Evaluation of social personalized adaptive E-Learning environments : end-user point of view

The use of adaptations, along with the social affordances of collaboration and networking, carries a great potential for improving e-learning experiences. However, the review of the previous work indicates current e-learning systems have only marginally explored the integration of social features and adaptation techniques. The overall aim of this research, therefore, is to address this gap by evaluating a system developed to foster social personalized adaptive e-learning experiences. We have developed our first prototype system, Topolor, based on the concepts of Adaptive Educational Hypermedia and Social E-Learning. We have also conducted an experimental case study for the evaluation of the prototype system from different perspectives. The results show a considerably high satisfaction of the end users. This paper reports the evaluation results from end user point of view, and generalizes our method to a component-based evaluation framework

Mass transfer efficiency of a tall and low plate free area liquid pulsed sieve-plate extraction column

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Chakwal group of industries for funding the project. Ms. Madiha, Ms. Zona, Mr. Sohaib, Mr. Abdullah, Mr. Mudassar, and Mr. Salahuddin also deserve our acknowledgements for their assistance in different ways.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Nonlinear analysis of drainage systems to examine surface deformation: an example from Potwar Plateau (Northern Pakistan)

We devise a procedure in order to characterize the relative vulnerability of the Earth's surface to tectonic deformation using the geometrical characteristics of drainage systems. The present study focuses on the nonlinear analysis of drainage networks extracted from Digital Elevation Models in order to localize areas strongly influenced by tectonics. We test this approach on the Potwar Plateau in northern Pakistan. This area is regularly affected by damaging earthquakes. Conventional studies cannot pinpoint the zones at risk, as the whole region is characterized by a sparse and diffuse seismicity. Our approach is based on the fact that rivers tend to linearize under tectonic forcing. Thus, the low fractal dimensions of the Swan, Indus and Jehlum Rivers are attributed to neotectonic activity. A detailed textural analysis is carried out to investigate the linearization, heterogeneity and connectivity of the drainage patterns. These textural aspects are quantified using the fractal dimension, as well as lacunarity and succolarity analysis. These three methods are complimentary in nature, i.e. objects with similar fractal dimensions can be distinguished further with lacunarity and/or succolarity analysis. We generate maps of fractal dimensions, lacunarity and succolarity values using a sliding window of 2.5 arc minutes by 2.5 arc minutes (2.5'×2.5'). These maps are then interpreted in terms of land surface vulnerability to tectonics. This approach allowed us to localize several zones where the drainage system is highly structurally controlled on the Potwar Plateau. The region located between Muree and Muzaffarabad is found to be prone to destructive events whereas the area westward from the Indus seems relatively unaffected. We conclude that a nonlinear analysis of the drainage system is an efficient additional tool to locate areas likely to be affected by massive destructing events affecting the Earth's surface and therefore threaten human activities

A review on removal of pharmaceuticals from water by adsorption

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products are recognized as emerging pollutants in water resources. Various treatment options have been investigated for the removal of pharmaceuticals that include both conventional (e.g., biodegradation, adsorption, activated sludge) and advanced (e.g., membrane, microfiltration, ozonation) processes. This article reviews literature for adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals from water sources. Adsorbents from various origins were reviewed for their capacity to remove pharmaceuticals from water. These adsorbents include carbonaceous materials, clay minerals, siliceous adsorbents, and polymeric materials. The adsorption capacity of adsorbents to adsorb pharmaceuticals from water is discussed in this study. The review discusses the mechanism for adsorption of pharmaceuticals onto adsorbents as well. Finally, effectiveness of processing parameters during adsorption processes is presented

Non-Histaminergic Angioedema Following Infection with COVID-19

Non-respiratory manifestations of COVID-19, including dermatological manifestations, have been reported, and although urticaria associated with COVID-19 has been reported, there have been no reports of non-histaminergic angioedema following infection with mild COVID-19. Non-histaminergic angioedema has a gradual onset and is characterized by submucosal swelling without accompanying urticaria or pruritus, and poor response to antihistamines and corticosteroids. We report a case of non-histaminergic angioedema in a 29-year-old woman with a history of mild COVID-19 infection. Our case highlights the fact that early diagnosis of non-histaminergic angioedema in mild COVID-19 patients is crucial for effective treatment and requires a high level of suspicion from both general and emergency physicians

Attitudes of Emergency Department Staff towards the Role of Clinical Pharmacists in a Region of Saudi Arabia - A Pilot Study

Purpose: To evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of medical doctors and nurses in the Emergency Department ED towards the role of clinical pharmacists.Methods: A pilot study was conducted among the medical and paramedical staff of the ED of Public Hospital, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahsa, using a 24-item questionnaire on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) program as well as clinical pharmacist and medical staff attitudes toward the availability and possible role of clinical pharmacist in EDs. The data analysed statistically.Results: Sixteen of the 20 respondents expressed a willingness to participate in the study. Six (37.5 %) of the respondents were doctors while the rest were nursing staff. Ten (62.5 %) of the ED staff were aware of the professional degree held by clinical pharmacists (i.e., Pharm-D), and a majority, 12 (75.0 %) had heard of a health care professional called a clinical pharmacist. While exploring medical staff attitude toward the availability of a full-time pharmacist in EDs, 13 (81.3 %) of the respondents viewed this favorably while that regarding the role of pharmacists in drug adherence and patient care was viewed less favorably. Fourteen (87.5%) disagreed with giving prescription rights to clinical pharmacists for minor ailments.Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to enhance the interaction between the medical and paramedical staff on the one hand, and the clinical pharmacist on the other. Clinical pharmacists need to be given an opportunity to prove their capabilities in direct patient care in order to facilitate the full participation of future Pharm-D graduates in direct patient care in the Saudi health care system

Design of heat sinks for wearable thermoelectric generators to power personal heating garments: A numerical study

To mitigate climate change attributed to the built environments, there have been tremendous efforts to improve air conditioning systems in the buildings. The possibility of harvesting body heat as a renewable energy source to power a wearable personal heating system is investigated. The aim of this study is to integrate a wearable personal heating system with a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that harvests the body heat which is used to convert it into electricity. Moreover, the interaction between the TEG configuration and power output is studied. The power generation of TEG system is obtained by COMSOL Multiphysics software. The simulation results concluded that all the four proposed heat sink configurations can improve the power output of the wearable TEG at 1.4 m/s and 3m/s compared to that of the reference model. Furthermore, the perforated and trapezium shapes of heat sinks have a significantly better performance in comparison to conventional heat sinks