The essence of professional development experience from the perspective of English teachers in private schools in the UAE

This study aimed at exploring the essence of professional development experience from the perspective of English teachers in private schools in the UAE. To achieve the goal of the study an explanatory mixed method design was used. In the first phase of the study, English teachers (n=200) responded to Professional Development Questionnaire of English Teachers (PDQET). The second phase of the study featured a qualitative method by interviewing a few participants (n=10) from the initial pool sample in the first phase of the study. The study also looked at the English teachers’ ranking of professional development models in terms of their actual availability, preference and motivation. The results gleaned from qualitative data helped in explaining the quantitative data. In general the participants perceived professional development experience positively as the Efficacy Category (M= 3.78) ranked first among all professional development categories. The results gleaned from the survey gleaned that teachers seek out PD opportunities to enhance their instructional abilities (37.5%), equip themselves with the latest in the field (30%), and enhance their students’ learning (28%). However, a small percentage of teachers (3%) disclosed that they seek professional development to impress their principals (1.5%). This reflects that English teachers in private schools are intrinsically motivated to pursue professional development. Moreover, the study revealed most English teachers (42%) employed in private schools preferred workshops to other professional development models. The study highlighted key issues pertinent to English teachers’ professional development and it gives some recommendation for professional development implementation practices and some venues for future research

INVESTIGATION OF Helicobacter pylori VIRULENCE GENOTYPE IN GASTRIC BIOPSIES BY PCR

  Background: Helicobacter pylori infections has been associated with the genetic diversity of their virulence factors, the virulence genotypes are valuable as molecular marker in the diagnosis of patients with bacterial infections . Our main objective was to analyze the frequency and allelic genotype of vacA , cagA also investigate another virulence genes of H. pylori. Methods: 75 biopsies of  patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases were selected to investigate the presences of H. pylori and collected from them antrum biopsies, then  genomic DNA was extracted from  antrum biopsies using genomic DNA kit .Subsequently, the virulence genes of H. pylori   were amplified using specific primers including vacA , cagA, cagE and oipA and iceA by PCR in 49 cases that positive to 16SrRNA which previously investigated. Results: A high prevalence of genes cagA  (28.6%), vacAs1bm2 (56.8%), iceA2 (30.6%)  and oipA  (42.9%) was found, while  vacA s2m1  and iceA1 genotypes  was not found in our study.  There was significant correlation between the presence of cagA and cagE genotypes (p = 0.02), suggesting that these two genes almost used together as cag PAI integrity marker. The  presence of cagA gene was significantly associated with peptic ulceration (p ≤ 0.001), whereas different vacA genotypes or iceA2 genotype were no statistically significant  with clinical outcome.  Patients with peptic ulcer disease more likely to have oipA gene (61.9% ) than those with gastritis (38.1%), P = 0.037, also the presence oipA gene was statistically significant with presence iceA2. Conclusion : Most H. pylori genotypes which associated with peptic ulcer and gastritis were moderate virulent strains. Â

