MORPHOLOGICAL AWARENESS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH READING COMPREHENSION OF EFL SAUDI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

In the past ten years, there has a research interest in morphological awareness, which refers to an individual’s ability to decode the morphemic structure of words and further analyze them. The current study is an attempt to investigate levels of awareness of EFL Saudi university students and also to discover any potential relationship between their morphological awareness and successful reading comprehension. To this end, the researcher administered a modified version of Morphological Awareness Test (McBride- Chang et al. 2008) to 35 undergraduate students at the Department of Foreign Languages at Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Al Baha University in the academic year 2016/2017. The test included the analytic and synthetic aspects of word formation rules. Instruments of the study also included an adopted version of Reading Comprehension Test for Smart Choice Learners (Oxford, 2007). Results of the study indicated that the average score of the Morpheme Identification section (the analytic aspect of morphological awareness) was the highest among the students (M= 27.11, SD= 6.20) in comparison to the synthetic aspect of morphological awareness (M= 14.66, SD= 11.91). The students noticeably scored better in the Morpheme Identification Test (88.57%) than they did in the Morphological Structure Test (57.6%). The overall mean score of the Morphological Awareness Test was 41.77 out of 68 with a considerable dispersion among the results (SD= 14.63) with overall percentage (65.71%) which indicated that the students had intermediate awareness of word formation rules. In addition, EFL students scored better in the Inflectional affixes in both the analysis section (63%, SD= 5.32) and the synthesis section (50%, SD=9.85) than they did with the Derivational affixes (59.15%, SD= 7.38 in the analysis section, 46.33%, SD=13.72  in the synthesis section). Furthermore, there is high positive correlation between total students' scores on analytical aspect section of the morphological awareness test and reading comprehension test (0.871) (0.009). There is positive correlation between students' scores on synthetic aspect section of the morphological test and reading comprehension (0.841) (0.005), but it is weaker than that of the first section of the test. The total scores of students on morphological test positively correlate with their total scores on reading comprehension test (0.869) (0.005). The present study ended up with a set of pedagogical implications and recommendations to include training on rules of word formation in EFL curriculum so as to increase their morphological awareness and to develop their successful reading comprehension endeavors. Future research themes were also recommended such as the role of morphological awareness in tracing semantic irregularities to enhance learners' understanding of different English words and to explore the relationship between morphological awareness and other language learning skills including listening and speaking.  Article visualizations

Experimental work of effect of openings on the post-tensioned flat slab

This study aims to evaluate the effect of various parameters on the behavior of the reinforced concrete flat slabs and the contribution of each design element in the punching shear strength. This research presents experimental results of tested post-tensioned flat slabs with opening under concentric compressive load. The developed post-tensioned flat slabs are to ensure adequate punching shear strength capacity. The experimental work consisted of eight specimens of post-tensioned reinforced concrete flat slabs which classified into groups. All slabs had the same dimension and reinforcement. The slabs had dimensions with a 1750 mm length and 1750 mm width, to study the behavior of post-tensioned flat slab with/out openings under the concentrated load and punching influence

Maxillary Sinus Augmentation Using a Titanium Mesh: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Various attempts have been implemented using different materials and techniques to augment the maxillary sinus floor for prospect dental implant positioning.AIM: This contemplate was conducted to assess the osteogenic capability of the maxillary sinus in a two-step sinus membrane elevation using titanium mesh to keep the formed space to place dental implants in atrophic ridges.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium micromesh was customized and positioned into the sinus on one side to preserve the elevated membrane in position. On the other side xenograft was applied. Instant and 6-months postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was done to assess the gained bone height and density. Bone core biopsies were obtained during implant placement for histological and histomorphometric evaluation.RESULTS: The average bone height values increased in both groups. Meanwhile the average bone density value was higher at the graft group than the titanium mesh group. Histological and histomorphometric evaluation presented the average bone volume of the newly formed bone in the graft group which is superior to that of the titanium mesh group.CONCLUSION: The use of the titanium micromesh as a space-maintaining device after Schneiderian membrane elevation is a trustworthy technique to elevate the floor of the sinus without grafting

Oxaliplatin complexes with carnosine and its derivatives: in vitro cytotoxicity, mass spectrometric and computational studies with a focus on complex fragmentation

The complexation of the Pt-based anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin (OxPt) with biological ligands other than DNA is believed to be a major cellular sink for the drug reducing its therapeutic potential and acting as a potential cause of toxicity. In this paper, an in vitro study on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells suggests that the naturally abundant cytoplasmic dipeptide ligand β-alanyl-L-histidine dipeptide (carnosine) may inhibit the cytotoxic action of OxPt most likely through the formation of complexes that are less cytotoxic than OxPt alone. Evidence is provided to suggest that pre-exposure of HepG2 cells to elevated levels of carnosine appears to have a lasting effect on reducing the cytotoxicity of OxPt even after the removal of the carnosine. This effect, however, is shown to be under kinetic control as its magnitude was shown not to vary significantly with the level of carnosine exposure within the concentration range used in this study. Various mass spectrometry techniques employing electrospray ionization and chip nanospray were employed to study the interaction of oxaliplatin with carnosine as well as two of its derivatives being β-alanyl-N-methylhistidine (anserine) and N-Acetylcarnosine (NAC). Evidence of complexation between OxPt and each of the three ligands examined is presented. Most species observed were unambiguously assigned and compared to their theoretical isotopic patterns. Common fragmentation products due to the collisionally-activated protonated complexes of each of the ligands examined with OxPt, [M + OxPt + H]+ where M= carnosine, anserine or NAC were reported. Density functional calculations at B3LYP/LANL2DZ were used to obtain structural information and relative free energies of different isomers of the observed precursor [Carnosine + OxPt + H]+ both in the gas phase and in solution as well as to probe its fragmentation, highlighting plausible fragmentation mechanisms that account for all the experimental results.Data are presented to show several binding modes between electron rich sites such as N and O centers of carnosine and the Pt metal of OxPt. Calculations were also employed to obtain proton affinities and free energies of key reactions. The proton affinities of carnosine, Anserine and NAC at 298 K were calculated to be 254.4, 255.9 and 250.2 kcal mol-1 respectively. To the best of our knowledge the proton affinities of anserine and N-acetyl-carnosine are the first reported values in the literature

