PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF WHATSAPP VOICE MESSAGING: INVESTIGATING EFL STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES

Rapid emergence of wireless technologies and ownership of mobile devices have changed many aspects of peoples’ lives. These mobile technologies have been integrated into language learning and teaching as well. Successful and effective use of these technologies in language learning, however, depends on the incorporation of pedagogical principles guided by theories of second language acquisition (SLA). Accordingly, informed by the interaction hypothesis (Gass & Mackey, 2015), this study employed a messaging application, WhatsApp, to help language learners improve their communication skills. Nine A1 level EFL students used WhatsApp voice messaging with their peers outside the classes to accomplish the tasks assigned to them for four weeks in the spring semester of 2018. Later, their experiences were investigated by means of written surveys. Content analysis of the data demonstrated that all the students who took part in the study benefitted from the WhatsApp voice messaging practice and perceived numerous benefits. These included speaking and pronunciation development, an opportunity for language practice, review of previous learning, overcoming shyness, and awareness and correction of errors. The findings were discussed in the light of the existing literature and certain implications arose for both language learners and teachers. Article visualizations

Taxonomic and botanical retrospective review of Pistacia atlantica Desf. (Anacardiaceae)

Pistacia atlantica, an Irano-Touranian member of the Anacardiaceae family, is known for its distinctive ecological plasticity. Both ecological plasticity and phenotypic plasticity are closely related. This latter concept is defined as the variability of phenotypic expression of one genotype exposed to different environmental conditions and producing a large phenotypic range. It is likely that phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in diversification. The morphological features are very important for species characterization. They have mono or a polygenic determinism but they can be influenced by the environmental factors. In the current review, a taxonomic retrospection of Pistaciaatlanticais exposed focusing essentially on its taxonomic status evolution, followed by a botanical characterization of Pistaciaatlantica subsp. atlantica, the only observed representative of the species in North Africa

Approche méthodologique d'évaluation de la performance environnementale des entreprises de construction en Afrique(Cas du projet PURI, Bujumbura, Burundi)

The aim of this work is to evaluate the environmental performance of five (5) companies aligned with the Emergency Infrastructure Resilience Project, in Bujumbura, Burundi, through the use of environmental indicators developed by ISO 14031. The obtained results confirmed the relationship between the level of an organization's environmental performance and its economic situation. Where the environmental scores, of the five companies are below 50%. The company ranked first in this study has an environmental percentage of 47% and the last has 33%. The first company in the top ranking of environmental performance has the highest annual turnover (9 billion BIF) while the last has the lowest annual income (3 billion BIF).This study led to the conclusion that the level of environmental commitment of the companies concerned is weak. This weakness is explained by the lack of an environmental culture, competent human resources, information and awareness, triggered by the lack of legislation in environmental management, particularly at the managerial level of companies.L’objectif de ce travail est l’évaluation de la performance environnementale de cinq (5) entreprises alignées sur le Projet d’Urgence pour la Résilience des Infrastructures (PURI) à Bujumbura-Burundi, par l’usage des indicateurs environnementaux développés par ISO 14031. Les résultats obtenus ont confirmé la relation existant entre le niveau de la performance environnementale d’une organisation et de sa situation économique. Sur l’ensemble des composants et des indices considérés, les scores environnementaux, des entreprises sont en dessous de 50%. L’entreprise classée première dans cette étude a un pourcentage environnemental de 47% et la dernière a 33%. La première entreprise en tête de classement de performance environnementale a le chiffre d’affaire annuel le plus élevé (9 Milliards de FBU) tandis que la dernière a le chiffre d’affaire annuel le plus bas (3 Milliards de FBU). L’étude a permis de déduire que le niveau d’engagement environnemental des entreprises concernées est faible. Cette faiblesse est expliquée par le manque d’une culture environnementale, de ressources humaines compétentes, d’information et de sensibilisation, déchaîné par la législation lacunaire en matière de gestion environnementale, notamment au niveau des hautes directions des entreprises

Mother's view’s of children who are disabled and typically developed: sexual abuse

