Efficient Incremental Breadth-Depth XML Event Mining

Many applications log a large amount of events continuously. Extracting interesting knowledge from logged events is an emerging active research area in data mining. In this context, we propose an approach for mining frequent events and association rules from logged events in XML format. This approach is composed of two-main phases: I) constructing a novel tree structure called Frequency XML-based Tree (FXT), which contains the frequency of events to be mined; II) querying the constructed FXT using XQuery to discover frequent itemsets and association rules. The FXT is constructed with a single-pass over logged data. We implement the proposed algorithm and study various performance issues. The performance study shows that the algorithm is efficient, for both constructing the FXT and discovering association rules

A Study on the Uptake and Voltammetric Determination of Trace Heavy Metals in the Treated Wastewater in Abu-Dhabi Area

Wastewater reuse has a positive and negative environmental impacts and possibly it can have an important role to play in water resources management, as a substituent for freshwater in irrigation. However, the presence of the toxic heavy metals in domestic sewage and in industrial effluents discharge to sewers, wastewater can create unacceptable health and environmental risks. Therefore, the present work includes the determination of the toxic heavy metals in some treated wastewater samples collected from Abu-Dhabi area using polarographic and voltammetric techniques. Differential pulse polarography and anodic stripping voltammetry are well established techniques for trace determination of heavy metals content of environmental water samples. The most important regions of application of polarography and voltammetry in chemical analysis today are the trace determination of metal ions particularly in environment analysis e.g. water analysis. The main rival to voltammetric methods for trace metal determination is atomic spectroscopy. With a limit of detection about 5x10-5 and 1x10-5 mol/L for DC- and sampled DC-polarography, respectively. These two polarographic methods are similar in sensitivity to atomic absorption spectroscopy using flames. Differential and normal pulse polarography (DPP and NPP) have limits of detection in the range of 10-7 - 10-6 mol/L which is similar to the flameless atomic absorption spectroscopic methods such as graphite furnace and graphite rod techniques. Stripping voltammetric methods with limits of detection, which can reach as low as 10-10 mol/L can be more sensitive than atomic spectroscopic method Moreover the most important advantage of the voltammetric techniques over the atomic spectroscopic techniques is the ability of the voltammetric techniques to differentiate between the different oxidation states of the metal, and hence give environmentally more relevant information. The sensitivity of any analytical technique can be greatly increased 1) introducing a preliminary preconcentration step, e.g. solvent extraction. In stripping voltammetry an electrochemical preconcentration technique is used. The analyte is concentrated, from very dilute solutions, by electrolysis to an insoluble product (metal atoms in case of anodic stripping voltammetry) which collects at the electrode surface and can be subsequently determined with a very great sensitivity (anodic oxidation step). ⇋ (1) Forward process by Preconcentration. Reverse process by Anodic Oxidation. The preconcentration or deposition step consists of the controlled electrodeposition, at a fixed potential of the species of interest onto a stationary electrode. This is followed by the determination step which consists of electrolytically oxidation of the deposited species back into solution (equation 1). In the present investigation the differential pulse polarographic (DPP) and the differential pulse - anodic stripping voltammetric (DP-ASV) methods were applied for trace determination of heavy metals in the treated wastewater (TWW) samples collected from Zakher plant and EI-Mafraq plant at AI-Ain and Abu-Dhabi cities, respectively. The preliminary check of the our investigated samples of TWW samples using DPP and DP-ASV indicates that the samples contain Zn(II) at 2-3x10-6 mol/L, Cu(II) 2-3x10-7 mol/L, 1x10-7 mol/L Pb(II) and 1x10-7 mol/L Cd(II). Therefore a synthetic solution mixture contains 2.5x10-6 mol/L Zn(II), 2.5x10-7 mol/L Cu(II) and 1x10-7 mol/L of Pb(II) and Cd(II) was prepared. The mixture was subjected to full analysis using DPP and DP-ASP under the selected optimum conditions of determination. The results of analysis indicate that the DPP technique was suitable for Zn(II) determination only, whereas all of the metal ions are determined with higher degree of recovery using DP-ASV. The degree of recoveries of the four metal ions analyzed by DP-ASV were in range of 97-106%. These values were calculated by application of standard addition method using spiking procedures of the synthetic solution mixture with standard metal ion solutions. DPP and DP-ASV methods were applied for trace determination of heavy metal ions, e.g. Zn(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) in some TWW samples collected from AI-Ain and Abu-Dhabi TWW plants. Sample I and sample II are collected at May 1996 and November 1996, respectively. The samples under investigation are filtrated, acidified to about pH 3 and stored in polyethylene bottles

CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TRICHODERMA REESEI DEGRADED DATE PITS AND ITS EFFECT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND INTESTINAL BACTERIAL POPULATION AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS - A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH MANNOSE AND MANNAN -OLIGOSACCHARIDE ON BROILER

