FACTORS AFFECTING INTEGRATION OF LOCAL CULTURE IN SAUDI ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS

Language and culture are perhaps inseparable; however, foreign language and local culture may not be compatible with each other. Therefore, integration of local culture (Arab) in foreign (English) language teaching is cynically questioned. Studies support the notion that foreign language teaching can be boosted by the incorporation of foreign (British) culture in the target language (English) classroom. But, the application of local culture in the target language classroom poses great challenges as many factors affect the process such as: teachers’ native background, L2 teachers’ experience in native countries, L2 teachers’ preferences, teachers’ lack of local culture’s perception, lack of bilingual or multicultural awareness, administrators’ attitude towards local culture integration, students’ liking for native teacher and native contents, and traditional method of teaching English. Integration of local culture is required if the current books don’t have enough local material, and books are written by foreign authors. In short, the paper explores factors affecting integration of local culture apart from initially eliciting some advantages of Arab culture in English classrooms, and teachers’ preparedness to incorporate local culture. The study is of descriptive type which includes 2 samples: 3 types of teacher-group, and a group of students. The findings of the study lead to innovation of a teaching strategy by incorporating local culture in L2 class for motivating the students further.  Article visualizations

Efficiency of Polyphenol Extraction from Artificial Honey Using C18 Cartridges and Amberlite„ XAD-2 Resin: A Comparative Study

A comparative study of the extraction efficiency of nine known polyphenols [phenolic acids (benzoic acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, and vanillic acid) and flavonoids (naringenin, naringin, quercetin, and rutin)] was conducted by deliberately adding the polyphenols to an artificial honey solution and performing solid phase extraction (SPE). Two SPE methods were compared: one using Amberlite XAD-2 resin and another one using a C18 cartridge. A gradient high performance liquid chromatography system with an RP18 column and photodiode array detector was utilized to analyze the extracted polyphenols. The mean percent of recovery from the C18 cartridges was 74.2%, while that from the Amberlite XAD-2 resin was 43.7%. The recoveries of vanillic acid, naringin, and rutin were excellent (>90%); however, gallic acid was not obtained when C18 cartridges were used. Additionally, the reusability of Amberlite XAD-2 resin was investigated, revealing that the mean recovery of polyphenols decreased from 43.7% (1st extraction) to 29.3% (3rd extraction). It was concluded that although Amberlite XAD-2 resin yielded a higher number of compounds, C18 cartridges gave a better extraction recovery. The lower recovery seen for the Amberlite XAD-2 resin also cannot be compensated by repeated extractions due to the gradual decrease of extraction recovery when reused

PEMBERIAN REMISI BAGI KORUPTOR DIKAITKAN DENGAN KOMITMEN PEMERINTAH DALAM PEMBERANTASAN KORUPSI DI INDONESIA

Abstrak Salah satu bentuk pembinaan bagi warga binaan pemasyarakatan (WBP) di dalam sistem pemasyarakatan di Indonesia yaitu dengan diberikannya hak remisi kepada setiap warga binaan pemasyarakaan yang sudah memenuhi persyaratan menurut ketentuan perundang-undangan yang berlaku. Pada dasarnya remisi merupakan suatu sarana hukum berupa hak yang diberikan oleh undang-undang bagi setiap warga binaan (narapidana) yang dinyatakan telah memenuhi persyaratan tertentu. Seiring dengan dinamika dan kebijakan politik pemerintah Indonesia, telah terbit serangkaian aturan yang memberikan keringanan hukuman (remisi) kepada para terpidana korupsi. Belakangan ini para terpidana korupsi bisa semakin mudah untuk mendapatkan remisi atau pengurangan hukuman. Sebab Mahkamah Agung (MA) telah mencabut dan membatalkan pasal terkait di dalam Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 99 Tahun 2012, atau yang lebih dikenal dengan Peraturan Pemerintah tentang Pengetatan Remisi Koruptor. Pasca putusan MA itu, maka syarat bagi koruptor untuk mengajukan remisi sama seperti halnya narapidana lainnya tanpa harus memandang jenis kejahatan yang telah dilakukan. Namun demikian, kebijakan pemberian remisi bagi koruptor berakibat timbulnya polemik dalam masyarakat, pro dan kontrapun terjadi. Sebagian mereka berpendapat bahwa pemberian remisi kepada terpidana korupsi dianggap telah bertentangan dan menciderai komitmen pemerintah Republik Indonesia dalam pemberantasan korupsi. Kata kunci: korupsi, remisi, koruptor, komitmen pemerintah. Abstract One form of guidance for prisoners in the correctional system (WBP) in the correctional system in Indonesia is the granting of remission rights to every prison inmate who has met the requirements according to the provisions of the applicable legislation. Basically, remission is a legal means in the form of rights granted by law to every inmate (convict) who is declared to have met certain requirements. Along with the dynamics and political policies of the Indonesian government, a series of regulations have been issued that provide leniency (remission) to those convicted of corruption. Recently, it is easier for convicts of corruption to get remissions or reduced sentences. Because the Supreme Court (MA) has revoked and canceled the related article in Government Regulation Number 99 of 2012, or better known as the Government Regulation on Tightening Corrupt Remissions. After the Supreme Court's decision, the conditions for corruptors to apply for remission are the same as other convicts regardless of the type of crime that has been committed. However, the policy of granting remissions for corruptors resulted in polemics in society, pros and cons also occurred. Some of them are of the opinion that granting remissions to corruption convicts is considered to have contradicted and injured the commitment of the government of the Republic of Indonesia in eradicating corruption. Keywords: corruption, remission, corruptors, government commitment

