Psychological Burnout and Coping Strategies of Special Education Teachers in the State of Kuwait

This study aimed at investigating the levels of burnout experienced by special education teachers in the State of Kuwait. It also explored the most common coping strategies they adopt to prevent themselves form teacher burnout. The psychometric sample of the study consists of (60) teachers of children with learning disabilities evenly distributed; (30) male teachers and (30) female teachers with mean age (38.85)  and standard deviation (1. 28) years. The basic sample of the study consists of (108) of teachers of children with learning disabilities in order to make sure of the validity, reliability and the psychometric efficacy of scales used in the study and to validate the correlational hypotheses of the study. This sample consists of (54) male trainers, (54) female trainers with age mean (38.70) and standard deviation (1.33) years. Two main Instruments were used in the study; Psychological Burnout scale and Scale of Coping Strategies. Results showed that male teachers are more sensitive to sag feeling and lack of accomplishment motivation that their female counterparts. Also, female special education teachers are more sensitive to physical symptoms, emotional catharsis, weak work relations and the total score of the scale may be due to the overwhelming work and their social context. Female teachers are overwhelmed with pressing feelings and burdens making them subjected to psychological burnout compared with their male counterparts. Therefore, much effort should be exerted to help female teachers to overcome sources of burnout to lead sound life and to be able to endure work burdens. In addition, Results revealed that female teachers are higher than their male counterparts in their feelings with suppression of contradicting ideas and activities, seeking emotional support, planning for coping compressing situations and emotional catharsis. Positive teacher interaction is a result of school administrators and parents praise of his work inside the class and results he/she achieves. Key words: Psychological Burnout- Coping Strategies- Special Education

Interaction effect between mineral zinc-nitrogen fertilization mixture and organic fertilization as compost on yield, nutrients uptake of rice and some soil properties

To study the effect of organic fertilization as compost (20 m3 fed-1), mineral Zinc-Nitrogen fertilization mixture (three Zinc levels (0, 8 and 16 kg Zn fed-1) and three nitrogen rates (0, 30 and 60 kg N fed-1 were mixed alternately) on growth, grain and straw yields, N, P and K uptake for rice crop (Oryza sativa), variety Giza 178, two field trials at El-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta governorate were conducted through summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. Plant height, dry matter, grain and straw yields also, N, P and K-uptake in grain and straw yields increased with increasing levels of zinc and nitrogen fertilization. Moreover, use organic fertilization as compost gave the highest values of the previous parameters. Applying of 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 gave the highest plant height, dry matter, grain and straw yields and N, P and K-uptake in grain and straw. Therefore, it preferably adds 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 to produce a high crop of rice under saline soil condition in North Delta. Concerning to soil properties after rice harvest, mixture 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 surpassed all other treatments in improving soil properties, since available NPK and organic matter content had increased while soil EC and pH in the root zone was decreased

Experimental modelling of evaporation and boiling processes in a two-phase thermosyphon

A model of a closed two-phase thermosyphon was developed to study thermo-physical processes in a thermosyphon thermal condition systems of energy-saturated equipment. This model differs from the known by reasoned choice of thermocouples installation providing sealing the device during operation. In addition, the program VI (Virtual Instrument) was created in graphical environment Labview for registration of the temperatures and pressure in the thermosyphon

Extrato de Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer neutraliza o stress oxidativo em ratos alimentados com dieta contaminada com multi-micotoxinas

The current study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of Panax ginseng extract (PGE)against the toxicity and oxidative stress in rats fed aflatoxin (AFs) and/or fumonisin (FB)-contaminateddiet. Eighty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight experimental groups included thecontrol group, the group treated orally with PGE (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) and the groups fed AFs (1.4 mg/kg diet) and/or FB (20 mg/kg b.w.) contaminated diet alone or plus PGE for 11 weeks. Blood, liverand kidney tissue samples were collected at the end of treatment period for biochemical andhistological studies. The results indicated that PGE increased super oxide dismutase (SOD) levelin liver; however, the other parameters were comparable to controls. Animals fed AFs and/or FBcontaminateddiet showed a significant increase in serum biochemical parameters and oxidativestress markers accompanied with a significant decrease in antioxidant parameters levels and asevere histological changes in the liver tissue. These changes were more pronounced in the groupfed AFs plus FB. PGE succeeded to induce a significant improvement in all biochemical parametersand the histological picture towards the control although it did not normalize them. It could beconcluded that PGE is a promise candidate against the exposure to multi-mycotoxins in food.O presente estudo foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos protetores do extrato de Panax ginseng(PGE) contra a toxicidade e estresse oxidativo em ratos alimentados com aflatoxinas (AFs) e/oudieta contaminada por fumonisina (FB). Oitenta fêmeas de ratos Sprague-Dawley foram divididasem oito grupos experimentais, incluindo o grupo controle, o grupo tratado com PGE oralmente (0,5mg/kg de peso corporal) e os grupos alimentados com as dietas contaminadas de AFs (1,4 dieta mg/kg) e/ou FB (20 mg/kg de peso corporal) isoladas ou com mais PGE durante 11 semanas. Amostrasde sangue, do fígado e do tecido do rim foram recolhidas no final do período de tratamentopara estudos bioquímicos e histológicos. Os resultados indicaram que a PGE aumenta o nível desuperóxido dismutase (SOD) no fígado, no entanto, os outros parâmetros foram comparáveis aosdo grupo controle. Animais alimentados com dieta contaminada por AF e/ou FB mostraram umaumento significativo nos parâmetros bioquímicos séricos e marcadores de estresse oxidativo,acompanhados de uma diminuição significativa nos níveis de antioxidantes e nos parâmetros dealterações histológicas graves no tecido do fígado. Essas alterações foram mais pronunciadas nogrupo alimentado com AFs mais FB. PGE obteve sucesso quanto à introdução de uma melhoriasignificativa em todos os parâmetros bioquímicos e histológicos com relação ao grupo controle,embora não os tenha normalizado. Pode-se concluir que a PGE é uma promissora candidatacontra a exposição às multimicotoxinas em alimentos