With the increasing apprehension over food safety nowadays, there have been relentless efforts aiming for subrogating antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry feeds. Thus, this research study aims at investigating the potential effects of using degraded date pits (DDP) as feedstuff and as a natural alternative for antibiotics in poultry feeding. Two feeding experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, the minimum time of feeding a diet containing 10% DDP is required to induce growth-promoting effects on broiler performance. In experiment 2, the influence of feeding 10% DDP was examined as feedstuff at 10% in broilers diets and a growth-promoting agent compared with corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with antibiotic 50 g of 20% oxytetracycline, 0.2% of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), and either 0.2 or 0.1% of mannose on growth performance, microbial growth, antioxidant and biochemical effects, intestine development and antibacterial gene expression in broiler chickens. Date pits (DP) were degraded with the fungus Trichoderma reesei using solid-state degradation (SSD) and included in broiler’s diets at 10%. Results showed that biological degradation with T. reesei significantly improved the nutritional effect of DP by increasing the proximate composition, monosaccharide composition, mineral content and in vitro antioxidant activities. The results of experiment 1, showed that a prolonged feeding period of 10% DDP to 5 weeks for broiler resulted in better growth than three or four weeks of feeding periods. The results of experiment 2 indicated that there were no significant differences in body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the different dietary treatments. Total bacterial count, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Shigella, and salmonella count, were significantly decreased in 10% DDP diet fed-broilers, 0.2% MOS and antibiotic diet fed-broilers, showing that DDP and MOS have a similar mode of action. The results of the antioxidant and biochemical effects of DDP showed that the activity of antioxidant enzymes in serum, liver, and intestine of broilers fed diets with 10% DDP and 0.2% MOS were increased significantly compared with other treatments, but malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased. Among the different dietary treatments, 10% DDP and 0.2% MOS diet enhanced the pancreatic digestive enzymes, histomorphology of intestine, and weight and length of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Immunoglobulin levels in serum and intestinal contents, the expression pattern of mucin-2, cathelicidins, beta-defensins, and LEAP-2 in jejunum were up-regulated in 10% DDP and 0.2% MOS diet fed-broilers. In conclusion, a 10% DDP diet can be fed to broiler chickens during 1-42 days of age and also as a growth-promoting agent to replace antibiotics while showing a similar mode of action to MOS. The results suggested that DDP can be used as a feedstuff and growth promoter for chicken feeding in the Arabian Peninsula, whereas the DDP is produced abundantly and available at a large amount, this will result in decreasing environmental pollution of unutilized agriculture by-products

A Study on Students' Problems in ESL Writing Classes in the Arts College/ Kuwait University

oai:ojs2.journals.iorpress.org:article/1This paper discusses the influence of the first language (Arabic) on the second language (English) in the writing pieces of ESL students in Arts College/ Kuwait University. Going over some writing papers taken from the students' work in class, the reader would notice a 'different English'. The overall layout of the paper, the ideas presentation, the personal expression, the syntax and word choice, the punctuation and other elements make this new language on students' papers. From papers written in class and at home, I conducted an analysis to see the difference between the two languages techniques, and to find solutions for that. I also interviewed students and they assured that Arabic has a massive influence on them. They disclosed that they read the topic in English, and think/analyze in Arabic. Some participants mentioned that their limited competence of vocabulary in English hindered them from expressing well on paper. Another group mentioned that the idea of 'being explanatory' prevailed their thinking while writing. They said that they wanted to explain their ideas well and repeatedly so that the reader/teacher would understand their points. They also had troubles in organizing the sentences according to the English paragraph style

Analysing the relationship between Bilateral Investment Treaties and FDI Flows and Outflows - Evidence from the UAE

This thesis examines the relationship between bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and the attractiveness for FDI into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and FDI flows from the UAE, and the focus of the thesis rests on whether BITs play an important role in sustaining FDI, were the global interests of most countries have increased to reach a large share of FDI flows and outflow, among many countries UAE adopt policies aims to diversify the economy to create a favorable market environment. Among these policies is signing BITs, however, the BITs effectiveness has not been tested. This study aims to fill this gap uses panel data from a number of different sources including the OECD bilateral FDI data and World Bank data and uses gravity equation modelling to examine the conditions that lead to changes in FDI flows and outflow. The data provide details on inward and outward FDI for each partner country with a total of 792 observations for the time period 2001 to 2012, including the variables GDP, geographical distance, language and colonial relationships. Four gravity models are used at two points of time. The first set of results is based on the announcement date of a BIT with the UAE and the second set of results shows the impact when the BITs are in force. This research finds that the UAE’s BITs are highly significant to outward FDI only for the time the BITs are signed, and host countries have some important characteristics including the level of GDP, distance and common colony relation but, more interestingly, the relationship is not sustained over the long term. In the case when the BITs are in force, this research finds no statistically significant relationship between BITs and inflow FDI. The thesis contributes to the literature by showing that under better economic conditions, well developed government institutions and a stable political system, BITs will not only have a positive impact on FDI outflows but will also contribute towards improving the growth opportunities and welfare in the country and the ability for local companies to compete internationally

English Language Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Providing Corrective Feedback on Grade 4-8 Students’ Writing in Al Ain Schools, United Arab Emirates.