Women’s Preferences for Maternal Healthcare Services in Bangladesh: Evidence from a Discrete Choice Experiment

Despite substantial improvements in several maternal health indicators, childbearing and birthing remain a dangerous experience for many women in Bangladesh. This study assessed the relative importance of maternal healthcare service characteristics to Bangladeshi women when choosing a health facility to deliver their babies. The study used a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative methods (expert interviews, focus group discussions) were initially employed to identify and develop the characteristics which most influence a women’s decision making when selecting a maternal health service facility. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was then constructed to elicit women’s preferences. Women were shown choice scenarios representing hypothetical health facilities with nine attributes outlined. The women were then asked to rank the attributes they considered most important in the delivery of their future babies. A Hierarchical Bayes method was used to measure mean utility parameters. A total of 601 women completed the DCE survey. The model demonstrated significant predictive strength for actual facility choice for maternal health services. The most important attributes were the following: consistent access to a female doctor, the availability of branded drugs, respectful provider attitudes, a continuum of maternal healthcare including the availability of a c-section delivery and lower waiting times. Attended maternal healthcare utilisation rates are low despite the access to primary healthcare facilities. Further implementation of quality improvements in maternal healthcare facilities should be prioritised

Amelioration of Isoproterenol-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Myocardium by Withania somnifera Leaf Extract

We investigated the protective role of Withania somnifera leaf extract (WSLEt) on isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) administered to rats for two consecutive days caused a significant increase in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels and serum lipid profiles, as well as the activities of some marker enzymes. In addition to these diagnosticmarkers, there were increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx), and glutathione- S-transferase (GST)) in themyocardium.However, oral pretreatment (100mg/kg b.w.) withWSLEt for 4 weeks elicited a significant cardioprotective activity by lowering the levels of cTnI, lipid profiles, and marker enzymes. The levels of LPO products were also significantly decreased. Elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes were also observed in rats pretreated with WSLEt. As further confirmed histopathologically, our findings strongly suggest that the cardioprotective effect ofWSLEt onmyocardium experiencing ISO-induced oxidative damage may be due to an augmentation of the endogenous antioxidant system and an inhibition of LPO in the myocardial membrane.We conclude thatWSLEt confers some protection against oxidative damage in ISO-inducedMI in rats

Desain Antena Mikrostrip dengan Multi Band Frekuensi Menggunakan Metode Parasitik

Dalam makalah ini, perancangan dan realisasi antena mikrostrip berbentuk persegi dioptimasi menggunakan kaidah parasitik untuk menghasilkan multi frekuensi. Metode parasitik menghasilkan rentang frekuensi yang berbeda dalam satu antena. Antena di rancang menggunakan jenis substrat FR4 Epoxy dengan nilai konstanta dielektrik sebesar 4,3, ketebalan sebesar 1,6 mm, dan tangent loss sebesar 0,0265. Hasil pengukuran menunjukkan bahwa antena persegi dengan metode parasitik menghasilkan tiga frekuensi kerja. Pada frekuensi 1815 MHz, 1935 MHz, dan 2060 MHz menghasilkan bandwidth masing-masing 2,4 %, 2,8 % dan 4,36 %. Hasil ini menunjukkan bahwa antena yang diusulkan dapat direkomendasikan sebagai kandidat antena penerima pada sistem komunikasi nirkabel.The design and realization of a microstrip antenna with a square shape which is optimized using the parasitik method to produce multiple frequencies has been described in this paper. The parasitik method aims to produce different frequency ranges in one antenna device. The antenna is designed using FR4 Epoxy substrate type with dielectric constant value 4.3, thickness 1.6 mm and tangent loss 0.0265. The measurement of rectangular antenna with parasitic method produces triple band at working frequency of 1815 MHz, 1935 MHz and 2060 MHz with bandwidth of 2.4%, 2.8% and 4.36%, respectively. These results indicate that the proposed antenna can be recommended as a candidate as a receiving antenna in a wireless communication system