Customers’ loyalty model in the design of e-commerce recommender systems

Recommender systems have been adopted in most modern online platforms to guide users in finding more suitable items that match their interests. Previous studies showed that recommender systems impact the buying behavior of e-commerce customers. However, service providers are more concerned about the continuing behavior of their customers, specifically customers’ loyalty, which is an important factor to increase service providers’ share of wallet. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the customers’ loyalty factors in online shopping towards e-commerce recommender systems. To address the research objectives, a new research model was proposed based on the Cognition-Affect-Behavior model. To validate the research model, a quantitative methodology was utilized to gather the relevant data. Using a survey method, a total of 310 responses were gathered to examine the impacts of the identified factors on customers’ loyalty towards Amazon’s recommender system. Data was analysed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling. The results of the analysis indicated that Usability (P=0.467, t=5.139, p<0.001), Service Interaction (P=0.304, t=4.42, p<0.001), Website Quality (P=0.625, t=15.304, p<0.001), Accuracy (P=0.397, t=6.144, p<0.001), Novelty (P=0.289, t=4.406, p<0.001), Diversity (P=0.142, t=2.503, p<0.001), Recommendation Quality (P=0.423, t=7.719, p<0.001), Explanation (P=0.629, t=15.408, p<0.001), Transparency (P=0.279, t=5.859, p<0.001), Satisfaction (P=0.152, t=3.045, p<0.001) and Trust (P=0.706, t=14.14, p<0.001) have significant impacts on customers’ loyalty towards the recommender systems in online shopping. Information quality, however, did not affect the quality of the website that hosted the recommender system. The findings demonstrated that accuracy-oriented measures were insufficient in understanding customer behavior, and other quality factors, such as diversity, novelty, and transparency could improve customers’ loyalty towards recommender systems. The outcomes of the study indicated the significant impact of the website quality on customers’ loyalty. The developed model would be practical in helping the service providers in understanding the impacts of the identified factors in the proposed customers’ loyalty model. The outcomes of the study could also be used in the design of recommender systems and the deployed algorithm

Extraction and Characterization of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Essential Oil and its Assessment as Antioxidant and Antibacterial

ABSTRACT &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The aim of this study is to extract and characterize peppermint essential oil and assess it as antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The extraction processes, chemical composition, total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant and antibacterial activity were studied. The oil was extracted by three methods: steam distillation, solvent and soxhelet.&nbsp; The results indicated that the highest oil extraction was obtained by soxhelet method 1.5±0.12 and 1.2±0.12 ml/100 gm and the lowest result recorded by steam distillation 1.1±0.09 and 0.9±0.14 ml/100gm from fresh and dry samples, respectively. The chemical composition of fresh and dry sample were determined by using gas chromatography and the results showed that there were 26 components of volatile compounds were identified in the essential oil isolated from peppermint. The antibacterial potential of mint essential oils was evaluated by Muller Hinton agar well diffusion method against selected bacteria. The essential oils showed higher activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella 19±1.41 and 16.5±2.12 mm, respectively, for fresh sample and showed lower activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsilla pneumonia 8.5±0.70 mm and nil, respectively, for dry sample. The TPC of fresh and dry samples were 14.00±0.12 and 8.80±0.09 mg /kg, respectively. TFC of the mint essential oil was determined in comparison with rutin were 8.1±0.09 and 5.0±0.07mg/kg, for fresh and dry sample, respectively. The results showed decrease in peroxide value at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min compared with blank sample without essential oil for wet and dry mint. DPPH inhibition percentages were recorded and inhibition concentrations at 50% activity (IC50) were 0.651±0.09, 0.683±0.6 and 0.161±0.07 mg/mL for wet, dry samples and standard respectively. It can be recommended that further study on sensory analysis of food products containing mint essential oil to evaluate its acceptability and shelf life.

Synthesis, Charactrization and Antioxidant Activity of som New Schiff Bases derived from 2-hydroxy-1-Naphthaldehyde

Four series of some new Schiff bases formed from reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with 2-hydroxy benzaldhyde and diamino propane have been prepared and characterized. The structure of the synnthesised compounds was confirmed by elemental analysis (CHN), UV-visible, infrared and 1H-NMR techniques. The antioxidant activity of the prepared compounds was studied using scavenger technique. The results indicate that the new Schiff base compounds are very effective as rdical scavengers compared with standarad ascorbic acid (ASC). Keywards: Schiff bases, Synthesis, Antioxidant activit