Isoflavones-Enriched Soy Protein Prevents CCL4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The burden of liver disease in Egypt is exceptionally high due to the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) resulting in rising rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the current study was to determine the isoflavones in soy and to evaluate the protective role of soy against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Four experimental groups were treated for 8 weeks and included the control group, soy-supplemented diet (20% w/w) group, the group treated orally with CCl4 (100 mg/kg bw) twice a week, and the group fed soy-supplemented diet and treated with CCl4. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected for biochemical analyses and histological examination. The results indicated that protein content was 45.8% and the total isoflavones recorded 167.3 mg/100 g soy. Treatment with CCl4 resulted in a significant biochemical changes in serum liver tissue accompanied with severe oxidative stress and histological changes. Supplementation with soy succeeded to restore the elevation of liver enzymes activities and improved serum biochemical parameters. Moreover, soy supplementation improved the antioxidant enzymes, decreased lipid peroxidation, and improved the histological picture of the liver tissue. It could be concluded that soy-protein-enriched isoflavones may be a promising agent against liver diseases

Photoperiod and vernalisation response of Mediterranean wheats, and implications for adaptation

Hexaploid wheat has the largest cultivated area among crop plants due to its adaptability to different agroclimatic regions. A large part of this adaptability depends upon the variation in vernalisation and photoperiod requirements. A better understanding of the genetic control of flowering in wheat, as expressed by vernalisation requirements and photoperiod response, will guide breeders in targeting crosses of different types and will also improve our understanding of regional adaptation requirements. Characterisation of large numbers of breeding lines for photoperiod and vernalisation response in wheat is needed to assign the lines to geographic areas of most probable adaptation. Simple screening methods to quantify the effects of these two factors and their interaction are needed to assist breeding progress. Twenty wheat lines were evaluated for response to photoperiod and vernalisation under two controlled environments and under high ambient air temperatures in field conditions. Vernalised and non vernalised seedlings were transplanted into pots and placed in three photoperiod (8, 12 and 16 h light) cabinets, in the greenhouse or in growth chambers. Days to anthesis decreased with increasing length of photoperiod. Vernalised plants flowered earlier than non vernalised plants. There was a significant correlation between days to anthesis in the greenhouse and the growth chamber (r=0.88, P<0.001). Length of basal vegetative period, effects of vernalisation, and photoperiod from the two screening techniques were positively correlated with each other. Growth habit score, vernalisation requirement and heading date in the field were highly correlated with the main effect of vernalisation in the two controlled environments. The results indicated that selection for vernalisation response in a large number of genotypes can be achieved under high ambient air temperatures in the field. The selected material can subsequently be screened for photoperiod response under greenhouse conditions. Using these techniques, 49 local and improved cultivars from the Mediterranean region in west Asia and north Africa (WANA), showing differences in response to photoperiod, vernalisation, and earliness independent of vernalisation and photoperiod, affecting time to anthesis, were identified. Most old local cultivars were sensitive to both photoperiod and vernalisation. All the improved genotypes were insensitive to photoperiod. Responses to vernalisation were generally small under short photoperiods, but were more pronounced in long photoperiod, particularly in winter and facultative types from northern latitudes. These results should help to explain the adaptability of cultivars based on photoperiod and vernalisation requirements and their interactio

Molecular identification of actinomycetes with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties

The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the actinomycetes strains from the soil and marine sediments and to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of their bioactive secondary metabolites. Eight actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil and marine sediment samples collected from different areas in Egypt. Only three actinomycetes exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities. They were active in vitro against microbial pathogen viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These promising isolates were selected and identified using molecular identification technique and identified as Streptomyces spp. The crude extracts from the three Streptomyces exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a set of microbial pathogens as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). The crude extract of Streptomyces isolate D showed antitumor activity with lC50 0.85 µg/ mL. Forty compounds were identified from the two most promising ethyl acetate extracts of culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (D-EGY) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. It could be concluded that the streptomycetes isolated from the Egyptian environment are promising candidates as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer.The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the actinomycetes strains from the soil and marine sediments and to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of their bioactive secondary metabolites. Eight actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil and marine sediment samples collected from different areas in Egypt. Only three actinomycetes exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities. They were active in vitro against microbial pathogen viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These promising isolates were selected and identified using molecular identification technique and identified as Streptomyces spp. The crude extracts from the three Streptomyces exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a set of microbial pathogens as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). The crude extract of Streptomyces isolate D showed antitumor activity with lC50 0.85 µg/ mL. Forty compounds were identified from the two most promising ethyl acetate extracts of culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (D-EGY) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. It could be concluded that the streptomycetes isolated from the Egyptian environment are promising candidates as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer