MRI compatible mechatronic devices to aid medical diagnosis and intervention

Imperial Users onl

The social and emotional aspects of learning to speak English as an L2 in the Egyptian primary classroom

Drawing on the framework of Self Determination Theory (SDT), this study investigates the social and emotional aspects of children’s experiences of anxiety and agency/autonomy during speaking pairwork activities in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) primary classroom. Nine English language teachers were introduced to the framework of SDT and trained in using it to plan and implement speaking pairwork activities in their classrooms. Using pairwork and focusing on speaking were quite innovative practices in these classrooms where more traditional teacher- centered and grammar–translation approaches to teaching and learning prevailed, which meant that there was limited focus on collaborative learning and development of spoken language skills. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools with a sample of primary-school children (n=281), this study investigated the interplay between anxiety and autonomy during pairwork speaking activities. Findings indicated that there was a negative correlation between anxiety experienced and a sense of agency/autonomy: children who were most anxious felt reduced agency/autonomy, which made learning to speak English more difficult. However, children felt least anxious and most autonomous when doing pairwork. The study identified factors that could maximize support for children’s sense of agency/autonomy and alleviate their feelings of anxiety in the English-speaking classroom. The study concluded by providing some recommendations for teachers and curriculum development

Why Won’t They Speak English? Guidelines for Teachers on Using Pairwork to Enhance Speaking in the EFL Primary Classroom

This Guidance Booklet is for teachers who wish to support their students' speaking of English as an additional or foreign language in primary schools

TikTok Battlefield: Comparative Analysis of English and Arabic Language Representations of The 2022 Russian Ukrainian Conflict On TikTok

This study extends the growing political communication research on TikTok platform through studying the representation of a major political conflict in modern history; the 2022 Russian Ukrainian conflict. The study is providing a cross cultural comparison by studying the perspectives of English and Arabic speakers about the conflict. The study is based on the analysis of the 500 most liked TikTok videos - in one month duration that starts with the day of the Russian invasion - with top hashtags about the conflict in order to find the common message themes. The study uses a multi-dimensional analysis approach of connective action, collective action, and issue-specific frames to understand how TikTok was used as a social mobilization tool in reference to the conflict and how the users\u27 languages affected these frames. The study also looked at the use of technology affordances to create memetic dimensions of content, form, and stance. As each political conflict represents its own circumstances and dynamics, unlike TikTok’s nature, this study found that the artistic / humorous message theme did not represent the most prominent theme in both Arabic and English language videos. Also, message themes of victims and activists’ reference were more prevalent in English language videos in comparison to Arabic language videos. The results also revealed that connective action frames (personal experiences and emotional commentary) and collective action frames (perceived injustice and agency) were widely utilized in English language videos. However, issue-specific frames (problem definition) were widely found in Arabic language videos. Additionally, the most prominent tone of communication was found to be “serious” in both English and Arabic language videos, and the most prominent communicative function was “referential communication”. The most important finding of this study was the change in TikTok usual usage of playful communication in favor of serious and informative content. Moreover, TikTok unique affordances of association “Duets and stitches” were rarely used in the examined videos. The practical implication of this study is to understand TikTok’s position on the map of social media political expression, given the application’s unique affordances. The present research coming from the MENA region and comparing it with the other world aims at crossing the gap in comparative research by examining how the playful platform is used among English and Arabic speakers posting about a political conflict of a global impact

Exploring collaborative interaction and self-direction in Teacher Learning Teams: case-studies from a middle-income country analysed using Vygotskian theory

This article explores teachers’ learning from a Vygotskian perspective, which emphasises collaborative interaction and self-direction. The article describes case-studies of three senior teachers in socio-economically disadvantaged Egyptian primary schools where collaboration and self-direction were systemically discouraged. It analyses how, through a teacher development intervention, the teachers learned to use collaborative interaction to support their own learning and felt more creative, authoritative and powerful after being guided to exercise self-direction

Why won’t they speak English? An investigation into how young learners perceive and negotiate anxiety and autonomy in the EFL classroom

This report draws on the framework of Self Determination Theory to investigate primary-school children’s anxiety and autonomy/agency during lessons for speaking English. An intervention was carried out by introducing pairwork into the classes of 281 children in three government primary schools in Alexandria, Egypt. Their teachers were introduced to Self Determination Theory and supported to use pairwork for English speaking lessons. The aim was to help implement Self Determination Theory, potentially leading to improved English-speaking learning; and wellbeing. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through sentence starters [n=281 children], questionnaires [n=243 children], drawings [n= 107], and in-depth semi-structured interviews with selected pupils [18 children]. The research sought out students’ suggestions on how to create enhanced opportunities for young learners to learn spoken English, with special focus on reducing anxiety and increasing autonomy/agency. Findings indicated that children’s levels of anxiety when speaking English in class were substantial, especially girls’; and autonomy/agency was felt higher by boys. However, our own classroom observations and individual interviews reported limited levels of autonomy/agency in the classroom. We found a negative correlation between anxiety experienced; and a sense of agency/autonomy. Children who were most anxious felt reduced agency/autonomy, which made learning to speak English more difficult. However, children felt least anxious and most autonomous when doing pairwork (if it was well managed) in contrast to traditional learning methods. This report closes with some recommendations for teachers on how to practise speaking skills using pairwork, as well as suggestions for future research