PRODUCTION OF LOW-COST SELF-CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE (SCC) USING MANUFACTURED AGGREGATES

Limitations to the sources of aggregates and the unavailability of sand is becoming a problematic issue for concrete production. A novel technology of manufactured aggregates can produce well graded round aggregates that can substitute natural aggregates while maintaining the same characteristics needed and preserving the resources. Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) using manufactured aggregates is assessed in this experimental work to understand the variability of workability properties and mechanical properties with the changes in w/c ratio and percentages of Coarse Aggregates and Manufactured Sand to Natural Sand in order to choose the best mixture that satisfies an adequate overall performance. Targeting compressive strength improvement, the SCC mixes included the use of Silica Fume (SF) and Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer which exhibited a strength improvement when compared to normal SCC. After performing 6 different trial mixtures, the use of manufactured rounded aggregates of percentages 73% from total fine aggregates proportion, 2.7% of Polycarboxylate superplasticizer, and around 8% Silica Fume (SF) from total cementitious materials can succeed in reaching high strength concrete with optimum mechanical properties and a noticeable workability improvement when compared to natural aggregates

Hypophosphatemia and Hyponatremia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients and Its Relation to Clinical Characteristic and Disease Activity

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic auto-immune disease with diverse manifestations, ranging from mild rash or arthritis to severe organ-threatening involvement.Objective: The aim of the work was to find-out the possible association of hypophosphatemia and hyponatremia with disease activity in SLE patients.Patients and methods: A total of 100 patients with SLE were involved in this study and the serum level of sodium and phosphorus, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), leucocytic and platelet counts, and 24 hr. protein were measured. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score was assessed,Results: The majority of patients were females; 94 (94%) and 6 males (6%) (F:M 15.7:1). The age of the patient ranged from 17 to 63 years with a mean age of 34.23 ±11.19 years. The disease duration was 48±55.7 months. 7. 41% of SLE patients were hyponatremic and 49% showed normonatremic. There was a significant correlation between Na level, SLEDAI score, vasculitis and arthritis and insignificant correlation with ESR. 47 patients were hypophosphatemic&nbsp; (47%) and 53 (53%) were normophophatemic. There was a significant correlation between phosphate level and SLEDAI, oral ulcers p=0.001 and arthritis p&lt;0.0004 but negatively related with ESR.Conclusion: It could be concluded that hyponatremia and hypophosphatemia are significantly related to SLEDAI, so it could be used as indicators of SLE activity and sever inflammation

Thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and its association with antiphospholipid antibodies

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by immune-mediated inflammation in different organs. The course of the disease is characterized by relapses and remissions, and the degree of severity of the clinical manifestations is greatly affected by the number and nature of the various organ affection. The death rate in patients with SLE is still significant, and it may be due to lupus activity, when vital organs are affected, the complications of treatment especially infections or long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disorders. Objective: To detect the relation between thrombocytopenia in SLE patients and presence antiphospholipid antibodies.Patients and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study included 100 SLE patients who attended to Sohag University Hospitals. Patients included in this study were classified as SLE patients according to either the 2012 SLICC criteria or the new 2017 ACR/EULAR SLE classification criteria. All of the participants were subjected to the following: Full history, full clinical examination, routine investigations, ANA by immunofluorescence, and ANA profile for the most common 19 autoantibodies by immunoblot. All of the participants were subjected to detection of serum titers of all antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) including lupus anticoagulant (LA), anti-cardiolipin (aCL) and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (ab2GPI).Results: In this study, we demonstrated that aPLs are strongly associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia in SLE patients. We identified aPL profiles, especially LA and IgM isotypes, as biomarkers for the risk stratification of thrombocytopenia in SLE patients.Conclusions: We concluded that aPLs are strongly associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia in SLE patients

Neuromarketing: a review of research and implications for marketing

In this research, we reviewed existing studies which used neuromarketing techniques in various fields of research. The results revealed that most attempts in neuromarketing have been made for business research. This research provides important results on the use of neuromarketing techniques, their limitations and implications for marketing research. We hope that this research will provide useful information about the neuromarketing techniques, their applications and help the researchers in conducting the research on neuromarketing with insight into the state-of-the-art of development methods

In vitro marginal and internal adaptation of four different base materials used to elevate proximal dentin gingival margins

There is still debate about the most appropriate restorative material category to relocate the proximal deep cervical margins, thus, this study aimed to compare the marginal and internal adaptation of four base materials used for deep margin elevation, a