Mediation as an Adversarial Criminal Resolution Method A Comparative Analysis

Criminal Mediation is a modern legal system that aims to solve criminal disputes through nontraditional means. Such a system can help in avoiding the regular adjudication of crimes via courts. This system was initially applied in Canada in 1974, then in the United States in 1978. Later on, it started to be implemented in nearly all European countries. This system is based on the idea of solving criminal disputes away from the court\u27s process, but at the same time under its supervision. This operation is assigned to a mediator who meets both parties in order to reach an agreement between them. In other words, this system will not ever be applied unless the parties of the dispute have agreed on this. The case will accordingly be closed, if the parties reach an adequate agreement. As a result, this system saves time, effort, and expense besides reducing the number of cases to be tried judicially. In conclusion, in those states which have so far applied this system, criminal mediation has proved its effectiveness and efficiency for all parties including the defendant, the plaintiff and society

The Impact of Using CALL Online Writing Activities on EFL University Students’ Writing Achievement

This study aims to investigate empirically the effectiveness of using CALL online writing activities on EFL university students’ writing achievement. It also attempts to reveal students' attitudes towards using CALL online writing activities in teaching writing. The sample of this study comprises forty randomly-selected male sophomore students. They are assigned to two groups: experimental and control. Both groups are taught via the regular writing teaching method; the experimental group received additional training using CALL online writing activities for eight weeks. An experimental pretest-posttest control group design is employed in this study. The instruments of the study are a writing achievement pre-posttest and a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The results of the study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences between the achievement of the experimental group and the control group due to using CALL online writing activities. The results also indicated that EFL university students had positive attitudes towards using CALL online writing activities in teaching and learning writing. They believed that CALL online writing activities were useful, motivating, and enjoyable in addition to enhancing self-confidence and independent learning

Detección in silico de productos naturales dirigidos a la corismato sintasa

Introduction: Chorismate synthase catalyzes the final step in shikimate  acid pathway involved in synthesis of aromatic compounds in bacteria.This enzyme can be a possible molecular target for design of antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Homology modeling and molecular dockingwere performed to screen about one hundred natural compounds in order to find inhibitors of enzymes as a possible new target. A model wasbuilt by SWISS-MODEL and its quality was assessed by ERRAT, ProSA, Rampage and MolProbity servers. Docking experiments were performedand pharmacokinetics and toxicities were studied by admetSAR. Results: The predicted model was reliable to be used in docking experiments.Amentoflavone had the highest binding affinity of -10.0 Kcal/mol. Probabilities indicated that rotenone may inhibit P-glycoprotein I, hinokiflavone and silybin may inhibit P-glycoprotein II, while taspine acts on both types of P-glycoproteins. Amentofalavone, hinokiflavone, rotenone and silybin have a probability of inhibiting cytochromes that are involved in oxidation stage of metabolism. Conclusions: These compounds had binding affinities towards FMN binding site of the enzyme model and may be considered in the research for new antibacterial agents but only when their drug interactions are fully investigated

Application, with immediate effect, of the organization and the jurisdiction rules in criminal courts

The time scale of criminal law rule is determined according to its beginning moment and its end moment. The problem which arises is validity of these rules in terms of time when several rules dealing with the same subject come into force respectively. This issue arises specifically in a limited period of time between the date of the crime committed and the date of the final judgment issued. The rules of criminal jurisdiction organize procedural matter related to criminal courts, criminal jurisdiction and public persecution. Because of its procedural nature, they are subject to the immediate effect principle which governs the force of criminal procedural rules in term of time. Controversy and argument at the level of legal jurisprudence and the judiciary regarding the immediate effect provisions arise. Whatever the good opinion in this regard, the legislator should interfere by imposing transitional provisions to deal with such matters in order to remedy some of the practical and legal difficulties which may arise. This approach saves time, effort and expense. Moreover, it avoids suspicion of interfering in the work of the judiciary, or influencing its judgment

Aligning Translation Curricula with Technological Advancements; Insights from Artificial Intelligence Researchers and Language Educators

