of the perception and practice of internal auditing - Egypt as a field of study

The need for a conceptual framework for auditing to guide the development of auditing standards and practice on a consistent and theoretically sound basis has been recognised by many practitioners and academicians. This need seems to be even stronger in the case of internal auditing. Thus, one major objective of the research is to take a step towards developing a widely accepted conceptual model that encompass the different concepts, identify the main objectives, define the functions, and explain the different interrelationships that exist within internal auditing. This follows a rigorous review of literature and theoretical background to set the research terms. It is imperative that the attempt to develop the model should be accompanied by empirical study concerned with its applicability. Thus, the model is then used to examine how internal auditors working in developing countries perceive internal auditing. As well as, examining the standard of practice of internal auditing in developing countries. Two questionnaires are developed and used as the research instruments. The first questionnaire is used to collect data on the perception of internal auditing, and the second is used to collect data on the practice of internal auditing. Factor analysis is then applied to data collected to explore the relationship between the different statements included in the questionnaires. The empirical chapters consider: significant perceptual differences between different levels of internal auditors; significant perceptual differences between internal auditors working in the public and private sectors; significant differences in the practice of internal auditing between public and private sectors. Main findings indicate that: the perception of internal auditing is significantly influenced by the level and experience of internal auditors; the perception of internal auditing is significantly influenced by the sector in which internal auditors work; the practice of internal auditing varies significantly between the public and private sectors; generally positive perception among all respondents of what is promoted by the conceptual framework; the practice of internal auaiting in developing countries still lags behind what is promoted by the conceptual framework

ieee access special section radio frequency identification and security techniques

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems have been receiving much attention in the last few decades due to their effective role in our everyday life. They propose different solutions to many vital applications. Moreover, RFID systems are the backbone of modern Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Near-Field Communication (NFC) systems. Extending the capacity of such systems and making them more secure is the desired objective of the research community

Synthesizing and Appraising the Quality of the Evidence on Factors Associated with Medication Adherence in Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

Background Nonadherence to medications is a common phenomenon in patients with diabetes. Several studies and systematic reviews have investigated the barriers to medication adherence in diabetes. However, no study has evaluated the quality of the existing literature and synthesized the plethora of evidence with a goal to design holistic conceptual frameworks and interventions. Objectives The aims of this review were to systematically evaluate existing systematic reviews focusing on factors associated with medication adherence in diabetes in an effort to synthesize the evidence, determine their methodological quality, and identify the gaps in the current literature. Methods Fourteen databases and gray literature sources were systematically searched through June 2016. Systematic reviews reporting factors associated with medication adherence (barriers and facilitators) in patients with diabetes were selected on the basis of predetermined criteria. Studies were appraised for quality using AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews). Results Seventeen systematic reviews including 542 primary studies, most of which were cross-sectional quantitative studies, were included. All the reviews were rated as moderate to low quality and exhibited common methodological pitfalls. Factors influencing medication adherence identified were categorized as patient-, medication-, disease-, health care provider-, health care system-, and social-related factors. Conclusions Factors influencing medication adherence are multifactorial with remarkably consistent findings across the existing reviews; yet, most reviews were judged to be of low to moderate quality. Further comprehensive and well-conducted original studies and systematic reviews on this topic shall be conducted taking into consideration the drawbacks of existing ones. 1 2017Scopu

Anomoeodus aegypticus n. sp. (Pisces, †Pycnodontiformes) from the late Cretaceous of the Dakhla Formation, Western Desert, Egypt

EnBased on a single right prearticular bone section with partial dentition collected from the lower part of the Beris member, Dakhla Formation (Egypt), dated to the Maastrichtian, the authors describe a new Pycnodont, Anomoeodus aegypticus. The planktonic foraminiferal assemblages indicate deposition in a marginal marine environment with open marine influx. The dental apparatus demonstrates the characteristic disposition of the teeth, which are typically semi-spherical, kidney-shaped and elliptical, as seen for the genus Anomoeodus. The new species is primarily characterised by the largest teeth not being those of the medial row (located near the symphysis; as seen for all Anomoeodus), but those of the primary lateral row.ItBasandosi su un osso pre-articolare destro frammentario, con dentatura parziale, raccolto dalla parte inferiore dei cosiddetti "strati di Beris" della Formazione di Dakhla (Egitto), datata al Maastrichtiano, gli autori descrivono il picnodonte Anomoeodus aegypticus n. sp. Il fossile è stato trovato in associazione con un'ampia varietà di vertebrati marini (mosasauri, plesiosauri, tartarughe marine, coccodrilli, denti di squalo, ossa e denti di pesci) e occasionali resti vegetali. Le associazioni di foraminiferi planctonici indicano la deposizione in un ambiente marino marginale, con afflusso sporadico dal mare aperto. L'apparato dentario descritto mostra la caratteristica disposizione dei denti, che sono peraltro tipicamente semisferici, allungati, reniformi, come si vede tipicamente nel genere Anomoeodus. La nuova specie è caratterizzata dal fatto che i denti di dimensioni maggiori non appartengono alla fila mediale (localizzati in prossimità della sinfisi), come avviene in tutti gli Anomoeodus, ma appartengono alla fila laterale primaria. Ulteriori caratteri sono: (i) I denti di maggiori dimensioni appartengono alla serie primaria laterale; (ii) assenza di diastema; (iii) bassissimo numero di serie dentarie preartcolari (tre); (iv) basso numero di elementi dentari per ciascuna serie prearticolare; (v) le due serie laterali (la primaria e la secondaria) formano fra loro un angolo diedro aperto buccalmente; (vi) la superfice occlusale è concava nei denti di entrambe le serie laterali (primaria e secondaria), convessa in quella dei denti della serie mediale. Anomoeodus aegypticus n. sp. ha le sue maggiori affinità anatomiche con Anomoeodus "specie B" descritto da Cooper and Mantill (2020) nel Cretaceo superiore del Marocco, che – pertanto – cade nella sinonimia della nuova specie Anomoeodus aegypticus

Clinical and Biochemical Assessment of Lycopene Gel Combined With Nanohydroxyapatite Graft in Treatment of Grade II Furcation Defects: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lycopene gel, as a natural antioxidant, mixed with a nanohydroxyapatite graft (NHG) covered by an occlusive resorbable collagen membrane (CM) in the surgical treatment of grade II furcation defects and on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as a marker of oxidative injury. Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical study a total of 24 patients with grade II furcation defects were randomly assigned into three equal groups. Furcation defects in group I were managed with lycopene gel mixed with NHG and CM, group II with NHG and CM, and group III with open flap debridement only. Site-specific changes in clinical parameters including probing depth (PD), vertical clinical attachment level (VCAL), horizontal clinical attachment level (HCAL), radiographic maximum vertical depth (MAX V), and maximum horizontal depth (MAX H) were measured at baseline and six months postoperatively. Gingival crevicular fluid levels of 8-OHdG were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline, one week, and three months. Results: Surgical management of grade II furcation defects resulted in a significant reduction in PD and 8-OHdG levels and a gain in CAL, MAX V, and MAX H in all groups. The differences between lycopene treated sites compared to NHG and CM alone were not significant at six months but demonstrated significantly superior clinical parameters compared to open flap debridement alone. Conclusion: Lycopene does not confer a benefit when combined with NHG in the surgical treatment of grade II furcation defects