Standards of Islamic Rooting for the Concepts of Education

The study aimed to identify a set of Islamic standards for the educational concepts that should be taken into account when addressing the process of Islamic rooting. The researcher used the analytical descriptive method, and the results of the study showed the absence of Interdisciplinary studies, which may contribute more to correcting the methodology of Islamic rooting for educational sciences, among specialists in the origins of education and other disciplines in the educational fields or otherwise. Thus, the study presented a set of Islamic Rooting standards for the educational concepts which are: reliance on sources of Islamic education, adherence to the rules of derivation and reasoning in Islamic methodology, ability to critique and deal with the heritage tales and understanding and knowledge of Arabic language methods and their multiple uses. The distinction between the sources of knowledge in Islam and other nations, starting from the Islamic perception of the universe, man and life, extensive knowledge in the field of education and work within the field. Results also indicate the presentation of educational concepts clearly after rooting them, verification of rooting objectives of educational concepts, emergence of features of the methodology of Islamic roots when dealing with educational concepts, averageness in dealing with educational concepts coming from other educational cultures, taking into consideration the aspects of the legal dispute and its reflection on educational applications. The study concluded with a set of recommendations in the light of its finding

Circular polarization switching and bistability in an optically injected 1300 nm spin-vertical cavity surface emitting laser

We report the experimental observation of circular polarization switching (PS) and polarization bistability (PB) in a 1300 nm dilute nitride spin-vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). We demonstrate that the circularly polarized optical signal at 1300 nm can gradually or abruptly switch the polarization ellipticity of the spin-VCSEL from right-to-left circular polarization and vice versa. Moreover, different forms of PS and PB between right- and left-circular polarizations are observed by controlling the injection strength and the initial wavelength detuning. These results obtained at the telecom wavelength of 1300 nm open the door for novel uses of spin-VCSELs in polarization sensitive applications in future optical systems

Effects of Dexamethasone and Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor in NT2 Cells

Stress is a major risk factor that can evoke neuropathological changes within the cortico-limbic system in neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders. Many of these disorders implicate the regulation of glucocorticoids (GCs) and neurotrophins, such as the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). GCs are steroidal hormones that have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. They are widely used to treat allergy, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. GCs’ roles and functions in the central nervous system (CNS) is varied and not well understood at this time. BDNF is commonly known to play important roles in the survival, growth-promoting and synaptic plasticity of the CNS. However, it has also been reported that continuous exposure to BDNF results in widespread neuronal death. While several studies have shown functional interactions between BDNF and GCs in neural events, the relationship between these interactions has not been clearly defined. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) and BDNF in Ntera-2 (NT2) cells. Our results show a decline in cell viability and proliferation in a time and dose dependent manner when NT2 cells were treated with DEX alone. Treatment with BDNF did not affect NT2 cell viability. Interestingly, when NT2 cells were treated with a combination of DEX and BDNF, there appeared to be greater loss of cell viability and cell proliferation compared to the treatment with DEX alone. This synergistic effect possibly occurred via the co-activation of the BDNF receptor p75 and glucocorticoid receptor common pathways that may be responsible for apoptosis and cellular death. &nbsp

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Dental Students and Interns in Saudi Arabia

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a worldwide healthcare problem. Dental health care professionals are at a high risk of infection by HBV. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice of HBV infection among Saudi dental students and Interns in Saudi Arabia. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of questions on students? knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HBV was used. Data of 420 participants were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) version 22.0. The response rate was 84%. Overall, the participants showed fair level of knowledge about HBV, with significant differences between final year students and the interns. Also, the subjects showed negative attitude toward HBV patients. The vast majority reported always wearing gloves (97.9%), gowns (92.1%), face masks (89.2%), disposable caps (87.1%) and protective eye wear (80.9%). The majority of participants (91.4%) had been vaccinated against HBV. However, only 41% completed the recommended 3 doses of the vaccine. These unsatisfactory findings emphasize the necessity of continued education about HBV in order to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental students and Interns regarding HBV

Endocannabinoid and lipid metabolism genes network analysis in adipose and liver tissue of dairy cows during the transition period

