Effective Learning Outcomes Assessment: The Case of the MIS Department at the UoS

Accrediting organizations now mandate the development of learning outcomes (LO) and the methods to assess those learning outcomes for national and international institutions of higher learning. Because of this, academic institutions pay greater attention to the development and assessment of these LO. There are two types of learning outcomes: course outcomes and program outcomes. This paper presents an empirical study that examines both kinds of LO in a case study of one course (title: Database Fundamental and Applications, number: 0303331) within the Management Information System (MIS) department at the University of Sharjah (UoS), United Arab Emirates and presents the following with regard to this case study: 1) the development process of the LO for this specific course; 2) the data collection process, and 3) the data collected related to the assessment instruments for both the course and program LO (course learning instructions, course exams, course projects, students’ records, students’ grades, course reports, course evaluation, instructor evaluation, exit surveys, employer surveys, and job placement indicators); 4) the methods of assessment of the LO based on the analysis of the collected data using a variety of analysis technique and tools; and 5) the usage of the analysis results in successive semesters in order to improve the MIS courses and program. The findings of this empirical study suggest several areas for improvement. One improvement is the addition of more practice-based learning components. Additionally, the study shows that the enhancement of the course material, the improvement of teaching strategies, and the usage of technology and its infusion into the learning process are areas that can improve LO. Overall, the method of LO development and assessment described in this empirical examination has shown a positive effect on the courses and program in the MIS department, and it is believed that the results can be generalized for use by others in developing and assessing LO in other learning institutions

National efforts toward FGM-free villages in Egypt: The evidence of impact

This report is a midterm evaluation and documentation of the process and approach of the FGM-Free Village Model implemented in Egypt by the National Council of Childhood and Motherhood with assistance from the Population Council. In a comparison of responses from women and men in intervention groups to those in nonintervention (control) villages, data analysis shows that the program has been successful in changing views and attitudes toward female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is an entrenched generational practice, and eradicating it in a community requires concerted effort over an extended period of time. This evaluation strongly recommends that efforts be continued by means of a sustained and protracted process. Advocacy and awareness-raising efforts that take a holistic multisectoral approach constitute best practices that must to be sustained in order to maintain their impact for future generations

Toward FGM-free villages in Egypt: A mid-term evaluation and documentation of the FGM-free village project

This Population Council report is a mid-term evaluation and documentation of the process and approach of the FGM-Free Village Model in Egypt. The objective of this report is to create a knowledge base of information to support policy dialogue on female genital mutilation (FGM) and to assist in transferring knowledge about the model to other communities across Egypt and other countries where FGM is practiced. Impact evaluation at the community level shows the significant impact of the project in changing views and attitudes toward FGM among intervention groups. However, it also shows that FGM is an entrenched generational problem that requires concerted efforts over an extended period of time. The report strongly recommends that efforts be continued through a sustained and protracted process: advocacy and awareness-raising efforts that take a holistic multi-sectoral approach constitute best practices that need to be continued in order to maintain impact for the coming generations

TAXONOMICAL STUDIES ON CERTAIN STREPTOMYCETES EXHIBITING ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY ISOLATED FROM EGYPTIAN SOILS

The easy access and appropriate use of antimicrobials led to selection and spread of resistant microorganisms strains. It is imperative to search and screen for new and more effective antimicrobials from microorganisms found in the environment. The objective of this work is to isolate streptomycetes from soil of Kalubiya Governorate in order to screen them for antimicrobial activity against reference Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria as well as unicellular and filamentous fungi. A total of 500 strains of streptomycetes were isolated. Sixty strains (12 %) showed antimicrobial activity. The morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characters were studied for identification of the isolates at species level. The obtain-ed results revealed that the dominant group was Streptomyces lydicus

Taxonomical studies of certain streptomycetes exhibiting antimicrobial activity isolated from Egyptian soils

The easy access and appropriate use of antimicrobials led to selection and spread of resistant microorganisms strains. It is imperative to search and screen for new and more effective antimicrobials from microorganisms found in the environment. The objective of this work is to isolate streptomycetes from soil of Kalubiya Governorate in order to screen them for antimicrobial activity against reference Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria as well as unicellular and filamentous fungi. A total of 500 strains of streptomycetes were isolated. Sixty strains (12 %) showed antimicrobial activity. The morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characters were studied for identification of the isolates at species level. The obtain-ed results revealed that the dominant group was Streptomyces lydicus

Low incidence of SARS-CoV-2, risk factors of mortality and the course of illness in the French national cohort of dialysis patients

International audienceThe aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of COVID-19 disease in the French national population of dialysis patients, their course of illness and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. Our study included all patients on dialysis recorded in the French REIN Registry in April 2020. Clinical characteristics at last follow-up and the evolution of COVID-19 illness severity over time were recorded for diagnosed cases (either suspicious clinical symptoms, characteristic signs on the chest scan or a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 1,621 infected patients were reported on the REIN registry from March 16th, 2020 to May 4th, 2020. Of these, 344 died. The prevalence of COVID-19 patients varied from less than 1% to 10% between regions. The probability of being a case was higher in males, patients with diabetes, those in need of assistance for transfer or treated at a self-care unit. Dialysis at home was associated with a lower probability of being infected as was being a smoker, a former smoker, having an active malignancy, or peripheral vascular disease. Mortality in diagnosed cases (21%) was associated with the same causes as in the general population. Higher age, hypoalbuminemia and the presence of an ischemic heart disease were statistically independently associated with a higher risk of death. Being treated at a selfcare unit was associated with a lower risk. Thus, our study showed a relatively low frequency of COVID-19 among dialysis patients contrary to what might have been assumed