Attempt to Characterize Egyptian Painting Layers by GC/MS and Optical Method

Organic binding media and color materials used in Egyptian wall paintings were characterized using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. The small samples of the wall paintings were obtained from the debris in Funeral House (Egyptian House) in Tuna el-Gabal that was at the age of Persian or Ptolmaic Period. The aim of this study is to investigate a possibility of discrimination between Arabic gum and animal protein-based binders used in ancient Egypt and to recognize the use of mixtures of the two products. The GC-MS results showed that saturated fatty acid esters and the compound which seemed to be fatty acid glyceride were detected in the extract of the wall surface. Unsaturated aliphatic alcohols, esters, and the components with a steroid frame were observed from the direct probe method of EI-MS. In FT-IR, the absorption bands of calcium hydroxide in the red part of the painting and inorganic oxide in the black part were observed. In Raman spectra, it was supposed that amorphous carbon was used for color material of the black district and cinnabar (HgS) was for that of the red part. In addition, the color materials with fluorescence were detected in the red and blue part of surface

STRENGTHENING COUNTERMEASURES AND QUALITY ESTIMATION OF BEDROCKS IN MASTABA IDOUT, EGYPT

As part of the conservation and restoration work of the Center for the Global Study of Cultural Heritage and Culture (CHC), this study explores the strengthening countermeasures and the quality estimation of rock at Mastaba Idout in Saqqara, Egypt. The Mastaba Idout was built around 2360BC. The bedrock of this unique underground burial chamber is known to be weak and, as such, an investigation of its condition and quality and an examination of various strengthening methods are reported herein. The results of quality testing for four kinds of strengthening agents for stone in Japan are also examined. The results of quality testing and repairs for the bedrock in Egypt and the results of the quality testing of strengthening agents for dirt in Japan are reported. Quality testing measures the frequency of the accelerating wave generated by striking a rock surface with an impact hammer. The repair methods involve strengthening by coating with a strengthening agent for stone and injecting non-shrink cement slurry into cracks. This research identified that the site\u27s bedrock was of very low quality and that the strengthening methods were effective. Quality testing of the strengthening agents for dirt found that agent OH100 had good water permeability, good moisture permeability, and minimal negative effects on the compressive strength of rocks

Characterization of Organic Binding Media Used in Egyptian Painting Layers by GC/MS

Organic binding media used in Egyptian wall paintings was characterized using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Samples of the wall paintings were obtained from the dubris in the mastaba of Idout, Saqqara in Egypt. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of discrimination between arabic gum and animal protein-based binders used in ancient Egypt. In this present study, three methods of sample preparation and injection in GC-MS (double-shot injection, reaction pyrolysis and liquid-injection) were tested for the most sensitive detection of the organic binding media. The GC-MS results showed that the double-shot injection and liquid-injection methods detected no natural products, but the reaction pyrolysis method could detect saturated fatty-acid esters and fatty-acid glyceride-like compounds. However, these organic compounds found at the Idout wall painting are almost consistent with the previously reported compounds that were detected from the wall painting samples obtained from the Funeral House in Tuna el-Gabal. In conclusion, the organic binding media could not be discriminated again.ガスクロマトグラフィー質量分析（GC-MS）の3種類の測定手法、ダブルショット法、反応熱分解法および液体注入法を用いて、エジプト壁画に使用されている接着剤などの有機化合物の分析を行った。試料はサッカラのイドゥートの埋葬室から得られた壁画の小片である。ダブルショット法、液体注入法を用いたGC-MS測定では、天然物由来の有機化合物を検出することができなかった。反応熱分解法を用いて壁画表面をGC-MSで分析した結果、飽和脂肪酸エステル類が強く、他にも脂肪酸グリセリド様と思われる化合物を検出した。その結果は、前回測定したツナ・エル・ガバル遺跡の壁画小片から検出した有機物とほぼ同じ化合物群であり、今回も壁画に使用されている接着材の成分を識別することはできなかった。3種類の分析方法の中で反応熱分解法が、有機化合物に対してもっとも感度が高かった

Androgenetic alopecia, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance: Is there any association? A case-control study

Context: Although several previous studies have investigated the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR) with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the results have been inconsistent. Aim: We attempted to assess the presence of MS and IR in patients with AGA. This may help to detect if AGA can be considered as a clue for underlying serious systemic diseases. Materials and Methods: One hundred male patients with stages III-VII AGA, in Hamilton-Norwood classification, and 100 normal, gender- and age-matched control subjects were included. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured for the all participants. The presence of MS and IR was evaluated. Results: There were statistically significant differences regarding mean values of body weight (P < 0.001), height (P = 0.002), waist circumference (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), systolic (P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), fasting glucose (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), fasting insulin (P = 0.02) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P < 0.001) between cases and controls. A statistically significant association was found between AGA and MS (P = 0.002) and between AGA and IR (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that waist circumference (>102 cm) was the most significant risk factor for developing MS. It increased the risk of MS by 1.25-folds (95% CI = 1.10-1.42, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results support the recommendation for assessing MS and IR in all young males with stage III or higher AGA. Early intervention is critical to reduce the risk and complications of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life