This study expounded on methods, approaches, and strategies for aligning translation curricula with technological enhancements in the effort to train translators who are good to function in the AI-driven translation industry. The study sample consisted of 83 university lecturers in translation studies and 151 artificial intelligence experts from ten Jordanian universities. The study was carried out during the academic year 2022-2023. Moreover, the study design is a survey approach, and the strategy of the research is quantitative. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analysis was conducted using relevant descriptive statistics tools, including the percentile values of the Likert scale, the mean, and the standard deviation. In addition, the findings generally indicate that task-based approach, team-based strategy, blended learning, and reflective system are the main pedagogical strategies and teaching techniques that work optimally for incorporating AI-based translation technologies into translation curricula. Similarly, the findings generated from the data analysis further suggest that the main strategies to ensure alignment of translation curriculum with technological advancements are careful designing of specific lessons for technology in translation, formation of partnerships between industry players (translation industry leaders and AI experts), and translation curriculum designers, continuous review of the curriculum, and inclusion of creativity and critical thinking for the students. Finally, it is concluded that translation curriculum designers must always review the translation curriculum, partner with translation industry leaders and AI experts, and integrate critical thinking and creativity into the translation curriculum system. This is to ensure that the trained translators can function effectively in the AI-driven translation industry

Plasma proteomics of renal function: A transethnic meta-analysis and mendelian randomization study

Background Studies on the relationship between renal function and the human plasma proteome have identified several potential biomarkers. However, investigations have been conducted largely in European populations, and causality of the associations between plasma proteins and kidney function has never been addressed. Methods A cross-sectional study of 993 plasma proteins among 2882 participants in four studies of European and admixed ancestries (KORA, INTERVAL, HUNT, QMDiab) identified transethnic associations between eGFR/CKD and proteomic biomarkers. For the replicated associations, two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate potential causal relationships. Publicly available datasets and transcriptomic data from independent studies were used to examine the association between gene expression in kidney tissue and eGFR. Results In total, 57 plasma proteins were associated with eGFR, including one novel protein. Of these, 23 were additionally associated with CKD. The strongest inferred causal effect was the positive effect of eGFR on testican-2, in line with the known biological role of this protein and the expression of its protein-coding gene (SPOCK2) in renal tissue. We also observed suggestive evidence of an effect of melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA), carbonic anhydrase III, and cystatin-M on eGFR. Conclusions In a discovery-replication setting, we identified 57 proteins transethnically associated with eGFR. The revealed causal relationships are an important stepping stone in establishing testican-2 as a clinically relevant physiological marker of kidney disease progression, and point to additional proteins warranting further investigation. © 2021 by the American Society of Nephrolog

In silico Homology Modeling and Docking Studies of RecA from Campylobacter jejuni

The RecA protein has an essential role in DNA recombination and repair which is mediated by its ability to bind ATP/ADP. SWISS-MODEL, an online automated server, was used to predict its tertiary structure of C. jejuni RecA. Four evaluation tools were used for quality assessment of the constructed model: QMEAN6, ERRAT, ANOLEA and PROCHECK. Quality assessments indicated that the model was of high quality and reliable for docking experiments. A total of forty natural products were used in docking the model by Hex 8.0.0 and ArgusLab 4.0.1 using ADP as control. Ten compounds had docking scores higher than that of ADP (-8.61 Kcal/mol) in ArgusLab 4.0.1 where quercetin had the highest docking score of -10.34 Kcal/mol. In Hex 8.0.0 docking, only cucurmin, taxifolin, isoquercitrin and vitexin had docking scores higher than that of ADP. These natural occurring compounds may be possible inhibitors of ATPase activity and, therefore, may be further analyzed to develop new antimicrobials targeting RecA in pathogenic bacteria

Factorial Structure of the Covid-19 Pandemic Anxiety Scale (PAS-38) Using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

COVID-19 has created an unprecedented challenge for the whole world. Apart from being a big threat to lives, it has also created a lot of anxiety among the people. This study aimed to identify the factorial structures of the psychological anxiety scale for the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial form of the scale consisted of (55) items. The validity and reliability of the scale were verified. Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis was extracted, which showed the presence of three factors on which the items gathered: the somatic, the psychological, and the cognitive. Twelve items were deleted because they were not saturated with any of the three dimensions, then the confirmatory factor analysis was applied using the Amos program which indicated the results of the exploratory factor analysis of the scale, where nearly all the items of the three factors had significant loadings on the factor it belongs. Finally, the study recommended using this scale in future researches

Using Task-based Activities to Improve the Writing skills of Students with Learning Disabilities

This study investigated the effectiveness of online task-based activities on developing the writing skills of students with learning disabilities. This study employed the experimental design by developing a list of task-based activities and a pre-test and a post-test to measure students’ level in writing before and after applying the strategy. The study included 65 students with LDs in the English language in Irbid city, Jordan. Two groups were formed from the sample; one was taught using task-based activities and the other was taught by the traditional method. The results showed an improvement in the performance of the experimental group in writing skills. The task-based activities proved to be effective in online education and can be used by teachers of LDs in the classroom as well. Finally, the study recommended providing training on the importance of task-based activities and conducting more studies on this topic