Surveillance of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), Pakistan

This molecular epidemiological study was designed to determine the antimalarial drug resistance pattern, and the genetic diversity of malaria isolates collected from a war-altered Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), in Pakistan. Clinical isolates were collected from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram agencies of FATA region between May 2017 and May 2018, and they underwent DNA extraction and amplification. The investigation of gene polymorphisms in drug resistance genes (dhfr, dhps, crt, and mdr1) of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax was carried out by pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Out of 679 PCR-confirmed malaria samples, 523 (77%) were P. vivax, 121 (18%) P. falciparum, and 35 (5%) had mixed-species infections. All P. falciparum isolates had pfdhfr double mutants (C59R+S108N), while pfdhfr/pfdhps triple mutants (C59R+S108N+A437G) were detected in 11.5% of the samples. About 97.4% of P. falciparum isolates contained pfcrt K76T mutation, while pfmdr1 N86Y and Y184F mutations were present in 18.2% and 10.2% of the samples. P. vivax pvdhfr S58R mutation was present in 24.9% of isolates and the S117N mutation in 36.2%, while no mutation in the pvdhps gene was found. Pvmdr1 F1076L mutation was found in nearly all samples, as it was observed in 98.9% of isolates. No significant anti-folate and chloroquine resistance was observed in P. vivax; however, mutations associated with antifolate-resistance were found, and the chloroquine-resistant gene has been observed in 100% of P. falciparum isolates. Chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance were found to be high in P. falciparum and low in P. vivax. Chloroquine could still be used for P. vivax infection but need to be tested in vivo, whereas a replacement of the artemisinin combination therapy for P. falciparum appears to be justified

A Review on Strong Impacts of Thermal Stress on Plants Physiology, Agricultural Yield; and Timely Adaptation in Plants to Heat Stress

In this review, we checked the harsh influence of high temperature or heat stress on plant metabolism and crop yield. Plants can bear a minimum range of temperature; temperature more than this optimum range comes in the term of heat stress. Climate changes increase the number and severity of heat waves that reduced the development of plants and resulted in the death of the entire plant. Heat stress is a major stressful environment that destroys plant growth, biochemical reactions, and the yield of crops across the world. High-temperature influences many physiological and chemical reactions in plants. HS is now a big deal for crop production and the essential goal of agriculture is to maintain a high yield of crops. A plant lives in the conditions of high temperature based on its capacity to receive the HT stimulus, generate and change the signal, and then initiate physiological and biochemical changes. The plants show physiological and biochemical responses to heat the stress, is an active area of research. To deal with HT, different molecular techniques are in progress. After thoroughly reviewed of the different discoveries on plants’ responses, adaptation, and forbearance to HT at the cellular, organelles, and entire plant levels, this article described several approaches that could be taken to increase thermo- forbearance in plants

How to punish cyber criminals: a study to investigate the target and consequence based punishments for malware attacks in UK, USA, China, Ethiopia & Pakistan

Numerous research studies have highlighted the exponential growth of malware attacks worldwide, posing a significant threat to society. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly merciless and show no signs of pity towards individuals or organizations. It is evident that cyber criminals will stop at nothing to gain unauthorized access to confidential information. To effectively combat malware attacks, strict cyber laws are necessary, and the use of malware is punishable in many countries. However, the literature has not addressed whether these penalties create deterrence or not. This research article has addressed this gap. In this study, the effectiveness of criminal laws related to malware-related crimes in various jurisdictions was analyzed using the doctrinal research methodology. The cyber laws of the USA, UK, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and China were examined to determine whether the penalties imposed for these crimes are appropriate given the severity of the harm caused. The study concludes that malware penalties should take into account the creation or use of malicious code, targeting individuals or organizations, and the magnitude of consequences, regardless of whether mens rea is present or not

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards COVID-19 during the Rapid Rise Period: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Public University Students of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has experienced long term COVID-19 impact in the education sector where university students have suffered a lot. This cross-sectional study intended to evaluate the health behavior of public university students towards the COVID-19. The convenience sampling technique was employed during the rapid COVID-19 period. A total of 952 public university students participated in the KAP survey. Statistical analyses were performed depending on the data type. Study population demonstrated exemplary COVID-19 knowledge along with positive attitudes and preventive practices towards the COVID-19. Gender, university year, and major were determined as associating factors with their overall KAP. Female students reported better knowledge and practice regarding COVID-19 than their counterpart male students. Students living in the capital Dhaka city did not show positive attitudes towards COVID-19 compared to the students living outside the city. Students who were without their families demonstrated better attitudes compared to the students with their families. Broadcast media, print media, the internet, university, and social media were identified as sources of COVID-19 precautionary measures information for these students. Students showed better knowledge and attitude levels when used print media and university respectively compared to the students who used surrounding people as a source of information. This study enhances our understanding of the health behavior of public university students of Bangladesh. It has also determined the associating factors with their KAP level. The outcome of this study can assist the government, organizations, and the university to prepare for a comprehensive pandemic control effort.   Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-4 Full Text: PD