Çocuk cinsel istismarı her geçen gün büyüyen toplumsal bir sorundur. Çocuklar üzerinde oluşturduğu olumsuz etkiler düşünüldüğünde cinsel istismardan korunma becerilerinin çocuklara kazandırılması gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı cinsel istismardan korunma konusunda annelerin görüşlerini incelemektir.Araştırmanın deseni, nitel araştırma modellerinden çoklu durum modeli olmuştur. Çalışma grubunu çocukları okul öncesi dönemde olan anneler oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcı grup 33 anneden oluşmaktadır.23’ü yetersizlikten etkilenmiş (YE), 10’u tipik gelişim gösteren (TGG) çocuğa sahiptir. Veriler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formuyla toplanmış ve betimsel analiz yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir.Her iki grupta yer alan annelerin çoğunluğu, çocuklarının; genital bölgelerini bildiğini, çocuklarının güvenli olmayan dokunuşlara karşı kendini koruma davranışı sergileyebileceğini ve olası bir cinsel istismarı güvendiği bir kişiye bildirebileceğini ifade etmiştir. Diğer yandan katılımcılar çocuklarının uygun ve uyun olmayan dokunuşları ayırt edemeyeceğini bildirmiştir. YE çocuğa sahip olan anneler ile TGG çocuğa sahip olan annelerin görüşleri karşılaştırıldığında YE çocukların annelerinin TGG çocuk annelerine göre güvenli olmayan dokunuşlara karşı daha korunmasız olduğu, , güvenli olmayan dokunuşları ayırt etmekte daha fazla sınırlılık yaşadıkları ve cinsel istismar vakasını güvendiği bir kişiye bildirme becerisini sergilemekte daha fazla güçlük çektiklerini yönünde görüş bildirdikleri belirlenmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, yetersizlikten etkilenmiş çocuk annelerinin çocuklarının cinsel istismardan korunma becerileri sergileme konusunda sınırlılık yaşadığını düşündüklerini ortaya koymuştur . Ayrıca literatür çerçevesinde tartışılan bulguların YE çocukların cinsel istismardan korunma becerileri konusunda ailelerin eğitim gereksinimleri ve müdahale programları oluşturmaya yönelik fikir verebileceği belirlenmiş ve ileri araştırmalar içim önerilerde bulunulmuştur.Child sexual abuse is a growing social problem. Considering the negative effects on children, it is necessary to teach children the skills of protection from sexual abuse. The aim of this study is to examine mothers' views on the protection skills of children from sexual abuse. This research carried out qualitatively. Thirty-three mothers who had disabled or typically developed child in preschool period participated in the study. This research is a case study. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview form. It was analyzed with the content analysis method. Most of the participants stated that their child knows his genital parts with the correct terminology, he can exhibit protective skills against unsafe touches, and can report a possible sexual abuse case to a person he trusts, but cannot recognize unsafe touches. When the opinions of the participants who disabled children and who had typically developing children were compared; It has been determined that disabled children are more vulnerable to sexual abuse involving unsafe touches, have more limitations in recognizing unsafe touches, and have more difficulty in demonstrating disclosing skills to a person they trust, compared to their typically developing peers. Based on the opinions of the participant’s, it has been determined that disabled children have limitations in self protection skills for sexual abuse compared to their typically developing peers. The findings are discussed in light of the available literature. To protect disabled children from sexual abuse, family training and child-based prevention programs should beestablished and further research should be conducted for more reliable findings.Keywords: 3-5 keywords should be added here. Only the first letter of the first keyword should be capitalized, there should be a comma between the words and a period at the end. The keywords should be chosen from words that can distinguish the article from other articles. General expressions (such as prospective teachers, geography lessons) that can be taken in every study should not be chosen

Analyse et suivi du phénomène de la désertification en Algérie du nord

La présente étude a pour objectif de contribuer au suivi de la désertification au nord d’Algérie par l’utilisation des capteurs MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) de TERRA. A cet effet, certains paramètres géophysiques (albédo "R0", indice de végétation "NDVI" et température de surface "TS") sont produits régulièrement et couvrent la période de 2000 à 2005. Les combinaisons de ces paramètres deux à deux en particulier R0 -TS ; NDVI-TS et NDVI-R0 ont permis respectivement la caractérisation de l'état hydrique et de l'état de la végétation. La synthèse de l'ensemble des résultats sous un système d’information géographique (SIG), ainsi que leurs confrontations avec d'autres types de données ont permis de dresser des cartes de la sensibilité à la désertification selon cinq degrés (très bon état, bon état, état critique, état dégradé et état très dégradé). Ces résultats montrent qu’environ 75 % des parcours steppiques sont désertifiés ou au seuil de la désertification.The present study aims to work out a methodology based on the use of the sensors such TERRA MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) in the desertification following and the detection of desertification risk zones in the northern area of Algeria. To this end, some geophysical parameters (albedo "R0", vegetation index "NDVI'' and surface temperature "TS") are produced regularly and cover the period of 2000 to 2005. The combination of these parameters two per two especially R0 -TS, NDVI-TS and R0 - NDVI has allowed respectively the characterization of the hydric and vegetation state. The synthesis of the totality of results under a geographical information system GIS as well as their confrontation with others types of data have allowed to map the desertification risk following five degrees (very high, high, moderated, weak and stable). Our results show that 75 % of the risk zones are already desertify or near of desertification

L’écosysteme steppique face à la désertification : Cas de la région d’El Bayadh, Algérie