Writing is one of the skills learners need to acquire using effective strategies. Teaching writing is not an easy task for English teachers because selecting appropriate teaching methods need careful planning, observation, and assessment. Teachers devote time and effort for correcting students’ writing believing that correct feedback might improve students’ writing. This study of 200 Grade 4 to 8 teachers of English in Al Ain explored feedback related to types of errors in students’ writing and type of feedback teachers provide when they respond to students’ writing. Furthermore, this study investigated teachers’ concern associated with providing with providing corrective feedback. English teachers responded to a questionnaire. The results revealed that they tend to respond to all types of errors and most teachers spend a great deal of time responding to students’ writing, focusing on meaning. Additionally, English teachers varied in their responses regarding difficulties they face when providing corrective feedback in writing classes. They reported different kinds of barrier such as time required to provide feedback, students’ understanding of symbols, class management, etc. Other important results indicated that many teachers (M=4.06, SD=.970) were concerned about the time required to respond to students’ writing and a few of them (M=2.27, SD=1.242) reported that providing feedback is boring. Moreover, the data showed that teachers used a ranged of different types of feedback such as writing positive comment, displaying students’ best work, feedback based on students’ needs, and oral feedback. While writing positive comments was the most common, sending electronic feedback to student was the least one. The researcher recommended that providing feedback on students’ writing based on their needs might be better than responding of all types of error. Additionally, it is recommended to focus on meaning and content rather than on form and accuracy. Finally, the researcher suggested that students should be encouraged to use self-assessment and peer assessment after writing. The last recommendation was intended for conducting further studies on this topic

Measurement Models of M-Government Services for Abu Dhabi Government

This paper presents a formulation and assessment of measurement models which was intended for the study M-Government services by using service quality and customer satisfaction for UAE government. The study was conducted amongst users of Abu Dhabi Police smart application. In this study seven measurement models were identified. Five of the models which are Tangible; Reliability; Responsiveness; Assurance; Empathy are under the cluster of service quality. The other two which are M-services and overall customer satisfaction. A total of 250 questionnaire sets were considered adequate in accordance with the simple random sampling methods used to determine the sample size. The collected data was used in Structural Equation Modeling-AMOS for establishing and analysis each of the measurement model. The results found that all the seven models has achieved all the stipulated fitness criteria for the measurement model. Hence with all the model achieved the fitness level, these models can be used to develop structural model amongst them

The impact of vocabulary learning strategy instruction on Libyan EFL teachers and learners

This study examines the impact of the teachability of vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) on Libyan EFL teachers and students at university level. It investigates the extent to which instructing language teachers in how to integrate strategic intervention into regular classes impacts upon teachers’ and students’ use, promotion of the use, and perceptions of usefulness of vocabulary learning strategies. The empirical research in this area has been very limited, and the vast majority of studies have centred around examining the influence of strategy instruction on language learners’ achievements. Bearing this in mind, the present study provides an exciting opportunity to advance knowledge of the impact of direct teaching of VLSs on EFL teachers and students alike. The findings make an important contribution to literature in the field of vocabulary learning and teaching. The study recruited 109 participants, including 13 EFL teachers from two different university levels (Year 1 and 2) and two English language faculties at the Al-jabal Al-gharbi University in the cities of Tiji and Badr. The aims were 1) to identify the current situation in terms of VLSs known, promoted or used, 2) to design a strategy training programme for teachers and students, and 3) to trial and evaluate the effectiveness of the training programme on students’ and teachers’ use, promotion, and adoption of learning strategies. To achieve the research aims, three studies were carried out and two phases of training arranged. Teachers were targeted in the first phase, which was administered by the researcher and ran for a 2-week period, with students targeted in the second phase, which was carried out by trainee teachers, with the researcher’s guidance, for 10 weeks. Data for this research were collected using a multi-method approach in the form of VLS questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, observations, and an evaluation form. The quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the instruments were triangulated to allow for a more comprehensive understanding, as well as to render reliable conclusions. Microsoft Office Excel programmes, SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science), and a qualitative content analysis were used to analyse the data gathered. The results of the study reveal that the training had a positive impact on both the teachers’ and students’ attitudes, perceptions and adoption of VLSs. What is more, teachers and students showed an increased awareness of using/promoting the use of learning strategies even when the training had finished, which in turn indicates that the impact of VLS training has been durable

A rare case of posttraumatic bilateral orbital myositis in a young boy — a case report

Orbital myositis (OM) is a benign inflammatory disease of the orbit characterised by a polymorphous lymphoid infiltrate with varying degrees of fibrosis, without a known local or systemic cause. In this paper, we present a case of a young boy who sustained a trauma to his eyes a few days prior to admission, after which he developed bilateral orbital pain and ocular motility limitation. He underwent the appropriate investigations including orbital imaging and blood laboratory workup, which were all consistent with a diagnosis of posttraumatic bilateral orbital myositis. He was treated with steroids for few weeks, and when the dose of steroids was tapered, he had a relapse of the same disease with a different presentation, which was later controlled with a higher dose of steroids, after which the patient went into remission