Risk factors for atypical mycobacterial disease in patients with smear positive pulmonary TB

AbstractNon Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) can cause severe infection in selected groups of patients and is very difficult to be differentiated from TB infection clinically or radiologically leading to miss diagnosis and wrong treatment in these cases, the Aim of the present study is to study risk factors associated with NTM disease in patients with Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) smear positive, Subjects and methods: 1402 patients with AFB smear positive were included in the study, only 47 patients from the study group proved to have NTM disease (diagnosis was done according to ATS/IDSA criteria). Results: the mean age of the NTM patients was 61.8±23.2years, NTM was more common in older age groups and more common in white race patients, on using logistic regression analysis NTM disease was more commonly associated with old TB infection (42.6%) and with bed ridden patients on tracheostomy (31.9%). The most common organisms isolated were the MAC complex (55.3%) followed by M. Kansasii (34.04%). Conclusion: NTM disease should be put into consideration in patients with AFB smear positive and suffering from old TB infection or in bed ridden patients who are on tracheostomy, also if smear is positive for AFB and PCR is negative NTM should be suspected

Professional development through mutually respectful relationship: senior teachers' learning against the backdrop of hierarchical relationships

This article draws on interview data across eight months from senior teachers (i.e. experienced teachers who are subject leaders) in Egyptian primary schools, to explore how they described their learning during a professional development project in which they led gatherings of interested teachers in teacher learning communities. The article explores the hypothesis that an important ingredient for effective teacher professional development is an affirming relationship between the learning-teacher and their coach or peers. Carl Rogers’ person-centred theory from the psychotherapy context is explored here in an educational context where, as in many countries, hierarchical relationships control how professionals relate to each other and express themselves. The article concludes that an enhanced sense of professional value and authority can result from more mutually respectful relationships and become the bedrock for significant professional development

Clinical evaluation of inter-implant distance influence on the wear characteristics of low-profile stud attachments used in mandibular implant?retained overdentures

This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of inter-implant distance on the wear characteristics of low-profile stud attachments used in mandibular implant retained overdentures. Forty Completely edentulous participants aged between 50 ? 70 years were enrolled in this study. Each patient received 2-implants by 2-stage submerged surgical protocol. Participants categorized into 4-groups. Group I: 19 mm inter-implant distance with Locator retained overdentures; Group II: 19 mm inter-implant distance with OT Equator retained overdentures; Group III: 25 mm inter-implant distance with Locator retained overdentures; Group IV: 25 mm inter-implant distance with OT Equator retained overdentures. The female housings of each attachment were picked up to the mandibular overdenture. 12 month later the male inserts were replaced by new one. The used retentive male inserts were examined by Stereomicroscopic. Stereomicroscopic examination revealed wear were detected on both inner surface and, the core of male inserts. Comparison between the unused and the used Locator and OT equator retentive male inserts at various inter-implant distance revealed highly significant wear changes between them at either 19 mm, or 25 mm inter-implant distance P1= .000, P2=.000 respectively. After one year of implant overdenture clinical use; both locator and OT equator retentive male inserts revealed significant surface deformities and wear. Wear were more notable on both locator and OT equator retentive male inserts with 25 mm interimplant distance than with 19 mm interimplant distance

Null genetic risk of ACE gene polymorphisms with nephropathy in type 1 diabetes among Egyptian population

Reported to date, strong evidence exists in multiple studies for genetic predisposing in the development of diabetic nephropathy, and no studies addressed this issue among Egyptian population. The results of angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE) in the susceptibility to nephropathy in type 1 diabetes with nephropathy are conflicting. We aim to identify the associations of two ACE gene polymorphisms (PstI, A > G substitution and a 287-bp insertion/deletion) with nephropathy in type 1 diabetes in Egyptian children/adolescents. Our case-control study contained 140 diabetic individuals; 80 diabetic with nephropathy as cases, and 60 diabetic subjects without nephropathy as control group. Amplified DNA from peripheral leucocytes/buccal mucosa was genotyped for using polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic assay. We found no significant differences in the distribution of ACE insertion/deletion and PstI genotypes or allele frequencies were observed between the examined groups. Frequencies of PstI–indel haplotypes were similar in all of our study groups. In both cases and control subjects, ACE activity and microalbuminuria were highest among D/D homozygotes and lowest in I/I homozygotes, while a dissimilar result was seen in PstI polymorphism. Our findings in Egyptian population strongly conclude that there is no association between the ACE gene I/D and PstI polymorphisms with nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.Keywords: ACE gene polymorphisms; Type 1 diabetes; Nephropathy; Egyptian children/adolescent