The plights of migrant domestic workers in the UK: a legal perspective

As a group of migrant workers, overseas domestic workers (‘‘ODWs’’) have been extensively studied in the migration, geography, and sociology disciplines. Legal scholarly publications addressing the shortfalls in the rights of these workers are beginning to catch up. The International Labour Organization (‘‘ILO’’) supports the argument that ODWs are by far the most vulnerable group of migrant workers. In the United Kingdom, the problem faced by ODWs is complicated by the hostile immigration policy and exclusion clauses in the employment law. Despite the ODWs having been exposed to a series of abuses, exploitations, and occupational health and safety hazards like workers in other occupations, they are unduly excluded from the protection and benefits available to those other workers. This thesis used a combined doctrinal and empirical approach to examine failed immigration policies, ambiguities in the employment law, exclusion clauses in the health and safety law and working time regulation, and how the justice system has been failing the ODWs. The research found the UK Government’s refusal to extend some key employment legislations to protect household workers, the non-implementation of major international frameworks that protect domestic workers, and the inseparable link between employment and immigration create hurdles to achieve justice for ODWs. The thesis argues that although ODWs’ personal attributes, such as poor socio-economic background, may constitute a vulnerability risk, ODWs’ experiences are marred by the current visa system that increases their reliance on employers and has significantly tilted the employer-employee power in the employer’s favour, leading to continued abuse, exploitation, injustice, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery. This thesis advocates a review of the policy on ODWs, a re-examination of the strict link between immigration and employment, and a review of the law on employment discrimination. Finally, the thesis found a link between culture, ethnicity, and exploitation; this link needs further study

The role of university curricula in moderate religious guidance and moral support for the students in sections of Qoraan science and Islamic education from the standpoint of teachers

Aims of current research to know the role of university curricula to moderate religious instruction and moral support for the students sections in Qoraan and Islamic science education from the standpoint of their teachers, the sample consisted from the faculty who are teaching curricula of Qoraan and Islamic education sections for the academic year (2015-2016) in the colleges of education for human Sciences, basic education, and education for girls), their number (29) teachers, 17 of them have a doctorate degree ,and (12) have a master's degree, in order to achieve the goal of the research; a questionnaire prepared that consisted of (33) items distributed to two fields of moderate religious guidance that includes (17) items, while the field of moral support guarantees (16) items, followed by (3) alternatives which included in the curriculum (large, medium, and low), validity and reliability has been verified, the researchers used the means statistical following: the relative weight, independent t-test, via (SPSS) statistical program, after data collection and analysis They found the following: 1. a good percentage for the role of university curricula in moderate religious instruction in sections of Qoraan and Islamic education science students from teachers viewpoint. 2. a medium ratio for the role of university curricula in moral support among Qoraan sections, and Islamic education students from teachers viewpoint. 3. There is a statistically significant difference among the views of the teaching staff for the role of university curricula in the moderate religious guidance and moral support depending on the scientific graduation. The researchers took a series of conclusions and recommendations and proposals. Key words: curriculum, moderate religious guidance, moral suppor

Giant hydrocele

Hydrocele: (Greek-sac) is abnormal fluid collection within the tunica vaginalis with or without patent processus vaginalis. It is a fairly common condition. Here, we are reporting a case of giant hydrocele associated with inguinal hernia highlighting how it affects the quality of patient life, local complications, infertility, effect on sexual performance and work aptitude. Keywords: scrotal, calcification, sac, infertility.Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (1) 2008: pp. 67-7

Genetic Variation of Plant Height and Stem Diameter Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Drought Stress at Different Growth Stages

Plant height and stem diameter are essential traits in maize breeding. A study was carried out to estimate the extent of genetic variability in genotypes of Maize (Zea mays L.). Fifteen genotypes of maize were evaluated on season (2003/2004) across the two environments in Sudan, to obtain information on morphological and genetic diversity in plant height and stem diameter traits were estimated in a split-plot layout within randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences among genotypes were found in all traits, except stem diameter (45 days). High genotypic coefficient of variation, genetic advance and heritability were exhibited by plant height at 60 days and stem diameter at 60 days. Grain yield was significantly and positively associated, at the phenotypic level, with a plant height at 45 days and a stem diameter at 45 days. Based on the results the characters plant height and a stem diameter to be the important characters which would be used in selection for maize improvement under drought stress at vegetative and reproductive stages. Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), Genetic variability, plant height, stem diameter, drought

Preparation and Investigation of Flexural Strength and Impact Strength for Nano Hybrid Composite Materials of the Tri- Polymeric Blend used in Structural Applications

Current work is aimed to preparation the nanocomposites laminatesof low density and good durability to use in structural applications. So, in thispaper, the preparation and compare of some mechanical properties of twogroups of tri-polymer blends composites consisting of ((93% unsaturatedpolyester resin (UP)+(5%PMMA) (Poly methyl methacrylate)+2%NR(Natural Rubber)) as the matrix materials. Added the reinforce materials(silica (SiO2) and zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles) individually, with differentvolume fraction of (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5%) to the ternary polymer blends accordingto the following formula:- [((100-X) (93%UP)+2%NR+5%PMMA): (X%SiO2or X% ZrO2)] The first group is composed of matrix material reinforced withzirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles with average diameter of nanoparticles(56.88nm) and the second group is composed of matrix material reinforcedwith silica (SiO2) nanoparticles with average diameter of nanoparticles(24.59nm). Then used as a matrix material for the preparation of hybridlaminar composites materials, reinforcement with one and two layers ofwoven carbon fibers The research included the study of the influence ofvolume fraction of nanoparticles on some of mechanical and physicalproperties like flexural strength, flexural modulus impact strength, and impactfracture toughness, in addition to test infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and all ofthese tests were carried out at laboratory temperature. Search results haveshown that the values of (flexural modulus and impact strength and fracturetoughness) increases with the increase of the nanoparticles ratios in polymerblend nano composite of prepared samples. While flexural strength valuedecreases with the increase in the volume fraction of nanoparticles in polymerblend nano composite. The fracture energy of the of hybrid laminarcomposites is higher than those containing only the nanoparticles powders.Morphology test by scanning electron microscope indicates that a goodadhesion or interfacial interactions between the Nano powders particles,carbon fibers and components of ternary polymer blend. Which results inhigher the carbon fibers efficiency factor, and hence higher mechanicalstrength. So, the hybrid laminar nano composites, which appear high flexuralmodulus and impact strength and fracture toughness, can be foreseen toprovide valuable contribution to high performance structural applications

Effects of ultrasound on Transforming Growth Factor-beta genes in bone cells

Therapeutic ultrasound (US) is a widely used form of biophysical stimulation that is increasingly applied to promote fracture healing. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which is encoded by three related but different genes, is known to play a major part in bone growth and repair. However, the effects of US on the expression of the TGF-beta genes and the physical acoustic mechanisms involved in initiating changes in gene expression in vitro, are not yet known. The present study demonstrates that US had a differential effect on these TGF-beta isoforms in a human osteoblast cell line, with the highest dose eliciting the most pronounced up-regulation of both TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 at 1 hour after treatment and thereafter declining. In contrast, US had no effect on TGF-beta2 expression. Fluid streaming rather than thermal effects or cavitation was found to be the most likely explanation for the gene responses observed in vitro

Critical review of recent development in fiber reinforced adobe bricks for sustainable construction

Open Access via Springer Compact Agreement. The authors gratefully acknowledge the research support fund provided by the Sudanese Ministry of Higher Education, School of Engineering University of Khartoum and the School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen.Peer reviewedPublisher PD