During the transition period dairy cows are exposed to enormous metabolic changes. These changes could affect the overall health and production. Two experiments were conducted on transition cows to evaluate the 1) effects of body condition score (BCS) on the endocannabinoid system and lipid metabolism gene expression in adipose tissue; and 2) effects of rumen-protected methionine on the endocannabinoid system in liver tissue. In the first study, cows were retrospectively classified according to their BCS at -3 wk from parturition into two groups: HiBCS (BCS ≥ 3.75) or LoBCS (BCS ≤ 3.25 ). Adipose tissue at -10, 7, and 20 d around parturition was used to examine mRNA expression via qPCR of endocannabinoid receptors (CNR1, CNR2), enzymes that synthesize endocannabinoid (NAPEPLD), enzymes that degrade endocannabinoids (FAAH, NAAA, MGLL), and the hormone precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC). We also examined mRNA expression via qPCR of genes associated with lipolysis (LIPE, ABDH5, ATGL), fatty acid oxidation (CPT1A, CPT2, ACADVL, ACOX1), oxidative stress (SOD1, SOD2), and genes that are involved in inflammation (TLR9, TLR4, NFE2L2). Expression of CNR2 and NAPEPLD was greater at 7 d in LoBCS due to lower expression at the same time in HiBCS. The expression of FAAH was upregulated at d 7 and 20 in LoBCS than HiBCS cows. Expression of MGLL was overall greater across time in LoBCS than HiBCS, LoBCS had a tendency for greater overall expression of POMC across time. Regarding the genes associated with lipolysis, LoBCS compared with HiBCS cows had overall greater expression of ABDH5, LIPE and ATGL, indicating a greater state of basal lipolysis over time. Among genes related with fatty acid oxidation the expression of CPT1A and ACADVL was greater in HiBCS than LoBCS due to greater expression at -10 and 7 d. For the mitochondrial enzyme SOD2, important for clearing reactive-oxygen species that cause cellular stress and inflammation, we observed an interaction of BCS × day due to higher expression at d 7 in LoBCS than HiBCS. There was an overall BCS effect on the expression of SOD1 due to greater expression in LoBCS compared with HiBCS. In the second experiment, cows were fed experimental diets consisting of a basal control diet (CON) or rumen-protected methionine-supplemented (MET) during the transition period (-21 through 30 days in milk). The liver was biopsied at -10, 7, 20 and 30 days relative to parturition. Gene expression was determined through qPCR for endocannabinoid receptors (CNR1, CNR2), enzymes that synthesize endocannabinoid (NAPEPLD), enzymes that degrade endocannabinoid (FAAH, NAAA, MGLL), and the hormone precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC). A significant interaction of treatment × day was observed for the endocannabinoid receptor CNR2 associated with lower expression in MET compared with control cows on d -10. There was an overall greater expression of FAAH, MGLL, NAAA and the EC-synthesizing enzyme NAPEPLD in MET compared with control cows. Cows supplemented with MET had greater in vitro blood neutrophil phagocytosis, neutrophil oxidative burst and monocyte oxidative burst. Results from experiment 1 indicate that expression of the endocannabinoid system and lipid metabolism genes in adipose tissue may be associated with BCS. A potential linkage between those pathways and risk of disorders postpartum remains to be determined. Results from experiment 2 suggest that the alterations in the hepatic EC signaling network in response to MET might be involved in the positive effect on performance and liver function

Power Consumption and Energy Estimation in Smartphones

A developer needs to evaluate software performance metrics such as power consumption at an early stage of design phase to make a device or a software efficient especially in real-time embedded systems. Constructing performance models and evaluation techniques of a given system requires a significant effort. This paper presents a framework to bridge between a Functional Modeling Approach such as FSM, UML etc. and an Analytical (Mathematical) Modeling Approach such as Hierarchical Performance Modeling (HPM) as a technique to find the expected average power consumption for different layers of abstractions. A Hierarchical Generic FSM “HGFSM” is developed to be used in order to estimate the expected average power. A case study is presented to illustrate the concepts of how the framework is used to estimate the average power and energy produced

Study Protocol for "MOVEdiabetes":A Trial to Promote Physical Activity for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Health Care in Oman

Abstract Background Benefits of physical activity in the management of diabetes are well documented. However, evidence on the effectiveness of interventions integrating physical activity in diabetes care is sparse especially in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The results from this study will increase our understanding of the use of multi-component interventions aimed at increasing physical activity levels in inactive adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health care in Oman. Methods/design The study is a one year 1:1 cluster randomized controlled trial of the MOVEdiabetes programme (intervention) versus usual care in eight primary health care centres in Oman. The MOVEdiabetes programme utilizes face to face physical activity consultations promoting 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week (≥600MET-mins/week), pedometers to self-monitor step counts and monthly telephone WhatsApp messages for follow up support. Inactive adults with type 2 diabetes and no contraindication to physical activity will be recruited over a two months period, and followed up for 12 months. To demonstrate a 50% between group difference in physical activity levels (MET-mins/week) over 12 months, (at a power of 80%, and significance level of 5%), 128 participants would be required to complete the study (64 in each arm). Based on a drop-out rate of 20%, 154 participants would require to be recruited (77 in each arm). Assuming a recruitment rate of 70%, 220 potential eligible participants would need to be approached. The primary outcome is change in levels of physical activity measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. In addition, accelerometers will be used in a sub group to objectively assess physical activity. Secondary outcomes include changes in metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers, change in self-reported health, social support, self-efficacy for physical activity, and perceived acceptability of the program. All intervention delivery and support costs will be monitored. Discussion This study will contribute to the evidence on the feasibility, cultural acceptability and efficacy of interventional approaches for increasing physical activity in primary care for persons with type 2 diabetes in Oman. Trial registration International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials No: ISRCTN14425284 . Registered 12 April 2016

Optimal Control of Volterra Difference Equations of the First Kind

This is the author accepted manuscript. the final version is available from IEEE via the DOI in this recor