La steppe algérienne est un écosystème aride caractérisé par des ressources naturelles limitées, un sol pauvre, des formations végétales basses et ouvertes et des conditions climatiques sévères. Ce travail est une contribution à l'analyse de la désertification dans la région d’El Bayadh. Le travail est basé sur deux méthodes de suivi et de compréhension. Un diagnostic phyto-écologique et l’utilisation de la télédétection et SIG comme outils puissants de suivi et d'investigation. L’objectif est de mettre en évidence l’importance du phénomène et d’analyser les principaux facteurs discriminants dans l’évolution de ce problème écologique et ses conséquences socio-économiques sur l’équilibre du système de l’organisation pastorale traditionnelle.The algerian steppe is an arid ecosystem characterized by limited natural resources, a poor soil, and low and opened vegetable formations and severe climatic conditions.This work is a contribution of studying the problem of the desertification in El Bayadh region. It is based on two methods of follow-up and understanding, a phyto-ecological diagnosis and the use of remote sensing and SIG as powerful tool of follow-up and investigation. The objective of this paper is to highlight the importance of desertification phenomena in Algeria and to analyze the principal discriminating factors in the evolution of this ecological problem and its socio-economic consequences on the traditional system balance of the pastoral organization

A Study about Schottky Barrier Height and Ideality Factor in Thin Film Transistors with Metal/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Structures Aiming Flexible Electronics Application

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) used for the channel region in inverted coplanar setup in Thin Film Transistors (TFT) were the focus of this study. The regions between the source electrode and the ZnO NP and the drain electrode were under investigation as they produce a Schottky barrier in metal-semiconductor interfaces. A more general Thermionic emission theory must be evaluated: one that considers both metal/semiconductor interfaces (MSM structures). Aluminum, gold, and nickel were used as metallization layers for source and drain electrodes. An organic-inorganic nanocomposite was used as a gate dielectric. The TFTs transfer and output characteristics curves were extracted, and a numerical computational program was used for fitting the data; hence information about Schottky Barrier Height (SBH) and ideality factors for each TFT could be estimated. The nickel metallization appears with the lowest SBH among the metals investigated. For this metal and for higher drain-to-source voltages, the SBH tended to converge to some value around 0.3 eV. The developed fitting method showed good fitting accuracy even when the metallization produced different SBH in each metal-semiconductor interface, as was the case for gold metallization. The Schottky effect is also present and was studied when the drain-to-source voltages and/or the gate voltage were increased

Air quality in the metropolitan area of Sidi Bel Abbes (Algeria) through the lichens species as bio-indicators

The air quality in towns and cities is increasingly deteriorating as human activities increase but no actions have been taken in Algeria to limit air pollution. There are no regulations for controlling pollutant emissions and no specialist treatment center for treating diseases and allergies caused by  air pollution. To access urban air quality lichens species were used for bio-monitoring   12 stations spread across Sidi Bel Abbés city (Western  Algeria). The use of living organisms, in this case lichens, for evaluating the quality of air is a preferred method.  European lichenologists developed a new environmental quality assessment protocol using mapping lichen diversity and  lichens are very often used as bio- accumulators. The selected species are generally those growing on tree trunks, and having a broad geographic distribution. The lichen species most often used are thallus foliaceus or fruticose forms such as Parmelia caperata, P. sulcata, Hypogymnia physodes, Xanthoria parietina, Evernia prunastri, Pseudevernia furfuracea. These lichens species have large adsorption surfaces for major pollutants.  In this work we evaluate the air quality by applying lichen index based on German environmental engineers to map air pollution  in the city of Sidi Bel Abbes

Nutraceutical Content and Biological Properties of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Fractions of the Phytocomplex from Pistacia atlantica Desf. Buds, Roots, and Fruits

The aim of the present investigation was to obtain 12 aqueous extracts and 1 oil from Pistacia atlantica Desf. subsp. atlantica specimens. The samples differed for processed plant organs (i.e., roots, buds, and fruits), gender and geographical station of the collected trees. Total phenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins were determined, revealing that bud extracts exhibited the highest phenolic content (386.785 ± 16.227 mg GAE/g DM), followed by fruit and root preparations. Similar results were detected for flavonoids and tannins, whose quantitation ranged from 0.014 ± 0.005 to 74.780 ± 9.724 mg CE/g DM and from 0.037 ± 0.003 to 14.793 ± 0.821 mg CE/g DM, respectively. The biochemical profile of the extracts was further characterized by HPLC-DAD, in terms of specific phenolics. This analysis identified gallic acid as a typical metabolite for ripe fruit, while hydroxytyrosol for female roots and male buds. In parallel, P. atlantica fruit oil was profiled by GC-MS analysis, which detected 37 lipophilic components, including palmitic acid (the major component, ~55%), anacardol, tetradecanol, arachidic acid, squalene, and some terpenes. The samples revealed interesting antioxidant activity, with EC50 values ranging from 0.073 ± 0.001 to 193.594 ± 28.942 mg/mL and from 0.029 ± 0.001 to 103.086 ± 20.540 mg/mL, in that order, for DPPH and reducing power assays. Concerning the total antioxidant capacity, the results ranged from 0.053 ± 0.008 to 51.648 ± 1.659 mg AAE/g DM. Finally, the antimicrobial potential of the plant extracts was estimated against 7 bacterial species and 2 fungal strains, known to be human pathogens, demonstrating a good antibiotic effect for the bud extracts. All these findings strongly suggest that P. atlantica would represent a natural reservoir for novel additives to be used in therapeutic, food, and cosmetic products